"Do you think we should try and sneak in? This place looks pretty heavily guarded, and I don't see a back door."

Though Emma's voice was unwaveringly focused on the mission, her eyes were elsewhere. She couldn't be blamed, after all, she had never seen him like this. The lieutenant's uniform was a far cry from his normal leather garb. For one, he was more covered up than usual; His normally exposed chest now buttoned up beneath cream and navy layers, his neck and fingers devoid of their roguish baubles, and his brilliant blue eyes shaded under the naval hat. He seemed somehow different; He stood a little differently, straighter, more disciplined perhaps.

"No need to bother with that; I've got an invitation."

If his official appearance charmed her, his confident cheekiness reminded her that she was talking to a pirate.

Hook answered Emma's confused stare by waving a golden invitation with swirling script before her.

"How did you manage that?" she said with a mixture of admiration and surprise.

"You underestimate me, Swan. I know what I'm doing."

"Right," she conceded as a smile pulled at her cherry lips.

"Besides, you can't be sneaking around looking like that. You must make a royal entrance."

Emma smiled back at him. With that, he offered her his arm, which she accepted as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

So, the masquerading pair crossed over the rolling lawn and into the royal garden beyond the castle gate and walked amid the deepened, muted colors of what was certainly a colorful garden in the daylight. At the center, the tinkling trickle of a fountain joined the orchestra of celebratory sounds. On the northern side, a large mirrored panel stood behind the fountain.

Coming upon it, Emma was suddenly arrested by her own reflection in the silvery mirror. She gazed for a moment, as if she didn't recognize herself before turning toward Hook.

She clutched his arm as she studied his face.

"Killian, do you really think this will work?"

Emma's eyes were wide as she searched his for affirmation, her breath making her chest swell noticeably.

He took a glance for himself at the reflection of the two of them standing there. Though hours before they had been pirates, thieves, and strangers, now it was an affluent and noble young couple who gazed back at him. In contrast to his usual attire, this uniform was neat and tidy, and Emma, who usually appeared as tough and powerful as he knew her to be, now appeared soft and delicate in the crimson gown. She certainly looked the part of princess.

"Without a doubt, your highness," he said, his clear blue eyes lifting to meet hers beneath dark, thick lashes. His voice was a confident assurance spoken with a quiet reverence.

And so they walked through the garden, toward the entrance and through the outer courtyard. Within the courtyard walls, everything was decorated in honor of the ball. Gleaming lights hung above them and the walls sparkled merrily. The sight was breathtaking.

All around them, royals milled about, making their way into the main hall.

Emma, both captivated and anxious, turned to her companion.

'Where do we go.."

"Over there. All guests enter through the receiving line, their arrival is announced, and then they convey their gratitude and congratulations to the host."

Killian watched as the realization that she was going to see her father gleamed in her eyes.

"The prince is likely to be there, so remember, you don't know him, yet. Keep it short and polite and try not to make an impression."

"After the curse, David won't recognize me when I meet him in Storybrooke anyway, right?

"Let's not press our luck, shall we?"

Emma gave a brief nod in agreement.

As they took their place behind another quaffed and primped duke and duchess, a portly court official approached from Killian's left.

"Your names, please."

Clearing his throat, Killian was able to keep the charade, even as he was caught off guard.

"Princess Leia and Lieutenant Jones."

Pulling his spectacles further down his nose, the official made a note on his parchment.

"And your invitation, please."

Emma's grip tightened around his arm as the man inspected the stolen document, flipping it over and bringing it closer to his face. After several tense moments, the official looked at the pair over his spectacles.

"A pleasure to welcome you to the court of King Midas."

Soon they were being ushered into the main hall and were, without warning, standing before King Midas, his daughter, and Charming.

"We are pleased to present Lieutenant Jones and Princess Leia!" An overly zealous voice called out somewhere behind them.

Killian, bowed deeply shooting a quick look to Emma, hoping she would catch on. Thankfully she did and gave a surprisingly convincing curtsey.

"A pleasure to meet you both," Midas replied graciously.

Killian and Emma smiled politely before breaking off the conversation as soon as possible.

Though he could tell she was trying to play it cool, Emma was obviously dazzled by the whole affair.

"Mary Margaret and David are always going on about this ball and that ball. What's the big deal?"

Emma's words trailed off they made their way through the crowd to the ball room. The sound of the orchestra swelled in time with the company of guests dancing together. Swirling dresses of every color, wealthy couples from distant kingdoms decked in monstrous jewels and cloaked in sumptuous fabrics, no expense spared in every detail.

"You were saying?"

Emma's expression was one amazement, and though she wouldn't say so, it was obvious to him how enchanted she was.

"What do I do.."

"Blend in."

Taking Emma's hand in his, he began leading her across the ballroom.

"Wait, you mean to tell me you know how to do whatever this is?"

He did. Though it had been quite a long time, he was once a gentleman of culture and sophistication. Though it had been many years, he had never been more glad that he had learned to dance.

"It's called a waltz," Killian replied easily as he placed her hands to match his.

"There's only one rule: Pick a partner who knows what he's doing."

Killian took silent pleasure in the fact that he could show her a side of him that she'd never seen. He held the reigns for once. He wanted her to see him like this, not as a pirate, but as a man of honor.

Once they got into position, he counted the waltz time as he started moving.

"It's quite simple, just follow my lead."

He pushed and pulled her gently, guiding their steps as they spun across the golden floor.

By the second number, she stopped looking at her feet and glided more easily along with him, her arms relaxed, her smile easy and honest. With his good hand at her waist, he found himself unconsciously stroking her side, enjoying her warmth radiating through the silk dress.

As they danced, Killian gazed at his partner, whom he'd always seen as a determined, powerful, and passionate woman, and saw something completely new.

He was waltzing with a princess, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, born of True Love, and the heir to a kingdom. He had known about her identity for some time now, but tonight, she owned it. Tonight, she was every bit the princess she was born to be.

He smiled at her, wondering how she could doubt even for a second that this is who she was born to be.

Whether she misinterpreted his mirth or let her own insecurity color his thoughts, she commented, "Watch the mocking! I think I'm actually getting the hang of this."

"I'm not mocking you, Swan. I was just thinking about what you said earlier about not being a princess."

"You get my first dance at my first royal ball and all you can say is 'I told you so'!"

"I believe, what I'm trying to say, your highness, is that you appear to be quite a natural."

She must have believed him because she returned his grin.

"And don't think for a moment that the honor is lost on me."

"What do you mean?"

"Dancing with you. It is an honor, Emma."

The cerulean eyes that fixed themselves on hers had lost their mischievous glint and took on an earnest, soul-bearing tenderness, if only for a flash of a moment.

Just that moment, a tall, blondish looking royal stepped from behind Emma, then addressed her with a polite bow.

"Your highness, I should like to have this dance, if you don't mind me cutting in."

Cheeks blushing and all logic set aside in favor of flattery, Emma gave the man a smile that would surely precede a 'yes'. But before she did, Killian gave the answer, firming his hold on Emma slightly as he spoke.

"I don't think so, mate."

Clearly not expecting any resistance, the man gaped at the would-be-lieutenant's words with an uncomfortable tension. Emma, apparently caught of guard as well, shot Killian a look of surprise and indignation.

Hook, in an effort to take the edge off his frosty words, elaborated, "It's bad form to steal away a man's newly betrothed!"

The tall man's eyes moved from Killian's back to Emma's before accepting defeat.

"Apologies," the blonde man said with no attempt to mean it, before sulking away.

As he disappeared back into the crowd of guests, they started dancing again.

"Are you really gonna play jealous boyfriend with every guy that wants to talk to me?"

"I was just trying to protect you."

"I'm quite capable of doing that myself, thanks."

"The timeline, Swan, protecting the timeline."

She looked totally unconvinced, but played along anyway.

"And that part about me being your 'newly betrothed'? Was that really necessary?"

"No," he said with a devilish smile.

"You're terrible."

"Admit it Swan, you like me sometimes."

"Occasionally, maybe. When you're not acting like a scoundrel."

"Scoundrel," he played back, his voice growing with mock surprise, "I prefer 'dashing rapscallion'."

By this time, they were dancing closely. He could feel the growing heat between them, her warm, sweet scent, the tops of her breasts brushing against his chest.

Though she rolled her eyes, Emma's smile told a different story. Hook grasped her waist more assuredly, drawing her even closer.

"You like me because I'm a scoundrel and there aren't enough scoundrels in your life, princess."

"I happen to like nice men," she said, though her voice couldn't convince even herself.

Killian grinned like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"I'm nice."

"No you're not.."

Her words, barely a whisper, were stolen from the diminishing space between them as he drew in a breath. Though neither of them noticed, they were no longer dancing, instead caught in a moment in the midst of the swirling room. Killian's hand moved from her waist to touch her neck, her's held to the arm that caressed her.

Was it his imagination or did her lips seem to part in readiness, her eyes flutter a little lower, and her neck tilt every so slightly to the side? Killian felt his hat bump her forehead slightly, the last space between their bodies, hovering inches apart. He'd waited too long to feel those rosy lips against his. His fingers burrowed into her golden hair, daring to coax her closer. She was so close.

Then, in an instant, the moment was broken.

A sudden resounding crash came from the other end of the hall, forcing their attention away from each other.

"Dammit."

Killian swore, mostly to himself.

Breathless with still racing hearts, they turned to see the Evil Queen make a dramatic entrance into the ballroom.

"Regina is here. That was definitely not in the plan."

Thanks, as always, for all the love and support! I love hearing from you all! I don't know about you, but I am super super excited for the new season and I'm glad that we've almost made it through the hiatus together.
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