Another of the Princess' escapades had made Elsie Kentworthy's morning news column. The Princess herself had brought this one down hard upon herself. Thankfully, Andrew had been the voice of reason and had saved the day. Good solid English chap. He had quite a life as Queen's consort ahead of him, that was for sure.

Clarisse had not shown herself in Mia's suite, nor in her own office for that matter. After consoling Mia, Joseph indicated to Charlotte that he was about to find Her Majesty and assist in whatever damage control would be necessary. Charlotte was to shadow Mia for the day and keep her out of any more trouble before her wedding, only 24 hours hence.

He knocked at the door of her suite, but received no answer. It was locked, somewhat to his surprise as even though he insisted she lock her door, she rarely bothered. Why do that, when the door was usually guarded by two members of the household?

Joseph pushed open the door gently, calling her name. No response. He walked further into the room – where was she? He looked around the sitting room, the office, with no sign of her. With some amount of trepidation he stepped to the bedroom door. Only with her presence and permission had he ever dared to enter this room, but it seemed prudent to at least peer in. He tapped on the door, and pushed it open part way. "Clarisee?"

"Yes?"

He whirled, she had come in the suite and was standing several feet behind him with a bewildered look on her face.

"Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you?"

"With that big expensive security system you installed you couldn't find me?" She wasn't smiling, nor did she look amused.

Joseph stared at her, irritation written over his face. "I was simply worried about you. Here was the first place I thought to look."

"Now you found me. Was there something you wanted?"

He walked past her and to the door. "No. Just thought you might be upset about Mia's indiscretion and might need someone to yell at besides her." He turned and got as far as the door before her voice stopped him cold.

"My God. What has she done now?"

0-0-0-

Joseph spent the next several hours with the Queen, going over the damage control of the situation, hearing the news that Andrew still agreed to marry Mia, preparing more wedding details, but without any mention of their own personal situation.

He stayed at her side through the difficult hours, hovering, offering opinions, making plans, changing them, but never once leaving her suite. It was driving her mad, and the irritation in her manner and in her tone of voice grew stronger with each passing hour until she finally lashed out.

"Joseph, is there some reason you're not working in your own office today?" she spat at him.

He looked up from the couch where he had been making notes on a clipboard for Shades.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You. Here. All the bloody day. What's with that?"

"I thought I was being helpful."

"Well you're not. I'd like to be alone now if you please."

He stood and came to stand in front of her desk. He looked down at her but she either could not, or would not meet his gaze. He noticed the dark circles under her eyes, the way her hands were shaking, and the perspiration on her forehead. This was not his Clarisse.

"There's something going on with you," he said quietly.

"I'm fine."

"Clarisse, you're under a lot of strain, you've got to relax or you're going to get sick."

"I said I was fine!"

"I disagree. You are anything but fine."

"How dare you! Get out of here, right now. I said I want to be alone. Now GO!" She moved around him and went to the sitting room, hesitation only seconds before she went to the bar and poured herself a drink.

Joseph followed her, and raised his eyebrows at her choice of action. In all their years together, through all the hurts she'd experienced, he had never once seen her take a drink as a coping mechanism. "I was wrong. You are already ill."

The shaking hand seemed to calm as the liquid went down her throat. She had closed her eyes as she let the alcohol soothe her. She took a deep breath before slowly addressing her Head of Security.

"I think it's time you left, Joseph."

"No. I think I'm beginning to understand what's been happening with you lately: the erratic behaviour, the mania, and the outbursts. It's all becoming clear as I see you like this."

She narrowed her eyes. "Like what?"

"Drunk. And for the last few hours when you felt deprived because I was here you've been in withdrawal. You wanted it so bad you were even willing to let your secret out just to get to the booze. Look at you! I don't believe what I'm seeing."

Something inside her cracked as she heard his words. If they'd come from anyone else, anyone else, she could have finessed her way out of the issue. But not with Joseph. Not with the man who knew her almost better than she knew herself. Her secret was out, but she knew she was safe with him. With all the strength she could muster she looked up at him, tears pouring down her cheeks. "I need help" was all she had to whisper before he was at her side.

She handed him her glass, and he set it down on the bar. He took her in his arms and whispered "Whatever you need, I will see you get it, my darling."