Emma's heart was pounding savagely. She led Buttercup into the stable and stormed inside the cottage, forgetting that her son was already asleep.

Henry sat up in his bed. "Mother," he asked. "What's wrong?"

Emma ran to the bed and pulled her son into her arms, hugging him tightly. "Henry, I love you," she said.

"I love you too," said Henry.

"You're happy right?" she asked, "Even though it's just the two of us?"

"Of course," said Henry. "What is this about? What happened when you were with the prince?"

"That doesn't matter," said Emma. She lay down with her son in her arms and held him close. They fell asleep like that, and Emma was plagued with nightmares, the images changing between those of her growing up alone, to memories of living with the miller and his wife that didn't seem real.

-/-

"So, brother, where is the Lady Swan," asked Liam, finding Killian sitting on a stone bench on one of the balconies.

"Gone. I scared her off. She never wants to see me again," said Killian mournfully.

Liam went to sit beside his brother."What happened?"

"I asked her about her past. At first, everything was fine. She was opening up to me. She trusted me. But then I mentioned the lost princess and her walls came up. She shut me out."

"And struck you, I see," said Liam, raising a brow. "She is bold to strike royalty."

"When it comes to Emma my station does not matter," said Killian, "and neither does hers."

"You really are in deep, aren't you," said Liam, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Is it that obvious?" asked Killian.

"Painfully so, Killian," said Liam. "So you're not just going to give up on her are you?"

"I do not know what else to do," said Killian.

"Love is not easy, brother," said Liam. "It must be fought for. Go to her and try to speak with her. Ease her into believing in the possibility that she could have a family. A happy ending."

Killian nodded. "Have you heard from the Blue Fairy?"

"She said all we need to do is call out her name when Miss Swan is in the castle."

"It might take a while to convince her to come with me."

"Well then, Killian, you have to make a choice. Is Emma Swan worth all this effort?"

"Yes," said Killian without hesitation.

Liam smiled. "Good. Then you know what you need to do."

-/-

"Mother, the prince is here again," said Henry, coming into the house.

Emma frowned. "Henry, lock the door," she said.

"What's wrong, mother?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about," said Emma. "Now please, go to the bedroom. I'll finish making dinner."

"But," said Henry.

"Henry, please" said Emma, her eyes imploring him to ask no further questions.

Henry nodded and went to the bedroom.

Emma went to the single window and drew the worn curtain back.

Indeed, Prince Killian was standing outside, looking impatient, and worried and … hurt?

Emma suddenly felt his eyes on her, and she ducked down, yanking the the curtain closed. It was immature, she knew, but the prince couldn't stay outside of her cottage forever. If anything, he would leave at nightfall.

In her haste, she had not seen him jump off his horse. Seconds later he was knocking on the door. "Emma, please, I know you're in there."

Emma bit her lower lip and approached the door cautiously. There was no way in hell she was going to speak with him. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"Swan, please," said Killian. "I know that you're scared. I can hardly blame you, but all I am asking for is a chance. Take a leap of faith."

Emma slid to the ground and leaned against the door.

"I can hear you on the other side, love," said Killian after a moment. "I will not leave this spot until you come out and speak with me."

Emma scoffed. "A prince has better things to do than wait by the door of a peasant," she said.

"Ah, she speaks," said Killian.

"Go away," said Emma.

"No."

"I am not going to come out," said Emma.

"You'll have to come out eventually."

Emma sighed. "You are very determined, aren't you?"

"I could just summon my guards and order you to open the door," suggested Killian. She could tell he was teasing, but still, the idea made her nervous.

He was the prince, and he could force her to do as he wished if he felt so inclined.

"You wouldn't do that," said Emma.

"Please Emma," said Killian.

"I have no interest in your theories, your highness," said Emma.

"You're lying. I can hear it in your voice. Trust your gut, Swan, it will tell you what to do."

Emma pressed her forehead against the door, cursing softly. Her entire night had been haunted with the memories from the first eight years of her life. Only now, she realized that nothing was adding up. It was a haze of mismatched memories. Nothing felt real. Everything felt wrong. But how could he know that.

"You can trust me, Emma. I shall not let you get hurt. No matter what happens."

"You are asking far too much of me," said Emma.

"It is useless to talk of these things through a closed door. Please, come outside to see me. I'll not intrude in your household."

"I can't," said Emma.

"Yes, you can," said Killian. "Try something new, darling. It's called trust. I swear on my life that you can trust me."

Emma's heart clenched. Why on earth did he care so much? Her heart was crying out for her to trust him, to open up to him. She had been alone for so long. And now this man, this kind, and generous prince, was offering her a chance to find her family. Or at the very least, offering her a chance to discover the truth about her past.

Just take it, Emma.

Emma looked over her shoulder to make sure that Henry was safe in the bedroom. She stood up and opened the door.