It was beginning to grow dark as Joe mounted the steps of the express train at Madrid station. Hoisting his rucksack onto the baggage rack, he quickly found his place and slumped down heavily in the cool leather seat. The air in the station was thick with the heady notes of summer, the hotdogs being sold on the concourse, all mixed with the thick smell of diesel, and his head was beginning to spin. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. He had spent the day finalising the shipment of his mother's possessions, the small sentimental items he couldn't bring himself to part with, back to the palace. He still had no idea where he would store them, but quite frankly, he didn't have the energy to think it through now.

He opened his eyes again, and looked out of the carriage window. Crowds of families seeing each other off. A particularly large woman was holding an extremely embarrassed-looking young man tightly to her bosom. He smiled, and then, looking down at his hands, couldn't help but feel his own mother's arms around him again. He sighed, wondering when it would start to get easier, and yet half hoping that he would always feel her presence so closely.

An hour into the journey, they stopped at some provincial town, waking him from the fitful sleep he had been enjoying. A young couple installed themselves in the seats opposite him: he raised the armrest to the upright position, and she curling up on the seat, falling easily back into his arms. Joe smiled, meeting the young man's eye and nodding a greeting. The young man smiled back and looked out of the window. Soon, both were asleep. In spite of the peace, however, Joe couldn't relax. He couldn't help but watch them, snuggled together, so open and so at ease. He noticed the engagement ring on the girl's finger, and his throat tightened a little. Looking away, out into the now pitch-black countryside, he felt a solitary tear run down his cheek. Whatever happened in his life, he knew now that he would never feel such youthful comfort, enjoy such peace. And it was a bitter pill to swallow.

Just after midnight, he arrived back at the palace. As he had hoped, no one greeted him at the door, and, as he prepared himself a quick sandwich in the kitchen, it seemed that no one was even up. His dinner complete, he grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge and made his way back to his room. It was a long walk. The events of the past weeks came flooding back and, as he passed her door, for a moment he faltered. There were no guards on duty, a practice he knew she disliked and had obviously discarded in his absence, and for a moment his hand found its way to the knob. He closed his eyes, and his thumb danced over the polished brass. He swallowed, suddenly aware that his heart was racing. Her light was still on and the light was spilling out underneath the door.

A telephone rang, and he jumped, his hand flying off the handle, like a naughty child caught by the cookie jar. After a few rings she picked up, her crystal voice floating out into the corridor,

"Yes, darling, how are you?"

Pierre. It would have to be at this time.

"No, of course not. I'm fine…just fine. I just couldn't sleep." She paused, and he heard her getting up from her desk…so she'd been working until now?…and presumably sitting down on the couch.

"Really, sweetheart, it's nothing…I just miss your father, that's all."

He sighed, and stepped back from the door. He must be strong. Squaring his shoulders, he turned and moved purposefully in the direction of his own room. Not looking back, not allowing himself the luxurious torture. He could not have seen Charlotte in the shadows.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

(Present)

Joe woke to find the sun streaming through the windows, filling the whole room with light. He yawned quietly, concerned not to waken the now-familiar weight lying against his chest. She shifted a little, draping an arm over his waist, but then settled again. He smiled, glancing over at the clock. Damn. Nearly seven. He should really be moving by now…they would be wondering where he was in the security room if he hadn't installed himself in his office by eight. Gently, he ran a hand down her back and pulled her closer to him. This was still all so new and yet wonderfully, indescribably familiar. It was in these moments that he found it hard to believe he wasn't still asleep and dreaming. He wondered how he could ever have thought he might be happy without her, without this.

Opening his eyes again and looking down, he realised that he was not the only one awake.

"Sleep well?" She nodded, rubbing her face against his chest.

"I don't want to go to work today…" He smiled, running a hand through her hair.

"I don't think you have a choice my darling, I don't think we can expect Mia to run the show on her own just yet. Just imagine the laws she might think up…"

Clarisse chuckled, shaking her head. Sitting up, she dropped a kiss to his forehead, raising an eyebrow as he continued, trying to pull her back down.

"On the other hand…I can see certain advantages of letting her have a bit of work-experience…" He slid his hand down her back and began to stroke big circles.

She sat back up again and flashing him an attempt at a stern glare, disentangled herself from his arms. He sighed, sinking back into the pillow, quickly running through the list of things he would have to do today,

"Hmm…I suppose you're right. As usual." He pouted a little as he admitted it.

She smiled and, tapping him playfully on the nose, got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom.

Leaving Clarisse to her morning routine, Joe crept back to his own room. He would see her later…and it didn't do too much good becoming so accustomed to their waking up together. Even though she had been pleased to see him last night, he knew that they couldn't really continue like this. Mia or Charlotte was bound to walk in sometime soon, and he seriously wondered how much the security guards would be able to piece together if they only thought about it. At the back of his mind, a niggling voice began again, 'It's not as if you're having an affair anymore"…he sighed. But he was, wasn't he? Only this time he was rivalling a whole country for her affections. He wanted to marry her, to take her hand in his before them all, to break free of this past littered with deception, he knew that now. He only had to wait for the right moment now to ask her. He smiled ruefully, waiting, again. But this time it would be worth it.

Clarisse was a little disappointed if unsurprised to find him gone when she came back into the bedroom. As much as she would have liked him to kiss her goodbye, it was probably better like this. They were not in San Francisco anymore and, whilst she could be reasonably certain that Charlotte knew enough to not disturb her, the maids were unlikely to be so careful. She sighed, running a hand through her still damp hair. If only it were simpler. She longed for the moment when they might be able to love each other honestly, without this continual smokescreen. But not yet. First she must take care of Amelia, and their country. Then…? Yes then. She hardly dared allow herself to ponder what 'then' might bring, but it would be theirs. Finally.

She met Amelia for breakfast on the terrace and was immediately struck by her charming manner with the servants. The girl was so distracted by the various activities going on in the garden, and Clarisse took the opportunity to watch her granddaughter.

"You really are learning very fast, my dear. I'm extremely proud of you."

Mia smiled, almost knocking her teacup over, but executing a masterful save just before it toppled. The only hint of anything amiss was the slight clink of china. Clarisse smiled, and bit back a smile.

"Thanks, Grandma. I'm trying really hard. I even managed to remember all the names of the rooms in the guest part of the palace this morning…I took a walk around them before breakfast…I was too excited to sleep any more and couldn't find the breakfast, so went for a wander."

Clarisse raised an eyebrow, but nodded for her to continue.

"Which rooms did you like best?"

"The Emerald one, most definitely…it's the nicest by far, especially the view out over the garden. You can even see the lake at the bottom. And the curtains are amazing."

She paused to draw breath and noticed a smile playing on Clarisse's lips.

"What? Did I miss something?"

"No, not at all my dear. It's just that that's my favourite room too…and I designed the décor. I'm glad you approve."

"Really! It's awesome, Grandma, you're really talented! "

"Hmm…I don't know about that. Anyway, what are your plans for this morning?"

She'd already decided that Amelia would be allowed several days to settle into the palace and the daily routine before immersing her in any official duties or lessons.

"I'm going riding, and then I'm having a tour round the palace with Joe and then this evening you are cordially invited to watch films with me. But don't worry if you're too busy… I mean…"

She faltered a little, and Clarisse reached out across the table and took her hand. Giving little squeeze, she smiled warmly.

"I'll have to work for a bit, but I promise that I'll make at least one film."

Mia sprung up and gave a rather unladylike "Woohoo!" before kissing Clarisse on the cheek, spinning round and walking a little more sedately back inside.

Watching her saunter back into the palace, Clarisse couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle discreetly. She was doing well, better than Clarisse had anticipated. Apparently she had spent an hour on the phone with her mother then night before, but that was probably a good thing. She made a mental note to self to try and take the entire evening off, and keep her company.

Her eyes drifted up, surveying the beautiful façade of the palace. The Emerald room. Fancy her chancing on that little jewel so quickly. It had been months since she'd last been up there…in fact, she struggled to remember the…hmm…

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Of course, she did remember…it was the morning of Joseph's return. Charlotte had told her that he was back when she had brought in the morning letters, and she had them waited all morning for him to make an appearance.

But he hadn't come, and by lunchtime she was getting quite restless. She decided to take a walk and, wanting a little privacy, had found herself up in the Emerald room, looking out over the expansive gardens.

Although it was only just after one, clouds were filling the sky and the light was dimming. The air was tense, it had been for days, and was heavy with humidity. She placed her hands on the sill of the open window and leant against it. A slight breeze touched her face, and she looked again at the dark clouds drifting over the sun.

There was a restrained cough behind her, and she turned slowly, already knowing who it was. He looked different…tired, his eyes heavy… and something else. Distant.

She shivered a little, feeling the breeze caressing her back.

"Joseph…" She didn't know where to begin, or what she should say. She looked up at him and their eyes met. She glanced down and saw that his hands, hanging down in front of his were shaking slightly. He caught them behind his back, and squared his shoulders.

"I'm sorry Joseph, I didn't know…I wish I had known. I'm…I'm so very very sorry. If there's anything I…" She cut herself short, realising again that she was babbling.

He caught her eye again and nodded. "It's ok, your Majesty. It's over now. I appreciate your concern."

She nodded, wrong-footed by his formality. She didn't understand…his eyes were almost glazed over, his voice empty. The almost uncontrollable physical urge to rush over to him and wrap him in her arms, pressing her lips to his, tasting him again coursed through her, overwhelming her for a moment.

But of course she didn't. Stepping unconsciously back a step, she wrapped her arms about her.

"Charlotte told me that you needed to see me"

Her eyes flicked up and for a moment she could have sworn he read her mind. Did Charlotte know? Her mind processed it quickly…and, without knowing it, they arrived at the same conclusion. Probably.

"Not exactly. I wanted to see you…to make sure you were alright."

"I am."

"Good." She twisted her hands nervously, playing with the wedding ring still on her finger.

"May I go now?"

She nodded, and, with a final glance, he left. Sure that he had gone, she turned back to the window and felt the first spots of rain flick over her face. A loud crash of thunder echoed across the valley, and the light shower intensified into a heavy downpour. She stretched out of the window and felt the water drenching her hair and dripping down over her face. Mixing guiltily with the hidden tears that she knew she shouldn't be crying.

A/N Oooh….it's all getting interesting now! Next chapter will include Clarisse getting increasingly confused (in the past) and watching some thought-provoking movies in the present. Might even get it up by tomorrow… Please review if you've got a moment ;o)