Grey light filtered through the blinds. Emma stirred in the bed and her eyes fluttered open. Groggily, she sat up. She looked next to her in the bed. The covers were disheveled, evidence of the person who had been there the night before. "Neal?" Emma called. Silence was the response. She grabbed her glasses off the nightstand and put them on. "Neal?" she called again. Still, no answer. She slipped out of the bed and gathered her clothes from the floor. She pulled her jeans and t-shirt on and walked out of the room.

"Neal?" she asked a final time. The little apartment was empty. Emma's stomach dropped. He was gone. She closed her eyes, pressing her lips together. Of course it had been too good to be true. Had she really expected him to stay? To not skip out on her? Why should he have? Nobody else stayed. Her parents didn't want her. Her foster family didn't want her. Nobody else wanted her so why should Neal? He'd gotten what he wanted and deserted her.

Emma took a deep breath trying to fight back the tears that were burning in her eyes. Maybe a walk would cheer her up? Distract her from being upset, right? Her jacket was on the table. She walked over and pulled it off. A small piece of paper fluttered to the ground as she did. Emma sniffled, furrowing her brow. She bent down, picked up the paper and began to read it.

Emma,

You looked so cute I didn't want to wake you. Had to slip out early this morning. Meeting with the guy I told you about. Getting everything worked out for us. As soon as you can come pick me up by the shop. See you soon!

Yours,

N

Emma smiled, wiping at the tears in her eyes. She'd been too quick to worry. Neal was just arranging everything for them like always, right? She pulled on her jacket and grabbed her car keys, stuffing the note in her pocket. She left the apartment and headed down to her car. Soon she was driving down the Tallahassee roads towards the jewelry shop. The little yellow bug pulled up by the curb.

Emma drummed her fingers on the steering wheel as she waited. She kept glancing at the shop and the people walking down the street. She didn't see him anywhere. This was where he said to meet him, wasn't it? Emma fished his note out of her pocket. She unfolded it and smoothed it out on the steering wheel. As she re-read it someone suddenly tapped on the window, causing her to jump. She looked up. There stood Neal, leaning over and smiling at her through the window. Emma unlocked the car, but instead of getting in the passenger seat he hopped in the back.

"What are you doing?" Emma asked.

Neal didn't answer. Instead he popped his head up front and kissed her cheek. "Sleep well?"

Emma smiled, blushing a little from his kiss. "Yeah," she looked at him, "So you met with that guy?"

Neal nodded. "Yup. Everything's all set. We just have to get him what he wants."

Emma glanced at the jewelry shop. "The watch?"

"The watch," he replied, "And I have the upmost faith in you to do it."

Emma's head whipped around to look at him. "Me?"

"Well of course, Em!" Neal laughed, "You've gotta get the watch."

"I thought I was driving!" Emma looked a little panicked.

"…you're gonna have to do that too…"

"Neal!"

"Hey, hey," he reached up and grabbed her hand, "Look, I kinda screwed up in there earlier. I can't do it now…they'll suspect something's up with me. They're not gonna suspect you."

"Neal I don't know if I can…I drive…I don't do the job…"

"Like I said, I've got faith in you. And listen," he looked her in the eyes, "After this, we'll have made enough. We can be done, okay? I promise…"

She just looked at him, unsure.

"Em," he grinned, "After this job I'll be able to treat you like a princess. That's what you deserve, you know? You're a princess."

Emma dropped her head. "I'm no princess." Still, she couldn't help but smile at his words.

"Nah, you are Em," Neal grinned at her. Then he glanced back at the shop. "Are you ready?"

Emma pressed her lips together and took a deep breath. "I guess so…"

"Great. Just be cool, okay, Em? Don't freak out. Tell the guy you want to see the watch for your boyfriend or something. Then ask if he has something different. Just get him to go check the back. Once he's gone all you gotta do is bolt and we're outta here. Got it?"

Emma nodded watching the shop. "Yeah, okay." After another deep breath, Emma got out of the car.

"I'll be right here," Neal assured her before she shut the door. Emma walked into the jewelry shop. Glass cases filled with exquisite necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other things lined the walls. Emma looked around, searching for the watches. Her heart was pounding, but she tried to keep her demeanor calm. Be cool, Neal had said.

"Looking for something in particular?" the proprietor suddenly asked her. Her head snapped up to look at him. "Uhm…uh, yeah…I wanted to get a watch for…my boyfriend…" The man smiled. "What's the occasion?"

"His birthday," Emma replied.

"Aren't you a sweet girl? Well let me see. The watches are over here." He led her to a case in the back of the store. Emma glanced back at the door, which suddenly seemed very far away.

"See anything he'd like?" the owner asked. She looked down at the case. In the middle sat the watch Neal had showed her. It was silver with diamonds studded around the face. "That one," Emma pointed.

The owner raised an eyebrow. "That's our most expensive watch Miss."

"May I still see it?" Emma looked at him.

The man smiled. "Of course." He unlocked the case and pulled the watch out. "Here you are." Emma took the watch from him, examining it. She looked back up. "Do you uhm…have anything similar? Maybe in gold?"

He thought for a moment. "I'll have to check the back…"

Emma set the watch down. "I think I'm going to look at necklaces while you check."

The man smiled at her again. "Of course. Maybe get something nice for yourself."

"Maybe," Emma replied as he started for the back. He'd left the watch out. Once he was gone, she grabbed it and ran for the door. She half expected an alarm, but none sounded. Relieved she rushed to the bug, jumping into the drivers seat. "Did you get it?" Neal asked. Emma tossed the watch back to him frantically trying to start the car.

"Excellent," Neal laughed, fingering the item.

Soon the ignition came to life and Emma tore away from the curb. Just then the shopkeeper came bursting out the door. "Stop! Come back with my watch!" But it was too late. Emma and Neal had made their getaway.

"We'll drop me off at my place," Neal instructed. Emma nodded, trying to keep her speed fast but inconspicuous. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the steering wheel.

"Hey…Em," Neal put a hand on her shoulder. "You did it…"

Emma managed a smile. "I guess I did." She suddenly laughed. "I did."

Soon, they made it to Neal's apartment. Emma started to get out of the car.

"Nope, not right now," Neal said, getting out himself.

She rolled down her window. "Why not?"

He leaned down, resting an elbow on the window frame. "I've got to go meet with our guy. You keep the watch okay?" He handed it to her.

"But-"

"I'll meet you at the usual trade-off point tonight. We'll make the exchange and then we're home free, Em."

She looked up at him. "Yeah?"

He smiled. "Yeah." Then he leaned down and kissed her. "Goodbye, Princess." He said once he pulled away. Then, he trotted up onto the sidewalk and disappeared into his building. Emma drove the car away back to her apartment. Everything was working out, just like he promised. She couldn't stop smiling the whole way home, thinking about her Prince.