Back at the loft, Emma had fallen back asleep. She would open her eyes, ask for Henry or Killian, then fall back asleep. Snow sat on the edge of the couch and dabbed her forehead with water. "This isn't true love's kiss. She keeps falling in and out of sleep. It's like she's recovering from anesthesia," Snow stated. Of all people, she would know. David was pacing the floor and Henry sat in a chair next to Emma.
"Chloroform." Neal said entering from the door. "Another trick by my father."
"You tricked me?" Emma said faintly from the couch.
"No, my father..."
"I think you've done enough, Neal," Snow said, putting herself between Emma and Neal.
"Emma, I need to tell you something," Neal said, sitting down next to Emma. "I should have been a stronger person for you. I wanted to be the man you deserve, but I lost my chance years ago. I could have found another way to put you back on your path to breaking the curse, and instead, I took the only way I could see at the time. I was wrong, and I'm sorry. You don't have to worry about my father either. I told him that if he wants to see me again, he'll let you live your lives. I hope Killian treats you like you how you deserve to be treated."
"Mom, who is this?" Henry said, approaching them. Neal looked between Henry and Emma, searching for approval. Emma sat up slowly and pulled Henry to sit down next to her.
"Henry- this is your father," Emma said. Henry looked confused.
"But...my dad died a hero saving people from a fire," Henry said.
"She told you that because I did something I shouldn't. I got her in trouble, and in result, it took you away from her. She was protecting you from me," Neal explained. "But, things are different now, and... I'm just glad to meet you, Henry." Henry looked between Emma and Neal. He wasn't really sure what to do or say. Emma gave him a squeeze of reassurance. Henry held his hand out to Neal.
"It's nice to meet you too," Henry said. "Um...are you still leaving today?"
"Yeah, pal, I am," Neal said.
"Maybe if you're ever in Storybrooke, we could have lunch at Granny's or something." Neal looked at Emma, who nodded.
"Henry, I think Emma and Neal need a minute before he goes," Snow said, ushering him out of the room. David and Ruby followed them.
"Why?" Neal asked.
"Because you took responsibility- which is something I want to teach Henry. And because you apologizing made me remember that when I gave up Henry, I thought I was doing the right thing, and when I wanted to be back in his life, Regina wouldn't let me in. And, no matter what's happened, I don't want to do that to someone else. We'll take it a step at a time, but I'm not going to keep Henry from you."
"Killian has one heck of a girl," Neal said, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Tell Henry I'll call him soon- and give him this." Emma nodded as she took the box and Neal gave her a smile as he left. The other four entered the room as they heard the door shut. Emma started to get off the couch, but was still a bit drousy. David came to her side and tried to lay her back down.
"Emma, you're still tired," David said.
"No, I need to get to Killian," Emma said. "He's going to leave town, I know it."
"I'll find him," David promised.
"No, you're going to drive me to the marina. Mary-Margaret, call Leroy and tell him to get his boat ready. I'll find him," Emma said, her determination was cancelling out her tiredness. "I will find him."
Killian stood at the head of his ship, not wanting to turn around as it pulled away from the Storybrooke marina. He looked down and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a ring- his mother's ring. His father had found it for her in the treasure of Peurta Prince. The sapphires surrounding the center diamond sparkled in the lights of the marina. He had been carrying it for weeks, even before he asked to court Emma. He knew it was for her. He hadn't given it to Milah because, technically, she was still married. Although he showered her with diamonds, rubies and other jewels, he always hesitated in giving her this, and now he understood why. Someday it would be meant for Emma, or at least it was. He mused the fact of dropping it in the water, but instead he clenched it in his hand and put it to his lips before stuffing it back into the satchel on his belt. The boat creaked as it moved on the water. Killian didn't know where he was heading, and frankly, he didn't care. Maybe he'd just head south and see what happens. Killian went towards the wheel and gave it a turn.
Emma knew before she even reached the marina that Killian was gone. After a call from Snow, Leroy was already at the marina with his little boat waiting for Emma.
"You think you could catch him?"
"Catch the Jolly Roger in this thing? Not a chance, sister," Leroy stated. "But let's give it a shot anyway." Leroy started his boat and the motor sputtered as it took off. As he started to turn the wheel, Emma pushed it the other way. "HEY!"
"Just trust me," Emma said. It was hard to see in the dark. Leroy kept saying they were going to hit a rock, but nothing happened. He was more nervous about taking his boat out- it was the first time in a long time. The last time, the boat took on a lot of water. After sailing about an hour up and down the coast, Leroy asked if she wanted to turn around. Emma thought for a moment, then looked up at the sky. Please, this can't be it, she thought. Emma closed her eyes and thought about Killian. His eyes, his laugh, his heart. As Emma opened her eyes and looked at the sky- something looked different. "Leroy, would you say I was crazy if I said second star to the right and straight on until morning?"
"Yes."
"Can you do it anyway?" Emma asked. Leroy shrugged and headed towards the star that Emma was pointing to. Within minutes, white sails could be seen. "There he is!"
"Let's hope the boat can hold out and catch up!" Leroy said, giving the motor more gas. As they raced towards the direction of the ship, a fog started to roll in over the water. Emma stood up towards the front of Leroy's boat, which made it totter a bit.
"HOOK!" Emma yelled out. The Jolly Roger seemed to sail into the mist. "HOOK!" Leroy slowed the boat as the fog became thick around him.
"Sorry, Emma," Leroy said. Emma sat on the front of the boat, wrapped her arms around herself and lowered her head as she let out a small sob.
"It's okay, Leroy," Emma said, trying to hold herself together. "You did your best." Just as Leroy was about to put his boat in reverse, a large boat rope landed with a smack on the deck, followed by a thump which rocked the boat. Emma looked up to see a pair of leather boots and a dark form.
"I always liked it better when you called me Killian, Swan," Killian said, bending down to meet her gaze and putting his hand on her cheek. Emma lunged into his arms, rocking the boat further.
"GEEZ!" Leroy yelled. "I know this is great, but you don't want to send us overboard!"
"I'll take her on from here, dwarf. And thank you." Killian said as he grabbed the rope and started to climb up. He called for Emma to grab the rope and he pulled her up. Leroy started his boat and headed back towards Storybrooke, leaving the two alone on the Jolly Roger. Once Emma reached the deck, Killian scooped her up into his arms and kissed her passionately. "Hey, beautiful. You found me," he said, pushing her hair from her face.
"Yeah, you found me too." Emma said, laughing through her tears. She couldn't stop kissing him, pulling him closer. It was if they both needed to be sure this was real. "Killian, please come home."
"Darling, I can't. He'll hurt you," Killian said, but not wanting to let her go.
"Neal and I worked things out. He told Gold to let us be," Emma explained.
"I believe you, I just don't believe him," Killian said. He kept stroking her hair and looking into her eyes. "Your safety means more to me than anything."
"Try something new, Captain. It's called trust," Emma said with a wink. A smile slowly crept across his face, remembering his own words from long ago.
"Good form, lass," Killian said, pulling her tighter to him. "Should we set sail for Storybrooke?"
"Aye, Captain," Emma said, giving him a salute and a wink. Killian gave her a quick kiss then rushed about the boat, turning it about and heading in the direction of Storybrooke. As he passed by Emma, he pulled her along with him to the helm. With both of them taking the wheel, they steered the Jolly Roger back towards home. Killian nuzzled his nose into her hair and kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, Emma Swan. I will never leave you again."
"I love you too, Killian Jones. And if we're ever separated again, I'd find you." Killian pulled her closer to him and kissed her passionately.