Author's note: Experimenting with an idea in this chapter

Chapter 4: Some enchanted evening

In Fairy tale world, Ariel had been gone for several hours and Triton was getting very worried. He was pacing the throne room waiting for her when Dreama came in. "Father, I don't think she's coming back." Said Dreama

"What do you mean she isn't coming back?" asked Triton

"She was packing the last time I saw her." Said Dreama

"You knew that she left?" asked Triton

Dreama nodded. "We all knew. We let her go."

"What do you mean you let her go?!" yelled Triton

"Father, she needs to learn what the world is like for herself. You can't just smash her dreams and keep her locked away in our safe little kingdom just because you're worried about losing her." Said Dreama

"What if something happens?" asked Triton

"She's sixteen. She'll take care of herself." Said Aquatta as she entered the room. "Besides, she's old enough to learn the dangers out there."

Dreama laughs "What do you know about danger? The only dangerous thing you ever encountered was getting your hair stuck in the hair curler."

"That was very traumatic! I nearly went bald." Said Aquatta

Dreama laughed and Aquatta started chasing her. "Girls! Girls!" yelled Triton calming them down. " Your sister is missing. There is no time for this! I just wish I knew where she was." Said Triton. Suddenly black smoke billowed into the throne room and formed into a squid like body with a human upper half. Triton got very angry when he saw the creature that appeared "Ursula…" she said under his breath

"Hello, Triton. Long time no see." Said Regina

"What are you doing here?" asked Triton angrily

"I hear your youngest daughter is missing and I'd like to help." Said Regina

"How could you help me?" asked Triton

"I know exactly where she is." Said Regina

" You have my daughter?" asked Triton angrily

"I said I know where she is. I didn't say I had her. Though, I did happen to bump into her." Said Regina

"What is that supposed to mean?" asked Triton

"Simply, that she asked for my help and we made a deal." Said Regina

"What did you do to my daughter?" asked Triton

"I made her wish come true. I changed her into a human. She's living with a human prince named Eric" Said Regina

"Then you can change her back." Said Triton

"No can do. See, the contract she signed is very binding. Really couldn't break the spell if I wanted to." Said Regina "Of course, if you made another deal to counteract her deal. I suppose we could work something out. All you'd have to do is give up your power. Then, I'll change Ariel back into a mermaid and everything will be the way it was." Said Regina

"Give my power to you so you can take over the entire sea! NEVER!" yelled Triton

"Then the deal stays in place and unless your daughter gets true loves kiss in two days she will be dead." Said Regina

"You evil serpent!" yelled Triton "Get out! Get out!"

Regina disappears in smoke and Triton swims out of the throne room. "Father, where are you going?" asked Dreama

"I'm going to find your sister." Said Triton

"We'll go with you." Said Aquatta

Dreama swims off to get the others and they all swim off towards Prince Eric's palace.

Back in our world, Eric, Red, and Charles were sitting around a fire. Red starts to laugh. "What's so funny?" asked Charles.

"I was just thinking about the time Eric and I went sailing on his boat for the first time." Said Red

"I remember that. It was right after the curse was unleashed. About a year after I think. Ruby liked to talk to the cute guys down at the marina every Friday. You were kind of a slut. Anyway, I saw her and asked if she wanted to go out on the boat. So, we went on the boat and got into the middle of a huge storm." Said Eric

"Surprise, surprise." Said Charles sarcasticly

"Shut up!" said Eric laughing"Anyway, we ended up on an island similar to this and were so preoccupied with the fact that we were stranded we didn't notice when Graham came up behind us. When we did see him he told us that there was a path we hadn't noticed that would take us back to the beach. " said Eric

"Too bad that's not the case this time." Said Red "That would be nice. By the way how dare you call me a slut!"

"You were after every guy in town." Said Eric

"It's been lonely without Peter." Said Red

"Peter was your boyfriend?" asked Charles

"Yea, the wolf killed him. I didn't realize the wolf was me though." Said Red

" You must hate the wolf." Said Charles "I would."

"It's why I wear the hood. It prevents me from changing." Said Red

"We certainly don't want that though. I think I could take on the wolf." Said Eric

"Do you? You want to try that?" asked Red jokingly flirting

" Well, if you huff and puff. I'll let you in." said Eric

She jumps at him over the fire and they start to kiss.

"Your Highness! Miss Riding Hood! Your Highness! Miss Riding Hood! What are you doing?" asked Charles incredulous

They suddenly let go with each other. "Perhaps, we got a little carried away." Said Eric

"Yea, all our dating was in the past. We were under a curse at the time. You're married and we weren't meant to be together." Said Red

"Right." Said Eric

"But it feels kind of right doesn't it? Even though, it's so wrong. I think I know how James and Snow felt when they were under the curse and James was under the impression that he was married to Midas's daughter Abigail. " said Red

"But that was different. They were cursed. We're not. But… I can't help feel…" said Eric

"Me too. Since that first time we met when you were on your way to Rumplestilskine's to save her." Said Red "You know, we're kind of alone here no one has to know if we…"

" We aren't alone. Charles is here." Said Eric

" Then let's go somewhere where he can't see us. Come and get me." Said Red running to the other side of the island. Eric followed after.

"Red, Red wait up!" said Eric chasing after her "Wow, for a girl who was injured you are fast. That wolf much be really taking over your system."

Finally he stops and she leaps on him knocking him to the ground and they start to viciously make out with each other with Red's hood wrapped around them. Red unzips his wetsuit and takes it off him as they make out. "I love you, Eric." Said Red

"I love you, Red." Said Eric. The shock of hearing himself say he loves Red wakes him up. He looks around and sees Red sleeping several feet away from him with her hood draped on just her as a blanket and Charles sleeping by a tree. "What is the matter with me?"

Back in Fairytale world, Ariel was standing on the beach looking out at the water. Her family popped up from the surface. She took off her dress and ran over to them in her slip. Then she saw the look on her father's face and shyly waved. "Ariel, what were you thinking trusting the sea witch!"

Ariel shrugged

"Is that all you can give me is a shrug? I want an explanation young lady." Demanded Triton

Ariel shook her head and indicated that she gave up her voice.

"You gave up your voice? You foolish girl. How could you do that…. All right, I suppose we'll have to make the best of a bad situation. We need a way for this human to fall in love with you." Said Triton

"OoO, what about a romantic boat ride" Aliana suggested

"That's not a bad idea. We'll set it up this evening. " said Triton

Ariel goes back up to the castle and bumps into Eric. " Still mad at me?"

Ariel shakes her head.

"Good. Anything special you want to do tonight?" asked Eric

Ariel gestures that she wants to take a canoe ride.

"So, you'd prefer a smaller boat?" asked Eric

Ariel nodded.

"Ok. It's supposed to be a lovely night." Said Eric "You might want to put your dress back on first not that you aren't lovely without it. It's just that we'll out in public."

Ariel runs off to put another dress on.

A few hours later Eric is rowing a canoe. The stars had just started to shine overhead and the moon was shining on water and the light shines on the two of them. "You look very pretty in the moonlight." Said Eric

As they rowed the royal musicians started to play on the shore. Triton convinced them to get involved by saying that no one would turn down helping out true love. They were so touched that they started to play "Kiss the girl" on the various classical instrument that they played. While the girls kept repeating kiss the girl over and over.

"Do you hear music and singing?" asked Eric

Ariel shakes her head pretending she doesn't hear anything.

"I think we should talk about this afternoon. I know you're upset that I don't share your feelings it's just the mystery girl is important to me. I do care about you a lot I just can't love you." Said Eric

Ariel nodded sadly. The romantic evening on the boat wasn't working. But she tried to tell him that she was sorry for trying to come on so strongly.

"Kiss the girl… kiss the girl. You sure you don't hear that?" asked Eric

Ariel shakes her head but then touches his hand and goes to kiss him again hoping that this time his feelings would come around. Just as she was about to get close enough the boat suddenly turned over. Eric and Ariel were grabbed by two unknown persons and taken to shore. When they are both on shore Eric and Ariel slowly open their eyes . Eric looks at the girl who rescued him. "It's you!" he said mistaking the girl for Ariel.

"Are you all right?" asked Regina disguised as a young woman sing Ariel's voice.

"We're fine." Said Eric not even looking to see if Ariel is all right. "Who are you?" asked Eric

"I'm Vanessa." Said Regina

"I wish there was some way I can thank you, Vanessa. You've saved my life twice." Said Eric

"No need to thank us. " said the huntsman who was standing next to Regina

"My brotherJohn and I were more than happy to rescue you and your friend." Said Regina

"But you have rescued me twice. I insist you have dinner with us tonight." Said Eric "Both of you."

"John and I would love to." Said Vanessa.

They walked to the palace. Ariel stopped and looked back at the water. The huntsman went over to her "Is something wrong?" asked the huntsman

Ariel looked at him and just her head slowly.