Disclaimer: It sucks that I don't own Once Upon A Time. But, I don't.
Author's Note: Now, this Lieutenant Duckling fanfic is about the lovely Killian when he is about twenty and Emma will be eighteen.
"Lieutenant Killian Jones is a loyal member of our Naval forces. He is perfectly capable, I am telling you." King David calmly explains his choices to his wife, Snow. Her pale features twist into a sceptical glare pondering her husband's words. Always a woman of reason and great sympathy, except in any matter concerning her daughter, Emma.
"He's is perfectly capable under normal circumstances, Charming. Not when he is still coping with the loss of the woman he loves." She calmly states.
"Snow," king David starts, knowing all too well the pain Killian is going through, "The man was nearly begging me to send him off with his brother." he gives his best attempt at reasoning with his wife.
"The last time he was not rescuing our daughter."
"Snow… An entire army will be there. All of our naval forces will be there," David crosses his arms, blue eyes aimed at Snow, "We have waited for this. They are trained for this. Emma will finally come home after four years."
"When she took Emma... on her fourteenth birthday... I couldn't bear it. I don't want anything else to happen." Snow holds back tears as she relives the traumatizing past memory.
"Honey, we'll get her back. We will find her, no matter how long it takes." He reassures his Queen.
"Okay. We'll send Blue. She will determine whether or not Killian is fit for this coup d'etat." Snow is adamant about her final decision.
All this time, the king and queen never lost hope that their little princess would find her way home.
In a hurry, Lieutenant Killian Jones enters the captain's quarters of the Jewel of the Realm. The wood under his feet creeks with every step as he approaches his older brother, Captain Liam Jones.
When Killian arrives below deck, he is met with his brother who is studying a map, briefly checking to see who is in his quarters.
"Ah, battle well fought, Killian. Well done." Liam praises his younger brother before turning his attention back to the mammoth map in hand.
"Dirty pirates." Killian mumbles angrily, fumbling with velvet coat.
"Now, now, brother. No need to fuss. Those pirates were mere child's play." Liam playfully scolds his young brother.
Killian gives a sigh, quickly changing the subject. "How long do you suppose we have left at sea?" He inquires, eager to know.
Liam ponders the question for a moment, "I'd say three days at most. We are not far off from the kingdom." He answers.
"You said it would take longer."
"I decided to take a different route."
"We don't need to take a different route."
"…"
"…"
"Brother," Liam breaks the brief silence, "I know you don't want to return after what happened."
Killian clenches his jaw, feeling disdain bubbling up as Liam shifts the conversation to the exact place Killian does not want to venture.
"I was eager to leave. I'm not eager to return." He says, holding back emotion.
"Milah would want you to return. She would want you to continue on with your duties."
"Milah would want me to be happy." Killian raises his voice.
Silence fills the air between the two brothers once more.
Killian's rugged features soften into a frown, but his posture stays strong. He looks Liam straight in the eyes.
"Ever since Milah passed... I haven't been myself. I am sorry, brother." The apology lacks both meaning and substance. Liam is well aware, but he chooses to dismiss Killian's awkward reply.
"All is well. Go tell the crew tomorrow's agenda." The elder brother dismisses Killian.
Killian masks the pain once again behind his blue eyes and returns above deck. Liam remains in the Captain's quarters, looking at his map and silently worrying about his younger brother.
"Alright, men. We'll be back on castle grounds in two days time. So, get a good night's rest." Killian announces, "We set sail before the sun rises."
That night, Killian lies awake, playing a parade of silent memories over in his mind, praying that the pain of losing his Milah will lessen. Completely unaware of the grace and beauty waiting to enter his life.
Author's note: Thanks for reading, everyone! The next chapter will be much longer, I promise.