Turns out I wasn't able to stop writing, so I suppose this will be a series of snippets and one-shots. I just adore Rapunzel and Eugene too much to stop!

Thank you all for your favorite story adds and kind words! Reviews are greatly appreciated and add fuel to the fire ;)


"But what if they don't like me?" She tugged nervously at the weathered hem of her dress as she eyed the yawning stretch of the bridge before them. Maxiums offered her a whicker of encouragement before nudging his head against her back in an effort to propel her forward. Pascal clicked with irritation as he was struggled to hold onto the stumbling princess' shoulder.

"They'll love you, Blondie. Trust me on this one." Even as he patted her back Eugene's eyes were alertly scanning the crowds. It had been nothing short of a miracle that with the help of Max and the Snuggly Duckling thugs he'd managed to escape a hanging and legions of kingdom guards. Even more miraculous was the notion that the thugs had somehow kept the angered mob from following.

Though neither of them would admit it, Eugene and Max had both begrudgingly come to an understanding. Thank you for that one, Rapunzel. It was a palpable relief to know that he didn't have to hide from the stallion any longer, loath as Max was to the idea. Eugene pretended not to notice the snorts and glares that were directed his way, choosing instead to try and coax the petite princess in front of him forward.

"You were here just last night and you loved it."

"I know." She grimaced as if the acknowledgement itself was too painful, her eyes trained on the castle in the distance. Eugene found it hard to believe that this was the same free spirited woman that had cajoled him, Flynn Rider – thief extraordinaire, and the townsfolk of Corona into dancing giddily through the square. The same woman that had walked through this very kingdom in wide-eyed surprise, gasping and twirling in rapture and awe at the decorations and bustle of the crowds.

"Hey, this should be the happiest day of your life." He took her hands in his own and squeezed them gently until she looked up at him. She offered a small, uncertain smile in return before turning her attention back to the foreboding bridge.

"It is, but…"

"But?" Eugene never heard her response because a moment later he found himself on his knees with his hands being pulled roughly behind his back.

"We've got him! We've finally caught the thief!"

"No no no, hey! Let him go! Are you even listening to me?" Rapunzel was flitting back and forth in front of him, her eyes wide in confusion as she watched the palace guards bind Eugene's wrists with a thick piece of rope. That was sure going to leave a mark. Unfortunately for both of them, the irate princess was blatantly being ignored as the guards surrounded their prisoner.

Rapunzel's eyes flashed quickly to Max and in a twirl of purple and pink skirts Eugene watched her scramble up onto the horse's back, Pascal hopping onto his head and holding on for dear life. She bobbled unsteadily as Max reared back with a rather impressive whinny, his front hooves pawing at the air just above the sea of helmets.

There was a brief moment of silence before the guards suddenly turned their attention to the disruption. Eugene winced in sympathy as he caught the brief flicker of panic in her eyes moments before the same hardened resolve he had witnessed upon their first meeting washed over her.

"Who dares to ride the captain's horse?" A burly guard muscled his way through the throng until he was standing directly in front of Max.

"Release that man." The words were swallowed in the excited murmuring of the growing crowd. Max shifted uneasily on his feet as the guard made a move to remove Rapunzel from his back.

"Don't you dare touch her!" Eugene, who had been rather docile up until that moment, sprang to his feet and shouldered his way through the mass of people until he could take a defensive stance between Rapunzel and the overzealous guard.

"Then I'll just as easily dispose of you first, Rider."

"Wait! Stop! Don't hurt him."

"Oh? And I should listen to the thief's harlot why?" The surrounding guards erupted into raucous laughter and catcalls, oblivious to the murderous flash in Eugene's eyes. I swear I'll kill all of them. Every last one. Before he could act on his thoughts Rapunzel's voice sounded with a startling clarity that quieted the crowd.

"I demand that you release that man at once. By order of your princess." The words were snapped with such ferocity that even Eugene was stunned into silence.

Atta' girl! Pride swelled in his chest as he watched her stare down her nose, and oh what an adorable nose it was, at a man nearly three times her size. She sat tall in the saddle, her back rigid and her lips drawn into a thin, tight line. Not for the first time Eugene marveled at her stubbornness to back down. The surrounding crowd fell into a hushed silence as they waited with unbelieving anticipation.

"Princess? Now that's a laugh." The guard chuckled, though this time more uneasily than before.

"Then if you're so unwilling to believe me, throw my friend and I in the dungeon." Her careless shrug, just a slight lift of the shoulders, dared him to take her into custody.

"If what you say is true, where is your proof?" He was floundering now, unwilling to risk the wrath of the King and Queen should he throw their daughter in a holding cell. Eugene could see the beads of sweat as they disappeared into the collar of his uniform. Behind him Rapunzel faltered. What substantial proof did they have? Nothing but a dead woman's words and a fuzzy child's recollection of the past.

Albeit her composed posture and carefully blank face, Eugene could see the mild panic in her large, green eyes. Her trembling hands held onto Max's reigns in a white-knuckled grip as she began to unravel before his eyes. Think, Flynn, think!

"If she's lying, I'll turn myself in."

"Eugene!" The princess turned wide, horrified eyes on the man standing next to the stallion. He quelled her protests with a hard look before turning back to face the now grinning guard.

"Oh? And what good is the word of a lying thief?"

"You have my word. Better yet, my promise. If I'm lying I promise we will cooperate fully and you may lock us up. And I never break my promise. Ever." Eugene watched in silent admiration as she slid deftly from Max's back and marched right up to the skeptical man. Her unwavering gaze had the guard clearing his throat and tugging at the neck of his uniform as he nodded. Having been on the receiving end of that determined gaze quite a few times, Eugene had no doubt that they'd be taken to the palace after all.

"Alright. Let's go." As the man barked orders and tried to break up the crowd, Rapunzel hurried over to Eugene and loosened the ropes around his wrists just enough so he could slip his hands free.

"Not too shabby. Didn't know you had it in you, Blondie." He carelessly threw an arm around her shoulder as they followed their rather reluctant guide through the town and into the palace.

"Eugene, I don't know what I'm doing." She sighed glumly up at the stretch of castle walls that reminded her so much of her tower that she wondered if this was really any improvement at all.

"Deep down I think you do."

"But what if-"

"Wait here while your arrival is announced." Before either of them could react the pair was ushered onto a balcony and the large doors slammed shut with a resounding finality that only further terrified the princess.

"This was a mistake. I've got to get out of here."

"Rapunzel…"

"No, we've got to get out of here. I think we can still make it before they get back! Eugene, help me over the side here and-" Rapunzel swung one leg over the balcony railing and was just about to swing the other over when a strong pair of arms wrapped around her waist.

"Are you crazy?" Eugene swung around and dumped the hysterical girl into an unceremonious heap on the floor. She blinked, startled momentarily into silence by the stern look on his face.

"Look, we can't just…run away when things get hard." He ran a hand roughly through his hair as he fought to hide the fact that she had nearly driven him to an early death. Again.

"You did." She shot him a cross look as she climbed to her feet and brushed the dirt off her skirt. Eugene grimaced in distaste. The chit was far too perceptive for her own good. Rapunzel 1…Eugene 0.

"That was different. I was young, I didn't know any better."

"For eighteen years all I knew was that tower, Eugene. And…And I'll be damned if I left one tower for another!" She finished the thought with a wide-eyed gasp and slapped a hand over her mouth. Eugene couldn't stop the laughter that slipped past his lips as he watched her furtively look around to see if anyone else had heard her outburst.

"It isn't funny." She groused as she reached out to smack him half heartedly on the arm.

"Answer me this. Are you really willing to just quietly walk away? Where's that spunk? That eagerness? Where's the girl that singlehandedly stuffed Flynn Rider in her closet and blackmailed him with a frying pan to show her the world?"

"She's terrified."

"Hey now. I will always rescue you from any type of prison they might try and throw you in – tower, bedroom, stuffy princess meetings, tutors…you name it and I'll be there in a heartbeat." With a lopsided grin Eugene reached out and gently brushed away the single tear that had slipped down her cheek. With a shaky sigh Rapunzel leaned into the warmth of his touch and the overwhelming urgency to flee faded.

"Is that a promise, Flynn Rider?"

"You bet it is."

Eugene took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze a moment before the balcony doors swung open, announcing the arrival of the King and Queen.