"Are you sure we should be doing this?" asked Snow.
"Look, I don't like it either, Snow, but this marriage will ensure the safety of our kingdom for years to come. Emma knows this and she has not expressed interest in any of the other potential suitors. If she had, then we would have called off this whole event months ago."
"She's only 21," said Snow, "shouldn't we give her more time to find someone? Our daughter deserves to have True Love. I'm beginning to think that the deal we made last year was done in haste."
"Emma knows what she is doing by marrying Baelfire. She has made her choice. If she were to come to us tonight and confess her love for someone else, then of course we would call it off and damn the consequences, but that isn't the case."
"We've been pressuring her," said Snow, her voice was laced with guilt. "She might believe that we would force her into a loveless marriage."
-/-
Keeping Killian a secret from her parents had been a bad decision. However, she knew that if she had told her parents about her feelings for the naval officer that they would have called off the engagement.
She had almost done so countless times over the past twelve months.
But she had never followed through for one simple fact.
No one broke deals with the Dark One and lived to tell the tale.
Her parents had a reason for making the deal all those months ago. They wanted to ensure the safety of the kingdom, and if Emma had been in their position she likely would have done the same thing.
Now that the deal had been struck it could not be undone. Or else her parents, and maybe the entire kingdom would pay the price. Emma would rather sacrifice her own happiness than ruin the happiness of countless innocent people.
She had finally told Killian two months before.
"I'm so sorry, Killian," said Emma.
They were sitting in the back corner of one of the castle gardens, curled together on a bench.
Killian tightened his arms around her. "I understand, Emma. You are a Princess and you have to put your kingdom and your people first. You made an honorable and difficult choice, and this only makes me love you more."
Emma just hugged him tighter.
"It is time that we finally face reality. We have been fooling ourselves these past months looking for a way out of this. No one breaks a deal with the Dark One and lives to tell the tale."
He pressed a kiss to her temple. "I never deserved you anyway," he whispered into her hair.
"Killian," said Emma, looking up at him with teary eyes, "please don't say that. I love you, and if it weren't for the Dark One I would run away with you tonight and never look back."
"It's okay, Emma. These are harsh realities, but they do exist," said Killian, caressing her cheek. "I should get back to the ship."
Emma nodded.
"Emma, my love, know this now. My only wish is for you to be happy and there is not a day that will go by that I will not think of you." He brushed his lips against hers. "Farewell, my princess."
They hadn't seen each other since that night.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in," called Emma.
The door opened and Snow slipped inside. "Emma, is there anything your father and I can do to make your journey any easier?"
Emma looked up at her mother. You could say that I don't have to go. But she didn't say that. Instead she said, "On which ship will I make the journey?"
"Your father and I were thinking The Jewel of the Realm. Captain and Lieutenant Jones will ensure that you make it to Rumplestiltskin's castle safely."
Emma's eyes lit up at the thought of seeing Killian one last time.
"Is that okay?" asked Snow.
"Yes, mother, it's perfect."
"Emma, I know that you agreed to this marriage because you thought it was best for the kingdom. But I also want you to know that it isn't too late to call this whole thing off. You deserve a chance to find True Love."
Emma's mind flashed to Killian and the future they would never have. No. She couldn't think of that. She wasn't going to risk the lives of the kingdom and her parents. Killian understood. "Mom, no one has ever broken a deal with the Dark One. I made my choice, and I will stand by it."
Snow took her daughter in her arms. "I am so proud of you Emma. You are an amazing young woman."
-/-
The carriage ride to the Jewel was mostly silent. Emma sat meekly with her hands folded in her lap.
Snow and Charming had made several attempts at conversation, but it seemed as if their daughter's mind was somewhere else completely.
In fact, it was. She knew it wasn't proper for an engaged woman to think of someone else that wasn't her betrothed, but all she could think of was Lieutenant Killian Jones.
She hadn't seen him in two months and as this was her last voyage as a free woman, she was glad she could spend it on the same ship as Killian Jones.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the docks, and one of the footmen opened the door and helped her out of the carriage.
Emma trailed behind her parents as they boarded the ship.
Captain Liam Jones greeted them with a low bow. "Your majesties, it is an honor to have you aboard The Jewel of the Realm. My lieutenant and I promise to ensure your daughter's safe passage across the sea to Rumplestiltskin's castle. "
Emma met Killian's gaze. She had to resist the urge to run into his arms.
"Thank you, Captain Jones. I trust that you and young Killian will take good care of my daughter. I have always thought very highly of you both."
"We are honored by your praise, your Majesty," said Killian, with a low bow.
Snow and Charming turned to their daughter. "We love you, Emma," said Snow.
"And we are so incredibly proud of you," said Charming, pulling his wife and daughter into a hug.
"Take care of her, Captain, Lieutenant," said Charming before leaving the ship with his wife.
"Princess Emma," said Liam, "Killian will show you to the Captain's quarters. The voyage should take a week, but the seas are smooth, and we should make good time."
"Thank you, Captain," said Emma with a small smile. "But you do not have to give up your quarters for me."
"Only the best for the Princess," he said, "Now if you will excuse me, we must prepare to set sail."
"Your Highness," said Killian, appearing by his side and offering his arm.
She took it and they crossed the deck to the Captain's quarters, not daring to speak until they were alone.
Killian closed the door, only to have Emma launch herself into his arms, nearly knocking the wind out of him.
"Killian," she said, "I've missed you so much." She stood on her tiptoes so that she could kiss him.
For a moment, Killian melted into her touch, but then he remembered their situation, and stepped away. "Emma," he said, "We can't do this. You are engaged."
"Exactly. In a week I will be married to a total stranger," said Emma, "and I won't waste the last few days we have together." She tried to kiss him again, but he took another step back.
"I'm sorry, Emma. I would like nothing more than to kiss you right now, but I believe in good form, and a gentleman would not take advantage of an engaged woman."
"Not even if said gentleman has the direct permission of the lady in question," asked Emma.
"Not even then, my lady," he said.
Emma sighed. She loved that Killian was a gentleman, and a man of honor, but she wanted nothing more than to steal away these last few days with him before she found herself bound to the son of the Dark One.
They still had seven days, and Emma had always been able to get under Killian's skin.
"If you will excuse me, Princess, I will allow you to rest," said Killian, sweeping into a bow. "If there is anything you need, come and find me."
Then he left the Captain's Quarters so quickly that he did not hear Emma's whispered, "I need you."
