So, it's been a while. Here's another update. I won't be able to update at all next week. I feel bad for saying that since it's been a while and I already finished writing the story, but I have finals next week. Like, I'M ALMOST DONE WITH MY FIRST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE, OH MY GOSH! Okay, sorry, moving on. Disclaimer: don't own it...besides plot, and a few characters, but even they are ideas from Disney, in a way, since they were plates! okay, sorry. :D I hope you enjoy! :)

Eveline~

As soon as I closed my door, I fell back into my bed with a contented smile. My hand drifted to my mouth, wondering how ridiculous I looked….then I decided I didn't actually care. I looked over to Clarisse's bed to see her small form breathing steadily fast asleep, still in her gown. I smiled, though I hadn't seen her much throughout the evening, I knew she had a good time. I quietly changed and slid underneath my covers. I blew out the candle and drifted off into the most peaceful sleep I had gotten in years.

The next weeks were filled with Prince Adam preparing to take over the thrown. Cogsworth did a lot to help him, so we had trouble finding time to spend together. One day I was particularly frustrated with this and went to the library to be alone. I sat in the big comfy chair and felt tears begin to form, "No, you're not crying…" I muttered to myself.

"What's wrong?" I jumped at the sound of Belle's voice.

I stood up, about to leave, "I'm sorry, I thought I was alone."

Belle stood up from her spot on the floor and grabbed my arm, "No, it's fine. Please, tell me what's wrong, Eveline?" My muscles tensed at her touch, but relaxed when I saw the true concern in her face. I returned to my seat as she made herself comfortable on the floor again. "I'm just frustrated, that's all…"

"You miss him, don't you?"

I debated denying it, but after the ball everyone in the castle could see that we meant something to each other. "We just hit it off so well at the ball…and after all that time of wishing we could be friends…we finally are and now we never see each other…yes, I miss him…more than I ever suspected I could…" I trailed off, embarrassed at how honest I was being with her when just a day before I wasn't this honest with myself.

"I know how you feel…ever since the ball, Adam has been so busy with all his princely duties…I never get much alone time with him…I cherish the little we get. It won't always be this way, though. Adam just needs to learn his duties and Cogsworth is there to help him," she said with a sympathetic smile.

I returned it, "I suppose I can be patient…if you can."

"Perhaps we can be patient together…there aren't many people around my age here…"

"What about Babette? Or my sister?" I questioned, knowing they were much closer to her age than I.

Belle smiled, "I haven't talked to your sister much…and Babette…well, we don't exactly have similar personalities."

I suppressed a laugh, "I suppose together would be lovely."

"Excellent."

That night, I went to bed with a newfound hope for Cogsworth. I knew it would take time, but that didn't change how he or I felt. I cuddled in my blankets, hoping the time we could spend together would come soon.

I ran as fast as I could, but as I ran the pain only increased in my aching thighs. He was hot on my trail. I tripped on a root and he was on top of me. "Eveline, where have you been the past fifteen years?"

"You left me, remember?" I spat out.

"Because you refused me my rights," he scoffed.

"You don't own me!"

"I do now…"

I woke up screaming with hot tears streaming down my face. Partially unaware of my surroundings, I continued to scream and sob. "Go away, Raoul! Leave me!"

"Eveline, Eveline!" Clarisse was shaking my already trembling body.

My screaming ceased and my sobs were muffled in her shoulder as she hugged me. A few minutes later there was a knock on our door. Clarisse started to get up, "Clare, don't leave me…"

"I need to see who's knocking, Eveline," she walked to the door, "Bonjour Cogsworth…" I went still. I couldn't face him like this. I tried to subtly notify my sister not to let him in, but the next thing I knew Clarisse was gone and Cogsworth was sitting on the edge of my bed.

"What did she tell you?" I asked, humiliated.

He gave me a sympathetic look and took my cold hand in his, "That you had a nightmare about someone in your past…"

I sat up to be next to him. Though I was mortified, his presence helped, "Oh…"

"Are you alright?"

I avoided eye contact, "I'm fine…"

He put his hand on my cheek and gently turned my head towards him, "Tell me the truth…" he whispered.

"It was horrible…" I admitted. I took a deep breath, "His name was Raoul…we—we were courting for a while…" I looked right into his eyes by my own free will this time, "He wanted to do things with me that I wasn't comfortable with and wouldn't accept no for an answer…" Cogsworth gasped. "He didn't do anything…I mean, he hurt me, but he never forced anything…he just tried…" I turned my head for a second, "He found someone to satisfy his cravings and left me once I discovered her…" I looked at him again. The pain I saw in his eyes surprised me…I knew he cared about me, but he looked utterly heartbroken and outraged at the same time.

He then pulled me into a gentle hug, "No one deserves to be treated in such a way, ma chérie, especially not you."

I returned his hug and leaned on his shoulder, hoping I wasn't freaking him out, but also realizing he was the one who sat on my bed and initiated the hug, so my actions couldn't be too much. He looked down at me and gently wiped a tear from my face, which I reacted to with a slight smile. He sadly smiled at me, "It's all in the past…"

"In my dream…he seemed to succeed," I choked on my sob.

"Shhh…" he rubbed my arm, up and down…I relaxed.

"Thank you…" and I slowly drifted off to sleep.

When I awoke the next morning, I found a tray with tea and toast on it and a note from Mrs. Potts: I hope you feel better, dear. Don't bother coming to work today, your sister explained everything. I groaned, wondering what exactly 'everything' meant. Then I eased my mind with a sip of tea. Someone must have checked on me and noticed me stirring because it was still piping hot. A few hours later I heard a knock on my door, "Come in."

I was shocked to see Cogsworth there with a tray of soup in hand, "I thought you might be hungry," he explained as he set it in front of me.

"Thank you…" I said quietly, "Does Mrs. Potts think I'm sick?"

"I have no idea what your sister told her, but whatever it was, it is best that you relax today."

I groaned, "A bad dream is no excuse to miss out on work."

"Yes, but an emotionally scarring dream that kept you up is a perfectly legitimate excuse from work," he replied in a gentle tone.

I smiled at him, "So, why is the Head of the Household bringing my lunch up to me?"

He got slightly flustered, "Oh—that—" I could see his face turning red, "I…" I giggled. "I wanted to make sure you were alright…" he finally admitted.

I smiled, "Thank you, I appreciate it…" I took a spoonful of soup. "You must think I'm pathetic, huh?"

"Not at all, mademoiselle," he answered softly. I looked into his eyes which were filled with sincerity and concern. Just looking at him made my skin burn slightly. "I am glad you are alright."

"Thank you…" I shyly reached over to take his hand, "I really needed you last night…I would have never admitted it."

"Why does that not surprise me?" he said with a playful gleam in his eyes.

I looked away and heavily sighed, realizing that his duties with Prince Adam would soon precede me again.

"What's wrong, Eveline?"

"It's just—" I looked in his eyes, searching for an unknown sign, "I miss you…" I admitted in a mumble.

"What?" he sounded puzzled.

"You've been working with Prince Adam so much since the ball; we've barely had time to...together….I know it's your duty, but—"

He softly interrupted me, "I've missed you too." I turned to him in shock. "I know it's hard, ma chère, but it will be over soon. Next week is the official re-coronation of Prince Adam and then I can spend more time with you…and I will."

"Promise?" I asked weakly.

"It's a promise," he replied with a smile.

This is one of my favorite chapters. I think it's because I relate to it, which is why I wrote it. I hope you enjoyed it too. Review?