As Clopin performed his puppet show for the children in front of Notre Dame he couldn't help but think of the woman he met the previous day. The woman for no other reason than kindness had stepped in to save him. A stranger and a gypsy at that.

Her actions saving him were unusual enough but Clopin had found himself momentarily speechless after she asked to see him again. Most outsiders, or gadjo's, as the gypsy's refered to them, wouldn't dream of wanting to see a gypsy again. Especially given the danger associating with the caused. Even the less prejudiced members of Paris avoided them for fear of getting caught up in the persecution.

Clopin found himself hoping that she would show up. He must have lost his place as he was thinking because one of the children spoke up saying,

"Clopin! You already said that bit!" Clopin quickly recovered pulling out the little puppet of himself.

"That is because my little friend here was distracting me. Weren't you?" He asked the puppet.

"No I wasn't grosse nez! That was you!" squeeked the puppet.

"Oh really? Then why did I get distracted hmm? Now hush so I can finish the story." He said taking a stick and hitting the puppet on the head with it. The puppet let out a small,

"Dang" causing the children to errupt into giggles. As he put the puppet away and began to continue the story, among the childish giggles, was a light laugh much like the chimming of bells. He looked up to see that the very person who had distracted him was now in the audience.

Madeleine Clement with a red cloak around her shoulders had knelt down on the pavement next to the children watching the performance with a small smile. A smile that broadened slightly when he caught her eye.

Clopin finished his performance and collected the few coins the children's parents had deigned to allow them to give him. Once the children scattered he turned to see the young blond she couldn't be more than 21.

"Madamoiselle Clement! A pleasure to see you," he said kissing the back of her hand.

"The same to you Monsieur Trouillefou," Madamoiselle Clement replied with a smile.

"Please Madamoiselle call me Clopin. Monsieur Trouillefou is far too formal and old." This made the woman laugh again. Oh how beautiful a laugh it was.

"Very well."

"So, what brings you to our fair city?" asked Clopin as they leaned against the puppet caravan.

"I suppose I was getting restless in Lorraine, my village, so my parents allowed me to travel up here to stay with my brother Henri."

Henri Clement. The name rang a bell in Clopin's mind and he realized Henri was the tinker that lived near the outskirts of Paris. He had shown kindness to the gypsies giving them money occasionally and even helping a few of them avoid the guards. Clopin had never spoken to him but it was no wonder Madeleine should be related to Henri. He smiled.

"I see, and what do you think of Paris so far?"

"I love the excitment and the beauty" she bit her lip slightly, "But I'm not as fond of the prejudice. I've never seen it so prevalent. You weren't exaggerating yesterday."

"I never exaggerate about the plight of my people," said Clopin seriously. The blond nodded.

"I suppose I just hoped it wasn't true. Prejudice wasn't absent in Lorraine but it was nowhere near as vehement. Just now the Baker warmed me to avoid you." Clopin raised a dark eyebrow at her.

"And you didn't listen."

"No I..." The clopping of heave hooves cut off the young lady's words. Clopin immediately was on alert. He knew that sound. Quickly he grabbed her hand a pulled her around behind the caravan. She appeared startled but remained quiet.

Seconds later Judge Claude Frollo passed by on his giant black horse. Ominous as ever, his cold eyes scanning the street for gypsies. They remained quiet until Frollo had long passed. Clopin then looked down to realize he had pulled Madamoiselle Clement into his arms protectively.

She seemed to have come to a similar conclusion judging by the look in her aquamarine eyes. Shockingly there was no fear coupled with her surpise although a pretty red blush had come to her face. Nonetheless they both swiftly detached themselves.

"My apologies Madamoiselle Clement." Clopin said quickly. The woman shook her head.

"It's fine really. Who was that?"

"Judge Claude Frollo, Minister of Justice," Clopin added a sarcastic edge to the word "justice". "He's the man responsible for a most of the widespread hatred towards my people. A dark look crossed Madamoiselle Clement's face.

"I see. He certainly looks the part. He's quite intimidating for someone so old." she paused. "I'm not entirely sure I want to hang around town at the moment while he's so nearby."

"Why? I mean I wouldn't want to be near the wizened old basard either but why would you care?" asked Clopin. Madamoiselle Clement smiled slightly.

"Because I promised my brother I'd stay out of trouble for now, and I have a feeling if I witnessed that man's actions I wouldn't be able to stop myself from interfering." Her words touched Clopin slightly. She truly cared about those beyond her own kind.

"I see. I take it you'll be heading home then?" the young blond nodded.

"Yes."

"While you may not be in danger on your own it wouldn't be wise to run the risk of catching Frollo's attention for associating with gypsies by being seen leaving here." Clopin said stroking his goatee as an idea formed.

"I'm afraid I don't know any route home other than the main one," replied Madamoiselle Clement with a perplexed look that Clopin found rather adorable.

"Ah! But that's where you are in luck! I know every street in Paris like the back of my hand. I can easily get you home without being seen if you will permit me to escort you." Joy filled Madamoiselle Clement's face and she grinned.

"I would be delighted," she told him. Clopin bowed and offered her his hand which she took. The pair easily wended their way through the back and sidestreets of Paris chatting as they went.

"It's a whole different view of the city," his companion commented. "Did you grow up here?" Clopin nodded.

"Yes, I've spent most of my life learning these streets so as to avoid Frollo and his guards. It always helps to have an escape route.

"Something tells me trouble finds you rather easily." Madamoiselle Clement said slyly. Clopin smirked.

"You could say that about most gypsies." They paused by a ditch. They were close to their destination. Clopin eaily lept across and held out his hand to help the blond who surprisingly lept across just as nimbly.

Soon the Clement's house came into view it was a small two story building with a front garden. As they strode towards it Henri Clement, a tall man in his thirties with blond hair came out. Clopin noticed the man was limping and used a walking stick.

"Madeleine! You're home early, did something happen?" the young woman let go of Clopin's hand and ran to hug her brother.

"Frollo showed up." she said. A dark look crossed Henri's face.

"Frollo?" he groaned and put a hand to his face. "Merdi Madeleine! Please tell me you didn't pick a fight with the Minister of Justice? He's an evil bastard but I would rather you DIDN'T tangle with him in your first week here."

"She didn't get a chance although I'm sure she would have been quite a match for our dear Minister," cut in Clopin. Henri chuckled.

"I suppose so. Henri Clement." He held out his hand for Clopin to shake. Slightly startled by the amicable behavior despite knowing Henri's more sympathetic tendencies Clopin shook it.

"Clopin Trouillefou."

"Yes, I recognize you from the puppet shows. Thank you for bringing Madeleine home."

"It was my pleasure. And thank you for the kindness you've shown my people," replied Clopin. Henri gave him a small, understanding smile.

"I do what I can. If you or your people need anything let me know. I mean it. Not all of us Parisians are willing to bow down to Frollo's tyranny." His tone was earnest and Clopin mentally filed the offer away for later.

"I'll keep that in mind," he said.

"I'll let you two say your goodbye's," said Henri as he limped back to the house. Clopin turned to look at the young woman.

"Madamoiselle Clement..." he began but was cut off.

"Please, after today I think you've earned the right to call me Madeleine."

"Very well, Madeleine. You know you never fulfilled your promise." the adorable look of confusion from before returned to Madeleine's face.

"What do you mean?"

"You never told me why you wanted to see me again," explained Clopin. Madeleine's eyes widened.

"Oh! Well, I'm not sure I have a satisfactory answer. It's just a feeling that I had. A feeling that I wanted to get to know you better. I'm afraid I can't properly explain it." Clopin smiled at her.

"Well, I'm glad you did and I look forward to our next encounter." He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"As do I," she replied slightly shyly. Clopin gave a final wave before beginning to make his way back to the main city. His heart felt light and he was truly looking forward to getting to see this unusual woman again.

Author's note: Hi! Hope you like this next chapter. PLEASE like and COMMENT I really want to know what you guys think and it helps motivate me to continue the story. I will try and update again within a week or so. So please check back for future chapters!