Chapter six

There might as well have been a block of ice between them. The privacy screen was up in front of them, and Joseph contemplated rolling it down just to feel a breath of warm air from someplace. He couldn't face her yet, though he knew he would have to soon. It could not go without explanation. His mission had got off to a start, though was far from over. No way could he let her stop now. Not when she was so close, even closer than she realized.

Genovia One was on her way to hide back in the hanger, which he watched for as long as the limo ride out would allow. She was a beauty, all bright and without a scratch. He wished he could say the same for his beloved, who was staring at her physical one at the moment. He could see out of the corner of his eye that she was again tracing the rough, raised skin, which she often did nowadays when she was troubled.

He would have to say something, smoothing things over for now until he could speak with the woman they were going to meet. Joseph wondered if, indeed, she would work out. Today he would have to see just how trustworthy she could be, in more ways than one. Clarisse needed someone besides himself to talk to. Another ear would never hurt anyone. Especially Clarisse.

"You've never hit me before." It was a simple statement on his behalf. One that broke the ice barrier quite nicely.

"You've never given me reason to until today." She began to ramble on, Joseph not being sure if she even took breath. "I can't believe you of all people Joseph, could be so insensitive. I trusted you. I can't believe you lied to me. How could you do something so harsh? You didn't even prepare me. Yet, you planned it. Do you realize how scared I was? Do you have any idea how I felt when that plane began to move? So help me, I..." Just when she was getting good and angry, he cut in.

"I didn't lie to you. I told you that you would not fly. You did not fly. You sat in Genovia One. No, I did not tell you it was going to move. Would you have come if I did? No. You needed that boost Clarisse. Can you honestly tell me that you did not? Can you tell me that after that plane was moving you did not feel some kind of comfort with me?" He knew that last line had gotten to her. She had fell quiet and still, and stared out the window much like he had done only minutes ago. "I admit I did not tell you the whole truth. I cannot apologize for it though. I did it because I love you, Clarisse. I love you and I would do anything for you." He wanted to reach out to her, touch just her hand if nothing else. Yet it seemed too far away right now.

How could she not feel comfort in his arms? That had been an understatement. Clarisse was even comforted by his words, no matter what he had been saying, although she heard every one. He was right, as usual. Was there anything that he was ever wrong about?

She closed her eyes momentarily and concentrated on him, on how he felt to her on that plane. His hands had brought out pure raw emotion in her. His mouth only pushed the levels over the top, to a place where she lost all control. Only he had ever done that. Only Joseph had ever made her lose control. Right now she could still feel the frustration he had left her in. It was enough to cause any woman to go off.

As her door was opened for her, she accepted the hand of a guard. She felt awkward. Stopping only long enough to straighten her skirt, she quickly moved to the steps and inside, making sure to stay out of the line of sight of him. It was hard to fathom, how she should feel. She knew she loved him deeply. She knew she should not have hit him. Tiny pin-pricks still plagued her palm where it had met his cheek so hard and quick. She swallowed hard at the realization that she would have left a mark on him, and on his face of all places. How could she face him?

It was quiet in her suite. She placed her purse on the nearest table, slipped off her shoes, and sat with her head in her hands. She needed to be freshening up, however she knew she still had plenty of time. Right now she needed to sort out a few things. Like her emotions, if that was possible.

Joseph was wrong about one thing. She did not need a cold shower. From experience she knew well that it wouldn't help her frustrations any. The heat from his hands branded her skin, and no amount of cold water was ever able to wash it away, or even soothe it for that matter. She had wore that heat like a second skin, ever since the first time he had touched her so intimately. Ever since the plane crash. It was much like being a scar of its own.

"Please, call me Charlotte," was the first words she heard her speak. Joseph had brought her in, and done the introductions, though Clarisse was almost sure that he had already spoken to her. They seemed too much at ease with each other.

"Please, have a seat," Clarisse offered, pointing to several chairs across from her own. "I trust Joseph has given you a tour?" It was the easy way to find out.

"Yes, yes he has. The palace is beautiful. Big, but beautiful." Both women smiled at this, and Clarisse was already certain that she would be comfortable around her.

"I trust Joseph has also spoke to you about your responsibilities here?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand them well, and I hope I can please you," she answered honestly and timidly.

"Well, Charlotte, if you'll have me, I would very much like for you to work for me...well with me, if you will." Clarisse stood and walked around her desk, standing close but not too close. She could already see how nervous the woman was.

"I would like that very much." Her smile was bright and Clarisse was certain it would never be boring.

"And Charlotte, don't worry, with time you'll be at ease here." Clarisse hoped to ease her somewhat. The young woman nodded, again somewhat timidly among the presence of her Queen. "Joseph, would you please make sure Charlotte gets settled in immediately, and Charlotte, whenever you are ready to assume responsibilities, I'll be here in my office all afternoon."

"Yes, ma'am." Joseph reached out and took her arm, guiding her toward the door.

"And Joseph," Clarisse quickly added, "I'd like to see you when you get a moment." She swallowed hard, noticing how quiet and solemn he had been. He had every right, after all, she had managed to paint a fine red pattern under his left eye.

"Yes, Your Majesty. May I enquire as to how to handle the other...ah, replacement.?" He spoke without looking directly at her, though his words were focused on her.

"I'll handle that myself right now. You just take care of Charlotte."

"Very well." With those last two words they disappeared and again she was alone. 'Well, I'm certainly in the right mood to fire someone,' she thought as she made her way to the outer office where she could hopefully find the disaster that had been sent to her. Today was a good day to rid herself of that problem. At least that would make her feel better.

Just when had she become such a cold person?

"You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?" Joseph stood erect at her office doors, again avoiding her eyes.

"Yes, just a moment Joseph. Charlotte you'll need to get comfortable with the filing system, as well as the various employees and such. Why don't you take the rest of the day to look through things, I believe Joseph will give you a set of keys to everything you'll need. There is one thing I'd like for you to do. The number to our physician should be in the hand held system, under my personal numbers. Please call his office and schedule the procedure he and I spoke about as soon as possible. His staff will know all the details." She was tracing the scar again, whether nervous or just eager to rid herself of it she could not say. Maybe both.

"Yes, ma'am, right away." Charlotte bowed, and proceeded to leave the two alone.

"Joseph, you're face..." She spoke slowly and finally found his face. "Joseph please," she walked slowly toward him. "Please forgive me. I...I don't know. I just felt so...Oh I don't know what I felt. I'm so mixed up, I can't even figure out how I feel anymore." She crossed her body with her arms, strolling her office floor to relieve a little of the tension that pulled tightly at her muscles.

"I know, Clarisse. I know." She turned around toward him. "And I understand. You, in return, must understand why I am doing this, and why I choose to do it like today." He stopped for a moment, watching her rub her arms as if she were cold. "You are so close, Clarisse. Too close to stop now. I asked you before, but I believe that in light of this morning, I need to ask of you again...trust me Clarisse?" Her eyes finally leveled to his and they seemed to be closer than they really were.

She had read of the Greek gods and knew of their power, and it only seemed fit that Joseph should have been among them. He had the power of life and love held over her, and its power was as strong as any she had ever read about. She could not control herself in his presence, nor could she control her dreams in her sleep. Everything in her life reflected from this man...this man she deemed as her everything.

Slowly she nodded the affirmative, feeling chills run up her spine, but sure they were not from fear this time.