It was beautiful. That was her first thought, standing at the top of the stairs and looking down at the decorated gymnasium. There were balloons of silver and faint purple, streamers of similar colors, dancing lights. There was sweeping, gentle music, other students dancing.

She felt like Cinderella coming to the ball.

And, turning her head, she smiled at her own Prince Charming. (Did Cinderella's Prince even have a first name? Did any of them? Oh well, it didn't matter. Zee had a name.)

He was smiling at her as well, looking slightly bashful and happy.

"Do you … that is, do you want to dance, Ro?" he asked, slightly nervous. Ro had to marvel at such a strange sight. Zee was adorable and sweet and it made her heart melt, because she had never seen such a face before, and never could see it in such a truthful thing on Zeta's face. Never with such a adoration, anyway, and love.

"I thought you'd never ask," she demurred, smiling.

Together, just like in the fairy tales, they walked down the steps, looking each other in the eyes. And then they were dancing.

And Zee knew how to dance. (And if he did step on her toes – which he did, a few fumbling times – well, at least he wasn't made out of titanium and would break them.)

They twirled and danced and drank punch, just smiling and laughing and like a normal couple. The magic and atmosphere made Ro feel drunk, like she was dancing on air, in a dream.

And part of her probably was.

They didn't win the title of King and Queen – that would have been too much, even Ro could admit that, and it wouldn't have been right if Tiffy didn't win something stupid like that – but it was getting late.

"It's almost midnight, Zee," Ro said quietly. Curfew. The way she felt, the timing was appropriate.

"It is?" He sounded, was disappointed. "Time flies, I guess."

"Yeah."

"Do you think … do we have time for one more dance? Maybe?"

"I think so. And I like this song, anyway."

One more dance, one last one. Ro felt disappointed, because such a night shouldn't be allowed to end. But they started dancing, gentle rocking and looking in each other eyes with smiles and shining eyes.

And, when the song was ending, Zee, still looking shy and bashful, found some reserve of daring, leaned forward, and kissed her and she, with a small sigh, willingly kissed back.

The clock didn't chime midnight, of course, but Ro found herself having to leave.