"Killian Jones!" Emma reprimands when she finally reaches the man. She grabs hold of his arm, and forces him to look at her. "You can't do this."
"I have to Emma." He brushes back her tangled hair to get a good look at her eyes. "I have to." Emma notices the glisten in the corner of his eye.
"This won't bring her back." She whispers.
"I know, but at least he can pay for what he did." And with that, he rushes up to the castle doors. A fearful noise escapes her lips as she rushes after him.
The castle is quiet when she enters. "Killian?" She searches for her friend.
"Can I help you?" A young woman with curly hair, and a small frame come around the corner wiping her hands on her apron.
"Hello." Emma starts, but suddenly stops as fear washes over her body. Killian grabs hold of the maiden, and places his hook against her neck.
"Where is he?" He hisses into her ear.
"Killian, stop!" Emma cries. The man shoots her a glare and turns back to the fearful woman.
"I...I don't know where he is." She squeaks quietly as her body shakes.
"Don't lie to me." His voice is hard and brings a chill to Emma's spine.
"Honestly, he didn't tell me where he was going. Only that he thought he found another way to get to his boy."
"Belfire." Hook says, and his eyes grow nostalgic; Emma squints her eyes as she wonders what he is remembering. He drops his hook, and the maiden takes in a few deep breaths. But Killian quickly replaces the hook to its position. The woman holds her head back as to pull away from the weapon, but Killian presses the curved edge against her skin. "How do I know you aren't lying?"
"You...you...have my word!" The woman promises and closes her eyes.
"Your word means nothing to me commoner."
"I'm not a commoner." She gasps. "My name is Belle. My father is Sir Maurice."
"Sir Maurice? Princess Belle?" Emma gasps and looks at the young woman. She had read about this young woman, and her bravery in sacrificing herself to stop the Ogre wars. Emma was astonished to be in her presence.
"Yes." She nods, happy someone recognizes her.
"Killian." Emma speaks solely to the man. His eyes meet her with a wild intensity. "Hurting her won't solve a thing."
"It will make him hurt." He growls at her.
"But that won't make you any better than him!" Emma refuted. "Think about Belle. She is like Mila, an innocent bi-standard. Don't take this out on her."
For a moment, the two engage in an intense stare down before he drops his hook, and pushes the girl away. He storms out of the castle without another word and the woman are left silent in his wake.
Emma finally goes over to Belle, and puts her hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
Belle nods and looks towards the door. "That's the man Rumple is always claiming is evil? He didn't kill me, so shouldn't that count for something?"
A small smile forms on Emma's lips. "It does."
Back on the ship, Emma finds Hook locked in his quarters. "Killian?" She knocks lightly.
"Go away Princess." He hisses and she hears something smash against the floor.
"Let me in or I'll force my way in."
"That is not wise of you." His grumbles bring a slight chuckle to her. After a few moments of waiting, Emma waves her hand, and the door swings open. Inside, Killian's head snaps up. His eyes flash rage, but she calmly walks over to him. With both of hers, she takes a hold of his hand and looks up into slowly relaxing eyes.
"What you did in there, was good." He turns his face away, and Emma cups his cheek to get his attention. "I mean it. I know how much you want revenge, but I am so glad you didn't hurt her."
He scoffs, but doesn't move from her grasp.
"I think you're happy with you too." She winks and pulls away from him.
"Emma, wait." She turns around, and faces the man. A storm of confusing was brewing in his dark eyes. "Thank you for being the voice of reason."
She sighs and rolls her eyes before bowing. "That is what I do." She nods her head. "Come on Captain, we have an Evil Queen to find."
As night approaches, Emma—adorned in a new pair of riding clothes—makes her way to the top deck. Killian is positioned on the ground, studying the map.
"We should make the island by mid-morning Your Highness."
She takes a seat close to him, and looks over his shoulder.
Hook looks down at her as she concentrates; he studies the way her eyebrows scrunch together, and the way her hair is falling naturally around her shoulders. Not for the first time, he is astounded at her beauty. But she points at something and breaks his focus.
"How long after we reach land will it take us to reach her cabin?"
"Only a few hours love."
"Perfect." She smiles enthusiastically, and Killian admires the way her eyes sparkle with joy. "And we are all set for the night?" She glances up a the wheel and then back at Killian. He nods and leans back against the wall.
"We are perfectly on course dear. There is nothing to worry about."
She sighs and leans back as well. "Isn't the night sky beautiful?" She says after a few moments of studying the stars.
Killian turns his head to look at her. "Absolutely gorgeous." He reiterates.
"Killian?" Emma questions.
"Yes love?"
"What do you plan on doing when we get back?"
"When we get back to your kingdom?"
She nods and meets his gaze.
"I should probably drop you off, and hit the sea again. If I stay anywhere near there I may end up in that cell again." He chuckles and looks back up at the stars.
"If you wanted to stay, I could guarantee you wouldn't." The words slip from her tongue before she can stop them. "As payment for your help." She tries to save her slip up. Her stomach is doing flips again as she watches Killian.
"That's very kind of you lass, but remember what those sailors said? Not even you could stop my capture. Besides, I am a pirate. I am meant for the ocean." He takes in a deep breath and sighs.
"Oh. Okay." Emma looks down at her hands.
Killian registers the change in her tone, and turns to study her suspiciously. He feels a twinge of guilt at the thought of disappointing her. But before he can save anything, Emma says goodnight, and walks downstairs.