AN: I noticed a mistake in the last chapter… Killian will be 14 in this story, not 15. I felt like 3 years was a bit of an age difference for the portion of the story where they are younger.

Chapter 5

KILLIAN POV

Terrifying. That was the way to describe his dreams the first night in the palace. Nightmares plagued every moment his eyes were shut. After the first one, he awoke screaming his brother's name as he had been in his dream. Searching the endless ocean for his brother but to no avail. He could have sworn he heard him shouting for him, for him to help him, to save him.

After that he had yet another nightmare. This one had Emma in it. He was rescued from the wreckage, only when he told her the story of what had become of Liam, she was appalled, "Why didn't you save him? Why didn't you try to look for him? What kind of brother would leave his only family to die like that?" She pushed him back over the edge of the ship, and he watched as they sailed away calling him a murderer. Drenched in sweat, he walked over to the window, looking at the vast ocean. One day, he would make his brother proud. He promised Liam's memory of this, and went back to sleep.

XXXX

A knocking at the door woke him from his finally peaceful slumber. When he peeled his eyes open the morning sun was pouring through the window and a light breeze ruffled the curtains. He grunted and rose from the bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The knocking sounded again and he walked over to the door, opening it to a middle-aged balding man carrying a towel.

"Mr. Jones, breakfast will be served in the dining hall within the hour, the royal family has requested you presence should you feel well enough."

"Of course. Uhm, is there anywhere I could, you know, clean myself up?" he asked awkwardly.

"We will prepare a bath for you, and Thomas here can bathe you." He pointed behind him to an elderly man that smiled kindly when he heard his name.

"That's not, uh, necessary. I can do it, he doesn't have to."

"Very well sir, it will be brought to you momentarily. There are clothes hanging in the closet for whenever you are ready." And with that he walked away, the man Thomas following behind him.

He closed the door and walked into the closet, trying to figure out what to wear. There was never a lesson about what to wear for breakfast with the royal family after they have opened their home and saved your life. Yes, that one was definitely left out. He settled for a pair of black pants and a burgundy shirt with a black jacket. Once he had decided on his outfit and his bath drawn, he settled himself in the steaming water and instantly felt muscles relax that he didn't know he had. He scrubbed every inch of his body, even got in between his toes. Once clean, he stayed in the tub until the water was cold and his fingers and toes were wrinkled. He got out and dried off, got dressed, and tried to navigate through the hall that Emma had shown him last night.

He found that it was relatively simple and was able to get straight to the dining hall on his first try. The smells radiating through the palace had his mouth watering and when he walked through the door, he saw that the family wasn't alone.

At the table sat the king and queen, with Emma beside them. There were two others that he did not recognize. One of them was a man with receding gray hair and brown, about in his 60's. He sat next to a young boy, with red hair freckles and blue eyes. It was the boy who noticed Killian first, and he tapped the other man on the shoulder pointing to Killian, "Dad, who is that?"

The older man looked up at him and smiled, "Ah at last, we have been expecting you."

The others around the table looked and smiled at him when they noticed he was present.

"Hi, Killian!" Emma shouted.

"Why don't you join us? You must be starving." The queen motioned to the seat next to Emma, who was seated next to the younger boy. He made his way across the room, the heels of his boots echoing softly in the open space and took his seat.

"How did you sleep?" Emma asked him as his plate was set down in front of him. He had to contain himself not to shove every morsel into his watering mouth.

"Very well, your highness. Thank you. And thank you, your majesties for allowing me to stay in your home last night." He said taking a bite of anything he could get his hands on.

"Oh, you are so welcome," said the queen, "Killian, we would like to introduce you to Geppetto and Pinocchio. They are very dear friends of ours and have welcomed you to come and live with them, if you would want to."

Finishing what was in his mouth, "Thank you, I would love to come with you." He said looking at the man.

"I have always wanted sons," Geppetto told him, "Pinocchio here has been such a blessing for me to have, and I always welcome another."

"Geppetto is a carpenter, he makes some of the finest things for the palace and for the entire kingdom. Pinocchio helps him with what he can, and since you are a little older, we know he will enjoy teaching you how to do his work." Said the king.

"If memory serves me correctly, I had a grandfather in the same business. It's been an interest of mine for a few years now. I had been working on a few woodcarving items on my brother's ship." Killian told them. Conversation flowed easily. He was asked about his brother and his family and where he was from, receiving an 'I told you so' look from the princess.

After breakfast was finished and Killian had eaten way more than he should have, Geppetto and Pinocchio got up and hugged the queen, "Thank you so much for this Snow."

Emma smiled at Killian, "This isn't goodbye. I come there all the time, and if you want me to, I can come visit you tomorrow?"

"I would enjoy that, your highness. You're the only friend I have here, so a familiar face would be nice." He was taller than her so when she suddenly hugged him, it she could barely reach his chest.

XXXX

Geppetto was right saying that they didn't live far, not a ten minute walk. He didn't have much to carry, just his bag of meager belongings, most of which given to him by king and queen. As soon as he got settled Geppetto instructed him on his work, the different responsibilities he would have, how to cut and carve and measure and chop wood to build with. He liked it this way, things getting back to normal, at least as normal as they could be. He was taught about the different types of cut and how to make something bland and ordinary into something beautiful.

He wasn't asked anymore about his past, or about his brother, "I'm not going to make you talk about anything, but when you do need to talk, I'm here." And he squeezed his shoulder and continued instructing him on what to do. He knew he would like it here.

As promised, Emma came and visited him the next day. And the day after that, and the day after that. Every day for the next 3 years.

XXXX

3 years later…..

He had to hurry, she'd be here soon, and it was her birthday present so he had to have it finished by the time she got here for her daily visit. The princess would be turning 15 today, and he made something especially for her.

"It looks great, son. She will love it." Geppetto said from behind him. Killian had become fairly well known in the kingdom for his abilities as a carpenter and wood carver. His work was requested almost as much as Geppetto's. All he had left to do was finish the color of the eyes, which was almost impossible to do. Emma had the most extraordinary eyes he had ever had the privilege to see.

Done.

The doll looked beautiful, carving her features in such excruciating details had taken him months to do, but she deserved nothing but the best. He carefully matched the blonde hair to Emma's and even the shape of her beautiful eyes. It looked just like her. The dress he chose for the doll was similar to the one her parents told him she'd be wearing for the ball to celebrate her 16th birthday. After admiring his work, he took the doll to an empty back room and sat it on the table. It may not be anything special to anyone else, but he knew she would love it. Just as he returned, there was a knock on the door. He opened it to see her standing there. As usually, she looked beautiful enough to take his breath away. Just returning from the sword fighting lesson she had with her father, she was dressed in beige pants, a white shirt, and her brown boots with her hair over her shoulder in a braid and she was still slightly out of breath.

"Killian, hey!" she said coming over and hugging him tightly. Through the years, they had become best friends. Or, at least that's what she thought they were. He had more feelings than she would probably ever reciprocate, but the only one who knew that was Geppetto. It happened slowly, one day he realized he cared a great deal for her, and would do anything she ever asked of him.

"Hey, happy birthday, your highness!" he replied hugging her back. He still didn't like calling her by her name, her title was your highness. He was still taller than her so he had to bend down slightly, "I have a surprise for you."

"Killian, I asked you not to get me anything." She said crossing her arms over her chest.

"I know, and I promised I wouldn't. So I didn't." stepping behind her he placed his hands over her eyes, "trust me?"

"Of course."

He slowly led her to the back room where he'd hidden the doll. Once directly in front of the table, he moved his hands so she could see his work. There was a sharp intake of breath as she walked closer to it and gently picked it up.

"Did you make this?" she had it cupped in her hand, gently holding it as if she were scared it would shatter.

"Aye, happy birthday." Smiling gently down at her, he watched her turn the doll over and marvel at it.

'Killian, this is beautiful. Thank you." She set the doll back down on the table and walked over to him slowly. He opened his arms, expecting her to hug him. Once she got to him, she looked up, stood on her toes, and kissed him.

When the shock wore off after the first second, he realized what was actually happening. The kiss was soft, and gentle. Each of them testing the waters. He didn't want to get to needy, afraid he might scare her. She stepped closer to him and grabbed him by the collar to deepen their kiss. He felt her tongue trace his bottom lip, he willingly obliged and their mouths were moving in perfect rhythm. He cupped the back of her head and his thumb was tracing her jawline. He could feel her breath coming faster as her hand moved from his collar into his hair.

They were wrenched apart when they heard someone walk into the shop and start talking to Geppetto.

AN: Ahhh I have been waiting to write this chapter:). I love Killian and Emma together so much. I like the responses I'm getting to this so far and I am really enjoying writing it. I will try to post another chapter tomorrow, it will be a little sad, but things will work out:)