A/N: Sorry it took so long to update! But the school year hasn't quite ended for me and I had SATs and finals are coming and everything is pretty chaotic over at my house :P Also, many of the other chapters had been previously written, so it didn't take long to update. Now, it'll be longer in between because I have to write them!

I apologize for the shortness of it as well. I had intended to make it longer, but I like the ending of this much better than if I continued. Aren't cliffy's awesome? :D

Anyways, thanks to all who reviewed last time and please enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter Six

One week later

It was raining. Granted, it usually rained in autumn, but Thomas disliked the rain. Especially where his sister was concerned. Although she was much healthier than she had been when she was six, he still worried about her well-being, and avoided the rain as much as possible.

Lucie, on the other hand, absolutely loved the rain! She would go out, when her brother wasn't watching, and play in the rain all the time; dancing and twirling until she was soaked to the skin. Her Maman would yell at her when she tracked mud into the house after one such experience, but other than that Thomas was the only one who became anxious when the rain started up again.

Today was no different. The children were traveling to Notre Dame to see their friend, and Thomas kept snapping at Lucie to pull her cloak tighter, or to pull her hood up, or for goodness stake to stop splashing!

When they arrived at the cathedral, they saw, to their dismay, the black carriage that belonged to Judge Frollo. Thomas was all set for going straight back home, but Lucie was determined to stay.

"It's a big church Tommy," she said logically, calling Thomas by his childhood nickname. "We don't have to actually see him at all. We'll just wait inside and go up when he leaves."

Thomas reluctantly agreed to this statement, knowing that she was right; he was overreacting a little bit.

The children entered the church and went to a pew on the far side to wait, Thomas still glancing around the church suspiciously. Lucie, on the other hand, was completely at ease, swinging her legs back and forth impatiently. Finally, after nearly an hour had gone by, the children decided to head up to the bell tower, carefully watching to see if anyone had seen them.

!i!i!

Quasimodo's tower was freezing that day, and Thomas soon became very concerned; not only for his sister, but for his friend as well. Although a small fire had been built in the center of Quasi's loft, there still wasn't enough warmth to spread throughout the entire tower; it was just too big a space.

Lucie didn't seem to mind a bit, however, as she immediately began to play with Quasi's carvings and the buildings he had recently constructed.

Thomas watched her play, a smile on his face. Quasi followed his vision and smiled as well.

"She's such a sweet girl," he remarked. Thomas laughed.

"When she wants to be," he replied. "You should have seen her the other day, crying and carrying on so she could go to the market with Maman. She was a sight to behold." Thomas chuckled a bit at the memory, causing Quasi to smile once again.

"How is your family?" inquired Quasi politely. Thomas rolled his eyes.

"Busy as usual," he remarked, sitting down in a nearby chair. Quasi followed suit, and the two boys just sat there in silence for a moment before Thomas continued. "Papa is busy with a bunch of new orders; now that winter is coming he's going to be very busy replacing everyone's shoes." He gave Quasi a wry smile. "He'll probably make you a pair too."

Quasi nodded seriously. "Well, he is the only shoemaker in Paris, well, at least according to Frollo. I-I wouldn't k-know."

Thomas frowned, always disheartened and slightly angry whenever his friend slipped into his old habits and began stuttering.

He stood up. "Come with me," he said.

Quasimodo looked up, shocked. "W-what?"

"Come with me and Lucie," said Thomas again, folding his arms stubbornly over his chest. "You can stay at our place, my parents won't mind once we introduce you. Then you could get out and see Paris and won't have to rely on Frollo to give you an accurate account of the outside world."

Quasi stood up as well and began to back away from Thomas, shaking his head vigorously. "Oh, n-no! I couldn't ever leave, not now, not ever! My master-"

"Who cares?" burst out Thomas, all the frustration and anger at his friend's circumstances coming out in those two words.

"Quasi?" came a small voice. The two boys turned and saw Lucie, staring at them with wide eyes. "You know," she said shyly. "No one would want to stay cooped up here forever."

Quasi was shocked at the wise words coming from his little friend. He had never really thought about it before. He had always dreamed of leaving the bell tower, certainly, but he had never actually thought that he could ever leave. And now his friends were telling him that he could…go with them? And stay with them, away from his bell tower? It was almost too much to take in.

But he knew Lucie was right; he didn't want to stay cooped up here forever.

"A-alright," he whispered. "I-I'll go."