None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. Enjoy and please review, your reviews are so nice and encouraging:-) scarlet Pimpernel doesn't belong to me, it belongs to the very talented estate of baroness Orczy. Wish it did!

Clarisse was curled up on the large leather seat, her head resting on Joe's shoulder. He was reading the book she had challenged him too, "the Scarlet Pimpernel". it was ok he supposed. She moved a little and groaned. He noticed how she smiled when she slept. They had only been flying for 15 minutes and already she had made herself quite comfortable on his shoulder.

He rested his head back, feeling to tired to read. He looked at her for a moment, looked at a woman who was completely different. She had changed so much. She looked so different, so happy. He smiled, he loved this!

She could feel him watching her, she didn't mind-actually she quite enjoyed it. She wasn't sleeping, well not now he was watching her. She kept her eyes closed.

"what are you thinking?", she whispered, eyes still closed. He was a little startled, after all he was under the impression she had been sleeping.

"just how lucky I am", he whispered, gently.

"oh", she paused, "I'm lucky as well, Joseph", she said innocently. She sounded so happy and content. It made him laugh softly.

"I'm looking forward to meeting your family", she remarked.

"and they're looking forward to meeting you, spare my-", he stopped, not wanting to hurt her.

"spare who?", she questioned, opening her eyes. She didn't like the sound of this. " out with it", she commanded, partly forgetting he was her husband.

"ok, ok. Don't speak to me like that", he sighed.

"sorry", she muttered, " but what is it?".

"it's my-", he paused.

"your brother", she continued. Remembering they had had an argument when he had informed him he was married, they hadn't spoken since.

"yes. He wouldn't listen. He was so nasty about you, he's hardly even met you yet he felt able to cast judgement", he answered.

"just like everyone else", she said, trying to comfort him. She knew what people thought about her, she wasn't going to deny it.

"but it's Miguel, my little brother-it's not just a member of the public", he sighed, " I just wanted him to get to know you, the real you before he decided you were what he said".

"what did he say?", she questioned.

"the usual- we're from 2 different worlds, you're stuck up, what kind of person forces her son to divorce his wife? What kind of idiot was I thinking it would last?", he rhymed off, staring into her eyes.

"of course we'll last, we've lasted the last 30 years right, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks but I know it means a lot to you. So I'll try hard , I will", she promised.

"don't change yourself for Miguel, he's probably just being an ass, he'll like you when he meets you", he tried, partly reassuring himself but mostly reassuring her.

An announcement from the pilot broke into their conversation.

"we're landing in 10 minutes your Majesty's, if you'd please belt up. thank you".

He turned to her and kissed her cheek;

" look out your window my darling and welcome to my country".

Did you like? It was good, eh? Please R&R.

Yours,

M

It might be a little short but it's a linking chapter.