Jim was lying down in bed, head resting atop his arm. He was fast asleep. "Hey, Jim." A voice spoke, waking him. Jim's eyes cracked open slightly before he sat up in bed.

"What?" He yawned, rubbing a hand over his face.

"Can you cover for me?" Cinderella asked. Jim gave her a look of disbelief, blowing a strand of hair out of his face. She'd woken him up for this? She flashed him an innocent smile.

"Fine, fine." He grumbled, shaking his head slightly.

"Thanks, I owe you." Cinderella promised him. She quickly left the room. Jim couldn't help but roll his eyes. Cinderella left the orphanage, quietly shutting the door behind her. She ran down the steps, running out the gates.

~~~~~

Cinderella walked into town. It had been a few days since she'd been there  In her hand, she held a small almost pendant like object. It had a white cross on it. She held it to her chest as flashed back to what had happened.

"Why don't you tell me about yourselves?" Esmeralda asked, gazing over the group.

"Well. . ." Cinderella started, her voice trailing off. "Where do we begin?" She asked, smiling.

"We need to get going." Jim stated. "We've been gone for almost two hours." He informed. Cinderella's eyes widened in realization.

"Oh, you're right." She agreed.

"You're leaving already?" Esmeralda asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We might get in trouble if we don't." Cinderella explained.

"Then let me give you something." Esmeralda pulled off a necklace from her neck. Cinderella looked at her and surprise. "This will help you find me later." She held out the necklace to Cinderella.

"Thank you." Cinderella held it to her chest. She smiled up at the girl.

Cinderella continued walking, smiling slightly. It led her to a large cathedral. Cinderella entered it, climbing up the steps until she reached the roof of the building. She walked over, resting her arms on the stone railing. She gazed out, staring at the breathtaking view. You could see the entire town. "Wow." She breathed. "That is beautiful." She rested her head on the palms of her hands. She had a look of longing to her.

"I'll say." A voice spoke up from behind her. Cinderella turned around only to see Esmeralda. She felt the unfamiliar feeling of butterflies Rising her stomach. "I was starting to think you wouldn't show." Esmeralda admitted with a grin. Cinderella smiled over at her. Esmeralda and Cinderella both reached their hands out, before their fingers intertwined. They made eye contact, blushing. "It's been too long." Esmeralda said.

"It's only been a few days." Cinderella corrected.

"Exactly." Esmeralda grinned. Cinderella laughed and smiled brightly.

"How long before you have to go back?" Esmeralda asked her.

"A few hours before wake up call." Cinderella said.

"Only a few hours?" Esmeralda sighed, obviously dissapointed. She wanted to spend more time with her.

"It's the. . . Best I can do." She looked down.

"I'll take any moment that I can get with you." Esmeralda told her, genuinely. That caused Cinderella to brighten up and smile.

Cinderella and Esmeralda left the balcony, walking through the cathedral. The sun shined in through the stained glass windows. It was reflected over the shiny polished floors. "Blue's your favorite color, huh?" Esmeralda asked Cinderella. Cinderella nodded her head in response.

"What about siblings?" Cinderella looked over at her.

"A brother, Clopin." Esmeralda answered, smiling as she thought of him. "King of us gypsies." Cinderella was incredibly surprised to hear that.

"He's the king? Then are you a princess?" Her eyes shined with amusement.

"I guess. If you want to put it that way." Esmeralda chuckled softly.

"It must be nice to be royalty." Cinderella shrugged slightly, looking away. Esmeralda studied the girl before speaking up.

"Cinderella." That caused Cinderella to look over at her.

"What?" She asked and Esmeralda gave her a knowing smile. She placed her hand on Cinderella's cheek briefly before letting it fall.

"Come with me." Esmeralda truly wanted her to. "To the Court of Miracles. Leave the orphanage." She persuaded. Cinderella wasn't sure what to say. Oh how she wanted to.

"Leave? Tonight?" Cinderella asked, looking up at her.

"You could come and live where I live." Esmeralda tried convincing her. "What do you say?"

"Esmeralda, that's. . ." Cinderella's voice trailed off.

"You would like it there." Esmeralda promised. "And I know everyone would like you." Cinderella shook her head.

"I can't just leave." She stated.

"Why not?" Esmeralda questioned.

"I have the others depending on me." Cinderella explained. "I can't just leave them alone in that place." She protested.

"Bring the others with you." Esmeralda couldn't help but feel slightly frustrated. "There's enough room for all of them." Cinderella turned away from her, placing a hand on the stone wall.

"I know we would love to go with you, Esmeralda." She said quietly. "But if I take everyone or even if it's just me. . ." Her voice trailed off as she turned to face her. "I can't imagine what the Madam would do. . ." Oh yes she could. "If she found six of the orphans missing." Cinderella shook her head. "What would she do if she found you?" She asked Esmeralda, turning away once more, letting her hand drop to her side. It no longer touched the stone wall.

"You shouldn't wor-" Esmeralda was cut off.

"I don't want anything to happen to you." Cinderella stated. Esmeralda frowned before sighing.

"Tell you what," she started. "It's almost your birthday, right?" Esmeralda questioned.

"That's right." She avoided her gaze. Esmeralda thought it over.

"On that day, when you turn eighteen," she looked up at her. "I'll come steal you. Then there's no problems." Esmeralda promised. Cinderella chuckled softly before smiling up at the girl.

"Deal." She agreed and Esmeralda grinned. Esmeralda pressed a kiss on Cinderella's cheek, causing her to laugh. Her hand raised up to her cheek, blushing.

~~~~~ (Back at the orphanage...)

Jim was currently mopping the floors. He frowned and gazed over at Ariel, saying nothing. She frowned, but her gaze softened slightly. He turned away slightly. She mumbled under her breath before starting to walk away. Jim watched her go, eyes widening with surprise. He saw a vision of his father, arms crossed over his chest and staring at Jim with dissaproval.  Jim sighed. His father glared at him, fading away. A word was written on the wall where he once was. In that same small, cursive handwriting. 'Applogize.' Jim frowned before looking down. Anya walked into the room and Jim looked around uncomfortably. She looked over at him in surprise.

"Hey, Jimmy." She greeted. He didn't say anything and went back to mopping. He sighed when she started talking, before he stopped and payed attention, gazing up at her. "I wanna ask you something." She stated. "What is going on between you and Ariel?" She questioned, arms crossing over her chest briefly before placing her hands on her hips.

"Um. . ." Jim's voice trailed off. "Nothing." He mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

"Yeah right. There is something." She declared. Jim didn't say anything before sighing and looking over at her.

"It was just a fight." He said, feeling frustrated.

"About Peter, right?" She asked. "Cindy and Snow told me Ariel met someone." Anya informed. Jim glanced over at her in surprise. "And you're jealous aren't you." It wasn't a question. Jim went back to mopping.

"No." He grumbled.

"I know you like her." Anya said. "But Ariel doesn't know." Jim looked down. "If she did, she wouldn't be interested in Peter." Anya shook her head as Jim mopped the floor harder. "You're a good guy, Jimmy. You deserve to be happy." She sighed. "Which is why you should tell her." She stated.

"It's no big deal. She doesn't need to know." Jim brushed it off. He set the mop against the wall, resting against a railing. He stared down at his hands.

"Jim." She said sternly and he looked over. "Tell her, before I do it for you, you scaredy cat." She jabbed a finger in his direction before walking off. Jim said nothing before looking up, his gaze going down the hall.

~~~~~~

Ariel sat in the main room. "Melody?" A voice spoke up and she glanced over. Eilowny stood there. "Can I talk to you for a second?" She asked.

End of Chapter Eight