I stood on backstage left watching the Madame Guillotine scene. Troy was out there, as The Scarlet Pimpernel of course, not as Percy. He was at an execution to save some aristocrats from their deaths. He was dressed up in some different costume so as to distract the guards from thinking he could be who he was. I loved watching this every single time. It was our last night performing The Scarlet Pimpernel and I was a little sad. We'd performed this production five nights now and I was exhausted of it by now, but I was really going to miss it, especially since Matsui said I wouldn't be able to be performing in any more productions for the rest of the year. But it wasn't me I was sad for. Troy had just started acting this year and it was all being taken away from him. Not only that but his basketball. It was unfair. But Coach Bolton and I were going to do everything we could to make sure Troy played this season. It was all that mattered to us and we'd get it for him, no matter what!

I watched as Troy pretended to sing with the rest of them, even if his character didn't agree with what was going on. "… as she severs you, Madame Guillotine. Slice, come paradise. You'll be smitten with, Madame Guillotine." Ryan stood up in his office above the rest, looking down among the crowds, a smug look on his face, singing, "The world may be ugly, but each man must do what he must." Then some random girl sang a line, "Give in pretty dear, in a year you will be pretty dust," only to be followed by the rest of the people of the crowd singing, "Now come let our lady possess you, In her breathtaking, hair-raising bed. She will tingle your spine as she captures your heart and your head." The Scarlet Pimpernel, Troy, sat on his carriage, with coffins in the back, leading the singing with his horse whip, acting as though he was a slight bit tipsy. "Sing, swing, savour the sting as she severs you, Madame Guillotine. Slice, come paradise. Our Delilah will shave you razor clean."

I rubbed my back, needing to sit down. I was so tired lately. I had my first scene coming up and I needed to get a drink of water and rest for a moment. I turned and walked toward the dressing rooms and over to the refrigerator, pulling out a bottle of water, opening it and downing a good half of it before walking over to a makeup chair and sitting down, leaning back in it and sighing heavily. I had my scene up where I meet Percy and I couldn't wait. I loved seeing Troy up there dressed as Percy. He looked so amazing up there on stage as Percy Blakeney. I don't know if it was the clothes or the air he had about him, but he was incredible. I heard the number end and I knew there was only one more brief scene till I was needed on stage. I drank more of the water, knowing that I was going to have to pee soon, but I was extremely thirsty. It was a catch 22. I just had to get through tonight and then I could lay around in Troy's arms in his bed tomorrow all day long if I wanted. His parents were going to be gone from early light till at least midnight so we'd have the entire house to ourselves, but I only needed the bed and Troy's arms. Of course, the babies and I needed to eat, but that didn't mean that we couldn't come right back up to bed as soon as we were done eating. Or go to the couch. It didn't matter. As long as I was in Troy's arms, that's all I needed.

I took a look at myself in the mirror, making sure I was ready for my entrance, pulling the cloak up over my hair, tossing the now empty water bottle in the trash beside the makeup table and stood to walk back toward the stage. I got there just as it was time to enter. I stepped into the dimly lit backroom of a tavern only to find my brother, played by Will Taylor, being attended to by a barmaid. I hastened my way over to him, calling over to him. "My poor Armand," I softly spoke to him as I came up beside him, placing my hand lightly on his shoulder and crouching down in front of him. Placing my hand on his knee, I looked up at him, wondering what had happened. "What happened to you?" He looked down at me, his gaze a little hazy from all the brandy he had been drinking to numb the pain. "Two men, out of the darkness… If it hadn't been for this gentleman," he said, turning his head over to a man who sat alone at a table to the side of us. I turned to look at the man, holding onto Armand's hand securely. "My brother and I are indebted to you, Monsieur." He sat over there at his table as if he had not heard a word I had said. I called out to him again. "Monsieur?"

Grabbing his walking stick, he stood, walking over toward us, taking off his hat in doing so. "Sir Percy Blankeney, Mademoiselle." Troy said, bowing, having not even looked at me once. Once he finished bowing, he looked up at me, pausing from standing back up. Our eyes finally met, and I couldn't hide a smile, both as Marguerite and as Gabriella. I loved Troy as Percy, ever since we started going over lines together and that was never going to change. Long after tonight, I was going to look back on these performances and our experience with this play and treasure it forever. He still stood, bent over, hat pressed against his chest, bowing his greeting. "Although anyone would have done as much." It took me a moment to find my voice, but once I did, I told him, "If you think that, Monsieur, you do not know Paris well." He stood back up straight slowly and I returned my attention back to Armand. "Who were these men that attacked you, my darling?" He leaned back in his chair, answering me forthrightly, "They were sent by the Marquise de Saint-Sierre. I recognized his carriage. No doubt," he let out a pained breath before continuing, "to teach me a lesson." I looked down for a moment before vowing to him, "As God is my witness, one day I will repay the marquise for this!" I looked over at the man who had saved my brother briefly and then back at my brother, helping him stand.

"Come, my darling. Let's get you home to bed. Do you think you can?" I asked him. Within the instant, the gentleman was at my side, helping me help my brother stand. "I'm quite fine now," Armand said, turning to walk out of the tavern. I looked down to see the gentleman holding my hand after having helped me help Armand up. I looked up at him, feeling an odd sensation flowing over my skin. "Rather a harsh lesson," he said spoke softly, searching for an answer to his query, "I trust the offense warranted the punishment?" I searched briefly for the right words to say. "My brother is young," I told him with a slight smile, "and hot blooded, Monsieur. His heart too often leads his head. I fear he had the impudence to fall in love with Saint-Sierre's daughter." The man took a step closer to me, questioning, "Is love too a crime in France these days?" I was almost caught off guard, speaking almost breathlessly. "Only if the … the lady is an aristocrat. But her father considers a simple boyish one not fit to breathe the same air as they do." I was getting rather heated, thinking about the way the marquise had treated my brother. "If you will excuse me, I must attend to my brother." I took a step to the side of him and continued to walk away from him, in a hurry to get to Armand.

"Wait!" he called out to me and I turned back to see what it was that he had wanted. "When I'll see you again?" I looked up at him, feeling at a loss for words. "My brother and I are having a small soiree at our home on the Rou de Richou on Sunday next. If you're free…" I left the invite open to him. He leaned forward, speaking directly to me. "For such an invitation Mademoiselle, I shall make myself free." I smiled softly, oddly excited. "Sunday next, then," I agreed before turning away from him to leave. Stopping, I turned back to let him know exactly where we lived. "Number 27." I couldn't have him getting lost and not knowing where to find us. I stood there staring at him for a moment, our eyes never leaving each other for a moment… But then I knew I couldn't just stand here and I had to get to Armand.

I had to run backstage for a quick wardrobe change. This was the part of these productions that was beginning to really get to me. It was killing my back and my feet to have to change all these many times. But Troy would always be back there to help if he could and I loved him for it. But for the times he wasn't able to help me because he was on stage, I had the costume designers helping me. There were times I heard them talking about Troy and me and it pissed me off. Finally, I just had to tell them to STFU! I loved Troy and if I wanted him helping me get changed, they could deal with it. I giggled to myself as Troy helped pull my dress on and I blushed up at him. Even in the dark he could see it, asking, "What is it, baby? Did I touch your breast?" I giggled up at him, shaking my head. "No," I whispered as he zipped me up. "I was just thinking about telling the costume department to STFU, not shut the fuck up, because they think you're taking their job away from them." He pulled me closer to him for a moment, kissing the side of my neck. "Well they can deal with it!" I blushed and then gasped as he spanked my ass. "Now get out there sexy and I'll be out there to woo you off your feet in a few minutes. I giggled back at him, walking out onto the stage as the lights came up.

I walked around greeting my brother's and my guests, smiling and playing my part. As an actress, and the best one in Paris, I was great at playing my part. "Congratulations, my dear," Suzanne said as I came up to her. "Your play is a great success, we hear. Sells out every night," came a voice from behind me and I turned to greet him. "Isn't it amazing? I was sure no one would come!" Another woman practically coddled me, "Oh, what nonsense, all Paris adores you!" I turned to see a man in front of the fire place, sipping wine, whom I was not familiar with. I was about to go over and introduce myself when I heard the Countess de Tournay behind me. "Oh, my dear! Have you heard the news?" I turned my attention to her, voicing my interest, "News?" She took me by my arm, telling me, "Everybody's talking about it. There were over twenty executions in the Place de Greve this afternoon." I turned my head down only to hear a very familiar voice behind me correct the countess.

"Twenty-three to be precise." I turned to see my good friend Chauvelin, played by none other than the amazing Ryan, enter the party and not a moment too soon. Coming quickly over to him, I took his hands in mine, greeting him joyously, "Paul!" He brought my hands to his lips, kissing them softly. "I've only just been able to tear myself away," he told me, explaining his tardiness to the party. "Oh," I said, running my fingers through his hair. "You look so tired," I said softly, letting my hand caress his face. "Come, let's have some champagne," I suggested, leading him in to the party, my arm wrapped around his. We came up to my hired waiter and he offered me a glass as one of my party guests approached us. "So, twenty-executions today, Chauvelin?" Chauvelin took a glass for himself and looked up at the man. "To be precise," he said, before looking at me. "And there will be more. Every day. Until the committee has purged the Republic of the last corrupt aristocrat."

That's when my brother decided to show his face, stepping up alongside with Louise, my understudy, played by Sharpay, broken nose, well, plastic surgeried nose and all, placing his hand on her back. "Not another speech, Chauvelin." He looked down at Louise, shaking his head. "This is what I have to listen to all day now, my dear," he said, ending by turning a mocking smile to Chauvelin. "All day?" Louise repeated, feeling sorry for my brother. "I'm afraid so. This young idealist has just become my assistant, so he has no choice," Chauvelin informed us, the smug, happiness plastered all over his face as I held his arm close to my side. "You must be Paul Chauvelin?" Louise asked, looking for an introduction. "Chief agent for the committee of national security, at your service, Mademoiselle?" And introducing his new love, my brother turned his attention from their greeting directly to Chauvelin. "You have the honor of addressing Mademoiselle Louise Longet of the National Theatre." Chauvelin took a step forward as he was shaking Louise's hand, his face lighting up. "But of course! You're Marguerite's new understudy!" He stood back next to me and I wrapped my arms more around his arm. "I gather you're responsible for the arrest and execution of all these undesirable aristocrats." Chauvelin shook his head, "I can assure you, that is a small part of my duties, Mademoiselle." And as he said that, my brother cocked his head up, adding, "The other is making loooong boring speeches at social functions like this."

I noticed someone hand a note to the gentleman I had been on my way to go introduce myself to earlier, finding it rather conspicuous as Paul included, "Well, now you will have the opportunity to learn how to make boring speeches too." He laughed, continuting, "Very well, just for this once, I will overcome my usual patriotic zeal and confine myself to a simple toast to the Republic." He held up his glass, toasting. "To the Republic!" Everyone joined in, toasting as well. "To the Republic." We drank from our glasses and Chauvelin noticed the same as I, that the man I was noticing was not saluting as well and called him on it. "It seems as though the Baron de Batz does not share our enthusiasm for the toast." Taking the note and dropping it in the fireplace behind him, he acted as though there was nothing farther from the truth. The note fell from the fire and down to the ashes. "Perhaps he is not a friend of the Republic," Paul said, clearly defending his country's honour. "How on the contrary, my dear Chauvelin. I may be an Austrian, by nationality, an aristocrat by birth, but I can assure you that I am a very good friend of the Republic," said the baron, played by Grant Frank, a junior, coming over to our group. "I believe, rather, that the baron is a friend of profit," Chauvelin said, looking down on him, "willing to sell his allegiance to the highest bidder." Chauvelin took that as his exit, walking away from us slightly. I didn't blame him. I knew how he felt about what he thought he was talking about. But of course, he must know the baron better than I did. I only met him. "It would appear, Mademoiselle, that my presence here this evening, has given you distress. I shall cause you no further embarrassment." He reached out, taking my hand in his and kissing it cordially. "And I shall bid you good evening," he said, before leaving the party.

Paul made his way over to a group of people and I made my way around them to read the note that the baron had tossed in the fire. But I couldn't read it in front of people. Walking away from everyone, I turned myself into a bookshelf and opened the note. "The Dauphin is to be held prisoner in the temple. Saint-Sierre…" I folded up the note, bringing my hands down to my waist slowly. "Ah, there you are!" I heard Paul come up behind me and turned after tucking the note in my dress in front of my breast, raising my voice at him. "How could you be so rude?" I turned to him and he came up in front of me, resting his hand on the bookshelf behind me, almost boxing me in. "To de Batz?" I stood my ground, not wavering. "He was a guest in my home!" Paul turned his head down, almost in a condescending manner to me. "An unworthy guest. The man is suspected of selling secretive information back to the Austrian government." He placed his glass on the top of the bookshelf behind me, boxing me in completely. I stepped away from him, pushing myself out of his snare. "Then why haven't you arrested him?" He turned to follow me. "Because, my dear, he also sells secretive information about he Austrians to us." I continued walking away from him, rather upset, with him, with the information I had just learned. "You've executed men for less," I said, only turning my head back slightly for him. "Revolutions are never bloodless," he said as I turned slowly back to look at him. "This brief reign of terror will purge the land of all corruption." I continued to walk around the couch that was now between us. I came back to him as he finished his speech, "And take us to new heights." I stopped in front of him. "Be careful where it takes you, Paul," I warned him. "To a new order," he practically disregarded my warning. "To the day of glory. And we will be part of it, Marguerite, you and I. Just as we've always dreamed. And then I will make you my wife. And the future will be ours."

He kissed my lips briefly before starting to kiss down my neck. I turned my head slightly, barely feeling anything. It was almost as though I was kissing my brother for some reason. I was not feeling a thing for him as I used to, and I did not know why. But even as I turned my head away, I saw Percy Blakeney standing in the doorway and I knew I had to be smiling as brightly as the midday sun, and even if it was Troy. "Sir Percy!" Paul immediately stepped back from me, turning to see who had interrupted our "moment." He stood there in the doorway, standing there looking more dashing than I could have ever remembered him. "Laud, Mademoiselle, you look even more beautiful," he said, lifting his looking glass, "than I recall." He started walking over to me, lifting his hand to take mine. He was acting rather oddly, not as smooth and debonair as he had been back at the tavern, and I found it… definitely odd, for lack of a better word. " …if that is possible." I let him take my hand in his, kissing my fingers lightly. "Oh, Paul," I said, remembering introductions, "this is the gentleman who rescued Armand." I turned to Paul, introducing Percy to him. "Paul Chauvelin, chief agent for the committee of national security." I smiled over at Percy who was looking rather impressed at Chauvelin. "Sir Percy Blakeney." Paul nodded smiling slightly, offering Percy his hand in greeting. "It is a pleasure, Monsieur." Percy shook Paul's hand. "The pleasure, I can assure you, is all mine." Both Chauvelin and I looked at him, trying to grasp his character. He certainly was a different one, and not at all like the man I had met the night he rescued Armand. I didn't quite understand.

"…MonSEWER" Paul's eyes about popped out of his head at Percy's horrible accent on the French language. Percy laughed, turning slightly toward me, but not quite looking at me. "I must apologize for my tardiness. It was next to imPOSSible finding a carriage. Sink me, if everyone isn't so equal in your new society that no one wants to do the driving anymore." I couldn't help but laugh lightly, pursing my lips slightly to keep from laughing out. Chauvelin only smiled, asking Percy, "I take it, sir, that you do not approve of our new society." Percy held his head back. "Approval sir," Percy bowed, holding up his looking glass and bowing, "in my opinion, demands the attainment of perfection." He walked between and past us. "And in that sense, you rather overrate the charm of your society," he said, turning back to look at Paul. "In faith the one thing, it does seem monstrous ill-dressed for any one society, even a new one." I found what he said quite shocking, but I loved it in the same moment. He was mocking Paul and I found it funny. I knew I shouldn't, but I did, so I hid my laughter. "Sink me, your tailors have betrayed you," he said, tuning toward me and laughing. I still couldn't get over this outlandish character before me. He wasn't the same man I had met the night he rescued Armand, but I didn't dislike him at all. He was amusing and a breath of fresh air. "The tailors?" Paul asked, "We pride ourselves on our French tailors."

"Odd's fish, my dear fellow," Percy said, lifting his looking glass up to Paul's suit. "Such sorry workmanship would not be tolerated in London for one tiny instant. Look you here, sir," he said, looking down at Paul's clothes. "This limp cravat. I ask you!" Paul lifted his hands to straighten his cravat and I couldn't help but cover my mouth, knowing it would be in poor taste of me to laugh. "Or the sorry cut of this sleeve! No, no, no!" Percy stated to walk around behind him as Paul held his arm close to him, favoring his French-tailored sleeve. Percy made a repeated t-t-t-t-t noise behind him, lifting his looking glass as he stood behind him. "Or the sad state of those cuffs! Sink me! I could hardly bring myself to look upon them! No, no, no, sir. If this is the best your tailors can do, it would serve you best to send them… to the guillotine." Percy made his way back full circle in front of Paul as Paul turned to him, informing him, "We shall send our king instead, sir, and exalt our tailors." Paul smiled over and nodded at me. "Mores the pity!" Percy turned more to face Chauvelin. "Then your tailors shall rule the land and no one will make the clothes. So much for French fashion. … And French politics." He said as Paul began to sulk. "What is it you Frenchies say?" Percy asked, his voice inflecting highly. "TouCHÉ! You see, I'm a bit of a poet! And YOU did not know it." Paul was no longer amused. In fact, I was sure he had never been. "Well, this has been most amusing, Sir Percy," he merely smiled, "but if you'll excuse me, I have some one I must see inside." Paul turned, greeting me his brief adieu, "Marguerite," before going back into the party.

I turned back to Percy, smiling happily up at, belying my words. "You really mustn't tease Chauvelin so recklessly! He's very powerful in the government. Already, he is Robespierre's most trusted agent." But Percy barely seemed to be heeding what I was telling him. He only seemed to be staring into my eyes. "The only power I see at the present, Mademoiselle, is the power of your beauty." He was now speaking and behaving as he had the night I had met him and I was taken back by the complete 180. I opened my mouth slightly, turning from him. "Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Sir Percy." I looked away from him as he came around to my other side, speaking from barely behind and to the side of me. "This beholder," he started, speaking softly, before whispering down by my ear, "is enchanted." We had made our way back over to the party and I hadn't even noticed, but all I could see was Percy. "If I were to tell you that I adore you, would you want me to do so stingingly?" he asked, walking around in front of me, making a point of the word with his eyeglass, his outlandish voice coming back, now that we were over by everyone else and I was beginning to understand him. He was a certain way when we were alone, but by others, he changed. Why, I wasn't certain.

"Adore me?" I was taken back by his admission. He took me by my shoulder, pulling me over and away from everyone else, the suave and debonair Percy I had met coming back to me. He held me close to him as we stood in a corner. "Or would you have me declare it as I feel it? With all my heart?" I felt breathless, barely able to find my breath. "Oh, but you can't be serious. You know nothing about me." He kept staring down into my eyes, and I couldn't help get lost in his. "Exactly so," and this time, it was he who sounded breathless. "Which is why I yearn to know everything. You must tell me all about yourself, in every detail." He lifted his finger to my lips and my breath got caught in my throat. "But oh so slowly, so very slowly, so that it takes a very, very long time." Then end of his request came out in a soft whisper and I felt my knees going weak beneath me, not only as Marguerite, but as Gabriella. Troy always did this to me. I spoke slowly, shaking my head softly. "I don't know whether you're mad or…" He finished my sentence for me, even though it hadn't been what I was going to say, "Desperately in love. 'Tis all the same. Tell me if you can, that you do not feel it too." My voice came ou softly, "Please, sir, you move to fast." He whispered softly, "My heart dictates the pace."

The curtain came down and I didn't hesitate in pressing my lips to hers. I always did when we ended that scene. It wasn't written in the script, but I always thought it was needed there. We didn't have much time to get off the stage so they could set up for the next scene, but it was something I always did, and I could never restrain myself when it came to her. Pulling back, I took her hand and led her off stage to get her changed into her next costume. Our next scene was the picnic scene, one of our favorites. "Troy, you should go get changed yourself," she said, giggling softly as I helped her with he zipper at the back of her party dress. "Nonsense, m'dear," I said, speaking as Percy, "I have plenty of time to help you before changing into my next outfit." She giggled up at me and staying was worth it enough just to hear that. I rubbed her stomach before pulling up her picnic dress and helping her slide her arms through it. I was so nervous about tonight. It wasn't as though I was afraid she was going to say no. I knew she loved me and wanted to marry me as much as I wanted to marry her, but it was the way I was choosing to propose to her. I had decided on doing it this way and nothing was going to stop it. I loved her with all my heart and I wanted to show her.

We took our places when our scene was ready and the lights came up. Gabriella was on stage, holding notes I had sent to her, plus a note I had sent to the Baron de Batz telling him about the dauphin. Of course Percy didn't know she had it, but that was out of character knowledge. "You can inform your people that the dauphin is being held prisoner in the temple," Marguerite read the letter out loud to herself. From the door at the back of the set, a servant of hers came into the room, announcing my arrival. She put the letter back in it's ribbon slip and put the letters away in her bag, turning away from the door. I entered the room a moment later, stopping just behind her. I stood there for a moment, expecting her to turn around to me, happy to see me, but when she didn't, I frowned slightly. "Forgive me, if I kept you waiting." She kept her back turned to me, disregarding my apology. "Your note did say eleven." I held my hat in my hands, turning it slightly. "I had a difficult time finding a suitable basket," I told her, holding my hat down to my side and taking my eyeglass in my other hand. She turned slowly around to me, a curious look on her face. "A suitable … basket?" I leaned closer to her, holding up my hat to hide what my men were bringing in from her, whispering down to her. "I thought … a picnic." Slowly pulling down my hat, I watched as she turned to see my men as they brought in the most perfectly decorated basket with flowers and ribbons. "Percy!" Just seeing the immediate smile on her face and brought a smile to my face. I turned, offering her my arm and we left her house, walking out behind my men with the basket out toward the city gates being stopped by the guard.

"Papers? Papers if you please?" I practically laughed at him as we stood with my four men, holding the basket. I held up my eyeglass to him, appalled that he could not see who it was I was with. "Sink me! Surely you recognize the most beautiful actress in France!" The guard turned to Marguerite, almost genuflecting in front of us, instead, choosing to bow his head slightly. "A man would have to be blind not to recognize Mademoiselle Marguerite Saint-Just." He turned to the gatekeeper, yelling to him. "You there. Make way. Let this party pass!" Marguerite raised her hand, waving her dainty fingers at him and blowing him a kiss for good measure before taking my arm again as we continued to walk through with my men and the large basket full of our lunch and … something else. We walked through the gate and around to where we would set up the picnic. My men sat down the basket and I turned to her. "A walk, Marguerite?" She smiled, nodding her head softly and letting me lead her away from my men so they could set up our picnic.

I led her away and my men opened the basket, letting out the Duke de Leon I had just saved from the guillotine this morning. I turned my head back around to make sure he was alright before turning my attention back to Marguerite. Leaning her up against a tree, I let my hand caress the side of her arm softly. Leaning forward, I pressed my lips softly to hers. This was one thing I didn't like about acting with her. I wanted more than just this simple kiss from her, but I couldn't and I knew it. I opened my eyes to look back at the spot where we had left my men, seeing that they had the picnic set up, pulling back from her, I offered her my arm again and we walked back to enjoy our lunch.

I watched later from the side of the stage as Gabriella finished a scene from Marguerite's performance as she headed to her dressing room, looking for me, for Percy. "My darling!" She greeted the man sitting in her dressing room, only to find out it wasn't me, shutting the door rather unsettled. Chauvelin stood, turning to face her, hiding the note he had been reading, the one Marguerite had found of mine to Baron de Batz, behind his back. "Marguerite, my dearest!" She turned to face him after shutting the door and I shook my head, still not able to wrap my head around how different Ryan Evans was up on stage from how he was in real life. "Paul." Ryan kept his smile on his face and his hands behind his back. "What is it, my dear? You look as if you've seen a ghost." Gabriella walked away from the door, walking over to him. "It's just you took me by surprise." In the mirror behind him Gabriella saw the note he had taken from her, her soft tone melting away to a cooler one. "What is that you're hiding behind your back?"

He took the note out, looking at it in his hand. "I might as you the same," he turned it back on her, handing the note to her. "You have no right to pry into my personal affairs," she cut back at him, taking the note quickly from him, walking quickly past him, glaring at him to her side. "Even when those personal affairs smack of treason?" Ryan asked, challenging her. "Treason?" Gab asked, unable to believe what Ryan had just said to her. "Surely you can't believe I have anything to …" She looked up at him, taking a new stance. "Paul, I swear I happened upon this note only by chance." Ryan's character seemed to be a little too understanding with Gabriella's. "Then why didn't you come to me with it?" Gab looked down at the note. "I didn't know what to do. I think I wanted to be sure that it was important enough before I did anything … as so drastic." Ryan questioned her, "Drastic?" She looked up at him. "As report it to the committee." Ryan laughed. "My darling, I'm not the committee. I'm the man who hopes one day to marry you." Gab looked at him as though she wanted to run away and hide. I couldn't blame her. If I was standing in her shoes, I'd want to hide too. No, I'd be running and screaming too. I couldn't help but laugh. Ryan had become my friend over the last few months and I couldn't help but tease him a bit, even if he wasn't around.

"But you are an agent of the committee," Gab said, not even paying attention to Ryan's character's advances. "Wouldn't it be your duty to report-?" Ryan cut her off. "My first duty, my dearest, is to you. … I may not always find a way to show it, but I love you…" Gabriella stood looking at him as he continued moving closer to her, "… with all my heart, and I give you my word, I will never betray your confidence." He closed the distance between them, kissing her on the cheek. Gabriella stood staring at him, not even moving an inch. He stood back up, looking down on her. "Forgive me, Paul," she shrugged slightly up at him. "On the other hand," he said, taking the letter back from her, "It is your duty to report this to me, officially. And then, and only then, I will take the appropriate action." Gab looked up at him, knowing that he could betray her confidence anyhow at any moment just by that statement alone. "But that could mean Saint-Sierre's execution and possibly his family's as well!" Ryan stood up more rigidly, staring down at her coarsely. "He's a traitor! And can you think of a better way to repay him for having your brother beaten?" She glared up at him and I leaned against the wall. This definitely had to be her best performance and I was beaming with pride for her. "You can't honestly believe that I would send a man and his entire family to their death out of spite?" She was literally shocked by the notion. "They're aristocrats, my dear!" She turned away from him, whispering harshly, "I could never live with myself!" His voice raised slightly. "In that case, you may have to one day answer to the Republic!" She turned back to face him, spatting back, "Rather the Republic than my conscience!"

He closed the distance between him, his lip curling up at her in disgust. "You disappoint me! You've gone soft!" She glared up at him. "If by that you mean I'm not blood thirsty enough for this revolution of yours, you're right." He took her almost forcefully in his arms, a part I never really liked watching, but it was time for me to take my place, so thankfully I didn't have to watch, I could walk around the back of the stage and come to my spot and not have to, but I could still hear her lines as I walked. "It used to be your revolution as well," Ryan said, his voice full of a lust for her and it disgusted me, but I knew he was only acting. "Yes, but it's taken us in different directions," Gabriella said breathlessly, feeling the closeness from Ryan's character and not liking it at all. "Perhaps my vision was never the same as yours. I see now what begins as a dream can end as a nightmare. Some causes can become twisted, warped like some men!" I knew she was glaring up at him as she walked past him and behind her changing partition.

He was silent for a while before responding. "It's not difficult to guess the reason for this sudden change of heart. I suspect it's the ARISTOCRATIC company you've been keeping of late." I knew that would make Gabriella smile, knowing he was talking about me, well, Percy. "Why, Paul, I do believe you're jealous!" And he was. "Why? Should I not be?" She loved it. "If it's any consolation, Sir Percy left for England a fortnight ago." And I was returning tonight, but she did not know that. But, leave it to old dingle head to ruin my surprise. "Oh, then, you don't know?" Now she would, you flop! I laughed to myself. "Know what?" she asked. "That he's back." I heard the excitement in her voice as I came to the door even though it wasn't quite time for my entrance. "In Paris!" But of course, her excitement didn't excite Ryan's character. Poor man, I could almost hear his heart break. He really was an amazing actor. "You know, it amazes me how a woman of your taste and intelligence could tolerate such a fool. Now if you'll excuse me." And now it was time for my entrance. "I have some duties to attend to."

Ryan came to the door, opening it, only to find my shining face smiling back at him. I acted surprised to see him and not my darling Marguerite, but then, I had heard them talking on the other side of the door. "Oh! Bon jor, MonSOR!" I held up my eye glass, noticing his cravat, smiling even more. "I swear! You've been taking lessons! The cravats a picture!" He looked down at himself, surveying his tie for a moment before looking back up at me, trying to get past me. We tangoed for a moment, darting each other left and right before he got frustrated with me, scoffing loudly in annoyance. "Oh, out of my way!" He stepped to the side of me as I let him pass, turning back to face me. "You idiot," he exasperated before storming off. I walked into Marguerite's dressing room, smiling, looking for my beloved. "Percy!" I turned, seeing her jumping over toward me in nothing but her robe. "Percy! Percy!" She threw her arms around my neck and I wrapped an arms around her as I laughed and she giggled, spinning her about, being careful not to nauseate Gabriella or make her dizzy. I let her down to her feet and we held each other at arms length. "I knew you would come back!" I took her hand in mine, smiling brightly at her. "My darling! Well, I'm glad you're pleased to see me! More than we can say for your friend Chauvelin!" I said, swinging the flowers I had brought for her at the door. "Positively no sense of humor!" She took the flowers as I handed them to her and she walked away from me nervously. "Oh, please, don't be so flippant, Percy! Chauvelin is terribly jealous." She sat down at her makeup table, speaking softly. "He actually frightens me." I turned to her more, wanting to calm her down. "Frightens you, m'dear? Nonsense!" I sat my hat and gloves down on the table. "I want you to forget Chauvelin. Forget every man you've ever known. Except for me," I told her as I came up beside her.

If only I could come up with something as good as this when I was ready to ask her tonight. I'd had the ring for months now and I had no idea how I was going to ask her. But here I was about to propose to her in character, knew exactly what to say and didn't have a ring on me. How twisted life was. I knelt down beside her as she looked over at me. "How easy that would be. Sometimes.. You're so ... illusive." She moved closer to me, wanting to know more. "Are you an actor too? Playing out some part in a strange charade?" I looked deeper into her eyes, our faces less than a foot apart from each others. "I've told you before, my dear. The one thing you must never doubt is my sincerity." I held my finger up to her for emphasis and she leaned a little closer. "I know behind that mask is the true Percy Blakeney. That's the man I yearn to know," she ended in a whisper. "And so you shall, my dear," I told her, smiling only slightly. "All in good time," I told her, moving a little closer. "How long is that?" she asked, and I just had to ask, or in Percy's case, it was more of a way of telling her, since she was asking a question. "Marry me, and you have the rest of your life … to find out." Her kiss was all the answer I needed, just as I knew all I would need was a smile or a kiss or even her arms wrapped tightly around my neck when I was to ask at the end of the production if Gabriella would marry me. I knew she would say yes.

I knew she wanted to marry me, even if it was something we'd never discussed, we had talked about moving in with each other briefly before, and now, we were more in love than we were then. I knew there was nothing more I wanted than for her to be my wife. I knew we were still in high school and we had so many things to think about, but we were in love and getting married was something I knew we both wanted. I couldn't wait to see the look in her eyes when I held up the ring to her and asked her to be my wife. Percy and Marguerite's wedding was perfect as usual, but it kept me wanting Gabriella more. I wanted this production to be over with already so I could just ask her. The one thing I didn't like about their wedding was finding out that Marguerite signed the order to have the Saint-Sierres to their deaths. It was the turning point in their relationship and it saddened me. I knew nothing would ever come between Gabriella and me like Percy and Marguerite, even though it was all a huge misunderstanding.

We came to the scene where the king was throwing a party and Suzanne, or Kelsi, just ran up to Marguerite and myself with Andrew, one of my men, played by Kyle Floren, a member of the academic decathlon with Gabriella, as we were about to leave. "Marguerite! Percy!" We turned back to them. "You'll never guess," she said, turning to Andrew, smiling brightly, "Andrew has asked me to marry him. And Papa has given his consent!" Gabriella reached out and hugged Kelsi and I smiled at Kyle. "Sink me, if you didn't go and do it! Congratulations, old chap!" Kyle nodded, "Thanks." Gabriella kissed each of Kelsi's cheeks and pulled back, smiling brightly. "Oh, Suzanne. I'm so happy for you!" Just then, Martha Cox, playing Kelsi's mom, the Countess de Tournay, came running up, chastising Kelsi for even looking at Gabriella. "Suzanne, I forbid you for having anything to do with that woman." Kelsi turned to look at her, confused. "Mama, what are you saying?" Martha glared at Gab. "She has blood on her hands. We have just learned that she denounced the Marquise de Saint-Sierre and sent him and his entire family to the guillotine." Andrew tried to step in and defend Gabriella, even though there was nothing to defend. Everyone but Suzanne and maybe Andrew knew she had done it. "My dear Countess, you really-" Martha cut him off, attacking Gabriella some more, "Can you deny that, Lady Blakeney?"

Gabriella stood by my side, firm and strong. "I refuse to confirm or deny such accusations. And this is no trial. And you are no judge!" Martha stood her ground as well. "True, Madame! God will be your judge!" Gabriella turned to me, and as Percy I had to remain cold and distant. I had known about the marquise from the day of their wedding day and as of this moment, I was supposed to be distant about it. "Will you say nothing, sir?" Marguerite asked of her husband. "Faith, Madame. What is there to say?" I looked away from her, showing my distance. "Will you not even defend your wife's honour?" I swung my eyeglass, smiling politely. "Odd's fish, m'dear. Would you have me challenge the pour countess to a duel?" I laughed, throwing my head back as Andrew escorted the countess away. Suzanne was escorted away as well and I returned back to my stoic gaze ahead of me, offering Marguerite my hand. Gabriella took it and we turned back to continue leaving the party as we had intended on in the first place. "So, my dear," I said, my gaze still fixed forward, "t'would seem you've finally found a way to repay Saint-Sierre after all." Gabriella stopped walking, turning her head up to look at me. "Can you really believe that?" I turned my gaze down to her, leaning forward slightly. "Can I… believe otherwise?"

She ran off from me, finding a secluded spot at the party, beginning to weep. I left the stage and the spotlight shown down on her as the rest of the partiers continued on in the dimly lit stage. The music was playing softly and then she began to sing. "When I look at you, what I always see is the face of someone else who once belonged to me, still I can hear him laugh, and even though that melody plays on…. He's gone." She sat down on the bench that surrounded the tree, sighing softly. "When I look at you, he is standing there I can almost breathe him like summer in the air. Why do you smile his smile? That heaven I'd forgotten eases through… in you." She looked off to where she had left me, wiping away a stray tear, "If you could look at me once more, and find the love you felt before. If you and I could disappear into the past and find the love we knew, I'd never take my eyes away from you." She stood, taking a step across the stage, looking out into the distance. "When I look at you, he is touching me. I would reach for him, but who can hold a memory. And love isn't everything. That moonlight on the bed will melt away someday." She looked down, closing her eyes, holding her hand to her chest, "You were once that some one who I followed like a star." She turned her head to the ceiling of the auditorium, singing out to the heavens. "Then suddenly you changed, and now I don't know who you are." Turning her head back down, she took a small step. "Or could it be, that I never really knew you from the start. Did I create a dream? Was he a fantasy? Even a memory is paradise for all the fools like meeeeeeee." She took a deep breath, looking back over to where we had left each other. "Now remembering is all that I can doooo. Because I miss him so…" turning her head back down, she wiped away a few tears, "…when I look aaaat youuuu."

I wanted to get to the library to warn the Scarlet Pimpernel that Paul knew he was going to be in there at midnight. Sneaking through the halls of the King's palace, I looked every which way, knowing I had just left Paul after he had told me he had my brother locked away. I didn't know whether to believe him or not. Across the stage, Ryan, as Paul was sitting in the room we had just been speaking in, thinking about what we had just discussed as the music began to play. He looked out the window, beginning to sing, "See the moon slink, down in the sky, darling, let your fantasies fly, darling. Life is cold, and the game is old." I leaned against the wall, wondering how I got to this moment in my life, starting to sing, "Just see how virtue repays you, you turn and some one betrays you. Betray him first, and the game's reversed." We started singing together, him still looking out into the darkness through the window and me, leaning against the wall, sighing heavily. "For we all are caught in the middle of one long treacherous riddle." I turned to look back toward where I had come from as we both continued to sing, "Can I trust you? Should you trust me too?"

Paul took a step away from the window, picking up his glass of brandy, walking across the room, "We shamble on through this hell." I turned my head away, continuing on through the halls toward the library, singing myself, "Taking on more secrets to sell." We started singing together again, "Till they sell our souls away." In the middle of the stage, the library is wheeled out and once on stage, the lights are turned onto it where Troy is standing there as Percy. He starts into sing, "Through the mist your lover is beckoning. Comes that moment of reckoning. Faces change, even smiles grow strange." Paul sat his brandy glass down, looking at the time on a clock. "We all have so many faces, the real self often erases." I walked around a corner and found myself at the end of a hall, singing out in frustration, "Enticing lies flicker though our eyes." All three of us started singing together as I turned back to find my way toward the library again.

"Feel the terror draw ever nearer the more you stare in the mirror. But hold your own. Face the wind alone." Paul turned away from the clock, looking back toward the window. "Reel on love, toughen your scars. Year by year, we're falling like stars. " I found myself down another hall, wondering how this place could be so big. We all three begin singing again. "Till there comes a day when we sell our souls awayyyyyy!" Percy stepped forward in the library set, hand over his heart, holding his eyeglass, "Can I run to you, are you true to me?" Paul turned back to grab his glass, tossing it against the wall. "I'll do unto you, as you do to me!" I came slowly toward the library, or at least hoping I was. "And we slowly learn, some one has to burn…" Before we all three started singing once again, "Better you than me." Percy found himself sitting on the couch, shaking his head, "Oh, eeeeevery Juuuuudas once loved a Jesus." I fell back against the wall again, "But finally, treason will seize us." Paul raised his hand to his throat, feeling as though his oxygen were being cut off, "And ooooonly fools follow golden rules." We all looked up to the ceiling, singing out as if our lives depended on it, "Oh we all are caught in the middle of one long treacherous riddle of who trusts who, maybe I'll trust you. But can you trust me. Wait and seeeeee!"

I walked into the library just as the music ended and Percy found himself ducking behind the curtains. I hadn't noticed anything, walking into the room further, looking for the Scarlet Pimpernel as I walked. I heard the floor creak behind me and I turned slightly, gasping. "Who's there?" I heard a voice call to me from the darkness, but only in a whisper. "Do not turn around." I turned back away from the whisper and he reiterated himself, "You must not turn around." I whispered back to him, smiling at my discovery. "The Scarlet Pimpernel?" There was silence from behind me for a moment and then he whispered again, "How did you know I was here?" I told him honestly, without hesitation, "I tricked Sir Andrew and read your note." He asked shortly after, "Why did you come?" There was only one answer for that. "To warn you. Chauvelin knows that you'll be in this room at midnight." I knew I had betrayed him, even though I had no loyalties to him, I felt I had more to him than to Paul, even though I'd known Paul for years. "You told him?" I felt the pain of knowing why I told him again. "I had to. To save my brother." I turned my head back slightly, but stopped. "He threatened to have Armand arrested unless I helped him to discover your identity."

"Why are you doing this now?" he asked, and I felt for him. I felt pure pain, knowing what I could cost him if I hadn't told him about Chauvelin. "Because I could never live with myself knowing that I was responsible for your death." He wasted no time in asking, "What is one more life to you? You already have the Marquise de Saint-Sierre to your credit!" I took a quick breath, turning my head back toward him sharply, stopping half way. "That's not true! Chauvelin deceived me!" I felt as though he was moving toward me, and I turned my head back forward. "I spurned him for another. He maliciously put my name on the arrest warrant as informer. I could never have sent the marquise and his family to their deaths, anymore than I can now let you die because of me." He was silent for only a brief second, before whispering again, "If this is true, you are a very brave woman for coming here." I paused momentarily before admitting, "I'm a fool ... If Chauvelin finds out, it could cost my brother's life." I could feel him getting closer to me. I wasn't looking at him, but I could feel his closeness. "No harm will ever come to your brother as long as I live," he continued to whisper, promising me. "Can I believe that?" I asked. "I give you … my word," he whispered firmly.

I wanted to turn around and look at him, feeling him this close to me, but he had told me not to. "I don't even know who you are. Won't you tell me?" He was silent for a moment, and I had to wonder if I was imagining he was still there behind me. "A phantom," came his whisper, "my lady, nothing more than a phantom." I didn't believe that. I wouldn't believe that. "No," I whispered, "you're very real to me. As real as life itself! How strangely close you feel to me. You're so near." I could feel him. I could feel how close he was to me. It literally took my breath away. I was hoping it wasn't turning Troy on again like it had several times before. I knew to stay standing directly in front of him either way. "I can feel your warmth. Touch me, so that I may know that you are real."

I felt him move behind me and a moment later, his hand was rested on my shoulder. I lifted my hand, placing it on his, feeling a ring on his small finger. The clock struck midnight and I gripped at his hand for a moment, gasping. "Chauvelin!" He kept his hand on my shoulder and I continued to hold his hand. Neither of us moved as the clock continued to strike. Once the chimes ended, the Scarlet Pimpernel whispered back to me. "He must not find you here. Quickly!" I stood there, speechless and he instructed, "The window!" I ran toward the window and turned back. "But what if he-" But I was alone in the room. There wasn't anyone here but me. I gabbed my dress, turning back around and continued out the window.

The play was drawing to an end and I couldn't be more ready for it. I just wanted to go home with Troy and climb into bed. Maybe I'd take a bath, maybe with Troy, but I just wanted to go home and relax and go to sleep. I was tired. My back hurt and my feet hurt. I was ready for the play to be over and done with. I never thought I'd actually feel this way, happy to see it come to an end. I walked behind Paul through the dungeon to see Percy. I hated that he was here in prison, but it wouldn't be long before I got him out. He unlocked the door and lead me in. Percy was standing across the cell from us, his back turned toward me. I looked up at Paul. "Alone, as you promised." Paul held up two fingers. "Two minutes," he said, walking past me. "Remember my conditions," he said as finally left us alone. Percy turned to face me as the door shut behind me. It was almost as if he couldn't believe I was actually here. When I had figured out he was the Scarlet Pimpernel, all the while having it staring at me in the face from all over the house, from his pictures, in every molding, everything we owned, I should have seen it along time ago. I should have known.

We stood staring at each other from what seemed to be a metaphor for all the time we've spent with this space in between us, but now that there was nothing between us, nothing could keep us apart. He slowly lifted his hand to me, and I knew that nothing would ever keep us apart and I ran to him, closing that gap and taking away all the pain of not being with him. He pulled me into his arms, hugging me too him. I held my arms around his neck, crying soft, happy tears of joy. "Oh, my darling!" He pulled back from our hug, only to press his lips against mine, kissing me ever so passionately. For the moment we were lost in each other's kiss and the world seemed to melt away. But there were so many things that needed to be said. So many things that needed to be done. He pulled back, the happiness in my eyes reflected in his. "How I prayed you would come! My darling, can you ever forgive me for doubting you?" Me? Not me. "Oh, it is I who must beg your forgiveness. Chauvelin says he will release you if you tell him the dauphin's whereabouts. If not… Oh, Percy, I couldn't bear to lose you now!" He smiled, letting go a soft sigh, he lifted the back of his fingers softly to my face, wiping away some stray tears. "He knew that your tears would be the worst possible torture." I looked up at him, trying not to cry anymore. "Tell them," I whispered, trying to remain strong for him. "Tell them what they want to know." His hand fell to take my hand in his. "My darling, I cannot," he told me, shaking his head. "You must not ask me." Then we had to think of something else. "Then we must find a way to get you out of this dreadful place."

"There may be a way," he said, pulling me to sit with him. "Now listen carefully." And that is when he sent me off to do the duties of the Scarlet Pimpernel. As his wife, I could do what he asked of me, and no one would question me. He sent his ring along with me. We were able to save the dauphin, deceive Chauvelin and make it back to Paris. I was so glad the play was coming to an end I could hardly contain myself. We just had the final scene to do. I found it odd that Troy wasn't here to help me change into my last costume, but accepted the costume department girls' help just fine. They all seemed rather giddy for some odd reason and I didn't know what to do with them. "Will you just get me changed. I have one more scene to do before we can go home?" One of the girls looked up at me, giggling foolishly. "What about the after party at Ryan and Sharpay's house?" I arched an eyebrow. No one had told me a thing about an after party at Ryan's, not even Kelsi. Did they not tell me because I was pregnant? The other girl hit the first girl and the first girl hit the second girl back. "That was supposed to be a surprise for her, Rachel!" said the second girl and my eyes widened. I didn't say a word, I turned away from them as they finished zipping up my dress and walked out onto the stage as the lights came up to finish my last scene. But when I walked out there, the scene we were supposed to do was replaced by Troy standing out in the middle of the stage, holding a dozen red roses, dressed in his closing scene outfit, staring at me. The rest of the cast was standing around staring at me as well. I looked out at the audience and Ms. Darbus in the front row before looking back at Troy. "Troy, what's going on?" I whispered, but with the microphone taped to my face, everyone in the building could hear it.

"Troy, what's going on?" she asked and I smiled, taking a step forward as the music began to play. It was our song from the closing act, You Are My Home, recorded from a previous night. I had asked Ms. Darbus to record it and have the sound crew play it at this moment. Taking a step toward her, I handed her the mixture of roses and lilies, knowing they were her favorites, smiling at her, shaking my head. "You are the most beautiful girl I have ever known, Gabriella. When I started falling in love with you, it was your beauty that kept me hooked, your beauty and your passion. Everything about you kept me coming back for more. I couldn't stay away from you. There isn't one day that I want to live without you, Gabriella. You're the beat in my heart. You're the breath in my soul. You're everything I want to hold onto for the rest of my life." Kneeling down in front of her, I took the ring box from my pocket looking up at her. Opening the box, I smiled up at her. I could feel tears stinging the backs of my eyes, but I wasn't going to cry. Not here. I'd cry later, when it was just the two of us. "Gabriella Marie Montez. Would you spend your life with me and be with me forever? Will you be my wife? Marry me?" Her eyes had been locked on mine the entire time. She hadn't even looked at the ring until I had finished asking her the question. Her eyes slowly moved down to the ring. I could see the tears welling up in her eyes, but they didn't look like happy tears and for a moment, I was beginning to get scared. She stared at the ring for the longest time, her tears streaming down her face now.

"Gabriella," I whispered, not knowing what to do. She looked back up into my eyes, her bottom lip trembling as the tears continued to stream down her face. I stood up quickly, pulling her into my arms and she pushed me instantaneously off of her. "No, Troy! Don't… Don't…" She shook her head, backing away from me. "No… I can't…" She shook her head again. She was sobbing now and she wouldn't even let me touch her, backing away with every step I came closer to her. I finally decided to stop, not wanting her to trip as she backed away from me. "No, Troy! No!" She looked out over the audience, looking as though she wanted to run away and hide, and before I knew it, she was bolting from the stage the same way she had come on. "Gabriella!" I yelled after her before running after her.