Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot and any unrecognizable characters:

Sorry for the wait! I'll hopefully have the next one up sooner but I hope the length makes up for this chappie!


"There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

I quirked an eyebrow before reaching down and taking a strand of my hair, bringing it to eye level. It looked the same, dark brown and wavy, and I looked up at him in faint amusement.

"My hair looks the same." He huffed at my dry words, gently tugging me closer to him before he gestured to a small pool of water a few feet in front of us.

"Look again." I looked up at him oddly before I moved forward, coming to a complete stop when I caught sight of my reflection in the still water.

Gone was my dark, wavy hair, pale skin and blue eyes, replaced by lightly tanned skin, much lighter hair, and darker eyes. My features even looked sharper. I blinked once, touching my face in surprise when the reflection copied the movement, before I turned back to Peter and raised an eyebrow again, recovering from my shock.

"What do you look like?" Curious, I reached for his hand and tugged him towards me, letting out a soft gasp when he yanked me towards him, tangling his hand in my loose hair.

"Later," he gave me a soft, barely there kiss before he moved away from the pond, pulling me with him. "We've got a party to attend."

I rolled my eyes but allowed him to lead me towards the brightly lit castle, starting when I realized where we were. We slipped past the guards and walked down the stairs before, to my utter shock, Peter quickly swept me into his arms and began to dance with me, his green eyes curiously shuttered.

"Since when do you dance?" I had never seen him dance, not even with the lost boys when they had celebrations, choosing to sit next to the fire or play his pipe instead. He simply smirked distractedly, his movements smooth compared to the tenseness openly displayed on his face.

"Let's just say it's...a hidden, rarely used talent." I bite my tongue at the dark, menacing undercurrent I could detect in his voice, quite aware that he disliked speaking of his past, especially when it concerned his son and his deceased wife.

I had asked him once about Rumple's mother and, after catching sight of the cold, almost violent expression on his face, I'd quickly removed myself from his presence, unwilling to open more wounds when I knew I wasn't ready for the backlash.

Oddly enough, I'd expected to feel jealousy over his previous wife, though I had scolded myself mentally at that though, but I'd felt little to nothing about the woman Peter had been married to when he'd been Malcolm. I'd been more relieved than anything when I realized that but, I was also smart enough to know when to stop and hadn't asked about Rumple's mother in years.

He spun me around lightly, his face slowly relaxing as the dance continued, though when a man tapped on his shoulder, his face became tight.

"May I ask the lady for a dance?" I looked over Peter's shoulder, my blood running cold when I caught sight of the elderly man's face.

It was the Baron.

Peter glanced between us, his brow furrowing when he heard my sharp inhalation of breath and, before I could react, he turned towards the man who was currently roving his eyes over my body in a way that made a shiver if disgust run up my spine. Peter's arm hooked around my waist and he pulled me to him, his words smug and threatening.

"Afraid not, you see." He picked up my left hand and kissed it, displaying a ring on my third finger that I knew hadn't been there five seconds ago. I blinked in surprise, looking between the ring to Peter's face, then braving a look at the Baron to see his heavily lined face twisted in disappointment and some rage. "We're celebrating our engagement."

Peter mockingly nodded his head to the now red-faced Baron, his mouth twisted into a faint snarl as the Baron spoke, his eyes looking me up and down once again.

"Well, I'll just have to swoop in later, wont' I?" I kept my face blank as he addressed me, unable to hold back.

"Well, you'd need eyes to do that." His brow furrowed again and I smiled sweetly, baring my teeth in a threatening manner, though he simply blinked owlishly at me until my words registered. "Which you won't if you keep mentally undressing me like that." I hissed out, struggling to keep my eyes from turning red, aware that no enchantment could stop that little quirk of mine and I glanced up at Peter, touching his chest. "Let's go to the balcony, I find the heat quite uncomfortable."

He nodded and, after a short, heated glare at the now sputtering man, turned us around and headed to the balcony. Only when we exited the lattice doors did I pull away from Peter's protective embrace, going straight to the railing and gripping it tightly, holding back the urge to retch as bile rose in my throat, choking me as my eyes began to burn.

Attempting to keep my breathing under control, I tightened my grip on the stone under my fingers, dimly aware that my magic was reacting to my emotions and I was beginning to scorch the stone.

"Lily." Peter pulled me from the railing, tugging me into his embrace and I gripped the collar of his vest, tugging him closer as he gently soothed my hair, his hand freezing when my whispered request made it to his ears.

"Kiss me." He nearly gaped down at me and I, unwilling to wait and allow memories to surge back, yanked his mouth down to mine.

It wasn't a pleasant kiss, out teeth locking and banging against each other but, afer a moment's hesitation, Peter quickly, and enthusiastically, got into the kissing and soon enough was nearly towering over me, nearly bending my spine as he kissed me fiercely, his lips insistent as I raked harshly through his hair, messing it with my fingers.

After several long moments that felt like hours, I finally relaxed, losing myself in his embrace and tried to soften the onslaught on my lips, earning a soft chuckle from Peter before he obliged, kissing me softly and gently before pulling away and resting his forehead against mine, his cool breath fanning across my face as he panted down at me, his lips twisting into a small smirk.

"I'm happy to help, love."

"Well, wasn't that quite a show." I stiffened at the trilling voice and turned to face Rumple, who was looking at us with mild interest in his golden eyes, his head tilting. "Now, who do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

"Anna and Henry, sir...?" I trailed off, nodding my head at my mentor, attempting to keep my heart from leaping out of my chest as Rumple continued to stare at me, his hand resting near his face as an unsettling grin formed on his oddly colored face.

"Rumpelstiltskin." He bowed low at the waist, flourishing his hands out before he looked up at me, causing me to curtsey back, every image of the proper lady. I could sense Peter's gaze but ignored it, focusing on my mentor. "At your service."

"I apologize for not seeing you before, Sir." I covered my hand with my mouth, pretending to be shy. "You see, we've just become engaged."

Rumple cooed and, before I could react, he had my left hand in his grip and was staring at the ring, his body going frightfully still as he continued to stare at the ring adorning my left, third finger.

He finally looked up and an icy chill went down my back at the look on his face, while his hands tightened on mine, his grip nearly bruising.

"Where did you get this ring?" He demanded, his voice deceptively soft and Peter reacted, sounding confused.

"I was able to buy it off a traveling merchant a few days ago." He looked down, pretending to be bashful. "I wanted it to mean more than some family heirloom."

Rumple nodded distractedly and released my hand, his eyes faraway as he nodded his head at us, seeming to snap out of whatever memory was plaguing him.

"Well," he turned around, stalking back towards the open doors. "I believe congratulations are in order but remember," he cautioned darkly, his eyes glowing in the dim light even though he chirped his next words. "Marriage, is forever, dearies."

I shivered at his warning but said nothing, smiling pleasantly at him and nodding as he left, breathing a sigh of relief when he disappeared from view. I slumped against Peter, who simply smirked down at me, his green eyes dancing.

"I thought that was rather fun, don't you?"

"Oh, do shut up."


"I thank you all for coming tonight, to celebrate our Dear Snow's birthday." I clapped politely as King Leopold continued to drone on and on about how wonderful his daughter was, rolling my eyes inwardly and glancing up at Peter, who was currently scanning the crowd for Rumple.

After out meeting with Rumple on the balcony, Peter had been, all of his joking aside, tense all night and that had in turn set me on edge as well. I glanced around, not surprised to see Rumple skulking about through the crowd, watching the young, dark-haired princess with keen eyes.

I almost shivered, wondering exactly what Rumple had in store for the girl but, pushed it to the back of my mind, trying to accept that what happened in the Enchanted Forest no longer truly had anything to do with me.

I didn't belong here and, as Peter pulled me with him back onto the dance floor, his smirk charming and playful, I swallowed past the lump in my throat that those thoughts caused.

As Peter spun me away from him, I held in a gasp when new arms took me, stiffening when I met the Baron's pleased eyes and withheld the urge to set him on fire, aware that I'd give myself away.

"Well, my dear, it seems fate wanted us to dance after all." I rolled my eyes, not even bothering to act like a lady, especially considering how horrible of a dancer he was, though he was quite old by now. He attempted to press me closer to him, crowding in uncomfortably close and I glared fiercely at him, catching Peter's murderous gaze as some random woman steered him around the dance floor and away from me.

I glanced back up at the Baron, sneering hatefully up at him as he continued to speak, either ignoring my expression or he was completely oblivious to it, though I had a feeling it was the latter more than the former.

"So, care to find out what a real man is like?" I shivered with disgust, rolling my eyes at him and snarled heatedly at him, not even wincing when his hands gripped my upper arms tightly, his grip nothing compared to what I was capable of.

"Oh, is there one around here?" I sneered and, before he could react, I used a burst of magic to make him release me before I turned on my heel, searching for Peter.

I was jerked back when a handful of my hair was caught in a grip and winced when I was yanked back towards the Baron, letting out a short cry of protest when he nearly ripped my hair from my scalp.

"Watch your tongue, wench! Why, you should be-"

"Should be what, Baron Tarn?" I gasped as I was nearly thrown from the Baron's grip, nearly falling to the floor and gasping with relief when Peter caught me. His hands ran along my arms, his fake blue eyes darkening when he caught sight of the red marks on my arms and I turned in his embrace, not surprised to see Rumple holding a sword at the Baron's throat.

Ever since he'd found me, Rumple had always wanted to kill the Baron but, I'd asked him not to until the man's behavior was exposed to all of the kingdom and, clearly, Rumple had just gotten that opening. I cowered against Peter, willing to help Rumple with this in any way I could.

"Now, what was it you were going to say to the young lady, Baron?" Rumple giggled and I glanced around, noting that the King was making his way towards the scene, his kindly face screwed up in anger.

"Rumpelstiltskin, what is the meaning of this?" I had to give Leopold credit, he stared straight at my mentor and, I had a feeling only I could detect the faint strand of fear that emanated from the King. Rumple simply smiled, giggling madly and staring at the now cowering Baron, pressing the tip of the sword closer to his flesh.

"Why, I'm going to teach this Baron a long overdue lesson, your Majesty." He bowed deeply to Leopold, still managing to keep the sword in place, his golden eyes flickering to me. "This, lovely man here, was attempting to force himself on that young lady behind you."

Leopold followed Rumple's oddly colored finger and blinked at the sight of me cowering against Peter, who was simply delighted in the proceedings, though his face showed no hint to the amusement I could feel coming off him.

"Is this true, Miss?" I stared up into the King's kind eyes and made of show of swallowing and shaking before I nodded, keeping a tremble in my voice that I knew everyone could hear.

"It is, Your Grace." I raised a trembling hand and pointed at the now ashen faced Baron. "He tried to take what was not his to give." I made a show of gently touching my upper arms as Peter took over, his voice a low, almost meek tone that made me want to burst out in laughter.

"Your Majesty, I saw all of it. He hurt her arms and he yanked on her hair." He glanced down at me lovingly, thought I could see the mischief deep in his eyes. "Who knows what that man would have done to my fiancé if the Dark One hadn't stepped in."

Leopold simply nodded, gently touching my cheek with a soft, calloused hand.

"Don't worry, my dear. He won't be harming anyone again, my justice will be swift." With that, the king turned to Rumple and the Baron but, before he could say anything, Rumple waved his hand, turning the now terrified looking Baron into a snail.

I rolled my eyes inwardly, aware that he was about to do the very same thing he'd done to a merchant that had accidently scrapped up Bae's knee.

And, sure enough, Rumple stepped onto the snail, making sure to crunch it under his boot before he looked up and offered a bright grin to the stunned king.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. It's not that I dont' trust your 'swift justice', well, actually, I don't," he amended, not looking sorry at all. "But, I had a personal score to settle with that insect." He bowed low, flourishing with his hands before he giggled madly again. "Now, I bid you adieu and," he grinned at the still surprised king. "It was a lovely party."

With a wave of his hand, he disappeared in a puff of purple smoke and I stared at the spot where the remains of the snail laid, feeling an odd peace settle into me at once. Peter tugged on my arm, his grip insistent and I allowed him to pull me through the now lively crowd, aware that there could be a bit of a mob after that display.

As we headed down the stairs, I glanced up at Peter, who simply smiled down at me cheekily.

"Well, I had fun."

"Just get us home, Peter." Hsi eyes darkened at my wording and he pulled me flush against him, pressing his lean body against mine tightly.

"Hmm, I like it when you say that." He murmured against my lips as the Shadow flew from him and enveloped us, just as Peter touched his lips to mine.

I had a feeling I was in a for a very long night.


Please review!

ipreferoriginal: I'm glad you reviewed! Thank you very much :)

Peter's lover: I'm so glad you thought so dear! I hope I didn't make you wait too long!

TheWickedHeart: Thanks!

Emily: I hope you found this chapter to be as interesting, and always lovely to hear from you, dear.

GingerGeekGal1796: I'm glad you're excited!

brook330: I'm glad you think so and thank you very much!

pogocrazy7: As am I, she's more fun to write this way. Thanks for the review!

ratherbereading125: Nope. Lily isn't Native American in my story, since she didn't start out as Tiger Lily, Peter just disguised them both so Rumple wouldn't recognize them.

Guest: You shall find out and thank you very much!