Bodyguard

CharmingsDaughter asked for a oneshot of Snowing getting fed up of Emma always putting herself in danger and assigning her a bodyguard, whom she tries to shake off. Will contain mid-season finale spoilers! Based on a picture edit I saw on Twitter.

Emma couldn't help but grin to herself as she strode through the forest, completely free. It had been so long since she'd been out by herself. It was nice to not feel like someone was burning holes into her back. All she wanted to do was walk through the forest. It wasn't like she was going after the Evil Queen…again. Emma stopped and looked at the sunlight dripping through the branches and leaves in the trees surrounding her. She closed her eyes and inhaled the earthy scent of the forest. Emma was not a caged bird. She needed to be free.

"Leaving the palace again, are we princess?" Emma's expression turned sour. How had he found her again?! She'd been so careful not to leave any trails! Emma turned and grinned at the former sailor who'd been assigned to be her bodyguard at the insistence of her parents. Emma had of course put up a fuss at this. She didn't need a bodyguard! She could protect herself! She had powerful magic that- when she was more trained in it- would be no match for the Evil Queen. Even without her magic, she was well skilled in hand to hand combat, as well as using a sword and archery. No, Emma didn't need protection from a lousy sailor. But never the less, he was here, and he was damn good at finding her when she tried to give him the slip. Emma just knew Killian had a bit of a thing for her, which she found was useful when trying to avoid him telling her parents she had slipped off again. Emma supposed he was quite handsome…Emma shook herself. She had to focus. She was the daughter of Prince Charming, after all, she knew how to charm a person.

"I was just playing hide and seek with you, silly." Emma said. "Now it's your turn to hide." Killian raised an eyebrow at her.

"I see. Well, why don't we continue this little game back at the palace?" Killian instructed her. Emma pouted. "Aw, don't be like that. We wouldn't want your parents to have to find out about this little adventure now would we?-"

"Too late, Lieutenant Jones. They already have." Emma gulped. If her father had followed her here, she knew she was in big trouble.

"Your Highness, I'm so sorry, she's very good at sneaking off…"

"Don't worry, Killian. I'm well aware of my daughter's skill at slipping away. She gets it from her mother. You found her, that's the important thing. I'll escort her back to the palace." Charming told her. Killian bowed at both Charming and Emma, giving the latter a sympathetic smile before beginning the journey back to the palace, leaving Charming with Emma. Emma gave her father an innocent little smile.

"Don't you give me that look. That's the third time this week you've slipped off like this, even with Killian watching over you. Emma." Charming sighed, rubbing his temple. He walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Honey, you can't keep disappearing like this. It's not safe…"

"Daddy." Emma sighed, pulling back. "I can look after myself. The quicker I take down the Evil Queen, the quicker this kingdom gets back to normal." Emma said stubbornly. Charming just gave her a look.

"Saying things like that is exactly why your mother and I have assigned you a bodyguard. Emma, your powers have made you arrogant. You are powerful, but she is experienced. She will know about your magic by now and she will be working out ways to use it against you…"

"Which is exactly why I should stop her now before she finds a proper way." Emma stood up for herself. Charming raised his eyebrow at her.

"Emma, do we have to have the gates locked? This is not the life your mother and I want for you, believe me, we know you like to roam the lands, but until the Evil Queen is taken down for good it simply isn't safe. You will not be taking her down alone, we are not prepared to risk your life. Please, start sticking with Killian? Maybe he's not experienced enough. Maybe we should give you another guard…"

"No." Emma interrupted him. "No, that's quite alright. I'll behave." Emma assured him. She liked Killian, and didn't want to risk having some grumpy old knight breathing down her neck. That was all, wasn't it? There was nothing more to her wanting Killian to continue as her guard…was there?

"I'm glad to hear it." Charming said, offering Emma his arm, which she- somewhat reluctantly- took. "I don't expect to hear of you running off again then." Emma hummed an agreeable response, thinking of how best to get a few hours to herself to practice her magic.