A/N: Thank you for all the fabulous responses and comments to the last chapter - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Special thanks to the following people for taking the time to leave their thoughts for me: avasmom28681, Lisa1972, mela16, Shelllee24, Relliurad, Treblemkr, Deppie, CuteMcBeauty, Jen, beverlie4055, DarkRoseShadow, , Nouqueret and lookbackatme.

CHAPTER 23

CHARMING – (adjective) (Of a person or their manner) very polite, friendly, and likeable.

Killian paced the hallway outside of the room Charming used as a study of sorts. He'd already attempted to knock twice now but each time he'd turned away after a few moment's hesitation.

God's he was nervous.

He just wanted to ask the Prince a question.

A simple question that would be answered with an affirmative or a negative.

Of course if it were the latter he wasn't quite sure what he'd do, he just had to hope it wasn't going to be the case.

He had made a point to dress in his full pirate garb complete with sword and hook. He rarely wore the deadly curved implement anymore but for today he wanted to remind the Prince of exactly who he was, or had been and could still be if the need arose. The only concession he'd made to his normally all leather outfit was that he wore the red waistcoat instead. He felt it lent his wardrobe a slightly more formal look without detracting from the rest of his piratical attire.

Halting suddenly, he took a deep breath to settle the ridiculous butterflies still swirling in his stomach then turned and faced the door again. This was it. He straightened up to his fullest height and stepped forward. Raising his hook, he was poised to knock the same as the previous two times when the door suddenly swung open and Charming stood there looking at him curiously.

"I've been listening to you pace outside for twenty minutes now. What's the problem?" he asked, standing aside so that the other man could enter.

"There's no problem," Killian replied although his tone was a little uncertain as he took a cautious step over the threshold.

Scratching at the back of his ear, he walked to the centre of the room and waited while the prince closed the door then moved passed him. Charming turned and leaned back against his desk then folded his arms across his chest as he waited patiently for the pirate to begin.

Killian shuffled his feet and looked down, a light flush colouring his cheeks as he nervously scratched at his neck again seemingly searching for the right words.

As the seconds ticked by, the prince fought the urge to grin. In truth he'd been expecting this little visit for a while now. Killian may have been a fearsome pirate with dubious morals at one point but in his heart Charming recognised that he was a gentleman that still held certain values…and customs…in high esteem.

He had expected that he would be more confident in his approach though. His apparent hesitancy spoke volumes as to his perceived acceptance not only to his application but also to himself as a person.

It was a sudden realisation that didn't sit well with the prince.

He considered himself a fair man and although things had gotten off to a rocky start between them, he thought the pirate knew he now looked upon him as a good friend...dare he say brother even.

Killian cleared his throat suddenly and Charming snapped out of his reverie to look at him expectantly as he waited to hear what the man had to say.

"Your Highness, I respectfully request your permission to ask for Princess Emma's hand in marriage," he began formally. "You know that I love…"

"You have it gladly, Killian," the Prince cut in assuredly, bringing the pirate's declaration of his undying love for Emma to a stuttering halt.

"What?" he snapped in disbelief.

"I said you have my permission," Charming repeated slowly with a smile.

Killian looked perplexed for a moment then narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"So that's it? No demands to know the depth of my affection? No threats to run me through if I ever hurt her?"

"Well, given the length's you've gone to, to save her and bring her back to us, I'd be a fool not to know how much you love my daughter. And I'm no fool, Killian," the Prince told him before adding wryly, "Although I will run you through if you do hurt her."

"Aye," the pirate murmured absently, stunned at how easy it had been.

"Is there anything else you wanted to see me about?" Charming queried lightly when, after a few moments, the pirate still hadn't moved.

Killian shook his head a little dazedly as he realised that the speech he'd sat up most of the previous three nights stealthily writing and memorising after Emma had gone to sleep was all for nothing…but in a good way.

"No, no, that's all I came here for."

"Good," the Prince enthused with a grin as he pushed himself off of the desk then walked over and turned Killian around to face the door. Giving him a slight push towards the exit he added teasingly, "Now all you have to do is get Emma to say yes."

The pirate smiled at that, the worry that had been weighing him down rapidly fading and leaving him feeling lighter than he had in days.

"I'm far more certain of her answer than I was of yours," he admitted in a relieved tone as he opened the door and glanced back at Charming with an arched brow.

"Would it have stopped you asking her if I'd not given my permission?" the Prince asked out of interest.

"No," Killian instantly confessed with a shake of his head then a wry smile lifted his lips as he added a little challengingly, "I am a pirate, after all, mate."

Charming smiled back at him unfazed by his comment.

"You make that sound like it's a bad thing…mate."

Killian looked at him for a moment, searching his face to see if the other man meant it and was pleasantly surprised to find that he did. He let the small breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding as it finally dawned on him that he was accepted for everything he was, not only by Emma, but by her parents as well. He hadn't really realised quite how badly he'd wanted it until that very moment.

His grin widened and Charming responded in kind, both men acknowledging the new level of understanding that had just transpired between them. With a simple nod of thanks, the pirate left the room and walked briskly down the corridor.

He was going to marry Emma Swan.

He could hardly believe his good fortune.

Now all he had to do was plan the perfect proposal.

And hope that she said yes of course.

What could possibly go wrong?

END CHAPTER 23

Thoughts? All comments are most welcome :)