Ok, here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy it! And as always, feedback is appreciated!

Thank you tayryn, sue, RevSue and I luv Julie Andrews for your feedback. I wanted to really show that Clarisse and Rupert are best friends even if they aren't in love with each other.

Author's note: Since it never says what Joseph's last name is, and I've read in several fics that his last name is Romero, which I thought was a good last name so I also used it.

Chapter 2

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Rupert was surprised when James brought in Joseph. James was of a bigger build and at 6 foot 3 inches tall, he was an extremely imposing man physically. In the several conversations they had had about Joseph, James had mention several times how intimidating Joseph could be and how he himself was could still be a little intimidated when Joseph got angry. Naturally, Rupert had expected a man similar to James' build, however, the man who entered was Rupert's own height (5 foot 10 inches), and while not thin, was not the broad build that he expected. He was a man who was around enough security to recognize that Joseph was obvious in excellent condition, but to an untrained eye one might not find the man physically imposing. One thing he had to admit was that James was correct, he did have a presence that was undeniably overwhelming and more than made up for his physical appearance. In addition, once he started talking with him, Rupert realized that Joseph was not just knowledgeable about security matters but in history, art, music, and politics as well.

They started by talking about Joseph's resume, some general topics about Genovia and other countries that he had been to, the languages he spoke.

"Well," Rupert said after talking with Joseph for nearly an hour, "I must say I am very impressed and most pleased that you accepted our position here."

Joseph bowed his head slightly, "Thank you, your Majesty. James has explained to me that I am here to assist in updating your security, but, if I might inquire, what would my position entail after the necessary system updates and training are completed?"

"Oh," Rupert looked at James, a little surprised, "You didn't ask him?"
James looked a little embarrassed, "I thought it might be appropriate to wait until you had met him and approved before I asked him, your Majesty."

Rupert nodded and turned back to Joseph, "Well, I suppose it does depend on your performance over the next few months, but as I'm sure everything will go well I'll let you know now. James is planning on retiring in a few short years, and at this point in time he is not satisfied with any of the current guards performances enough to appoint one as his successor as head of security. If all goes well, as I am sure it will, you will be offered the second in charge of security position, and when James retires, will be promoted to head of security."

Joseph was more than a little surprised. While he had no doubt that he could do it, he had never been offered a permanent position like this. Most of the job offers he received were short term jobs of re-organizing security systems, training guards and occasionally acting as a personal bodyguard for special, high-profile and therefore high-risk, occasions. "I would be honored to accept the job, your Majesty." He said sincerely.

Rupert smiled, "Wonderful! Now, I think it's time to get to business and start discussing your ideas."

"Yes, your Majesty." Joseph said taking some papers out of a folder and handing them to Rupert, "I've written down some suggestions about which camera's to use, where they should be placed, as well as where the guards should be positioned around the grounds and in the palace. However, they might need to be adjusted after I get better acquainted with the palace and grounds. In addition, I have added a list of requirements that should be applied to all palace employees, not just security personnel."

"Background checks on all of the employees?" Rupert looked up, "What employees do we run background checks on?" Rupert asked James.

"Right now only security personnel and those that come in direct contact with any member of the royal family. The gardeners, kitchen staff and many of the maids are not required to have background checks unless there's something specific that would lead us to investigate them further.

Rupert nodded, continued to read the papers, and then sighed, "You think personal bodyguards are necessary for each member of the royal family? I thought that might be the case. Clarisse won't be happy about that." He said it more to himself than to anyone else.

"Your Majesty?" Joseph questioned.

Rupert looked up at him, "The Queen likes her privacy and does not like being followed or watched constantly. I was hoping with the added security that while she was in the palace or on the grounds she would not need a personal guard."

Joseph nodded, "Well, the guard would not be a necessity while on the grounds or in the palace I suppose, although if no one is with her someone should always be watching her."

Rupert nodded, "Then that would also be part of your job as second in command. Speaking of which, she's going to be here in a half hour to meet you."

James nearly snorted and at Joseph's questioning glance he whispered, "Her Majesty has a tendency to be…difficult with anyone assigned to protect her, again because she values her privacy so much. I wonder how she will react when someone she doesn't even know has been given that assignment."

A half hour later…

The three men had continued discussing security issues when a knock came from the door.

"Come in Clarisse." Rupert said without looking up.

Clarisse walked in and gave Joseph a quick glance before going directly to Rupert's side, "Hello James." She said smiling.

"Your Majesty." James bowed his head.

"Rupert."

"Yes?" He said, still not looking up.

She sighed, shook her head and walked to Joseph, "Since my husband refuses to introduce us I will have to do it. I'm Clarisse Rinaldi." She held out her hand.

Joseph took it and kissed the back of it. "Joseph Romero, your Majesty, an honor to meet you."

Clarisse smiled and turned back to her husband, "Rupert is there a reason you are avoiding looking at me?"

Rupert looked up at her, "I am not avoiding you, my dear."

Clarisse narrowed her eyes at him and he tried not to flinch or give anything away, "I thought you said I wouldn't need a personal bodyguard with the new system, Rupert."

Joseph was surprised that she had guessed correctly, James tried to keep a strait face and look strait ahead, and Rupert closed his eyes and sighed, "It never ceases to amaze me how well you know me."

"Rupert…"

"Clarisse it is not decided yet, but yes, it still might be necessary while you are on the grounds, but probably not while you're in the palace itself."

She tried to keep her temper in check, "So is Samuel going to be permanently assigned to me then? Because if he is I think it only fair to tell you that he lost me twice today." She finished with a smirk.

"What!" Rupert stood up quickly.

"Well it wasn't really his fault, some of the young maids can be very…distracting to some men." She said sitting down on the sofa.

Rupert closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'll go have a word with him, your Majesty." James said quickly, "Rest assure, this will never happen again."

"It better not." Rupert said warningly as James left the room to 'talk' with the young guard. "This is why we need more security." He said sitting back down. "Joseph, what would you do if one of your subordinates acted in such a way?"

"I would have to figure out if it was a one time mistake that they would never make again or if they can no longer be trusted to protect Her Majesty and would need to be replaced." Joseph answered honestly.

Clarisse looked surprised, "You would fire him?" She didn't want Samuel to be fired, he was a good man, and in all honesty she had pushed him towards the young maid and then snuck off in order to gain a few minutes alone. "Rupert, you can't dismiss Samuel."

Rupert looked at her and understood, "You snuck off, didn't you?"

"I hate being followed, Rupert, especially by someone who doesn't even attempt to be discrete, nor does he attempt to hide the fact that he's uncomfortable being around me." She got up, went to the side of Rupert's desk and lowered her voice. "He is obviously uncomfortable with the responsibility and it makes me even more uncomfortable."

Rupert thought for awhile, "Clarisse, how would you like to be in charge of the new security?"

"What!" Clarisse was startled, as was Joseph.

"You know how much I have coming up within the next few months, how much traveling I'll have to do, and James with have to be with me, which means neither of us will be here to work with Joseph on setting up the new system. You know the palace and grounds as well as James or I do, and this way you'll know who will be watching you after the system is up and running, and in the meantime if you're working with Joseph then there's no need to have a guard follow you, he can act as your protection while you help him." Rupert smiled, "It's a win/win situation."
Clarisse was silent, Joseph, however, was amazed at the King's ability to have him start acting as her bodyguard immediately without her knowing that that is what he will ultimately be after the system is up and running.

"Well, I suppose it would make more sense than you and James trying to help through telephone calls or what little time you'll be here." Clarisse said slowly, not liking the idea that the new gentleman she doesn't even know would be protecting her, but then sighed, "Alright." At least she would get a say in the matter, and perhaps now she could find a way where she wouldn't need to be followed or watched.

Rupert smiled, "Wonderful! Joseph, I'm sure Her Majesty will be able to provide whatever help you need."

Joseph nodded respectfully but thought to himself, "What the hell am I getting myself into."

End of Chapter 2

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, the next chapter is James and Joseph talking and then chapter 4 is CLARISSE AND JOSEPH!