It's still Saturday right!? Sorry for the delay! Hope you like it!

Killian stomped down the dock and boarded his ship. His crew looked at him questioningly but Shorty vocalized what they all were thinking, "Where's Miss Emma?"

"The lady will not be joining us onboard anymore. Ferro haul the anchor. Travis set the mainsail." Killian gently barked out orders but as he turned to his crew, they simply stared at him, silently asking what had happened. Fire burned in his stomach and he clenched his teeth, "Any of you mention her name and you'll be fed to the sharks now Get TO WORK!"

The men all jumped into action except for one. Shorty stood boldly in front of his captain, "What did you do? What did you say to her?"

"It's none of your concern boy. Leave it alone." Killian brushed past him but the boy yelled to his back.

"She saved your life! She did everything you asked her and she loved you!"

Killian stopped and caught his breath. "Love? Hah. She couldn't love me. And I couldn't love her. I don't know how." He never responded to the boy. Killian took the wheel and tried to forget that he'd left his heart back on shore.

"Capt'n we have a problem."

"What is it Mr. Paine?"

"We have only one more barrel of fresh water and we're most out of food. We've already rationed away all of the rum. What do we do Captain?"

Killian threw aside his telescope and stared down at the open map in front of him, "We'll dock here." He pointed to a small speck on the paper, "We're three days from the nearest port town but this kingdom will do fine. I'm assuming we'll last for another half day journey?"

"Aye Captain."

Killian had become a different man in the weeks after leaving Emma with Belle. He was back to his old pirating ways but in much worse extremes. He was constantly angry and yelling and punishing his crew for no reason. Mr. Paine hoped that a few hours off of the ship would do his captain some good.

Killian brought most of his crew with him as he purchased the necessary goods for his ship. "And deliver them to my ship within two hours?"

"Yes sir!" They bought from a good merchant who gave them a good price.

"Pleasure doing business with you then." The gentleman shook hands and Killian inquired, "Do you know of any good pubs around?"

"None in the city I'm afraid but if you go down the main road about a half mile it'll be on your left. Quaint little place so I've heard. Perfect for your lot."

Killian thanked the man and his crew began the short walk to the pub. Killian needed something strong and he needed it now.

"What's that called? The Snuggly what?!" Travis blurted out when the pub came into view.

"Never mind the name, let's just get some ale!" Ferro hustled everyone into the pub and found men similar to them waiting inside. Although the thugs inside looked like they hadn't gone and worked in years, they all got along fine and the crew got enough ale to satisfy them.

Killian, however, found a brew that he was contented with and took a walk in the woods behind the pub. The forest was full of vibrant colors, the bright green moss covering the logs and bright birds chirping happily among the flowers. He didn't see any of it. The solemn pirate sat on a long and stared at the mug in his hands. A few seconds of peace was interrupted by a hellish scream.

"Get off! Get off of it right now!"

Killian felt something tug under him. He stood slowly and noticed he had been sitting on something very long and very blonde. "Is this….. hair!?"

A tall man wearing blue ran to Killian, a frying pan in hand, and began swinging the weapon wildly at the pirate. "Put that down!" The man yelled.

Killian quickly unsheathed his sword and countered his swing. "Bad time to fight a pirate young man!"

"A pirate! Sorry to disappoint but you're not getting rich today!" The man swung again and pushed Killian back against a tall pile of rocks. Killian retreated and jumped up to get an advantage. To his surprise, the frying pan was putting him off. His sword tricks weren't working and his weapon ended up knocked away, between two boulders. Killian tried to get up but his leather boot snagged on a sharp rock and gouged his thigh.

Killian cursed silently and raised his hands to the air, "Listen, my name is Killian Jones and I captain a ship. We stopped here to get fresh water and supplies, and my crew is at the pub right now. I have no intentions of stealing anything from you and frankly I'm in no need of gold."

After several seconds, the man lowered his frying pan and held out a hand, "Flynn Rider." Flynn helped the pirate to his feet and set him by a stream so Killian could clean his would.

"Was that hair that I was sitting on?" Killian remembered what had caused the fight.

"Um.. yeah it was." Flynn scratched his chin, "It's kind of special hair and we thought that you wanted it."

"Why the hell would I want hair?" Killian chuckled and saw Flynn rub his eyes in exhaustion. "It looks like you've had a bad week. I'm betting you needed that ale more than I did. So how did you get into it with hair?"

"I stole a princess's crown."

"Nice!" Killian clapped him on the back and almost as an afterthought added, "I stole a princess."

"What!?"

"Well she actually wanted to come with me but to her parents it probably seems like stealing."

The boys exchanged stories and sat dumbfounded for a few minutes. "So, you left the girl that you're supposed to marry with a stranger?" Flynn started.

"No I know Belle. She'll be good for Emma."

"But has Emma ever met Belle before?" Killian shook his head. "So you dropped her off with a stranger."

Killian rolled his eyes, "Okay well you're road tripping with the girl who has a crazy mother who's probably gonna stab you!"

Flynn shuddered, "Please don't jinx it! So are you just gonna leave Emma there?"

"That was the idea."

"And yet here you are, miserable. That doesn't sound like the best idea."

"But I'm a no good pirate." Killian ripped off the ruined part of his boot and played absentmindedly with it.

"Actually, you're a prince. You don't wanna be one but you are." Killian shrugged, not knowing what to say, "We're a lot alike me and you. We're both thieves who've ended up in love with two amazing girls that we don't deserve.

"In love!?"

Flynn gave him a look that said 'no shit stupid'. "Yes in love! Maybe not the sappy, head in the clouds, you're my Prince Charming love. But you do feel affection and have a sense of responsibility for her so I think that counts as love."

"Hate that word!"

"Right!?"

"So what now?"

"Well, you round up your crew, get back on your ship, and get your ass back to Emma! You get down on your knee and tell her that you're sorry and that you were a jerk. Then if she takes you back, you marry her!"

"You think she'll take me back?" Killian's heart lifted.

"YES!" A high voice came from behind a tree.

Flynn chuckled, "You can come out now blondie! The pirate doesn't want your hair."

A tiny girl wearing a purple dress and long blonde hair (like really long hair) appeared and bounced to Flynn's side. "Oh, that's good!"

"So, how much did you hear?" Flynn asked nervously. He hadn't told Rapunzel how he felt yet and didn't want her finding out by overhearing a conversation.

"Just a little bit. He was asking if you thought she would take him back and I am telling you yes!"

"You don't even know her or me for that matter!" Killian was still in disbelief.

"Just have a little faith!"

"I don't believe in much miss."

"Do you believe your eyes?" Rapunzel smiled mischievously.

"Always." The blonde girl took a lock of her hair and gently placed it on the pirate's lower thigh.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Killian tried to pull away.

"Language sir! I know that you're a pirate but even pirates should have manners! Just hold still I'm going to help you!" She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Flower gleam and glow, let your power shine

Make the clock reverse. Bring back what once was mine.

Heal what has been hurt, change the fate's design.

Save what has been lost, bring back what once was mine

What once was mine.

As the song ended Rapunzel looked up and laughed as Killian observed his healed leg. "Is that? Did you just? Is my?... What!?"

Flynn and Rapunzel giggled and Flynn explained, "Don't worry, it's a normal reaction."

"So if seeing is believing does that mean that you believe?"

Killian stood, and announced, "YES!" He grabbed his coat and sword and sprinted out of the woods.

"Send me an invite for the wedding!"

Meanwhile, Emma had started a new life, of sorts, in Belle's little town. After all the adventures Emma had just witnessed, she was happy to have some peace and quiet for a change. There was just one problem. Killian wasn't there.

Emma missed him. She missed his smile, the way he smelled, the way he held her when she slept. She desperately wished to be back on the ship with the crew and with the man that she loved. "Love! Hah! That got me far now didn't it?"

Belle invited Emma to work at the bookshop with her until she could find work somewhere else. Emma was grateful but books were never really favorite thing in the world. She would rather learn by example.

"Excuse me miss," A tall, dark man stood behind her holding a black book. "This was outside on the sidewalk. I wasn't sure if it's yours or if someone had dropped it."

Emma took the book from him and smiled, "Thank you. I'll keep it in the window just in case someone dropped it." She looked over the man and grinned internally. He was well over six feet and had striking black hair and sparkling blue eyes. His squared jaw was clean shaven and he didn't look a day over twenty two.

"You're new in town aren't you?"

"Yes I am. I'm staying with Belle. Sorry, my name is Emma." She held out a hand and he took it softly.

"My name is Gaston. Well it was a pleasure meeting you Emma. I do hope we see each other again."

"Me too. Thank you." Gaston exited and Emma shook her head. "Well he would be a very nice man and I would love to get to know him better except there's no point. He's not Killian!"

"Emma that's not going to get you anywhere! Get over him already!"

"It's only been a few weeks. Maybe he'll…"

"Maybe he'll come back for you? Hah stupid girl. He doesn't care about you. He just wanted someone to keep his bed warm at night."

"How dare-"

"Emma was that Gaston you were just talking to?" Belle snapped Emma out of her internal argument.

"Oh, yeah he just came in and introduced himself. He seemed nice."

Belle chuckled and set down her basket, "I'm sure he did. But from one princess to another, stay away from Gaston. He's a silly boy who likes pretty girls on his arm. Honestly, he's harmless but there's no point in leading the man on, if you know what I mean?"

"No, I understand. Thank you for telling me. Seems like I'm not the best at judging a man's character."

"What are friends for?" Belle hugged Emma gently and left her for the rest of the night.

It was finally dark and Emma decided to close the shop. As she was leaving, a familiar face smiled down at her, "Hello Miss Emma."

"Hello Gaston."

"It's a beautiful night!"

"Yes it is."

"I was wondering… Would you allow me to walk you home?" Emma didn't answer, "I promise to be the perfect gentleman!"

"Will you promise to be solely my friend?"

He caught her meaning and sighed but complied, "If that's what you wish then yes, I promise."

"Good!" Emma took his arm and they had a pleasant conversation from the bookshop to Belle's cottage.

The men all cheered as Killian jumped off the ship and ran back to the town where he'd left Emma. "Go get her Capt'n!" Shorty cried, waving his cap at Killian.

In his haste, Killian got a bit turned around and approached Belle's cottage from her backyard. As he rounded the corner, he saw Emma on a young man's arm."

"Thank you for walking me home Gaston."

"Anytime Miss Emma." She turned to walk into the house but was stopped, "Do I get nothing for the service I've just provided you?"

Emma rolled her eyes and gently kissed the man's cheek, "Goodnight my friend."

"Goodnight."

"She just kissed him!"

"I told you she didn't love you! You've been gone a few weeks and she's already forgotten you!"

Killian hushed the voices in his head and swore to himself. He wouldn't back down now. He'd be a man and pour his heart out to her whether she wanted him or not. Killian jumped up and strode to the front door, banging on it several times.

When it opened his heart stopped. There she was. She was looking at him, smiling at him, he could reach out and touch her and she would really be there this time. This time he wasn't dreaming and all he could think to say was, "Hi."

Soooo... Whatdaya think? Let me know! :)