None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney.

The thunder was rumbling around the sky and the lightening was making large forks through the dark clouds along with the torrential rain. Clarisse sat propped up against the pillows in her bed catching up on the much neglected paper work. If only she could concentrate on it and not think about Joseph. She tried so hard not to think about him, about him holding her like that but she couldn't help it.

She had just begun reading a plight for clemency when her bedroom door burst open and Philippe came bounding in. he looked frightened, clutching his teddy and wearing his pyjamas.

"hey monster", she laughed, looking up from her paper work, " did the storm frighten you?", she smiled putting down the paper work on the bed side table. He nodded profusely and jumped as another rumble of thunder reverberated round the palace. She got out of bed and walking towards him, bending down to his level.

"you want to snuggle up with me?", she questioned, pulling him into a tight hug. He nodded and his chin dug into her shoulder. She lifted him up and he wrapped his arms around her and buried his head in her chest.

He was tiny and very light for a 10 year old and he looked dwarfed in her massive bed. He had come early on in the storm this time, usually he'd wait for at least 20 minutes, now she'd wait on Pierre to run in as well. He might think he was a man but he still got scared when there was a storm.

She climbed back in bed and smiled down at her son.

"do you want to play a game?", she questioned, pulling him onto her lap.

"no, can you read me a story?", he questioned, resting his head on her chest.

" I don't think I've got any stories you'd like", she smiled, stroking his hair.

"ok", he yawned, the story becoming less appealing and sleep taking over.

Clarisse watched him drift quickly and lay him down under the covers, he turned and snuggled into her side.

"good night Mama, I love you", he said as Pierre burst in the door. Clarisse looked up.

"let me guess", she teased, " you were coming to see that I was ok", she continued, moving into the middle of the bed and pulling back the covers. He crawled in and snuggled up beside her nodding guiltily.

"goodnight, darlings", she whispered as she switched out the light, " I love you both".

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Joseph stopped at the door of her suite as he passed. He couldn't go and speak to her now, it was late anyway. He wanted so desperately to see her, to ask her what she wanted to do tomorrow for the sake of conversation. He shook his head, he wasn't sure if they could keep there emotions in control long enough to be near each other alone. He knew how much she was resisting him and her really did not want to do that to her, to make it harder than it already was. He couldn't be that selfish.

He continued walking lost in his thoughts when he collided roughly with the king. Rupert was tall and strong, much like his father. He had black hair flecked with grey and cold, icy eyes. He was much older than Clarisse, about 15 years Joseph thought.

"your majesty!", Joseph startled, picking the drunk man up.

"Joseph", Rupert spat, his breath hanging with the stale smell of brandy.

"would you like me to help you to your suite, your Majesty?", he questioned.

"No", he grumbled, " I want to see my wife". Joseph was immediately alarmed, he knew Rupert fought with Clarisse when he was drunk. There arguments were always very heated, drunk or not. Clarisse had a good set of lungs on her and she could certainly fight her corner but not when Rupert was drunk - then she was frightened and timid.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Your Majesty", Joseph tried, pulling Rupert in the other direction. Rupert pulled himself from Joseph's grasp roughly and headed towards Clarisse's door quickly. Joseph followed, hoping to god he wouldn't hurt her.

Clarisse sat up as the door of her room was thrown open, she recoiled into herself as Rupert stormed in, wobbling slightly. He staggered over to the bed and pulled back the quilt harshly, exposing his wife and sons to the cold air. Joseph watched from the door, closing his eyes against the anger building up.

Rupert grabbed Clarisse's wrist and yanked her out over the top of a waking Pierre.

"Rupert! Stop!", she begged, as he pulled her into the centre of the room, ranting about how she was useless. Joseph just watched as she stood there, taking his abuse as if it were normal. He looked at the bed, to see a very angry looking Pierre hugging a sobbing Philippe quietly.

Rupert hadn't even registered his sons presence, he didn't really care. Suddenly a massive wave of anger came over him and he drew his hand across her face, slapping her hard. She fell backwards as he stepped back, appalled by what he'd done, he had hit his wife. He backed against the wall and watched Joseph run to her side pulling her close and sobered up immediately, what had he done?

Clarisse clutched her face in agony, it was stinging terribly. Joseph pulled her near and she leaned into him, crying uncontrollably. She looked across the room to Rupert and then towards her children.

"I'm sorry", he muttered, from across the room.

"go", she croaked, mustering all the energy she couldand trying not to fly at him from her position on the floor.

"I-", but she cut him off, iwth a glaring stare.

"I said Go!", she ordered, as he slipped across the wall and out of the door, shutting it behind him.

"Mama", Pierre tried, leaving his little brother and sliding down on the floor to reach his mothers eye level. She looked up. Her eyes were red and bleary and her usually pretty face was red and sore. Lines that he'd never noticed creased her forehead and her lip was swollen.

"Mama", he whispered, resting his hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine darling, just got to bed. I want you to take your brother to bed", she whimpered, leaning on Joseph.

"are you sure, mama?", he questioned, taking her hand. She nodded and smiled weakly.

"yes, I'll see you both in the morning, we'll have a nice day", she said, standing up and leaning against Joseph. Philippe jumped out the bed and ran towards his mother, hoping that that hadn't happened.

"Mama, Philippe and I will go now, call me if you need me, Mama", Pierre whispered, taking his brothers hand. Clarisse nodded and wiped her nose on her handkerchief.

"goodnight, mama", Philippe whispered, tugging on her silk- night gown. She looked down through watery eyes and smiled.

"goodnight darlings", she answered, as they made their way to the door. Pierre turned and looked at her, with pleading eyes. He was asking her to leave- to stop letting him hurt her like this. She nodded a smile gently, motioning them to go to bed. They closed the door quietly, leaving Joseph and Clarisse alone.

Hope you liked, please R&R.

Yours,

M