AN: Maybe I'll just not sleep again tonight and keep on writing. I'm having way to much fun with these. Reviews? I know, I'm annoying when I beg, but I really do love hearing from you if you're enjoying these. Or even if you're not, as long as you're nice about it.

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I stamp my foot and groan in frustration. A few passersby stop in their tracks and stare at me. I blush and offer them an apologetic smile before covering my face with my hands.

I peek through my fingers at the sun, which is in a significantly different section of the sky than it was when I arrived. I've been searching for hours. I must have looked in every single inch of this city, and there's been no sign of him anywhere. I haven't even so much as overheard his name.

Then I spot the palace again out of the corner of my eye. The Queen! Maybe she'll know where he is. Or at the very least, I'm sure she'd help me find him. My hopes regained, I begin to run, only stopping to remove my bunny slippers which are getting in the way more than anything.

When I reach my destination I see the Prime Minister sitting at his desk, busily filling out paper work. He briefly glances up at me. "I'm sorry, her Majesty is very busy so unless you have an appoint..." he trails off and looks back up. Then a smile covers his face and he stands to greet me. "Helena! Welcome back, my dear girl!"

"Hello again, sir." I nod politely as he puts a hand on my shoulder and guides me toward the palace entrance.

"Come inside. I'm sure her Majesty would love to see you."

I raise an eyebrow at him. "But...I thought you said she was busy."

He gives a slight shake of his head. "Well, not really. I just say that to keep her from being bothered. Her next appointment's not for a few hours, so she's just taking a bit of time to relax." As we reach the door, he turns and walks briskly back to his desk where a small man is waiting for him. "Just go on in! Don't be shy!" I hear him address the man as I stare at the door. "Yes? Um...no, I'm sorry that's not the charm. To be frank, we're not even looking for it anymore. Yes, I know, and it's a lovely monkeybird beak..."

I take a deep breath and open the door, the sound of laughter and clapping immediately filling my ears followed by a familiar voice.

"And now, on one foot!"

I see a very familiar back hopping up and down in front of me while five rubber balls fly through the air."What?" I whisper to no one in particular.

Now the Queen notices me and stands from her thrown, her smile somehow becoming wider. "It's you!" Then a look of concern crosses her face. "Oh, love, you look exhausted."

"And round and round we go," the man announces while starting to hop in a circle, not really paying attention to anything other than his act. However, once he's facing me he slowly comes to a halt. Three of the balls fall to the ground.

Silence.

Then the remaining two fly to either side of the room as he throws out his arms. "Helena!"

I put my hands on my hips and smirk at him. "You're the Queen's jester?"

He mimics my stance and retorts "Don't say it in that tone of voice. It's a very important job. She can't be a very good ruler if she's pulling out her hair from stress, now can she?" Then he cocks his head to the side. "You look tired."

"That's because I've been searching the whole bloody city for you. Not to mention I probably looked everywhere a thousand times because I kept getting lost."

He shakes his head slightly, confused. "How can you get lost here?"

"Well, it's completely different in three dimensions. I'm used to seeing it as random things that could be placed anywhere."

"Well, then!" He claps his hands together and nods determinedly. "We'll just have to fix that won't we?" He turns to the Queen and asks "Permission to call it an early afternoon, Highness?"

She gives a small smile and a slight wave of her hand. "Go on, have fun. There are some things I have to take care of anyway."

Valentine bows slightly to her before grabbing my wrist and walking briskly outside. "What you need is a tour."

"A tour?" I ask, struggling to keep up with his much longer strides.

"Yes." We come to a sudden stop when we reach the town square.

"And I suppose you're the one to give it?"

"Of course. Now hand me the mask."

"What?" I look at my right hand, only just now remembering it's been clutching the mirrormask this whole time. I give him it and he lifts it in the air, adjusting the angle until the sun reflects off it. Within a few moments there is a loud whooshing sound as the Tower comes to a landing in front of us.

"Off we go, then." He motions for me to follow him inside.

"Valentine?" He stops and raises his head in question. "I'm really happy to see you again."

He grins and gives a slight shrug. "Of course you are. Who wouldn't be?"