None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. Ok, so I said it was a one - shot, I lied or rather I was cajoled into making it a chapter story. CJ and dame jules, this is for you and for my other wonderful reviewers - you guys rule!

They early rain made the city of Pyrus smell fresh, the slightly grey sky dulling as the sun struggled to rise behind the mountains. The rain beating off the slippery streets and gurgling down murky drains made Clarisse shiver in the cool morning air. They were silent as they made there way down to the limo, his hand caressing her back. It felt alien to her, his hand in a place it usually occupied for protection but now, now it was that of a man who loved her - something she'd never felt before. She gulped in the cool air on the deserted street in a vain attempt to calm herself down. She could still see evidence of the previous days events- soggy paper streamers and flags flapping in the breeze hanging from shop windows, police barriers still erected around the royal podium.

He drew her towards him in the cool air as she shivered again and taking off his jacket, wrapped it around her. She smiled gratefully. He opened the door of the limo and quickly ushered her inside, his hand remaining at her back at all times - as if in possession of her and in possession, he was.

He had not made love to her and as much as she wanted that, she was grateful for its absence in their evening together. If it had never occurred to her before now, it began to occur now - she was having an affair. Something in her circles that was not uncommon but something she'd often held herself above and frowned upon, and now she was a perpetrator.

He didn't seem to care about that, in fact he'd told her the night before that he didn't care whatsoever about what they where doing, about the punishment and consequences it might entail - he knew one thing, that he loved her.

But now, now it was awkward - the silence like white noise in her ears burned her heart. He said nothing, his silence evidence of his resentment for their predicament, their rueful situation. She knew he didn't want this and she hoped he knew it was not what she desired either - it wasn't about what they wanted - it was about what others wanted.

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Rupert hugged her when she go to the top of the palace stairs - showing a united, loving, pretend front. She was motionless, stiff as always in his arms as he attempted to be emotional.

Joseph swallowed as King Rupert pulled Clarisse into his arms. He could still feel her in his arms as they lay sleeping on the couch, keeping each other warm. He could feel what Rupert was feeling, every curve, every breath, every murmur she made. He turned his head away as she looked at him over Rupert's shoulder - her eyes empty and dark. The pain coursing through his body was unbelievable, biting, hacking away at his soul - he was in love, in love with someone he could never have.

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Clarisse looked at her bathed, made-up reflection in the mirror. She wanted to scream - she had let go and now all she wanted to do was be with him, but she couldn't. it was torturous, waiting just to see his face, to hear his voice for that release - for the addictive high that coursed through her blood when he whispered her name.

The tears slithered underneath her eyelids, falling onto her dress. The pain was crippling, doubling her in two as she fell onto the rug - helpless in all ways. It had been heaven, it had been hell, it had been everything she'd wanted and imagined it to be - just lying in his arms, listening to his words, his breathing was her haven. It had been snatched away from her, as quickly as it was hers - it was gone and god, how it pained her. Nothing could compare to him and her resolve, her self assurance had all disappeared under his gentle command.

Joseph watched her from the door, his heart braking in all ways. Sobs racked her body as she shook in despair. He dreaded to think he was the perpetrator of such pain but doubtless, he was.

He made it across the room in record speed, joining her side. Attentively he put his arm around her and as she lifted her face to his, he could swear he seen a glimmer of hope in her eyes. How he wished to make that glimmer a light but in their situation that was deemed impossible.

"Clarisse", he whispered as she leaned against his chest, sobbing quietly, " oh my beautiful Clarisse". she gripped him tighter, pulling at him, holding him to no end.

"it won't end here, it can't end here", she whispered, her tone begging him. He startled at her comment, her lack of resilience on this matter taking him off- guard.

"oh Clarisse", he whispered, rocking her gently back and forth, " I wont let it, I promise. It can't - too long, we've waited too long". she nodded weakly, agreeing with him fully.

"Joseph", she sobbed, " this wasn't meant to happen - not like this, never like this. We weren't meant to do this". he looked down at her, meeting her crystalline eyes with his own, willing the demons that had invaded them to disappear.

"the heart does things for reason, that reason cannot understand".

Ohhhh, did you like

Hope you did, please R&R.

I plan to make this an adventure story as well as a romance and them dealing with their new, pronounced love. It's short, but the next one's gonna have lots, this was just to confirm my continuation of this story.

Yours,

M