Rapunzel grunted as she strained to put the star on the top of the tree. She was almost there! But she still couldn't quite reach it. Letting out a huff, she finally gave up and thought about doing what she should have done earlier, using her hair and the beams to lower herself, if not just the star. She let out another huff, and she knew why she didn't do that first, Jack had joked about her being so dependant on her hair. Though why the things he said to her she seemed to notice more than what her Mother said, she didn't know, but she did notice. So here she was, trying to put the star on the tree without the aid of her hair, and it was slightly frustrating. OK, really frustrating, but it did prove at how dependant she had become on her hair.
Rapunzel glanced between the star and the tree with determination, she was going to get it up there. She rolled up her sleeves, took a breath, and tried again. She reached and strained, and strained and reached, she could just barely reach the topmost branch. With a huff, she strained even harder, and the star finally slid into place.
"Yes! Ah!" She raised her arms in triumph, but leaned too far back, sending her tumbling backwards off the little ladder. At first everything seemed to slow down, but then the floor came racing up to meet her.
"Oh wow, I'm flattered, you're falling for me already? Well what can I say? I am a good catch." Rapunzel's eyes flew open and saw the mischief and a hint of concern sparkling in his blue eyes, his mouth flashing a smug grin.
"Jack!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a tight squeeze. She pulled back, giggling, "I guess you are a good catch, huh?" She indicated the fact that he had caught her.
He smirked, "Yeah, I have to be with you."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"That you like getting saved by me."
"What? No I don't!" she scoffed as she crawled out of his arms.
"Oh really, huh? Then why does seem like you're always falling when I come by?"
"Because your wind pushes me, that's why," she quipped as she set about picking up the ladder.
"Uh-huh, right, nice try, Ray. Doesn't exactly work when the window's closed." His attention was drawn to the tree. "Good job on the tree though. Why didn't you use your hair to help you put up the star?" He smirked, "Were you hoping I would come save you again?"
"No, it's just . . . you keep mentioning about how much I rely on my hair to do things, so, I decided to try and do something without it, that's all."
"Hey, if you can use your hair to help you do something, then do it. I'd be happier knowing that you're alright."
Rapunzel sighed, "Oh alright, I'll do it to make you happy. But I thought you like saving me?"
"Oh, alright, you can get yourself into danger so that I can save you."
"Jack!" Rapunzel laughed. Jack just grinned and pulled her close, giving her a little kiss on the nose as their toes played with each other. The tree stood sparkling in the light with its silver tinsel and gold star, watching over their day like a decked-out sentry.