Hello! This is a short oneshot I wrote a while ago, and I decided to post it. I picture Jill and Eustace at about 11 or 12, before they really got to know each other.

Jill was frustrated. She was practicing piano in the new music room of the Experiment House, but was struggling with the piece she was trying to play. She wanted to learn it so badly, but she just couldn't play the notes in rhythm without her fingers fumbling.

"Argh!" she screamed. "Why can't I get this?" She banged her head against the keys, making a horrendous noise.

"Er…Pole?" Jill looked up to see Eustace standing in the door way. "What's the matter?"

"I'm just angry. I've been trying so hard to play this piece correctly, but I just can't seem to do it. If I play the rhythm correctly, I botch the notes. If I play the right notes, then my rhythm's off. It's no use." Jill sighed again.

"Well…" Eustace hesitated. "I could…help you…I mean, if you wanted help that is…" he trailed off.

"You play piano?" Jill hadn't expected that.

"Yes." Eustace grinned sheepishly. "Alberta thinks it's very cultured or something of that sort, so she made me take lessons when I was younger."

"Oh," said Jill, unsure of how to respond. "Well, if you could help me I would greatly appreciate it." Eustace came over to the piano bench and sat down next to Jill.

"The Skater's Waltz, hmm? Which measures are you struggling with?" Jill showed him.

"I just can't seem to get my left hand to cooperate with my right." Jill tried playing it, but messed up again. "See?" Eustace put his fingers on the keys, and played it perfectly. Jill raised an eyebrow. "No need to show off, Scrubb."

"Sorry. I just was trying to get a feel for it. I haven't played in a year or so." Eustace paused to think. "Why don't you watch my fingers while I play?" Jill nodded, and Eustace played the piece once again. He looked to Jill, but she shook her head.

"It's no use. I couldn't keep track. I have an idea though." Eustace tilted his head inquisitively. "Put your hands on the piano again," commanded Jill. Eustace did as he was told. Jill lightly placed her hands on top of his. "Now play." So he did. He was aware though, of Jill's soft palms touching the tops of his hands, mysteriously sending electric waves down his spine. When he had finished, Jill removed her hands and exclaimed, "I think I've got it!" She then played with only one mistake.

"Um…perhaps you should try it once more," said Eustace, distracted by the tingling going on in his hands. This time, as Jill played, Eustace watched her hands. Her skin was smooth and pale. Her fingers were long and slender, and her hands were very small. Much different from his own, which were large and calloused. He noticed that her nails were bitten to stubs. He held in the urge to laugh. She swore she'd stopped doing that! he thought to himself. Jill then finished playing. She looked up happily.

"I did it! I did it, Scrubb, I did it!" She then reached over and squeezed Scrubb's hand. "Thanks, Scrubb. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Uh, yeah sure, any time," said Eustace, distracted. His hand had started tingling again.