Chapter 2

When Adam appeared at his workshop door with a genuine smile Duncan hadn't seen on the boy in years, he thought the youth had finally come clean to Teela about being He-Man. Instead the love-sick young man formally requested permission to court his only daughter. The older warrior knew the day would come but was still vastly unprepared. He sat dumbstruck while his mind reeled. Court my little girl? He'd known Adam had treated her different than all other women, and they had been best friends at one point. Recently with her berating him, he didn't think there were any romantic notions on his part, and with the way she stared at He-Man, he didn't think Adam was receptive to courting her as himself.

"Does she return your affections son? Does she know everything?"

The young man nodded. "She returns my affections but trusts me to tell her my secret when the time is right. I did offer to tell her everything. But, Duncan, she trusts me now. She could have demanded answers, but she didn't."

That's my girl. Duncan thought, that was the one thing that could have caused Adam to forgive Teela anything. Years of accepting her ire without fighting back, gone in one showing of ultimate trust.

As he sat in silent contemplation, this man he had known since he was an infant patiently waited by the door for an answer. When it came to his final decision, there was no other he would trust with his daughter's heart. This man had all the qualities he would want for his little girl, he would and could protect her, and he would treat her like a queen. Hell, one day she could be queen! His brain stalled at that thought. He would support his prince as he had been, but this time he could support the happiness of his little girl as well. But that didn't mean the boy got out of a stern lecture on the proper way to treat a woman.

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A week later, the night of the ball:

When Teela mentioned Adam's invite to the ball Man-At Arms had his reservations at first. The politics and ramifications would be hell and he was suitably worried about how the nobility would treat her once news of their courtship was made public. They also had Adam's reputation as a play boy to think of as well. His little girl would have to deal with a heavy amount of scrutiny as well as taunting. He hoped she was up to the task and did not take the other ladies accusations to heart. This courtship will not be easy, on either of them.

That night Man-At-Arms stared open mouthed as his only child strode in his oil covered garage clad in an elegant emerald silk gown. He was shocked at seeing the grown woman before him looking like a princess. Her silver heels made her several inches taller, and her hair cascading around her shoulders in ruby curls crated a softer look than her normal uniform up-do.

When she had arrived at the workshop Teela almost shed a tear at seeing her father's emotions pass over his normally stoic face. All the soldier could say at that moment was, "You look beautiful my daughter, that boy will be speechless." The older man kissed her forehead gently.

"Do you really think so father? It's not too much?" Teela looked down at the dress self-consciously.

"You look perfect." She smiled and gave him a quick hug.

"You look dashing too Daddy. You ready to go?" He held out his arm as she slipped her hand through it.

When her father had asked point blank why she had accepted Adam's invitation, she pointedly told her father she knew Adam was hiding something but had decided to trust him to tell her if, and when she needed to know. She said she wanted to get to know the real Adam and see where her heart led her. He visibly relaxed confirming her suspicions that the danger was indeed great and that her father had known all along what Adam was hiding. It annoyed her to no end, but her pragmatic side told her that if she trusted Adam to tell her the secret, she should trust her father as well. It did not stop her from being more than annoyed that she didn't know what was going on for so long, she was captain of the guard for Ancients sake, not some damsel in distress. It'd been very surreal to find out Adam had been acting the fool this whole time and it weighed heavy on her heart how unkind she'd been to him recently. She would have to find some way to make it up to him. At the same time, should she keep up the status quo with her new-found knowledge? Should she still treat him as a fool. He her told her she didn't have to. Was this secret that big? The only logical conclusion she had come to is that Adam and her father know He-Man and they are protecting him and his location.

If Skelator ever found out He-Man's identity or the people helping him, they would all be in danger, as well as their families. But she had helped fight Skelator in the past, how would the danger be any greater if she knew He-Man's identity as well? She'd have to mull that one over. There must be something else she was missing. Her mind was in overdrive as they walked arm in arms to the ball room.

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In Prince Adams Chambers:

A knock on his door had him giving up efforts to tie his cravat.

Queen Marlena took in her son's appearance, for some reason something told her to check on her progeny this night. He'd and Teela had been oddly quiet during their last meal. She had worried it was a bad fight, as it would not have been the first one in the last couple years. But, for the first time since he was a boy, she saw him flustered and nervous tonight, his normal happy-go-lucky clumsy act forgotten. He stood tall and looked overly apprehensive about an event he would normally groan at attending.

Adam visibly relaxed when he saw who it was, "Hello mother, do you think I look alright?" He began fiddling with the silk around his neck. The Queen pushed his hands away as she tied it for him. She took in his green emerald velvet tunic and light green vest, tan trousers and a maroon cravat with his gold pin of station. He looked the spitting image of his father when she married him.

"I daresay you look quite handsome." She finished with the young man. "Your father may not say it, but we are both proud of you and what you have become my son." Adam cracked a cynical small smile showing his doubt at that remark.

With a sigh he turned to the mirror to inspect his mother's handiwork and muttered, "I'll believe it when I hear it from him."

The Prince looked positively terrified of this ball. Of all the times she had seen him run from a battle, his face never betrayed this level of apprehension and worry. The queen was certain she'd never actually seen him afraid of anything. It always appeared he was running towards something, in fact, if she were to name it, she would say he looked more determined than anything when he ran from signs of trouble. It was like he had a mission, or a duty to run. If her suspicions were correct….

"Do you think father would absolutely furious if I announced a courtship tonight? I know he was looking into an arranged marriage for me with the princess of Caledon." He looked at the floor.

The Queen was shocked. That's why he's nervous! "He told you that?" She had wanted to save her son from such a decision and vehemently opposed the idea when her husband suggested it.

"I read it in one of the castle's weekly reports." The disbelief must have shown on her face at hearing her son had read the weekly reports, but she recovered quickly. "I think your father just wanted to see you settled down dear. He thought you were getting old enough to um, entertain the idea of marriage. Several kingdoms have been expressing interest, and we hadn't seen you show any favor to a particular lady until now." The Queen looked into her sons worried eyes. "Consider the matter dropped. I will speak to Randor, you just have a good time my love. It's about time you settled down. Do I know the lucky lady?" She smiled knowingly and straightened his tunic at the shoulders. "Is it a certain red-head that you've been at odds with lately?" At his blush she looked him in the eyes, "You deserve happiness my son. I think she would make a fine princess, and your father would approve as well."

The Prince wondered why his mother always said those things; that she was proud of him, that he deserved a break, he should to be happy, that she knew he loved Eternia, and that his father loved him no matter what. It's almost as though she knew his secret and was telling him she was alright with it. He thought back to a conversation on a terrace when she had said "A mother always knows her son." She had never outright said anything, but he suspected even then that she knew about He-Man.

"Mother, you know I care for Eternia right? I would always do what's best for the kingdom and choose what's best for the kingdom." He meant in his choice of Teela, but his mother surprised him with her response.

"Adam, you have given plenty to this kingdom. It's time to do something for yourself." His eyebrows raised in a silent question. She smiled sweetly with a wink.

Adam's head bowed. She must know. "Thank you, mother. For Everything."

Queen Marlena then added on a serious note, "And when the time comes to trust her with your heart….it should be everything that comes with it. Understand? You have hidden much of yourself, and to someone who is a partner that is tantamount to betrayal."

The young prince blanched but nodded. "I understand mother." His brows furrowed a bit and looked like he held in a question.

The Queen sensed his pause, "What is your question Adam?"

He looked up sheepishly, "Do you think she only likes me because she found out…I mean, I thought she hated me for so long, what if I wasn't the prince or what if He-Man had shown more interest in her and requested her hand….do you think..."

She interjected before he worried himself to death, "I'm sure Teela always knew you were a good man Adam. She knows your heart son, and that possibly made her more critical of you when your actions didn't seem to parallel the character she knew you had. Have you spoken with her, has she agreed to your suit?" He nodded. "That only shows she would like to discover if there is something more. Has she recently found you to be more?"

"Yes mother, she knows I have been "hiding myself" as your rightly put it. I guess I have avoided anyone getting to close to me, to ah keep them safe, and I guess to keep myself safe as well." He looked into his mother's eyes to gauge her reaction. "But she never stopped pushing me to be more, she never gave up on me, not once."

She nodded for him to continue, "I had decided that it time for her to know the real me, to risk everything, and see if she could trust me to share more of myself." He skirted around the truth, but his mother always seemed to understand. He looked nervous.

The queen placed her hands on his cheeks, "Then take some time to get to know each other in a partnership, get back the years you have drifted, and see where this brings you. Love is an exercise in trust, and yours must be rebuilt. But my son, tread carefully on her heart if you are not ready to share everything. You will both be new to this. She won't understand you fully until you finally open to her, and until then, there will always be a part of yourself you hold back from her."

"Do you think she'll forgive me, for those years we drifted?" He asked wistfully.

His mother moved a stray hair behind his ear with a smile. "If she loves you, then yes, she will understand."

Adam looked torn but nodded and followed his mother to the throne room to be announced and seated to watch the rest of the arrivals. Most of the proceedings were boring as each young and unmarried courtier tried everything to garner his attention, from flaunting their cleavage to over exaggerated eye contact with "come hither" looks. Adam tired not to groan or wince at some of the way the ladies tried to get his attention.

When the announcer named Man-At-Arms and his daughter "Captain of the Royal Guard", Teela, Adam wanted to jump out of his seat. He had to blink twice as he didn't recognize the tall and elegant women on his friend's arm. He sat stock still with wide eyes and a slack jaw as he took in the sight before him. The stately redhaired goddess in a green shimmery gown and silver heels walked with confidence towards the dais. A slit in the dress revealed a creamy thigh to just above the knee. A small gold circlet showing her station in her hair with emerald studded hair pins held her bangs away from her face and soft ruby curls of hair feel about her shoulders and down her back.

Duncan chuckled, "Didn't I tell you?" He whispered to the young woman on his arm. She smiled slightly blushed and nodded, still trying to concentrate on walking and not falling in the tall heels.

Not following protocol, Adam looked to his father with a pleading look on his face and before the king could interpret this look Adam leapt from his seat to take the escort duties from Man-At-Arms. A hush fell over the other attendees as they had never seen more than bored amusement from their prince before, and some of them still did not recognize this proud woman who put them all to shame.

"Mother, Father, may I present the Lady Teela." They both bowed at the dais as the King and Queen nodded finally in recognition. "I have come before you to ask for your blessing to formally court this woman as my future bride." The crowd gasped and even the quartet playing background music stopped to stare.

The King was the first to break the silence with a confused expression and turned to his wife with eyebrows raised. Queen Marlena did not look surprised at all. "And does this young lady agree to such a courtship?" Turning surreally back to the son who suddenly looked every bit the prince he was and the woman on his arm.

The woman in green answered proudly, "I do your majesty." Teela's grip on Adam's arm tightened at the small smile on the queen's lips.

"Do you agree my Queen?" Randor turned to his queen.

"I approve my King." She smiled at Teela with a mother's pride.

"Then I see no obstacle to your courtship." The King was astounded and confused. When the hell did this happen, my son had no interest in settling down for the past 5 years! Why did no one talk to me, I'm the king for Eternia's sake!

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The prince guided the woman to the dance floor, "May I have this dance My Lady?" He bowed deep and held his hand for her never once taking his eyes off her.

Teela held her breath as she tentatively placed a hand in his. The man standing tall and proud pulled her into a slow waltz as the music built up. She melted into his frame and her feet seemed to move on their own.

The King had never seen Adam act so regal, he didn't even know the boy could dance like that and following all protocol of court etiquette down to the letter. The queen squeezed his hands lovingly as they watched the couple on the floor lost in themselves. "When did our little boy grow up Marlena?"

"When you weren't looking my King, he's been a man for some time now." She smiled wistfully at the two dancers, "Our boy is in love, and finally opening up. I think we may begin seeing some changes in him Randor."

The king agreed still in quiet shock at seeing his boy standing straight and confident with a beautiful woman on his arm looking more like a man than he'd seen in the past five years, "There's nothing that makes a man more inspired than the love of a strong woman."

The guests stayed unusually quiet during the dance and as the night progressed the two were lost in each other's eyes. Neither one noticing the room's eyes on them, the snickers from the ladies or the wonderment from the royal family. Prince Adam was gracious and regal, never once cracking a joke or making his silly puns, never slouching or stuttering. The smile he directed at her seemed to make her steps light and her heart skip beats. Everything was perfect, that is, until the explosion.

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Beast Man and Evil-Lyn came crashing through the outer wall, Prince Adam shoved Teela behind him while Man-At-Arms leapt for the King and Queen. They shared a look while studying their surroundings. Teela reached through the slit in her dress to pull out a very deadly looking dagger.

"Where were you keeping that?" The prince could not help but ask with a grin as he whispered behind him at this armed and dangerous woman.

"Wouldn't you like to know, I'm still Captain of the Guard, aren't I?" She gave a smirk and a wink and got in a ready stance stepping beside him.

He could not help but picture her always beside him, never behind. Adam squeezed her shoulder and leaned in to whisper something in her ear. She tensed and look at him incredulously mouthing the word "Now?" He started stepping backward into the crowd, with a steely look on his face. Teela took the opportunity to taunt Evil-Lyn while Adam made his escape.

"Hey snake witch, I don't think you were sent an invite, and you are definitely not dressed for the occasion." She sensed Adam had found a back door and had ushered a few of the older occupants of the ball out to safety as he left.

Evil-Lyn zeroed in on Teela, "Haven't you decided to leave this wretched post where they treat you like the hired help and rule the universe as a goddess by my side?"

Teela brandished her dagger, "Not a chance in Eternia, why are you here, I'm not sure you will find a willing dance partner?"

The woman dressed in purple and black sauntered closer to the King and hissed at the red head, "You Fool, I'm here to bring Skelator's tidings of course. We thought we would drop in and pay our respects to the King and Queen, as we hear He-Man hasn't been seen in more than a week." The woman pointed her staff at the king narrowing her eyes. "We decided this would be the perfect opportunity for a little chat with the royal family. After all, what fun would a party be without some fireworks?"

"Oh I've been around Evil-Lyn, and it's a good thing I have a standing invitation to all court functions." He-Man said loudly as he strolled through the hole in the wall lazily holding his sword in front of him. Beast Man hissed and growled with wide eyes as Battle cat slinked in menacingly behind He-Man, no one expecting to see the warrior at a function like this. "I suggest you both pay your respects and leave without incident or you will be invited to experience Eternia's finest hospitality accommodations …..in the palace dungeons."

Eternia's protector started slowly stalking the villains, Evil-Lyn raised her orb-staff, while He-Man put himself between the duo and the royal family. Teela coming into view on his right to cover the family as well. The room was engulfed in a bright light and Skelator's laughter could be heard all around them while Evil-Lyn and Beastman stepped through a portal. "I'm watching you He-Man, and mark my words, I will destroy you!"

The warrior waited until the portal closed completely, and those remaining in the room heaved a sigh of relief. "He-man, thank Eternia you were nearby." The King exclaimed loudly. "We were ill prepared for an event such as this, we will now have to double the guards for our next ball!"

Teela spoke up, "I can't believe they exploded the ball room like that! They've never attacked here before. I think you being gone for a week gave them a false sense of hope." She moved towards the group and the King noticed his son was missing yet again.

Randor whispered to Teela so others in the room would not hear, "Where is Adam?" But He-Man had heard and didn't move a muscle, his face remained perfect stoic as he waited to see what the captain would say.

Teela quickly locked eyes with He-Man sharing a glance. "Adam went to the restroom and was going to bring me back a drink when the explosion happened. He's probably helping some of the older guests to safety." It was quick, but she thought she caught a soft grateful look in He-Man's expression.

"Ah I see, Teela, He-Man, please find my son and let him know what happened and that we are safe. Thanks to He-Man."

"We'll find him sire." He-Man said as he and Teela went to leave while the guests were ushered out. The warrior lovingly patted Battle on the side as the feline ran ahead of the pair into the night. Man-At-Arms escorted the two royals back to the main residence.

When they were out of ear shot Teela stopped and turned on the protector who remained unusually quiet. "There's something I'd like to say to you." He-Man raised an eyebrow. "I want you to take care of Adam, look out for him. I know he's into something dangerous from the scars on his back. He hasn't told me anything but I'm positive you know what he's involved with. All I am asking is that you protect him."

The warrior took a deep breath trying to collect his thoughts on what to say, "I will do my best to see the prince comes back to you every night my lady, and my I offer congratulations on your courtship." Teela gasped, how did he know, it was just announced? Was He-Man in the room? "Adam had dreamed of the day he could present you to his family on his arm." He also said softly, "And thank you for your kind words to the king on his behalf my lady. You have my gratitude and respect. It will mean a lot to him when he hears of it."

She stared wide eyed at this man, this is the most she'd ever heard him speak directly to her while not in battle. She had no idea Adam saw her that way until recently. This man must have known Adam for years but never mentioned their friendship, "Do you know where he went?" She wanted nothing more now than to immediately ask Adam his secret, but this more than confirmed it had something to do with He-Man, they must know each other well.

The reserved warrior nodded, "Head back to the gardens behind the training grounds, he'll meet you there."

She gave him one more look. "Thank you for coming so quickly He-Man. I had no idea snake mountain monitored your comings and goings so closely."

"Skelator is too intelligent for his own good. I fear I we will never have a moments rest while he's around." He gave Teela a bow very similar to Adam's style before sparring the week earlier, "Give Adam my thanks for alerting me." He smiled and ran off into the night. Teela slowly headed towards the gardens lost in thought.

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Adam was just opening a bottle of wine at a small table with two chairs as Cringer laid sprawled at his feet gently snoring. Several torches had been lit and the moonlight was glittering on the two crystal glasses he had out. He heard her approach.

"Hi Tee." She looked questioningly at the set up "Well, I thought, we are all dressed up, might as well enjoy our night." She walked over to the table where he went to get her chair, shuffling his feet for the first time that night and almost stumbling. The investigator in her mind went to work as she took her seat, placing the dagger on the table within easy reach.

"He-Man says thanks for going to get him." The prince nodded and poured some wine into her glass and his own.

He held his glass up and smiled, "To a rough start but hopefully a happy courtship." She smiled softly as well sensing he didn't walk to talk about He-Man and held up her glass.

"Adam"

"Yes Teela?" He sipped his wine and leaned back in the chair closing his eyes briefly with a sigh as if to enjoy the moonlight on his face. He looked painfully handsome at that moment.

"I wanted to apologize." She looked at her friend with serious eyes. Noticing the slow way, he opened his eyes as if he fought exhaustion to open them. He looked at her confused. "I treated you badly these past years."

"Tee, don't. You saw what I allowed you to see. There is nothing to forgive." He leaned over the table and placed a warm calloused hand along her jaw. She leaned into it swallowing hard and closing her eyes at the contact. "You look beautiful tonight."

She almost shed a tear at the tender caress, not knowing Adam was capable of such gentleness, "When did you become such a good actor?"

He sighed, "When I turned eighteen." She assumed as much, that's when they started drifting apart. He sat back in his chair staring at her silently wondering if she resented him for it.

"I still trust you, you know." She still wanted to ask him a million questions, wanted to ask He-Man a million questions, but sipped her wine slowly instead.

Her prince beamed at her with smile she knew now was reserved only for her. She bit her tongue, consciously battling herself to not ask his secret. For her horrible treatment of him these past years, she could give him this gift of her trust.

They sat there for another hour pleasantly chatting about their recent likes and dislikes, arguing about books, and debating military theory's, catching up from only having years of boring polite conversations until Adam could not help but suppress a yawn.

It was still quite early, but Teela knew the stress of the night was probably wearing on them both. Neither knew what to expect.

"Well Adam, I think we should call it a night. I had a lovely time." And she did, she was surprised to admit. She was beginning to like this version of Adam. Intelligent and witty, and somehow bold, which was not in keeping with the facade of the last few years. She went to stand and blanched when Adam did the same stumbling when his legs almost bucked beneath him.

"Adam, what is it?" She ran over to him and grabbed under his arm.

"Nothing Tee, just a bit tired is all. Nothing that a good night's sleep won't fix. It's been a long day." He pulled himself up to his full height and shuffled a bit until he steadied himself.

Teela smiled but knew this was more than the day's proceedings. She recalled from their last sparring match Adam was a deceptively strong man, this weakness she thought was always part of his act, but now maybe it wasn't. She noted this for pondering later.

She placed her arm though his, "Let me walk you to your bed chambers, at least now the maids have something to gossip about."

"Oh Ancients Tee, they're going to think that we…" He placed a palm over his eyes rubbing his face.

The captain laughed, "I don't care Adam. You think I haven't had rumors about be before? I'm the first female captain, you think the other soldiers didn't sneer at me at one point or another? I can take it." Adam stilled and down looked at her, the muscles in his arms grew and tightened under her grip, his exhaustion dissipated.

He ground out, "Who?" She looked confused. "Who treated you like that?"

She finally understood his anger, "Adam, its fine, I've gotten over it."

The prince still seethed, "They will be dismissed tomorrow, tell me now so I don't have to find out on my own." He put a hand on hers in the crook of his arm, "I'm sorry Tee I didn't know, I would have put a stop to it."

"Adam, you can't start firing any soldier who was dis-respectful to me. Who would protect Eternia?" Teela tried to make light of the satiation. "Besides, once I made Captain, they had no choice but to fall in line." She had a sardonic grin. "Or I would make their lives a living hell."

Adam smirked with pride, "I guess my girl can take care of herself huh?" they continued towards his bedchambers. Teela silently noting the way we had trouble picking up his feet and the dazed and tired look in his eyes, even Cringer looked a bit droopy, his tail almost dragging on the floor behind him. They got to his door.

"Aren't I supposed to be walking you home?" The prince asked softly.

"I'm sure this courtship will be a little different than your usual affair," she said dryly looking up at him. He couldn't help it, he'd been holding back all night seeing her in that green gown, the hint of leg when she walked, the moonlight in her hair, it was killing him all night.

In one gentle motion he captured her lips with his, gently probing for permission, her heels making them almost equal in height. She hesitated for barely a second before her arms went around his shoulders and melted into the kiss, letting him fully explore her mouth. One of his arms pulled her close while the other buried into her hair. She felt lost in the warm embrace her mind for once completely silent and content.

She jumped when she heard the sound of her dagger drop to the floor having lost a grip on it to pull Adam closer to her body. They both stepped back from each other shocked and breathing heavily. Adam swallowed heavily trying to recover his senses, never heaving felt such heat in his body before. Teela's faced was flushed, her eyes dark, and lips swollen.

The prince whispered breathlessly, "Even better than I had imagined." He moved a lock of hair from her shoulder while he got his breathing under control.

She smiled embarrassed and pleased, "That was my first kiss."

"Mine too." She looked shocked and didn't believe the prince. "I'm all new at this Tee, did I do alright tonight?" He had looked so confident all night she forgot he'd never courted before, even though he mentioned he'd never slept with a courtier, she's always assumed he was more experienced than her. Maybe not. The more she was learning about this man, the more she liked him.

"Yes Adam, I had a wonderful night, I enjoyed all of it." She pushed him inside, "Now get some rest. We have a sparring match in the morning in the private practice room." He groaned and rolled his eyes for dramatic effect.

He picked up her dagger off the floor and handed it to his lady hilt first, "Goodnight Tee." She turned with a smile on her face, wondering if her dagger hadn't dropped would she have pushed them into his bedroom for more privacy. Her body already missed his heat. Yes, she grinned answering her own question, I would have pushed him into the room and shut the door….next time.