Killian was tightening the straps affixing his bedroll to the back of the saddle when the second thoughts set in. Leaving had seemed the natural course of action when he'd first spotted Emma and Neal up on the ramparts. She'd made her choice, which should have made his—pursuing the Jolly Roger—simple. For a moment, it had. He'd packed his meager possessions, bartered for a horse and prepared to ride out of the palace without looking back.

But dammit, he was not a man to surrender the field, no matter how slim the odds. And this was no paltry plunder of gold to be defended. He'd never waged a more important fight in his long life. So why was he quitting now? Because despite what he saw, in his gut, he knew this wasn't finished. Emma wanted him, but could he convince her to choose him despite all the reasons she shouldn't?

His hand was still frozen on the straps in indecision when he heard someone enter the stable behind him.

"Going somewhere, Hook?"

He glanced over his shoulder at David. No doubt His Charmingness would be delighted to see the back of him so he decided to keep his decision, whatever it might be, to himself. "Your Majesty. My ship's been sighted."

"You're leaving now?" David sounded incredulous, which was a bit puzzling.

"I've no real reason to stay."

"I'm pretty sure you do."

He sighed and turned to face David. The man seemed to be here as a friend of sorts so he'd be as honest as he could be. "I've seen the way the wind is blowing, mate, and it seems a bit unfavorable to me."

"I'm not so sure about that."

"It seemed rather clear to me. No doubt the Queen will be glad to see the last of me. I'd have thought you would, too."

"I'll admit, you wouldn't be my first choice for Emma—"

Of course. He wasn't here to cheer him on, only to pat him consolingly on the shoulder. After all, he'd saved the man's life in Neverland and Charming was nothing if not loyal. "And Baelfire would," he spat. "I understand, Your Highness."

"I said you wouldn't be my first choice for her, but I don't make Emma's choices and neither does her mother and neither does Neal. I thought you knew Emma well enough to know she'd never stand for it."

"Maybe he's her choice, too." It hurt in ways he could scarcely believe to say it out loud, but seeing them together on the battlements had hurt just as much.

"I think he isn't."

Killian looked at the ground and scratched the back of his ear. "If you don't like the idea of me with your daughter why are you here trying to make me stay when I'm ready to go?"

David chuckled. "Maybe because I've been on the losing side of a doomed romance before? Or maybe because I've seen the way she looks at you. She looks at you like I looked at Snow even when I knew I couldn't have her. Emma might not be able to see it yet, but I can. Neal might be the logical choice, he might make a lot of people happy, but he doesn't make Emma happy."

That gave him pause. "And you think I would?"

"Come on, Hook. Where's that pirate swagger when you need it? Don't you think you can make her happy?"

"Aye, I know I can. I'm not sure Emma does, though."

Don't you think you should stick around and try to show her?" David held out a thick, creamy white parchment envelope. "Here. You're formally invited to Emma's ball."

Killian slowly reached up to grasp it. "I doubt Snow White wishes me to be there."

"Snow likes you just fine. She'll like you even better when you make Emma happy. And I know Emma wants you there. Are you brave enough to come?"

Killian chuckled and cocked an eyebrow. "Now you know I can never resist a challenge like that."

"That's what I'm counting on. I'll see you at the ball."

"Yes, you bloody well will," he muttered to himself as David strode away.