A/N Missing piece to "Never Let Go". Read that one first please as it won't make much sense otherwise. Also, for purposes herein, Regina's house is 10x the size that it appears in the show. I'm thinking the Von Trappe family house from the Sound of Music. Keep the modern upgrade, but Big Big Big. I also apologize for the horrid title, but after having this written I finally decided to post it.

Author's disclaimer: I own none of the characters portrayed herein. This is just for the laughs and feels.

Emma's POV

Snow shuffled me out of bed as soon as the sun was up. She was so excited for the first ball that Storybrooke had ever seen. Regina was putting it on at her home to celebrate our return from Neverland.

I sleepily thought about how we got to this point while sipping my hot chocolate as Snow drove my beetle to Regina's. David followed us in his truck, laden down with fresh flowers from Belle's father's shop. Henry was asking every question he could think of about what was going to go on tonight, while Snow patiently answered. They were bursting with too much energy this early in the morning.

While on our trip, Regina and Snow had all come to the realization that family was more important then the differences they had had in the past. Regina had grown and was starting to learn to love, while at the same time Snow and I had started to see how we have inadvertently pushed Regina towards that darker path. Although she was still inclined that way, we all saw her trying to forgive and not let hatred control all her decisions. I wouldn't call us friends yet, but there was definitely a cease fire with the potential for a permanent peace.

Similar to the truce between Gold and Hook. Neither one had tried to kill the other in weeks even though they took verbal jabs at each other every chance they got. I could tell they would never be friends, but as Sheriff in this town, I was just thankful for every full night's sleep I got without having to get up because of gunshots or stab wounds.

I tried tuning Henry and Snow out as I knew talking more about it was just going to make me more nervous, which in turn makes me crankier. I didn't see the need for all this fuss. I mean, we had Henry back and that was great, but why did we have to involve everyone and their dog. Wasn't this a private moment for us for share. But every time I had expressed this, Snow would make some comment about how it wasn't just our moment. It belonged to the entire town. Not only did we come back with Henry, but with the enchantments placed by Tinkerbell on Hook's ship, we have a viable way back to the Enchanted Forest. We were no longer trapped and that was something that called for a public celebration.

I stopped complaining when David privately mentioned that Snow had always dreamed of getting her daughter ready for her first ball and although she's missed many of my firsts, this was one that she could still have. How was I supposed to fight with that?

Anyways, the hot chocolate needed more cinnamon. I'll just have to get some from Regina's kitchen when I got there.

As soon as Snow parked the car, I got out trying to make a beeline for the kitchen where I was hoping to hide out until reinforcements arrived after lunch. Huh, did I actually just call Hook my "reinforcements"? Well, I guess that's true since he's been the one keeping me sane around this bunch. I felt myself smiling about that night last week when he first taught me to dance. I'd trusted him with a weak spot and not only had he responded with kindness, he had given me everything I had asked for and more. Giving me everything I needed but hadn't known how to ask for.

I was searching though Regina's spice rack, when the Evil Queen (oh I can poke fun of her in my head at least) walked in. She had several people I didn't recognize following her around with notepads as she rattled off directions. Completely in her element with a captive audience, too scared not to follow her every instruction to precision, hanging on to every word she spoke.

Her brisk walk stopped short when she saw me, almost causing a short redhead to slam into her back. Thankfully one of the other attendants caught her before Regina noticed.

"Good morning. What are you looking for?" She demanded in her brisk businesslike voice. Knowing her as I now did, I knew she wasn't mad, just surprised and preoccupied with business.

"Morning Regina. We just got here and I didn't have enough cinnamon." I said holding up my travel cup.

"Second shelf, right between the cardamom and coriander. I have both ground and the sticks, if you need them. As soon as you're done, I'll meet you outside to arrange the receiving area on the south lawn."

I just nodded. She swiftly continued out the kitchen, entourage engrossed once more in capturing her every word.

South lawn? Really? How is this my life? I thought as I finally found the object of my quest. Yes, yes, I know my inner monologue has gotten a bit dramatic lately, but I blame that on Hook. He makes successfully unzipping a jacket a cause for celebration. He was too much sometimes, but I wasn't going to get anything done if I kept thinking about him. And now that I have been spotted, I knew I had to meet Regina to receive my instructions or one of her flunkies would be sent to annoy me for the rest of the day.

Taking another sip of my perfectly spiced, warm deliciousness, I replaced the cinnamon and headed out.

After several hours and even more botched attempts at creating a center piece from the fresh cut flowers later, I was just looking at my latest monstrosity. It didn't look nearly as bad as the others.

"What's that supposed to be? A replica of Medusa's head?" Hook comments and laughter filled the air.

"No, it's a special, unique masterpiece fashioned for the enjoyment of the citizens lucky enough to be placed at table number 17." I replied in a completely serious tone even though I knew he was joking. To be honest the leaves did kind of look like snakes.

"How did you get them to curl that way when Snow's stand straight?" He asked, pointing out Snow's gorgeous pieces now adorning most of the tables. Each one different, but perfect.

"It was Snow's idea. To let the people know what although Regina's hosting the ball, the rest of the family has put their approval and personal touch to everything as well." I parroted Snow, just as she walked up.

"Captain, glad you could make it to help set up." Snow greeted him with a quick hug before turning to me. "Emma, great job! That's much better. I really think you're getting a knack for flower arranging." Snow's praise having the opposite effect as the flowers seemed to wilt before my eyes and several fell out of place again.

"Yeah, I just had to remember all those classes at the Portland Correction Facility for juvenile offenders and it was a breeze." I jested.

Hook laughed beside me as Snow took control of trying to fix the disaster. I'll never know how she could take bits and pieces of foliage and turn it into a cohesive beautiful unit. It must be her kind of magic. The flowers immediately looking healthier when she touched them.

"So I'm here to help. What should I start with?" Hook asked with his usual enthusiasm. Although he was clearly addressing Snow, I finally got a good look at him. He wasn't dressed for work or in his usual black leather. He had a dark blue coat on. I could see elaborate but subtle embroidery in black, gold and some silver around the cuffs and collar. I had to stop myself from tracing the designs. It looked great on him, like it was made for him, but at the same time different from anything I had seen him in before. Ok, so that barely made sense even to me. This man had been doing that to me a lot lately. Surprising me.

"Well, you shouldn't work in such lovely attire. Emma, why don't you show him to one of the guest rooms upstairs? Hook, you can leave your coat there so that it isn't ruined for tonight. Then, it would be best to find Regina and ask what she needs done next. We've got so many people helping and she's the one running point. I'll finish up here. Charming and Henry should be back from their run into town in a bit too."

And so we were pretty much dismissed.

I lead Hook through the hoards of people scurrying around. "You would think with everyone already here, we could just start this whole ball thing already." I commented.

"Aye, I'm dressed for the occasion, but I'm not sure your mother would approve of yours." Hook chuckled.

"Hey, what's wrong with a good pair of jeans." I shot back heading up the stairs to the second floor.

"Nothing at all from my point of view."

I looked over my shoulder with an eye roll already in place. The innuendo king had arrived.

I quickened my step to let some of the people moving furniture and artwork get pass us and made it quickly to one of the rooms that Regina had notified me earlier was for the men to get ready. David's travel bag was already there waiting for him.

I went over to the closet to find him a hanger, when I felt Hook's hand stop me as the door to the hallway closed.

I turned to him confused.

"Hello." Hook looked at me with a smile.

"Eh hello." I replied, unsure where this was going.

"Well, love, it is good to be officially greeted with a smile as opposed to the scowling of flowers."

I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Geez, you are just weird. We have work to do and you want to just continue saying hello all day. Come on, I'll help you get this coat off so we can get back downstairs." I reached up and started unbuttoning the collar, which was much softer than I thought it would be. It looked like wool or something heavy like it, but it felt like silk.

"What's this made of anyway?" I asked as I ran my hands over the careful stitching around the buttons. "I've never seen anything like it before."

"300 odd years of pirate, lass. I haven't seen many around."

"Hardy Har Har. I meant the coat you idiot." I lightly punched him in the arm as he slipped the coat over his shoulders.

"You couldn't expect me to pass up such a sweet opportunity now could you?"

I took his coat and he started to slip his gold rings off his fingers.

"I can figure out how you get the rings on and off, but how do you get the earrings on? You don't even have that many piercings, that I've noticed that is." Oh God, I've done it again.

"I may have more then you think I have, love. Care to find out?"

"Enough. It's not like I need to know anyway. Come on, lets just go find Regina." I practically dragged him by his hook until we were safely in public again. Not that another person's presence would ever stop his teasing and flirting, but it would help make it easier to ignore.

Damn, he looked fine today, I thought to myself. He hadn't shaved like I thought he would have, but his beard had been trimmed and he smelled even better than usual. Like a salty, sandlewoody, male smell. I could tell that he was sober and I hadn't even felt his flask when I ran my hands over his coat. "Stop it, Swan," I quietly whispered to myself. This is not a good train of thought. Hook and I have just become friends. He flirts with everyone, even Snow. That's just the way he is. It wasn't like it meant I'm special. Thankfully Hook wasn't catching on to my inner monologue due to Regina finally spotting us.

She immediately sent Hook off to help hang garlands across the stairwell, while she sent me off to find Henry and to make sure he had gotten a proper lunch.

I missed him as soon as he left.

Henry was off the walls with excitement. Regina was right. The kid hadn't eaten anything but the sugary delights being brought in. Now that the chefs at the hospital had remembered who they actually were, the food standards had surpassed spectacular, and they were all out in force for the biggest event of the decade.

I pulled Henry to a quieter corner of the kitchen and watched him devour a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pear slices, and a full glass of milk before I let him go. He wanted to see everything. I couldn't blame him. After living in this huge, cold house and rarely if ever having guests over, to suddenly see it bursting with life must have been amazing. He also commented several times on how Regina wasn't using magic to do any of it, but "good old elbow grease" instead.

As soon as he was done, another delivery person came in bringing the first ice sculptures; thankfully, no swans, but there was a spectacular one of a pirate ship. Henry gave me a quick peck on the cheek before he was off asking them how they made it. His empty plate forgotten. I laughed to myself while cleaning up after him. Normally, I wouldn't have let him get away with abandoning his mess, but today was a day for exceptions.

My task completed, I took a minute to look around to see how everything was coming together. It seems that although there were tables for everyone to sit when they wished, all the food was to be served in a buffet line, which dominated the entire length of the banquet hall (or ballroom I think Regina was calling it). Anyway, food at one end, orchestra at the other, around the edges tables and in the middle the dreaded dance floor. One of the walls was full of windows and glass doors pointing to the south. Regina wanted everyone to enter from the south entrance so all the doors where open to let people in after passing through the manicured garden just outside.

Several places were set up outside to allow for private conversations and resting. It was a clear spring day. I'm sure the clouds were too scared to even try making it overcast on Regina's big day. The flowers and the apple tree were blooming.

I was still amazed at how Regina was transforming this house, which to had always given an impression of being cold and inhospitable, to a place where everywhere you looked there was something to delight in. Whether is was the daffodils and tulips coming up along side the stone pathways, or the colorful spring wreaths adorning the walls, or the extra lighting which had been brought out. Although the torches wouldn't be light until later, Regina had made sure they would not be eyesores by covering them with broad ribbons. White, gold, and red were the colors primarily used, but I saw plenty of green, blue, and purple sprinkled in as well.

"Hey, lazy bones." I heard Hook's voice cry out and I turned to look to see who he was talking too. He was at the end of the path toward the road, struggling with a wire contraption. He was also looking right at me.

"Aye, lazy Swan, ye busy yet." He called out again as I started to head over his way.

"I've been at this longer than you have, I wasn't being lazy. I was just admiring all the hard work I've put in." I said as soon as I was close enough to not yell. I didn't want to alert Regina or Snow to my current taskless state.

"So what are you doing here?" I asked.

"Regina wants an arch put up here to show everyone where they are to enter. She says it's all about crowd control and getting people on the right path so they don't walk in all on their own."

"Oh yeah, because we can't have people thinking for themselves can we." I commented.

"With as many people as it looks like there is going to be, a bit of crowd control won't go amiss, love."

"Fine, you got me. What can I do to help?"

Hook quickly explained to me how the thing was supposed to work. The wire was the framework for the arch. After we had that up, we were to cover them in the green garlands, ribbons and flowers that Regina had arranged to have been delivered. We set to work and since we always did work well together, we had the frame up relatively quickly.

"Ok, so that's done. See ya." I said as soon as I had verified that the wire frame was steady enough that it wasn't going to fall over.

"Oh, where do you think you're going?" asked Hook, pretending to be offended and somehow looping his hook through the belt loops in my jeans, making me stay put or risk ripping my favorite work jeans.

"I'm going to go make myself useful someplace." I told him matter-of-factly.

"And what if I say you're still being useful here?" he responded, continuing to keep me tethered to him with his hook.

"I'd say, that I already helped you as much as I can. Didn't you see me with those ridiculous center pieces? I suck at decorating." I said waving my hand dramatically towards the ballroom behind us where to the best of my knowledge, Snow was still trying to undo what I had done.

"That's a term I really don't understand yet." Hook said. "How is the ability to pucker your lips and create suction a bad thing?"

"It's not that kind of 'sucking'. When I say 'I suck', it means that I'm horrible at it. Now let me go, I've got things to do before Snow grabs me to start the torture."

"What torture?" Hook said amused, but he did move my hips with his hand so that he could angle his hook out of my pants. Correction, out of my belt loops. I'm not even going to think about his hook in my pants. Since that train of thought will not go anywhere good.

"What torture, love?" Hook prompted again.

"Oh sorry, I guess I got preoccupied. The torture is the heals I'm supposed to wear with the dress Snow finally picked out for me, and then the hair, makeup, etc. that she's going to insist on getting done before she lets me live through tonight."

Hook was laughing now. "Stop laughing, it is going to be terrible. She has me in 4 inch heals. 4 inches! I'll be walking on cobblestones on my tiptoes all night. There is no way I will not break something."

"Ok, let's make a deal. I'll keep an eye out to keep you from falling, if you promise to help me finish this arch. I suck at the decorating, too and this way I can't be the only one to blame." He offered with a huge smile.

I knew I was going to help him finish up as soon as he stopped my escape, but the offer was a good one. It meant that even if I did break my ankle, as I fully expected to, I would have someone else to share the blame. I could get miles and miles of teasing Hook about it, which would be a bandaid on the embarrassment I was going to feel when I fell down that huge staircase.

"Deal." We shook on it.