Thank you aserene, Prettycrazy and RevSue for your reviews of chapter 8, and that you and everyone else who has sent me reviews for this fic because I love knowing that other people are enjoying my writing as much as I am!

Chapter 9

Rupert almost flinched at her tone of voice, but got up and sat next to her on the sofa before he started. "Well, James is planning on retiring sometime within the next 2 years."

"Yes, I know."

"Well he really doesn't feel confident that any of the men were ready to takeover the position."

When he didn't say anything for a few seconds Clarisse nodded in understanding, "Ah, so he chose Joseph to take over after him." She thought for a minute, "Well, it does make sense, since James spoke so highly of him and he has learned so much about the position already over these past few months."

"Exactly. And he seemed quite happy, actually. James thought it was because he'd actually have a permanent place somewhere now instead of constantly moving from one place to another depending on the job."

Clarisse nodded again, "But why couldn't you tell me this sooner…there's more isn't there?"

Rupert sighed, "Well, it will still be a while before he can take the job, and he can't just spend all his time following James around pretending to learn what he already knows. So, James and I figured that the best way was to have him act as Second-in-Charge." She nodded slowly and he continued, "Which means that he would now be in charge of security here while James is away with me…and he would also act as your bodyguard." He said the last part quietly, and looked at her, trying to judge her reaction.

"My bodyguard?" Clarisse repeated quietly, obviously thinking things over.

"Clarisse?" Rupert asked after a few minutes of silence, "Are you angry about this?"

"I…umm, I don't quite know." She said honestly.

"You don't know?"

"Well, on the one hand you know I hate being followed and looked after, I like my space and privacy…"

"And the other hand?"

"When you were gone, and even now when Joseph and I talk or walk in the gardens, I don't feel like my privacy or space is being invaded. I know that he's there to protect me, but he doesn't act like the others do. He talks with me…it's like he found a balance between guard and friend."

Rupert grinned, "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were going to run off with this guy."

Clarisse laughed and hit him lightly on the shoulder, "Oh, Rupert, stop it! You know what I mean. It's like when we first met, do you remember, even though I didn't know you I felt like I did."

Rupert nodded, "There's just a chemistry there that lets you feel at ease with him. That's good, Clarisse, you need to have more people that you can relax around. How many years have I been telling you that?"

Clarisse resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him, "I know."

"Just remember to invite me to the wedding." He joked before quickly moving away before she could swat at him again.

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"You knew from the beginning."

It was a statement more than a question, but he nodded anyway and said "Yes."

She was quiet again and he tried to judge her mood. The tone in which she spoke revealed nothing, nor did her posture or expression.

"You know my thoughts on having a bodyguard." Once again he nodded, thinking back to his first meeting with the King Rupert and James. She finally got up from behind her desk and walked over to where he was standing and looked him up and down before smiling and nodding, "Yes, I think you'll do."

Joseph creased his brow in confusion and then had a flashback to right before he met her, the Prime Minister had said the same think to him then.

Clarisse watched Joseph recognize where he'd heard that before, "Albert Gérard is my uncle, as well as Prime Minister. He told me about first meeting you and what he said."

Joseph nodded, "What did he mean, 'I'll do'?"

Clarisse laughed quietly for a second, "Apparently, when you first arrived, Rupert had told him that you were going to be my bodyguard. My uncle is known for being an excellent judge of character and a little bit protective of me. He told me he knew that you would be smart, charming, respectful…and even more stubborn than me, which is a good thing considering how I feel about having a bodyguard. He thinks you may actually last a while." She smiled as she waited for his reaction.

"So does that mean I have his stamp of approval?" Joe asked, trying to stop himself from grinning.

"For now. Of course, if something does happen to me, he'll probably try and have you killed. So don't get too cocky." She tried to hide her smile, knowing that Joe didn't know whether she was serious or not. "I suppose I should get back to work, it seems like a never ending stack of papers are always on my desk."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Joseph said, "And you and your uncle can rest assured that as long as I am here, no harm will come to you."

She smiled as he bowed his head and then left the office. "Yes," She thought to herself, "I think he will do."

End

Ok, I liked this chapter and the ending so I'm making this the end of the story. I was originally going to make this from the time Joe showed up to the beginning of the first movie, but I just really think this is the best place to end. If I get some inspiration later, maybe I'll make a sequel to kinda fill in the gaps between now and then, but I can't make any promises.

Hope you guys enjoyed this fic, cuz I know I liked writing it and hearing so many complements from you guys! Thank you again and I really hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!