The commotion was general. All spoke at once, and tried to see the island through the small boat port. With the approach the shore, the waves increased in size and strength, making the boat up and down dangerously.

"Ho, my stomach…" Said Ruth

Joseph pulled away a bit and helped Ruth.

"Grab yourself well and keeps you on your knees ..." But before he could finish the sentence, Ruth rose and a stronger wave, threw her off the boat. Without thinking twice, Paul and Joseph throw themselves to water. Clarisse was in shock, unable to speak. Seconds later the three disappeared… Michael is going to shoot himself in to the water when Harry grabbed him...

"Wait…" In that moment, Paul came to the surface with Ruth grabbed by her arm, both desperate to breathe.

"Joseph…" Clarisse whispered.

Michael and Harry pulled Ruth into the boat and then helped Paul.

Everyone looked at the surface of the water looking for Joseph, but no one dared to speak.

Clarisse pulled them from the boat door and called, louder this time.

"Joseph!" And suddenly, Joseph came to the surface, almost near the beach.

"Joseph!" Clarisse almost cried of happiness and this time he heard the scream. He tried to swim to the boat but the force of the waves threw him to the sand, exhausted. Desperate for air, he left to his knees in the sand with the water hit in his back. Clarice could not hold back the tears. She was so afraid he would drown and she could not think of anything else. How does a normal day could turn into a nightmare? She just wanted to be with him and hug him. She just wants to open her eyes and find out that she's in her bed… Instead, she was in a rubber boat somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, with the most unlikely traveling companions.

Joseph turned in desperation. He had to gain strength and go to her. The idea of leave her alone in a boat, surrounded by strangers and a tide through her away from him, left him terrified. In a superhuman effort, he threw himself to water and began to swim to the boat.

"Joseph? What are you doing? Don't…" Clarisse did not know if she was relieved or frightened to see him again at the sea.

"What he is doing? Did he think we need help? What a fool!" Said the Baron with arrogance. Agnes didn't speak but the truth is she feel's safe when Joseph is around. Compared with Joseph ... by the way, compared to any man, Harry Von Troken was truly ridiculous and insignificant. Joseph was a sensual, provocative, erotic, exciting man! An island, Joseph and her... The rest was not important. The majestic ego of Agnes always spoke louder and even the best of mirrors could convince her that 'beauty' was not at all a thing to keep in mind it, about her. And see that man swimming against the current, to the boat, let her dreaming.

"Joseph! You came back, my love!" Said Ruth and grabbed his hands when he reaches the boat. He didn't answer, instead he looked Clarisse.

"Are you OK?" She simply nodded.

"Joseph, let me help you." Said Michael.

"There is no need. We are near the beach. Maybe is better the men enter the water and help me take the boat until the sand. The surf is very strong and the current can take the boat toward the rocks. "

"Sure!" Michael, James and Paul shot up immediately to water. Harry had to do the same ... I was not going to stay inside the boat as a women.

Everyone grabbed with one hand the boat's ropes and started swimming towards the beach.

"Joseph, be careful." Said Ruth with a smile. Clarice was visibly uncomfortable. How Ruth can irritate her so much?

Silvia, the flight attendant, watched silent, the conversation among the other women. Three women of similar ages and everyone interested in one man… She smiled ... This will be interesting ... But she will not get in this matter. For her, it was enough an unrequited passion for the happily married, Commander Michael.

Sometime later, the boat was on land and they also. Joseph helped Clarisse out of the boat and completely ignored the other women.

The island did not seem very large. Along the coast, stood a dense line of palm trees and the left, the landscape changed to rocks where the waves beat noisily.

Although no one say it, everyone felt scared. They were tired, cold, hungry and scared.

"We should try to dry the maximum possible clothing. Is beginning to cool and we do not know how it will be by night. Does anyone have a lighter?" He asked Joseph.

"I have, Boss, but it's wet." said James

"Let's put it to dry. Someone will come to me looking for wood and something to eat?"

"I think this is a job for men." Paul said.

"So, gentlemen, let your coats and we will find a way to put them to dry." Clarisse said. Joseph smiled and approached her.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers, she smile and stroked is cheek.

"Well, no one would believe me when I said the beautiful Queen of Genovia dry my coat." Said Michael. Joseph grumbled and Clarisse laugh.

"I'm sure they will, Michael" Said Clarisse with a smile. Silvia looked down sadly.

When the man disappeared in the forest, the ladies craned their coats on the rocks or in sticks.

"And now? I confess that I have not the slightest idea of what we can do to improve this situation." said Clarisse

"I think any of us, Your Majesty ..."

"It's Clarisse, Silvia. Please call me Clarisse."

"I will try, Your ... Clarisse. It's so weird ... After all, you are the Queen."

"Yes, but right now, this is what matters least!" and she smiled.

"This is very touching but I think no one appoints you boss to doors giving orders!"

"Ruth, you are annoying. I gave some order? Frankly, I'm running out of patience to put up with you. If you have a problem with me, talk. But stop teasing me ... I'm not in the mood!"

"Well, my dear… You must wait and see…"

- C&J -

Almost an hour later, Clarisse can no longer be quiet. The sun was setting down, the wind was becoming harder and they still alone!

"Has something happened?" Silvia asked.

"Of course not, but it should not be easy for them." Said Ruth but she was getting scared.

"I have the skin to burn because of the water of the sea, I have curly hair, my clothes are not quite dry ... I'm sick of it." Agnes muttered.

"And aren't we all, Agnes? But there's nothing to do until they find a river or a lake. As for the clothes, undresses and it dries faster." said Clarisse.

"Undress me ? I? And why not you?" Agnes said indignantly.

"I'm not complaining ..." Clarisse said in a calm and condescending tone, which made Silvia and Ruth laugh and Agnes stayed angry.

"Come on, calm down. I did not say this to offend you."

"I'm very nervous ... and they are taking a long time ..."

Clarisse sat next to Agnes and squeezed her hands.

"I'm sure there is a rescue team, somewhere, looking for us. It will be a matter of hours or a day or two. Bur we have to remain calm, This anxiety does not help us at all. "

"You're right, Clarisse. It's getting cold, I hope ..."

It began to hear voices ... They were coming! The women rose and they were waiting.

"Ha ha ha. You win, Joseph" laughed Michael.

"But you doubt? I am a compass!" said Joseph

"A compass with legs and bad temper." Harry said and started laughing.

"Well, your adventure should have been more fun than ours." Ruth said getting up and walking toward Joseph.

"This boys thought I get lost."

"Well, we almost got lost along the lake ... "

"You said lake, Harry?" Asked Agnes. "I need a bath!"

"I believe, my dear, but at this time is not a good idea. For the footprints we saw, there are wild boar on the island." Harry was impressed with himself. It seemed an expert in wildlife. And it was not every day that had four beautiful women to look at it ... Well ... Three beautiful women and his wife ...

"It is best to start a fire and prepare a place where we can spend the night."

"Sleep here, Joseph ?" Agnes asked indignantly.

"We can't get around the island, but where we walked we did not find any hotel, Agnes. I'm sorry."

Everyone laughed, and including Agnes.

"I brought bananas. I think it will be dinner for all. "Said Paul.

"With the hunger that I have, bananas will look like a gourmet meal!" Said Silvia and Agnes agreed.

Ruth took the overall good mood and approached Joseph for his back and hugged him. Joseph was laughing so much that did not react immediately. Clarisse looked down and turned back, going to sit a few meters from them. The seconds that Joseph was left embraced by Ruth hurt it deeply. He realized immediately broke away from Ruth and followed her.

"Clarisse…"

"Don't say anything. There is no need, after all you ARE a free man and with many admirers."

"Please Clarisse, you know perfectly well…"

"What I know is what I have seen in the last few hours ... But you are right, after all I do not assume our relationship. I understand you, believe me!"

"Clarisse, stop it. These being childish!"

Clarisse launched him an icy look and without saying a word, got up and walked away in the opposite direction to the group who was talking animatedly. Only Ruth followed with his eyes.

"Tonight you will be mine." Ruth murmured.

Joseph was looking at a few minutes to Clarisse. God, as this woman was stubborn. However he got up and went to her. Clarisse kept walking without looking at him and he was silent too.

When they were away from the group, Joseph stopped, grabbed her hand and forced her to stop.

"Joseph, I'm too old for games. Leave me and go to her."

"But do you really think I'm the least interested in your sister in low?"

"I! I think so." Clarisse looked at the sea and put her hand on stomach, a clear sign of grief and sorrow.

"What?"

"Stop, Joseph! I saw your reaction when you saw the palace. Today you were the first to shoot you will water when she fell ..."

"It was instinctive! You know I live for you, for you!" Joseph returned to approach her and grabbed her hands.

"Oh, yeah? You do not seem too worried about me when you were saving her, not too bothered as she hugged you..."

"That's not true! Do not say that anymore. I love you and I just do not cry for everyone to hear, not to embarrass you. You know that if it were up to me, I was with you every second of the day to fill you in affection and love ... If it were me, my love, my hands would do your body, as a second skin. If I could decide, my dear, you would be the happiest woman in the world! But it's not in my hands my love ... you are my Queen and I'm a commoner. "

These words tear Clarisse inside. He was right. Absolutely right. It was she who wanted to keep him in the shadows. She's had no courage ... And without thinking twice, she threw herself into his arms and rested her head in the crook of his neck.

"I can not avoid jealousy. I feel so insecure when she's around you."

"But why? I love you. What I have to do to you definitely believe me?"

"Nothing! Sorry, Joseph. I'm too old for this."

"Are you calling me old?"

She lifted her head and smiled.

"My God, Clarisse! You are beautiful! I wish I could kiss you right now!"

"So kiss me!"

"You are sure...?" He grabbed her by her waist and she put her arms around his neck. Then she leaned until her lips touched his in an seductive, passionate, hot, hungry kiss ...