Emma was grateful that they were leaving the next morning. At least she'll be home where she belongs, not in this castle being accused of a million different things, not with people who have so many ulterior motives.

Anna was sad to see her go, claiming the visit is entirely too short and Emma reminded her that she'll see them at the wedding. This seemed to bring a smile to her face. Elsa gave Emma a warm hug wishing her safe travels. Emma didn't quite return it after their spat last night, which she might regret later. Liam and Killian had a hushed conversation away from the rest of them. Killian had barely met her eyes when she entered the room, this awkwardness could make for a very uncomfortable voyage home. When Graham opened the door and entered all conversation stopped. Emma was the only one to approach him. A grave look was on his face and Emma frowned.

"I don't like that look on your face, what's wrong?" she whispered, keeping a healthy distance between them.

"We might not be able to leave today. The captain's dead," he said quietly.

"What?!" Emma practically yelled. That certainly captured everyone's full attention. Killian left Liam's side and joined Emma and Graham.

"What seems to be the problem?" Killian asked.

"The captain of our ship is dead," Emma sighed, "what the hell happened?"

"He broke up a fight in a tavern last night and got stabbed for his troubles."

"Well Killian is a fine captain he can get you to Misthaven," Elsa pointed out. Emma spun to Killian, a hopeful look in her eyes. She just wanted to be home, to see her parents again, to talk with her mother about everything she was feeling.

"I could, but I won't," Killian said resolutely.

"May I ask why not?" Emma said, frustrated. This was not the time to be noble. They needed to get home. Emma needed to get out of this castle.

"That crew on your ship they are your men and I'm an outsider. If you made me captain, they might stage a mutiny and I like being alive thank you very much. Promote the lieutenant, if he needs any assistance, I'll be happy to help," Killian commanded. Graham looked to Emma for approval and she nodded.

"I'll alert him at once," Graham said curtly.

"We'll meet you at the docks," Emma said, not keen on wasting any more time.

Graham was able to arrange everything for the trip home and promoted lieutenant to captain easily, who was currently giving Killian a tour of the ship with Emma and Graham trailing behind them. They came to a halt in front of Emma's cabin.

"This will be your cabin with the Princess," Captain Oliver told them.

"Excuse me?" Emma interjected before Killian could say anything.

"Sorry, Your Highness the ship only has one passenger cabin," the captain explained. Emma was used to traveling on the Cygnus with her parents which had two passenger cabins, not the Snowbell with it's one.

"Oh right of course," Emma nodded. They had taken the Snowbell because its small size made for a swifter and an easier journey. The captain and Graham made their goodbyes. Killian opened the cabin door for her. She stepped into the small cabin with its very small bed. The door shut and Emma turned to face him.

"Don't worry, love, I'll be sleeping on the floor." Emma scoffed.

"No, we can share the bed. We'll have to get used to it anyway," she shook her head.

"We will, but you look thoroughly uncomfortable at the idea of sharing a bed. I can sleep on the floor; I've had worse quarters and none of those had beautiful women in them." He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Emma rolled her eyes.

"Such a charmer."

"Only for you, darling. I'll be back I forgot to offer the young captain my navigation skills." He bowed slightly before leaving. When the door shut once more Emma sighed, she thought she wouldn't have to face anything like this with him until they got married, which was months away. She vowed to not be in the cabin as much as possible, so she left in search of fresh sea air to clear her head.

Unfortunately, the weather turned forcing her back into their cabin while every other hand on the ship was on deck helping. She itched to help, but Captain Oliver had all but shoved back below deck, claiming they didn't need any more help. He didn't want the crown princess in danger even though Emma had been in danger many times in her life. She stubbornly sat up in bed, her arms wrapped around her legs. Emma didn't like storms, never has. She rested her head on her knees. The uneasy rocking of the ship wasn't helping her fears either.

The door banged open with a lurch of the ship. Killian was soaked, dripping water everywhere.

"I didn't think you'd still be awake." He closed the door firmly behind him.

"Could anyone sleep through this?" Killian began stripping off his wet clothes and Emma turned away after a pointed look from Killian. She had spent too long in camps along the battlefield to care about nudity, but most princesses were supposed to be modest and naive. Both things she was not.

"Only the most experienced sailor and even then, maybe not." Thunder clapped and Emma practically jumped off the bed.

"Love, do you not like storms?" Killian said, curiosity in his voice. Emma still wouldn't look at him, not sure if he was clothed or not since he clearly didn't want to be seen by her.

"No, not particularly and not your love."

"Term of endearment and habit pardon me. Look at me," she shook her head, "I'm not naked." She sighed before turning her attention back to him. He was dressed in a white tunic and loose pants. All his wet clothes laid out across the desk or chair in the hopes they will dry overnight.

"The ship is in good hands. We'll whether this storm. I'll be right here. Now, I'm going to put out this lantern and we're both going to sleep." Kindness was present in his eyes and Emma nodded. Killian still insisted on sleeping on the floor. The cabin became dark and Emma settled into bed. Every couple of minutes the cabin was lit up by the lightning outside. The thunder made Emma flinch and clutched the blankets to her chest.

"Killian?" There was an audible sigh.

"Yes, love." She gritted her teeth at that, and he was definitely pushing her buttons by calling her that.

"The floor can't be comfortable on your back; you know you should sleep up here. It'd be a tight squeeze, but it'd be better than the floor. I mean you were soaking wet too and the body heat will be good for you." She listed all the reasons why it would be good for him, but she couldn't admit that she wanted the company of someone else.

"Emma, I'm fine."

"Killian, please," she all but whispered. He sighed, but stood up. With a flash of lightning Killian finally saw her face, her fear.

"Scoot over." She moved over and turned on her side. He climbed into the bed, her backside resting against his front. His arm around her waist. He was cold against her, but she would warm him up in time.

"It's going to be okay," he whispered to her.

"There was a bad storm when I was eleven. I got caught in it when I was out on a ride and I was separated from my father. The horse got frightened by some lightning and bucked me off. I had managed to get up afterward, but stumbled into a marsh and got tangled in tree branches, weeds, and whatnot. I had lost my knife when I got bucked off, so I was stuck there for hours until my father found me and was able to free me. I haven't liked thunderstorms since then."

"I can't say I blame you there. Thank you for telling me," he whispered, his breath hitting the back of her neck. Despite his earlier irritation, his words were genuine. They said nothing else and he soothed her throughout the continuing storm until they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Emma woke the next morning blissfully warm, she turned to find Killian still clinging onto her. He didn't seem feverish which could happen after being in the cold rain for hours. While he was still sleeping, she took the opportunity to dress for the day. He woke not long after.

"Were you going to wake me?" he asked suspicious.

"I would have, but you needed the sleep after last night," she said not looking at him. The storm brought old fears to the surface, made her feel extremely vulnerable. It's something she wanted to avoid with him.

"Aye, I did, but so did you. Your night wasn't any easier." He said to her back.

"No, it wasn't. Thank you," she said softly before leaving the cabin. Killian didn't have to ask what for.

Emma ventured up on deck and it was needless to say that the Snowbell had seen better days. The storm took a toll on not only the ship but the crew as well. Emma visited the crew with Captain Oliver, attempting to heal them, and tend to their wounds in any way she could. They had lost a couple of men in the night; Emma gave her condolences to the crew and said a few words for them at breakfast.

Emma spied Killian and Captain Oliver talking in hushed tones. She made her way over to them.

"Is there a problem?" Emma asked the two of them.

"There was damage to the main sail, we'll have to make a stop in the nearest port to fix it," Killian informed her.

"The nearest port is known stop for pirates, we will be endangering both of you by going," Captain Oliver interjected, raising his voice slightly.

"Why don't we continue this conversation in your cabin, Captain?" Emma said, sweetly as to hide any concern that could arise from the situation from nearby listeners. Captain Oliver nodded.

Once in the captain's cabin Emma turned to Captain Oliver, "I understand your concerns, but the Prince and I can adequately protect ourselves."

"Love, he's worried about pirates capturing us for ransom," Killian stated.

"I know that, we'll simply stay below deck while repairs are made." Killian raised an eyebrow while considering this.

"Your Highness, what if people question why we're there? What we are carrying?" Captain Oliver questioned her.

"Tell them we ran into a storm and we are heading home from the front lines," Killian shrugged. Captain Oliver looked unsure about the plan.

"We don't have another option. Without this plan we'll be stuck dead in the water." Emma reminded the captain, who at this finally agreed.

Killian and Emma stayed below deck as the Snowbell entered the harbor. Emma in their room and Killian wandered through the ship. He took inventory and fixed other small problems caused by the storm. The crew is given leave that night. August and Graham stayed behind to guard the ship and two royals below deck. The ship's chef kindly left some stew for them. Emma scooped some up into her bowel when Killian entered the galley.

"Care to join me?" she asked him. Killian nodded, getting stew for himself. They discussed meaningless things for a while.

"Something has been in the back of mind, nagging me." Killian confessed, pouring more wine for the both of them.

"What would that be?" Emma sipped her wine.

"You talked of marrying for love, but have you ever been in love?" he asked her. She definitely wasn't expecting that question.

"No, well maybe once," she chuckled.

"Maybe?" he asked, now curious.

"I was sixteen, young and stupid. I was infatuated with the son of a duke who was going off the battlefield and said all the right words. He put on this bravado of this strong man who was going to fight for our kingdom and well it appealed to a young naive girl who had never seen a battlefield herself, who was still in training. After he left, I never heard from him again. He got one look at battle and was scared apparently. Faked an injury to be sent home. He wanted nothing to do with me after that." She sighed, remembering Neal and how grateful she was her parents didn't give their blessing to that union. Killian laughed as well.

"Young love will make you do crazy things," he conceded.

"It will. What about you? Ever been in love?" she asked, and his mood changed in an instant. Something akin to hurt and heartbreak was present in his eyes.

"Aye captured some pirates at sea once. Their captain was a woman, Milah. Everyone told me to not trust her, but we began talking and rather foolishly I fell for her. She used my trust to break free. We caught up to her in a small seaside village and when I confronted her and accused her of using me, she said it wasn't personal. That she cared for me, but she had cared about her freedom more. I couldn't say I blamed her there, but the words hurt. I was willing to petition for her freedom once we returned to Montave, but she said it was a long shot that had no guarantee. She was right I suppose, but she wasn't willing to trust me." Killian told her, rather sadly. Emma placed her hand over his.

"Thank you for telling me. Love is messy, but worth it or so my mother says." Killian nodded, gulping down more of the wine. They fell into an uncomfortable silence. Emma not sure what else could be said and Killian not sure what else to say. Thankfully August came down to get food as well and the conversation picked up again.

When they both decided to return to their cabin for the night Killian was unsure where he should sleep. The floor seemed cold and hard after spending a night in Emma's arms. He didn't really wish to return to it. They quietly changed into their night clothes, not looking at one another.

"Just get in the damn bed," Emma said, as if she could read his thoughts. He nodded and they arranged themselves as comfortably as they could. The silence between them wasn't awkward or uncomfortable. She let out a little sigh before falling asleep and that's when Killian realized he was full blown head over heels in love with her. He was definitely in trouble because she didn't want anything to do with him, she was in this for the politics, not him. He would have to spend a lifetime loving someone who didn't love him back. Hopefully in time she could grow to at least like him. That's probably the best he could hope for.

Killian and Emma were tired of being stuck on the ship. Emma was dying to feel the sea breeze on her face and the sunshine. Killian hated the idle feeling and fixed everything below deck on the ship due to sheer boredom. It took a couple more days for the repairs to be made before they could set sail once more. The moment the ship was out of sight from the harbor Emma and Killian burst onto the deck of the ship, happy to feel the warmth of the sun and fresh air. More importantly Emma was happy to have some space from Killian, sharing a bed with Killian was making it harder and harder to hate him. She might even be falling for him.


Oh who doesn't love some good ol' fashioned bed sharing? ;D Happy New Year, guys!