A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! I know this chapter is long, sorry about that...I will try to make the next one a little shorter. Also, those that are fans of A Better Life, I promise to update soon!

Disclaimer: Nope. Except for Penelope and two other unnamed characters that are mentioned below.

"How could you say something like that to her?" Jane asked Gunther once they left the cottage.

"What?" Gunther was slightly confused.

"Tell her she can go to a ball, when you know very well that she cannot."

"I told you, I tell her things to make her feel better. I do not know how long she will survive, she has already outlived what the doctor said. Maybe one day she will be able to attend a ball."

"Why does she think I am to dance with you?" Jane inquired after a couple minutes.

"She fancies you." Was all Gunther answered.

The rest of the walk back to the castle was quiet. When they returned, Sir Theodore gave the squires their afternoon duties. Jane was given sentry duty, and Gunther was told to clean the Knight's swords. "Meet me on your tower roof after dinner." Gunther whispered to his fellow squire before they took to their separate duties.

OOOOOO

Jester was completely silent at dinner, and sat as far as he could from Jane. Noticing this, Jane assumed it was because Pepper told him what she had told Pepper. Once she finished eating, Jane excused herself from the table, stating that she was going to retire to her room for the night.

"It is still early, Jane." Pepper noted.

"Yes, well, I am exhausted from today, and have another busy day tomorrow." Jane walked away from the group and heard a jingle sound coming behind her, then felt a hand on her arm.

"Jane, what is going on with you?" Jester asked, concern in his voice and frown on his face.

Pulling her arm out of his grip, Jane turned to the Court Fool. "Just a lot of training outside the castle lately. Nothing to worry over. I have told you that."

"Pepper packs you lunches for three people, Jane. I see both Sir Theodore and Sir Ivon here at the castle when you are gone at midday. In fact, Everyone is accounted for all day at the castle except you and Gunther. So what is going on Jane?" Jester did not ask the questions he wanted to. Instead, he beat around the bush a little, hoping Jane would get the point and answer his unasked questions.

Jane sighed. Why does he have to be like this? So overprotective. We are not courting and I do not love him. Not the way he loves me anyway. But, I cannot hurt him by telling him no. Jane then thought about what Gunther had told her the night before during their argument. He is right. I would only be hurting Jester more if I continue letting him think I share the same feelings.

Jane snapped back to reality when she heard Jester calling her name.

"You have been very distant lately, Jane." Jester said in a low voice.

"Jester, you are a dear friend to me. I wish you would not worry so much."

"Is that all I am to you, Jane? A dear friend?"

"Jester, I-" Jane started to explain her feelings, when Jester cut her off.

"No, Jane. Jester paused to take a deep breath since what he was going to say next was difficult. "I wish you all the happiness in the world. I will always be there for you as a dear friend and nothing more. So long as that is what you want."

"Jester, I am sorry. I know how strong your feelings are towards me, I just do not share the same feelings. I never wanted to hurt you. I wish you all the happiness in the world also."

"Please, do not pity me. I will be alright." Jester forced a smile. "Goodnight Jane."

"Goodnight Jester."

As Jane made her way to the stairs leading up to her room, she did not notice the shadow behind the tree who saw and heard the whole conversation.

Gunther waited a couple minutes before leaving his hiding place to meet Jane atop her tower. If he left too soon, Jane would suspect him spying on her talk with the jester. In truth, he did not intentionally eavesdrop on the private meeting. He was heading to meet Jane on the roof, when he heard voices coming his direction. Afraid of being caught and questions as to why he was still at the castle so late, Gunther hid behind the tree. Just a few feet from where Jane and Jester spoke, Gunther hid, hearing the entire thing. He figured Jane would tell Jester about his sister, but she kept her word. He also heard her tell the jester she did not love him. Gunther smiled at this.

Once he heard Jane close the door to her room, Gunther came out of hiding and quietly made his way up the stairs to the roof of Jane's tower room.

Jane was already on the rooftop when Gunther made it to the top. "Been up here awhile have you?" Gunther asked when he saw Jane sitting against the far wall wrapped in a blanket.

"It is called being incognito and being cold, Gunther. The others are still at the table below."

"It is not that cold out here." Gunther sat down beside Jane at a respectable distance and mimicked her position against the wall. "Thank you for not breaking your promise." Gunther said quietly after a long pause.

"I told you I never break a promise if I can help it." Jane paused and looked at Gunther, "Thank you for introducing me to her. How is she tonight?"

Gunther looked back at Jane and smiled. "She is doing as well as to be expected."

Jane nodded, and there was another long silence before Jane finally asked, "Why did you want to meet tonight?"

The two made eye contact again. "I felt you should know the whole story about Penelope."

"Oh." Was all Jane could muster. She was not use to Gunther being so kind and open like he had been the last few days. "I would love to know more about your sister, Gunther." Jane added.

"The moment she was born she was promised to the son of a wealthy no good Duke twelve years her senior, in exchange for a thousand a year. Penelope was to be married to the awful man's son on her tenth birthday. However, our mother, who was completely opposed to the arrangement, tried save her from a miserable life. When Penelope was two years old, our mother took her from her crib in the middle of the night and left. She left me with that horrible father of mine. She told me she would not be able to care for two children and had to save Penelope. She said I would be alright with Magnus, he will not hurt me so bad, and she had to save my sister. 'I hope you understand, son, and I hope one day you can forgive me.' The Duke's son told me what happened after she left. Magnus was not home when she left, but he had the Duke watch her, follow her, to make sure she was faithful."

Gunther paused to think back and try to remember what happened on the fateful night twelve years ago. He glanced over at Jane, who was watching and listening to him intently.

Gunther took a breath then continued, "I was told she made it to the edge of town before the Duke caught her, his son was with him. The Duke, in rage over what he saw, shot an arrow into our mother's heart causing her to drop Penelope as she fell. The son killed his own father when he saw the evil man go after Penelope with a dagger. He carried her back to the house, told me what happened, and strictly instructed that I tell my father both mother and daughter are dead. He took me and my sister to that abandoned cottage on the edge of town not far from the wharf. He said we were to hide Penny there, and he would help care for her. He also told me he had no intentions of keeping the arrangement of marrying her. He called a physician from a nearby village to examine Penelope when we both realized she was not walking anymore, nor seemed to have the sense of touch in her legs. The way she fell on that night caused her to no longer be able to use her legs. Once I was seven years old, the Duke's son decided I was old enough and able enough to care for Penelope on my own. He no longer wanted to live with the horrible family name and the awful secrets he kept. He left Penelope all of his inheritance, including the two houses his family owned with land and livestock and all of his father's money. He thrust a dagger into his own heart the next day."

"Gunther. I am sorry. What an awful thing. Just a child yourself, having to care for your young sister." Jane whispered, silent tears fell down her face. She wiped away the tears, hoping Gunther would not see. "How did she get sick?"

Gunther looked at Jane and gently brushed a piece of hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. "She caught an illness last winter. I called on the same doctor who said she would never walk again. He told me the illness was unknown to him, and doubted if she made it through to spring."

Gunther continued, "I sold the properties and livestock. What good are they if she cannot make good use of them, and besides, neither of us would want to live on the property of the man that killed our mother."

Noticing Gunther shivering, Jane scooted closer and wrapped him in the blanket with her. She laid her head on his shoulder. "You are the only person I have ever told this to, Jane." Gunther whispered.

"I promise not to tell another soul. I also promise to no longer let you bear this alone, I shall help you care for her everyday."

"You have unknowingly helped me everyday since I met you Jane."

"What do you mean?" Jane looked up at him, and at the same time he looked down at her, their lips almost touching.

"You being you helped me keep my sanity. I do not think I could have kept this façade up if I had not met you. Your constant fighting for what is right has kept me going."

"Glad to hear I have rubbed off on you." Jane smiled.

They were silent for a few minutes, wrapped close together under the blanket. Gunther thought about the kiss they shared that morning, and about how close she was sitting to him at the moment, yes it was partially because both were cold, but her head was on his shoulder and she seemed…comfortable. Gunther pulled away from Jane just enough that he could make eye contact with her. "Jane, why did you kiss me this morning?"

"I am sorry. It just happened."

"Do not be sorry unless you did not mean it. Be honest. Do not say what you think I want to hear just to spare my feelings. Did you mean it or not?"

Jane pondered a moment before answering. Spare his feelings? Does Gunther have feelings for me? What is going on, first Jester, now Gunther? "I meant it, Gunther." Jane finally answered, eyes still locked on his.

"I am glad. I meant it as well." Gunther smiled at her and cupped her cheek in his hand. "I love you, Jane. I have been in love with you for a very long time."

The sudden confession of love from Gunther shocked Jane. "Gunther, I cannot let myself be in love. I meant the kiss, I really did. It was the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced. However, I must concentrate on becoming a knight, not becoming a wife."

Gunther slid his hand from Jane's cheek to into her hair and gently pulled her closer and whispered, "I would never have you give up your dream Jane. I would wait for you until the end of time if you wanted."

Jane had tears in her eyes that she failed at fighting to keep at bay. "I do love you, Gunther. I do not want you to wait for me until the end of time, though, only until we both become knights."

"That would be perfect." Gunther leaned in and gave Jane a peck on the lips. Jane ran her fingers through his hair pulling him back in to share a gentle kiss.

Gunther pulled away, sat back against the wall and looked away from Jane, a frown on his face. "What is the matter, Gunther?" Jane inquired, watching him for a hint.

"You are right Jane, we cannot be together." Gunther answered softly, still not looking her direction.

"What do you mean? You just said-" Gunther interrupted her saying sharply, "I know what I said, and now I am saying we cannot be together, Jane."

"You are a very cruel person, Gunther Breech. How I could possibly think you had changed, and I could give my heart to you I do not know. I hate you." Jane muttered through clenched teeth, and those tears falling silently down her cheeks.

Upon hearing those hurtful words and the hurt and anger in her voice, Gunther turned his gaze to Jane. He was still frowning, and his eyes were low and sad. "Jane, you have to understand why."

"Then enlighten me, Gunther. Please, tell me why one minute you want to be with me and willing to wait for me, then the next minute we cannot be together." Jane was upset and confused.

"I do not want you to get hurt, and if we were to be together, you would ultimately get hurt. Then, you would truly hate me."

"Gunther, We have our moments of bickering, but none of it is serious. We both thrive off it. Also, you are not like your father, you would never do something to hurt me." Jane assured him.

"It is not me hurting you that I am worried about. I am worried about my father doing something horrible to you." Gunther paused to sigh. "So long as Magnus is alive, I cannot have close friends, or be with you. He would just use them for his own evil purposes, like he did with Dragon."

"You are willing to wait for me to become a knight, and I am willing to wait for you to finally be rid of Magnus." Jane said softly, as she reached to hold Gunther's hand.

They held hands in silence for a few moments, until Gunther made a suggestion. "We could court each other in secret, until I am out of my father's hold, and we both become knights. Then we will bring our relationship into the open."

"We would never be able to keep it secret, not for that long."

"The only person that absolutely cannot find out is Magnus. I have kept my sister a secret from him for twelve years."

"Jane, will you court me in secret?"

"Yes, Gunther. I will court you in secret."

Jane and Gunther fell asleep on the rooftop in each others arms and wrapped in the blanket.