Ok, the start of what we've all been waiting for!

Thank you again to all who are reading this, hope you are enjoying it, and a special thank you to sue, RevSue, aserene, Prettycrazy, jimlucky13, Clarisse and Joe, and Annette-Rose for your wonderful feedback!

Chapter 4

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Joseph woke up early in order to meet with James before he left with Rupert. Dressed in his usual all black he made his way down to the security office without getting lost once, "Well at least this day is starting off well." He thought to himself.

After James had left last night Joseph had continued to unpack and thought about the next day, and the more he thought, the more nervous he got. It wasn't like he had never spent time around royalty before, but this was different, he wasn't just going to just stand to the side and watch and protect her, he would have to talk with her, every day, for at least the next two weeks. She would be the one showing him around the palace and grounds, not another guard or maid like in the past.

"Ah, Joe, good, their Majesties are going to have breakfast in their suite and then his Majesty and I will be leaving at 7 for the airport. Her Majesty is meeting with the Prime Minister which she should finish by 8:30 and then she'll meet you in her office. She's cleared her schedule for the rest of the day and tomorrow morning. I suggest that you use that time to have her show you the grounds, which she knows better than almost anyone, even me."

Joseph nodded, "I guess I'll study the inside of the palace until then, try and get better acquainted with the system you have set up indoors."

"Need a map?" James smirked.

"I'm sure I'll be able to find my way back." Joe said heading out the door, "I just hope the maids don't clean up the breadcrumbs or I'll really be in trouble."

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Joseph got to Clarisse's office at 8:20, just in case her meeting with the Prime Minister ended a little early. 10 minutes later the door opened and a man around 80 years old dressed in a suit came out and closed the door behind himself and was about to head down the hallway but stopped when he saw Joseph.

"Who are you?" The Prime Minister demanded, "I don't remember you being part of the staff?"

"Joseph Romero, I've been hired…" Joseph started, but the man interrupted him.

"Ah, yes, his Majesty was telling me about you." He studied Joseph for a moment and then nodded and smiled, "Yes, yes, I think you'll do." He said simply, patted Joe on the shoulder, turned and walked away.

"I'll do?" Joseph muttered to himself, "What the hell does that mean?"

Still wondering to himself, he knocked on the door, and hearing her say, "Come in" walked into the office and closed the door behind him.

Clarisse sat at her desk, signing her name at the bottom of some document, not looking up when he entered, "I'll be right with you." She said simply.

He stayed standing at the entrance and took the few moments before she finished what she was doing to study her and the room.

"Light blue suit, yesterday it was pale yellow, tea, fresh flowers, manicured nails, photos of her, the King and the Princes." His thoughts were interrupted when she put the paper away and looked up at him.

"He's wearing all black again, does he own anything with color?" She thought when she saw him but out loud she said, "Mr. Romero…"

"Joseph, ma'am."

"Joseph," She nodded smiling for the first time since he walked in, "please sit." She motioned for the chair across from her and he sat down. "I know you had a very long discussion with his Majesty yesterday, and he did tell me briefly about your plans for our new security system. Personally, I think much of it is unnecessary, I believe the term I've heard is 'overkill'."

Joseph held back a smirk, "With all due respect, your Majesty, this is not the world as it was 20 years ago, or even 5, for that matter, the system you have now is so old and outdated that anyone with even the slighted bit of security training could take the system down in a matter of minutes. I could do it in less than 30 seconds if I wanted to." She was about to object when he cut her off, "Your Majesty, if there is anyone out there for one reason or another, who would want to harm your husband, your sons or yourself, I'm afraid that they would probably succeed. There is no such thing as 'overkill' when it comes to the safety of one's family."

She was quiet for a minute and he knew he had hit a point by bringing her sons into the problem.
"In the end it doesn't matter what I think, his Majesty approves of your ideas and would like you to start with the updates as soon as possible." She got up from behind her desk and he rose as well. "As I have been asked to help you," He could tell from the way she said it that she thought she was more demanded, and not asked to help him. "I think it would be wise if we started right away. What is it that you plan to do first?"

"Before I begin to update a system I must first know everything about the area I am working with. I was given the floor plans to the palace, a very brief tour, and searched some of it this morning, but I have not had a chance to inspect the grounds yet."

She nodded and smiled, "Well the weather seems to be cooperating with you, it is a lovely day for a walk and I need to check on the gardens as well."

He nodded and followed her out of the office, staying a few steps behind her.

"What were you doing before you came here?"

"Taking a vacation and visiting some family. But I was working on another security update in Brussels last year."

"Is that all you do, update security systems?"

"I still get calls for some special operations missions, occasional bodyguard work for high-risk functions, but consulting on security issues is mainly what I've been doing for the past few years."

She nodded and continued walking in silence. She didn't know why but she seemed very at ease around him, something she'd never really felt around any other member of the security staff, except perhaps James, but she had known him for years. But the ease she felt was making her nervous, she almost laughed at how she could feel two completely opposite feelings at once.

Joe was once again studying her, James was right, she was 'The Queen', she might not have been born into royalty, but you certainly couldn't tell that by anything she did. The way she walked and held herself, every little gesture looked like it was perfectly choreographed so that everyone would immediately know that she was royalty. And yet, even though she was obviously of a higher class he could help but feel relaxed around her, like he didn't have to 'remember his place', like he had been reminded by several people he had guarded over the years. Oh, yes, he had made the mistake a few times over the years to forget that he was 'a commoner' who shouldn't try to make friends or even talk with the noble or royal people he was employed by. Sometimes the families were fine with him, but others were always quick to remind him of his place, not harshly, just firmly.

They finally reached the terrace doors and as they walked outside into the sun she asked him, "What would you like to see first, the gardens, stables, forest?"

"I think the gardens would be best. If it's alright with you, ma'am, I think it might be best to then go to the stables get two horses and ride through the forest."

She smiled, "That would be sensible, but I suggest then we have lunch before we go to the stables, that way I can change into my riding clothes as well."

He forgot that she wasn't dressed for riding, "Of course, your Majesty." He said nodding.

She turned and started walking towards the gardens, occasionally stopping to check on some of the flowers. Joseph, however, was making mental notes of where guards were stationed, how cameras were angled, and any spots that were hidden from one or both views.

Their walk through the gardens was quiet, neither saying much, but she'd occasionally ask a question or he would point out blind spots that needed a camera or guard stationed, or some other security matter. Several times she would sit down in a gazebo or on a bench and he would take a few minutes to admire the gardens without worrying about the security. Neither one uncomfortable with the silence or the other one's presence, and it seemed like only a short time before they had made their way around and through the entire gardens and were back at the terrace doors.

"I can't believe we spent almost 4 hours walking out here." She commented as they went inside, "I should be exhausted but somehow I'm not." In her mind she added to herself, 'probably because it's been the most relaxing time I've had in weeks.'

"The calmness and beauty of garden invigorates the even the most weary soul" Joseph stated simply as she looked at him in surprise. She smiled and was about to reply when a maid interrupted them.

"Excuse me, your Majesty, but lunch is ready."

"Thank you, Amelia, please have it sent to my suite, I will be there in a few minutes."

"Yes, ma'am." The maid curtsied and walked away.

Joseph turned to Clarisse, "Should I meet you at your suite at 1:30 to go to the stables?"

"That would give me enough time, yes, thank you."

Joe bowed his head, "Until then, your Majesty. Enjoy your lunch."

"You too, Joseph." She smiled as she turned to go to her suite.

Joseph smiled as he watched her go to her suite before turning around to find the kitchens. Both of them secretly looking forward to 1:30.

End Chapter 4

Ok so it's obvious that they're becoming fast friends, not really sure what's going to happen in the next chapter. It took me a bit longer to write this chapter then I thought it would because I really want to try and get Clarisse and Joe just right. Hopefully the next chapter will be up within a few days, but school's really crazy now so it could take me another week to finish the next part.