First of all, THANK YOU for all the new favourites and follows. It means a lot to me and CaptainHookSaprrow.

And now enjoy this next chapter, full of angst.

Chapter 3 – Changed Hearts

-One Year Later-

Killian had just arrived at the Enchanted Forest. His home. And he sighed. He was happy to be home, but at the same time, he wanted to go back into the sea and just do what he was order to do. He still remembered that last day, when he left the beach. When he left her. He knew he had done wrong, he knew he had caused her pain and that was the last thing he ever wanted. So when the Jewel of the Realm left port the day after it was with a heavy heart.

Standing by the railing of the ship, watching his younger brother by the corner of his eye, Liam saw when he gulped and looked forward. Two women were standing at the docks. Like always, he knew it were Ariel and Emma waiting. But were one of them waiting for his brother?

The Captain patted his back, knowing the why Killian had thrown himself to hard work on those months away. Sighing, Liam heard his brother grumble something about staying on the lower deck while they made port.

When the Jewel of the Realm docked, Liam stepped out and went to both women. He noticed Emma's changes. Her once bright green eyes with adventure and happiness, were now almost gray and he made a mental note to scold his brother later.

"Your Highnesses." He bowed, taking their hands and kissed each.

"Captain." Emma replied with a broken smile, curtsing gracefully.

"How are you, Emma?" Liam asked softly, stealing a glance to Ariel, who shook her head softly and sadly.

"I am well. I trust that your journey went smoothly?" The blonde princess forced a believable smile.

"As always, it did. The wind is always in our favour." Liam avoided talking about Killian for obvious reasons.

Emma nodded with a very soft smile, almost faded. "We have you both in our thoughts and prayers every day and night."

"Thank you, M'lady." The Captain shifted on his feet, feeling uncomfortable about the 'we' Emma used.

The sad princess curtsied, before nodding to Ariel. "I believe you two have much catching up to do."

The couple smiled at her words, but Ariel answered. "We don't mind spending the day with you, Emma."

"That needn't be necessary, Ariel. Oh. And give Officer Jones my best." Emma said as softly as she could, turning back to return to the castle.

Both watched her go, sadly. But Liam frowned, sighing as he held his arm for Ariel. Little did they know that Killian was watching the three, cursing himself for Emma's changes.

"Mother? You sent for me?" Emma entered her mother's private chambers, finding her over the bed, looking at a deep blue ballgown with a diamond neckline.

"What do you think, Emma?" Snow asked with a bright smile.

"It's lovely."

Noticing something with her daughter, Snow frowned. "Something wrong, honey?"

"Not at all, Mother."

"I know my own daughter, Emma." Snow took her hand softly. "When you speak so little words, I know something is wrong. Did the Jewel arrived?"

"Safe and sound, just as we hoped." Emma nodded.

"I'm sure Captain Jones will talk with your father later."

Emma nodded again, stepping towards the window, feeling a deep sadness inside. Her mother watched her softly. "Have you seen him?" And she knew Snow would never mention Killian's name in front of her.

The Queen knew that something had happened between the two, but didn't know what, which was unfortunate since her daughter and the Jones brothers had grew up together and she had high hopes for Emma and Killian.

"…I have not." Emma looked down sadly.

Sighing, Snow approached her daughter. "How about we go for a walk?"

"Of course, Mother." Emma didn't even finished her sentence and Snow was already pulling her down the halls and to the royal gardens.

Talking the most, Snow commented on the weather, on how bright the flowers were, the green of leaves. But, suddenly, she felt Emma's arm go stiff as they approached the rose bushes. "Emma?"

Trying to hold back the tears, Emma swallowed her pain. "Yes?"

"What's wrong, honey?"

"Nothing of the matter…"

"No, Emma. You're my daughter. Was it Killian? Did he hurt you?"

"Killian did nothing, Mother…"

But Snow didn't buy it and gently pulled her daughter's chin up. "Is because he went away?"

In response, Emma bowed her head. Immediately, Snow wrapped her arms around her and held her like the gentle mother that she always had been. "Do you want your father to call him to the castle?"

"If he does not want to be here, then let him be." Emma said, her voice hard but muffled as she let her mother hold her.

Snow frowned. "You two are friends, honey."

"I do not believe we are anymore, Mother."

"Emma... Eventually you will have to see each other. When you become Queen, you'll have to see him."

"What do you suggest?" The princess sighed.

"Only you know, honey." Snow smiled, putting a lock of Emma's hair behind the ear. "What about the ball tomorrow night? I'm sure your father can ask Liam to bring him."

"I would like that, Mother." Emma nodded, softly.

"I'll talk to him, then." Snow hugged her daughter again. "I'm proud of you."

Meanwhile, after the Jewel had put the chests and barrels onto the dock and been stocked with new provisions, Killian went to take a walk to the village. He was on his own thoughts, not looking to anywhere in particular, so when he bumped to Ariel later that day, he got startled.

"Killian!"

"M'lady." Killian bowed his head. "Apologies. I was distracted."

"Please, don't apologize. I could see you had your thinking face." The mermaid smiled, playfully. "Welcome home." She hugged him, feeling though he was uneasy.

"How are you, Ariel? I thought my brother would be with you."

"I'm good. Happy to see you both. And your brother was called to the castle."

Killian nodded with a smile. "Aye, of course."

"The ball is tomorrow." Ariel said, watching his reaction.

"Aye. I heard. My brother is invited. I hope you both enjoy it."

"You won't come?" Ariel frowned, seeing he was avoiding talking about Emma.

"Not in the mood for balls, Ariel." He almost huffed, knowing where she was getting at."

"You're the only one pitying yourselves, you know." The mermaid got angry.

Killian raised a brow, not understanding.

"I had to force the truth out of her. But despite the pain she's gone through all year, she forced herself to continue on." Ariel huffed.

"I'm glad for that. She's strong. She had you after all." The officer nodded, his voice cold.

"Killian, Emma shut everyone out. This is her SUITORS Ball, you have to go!

"I'm no prince, Ariel. She'll be better with someone like her."

"She loves /you/!" Ariel blurted out, immediately covering her mouth with a gasp, for what she said.

Killian looked down, frowning. "Ariel. Love doesn't really matter on these subjects. A princess should marry a prince. Especially one that is going to be a Queen."

Without thinking, Ariel nudged him. "Don't you get it?! She'd give it all up just to be with you!"

"Do not continue, Ariel." Killian said through gritted teeth. His blue eyes looked angry and sad. "I have this life. I chose it. I made a mistake by showing her... By giving her that gift. I should have never kissed her." He stopped himself suddenly, not wishing to talk about his feelings.

Ariel frowned sadly. "Killian…"

"I have to go, M'lady. Enjoy the ball tomorrow." He bowed and strolled off down the street not looking back.

After she had left the gardens with her mother, Emma had locked herself in her chambers, feeling the fabric of her new gown, not really wanting to have that ball. But it had been her parents idea, since she was in a marriage age.

She was thinking, watching the far sea village, seeing the masts of the Jewel of the Realm, when she heard a knock on her door.

"Liam!" Emma gasped when she opened the door. "What brings you here?" She tried her best smile for him, letting him enter.

"Wanted to see how one of my favourite princesses was doing."

"I'm alright, thank you."

"Glad to hear." Liam nodded. "I was also wondering if there was anything I could do for you?"

Turning her head from him and looking at her dress, Emma shook her head.

"Emma, he's sorry, you know? He hasn't forgive himself for what he did." Liam said as softly as he could.

"He told you." Emma breathed, though not surprised.

"Aye. I can see through my brother. His sour mood is noticed at a distance."

"I miss him…" Emma confessed, softly, almost a whisper.

Clearing his throat, uncomfortable by what he was going to say, Liam shifted on his feet. "Your father... He made me promise I would bring him tomorrow night." He raised a brow, seeing a flicker of something on Emma's green eyes. Hope? "Is that want you desire? For me to bring him here?"

"I don't know. This is my Suitors Ball. And definitely I do not want to attend."

"And what if he attend?"

Emma's voice came trembling with sadness. "What would it matter? He couldn't even..."

Liam stepped closer. "No, he probably couldn't. But you were once friends. Maybe that can be again."

Closing her eyes, Emma let her feelings show, sobbing softly. And though not proper, Liam pulled her to his arms, like he did so many time when they were younger. After all, he still considered her a little sister. "I'll bring him tomorrow." He promised.

"Why… did he have to do it? Why… did he… kissed me?!" She stuttered, now crying. "It didn't mean anything to him...but it meant everything to me."

"You don't know that... If it didn't meant anything, he would feel guilty for doing it. But he doesn't."

"Of course he does! It's the kind of man he is. When we were younget, he called me a little girl all the time and told my friends he didn't find me attractive. Then... a passionate kiss in my mother's garden?!"

"He was a bloody fool, Emma. He was a kid himself. He's learning. Especially after what happened. He changed. He knows he never should have done it…"

Looking up at Liam, Emma frowned. "...so, he regrets kissing me?"

"That I don't know." The Captain sighed. And at his words, he saw Emma's face hardening. "He only told me what he did. Once. Drunk."

Nodding, the princess looked away getting out of Liam's arms. "If he wants to be a coward, let him be one. I am finished with boys. Perhaps this ball will be helpful."

"Aye." Liam nodded, seeing it was better for him now not to bring Killian.

"If Father has ordered you to bring him, then I suggest you do so, Captain. It was an order and you should obey." Her voice stern.

And raising his brow, Liam bowed. "Aye, M'lady."

"And I wish to have words with him. Are we clear?"

"Very, Your Highness."

Emma nodded. "Good. I will see you tomorrow, then?"

"Aye." Liam took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Liam." She offered him a kind smile. And as he left, she felt awful for being so cold with him.

With a sigh, she turned her green eyes back to the gown and decided to go to sleep.

When Liam got back to the ship, he wasn't expecting to see his brother getting ready to leave. "Where are you going, brother?"

"Out." Killian stopped on his tracks, looking at his older brother and Captain.

"Where?"

"Where would I go?" Killian snorted. "Have a drink with the lads." He went to the gangplank.

Liam frowned, righting himself before saying in his best commanding voice. "The King has asked me to bring you tomorrow night to the ball."

"What for?" Killian raised his brow, not in the mood for his older brother.

"It was an order, Officer."

Killian's voice came stern and obediently. "Aye, Captain."

Liam nodded, pleased. "Watch the amount of alcohol you consume. Bad form." He mocked about Killian's own words.

"Do not worry about me, Captain. I am always careful."

"Oh. And I saw /her/ whilst at the castle." At the mention of Emma, Liam saw his brother turning his back on him. "She misses you, Killian."

"She should know better."

"What the bloody hell does that mean?!"

"Not to miss me! I hurt her. So, she should know better."

The Captain huffed, stepping towards his brother. "She thinks you don't care for her. Perhaps /you/ should know better, brother, than to call the woman you seem to treasure a little girl."

Killian frowned, fisting his hands, so angry that he didn't know what to say. So, he left, disappearing into the night.

As the night went by and unable to sleep, Emma walked about the castle grounds, but stops hearing a mesmerizing voice calling to her.

Ps: Who is the mesmerizing voice? *both writers smirk, evily*

Reviews, please?