*~ 17 Years Later ~*

Recently Rose has been catching herself looking out the castle window daydreaming. She couldn't help but dream of a life where she wasn't a princess. A life where she could go out and explore the world; not be trapped in the castle forever. She used to be so adventurous. What happened to her that changed that? When she was younger, she and Chip would go on adventures together. They would explore the gardens and sneak into rooms they weren't supposed to go in the castle. Her favorite adventure was when they snuck into the west wing. Her father forbid her from going near there and that always left Rose curious. One night she and Chip decided to check it out for themselves. They were almost caught by Cogsworth which made the adventure even more thrilling.

"Princess, your horse is ready for you to ride as you requested," a servant informed her. However this wasn't any servant, it was her favorite adventurer.

Rose turned and glanced at Chip as he stood in the doorway. He was no longer the little boy she adventured with. Now he was a grown man who worked as a simple kitchen servant. What happened to Chip's adventurous spirit? He was always so happy to see her and would always plan where their next adventure would be. Now he was so formal and Rose didn't remember the last time she'd seen him smile. Suddenly Rose realized she never spends time with Chip like she used to. She sees him daily but she hasn't spent the entire afternoon with him like when they were younger. He's always working hard in the kitchen with his brothers and his mother, Mrs. Potts. Rose then noticed how working in the kitchen the past few years has affected him. He had dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, most likely from working late shifts and rising early in the morning to prepare breakfast. His hands were calloused and Rose noticed several burn marks on his hands. When was the last time Chip had an afternoon of no work? When was the last time she saw her best friend smile? Was he even her best friend anymore? She felt like a horrible friend for not noticing how much they grew apart. Maybe if he spent the afternoon with her he could see she's still his friend and still cares for him.

"Thank you Chip, but I don't want to ride today."

"As you wish, Princess," Chip bowed before leaving.

Why was he so formal with her now? "Chip, wait!"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Would you like to spend the afternoon with me? I mean, we haven't spent time together in a long time."

Chip was quiet for a moment thinking, "I am honored Princess, but I have work I need to return to in the kitchen."

"Oh, right. Don't want you to fall behind," Rose replied trying to hide her disappointment.

Chip could see she was upset and it bothered him to see her like that. Why did she want to spend the afternoon with him? They haven't spend an afternoon together since they were kids. He sighed and ran his fingers through his blonde hair frustrated. He knew he had work in the kitchen to finish but when will he have another opportunity to spend the afternoon with Rose? She must have missed spending time with him as much as he missed her. Chip knew his mother would get angry if he neglected his work, but Rose's blue eyes were so inviting...

"But, I guess I can spare an hour or two by spending the afternoon with you."

Rose smiled and grabbed his hand, "Let's go to our favorite spot! I haven't been there in years!"

Chip tried to ignore the spark he felt when her hand touched his as she led him to where they loved adventuring as kids.

It was strange to Rose how so much has changed over the years but how their pond stayed exactly the same. The pond still had the same number of lily pads floating on the water. The water was still clear and peaceful as she remembered. She remembered how Chip taught her how to skip rocks across the pond and how it took her all day to finally get the rock to skip across the pond like Chip's. He was so patient, no one was like that with her. The large tree that sat by the pond still stood and Rose noticed the carving on the tree.

"Chip! Look, our carving is still here!"

"Chip + Rose best friends 4ever" Chip read running his fingers over the carving. When did he and Rose grow so far apart? He heard Rose giggling and he looked up to find her climbing the tree. Suddenly Chip began to panic. What if she falls and breaks her leg?

"Princess! You shouldn't climb the tree. What if you fall? I advise you to climb back down."

Rose laughed, "Calm down Chip. We used to climb this tree all the time remember?"

Chip watched her climb up the tree and sit on one of the branches, "Are you coming?"

Hesitant, Chip climbed the tree and sat beside her. Rose looked at the man next to her. She blushed when she noticed how handsome Chip is now. He was no longer the short, scrawny little boy she knew. He was tall, and he was more muscular than Rose thought. His blonde hair was still the same shade, but she noticed the short blonde facial hair growing. His eyes were a lovely shade of blue and Rose quickly turned away when he caught her staring at him. Rose desperately wished for things to be the way they used to. When they would spend all day together sitting in this tree looking out at the pond, the castle and their worries behind them.

"Okay, you're it Rose!" Chip said as he closed his eyes and began to count, "One...Two...Three…"

Rose sprinted while trying to think of the best hiding spot she could. She ran to the pond her mother took her ice skating last winter and decided to climb the large tree beside her. As she sat on the branch, she heard Chip shouting her name.

"Rose? Where are you? I'm gonna find ya!" he laughed looking for her.

Rose had to cover mouth so he wouldn't hear her giggle. He was never going to find her. This is the best hiding spot on the castle grounds! Who would ever think to look in a tree?!

"Rosie?" Chip was no longer laughing. He looked everywhere for her. He even looked in all her favorite hiding spots. Chip began to panic. What if she ran off the palace grounds and is lost in the woods? Chip wandered to the pond; the last place to look. She was no where to be found. Did she go back inside the castle? Chip heard a soft giggle. Rosie's giggle. He knew she had to be around here somewhere. Chip looked up and saw her sitting in the large tree beside him. He quickly climbed the tree and hugged his best friend.

"Rosie! I thought I would never find you! Don't scare me like that again!"

"Why don't you call me Rosie anymore?" Rose asked breaking the silence, "You're so formal with me now Chip. You don't have to call me Princess."

"I have to, Princess. I'm your servant now."

What was he talking about? He was so much more than a servant to her. Is that why he's been distancing himself from her ever since he started working in the kitchen?

"Chip, you are so much more than a servant to me. You are my best friend! We used to be so close...don't you want to spend time together like we used to?"

Chip wanted to spend time with her more than anything. But he knew the more time he spent with her, the more he'll fall in love with his best friend. He never realized he loved her when he was younger, but now she's call he can think about. Chip didn't want to distance himself from her, but he knows what will happen within the next year. She'll meet a handsome prince and fall in love with him. She'll marry him and move into his palace. Chip will never see her again. Why fall more in love with her if he can never be with her? He was nothing but the kind servant boy who was her best friend. She would never think of him as anything more. That's just how things were and he had to accept it.

"I should return to my work, Princess. Thank you for allowing me to spend the afternoon with you," he said climbing down the tree.

Why did he keep pushing her away? "Chip! Please answer me. Don't you want to be close like we used to?"

Chip looked up at her in the tree, "More than anything, Princess."

"Then what is holding you back? Why are you pushing me away Chip?"

Chip ran his fingers through his hair aggravated, "We're not little kids anymore Rose!"

"I know that, Chip."

"No you don't! You don't understand!"

"What am I not understanding?"

"You're a princess. I'm a servant."

"So? Lumiere is my father's servant and they are close friends."

Chip wanted to tell her it was because he loved her. He wanted to tell her but he knew she didn't feel the same. She never would. He needed to stay away from her. It was best that way. She had to understand.

Rose noticed Chip struggle with a response, "Chip? Please tell me what you're thinking."

"We shouldn't be friends, Princess." Chip answered.

"Why? I don't understand."

"We live two different worlds now, Rosie."

Hearing him call her Rosie again made her heart flutter. She didn't want to lose him. Couldn't he see that? Rose began to let the tears she was holding back fall, "Chip, please don't. I need you. You're my best friend."

Chip didn't mean to make her cry. It killed him knowing he was the reasons for her tears. He wanted to climb back up the tree, hold her close and kiss away her tears. But that was unrealistic. She wanted him as a best friend, not a lover.

"You best wash up Princess. Lunch will be served soon," he said before heading back towards the castle.