a/n Hello All! Thanks for sticking with this. Apologies for not having got this up sooner… I'm currently working on an important conference paper and finding time when I'm not busy with that and still in the mood to write is proving difficult! Cogs are now back in gear though, and hope to update again tomorrow…the idea is already sorted in my head. Just need to extract it… ouch.

Still shaking his head, Joe entered the bathroom. Pushing the door to, he worked his shirt out of his trousers and undid the buttons. Throwing it over the chair, he reached into the quite literally palatial shower and turned the taps. Stepping back to avoid the spray he stripped off the rest of his clothes and grabbed a towel. The water was hot and strangely relaxing as it gushed forcefully over his head and shoulders. He'd been tense all day, Mia's little disappearing act hadn't helped, and it was good to feel the strain slipping away.

As he turned to face the spray, rubbing his face, his mind was cast back to that morning. He'd been sitting in his office, plans of the palace spread out over the large map table that he'd specifically had made for the purpose. The ball arrangements were all in place, the guest list finalised and the staff duties allocated. It only remained for him to co-ordinate the security of the two royals. He always left this until last – it only required an hour or so, and he would work with Clarisse. It was funny really, they had always done it together, ever since he had undertaken the responsibility. He liked to involve her, to show her clearly that her evening would be safe and that she could relax and enjoy whatever function it was they were attending; she felt that her input was important, especially since, in the event of an emergency, time for explanations would be at a premium. Both, he smiled to himself, enjoyed the opportunity, given the sensitive nature of the matter, which of course required the door to be shut and bolted, to be totally alone with each other.

That morning, they had scheduled to meet at ten, to work on the plans, and then to take morning tea. At ten past ten she swept into the room, glasses perched on her nose, arms waving,

"Joseph, my dear, I'm so terribly sorry." Her face was flushed a little, and he suspected that she might have been scuttling down the corridors when the guards weren't looking. He smiled at the image. He should probably tell her about the cameras that mapped every square inch of the palace but decided this wasn't the time.

A little out of breath, she continued:

"That stupid, stupid, infuriating man…" exasperated, she went on, "I was speaking to the French ambassador on the telephone, and he just wouldn't be dissuaded from outlining the entire portfolio of French foreign policy statements issued this year." She had placed one hand on her hip and with the other rubbed the bridge of her nose, clearly still caught up in the moment. " I mean, it's not as if I haven't already read and been briefed on their contents by my own staff." She began to pace now, not even looking at him, half talking to herself, "Really, these officials who believe they can advance their career by bending my ear for an hour do tire me…I mean…"

Joseph bit back a smile and got up from his desk. Moving swiftly across the room, he gently pushed the door to and, as discreetly as possible, clicked the lock shut. Clarisse was still muttering to herself when she felt his hands on her shoulders.

"Hey, easy there tiger, getting worked up about it won't calm you down." he breathed down her neck. She sighed as he massaged her shoulders, leaning back against him.

"I am sorry, my dear, it's just that these little things really…"

"I know." His tone was comforting, understanding and, well, firm. She relaxed gradually under his touch. "And what's all this about ear-bending?" he murmured, slipping an arm possessively around her waist, as he dropped little kisses on her right ear and cheek, "personally I've found it very effective in achieving my objectives…"

"And what would they be?" she whispered, turning in his arms to face him.

"Still stressed?" looking at her seriously,

"Nope", she smiled back,

"Well then…"

"Honestly… you're amazing."

"I know."

She slipped her arms round his back and snuggled into his chest. After a moment or two, he pulled away, "Ready to get started on the plans?"

They had been concentrating for about half an hour when he noticed that she was gazing out of the window. She was totally lost in thought. He knew the signs well, and decided to let her daydream. She got so few moments to herself, and these occasions were now so rare, especially with Mia bouncing all over the place, that he couldn't resist. Watching Clarisse was his own personal hobby. She was quite simply fascinating. He had heard it said by many that the closer one gets to the object of your desires, the less they shine, but with Clarisse this was simply not the case. She broke the mould. Her eyes flitted shut for a second, and a broad smile spread across her face. As she opened them, she turned to look at him, unsurprised by now to find him gazing back at her.

"Anywhere nice?" he asked.

"Hmm?" she smiled again, casually stroking his hand, "I'm afraid you lost me for a moment there…"

"Indeed. Everything ok?"

"Perfect. I was remembering our first secret conversation. In the car."

"In the car…hmm…the car…now, which car might that have been, can't say I remember having any important conversations in cars?" he teased, catching her hand tightly before she thumped him, "Oh, you mean that car…?"

She smiled, looking up at him, "That was the beginning, wasn't it? I mean, after the dinner, that was the first time we were alone." It wasn't meant to be a question, more of a statement. "When you held me that night of the dinner my marriage ended, but that journey, later, that was when we began." As she looked deep into his eyes, she saw the same strength she had seen that first time, and she stroked his face.

The phone rang, startling them both. Joseph answered.

"Yes?" Smiling at Clarisse, 'Charlotte', he mouthed. "Really…no, she must have forgotten. I'll tell her. Yes, okay. Thanks."

"What have I forgotten?" she questioned, irritated a little by the lost moment, slipping off her glasses and rubbing her temples.

"Nothing you'll want to remember, I fear. That crazy Italian has arrived to slobber over you again…"

"Oh dear." She shook her head, clearly trying to shift the image from her mind. She stood up and stretched out her back. "Well, my darling, I'm afraid I must go and make myself beautiful for this evening. If I leave him waiting any longer, I fear he might start mixing up some pink hair dye or something horrific…" she said with a long sigh.

"Oh, I don't know, might suit you", he teased, "Just make sure he does your eyebrows as well, otherwise it'll look strange."

"Joseph…" she chided, with mock indignation.

"Yes, your Majesty?" he replied, with an angelic smile.

"À ce soir…" with which she blew him a kiss, and waltzed out to do battle with the infamous Paolo.

As he returned back to the plans on his desk, he sighed. It was funny, her thoughtful mood had rubbed off on him, and he found himself reminiscing on what she had described. He sat and, taking a sip of his now lukewarm tea, leant back into the comfortable leather seat. It was beautiful outside now, and a slight breeze was playing with the leaves on the trees…but that night in question the weather had been quite different…