I realize I never set the time frame for you all, but it's right after chapter 44. I got the idea for dancing/ball thing after reading Bloodypleasures story, so if it sounds like hers, it was not intended to. ;)

Are you out there?

Where the rainy days begin?

To feel rather sad-

And the walls are closing in

Like the Darkness around me

It's so hard to look away,

When the Daylight doesn't ever stay,

Above this dull apartment view

Oh I will surround you

I don't know what happened. I really don't. All I really know is that I was angry and bored, and it was rainy outside; a combination that equaled trouble. After sitting in my bedroom, fuming, I decided I wanted answers, and I wanted them now. I knew Gil was there at the Abyss because Oz was (What were they, anyway? Tethered at the waist? He's my property.). I knew I was there for my memories. What was Break there for?

I mean, Break was always in places he shouldn't be, and he always seems to know about everyone. But, who was Break? I mean, in all of Sharon's Novels, Oz was the Prince, Gil was his loyal friend, and I was the princess. Sharon was my elder sister, and so, where did Break fit in? That's just it. He didn't. He didn't fit anywhere in my story. So I want answers.

Stomping down the hallway, I made my way to his room, all but pounding down the door as I yelled, "OPEN UP YOU CRAZY CLOWN!" The doors never opened, though. I saw his thin fingers lace over my eyes, knitting them together so that I could not see through them, and leaving me in darkness.

"Shush, Miss. Alice, or you'll wake the baby!" I'd know that voice anywhere. It was as recognizable to me as Oz's faint tug on me when we were near.

Letting his fingers down from my eyes, I realized we were in his room. "I demand you tell me just how you do that, you clown! And what in the hell were you doing at the Abyss?"

"Now, now, Miss Alice," Break turned and admonished me slightly, "you can only have one answered." He smiled and waggled his finger back and forth.

"Fine." Anger seethed within me, waiting for the right moment to manifest itself into a nice, solid clunk on the head for someone. "I want to know-" I faltered. Which did I want to know more- whether or not he could hurt Oz or how he did that nifty trick?

"Ah. I see the dilemma. You don't know which to ask!" he twirled uselessly around the room. Stupid clown. Stupid, useless clown. "Well, how about this proposal-" Emily tittered from his shoulder, "You come to the dance with me and you can decide what question you want answered."

I looked at the clothes I had on- they were the same as always. "I'm not dressed for a dance, stupid clown!" Really- who was the one who just hopped from the Abyss? Me or him? Then WHY was he so clueless?

"Silly, Silly Miss. Alice. You're going by what you see again!" He twirled around again, and when he stopped, he was holding a sage green dress.

"It looks like the color of vegetables!" I stuck my tongue out at it, even though I rather liked its collar- especially the way it was standing up, and the black petticoat under the green made it only slightly less repulsive.

So fine, I liked it, but I was not going to admit it to him. "I'll wear what I have on, thank you."

He looked at a pocket watch and I glanced over his shoulder at it. It wasn't even moving! "Well," he said briskly, holding out his arm, "It's time to go!" I kept my arms crossed over my chest.

"I will not hold your arm, stupid clown." I objected.

"Very well Miss Alice. All I require is a dance." He grinned.

Damn him.

The dinner was lacking any real meat. It really vexed me. What does a chain have to do to get some meat around here? Kill it herself? So really, I pushed things around on my plate.

Come time for the ball, I was quite nervous. I knew nothing of how to dance! After all, in the Abyss it wasn't a past-time of mine.

"Come, come Miss. Alice, it's time to dance!" Break offered his arm, and with a rather angry look on my face, I took it.

"I don't dance, Break." I said as he turned me around to face him, and went to put his hand on my waist. I promptly slapped it, and then blushed as I heard Emily titter and saw all of the other partners doing the same.

"Have you ever danced, Alice?" he leaned in to whisper.

I was silent.

"I thought so. I suppose I'll teach you." He didn't look at my feet, and just moved his own, counting quietly so only I could hear. After a few minutes of me floundering around, I managed to actually get the rhythm, until, eventually, Break stopped counting. And I was still doing it right. I looked up at him and smiled, and he was smiling too, but he didn't seem to really notice. Other times this would drive me quite bonkers, but this time I was quite happy he didn't seem to notice me smiling at him. I have a reputation of hating him, after all!

Gil was sniggering at me, and I went to stick my tongue out at him, but completely lost track of my feet, and ended up falling- falling face-first into Break, sending him flying backwards, and me right on top of him.

And my head cracked into his.

And our lips were touching.

My eyes open in shock; I scrambled back off of him, and saw Gil laughing uncontrollably. Break was sitting up with a shocked but bemused smile on his face, and my cheeks were as red ad my coat.

"Stupid clown!" I yelled, "Stupid Seaweedhead!" and I stomped off.

For the second time.

It's quite clear,

That I'm stuck here

So I'll devise a plan

And cut out a door

In my new

Living room floor