I wasn't even going to continue this. I had written the first few lines of this chapter a while back, and I just found it tonight. Instead of studying for my finals tomorrow, I just had to finish it up and post it. So I know its been a while, but surely you can forgive me. Right?
Robert and Frank were busy tidying up the garden getting it ready for spring when a white blur went flying past them and stopped about 10 feet away, picking up a tennis ball. The poodle came over for a quick pat before going back in the direction he had originally come. Robert looked up, searching for the dog's handler, expecting to see one of the Queen's lady's maids taking him out for a walk. He was surprised when he found Queen Clarisse herself, smiling as the dog dropped his ball next to Joseph, her Head of Security, waiting for it to be thrown again. Robert and Frank watched, hidden, as Joseph obediently picked up the ball and threw it again for Maurice before putting his arm around the Queen and walking down the pathway.
The Queen made a comment that caused Joe to smile. As Joseph replied, Maurice came running back at them happily and dropped the ball infront of them. Robert and Frank saw Joseph pick up the ball and grimace, making the Queen laugh.
"I wonder what they are saying?" Frank said aloud.
"I have no idea. They look like they are having a good time, though." Robert answered.
Clarisse laughed at the look on Joseph's face as he picked up Maurice's ball.
"You're my Head of Security and you'll do just about anything, but you have a problem picking up a ball with some dog saliva on it?" Clarisse couldn't resist teasing him.
"It's dog slobber, Clarisse. This ball is soaked. I don't see you touching it." Joseph answered her.
"It's saliva, Joseph. And I'm not touching it because Maurice seems to prefer that you throw it for him."
"It's slobber. You just don't want to say the word. Here, you throw it then. I'm sure that Maurice won't mind you throwing the ball once for him." Joseph argued, holding the ball out towards Clarisse.
"I told you, he seems to want you to do it for him." Clarisse kept going, attempting to get out of touching the ball.
"Okay Clarisse, you asked for it. I DARE you to throw the ball, Your Majesty." Joseph challenged, knowing it might get him in a bit of trouble but that she couldn't back down now.
The two gardeners saw their Queen give Joseph a dirty look and waited quietly for something else to happen. Their eyebrows shot up when they saw Clarisse take the dog's ball and Joe smile smugly.
"What is going on?" Robert asked in a hushed voice.
"I have no clue." Frank replied, still keeping a close watch on what was happening.
"I don't think I would have stuck around after that look, though. I wonder what he said?" Robert was curious.
Clarisse threw the ball for Maurice and the dog took off after it. Joseph chuckled as he saw her look around, but stopped when he saw the mischievous look on her face as she walked the short distance to him.
"That wasn't fair, Joseph. You know that, right?" She got closer to him.
"Well he is your dog. It comes with the territory, you know." He answered, eyeing her suspiciously.
"If I recall, you bought him for me...You never said anything about having to do this!" Clarisse reached him at about the same time Maurice came back with the ball.
As Joseph leaned down to get the toy, Clarisse took the opportunity to wipe her hand on his jacket. He groaned when he realized what she did, and she just laughed.
"Touche. I should have expected that from you." He smiled. "Just wait."
As he put his arm around her and they watched Maurice take off again, he shook his head as she broke out in another fit of laughter.
"I - I'm sorry, Joseph... but it was ... just too good of a chance. I couldn't resist!" Clarisse managed to choke out between her giggles.
"No your not, don't lie.", Joseph began steering them back toward the palace. "Come on, let's head inside. It's getting a bit chilly out here."
Frank and Robert kept watching for a few minutes as the two walked off, Clarisse leaning her head on Joseph's shoulder as he kept his arm around her and guided her toward the palace.
As they observed the pair together, both were wondering why the Queen and her Head of Security looked so close, and what was said between them.
The End. That concludes another chapter. More to come? Depends on my muse. KSpirit Parelli is my anti-drug. What's yours?