Author's Note: thank you to all my loyal readers: Clarisse Renaldi, Poppinswannabe, addlogcon, tabby-fanny, Diva4Life, Captain Weirdo, and anyone else who reads it… you all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

After spending a while longer on the beach, alternating between swimming (or 'splashing', Clarisse joked with a grin), and lying on the beach, talking, Joseph and Clarisse retreated back to the house and quickly became ensconced in the hammock with a bottle of wine (at Joseph's insistence), but after changing clothes (at Clarisse's insistence).

Clarisse sighed happily when they were finally resting in the hammock, the wine and two glasses sitting on a nearby table. She was relieved that they had had that talk on the beach- she absolutely adored spending all of her time with Joseph (it had been all she had ever dreamed of doing when she had retired), but she also felt she should still be loyal to her charities, doing what she could for them, as well as detracting the attention from her and Joseph. She was definite that it wasn't going to occupy all her time- as she had said to Joseph, she enjoyed her retirement- but she also felt obligated to, as Joseph had said, 'spread her happiness around.'

Joseph, meanwhile, was enjoying the hammock- it had been a brilliant idea of Clarisse's to give it to him, and it was fun just to lie there with her, swinging gently in the breeze. He was also pleased about the serious discussion they had had as well- he had long suspected that she could be feeling a little restless, not enough to come out of retirement, but enough to step infinitesimally back into the world… and she had always been dedicated to her charity work. He himself was happy either way- he had no inclination to return to security, (he had done it for over 30 years), but he would be happy to do anything for Clarisse.

"I'm surprised we haven't had a phone call from Mia," she commented mildly, breaking the comfortable silence between them, before she felt Joseph squirm slightly beside her.

"What have you done?" she teased, turning to look at him, his eyes sparkling. "You didn't turn your mobile on, did you?"

"No, I didn't," he admitted, feeling guilty. "I should have, but today is really about us… But maybe I should…" he started to roll over, ready to get out of the hammock, but she stopped him with a firm but gentle grip on his arm.

"No, sweetheart, it was a very sweet, thoughtful idea, and you're right- this is our anniversary, and today is for us… I'm sure Mia will understand…." And she knew that Mia would understand.

"If you're sure," he hesitated, looking uncertain, and she smiled reassuringly as she rolled over and reached for the wine and two glasses.

"I'm very sure- but now, we still have some wine to finish before getting ready to go out…" before she discovered that she was in a very uncomfortable position.

"I can just imagine what your younger son would say if he saw us now," he joked as he watched her awkwardly handle the glasses and bottle while trying to find her comfortable position again… she had had it before, she cursed herself, and then she had to go and move!

"What do you think Phillipe would say?" she asked distractedly as she moved again, getting annoyed at herself and her awkwardness, before Joseph came to her rescue, smoothly claiming the bottle and glass, swiftly pouring into it, and swapping it for the other glass in her hand as Clarisse almost scowled at how at ease he seemed.

"I very much doubt he would have expected to see you in a hammock," he teased gently as he leaned over and placed the bottle on the ground.

"No one will ever see me in this!" she growled, finally finding a comfortable position. "We need some cushions here… oh," she suddenly realised Joseph was waiting. "You were saying?"

"He might not have foreseen this, but he would be pleased and very proud that we made it two years… and, that we've begun to celebrate early!"

he waved his glass around a little, and she laughed.

"Yes, he would definitely be pleased about that," Clarisse was amused. "He always was a party boy."

She didn't look or sound sad, Joseph thought to himself as he watched her casually, when talking about Phillipe, and she usually didn't- it was just at times of celebration, like Mia's birthday, engagement or wedding, when the pain was obvious…

He knew that, in some ways, she would never get over his death, much as she wanted to, but he also knew that Mia was helping the healing process, and that Clarisse was determined that Mia should know more about her father…

"You look thoughtful, darling," Clarisse's voice broke into his thoughts. "Should I ask, or just assume you were daydreaming?"

The last words were spoken mockingly, but she was only gently ribbing him… still, he didn't want to upset her by telling her what he was really thinking, so he told a little white lie.

"Yes, I was daydreaming… about how I can extend our evenings in this hammock into all day affairs!"

"You may lie here all day," she replied with a prim look. "But I intend on being in the garden… or in the spa, when it's installed, when I'm not busy with other things…" her face broke into a warm smile and he chortled loudly.

"So… the neglect of the husband begins!" he declared.

"Absolutely," Clarisse agreed with a smile, before Joseph drained his almost empty glass, looked at his watch and stretched.

"Well, my love, as much as I enjoy lying here, listening to the ocean and…" he gave her a sly grin. "Watching you squirm to get comfortable… it's about time we started getting ready- Sergio's expecting us at six thirty."

"I suppose so," Clarisse was now reluctant to get out of the hammock, but only because she was concerned about getting out. She wasn't used to or all that sure about the hammock, particularly getting in and out, but Joseph clearly loved it, so she was sure that she would like it to.

"I'll get out first," Joseph offered, reading her mind, sensing her wavering feelings about the hammock… she felt uncomfortable on it, not only because of the discomfort, but also because it challenged her idea of always being ladylike, which was impossible in this case… In the long run, however, he knew she would be determined to get used to it, even like it, for his sake…

"Don't worry," he added after he easily got out, and held out a hand for her. "I've had plenty of practice using hammocks, and I will be glad to help out in anyway…"

"I'll hold you to that," Clarisse replied, before grasping his hand and pulling herself across and out of the hammock. "I just need to get used to it, that's all- I've never been in one before."

"I know, and you've been a very good sport this time… but I bet you'll soon love lying in it as much as me! I've introduced you to quite a few good habits and interests since we got married!"

"Yes, you have," Clarisse replied laughingly as they headed upstairs. "Too many to name… I must have been quite sheltered and indulged before then!"

"You were fairly sheltered," he agreed, following her into the master suite. "And indulged," he added, before ducking as Clarisse threw a pillow at him.

"But you were fairly easy to 'corrupt' (as certain parliamentarians would say)… but, as you just illustrated, you still have a few tricks up your sleeve!"

"Do you think you know them all?" she gave him a mischievous look over her shoulder as, her arms full, she headed toward the bathroom, and he laughed.

"If I don't… I'd better watch my step!" he joked, and he heard her laugh in reply before she closed the bathroom door.

000

Less than two hours later, they were on their way to dinner, Joseph handsome in a black suit and white shirt (tie less), and Clarisse radiant in a lavender coloured satin dinner suit, something she had bought in London the previous October, but hadn't worn yet. As usual, she wore her wedding and engagement rings (which never left her hand, except when showering), as well as a silver necklace and matching earrings, given to her by Joseph years ago.

"You look absolutely beautiful, darling," he had raved appreciatively the moment he came out of the bathroom, and found her standing near the bed, waiting for him. "It's amazing that you are just as lovely now as you were two years ago…"

He walked over and kissed her hand softly, before locking his arms around her waist.

"You don't look too bad yourself," Clarisse murmured in reply, wrapping her arms around her neck. "I guess being married to me suits you."

"As you to me," he replied, before giving her a long, tender kiss. "Now," he continued huskily, pulling away with great difficulty. "We had better go, otherwise we're never going to leave… not with you looking so wonderful," he said seriously, and she couldn't help but chuckle sheepishly before they walked out to the waiting car hand in hand.

As a sort of gift, and with Mia's permission, they were to be security free that night, accompanied only by their driver- Joseph had again decided not to drive that night.

"So I can give you ALL my attention," he teased as she climbed into the car, Joseph holding open her door as usual.

When they finally arrived at Sergio's, the restaurant and car park was half full, but Sergio met them at the door as usual with a beam.

"You're getting quite popular," Joseph commented as they followed him through the restaurant to their usual table at the back.

"I'm not too popular if you two aren't regulars- you haven't been back since Joseph's birthday last year… the very memorable one!" he grinned wickedly at them as they sat down, Joseph groaning slightly, before deciding to be smart.

"It's not that we don't want to come, it's just that it's a little more expensive than we'd like!" he joked, and Sergio glared at him.

"Don't forget that I've got a few stories I could tell," he threatened, before they two of them laughed and Clarisse smiled as the looked from one to the other- they obviously had been close in college, and they still were.

"Anyway, there's always a table available for you whenever you come in… and, since it's your anniversary, your drinks are on the house tonight- I insist!" he added as Clarisse opened her mouth to protest, before disappearing again.

"He really must be impressed with you," Joseph teased gently, reaching across the table and taking her hand in his. "Free drinks every time we come in- you must do something to him!" but Clarisse was unconvinced.

"I'm sure it has more to do with you than me, darling…" before she added, with an inquisitive smile: "How bad are those stories Sergio keeps referring to? Are they really bad?"

"Well…" he hesitated slightly. "They're not bad, exactly, but…"

"You got up to quite a bit of mischief… I understand," Clarisse finished with a smile, imagining the trouble they would have gotten into.

"Yes, I don't want to tarnish my perfect husband image that you have of me..." he joked. "But maybe I will tell you some one day," he added when he saw the wistful expression her face. "But not tonight…"

"Alright," her face brightened at his promise. "But one day…"

There was a slight pause as they looked around the restaurant, before a waitress appeared to take their order. Clarisse sighed happily once she disappeared, and Joseph looked at her curiously.

"What was that sigh for?"

"Nothing- it's just that I'm happy," she said simply, looking at him with a happy smile. Very, very happy."

"I am too," he smiled in reply. "Do you still remember how we met?"

"Of course," her smile broadened. "How could I not?"

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

It was a beautiful spring day in Genovia, and His Majesty, along with his beautiful young Queen, was due to inspect the new line up of security guards that had been hired for the palace. There was also a select group of men that were to be divided into two groups- one would guard the King, the other for his Consort. They were all lined up on the gravel driveway, clad in their uniforms, and waiting for the royal couple to emerge from the palace, Joseph Bonnell, one of the men selected, was curious about meeting the couple- they were always in the news, but he had also heard rumours that their nine year marriage, with two young sons, was in trouble, mainly due to the King cheating… He hoped not- the couple were attractive, and seemed happy together, and the Queen was gorgeous, from the glimpses he had had, and he would soon have more as he had been assigned to the team guarding her… it had been a little disappointing at first…

Just then, the doors opened, and heads turned eagerly as the guards watched the tall, handsome and charismatic King led the Queen downstairs, before they were called to attention.

Her Majesty Queen Clarisse Renaldi was miserable as she followed her husband down the stairs- she wasn't feeling particularly well, she had felt bad about leaving the boys when they had wanted to play with her, and she and Rupert were barely speaking. The last thing she wanted to do was inspect a group of men who would, inevitably, restrict her movements and freedom, becoming guards to her golden cage, but Rupert had insisted.

"Some of these men will be guarding you, so you really should know who they are," he had said, and Clarisse had simply given in, not wanting another argument.

The air was still and warm as Rupert, Clarisse at his side, stood in front of each man, saluted them, and said a few words to each… Clarisse was barely listening, but she smiled at each of them- not matter how wretched she felt, she always had a smile on her face.

Joseph took a deep breath in- they were only two men away, and he was stunned out how breathtaking, ladylike and elegant the Queen was- she was not yet 30, he knew that, but she seemed to grow lovelier as she aged, and he suspected that she would still be beautiful as an older woman… But he could also sense that she wasn't happy, and he wondered…before he realised that the royal couple were standing in front of him with the current Head of Security.

"Your Majesties, Joseph Bonnell…"


Joseph saluted quickly in response to the King's salute, but his eyes were drawn to the Queen, who was fidgeting at Rupert's side, her eyes not focusing on anything in particular, and he was fascinated- she was beautiful, restless and unhappy…

"Welcome to the palace, Joseph," the King said, and Joe quickly looked back at the monarch. "I hear that you were one of the best in the physical tasks- congratulations!"


"Thank you sir," he replied, trying to focus on him, but it was the ladylike yet unhappy woman at his side that had captured his attention… he strangely felt protective of her, and more than the normal bodyguard/guarded relationship… he had never felt that way before, and it was strangely disconcerting…

"Whose team have you been assigned to?" Rupert inquired, Joseph struggling against his emotions as he looked at the King- it wouldn't do for His Majesty to suspect that he, a lowly bodyguard, was protective of and attracted to his wife… "Mine or Her Majesty's?"

"Her Majesty's," Joseph replied and, out of the corner of his eye, he noted the Queens' eyes instantly snap up to meet his, and he was taken aback… Her eyes were so blue, so kind, yet so full of pain…

"Well, welcome," Rupert said with a friendly smile, before moving on… Surprisingly, the Queen lingered for a moment, watching him carefully, almost assessing him (but he wasn't annoyed), before moving on…

Clarisse was surprised at the tumult of emotion she was feeling- she had inspected potential guards several times, mostly with indifference, knowing the job they had to do, but now… she had felt strangely attracted to this man with the dark brown eyes, and who also seemed to be watching her carefully, knowing what she was thinking…

Rupert was now two men away, and she started to follow him before she suddenly felt giddy, her knees beginning to buckle… she was going to faint- she knew she should have accompanied Rupert…

Just before she thought she was going to hit the ground, she realised that someone had caught her… she leaned back slightly to see a blurry face, the face she had been fascinated by… the eyes…

"Thank you," she murmured weakly as she felt her legs being lifted up as well. "I'm sorry, I…"


"It's alright, Your Majesty," she heard a deep kind voice reply, and she relaxed slightly, sensing she was in good hands…

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

"Now that's what I call literally falling for someone!" Joseph quipped with a smile as their meals arrived.

"Little did any of them (including us) know that one day you, the guard who caught me, and me, the Queen of Genovia, would be married… and very happily, I might add,:" she said, digging into her meal. "Who would have thought?"

"Beauty and the very handsome beast?" Joseph joked.

"You're not a beast, you're a prince… a sir, actually," she recalled the knighthood that had been bestowed on him a month after their first wedding. "Sir Joseph," she breathed quietly, causing him to roll his eyes, but before he could say anything, Sergio bustled over with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

"He's a bottle of wine- you deserve to celebrate!" he said cheerfully, pouring to glasses then setting the bottle on the table. "Two years… I'm so happy for you two!"

"Thank you," Joseph grinned, before looking at Clarisse thoughtfully. "Say, Serge how's the search for the gardener going?"

"Still looking… why, do you know someone?"

"I know someone who needs to expend some creative energy, and is also a brilliant at gardening… Clarisse," he nodded seriously at his wife.

"Clarisse?" Sergio replied, looking slightly surprised before realising that Joseph wasn't joking, and his expression turned thoughtful as he looked at Clarisse. "Would you be interested in doing it?"

"Oh yes," Clarisse tried to appear not too eager. "But only if you are agreeable," she added timidly, and Sergio's face changed from thoughtful to delight.

"I think it's a great idea… and you would do a fantastic job…" he said down in the spare chair with a grin. "How much do you want for your services?"

"I don't want to be paid," Clarisse said quickly.

"But you can give her commission to me," Joseph added with a grin.

"Are you sure?" Sergio asked with a quizzical look.

"Yes… it's more to help you and, as Joseph said before, to expend some of my 'creative energy', particularly once I finish our garden."

"Then yes, definitely, but we'll discuss details some other time… not on your anniversary," he laughed, standing up and leaving them alone.

"Congratulations," Joseph murmured as Clarisse looked after Sergio, stunned, before turning back to him. "I told you he would say yes…"

"I just didn't expect it… is this how one feels after being offered a job?"

She felt excited- she had never had the opportunity to apply for jobs or attend interviews- she had simply become Princess and then Queen…

"Yes, and I know you're going to do a wonderful job!"

"I will," Clarisse nodded affirmatively before changing the subject. "But tonight isn't about that, it's about us," she leant over and rested her hand on top of his. "We'll discuss this later."

"Alright, but congratulations…" he then grinned impishly. "I bet Mia's is getting rather irritated at not being able to get in touch with us…" Clarisse chuckled along with him.

"Yes, although I suspect she knows where we are… but we should call her tomorrow just to let her know we're alive."

"Which she would already know," Joseph chuckled, but he loved that Clarisse was always considering her granddaughter…

It was relatively late when they left the restaurant, the night air cool, but both Joseph and Clarisse were relaxed and happy as they settled into the car for the ride home.

"This is has been a very quiet anniversary… but very normal," he commented, and she chuckled in reply.

"Yes, and this is what I want to do every year," she agreed, meaning it. Joseph was about to agree with her, when suddenly… there was a sudden jerk of the car, a screech of tyres, the car seeming to swerve off the road and bumping along for a few metres before there was a loud thump, and they were both jerked hard in their seats, before there was silence… and Clarisse's world suddenly went black…

000

A moment or two later, she came to, and was vaguely aware of darkness and silence, before realising what had happened… an accident… and that Joseph was sitting beside her…

"Joseph?" she whispered timidly, and there was a silence for a moment before she heard the click of a seat belt, the muffled sound of someone sliding across the seat… when suddenly, she was almost ripped out of her seat belt, and into a pair of solid, steady arms.

"Clarisse!" he almost shouted, panic in his voice, as Clarisse bit her lip, a wave of pain sweeping through her chest. "Sweetheart, are you alright?"

"Fine," she finally replied as the pain disappeared after a moment, before he crushed his lips down on hers, hugging her as if he could bear to let her go, which was the truth… he had been so scared something had happened to her, especially after she hadn't replied to her first call…

"Are you alright?" she managed to gasp after he broke away, his lips covering her face and hair, kissing her again and again… "Joseph, are you alright?" she repeated, extricating herself gently from his embrace.

"I'm fine… but are you sure you're alright?"

The intensity in his voice was almost overwhelming, and she was glad he couldn't see her face in the dark- the pain in her chest was excruciating, made all the worse by well meaning Joseph holding her so tightly. She suspected a rib or two was cracked (or broken), but she couldn't worry about that now…

"What about the driver?"

"The driver?" Joseph suddenly remembered him, and she felt him pull away, moving away towards the door, before he returned to hug her tightly again, Clarisse blinking back tears of pain and fear.

"Thank goodness you're alright," he murmured into her ear.

It took another attempt to leave before Joseph finally got out of the car to check on the driver, while Clarisse waited inside, trembling slightly, and her ribs hurting… Just then, the door opened and he lent in.

"Is my mobile here?" he whispered and, after a moment's blind fumbling in the dark, she handed to him.

"Is the driver alright?"

"Had a back knock to the head- it looks as if he swerved to miss an animal, and hit a tree…"

"Is he conscious?"

"Yes, but I'm more worried about you…" he noted the whimper that had escaped her lips a little earlier, and she was still very quiet.

"I'm fine," she lied smoothly. "Just call the boys, an ambulance, the police and whoever else you need to, and stay with the driver…"

"Are you sure?" he sounded sceptical, but she knew that it was important to keep the driver conscious.

"I'm fine," she repeated, and he sighed before leaning over and kissing her fiercely.

"But if you need me…"

"I'll bang on the partition," she smiled at him, a little relieved to be alone, and she groaned in pain after he closed the door.

It didn't seem like too long before she saw lights appear in the distance from her window, and then pause behind her… before she startled by a gentle tap on the window… "Your Majesty?"

Joseph meanwhile had literally been counting the minutes till the necessary people had arrived- he had been busy keeping the driver awake, but he was more worried about his wife in the back seat, and he was relieved when he saw the lights stop behind the car, quickly followed by three more sets of lights.

The driver was immediately taken away in the first ambulance as Joseph talked to the security and the police (after being examined and cleared by the paramedics), and it was obvious that the car was a wreck, and would have to be written off, but it had been an accident…

He looked over at the car as the paramedics talked to Clarisse, who was still sitting in the car, and he was relieved to realise that she was alright, until… he saw Clarisse being helped out of the car, a hand pressed to her chest, and Joseph suddenly felt sick to his stomach… she was hurt…

He only half participated in the rest of the conversation, his eyes watching Clarisse being examined by the paramedics, before the others wisely ended the conversation and sent him on his way.

"We'll deal with this, and we'll meet you at the hospital," one of the security boys said.

Joseph half stumbled over to the ambulance as they helped her onto one of the stretchers, and lifted her into the ambulance.

"How is my husband?" she was asking when he came into hearing distance, and the paramedics were trying to soothe her- outwardly, she was trying to stay calm, but she was inwardly scared and shaken up, and Joseph quickly stepped out of the shadows.

"I'm in perfect health," he said, giving her a reassuring smile, and her face relaxed. "I'm also coming with you," he added before, after an approving nod from a medic, he climbed into the ambulance and sat on the other stretcher, cradling her hand in his.

"Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?" he chided gently when the doors were closed and they were alone. "You were hurt when I grabbed you, weren't you?"

He looked at her directly, and she blushed and nodded at the same time.

"Yes, but I thought you should be with the driver, especially with that knock to the head…" she said as he leaned forward and squeezed her hand tightly.

"I never would have left you if I'd known about you- I would have stayed in the backseat, and kept a check on him through the partition."

"You wouldn't or couldn't have done that," Clarisse said wisely. "If I was hurt, it wasn't as bad as the driver, and it would have been dangerous to leave a potential concussion on his own…"

"Hmmm," Joseph wasn't as confident in himself as she was- if he had known she was hurt, he might not have left her side at all. "So, what about you?"

"I have a very sore chest, and the paramedic thinks I might have cracked a rib or two when I was jerked against the seatbelt… oh, and my blood pressure was up a little…"

She was trying to be flippant, downplaying her injuries so he didn't have to worry about her, but the horrified expression on her face told her she couldn't be flip- he was taking it very seriously.

"I'm never leaving you alone again," he murmured, taking the vow to heart.

000

At the small hospital in town (thankfully, they hadn't had to go all the way to Pyrus), Clarisse was immediately whisked away for an X-ray, while Joseph was left to check on the driver, who was being kept in overnight for observation. He was still talking to the driver when he saw Clarisse being wheeled by, back into the Emergency Department, and he followed quickly. By the time he found her, she was sitting on the side of the bed, listening to the doctor talking to her, but she turned and smiled at him as he made his way into the curtained partition.

"Oh, you must be Mrs Bonnell's husband," the doctor shook his hand before Joseph stood next to Clarisse. "As I was just saying to your wife, she was very lucky that the seatbelt didn't cause more damage- she does have three cracked ribs, and some bruising around there, and it was very lucky that it didn't affect her lungs or heart in anyway…She's going to have to rest for the next couple of days, take it easy, and the ribs should heal of their own accord.

"What about her elevated blood pressure?" Clarisse had to smile at Joseph sounding so technical.

"It's almost back to normal, and it was just related to the stress of the accident… by the way, did you get your BP checked?"

"Yes, at the accident site and it was fine… Is my wife alright, apart from the ribs?"

"Yes, she seems to be, although she might have a bit of whiplash, but I've given her a prescription of painkillers, and if her ribs really hurt her, I would recommend an icepack… But ma'am," he turned to Clarisse with a firm look. "I do suggest you take it easy for a few days, and rest, and then have your doctor check in a week or so…"

"Thank you," Clarisse said calmly, holding out her hand to Joseph, and sliding slowly and awkwardly off the bed, before being directed into a wheelchair, much to her disgust.

"Just be grateful you don't have to spend a night in hospital," Joseph murmured softly as the nurse wheeled her out to the waiting room, where their security team was waiting for them.

Clarisse was annoyed when she was helped into the waiting 4WD- she was quite capable of climbing in herself… until she felt a sharp pain in her ribs, and she decided not to protest. She leaned stiffly back against the seat after the door closed, and tenderly buckled her seatbelt, careful not to have too much pressure on her chest, before leaning back and closing her eyes… it had been such a lovely anniversary, and now it was all ruined…

"Hey," she heard Joseph's quiet voice from beside her, and she opened her eyes and turned to see him sitting next to her, in the middle seat. "Darling… are you alright?" he sounded worried.

"Just a little tired," she replied, but he could see the pain in her eyes.

"We'll be home in a little while, sweetheart, and you can go to bed."

"Good," she murmured, closing her eyes again and resting her head back against the seat, but still clutching Joseph's hand tightly, He could feel her trembling, and he suspected that she was in shock- she had never been in an accident before (unless you counted that 'accident' in San Francisco with Mia), and he suddenly felt guilty… he should have been taking care of her, protecting her… and he had hurt her when he had hugged her out of relief- she could have been seriously hurt, and he had just done it…

It was a quiet journey back to the beach house, and Clarisse leaned heavily against him as they walked slowly upstairs.

"I guess I won't be wearing that tonight," Clarisse murmured regretfully when she spied Joseph's gift spread out on her pillow- she had put it there in preparation for when they came back from dinner… "I'm sorry, Joseph," she sighed as she sank down on the bed.

"Why are you apologising?" Joseph asked in consternation. "You have nothing to apologise fore- you were totally innocent in all of this."

"So were you," Clarisse slowly reached out and tugged on his sleeve, so that he sat down next to her. "I can see you're feeling guilty about what happened…"

"I should have protected you!" he protested. "I could have seriously hurt you when I…"

"Yanked me out of my seat belt, yes, that was rather painful," Clarisse smiled wanly before continuing. "But you didn't know what was going to happen, or that I was hurt, so it wasn't your fault, and I don't want you to feel guilty…"

"I would have if you had told me the truth… and I can't help but feel guilty…"

"Don't… I was just scared, and didn't want to worry you…." She took a deep breath in, still trying to forget how frightened she had been- not only because of the accident, but also that she could have lost Joseph… She shuddered at the thought again, and tears suddenly welled in her eyes- they had been in an accident… the thought made her begin to shake uncontrollably…

"It wasn't your fault," she repeated, assuaging Joseph's guilt somewhat, but he was more worried about her as she trembled and winced as he helped her into her nightgown, and she gently lent back against the pillows… She was dreading going to sleep tonight, although the painkillers had numbed the pain somewhat…

"Do you need anything?" he asked solicitously once he was in bed beside her, and about to switch off the light.

"I'm fine dear," Clarisse smiled, sliding down onto the mattress, and he leaned over to kiss her, before turning off the light.

There was silence for a little while, Clarisse aware that Joseph was trying to minimise his movements, lest he cause her anymore pain.

"Joseph, you don't have to stay in one position all night," she said softly, slowly turning over to face him, and the sharp pain in her chest made her gasp.

"Clarisse?" he asked anxiously.

"I'…I'm fine," she bit her lip hard to stop the tears from falling, but he could tell that she was close to tears.

"Clarisse, it's alright," he said gently, moving closer and putting his arms around her, careful not to hurt her. "We're both alright…"

"I know… but how…how can we be like this, when Phillipe…" she had been thinking about it since she had sat in the backseat alone, and she felt so guilty. "Phillipe hadn't survived his accident…" the whimper turned into a sob, and she suddenly clung to Joseph tightly, not caring about the pain in her chest, rather… the pain in her heart….

"Oh baby…." Joseph murmured, suddenly understanding why she was so upset… not only because they had been in an accident, but because Phillipe hadn't survived his… "It's alright… we're fine…"

"I know I shouldn't act like this….but…"

"Just cry as long as you want, I'm not going to leave you…"

Clarisse sobbed into his pyjama shirt for a long time, Joseph simply rubbing her back soothingly, murmuring words of comfort into her ears, before she pulled away and looked up at him in the dark.

"Thank you… I know I shouldn't have done that, but…"

"Nonsense- for someone who has never been in an accident, apart from the small incident with Mia in San Francisco…" he added, and she giggled weakly in the dark. "This was the worst incident you've ever had, and it's more than understandable that you were upset, especially after Phillipe…."

"I was just scared I'd lose you too… "

"Do I look or sound like I'm going anywhere?" he joked, and she laughed, now feeling much better. "You'll need something worse than a car accident to get rid of me!"

"I know…and thank you… I'm fine now…"

"Thank goodness," he held her gently, stroking her hair softly.

"I just hope that no one in the press finds out about this…. Or Mia…" Clarisse trailed off softly, and Joseph shrugged in the dark.

"If they do, they do…But what a way to end our anniversary… Life is never dull when I'm around you!"

"There's always next year," Clarisse joked weakly.