Hello all! Welcome to my first attempt at a multi-chaptered, "Once Upon a Time" Captain Swan fic. Up until now, it's just been one-shots, so we'll see how this goes. I hope, as always, that you will read and enjoy, and take a moment to let me know what you thought if you are so inclined. This fic borrows bits of an old Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet from the 80s for its title and the chapter intros, but the song seemed oddly appropriate. The lyrics describe two people who keep coming back to each other, no matter what, and I would say it seems that Killian and Emma are going to keep returning to each other as well, from one adventure to the next. Each chapter revisits a moment in the show's storyline so far, until the last chapter, which is a possible scenario for the future. I still don't own the show or any of the characters. Would that be fun though? ;)

"Islands in the Stream"

Chapter One: Up a Beanstalk

"Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown;

I set out to get you…I was lost inside,

But there was something going on…"

'Bloody well should have known better than to trust a pretty face,' Killian Jones ranted to himself, jerking at the heavy chain and its shackle encircling his one whole wrist. Of course, the rusted old metal held firm; testing it only made him feel slightly less helpless, if no less a fool. Swan had gotten his head spinning, made him think she truly cared whether or not he had been crushed by the stones tumbling from the giant's ceiling, and distracted him from his one true purpose: get to this Storybrooke, where Emma and her mother aimed to return, and skin his Crocodile. A beautiful, feisty blonde in skintight breeches and knee-high boots threw him a little bit of sass and saved him from a tripwire, and he had fallen right into a snare of another making.

Letting out a frustrated growl, he threw his arms up, and stopped trying to pull free. It wasn't going to do him any good. Though he didn't understand why Swan had felt she must leave him behind, she had sworn he would come to no harm. Apparently the lass had real persuasive powers – not just over him, but with giants as well. 'I just need a head start,' she had told him, her words barely louder than a whisper as she had backed away reluctantly. She seemed to think this giant would not kill him, but free him after the amount of time she had requested passed. There was no denying that her running from him, and leaving him defenseless had hurt – especially when he had thought they were working rather well together. However, he easily recognized the look of self-preservation in her stormy eyes; even as she abandoned his company, Swan had been begging for his forgiveness. She knew he hadn't told her a lie, knew he had helped her, but she couldn't risk full trust. In fact, he wasn't sure that she hadn't panicked at how well they seemed to understand each other and the fact that she might have wanted to trust him. She had been forcing distance before she could care too much.

As Killian mulled this all over in his mind, he was interrupted by the pounding sound of giant footsteps thundering louder and nearer with each moment. Soon, it felt that the very earth he was standing on shuddered at the impact, and he almost fell off his feet as the ground quaked significantly. Soon, Emma's new friend came into view, and Killian couldn't help the nervousness that edged into the roiling mix his emotions already were. He certainly hoped that his golden-maned thief was a correct judge of giant character; he truly did not relish his centuries of life in the realms ending with being the afternoon snack of some disgruntled bean grower.

To his surprise, the giant bent down, holding a key so small in his gargantuan hand that he could hardly fit it into the lock on the chain that held the pirate captive. "Emma said once enough time had passed, I was to set you free unharmed," he grunted. The lock clicked open, letting the manacle fall free, and Killian stepped back, relieved, as the giant stood to his full height again.

"Thanks, Mate," Killian told him jovially enough, glad that this giant no longer seemed to be the angry whirlwind he had been when they first entered his home. "I appreciate regaining my freedom. Pray tell me though, why are you taking orders from Miss Swan?"

The giant looked down at the pirate, a faraway expression on his expansive face. "She saw that I'm not just some monster, some evil villain. She treated me with mercy and then made a sincere request. I couldn't refuse her."

"Ah, I do see what you mean," Killian replied, nodding in agreement. "Where she is concerned, it is hard to hold back, isn't it?"

The giant said no more for a long moment, looking at the captain as if gauging his intentions and reaction. Hoping this possible adversary could not see that he planned to track Emma Swan down and prove her wrong for doubting him, Killian nodded to the giant and made to walk away.

"She's a special one, Captain,' the giant added, his voice carrying and making the pirate turn back around curiously. "Don't let hurt pride turn you against her. If she left you here in order to make a getaway, she must have had her reasons."

Killian simply dipped his head in response, no longer sure what to make of their conversation. He wasn't truly angry with her – not anymore – but he wasn't going to let her slip away and vanish forever either. He started walking again, and was almost to the hole in the wall which would take him back down the beanstalk, when the giant spoke once more, "When you do see her again, tell her Anton sends his best, would you?"

The pirate shook his head in humored disbelief, but called back over his shoulder, "Aye, I'll do that!"

He was halfway back down the twined maze of vine and leaves when he realized Anton hadn't even asked if he would go after Swan, or if he thought that he could catch up. It was almost humorous, how clear his determination must have been, even to a stranger. A grin slipped back onto his handsome face, lighting his blue eyes with mischievous anticipation. He would be dogging Swan's steps until he was with her again. She intrigued him, she challenged and awakened him, and he was not finished with her yet…