Killian's condition was critical. For several days they weren't sure whether he would pull through. They tried to get Emma to leave his side, to no avail. The best they could do was move a second bed in to his room, and stress that he would still know she was there. Her injuries weren't serious, but she still needed her rest.

A few days later, she was asleep, holding his hand, with her head on his bed. She felt a palm stroke her hair, and she looked up. Killian's eyes were barely open, but he was smiling down at her.

"Killian, you're awake." She flew at him, throwing her body across his, hugging him as best she could with all of the tubes and monitors that were attached to him.

"Careful, love. I'm a bit sore." She looked up and her breath was sapped out of her body at the relief she felt. Pinpricks of tears welled up at her eyes while she tried to compose her thoughts and figure out what to say to him. She'd spent several days willing him to open his eyes, and planning speeches, but now that he was awake she'd forgotten everything she had planned to say. Instead, she leaned up and planted a delicate, but firm, kiss on his lips, and in it put every emotion she felt.

Finally as she pulled away they both let out long, deep breaths. "Emma," he started.

"No Killian, please let me go first. I was so scared I was going to lose you. Lose you before you really knew how I felt."

"Emma," he cut in, "I knew how you felt, love. Even before you knew how you felt."

"But I wanted to tell you. I wanted you to know that I knew. I love you, and couldn't imagine life without you. I wasted two years not being with you, fighting you, arguing with you. I was terrified I was going to spend the rest of my life regretting those years, and only having our two good days to remember."

Killian did his best to scoot over in the bed. "Come up here," he said. "Keep me company."

Emma crawled up on to his bed, careful of his bandages, and put her head gingerly on his shoulder, also babying her own injuries. She was sore, she was sure he was in pain too, but now that she was this close to him she wouldn't have moved for all the world.

"You never have to live without me. And I hope that we have many, many years to create new memories for you to sustain yourself with in case I die first. But if I get my way we're both dying at 105 while lying in bed holding hands, deal?"

Emma kissed his chest, and snuggled up even closer. "Deal," she agreed.

\

Emma was not ready for this. She was raised to take care of herself. Fend for herself. Shifted from one house to the next, hoping someone would let her stay. Now, she was living in a palace, with a king and queen granting every wish and the best part was, she was in love.

As soon as Killian was given a clean bill of health, the palace went in to overdrive preparing for a ball to formally announce the Princess, and her engagement. Royalty from all over the world were coming to celebrate, and meet the heir to the throne. And to introduce their eligible sons to the beautiful woman. Reports had leaked that the Princess' heart had been won, but that wouldn't stop parents and bachelors alike from hoping.

Emma had spent the last week in dancing lessons and etiquette classes. Luckily, Killian already knew how to dance, so having him practice with her at least made the lessons a little bit more bearable. The etiquette lessons were awful. Which fork to use, proper titles, and they kept stressing, who she had to dance with and how many times she could dance with the same person. She knew she was being drilled in this because they were worried she'd just spend the whole time dancing with Killian, or even worse sneak out early from the ball and hide somewhere in the castle, just the two of them.

Mary Margaret had also insisted that Emma wear a ball gown. Emma would have been happier with a black cocktail dress, but balls require ball gowns the Queen informed her. Seamstresses had been in all week, taking measurements, fitting her, and generally poking and prodding her. All she knew was that it was red. Two ladies had come to her room to prepare her for the ball. Her long blond hair had been curled and piled on top of her head, she'd been buttoned and zipped in to the dress, and her makeup had been flawlessly applied. Mary Margaret and David came in to see her before they escorted her downstairs, carrying several velvet boxes.

"I've dreamed of the day we could prepare you for your first ball. I've always wanted to be able to see you dressed up, and give you these." They opened the boxes, displaying inside a diamond and pearl tiara and parure. Emma appreciated the gesture and smiled to her parents. She didn't care about jewelry, but didn't want to disappoint them. The only jewelry she ever needed was the thin gold band with a small sparkly stone shining from her left hand. She put on the jewels, she had to admit, they weren't jewelry, and went out to meet her escort. Seeing Killian in full court black tie wear was a sight to behold. Maybe it was worth being a princess to see Killian looking so distinguished.

\

She took his breath away. She was always beautiful, but tonight he could see the princess. He held out his elbow, and she snaked her arm through the crook. Turning to nod to the King and Queen, he then walked Emma in to the ballroom, to the top of the stairs where she was announced to the room. Knowing that she would be uncomfortable and need of support, he made sure to stand close enough that she could feel him by her side. Hoping that she could draw strength from his presence.

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Emma and her escort, Killian Jones." All eyes in the ballroom turned to the top of the stairs to get a look at the princess. Emma, blushing deeply at the attention, held Killian's arm a bit closer. As they walked down the stairs Killian whispered, "Ready to start our new lives?"

"With you? I'm ready for anything."

Author's notes:

1) thanks for sticking with me. I realize this was not the best. In my mind, this story did them so much more justice than I could get down in writing

2) I know I didn't wrap up the whole RG thing. I just couldn't figure out how. Note to self: don't start a plot point that you don't think you can write. Terrorism is hard.

3) I really wanted to have Killian lose his hand in that bomb blast. But I kept thinking of Buster on Arrested Development "I'm a monster!" and couldn't add that.

4) Since I've started writing this, I've been reading so many other's Captain Swan fics and they're GREAT. Thank you to all the other writers for doing this amazing couple way more justice than I ever could.