Part 7

Clarisse was up and dressed with the help of her ladies maids. She wanted to look exceptionally fine today. She was going to visit Joseph. He had been laying in that hospital room for two days now by himself, and that was long enough. She would have gone sooner had Rupert let her out of his sight, but he had insisted that she rest. He had made sure there was someone with her at all times to keep her occupied, and in bed. She had finally convinced him last night that she was fine, although going a little crazy at all the attention he was forcing on her. He finally let her have her way, feeling it was a losing battle.

She made her way down the staircase, stopping only to enquire as to where her husband might be. She found him, sitting in the private dining room, shuffling through papers and finding time to take a bite in between each one.

"Good morning," she says as she kisses his cheek.

"Ah, good morning darling. Tell me, how do you feel?"

"Fine, as a matter of fact, I'm going out today."

"Oh?"
"I know what you're going to say Rupert, we went over this last night. I'm fine. I want to go out."

"Very well. Just please don't overdo. Promise me?"

"For heavens' sake, Rupert. I promise you I will not. You really are overdoing this 'caring about me' business."

He smiled at her, knowing he was but didn't care. He wanted to keep this lady around his whole life.

"So tell me, where are you off to?"
"I am going to the hospital and check on Joseph, and I plan on asking him to come to work for us."
"An aide informed me just this morning that he is doing well. He'd probably like the company. I, myself, cannot think of a more beautiful woman I'd like to have visit me. Can you tell me something Clarisse. What if he doesn't want to work here, for us?"

"Well, then that's his choice. It's just that I feel so...protected around him Rupert. It's not like our security team here. They are sooo...lacking, I believe is a good word."

"I understand totally. Andre and I have discussed that issue, and changes are to be made. All to your liking, my darling. If this 'Joseph' does decide to take you up on your offer, then that too will work to ease your fears. I will make sure he has the best training a security man can get."

"This means alot to me. Thank you."

"Now, sit and enjoy breakfast with me before you go. You need to eat. I don't want you getting too thin. The Prime Ministers' sister looks as if she'll blow away with the wind, and frankly my darling, I do not like my women to look like that." He openly chuckled as he motioned the staff to seat his wife.

"What do you like Rupert?"

"I like a woman I can hold onto in bed, one I know I won't squeeze to death when I make love to her, and you Clarisse, you fit that perfectly."

She smiled as her cheeks blushed. She still wasn't use to his kind of talking. Rupert could, and would say anything around anyone. She had often found herself angry with him for it. It was her way of dealing with having no privacy. The maids found out everything. A new thought occurred to her this morning, though. If she were to be a good wife to Rupert, she would have to support everything he done, and yes, everything he said. Even if it embarrassed her to no end. Instead of letting her anger surface, she would have to learn to surpress it. Anger and alot of other emotions, as she thought of Joseph. She would make it a priority in her life.

A soft knock came at the door. He was sitting up, playing with a deck of cards a sexy nurse had bought in for him. He had expected another white uniform, or teal green at the most. Looking up at the figure walking in, he almost fell out of bed. If he had still been sitting on the side, he would have. There she was, dressed in a dazzling blue, setting off the accents of her jeweled eyes.

"I spoke with your doctor, he says you're doing very well. He said he thought you'd might like some company...Joseph?"

"Ahhh, yes, oh yes. It's just that you, you're so beautiful, and I never expected...," his words were just falling out, and he wasn't sure what he was saying, if anything at all.

"You never expected to see me again?"
She walked over, sat in the chair a guard placed for her, and excused him from the room.

"No, I never thought I'd see you, not alone like this."

She smiled and reached out to take his hand. He squeezed it. The reality finally seeping in, he began to really talk to her.

'I asked about you, everyone said you were fine, are you?"

"Yes, yes I'm fine. You saved my life. I asked about you, too. I asked everyone I saw, every chance I could. I wanted to come, but Rupert wouldn't let me out until he knew I was well. I wanted to be here with you Joseph. I wanted to comfort you so badly."

"Oh Clarisse, you were here, and you did comfort me," he didn't know whether he had lied or not. Maybe it was a half lie. Thinking of her did comfort him, but at the same time it killed him.

"I was so afraid for you. When I saw you bleeding like that, but I knew you had to be alright. You just had to be."

"So, you are back at the palace. How are things?"
"Joseph, I love you, you know that. I spoke with Rupert. We had a long talk. I have made up my mind, I am going to be his wife, and Queen of Genovia, not only on paper but in heart and mind."

"I am very pleased Clarisse. I love you too. It just isn't our time love, not yet. You have so much going for you, and your people need you Clarisse. They need a Queen like you."

"So, do you know what you are going to do?"

"Not really. I'm trying not to think too hard. I don't have any major plans, if that's what you're asking. I know I'll have to do a little time for being a part of all this. Maybe after that I'll travel some, after all I need to occupy myself in some way. I need to keep my mind busy on other things besides a certain Queen." He wanted to kiss her, my mercy, he wanted to kiss that beautiful mouth.

"I see. Joseph, remember when I told you that there is always a way, we just have to find it?"
"What are you getting at Clarisse?"

"I have found a way for us to be together. I don't mean 'together' as in a couple. I mean it's a way for us to be able to see each other often, and be the best of friends."

"Clarisse?"

"When Rupert and I spoke, we talked about it, and I need a bodyguard. Now you can take the job or leave it, but Rupert has pardoned you for your part in this."

"Me, your bodyguard? And Rupert thinks it's a good idea? Did you say I am not to be charged with the others?"

She almost laughed at his questioning. He was dumbfounded. Other than being quite surprised at it all, she wasn't sure how he felt about her idea.

"That's what I said, love. Rupert has pardoned you. I only needed to tell him that you did it only for the money, mentioning how well you took care of me, not to mention the fact that you, not our security, saved my life. Our security, well it doesn't have alot going for it. We, I, need someone like you on it. You make me feel safe, Rupert knows that."

"I'm glad you trust me Clarisse. Thank you for getting Rupert to pardon me, but as for being your bodyguard, I just don't know."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"That kind of work would require me to spend alot of time with you."

"I see. You think that would be a problem?"

"A big problem. We would be in contact constantly Clarisse. You know that. It all comes down to us being alone together. You said yourself it wouldn't be a good idea for you to know where I am."

"I guess I just wanted to be close to you so badly Joseph, I just wasn't thinking things through clearly. You're right, we would be together in the wrong way. Joseph, it feels so right."

"I know love, I know." She rested her head on his shoulder. He could lose himself in her scent. She looked up at him, caressing his cheek. Her lips met his and for a few moments their cares were washed away.

As she stood to leave, she spoke softly once more to him, "The offer will always be open Joseph. No matter what you choose, I'll always love you." She turned to walk away, striving to hold back the tears until she was alone in the back of the limo.

"You have chosen the right path Clarisse, and so must I, whatever that may be. I love you always, too." The pain in his heart was much more prominent than the pain in his arm. He had alot of thinking to do, although he already knew what his decision would be. How could he manage to see her every day, and still keep a safe distance? He could not. He would only be a thorn in her side. She had a country to rule, a husband to keep, and a family to look forward to. He would upset her whole life. What little time they had had together would have to be enough.

"Goodbye Clarisse, my love."