There was no time to dwell on any confusing feelings Nathalie had, or the heartbreaking scene happening a few paces away. She knew Frollo was going to arrive soon, and she had to make sure that everything went according to plan. But could she - would she stick around?

Nathalie spotted her shoulder bag on the table, and haphazardly stuffed it behind a nearby column. There was no way the Judge was getting his hands on her bag – or any other evidence that she was here, for that matter. Quasi would be in enough trouble already.

A goat's bleat sent chills down her spine. Should she stay, or should she go? She stood, rooted to the spot by indecision and panic.

"Frollo's coming! You must leave, quick, follow me! Go down the South Tower steps."

Nathalie still stood there, like an idiot. God, what could she do? She spied Phoebus laying on the bedroll (maybe that was the word for it?). Her impulses fired through her brain at millions of miles per hour, and she couldn't think.

"Be careful, my friend," Esmeralda said, albeit wearily. "Promise you won't let anything happen to him."

The bell ringer bowed his head. "I promise."

"Thank you," She whispered with sincerity.

With that, Esmeralda left once more, and Quasimodo stared after her, standing alone.

Nathalie meanwhile, wasn't in a good way.

There was no time to think. 'Panicking. Can't think," She thought. "Work on instinct."

Numbly, she ran to the now unconscious ex-soldier, quickly grabbing his left arm in an effort to drag him to the table ahead of time. He let out a pained groan as she aggravated the wound in his shoulder, and she flinched.

'Instincts bad.'

Well, now the Asian girl had missed her opportunity to flee. She had no choice but to stay.

Quasimodo gave her a frightened look that screamed 'what are you still doing here?', though he immediately ran to her side, easily grabbing the man under the arms and dragging him to the table. She didn't like the idea of having the injured guy rough-handled, so Nathalie grabbed the man's feet, trying to assist in some small way.

Besides, true friendship involves helping your buddy hide the body.

"Under the table," She whispered anxiously, wanting to get this done as soon as possible so that she too, could hide.

The redhead complied, stuffing Phoebus in the small space and giving a kick to the man to fit him in. Before Nathalie could protest, he gently but firmly grabbed her arm and ushered her small frame underneath as well.

In the dim light, Nathalie found herself face to face with Emse's guy, and she couldn't help but blush at the uncomfortably close proximity. Meekly, she brought up her hand, pointing a single finger to his forehead and nudging him away a little.

She just wasn't into blondes.

Nathalie bit her lip when she heard footsteps up the stairs. They had hidden just in time.

"Oh-Oh, Master! I didn't think you'd be coming-"

"I'm never too busy to share a meal with you, my boy. I brought a little… treat."

Nathalie shifted her foot slightly just as the judge sat down, preventing contact with him and her boot (no matter how much she wished for the opposite). That was a close one. The sound of shattering glass made her flinch. God, she hated this scene – both for Frollo's loud tirade, and the implication that he had probably been this abusive towards Quasi throughout his entire lonely childhood.

As they talked, Nathalie couldn't help but look up when she heard the familiar sound of a grape bouncing across the floor. She gave the bell ringer a strained smile that she hoped was encouraging.

"I think… you're hiding something," Frollo said.

Damn it, Nathalie could hear the sadistic glee in the judge's voice as he made Quasi more and more nervous. She wanted to strangle that judge by the red ribbon of that stupid black dorito hat of his.

"Oh no, Master, I-uh, there's no-"

"You're not eating, boy,"

That was it, Nathalie wasn't here. She wasn't listening to this; she wasn't under a table, hiding from grave and very real danger. It was daylight, and she was jogging along the pathway of La Moselle River, and -

"Mmmmm…"

Oh, for the love of God, Phoebus.

She hastily covered the soldier's mouth, but it did nothing to stifle the noises.

Quasi covered it up by making similar noises, and Nathalie thought that maybe the soldier would be spared a kick to the head. Nope. True to the story, Quasi's foot hit the mark, and Nathalie frowned sourly up at him, though the table, not caring that couldn't see her.

"What's… different in here?"

Oh, right, where was she? Yes, La Moselle. It was especially beautiful in the autumn, right when the leaves contrasted so much with the green-blue of the river…

"I know you helped her ESCAPE!"

…It was especially beautiful when the clouds were overhead, because the mild weather put her at ease, and she didn't sweat like a pig…

"and now ALL OF PARIS is burning, because of YOU!"

…There'd always be swans gracefully swimming at the river, though sometimes the river's current became rough, and waves crashed against the bridge in the middle of town…

"…YOU IDIOT! THAT WASN'T KINDNESS, IT WAS CUNNING!"

The image was lost to her, and she tried other thoughts – gardening on an afternoon, driving along the countryside at night - but it was no use.

"She's a Bohemian – they are not capable of real love! Think boy, think of your mother!"

Nathalie couldn't distract herself, no matter how much she wanted to. She curled up a little and pressed her hands against her mouth to prevent herself making noise, hot tears of anger on her friend's behalf welling up in her eyes.

A hand rested on her shoulder, and she jolted in surprise, until she raised her eyes to see a fully conscious Phoebus. He patted her arm reassuringly, concern on his face. At the sound of Frollo's treatment towards Quasi, he looked up, and then listened in anger to what was unfolding outside of their hiding place. It was then that Nathalie realised she was trembling. Jeez, she must have looked like a coward.

As things calmed down, Nathalie turned, to see the hem of a dark robe, and the Esmeralda figurine, burned and smoking.

"I know where her hideout is, and tomorrow at dawn, I attack with a thousand men."

Her blood ran cold. Wait a second, wasn't he meant to be down the staircase and out the door by now?

"And this time..."

The little Nathalie figure was dropped to the ground, and as the real Nathalie watched, the judge raised his foot, and crushed it. Its arms and head dislodged with a crunch-y snap.

"…I will not tolerate any opposition or interference."

Ooh Sugar Honey Iced Tea. He did remember her.

With that, Frollo finally turned heel and left.

A/N:

[A large, billboard descends from the ceiling and confetti is shot into the air. The neon lights on the billboard light up, spelling 'FREAKING FINALLY' in bright, flashing letters.]

Plot! Actual plot progression! Real plot progression that lasts more than a mere 950 words!

I'm kind of proud of myself. The next few chapters are actually going to be eventful - Nathalie's going to be having fights with more than one person (and someone you wouldn't expect! maybe. idk what you might assume), and there will be angst and drama. It's going to be so fun to write.

Also, spot the vaguely paraphrased Spiderman reference! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, you awesome readers. uvu