Chapter 2
Author's Note: I forgot to tell last time, I promised this story to Mishka. (And a queen never breaks a promise.) She asked me to write a scene months ago… But now, I'm working on it. You know which scene that will be.Big hug to Rach (again) for beta this to me. That was a hard work I know. I gave you tones of work to do. Sorry... And I'm dedicating this cahpter to You (again) yes. :-)
"I'm a bit worried about these tricks of yours." Joseph sounded somewhat unsure as he sipped from his almost cold cup of coffee.
"Why?" laughed Mia. "You know me…"
"Yes. That's exactly why I'm worrying."
"Hey, Joe, she won't die. And I won't hurt any part of her body… but only if you are smart enough to prevent it," laughed Mia.
"Princess!" cried Joseph.
"Alright! Alright! Just kidding. Don't be so dull, Joe. Anyway, I have a few risky ideas, but we won't use them if we don't have to. Just try to relax, ok?"
"Ok. So… what are we going to do Ms. Idea Box?" Joseph asked.
"I have three different things on my mind, but there is one I can't get out of my head. So let's start with the mouse," Mia grinned.
"With the MOUSE?!" Joseph and Charlotte asked at once.
"But Princess, Her Majesty is terribly afraid of mice." Charlotte said worriedly.
"That's the point, Charlotte. That's the point," Mia laughed. "Do you remember the panic when Lilly's white mouse got loose in the palace last year? Hm? That was so funny! Grandma jumped up to her desk like a gazelle - at her age. Ha-ha."
"So you want to do something like that?" Charlotte was still a bit worried. "Because we haven't got a mouse at the moment…"
"Actually… we do have one. You know, Lilly gave me Trish for my birthday."
"You brought her back?" asked Charlotte, somewhat shocked. "You know that her Majesty exiled her from the palace."
"Yes, but now she will be very useful, won't she?"
"And what if Her Majesty asks how the mouse got into the palace?"
"Don't be such a fraidy-cat Charlotte. We'll say that it strayed in from the garden. It's a mouse not a scorpion. Oh! Wait a minute..."
"Don't you dare!" said Joseph menacingly.
"Ok, ok! It was just an idea."
"I should hope so. Anyway, what's the plan? I mean Clarisse sees the mouse, then she jumps into my arms or what?"
"Almost," Mia answered. "I expect something like that will happen, but the selection of the location can help a lot. What would you say to her bedroom?"
"Her bedroom?" asked Charlotte. "What are you hoping? That maybe she will be in her lingerie?"
"Uhm." nodded Mia. "Or in her nightie. Just a kiss and let nature take it's course."
"First of all," Joseph started strictly. "Let's get something straight. If I acquiesce to this bedroom thing, I won't take advantage of the situation, alright? I just want to romance her. I only want Clarisse to fall in love with me. Just a kiss, then we will see what's next."
"That's what I'm talking about," said Mia, a bit huffy. "I didn't mean to suggest that you take her to bed immediately. I'm just trying to say that a relaxing atmosphere, like her bedroom is better for a little romance, than a ball."
"Ok. Sorry." said Joseph. "So how do you plan to implement this plan?"
"It's simple. Until she is ready to sleep and changing clothes, I will distract her by talking, and then I'll let Trish loose … on her bed of course. Then you'll come in with some excuse and it'll be your turn Joe. Just remember to try to always stand next to her, ok?"
"Well I have a few doubts, but… Necessity knows no law."
"Fantastic!" exalted Mia. "Now, I have to arrange a few things, then we will meet at 10:30 in front of her room. Alright?"
"Of course," smiled Joseph. "You're the boss."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Charlotte asked as they were waiting before Clarisse's door with a cup of tea in Joseph's hand.
"Mia is very determined, and I'm really running out of ideas. The dance in San Francisco and the walk in the lit up garden were not too successful. I love her, Charlotte and I want to be with her if there is the slightest chance that she feels the same way."
"I understand that, and I will support you as I can." Charlotte smiled and squeezed his hand.
"Thanks Charlotte, that means a lot to me. Oh, Mia is coming."
"Well?" Charlotte asked excitedly as Mia closed the door behind her.
"Everything is perfect. I put Trish on her bed, so you can go in and save Grandma."
"But what if the mouse has already disappeared?" asked Joseph nervously. "How could I find her?"
"Oh, don't worry about that. I gave her a double dose of food - she could barely move. Ha-ha! But if anything goes wrong we can see you through the cameras, and your earpiece is on. So, we will manage it."
"Right." Joseph sighed and slowly turned the doorknob.
"Go Joe! Go!" whispered Mia excitedly and she started running towards the security room with Charlotte.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
In Clarisse's bedroom…
"Good evening, Your Majesty." smiled Joseph as she let him in.
"Oh you brought up my tea, that's very kind of you. Thank you Joseph."
"It's my pleasure." answered Joseph and put the tea down onto her bedside table, while his eyes searched for the mouse.
Trish was sleeping peacefully on Clarisse's bed. Everything was perfect, except for one small thing. Clarisse did not see her, and what is more, she wasn't even looking in the right direction. She was packing her clothes.
"It's a lovely evening, isn't it?" asked Joseph, he had absolutely no idea how to draw her attention.
"Sorry. What did you say?" asked Clarisse from inside her wardrobe.
"Oh, just… It's a lovely evening."
"Oh yes indeed." smiled Clarisse and continued packing.
"Damn it, Joe." said Mia to his earpiece. "Don't be so helpless. Just talk to her."
"Alright."
"Hm?" Clarisse asked from inside.
"Oh, nothing…. I just wanted to say that your new bedspread is beautiful."
"Oh thank you. I chose it myself," smiled Clarisse and finally started heading towards the bed with a few jumpers in her hands. Everyone kept their fingers crossed… She was moving closer and closer. Then when everything seemed perfect… she threw the clothes down right onto Trish.
Joseph heard a stifled cry from his earpiece.
"I chose this, rather than the blue one because it would not match to the wallpaper." Clarisse smiled and went back to the wardrobe, while Joseph tried to free the little mouse under the clothes. He wasn't fast enough, because just then Clarisse turned up and grabbed the jumpers. The time had come….
"AAAHHHHH!" Clarisse started screaming, and in a flash she was standing on a chair and leaning against the wall. "Take it out! Joseph please, take it out!" She was hysterical.
So Joseph, the hero of the day, picked up the dazed little white mouse and threw her out the window.
"Damn it Joe!" cried Mia, but Charlotte pulled her away from the microphone.
"Don't bother with her," Charlotte said excitedly. "That was fantastic!"
Then Joseph hurried back to Clarisse and helped her down from the chair.
She was still trembling when she stepped down. Her arms clutched Joseph desperately. He wrapped an arm around her, keeping her balanced and drawing her nearer until she was close, dangerously close. Her perfume was intoxicating, her eyes grateful…
He could feel the warmth of her body against his. Everything was perfect for a kiss, but Clarisse suddenly pulled herself together and stepped away.
"I'm… I'm a bit dizzy after… the mouse. The MOUSE!" Clarisse repeated nervously and tried to order her appearance. "Thanks very much for your help Joseph. I really don't know what I would do without you. Really. But now I have to lie down. So if you will excuse me…"
"Oh, of course," answered Joseph. He did not expect this. "Well then, good night Your Majesty." Joseph bowed and left the room.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
A few minutes later in the security room…
"Don't be sad Joe." Mia smiled and squeezed his hand.
"I'm sorry about Trish," sighed Joseph.
"Oh never mind. I'll get her in the morning. She ran like a rabbit when she landed."
"That's good," smiled Joseph, but was depressed.
"Hey, Joe… You almost kissed her. Believe me, she wanted it too."
"I don't think so."
"You shouldn't say that. Grandma loves you. I'm sure of it."
"You're only saying that to try to make me feel better."
"Do you believe I would do that? Hm?"
"No," smiled Joseph. "Well if you have any other ideas…"
"That's the way to talk Joe!" said Mia. "We'll have a meeting tomorrow morning, and everything is gonna be all right."
"Ok." Joseph nodded and slowly his eyes filled with hope.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Next morning in the kitchen…
"So everyone is ready for plan B?" Mia asked with a wide smile on her face, then she launched into the details of her plan…
Meanwhile on an elegant street in town a very nervous Clarisse was standing outside Dr. Monroe's consulting room….
To be continued…
