Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

AN: Here's the next chapter of Collide! Sorry for the delay. A big thank you to GranddaughterOfCaskettAndTivia for her help. She's an amazing beta. I also want to thank CaptainsPiratePrincess for all her help. We're so excited to work with you! ~ XOXO MAS


Emma was in awe as they entered King George's palace. "So, this is how the other half lives," she muttered under her breath as she wrangled the four children ahead of them.

Killian chuckled. "I can still remember the first ball I ever attended."

She arched a brow at him. "You attended balls?" She asked. Her eyes narrowed. "Attended by invitation or broke into?" She asked suspiciously.

He scoffed. "Attended by invitation. I'm wounded, Swan. You do remember that I was once a Navy man, don't you?"

She smiled at that and tightened her grip on his arm. It was impossible to forget that he was a Navy man. Despite being a pirate for so long, his belief in good form continuously shone through. He was a gentleman through and through. It was one of the many things she loved about him. Love. She hadn't realized how true that was until they landed here. She may not be ready to say the words aloud yet, but she knew she would be able to soon. "Of course I remember," she murmured. "Now, what happens next?"

"We get introduced." He glanced around. "Best to use false names," he advised as their turn in line to meet George and Midas came.

King George smiled widely at them. "And who do we have here?" He asked.

Killian immediately dropped into a bow and Emma and the kids followed his lead. "Ah," Killian hesitated when asked who they were.

"Prince Charles," Emma stuttered out, "And Princess" she paused again, "Leia," she finished lamely, cringing at the Star Wars reference. "And these are our children." She hoped she wouldn't have to come up with names for them.

The king laughed heartily and Emma felt her skin crawl, knowing what she did about the man who was her fake grandfather. "Welcome. This is my son, Prince James." He motioned to the young man standing on the other side of King Midas.

Emma took an involuntary step back, her eyes connecting with her father's. Just like with Snow, there was no recognition there. Instinctively Emma dropped in another curtsey, slightly shocked when he bowed himself. "It's an honor to be here, Prince James," Killian murmured for the both of them. The moment they were standing straight, he wrapped his arm around Emma's waist, drawing her tightly into his side.

Reaching out, Emma brought Neal against her, knowing just how he was feeling at seeing his father and not being able to reach out to him.

"We're happy to have you here," Charming responded. "My fiancé, Princess Abigail, is around here somewhere. You'll have to meet her." He smiled down at the four children. "We're so happy you could bring your children with you." He knelt down on the ground in front of them, his eyes lighting up at Lily's bright smile. "And you are just the picture of your mother." He tweaked her chin lightly and the girl giggled.

"Thank you." She curtseyed again, clearly enjoying getting to be a princess for the evening.

Standing again, David motioned to the ballroom. "Please, enjoy some food and the dancing."

Killian bowed his head. "Thank you, Prince James. Come along, little ones, let's get out of the way."

OUAT

Snow dropped lightly on the balcony that led to Prince James' room. Keeping her hood securely on, she darted into the darkened chambers. There was just enough light from the full moon that she could see what was in the room. Methodically she began searching for a jewelry box that could hold the ring. According to Captain Hook, it was thick silver band with a single green stone. Snow thought that sounded rather plain for a prince's taste, particularly the son of George. She'd heard all about King George and Prince James. They were boisterous and loud and greedy and power hungry. Coming up empty on the dresser, she moved to the other side of the room.

OUAT

Emma shook her head as Killian held out a hand to her. "I've never danced, Killian. Like ever. Not at a school dance, not anywhere," she murmured. "And the kids-"

"Are fine. They are right there watching us and as for dancing, as long as you have a partner who knows what he's doing, you'll be fine, darling." He bowed and extended his hand. "Now, would you please dance with me, Emma?"

At the hopeful look in his eyes she couldn't say no. Carefully, she placed her hand in his, dropping into a curtsey before letting him pull her into his arms. Her breath hitched as he gently guided her into the right position before leading off. There was something so intimate about what they were doing, about how close they were standing, about the way he was looking at her as if his entire world centered around her. "You see, Swan, it's all about the leader."

That was when she noted that they were in fact dancing in some intricate dance she'd never performed before. Her feet moved mindlessly, just following his lead. "Hey," she grinned as he chuckled, "don't make fun of me, this is my first ball and I'm actually getting the hang of this." She let out a giggle of her own as he spun her out before pulling her back into his chest, a move that none of the other dancers did, but she couldn't complain when she could feel every inch of him pressed up against her.

"You're a bloody natural, love. You were born a princess even if you weren't raised as such," he murmured in her ear.

She hummed, her eyes fluttering shut as she clutched at his bicep. "Killian," she whispered.

"Yes, love?" He asked, his voice deep and dark.

Her eyes snapped open and she felt the words on the tip of her tongue until she saw her father slip out of the room. "He's leaving."

Killian looked behind them. He was just in time to see the prince's fleeing figure. "If Snow hasn't gotten the ring then-"

"She could be caught." Reaching down, Emma grabbed his prosthetic hand and pulled him towards the children, kneeling down to whisper to all of them.

Roland's eye were wide as they darted around the room, noting that David was in fact gone. "You have to go make sure she got the ring," he murmured. "We'll be out on the balcony waiting." He motioned to the adjoining balcony.

Emma nodded, pressing a kiss to each of their foreheads before standing and guiding Killian quietly out of the room. They moved quickly through the palace in search of Snow White. They heard a loud scuffle come from one of the chambers. "This way, love." Killian tugged her down the hallway just in time to see Emma's father fall to the ground holding his chin, Snow drop a candlestick to the ground and flee out the balcony doors.

"Let's make sure she gets away," Emma murmured. When they reached the window in the hallway that looked over the balcony, they were helpless to watch as Snow threw her legs over, latching onto a rope to shimmy down as guards came sprinting through Prince James' room. "Killian," Emma nudged Killian's ribs, "she dropped the ring," she whispered, motioning to the silver glinting in the moonlight. "I need to get it."

Killian latched onto her arm. "Swan, it's too dangerous."

"Go back to the kids," Emma urged, knocking his arm off. "I'll be back as soon as I get the ring."

With a sigh of resignation, Killian nodded, pressing a kiss to her brow. "Be careful, love," he murmured.

He pulled away, but she latched onto the lapel of his coat, hauling him back against her pressing her mouth to his for a hard kiss. When she broke the kiss, she nudged his nose with hers. "See you in a few minutes, pirate."

He smiled softly at her, the backs of his knuckles gently stroking her cheek. "I'll see you shortly, princess."

Emma watched him walk away, a slightly dazed smile on her face. Shaking her head, she tried to focus on the task at hand. When the guards and her father cleared out, Emma swiftly climbed through the window and onto the balcony, picking up the ring and slipping it on her finger before darting back towards the ballroom. She had no idea there were guards watching her every move.

She'd just reached Killian when she heard a familiar voice. "Well, Princess Leia," Emma's back straightened at her false name, "it seems that you were seen helping the bandit Snow White steal from Prince James."

Emma turned slowly, hoping that Killian kept his distance with the kids. The last thing she wanted was them noticed. She had no idea Regina had even arrived. Keeping her head straight, Emma answered, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You don't, do you?" Regina circled her slowly. "Well, King George, as you know Snow White is wanted in my land for various crimes. You won't mind if I take an accomplice of hers off your hands, will you?"

George would've been stupid to do anything, but agree. "Please, Regina. She's all yours."

Emma let out a quiet grunt as two guards took her hands. Throwing a glance over her shoulder, she was just in time to see Killian backing the kids into a dark corner of the ballroom. She only hoped they would make it out alright.

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"Come on, we have to get out of this palace." Killian urged the kids towards a servant's entrance.

"But Mom is-"

"We can't help her if we're arrested too." Killian scooped up Lily before she could protest anymore, taking Liam's hand in his own. "Come on, let's get out of here." Killian didn't know if anyone was following them, but he didn't let them stop moving until they were hidden in the forest. Only then did he set Lily on the ground and slump against a tree. "Bloody hell," he muttered.

"We'll get her back, Uncle Killian." Roland rested a hand on his arm. "We always do. We just need to break into the palace and-"

"I know what we need to do, lad, it's just" he groaned at the thought of having to trek all the way to Regina's palace, particularly since the Dark One stole their horses. And they were dressed in clothes that stood out.

"It sounds like you could use a bit of help." Killian turned at Snow's voice. "I'm afraid I lost your ring, Captain."

"The ring is of no consequence. Emma is who is important," Killian murmured. "Do you think you can help us?"

Snow smiled softly. "I think Red and I may be of assistance."

"Nobody move." Everyone held still at the new voice and Killian wanted to growl. Of course the bloody hero of a prince had to come searching for them. "I know you were with Princess Leia and that she helped steal my ring. Give it back and I'll let you all go."

Killian turned. "We don't have your bloody ring, your highness," Killian snapped. "Emma has it and-"

"Who's Emma?" Prince James asked, his sword still held up to Killian's chest.

"Princess Leia, her real name is Emma and she has your ring, but she's been arrested by the Evil Queen and-"

"You can't let her kill my mommy!" Lily finally screeched. "You are a prince, you are a hero. Help save her," she cried.

Killian sighed, raking a hand through his hair before he leaned down and scooped up the little girl. "It's going to be alright, little love." He rocked her slowly. "We'll get Mum back, I promise." He looked over at the prince who was staring at the kids. "Well, mate? What do you say?" He asked.

OUAT

XOXO

MAS