Rapunzel crept out of the house as quietly as possible before making a run for it once she got past the gate. She continued to run until she reached a large oak standing just in front of the path to the forest. A young man not much older than she rose as she approached.

"Are you sure no one followed you?" he asked.

She nodded, "I'm sure Jack, don't worry. But to be on the safe side, let's put some distance between us and here."

Jack nodded, smiling, "Of course, come on!" Grabbing his bag with his right hand and grabbing her right hand with his left, Jack led the way into the forest. Some time after they entered the forest, two figures arrived at the very spot they had left.

"What? Emily, you said they were to meet here!"

Emily rolled her eyes, "I did, and they were. They've probably already gone into the forest, Eugene." Grumbling, Eugene tore through the brush. "Eugene, wait!"

"What for? Thank you very much for telling me about this, but I must deal with that insolent Jack and bring back Rapunzel!"

"I-I can help," ventured Emily as she followed him through.

"Oh no, you're not. This is no doubt another one of your ploys to get me to like you, but it isn't going to work. I'm going to marry Rapunzel, whether, you, she, or Jack likes it or not!" Emily began snickering. "What's so funny?"

"You really standing alone in this, aren't you? The three of us are all in agreement about this union between you and Rapunzel."

Eugene scoffed, "I have the approval of her parents, that's all the backing I need."

"Really? You're marrying Rapunzel, not her parents. Sure, they'll make great in-laws, but you're not going to be spending every day with them, you'll be spending every day with Rapunzel! She will be miserable because she knows her heart is with Jack, and that will eventually make you miserable. Is that really what you want? Or are you after her wealth?"

Eugene turned on her with a snarl, "And what makes you think Jack isn't after her wealth?"

"Because by running away with her means he isn't. Her parents will no doubt disown her after such a stunt, don't you agree?" Eugene blinked in surprise, he hadn't quite thought of that, but he turned and continued walking, Emily not far behind. The two walked in silence for a bit before starting to bicker again, unaware that a pair of sky blue eyes was watching them from the treetops. A smaller version of the figure, complete with the same sandy-blond hair, a pair of dove wings, and a bow and quiver, joined him.

"What has peaked your interest, Master Cupid?" Cupid's hands went to his chin and thought for a moment before answering.

"A couple has just passed beneath this tree, talking of love. She clearly loves him, but he is interested in another girl, and from what I could gather, this other girl clearly loves another boy, who loves her in return. Perhaps they may help us in my scheme."

The little cupid's eyes widened, "With Lady Toothiana?" Cupid nodded. "How, if I may be so bold to ask, great one?"

Cupid thought a bit more before replying, "Maybe, just maybe, we can help these four find their happy endings, and prove to Lady Toothiana that there is some hope after all."

The little cupid grinned, "That's a swell idea, my lord! Um, how shall we go about that?"

"Eros, I'm want you to follow those two, and find the other two. I shall send Anteros to help you while I find Lady Toothiana. Do not lose sight of them, and do not interfere in any way until I give the order, is that clear?"

Eros nodded with solemnity, "Perfectly, my lord."

"Good, now go, before they are too far ahead." Eros gave a bow and shot off through the trees, catching up to the bickering couple fairly quickly. Since he knew they could neither see nor him, he began to snicker. He chuckled louder as they continued, oh yes, they fought effectively for a couple who claimed they weren't in love, until the boy mentioned the girl's love for him. Eros paused, so Emily did love Eugene after all, just Eugene did not return that love? He let out a huff, he couldn't wait for Anteros to work his magic. Eros turned his attention to finding the other couple Cupid spoke of, figuring he could find Eugene and Emily again fairly quick, noting how loud they were. He sped through the trees again, searching for the other couple, he found them not further ahead on the trail, still walking, and holding hands firmly. A warmth seeped into his heart, ah young love, it most certainly was a grand thing and it always made him happy to see it. He glanced back at the path, now if Anteros could get Eugene to fall in love with Emily, then it would be all set. He let out another huff, but there was nothing to be done until Cupid gave the word. Eros decided to keep himself occupied by speeding back and forth between the two couples, a rather easy task considering they were walking on the same path. That is, until Rapunzel and Jack decided to get some sleep for the night. Eros began to panic, what should he do? Sure, it would be easier to keep track of Jack and Rapunzel now, but once Eugene found them? It would be all for nought as Eugene would no doubt fight with Jack, as he had been telling Emily, and promptly return Rapunzel to her home.

"Oh come on, Eros, think, think! What should I do? What should I do? Cupid's not even back, and Anteros hasn't arrived yet! Oh, think, think, think! Ah, I know, diversion! I just have to keep Eugene away from Jack and Rapunzel long enough. But, should I wake Jack and Rapunzel, or divert Eugene's path? Either one could prove disastrous!" Moaning, he flew around in circles, back and forth between the couples, noticing with rising panic the alarming rate at which Eugene and Emily shortened the distance. Thinking quickly, Eros found a piece of bark just large enough to act as a sled, and promptly sent Eugene flying down the path. Eugene screamed the whole way, but it didn't even wake Jack or Rapunzel. Eros promptly grabbed an arrow and sent it at Jack, hitting him right in the heart.

"Ow!" Jack promptly sat up and rubbed his chest, right as Emily came running past. "Emily?"

"Jack? Where's Rapunzel? You need to get out of here! Eugene's going to take her back home and marry her!" Jack just walked towards her, while Eros shrieked, he had just ruined everything. "Jack, what's wrong with you? Don't you want to run away with your love?"

"Oh, is that what you wish for, my love?"

"What? What nonsense is this? This isn't the time for a game, go get Rapunzel and get out of here!"

"How can I, when I love you?"

"What are you talking about? You've been in love with Rapunzel since you were kids!"

"That was when we were kids, we're now adults. Things change, and I now love you." Emily's eyes began to widen as she began to realize that Jack was being serious. Though they heard nothing, Eros screamed even louder and began to cry, he was so dead. Where, oh, where was Anteros? Jack proceeded to kiss Emily, but she pushed him away and shrieked before running away, Jack following her. That shriek finally woke Rapunzel, who got up groggily and glanced around for the source of the noise.

"Jack? Jack! Jack, where are you?" she called out. A rustle in the bushes ahead caught her attention and she pushed through, but she didn't see anyone or anything. "Jack, come on, this isn't the time for silly games!" But when he didn't reply, she began to get worried and tore through the bushes in the direction they had taken. "Jack! Jack! Where are you?" After leaving the area, the little cupid rose from the bushes, for he had caused the rustling to get her to go in the right direction. Another little cupid came up behind him.

"Hey Eros . . ."

"Yah! Oh for the love of trees, don't sneak up on me, Anteros!"

"Sorry! I've been looking all over for you! Where are the couples Master Cupid wanted to keep an eye on?" Eros let out a squeak and winced. Anteros sighed, "What did you do this time, Eros?"

"I accidentally shot Jack with a golden arrow, and now he's in love with Emily!"

"Wait, what?"

"Oh come on, let's go find them. I'll explain on the way." The two cupids shot off through the trees, looking for the two couples. Meanwhile, Eugene was getting himself untangled from the blackberry bushes and moonflower vines he had crashed into, Emily was heading in that direction with Jack still following and attempting to woo her, and poor Rapunzel was in the rear all alone, not knowing at all what had happened. When the little cupids finally caught up with them, Emily, Jack, and Eugene had just about run into each other, and Anteros was up to speed on everything.

"OK, Eros, stand back, I'm going to work my magic now."

"What? But Master Cupid said . . ."

"I know, I know, but I have to do something now. Once Eugene finds out that Jack now 'loves' Emily, he'll go for Rapunzel, and this will be all over."

"Um, OK, if you say so," muttered Eros. He turned, closed his eyes, and covered his ears. He still heard the faint twang of the bow, and squinted his eyes just in time to see the arrow hit its mark. Eugene had paused, his eyes dwelling on Emily.

He dropped to his knees, "Ah, my dear, I have wronged you so, Can you forgive me?"

Emily paused, suspicion and hope battling it out in her eyes, "U-um, yes, my dear, I, uh, forgive you."

"My dear? You're calling my love 'my dear'?" exclaimed Jack. Eugene rose to meet him.

"Oh man, they're still going to fight over a girl, except it's now Emily instead of Rapunzel," moaned Eros.

"Your love? Why don't you go back to Rapunzel? I'm going to marry Emily instead," Eugene stated as he put his arm around Emily.

"Nuh-uh, I'm going to marry Emily. Now get your filthy hands off of her!" Jack yelled before pushing Eugene to the ground.

"What in the world is going on?" Emily asked, though no one answered her question as the two men began to fight and the cupids couldn't reveal themselves.

"Oh no," muttered Eros. Rapunzel had finally arrived on the scene, her face changing from fear to relief to worry in an instant as she took the whole scene in. She rushed towards Emily.

"Emily, help me stop them!"

"Oh, Rapunzel, I don't know what's going on!"

Rapunzel glanced at her questioningly, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, for some reason, they're both claiming to be in love with me!" Eros winced and ducked behind Anteros when she said that.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, just that! I came across Jack a ways back and told him to get you and get out because Eugene was looking for you. But he kept insisting that he was in love with me! And now we find Eugene, and he's insisting he's in love with me too!"

"Well, I'm glad Eugene finally came around, but Jack? Are you sure?"

Emily burst into tears, "I'm sure! Let's stop the fight, and you'll see." The two rushed towards the two men and managed to separate them, Emily holding back Eugene and Rapunzel holding back Jack.

"Jack! What are you doing? Let's go!" pleaded Rapunzel.

"I'm not leaving without Emily!" Emily shot Rapunzel an 'I-told-you-so' look.

"Well you're not leaving with her, she clearly wants to be with me!" Eugene shot back as his arm went around Emily's shoulder again. Jack growled and broke from Rapunzel's grasp to engage in another fight with Eugene.

"Jack, stop it!"

"Eugene, come on, quit this!"

"What . . . is . . . happening?" asked Eugene as the two men fell to the ground, soon sound asleep. The women rushed to the check on them, before they too fell asleep. Eros and Anteros alone saw the golden sand surrounding the four as they fell asleep before watching it return to its master. Behind them stood Cupid, Toothiana, and the Sandman.

"Thank you Sandy," sighed Cupid, eyeing his two workers. Eros chuckled nervously and waved at them while Anteros rolled his eyes and sighed. Cupid crossed his arms, "Care to explain?" Eros winced and gradually told them what had happened, with some help from Anteros. Cupid groaned, "Alright, well, Anteros, you acted rightly. Now all we have to do is get the arrow out of Jack."

"My sincerest apologies, my lord," Eros bowed to his master.

"You did the best you could, Eros, I am glad that no real harm was done." He turned to Toothiana, "My lady, do you see now why I asked to come?"

Toothiana's face began to soften, "Yes, I do. But before we do anything, let's get these four cleaned up."

"A good idea, my lady." The two snapped their fingers, more little cupids and little tooth fairies joined them, the tooth fairies taking Rapunzel and Emily while the cupids took Jack and Eugene. Cupid and Toothiana oversaw the cleaning and clothing process before arranging the four by the forest's edge, Rapunzel in Jack's arms and Emily in Eugene's arms. Cupid took a phial out of his tunic's pocket and handed it to Eros. "Now, you shall fix this problem. Sprinkle some of this over Jack's heart, and the arrow will dissipate." Eros nodded, took the phial, and approached the four, Anteros hot on his tail to prevent any further mistakes. However, it was easy to distinguish Jack from Eugene, and Eros sprinkled the potion over Jack's heart. He saw with clarity his arrow melting away, soon it was like it had never been there.

"Shall we be off? These four have had quite the night, and you have made your point well."

Cupid bowed his head, "Thank you, my lady, and yes, let's." He offered her his hand, she took it, and the group walked away, leaving the four to sleep. When they awoke the next morning, they were surprised to find themselves not far from home. But it wasn't long before all was resolved, and a double wedding occurred, between Jack and Rapunzel, and Eugene and Emily. But they did have some invisible guests, that of Cupid, Toothiana, and their regime, all happy with the end results.