A/N: Sorry guys, it's not happy yet, and I don't know if it will be. I already had this and one more chapter done when I posted the first one, so I'm sorry. I don't know how it will end yet, either... try not to be too sad. After all, if you watch PD2 you will know Joe is alive and very well! Thank you to the reviewers, though I don't thank you all personally I really am grateful to you all. Reviews brighten up my day a lot!

Chapter 4 - Promises

"Promises are like little diamonds

Promises are like little hearts

We meant to give away

I thought you'd want them back someday

I've kept them for you anyway

But I know I've been given hard promises to keep"

Trisha Yearwood - Hard Promises to Keep

As Joseph had promised, his doctor's appointment was today. Nervously he walked around their room trying desperately to convince Clarisse to let him miss the appointment. With no such luck. Neither were dressed, and both were very scared to determine their future..

"Why do I have to go, it will just confirm our fears." He argued. But Clarisse was adamant, if he needed help, she would pay for the best in the world. He was her life, and losing him would surly mean the world had ended.

"Joseph. . ." She was clearly refraining from losing her temper. "Please. You must go."

"Alright. But I do still require some persuasion." Clarisse rolled her eyes, thrusting herself into his warm and waiting embrace.

"You dirty old man." She meant it, but she was teasing. They kissed delicately, as he held her so easily in his arms.

"But you love me anyway."

"Oh. . .Joseph, of course." Clarisse was once again saddened by the thoughts plaguing her mind.

"I love you, too."

"I will always love you, don't forget th. . . Oh, Joseph, I'm sorry." She whispered at seeing the expression on his face. He cleared his throat.

"My dear, we will be late."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The walk through the palace on the way outside was very solemn. Not a word was spoken between husband and wife. They held hands, mostly to calm themselves down. Clarisse's breathing was heavier than usual and she tried to lighten the mood when they finally made it to the car.

"I feel like we're going to our death." She tried so hard to smile.

"Oh, Clarisse, my darling it can't be that bad." Joseph rubbed her arm soothingly and kissed her forehead.

"It could."

"Way to be optimistic." There was sarcasm heavily laced in his voice.

"Sorry. Forgive me?" He leaned over to kiss her. "I'll take that as a yes."

"It was."

The driver closed the privacy screen and focused on the road. The tension in the car could be cut with a knife. All he knew is that he was driving them to a doctor somewhere in France. Unfortunately, this doctor would not make house-calls. . .

The sign on the door read 'Dr. Leone'. It was a small office, but he was known well around those parts. His family had treat the Renaldi's for the last 100 years. They were trusted, and always used. Clarisse knew she shouldn't be going to the same doctor that had diagnosed her late husband with the disease that killed him, but she felt a strong attachment. The black limousine pulled up to the quaint office and stopped. The driver sprung from his seat to open the door.

"Thank you." Her usually strong and peppy voice was anything but. It quivered and shook, and was quiet to the point of almost being inaudible.

"You are very welcome madam." The driver whispered back, his own voice failing him. This was a rare moment, to see the regal ex-queen coming completely unglued. It touched him to know that she was human, and to know she felt such a strong emotion for her husband.

"Clarisse?" Joseph squeezed her hand, bringing her back to his world.

"Mmm." She mustered up only a small sound in reply.

"I love you." If only he hadn't said that, maybe she could have stayed pieced together. At the very least until out of the public's ever-watching eye. If he hadn't been so tender, making her remember why she loved him so much, she wouldn't have shed a single tear. But now the usually composed queen had trembles running through her as she did the night she had been cursed with that haunting nightmare. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks and her knees slowly gave way, buckling, causing her to collapse in a heap toward the cobblestoned sidewalk beneath her.

"I don't want to lose you." She whispered in his ear. He had caught her on the way down to the ground, her only support being his arms.

"I know."

"I don't want to lose you!" The former queen yelled.

"Clarisse! My darling, Clarisse. I will be fine, I could never leave you, my love, you will not lose me!"

"Joseph..." She sobbed. The entire ordeal was watched by the driver of their limo (who had also begun to cry.), and the doctor. Dr. Leone sat in his office, silently observing the couple, fascinated that she hadn't become aggressive yet, as she was hysterical in her crying, and expecting her at any moment to start striking the man who was her only support. Instead, the man held her close to him as she wept. Slowly the sobbing subsided, and they went into the office, hand in hand.

"Ah, the royal couple, I've been expecting you."

"Yes...Sorry we are late." In truth they had arrived on time, but the events that took place in the cobblestoned parking lot had taken more than fifteen minutes.

"Mr. Saporta, pleased to make your acquaintance." The doctor extended his hand. Also making a movement to kiss her majesty's hand.

"As I am yours, now, can we please get on with this before my beautiful, yet somewhat crazy, wife has a mental breakdown?" Clarisse shot him a nasty look and rolled her eyes which were still sparkling with tears.

"Of Course." The doctor walked to the door of his patient room and turned to face them. "Right this way, please." Joseph walked forward and Clarisse froze.

"Darling, it's time to go in."

"I don't think I can." She whispered plainly, her gaze affixed on something other than the man she was talking to. Something far off in the distance.

"Do you want to stay out..."

"No. Just...wait." She whispered. "I need a moment." Joseph took her hand and rubbed it gently with his thumb.

"Are you coming?" Dr. Leone asked impatiently.

"Shh..." The ex-security guard hissed. He ran his hand up and down her back soothingly. After a few minutes Clarisse broke away and walked noiselessly through the open door, ready to face what lie before them, to find out if she would lose her husband forever.

Don't kill me! Not yet! Sorry for the over dramaticness...I'm like that sometimes...