The evening of the dance was finally upon them. Sabrina had, in defiance to Puck, allowed Bella to give her a makeover, and the two of them had settled on a simple updo, a bit of blue eyeshadow, some mascara and lip gloss, and the tiniest bit of cover-up on the zits that had just started popping up on her cheeks. The result was that Sabrina looked nice. Not beautiful (though it was hard to feel beautiful in a town full of princesses, especially Snow White), but very pretty.

Puck confirmed that when he entered the hallway where the girls were waiting for a ride to the school. He stopped for a good five seconds and just gaped at Sabrina, before shaking himself and continuing towards the door.

"Well?" Daphne asked him impatiently.

Puck turned to her with raised eyebrows. "Well what?"

"Well, how do we look?" Daphne said, using her best 'duh' voice.

"Fine, I guess." Puck said.

"Thanks for the backhanded compliment." Bella said dryly.

Sabrina made a big show of ignoring Puck completely.

Red giggled. "Well, he can't exactly say we look awful, because you'd kill him, but if he says we look great, then he'll mess with his reputation, which we all know has had enough hits recently that he can't risk any more."

Sabrina blinked. "I think that's the longest sentence I've ever heard you make."

Red blushed and giggled again.

The doorbell rang then, and Daphne ran to get it while Sabrina returned to ignoring Puck. Mustardseed and Renee were at the door. Renee ran quickly to Puck, giving him a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek. Puck put up with her treatment with an expression of stoicism, watching Mustardseed for his reaction.

Mustardseed, for his part, pointedly looked only at Sabrina, walking towards her much more sedately.

"You look lovely." He said, smiling at Sabrina.

Sabrina smiled back, mirroring the odd look in his eyes. "Thanks." She said.

"The rest of you do, also." Mustardseed said, looking at the other girls. "Especially you, Red. That color suits you perfectly."

Red blushed and looked down, though Sabrina could have sworn that she stuck her tongue out in Daphne's direction. Daphne, who had been trying to get Red to venture into a wider color scheme, sneered back, while Sabrina watched and chuckled.

"Shall we, then?" Henry asked, entering the hall. "You look beautiful, girls. Though I may be a little prejudiced in favor of my own two." He smiled at Sabrina and Daphne, who both smiled back.

"Will we all fit in your van?" Mustardseed asked.

Henry did a short head count. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven- eight. No. I can fit all but one of you. If-"

"I can fly." Puck said quickly, extricating himself from Renee's grasp. "See you all at the school."

Sabrina, strangely happy that Renee and Puck were no longer attached, pretended not to watch him fly off as she climbed into the van with the others, snagging the front seat with a little more cheer than was absolutely necessary and smiling when Mustardseed gave her a grateful look as he and Renee were tucked together into the center bench seat. Bella, Daphne, and Red all tried to squeeze together into the back without raising a fuss. Once they were all safely stowed away, Henry revved the engine and headed for the school. They made it there with no major mishaps, and Henry kissed Sabrina's cheek on the way out.

"How did you grow up so fast?" He whispered to her quietly. "One minute you were learning to ride a bike, and I turn around, and you're on your first date."

"It's not really a date, Dad." Sabrina said. "Mustardseed and I are just friends."

"That's comforting, at least." Henry said dryly, putting the car back in gear and pulling away.

"Come on, then." Mustardseed said with a small, halfhearted smile, gesturing towards the doorway.

Sabrina quirked a half-grin back at him and led the way into the building. Inside, most of the tables had been moved off to the sides, leaving a large empty space where a few couples and large groups congregated, bouncing awkwardly to the beat of the music coming out of a makeshift DJ booth with, of all people, Momma behind it. The lights were, for the most part, off, though Momma had a few disco ball-type things on top of the speakers. Most of the kids were sitting or standing by the tables with snacks or sodas, looking awkward. Daphne was already out on the dance floor, acting crazy with Art, who looked extremely amused by the pint-sized bundle of energy, and several other kids, most of whom were her own age. Art seemed perfectly happy to be hanging out with people half his age and a quarter of his size. Mustardseed and Sabrina, after a brief consultation, headed over to a wall away from most of the other people, and leaned against it.

After a while, Mustardseed asked, "Are you sure you don't want to dance?"

"I'm no good." Sabrina said, her eyes on Puck as Renee dragged him onto the dance floor.

"Neither are any of them." Mustardseed said. "Or of they are, they aren't trying." He turned to see what Renee was doing, then turned back, sighing.

"No thanks." Sabrina said.

There was silence for a time.

"That color looks lovely on you, by the way." Mustardseed said quietly, giving up on ignoring Puck and Renee.

"Thanks." Sabrina smiled wryly, still looking at the other two. "Same to you."

"Are you sure you don't want to dance?" Mustardseed repeated.

"Positive." Sabrina said.

"Then I'm going to go get us some drinks." Mustardseed said. "Any preferences?"

"Sprite." Sabrina said. "Thanks."

Mustardseed nodded and walked off, leaving Sabrina alone with her muddled thoughts.

"Why aren't you dancing?" Bella asked, coming up suddenly.

"No good." Sabrina said, still not taking her eyes off Puck. "How's Wendell?"

"I haven't seen him yet." Bella said. "Where's Mustardseed?"

"Getting drinks." Sabrina said. "And there's Wendell." She pointed to the opposite wall. "Go ask him to dance."

"Not brave enough." Bella said. "Besides, this isn't a good song for it."

"What if I asked him for you?" Sabrina said, wondering where this sudden desire to get rid of Bella was coming from.

"I dunno..." Bella said.

"I'll tell him you don't have a date and make up something that won't let on that you really like him, just in case." Sabrina wheedled.

"But I'd be leaving you all alone!" Bella said.

Sabrina rolled her eyes. "Bella. I don't need someone else's company to survive. Mustardseed will be back in a minute. Now either go ask Wendell or I'll do it for you."

"Fine." Bella gave in. "But I am getting you on that dance floor sometime tonight."

"You do that." Sabrina said absently, walking towards Wendell. "Wendell!" She called once she got close enough. "How've you been?"

"Oh, hi, Sabrina!" Wendell said, looking surprised. "I thought you'd be with Puck."

Sabrina glared. "The trickster king," She said tightly, "Is here with someone else. We are not together. Nor will we ever be. Why does everyone think that?"

"Sorry!" Wendell said, backing up- into a wall- his hands raised in the air. "It's just- I mean-"

"Never mind." Sabrina said. "I'm not having such a great night, all right? Listen, though. You know Bella?"

"Bella Amphibian?" Wendell said, his eyes lighting up.

"That's the one." Sabrina said. "She's here without a date tonight, and she wants to dance with someone and-"

"Are you suggesting-?" Wendell interrupted. "I dunno..."

"Come on." Sabrina said. "You can't be any worse than the rest of those people out there. I mean, seriously. You'd think some of them knew how to dance, being everafters and all..."

"Maybe they're embarassed." Wendell suggested.

Sabrina grinned. "Does that mean you'll do it?"

Wendell hedged for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Great!" Sabrina grinned. "She's right over there."

She watched as Wendell headed for Bella and the two walked onto the dance floor, feeling accomplished for a few seconds before relapsing into melancholy. Let Bella be happy someplace else.

"So, sugar?" Momma asked.

"Huh?" Sabrina asked.

"You told me to ask you if you liked him in a month. It's been over that long."

"I still don't have an answer for you." Sabrina said. "I've been busy, and... well, maybe I was avoiding it."

"Why?" Momma asked.

"Huh?" Sabrina looked away from Renee and Puck for a minute to glance at Momma.

"Why have you been avoiding it?" Momma repeated patiently.

"Because..." Sabrina said, "Because maybe the answer's yes. And if it is, that'll complicate things. We're finally getting comfortable being friends, and if these feelings start getting in the way again..."

"You don't do well with emotion, do you?" Momma asked.

"It was a weakness in the orphanage." Sabrina said. "It might still be a weakness now."

"Tell you what." Momma said. "You go home an make a list of pros and cons about him, and next time I see you, give it to me. Emotions ain't bad, sweetheart. Open up a little, and let your heart have some say."

"I don't know if I can." Sabrina said. "Whenever I let my heart rule my head, something bad happens."

"I didn't say let you heart be in charge." Momma said. "But let it speak up now and then. You write that list, and we'll talk it over, see if you do like him."

"Fine." Sabrina said, deciding to end the conversation quickly, because she could see Mustardseed approaching. "When will I see you?"

"Dunno." Momma said. "May be I end up working in the lunch line. Barring that, though, I'll swing by on Saturday."

"There you are." Mustardseed said, handing Sabrina a bottle of Sprite, "Why did you leave? Hello, Momma."

"Hey, your majesty." Momma chuckled. "Didn't see you two as a date."

"My dad and Granny Relda roped us into it." Sabrina said dryly. "It's not official."

"I get the feeling your father was attempting to make sure someone he approves of got to you first, before someone else asked." Mustardseed quirked a half smile. "It's unfortunate for his protective instincts that I am uninterested in you as more than a friend."

"You two danced anything tonight?" Momma asked. "'Cause I'm about to play the cha cha slide. or Cotton Eyed Joe. Your choice."

"Do I have to go out there?" Sabrina asked. "I'm not really the epitome of grace."

"You'll be just as good as any of them. Go dance."

"Cha cha slide." Sabrina said, putting her drink on a speaker and heading for the dance floor with a distinctly martyred air.

Momma chuckled and watched her go. "She's gonna hate me for what I do next."

"What are you planning?" Mustardseed asked warily.

"You seen Enchanted?" Momma asked.

"The horrible movie that distorts fairy tales about a princess who ends up in New York City?" Mustardseed said. "Unfortunately, yes."

"Well, I'm pullin' a page from their book. The next dance is going to be one where not-a-couples are together."

"That always seemed like a bit of a plothole to me." Mustardseed said. "It's such a random choice. Before now, I don't believe anyone would ever do it."

"Well, I know you aren't with the girl you want, and she isn't with the boy she wants, and a whole bunch of other kids just didn't have the courage to ask the people they like..." Momma trailed off.

Mustardseed grinned. "May I make a song suggestion?"

"Howsat?" Momma drawled.

"The Long and Winding Road, by the Beatles. I know for a fact Sabrina likes that song." Mustardseed said. "Quite a bit."

Momma grinned. "I may just take your suggestion, if you get out there and do some dancing yourself."

"Aye aye, captain!" Mustardseed made a mocking salute and went to join the others who were sliiiiiiiiiiiding to the right, or the left, and hopping as the 'singer' directed them.

Towards the end of the song, Sabrina had somehow been submerged within the group, despite starting out relatively near the edge, and when the song ended, she was having an extremely difficult time making her way out of the crowd, unhelped by the fact that she was surrounded by friends, most of whom were begging her to stay. She was just about to try and force her way out when Momma spoke up.

"This next song, I'd like you all to dance with someone you did not come with." She said into the microphone. "And I want to see all of you out here on the dance floor for this one song at least, please. Have a little fun, people!"

Sabrina watched helplessly as the throng around her thickened. There was no way she would make it out now. Art looked at Daphne, shrugged, then turned to Red, who had been dragged onto the dance floor beside her more boisterouse friend. The two paired up, and moved off to find more space; Daphne had found Tiny Tim in his wheelchair and was spinning it around cheerfully; Bella and Wendell found each other again quickly; and Sabrina was sure Mustardseed had taken the opportunity to steal Renee back from Puck.

"May as well." Puck said in her ear.

"Roped us into this quite nicely, didn't she?" Sabrina replied, turning to him.

Puck slipped both his hands onto her hips and raised an eyebrow. "You speaking to me again?"

"Maybe." Sabrina said, slipping her arms around his neck. "You done messing with your poor innocent brother, who was roped into this and didn't want to go with me in the first place? That is why you asked Renee, yes?"

"Well, I thought he liked her, but..." Puck swayed to the music.

"He does." Sabrina said. "A lot. So be nice to him and tell her you don't like her. Unless you do." She amended.

"Not like that." Puck shuddered fiercely.

Sabrina's heart lifted from the pit it had been in since Puck told her who he'd asked to the dance. Stop that. She told it absently. "It's kind of cruel to be leading her on like that." She said mildly.

"So I'll tell her sorry." Puck said airily.

Sabrina rolled her eyes. "You do that. But don't come running to me when she screams at you."

There was silence for a while.

"People are staring." Puck said, looking over Sabrina's shoulder at one such couple on the crowded dance floor.

"Either they're shocked that we're dancing together, or that we didn't come together." Sabrina said. "I hope it's the first one. I'm getting tired of people asking if we're dating."

"Tell me about it." Puck said. "Can't a guy and a girl just be friends without it being more than that?"

"Apparently not." Sabrina said distastefully. "People are always looking for romance."

"People are weird." Puck said.

"Tell me about it." Sabrina replied. "Sometimes I wish I wasn't human, but then I remember- oh wait, I'm not! And then I'm like, duh."

"Grimm, I think you've had too much soda." Puck said, laughing.

"Probably." Sabrina said. "Let's hope we never see me drunk."

Puck shuddered again. "The very thought terrifies me."

The song ended then, and they separated. Sabrina was going to head off the dance floor, but then Cotton Eyed Joe started up, and Daphne begged her to stay. She did, but after that song was over, she headed back for the DJ booth, exhausted.

Moth was there.

"I see you didn't come with Puck." She said acidly.

"Hello, Moth." Sabrina said cheerfully. "Kill anyone recently?"

"Not in quite some time." Moth replied. "How's your stomach?"

"Quite good, all in all." Sabrina said. "Poison really cleared out my system, actually. Thanks so much."

"Not quite what I was aiming for, but I suppose you're welcome." Moth said dryly.

Sabrina realized that she was enojying this verbal sparring match. "I'm glad. It's so nice to ruin an evil scheme. Have any more in the works?"

"Well, I was considering Charming's army, but they let just anyone in there." Moth said. "I may speak with Heart about Hand membership."

"I wish you the best of luck." Sabrina said. "They were running short on airheads."

"Girls, that's enough." Momma interrupted. "Moth, why don't you run off? There's a good girl."

"Aw, Momma!" Sabrina whined. "I was having fun!"

"Battle wits with her some other time." Momma said. "I want to keep this thing peaceful."

The rest of the evening passed by better than the beginning had. Sabrina danced twice with Mustardseed and a few times with some of the other boys she knew, under the combined influence of too much Sprite and her friends' consistent begging, sat around and talked for a while, and set about relearning what exactly it was to be a normal kid. When time came to go home, she was thoroughly exhausted and quite happy. She considered the dance a complete success.