Written: by Ancorns708

Rating: M for future chapters

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They are property of Disney and Meg Cabot. The song Everything I do belongs to Bryan Adams.

Summary: This was a challenge to write a story that contained the line everything I do, I do it for you. C&J Romance included.

Special thanks to Tengland2 for the challenge and to ALL my readers and to those of you who take the time to review y'all ROCK!

Everything I do, I do it for you

Walking into her office.

"Your Majesty, are you ready?"

"Oh, yes Joseph, just give me a minute to slip my shoes back on"

Joe smiled, he knew that as soon as she sat down behind her desk every morning the first thing she did was toe her shoes off, only slipping them back on when she was meeting with someone.

Closing the distance between them, Joseph helped her into the ivory colored coat that was draped over the back of the couch. Looking her up and down while she was saying something to Charlotte he swore that she looked like an angel. Turning back, she took his proffered arm as they made their way out to the awaiting car, which was to take them to a ribbon cutting ceremony, far up into the remote mountain town of Libby, a three hour drive from the palace.

Libby combines some of the best alpine resorts in the world with a friendly, small-town feel. Its home to only about 4000 residents but the people take pride in a quality of life that provides alpine living at its best. From golf in the summer to skiing in the winter, there's always something to do in Libby. It is surrounded by 200,000 acres of national forest and is considered to have some of the best ski mountains in the world.

Joe had just helped Clarisse into the limo and made his way around to the other side and slid in beside her, catching a whiff of her sweet perfume. As they made their way to Libby, Clarisse turned to Joseph.

"You know Joseph, I think all these security men are really unnecessary."

"Clarisse, you know that's not true."

"We are only going to Libby, Joseph and there are five cars full of security men, not to mention those that you sent ahead to secure the location before my arrival. I bet you even made some of those poor boys trek up the side of that mountain in the snow to stand watch."

"Clarisse, must we have this conversation every time we leave the palace?"

"I just think it's silly that's all"

"Well you might think it's silly but it's my job to protect you. After King Rupert passed away and then with Phillipe being killed…" he paused when he saw the sadness pass across her face at the mention of her son's untimely death. "We stepped up the security as you know and yes I made several members of my team climb up the side of the mountain to stand watch. We can never be too careful, plus every one of those men including myself would lay down their life for you."

"Let's hope it never comes to that." She said quietly

Sitting in complete silence for several minutes, she looked at him again and asked.

"Why do you do it? I mean why do you got through so much trouble when the likely hood of something happening is so slim?"

Joseph, was looking deep into her eyes when he finally spoke just barely above a whisper

"You know why"

Taking her hand in his, trying to make her understand he murmured

"I can't help it, I would fight for you, I'd lie for you, walk the wire for you, I'd die for you, everything I do, Clarisse, I do it for you."

Smiling a genuine smile that was reserved only for Joseph, she squeezed his hand tighter as he slowly brought it up to his soft but firm lips before he placed a lingering kiss on the back of her hand that she swore seared her skin. Moving their hands back down to the space between them, Joseph knew he was taking liberties but held on to her hand anyways.

Looking back out the window Clarisse noticed that the scenery had changed they were no longer in the hustle and bustle of the city of Pryus, now they were travelling up the narrow winding road that would take them to Libby. Turning her attention back to Joseph, she looked between them to see their hands, noticing that he didn't release her hand after placing it back in the seat brought a small smile to her lips, but on the inside every nerve in her body was shooting off in excitement.

"We should be arriving soon." He said

"I hope this ribbon cutting doesn't take long. It looks like it could start snowing any second now, not to mention how cold it's going to be with the wind blowing like this."

A quarter of a mile away, a solitaire man was setting up his tripod and dialing in his rifle scope. He saw that earlier today the security team had arrived and several men had taken up post around him but he had been thankful that the young officers hadn't noticed him, there was something to be said for always having the right camouflage to blend into your surroundings, he thought silently to himself. As he slowly and quietly chambered the round into his rifle he laid there staring down the barrel through his scope to the podium in which the Queen of Genovia would be stepping behind at any moment.

Arriving at the resort, Joseph exited the vehicle and made his way around to help Clarisse out. The snow had just falling but thankfully the wind had stopped blowing at least for the time being.

"Your Majesty" he said offering her his arm

"Thank you, Joseph"

Clarisse slowly came to a stop on the sidewalk before reaching the doors to the resort. Turning Joseph saw a look of confusion on her face as she slightly bit her bottom lip. Taking a deep breath she asked.

"Joseph, do you think that after this over that you and I could have dinner? We need to discuss something"

Slightly bewildered by her question

"I…umm, I think that can be arranged. Would you like to eat here or back in Pryus?"

"Wherever you think is safer Joseph, as I would expect to have your undivided attention while discussing this issue."

"I'll make the arrangements then"

"Thank you" she said before entering the resort.

Joseph mind was reeling. Had she just asked him to dinner? And what issue did she want to discuss? His mind wandered back over the events of the day. Oh dear, he thought she must be upset about me taking liberties and holding her hand but if that was the case then why hadn't she protested then, unless she wasn't upset about it, maybe just maybe she felt for him what he had felt for her all these years. Smiling, Joseph reached into pocket, retrieved his cell and dialed a dear friend, who owned a restaurant in Libby to make their reservations.

Shades, who was on the mountain with Lionel and several others, just radioed that he had heard the distinct sound of a rifle being chambered and ordered the men to double check their surroundings. Looking around Lionel saw a man lying on the ground and as he radioed back that he had spotted a sniper the shot rang out.

Back at the resort Clarisse had just stepped up to the podium and began to deliver her speech, when Joseph spotted the glint of sunlight reflecting off the rifle scope. Before he could step in front of his queen he saw her body turn slightly around as the bullet entered into her, catching her in his arms before she hit the ground, holding her firmly against his body, shielding her body with his, as chaos ensued around them. Joseph saw that he once ivory coat was now covered in blood.

Shades and his men were on top of the man in a matter of seconds. He radioed back to Joseph that he had subdued the sniper but Joseph couldn't heard anything, he was in shock, he had failed, failed to protect the one thing he loved most of all.

Looking up at him with glassy eyes, Clarisse cupped Joseph's cheek bringing him out of his shocked state before she whispered "I love you Joseph" just as the tears he had been holding in escaped his eyes she slipped into unconsciousness.

~TBC~

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