Emma closed her eyes, letting the soft breeze of the sea cradle her face. After the ten weeks she had been at sea, it was starting to grow on her. She wasn't sure if it was due to the kinship that she developed with the people on the Jewel or finding a sense of belonging. All her life she was used to running and living by herself, but now, she was given an opportunity to be a part of something.

Soft footfalls behind her caused her head to turn slightly in the direction of the sound, curious to see who was approaching. She was greeted with the sight of a smirking Killian. She smiled in greeting when he stood right next to her, arms lazily resting on the side of the deck. The slight breeze caused tufts of his hair to flow slightly in the wind.

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, sighing contentedly. "Nothing beats the smell of the ocean on a cool summer's day."

"The day sure is lovely," she agreed, earning a fond smile from the lieutenant.

"Indeed." He smirked, waggling his eyebrows. She had to look away to keep herself from blushing.

"You're such a goofball." She snorted, lightly hitting his arm but couldn't stop the soft smile that graced her features.

"Oi! I bruise easily." He pouted, biting his lower lip and pretending to be hurt. Emma laughed at his puppy dog look as he rubbed his arm. Out of this whole entire predicament, Killian was starting to grow on her.

"I'm sure you'll get over it," she teased, putting a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. She really wished she had a hair tie to put her hair up. She tried spare rope, but it was slightly uncomfortable when she put her hair back. She couldn't understand how Killian could handle it. She resorted to braiding it, which helped some until it decided to come undone.

"What?" She asked as he got into her space, standing too close for comfort. She would be lying if she said she wasn't attracted to Killian. He was nice and all, but she didn't want to open herself more to him. Lately, it had been hard to ignore the tension in the air whenever she was around him.

"You hit me. That means you hate me even after all I've done for you. I am going to be distraught until you apologize," He joked dramatically. God, his personality and playful banter made him so adorable and harder to resist him.

"Please, you couldn't handle an apology or gratitude from me." She scoffed, playfully rolling her eyes at his antics. She frowned when she was met with silence. The silence was becoming a little unbearable so she spared a glance in his direction.

"Aw, poor baby"- she started, trying to get a rise out of him. Anything was better than him staying silent- "do you want me to kiss it and make it better?" The smolder in his gaze was really unsettling when she mentioned "kiss". Why was he staring at her like she was the only person in the world? She wanted to know what caused his normally chatty self to lose his voice.

"What-"

Her question was cut off when his mouth descended on hers. It took a couple a seconds for her initial shock to wear off, but when she reciprocated the kiss, he let out a small moan. That's when the universe decided to have a sense of humor. Suddenly, images started flowing through her mind.

A young boy woke up scared to a blown out candle. His father comforted him by pointing to his chest and telling him to look inside himself to think about what kind of man he wanted to be. Little Killian responded cutely that he wanted to be just like his father. Days later, a man introduced himself and told him his father abandoned him, selling him and his brother to servitude. Years later, the same boy watched as his older brother left to join the navy. He was left with a promise that he would want for nothing.

It was kind of hard to make sense of the memories because Killian started to tug her even closer to him than she thought possible. His hands were starting to comb through her hair. The kiss turned less passionate to more comforting. Emma was nervous. If she was getting Killian's memories... Oh God. What if he was getting hers?

She didn't have time to think as more images invaded her mind. An older Killian was dressed in worn clothes, scrambling for food and shivering in the cold. He looked up when an older Liam was standing before him hand outstretched, offering a chance to be a family again.

After the images stopped, she started to feel confused until new feelings of confusion took over her being. Was she feeling his confusion as well? The feelings were overwhelming as well as disorienting when foreign feelings of love, longing, and hope flooded her being.

"What the fuck just happened?" She stepped lightly back in fear. His arm was trying to keep her close, preventing her escape. "What did you do to me?" She accused, pushing him away. She could see the pain and hurt in his expression when she rejected him.

How dare he pretend to be hurt when he was the one to cause this in the first place. If he didn't kiss her, she wouldn't be experiencing his hurt that so inconveniently decided to hijack her emotions.

He began to tentatively take a step forward, his eyes pleading with her. "Emma-"

"Stay, where you are." She hissed, holding her hand out to stop him. She couldn't stand being near him when she was this confused. This kiss changed their entire dynamic. There was no way of going back to what they were. How could they? It was like the Freaky Friday movie, except emotions and memories were traded instead of bodies.

Was she imagining it or was his eyes becoming watery? "We need to talk about this. We can't ignore what just happened."

She winced at the hurt at his voice. She could tell he was accepting of whatever happened between them. If she gave into him then he would hurt her. Emma did the thing she only knew how to do –run.

"The hell we can't. I don't know what just happened, but I don't want whatever this is. The room is yours again," she dismissed with a tone of finality, turning around sharply. As she left, she felt heartbreak flood her being. She tried not to cry as she left him standing there, forlornly watching her retreating back.

Two weeks passed by unbearably slowly for Emma, due to the awkward dynamic on the ship. The crewmen would stare at her as though she was a wounded animal. She heard whispers that the lieutenant looked like he hadn't slept in days. Emma felt guilty that it was all due to her. Seeing Liam's frown didn't help matters either. She sighed as she stared at the ceiling. Everyday she ignored Killian, the stronger the tugging on her heart became. Once, she tried finding out what that feeling was and she didn't like the answer. She followed the pull of the feeling and it started to become less unbearable until she saw Killian on deck pulling at the rope. She watched in horror as his head swiftly darted in her direction. At that moment, she realized they had their own personal Geiger counter towards each other.

The feelings of heartbreak at night didn't help the situation either. It was as though he conveniently decided to reflect at night to screw with her sleep. Of course, when she became annoyed, the feelings grew ten times worse. With a groan, she threw the covers off the bed and made it to the deck. There was no way she was getting sleep. The cold night air caused her to shiver when she made it outside. Why did the stars look so peaceful. Stars didn't have to worry about life. Their only job was to decorate the night sky. With an annoyed huff, she decided to take in her surroundings and was relieved to see the absence of the Jones brothers. Eyes boring into her back caused her to turn around to see Liam manning the ship at the helm. I spoke too soon, she thought tiredly.

She sighed when she saw his hand gesture to her, beckoning her to come to his side. She had this conversation coming, but she was more surprised that he had taken this long to confront her about her behavior. Killian was lucky to have a protective brother. Every step closer to the helm felt like a death march.

"Good evening, captain, " she greeted politely.

The captain regarded her, taking in her appearance. She tried to appear unaffected by his searching gaze. What was it about the Jones brothers and their eyes? It was like they had some uncanny ability at reading people.

"Emma, there is no sense to be informal. Liam will do," he spoke finally, disappointment lacing his features. His look almost scolded her. By his behavior, she wondered if he was treating her like a sister.

"I'm assuming this isn't a friendly chat." She crossed her arms uncomfortably, looking everywhere except at him. She was starting to feel guilty. Killian and Liam treated her hospitably, and she repaid their kindness by acting like a bitch.

He wearily sighed at her blunt declaration. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I do like you, Emma. However, as you so bluntly put it… I wish we could talk about nothing more about the nice weather." She wanted to snort at his way of beating around the bush.

She wanted to tell him to get on with the imminent conversation about his brother. Luckily, she didn't have to wait long because he continued. "I don't know the particulars about what happened between Killian and yourself, but I want you to know that my brother is devastated."

"He looks perfectly fine to me." Emma knew that was a bold face lie in regards to the emotions that she felt. Feeling his emotions was one thing, but hearing about how he was affected from his brother, that made her heart sink.

"Killian hides everything well, and I think you're a little scared that you have the potential to find happiness." Liam threw her a knowing look. Her feeling of guilt turned to anger at Liam's statement.

"What did Killian tell you?" She asked, jaw clenched in anger. It was none of Killian's business to tell her secrets to his brother.

The captain held up his hand in surrender. "Calm down, lass. My brother didn't betray your secrets. He just told me that you shared memories, feel each other emotions, and can sense each other's presence. He didn't go into any details," Liam reassured, looking at her in pity.

Emma almost felt faint at the realization that this brother can read her too.

"I didn't ask for any of this…whatever this is," she whispered softly, causing Liam to look guilty.

Liam uncomfortably cleared his voice with a slight cough. "I only wanted Killian to find love, but this goes beyond what I expected he would find." He finished, and Emma wondered why he was looking at his hand strangely. He seemed lost in a distant memory.

"That's an understatement, " She muttered in agreement.

"You know your situation isn't different from a story of a princess and a prince," he said wistfully before returning his gaze to her, beginning his tale.

"Two hundred years ago, there was wise, kind king who had a daughter. He wanted to find a potential match for her but also wanted to benefit his kingdom. The only problem was that he didn't want the marriage union to make his daughter unhappy since the neighboring kingdom contained two brothers. One day, the king came up with a series of tests to test the men of the kingdom. There was a commoner who loved the princess dearly from afar, and when the king issued the proclamation throughout the land, he was eager to complete the tests. The king found the man very clever and he was motivated to test his mettle. Throughout the tests, the commoner had the assistance of a blue fairy queen who helped him because he was motivated by true love. The final test was to find a blue rose. After searching all day in the palace garden, he came to the realization that they didn't exist. He sat in the garden in despair until he was approached by the fair princess, offering a white rose. When their hands touched, the rose thorns pricked their skin and drew blood. Since they were true love, the rose turned blue when the moon shone. Out of happiness, he kissed the princess and they shared memories. The princess declared her love for him at his resilience at completing the tests. He approached the king the next day. The king looked at him with a frown and told him he couldn't marry his daughter because he missed the time limit. The daughter came to her love's defense holding the blue rose. She said, 'Father, this rose was white, but our love turned it blue and caused us to share a soul.' Moved by his daughter's words, the king allowed them to marry. Out of this story, it is said that this love was lost in time."

"So, we are true loves?" She scoffed. Life wasn't a fairy tale. She didn't believe in magic. A freak incident happened where she traveled back in time, but she wasn't going to go so far and call it "magic", "fate" or some other bull crap. There is no way that this story applied to her.

"No, you are soulmates." Emma's eyes widened at his statement. Liam ignored her look of protest as he continued. "True loves experience feelings of passion, but passion can fade over time. On the other hand, soulmate love transcends physical form of love and is true love on the soul level that endures through lifetimes."

Emma shook her head in denial but Liam approached her. Holding her arm in a comforting manner. "I know you have a hard time admitting it, but I've seen the way you two look at each other. What you're doing is cheating you both out of love."

"So, this is my fault?" She accused, voice rising slightly. How could Liam even accuse her of holding out on his brother? I do not have feelings for Killian Jones, she vehemently denied. If that were so, why did his heartbreak matter to her?

"I didn't ask for this to happen, nor did I expect for your brother or myself to have feelings for each other!" She admitted, her fists clenching at her sides.

Her outburst caused Liam to smile slightly. "Trust in my brother, Emma. He really does care for you. After we found you, he worried constantly for your well-being. He was distressed that he couldn't help you by easing your pain. Your happiness was and still his priority. Please, look inside yourself and find what you truly want."

"This doesn't make any sense. Why is this happening to us?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Sometimes love doesn't make sense. It seems that time was altered so that this type of love, that was once lost, could be experienced again. Now, how that love turns out." He let out a small laugh. "Well, that's my brother's and your story to tell." Liam smiled and patted her back before returning to the helm, leaving Emma to her thoughts.

Am I really doing this? Emma bit her lip, standing in front of Killian's door for what seemed like hours. She felt bad for the way she was acting and kept on hesitating to knock on his door. "Oh, screw it," she muttered under her breath, finally gathering enough courage to knock. The sound of her fist making contact with the door reverberated in the empty hallway.

When he opened the door, Emma let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. He did look like shit. His hair was disheveled, eyes sunken, shirt unkempt, and had he been crying? His red-rimmed eyes made it look like he had been. She was still surprised to see hurt lacing his features. She fidgeted a little under his gaze. How can he be hurt for days? She had a sinking feeling that when he had feelings, they were strong.

"Did you need something?" He reminded, crossing his arms.

"I'm sorry for the way I handled things, and I may have overreacted a little. You've been nothing but kind to me and I unfairly lashed out at you," she apologized and was met with a raised eyebrow. His hurt expression remained unchanged.

Why wasn't he saying anything? She knew she apologized for her behavior. What more could he possibly want? Then again, she had never apologized in her life, except for the time she stole some candy.

"I know… I suck at this...apologizing thing. I never really had a use to apologize, but what more do you want me to say?" She asked, running a hand in her hair in frustration.

"You think I'm upset at you for taking advantage of my kindness?" He asked, voice slightly angry. Emma felt ashamed when she saw the look of disappointment on his face. Feeling his hurt and anger caused her to feel angry as well.

"Isn't this what it's about?" She threw her hands in the air in exasperation. Whatever he wanted was lost to her. She was now venturing in unknown territory.

"No, I'm upset at you not accepting your feelings."

"What feelings?"

"When we kissed, I felt your hope and love," he reminded.

That is impossible, she thought as her mouth opened and closed, struggling to find words. She was sure that it was his feelings she felt. She had never even considered those feelings in her life. She didn't deserve them. Every time she felt those feelings, her life turned to crap.

"You are delusional," she accused.

"Am I?" He asked, as he approached her. She could feel his breath on her face and her lack of personal space "Emma, you were used to unhappiness. Now, that you are experiencing change, you do the only thing you know how to do –run. You're afraid because you see a happy future with me," he reminded sadly.

"So what!" She yelled, swatting his hand away. She fled to a corner, putting much distance between them. Hurt and frustration flooded her being. She hated that she could feel his emotions and can't hide anything from him. As long as she remained in denial, surely he would give up.

"Just because you saw my memories, doesn't mean you know me really. We kissed so what?! It's not like you had any feelings before. You're only saying that because some supernatural phenomenon showed signs that we're supposed to be bonded for life. There's no possible way that you had feelings for me that were of your own."

She didn't feel the tears streaming down her face. It hurt that she finally admitted the truth for why she was avoiding him. The truth that she knew all along: no one cared for her. Killian Jones didn't care before. He was only showing some interest because of some misguided sense of duty.

He shook his head at her as though he felt her feelings of mistrust, fear, and pain. "You're wrong. I do know you and you me. We shared memories." He pointed to his head for emphasis as he continued. "You've been disappointed in the past. I saw when the Swan family gave you up. I felt your heartbreak as you watched the kids around you find homes while you were still left alone. You lost your faith when your best friend betrayed you, and the only person who gave you hope tried to kill you. You're so used to people making promises they can't keep. Or in the extreme end of things, only pretending to care for you out of obligation. I don't know what happened these past few weeks when you entered into my life. You don't believe in love, but I knew my feelings for you grew each passing day-faster than I could control. Before we kissed, I knew that I loved you. My feelings for you just are." He laughed bitterly until his voice started to break. "I love you so damn much. I will always love you. Please, tell me what you fear, Emma. Let me take care of you," he pleaded with her, and she could see that he was crying as well.

All this time he wanted to care for her and she wouldn't let him. Now, it was the moment of truth. Was she going to reject him or let herself be vulnerable to him?

"This whole entire soulmate scenario scares me. I use my walls as a defense mechanism and suddenly a kiss is able to tear them down. It reminds me of the fact that I am vulnerable to you. If you hurt me, Killian Jones, I don't think I can recover. I don't think I'll be able to move on from this," she admitted and felt a huge burden lift off her shoulders.

He slowly approached her." I know, love. Try something new, darling. It's called trust." He stood in front of her, gauging her reaction and wiping the tears from her eyes. When he saw that she was not rejecting his advances, he enveloped her in a hug. "I will never hurt you. I will always fight for you," he whispered in her ear. Sealing this promise, he kissed her forehead then rested his chin on top of her head.

She listened to his heartbeat for a few minutes, feeling his love cradling her through their emotional bond. Her eyes closed as she enabled his warmth to envelope her.

"Good," she whispered, returning his embrace. As she stood in his arms, this was the first time in her life when she was not scared of what the future may hold.

Next Chapter: The Village Coward