A/N this chapter is "SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE!" Mahahaha also smuuut.

Chapter Nine

As Storybrooke comes into view, the crew of the Jolly Roger breathe a collective sigh of relief. Killian steers the ship towards the docks and Snow takes out her phone to call Dr. Whale and Belle, to check on Neal.

Waiting for the ship when they dock are Dr. Whale, Belle with Neal and Henry. David helps the doctor up onto the ship, directing him towards the Captain's quarters, as Snow races down the gangplank to Belle and lifts Neal into her arms with big smiles. She extends her hug to Belle and then to an anxious-looking Henry.

"Is my mom okay?" he asks impatiently, eyeing the doctor's back as he boards the ship.

Regina looks over the side of the ship at his comment and smiles at him.

"Come on up, Henry. And yes, Emma will be fine." She says as Henry runs up and onto the ship to tightly hug his mother.

"Where is she?" he says when he releases Regina. She smiles down at him and points to the hatch leading below deck.

"She's lying down, resting. She has some burns that we will be able to heal when her magic returns."

Henry looks at Regina, confused

"What happened to her magic?"

Regina frowns slightly.

"We both got dosed with some sort of magic-suppressing powder but it should be out of our systems in a couple days. Why don't you go see her?" She says and he starts running towards the hatch to the Captain's quarters, sparing a last smile for her.

Henry slides down the ladder just in time to hear Dr. Whale say,

"…But she mostly needs rest. Once her magic returns, she obviously can heal the burns and smoke inhalation but she will most likely still be quite worn out. Just make sure she takes it easy for a few days."

Killian nods to the doctor in agreement and thanks him before, turning to Henry and extending an arm to usher him closer to Emma. Henry hurries forward with a big grin for his mother. Emma coughs a few times and then smiles at Henry.

"Hey, kid." She manages to say.

"Hey Mom. Other Mom filled me in a bit. Are you okay?"

Emma tries to sit up slightly to answer him but is halted by Killian's hand on her shoulder and a stern look. Killian looks at Henry and answers for Emma.

"She'll be just fine, lad. If she can allow herself to be taken care of long enough to heal."

Killian smiles and Henry laughs at the scrunched up face that Emma makes at his comment.

"Don't worry, Mom. We will take care of everything. You just get better."

Emma leans forward and gives Henry a one-armed hug before he runs off above deck again, leaving Emma and Killian alone for the first time since she went missing.

After gazing at each other for a while, Killian gets down and puts his face very close to Emma's.

"You scared me, love. And I know it will happen again, but I've said it before and I'll say it now: I will follow you to the ends of the earth, Love."

He leans forward and kisses her lips softly, intending it to be a chaste show of devotion, but Emma deepens the kiss and Killian finds himself drawn into a kiss filled with playful promise.

He pulls back and gives Emma a saucy grin.

"Now, now, darling. You need to be resting. Doctors' orders."

Grinning at Emma's pout, Killian rises and pecks a kiss to her forehead.

"Sleep, Love." And then he turns to leave, looking back to make sure she is settling in to have a rest.

Emma missed Killian so much that she wants to be with him to stay, but her traitorous body is drifting to sleep.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

After two days aboard the Jolly Roger, Emma is getting accustomed to letting the gentle sway of the ship lull her to sleep and waking to the cries of seagulls. Snuggled up in the captain's bed, Emma relishes the deep breaths she was now capable of taking and stretches her legs without any pain. Her magic had returned sometime in the night and she wasted no time in healing herself and then fading back to sleep next to Killian.

He had fallen to sleep last night reading a boating magazine that Henry had brought him along with a huge care package for his mother. Emma smiles and reaches over to move the magazine off Killian's chest and onto the floor, rolling towards him at the same time.

Killian wakes to soft kisses, feathering over his face. He smiles without opening his eyes.

"Emma… you should be resting, Love."

But she will not be deterred. She missed her pirate and was feeling much better.

"I've rested enough for now." She says between kisses.

"I've missed you so much, Killian."

Her hands begin a slow slide up his torso to caress his chest where his shirt was open and her hips gently move against his, in time with the waves.

"Emma…" Killian says with an amused warning.

Her kisses were moving towards his jaw and his ear.

"I'm not looking for acrobatics, babe."

She says as she leans over to lick the edge of his ear. Killian hisses in a breath.

"I just need to feel close to you again." She murmurs in his ear.

Killian knows he has already lost the fight and smiles as he carefully rolls himself over to look down at Emma.

"As you wish, my love. I have but one rule." He says as she grins victoriously up at him.

"And what is that?"

Killian leans down to brush a kiss across her lips.

"You let me do all the work, darling."

Emma chuckles but Killian pulls away slightly and quirks an eyebrow at her until he hears her agree to his terms.

"Okay, fine. It's all you, Captain." She says, throwing her hands up in surrender.

A devilish grin splits his face and he leans in close again with a searing kiss, making her dizzy with love.

Killian starts kissing Emma everywhere as he slowly undresses her and by the time she is naked, Emma is dripping and ready for him. Killian quickly strips himself as well before kissing his way down her body to her core. He trails passionate kisses across her thighs and she lets out a high-pitched moan as he slips his tongue over her sensitive nub. Sucking it into his mouth, he uses the rough part of his tongue to build up a delicious friction and then plunges it into her folds.

Emma is getting louder by the second and she couldn't care less. Killian's wonderful assault on her core is bringing her so close to orgasm.

"Killian… I need you… I want you inside me."

Not needing to be told twice, Killian gives her opening one last lick and moves tenderly over her to draw her into a deep kiss.

Emma can taste herself on Killian's tongue and it is intoxicating.

"Are you ready for me, darling?" he rumbles in her ear before taking her lobe between his teeth and nipping.

"Yes…"

He pushes up onto his elbows and looks into Emma's eyes as he enters her. She holds his eyes as he sets a lazy pace, thrusting into her.

When Emma can't take anymore she digs her finger into his hips.

"Now, Killian. Please, I need you."

He smiles sweetly at her and his pace increases until he is hammering in and out of her. Emma closes her eyes and cries out her orgasm, moments before Killian groans and spills himself inside her.

Killian catches Emma's eyes again after a few seconds of recovery.

"I love you, Emma."

Emma smiles up at him and takes his face in her hands, pulling him down for a lingering kiss.

"I love you so much, Killian." She whispers back.

Killian nuzzles her neck a bit before pulling himself out of her and rolling to her side. He curls a protective arm around her waist and pulls her closer to him.

"Rest again now, Love."

And she contentedly lets the waves lull her back to sleep with her pirate wrapped around her.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

After dozing most of the day, Emma wakes to darkness and she reaches over for Killian but finds only cold sheets. She rolls over and sees a candle burning on Killian's desk and Emma moves off the bed to read the single piece of parchment left beside the candle.

Dress. And come find me, Love.

Is all it said in Killian's beautiful handwriting. Emma looks around and sees the pretty pink dress she wore on their first date hanging from a corner of Killian's dresser. Emma smiles to herself. Killian must have asked Henry to bring it over.

Emma quickly gets dressed and puts a bit of make up on before climbing the ladder to the ship's deck.

Standing next to the helm, Emma looks around and her breath catches. Killian had sailed the ship out to sea while she slept and that wasn't all he had been up to. Looking down to the deck, Emma sees Killian dressed as he was on their first date as well. He smiles up at her and strides over to take her hand as she descends the steps to the deck. There are fairy lights strung all over the deck and Emma is looking around for the source of the music drifting around them.

She looks down at her pirate and smiles at him feeling like a real princess as Killian gently kisses her fingers and steps back to bow to her and then slowly spins her into his arms. Emma didn't want to speak and break the spell that he was weaving around them so she just gazes into his sapphire eyes and lets him draw her into a dance.

Much more intimate than their last dance in the enchanted forest, they just sway together, bodies pressed closely and unhindered by overly-full dresses or stiff clothing. It was just them, moving with the rhythm of the ship and the music. Emma sighs and rests her head on Killian's shoulder, deciding that she could stay right there forever.

After contentedly swaying to a few more songs, Killian spins Emma out and then guides her to several blankets and pillows piled up on the deck. Emma sits and Killian hands her a glass of rum, seemingly from nowhere. Emma quirks a curious eyebrow, but takes a sip instead of inquiring. Killian reaches behind the mast and flicks a switch, turning off the fairy lights and Emma gasps as she looks up. The giant full moon and millions of stars perfectly out-line the crow's nest of the ship and it is breath-taking. Emma looks down to Killian to say so and finds him staring at her intently.

"Emma…"

Not trusting herself to speak, she simply inclines her head in response. He leans in a ghosts a kiss across her lips before leaning back against the mast and taking a deep breath. Emma just waits while he gathers his thoughts.

"When I was a child, after our father abandoned us, Liam and I had to fend for ourselves."

Killian looks off into the distance, remembering.

"We would search the docks and beaches for discarded items to exchange for food and the like." Emma laces her fingers through his in silent support, urging him to continue.

"I was a young lad in rags searching the beaches when I found a small bit of blue amongst the shells and sand. It was a shard of beach glass, smoothed down by years of being at sea. I'd never seen anything so beautiful before. It was a deep blue and to my young eyes, it looked like a jewel."

Killian smiled at the memory of his young self.

"I could have sold it for a meal for Liam and I, but I didn't. I couldn't part with it. I never even showed my brother my treasure. I kept it in my pocket for years and when I became worried or angry, I would put my hand in my pocket and rub my fingers over its smooth sides. It would calm me."

Emma shuffles closer and lays her head on his shoulder to look out over the water with him, letting him tell his story.

Killian slips a hand into his pocket and keeps his fist curled around something as he speaks again.

"I hadn't thought about that piece of glass in years and a few days ago I realized why: It's you, Emma."

He says, looking down at her for a moment before returning his gaze to the sea.

"You have become my calm, Swan. My port in the storm."

He moves his hand in front of Emma and holds up a delicate white gold ring.

Emma, taken completely by surprise, lifts her head from his shoulder and stares at the ring in front of her with widened eyes. Killian furrows his brow and quickly says,

"I know you are probably not ready for this, Emma and I've resigned myself to the fact that you are probably going to turn me down flat, but I needed to try, Love."

Emma just stares at the ring in his hand, speechless. The ring is made of several delicate strands of white gold, braided together around, what must be the piece of beach glass from his story.

Emma's heart feels like it will burst as she looks down at Killian's small piece of childhood treasure.

Killian begins lowering his hand.

"It's not fit for a princess, I know. I can find you a diamond worthy to adorn your finger…"

Emma cuts him off by grabbing his hand and holding it in front of her. She looks over into Killian's eyes and kisses him sweetly. In an emotionally choked voice, she whispers to him.

"It's perfect, Killian."

Hope soars into his eyes as he watches Emma return her attention to the ring and pluck it from his fingers, cradling it in her palm.

"It couldn't be more perfect." She says as a tear slides down her cheek.

Killian catches the tear with a finger and moves around in front of Emma, watching her intently, almost in disbelief. He takes the ring from her palm and holds it out in question, waiting.

"Emma Swan…" he says with a smile creeping onto his lips.

Emma gives a nervous giggle and holds her hand steady for him.

"Princess of the enchanted forest and saviour of Storybrooke…, will you do me the honour of marrying this old pirate captain?"

Killian holds his breath and slides his ring onto Emma's finger before he looks back to her face and waits for her answer.

Emma takes a moment to savour the sight of his beautiful ring on her hand before looking up into Killian's eyes. Swallowing her fear, Emma simply says,

"Yes." And then lets out a nervous breath and smiles shakily.

Killian surges forward and captures her lips as they fall backwards and Emma laughs. Killian is on top of her and pulls back to look at her again.

"I truly expected you to turn me down, Love. So, I'm in about as much shock as you, I think." He says with a chuckle. Emma laughs more and pushes up to her elbows so she can kiss him more.

After a long leisurely kiss, punctuated by smiles and laughs, Killian and Emma lay down on the blankets and cushions together to caress each other as they stare up at the bright stars and listen to the soft music of Adele, drifting around them.

After a while, Emma turns to look at Killian.

"I have to ask, where is the music coming from?"

Killian chuckles and points up to the ship's boom where he had hidden the portable speaker.

"I may have had some assistance from Henry for that one." He says with a smile.

Emma whips a look in his direction.

"Henry knows?" she asks, surprised but amused.

"Aye. The lad and I had a good long talk while you were sleeping yesterday."

Emma grins.

"Apparently. Anybody else in on your big secret?"

Killian is starting to busy himself with kissing up Emma's arm as he answers.

"Your father, actually."

At her raised eyebrows, he continues,

"Oh we shared a moment when we were leaving Paris. I spoke to him yesterday of my intentions and after much posturing and threatening, he agreed to be happy for us. Though I admit, I don't believe he thought you would accept my proposal either."

Killian says with a smug smile as he takes Emma's hand and kisses the ring on her finger, holding her eyes. Emma moves in closer.

"So is there anyone else? My mother?"

Killian's grin turns coy.

"Actually, we thought it best to keep this from your mother, in the interest of secrecy."

Emma bursts out laughing.

"That was probably a good idea. I love her but my mother has issues with keeping secrets."

Emma says as Killian works his kisses up to her shoulder.

"That was our assessment as well. Now, not to be blunt about it, but might we stop the talk of your family members and get back to the present moment." He says with lust filled eyes.

Emma leans into him, having absolutely no objection to the present moment. She presses Killian onto his back with deep kisses and starts roaming her hands over his chest as she moves to straddle his hips. Sitting up to look down at her pirate, Emma smiles as she catches sight of her new ring. She can already feel the beginnings of his erection and she moves her hips down the length of it in appreciation.

Emma leans over and grabs her glass of rum and gives Killian a sip before throwing back the rest and putting the glass out of the way. Killian laughs at her new abandon and settles his hook and hand on either side of her waist. Emma thinks for a moment before she stands up, pulling him to his feet as well.

"I think I need help getting this dress off." She says as she nibbles on his collarbone. Killian has the zipper down in seconds and is easing her dress off her shoulders and down her body to pool at her feet. Emma returns the favour and slips his vest and shirt off before sliding her hands down to button of his jeans.

Kicking off their shoes, they are soon standing naked under the stars and need is replacing playfulness. Killian picks up Emma, wrapping her legs around his hips, and walks her over to push her back against the mast of the Jolly Roger.

Hands clutching to pull each other closer, Emma tilts her hips to match the angle of Killian's erection. All the invitation he needs, Killian enters her swiftly and they both gasp in relief.

Soft moans from Emma are driving Killian mad and he starts moving within her, swallowing her cries of pleasure with his deep kisses. She reaches up with one hand to hold on to some low rigging and Killian digs his hook into the mast as he plunges in and out of her, building the aching tension inside them both. Emma tips her head back and opens her mouth to scream her release as it washes over her and Killian presses his forehead to her throat and groans his own climax.

Panting and smiling, Emma and Killian look at each other as the pulses of pleasure slow. Killian yanks his hook from the mast, frowning slightly at the mark left behind, as he helps Emma lower her legs to the deck.

They both collapse happily onto the blankets and pillows, letting the warm breeze cool their sweat-slicked bodies as they drift to sleep.