"She just won't leave me alone, Hook. It's seriously getting old and pretty soon I'm going to have to shave my head or grow a beard in order to hide myself from her." Flynn dragged a hand through his hair and shrugged, "You would think that when you tell a girl you don't want anything to do with her that she would get the point."

Flynn shook his head and slouched his shoulders a little. It was only seven in the morning and he had just finished his early morning shift in order to help with inventory. Rapunzel had told Flynn that she had some painting classes to attend to for most of the day and would meet him in front of the clock at six, so Flynn decided to wait around at the Snuggly Duckling in order to pass the time.

"I don't know what to tell you, Rider. You've gotten yourself in deep there, but I'm sure eventually she'll some around and realize that it's over. I mean, she saw Rapunzel and everything so that should open her eyes a little bit." Hook shrugged, "Or maybe not."

Flynn sighed, "Whatever. I just want her to stay away from Rapunzel."

Hook laughed, "You are seriously head over heels for this broad."

Flynn narrowed his eyes, "Hey, don't call her that." His tone was completely serious, but Hook seemed unbothered. "I'm not 'head over heels,' Hook. I just like her and I don't want Clarissa to jeopardize that and scare her away or something."

Flynn frowned. He knew that Rapunzel wasn't that kind of girl and wouldn't turn away from him just because Clarissa got in her face, but he just didn't want to lose her. She was one of a kind.

"Okay, maybe head over heels is a little too far, but I can tell that you like this girl a lot. It's just strange."

Flynn let out a short laugh, "Trust me, I know."

Just then the door to the Snuggly Duckling opened behind Flynn and he turned to see who it was. Whoever was coming in was still masked by the door and Flynn heard Hook's voice from behind him.

"Excuse me, we don't open until 11."

Flynn watched as a large man with red hair walked into the pub and looked around, then another man who looked like the first man's twin followed behind him. Flynn gulped and tried to keep his eyes from widening in alarm.

These were the Stabbington brothers, the two men Flynn had been traveling and thieving with for months before he up and left them with their last greatest find. Needless to say, they hadn't exactly left things on good terms and he was sure their reunion would be anything but friendly.

The first brother looked over at Flynn and immediately an evil grin spread across his face. "Hello, Rider."

Flynn remained calm and collected as the brothers made their way over to him and stood in front of his stool. "Hello boys." He flashed them a cocky smile as if their presence didn't phase him whatsoever. "You lost?"

The brothers laughed and looked at one another. "Actually, we've been looking for you. Heard you were here in Corona and decided to pay you a little visit," the first brother spoke.

Flynn scoffed, "Please, I know that this isn't supposed to be some sort of friendly visit from two old pals. What are you really here for?" Flynn leaned his back against the bar and crossed his arms.

"Well, seeing as we haven't seen you since you left us to get captured in Roadia, while you ran off with the goods, we felt as through you owed us a little something."

Flynn raised an eyebrow, "Me? Owe you something? Yeah right." He was about to turn away from them and back to Hook when the second brother grabbed his arm firmly.

"I don't think you understand, Rider," the first brother spoke again. "Either you do this for us or we go out back and you pay a different price." He then reached over to the sword that was strapped to his belt and tapped his fingers against it a few times.

Flynn eyed the sword and then looked back up to the brothers. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

"That's more like it."

The first brother nodded to his brother, signaling for him to let go of Flynn's arm. He then looked up at Hook who was still standing behind the counter. "Would you mind giving us a few minutes?"

Hook shrugged, set his rag on the bar, and walked towards the backroom. "Holler if you need me, Rider," then he was gone.

Flynn looked at the brothers, "Well?"

"Right," the first brother pulled a piece of paper out of his belt and unrolled it to show Flynn the picture on it. It was of a crown and looked like one that belonged to a princess rather than a king or queen. "This is the crown that belongs to the princess of Corona, however, she doesn't like to wear it unless there is a special ceremony or something."

"And?"

"And it's currently sitting in the castle, guarded by some of the kings men in some grand room. We figured out a way to get in though, but we need someone much smaller for the job. That's where you come in."

"So, you want me to sneak into this grand room, steal the crown, and bring it back to you?"

The brothers nodded together.

The first brother spoke again, "There's an open space in the ceiling right above where the crown is. We want to lower you from that open space, you grab the crown, and then we'll lift you back up. You have to go unnoticed though and we've already figured out that the guards only look the opposite direction. They'll never see you coming."

"Then once you lift me back up I'll just hand you the crown and you'll make your escape?"

The brothers looked at one another.

"Well, no. We figured that it may be best if you held on to the crown for a couple of days. If we just take it and make off with it right there and then someone would notice two men, who they have never seen before, running through the kingdom and surely follow us. So the best thing to do is play it cool for a couple of days. You're basically a local here so if you hold onto it, you won't look suspicious. Get it?"

Flynn nodded and then looked down at the floor. He furrowed his brow as he went over the plan in his head. It seemed simple and as though they could definitely pull it off, but Flynn had made a promise to Rapunzel that he wouldn't steal anymore. That apple had represented the last time he would ever take anything and now he was going to have to break his promise to Rapunzel. It was either he broke his promise or he agreed to let the brothers take him behind the Snuggly Duckling and kill him.

Flynn looked back up and held out his hand to the brothers, "You have yourself a deal."


Flynn tightened the rope around his waist and gave it one last tug.

"Alright, Rider. It's very important that you go completely unnoticed. It's either you go unnoticed or we drop you and you fend for yourself."

Flynn waved his hand in the air, "Yeah, yeah. I got it."

The brothers nodded and exchanged a look. Flynn felt a stab of regret in his stomach as he saw them look at each other. Maybe there was no crown and the brothers were really just going to get back at him by framing him. Flynn shook his head and cleared the thought from his mind. There had to be a crown.

Flynn positioned himself at the opening in the ceiling and looked down. Sure enough there was the same crown he had seen in the picture the brothers had shown sitting right below him. Flynn relaxed a little and turned around to give the brothers a thumbs up, indicating that he was going down. The brothers returned his thumbs up and began lowering him into the room.

Halfway down Flynn was sure that one of the guards would turn around and see him or the king would walk through the huge doors to check up on the crown, but nothing happened. It was as if Flynn was a tiny spider that was going completely unnoticed.

After a few more moments, Flynn was only about a foot above the crown and he slowly reached down and picked it up. He slid it into his satchel quickly and gave the brothers a thumbs up to start lifting him back up.

On his ride back up, still none of the guards noticed him and Flynn could feel a smile spread across his face. The adrenaline he normally felt from thieving was now filling his body and he remembered why he had loved it so much. Succeeding at it only made it better.

When Flynn was finally back on the roof of the castle, the brothers gave him a pat on the back and replaced the tile back in the open space.

"Good job, Rider. Make sure you take good care of that thing. We'll be collecting it from you in the next couple of days. Now let's get down from here before someone spots us."


Flynn reached the clock by Rapunzel's classes just as it began to chime, indicating that it was now six o'clock. The princess' crown still sat in his satchel, reminding Flynn of the morning's events. He felt like a child with a large back of candy in his pocket, because that's exactly how thieving had always made him feel.

Flynn leaned against the wall of the clock tower and watched the crowd, waiting to see a lavender dress, wavy brown hair, and big green eyes come into view. Soon enough, they did.

Rapunzel emerged from the crowd, but Flynn could instantly tell that something was wrong. Her arms were crossed over her chest and instead of being her normal bouncy and smiley self she seemed reserved.

When she reached Flynn she gave him a weak smile. "Hello."

Flynn furrowed his brow, "Hey. Everything okay?"

Rapunzel shrugged and looked down.

Flynn felt his face get hot as he remembered the scene between him and Clarissa yesterday. Had Clarissa found her and verbally lashed out at her or something? He certainly hoped not or else he knew how he would be spending his afternoon.

"What's wrong?"

Rapunzel frowned and shrugged once again. "It's nothing really."

"Well then tell me." Flynn took a step toward her and searched her eyes. "Please."

Rapunzel bit her lip gently, "Someone stole something very important of mine this morning and I don't think I'll be able to get it back." She looked down once again, looking as though she were disappointed in herself.

"What did they take?"

Rapunzel shrugged, "Does it matter? I just don't know why someone thinks they're entitled to take something of mine as if it really should belong to them. It was just something that means a lot to me and my family and now it's gone." Rapunzel sighed, "I just don't understand why people feel the need to steal."

Flynn furrowed his brow and looked down at his feet. How could he console Rapunzel when he had just stolen one of the most expensive and important items that belonged to the very kingdom that they lived in? He was a million times worse than whomever it was that she was currently talking about. Flynn suddenly felt a little guilty about breaking his promise to Rapunzel, that he had only just made yesterday, and stealing the princess' crown for the Stabbington brothers.

"Well," Flynn finally found his voice, "I guess all you can do is notify the authorities and hope that something comes up. It's worth a shot, right?" Although he was sure that the authorities were more concerned about their princess' missing crown.

Rapunzel met Flynn's eyes and nodded, "You're right. It's not the end of the world, I guess."

Flynn nodded and placed a hand on Rapunzel's shoulder, rubbing it gently with his thumb. "It's going to be alright. Trust me."

Rapunzel smiled at him and she suddenly turned back into her normal self, "I trust you."

Flynn wanted to punch himself. She shouldn't trust him. He had broken his promise. "Good. Now what you need is a day full of some nice relaxation."

Just then about ten guards ran by with their hands on their swords, looking as if something major had just occurred. Flynn instantly knew that the commotion was about the crown and he no longer felt safe standing in such a public area with that same crown in his satchel.

"Hey…what do you say we just go back to my place and hang out? It beats walking around the kingdom all day and we can just be alone." Flynn was hoping that she wouldn't think he had certain intentions for them back at his place, especially after their talk yesterday about his sex life.

Rapunzel looked into Flynn's eyes as if she would find her answer there. She looked a little unsure, but sure enough she accepted Flynn's offer and gave him a small smile.

"Alone time would be nice."


Flynn unlocked the door to his place and held it open for Rapunzel.

"After you, my good lady."

Rapunzel giggled and gave him a nod, "Why thank you." She made her way into his place and began to look around at all of the meaningless objects that were placed around the room.

"Feel free to put your bag wherever you want," Flynn said as he closed the door and locked it once again. He didn't want someone like Clarissa just barging in. He then gently hung his satchel next to the door, thinking about how the brothers had warned him that he needed to keep the satchel close to him at all times so it didn't fall into the wrong hands. He doubted that Rapunzel would sneak over to his bag and take the crown for herself though. That certainly wasn't her style.

Rapunzel placed her bag on the ground next to Flynn's wardrobe and continued to walk around his place, studying every object on his shelves and the very few paintings hung on his wall, including the one that she had given him not so long ago. She smiled once she saw her painting hanging next to window.

"I'm flattered that you actually decided to put that up," Rapunzel stood directly in front of the painting and crossed her arms, her back completely to Flynn.

"Of course I hung it up. I really like that painting." Flynn sat himself down on his bed and felt relief flood through his body. The rope had really worn into him when he had been lowered and raised in the castle earlier that day, so relaxation was needed at this point. He could hear suddenly hear yelling and feet pounding against the stone walkway just outside his window. Another stab of guilt stirred in his stomach. The guards were definitely at a loss.

Rapunzel turned around and noticed Flynn sitting on the bed. Flynn knew from the look on her face that she was wondering what exactly their alone time was going to consist of. Flynn hoped that by sitting on his bed that he wasn't giving her the wrong message.

"So," Rapunzel kept her arms crossed and walked toward the other side of the room. "What should we do?"

Flynn shrugged and then laid back on his pillows with his hands behind his head, "Whatever you want. I'm up for anything."

He could practically see her gulp as he said the word anything. She had no reason to be nervous. His intentions were pure for the first time in his life.

Flynn leaned forward so that he was sitting once again and cleared his throat, "Rapunzel, I just want you to know that I didn't invite you back here so I could try and take advantage of you. I respect you too much and I would never do that. So you don't have to feel uneasy or anything because I'm not going to try anything."

Rapunzel stopped walking and turned to look at Flynn.

He smiled and put his hand on his chest, "Scouts' honor."

This made Rapunzel smile and she even let out a small giggle. She walked over and sat at the end of Flynn's bed. "I know that you wouldn't pull anything. I guess I just let myself get worked up over nothing. I'm just not the type of girl who does stuff like…this."

Flynn laughed, "I know you're not. I'm not pressuring you to do anything like that either. I want this to be different."

Rapunzel's smile grew and she scooted a little closer to Flynn, "Me too. Well for you anyway."

"You really haven't had any experience with any guys before?"

Rapunzel shook her head, "Nope."

"I find that hard to believe. I would expect a beautiful girl like you to have countless guys running after her." Flynn gave her a smug smile.

Rapunzel just shrugged, "My childhood was a little…complicated."

Flynn cocked his head to the side. Isn't everyone's childhood complicated? "Why do you say that?"

Rapunzel reached back and began to play with her hair a little. "Reasons."

"Reasons?"

Rapunzel shrugged once again. Flynn knew he wasn't going to get anything out of her which was a little frustrating, but he knew that if she shared information about herself that he would probably have to do the same. So maybe it was better that she was deciding to be closed off as well.

"You know, these are things that we might have to discuss at some point," Flynn laughed.

"True…or we could just act like none of it ever happened and just move forward from here. That's always an option."

"It is, but it's not exactly practical."

"I guess."

Flynn looked around the room in order to find something to change the subject. His eyes found Rapunzel's bag and he noticed a couple of her paintings sticking out of it.

"Can I see some of your paintings?"

Rapunzel followed Flynn's eyes and looked at her bag. "Sure!" She suddenly leapt up from her spot on the bed and grabbed her bag, pulling out her paintings.

She then rejoined Flynn on his bed and handed him her paintings. He began to look through them and felt an uncontrollable smile spread across his face. She was a very talented painter. Very talented was an understatement. She was phenomenal.

Flynn studied each painting carefully and then moved onto the next one. Each painting looked as if it could actually be real. There was one of the lake, the meadow, some little kids playing in a fountain, a close up of a yellow flower, which Flynn realized was the same flower the little boy had given her. They were all so breath taking. Flynn never really had any respect for art before he saw what Rapunzel could do.

Then there was the last painting, which was on slightly larger paper than the others. Flynn was surprised to find that it was an exact replica of the painting he had seen close to Rapunzel's art classes. It was a painting of a sun with beautiful purple vines surrounding it. Flynn could still see the other painting on the wall of the building and determined that this one matched the other perfectly.

"Hey, this is the same painting on the wall outside of the art classes." Flynn smiled and looked over at Rapunzel who suddenly looked uneasy.

"Some lady told me that the princess did that painting. Did you study it and then just repaint it?" Flynn continued to look at Rapunzel and watched as she pursed her lips and nodded.

"Sure."

Flynn turned his attention back to the painting in his hands.

"You sure did a good job. This looks exactly like it."

"Thank you."

Flynn smiled over at her and noticed that her responding smile seemed a little too soft. He placed the painting in his lap and reached over to Rapunzel, tucking some hair behind her ear. This time she didn't seem to be so resistant to his touch like she had been at the lake when he had touched her hair.

"You're an amazing painter, Rapunzel."

"Thank you."

Rapunzel suddenly yawned and before Flynn could even think about what he was saying, the words slipped out of his mouth.

"Do you want to go to bed?"

Rapunzel's eyes widened a little, "Uh…"

Flynn shook his head and closed his eyes, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. Uh…old habit." Flynn opened his eyes, but focused them on his hands. "I just noticed that you seemed tired and it was sort of an instinct to ask you if you wanted to sleep. I didn't mean to freak you out."

"Yes."

Flynn's eyes lifted from his hands back up to meet Rapunzel's. "What?"

Rapunzel smiled and lifted her shoulders, "I would like to go to bed…with you." She dropped her shoulders back down as if she had just dropped off a huge load of stress.

"Really?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes." She then lifted her finger up to him again like she had done the day before, still failing to be intimidating. "But no funny business."

Flynn chuckled, "Don't worry. I wouldn't even think about it."

Rapunzel smiled and then began scooting up toward the pillows. She lifted Flynn's blanket enough for her to slip herself underneath it and then nuzzled her head against one of his pillows.

Flynn couldn't help but smile. He had pictured Rapunzel in his bed many times, but never like this. He usually pictured her naked and him on top of her, but he decided that seeing her completely cozy and smiling was even better…well in a way.

Flynn got up and took his boots off as well as his vest. When Rapunzel began to eye him he smiled. "The buckles are uncomfortable to sleep on." He then turned off the three lanterns that lit his room and joined Rapunzel in his bed.

He wasn't quite sure how close she would allow him to get so he decided it was better to let her make the next move. He was soon surprised when he felt Rapunzel scoot close to him and rest her head on his chest. Flynn could smell the sweet scent of her hair and skin, which made him smile. He could definitely get used to this.

Flynn wrapped his arms around Rapunzel, bringing her even closer to him. He gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head and closed his eyes.

"Are you sure that no one will be worried about you?"

"No, I'll be fine. Everyone knows that I won't be back tonight."

Flynn nodded and soon began to drift off to sleep, feeling Rapunzel's heart beat against his body and the warm feeling of her skin. This was a first for both of them and it made Flynn smile. This girl was definitely changing him for what seemed like the better. He felt like a better person with her and she made him want to be a better person.

But then again, there was a stolen crown currently sitting in his satchel. Proof of a broken promise and the ultimate crime.