Chapter fourteen

Clarisse rested her head in her own lap, unable to believe that Joseph had long gone, along with Genovia One. They had landed at the private far end of Heathrow International Airport, and Clarisse had not even bothered to get out when it became apparent that Genovia One was not in its usual hanger. Joseph would have never allowed it to be any place else, and it clearly was empty. So as the chopper was being refueled, Clarisse held back her tears, waiting for some answers she had demanded earlier.

As the pilot re-entered and informed Clarisse that Genovia One had taken off long ago, and had been confirmed on the ground in Genovia already, a sigh of relief fell upon her. It was her own. Still a tear escaped the corner of her eye, but this time it was from the extreme relief she felt. 'Down' had not meant the destruction of another jet, nor her Joseph. Even her good friend and fellow politician Sebastian Motaz was safe. Still, she wondered about Joseph. How stupid could she have been to have left and not enquired about it first?

Affirming her decision to head back to Genovia, Clarisse settled back a little more relaxed, but still with Joseph on her mind. If it took all night, she would track him down. She laughed to herself, knowing it would probably be he that would find her, if he had found out how she left the palace. No doubt he would be furious. Her heart leaped at the idea of him being angry, or anything with her. Anything would mean he was safe.

"She's just lifted off from Heathrow, heading back this way," Shades affirmed his first statement, hearing an audible sigh of relief over the phone.

"What the hell was she doing there?" Joseph knew Clarisse could be up to anything, and it only affirmed the notion that he knew nothing about women, especially Queens.

"Got me. Anyway, she's safe and sound. I've called off the search. You want a ride out?"

"Ah, no. See if you can divert her chopper here when it's in range."

"Will do. I'm out."

Joseph put the phone back in its case, and slid it out of sight. He dropped to the chair he had made his own earlier, and once again tried to relax. His mind would not let him rest though, for thoughts of her kept spiraling though him. For the life of him, he could not comprehend why she had flew to London.

'Flew'. She had 'flew'. All on her own. Joseph sat up straight, a smile pursed on his lips. She was flying on her own. Was it her way to show off for him? It was a drastic move, to fly so far on a first flight. He could hardly wait until the answers were presented to him.

After several minutes of threats from his superiors, the pilot diverted her chopper towards the low range of mountainous highlands once again. He could tell she was sleeping, otherwise he knew he would be in the middle of a very hard decision right now. She clearly had wanted to go back to the palace, yet his superior had ordered her to be taken to the new getaway. 'Between a rock and a hard place', he thought.

The lights from the small landing pad blinked in constant rhythm, allowing for an easy touchdown. The whirling of the chopper eased, and the form of a man appeared from inside the darkened building. He ran to meet them, opening the door to find her sound asleep.

Joseph nodded to the pilot, who saluted him in turn. Joseph was still slightly angry with him, but chose to retaliate later, as his first concern was with her. He unclasped her belt, and somehow managed to slip his arms under and around her. She stirred at the movement, but rested nicely against his shoulder as he pulled her from her seat and out into the night air.

As he made his way inside, Joseph listened as the chopper resumed its full power and lifted off. Finally, they were all alone.

He couldn't help but smile as the lights barely caressed her skin through the windows. She was still fast asleep. Joseph took her directly to her room, which he had made fit for the finest Queen he knew. Resting her on the bed, he slipped off her heels and wrapped her.

He continued to watch her in amazement for a few moments longer. She was beautiful. How could he ever be mad at her? If anything, he should have learned by now to expect anything from her. Yet, here he stood, in awe over her recent trip.

Finally leaving her to rest, Joseph slipped outside to fill his lungs with the cool, fresh night air. It was humid from the springs, and they emitted a slight bank of fog all around the perimeter. Joseph wondered if he had secured them well enough, for her safety was always his priority. It would have been had it not been his main occupation. Turning a complete three hundred sixty degrees, Joseph watched closely as the small beacons of light blinked around him from the pad, somehow affirming the security of his beloved. For now she was safe, and Joseph let himself relax a little for the first time in several hours.

His several hours turned into the whole night. Joseph had sat and watched the steam rise from the springs and the moon which glared a pale glow through it. Hour upon hour had passed easily, with only one thing on his mind. Her.

Several times he had almost went in to her, to awaken her and take her. It was all he had thought about for days now, and his body had become hard to control, especially since she was only a minute away from him, and they were all alone. Something had stopped him each time. Joseph couldn't really say what it was, other than he would rather she rest for now. In his mind he couldn't help but love the fact that she slept and he watched over her. She wasn't being overly guarded at the palace, with massive guards and security systems. Here there was only him, and he prided himself for being enough of a man for her to trust.

As the beginning of a new day dawned slowly, Joseph sat by the springs, on the decking that was built around them for easy access. All was quiet, so he was quite surprised when her hand rested on his right shoulder.

"Joseph..." He jumped up, only to turn and sweep her in his arms. It was her turn to be surprised at his movements, but she savored the embrace, relishing in having her Joseph alive and well, and with her.

He had her lifted in the air, and really did not want to set her back down, but he did. Her bare feet touched the damp wood, and Joseph finally pulled back a bit to see her face.

"Clarisse..." He really did not know what to say. He could have been angry, or not. He could have been forgiving, or not. He really was not sure of how he felt, other than the relief that flooded his soul.

"You've been up all night?" Clarisse was trying to piece together how she got here, but it was clear. She had somehow known when she awoke and saw the strange surroundings. Strange, but somehow familiar. Now she knew for sure how familiar. Not only had she been here before, but he was with her.

"You like?" He nodded the affirmative as he asked her the ultimate question. Sleep for him had never been too important.

"I love...but I love you more," she added, bringing his hands into hers. "Joseph..." She could not say another word.

His eyes were on her, and it took every thought from her mind. Now was the moment she knew how much she loved him, how much she worried over him, and how much she truly needed him. Something in his eyes told her she did not have to say a word.

It did not matter. Whatever she had left for...whatever his men thought...just whatever. Clarisse was here now. From the look on her face and the gentle touch of her hands, Joseph knew how she felt. He could feel the love between them. They were both together, and all was well. Maybe one day he'd mention it, but not now. Now was the time to love her. It's what this place was all about, and it was time to christen it.

He nodded slowly towards the bubbling waters. After a quick glance there, Clarisse nodded back. He took a step to lead, and she followed, every step being in slow motion.

She watched him slowly strip down to nothing, admiring his skin glistening from the mist in the morning air. He helped her undress, and begin to step down the steps into the warmth of their haven.

As he slowly pulled her deep into their heated lair, Joseph wrapped his arms around her and lovingly stroked her lips with his own. Their bodies together were on fire, yet extinguished as long as the other was present. They were totally dependent on the other for everything to live.

Breaking off his kisses, he begin a slight giggle. As Clarisse urged him with her eyes and nudges, Joseph finally choked out, "Shades had brought one of the maids here with him, and he thought that you...," he laughed heartedly as a shock came to her face. "He thought that you were...asking...about..."

Her face need not turn red, for it already was from the heat. Clarisse was grateful for that. Though Joseph knew her well enough to know how embarrassed she was, and would be from now on around them. This was just another example of her not getting the facts straight, or at least having all the facts.

'Nonsense,' she thought as Joseph began rubbing her body with his strong hands. 'Queen's are always right.'

Finale Hope you enjoyed, Laura