Chapter 11: Let the Stars Watch

A/N: I think you guys are going to like this one.

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to belovedbrat and paupaupi! Thanks for your faithful and encouraging reviews! :)

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It felt as if everything was happening in slow motion. Killian heard the rope snap on the foremast and watched in horror as the boom began to swing. Several men shouted a warning and Killian screamed Emma's name.

It was too late. She was standing too close to the cannons when the boom smashed into her belly and swept her overboard into the raging sea. Without a second thought, Killian called for Mr. Smee before forsaking his post at the helm, quickly shucking his greatcoat and tying a rope around his waist. Then he climbed onto the rail of the quarterdeck and dove into the frigid waters below.

It was, of course, unspeakably dangerous. And highly irresponsible for a captain to abandon an entire ship of living souls in a storm to save one who'd gone overboard.

But he just couldn't lose her.

Thanking whatever powers were on his side, he spotted her-her body being tossed by the otherwise invisible currents. He fought them, swimming over to her expertly, scooping her up with his bad arm and propelling them both toward the surface. As they rose above the water, he gasped for air. The storm seemed to be calming, but the waves were still fierce and the rain had yet to relent.

He could hear the shouts of his men who had spotted him and felt the rope around his waist pull taut. He wrapped the slack twice around his forearm as he pulled Emma's body closer, careful to keep her head above the water. Within a few moments, their bodies were hoisted over the rail onto the deck of the Jolly Roger. A very concerned looking Ruby quickly rushed over to them with a lantern and blanket in hand. She quickly draped the blanket over Emma and held the lantern close so Killian could better see what he was doing.

He hovered over the form of the unconscious princess and called her name frantically.

"Emma! Emma, love, wake up." He tapped her face gently in an attempt to rouse her. He lowered his face to hers, checking for vital signs. "She's not breathing," he announced, his brow furrowed as he heard the sound of her heartbeat slowing.

At once, he resumed following the procedure he knew all too well. Opening her airways, breathing into them, beginning the compressions on her chest, all the while willing her to live.

Her eyes snapped open and she rolled to her side, her lungs automatically expelling the sea water which would find no quarter there. Killian had no words to describe the relief that flooded him at that moment.

"Gods. Emma," he breathed, feeling lightheaded from the massive weight he felt lifted off his shoulders as she sputtered back to life. He rubbed her lower back affectionately as he waited for her to fully return to herself once more.

The skies were still dark and stormy, but the sea had grown strangely calm.

Emma sat up slowly, wiping her face on her sleeve. Then she lifted her eyes and saw him there. Her pirate. Soaking wet, chest heaving as he fought to catch his breath after the valiant rescue mission he'd just performed, and looking at her like she was the most priceless treasure in all the worlds and he'd nearly lost it.

She threw her arms around his neck, nearly knocking him over in the process. She felt his arms automatically move to encircle her waist as she clung to him—no longer caring who saw them share such a passionate embrace or what they might think of it.

"I love you." The words gushed from her mouth without regret. Without even a second thought.

"And I you, lass," he confessed, burying his face in her hair as he squeezed her tighter. "Don't you ever leave me again." His desperate plea was a low growl in Emma's ear that made her shudder.

"I won't." She spoke her promise with conviction, as if she had perfect control over such things. As if she had any idea what the future held for them both.

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Hours later, after a thorough examination from the ship's doctor, Emma waited in the captain's cabin.

Ruby had brought her a basin and pitcher of hot water to bathe with. Emma had laughed when the brunette teased her about how sad she must be to not have a bathtub on board the Jolly Roger. She dismissed her with mock scorn before cleaning herself up as best she could. She thanked her lucky stars that Johanna had not only laundered, but also packed her cream dress and blue cloak in a trunk Elsa sent with other personal items for her journey.

She finally retired to the chair Killian usually slept in, wrapping herself in his blanket, closing her eyes as she inhaled the scent of him which still lingered in the fibers.

She loved him. She said it and she meant it.

She said it while so many members of his crew had been watching. Somehow she couldn't bring herself to care.

He saved her life. The man with only one hand and everything to gain from her death had thrown himself after her into stormy seas and saved her life. The same man whose very existence she'd been cursing a few hours ago had now become someone she was sure she couldn't live without.

Because there was no longer a soul in this world who loved her as wholly and as selflessly as he did.

Emma heard the sound of heavy boots striding toward the cabin and preemptively wiped away the tears that had been threatening to fall. The door swung open and Killian stepped through. His eyes fell on her and softened immediately. He shut the door behind him and crossed the room slowly. He paused before the fireplace opposite his bed and crouched low before it. He opened the glass doors that kept the flames safely within and stoked the fire.

"Warming up yet?" he asked, his voice soft and low.

"Yes," she answered, smiling softly as she sat upright in his chair, raking her fingers through her long, golden hair before she began twisting it into a thick four-stranded braid. "You?" He smiled back at her.

"A bit more slowly, I'd wager," he replied, letting the heat from the flames warm his hands. His hair was still wet. Emma's eyes scanned him quickly and she realized he hadn't even had time to change his clothes yet—probably because as soon as he'd been cleared by the doctor, his responsibilities as captain of the ship had required his presence on deck—dealing with the aftermath of the storm and making sure all parties were accounted for.

Suddenly, Emma felt terribly selfish. All the time she'd spent bathing and dressing and warming herself by the fire—he'd been hard at work in the freezing northern rain. She abandoned her braiding and popped out of her chair at once. She made her way to the table, opening a heavy glass decanter and filling a glass with an amber liquid she could only assume was rum. He stood up slowly, a quizzical expression on his face as he watched her. She crossed the room to meet him and handed him the beverage, knowing he needed no further instruction.

He smirked at her, raising an eyebrow and his glass in gratitude before taking a slow sip. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the way the liquor warmed him from within.

"Thanks, love." He took one more sip before setting it down on the mantle. Emma frowned. She'd never seen him take his time with a drink before. Certainly not after such an exhausting ordeal as the one they'd just endured.

"Killian, you have to get out of those clothes," she said, her brow furrowed as she appraised the way his still damp chemise clung to his skin. He chuckled darkly, pushing her unsecured braid over her shoulder.

"You know you only ever need ask, Princess," he teased, his hand trailing down her arm to rest on her waist. She narrowed her eyes at him and would have scolded him if not for the way he was looking at her. She'd been expecting his usual cocky grin and waggling eyebrows. Instead she was met with dreamy blue eyes, gazing at her with more affection than she knew how to process and the ghost of a smile playing about his lips.

She felt her heart beat faster and her indignation dissolving into something else entirely as she held his gaze. Her face flushed and she looked down at the floor as she placed her hands on his broad shoulders.

"You know what I mean," she said, her voice soft and low. "Your clothes are still soaked with that icy water." Her hand played absently with the collar of his shirt, brushing her fingertips across the warm flesh left exposed by the way he always left it hanging open. He shuddered and drew her closer.

"Emma…." He said her name like a prayer as he gathered her in his arms.

"Yes?" she replied a little breathlessly as she raised her eyes to meet his.

"I love you," he said, pressing his forehead to hers as his eyes slid shut.

He knew she'd already said the words on deck. But he needed to hear them again— needed her to hear him speak the truth he'd known for weeks now. Now that things were calmer and he hadn't just saved her life, he needed her to know that he meant them.

"I know," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I love you too."

And as he closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss, he knew she meant them too.

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A/N: Special thanks to slightlyxjaded - who covers my necessary edits with such grace and STILL reviews every chapter when it goes live. She's my big damn hero. 3