A/N: Hello everyone! Can you believe it's been a year since I started writing this story? Actually writing it instead of having it live inside my head? There is a lot more to this story, but this seemed like a good opportunity to say thank you to all my readers for sticking with me on my first ever multi chapter work, and an extra thank you to all those who have left reviews. Seriously, your comments have kept me motivated to continue writing this story. I honestly didn't think anyone would be interested in this story and was just writing it for myself, but the fact that so many of you have commented saying that you enjoy it means the world to me. Thank you thank you! This is the longest chapter I've ever written, and it was also the hardest to write to this point, so I don't feel like it's my best but at this point I don't know how to make it better. If you have any feedback I would love to hear it.

Now onto business. In this chapter there will be significant dialogue in Maldonian. While I am more than willing to make up a few words and sentences here and there, I don't have it in me to make up entire conversations and then figure out a way to translate them so that you will understand what they are saying. So instead what I am doing is formatting Maldonian dialogue so it looks a little different. It will be in brackets and also in italics {"So it will look like this."} Hopefully this makes sense.

Thank you again everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful summer!

Never let it be said that Naveen didn't know how to distract his wife. Kisses were his favorite way to do that, of course, but Naveen had a creative mind and was more than willing to do what he could to take Tiana's mind off of the letter they had sent and the coming reply from his parents. It helped distract him from those thoughts as well. Now that Naveen knew exactly how his parents felt about everything, well, he didn't have high hopes for this next reply from them, no matter how good the letter he had sent them had been.

And it was a good letter, too. Tiana had a wonderful way with words. Naveen wished that he had asked for her help on his first letter, though he doubted his parents response would have been much different.

It was still so frustrating though! If they could only meet Tiana, even for five minutes he knew they would approve of her. How could they not? She was the most wonderful person in the world!

But he tried not to dwell on it to much, and whenever he inevitably did, Naveen turned that energy onto his wife.

Chances were, when they weren't working they were spending time together having dancing lessons in Tiana's living room, or dancing at the Paradise on Naveen's payday. The cooking lessons went on as well, and Naveen was proud to say that he could now chop, dice, and mince all kinds of food, and he hadn't cried once, thank you very much, not even when he had cut his fingers (though he did swear quite loudly).

Louis was a good distraction, too. He kept stopping by Tiana's house in the mornings for breakfast, so soon the appearance of the giant gator stopped being a shock to everyone in the neighborhood. In fact, Louis was quickly becoming something of a local celebrity, even more so than Naveen was. For news that the missing prince was in fact Tiana's new beau had finally spread, as well as some of the story of his fall from grace so to speak.

Any adoring looks he had received initially had changed to laughter hidden behind hands, once his story had come out. Sometimes people would even brazenly mock him out in the open, especially when he was sweeping the streets during the day. Naveen tried not to mind. It helped to have the other street sweeper's support, and Tiana's too, of course. Always Tiana's.

She would kiss him sweetly and tell him that she loved him, and that was all Naveen needed to feel better. Because what did he care what these strangers thought about him? The only person whose opinion really mattered to him was already on his side. So Naveen would kiss her back, whispering sweet nothings to her, and he hoped that this alleviated at least some of her anxiety about their future.

On their more quiet nights together they would talk a little about it, their future, usually while sitting on the porch swing enjoying some iced tea (Naveen's new favorite). But Naveen noticed that they were both careful about anything they had to offer on the subject. They spoke mostly in vague ideas unless the conversation geared towards Tiana's restaurant, which was a much firmer future than anything involving their marriage.

It was on one of these quiet moments when no matter what Naveen did, he couldn't seem to take Tiana's worries away from her. It was the early evening, with the sun still shining for a few more hours, but the city was already winding down to rest. Well, unless you were in the French Quarter, then the evening was just getting started.

But both Tiana and Naveen had had a busy day, and were looking forward to spending the evening off of their feet. Tiana hadn't said what was on her mind yet, but Naveen could read her like a book. Tiana wasn't a very good liar at the best of times, but he knew her well enough now to be able to detect even the slightest hint that something was wrong. The way her eyes darted slightly, or the way her mouth crinkled just so. Naveen had memorized it long ago, and still he wished more than anything he could make it go away.

So Naveen did the only thing he could do - he draped an arm over her shoulder and pulled her in closer. Tiana didn't fight it, and even offered him a half smile when he kissed her cheek. He was about to ask her what was on her mind, hoping they could talk it out, when several people shouted his name from the street.

Reluctantly, Naveen tore his attention away from his wife and looked towards the noise. He had to smile though, when he saw a few of the neighborhood boys he had gotten to know over the last few weeks. They clomped up the few porch steps and stood before Naveen and Tiana, trying to catch their breaths.

Tiana said, "Hello, boys."

"Hello, Miss Tiana," they chorused, politely, before turning to Naveen with hopeful grins.

"Naveen, come play baseball with us," Charles, the oldest, said.

"Can't you see that I am busy at the moment?" Naveen asked, his arm still draped around Tiana.

"Please, Naveen," one of the other boys, Billy, begged. "We want to play but we don't have enough people." They all put on their best puppy dog eyes, making Naveen groan and Tiana laugh.

"Go ahead," Tiana said, patting his knee. "I don't mind. Go have some fun."

Naveen smirked. "Alright, alright. I'll join you, on one condition."

Youthful cheers from the boys were quickly replaced by uneasiness.

"I'll play if Tiana can play too."

The boys groaned in unison, Billy even being so dramatic as to flop on the floor. "But she's a girl! Girls can't play baseball!"

"Excuse me?" Tiana said, putting her hands on her hips.

"No offense, Miss Tiana."

Normally, Tiana would have given these boys a stern but heartfelt lecture on sexism in sports and in the world, but the truth was, she wasn't at all sure she wanted to play in the first place. Two parts of her were battling each other inside her mind. One part wanted to prove to them that women can do anything men can do, while the other part, perhaps the more rational part, remembered that she had never played baseball before, and that she would embarrass herself and in the minds of those boys that would prove their point.

"Come on, it'll be fun," Naveen assured everyone, including Tiana. He stood up and held out his hand to her. "It'll be fine, princess. I'll show you how to play."

Somewhat hesitantly she took his hand, while the boys groaned again, but dutifully went to the street to set up. It may not be exactly the game they were looking for, but they did have two more people to play, and that counted for something.

"Do they have baseball in Maldonia?" Tiana asked.

"No," Naveen answered, then grinned at Tiana. "I learned how to play last week when you were having tea with Charlotte."

The fact that Naveen was almost as new to this as Tiana was, should have made her feel better, but when he started casually swinging the baseball bat around, it was clear he was a natural. Why would these boys have practically begged him to play if he wasn't good at it?

"Here, Tiana," Naveen said, handing her the bat. "I'll show you how to swing."

The eyes of boys were on her, and Tiana tried to ignore their teasing and gestures for everyone to come in further to home plate. As furious as she was, that didn't stop her limbs from shaking slightly. These were just kids, why was she so nervous?

Naveen suddenly surprised her by wrapping his arms around her from behind, guiding her hands to the bat. Now Tiana could see why he wanted her to play.

"You want to place your hands here," Naveen said. His front was comfortably resting against her back, and he had even leaned forward enough so that their cheeks were brushing. "And hold the bat about this high. And don't forget to bend your knees."

"Naveen, I'm left handed," Tiana laughed. "This scheme of yours isn't going to work."

"Scheme? What scheme?" Naveen tried to look innocent, but failed. "Alright, fine. Turn the other way and make sure your left hand is on top."

Tiana did so, but without Naveen's arms around her, she felt silly. "Like this?"

"That's right," Naveen said. "Charles, are you pitching?" When the boy answered yes, Naveen told him to go ahead and throw the ball to Tiana.

"What?!" Tiana looked shocked. Surely there was still more to learn before she actually took a swing. And if there wasn't… maybe that was enough for the day. She'd try it again tomorrow, or never.

"I know you can do it, love."

Inwardly, Tiana groaned. For once it would be nice if Naveen didn't have such faith in her. But fine. She would try.

"Go easy on me, Charles," she said, raising the bat, ready to swing.

Charles just smirked, as if going easy was the last thing on his mind. He wound up and threw.

Tiana screamed as the ball came towards her, or at least it seemed like she did. She'd never seen Charles throw a ball so fast. Then again she'd never been the target of one of his throws either, and perspective changed everything. She didn't even think as she swung the bat, and was surprised by the loud clack when she actually hit the ball. She actually hit it!

"Holy cow!"

"Wow! Look at that!"

"Achidanza, Tiana! That's a home run!" Naveen swooped her up in his arms and twirled her around laughing all the while. Of course he remembered that she should be running the bases, but this was so much better. She had hit the ball practically to the next block. It had almost hit someone walking in the street, too!

The person in question bent to pick up the ball, and walked casually back towards the players.

"Little help?" Charles shouted, but the man just kept walking, taking his time as he did so.

Naveen furrowed his brows at the stranger. There was something about him that seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. It wasn't until the man came closer that Naveen's stomach dropped and any happiness he had felt even moments ago evaporated.

He did know this man, and nothing good could come of his being here.

At last, the stranger was standing in front of Naveen and Tiana. He dutifully dropped the baseball into Charles' outstretched hands, and then turned to Naveen.

{"Hello, your highness,"} he said.

{"What are you doing here, Kedar?"} Naveen asked.

{"Well that's a fine way to greet a fellow countryman,"} Kedar replied.{"After all, I've come all this way just to see you. The least you could do is show a little respect."}

Billy tugged impatiently at Naveen's sleeve. "Come on, let's keep playing."

"Um… perhaps another time," Naveen said, making all the boys voice their disappointment. "I'm sorry fellas."

"You'll still play, won't you, Miss Tiana?" Billy asked, turning to Tiana, any reservation about girls playing baseball having been forgotten.

Tiana glanced at Naveen, and then Kedar. "I'm sorry, I think I'm going to have to take a rain check on that."

The boys, tired of waiting for the grown ups decided they would head over to the park and find something else to do. Now there was just the three of them. Tiana caught Naveen's eye, worry plainly etched on her face. But how could he explain everything to her?

Kedar was the Captain of the Royal Guard in Maldonia. He wasn't in full uniform at the moment, but he was wearing the official blue that all Maldonian officers wear. He even had a saber on his waist. Of course it was mostly for decoration, but Naveen knew that it was real, and very sharp. And in Kedar's hands, it could be very deadly.

{"I will ask you again, Kedar. What are you doing here?"}

Kedar sighed and smoothed down his pencil thin mustache. {"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to fetch you home."}

Naveen blanched.{"My father sent you?"}

{"Of course he did. The King and Queen want you back on Maldonian soil where they can keep a better eye on you. If what the rumors say are true, I don't blame them."} Kedar raised an eyebrow at Naveen. {"Is it true that you went and married some American girl?"}

Naveen didn't say anything, but Kedar could put the pieces together. The way Tiana was standing near them, confused yet protectively could only mean one things.

{"Is this her?"} Kedar said, chuckling softly. {"Not exactly your type, your highness. So when is the baby due?"}

{"Don't talk about her like that,"} Naveen sneered. {"She is your princess, and you will show her respect."}

Kedar just glared at Naveen. {"Princess. Right. With no official wedding blessed by the King and Queen, and no coronation. Nothing even in the papers! Well, unless you count the gossip columns. Which, I take it, you do."}

Naveen's fists clenched. Kedar knew how to get under anyone's skin, and it wasn't often Naveen was on the receiving end of it. Usually Naveen could give it back just as hard, but right now he couldn't think. Kedar's appearance had surprised him too much, which was probably exactly what the captain had been hoping for.

{"Let's cut the bull, highness,"} Kedar said simply. {"As I said, I have come to take you home. So let's-"}

{"I'm not going,"} Naveen stated, matter of fact.

Kedar blinked. {"What was that?"}

{"I said, I'm not going, and if you think you can make me, then you're greatly mistaken."}

Now it was Kedar's turn to glare and clench his fists. {"You are the one who is mistaken. You may not care about Maldonia, but I do. I have direct orders from King Sunil to bring you home, and I am not going to fail him. You will come back with me."}

For a moment, Naveen briefly considered that he should be angry. Not that his father sent someone to fetch him (Naveen was plenty angry about that) but that Kedar thought he didn't care about Maldonia. Naveen did, of course, but he suddenly realized that he didn't care for his country the way he should. The way a prince should.

The simple fact that Kedar could so plainly say what Naveen hadn't even realized he'd been struggling with internally for a long time infuriated him. {" Are you just naturally stupid or are you making a special effort today?"} Naveen said. {"Because I already told you that I am not coming with you. But maybe you couldn't hear me with your head so far up your own ass."}

Perhaps if Naveen had been in his right state of mind he would have known better than to throw out petty insults. Kedar could dish them out with the best of them, but taking insults was another matter completely. The Captain of the Guards was known to have a short fuse, and this, it seemed, pushed him over the edge.

Kedar drew his sword and held it inches away from Naveen's face. To his credit, Naveen didn't flinch. At least he didn't until he heard Tiana cry out in fear. When he turned to her, he saw the panic clear as day on her face, but even beyond that was her desire to act, to do something even though she had no idea what was happening.

Naveen might not have been afraid of Kedar, but that didn't mean he wanted Tiana anywhere near him. "It is alright, Tiana," he said to her before turning back to Kedar. Naveen felt a cocky grin grow. "He's not going to hurt me."

{"Like hell I won't,"} Kedar sneered. He drew close enough that Naveen could smell the stale cigarettes on his breath. The sword was dangerously close to Naveen's neck. {"I will break your arm if I have to."}

"Ha!" Naveen laughed. {"Break the arm of the Crown Prince? That sounds like a life sentence if you ask me, and I know my father would."}

Realization seemed to be dawning on Kedar, so Naveen continued. {"I might not be on the best terms with my parents right now, but do you really think they would believe you over me if I showed up with a broken arm and cuts all along my neck?"}

Kedar let out such a violent string of curses that, under normal circumstances Naveen would have been impressed. As it was, he just wanted the Captain out of his sight.

But Kedar wasn't finished, it seemed. {"Fine,"} he said, scowling at Naveen, lowering his sword. {"I may not be able to hurt you, but…"} Kedar's gaze moved past Naveen and landed on Tiana's frightened face. {"I can hurt her."}

Naveen felt fear take over him. Instinctively he moved between Tiana and Kedar. {"Don't you dare hurt her."}

{"Or what?"} Kedar smirked.{"You'll cry all the way home to your Baba? That would save me a lot of time and effort to get you home."}

{"You'll still go to jail."} It was all Naveen could think of. He was grasping at straws, saying anything that might keep Tiana safe. Because Naveen knew that if given the chance Kedar would be true to his words.

{"There might be a law pertaining to violence against the crown, but there aren't any laws written to protect American nobody's,"} Kedar stated coldly. {"The king gave me leave to do whatever is necessary to get you to come home, and I will exercise that right."}

Kedar started to circle Tiana, taking a few fast swipes in the air with his sword. Naveen immediately began to move, keeping Tiana safely behind his back.

"Naveen?" Tiana asked, the fear in her voice plain. She clutched tightly to his shirt.

"It's alright, love," Naveen said, not at all confident in his words. More than anything he wished he could turn around and embrace her, hold her in his arms and kiss her, and then spirit her far away from here.

He turned to Kedar.{"She is your princess! The same law applies to her as it does to me."}

{"She means nothing to me, or to Maldonia."} Another quick succession of swipes of his sword. Somehow they were all missing Naveen, but they were getting dangerously close to Tiana.

Kedar swung again, and managed to catch the bottom of Tiana's dress. She shrieked as the fabric tore.

{"Stop it, Kedar!"} Naveen shouted.

{"Say you will come back with me."} Another swing. Tiana moved away just in time, but it almost caught her elbow.

{"No!"} Naveen was clutching Tiana tight, as best he could while she was still behind him. He was desperate to keep himself directly in front of her, but Kedar was too quick.

It wasn't the sword that got Tiana, it was Kedar's firm grip. In one fell swoop, Naveen felt Tiana slip from his grasp. It was the worst thing he had ever felt in his life. The worst thing he had ever seen. Tiana being pulled away from him and into the arms of someone who wanted to do her harm, unable to get away no matter how hard she tried. Kedar was just too strong.

And then he held the sword at her throat. It stopped Tiana cold.

It stopped Naveen too. {"Kedar please,"} Naveen begged, holding out his arms, willing Tiana back into the safety of his embrace. {"Just let her go."}

He tightened his grip, making Tiana cry out. {"Say you will come back to Maldonia with me."}

Tears started to leak down Tiana's face. "Naveen!"

{"Yes!"} He cried out. {"Yes, fine! I will go with you! Just please don't hurt her!"}

Kedar let go of Tiana, who's knees were shaking too much to hold her upright. Naveen ran to her to catch her before she could fall.

He held her tight while she trembled and covered her in kisses. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he whispered in her hair. "It's alright now. I've got you."

{"That wasn't so hard now, was it?"} Kedar asked, sheathing his sword.

{"You bastard,"} Naveen spat.

{"Me? Hardly,"} Kedar said. {"But it sounds like you'll be having one in a few months, won't you."}

Naveen wanted to punch him right in that smug face. Instead he held Tiana tighter against his chest.

{"The ship to Maldonia leaves in three days,"} Kedar said. {"And don't even think about running away again, because I will find you, and there will be consequences."}

With that, Kedar turned on his heels and left, but Naveen knew that until he was delivered to his father that Kedar would turn into a shadow, following his every move, tracing every step.

Naveen turned his full attention back to Tiana, who he swept up in his arms and carried her safely inside. And still he held her tight on his lap when he sat on the couch, kissing her softly and whispering comforting words to her.

Eventually she stopped shaking and the hand that clutched him tight loosened. Even so Naveen didn't stop his kisses. It wasn't until she said his name softly that he finally did.

"Yes, my love? Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

Tiana licked her lips, but her mouth was so dry that it didn't help. "I'm alright. I… Naveen… what the hell was that all about?"

Explaining everything to Tiana was one of the most difficult conversations Naveen had ever had in his life. It hurt so much when she wept in his arms and declared that they would never see each other again, knowing there was nothing he could do to comfort her other than offer vague promises that he would come back. He didn't know when, but he would. If he had to bribe someone, if he had to stow away on a ship, or even if he had to swim across the entire ocean he would come back to her. Nothing would keep him from her for long, except, it seemed, for Kedar and his parents.

How could they send such a monster after him? Didn't they know how Kedar acted? It was possible that Kedar hid his true personality from his parents, wasn't it? Naveen found it hard to believe that his parents, no matter how upset they were with him, would knowingly send someone who would threaten to harm his wife. His wife who he only had three days left with.

There was so much that he wanted to do in that time, so much that he needed to say to her. Tiana knew how much he loved her, but he had to make sure that knowledge stuck when he wasn't there to tell her every day. That was why Naveen asked Louis to help him with a secret project, but the likelihood that it would succeed seemed small at best. Louis assured him in that infectiously cheerful way of his that he would get the entire bayou to help, and they would find it before Naveen left.

It wasn't much, but Naveen held onto it. He would need it to survive these next three days. His mind was in a constant whirl of everything he had to do - quit his job, say goodbye to the friends he had made, the life he had started to build here. It was all so heartbreaking. He didn't want to leave any of it.

Each time he had to explain what was happening, it felt worse and worse. He really was leaving. Despite his promises to Tiana, there was a part of him that wondered if he really ever would see this city again, if he would see the wonderful people here, if he would see her.

When he told the LaBouff's the story, Charlotte had burst into tears, crying for her best friend. It gave Naveen a little comfort knowing that Tiana would have the support of her friends and family, unlike Naveen, who would be headed into a country filled with hostility for him.

Kedar gave him a preview of what was to come when he showed up at the LaBouff's guest house that same evening. All the better to keep an eye on the wayward prince, was his excuse. He had to make sure that the prince wasn't getting into any more trouble than he already was, didn't he? It was all accompanied by sneers, rude gestures, and of course Kedar's constant smoking of cheap cigarettes.

Whenever Kedar blew another puff of smoke, with it went any hope Naveen had of spending more intimate time with Tiana. Because for the next few days, even if they couldn't see Kedar, they could smell the cigarettes in the air, effectively turning ruining the mood whenever they were together.

That didn't mean Naveen didn't try though. It seemed that any chance he had, Naveen was kissing her, as if that would make it possible to bottle parts of her up to take with him. He needed it though, to remember her taste, her scent, the way her dimples appeared when she smiled at him. The way she made him laugh, the way she made him feel needed. The way she made him feel.

It took everything in him not to beg Tiana to come along with him. Maybe she thought of it too, though neither of them brought it up. It would be too much to have a small moment of hope only to have it dashed to pieces almost immediately.

First off, the tickets were too expensive. There was no way Tiana would be able to afford one. And then, of course, neither had any idea of how long it would take for them to come back. So Tiana would lose her job, again, which meant that there wouldn't be any money going into her restaurant fund, and Naveen could never ever ask her to stop working towards her dream.

Then too, there would be a gigantic scandal if they appeared on Maldonian shores without a proper chaperone. Naveen knew he was in hot enough water already, and he didn't want to drag Tiana into the mud with him any further than he already had.

And then there was the fact that if she came with him, Kedar would be sure to find out, and Naveen was never going to let him lay a hand on his wife again. As much as it hurt to leave her, it was the only way to guarantee her safety. Above all else, he had to keep her safe.

Three days. He only had three days left with her. And then all too soon it was two days.

"I feel silly, Naveen."

"Well you look beautiful."

"You always say that."

"I can't help that it is always true." She smiled at that, he noticed. "You can always change your mind," Naveen added.

"No, I want to do it," Tiana said. "I guess it's just that I'm just not used to so much attention."

Naveen tsked playfully. "You say that like I haven't been paying attention to you since the moment we met."

Now she flushed. "This is different." Tiana fiddled with her skirt, scrunching the fabric in her fingers and then immediately smoothing it out. "I just feel awkward. I don't know what to do or where to look."

"All you have to do is sit like you are, and you can just look at me."

"But you're behind the camera, and looking at it makes me remember you're taking my picture and then I tense up again."

From behind the camera, set up on a simple tripod, Naveen gave her what he hoped was a sympathetic smile. "I won't force you to do it if you don't want to," he said, though he hoped that she wouldn't change her mind.

This morning Naveen had given Tiana a picture of himself, one of the many he had with him at all times to give to admiring citizens of Maldonia. There hadn't been much use for them here in America, and in truth he felt somewhat silly giving it to Tiana, but he wanted to make sure that she had it before he left. It was then that he asked for a picture of Tiana in return, only for her to confess that she really only had a small number of pictures of herself, and in all of them she was a little girl.

So now with Lottie's borrowed camera, they were set up in Tiana's living room, trying to make everything perfect. Lottie had confessed, sheepishly, that there was only one more photo available on the film, so it was doubly important not to have any errors in the picture. Naveen felt the extra pressure once they realized they wouldn't be able to develop the picture before he left. Tiana was going to have to send him the picture in the mail.

While it was true that if the picture didn't come out right, Tiana could just have someone else take another one, Naveen really wanted it to be him that took the picture.

"I'm sorry," Tiana said. "I'm being ridiculous."

"It's fine, love," Naveen replied. He came around the camera and joined her on the couch, draping an arm around her shoulders. "I want you to be comfortable."

Tiana leaned into him, and sighed. "I still can't believe you're leaving."

He couldn't either. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault."

How many times had they exchanged this exact conversation? Naveen had always believed her when she told him he wasn't to blame for the trouble he had caused her, but not this time. "Yes it is," he said simply.

If he had been a better son and a better prince they wouldn't be in this mess. But if he had been better to begin with, he might never have made it to New Orleans and they might not have met. Naveen didn't like thinking about that, so he kissed her cheek instead. "Can you forgive me for it?"

She turned to face him and gave him a soft smile. "I think I can do that." Tiana walked her fingers up his chest and bopped him on the nose. "Just as long as you come back."

She was much too good for him. Naveen kissed her, long and sweet. "You know I will."

"I know," Tiana said, cupping his cheek. Her eyes were getting misty, and so were his, but now was not the time for another crying session.

He kissed her again, nothing more than a quick peck this time, and forced a grin on his face. "Are you ready then? For the picture?"

Tiana nodded, and Naveen went back behind the camera. He looked through the lense. Everything looked good, but there was no way to be sure until the picture was developed. But the lighting was nice, and the camera was in focus, so his chances for a good picture were high. At least Naveen hoped so.

"Ready, darling?" he asked.

"Ready when you are," Tiana answered, and smiled into the camera.

Click.

Two days soon became one, and then the day turned into night. The next morning Naveen would be leaving. By this time tomorrow he would be gone.

Tiana was determined not to cry. She had done enough of that lately. It was going to be difficult though. Whenever she thought about anything, her mind somehow connected it to Naveen. She missed him already, and that made her want to cry, but she couldn't. Not now, not tonight. Naveen was already sensitive enough about all of this without her adding the burden of his knowing how much it was affecting her.

Tonight was their last night together for who knew how long.

Naveen had asked her if there was something special she would like to do. He still had some of his earnings so he could take her out dancing. Or perhaps out to eat? But all she wanted to do was spend some time with him, so they opted for a quiet evening on the porch swing. One of many they had spent there, and Tiana tried not to think of it as their last.

The night was already melancholy. Eudora had said her goodbye's to Naveen earlier. She couldn't say goodbye at docks anymore. Not after James. So they sat, just the two of them, on the last night, drinking one last glass of iced tea, sharing one last kiss.

Tiana knew that they would kiss tomorrow, before he left, but she also knew that she would be too emotional to think straight, to emotional to kiss him the way she wanted to. Tomorrow's kisses would be desperate, but tonight's could be filled with love. She also knew that anyone could walk by and see the two of them necking like teenagers, but Tiana didn't care. She needed to taste him, she needed to feel his lips against hers, she needed to hear his soft gasps and moans. She needed it all, and Tiana wasn't going to let anyone take it away from her. At least for tonight.

Naveen seemed to be in agreement as they kissed each other hungrilly, but at the same time not letting things get too far. This was all they could do tonight, no matter how much they wanted to do more.

The feelings inside Tiana surprised herself. She wanted more. She wanted much more. But it was impossible with Kedar watching Naveen like a hawk. And where would they even go if they had the chance? Her room? With Eudora just one room over? Ha. Mama might be a heavy sleeper, but even she would wake up if they started doing that.

Tiana contented herself with his kisses. She almost laughed, thinking that there had once been a time when she hadn't wanted him or his kisses. His sweet, wonderful kisses. Now she craved them, and by this time tomorrow, she would be trying to live without them.

A whimper escaped her lips at that thought.

"Tiana, are you alright?" Naveen whispered, brushing her cheek with his thumb.

Her lips were trembling now. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry. But her voice cracked when she answered. "No."

Naveen pulled her into a hug, cupped the back of her head while it rested against his chest. "Oh, my love," he whispered. "It will be alright."

Tiana sniffed, brushing away tears hastily. Hopefully he didn't see them. But she didn't move from her spot. It was so nice to be in his arms, to feel the rise and fall of his chest, to hear his heartbeat. He was warm too. Safe and comfortable.

She wrapped her arms around him. "I'm going to miss you so much," she said into his chest. Her tears were making a mess of his shirt, but Tiana figured he wouldn't mind.

"I'm going to miss you, too," he whispered. "I will write to you, though. Every day. And you will write to me, yes?"

Tiana nodded. Of course she would.

He kissed her temple. "It won't be forever. I will be back before you know it."

One month. That's what he had told her earlier. It took a week to get to Maldonia. Then he would quickly explain everything to his parents, who he was sure would understand once he was there in person. And then he would take the next boat to America, which might not sail for a week or two. But then once he was on the ocean it would only be 7 more days before she was back in his arms. This was the quickest scenario back to her, and Tiana clung to it like a lifeline.

It won't be forever, she repeated to herself.

Tiana sniffed again, but this time she sat up. "I have something to give you," she said, smoothing down her curls. "Before you go."

Naveen gave her a soft smile. "I have something for you, too." He reached out and tucked a curl behind her ear. "I am a little nervous about it, though. So, um… you should go first."

Tiana chuckled a little. "Alright," she said, though she was nervous too. "It's not wrapped or anything."

She reached into the pocket of her dress. "It's, um… well, here." This was far from her most eloquent moment. Still, Naveen dutifully held out his hand as she put his gift inside it.

"A pocket watch?" Naveen asked. It gleamed even in the dark. Naveen clicked it open and the second hand ticked steadily around the watchface.

"It was my Daddy's," Tiana explained.

"It's beautiful," said Naveen. Then as her words sunk in he seemed to realize just what he was holding in his hand. "Oh. Oh, Tiana, I can't accept this."

Naveen tried to hand the watch back to her, but Tiana closed his fingers around it. "I want you to have it." She gave his hand a squeeze.

"Mama gave it to me after he died," Tiana explained. "She said I could do whatever I wanted with it. It's a man's watch so I never really wore it, but I wind it every day. Here let me show you."

Carefully, Tiana showed Naveen the simple mechanism for winding the watch. It was easy enough to do, and only took a few seconds, but Tiana would miss the routine of it. Then again, maybe the routine would give Naveen some comfort while he was away.

"Are you sure you want me to have it?" Naveen asked. His thumb brushed over the outside of the watch.

"I do," she said, squeezing his hand again. "I thought it could help you… remember…" Tears were welling in her eyes, but Tiana swallowed hard, fighting it. "Remember the city. Remember me."

Naveen smiled softly. "As if I could ever forget you." He kissed her again, lingering on her lips. "Thank you, Tiana. I will take good care of it."

"I know you will."

He examined the watch again, clicking it open and close. "I know it must be very precious to you."

"It is," Tiana said. "But so are you."

He kissed her again with such passion and ferocity that Tiana was afraid she would start to weep again. But he pulled back, kissing each of her dimples before pulling her into a hug.

"You are precious to me, too, princess," he whispered into her hair. "You know that, right? You know how much I love you?"

Tiana nodded and clung to him. Of course she knew. That's what made all of this so hard.

After a moment Naveen pulled back and reached into his pocket. "Don't laugh, alright?"

Tiana didn't think anything would make her laugh just now, but she promised.

"Hold out your hand, princess."

She did as he asked, and inside her palm, Naveen placed a tiny walnut. It was so random, so strange, so like Naveen that Tiana almost broke her promise and laughed.

Instead she bit the inside of her cheek, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling. "Um.. Thanks?"

"Open it," Naveen prompted.

"I'll have to get a nutcracker from inside." Tiana started to get up, but Naveen held her in place.

"No, you can just…" he mimed pulling the shells apart. "Pop it open."

"Oh." Tiana did, and was surprised to find a pearl? No, it was a bead. A simple white bead. She pulled it out to examine it closer, and found it had some wiring on the bottom that curled in a such a way that it almost looked like a ring. A very very small ring.

Tiana looked at Naveen questioningly. "I'm sorry. I don't… what is this?"

"I made it for you when we were still frogs," Naveen explained. "Do you remember that night on the riverboat?"

"Of course I remember." How could she forget? That was the first time someone had done something romantic for her. Naveen had bumbled and fumbled around trying to impress her. It was the cutest thing she'd ever seen.

"I had planned on giving you this ring that night," Naveen explained. "I was going to propose to you that night. Did you know that?"

Silent tears were streaming down Tiana's face, but she smiled through it all. She had always wondered about that night. Tiana sniffed and wiped away her tears. "Ray told me after." Tiana laughed softly. "He never could keep a secret."

Tiana leaned into him so that her back was resting against his chest. Naveen's arms circled her, holding her tight. From their vantage point, they could see both Ray and Evangeline high in the sky.

Ray would watch over Naveen while he was away, Tiana thought suddenly, and that gave her some small comfort.

"So what happened to this?" Tiana asked, holding the ring carefully in her fingers. "You didn't have it when you proposed for real."

"I lost it in the river when the shadows grabbed me."

Tiana shivered involuntarily at the mention of the shadows, but Naveen's grip on her was strong and the feeling soon passed. "Is this what Louis has been doing these past few days? Looking for this?"

"Yes," Naveen said. "I asked him to look for it, but I never expected he would find it." His hand cupped Tiana's and they held the ring together. "It's so small. Can you believe we were once this tiny too?"

Tiana chuckled at that. "Even after living it, it's hard to believe." Tomorrow she would give Louis an extra helping of breakfast.

Tiana turned to face Naveen, but not enough to move from his embrace, and kissed him. "Thank you."

"I know it's not much," Naveen said. "I wanted to buy you a real ring, but they are, ah… out of my price range so to speak."

"I don't mind," Tiana said. "It's perfect."

"Well, it would be perfect if you could wear it as an actual ring," Naveen pointed out. "Which is why I did buy you this." Once more he reached into his pocket and pulled out a long jewelry box and opened it. Inside was a simple chain.

"I thought you could wear the ring as a necklace," Naveen explained.

Tiana was crying again as she nodded at Naveen's suggestion. This time she didn't wipe away her tears.

Together they put the chain through the ring and Naveen fascened it around Tiana's neck. The ring rested right over her heart. Now it was perfect.

"I love it," Tiana said, leaning back into Naveen's arms once more. "And I love you."

"I love you, too, princess," Naveen replied. He kissed her temple, then her cheek, and then her neck. "I will always love you, no matter how many miles separate us."

Their lips met again in another kiss. It was a long time before either of them spoke again.

"I guess this is it, isn't it?" Tiana asked over the noise of the docks, and Naveen's heart broke for the hundredth time that day. It wasn't that he had expected their goodbye would be nice, but he hadn't imagined it to be like this.

There were so many people running around the docks, shouting and laughing to one another before they boarded the ship. The crew was calling to each other, making sure everything was ship shape so to speak, before the boat set sail.

It wouldn't be long now, and the pit in Naveen's stomach was getting worse. He'd already seen Kedar take Lawrence, who was to go on trial for treason back in Maldonia, on board. Presumably Kedar was taking every measure that the valet was secure before coming back to escort Naveen to the gangplank.

Naveen tucked a curl that had escaped from Tiana's bun behind her ear, but it was so windy it didn't stay there for long. Just the way it curled around her face was enough to make him break down and weep.

He swallowed hard, fighting it, and offered her a forced smile. "I guess it is." Really? That's all he could say? Where was all of the sonnets and soliloquies he had come up with last night when he was trying to sleep? There was so much that he wanted to tell her, so why was his mind a complete blank?

Well, if his words failed him, Naveen could at least count on his body to do something right. His arms wrapped around Tiana and held her tight. Naveen forced himself to remember everything about this moment - the way her head rested on his shoulder, the sweet smell of her hair, the warmth of her embrace.

His lips started to tremble, and Naveen tried to push those feelings away again. He kissed her temple, softly. "I'm going to miss you, Tiana."

"Me too," Tiana replied, her voice cracking a bit. She seemed to be fighting tears too. "It won't be the same around here without you."

The boat horn bellowed loudly. That sick feeling in Naveen's stomach grew. Kedar was coming their way. Oh god. It was time.

"Here." Naveen's hands were shaking as he fumbled in his coat pocket, but at last he found it. Hurriedly, he put the letter in Tiana's hands. "I… Read this when you need me."

Tears were streaming down her face now, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Then Kedar was there, and he said something to Naveen in Maldonian. Tiana didn't even try to understand their conversation. She was too focused on Naveen, on the sound of his voice and the touch of his skin. Tiana had to believe they would see each other again. She had to. But still, it took everything she had not to beg him to stay.

{"Kiss your bride goodbye, your highness,"} Kedar said.

The last thing Naveen wanted to do was to give Kedar the satisfaction of doing as he was told, but at the same time he couldn't not kiss Tiana goodbye. They were both crying as their lips met in the kiss. Naveen held her firmly, and Tiana clung to him tight as they kissed.

{"I said kiss her, don't swallow her."}

Naveen could have said any number of horrible things to Kedar, but instead he focused all his energy on Tiana. "I love you, Tiana," he said.

"I love you, too, Naveen," she replied, holding onto him as long as she could, but Kedar had taken Naveen's elbow and was now guiding him toward the gangplank. Tiana found herself following numbly, their eyes never leaving each other. It wasn't until Kedar placed his foot directly in front of Naveen's, effectively tripping him that their gaze broke, and that was when Tiana found she couldn't take another step.

She watched, helpless, as Naveen boarded and found a spot at the railing of the ship. He looked so alone, surrounded by other people who were waving and cheering as the ship began to move.

Tiana found herself reaching for him, and Naveen responded in kind, but he was too far, and getting further away. Tears blurred her vision, and when she blinked, Tiana couldn't even make him out anymore as the ship began its perilous trip across the ocean.