Disclaimer: Apparently I need to add this might be 'Rated M'

I'll never know exactly how Francis did it, but I know it was his doing that Catherine ever acknowledged her feelings and agreed to discuss what had taken place between us.

It took some time, mind, but finally I received a message that she wanted to speak with me that night. I admit I was more than a little apprehensive when I arrived at her chambers.

'I apologise, I know I've been avoiding you of late.' she greeted me.

'Catherine, there's really no need for you to apologise.'

'No, there is.'

She gestured for us to sit. We'd had many conversations sitting together on her chaise like this, but I'd never been more nervous than for this one.

'I needed time to think about recent events. I know our distance since has caused you pain and you must trust that that is the last thing I wanted, but there has been so much for me to consider.'

'I understand that, Catherine. Truly, I do. I know that you care about me, that our friendship is important to you, but my actions… they were never intended to cause you distress. If anything, they were meant to give clarity, not conflict.'

'Charity, I appreciate your words, but the truth is the conflict came from me, not you. Which serves to show your actions were not entirely unwelcome.'

She found it hard to meet my eyes at this revelation, I presume she carried a sense of shame for admitting this. Still, I breathed a sigh of relief.

'I'm just glad to know you don't hate me for it.'

'Oh, my dear,' she looked at me. 'Don't you know I could never hate you?'

'I do.' I reached for her hand. 'I know how much you suffered when I was poisoned and how hard you fought for me as a result. That could never have come from a place of hatred.'

She smiled as she squeezed my hand, before her face fell as she reminded herself what she had summoned me to say.

'But,' she continued, releasing her hand from mine and rising to her feet. 'That doesn't change the fact that nothing can happen between us. What we feel, to let it control us? I'm sorry, Charity, we just can't.'

I was disappointed, though I knew I had no right to be. I tried not to let it show. I stood-up, ready to slip back into the appropriate mind-frame for my duties.

'I understand, Your Grace. If that's what you want, I'll respect your wishes.'

'Oh Charity, please don't use my title like that.' Catherine, turning to me, now looked as disappointed as I felt.

'None of this is what I want. As Queen, the choices I make rarely bear any resemblance to what I want. They have little to do with my own happiness. It's why so many Kings and Queens struggle to live harmoniously, so few of them actually bear any true fondness for each other. Even those who do in their early years normally have it beaten out of them, not only because of the pressure of the job, but because no King in history has gone without taking a mistress. As a wife that hardens and destroys the soul, yet as Queen we're expected to grit our teeth and bear it.'

She paced as she spoke, coming to a stop by the window. It seemed to add a physical separation to our conversation, as though she spoke to me through it, rather than from within the same stone walls.

'By the time you strip all that away, you're left with a hard shell, almost devoid of all emotion. You don't dare risk any cracks, because your enemies can spot it a mile away and they will tear you to shreds.

Whether by birthright or marriage, royals are afforded all the privilege that comes with the crown, so what right do we have to want for anything more?'

She finally allowed herself to turn her gaze back to me. 'But happiness is not something that can survive all that. Surely you understand that by now?'

'I do understand that.' I told her honestly.

'I understand that life as a Queen is about politics and about keeping peace with the King and the nobles and that it's a constant struggle. Especially with a King such as Henry who seems to care so little for you and doesn't even try to hide it.'

I said all this, taking careful steps closer and closer towards her, determined to break down this wall she was trying to build between us.

'What I don't understand is why you insist that means you must condemn yourself to a life without happiness? You tell yourself it's what you deserve, but it's not. There is so much good in this world, it's right there, yours for the taking. If not from Henry then from someone - somewhere - else!'

The way she looked at me, I felt shame for my words. I knew the contrition showed on my face.

'I'm not saying this for myself, Catherine. If you choose to ignore my feelings now, or even dismiss me from my position here, I'll accept your decision. But please,' I took her hand in mine, 'Please, break yourself away from this delusion Henry has you trapped in. Stop telling yourself you deserve less, because nothing could be further from the truth.'

I realised now that as much as I cared for her and believed in her, I wanted her to believe in herself even more.

'You really mean all of that, don't you?'

'I just want you to find happiness in your life. Regardless of whether you allow me to be the one to bring it to you.'

She released her hand from my grip, reaching up to stroke my hair.

'You do, you know. You've brought so much happiness to my life, though I know I've ignored what's been between us for so long.'

'Catherine, I told you, I-'

'No!' She silenced me.

'No more excuses, no more keeping this part of myself buried.' She moved closer to me.

'I want to be with you, Charity. I'm done pretending otherwise.'

And with that, she took me in her arms and kissed me deeply. I knew this time was different. This was the kind of kiss you melt into because once you start, there's no going back.

Though it was hard for me to completely ignore the voice telling me how wrong this was, how bad an idea. When I had kissed Catherine, it was only my head on the line. If I didn't stop this, we'd both be risking everything.

If I didn't stop this… I pulled away.

'Catherine, are you absolutely sure about this? Because I don't want you to-' She pressed her fingers to my lips.

'I'm sure. Trust me when I say I want this.'

All my hesitations melted away as we came together in an embrace. Our kisses intensified and I knew that she was finally holding nothing back. I coaxed her lips apart with my tongue, plunging it into the warmth of her mouth. I'd never kissed anyone with this level of passion before, I'd never had such a feeling behind it and part of me became slightly unhinged at how she responded with equal passion.

Guiding her backwards towards the bed, I took a deep thrill from the battle as our tongues massaged against each other. I forced myself to keep the pace slow, carried away as we were becoming in our passion, I didn't want either of us losing ourselves too quickly in the insanity of it all. Having finally reached this moment, I wanted us both to fully appreciate being together.

We removed our dresses and I held her against me, kissing her naked shoulders... her neck... cheeks... Her smooth skin was intoxicating, driving the need in me to explore every part of it.

'Turn around.' I whispered, twisting her as I removed the strings from her corset, letting it fall to the floor. She moved to turn back but I gripped my arm around her waist, holding her in place.

'Charity.' she breathed.

'Don't.' I nuzzled into her neck. 'Not yet.'

My hand lay on her belly, stroking it as I teased her neck with light kisses. I let my hand glide up away from her belly, until they reached her bare breasts, stroking them softly just for a moment.

I moved to pull her undergarments down, freeing her completely. Tossing them aside, I looked up to see her removing the clasps from her hair, her plait now falling freely, messily down her back. I placed my hands on her hips and rose slowly, kissing a trail of kisses from the base of her spine up her back. Light, tender kisses all the way, each one inciting a shiver from her, a fraction more intense than the last.

As I reached the curve of her neck, my lips took solace, my tongue exploring. I used one hand to move her plait around her shoulder, letting it follow down to her breast which I cupped gently in my palm, fondling. Meanwhile my other hand moved to reclaim her belly, before starting its own journey downwards. I reached my destination, sliding my hand between her legs as Catherine whimpered in response, reaching her hand up around my neck and turning her face to me. Our lips met, our kisses becoming more urgent as my hand continued to work on her, down below. She trembled in my arms - her walls completely down, not fighting a moment of this pleasure and I wanted to give her so much more of it.

I withdrew my hand, pulling her back to face me whilst we continued with our kisses. She reached behind me for my corset strings, pulling them free as I angled my arms, giving her access to remove it.

She ran her fingertips along my body as she did so, sending a ripple reaction through my nerves, before pulling me back into the embrace. I was so aware of her naked breasts pressed firmly against my body, it was so easy to get lost in the moment, especially as she fell into and explored me with her lips.

'Oh god… Catherine.'

The words escaped my lips as I moaned, my breath heavy with pleasure. The touch of her lips against my skin was almost too much to bear, setting each and every one of my nerves alight. I wanted to lose myself, to drown in this moment, but I wanted to send her to heaven first.

I pushed her back gently, until she lay on the bed. Then I climbed upon it and lowered myself down over her, my leg nestling between hers to continue her stimulation. Her arousal was already evident and I couldn't wait to explore it further. I held her face and kissed her deeply as her arms embraced me. I couldn't get enough of her: lips, neck, breasts, hands, belly…. every part of her mine for the taking.

I continued my kisses, following a trail down to her breasts. I took each one in turn, revelling in their soft fullness, gliding my tongue over her nipples, before continuing the trail down… down… I wanted to know every inch of her intimately. I needed her to feel arousal upon every part of her body.

My tongue paused as it reached her legs. I snaked my hands around her thighs, gently parting them as I continued to explore, alternating lips and tongue. Up and down her inner thighs, getting closer to her heat then pulling back. Teasing her, arousing her until she was breathlessly aching for more.

'Charity. Please. I-I need…'

The arousal was building inside her. I wondered if she had ever had a lover spend so much time focusing on her pleasure alone. I could hear it rising in her throat, even as she tried to stifle herself. I knew we had to be careful, but I didn't want her to hold back. I ran my tongue over her nub, along her fleshy folds to her opening… then returned to her nub. There I stopped, teasing with kisses before reverting back to my tongue. I gripped her thighs tightly, drew her close and pressed my mouth firmly onto her.

Succumbing to her taste, I lost myself in the moment as I allowed my tongue and lips to follow their natural instincts. Meanwhile Catherine had given way to her increasing arousal, both with her whimpers growing to moans and her hips as she moved against my mouth, matching my rhythm. I allowed myself to be guided by her reactions, spurring me on.

The orgasm was building strength inside her, as her breaths came hard and fast, her moans deepening with intensity. She tried to find her voice, but her pleasure was too intense to allow her much of anything beyond the sounds she was already producing. I would have liked to hear her scream my name in pleasure, of course, but I could feel how close she was and it was already just as stimulating for me as it was for her.

Her body was convulsing as the orgasm built-up pressure inside her. I could tell she was right on the cusp and I increased the intensity of my movements. Glancing-up, I saw her face react as her body spasmed: her orgasm reached its peak and her moans of pleasure reverberated around us. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the response I'd elicited from her.

I had one last taste of her before climbing back up, kissing my way along her body as I did so. She took me in her arms as I lay with her, kissing me intently. Between kisses, I asked.

'Are you okay?'

She nodded her response, still trying to catch her breath.

'Uh-huh.'

I smiled as I nuzzled into her neck, kissing her softly.

'That was... Wonderful.'

Her hands were in my hair as our frenzied kisses continued. She stopped suddenly, pulling back.

'I don't… I'm not…' she was nervous.

'Sshh. Catherine, it's alright.' I reassured her. 'There's no rush. You don't have to do anything you aren't ready for. I won't push you.'

'No, I do want to. I'm just…'

I smiled. She was determined, just a little lost.

'Just let yourself be guided by whatever feels natural. Don't force it.'

I kissed her, hoping it would work to distract her. If they did the trick, she would be able to follow her natural instincts more easily.

Her inhibitions loosened soon enough as she rolled me onto my back, giving her the freedom to explore my body. For someone new to this experience, she had greater instincts than she gave herself credit for. She slid one hand between my legs, exploring. Normally I would bite my lip, giving my inner pleasures more time to build before revealing their intensity, but I wanted her to be encouraged with all her instincts.

As it was, the feel of her hot breath against my skin… her lips and tongue teasing my neck… much as it had started earlier, they set-off a ripple effect of small explosions within me. The combination of this and her fingers as worked on me down below was so powerful. As my own whimpers built-up, I couldn't stop them escaping my lips.

I couldn't resist, I slipped my hand back between hers, matching her rhythm and speed and was quickly able to slip my fingers inside her. The groan that produced from her was intoxicating, as was her surprise from not expecting it. The next moment she copied my actions and the momentum of her fingers moving inside me, eliciting my own powerful groan of pleasure.

We moved together, succumbing as our pleasures grew and reached their peak of intensity, bringing us quivering to a mutual orgasm.

...