Inspired by 3x21 & 3x22 spoiler pics.
I own nothing.
Emma twirled a bit self-consciously after Rumplstiltskin had disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke. The red gown was heavy and bulkier than anything she had been used to, and as embarrassing as it was, she knew she had to test her movements in it to avoid tripping over the hem and falling flat on her face. For someone named Swan she was extremely uncoordinated.
Killian leaned casually against a tree, deeming it safe to come out of hiding once Rumple had vanished. He hadn't said anything yet, but the smirk on his face told her a comment was coming any second.
"Don't you dare say anything!" Emma started towards Killian, her forefinger pointing right in his face, "You're next."
"I wouldn't think of it, love. You're a vision," he said, noticing a flush in her cheeks at his words, as if trying to match the color of her dress. "You wouldn't guess it by looking at the man, but I had no idea the Crocodile had such good taste in women's fashion."
Emma rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness of this whole situation. She literally was a princess dressed up by a "fairy godmother" in order to sneak into the King's ball alongside Captain Hook. After all she's been through, she didn't think she could be surprised anymore. She was wrong.
"Let's go, Casanova. If you're supposed to be accompanying me, you need to trade in some of that leather," she said, picking her dress up off the ground and heading towards the carriage that Rumple had magic'd up to compliment Emma's new status.
After helping Emma inside, Killian climbed into the carriage and immediately noticed a folded set of dress clothes on his seat. Picking up the light brown knee-length jacket, he raised his eyebrows in appreciation. "Not bad, Crocodile, not bad at all. I'm surprised he passed up an opportunity to dress me in something horribly frilly and outdated."
Again Emma rolled her eyes, not even trying to hide the smirk on her face.
"He's not stupid; you know he needs this to work as much as we do. Let's go over the plan one more time."
"Swan, if we're going to pull this off, we need to pay attention to the details. No 'wife' of mine will be seen without an appropriate token, " he said somewhat shyly, as he reached to unclasp his necklace and remove a small ring from the chain. "I'd like it if you wore this," placing it in her palm, "For the mission, of course."
Emma gasped upon further inspection of the ring. It was gorgeous. Elegant and unique while understated and perfect. She tried not to think of the real reason he wore a woman's ring around his neck. "So you just carry this around with you, for what? Part of your tricks to pick up women?" Emma responded in a snarky voice, trying to cover just how affected she had been by this trinket.
"It was my mother's."
Shit. "Oh, I was—uh—teasing. I just never noticed it before. It's beautiful."
"Yes, well, it's all I have left of hers, so keep it safe, love."
"Killian…" she hesitated, "I don't know—I, this is important to you, what if I lose it?"
"I trust you," he told her, taking her right hand and fitting the ring on her third finger. "For the mission."
Emma could still feel his hand on hers as she pulled away, absentmindedly rubbing his mother's ring that now graced her finger.
"Yes, the mission, of course."