The King and Queen echoed their surprise over their daughter's romantic notions towards the pirate.
"But Emma..." The King started, but Killian looked at the man asking for his approval to interrupt. Killian looks sadly into Emma's eyes.
"Love, I can't be with you."
"What?" The Princess' voice cracks in pain. She'd never felt love before, but this felt so real. She was terrified of losing her happiness, so she gripped him tighter. "Of course you can." She whispers more to herself than to Killian."
"Emma." He softly caresses her hair, and brushes away a single tear. "I am a prisoner and must go back to pay off my debt." He looks up at the King and nods. David is taken aback by the man's heroic nature; he wonders what caused the change of heart for the Pirate.
"You don't have to Killian." Emma says hopefully. "I can get it taken care of, I promised you that."
Killian stands, pulling Emma up as well. "Come dear." She folds herself into his body, and her breaths in her familiar scent mixed with rain water. "I love you you very deeply Princess. But I committed a crime, and I won't let you stop me from receiving my punishment."
Emma's arms tighten around him as she cries into his shoulder. "They'll kill you." Her voice is quiet and Killian closes his eyes in pain.
"If that be my punishment, I will pay it." Forever strong in the face of death, Emma noted. She pulled back to look up at Killian; she noticed the pain in his eyes, and she knew how much this hurt him. He leans down and presses one last light kiss to her lips before leaving her to stand before her parents.
"Your Majesties, I am ready to go back to my cell." He holds out his wrist in surrender.
Snow looks at her distraught daughter, who has wrapped her arms around herself as if she was trying to hold back the pain in her heart. Tears formed in her eyes as she looked up at her husband. With a nod, David turned to Emma. "Emma, I told you your mother and I only wanted your happiness." Emma's head tilts up, revealing her red-rimmed eyes. David can't contain the sad sigh. He passes the man, and reaches for his little girl. "I said that any man would be lucky to have you. If you think this Captain,"
"Killian." Emma's voice comes out strong and clear, as she stands taller.
"Killian." David smiles. "If you think Killian is worthy of that love, we will not deprive you of that."
Emma's face transforms a few times; from surprise to happiness to confusion. "But what about the royal line? Don't I have to marry a prince?" Emma asks in wonder.
Snow steps next to her husband, and brushes Emma's hair back with a grin. "That is how it typically goes, but we aren't a typical family are we?" A small smile forms on Emma's lips. "Besides, who are we to stop true love?"
Emma turns to Killian, who has remained standing with arms outstretched. Emma grabs hold of his arms and smiles at him. "I told you I could get you out of it."
"But Emma..." He starts somber.
David slaps his hand on Killian's back. "Do you love my daughter Killian?"
Killian looks at the King in amazement. "Of course I do sir, but shouldn't I..."
"For what she did, releasing a prisoner, and escaping with Royal property, Emma should be in the dungeon now." He glances at his daughter, and then at his wife. "But we are a family of rule breakers, and also of second chances. So if you truly love my daughter, I will grant you a second chance." David leans in, and his expression turns serious. "But don't think I won't be watching that you don't hurt her."
"You have my word that I won't." Killian nods at the King with a smile.
"Good." David grins and the men clasp hands.
"Speaking of second chances..." Emma starts and everyone turns their attention onto her. "I believe we should give Regina one."
Everyone in the room falls silent and stares at Emma. "Love, you can't be serious." Killian gapes at her. "Not after she tried to hurt you."
"She tried to hurt you?!" The Charming's yell at the same time.
Emma raises her hands in a calming matter. "Listen, we had a nice talk, and I really think she deserves the opportunity to find her happiness. After all, she doesn't have magic any longer, so she really couldn't do that much damage if it went badly."
The trio seem to contemplate her argument. "Emma, what you are asking is huge. That would mean breaking her banishment, and letting her back into the kingdom where she terrorized a lot of people." Her mother states.
"I know, but I honestly believe she needs this. She will never move on if she doesn't have the chance to learn that there is more to life than getting her revenge. She needs to believe that she can love again." Emma smiles and glances at Killian.
"That is a lot to think about Emma; you're mother and I will discuss it." David carefull wraps his arm around Snow.
"Thank you." Emma says kindly and turns back to Killian. Her smile disappears as she realized what she left back at Rumpelstiltskin's castle. "Oh Killian, I'm so sorry."
"Sorry for what love?" He asks, coming close to her.
"Your ship. The Jolly Roger, it's still at the Dark One's castle. I didn't think about it when I was trying to bring you here..."
"Emma." He says softly and wraps his arms around her back. "I don't need it anymore love."
"You don't?" She asks as she looks up at him. "Why not?"
"Because, I no longer need to seek my revenge, or find comfort in the arms for strange woman." He gently caresses her cheek. "Everything I need is right here." His voice is low and raspy.
A few tears falling down her cheeks, Emma reaches up to kiss him again.