Author's Note: this may seem a little hurried, but I haven't had a lot of time this week.... next chapter up soon!
Thanks to all my readers- you all rock!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!
The rest of the night seemed to last forever as, for a long time, the six of them sat in complete silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts as the television blared in front of them. Even the puppy was unusually quiet and still as she lay on her mistress's lap and Clarisse stroked her distractedly as she watched the clock, which seemed to have stopped- and tried not to dwell on what was going on... however, it was impossible not think again that if they had been alone in the house.... she shuddered at the thought, and Joseph turned to look at her.
"What is it?" he whispered, pulling her close to talk quietly, looking around as he did so- Mia had fallen asleep, Nicholas was glaring at the television and the Motez's were also talking quietly.
"It's nothing," she tried to fob him off but when he continued to look at her, she sighed. Ï was just thinking that if we had been alone..."
"I was thinking the same thing, but we weren't," he said firmly as Clarisse rested her cheek against his shirt- while the others were in pyjamas and robes, he was still dressed.
"It just makes me a little more grateful for the security that's in place for us..."
She still looked a little troubled, so Joseph decided to try and inject some humour into the situation.
"Well... we do have some experience with these types of situations."
"Are you referring to the time when you practically locked me in my suite for two days?" Clarisse began to smile.
"Yes, and I will always maintain that I did the right thing- your personal safety was tantamount to me."
"Still, I wasn't too impressed.... I WAS Queen of Genovia, and I was supposed to be running a country...."
"Not if I felt your life was in danger, sweetheart," he murmured. "When that was the case, the rest of Genovia could have jumped off a cliff as far as I was concerned," he added honestly.
"I appreciate that now, but I don't think the rest of Genovia would have seen it the same way.... and the members of parliament in particular wouldn't have appreciated you putting me, Clarisse, ahead of the Queen."
"I don't care- Clarisse was more important than the institution of Queen," he growled in a barely audible voice and Clarisse couldn't help but laugh out loud, waking Mia and startling everyone else, including the three bodyguards in the corner.
"What's so funny?" Mia asked grumpily as she sat up, rubbing er eyes.
"Joseph was just reminding me of another time when we were in a similar situation to this," Clarisse felt better for having laughed.
"You had another time when you were sitting up all night while a maniac was running around outside?" Mia sounded surly, but Clarisse didn't blame her- being forced to sleep on a couch amidst an atmosphere of tension and fear while pregnant was hardly healthy, but until the police found the who, why and where, they all just had to wait.
"Not necessarily... there was time a couple of years ago when there was someone wanting to harm your grandmother.... Rupert had more than his fair share of threats as well, but since Clarisse was my charge, I paid more attention to her than to him."
"I can imagine," Mia giggled quietly.
"Anyway, this threat in particular alarmed me greatly so I did what I was trained to do... and went into lock down...."
0000000
The threat against Her Majesty arrived earlier that morning in a plain cream coloured envelope- a rather innocuous item- and Joseph had initially thought it was a simple letter when her secretary handed it to him... but then he saw her hand tremble, and he quickly read the letter- rather than being simple, it was ugly and terrible...
The instant he registered the contents of the letter, Joseph went into lockdown mode- as far as he was concerned, Clarisse would be inaccessible to anyone (even parliament members) for the rest of the day, and even longer if they couldn't find the instigator.
"This is a serious situation, not a practice run, and I hope you all know your responsibilities," he said sternly, looking around the security room at the sombre faces of his colleagues, who all nodded at his words. "I don't want the palace staff to find out about this until I have told Her Majesty, and Scott will inform you of what else needs to be done."
He then turned to Scott with a serious air- only Scott knew how worried he worries. "Do you know where Her Majesty is?"
"Out walking in the garden with Maurice..."Scott didn't dare add that Joe had been out there with her until he had been called inside.
"I'm going out to get her- you inform Charlotte of what's going on, and we should have another meeting in another hour or so, just to make sure every thing's fine."
Thankfully, Clarisse hadn't moved very far when from where he had left her, and she turned to smile at him as he approached, nodding to dismiss the guard who had been watching her.
"You are such a tyrant," she teased as the young guard disappeared and Joseph finally stood in front of her, looking grim. "Although that face you're wearing would scare anyone... was it bad news you received?" she asked calmly before leaning over to smell one of her roses.
"Your Majesty," he began in a formal voice and Clarisse straightened up instantly, a surprised look on her face- he had been so warm before he left, and now...
"Your Majesty," he repeated as Clarisse stared at him. "I need to escort you back inside right now."
"Why?" Clarisse replied instantly and Joe groaned to himself- she was in an argumentative mood. "I don't have any meeting scheduled until later in the day, and I don't spend much time in the garden as it is...."
"I'll explain everything inside, but I need you...."
"I know what you need me to do, Joseph," she interrupted him, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised in displeasure. "But I'm not going anywhere until you have explained to me what is going on," and she looked as though she meant it as Joseph longed to roll his eyes in exasperation- she really was a lovely woman, but sometimes she could be just so damn stubborn."Fine- there has been a threat made against you, and it's far worse than the previous one."
"The one where some strange woman claimed to be Rupert's illegitimate daughter?" she replied sarcastically, but he could see that the news had shaken her. " How bad?" she asked as she walked towards him, and he sighed as they headed back towards the palace, Maurice trotting along at Clarisse's side.
"Very bad... there was a note threatening you harm...." he ended awkwardly and Clarisse's shoulders slumped instantly.
"Oh," was all she said, and Joseph wanted to put his arms around her as they walked inside in silence, before she straightened up again, her chin held hight. "It doesn't matter- I'm still going to keep to my schedule... in fact, I have a function fairly soon, so I had better start getting ready..."
"You won't be attending that function, Your Majesty," he said quietly as he followed her into her suite. "Charlotte has been instructed to cancel your schedule for today as well as tomorrow."
"Excuse me?" Clarisse spun on her heel and looked at him, now clearly displeased. "On whose authority did you make that decision?"
"My own," Joseph was unperturbed by her growing displeasure. "As your HOS, I have the authority to veto any activities that I deem unsafe for you- and your schedule, at this time, is something unsafe. For now, you will have to do your paperwork in here, and you will have extra guards outside your suite."
"You're placing me under virtual house arrest?" Clarisse almost screamed, now angry. "What about my meals, any visitors I was expecting.... even members of parliament?"
She was clearly desperate as she pulled parliament card, but Joseph was unmovable although he felt sorry for her.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but it is for your safety..." Clarisse glared at him, her eyes full of tears of frustration.
"Joseph, can you at least talk to me as a friend rather than as a cold and distant bodyguard.
"I'm sorry,"he softened as he reached out and took her hand for a moment. "There's nothing I can say to make you feel any better, but I am serious that your safety is priority number one at the moment... and not necessarily you as Queen," he added with a small smile, and Clarisse relaxed a little.
"Thank you... I just hate being trapped like this because of a violent whim of a stranger I'll never meet."
"I wish I could understand, but I can't...all I can say is that to guard you, for most of us, is more than a job, and we just want you to be safe because we care."
0000000
"But I still got my revenge on Joseph," Clarisse added with a victorious smile and her husband laughed.
"That's right... Clarisse figured that since she was going to be stuck in her suite for a couple of days, she certainly wasn't going to be alone.... Would you believe that she insisted on me sleeping on that uncomfortable couch?" he looked at Mia indignantly.
"I was rather childish in that respect," Clarisse admitted with a chuckle. "But still..." she smiled over at him tenderly. "It did help my nerves to have him so close..."
"Now I understand that you know how I'm feeling," Mia grinned.
"I do, and you reminded me so much of your father this afternoon, pacing up and down- he would have done the same thing," she teased gently and Mia blushed. "However, as he and I before you have both learnt, you and Nicholas are in a very different position to other young people... I know you would like to be free, doing what you want- including being involved in dangerous investigations," she looked pointedly at Nicholas.
"And I can understand that- but you are who you are- Queen of Genovia and Lord Devereaux as well as Consort, and that does separate you from everyone else... You will always be protected and guarded, as irksome as that may sound, but it is necessary, particularly now you hare having your first child together. It will seem that your every move is watched- which it is- but never doubt that your security team is doing their best, and doing it because they care...." she finished calmly, and there was a slight pause before Mia, who had been listening intently, grinned.
"Wow, Grandma... you again have just proved how wise you are."
"All thanks to years of personal experience," Clarisse said with a self deprecating laugh as Joseph squeezed her hand.
0
There was no change in the situation when the sun came up a couple of hours later, but after the bodyguards did a thorough search of all the upstairs room, they were allowed to move around the house although, by mutual agreement, they stayed in the living room most of the time.
"I hope they find whoever did this," Clarisse commented to Joseph when they went upstairs to shower and change as one of the bodyguards walked Shelley outside.
"Why- so we can be alone again?" Joseph teased and she chuckled as she walked towards the ensuite.
"No, that's you, not me, dear... but I'm worried about Mia- she doesn't need this now."
"True- but you did give them some good advice..."
"That's what grandmothers are for," she said flippantly.
When they went back downstairs, they discovered that Mia and Nicholas had had heated words in their absence, and while Mia was being consoled in the kitchen by Sheila, Nicholas was sulking in the living room.
"It's understandable that you two hate being cooped up for days on end, especially under these circumstances, but you aren't the only ones who get restless- I suspect Joseph and Sebastian are both feeling the same way," Sheila said sympathetically. "It's bound to cause tension."
'"I just don't understand men sometimes," Mia sighed. "They're impossible!"
"While we agree with you there, we are going to be probably spending another few days together, living in close quarters, so I suggest that we just all settle down and not allow this tension to get to us," Clarisse said wisely before they were distracted by someone coughing in the doorway, and they saw a sheepish looking Nicholas standing there... obviously Sebastian and Joseph had come to the same conclusion....
00000
The next three days seemed to drag by just as slowly and while there was a silent agreement not to argue, the tension again was building, although Mia and Sebastian were busy with the paperwork Scott had arranged to be transferred there. Sheila spent a lot of time reading as Clarisse started up again with her embroidery work, leaving Joseph and Nicholas at a loose end, although both pretended to be busy watching t.v, but both were bored, although Nicholas didn't say a word, which Clarisse appreciated, knowing that Joseph had spoken to him and was probably feeling the same way himself. Clarisse was trying to remain calm about the whole mess, although she was still concerned about the situation as well as the fact that they were incommunicado from their friends and family.
"You look far too serious doing embroidery," came a voice from beside her on the couch, and she looked over to see Joseph grinning at her.
"I was just thinking and hoping that this is all over soon... I'm sure that our family is worried about us...."
"I'm surprised BJ hasn't tried to bluster his way in here, or try to convince Scott to let us talk to him... Oh, Scott is on is way out here... I think he might have some news...."
He hadn't meant to reveal the last part, particularly as he saw Clarisse's eyebrows knit together in concern. "I'm sure it's nothing serious- maybe Scott thought he would see us in person rather than calling me... But I see that Shelley has made herself comfortable in your lap again," he changed the subject quickly. "Are you bribing her?"
"No," Clarisse smiled down at the puppy, now distracted, and gently patted the top of her head, eliciting a tail wag. "She really is very sweet, and the breed apparently loves to nap in laps... Mia gave me a book on the breed, and I've been reading it in my spare time, which I seem to have plenty of at the moment," she said with a tinge of sarcasm in her voice, and Joseph ad to smile- she was getting as restless as everyone else.
It was a few hours later when Shades stepped into the room where they were all watching television, looking grim.
"I'm sorry for interrupting your evening again, but I though you needed to know this- we found our suspect," he said simply as the air in the room turned electric. "It wasn't linked to anyone we had suggested. We caught him as he was about o leave the country, but had been detained on another matter, so we were able to catch up with him.... It took a little time to get everything sorted, but he has made a full confession- basically, he was the mastermind behind the whole scheme, although he had others working for him, but...." he paused for a moment and Joseph sensed that what they were about to hear wasn't going to be pleasant.
"This isn't easy, but he had been counting on the fact that you would all be together.... he had intended on detonating the bomb here..." he trailed off awkwardly, not wishing to finish the sentence, but it had made an enormous impact on his audience- there were three gasps of horror, one "Oh what?" and two sharp intakes of breath.
"Are you definitely sure about that?" Joseph finally asked as, beside him, his wife tried not to faint.
"Very sure,"Scott replied solemnly. "The police didn't want you to know until they were sure, but they are definitely sure."
"So it's someone that has no link to the Crown or the Prime Minister?" Nicholas asked in a low voice and Scott nodded.
"What happens now?" Clarisse asked quietly. "Would it make your job easier, Scott, if Joseph and I were back at the palace?"
Ever since Scott had woken them up the first time, she had been silently considering all the options, and she had come to the conclusion that maybe it would be easier if she and Joseph were back under the protective security umbrella at the palace.
Joseph was surprised she hadn't mentioned anything to him, but if she was prepared to leave the house she had been happy at for everyone's safety, it spoke volumes.
After a moment, he realized Scott, while frowning pensively, hadn't said anything so he discreetly cleared his throat, startling Scott.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking... professionally, I would recommend that you do that... but personally, you can't let some random lunatic drive you out of hour home... while there may be some protests about extra security, I think you can stay here..." he said with a grin.
"Other than that, the other two residences have been given the all clear, so you guys can go home in the morning.... you won't be needed for court appearances in this case as the police have enough evidence without your involvement... oh, and there are a few things I need to point out. You all will he heavily guarded for a while, which means a) no more secret adventures...." he looked at Mia and Clarisse when he said that. "B) no more escaping from guards, even for five minutes..." this was directed at them all. " And c) all guests will need to call ahead and be vetting... this is more for here," he looked at Joe, who nodded understandingly- if they were to stay at the beach, they would have to make some concessions....
"Other than that, hopefully things will be dull and normal for some time... not that I'm accusing you of being dull, Your Majesty," he added hastily as Mia jokingly raised any eyebrow.
"I'lll forgive you this time, Scott, only because you and the police have done some really good work with this case... well done!"
"Here, here," Joseph added enthusiastically as the others nodded. "It looks like you don't need me anymore!"
"Not that Grandma would mind," Mia murmured quietly as everyone laughed, Clarisse mock glaring at her granddaughter.
0
"Let's hope that everything remains normal for a while," Mia echoed Scott's words the following morning when they left. "Maybe we could make things a little interesting," she mused thoughtfully and Joseph frowned at her. "Joking, Joe, just kidding!"
"Things are certainly never dull around here," Clarisse commented lightly once the others left. "I didn't think life would be this interesting once I retired!"
"We do know some interesting people," Joseph joked as he wove an arm around her waist. "But were you really serious about going back to the palace if necessary?"
"I suppose... yes, I was," Clarisse admitted thoughtfully. "It was something I really didn't want to happen, but if everyone I care about was safer because of it... then, so be it... but I am glad that Scott supports us staying out here...."
000
The next two weeks were much less eventful than the first few days of the New Year- something for which they were both grateful. All five suspects involved the bomb scare had all appeared in court a couple of days after they were arrested, and while they were all out on bail, the police were following them and were confident that all would serve some time in prison. The press had a field day with it, of course, but all parties involved stayed well out of it, and they soon realized that neither Clarisse nor Mia would comment publicly on the matter, and they soon lost interest.
"Although they'll be very interested again when they are convicted," Mia said cynically."I just wish they could have been put away now, rather than in a month...."
"That's the way justice works, I suppose," Joseph said calmly, although he too hated the thought of them being out and about.
They had caught up with their family and friends again (all of whom had been worried sick) and life was back to normal, although Clarisse was worried that Charlie wasn't well... he had sounded weaker the last time they had spoken to him....
It was a cool January afternoon when Joseph received the call that he had been dreading, a call he could have to relay to Clarisse.....
She was outside in the garden, supposedly weeding, but Shelley was far more entertaining, digging energetically beside her, getting covered in dirt and then shaking it all off before going in for more. She was just sitting back on her towel, laughing at Shelley, when Joseph appeared.
"I thought you were supposed to be weeding," he chided gently as he helped her up off the ground and she laughed as she brushed herself down.
"I was, but Shelley was proving to be far too entertaining... So, what were you up to?"
"I was on the phone... and I need to talk to you..." he gently guided her over to the garden seat and they sat down together.
"What is it, Joseph?" Clarisse asked curiously, completely unaware of the news her husband was about to break to her.
"It was James on the line... it's Charlie...." he trailed off as Clarisse suddenly realized what he was about to say.
"He's gone, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I know he was a great friend of yours," he said softly, patting her hand as she stared bleakly into the garden.
"He's been sick for a long time... when?"
"Early this morning..."
"I thought he was going to beat it... he was always so sure..." she looked at him with an anguished expression. "It's so unfair..."
"Yes, he did seem to think he was going to beat it..." he said heavily as Clarisse rested her head on his shoulder, tears spilling down her cheeks.
000
The funeral was held in Pyrus four days later, and Joseph and Clarisse spent the night before at the palace. Both of them had parts to play in the service- Marion wanted Clarisse to do a reading and say a few words about Charlie, while Joseph was asked to be a pallbearer, much to his surprise, but they both accepted immediately.
'"You obviously made a great impression on Charlie," Clarisse had teased him gently when they had found out, but they had both been touched at the gesture.
She sighed as she stood in front of the mirror on the morning of the funeral, dressed in the same black suit she had worn for Phillipe- she had never expected to wear this again so soon, and for someone she had loved like a brother... it was so unfair.... before she suddenly realized that, one day, Mia would be doing this for her....
"Are you ready?" she heard Joseph ask in the doorway, and she nodded, walking towards him and he reached out for her hand.
"I wish this wasn't happening," she murmured to herself as they walked down to the car- Mia couldn't attend, so she, Joseph and Nicholas were representing the royal family.
Despite the fact that this was suppose to be a private affair, the press were camped out in front of the church, recording and photographing all the guests, doing the same when Joseph, Nicholas and Clarisse emerged from the royal limousine, but Clarisse only looked straight ahead as they walked into the church.
Charlie had been a popular and well liked parliamentarian, so it was no surprise that the church was almost full when they were escorted down to their usual chairs next to the altar, something Clarisse didn't want today- she wanted to be sitting down with the rest of the mourners, but protocol was protocol....
She was nervous when, with a look from James the Archbishop, the time came for her to do her reading (which was ridiculous, she told herself sternly as she made her way to the podium, she had done this several times over the years... but none had mattered as much as this one did) but she somehow mad her way through it before pausing a moment.
"This is not an eulogy, but I was asked to say a few words about Charles... or rather, as I knew him, Charlie. All I can really say is that he was like a brother to me- he and James met me when I was still the fiancée of the Crown Prince, and I was a shy young lady... but little did I know on that first evening that they, along with their wives, would become dear friends to me and my second husband Joseph, and I was always grateful to have them on my side through anything. He was always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on, or when I needed to laugh, and the most endearing quality I will always remember about him was that he was always so cheerful and optimistic, even when I know his illness was getting him down.... " she paused again for a moment as tears began to choke up her throat, and she knew she wouldn't be able to say much more without breaking down. "But he was a wonderful friend from the moment we met, and I will miss him more than I can say...."
She managed to hold herself together for the rest of the service- although James' affectionate eulogy had her simultaneously laughing and in tears- but when the time came for Joseph, James and the other pallbearers to carry the coffin out of the church, tears slowly began to slide down her cheeks, and she had to grip Nicholas's arm tightly so that she didn't completely break down.
The rest of the funeral ceremony was a merciful blur, but Marion immediately came over to her when they arrived at Charlie's town residence for the wake, a warm smile on her face.
"Thank you for your words in the church... I know Charlie would have loved it... I know I did..."
"I really didn't know what to say, so I just said what I thought about...."
"Thank you.... Charlie really was very fond of you- just like you were his little sister- and I hope that you will still keep in touch now..."
"Of course I will.... as if this changes anything!" Clarisse said with a smile, before squeezing her hand sympathetically. "But if there is anything Joseph and I can do...."
"I will call you.... but thank you again.... this has been hard, but...."Marion trailed off with a shrug. "I'm sorry, I must keep going, but I just wanted to see you first..."
"It doesn't matter... I'll see you later anyway...." Clarisse smiled before Marion walked over to greet other guests, and she joined the Motezs and Nicholas, looking around for Joseph.... at the moment, she just wanted him beside her....
"Here I am," she heard from behind her, and she smiled as he stepped up next to her, looping her arm through his.... Although this was a very sad occasion, she was alright now that Joseph was with her....