"So, are you going to tell me?" asked Rapunzel. She waved around at the castle ruins. "You said this should be a good place to hide."

Jack sighed. "Yeah, I did."

"Well?"

He glanced at her, and she gazed deeply into his eyes. She could tell he really didn't want to tell her, but she needed to know. He took a deep breath. "You know about the Corona jewels, moonstones and all?"

Rapunzel nodded slowly. "They were stolen a fortnight ago, and the man they suspected, the guard of the jewels, fled the country."

"Yeah that's . . . that's because the guard found a clue to the real thief."

Rapunzel eyed him before her eyes widened. "You were the guard! Why you . . ."

Jack raised his hand and winced, but he nodded. "I am the guard. I know no one believes me, but it's still my duty to protect those jewels. And I'm going to make sure they get back to the royal family. They can still fire me, but I want to be able to get those back."

Rapunzel softened. "You really take your job seriously."

Jack smiled softly. "Yeah, well, I like it. I like . . . I like getting to see the princess," he whispered. "Though, I guess that means I won't be able to anymore."

Rapunzel blinked. "Oh, that's um, OK."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, rather shallow, especially as she's not likely to notice me."

"She did," mumbled Rapunzel.

"What?"

"Uh, if she did?"

Jack ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, I must look pretty bad to her. I was supposed to protect those jewels for the royal family, and I failed."

Rapunzel placed a hand on his arm. "How did it happen?"

"Well, the King wanted me to bring the jewels out that day for the party they were holding, so I took my usual route. But an accident made me late." He paused as his eyes narrowed. "I wonder if that was part of the plan."

"Jack?"

"The, the accident! I think, I think Gothel set that up to slow me down and give her enough time to get in position!" He smacked his forehead. "Oh, how could I be so stupid! She caused an accident, made sure she had enough time to get to the castle, and knocked me out while I was walking towards the doors! And it was a perfect place too, the guards couldn't see us," Jack finished with a growl.

Rapunzel blinked rapidly. "Wow, I guess she, she planned that really well."

Jack nodded, his teeth clenched in rage, then paused and looked at her. "Wait, so, you believe me?"

Rapunzel nodded. "Yes, Jack, I believe you. You don't seem like the type to steal for your own gain." She smiled. "I mean, here you are, trying to steal the jewels back! You clearly take your job very seriously."

Jack let out a huge sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you, thank you so much! You have no idea how much it means to me to finally have someone believe me for once!"

Rapunzel chuckled nervously. "Well, kind of hard not to, after everything I have just been through. Gothel showed her untrustworthiness rather quickly." She narrowed her eyes. "A little too quickly for someone who made a pretty good plan to steal the jewels in the first place."

Jack eyed her. "What do you mean?"

"Now that I think about it, I think Gothel's afraid."

"Afraid? Afraid of what?"

"Maybe she's working for someone, someone she's afraid of? That's the only explanation I can think of."

"Who knows with that woman." There was a moment of silence before Jack glanced at Rapunzel. Rapunzel wasn't quite sure what he meant by the look he was giving her. She wasn't sure whether to feel uncomfortable or concerned.

"What?"

"Who knew there was a girl with the exact same name as the princess."

Rapunzel chuckled nervously. "Right?" She shrugged. "Guess it's a little more common than you thought. It is the name of a fairy tale princess." She grinned.

Jack's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yeah, sure, if that's what you want to go with."

Rapunzel scoffed. "Well, looky there, you want me to believe you right off the bat, but you won't believe me? Go figure."

Jack sighed. "I know, I know, I'm sorry, but I seriously told you the truth. There's something about the way you're talking that says that you're not being completely honest with me."

Rapunzel winced slightly. He was on to her, well, sort of. She could still talk her way out of this, maybe. "You're right, I wasn't being completely honest with you, and I'm sorry about that. But the name Rapunzel really isn't as rare as you think it is."

Jack nodded slowly. "I see. And your Aunt Willow, is she really your aunt?"

"Oh yes! She's my mom's younger sister and has been all over the world, just like she said." Rapunzel beamed. "And she promised to take me on a trip for my birthday, so here we are."

Jack nodded, seemingly more relaxed. "Well that's good, and happy birthday to you."

Rapunzel smiled. "Thanks!"

"Sorry for turning it into the most dangerous one you've had yet."

Rapunzel shook her head. "Oh no, it's the most fun one yet!" She smiled at him. "And I thank you for making my birthday extra special this year."

Jack smiled back as he gave a slight bow. "Glad I could be of service." When he straightened up, he let out a big yawn. Rapunzel began to laugh and ended with a yawn. Jack laughed. "Guess we had better find a comfortable place to sleep."

"Won't Gothel find us?"

Jack shook his head as he glanced around the ruins. "The locals are pretty suspicious when it comes to this place, they think it's haunted." He waggled his eyebrows.

"Oooh, haunted. Think we'll see any ghosts tonight?"

Jack scoffed. "I think I'm too tired to care."

Rapunzel snickered before letting out another yawn. "Oh man, I think I am too."

Jack chuckled. "Come on, let's find a good spot before we fall asleep standing up." Rapunzel nodded as she let out another yawn. They found a nice little spot that was comfortable enough for them and fell asleep immediately.