A/N ok, some of the stuff in this chapter is very historically inaccurate. Deal with it. It's all part of the story so just throw the history book out the window. Ok enjoy!

Shortly after the wedding, Henry and Danielle were crowned king and queen. At first, everything seemed to be the same. Henry would arise at the same time to Genevieve's piercing cry and kept his tradition of meeting the family for dinner. If he was going to be late or miss dinner all together the family would know a few days ahead of time.

However, after some time, Henry seemed to become more distant and preoccupied by work. At first it was just little things that didn't seem important, Things like being later or missing dinner more often and leaving a bit earlier each morning, just to name a few. But soon things began to seem to Danielle that her marriage was slowly disintegrating before her eyes.

Henry began to miss almost every dinner, and often, Danielle would come back to their chambers to find him hovering over his desk. Most nights she would beg him to come to bed and get some rest, but all she would get from him was that if she stopped bothering him he would get finished faster and consequently would get to bed earlier. In the beginning this was usually said lightly with a gentle kiss, and true to his word, Henry would shortly come to bed. But eventually, the kiss left his nightly reply and an annoyed edge crept into his voice. The swiftness in which he finished his duties and got to bed slowly disappeared until it was hours before he climbed in to comfort his wife. But even that didn't last long. Gradually, each night, as he came in later and later he pushed himself farther and farther so not to wake Danielle. In the end, instead of sleeping in the middle of the bed holding each other, Henry and Danielle spent the night on opposite sides of the bed and facing opposite ways, much like Henry's parents.

Danielle couldn't take it anymore. She'd fought too hard for the love of her life and wasn't about to let him go. One night, everything changed. It started out as normal but quickly spun out of control…

Danielle entered the study and found Henry hovering over his desk as usual. She waked over and ran her hands down his arms. "Henry, please, come to bed. You need to relax."

Henry didn't even look at her. "Danielle, you knew when you married me that I'd have to talk this job."

"I'm only trying to help," Danielle whispered.

"Dammit, Danielle!" Henry yelled, abruptly getting up. "You just keep getting in the way!"

Shocked, Danielle stumbled backwards, nearly falling over the couch. "What do you want from me? To sit on the bed and wait until you have a use for me!" she screamed back.

"Well, if that's what it takes for you to stay out of the way, then yes!"

"Henry! I may be your wife, but I am not going to let you toss me aside for occasional use. I didn't marry a king, I didn't marry a prince, I didn't even marry a nobleman! I married a man who loved me and I love him, but now I'm not so sure!"

"Fine, if that's how you feel, leave!" Henry yelled back and then threw himself back into his desk chair.

Moments later Danielle stormed out the door with Genevieve and her bag.

How dare he! "Henry de Rousseau, king of France, abandoned by wife, Danielle de Barbarac." The journalists will have plenty to do tomorrow! A king, all he doe is work, work, work. He's forgetting all about his wife and daughter! How dare he! "Get out!" he says, "Just leave!"

Danielle practically dove into the carriage and slammed the door as the horses began to trot away. She wasn't quite sure where she was going, and to be frank, she didn't really care.

It wasn't until she was through the palace gated that she looked back. The magnificent building that she walked into in a dream and now, would probably never return to, loomed behind her. For the first time that night, she began to cry. Her shoulders shook violently and her breaths were short and shallow. How could I have been so blind? I should have seen this coming. Oh, what have I done?

Jacqueline rushed to answer the door. Who on earth could be calling this late?

Once she opened the door, she knew something was wrong. There stood her stepsister, tears streaming down her face, with Genevieve in one arm and a bag on the other.

"Oh, my God! What happened?" Jacqueline exclaimed as she reached for Genevieve. "Come in."

Danielle handed her daughter to Jacqueline and stepped through the door. "Henry—" she couldn't finish the first word before breaking down into sobs again.

"Ok, shhh. Here, please come and sit in the parlor." Jacqueline cooed. She followed Danielle into the parlor and laid Genevieve in her crib. "Now, what happened?"

Danielle drew a slow, shaky breath. She wiped her eyes and began the painful story. "I came back to the chambers after dinner and found Henry working at his desk. I tried to persuade him to come to bed and get some rest, but all he would say was that he had to work. I begged him, and he jumped up and started yelling that I kept getting in the way. I yelled back. I can't really remember what I said, but after I finished, he--he--" She was unable to finish her sentence before she broke under another wave of tears.

Jacqueline tried backing into the problem another way. "Did he hit you?"

Danielle looked surprised that that would be a possibility. "Of course not, Henry's never laid a malicious hand on me." Would it have come to that if I hadn't of left?

Jacqueline remained ever-so-patient. "What happened, Danielle?" she barely whispered.

Danielle looked her dead in the eye. "He told me to get out. I told him how I felt, and he just said 'leave.' So I did. Oh, Jacqueline, what have I done!" she cried, falling into her sister's embrace.

"Shhhhhh. It's alright. Why don't you get some rest and we'll talk about this in the morning.

Danielle nodded slowly and wiped her eyes. "What would I do without you?"

Once Danielle left, Henry returned to his work. How dare she get in the way like that! She's no the only one who depends on me anymore.

Henry worked for hours, and eventually, the anger wore into numbness. It wasn't until he finally retired for the night that he was able to evaluate what had happened.

He casually glanced around at the changes in the room. Genevieve's crib was empty and so was the bed. Henry changed and collapsed onto the mattress. It seems so much bigger without Danielle next me. He rolled over and laid his head on Danielle's pillow. The sent of her perfume filled his nostrils. How he missed that smell! Then the weight of what had happened set in. Henry tired to remember the last time he told his wife he loved her. Was it that night they fell asleep on the bench? How long had it been? When was the last time he had given her a kiss without and particular reason? When was the last time he'd stopped what he was doing to play with his daughter? As these thoughts paraded in his mind, Henry realized that it was his own fault for this catastrophe. Oh God! What have I done! The two most precious people to me on earth are gone because I pushed them away! How could I have been so blind? How could I have been so foolish?

The next morning Jacqueline, once again, rushed to answer the door. Just as she suspected, Henry stood, panting, on the other side.

"Where is she?" he gasped, hands on his hips

Jacqueline stepped further into the doorway to prevent the king from entering the manor. "Henry, I really don't think—"

"I just want to talk to my wife," he interrupted.

Jacqueline sighed and backed out of the doorway and motioned for Henry to come in. "She's downstairs in the kitchen, but--" Henry was running down the stairs before she could finish her thought.

Henry stopped short at the end of the stairwell and stared at the woman who had left him just twelve hours earlier. Danielle slowly raised her eyes from the pot she was stirring and quickly wiped a tear from her cheek. She was wearing her servant's dress and her hair was tied back in a simple braid. Paulette and Louise froze in their bustle and stared icily and the king. At Danielle's signal, they scuttled out of the room.

An awkward silence immediately ensued. Henry never took his eyes off his wife, but she didn't seem to have the strength to even glance in his direction. I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of crying she thought to herself. Normally she would have been a stone wall, but the emotional power that this man held over her made her crumble is his presence.

Unsure of how she was expected to react, Danielle slowly pushed one foot back and curtsied. "You're Majesty," she whispered shakily.

This seemed to bring Henry back to life. He rushed over to Danielle and scooped her up into his arms in mid-curtsy. "I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!" he whispered urgently.

It was then that Danielle let herself go. She buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed. "Please don't leave me."

"Never again. I promise, never again." He gently kissed the top of her head. "I love you." Tears began to stream down his face, and his hands gripped the back of Danielle's dress.

Danielle leaned back and gazed into her husband's eyes. "What took you so long?"

The king let out a small chuckle/sob. "I don't know," he said, shaking his head as his wife wiped a few tears from his cheek.

Henry hesitated as he leaned in for a kiss. But, seeing that there would be no protest, he pulled Danielle to him with so much passion he could hardly breathe. A/N: place large crescendo of music here.

With huge smiles, Paulette and Louise peeked back through the door.

Danielle threw her arms around Henry's neck and let her fingers weave through his hair. His hands found her hips and pulled them closer to his, deepening the kiss even more. Danielle had grown used to small gentle kisses from her husband and welcomed the unbridled passion with open arms. Henry could feel his heart pounding fiercely against his ribs as Danielle let her body melt into his.

Jacqueline peered around the corner and nearly cried she was so happy.

"What's going on?" John asked, from the top of the stairs.

"Shhh!" she scolded.

John joined his wife to watch the resurrected couple. Jacqueline let out a small whimper and let her body sag into her husband's arms.

Henry and Danielle clung to each other as they walked back up the stairs. "Jacqueline, could you keep Genevieve for today? We—"

Jacqueline held up her hand to stop her stepsister. "She can stay as long as you need. Now," she said, flicking hands in their direction, "Shoo, go, and I don't want to see you back until everything between the both of you is sorted out. Shooo!"

Danielle and Henry piled into the closed carriage, still clinging to each other as if the world itself was about to end. Once inside, Henry pulled Danielle to his chest almost violently. "Oh, God! I though I'd lost you! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! Please…" His voice suddenly cracked and his apology was cut short.

Danielle gently rubbed his back. He can be foolish, but he can certainly say he's sorry she thought to herself. She pushed herself back and gazed into Henry's eyes. "I love you. How could I not forgive you?"

Henry felt his heart begin to race again as his wife leaned towards him for yet another kiss. He tried his best not to suffocate her when he replied to her request, but didn't succeed very well. His hands, not quite so gently, cradled her, one of the small of her back and the other gripping her shoulders.

Danielle welcomed the passion she'd waited for for four months. She was finally back in the arms of the man she loved. Her left hand pressed Henry's neck to bring him, if at all possible, closer to her, while her right hand slowly inched up his muscular arm.

Danielle let out a barely audible gasp and arched her back slightly as Henry's lips left hers and began to follow her jaw line to devour her neck. She leaned against the carriage wall to help brace herself against her husband's attack. This proved fruitless because it only prompted Henry to press his body closer to hers.

Then, to his surprise, Danielle slid her hands underneath his jacket and pulled it off. Henry, very reluctantly, pushed himself away and shook her head. "Not here. Later," he whispered voice hoarse with passion. Why must carriages be so damn small?

Danielle nodded her head understandingly but she did not lean in for another kiss. If we get into another tumble like that, I doubt either one of us will be able to control ourselves.

Henry had a similar thought, but he also know that neither one of them would be able to sit apart as they had grown accustomed to. It simply wasn't possible.

Danielle let her upper body rest entirely on Henry's side and shoulder. His arm was cautiously wrapped around her waist in a way so he wouldn't be tempted to pull her back into his passionate embrace or at least in a position so that his temptation was at bay. But Danielle didn't make it easy by gently running her hand back and forth from his knee to his hip. No doubt she was doing it on purpose to test his will power. She then, much to Henry's relief, took the same hand and let it slide across his stomach to his opposite shoulder and laid her head on his chest, obviously exhausted from crying all night.

Henry briefly let his mind drift to "later", but soon it cleared, and he dozed off to sleep.

Ten minutes later, the coachman opened the door to find the king and queen sleeping in each other's arms. "What do you suppose we should do?" he asked the stable hand who was unharnessing the horse from the carriage.

"Wake them I suppose."

The coachman cautiously reached out with one hand and tapped Henry's shoulder. The king sleepily opened his eyes. It took him a moment to get his bearings and figure out what to do next.

"Sire, would you like me to wake the queen?" the coachman suggested timidly.

Henry glanced sown at his wife's sleeping figure. "No, I'll take her to the chambers, thank you."

The coachman quietly opened the second door as Henry scooped Danielle's body into his arms and proceeded up the castle steps.

Danielle didn't wake up until Henry gently laid her on the bed.

"Oh darling, you should have woken me. You didn't need to carry me all the way up here."

"It was of not inconvenience." Henry whispered, leaning down and giving his wife a gentle, lingering kiss.

Danielle couldn't help but notice that the fiery passion that had overcome her in the carriage was now replaced by exhaustion, and she had and inkling that Henry felt the same way.

"Henry…perhaps we should--"

"Rest? I agree. Would you like me to get your nightgown?"

Danielle shook her head as she rose form the bed. "Don't bother, I'll get yours." With that she disappeared into the closet.

Henry wearily unlaced his shirt and collapsed on the bed. Ok, Henry. Watch your step for now on. You've lost her once to your own stupidity, don't do it again! She's back and you want to keep her here. He coached himself as he clasped his hands over his head and tried to convince himself that he could learn from his mistakes.

His thoughts were interrupted by an opening door. He lazily opened his eyes to see Danielle walking slowly towards him, and his body went tense and ridged. She was obviously mulling the same thoughts in her mind. She slightly lifted the arm that Henry's nightgown was draped over and raised her eyebrows silently asking him if he wanted it.

He didn't say anything, just slowly shook his head and patted a spot next to him on the bed.

Danielle turned to put the nightgown back in the closet, but Henry stopped her. "Don't, just leave it on the floor. Come here." His voice didn't' help hide his stress.

Danielle smiled sweetly at him, feeling somewhat reassured that he was just as nervous about what could happen. She slowly let her arm go limp and the nightgown fall to the floor.

"Come here," Henry beckoned, taking his other hand from his head and reaching for her.

Danielle shuffled around the bed, climbed in next to him, and laid her head on his bare chest. She let her hand go where it wanted to, sliding across his stomach and under his shirt to his side.

"Danielle, can you forgive me?" Henry whispered while he wrapped her in his arms.

Danielle was silent for a moment. Soon, she turned her head and kissed the king squarely on the center of his chest, sending a relaxing sensation through his body. With great effort, she pushed herself up and gazed into Henry's steel-gray eyes. "The question, love, is not if I forgive you, but rather can you forgive me?"

Henry tenderly stroked his wife's cheek. "Oh, darling, I'm the one who should be blamed, not you."

Danielle slowly shook her head and gave Henry a gentle kiss. Henry wrapped his arms around her even tighter and held her close, hoping that the moment would never end. All too soon, Danielle pulled away and lay back down on her husband's chest. Soon, the rise and fall of Henry's chest put her to sleep.

Marie was furious. Foolish, foolish…BOY! How could her have been so stupid! Oh…he's going to get a piece of my mind, want it or not! She thought as she stomped down the corridor. She reached the double doors that led to the king and queen's chambers and signaled for her attendant to let her in. She stormed in and, seeing that the sitting room was vacant, made her way to the bedchamber door.

Once again, she signaled for the page to open the door. She was about the give Henry a very loud lecture when she caught her words in her throat.

The sight that lay before her was quite the opposite of what she had been expecting. Instead of Henry moping around his room, he and his wife were sleeping peacefully in each other's arms. Did she actually leave him? The royal mother thought to herself, but then she broke down the situation. Yes, she probably did leave him. She told me about how Henry barely even acknowledged her anymore and here they are, holding each other like a child would hold toy in his sleep. Marie then spotted the bag at the foot of the bed. Yes, there's the proof. She did leave him. Finally someone gout through his thick head!

Marie quietly backed out the door and walked back to her rooms with a new spring in her step.

Several hours later, the king and queen awoke from their peaceful slumber. Danielle immediately sprang on her husband for an explanation.

"What is the burning issue that has stolen you way?"

"Several things actually," Henry yawned.

"Tell me."

"Hmmmm…well, as you know, France has been doing regular trade with the Americas. As it turns out, some of the prisoners are smuggling themselves back to France."

Danielle knew exactly what threat was presented in that statement. She propped herself up on one elbow and stared into Henry's eyes. "Is she back?"

Henry shrugged his shoulders. "Not that I know of. I've been getting lists of who's missing, and so far, neither name has been sent. Do you really think that they would come back?"

Danielle nodded her head, looking at Henry as if her were dense.

Henry sighed and shifted his hips underneath her. He looked very uneasy.

"What is it?" Danielle's voice took a completely different tone.

Henry reluctantly looked into her eyes with a forced smile. "It's nothing…it can wait," he said, gently rubbing her back.

Danielle was getting annoyed. "Henry, I'm not a simpleton. What is the problem?"

Henry averted his eyes once again and gently intertwined her fingers in his. I have to tell her. But, I don't know if it is a sure thing or not. But then, she needs to know.

"Henry…" Danielle's soft, pleading voice made the king face reality.

Henry sighed and looked intently into his wife's eyes once again. "England is threatening to go to war."

Danielle suddenly grew very weak and began to sway. Oh God.

Henry sighed and brought Danielle to his chest. "I knew I shouldn't have told you. I didn't want to scare you," he whispered, gently stroking her back.

Danielle was quiet for a minute, savoring every moment she was with her husband. They'd wasted the past few months fighting and now he could be leaving. But then a thought came to her mind. "But you're king! Don't you have to stay here and command the troops?" she panted, frantically looking for a way to keep her husband safe.

Henry let out a large sigh causing Danielle to push herself back off of his bare chest and stare, anxiously into her eyes.

"If I were my father's age, yes, I would stay behind. But I'm only twenty. I have to go. It wouldn't be fair to send troops into battle without intending to help."

Danielle still wasn't about to give in. "But, Genevieve is your sole heir! If you die, you'll have no one to take over. She's too young."

Henry smiled sweetly. "You can take over until she comes of age."

Danielle's expression grew extremely panicky.

Henry tired his best to comfort her. "Remember though, right now, it's only a threat. Nothing is certain. It may be even a few years before we battle if we resort to that. Don't worry."

Danielle sank back down onto his chest. She wouldn't be able to survive losing him, and she knew it. Her broken heart would kill her. She wrapped her arms around her husband's waist and once again, began to cry. The hot tears trickled down her cheek and landed on Henry's chest.

The king then spoke. "Maybe it would be of some comfort to you to know that I wouldn't be fighting, rather checking on different camps." He chuckled.

Danielle's head shot up. "Why you little…"

"Little what? " Henry laughed.

Danielle gave him a playful slap. "Twit! You worry me to death all for a joke. Little twit!"

Henry gave a hearty laugh and pulled Danielle onto the bed, enveloped in a deep kiss.

She let his hands go where the wished and let him do as he pleased, glad to be back in his arms again, but she stopped him before he got too carried away and not answer the questions she had.

"Henry," she moaned, pushing him off of her, "what are you going to do about the prisoners?"

Henry sighed and propped himself up on his elbows above Danielle. "I don't know. The only thing I can do is tighten security around the ports, and that's already been done. Do you have any suggestions?"

Danielle gently rubbed Henry's bare back. "You could try to patrol the boats before they leave."

"That's what we're doing, but somehow they get past…"

"What if there were harsher punishments if they get caught?"

Henry gave her on inquisitive look. "Do you mean for everyone or just the 'step-evils'?"

Danielle opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. He's right. Several people have been sent there unjustly and it would be unfair to punish them.

Henry interrupted her thoughts by gently tracing her jawbone with his finger. "You need not worry about Marguerite. If she does return, she will suffer greatly."

Danielle, feeling reassured by this, suddenly changed the subject.

"How far along is the university?"

Henry seemed somewhat taken aback. "Where did that come from?" the king blurted, slightly perplexed.

Danielle just stared, unblinking into his eyes, waiting for an answer.

"Well," Henry began, "the construction, as you know, has started, but it's going very slow due to the weather. Not much progress has been made lately." He stated matter-of-factly.

Danielle gave a curt nod as if to say "that's all I need to know."

Henry was still confused. "Why do you want to know?"

"As queen, I hardly suspect that the people expect me to leave all the political issues to you," Danielle declared, slightly annoyed.

This concept was new to the king. Mother never dealt with the political issues, just a few of the social matters. How would the advisors react? "Danielle, you are not like other women."

She smiled sweetly at him. "Why good sir, is that not why you married me?"

"What ever do you mean?" Henry teased, unsuccessfully trying to hide a grin.

Danielle stifled a laugh. "I believe you know exactly what I mean."

Henry gave in, and a dazzling smile stretched over his face. His mouth came down, hard, on Danielle's as she lost herself in his passionate embrace.

A/N: so? What did you think? Please review! I know that I haven't been quite as actively updating and stuff but now that my English class is over I'll have much more time to work on this. I can't write to please you if I don't know what you think. So give me your opinions! I want to know how I'm doing! It's not that hard! Just click the little review button and tell me what you think! Ok, can't wait to hear from you!