Sorry this chapter is later than planned. My life got turned completely upside down this last week, but in a totally good way! My mind just wasn't on writing, so I thank you for your patience and for sticking with me! Thank you to everyone who is reading, especially ElizabethV, Alexandra Sarafolean, Moniquebowman, Maggie, Yerkey, Angels-Heart1, Lisa1972, and Piratesavior for reviewing! I really love hearing from you all!

-KM-

Chapter 11

Emma woke to the sun streaming through the window and a jackhammer of a headache in her skull. She rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head, blocking out the light.

"Good morning, darling." Killian's amused voice floated in from the doorway.

"What's so good about it?" Emma muttered.

He closed the curtains, darkening the room, and set a glass on the bedside table. "Drink that."

She opened one eye to look at him. "What is it?"

"Smee's hangover cure." He smirked at her as she reached for the glass of murky purple liquid. "And for God's sake, don't smell it!"

She held her nose and downed it in one gulp, making a face. "Blech... that's horrible! What on Earth was in that?"

"You don't want to know." He took the glass from her and rinsed it, filling it with water and handing it back. "It's damned effective, though."

"You look like you've been up for hours. Do I even want to know what time it is?"

He shrugged. "Probably not."

She sat up and moved to stand, then realized she wasn't wearing pants. "Do I even want to know what happened last night?"

"Nothing untoward, I assure you, Princess."

"Nevermind... I remember." She flopped back into the bed, face flushing. "I am so embarrassed. Killian, I'm sorry."

He smirked. "It was rather nice to see you relax a bit, love. Though next time you decide to come on to me, I'd like to be able to be certain it wasn't just caused by four glasses of whisky."

"Three and a half." She muttered, looking away.

"Three and a half." He conceded. "I'll be on deck, when you're feeling better."

He left the room and walked through the hall and up onto the deck. Keeping busy, he grabbed a mop and had swabbed three-quarters of the deck by the time she made her way up into the light.

"I don't know what was in that drink, but it does work." She acknowledged.

"Bloody awful tasting, though."

"Yeah."

She glanced at the mop in his hand. "I thought you had deckhands for that?"

"I do. However, as they're currently indisposed tracking down flying monkeys, and the Jolly Roger's deck still needed cleaning, the chore was left to her captain." He went back to his cleaning as she watched him work. When he finished, he poured the water in the bucket overboard and moved to put the mop away. She stopped him with a hand on his chest.

"Killian..."

"Yes, love?"

"I just..." She paused, searching for words. "Thank you."

He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "Anytime, love."

"I have to-" She inclined her head toward the town. She took a few steps toward the gangplank, and he turned toward the closet to put the mop away.

"And Killian?" He turned back when he heard her voice, startled at what he saw in her eyes. She bit her lip, as if thinking twice on what she was about to admit. "I do want you. It's just... With everything, with Henry missing, I just can't think about that now."

He nodded. "Understood." He leaned the mop against the wall and crossed the deck to her in two strides. "But Princess, when this is over-" He cupped her cheek with his hand. "I am holding you to our bet. You owe me a date."

She nodded. "When this is over." He kissed her forehead and was startled to feel her arms come around his waist. She stepped close to him and rested her head on his chest. He hugged her back tightly, allowing himself these few moments to just hold her. He wasn't sure how long they stood like that, his hand tangled in her hair, her cheek pressed against his chest. Finally, she released him and moved away, and he let her go reluctantly. "I really do need to get back."

He took a step back. "Go on, then. I'll see you later." He watched her as she walked away, down the gangplank, up the dock and onto the street, turning out of sight at the old cannery. Chuckling to himself, he leaned against the wall, shaking his head in disbelief. She actually wanted him!

Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to review and give feedback. Your comments help make me a better writer! Please review if you are so inclined. Reading your comments totally makes my day! I know this chapter was short, but it was just a good stopping point. There's probably about another four chapters to this fic, and three are already written! I just need to finish editing them, and I'll get them up as soon as possible!

-KM-