Despite countless pushups the night before, Killian's fighting spirit is still around the next morning, and August is going stir-crazy with all the other guys' chatter. Regina relents to going out to the beach, although I think it's mostly so everyone will stop talking to her.

"You going to come in and catch me, Emma?" Asks Killian.

"Killian." Admonishes Regina.

"You know I wouldn't drag her down, Regina. Especially with you keeping an eye on her." He says.

He gives an exaggerated wink and I clear my throat, not entirely sure if Killian's implying what I think he is. Regina merely rolls her eyes, but when her gaze catches mine, I sneak a smile her way.

(It's hard not to stare at her. I'm going to get busted at some point.)

"To freedom!" He exclaims.

I yelp as Killian dives into the water and kicks, hitting August in the face, who groans.

"Dude, come on!" August sings out.

"Don't just sit there. Help me catch him before he goes out to the middle of the ocean." I say.

August just frowns, but thankfully Neal and Graham strip off their shirts and dash right into the ocean, yelling and trying to catch Killian's attention. I wade in slowly, remembering the last time I went into the water for Regina, and swallow past a knot in my throat.

(She didn't tell me to strip this time, though … Not that I'd mind that in another context.)

"Killian! Come and play in the water with us! You can go swimming later!" I shout.

"We'll get a good game going if you're with us, Killian." Adds Graham.

"Eh?" Killian calls for.

He stops kicking and stands up in the water, already up to his neck. I let out a sigh of relief when Killian starts walking back our way, cheered on by Neal and Graham.

(Which is super weird. But at least they're getting along.)

"What kind of game are you talking about?" Asks the captain.

"One you'll want to win. Splash fight!" Yells Neal.

Neal slams his hand down against the surface of the ocean, sending a jet of water flying right towards Killian's face. He counters with a growl, splashing right back with both hands, and gets a retaliatory splash from Graham for his trouble.

(Oh boy. As long as they're having fun, I'm not going to interfere.)

I step back out onto the beach, skirt clinging to my legs as I join Regina on the sand. August is still sitting far from everyone, tinkering with Hope and ignoring the loud splash war going on right in front of him.

"Men, am I right?" I say.

Regina lets out a huff of laughter, soft but enough to draw a warm smile to her lips.

(Yes! I'm getting better at that.)

"They'll be a lot easier to handle if they're worn out. I can't do a lot of hunting for a cure if we're constantly chasing someone down." She replies.

"I'll just start making up sports if they run out of ideas." I adds.

"Sounds like a plan."

"What about us? Are we going to stand on the beach all day?" I ask.

"I can come up with something for you to do if you're that bored, Emma."

(And my mind's dropped into the gutter in three, two, one …)

It takes a while for the guys to tucker out, but eventually they wade back to shore, picking up their shirts and shaking them to try and knock off all the sand.

"I'm starving. Can we get out of here?" Inquires August.

"He's got the right idea. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse and chase the jockey." Answers Killian.

"Same here. And a meal is always better shared between friends." Replies Graham.

"Emma, you coming with?" Requests Neal.

"Come on, Regina! Get the lead out." Says Killian.

I look Regina's way and catch a minute shake of her head. When she doesn't budge, I turn my attention back to the guys and smile.

"You go on ahead. We'll catch up." I reply.

(If there's a reason she wants to stay back, I'm not leaving her alone.)