A/N: Hi :) Umm, so... I won't be home for the next 5 or 6 days, so I won't update, and also this is kind of short. I'm really sorry about it, but I still hope you'll like it. It also means that I'll miss the new episode, so... urgh. Also, there's a LOST reference, because I couldn't help myself.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own OUat or any of the characters. No. Nopity nope.

"Emma?" Asked the prince silently when he realized she hadn't said anything in a while. "Are you alright?"

She frowned and pressed her lips together, forming a thin line. "I'm fine."

Queen Abigail examined her, obviously concerned. "What is it, dear?" she inquired

"It's nothing. I just don't like the idea of running and hiding." She answered.

Don't like was a serious understatement, Killian could see it in her eyes. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice." Said his mother.

"I don't have a choice but what? Stay hidden for the rest of my life, never go anywhere in fear I might be found? If this is the life that awaits me, I'd rather die in a battle than compromise for it." She said, fervor lacing in her voice.

"Going up against the Evil Queen and King George is not a battle, love, it's a suicide." He tried to convince her, his brow frowned in worry, but his mother raised her hand to hush him.

"You are so much like your father, Emma, you remind me of him so much. He'd never hide to avoid a battle."

"Nor will I." She declared, chin up, eyes shooting sparks.

"But going alone up against two of the most powerful monarchs in the Enchanted Forest is a foolish waste of a life." finishd the queen. Emma remained silent, the bitterness in her eyes as solid as a wall of stone. "There is, however, another option, that will include hiding. For some time."

"What is it?" asked Killian, assuming Emma was too upset to think straight about any offer.

"We've only started to discuss it last night, before it became urgent. We- we think it will be for the best if Emma will inherit the thrones that used to belong to her parents."

Emma's eyes grew wide with slight fear. "I can't be a queen, your Majesty." She tilted her head to the side, her eyebrows frowning as if she was stating the obvious. "Only last week I was- I was nothing. No one even knew my name."

"You don't have to be a royal to be something, lass." Killian clarified. She turned to look at him as she answered.

"But you must have people that would care if something happened to you. If you don't, no one would even remember you after you die, and you'd become nothing." She quitely said, then blushed and pinned her gaze to the ground, feeling as if she revealed too much. The sadness that washed over him as she said that was overwhelming.

"If the people would know about you, they'd follow you. The loyalty they had to your parents- it was very special. Very rare. They would rebel against the Evil Queen and King George if you would lead them, they are being terrorized by them. And we could support you." At the look in Emma's eyes, the queen cleared her throat. "It doesn't change the fact that for now, you must hide. The Evil Queen will come to look for you here. You must leave nothing of yours behind, so that she wouldn't find you with a locator spell."

Emma swallowed, clearly still unhappy, and nodded briefly. The queen smiled.

"We'll keep you informed. You can live in a cabbin I found in the woods near the border a long time ago. It's rather small, but no one will ever think of searching there."

Emma nodded again.

"I understand you are talented with the sword?" Emma felt herself getting tired of nodding. "Good. Can you handle a bow?"

"My mother taught me." She said.

"I suspected she did. We'll give you a sword, a bow and arrows-"

"I already have a sword." Emma remarked quickly.

"Alright. But you must leave now."

-xxx-

As she was hurrying through the corridors towards her room she bumped into an old lady who was carrying a basket of clean laundry, which fell to the floor as they coilided.

"I'm so sorry," Emma breathed as she dived down to collect the clothes from the floor.

"It's alright, dear." Smiled the old lady. "Who's the father?" She asked.

"What?" She handed the laundry back to the woman, helping her stuff it back into the basket, without really noticing what was she doing. Stunned.

"You are pregnant, dear. You are positively glowing right now, so help sate an old woman's curiosity, who's the father?" Explained the older woman patiently, still smiling warmly. "You know what, you don't have to tell me- just know you're in for an awfully big adventure. I'd know- I've raised five children." She cleared her throat. "Have a good day, dear." and she continued to walk down the hall as if she hadn't just turned someone's world upside down.

It made perfect sense. She did feel quite the nausea during the last few days. But then a sudden realization his her with the force of a thousand fists.

It was his baby. the prince's baby.

"Emma?" Asked the prince from behind her.

Oh, bloody buggering fucking sodding hell.

How was it even possible? How could her luck be so cruel? Did he hear anything?

"Are you- are you pregnant?"

Well, damn.

She turned to face him.

"Is it- mine? I mean-"

She saw worry in his eyes, and fear. The prince couldn't have a bastard child. But underneath all of that, she recognized something that made her heart freeze with horror.

She saw hope.

Maybe he wasn't aware to that hope. Maybe his mind was now calculating ways to get out of this mess. But deep in his heart he wished it would be his baby. He wanted a future with her.

And she couldn't handle this.

"No." She lied. For some reason, it made her want to break down and cry. "I was pregnant when I met you. His name was Graham. He died recently."

"Why did you seem so surprised, then?" He blinked.

"I didn't expect anyone to know. I'm only about a month and a half along, I'm not showing yet."

She could see relief washing over him, but also the tiny break in his eyes, the slight tinge of disappointment. "I am very sorry for your loss, Swan." He said sincerly.

"Me too." She attempted a sad smile and failed. At least this was true.

"I came here to tell you that we're leaving now. Come to the front door in five minutes." He told her.

"Are you coming too?" She asked, not knowing what answer was she hoping for.

"Why, of course, milady." He smiled brightly at her, so that she couldn't stop herself from smiling back.

He disappeared around the corner and she leaned her head against the nearest wall and choked a sob. And it wasn't because the unexpected pregnancy. It was because she was back to running. Running from people, running from love. Why the hell couldn't she just tell him it was his baby? Why the bloody hell not? Why did she have to make herself carry this burden all alone? And why, why in the world was she so afraid of even the possibilty of finding love again- with this man, who seemed to be unnaturally and completely perfect?

Because you're a coward. Whispered a harsh voice deep within her. Because you're broken beyond repair, because your love never lasts long. Because you can't stop running.

She allowed herself to lose herself in her pain and sorrow for five seconds. Only for five seconds, and then she'll be back in control. One, she counted, a single tear sliding down her cheek. Two, Three, Four, She inhaled deeply.

Five.

And she shook her head and went to her room to fetch her sword, wiping away her tears.

She met the prince, Thomas (Who was smiling very widely) and another knight that nodded respectfully as she greeted him.

"So, you're a princess now?" Asked Thomas, eyes shining with humor.

"I guess so," She smiled back.

"It's an honor to serve Snow White and King James's daughter, your Highness." Said the older knight.

"I am not sure I understand what does it even mean, frankly." She confessed.

"Just know that your parents were great leaders. I'd follow them everywhere. When they were forced to retire I prefered moving here rather than having to serve the Evil Queen. If you are half the leader they were, the people will be loyal to you."

Emma nodded, a bit overwhelmed by the passion in his voice. She climbed onto her horse and took the reins.

They rode into the darkness.

-xxx-

Queen Abigail and King Frederick weren't really shocked when the Evil Queen paid them a visit later that day.

"Hello, dears." She smiled, a threat hidden in every word she said. "I am not one for small talk, so I'll make it rather short- hand over Snow White's daughter. I can and will make you suffer if you disobey me."

"She's not here." Said Queen Abigail, standing up. "And you won't lay a finger on her."

The queen breathed in deep, and her eyes glowed in purple. "Well, she really isn't here, is she?" She laughed. "But I will find her. She will not ruin what I have built."

And with these final words, she disappeared in a cloud of purple, swirling smoke.

Review..? :3