It surprised Marti just how fast she could clean if she put her mind to it. She disliked her cute little costume and her absurd little accent she seemed stuck with, not to mention her newly female body. And she knew that something the snow globe had done to her was making her clean rather than march to the mademoiselle like she should have done. Yet despite these cruelties, Marti found she was enjoying herself and humming as she worked. And though she needed to dust every surface, mop the floor, and clean the windows in the "small" dining hall, it didn't take her much time at all. And, she learned something about how to clean that would come in handy when this whole maid business was over.

After two hours of work, Marti stood by the doorway with her hands on her hips. She took a moment to admire her work. She had to smile at it. Then she looked at the snow globe that sat on the mantle half a room away. And she stuck her tongue out at it.

"So zere." She said. "I 'ave beaten you."

"Beaten who?" A man's voice asked from behind Marti. She jumped and shrieked in response. She tried to spin on the marble floor but lost her balance. The ground came up at her until a pair of strong arms reached out and grabbed her around her waist.

When she looked up to see who had startled and then saved her. She knew him. His name was Richard Jennings and he owned his own Christmas decoration business. He was Marti's direct competition and she hated him. But she had never noticed before how kind and gentle his blue eyes were.

She gawked at him for a moment before untangling himself from his arms. "Get off of me! I do not need your 'elp."

Rich easily let her go and his face turned up with a smile. "Whatever you say, Frenchy."

Marti backed away and wagged her finger at him, "Do not call me 'Frenchy.' My name is, er, Marti. And what are you doing 'ere?"

"The owner hired me to work on the Christmas decorations on short notice. The guy she had just disappeared."

The maid's eyes went wide, "Disappeared! I'm right . . . I mean. He 'as not disappeared, but was just collecting more lights from 'is shop. The mademoiselle knew of zis, I am sure of it. You are not needed."

"Marcus can take it up with the 'mademoiselle' himself. She didn't sound too happy when I spoke to her." Rich said with a shrug.

"No. No, zis is a grave injustice." Marti shook her head. She was not going to let that vulture Richard Jennings take a job of hers, maid or not. "I will speak wiz her." She moved slightly to get around her competition, but he also adjusted slightly. Marti narrowed her eyes. "Please, monsieur, allow me to pass."

"I was just going to say the mademoiselle told me that you could help with the decorations."

Marti seethed. "I will speak with my mademoiselle about zat." She began to push past Rich, but he held up his hand just slightly.

"Be out of my way monsieur," she told him sternly.

"Wait, please, Marti." He looked at her with those soft and gentle blue eyes, "This is a pretty big room on short notice. I'm pretty sure I'll need the help. I wouldn't be asking, but since this is for an orphanage, I really want those kids to have the best party we can give them."

The maid screamed internally. Of all the things he had to guilt her with. She couldn't possibly say no to that.

"Fine, I will 'elp you, monsieur."

Besides, she thought, it was what she was supposed to be doing anyway. Only now she would be working in tights and a black dress instead of jeans and t-shirt. And as soon as they were done, she was marching down to see her mademoiselle.