A/N: This is an AU, where Don Flack is NOT a cop. I had a friend request a fairy tale, and though this one will move out of traditional fairy tale realm at parts, I do hope that she enjoys it - and you all as well.

"What is this?" Stella asked with a frown.

Mac pointed to the card he had just dropped on her desk. "That, is your invitation to the masquerade."

She rolled her eyes. "I already told you, Mac. I'm not going."

"You are."

"Excuse me?"

He sighed. "Look, Stella. I know you don't think too highly of Don Flack. But he did just donate a great deal of money to the NYPD. Your presence isn't requested – it's required."

They stared at each other for a long time. Stella realized that Mac wasn't going to back down on this one, though, and she wondered if this was coming from higher up. Finally, she dropped her gaze and sighed.

"Who throws a masquerade anyway?"

Mac smiled. "Young bachelors who happen to be the heir of a Fortune 500 company."

"Right. Those."

Standing up, he patted her on the shoulder before heading to the door. "I'm sure Lindsay would love to help you find a dress. And who knows? Maybe you'll have a good time."

She watched him walk out and then rolled her eyes again. "Yeah, right."

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"How are you not excited for this?" Lindsay asked. "It's a ball!"

Stella shook her head as they stood in her kitchen making dinner. "It's nothing but a little rich kid trying to buy the town. You know how much I hate that kind of thing."

"You are looking at this in the completely wrong light."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. Don't think of it as some required function. Think of it as an excuse to wear a really pretty dress."

Stella groaned. "I have to buy a dress."

Lindsay frowned. "But you love dresses. And you love shopping. I'm not really seeing the problem here, Stella."

"The ball is Friday. Today is Wednesday. That doesn't give me much time."

Her friend suddenly smiled. "That's what fairy godmothers are for."

"What?"

Lindsay's grin widened. "Go look in your closet."

Stella gave her a suspicious look. "What did you do?"

"Stop being a pain and go look."

Staring at her for a moment more, the detective finally turned and moved down the hallway towards her bedroom. When she reached her closet, she opened it slowly, her mouth dropping when she saw what was inside it.

The dress was a vibrant red, the material thin and silky. One of her shoulders would be left completely bare, while a strap held the dress up on the other side. Turning the garment around, Stella saw that the strap split, one covering her shoulder while the other ran diagonal across her back. Beside it, on the hanger, was the mask that she would wear. It was the same color as the dress, edged with black stones, and it shone in the light. Reaching out a hand, Stella touched it carefully – it would cover the area around her eyes, masking her identity from anyone who didn't know her well. It was absolutely breathtaking.

"Do you like it?"

She turned to stare at Lindsay. "It's beautiful," she breathed. "How…?"

"Mac told me you needed a dress. So I went to the place where you got the dress for the Commissioner's Ball last year. They still had your measurements on file, so this should fit."

"I don't know what to say…" Stella shook her head before moving over to embrace her friend. "Thank you."

"And the best part?" Lindsay smiled. "You don't have to be home by midnight."

The older woman rolled her eyes. "You really have a thing for fairy tales, don't you?"

She shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe you'll meet Prince Charming."

Stella smiled, her eyes turning back to the dress. "Maybe."

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Stella sighed as she stepped out of the cab and stared up at the brightly lit building before her. A case had kept her at the office late, and it was only a call from Mac that made her finally go home and get dressed. And now she found herself adjusting her mask and walking up the stone steps, warmth and laughter spilling out the open windows.

There were more people inside than she would have thought possible, and the array of dresses and masks was stunning. Stella made her way through the crowd slowly, taking it all in, keeping an eye out for the purple dress she knew Lindsay would be wearing.

"You look amazing."

She smiled at the familiar voice. Turning around, she saw Mac standing beside her, his outfit making her think of The Phantom.

"How did you know it was me?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Lindsay showed me the dress she got for you. So I knew what I was looking for. Besides, I'd know those curls anywhere."

"Speaking of curls…where's Michelle?"

Mac couldn't hide his smile. "She's talking with the Commissioner, actually. Turns out her old boss was good friends with him."

Stella's eyes traveled across the room until she found her. "Looks like she's finished," she told him. "And she's looking for you."

Her smile widened at the deep blush that settled on Mac's cheeks. "I should probably get back, then."

Stella kissed his cheek. "Have fun, Mac."

"You too, Stella. There's no reason you shouldn't enjoy yourself tonight."

As he walked away, Stella once again scanned the crowd. Her eyes landed on a young man standing by the stairs, and she noticed that he was staring at her. He was dressed in all black, including his mask, but his blue eyes were piercing as they drank her in. Stella found herself blushing deeply, and she moved toward the refreshment table, unnerved by the way his gaze was making her feel. Soon, she could feel someone standing behind her, and somehow, she knew that it was him.

"You came alone."

His voice was low, and it went right through her. Stella silently cursed her body's reactions even as she turned around with a confident expression on her face.

"And that's not allowed?" she asked coolly.

He shrugged. "Unusual, is all. Most people came with dates tonight."

"And how do you know I'm not meeting up with someone?"

His eyes locked with hers. "Are you?"

"No," she said, a little breathlessly.

His lips turned upward in a little smile. "Good."

"And you?"

He reached out his hand, palm up. "I was wondering if maybe you'd like to dance."

Stella found herself smiling. "I'd love to."

She rested her hand in his, fully expecting him to lead her out onto the dance floor. Instead, they headed toward the back of the room, where there were large windows open to the cool night air. The man led her through one, and Stella found herself standing on a balcony, bathed in moonlight. Turning around, she looked up at her companion with a questioning gaze.

"I don't like crowds," he murmured.

Reaching out, he gently wrapped an arm around her and brought her close. Stella breathed him in as he took her right hand in his and they began to slowly move to the music. He wore very little cologne, but there was something about him that made her close her eyes and relax as he moved them around the balcony. His dancing was smooth and practiced, and they made good partners.

Stella wasn't sure how long they danced. For awhile she kept her gaze locked with his, getting lost in his baby blue eyes. But as they continued to move together, she moved closer, resting her head on his chest as his arm tightened around her.

She wondered what was going on. She wasn't one to meet gorgeous men and fall in love. She wasn't one who ever let her emotions control her. This entire situation was completely unlike her. And yet…Stella couldn't deny the way her knees went weak when this man looked at her, or the way she felt safe in his arms.

Picking her head up, she once again met his eyes. He was smiling at her now, and he raised one hand to push a stray lock out of her face. His touch lingered, and his hand traced the contours of her mask, his eyes questioning. Stella ducked her head; for some reason, she wasn't ready to let him see who she really was.

As she went to rest her head on his shoulder again, she caught sight of Mac Taylor standing inside, his eyes searching. When his gaze locked with hers, he held up his phone, motioning for her urgently. Stella knew what that meant – they had a crime scene to go to. Sighing, she pulled back again.

"I have to go," she whispered.

He frowned. "What? It's not even midnight."

"I know. And trust me, if I didn't have to, I wouldn't be going anywhere."

His eyes slid to the side, and he saw Mac. His hold tightened on her without his seeming to notice it.

"I thought you were here alone."

"I am," she promised. "This is work-related. But I have to go."

She untangled herself and began to move away, but then he grabbed her arms and pulled her back up against him. His hold was firm, but not hard, and she could have easily broken away if she had wanted to. If.

"Your name," he whispered, his breath hot on her skin.

She opened her mouth to give it to him, but the words just wouldn't come. Her eyes searching his, Stella finally leaned and gave him the lightest of kisses, her lips barely brushing across the corner of his mouth. His eyes widened, but she was already moving, already following Mac out of the building and out of his sight. Touching her fingers to her lips, Stella knew that this would be one night she would never forget.