Minnie stepped through the door of the hidden tunnel, pulling her hood up. Excitement was fluttering in her chest as she moved down the alley toward the street; Mickey was going to be in the city today. He had been very reluctant to agree to them meeting, but she had reassured him in her letter by promising she wouldn't talk about anything dangerous. A sly smile tugged at her face as she the folded parchment in her cloak's inner pocket.

Naturally, I won't talk about it.

The market was just as bustling as ever, and she merged with the crowd with practiced ease. Making sure her hood stayed up, she slid the paper from her pocket into her fist as she scanned the street. Suddenly a hand touched her shoulder, and though she knew who it likely was her heart still started hammering as she quickly turned. Familiar sapphire blue eyes peered out of the dark hood, and she saw the bright grin, which made a smile spread over her own face.

"Mickey! It's so good to see you."

Despite her excitement, she kept her voice low. Even if she was sure no one had followed her, she dared not take any chances.

"Great t' see ya too," Mickey said, his grin widening. Before he could say any more, Minnie held out a hand. Mickey blinked, looking surprised, then his grin returned as he reached out to shake it. When their hands met, his eyes widened as he felt the parchment. But he kept his features set in his easygoing grin, and Minnie found herself impressed by his objectivity.

"Minnie," he said softly. "Ya said we weren't gonna talk about…"

She raised her brows, still smiling as she replied in a just as soft voice.

"I'm not talking… are you?"

She saw the conflict in his eyes and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Please… it's the least I can do."

Finally, Mickey sighed, and Minnie knew he had caved. He slid the paper from her hand into his before subtly slipping it into his own cloak.

"You're really somethin', ya know that?"

Minnie giggled.

"So I've been told."

Together, they began walking down the street; they had agreed not to meet at the tavern where the Resistance base was. Eager as she was to see her friend, Minnie certainly wasn't that foolish. Soon they had reached one on the outskirts of the market that they both knew about. There were several patrons inside, but luckily, they found an empty table against a far wall.

"So, tell me," Minnie said as they sat down. "How is your family doing?"

Mickey chuckled.

"Well, th' kids are as much of a handful as always. Sometimes I don' know how Os and Ortensia handle 'em. They begged t' come along, but Ortensia put her foot down. Oswald didn't wanna hear about it either. Think I know where the kids got their stubbornness."

Letting out a chuckle of her own, Minnie shook her head.

"Well, I hope I do get the chance to meet them… when things have settled down."

Mickey reached out to pat her hand, and the contact brought that strange twinge to her stomach, but to her relief she didn't blush.

"I'll make sure ya do," he assured. "They really wanna meet you too."

Minnie's smile widened, but then lessened as uncertainty tugged at her.

"But your brother, would he…"

Mickey waved a hand, still grinning.

"Ah, don't worry 'bout Os. He can be stubborn as a mule, but he'll come around."

The uncertainty refused to fade completely, but Minnie managed to push it down and give Mickey a smile.

"I'll take your word for it."

Mickey nodded, then his look grew slightly concerned.

"Things goin' all right with you too?"

Knowing what he was referring to, Minnie gave him another smile and nodded.

"Don't worry about me… I think my little problem will be resolved soon."

"That's good t' hear," Mickey said with a smile of his own. "Your dad gettin' wise to that louse?"

"I think so," Minnie replied. "He certainly can't be ignoring all the gossip."

That got a chuckle out of Mickey as he shook his head.

"Guess there's one good thing t' come outta that." He cocked his head. "Say, I wanted t' ask… how're Donald and Daisy doin'? It was sure great seein' Donald again, and Daisy seems great."

"She is," Minnie said. "She's been a wonderful friend. They're both fine, over the moon, really."

"I bet. It's real great they found someone to make 'em so happy."

For some reason, those words struck a chord in Minnie. She felt the inexplicable urge to say 'me too', and only just stopped herself. To her disappointment, she remembered that she needed to be back before evening… it seemed the time had flown by.

"I hate to say," she said. "But I think I need to go… people might be missing me if I stay out any longer."

She could see disappointment of Mickey's face as well, but he nodded.

"Yeah… I don't wanna get ya in trouble."

Both stood and walked to the door of the tavern, where Mickey turned to face Minnie with a look of concern.

"Want me to walk ya back?"

Minnie gave him a smile.

"That's all right, I should get back fine. I don't want you too close to the castle, it might look suspicious."

Mickey still looked reluctant but sighed and nodded.

"Sure thing. Well, guess I'll see ya again?"

"If I have my way, absolutely," Minnie said. "Just write to me."

Mickey nodded again, then looked hesitant for a few moments. Before Minnie could ask if something was wrong, he stepped forward and gave her a hug. She felt her face immediately heat, but before she could form a logical thought on how to react, Mickey quickly drew back. His face was red too, and he stammered as he spoke.

"G-gosh, I… I'm real sorry, I don' know why I…"

"No," Minnie said right away. "No, don't apologize… I don't mind at all. It was nice."

She felt herself blush even more and could see the same thing was happening to him.

"Oh, th-that is, I… I, um…" she stammered. Mickey cleared his throat and gave her another smile that looked almost bashful.

"Don' worry about it." He held out a hand, and Minnie smiled back as she shook it.

"Until next time, then."

"Yep," Mickey said. "Great seein' ya."

"You too," Minnie said. "Give my best to your family."

With that the two parted, Minnie making sure her hood stayed up as she strode back to the castle. She found herself wondering if he was watching her go and resisted the urge to look back. Somehow, she was pretty sure he was. After making her way through the market back to the alley, she hesitated outside it and her eyes moved over the crowd, looking for anyone who might be watching. As soon as a larger group of people crowded around her, she took advantage of the bustle to slip unseen into the alley.

With quick, hurried footsteps Minnie moved down the alley to the castle wall, glancing back once more. Seeing no one, she pulled the lever to open the hidden door and quickly closed it as soon as she was in. Despite the darkness of the tunnel, she reached the end easily and was stepping into her sitting room within seconds. As she closed the door, Clarabelle's pleased, and somewhat relieved voice came from across the room.

"Cutting it close, my Lady!"

Minnie turned with a sheepish smile.

"I know, Clarabelle… I'm sorry."

"Oh, no need to apologize!" the maid said with a wide smile. "We all need a break occasionally. So, tell me, did you enjoy yourself? How was he?"

Minnie felt her smile widen as she crossed the room, recalling her meeting with her friend as she pulled off her cloak.

"Oh, he's fine, and so is his family. It was so good to see him again… I feel like I can hardly ever talk to someone as an equal, and he doesn't mind that at all."

Hanging her cloak up on the coatrack, she turned, and hesitated at the look on Clarabelle's face: she was looking at Minnie with that thoughtful, and somewhat sly smile.

"What?" the Princess asked. Clarabelle waved her hand dismissively.

"Oh, nothing, Your Highness… nothing at all."

Author's Note: I'm leaving for a week-long vacation tonight, and I'm not bringing my laptop so I won't be doing any writing next week. But don't worry, I'll start my usual writing schedule again as soon as I get back. Cheers, dear readers!