Along one of the looming hallways, Lieutenant Emile Foss could hear some faint moans coming from…Claude Frollo's room? He looked down sadly, it was obvious that the anemic man practiced self flagellation. In fact many of his staff members knew, but also knew better than to confront such a matter. Whatever Frollo's relationship to the Lord was could only be what he was taught as a young lad. It was none of their business.

Foss happened to be the only soldier in the hallway and if it wasn't for his curiosity he managed to walk closer. The nearer he approached the more Frollo sounded…pleased. It disturbed the man, was he enjoying it? The Lieutenant's eyes bugged out at the idea. Frollo was sadistic, sure, but a masochist seemed a bit out of place, even for the cruel Judge. He liked being in control not under control. It only dawned on the Lieutenant when he heard a muffled name through the door:

"E-Esmeralda!"

The Lieutenant clasped a hand over his mustached mouth as he prayed to God almighty to contain his laughter. Tip-toeing past the Minister's chambers, he ran into the call room inside the neighboring building where he came across Phoebus de Chateaupers and a couple other guards chatting.

Foss burst inside, red in the face and clutching his sides. Phoebus quirked a brow.

"Foss I think you've had too much to drink…"

Catching his breath he wiped a tear from his eye.

"Lord almighty, I wish that was it!"

Bernard Duval, the man Foss was normally stationed with, rolled his eyes.

"Oh God, what happened this time?"

"…I heard Claude Frollo, groaning. At first I thought he was flogging himself. It was only when I heard him moan did I realize he was flogging the dolphin"

Phoebus nearly spat out his wine and choked.

"Ah God! I did not need to know that, you just ruined this burgundy!" Phoebus keeled, over his hearty laugh echoing the halls of the station.

"Man he was really getting off in there. I've been working for Frollo for 8 years. I knew, of course, he was a man but after awhile of him instilling the 'word of God' you just assume he's bitter and overcome those desires. He's been a bachelor all his life as far as I know…"

Phoebus caught his breath. "Did he mention the name 'Esmeralda' by any chance?"

"As a matter of fact he did!"

"I KNEW IT!" Cried Phoebus, he laughed even harder feeling sorry the girl was trapped in a church due to some base desire the Minister had for her. The Captain of the Guards had a feeling she already knew, but man, Frollo needed a dire visit to the Rue de Glatigny.

The Minister had shut his eyes expecting a wonderful night's rest, even after such a lewd act. That seemed to be the plan until he heard laughs and hollering outside. It was coming from the soldiers building next door. A tad miffed, he grudgingly walked over to his large window and looked down to see a glowing light. He was about to go interrupt their little fiasco until he realized he could also use the opportunity to leave. It was late, and he was ahead of schedule. God how he wanted to go to her caravan and raid it once more, without that dreaded fool. The idea became more enticing with time as he quickly began to dress into his riding attire. Placing his famous chaperone atop his head he smirked in the mirror. He did not have a drop sleep, but he somehow looked more youthful…

Walking down the stairs, he headed off to the stables and led an eager Snowball out of his stall. He whinnied happily as he felt his rider suddenly mount over him and click his tongue to signal the horse to get a move on. The Friesian rode off quickly, Frollo loved the feeling of the breeze nipping his face, and on such a lovely evening at that. The moon was full and cast its reflection over the Seine as he began to pass the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Keeping near the waters, he saw Le Terrain become larger and the silhouette of the Gypsy's grotto. Approaching, he dismounted and let the Friesian roam about. The moon provided to be a wonderful source of light as it illuminated the majority of the inside. Finally, he could marvel at the caravan without judging eyes.

The floor was covered with a Persian rug, large and ornate with different flowers embroidered by the edges. Her bed was quite large as it took up the entire back wall. Quickly, he rushed towards it as he sat upon the plush fabrics that seemed to invite him in. Running a hand over them, he imagined her embracing him beneath the sheets as they dozed. Not as lascivious as his many other thoughts of the exotic beauty, but just as enticing to him. Looking up at the ceiling he was awestruck to see she painted the 12 constellations of the zodiac. He smirked, he did not believe such nonsense, but he was interested in the stars above, her detail was quite impressive. Stretching himself amongst her pillows and various blankets, he felt something beneath him…ah another brassiere! It looked used, perhaps part of her dirty laundry, but he did not care as he kicked his feet up on her pillows and placed the piece of lingerie by his gaunt face.

He bit his lip gazing out to the Cathedral above, he imagined her sleeping form lonely and needing his warm embrace, only to then giggle and run her hands through his silvery hair… Apart of him wanted to sneak up there and see her, but it would be much too strange. He needed to be in control of the situation and he already did what she had asked of him. He had to stay resilient and not show her how much he'd gladly drop everything for her. The power she held over him scared him, never in his life had another person rendered him speechless as she often did. Rising from the bed he realized that if he did not try to gain some sort of her trust, getting her out of the church would be nearly impossible, and with the Archdeacon keeping a close eye on him, any force would be fruitless. He craved her body, just the thought of it caused him to swallow roughly as he clenched the lingerie in his fist. Taking it with him, he whistled softly for Snowball and the two rode back silently into the winters night.

Esmeralda shivered as she awoke the next morning to a soft blanket of snow. It was still dark as night, and she realized Quasi would ring the bells soon. Since Frollo had brought her pillows and blankets amongst other amenities, she created her own makeshift bed next to the bellringer's. She felt guilty after finding out he would sleep on the hard wood of the bell loft, most likely cold…and his back! It must have given him all sorts of aches, and yet he never once protested it. Lifting the flap of cloth that separated them she saw that Quasimodo was also shivering. Scooting closer to him, she grabbed a couple of her thicker blankets and wrapped them over him. Almost instantly he seemed to snuggle amongst them. She ran a hand through his fiery mop of hair and sighed. He was truly a blessing in disguise. He had done so much for her and asked for so little…

By the time Quasi arose to ring the Lauds, he was surprised to see the January snow blanketing the gargoyles.

"Sweet Jesus, it's freezing!" Hugo shivered.

Laverne rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you're always cold. It's fine. Look, no pigeons!"

"Ah, Quasimodo, lovely winter's morning wouldn't you say?" Victor hopped over as Quasimodo arose looking at the colorful blankets he was covered in. He peeked under the cloth separating them to see Esmeralda dozing and blushed a bit.

"…beautiful…"

Laverne rolled her eyes with a little smile on her lips.

"Oh Quasi, make a move! Tell her how you feel. She seems to be interested in ya…"

Quasimodo walked over to them finally tearing his gaze from her. "I mean…I guess I could…she did kiss me…a couple of times…" He rubbed his neck turning a bright crimson as Hugo nudged him.

"Hey, it couldn't hurt, she seems to be all over ya lover-boy!"

"Lover-boy?" The bellringer chuckled. His confidence beamed at the thought of courting her. Never in his life did he think it would be possible …but this angel…she saw him for who he was…

"I think…I think I will." A sheepish grin crossed his features as he felt Laverne hug him.

"I only want to see you happy."

Quasimodo was set to ask her that afternoon.

Phoebus had trouble sleeping that evening. What Foss told him in the call room was an image he didn't need. The Captain rose up from his bed. It was still dark out…maybe he could go visit Esmeralda today. Would she even be up? Hmm, Quasi would ring the bells soon regardless…

"Eh, what the heck…." Phoebus quickly dressed into his uniform and headed out to Notre Dame.

"Achilles, heel." Tying the horse to a nearby post. He set off inside climbing the winding stairs to the bell loft. Inside he saw her sitting upright amongst some pillows. She didn't notice him and as soon as he reached forward a thunderous clap of sound made him to grab his ears in agony. The vibrations caused him to stumble as he collapsed atop the Gypsy. She nearly jumped and her eyes widened to see him strewn upon her legs. She laughed though it couldn't be heard from the sound. Helping the poor soldier she placed two pillows by his ears to muffle the sound as best as possible. Tapping him she pointed to where Quasimodo was. Phoebus had a hard time focusing on the bellringer until amongst the dim candlelight, he saw the famous tuft of red hair. Phoebus grinned watching the sight unfold.

The vibrations finally died as Quasimodo climbed down from the rafters above, surprised to see the gilded soldier's head lying on Esmeralda's lap. He felt a feeling foreign to him, he wasn't angry, but he wasn't pleased with the sight either…

The soldier finally rose as he talked to Esmeralda, she pulled the tufts of bedding out of her ears revealing how she could handle it so well and Phoebus laughed.

"Hey Quasimodo…How long have you been ringing these bells?"

The bellringer was pulled from the feeling of jealousy and replied, taking a moment to think.

"About…9 years now? I'd help the former bellringer until he went completely deaf. I didn't want the same fate although, I can't hear as well as I did. I love them though…" He looked up smiling crookedly at the bells.

"So, w-what brings you here Captain?"

Phoebus looked down from the marvelous view above.

"Well, I came to visit Esmeralda to see how she was doing. Frollo doesn't really station me up here with you two. So I tried to sneak away as best I could. I'm lucky he has some long trial today so I don't have to show up for until the Primes. You know it's a really nice place you got up here Quasimodo…" He chuckled.

Esmeralda smiled. "I like how cozy it is, Quasi's beens so kind letting me stay here. It feels more like home everyday…" She winked quickly at Quasimodo causing him to blush.

"W-well it's the least I can do for all that she did…" He looked down for a moment remembering that day. Phoebus felt uncomfortable on the subject as he squatted in front of the Gypsy.

"Hey…you sure you're fine up here? I don't know what Frollo plans to do now but I'm giving you a heads up that he-"

Esmeralda quickly cut him off. "I'm aware of how he feels towards me, thanks. I don't need a reminder. Look I'm fine. You seem a lot nicer than the soldiers I've met in my day. But if you know what's good for you then back off! You're part of the reason I'm here." Her eyes produced daggers and Phoebus felt his brow furrow.

"Hey! Would you rather be trapped inside the Palace of Justice?"

Esmeralda held her tongue. "Fine, thanks for trapping me in a better prison." She laughed kicking him, making him to lose his balance as his armor thudded onto the floor.

The bellringer found a spot next to Esmeralda and laughed as Phoebus sat back up.

"You know, you really need to stop doing that…"

Esmeralda rolled her eyes. "You know, you really need to stop telling me what to do." She rose up and walked to the balcony collecting some snow. She threw a snowball she formed at the back of Phoebus's head.

"Hey!" He rubbed his head and looked back to see the minx smiling at him tauntingly.

"Oh sorry! I caught you off guard again." Esmeralda shrugged as she threw another and began to hide behind a pillar. The next one she threw managed to hit the guard square in the face. He quickly rubbed the remnants off, balled them up, and aimed at the woman's rump.

Quasimodo could hear her yell "Cheeky bastard!" and he laughed deciding to join in on the fun. He chucked a large one at Phoebus's head. The soldier suddenly collapsed from the sheer force and ceased to move. The bellringer's grin suddenly fell as he nudged Phoebus. Esmeralda peeked from behind a pillar.

"What happened?"

She saw Phoebus strewn on the floor and approached. Quasimodo panicked as he shook the Captain only for him to mutter something to Quasimodo. The bellringer leaned in closely and heard the soldier whisper, "gotcha…" as he slammed some snow over the bellringer's head. Quasi wiped it off his hair as he threw two more hitting Phoebus and Esmeralda. The horse play continued until the time came to ring the Primes, that was when Phoebus realized he'd be late and bid the two farewell, hugging Esmeralda tightly. She returned the embrace and waved as he left.

Quasimodo's fit of jealously returned momentarily until he caught himself. What had gotten into him? Phoebus seemed he was just a friend and Esmeralda wasn't too fond of him anyway. Still, he knew Phoebus was considered handsome, and well, he had been recently compared to the shape of a croissant by Hugo. Playful or not, he knew he wasn't dashing and knowing Phoebus could easily snatch Esmeralda away from him, made Quasimodo uneasy.

Time had passed on rather slow. Esmeralda was starting to find herself having fits of boredom as she lay cuddled amongst her bed. She sighed rising and made her way to Quasi's work bench, silently wondering how he kept occupied for 20 years.

Quasimodo had been practicing with Laverne on ways to tell the Gypsy how he felt. The time had finally come. His heart thumped nervously and he took a deep breath. Esmeralda looked up from his detailed crafts noticing Quasi approach.

"Esmeralda?"

"Yes Quasi?"

Here it goes…"Well…it's taken a lot for me to ask of you, but you make me so happy. I…w-when you look at me a-and smile at me…you make me feel important and special. The day you helped me from the pillory was as though an Angel had been sent from Heaven. I was wondering…hoping…that you would like to…If I could…court you?"

He gingerly took her slender hands in his searching for her gaze. Esmeralda looked at him and her eyes widened.

"Quasi I…I-I'm so flattered. Truly! I think you are a wonderful person and such a kind soul to have offered me so much and asked for so little. But I… can't. I value our friendship, and I would much rather stay as close friends…."

She gently slipped her hands out of his, leaving him red in embarrassment. His look of bewilderment changed into furrowed confusion.

"Then why did you kiss me?" He combated.

Esmeralda leaned back shocked. "I wanted to kiss you to give you experience! My heart broke because-"

He suddenly cut her off, his demeanor angry.

"-because you felt sorry for me? You lead me to believe I had an inkling of hope with you for experience?"

He felt his breathing increase, "You say I am not a monster and yet I knowyou would much rather go off with that soldier if he asked you…Frollo was right…"

"Quasi how could you say that? No he's not! You-"

"I think you should leave. You need your own space, I can't have you here anymore, it hurts too much. There are plenty of rooms in the cloisters, gather your things…please."

His aquamarine eyes begged for her, until he shielded them with his arm as he rubbed his face to wipe off the tears, exiting the loft.

The gargoyles over head heard the entire exchange and their hearts broke for him. They truly thought she may have loved him.

When he left, Esmeralda's tears blurred her vision as she began to place all her things inside the large sacks and hauled them down the stairs. She dragged the large bags and angrily kicked them inside an empty, windowless room with a sad looking cot in one corner. Why couldn't Frollo control his lust?! He compromised a wonderful friendship with the bellringer, by locking her up in here. Deep down she knew it was her doing, she should have never done such a thing. Frollo seemed like a logical scapegoat for the time being. Rubbing her eyes she walked out trying to find some source of light. Seeing a large stained glass window she gracefully climbed up to the sill and looked out onto the snowy streets, silent tears streaking her face.

Quasimodo had scurried off to the large statue of the Virgin Mary. Kneeling in defeat, tears welled in his eyes once more as he began to sob. He didn't want to send her away, he loved her! He was wracked in sorrow as he wept in front of the statue. He felt pathetic. He rolled his eyes to himself, he needed to stop wallowing in self pity and accept it. But…he still couldn't face her…not now. The tears continued to fall despite him controlling his hardest not to.

At the front of the church a young woman clad in a green cape shivered as she wandered in. Her Master had, for the fifth time, kicked her out of the Oddity Train. She furrowed her brows. It was freezing, she was hungry and she had no where to go. Shutting the door behind her she sighed and patted some snow that had fallen on her strawberry blond hair. She rolled her eyes and slumped down on a pew. Besides herself, the church was pretty empty. However, as the echoes of her footsteps died, she heard something muffled. Crying? Yes, somebody was definitely crying, she was sure of it. It came from her right. Rising she looked around and noticed a figure kneeling on the ground. Very silently and carefully she inched her way to get a closer look. She wanted to comfort the poor fellow until she noticed something peculiar. The back of this man arched on the right. A slight indentation of his curved spine could be seen against his green tunic and his arms were quite large. She had heard of this man, a myth as she was lead to believe. She had heard news of the mysterious bellringer recently through some townsfolk gossiping about this years FOF. In fact the Oddity Train had just missed the Festival of Fools by two weeks. She was hoping to catch it this year…

Mustering her courage she gingerly outstretched her arm and called out to him.

"Hey…are you alright?"

Quasimodo couldn't hear her, it wasn't until he felt a hand to his shoulder did he turn around suddenly causing the girl to jump back, the dim light from the window gave him a twisted grimace, despite how truly surprised he was.

"Aaah!" Was all he managed as he shielded his face from her.

"D-don't look at me, please…" His body heaved as he took in a deep breath trying to calm himself. Oh God today couldn't get any worse. The girl clumsily fell onto her rump and scooted backwards as he approached her.

"I'm sorry sir…I'm so sorry…" She looked like a frightened deer trying her hardest to get up.

He suddenly gave her his hand and she took it hesitantly. His voice was unexpected from the burly and deformed characteristics he had. It was soft and timid even.

Quasimodo helped her up and she brushed her skirts a bit. She wanted to run away so badly, everything about this was both frightening and painfully awkward.

"I-I didn't mean to startle you sir, I heard you crying and I wanted to make sure you were all right…"

The bellringer blushed embarrassed.

Before he could respond she began to back up trying to escape. "It was…nice meeting you…" She turned her back suddenly and walked off with wide eyes hoping to run into the Archdeacon before anything else could happen.

Quasimodo was left speechless as he watched the blonde leave. He sneered as he began to head back up to his loft, hoping Esmeralda was already gone.

Claude Frollo did not have a chance to visit the church until much later that evening. He missed breakfast with the two, which happened to be in Phoebus's favor. The wind and snow had picked up as he slammed the door behind him, the sash of his chaperone flying all over the place. Huffing, he was about to head up the stairs when he saw a figure leaning against the window sill of a large stained glass image of the Annunciation. He approached out of curiosity to find Esmeralda sitting atop the ledge. She was adorned in a rose colored skirt, a blue sash that wrapped around her hips with smaller coins attached to it and a long-sleeved blouse of yellow ochre contrasting the dreary weather just outside.

"Esmeralda, what are you doing up there?"

The Gypsy was surprised to hear a familiar baritone from her perch as she looked down. Sighing she turned her head back towards the window.

"I can't go outside and this is the next best thing…" Quietly she began to descend from her perch. Gracefully she hopped down in front of him bearing her soft inquisitive emerald pools into his piercing jasper eyes. He noticed her face looked puffy and her eyes were much smaller than he had remembered. Gently he took her chin and furrowed his brows.

"…You look troubled."

Esmeralda rolled her eyes.

"That's funny, I thought you got a kick out of seeing me miserable."

"Would you just answer me?" Frollo sneered a bit, regretting doing so as she jerked her head out of his grasp and hugged herself tightly.

"I…I upset Quasimodo this morning and he kicked me out of the bell tower. I arranged with the Archdeacon and I am to stay in there."

Esmeralda jerked a thumb back to the cell and huffed. Frollo chuckled darkly.

"How did you manage to do such a thing?" A thick brow quirked, burrowing his eyes for an answer.

"If you must know I rejected him after he asked to court me and I left him… h-heartbroken."

Esmeralda's husky voice grew hoarse as she cracked towards the end hiding her face in her hands absolutely humiliated. She sobbed mentally punching herself for showing so much weakness to her captor. Esmeralda rubbed her arm over her face, trying in vain to dry her eyes. Wordlessly Claude Frollo held Esmeralda to his chest, almost as if by instinct as he felt her weep. He smirked, he knew the bellringer would suffer if he got too close, tempted by Eve…However, he could save his smug appearance for later. In the mean time, he gently stroked Esmeralda's hair.

"Quasimodo will understand sooner or later…"

'Because you're mine!' He screamed to himself.

Esmeralda took a step back, uneasy from such close contact and took a deep breath before entering her small room. Sitting upon a stool, her fragile, hurt demeanor turned into the fiery woman Frollo was accustomed to. Changing the subject she began to look at the non existent dirt under her nails.

"Where were you today?"

The Judge couldn't help a small smirk from forming.

"I was finishing up a murder case that took longer than expected. Were you sobbing the whole day?"

Esmeralda looked up from her nonchalant nail preening with furrowed eyes.

"No, not the whole day, but enough. Please don't mock me. Think what you will, but I value Quasimodo's friendship."

Claude Frollo huffed.

"Do not talk to me as if I'm some ignorant peasant! I've raised Quasimodo for twenty years, I know him better than you ever will. I've done nothing but protect him-"

"Protect him?! Is that what you called it when you refused to help him at the Festival?!" She felt herself redden in anger.

Frollo breathed through his nose, he made a pact with God to control himself around her. He need her trust…Now was not the time to see red…

"I did not help him because he needed to learn a lesson! You saw what the people did to him, they jeered and laughed and yelled horrific things to him because he was deformed! I've tried to shield him from the cruel ways of the world so that I could have peace for—"

Esmeralda sneered. "What peace?! Peace for nonexistent redemption? You're despicable! You slaughter my people and-"

"I DON'T SLAUGHTER!"

Frollo's teeth clenched as he approached her dangerously.

He tried calming down as his red flush began to disappear from his face. Esmeralda sat there with wide eyes.

"The Gypsies slaughter and beat! When I first started my career as Minister I tried my hardest to tolerate the festivities you held and the customs you all had. Even with opportunities for work handed to you, the crimes still continued! Theft, murder, the kidnapping of small children, everyday it continued! I became harsher, yes. I cracked down and I continued to uphold my duty but you people drove me to the brink! Your kind beat my brother to death out of some petty crime that the man was found guilty for!"

He seethed and for once Esmeralda was rendered speechless, how could she not know this? He had a brother?

"Claude I-I'm so sorry."

Frollo's head snapped up seeing the look of sorrow etched onto her features.

"You cannot blame a few bad people…What happened to your brother should never have taken place and I am sincerely sorry. I do hope those bastards rotted for what they did, but you cannot punish a whole group for something like that! We cannot be everyone's scape goats! My only sister was killed because of this "Gypsy Curse" nonsense, soldiers ran her into the Seine where I saw her drown! I hated soldiers, I vowed to myself never to trust one. Until I met Phoebus…I don't think I would have ever realized that not all soldiers are bad people. He's kind and funny. He really cares…"

Frollo sneered at the mention of the Captain's name.

"That dreaded fool?! I knew there was no hope for you. Falling for an imbecile like Phoebus de Chaeaupers only tells me how-"

"Tells you what!? You are so quick to assume everything. You think you know it all; just because I talk to him doesn't mean I'm going to fuck him!"

Frollo sneered as a crimson lit up his cheeks.

"Watch your tongue you wench!"

"Watch yours! I know that's what you were implying, and don't get me started with all that 'unholy thoughts' nonsense. Phoebus has been kind enough to visit and say hello. I am not romantically interested in him, he is merely an acquaintance if you're just dying to know. Why do you hate me so much?"

Frollo sucked in his breath as suddenly grabbed her shoulders, jolting the girl as he burned his eyes into hers.

"I don't hate you… I LOVE you!"

Esmeralda's eyes widened in surprise at his sudden outburst. Esmeralda's mouth parted as if wanting to speak. Frollo searched her eyes for a glimmer, a response, something!

"…I-If you truly loved me, then you would let me go…"

"You know I cannot do such a thing…"

"Then love isn't what you feel!"

Frollo rose, silent tears began to roll down his gaunt face as he sneered.

"You lie and twist the words of every man. You ignite base desires and you torment those that you reject! What I have here isn't a witch…"

A cruel smile spread across his face despite the silent tears that streamed down his face.

"-it's the bloody Whore of Babylon!"

Esmeralda's face fell and her lip quivered as large tears began to drop on the floor. Those words seared her like a branding iron.

Claude Frollo bounded out of her cell-like room slamming the door. The angry tears continued to roll off his gaunt face as the Archdeacon called him.

"Claude, I've been searching for you, Notre Dame has been snowed in!"

Frollo turned around abruptly revealing his tear stricken face, humiliated. The Archdeacon was taken aback, and before he could ask the Judge if he was alright, Frollo let out a growl of frustration. Oh cruel fate! Venturing to the cloisters of the church he left the Archdeacon astonished. Finding his old study he locked the door wishing the Lord would just end it all.

A/N:

Ok so there was a lot of needed Fresme drama. Claude needed to expel that information for…later purposes. From here it will be rocky but I can assure you it will eventually get better

I wanted to delete the first two shots of Emile Foss and Frollo sneaking off again, but decided to leave it for comedic purposes so that this wasn't so miserable XD Also Emile Foss is the Lieutenant with the red mustache at the beginning of the movie that tries to take Esme's coins and Bernard Duval is the dumb one thats with him.

Here is the bell schedule:

Matins

late at night or at midnight

Lauds

at 3 am or at dawn

Prime

around 6 am

Tierce

around 9 am

Sext

at midday

None

around 3 pm

Vespers

around 6 pm or after dinner

Compline

around 9 pm or before sleep

^This was used at the time so I will go off this when I mention what Quasi rings to set up what time of day it is

Oh and in case you haven't figured it out, that strawberry blonde was Madellaine! :D

Hope this finds you well, I'm starting school Monday so it may take a little longer to post but I won't abandon this, I'm much too into it hahah!

Please rate, review and critique, I've re-read this so many times I'm having trouble seeing any grammatical errors ^-^; Hope this finds you all well.