A/N Hey guys! Thank you to all those who've been reviewing and following! I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted a chapter but chapter 6 is coming any minute... oh wait its here NOW! This chapter is my longest so far! There will be more if y'all want more! Hope you enjoy! XOXO

Maleficent turned away from Stefan's building after a few minutes The more she'd glared at it the less sentimentality the place held. Now she was physically drained and began to walk along the road, she didn't live too far away, but the temperature had dropped tremendously in the past few minutes and Maleficent was again reminded of her lack of covering, she hugged herself tighter than she had before. She could have cried out in pain it was so bitterly cold. She quickened her step.

Suddenly she heard the frantic pound of footsteps approaching from behind her. As they slowed to a halt Maleficent stopped in her tracks, not turning around, for she sensed already that it was Diaval. She could detect his presence anywhere and there was nobody else who knew about this place, it was an abandoned, forgotten corner of the city and the only residents were retired business people that were seldom visited by anyone other than funeral directors.

"How did you know I'd be here?" She spoke almost inaudibly, but he heard every word and stepped a little closer, but still far enough that it wouldn't frighten her off.

"Maleficent." was all he said in response. There was a quiver in his voice, concerned. Enough concern that it caused Maleficent to turn to face him. His hair was once again un-styled and disheveled, he was still wearing the trousers from the party and with it his 'Star Wars' pajama top, like he had raced out in the middle of changing. She could feel her mouth flicker slightly at the sight of him and it took everything in her not to smile but he looked so hurt and afraid standing and also appeared angry behind the innocence of his eyes, Maleficent didn't want to risk making humor out of his appearance so instead she took one small step forward. There was a long silence, as they both stared intently at one another. Diaval was the first to look away and he sighed, blatantly frustrated.

"Have you ANY idea how worried I was about you? How worried Aurora was?"

Maleficent's mouth dropped open. "You told my daughter you couldn't find me? How COULD you?" She practically screamed in his face, Diaval was still frowning, unfazed by her outburst. He was quite used to his Mistress's raging temper, she could be rather vicious when she wanted to be and it wasn't rare for her to take things out on him.

"I called you on your mobile about 100 times to check where you were and then I called the home number, I hardly expected Aurora to answer it did I?" His tone cut right through Maleficent, so abnormally severe that she flinched.

"I'm not a child! I can look after myself; I don't need YOU to chase after me. You're not my bloody babysitter!"

"That may be the case Maleficent but as you left your daughter alone in the house I felt it was my duty to make sure SHE was being looked after. And it was lucky I did wasn't I?" Diaval raised his voice irritably. Maleficent fought back though, she was an expert at hitting people's sore spots.

"So you're telling me I'm a bad parent then are you? What are you to Aurora? NOTHING!" She shouted bitterly and regretted the words the moment the left her mouth. For a minute Diaval looked close to tears but then he frowned at her harshly, almost challenging her.

"I'm more of a father than that disgusting creature ever was and you need to remember that! I'm just as much as a parent as you are, and that's the truth."

The words hung in the air for a while. They were the truth and both of them knew it. Maleficent was ashamed of herself for trying to hurt the only man she had ever trusted. She could never have raised Aurora without him. Aurora adored Diaval. From the moment they set eyes on each other when Aurora was a toddler they had such a strong bond that couldn't have been forced. Maleficent was grateful every day that she hadn't had to be a single mother. There was always someone there. Diaval didn't deserve to be criticized, especially not by a flawed, broken spinster. She'd just been channeling her fear into anger and aimed it at someone she truly cared for.

"I'm sorry." She uttered forlornly, not meeting his eye. Diaval's face softened then and he closed the distance between them, boldly wrapping his arms around her waist firmly.

She didn't return his embrace but she didn't push him away either. After a few seconds remaining stiff Maleficent gave in and relaxed against Diaval's strong body gently placing her arms around his shoulders rubbing his back.

"I'm sorry that I shouted," He said as they pulled apart. "I was just so afraid. You always do something drastic after you go to Stefan's!"

"When have I eve-" Maleficent began to argue, but he cut in immediately.

"-May the 2nd 1999, a few years after we met I got a call to pick you up from here because you dropped your keys through the gates trying to get inside and couldn't get them back because he'd changed the locks. July the 3rd 2004, you came over here and afterwards drove your car into that ditch and I had to drive 200 miles from my beach house to pick you up from hospital. Mm let me think…ah… Christmas Eve 2005, you visited Stefan's for some god-forsaken reason and you got pissed and broke Mrs. Lamb's window throwing your flask and missing Stefan's."

Maleficent blushed at the memory and covered her face with her hands.

"I can't believe you remembered the exact dates!" She groaned and her assistant chuckled.

"They were memorable days for me too you know!"

Maleficent removed her hands from her eyes and glanced up at Diaval shyly. He no longer seemed annoyed, instead gazing warmly at her. At this she felt her heart begin to flutter and all the feelings of anxiety from before came flooding back. Diaval must have detected her panic, because he smiled and calmly suggested they head back. He looked disappointed that Maleficent was pushing him away again. She felt incredibly guilty and in a moment of bravery grabbed onto his arm while he started to move away.

"Wait!" she exclaimed.

Her anxious green eyes met his confused brown ones.

"Am I right? I…I mean… am I right in thinking… Do you like me… as more than a friend?" she all of a sudden blurted out.

Diaval was completely taken aback, his face reddening considerably. This was the only time either of them had approached the topic of their relationship. Aurora had often attempted to push the two to discuss it, but Maleficent had always made it crystal clear that she was uncomfortable so Diaval never admitted his feelings. But now he was in a position he'd dreamed and hoped for and he was almost rendered speechless.

But then it was as if a light turned on inside his head and he understood everything. And he put both his hands on hers and explored her face with his eyes carefully.

With a humble half-smile Diaval answered Maleficent's question.

"You're right…thinking that I mean. From the moment we met I knew you were special and the years we've spent together, those years have opened my eyes to what I really want in life. I've come to think of you as much more than a friend, you're my family Maleficent, you and Aurora. I care about you both more than I've cared about anyone in my whole life. I would be honored to be yours if you'd take me of course."

It was Maleficent's turn to be lost for words. She hadn't expected him to admit his feelings, although she had began to suspect his feelings, now that they were declared she felt in shock. But oddly she didn't feel as afraid as she had done before. Diaval made her feel safe. She could say anything to him. He would do anything for her in a seconds notice, hell, she crashed her car and he'd driven for 5 hours to bring her home from hospital. She realized in that moment she had no reason to be afraid. Stefan and Diaval were so different. Stefan was selfish and greedy, and all Diaval wanted was her happiness.

She moved a hand onto his face unconsciously and he leaned in closer, careful not to force her into anything. He didn't have to. Her hands glided along the sides of my neck and into my hair. She pulled Diaval closer and straining upward brushed her lips gently across his. He reacted with such excitement he almost knocked them both other. The warmth of his mouth sent chills down Maleficent's body and she relaxed into him. Diaval moaned in response, he felt like he might burst with happiness, he knew now for sure that he wanted to be with this woman for the rest of his life.

They didn't pull apart until Diaval felt a buzz in his back pocket. He reluctantly detached himself from the kiss and looked down at his screen.

'Diaval! Where r u? Did u find Gmother?'

"Oh crap its Aurora! I forgot to tell her you're alright, the poor girl must be worried sick!"

Maleficent's eyes widened.

"Shit, We'd better head back! But text her first!" She touched his arm gently and he winked encouragingly. "Hey," she added. "I like you too."

Her small smile was reserved but teasing and Diaval leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

"C'mon, lets get ourselves home."