Three and a half years later Killian walked around the tiny village of Agrabah it was a short visit Liam was off hunting down the harbor master to get the supplies they needed and Killian decided to walk around the bazaar and pick up some new treasures. He fingered a bright green scarf it was silk and lovely and he was drawn to the bold color. The Merchant came to his side and haggled with him over the price of the scarf. Killian couldn't help it the color made him think of a pair of big green eyes in a round face surrounded by blonde hair. He bought the scarf and tucked it away inside his uniform he hadn't forgot Emma, his princess. Three years had gone by and he barely heard anything after about six months. One day he sent the pigeon out with a letter and the pigeon returned with his letter still attached unopened and unread Killian thought the bird was confused so he waited a few days and tried again. Ad again the bird came back with his letter. Killian had been heartbroken and moped around the jewel for months until Liam finally told him to get over quit moping do his job or walk the bloody plank.
A long blonde braid swung out the side of a hooded cloak and caught Killian's attention. He watched a slender hand drop gold coinage to the wrinkled hand of the old man holding a tiny elegant purple bottle. Killian shook his head at the thought of spending a single gold coin on a bottle of perfume. He turned around and plucked an apple from the pile in front of him handing over the appropriate coinage he watched the blonde woman walk carefully and slowly he tilted his head curiously as she looked right then left and right again before slipping into the alley. Her cloak was old and tor and had some stained mud on the hem. It didn't fit the style of a woman who drop several gold coins into the hands of a merchant for a tiny bottle of perfume. He bit into his apple telling himself it wasn't important. He glances around the bazaar to. See if anyone else had noticed the mysterious woman. The area was filled with shoppers. One man argued with a seller about the price of a basket. Another area held two women who were looking to sell more than fruit at their stand. Two children sat looking very hungry in the corner of the market one held out beautiful flowers telling passerby's that the flower was the sweetest in the land. Killian paid for a second apple and added a loaf of bread to his order he walked over hand the young girl a silver coin receiving a huge smile and a bright orange and red flower he handed the boy the apples and the bread before leaving them with a wink to follow the mysterious blonde shopper.
He followed her down an alley and into a darkened building. He caught up to her and touched her elbow causing her to stop and turn. When she turned they each stared at the person they never thought to see again.
"Killian…" Emma gasped bringing her hand to her mouth in surprise
"Aye, Emma it's me." Killian looked at her pain etched into his face. "What are you doing?"
Emma looked at him, "I can't tell you."
"What the bloody hell do you mean you can't tell me? Emma … What is going on?" He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear but she turned away from his touch it caused his heart to ache. "You can't tell me?"
She shook her head and walked away. He let her go.
Killian returned to the Jewel and stormed past his captain and brother Liam Jones he stormed right to his cabin and slammed the door. His brother didn't bother knocking when he came in the room.
"What the devil is wrong with you?" Liam asked.
"Emma is here." Killian answered curtly. Liam let out a low chuckle.
"I'm fully aware of that, little brother." Killian's head shot straight up and he glared at his brother. "As a matter of fact we have been summoned to the palace by King David and the Sultan. We are to arrive immediately and be prepared for to stay for an undetermined amount of time as we prepare for a top secret mission."
Killian hissed in disdain before speaking," Emma wouldn't bloody talk to me. I don't have any intention of being summoned by the king."
"Tough. You have no option as an officer of the royal Navy you will answer any and all summons when they arrive."
"Bloody Hell, I know, I know. When do we leave?"
"Now."
Liam and Killian sat at a long table next to a huntsman and a dwarf. The King sat across form them and Emma sat next to him at the head of the table sat an older man with dark skin and eyes and white hair and a white beard. At the opposite end of the table sat a lovely lady with long dark hair and dark skin and brown eyes she wore a dress made from deep purple and lots of heavy gold jewelry she had remained silent during dinner and after. It was Emma that broke the silence.
"Killian, would you please escort me on a walk?" She stood not waiting for him to answer knowing Liam would not let him refuse. She walked toward the large and guarded doors of the dining room. Once in the hallway she turned to him as they walked.
"What I am telling you cannot leave the space between us. It is imperative as few people know as possible I am only telling you because I lo- I know you will keep it a secret. "She looked at him and he nodded." My mother is ill. Regina cursed her before my father met her and she is now suffering from it. There is a special plant in a nearly impossible to reach realm that will cure her." Emma stopped walking and looked at him "We have a history you and I, I can't begin to tell you how I thought about you and missed you every day over the last three years, I stopped writing to you, when my mother became ill and I couldn't tell you how I had to take over the duties of the queen while keeping this secret. My father reached out to some foreign dignitaries and the sultan told us of a potion that will ease her pain and his advisor told us about the plant to cure my mother."
Three and a half years later Killian walked around the tiny village of Agra bah it was a short visit Liam was off hunting down the harbor master to get the supplies they needed and Killian decided to walk around the bazaar and pick up some new treasures. He fingered a bright green scarf it was silk and lovely and he was drawn to the bold color. The Merchant came to his side and haggled with him over the price of the scarf. Killian couldn't help it the color made him think of a pair of big green eyes in a round face surrounded by blonde hair. He bought the scarf and tucked it away inside his uniform he hadn't forgot Emma, his princess. Three years had gone by and he barely heard anything after about six months. One day he sent the pigeon out with a letter and the pigeon returned with his letter still attached unopened and unread Killian thought the bird was confused so he waited a few days and tried again. Ad again the bird came back with his letter. Killian had been heartbroken and moped around the jewel for months until Liam finally told him to get over quit moping do his job or walk the bloody plank.
A long blonde braid swung out the side of a hooded cloak and caught Killian's attention. He watched a slender hand drop gold coinage to the wrinkled hand of the old man holding a tiny elegant purple bottle. Killian shook his head at the thought of spending a single gold coin on a bottle of perfume. He turned around and plucked an apple from the pile in front of him handing over the appropriate coinage he watched the blonde woman walk carefully and slowly he tilted his head curiously as she looked right then left and right again before slipping into the alley. Her cloak was old and tor and had some stained mud on the hem. It didn't fit the style of a woman who drop several gold coins into the hands of a merchant for a tiny bottle of perfume. He bit into his apple telling himself it wasn't important. He glances around the bazaar to. See if anyone else had noticed the mysterious woman. The area was filled with shoppers. One man argued with a seller about the price of a basket. Another area held two women who were looking to sell more than fruit at their stand. Two children sat looking very hungry in the corner of the market one held out beautiful flowers telling passerby's that the flower was the sweetest in the land. Killian paid for a second apple and added a loaf of bread to his order he walked over hand the young girl a silver coin receiving a huge smile and a bright orange and red flower he handed the boy the apples and the bread before leaving them with a wink to follow the mysterious blonde shopper.
He followed her down an alley and into a darkened building. He caught up to her and touched her elbow causing her to stop and turn. When she turned they each stared at the person they never thought to see again.
"Killian…" Emma gasped bringing her hand to her mouth in surprise
"Aye, Emma it's me." Killian looked at her pain etched into his face. "What are you doing?"
Emma looked at him, "I can't tell you."
"What the bloody hell do you mean you can't tell me? Emma … What is going on?" He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear but she turned away from his touch it caused his heart to ache. "You can't tell me?"
She shook her head and walked away. He let her go.
Killian returned to the Jewel and stormed past his captain and brother Liam Jones he stormed right to his cabin and slammed the door. His brother didn't bother knocking when he came in the room.
"What the devil is wrong with you?" Liam asked.
"Emma is here." Killian answered curtly. Liam let out a low chuckle.
"I'm fully aware of that, little brother." Killian's head shot straight up and he glared at his brother. "As a matter of fact we have been summoned to the palace by King David and the Sultan. We are to arrive immediately and be prepared for to stay for an undetermined amount of time as we prepare for a top secret mission."
Killian hissed in disdain before speaking," Emma wouldn't bloody talk to me. I don't have any intention of being summoned by the king."
"Tough. You have no option as an officer of the royal Navy you will answer any and all summons when they arrive."
"Bloody Hell, I know, I know. When do we leave?"
"Now," Liam smiled gleefully at his brother. This would be a very entertaining time.
Liam and Killian sat at a long table next to a huntsman and a dwarf. The King sat across form them and Emma sat next to him at the head of the table sat an older man with dark skin and eyes and white hair and a white beard. At the opposite end of the table sat a lovely lady with long dark hair and dark skin and brown eyes she wore a dress made from deep purple and lots of heavy gold jewelry she had remained silent during dinner and after. It was Emma that broke the silence.
"Killian, would you please escort me on a walk?" She stood not waiting for him to answer knowing Liam would not let him refuse. She walked toward the large and guarded doors of the dining room. Once in the hallway she turned to him as they walked.
"What I am telling you cannot leave the space between us. It is imperative as few people know as possible I am only telling you because I lo- I know you will keep it a secret. "She looked at him and he nodded." My mother is ill. Regina cursed her before my father met her and she is now suffering from it. There is a special plant in a nearly impossible to reach realm that will cure her." Emma stopped walking and looked at him "We have a history you and I, I can't begin to tell you how I thought about you and missed you every day over the last three years, I stopped writing to you, when my mother became ill and I couldn't tell you how I had to take over the duties of the queen while keeping this secret. My father reached out to some foreign dignitaries and the sultan told us of a potion that will ease her pain and his advisor told us about the plant to cure my mother."
Killian studied her unsure of how to respond. "Emma is this why you stopped writing?" he asked. "Why you refused to see me when I was in Port last year?" He moved now reaching out to stroke her cheek with the pad of his thumb. She closed her eyes and involuntarily leaned into his touch.
"Killian, please, stop," she whispered. He ignored her plea and leaned down to brush her lips with his. Once, twice, and a third time, before he sunk into her delicious mouth. At fourteen they had shared a sweet innocent kiss but now she was seventeen and unaware of the effect she had on him.
"Just one, I've longed for your lips for an eternity." He murmured against her lips. He deepened the kiss and she moaned leaning against him. She broke free gasping for air. Her eyes were dark with arousal and she gripped his jacket then took a step back and looked up at him with a sad smile.
"I never meant to hurt you. I had so much to do as acting Queen and I wasn't permitted to even tell you. I wrote you a thousand letters but had to burn every one of them. I couldn't take the chance of anyone knowing my mother was sick. We didn't even tell the castle staff. We said she was preparing me for my time as Queen when I marry and that my mother wanted to spend time with the younger kids. Two years ago after my sister was born and ever since then my mother became weaker and weaker. Killian you can't tell anyone If Regina finds out she will kill my mother."
Killian pulled into his arms and hugged her "I'm sorry you have to go through this alone, Luv." She closed her eyes and relaxed for a moment then she pulled back and brought his hand to her lips and led him down the hall to an empty room. These are the guest quarters the Sultan had prepared for you and your brother; you may stay here tonight as I'm sure you may already know you leave tomorrow morning. "Emma leaned up against the door frame. " I never forgot you; I fell in love with you that night. I don't think I ever stopped loving you," Emma stretched up on her toes to kiss him. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pushed him into the room kicking the door shut behind them. Killian's head spun he protested "Emma, are you sure, Luv?" She whispered back to him.
"I've never been surer." Killian lifted her with a hand under her bottom to bring them closer and murmured against her lips I
"I love you too, Emma."
The next morning before the sun came up Emma kissed a sleeping Killian on the lips. She rolled onto her stomach and folded her arms on his chest and laid her head down watching the shadows play across his face. She was certain a more beautiful man did not exist. She planted a kiss on his heart then gently slipped out of his bed. She padded down the hall to her own room and prepared for her day she chose a ruby colored gown and grey cloak to go watch the Jewel leave.
On the docks Liam prepared the ship before offering his assurances to the king they would bring home the cure for the queen. Killian and Emma stood in the shadows behind a stack of large crates.
"I don't want you to leave." Emma snuggled into his chest she had a dread deep in her chest that this mission was far too dangerous for such a small thing as a plant but at the same time she knew the plant was her mother's only way of survival.
"Nor do I my love." Killian pulled back and removed a small opal ring form under his uniform top. "This was my mother's ring. She gave it to me before she died. Will you wear it and be my love always?" Emma nodded through tears and jumped up to kiss him again knocking him back a step and sending his hat askew.
They kissed until Liam came over and cleared his throat. Emma grabbed Liam in a tight hug knocking him back in surprise. She whispered in his ear, "Bring him back to me." Liam dumbfounded but a romantic at heart patted her on the back.
"He's my baby brother; I'll take good care of him." He nodded to her father standing on the docks talking to Killian, "Your father is a good man. Take care of him too He needs you, your highness."
Emma smiled and watched as Killian came back over to her. "Your father said to return safely and he would consider giving your hand to me in marriage."
"Well then you had better get home safe. She leaned in to hug and kiss him once more. Then stood by her father and watched the boys return to the sea. A sense of Deja Vu overwhelming her along with the dread in the pit of her stomach she couldn't shake.
"I'm in love with him Daddy." Emma turned her head to her father's shoulders.
"I know, Princess, I know, you always were."
Killian and Liam departed the Jewel advising the rest of the crew to stay on board for their own safety. Liam looked at Killian and they nodded together they walked across the sandy shore and headed to the large cliff that awaited them.
After a long and arduous trek across the jungle and up the cliff, Killian rested against the rock. His uniform coat abandoned on the beach and blouse unbuttoned and hanging from his waist.
"Brother, How much further?" he panted. Liam rested against another rock he too was stripped to the waist to fight the sweltering jungle heat.
He pulled out a map and a compass and studied both before pointing straight ahead to a small rock formation "Just over that ridge there." Together they walked to the cliff and they could see a bush of the plant called dream shade. Carefully the brothers cut several pieces and filled their satchels with the bush cuttings. They started back over the hill and Liam cried out in pain. Killian rushed to him and noticed a large red gash on his arm dripping blood. He quickly ripped off a sleeve of his uniform top and bound Liam's arm in it.
"Can you make it the rest of the way to the ship?" Killian asked concerned. Liam merely nodded. As they approached the ship Liam was leaning heavily against Killian's side, Killian pulled back the makeshift bandage and swore under his breath. Liam's whole arm was black and had what looked like ink stains running up his arm, He was panting and sweating profusely, Killian half carried, half dragged Liam back to the ship once on deck he ordered a deck hand to fetch him some water. The hand brought a canteen filled with cool water fresh from the lake upon which they docked. Liam instantly appeared better. He had stopped sweating and could stand on his own the blackness of his arm was gone. He immediately ordered they depart on their voyage and retreated to his cabin to change his clothes. The crew looked at Killian who assured them the captain was fine and ordered them to follow their captain's orders.
As the ship pulled anchor and prepared for their voyage Killian went in search of Liam. He found him buttoning his jacket over a fresh shirt, "are you sure you are alight Liam? I had to all but carry you off the bloody island."
Liam caught Killian in a back slapping hug. "I am more than fine, Little Brother. We got the cure for the queen and we will be back to the Enchanted forest and you to your princess soon enough. We just survived a very important mission." They jolted when they felt the ship take off and enter a portal. Killian grinned at Liam who looked at him and grinned back as soon as they exited the portal Liam clutched his arm in pain. Killian rushed to him catching him in his arms. He pulled the jacket form Liam's body and tore the sleeve of his shirt to expose Liam's arm the black inly marks were running up his arm and up to his neck, Killian ripped the shirt open and stared at the black running over Liam's now exposed chest.
Liam reached up and grasped Killian's chin in his hand and whispered, "Love you brother," before closing his eyes and letting his head droop onto Killian's arm. Killian cried for help and when the door to the cabin swung open it was too late the Captain was already dead. Killian cried in anguish, Liam was all he had left in the world. And now he was gone.
The wrapped Liam's body in sails from the ship and tied it tight then pushed his body overboard and Killian thought that now all he had left in the world was Emma. Emma who was the daughter of the king, the king who sent him and his brother on a mission of life or death for a cure for the queen, a cure that killed his brother and was intended to kill the whole crew no doubt. A vengeful king sent us on a death mission.
"The King sent us on a mission to find a cure, a cure that killed my brother and our captain. The king sent us here to die!" The crew had gathered to watch him. "I for one will no longer serve a murderous king. Are you with me?" The crew agreed with him and they tore the kingdom flag from the ship and burned it. They threw navy uniforms into the sea and Killian declared himself the new captain and the crew agreed chanting Captain Jones.
Several weeks later Killian and the crew of the newly christened Jolly Roger took port in a small town near the castle but far enough away that they would not be seen. As his men headed to the brothel and the tavern Killian set out on horseback to deliver the "cure" to the king.
Emma was in the garden reading to her mother when news reached her that the Jones brothers had returned. Leaving her mother in the care of her nurse Emma rushed to greet Killian. She flung herself at him and he caught her but instead of hugging her or spinning her as she imagined he merely set her aside and strode right to the king.
"Lieutenant Jones I am glad to see you. Was your mission successful?" David asked hopefully, He studied the younger man. It was then he noticed the instead of hi Navy uniform he wore black. Black leather pants and a black shirt with a red waistcoat, and he was alone. "Where is your captain?"
"My captain, my brother is dead. He was cut by the plant you sent us after and it killed him when we left the bloody island your majesty." Killian's pain was evident on his face and Emma clung to his side in support and whispered hi name.
"You killed my brother!" Killian raged at the shocked king in front of him. "You killed Liam to save our wife. My brother is gone so that your wife may live." He thrust the satchels at him and the canteen of water. David reached out in shock and took them,
"Killian I had no idea…."
"Lair!" Killian closed his eyes and regained some composure then stated, "I will not serve a murderous king. With that he looked down at Emma. Then he looked away.
Emma stared at him in disbelief, "Killian, let's go sit down and talk. There's something we need to discuss." He glanced at her then and the ring on her finger, his mother's ring looked back at him. The ring Liam gave him to give to Emma. "We have nothing to discuss." He shook her off and turned to leave. Emma felt tears threaten but instead she pushed them away with anger.
"I am carrying your child Killian Jones." She shouted. Her father sucked in a breath preparing to say something but one look from his daughter stopped him. Killian looked at her glanced to wear her hand rested on her stomach. She moved forward and pulled his hand down to her stomach he looked up at her through tears, "I can't be a father, "and walked out of the castle and out of Emma's life.