He reached her side, and stared in shock at the woman who just a few hours ago had been the picture of life and beauty. Blood now stained her clothes, her face. Her hair was matted with perspiration from the heat of the enclosed space. Her face was as white as a sheet and she looked so frail and alone, squished inside the battered car, the underside of the trolley just centimetres away from her head.

"Clarisse, it's Joseph. I'm here." He glanced at the paramedic who moved a little to make room for Joseph to come closer. They had started an IV and were monitoring her vital signs. Joseph looked at the young paramedic, working bravely in tight and dangerous quarters. "How is she?"

The paramedic grimaced. "She's lost some blood and is in shock." He lowered his voice: "We need to get her out of here, but we can't move her because we might kill her in the process. We've got to get this trolley out of here before we can assess a way to help her. I'm sorry. Talk to her, keep her awake as long as you can. Right now her vitals aren't very good, but it looks like they're starting to stabilize."

Joseph turned back to Clarisse, gently placing his hand on her shoulder so as not to hurt her. He leaned in as close as he could and spoke softly to her as the paramedic continued to watch the readings on his medical equipment.

"Darling. I'm here, my love, I'm right here. It's going to be alright, we'll have you out of here in no time."

"Joseph, I'm sorry. It's all my fault…"

"Shh, dear, save your strength. Stay with me Clarisse, don't you dare leave me."

"Mia?

Joseph looked at the paramedic questioningly. He nodded.

"She's going to be fine. They're looking after her right now. Clarisse, you have to hold on, sweetheart, we're going to get you out of here."

"Joseph, it hurts, don't leave me."

"Always and forever, I'm here by your side. You know that. I wish I could take the pain away. Hang on, darling."

There was a shout from the police officer Joseph had spoken with earlier. "Okay, the crane's here. We'll have it rigged in a few minutes and have it off the car. You doing okay under there?"

The paramedic moved away to talk to the officer and get details on the plan to lift the trolley. Joseph reached as best he could into the mangled car to find and hold Clarisse's hand. "Clarisse, it won't be long. It's going to be okay."

She looked at him, the spark no longer in her blue eyes. "If something happens, tell Mia it isn't her fault." He started to object but she stopped him. "She must know that I forgive her, Joseph, she can't live with that kind of guilt, and she must take my place, she must."

"Clarisse, you can tell her yourself. I need you to think positive thoughts, I need you to believe that in a few days we can all sit in the garden and have tea and laugh about Mia's bad driving." He found it nearly impossible to bring a smile to his face, but he tried, for her. He realized that his entire life had been for her, and he was dangerously close to losing her forever.

"Joe…I want you to know how much you have meant to me all these years."

"Shh, darling."

"You need to know something, Joseph. You need to know that I love you. I always have."

A/N Well, now. The trolley is still on top of the Mustang, and the Queen's not yet out of danger. Whatever would Joseph do without his Clarisse?
Oh, and by the way, if Mia dies, Clarisse can't retire and live happily ever after, so don't look for the Archbishop just yet...