Clarisse needed air. Shades made a motion to follow but she threatened him with his job if he did. His son, who attended Regal Scholar University in Philligran could not afford to risk his job. She found herself walking the half a mile cobblestone pathway down to Joseph's cottage. She entered by way of the utility door, which he always kept unlocked. The shadow crossed her path and for a moment she was terrified, but as she turned the lights on, she saw the big black Labrador named Mr. Spock. She remembered when her dog Minnie gave birth to the pups. Mr. Spock's ears never laid flat. Two weeks after his birth, Joe stopped in to see the dogs. One turned up missing and he and Clarisse searched frantically for hours. When he got home that night, Mr. Spock was curled up, sound asleep in Joe's jacket pocket. He wasn't able to part with pup. He bottle-fed him till he was old enough to chew and then grilled him very rare steak. He was more than a dog to Joe, he was his protector and his surrogate brother.

"Hello Mr. Spock. Glad to see you are still happy to see me."

Spock looked at her and licked her hand. Then he stretched and went out the dog door. Clarisse glanced around and noted that his cottage was still much the same as it was before. Paintings of old cars and motorcycles adorned the walls. His guitars lined the walls of the hallway to his room. His favorite guitar named San Juan lay in the corner by the fireplace as usual. She looked down at the sofa and noted the small tears in the fabric. Clarisse had spent many a night sprawled out on that sofa, her head resting on his chest as they watched movies. She picked up the large red and black comforter that typically adorned his bed. His scent engulfed her nostrils and she clung to it. Looking back she was amazed they had never advanced into an intimate stage of friendship. They had in their friendship what few had in their marriages. How had that closeness evolved into what it was now?

"What are you doing here? She heard his voice gentle, raspy but firm and dangerous behind her. She couldn't face him so she stood still.

"It's too late to run. I think you owe me an explanation such as why you seem hell bent on throwing punches, why you would disgrace yourself and this kingdom but acting like a jealous teenager and why after you do all that do I find you here of all places?"

Finally she turned and was almost sorry she had.

"Where else would I go? I hit you because you acted like a selfish idiot. You strut around here like Casa Nova. I ask you to tell me what is going on, not as your queen or your superior but as your friend. You tell me nothing. You act as if I have no right to-."

"You don't."

"I beg your pardon."

"You don't have the right, Clarisse."

"To what?"

"To act like I matter to you now."

"I care. I've always cared. Do you think life is really that easy for me?"

"For you? I've been at your side for twenty-eight years! I've stepped in when your husband was off playing diplomat. I helped you raise your sons. I've watched you tear your heart out over them. I've loved you with my heart behind bars. When you were married it was the right choice to isolate your heart from me. What is your excuse now? Clarisse, Mia will be the queen in a few short years. All of the things you've had since you were sixteen won't be there anymore. I was hoping that you'd finally see me for the man I am and not your head of security. I realize tonight that it's still all about you. I've given you everything that was in my power to give you but I can't stand by anymore."

"And what am I supposed to do now? Go on alone?"

"You've been alone for three months, regardless of how close I've been to you."

She couldn't hold back her tears anymore.

"It seems I am out of options."

She headed for the door and then turned back to him.

"I want to ask you one question. Why did you dance with her to our song? Why that one?"

"So that every time I hear that song I don't drown in memories of you and what we used to have. I'm working on new memories now."

Clarisse walked into the night air, the blanket still wrapped around her shoulders. From where he stood he almost wished she'd look back but it was time to let her loose. In the distance she could hear Spock howl as if he'd heard the entire thing.