Katherine sat at her new vanity nervously untangling her curled hair and unpinning the flowers from it. She could hear Jack taking off his jacket and shoes in the closet.

How ready was she? Not at all.

How ready did she need to be? All the way.

Two hands snaked around her waist causing her to jump in fright.

"Shhh, just me." Jack whispered softly in her ear to calm her shaking heartbeat.

Katherine swallowed hard and nodded.

Jack gently kissed her neck. Once. Twice. Three time. Hard and enough to where she knew a small hickey would form in the morning. And dear gosh she'd hate to say she did enjoy that. But she prayed she'd have as much foundation as that would require.

He gently began slipping the sleeves of her dress down and planting kisses along her shoulder and collarbone.

Katherine shivered at his touch and could feel his lips smile against her skin.

Jack began undoing the buttons in the back of her dress.

5
4
3
2
1

Zip.

Katherine cautiously stepped out of the gown, wrapping her arms around herself tightly and turned around, closing her eyes so Jack could untie her corset.

Jack untied the corset as if he'd untied every woman's corset for years. Maybe he'd just done that a lot. Maybe he was good in bed. Maybe it was beginner's luck. Whatever it was, one quick whoosh and the string untied and Katherine was left in her bra and panties, hugging herself tightly.

"Put your arms down." He said gently.

Katherine bit her lip and closed her eyes before doing as told.

"Wow." Jack mumbled, "You're beautiful."

Katherine looked up at him through her bangs and smiled slightly, a blush creeping along her cheeks.

Jack quickly stripped to his boxers and went and hugged her.

"Hey, it will go by quick okay?"

Katherine just nodded into his shoulder.

He picked her up once more and placed her on the bed before climbing on top of her and beginning to kiss her, running his hands through her curls and stroking her cheek.

It wasn't until he pulled away that he saw it.

"Katherine?"

Katherine slowly opened her tightly shut eyes to meet his as his body hovered over her's.

"What's this?" He asked as he stroked her cheek gently.

Katherine winced at the touch before squirming out from underneath him and running to the mirror.

Sure enough her foundation had smudged off and a bruise now shone on her right cheek.

No.

She quickly tied her purple silk robe around herself and began walking to the living room.

"Nothing."

Jack stopped her at the doorway.

"Katherine Samantha Kelly."

Katherine winced at the dark tone.

"That isn't nothing." He said softer before taking her hand and leading her back over to the bed and sitting next to her on it.

Katherine stared down at her feet silently.

"Who was it? I can have them banished by parliament and I am King now I can do it." He said quickly.

Katherine shook her head as tears filled her eyes.

What would her mother do if she told.

"I-I. . ."

Jack rubbed soothing circles on her back.

"M-My mo-mother. . ." She whispered before breaking isn't a waterfall of tears and burying her face in her hands.

Jack sat there a moment, stunned.

The old queen?

How long had this gone on?

Why didn't she tell?

Jack carefully took Katherine and pulled her into his lap, holding her there and stroking her hair while whispering sweet nothings to her to calm her down. It didn't matter how well they knew eachother. He still hated to see someone in so much pain.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry." Katherine finally said wiping her nose on her sleeve and facing him with teary red eyes.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Jack whispered kissing her tear stained cheek softly, "Do you want to go to bed?"

"N-No!" She quickly said, surprising him, "W-We have to do t-his. . ." She whispered, closing her eyes gently and gripping his hand.

"Are you sure you can Kath?"

Katherine nodded, choking back a cry.

Jack carefully slipped the robe off her and laid her down, admiring her laying there.  Not just her figure, but for who she was.  For how brave she was.

He skimmed his hands along her body and gently stroked her left cheek and left the ghost of a kiss on the right.

Then he held her hand, and she squeezed his tightly.