Chapter 2

Eugene couldn't stop thinking about the Princess. Her wide green eyes, her beautiful long dark hair and her cute button nose with the freckles across the bridge. Especially those freckles!

What was wrong with him? Where was the great Eugene Fitzherbert aka Flynn Rider, the bandit/hunter killer for hire, the con man who would do anything for money?

Well, he really wasn't the killer, he was the front man, sort of like the Stabbington boys agent. They were the real killers; Rider accepted the jobs. He was the handsome one, the one who woo the victims until they were completely head over heels for him. Then, when they least expected it, he would lead them right to the twins. He was the brains, they were the brawn. They were known far and wide as the ones to hire when their particular line of work was needed and lately; it was becoming the popular thing to do. They received generous amounts for their participation as was this latest hire. This time it was a really weird request; an evil stepmother out to kill her own stepdaughter because some talking mirror told her that she wasn't the fairest women hanging around Corona anymore.

But Queen Greta was the biggest shot in the entire kingdom and she paid really well. So what if she was known as the nastiest, most evil woman in the land? She had put up the largest amount of money ever with a promise of plenty more where that came from, especially if they did what they were told. They needed no proof this time, which was different than any other hiring request, just to prove that Rider and the boys had done their job. Somehow she'd know, Gothel had said, there was no need to tell her.

Or prove it to her.

He was on his way to see her now; this would be the fourth time they were meeting. The plan was to get Rapunzel so off balance that she couldn't see straight, that she thought of nothing but him. Gothel set the time, she wanted it done as quickly as possible, but Rider had explained it couldn't happen that way. He would need two weeks at the most, if she could put up with it, she'd get her wish.

So far, though it seemed that it was the other way around. For the first time since he began this journey, Rider, the great con man and well known thief was off his game. He wasn't supposed to fall for the victim, but she was different, different from anyone he'd ever met. She seemed to care about him, seemed to make him feel different and special. No other woman ever cared about him the way she did.

He couldn't stop thinking about the words she'd said to him, how they seemed to fit together so well.

"So you're Flynn Rider?"

Eugene nodded. "Yes, I'm that guy in all those posters, the thief you've been told to stay away from? The con man who…"

Rapunzel shook her head. "Who is this Flynn Rider anyway?"

"You've never heard of the Tales of Flynnagan Rider?" he asked her.

Rapunzel shook her head. "I've been stuck up in a tower since I was a baby, Eugene, I don't know a thing except what I've been taught. Book knowledge is all I have."

"Well if that's all you have, then you should have been taught about this guy,"

Rapunzel nodded. "It's just a bunch of fairy stories, Eugene. That's what I was told anyway." She looked at him. "And if you believe in children's fairy tales, then you must have a soft spot somewhere. I don't believe you're the hardened criminal you say you are anyway. And by the way, maybe you should be using your real name. It would take a lot of people by surprise."

Eugene stared at her; for the first time he had nothing to say.

"Look," Rapunzel answered. "Bring the book with you tomorrow. Maybe we'll read together. You do like books, don't you?"

Eugene nodded. "What makes you think we'll see each other?"

Rapunzel smiled. "I don't know. I'm actually surprised myself. I'm usually not allowed out of the tower, my stepmother doesn't usually let me. It's kind of strange that she lets me out to see you, though." She stared at him. "Why do you suppose that is?"

Eugene just sat there staring into her lovely green eyes. He couldn't come right out and say what he was doing and why he was doing it; especially since it was her own stepmother that wanted to get rid of her.

"Maybe she just trusts you," Rapunzel continued.

"Trusts me?" Eugene asked. "How could she trust me? I'm not a nice person, Rapunzel. No one trusts me."

"Well," Rapunzel said, looking at him. "She must know you and it's not from all those wanted posters stuck on all those trees out there. I know she's seen them a lot more than I have."

"Look, Princess, there's something I have to tell you about myself. I'm not who you think I am. This whole thing is not what you think."

Rapunzel smiled and shook her head. She placed her arms around his neck and pulled him close.

"And what are you supposed to be, Eugene, besides a con man and a thief. You're smart and funny and you love children's stories. You make me feel alive and you've shown me the world. Come on, you should give yourself a bit more credit. You're a wonderful person, Eugene and you should be proud of yourself and your accomplishments."

And for the first time in four days, she kissed him.

Eugene shook his head. He was so confused. He actually almost told who he really was and what he was supposed to do. Who was making who off balance? This whole plan of his was headed the wrong way.

Eugene had to be careful and get back to business. He had to get back on track. This just wasn't like him. It was the wrong time and the wrong place to be falling in love like this. They needed the money, HE needed the money. And nothing was going to stop that.

Not now, not ever. And not if he could help it.