Joe walked slowly up the staircase and towards his bedroom. He had eaten both lunch and dinner with the men while they tried to formulate a plan that would keep both Clarisse and Mia as safe as possible. Now it was almost eleven and he hadn't seen Clarisse all day. He supposed she would be in bed. He walked in to find something totally different. There was no sign of Clarisse and no note. He walked out of the room quickly, looking for anyone that was around. The guards were walking down the hallway after doing their assigned rounds.

"Guards! Where is the Queen?"

"Queen Clarisse, sir?" one asked.

"Of course, Queen Clarisse! She is not in the suite! Where is she?" Joe demanded, backing the two men up against the wall.

"She...she went outside to the garden, sir. She asked not to be followed or disturbed," the other answered fearfully. The guards let out the breath they had been holding as Joe stormed down the stairs and out into the garden. He found her there, sitting near the newly installed fountain, looking up at the stars. He stood there for a moment, not wanting to disturb her but when she shivered, he slowly walked up behind her and placed his jacket across her shoulders. She turned quickly but then smiled when she saw his face.

"I was wondering if I would see you today," she said quietly as he took a seat next to her. He took her hand and kissed it.

"I am sorry that I was gone all day. Clarisse, I need to discuss some things with you. I am afraid they are not good things," he said darkly.

She looked at him with teary eyes and nodded. "I think I already know what you're talking about."

"How?"

"The maids do know everything. But, you fill me in on the details."

Joseph related the facts to his wife. The Viscount Mabrey was granted permission to come to the ball, to be in the presence of the one he tried to have killed. Clarisse wrapped her arms around herself and stood once Joe was finished.

"Well, we will just have to be more careful."

"Clarisse, it isn't that easy. We have some very intricate plans that need to be put into place before he arrives. And furthermore..."

Clarisse held up her hand and he stopped talking. He stood and walked over to her. "I don't care to hear about any more plans tonight. I've heard enough plans for one day. Just as long as you keep Mia, Nicholas, and yourself safe, that is all I care about."

Joe noticed the sadness in her voice as he turned her around. "I believe you left one very important person off of that list."

"Who?"

"You," he said, kissing her softly. She reached up to stroke his cheek, but dropped her hand and put it to her mouth, turning back around. She tried to hold in her tears but it was to no avail. Two fell down her cheeks and she wiped them away quickly.

"Clarisse, what is it?"

"Nothing...I'm sorry. I guess...it's just...oh, I don't know," she said, sighing and sitting back down. He sat down next to her and took her hand.

"Are you upset about the Viscount? Because I told you not to worry...I will take care of everything," he said gently.

"It's not that..." she replied, turning away again.

"Then what is it? Clarisse...you have to tell me," he said as he placed his hands on her shoulders. He felt them tense and then begin to shake some. He turned her around to face him and gathered her in his arms, allowing her to cry. "Clarisse, please tell me what is wrong. I only want to help."

She still could not find a way to tell him. He racked his brain, trying to come up with a reason as to why she was crying. Clarisse hardly ever cried. He couldn't think of why she was so upset until...

Oh no, he thought. What is today?

"Clarisse? Did something happen? Did the Doctor call today?" She nodded, looking up into his eyes. His eyes grew misty as he saw the hurt and pain she was going through. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Joseph...I...I'm sick."

"How sick? How serious is this?"

Her voice shook as she answered. "Very serious...I have to go in for surgery."

His heart dropped as he pulled her into a tight hold, not letting go.

"Are you sure?" Nicholas asked, taking Clarisse's hands in his.

"I'm afraid this is very serious, Nicholas," Joe answered, his face void of any expression.

Nicholas hung his head in defeat. A moment later, he looked up and stared straight into Clarisse's eyes. "You're going to be fine."

She nodded, unable to speak for fear that her voice would fail her.

"We have to tell Mia," he said, his own anxiety rising.

"She will need to be calm," Joe explained. "We cannot risk her health or the baby's."

"She was in a very good mood today. She had a wonderful day relaxing. I think this is the best time to tell her. She can handle it," Nicholas said, confident in his wife.

Joe looked at Clarisse, his eyes searching hers for an answer. "Do you want to tell her or shall we?"

Clarisse wanted to tell Mia, wanted to confide in her granddaughter. But, she didn't want to show her weakness...her fear...her tears.

"I would rather stay here," she said quietly.

Nicholas squeezed her hands. "You should get some rest. I will take care of Mia tonight. But tomorrow...well, I cannot promise anything. She will probably be in here at the crack of dawn."

Clarisse smiled slightly. "I understand. Thank you for all your help."

"We love you, Grandma. And we won't let anything happen to you." He kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly. Clarisse managed to keep from crying, only letting a single tear fall down her cheek. He stood and waited for Joe to follow.

"I will be back soon but do not wait up for me. You need your rest, alright?" he asked before kissing her softly. He cupped her cheek as she nodded. "Good. Everything will be fine," he reassured before standing to follow Nicholas out the door.

Once it closed behind the two men, the tears began falling freely down Clarisse's cheeks. Only three times before had she cried so hard...once when Rupert died, once when Phillipe died, and once the night she almost lost Joe forever. Now, she was crying for herself...and she did not like it one bit.