Chapter 20 –

~~The White Kingdom - three weeks and two days before the ball~~

"You want to practice dancing?" Jack looked up at the blonde incredulously.

"Yeah." Emma replied drily, her hands moving to her hips. "Do you think any of your guys can help?"

He gave her a long look. "I wouldn't advice asking. It's kind of a sore spot to those of us who are working that night." He finally adviced

"So – half the guard?" Emma's hands dropped and she moved to sit in the chair across from Jack's desk.

"Two thirds. It's a big event – we're on high alert." Emma blinked her surprise. "Besides, most people here are good when it comes to dancing with a sword or spear, less than that when it comes to dancing with a woman."

"I can dance the guy's part if it would make them feel more comfortable." She deadpanned, causing him to blink once and laugh.

"I'd pay to see that." He leaned back in his chair. "You know what – tonight. Let's go to Elphie's for dinner and then we can dance." He made a face. "Or at least you can dance with Beth and Logan. I'm on duty tonight, and will only be able to break away for half an hour at the most before my absence is noted."

"Are you sure they won't mind?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you kidding? Beth would be ecstatic, and Logan will love having a partner who isn't related to him."

Emma sighed. "This is going to make her even flirtier, isn't it?"

He nodded thoughtfully. "It probably will." Emma shook her head exasperatedly.

"Captain?" Raul's voice from the open doorway caused them both to turn. "You should come." Jack sighed, and grabbed his helmet.

"Sundown." Emma nodded as she got to her feet and left the small office, Jack stopped only to close the door behind him before heading out in the opposite direction with the guard that came to call.

~~R*S*H~~

"Tonight was fun." Emma said with a smile as she and Logan made their way to the castle walls late that night.

He smiled back. "It was." Then he laughed, "I can't believe you got Ella to dance with you though."

"Maybe it's the whole 'not being related to you thing'." She suggested teasingly eliciting another laugh from the taller man.

"That might be it." He agreed as his face grew serious again. "I do, however, wish to talk to you about Beth." Emma sighed. "I know that you have no interest in her." He hurriedly said. "And I'm also aware that her interest in you borders on inappropriate."

Emma raised her eyebrows. "Borders?"

He shrugged. "She is my sister –I was trying to be kind. I believe that Ella insisted that she stay behind to address this very matter."

"I told her that I'm not interested weeks ago." Emma confessed, then scratched her head. "Though maybe it was a bit vague since it was basically turning her down as my date for the ball."

Logan pursed his lips. "That may have been a little too subtle for her." He agreed after a moment of thought. "Please don't think me rude for asking, but are you interested in someone else?"

Emma ran a hand through her hair and tilted her head up to look at the castle. "It's okay, though honestly – had you asked me when I first came here, or even a few weeks ago, I would have likely said no." She hooked her thumbs through her belt. "I have this guy chasing me at home. And I have no idea how to deal with it once I get back, since he doesn't seem to take no for an answer, and the person who I seem to be missing almost as much as my son..." She trailed off, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. "Well, that person is not only involved with someone else, but can't stand to be in the same room with me for an hour without us getting into some kind of argument."

"Sounds like both of you have strong feelings towards each other."

Emma laughed humorously. "Yeah, only Regina's are loathing, or a very strong disrespect at the least."

He turned towards her, stopping and putting a gentle arm on hers to stop her too. "What do you mean? From what I've heard you are on good terms with the queen."

Emma laughed drily. "I'm not talking about this one."

"A different Regina, than; interesting." He mumbled and Emma couldn't help but think how much truth was in that statement. "Is that why you took to the queen?"

Emma looked away. "That's part of it. Look, Logan, I want you to promise me something -" his curiosity turned to confusion at her change of subject. "Promise me that once the king dies you'll take your family out of here – Ella, Jack, Beth – all of you – just leave and head to somewhere around princess Aurora's castle. You should be safe there."

"What? Why?"

"If I try to explain this you think I'm insane. Please, trust me. Some things are going to happen and you will all be much safer there."

"What if I refuse?" He asked curiously. "To promise, I mean."

"Then I will try to persuade Jack." Emma answered in a matter-of-fact tone.

He was silent for a long moment as he studied her face and eyes, then he sighed. "You should talk to him anyway. His position in the royal guards makes him a lot less inclined to move than a physician and her assistant, or a tailor, who will be welcome anywhere."

"I will, thank you."