AN: First and foremost, I know this isn't about the book. Its about the movie. I've read the books and have loved the books. I would post it in the movie genre but there isn't one. Therefore it gets posted here so I don't want any flaming complaining about it. Second, it contains quite a bit of Clarisse and Joe so don't complain that it makes you queasy. Don't like that, don't read it. So after all that stuff read on and enjoy.... also, this takes place BEFORE the second movie. Mia is about 17 when this takes place, her senior year in high school.

It was a cold night, early in December, when the palace guards captured an intruder bent on getting to Queen Clarisse. They dragged her kicking and screaming to Joseph who, much to their surprise, ordered them to unhand the girl. The guards did as they were told and when dismissed, left perplexed.

"Come, follow me." Joe said leading her to the Queen's suite, deep inside the castle. He knocked and when baid to enter, ushered her into the plush surroundings. The Queen herself sat in front of the fire, legs tucked under her, already dressed for bed, book in her lap.

"Yes Joseph, what is it?" She caught sight of the girl behind him. "My God! Mia!" Clarisse quickly uncoiled herself. "What in heavens name are you doing here?"

"Oh Grandma." Mia threw herself into her grandmother's arms as Joe backed quietly out of the door. He would hear the story later. Mia started to cry. "I couldn't stand it anymore. I know it wasn't princess-like but I just needed to get away. I didn't know where else to go. Mom and I are fighting so badly, even on the smallest things. Lily isn't ever home or if she is she doesn't want anything to do with anyone because she's studying everything and Michael is gone to college. So there I was facing over a month of winter break home with my mother. Everything just snapped. I needed to be somewhere else. Oh please don't send me back." Clarisse hugged her close.

"I won't send you back if its not necessary. I do understand believe it or not. Many a time I wished I could be somewhere else. I take it then your mother does not know you're here." Mia shook her head no. "Well we have call her, she must be frantic with worry. Come now lets get you into some dry clothes and into bed." She led Mia into an adjoining room and gave her a nightgown to put on. "Here. I'll be right back." Clarisse went back to the other room and Mia heard her picking up a telephone. "Overseas operator please. Yes, United States. Helen Thermopolis, San Francisco. Thank you." Mia quietly picked up an extension and heard ringing.

"Hello?! Hello?! Mia? Is that you?"

"Helen, Helen, calm down."

"Clarisse?"

"Yes. Calm down. Mia is here. She showed up a little while ago."

"Oh thank God she's safe."

"Perfectly fine. What possessed her to run away like that?"

"Things haven't been going well. I've been dating again and it happens to be one of her teachers. At first she was fine with it but now it seems like she would rather I wouldn't go out with him. We're disagreeing about everything."

"Helen, Mia wishes to stay for awhile. Frankly I think it's a good idea. It sounds to me like you both could use a vacation from each other. When does she return to school?"

"January 20."

"Very well. I will send her back about the eighteenth."

"Ok. Um, I'll back and send some of her clothes."

"That is a good idea."

"And Clarisse..."

"Yes?"

"Tell her I love and miss her."

"I will. I will."

At the sound of the click Mia hurriedly got into the nightgown before Clarisse returned. As she did Mia turned to her.

"What did my mother say?"

"You know perfectly well what your mother said, you were on the extension but we'll talk about that later. Now into bed with you." Mia did what she was told and climbed into the big bed. Clarisse drew the covers to her chin and kissed her on the forehead. "Goodnight Mia. See you in the morning." It wasn't a minute after she left and lights were extinguished that Mia fell into a deep sleep.

A/N: Well there you have it, the first of many chapters. I felt it was time for Mia and Clarisse to have a little bonding time before she becomes queen. Now be sweet readers and push that little button down there and tell me what you thought. RESPECTFUL and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism welcome.