Chapter 14: In One Moment

Disclaimer: I wish I owned him I really do, because then I wouldn't have to write this thing out….

Note: Hey guys, umm, I think we have different definitions of the word fluff….so if y'all could tell me what your fluff means, I won't do my fluff and I can make y'all even happier! Thanks, keep reading.

Days past that seemed to go by normally. Amanda helped Joseph heal, and got to know him very well. Over all, he was a good person. He occasionally had some wild ideas, but he balanced it out with a level head, and gentle nature. The days past for Arthur, working nonstop on figuring out a way to help his farmers produce enough food for the people without being unfair. The days past for Nicolarious with Gawain, and exploring the palace when not with Gawain. The days went on for Galahad, who wore on silently, trying to cope with his anger, and the threat that was still ringing in his ears. On one of these normal, passing days, while it was snowing, Amanda was in her room, toying with the metal tube, wondering if she should open. Joseph didn't seem bothered by not having it, if he even remembered that he had it when he fell. He was healing well, but he would always have a scar. He had told her that he had always wanted a scar, made people seem dashing. Amanda then told him her thoughts about scars.

"I think scars tell the story of the people who have them. I mean, if you took Galahad for instance, he had a scar on his left fore arm. I thought it was from a battle, but no. There is always a story that goes along with a scar," Amanda had told him. Smiling at the memory, Amanda put the back tube into her pocket. Amanda headed down to the library, which now had shelves filled with every book imaginable. When she reached there however, the doors were closed, and Amanda was very confused. Inching closer, quietly, Amanda placed her ear to the door, wondering if Gawain and Nicolarious were in there.

"No Gurshion," said Arthur's deep voice. Amanda drew back, and quickly walked away, not wanting to be caught. She hurried away and down a few halls, looking over her shoulder to make sure no one had seen her.

"Lady Amanda," she heard someone say. Amanda turned her head back forward and saw a white shirt nearing her face very quickly. Slamming into whoever had been there, Amanda fell backwards on to the floor, as did the other person. Looking up, she saw Joseph on the floor next to her.

"Oh my God, Joseph," she said getting up, "are you alright?"

"Yes, Amanda, I'm fine," he said sitting up.

"Careful," she warned, helping him rise.

"I'm fine, really," he said. He stood, rising a whole head above her, and smiled.

"I'm sorry, I didn't even see you, I was-" Joseph interrupted her.

"I know, you were looking over your shoulder. Afraid someone was going to come after you?" he teased. Amanda laughed.

"Oh yes," she said, "I was running from a murderer." Joseph smiled at her, and gestured for her to walk with him. They walked down the hall; Joseph had his hands folded behind his back and Amanda had her hands crossed in front of her chest.

"How's your head?" Amanda asked. Joseph looked at her, and answered.

"It's much better, thanks to the wonderful care giver walking next to me," Joseph answered. Amanda chuckled and felt herself blush. Trying to shake it off, she searched for another thing to talk about.

"Why did you stay here?" Amanda asked. Joseph looked at her, surprised, but then darted his eyes to the floor and sighed.

"Because my uncle was no man of God. 'Praise Rome' he used to say 'Long live the Emperor! Long live the Pope!' But I could see what he really was," answered Joseph. He stopped, a small smile on his face, and he looked back at Amanda, "For some reason, I can't seem to find a reason for my doings. But I knew, from the first moment I saw you, the evening we arrived, that I once had an answer for everything. Yet, I stand here now, looking at you, and I can't explain why I have this certain pang in my gut that this is where I should be." Joseph took a few steps toward her, and Amanda looked up into his eyes.

"That's the way God wanted it to be, Joseph," Amanda said, "That's why you have that feeling."

"No," said Joseph, placing his hand on Amanda's shoulder, "I don't believe that's the answer Amanda. I think it's more of a tangible person than God, someone who is in my life this very moment." Amanda shrugged, uncrossing her arms that were over her chest.

"Then I have no answer for you," Amanda replied. Joseph's hand slipped up to Amanda's cheek, his eyes simply staring into hers.

"Would you like to know who I think it is?" he asked, moving his head in closer to Amanda's. His lips finally met hers, and Amanda stood there, unable to move. For one moment during the day, thoughts were not whizzing in her mind, emotions were not over coming her, and perils were not knocking on her door. For that one moment, it was just her and Joseph. Joseph's lips lingered on hers for a long moment, and then slowly, Joseph began to pull away. When he did, Amanda looked up at him, and saw him smiling, his brown eyes twinkling. Hearing something, Amanda turned her head, looking down the hall, Amanda saw Arthur staring, not at Joseph, but at her, a look in his eyes Amanda would never forget.

Sorry this one was a tad short, and it's such a cliff hanger...I'll update soon! I PROMISE!