A/N: An unexpected twist but definitely wrapping it up in the next chapter!

Thanks for my readers and reviewers- you all rock!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

The afternoon seemed to fly by, much to Joseph and Clarisse's surprise. After their moment, they had avoided more sensitive subjects (and he sensed that discussing her own life was off limits, considering the vehemence with which she had argued "it's your day" although she had weakened since that earlier pronouncement) and much of the afternoon had been spent in companionable silence, watching television and avoiding the tension that was in the room, tension that had developed in regards to the realisation that their relationship had progressed further since October and that it wouldn't be too long until decisions and commitments would have to be made.

As the afternoon sun began to lower over the horizon, the living room natural light began to dim, Joseph glanced at his watch and sighed- it was time to get back to reality… in other words, the palace.

"Clarisse?"

"Mmm?" she hummed almost sleepily from the other end of the sofa, her head resting heavily on her hand- she had been worried about Joseph and his state of mind but she had also discovered that today had had its own benefits for her as well- that she had had time to relax and forget, for even a day, the responsibilities that were awaiting her back at the palace.

"I had to break this up but we're going to have to start making a move if we're going to get back to the palace before midnight and you have time to prepare for tomorrow…"

"There's nothing particularly important occurring tomorrow, just the same old paperwork… I can hardly wait…" she said sarcastically but there was something else in her tone that made Joseph sit up alertly.

"What are you saying?"

Surely she couldn't be suggesting what he thought she was suggesting…

"Do YOU have anything important happening?"

"No…"

"Then…" Clarisse paused for a moment before taking a deep breath in. "I think… we should stay here tonight."

There was a long silence as Joseph stared at his boss- Her Majesty Queen Clarisse- in disbelief… had Clarisse REALLY suggested that they spent the night here, rather than return to the palace? Here, just the two of them, alone? Impossible… it couldn't, it wouldn't be allowed…

"You seem rather bewildered," Clarisse's voice broke into his thoughts and Joseph was surprised to discover that she was smirking.

"Your Majesty…."

"Clarisse."

"Clarisse… I don't see how your suggestion is possible… we may not have anything important back at the palace but… it's not appropriate…"

"Joseph, you're still so serious," she pouted playfully at him.

"I may be that but I'm also concerned about your reputation- I know what people would say if they knew….

"You dear, sweet man," she said affectionately, reaching out and brushing her hand against his cheek. "I appreciate your concern but… have you considered the fact that neither of you have spent a decent amount of time away from the palace in years? I'm used to it- the palace is my home- but you…"

"It's my home too, in most ways…"

"But it's also still your work place and you need a break, even it's overnight."

"I had a break yesterday."

"But not enough of one."

"Are you my therapist now?" he joked.

"Yes I am… not only am I worried about your well-being as your boss but, more importantly, as someone who cares about you."

She couldn't bring herself to call herself his 'girlfriend' (although it was strictly true) or openly commit to him and she didn't know why- she loved him, and really cared about him… but she was also scared about making a commitment, declaring herself…but she wanted to, very much…she just didn't know what was holding her back….

"Thank you," he said simply, reaching over and squeezing her hand. "I am grateful… but as your HOS… I don't approve, this hasn't been thought out properly and if Scott knew… I'm sure he wouldn't have approved of this trip at all."

"But it's still an idea that I can enforce," she gave him an imperious look- she was still his Queen, no matter what.

"And… are you going to enforce it or not?" he teased back and there was a long pause as she looked at him with twinkling eyes.

"I think… I will…."

"Clarisse…"

"Joseph," she mimicked his tone.

"What about Scott? He's not going to approve."

"Call him and find out," she sat back with a smug smile and Joseph reached for his mobile, saying: "I think I will…"

Less than ten minutes later, he pressed the 'end call' button and turned to Clarisse with a stupefied expression.

"What did he say?" she queried although, judging by his expression, she knew what Scott had essentially said, having pre-arranged it the day before…

"Are you sure about this, ma"am?"

"I am. If Joseph's in the mood you say he is, I think a complete twenty four hour period away from the palace would be necessary."

"And you…."

"I'll be fine. I trust Joseph and I'm sure we'll be fine."

"If you're sure…" Scott began uncertainly.

"I am," she was definite.

"Well?" Clarisse persisted and Joseph looked at her pointedly.

"He obviously knew what was going on…"

"Hence it wasn't not thought out. So, what did he say?"

"You heard the conversation."

"It was rather one sided, I only heard what you said… so?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Her Majesty and I arranged it yesterday."

"And you are alright with that."

"I am not going to argue with our boss- this was her idea, I will remind you."

"And…"

"And yes, I approve- not only for your sake but for ours as well! You're both perfectly safe out there- the other team is out there as well… and," Scott paused for a moment and then continued, sounding surprisingly serious. "Boss, you need this," he added quietly. "You do and you know it- you haven't spent ANY time away from the palace in years. It's only one night but I will think it will help you."

"But…"

"Joe, you need this. I think you, me and the Queen all know this but it was Her Majesty really suggested this… and I agree with her."

"But…"

"No arguments, it's already been decided," before his voice turned jovial. "Enjoy the rest of your day off, Boss… and make sure that Her Majesty is back by two…" before he almost cheekily ended the call, leaving Joseph stupefied…

"Well?" Clarisse repeated for a third time.

"Well… I guess we're staying here tonight."

"Good," Clarisse beamed at him, and they felt both excited and apprehensive course through them. "Good."

00000

There was a slight awkwardness between them when they were making their dinner- Joseph had asked about, trying to remain 'professional' about 'sleeping arrangements' and Clarisse had again lightly brushed off his concerns.

"Again, I have thought ahead with this and we both have had clothes packed for us."

"You really have thought of everything?" Joseph couldn't help but marvel and Clarisse looked at him calmly.

"Joseph, I am Queen and I always have to be in control and think of everything… this was a very easy decision to make."

"Even if I hadn't approved of it?" Joseph turned and looked at her pointedly and she matched him look for look.

"Yes, even then… I know you better than you think and I knew you needed some space from the palace," she said evenly before leaving the room with the plates for the table and Joseph knew that he had offended her.

"It's not that I'm not grateful for this, truly I am," he said as he followed her. "But… with your life, I need to be considered in any decision that affects you."

"Even if it's to benefit you?" she turned to look at him and he could see her eyes turning icy.

"Yes, even then… and while I appreciate today, I'm not sure staying tonight was the best idea for you…."

"Fine," she slammed the plates down and whirled around to start storming towards the door, reaching for her coat. "We'll drive back tonight, if that's what you wish."

"That's not what I wish, not at all," he said firmly, striding over and standing in front of the coatrack, preventing her from grabbing her coat. "I just want you to know that sometimes ideas such as these, well intentioned as they are, can often be the wrong ones. But we're not going anywhere tonight," he said as he gently pulled her hand away from her coat and squeezed it firmly. "Now that we've got the opportunity, it would be a shame to waste it," he gave her a small smile and, after a moment, she returned it.

They met another moment of awkwardness after dinner when it came to sleeping arrangements, with Joseph trying to insist on her sleeping in his main en-suite and Clarisse defiantly turning him down.

"I'm much happier in the guest room, thank you for the offer."

"But my bedroom would be much more comfortable…"

"The spare bedroom looks comfortable enough for me, and I'm not going to change my mind," she looked at him with an even look and Joseph had no choice but to acquiesce to her wishes.

"You're stubborn," he muttered under his breath and Clarisse smiled triumphantly at him.

"That's a little rich coming from you."

"Touché, Your Majesty," Joseph couldn't help but grin back at her.

0

Once their sleeping arrangements had been decided (and Joseph was still arguing about the fact that Clarisse was insisting on sleeping in the 'guest room', saying it was inappropriate) and dinner had been cleaned up, Joseph served two steaming cups of hot chocolate in front of the fire, the television blaring in the background.

"I haven't had hot chocolate since I was a little girl…no, wait, I did have it with the boys when they were young," Clarisse sat back on the sofa, the mug in her hands.

"I have to admit that it's been a long time since I enjoyed hot chocolate, but I was thinking that since it was a winter's evening and we were sitting in front of the fireplace… what better a beverage should we be drinking?"

"An excellent idea."

They both sipped the hot liquid in their respective mugs for a time, appreciating the background noise from the television and the crackling of the fire, before Clarisse decided to break the silence.

"So… are you feeling better?"

"I am. Much better," he gave her a warm smile. "Thank you so very much for today, it is greatly appreciated."

"As I said before, you helped me through a difficult time… today was my way of paying you back and making you feel better."

"I hope we're not going to try and pay back favours that we think that we should."

"It's nothing like that… I could see that you were tired and stressed and I wanted to do something to alleviate that."

"And I appreciate that."

"So… what will happen when we return to the palace?" she looked at him pointedly and he had to chuckle ruefully.

"I knew that we hadn't finished our discussion from earlier…" but Clarisse was still looking at him seriously.

"So?"

"So what?"

"Have you thought about what you're going to do when you get back to the palace? Are you going to start delegating tasks to some of your team mates, so that you're not doing everything yourself? Are you going to start training some of the men so that they can step up and prevent you from attending all functions that I go to?"

"That won't be necessary," he began but Clarisse continued to speak over him.

"Are you seriously going to have something done about your knees? I know that you're arguing that you can handle things by yourself, but it would be better to get something done before it gets worse."

"Aye, aye, ma'am!" he joked, mock saluting her but he could see that she was serious and he suddenly turned serious himself. "Alright, I will go and see a doctor when I can…"

"Which will be as soon as possible, within the next few weeks if possible."

"Yes…."

"Will you be delegating more tasks to your own team? I know that you like to know and do everything but you also need to consider your own needs…"

"Yes, I will be delegating to my other team members when I get back… seriously," he added as he looked at her with a serious expression.

"And the training…."

"Yes, we're due for some professional development and I'll insist that everyone attends, not just leaving it to Scott and me."

"Good," she nodded approvingly and Joseph couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"I am," she looked at him evenly. "This is not only my concern for you, Joseph, personally but, professionally, I need to know that I can rely on you, no matter what."

"You can, you can trust me on that," he responded just as seriously and took her hand in his and raising it to his lips. "You can."

"Good."

A little while later, Clarisse stifled a yawn behind her lips and Joseph instantly noted it.

"Time for bed, I see," he said as he set his cup down on the coffee table and slowly stood up (he was going to have to have his knees seen to sooner rather than later) before turning to help her up.

"Yes… it has been rather a busy day…" she agreed as she almost half stumbled up and Joseph immediately took her arm in his.

"It has, but it has been very, very relaxing…"

"I'm glad," she looked at him with a smile and reached over to caress his cheek. "I'm glad, very, very glad."