Tiana's head turned as the bell above the door at Duke's rang to announce someone coming inside. She had moved so quickly that she almost spilled the coffee she was pouring. Only a sharp cry from the customer brought Tiana's attention back to her task.

"Sorry, Lester," Tiana said quickly, and finished pouring into the cup, wiping up the few droplets that had spilled. This newcomer to the cafe wasn't who she was waiting to see anyway. She felt silly for getting so worked up every time someone came in this morning, but she couldn't help it.

After their emotional evening the night before, Tiana had such a hard time saying goodnight to Naveen. More than anything she wanted him to hold her through the night, to just be there by her side, but they both knew it was too risky. That night on the couch would have to last them until things settled better into place.

'You've got to get used to this set up anyway,' Tiana had thought while they waited for the streetcar to come and take Naveen back to Lottie's guest house. 'And it won't be forever.' But how long it would be before they could spend the night together again, neither could say.

While they waited they had started by simply holding hands, but soon she was in his arms again. Tiana had held him tight wishing more than ever than the streetcar would never come, that they could stay in that moment forever.

But the streetcar had come, of course. It was then that Naveen had kissed her. "You are starting work again tomorrow morning, yes?" He had whispered to her.

Work was the last thing she had wanted to think about at that moment. Still, she nodded.

"Would it be alright if I come see you then?" He nuzzled against her softly. "I do not think I can make it if I have to wait to see you until after your shift is over."

Tiana ignored the clang of the streetcar bell, and the obvious glare of the conductor. They were holding up the line. She smiled at Naveen and said, "I'll be waiting for you."

They had kissed once more, and then he was gone.

It had only been a few hours, but to Tiana it had seemed like an eternity. She hadn't expected their first night apart since they had met to feel so… lonely. Maybe that's why she was practically breaking her neck turning to see who was coming in every time the bell above the door rang.

Absentmindedly Tiana massaged the crick in her neck, telling herself once again that she was being ridiculous. Naveen would come when he would come. She knew that a watched pot never boiled, and it seemed that a watched door wasn't about to produce her husband either.

So she busied herself bussing tables and taking orders, promising herself that she wouldn't act the fool the next time that damned bell rang.

Tiana was setting down an order of boudin, eggs, and grits, when the bell chimed once more, and despite her promises, she turned.

But there he was, looking so handsome it almost seemed like a dream. Naveen caught her eye and gave her a smile. If Tiana didn't know any better, she'd say that he was just as mesmerized as she was.

Tiana quickly finished handing out the food, and before anyone could ask anything else of her, she headed over to where Naveen had settled himself.

"Hello, princess," Naveen said, and Tiana just about melted from the sound of his voice alone. Then he gave her another smile, making his dimples show and Tiana had to lean against the table, lest her knees completely buckle underneath her.

What was happening to her? Was it just because she hadn't seen him since last night? Whatever it was, Tiana tried her best to get it under control. It wouldn't do to act like this in public, especially while she was at work.

"Hey you," Tiana replied, making an extra effort to appear calm and collected. But her heart leapt as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. Naveen slowly pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"I missed you last night," he whispered.

"I missed you too."

"I was thinking of you," he asked in a low almost husky voice. Tiana felt a blush form on her cheeks, it deepened when he cupped her hand between both of his. "Were you… thinking of me?"

Another blush, another half smile. But why should she hide the truth from him? "Yes," Tiana whispered back.

He smiled again and her stomach flipped. 'Alright, Miss Tiana, there will be plenty of time for this later.' This kind of behavior just wouldn't do, and she was sure Buford was watching from the kitchen. She couldn't afford to make him angry after disappearing on him for weeks. She was on thin ice as it was.

"Are you hungry?" Tiana asked, reluctantly taking her hand away from Naveen, but not before giving his hand a squeeze.

"Starved."

"Here." She handed him a menu. "Take a look at this, and I'll be back in a minute to take your order."

Tiana turned to take care of the other tables when Naveen quickly grabbed her hand again.

"Tiana, wait," Naveen said. His eyes were slightly alarmed and his whisper was hardly the seductive tone he was using on her before.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I can't…. I don't have the money to pay for this." Worry and shame flashed across his face.

Tiana gave his hand another squeeze. "Don't worry, sweetheart. It's on the house."

Naveen briefly glanced up towards the roof before giving Tiana a confused look.

Tiana had to laughed. "I mean it's free," she explained. "I'll take care of it for today."

Naveen knew he should be studying the menu Tiana had given him. She would be back soon and would want his order, But whenever he started to look it over, Naveen's eyes naturally wandered back to wherever Tiana was in the room.

This was the first time he had seen her in a work environment and it was fascinating. True he had seen her cook and plenty of other tasks, but this was different. She talked so casually to the customers as she took their orders and delivered their meals. Tiana knew everyone's name that came in, and they all seemed delighted that she was their waitress.

Well why wouldn't they be? Naveen thought. Tiana was clearly the best waitress in the whole world. Her replies to the customers friendly and sincere, but as soon as she started to move around the room she became brisk and efficient. Nothing escaped Tiana's attention to detail as she wiped up tables, and straightened napkins. She was even able to balance plates upon plates on her trays without spilling a single drop.

God, she was magnificent when she was all business.

When he caught her eye from across the room, Naveen couldn't help but wink at her. He had to bite back a laugh as Tiana grew flustered and nearly dropped the dishes she was holding.

When at last she returned to his table, Naveen realized, sheepishly, that he still had no idea what to order.

"Um, what would you recommend, darling?" Naveen asked.

Tiana rolled her eyes good naturedly, clearly aware that he hadn't done the simple task she asked him to do. "Well, the beignets are the top seller here. Can't go wrong with those."

Naveen perked up. "Those are the ones you make, yes?"

She nodded.

"Then that is what I shall have." Naveen handed her back the menu. "If you don't mind, that is, princess."

"I don't mind at all," she said with a smile that made his heart leap, and left to go make his order.

With nothing to occupy himself, Naveen was now free to watch her as he pleased, and damn if she wasn't the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. And she loved him! Still! Even after he had told her everything and wept like a baby, she still loved him.

Despite the fact that he didn't have a penny to his name, and his entire country probably despised him, Naveen still felt like the luckiest man in the world.

Tiana was quick and efficient in the kitchen (this Naveen knew, but it still impressed him) and soon returned with a plate of beignets topped with heaping amounts of sugar.

"These are beignets?" Naveen asked. "Not at all what I imagined."

"What did you think it would be?" Tiana replied.

Naveen picked one up in his fingers. It was still warm, and the sugar spilled onto the table. "I don't know, but it didn't involve so much sugar." He chuckled.

Tiana quickly wiped up the mess. "That sugar gets everywhere," Tiana laughed. "Sometimes after work I find it even in my hair. There's no escaping it, I'm afraid."

"I am sure I can handle it," Naveen said, and took a bite.

All at once, a multitude of flavors hit his tongue in a way he had never experienced before. The sweetness of the sugar exemplified the seasonings baked into the pastry. And yet it was so light! It was like eating a pillow. The most delicious pillow in the world.

Such a perfect delicacy shouldn't even exist in this world, and yet here it was, on his plate, on his lips, and it was made by the person he loved most.

Naveen swallowed his first bite and gaped at Tiana.

"Well?" She asked, biting her lip. "What do you think?"

What did he think? There weren't enough words in any language he knew to describe what he thought. "You made these?" Naveen finally managed to ask.

Tiana nodded at him, but raised an eyebrow. Did he not like them?

Naveen stood from his chair and took a step towards her. "You really made these?"

"Yes…?" She was laughing softly now, though she was no less confused by his actions.

Naveen cupped her face and brought her in for a deep deep kiss.

Tiana grinned into the kiss, laughing at it all. He still had sugar on his lips. Whoops and hollers from the other customers made Tiana blush, but not enough to stop. The kiss was sweet, just like Naveen, and it seemed like ages since they had last kissed, even though it had only been a few hours.

Of course they did have to part eventually.

"My compliments to the chef," Naveen said somewhat breathlessly.

Tiana snorted and wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned in for another kiss.

"Tiana!"

She sprang back and tucked a curl behind her ears, trying to look like she hadn't just been smooching. But the way that Buford had his hands on his hips and a furious glare on his face told Tiana that she had been caught. Of course they hadn't been subtle about it at all. Oops.

"You!" Buford pointed to Naveen. "Outside. Now."

"What?" Naveen blinked. "But-"

"Now!"

Naveen wasn't used to people ordering him about this way, and was all ready to turn the tables on this man, but one glance at Tiana made him change his mind.

"Best do as he says," Tiana told him, softly.

Naveen shifted slightly. Sparing one last glance at Tiana (and his beignets) he walked out the door.

He tried to surreptitiously peek through the window, but Buford had taken Tiana into the kitchen, and from Naveen's vantage point in the front he couldn't see what was happening. That didn't mean he couldn't hear though.

Buford didn't have much of an inside voice normally, but when he was angry, well, Naveen didn't have to strain his ears to hear the lecture he was giving Tiana.

Naveen was about ready to burst back inside and defend his wife's honor when Buford loudly declared that if she had one more slip up then she was fired, and he wouldn't hire her back no matter how good her beignets were.

Fired? Tiana?

Naveen rested his head against the side of the building, all of his anger gone now. If he went back in there, Tiana was sure to get reprimanded for his actions, and Naveen knew she needed the money not only for her restaurant fund but for everything else.

Damn it.

Why did money have to be so important in this world? Once more his mind wandered to his inheritance. If he could only get it back, Tiana wouldn't have to work for jerks like this Buford person. But after telling her everything he had done to lose it, Naveen wasn't sure he deserved to get it back. Still, it would make things a lot easier for them.

The door to Duke's opened and Tiana came out.

"Hey," she said softly.

Buford be damned, Naveen ran to her and wrapped her in his arms. "Tiana I am so sorry I got you in trouble."

"It's alright," she answered, resting her head on his chest, letting herself be held. Buford had a short fuse on his good days, but he'd never been this upset with her. Tiana felt a little shaken by it all, but being with Naveen helped, even if he caused the trouble in the first place. And really, in the long run it had been worth it. She could still taste the sweetness of their kiss on her lips.

"No, it's not," Naveen said. He was rubbing her back now. It felt good. Tiana could feel her tension slipping away. "I should know better. I do know better."

She giggled slightly and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Well, it's not like I was pushing you away, was I?"

"Mmm. You're just so sexy when you're all business."

Tiana pulled back to look up at his face. "Sexy?"

He nodded, giving her those bedroom eyes that were not at all appropriate out on the street the way they were. That didn't mean Tiana wanted him to stop though. "And when I tasted those beignets. Mmm. I just had to kiss you." Naveen was swaying her back and forth now, to some silent beat. "Are you mad at me for it?"

Mad? If Buford hadn't put a stop to it, she'd still be kissing him. She wanted to kiss him right now. "No," Tiana said instead, trying to use common sense for once this morning. "But," she paused in their swaying and bit her lip. "I think it would be a good idea for you to stay away from Duke's. At least for a little while."

Tiana hated that hurt look on his face, and wished there was a way to bring back his smile. But what could she do? She could barely keep herself from kissing him now, just moments after she had gotten in trouble for it. If Naveen kept coming back it was bound to happen again.

"Yes, perhaps you are right, princess," Naveen said with a sigh. He rested his forehead against hers, and started swaying again. "Does this mean no more beignets, then?"

Tiana had to laugh. "One of the perks of being my husband is that I'll make you beignets whenever you want."

Naveen grinned warmly. "Really?"

She nodded.

Naveen spared a darting glance inside the cafe, and seeing that Buford wasn't watching them, he gave Tiana a quick chaste kiss on the lips. He wanted to do more, especially since it had to last them until she was done with work, but there was nothing to be done about it.

"I'd better go back inside," Tiana said. "My break is almost over."

"Wait, before you go inside…" Naveen took her hand and held it softly. "What ah…. What are you doing tonight?"

"Tonight? Um.. I don't know. I hadn't really thought about it." Usually she had to work, but she hadn't been able to get her job at Cal's back, so for the first time in a long time Tiana had free time. Things had been so busy for the past few days too, that she hadn't even thought about making plans. "Why?"

"Would you like to go out dancing with me?" Naveen asked.

"You mean on a date?"

He nodded.

She had kissed him, married him, slept in his arms in the bayou, and been a little intimate a few nights ago. They had seen the best and the worst parts of each other, and somehow through it all they had never really been on a proper date. Even after all they had been through, the idea of it made her feel a little nervous. But Tiana also felt excited by it.

"Okay," she said, feeling heat rush up to her cheeks.

Naveen kissed her dimple and grinned. "Great. I'll pick you up at seven."

Promptly at seven, Naveen knocked on Tiana's door. As far as he could recall, this was the first time he had ever been on time for something. Just goes to show what love will do to a person, he thought as he knocked again. It sounded like there was some commotion going on inside. Not a fight per say, but Naveen had known Tiana long enough to recognize exasperation in her voice, even through a closed door.

At last, Eudora opened the door. "Hello, Naveen," she said in a sigh. "Maybe now that you're here you can talk some sense into this daughter of mine."

"Mama, don't bring Naveen into this. He's just gonna take your side!"

Naveen could hear Tiana's voice, but as he entered the living room, she was nowhere to be seen. He assumed she must be in the kitchen. "What's going on?"

Eudora said, "Tiana told me that you're taking her out dancing tonight? Is that right?"

"Yes. If that's alright?" Was he supposed to ask permission to take her out? He hoped he hadn't messed things up even further with Tiana's mother.

Eudora grinned at him though, and Naveen's worries disappeared. "Alright? Of course it's alright! I've been trying to get Tiana to go out dancing for years! I don't know what you did to finally convince her but whatever it is, keep doing it."

"It must be my charming personality," Naveen quipped. He heard Tiana groan from the other room, and he laughed. "So what is the problem then?"

"The problem," Eudora said, "is that I made a dress for Tiana to wear out dancing, that she's never even worn, and now that she's actually going out dancing she doesn't want to wear it!"

"That's not true!" Tiana countered. "You know I love everything you make Mama, but why did you have to make this one so elaborate? I'm gonna stick out like a sore thumb, and I'm already nervous as it is. I don't need the extra attention this dress is gonna give me."

Eudora just gave Naveen a look that said, 'help me out here please'.

Naveen shifted slightly, not liking being caught between these two women. "Can I see it?"

"Yes, that sounds like a great idea," Eudora said.

"No, it doesn't," Tiana said, but Naveen could hear her laughing. "He's just gonna say I look nice, like he always does."

"But it's always true," Naveen said, sharing a smile with Eudora. "Please let me see, princess."

Tiana sighed. "Fine, fine."

She stepped out from the kitchen and Naveen had to stifle a gasp. She looked beautiful, as he knew she would, but he'd never seen her wear something like this before. Then again, considering that most of the time they had known each other they hadn't really needed clothes meant he had only seen a few of her outfits. Still, it was different than the more plain clothes she wore on a daily basis, or the more elegant ball gowns he had seen her in, including her wedding dress.

This… this was just so modern. Sleeveless, in a beautiful shade of yellow, the dress itself seemed to sparkle all on its own. Naveen could tell that just by the way she took her few tentative steps that the almost knee length skirt would flare out wonderfully when he spun her on the dance floor. It was the perfect dress for dancing. No wonder Tiana thought the dress would make people pay attention to her. Naveen couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"Wow," was all he managed to say.

"It's too much, isn't it?" Tiana said, fiddling with her fingers.

"No, not at all. It is just right," Naveen replied.

Eudora grinned in triumph. "Ha. I told you, baby cakes."

Naveen caught Tiana's eyes, and a blush formed on her cheeks. "You don't think it's too flashy?"

"I think it's perfect," Naveen said. Eudora was practically beaming now, and he shifted slightly to turn his focus completely on Tiana. "But if it makes you uncomfortable, you should change."

Now it was Tiana's turn to smile.

"Hey!" Eudora said to Naveen. "I thought you were on my side!"

Naveen just shrugged his shoulders and offered her a grin.

Eudora threw her hands up in the air. "You two are impossible," she grumbled and headed towards the kitchen. "Do whatever you want, Tiana, I don't care."

"Mama, don't be mad," Tiana called after her.

"Mad?" Eudora said. "Who said anything about mad? I'm not mad. If you want to look a fool on a date that's none of my business. If you don't want to wear the dress that I painstakingly made for you, that's fine."

Naveen cringed at the sound of pots and pans being heavily moved in the kitchen. "She's upset with me," he said to Tiana softly.

"She'll get over it," Tiana said reassuringly and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for sticking up for me."

"Of course, princess," Naveen said. "It is a shame though, that I won't be able to show you off in that dress. It really is perfect for dancing."

"Really? How so?"

"Here, let me show you." Naveen took her hand and led her towards the middle of the room, away from the furniture. With one hand on hers, and the other on her waist, Naveen led them in a slow waltz around the room.

Tiana promptly stepped on his foot. "Sorry, sorry."

"It's alright."

"I thought I knew what I was doing. I guess," she paused and laughed. "I learned how to dance as a frog, and now I have to start all over again."

Naveen chuckled. "You'll catch on quick." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "You did before."

"I just have a good teacher."

But it was already coming back to her. Even though there was no music, she found his rhythm and soon they were waltzing faster around the room. Naveen sensed her confidant steps and decided it was time, and he spun her around.

"Oh!" Tiana gasped. Her skirt flared out and the carefully sewn on beads caught the light of the nearby lamp in such a way that made the dress look...well, like magic.

"You know," Tiana said once she was back in his arms. "I've changed my mind. I think I will wear this tonight." She cast a quick glance towards the kitchen, and then whispered, "Just don't tell my Mama."

Naveen laughed. "Your secret is safe with me."

The Paradise Ballroom. In all her years, Tiana never would have imagined herself coming here on a date, or even at all. Trust Naveen to have found one of the most popular dance clubs in New Orleans after only having been here for a few days.

As soon as they stepped inside, it was like going into another world. The wall of sound blasted around them, as the horns blared in a way Tiana had never heard before. 'Louis would love this,' she thought. But looking around at the swanky decor, she doubted that the alligator would be welcome here.

And it was an elegant ballroom, that was for sure. Tables were placed around the edge with beautiful tablecloths and elaborate centerpieces. The men wore suits and checked their hats, and the women, gosh. They were so beautiful. Tiana was glad she had changed her mind about wearing this dress. She had been worried about standing out before, but with this dress she blended in perfectly. At least on the outside.

Inside, Tiana was a bundle of nerves. She held onto Naveen's arm hoping to steady herself, but it could only do so much. Dancing in the bayou and in her living room was one thing, but here? She was sure she'd make a fool of herself, and of Naveen. Her only hope was that, once they settled at a table, she could distract him for the rest of the evening enough so that he wouldn't want to take her out on the dance floor.

But he was already tapping his toes, grinning wide and they hadn't even checked their coats yet.

"Hello, welcome to Paradise!" The hat check girl said to them. "There's two of you? That'll be fifty cents, please."

At once, Naveen stopped in place. "Fifty cents?"

"That's right. Twenty five cents a piece to get in. And you look like you're ready to get on the dance floor. Would you like some dance tickets?"

"Tickets?" Naveen said.

"It's 10 cents for each ticket, or three for a quarter."

Tiana now saw that the dance floor was roped off, and there was a staff member at the opening taking tickets from couples as they entered to dance.

"I-" Naveen forced out a laugh, but all of the joy from his face was gone. "I didn't know…"

"Well, you know now," the hat check girl said. Her tone was bright and friendly, but Tiana knew from years of working with the public that she was annoyed at them. "Fifty cents please."

Naveen started searching through his pockets. Tiana thought longingly of her savings she had left at home. She hadn't even thought to bring any money with her tonight, though she had a feeling there was no way Naveen would let her pay for anything even if she had.

"I don't have it," Naveen said, dejectedly.

"Then I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave," the hat check girl said.

"But you don't understand," Naveen said, growing desperate. "I am the Prince of Maldonia." This always worked in Maldonia, so surely it would work here as well. At least for tonight.

"Naveen," Tiana piped in. "Come on."

The hat check girl just rolled her eyes. "Oh really? You and practically every other guy in this city have tried that to get in here for free. Well it's not going to work. Now do I have to call security?"

"That won't be necessary," Tiana said, and tugged on Naveen's arm. "Let's just go."

Naveen held his hat in his hands and allowed himself to be lead back outside.

There were plenty of events in Naveen's life that he was ashamed of, but oh boy, this? This one might just top them all.

They had walked in silence for a bit, and when Tiana tried to reassure him, Naveen only shrugged it off. He didn't deserve her sympathy. He didn't deserve her.

They had ended up in a nearby park, and now Naveen was slumped on a bench, his head in his hands.

"I'm so sorry Tiana." It felt like all he had been doing for the past few days was apologizing for himself. It felt bitter on his tongue.

"It's really ok," she answered. Tiana had wrapped her arms around his and was now resting her head on his shoulder. "That place looked dumb anyway."

Naveen gave her a half smile and rested his hand over hers. She was so wonderful to put up with him. "I just wanted to take you out somewhere nice. To treat you like the princess you are."

"I don't need any of those bells and whistles. You know that." Tiana nestled closer. "I just want to spend time with you."

He could kiss her for that, but he wouldn't, no matter how much he wanted to. Instead Naveen sighed. "Still. You deserve more." Naveen had wanted to spoil her senselessly. To give her everything her heart desired and then some.

How many times had he told himself exactly this? That he needed to be better for Tiana? That he wanted to be better for her? And still he had done nothing to change that.

This had to stop now.

"Tiana?" Naveen asked softly. "Will you help me with something?"

"Of course," she answered. "What is it?"

"Will you help me get a job?"

"You know I've always had a thing for a man in uniform," Tiana said, straightening Naveen's collar.

"Not much of a uniform," Naveen said, squirming a little under her attention. Part of him was greatly enjoying her praise and admiration, but mostly he felt mortified. "I still can't believe this is the only job I was able to get."

Who knew that getting a job could be so difficult? Both he and Tiana had scoured the classified ads in the paper looking for something, anything, Naveen could do. But growing up the way he had, Naveen had little knowledge and even less experience in even the most basic of jobs. And even the jobs that seemed like a good fit wanted more experience than Naveen had, by which they meant any.

"How am I supposed to get experience if no one will hire me?" Naveen had complained, resting his head in Tiana's lap.

She stroked his hair sympathetically. "We'll find something. Maybe there will be something new in today's paper."

Naveen sighed. This whole time they had been job searching, he had had one job in the back of his mind. One that he definitely did NOT want, but one that he was sure he could get because who in their right mind would want it? Nobody, that's who. Unless you were desperate.

Which Naveen was. "I may have an idea…" he had offered.

When he talked to them, they had offered him the job on the spot, and now here he was, Naveen, the Prince of Maldonia, about to leave for his first day of work, as a street cleaner.

Dressed in white overalls (seriously they could have at least given him something nicer to wear than this) and a white hat, Naveen would soon head off to pick up his trash can that he could wheel around the city, a push broom, and his very own shovel for picking up the unmentionables left behind by the horses that pulled the carriages.

It was going to be hell.

But the smile Tiana was giving him right now made it all worth it. And once he started getting paychecks, he could take her out properly, and add more money to her restaurant fund. He should have done this sooner.

"You don't mind being married to a lowly street cleaner?" Naveen asked, wrapping his arms around her waist. He had to leave soon, but that didn't mean he couldn't hold his wife for just a little bit longer.

Tiana cupped his face and kissed him, sweetly on the lips. "I couldn't be more proud of you," she said.

Naveen smiled down at her. "Thanks," he said, pressing his forehead to hers. Gosh, but she had the most beautiful brown eyes.

"You'd better get going, mister," Tiana said, glancing at the clock. "You don't want to be late for your first day of work."

Naveen's stomach lurched. He was nervous, lord help him. "Wish me luck?"

Tiana pressed her lips to his. "You'll do great."

"I can still stop by tonight after work, yes? For dinner?" Just saying 'after work' felt funny coming out of his mouth. And yet… also strangely satisfying.

Tiana nodded. "I'll want to hear all about your first day," she said. "And I'll make you something special too."

"Will you make some beignets?" Naveen asked, hopeful.

Tiana dimpled. "I think I can do that."