A/N presenting chapter 9! Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing following and favoriting, keep it up! Enjoy this chapter! And remember that I don't own OUAT.

Emma sat quietly, drinking her tea as Killian and Granny talked for what seemed like hours. Emma listened half heartedly as they told news about mutual friends. It was somewhat interesting, probably more so if you actually knew who they were talking about. But considering Emma's situation it was quite boring, although she did pick up one very important thing. As they spoke Killian had asked Granny about a relative named Red, but not once did she ask about his family. Emma noted this as she listened, slowly growing more and more impatient.

She had her own questions for him, and were they in the right place she wouldn't have a problem in jumping right in and asking them. However, they didn't know her status (and she would prefer it to stay that way) which of course meant that Emma couldn't be as bossy as usual. No, instead she would just have to bear through it and bite back all her sassy comments.

Finally after both Killian and Granny had about ten cups of tea, something came up that provided Emma with a chance at being alone with Killian.

"Oh, would you look at that," the old woman said holding up the little container for the milk, "we're all out of cream, and that was the last of it. I'll have to go to the market."

"Thank God," Emma mumbled under her breath, catching the glare from Killian but choosing to ignore it.

"It's been great seeing you again, although I can't promise we'll be here when you return." Killian told the woman, getting up to help her take the things into the kitchen.

"Well then, until next time." Granny said with a smile. "Come back whenever you want."

"I'm sure I'll take you up on that offer eventually." Killian said with an almost-smile as they walked to the kitchen.

Emma stayed seated, not noticing the plates that were still sitting in front of her. She tapped her foot impatiently listening to the door open and close and waiting for him to come back so they could finish their previous conversation. Finally Killian came back in looking once again very dull, not at all as interesting as he seemed when talking to Granny.

"We're leaving." Killian told her plain and simple before heading toward the other room, presumably to grab his things.

"Now?" Emma asked, getting up and following him.

"The rains stopped, I want to get there as soon as possible." He explained.

"Get where exactly?" Emma asked pointedly, crossing her arms as she leaned into the door frame.

"My home... Well, I say home."

"You still haven't told me what I'm doing here." Emma said in annoyance, "I was hoping to finish that little conversion."

Killian seemed to have not heard her, continuing to put his things into the satchel without stopping to reply. Emma clenched her teeth, why was he so rude? He finally finished with his bag and Emma thought he would start talking again, but instead he brushed right past her.

"I demand that you tell me why I'm here!" Emma said with a pout. This stopped Killian but not in the way she had hoped.

"Oh well, if she demands." He said sarcastically then rolled his eyes. "I'll tell you on the way, but right now I need to make sure we're all set, it's quite a walk... Clean that up." The last part was said with a finger pointed at the small table where they had their tea.

Emma was taken back at first. Surely he was joking, but no, he was entirely serious. Emma wanted to say no, to openly defy his simple order. But she once again reminded herself, he didn't know who she was. So Emma sucked it up and picked up the cup and plate and walked them into the kitchen. Admittedly it wasn't a hard task but it was a task none the less and Emma despised any sort of task, especially one so demeaning as putting away dishes. Once she was done she met outside with Killian, who was already beginning to walk.

"So, Anna was it?" He asked after a moment of silent walking.

"Emma!" She corrected, hearing a small laugh from Killian. Emma rolled her eyes, he had only asked to get a rise out of her.

"You're not used to housework." He commented, again using that neutral tone that made it impossible to tell what he meant by his words.

"No, I have people for that." Emma said quietly, unsure what his response would be, whether he would use it to tease her or not.

"Hmmm... I think you're a duchess." Killian said looking back at her with an actual smile. Emma picked up her pace so that she was walking along side him.

"I'll tell you what bandit, you let me know why I'm here and I'll give you my title." Emma proposed, she saw a little flicker in Killian's eyes when she said this. But still he put on a show of pretending to contemplate the idea.

"Alright, it's a deal." He said putting out his hand for Emma to shake. Emma looked down at his hand and lightly took it in hers, shaking it once before letting go and wiping her hand off on her dress.

"Afraid you'll catch cooties?" He teased raising a blush in Emma's cheeks.

"No," she said, "I just don't know when he last time you've washed your hands was... now tell me why I'm here."

"Right, as you know I need to get back into the palace. I know a man, or rather I know of a man who can help me. He can get me a special kind of disguise that will make me unrecognizable to them." Emma noted this carefully, certainly not every guard in the country would be able to recognize him on spot. But perhaps he knew the ones in the palace the same way he knew the one mentioned in the letter. Either that, it he was quite a wanted man, which meant he must've done something very wrong. Emma blinked the thought away and went back to listening to him.

"But even then I'll need a ticket in, that's partly where you come in handy. Secondly I need a personal invitation to a private meeting with the king, if you're half as important as I think you are, you can get me those things."

"But, why do you need to meet with the king?" Emma asked, still not fully understand what was going on.

"Because I believe that there is someone in the palace that is planning on using his power for the worst, and I need to warn him." Killian explained, leaving Emma silent. If what he said was true (and it seemed true) that could also mean trouble for her kingdom, and her parents. "Now, I've told you mine, you tell me yours."

"So you think this person plans on killing the king?" Emma asked, ignoring him.

"I doubt it, now come on what's the title?" Emma stared at him with wide eyes. She didn't want to answer, her mind was running wild as a million thoughts drifted by. Most of them along the lines of, she didn't know him or what he'd done or if he was being honest. If she told him the truth he could use it against her.

"Emma, we had a deal." Killian said pointedly, raising one brow.

"I don't want you to hurt me." Emma said honestly, for all she knew he could be lying to her. He could be the one planning to hurt the king, which meant he could do the same to her.

"I don't plan to." Killian said sincerely. The simple sound of honesty in his voice was enough for Emma.

"Princess." Emma blurted quietly. Killian chuckled then looked back at Emma who had stopped walking.

"You're serious?!" He asked, sounding very alarmed.

Emma nodded and his face froze, she could see the muscles in his jaw clench down as he stared at her. The next thing she knew he was reaching inside his satchel and pulled out a little handkerchief that was wrapped around something. Emma unwrapped it to find two slices of bread.

"What's this for?" She asked, looking down at the food.

"In case you get hungry while you're walking back." Killian said as though it was obvious.

Emma's forehead creased, what did he mean 'walking back'. "Beg your pardon?"

"If you head back now I'm sure you can catch up to Granny on her way to the market, she can help you back to the palace."

Emma clenched her jaw, that was it, he found out who she was and was just going to let her go. Why? Didn't he want someone with a title? Certainly her title was good enough for him. But then again, why did she care? She could leave now, go back to her jewelry and clothes and giant rooms... giant, lonely rooms... And her parents, and her soon to be in laws... And her apparent fiance.

As all these thoughts went through Emma's head she came to a decision. A decision to make her own choice for once. Her own choice about something really important, not just what dress to wear to a ball. No this was big, and it was exciting. And for once she felt powerful, very powerful. From this point, Emma decided, she was going to be in control of her life.

"I'm not going back to the palace." Emma said frankly, tossing the bread back at Killian and walking right past him.

"Yes, you are." He replied sternly, not moving from his spot. Admittedly, Emma was hoping he would follow her, but instead he stayed put. So Emma too stopped walking and turned around to face him.

"No, I don't think I am. You won't let me."

"I will too, I'm telling y-"

"No, you won't. Because I've seen you and I know your plan and I know at least part of the direction to your home and I know of a certain person who has been helping you, which I'm pretty sure it's a crime to help a criminal. So, no, unless you want a bunch of guards knocking at your door, and that sweet old lady's door, you won't let me go." Emma said with a smug smile on her face.

"The kings guards won't hurt me, he doesn't want to put me in prison, he just wants me out of the way." Killian countered.

"I'm not talking about your kings guards, I'm talking about my father's. I'm his only daughter, he'd hang you if I told him you hurt me, and you know it, that's why you want me to leave. You're afraid that someone will catch us and you won't only be a traitor in your country, but also an enemy of the crown in mine." Emma said, "so tell me Killian, how much do you want me out of your hair?"

Killian glared at her, the muscles in his jaw clenching and unclenching just like his fist. She had him cornered, and he couldn't do a thing about it. Killian took a deep breath and walked closer to her. He quickly grabbed her hand and shoved the slices of bread into her hand before walking past her.

"I'm not going!" Emma called out as he continued to walk away quickly.

"I know, so catch up." He yelled back, Emma instantly starting after him.

"Then what's the bread for?" Emma asked.

"When they catch us, I want them to see that I treated you very well, that way I can forego the torture and skip straight to the execution."