Confusion and Contentment

Clarisse and Joseph throughout the years. Their relationship is confusing at times for both of them. But they also can be very content to be together at other moments. Starting after the garden scene where Amelia learns that she in fact is the princess of Genovia. You will find a strong and confident Clarisse in my story. I assume that readers have a basic knowledge of the two princess diaries movies. I will just be writing on where scenes in the movie stops.

I don't know yet how far I will be taking this. This is my first fanfiction on this site and my first princess diaries story. But with maybe a 3rd movie coming up I could not stop thinking about our favourite couple. I am thinking forward for chapters yet to be written, so I have selected M as rating to be sure.

Clarisse and Joseph start off with a colleague relationship which is already good. Which can grow into something more than that. That seems to make more sense to me than two people being in love for years and years.

Although I like to play around with the characters, Princess Diaries is not mine. And I certainly do not make money with writing fanfiction. If that was the case I could stop working at the office.

And by the way, English is my second language. But of course, I will do my best to avoid grammar and spelling mistakes. I hope you like reading it.

1. At the consulate garden.

Joseph was confused and getting more irritated every passing second. While still in Genovia a week ago he already realised that the meeting Clarisse scheduled with her granddaughter would be interesting. But that he would be involved at any other level than that of head of security he would not have guessed. This was madness. Sure, he had fallen again for her charms and agreed with her suggestion after a few questions. And for sure the girl, Amelia was nice and sweet, and they would probably cope fine together. But how could Clarisse come up with this really? After what they had discussed yesterday?

But on the other hand… Ever since he could remember Clarisse had always been in for surprises. Good and bad ones, or both at the same time. Like that evening when she tried to escape from a dinner party by pretending she was about to faint. As if a strong woman like Clarisse would faint so easily… A small smile appeared around his mouth while remembering what had happened next. When he had escorted Clarisse safely back to the already waiting car, he had told her that she could stop pretending. She had miraculously recovered strait away and had asked to be driven back to the palace.

In time it had become an inside joke between them that he used to tease her with. When he had to do something that he did not like he told her that he could always pretend to faint… The thought at something that he did not like brought him back in the present time.

While thinking about the past Joseph had lost track of Clarisse's whereabouts for a second. But after a quick look around the garden he noticed that she already made it back inside the consulate. Getting more and more irritated about the change of his job description he started walking and sped up in order to catch up with her. If he did not talk with her now the opportunity of the first reaction would be lost.

During the flight to America Clarisse came to realise that Amelia probably needed some instruction. How to behave, walk, sit and talk like a princess. Even though she was excited about finally meeting her only granddaughter her focus has been the throne of Genovia.

But after meeting Amelia five minutes ago she knew that the biggest hurdle would be gaining Amelia's trust and dealing with the girl's confusion about this whole new situation. Her sons had been teenagers years ago and she had forgotten how insecure teenagers could be. She felt lost when it came to this subject. With her own boys she had been able to settle issues with love and patience. But she barely knew her granddaughter…

Being queen for half her life she always had to suppress her feelings and follow the rules of property while dealing with others. It was almost impossible to gain friends quickly. Real friends. Of course, there was a whole bunch of people wo called themselves her friends. But that were not the people who supported her when Rupert died… That were not the people who came to her with personal issues. Slightly panicking about the relationship with her granddaughter she realised that she should be very happy with her head of security.

Their relationship was one of the surprises that life came up with sometimes. Until Rupert's death Joseph had been a good employee, a very good one. But during her early mourning days he had been the one looking through the façade. It started with small gestures like an extra cup of tea on her desk. Clarisse was very happy that Joseph agreed to help her with Amelia.

At that same moment she hears Joseph call after her "Your majesty!" She turned to face him and stopped her musings about her granddaughter. "When I am to be a chauffeur and babysitter for the girl, I think it's a good idea to be clear about the expectations." He looked irritated and she did not understand why that was exactly. "Very well then" she replied. "Let's sit down for ten minutes and discuss whatever you have on your mind." Clarisse walked towards the queen's office at the end of the hallway with Joseph on her heels. While taking a seat behind the desk in her office Joseph closed the door.

"Clarisse" he started off immediately. "I will do as you asked and look out for your granddaughter, but you realise that I only can help her to a certain extent, do you? I mean, I can't help her becoming a princess. I can't teach her all about the country's history. She is a girl for heaven's sake, I don't know a thing about young girls. And besides I am not family! Even if she starts relying on me it doesn't make any sense at all."

She tried to interrupt his waterfall of words but that was a catalysator for Joseph who fell his frustration grow. He turned around facing the other wall in order to keep his emotions at bay and to not start shouting. At which he failed.

"WE TALKED ABOUT THIS JUST YESTERDAY! I am getting older, I must slow down with my activities and hand over the physical work to the younger guys. Stop taking those night shifts. Spare my knees! YOU AGREED! And now you burden met with extra responsibilities that are not even in the range of my job description! How can I rely on anything if you can't stick to a plan more than one day? I…"

Joseph stopped talking abruptly because he felt a female hand on each of his shoulders. This was new. They had touched of course. But it was always him making contact with Clarisse. Helping her out of a car, guiding her trough a mass of people with his hand on her back or holding her elbow.

"You are right I did not consider your personal wishes. It's just that I am confused as well. I turned to you because I know I can always rely on your support. I did not mean to be inconsiderate."

With that Joseph turned around to look Clarisse in the eye and because of the movement Clarisse took her hands of Josephs shoulders. Clarisse took a step back so that they were now a meter apart from each other. While Joseph continued looking annoyed Clarisse had a serious expression on her face.

"I don't exactly know how to continue from here. I do realise that I must be the one to get to know Amelia and to persuade her to accept the title. To prepare her and help her where I can. But I am not good at this." A pleading look showed on her face.

Josephs look turned cynical. "I am sure you can…"he started.

"No please let me finish."Clarisse interrupted.

"I am not the person to get to know people easily. You know me good enough to agree on that. And now after the death of Philippe I am even more distant than normal. It will take me months or even years before I have a good relationship with Amelia. Remember when we met for the first time? It took me months to see your good characteristics and much longer before we could talk on first name basis."

Grasping for breath she continued.

"But you on the other hand are very easy meeting new people and earning their trust. Please Joseph, you're are the only colleague that I can think of that can help me out. Will you please look after her and chauffeur her around?"

Joseph sighted and walked towards the balcony doors that where behind the queen's desk.

"You indeed are not very good at making new acquaintances" he said.

He heard her chuckle and he relaxed a bit. He was already ashamed for his shouting. It was as easy as one and one is two to realise that Clarisse would never ask something like this without a good reason. And after the support he got from her lately to tame his personal crisis he owed her something.

"I will do as I promised before in the garden. I will be the chauffeur and babysitter and if you wish a confidential person. But only for the time here in America. And this is the last time I am taking on extra work."

With that he smiled. Clarisse was content with that answer, so she came to stand next to Joseph to oversee the garden.

"Thank you, Joseph. I am happy to be able to rely on someone. With Rupert gone for some time now... You know how it is."

She paused a while before she continued.

"But Joseph…"He looked at her in response. "When we are back in Genovia you are taking a holiday. It's not normal you know. To start shouting like that."

The look that Joseph saw on the queen's face left no room for negotiation.

"It's all right to let your temper go every now and then. But you must realise that I still am your queen."

He turned his head quickly to the left to look at her face. What he found was a neutral expression by which it was hard to tell what she was thinking. At the point where he thought they were on the same page he was confused again.

It was months ago since she played the queen card on him. Since they had shared some private talks after the king's death their personal relationship had improved enormously. After the unforeseen death of prince Philippe, they started spending more and more time together. Long evenings of talking about joyful times and present grief.

It was not a one-sided relation in which the queen confided in him. The last two weeks he found that he could also rely on her. Joseph needed someone to talk to when his love life reached a bottom point. He became depressed when he realised that after having a few relationships he was again single, old and childless. His last girlfriend leaving the dinner table during their last date did not help to brush up his self-esteem. Clarisse helped him to put things in perspective, summed up a list of things that he did achieve and told him he could rely on her for help.

Most of the time when it considered work-related issues Clarisse asked him what he wanted. So, Joseph was clueless about her 'I am your boss' remark. After his initial surprise Joseph stared to feel confused.

Meanwhile Clarisse was struggling to keep her composure. But when Josephs face turned from surprised to shocked, she couldn't keep the smile from her face. When Joseph realised he was played at, he stated laughing. "I believed you for a second" he said relieved. "But you are right Clarisse. It's good that we can rely on each other. But at work it is also good to talk to each other about business and keep everyone on the edge."

With that he walked to the door with the words "I am off, using the afternoon to read some holiday brochures."

While moving up the stairs he realised that he was about to get to know the future queen of Genovia as good as he knew her grandmother.