I am so so sorry I haven't updated in 3.6 billion years! But, this chapter is more than twice the average chapter length, so... there's that? *ducks as object is thrown* Ok, ok. Just read it.

Emma rose at the crack of dawn and threw on her clothes, ending with the new cloak she had been made. She began quietly exiting the castle, but of course she should have known that her entire family would be waiting for her by the doors.

"Emma," her mother greeted her with a smile.

"Hi Mom, Hi Dad, Hi Neal, Hi Annie." She chuckled. "Should've known you'd wake up early just to say goodbye to me."

"How could we not?" her father asked with a small smile.

"We love you," said Annie.

"I know," Emma said with a smile. She still couldn't believe she'd be leaving these people for an indefinite period of time. Based on what Bae had told her about his plans, it could be forever; they didn't need to know that, though. "Love you guys too."

"Just be careful," her mother said.

"Mom, do you honestly think I would risk leaving Neal in charge of this kingdom?"

"Hey!" her brother objected.

Emma laughed. "Love you, little brother."

"Emma, seriously, be careful," her father said. "And don't you and Bae get all -"

"Dad!" Emma exclaimed. "Not in front of the kids."

"Oh are you gonna get married?" Annie asked.

"No, they're not," her father said sternly.

"Annie, if we decide to do that, we'll come back here and you'll be the maid of honor," Emma assured her.

Annie smiled. "Good."

"I really do love you all," Emma said with a smile. "I'll write as often as I can."

"We await your letters," her mother said.

"We love you," her family said, in unison.

"I love you too," Emma replied. Then she turned and walked out the thick doors of the castle.

When she reached the dock, Bae was already there. "Let me guess," he said when she arrived. "Family was all waiting for you when you got down and held you up."

Emma chuckled. "They had good intentions."

"Oh, of course," said Bae. "Just asking because my Papa was waiting for me too, and he gave me this." He held up a leather sack. "Full of gold that he spun on his wheel."

"I thought you don't like him using magic?" Emma questioned.

"Oh, I don't. But he's going to do it, and I've given up trying to change that. At least he uses it for good now."

"Yeah."

"Belle was up to say goodbye too, and she gave me a few navigation books that she says are very useful."

"That was nice of her."

"Yes. She says she's always wanted to see the world, but in the past several years the farthest she's gone is the town near our manor."

"Why didn't you invite her to come with us?" Emma asked.

"Actually, I did; she said she had duties to maintain at the manor. Cleaning and all."

"I think she harbors affection for your father," Emma mused.

"So do I," said Bae. "But it's not exactly my business to pry."

"Yes, always the gentleman, my darling Bae."

"If you two would stop with all this sickening flowery love speech, I need to show you how the ship works," came a voice from a few feet away.

Bae rolled his eyes. "Emma, meet Killian Jones, captain of the Jolly Roger. Well, actually, now..."

"Watch it, boy. You're temporary captain."

"Right. Of course."

"You are bringing her back, right?"

"If I survive."

"Well, that's why I have to teach you how she works. Come aboard!"

"So, Killian, how do you know Bae?" Emma asked politely as they walked onto the ship.

"We met in Neverland," he said.

"Oh. How did you end up there?"

"Are you always one to pry into the affairs of others?"

"I'm a princess. It's pretty much my job."

"A... you..." He turned to Bae. "A princess?"

Bae nodded. "Princess Emma, or, Her Royal Highness Princess -"

"Bae, stop right there." She turned to Killian. "It's just Emma."

"Baelfire, you landed yourself a princess!"

"Excuse me?" Emma asked.

"Well, just thinking of Baelfire as that scared little boy I met in Neverland all those years ago..."

"I was two years younger, technically," said Bae.

"But your mind grew significantly older. You grew up. Your mother would be so proud of you."

"Don't talk about my mother," Bae said angrily. "You and I are on fairly good terms right now."

"Wait, what about your mother?" Emma asked. All she knew about Bae's mother was that she died when Bae was just a child.

"Nothing important," said Bae quickly.

"The lad is right," Killian agreed. "Nothing you need concern yourself with."

"Alright," Emma said. She watched as Killian showed her and Bae around the ship, explaining all of the parts and how they worked.

When he was finished showing them the ship, Killian turned to Bae and said, "Alright, lad... she's yours." It sounded almost like it pained him to say it.

"Don't worry, Killian," said Bae. "I'll bring her back in one piece." He turned to Emma. "Funny, I had to promise the same thing to your parents."

Emma laughed.

"Have fun," said Killian.

He walked away, and Bae turned to Emma. "Well... this is it."

"Indeed it is."

"The adventure of our lives."

"I'm so glad we're doing it together."

"Me too." Slowly, Bae got everything ready, then took the wheel and pulled the boat away from the dock.