None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. thank you very much for my reviews.

No sooner had they left than Clarisse broke down, sobbing uncontrollably and clasping her stomach to make the pain stop. She was gripping the back of the chair, eyes squeezed shut. Joseph pulled her up and towards him, she gripped his shoulders tightly and cried harder.

"it's ok", he whispered, rubbing her back and guiding her to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I didn't want them to see that, I never wanted them to see anything like that", she whispered, lifting her head up.

"what do you mean?", he whispered, unsure of what she was trying to tell him and them it hit him, making him feel sick to the stomach.

"He's hurt you before", he stated, more than questioned. She nodded.

"why didn't you tell me, Clarisse? I could have helped", he said, standing up and walking towards the window.

"I-", she faltered, stopping to look at him, " what could I have said? 'oh Joseph if you don't mind the king hit me, could you murder him please'", she questioned, a little annoyed.

"no, you couldn't say that but at least let me help you now", he answered, turning to face her.

"I hate seeing you like this", he continued, " he doesn't deserve you and you certainly do not deserve that!".

"I chose to have this, Joseph. That, I cannot change", she admitted.

"do not lie to me Clarisse, I know you to well. You did not chose this, you were forced and you can choose to leave", he begged, walking towards her and taking her hands. He lifted them to his lips and kissed her fingers. She closed her eyes, feeling his skin against her.

" I cannot leave, I've done this to myself and you must not ask me-", she cried, turning her face away from him.

"ask you what?", he whispered, cupping her cheek and gravitating her eyes towards his. He could feel her soft breath on his face, uneven and ragged. He kissed her lips softly, trembling a little. She pulled back, and smiled. He wiped the tears away from her face and sat down, pulling her close.

She was soon asleep, her head resting on his shoulder, her hands clasped around his waist. He lifted her head lightly and lifted her easily, slipping her under the covers. She stirred a little as he pulled them up to her chin. He'd sleep in the sitting room, just in case Rupert came back.

He made his way quietly to the door when she whispered something, tilting her head up.

"stay with me?", she whispered. He nodded and made his way back to the bed, slipped off his shoes and climbed to her side. She moved nearer him, burying her head in his chest as he wrapped his hand protectively round her back and pulled her impossibly closer. He didn't dare move, this was too much for him to handle.

He watched her fall asleep, her chest rising and falling against his. He closed his eyes, wishing to go this perfect moment had not been born out of such a terrible circumstance.

Ahhh, what did you think?

Please R&R,

Yours,

M