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Desert Love	By : Krayzee_Aussie Category: Celebrities - Misc > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 4321 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction! I do not know Prince Harry of Wales, Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Queen Elizabeth, Camilla Parker-Bowles or Prince Phillip, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC and I do not profit from this story.

Chapter List
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Desiree leaned back as a rich looking chocolate cake was placed in front of her. She groaned loudly.
“Desiree, what’s wrong?” Kate asked in concern, looking at her. Harry also leaned forward with a worried look on his face.
“Do you know how many days it’s been since I went to the gym? Two days, H. Two days,” she moaned. “Literally, this cake is going to kill me.”
Kate, Harry and William laughed as Desiree rubbed her belly, exaggerating the size of it.
“Oh, come on,” William said with a laugh. “Considering the size of your Mother and your Asian heritage, I’m guessing you have a fast metabolism anyway.”
Desiree went to argue, opening her mouth, but then closing it slowly again, causing him to smirk slightly. Harry knew she was trying to think of a good argument, but he was probably right, surely she couldn’t weigh more than sixty kilos without the rigorous fitness regime. Kate began to laugh a little harder.
“Kate? You okay?” Desiree asked, looking at Kate in mock horror as she tried to calm her laughing.
Kate began to stifle her giggles. “I’m sorry, I just never imagined you would be so funny.”
Desiree laughed good-naturedly. “Look, I may be a big deal to some people around here, right now, but I’m really not, Kate. I’ll be honest with you, I have not had this much fun in a long time,” she looked at Harry as she said that.
He looked at her happily, leaning closer to her. “I’m glad to hear that,” he said quietly. Her smile faltered slightly and her cheeks went a very faint pink. She started picking at her cake. When he leant closer to her, he could caught the scent of light flowers, her perfume made him internally sigh.
As the desserts were cleared away, Desiree was telling Kate about the things she used to do before she joined the military. She explained how she used to cause mayhem for her father at the base as a teenager when she worked a job as a civilian contractor in the kitchens, telling stories about drinking with his diggers and jumping off of the buildings with just a rope, before she settled down.
Harry had forgotten that once upon a time, Desiree had been just another army brat, who married a soldier and became an ordinary house wife, with no military training at all. His mind kept lingering on his Grandmother’s orders to her years ago. He knew he had to ask her about it, he just wasn’t sure when was going to be a good time.
As the waiters cleared the desserts and refilled the drinks for the rest of the ball room, the band began to play. Desiree and Kate continued to speak quietly amongst themselves as the music flowed throughout the room. Soon, the odd couple would appear on the floor, dancing slowly to the music.
Harry smirked as he thought of a plan; he turned to Desiree and held out his hand to her. She stopped mid sentence to Kate, looking from his hand to his face in confusion. “Come on, fatty. Let’s go work off some of that dessert?”
Kate also looked at Harry with a slightly confused look on her face. Harry nodded towards the direction of the dancing couples and her face changed to one of recognition. She quickly stood up, grabbed William’s hand and led him to the dance floor.
Desiree watched as Kate and William moved on the floor. “You’re not serious?” she asked looking back at him incredulously.
Harry smiled back at her mischievously, standing up and still holding his hand out to her. “I’m British, I’m always serious.”
Desiree gave him a bemused look, before seeming to be thoughtful for a moment. Harry couldn’t help but admire the smoothness of her face when she turned her face up to the ceiling slightly. “You’re really going to ask me to dance to a song by a ranga?”
It was Harry’s turn to look at her in confusion. He listened to the song beginning to play, it was Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’. Harry shook his head with a smile and took her hand. “Just come on.”
******
Desiree stood up, allowing Harry to lead her to the dance floor. She could feel everyone’s eyes on them as they approached. It made her nervous and she tensed. She wondered how Harry couldn’t feel it. While she was mid thought, Harry stopped and turned around, still smiling at her. How he could smile so much at a moment like this, she couldn’t understand.
Harry rested one hand on her waist and the other he held her hand in. She placed her spare hand on his shoulder.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, H. I don’t dance.” She looked around as Kate and William glided past. “At least not like that, anyway.”
Harry squeezed her hand gently, drawing her attention back to him. She raised an eye brow when she saw his smirk, cocking her head to the side slightly. What was he up to?
“It’s okay,” he stated calmly. “You follow me this time.”
With those words he began to slowly lead her around the dance floor. She noticed he was careful not to move her in such a way that she would trip on her dress. She bit her lip, as she concentrated on not tripping over him or trying to take over the lead, looking down at her feet. Following had never been her strong suit.
He squeezed her hand again, making her look up suddenly. He smiled back at her, as she felt a little sheepish. “Just relax, Des. You’re doing great.”
“You mean, you’re doing great? I’m just trying not to make you look bad.”
Harry gave a quiet chuckle. “If anyone is making anyone look bad right now, it’s me.”
Desiree silently disagreed. Harry wore a different uniform from this morning, but as she had noticed before, a uniform suited him. He seemed to hold himself differently when he wore it.
“Let’s leave it at, it’s a matter of opinion,” she replied, matter-of-factly. Harry smiled and nodded at that.
The song soon came to an end. However, Harry continued dancing into the next song, Desiree didn’t really mind though. As she had mentioned earlier, the night was proving to be the most fun she had enjoyed in a while. A long while.
She was lost in her own train of thought when she looked back at Harry. He was looking thoughtfully at her. “What is it?” she asked, suddenly getting self conscious.
Harry sighed, as if building himself up for something. Desiree instantly regretted asking him what was wrong. “I have a question to ask you. I want you to be honest, don’t sugar coat it or beat around the bush.”
“Okay...” Desiree replied slowly, feeling nervous at his statement.
“When we served together in Afghanistan, my Grandmother spoke to you before we first jumped off. I know what she said to you. I want to know though, is that why you saved me all those times?” he asked.
Desiree was stunned, so stunned in fact, she slipped slightly on the hem of her dress. Harry was quick to catch her though. She felt his strong arms wrap around her waist. The same strong arms that supported her in Afghanistan, the familiarity struck her hard. He righted her, and continued to lead her around the dance floor.
“Sorry about that,” she said, feeling flustered. She thought about his question. She remembered the day she had a video conference with the Queen. She had sworn to the queen she would not tell Harry while she was working with him. She looked at his face as he appeared to be searching hers. She wasn’t working with him anymore. “Yes, she did ask me to put my life on the line for you. And I did, it was my duty as a member of the Australian Army. I gave an affirmation to the Queen of my country,” she answered quietly, but honestly.
Harry sighed, seeming deflated. Desiree felt sorry for him. She wasn’t sure why her answer upset him, but she didn’t like seeing him down. He looked up at her again, seemingly resigned to some sad fact. “And in Sydney? You were just doing your duty to your affirmation?”
Desiree raised her eye brows. She had never thought of that. “What do you mean?”
“When I came in after you, and Afma had hold of you and realised who I was and went to shoot me, you knocked him down even though you had to have had all your broken ribs then. And then after, when he came to and you took the bullet?”
Desiree looked at Harry’s face as he looked sadly back at her. She thought back to the moment that had happened, back when she was in so much pain she hadn’t been able to fight back against the terrorists who had beaten her heavily. And then to the moment when she saw Afma pick up his gun and take aim.
She looked at the Queen, still seated at the high table. Who had she done that for? She tried to remember what ran through her mind in that moment and she was struck with a realisation. She hadn’t been doing her job for anyone but herself since she returned from Afghanistan. She had originally planned to shove Harry out the fire door before they were caught. If it weren’t for him arguing with her, she would have succeeded too.
And then, when she saw Afma draw his gun, all she could think of was saving Harry, that she didn’t want to see Harry get hurt.
“No,” she said, looking back to Harry finally.
He looked down at her in surprise, narrowing his eyes, as if he wasn’t sure what she was saying. “Sorry?”
“No, I didn’t do that because I was told to.” She bit her lip and took a deep breath. “I did that, because I couldn’t bear to see you get hurt, Harry.”
Harry looked at her intently, she blinked, having to look away as she was not used to anyone looking at her like that for eight years. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” Harry began to lead her back to the table.
“It’s fine. I’m just not used to all this kind of thing anymore, you know, feelings and shit,” she whispered. “Eight years is a long time, I guess.”
“Yeah, sorry. I should be more mindful of that.”
He helped her back into her seat before moving to speak to his Father, Camilla and his Grandmother. Desiree looked sideways at Kate who was looking at her in concern. “You okay, Desiree?”
Desiree nodded slowly, before giving a small, sincere smile. “Yes, I am, thank you.” Kate raised her eyebrow, no doubt noticing some kind of relief in Desiree’s voice, but said nothing more.
Harry returned and sat beside her again. “It’s nearly over, I’ll walk you back to your room when my Father and Grandmother leave.”
Desiree turned to see the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla preparing to leave. The announcer called for everyone to stand. Harry helped Desiree to her feet, not that she needed it. They passed along behind the high table, stopping to say good bye to Harry, Desiree, Kate and William.
“Thank you for making the trip over, dear,” the Queen said to Desiree.
Desiree curtseyed once, as she had been told to by palace officials at the medal ceremony. “Thank you, your majesty. It was my pleasure and honour.”
“Perhaps we will see more of each other soon,” she said, her expression emotionless but for a small smile. Desiree thought she saw her give the slightest of winks to Harry but then she seemed to look at her so normally, she wasn’t sure. Desiree nodded all the same.
Charles stopped to speak to her next with Camilla. “I hope you enjoyed yourself tonight, perhaps you and Harry can join us for dinner one day and tell us more of your adventures in Afghanistan.”
“Perhaps, your majesty, but I only have a couple of days left in the UK,” Desiree replied slowly. She noticed Camilla give a wink in Harry’s direction. She was certain of it this time.
“Ah well, I’m sure there will be other opportunities.” Charles shook his Son’s hand before moving onwards to Kate and William. Desiree looked to Harry questioningly, but he avoided her gaze, instead watching his Grandmother leave the room.
Once the royal guests had departed, Harry led Desiree to the entrance to the ballroom, where he was required to farewell each guest. Desiree stood by his side patiently, as William and Kate stood on the opposite door to them. Desiree watched as Kate smiled and spoke with each guest as they left, it seemed so natural for her that Desiree had to remind herself that Kate was once known as a ‘commoner’, just like Desiree.
Desiree’s attention was soon diverted to the task at hand when she was addressed by one of the officer school instructors.
Finally all the guests had departed, leaving William, Kate, Desiree and Harry with a handful of cleaners and waiters hurrying in and out of the ballroom.
“What a good evening, Harry,” Kate said moving to stand beside Desiree, her arm looped with William’s. “Did you enjoy yourselves?”
“Yes, I did quite enjoy myself, thank you. How about you, Des?” Harry asked.
“Yes, I had anxieties about attending but it really wasn’t that bad,” she answered truthfully, making Kate giggle.
“I take it you were expecting something similar to a dining in night at your unit?” William asked expectantly.
Desiree smiled. “Pretty much, although I don’t attend many of those either.”
“How come?” Kate asked in surprise.
“Well, having one of the Colonels at the unit as your Father helps you get out of things, but having Ryan means I can usually claim carer’s leave.”
“I need in on this excuse,” William said looking at Kate, who mocked surprise and gently hit his arm playfully.
“Oh, stop it.” They all laughed as she rolled her eyes while looking away from him. She looked at Harry and Desiree. “So what are you going two going to do now? It’s only early still.”
Desiree took her phone from her clutch. Kate was right, it was only ten.
“I’m walking Desiree to her room, after that I’ll probably head home.”
“Well, we could catch up properly, I suppose,” Desiree suggested. “We haven’t had a proper chance to chat since I arrived.”
Harry looked sideways at William, who nodded his approval. “I can let them know back at the palace so they expect you back later. Just keep a couple of security guards nearby.” Harry agreed.
They moved towards the elevators together, farewelling each other. Kate kissed Desiree and Harry on the cheek, William doing the same to Desiree. “It was lovely seeing you tonight, Desiree. Hopefully we will see you again soon, before you go home.”
“Hopefully, thank you for keeping me company, Kate.”
“It was my pleasure,” she said smiling brightly. They waved as their elevator doors shut.
******
Harry took Desiree’s hand and hooked it through his arm, leading her into another elevator, his two security guards following them in, and pressed the button to take them upstairs.
“Did you really enjoy tonight?” Harry asked her, glancing sideways as they waited for the elevator to arrive on their floor.
She nodded smiling. “Yes, I really did. My Mother was right, I haven’t done anything for me in a long time.” She looked from side to side before smiling wryly. “Don’t tell her I said that.”
Harry felt a pang of sadness for Desiree, but smiled at her joke. “It must have been hard, coming to terms with the loss?” he asked quietly. He realised she very rarely talked about her late husband.
Desiree looked up at him, regret written on her face. “I wouldn’t know.” She looked at the security detail and back at him, leaving her answer at that. Harry understood though. It wasn’t something she wanted to talk about in front of people she didn’t know.
The elevator came to stop on her floor and they stepped off. Harry waved off his security detail. They nodded and waited patiently by the elevator. It was the only elevator on the floor, and the security knew about Desiree’s Special Forces training and were happy to allow her to act as his security should it be required.
Harry thought about what Desiree had said while they danced. He couldn’t fight the small smile that crept upon his face. Thinking about it seemed to quicken his heartbeat.
They soon arrived at her parent’s room. “I just need to stop in and say good night to Ryan.” She held up her finger to him and gently rapped on the door. They heard excited chatter and then running footsteps. Harry and Desiree looked at each other with amused looks.
Desiree’s Mother opened the door, looking excited. “Oh my!” she exclaimed when she saw them together. “Both of you! Look at you!” She pulled out her phone and began to take photos of the pair, making Harry laugh as Desiree tried to hide her face in embarrassment. Her Father and Brother also appeared at the door.
“Have fun?” her Father asked gruffly, looking her up and down. Harry noted that he seemed like he didn’t expect a good answer from her.
“Yes, actually. I did.”
Her Father raised his eyebrows in surprise and then looked at Harry, nodding to him with approval. Harry smiled back.
******
Desiree crept into the room where Ryan was sleeping. Dan had given up his bed for his nephew, to make sure he slept and didn’t watch TV all night. Desiree found Ryan curled up in a ball, hugging his favourite toy tightly, a bear wearing cams that he had named ‘Little Digger’.
Desiree bent over and kissed him on the forehead, being careful not to leave any red lipstick on his face. As she tried to creep back out, but he stirred.
“Mummy?” he murmured in a sleepy voice. “Did you have fun?”
She looked back down at him and smiled, his eyes were still partially closed. “Yes, baby, I did. Go back to sleep.” She tucked him back into his blankets snugly.
“Mummy, I’m sorry you haven’t had fun because of me.”
Desiree looked down at Ryan in horror. Her son was a lot more perceptive than she had come to realise. “It’s not your fault, it’s my fault. After daddy passed away I lost my way a little. I lost who I was.”
Ryan was silent for a moment and Desiree thought he must have fallen back asleep. She finished tucking him in and went to stand up but he spoke up again. “Mummy, can Harry come and stay with us? He makes you happy; I think he can help you find your way again. And I like him.”
Desiree looked down at her son in awe, unable to speak. Movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention and she whipped her head around to see Harry standing by the bedroom door, a look of shock on his face.
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Desert Love