"I've got you now Rosalie!" James cheered as he ran through to the room where he had seen his friend flee to. He threw open the door, his wooden sword in hand. He looked round, but could see no trace of his friend.

"Rosalie? Rosalie! Where are you Rosalie? Come on Rosalie" he called as he searched the room. He looked every where but still there was no sign of her.

"Oh, little James, I believe it is I who has you" Rosalie's voice said from no where. James leapt round, excitedly. Looking for his friend. He was knocked onto the ground, and was pinned down by a pair of legs. A wooden sword lay against his neck. He looked up slowly at the figure. There stood a young woman, with golden blonde hair which was pulled back in a loose pony tail with a pirate hat on top of it. She wore a make shift pirate costume. "Say your prayers or I'll slit your throat!" she looked at her friend's terrified face and burst out laughing. "Oh James, worry not" she said getting off him. "Come on, you should know me better by now" she said, offering him a hand. He took it and Rosalie easily pulled him to his feet. He dusted himself of quickly. "Argh, what did I tell ya cap'n, no one is yet to beat Rosalie of midnight"

"Midnight?"

"Cause that's when I strike, so watch yourself when the witches' hour strikes!" His eyes bulged, and Rosalie yet again burst out laughing. "Worry not James, come, before Madam Giry catches me" she said leading him out of the room.

Rosalie and James had been friends since they first met, ten years ago. Although they had both gone through drastic changes and events, the two were as close as ever. Rosalie lived in the Paris Opera House, since her parent's unfortunate death. James lived with his mother and father and siblings, although he always did his best to visit his friend. They had met accidentally.

His parents had brought him to a masquerade that was held in the opera house. It was there that he first set eyes on Rosalie. Rosalie had worn a satin black dress, with a matching mask. Unlike the other girls there, who were dancing, talking and doing their best to socialise and act like a true lady, Rosalie seemed to be playing with an unseen figure, as she climbed round the walls. She had been running along the walls, holding on to a rope which was attached to some where unknown. She leapt over the gaps with as much ease as it took to walk. How ever easy she made running along the walls look, it took only one slip and she came hurtling down, landing on James, who had almost collapsed when he caught her. She thanked him for saving her and she was in his debt. He had asked her to keep in contact with him, and she had done, much to both of their pleasure. Now, ten years later, the two teenagers spent many of their days happily playing round the opera house, unaware and uncaring to what the world thought of them.

The two ran through the opera house, until James came to a halt.

"Stop, pirate!" he spat. Rosalie pulled back in her steps, and looked at him, amused and ever so slightly confused.

"What?"

"You expect me to let you escape me so easily this time as I did the last?" She smirked, sniggering slightly

"I beg to differ cap'n" she said walking towards him, a sly smirk on her face "no matter how hard you try to capture me, you never can!"

"Oh really?"

"Aye, really cap'n. And I'll keep that thought of you, unless you can prove me wrong of course?" James sniggered, pulled out his sword, and turned away from her. He twisted his sword between his fingers

"You are very mistaken, pirate, for you are soon going to be proven…" He spun round, and jabbed his sword forward "…wrong!" He said fiercely, but Rosalie was no where to be seen. He pulled back, a look of pure confusion on his face.

"Rosalie? Rosalie?" he called out to no response. He sighed "Captain Midnight! Midnight?"

"You called?" her voice rang out.

"Where are you?"

"Here"

"Where is here?"

"Here…. Err James?"

"Yes?"

"Look out…." She called. James turned and saw Rosalie swooping towards him, hanging on to a rope. He grinned at her. "Watch out" She yelled. James went to dive out the way "Not really, you idiot!" She laughed, as she grabbed the back of his shirt, and hoisting him onto the rope. He looked at her, terror glowing in his eyes, which caused Rosalie to burst out laughing. "Hold on, I have no idea how to control this thing!" She laughed. He climbed up the rope, and held on for dear life. "Oh James! You aren't half a coward!" She laughed. "Ok, James?"

"Yes?" He said, his voice quivering

"When I say go, let go of the rope"

"What?!"

"Oh just do it. Ok three, two, and one…. And go!" She yelled, as she let go of the rope pulling James down with her. The two landed on the ground roughly, rolling across the floor in the shape of balls. Rosalie kicked from her rolling, and leapt to her feet, landing gracefully. She lowered her arms, which she had for some reason raised as if in a show, she shook her head and vaguely swept herself off. She turned to James "That was fun… wasn't it?" She said looking up at him, and sniggering to herself. James was sat on the floor shaking. She put her hands on her hips, looked up at the ceiling, rolled her eyes, sighing "And men are meant to braver then women?" She said, shaking her head. She smirked at James and ran over to him. "Come on, softie" She laughed, pulling him up. She had to hold onto his arm until he regained his balance. "Come on, I better get changed before Madam Giry sees me in this!" She laughed taking his hand and leading him to the dormitories.

She led him to outside her room.

"Wait here, I'll be right out" she said, going in. James leaned against the wall, watching the door, a slight smirk on his face. He sighed in irritation, shoving himself off the wall.

"Why can I not just say it?! Just one simple question! One simple sentence!" He sighed shaking his head "I know I can, but the moment I see her face…." He looked to the door, as the sound of her singing one of her songs came from inside "… or hear her voice, and…. She steals away my words". James walked to the door, cleared his throat quietly. "Right, the moment she opens the door, I'll tell her! I'll ask her" he said, confidence growing in each word. He lifted his hand to knock on the door grinning widely and strangely at the door, but the door did not open. He looked to his hand, and saw it was still held in midair. He sighed and lowered it. "Oh Rosalie, I have something to tell you. But you must promise me you won't mock me for it. I love you Rosalie Deaa! I can only hope you feel the same" He said looking away. He looked back to the door, smiling adoringly "You do? Oh Rosalie. Rosalie! I have one thing to ask of you, will you be my bride?" he said, getting down on one knee. He looked up at the door, and saw it had not stirred.

"Did you say something James?" Rosalie called out. He sighed, shaking his head

"No Rosalie, not a word" He said glumly. He got to his feet, and turned away. "I cannot believe I just poured my soul out to a door, and then proposed to it! I am such an idiot!" He spat, hitting the wall.

"No your not". He turned and saw Rosalie, long navy blue dress, smiling sweetly at him. "You're not an idiot" she said walking over to him "Perhaps not the most intelligent man in the world, since that position has already been taken" She took his hands in hers "but you are certainly not stupid" she smiled sweetly at him. James smiled back at her

"Thank you Rosalie"

"Is it not what friends for, or have I been lied to all my life?" She laughed. The two looked at each other, looking directly in each others eyes.

"James!" A voice hollered. The two turned and saw James's mother and Madam Giry walking towards them.

"Rosalie" Madam Giry called.

"James it is time to go, say good bye to Rosalie"

"Yes mother" He turned to Rosalie and sighed silently "Until next time, Rosalie of midnight" he said, bowing politely.

She giggled

"Until next time, cap'n" She said, bowing and taking off an imaginary hat. The two rose, grinning at each other.

"Night Rosalie"

"Night James" James and his mother turned and left Rosalie and Madam Giry.

"He cares deeply for you" Madam Giry commented

"Yes, well I do him"

"You do?"

"Of course, but only as a friend, nothing more nothing less"

"I see, you best go to bed now Rosalie, for you have a big to prepare yourself for"

"Oh yes, of course, Madam" she said, half listening.

"Night dear" Madam Giry said, turning her to her door and opening it for her.

"Night Madam" she said walking into her room.