A/N: An 'M' version of this chapter will be posted at a later date - I will let you all know when I've got that edited and posted for you! I hope you enjoy this PG-13 version:) xo - E

Rosaline Capulet

Benvolio's lips caressed mine gently, a sharp contrast to our urgency just a moment ago. But I understood it. We were desperate for one another. We would not have forever, just tonight, and as such, while we were desperate, and greedy for each other's touch, we wanted to savor this. This would be what I would imagine every night Escalus demanded his right as my husband. I would close my eyes, and think of the Montague. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the thought. I had plenty of time to wallow in my fate, to think of the Prince, but I only had not to be in this moment, to be with this man I loved more than life itself, and I would not waste it by dreading the future.

"You're beautiful." He murmured in my ear, his breath on my skin sending a shiver down my spine. The bed beneath us shifted as he leaned in for another kiss. I sighed. My darling, darling Montague. I ran my fingers down his jaw and sighed.

"So are you." I murmured back. "I love you, Montague."

"And I you, Capulet."

When I awoke, my heart hurt to see that my beloved was not still by my side, as he had been when I had last closed my eyes, hours earlier. In his stead, still smelling of him, was a mess of sheets, upon which, a single page of paper, scattered with black ink.

If I should think of love
I'd think of you, your arms uplifted,
Tying your hair in plaits above,
The lyre shape of your arms and shoulders,
The soft curve of your winding head.
No melody is sweeter, nor could Orpheus
So have bewitched. I think of this,
And all my universe becomes perfection.
But were you in my arms, dear love,
The happiness would take my breath away,
No thought could match that ecstasy,
No song encompass it, no other worlds.
If I should think of love,
I'd think of you.

A sonnet. When he was in love, he wrote poetry. And here he had written it, declaring that of everyone he had ever loved, or would ever love, I was the one he loved the most. Tears fell upon my pillow as I read and reread the words he had left for me, followed by two more that didn't quite fit into the sonnet.

Fear not.

As if I could avoid fear. The Montague had no idea what Escalus could do to him, to those he held dear. I would fear for my sister, and my love for as long as The Prince lived. I could not help it. Something must be done. I had to imagine that the 'legions' he had referenced, working in my defense, were the same servants and serving class people who had helped me as I tried to prove his innocence. I had to find them and stop them. I had to save Benvolio.

I dressed with little care this morning, in too much of a hurry to focus on my clothing just now. My eyes caught sight of myself in the mirror on the way out and I paused. I didn't look horrible. I looked fine. Normal even. I could feel warmth spreading to my cheeks as I thought back to the night prior. Was I supposed to look normal, now? Wasn't I supposed to look... different? Would other's notice? Would Escalus? I prayed he wouldn't. If he found out what we had done he was as like to kill the Montague even with my promise of marriage. I was glad I didn't look different, and yet... wasn't I supposed to look different? To feel different? All I felt now was... that same anguish over what may happen to the people I loved because of me. And now I had the guilt of putting at least one of them into even more danger than before to add on. Okay, I thought to myself as that sunk in, I guess if 'even guiltier' counted, I did feel a little different.

Benvolio Montague

"Princess." I murmured to her, touching her elbow lightly. "Can we confer."

"Indeed a turn around the garden sounds lovely." She replied loudly. "Allow me to bring my future sister along." I stiffened. She didn't mean Rosaline. Rosaline wasn't even here. She was a dress fitting all morning. One of her maids had mentioned it as she helped me sneak out this morning. Then Livia Capulet stepped forward and gladly took my arm.

"No." Isabella said loudly. "Over here, Livia. Take my arm won't you. I'm sure Lord Montague can escort us just fine without having to physically escort us." It was no matter and soon enough we were hidden once again in the midst of the shrubbed paths of the palace gardens.

"What was that about?" Livia asked the Princess.

"Some of the city's criers are spreading some nonsense about how Lord Montague does seem to favor Capulets, even if he isn't involved with the elder cousin. They are insinuating that the pair of you are together now."

"That's preposterous." I cut in, "No offence meant, Lady Capulet."

"Ugh. None taken. That's horrid."

"Horrid? I'm horrid?"

"No, the reaction my sister would have if she thought we were together is horrid."

"She doesn't think that." I insisted.

"You don't know that! She knows I've been distant lately, and upset about her moving her affections onto Escalus. If she went out for a walk before her day at the royal tailors this morning she may have heard-"

"She didn't go out for a walk and she knows how I feel about her."

"Yes, but she might think you are doing this to get back at her and-"

"How do you know she didn't go out for a walk this morning?" The Princess cut in, eyes narrowed. "She often does and you sound quite certain." I remained silent but felt my lips turn up into a smile.

"Oh my God, you took me seriously." She said, almost proudly. "You went to her last night."

"I..."

"No. We don't need another word. Good. I'm glad. Maybe now she'll accept our help, and decide to run off with you or something and-"

"No. She won't. She insists that Escalus's reach is too far, and that she won't be the cause of my death. I've told her I don't care but she doesn't seem to understand that this is far more important than-"

"Would you? Would you understand if she was about to sacrifice potentially her life for your freedom to wed whomever you so chose?"

"But that's... that's different! And-"

"It's not. I don't agree with her obviously," Isabella replied in that haughty tone at which royalty was so proficient. "But you do understand why she might feel that way?"

"I... I suppose, but-"

"No buts. We'll just have to do all the work until it's an easy option for her to choose. Now. Listen up. I learned quite a bit from the wife of a guard last night."

A plan. We had a real plan.

And if it didn't work... well I had a back up plan too. One I didn't dare tell any of the others, knowing they would refuse. Knowing Rosaline would hate me for it. Still. She was more important than the alternative. I wouldn't allow her to marry him, even if it meant my life.

Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter, but I wanted to update you all on where I was at with this thing. As previously noted, I am working on the R rated version of this chapter and I will alert you all when it gets posted. In addition I have a VERY important question.

These characters may know what the plan is... but I do not. PLEASE give me some suggestions on how you think Isabella, Livia, and Benvolio can save Rosaline!