Mal stopped dead in her tracks. Was there an intruder in the castle? She forgot all about sneaking into Ben's room and went into attack mode. She may be in her pajamas but she still could kick some ass.

"Who are you?" Mal spat preparing to go dragon right here in the hallway if she needed to.

The man whipped around and she saw he had a suitcase. His brows furrowed as he took her in. Mal didn't think an intruder would have a suitcase.

"I'm guessing you're Mal. I'm Chip, Mrs Potts son. Sorry to have waken you. I just got in for the holidays."

Mal crossed her arms over her chest, "Oh sorry. I thought you were an intruder."

Ben who had been waiting up for Mal to sneak in must have heard the commotion because he popped out from behind his door. "What's going- Chip!"

Ben walked hurried over to give him a hug. "I'm so happy you're home."

"How'd you grow up so fast in just a year! Look at these muscles." He teased as Ben had rushed out in just his pajama bottoms. Ben just laughed it off.

"Ive just met your new girlfriend Benny. Although I almost thought I had ran into your new head of security the way she pounced on me," Chip joked.

"I'm sorry again. I was just startled," Mal felt a little awkward, unsure what else to say.

Chip laughed, "Its completely fine. I'm just kidding. Glad to know the castle is under such good care now. I'm so sorry to have woken you both up. I'm quite tired we can chat more in the morning. I didn't realize your mom had put Mal in the guest bed in this hallway where I usually stay. Do you know which room she wants me in?"

It felt like both Mal and Ben's eyes were going to pop out of their heads. How do they explain this? Should they lie and say she is staying in that room? But surely that would come up in conversation the next morning. Ben figured it'd be better to be caught by Chip than by his parents.

Ben rubbed the back of his neck like he did when he was nervous. "Uh no actually. She's not staying in that room it's all yours."

Mal wanted out of this situation before Chip put together the pieces. "Welp goodnight, sorry again! See you guys in the morning," She gave Ben a quick peck on the cheek and then ran off in the direction of the other wing.

Chip turned to Ben grinning and he used his best sarcasm to ask, "So Benny, if Mal isn't staying in this hallway what was she doing here in the middle of the night?"

"Are you going to tell on us?" Ben asked pointedly. There was no point in beating around the bush. They had been caught.

Chip chucked, "Of course not. I'm just messing with you. I just don't want to hear it if I'm staying next door. So ex nay on the sleepovers this week."

"Good to have you home."

"It's good to be home."

Mal stared in wonder at all the twinkling lights and Christmas decorations in town. It was so so beautiful. Just like magic. Her brain couldn't decide what to stare at next. Ben tried to discretely take in her joy. If she knew he was watching her she would get embarrassed. He was grinning wide feeling her wonder and happiness roll off of her.

Evie and Mal broke off to do some shopping in the market before ice skating and the tree lighting ceremony at night. Mal wasn't a huge shopper but if it made Evie happy Mal was just happy to spend time with her best friend.

"How has castle life been?" Evie joked.

"Evie we live in a castle together with the guys," Mal avoided the question because she knew Evie secretly loved getting all riled up when Mal didn't answer her right away.

"It's just a starter castle. You're staying in THE castle with your boyfriend! Dish the deets." Evie picked up a candle and took in the scent. She must have loved it because she immediately bought it.

Mal just grinned thinking about how much time they had to get to know each other intimately. And more than that. He had said after they had sex for the first time that he felt like he never wanted to leave her side. She felt that way living with him this week. She wished she could wake up next to him ever day for the rest of her life after getting a little taste of what it would be like. "I'm so happy to be able to spend this much time with him while his work is a little more calm than normal."

"Come on M. Don't tell me you guys aren't jumping each other's bones every five seconds."

"We were until we got caught last night." Evie gasped, she secretly loved the drama.

"What?!"

"Thankfully it was just Chip and he only caught me trying to sneak into Ben's room in the middle of the night. Could have been much worse."

"You girls ready to eat my ice!" Jay bulldozed into them handing them skates.

Mal laughed and grabbed her pair from his hands.

When they got on the ring it seemed like the whole school and their families were on the ice. The four didn't have any idea what they were doing but they were all quite adaptable. Doug was guiding Evie around, but Mal was pretty sure Evie was just letting him. Carlos found Jane and they were both trying not to fall but laughing. It looks like they were enjoying themselves. Jay was excelling of course, skating circles around everyone.

Mal looked into the crowd for Ben. But Chad swung in and blocked her view. "Looking for Ben? I hope he hasn't found himself a newer badder girl. That would be totally out of character right?"

A few months ago Chad would be bothering her. She would be letting his words get to her. But right now she was just mad and just done with his bullshit. Just then she spotted Ben helping his mom into the rink. "I don't think I should be worried about Ben spending time with his mom. But you should be worried."

Chad furrowed his brows, "Are you threatening me Lady Mal?"

"Yes. Yes I am." Mal stares daggers at him.

He tried to hide his shudder. He probably didn't want her knowing he was a little scared of her. "Just like your mom and eventually everyone will see it."

Mal wasn't going to stand for this. "No actually. You should be worried because good will always win out over evil eventually. You may not be the villain of our story. But even pet sidekicks meet the same fate as their masters."

Mal left him with that and skated away towards Ben. It felt good to stand up for herself. She knew it wasn't ladylike. But Ben wanted her to be her. And this is who she was. Maybe Auradon needed a little of that.

Adam smiles brightly, seeing Mal before Ben and Belle. "There's our girl! We were looking for you."

Mal couldn't help herself. Her smile was so wide and so genuine at his words. They really made her feel like part of the family. A family she had never had. And she was so grateful.

"We'll leave you two young lovebirds to have a romantic skate," Belle grabbed Adam's arm and they skated off.

"Lovebirds really," Mal rolled her eyes fondly. Ben skated in front of her to grab her hands. He smirked at her, "what you don't love me?"

Mal laughed because they both knew that was the most ridiculous notion. Mal leaned in to give Ben a kiss, "Of course I do."

They skated around the rink together and even though Mal didn't need help she let Ben hold her hand.

"So what did Chad want?" Ben asked.

"He was being a jerk. But don't worry I put him in his place." Mal said easily. Being open with Ben had become so natural.

"That's my girl." Ben smiled at her.

"So what happened with Chip? I assume from the way your parents have been acting they still don't know, so he didn't tell on us."

"Luckily yes, he chose to have mercy on us. But he also put his foot down. No "sleepovers" as he called them while he's staying in the same hallways this week." Ben looked so disappointed. Even though her feelings matched his she had to chuckle a little at his expression.

"Why are you laughing," Ben nudged her, but her laughter was contagious.

"No it's not funny. It's just you look like a kid that's gotten their new toy taken away." Mal teased.

Ben's eyes darkened and Mal's laughter got caught in her throat as her breath hitched. She'd become quite accustom to that look this week. She completely forgot they were in public with him fixing her with hunger eyes right here. "Well I did."

Mal leaned up to kiss him soundly. She remembered they were in public. It Ben didn't seem to as her gripped her hips. Mal broke off quickly as skaters wizzed by them shouting their annoyance. Ben looked up and around and seemed to realize himself. He took her to his side so they could keep skating.