Chapter 6

Author's Note: Hi Girls! Believe it or not, but I finished the story yesterday. Actually I found a song: Sam Phillips Love is Everywhere I Go (I used the lyrics), and while I was listening it over and over again I finished the story. So if you wanna enjoy this chapter fully you need the song. I sent it to those who have an email address, but if someone wants it just send me an email. And now I'm sending the usual big hug to Rach, who was extremely fast, thanks dear! And another hug to each of you for your lovely reviews, namely to CeeCh, One Special Lana, Vluy, negschainshaw, OSUSprinks, bluegirl-783 and to Firing Rockets on Dragons.

Joseph just stood there for a moment, slowly looking her from head to toe. She was so miserable and lost standing there in the rain that his heart was even more broken than before.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, I shouldn't be here. "She murmured and wanted to run away when Joseph grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"Clarisse… Hey. Please stop. You're soaked. You cannot go anywhere like this. Come on, I will get you some towels… Please." He begged her softly, then she calmed down a little so he could take her inside.

She was already shaking when he closed the door behind them and rushed for a towel.

"Quickly," he said and covered her with it. "Here you are. It will be much better soon, believe me."

"Thank you," she whispered, trying to warm herself up a bit.

"I cannot understand how you could be soaked like this. You must have been here quite sometime… but I didn't hear your car," he said with one breath as he poured a glass of water and took out an Aspirin.

"I did not come in a car," she answered, accepting the Aspirin gratefully.

"What?" said Joseph, shocked. "I hope you don't mean to say that you came all the way on foot?"

"Alright, I won't say that."

"Clarisse…Oh my God!" Joseph was desperate now. "You could catch pneumonia."

"Come now. It was just summer rain, I will be ok."

"But you are shaking."

"Just a little bit…"

"Go and take a hot bath. That will help." He said and guided her towards the bathroom.

"Joseph, really…"

"Now! And I don't want to hear any comments. It's not a joke. Just go inside. And while you're in there, I will make you a cup of hot tea. Ok?"

Clarisse just stood there for a moment looking at the worried man in front of her. "How can you be so kind to me?" she asked when he lapsed into a smile and answered with a question.

"How could I NOT be kind to you?"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Closing the door behind her, she stopped for a moment and started smiling. She knew she was even more in love with him if it was possible… Gosh, he was so sweet, but she had to concentrate on her health now.

His bathroom was comfortable and cozy, not too crowded but there was everything that was necessary. Fortunately the bathtub filled up quickly with hot water, while she took off her clothes and opened his shower gel. As she put some of it to the water she finally realized the secret of his scent. The secret of the scent she loved so much… It was his shower gel! She tried to find out what cologne he was using for years now, and she never thought the answer was so simple.

A few moments later she was in the hot water. Sinking into it, being wrapped with his scent was like, she barely dared to think of it, it was like… she had made love to him…

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

As she stepped out from the bathroom in one of his robes, Joseph had already made her tea.

"Is everything alright?" asked Joseph with a smile as he put her cup down on the workplace, which was actually the kitchen table.

"Yes… Yes, everything is fine." Clarisse smiled and sat down, taking the warm mug gladly. "Are you… Are you cooking?"

"Yes, just something simple. I can cook, but only a few dishes. It will be pasta with tomato, basil and olives. I know you like it."

"Look, you really don't have to cook for me. I'm not a real guest."

"No you are not." He answered, shocking her a little, then continued, "Because you can come here anytime you want." He finished with a warm smile which brought those friendly little butterflies to life in her stomach.

"Thanks." She smiled shyly and slipped a bit of her tea. "Anyway it smells good. It reminds me to that spaghetti we ate in Rome…"

"…at Fontaine de Trevie." Joseph finished her sentence with a smile, looking right in her eyes with that well known look what he reserved only for her… and she understood him.

"I know you would like to know why I am here…" she said all of a sudden, knowing he would not dare ask.

"I'm a bit afraid."

"Why?" Clarisse asked innocently. At the moment she really had no idea what was he afraid of, but it was so obvious.

"You might ask me…" His sad expression was killing her. "…to leave you forever."

"Oh my God no!" she cried. It was her turn to be shocked now. "No, I've never thought of…" She suddenly realized how stupid she must seem, so she continued in a calmer voice. "I… I just missed you," she said looking down for a moment, before she had enough courage to look him in the eye. She needed courage, because she suspected what she would find in his eyes, and she was right. His eyes were full of love. It was so obvious, so radiant that when he asked her to dance with him she accepted immediately. But not because she wanted to snuggle up to him - of course she wanted that, but her real reason was she could not stand to see the love in his eyes. It was too much for her, because she knew she would not be able to control herself for long.

As they started dancing slowly and softly, her head on his shoulder, she heard the music on the radio louder as a new song started…. "love is everywhere I go… looking through you" He drew her closer instinctively…"love is everywhere I go…looking through you." She inhaled his scent… "love is everywhere I go… looking through you." He nuzzled her hair…"burning light inside my dreams. I wake up in the dark… the light is outside my door…love is everywhere I go… looking through you." He kissed her neck… "love is everywhere I go… looking through you." She snuggled up to him and whispered… 'I love you.' "love is everywhere I go… looking through you… love is everywhere I go… looking through you."…

The End