Author's Note: Thank you to all my loyal readers- tabby-fanny, Clarisse Renaldi, adda edwards and Poppinswannabe, as well as anyone else who reads this… you all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

A week later, after the arrival of a new palace car, the installation of the spa and at least 20 phone calls, Clarisse had recovered enough for Charlie and Marion to come and visit. Again, the urgency in Charlie's voice had troubled Joseph, but he didn't mention anything to Clarisse in case he was wrong.

Despite the numerous phone calls during the week from Mia and various members of Joseph's family, and the noise of workmen in the main suite, it had been a quiet week for them. Joseph had been very serious about Clarisse needing time to recover, and while she had, at first, complained about his strictures, she had soon realised he had been right- she had had several nightmares since the accident (which hadn't helped her nerves)… the last one being about both Joseph and Phillipe being killed in the one accident, and she still being alive… She hadn't mentioned any of them to Joseph although, knowing how small the couch bed was, she suspected he knew, but she couldn't tell him, much as she wanted to… it was if she protecting herself from everyone, including him…

Joseph could sense that she was withdrawn in some ways, especially in regards to her nightmares and the accident, which were probably connected. She was still as warm (although not quite as affectionate), but there was also a part of her that was withdrawn and distant, even from him. But he couldn't push her- he knew that from personal experience- she would talk to him when she was ready.

"I would have waited a couple of extra days, but…" he shrugged nonchalantly as they strolled through the half completed garden, and Clarisse chuckled, albeit a little cautiously, as she slipped her arm through his.

"You probably would have waited until I had fully recovered… not that I wouldn't have done the same thing, but maybe we could have some visitors… but not to stay forever," she added hastily as Joseph gave her an impish look.

"Now who's being inhospitable? I can see I've rubbed off on you a little…"

"More than a little," she retorted, before they heard the sound of a car coming up the driveway. "It sounds as if our guests have arrived!"

0

"Thank goodness you're both alright!" Marion exclaimed after hearing the story from Joseph. "It's amazing you both weren't more seriously injured!"

"I was the lucky one," Joseph said humbly. "Poor Clarisse and the driver, however, weren't quite so lucky…"

"But Joseph was very calm, cool and collected under the circumstances," Clarisse suddenly chimed in, surprising Joseph- she hadn't spoken about the accident before… "I was very proud of the way he handled everything…" and she gave him a proud smile.

"What about the car?" Charlie inquired. "It looked like a wreck on the news."

"It was a complete write off," Joseph confirmed as Clarisse led the way into the garden, the men following a little way behind. "But, the best part of writing off a car, and being married to one of the most powerful women in Genovia…"

"Is that you would get a replacement car pretty quick smart," Charlie finished with a grin.

"Exactly… and it's a much younger model than the other car, with some great features… did you want to check it out?"

"Maybe later- I'm sure Clarisse is dying to show off her garden, and I don't want to disappoint her…"

Charlie suddenly strolled quickly off to catch up to the ladies, leaving Joseph following behind, frowning- maybe it was just him, but Charlie didn't look as well as he usually was…

0

Both Charlie and Marion were very impressed with the half completed garden, Charlie even raving: "It's terrific… I can't imagine what it's going to be like when it's finished!"

"I wish our garden hadn't been done so recently, otherwise I would definitely have asked you for your help!" Marion added, causing Clarisse to blush with embarrassment.

"Clarisse did all of it," Joseph volunteered proudly, but Clarisse quickly added:

"But Joseph helped in many, many ways," before giving him a warm smile, but Joseph, noting the slight pained expression on her face, took the opportunity to ask:

"Shall we go in and sit down?"

"So, Charles," Clarisse said in a teasing tone as she and Joseph sat down on their couch, while the others took seats opposite them. "What do we owe the pleasure of this visit? I know it's not just because of your concern for us, or that you like the beach house… so?"

Charlie and Marion exchanged a long look, and Joseph again felt uneasy as Clarisse suddenly felt inexplicably tense- something was going on- before Charlie cleared his throat and looked at them with an odd expression.

"I was going to tell you this a week ago, but after you had your accident, it didn't seem like the right time… But…" he took a deep breath in as Joseph and Clarisse waited, almost impatiently. "I'm being treated for a brain tumour."

There was a long, shocked silence as Joseph and Clarisse attempted to digest what Charlie had just told them… Joseph was feeling dreadful that his suspicions had been validated, although he hadn't considered cancer… Clarisse, on the other hand, was shocked to her core- this was, terribly, even worse than when Rupert had been diagnosed with the illness that had ultimately killed him… At least Charlie had told them himself- she had found about Rupert via the doctor…

"You're… what?" Clarisse managed to gasp out when she found her voice again, and Charlie wasn't fazed… they were both so calm, Clarisse thought in disbelief, but then again, they had had time to adjust to the news. "I must have misheard you…" She must have, this couldn't be happening…

"You heard me correctly, Clarisse… I've had one round of chemo already, and I'm having another lot next week..."

"How long have you known?" Joseph asked.

"About six weeks- we got the results of some tests a week after Mia's wedding…"

"You suspected something was wrong at the wedding? Why didn't you say anything?" Clarisse cried.

"I didn't want to say anything to tarnish your memories of your only granddaughter's wedding," Charlie replied calmly.

There was another long silence before Clarisse asked in a small voice:

"How are you going?" Charlie had to smile at the timid tone in her voice

"I'm okay… not great," he said seriously. "But I'm getting there… I'll be alright," he added jovially.

"We're very glad you told us," Clarisse said firmly, leaning forward and squeezing Marion's hand gently.

"If there's anything we can do…" Joseph added quietly, and Charlie grinned.

"Believe me, we'll let you know… you could throw a party when this is all over…but, before that, you could be a wig… not what Marion suggested a few days ago," he threw a wry look at Marion as Clarisse hid her shock- he wasn't upset, and neither was Marion (or they hid it well), so she couldn't allow herself to show upset she really was about this.

"We even told you before we told James," he added, trying to lighten the mood, and Clarisse couldn't resist replying in a weak tone:

"I can imagine how he's going to react when you tell him that!" although she knew it would pale in comparison to Charlie's other news…

000

For the rest of the visit, they all tried to avoid discussing illness, and stayed on safer subjects, including the accident. Joseph had taken Charlie out to see the new car, Charlie being very impressed and 'very jealous' and they had even gone for a brief drive, leaving their wives behind to chat.

Clarisse didn't dare to ask Marion how she was coping (she couldn't even imagine how she was feeling), but she herself was shattered- Charlie was almost like a brother to her (as was James), and she hated the thought of him battling a serious illness, just as she would be devastated if it had been Joseph…

She sighed heavily when they finally left, Charlie clearly relieved he had confided in them, and she turned away when the car disappeared, saying "I need to go for a walk."

Joseph hesitated as she began to walk away, not sure whether or not she wanted company, before she turned to look at him. "Aren't you coming?"

"I though you might need some time alone," he said awkwardly, a little sad that he was feeling awkward around his wife, but Clarisse was still looking at him seriously.

"I don't need time alone, I need you… like I've needed you all week, but I've been silly enough to exclude you," she sighed, feeling utterly ridiculous, but Joseph didn't look as though he agreed as he strolled over and slipped her arm through his.

"I understand… besides," he added teasingly as they headed, arm in arm, towards the beach. "It is perfectly normal for you to retreat into your shell when you're distressed… I've seen you do it more often than you realised…" he said quietly as Clarisse blushed.

"It's still amazing to me how well you know me," she murmured as they sat down on a sand dune, and she turned to him. "I am sorry about this week- I never meant to leave you out…"

"Leave me out of what?" he inquired, taking her hand and grasping it firmly. "You've just been a little withdrawn, that's all, and it's perfectly understandable."

She couldn't help but smile at his response.

"You're too understanding, Joseph Bonnell… why weren't you as affected by the accident as I was?"

"Well, BJ and I had several accidents when were younger," he admitted as she looked at him, horrified. "It's not that I'm blasé about this accident, but… I've been through a few… "

"Why can't I be like you?" she said in frustration.

"Because you've never been in an accident before," he reached over and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Yes, you do have that 'minor' incident in San Francisco," he teased. "But it's normal to feel like you are after an accident… but I'm not going anywhere."

"Thank you," she almost whispered, wiping a tear away.

There was along silence as they both continued to grapple with Charlie's news, as well as the thought of their own mortality…

"He's like a brother to me, Joseph," she suddenly burst out. "This isn't fair!"

"I know, Clarisse," he sighed heavily. "All we can do is be there for them when they need us."

"It's like what happened with Rupert… only, unlike that time, which may sound terrible, I really, really care!"

"It doesn't sound terrible to me- as I recall, Rupert didn't even tell you himself about his illness- his doctor did!" He would never tell Clarisse this, but he had been appalled when he hard that His Majesty hadn't told his wife about his illness.

Clarisse smiled vaguely at his indignant words.

"It hurt, I'll admit, but since I was so indifferent anyway… I did care, but there was only so much I could put up with from him… But you…" she turned to look at him. "I don't think I could live without you…Not after only two years of marriage…"

She was becoming tearful now, and he was quick to move over and wrap an arm around her shoulders.

"Hey, we don't need to worry about that now," he said reassuringly. "I don't think I could either, darling," he said huskily- Charlie's illness had stunned him- he had become a good friend in the past two years, and it was terrible…

He was also honest to Clarisse- after waiting practically forever to make her his wife; he couldn't even bear to contemplate leaving her behind…

After an emotion filled silence, Joseph checked his watch, stood up and stretched.

"As much as it might seem comfortable out here, I think we should get the boys go get some pizzas, we open a bottle of wine and watch a few movies… maybe even use the spa… it might be a plan…"

"It does sound like a plan," Clarisse agreed as he helped her off the dune. "But I'm not quite sure about the spa… or anything else," she added shyly, and he pretended to look disgusted, before pulling her close, an arm around her waist.

"Rats…" he complained, before his expression softened. "Take as long as you want, baby, as long as you want…"

00000

Two weeks later, it was time for the annual Independence Day celebrations, and Clarisse was back to normal as she and Joseph headed back to Pyrus. Mia had been worried when she had called a couple of days before, and Clarisse had laughed ruefully.

"Of course we'll both be there- it's Joseph's first time sitting in the carriage rather than standing behind," she grinned over at Joseph, who was smiling at how spirited she now sounded. The last fortnight had been very quiet (apart from the daily phone calls) - they still hadn't been in the spa, Clarisse hadn't been in a car since the accident (Joseph either going shopping alone, or sending someone else), and their love life was a complete standstill (except for hugs and some kisses, but never going too far) but he was patient- she obviously needed more time to recover…

"What's this about ME riding in the open carriage?" he inquired when she hung up, and Clarisse turned to smile at him.

"I actually didn't want to do it either, but when Mia turned on the charm… as a former Queen, I still have to be there and you, my darling husband, have to accompany me… Don't worry, Nicholas is apparently not thrilled at the plan either, so you'll be in good company!"

As they drove back into Pyrus, Clarisse was fascinated to look out the car window to see street stalls being set up for the following day… she even thought she spotted a Ferris wheel in the distance….Mia had obviously arranged all of this…

"She certainly as thrown herself into this," Joseph murmured from beside her, and Clarisse smiled.

Traditionally, the Genovian Independence Day celebrations were held in late June, as it had been for 100 years, but last year's celebrations had been overshadowed by the second wedding, and Mia had been busy with her own that year, so she had shifted the date back, causing an uproar in parliament and in the country, but Mia had remained intransigent, and Clarisse had been very proud when she had heard all about it.

"You really do like stirring up parliament, don't you?" she had teased.

Apart from the parade and the ball, Mia had also arranged for the main street of Pyrus to be converted into a street of stalls and entertainment.

"I can just imagine the fun those boys are going to have tomorrow, trying to keep Mia and Nicholas protected!" Joseph roared with laughter as they left town, and Clarisse gave him a sidelong glance.

"You don't sound too sympathetic, darling," she said a little reprovingly before smiling. "You never know what may happen tomorrow…"

"Oh no, it doesn't mean that you have permission to do anything like that," he wagged a warning finger at her, and she gave him an innocent look.

When they arrived at the palace, both Mia and Nicholas were in meetings, and the staff were preparing for the ball, so they snuck upstairs after leaving a message for Mia.

"How long do you think it's been since we were here?" he asked as they both sank down onto the couch.

"Not since Mia's birthday, I think…"

She was going to say more, but she was interrupted by the sound of their suite door opening, and the turned to see Mia striding purposefully into the room, Nicholas hot on her heels, with a broad, relieved grin on her face.

"You're finally here!" she declared as she hugged Clarisse, before turning to Joseph. "And you both look fine!"

"We are fine- just a few cracked ribs, and sore knees," he joked as Mia stepped back to observe them happily.

"You make it seems as though it was a minor accident, but you're lucky that I didn't come out there and deal with you personally!" she said sternly as Joseph and Clarisse exchanged a look.

"She's YOUR granddaughter," he muttered under his breath to Clarisse, who only chuckled as Mia, who had also heard him, rolled his eyes.

"Just for that, Sir Joseph, you will definitely be riding in the carriage with me, my husband and your wife!"

"He was already going to do so," Clarisse quipped jokingly as she patted her husband on the shoulder, before addressing him directly. "But now that the Queen has requested your company, darling, you have no excuse not to ride in the carriage!"

000

The next morning dawned fine and bright, and everyone at the palace was up early, although there were some complaints on that score.

"Why?" Joseph complained after Clarisse, who had already showered, stripped the sheets off him. "Why do we have to be up so early?"

"It's going to be a big day, and the royal family… including you," she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Is always at the forefront of the day's celebrations…"

"But we could always have a nap this afternoon," he teased, pulling her down onto the bed and playing with the belt of her robe, his hand slowly moving downwards to rest on her robe covered leg.

"Is that a hint or advice?" she teased, pulling away and standing up, tightening her robe around her. "We'll see," she added, before disappearing out into the living room.

Joseph sighed as he climbed out of bed and reached for his robe- he had thought things would have improved by now, especially since Clarisse had seen Mia, but it seemed as if… the spark had gone out of their marriage…it was to expected, of course, and while he wouldn't even consider looking at another woman, it was also getting frustrating… He was beginning to think that they were going to need to talk….otherwise… their marriage was going to be in trouble…

Clarisse gave a long whistle of approval when he emerged from the bathroom in his best navy blue suit, his medal pinned to the lapel of his jacket.

"I can see that I'm going to have to keep my eye on you today!" she joked, walking over and weaving her arms around his neck.

"Shouldn't I be saying that?" he replied teasingly, pleased that she was obviously flirting with him… maybe he had imagined her reluctance to be close to him earlier… "But you… you're stunning- you still look like a Queen, even 2 years after you stepped down!"

She was wearing one of her formal tailored outfits- a blue silk dress with a matching coat and shoes.

"Once a Queen, always a Queen," she said flippantly before he leaned over and kissed her gently, hopeful, but he was disappointed when she pulled away before it went too far, putting on her gloves. "We had better go downstairs- we mustn't keep our current Queen waiting!"

0

"We look good," Mia said approvingly, looking around as they rode down into Pyrus in the same car. "We look like the modern royal family!"

While Nicholas was wearing a light grey suit, Mia was clad in a similar combination to Clarisse, only hers was in lavender, and was much less tailored.

Joseph felt strange as he climbed into the carriage and sat down next to Nicholas, Clarisse and Mia sitting opposite them (Scott grinning from behind Clarisse), and Clarisse gave him an encouraging wink and smile as the carriage began to move.

She was well aware that there was an ever growing distance between her and Joseph, caused by the accident, and she was determined to fix the damage- she loved being married to Joseph, and was still very much in love with him, despite the fact that she had kept pulling away from him when he tried to kiss her, and she wanted to fight for him… The past two weeks had been very quiet between them, and she knew Joseph was getting frustrated by the distance between them, but she hadn't been sure of herself (not of them) until now… She only hoped that it wasn't too late… although, with Joseph, it was never too late…

"This is strange," Nicholas complained as they came into sight of the crowds who began screaming and cheering, and Mia giggled at his expression- she and her grandmother were facing in the correct direction, while Joe and Nicholas were riding backwards- but she didn't have the chance to reply as the band in front of them began to play, and the guards behind them were chatting quietly…

Joseph could well understand Nicholas' feelings as he waved awkwardly to the crowds as, for the first time in a long time, he felt insecure, even with Nicholas- HE was of noble blood, even before he married Amelia, but Joseph was only a bodyguard who had been elevated to his current position because Clarisse had married him.

He shook off the mood and watched Mia and Clarisse, fascinated- it was interesting to watch the interaction between them- Clarisse was poised and calm as she waved to the crowds with a radiant smile, Mia copying her every move (they were very similar in a lot of ways), before Clarisse smiled just at him, and he realised she was still in her element…

000

The parade ended on the opposite end of the street, and the carriage came to a stop in front of a podium set up especially for Mia- she fully intended on making a speech on the significance of that day. Clarisse had never made a speech while she had been Queen (although Rupert had), to her regret, but she was proud of how Mia did it.

"She's doing well," she leant over and murmured into Joseph's ear as they, with Nicholas, stood behind her on the podium as Mia spoke for five minutes to an enthralled, and very large crowd. "No one can doubt her now."

"I never did," he replied simply. "All I can say is, like grandmother, like granddaughter."

Once the speech was over, the press converged on Mia and Nicholas, allowing Clarisse and Joseph (and their security detail) to quietly slip, mostly unnoticed, into the crowd. They also changed out of their formal wear- Clarisse's idea, as she 'didn't want to attract any more attention to ourselves by wearing suits and dresses- and their clothes, along with her small tiara and his medal, were sent back to the palace.

"What shall we do now?" Joseph queried to his wife once they had done that, and she giggled, admiring him in his outfit, and feeling a little like the first time she had known she was in love with him.

"Anywhere, dear… you're the boss," she finally said, determined to make up to him whatever had gone wrong between them.

"That's a dangerous decision, darling," he retorted before grinning as she looped her arm through his. "Well… we might as well go for a tour up the street, see what's happening…"

"But we have to make sure we don't give our security team the slip," she added, pretending to look disappointed.

"It's so nice to be ignored," Joseph said a few moments later, although it wasn't strictly true as they still attracted a few stares as they strolled up the street, stopping to look at a few stalls, and Clarisse was about to point that out when she spotted the Ferris Wheel up ahead.

"I wonder how they got one of those here?" he asked- he hadn't seen it before, before turning to his wife. "Did you want to go for a ride on it?"
Clarisse's face lit up with delight at his request.

"I'd love to… oddly enough, I've never been on any of these types of rides as my Head of Security…" at this, she glance sideways at him. "… My Head of Security never agreed to it- he told me that it would be very dangerous just getting on it, as well as having to arrange men standing everywhere on the ground… Of course, he probably would have had to ride it with me…"

She sounded amused in retrospect, but she also knew it had been his job to be so protective… it had only deepened when they realised their feeling for each other… Joseph, meanwhile, pretended to look mystified.

"I wonder who that could have been?" he ribbed gently, before stepping forward to buy two tickets, grinning over his shoulder as he did so…..

Pyrus turned into a small town for ants as they soared up into the air, and Clarisse squeaked softly, clutching Joseph's arm as they stopped at the top.

"Are you afraid of heights?" he teased.

"Not of heights… just of falling," she managed to peep out, gripping his arm even tighter…

The rest of the afternoon seemed to pass by in moments as they spent their time wandering up and down the street, looking at stalls and games… Joseph even managed to win a giant stuffed teddy bear, to Clarisse's delight…

"It's wonderful, darling, I love it!" and she had carried it around for a while, attracting even more attention, before they decided to stash it in the car. Clarisse had been hoping to see Charlie or James in their travels, but they didn't but she knew that they were both attending the ball that night.

Finally, as the afternoon began to cool off, Joseph looked at his watch with a sigh.

"As much fun as this is, we really should get back to the palace to get ready… if we leave it any later, we'll be really pushing it to get to the ball on time…" and Clarisse wrinkled her nose in disgust. She knew Joseph really didn't feel comfortable at formal events, and she was reluctant this time as well- they had been getting along very well this afternoon, almost as close as ever, and she didn't want to go back to the palace and have the distance between them again…

"Do we have to?" she complained, and he laughed, although surprised as well. She usually attended these events with calmness and dignity, but for once he sensed that she was distracted by something else… They had been like their old selves this afternoon, back before the crash, Clarisse almost as affectionate in public as she usually was in private, and he also suspected that it was Clarisse's doing… it touched him, but he also didn't want her to get too worried… he had been concerned about the distance between them, but he also knew they were both determined that, if there were any problems, they would work hard to work them out…

"Do I get the hint that you want to avoid tonight?" he teased, and it was her turn to laugh this time. "What about our granddaughter- just think of all the work she has done, and then we don't show up?"

"Maybe… but you've shamed me into agreeing to go back…."

0

Once back at the palace, she was ready far earlier than he was used to, but that was because she had already decided what she was going to wear- her favourite blue satin ball dress, accompanied by Joseph's sapphire necklace he had given her, and her tiara. He whistled appreciatively when she came out of the room (although he wasn't sure she would appreciate it), and she beamed happily.

"Gorgeous… absolutely gorgeous," he raved, kissing her gloved hand gently as he cast an admiring glance over her.

"And you… as usual, handsome… were you born in a tuxedo?" she replied flirtatiously, weaving her arms around his neck.

"Maybe… but maybe I'm just one of the lucky few who should live in a tux," he replied mock haughtily, and she laughed as she caressed his cheek softly.

"At the beach…? If so, you would be doing your own washing!" she teased as her eyes met his and, for a moment, the connection between them came back to the forefront… they were still the same people, still happy together, still crazy about each other… before there was a knock on the door, interrupting them…

"I hate that," he sighed as he opened the door for her, and she smiled.

"I know what you mean… unfortunately for me, when I was Queen, it was usually you telling me that I had to go to parliament, or see Sebastian, or…."

"Alright, I get the point," he sighed heavily. "Still, it makes me appreciate the beach house more… at least, there, you could lock the door and ignore whoever was visiting…"

"As if you would do that," she retorted with a grin as they stood in front of the closed doors, waiting for the announcement that they had arrived… Mia and Nicholas were still ten minutes away…"You're like a big softie whenever someone comes to visit… especially Amelia and Nicholas!"

"True," he pretended to sound depressed. "But I couldn't ignore them… especially as Mia is a very big part of your life, and is so much like you…"

Again, their eyes met and held for a long moment, connecting, and, for a moment, both Joseph and Clarisse wished that they didn't have to attend this ball as, for them, they were the only two in the room…even the guards on either side of the door didn't exist…

Just then, they heard the tapping inside the room, and it broke the moment between them.

"Here we go," Clarisse murmured softly, her stomach full of butterflies at the long, tender look Joseph had just given her… "Here's to another Independence Day Ball..."
"At least it won't be overshadowed by the attention seeking Mr and Mrs Bonnell… honestly, how selfish were they with their wedding plans last year?" he murmured jokingly under his breath as the doors began to open, and she couldn't help but laugh at his imitation or parliament. "Let's go and have some fun," he added with a cheeky grin as they stepped into the ballroom, all eyes on them…