A/N: Based on a 3 second micro clip in the Captain Swan promo for Season 6. Hope you enjoy.


"I just wanted to say something, you know, when we're not in the middle of a big battle or one of us is facing death, when things are just normal. … I love you."


A pleasant postprandial haze was settling over the group of people sitting around the "heroes' table" (as patrons had taken to calling it) at Granny's Diner. Killian had an arm around Emma's shoulder and she leant against him contentedly, lazily polishing off a stray onion ring. Emma was only half-listening to the conversation at the table. Dr. Jekyll had been introduced to the delights of fast food, and her parents were talking about getting him settled at a room in the adjoining inn. Emma was content to let her parents take the lead in introducing the visitor to the town. After all, they had known the man for a little longer than she did. Regina and Henry had left the diner a few minutes earlier, with the intention of releasing the magic trapped inside the Olympic crystal, and then go to over to Regina's.

Emma started nodding off when she felt the warm press of Killian's lips against her head. She twisted her neck to look at Killian and smiled at him. He rubbed her arm gently and said, "Feeling sleepy, love?"

"Yeah. I think I need a nap or ten!"

Apparently having heard that, Snow turned to her daughter and said, "Why don't you go home and take some rest, honey? You need it after everything!"

"I was thinking of maybe going to the station and make sure everything was in order…"

"I'll go over and take a look once I get Dr. Jekyll checked in at the inn."

Emma hesitated for a moment and said, "Let me do it. You guys should go home to the little squirt."

"I'm going straight home. Ashley's meeting me there with Neal. Don't worry, Emma. We've got this," said Snow and smiled at her.

Emma gave her mother a grateful smile and stood up.

"Come on, let's go," she told Killian, tugging his hand.

Killian gave her a shy smile as he got up. From the corner of her eye, Emma saw her parents exchange a knowing look. Emma felt her face warm up. She was an adult, for goodness sake!

As she and Killian exited the building, Sneezy walked up to the door, but quickly scurried away the minute he caught sight of her. Emma stiffened, feeling a prick of guilt, remembering that she had literally turned him into a statue in the recent past. She hesitated, half-wanting to chase after the dwarf and apologize to him.

Killian squeezed her hand reassuringly. "He's fine Swan. He'll come around. Let's leave before the grumpy one shows up announcing the next crisis—I swear he has a radar that tells him when we are about to have a quiet minute."

Emma laughed, deciding to follow his advice, and led Killian to her car. Getting Killian seated and buckled into the cramped front seat took a little bit of maneuvering and giggling. Once that was accomplished, Emma started the car and pulled away from the curb.

"Where to, Swan? The Jolly Roger, or your house?"

Emma hesitated for a moment and then turned to him. "Our house," she said.

Killian looked at little stunned. Emma hurried on, "I know the last time we were there together it didn't go well, and you probably only have bad memories associated with it. So, if you think that…"

Killian leaned in to her and cut her off with a short sweet kiss to her lips. "I will be honored to come with you to our house, Emma. It doesn't matter what happened in the past—we can start making new memories together—good memories. We'll turn the house into a home."

"Promise?" asked Emma, a little teary.

"Promise," he replied, pressing his lips to hers again, like sealing an oath.

Emma smiled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

She kept a hold of his hook through the drive, turning to smile at him at frequent intervals. She did not feel sleepy anymore. She suddenly felt giddy with excitement at the thought of starting a new phase of her life with Killian at their own place.

Once they reached their destination, Emma parked the car in the garage. As they stepped out of the car, a shadow fell over them, and a screeching wail tore through the sky. Startled, they looked up to see a giant dribble tearing across the sky in a rapidly descending arc. It was clearly in trouble, and about to crash-land.

"Bloody hell," said Killian.

"Where the hell did that come from?" said Emma.

"We saw these airships in that land of Jekyll and Hyde's."

They looked at each other in dismay.

"Looks like it's gonna crash," said Emma. Even as she spoke, the airship gave an almighty wobble and disappeared behind the tree-line. A minute later, they heard a muffled thud as the vessel hit the ground.

Emma and Killian looked at each other, unsure as what to do next. Emma felt torn—for once she wanted to ignore this new crisis, and just go home and let someone else deal with it. On the other hand, she was the sheriff, and still the savior. Killian was looking frustrated, but after a moment collected himself and said, "Do you want to check that out, love?"

"Let me call my father," said Emma after a moment's hesitation. She pulled out her mobile and made the call quickly. Her father picked up at the first ring.

"Dad, did you see that?"

"Yes. I'm going over to check it out now. I've notified EMT services. They're making their way over as we speak."

"Killian and I can come over right away."

"No need, kiddo. You stay put. I'll call you if I need anything."

"You may need backup," cautioned Emma.

"Don't worry. I'll take someone with me," promised David.

"Call me immediately as soon as you find out anything."

"I will. I've got to go now," said David and ended the call.

Emma turned to Killian and said, "David's dealing with it now. He's going to call me as soon as he finds out what the low-down is."

Killian quirked his brow. "That's new, Swan. Normally you willingly carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."

"There is always a crisis. As somebody once told me, I want to enjoy the quite moments that happen in between—with you. And if there aren't any quiet moments, we will make them. I don't want to waste any more time and miss out on life."

Killian gave her a quick smile that radiated with pleased delight and filled Emma with warmth. For so long, she had been so very afraid to have hope for the future. After everything that she and Killian had gone through recently—the author's Storybook, separated by Darkness, giving in to the Darkness, even death—her fears almost felt justified. But they had gone through the fire, and come out on the other side. They had been granted a second chance at life and hope for a future together—a precious gift that not many were lucky to get.

Emma bounded up the front steps quickly. Killian followed behind her, laughing. As she fumbled with the key in her haste to get inside, Killian pressed up against her back and murmured, "Need help breaking into the house, Swan?"

Emma's breath hitched involuntarily as his warm weight pressed her to the door, and she giggled. "We can't break into our own house, silly! That's bad form," she said, trying to imitate his accent.

"Very funny, Swan. You'll pay for your impertinence."

"Oh yeah?" said Emma, finally getting the door open. "Make me." She took off laughing into the living room.

He chased after her and crashed into her just as she reached the couch. The momentum kept her going forward and she tumbled into the couch, turning as she fell. Killian fell on top of her with a soft oof, and they both took a moment to catch their breath. Then, Killian slowly brought his face close to hers, and the look in his eyes thrilled Emma to the core of her being. Killian swung one leg over, effectively trapping her legs between his. Emma caught hold of his jacket to bring him even closer, and caressed his arm. Softly, almost unbearably gently, Killian kissed her. Emma melted into it, arranging herself more comfortably on the couch. As she parted her lips to deepen the kiss, her phone trilled loudly on the coffee table. Breaking the kiss, they both turned to look at the source of the unwelcome disruption.

"Ignore it," she said, and went back to kissing Killian. The hideous thing kept ringing. Emma tried to ignore it—she really did. But it wasn't working. With a sigh, Emma broke the kiss and picked up the phone. It was Henry. Suddenly worried, she answered the phone at its next ring. Killian disentangled himself from Emma and sat up, and Emma followed suit.

"Henry, are you okay? What happened?"

"Yes, I'm okay mom. Don't worry." Emma breathed a sigh of relief. Henry continued. He had quite the story to tell. After he hung up, Killian gave her a questioning look.

"Whoever was in that airship is not alone."

"What do you mean?"

"Hyde in is Storybrooke, and apparently he's brought hundreds of people with him from his land."

"Bloody hell," said Killian, and touched his neck gingerly.

"Regina is going to check out that airship that crashed, and wants us to meet her there so we can all discuss how best to handle the new situation."

"Of course she does," said Killian, but he looked resigned.

Emma herself was feeling angry and frustrated, but got up and got ready to walk out of the door. Killian pulled her back to him gently, and embracing her, said. "It's alright love. Even if we got interrupted now, we will make time for ourselves soon. I will make sure of that."

"Promise?" asked Emma.

"Promise," said Killian.

Emma slowly leaned up to her True Love and pressed her lips to his. She was going to trust Killian this time. She would have faith in their future, and in their ability to navigate life in a crisis-filled town. Together.


Finis.