Even though the curse has been broken for some time now, the residents of Storybrooke are still trapped in this world. Snow and Charming thought that it would be appropriate to host a ball or party of some sort to alleviate some of the stress and tension that had been building up within everybody because of the fact that they still had to live in a world where they did not feel comfortable.

Belle and Rumpelstiltskin had decided (well, rather Rumpelstiltskin decided) to keep their relationship a secret from the rest. He feared that someone may try to take advantage of his weakness once again and Belle was something that he could not afford to lose.

"Snow and James are throwing a ball next week"

"Yes. And?"

"You know perfectly well what I am asking"

"I don't recall you asking anything, dearie," he teased.

"Rumple stop it. We should go, it will be fun."

"Oh yes, loads of fun. I get to stand in a corner somewhere and receive odd looks whilst watching every other male in this town stare you up and down and try to dance with you."

"You know it wouldn't have to be like that if you would just let other people know about us."

"No. Absolutely not. I can not risk it."

"Who else would try to use me against you. I assume Regina already knows or else we wouldn't have been in a predicament like before."

Rumpelstiltskin cringed at her last words, "It's just a precaution dearie. If you really want to go, we can go, but I honestly do not think it is going to be much fun," he said, knowing that there was little that he could ever refuse her.

"Thank you," she said and then lightly kissed him.

The week had passed and Rumpelstiltskin and Belle, seperately of course, arrived at the ball shortly after it began. Snow and James were at the dooring greeting their guests. They both had the same odd look on their face when they saw that Rumpelstiltskin was there.

Why didn't I just teleport here?, he thought.

It seemed as if everyone in Storybrooke attended. Even, (to Rumpelstiltskin and Belle's dismay) Gaston showed. He of course was the first to agitate Rumpelstiltskin by bothering Belle.

"Belle? I thought you would still be working for that horrid imp."

"He let me leave a long time ago actually."

"Then why didn't you come back?" he asked.

"Well it's hard to go back when you're locked in the Evil Queen's dungeon," she replied.

"Oh...um...would you like to dance?"

She wanted to say no but thought that it would be rude. The song was also a particularly slow song which didn't make matters any better. And of course, Rumpelstiltskin was watching and listening to the conversation from afar, getting more frustrated by the second.

"Well, I don't know.. I guess so," she answered.

Gaston led Belle onto the dance floor. He was just about to place his hand on her back when there was an intervention...

Ok. Nope. Not going to happen, Rumpelstiltskin thought just before he snapped his fingers and replaced Gaston with himself.

Belle started to laugh when she realized what happened. "What happened to keeping our relationship a secret?" she asked.

"Well dearie, I remembered something."

"Which is?"

"I don't like sharing," he said with his impish grin.

The two continued to dance, occasionally talking. Belle's head made it's way to his shoulder eventually. They were receiving odd stares from the people around them. Most couldn't believe what they were seeing; Rumpelstiltskin was someone who was thought to not have a heart.

"It would seem that we are quite popular tonight," Belle said laughing.

"Well lets give them something to really stare at, shall we?"

Belle rapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself close to Rumpelstiltskin. "Sounds perfect," she said, right before closing the space between them and kissing him passionately.

"Mmm...I love you."

"And I love you."

A/N

Woot. I actually completed a one-shot with out procrastinating. Should I do more one shots or just let it go here? Any ideas? Let me know:)