A/N: I'm so sorry it took me so long to update. As i said in my Prompts Fic collection, my muse basically decided it wanted a vacation and forgot to tell me. But i'm back and hopefully will not take two months to update next time. I have a bit of an idea of what i'll do for Chpt 4 but this fic is one that doesn't have a plan, i'm just writing as I go.

As Killian retired for the night, he began thinking back through the conversation with the Captain. He had been foolish to think that he could voice an opposing opinion not even a day into the journey. Killian was partially surprised that Swan didn't just chuck his sorry arse off the boat as soon as he opened his mouth. And to top things off, Killian realized he was close to Henry's age when his parents finally agreed to begin his sword lessons. He knew he needed to apologize, but had the sense of mind to realize that it should wait til morning. So Killian turned in for the night, his first night on a pirate ship.

The next day, Killian was woken abruptly by loud knocking on the door. It took him a few minutes to recognize his surroundings and remember the previous day's events. ALL of the day's events. The knocking returned again and this time Killian rose to see who it was. As he swung the door open, Killian looked out and was greeted by the sight of Robin holding a map and bucket.

"Captain says you're to swab the deck. And then help Ariel in the galley." Robin spoke, as Killian took the two items from him before watching Robin turn and retreat back up to the top deck.

Killian knew these menial, leftover jobs were left to him because of two reasons. The first, and probably biggest, reason is because he pissed her off last night as he questioned her authority and decisions, the other because he was the newest and lowest man in the pecking order. If he wasn't sure about apologizing at first, his newest tasks secured that fact. As did the hard glare coming from the blonde captain that Killian felt as soon as he surfaced on the deck. Knowing that the day would go better if he got the chore done before apologizing, he immediately set out on swabbing the deck with his mop and bucket of soapy, sea water in hand.

When Killian was about three-quarters of the way done with the deck, the Captain's voice broke through the noise of busy work and hum-drum of mid-morning. "Roland! Henry! Go and get some snacks and then you can show our newest member how to clean the deck now that it's been swabbed." Emma ordered, not looking at Killian but the two boys who were playing at the opposite end of the ship. Killian hadn't noticed them at first but easily deduced who was who, since he had met Henry the night before at the sword practice and that he was much taller than Roland.

As he watched the two boys head downstairs to get some food, Killian saw this as his chance to apologize to the Captain. So gathering his courage and abandoning his royal pride, Killian walked up towards the helm where Emma stood with Ruby at the wheel.

"Captain, May I say something?" he spoke as he approached from the stairs to her right.

"You may, doesn't mean I'll listen." Emma retorted shortly.

"I just wanted to apologize for how the conversation last night turned. It wasn't my place to criticize your decisions. So, I'm sorry."

Emma didn't speak for some time, either refusing to accept his apology or mulling over a response.

"Fine, you're sorry. But question my decisions as captain again and it's the brig for you. Question my decisions as a mother and you won't make it home. Are we clear, Mr. Jones?"

"Yes, Swan."

"And it's Captain Swan. Only Captain Swan. Now go fetch the boys from the galley and get to work." Emma spoke, dismissing Killian with not so much as a wave of her hand.

Nodding and turning, Killian left hoping that his words would eventually get through the walls the Captain clearly has. He followed the sounds of boys laughing to find the galley and discovered a welcome sight. There sitting on a table top were the two boys as they talked to a red haired woman Killian could only assume was Ariel, the cook. The three of them were deep in conversation, but if Killian was to guess, Ariel had been telling the two boys either jokes or funny stores, judging by all the laughter Killian had heard.

It was Ariel that spotted him first, rushing over with a smile and a stretched out hand.

"Hi, you must be the passenger we are taking to the Enchanted Forest. I'm Ariel, the cook. I actually saw you at sword practice yesterday but I never got a chance to introduce myself." Her words quick and jumbled as if windswept, like her hair.

"Killian Jones, and that's me. Got a bit lost during a journey home and required assistance. I've come to collect the young masters Henry and Roland for their next chore. One, which I'm to be taught," Killian said smiling, returning the handshake before turning toward the two smaller occupants.

Henry immediately jumped up and headed out the door with Roland closely behind him. Killian was about to follow when he felt a hand on his arm. Turning, he saw Ariel looking at him curiously.

"I heard about what happened between you and the Captain last night. The Captain has had a very tough life and Henry is her pride and joy. She has her walls and stern exterior but they are justified. Don't let them discourage you. Maybe one day she will tell you the story." And with that Ariel released his arm, turned and disappeared into the galley kitchen once more.

Some of what Ariel said wasn't really news to Killian, because to him, the captain was somewhat of an open book. Her walls were clear and people normally had walls if they had had a tough life and needed to keep themselves safe. What threw Killian was the assumption that Killian needed to break through Emma's walls.

Pushing the thoughts to the back burner, Killian made his way back to the top deck to join Henry and Roland. After quickly locating the two young boys close to where they had been playing, Killian approached only to be handed a rag by Henry.

"What's this for lad?" he asked taking the raggedy damp cloth, eyeing the stains curiously.

"Well if you're to join us in our chore, you need a polishing rag. Every so often, we have to polish the rails and tools and everything else on board to keep it clean and pretty. My mom, the Captain, says that a clean ship inspires order and respect and wealth. So she devised a way to keep the ship looking proper and keep me and Roland busy by breaking it up into different days." Henry explained matter-of-factly, his pride for being the son of the Captain leaking through his words.

"Plus we make a game of it." Roland piped up.

"Very well lads. What's the game?" Killian asked turning and bending down to his knees so he could look Roland in the eye.

"Well for me and Henry, we race to see who wipes their pieces of rails first."

"Well that sounds like quite a lot of fun. What say you and me race against Henry? How does that sound?"

A wide smile blossomed across Roland's face just as Killian heard a quiet "crap" coming from Henry behind him as the lad realized what was happening and how the odds were stacking up.

"Oh can we please Killy?"

Chuckling at the familiar but long lost nickname, Killian nodded before standing and turning to face both boys.

"So you and Roland against me. I think I can still beat you guys." Henry spoke, smiling. "The rules are simple. We both start here at the bow point and work our ways around the opposite sides of the ship towards the stern. We end at the middle of the other side. You and Roland will go on one side and I'll take the other. First one to make it to the other side wins."

Killian nodded and the three headed to the very front point to begin.

"Okay. Ready, Set, GO!" Henry called out and they were off.

Killian had picked up Roland and they began wiping down the rails with Roland's two small hands and one of Killian's hands holding their rags for the duration. It was one of the most fun experiences Killian had ever experienced. The warm noon day sun bearing down on his back, the wind blowing through his and Roland's hair and the sounds of waves lapping up against the ship mingling with Roland's laughter warmed Killian's heart as they raced and brought out his inner child. He could also hear the occasional laughter of Henry as well coming from the other side of the ship.

The duo quickly neared the railing that flanked the stairs from the main deck to the deck where the helm and stern were located. As they began to ascend the stairs, Killian slowed and looked up, meeting the green eyes of the Captain, green eyes that were actually lit up with laughter and the faintest spark of a smile. Something sparked deep inside Killian but he wasn't able to reflect on it as Roland was laughing and urging Killian to go faster so they could beat Henry.

They quickly arrived at the designated finish point and as Killian was putting Roland down so he could celebrate victory, Henry finished as well.

"Ah drat, I lost. No fair." he shouted, dismayed that he lost.

"Now Henry, what have I told you about being a sore loser?" Emma scolded her son as she approached the group.

"That it's petty and vain." Henry recited, clearly not the first having to answer this question.

"That's right. The important thing is that you had fun while getting your chore done."

"Yes mom."

"Alright kid, why don't you and Roland see if Robin wants any help in the Armory? I think she is taking stock."

Killian watched as Henry and Roland took off in a flash, clearly excited about their next task. He bent down to pick up the dropped rags when he heard the Captain speak again.

"You're very good with them. Do you have any children at home?" She asked curiously, stepping closer so they could converse privately.

"No. Not even betrothed much to the chagrin of my parents. But as they are married for true love it is their belief that my brother and I are allowed the same courtesy." Killian answered, shrugging as he leaned against the rail and looked out at the open sea before him.

"Then how are you so good with kids? If you don't mind me asking."

"It's alright. I like to go down to the surrounding villages and interact with everyone, the kids especially. I found that the children are more receptive and if the parents see us interacting as normal people they will feel more comfortable with approaching the royal family."

"But there are no children at the castle?" Emma asked leaning against the rail next to him. Killian felt the same spark as before as she neared him.

"I'm afraid not. My parents only had me and my younger brother, Liam. Though Liam is newly married. Though I know that he and Sarah have yet to conceive just yet. Also to my parents chagrin. I know they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of grandchildren."

"That sounds peaceful. No running around and shouting."

"Aye. It can be but the castle can also feel quite large and lonely. With my parents often off on royal business and Liam attending to his new wife, my life has recently turned quite lonely. I guess that's why I had to get away. But you clearly saw how well that went." Killian spoke, sighing heavily from the weight of his words. He then leaned more into the rails, his hands supporting him as he focused on the expansive sea all around him. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Emma looking at him with curious eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize." she said quietly.

"It's quite alright Captain. Not even royals have it all." Killian sighed softly. "Besides, you have quite the life here. You must be very proud of Henry and Roland. They are turning into quite fine young lads."

Emma looked down sheepishly, "Thanks, but it's not really all that much. I don't know why Robin agreed on bringing Roland on here. It can't be safe for a six year old to be on a pirate ship." she spoke softly, almost as if to herself forgetting that Killian was there.

"I'm sure if Roland was in any real danger; Robin would know it and wouldn't have brought him."

"Perhaps. Just who are you, Prince Killian."

"I'm no one, captain. If either of us is the mystery, it'd be you Captain Swan. Just who are YOU?" Killian asked, looking into Emma's eyes.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Perhaps I would."

A sudden jerk of the ship broke the spell that had descended onto Emma and Killian and reminded them of the presence of everyone else, including Ruby who was only a few yards away at the wheel.

"Ruby! What was that?" Emma called as she strode over to her first mate to investigate the jerk.

"Accidentally lost control of the wheel, sorry Captain." Ruby said, shrugging.

"Very well. Jones! I believe you were supposed to be in the galley helping Ariel after your deck duties were done."

"Aye Captain." Killian called as he accepted that their moment was over and he retreated back to the galley to join Ariel for the afternoon.

The entire afternoon flew by quite quickly and uneventfully. He did whatever chore Ariel asked of him, whether it was skinning potatoes or mixing some spices together. Killian quite enjoyed his time in the galley because it gave him and Ariel time to talk.

He found out that her and Eric were married and that he had been disowned from his royal family when he chose to follow his love for Ariel, who was actually a mermaid. They had joined the Window to the Sea just after her maiden voyage when Emma and her smaller ragtag crew had happened upon the port town the then refugees were staying. Emma and Eric had bonded over their love of the sea and a mutual respect of following dreams. So when Emma prepared to leave port she offered them positions aboard the ship. Eric was given the position as navigator because of his knowledge of all the different kingdoms and the trade routes each of them took. Killian listened in wonder as Ariel spun tales of different journeys they had taken and how thankful she was that Emma had taken them in.

He couldn't help but wonder just how much wrongdoing this ship did exactly. The more he observed they seem more like a group of leftovers, not belonging anywhere but also not having to answer to anyone that occasionally overtook ships to capture gold. Emma seemed to run a tight ship and kept in respectable and clearly she was raising Henry to be a gentleman. So as Killian turned in for the night his thoughts were swimming with Emma and what her story could be. Ariel had mentioned her walls and that they were justified so Killian couldn't help but wonder just what had happened to this woman that led to such high walls.