Emma groans as she hears her mother walk into her room. It was too early to wake up and do nothing. Ok, so maybe she wouldn't be doing exactly nothing, but none of it was important to her. Just her parents. They insist she needs to learn every little think about their kingdom if she was one day going to be Queen. The problem was: she didn't want to be Queen. She wanted adventure and love and freedom.

Snow shakes her gently, "Emma, darling wake up. It is a brand new day."

Emma turns away from her, "Do I have to?"

Snow sighs, "If you want the honor of waking Neal, then yes you do."

Emma sits up immediately. Her little brother was the cutest baby ever born and she couldn't resist picking him up and gently waking him. The smile he gives her. He was the best thing that ever happened to this family. She grins, "You play dirty, Mom."

Snow laughs, "I have to when it comes to my stubborn children. You hate mornings and he hates when anyone, but you wakes him. You remember what it was like, right?"

Emma grimaces, "Don't remind me! I still have issues with my hearing."

Snow nods and claps her hands together, "Well, get to it. You still have to get dressed for breakfast. Your father and I have a big announcement."

Emma jumps out of bed. A big announcement? That was never good. Maybe to her mother, but usually it meant an annoying social event. The only big announcement she was ok with was the bundle of joy she was about to wake. She walks into the nursery where she spent her childhood and over to the crib. She smiles down at the baby sleeping inside. It was so hard to wake him when he looked this peaceful, but she had to see his beautiful smile.

She picks him up, "Neal, brother. Time to wake up and smile."

Neal stretches in her arms and slowly wakes up. She sees the scream about to form when he sees her and an instant smile replaces it. He reaches up and she pulls him into a hug, "Awh, I love you, too."

David walks up behind Snow, "I couldn't have asked for a more perfect family."

Snow leans against his side, "Who knew they would have a connection so fast. Especially with all the years between them."

He kisses the top of her head, "Be grateful. It could have been a lot different." He listens as Emma talks to Neal, "She will make an amazing mother one day. Just look at that picture."

Snow sniffs as emotion fills her, "Yes, it is perfect. Now if only she stopped scaring all the men away. I can't believe she hasn't found anyone suitable yet."

David shrugs, "I think she is smart. She is waiting for a chance at true love. I think she has earned that."

Emma turns to them, "I will never find true love if I am trapped inside this castle."

Snow groans, "Emma. Don't start this again. You know why it is dangerous for you to leave."

Emma shakes her head, "I think you are too overprotective. We haven't heard from the Evil Queen in…well forever. She has been absent my whole life. I think she is living her own life and if we keep hiding from her I will never get the chance to live my life."

David puts on his stern fatherly face, "You are a Princess and you will do what is best for you. As future Queen…"

Emma hands Neal to Snow, "Maybe I don't want to be Queen." She storms out before anyone can stop her.

Snow rocks Neal gently as he starts to fuss, "Oh, Charming, what are we going to do with her?"

David shrugs, "There is nothing we can do, but give her time. She will understand one day."

Regina sits high in a tower next to Henry watching the events in the castle unfold on the magic mirror. Henry sighs, "This is bad, Mom."

Regina takes his hand, "I know, but I will get us out of here as soon as I figure out why my magic isn't working and-as much as I hate to say it-we will get your mother and that pirate back together again."

Henry frowns, "But will they fall in love? In this life, Emma is a princess."

Regina smiles, "If I know anything about true love it is that it is always there whether we like it or not. They won't be able to help themselves." She listens as Snow announces the ball they are going to have to honor Emma's upcoming birthday, "Emma doesn't look too happy with that." She laughs, "See, even being raised as a Princess she is stubborn and resistant."

Henry smiles, "I am glad that has not changed." He furrows his brow in thought, "Do you think that she will run away?"

Regina considers, "It is possible. If she does, she would have to run into Hook. That is how fate works. Maybe there is some hope left for those idiots." She bites her lip at the look Henry sends her, "Sorry. I still have some unresolved feelings."

Henry laughs, "I get it. Maybe we should see what Hook is up to."

Regina nods, "He said all we have to do is think of him and the mirror will do the rest."

They both concentrate on Hook and the mirror ripples and flashes until a smirking Hook appears. Henry lets out a victory yell, "Yes! It looks like he is docking. Where do you think he is?"

Regina shrugs, "I don't know. Let's watch."

Captain Hook grins up at the castle he and his crew would plunder. He never knew why such places held such extravagant balls. It left all their jewels and treasures unguarded. He wasn't complaining of course. It was a huge favor to him. He still had a couple days to prepare for their excursions inside and he needed to find something suitable to wear.

Smee walks up to him, "Are you sure about this, Captain? You know whose castle that is right?"

Hook smirks, "Of course. King David and Queen Snow. No one ever dares to enter, but I think it is time we brought a stop to that. They may be the strongest leaders, but they are blinded by spoiling their princess. They will hardly notice a few pirates."

Smee looks around nervously, "And why are you going to the ball this time instead of stealing the goods with us? The men want to know."

He glares down at his first mate, "Are you questioning me?" Smee shakes his head and Hook laughs, "Good. I am going inside to see what all the fuss is about. There are rumors that this Princess Emma is truly the fairest in all the lands. I have a bet going that she is not."

Smee grins, "And you rarely lose bets. I am sure if she were as fair as they say she would leave the castle more."

Hook nods, "Indeed. I think it is just a rumor started by her parents to get some poor sod to marry her."

Smee looks behind him, "It appears the crew is ready to go ashore."

Hook turns, "Good. The planning starts tonight. Enjoy your couple hours of shore leave, men. For tomorrow we plunder like the true pirates we are."

The crew cheers and they all step onto the dock to enjoy the taverns and the many women that they are offered. Hook leans against the side of the ship and rubs the back of his neck. He hadn't originally planned to plunder this castle, but something about the way others talked about this Princess made him want to see for himself. If there was one thing Captain Hook loved it was seeing beautiful treasures.

Regina sits back against the wall, "So, Hook is going to the ball? How interesting. Maybe we don't have anything to worry about. They will fall in love in no time."

The Shadow Man appears, "Oh it is more than just falling in love, Regina. It is finding a way to be together forever. They have the many obstacles of their stations to get through and something tells me that in this life her parents will never approve of her relationship with a pirate. Plus there is the Dark One. This is going to take a lot longer than you think."

Henry stands up angrily, "I don't care what you do or how long we are stuck here. My mom will break this curse."

He laughs, "Henry, Henry, Henry. The truest believer. I can't wait to see that hope leave your face. And it will." He turns his head to the side as if hearing something, "I have business to take care of. See you later."

Regina grimaces, "He is so lucky that I don't have my magic right now! One way or another I am getting us out of here."

Henry shakes his head, "No, we let them do what they need to do. I have faith that they will succeed in the end." He grabs her hand, "Please, have faith as well. Something tells me if we interfere they will be unable to break the curse."

Regina sighs, "You are right. I have the same feeling." She looks at the mirror and watches as Emma reappears, "Come on, Emma. Be open to love and don't let anything get in your way."

A/N: Please read and review. Next chapter is the ball and some very exciting exchanges. :)