I am so sorry I haven't updated in a few weeks! I've been busy!

Thanks for all the love this story has gotten!

This chapter is based in the dance scene in 5x02, "The Price." I hope you like it!

Dance

Staring down at that huge room of people made Emma's stomach squirm. She heard somebody announce her and her mother and realized she was supposed to move. After sharing a smile with Mary Margaret, she started to descend the stairs, heart thumping rapidly. She could just see herself tripping and rolling down the rest of the stairs.

She looked up for a moment and her eyes met Killian's. Her heart stopped beating at the speed of light and instead fluttered. All her worries flew out the window as a smile lit up Killian's face. Her face mirrored his.

"Swan, you look…."

"I know," she finished for him, taking his hand and moving to stand next to him.

After Regina was announced and the ball began, Killian coaxed Emma into a dance.

"I'm awful," she complained as Killian pulled her into the middle of the floor.

Killian entwined their fingers. "What are you talking about, Swan? When we were trapped in the past, you were quite good at the waltz. You even said so yourself."

Emma rolled her eyes, allowing Killian to guide her in the waltz she knew nothing about. "That was a while ago. I haven't practiced since." She stumbled slightly, her grip on Killian's hand tightening as he held her up securely. "See?"

Killian chuckled. "You'll get the hang of it, just as you did last time. You still have a marvelous teacher."

Emma snorted. "When did you learn to do all of this anyway? I don't think Pan hosted a lot of balls with the Lost Boys."

He smiled softly. "No, he didn't. Not that I would join in if he did." He spun Emma out, her hand grabbing his hook before he pulled her back to him. "When Liam and I were in the Royal Navy, we attended many balls. Liam, who had learned from our mother, made sure I knew what I was doing so I didn't make a fool of the Crown."

Emma listened intently. Killian hardly spoke of his brother. When he did, it was always fondly with a smile on his face. She wished Killian hadn't lost him. It was a loss no one should have to go through, least of all Killian.

"Well, he did a good job teaching you." She beamed up at him.

He returned the smile. "And now I have to teach you again."

"Hey, I didn't grow up in this world. I had no need to learn how to waltz."

Killian led them into a more difficult part of the dance, keeping a strong hold on his love's waist so she didn't fall. "Well, now you have the need to learn how to waltz. When we get back to Storybrooke, I will devote myself to teaching you."

Emma's smile vanished and she averted her gaze.

"What is it?" Killian asked. His heart started to beat rapidly. Had he overstepped? Said something to upset her?

She lifted her eyes. "Storybrooke seems so…far away." The whisperings of the darkness, which had been quiet from the moment she saw Killian on the stairwell, started up again, distracting her and filling her mind with doubts. "It seems impossible—getting back there, I mean."

Killian's concern was written clearly on his face. "We're going to get home, Emma. We'll get the darkness out of you. Trust me."

Emma stared at him, the whisperings slowly quieting. She nodded once. "Okay."

He smiled and shifted the conversation to the dance, talking Emma through the difficult steps. A small smile was painted on Emma's face, never leaving. It was Killian's goal to keep it there the rest of the night, to keep her too happy for the darkness to speak to her.

As the song came to a close and a new one began, David and Mary Margaret approached, grins wide.

David bowed and held his hand out to Emma. "May I cut in?"

Emma laughed and took his outstretched hand. "As long as it's okay with Killian." She turned her eyes to her love.

"Go ahead, don't let me stop you." He kissed her head quickly and then looked at David. "Hold on tight to her. She keeps tripping."

Emma swatted his arm before following her father, Killian and Mary Margaret joining hands to begin the dance. Emma smiled softly at the sight.

"How much has Hook taught you?" David asked, resting his hand on Emma's waist and holding her hand.

Emma's eyes snapped to her father's. "Um, well, he tried to teach me the last dance. He said I was doing good, but I don't believe him. When we were in the past, though, I got pretty good at it."

David initiated the dance, pulling Emma with him. "I'm a pretty good teacher, if I do say so myself."

Emma raised her eyebrows. "Yeah? Who have you taught to dance?"

"Well, Regina and I had a lesson right before the ball," he explained. "You're doing a lot better than her, just so you know."

"Regina doesn't know how to dance?" Emma scanned the room for the queen, finally spotting her on the far side in Robin's arms.

"Apparently not, but fear not. I taught her well."

Emma breathed out a laugh. "I bet you did." The whispering in her head started so suddenly that she misstepped and stomped on her father's foot. "Dad! Gosh, I'm sorry!"

David shook his head. "It's okay, Emma. It didn't hurt that bad."

Emma's smile was sheepish. She glanced over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of Rumpelstiltskin leaning against a pillar, watching her. She ducked her head quickly as if he wouldn't notice her.

"You okay?" David questioned softly.

Emma bobbed her head. "Yeah, fine. The darkness…it just never stops talking."

David's heart tightened. "We'll get it out of you soon, Emma. Don't worry."

She sighed. "You sound like Killian."

"Well, he's right for once," David muttered, drawing a smile from his daughter.

"Has he grown on you yet?" Emma joked, though genuine curiosity leaked into her voice.

He shrugged. "He makes you happy, and that's all I want for you."

Emma's features softened. "Thanks, Dad."

No matter how many times she called him that, David's heart still soared after hearing it. He glanced up to see Mary Margaret and Killian laughing while they tried to focus on the dance. Even though they were partially distracted, they moved flawlessly in time with the music.

Emma turned to see what he was looking at and her heart swelled. "They're having a good time."

David chuckled. "Yeah, they are."

Emma turned the conversation to Neal, who was currently with Doc according to David.

Mary Margaret laughed at Killian's joke, smiling broadly. "Where'd you hear that?"

"I have long since forgotten, Princess Snow," Killian replied. "Probably from an old crew member."

"You don't need to call me that, Killian," she said. "We aren't in the Enchanted Forest anymore."

"We are, however, in Camelot," Killian reminded her.

She smiled. "Still. You can just call me Snow or Mary Margaret, whichever suits you."

A soft grin grew on his face. "As you wish, Snow."

They shared a gentle laugh before becoming silent, the music consuming their thoughts. After a minute, Mary Margaret cleared her throat. "How is she, Killian?"

Killian lifted an eyebrow. "Emma?"

She nodded. "I know she talks to you. She hasn't really shared anything with David and I. It worries me."

Killian didn't wish to betray Emma's trust by displaying all her feelings at her mother's feet, but he could reassure the princess nonetheless. "It is hard on her. The darkness is always talking to her. It tugs on her, trying to pull her away from everyone."

Mary Margaret sighed. "I was afraid of that. She doesn't deserve this. She's done so much good. I just want her to be happy."

"Aye, me too."

She met Killian's eyes. "You make her happy, you know? She loves you."

Killian's heart seemed like it would to fly out of his chest. "I love her, too. More than she knows." He averted his eyes, looking at their feet.

"Tell her, then," she insisted. "She wants to hear it, trust me. Especially now. She needs to hear it now. It will just be another reason to keep fighting."

Killian's eyes moved to where his Swan was conversing with her father. She threw her head back in laughter as David uttered a joke. He wanted to tell Emma everything more than anything, but he was worried about how she would react. He hadn't been able to tell her he loved her when she said it to him. She'd spun around the moment after to save Regina, leaving him standing there, his heart breaking.

Now, she was with him, but he didn't want to scare her with the depth of his feelings.

"She won't run," Mary Margaret assured, as if reading his thoughts.

Killian gave her a small smile as the music ended. "Thank you, Snow." He bowed.

Mary Margaret laughed and curtsied. "Of course, Killian."

"You guys looked like you had fun," came Emma's voice.

Killian turned to see her and David approaching them, smiles wide. He reached out and wrapped his hand around hers, pulling her closer. "Aye, love."

She grinned up at him.

The orchestra started to play another song, reminding them all of where they were.

"What do you say, Swan?" Killian asked. "Another dance?"

"Of course." She let Killian pull her back onto the dance floor, her smile never leaving her face. When he turned to look into her eyes, her heart stuttered. He always looked at her with so much…love.

"Was dancing with your father pleasant?"

She nodded. "Actually, yeah. It was great. We've never had the chance before. He was really happy." Her smile turned wistful. "So was I."

His smile softened. "That's wonderful, darling."

Emma met his eyes. "What about you and my mom? You guys seemed like you were laughing the entire time."

"Aye, love. Your mother is a very kind woman."

"Yeah, she is." Emma's eyes flickered to her parents for a moment before her attention was drawn back to Killian as he pulled her close to him.

He searched her eyes for a moment, his smile vanishing as his expression became serious.

Emma's hand went to his cheek. "Are you okay?"

He leaned in and kissed her softly, setting his forehead on hers after. "I'm happy to be here with you, Emma."

Her lips tugged upward. "I'm happy to be here with you, too."

Killian smiled before spinning her out. Her laughs filled his ears, the most beautiful thing he'd ever heard. For a fleeting moment, all his worries disappeared as he danced with the woman he loved.

I hope you enjoyed that!