Dearest readers, your patience is about to pay off. Fair warning: I am about to piss some of you off, based on some of the reviews I've gotten. Please don't let that turn you off. You've made it this far...

Baelfire marveled at how their majesties always seemed to outdo themselves with every festivity held at the palace. Footmen were weaving between guests with silver platters of hor d'oeuvres and flutes of champagne, stopping whenever a hand reached their way. Maids bustled in and out of the great hall, refilling the buffet tables as they were picked clean. Snow had never been one for making guests eat on her schedule. She liked giving them the opportunity to mingle. The palace staff rotated shifts so that everyone was able to join in the festivities. Even Cook was at a table, enjoying her efforts with great relish. The king and queen always insisted that no one be left out.

He stood at the edge of the crowd, scanning for the princess's emerald eyes or blonde hair. None of the royal family had appeared, but he kept up hope.

A guest accidentally bumped into his side, causing his to grimace slightly. They floated off after giving their apologies, but Bae looked down at his hand and flexed his fingers. Killian's jaw was harder than it looked and his knuckles were still bruised.

Bae looked up and held his breath. Regina had entered the room with her arm residing in Robin's, his other occupied with holding Roland. His heart was heavy with burden, knowing the part he played in the boy's injury. To his credit, he appeared in good spirits, taking in his surroundings with wide eyes.

As if sensing his anguish, Regina led her boys over to where he stood. He had always liked Emma's godmother. She had a calming influence over the wild princess and had always been kind to him. As they approached, Roland beamed. "Bae! Party!"

The weight began to lift from his shoulders as he smiled back at the child. "That's right, buddy. How's your wing?" A smile was his answer and Bae reached out to ruffle his hair.

"A little bump or bruise never stopped him before," Regina smiled at her son, her love for him evident on her glowing face.

"Listen, I'm so sorry. If we hadn't -"

Robin stopped him by raising his hand, palm out to Bae. "It was an accident. It was only a matter of time before Roland's excitement got the best of him. Personally, I'm surprised it took him this long," Robin said, giving his son a quick tickle.

Regina gave her husband a wry smile. "He's just like his father."

"Would you have it any other way?"

"Never," she said, and settled the matter by kissing him.

Bae watched their exchange with amusement; their love for each other was undeniable. He only hoped, one day, he and Emma would have that.

Regina and Robin wished Baelfire well as they went off to their own table, Roland eagerly eyeing the dessert table. Bae could see how the boy had wrapped Emma around his finger. Maybe I should be taking advice from him, he mused with a smirk.

He went back to searching the crowd for Emma when a trumpet sounded, signaling the king and queen's entrance. Queen Snow always drew attention to herself, whether she wanted to or not, and tonight was no exception. Emma's mother was beautiful and her smile lit up the already bright room.

Emma has her smile, Bae thought.

As if willing her to appear, Emma followed right behind her parents, stopping at the top of the grand staircase to scan the crowd.

Bae gasped. He had never seen her look so breathtaking.

Her gown was emerald green to match her eyes. The sleeveless bodice was pleated satin at the bust and smooth around her waist, full of silver embroidery and delicate beading, creating a shimmer around her as she moved. The full satin skirt billowed around her, gracefully cascading to the floor. She wore a teardrop diamond necklace that accentuated her delicate shoulders and long neck. Her hair was loose, trailing down her back in waves that were begging to be touched. Atop her head, rarely worn, was her tiara; a small, but intricately woven pattern of leaves made out of silver and accented by emeralds and diamonds. She was, in a word, stunning.

When she saw him, she smiled shyly and ade her way down the stairs. One of the footmen hurried to offer her his armfor her descent. She kept her eyes on her feet as she made her way down; Bae remembered her fear of falling down those stairs in front of everyone, stemming from a comment he had made when they were children.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" An Irish brogue asked to his left. He glanced briefly at the sailor before returning his gaze to the princess.

"Yes. She is," He responded curtly.

"I'm not here to fight," Killian said, "Not tonight. Not after..." He let his voice trail off as both men turned their eyes toward a young boy, who was currently helping himself to three different slices of cake.

"She'll make her choice," Bae said tensely.

"Aye, mate. It's up to her," Killian's voice got soft as Emma approached, looking every bit the princess she was born to be.

"Bae. Killian." Emma breathed their names softly. "Killian," she started, a little louder this time, "I need to speak to Bae. Do you mind excusing us?" She finished the last sentence boldly. Resolutely.

"Of course, lass," Killian departed with a bow.

Bae felt like his heart was about to burst from his chest. He smiled at Emma and offered her his arm. "Care to dance?" The smile he gave her could have lit all 1000 candles that surrounded the room.

"Absolutely," Emma replied.

He led her onto the dance floor where the crowd parted to let them pass. She had to admit, he looked heartbreaking in his uniform. The bright red blazer was lined with silver buttons up to his high black collar. His crisp, white trousers fit in a way that caused Emma's pulse to speed up.

Once on the dance floor, he gently placed his right hand at her waist, taking her right hand in his left. She rested her left hand on his shoulder and they began moving to the music in a slow waltz.

Emma let the music take over as he led her gracefully around the floor. Growing up in the palace, he had learned how to waltz, foxtrot, and gavotte like a nobleman. Emma's smile played at her lips as she recalled how many balls he had escorted her to. Before she came of age, her father had insisted on the pairing. Even after, she kept him on her dance card.

And now, here they were. And she was delaying the inevitable.

"Bae," she started, her voice catching.

"Yes, Emma," he whispered next to her ear, his breath tickling the delicate hairs at her neck.

"Please, Bae. I need to look at you to say this," she started again, pulling back. "You are my best friend. I've told you things I couldn't even tell Aurora or my mother."

"You can tell me anything, you know that."

"I know. Which is why I need to tell you that I love-"

"Emma, I-"

"Killian." She gazed at his face, searching for acceptance at her words. "I will always love you, Bae. You mean everything to me. I'm just... I'm not in love with you."

Her words hung in the air like a shroud.

"Please, say-"

"Emma," he said softly. "I'm not going to lie to you and say that I don't love you. One day, I had hoped you would love me, too. But I've seen how you look at him. You've never looked at me like that. A part of me hoped it was in my head," he stopped, pausing as the reality sank in. "If he's what will make you happy..." He trailed off, pain washing over his face.

"I never wanted to hurt you, Bae."

"I know. That doesn't mean it doesn't."

"You're still my best friend?" She asked, her eyes pleading with him.

"Always," he said softly, brushing his lips across hers and releasing her hand.

She hoped he meant it. She lingered one more moment before leaving him on the dance floor to stare at her retreating back.

You've found out my secret! I'm a CS Shipper. One could even call me a Hooker (at least as far as OUaT goes). Please review! I love hearing from you.

There's one more chapter to go, but I have heard from some that they would like for me to keep it going…you guys may help me with that decision :)