This had been the longest her father had gone without trying to arrange a match for Elizabeth. She wanted to attribute it to her pleas, but knew it was likely Killian who had eased the man's fears. Now a respectable member of the Royal Navy, Killian would make a fine husband. Regardless of the fact that neither had spoken of any desire, and Killian was merely a new recruit. Thanks to Liam, of course.

Elizabeth smiled when she spotted Liam walking towards her in the market. "I heard you were both back from training. I'm honoured to be your first stop."

Liam laughed, but it was short lived. "Elizabeth-"

"Is Killian with you?" When the man paused she took a step forward. "Liam, what's happened?"

"He'll be along shortly, I'm sure. You're all he spoke of, you know."

"Why do I have the feeling I won't like what you're going to say next?"

"I have worked hard to care for my brother, to give him a good foundation and all the opportunities our station can afford. You've been a good friend, Elizabeth. To both of us, I'll admit."

Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest. "But."

"He cares deeply for you."

"And you believe I will hold him back. I can't believe you, after everything," Elizabeth cried out.

He stepped forward and took hold of her shoulders. "His life will be at sea. You can find a fine match here."

"I don't understand."

"He loves you, Elizabeth. If you don't love him, or if you can't handle life as the wife of a sailor, he needs to know now. We will have our commissioning soon, and you will have control over where that is. Or if you've another man in mind…"

She took a step back, releasing herself from his grip. Killian loved her. They had spent years together now, but to hear it confirmed...albeit from Liam first… "What have you heard?"

"I know the Duke is a good man, and he treats his servants well. And you've caught his affections."

"I've agreed to nothing." Elizabeth paused. "Does Killian know?"

"Yes." Liam motioned with his head behind Elizabeth.

She turned and caught a glimpse of Killian through the crowd.

"I want my brother to be happy, but I've become fond of you as well. You have a chance of a good, stable life. If you think there's a chance the Duke will make you happy, you must take it, Elizabeth." Liam put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze before disappearing into the market.

Elizabeth wanted to be angry with Liam for ruining the reunion. But she knew there was truth to his words. When Killian approached her finally, she knew her answer. It was plain, and she saw it in his eyes as well.

"Elizabeth-"

"I love you, Killian."

She watched as his face froze in surprise before his mouth morphed into a smile. Before he could respond she continued. "It wasn't a formal proposal. Yes he made his feelings known, but I don't share them. I've only known you as a sailor, and-"

"I love you, too."

She stopped and looked him over. "Well...good."

He pulled her into an embrace with a laugh. "Yes, it is."


"This is the last of it," Emma announced as she brought a fine dagger from its sheath.

Henry had called for Elizabeth nearly an hour previously, telling her their spell was to be finished soon. She had kept out of the collection of ingredients, of course. It had taken the others almost four days to gather it all, and gather the right amount and type of magic. It was all above her head. Of course, she had seen magic, came from a land of magic. But wielding it herself or understanding its nature was beyond her. The only thing she knew for sure was that magic always came with a price. What they would have to pay for this spell, she didn't want to think of it.

She looked around at the group of them: Snow White and Prince Charming, Emma, and Killian. And her, of course. Regina would stay behind to keep the portal open the group had decided after all. She knew they all did it for Killian, for him to discover his mysterious past. Her kidnapping was a side plot, as always. That's what happens to supporting characters.

Suddenly the ground in front of them began to twist until it became a vortex. The wind reached up and whipped Elizabeth's dark hair around her face. She felt a hand take hers and knew it was Killian before she looked up at him.

"Are you ready? Think of the time we need to return to."

She looked back towards the portal and nodded. It was now or never. With the feel of her hand in his, Elizabeth stepped into the portal, followed closely behind by the rest of the group.

The strange sensation of the portal lasted a mere second before Elizabeth experienced the now familiar feeling of hard ground beneath her. She groaned when she hit the ground, noticing that the leaf covering did little to soften the fall. She heard Killian make a similar noise next to her and she rose to her knees.

"Are you okay?" she asked and reached out to help him up. Looking around to get her bearings, she recognized the woods to be the one just outside her city. A nearby sign along the path proved more than enough evidence.

He took her offered hand with a nod. "Aye. It's not the first time I've travelled through such a portal." Killian looked around as he stood, and Elizabeth noticed fear and panic flash across his face. "Where are the others?"

She, too, looked around. They were alone in the forest. "They followed us closely. Perhaps they'll be through soon." Her tone made it sound more like a question than a statement.

"Emma!" he called out, either not hearing Elizabeth or ignoring her completely. "Emma?"

Elizabeth attempted to hush him. "We may not be alone in this forest, and it may not be friends, either. Rebels had been gathering for weeks before they attacked Duncaster. I'd rather not encounter them here."

"All the more reason to find the others, and quickly," Killian snapped back at her, uncharacteristically from the man Elizabeth knew. He turned away from her and continued calling out for Emma, only rarely switching to Snow or David.

After a few moments, Elizabeth finally turned to Killian, her hands clenched. "Enough! I can't...I can't take this anymore."

He looked down at her, his anger matching hers. "You act as though you don't even care if we find them."

"I do, but I can't handle you calling out for another woman like your life depends on it. Like I'm not standing right here."

"Memories or not," Killian started, "you were in my past. We're not together anymore."

"But we are, Killian," she yelled finally, and desperately. "It's not my past. I went to sleep, expecting to see you in another week. When you returned from your current assignment. We were together, and in love, when I went to sleep. And I wake up and find myself in a nightmare." Her voice began to shake along with her fists. "You've had a whole lifetime without me, I understand that. But don't you understand...you're still my present. We never broke off our courtship. I was still expecting to see you again, to...be in any situation but this."

"Is this a bad time?" came a voice from a thicket of trees to the side.

Elizabeth turned to see Snow White leading David and Emma through the brush. She turned away quickly, wiping the tears which had snuck their way down her face. "The path to the city is this way." Without another word, she made her way to the path, making sure to stay far enough ahead to be out of earshot. She had made a fool of herself. She didn't need them to hear her cry.