A special thanks to all my lovely reviewers. YOU ARE THE BEST

bluegirl-783 – That's what she will do, she will fight for her man! –Though I still don't know how… any suggestions…-

BerethArwenUndomiel – That would be quite interesting, although I should ask you to NOT do that. I have some plans for Heather, and they wouldn't be the same if she was on a lake with a stone tied around her neck... But I'll keep that for future reference.

Captain Weirdo – Neither can I. I still don't know how Clarisse will do that, though.

JUJUChick16 – Here is the next update, hope you like it :D

mapetite16 – hehehehehe, you read The Clarisse Hunting Project and See the Sun at the same time, didn't you? -SEE, I TOLD YOU CLARISSE, HEATHER AND CARLA ARE TWINS!- sorry for that outburst.

Clarisse Renaldi – IN THE GARDEN! I just love Heather and Clarisse's discussions, I'll be writing more of them :D In the beginning I thought about making a stupid Heather, but that just wouldn't fit in the story. Oh, that reminds me of something:

You can start placing your bets now; Clarisse (Miss Christie) or Heather (Miss Roberts)? Review telling me about your choice/suggestions.

Missy – Hey, I liked it that you put the little expression in Portuguese. Now I became fond of you :D Sorry to keep you waiting.

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A.N.: ITALICS are Clarisse's thoughts.

Chapter 8 – Fighting a hard battle

Clarisse walked quickly back to the castle, her face flushed with fury, Heather's words still ringing on her mind. Strolling trough guards and maids, she made her way to the library; there she would be left in peace.

She closed the door of the library behind herself and chose the most comfortable chair to sit on, resting her head against the back of it. She sighed heavily, remembering what had taken place outside: "I don't usually share my belongings". How dare that woman talk about Joseph like he was a prize, a mere piece of meat? Clarisse had seen many men doing this with their trophy wives, but never the other way around.

The woman was getting into her nerves, and Clarisse knew she had to be careful: she couldn't give Heather the knowledge that she was nervous. Yes, Clarisse certainly was bloody nervous, and World War III was about to begin. The door opened suddenly.

"Clarisse, darling, were you hiding from me?" Heather said with a smile.

Clarisse blinked, confused. She stared at Heather like she was seeing her for the first time. What had caused the sudden change? One minute Heather was threatening Clarisse, the other she was being friendly. Had the woman various personalities? Was she crazy? Then Clarisse saw what had made Heather act friendly: Joseph stood behind her, holding her hand. Clarisse swallowed and smiled; she could be an actress, too.

"Of course not, Heather. I was just a bit tired."

"Oh, I guess this is my fault. I shouldn't have asked you to a walk I the gardens, I mean; this can be tiresome for someone your age."

There. She had hit the target. Again.

"Not at all, it's just all this paperwork I have to deal with daily…"

"Yes, that certainly is tiring" Joseph came to her rescue.

Clarisse looked at Joseph with an amused expression on her face. Oh, now he knows how to talk?

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I still have some things to do." Clarisse said, and got up. "Sorry if I hadn't been a good host, Heather."

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that, darling. I just stopped by to tell you I'm leaving now."

"Oh, but so soon?" Clarisse mimicked Heather's tone.

"Yes, unfortunately. Not all of us are Queens who can spend their whole day just lying around"

"Heather…" Joseph reprehended her, but Clarisse interrupted him.

"No, it is quite alright, Joseph. If this is the idea Ms. Morrison has of me, then shall be it."

The women glared at each other. If looks could kill, Joseph would be the only living person in that room. They both knew Clarisse had trapped Heather now; she couldn't answer anything without starting a fight right there, in front of her fiancée.

"Well, don't get too happy, I'll be back soon. I just have to drop some papers at the Museum, and I'll be getting here within the hour. Bye, darling." She said to Clarisse and turned to Joseph to kiss him lightly on the lips.

Heather was gone; now there were only Clarisse and Joseph, the Queen of Genovia and the Head of Security, the bests of friends.

"So…"

"Well…" they both started at the same time. Clarisse smiled and Joseph entered the room, sitting on a chair near her.

They stared at each other for a few minutes; Clarisse couldn't remember the last time she had sat with him just to talk. There were so many things she would like to say to him, to ask, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

"How are you?" he asked. Such a simple question, but one that cost Clarisse a great deal to answer.

"I'm just fine. The Prime Minister will be coming later, we have a lot of things to discuss about the…"

"No, I don't want to know about that. I asked about how Clarisse was doing, not the Queen of Genovia"

And suddenly she remembered why she loved him so much it hurt: he could make her insides melt, he was always so gentle and caring, and he made her feel… alive, Clarisse, the woman, not the Queen.

"Clarisse, your friend, is a bit tired of the activities of the Queen" she smiled, "And she's been meaning to ask you something"

"I'll be glad to ease whatever it is that is troubling her"

She took a deep breath; she didn't know where to start. She had half hoped he would say he couldn't talk to her, say that he had too many things to do… But, no, there he sat, looking at her with those gorgeous friendly eyes and waiting for her to open her mouth and talk.

"Do you love Heather?" her eyes widened as she heard the words leave her lips. She fought the urge to clasp a hand over her mouth. When had she become so direct?

If Joseph was taken aback by her question, he didn't show it.

"Of course I do, I'm marrying her, am I not?" he smiled and continued "Why did you ask me this?"

Oh, nothing. I just had this small hope of you saying that you loved me and no other.

"Nothing… I mean, this is one big step you're taking, and I just wanted to make sure my best friend is doing the right thing" it was the first she had said aloud that he was her best friend, and that didn't go unnoticed by Joseph, who smiled, "After all, if something goes wrong, my shoulder is where you'll be crying on"

They chuckled.

"Unlikely" he said.

"What? Do you think your life with Heather will be perfect?" she said, in the tone of a joke. "The first months will be heaven, but then you'll come to me for advice. I can already see it: "I just can't stand it! How do you women suppose we men understand you?" That will be just great to watch"

"Yeah, go on mocking, why don't you?"

They fell silent for a few minutes, Clarisse looking anywhere but at Joseph, and Joseph doing everything but tearing his eyes away from the carpet. Such good friends you are; can't even look at each other without blushing.

"Clarisse, about Heather…"

"Don't, Joseph. Just don't. Don't feel like you have to apologize for her manners or anything like it. Heather and I will get along somehow. We have to."

She smiled; there was so much she would like to tell him, but it was impossible. Would she ever be able to tell Joseph who Heather really was? And did she even know who Heather was? Wasn't her opinion biased for the fact that she was engaged to the only man Clarisse had ever loved? Oh, those questions. They had been haunting her for quite some time, and she doubted they would stop anytime soon.