Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

Chapter Eight

Killian glanced at Emma before Smee returned with Orson, the desire momentarily leaving his eyes, "I believe we should tell Smee and Orson the truth regarding our mission."

Emma's eyes widened, "Do you think they'll be inclined to help?"

"To get revenge on King George?" Killian asked, "And defeat Blackbeard?" He paused, "Yes I do, and I believe they may have more knowledge than we might know."

Emma looked down at her boots, "Killian, whatever you think is best is what we should do. I'm trusting you to help me save my people." She whispered the end, "I can honestly do nothing without you at this point in time."

Killian tipped her head up, "I promised to help you. I promise to return you and Queen Elsa to your home and help defeat the Evil Queen and King George. I even promise to return Queen Elsa and her people back to Arendale afterwards."

Emma felt tears brimming in her eyes at his admission, "And I promise to help you defeat Blackbeard and help you get your revenge on King George. Whatever you need Killian, I will be there for you until you don't want me there anymore." Maybe even after if I have my way.

Killian felt his heart constrict at her words. Her promising to be there for him was new. He hadn't felt support tug at his heart strings like that since Liam found him. It was special coming from her. She was, she was special. And he knew, in that moment, that losing her would kill him. He shouldn't have let himself get close to her, he should've stayed away. He should've kept his distance on the ship and left her in Port Jefferson to find her own way. Looking down into her green eyes he realized that she had indeed sunk his ship. He imagined every suitor of hers fell in love with her. She was different than most women in general, and definitely different than most royal women. And it had nothing to do with her incomparable beauty, it have everything to do with her heart and spirit. He could only hope none of them had been privy to her words or looks or touches as he had, that he held a special place in her heart.

"Captain?" Smee questioned behind them.

"Come in, close the door." He directed, "And have a seat." When the four were seated around the table Killian leaned forward, "I will compensate you both for keeping this secret, but Emma and I must be truthful with you." He looked over at Emma who nodded.

"My name is not Emma Jones." Emma interrupted him in a whispered, but confident voice, "I am Princess Emma, the daughter of King David and Queen Snow." Even in hushed tones, sitting in his quarters, in all leather, she was the epitome of grace and regality.

Smee and Orson both immediately jumped to their feet, bowing deeply, "Your highness," Orson began, "it is our honor to meet you." He spoke for both of them.

In true Emma fashion, though, she rolled her eyes and waved her hand, "Please, call me Emma and please don't bother bowing." They both straightened and stared at her. "I was raised by a shepherd who became king by default and bandit princess, we're hardly traditional." She smiled softly at them, "Please continue as you have." She requested, "I'm going to continue being Emma Jones though, for the remainder of this trip." She leaned forward, "Killian agreed to help me get to Arendale to save my kingdom. As you know, the Enchanted Forest is under attack from King George and Regina." She murmured. "I believe that Queen Elsa's light magic, combined with my own light magic, can stop Regina's and thereby disable King George."

"You have light magic?" Smee asked with raised brows, pushing his red cap back.

"You're the product of true love." Orson murmured reverently, "Of course you do."

Emma smiled softly at him, "You seem to know a great deal about my kingdom." Still, for Smee's benefit, and Killian thought to show off, Emma stole Smee's hat just as she had done to his earring. Killian chuckled as Smee simply beamed at her before she returned it to his head.

"Your parents are benevolent rulers. If I had sailed under them I probably would not have left the Royal Navy." Orson admitted softly.

Emma's smile widened, "They are that. In exchange for passage and help getting Queen Elsa back to the Enchanted Forest," Emma continued, "I have promised Killian compensation as well as King George." Both men stared silently at her, "He will be easy to capture and then Killian can handle him as he sees fit. I see no reason why he should survive after his treatment of my people, after his treatment of you all." She straightened her shoulders and the warrior (pirate) in her came out. Killian couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. He wanted to pick her up and take her across the table. Maybe when Smee and Orson left she'd let him.

"Queen Snow and King David will never allow it." Orson whispered.

"You have my word. And my word will be final. I would prefer not to see either my grandfather or my step-grandmother live to see another day. I'm not entirely sure what I can do about Regina, but King George will pay for his crimes with his life. And I would prefer if Killian have it, particularly after what he did to his brother." Her hand instinctively reached out and laced with his.

"He told you?" Smee raised an eyebrow.

"She knew, our failed voyage was common knowledge. I filled her in on the details last night." He admitted softly as he glanced over at her. She held his gaze and neither of them saw the look that passed between Orson and Smee.

"Any information you can provide to get us in and through Arendale to Queen Elsa would be much appreciated. I would rather not loudly announce my arrival into Arendale. I don't know what spies King George and Regina may have there."

"We will do our best to avoid Blackbeard as well." Killian told them sternly, "I'd rather not have that battle on our hands before we reach the palace. However, if we can defeat him we will help eliminate the threat of Prince Hans to Queen Elsa."

"That could make it easier to convince her to leave her kingdom if it is indeed still unstable. Unfortunately her army will be of little use, it is she herself who we need." Emma sighed, "Of course that would be the case." She leaned back.

Killian reached out for her hand again and she absently accepted it, running her fingers across his knuckles as she looked over at him, "Well will take care of Prince Hans if we have to." He told her firmly, "We're going to save your kingdom, Emma. You have my word."

Emma smiled softly at him and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his lips, just barely brushing hers over his, "I know, Killian. Thank you." She whispered against his mouth.

Smee cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him, "If we enter from the east we'll have the best view of the port and we'll know if we need to worry about Blackbeard." He was hesitant to say too much in front of Emma, but Killian cut him off.

"I told her who Blackbeard was." Killian informed them, "If it involves our journey to Arendale and the Enchanted Forest we're minimizing secrets." He informed them. Again Smee and Orson shared a look. This time it didn't go unnoticed by Emma and Killian, who simultaneously rolled their eyes as their hands stayed connected.

"So we come in from the east." Emma murmured. "I have an idea." She admitted with a sly grin. "If we want to truly protect the Jolly Roger," she paused, "I can cloak it."

"Cloak it?" Killian looked over at her, "As in hide it from Blackbeard?"

She nodded, "No one will know it's there unless they step on it. And no one will be able to see us on it." She tapped her free hand on the table top, "I should start warming up my magic. I try to use it daily at home, but I haven't used it the past couple of days."

"If you can cloak it," Smee murmured, adjusting his glasses, "then Blackbeard will never be able to find it."

"Exactly, we could come up right behind him and attack if we wanted to." She grinned at him, "We would have the element of surprise on our side."

Orson chuckled, "You do have quite a bit of pirate in you." He shook his head, "Well, I suppose if we know where we're entering from we should make sure we're on course." He stood up and Smee followed him.

"I want this kept under wraps." Killian ordered, "Our destination should also not be discussed." He reminded them.

"Aye, aye, Captain." Smee and Orson replied simultaneously before exiting the cabin.

Killian stood and rolled up the two maps, locking them in a cabinet. He turned to face Emma, who was deep in thought, "Everything alright, love?" When she didn't respond, he moved to stand in front of her, tapping gently on her nose, "What's going on in that head of yours?" He asked quietly.

She turned her head slightly so she faced him head on and shrugged, "I was just thinking of my parents." She whispered. "I hope everything is alright."

Killian gently lifted her out of the chair and pulled her up against him, "Your parents are fighters. They're survivors. You needn't worry about them right now. We need to focus on getting to Arendale."

Instinctively, Emma leaned forward and pressed her lips against his, "Thank you, Killian. I cannot say it enough."

Letting his finger tips glide down her arms he whispered in a throaty voice, "Show me then." He requested, his eyebrows lifting suggestively.

Emma laughed and pulled away from him, walking towards the door she flicked the lock in place and then turned around, slowly unlacing the corset before dropping it and her jacket to the ground. Killian let out a growl before nearly pouncing on her. She giggled as he made quick work of her clothes, her own hands flying over the buttons of his. Where had she found this man? And what deity could she thank for allowing her to cross paths with him?

OUAT

When Emma woke she found a note from Killian on his pillow informing her he had to check on the men. If she was hungry she should go to the galley and the cook would feed her. Smiling, Emma sat up and stretched. She looked around Killian's cabin, her eyes landing on the bookshelves. Her favorite room back home, aside from any of the gardens, was the library. Standing up, she crossed the room and began to scan the books, her fingers idly skimming over the spines of the books before landing on a copy of Gulliver's Travels. Pulling the worn book out, she flipped it open, making her way back to the bed to settle in.

After an hour of of reading her stomach began to make noises, indicating she was indeed hungry. Sighing she dressed quickly and, still clutching the book in her hand, she read as she made her way to the galley. Opening the door she paused in the doorway, fully invested in the book, she didn't even notice the galley was full and the men where inside eating lunch.

Killian looked up when the door opened, his eyes landing on Emma, her nose pressed into a book, the leather of her pants clinging to her skin, her shirt barely buttoned and jacket forgotten. Standing, he walked over to her, his hand coming over the pages in the book, "I see you found alternative ways to occupy yourself, love."

Letting out a yelp of surprise, Emma looked up, a blush covering her face and chest, "Mhm," she hummed as her eyes connected with Killian's, "this is one of my favorite books." she murmured.

His eyes fell to the book and he noted it was his own well-worn copy of Gulliver's Travels. "Mine too." He smiled softly, taking the book from her hand and lacing his fingers with hers, guiding her over to a spot that the cook set for her between himself and Hudson.

"Good afternoon, Hudson." Emma greeted softly before her eyes flicked up to Smee and Orson, "Hi." She murmured, looking down at the stew in front of her, "Thank you." She called out to the cook, Noah, before he could disappear back into the kitchen.

He grinned at her, a wide grin that she found warm and pleasant, "Of course, Miss Emma."

Emma shook her head, she couldn't get get him to drop the 'Miss', it'd taken her an hour to agree not to call her 'Mrs. Jones.' Killian chuckled, "You know, I think my crew likes you better than they like me." He kissed the back of her hand before releasing it so she could pick up her spoon.

"Well she is prettier to look at, Captain." Hudson winked at her.

Emma rolled her eyes at the comment and instead focused on Killian, "How are the winds?" She asked.

Wrapping an arm around her waist as she ate to keep the physical contact he knew he'd eventually lose, he placed a kiss on her shoulder before replying, "Thus far they're in our favor." He murmured.

She turned her head and placed a kiss on his lips, "That's good news."

"Hey, Captain?" Hudson asked loudly, "Where are we going anyhow?"

Killian pulled back, his hand still rubbing gentle circles over Emma's back as she continued to eat her stew and turned back to her book, "A treasure hunt." He replied. His crew cheered, clinking their mugs of ale together at his response.

OUAT

XOXO

MAS