Pairings: Emma/August, August/Archie

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Once Upon a Time.

A/N: And we're finally at the fun stuff! Although I'll warn you now, it ended up having to be split into two chapters. So you must wait to see how everything turns out until I feel like updating again :D

It had been two days since their interaction on the street, two days to shake off those flustered feelings and start to feel normal again. Still, Emma's stomach fluttered as she spotted August approach Archie and lead him into the bar from inside her car across the street; the other girls had already gotten out and were headed excitedly toward the glow of neon light. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that tonight was about Ruby and Archie, and exited the car.

She hurried to catch up with them at the door and was relieved not to see August right away after descending the steps into the crowded, dimly lit room. They found a table in the corner and Emma slipped off her jacket, exposing the plain black tank top she wore underneath. She was grossly underdressed compared to the other girls who sported short skirts, brightly colored blouses, and an array of gaudy jewelry.

"What can I get you ladies?" A waitress appeared to take their orders and disappeared amongst the crowd. Emma surveyed the room, still unable to locate August or Archie. She shrugged as the waitress returned with their drinks, and took a long sip from her beer, allowing the alcohol to begin to relax her. She feigned interest in the girl's chatter; mostly gossip between Ashley and Ruby, and it wasn't long before the glass was empty. She excused herself to the bar and leaned on her elbows, hitching a boot up on the brass foot rail.

"There you are."

She looked up to see August standing next to her with that signature smirk on his face.

"I was beginning to think you were hiding from me."

Emma raised an eyebrow and turned toward him. "What reason would I have for hiding?"

"Afraid I'm going to win," he replied with a shrug.

"Win?"

"Yes. Win. I'm going to prove to you that a guy like Archie can pick up a girl like Ruby."

She regarded him for a moment. "Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do here, but Archie's not the kind of guy to try and pull a one-nighter. I won't let that happen, anyway. You've never had to sit with Ruby while she cried her eyes out because some asshole didn't call her the next day."

"Neither have you."

Narrowing her eyes, Emma cursed at herself internally. He knew her better than she was willing to admit. "Ok, so it was Mary Margaret, but just because I didn't actually console her doesn't mean I didn't have to hear about it all night."

August's grin grew annoyingly wider, almost victorious. "So what about that drink you owe me?"

"Well, what's your poison?"

"Whisky. Neat."

Emma turned her head toward the approaching bartender. "A Guinness and a whisky neat, please."

"So," August said, raising his drink, "may the best man win."

Rolling her eyes, Emma clinked her glass against his and took a sip.

August returned to the table where he'd left Archie sitting anxiously, nursing his Old Fashioned. He'd laughed at the drink order at the time, but now he looked at the good doctor with renewed determination.

The night wasn't going as well as he'd imagined; Archie had barely moved since they got there, let alone talked to anyone. If this was going to work, August needed to give him more of a push.

"Listen, I know this isn't exactly you scene, but you need to at least try," he said, frowning.

Archie leaned on his fist and looked up ruefully. "I just don't understand why you think she would be interested in me. I've already seen three guys go talk to her."

"Yeah, and you also saw three guys get turned down."

"But what makes you so sure she won't turn me down? The only reason she's nice to me at the diner is because it's her job."

"Archie, I eat almost every meal in that diner, and she does not talk to any other customer the way she does you." He scanned the room and spotted the table where the girls were staked out. Ashley was dragging Emma, literally, toward the jukebox while Mary Margret flitted away to destinations unknown, leaving Ruby by herself. "Look, now's your chance. Just walk over there and talk to her."

After downing the rest of his drink, Archie headed across the dance floor to the opposite end of the bar where Ruby sat, lighting up as he approached. The two engaged in a lively conversation and August grinned to see things going well. That is, until Mary Margaret returned with a tray of shots. His body language change very suddenly, rubbing the back of his neck and taking small steps away until he had retreated completely with his head down, stalking back across the floor toward their table.

"I can't do this. I'm gonna get another drink."

Taking another sip of his whisky, August watched as he made his way toward the bar.

"So how's it going with Archie?"

Emma appeared next to him.

August looked at her wide-eyed for a split second and then frowned. "As much as it pains me to admit, not as well as I'd hoped. It seems that he's a bit out of his element here."

"Well, that's what you get for trying to give people dating advice who don't ask for it."

"Hey, my methods are proven." With regained confidence, he smirked down at her.

"Oh, really?" She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"As a matter of fact, yes."

"Bet your moves won't work on me." She grinned playfully and took the glass out of his hand, knocking back the last of its contents.

The corner of his mouth curled upwards and he leaned toward her. "What do you want to do about it?"

"Try me."

She slammed the glass on the table and grabbed his hand, leading him out to the dance floor, letting go to bring her hands up to her scalp, ruffling her hair as she swung her hips to the music. He positioned himself behind her, running a hand down her thigh and matching her rhythm. She looked over her shoulder coyly, making sure to press back into him as they danced.

Taking her by the waist, he spun her around to face him, pulling her body flush to his. She responded by sliding her hands up his arms and around his neck, pulling his face close enough to kiss, as if to tell him that the game was on.

The heat of her breath against his skin ignited his fervor and he moved to insinuate a leg between her knees. Wrapping an arm around her back, he dipped her, thankful that the tank top she wore allowed him to appreciate the long line of her neck as she rolled her head. He pulled her up and ground his hips in time with hers, letting the music guide him as he moved.

"Not bad," remarked Emma with the raise of her eyebrows. "Where'd a guy like you learn to dance so well?"

"All over." He gave her a smug grin. "New Orleans. Rio. Prague."

"Someone so well traveled must have been with a lot of beautiful women."

"Sure, there were some. But none more beautiful than you."

Emma froze and stared at him in disbelief. This was a better reaction than August had anticipated, and took his success as the perfect opportunity to dip his head and close the space between their lips.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Emma laughed and pulled her face back before he could make contact. "If that's one of your 'methods' then you need a new game plan, sir."

Before he could respond, she pulled herself free from his grip and rotated her hips slowly as she turned away. He knew Emma might be a tough nut to crack, but since Archie seemed to have decided not to even try, he was determined to focus the rest of his energy on her.