Today was Cinderella's wedding day, and the DarkOne was giggling like a madman. "Why are you so merry?" Rapunzel asked him over breakfast.

"The child is almost here." he crackled.

"Whose child?"

"Cinderella's." he crowed. "Today is the day I tell her what price she is to pay. And soon I will make good on my deal with you."

"Oh right! It had been so long I almost forgot." Rapunzel said taunting him "She didn't read the contract did she?"

"Nope." he chipped and giggled.

"You know you could have picked up an orphan? I didn't need a fresh child." Rapunzel mocked him.

"Perhaps." He purred. "But this one will have royal blood. Destined to rule the kingdom!"

"You are a greedy one sir Rumplestiltskin."

"That maybe so. Even if they go back on the deal I will have what I want."

"And what is that?" She asked not really caring.

"Either get the child, or they will lock me away." He laughed harder.

"Why would you want to be locked away?" she feared he may actually have lost his mind this time.

"You'll see." he stated cryptically.

After some silence Rapunzel asked, "So you're going to a wedding?"

"Yes." He smiled wickedly.

"Would you like a date?"

"What?" he asked baffled at her. "I'm informing a poor soul the price of magic, not to enjoying the festivities."

"Yes but I have never been to a Ball before." she whined. "And you're going anyway, just take me along."

"Yes, but what am I to do when I need to leave quickly, and you're dancing around without a care in the world." he argued.

"Then just steal me away. Its not hard."

"And when they come to 'rescue' you?" he teased.

"Why would they do that?"

"Most women don't run off with monster Rapunzel."

"I'll be sure to leave with you." she promised. Then to sell it, she walked over to him and took hold of his hand. "Its just a dance." she smiled sweetly.

"Very well." He agreed bitterly.

They arrived at the wedding dressed in the best magic could conjure. Rumpelstiltskin in a grand gold coat and vest, and Rapunzel in a purple Ball gown, and hair was held in a thick braid, that just barely touched the floor. They walked up to the palace, and not one joyful person looked at them twice. "What's wrong with everyone?" she stopped him at the top of the stairs.

"I can't understand the amusement with the crowding of disgusting people into a small castle either."

"No. I mean I'm walking in here on the DarkOne's arm and my hair always gets me a couple glances and question. What is wrong with these people!"

"Think you're getting a little full of yourself Dearie?"

"You're not upset? All these people not bowing to the DarkOne! No trumpets sounding!"

"They can't see us Dear."

"You found a way to suck all the fun out of this party." she whined

"Well now..." he started turning her away from the entrancing and pointing to the sky. "I don't know about that." Suddenly there was a pop and a bang, and glittery lights fell from the sky.

"What is that?!" Rapunzel asked confused and scared.

"There fireworks." He mocked her. "Not dangerous. Just pretty to look at."

"God they're awful. Way too loud."

"Perhaps we should go inside?"

"Yes! Let's go." she pulled him through the doors. They danced about the room, and for a while Rumpelstiltskin forgot why they were here, or that anyone else was around. "So where is she?" Rapunzel asked.

"Who?"

"Cinderella? The woman giving up her baby for her happily ever after?"

"Right. Right." He was pulled out of his trance, and looked about the room. "There!" He pointed out the bride.

"Oh she's so beautiful!"

"I definitely held up my end of the bargain." he smiled

"Did you reconstruction her face?" she laughed.

"If I did, I would have made her look more like you." he kissed her hand.

"Oh stop. People will think you're getting soft." she giggled. "Go dance with her."

"What?" he asked confused.

"Go dance with the bride. I'm going to go socialize before we have to leave."

"Why would you want to socialize with these people?"

"This is the last time I may have a chance too for a very long time. If you haven't noticed 'Dearie'" she teased "I don't leave the tower much."

"Fine." he sneered. "Go enjoy yourself." venom dripped off his words, but Rapunzel ignored his tone and wandered away from him. It didn't take long for a prince to approach her.

"Would you like to dance?"

"Yes I would." they bowed to each other and copied the intricate dance others were doing.

"I'm Prince James."

"Very nice to meet you."

"So are you a friend of the bride or groom?" He said trying to make friendly conversation.

"Oh neither. I'm a friend of someone who helped the happy met." she laughed.

"Is he here?"

"Yes. My date just went to dance with the bride."

"My wife too. She actually sent me here to keep you from getting lonely." he confessed.

"I'm used to being lonely."

"No one knows you here do they?"

"No not really. Whose your wife?"

"Snow white."

"Peculiar name."

"You haven't hear of her?"

"Should I have?"

"Well its just she's been talk of the kingdom for sometime. She fought an Evil

Queen." he explained.

"I don't get out much." she confessed, then noticed the bride running out of the

ball room. "It seems like something upset the bride." she tried not to smile.

"Yeah." he agreed worried, not seeing Rapunzel's face. She tried to look around for Rumpelstiltskin, and felt her heart drop when she couldn't find him.

"Oh No!"

"What is it?"

"I... I don't see him! I can't find him."

"Who?"

"I have to go." she ran past him and maneuvered past the other party goers.

"Wait! Come back!" he ran after her, but she didn't look back, just kept running. She was outside, and thought she saw him move quickly through the palace gates.

She followed shouting "Rumpelstiltskin! Wait!". The prince was not far behind. Rapunzel slipped through the gates, looked around but he wasn't there. Suddenly the prince grabbed her, turning her to face him.

"Why are chasing Rumpelstiltskin?" He asked worried.

"You wouldn't understand."

"I understand that he makes unfair deals. Whatever he promised you, the price isn't worth it."

"He's supposed to take me home!"

"Come with me. Me and Snow will help you. We will find another way." he vowed.

"You still don't get it." she sneered. "You want to help me? Take me to the DarkOne's castle." she demanded.

"Please just come back inside. We can get you where ever you need to go. Tell me where you live."

"I live in a tower. The tower is attached to the DarkOne's castle." she explained.

"You're a prisoner?" his eyes looked at her with sympathy. "You don't have to go back. You're free now. Let me help you."

"I'm no ones prisoner you dumb royal!" she shouted furious. "I want to go home! To my tower! I live there, in that castle, and I demand you take me back!"

"You live with the DarkOne? Of your own choice?" He asked baffled.

"Yes! We're friends!" she explained feeling a little like she may have lied. "Now take me home!"