"Charming, I'm not sure we did the right thing," Snow was worried for Emma.

"I noticed she hasn't really come out of her cabin," Charming granted. "Except to practice her magic."

"Her eyes and nose are red every time I see her, like she's been crying," Snow said in her concerned maternal way. "She's not happy."

"Snow, it was your idea," Charming pointed out.

"Well, you did tell me what you heard about Captain Jones," Snow reminded him. "He is a pirate, a womanizer, and over all scoundrel."

Charming was able to ask a few questions about Captain Jones from patrons who hang out around the seaside taverns and he heard plenty of stories, many of them unfavorable. When men talk, they don't hold back especially after a few libations. From wenching to high seas thieving, Captain Jones's reputation was not an encouraging one. He was certainly not a good choice for their daughter.

They both remembered when Sir Gawain reported that Emma lost her powers and was kidnapped by Regina. It was a nightmare. They were so scared for their daughter. What Regina was capable of didn't bear thinking.

Graham Humbert had also came running to the castle and reported that Emma was abducted by the Evil Queen and offered his services to track Emma. They were desperate to find their daughter so they made Graham a captain and gave him a ship. Since they knew Captain Jones was on Emma's trail, Graham was familiar enough with Captain Jones that he knew how to track the Captain until they got to the slave trader island.

When they got to the island, they were surprised to find the slave market was taken down with the help of Captain Jones. They assumed that Emma had been a good influence over him and talked him into taking down the slave market. It was so frustrating when they lost the trail after that, until they got lucky and found out they had stopped at a town to get supplies. They learned from some bar wench the crew of the Jolly Roger had visited that they were headed to Wycombe. It was just their luck that Emma spotted them in the berth next to the Jolly Roger when they landed in Wycombe.

Both Charming and Snow felt it was best that Emma was separated by the Captain so that she could have a clear mind regarding her feelings for him. Their daughter was young and impressionable. Graham warned them that Captain Jones had developed a tender regard for her on their trip to Arendelle and would most likely be her rescuer.

Being in close quarters with her, he could have influenced her feelings for him, especially since she was in a such a vulnerable position. Charming and Snow agreed that in order to put Emma's feelings in order, if she had feelings for him, she needed some distance from him. It helped that Charming was also not thrilled with having a pirate like Captain Jones around his daughter.

Now seeing how depressed Emma was they realized the mistake they made. They were pretty high handed with the situation.

"Maybe she does care for him?" Snow wondered. Emma had not been talking to them, not after their first conversation.

Snow remembered Emma yelling at them, "But we are leaving Captain Jones behind! After he helped me escape from Regina, twice, and from being made a slave!"

"That was a very noble thing he did, but do you really know anything about him, Emma?" Snow asked.

"He's a good man and has a kind heart. He's good to his crew and fair."

"Alright, he's a good man but he has done some dishonest things in the past," Charming pointed out. "There have been other women."

"What? You think that he treated me like some conquest, father?" Emma asked.

Charming grew very uncomfortable and red-faced with the direction that the conversation turned. He didn't want to know if Emma did anything he wouldn't want her to do with the pirate.

"How do you feel about him, Emma?" Snow asked.

"I want to be with him."

"But you're a princess and he's a pirate," Charming said. "You live in two completely different worlds."

"I care about him."

"Has he said anything? Would he marry you and give up the life of a pirate for you?" Snow asked point blank.

Emma opened her mouth to speak but couldn't say anything. They hadn't spoken about a future together. All Emma had to hang onto was one declaration. They had not spoken about how that was going to work. Would she give up her place as a princess and future ruler of their kingdom and be a pirate? She couldn't steal from people or hurt anyone. This whole conversation was frustrating because she didn't have any answers so she got mad instead.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore!" she yelled and marched to her cabin to slam the door.

She was still mad at them and didn't speak to them. The rest of the trip she only went out of her cabin for meals and to practice magic. She juggled cannon balls, helped with the rigging using levitation, and had a sailor toss seashells so that she could shoot white light from her hands and practice her aim.

One night Graham had sidled up to her to ask her what happened between her and Killian.

"We are together, Graham," Emma told him.

"I thought so," Graham sighed disappointed. "I wish you both much luck and happiness. It won't be easy."

"I know and thank you for understanding," Emma gave a small smile.

He lifted her hand to kiss the back of it and walked back to the upper deck. Emma was glad he took the news with grace.

They had finally arrived back in the Enchanted Forest and Snow handed her a magical pendant.

"The Blue Fairy was able to create a magical force field in case Regina decides to attack again," Snow explained. "Every magic wielder will not be able to pass the kingdom's borders unless they wear a pendant. You need to wear it until you get inside the magical border."

"Well, Regina attacking is one less thing I have to worry about," Emma sighed. She laid the necklace around her neck and once they disembarked, she was able to pass the border with no problems.

Every day Emma would look for the sails of the Jolly Roger in the harbor and was disappointed when she didn't see the ship.

Killian watched the small skiff that was making its way to the Jolly Roger. When they arrived Killian did not anchor at the usual port in the Enchanted Forest but instead maintained a distance and dropped anchor in a small bay a few miles away from the harbor. He had sent Smee and Fitch to get information on Princess Emma. That was two days ago and he was getting impatient. Now they were coming back and hopefully with news.

As soon as Smee and Fitch climbed aboard, Killian snapped, "In my cabin!"

They all went into Killian's cabin to tell him all the news they heard. Killian poured himself a glass of rum. He had been pouring himself many glasses of rum since Emma left.

Smee and Fitch noticed Killian's manner had not changed since Princess Emma was taken away. He was moody, glum and quick to lose his temper. They would be more than happy to kidnap the princess again if it got the Captain in a better mood.

"What do you have to report?" Killian asked as he downed the rum.

"Well, I spoke to a wench who was the cousin of a fishmonger who had a friend whose daughter was sweet on one of the royal guards and Emma's parents are planning a military meetin' with all the high to do's," Smee said. "They're in talks 'bout what they going to do with the Evil Queen."

He made sure to say Evil Queen in a drawn out, spooky way.

"Well at least someone in that kingdom has sense," Killian said. The Evil Queen was many kingdoms' problems. She had managed to antagonize a lot of people with her bribery, murder and mayhem.

"What else?" he asked as he poured himself another tumbler.

Fitch added, "I spoke to a bloke who knew a chap whose cousin did business with a lass who heard from one of the seamstresses at the castle that a big bash is planned. Since them high-to-do's have wealthy sons and princes, they might take an interest in courtin' the princess and she'll be presented to 'em."

Smee cuffed Fitch in the head. Fitch flinched, "What! I's only reportin' what I heard!"

Killian sat up at that last piece of information. They all knew the signs. If he was fuming after they left Wycombe, then he'd be raving mad once he hears of the ball planned to set up Emma for some suitors.

"Courting….. the princess?" Killian his hand gripping the glass so hard they thought it was going to break. His face full of fury. Then he said in a barely controlled voice, "Thank you, Smee and Fitch. You may go now."

Emma didn't feel like going to the ball but her mother ordered a new dress to be made. It was a fitted red satin dress that showed more cleavage than she was used to. Since Emma was back she had been sitting in on meetings with the military and leaders of other kingdoms to discuss the plans to capture Regina. She knew she would be the key to Regina's capture. So far their allies have heard nothing about her whereabouts. They needed to capture Regina if there was any hope of peace.

Emma thought planning a ball was silly and a waste of time but her mother insisted. She was to be escorted down the steps by her brother and led into the ball room where they would start the first dance. It was nice being with her brother who was rather jealous that she got to go on adventures without him. Emma assured him that he'll have his own adventures soon enough since he would be coming of age in a couple of years.

She had politely danced with other dignitaries, mostly princes and other leaders. Many of the men annoyed with others when they cut in on their dance with the lovely princess.

So many of them were curious and were dying to ask if it was true that she was on a pirate ship. None of them dared to ask for it was very risqué for a proper princess to be around pirates. The other ladies were whispering and wondering if she was still a virgin. Emma didn't care about what they were gossiping about. She was more concerned with making the kingdom safe. And when she wasn't thinking about security, more often than not, her thoughts always drifted to Killian.

She had stopped dancing to get a drink at the refreshment table when she felt a shiver of premonition. She could sense a presence coming towards her and she looked around for the source of the forewarning. Then the guests around her started to stir, curiosity at a newcomer had them chattering more, "he's rather striking" they said, the sea of people started to part and then, standing not ten feet from her was Killian. A shock to the senses rippled through her.

He stood there looking so handsome in his finery. He wore a brown satin coat that Emma hadn't seen on him before, along with a white shirt, black vest and black pants. The blue eyes that pinned her to the spot took her breath away and had her pulse racing.

A flush of pleasure crossed her face when she saw his eyes appraise her. He walked slowly towards her. Every place his eyes touched on her form, she felt a pleasurable tingling sensation.

"You cut quite the figure in that dress, princess," Killian said admiringly. He lifted her hand to place a kiss on the back of it. It played havoc with her pulses.

"Thank you," she replied breathlessly.

"Would you care to dance, princess?' Killian asked her as soon as he walked up to her. He didn't wait for a reply. He just placed his hand on her waist and whisked her to the dance floor.

They started a waltz and Emma was surprised to see that he could dance perfectly. Actually more than perfect.

As she lost herself in his blue eyes, she heard him say, "You didn't say good-bye."

"I couldn't… it was too late… my parents," Emma tried to explain.

"Hush, sweet," Killian soothed her. "I knew there wasn't anything you could do. I saw that your parents were on the other ship and decided to cast off."

"Killian, I'm so glad you're here," Emma smiled.

"Are you?" Killian asked softly. His eyes shined full of hope.

"Yes. I missed you."

Charming happened to notice Emma dancing with a man he didn't recognize.

"Do you know who that man is, Snow?" Charming asked his wife.

"I've never seen him before," Snow said as she turned to look. He was quite dashing, had a natural grace and Emma was gazing dreamily at him as she was being whirled about the ballroom.

Out of the corner of their eye they saw King George walking determinedly towards them. He looked very stern and upset. He approached Charming and Snow, his face full of alarm and bluster.

"Do you know that the notorious pirate Captain Jones is currently in your ballroom dancing with the princess?" King George's face was red. "He was a lieutenant in my navy who blames me for his brother dying and stole a ship of the fleet from me and turned pirate. He has been harassing my ships, stealing from me for years, costing me a fortune. He is a wanted man in my kingdom. I need you to do something about this."

Charming and Snow were alarmed.

"We'll handle this King George," Charming tried to allay the tension coming off of King George. This was going to be a tricky predicament.

"I demand he be thrown in your prison so he can be sent back to my kingdom for a trial and hanging."

Charming thought, what's the point of a trial when King George wants him to hang? Charming knew King George's reputation for ruthlessness so he had to play it carefully.

"Stay here, I'll take care of it," he told King George.

Charming gathered a few of his knights and headed towards Emma and Killian. Snow was certainly not going to miss this encounter so she followed.

"Emma!" Charming interrupted. "I don't believe you have introduced your friend to me."

Emma did not know what to say. She didn't want to worry her father in the middle of the ball and more importantly, she really needed to talk to Killian alone first. She needed to know where their relationship stood now that she was back in her kingdom.

"Father, this is…"

"Captain Killian Jones of the Jolly Roger," Killian held out his hand for Charming to shake.

"It's nice to meet you, Captain Jones," Charming tried not to make a scene. "I heard you came to Emma's assistance more than once. We have a lot to thank you for."

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for a beautiful woman," Killian said warmly.

Emma was a bit disappointed at his answer. He rescued her for her beauty? Not for love?

Charming noticed that Killian didn't say it was for love too.

"Well, if you don't mind, perhaps we could have a private chat."

Killian noticed as soon as Emma's father approached them that a few knights dressed in formal wear had surrounded them forming a cocoon. He always knew the stance of a military man. They were going to give Killian a chance to come with him willingly. If not, then by force. Then again Killian always was a stubborn man.

"And leave your guests in the middle of a ball?" Killian chided. "That wouldn't be very hospitable of you."

Charming knew when a man dug his heels in, "King George has already spotted you. I think you should come with me."

"King George can put a sock in it," Killian was indifferent and unconcerned with the man who was responsible for killing his brother. "I'm not in his kingdom."

"But you are in a kingdom that has extradition laws that have been set up by our treaties."

"Father," Emma warned him. "Leave Killian be."

Emma was getting anxious about the situation with King George. She knew Killian was a wanted man in his kingdom. Killian had told her the story of what happened to Liam and what Killian did in revenge. He would be hanged for piracy if he was taken back there.

"I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to Emma when she left. We developed a close, intimate relationship," Killian made sure to emphasize the next sentence. "I just wanted to rectify that situation considering she has been sharing my bed."

"What!" Charming bellowed. His whole face started to get red, he was about to erupt into a raging inferno. The guests at the party quieted to listen to the exchange. A few who were close enough to hear let out gasps of shock.

Emma's face completely lost color. She stared at Killian and wondered if he had gone mad.

"We shared a bed…together…at the same time and she was very willing," Killian said aloud for everyone to hear.

"You actually admit…that you..you.. arrrgghh!" Charming's emotions finally careened out of control and he pulled his fist back and punched Killian in the face as hard as he could. Killian fell on the floor almost knocked out. Charming then pulled him up by the vest to hit him in the face over and over.

Emma screamed. She didn't know what Killian was up to but she needed to get her father off of Killian or else he might kill him. She tried to pull her father off him but he wouldn't budge. Then she felt her magic build in her hands. Her feelings were so overwrought that it made her magic go out of control. She worried that it might discharge and hurt someone. Snow grabbed her hands and held them up so she wouldn't hurt anyone accidently.

"I'll take care of your father," Snow yelled. "You need to leave and calm down."

Emma held her hands up and took deep breaths until her magic subsided. She certainly wasn't leaving.

By the time Snow got Charming to stop beating Killian, Emma was so stressed and fatigued from holding back her magic that she took one look at Killian's face and fainted dead away.

Killian tried to keep a groan from escaping his lips when he came out of unconsciousness. What the bloody hell was he thinking, he scolded himself. He wasn't thinking at all. Not after he watched Emma flit from beau to beau, dancing, enjoying herself. He watched as the men admired and ogled her in that fancy red dress with the upper swells of her breasts on display for all to see. That made him lose his bloody wits.

He tried to follow the conversation of the voices he heard.

"Snow! He's a pirate! You can't possibly be serious about this," he heard Emma's father say.

"We have to talk to Emma first. If she cares about this man, then Jiminy's suggestion might be the only way to keep him from being hanged."

"Isn't that what he came here for? Why he said all those things?" another voice Killian didn't recognize spoke.

"Neal, what are you talking about?" Snow asked.

"Are you up, pirate?" a teenage boy asked him. Killian opened his eyes to see a young man who had the same eyes and coloring as Emma's. This young man was probably her brother that she spoke of so fondly. His eyes showed warmth and a sense of humor. Quite like his sister.

Slowly, Killian got to his feet from where they dumped him on the floor. Apparently they moved him to another room to have a more private discussion without an audience of guests. He deduced that Snow, Charming, Neal and someone named Jiminy were having a conversation about what to do about him. What suggestion did this Jiminy fellow come up with, he wondered.

"Where is Emma?" Killian asked still sore from being punched. The man had fists like cannonballs.

"She's right here," Neal said.

"Where?" Killian spun around until his eyes landed on an unconscious Emma lying on the couch.

"What the bloody hell happened to her?" Killian demanded. He quickly kneeled by Emma's side on the couch, gently patting her cheek, calling her name as he tried to bring her around.

"She fainted when she got a look at you after the pummeling you received," Neal informed him.

They all watched as they saw Killian's concern and worry for her. Snow and Charming shared a look. Emma finally drifted back to consciousness and took one look at Killian.

"Killian! Your face! It's covered in blood!" Emma retrieved a handkerchief from her skirt pocket that the seamstress had cleverly sewn into the seam so it would be barely visible, to dab at the blood on Killian's face. Killian kneeled next to her, unmoving and just let her take care of him.

"Please get me some water, Neal" Emma asked as she looked at Killian in concern. Most of his face was starting to get puffy. There was blood coming out of his nose and from the tear above his eye. It still didn't take away from his good looks though.

"Right away!" Neal went to fetch a glass of water and some healing salve too.

Neal was rather amused at his sister's apparent care for the pirate and in turn, the pirate's obvious concern for his sister. He wasn't sure how he felt about having a pirate for a brother-in-law but he knew things were going to be even more interesting around here.