Sunlight hit Killian's eyes and he struggled to stand up. When he finally stood, he searched the deck for Emma, but she was no where to be found.
"Emma?" He looked around and found the ship close to an island. He rushed down the stairs and found the life boat on the beach. "Emma." Her name comes out as a soft whisper. He quickly picked up a sword from the deck, and jumped into he ocean and swam after the Princess.
"Emma!" Hook calls once he is on shore. He notices footprints, and follows them into the forest. "Emma?" His voice gets more desperate the farther he goes without finding his companion.
Suddenly a scream fills the air followed by a loud roar. "Emma!" Killian takes over running in her direction.
In a clearing, Hook pulls out his sword but it falls to his side as he takes in the creature that held Emma. An ogre the size of the trees was ready to devour her; Hooked jumped by it's foot and stabbed the sword through it. In agony, the monster reaches for his foot, and drops Emma in the process. Her screams are cut short as Killian runs out and catches her. The two collapse, and roll down a hill in a disjointed ball. When their force stops moving, Emma pushes her hair out of her eyes, and reaches for Killian's arms. The two barley stand before the creature grabs Hook.
"Killian!" Emma screams.
The ogre holds Killian right up to his eyes. "Hello old fellow. You wouldn't happen to want a drink, would you?" Killian pulls a flask out of his jacket and wiggles it in front of the monster. He roars once more. Killiann drops the flask, and turns back to the creature in fury. "Well now you've done it."
Down below, Emma is holding out her hands, trying to pull Killian from the monster's grasp.
"Come on, come on!" She chants. She puts her hands down for a moment: she closes her eyes and stretches her finger out a few times. She finally takes one large breath, holds out her hands and pushes out all of her strength. Emma not only frees Hook, but the creature falls to it's knees. However, Emma collapses in exhaustion.
"Emma!" Once he is safely out of the ogre's grasp, Killian rushes to the Princess' side. He carefully cradles her head in his lap. Then he hears the movement of the creature behind him. "Emma, love, we have to go." When she doesn't open her eyes, Killian wraps his arms around her, and hoists her up. He runs until he finds a small cave to hide away from the lurking ogre. The man gently lays down the girl, while still carefully holding her head. He leans back against the wall to catch his breath, and absentmindedly, he begins stroking her hair.
"Killian?" Her voice snaps Killian out of his daze, and all of his attention is suddenly on her.
"Princess!" He exclaims with a joyous smile. "Good to see you again." He winks at her but her expression stays stoic.
"What are you doing here?" Emma tries to sit up, but her body shakes until she lies back down.
"Rest sweetheart, you need it. You just stopped an ogre." Killian proudly grins at the girl.
"I didn't stop him, I only stunned him." She rolls her eyes and turns her head away from his.
"But isn't that proof that you are skills are developing on your own? That you don't need to see the Evil Queen?"
"Are you trying to get me to not go through with this now?" The rage is evident in her tone and eyes when her face snaps back to Killian's.
"What?" He raises up his hands in surrender. "Of course not! I was only saying that your skills cannot be taught, but they are learned through experience. It's just..." Killian stops, and Emma's eyes zero in on him.
"Just what?" Sharp words fire at him and he is nothing if not startled by the heated anger.
"Just that the Evil Queen is called the Evil Queen for a reason! I don't want you to get hurt."
"Look, who just protected you back there? I'm pretty sure I can defend myself against a powerless sorceress." She tries to push herself up once more, only to fall back down. In frustration, Emma hits the dirt of the cave floor and groans.
"And look who can't sit up without help." Killian says calmly as he lifts up the Princess and sets her back against the wall. He brushes her hair back while she sends daggers into his soul. "I'm sorry if I angered you my dear. I promise that was never my intention. I have come to care about your well being though, and frankly, I saved you from that beast first."
She almost scoffs, but then her eyes grow softer. "I'm not really mad." She says quietly. "I guess I'm just..." She stops herself short.
"Just what love?" Killian lightly touches her cheek, but she pulls away.
"Nothing." She shakes her head.
The Pirate sighs heavily, but leans his head back against the cave wall. "When you think you've gained your strength, we can head to the Queen's cabin."
After a few moments, Emma's voice cuts through the cave's eery silence. "Thank you Killian."