"I've never been deserving of you or your tears over me and you never deserved such a foolish man for a husband, Caterina", he commented, Catherine went to him and brought him in her arms. "But I have you, and I love you, is it foolish, maybe, but that depends on what happens now", she knew it was time, now the ball was in his court again. "Lets go, far from here, in secret, no one to trouble us, let them worry where we've gone, we can discover each other again away from court and the castle. I will become worthy, my Caterina".

"Caterina, will you let me take you away, just for a little while", he pleading, seeing the hesitation in her eyes, "I love you Henry, more than I love myself, but you've made a fool of me so many times", her voice soft and broken, 'I made her this way, scared, instead of the woman I love '. Then she surprised him, "I'll go Henry but...", he watched her pause, her eyes full with concern, so he countered, "What is wrong Caterina, something troubles you".

She didn't know how to tell him but she had to, it had been too long,"Claude", Catherine softly muttered, unsure how to follow through.

"What's wrong with Claude, are you two fighting again", Henry was wondering if his wife and daughter's blissful co-existence had ended so soon. He hated the fact they hardly got along but was happy that these past weeks they seemed perfect, hoping it would last.

"No we aren't fighting, the opposite, I haven't felt this close to her since she was a little girl but she told me something the night of the first Sumit", she stated uneasy. "I missed it because I was tending to her, I found her in a hallway crying on the way there", Catherine started to get the conversation back on track.

"What happened to...", Henry started to ask, concerned.

"He tried to rape her", Catherine finally said, "Her ex-fiance, that pig, she caught him with a kitchen maid and ignored him for days so he tried to force her".

"Why is the bastard not in the dungeons right now or without a head"? Henry almost yelled, "He dared to attack my daughter's, a Medici, a princess of France".

"That is why we can't leave yet, first we need to make him pay", Catherine's anger at the situation matching his. So Catherine told Henry her plans to get revenge, "First I need you to invite them to court and the rest will be in motion ". Catherine was going to plot an elaborate scheme, she would embarrass them in front of the court, scare him and finally end his miserable life but not before she stripped him and his family of their titles. "I see that gleam in your eyes, Caterina, I almost feel sorry for his family", Henry smirked, he had seen her like this before and was glad not to be on the other end of it.

Catherine was still deep in thought, not answering Henry,'I need to get them here without suspicion'. "Henry, were holding a ball", "A ball, why"? "Simply inviting his family, alone, won't due, nobles talk, if he turns up dead it will be suspicious and royals assassinating nobles without due process could cause an uproar". Henry thought on it then said, "Your right and due process would mean everyone being aware of what he tried to do,embarassing Claude and fueling gossip, so we have to be careful".

One Week Later

Catherine and Henry wasted no time and before long the castle was buzzing with news of the ball to be held, "Henry, I haven't forgotten our conversation but could we save it for later, maybe once we leave, this isn't the time". Henry decided to step forward, "I know but I have something for you and no its not some meaningless, expensive gift ". Henry opened the decorated box as Catherine waited, it was a beautiful neckless with matching earrings, "Henry, I thought you said...", Catherine started before she took a good look at them, they looked familiar, "Your Mother's portrait, the one in the great hall, these were hers".

"Yes and they were her favorites, made in Italy", causing Catherine to gasp at the mention of her homeland, "My Father gave her these upon my older brother's birth, thankful to have a son, a heir on the first go", Henry explained, "They looked beautiful on her and now I want you to have them, mon amour".

Henry lead Catherine to her dresser desk, sitting her down in the chair before she faced the mirror. Catherine knew he was going to put on the necklace himself but what she wasn't expecting was the soft grazes of his hand along her chest and how it affected her. "Huuhh", her breath hitched at the feeling of his lips placing small kisses against the base of her neck and she then heard the click of the necklace. Finally she was back to normal as he stepped back allowing her to put on the earrings.

"Someone's in the mood", Catherine said, if he could see her eyes at that moment he would see a flash of worry, she hadn't been giving him sex or allowing him to sleep in her bed, the most she did was go out horse riding with him and give him quick pecks on the lips, and never in public with the eyes of the court. He said he understood and that he knew it was still fresh, that they could reconnect in those ways later but she wondered how much more he could take. He did once boast of having the sexual prowess of a lion and was known to be insatiable in that regard.

"How could I not when your so beautiful", Henry replied simply. "The jewels are beautiful, thank you Henry", then Henry seizing the opportunity say, "Votre beauté éclipse celle de ces bijoux" (Your beauty eclipses that of these jewels). Catherine couldn't hide her blush, no matter how she tried but she didn't mind, she didn't want to hide her affections for him long as he showed his for her. "Well husband, after all these years your flattery is as great as ever, though you've probably had practise", she laughed bittersweet. "No I haven't, not since us, not till now. You, my Queen, are the only one I have ever serenaded with my words ".

Changing the subject Catherine started to talk about the ball, her plan and affairs of state to get her mind of Henry words, she didn't want her sharp mind to over anylase them. Henry sensed she needed time alone and left her to her thoughts, "Bye Caterina", he gave her a small peck on the lips and forehead.

Are you loving the story? Can't wait to see Catherine's plan in action and more bonding time for Cathry? I'm trying to make Henry as understanding as possible about Catherine's hesitation.

1) Because I feel if they had ever had a true long term reconciliation in the show she would be cautious at first,

2) Henry needs to suffer for his former philandering ways and not just have Catherine jump to have sex with him,

3) When they are finally one fully and in everyway (public and private), I think it will mean more.