A/N: Okay, I know I haven't updated in a while, but midterms and papers have been ruling my life. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Finally.

Enjoy!

The rolling of the ship under Killian's feet was familiar, comforting, even. He hadn't realized how much he had missed the Jolly Roger and the open seas. It hadn't been long since the Evil Queen had stranded him and Emma on that island, but his heart still ached for his ship and he hoped that she was still out there somewhere, waiting for him to find her.

"We're almost there," Emma joined him at the rail. "I can see land now."

"Aye, lass," he whispered, lacing his fingers through hers and watching carefully to make sure that it wasn't an unwelcome gesture. "Almost done." He couldn't help the sorrow tinging his voice as he thought about the end of their journey, only a matter of minutes away now.

Emma needed help. He knew that, and he knew that he should be happy that they were almost back to the mainland, back to where it would be possible for him to sacrifice himself before Rumpelstiltskin took control of her will. However, as Killian watched her hair fly back in the wind and admired the slight smile on her lips, he knew that he didn't want their journey to end, especially not that way. Once they reached Alenfey, he was back to Captain Hook (albeit without his ship) and she was back to being Princess Emma. Once they reached Alenfey, everything between them would be over.

"What are we going to do?" Emma broke into his thoughts, leaning against him. "I can't tell my parents about the deal."

Killian opened his mouth and was about to respond, when a loud boom sounded directly overhead and a bolt of lightning narrowly missed the ship, sending up a spray of seawater where it struck the ocean.

Chaos erupted on the ship. Pirates ran around, conflicting orders bouncing around the crew and adding to the clamour of booted feet and screams.

Another bolt appeared, hitting the edge of the ship and leaving a large, smoky hole in the hull.

Craning his neck upwards, Killian scanned the sky. Not a cloud in sight. That could only mean one thing - the Evil Queen had found them.

"Hurry," Killian suddenly bellowed. "We have to hurry - she can't follow us once we reach the mainland!" The magical wards should keep her out. But, in the meantime, he had to get Emma…

Her hand was no longer clasped in his.

Frantically looking around, Killian spotted her lying on the deck, her eyes closed and her skin pale.

"Emma," he gasped, kneeling beside her and gathering her into his arms. "Bad timing, love. We have to get you-"

"-get her where, pirate?" The mocking voice attracted Killian's attention. "You don't actually believe that you can escape from me, do you?"

Looking up, he saw the Evil Queen standing on the deck in front of him, radiating tightly controlled anger. "I won't let you hurt her," he forced out, tightening his grip on Emma's limp form. The ship was still moving forward, but not quickly enough to get them to safety.

"And you're going to stop me how?" she laughed, stepping towards him. "You're weak, pirate. Can't even protect the women you love."

Gritting his teeth, Killian judged how much farther they had to go before they reached the mainland. It was too far. Unless...unless the magical wards extended into the water. That was his only chance to save Emma. He just had to distract the Queen for long enough. "You're right," he admitted. "I am weak. Teach me to be strong. Teach me to be powerful, like you."

The woman rolled her eyes and smiled condescendingly. "That's the best plan you can come up with? Joining me? I thought you were at least smarter than that - I guess I overestimated you."

"I don't think you did."

The Evil Queen's eyes gleamed as she raised her arm towards Killian and Emma, but then she clenched up suddenly and spun around, sparks flying from her outstretched hand. "The ward," she hissed, venom colouring her voice.

Killian heard a sizzling sound as the Queen was struck with the full force of the magical protections surrounding Emma's kingdom. Her anguished scream echoed over the water as the smell of burning flesh spread.

Then, she vanished in a cloud of green smoke, her disembodied voice of rage still ringing through the air.

The crew cheered. Killian breathed a sigh of relief and loosened his grip on Emma.

"What happened?" Her eyes fluttered open and she winced. "My head hurts."

Killian smiled and shook his head disbelievingly. "We made it - welcome back to Alenfey."

Her eyes brightened as he leaned in and kissed her tenderly, putting aside all his sadness so he could enjoy the last moments he had with her.

…

"...so glad to see you safe. We were so worried."

"And we missed you, sweetheart."

Killian awkwardly stood on the sidelines as Emma's parents embraced her, telling her how much they had loved and missed her. Part of him wished that he had people who cared for him that much in his life, but most of him was glad that at least she had people to take care of her after he leaves.

"...is Killian. He saved my life multiple times."

Killian tuned back into the conversation at the sound of his name. Emma was introducing him to her parents and now all three of them were looking at him expectantly. "Your majesties," he bowed slightly, hoping that was what people did when they met royalty. Normally, he wouldn't have cared, but he wanted to make a good impression on Emma's parents, even though he knew that it wouldn't matter in the long run.

"What kind of reward can we offer you?" the King asked, placing an arm around Emma's shoulders. "Name anything."

Killian hesitated, casting a longing glance over at the port, where the Jolly Roger should be moored. He could ask for a new ship. A better ship. But his conscience wouldn't let him, not after he had started to develop real feelings for the princess. "Nothing, mate," he shook his head. "But I really should be going now, letting you get back to your royal lives." Suddenly, all he wanted to do was get away. Long, drawn-out goodbyes were never his style, anyway. And besides, he had to make it to the palace before she did, so that he could make Rumpelstiltskin take him instead of her, freeing her to live her life.

"What?" Emma stepped towards him, her eyes showing her confusion. "What do you mean, you should be going?"

"You're a princess, lass, and I'm a pirate." He lowered his voice, trying to sell the next lie, "And besides, you have a serious problem you have to deal with, and I would only get in the way."

"No." She stared up at him like he was being an idiot. "No. Who cares what we are?"

Killian tipped his head towards the King and Queen, very obviously waiting for Emma to return to them. "They do."

"I don't care what they think." Her hand reached out and took his. "I need you."

The words struck Hook with full force and his mouth went dry. It wasn't horrible to travel to the palace with them, right? He could still find the Dark One first. "Okay, love. You win." He forced himself to smile at her woodenly, hoping desperately that this plan would work and he could save the life of the woman he loved, at least this time. He was too late for Milah, but he refused to be too late for Emma.

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