Chapter Nine: A Sneaky Rendezvous

A/N: Ok, I know that their romance might seem to be a little too fast, but I'm trying to get to the good parts as fast as I can coz I feel like I'm also reading this story while I'm writing it. Does that make sense? Probably not. Anywayz, I'll be editing this story when it's finished, so hang in there people! Thanks for reviews. I live for them, you know!

That night, Victoria finally got to her room. It was about 1 a.m. already and she was tired! Her feet were in agony and her head was spinning from all the dancing she did. She had had to dance with Philip after she said goodbye to Jack. Her parents thought that she liked Philip, but she certainly did not. He was a pompous fool who only cared about himself. She knew that he was only after her money and reputation.

As she changed into a big old T-shirt and put on warm fuzzy socks, she thought about Jack. She felt that things were way too fast between them, but she believed in love at first sight. That is, she didn't know much about love to really know how she felt about Jack. Maybe she was just infatuated. In any case, just the way he looked at her made her feel special and truly wanted. She felt that he sincerely liked her just for who she was, not what she was. He seemed to want to be with her because he cared for her unlike people like her classmates at school who stuck to her like bees, thinking that some of her fame would rub off on them.

Victoria sat on the edge of her bed, cuddling her cat. She stroked his ears feeling a sense of calmness wash through her body. She was tired and wanted to go to bed, but she had told Jack to meet her here. What made her do it, she had no idea. She had never been as spontaneous like this before, and the realization was thrilling.

Just as she finally made up her mind that Jack probably wasn't coming, she heard a small tap!. She looked at the glass door that led to her balcony and saw that a stone had hit it. Victoria stood up, feeling curious, and as she opened the door, she realized that it must be Jack. Excitedly, she ran to the edge of her balcony and looked down.

Sure enough, there he was, standing behind a tree. Victoria spotted a guard coming his way, so she called to him.

"Uh, hello!" she cried. The guard looked up at her and reddened in embarrassment. Here was his country's future queen, dressed in nothing but a big shirt and her underwear. "I was sleeping, when I woke up and heard some noises in the kitchen. Do you think there are burglars?"

The guard chuckled inwardly, thinking how ignorant the Princess was for believing that burglars would actually get past the guards. "I don't think so your highness. Our guards are the best in the country, and burglars would never get past them. You must've had a nightmare."

"Please," Victoria pleaded, putting her acting skills to the use. "I'd feel much better if you just went and checked."

"All right, your highness." Without another word, the guard went away, smirking.

Victoria looked down again and saw Jack cautiously come out from his hiding place. She saw that he was still wearing his suit. Only this time, his tie was loose and his hair was ruffled. Victoria smiled. He looked even more handsome that way.

"Hi!" Jack whispered, starting to climb up the balcony. The trees around it acted as ladders, and soon enough, he was standing right in front of Victoria.

He lost his breath as he saw her barely clad state. He grinned boyishly and caught her in a tight embrace.

"I missed you." he said, his nose buried in her sweet-smelling hair.

Victoria giggled, resting her head on his shoulder. Her hands were on his chest, and she felt his warmth spread to her whole body, for she had been feeling cold. "How could you miss me already? It's only been two hours!"

Jack sighed. He loved her girlish and seemingly gullible nature. He wanted to see more of her to determine whether she really was naïve.

"I know." he said looking into her eyes. He stroked her cheek as he talked. "I keep thinking about you, and not being able to hold you in my arms just kills me inside."

Victoria smiled, pleased at his confession. But one question still lingered in her mind: "How DID you manage to get past the guards?"

"Well," said Jack, "Instead of going home, I told John to go ahead without me. Then I hid behind one of the trees when the guard wasn't looking. It took me a long time to find which balcony in the castle was yours. But I'm here now." He rested his forehead on hers, and both of them stood there for a while, content to be in each other's arms.

Victoria suddenly shivered as a cool breeze swept past them. Jack felt this and he picked her up, marveling at how light she was. He carried her into the room and placed her on her bed. He sat on the side and kissed her, thinking how beautiful she looked lying on her silk-covered bed, her hair fanned out on the pillow, and the soft moonlight reflected in her eyes, which gazed upon him with adoration. Holding her in his arms seemed to be the most natural thing in the world, and Jack marveled at how he could have found someone in just one night whom he could love.

As Jack slowly slid his left hand under Victoria's shirt, she gasped and stopped kissing him. Jack looked at her worried eyes, wishing that he hadn't done that since he didn't want to frighten her.

"I'm sorry…" he began, but Victoria placed a finger on his lips to silence him.

"No," said Victoria, sitting up. "It's not you. It's just that – well – I've never done anything like this before. And what if someone comes in and…?" she didn't finish her question, knowing that Jack would understand.

Jack kissed her forehead. "I know. You're right. We shouldn't get carried away. Anything could happen if I stay."

Victoria nodded. She twirled a lock of his hair absently, whispering, "Will we see each other again?"

Jack gently pulled her closer and rested his head on hers. "I don't know. I want to see you again too, but I'm afraid we're not even in the same social circle."

Victoria sighed, once again thinking about how unfair it is for her life to be so complicated.

Jack was the first to pull away from their deep embrace. He felt that he had to tell Victoria how he felt, no matter how unbelievable it might seem.

Victoria looked at him with questioning eyes, wondering if he felt the same way as she did at that moment. She finally began to see that her affection for him was more than just an infatuation. It was…

"I love you." Jack murmured.

That's it!, Victoria thought. I love him. But how could I? I've only just met him!

"I love you too" said Victoria, her eyes full to the brim with tears. She leaned into him and Jack met her eager lips with a long, lingering kiss.

An hour later, Victoria and Jack stood once again on the balcony, locked in a firm embrace. Neither of them wanted to let go, but both knew that Jack had to leave, or else they would risk getting into serious trouble.

Victoria was the first to let go when she thought of something. "Jack, when will I see you again?"

Jack pulled her closer, saying "I'll try to come by again as soon as I figure out a way."

Victoria nodded. And as hesitant as they were to let each other go, the two young lovers parted, with Jack climbing down the trees, and Victoria walking slowly back to her room.

A/N: Phew! Yes! Another chapter up! Please tell me what you guys think – and don't be too harsh either! And I'd like to thank the Inward Dreamer, birdytamel, S. Renee, aims80, and Hermione-Malfoy7 for reading and reviewing my story! You guys rock!