Thank you to all of those who have reviewed so far - your comments feed my writer's soul and are sooo much appreciated! Chapter 2 deals with what happens the day after the little dance and kiss from our couple!

Those of you who are fans of the movie will find some adaptation of some of the lines from the movie - enjoy!

Kayla

Rating: T

Chapter 2: Dance with Me

The next day started equally miserable for those who were called to duty bright and early. While Mia was decidedly unhappy at having to show up to work at all on a Saturday morning, the uneasy distance between the Queen and her Head of Security affected everyone around them. Word quickly spread among the palace staff to give all of them a wide berth.

Clarisse characteristically shut her emotions down and diligently tried to focus on the task of running the country. Her granddaughter distinctly lacked her discipline.

"Amelia!"

Mia put her hand to her head to ease the headache that had been present since her ladies' maids woke her up that morning. "Gramma, seriously, you don't have to shout. Why are you in such a foul mood this morning? Upset that you missed out on dancing with us?" Mia teased.

A flush crept up onto Clarisse's cheek as the thought of the kiss that ended her dance with Joseph asserted itself again. To make sure that Amelia didn't bring it up again, she replied with a sharp tone. "What you and your friends were doing last night was NOT dancing. Honestly, Amelia, it wasn't proper. Trust me when I say it will not happen again. Now let's get back to work."

Mia stood abruptly and mimicked her Grandmother's infamous glare. "It's Saturday and my all of my friends are still sleeping. Since you seem to have all the answers, I'll leave you to properly deal with all of this paperwork."

Clarisse watched her retreating form and called after her. "When you are Queen…"

Mia spun on her heels and interrupted, "When I am Queen, I will do my duty. One of my first official acts will be to allow ALL expressions of dance and, barring a national emergency, ban all work on the weekends. Honestly, Your Majesty, you need to get a life."

And with that she was gone.

Joseph stepped forward, wanting to offer her comfort but quickly retreated when she commanded without even looking up. "Not now, Joseph."

He sighed deeply, thankful that they were only scheduled for a half day today since it WAS a Saturday. He would need a day or two…or a lifetime to get his head straightened out. His body, on the other hand, might take longer. He kept replaying the dance and the kiss...that amazing kiss over and over again in his head. He knew, without a doubt, that she had been affected. Her lips were so warm and responsive, hinting at a passion that was just waiting below the surface. It was the way she moved; the way her body melded to his; and, undeniably, the unspoken acknowledgement of the feelings they both shared. Fighting the urge to sigh again, he started reviewing security protocols in his head as a distraction and to pass the time in a much safer way.

Clarisse was certain that Amelia was responsible for the pain that now throbbed relentlessly in her head. How DARE she speak to her that way? Not only did she walk away from the work that needed to be done – it wasn't like a country only needed attention Monday through Friday…but her accusations had hurt more than Clarisse cared to admit.

"Honestly, Your Majesty, you need to get a life!"

Those were the words that had hurt the most. Amelia didn't understand that, for Clarisse, her life WAS Genovia. There was no time for anything else – there never had been. But there had been those beautiful moments carved out of time with Joseph… At the thought of his lips on hers, warmth spread throughout her body reminding her distinctly of how his hard body felt pressed up against hers. Vivid memories of his hands on her thigh and the final pose they found themselves in…it had been an awakening of feelings she had thought long gone.

As she considered the response of her body, she remembered Joseph's words about the young woman in the movie he had spoken of during their encounter. Realizing she wasn't going to get any more work today and that Joseph was just as miserable, she decided to retire for the remainder of the afternoon and evening. A quiet dinner and maybe a movie in her room would help sort things out.

"Joseph?"

Was it his imagination or did her tone seem a little less severe? "Yes, Your Majesty."

"I'm calling it a day…it is Saturday, after all." She offered him a slight smile.

Maybe there was hope yet. "Of course, Your Majesty. I will be happy to escort you to your suite."

Standing and stretching slightly, she tried to work out the kinks from her tense muscles. "Thank you. Please ask Charlotte to ring my suite in a bit. I'm going to eat dinner in my room tonight."

So maybe things were not completely back to normal – but at least he would have some time to try to compose himself before Monday. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

They walked in silence to her suite. Adhering strictly to protocol, he walked a few steps behind her and to her left, studiously avoiding the gentle sway of her hips as she walked. Though he wasn't looking, his mind remembered the toned feel of her bottom and thigh as he held her close and kissed her. Years of dancing had ensured that her legs were lean and strong. He tried not to think about how it would feel to run his hands over their entire length, memorizing every nuance. Stop it old man before you embarrass yourself right here in the hallway….at least wait until you're alone in your suite.

She paused at the door, trying to decide what would be appropriate under the circumstances. Normally, she would cup his cheek, holding it for a few extra seconds to convey how very important he was to her. Now, she wasn't sure. She stood there, motionless, waiting for her mind to stop arguing with itself.

"Clarisse?"

His voice was soft and deep and she could feel his breath tickle the back of her neck. "Yes?"

"Please turn around and look at me."

Exhaling, she turned slowly.

"Do you still trust me?"

Her own words came back to haunt her: "You are my best friend, Joseph. I trust you with my life every day. I'm confident and I can trust you in this."

"This isn't about trust."

He stepped closer, invading her personal space. His voice was low, but conveyed the sincerity of his meaning. "That is all it is about. You must trust that we can make this work."

Clarisse cast a quick glance towards the small red light high up on the wall opposite her doorway signifying the security camera was active. "Not here. Not now."

Knowing she was avoiding the issue; but also knowing she was right, he stepped back. "Then when?"

"I need time." Her tone was final and left no room for further discussion.

She felt Joseph's eyes challenging her and guilt nearly overwhelmed her for the momentary lapse she had allowed herself. How could one moment potentially destroy the best friendship she had ever had? Holding his gaze, she reached behind her and opened the door, making her escape.

Reluctantly turning towards his suite, the weight of his choices bore down on him making it difficult to breathe. Could it really all be ending? She had just said she needed time – not that she had made her decision regarding the fate of their relationship. Maybe there was hope…

The click of the door seemed so loud in the quiet of her suite. What was wrong with her? She had been the one to instigate this entire course of events. Now she was avoiding dealing with the ramifications of her actions. She needed to confront her feelings and make her choices. The throbbing in her head reminded her that she was in no condition to do that at the present time. The look on his face haunted her and she knew she wouldn't be able to rest or think straight unless things were at least a little settled between them. She opened the door and stepped out. "Joseph!"

There was something about the way that she said his name that made him stop and turn around. Her visage was clearly troubled and he knew he was partly responsible for the current mess they were in. She had asked him to dance. She had not asked him to kiss her. That was completely his doing. Seeing how vulnerable she looked, God help him – he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her again.

Time stood still for a few moments as they sought to convey so many emotions. He offered a slight smile, trying to reassure her that he believed everything would be alright. Though, truthfully, he wasn't sure how.

It was amazing how something as simple as a smile could ease one's pain. Clarisse returned the slight smile and nodded. Things weren't perfect – far from it. But there was hope. Sometimes that was all one could ask for.

Returning to her suite, she exhaled slowly. Emotions were not her forte but, at the end of the day, she understood she had feelings for Joseph. Feelings that simply were not going to go away. Her situation with Rupert had been completely planned and comfortable – there was no unknown. They were partners and intimacy was part of their duty. It had been pleasant, but by no means evoked the types of feelings that even a simple touch from Joseph brought about.

Before she could go too far down that line of thinking, the phone rang. A few minutes later, Charlotte had received her instructions and Clarisse had a plan.

^^C/J^^

The hours had passed interminably for Joseph. With nothing to do but pace and worry, he was in quite a state by the time evening fell over the castle. He had checked in with security a couple of times, but Shades assured him the Queen had not left her suite. Food and tea had been delivered, but otherwise she had had no visitors and had not left.

It's just like her to hide away…she has never been good at dealing with her emotions. Of course, when he stopped to really consider it, she had always been expected to have it all together. Never being allowed to "lose" it had taken its toll over the years. Only when she was secured away from the all seeing eye of the public, had she allowed herself even the slightest breakdown when the King had died. When Philippe was lost to her, he truly believed that she had lost a part of herself. It was never right for a child to precede a parent in death. That is just something one could never truly understand. Even then, though, she was forced to put on a good front for the well-being of a country who had just lost their future King…never mind that she had lost her son.

Maybe a good workout would help cleanse some of his demons and make him tired enough to sleep. He pulled the black shirt out of his waistband and slowly unbuttoned it. Catching a flash of flesh in the mirror, he belatedly realized that he hadn't worn his customary black tank under it today. It had been a restless night and he woke up late, resulting in hurrying through his morning routine. He truly was out of sorts. Walking slowly out to small kitchen area, he poured himself a scotch before returning to his bedroom. He downed the fiery liquid and then lowered his head to his hands, supporting what felt like the weight of the world.

So lost in his self-induced misery, he almost missed the knock at the door. Maybe the scotch was messing with his mind some, but it didn't sound like it was coming from the front of his suite. As the knocking grew more insistent, he realized it was coming from the door that was only used as an emergency escape route for the royal family which brought them directly to the suite of their head of security. Adrenalin kicked in as he realized something must be terribly wrong. He rushed to the door to find Clarisse standing there, very calmly and, he mentally added, looking incredibly sexy in a black skirt and black blouse made of a material that, though he had no idea what it was, was ever so thankful for the way it clung to her body. Duty overrode desire at the moment, and he quickly demanded, "What's wrong?"

Clarisse momentarily felt guilty that she had frightened him by coming through the secret escape route, but she knew that there was no legitimate reason for coming to his room and this was the only way to avoid the ever present cameras. She stepped past him into his room. "Nothing that seeing you won't fix." She slowly surveyed the private sanctum of his bedroom. She had never been in here before.

Noticing her scrutiny, he returned to his previous position on the edge of the bed and apologized. "It certainly isn't as nice as your suite. Although I've never seen your bedroom, I'm sure it's a great room as well."

The room was very befitting Joseph. The dark colors and warm earth tones matched the quiet serenity that he always portrayed. There were very few portraits or personal items, but that didn't really surprise her. "I love your room. It suits you well."

He wasn't certain whether he should be pleased or worried that she was standing in his bedroom, making idle conversation. "I suppose it is fitting for someone like me."

She heard his tone and it alarmed her. He sounded…defeated and that wasn't good. She needed him. Needed his rock solid steadfastness. "What do you mean – someone like you?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"What wouldn't I understand?" Her tone was gentle, carefully avoiding sounding defensive as that was not part of her plan.

"Your future is secure, regardless of what happens. The country of Genovia will take care of you the rest of your life. You have nothing to fear." He wasn't sure where this was all coming from. Maybe subconsciously this episode with her had reminded him that one wrong move could unceremoniously place him on the unemployment line. At his age, that was a frightening option to consider.

"I fear many things, Joseph."

Her words and the way she said them caught his attention and for the first time since she had entered his room, his eyes found hers. Time paused as they lost each other in the cerulean depths. His eyes closed as her hand cupped his cheek and held it for a moment longer before she spoke the words that would bind him to her for the rest of his life, regardless of what happened. "Most of all I fear walking out of this room and never feeling again, for the rest of my life, the way I feel when I'm with you."

He opened his eyes at her confession and saw it all etched plainly on her face. There was so much he wanted to say, but she had rendered him speechless yet again.

Clarisse fought the urge to breathe a sigh of relief that she had finally said what was in her heart. She hoped the rest would be much easier. Her eyes darkened as they raked over the muscled expanse of his chest. It was hard for her to believe that the husky voice that spoke next was hers.

"Dance with me."

^^C/J^^