It had taken nearly an hour from the time of the accident for Clarisse to be safely extracted from the car and transported to the hospital. The doctors had worked feverishly to keep their royal patient alive. At 10:30 pm the surgery was complete and Clarisse was brought to the Intensive Care Unit. By 11 pm that evening the nurses allowed Joseph and Charlotte in to see her.
She was still a bit groggy from all the medication, and they were relieved to know that the Queen was able to acknowledge them, and knew who they were. After a few moments, Charlotte excused herself to go relieve Helen at Mia's beside for a while, but actually she just wanted to give Joseph time alone with Clarisse. She had gotten a report from Shades that detailed Joseph's response to the news, and his actions at the scene, and she knew then for certain that there was a relationship growing between them. She knew he was aching to be alone with her, and she wasn't about to deprive him. After the door shut behind her, Joseph walked up to the head of Clarisse's hospital bed.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You gave me quite a scare today, young lady"
"Yes. I'm sorry about that."
"Do I have your word that you won't run away from me like that again?"
"I swear."
He held her hand and leaned in close to her face, searching her eyes. "The sparkle is coming back, I won't be able to be mad at you for much longer."
"If you kiss me, perhaps you can stop being mad right now."
Joseph raised his eyebrows, but gently pressed his lips against hers. "That's enough for one day. You need to get some sleep. I'll be just outside your door."
"Joseph, can't someone else guard the door?"
"Hmm? Clarisse are you doubting my abilities as a security guard?"
"No, I just want you beside me."
He smiled, who could resist her? "As you wish. I don't know anyone who could argue with you." He touched her cheek, finally relaxing at the sight of her, safe and sound. She took his hand in hers, bringing it to her lips. "You are my lifeline, Joseph. If you hadn't come…I might have given in right there under that trolley car."
"I'm very glad you didn't."
The stress of the last several hours finally caught up to him, and he turned his face away from her, wiping a stray tear away.
The nurse came in at that moment, and Joseph quickly kissed his Queen's hand and left the room, promising to return as soon as he could. As the door shut behind him, he slumped against the wall, head in his hands.