None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney. Rupert's not evil in this, just not in love with her. Nothing mentioned, apart from my own characters belong to me.

Clarisse dreaded the long journey to England - it often bored her. Why Rupert had insisted the boys attend school there, she wasn't sure. She hadn't wanted them to be shipped away - living in a country they barely knew to be educated by people of a different culture. He decided not to come, as he often did. She knew the boys weren't really bothered by his presence, or lack thereof but it bothered her. She knew she relied heavily upon Joseph to be their father - spend the little time they had out of education with them. At 10 and 12 years old they knew it was useless trying to get thier fathers attention. This was one of the little times of the year she looked forward to. Summer, where she could take them and be their real mother - be the mother they deserved.

As the plane landed and taxied along the slippery runway of Heathrow airport, he finally spoke to her.

"Clarisse are you ok?", her eyes darted up from her book and immediately met his, inquisitively. He smiled gently and across the table, reached for her hand. She startled and drew back, avoiding his eyes.

"sorry", he said, more than a little put out. He'd moved too quickly and for that, he mentally kicked himself. Her reaction was sudden and utterly apologetic as she stammered to resolve the feeling she'd suddenly caused.

"no", she said, waving her hand dismissively, " don't apologise, I just - ohhhh, I don't know", she continued, frustration evident in her voice.

"I'm not comfortable here, I'm never comfortable - nothing seems to suit me".

"this is not the stereotypical, comfortable affair, is it?", he questioned dryly, a laugh lacing his voice.

No, I suppose not", she laughed, smiling slightly, " it's not. And even calling it an affair sickens me but that's what it is and I'm ashamed, aren't you?"

He stared at her for a long, contending moment and she felt strange, as if he was unceremoniously judging her.

"I'm not ashamed", he said finally. His tone contained no malice or hurt in fact, it was almost apologetic, " but I know I should be, perhaps I'm selfish".

"no!", she reprimanded hastily, waving her hand at him, " no, you're not. God Joseph, I wish I could turn around and be utterly proud of the fact that I want to be with you but it's wrong and I can't. I can't because I know it's not right, it's morally wrong and it's not something to be proud of".

"I'm not asking you to tell the whole world about it, I just want this to work as much as something like this can work", he answered, almost confusing himself with his nervous and muddled words.

Again his hand resurfaced from underneath the table and rested on top. This time it was her that made the move as her fingers hastily laced with his in attempt to sooth him. His eyes shot up to hers, the daring look in her eyes warned him not to react but simply take it as if it where normal, something that was done - simply between 'friends'. he gripped the tip of her fingers and smiling slightly, he tried to understand the complex but utterly intriguing woman before him.

As the silence that had fallen over them as they held each others hand enveloped him, he couldn't help it and as much as he tried to resist, slipped into painful thought again. He couldn't quite believe that earlier that day, he'd promised her that he'd never let 'them' end, but was there even a 'them' to be ended? What had they done to confirm it, told each other how they felt - yes, but resolved the conflict of love and reality - no.

She was right, what they were doing was wrong but it didn't stop him being desperate to do the wrong thing for once. To make love to her as the sun came up, to drag her away from everything that weighed her down, to free her.

He was shaken, mentally beaten from knowing she was suffering because of his love for her, and god how he loved her. It wasn't fair what they where asking of each other and that, he knew but ultimately he felt reassured. A calming hope that perhaps they could work around the shame, her position, his desperation - the conflict that tugged continuously at the exhausted strings of their hearts.

Clarisse noted how his eyes had glazed over and from what she could tell, the thoughts and hopes resurfacing where perhaps too much for him to contend with.

"Joseph…..", she said, relieved that the plane had halted, givingsomething to distract them - If only for a little while.

"I'm sorry, I was just thinking", he smiled, lifting her hand and looking around checked all of the staff where out of sight, kissed it hastily but full of meaning at the same time. She smiled serenely.

"it's hard", he whispered, " but let's not lose it now".

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

In the middle of Pyrus City park, the man in dark glasses sat sipping the boiling hot coffee as he waited for Cruz to arrive. He was sturdy looking, and the impeccably tailored suit that encased his body gave off the respectful image so typical of Genovia. His black hair neatly combed and gelled back - he looked respective, nothing obtrusive or dark. Yes, Xavier Asesinato was someone who looked and felt himself in high regard.

He seen Cruz, hair unruly and oily, walking towards him in the park. If he wanted to attract attention - he could easily get it from his messy appearance. The rebels often intended to look unkempt and it bothered him a great deal, if you were going to rebel be snake like and conceivable, not down right obvious. He didn't like that in a man and that bothered him, perhaps he may have to deal with Cruz.

As Cruz came to stand in front of him, he didn't greet him, or register his presence. He motioned with a soft, delicate, almost effeminate hand to the bench next to him.

"Asesinato?", Cruz questioned, taking a seat. His voice was rough as he addressed the man on the bench. Asesinato gave curt nod, and almost smiled - almost.

"I finally get to meet you", Cruz said, partially star struck, " you care for our cause - I like that".

"did I say you could speak? and be aware, I am a vindictive man and I will have my way. I care little for your cause in fact, I don't care at all but I want her to suffer - for revenge", Asesinato said softly, chillingly, still staring out at the grass and fountain in the centre of the park.

"but I thought - ", Cruz stammered. He'd heard of this man, of his brutality, of his ruthlessness. He cared little about their cause, that he did not know! He had the blood of women and children on his hands and soon, the blood of the monarchy would be dripping from those hands also.

" it is vital you do not address me, or call me - I will be in touch with you. If you do, fear for your life and that of your girlfriend, who's not at work today, by the way. She had a migraine and felt sick. Fear for the life of your parents if you betray me, I can easily sink a cruising yacht and they just docked in the south of France, dangerous place to venture out of an evening. Your young nephew wouldn't want to be knocked down before his school play, where he's playing the lead- would he?". Cruz bit his lip and almost shaking with fear, shook his head in conformation.

"good - we wouldn't want any accidents", Asesinato said mechanically, " tonight, you pick up the goods at the port - dock 32". As Cruz sat their, fear pumping through his veins Asesinato bowed his head slightly and his walk perfect and manly, wandered towards the black car waiting on the other side of the fountain. He would see that she suffered, so he could watch the pain in his eyes as she breathed her final breath. He would watch Josephs' face as she rattled her last words and he would enjoy it - to have his revenge was his ultimate high.

He could use their rebel cause as a front, he cared nothing for the few 'poor' Genovian's. God, he wasn't even Genovian, he was Spanish. It had been luck, pure luck that someone had let it slip they were good friends but he knew that they probably weren't just good friend. The parade the other day had perhaps been evidence that they where more than friends. And even if they were just friends, it didn't matter because Joseph would suffer the shame and humiliation knowing he'd failed the royal family.

Right now, they were in London, in the Carlton Ritz sitting down to dinner in the restaurant, the palm court to be precise, in a secluded corner as she had requested. The security doted about the gilded, grand room were quietly obtrusive - intimidating the other diners a little. He knew this because he knew everything - they say a man has only two eyes, he had eyes and ears and knifes and guns all over the cruel world.

Rosa had never knew, never knew he loved her - Joseph deserved to suffer the same.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"I don't want to eat alone",Clarisse smiled, motioning elegantly with her hand to the seat across from hers at the table.Joseph smiled slightly and waving a dismissive hand at his deputy, Martin, he joined her - finally alone again.

"no, it's not a pleasurable experience", he smiled, slipping of his jacket and hanging it on the back of the chair.

" but with you…..", she trailed off, running her finger along the rim of her water glass.

"with me?", he questioned raising an eye brow. It was interesting, her slight change every time they spoke. The fact that her confidence seemed to grow a little every time they tried to tackle their unconventional love.

"with you, it's nice - it's one of the things in my life that seem stable at the moment", she answered, sipping the water, almost as if she was bored and needed something to do.

"this is what you want?", he questioned, resisting the urge to take her hand and instead holding her gaze.

"I think so, no I know I do - I just need time to let it all settle. It's not something I never dreamed I do - have an affair. What kind of person or role model does that make me?".

"I suppose it's frowned upon but, I don't know. I guess because I'm part of it, I'd be hypocritical not to condone it - it takes two to tango, right?".

"right", she confirmed, laughing. He smiled again, glad to hear her laugh.

"tell me about you", she suddenly said, her curiosity about his life and the realisation she knew little about his past suddenly hitting her.

"Ok", he laughed, smiling slightly as the maitre d' placed a bottle of red wine in front of them.

"good evening, your majesty", he said in his heavily French accented English, " sir", he continued, inclining his head to Joseph.

"good evening", Clarisse smiled regally, straightening up in her chair. He took both their orders and bounced off, looking rather pleased at the fact that he'd just conversed with another royal. Joseph laughed and smiled.

"you where saying?", she questioned, leaning back and relaxing a little more.

"you where asking about my past, nothing very interesting - not as interesting as yours", she raised an eye- brow and sipped her glass of wine, ready to listen.

"I was the oldest. My Mama worked hard to keep us because my father didn't earn much - he was a heavy drinker and he was heavy handed as well when he felt like it. I was lucky enough to be intelligent and determined to get out of my life. Rosa, my eldest sister died when she was fifteen . I left for the army when I was 17. Carmen, she got married, settled down and had lots of kids and Pedro has done well, he works in Barcelona and goes home at weekends - he's a chief executive", he finished proudly. Clarisse smiled, his determination was something she loved about him.

"what happened to Rosa?", she questioned, toying with the pearls around her neck in curiosity.

His face suddenly looked painful, as if he was recalling a distant memory that hurt terribly.

"I'm sorry", she said quickly, realising she'd clearly made a mistake, " I wasn't sure if it was alright to ask".

"no it is, it's just that it's something I don't like to discuss but I suppose it's you and that's different", he smiled, taking in how she looked pleased he trusted her.

"thank you", she smiled.

"when I was younger, much younger I had a best friend, his name was Xavier . He was like a brother I suppose, and we were unfathomably close. We were the original pranksters, but I'm diverging. Anyways, Rosa was young and impressionable and Xavier often got his way with the ladies - he took her the wrong way and one night, when he was drunk, he took advantage of my little sister - against her will……Well, it happened and she lost it completely, he tried to take her away, screaming he was in love with her. Rosa didn't return the sentiment and well, he'd hurt her bad. One day she was there - the next she was dead. She used my Rope and she -", he chocked on his words, " I tried to cut her down but it was no use - it was horrible. I went after him as he was running in his car after news of her death got round our village - I nearly killed him, but I couldn't. I left him on the road side weeping openly and begging for his life - I never seen him again".

Clarisse sat there partially in shock, something he'd held in for years was now spilling over to her and she was glad to listen. She swallowed, looking at him intenty- he smiles sheepishly, as if he'd done something wrong.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know", she whispered apologetically as she leaned over the table, a little nearer.

"it's ok", he smiled, " it was years ago - and I'm glad she didn't have to suffer that fact he'd took her and humiliated her - she was so young and I couldn't quite believe he could rob a child of her innocence".

"no I suppose not", she said sadly.

"anyway, it's not to dwell on. No more about my past - this is about us and our future".

Ahhh, did you like?

Hope you did

Please R&R.

Yours,

M

IT'S SUMMER! YAH YAH YAH! SUMMER!