Emma stared at the mirror blankly. Regina smiled, "You stay with that...pirate...and it will give me the sweet satisfaction when Snow realizes that her daughter will never return home. Assuming she's dead or worse."

"If I refuse?" Emma asked, she would return to her parents. Regardless of what this...witch said next. There was nothing she could say that would make Emma change her mind-

"I know the ship you travel on is made out of enchanted wood, but...can it really withstand the barrage of your parents ships? Can that lover of yours withstand the blade of your father?" Regina asked leaning closer to the mirror, "Will you really risk the death of all of those men, when staying with them and lying about who and what you are is so much simpler?"

Emma's lips tightened. Except that. She straightened her back, "Hook? He isn't my lover."

"Oh? I have been...accqauinted with Killian in the past," Regina looked a bit uncomfortable to admit that, but it was quickly erased into her normal 'I'm in control of everything' look. "How he hasn't managed to get you into his bed escapes me. We both know you are weak for the...bad boys."

Emma wanted to punch the smug look off the Evil Queen, but her hands clenched tightly at her sides. She glared at the woman through the glass, saying nothing. The woman waved her hand, "Then, shall I send the proof of where you are to your parents? They will do anything it takes to get you back, killing a few pirates that have terrorized the realm will be nothing but a blip on their morals."

She wanted to say no, and so she steeled herself and glared at the woman, "What if our next stop is my kingdom? By the time you get a message to them, I'll be already heading home."

"Don't you dare underestimate me," Regina said with a sharp smile, "I have captured Killian once, I can do so again. Just imagine all the things I can make him do with his heart in my grasp? Just ask your parents friend, Graham."

Emma's fists tightened and she closed her eyes. Graham was a kind man, who dispised the Evil Queen with all her heart. He had told her parents about what he had to do under her control, and none of it was pleasent. For her to have Killian's heart...she couldn't let herself allow that.

"Fine. You win."

"I will always win. Do not delude yourself that good are the only people who get happy endings," Regina grinned, but it went unseen by Emma. "If you forget our deal, you'll find your lover without a heart. Maybe even a head, who knows what sort of things I could make him do that would anger your parents."

When Emma opened her eyes, she only saw her reflection. Her fists wanted to slam into the glass until the frame fell and the glass was embedded into her knuckles, but she refrained from doing so. That would end poorly. Before she could even process her thoughts, a devilish giggle burst from the silence.

"Seems like we've got ourselves in a mess, dearie!"

She twisted around and saw the Dark One standing just down the hall, he bowed almost mockingly towards her. Her eyes hardened.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, "The ro-"

He made a noise and waved his hands, "The real question is, what are you doing here? You parents and I had a deal, you see. A deal they couldn't keep because of her," he pointed towards the mirror. "I don't like it when my deals are broken."

"What did my parents ask for that credited selling me?"

"Selling you?" the man laughed his high pitched laugh again, "No, no, no, they did not sell you. You were to be bethrothed anyways, I offered my son, and a deal was struck."

"Then it truly isn't one of your deals," Emma glared at him, "I am not a pawn in your idiotic games. I will not marry your son."

"Because you are in love with that pirate," the Dark One pointed over his shoulder towards where the music was playing. "I get it. It's Twue Love!"

Emma stared at him incredously. True Love? They shared a few stolen kisses in his room, and sometimes they slept in the same bed. Though most of the time when they slept in the same room, it was because he passed out drunk on his chair and so she laid in his bed. "Who said anything about True Love? Even saying love is way too far."

"Then romantic interest, a dalliance, a one time thing," he waved his hand, brushing aside her comments. "Don't care. What I do care about is striking a deal. I-"

"I'm not interested," Emma said calmly, "Making deals with you have only gone badly in the past."

"I will not tell your parents about your where abouts, if you do me one tiny thing."

"I'm not interested."

"I think you will after you hear what I have to say. It's a simple thing really."

"Simple? I'm pretty sure it'll be something like give you my first born, or no wait, kill a dragon."

"No, no, no nothing like that," he shook his head, "I need you to collect somethings for me."

He produced a piece of parchment from thin air and held it out to her. She looked at the items. "Why do you need these?" she asked, taking the parchment, her silent agreement. They weren't extremely difficult things to get,but she assumed he just wasn't willing to get them himself because hewould rather risk someone elses life.

"That's on a need to know basis, and you. You don't need to know."

Emma gave him a hard look before rolling the parchment up and tucking into secret pocket of her dress. "Then it's a deal-"

He produced another piece of parchment, holding it out to her. "Sign."

Another hard look and she took the offered quill and scribbled her name down on the line before both dissasppeared from her eyes. As well as the Dark One. She bit back a growl and clenched her hand together tightly. She thought back to the list. She'd need griffon feathers, unicorn horn dust, and a few other ingredints. Griffon's were extinct, but she knew exactly where to get some.

All to save his life. God, this better not be some trick. She didn't want to regret it in the end. If she returned home, she would be angering the Evil Queen, but not only that, she would still be indebted to the Dark One. Something she already did regret. Damn it. Why couldn't this just be simple? She didn't want to be a lost princess, and she knew that if she wasn't she'd be unhappily engaged to Rumplestiltskins son.

Emma took a few calming breaths. She coulddo this. She would do this. Killian hadn't yet noticed she was hiding something from him, her entire life story. He completely forgot about their deal that if he told her his life story, she would tell him hers. He seemed so...content with his life, that Emma knew she couldn't risk throwing anything for a loop. Lest it hurt him.

She could manage to gather a few items for the Dark One. It wasn't as if pirates weren't the kind to stumble upon rare and magical things every once in a while. She knew rumors of where some of the items that were requested laid, but getting them was another thing entirely.

Before she could force herself back into the ball room. A woman strode into the hallway. Emma's heart stopped.

Could this day get any better?

Her mother was in near tears, staring out the window. Emma wanted to walk over and embrace her mother, stop the woman's tears and console her for whatever was making her cry. Part of Emma knew why Snow White was crying, and part of her ignored the reason freciously. Emma stood shock still until the woman finally noticed her, both of them jumped once Snow laid eyes on her.

"I'm sorry," both of them blurted out at the same time. There was a silence before Snow smiled, her happy look masking the tears that were brewing in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone would be out here," Snow explained in her kind tone, "I could leave-"

"No!" Emma blurted out, startling the woman. She cursed herself inwardly before coughing, and speaking more softly, "No. If anyone should be leaving, it's me. I was just about to join the others."

Snow White's eyebrows came together, a thoughtful look and a barest flash of faded familiarity shone in her eyes. Emma bit the inside of her mouth. Of course her mother would recognize her voice, it had only been a year after all. The woman studied for a bit longer, but quickly spoke as Emma went to move away, "Ha...have we met before? I swear I recognize you?"

Emma chuckled, the sound a bit lower than her normal laugh. Oh, sweet cruelty. She had just agreed to not reveal herself to her mother, lest the man she...was fond of, would be murdered. "I know of you, milady," Emma cursteoyed slightly, "you are Snow White, oh. Sorry, Queen Snow."

Snow smiled, "No need for formalities...we are all party goers, and all hidden away in masks."

"Is that why you haven't asked me what my name is?" Emma asked softly, wanting so badly to say her name. Blurt it out and see the recognization and relief on her mothers face. See tears of joy instead of tears of pain before the woman embraced her. She hadn't had a family, a true family she corrected herself, in the longest time. She couldn't even remember the last time she had hugged someone. The last time she had seen her mother was while she was being taken. When both her parents had swords up against the mercenaries defending the carriage along with the knights.

Snow laughed softly, "You just remind me of someone."

"Who?"

"My daughter," Snow's laugh was sader this time and she reached up and touched the corner of her eyes. A sniffle breaking through as she apologized for crying. Emma stepped forwards, and placed a hand on Snow's arm. Keeping her eyes averted. Only royalty were suppose to look into the eyes of other royalty. "I know you are not her, perhaps it would be better if I knew your name...that way I can stop deluding myself."

"Amelia," a voice broke off as someone entered the hall. Emma jumped slightly and looked over. Seeing Killian's blue eyes peering through the mask. "There you ar-" He stopped, eyes landing on Snow White's form in surprise. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked, eyes flickering between the two woman. Snow looked over before swallowing thickly.

"No, I am sorry," Snow forced a smile to the two of them before looking at 'Amelia'. "Please do not think ill of me, I should have better composed myself."

"No," Emma said firmly, "A mother has the right to cry over her daughter. I could never think ill of a woman like that."

Her words startled both of them, but Snow gave her a warm smile. "Thank you, will you be staying long?"

Emma glanced at Killian, a silent question in her eyes. Killian walked over. "We just got a message, Henry is missing us. We shouldn't stay too long."

She nodded her head. Snow White looked slightly surprised, "Your son?" she asked tentively. Killian nodded, a bright smile on his face.

"We left him with his uncle, but the poor lad doesn't like to be away from us for long."

Emma nodded her agreement, "We will leave as soon as it's poliete to-"

"You can leave whenever you wish," Snow interrupted, reaching for her hand and squeezing it, "Your family is more important than any silly ball."

"I shall arrange for the carriage, I will wait at the staircase, do not be long, love." Killian bowed towards the queen before striding back towards the ballroom. As soon as he left Snow turned to her.

"I won't keep you any longer, Amelia," Snow said softly, "but if I may be so bold to ask...how did you and that man meet?"

"Someone took something very important from me, and he helped me get it back," Emma said, even though it wasn't exactly the truth. People did take something important from her, her family. Or rather, took her from her family. He had been helping her get her family back, and by doing so gave her a new family. Not that it could replace her old family, but it still warmed her heart.

Snow smiled, "You two love each other very much, I can see it in your eyes. You are a lucky woman, not a lot of people find their True Love," it was such a simple comment in Snow's eyes, but it still hit Emma like a ton of bricks. The woman didn't seem to notice Emma's shock because she just squeezed her hand again before letting it go. Emma immediately missed the warmth but Snow's ever lasting smile stayed on, "I hope to see you at future balls." The Queen headed towards the door, leaving a shocked Emma standing in the center of the hall alone.

"I hope you get your daughter back," Emma blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Me too," Snow murmured softly.

Emma climbed out of the carriage near the docks, glad that Killian had ordered for the carriage to deliever them closer to the docks. Her feet were already killing her from the heels she wore. She wanted to change back into her normal outfit and curl up on her bunk and fall asleep to the soothing sway of the ship. It wasn't the physical exhertion that was making her so exhausted, by the pure emotion she had felt crammed into a few hours was too much for her. Killian steadied her as she stumbled in her heels, cursing before she finally kicked them off, deciding that walking barefoot would be better.

"Where'd you get the name Henry?" Emma asked after she collected her heels. Killian offered a smile.

"Peg's actually name is Henry, love." Emma gave him an incredously look, opening her mouth to ask him why the boy didn't just use his normal name, but he cut her off, further explaining, "Peg is short for Pegasus, and Pegasus is...well was a magical horse able to fly and travel to different realms. Henry can't use his actual name at ports because his mother is a powerful woman who...well tried to keep him locked up and hidden from the world. So, the lad came up with Pegasus, but Pegasus isn't exactly a...pirate name. So. Peg."

She studied him before setting a furious scowl at him. "You're keeping a mother away from her son?"

"On the lad's request and for his own sake. Lest he turn out like the bitch of his mother."

A thought washed over Emma's mind and she stepped away, holding a hand up. "Whoa, whoa. Wait. Is he your?"

Killian laughed sharply, "Never in a million years would I lay hands on that woman. I did not father Henry. There may be one or two child I have fathered, but..." he shrugged his shoulder, Emma glared at him, "I found out something very interesting at the ball."

Emma tensed but Killian's eyes were too excited, and she knew the conversation regarding Henry and children was over. "I think there may be a way to procure a magical bean."

That spiked Emma's curiousity and she urged him to continue. He explained how a noble had told him about a beanstalk and the golden compass that could be given to the giant in exchange for the bean. It was a little out of their way, just past her kingdom. He suddenly cut himself off at the mention of her kingdom. "I shouldn't have said anything," he muttered, "Now it sounds like I am trying to bribe you into staying."

Emma grabbed his arm, "I wasn't leave, but tell me. You need the gold compass first, right?"

Killian looked stuck between two emotions, relief and irritation. "Of course I need the bloody compass, but it's a long term goa-"

"Think short term. I have the compass, the mercenaries had it. Looked nice," Emma shrugged at the look he gave her.

"You're bloody amazing lass," he praised, sincerity in his voice and on his face. He leaned down and pressed his lips hungrily against hers.