Elijah paced back and forth in the main bedroom, Nora was quickly tied up by one of the thugs. Nellie spoke up "Oh Nora, I'm so happy you found her.. How did you ever get her away from that Rat?"

Nora shrugged her shoulders "Rosalie told me that he released her!"

Nellie's brows furrowed, daggers pointed with her pure brown eyes. "How can you do this to us! Just wait until Rosalie grabs the authorities.. You'll be in big trouble."

Elijah leaned in "I don't think she got a chance too." He rubbed his temple, sore from the strike of the golden bell. Penelope snickered "Poor baby... you sore from when my cousin knocked your lights out?"

"Face it. You're no match for Rosalie.. She's smarter than you."

Elijahs brows furrowed, a voice from downstairs called "BOSS! We got the girl back!"

The group gasped as Elijah turned to Nellie, lifting her chin "No... She's no match for you.. And hopefully she's smarter than you too.. In order to keep you alive." He turned to close the door, "Ciau, I'm off to sweep my darling fiance off her feet." the door slammed and locked shut, drowned in darkness.

Nora gasped "Ha! I knew they tied it wrong." Slipping out of her ropes, she clasped her hands. Quickly Nora unwrapped her feet and stood, wiping off her dark skirts "I'm free! Whose next!"

The group started to squirm, eager to be free. Nellie hushed them "No! We all shouldn't leave, they'll be on our trail quickly, and who knows how he'll punish Rosalie.. Nora, head to the river front-"

Charlie gasped "No! It's far too dangerous! Why don't we go?"

Nellie hushed him, as to not arouse the crowd downstairs "Go to the rat trap, talk to Jorge, and let him know you need to see Ratigan! Right away!"

Nora crossed her arms "How did you know where to go?" The whole group, paused, looking at her. Nellie rolled her eyes "I've had a splendor of good times at the river front before... I just choose to not share my own exploits.." she defended herself, then shook her head of the segue "Now, I need you to go see Jorge... Tell him the Plunkets are in danger.. And use the balcony to escape."

Charlie nodded "Please be careful Madame!"

Nora nodded "Let Rosalie know I'm okay..."

"We'll watch her." Nellie said "You've had more experience with her than I have.. And I'm afraid I'm very terrible at it."

Nora patted her shoulder "You're doing your best by watching her." Nora softly smiled, her eyes filled with determination "Go Nora.. Get help!"

Nora nodded and started the decent down the balcony, using the vines as a grip. Using her mouse like reflexes, she lept down off the final feet of the house, and escaped through the human sized back gate. Looking back to make sure no one was following her, she headed west towards the river front.

Elijah smiled "Oh good, you used the chloroform! Place the girl down." The larger thug plopped her to the floor. Elijah rolled his eyes "...Gently.."

Rosalie heard an echoing in her head... slowly opening her eyes. She was in a beautiful flower field. Sitting up, she rubbed her head and looked around. Wildflowers all around her. A voice called out "Rosalie!"

She turned behind her and gasped "Father! Father!"

Richard Hampstead, dressed in a fine dark blue coat, as she always remembered him in her younger days "Now look what mess you got yourself into." He reached out his hand, she immedietly got up, squeezing him "Daddy! I thought you-" the vision of her father, was only an image, as she opened her eyes, she was only hugging herself. "Oh..."

Richard chuckled "My strong girl.." he patted her back "I'm here to guide you... sadly I can't join you."

Rosalie paused, Richard continuing to walk down the beautiful path of flowers. He turned his head "Now come on, we have things to talk about."

As they continued to walk, Rosalie shook her head, wringing her fingers nervously. The flowers continuing to bloom wherever they walked, it was an endless field, but all the flowers different from the rest. The sky a pure white, no clouds. "So, when James let me go..." she sighed. Richard nodded "Ah, I know that look. It was the same torn look I had when I met your mother." Rosalie shook her head "I didn't want to leave him! After what he caused.. But I understood him... then I was mad-"

"Sounds like some adventure.."

Rosalie groaned "I don't understand what's happening to me.. What do I do?"

Richard tapped her shoulder "Sometimes the hardest decisions we make do not require an outside opinion.. It's what is going on in your own heart that matters." he picked one of the small blue flowers and magically another sprouted in It's place "I want you to love who you want."

"Who said anything about love?" Rosalie quickly said. Richard stopped, raising a brow at her. Rosalie laughed "Still can't fool you can I?" There was a pause "I love him, papa..." she walked more out into the field "But how do I really know that I'd rather be with him, than anything else in the world.. How do I know that he feels the same? How do I know that this is the one thing I want.. But am scared about all the possible outcomes!" she turned, her father smiling kindly. He stepped to her "I may be just a vision from your own imagination.. But.." he gently touched her face, she touched the hand in return "I believe this kind of love is right. Now you have to believe it yourself." he smiled "I love you my dear.."

Rosalie turned "I wish you were with me always.. I would have everything figured out straight away." She turned and saw that the vision of her father was gone, starting to fade around her, the flowers and trees dissipated. She begun to see darkness around her. She begun to spin herself, then felt herself back in reality. Waking up slowly, her eyes fluttered open. A voice echoed out "Aha! My sleeping beauty is awake!"

Rising up, but not yet standing, she looked around, a single spotlight from the top chandelier on her. The rest around her, complete darkness. She rubbed her eyes. The voice called out again "Sorry about the chloroform darling.. I had the boys take measures into their own hands." Elijah stepped out into the light, sipping on a dark glass of wine "Don't mind me, just having a pre celebratory glass of wine for our engagment."

"Elijah, I wouldn't marry you, if you were the last mouse on earth!"

"Oh don't worry, I'll make it official with the obligatory pomp and circumstance."

"MY ANSWER IS NO!" she yelled, standing her ground. Elijah chuckled and disappeared into the darkness again. Rosaile stood, spinning around "Why me?"

Elijah laughed "Oh it's funny that you don't know how valuable you are... You're one of the richest mice around next to your aunt!"

"Then just take my money! And leave us alone! Set them free and leave." she crossed her arms. Elijah smiled, his white teeth shining in the shadows "Not easy enough, you see there would arrouse suspicion if you simply 'gave' me the money.. The authorities and bankers would not cease to put me behind bars.. Plus if we wed, there would be an endless pool of inheritance spurting from your side of the family! Your fathers trading business would be nothing but fruitful with me as your husband."

"You've run your own inheritance to the ground, the same thing you'll do to my fathers, and I'll never let you do that." she turned from him, arms still crossed in front of her. Elijah stepped out, the golden bell in his hands "And how did you know that?" She stayed silent "Oooooh it was that rat that told you wasn't it? What else did he tell you? That I was scamming you? That all I wanted was your money? Well, well, well, I assume he also flattered you too.. Told you that you were smart, and pretty and kind..." he knew he struck a nerve. Rosalie flinched, Elijah continuing "If I didn't know better I'd say you had feelings for that monster."

"He's not the monster Elijah, you are!"

"OH my love.." he touched her gently on the shoulders "He never saw you as anything more than another ransom."

"And how would you know?" She turned, breaking from his embrace. Elijah snapped his fingers, "Remember when I said I had people checking in on you?" Rosalie, looking up saw Andrew step into the light. Her brows shifted "Andrew?"

Andrew's eyes wandered, guilt falling over him quickly "I had to."

"He trusted you." she shook her head, disgusted "I trusted you!" Andrew took a step forward "He was out of his mind! He didn't consider what he was doing until he did it!

"But why?!" she demanded "Why would you do this to him!"

Andrew crossed his arms "Ever since you walked in he's been out of his gourd! It was nothing more than him using his charm, but you were far too patient with him! You were his own little passion project!"

Rosalie scowled at him, her green eyes full of fire "You're lying!"

"It was all a thrill for him. He never really cared for you Rosalie... Let's face it.. He's a criminal mind, not a hopeless romantic. You were a pawn in his scheme, nothing more."

Rosalie ran to him, wanting to pummel him in Ratigan's defense. Two guards quickly ran to her, grabbing her at the last possible moment. Elijah growled "Careful with her!" Rosalie kicked and fussed, Andrew still remaining his calm and sorrowful façade "Here.." he pulled a red envelope out of his brown jacket pocket "This is from his desk, to one of his informants across the sea. If this doesn't prove what I say is true... I don't know what will." the boys released her and she grabbed the note. Ripping open to reveal a gold colored paper, with Ratigan's monogram strewn in black lettering across the front. She read to herself:

To my informant:

At last I have in my grasp, the crown jewel of the states: Miss Rosalie Ann Hampstead. She is the soul heir to the Hampstead trading company, and my sole proprietor for my new vast wealth. Miss Hampstead has been in my possession and soon will be released. I plan on ransoming her off soon to her family, I am finding a challenge within how much I shall barter for her release.

I have found Miss Rosalie to be quite interesting. A dull creature, with a simple mind that barks of a hopeless, hopeless romantic. Other than her cleanliness, taking care of my wards and my living space, she has no other purpose than that. I would hate to speak negatively of the girl, she just seems very one dimensional and childish. Hopeful for an outcome that sadly will not come true.

I see her as nothing but a business venture. I charm her with gifts and with empty promises to simply distract her. Gifts that I plan on destroying and demolishing upon her rescue. I use charm and kindness in order to get what I want, I have no affections towards the girl. My standards and tastes are far too high for someone like her. A plain and ordinary girl that I have no further interest in.

Stay well.

From the desk of: Professor Padriac James Ratigan

Rosalie gasped, her emotions completely changed throughout the letter. She whispered "It can't be true..." the letter shaking in her hands. Andrew nodded "I'm afraid so.. There was nothing more to you than money."

Rosalie looked up at him "I don't understand.. Why would he-"

"It's all a business, girl. Unfortunately, he had to use you in the process."

Tears began to well in her eyes, Andrew grabbed the letter, forcing it back in the envelope. He handed it back to her, "You can keep it." and she grabbed it slowly. Tears falling and staining the fine red envelope. Elijah placed two hands on her shoulders "Now, Now, you see? We were doing it to protect you.." he comforted her "Now, my dear... I need you to do something for me... or else your family is going to be in more danger than with that rat..." he moved his arm down her hand, and saw the engagement ring "So what do you say? Marry me?" a smile strewn across his face.

Rosalie sniffled, wiping her tears. She nodded "Fine."

"We'll Wed my sweet my darling!" Elijah quickly grabbed her, holding her in a tight embrace.

"Get the bouquets, get the dress!" Andrew chimed in, opening a bottle of champagne quickly.

"We'll be a perfect couple! I'll be a wondrous groom!" Rosalie broke away, beginning to run up the stairs. The letter in her hands. Elijah laughed along with the other boys at her misery.

"We bid that rat a sad goodbye!" Andrew and Elijah sang together

"She'll be your bride, it's finalized!" Andrew took a quick swig of the champagne. Rosalie stood at the top of the stairs, quickly looking at her groom to be, chanting and cheering with the group of boys below her. Elijah blew a kiss to her, making her run quickly into her dark room.

"So book the church raise glasses high! To the morrows, full moon!" They clinked their glasses together and cheered, the job was done.

Nellie saw Rosalie on her knees, crying to herself. Nellie shook her head "Oh my dear girl, what did he do to you?!"

"Nellie, I'm a fool..." all she said, wiping her sad green eyes, filled with remorse and disgust.