Author's note: Here's the next chapter- and thank you to those who have encouraged me to keep writing this story. I wasn't sure after the second chapter, but now I'm really into it! Hope you are enjoying it- it's mainly from the perspective of Clarisse and Joe!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me- it belongs to Disney and Meg Cabot
"Clarisse? Clarisse?"
From far away, she heard a voice calling her name, and she fought her way through the darkness to where the voice was coming from. She slowly opened her eyes, and found herself lying flat out on their bed. She looked at the ceiling for a moment, before looking over to her right to see Joseph sitting close up to the bed, her hand in his. For an instant, she wondered why she was lying down, and why was Joseph looking at her with such concern- she didn't have the flu, and she was badly injured…
"Why am I lying here, Joseph?" she asked softly as she rolled onto her right side so she was facing him. He looked away for a moment, and then took her hands in his again.
"Mia…" he began slowly, as she suddenly remembered what had happened. Someone had told her that Mia had been kidnapped, and the world had spun around for a moment, before dissolving into black.
Joseph watched her face furrow into a frown- everyone had been shocked to see the usually composed and steady Queen faint- she hadn't even fainted when her son had been killed- but no one had realised how deeply she felt about Mia. After she collapsed, he had carried her into the bedroom while everyone else discreetly disappeared downstairs.
"Mia's missing," she said softly, almost to herself, before she slowly began easing herself up off the bed. Joe looked alarmed as she tried to sit on the side of the bed.
"I don't think that's such a good idea, darling…you've just had a very big shock…"
Clarisse gave him one of her iciest looks- and he remembered all too clearly from when she was angry- but it melted when she looked at him. She knew that he was trying to help her, but what she really needed at the moment was to know what was going on.
"Where are the police?" she asked as she took his arm and slowly stood up, leaning heavily on him for a moment as the room started spinning around again, but then quickly disappeared.
"They were down at the store, but now they're down in the library…they're having a meeting, and they asked me to attend, but I didn't want to leave you…"
"We can go down together," Clarisse said calmly as she gave herself the once over in a nearby mirror, smoothing down her ruffled hair and clothes, and walked out of the bedroom.
Joe followed behind, rather uneasily- despite her fainting turn, she was still so calm about the whole situation…but, then again, he had never known the former Queen to fall apart as soon as something terrible happened. But he also knew that when the shock finally hit her, it was going to knock her around…and he wanted to make sure that he was there when it happened.
"Joseph?" she asked, back to him, as she waited for him to open the main suite door for her.
"Yes, Clarisse?" he replied softly as he opened the door, and she stepped through, before he followed after her.
"Don't leave me," she finished quietly, and took his hand in hers as he stood by her side, ready to go to the library.
"There was nowhere else I was going to be," he said firmly, squeezing her hand gently. She gave him a small smile, before taking a deep breath and looking down the hall. Somewhere, down there, someone knew what had happened to her granddaughter.
"I guess we'd better go down there."
Everyone looked slightly surprised when Clarisse and Joseph walked into the room, hand in hand, but no one said a word- everyone knew of the close bond between grandmother and granddaughter, and that Clarisse would do anything to have her back. Apart from Lily, Nicholas, Charlotte, Shades and Sebastian, there were also two police officers present- one was older, and had a moustache, while the other was younger and clean shaven. Clarisse tried to think of their names- she had met them before- but her mind drew a complete blank.
They had all been sitting around the table, but Lily and Nicholas quickly stood up to make room for them. Joe held Clarisse's chair out for her, and sat down beside her, quickly retaking her hand.
"We found these in the alley near the shop," the older officer said calmly, as he passed Mia's favourite handbag to Clarisse, who nearly gasped.
It was a beautiful black leather bag- she had given it to Mia for her 20th birthday, and it had gone everywhere with her. This bag only confirmed the news she had been trying to deny- Mia was truly missing.
"Yes, this is her bag- I bought it for her birthday," Clarisse's voice shook slightly, but only Joe and Charlotte noticed.
"We tested for prints, but there were none on there, apart from Her Majesty's, so they weren't intending on mugging her. We also searched the bag, but nothing incriminating was found," the younger officer added as Clarisse slowly put her hand in and pulled out Mia's mobile phone.
She never went anywhere without her phone, she thought wryly as she continued pulling out items from Mia's bag. There wasn't much, only her lip gloss, her wallet and a smooth box with the jeweller's insignia on it.
"May I?" she looked toward the police, who nodded. She slowly opened the lid, and gasped when she saw the beautiful sapphire necklace and earrings. She didn't know where to look for a moment, but she felt Joe lean close to her for a moment, and murmur in her ear:
"She bought them for you for Christmas."
She kept her head down, blinking back tears hurriedly, and closed the lid of the box. Thankfully, the others were distracted by another police officer entering the room, and whispering to the officer in charge, which allowed Clarisse time to compose herself. Joseph squeezed her hand tightly- he could see that she was struggling with her emotions, but her reserved nature would soon calm her down…until later. She looked up when the officer cleared his throat and, sure enough, she was calm and composed.
"Well, it's just been confirmed- Her Majesty has been kidnapped, and we've just received a phone call saying that the ransom is….10 million dollars."
Just hearing the amount of money almost made Clarisse swoon again, but she took a deep breath, and the feeling passed.
"So now what do we do?" Nicholas, who had been sitting there quietly, stood up looking wild eyed. Everyone's eyes instantly turned to Clarisse, and Joe felt sorry for her- everyone was clearly relying on her to do the thinking, even when she was undergoing one of the most turbulent times of her life.
"Alright," Clarisse took a deep breath, back in control again, and looked around the table, stopping on particular people.
"Sebastian, I think we'd better call an emergency session of parliament. I will be stepping into Mia's shoes for now, won't I?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Lily and Nicholas, can you please help Charlotte and Sebastian do that? Next, can someone please call my press secretary and get her to prepare a press release as soon as possible to the media? I'm sure that they will be all over it soon enough."
"The police force will help you with that, Your Majesty," the older officer spoke up, and she nodded distractedly.
"Your Majesty," Shades began hesitantly, and Clarisse looked at him. "I think, for the time being, security is going to be a lot tighter around the palace, and with you. I'm sorry…"
"That's fine," Clarisse smiled briefly. "But, don't forget, I am married to the best in the business," she smiled over at Joseph. "And he won't let anything happen to me. And I…" she said, squeezing Joseph's hand tightly. "Must call her mother in San Francisco…"
She was not looking forward to that….but just having Joseph in the room, by her side, made her feel a little better.
"I wish I didn't have to do this, Joseph," Clarisse said quietly when they entered her private study, and she walked over to the phone waiting on the desk.
"You don't have to, you know. I could always tell her for you," Joseph said gently, putting an arm around her shoulders. She leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment, and sighed.
"No, it wouldn't be right. Helen deserves to hear it from me…but thank you for offering."
She sighed again, before steeling herself and sitting down in her chair, pulling the phone towards her. She waited a few moments after dialling- the international operator had to connect her to San Francisco….suddenly, someone picked up the phone.
"Hello?" came Helen Thermopolis O'Connell's cheerful voice. There was a slight pause as Clarisse tried to gather her thoughts.
"Hello? Is there anyone there?"
"Hello, Helen," Clarisse finally said, after a great deal of effort. "It's Clarisse."
"Clarisse?" Helen sounded momentarily surprised before her voice warmed up. "Hi Clarisse. How are you? It's been a long time since we've spoken on the phone…Is Mia getting up to mischief?"
She sounded amused and Clarisse hated to break her bubble, but she knew she had to dive in and tell her the news.
"Helen, I've had to call under difficult circumstances…" she began, still trying to work out what she was going to say.
"What's wrong? Is Mia alright?" There was now a note of panic and worry in Helen's voice- although the Queen usually sounded reserved on the phone in previous conversations, she thought that she sounded a little upset this time.
"There's no easy way to say this…"Clarisse continued, before taking a deep breath and diving in. "Mia has been kidnapped, and the ransom has been set for 10 million dollars."
There was a long silence on Helen's end of the phone and Clarisse, quietly panicking, wanted to hang up the face, but she looked up into Joseph's calm face, and felt stillness sweep over her.
"Helen, are you still there?" Clarisse asked cautiously, before she heard crying on the phone.
"I knew this could happen….I knew this could happen" was all Helen could say, and Clarisse herself was struggling to keep her own tears to herself. After a moment, Helen took an audibly shaky breath.
"What happened?"
"Mia, Lily and Nicholas were shopping down in Pyrus, there was some sort of explosion and…I believe impostors took her out the side entrance, while her security guards got Lily and Nicholas out the front way. She was well protected, Helen, I can assure you of that."
There was another pause as both women tried to get their thoughts together about Mia, and what had just happened.
"I will keep you up to date with the investigation if you wish…" Clarisse said hesitantly, before Helen interrupted her.
"Thank you Clarisse, but I think it would be better if we were there…" There was a brief pause. 'But thank you for contacting me before the press did."
"Helen, you are the mother of my granddaughter, who is Queen of Genovia. You were the first person who deserved to know this. I hope you have a safe trip to Genovia. Let Charlotte know when your plane is due, and I'll send a car to the airport."
"Thank you, Clarisse…I…appreciate it…" as she collapsed into tears again. It was her worst nightmare come true- her daughter had been kidnapped!
Clarisse sighed heavily as she replaced the receiver, and look up at Joseph half calmly and half tiredly.
"She took that very well, considering."
"What now, my dear?" He was still very concerned about her.
"Parliament should be waiting for me now…and yes, please come with me. I know you'll have to sit in the public gallery, but just having you there will be a great comfort."
"I know that, Clarisse," he said softly, taking her into his arms for a quick hug, and then offering his arm, which she accepted. It was hard to believe that, only that morning, all she had been worried about was what they were going to do that day.
The parliament session was very subdued- none of the current members had ever heard of a sovereign being kidnapped, let alone a pretty young Queen, 5 months into her reign. Clarisse felt slightly strange sitting back in the sovereign's chair but, she reminded herself, it wasn't going to be permanent.
"I'm sure His Excellency Prime Minister Motez has already informed you of the situation. I would just like to add that I am only stepping into the breach temporarily. As soon as Her Majesty is found and restored to her position, I will be happily stepping aside."
There was a slight pause before Sebastian Motez stepped into the void.
"If there is anyone here who could think of anyone that may hold a grudge against Her Majesty, or has any ideas of where she could be, I must ask that you inform the police as soon as possible."
"What about Viscount Mabrey?" one asked hesitantly, and both Clarisse and Sebastian instantly looked at each other.
"Yes…he was always causing trouble, and wanted his own nephew on the throne…" and the speaker glared at Nicholas, who was sitting in seat, his head hung, but he didn't seem to be listening to the conversation around him.
"I would like to point out that Lord Devereaux has had nothing to do with this, and he has my full confidence and support behind him," Clarisse stood up and stated clearly. All the mutterings and whispers instantly hushed down, as they all turned to look at the Queen and Prime Minister.
"Prime Minister Motez is about to hold a press conference with some of the press, in the media room. I would ask you all to please not comment to any questions you are asked regarding this matter, and that all questions be referred to the office of the Prime Minister."
"Why?" one foolhardy, but hardly young, parliamentarian dared to venture, and Clarisse turned to look at him with one of her iciest glares- only this time, she didn't melt one inch.
"Lord Podmore, in case you hadn't realised, Genovia's current Queen has been kidnapped. This is no time for rash actions, or silly attention schemes to gain your five minutes of fame. My granddaughter is missing, and I am acting regent until she is found and restored to her proper position. I warn you, and everyone else in this room, that if I hear one word that has not been sanctioned by the palace or the office of the Prime Minister, I will take a very dim view, and there may be possible consequences for those people."
She was now really angry- how dare they try and get their own five minutes of fame when there was virtually a national emergency on their hands?
"And I will not be pleased either," Sebastian added hastily- he could see that Her Majesty's emotions, for a moment, had gotten the best of her and, like Joseph, he didn't want her to lose it in front of parliament, particularly the select group who were still loyal to Viscount Mabrey.
"I think that will be all today- I will keep you informed on the situation," Sebastian added, and rapped his gavel, indicating that the session was finished.
"Are you alright?" Joseph asked her as soon he got near enough to her to take her hand. She smiled at him for a moment.
"I'm fine…I just got so angry at the thought of all these people trying to get their own five minutes of fame over Mia's kidnapping."
"Yes, I could literally see steam pouring out of your ears," he teased gently as they walked upstairs. Clarisse couldn't bear attending the press conference, so they were going to watch it, live, via the television in their suite.
However, she didn't seem to hear his joke as they walked past Mia's suite- they were only three doors down from her. It was hard not to walk into the room, as she had always done, and see Mia there, chatting to Lily, working at her desk, or trying on new clothes. Joseph squeezed her hand understandingly as they walked silently past it, and then into their suite where Charlotte, Lily and Nicholas were waiting.
Neither Lily nor Nicholas looked up when they came in, and Clarisse made a mental note to speak to them afterwards.
"The press conference should be about to start," Charlotte said, switching on the television as Clarisse and Joe sat, side by side, on the couch. At the sound of Sebastian's voice, both Lily and Nicholas looked up.
"It is with much regret that I wish to inform the people of Genovia that Her Majesty Queen Amelia Renaldi has been kidnapped. She was kidnapped this afternoon in the main square of Pyrus, and has not been seen since. We have received a letter indicating that the kidnappers want $10 million in exchange for Her Majesty, and the palace is working in conjunction with the police to work on that."
Sebastian finished what he was saying, and instantly there were a heap of voices badgering him, or the Chief of Police, for more details.
"I am so glad I am not down there," Clarisse said softly as she watched both men try to answer as many questions as they could.
"If the chief of police is here, then where are the other police looking?" came from Nicholas, and they all looked over at him. "I know that they are here in the palace, but where else are they looking for her?"
"There are no suspects as yet, Nicholas," Joseph began calmly, before Clarisse interrupted him.
"Nicholas, Lily," she rose from her seat and walked over to where they were huddled, and sat down in the chair opposite them. "Look at me."
Reluctantly, they both looked at Clarisse- Lily's eyes were red rimmed, and Nicholas was in genuine anguish, and Clarisse felt appreciative of their obviously deep feelings for her Mia.
"I just want to tell you that I am so grateful that you two were with her when this happened…I know that you were separated when the explosion occurred, but I'm still glad that you waited to see if she would come around to the front. I can see that you both care very deeply about Mia, and I want you to stop feeling guilty about her kidnapping. There was nothing you could have done, and you did the right thing by checking to see if she was here."
She leaned forward and took each of their hands in hers.
"She is going to be alright, I know she is, and I don't want you two to ever feel guilty about today. It wasn't your fault."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," they said in unison, and their features visibly relaxed after Clarisse had spoken. They had both been worried that Clarisse would blame them for taking her out shopping, and then managing to be separated from her.
From the other side of the room, Joseph was feeling proud- it was obvious that the young people had felt guilty and, despite her own anguish (no matter how deeply hidden it was), Clarisse had sensed that and spoke to them about it.
"The press conference is over," Charlotte said quietly as the five of them stared at the floor for a moment. Clarisse shook her head, and then looked at Charlotte.
"What now, Charlotte?"
"Everything is done, Clarisse," Joe spoke up instead of Charlotte. "Now all we can do is wait."
