Author's Note: Thank you for all those who are reviewing… Captain Weirdo, Poppinswannabe, tabby-fanny, Diva4Life and anyone else who reads it… you all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me…

Despite several requests for her to sing again, Clarisse declined all of them, more than happy to remain seated, sipping her wine and looking around again. She found the man who had winked at her, but she quickly looked away before he could grin at her again. She had had plenty of men try to flirt with her over the years, but she hadn't particularly liked it… and she most definitely didn't like it now that she was married to Joseph…

She had to admit, as she looked around the darkened room again, it was amusing to watch people staggering around, clearly drunk, but she also couldn't really understand the attraction for them, or why Mia seemed to spend a great deal of clubs while at college… it was rather boring…

Joseph, meanwhile, was grinning to himself while proudly holding Clarisse's hand under the table - he still couldn't believe BJ had backed out of a dare- he was usually such a risk taker, and joker… He couldn't wait to tease him (and continue to tease him about it for a long time), but he was more interested in telling Clarisse that he was proud of her…

He glanced over at her, and smiled when he saw her hand cover her mouth- a clear sign she was trying to stifle yawn, and realised she was either tired or bored, before he leaned over to say, loudly: "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she almost shouted back to him, smiling and not wishing to admit that the loud music was starting to hurt her ears.

"Liar," he accused with an impish smile "Did you want to leave?"

"I…I… yes please," Clarisse said, and Joseph leaned over to speak to BJ, who nodded and stood up quickly, much to Clarisse's relief….

000

Joseph managed not to say anything to BJ on the way back to his place, but as soon as he and Clarisse were alone, the bedroom door closed, he burst out laughing, causing Clarisse to turn and look at him with a mixture of amusement and confusion.

"What's so amusing?" she inquired, although she suspected she knew.

"I just can't believe that you, my lovely lady and my wife, made my brother, the original prankster, back out of doing something he dared YOU to do… you are the smart one, and I'm so proud of you!"

He spun her around and kissed her lovingly on the lips, his hands fiddling with the zip on her dress.

"Proud of me… or proud that your brother didn't do it, but I did?" she pulled away slightly, giving him a knowing smile, and he chuckled sheepishly.

"Alright, maybe I'm a little smug that neither BJ nor I could do, but I am more proud of you than anything!"

"I honestly thought he would go through it," Clarisse admitted as she sat down on the edge of the bed and kicked off her shoes. "He seemed so confident… yes, I know I usually don't approve of gambling, but he just rubbed me up the wrong way… that, and I was feeling rather mischievous after he needled all the way through dinner!" she added with an indignant note in her voice.

"Oh, so you were trying to get even with BJ?" he smiled understandingly down at her before joining her on the bed. "That was very sweet of you, darling, but you should know that BJ and I have always had a semi competitive relationship, always teasing each other… he was a boring courtroom lawyer while I…" he puffed out his chest, looking smug, and Clarisse couldn't help but laugh.

"I was the glamorous Head of Security to the Queen of Genovia, willing to take a bullet for her…"

Clarisse stopped mid laugh, looking horrified at the thought of her beloved Joseph taking a bullet for her, before she realised that it was now an impossibility- he was guarded himself now, rather than being a guard.

"But anyway," Joseph continued. "We've always paid each other out, ever since we were little, so we're fairly well practiced…"

"How many times did you get jokes from him in reference to 'The Bodyguard'?" she asked, and he grinned.

"Quite a few times…" before he stopped and stared at her in slight surprise. "How did you know about that movie?"

Clarisse blushed and looked down at her hands for a moment, embarrassed.

"It was always one of my favourite movies… especially the song…"

"Oh, and the part where he carried her out of the club in his arms?" he teased, and she blushed even more, not quite sure she would ever admit that that scene was one of her fantasies, before he decided to save her the embarrassment.

"I don't know about you, but that scene was one of my favourites too, and I wanted to do that on more than one occasion- especially when Rupert was being especially cruel to you," he said seriously, before smiling as his hands reached behind her and he slowly began to unzip her dress, it slowly slipping off her shoulders.

"So," he breathed as he leaned over to nuzzle her neck, his hands gently massaging her shoulders. "Will you be doing karaoke again?"

"No, I don't think so," she said seriously. "I think I may retire from the professional karaoke circuit while I'm still on top!" she grinned at him as he shrugged off his jacket and she ran her hands down his shirt covered chest. She hadn't thought she would do it again, but she had enjoyed it, but she was also serious about not doing it again- it attracted too much attention, and she wanted to live quietly.

"But," she continued, her hands pausing on the middle button of his shirt. "I just remembered- someone at the bar was trying to be friendly…"

"Oh?" Joseph stopped his massage, and looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "What happened?"

"Someone just winked at me… a man with a beard, and it was strange…" she blushed, not wanting to make him angry, yet wanting him to know the truth- she couldn't keep any secrets from him. "I didn't encourage him, Joseph, and I didn't like it," she added hastily, and he chuckled as he squeezed her hand warmly.

"I don't ever need to worry about you in that way, my love… Besides," he added with a sly smile. "It goes to show that other men can recognise a beautiful, charming woman," he laughed, and she looked relieved, before he added quickly: "Not that I would ever encourage any man to flirt with my wife, and I'm glad you didn't tell me about him at the club…" but he was smiling, despite the ominous words, before sighing happily.

"Now that we've got that sorted out," he gave her a significant look, and she chuckled softly, understanding him completely. "… There's something else that needs to be discussed…"

"Oh?" she asked innocently, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned back on her elbows. "What did you have in mind?"

00000

Before they flew back to Genovia the following afternoon, Julie came by with a set of photographs from the christening for Clarisse.

"I figured that, since you were in most of them, you deserved to have a set," she explained.

"That's really very thoughtful of you," Clarisse said with a lovely smile as she looked at each picture, passing them to Joseph as she went. As Julie had said, she was in many of them, usually holding the baby, although there was also a lovely one of her and Joseph…

"Before you decided to try and drink your brother under the table," Clarisse said quietly, so quietly that only Joseph could have heard her, and he grinned over at her before Julie broke the moment with a cheeky grin at Clarisse.

"By the way, I heard that you outsmarted my father last night at karaoke…" and Clarisse felt her cheeks burn. "I can't believe my own father was too scared to do karaoke… He usually does anything!"

"It wasn't that he was too scared to do it," Clarisse said fairly. "It's just it's nothing something everyone wants to do, and I honestly don't blame him for not going through with it. I can tell you that I'm not doing it again."

"That's my Clarisse for you," Joe joked, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Always fair to a fault…"

"I guess I can't help that… I always had to see both sides of the issue, and I can't get out of the habit," Clarisse said with a charming smile, before she pretended to look insulted at Joseph. "Besides, I thought that you were attracted to my sense of fairness?"

"I was, but you can't be fair to me and my brother!" he retorted, but Clarisse knew he was joking.

After Julie left, it was time to go, and BJ and Lynn took them to the airport again, BJ trying to give Clarisse the money again, but she again turned him down with a gracious smile, saying:

"It was fun doing karaoke again, but…" before BJ interrupted her.

"Again?" he raised an eyebrow, and Joe had to chuckle sheepishly.

"Yes, Clarisse has actually done karaoke several times before- at Mia's 18th, her wedding shower and when we went to visit James last year…"

"I see," BJ sounded displeased, but he was grinning from ear to ear. "I guest it just goes to show that even the quietest, most ladylike of women have hidden talents!" and Clarisse couldn't help but blush.

"Thank you… but I don't think I'll be singing again in public- I'm going out on top," she replied with a modest smile.

"My wife with the big ego!" Joseph quickly responded, but he smiled over at her happily.

000

When they arrived back in Genovia a couple of hours later, they were picked up by their personal security team, and headed back to the beach house, having decided that, since Nicholas and Mia were away on a state visit, they had no reason to call in at the palace.

He would never admit it to anyone, but Joseph was glad that he wasn't driving this time, as his back was hurting badly. He had had to keep shifting positions while on the plane, and the car trip was no different, although he hid it well from Clarisse. He had had twinges over the past week, but he had ignored it, and the pain had only gotten worse. Obviously, sleeping on a narrow antique sofa wasn't such a sensible idea, he concluded to himself with a grimace.

"It's so nice to be going home," Clarisse suddenly turned to him with a warm smile, always loving to use the word 'home- and he quickly switched his expression from one of pain to a responding warm smile so she wouldn't suspect a thing.

When they arrived back, Clarisse almost skipped up to unlock the front door while Joseph unloaded their luggage. She was about to open the door when she heard Joseph groan, and she turned to see him drop the suitcases and bend over, a look of pain on his face. For a moment, she was frozen to the spot, terrified that he was having a heart attack… she couldn't bear to lose him… before she sprung into action- he needed her.

"Sweetheart!" she cried, the keys still hanging in the door as she ran down to where he was hunched over. "Are you alright?"

"My back is killing me," his face was contorted in pain. "I don't think I can move very much… I think I must have hurt myself sleeping on that couch after Sean's christening…"

"Oh darling," Clarisse cried sympathetically. "Let's get you into the house…" she wrapped one of his arms around her neck, but he pulled away with a definite shake of the head.

"No, I'm too heavy for you," he chided gently, waving awkwardly behind him, and two of the security detail came up and helped him into the house, Clarisse hot on their heels, while the other guard brought in their luggage.

Joseph slowly sat down on the soft couch with a groan, before stretching out lengthways on it."Thanks guys."

"Do you want anything- a heat pack, an icepack, a doctor?" Clarisse asked anxiously, hovering around until he took her hand and forced her to sit on the edge of the couch.

"Clarisse, I'm alright," he smiled reassuringly at her. "I'm just going to have to stay off my feet and back for a few days…"

"So we might be sleeping apart for the next few days?" she teased, but stopped smiling when Joseph looked at her stonily- her joke hadn't been well received.

"Could you bring me a heat pack?" he finally asked.

"Of course, my love," Clarisse said in a small voice, somewhat chastened by his lack of humour, before hurrying into the kitchen.

000

Later that evening, after unpacking, preparing dinner, washing up and making up the fold out couch for him, Clarisse poked her head into the living room where Joseph was stretched out on it, watching television.

"Do you need anything?" she inquired.

"No, I'm fine," he replied, feeling guilty that she had done everything since they'd returned, and sad that, for the first time in a long time, they would be sleeping apart. He loved sharing a bed with his wife, and he loved their physical closeness… waking up early in the morning, watching her sleep curled up next to him, her deep breathing, wondering what she dreamt about…

"But what are you doing now?"

"You'll find out soon enough," she replied with a mysterious smile. "I'm going to have a shower- I'll be back in 20 minutes."

Twenty minutes later, he heard her soft footsteps on the stairs, and she stepped into the room wearing her nightgown, and holding two pillows and an extra blanket.

"What are you doing now?" he asked, switching off the television and watching her put the pillows on the empty side of the bed, and stretched out next to him, giving her a smug smile.

"I could see that you weren't happy with the sleeping arrangements, so… you don't want to sleep in an empty bed, and… neither do I," she said quietly, leaning against his pyjama shirt, and he chuckled, very touched at her confession, but he also wanted to make sure that she knew what she was doing.

"You do realise that it's a sofa bed?"

"I don't care about that, darling, just as long as you and I are together," she replied, snuggling closer to him, before she realised that she could be hurting him. "Am I hurting you?"

"No, my darling, you aren't hurting me," he said firmly, pulling her closer- he may have been in a lot of pain, despite the aspirin and the ointment Clarisse had rubbed into the small of his back, but he wanted Clarisse next to him.

"I'm sorry to be such a burden," he said quietly, and she didn't hesitate to reach over and rest his hand on her cheek, glaring at him.

"You are NOT a burden, Joseph Bonnell, and I don't want to hear you saying that again- I love taking care of you!"

"Thank you," he said softly, still feeling guilty- his back hadn't been this agonising in years, but he hated relying on Clarisse- he was supposed to take care of her. "But, are you sure…"

"No more 'are you sures' or I will really think you want me to go back upstairs!" she gave him a small smile. "I'm more than happy to sleep on a bed that, in the day time, is a sofa… just as long as it's not a permanent arrangement!"

"I don't think so… this bed is reasonably comfortable- especially for any extra guests we may have…"

"Oh, so you have no intention of giving your bed up for them?" she teased with an amused look.

"No, I have no intention of giving up OUR" (he heavily emphasised the word 'our') "Bed… but, before you interrupted me, I was going to say that I much prefer the bed upstairs!"

She laughed at his comment, knowing he had slept on far worse mattresses over the years, but it wasn't the bed that mattered to him…

They lay there in the dark for a moment, listening to ocean crashing on the sand for a moment, before Joseph spoke again.

"So… Mia's birthday is in a few days…23… I wonder what we're going to do when she's 40!"

"40!" Clarisse laughed out loud. "I'm not even thinking that far ahead… do you think we should get something else to go with that other present?"

"If you feel we should, although I think that Mia isn't really going to care what she gets… it's a present from you, so that's what matters."

"Us," Clarisse corrected with a smile. "I know, but it's just so hard to buy for a Queen…"

"Tell me about it," Joseph muttered with a grin, and he knew she was giving him a look.

"Anyway, 23 might not be considered as special as 16, 18 or 21, but it's still a memorable occasion," she said thoughtfully.

"What happened on your 23rd birthday then?" he mocked slightly.

"I found out I was pregnant," Clarisse said simply, sitting up.

"Wha-at?" Joseph asked in surprise, turning on the lamp beside him, and slowly turning on his side to look at her. "Why didn't you ever tell about that?"

"I don't know," Clarisse said quietly. "I only just remembered… besides," she added with a shy smile. "You really wouldn't have wanted to hear about the time I discovered I was expecting Rupert's child… it would have been too strange for both of us…"

"Yes, it might have been," Joseph agreed. "But those boys are much yours as they are Rupert's, and that's never going to change… and I would still like to hear about it…"

"If you're really sure," she smiled at him. "You really want to know?"

"Yes, I do- it was a very important part of your life… so tell me!"

************************

There were two things young Clarisse Renaldi, Princess of Genovia realised when woke up early on a cool October morning at the palace… one, that it was her birthday, and two… she needed to throw up…

When she emerged from the bathroom, shaken and feeling only a little better, she was surprised to see Rupert standing in the middle of the living room, 3 year old Pierre at his side.

"Hello birthday girl," Rupert smiled at her warmly as she walked towards them, and he leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. "I thought I would come and see you before I go into meetings all morning and Pierre insisted on coming too."


"Happy birthday, Mama," Pierre said in a polite voice, gazing up at her with big blue eyes, exactly like hers, and a shy smile.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Clarisse kneeled down onto the floor next to him, with open arms, and he toddled into them with no hesitation.

"This is for you," Pierre said suddenly, putting a piece of paper in her hand as he pulled away. "It's a picture of the palace… and us riding horses," he said solemnly.

"Thank you, Pierre," his mother replied, again marvelling at how coherent he was a three, before giving him a kiss on the cheek and looking at the picture. "This is lovely!"


She stood up again, the world spinning slightly, and she sincerely hoped she wasn't going to be sick again, before she realised that Rupert was looking at her thoughtfully.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You know, you look rather green, Clarisse- are you alright?"

"I don't think you should tell your wife that she looks green on her birthday," she chided, a tinge of sarcasm in her voice, but Rupert wasn't at all fazed.

"No, I'm serious Clarisse- you don't look very well… are you alright?"

The concern in his voice touched her, and she decided to confide him just this once.


"Actually, I've been feeling a little off colour lately.. I thought it was a stomach bug, but it hasn't seemed to have gone away… so the doctor is coming this morning to give me an examination."

"Good- and will you let me know what the doctor says? I should be out of my meetings about lunchtime…"


"Of course," Clarisse replied quietly, touched that he had come to see her on her birthday, and that he seemed worried about her health… maybe their marriage did have a chance, after all… She hadn't been sure, but she could be right…

0

"Well Clarisse, you're fine," Dr Singer, her personal physician, said as he closed his case and looked over to the couch, where she was sitting. She had to smile at his kind tone- when he first began treating her (Rupert had his own doctor, and Pierre had his paediatrician), he had been so formal and stiff, until she had insisted he call her 'Clarisse'.

"Thank you John," she said, relieved. "I'm glad there's nothing wrong with me…"

"Well, there is something I need to tell you…"

"What?" Clarisse looked alarmed- she might not necessarily be very happy with her marriage or being the future Queen of Genovia (although she had accepted it as her duty), but she also didn't want to die…

"Relax Clarisse, it's nothing serious," the doctor smiled at her gently. "It's just that you're going to have a baby."


Clarisse stared at him in stunned silence for a moment- she was pregnant? It seemed only a few months ago that she had finally convinced Rupert to have another baby, and not it was going to happen…

"Clarisse… are you alright?" the doctor was a little worried at her silence, and she quickly smiled at him.

"I'm fine… I'm…" her eyes filled with tears. "…I'm just so happy… I'm going to have a baby," she repeated to herself delightedly… maybe there WAS hope for her marriage…

******************

"Wow," Joseph said softly when Clarisse finished, and he watched her carefully- she had a faraway look in her eyes, and a tiny tear was sliding down her cheek. He was not only moved by her story, but he also comprehended that, if Rupert had given them a chance, their marriage really could have worked. "It really was a birthday to remember…"

"Yes it was," Clarisse pulled herself out of the memory with a smile, realising that Joseph was next to her.

"How did Rupert take the news?"

"He was pleased… more for me than anything… but I think he had come round to the idea of a second child, and although I think he wanted a daughter, I wouldn't have swapped Phillipe for anything in the world…" she sobered up after a moment. "You know what happened after that…"

Yes, Joseph did know- there were other things that she barely brushed on, but had been spoken about, if briefly- she had a fairly difficult pregnancy, and had to go into confinement 2 months early, and her hopes for solidifying her marriage were shattered once it was discovered that Rupert had taken advantage of her numerous absences to have plenty of flirtations… It was, simultaneously, the happiest ahd the most difficult time of her life, and she didn't talk about it all that much.

"What are you thinking about?" he suddenly heard her ask, and he turned to see her watching him carefully.

"I was just thinking that… judging by that tender moment between you and him… your marriage could have really taken off."

"It could have," Clarisse said pensively, looking at the blank television screen for a moment, and then back at him. "I had hoped that, but… in retrospect, despite a few tender moments we had, we really were too different- he loved work and women too much, and I was too quiet and shy for him… it really, really hurt when I realised it wasn't going to work as I thought it would, but then you came along…" she smiled radiantly over at him. "And life was worth living again…"

"I hope the boys made it worthwhile before," Joseph said, a little horrified at her admission.

"Oh, they did… but when you were around, and it was obvious that you cared about me, Clarisse (not the Queen), I realised life could be very sweet again…"

"I'm not sure I appreciate being called sweet," Joseph replied in a teasing tone. "But if you think I am…"

"I do- sweet, cute, handsome, sexy…"

"Alright, alright, I get it!" he laughed. "It's just as well I don't have a big ego…"

"It's just as well you don't, otherwise I would never have fallen for you…"

"But yes, I did care about the Queen, but I was more intrigued about the person behind the crown, and that's who I wanted to know… and I'm glad I did, as she 's the one I fell in love with and whom I love dearly…"

She blushed slightly, looking down at her blanket covered lap, before changing the subject.

What about you?" she asked pointedly, looking at him with a sly smile on her face. "What were you doing when you were 23?"

"It certainly wasn't as memorable as when you were 23, but I do remember that, around that time, I had finished college, and wondering what I was going to do next… I think I was thinking about the navy… but then I decided to look into becoming a bodyguard… I could have been guarding someone famous… Little did I know that I would become the Head of Security for the most powerful woman in Genovia, and then marry her!" he smiled tenderly at her.

"Oh ho, so now I know why you were really attracted to me," Clarisse teased with a pout. "Not my character, my looks or charm, but… my supposed power!"

"That's right kiddo!" he replied lightly, and she chuckled as she leaned on his shoulder before he turned back onto his back, causing Clarisse to ask immediately:

"Are you alright?" She hadn't seen his expression, but she could almost sense the wince on his face. "Did you want the heat pack again?"

"No, my dear, I'll be alright… I'm just a little uncomfortable…"

"More like in pain," Clarisse said in a motherly tone, rubbing his arm soothingly. "Anyway, I'm going to call your chiropractor in the morning and make an emergency appointment… Don't you dare say anything to contradict me, Joseph Bonnell… I need you to help me in the garden!"

"Fine, fine, fine," Joe acquiesced grumpily, although he had to admit a visit to his chiropractor was a good idea- he was usually was an active man, and the thought of him spending time prostrated on the couch was driving him crazy…

00000

The next day, Clarisse was very lucky to get him an appointment for that morning, much to Joseph's relief- he had spent an uncomfortable night, barely sleeping at all, and he had tried not to disturb Clarisse, but she had been well aware of his pain, and stayed awake with him. He had tried to convince her to stay at the beach house earlier that morning (heavily guarded, of course), but she had insisted on accompanying him.

"I wanted to come with you, Joseph- not only because I hate to see you in pain (and know that you hate being lazy), but I need to finish getting Mia's present!"

"Thank you," he said sheepishly, but he was glad that she had come with him.

While Joseph was at the chiropractor, Clarisse, accompanied by two of the four security men, strolled down the main street of Pyrus, unfazed by the few stares she was attracting, to the best jewellery stores in the country. They had already got Mia a red leather designer handbag, and she wanted something else to go with it.

"Good morning, Your… madam," the owner amended quickly when she looked at him, unimpressed. "How can I help you this morning?" he gave her a fake bright smile, but it didn't bother her- she had received plenty of them over the years, but there was only one person's smile she wanted, and it was ALWAYS genuine.

"I'm looking for a pair of earrings for my granddaughter… In silver…"

It took her a little while to choose from the selection he laid out, but she was pleased when she finally left the store and walked towards the café she and Joseph had agreed to meet at.

While she was waiting, seated at an inside table with her two guards and a cup of tea, she watched people walking outside, enjoying her anonymity… She wasn't exactly anonymous, she said to herself- everyone knew who she was but, unlike when she was Queen and permanently 'on display', the people seemed to know and accept that she deserved and wanted a normal life, without being gawked at or harassed… although there were times when she had to be 'on display' still, but Joseph was with her, as her husband…

Just then, she spied Joseph walking across the square towards the café, and she smiled happily- instead of the hunched, almost shuffling figure that she had seen disappear into the medical centre an hour before, there was Joseph, back to normal, smiling and pain free…

"All it took was some manipulation in my lower back… and I'm back to normal!" he grinned as he sat down opposite her (their four guards retreating to a table a little way away), and ordered a coffee from the hovering waiter. "I just had to promise that I would never sleep on a narrow, antique sofa again! But, on the upside, I can help you in the garden again!"

"Oh no, no, no," Clarisse shook her head definitely. "You are not doing any more of that physical activity for my garden- you are now in charge of supervising me!"

"We'll see about that," was all Joseph said- his wife could be stubborn, but he was even more son. "So, did you manage to find something else for Mia?"

"Yes, a lovely pair of earrings, but I'll show you later."

"Our Mia really has come a long way, hasn't she?" Joe said after he took a sip of coffee, and Clarisse had to smile tenderly at the use of 'our Mia'- she may not have been his actual granddaughter, but he had been more of a reliable, steady influence than her own grandfather would have been. "I'm very proud of her."

"So am I," she said with a smile, remembering almost 24 years back when Phillipe had done something that could have been disastrous… but, instead, it had been the making of both Phillipe and Genovia….

******************

It was a warm June day, the air conditioning turned on half way, but Clarisse was unaware of all distractions as she furiously signed papers- Rupert needed them by the end of the day- but, although she was physically involved in reading and signing papers for parliament, but her mind was elsewhere… as it had been for nearly a year…

The past eleven months had been the worst in her life, and it hadn't been for ill health or Rupert's infidelities (although that had escalated alarmingly) that had caused a great deal of tension in the palace… Instead, it had been Phillipe, her favourite, her baby, who had cause it all, and cause her so much pain… who would have thought… just by getting married to a young, half Greek student in a civil ceremony in San Francisco in October…

The news had come in via telegram, around Clarisse's birthday and Clarisse had, for a moment, been worried that Rupert would have had a stroke, before he exploded, turning his rage on her…

"This is your entire fault!" he bellowed at her. "If you hadn't coddled him, agreed to send him to college in America…"


It had been the worst argument they had ever had, and Clarisse was still recovering from his bitter words, while containing her own anger and disappointment, a few hours later when she heard a knock on the door, and in arrived Joseph.

"You wished to see me, ma'am?" he inquired as she lifted her head off her desk to look into the warm, comforting eyes of Joseph…

"Yes, please come in Joseph," she said wearily, her mask of calmness sliding into place. Even for Joseph, her friend, she couldn't bear to show how she felt.

"His Royal Highness…" she could barely say his title, she was that upset with him. "Will be arriving in Genovia in a few days, and you will be guarding them… just until things settle down again."

He watched her carefully- she was avoiding his eye line, and was fidgeting terribly, but he could tell that she was furious, hurt and disappointed at her son, and while he didn't want to see her lose it, he also knew he couldn't do what she had requested… or, rather, demanded.

"No," he said simply, and his response was enough to cause her to look directly at him, her dark blue eyes suddenly turning darker.

"Excuse me?" she asked icily as she glared at him, not believing that he was daring to decline her request.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do what you asked." Even he knew he couldn't press the point when she was so angry.

"Why not? You are my Head of Security, are you not?" her voice was dripping with sarcasm and disdain, and she slowly stood up to gaze at him, but still he was unmoved.

"Yes I am… YOUR Head of Security- I guard you, and no one else."


"But I would like you to look after the Crown Prince…" she tried to make her voice sweet again, but Joe was on his guard, and he knew that she was ready to explode, not at him, but at what had happened…

"I know you would, but I'm looking after you and no one else," he repeated, and her eyes were beginning to smoulder with rage.

"Joseph Bonnell," she began in clear, but angry, voice. "You may be MY Head of Security, but I am your Queen, and…"

"We have already arranged a team for him," Joseph said smoothly, infuriating her even more as he turned and walked towards the door. "I will be very happy to discuss it with you sometime…"

He half expected her to begin shouting at him, as she had at many other times when they fought (usually when Rupert was away and usually ended in kisses), or throw something, but this time was different…

"Wait," he heard her say quietly, and he turned to see her sitting down at her desk again, looking tired and defeated. "I'm sorry Joseph."
"You don't need to apologise to me," he said gently, walking back towards her.

"I do- you're my friend, and I've been absolutely dreadful to you lately."

"You've just had a massive shock, and you need time to deal with it."

"I know, but I don't think I can do that yet," she said, her eyes oddly blank yet somewhat softer. "I've got to try and look at him and her… and not feel so hurt and betrayed…"

"He didn't betray you, Clarisse."

"Then why do I feel like he did?" she asked unhappily, unshed tears in her eyes as she looked at him, before resting her head in her arms on her desk and beginning to cry softly.

He didn't hesitate to walk around to the other side of the desk, and rub her shoulders soothingly- there was nothing he had to do or say… just simply be there…

0

The ensuing months were just as difficult- Helen, Phillipe's bride, was quiet and shy, although she did make an effort to become involved in Phillipe's life, although it was made harder when, 3 months after the wedding, it was discovered she was expecting. Clarisse, while already disapproving of the relationship between Phillipe and Helen (he was too outgoing, and she was very shy), was ecstatic about becoming a grandmother, although she only confided her excitement to Joseph.

"Tell him," he urged her as they strolled around her garden. "He may have done something impulsive and youthful (yes, and selfish), but he was in love, and he still worships you…"

"I know," Clarisse said wistfully. "I am trying, but…"

"I know it's hard to forget what he did, but it's getting better,

"Alright... I can't wait to be a grandmother… Pierre is never going to give me any, and I know Phillipe is going to be a great father…"

"So… tell him!"


Phillipe had been happy when she had told him her feelings, and their relationship was almost back to normal, but things weren't still right at the palace- Rupert was almost incandescent with rage against his youngest son, and he barely acknowledged Helen… Clarisse didn't approve, but she at least tried her best....

Now, it was almost nine months since Phillipe had announced he and Helen were having a child, and she was tired… things had barely improved since then, and she wasn't sure if anything would be the same again…Thankfully, however, Joseph, loyal, sweet Joseph, had never faltered in his loyalty and devotion to her… it was her or nothing… she was glad he only wanted to guard her… and be her friend…

There was a gentle knock on the door, and she looked up to see Joseph coming into the room.

"Joseph!" her face broke into a genuine smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came to check on you, and see what you were up to…"

"Nothing much," Clarisse sighed, setting down her pen and resting her hands on the desk. "Just signing a few more papers for Rupert… he needs these by the end of the day…"

"Have you had a break at all?" he asked in concern.

"No… I've been here since seven," she admitted with a sigh- it wasn't that she wanted to be there, and she couldn't lie to Joseph, but it was to fill in time…

"Right," he said decisively, reaching out and taking her hand in his. "You and I are going out to the garden!"


"Really?" she smiled, but she was more than a little grateful that he was taking the initiative and taking her outside… she wanted to, desperately, but… she wanted to avoid the outside world… and be with Joseph, the one person she trusted more than anything, and the one she adored…

Before she took his hand, ready to accept the break, there was another knock on the door, and in poked the head of one of Phillipe's guards.

"Your Majesty, Joseph… I'm sorry to interrupt you, but… His Royal Highness wanted to let you know that he and Her Royal Highness are on their way to the hospital… I think she's going to have the baby…"

**********************

"I know you might be eager to finish this story now," Joseph said calmly as he glanced at his watch, and then around at the crowded room… as per usual, someone had sold out to the press, and now their every move was being watched. "But I think it would be better if we left here and went back to the beach house..."

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Clarisse smiled at him, completely aware of everyone that was watching them, yet not wanting to give them anything.

"Are you ready to do this?" he asked as he reached over the table and grabbed her hand, holding it tight.

"Just as long as you're guiding me, I can handle anything," she said confidently, before he slowly stood up, she mirroring his movements, and they almost ran to the doorway…it was business as usual…. Running away from the press…