Thank you everyone for your kind reviews! We're having a blast writing this!! The song used in this chapter as the poem is "There's a Fine, Fine Line" from Avenue Q. It is not original so please don't sue! Enjoy!!

Chapter 6

Joseph didn't give Mia a moment to mutter a word as he rushed out of his bedroom in search of Claire. As he made his way through the palace halls he decided it would be best to find Clarisse first and mend things with her. After all, she was the most important and crucial aspect of his life…not some heartless and meaningless intern.

As Joseph approached Clarisse's door, he breathed deeply before knocking. When he received no answer he turned the knob and slowly entered. When Clarisse was nowhere to be seen he walked farther into the room, seeing if perhaps she was in her bedroom. On his way to the bedroom he noticed that Clarisse's glasses were lying across some hand-written papers on her desk. Noting that Clarisse never went far without her glasses he sensed she would return shortly. He couldn't control his curiosity after the topic of his conversation with Mia and he hesitantly picked up the top paper. Ironically, it was a letter addressed to him.

As Joseph read the letter his heart broke. He half-wished to himself that Clarisse would walk in at that very moment so he could wrap his arms around her and make everything better. The pain she was going through was too much for even him to bear! She, of all people, did not deserve this kind of heartache…not to mention the fact it was all lies.

Joseph's gaze shifted down to another handwritten sheet of stationary, the format resembled that of a poem. He, again, couldn't help himself.

There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend;
There's a fine, fine line between reality and pretend;
And you never know 'til you reach the top if it was worth the uphill climb.

There's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of time.

There's a fine, fine line between a fairy tale and a lie;
And there's a fine, fine line between "You're wonderful" and "Goodbye."
I guess if someone doesn't love you back it isn't such a crime,
But there's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of your time.

And I don't have the time to waste on you anymore.
I don't think that you even know what you're looking for.
For my own sanity, I've got to close the door
And walk away...
Oh...

There's a fine, fine line between together and not.
And there's a fine, fine line between what you wanted and what you got.
You gotta go after the things you want while you're still in your prime...

There's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of time.

Joseph felt a solitary tear trickle down his cheek. The words of this beautifully written poem was the epitome of their relationship. Was this what Clarisse was feeling? That she thought she was wasting her time? I must assure her that she isn't! Joseph kissed the stationary lightly before carefully setting it back in place and exiting the suite hurriedly in search of Clarisse.

--

Hearing the sudden knocking on her door, Claire lazily walked to the door to see who on earth was bothering her at this hour. She gasped when she saw who it was.

"Do you have a moment?" Clarisse inquired demurely, offering a soft smile.

"Uh, please come in."

"Thank you." Clarisse walked in and kept her back to Claire for a moment before proceeding with the intention of her visit. "Look, Claire, I just wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier this morning. I was far out of line and overreacted immensely, and I only hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me."

Claire smiled awkwardly, but tried to pass it off as flattery. "Oh Your Majesty, you have nothing to apologize for. I was clumsy and I deserved to be reprimanded."

"No, no, no my dear." Clarisse walked to Claire quickly taking her hand. "My dear, it was me who was at fault. I didn't mean any of what I said, I…I have just been having quite a strenuous week. So many decisions to be made…not to mention Mia's wedding and coronation!"

Clarisse paused, realizing she might be sharing too much with a woman she barely knew. "Anyhow, I just wanted to rectify the situation before things grew worse. But please know that it wasn't you, and I assure you, nothing like that will happen again."

--

Joseph decided it would be best to give up for the evening and just sleep on everything that was happening around the palace. He searched the kitchen, Mia's suite again, and even asked Charlotte if she knew of the Queen's whereabouts. It was when his luck seemed to have run out that he'd decided to retire for the evening and just find Clarisse first thing in the morning. He needed to figure out what he was going to say anyhow.

"Oh, Your Majesty, I never did get the chance to fill you in on me and Joseph." It was the next morning and Clarisse had invited Claire to her suite for breakfast, as a gesture of kindness.

Clarisse's head shot up at the young woman's words. "Oh?"

"But before I go on telling you how…magnificent…he is in bed, I thought I should let you know that I know about the two of you. And before long the entire palace, not to mention Genovia, will know as well. You may also like to know that Joseph and I have already discussed things, and he's told me that he never loved you. He only told you he did so you'd sleep with him. What else would you expect when he is cooped up around here all day?"

Clarisse stood, pointing angrily and teary-eyed to the door and said simply, "Get OUT."

"There is absolutely nothing I'd rather do more. Oh and Your Highness, if you try telling people about this little incident, don't think now will be any different. Everyone here loves me, especially Joseph."

Claire turned to exit, but instead found Charlotte, Mia and Joseph standing just in front of the doorway, jaws dropped wide.

"Claire, get the hell out before I throw you out." Joseph said madly before making his way to Clarisse.

Clarisse, who could no longer hold in the tears that had been threatening to fall for days now, allowed Joseph to gather her in his arms, too upset to push him away.

Mia looked furiously at Claire who was being escorted out by security guards. "Grandma, I think you need to hear him out. Charlotte and I will be in the kitchen if you need us."

As Mia and Charlotte pulled the door closed, Clarisse closed her eyes, hanging on to Joseph the best she could. "I'll understand if you never forgive me." Clarisse sobbed into his chest.

Joseph gently stroked her hair and caressed Clarisse's jaw. "Shh darling, don't be ridiculous. Mia told me everything, and it is me who should be sorry."

Clarisse lifted her head up to meet Joseph's eyes. "Whatever for?"

He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "For being unaware of the pain you've been going through. For not being they're for you when you were upset. For not showing you that you can trust me."

"Oh Joseph, don't be silly. You have never once given me the impression that I can't trust you. I suppose…" she paused, looking to her hands that were resting on his chest as he held her closely by the waist. "I suppose it was just my insecurities shining through. And my unhappiness at not being able to share with the world exactly how madly in love with you I truly am."

Joseph smiled widely before placing the sweetest, gentlest of kisses to Clarisse's lips.

"And after that…don't you dare ever think you can ever get rid of me now."

Clarisse smiled brightly at Joseph and moved her hands to his face. "I love you so much. I don't deserve you."

"Now who's being silly?"

"You talk too much," Clarisse concluded before kissing him passionately.

To be continued…

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-Christina and Laura