Authors Note: here's my next story, and you'll find that there may be some sections of the second film in it, but I will often gloss over it! Hope you enjoy the first chapter!

NB: The Princess Diaries belongs to Meg Cabot and Disney

It was a bright, sunny morning, and the peaceful grounds of the palace, on the outskirts of Pyrus, capital of Genovia, belied the events and emotions going on within their walls…..

There was to be a wedding in less than a fortnight, and a coronation shortly afterwards, but, as Clarisse wandered in the garden with her loyal bodyguard, this was not the way she had planned things at all…things had been so much different at the beginning of the summer, only two weeks ago, but it seemed like a million years since then…

Princess Mia had arrived back from America two weeks ago, ready to continue her training with the Queen, with the eventual plan being that Clarisse would step down by the end of the year. Clarisse had been expecting that to happen….but, as usual, there was another unexpected twist. Viscount Mabrey, with an open eye for the royal throne, had suddenly produced his nephew, Lord Nicholas Devereaux, and claimed that he was the real heir to the throne. Clarisse, sitting in parliament and listening to the kafuffle amongst the members, had been shocked to her core.

"SHUT UP!" she said quickly, much to the astonishment of the entire parliament. Unfortunately, what made it all the more worse was that one parliamentarian remembered a long forgotten law that stated that any Queen of Genovia needed to be married to rule….

"We can't let them do it to her, Joseph, we just can't!" Clarisse had cried angrily later in the privacy of her own suite, to her loyal bodyguard and friend.

"I refuse to let them do to her what I was forced to do and enter a loveless marriage, all for the sake of continuity in Genovia! She doesn't deserve that!"

"Neither did you," Joseph said calmly, watching her pace the room angrily. Clarisse stopped for a moment, stunned by his words, before she waved them off and continued pacing.

"Yes, but that was different…it was a different generation, and I was willing to accept it…now, it's the 21st century, and arranged marriages just don't exist anymore…Mia is so young…she has her whole life ahead of her…."

"Clarisse," Joseph said, tugging at one of her hands, and she sat down next to him on the couch. "I know you don't want this to happen to Mia…but there's no other way, unless she…"

Clarisse glared at him for a moment before she pulled away and stood up again, enraged.

"How can you suggest that? Mia is the true heir to the throne, and I will not let her give up what she has worked so hard for! Surely you agree that she deserves this!"

"Undoubtedly," Joseph said pensively, hoping to appease Clarisse. He could fully understand Clarisse's rage- while Mia was slightly older than Clarisse was when Clarisse was married, Clarisse had only been Consort for many years…Mia would be Queen over the entire land. He agreed with her that Mia deserved it….but if only there was some way of overcoming the block that parliament had put in their way…

"It's so unfair, Joseph," Clarisse, mild again, said as she sat down next to him, and accepted her hand in his again.

"All I ever wanted for Mia was her happiness….and I don't think an arranged marriage is going to be an acceptable solution."

"I know it's not right…I don't want that for her, either," Joe said softly, touching her cheek and feeling relieved when she visibly relaxed at his touch. She turned to him with a slightly shy smile before he continued with his train of thought.

"When I had heard about that…well, my reaction would almost have mirrored yours…." He teased as she blushed.

"I can't believe I said that…I guess I've been spending too much time with Mia!" she chuckled slightly, and then turned serious again.

"But Joseph…" she turned to look at the garden for a moment before looking at him again. "What are we going to do?"

"I don't know, Clarisse," Joseph said honestly. "But what I do know is that you and I aren't going to let her go through this alone."

"Such a sweet man," Clarisse smiled tenderly at him, before leaning her head on his shoulder…somehow, he always made her feel protected….

However, until Joseph and Clarisse could figure out a plan, they had to keep going with the apparent program, and select a husband for Mia. The lucky candidate, selected by Mia herself, turned out to be 25-year old Englishman Andrew Jacoby, Duke of Kennilworth, and he was a gentleman through and through. Mia seemed happy with him, and Clarisse liked him a lot, but she still felt uneasy….she felt as though she was giving up her granddaughter into a similar fate as her own…She couldn't help but feel that she was letting Phillipe down….

However, she couldn't help but feel blissfully happy as she wandered in the garden that day, Joseph at her side, and her flowers blossoming wonderfully. Although the gardeners did most of the work in the gardens (and they did do a good job, Clarisse thought), she had a very definite opinion about what would work in the garden….

However, her feelings dissipated a few moments later as Joseph related the most recent incident involving Mia and young Nicholas Devereaux, who was currently living at the palace….Neither Joseph nor Mia understood her reasoning but, for some reason, Clarisse sensed that Nicholas may be less inclined to do mischief without his uncle around…But hearing the fact that they were found, together, in a closet, only made her more uneasy about the whole marriage…

"Does she have the makings of a Queen?" she asked anxiously as they walked down the path towards Clarisse's beloved pagoda…it was one of her most favourite spots in the whole garden…and she was glad that she had had it built several years ago…

"She's young, but I've always believed in her," Joe said reassuringly, longing to give her a hug but refrained, after seeing that the gardeners were working very close to where they were talking.

He could tell that the news had shaken her- he didn't approve of the marriage at all- although he liked and respected Andrew- but anyone could tell that Mia was much too spirited to enter a marriage like that. Thank goodness he himself had had the good sense to stay well away from marriage….but, he thought wryly to himself that was mainly because the only woman he had ever wanted to marry was the one walking beside him….Suddenly, the thought struck him…what if…

Meanwhile, Clarisse, unaware of what Joseph was thinking, continued her train of thought in regards to the upcoming wedding.

"The wedding invitations have been sent out…she and Andrew make a fine pair…I…I think…she's very set on it, you know…"

Joseph, now knowing what he was going to do, didn't want to hear about the wedding as he guided her towards a nearby bench, and summoned his courage.

"Clarisse, my dear, forget about the wedding for a moment…" he took a small breath as the gravity of what he was about to ask Clarisse finally dawned on him. "In less than a month, you will no longer be Queen, and I will no longer be your Head of Security."

Clarisse nodded, patiently and attentively…she was surprised to see that Joseph was nervous about something, but she couldn't imagine what…Joseph took another deep breath.

"I think it's time we brought our friendship out of the shadows."

There. He had said it…although it was far more than friendship to the two of them, the rest of the world saw it as an easygoing friendship, and he was going to be the last to dissuade them from that belief. He watched Clarisse a little anxiously….although they usually knew what the other was thinking, he was almost afraid to think what she was thinking…

Clarisse, meanwhile, was reeling- she had never expected this from him…she had always dreamed about it happening with him…and she had imagined her answer- always a simple yes- but now…there was so much else going on…

"Oh, Joseph I…" she managed to begin as he was looking at her rather nervously, and she was anxious to dissuade his fears…she loved him…and he had just asked her to marry him!

"Yes, my dear, I would kneel if it wasn't for my knee replacements," he joked weakly, more to break the tension then anything, before they sat down together on the bench, the tops of her fingers gently enclosed by his hand…

"Oh Joseph," she tried again, trying to find sensible, rational thought in her head, but all she could think about was his proposal…and how much she wanted to say yes, even at a time like this….But, ever present in her mind, was her duty…and her responsibilities…

"There's a wedding to be planned, and Mia needs to win over the people all in less than 30 days."

"Perhaps it's time to consider the duty you have to yourself," he said gently, hoping that he wasn't begging.

"Oh!" Clarisse looked away in surprise- she hadn't been expecting that. All her life, people had been telling her to consider everyone else's feeling and needs before her own, and now there was the one true man in her life that was telling her to consider herself before anyone else…it was awfully tempting, she admitted to herself, but the other part of her mind told her that there were other considerations….

"Clarisse, my darling, please think about it. Please," he added a second please softly, and she smiled tenderly at him…he may seem as though he was the toughest man in the palace, but whenever she was around him, he was always so bashful and shy…that was one of the most endearing traits about him…she loved him more for his insecurities, rather than pretending that he didn't have them. That was the one thing she would never doubt- apart from his obvious love for her- that he would never pretend to be someone he wasn't.

" I will," she smiled radiantly at him, gently rubbing her hand on his cheek, trying to ignore the strongest feeling in her heart that told her to say 'yes'…always…He managed to give her a slight smile, relieved that she hadn't rebuffed him….he could see that she wanted to say yes…

"So," Clarisse began after a slight pause, pulling away and looking thoughtfully into the garden. The only changes he could see in her were the deep pink colour in her cheeks, and the slight tremble of emotion in her voice.

"Do you….do you think…." She tried to think of something to say, but the momentous occasion that had occurred between them had jolted her usually calm demeanour.

"Clarisse," Joe said softly, pulling her face towards his again, and she looked at him with the wide blue eyes he loved so much. "Did I put you on the spot with what I asked you?"

"No…no, of course not, darling," Clarisse said shyly, not even aware that she had called him 'darling'. "It's just that…I've always dreamed of this happening…but not quite at this moment, exactly…."

"I really didn't pick the most opportune time to ask, did I?"

Joe asked, suddenly realising that it really hadn't been the best moment…what, with Mia's wedding and upcoming coronation, while trying to ignore Viscount Mabrey's attacks on Mia, it astounded him that Clarisse was still as calm and collected as ever.

"I'm sorry, I hadn't thought of it that way," Joe said, genuinely remorseful. "I just…."

Clarisse smiled at him tenderly- his proposal had meant so much to her, and she knew that she wanted to marry him….

"It's fine, Joseph…timing doesn't have to be perfect for these things…and I am incredibly touched that you did it now…I just can't give you an answer at the moment, but you do understand, don't you?"

"Of course I do…I was just very impulsive…I guess that's always been my problem…."

"It's one of the best qualities that I love about you," Clarisse said, softly touching his cheek with her hand. "I have always been constrained with tradition and protocol, but you…I've often envied you for your life, free of protocol and responsibility…"

"Not quite free of responsibility…there is a certain someone who is my biggest responsibility and priority…and I'm proud to have that …." Clarisse smiled at him

"Thank you, Joseph. I'm grateful that you feel that way…I've found that it's a little hard to pretend to be free of everything I have to consider in my daily life as Queen…responsibility, duty to one's country, duty to one's people…not that I don't enjoy that…But sometimes it gets irksome that I have so many other considerations on my time…"

"But, you do remember that time we were both impulsive?..."

"Oh yes," Clarisse said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling at the memory. "It was that afternoon when I was so sick of parliament, and you decided to do something very impulsive… very irresponsible, granted…But it was such a fun, impulsive thing to do…."

"But you started it," he retorted, and she blushed as she remembered the catalyst for their afternoon of fun!

Clarisse sighed heavily, and shifted slightly in her chair as she tried to focus on the current speaker on the floor, but was failing miserably. It was a very warm spring day, and it was the final session of parliament for the week, but it was so hot…she felt as though she was over heating…and it seemed as if the air conditioning wasn't working. But she knew she wasn't the only one suffering- most of the parliamentarians were shifting in their seats, and she felt almost sorry for them in their wigs and heavy robes…almost. Glancing over in the corner of the room, where she knew Joseph was sitting, he looked dreadfully squashed up with other bodyguards, and she could tell that he was just as hot and bored as she, and even looked slightly annoyed.

She shifted again, hoping that no one would notice her fidgeting, but the chair was getting very uncomfortable…unfortunately for her, Viscount Mabrey, who had been talking for the past half an hour, was watching her with a sneering smile.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty? Would you like a more comfortable chair? You seem to be fidgeting a great deal…" his words seemed solicitous and caring, but Clarisse knew that he was secretly enjoying putting her on the spot. After so many years of being Rupert's friend, and lusting at her from a distance, Arthur Mabrey finally had the chance to go after Clarisse…But she wasn't going to give him the opportunity…she had almost had enough for one day…

"Actually," Clarisse said with a sweet smile, no one guessing that her temper was close to the surface.

"I am getting rather uncomfortable sitting here, on a very warm day. I was wondering if you could speed your talk up a little so that we can all leave? I know what you are saying is very important, and interesting, but I think it's a little too warm a day to be staying in such a confined space."

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a murmur throughout the crowd- Clarisse had made her point very clear, and even with a pleasant smile on her face, but everyone could feel the slight sting in her words. The Queen usually remained quiet and non-committal during most meetings, but she really must be feeling the heat if she spoke out like that!

Joseph was chuckling to himself- he could see that she was feeling hot and restless, and he knew that the chair wasn't all that comfortable…he glanced over to gauge Viscount Mabrey's reaction, and he was hard pressed not to burst out laughing…his jaw had momentarily dropped after Clarisse's speech but, now that he was recovering from the shock, he was beginning to glare…at Clarisse, Sebastian, the other members…anyone who didn't have their attention on him!

Sebastian Motez, sensing the surprise and Viscount's smouldering temper, quickly rapped his gavel and rallied to support Clarisse.

"Yes, Viscount Mabrey…it's far too warm to be here for much longer, so could you please wind it up?"

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"I shouldn't have done that," Clarisse said repeatedly as she walked into her blissfully cool suite, Joseph three steps behind her, as usual.

"I really shouldn't have let Arthur Mabrey get to me like that…I should have ignored it…" she trailed off as she placed her notebook and pen on her desk, and slipped off her shoes. "I also shouldn't have been fidgeting like that!"

"Clarisse, you weren't the only one who was really suffering in there…and Mabrey had been talking for far too long…I was waiting to see if Lord Palimore cracked…" Joe argued as he watched her pace the room, fanning herself with a piece of paper.

"Besides," he added with a sly grin. "I really liked seeing that expression on Mabrey's face!"

"Joseph!" Clarisse cried, as she stopped pacing and turning to glare at him. "Stop it! You aren't helping!"

But her expression began to melt the instant she saw him laughing. "But, I have to admit, it was very funny…he looked dumbfounded for a moment, then he started to glare…"she chuckled, thinking of Mabrey's expression.

"I think everyone in that room was surprised at you…" Joe teased as she sat down next to him, and he gently took his hand in hers.


"I know…after all the years of being quiet and demure, I finally let loose…but it was just so hard to concentrate today…it was so hot…and the thought of sitting in that room for any longer just drove me crazy!"

"You don't have to justify yourself to me," Joe said, touching her cheek gently for a moment. "I've never seen you so worked up…you need to calm down a little."


"I'm sorry, Joseph…it's just that it's been so hot today, and after all those meetings, I just couldn't bear another meeting…I just want to relax," Clarisse said, feeling a little more relaxed since leaving parliament, and being only with Joseph.

"Yes, it's been a hard day for you…hmm," Joseph said thoughtfully, sitting up straight on the couch and looking out the window for a few moments.

"What?" Clarisse said, enjoying both the coolness of the air conditioning and his company.

"I have just had an idea. Do you have any other meetings for this afternoon?"

"No…thank goodness," Clarisse added with a relieved smile, before turning to look at Joseph again. "Why?"

Joseph stood up, and looked down at her with a mysterious smile on his face.

"Could you be ready in half an hour…Oh, do you mind going out for a little while?"

"Yes…as long as I don't have an entire entourage of men following me…just you and me."

"Of course…I'll meet you in the hallway in twenty minutes!"

"Yes, but why?" she asked again, but Joe just smiled at her and raced out the door.

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Twenty minutes later, Clarisse descended the stairs to find Joseph waiting patiently in the thankfully bereft of people. She was a little confused at Joseph's hasty exit, but she was also excited to see what Joseph had planned…It had been a difficult day, and she longed to do something impulsive, something away from the protocol and the pressures of the palace.

"Let's go," Joe said cheerfully as he took her hand and led her towards the door, opening it for her to walk through.

"Where are you taking me?" Clarisse asked as soon as they were outside.

"You'll see…" Joseph said mysteriously as they walked down the stairs, and Clarisse turned to see one of the palace cars, with the top down, waiting in front of them.

"I just figured you needed a break from every aspect of palace life…you don't mind just going for a drive?"

"Of course not," Clarisse said happily, touched at the shy look on his face.

"Luckily I brought a scarf with me!" she said, waving her scarf from around her neck cheerfully.

"Would you like to sit in the back seat?" he asked as he opened the door, and she shook her head.

"It isn't ladylike for a Queen to have to step over a seat to get into the backseat…Besides," she grinned impishly at him as she sat in the front seat, and began tying the scarf over her hair.

"I've always wanted to sit in the front seat of a convertible…again," she added as they remembered the previous summer in San Francisco, when Clarisse had ridden in Mia's beloved Mustang.

"Don't remind me of that…I could get angry again," Joseph said, rolling his eyes as he sat in the driver's seat and started the ignition.

"No one knows we're going, do they?" Clarisse looked behind her anxiously and Joseph patted her hand for a moment.

"No one knows, and no one knows where we're going…except me!" he added with a cheeky smile as the car began to move.

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"That was absolutely wonderful!" Clarisse cried as Joseph pulled the car up at a small par, an hour and a half north of Pyrus, and she looked around- there were several picnic tables, a children's play area, and a view that revealed the ocean not too far in the distance.

"The wind was rushing past my face, and the landscape…oh, Joseph, thank you for taking me out of the palace, even for a little while!" she said as she removed her scarf and fluffed her hair out.

"No problem," Joseph said as he walked around to open her car door, and helped her out. Clarisse smiled gratefully at him, and looked around her in wonder.

"I've never been here before…I would remember if I did," Clarisse joked, before the spectacular view of the ocean caught her attention, and she gasped. They walked towards the railing, and she whistled when she looked over the railing, and saw how far down the ravine, stretched.

"We're very high up, aren't we?" Joe said teasingly and she nodded, still looking down the ravine. She couldn't believe how far down it was…no one would ever be found if they happened to fall down there!

"You have come this way, on your way to the beach house," Joseph said as they stood at the railing, and he shyly moved his hand towards hers, but froze when she moved slightly. However, Clarisse had noticed his move, and she put her hand gently on his instead.

"Yes…I can remember coming past here on several occasions," Clarisse said dreamily, staring out at the ocean as the breeze ruffled her hair. "But I must have been preoccupied, otherwise I would have insisted on stopping and having a good look out here…"

She breathed in deeply, appreciative of the less stifling heat and the breeze, and caught a whiff of the ocean.

"This is one of my favourite spots," Joe admitted shyly, and Clarisse turned to look at him with a look of wonder.

"Really? Well, this is such a beautiful spot to come to, Joseph, and I'm honoured that you were able to show me this place…it's so lovely," she sighed as she looked away again.

Joseph watched her for a moment- she had such a beautiful, pure and simple profile, and he again wondered why Rupert hadn't seen that about her…There was so much about Clarisse that Rupert had missed…

He cleared his throat slightly, and Clarisse looked at him in concern.

"Are you alright?"


"I'm fine…I…I just," he felt like such a complete idiot, stuttering in front of her, but he wanted to kiss her. They had already shared several kisses over the years, but Joseph still wasn't used to the feeling that he could…he still felt as though he shouldn't…she was Queen of Genovia, after all, and the widowed wife of a beloved King…

Clarisse watched him with an affectionate look on her face- after being close friends for so many years, it was easy to tell what he was thinking…and she loved being able to do that, and know that he could do the same with her…She stepped closer to him, the spectacular view in front of them forgotten, and gently pressed his hands with her own.

"Joseph, it's alright," she said gently, pressing her hand on his lips to prevent his stuttering.

"I understand…and, I was wondering when you were going to do it," she added with an almost seductive smile.

Joe, suddenly emboldened by her smile, moved forward and gently kissed her on the lips. For a moment, as always, they were aware of everything else except themselves…it was simply magical between them…

"A wonderful distraction," Clarisse murmured huskily when they broke apart, and Joseph pushed a tendril of her hair back from her face.

"I thought you might like it," he replied just as softly, before moving in for another kiss. These moments alone were so precious…he had to take the opportunities when he could…

When they broke apart, Clarisse was shivering slightly.

"Is there something wrong?" Joseph asked, instantly solicitous, as Clarisse smiled at him.

"No…it just seems to be getting a little cooler out here, that's all."


Joseph looked around him, his hand still in Clarisse's, and saw, on the horizon, a group of almost black clouds…it was a brewing storm.

"I think we had better get back…hopefully that storm won't hit before we get back," Joseph said anxiously as they walked back towards the car. "I'm just sorry that we weren't here for that long…"

"I enjoyed all of this, Joseph…even a few moments alone are all I want," Clarisse smiled at him, gently brushing his face with her hand, before stepping into the car.

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Luckily, they managed to beat the storm back to Pyrus, but they were shocked to see several police cars in the palace grounds when they drove in.

"Uh oh," Clarisse murmured under her breath, the few drops of rain she could feel long since forgotten.

"I'll sort this out," Joseph said hurriedly as he opened the door for her, and they quickly walked inside to find absolute chaos. Charlotte and her two maids were pacing the floors anxiously, while Sebastian Motez was talking on a phone, and the four policemen present were looking around in the main hallway.

However, as soon as Clarisse and Joseph appeared, everyone instantly ran to their side.

"I hope you have a good explanation for where you've been for the last three hours, Joseph Bonnell," one of the Inspectors said angrily, as Charlotte collapsed into a chair in tears, and Clarisse's maids were hurrying to comfort her.

"I can explain…I did leave a message to where we were going," Joseph said hurriedly, feeling more and more like an errant schoolboy as the rest of the police forced gathered around them, followed by the security guards.

"Yes, and he wasn't very informative about where you were going…all he said was that you were taking the Queen for a ride," another nameless voice said, and both Clarisse and Joseph turned to see several members of parliament sitting on chairs in the corner of the room.

"Just what sort of trip did you take Her Majesty on?" came another familiar voice, and Clarisse imperceptibly sighed- he had to be here, right in the middle of the chaos.

"We just went for a drive, that's all," Joseph said again, as the leader of the police group took out his notebook and pen.

"Well, Joseph…this could look very bad in some lights…the Queen goes missing for several hours, and the only man she had with her was her Head of Security…I think we may need to ask you a few questions down at the station…"

"Exactly!" cried Viscount Mabrey. "You may have taken her against her will!"

Clarisse gasped, and then realised that she had to take action…they surely weren't going to take Joseph in for questioning! She cleared her throat, and stepped forward.

"I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I cannot let you take my best security man away," she said as everyone looked at her in surprise. "This was actually all my idea…I wanted to go for a drive somewhere, and Joseph was very kind enough to oblige. He didn't want to go alone, but I insisted…I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time, but if you need to question anyone, I think that person would be me."

She looked around at the group of stunned men, who just stood there for a few moments, before the Chief Inspector cleared his throat in embarrassment.

"Well then…I'm sorry, Joe…but you know, we had to make sure…I'm sorry for the intrusion, Your Majesty…come on boys," he said gruffly to his three other men, and they disappeared quickly out the door.

She turned her brilliant blue eyes towards the members of parliament sitting in a corner, and was pleased to see that they too were all looking embarrassed- even Viscount Mabrey.

"I think I have an appointment to go to," one began, getting up and, after bowing to Clarisse, rushed out the main door, followed by the others.

"I'm very sorry Charlotte," Clarisse said as she walked over to where Charlotte was still sitting down, wiping her eyes with a tissue. "I know it was very irresponsible of me to do that, but…"

"It's alright, Your Majesty…it was just that some of the men were insinuating that I wasn't doing my job…"

"I'll talk to them about it," Sebastian supplied as he and Joseph walked towards the doors together.

"I won't do it again to you, Charlotte," Clarisse said, feeling bad that she had upset Charlotte.

"Don't worry about it, Your Majesty…I understand why you went," Charlotte smiled at her, and stood up.

"And did Sebastian blast those men out…you weren't there when it happened, but I was, and boy…I always knew Sebastian had a temper but…" Joseph laughed at the memory.

"Luckily for Charlotte, I never did that again to her," Clarisse said with a smile, still feeling a little guilty that she had done it. "But it was worth it," she beamed over at him.

"I'm glad of that," Joseph said, and they sat in companionable silence for a moment, before Clarisse sighed and glanced at her watch.

"I think I have another meeting in fifteen minutes with Charlotte and Sebastian…I think I had better get back," she said with another sigh as they slowly stood up. "But first…" she turned to smile at him expectantly. "I think you needed …."

"Oh yes," Joe said, pretending to remember as he leaned over and kissed her tenderly on the lips. She smiled at him dreamily, before she leaned forward and kissed him again.

"I promise I will think about what you asked," she whispered as she pulled away, and straightened her jacket with a firm pull. He watched her a little sadly- he hated having to pretend that they were no more than Queen and bodyguard, and have to hide their relationship…he was hoping that, after Mia's wedding, they would be able to be a little more open….

Clarisse smiled at him tenderly, knowing what he was thinking, and gently brushed his face with her hand.

"Don't worry, my love," she said with a loving look. "One day, we won't have to hide at all…and that will be the happiest day in my life."

"As it will be for me," Joe said, kissing the top of her hand, and cherishing the touch of her hand, before they turned and headed back towards the palace….and back to their responsibilities…