Chapter three

"So," he began, "How do you feel?" He was sure he already knew the answer, as she was smoothing her skirt with one hand now, but he wanted to hear her voice to confirm it.

"I'm okay with it. I mean, it's not my bed or your arms, so I don't exactly feel safe and secure, but I feel fine." He knew exactly what she meant.

"Well, even though you have slept on here countless times, I can attest to it that it is definitely not your bed. However, I could argue about the latter." Joseph reached out and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her body.

"That does feel like your arms, I have to admit," she whispered, sinking into his embrace. "No one can see us?"

"I cannot confirm or deny that, as we are on the grounds, not far from the palace, however I see no one watching at the moment." Joseph pulled her closer, gently rubbing her lips with his own. "I love you, Clarisse Renaldi," he whispered.

"I love you too." She graciously accepted his lips, and sank even further into him.

His lips were like nothing she had ever tasted before, yet so familiar. They always managed to weaken not only her knees, but her whole facade. He could break her, or put her back together with only a kiss, and always managed to fill her spirit with joy. It had been the one and only good thing that had come out of the crash. She needed it then, and she needed it now. Clarisse could hardly fathom her life without it anymore.

"That's all you can have," he whispered as he pulled away, replacing his mouth with a finger. "For now." She tried to regain composure, but found it hard while under his gaze.

"For now?"

"That's right. A kiss just for sitting on board. As you progress, so will my advances, Your Majesty. A kiss here... a little more on the jet...and you should know that I have a surprise planned for you after your first flight."

"First flight?" She was still panting.

"Which I promise will be very short. No worries. Just trust me," he repeated again, looking directly in her eyes, holding her chin with his hand. "I'm with you every step of the way."

Gently lowering her to the ground once more, Joseph felt rather proud of his accomplishment, or hers. It had gone well, much better than he first expected. He had managed to take her mind completely off the chopper itself. That was all she needed; distraction. Grinning to himself he thought, 'I can do that'. Now he was sure she would be in the air as quickly as he planned.

"I came as soon as I was called. Clarisse what is so important, are you ill? I wasn't given the details..." Clarisse sighed loudly, holding a hand up to quiet the good doctor. He was clearly in a state of panic himself. 'What did she say to him?', Clarisse thought. All she wanted was to speak with him, and she clearly told her that it was not important.

"I do apologize, I do not have a permanent, or sane for that matter, aide, as of yet. I am not ill, although I did want to discuss this scar with you again." Clarisse bid him to sit beside her, slipping off her jacket to allow him access to the cruel marking.

"Ah, it is wider than I had previously expected, and for that I apologize, Clarisse." He took her arm, and holding it, he examined it closely.

"There's no need to apologize, I mean you did the best you could," Clarisse offered.

He traced two fingers down the line, pressing gently, then more firmly. "How does it feel?"

"I don't feel anything."

"Good, good. It seems to have healed nicely, and if you want to try that laser procedure, I see no reason why you should wait any longer." Clarisse couldn't help a small smile. That was exactly what she wanted to hear.

"You believe it will help?"

"As I said before, it can. Now, it will not make it disappear Clarisse. That is impossible. I want to stress that to you. However it can minimize the swelling and the dark coloring."

"I see. You will be doing it?"

"Yes, if you like. There's two of us in Mertz who do the procedure. There's no hospitalization, it's an outpatient procedure. It will take approximately three to four hours of your time." He let go of her arm, and took off his glasses, leaning back to relax, letting her ponder all he had said.

"I hate this scar." Clarisse traced the line herself now. "I'd do anything to get rid of it." Watching the emotion on her face, her physician thought for a moment, then took her hand.

"Clarisse, I don't think it's the scar itself that bothers you. I know it's a public nuisance for you. I think it is too much of a reminder of the real cause of your anxiety." Clarisse watched him speak, and as his words came to mind, she tried to hide the anger that rose within her.

"Real cause?" How could he say such a thing to her. That scar had been the cause of too many sleepless nights, not to mention what she went through seeing it all day long.

"The crash. It reminds you of the crash. That, my dear, is what's troubling you. I know you too well, Clarisse." She hung her head, almost ashamed of being read so easily. How could she be angry with someone like him, someone who always looked out for her well being, someone like Joseph. She could always depend on both of them. No doubt Joseph would agree with him.

"I know you're right." She stood and walked over to the balcony doors. "I just couldn't admit it to myself, I guess."

"That's understandable. I can offer the services of a psychiatrist, however I don't think that will be necessary," he added, thinking of the last conversation with Joseph he had. "I think you already have the best therapy you could find anywhere."

Clarisse turned back to him, intrigued by what he had to say. "What do you mean?"

"I mean your head of security, dear. Yes, he spoke to me, wanted my advice on getting you back into the air. If anyone can help you Clarisse, he can." He lifted his finger and shook it at her, making her feel like a mischievous schoolgirl once again. "If you want my opinion," he rose and picked up his case and hat to leave, "I'd tell you two things. One, schedule the laser procedure with my nurse as soon as you can, and do it yourself. Secondly, talk to Joseph, and let him help you. He's a very intelligent man, Joseph. He also cares a great deal for you, and will always think of your needs first. Now, I'm going back to the office, so if you need anything...ah...you better call yourself, or have someone besides that...whatever she is...out there, do it. Now, I bid you good afternoon." He bowed slightly and was gone.

Clarisse dropped to the nearest chair. She had felt his presence long ago, and wondered why he had not come out as soon as the door had shut. "You can come out now."

Slowly he appeared, emerging as if he were entering a lion's cage. Indeed he was brave, though he had no idea she was not angry.

"Clarisse, I had to speak with him," he tried to form the words for an apology.

"I know Joseph, It's alright. I'm glad you did." She looked up to him, the form of a man like no other. How was it that she waited so long to allow herself to love him?

"You don't mind?" Joseph moved a little closer, his body able to function easier now.

"How could I mind? You only do those kinds of things because you love me, or at least you said you did." She stood up and moved forward also, judging just when her body would meet with his. Two steps, maybe three. If she ran, only one...

She literally jumped into his arms. His arms were the safest place in the world. Her emotions ran away with her now and left her confused as just how to feel and what to do. She was upset, anxious, and nervous from what had been and what would be. Yet she was also in his safely in his arms. She was also completely in love with him, which in its own right made her blood simmer with passion for him.

She held tight to him, and felt his own arms surround her and hold her. "Make love to me," she whispered against his neck. "Love me again, take away everything."

"I do love you, but I cannot make love to you now, Clarisse." With those last words she pulled back, her heart racing for an explanation. "You have to earn what you so desire, my love. So far, you have only earned a simple kiss."

"You didn't really mean that?"

"Oh yes, love. I meant every word of it."