A/N: I hope you all are still enjoying this story as much as I am—I love all of your feedback, and I take all of your love very dearly. You're the best! Also, please don't hate me for this one...

I listened to: 'Learn Me Right' by Birdy and Mumford & Sons, 'Reflections' by the Misterwives, & 'Compass' by Lady Antebellum. Enjoy!

Just a while later, Killian woke up from his slumber, only to realize his dear Emma was not at his side. He jolted up, sleepily glancing around the room until he saw Emma sitting out on her balcony. He let out a sigh and fell back onto the sheets.

"Morning, sleepy." Emma spoke as she turned, a smile gracing her lips.

"Morning, love." He mumbled, closing his eyes again. It was only a few moments before he felt the bed dip, and two hands on his face. Shortly after that, he felt Emma's soft lips on his, making him grin.

"Mm, morning." He mumbled as she pulled away, "How did you sleep?"

"Well. I wasn't intending on taking a nap." She smiled, "What about you?"

"I feel refreshed." He replied, offering a smile, "I wish I could lie with you forever."

He finally opened his eyes to see her smiling down at him. His eyes stayed glued to hers for a few solid moments before he lazily sat up on his elbows.

"So, Princess," He grinned, "When will I see you again after tonight?"

"I believe my parents are beginning to understand the depth of my love for you, Lieutenant. Let's say tomorrow morning?"

"Of course, milady." Killian spoke softly, "Emma, we do have to talk about something."

"What?" She spoke with a giggle as Killian sat up. Her giggle faded as she realized his expression had changed.

"Your father was speaking of sending Liam and I away in a few weeks. He told us yesterday, while we were out." He admitted, "I should have told you sooner, but you were hurt, and I didn't want to burden you."

"Killian…" She breathed, her eyes already gathering tears.

"I'm so sorry." Killian whispered, brushing a curl behind her ear, "I wish I didn't have to go."

"I can't lose you."

"You won't lose me, love. I'll come back for you." Killian spoke with a reassuring smile, "I find my way back to you."

Emma nodded once, biting her lip. Killian in turn hugged her close, sighing into her golden curls.

"I love you, Killian." She whimpered, and Killian knew she was crying.

"I love you, too, Emma." Killian whispered back, closing his eyes as she clung to his shoulders just a little tighter.

The two stayed like that for a few minutes before Emma tugged away and wiped at her eyes.

"Hey, why don't we go do something fun? Something to get your mind off of everything?" Killian asked with a smile.

"Okay." Emma sniffled, nodding.

"C'mere." He whispered, pulling her head close and dropping a kiss to her forehead. She pulled away with a small smile this time, making Killian smile.

"Where to, Princess?"

"I think I've an idea." She grinned, pulling him off the bed.

"I haven't shown you the gardens yet, have I?" Emma smiled.

"You have not." Killian grinned, laughing as she grabbed his hand and tugged him towards the gates. He watched her as the two ran through the gardens, neither paying attention to the flowers and foliage around them. They were too in love to focus on anything else.

"This is my favorite part of the whole grounds." Emma admitted, slowing her pace as they reached a meadow.

The grass was impossibly green, and nearly as high as the top of Killian's boots. Emma grasped his hand a little tighter and brought him to the single oak tree in the center of it all, lying down against it and prompting Killian to do the same. He sat carefully, trying not to sit on her dress.

"It's a lovely day." He smiled, shedding his jacket, "Perfect for spending it with you."

Emma smiled, leaning against him as he finally sprawled out. He wrapped an arm around her, looking up into the thick branches.

"I could not imagine doing this with anyone but you, Lieutenant." Emma smiled.

"You like that title, don't you?"

"Just as you like 'Princess'." Emma teased, making him raise his brows and tilt his head in agreement.

"I suppose you're right, love." He smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"I used to come out here with my mother when I was younger, and she would call animals... I used to love it."

"Has that changed?"

"As I grew up, yes." Emma replied, hiding a smile, "But, do you know what my favorite thing to do out here is?"

"I can't possibly imagine."

"Dancing." Emma grinned, rising from the tree and starting to spin in circles. Killian pulled himself up, catching her in his arms and lifting her with a laugh. He set her down and she continued her circles around him, their eyes never really leaving each other's.

"Loosen up, sailor!" Emma teased, causing Killian to roll his eyes with a smile as he started dancing with less care. He laughed as Emma lifted her skirt and danced freely, her hair and body seemingly moving with the wind. He linked his arm through the crook for her elbow, spinning with her as they laughed and danced without any inhibitions.

"This is what princesses do for enjoyment?"

"I don't know if all princesses do, but I certainly do!" Emma laughed, tossing her head back and releasing his arm before twirling out. Her dress took a moment to settle, her bodice moving quickly as she tried to catch a breath. Killian took a step forward, setting his hands on her waist and tugging her closer.

"I love you." Emma smiled up to her lieutenant.

"I love you, too, Emma." Killian grinned.

"Ready for another bout?" Emma beamed, nearly bouncing in place.

"Of course, love." Killian chuckled, "Lead the way!"

The lieutenant and the princess danced until they were huffing & puffing from laughing so hard. They finally reclined against the tree, their tree, bodies pressed together as if they were bound by nature.

"So, not to bring the tone down, but how exactly are you planning to make your parents accept us?" Killian asked, combing through her curls. Emma sighed, shrugging her shoulders.

"You've saved me on two occasions. Hopefully they'll come to their senses." Emma spoke with an easy smile.

"Aye, I suppose that's true." Killian replied.

"You know what I just realized?"

"What?"

"We slept through dinner." Emma giggled, making Killian chuckle.

"Oh well."

"Are you hungry, Lieutenant?"

"Only if you are."

"Of course I am. It's been a long day." She smiled, rising to her feet and holding her well arm out for Killian. He laughed and allowed her to help him to his own feet, holding onto her hand as he walked beside her.

"Aye, it has been. But, I've loved that I have spent every moment of it with you." Killian smiled, nudging her a little as they walked back towards the palace.

"For a sailor, you are incredibly sappy." Emma giggled.

"Only for you, my love." Killian grinned, dropping his lips to the top of her head.

Later that night, after dinner, it was time for them to part ways. Killian hated leaving her, but he knew he'd see her again the next morning.

Killian couldn't keep the smile off his face as he started making his way back to the ship. His mind was solely focused on Emma, the princess who had stolen his heart. With his focus on that, a shady figure appearing in front of him was surprising to say the least.

"God, you scared me." Killian sighed, one hand on his chest, the other on his sword.

"Good, dearie!" The man laughed.

"Hey, you're the man from the shop." Killian said, narrowing his eyes.

"That I am." The man spoke in his creepy, high-pitched voice, "We made a deal."

"I signed a paper..." Killian spoke in a confused tone.

"Yes, and that paper bound your heart, to me."

"What?" Killian breathed.

"Your heart belongs to my control."

"Who are you?" Killian asked, pulling his sword from his belt.

"I wouldn't do that, dearie." He smiled, then bowed, one foot pointed straight, "Rumplestiltskin."

"I don't want to keep this deal, my heart belongs to someone else-"

"In theory," Rumplestiltskin replied, "She does not physically have it."

"What are you going on about?" Killian asked, tightening his grip on his sword. Before he could react, the man had plunged his hand into Killian's chest, pulling out a glowing heart. His heart. Killian gasped at it, looking to the man.

"You have two options, dearie." The man said, "Give me your heart, or give me your life."

"If taking my heart means I can no longer love my Emma, then just kill me."

"Kill you? No, no, no, that's much too messy." He replied, sticking Killian's heart back into his chest. Killian finally gasped for air, closing his eyes.

"You're a monster." Killian growled.

"What will it be?" He smirked.

"Don't take my heart, please." Killian pleaded, still looking at the sickly looking man from under his furrowed brows.

"Drink this, then." Rumplestiltskin said, presenting a small flask, "You will not feel a thing."

"And, you won't do anything to harm my Emma?"

"Not a thing." He spoke, his hands out to his sides. Killian drank it all in one go, and the effects immediately kicked in.

"What is this?" Killian asked, dropping the flask as he felt his body going numb.

"Goodnight!" The man exclaimed, emitting a creepy laugh before disappearing. Killian felt like he was being dragged to the bottom of the ocean, his eyes closing slowly, knowing that his Emma was safe.

"Emma." He breathed as his eyes fully closed.