Killian stared at Emma as she came out of the crew's quarters. In fact, most of the crew did a double take. They had seen their captain dressed in his finest a few times, especially those who stayed with him since his Naval Lieutenant days. Not one had seen Emma dressed in a fine dress completely done up. She was wearing a purple gown, her hair pinned up with curls cascading gently from where they were pinned. She held a purple bejewled mask in her hand. Peg came to her side and she got him to tie the mask securely on her face.

"You sure you can pull this off?" Peg asked them as Emma straightened. The mask hid the cut on her forehead nicely. Killian nodded his headly firmly.

"We will get lost in a crowd as big as the one who is coming to the ball. Sneaking into a ball is easier than most think. Besides," he pulled out a invitation from his jacket, "A drunk Navy captain happens to show very bad form."

"I meant the acting like a noble," Peg clarified giving the two of them a look. Emma wanted to tell him that she was actually very well knowledge about the inners of a ball. However, she just nodded.

"If I need help, Ki-Hook can help me out," Emma corrected herself before she said their Captain's actual name. "speaking of which, whom are we masquerading as?"

"Captain Francis Dell and his wife Amelia Dell," Killian offered his elbow to her, "There is a carriage awaiting them at the market square. We'll get onto it before the real Captain and his wife get there. Without the invitation, he won't be able to convince any other carriage to bring him to the ball."

Emma nodded, even though she knew all of this from the planning they did within his quarters the night previous. She had found herself in his quarters more and more often since they had left the previous port. A month later and most of the crew were surprised if she slept in the crews quarters instead of their captains cabin.

He chose streets carefully so mud wouldn't cling to her dress or their boots as they left the ship and headed to the market place. His hook had been replaced with a fake hand, both hands were covered in gloves to mask the obvious fact that he had only one functioning hand. That hand he would keep down and away from prying eyes as much as possible., and they arrived just as some carriages pulled headed straight for one, Killian showing the man the invitation. They were lucky the Captain and his wife were visitors to the kingdom or else they would've been spotted as fakes immediately. They both prayed that they wouldn't be spotted as fakes. Both worried the other wasn't going to be able to play the part, or play it well. Both not knowing the extent of how well they could play the part.

Emma's breath caught in her throat as she saw the castle, it was familiar. Damn, she should've checked the kingdom's name they were visiting. She should've been more aware of where they were. Killian watched her intently and when her eyes met his, he offered a smile. "Don't worry, love,nobles care far too much about themselves to care much about what you do."

"as long as I act like them," Emma's eyebrow rose slightly before she sighed, "This will be harder than I thought."

"I haven't met one obstcale that you couldn't climb," he lowered his voice, "This will be easy. It just has more dangers."

No. Emma wasn't in any danger. He was. If they were caught as imposters, then they would demask Emma and they wouldn't dare harm her. They would arrest and put Killian on the block for kidnapping a princess. They wouldn't listen to what she would say becasue she had been in his company far too long, and Captain Hook was notrious for his smooth words and cunning ability to turn peoples ideas around.

Instead of disputing what he said, however, she nodded. His knuckles brushed against hers, a comforting motion that calmed her nerves in the slightest. She tried not to let her mind wander to whom was going to be there. Instead she focused on who she would be more willing to steal from. Lesser nobles whom she didn't know? Or higher nobles who wouldn't even notice if something went missing?

Either way, she felt her stomach clenching. This was wrong. These were peple she knew.

It was too late for her to back down.

They arrived at the castle, a large and beautiful piece of architect. It had the whole nine yards, turrets, a drop bridge to move across the river. Emma had been to this castle once or twice in her life time. It was owned by...she couldn't remember exactly, but there was a good chance that her parents would be there.

As the carriage pulled to a stop in front of the steps, her mind clicked. Cinderella and Prince Thomas, well they'd be King Thomas and Queen Cinderella. Most commonly know as Ella to those closest to her. Cinderella was a kind woman, that much Emma knew, and she had a daughter. Alexandra. Emma had played with the girl the few times that they had visited. Never growing an attachment to the girl.

Killian climbed out and helped Emma down, despite being the first ones to get in the carriages at the market, there were already many people here. They headed up the steps, until Emma heard someone announcing those streaming into the ball. She slowed their pace and leaned up to whisper, "Do you want us to be announced?"

"That would be a bad idea," he murmured to her softly, "People will probably know who Captain Dell is."

"Then we should find a different entrance." He gave her a look that asked if she was crazy. Sneaking about the castle was a bad idea, they could get caught by castle guards. Emma quirked her eyebrow at him. "If we get caught, we show them the invitation and say we got lost trying to get some fresh air, they'll direct us back to the party."

Killian gave her a smile before nodding. They entered the main room and followed the flow of people, ducking down a sepearte hallway before anyone could notice. He led them down the hall and a casual pace, looking about the halls at the art. Emma kept her eye out for anything out of place but everything was exactly the same as the last time she had visited.

In fact, she knew how to get to the ballroom from here. However, to steer him straight there would lead him to question how she knew the inside of this castle so well. However, Killian was so distracted by the walls that he didn't even notice Emma gently guiding him about. The sound of music quickly grew louder from silence as they passed a hall. She turned, pretending to look curiously down the hall before glancing back at her companion. He waved her on, a look of resigned fate upon his face. He didn't want to do this as much as she did, maybe even more.

They were able to easily slip into the ball room unnoticed. Nobles were still being announced as they descended the stairs. She had yet to see any sign of her parents or any other noble she knew well. It was a huge weight off her shoulder, and Killian steered her about the room. They stopped and chatted with a few other guests, they would separate once the party started truthfully and start pickpocketing the unknowing.

The music cut off and everyone turned towards the stairs. Emma curled her fingers tightly in a fist and covered it with her other hand. Her chest got tight, this would be the first time she laid eyes on a familiar face since she had been kidnapped. Killian stood erect, completely professional and just like all the other Navy Captains in the room. The announcer cleared his throat.

"King Thomas and Queen Cinderella!" the announcer declared, before stepping to the side. There stood the two in their glory. In their forties they looked no different from the last time she saw them. Beautiful and regal. They smiled at the crowd before the King stepped forwards.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know our good friends, King James and Queen Snow have spent a year searching for their daughter," there was a murmur of pity and sympathetic words, "This is a ball dedicated to the Lost Princess as well as our long time friends, who helped us against the Dark One. We are fortunate enough to have the King and Queen of our allied kingdom, join us today."

The two stepped aside and Emma's heart stopped. Her mother in an ivory dress and her father in his kingly robes stood atop the stairs. A look of sorrow in their eyes, even if their smiles were warm and thankful. Thomas said a few more words but the blood rushing past her ears drowned out the sound. She didn't even notice the music had started and people had begun dancing until Killian stepped in front of her. Concern in his eyes.

"Lass?"

"Sorry," she breathed finally, getting control of her body back, "Overwhelmed."

"Understandable, this is your first ball after all," he gave her a soft smirk before taking her hand and kissing her fingers. "You go to the right and I'll go left, meet up at the stairs?"

Emma suddenly felt fear grip her heart, she didn't want to separate from Killian. She felt the urge to take him and dance away the night instead. To keep herself distracted from the fact that she could bump into her parents at any sudden moment. However, she swallowed her thoughts and nodded. Killian slipped into the crowd and she watched him until he disappeared.

At first, Emma was paralyzed. What should she do? Where should she go?

Fortunately, after someone asked her a question, she fell easily into her old self. The docile princess. Well, at least a docile princess at a party. Normally she was outspoken and wasn't afraid to skin her knees or get dirt under her finger nails. However, that was the personality very few were privy too, and she liked to keep it that way. Walls contained who she truly was to keep people who only wanted to share her title out.

She mingled with people, subtle stealing rings and other items without the counterpart noticing. She had managed a pocket into her dress where the items were being stored so no one was the wiser. Emma was beginning to question why she was afraid in the first place. She could see her parents, and they were across the room. Where Killian was circulating. A tiny thread of fear planted in her heart, but she knew that if Killian did approach them, he wouldn't talk with them long.

Killian glanced over as if feeling her eyes on him and gave her a dazzling smile, those who he was talking to searched the sea of people to see who he was looking at but he turned his attention back to them. Emma was still watching him, and didn't notice a man stepping into her path until she bumped into him.

"Pardon me," Emma stepped back, and her eyes widened.

"Don't worry, probably should've said something," the man gave her a grin. Emma's mouth was open, and she realized she probably seemed like a fish out of water. She forced herself to smile back. She was about to move away when there was a change in song. "Want to dance?"

He was...not at all formal. How was he even able to get into this ball? Emma had a million questions exploding through her mind that she didn't even realize she nodded in her stupor and taken his hand as he led her onto the dance floor.

Killian looked back to Emma after the nobles passed on. However, he didn't see her amongst the mingling dignitaries. A flash of purple caught his eye and he looked over to see Emma standing amongst a few other dancers. A tense look on her face as a man bowed to her. Killian cursed, he had forgotten how to teach Emma how to properly dance at a ball. He watched as she cursteoyed, a little awkwardly before the musicians began the song.

He was completely surprised. Emma immediately got into position, and danced gracefully along with the other nobles. As if she did this regularly. She spun and twirled, but that tense and awkward look never left her face. Her mouth was set into a slight grimace, but the man across from her didn't seem to notice. Killian felt a bubble of something in his gut as the song ended and the man lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

He abandoned their plan, much like she had done, and worked his way over to where the two had rejoined the crowd. Killian slipped up beside Emma, startling her. Her eyes flicked over to him before back at the man who eyed him over.

"Neal Cassidy," the man introduced, jutting his hand towards Killian. He eyed the hand before placing his fake hand on Emma's back and sticking his other hand out. Forcing the man to switch hands. Killian remembered Emma saying something about a Neal, and by the way she was acting...he jumped to the conclusion that this man was that Neal.

"Killian Jones."

There was a few moments of silence amongst the group. "The traitor, Killian Jones?" Neal asked, "I thought you died. You've got a lot of courage to show up."

"So do you," Emma murmured under her breath. Both men turned their gaze on her sharply. Surprised by her words. "Baelfire."

"Have we met?" Neal asked, a frown forming on his face.

"No," Emma said quickly, too quickly. Killian looked at her, she was in pain by being around this man. It was clear by the way she avoided looking at him fully. Staring out amongst the colourful sea of dresses. Killian wanted to murmur comforting words into her ear, but knew that was innappropirate giving the circumstances. "I am going to get some air," she muttered to Killian before ducking into the crowd and getting lost.

"I see the King and Queen aren't fond of your father," Killian spoke after Emma disappeared, "If you don't say anything about me, I shan't say a thing about you. Either way, both of us will get locked in their dungeon."

"If you tell me her name," Neal said, "I won't say anything."

"Amelia Swan," Killian lied, if Emma hadn't said anything about her true self to this man. He wasn't about to either. Neal nodded.

"Good luck, Jones."

"You as well, Baelfire."

Emma stepped into the hall and felt tears threatening to spill. How dare he show up? He wasn't even a noble, how the hell did he get invited to this ball? It was almost as if he knew she was here and wanted to make her miserable. She could still remember when he refused her fathers request when they were younger.

God, what a fool she had been then. Even now. Her heart was thudding rapidly in her chest, and she felt the urge to go back and have him wrap his arms around her like he had when they were younger.

She was so angry because of it. So terrified of her feelings that still lingered. She swore she had forgotten how it felt to love him, and how it felt to have her heart taken from her chest and torn apart. It tore her world apart. Everything that was carefully laid out to keep herself from feeling like that again was being pulled apart. Disected by a few god damn moments alone with him.

How dare he?

She gulped a few shuddering breaths down before staring down at her hands. They were shaking, but she saw the ring nestled against her skin. Killian's ring. She felt herself calming down slightly. He was in there. He wouldn't let her get hurt. He cared about her-

Emma's jaw clenched. No! She couldn't let herself think about him in a comforting way. He was a pirate after all. She shouldn't be deluding herself to this...lifestyle. She was a princess, and she would have to leave him. Otherwise...she'd see his head on a spike. She dropped her hands to her sides, the ring suddenly feeling like it weighed a thousand pounds. She wanted to run. Her eyes landed on the mirror in the hall and felt her breath hitch. It had been so long since she had seen herself in a mirror with expensive robes on. She smoothed her hands over the fabric.

Yes, Emma. Run. It's the only thing you're good at. You ran away when you figured out you were bethrothed. You ran away after that bastard left you years ago. Now you want to run away again. Because of what?

The mirror rippled.

Emma gritted her teeth together and stepped back. The image of the Evil Queen replacing the reflection. In showing her instant anger with the situation, she had given up any pretense of being surprised and shocked that the freaking mirror was showing a woman. It gave the woman no illusions that she had gotten the right woman. Regina studied her quietly for a momet.

"So, this is what the princess has turned to in order to survive?" the woman asked, the corner of her lip turning up into a smirk. "My, my, can't say I'm not surprised."

"Regina," Emma bit out sharply. The woman's eyebrow rose slightly, feigning shock.

"Is that any way to treat your grandmother?" Regina asked, making a tutting noise.

"By marriage only," Emma reminded the woman, "Then again, kidnapping your granddaughter isn't something normal grandmothers do."

"A nesscessity," Regina waved her hand, "After that little imp betrayed me, I have had to resort to...other ways to hurt your parents. Do understand, you are only a pawn in this game."

"A pawn who has an entire ship of pirates just itching to kill the woman who kidnapped both their captain and new first mate," Emma whispered lowly, "Do not underestimate the ability of a pawn. Any pawn can became a greater piece."

"Yet they are the slowest moving piece on the board, minus the king of course."

"What do you want from me, I don't think you risked this magical display just to discuss chess," Emma crossed her arms, but knew it didn't do anything to help her get the look she wanted. A puffy purple ball gown had that effect, unfortunately. The woman just gave a sickly sweet smile.

"To help me ruin your families life."