Madeleine had never been kissed by a man before but it felt absolutely blissful and electric. She tentatively wrapped her arms about his neck and kissed him back fervently.

After what felt like an age they pulled apart their foreheads leaning against each other. For a moment Clopin appeared slightly worried but as she smiled at him the worry dissipated and was replaced with happiness. Clopin chuckled.

"So much for careful," he said.

"What do you mean?" asked Madeleine pulling away slightly so she could look up at him, although his hands remained on her waist and hers around his neck. Clopin smiled ruefully.

"My father said I should be careful around you. Not to let my feelings get in the way of my mind." Madeleine giggled.

"Yes, I think we've well and truly crossed that particular line." The two shared a laugh before Clopin's face became serious. He ran a hand through her hair.

"He has a point though, this is dangerous." Madeleine placed a hand on his cheek. Looking up into his warm, dark eyes.

"I know. I'm not yet certain where this will go and I don't think you are either. But something in me tells me that this is worth it." The hand that was still on her waist pulled her closer. He leaned down and whispered in her ear,

"Good, because I feel the same," before pulling back and kissing her again. This kiss was shorter but no less enjoyable. When they pulled apart again they shifted so they were standing next to each other. He wrapped his right arm close about her waist as she leaned against him, her right hand coming to cover his left which was on the rail of the bridge. Together they stared out over the rushing stream.

"So what's your plan for the rest of the day?" asked Madeleine. Clopin hummed lightly.

"The market should be filling up this afternoon so I'll put a performance on then," he replied.

"Take adavantage of all the relieved parents who are just glad to have their children off their hands for a while so they can shop in peace?" asked Madeleine cheekily as she looked up at him.

"Precisely mon coeur," he replied. Madeleine basked in the glow of his adoring gaze blushing slightly at the term of endearment. This only appeared to amuse Clopin further.

"And what do you plan to do on this lovely day?" he asked. Madeleine looked apologetic

"Unfortunately, I have some sewing to finish up although I think you're show would likely be a far more enjoyable use of my time. I swear I'll come to the next one."Clopin smiled.

"That sounds wonderful. I'll be quite happy to have you there to witness my hard work. Suddenly he whipped out the mini-puppet of himself.

"Your hard work?! I'm the one that does all the heavy lifting," it squeeked. Clopin's face took on a look of mock offense.

"I'm fairly certain I'm the one telling the stories!"

"Well I'm the one everyone comes to see! It sure is you big nose!" Madeleine giggled at Clopin's antics.

"Hush now or I'll use the stick. It's rude to argue in front of the lady," Clopin told the puppet.

"Now, now, you two. You're both very entertaining, so there's no need to argue she said in a mock scolding tone. The puppet hung it's head.

"Okay."

"Save all that energy for the children," she said bopping the puppet's nose lightly. Clopin put the puppet away. He really should get some manners." Madeleine arched a blond eyebrow.

"Who does he learn them from?" Clopin chuckled.

"A fair point ma cherie." He offered her his arm and she took it.

"I'm afraid I don't have time to walk you all the way home but I'll escort you as far as the Cathedral." Madeleine was slightly disappointed but understood Clopin needed to take advatage of what opportunities he had to make money to help his people. No it was the fact that they had to hide that truly saddened her.

"Hopefully the day will come when we won't have to fear being seen together." Clopin smiled sadly.

"That truly would be wonderful. But for now I'm afraid caution is our friend." Madeleine nodded. and they made their way towards the two great towers of Notre Dame. Once they reached a nearby alley they stopped.

"I'll see you soon mon coeur," he said giving her a quick peck on the lips.

"See you soon," she replied with a small smile as he bounded away. Madeleine stepped out of the alley and made her way home. The memory of their first kiss was still fresh in her mind and as she walked home the smile never left her face.

HoND

When Madeleine arrived home she found Henri waiting for her in the kitchen with a knowing grin on his face.

"What?" she asked as she set aside her shawl and sat down at the table.

"Oh nothing really. Just that you look positively smitten my dear sister." Madeleine gasped.

"Henri!" His smirk merely widened.

"Go on then. Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me you didn't come from just kissing Clopin." Madeleine was speechless. She felt her cheeks go red and she buried her face in her arms with a groan so she didn't have to look at her brother's smug face.

"You're never going to stop teasing me about this are you?" she said her voice muffled by her arms.

"Nope."

With a sigh Madeleine raised her head to look at Henri. His smile softened and he put his hand over hers.

"I'm happy for you Madeleine."

"How did you know?" she asked. Henri chuckled.

"You're my little sister. I know you better than anyone. I knew this was coming the first time I saw you two together. I could see a connection between the two of you simply from the way that you looked at each other. The way you both light up when you're together. I don't think I've ever seen you this happy." Madeleine squeezed his hand.

"Thank you Henri," she said softly. He nodded but however, his tone became more serious as the mirth left his eyes.

"With that said, you have to be careful. Not because he's a gypsy, but because of the way people like him are treated. Don't let your happiness make you lax. There could be serious concequences for both of you if someone like Frollo found out. I want you to be happy but I also don't want to see you with a rope around your neck." Madeleine nodded.

"I promise, I will. I don't want him to get hurt any more than I would wish it on myself." Henri smiled and his tone became more jovial again.

"Good. Come here," He opened his arms and Madeleine hugged her brother feeling an overwelming rush of love and warmth for him. He was always there when she needed him most and she knew if he had his way, he always would be.

HoND

Clopin finished his performance and collected the money had earned from it. Smiling kindly at the children. Much as he distrusted most gadjo's the children were quite sweet. He had always been fond of children.

Once he cleaned up from the show he walked back to the Court of Miracles a spring in his step as thoughts of Madeleine filled his head. She liked him back. It was almost too wonderful to be true.

When he reached his tent he found his father waiting for him. Clopin's heart which had be feather light since kissing Madeleine sunk.

"Look if you're just going to lecture me about Madeleine I don't want to hear it and..."

"I'm not," said his father, interuppting Clopin's defensive speech. Clopin furrowed his brow.

"You're not? I thought you didn't want me around her. Not that I'm complaining." Harodain hummed lightly and gestured for Clopin to take a seat.

"I've come to realize that much as I worry about you you do take after me. Which is to say that if I told you to stay away from her you'd go and do it anyway." He chuckled.

"No, Madeleine Clement seems like a fairly nice woman. I'm not sure how sensible she is getting involved with you of all people," he grinned teasingly. "But I'm going to trust to your judgement." Clopin smiled.

"Thank you father." Harodain nodded.

"Someday it will be your job to look after the Court. It's time I trusted you more," Clopin felt a rush of pride at his father's words. His father stood.

"Just be careful. As long as you're with that girl you have a responsibility to look after her, for both your sakes. I don't think I need to spell out the consequences if something goes wrong." Clopin stood.

"I understand father. I won't let anything happen to Madeleine. Harodain gave him a small smile.

"That's my son." His father then turned and left the tent. Clopin stared after him. He was glad to hear his father planned to trust his judgement more. But at the same time he hoped his turn to run the Court would not come for a VERY long time.

Author's Note: Looks like Henri and Harodain are thinking along the same lines. Considering this fic is working within Disney logic I'm not going to worry TOO much about linguistic anachronisms. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has commented so far! I can't express how much it means to me so to all of you please take a moment to give me your thoughts on the story. I hope to update weekly so keep checking back for chapters. Also ma coeur mean "my heart" in French.