Disclaimer: I own Talia, Juan, Salvador, Gabriella, Sada, Mira, and Saladin. Disney owns Kuzco, Pacha, Chicha, Kronk, Yzma, Tipo, and Chacha. (Kiki is technically owned by Disney, being the baby at the end of TENG. I just thought I'd name her). Miguel, Tulio, Tannabok, and Tzekal Khan are owned by Dreamworks. I will not make a profit. This is for my enjoyment and love of both movies.

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Spain, 1514- Talia Anteveros looked up from the novel she was reading at the sea before her. She sighed as the wind brushed against her long raven hair and the salty sea air filled her lips. Any minute now, Juan would be back from Barcelona. She couldn't wait. A low whistle interrupted the small thirteen year old's thoughts. Talia looked up to face the tall handsome nineteen year old dressed in a soldier's uniform . The girl smiled then ran up to him kissing him, ecstatically.

"Juan, you're back! I've missed you so much!," Talia said , falling into him.

Juan laughed and swung the small girl around. " I've only been gone for a month. I think I've got it!"

"You're going to join the conquistadores?," Talia squealed with delight. Juan nodded and Talia jumped up and down thrilled. "This is what you've been waiting for!"

"I know," Juan agreed." No more guarding the streets from "dangerous pickpockets". No more working for the Queen's Guards. No more lack of money. Just riches, gold, adventure in the new world!"Talia's face fell at the thought of being without Juan. "No more us.", she said solemly. The soldier looked down at his girlfriend. "Well, yes, that is the bad part of it."

Talia took a deep breath. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She had been forming the plan all month, since Juan had been gone. Now, was the time to bring it up. "Why don't I come with you?," she asked. "Wha-?" Juan stared at her not wanting to believe her. Talia' pale face was drawn in seriousness. "Why don't I come with you?," she repeated. "I know you don't allow women on the ship, but you know sometimes I dress like a boy when Tulio, Miguel , and I are "working". I don't eat much and I don't complain about hardships, we've lived on the streets before. I can definitely pull my own weight . Miguel and Tulio taught me everything they know. I can fight and fence as well as any man, even Tulio agrees and if you're worried about embarressment, please. I've lived most of my life with two men, nothing shocks or embarrasses me."

Juan held up his hand in defeat. "All right, I'll see if anything can be done, but if it does remember we have another slight problem, Tulio, your brother. You remember, the extremely violent bad-tempered man who threatened to shoot me, if I came anywhere near you?"

"I'll explain it to him," Talia offered weakly. "Maybe, I'll get Miguel in on it, he likes you." She looked up in surprise at the setting sun. "I'd better go! The guys will wonder where I am!" She kissed Juan and then departed, with a smile on her face.

Tulio and Miguel ran into their dingy flat, laughing and slapping each other on the back. "Tons of gold for you, Tons of gold for me, Tons of gold for she, Tons of gold for we!," they sang in jubilation as they tossed the bags of gold on the small table in front of them. Miguel shook his shaggy blond hair in delight. "My friend, that was the finest job we ever pulled !"

"It was the second job we ever pulled.," Tulio reminded his hyper friend . "But, it was the first succesful one! Maybe, we have a new career ahead of us, instead of picking pockets!"

The blond eighteen year old ran around the room. "Where is that sister of yours? This calls for a celebration!"

Tulio sighed. " Probably in her half of the room or outside mooning for that sleazy, idiotic, half-

Witted, weak willed-,"

"Tulio," Miguel warned. "-somewhat all right guy who defended us against his superiors," Tulio finished reluctantly. Even though Juan had argued for letting the trio go when they were arrrested, even though he was taken somewhat into their confidence, reluctantly on Tulio's part, Tulio still did not trust Juan and definitely didn't want him with Talia. Tulio turned to the door. "Angelita, we're back!"

"Coming!", came the answer. Angelita, Little Angel, was Tulio's nickname for Talia , and he used it to tease, but also to comfort her. Talia opened the door slowly. Be careful, girl, she thought to herself.. Tulio had raised her, after their mother died when she was six and he was fourteen. He was a protector to her , almost a father figure. She knew he had her best interests at heart. Still I have to tell him, she thought. She ran up to the guys. ""How did it go?," she asked.

"Wonderful, Marvelous, words can't describe.," Miguel said reaching out to hug the girl. Talia ducked to avoid Miguel's embrace, then she tackled him to the ground. Tulio chuckled at the sight of his friend's defeat at the hands of a girl half his size. "Miguel, I'm afraid she wins again."

Talia stood up to face her brother. "Tulio, you know Juan right?," Tulio's eyebrows widened in suspicion, but he nodded. "What if I were to tell you, he's joining the conqustadores and leaveing Spain forever-" She caught the "YES!" statement on her brother's face, but continued" ––and I might be going with him."

Tulio's face darkened." I would say, ‘‘Gee, I'm sorry.,"

"Why would you say that?," Miguel asked, bracing himself for another row. "Because after he asked , I would have beaten him so hard, he couldn't stand!", Tulio said," Then I would have taken you home and reminded you that you are only thirteen years old!"

Talia's eyes flashed, her mouth set in the same determined line as her brother's . "What if I were to tell you that we discussed this today and right before he left for Barcelona. Then, I would casually remind you that Mama married Papa when she was thirteen."

"Then I would casually add that if you want to marry a worthless drunk who will abandon you with two children, never to hear from him again, like Mama did. Then, by all means, you have my blessing!",Tulio added.

"Not this again," Miguel rolled his eyes, then sat on the floor strumming his lute. Tulio and Talia stood facing each other, their eyes flashing in anger. They were so much alike, the same ebony hair, pale skin, narrow features, and expressive blue eyes now turned in anger. Except Tulio was tall and Talia was small for her age, practically a dwarf. But they were also alike in temperment, both stubborn and bad-tempered. This called for a lot of shouting matches between the two.

"You will see him over my dead body!," Tulio objected. "I love him and he loves me!," Talia protested.

"You are too young to even know what love is!," Tulio said. Talia shook her head, in anger then ended their arguments the way they always did: with either her or Tulio storming out the door. This time it was her.

Talia sat in her room and twisted the little silver cross that hung on her neck, around her fingers. It was a gift from her mother right before she died. " It is for if you ever feel alone or scared.", she said softly. It was Talia's most prized possession .The door opened and Miguel came in carrying some food. He gave it to Talia. "Here, I wanted to put a file in it, but the guard saw and told me no." Talia smiled. When she was younger, she used to have a crush on her brother's best friend and would often dream about marrying him.After his parents died of pneumonia when he was fifteen and he moved in with Tulio and Talia, Talia's infatuation evaporated developing into a close tight friendship. In fact, she found it easier to talk to her romantic easygoing friend, than her dour older brother. Maybe he understood. "Why does he act like this?," Talia asked.

"Can't you tell? He worries about you.," Miguel answered. "Yeah, too much," Talia agreed. "No, you know Tulio," Miguel objected. "He doesn't worry too much, he worries the exact amount. We don't worry enough.," they chorused . "I heard that!," Tulio called from the other room. Miguel and Talia giggled.

"But he is right you know, you are still young and caught up in romance." Miguel added.

Talia's mouth opened in surprise. "I don't get it. I would have thought if anyone would have understood it was you. I mean, you're the one who's always talking about following your dreams and being in love."

"Yes, but it also means make sure it's the right one," Miguel corrected her. " What if you were to marry Juan and then you woke up the next day realizing that he was the wrong one? It would be too late to do anything about it, well anything legal anyway. At least, think about it before you do something you may one day regret."

" But what if he is the right one?," Talia asked.

"Then if you have a son, I hope you name him after me.," Miguel said.He kissed her on the forehead then lept off the bed."Promise me one thing, if you decide to marry him, talk to Tulio first."

"All right.," Talia agreed. "I'll think about what you said." "Well, don't decide to soon," Miguel said,"We have a job tomorrow and we need you." He left the room closing the door behind him. Talia ate her supper then drifted off to sleep.

"Stop thief!", the familiar cry resounded through the alley. A wealthy elderly woman ran to the blonde guard in front of her . "What seems to be the problem, Madam?," he asked.

"A street urchin stole a bag of gold from me. , the woman sobbed onto the guard's shoulder Unbeknownst to her, another thief, a young man was helping himself to the contents of her pockets. "What did this particular urchin look like?," the guard asked.

"He was a boy, about nine, ten maybe, with dark hair and a pale dirty face. He was dressed in dirty-colored trousers and a blue shirt. He was also wearing a brown hat.," the woman recalled.

"There now, we'll find him ," the guard reassured her."I'd hate to see a woman as beautiful as yourself suffer." The woman thanked him then walked away. The pickpocket, Tulio, came up behind him and tossed the guard a bag of gold. "A woman as beautiful as yourself suffer?," he repeated incredulously.

Miguel removed the uniform , he stole from a sleeping guard that morning. "I was going for debonair. Do you think we'd better move on?"

"Yeah, we'll leave tomorrow, maybe we'll head for Barcelona.," Tulio said. "Hey you!," a gravley voice demanded . They turned around to face three large guards, two in uniform one in his longjohns. "That's him that's the guy who stole my uniform !" The guard said.

"They are also the guys who robbed three houses yesterday!," another guard said,"Get them!"

"Now what?," Miguel asked. "Split and run ," Tulio ordered. " Meet back at the flat later tonight and for the Holy Mother's sake keep your eyes open for Talia. We can't leave without her!" Miguel nodded as the two thieves ran in opposite directions.

The small girl dressed in boy's clothes ran up to the door collapsing in a fit of giggles. Another success, Talia thought. She stumbled into a man's arms. "You'd better return that money, young lady!"

He ordered, ripping off Talia's hat revealing the flowing shoulder-leangth hair underneath. Talia cowered then looked up at the speaker. "Juan!", she said jumping up and kissing him.

"Hello love," Juan replied. "What do you think of my new uniform?" Talia looked down and saw for the first time he was dressed in conquistadore armour."YES!" Talia said , kissing him again.

"You are now looking at First Lieutenant Juan Nuriega, "Juan boasted "And we're leaving tomorrow morning for the new world."

" The new world? Tomorrow?", Talia gasped.

"Which is precisely why I'm glad I ran into you, today.," Juan said. He took her hand then led her in the tavern. He held open a chair for her and ordered two mugs of rum. "There is an opening for a cabin boy and I told the captain about my ten year old cousin ‘‘Jorge' who would like the job. Would you?"

"Me a cabin boy? Your cousin, to the new world? Yes!", Talia replied.

"Good, " Juan released Talia from his grasp. "Now, this is important since you will be traveling as my cousin and a male, at that. There are things we cannot do. We cannot make love . We can't be romantic with each other and for the entire voyage, you cannot wear this." He reached into this pocket and pulled out a small red box. Talia's heart pounded and her hands shook as she opened it. Inside was a tiny diamond ring. She sighed as she slipped it on her finger. "I'll wear it just for now." She said.

Juan hugged her tightly. "We'll marry at the end of our journey . We'll be a king and queen in the New World. All the gold will be ours!" Talia laughed then pressed her lips on Juan's . Their arms interlocked as they held each other. They were lost in their embrace and each other as they kissed passionately.

"Aren't you a little young to be inside a tavern?," a sharp voice interrupted them. Talia and Juan pulled away from each other. Tulio glared at them, his arms crossed and his eyebrows furrowed in anger. First, he turned to Juan "You leave my sister alone and you-" He turned to Talia." I have been looking everywhere for you. Come with me, we're leaving."

Talia wrapped her arms around Juan's neck. "I'm not going with you," she protested. Tulio's face reddened and he looked like he was about to explode. He grabbed Talia and forced her off her boyfriend. He pushed her out of the tavern giving Juan a scathing murdering look, as he passed by. He didn't let go of her until they got home.

"If I catch him with you again, the guards can add murder to my list of charges!," he said through clenched teeth.

"He asked me to marry him," Talia informed her brother.Tulio looked her in the eye. "Tell me you told him no right? Thanks, but no thanks, right? That, you are just too smart, too independent, and above all too young for the likes of him? That you have your whole life ahead of you , so he can just go to the devil, right? That's what you said?" The look on Talia's face revealed her answer. "And I suppose you'll be here standing by the ocean waiting for him to come home."

"No," Talia objected. "I'm going with him to the new world!"

"No, you're not," Tulio answered." If you do, you will just be chasing a dream to a world that doesn't exist with a man who feels nothing for you and will drop you just as soon as it's conveniant for him!"

Talia's face whitened in anger and her azure eyes flashed. "I hate you! I hate you!," she yelled running to her room. She flopped onto the bed, sobbing .

Tulio yelled to the closed door, "Fine, go with him, I don't care ! You're someone else's problem now! I'm tired of looking after you! Maybe Miguel could go with you, then I could be rid of both of you and I could finally have a life of my own!" He collapsed onto the chair, regretting his words, and buried his face in his hands. Damn it Tulio, he thought, Don't cry. But, the tears fell from his eyes onto his hands.

Talia closed the door to her room softly behind her and hugged her bag to her chest. She glanced down at her brother who was sleeping on the floor. The girl gently placed the letter she had written onto his open palm. "Good-bye, Big Brother.," she whispered softly , as she kissed him on the cheek. Then walked out the door to the cold autumn night She felt nervous and she put her hands up on her neck to touch her cross, but she realized it wasn't on her neck. She was about to go back inside when a voice interrupted her. "Looking for this?," Miguel asked holding the necklace out for her. "I have a feeling you'll need it!" Talia hugged Miguel then put her cross on her neck. "I'll miss you, Miguel ." she said.

"I'll miss you, too and so will Tulio," he sighed, "I just can't ignore the feeling that you are making a terrible mistake."

"If I am, it will be my mistake to make," Talia resolved. Miguel tilted Talia's chin up and for the first time saw the young woman in the girl he had known so long.

"If he hurts you,"Miguel said, "Don't hesitate to tell us. You know Tulio and I could take him." Talia laughed , then threw her arms around Miguel in one last embrace. She sobbed and buried her face in his shoulder. Miguel lovingly smoothed Talia's hair back and then pulled her away. "Come now, no tears. " he said. "You'll want to look your best for your fiancee." Talia picked up her bag then walked away into the night. "Good-bye , Miguel," she waved.

"Good-bye, Tally," Miguel waved back. When she was out of view, the young man went back inside.

"WHERE IS SHE?," Tulio yelled, coming into Talia's room for the second time hoping in the thirty seconds between now and the last time he looked in her room, his baby sister had suddenly materialized. "Her room hasn't been slept in!"

Miguel yawned trying to be more awake than he was."Is there any point in asking you to calm down?"

"No point at all," Tulio said running through the girl's room ripping drawers open and throwing things on the ground. "She took her clothes, her books, her half of the money, her cross. She ran away!"

He wearily sank down to the bed. "What did I do? Was I really that bad a brother to her?"

"I don't know.," Miguel said looking down at the floor. His eyes fell upon a letter addressed to Tulio, written in Talia's handwriting. Miguel picked it up.

Tulio lept off Talia's bed in fury and ran to the front door. "She married him! I'll kill him, I swear to God I will kill him!" Miguel stood in the front door blocking Tulio. "Step aside!," Tulio growled.

"No, not until you calm down.," Miguel said holding up the letter. "Talia wrote you a letter. Please read it!" Tulio glared at his friend, but grabbed the letter from his hand. He gingerly opened it and began to

read:

Dear Tulio,

This wasn't how I wanted it to end. I don't want to look back on you and remember the last words I ever said to you was ‘‘I hate you.' I don't want to remember all the horrible things you said to me , which I know weren't true and was just your anger talking. The truth is, I should have told you I loved Juan. That I believe him when he says that he loves me back, that I know we'll be happy together, and that no matter what happens, he told me, that we will always be together. I know that it isn't much , but it is enough for me. That's what I should have told you, but as usual, I lost my temper and said some things I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry for that.It was partly, my fault, but it was also partly yours. I couldn't tell you what I really felt. You would never have understood or you would have dismissed as childish prattle, or a foolish dream. But, I was also scared. Not scared that you would hurt me. We had been hurt enough by Papa for me to know you would never hurt me. But, that you would do what you just did , and turn me away. I don't hate you for that, I still love you . You may still be angry with me, but I hope in time you will forgive me in your heart and remember me as your Angelita. I may never see you again, but I will always remember you as the brother who took care of me and who loved me. My love to you and Miguel.

Adios,

Talia

"Now do you want to go looking for her?," Miguel asked.

"No, her ships proably half-way across the ocean by now," Tulio said huskily "I'll let her go." Sensing his friend wanted to be alone with his thoughts, Miguel left the room gently closing the door behind him. Tulio walked to the window and pressed the letter to his hands. Letting the tears flow freely down his cheeks, he waved to the wind. "Good-bye Angelita," he whispered.

Cuba 1515- The Fortunato landed into the Havana harbour as the seagulls hollered into the sky. The sun blinded Talia as she stood out onto the port side of the ship. The girl stared longingly at the horizon before her and smelt the sea air . Somewhere beyond that beach was El Dorado where she and Juan would live forever as "king and queen."

"Jorge," The captain demanded. Talia immediately sprang to attention. It had taken her a couple of days before she could responde to "Jorge" , but now she answered to it as quickly as her own name.

"Aye sir!," Talia answered saluting.

"Make sure the crew is ready to disembark!," he ordered . Talia saluted , then gethered each crew member to the front. She squeezed Juan's forearm as she passed by his direction. "Later," he hissed quietly, obviously angry. Talia dropped it immediately. When the crew disembarked, Talia and Juan walked off together. The girl took off her hat and unpinned her hair. The hair, which had grown to waist-leangth in the six month journey, tumbled freely. "It feels good to be a woman, again," Talia said., leaning closer to her fiancee. She felt slightly uncomfortable by resting against his armour.

Juan suggested. " For now let's get something to eat." They walked into an inn and ordered food. "Excuse me?, " a voice asked. " Are you Lieutenant Nuriega?" Juan and Talia looked up from their meal at the big hulking man in front of them . "First Lieutenant Nuriega.," Juan corrected the man . "of course, sir.," the man answered nonchalantly," I have a request from Domingo Slavador for you to come to his mansion. "

The young couple stared in shock. "Domingo Slavador, the plantation owner?," they asked in unison. "When does he want to see me?," Juan asked, alternating between disbelief and anticipation. "Right now, sir. You are to follow me to his mansion."

As Juan and Talia followed the man up to the white plantation, Talia pulled back slightly. "I don't like this. I don't think we should trust him. Why would he want to see you? And Tulio said that some of Salvador's activites are illegal."

"Wonderful," Juan quipped, " I'm getting moral advice from your reprobate brother. He ought to know hadn't he?" Talia's face darkened in her brother's defense, " I meant slavery, murder, that sort of thing." "I'm sorry, love. I just want to hear the man out before I make my decision.", Juan said.

"Okay," Talia said, as they came to the door. Ferdinand opened it and motioned for Juan to follow him . He pointed at Talia, "You stay outside, Senor Salvador only wants to see him." Talia looked offended , yet she stayed by the door.

Juan walked into the white mansion as if in a dream. His mouth dropped open at the beauty in front of him. The plantation glowed with the brilliance of the gold furninshings and beautiful and sophisticated objects as if daring Juan to touch them. Glass was exquisitly scrubbed and gleamed. The young man's eyes watered with longing. All of his life, Juan had been poor and he had always dreamt of being rich. This was like his dreams, only better. The soldier knew he had to have all of this and the power that he was entitled to. He could get anything, after all, he wresteled Talia away from that idiot-brother of hers. All he needed was a plan to get this.

"You like my home?," a smooth voice asked. Juan jumped slightly, but composed himself when he saw the speaker a tall well-built man with graying hair dressed in a fine black suit. He was followed by a petite blond woman about Juan's age, dressed in a white gown.

"Um , yes, sir," Juan stammered realizing that he was speaking to the closest thing to royalty. "You are Juan Nuriega? The Juan Nuriega who used to be on the Queen's Guard and joined the conquistadores?"

"Yes sir.," Juan answered, more clearly. "At ease soldier, I am not your commanding officer. You know who I am I assume. My name is Domingo Salvador and this is my daughter, Gabriella." Juan looked into the girl's vapid green eyes. She was exquisitely beautiful and he could tell she found him captivating. A perfect match, he thought. Salvador continued. " I've heard of your reputation and I believe you would be perfect."

"Perfect for what?," Juan asked . Salvador took the young man by the shoulder and led him, like a favored grandson, then led him outside to the sugar fields. Rows of plants lined around the hills each one tended to by a person dressed in rags. Many of the people were struggling to work only to be beaten by an overseer. Juan was captivated by one busty dark-skinned young girl who spit in the overseer's direction. The man threw her on the ground. " I know that girl," Juan said, "I've seen her wanted picture. She's a Gypsy girl wanted for pickpocketing."

Salvador chuckled, . "Exactly, we are what makes Spain great. Not those stupid footsoldiers called conquistadores. And they are generous enough to help us.," he pointed at the slaves. " That's why I need you. I could use somebody to assist me as a general overseer , maybe catch a few escapees, and one day you will inherit all of this." He put his arm around Gabriella , who smiled warmly. "Are you interested?"

Juan looked around at the fields and the mansion. Then he looked closely at Gabriella as he listened to Salvador, interested and excited.

Talia woke up in the bed that she and Juan had shared. Not legally, she thought. They had been in Cuba for about four months, yet it seemed like forever. They weren't married, yet, and she gave up on asking him when they would be. He would avoid the answer and sometimes he would yell at her.

Talia picked some of Juan's clothes from off the floor and made a half-hearted attempt at cleaning up.

She picked up one of his shirts from the floor and noticed the liquor bottle underneath. Talia sighed wearily. Ever since he started working for Salvador, Juan had gotten moodier, more unpredictable, and started drinking a lot more. Talia picked up two other bottles from under the bed . "Three," she sighed, "a new record." She thought of her mother. Talia actually got off luckier than she did. So far, Juan only yelled or criticized her, he never beat her. Not yet, anyway. Talia sat on the floor not wanting to move. Tulio entered her mind. "So far, Big Brother, you're right," Talia said, ironically," I hate it when you're right" Deciding she had nothing better to do than wait for Juan to come home, Talia put on her sandals then walked out into the sultry Cuban day.

The lower hem of her long white dress brushed against the grains of sand. The grains stung her toes and she put her hair in a long ponytail to avoid the sun beating down on her back. She was alone on the beach listening to the waves roll in and out. It was so quiet that the sound of running footsteps made Talia's heart skip a beat. Talia walked over to the commotion. A small girl of about five was running, obviously for her life. The poor girl was so thin and malnourished that she had to struggle to keep moving. Her skin had the dark tones of a native .Her brown ragged dress beat down to her knees. She wore a look of obvous fear and distress on her face. Talia ran up to her and the girl fell in fear. " What's the matter?," Talia asked gently.

"Please Senorita, they'll find me.," the girl sobbed onto Talia's shoulder. Talia held the girl on her lap and rocked her. " There now, who will find you."

"My-my master, I'm a slave.," the girl answered. Talia hugged and soothed the girl. "I won't let that happen. What's your name?"

"Mira," the girl said softly.

"Mira, that's a lovely name. Where are your parents?" The girl's sad face revealed everything. "Oh, I'm sorry. Do you have any brothers or sisters?" The girl nodded. "I have a big sister named Sada."

"Hey you!", a voice demanded. Talia and Mira jumped up and the girl squeaked in fear, but Talia held her firmly. Two men on horse-back looked down at them."What seems to be the problem, boys?," Talia asked.

"Stay out of this girl, she's an escaped slave and we were hired to bring her back," the man demanded

"I don't see where that's any business of yours, " Talia retorted.

"We were hired to bring her back ,Senorita," the man said, "we are only doing our jobs."

"That just makes it all better doesn't it?," Talia quipped as the man dismounted.

:"I don't want to fight you girl, but give me that slave ." Terrified, Mira held Talia's waist tighter.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think she wants to go with you," Talia dared. The man stepped closer Without another word, Talia kicked him and knocked him over. She smiled satisfied until the other man grabbed her from behind, giving his companion plenty of time to take Mira and mount on his horse. "If you have a problem, Senorita, I suggest you take it up with senor Nuriega since he's the one who hired us."

"Believe me I will," Talia hissed sourly as the men rode away with the girl in their possession.

Juan opened the door to their room and kissed Talia on the cheek. He popped open a liqour bottle as Talia lovingly wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "How was your day?" she asked.

"A slave escaped this morning ," he explained flatly. " Kind of humorous really, she was about six years old and was able to elude her pursuers. "

"Was her name Mira?," Talia asked her heart pounding.

" I don't know why do you ask?, " Juan said, his voice edgy.

""I saw her today, Juan she looked like she was about to die," Talia protested.

"She is just a slave," Juan reasoned.

"I don't care , " Talia begged ,"Can't you see how wrong this is?"

Juan pulled away from his fiancee as if a snake had bit him. He grabbed Talia's wrist and she yelped in pain. "Listen to me, don't get involved with things that are none of your business," he growled," Do you understand me? I said, do you understand me?" Talia nodded, stunned. Juan dropped her and then walked out the door, " I have to meet Salvador. Don't wait up for me."

Talia watched her fiance leave through the window. She saw him put his arm around the blond woman waiting for him as she giggled and kissed him.Talia recognized her as Salvador's daughter, Gabriella. Talia watched them walk away, feeling nothing and surprised that she didn't feel more jealous. She rubbed her swollen wrist gently. Her lower lip trembled as tears spilled from her eyes. Damn it Talia, she thought, Don't cry ,you got yourself into this. But the tears fell harder onto the floor below her. Her thoughts drifted to Tulio and Miguel and how they used to comfort her when she cried. In her mind, Talia was five years old again, listening to her and Tulio's father scream at and beat their mother and their mother sobbing and begging him to stop. She remembered how Tulio held her close against his chest telling her it would be all right . "Tulio, I wish you were here now," Talia whispered, "I'm sorry."

She then thought about Mira. That poor kid didn't deserved to be treated the way she was. She deserved so much better. "As far as I'm concerened, she will," Talia resolved forming a plan in her mind.

The next morning Talia went down to the plantation to find Mira. She saw the little girl picking at a stubborn sugarcane she pulled on it until the force of it knocked her over. Talia walked up to her. Seeing the woman's shadow, the girl trembled in fear. "I was working, honest I was!" Talia put her hand on Mira's mouth. "Hi, remember me?, " she asked. The girl nodded. "Which one is your sister?" Mira pinted to a dark-haired boy of about nine and a girl about Talia's age with dirty blond hair.

Seeing Mira not working, an overseer lumbered to her direction. "I said work!" He demanded raising his whip. Talia grabbed the guy's wrist. "That is no way to treat my future servants. " Both the man and the little girl looked surprised, so Talia continued. "You know who I am don't you? " she asked.

"Of course , senroita, you are senor Nuriega's fiancee," The overseer said. "Right and my fiance's employer and yours I believe, Senor Salvador was kind enough to have a house built for us and my fiance was kind enough to give me any two slaves of my choosing to start off as household servants." The overseer waved his hand to the fields as if in invitation. Thank the Virgin Mary, you're dumb, Talia thought as she pointed at Mira and her sister. The girls looked weary as they staggered to Talia "Thank you." Talia said, as she shepherded the former slaves off the plantation

"When do we start senorita?," the young woman, who Talia remembered was Sada asked. She was greatful, but it was clear she distrusted Talia. "Never, "Talia laughed. " I had to make up a good convincing story to get you freed. I just hope it will keep. You're coming to my house, where you guys will get some food, some money, maybe rest so you will be on your way." Mira and Sada smiled jubiously and hugged each other.

In the flat, the three girls ran around the room collecting the bags of money of Talia gave them. "It isn't much , but it should get you to the harbor at least and maybe you can find a boat that can take you out of here. They packed some food into their small knapsacks , as Talia looked out the window. She could see Juan heading down the road with a very angry statement on his face. "Uh oh, he's home early and he's not happy. Out the window, I'll stall for time." Mira hugged Talia on the neck. "Thank you , senorita you're an angel. " Talia smiled wistfully at the comment and hugged the little girl back. Sada shook Talia's hand. "Thank you, too. I know this sounds crazy, but I don't know what would happen if I lost Mira. She's my only family." Talia bit her lip to hide her tears."Not crazy at all, just go and good luck." She watched as the girls climbed out the window and made their escape. Then she sat on the bed, twisting her cross to hide her fear.

The door creaked open and Juan came in. He smiled , but Talia could tell there was a hardness in his eyes that he didn't want to betray just yet. He sat on the bed and hugged Talia. The young woman ran her hands on Juan's shirt then slowly started to unbottun it. "How was your day?," she asked.

"Oh the usual, how was yours?", he asked.

"Oh you know a little of this and a little of that." Talia said feeling her pound through her chest. "Nothing new or interesting?"

"Well, one thing happened to me today, my overseer Javert came up to me to congatulate me on the house that was being built for our wedding. Funny, I didn't know anything about it. Oh yes, Senor , he said, your fiancee Talia was here to pick servants for it. One was a an older girl of about fourteen the other was a sickly girl of about six."

Knowing the secret was out, anyway. Talia shouted, "She would have died!" Furious, Juan threw his fiancee off his lap. Talia felt the force of the blow on her back."Wrong answer you should have said, what slaves or your overseer was obviously lying. Now answer me truthfully , did you or did you not help two slaves escape?" Not trusting herself to speak, Talia nodded. "And do you or do you not know that it is a crime and you will be sentanced to the plantations yourself?" Talia nodded again. Juan's face reddened and his eyes blazed. Talia cowered on the floor preparing for the worst, but Juan just grabbed her ferociously, and pulled her up. "Then I have no choice , but to bring you before Senor Salvador."

"Yes, you do," Talia said softly, " you could defend me, you could hear my side of the story. But, no I'm just a liability to you. Tulio was right about you I'm just sorry it took so long to figure it out!"

"A man has to get somewhere , love, " Juan reasoned tightening his grip on the girl and leading her out the door. "Then I won't be needing this, but Gabirella probably would. Conveniant isn't it , you get rid of one fiancee for another? " Talia said, pulling the engagement ring from her finger and placing it in Juan's hand. Juan glowered at the truth, but only tightened his grip on her arm as he led her to the plantation.

Talia looked down at her feet, as Salvador nonchalantly passed sentence on her. "You are hearby sentanced to the sugar plantations where you will be considered a slave. Do you understand?" Talia nodded, then let the guards lead her out the door to the fields. Her heart felt numb and her body felt weightless as she looked through the window at Juan and Gabriella kissing each other happily. She felt a large hand hit from behind . "Here you work!", the guard demanded. Talia pulled the sugar cane from the ground, feeling her body shake with tears.

Cusco 1520- "Emperor Kuzco, " the high pitched voice of Kuzco's adivsor, Saladin, reported. Kuzco looked up from his papers to see the little prim man with the pointy nose glare at him through his narrow dark eyes. When he was a little prince Kuzco always thought that his father's councilman reminded him of a bird, with Saladin's narrow eyes , pointy nose that resembled a beak and long downy purple robe resembling feathers , the emperor remembered why.

"Yes, High Priest Saladin?," Kuzco asked, waiting for the report. "The Virgins of the Sun are here it's time for you to choose your bride.," Saladin declared

"Aww, didn't I do that already?," Kuzco complained.

"Six months ago , sire , before your uh, transformation." Saladin reminded him.

Kuzco sighed fondly. "Oh yeah, they are still sending threatening notes. Sal, did I like those brides?"

"No sire, " Saladin sniffed disdainfully.

"And do you think that I will like these girls?," Kuzco asked, treating his advisor like a four year old.

"No sire," Saladin droned.

"Then if it's all right with you, I'll think I'll skip it, " Kuzco said. Saladin sighed and Kuzco rolled his eyes bracing himself for another lecture. "Your majesty, it is your duty to marry and produce heirs, you can not evade this responsibility."

"It is also my duty not to choose an empress I don't like! Besides I'm sick of seeing all of the same princesses from the neighboring kingdoms, two of whom are my thirteen and fifteen year old cousins! Now if you don't mind, I'm going to my room." Kuzco was halfway out the door when he heard Saladin complain under his breath. "Your father chose his bride during the first Virgin ceremony. " Kuzco rolled his eyes and walked to his room.

Slamming the door behind him, Kuzco let all of the day's frustrations hang out. "Your father chose his bride during the first Virgin ceremony, "Kuzco mimicked under his breath, other previous annoyances were starting to bother him. "You gave 50 bags of grain to the peasents, your father gave 100 bags! You turned into a llama , your father turned into the friggin' Sun God!" The emperor fell onto his bed. He didn't know why this bothered him so much, Saladin was on the council under his father, Emperor Montezuma, in fact second to Yzma. So comparisons were inevitable . In fact that was why he appointed Saladin to be his advisor, because of his knowledge of the palace (and the fact that no matter how annoying he was, he would never try to kill Kuzco . It would ruin his brownnosing) , but he was also very close to Montezuma, heroic brave Montezuma. Kind-hearted to peasents, fair in judgement, Emperor Montezuma. The Emperor Montezuma, that Kuzco spent so many years trying to avoid his shadow. Kuzco looked at the statue of his father, a tall well-built muscular man who looked down at his son with the same impenetrable stare in stone that he used to look at him in life. The face that Kuzco hadn't seen since he was twelve when his father died. "Looks like you left a tough act to follow, Dad.," Kuzco said wistfully.

And as for choosing his bride, Kuzco did want to have one. But not from those girls, whenever he saw them he felt nothing. He didn't know what bride he wanted, but he wanted to feel something for her. He recalled the conversation he once had with his uncle, Tannabok, one of his favorite relatives. "You're speaking about love, Kuzzy, " the big emperor of El Dorado said warmly, "That will come in time . It did for your aunt and me and it did for your father and mother. " Yeah, well that's the old people, Kuzco thought, not me. Reaching into his closet to pull out his poncho that his friend Chicha crocheted for him, Kuzco decided he was getting nowhwere complaining in his room. "I declare this Emperor Kuzco's official Day-Off " , he said walking out the door

A small crash in the hallway interrupted him. Sounds like a careless servant, Kuzco thought heading for the direction. He peeked behind the wall and saw a young girl desperately trying to throw small pieces of gold and artifacts in her knapsack, that had spilled on the floor. She kept looking over her shoulder in fear to make sure she wouldn't be caught. Her torn beige dress hung loosely on her body. Her ankle-leangth ebony hair fell in tangles around her small body. A thief , Kuzco thought, getting closer. But he stopped for a second, it was clear she was desperate and scared . Better approach with caution, he thought.

"Excuse me, " Kuzco said, "But I don't think that stuff belongs to you." The girl jumped in fright.

"Keep away from me!", she demanded , " I just need to get out of here!"

"Now, there's a problem," Kuzco reassured her taking her by the arm. "That belongs to the Emperor . Now unless, he's gone through some really unique changes that no one knows about, you need to give it back or I'll call the guards!"

"Who are you to call the guards?," the girl demanded struggling , "Besides I got past them!"

"I think ,therefore I am, the emperor and if you don't give that stuff back I will callthe guards.,"Kuzco opened his mouth to call the guards. Not waiting for an answer the girl slapped Kuzco across the face, pushed him to the ground., then ran the way she came out: through the window, dropping her bag in the process. Another perfect day, Kuzco thought.

Another perfect day, Talia thought as she staggered through the villaige. Ever since she had escaped from slavery, her life had amounted to nothing more than stealing form people's homes just like she tried to steal from the palace. Not a brilliant idea, she thought in hindsight, but it's been keeping me alive and anything's better than being a slave again. Her memories were a jumble of beatings, people dropping dead from overwork, the harsh words of the overseers. In fact, it was getting harder to remember her life before then. Tulio and Miguel only came to her mind in short fragments and in fuzzy images after she went to sleep .

Talia felt her knees go weightless and her body go numb, from the lack of hunger and constant motion. She fought the urge to rest. No rest is bad, she thought, the longer I rest, the more Juan will find me.

Hey I'm running from the man I used to love, ironic. I love it. She kept walking closer to the houses heading for the house at the top of the hill. Talia felt her eyes dim and saw only darkness as she collapsed to the ground.

Pacha carried the grain bags and fed the llama troughs. "Sorry I'm late girls," he apologized to the llamas as they munched on their lunches. From the house Pacha could hear Tipo and Chacha running around chattering excitedly and Chicha reminding them to not torment their baby sister, Kiki. The llama herder chuckled to himself and felt something soft against his ankle. Pacha looked down and dropped the bags of grain in surprise. A girl was lying on the ground, unconscious. Pacha kicked some of the grain particles as he knelt to the girl. She was alive and still breathing, but she was clearly a mess. Pacha's heart moved with pity. He called for his wife," Chicha honey could you come out here for a minute?"

"All right," Chicha called back. Then came out of the hut and gasped at the sight of the girl. "Who is she?"

"I don't know, " Pacha replied. "She was just lying there. "

Chicha leaned closer in sympathy. "Poor thing, we'd better get her inside. " Pacha agreed as he scooped the girl up in his big arms and carried her inside with Chicha close behind him.

Late that afternoon, Pacha sat on the floor playing with the children ,and watched as his wife came out of Tipo and Chacha's room, which now served as a temporary bedroom for their guest. "How is she?," Pacha asked. Chicha motioned him forward, "You might want to come and take a look at this ." Sholdering the baby, Pacha followed her. The girl was lying on the bed still asleep. "she woke up a couple of times, but she just mumbled things and fell back to sleep," Chicha explained ." Then I removed her blouse and found this." She lifted the newcomer's blouse, so Pacha could see her back. It was badly scarrred and cut with remains of slash marks. " For her back to look like this could only mean one thing.," Chicha said, "She's a slave."

"A runaway slave more than likely, " Pacha agreed. "And I would bet she'll have someone looking for her eventually. I don't want to endanger our family from whoever might be following her, but it doesn't seem right to turn her out."

" I know, "Chicha replied. Their eyes met and without speaking they had come to an agreement. The door opened and a teasing voice called, "Knock knock, Chicha. It's the man you wish you married."

The children cheered and shouted, "Uncle Kuzco! Uncle Kuzco!," as Pacha and Chicha ran out to meet their friend. Kuzco patted the children on the head, then kissed Chicha on the cheek. Pacha playfully punched him on the shoulder. "How are you, buddy?"

Kuzco sighed wearily. "Terrific, just terrific why don't you put a sword to my head and we'll call it the end of a perfect day?"

"Okay what happened?" Pacha asked.

Kuzco sighed, " I don't know, Pach, it's this whole caring about other people thing that's starting to get to me. My new advisor hates me, but that's okay he hates everybody who wasn't my father, but then he only liked Dad because he could promote him. I had to participate in the monthly beauty pageant called choosing my bride, and I couldn't bring myself to choose any of them and I actually felt bad about it. Whenever I try to help people , they give me this look like they are expecting me to have them executed or they wonder what could possibly be in it for me. This stuff never bothered me before and for that I blame you."

"Me? What did I do?," Pacha sputtered.

"Ever since Pacha and Kuzco's Excellent Llama Adventure , this bugs me! At least before I didn't know who liked me and who didn't ." Kuzco pouted. Pacha tried unsuccessfully to suppress a chuckle. "Is there something you want to share with the rest of us?"

"It's just you're starting to get a conscience. " Pacha reassured him. " Remember, people aren't used to you being like this, yet . They have had eighteen years knowing you the way you used to be. It will take time for people to get used to you. It won't happen overnight."

"I guess," Kuzco said. Chacha and Tipo jumped up and down excitedly "Guess what, Uncle Kuzco?," Chacha said, " We have a new girl in our house. "

"Besides your sister?," Kuzco asked, keeping his eyes on Pacha and Chicha and the obvious "ooh, busted" expressions on their faces. " No, a big girl. Daddy found her outside."

" All right that's enough kids, you need to get to your squirrel scouts meeting," The older children ran out the door to their meeting. Chicha placed Kiki on Pacha's lap, as she went in Tipo and Chacha's room. Kuzco smiled lavisiously at his friend. "Is there something you aren't telling me, buddy?"

"Chicha and I found this girl passed out by the llama pen , We think she might be an escaped slave. Where are you going,?" Pacha asked as Kuzco stood up.

"To take a look at Tipo, Chacha, and Kiki's new sister," Kuzco replied going into their room. He looked down at the girl asleep on the bed. His mouth dropped open at the memory. " It's her!"

"Who?," Chicha asked. "A thief I caught in the palace this morning. When she wakes up I'll have her thrown in the dungeon." He leaned closer to the woman's face, as she shifted a bit . Her eyes slowly opened and she looked at Kuzco, in a blank stare. When finally recognition set in her eyes widened and she screamed.

Pacha ran into the room, terrified. "You ," the woman hissed at Kuzco. "You're the nut who thinks he's the emperor !"

"That's because I am the Emperor!," Kuzco informed her. " And who might you be besides a very bad thief?"

"My name is Talia and I was a slave!," she said.

"A runaway slave, no doubt.," Kuzco said.

"A freed slave from Cuba," Talia interupted, " I just freed myself. Were you hired to follow me? Are you stalking me?"

"No, you're not my type. Besides, you're too young. How old are you ten, eleven?" Kuzco teased, remarking at her short height.

"I'm eighteen," the girl said, "And obviously you weren't hired to find me, you're obviously too dumb, to know you wouldn't dare catch me in public."

Kuzco glared at the insult. "Well, you're still a thief. I don't care about the circumstances and besides I'm sure there's a penalty for striking the Emperor . You want to get thrown in prison."

"hold it, " Pacha demanded. Talia and Kuzco halted their argument. " Kuzco can I talk to you alone?" Before the emperor could ask or protest , Pacha pushed him in the living room. ""I don't want you telling anyone that Talia is here."

Kuzco stared at his friend in disbelief. " excuse me, Pach. I'm a little deaf in this ear are you telling me, the emperor that I'm supposed to keep her, the viper a secret? That I should let her get off for stealing from the palace and attacking me? Are you insane? I won't do it, she can go to shebulba for all I care ! The slave catcher who comes looking for her, I'll tell him here she is come and get her and good luck."

"Obviously, you haven't changed much.," Pacha retorted. "Listen, being a slave was obviously very hard for her and Chicha and I talked it over and if she agrees Talia is going to stay here. If you can't deal with that or stop sniping at her, then don't come around while she's here."

Kuzco sighed defeated. "All right, I'll try to be nice to the viper. But, don't blame me if you're valuables get stolen. I'd better go." Kuzco walked out the door.

Two days later, Chicha came into the children's room with a beige dress in her arms. She casually knocked on the door. "Come in.," Talia said. The older woman opened the door to see Talia leaning against the door one leg out holding onto an overstuffed bag for dear life. "Where are you going?" Chicha asked.

"Um, sightseeing?," Talia offered weakly. Upon Chicha's disbelieving look, Talia continued. " Look, you and your husband have been very nice to me, but I really can't stay. If I get across the border of your kingdom, I'll be ahead of the people who are after me."

Chicha nodded. "Oh okay, first drop the jewelry. "Talia threw the bag on the ground then looked at the dress. "What is that for?"

"I made it, I figured you'd be tired of wearing the same outfit and might want to change .It's about your size. Are you sure your up to leaving now ? You looked like death when we found you." Chicha reasoned.

"I'm sure , I don't feel dizzy and I know where I am. I think I'll manage. " the former slave answered. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I figured you would want to get something to eat. I have lunch cooking and if I were you, I would want to have something more solid than gruel to eat before I began walking . Especially if I don't know where my next meal will come from. But, you do what you want. I'll ask Pacha to feed your lunch to the llamas." She walked out the room, placing the dress on the bed. Talia held the dress up to her body and saw that it fit perfectly . She smelt the food cooking on the stove and felt her stomach rumble with hunger.

I guess I could stay a little while longer , anyway it would be a waste to give that food to the llamas, she thought to herself.

Juan ‘‘s horse snorted with impatiance as the man once again interrogated the subordinate before him. "You saw her enter the palace ?," he asked trying to keep his temper down.

"Yes senor, two days ago," Juan's scout answered meekly. Juan grumbled with impatiance. No control yourself, he thought, but it still angered him that Talia escaped two weeks ago and he still hadn't found her. His ability to find and bring slaves back was successful, except one and that was because the person killed himself before he could be caught again. Some people are so unreasonable, Juan thought in disgust. Talia wouldn't kill herself, she had too much spirit for that (besides she still held to the belief that it would be a sin to commit suicide) No she was still alive , somewhere just hiding. Juan wanted to get this over with and find her. Salvador had hinted that he would finally inherit the business (the old man was getting on in years and would probably be dead by the time Juan was home) and Juan felt he deserved it. After working under him for so long as an overseer, slave catcher, and informant and besides being married to Gabriella counted for something. Another upsetting thing in his life back home was that Gabriella still hadn't given him a child. After five years of marriage, there was still no sign she would get pregnant. Perhaps I will have to persuade her when I come home, he thought darkly. A soldier called his attention. "Yes?," Juan asked.

"How, um, how are we going to get your ex-uh, I mean the slave out of the palace?," the soldier asked.

"I'm sure the Emperor is an understanding man for the right price. I'll find her, don't you worry and she will return or die." Juan said .

The man began. "Even though you and her , I mean she and you used to-?,:"

"Especially because She and I used to-!," Juan interrupted. Whatever feelings Juan had for Talia had long died and now she was nothing more than a slave to him. A crafty clever slave, one he knew well to be sure, but still a slave. "Come with me!"

Saladin handed Kuzco a large stack of papers. "This is your schedule for the rest of the day, sire."

"Man Sal, you certainly know how to take fun away don't you.?," Kuzco joked taking the schedule from his hands. " Let's see 2:00-2:30 ––meeting with heads of various villaiges. 2:30 ––3:00 listen to the judgement of the people. 3:00-3:30-attend grape festival. 3:30-4:00 war council. I hate the war council, those guys are so boring. 4;00-4:05-fun. "

"Really Sire," Saladin sniffed, indignant at Kuzco's flippant attitude.

"It was a joke, Sal lighten up," Kuzco said."I'll get to these right away or later. " He was about to dismiss Saladin when he called his advisor back. "Sal, why do you not like me?"

"It's hardly my place to pass judgement, Your Majesty, "Saladin began.

"No, I want to hear it , you say it under your breath so often you might as well say it aloud." Kuzco prompted. "And I promise you won't get in prison for it."

"All right, Sire I'll play along with your charade. No matter how much you strive to accomplish it , you will never be your father. The late Emperor Montezuma was an excellent emperor and you, sire, are not. You are flippant, insubordinate, and are very reckless. You pale in comparison to him."

"Okay, maybe we should drag my father from Shebulba and have him take on these duties ,but no wait, that's impossible! So, it looks like you're stuck with me. Good day." Saladin walked out of the room in a huff.

A few seconds later, a guard appeared at the door. "Juan Nuriega is here, Sire."

Kuzco gasped in mock delight. "Juan Nuriega , no way? He's here? Get out!" Taking his last command literally , the guard headed for the door, until Kuzco called him back. "Who's Juan Nuriega?"

"I am Juan Nuriega," a man said coming through the door. He was tall and well-built. His dark hair was cut neatly to his neck and hung around his ears. He was dressed in a fine white shirt and black trousers. His chiseled face looked down at the emperor in contempt and his dark eyes shone with obvious arrogance.

"You know most people wait until I say ‘‘send him in'," Kuzco corrected him shortly. "State your business."

"Sire, I'm looking for a female slave . She's a small girl, about the size of a ten year old, but she is about eighteen. She has long dark hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. She answers to the name of Talia." Juan stated.

Kuzco tried his hardest not to display any outward emotion. " Your slave? What makes you think she would be here?"

Juan looked squarely at the Emperor. Kuzco could see "ignorant savage" written all over his face. "My men saw her enter your palace two days ago and haven't seen her leave the area, yet. I just need your permission to search for her. I will pay dearly. " he held out two chests full of gold pieces. "The girl will of course be given the harshest punishment imagined."

Kuzco couldn't resist a grin. "That's chump change." If I let these jerks know where Talia is, Pacha and his family could get hurt, Kuzco thought, I don't hate the girl that much. "I'm sorry I haven't seen this girl,

Now if you and your little Neanderthal tribe will leave I will mercifully forget about your intrusion."

Juan turned to leave. "This isn't over , Sire. I will find her my men have no reason to deliver me false information." He pushed the guards in the doorway away. "No need to show me boys, I know the way out." Kuzco automatically reached for his peasent outfit . I must be crazy, he thought ,but still he headed for the direction of Pacha's villaige.

Pacha sat in the meadows watching Pacha feed the llamas and the children playing under her feet. She liked it here , no doubt. No one had been as nice to her as Pacha's family in a long time. Being with them had almost made her forget about the sting of slavery. But, she knew she had to move on . Juan and his crew would find her, they always did.

"Pacha!," Kuzco yelled, running up to the hut into Pacha's direction. Pacha put down the llama feed in alarm and ran to Kuzco's side. "What is it, Kuzco?" He asked .

"Where's Talia?," Kuzco asked obviously seeing her. He looked down. "Oh, sorry didn't see you there. Some guy was looking for you."

Talia's heart raced. "Who? Did you lead them here?"

Kuzco shook his head . "No, I didn't and he was tall good-looking, handsome more arrogant than thou."

"Oh no, it's Juan!," Talia panicked , then she ran down the hill," I have to get out of here!" She ran until she reached the bottom and disappeared in the horizon.

Kuzco and Pacha stared back at her. "Well, what are you waiting ? Go after her." Pacha prompted. Kuzco rolled his eyes, but then ran after the young woman.

"Viper, hey vip- Talia," she slowed down her pace, so the emperor would catch up. He grabbed her roughly by the arm. " Let go of me! You want to take me back to the palace!,"

"No, I want to take you back to Pacha and Chicha. , " Kuzco corrected her. " I don't like you, but for some reason Pacha and Chicha care a great deal about you. And I don't think you should run from them."

Talia struggled further. "If you don't let me go, I'll-!" Kuzco laughed, "What are you going to do? Kick me in the kneecaps?" Talia screamed and pushed Kuzco to the ground. Picking up a thin sword from a table, she swung it around her wrists then leveled it at the emperor. " My brother taught me to fence. Now, will you let me go?"

"You are totally insane.," Kuzco responded. Talia retracted by cutting Kuzco on the chin. " Now which way is to the border? Why don't you come with me?" Kuzco gave his customary smirk . "That was not a request!" Talia answered. She stood him up and led him to the bridge . "I'm warning you , "Kuzco said," This isn't a very stabel bridge in fact it's new." The former slave girl's only response was to poke the emperor in the back to make him move.

Talia and Kuzco stepped carefully over the bridge, the water roaring in their ears. Through the distance, Kuzco saw two men who were dressed in a strange sort of armour. They could be part of Jerkwad's team, Kuzco thought. The two men were asking questions around the villaige. Seeking his chance, Kuzco called out pointing at Taliz, "Hey you're slaves here! She's over here!" The guards turned in surprise. Talia's mouth dropped open and her eyes flashed. Grunting, she grabbed the emperor by the elbow and ran to the side of the bridge. The rope felt dirty and cold on her hands and she wobbled as she stood on the rope. Kuzco leaned forward. "What are you trying to do?" The horsemen headed closer. Suicide is a sin and murder is a crime ,she thought, either way I will burn in Hell. Whatever I deserve it anyway. Without another word, she jumped . "TALIA!", Kuzco screamed, holding her hand, but his grip was weakening and his body was slipping on the rope. The force of the girl's jump caused Kuzco to slip. They fell to the water below.

Juan stood in the villaige listening to his head soldier , Pedro report. "You are certain she is dead?" The men nodded. "We saw her and a male peasent jump from the bridge. We can go back to Cuba?"

Juan smiled and patted Pedro on the shoulder, then he pushed him down to the ground. "We are not going anywhere until we find her! Now, I don't care if we search every part of this villaige and the jungle. I don't care if we find her with her head smashed into a rock! We will find her ! Do you understand?"

Pedro nodded. "These villaigers have seen a woman with her description living in the house on the hill . We will ask there first!" he pointed to the direction and his men followed obediantly.

Kuzco bobbed a bit in the water , before he pushed himself out of the water. He looked around for Talia, feeling the currents push him along. He saw her body floating , with her head turned down in the water. "Let her go, Kuz ," the emperor told himself, "You can float easily to shore and get out. Just let her go." He was about to head for the bank when he felt his conscience bother him. "I forgot, I'm insane."He swam for the unconscience woman and pulled her in his shoulders . He fought the currents and the debris, but grabbed onto a branch before them and pulled themselves out of the water. When they got to the shore , Kuzco laid Talia on her back and began pumping her stomach. The girl's face was paractically blue from the water. Kuzco pumped for a few more minutes until she finally gasped and coughed. The water came out of her mouth. She looked up at Kuzco in despair. "Why did you do that? I wanted to die!"

"Well , I'm heartless enough to not let you." Kuzco replied, secretly glad she had pulled through it. " As soon as you got your legs back, we'd better keep moving. If I know approaching villains like I do they are never convinced that you're dead unless they can see the corpse for themselves."

"Aren't you going to tell them I'm here?," Talia asked sarcastically. "You told them at the villiage."

"Yeah, well see the funny thing is I care about my friends and I didn't want those guys to get to them all right? In the absence of friends and because you have still kidnapped me, I have no choice, but to at least lead you out of the jungle." Seeng no other course, Talia stood up and followed the emperor through the gangly trees.

Juan stood at the foot of the hut, watching Pedro come down. "The woman says that she doesn't know anything, but her neighbor who I guess is upset because the other woman stole her boyfriend and I is definatley not speaking to her again and then the other woman said-"

The young heir sighed. "Get to the point, Pedro" "Okay, she wouldn't cooperate, but the other woman said that the slave might have come through the jungle."

"Fine dispatch your men to arrest the family that housed Talia . I'm going to find a guide , someone who knows the jungle,. Someone who is willing to work for the right price someone who is even more of an idiot than you are, Pedro," Juan reasoned.

"Can I help you boys?," a deep friendly voice asked. The men looked up to see a muscular native in a scoutmaster's uniform. "I think we have a winner. " Juan said, dismissing his men. " I need your help, I'm looking for a woman that answers to the name of Talia."

"Some of the women in the kingdom answer to the name of Talia," Kronk quipped, "The others don't answer at all."

"This woman is an escaped slave and we believe she is in the jungle and we would like a guide." He showed him a small bag of gold. "We will make it worth your while."

"Let go of us!" Chicha demanded as the men led her and Pacha down to Juan ." Ah, my guests have arrived. " Juan brightened turning to them, he asked. "You have been hiding an escaped slave."

"So what if we have, what business is that of yours?" , Chicha demanded. Pacha hushed his wife. Juan sauntered up to the woman and tilted her chin up. "Prettty, but rude. If you don't give me the answer I want to hear, I will have you and your family arrested and sent to Cuba and the plantations aren't very kind to slave children." The husband and wife held each other's hands in comfort, but faced him with defiance. "Sir, I know the girl you are referring to , but she wandered into the jungle and you know how dangerous it can be with all of the pirahanas, anacondas, and other beasts. Someone could get killed, why don't you take Kronk?" Chicha and Kronk stared at Pacha ,incredulously.

"Why do we want to take Kronk?," Kronk asked. "Because no one knows the layout of the jungle better than you. You could take them through." Pacha's eyes met Kronk's and they both came to a silent agreement. Catching the llama herder's drift, Kronk nodded "R-r-r-right, I'd be happy to escort you through the jungle, sir. " Kronk headed for the front of the horses and pointed for the way down the hill and through the jungle. "You see, sir this jungle has over 30,000 square inches of acres and also over 200 species of trees. Some of these tree species grow,-" Kronk's voice got faded as they got further in the distance.

"Do you think it will work? Kronk getting them lost?" Chicha asked.

"Don't worry if anyone can confuse people it's Kronk, I just hope Kuzco and Talia are still alive. " Pacha said. Chicha hugged her husband in reassurance. "You know it's too bad they didn't come over, Chacha , Tipo and I could have taken care of them."

Kuzco hit the stones together on top of the logs trying to make a fire. Each time they sliced together a small spark was made , but not enough to set the blaze. He dropped them in frustration. "I've seen it done, I should be good at it."

"Here let me," Talia said grabbing the stones from his hands and banged them together twice. A small fire emerged onto the logs. "It's one thing to see it done it's another thing to do it." Talia grinned as she and the emperor sat closer to the fire to get warm. "I thought I would have never gotten warm again, I'm still shivering from the cold."

"You wouldn't be cold, if you hadn't decided to take a bath in the river and take me with you!" Kuzco reminded her.

"Well, I wouldn't have had to take a bath if you hadn't told those soldiers where I was.!" Talia added.

"Well if you hadn't-" Kuzco began , but gave up in frustration. The two of them turned from each other not speaking. Talia broke the silence. "By the way, thank you for saving my life. I guess as soon as reason returned I realized what a stupid idea it would have been to commit suicide not to mention my soul would be damned for all time."

Kuzco took a deep breath "I guess I should forgive you for holding me up. I mean you''re not crazy, at least, I don't think so anymore , more like you were desperate and if you still want to get out of the jungle I'll take you out."

"Really? You mean it?" Talia said, feeling relieved

"yeah, well I guess technically, I'm still your hostage." Kuzco said, but this time Talia could tell he was teasing. "How long have you been a slave?"

"Five years, " Talia said sadly. "I moved here and I became a slave."

"Why?," Kuzco asked. "I don't know!", Talia shot back, "In my country, some girls wanted to be marry rich men when they grew up, others wanted to be nuns. Me, I wanted to be a slave. I came to this country because I followed this guy to Cuba I became a slave , because I helped two girls escape! The sad part was the girls were found and sold seperately . As far as I know, they never saw each other again!" Long-buried tears fell from Talia's eyes to her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," Kuzco said sympathetically. "Who was he?"

"Who was who?" Talia asked. "The guy you came with?," Kuzco prompted. Talia wiped the tears from her eyes. "Juan." Kuzco's eyes widened in shock. "You mean, the Juan who is after us? You followed him voluntarily?"

"He wasn't always like that.," Talia recalled. "He used to be a good loving man."

"Yes, I could see that the second he walked in to the room and demanded his slave back. " Kuzco said sarcastically. "Did you love him,?"

Talia was taken aback by the question. "Yes, I thought I did. I thought he was this hero, like in books, and that we would be together forever. That was stupid of me."

"No, that wasn't stupid. Slapping and kidnapping a guy who offered to help you that was stupid. You fell in love, can't control that." Kuzco reassured her,

"But, I shouldn't have left . I wound up hurting two people who cared about me. I would give anything to have my brothers back. I should have been a better sister to them, I shouldn't have left. " Talia said, softly.

"I know how you feel,"K uzco said , gently touching her shoulder. "My father was this great Emperor and a lot of people looked up to him , me included, but he wans't always an easy person to get along with. This may come as a shock, but I was a brat. I used to give my dad a hard time about everything, would demand anyhting I could get. My mother died when I was a baby, so we just had each other and we would always fight. He was killed when I was thirteen and I remember at the coronation thinking, I don't want to do this, I don't want to be emperor, I want my father to be emperor just so I can tell him how sorry I am."

"I'm sorry, "Talia said. "Yeah, so was I.," Kuzco said. He leaned closer to her and gently wiped her tears with his thumb. His hand felt around her neck and he leaned her closer. Their lips pressed together, slowly. They fell into each other , their arms locked together in an embrace.

Juan was ready to kill Kronk. They had been searching for Talia for one day and a night and they still hadn't found her. He wasn't sure, but he was convinced that the native was deliberately getting them lost. He looked down at the bush that he was sure he had seen before and groaned. "You had been taking us around in circles! We passed this bush before!"

"Maybe if we look for this bush , we'll find her.," Kronk joked.

"Shut up!," Juan demanded. Kronk remained quiet. "Juan," Pedro called from behind the trees ," You need to see this." The slave catcher rode to his servant to a claering. Pedro pointed down to a clearing. There was a pile of branches that had singed from a recent fire. "I think we found her.," Pedro grinned.

"Not only that, but look," Juan pointed at two sets of tracks. "Human tracks follow them we should find our prize. Come boys."

"What about him?," Kronk asked. Juan looked over at the native, who stammered trying to avoid showing his fear. "Yes, what about him? Technically, his usefulness has ended ,so he's no good to me alive but I think I'll keep him alive for now. We still may need him." They rode along following the tracks.

Kuzco woke up, his arms interlocked around Talia. He gently wiggled away from her, trying to move her without disturbing her. The birds sang in the night and he heard several animal voices in the woods. Kuzco leaned over to kiss her. It was strange for him to feel this way. Talia was practically a stranger to him ,one who forty-eight hours ago, he would have gladly put her in the dungeon, but since they had been running together, they had gotten to know each other. She told him about her mother, her brother, Tulio , her life in Spain, how she used to work as a thief, her years as a slave He could tell she felt good to finally tell someone about her life. Kuzco told her about his empire, Kuzcotopia, Yzma, his llama adventure (to which she laughed hystrically about it) , and everything else about his life. He felt like he knew her and she knew him. He no longer thought of her as a crazy girl, just a young woman who had been hurt . He guessed she didn't see him as a spoiled rich brat, but as a good man. I guess I'm starting to fall for her, he thought to himself. The sound of hoofbeats made him jump in surprise. He looked down and saw juan's troops headed for their direction. Kuzco gently shook Talia on the shoulder. "Talia wake up, Juan's here," He whispered. Talia'seyes fluttered open and she looked out in fear. "Let's get out of here," Talia said. The two of them walked up the hill they were under.

Pedro pointed up the hill. "Juan, it's them!" Juan smiled fiendishly. "All right you gentleman go up there first. I will join you. Oh yes take our guide. I'm sure they will be more cooperative. If he's there." He indicated Kronk who now had his hands tied. They men ran up to the hill with Kronk in tow. "Where are they?" One of the men asked. Behind two boulders Talia and Kuzco lay hidden The emperor counted off with their fingers and on three they jumped out and attacked two guards. Talia ducked and pushed him to the ground. Kuzco kicked the other one and he fell over. "A little trick I learned in my llama days," he joked. The emperor and the slave girl took the two guards swords and attacked their antagonists. Talia ran up to Kronk and untied his ropes. "All right," Kronk said," I don't believe we met , my name is Kronk and I'm an Aries. My turn-ons are long walks on the beach-."

"Look out!," Talia yelled. Kronk caught the approaching Pedro in time to knock him on his back. The three of them , Kuzco and Talia with their swords and Kronk with his muscles proved to be a powerful team. Soon, there wasn't a single soldier left standing. The three of them jumped into each other's arms and hugged.

"All right, let's go back!," Kuzco said. Talia was about to follow him, when she felt a rough arm grab her. "Alone at last, love!," snarled a voice she knew too well. She turned around to face her ex-fiancee. "Juan leave me alone." She struggled in his arms. "I'm sorry dear, you are coming back to Cuba with me!"

Kuzco ran up to attack him ,but Juan was ready for him . He aimed his gun and fired. Kuzco drew back with the searing pain. Talia gave a slight scream and stomped on Juan's foot. The slave catcher howled in pain and Kronk whacked him on the back of the head. Juan fell over unconscious.

Talia ran to Kuzco's side. "Are you all right?," she asked. "Well, I got shot in the leg, if that's your definition of all right. It could be worse, I guess."

"Kronk pick him up, " Talia ordered , "We're taking him back to the palace. "

"Are you sure?," Kuzco asked as Kronk slung him over on his shoulder. "We can take you to the border if you want."

"The border is about four days from here, by then your leg will be infected. " Talia reasoned, "I'm just about heartless enough not to let that happen." She turned to Juan. "What about him? Do we leave him here to the vultures?"

Kuzco thought for a second. "Tempting offer, but no. I have a better idea, on that will get you your freedom. We're taking him with us. Mount him on one of the horses." Kronk shrugged , but obeyed. The three friends rode on to the palace exhausted from their ordeal, but happy.

Pacha paced outside of the palace. Now that it came down to it, he was very worried for his friend. He knew Kuzco was strong, and in some peculiar way a survivor, but he hoped he made it through. So far , no luck. Three figures approaching the palace , made the llama herder's heart leap with joy. He ran out to meet Kuzco, Kronk, and Talia. "You guys are alive!", he said happily. "Pacha, master of the obvious," Kuzco smiled sarcastically, but weakly.

"What happened?," Pacha asked seeing for the first time that Kuzco was wounded. "I was shot. Send me to the surgeons and send Talia to the female servants room. " He truned to the young woman."You know what we talked about?" She nodded. "All right, then if you do, why aren't you doing it? Let's move!" Everyone moved to their positions at once, glad that emperor and his friends were back.

Kuzco sat in his throne room, his red royal robes covering the bandage on his leg. "Are you sure this is wise, Sire?," Saladin asked standing by the throne.

"No, I probably should have had him arrested, but this is more fun," Kuzco said. "Any objections?"

"Well, it's reckless, foolhardy, scandalous, dishonest, and," for the first time in his life, Kuzco saw Saladin smile at the young emperor, "Your father would have been very proud."

Kuzco smiled happily. "You have no idea how much that means to me." A loud bang sounded at the throne door. "Uh oh, it's him. Get in your positions." He pointed at the guards to open the door. Juan came in and Kuzco chuckled silently to himself, at the sight-of the now worse for the wear Spaniard. Juan's clothes were torn and his hair was a mess. He glared at the emperor with obvious contempt. "I have returned," he snarled. Kuzco nodded. "My slave was brought back to the palace." The emperor nodded again. "You know I had to shoot a stupid peasant to get to her." Kuzco, winced at the insult, but nodded, once more. "I will claim my slave and return on my way."

"I'm sorry that's impossible, she works for me now," Kuzco answered. He clapped his hands at Saladin. "Send for the Empress." Saladin nodded and opened a curtain. Talia stepped into the throne room, looking more beautiful than ever. Her ankle-leangth raven hair was tied in a long braid. Her face was scrubbed and bathed. She wore a long a green and gold robe and a gold crown adorned her hair. She ran up to Kuzco to kiss him. "This is outragous!,"Juan demanded.

"Don't believe me?, "Kuzco asked flashing a piece of paper in front of him. "It's perfectly legel, she's my wife, now. So, you can't buy her, sell her , or kidnap her. Juan sputtered for a few seconds, but found no source for argument ,he was silent.

"Aw, silent for once, I love it.," Talia said, smugly. "Oh and one other thing," Kuzco stood up and limped towards his guest, showing his wound. Juan's eyes widened in recogntion. "There are also penalties in attempting to assainate the emperor. If you leave now never to return I'll forget all of this, but if you don't , well what size dungeon uniform do you wear?"

Juan glowered at the couple. "All right, the devil take her! But this isn't over between you and me!" He stormed out of the palace. Kuzco and Talia laughed and hugged with delight.

"That was a good trick!," Talia said, "Saladin is right , your father would have been proud."

"So would your brothers," Kuzco said , "I guess you'll be going."

Talia's face fell."Yeah, I guess so." She turned to go when Kuzco called her back.

"You'll need a job or something" Kuzco suggested." I have a position open for you. You would have to work long hours, with no chance for advancement or increase of salary. You would be in charge of the servants, would raise any children if I have them. Whatever vacation time you have will have to be spent with the boss, namely me. You will listen to whatever command I give . Of course you have the right to disagree and not listen to me . Just because I have the right to disagree or not listen to you. You will have to start as soon as possible, and of course if you say no there are other applicants. Only, they aren't as qualified as you."

"What would this job's title be?," Talia asked.

"Empress?," Kuzco answered. "Marry me, Viper for real."

Happy tears started to fill Talia's eyes. "Llama Boy, of course I will marry you!"

"Boo-yeah!," Kuzco yelled. The engaged couple kissed, and Talia sighed with delight.