"Do you think we can trust her?" Robin asked, pulliing Killian aside as they walked.
"Absolutely not," Killian answered. "She's a pirate."
"Says the prince who captains a pirate ship."
"Which I commandeered from a pirate, therefore, I have had some experience to speak of," Killian reminded him.
"How did you know she was lying?" Archie asked.
"Yeah," Emma said, turning around and stopping. "How did you know I was lying? I thought I was pretty convincing."
"You know, it ain't polite to eavesdrop," Leroy said, narrowing his eyes.
"And it's not polite to talk behind somebody's back," Emma retorted. She looked over at Killian again. "So...what tipped you off?"
Killian stepped closer, reaching down for her wrists. He pulled them up, turning them over and pushing her sleeve up, exposing a tattoo on the inside of her right wrist. It was a simple heart with a dagger through it, bearing a name.
"Who's Neal?" Robin asked.
Emma jerked her arm away. "Somebody from a long time ago," she said. Then she turned on her heel and started walking. Killian quickened his pace to catch up with her.
"Go away," she said.
"'Fraid I can't do that, love."
"Stop calling me that. I'm not your love."
Killian's jaw tightened. "You were Neal's love."
She gave him a look. "You're just all kinds of perceptive, aren't you?"
"What happened to him?"
"He's dead." She said flatly, her tone clearly indicating that this conversation was done. Killian ignored her, of course.
"That's why you're really here," he said. "What did George promise you? In return for information about us?"
"I told you. Money."
Killian shook his head. "I'm not stupid, love. A woman like you could have no problem getting all the gold she wanted."
Emma stopped in her tracks. "A woman like me?"
"You're bloody beautiful. And you know it."
"What is that supposed to mean? You think that's how I earn my money?" she asked, clearly offended.
Killian put up a conciliatory hand. "I didn't mean to impugne your honor. I'm merely saying that a clever pirate with stunning good looks never fails to find his - or her - fortune."
She gave him a slow smile. "Coming from a handsome prince, that's quite the compliment."
Killian's eyes brightened, and his hand reached out to trace her jawline. Then he curled his fingers into a fist, pulling his hand back. "No," he said. "You're not going to distract me, love. We're talking about you. What did George promise you?"
The smile faded off Emma's face. "Vengeance," she said. "He has information I'm willing to trade for."
"About the person who killed Neal?"
"Not a person," Emma said. "The Dark One. George told me that you know where he is."
Killian cocked a brow. "Interesting," he said, nudging her forward so that they could catch up to the others.
"Interesting? That's all you have to say?"
"I've been using that word on a daily basis," Killian sighed. "You have no idea."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that eleven days ago, we all suddenly found ourselves somewhere unexpected. All of us. And I'm willing to wager that includes you."
Emma looked at him warily. "Eleven days ago?"
"Where were you?" Killian asked.
"On my ship," she replied. "The Jolly Roger."
"No you weren't."
"And what makes you so sure?" she asked.
"You couldn't have been on your ship because that's where I ended up, along with Robin. We were moored at a port not far from the camp, which is where we first found Archie and Leroy. And George."
"You took my ship!" Emma exclaimed. "How did you do it?"
"I told you - one moment we were at home, and the next, we all suddenly appeared elsewhere. I assume the same held true for you?"
Emma nodded reluctantly. "One minute I'm on my ship, like usual, and then I woke up next to a beanstalk."
"The beanstalk you're taking us to now?"
"Yeah."
"And we'll find the compass at the top?"
"That's what I was told." She glanced sideways at him. "How did you manage to thwart old George? He was pretty salty about it still."
"He tried to take my ship," Killian answered.
"You mean my ship," Emma interrupted.
Killian raised a brow. "It's my ship now, love."
"I told you to stop calling me that," she reminded. "Why did George want my ship?"
"I have no idea. But we were able to turn his forces back," Killian explained. "When Robin and I first found ourselves aboard, we traveled inland to where the camp is located, hoping to find some answers. Instead, we found that Archie had been thrown there, along with Leroy. They had George imprisoned in their jail, and threw us in along with them. I had been knocked unconscious - a state I seem to be in with alarming frequency, by the way - and Robin had no idea who George was. Unfortunately, he told George everything he wanted to know while I was incapacitated. Once I woke up, I managed to convince Archie and Leroy we were on their side, and we all headed for the ship."
"And that's when George ambushed you?"
"Unsuccessfully," Killian said.
"Glad to hear it. Now where's my ship?"
"My ship," Killian said. "And I'm not stupid enough to give you just the information George is looking for."
Emma stopped in her tracks again. "Look...sweetheart...you might try something new. It's called trust."
Killian gave her a lopsided grin. "Trust a pirate? Not bloody likely."
###
"There it is," Emma said, gesturing up. "The beanstalk."
"And you're sure that this compass can be found at the top?" Robin asked.
Archie shaded his eyes, looking upwards. "That's a long way to the top," he said with a good deal of dismay. "I don't know if I can climb that far on my ankle."
"Maybe we should keep watch here at the bottom," Leroy suggested. "Who's to say George isn't following our every step?"
"Good point," Killian agreed. "I'll accompany our guest up the beanstalk, and you three wait below, keeping watch for George.
Robin pulled Killian aside, lowering his voice. "You think that's a good idea, Killian? She'd as soon put a dagger in your back as lead you to the compass."
"Hey!" Emma said, clearly affronted.
"Leave her to me, mate. I'll get the compass. And Leroy will need your help here on the ground if George shows up."
Robin clapped Killian on the shoulder. "Move as quickly as you can. If I haven't heard from you in ten hours, I'm coming up after you."
"Fair enough," Killian said. "And if George brings an army, get out of here and we'll rendezvous at the ship."
Archie stepped over to Emma, holding out a hand. "Give me your wrists, and I'll cut you loose," he offered.
Emma held out her wrists with a coquettish smile. "Thank you...your majesty." She gave him a wink and Archie flushed hot red, all the way to the roots of his hair.
Killian rolled his eyes, grabbing Emma by the arm. "Come along. No time to waste."
He led her over to the beanstalk, then reached up, grabbing a vine. "Come on," he said, extending a hand down.
Emma smiled up at him. "I was hoping it'd be you," she said, taking the hand.
They climbed steadily for over three hours, stopping only for a brief water break. Emma handed back the water skin, wiping her mouth.
"So tell me about yourself," she said. "You're a prince, right?'
Killian attached the water skin back to his belt. "Something like that."
A frown creased her forehead. "Well, either you are or you aren't."
"I am."
"Where did you learn to sail? It's not like the Enchanted Forest is a maritime kingdom."
"It's a hobby of mine," he answered, reaching for a vine and pulling himself up again. "Let's keep moving. I'd like to get to the top before nightfall."
"You're not much on conversation, are you?" She observed, hanging on a vine and swaying slightly. "That's okay. I like a challenge." She raised her brows and gave him a saucy grin.
He cocked a brow in return. "Is that so?"
"Let me ask you something, Prince."
"Killian," he corrected.
"Killian. Is there a princess at home, waiting for you?"
He gave her a wary look. "Why do you want to know?"
"I'm just wondering why you didn't return home to her, instead of gallivanting off all over the countryside with your princely pals," Emma shrugged.
"There is a princess, yes," Killian said. "And she will more than understand the need for answers, once I've explained it to her."
"Oh, the little woman needs you to explain it to her," Emma said, in a baby-like voice. "How precious."
Killian smiled in spite of himself.
"I suppose she doesn't like it much when you travel," Emma said.
Killian didn't answer her, and just kept climbing.
"I mean, a handsome prince like you - I'd certainly be worried while you were away...doing who knows what with just...anyone..." she gave him a knowing look, and then a smirk.
Killian stopped climbing. "She doesn't worry," he said.
"Maybe because she's got amusements of her own," Emma offered slyly.
Killian gave her a glare. "What are you getting at, exactly?"
Emma shrugged. "I'm just saying...a ship probably isn't the best place for a prince who has commitments to a kingdom. And a princess."
"Ah," Killian answered, the light beginning to dawn. "And you think I should just give up my ship - '
"My ship."
"You think I should just deed the ship over to you and go back home. Is that it?" he asked.
"What if I told you I was willing to make a deal?"
"A deal?"
"The compass for my ship."
"You want me to trade my ship," he said, "For the compass. The compass that you hope is at the top of the beanstalk."
"Why would George lie about that? He wants me to get the compass for him."
"Why?"
"How do I know?" she said. "I only know he needs it, and he's paying me. I'm willing to shift it over to you, and you pay me with my ship." She leaned in, trailing a finger up the collar of his coat. "It doesn't cost you a thing, you know. Giving me back my ship."
Killian grabbed her hand, but didn't release it. "And once we get up there, where exactly do we find this mystical compass?" he asked.
"Well," Emma said. "There's supposedly a treasure room, and that's where it'll be. Oh, and a giant. But with both of us working together, that shouldn't be a problem."
He pulled her closer, his mouth hovering just above hers. "And you want to work with me?"
Her eyes half-closed and a catlike smile pulled at her lips. "I think it might be...interesting." Her lips barely brushed his and Killian's arm slid around her, gripping her hand as it attempted to pull his cutlass from his belt.
"Nice try," he commended, kissing her lightly. "But your eyes quite gave you away. You looked down for just a moment before you kissed me. You need to work on your approach, love."
She pulled back, frowning at first, then forcing a smile. "Maybe I was enjoying myself."
A fire leapt behind his eyes, and her all-too-knowing look said that she realized it. "You know...giants have really, really big beds," she murmured. "Really big."
"You tease me at your peril," he warned her. She gave him a maddening smile in return, then she tilted her head up.
"Look! It's the top!" She climbed faster, and Killian had no doubt she had plans to ditch him as soon as she could get away. He put on some speed, gaining on her as she pulled herself over the edge.
"What the hell...?"
Her voice carried down to him as he levered himself up over the opening, rolling to his knees and then pushing himself up to stand next to her.
"This isn't a giant's castle," she said, completely confused.
Killian ran a hand across the back of his neck, staring at the nearby sign with wide eyes. "No," he said, pointing at the sign.
"We're in Storybrooke."