"And believe it or not, he didn't utter a word when the judge asked him for a plea. It was kind of revolting," Phoebus said, finishing the story of Frollo's fate at City Hall last night after he was apprehended.

The rest of the group including Jack, Will, Eric and Aladdin listened in Derek Royal's study, shaking their heads in disbelief.

"I knew Frollo was a questionable individual, but this is outrageous," John Rolfe interjected, equally dumbfounded.

"How is Esmeralda?" Phoebus asked Jack.

Will grew nervous. He knew that Jack had once again spent the night with Esmeralda, but knew he hadn't yet shared his feelings publicly when it came to her.

Jack stared into the air before turning his head toward Phoebus.

"As well as can be, I guess."

"Good. I'm glad Cassim listened to you last night," Phoebus replied.

"No kidding! It says here that Mayor Hubert has dropped all support for his nephew in light of this incident and his brother Duke discovered even more vile and reprehensible evidence after Frollo's arrest. I can't believe Charming thought this was going to get him to win," Eric added, paraphrasing an article from his phone.

"And where does this leave Rolfe? Are we to assume that Charming will concede?" Derek asked the group.

Will and Jack looked at each other knowingly.

After spending the night with Anya and hearing the scene she had witnessed between Adam and Charming, Will knew now was the opportune moment to reveal their secret. Waking up with Anya safe in his arms, he knew that he never wanted her in a dangerous position ever again. He immediately told Jack that the early morning rendezvous would be the time and place. Derek Royal and John Rolfe could use the information as they wished.

Will awkwardly coughed.

"If Charles Charming should choose not to concede, there is something that we will tell you that will definitely increase those chances," Will said, looking to Jack.

"Gentlemen, we are about to give you the proper leverage you need to kill two birds with one stone," Jack uttered.

Intrigued, Derek leaned in.

"Before Will and I set sail last, it came to our attention that Charles Charming was seen in the middle of the night hurriedly sneaking about the darkened corridors of a certain cavernous manor, half dressed, perspiring with the look of...amorous gratification."

The entire group cocked their heads toward Jack.

"That's why Anya would crash at your place or Flynn's," Aladdin replied with a light bulb going off in his head, putting all the pieces of the puzzle together.

"Why? Because Charming is having a clandestine affair with a member of Adam's staff? How is that front page news?" Rolfe replied, not quite grasping the concept.

Jack rolled his eyes.

Will sighed and put his hand over his eyes.

Aladdin looked at Rolfe like he had just said the sky was orange.

Eric's and Phoebus' eyes grew wide as they both came to the same conclusion at the same time.

Derek tapped his fingers on his desk, nonplussed.

"I believe, John, the picture Sparrow so eloquently painted for us shows that my stepbrother and your political opponent are lovers."

"Bingo," Jack said pointing his finger at Derek.

"Not only that, but apparently, Charming now blames Adam for absolutely everything that transpired last night. He ended their relationship last night and Adam's anger is at an all time high right now. If their affair is to be revealed now - " Will explained

"Both Adam and Charming will have lost all credibility in the eyes of their conservative public," Phoebus finished.

"Precisely why Will and I kept this one close to the vest until it was absolutely necessary to reveal, savvy?" Jack added.

"Adding Frollo to his campaign was a Hail Mary," Eric replied.

Jack looked to Eric.

"Yes, but even pious revered judges are not immune to the effects of that which vexes all men."

"What vexes all men?" Rolfe asked.

"A woman!" the group, save for Derek, said in unison.

Derek was deep in thought. He was excited that the downfall of Frollo, meant the downfall of Charles Charming, leading to the decreased stock value in Beastman Investments. He wasn't expecting this news this morning. He had always dreamed of the day when he would destroy his step brother for what he had done to his family. Derek had always thought supporting his own political candidate was the way he would accomplish that task. He would indirectly hit Adam in the pocketbook and slowly but surely ruin his investment firm and leave him destitute and alone, much like Uberta had been all these years hiding out from the world. And much like the half sister he never knew had felt growing up in the foster care system so close to home.

Derek knew he had to do something with this information. But he was unsure what.

Across town, that which vexed Sparrow was waking up from a blissful slumber.

Esmeralda rolled over, hoping to be nestled in the arms of a relaxed Jack. Instead she opened her eyes to find the side of the bed where he slept empty. The scent of rum and the sea still lingered on the pillow. Savoring the scent, she hugged the pillow to her with a smile on her face remembering the night before.

"Well, then, Captain. Let's get started on those congratulations and celebrations," she said, unbuttoning his shirt.

"With pleasure, dear Esme," he uttered before towering over her on the bed and smothering her with kisses.

She lay back against the pillow, slightly pressing her body into his as he trailed kisses down her neck. His calloused hands slid under her t shirt, sending shivers through her body. Being with Jack had always made her shiver, but there was something different about this time. He was being more methodical, tender, gentle in his mostly aggressive approach.

She put her hands on each side of his face, pulling him up from his trail of kisses, forcing him to look into her eyes. As his arms held her tightly to him, she searched his eyes, not knowing exactly what she was looking for but knowing she would find it in his deep brown eyes. With an animal instinct, she kissed him passionately on the lips. This man had just confessed his love for her. She was now in control. Now it was her turn to be the aggressor.

Suddenly, she was astride him. His hands rested comfortably on her hips as she expertly removed her top. Eagerly she leaned forward pressing herself into his body, kissing him again. Her hands found the buckle to his pants and she slid them off his muscular frame. Kissing every inch of his tattooed chest, as his fingers combed through her cascades of black hair, Esmeralda's skirt found it's way to the floor.

She sat up again to look in his eyes once more.

They were both completely naked, caressing each other, gazing into each other's eyes, longingly.

She took his hand and brought it to her mouth. She kissed the inside of his palm, tenderly. His hand pushed back a tendril of hair from in front of her emerald eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this impassioned before by one woman. His rough fingers delicately traced her mocha lips, along her jaw line and to her swan-like neck.

He uttered a low erotic growl, raising an eyebrow as he rose himself up to kiss her again. She smiled against his lips as she tasted him again, hoping that this night would pass by slowly. She put her forehead to his as they continued to caress each other, entangled in each other's bodies. The temperature in the room rose as Esmeralda could feel herself losing control. There was a burning flame of desire inside her. She needed this man and soon.

As Jack's hands roamed, Esmeralda grew more eager. She let out a whimper of anticipation, silently begging him to satisfy her...now. She heard his low laughter at her reaction.

"That's a good girl, luv. I want you ready for me," he whispered against her ear.

"I'm always ready for you, Jack," she replied, against his lips as he pulled her on top of him.

For the first time in his life, the act of lovemaking was not just a roll in the hay. It wasn't just an activity to calm the nerves and satisfy the cravings inside. For the first time, he took his time. For the first time, he was tender and gentle. For the first time, he held on to her as if his life was dependent on her closeness to him. For the first time, he wasn't eager for the sweet release of satisfaction.

And when it came, for the first time, he was not in a rush to clean up and be on his merry way, until the next time. Instead, he held Esmeralda to him, savoring the smell of her hair, the feel of her curvaceous body, her mere presence. She rose her head to look into his eyes. I smile appeared on his face as she gazed at him.

"I love you, Jack," she whispered, placing a satisfied kiss on his lips.

Those four words were all the ammunition he needed.

And their euphoria would go on until dawn, when Jack left for his meeting at Royal Hall.

Back in the light of day, Esmeralda was getting her bearings. She sat up in bed and looked at her phone for the time.

10 AM.

She had slept in.

Two messages from Jack.

Just as she was about to read them, a wave of nausea fell over her so powerful, she had to get to the bathroom quickly. She grabbed her teal robe, opened her bedroom door and made a beeline for the bathroom, almost taking out her sister in the process.

"Jeez, Es, where's the fire?" Angelica asked as Esmeralda locked herself in the bathroom for the next 20 minutes before reappearing in the kitchen.

Angelica and Clopin were having a small breakfast when Esmeralda emerged.

"I would have thought with all the noises coming out of your room last night that you wouldn't be this pale this morning, sis," Clopin teased as he took a sip of coffee.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny."

"Don't pay any attention to him," Angelica interjected.

Esmeralda opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

"I must be getting the flu or something."

"You weren't feeling well yesterday, either," Angelica added.

"Maybe it's just nerves from the whole Frollo thing and my body's just reacting."

"Oh for sure. That was quite a shock. How are you doing?"

Esmeralda couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"Forget it, I don't want to know," Angelica said, taking a sip of her own coffee.

"But Frollo is behind bars so you should be fine, right?" Clopin asked, curiously.

Esmeralda took another sip of water.

"Yeah but you know my body could just be catching up. I don't know."

"Yeah, the female body can be weird like that sometimes," Angelica added.

"Or, more likely, all your late night activities with Sparrow have consequences," Clopin said, in disbelief that his sisters were not seeing the obvious.

"What are you getting at, Clopin?" Angelica asked, taking a bite of oatmeal, almost annoyed with her brother.

"That Sparrow knocked you up, Es."

Esmeralda almost spit out her water as another wave of nausea overcame her and she ran back to the bathroom.

A few blocks away, Flynn was waking up, having slept in himself. Opening his eyes, he realized he was not in his bedroom. With the teal and gold and exotic paintings, he quickly realized he was in Jasmine's bedroom. A smile crept over his face as he remembered the events that transpired the night before.

"Why'd you stop?"

"I was just thinking..."

She cut him off.

"Flynn. Don't think. Just live in the moment for now."

"Are you sure?" he asked, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Her hand when to his wrist.

"I'm sure," she said as she sat up and continued their kiss, being the aggressor. She finished untucking Flynn's shirt. Almost ripping the buttons off, she removed it before removing her own t shirt. Feeling her barely clad skin again was heaven for him. She unbuttoned her jean shorts and slid them off with ease, before sinking her fingers into Flynn's.

Flynn couldn't remove his lips from hers if he'd tried. Kissing Jasmine again was the tonic he needed. Being with her again was more than he had ever dreamed of as she wrapped her legs around his waist and he positioned himself to satisfy her every need. Try as he might, he wanted to last as long as he could for her. It had been so long since the two of them had been this intimate.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his, moaning his name. That was the end of him.

"Fuck. Jasmine."

"What?" She giggled nibbling on his ear, not wanting to move from their current positions.

"This is not how I'd imagined this would be. Ugh."

She leaned back and forced him to look at her.

"What do you mean?" she said, continuing to kiss him.

"I mean, when I dreamed about you and me together again, I imagined I would at least be able to - "

"Hey, Flynn, guess what?"

"What?" he said against her lips.

"I don't have any plans tonight."

"So? What does that mean?"

"Well, we could go back to my place," she said in between kisses, "and you could tell me about this dream of yours. Or better yet. You could show me."

Flynn could not believe what was happening. Jasmine was in his arms again and willingly inviting him over.

"I'd love to play show and tell," he responded.

They quickly dressed themselves and headed the short walk toward Jasmine's townhouse.

As Flynn rolled over he noticed the other side of the bed empty. Figuring Jasmine had gotten up before him to make him breakfast or something, he searched the room for his boxers to go in search of her. Just as he was about to slip them on, the door to Jasmine's bathroom opened.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jasmine asked.

He turned toward her.

She wore a short sea foam green short robe. Her hair was pulled back. He smiled thinking he was staring at the most beautiful thing in the world.

"I was off to find you."

"Well, here I am."

A few moments of silence passed before Jasmine sprinted from the bathroom door to the edge of the bed, hopping on it and tackling Flynn in the process. He was pinned underneath her as she assailed his face and neck with kisses.

"Good morning, Jas," he managed to mutter, between kisses.

"Good morning," she responded as she reached for the tie of her robe.

"Wait, Jas. Can we talk about this?" Flynn asked, half serious.

He didn't want to do anything more without understanding what it meant for her...and for the two of them.

"Shh. No talking," she said against his lips as her hands roamed freely over his body.

He was powerless. She had full control over him. And he had no complaints.