A/N: Today is a dual update so please read Chapter 10 before this one. I'm still sort of distracted so I'm hoping this sounds alright. Once again, this author so appreciates your review after reading. Thank you.

Chapter 11

Soft music transitioned to something more lively as the energy in the room suddenly shifted. The King and Queen, hand in hand approached the floor and opened the waltz as the guests applauded and looked on in reverent admiration.

By now Prince Adam, clearly uncomfortable, found himself surrounded by a throng of beautiful little girls all elegantly dressed and competing for his attention, his nervous sapphire gaze darting about in an attempt to appease everyone and his adolescent good looks doing nothing to slow the waves of adulation.

Upon hearing the music and seeing his parents, Cylvia made her way through the sea of girls and sought to rescue him by grasping his arm and pulling him to the dance floor. The girls pouted in their wake, their glares shooting daggers at the brown haired girl.

Reaching the floor, they turned to face each other as she smiled.

"Let's dance."

Adam swallowed hard. "I only learned this a month ago. Sorry if I'm terrible," he confessed with chagrin as he took her hand placing the other around her waist.

After several turns, the little brown haired girl gave a shy smile. "You're not terrible. You're pretty good!" she cheerfully observed.

His countenance leveled in concentration, his eyebrows suddenly shot up in surprise at the compliment. Blushing slightly, he answered, "Oh. Thank you. Umm…so are you."

Talking animatedly with her friends, one suddenly tapped Teela's shoulder prompting her to whirl around.

"Hey," he said, "Isn't that your new friend out there?"

Her emerald gaze shifted and settled on the dance floor. Seized with an inexplicable jolt of…something...she shook it off.

"Yeah."

"What's he like?"

Her eyes went distant in recollection. "He's…difficult…"

Malek sent her a look of confusion. "So, he's a jerk then?"

"No," she replied, her eyes meeting his. "Difficult…to describe. He's…he's kinda different but sorta…nice," she added as her eyes wandered back to the dance floor.

Malek's eyes narrowed in jealousy.

xxx

The night went on with the little Prince dancing with his mother the Queen, the floor now filled with other dancing couples eyeing them sweetly. He then danced with Mrs. Stoley who couldn't help but dab her tearful eyes with a kerchief the entire time, her heart swelling with pride.

Much to the chagrin of the other royal boys in attendance, all night long Adam was constantly approached by Princesses from all over the Realm; some his age, some older and much taller than he as he graciously granted dances to whomever asked turning no one down.

xxx

Teela felt a soft tap on her shoulder.

She rolled her eyes, "You've been doing that all night! What is it now, Malek?" Everyone fell silent as she whirled around to find Adam staring intently at her. With a sharp intake of air, her eyes went round. "Oh, it's you," she chuckled nervously. "What is it, Adam?"

Her friends were children of the nobles and knowing royal etiquette, they all gave a quick and horrified gasp as she deigned to call him by his first name and adding to the insult, completely disregarded his royal title. They quickly bowed and curtseyed in deference.

Not offended, inclining his head to her friends he turned to her. "Do you want to dance? With me?"

Someone behind her sighed with longing as Teela looked at him. "Ok. Why not," she teased as she held out her hand, Adam taking it and leading her to the floor.

As they walked away, Olvianna fawned to the other girls, "That's the first time all evening I've seen him up close," she said fanning herself. "He's actually beautiful!"

The boys in the group frowned.

xxx

Reaching the floor they turned to face each other. Teela blushed and averted her gaze as Adam stopped for a moment.

"What?"

Clearing her throat, she met his gaze again. "Nothing."

He shrugged and stepped closer, taking her hand and putting his arm around her waist. "I think with all the practice I've gotten tonight, I'm a little bit better, Tee," he remarked quietly and sincerely in her ear.

Tee? Butterflies magically awakened within Teela's stomach at his closeness and words. "It's okay."

All three parents watched with proud smiles as their two children danced tentatively among the adults, Adam doing a decent job of guiding her across the floor. Teela did her best to slow her breathing. For some reason, his nearness made her jittery.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" she asked timidly, deflecting from her sudden onset of uneasiness.

He pulled back to look at her. "Hiking in the mountains with my father. Why?"

Disappointed, she glanced away. "Nothing."

He quirked a brow and dismissing it, continued.

They danced in silence for quite a while until unnerved, Teela suddenly stopped and pulled back. "Why don't you ever smile?" she asked sharply.

Surprised, Adam blinked at her in confusion. "I smile, don't I?"

"Not really," she put a hand to her hip. "You only give half of one, if at all. And you never show your teeth."

Not understanding the line of questioning, Adam furrowed his brow. "This is about my teeth?"

"Listen, do you like that brown haired girl or not?" she huffed.

"Cylvia?"

"Yeah."

Adam looked around in an attempt to find her. When he couldn't, he finally met Teela's gaze. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Well then that's your answer," she shrugged, palms up.

His confused sapphire gaze simply stared. "My answer to what?"

She sighed. "You said you didn't find anyone you liked and you weren't gonna get married or have any kids, right?"

Understanding dawning, Adam nodded slowly.

"So?" she pressed, "That's your wife then."

His eyes went wide. "My wife?" he echoed, his blue gaze then narrowing. "What's this about?"

Agitated and grappling with mixed feelings, Teela huffed and stalked off of the dance floor, running now toward the antechamber.

Confused, Adam glanced at his parents who by now seemed concerned. He shifted his gaze to her retreating back as he reluctantly followed.

Leaving the Ballroom, he entered the antechamber and finding her gone, made his way down the corridor, past the guards, and all the way to the Royal Wing. There, he found her leaning against a wall staring at the floor, her arms folded.

"Tee?"

Her head snapped to him, her eyes indignant. "Why do you have ta call me that?"

Adam walked closer, his brow knit. "Because…I want to. You don't like it?"

"No!"

His eyes narrowed as he folded his arms. "Well that's too bad because that's what I'm calling you," he said sharply.

Teela blew a frustrated puff of air, her arms falling to her sides. "Then what if I called you 'Addie'? How would ya feel about that?" she countered.

He shrugged. "I don't care. As long as it made you happy then it'd be okay with me."

She gaped at him. "It makes you happy to call me 'Tee'?"

"I don't know," he said, shrugging and biting his lip. "Not happy. Not sad. Just…Tee. My friend. Tee."

Her shocked and conflicted emerald gaze held his sapphire ones until finally, she approached and threw her arms around him. Surprised, he tentatively embraced her back until she abruptly pulled away. She looked into his eyes.

"Good night," she said before quickly turning and entering her chambers.

Confused, his gaze shifted right and left to the Palace guards in the distance, their backs to him, their gazes sweeping the outer corridor when—

"You think you're better than us, don'tchya?" a brazen and taunting voice spoke behind him.

Eyes wide, Adam whirled around to see four boys, all sons of nobles eyeing him angrily.

His arms folded, Phineas smirked. "You don't seem all that special to me," he remarked. "You're just like any other kid…except maybe a bit more girly looking. Even the girls call you pretty!"

To that, the other boys laughed heartily.

Adam frowned, his fists balling at his sides.

"My father Lord Quinton says, 'Once an orphan, always an orphan,'" he continued haughtily. "I think you're a fake!"

"No Phineas, you're the fake. And a pretty ugly one at that," Adam angrily shot back.

The boy's mouth fell open, his eyes then narrowing as the others gasped in horror at the insult. Guffawing, he suddenly lunged forward, the others following suit as Adam broke into a boxer's stance.

They attacked the Prince, all falling at once upon him, pummeling him with fists as Adam fought back swinging right and left hooks connecting with the jaws of two of the boys as they staggered backward. Phineas put his hands on his shoulders grasping at Adam's jacket in an attempt to pull him to the floor when Adam pivoted batting the boy's arms away with his forearms following it up with a right uppercut sending the bully's head snapping back.

The fourth boy came from behind and wrapped his arm around the Prince's neck effectively putting him in a headlock cutting off his airway. Choking and gasping for air, Adam tugged at the boy's arm then abruptly bent forward, flipping the boy over his shoulder. The boy landed hard on his back, the wind knocked out of him.

The first two boys pounced, their fists an angry flurry of motion connecting with Adam's left eye and jaw temporarily dazing him and causing him to stagger backward. Quickly recovering and now utterly furious, Adam resumed his fighting stance landing several hard punches to the boys' jaws and stomachs; each staggering, bending over, and falling to the ground. He whirled around slamming his elbow into Phineas' temple and shifted right grabbing the second boy's neck, shoving his head down into his knee and knocking him out cold.

Hearing the scuffle, two guards whirled around and ran toward the boys, the fight escalating in its savagery with Adam terribly outnumbered four-to-one and fighting for his life.

"Man-At-Arms, do you copy?" the radio crackled to life.

Duncan, who at this point had been admiring and enjoying the Ball quickly found his communicator and held it to his lips. "Go."

"Sir, there's been an incident in the Royal Wing…"

The young soldier's eyes widened nervously. "What kind of incident?"

"It's the Prince, Sir—"

"On my way," Duncan cut him off snapping the radio shut and quickly fastening it to his belt. Making his way through the merriment of the throng of guests, he threaded his way to the head table.

"Sire!"

The King who had just shared a laugh with one of his advisors whipped his head to lock eyes with a slightly harried King's Man-At-Arms. Randor's expression immediately sobered. "What is it, Duncan?"

"Your Majesty…an incident…in the Royal Wing."

The King went slightly pale before nodding and jumping to his feet. His eyes immediately searched the Ballroom for his wife, finally finding her and locking gazes. The Queen's smile faded at the look of alarm in her husband's countenance. Staring at him, she nodded as he returned the gesture before rushing out of the room behind Duncan.

The King along with his Man-At-Arms and two Royal Guard members rushed to the West Wing, both men beyond worried prompting neither to speak; their thoughts going wild with speculation. When they arrived outside of Teela's chamber door, they stopped eyes wide.

There, in the hallway stood an angry and defiant Prince Adam, his face slightly flushed sporting bruising around his left eye and a laceration on his bottom lip. His shoulders squared, he stood hands clasped behind him, his boots shoulder length apart as Randor's and Duncan's gazes wandered to the heap of boys lying on the floor around him; some moaning, others still unconscious.

Their gazes darted back to the Prince.

"What on Eternia…," Randor muttered. He shifted his gaze. "Adam…?"

The Prince didn't respond and simply stared forward in silence.

"Report!" Duncan barked at his men.

After a quick bow, the lead guard spoke. "Your Majesty. Commander. The Prince escorted Miss Teela to her bedchambers when he was confronted by these four rogues," the guard gestured to the boys sprawled on the floor.

Randor's eyes widened. "So, my son was attacked, Yosuf?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The boys started it, but your son most certainly ended it," he replied, his voice colored with admiration.

Duncan's cinnamon gaze widened as his eyes shifted to the little Prince still standing at attention and avoiding eye contact.

"Adam?" the King ventured as he approached and knelt before him. "Are you alright?"

Silent, Adam's sapphire gaze, still wild with anger darted to his father then back to the wall, tendrils of blonde hair slicked with perspiration and adhering to the sides of his face.

Just then, appearing to have been crying and clad in a bathrobe Teela's door opened as she timidly emerged, her face flushed. Her teary emerald eyes went round at the carnage and the surrounding guards then drifted to her father and the King. Her gaze then shifted to Adam whose eyes briefly met hers then resumed their vigil to the wall.

Duncan knit his brow. "Daughter? What happened?"

After a moment she blinked and turned to her father. "I…I don't know, Daddy. I heard voices just now…," she trailed off as she looked back at Adam who continued to avert his gaze.

Randor sighed as he stood and glanced at everyone. "Thank you everyone. I will see my son to his chambers," he looked at Teela's father and gestured to the floor. "Duncan, please let their fathers know I must see them first thing in the morning."

Bowing, Duncan replied, "Yes, Sire."

The King nodded. "Thank you. Good night men…Teela…," he stated before putting his arm around his son's shoulders.

As they turned to leave, Adam threw an apologetic glance over his shoulder, his eyes temporarily locking with hers as the guards set to the task of rousing the boys and helping them to their feet.

The next morning, the four nobles quickly exited the King's office, a furious Lord Quinton among them. They had just been informed by His Majesty in no uncertain terms that their sons' behavior would not be tolerated. They had also been told they would be losing a fraction of their landholdings within their duchies as punishment.

Afterwards, Randor postponed his hiking trip with his son in order to give Adam time to process what occurred the night before as he hadn't spoken in over twenty-four hours since the altercation.

xxx

Over the next week, the Prince's Ball had been widely considered a success despite the unfortunate incident known only to Palace staff and guards. In the days since the brawl Adam retreated inwardly, once again falling silent and refusing to speak.

His parents did their best to draw him out deciding later not to push him allowing him the time needed to work through his emotions. Sadly, they noticed Teela's efforts also proving unsuccessful in reaching him emotionally; the redhead a bit somber as a result.

Nevertheless, they made it clear that they were here for him whenever he was ready to open up.

- A Month Later -

With the King and Queen's growing concern over Adam's silence over the last few weeks, Randor decided to reschedule his hiking trip with his son hoping to use the time alone together to encourage verbal communication. They wanted to reassure him that it was perfectly okay, expected even, to come to his family for support instead of retreating inwardly in an attempt to cope with adversity alone.

The winter having now arrived, they packed coats, boots, and plenty of warm blankets along with insulated tenting to guard against the cold. They also brought warm food along with plenty of water for the journey.

xxx

"Man-At-Arms, do you copy, Sir?"

In his workshop, Duncan, instructing Teela on the inner workings of binary carburetors stopped to reach for his communicator. "Go."

"Sir, instead of staying the week His Majesty and His Highness will return momentarily to the Palace from Haleah-Akum Mountain, Sir."

"They're cutting their hiking trip short? Why? It's only been three days. Is something wrong?" Duncan asked anxiously as Teela looked on nervously.

"Not exactly, Sir," the guard's voice stated amusedly. "They're returning having discovered…uhh…something."

Confused, Duncan glanced at Teela who stared back. "Is it something about…Adam?" she asked with dread.

Her father shook his head in wonder. He brought the radio back to his lips. "Acknowledged. ETA?"

"Thirty minutes, Sir."

"Copy."

xxx

Dressed warmly, the Queen, Man-At-Arms, Teela, and twenty of the Palace Royal Guard stood in Hangar 7 as the King's transport arrived, Marlena's countenance marked with deep concern. She hugged herself as the royal jet landed and docking, the hydraulics prompted the side door to open and lift as the auto-ramp extended.

The Prince emerged wearing a winter coat and snowy boots, his blue gaze troubled, his arms cradling something swathed within a warm blanket.

With Duncan and little Teela behind her, Marlena approached and kneeling, she embraced her young son kissing his cheek. Her hazel-blue gaze shifted to the bundle in his arms. Touching it, she asked, "What is this, my Sweet?" she asked, her eyes curious.

Adam eyed his mother as Teela sidled up to him, his gaze shifting to the redhead.

"Yeah, what is it, Adam?"

The King emerged when the bundle suddenly twitched prompting Adam's mother and young friend to flinch and recoil. Marlena brought a hand to her chest, "What on Earth…?"

Carefully, the Prince moved a hand to one end of the blanket and pulled it back to reveal…a sleeping tiger cub.

Marlena and Teela gasped as Duncan's eyebrows shot up in amusement. The King elaborated. "Adam found him underneath a bushel hungry, afraid, and trembling," his voice dropped, "He's injured. I'm afraid he was abandoned by his mother."

The Queen's gaze darted up to meet her husband's as they exchanged knowing glances.

Oblivious to the orphan reference, Teela blurted rather loudly, "He's kinda cute!"

Adam sent her a censuring glare. "Quiet Tee! You'll wake him," he whisper shouted to everyone's shocked surprise; this being his first words in over a month.

Teela's brows shot skyward. "You're talking again?" she replied, incredulous.

"Apparently," he replied sarcastically, "But I'll need you to stop talking," he shot back earning a giggle from his parents.

The redhead frowned and stuck out her tongue prompting Adam's sapphire gaze to narrow angrily.

"Children that's enough," Randor stated, his arms going wide corralling everyone. "Let's have lunch, shall we?"

xxx

In the Dining Hall Duncan, along with the Prince's parents marveled as Adam showed such tender care in feeding and looking after the wild animal. When the cub stirred, Adam bottle-fed him at the table as everyone looked on. Later that afternoon, he brought him to Duncan's workshop where he bathed the cub, toweled him off, and brushed his green and gold fur. Content, the cub licked his thanks at Adam's hand.

Before dinner that same evening, Adam and Teela sat outside in the wintry Palace Gardens in their coats laughing and watching the cub discover his new environment exploring and sniffing the greenery and occasionally frolicking after a snow-bird.

Curiosity overtaking the cat, the cub sniffed and burrowed at the bottom of a bush when an irate black-tailed squirrel emerged and pounced. The cub recoiled and ran straight for Adam. He darted up into Adam's lap then, hopping onto his shoulders, he wrapped his front and hind legs around the Prince's head trembling in abject fear. The children laughed heartily as Adam attempted to peel him off of his face.

"He's sorta scared of everything," Teela observed between laughs.

Adam nodded in agreement as he finally succeeded in pulling the tiger off of him cuddling him in his arms, the cub calming at his touch. Teela leaned in and cooed, "You're such a cringer, aren't you, you little Fraidy-Cat?" she teased as she tapped his cold nose with her finger.

Adam stopped then burst into hearty laughter causing Teela to straighten and blink at him. "What's so funny?"

"What you said," he stated with a snort.

Their eyes met as he settled down, his mega-watt smile lingering.

Teela stared at him. "That's the first time I've heard you laugh that hard since I've known you, Adam," she then narrowed her gaze studying him. "And…your smile. I've never seen…," she trailed off.

Suddenly feeling self-conscious, he schooled his features and cleared his throat averting his gaze.

Teela continued to observe him, the butterflies once again flitting wildly in her stomach. "Wow," her mind muttered, "Olvianna was sorta right. He's kinda…gorgeous."

Fidgeting under her silent scrutiny, the Prince straightened and stood, carrying his new pet cat. Rounding the bench, he stopped and looked down at her. "Thanks to you, I think we have a name."

Looking at him over her shoulder, the redhead sent him a confused look. "Ya mean, Fraidy-Cat?"

Adam snorted causing Teela to smile at his newfound lightheartedness.

"No. Cringer."

Credit: *I borrowed and amended a scene from the Filmation episode, "BattleCat"*