Title: The Unmentionable Crime

Rating: MF: Mature fun

Summary: A response to a challenge from the Julie Fans Forever group. The challenge to include Joseph and Clarisse on a horseback ride when Joseph is hurt and Clarisse must care for him. And a little smut for fun.

A/N: disclaimer: This is a work of fiction written with tongue planted firmly in cheek. I don't own any of the characters, they are owned by smarter people than me. My thanks to Fonzfan82 for her quick beta work but any mistakes are mine.

The Unmentionable Crime

Chapter one: Autumn Dancer

Part one: The past

A horse is worth more than riches—Spanish proverb

Horses and children, I often think, have a lot of the good sense there is in the world—Josephine Demott Robinson

Eight year old Clarisse, promised bride and one day Queen of Genovia, stood still in the crisp morning air. It was time for her riding lesson; she looked up at the huge horse before her. The leather saddle creaked with every movement the horse made, making Clarisse gulp in fear.

"I'm supposed to ride that...beast?"

"He's not a 'beast'. His name is 'Autumn Dancer'." Her father explained. "He's as gentle as one of your stuffed animals." Clarisse wasn't buying it.

"Just stick out your hand," her father added, "let him smell you."

It took all the courage the little girl had to tentatively reach out her hand. The great horse lowered his head, snorting, leaving behind a wet mucus substance.

"Ewww! Horse buggers!" Clarisse turned, running as fast as her small legs would carry her. "Mother!"

"Clarisse, it's okay." Her mother gathered her in a warm loving hug. "One day you will be Queen, a Queen can't run away. Come on, let's talk to your Dad."

Clarisse walked back out to the corrals with her mother, walking up to Autumn Dancer. He was a beautiful horse, the color of the sun dancing across autumn leaves. "Mother says a Queen can't run away so you're stuck with me. If you want to be my gallant steed...no more buggers!"

In a week a side saddle replaced the regular saddle. A month later she asked her parents to meet her at the corrals.

"Dancer and I want to show you something." Clarisse patted the large horse's neck, "Ready?" The animal shook his head up and down. At the touch of the reins, the mighty animal moved to his little mistress's direction.

Part two: The Present

A pony is a childhood dream, a horse is an adulthood treasure—Rebecca Carrol

Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse—Anonymous

Fresh from her morning shower and dressed only in a thick robe, Clarisse, reigning Queen of Genovia, hummed a nondescript tune. She opened her lingerie drawer only to find her favorite pair missing. Olivia had delivered the laundry yesterday afternoon and they should be right there...but they weren't.

It wasn't like they were her only pair of panties, as Queen, she had stacks of every description. But these were special. She had spotted them on one of her few shopping sprees and as luck would have it, Joseph had accompanied her. Joseph wouldn't have minded if she picked them up and felt the soft satiny material or ran her fingertips over the delicate lace or thought of Joseph cupping her bottom through the nearly transparent fabric. It wasn't like she hadn't dropped enough hints that she wouldn't object to his handling the Queen's bottom but he had always been her Knight in Shining Armor.

Clarisse rummaged through the drawer again, finding the panties stuck off in a corner under a stack of bras. She made a mental note to speak with Olivia, her personal maid. Such neglect couldn't be ignored.

Neglect. The thought brought Joseph back to mind. After the King's death, she had worn the traditional mourning black perhaps too long. The trip to San Francisco and their dance had changed everything.

"You have worn black too long," he had said. She hadn't worn black ever again. He had been right, of course, she may be Queen of a country but she was a woman with needs and desires. That had become apparent during the dance; perhaps if she were honest, she had been in love with Joseph for a while but

she had fallen in love with him without a doubt. He made her feel again. He made her feel like a young woman in love for the first time.

The problem was, she still wasn't sure he felt the same. Since their return from America, he had become distant. 'Too much armor for one knight to carry,' she thought as she pulled the satin and lace garment up slim dancer's legs.

At the stables Joseph paced, waiting for his queen. They had worked hard for the past week to clear their schedules for this morning. Their horses were saddled, ready to go. One horse turned his head, looking at Joseph, snorted.

"I couldn't agree more, old man." He wasn't exactly young anymore himself, too old to think he had a real chance at love now. That dance in San Francisco had been a mistake; he'd known it as soon as she stepped into his arms. He had become acutely aware of every curve, every crook; her body a perfect fit against his torso. Lost in thought he wasn't aware of her appearance at his elbow until she spoke.

"Early again, Joseph?" He turned, his breath catching at her beauty, her riding habit tailored to show off her contours to the best advantage.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Ready?" A tired reference that a queen is never late, everyone else is early. He never tired of watching her, walking into a room with all heads turning in admiration, or like now, approaching her favorite horse.

"A helping hand, if you please, Joseph." Not daring to talk, he laced his fingers together, lifting her into the saddle. Her riding apron separated, revealing doeskin riding pants hugging supple thighs. She arranged her leg over the pommel, rearranging the apron, thereby blocking his view.

"Shall we?" He glanced up into her smiling face, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Familiar with the trail, the horses set an easy pace, the riders remaining silent until they were well away from the stables. The woods they were entering had been allowed to grow wild; trees removed only as needed for fire prevention. Only a minimum of trails were maintained, such as the one they traveled now. Several forks led off the main trail, these weren't as well kept, giving the illusion that one was far from civilization.

"I wish we could do this more often, Joseph. I love it out here." Clarisse broke the silence between them.

"An escape from duty, no matter how short, is always a good thing." He replied.

"May we take that fork ahead, see where it goes?" They veered off onto the secondary trail, dropping into single file with Clarisse leading.

"We can leave the horses here. If we're lucky you might see something extra ordinary." Joseph called a halt, helping her from the saddle. She landed in his arms, her hands sliding up his arms, feeling muscles ripple under his shirt.

"I hope to see something extra ordinary." She tilted her head, wanting him to pull her close, kiss her waiting lips.

"Come." He ignored her lips, taking her hand, leading them further down the path. Shortly he signaled a halt, kneeling with Clarisse beside him. He reached out, slowly lowering a limb; Clarisse gasped at the scene before her.

The watering hole, a small trickle flowing from a wall of rocks, filling a shallow depression. Green grass and saplings surrounded the small pool. Clarisse watched spellbound as a doe left the woods, approaching the water. The doe drank then disappeared back into the woods.

Clarisse started to rise believing the show was over then settled back at the slight pressure on her arm. Joseph touched his lips with one finger—okay, she could wait a while longer, especially with him so close.

Five minutes passed until the doe reappeared leading a white spotted fawn. They watched as the pair satisfied their thirst then drift back into the forest. Without thinking Clarisse threw her arms around his neck, hugging him close. "Thank you."

Perhaps it was the sway of her hips in front of him as they walked away that distracted him; he never saw the rock, only felt it twist under his foot, the pain shooting through his ankle. Clarisse heard his anguished cry, the crashing of underbrush. She turned back to see him writhing, holding his leg.

"Joseph!" she yelled, rushing to his side, cradling his head in her lap. "Darling! Are you alright?"

TBC