A/N: This is my first Princess Diaries fic, so be kind, but also tell me what I can improve on. C/J are my favorite pairing in PD!
The Queen's Accident
Chapter One- The Crash
The car pulled up to the front of the palace. Clarisse was standing in the front, waiting for it to stop. As Joseph stepped out of the front, he opened the back door for her. She walked down the steps, stopped to thank Joseph and then got in. Joseph closed the door, got back into the front and started the engine again. It was late in the evening when Clarisse had gotten the call. She had been asked to meet Prime Minister Motaz at his home immediately. As they drove, the sky grew darker and darker. Stopping at an intersection, then going again. Out of nowhere, bright lights came towards them.
"Joseph!!"
Joseph swirved, but wasn't missed. The car hit them head on, jostling Clarisse all around the back. The next thing either of them knew was darkness.
"We are sorry to inform the country of Genovia that at 10:15 last night, Her Majesty and her head of security were struck by a driver, intentionally. The driver in question is yet to be found, but witnesses say that the vehicle used was a red pickup truck.
"At this time, Her Majesty is in a coma, but doctors say she will make it. They are unsure, however, when she will wake. They say she may have brain damage, but with her being completely unconscious, they are unable to see if it is very serious. She also has a broken arm, and two broken ribs.
"The Head of security, Joseph Ramirez, has sustained several critical injuries, but is awake. He will be in the hospital until the broken hip, leg, and ribs are completely healed.
"Now, we will hear some words from Prime Minister Motaz."
"Thank you. Dear Genovia, I am to blame for this horrible happening. Had I not requested to speak with Her Majesty, this would not have happened. As it is, I wish to publicly apologize to everyone. I am going to go the hospital today, to apologize to Joseph and the Queen."
"Thank you, Prime Minister. I am sure all of you will have the Queen in your prayers. Upon her awakening the country will be notified. Thank you."
Charlotte stepped down from the podium, away from the cameras and faces. Tears filled her eyes as she walked out of the room. Prime Minster Motaz was following her.
"Charlotte, how is she really?"
"Just as I said. Although her face is marred. Where the truck hit was where she was seated. She will have scars, but they can be fixed. She almost didn't make it, sir. If the ambulance hadn't gotten there on time, we would have lost our queen."
That was when Charlotte broke down. Sobs wracked her body as she thought of what could have happened.
"There, there, Charlotte. It didn't happen, she made it. Now, let's go see her. The best thing for her now is to be surrounded by loved ones."
"Yes, you're right. Mia should be here in a few hours. That should do some good."
Sebastion nodded, and led Charlotte to the limo. They got in and drove to the hospital. At the front, a nurse asked why they were there.
"We are here to see the Queen. I am Charlotte, her assistant and friend and this is the Prime Minister."
"Of course, she's up on floor two and in the Royal Suite. It's Number 216."
"Thank you."
The two walked up the stairs, and to the room. As they entered, a group of nurses and doctors were just leaving.
"Doctor, how is she?"
"Ah, Charlotte. Well, she seems fine, just not with us. We've done a few brain scans, and they show normal activity. All we can find is that she had her head rather hard and it knocked her out. Her arm is set and will heal. We went in this morning and set her ribs. The best we can do is have her close friends and family speak to her. It might pull her out of this."
"Thank you, doctor."
They walked into the room, only to find Joseph lying in a bed next to Clarisse's.
"Joe, what are doing?"
"I told them, as Head of Security, that if I wasn't put into the Queen's rooms, they'd all be arrested."
"Joe!"
"What?"
Charlotte just shook her head.
"Amelia should be here in a few hours. Her plane from San Francisco was delayed in China."
"Good."
"How are you feeling, Joseph?"
"I'm better, Prime Minister. But, my hip is just insanely in pain."
"That's to be expected."
Joe laughed a bit.
"I think rest is in order for you, Joe."
"I've been resting enough in this place."
"It's only been about twelve hours."
"That's enough to drive me crazy. I could be out there looking for the bastard who did this to her."
"Oh right, a broken hip, leg and ribs and you could go and find someone."
Joe just huffed.
"Fine, if I have to rest, I'd rather be closer to my wife."
"Of course."
Not many people knew, but the two in the room knew that Clarisse and Joseph had married in secret a year after Mia was crowned princess.
Charlotte, with the help of Sebastion pushed his bed closer to Clarisse's bed. He reached over and took her hand, rubbing circles on the top. Joseph closed his eyes, attempting to fall asleep. Charlotte sat in the corner, reading over some forms that needed to be signed. Sebastion decided to go down to the cafeteria to get some coffee.
Two hours later, a soft knock was heard on the door. Charlotte looked up from where she sat to find Mia peeking her head in the door.
"Oh, Mia."
Mia walked in. Charlotte stood to greet her and was surprised when Mia crashed into her arms. Charlotte held her as she cried.
"She'll be okay, Mia."
"I-I know, but s-seeing her like this, it's j-just so s-sad."
"It is."
"At least Joe is kinda okay."
"Yes, he's alright for the most part."
Mia moved over to the bed, taking her grandmother's hand, careful of the IVs.
"Hi grandma. I know you probably can't hear me, but I just want to let you know that I'm here. And, you have to wake up. Everyone needs you here. I miss you so much. Joe misses you tons too. And Charlotte. Just, please wake up."
Mia sat there then, just holding Clarisse's hand.
Sebastion came back, a cup of coffee in hand.
"Ah, Princess Mia, it's good that you are here."
"Yes, it is."
They all sat around, not saying anything, just sitting. That afternoon, doctors came in and checked on Clarisse and Joseph.
"Any change, doctors?"
"I'm sorry, she's still in the same condition."
Joe just nodded. The doctors left, along with the Prime Minister.
"I'm sorry, Joe."
"It's not your fault Mia. But, can you two leave the room for a little while. I just want to spend some time alone with her."
"Of course."
Mia and Charlotte left the room to go to the cafeteria. Joseph attempted to scoot closer to Clarisse but only moved a bit.
"Oh, my darling, what have I done?"
He ran his fingers up and down her arm.
"Clarisse, I love you more than life itself. You are my life. Please, I need you. Come back to us. My love, come back."
Joseph rolled on his good side and kissed Clarisse's lips. They were dry, but soft. He rolled back, taking her hand once more. He grew sleepy again so he closed his eyes.
She was curled up in her bed, reading a book. She heard the words; "Hi grandma. I know you probably can't hear me, but I just want to let you know that I'm here. And, you have to wake up. Everyone needs you here. I miss you so much. Joe misses you tons too. And Charlotte. Just, please wake up."
She closed her book and looked around.
"I'm here Mia. But I don't know why."
Tears shone in her eyes, but none fell. Again words sound; "Clarisse, I love you more than life itself. You are my life. Please, I need you. Come back to us. My love, come back."
She looked around, half expecting him to be standing there.
"Joseph, love, I'm here. I want you. I'm trying to come back, Joseph, I'm trying."
Clarisse looked around, for a door, a way out, anything. She found nothing. She gave a frustrated moan, collapsing to the floor. She closed her eyes and saw a bright light. She heard herself calling Joseph's name and then the impact of being hit. She opened her eyes again, with a scream.
"Oh God! Joseph?"
Clarisse looked around. There was no way, obviously. She walked back over to the bed, crawled under the covers and closed her eyes.
"I just want to go home."
Tears fell now, fast.
When Mia and Charlotte next entered the room, they saw Clarisse had tears falling down her cheeks.
"Grandma? Are you awake?"
Mia took the free hand that lay on her stomach.
"Please grandma, wake up."
Mia sat down next to the bed.
"I don't know how it's possible, Mia, but she's crying."
"It's weird. I want to know why."
"As do I."
At the end of the day, Charlotte had fallen asleep in her chair, while Mia had fallen asleep with her head resting next to her grandma.
A/N: What did you think? Please review.