A/N I hope you are all having a wonderful day. I tried to write this chapter more from Killians perspective so I hope you like that (if you do, leave a review [hey that rhymes]) but seriously I love getting feedback. I hope you all enjoy and don't forget to follow and favorite. (I sound like a YouTuber "don't forget to give it a thumbs up and hit subscribe!") Okay enough already, let's get to reading.

Killian spent his Saturday much differently than Emma had. While she was on a day long date with a prince, he was searching for answers. It's important to remember that Killian was not always a bandit and that being said he had many connections inside the palace. He was also not afraid to do whatever it took to make better connections if the ones he had already failed him, as they currently were.

So on Saturday afternoon Killian stood against a pillar in fairly plain view in the market place. This was an extremely dangerous mission but with all the people around and the limited amount of guards on patrol he figured the odds were more in his favor than not. He waited patiently until he saw what he was looking for.

The thing, or rather person, that caught his attention was a young woman not much older than Emma. She was easily recognizable in the crowd by her bright red hair that she tried desperately to draw little attention to by pulling it into a bun. She walked past him towards the fruit vendor, as she had around this time of day ever day since he got to the capital. She seemed to be inspecting an orange when Killian came up beside her.

"Their no better than they were yesterday." He commented, the girl looked up at him and he went on, handing her an apple. "Might as well stick with the apples."

"Thank you." She said shyly taking it and getting ready to pay but Killian stopped her.

"Please, allow me." He paid the vendor before she could protest then began to walk with her.

"How did you know I wanted an apple?" She inquired with a smile.

That was a simple question to answer but Killian wouldn't tell her the whole truth which went something like this: He watched her every day for the past three days and kept good track of her schedule and where she went. Everyday was the same she came from the palace, she went to the fruit stand and she bought an apple. Afterwards she walked to the fountain and read, then she went back to the palace.

But instead Killian said this: "I hope you won't take it wrong but I've... Well, I've sort of watched you before. It's only that I saw you the other day and I wanted to talk to you but I was too nervous. I regretted it, naturally, so I've been coming back here every day hoping to run into you again and get up the nerve to say hello." It was all a lie but he had used it before and in general women found it charming. Clearly she did because she blushed and gave him a flirtatious look.

"And what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well, you, of course." Another great line to use, "for instance, your name?"

"Beth." She answered, "and yours?"

"All in good time, Beth." This of course was more than just a line, though it did add some mystery, he really just couldn't tell her who he was without risking too much. "Tell me, why do you always go for the oranges first and then get apples?"

"My boss prefers oranges but is very particular, and if they aren't good he'd rather have an apple." She explained.

"And who is your boss, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Sir Jamison."

"You're kidding! I know him quite well." Killian lied, though he had heard of the man he didn't know a thing about him and wouldn't be able to pick him out of any group of people. "Is he working in the palace now?"

"He is, I've just been hired to assist him. Note taking and such." Beth seemed to be rather proud of this and Killian took note of that.

"Well a job at the palace must be great, for the booth of you. Say, do you know a friend of mine, sir Dennis?" Beth's face instantly dropped when he said the name but she still nodded.

"I've seen him around, I can't imagine he'd have any friends."

"Ah well, it's been awhile since I saw him last," this was in fact very true, and Killian couldn't wait to learn more about the man. "What's he like nowadays?"

Beth began to tell him everything she knew, which didn't amount to much more than what anyone else had been able to tell him. She did however mention that she had heard him talking to himself once and thought that was rather odd.

...

On Saturday evening Killian found that getting to the eastern forest was far easier that sneaking into the palace gardens. Although that section of forest was still technically palace grounds it was left unguarded since anyone who wanted to could go hunting there. The only difficulty was finding the stream in the dark but with the help of a torch and the stars he soon found it.

He arrived early, having given himself more time than necessary to get there. It was a beautiful area, most of the trees were set back away from the stream, letting in all the light of the moon and stars. On a class but like this a person could see the sky perfectly reflected in the stream.

Killian was in the midst of admiring the scenery and the near perfect silence, aside from the sound of water, when he heard someone gunning behind him. It wasn't Emma, he knew that right away because he had grown somewhat used to the voice behind him. When he turned he was greeted by the unpleasant face of the sorcerer whom he affectionately called 'crocodile'.

"What are you doing here?" Killian asked in annoyance, tired of the sudden appearances and worried that Emma might see.

"I'm sorry? Did I miss the bit where you repaid me for that potion I so generously gave you?" The man asked with a bitter sarcasm in that terrible sing-song voice.

"No, but I already told you I'm meeting with her tonight, and you'll have your payment by morning."

"Don't forget this time. I'm going impatient." Once again the man disappeared into thin air which Killian was unfortunately getting used to.

When Emma finally arrived, a few minutes past seven according to Killians pocket watch, she was very clearly pleased to see him. Emma jumped off her horse and quickly fumbled around with tying it up before hurriedly walking to meet him by the stream. Killian, of course, stood from where he sat patiently and met her halfway.

"Am I late?" Emma asked not even trying to hide the many different emotions that came out through her voice.

"No, right in time." He smiled, leading her over towards where he had been before. He had laid out his jacket on the ground, seeing as it was a rather warm night, and set his torch up so that there would be a little extra light should any clouds appear.

"Good, did you find it well? I was worried that you might get lost along the way-"

"Emma, it's all perfect." Killian interrupted, knowing that she was just flustered because they had been waiting days for this.

"Great," Emma smiled and very clearly relaxed, "how was your day?"

"Uneventful," he lied with a weak smile.

Killian had actually been quite busy since he last saw her. After overhearing the conversation between Emma's mother and Kingsley, Killian had taken it upon himself to do more research into sir Dennis. But it was difficult and technically treasonous work, and so he couldn't exactly tell all of this to Emma.

"Me too," Emma didn't know why she felt the need to omit the fact that she spent the day with Edric, but she just couldn't tell him.

"I'm sure they keep you princesses very busy." He teased, causing a blush to creep up on her.

"Just wedding planning." You could've heard a pin drop when she said the last word but Killian was quick to make the awkwardness disappear.

"Ah yes, how is that?" The way Killian saw it her wedding was a fact at the moment (a fact that could eventually change, but a fact none the less). And since it was a fact, then they might as well take it as one and instead of deny it, they ought to work to find a better solution. Still Emma was surprised by how cool he was about the topic and it took her a second to remember to answer the question.

"It's so time consuming and exhausting," Emma said, knowing that he wouldn't mind listening to the details. "My mother and Abigail are always constantly there pulling me this way or that."

She went on to explain the many trials of choosing colors and picking out plates and approving the wines. Killian offered a few ideas on how to get out of it, including running away with him (a joke of course), or just telling her mother she didn't care what the wedding was like, and even hiding in the palace tunnels. That last one naturally only reminded Emma of her day with Edric but she quickly forced that out of her mind.

The two continued to talk, jumping from topic to topic all night. Occasionally the conversation would lull and there would be a moment of quiet but even then it was peaceful.

At one point Emma decided to go stand in the stream and see if she could find any fish, she couldn't but Killian still watched with a smile as she stood in the moonlight. She really was a princess, even though she was barefoot and wore riding pants she looked absolutely stunning with her hair pulled back.

Her hair, it was in that moment of admiration that Killian was reminded of his deal. How was he going to get a stand of hair when it was pulled back in such a tight braid?

When Emma came back she was shivering from the cool water and snuggled close against him. Killian may have been in the perfect position to get the hair but it was impossible to do so without being noticed. At least that was what he thought until he saw the small strand on her pants. He took it off casually and virtually unnoticed, then carefully placed it in his satchel.

It must've been around midnight when Emma finally decided that she should had back to the palace. She was out too late already and she didn't need her mom any more worried about her. Killian certainly wanted her to stay longer but he knew it'd be best if she left now. After all she was tired and he didn't want her to fall asleep on the way back and get hurt. Not to mention that if they sent guards to find her and he was there too he'd be in more trouble than he was already getting himself into.

"Be careful," Killian advised as he helped her onto the horse.

"I'm more worried about you, don't get noticed by anyone, alright?" Emma had a feeling inside of her all night that something was off with him, but she couldn't tell what. Whatever it was though, she couldn't help but worry about it.

"I promise." He rose his hand as though taking an oath and Emma only laughed, easing her worry a bit. Killian took that time to untie her horse and hand her the reins.

"We should meet here again. When would be good for you?" She asked. Killian thought for some time, he had a lot of planning and research to do, it could take days.

"I wish I could meet sooner but I think next Saturday is the only time I could get here again." Emma frowned, hoping he would have said something along the lines of a few days instead of a week.

"That's alright, I can make it back on Saturday too. Now, I really should be going." Emma said, pulling the reins to move the horse back a bit.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

And though neither of them said it words of love hung in the air as she rode off towards the palace. But a strange feeling that a storm might be coming was there as well.