A/N: Hello all! Today is obviously Friday and wow do I need the weekend. To round out the end of a long week, I have indulged myself in some fluffy feels unique to 'Within Your Ocean Eyes.' Writing each of these chapters always proves to be so emotional, probably because of the slow burn element, but this one holds a special place in my heart. I hope you will all enjoy it, and as always, thanks for reading!

Emma knew it was bound to happen. Sooner or later, people were going to stumble upon her infatuation with Killian and the attention he'd been paying her, but she never assumed it would swell to the levels of public scrutiny she was currently receiving.

Since his last leaving port, more and more people every day were consumed with talk of Emma's love life, and now that the usual two-week mark had come and gone, the chatter was reaching levels so striking, Emma had begun to avoid her nosey neighbors. She missed Killian enough as it was, she didn't need their constant looks and questions about when he'd be back when she didn't even know herself.

School was winding down for the summer harvest seasons, and the past few days, Emma purposely went around the center of town back home in the hopes of seeing no one who felt the need to ask intrusive life questions. The children, if they knew about the attachment, all had the decency to keep their questions to themselves. It was a pity that the grown adults in Storybrooke couldn't seem to do the same.

Most of the talk was kind and understanding, if still shocked at the connection itself. People claimed that someone as lovely as Emma would certainly catch the eye of a dashing pirate captain and vice versa, but still the one thing on everyone's mind was how it would work. Theories sparked from nothing swirled about the village, and Emma was apprised of it all thanks to Ruby, who had taken it on herself to be Emma's fiercest protector.

With the public-ness of her attachment though, Emma anticipated one confrontation more than any other - her eventual conversation with Mary Margaret. It had been a number of days since the first whispers of Emma and Killian had circled through town, but only this morning did Mary Margaret make an appearance, and where Emma expected nothing but coldness or censure, she saw something surprising in her friend's eyes – genuine concern and concern alone.

They currently sat here in the drawing room, pretending for a moment that this was a typical social call, but Emma could see the gears turning in her friend's mind, and knew that they were only seconds away from the questions. She hoped she had sufficient answers, and she believed that as long as she could speak her truth, Mary Margaret would come around. Emma simply had to find the words to make her understand.

"I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I've waited as long as I have because your guard dog has finally departed the house." Emma was surprised that this was Mary Margaret's opening statement, but when Mary Margaret gave a small smile, Emma felt herself breathe easier.

"Ruby is nothing if not loyal, and she has little patience for people giving opinions she finds unnecessary." Mary Margaret nodded, fidgeting slightly in her seat.

"I hope my opinions are not unimportant to you, Emma." Emma shook her head.

"They are… important to me I mean, but I'm a little worried at what you'll tell me." Emma watched as Mary Margaret grimaced, but that was the truth.

"I've been so stupid, Emma. To think that you've been afraid of me, your friend, because I've been so busy passing judgment on men I barely even know. Please forgive me." Emma's mouth dropped open in shock, and she felt too surprised at the turn in Mary Margaret's mentality to know how to respond. She nodded her acceptance of the apology before asking a question of her own.

"What changed your mind?"

"I've known for a while now that they were not what I expected at first. Everyone has such nice things to say, but last night David told me the reason we have been spared some of the seemingly organized crime affecting other parts of the state is thanks to Captain Jones. He's had word put out around the whole area that this is a protected place." This was news to Emma, but she didn't find it particularly surprising. She could well believe that Killian would do something like that if only to protect her.

"So that redeems him in your eyes? He's still an outlaw Mary Margaret. He's not the gentleman you've always said you wanted me to find." Emma didn't see his status as a problem, she just wanted to be sure that Mary Margaret understood. Emma had no intentions of changing Killian into something he was not. She loved him as he was.

"There are more important things than that. Like whether or not you love him, and if he treats you well. The look on your face tells me there is love there, and I know you well enough to know that you could not love a man who treated you poorly." Emma smiled, knowing without a shred of doubt that Killian would never do anything to purposely hurt her. His absence now, painful as it was, must be for something out of his control.

"I do love him. He's the only man I've ever loved, and the only man I ever will. I'm not sure how I know, but I do." Mary Margaret looked thoughtful at Emma's claim and nodded.

"Well I dare say if David was a pirate, I'd be in the same position. Love finds you, and it's not always in the way we expect it to come."

That was an understatement, but Emma had to agree. Even if she'd wanted to resist her feelings for Killian, Emma wouldn't be able to. They had taken such strong roots in so short a time it was nearly unbelievable.

"So will you marry him, then? Will you be a Captain's wife?" Emma blushed a bit but ultimately shrugged.

"We haven't gotten that far." Mary Margaret looked a bit more alarmed now.

"But you've discussed his intentions?" Emma bit her lip. In her heart she felt they had an understanding, but no it hadn't been said in so many words that he loved her, never mind that he planned to make her his wife.

"It's complicated. He has duties to his men and to other people all up and down the coast." What Emma couldn't bring herself to say was that she didn't have the heart to beg him to choose her even if it was what she wanted. Mary Margaret seemed to understand though, and reached over from her seat to grab Emma's hand in hers.

"I know very little of how pirates go about courting, Emma, but I think it's safe to say we can't expect the normal procedure." Emma nodded, knowing that to be true. But even if that brought her comfort, she also felt helpless. She was wading through this blind, and with every passing day she realized more and more that a conversation must come between her and Killian where they said the words they'd left unspoken. If only he would get here, Emma could try and do that now. The waiting was what hurt the most.

Just then, the front door to the house opened, and in walked Ruby, looking energized from her morning walk with Victor. When she saw their guest though, and the unshed tears in Emma's eyes, Ruby's spine straightened. She was gearing for a fight, when there was none to be had.

"Easy there, Ruby. She comes in peace." Ruby glanced to Emma and then back to Mary Margaret.

"Is that true?" Mary Margaret stood from her seat.

"It is. I came to wish Emma the best and to apologize for the pain I've no doubt caused her with my harsh words all this time." Ruby considered the statement.

"So you're an ally then? Because I just had to tell Flora Thatcher off outside of Jefferson's store for spreading idle blather, and she is more your friend than mine." Emma bit back a laugh. Flora Thatcher was a world-class gossipmonger, so she could readily believe Ruby's frustration.

"I always have been and always will be a friend to Emma, and I never allow others to speak ill of my friends." Emma rose from her seat too and took Mary Margaret's hand in hers squeezing it lightly.

"Thank you, Mary Margaret."

"Thank you, Emma, for accepting my apology. You've been a better friend to me than I have been to you, but I will make amends, and I will start with Flora." Emma appreciated the gesture as Ruby grinned.

"Good. Now the most effective thing would be if you got her and her sisters at the same time. The three of them, I swear, take up more of the words in this town than the rest of us put together."

Emma began to tune out the rest of the conversation between her friends as she looked out the window into the slightly overcast morning. The weather matched her mood, not completely without hope, but not shining brightly as was common in the summer months. Her mind wandered to all sorts of thoughts, from happy ones of her last time spent with Killian, to dread that something bad had happened. It was that fear that gripped at her the most. Whatever else happened, she just wanted Killian to be alright.

Just let him be safe, Emma thought as she looked up to the sky, a silent prayer between her and whatever higher power might be watching them. And let him come back home to me soon.

…

He was shaking. Killian Jones, the fearsome pirate captain with a reputation from every corner of the Atlantic, was shaking and all because his plans to see Emma had been thwarted by four days time. He should have been here sooner, but unexpected chaos had unfurled on the decks of his ship, and he'd not only had to relieve the positions of three of his longtime crew members, but make amends for their behavior in a port further south.

When faced with Killian's fury at their misconduct, the men went on to cite Emma and Killian's infatuation with a random port in Maine as the problem. Had it not been for Smee, Killian might have inflicted a very real and lasting harm on the men for even thinking to blame his lovely Swan. As it was, he discarded them without a second thought, disowning them by all accounts, and leaving them to fend for themselves.

It killed Killian to face those problems at all because he knew they would keep him from Storybrooke that much longer, but if he didn't the issues might spread and grow. Killian had to look at it as an investment. The bad seeds amongst his crew were gone for good, and now no one on his ship doubted him or his intentions. He'd given the men his word that he'd see them all through the rest of this season, and that they'd have at least a month to know in advance if and when the Jolly Roger was retiring its sails. None of the remaining men batted an eye, most of them opting to congratulate him for finding a treasure as worthy as Emma.

Having reestablished some normalcy on his ship once more then, Killian found it quite peculiar when he arrived in port and all eyes were on him. That wasn't exaggeration, for every single person in town on his walk here had looked his way. Some expressed joy at seeing him again, but many only looked curious, as if his four days extra away from their town signaled his abandonment of it. As if he could ever abandon this place when it held the only woman he'd ever loved within its confines.

When he finally reached Emma's house, Killian wondered how he should go about finding her, only to see her pacing in the garden. He stopped short for a moment just to take her in. Her hair was up today, bearing the pin he'd given her weeks ago, but tendrils fell out of the once neat look begging him to touch them. He could see the golden ribbon still on her wrist, and it matched the lovely yellow of her dress, and Killian knew he could just stare at her forever, watching her in all her glory. But then he realized every second apart was a wasted one and he called out.

"Swan!" She turned immediately, relief flooding her face as he came through the gate. She ran towards him, and in just a moment she was in his arms, and Killian felt whole once more. She was here and he was with her, and for a while yet they could stay like this, together and happy.

"You came back," Emma said, the emotion in her voice so evident it cut at Killian. She was worried, saddened even and all because of him. He pulled her back to look into his eyes, though his hands never left her person.

"I will always come back for you, Emma. Always." Emma ducked her head against his shoulder, and he couldn't understand it. He'd dreamed of her eyes for what felt like forever, and yet she wouldn't look at him. "Emma, love, what is it?"

Fear of the most profound kind raddled Killian's entire system. What if she was about to say goodbye to him? What if she'd found someone else? What if she was sick or injured or uninterested in him for some other reason?

"What are we doing?" Killian blinked at Emma as she finally gathered the courage to look at him. His hand came to cup her cheek, his mind fogged up by confusion.

"Emma I don't understand." She bit her lip, which quivered slightly.

"Where is all of this leading? Are we nothing more than stolen moments to each other? If that's the case, Killian, I need to know." Now Killian started to piece the puzzle together. Emma was uncertain of his regard for her, and he must imagine separation was the culprit.

"You are more to me than anything else in the world Emma. You are my life, my light, my every good thing. I love you, more than I ever dared to think a man could love, but you have consumed me. I am entirely yours and at your mercy. We are whatever you will give me, because I belong to you, but given the chance, I'd say we're sailing towards forever."

Tears finally spilled passed her cheeks and Killian made quick work of wiping them away, waiting for her reply. Her skin was so soft, even with the marring of tears, and Killian wished she'd never cry again, but then she smiled, and he realized these were not tears of sadness, but of joy.

"You love me?" He nodded.

"Aye, love. I love you more than I can ever say." Emma hiccupped a little at the words but then she pulled him down to kiss her and Killian felt his heart skip a painful beat. He kissed her back, hoping to show her how much he meant his words. She deserved to hear it and feel love every single day for the rest of her days, and as soon as life permitted it, he would give her that, as long as she was his.

"I love you too, Killian. I love you so much." Her whispered promise against his lips made him feel like nothing ever had. He possessed the love of such an extraordinary person, and he could scarce believe it.

"You are my miracle, Emma, my angel. I lived before you but it was a half-life, one I never wish to return to as long as I live. Now that I've tasted life with you I never want to give it up." Emma pressed kisses to his cheeks and then his lips, a flurry of touches and caresses Killian felt deep down in his soul.

"Then don't. I'm yours Killian." Something in him snapped and after months of thinking of Emma as his, Killian heard her say it and he felt steadied and sure, more sure than he'd ever been in his life.

He took her mouth with his again, needing her to feel this kind of passion with him beat for beautiful beat. His hands roamed over her body, bringing her as close as she could possibly be, and he didn't give a damn about them being out there in the open. He didn't even give it a thought until he heard someone clear her throat from the front steps.

"You must be Emma's Captain Jones." Killian looked at the older woman staring back at him and knew she must be Granny. He scratched a bit uneasily behind his ear, for Emma's long time guardian had just witnessed him near devouring her, but then the woman smiled, a wicked gleam in her eye that Killian had seen from both Emma and Ruby before. "Well don't wait all day, come in."

Emma giggled at Granny's words as the woman turned back into the house and she took Killian's hand in hers. He quickly placed a kissed to the top of it and he watched the sparkle in her eyes that came when he did. She looked more beautiful now than ever before, sure as she was of his love for her.

"Don't worry. She likes you already." Killian smiled, feeling a bit better for he knew Emma would not lie just to make him worry less.

"Is that right, love? And why would she already approve?" Emma brought her other hand up to his chest and placed it over his heart. His hand came to cover it, securing it in place.

"Because I love you and she loves me." Killian still felt off-kilter when Emma said those three magical words but before he could say them back to her, another person was calling their attention.

"The longer you wait out here, the longer Granny's interrogation will be. Trust me, Victor and I learned that the hard way." Killian should have known Ruby herself would be here too, but the brunette had nothing but an easy smile for him, and Emma agreed Ruby was right, leading Killian into her home and into her world once and for all.

….

Since Killian told her that he loved her the day before, Emma hadn't been able to keep the smile from her lips. She was walking on air, feeling lighter than a feather with no sadness or sorrow. The world was new again, an adventure waiting to happen, ripped from the pages of those storybooks she loved as a child. No one had the right to feel this happy, and yet she did. He loved her, he really truly loved her and he'd proved it by sitting through a Lucas Lady interrogation.

Granny and Ruby did not hold back, despite the fact that they would always side with Emma's happiness regardless, but their inquiries had proven useful for Emma too. She learned a lot more about Killian through their fast paced queries and she was using some of this new information to her advantage today as they walked from her house down to visit the avenue once more.

Killian had one more full day in port, a day they were planning to spend together, and when he'd shown up at her door with a basket ready for a picnic, she'd hugged him so tight with no interest in ever letting go. A mere kiss didn't feel like enough, she wanted so much more, but he pulled her back, resting his forehead against hers and promising that they would have everything one day. He'd promised her that over and over again since saying that he loved her.

Emma's arms weren't empty though, for while Killian carried their provisions and a spare blanket from home, Emma carried supplies, most specifically paper and graphite. It turned out her Killian had a few skills other than sailing, bartering, and dueling. He'd told Granny that sometimes he drew out there on the sea, when amusement was scarce, and Emma made a vow then and there that she would make him show her.

Instinctively they moved to the same spot that they'd rested in a few weeks before, and Emma noted that though many of the flowers were gone now, replaced by thick, green foliage, some were scattered amongst the ground. This would likely be one of the last days they'd still look so beautiful, and she made a note to collect some before she left.

"I still find it hard to believe that no one else frequents this place, love." Emma looked to Killian as he set down his basket and then took the supplies from her arms to put them down as well. He laid out the blanket and extended a hand to her again so she could come sit down. She happily obliged, and reveled in the feel of him pulling her back against his chest. They just seemed to fit so well together.

"And here I was thinking you might be grateful for the privacy." Killian's brow rose at her words and she changed her tone to a low whisper. "Now you have me all alone for a whole afternoon."

Killian growled his approval, setting Emma's body on fire in the process as his arms came to wrap around her front. He pressed a kiss to her temple, and she could feel him taking her scent in. She might have thought this a strange part of courting, but the happy hum he let out when he did so just made Emma feel all the more loved.

"You are the single most tempting woman who has ever lived, love." Emma smiled, arching back into him just a tiny bit more. She felt so emboldened by the knowledge that he loved her, she couldn't seem to help but try and push him passed the gentlemanly bounds he'd put in place.

"And still you resist me." Killian groaned.

"Only because I must. It will not always be this way, love." Emma could see the twinge of regret in his eyes, the one that told her he was remorseful for his current inability to stay with her.

The next month would be his and his crew's busiest of the season, with more calls away on his time. Killian told her yesterday that a certain conversation (the one about her no longer being Emma Swan, but Emma Jones) would come when he had seen that season through, and just the thought made her heart nearly leap out of her chest. It would take time, far too much time in her opinion, but it would be worth it, and for now they had today. Even this second day in port was a luxury, but Killian was adamant that they should have it after the unexpected length of time away from each other.

Emma held his hand in hers on her lap, running her thumb back and forth across his lightly, and letting herself feel the connection that they could have right now.

"I know. I love you." He seemed appeased in that response, and they sat together, enjoying a picnic of his preparing with the help of Jefferson.

It was a peaceful afternoon and a window into what life might be like someday when they were really together, and all the while Emma stayed aware of every tiny detail. She didn't want to risk missing a second of this, instead hoping she might remember it forever.

"You realize there's one last thing we need to do," Emma said a while later, as she pulled him up from the blanket when all the food was gone, and her desire for playfulness returned.

"Aye, love. Though I must tell you again that just because I can draw does not mean it will be any good." Emma kissed his cheek just beside the scruff of his beard and enjoyed the small display of bashfulness from her usually self-assured Captain.

"I trust you will do me justice," Killian shook his head.

"Nothing and no one ever could, love. But I will try." She asked him what he needed from her, assuming he'd want her to be still, but instead he wanted her in motion, moving as she would if he weren't there. Emma was surprised at the request, but heeded it, traveling back and forth up the avenue collecting those flowers she'd marveled at before.

Emma couldn't be entirely sure how long he took, but eventually he announced that he was done, and Emma came to see the product of his work. What stared back at her could only be described as masterful. Killian had most definitely sold himself and his talent short, and the picture looking back at her was so exquisite Emma couldn't look away.

She of course was the focal point, but the view of her was not one she'd thought she presented to Killian. In the picture she gazed at him with a knowing look and a half smile flirting at her lips. Her long hair fanned around her shoulders and the grove of trees around her was lit up with the sun that shone as if only for her. She wore flowers in her hair in the piece, and it made her look ethereal and otherworldly. Something about the depiction clicked with Emma, as if it brought her an awareness of herself she didn't have before.

"Is this how you see me?"

"Sometimes." Emma looked at him to see him smiling. "You are too complex a woman to capture in one attitude, Emma. Fierce and kind, loyal and trusting, beautiful and strong." His hand took hers as he said the words, his fingers intertwining with hers readily.

"Have you tried to sketch me before?" Killian nodded.

"Aye, love." Now Emma wanted to see all of the drawings, but knew he'd hesitate and just say something lovely about the future. Instead of insisting on seeing them though, she kissed him, and continued to do so until the sun hung low in the sky again, completely caught up in all things Killian.

…

Walking down the lane from Emma's house after bidding her farewell was an excursion Killian never wanted to face again. He knew more of such walks were coming, but not many, and that truth alone gave him hope. Emma loved him, and someday soon she would be his wife, but until then he couldn't risk being overcome by his urges. Her closeness to his ship put ideas in his head about whisking her away and sooner or later the rogue he had been would come to the forefront once more and he would forget himself.

Instead of thinking about all the ways he'd worship her if he were to succumb to his pirate tendencies, Killian thought instead of her reaction mere moments ago to this trip's gift. She was positively furious at him for a few moments when she saw it: a real pearl necklace from one of the finest jewelers in the whole country. Emma claimed it was too much, and he'd had to swear up and down that it wasn't, and that nothing ever would be. Only when Killian promised to keep his future gifts more 'reasonable' did she accept it, but what Emma didn't understand that his and her version of reasonable were vastly different. She deserved every treasure the world had to offer and he would give her as many as he could.

He wondered what his Swan would do when she realized just how wealthy he was. He'd given much of his money to others, yes, but Killian had more than enough saved away to spoil Emma for the rest of her days, and that was his intention. Wherever life took them, she'd be showered in gifts, and she'd learn to like it. The thought of the fight she'd put up on the way though made him laugh.

"Someone's certainly in a good mood today." Killian didn't even need to look up to know it would be Jefferson. The man seemed to materialize out of thin air every time Killian passed his store. "I'm in a good mood too, and it's all thanks to you."

"To me?" Jefferson nodded and waved him into the store. Killian followed Jefferson's pointed finger to see a nearly empty display where the substantial amount of cocoa Killian had brought with him was nearly all gone.

"I may just have had my best sales day ever thanks to you, and that's including the five tins Grace stole throughout the day for our own personal store." Killian laughed, imagining the exuberant child swiping the tins when no one was looking. She'd make a good pirate that one.

"And the ones for Emma?" Jefferson nodded.

"Her three are in the back room waiting. It's a good thing I kept them aside, these will all be done by tomorrow morning."

"As long as she has them." Jefferson laughed and Killian looked to see what he'd found funny but the man merely stared out the window. There, marching towards the store was Ruby Lucas, followed closely by her Doctor.

"We had a deal Hatter, I told you cocoa would be a hit, and you promised me -," Before Ruby could continue on her frustrated tirade, Jefferson nodded to the counter that had a large bag labeled Whale / Lucas. Ruby stopped short and then nodded. "Oh. Well good."

"Twelve whole tins, just for you as requested." Ruby grinned and clapped her hands together as Killian looked between her and the Doctor.

"I was told in no uncertain terms that marital bliss would be contingent on a steady supply of this drink. I didn't want to take the risk of her running out." Killian couldn't help shaking his head. He'd come to know Ruby pretty well over the past few months, and he knew she could be persuasive. Doctor Whale had a whole life before him of attending to her every whim, but the man was clearly besotted, and the two seemed very happy.

With that, Killian took his leave, preparing himself for the final departure from this place. At one point, just when he was about to step off the docks and board his ship, he paused. His instincts screamed at him to stay, to say blast all the rest of it to hell, and just be with Emma, but then he remembered her words today.

'I'll love you this day and every day from now until forever. Now go be honorable and come and find me when you can.' Then she'd given him another letter, one burning a hole in his pocket like a scorching piece of coal. He gave her his word he'd wait to read it when he was on the ship and sailing once more, and he couldn't break a vow to Emma, so with heavy steps he made his way up to the Jolly and gave the order.

I'll be home with you soon, Emma. That I promise. Killian sent the thought to her hoping that she knew, and set off into the vastness of the world beyond his heaven once more.

Post-Note: So every week with each story, I make adjustments to the timeline of what I think should happen, and this week was a huge break through (as it should have been with the confession that Emma and Killian love each other). I am genuinely so excited for what's coming down the pike for this fic, and I hope you will all join me in seeing this through. As of now I think the story will have about 14 or 15 chapters, so there is plenty more to come. Thanks for reading and have a lovely weekend!