I am posting this curled up in a ball with my wine and ice cream. It's going to be a long three months. Kudos to Colin and JMo for making me wail like a baby over a television show. Great job to both of them! Now on to the Underworld!

But first, here is a new chapter of this story. A little more Captain Swan fluffiness, some beginning bromance, and magic.

Emma was sure that even with her limited experience with men – Baelfire being the only serious suitor she'd had – that something had changed between her and Killian in the garden. For a moment she allowed herself to believe that there was a chance, a possibility that they could slip seamlessly into something that might even resemble love. It was a strong idea, but one that made those voices in her head doubt herself. It was simply a kiss, a wonderful one that her lips still tingled from with glee, but not a declaration of undying love or a promise of anything more.

Still she proved herself for a moment to be her mother's daughter, basking in hope when he sat next to her at dinner. When his handless arm managed to drag along her thigh under the table, she practically jumped up and demanded to know what he was thinking. However, one look at his smirk told her he was at least trying to reciprocate what she was feeling. And when as a group everyone gathered in the parlor for an evening drink, she caught him staring at a painting of the pond where they had kissed.

"You look very far away," she commented, pulling the empty cup from his hand. "Is something wrong?"

"Not a bit," he said, still not turning from the painting. "You remind me of them, you know."

It was her turn to be confused and befuddled by his statement. "I'm sure I don't," she responded.

"A swan. You're beautiful and elegant just as they are, Emma, but it is more than that. I think of how determined and feisty they are when you and the lads were feeding them. That is you too. Protective and wild over the things you love. I find it an apt comparison."

To her relief her parents were not too worried over her, as she and Elsa sat with Killian and traded bits of stories about funny occurrences and the like. Elsa laughed much more demurely, covering her mouth with her hand as she did. Emma let loose a bit more, her head falling back and mouth wide as Killian told of his brother's attempt to fish and his own soft heart throwing the fish back into the water just moments after Liam had caught them.

"I should retire," Killian said after the evening meal was complete and most everyone else had already disappeared into the different nooks and crannies of the palace. Red and Snow were still awake and busily chatting on the other side of the parlor room. While he could not hear their words, he was sure that the conversation was something to do with Emma since they continually steal glances at her. The dwarfs had managed to scope out a set of rooms for themselves. Regina was already upstairs, but Robin and David are discussing something over a map in another corner. Since Elsa and Granny disappeared a full hour before with claims of sleepiness, that left Killian and Emma sitting upon the chaise there by the darkened windows.

"I suppose we both should," she said reluctantly. She had not mentioned the kisses shared in the garden and neither had he, but every so often she would let her eyes linger on his full lips and wonder if he was thinking the same things. "I don't want to say good night though."

Despite her words, she did not sound like a petulant child. Instead, she was quite sincere as she blinked back at him. "I am reluctant as well," he admitted. "I might have asked you for permission to kiss you good night, but I suppose we have already done that this evening."

She tried to ignore the next look from her mother and give the woman nothing to fret over as she turned her face from Killian to the fireplace. "I wouldn't mind more."

"Greedy?" he asked, his tone teasing. "One would expect such from a princess." There it was, the reminder that she was ranked above him and in his eyes unattainable. Yet, she was sure that for a moment he forgot that in the garden.

"I doubt my parents would appreciate the gesture though."

"Aye, that might be the final blow for me. Perhaps that is your plan though, now that I think about it. You are like a bloody siren, beckoning me toward certain death. Only it will not be my ship crushed on the rocks of the shore, but your father slicing through my neck with a hangman's noose." He had whispered this to her, his breath blowing her hair though he appeared to looking over her shoulder in case anyone were to take heed of him. "And I am walking right into the trap."

Her bottom lip protruded out. "You are walking into a trap?" she repeated as if his words had been hard to understand. "I dare say you have been pulling me close only to turn and run the other direction since we met."

"For my protection as well as yours," he insisted.

"Speaking of that protection," she said as he stood up with the intention of going upstairs. "My father told you the plan to hold a ball in Elsa's honor."

"Aye, seems he thinks I should be in disguise for it." Killian shot the King a bemused expression before turning his attention back to Emma. "I shall be a prince from tale of it. I am not sure from where, but it should make for an interesting ruse."

Perhaps it was the fact that she had told him of her deepest secret that afternoon that made her feel so light and almost free. Or perhaps it was something else. Either way, she was almost giddy with the new knowledge that Killian was planning to attend the ball. She had wondered if he was going to sway in the direction of the adventure of retrieving the dagger. But he had simply said he would rather be close at hand so that he might protect her. "Maybe we could even dance at the ball?" she asked, a wave of apprehension rolling over her and quickly replaced as she saw delight in his expression.

"I would like nothing more," he admitted without the hint of his own insecurity shining through. She had worried a bit that he might think himself not a good enough dancer or without proper instruction. But he had told her once that his naval career had included such lessons. Then that familiar refrain of doubt crept back into his voice. "But it might not be well received."

"What is to worry about?" she asked. "It is quite proper for a prince to ask a princess to dance."

***AAA***

"You're sure this is a good idea?" David whispered to Snow as they stood watching their daughter follow the Blue Fairy's instructions to remove the block to Regina's powers. "She could turn us all into toads in less than five minutes."

"We won't know until we try," Snow hissed back, smiling again at a proud Robin who watched from the other end of the table. "I do think her concern over Henry is genuine. And I just have to pray she has learned her lesson of restraint when it comes to dark magic."

"I hope you're right," David mumbled back. A king, as with any leader, was only as good as the people he surrounded himself with to succeed. So far in this particular trial, he found himself lacking trust. He had, in addition to his wife, a pirate, a formerly homicidal queen, a thief who had turned nobleman for said queen, some dwarfs, another queen who sometimes lost control of her magical powers and froze things, two aging werewolves, and his daughter who was a bit of a magical novice. It was not the invincible army that he would have hoped to march into battle with the Dark One.

"And can I ask why you are trying to draw the Dark One here by throwing a ball? Don't you realize that takes months to plan, weeks if we really concentrate? And you have this scheduled to happen this week. Half of the society won't make it here in time for it." Snow let her smile fade away momentarily to glower at her husband. She wasn't trying to make it about herself but she had already considered the fact that she did not even have a gown yet made for the event. He would tell her that any in her wardrobe would do, a fact that he could not understand the necessity of uniqueness for such an event.

"Each day that the Dark One stays away has been a blessing, but it is borrowed time. We must capture his dagger and take back the control of this situation."

The process of removing one's magical barriers seemed longer than the spell to bind Regina, but the small crowd that had gathered to watch was patient. It had not escaped David's attention that Killian was watching Emma with an unabashed admiration and almost pride as the blonde princess recited the incantation and moved her hands gracefully through different motions. Much to his dismay, Emma's focus on the task appeared to wane at moments when she locked eyes with the man. Snow had merely rolled her eyes when he pointed that development out to her. "What did you expect?" she said through the clenched teeth of a smile she bestowed upon Elsa. "Our daughter invited the man here. Did you really think she did so simply because he was a good sailor? She has a crush, David."

The very thought made David feel ill, especially when his wife so easily dismissed his fears as ridiculous. She even told him he was silly to think that Killian would not return those same amorous feelings. "She's a beautiful princess, David. Which man with his senses would not be intrigued and smitten by her?"

"I shall have a talk with him," David decided then and there a bit louder than he had meant to be, earning a firm look from Elsa.

"After this mess is dealt with," Snow hissed back. "Emma has enough to worry about with her magic and defeating the Dark One to have to suffer a broken heart at the same time."

The royal couple settled back into the silence of the other observers, appreciating the quiet confidence of their daughter. When she hovered her hands above Regina's wrist, a warm white and almost golden glow emanated from her fingertips and even the usually dour former queen smiled. "There," Emma said somewhat triumphantly. "I think that should do it."

"Do you feel any different?" Robin asked hurriedly. "Do you think it worked?"

"Only one way to find out," Emma said, taking two large steps backwards and folding the paper with the incantation written on it. "Try something."

Regina rubbed her hands together as if trying to warm them. "I think it did work," she said, lacing her fingers together. Extending them out, she drew them back in as if she were going to pitch a ball.

"Something benign and harmless please," David said, drawing a bit of a chuckle from Killian who was watching with an eyebrow cocked and an amused smile on his face.

Regina's sour expression did not change as she stared at her right hand until a ball of fire suddenly appeared. Spinning so quickly that her dress snapped to catch up with her, she threw the fire into the cavernous and cold fireplace behind her. Suddenly it and the room were ablaze in the golden light that outshone the dimmer light of the sun through the thick windows. A conquering grin pierced the woman's face as she turned back to Emma and bowed her head slightly. "It appears that the princess is getting a bit better at following instructions."

"She is fantastic," Elsa said, showing a bit more emotion than normal. Embracing her friend, Elsa whispered to her that she had done the right thing. Just before the group had convened to do so, Emma had wavered a bit in her decision to trust her mother's former stepmother. While not able to offer Emma a firm backing of her decision, Elsa had listened and calmly said that she would be there to weather the storm of whatever happened with Regina.

"Bloody brilliant," Killian echoed from a few feet away as Red nodded emphatically. "Quite a long spell for the effort."

Regina accepted an embrace from her husband before turning to face Emma. "You are doing much better, but you're still an amateur."

"One that managed to return your magic without harming you at all," Emma said haughtily, anger that the woman could not bother to show any sign that she was thankful. "And I haven't heard a word of gratitude yet." Gathering her skirts into her clenched hands, Emma moved past her parents and into the hallway to be joined by Elsa and Killian before the woman had a chance to mutter what the Princess would interpret as an insincere thank you.

"You did the right thing, love," Killian said when he caught up with her. His eyes scanned her face, responding to the insecurity and doubt he clearly saw. "There is no dishonor in acknowledging that you will be stronger for her help in facing the Crocodile, darling."

"Killian's right," Elsa agreed, placing a cold hand on Emma's shoulder. The mere act made Emma jump and stare at her friend. "I'm sorry. I guess I was so worried that this would be a more difficult task that I allowed my emotions to get the better of me." She jerked back her hands. "I'll retrieve my gloves."

The soft way that Elsa walked away was not lost on Emma, who realized she was again alone with Killian. She pushed herself onto the balls of her feet and wound her arms over his shoulders. "Thank you," she said gently. "You always make me feel as though I am in control of my magic."

He knew better, but still his arms coiled around her waist, his forehead dropping to hers. "You are most welcome, love, but I don't believe I had anything to do with that. You are brilliant, a true gift."

It would have not taken much for her to brush her lips against his again, felt the way his mouth yielded to her as if he had been waiting forever for such a gentle movement. However, her parents and others were on the other side of the wall. So she reluctantly pulled her head back, though her fingers remained interlocked at the nape of his neck. "We need to discuss this," she said.

"Aye," he agreed. "I don't think that your father would appreciate my show of appreciation here."

Her head tilted to the right as though she might not have heard him correctly. "Appreciation?"

His eyes shut dramatically and his head lolled back as though he was fighting something. The short hair on the back of his head tickled her locked hands. "Darling, as much as I would love to explain myself and my admiration of you, I think we should not press our luck at the juncture." In a single move, he stepped back from her, his right hand closing around her left forearm and pulling lightly so she let go of him. Before he loosened his grip, he slid his hand to her wrist, bringing her knuckles up to his lips. "But we will have this discussion later."

***AAA***

Even David had to admit that the way Killian sat astride the horse was impressive for someone of common birth. He appeared quite relaxed with the exception of a slight twitch in his finger that gave away his nervous tendency.

"I gather that you have not been this far inland," Robin said, his own grip of the reigns slack. "It's beautiful country."

"I wasn't born at sea, mate," Killian jokingly protested. "I have traveled far and wide in my days." It was not a lie, only an omission of just how many days those were.

The three men had set out just after lunch to scope the route to where the Dark One had hidden his home. Borrowing clothes from some of the staff, the three appeared to be ordinary men out for a hunt. They had even elected to take the horses that were not decorated with the royal insignia so that their cover would not be blown to any who might have come across them.

"How did you come across this map anyway?" Robin asked, trying to fill the silence that seemed to be growing between David and Killian. "My men and I frequented these woods for many years and never heard tale that he was near."

"I employ a man whose sole mission in life is to find the impossible," Killian said. "He was able to procure this map just before the Princess returned home. I was in the process of planning my attack when I received word from her that she was in need of my assistance. Then I learned that our goal was similar so I chose to share it with her." It was an abbreviated version of the truth, but Robin nodded along with agreement.

"A good woman will do that," Robin said knowingly. "She'll always get a man to change his plans or his course of direction. We don't complain though, as making a beautiful woman smile will make us most agreeable to anything." He laughed to himself, trying to drown out the King's uncomfortable sigh. Robin's reaction was to blabber on about his own experiences, something about men named Little John and Will. If he noticed that the King was not listening, he did not seem to mind it.

"And after we succeed?" David asked, his horse falling into synchronized step with Killian's. "Back to pirating? Or do you plan to set up housekeeping some place."

The pirate smirked a bit his hook resting on the saddle horn and his hand gently guiding the reigns of the horse along the path. "I have not settled on that yet," Killian answered, biting the inside of his cheek. It would be easy to say that his thoughts of the future were now consumed with the idea of a blonde princess, but that would not go over well with David. He'd been doing relatively well holding her at bay, but something had made her feel bolder. Her kissing him in front of that pond had practically been his breaking point, her body soft in his arms and her tiny mewls of pleasure making him dream impossible things. He had hoped that he would find himself becoming less interested, but the opposite was true. She was the single most intriguing woman he had ever met. And for some unknown reason, she seemed to be just as intrigued by him. So with that realization came the decline in his defenses. He found himself making comments that only she could hear, finding excuses to touch her, and even imagining a life where he could be the one who made her happy. It made him feel warm and foolish at the same time, giddy and clumsy around her like he was about to say or do the wrong thing. That was not the sort of thing you told a father, let alone a king.

"And these men of yours do what now that you are tied up with the former queen?" Killian asked, hoping to move the topic back to the man most willing to talk. It did work for a moment as Robin explained the Merry Men and their brotherhood.

"Sounds as though they may be of some assistance on this," Killian noted, feeling the swish of the King riding faster and passing him as the path widened out. Thankfully there stood Red and Granny, who had already scouted ahead of them by foot. The two women looked somewhat smug as they held their somewhat tattered cloaks about themselves and smiled pleasantly enough. A basket sat on the crook of Red's arm and the older woman carried with her a sack over her shoulder.

The men dismounted their horses, ground tying them before joining the two women. "Any sight of it?" David asked when Granny criticized the color of his pants as impractical for riding a horse.

"The Captain probably knows better," Red said tilting her head in the general direction of the clearing but look just there beyond the tree line. You can sort of make out the indentation of a structure in the grass."

"Aye," Killian said, taking two steps in that direction. "You certainly can." He felt that familiar drum of pleasure of closing in on his target and prey. The hum of the anticipation was stronger as he stooped to avoid a low hanging branch. Then, just as suddenly as it been there, the electrical shock radiate through his body and threw him backwards toward the group.

"Captain," Robin yelled, trailing behind Red as she kneeled beside the reclined pirate. "Are you alright?" Red was pushing back a bit of Killian's hair, checking for any sign of injury as David stepped closer to the spot where Killian had stood.

"David, are you mad?" Granny yelled at him. Something sent that boy flying like a deranged bird into the underbrush. Your royal status wouldn't keep you from breaking your neck." She pushed the wire glasses up farther on her nose and clicked her tongue on the top of her mouth.

The King turned abruptly. "What the hell is this? Some sort of…"

"Protection spell," Red stated emphatically. She dropped herself to sitting on the ground, pushing her hand lightly on Killian's shoulder as if to scold him. "Hiding his lair isn't enough. He wants to really keep people out."

"Couldn't he have just tried a fence or something?" Robin mused with a quick run of his hand through his hair. "This does seem a bit extreme."

***AAA***

With her tutors Emma had been a studious and serious student, always reading ahead and trying to make sense of the worth with whatever truths they had taught her. Whether studying languages and mathematics or riding and dancing, the Princess had devoured the new information like food. She'd had no other students to bond with over the information. So to study magic under Regina that afternoon seemed a bit odd with Elsa by her side.

Regina was not exactly a natural at teaching, as the former queen lost her patience more often than not. "This isn't a game," she said bitterly to Elsa who had created more snowflakes than fire balls. "What are you hoping? The Dark One will hit a patch of ice and slip?"

Elsa squared off her shoulders, casting a disparaging look on Regina. "I'm quite sure that this type of magic has served you well, but it is not for me. In case you don't realize it, fire and ice rarely produce good results. One always defeats the other."

In a show of sympathy, Emma produced the next ball of fire and ignited the stick that Regina had placed as the target. "Elsa's right. Wouldn't it make more sense for the three of us to have varying powers? It might take him by surprise."

"Princess," Regina said coldly. "Despite what your parents think, there is no surprising the Dark One. He knows all. We must…"

"If there is no surprising him, then there is no point in this," Elsa interrupted. Her dress practically crackled with energy as she whipped around to head to the door. "I'll be in my room."

Before the queen could take another step a large flame erupted and soared by her head, the warmth of it making her porcelain complexion warm and turn pink. The exit to which she had been headed roared with untamed fire and Emma gasped at the sight of her home now becoming engulfed in the flames of Regina's magic. Unfazed by the sight of the inferno, Elsa raised her arms out in front of her, parallel to the floor. Her fingers wiggled slightly as she extended one arm more than the other, creating a semicircle of ice over the arch of the door.

Turning to look at Regina and a horrified Emma, Elsa smirked, knowing exactly what would happen. The ice began to melt at a rapid pace and the water squelched the flames that had blocked her way. Once extinguished the fire had left no signs of damage to the aged wood.

"Our magic is different," Elsa clarified. "One is not better than the other. They simply are at cross purposes." Without waiting for a reply, she continued her regal walk out the door and down the hallway away from her friend and the former queen.

Emma's hands shook as she watched Regina regain her composure. "Elsa's not usually like that," she said, making the excuse. "She's good natured and a bit sullen, but she's never spiteful or rude."

"She is not a concern," Regina said, her lips thinning as she inhaled sharply through her nose. "Let's get back to this, shall we?"

Emma nodded reluctantly, knowing that she needed to be ready for this. "I suppose so."

"You've already proven that you are adept at glamor spells, but what about protective ones?" Her chocolate eyes scanned the room until she found something appropriate. A small wooden box sat on the mantle of the fireplace, a trinket from her parents' honeymoon where David had given his young bride a piece of jewelry in it. "This will do nicely." Slamming it to the center of the table she gestured toward it. "Concentrate on it, Emma. Imagine a dome or lid over it. Your magic must surround it. Protect it from intruders."

Emma felt silly to imagine such things. "I'm not sure," she said hesitantly.

"No," Regina grimaced. "You have to stop doubting. Believe in yourself. Believe you can do it. It is the only way."

Please let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!