A/N The final installment of this story. Hope you like it!

Clarisse didn't look up as Joseph came and stood before her. She kept twirling the rose, her eyes closed, seemingly lost in its scent. He quietly cleared his throat, not wishing to scare her.

"I know you're there. I'm just not sure why."

He sat beside her, taking the rose from her hand and inhaling its fragrance, then slipping it in the buttonhole of his jacket. She glanced over at him, obviously intrigued by his approach to starting their first conversation since the heartbreaking one in her office.

He remained silent, staring straight ahead, hands folded, elbows resting on his knees. He had no idea how to begin, but somehow just sitting there beside her was a start. After several moments of silence she shifted uncomfortably on the bench beside him, thoroughly puzzled at his nonchalance.

He was actually anything but nonchalant. His heart was racing faster than it had up on the terrace with Amelia. His mouth was dry, and the longer he sat there, the more he believed he'd made a mistake coming to her without a plan. He stood and walked away quickly, unable to look at her. He did not see the disappointed and sorrowful look on her face as she watched him go.

Charlotte brought out a sweater and sat down beside her on the same bench Joseph had vacated over an hour before. The Queen's red, puffy eyes betrayed her claim that she was fine.

"It's getting late, Your Majesty. Perhaps you'd like to come inside for some tea before bed?" Charlotte hoped she was not overstepping her bounds, but she knew something was not right with Clarisse since yesterday and, well, she was concerned. She would have approached Joseph first, but he seemed out of sorts too.

"I'll be in soon, Charlotte. Thank you for bringing my sweater, I appreciate it."

"Your Majesty, if there's anything I can do…"

"There's nothing, really, Charlotte. I'll be in soon, you go ahead."

Charlotte left reluctantly, but her cell phone vibrated on her belt and she answered it as she went back inside.

"Charlotte?"

"Yes, Princess." Goodness, it was nearly eleven pm. What was Amelia calling about at this hour? "Is everything all right?"

"That's why I'm calling. Grandma and Joe seem to be a bit lost around each other today. And, well, I was sort of hoping they talked tonight and that everything was better."

"Ah, I see." Charlotte was surprised at Mia's perception, for such a young girl she certainly had an understanding of the ways of the heart. "I'm afraid I can't answer that question, Princess."

"Can't, Charlotte, or won't?" Mia had to know. Tomorrow when Joe picked her up she hoped he wouldn't be moping as much as he had been today. "I understand. Where is Grandma, can you answer that?"

"Her Majesty is in the garden, Princess. Alone."

Mia sighed audibly. "Okay, Charlotte. I just hoped they would have had it sorted out by now. Thanks. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Princess."

Charlotte closed the phone and was startled to see Joe standing in the lobby looking at her.

"Mia is trying to play matchmaker with the wrong people."

"Joe, she's only a teenager, a romantic teenager who wants the people around her to be happy. She thinks you would both be happier together."

He interrupted her. "Don't say that. And please don't encourage the princess on this matter. Her Majesty would like it if Amelia would concentrate on her studies and on becoming the crown princess."

"Yes, I would." Neither of them had heard Clarisse come inside, and they both whirled to face her. "Charlotte, would you mind leaving us alone, please?"

Charlotte quickly nodded her head and disappeared up the stairs, bidding both of them a soft good night.

It was Clarisse who began. "Amelia has the idea that you and I are involved."

"Perhaps finding my picture in your book wasn't the best way to keep her from thinking otherwise." He regretted his tone, and his choice of opening statement. Why did he let her do this to him?

"I should explain."

"By all means."

"Oh, what does it matter, anyway?" Clarisse sat on the stairs, a move that surprised Joseph. It was late, and she should be going her to her suite to get some rest. It was not like her to lose her sense of decorum, despite the lateness of the hour. In fact ,Joseph had never seen her act this way before.

He bent down and took her hands in his, pulling her up. "It's late, really late. There's no point in starting this now. Let me see you to your suite."

The tears in her eyes made his heart melt. "Goodnight, Joseph."

"May I walk you to your room?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

"No. I don't think so."

She turned and made her way up the stairs. He watched until she turned the corner, and he continued to watch long after he heard the click of her door shutting. It was he who slumped on the stairs then, the tears freely falling.

It was nearly two in the morning when he finally moved off the step. He headed up the stairs to his own room, passing by her door on the way. He stopped, noticing the light filtering out from beneath the door. Was she still up?

He knocked lightly before he realized he had done it. He heard movement, and then the door opened. Clarisse, still dressed, eyes still red and puffy looked out at him.

"You haven't been to bed," she stated simply.

"Neither have you."

"Come in. I was thinking of having a brandy. Care to join me?"

"Yes, please."

She poured two drinks then handed him a glass, but they both stood without touching the liquid as they wondered where to go from here. It was Joseph who finally decided, taking the glass from her hand and setting both their glasses on the coffee table.

"I have hurt the woman I love terribly," he began. "I said things to her that I wish I could take back, because I didn't mean them." Clarisse started to interject, but he placed a finger on her lips. "It is my job to provide security to the Crown, but I could never have known what a privilege it would be to fall in love with such a lady as yourself. However, I have overstepped the trust you placed in me, crossed the line and behaved improperly. You were quite right to suggest that I return to Genovia, and I have decided that would be the correct course of action. I will leave first thing in the morning, and by the time you return to the palace I will be gone and you will have a new head of security." He took a deep breath and continued. "I thank you, Clarisse, Your Majesty, for the joy and challenge of serving the Royal Family. Good night. Good bye."

He expected her to react to his speech, and was somewhat shaken that she said nothing, but looked at him peculiarly. Then she threw him completely when she smiled.

"I never knew you could be so, melodramatic." She chuckled.

His eyes narrowed. "Melodramatic?"

"Priceless. I wish I had a tape-recorder." He started to object, but this time it was she who put a finger to his lips. "I wish I had a tape-recorder so I could hear you say I am 'the woman you love' over and over again. I love you, too. And at the risk of being melodramatic myself, there's no way I'm letting you leave me, not now, not ever."

In an instant she was in his arms, holding him tightly and feeling his arms encircle her waist, returning her embrace. Her tears wet his shirt, his tears wet her dress.

"I've been so foolish"

"You weren't alone." He rubbed her back, and guided her to sit beside him on the sofa. Holding hands they began apologizing, promising to never hurt the other like that again. Gradually the tears of sadness became tears of joy as they were able to laugh at themselves. The night grew to morning as they held each other, talking and planning together how they would make their relationship work, promising to love the other always.

They didn't hear the soft knock on the door at six-thirty in the morning, as Charlotte came to bring the Queen the newspaper and her daily schedule. They didn't see the young assistant smile as she saw Clarisse in Joseph's arms, both fast asleep in front of the low burning embers of the fire.

Charlotte stepped outside, gently closing the door and placing the "do not disturb" sign on the doorknob. She opened her cell phone and dialled a number.

"Princess, it's Charlotte. I think you're on your own for getting to school this morning. Joseph is a bit occupied with Her Majesty. I knew you'd understand." Charlotte smiled to herself and went on down the stairs to the office to begin the day. It promised to be a busy one, with meetings and more princess lessons. Charlotte groaned at the thought of the upcoming afternoon's activities with the young princess. Clarisse had decided that today would be the day Mia should learn to dance. She just hoped the Queen knew what she was letting herself in for…

The End

A/N Thanks for the great reviews. It's always a pleasure to write for you ladies!