"Thank you again Captain for your time," Snow says as her, Red and Charming are about to leave the Roger. She glances at her husband, hoping that the trip helped him see the light. Snow actually did not need to come along and trusted Red to give her a full update of what happened but she needed to be there, to see the place where her daughter lived for a week.

If what Starkey says is true and he kept her in closer quarters, then Snow assumes that meant that Emma stayed in the room next door to the Captain's quarters. Snow wasn't able to see much of it, but the room looked like it had been occupied by a girl.

"I'm glad to have been of service highnesses," he says, bowing again.

"Just one more thing before we leave. Emma's hair, do you know who was responsible for that?" Snow queries

Starkey blushes. "I was, ma'am," he reveals.

"Once upon a time, she was born blond," Snow says, "and I always thought that I knew what was best for her, as I'm sure all parents do but being here, made me realize what she must have felt living on board this ship for a week,"

"What's that?"

"Freedom," she muses, "He's her freedom and I can't deny her that. She hates corsets and wants them all banned in the kingdom, she hates balls because she has to wear those big dresses and corsets. All her life, she's always wished for something more and then, she's swept away and taken to this ship and she's free from all the rules we abide by as royals,"

"Snow..." David starts. "She was a prisoner,"

"No, she was free," she continues, looking at him, "When we met David, I was a fugitive on the run. I learned to survive on my own with help from friends but I was free. I didn't know what life was like beyond my father's palace until I was forced to live it,"

"It's not the same thing,"

"But it is, Charming," Snow continues, "I look at Emma now and she's not afraid to live her life; she's not scared of fighting for what she wants and I used to be like that. I had to fight to take back what was mine and defeat the Evil Queen. She wanted to take away my happiness and we're here, contemplating the same thing for our daughter. She loves him David, they love each other and we – you anyway, want to deprive her of that happiness,"

David sighs, glancing at Red and Starkey. Around the same time he met Snow, he was forced into a loveless marriage arranged by his father, King George and he threatened to kill him and his mother if he didn't go through with it. He sacrificed his own happiness to save his mother from George's army.

"I think it's time that we go home," he manages, walking off the ship.

Red comes over and hugs Snow. "For what it's worth, I still think you have that fighting spirit Snow," she whispers, backs away and thanks Starkey for his time and leaves the ship.

"That was one hell of a speech, m'lady," Starkey compliments, "Is it too early to wish my congratulations?"

"Soon," Snow smiles.

"I'm disappointed in you Red," David mutters as they collect their horses. "You said that you lost Emma's scent but Starkey said that he was surprised to see you again,"

The huntress shrugs. "So I lied about being on board that ship," she admits, "I'm sorry about that David but it wasn't my choice: it was Emma's. She wanted to stay there, obviously, because she was falling in love with him. You can blame me all you want for lying but it doesn't change the fact that they are in love and there's only one thing to do about it,"

"Red's right," Snow interrupts. "David, there is no use in delaying the inevitable. You wanted to come here for a reason and you got your answer,"

"He was clearly holding something back," he says, "Emma wouldn't just fall in love with a pirate,"

"Emma's true love could have been anyone and you would still find flaw with him," Snow continues, "Emma loves you David but I don't think that she would sacrifice her own happiness just to make you happy simply because you don't approve of her choice. The last thing I want is for her run away with him and elope, and we never see them again. I do not want to be estranged from my daughter so I would think twice David about continuing to stubborn,"

Red doesn't say anything, glances at David before mounting her horse.

Being locked up is starting to get old.

Killian doesn't regret accepting Emma's proposal and loves her more than she'll ever know but now, he's starting to wonder if she's really worth the trouble? He wants to be with her, he left his life as a pirate, wanting to start a new life with her. But after getting to know her family, see what she has to deal with day to day, he's starting to wonder how he can fit into this world?

He sighs, resting on the bench in the cell that he doesn't recognize Emma approaching his cell. She clears her throat and he stands up abruptly, coming over to the bars as she removes her hood, smiling at him.

"Emma, you really need to find better ways to spend your time than continually sneaking down here to see me,"

he teases.

"I'm not really worried about being caught, especially since my parents left with Red to find your ship," she reasons, "but I needed to see you,"

"That's sweet lass but you really should be more careful," he cautions, "even with your parents not around,"

Emma smiles at him. "I had a dream last night," she starts, "It was about us,"

Killian sighs, smiling at her. "What kind of dream was this? A sexy one, I hope,"

"It wasn't that kind of dream but it was very interesting," she muses, "Destiny takes time, Killian; things don't always happen so easily but my dream last night, convinced me that we will be together and have that happy ending,"

His smile lessens and he looks down. "Emma, I know you want to believe that we will have everything that we want but what if it doesn't? What if we can't be together?" he ponders.

"My dreams says differently,"

"Yes but it was only a dream," he reasons, "I'm sorry love; I don't mean to be so pessimistic but one of us needs to be realistic here,"

Emma clears her throat and backs away slightly. "Destiny takes time Killian but I am not giving up on you," she promises, "not when I know that we will have that happy ending. After everything we've gone through together, I refuse to run. Someone once told me, if you find something worth fighting for, you keep fighting and that's exactly what I'm going to continue to do because I love you so much and I know that you love me too. True love's wouldn't have worked if you didn't -"

"I'm not saying that I don't love you Emma because I love you so much darling, more than you'll ever know but sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is let the one you love go. I don't want you to waste your time fighting with your parents over me. I don't want to create anymore conflict,"

"You are not the problem, Killian. My mother and Red support me; the only person giving us trouble is my father," she reasons, "because he's stubborn and selfish..."

"...and protecting you," he finishes, "You're his daughter Emma and he's doing what any father would do: protect his daughter from the wrong guy,"

"But that's not you," she cries.

"I'm a pirate, love,"

"and I'm a princess but that doesn't define who I am. You, being a former a pirate, just gives you character," Emma adds, "It makes your life even more fantastic and amazing because I can't even begin to imagine the things that you've seen sailing beyond this kingdom before you met me. And I look forward to spending every night in your arms, listening to stories about your life and growing old with you, loving you and making a life with you...maybe even a daughter,"

He smiles despite himself. "Getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren't we? I always imagined a son, a boy I can swordplay with,"

"Girls can be rough too," she teases, "but all I want is a life with you, Killian and I refuse to let you walk away from me,"

"You've always been a stubborn lass," he reasons, "Then I promise, I won't give up either,"

"Good," she smiles, "and I'm betting on a baby girl,"

"Says you love, I have my heart set on a boy,"

"If you plan on breaking our daughter's heart, David, just remember she ate a poisonous apple because she couldn't deal with the pain of her losing her true love," Snow reminds him as they arrive back at the palace. "But also remember this; if you deny Emma her true love, you will have become the one person you hate the most,"

David stops walking and turns to his wife. "King George was not my father Snow and you of all people should know that I am nothing like him," he reasons.

"Then let go of your prejudice and let Emma be with Killian," she pleads, "I realize this must be a difficult struggle for you because you want what's best for her but at the same protect her too. But please David, do the right thing for all our sakes,"

He sighs and continues to the throne room to find Emma slouched on her throne, talking quietly with Jiminy. Jiminy notices them and he flies towards them. "Highnesses, welcome back," he greets, "I was just giving princess Emma, well, keeping her company,"

"Thank you Jiminy," Snow says and he leaves them.

Emma straightens up and looks towards them. "Have a successful trip?" she asks.

"We found the Jolly Roger and spoke to Starkey," David starts, "He said that Killian kept you under close quarters while you were in his care but didn't know anything else about your relationship,"

Emma glances at Red and sighs before looking back at her father. "But you're still not convinced of that, are you?" she counters.

"Pirates can lie, as some men often do," he reasons, "but one thing he did not lie about was your love for him,"

"I do love him daddy," Emma adds, "so very much but I love you too and I would hate to cause any more strife in the family. I've never been in love before and I want to embrace it, I want to be with him so badly but if I have to let him go, you should know that I'll continue to fight for him,"

"I have no doubt of that Emma," he says, sitting on the throne next to her and taking her hand, kissing it. "From the day you were born, all I've ever wanted to do was protect you from harm. I didn't think at the time that also meant protecting you from finding your true love; I always assumed the man you were meant to be with – he would be someone brave and noble, fearless,"

"I can't control who you fall in love with Emma; true love – love in general doesn't work like that," Charming continues, "I will always question if he's right for you and wish I could say with certainty that I approve..."

"Charming!" Snow cries. "I can't believe that you're still..."

Emma looks at her mother and Red. "What further proof do you need?" she asks.

He stands suddenly, looking at Red. "I want you to bring him here," he orders, "We're going to settle this once and for all,"

"David, what do you have in mind?" Snow asks.

He smiles and winks at her. "Don't worry Snow, I know what I'm doing," he promises.

tbc