Chapter 2
8 years old
Over the years since Rosalind had passed, Killian and Emma had become even closer. They went to riding, archery, and etiquette lessons, and were tutored together as well. They also enjoyed spending their free time together. The best part was that no one had to make them be friends, they'd chosen it on their own, naturally coming together like the ocean and the shore.
One evening while Emma, Killian, and her parents sat at the dining table, David dropped the news that they'd be traveling to Neverland for a diplomatic visit. She'd hated that place since she was five, which was the last time they'd visited, and she'd vowed never to go back. She didn't like the balmy weather, the children that seemed to wander everywhere, the stupid prince, or his creepy father. Not to mention it was in the farthest corner of the Enchanted Forest, making for a very long trip.
"But why do we have to go to Neverland?" Emma inquired, pointing to herself and Killian.
"I supposed you don't have to go," her father acknowledged, "although we will be gone a long time, baby girl. Are you sure you'll be okay here? It'll just be you and Killian."
"And cook, and my nurse, and the tutors, and everyone else who lives here," Emma added.
"Well then, it looks like you've got it all figured out," David replied, bringing his daughter into a hug, "give it till tomorrow, to give us your final decision."
Being the stubborn child she was, she chose to stay behind. However, after three weeks of missing her parents dearly, her nursemaid was becoming an increasingly poor substitute. And of course the storm of the decade had also decided to rage over the last four days. She and Killian couldn't go outside to play, nor could they visit Henry at the pond, or sit in the gardens for lessons.
She'd never tell anyone, but she was regretting her decision a little as she laid awake one night listening to the somewhat soothing sound of the steady rain. BOOM! A rumble of thunder cut through the quiet of night. Emma's whole body jumped, then she began to count in wait for the lightning to strike… 1-2-, there it was. It was a trick she had learned from her teacher, about how far away a storm was. She hated thunderstorms almost as much as she hated Neverland. BOOM! Crackle… before she stopped to think, she was up and out of bed.
"Mama!" she yelled as her little feet carried her down the long hall. She stopped outside their bedroom door, which was wide open. Realization set in immediately and she began to cry, they weren't here.
Killian woke to hear her crying down the hall, "Emma," he called out, as he got out of bed to find her.
"Killy," she ran toward his voice, nearly bowling him down when she ran straight into him.
"What in the world is going on?" he inquired groggily. He noticed she was shaking. "Are you cold?"
She only shook her head.
"Are you scared of the thunder?" he asked, disbelieving that this fierce lass could fear anything.
He held out his hand, not waiting for her to answer, "Come on, you can sleep in with me tonight."
She rolled her teary eyes, grabbing his hand and let him lead her back to his room. She climbed into his bed without hesitation.
"Why are you crying?" he prodded.
"I miss my parents," she supplied, not wanting to admit her further weakness of being afraid of a thunderstorm.
"I know the feeling," he spoke quietly, "but they'll be back soon.
She scrunched her eyes shut at her thoughtlessness, "I'm sorry, Killy." She didn't know what else to say, so she gave him a tight hug.
Just then another clap of thunder sounded and she threw the blankets over her head.
Killian watched as she disappeared under the blankets, it dawned on him then that although she did miss her parents, she was also scared of the thunder, as he'd previously suspected.
"This is the most sissy thing I've ever seen you do," he chuckled, trying to distract her.
"Shut up," she shot back.
This made him laugh harder, "Is that all you've got?" he sassed.
Another crack of thunder, and Emma jumped again.
"Don't worry Emma, I'll protect you," he baited.
Her sharp intake of breath let him know he'd hooked her.
"You shut your mouth right now, Killian Jones, I can take care of myself!" she hollered.
"Prove it…" he let his challenge hang in the air.
She narrowed her eyes at him, "Fine," she rolled away from him determined to win this challenge.
Another roll of thunder came, and she had to consciously keep herself from jumping in response. After a few more times she didn't have to concentrate so hard, and she began to get sleepy, I win was the last thought she had before drifting off.
When Killian woke the next morning she was gone, no sign she'd ever been there.
He made his way down to the kitchen for breakfast. Since the King and Queen were away they hadn't been having meals in the formal dining hall. Both kids content to grab something quick from Cook, and find the next adventure to be had.
Emma was already there when he entered. She had a smug look on her face, "I won," was all she said.
He held his hands up, "Yes, you win, you can take care of yourself," he conceded.
"Good… now it's stopped raining, what should we do today," she asked, "do you want to go fishing? Or hiking? Or riding?"
"We have archery and sword lessons today," he responded with a lift of his eyebrows.
"Hmmm, another chance to win," she said with a giggle. He just rolled his eyes at her antics.
With both children learning from the best instructors royalty could hire, they were both very skilled for their age in the art of swordplay and archery. Neither one of them ever dominated over the other, they both had their wins, and some days would end in a draw. On certain occasions though, Killian would let her win. More specifically, if she was upset about something, he knew it would make her smile to beat him. Even though it was a blow to his ego, her happiness was more important to him.
The King and Queen returned two weeks later, and though Emma was ecstatic to have them home, they brought back more than they left with. Even though she had avoided Neverland, she wasn't going to get to avoid Prince Neal. He'd decided he wanted to visit Misthaven, and her parents, ever the accommodating Royal Family, had agreed to let the Prince accompany them back, and stay for a few weeks.
Not more than a week into his visit, he already had Emma in a state. There were many things she could tolerate, even at her age, many things that she could turn her cheek to, and take the high road. But, there were some things she couldn't tolerate, and when those buttons were pushed, it wasn't pretty.
"I hate Prince Neal!" she roared, when her mother scolded her for her un-princess like behavior.
"Hate is a strong word Emma," her mother spoke diplomatically, "we sometimes have to deal with people we don't favor, but we must always try to make the best of every situation."
"He is so mean to Killy, he treats him like he's not good enough," she complained. "He thinks he's better than us because he's 10, and we're only eight. He is such a… such a nincompoop, yes, Prince Neal the Nincompoop of Neverland," she dissolved into a fit of giggles.
Calling him 'Killy' was what had started the whole thing. Perhaps she should start calling him by his given name, to avoid further problems.
Earlier that day...
"Would you like to take a walk to the pond, Princess," Prince Neal asked as though he were trying to court her.
"Sure," she'd replied, then, "Killy would you like to come with us?"
Neal had immediately snickered. Emma glared at him, as if trying to shoot daggers through his very being, which made him laugh even harder.
"What's so funny," she questioned.
"Emma it's not worth it, you go ahead, I will see you later," Killian assured.
"You keep calling him 'Killy'," Neal said intoning a whiny voice, "why do you want the servant boy to come with us anyhow?"
"He's not the servant," she roared, "he's my best friend, and you better apologize right now Neal!"
"Or what?" he sneered, "you expect me to apologize to the bastard son of a servant? His own parents didn't stick around, why do you?"
At this Emma snapped, she ran at him pushing him with all her might. "I hate you! You're stupid, and mean and an ass!" she screamed at him, repeatedly swinging at him. She connected a few times.
Killian ran forward to intervene, he threw both arms around her waist and pulled her away from the shocked prince. He deposited her on the ground and turned back to face Neal who had taken the opportunity to lunge forward. Crack! Neal's fist connected with Killian's jaw, sending him down to the ground.
"You two babies deserve each other," Neal spat, stomping away.
"I'd rather have him than you any day!" Emma asserted. Then she turned back to Killian, dropping down beside him, "I can take care of myself, you know," she chastised him.
He grabbed her hand to inspect her already bruised knuckles, "Yes, Emmaswan I know you can. I just didn't want you getting into trouble, and I think you could use a few lessons in proper brawling," he teased.
"Who's going to teach me...you?" she asked incredulously, "you've never beat me at a thing Killian Jones.
He had blushed at that, then gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "I guess you're right,".
Without letting her hand go, he stood and pulled her up. They walked hand in hand back to the castle.
"Killy- Killian is my best friend, and we are all he has. If we don't stick up for him, who will?" Emma asked, starting to get choked up at the end.
Her mother admired her spirit, she saw herself in Emma's fire. She couldn't very well fault her for defending her friend.
"I suppose you're right," Snow conceded, "Prince Neal the Nincompoop of Neverland it is! Just remember this is our private joke, one that shouldn't be spoken to anyone else."
"I understand, mom," Emma agreed.
They both shared a laugh at the Prince's expense.
"Alright then, so long as you understand that fighting, name calling, and cursing are inappropriate for a lady, I am willing to let it go this time. You were being a good friend Emma, and Killian is lucky to have you."
