I own nothing except my delusions.

A month had passed since they left Port Bonnet. The crew had finally began to relax, and the schedule returned to normal. Emma was near completely healed, only occasionally walking with a slight limp. She was thankful that Killian no longer had the late nights out on deck, happy he was finally getting more rest. Her own sleep had improved. After a few more nightmares, she began sharing the small bunk with Killian, both having discovered that he kept her nightmares away. The intimacy of sharing a bed with Killian should have scared Emma, but she welcomed it. She loved waking up being held by him every morning, knowing that she was safe and protected. She had still returned to the deck on many of the nights, where Killian would continue to teach her the constellations and navigation. Everything had become routine.

She had continued with her lessons in fighting, now not only sparring with Killian, but other members of the crew. Her partners varied, making her constantly have to adapt to new opponents. She learned quickly, seeing the different ways the men fought. Byrne favored speed while Murphy and Lewis favored power, using their tall frames to their advantage. Killian would still occasionally step in, showing her different ways she could get the upper hand. Always after a match, she would see him looking at her with a look of pride, even if she lost, which was happening less.

The crew sat by in a loose semicircle around the deck as Emma stood with her cutlass ready as Curry moved around her, looking for an opening. He fought in a similar style to Killian, using both speed and power, but was rougher in his movements. Nevertheless, he was still a formidable opponent.

He feinted to the left, Emma easily blocking him before striking out, causing him to retreat. Taking control, Emma moved him towards one of the loose boards on the deck. With one final swipe, Curry stepped backwards onto the board, causing it to shift under his weight, his foot falling into the gap.

As he stumbled for balance, the crew laughed, McCullen's roaring laughter ringing out over them all. Curry fell backwards, his sword fallen, completely at Emma's mercy. She held her own sword to his throat before pulling him away, offering him help up while giving him a cheeky smile.

Standing, Curry brushed himself off and picked up his fallen sword before looking at McCullen, who was still laughing.

"You told her to get me to step on that board, didn't you?" he asked accusingly, but his expression gave away his own amusement.

McCullen laughed. "Maybe. With how I look at it, she just put you out of your misery faster than if you hadn't stepped there. Besides, it's not her fault you didn't watch where you were going."

Curry gave him a mock glare.

"Everyone knows about that plank, mate," Killian said, chuckling. "It's fair game. And she's a natural."

He turned to Emma, flashing her an amused smile. Emma grinned, her own amusement peeking through.

Curry grumbled at McCullen before he turned back to Emma, mirth in his eyes. He raised his sword. "Again?"

Before she could respond, a bird called overhead, moving to land on one of the barrels away from the crew towards the quarterdeck. Emma approached it curiously, seeing the pure white dove resting, staring up at her. As she came closer, she saw the letter attached to it with her name on it. Untying the letter, the dove gave her one last cursory glance before flying off.

Emma stared down at the letter, knowing her mother had sent it. Though she was happy to finally hear from her family, she was nervous about what it would say. Holding the letter in her hands, she turned back to see the crew watching her curiously. She came closer, looking over at Killian.

"It's a letter from my mother," she told him.

He nodded, giving her a small smile, tilting his head toward where the captain's cabin was. "Go on. That's more important."

She returned with a small smile of her own. "I'll be back up soon." She looked over at Curry. "We'll have our rematch later."

"Aye, that's fine by me, Emma," he said with a grin. He turned to Murphy. "Murphy, come over here!"

Emma rolled her eyes, chuckling to herself at them as she climbed down the hatch. She passed by Lir, stopping just for a moment to scratch behind his ears. The cat purred contently before going off, leaving Emma to continue on her way to the cabin. She entered and closed the door behind her, stopping at the mirror to study her reflection.

The bruising had completely faded, returning Emma back to her fair complexion. Her cheeked were flushed from the fight. Her green eyes glittered, their color standing out due to the crimson silk dress she wore, but she suspected that that had less to do with her sparring and more with how happy she'd been, especially with finally admitting to herself that she loved Killian. She just hadn't admitted it to anyone else.

Some of her hair had fallen free from her braid, so she pulled the ribbon, letting it fall loose over her shoulders. She studied herself, noticing all the changes. Her dress was the same red shade she had first worn on The Jolly Roger, the skirt was similar to her blue one, but this one lacked the blouse underneath the bodice, with the sleeves exposing her pale shoulders. She remembered the first time Killian had seen her wear it, knowing from his expression he liked it. She smiled at the memory, touching the swan pendant that still hung around her neck.

She turned away, moving toward the armchair that had been moved back to its old spot. Settling into it, she took a breath as she opened the letter.

Emma,

I cannot express the relief your father and I feel at hearing you're alive. Regina has been helping us try to find you, she and your brother have been worried.

Emma, how can you trust them, especially the captain? They're pirates. They kidnapped you. They are dangerous, especially Hook. They can't be trusted. What ever they've said, they've been manipulating you.

Why would you decide to stay there? What would make you stay with them?

You have your duty to your kingdom. Please, if you really do have the choice, come home. We miss you, and just want you back. You belong here, with us.

Snow White

Emma felt all of the air leave her lungs as she read the letter. She knew her parents would want her to return, but she hadn't expected her mother to so brazenly question her as she did. It stung, to know her own mother though that she was so easily manipulated.

She looked at the parchment, rereading her mother's words. The words began to blur together as she stared at it, but their meaning still ran through her. She didn't know how long she sat in the chair, staring at the letter, until the hatch for the cabin opened.

"Swan?" Killian's voice called from up above.

She jerked out of her stupor, noticing that the sun had began its decent, the sky tinging orange. She shook herself, wiping away the tears she hadn't noticed she'd shed, looking at the door.

"Yeah?" she answered.

"Can I come in?" he asked her.

"Yeah," she said, just loud enough for him to hear.

Killian decended the steep staircase, entering the cabin, and immediately noticed Emma's state. His voice was laced with concered. "Emma, what's wrong? When you didn't come back up, I started to worry."

She looked down at the letter, swallowing. "I was right. It's a letter from my mother."

He gave her a confused look. "And is that a bad thing?"

She looked up at him, holding out the letter for him. He hesitantly took it from her, giving her an unsure look. She nodded, telling him it was all right.

He quickly read it, his expression becoming more troubled as he read. Finishing, he handed her back the letter. Emma placed it on the desk, not wanting to look at it anymore.

"Your parents want you to return home," he said.

She nodded. "Yeah."

He sighed, coming closer to her to wipe away her remaining tears with the pad of his thumb. "Emma, if you wish to return, you're free to leave when ever you want. I will not keep you here if you wish otherwise."

Emma released a shaky breath. "I know. And I told my mother that."

Killian was quiet for a moment as he watched her, trying to read her. When he spoke, his voice was quiet. "Emma? Why did you choose to stay?"

She looked up at him, seeing his blue eyes filled with concern, warmth, and love as he gave her a small encouraging smile. She quickly assessed her options. She could make up something, say she wanted to run. Or, she could tell him the truth. Taking a deep breath, she made her decision.

"Because I love you," Emma told him.

Killian released a breath, reaching down so that she could take his hand so he could pull her up. She stood, moving so that she was pressed against him, his arm gently wrapping around her waist as his hand reached to caress her face, his thumb sliding along her jaw. She wrapped one arm around his shoulders while she rested her hand over his cheek, feeling his stubble under her fingers. He held her gaze before leaning down, Emma meeting him half way, their lips pressing together.

They both felt a sense of warmth spread through them as their lips melded together, like a flame had been ignited between them. The kiss was sweet, speaking of their love and desire as they drank each other in. Killian gently stroked her jaw as Emma moved her hand to card through his dark hair, pulling each other impossibly closer. Emma felt nothing but bliss and her love for him, all of the feelings for him she'd been fighting for so long bursting forth, her heart swelling as she felt a sense of belonging there in his arms, that everything was right.

When the kiss finally ended, they pressed their foreheads together, breathing each other in.

Killian continued to caress along her jaw as they held each other close. His voice was filled with love. "I love you, too."

Emma couldn't help smiling as she leaned forward to kiss him again, all of her past worries forgotten. They both smiled into the kiss, unable to contain their happiness.

Finally breaking away, Killian opened his eyes, looking at Emma, looking as if he was wondering how he'd gotten so lucky.

He chuckled when he heard her stomach growl. "We should probably go get our supper, then we can return here."

She nodded at him. "That sounds good."

Instead of linking their arms, they reached for each others hands, interlocking their fingers together. Neither could help the smiles on their faces as they made their way through the ship to the galley. Quickly retrieving their food, ignoring McCullen's suspicious glance, they went back, Emma holding on to his hook on their return trip.

They ate dinner as their light moods permeated the cabin, the letter forgotten as they basked in the warmth of realizing the other's love.

"I think I always knew," she told him as they sat at their table. "The pull I felt in Port Rackham, I think it was back to you."

Killian flashed her a smile. "Aye. I felt like something was pulling me when you left. Like some part of me went away with you."

Emma gave him a sheepish smile. "Now what do we do?"

"Well, that's just as much up to you as it is me," he told her genuinely.

"Do we say anything?" she asked.

He considered her question, a small smirk on his face. "I think the crew already has their suspicions. Curry actually asked me before about it before. So, we don't have to say anything unless you want to."

"Well, if that's the case, then," she replied. Her expression grew nervous. "Will things be different now?"

"No," he responded immediately. "Nothing's gonna change if we're together. If that's what you want."

Emma smiled, knowing her answer. "It is."

Killian returned her smile, his love and joy shining in his eyes as he looked at her. Emma had never seen him look so happy. She herself couldn't think of a time she was this happy.

The hour grew later, the cabin's only light provided by the few candles that illuminated it. Killian glanced over at the bed.

He surprised Emma when his voice was slightly unsure. "Swan, would you like me to move tonight, or at least take the chair?"

"Why?" she asked him.

He scratched befind his ear as he spoke. "I don't want you to feel like I'm pushing you into anything."

Emma gave him a soft look. "You're not. I'm fine, and I actually like sleeping by you."

She thought she saw his cheeks redden in the low light. She smiled, the pirate captain who constantly touted innuendos had a soft side, something she sensed only she got to see.

They rose, moving to the bunk and prepared for bed. Emma doused the flames of the candles before laying beside him, chastely pressing her lips to his. He eagerly returned her kiss.

"I love you," she whispered, laying to rest her head over Killian's heart as his arms wrapped around her.

His arms tightened around her as he kissed her head as they began to drift off to sleep. "I love you, too."

Emma fell asleep with a smile on her lips.

Authors Note: First off, no, I did not plan for this to be released right before Valentine's Day. This just happens to be the week this chapter gets posted on. My beta found the coincidence very amusing.

Second, I'm nearing the end of writing this fic, which has turned out much longer than I expected. So, since I am so close to finishing, and to avoid updating this fic over the course of over a year, I've decided that instead of posting once a week, I will begin posting twice a week instead. So starting on Monday, I will be updating every Monday and Thursday.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

Teaser: She chuckled in agreement. "Albiet a violent one."

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