A/N: I should probably be updating my other story, but I'm having some serious writers block on that and then I thought. . .what better way to end 2011 and kick off 2012 than with a new story, right?

Summary: Even Flynn Rider had a few rules when it came to thievery. But once he runs into a recently escaped, naïve blonde, he finds himself breaking quite a few of 'em. But can he afford to? Especially on the eve of his biggest heist ever?

Pre-movie, kind of AU-ish but it's more like a different, more realistic approach to Tangled. Also, some characters (not Flynn or Rapunzel) will be slightly OOC intentionally, but don't worry; this is gonna be fun!

P.s. I don't own Tangled!

The Rules: Chap 1 Flynn Rider's POV

Hey, you wanna know something about me? I am the biggest idiot on Earth, seriously.

You wanna know why?

It's because I did it again. I broke the things that kept me going, that kept me focused, and more importantly, kept me alive. I broke my rules, the sacred rules that defined my very character as Flynn Rider. And for what? Some under aged blonde chick I've only known for like 4 or 5 days? Some cutesy naïve babe with. . .gorgeous light green eyes that pull me in like a magnet, fair pink-tinted skin that's softer than a baby's behind, a smile that could light up a cave—

-'SLAP!'-

Damn! I needed a mental slap but since when did they hurt so much?

"Wake up, Rider." Said the last voice I ever wanted to hear in my life; the Captain of the Guards'. I opened my eyes slowly, which was tough considering the pain going through the left side of my head. The man had the most hawkish features; a thin face with a small but pointed nose, hard brown eyes, and a ridiculous mustache over his trembling upper lip. Two of his lackeys were on guard and standing behind him, just in case I tried to pull something. Any other criminal probably would've been intimidated, but not me. Let's just say the Captain and I know each other far too well. . .scratch that, we think we know each other far too well. I'm a changed man believe it or not.

I looked around the room for the first time, which wasn't too spacious if ya know what I mean. The place was dark, dry, dirty, depressing, and did I mention dark? The walls were made of some kinda blackish-gray stones, dulling the light streaming from one lonely window that was barely the size of a head. And if all that wasn't enough, my arms were numb from being handcuffed and hung off a chain from the ceiling, my ankles were cuffed too and swinging an inch off the ground lazily.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this day Rider. And I guarantee you this time you won't be able to weasel your way out of the gallows." The Captain said with a smug, widening grin. "Not as long as we've got your little lady-friend waiting for you on the other side."

The old me would've probably shrugged off the threat or denied I had any connection to her, but we had more than a connection now. And the tone in which he said it. . .well, that made me down right furious. The feeling in my arms was coming back to me now, and I started fisting my hands around the chains to control my anger.

"Leave her out of this." I responded bitterly. "She hasn't done anything; I'm the one who tried to steal the crown." What was I saying? Well, that's one more rule I just completely disregarded. . .again; Rule number 19: DENY EVERYTHING, and especially don't admit it out loud.

"Oh and you expect me to believe she's just some lost puppy following you around on your little shopping trips." He snickered.

"YES!" I lied, almost to the point of yelling. Well, it wasn't a COMPLETE lie, that's how it started out but then things just got. . .complicated. Truth was she was just as guilty as me and the Stabbington Brothers now; she went along with it all willingly. . . .Ok, ok I may have convinced her a bit, just a little. Ok a lot, but that's beside the point.

Looking back on it, I never should've let her tag along in the first place. And it was her fault that the both of us got caught while the brothers escaped at our expense.

But the Captain didn't buy a word of it. "Cut the bullshit Rider, I know she's your new accomplice. I got to admit, she's a feisty one too; kicking and screaming all the way to the noose. But don't worry; you'll be seeing her real soon. You two lovebirds stole together, now you're gonna die together." He finished with that smug, sinister grin. It made the blood in my veins boil with rage as I imagined poor Rapunzel, kicking and screaming against the guards, a rope tied around her fragile neck waiting to snap it like a twig. I could feel my face turn red and heat up from anger, so I did what came naturally with it; I picked a fight.

I gripped the chain tighter, pulled myself up, and kicked the son of a bitch right in the jaw. But his lackeys were faster than I thought; one of 'em was holding my legs down while the other started punching me in the gut. The pain was horrible but I had made my point with the Captain.

"Enough!" he barked, rubbing gently at his lower jaw; which caused the guards to stop and stare at him. "Uncuff him, and take him to the hangman. It's time we get this over with."

They obeyed, slightly reluctant but not speaking out as they dragged me out the cell. But before they did I said "This isn't over Cap."

He laughed shortly, still rubbing at my little souvenir. "So you think Rider, so you think."

I had to limp fast to keep up with their pace or else they'd be dragging across the floor instead of me walking on it. This went on for a few minutes as we passed corridor after corridor of cells to finally make it outside onto the courtyard. There was a line of guards in their bright red and bronze uniforms, each playing the same type of drum to the beat normally associated with hangings; and it was where she was waiting at the gallows.

Rapunzel looked down at the wooden floor in defeat with closed eyes, not having the courage to look me in the eye. Even though that's exactly what I wanted her to do. She was still wearing that dark green dress I had stolen for her birthday, but now it was ripped and tattered with dirt; her face was a bit smeared as well. She was also cuffed and had the rope around her. But I knew underneath all that. . .was the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on. Those thoughts made the pain in my gut ease as I marched up the stairs and stood next to her. Then one of the taller guards tied the noose around my neck and fastened it.

I tried to look at her but she kept turning her face away. "Rapunzel," I started softly, "look at me."

Slowly, she did. Her eyes were wet as she tried to choke back tears with sheer will, but the longer we gazed at each other, the more teardrops escaped from her eyes. "I'm so. . .I'm so sorry Flynn." She choked out.

The guard's hand went for the lever that would end us both but I still had a few seconds to still say what I wanted to say, what I needed to say. And so I did; "I love you Blondie." And the strange thing is, it was the most honest thing I've ever said. Only love would be able to crush those once impenetrable walls I set up with my stupid rules; it kept me isolated, it kept me from feeling attachments, and it kept others from feeling attached to me.

I'll never forget the day I started breaking them, because that was the day she touched my heart.

And to think, this all started out because of our dreams; Two very separate dreams that were actually one in the same. And this. . .is the story of how it all got tangled.

A/N: So what do ya think? You guys all know how much I love reviews so. . .REVIEW!