#cs ff survey

[fandomflail]

Analysis and data under read more.

Note: There was a tremendous jump from ~36% to 71.5% after the filming pictures of Killian Jones in uniform as Captain Rogers came out. I see you, thirsty fandom. 

There we go! Thank you for taking part in this survey, and remember, show appreciation to content providers - it’s the least we can do to make sure people feel motivated and that their efforts are appreciated. 

P/S - Feel free to add your own inferences etc. I would love to hear them! 

P/S/S - Mad love to the person who gave Recognition a shout out, ILU.

@pirateherokillian @Maybesandhopefullys @acaptainswaneternity @junellelioo @ab-normality @rouhn @Littlejchica @the-corsair-and-her-quill @the-captain-swan-posse @xhookswenchx @unspoken-wild @1HandedPirateWithADrinkingProb @thegreatshipcaptainswan @ultraluckycatnd @ilovemesomekillianjones @kermitleigh17 @slverin @teamhook @fictional-redheads @stubble-sandwich @fragranceofhappiness @vatrixsta @daisy3489 @causaldelusionsprincess @Kmomof4 @Fraddit @torirobinette @krayzieangel @xthecaptainssaviorx @initiala @royalconsortkillian @Roseyflush @iamannenigma @smb814 @in-spirational

[seriouslyhooked]

Lost Souls and Reveries (Part 5)

18 part AU written for @cssns​. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. Story available on AO3 Here and FF Here. Banner created by the amazingly talented @shipsxahoy​!!

Killian Jones is a wolf shifter without roots, without plans, and without a pack. He’s a rogue, someone humans should avoid and shifters should be wary of given his lineage. But one night years back set him on a path he didn’t realize he was taking, a path leading to a future he is destined for. That future is tied up in one woman – a human named Emma Nolan. Together Emma and Killian will find not only answers, but a love that’s truly fated. But will love be enough to set them free, or will past demons win out in the end? (Answer: love always wins – I am writing this so despite some tiny pockets of angst it’s basically a fluff-filled insta-love fest). Rated M.

A/N: Hey everybody! Hope this update finds you doing well, and that you’re ready for another installment of ‘Lost Souls and Reveries.” This chapter was very fun to write because there’s a bit of intrigue, some new developments in our shifter universe, and of course, more CS cuteness. I can’t wait to hear what you all think and I’m so looking forward to your thoughts on this. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!

“A real man lives up to his word, even when it damn near kills him.”

Killian had heard those words more times than he could count from his elder brother over the course of his life, so much so that he could practically hear them aloud as he headed for the sheriff’s station.

The confrontation to come was something that Killian wanted no part of. It was bound to be unpleasant, but nevertheless it had to be done. This morning he promised Emma that he would try to smooth things over with Graham, and he would never break a promise to his mate. Even if he hated the idea of making peace with someone who had challenged his claim to her, Killian would try for Emma’s sake. Besides, the show down in the diner had proven to both him and Graham who the stronger shifter was.

Hours later it still amazed Killian that Graham was a shifter at all. There was no way to deny it when seeing him in person, but Killian had picked up no trace of another of his kind in the days since he’d arrived. It worried Killian that he could miss what should have been so obvious, and at first he wondered if his senses had taken some kind of hit. Perhaps the distraction of finding his perfect match had desensitized him to what should be undeniable signs. But he concluded, with the benefit of a few hours spent canvassing Storybrooke, that this was not the case. There was still virtually no scent that would hint at Graham’s existence, and Killian couldn’t comprehend how that was possible. By the time he arrived at the station, Killian was no closer to an answer, but as he walked through the front door his determination to get to the bottom of this had further solidified.

“Good morning,” a petite woman greeted from what appeared to be a deputy’s desk. “You must be Killian Jones.”

The acknowledgment of who he was surprised Killian until he remembered how small towns like Storybrooke operated. Still, this didn’t seem like a deputy greeting the town’s newest arrival. It was almost like this tiny woman had known that he would be here today, but that was crazy. He had made no appointment, and after the incident in the diner he was likely unwelcome and unwanted here, but this woman stood staring impassively at him as if his presence was just another item checked off of a very long list.

“I am, yes.”

“You’re early,” She said, motioning towards the clock on the wall. “He didn’t think you’d be here so soon.”

Killian wanted to ask how Graham could know he would come at all, but at that moment the man himself appeared.

“I think I’ve got it from here, Tink,” Graham said, embodying a much more laid back attitude than he had before. “It probably wouldn’t be a bad time to make the lunch run. We’ve likely outwaited the rush by this point, right?”

“You’ve got it boss,” she said dutifully before offering Killian a polite goodbye and heading out, leaving Killian and Graham alone.

“So… you made good time,” Graham said, pulling Killian’s attention back again. With the departure of the human buffer, Killian expected animosity to surface, but Graham remained as calm as he was before. “I’m assuming you surveyed the whole town. Find anything?”

“Nothing,” Killian said, perplexed by the newfound easiness in the sheriff’s demeanor as they walked back through the precinct and to Graham’s office. “How did you manage that?”

“Let’s just say you’re not the only one who doesn’t want to be found.”

The hair on the back of Killian’s neck stood up at the mention of his past though he did his best to appear unaffected. It was too much to hope that Graham wouldn’t go looking, but where there would be very little to say about him as far as the human government was concerned, Killian undoubtedly had a reputation amongst the packs. All it would take was one call and Graham would get some iteration of his story, if he hadn’t heard it already.

“Appears you have me at a disadvantage. You seem to know more about me than I do about you. Hardly seems fair,” Killian mused.

“There’s not much to know,” Graham said as he motioned for Killian to take a seat before taking his own spot behind the desk. “I don’t exactly come with a pedigree like yours.”

“No, but you’ve inserted yourself into a human town and become the sheriff. You don’t think that’s an interesting choice?”

Killian purposefully infused in his tone how strange it was for a shifter to do something like that. It was one thing to go rogue and live among humans. But to enmesh oneself so deeply in their community and take on the role of protector? Well that was a bizarre choice indeed, one that clearly stemmed from a story worth hearing.

“I didn’t insert myself,” Graham said evenly. “I was raised nearby by humans so they’re what I’ve always known. I tried the whole ‘pack’ thing out for a while when I was younger, but it didn’t stick, so I came home.”

Killian marveled at how forthcoming Graham was being with this information, especially given how anomalous it was. Humans didn’t raise shifters – there were fail safes in place to make sure it didn’t happen. To keep the secret safe orphaned shifters stayed within the clans. They were adopted by a pack and not allowed to live with people who shouldn’t know the truth. Yet Graham spoke of his past like it was nothing, and maybe to him it was. For Killian though, the past was something he wanted to forget and fend off as best he could. It wasn’t something he shared lightly, but now that Graham was aware of who he was, his options were limited. Killian could either take the man out in the hopes of preserving his secret (which was frankly not an option), or he could try and make nice and hope he could eventually trust the man.

“Packs are overrated,” Killian responded.

“That they are,” Graham agreed with a low chuckle. “But it begs the question – why is a rogue wolf who’s forsaken the bonds of pack and family laying claim to a human? Just what are you doing with Emma Nolan?”

“She’s mine,” Killian growled out immediately and the ferocity of his response triggered a defensive stance from Graham for the first time since Killian arrived.

“No, she’s not.”

Killian could feel his wolf pushing to get out at the provocation. His animal wanted a fight. It wanted to rip apart any shifter who would doubt his claim to Emma or question his motives. If Killian let himself give into those baser instincts his wolf would win too. A physical fight would just prove what their showdown had this morning – Killian was stronger and more dominant than Graham was, plain and simple. But a brawl would also make a mess where Killian couldn’t afford to create one. He tried to breathe through his rage instead of caving to it, but it was bloody difficult to do so.

“Look man, you want to stay here, fine. You and I both know I can’t successfully fight you off,” Graham confessed bitterly. “But I’m not letting you come in here just to mess with her. Emma might just be a human but -,”

“She’s not ‘just’ anything. She’s my mate and she’s perfect.”

The look of shock on Graham’s face was unsurprising. He must be thinking the same things Killian considered when he first found Emma. How was it possible? She was a human and Killian was a shifter. True mates that crossed the species simply didn’t happen – but it had – and he had the proof both in his heart and on his person.

“You can’t know that,” Graham replied, convinced it had to be a lie.

“And yet I do.”

“You just got here. The full moon is still weeks away. You need it to -,”

“She marked me,” Killian said, proud of that fact even though he didn’t like that he had to share it with anyone. “My wolf knew from the moment I saw her, but it was confirmed when I got this.”

He pulled down the collar of the shirt to reveal part of the insignia Emma had left as a presence on his skin. Meanwhile Graham shook his head, clearly blown away at all of this. The sheriff hadn’t expected this twist, but Killian hoped that now that he knew the truth, Graham would stop trying to get Killian to leave her alone.

“Well shit… I guess she is yours.”

“As I said,” Killian responded with a huff before returning his shirt to normal.

“I would apologize, but I’m not really all that sorry,” Graham said with a shrug. “I was only trying to protect her.”

“Why?” Killian asked, before clarifying. “Why are you close to her? To her family?”

“Because of David,” Graham stated, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Emma’s father?” Killian’s brow furrowed as he asked the question. What did Emma’s father have to do with this? He wracked his brain, thinking of the few tidbits he’d learned from Emma about the man, but all he recalled was that he was a vet like Emma.

“You don’t know,” Graham said, his eyes giving away that he himself had just made some kind of mental connection.

“Know what?”

“Why did you come here?” Graham asked, completely ignoring Killian’s question.

“Honestly? Because Emma asked me to.”

“Not the station. I mean Storybrooke. How did you end up here?” Killian didn’t follow Graham’s insistent tone.

“It was random. I just did.”

“Really?”  Graham asked, unconvinced. “You had no other reasons?”

Of course you did, the voice in Killian’s head which he knew to be his wolf said adamantly. She was here. You knew she was here. She was calling you to her. Calling you home.

“Well I didn’t come here on a whim,” Graham said, filling in the silence that his question had prompted. “I came to this town specifically out of all the ones around here because of Doc Nolan. Because he saves people, people like us.”

“He’s a healer?” Killian asked, now completely and utterly flummoxed. “But he’s…”

“Human, yeah.”

If he hadn’t already been sitting Killian would have needed to take a seat. This was so much to wrap his mind around. A human who knew about shifters? That was a threat, one that the council would have a lot to say about if they ever heard. It was part of the reason that Killian was nervous about his relationship with Emma. She was his mate, but there weren’t any laws in the shifter world that said how to handle that. It was a huge grey area, but her father knowing about shifters was cut and dry. He should not know, and if anyone found out that he did, he’d be handled somehow, likely in a way that would hurt Emma because it would take away her father forever.

“Why does he do it?”

“I’ve never asked him,” Graham replied with a shrug. “And I don’t know if he’d tell me if I did. That’s his business, not mine, but there are shifters all around this area who owe their lives to him knowing. David’s not a threat, even if he has to hide what he does for us.”

“And Emma, does she know?” Killian asked. Part of him hoped that she did. If that were the case then he wouldn’t have to worry about the reveal of his true nature. Maybe she’d be open to this. Maybe it wouldn’t freak her out to find out the man who wanted to spend his life with her forever was part wolf.

“No, she doesn’t. I don’t even know if David has told his wife,” Graham said honestly. “If Mary Margaret does know she’s never said anything to me, and that would be impressive, since she’s hardly known for her ability to keep a secret.”

The implications of all he had just learned weighed heavily on Killian. On the one hand, Emma’s father knew about his kind and he had decided to help them however he could. That was admirable, even if some might consider it reckless or crazy to open himself up to the risks associated with what he was doing. But on the other hand this was a secret, a secret about Emma’s family that he now knew and that Emma did not. Killian didn’t know if he could handle keeping something from Emma. Right now things between them were new and undefined, but he had every hope of moving things along with Emma and soon. In a perfect world they’d cement their bond as mates by the first full moon in a few weeks, Emma’s being human or not, but he couldn’t go into that with any kind of secret. What kind of foundation was that to build a life together?

“He has to tell her,” Killian said firmly. “If he doesn’t I will.”

“I figured you might say that,” Graham said with another smirk. “But that’s between you and him. Unless you want me outing you as a wolf to your future father in law.”

Killian grimaced at the thought, assuring Graham that he did not want that. He would figure this out. He just needed a bit of time to endear himself to Emma. Only with the benefit of more time together would Killian learn the best way to move forward, and until he knew how to handle this with the grace and tact it deserved, he’d keep this to himself. Graham agreed to respect that, and Killian decided that despite the fact that he had a dozen more questions, he would only ask one more. He wasn’t sure how much time they’d have before Graham’s deputy returned, and it wasn’t exactly a human-safe line of questioning.

“Why is there no trace of any shifters here?” Killian asked, genuinely curious. “You were right before. I tracked all over the town and there was no trace of anyone, including me. How is that possible?”

“That’s my job,” Tink said, spooking Killian since so few people had the ability to sneak up on him. She tossed a bag from the diner over to Graham, apparently back from her lunch run.

“Tell me you’re a witch or something,” Killian pleaded, truly hoping she had some reason to know of their existence instead of being another human caught up in a dangerous situation.

“Tink is a Lynx shifter,” Graham explained, as if what he was saying wasn’t certifiably insane.

“That’s not possible. There are none left.”

“Ha! That’s what you think,” Tink quipped, her human looking eyes altering at her command to include a distinct shade of amber that Killian had never seen before. When she lifted this barrier Killian could finally scent her, and he was amazed. She was telling the truth. Would wonders ever cease? “Just because we don’t mark our territory constantly like wolves do, doesn’t mean we’re gone. Some of us like a little more discretion.”

“Lynxes can camouflage their scent naturally. Tink just broadens the scope – keeping Storybrooke and the trails coming in and out invisible to others.”

“Well that’s… brilliant,” Killian admitted. “Thanks for that.”

“You’re welcome,” Tink replied, clearly proud of herself. “But do me a favor and try to stop wandering, okay? You’ve had me working overtime with all the running and the pacing you’re doing. I know it’s over Emma but if you could just keep yourself in one area it would really help a lot.”

“Uh right,” Killian said, startled that she knew so much and a little sheepish at having been tracked this week. “I’ll keep that in mind. Any other shifters or surprises I should know about?”

“Nope. That about covers it,” Tink said with a smirk before she raised a brow at Graham and nodded towards the door.

“Well all right then,” Graham said, standing from his chair. “If there’s nothing else, I think Tink and I should eat this and go make our evening rounds. There’s a storm coming tonight. Want to beat the bad weather if we can.”

Killian took the hint, rising from his seat and saying goodbye to both of them before heading out of the station. He was still shocked by all that he’d learned in there, and his mind tried to make sense of the new discoveries he was faced with as he made his way home. But while he was walking, he came to understand exactly what Graham and Tink were on about before. The winds had shifted and the atmosphere had changed in the time since he’d gone to hash things out. A storm would come, probably not until later tonight, but instinct told Killian it would sweep in quickly and stay a long while. Summer storms were famous for that, and Killian couldn’t help but think of the worst summer storm he’d ever seen many years ago…

It was fitting that the world outside was still but charged. The air around them was hot and heavy, weighing on the forest in an almost impressive way, but it wouldn’t last. Miles off there was a feint sound of rumbling and the winds up high whistled a little more strongly through the trees. The normally brilliant summer twilight was dull and gray, and the white clouds above grew darker to the west as they headed this way. In another hour this relative state of natural peace would be long forgotten. The storm would be in full force, and that was when they would strike.

“It’s not too late you two,” Granny pleaded from the corner. “You don’t have to do this yet. There’s still time.”

“To what, run?” Killian asked, the words dripping venom as they spilled from his lips. “No we’re done running, and the only way this stops – the only way the world can be free of Brennan is if he’s dead.”

In every second that had passed since his mother was killed, Killian had harnessed just a little more pain and hurt and hate. It had been almost two years now since his mother had been killed, and the rage he felt towards his father flamed brighter than the sun at the peak of summer. The darkness inside of Killian had grown a little bit day by day, feeding him strength and stamina. This might be about justice, about righting a wrong that was too cruel to even contemplate, but Killian had not taken any kind of high roads to get here. He had channeled every ounce of his ability and feeling and natural alpha-genes and honed himself into a weapon. His body had shifted from boy into man through rigorous training and never letting up. He had managed to fully control his wolf, and learned to communicate with his animal side in a way that should have taken decades to perfect. But his only goal in achieving all of this was to rid this world of the monster that was his father.

“Ruby, dear, try to talk some sense into them,” Granny said, calling on Killian’s cousin who had been zoned out since Killian and Liam arrived here last night. But when Granny grabbed her hand, it seemed to pull Ruby back, and she looked at Killian with clear eyes as she made a surprising statement.

“I can’t. They need to do this. So many lives hang in the balance. Brennan is only getting worse, Granny, and soon it will be too late. The sickness is spreading.”

“Sickness?” Liam asked, and though Killian was interested as well, it wouldn’t matter what Ruby said. He was here to kill Brennan and that would not change.

“Alpha sickness. It’s rare, but sometimes when an alpha forsakes the good of the pack for the wants of his animal it happens. Your father has had it for years, but at some point there will be no human side left. Brennan will be a wolf – and a rabid one at that. When that happens…”

They all knew what would happen if his father reached peak strength and derangement. There were already no lines that Brennan wouldn’t cross, but at least the man had strategy. A wolf would be guided by instinct and instinct alone, and with a heart so black it no longer knew what goodness felt like, Brennan would be a force so dark it couldn’t be survived.

“So our window is closing,” Killian said, his muscles flexing in preparation for the fight ahead. He was ready for this, not caring that the chances of survival weren’t great. Honestly it didn’t matter to him. If he died then so be it. As long as he rid the world of Brennan once and for all, it would be worth it.

“Yes,” Ruby whispered, her sad and resigned look telling Killian she probably knew exactly how he felt. A part of him felt a pang of guilt for worrying her and Granny like this. But he couldn’t prioritize that over revenge. He just couldn’t.

“Any other things you’ve seen that could be helpful?” Liam asked, but Killian knew it was a losing battle. Gifted as Ruby might be, she was also cursed, at least that was what Killian’s mother used to say. Knowing the future was a burden that must largely be handled alone. It was the only way to keep things as they should be. Telling them too much could actually hurt the future, and Ruby knew that.

“Don’t let him bite you,” Ruby said firmly. “The sickness is contagious.”

“When did it start?” Liam asked, his curiosity and hope shining through in the question even though he tried to hide it. “The sickness. Was he bitten before we left?”

This was a moment of truth for Liam, even if it didn’t matter to Killian. There was no way that he could ever forgive his father. Whatever this alpha sickness was, whatever craziness Brennan had been infused with it didn’t matter. A real man would have fought it off, or would have taken care of the problem. No one could truly love his wife or his family and hurt them as Brennan had. There was no excuse – nothing that would make it right. So when Ruby gave the final blow, Killian didn’t feel any kind of pain.

“No. He wasn’t.”

Silence descended upon their cabin as the four of them soaked in that knowledge. It was the ugly truth, but in some ways Killian was glad for it. Now he had more to hold onto, more hatred to stow away, and he would need all of it to do this tonight. Absentmindedly his hand reached for the pendant around his neck, and he felt the cool, comforting metal he’d been wearing since they fled from England. The compass was his mother’s the only thing of hers Killian had kept after everything, and right now he needed it with him. Though she herself was peaceful and good, Killian knew his mother’s spirit would be with him tonight. He only hoped he could avenge her, and that maybe when it was all over he would be able to claw himself out of this darkness he’d created…

The ding of his phone that sounded when a message arrived sucked Killian from the depths of his memory. He was a little more used to the thing now, having given his number to Emma a few mornings ago, and he prayed that it was her reaching out. When he saw that it was he smiled, and when he read her message his smile bloomed into a full-blown grin.

E: Hope you’re brushing up on useless information for tonight. The Rabbit Hole is on the corner of Hickory and Main, FYI.

Killian couldn’t explain how he knew, but he was certain that this text wasn’t actually about telling him where the bar was. This town was so small; it would have been impossible for him to miss it after a week here. No, this was Emma reaching out and confirming that they’d see each other. It was a sign that she was missing him and wanting to be reunited, though probably not as much as him. He sent her back a message of his own, promising to do his best to bring her honor and to see her soon. Once his phone was put away he hurried up, walking as quickly as he could back home so he could get on with this evening at last.

Unfortunately, getting ready ended up being a little more complicated than he expected. It was easy getting home, of course. Killian would actually be surprised if any one could get lost in so small a town, shifter or not, but when he got down to readying himself to see Emma again, the challenge presented itself. Having very little experience in any kind of ‘trivia night’ Killian wasn’t exactly sure what one wore to such an evening. He assumed it was casual, right? They were going to a bar and playing a game, so that would stand to reason, but since he was getting to see Emma, Killian still had this urge to look his best. He wanted his mate to desire him, because he was desperate for more moments when her eyes grew darker and her scent shifted ever so slightly to one of want and need. More than that, Killian also wanted Emma to be proud of him. Despite his wish to be alone with her, the reality was tonight would be filled with other people too including her friends. It was imperative that he make a good impression, and there was only one chance to make a first.

In the end, after showering and trying to set himself to rights, Killian went with what he knew best. Dark colors had always suited him and he didn’t have anything else in his wardrobe to even consider. He tried to strike a balance between casual yet upstanding, and then he grabbed his leather jacket despite the heat and the impending rain for one reason, and one reason alone – because Emma liked it.

He had learned that particular fact early on, seeing the way she took him at their first few meetings, but yesterday as he was walking through town, hoping to run into Emma during her lunch break, he’d overheard some women in the town gossiping. At first he was angry that anyone would speak of Emma behind her back, but as he got closer to them (still standing far enough away that no human could have heard from such a distance) he noted that everything they said was complimentary. No one had a bad word to say about his mate; they simply commented on how taken she was both by Killian and by his choice in outerwear.

“I cornered her after their breakfast at the diner today, trying to figure out how far things have gone between them. You should have seen how flustered she got. She was blushing like crazy and mumbling. All I caught was blue eyes and black leather.”

Killian chuckled to himself during the brisk walk to the bar, not because he found Emma’s reaction to him funny, but because he knew it was unusual for Emma just as it was unusual for him. Never in his life had Killian succumbed to such feelings. He’d never been this distracted or in need of more time with anyone before. The only person he’d ever lay awake and dreamed of was her, but since coming here those dreams he once had had changed. Now, instead of innocently wondering where Emma was and wishing she were safe, his thoughts had progressed further. He still wanted her to be taken care of, but he now felt it was his duty to see her protected. He wanted to be close to her, yearned to touch her, to explore the sweet seductive pull between them, and so he spent the hours when they were apart imagining how it would be when they finally came together.

When he arrived at the Rabbit Hole, Killian was nowhere near under control. On the contrary, his constant thinking of Emma and waiting for the moment he’d get to see her again had him feeling frayed and unmoored. He lacked direction. He didn’t know how tonight would be or how he should be as a result. Would Emma want him to be friendly, or would she welcome more from him? He hoped that he could show her his intentions, but he didn’t know how, and as he stepped inside the well-used town tavern he debated the merits of a number of different options.

Yet at the moment that Killian found Emma under the lights at the bar, he stopped dead in his tracks. Instantly all debate flew from his mind, and it was replaced by admiration and enthrallment all centered on one Emma Nolan. He was rooted to his spot, looking at her and taking her all in, and what he saw was nothing short of a miracle.

It defied reason how any one person could be so beautiful, but here she was, a marvel and a treasure that a man could look the world over and never see again. Killian’s eyes moved down from her beautiful face along the curves of her body, finding her outfit of choice for this evening even more transfixing than her usual fare. Jean shorts and a short top that didn’t quite cover all the way down shouldn’t look this good, but on Emma it was sublime. She looked young and carefree, laughing at something one of her friends said beside her at the table, but he could feel the charge around her. Her anticipation hung thick in the air, but there were other scents too, scents he did not like at all.

Killian tore his eyes from Emma and looked around for the encroachers. There were other men here, men who were far from Emma but who watched her and her friends with interest. It stoked the protectiveness in Killian and an instant feeling of aggravation. He did not appreciate others looking at his Emma, no matter how impossible it was to ignore her. But those primal thoughts couldn’t overcome him. At some level Killian knew that Emma was her own keeper and guardian. She could handle herself – she’d been doing it for years – but he wished that he could fill that role for her. He wanted the world to know that the two of them were tied together, and as if she could feel his presence from the intensity of his yearning from her, she turned at that moment and found him in the crown.

When she spotted him her reaction was immediate and overwhelming. The wave of her happiness that she emitted hit him right in the chest, and Killian could do nothing to resist her. He made his way through the place, ignoring every other person until he was at her side, where he felt he most belonged. They were close, only a matter of inches apart, but he had to touch her, even if he couldn’t great her exactly as he might want. His hand came to hold hers lightly, his thumb tracing a soft trail over her hand as he grounded himself in the fact that they were here together.

“You made it,” Emma murmured, her voice silky and smooth and utterly irresistible.

“Trust me, love, nothing could have kept me away.” His eyes traced the flush that came to her cheeks at his words, and only when a throat cleared from beside Emma did he regain himself. He looked away from Emma, seeing her two friends, Anna and Elsa, in the booth and he offered them a smile. “I hope you don’t mind me crashing your game tonight.”

“Mind?” Anna asked incredulously. “Honey we are thrilled. We have all sorts of questions about -,” 

Anna let out a yelp mid statement and jumped slightly, and Killian knew that under the table one of them had swatted or kicked her to keep her quiet. He couldn’t tell based on faces if it were Emma or Elsa, for Emma looked mortified but Elsa looked irritated, like a mother who’s child had gotten somewhat out of line. 

“Uh, you know trivia questions. Not like digging into your background interrogation questions.”

Anna’s attempted cover prompted a groan to come from her sister and Emma ducked her head down for a moment, her hand coming over her eyes as she shook her head. Meanwhile Killian had to laugh at this and try to alleviate the tension.

“Well whatever questions pop up, I’ll do my best to answer them.”

This seemed to appease all parties, and just as he took his seat the festivities began. It became apparent rather quickly that this was a town-wide enjoyment and a usual occurrence for many in attendance, including Emma and her friends. There was a lingo here and inside jokes that Killian was not versed in whatsoever, but he found his ignorance only added to his overall experience. As the night progressed Emma made sure at every turn to keep him in the loop and include him, and soon enough he found he wasn’t just enjoying her company, but that of everyone else as well.

“I think you might actually be the perfect addition to our team,” Anna said after Killian had correctly guessed an answer for a question about this year’s World Cup. “I know pop culture, Elsa knows all things history, and Emma’s our science and animal guru, and you can handle the guy stuff.”

“Anna, girls can like soccer too,” Elsa reminded her. “But real talk, how much do you know about the history of alcohol? Leroy always asks a question about it without fail and -,”

“All right, all right quiet down. I can’t ask my questions if you’re all talking,” their host grumpily announced – lambasting their team as well as all the others who were chatting on their own. He was a small man, but Leroy certainly packed a lot of aggression into one small form. “In 1887 a bartender by the name of Jerry Thomas served the first martini ever. What city did the hotel he worked in reside in?”

Emma and her friend’s all looked to him expectantly and Killian was elated that he actually knew the answer. There was no real reason why he would, except for the fact that he’d actually spent time in the city a few years back.

“San Francisco.”

“You seem awfully confident about that answer,” Emma teased, and Killian didn’t miss the way her leg subtly grazed his under the table. It was a gentle touch, but it was enough to have his already present flame of wanting burn brighter.

“That’s because I am.”

“You’re bluffing,” Anna quipped, even as she wrote it down and covered the answer with her hand so none of the other parties (some of whom like to cheat a bit) would see.

“Am I?” Killian asked and it was Elsa who spoke up.

“Nope – he knows it. He won’t know the next three questions, though I think he’ll pull through for us in the last round.”

Killian looked to Emma for explanation as Leroy announced that he was in fact right and Emma explained about Elsa and her way of knowing things. It sounded to Killian like she might actually have some kind of gift, though he didn’t know the extent of her talents. Regardless he was soon distracted as the game continued on and his subtle flirtation with Emma unfurled as well. In the end Elsa was right. Killian did not know very many more answers, but the final question was one that stumped Emma and her friends, and he, blessedly knew what it was.

“The state bird of Virginia is a Cardinal.”

“Write it down, write it down,” Elsa urged Anna and a few minutes later, after they’d submitted their answer sheet for the final round, they found out he was right and that the four of them had won the game.

The women of his table immediately broke out into laughter and shows of excitement. Anna and Elsa were beside themselves, their game-long competitiveness paying off in spades, but it was Emma’s reaction that blew Killian away. Her excitement at having won was palpable, and Killian swore he’d never felt a similar high before. To see Emma happy was a remarkable gift and he felt the same sense of elation coursing in his own veins though the stakes were so small. This was one game of trivia, but Emma made it seem like the greatest accomplishment. She celebrated with her friends, and then, in a twist he never saw coming, she pulled him close for a kiss right there in front of everyone.

It was pure bliss when their lips came together, but where Killian desired the chance to pursue this further, Emma pulled away all too quickly. It was an instinctual reaction – just a sweet, short show of her affection, but when they came apart she only lingered in that happy thrill with him for a moment. When it dawned on her what she’d just done, the color drained from her face and her excitement immediately deflated, letting worry in in its stead.

“Oh um, I didn’t – well I mean I shouldn’t – I’ll be right back.”

Killian tried to reach for her and keep her close but Emma slipped away with a speed he didn’t see coming. One moment she was there with him and the next she’d gone running, leaving him not only desperate for more but also needing to make this better. He wasn’t sure what exactly was wrong, but he vowed to himself to fix it as he followed her. There were murmurs around them, no doubt discussing the scene that had just happened, but Killian tuned it all out, tracking Emma and finding her out back in small alley way. It struck him as significant that this was where his moment of truth with her would come, especially since they’d been in such a space before but under completely different circumstances.

“Emma, love, are you all right?” he asked, his eyes taking in her stance as his heart went out to her. Her position wasn’t defensive per se, it just looked like she was trying to hold herself together. There was anxiety in her brilliant green eyes, and he moved toward her slowly, not wanting to rush her, but also needing to ease that to the best of his ability.

“Yeah I just – I kind of lost my head in there. I didn’t plan that or anything. I’m so -,”

Oh no she didn’t. Emma thought that right now she was going to apologize to him for that kiss, but he wouldn’t allow it. Instead he closed the space between them, pulling her into his arms. He held her for a moment, taking in the heat that returned to her face and the slip of her mask. It revealed that she was just as desirous as he was, and when he knew that this was what she wanted he fused his lips with hers, tasting her again and letting himself have that more he’d craved when they were in the bar.

It took no time at all for Emma’s hesitations to fade, and Killian reveled in the way she arched into him and her hands clung to him. She met him beat for beat, her passion even more vibrant and amazing than he’d ever imagined. She was exquisite – a dream made flesh – and Killian was in awe of her. He would give anything in the world to take this further. The take these kisses even further. He let his hands roam her body, feeling her gentle curves and her smooth skin, but before he could get too carried away he retreated, breaking the kiss an waiting until Emma opened her eyes, blinking as her vision adjusted in the after math of such an embrace.

“I know you didn’t plan this, Emma. I didn’t plan it either. It’s sudden and unexpected, but I think you should know that my feelings aren’t in any way fleeting.”

“Your feelings?” Emma whispered, her eyes glancing back down at his lips before they returned to his eyes, searching for answers he was more than willing to give.

“I want you, Emma,” he confessed as his fingers traced along her cheek, before he pushed a lock of her wayward hair behind her ear. “There’s something about you that I can’t deny and I wouldn’t even if I could. I know it’s fast, but I also know that this pull between us matters. I know that you matter, more than anything has in so long.”

“I feel the same way,” Emma said with a smile as her hand rested above his chest. She must feel the unnaturally fast beat of his heart, but in the quiet of the alley he could hear hers matched the same rhythm almost identically. “I just didn’t think… I mean you never really made a move so…”

“Been waiting for me, have you?” Killian teased and Emma’s laughter was so bright and so bubbly that it filled him with joy all over again. He was floating right now, despite their surroundings and he never wanted this moment to end. “Well now that I know that, I promise, you won’t have to wait anymore.”

“Good,” Emma said before pulling him for another kiss and filling those last fleeting moments out there under the golden lantern light with all the peace and joy and love deserving of two souls who had been searching for each other forever, only to finally find their way home.

Post-Note: So there we have it. Chapter five came bearing some new beats, developments, and confirmations. I know it was kind of information heavy at the beginning – but I don’t think many other chapters will be that way from here on out. I foresee more action coming down the pike. That being said there were things that needed to happen, like Killian learning about Graham and Tink and David. Also on the CS front we just needed a kiss already, I mean come on. Five chapters is a slow enough burn for me. Anyway next chapter, which will be here in two weeks, is from Emma’s POV again and it will cover the aftermath of this kiss and then ask out for the first date. I hope you’ll stick around on this adventure with me and let me know what you thought about this chapter! I love to hear your feedback, and appreciate all your support!

Tag list (if you would like to be added let me know!): @jennjenn615 @winterbaby89 @kmomof4 @teamhook @coliferoncer @ultraluckycatnd @resident-of-storybrooke @artistic-writer @snowbellewells @snarkycaptainswan4 @allofdafandoms-blog @eastside-divebar

[lifeinahole27]

CS ff: “Wanted: New Furniture”

Summary: Sometimes, you subliminally want the new furniture so much that it makes the choice for you...

Rating: Fucking E.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

A/N:  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  Because @captainstudmuffin apparently says the things that make the smut muses come to life.

It happened in one fell swoop, and it’s only by the grace of magic they didn’t get seriously injured. There would’ve been no explaining to Whale why their noses were identically broken, just as badly as the table.

She’s bent over it, one knee braced on the worn wood to give Killian better access, trying to ignore the fact that his hook is digging into the spot three inches below where her left hand grips onto the side for what feels like dear life. She would’ve sniped about it, but he does that thing with his hips and her eyes almost roll back into her head as her breath puffs hot and wet against the surface beneath her face. He punctuates a deep thrust with a slap to her ass and the tide breaks in her, climax sweet as all the others as he chases to follow her.

The groan she hears next does not come from Killian, though, as he fucks her harder. The table’s legs, the ones whose rubber stoppers have been scraping against the floor for the last six minutes, collapse out from under her. She gasps, and intuition saves them but her front half still falls forward, bending them both in half and suddenly changing the angle. She’s surprised when neither of them even falter, and she comes again, this time with Killian (damn near literally) on her heels, their cries of satisfaction filling the dimmed kitchen.

Getting out of their current position is no easy feat. It probably doesn’t look too pretty, either, both of them asses akimbo. But as they finally straighten (with Killian’s legs almost giving out as easily as the table’s), they survey the damage.

“You did say you liked the one from Pottery Barn better, Swan.”

The words are murmured into the space behind her ear, and she can feel the silky smile on his lips.

“And you mentioned you liked that couch we saw at that vintage shop across from Granny’s,” Emma says offhandedly.

“Oh, Emma, my temptress. We at least need a nap before we can attempt to destroy that, too.”

[hollyethecurious]

CS FF - For the Sake of

For the Sake of

Season 3 Canon Compliant CS one shot set during Episode 10 - The New Neverland

For @leiandcharles as thanks for answering my mighty need for a gif of Roger’s punching that guy out in the last episode. Thanks again!

Available on ff.net and ao3

Summary: Have some Killian musings about his decision to back off

Hook stood on the deck of his ship, surveying the strange hamlet he once again found himself in through the lens of his spyglass when a flash of red and blonde came into view. He watched as she sat at the overlook point on shore, her gaze fixed on the horizon, a pensive expression beset upon her brow.

 The compulsion to go to her side gnawed at him even as he willed himself to stay planted at the helm. He’d struck an accord with Bae - Neal - and he meant to see it through.

“I made a decision when it comes to Emma… I’m gonna back off. For the sake of the boy. Let his parents have a fair shot without a devilishly handsome pirate standing in the way.”

For the sake of the boy.

 There had been truth in his words, but they were also layered in their meaning. Of course, Henry was the boy he’d meant… but so was Neal. Baelfire. He agreed to back off for that boy’s sake as well. He’d already destroyed the man’s family once, he couldn’t bring himself to willfully do it again.

Which wasn’t to say he’d given up in his pursuit entirely. He was nothing if not a scoundrel and a pirate, and he rarely, if ever, made agreements that weren’t at least partially stacked in his favor.

He’d been honest with his parting words to Neal the night before, as well.

“Oh, don’t thank me yet. You see, I’m in this for the long haul. You’ve already walked out on Emma once, not so sure she’ll let you back in. Are you?”

As much as his former self - the good form, fight fair, navy lieutenant  - might wish to believe otherwise, Hook knew his motives weren’t completely altruistic. No. His offer to back off had been every bit as much about strategy as it had been a desire to make things right for his past deeds, and though there was an element of risk in his current circumstance, Hook felt certain that the odds would remain in his favor.

The odds that said Emma Swan would not be willing to give Neal a second chance.

Oh, it was risky, to be sure. The two had a history together, a son together. They had loved one another once, and most likely still did on some level, but Neal had betrayed Swan in the most devastating of ways, and Hook knew there would be no coming back from that.

Knew it as well as the fact that Swan preferred cinnamon in her heated cocoa, or that she’d been as tormented by the sounds of the Neverland nights as he had always been. Knew that despite finding her parents once again, she couldn’t shake off the truths she had always believed of herself, struggled to reconcile them as the falsehoods they were; lies that told her that she always had been and always would be, lost, unwanted, unworthy, unloved.

Knew it as truly as he knew the whisper of her breath against his lips and the impassioned fire that had ignited between them when hers had met his in the heat of the Neverland jungle, and knew that moment had shocked her every bit as much as it had him in its depth of meaning, reforming the foundations of truth they had both been building their lives upon.

For him, the realization that love and a future filled with promises of life and happiness, and not just death in pursuit of his revenge were possible, and for her, perhaps that she didn’t have to feel so lost, so alone, that there was someone who wanted her, someone who felt just as unworthy, but dared to hope for love in spite of how his past or her past had jaded them.

They were quite the pair. Quite the team, he’d once told her. She was still an open book to him in many regards, which was why he felt certain that when it came down to it, her decision wouldn’t be Neal. That wasn’t to say that he felt assured that she’d choose him, either, but once the decision was made… well, that’s when the promised fun would begin.

The fun of wooing the Lady Swan openly and without guilt or accusation that he was tearing apart another family. Give himself a fair shot to salvage his relationship with Neal, or be welcomed a bit more openly and warmly by Swan’s son and parents. If they didn’t see him as the reason, the thing standing in the way, then maybe…

Yes. He’d agreed to back off for the sake of the boy, but perhaps for his own sake as well. Emma knew her own mind, and once she made it clear that Neal wasn’t a part of her personal happy ending, perhaps it would give them a fighting chance for one.

He was in this for the long haul. Not just in his pursuit of Emma Swan, but after as well. An after that would place him at Emma’s side, a part of something. Something that included Neal and Henry and the prince and princess and the whole bloody town. Something he’d had a taste of in Neverland as he watched Swan step into her role as leader and Savior. A role Hook knew still shook her and made her doubt herself at times.

So, perhaps it was for her sake as well.

For the sake of Swan determining for herself what she wanted, who she wanted, and standing confidently in that decision. To let her have a fair shot in speaking her heart and her mind to those who’d wish to believe they knew best, despite their well intentions.

For the sake of knowing that once her heart and mind had been decided about Neal, Hook’s pursuit to win her heart would be because she’d want it. Want him.

All that remained now was the waiting.

Waiting for the sake of hoping. Hoping for the sake of believing. Believing for the sake of knowing that eventually Emma Swan might come to love him. For both their sakes.

[captainswanluver]

CS FF: One Call Away

Summary:  Ten years in the future, Emma and their children are thrown into a nightmare when Killian disappears due to another curse.  Emma is determined to find him and decides to try to communicate with him using the shell necklace he wears around his neck.  Killian, who has lost his memory and believes he is someone else, has no idea who the woman is speaking to him through the shell hanging around his neck.  But something in his heart tells him she’s no stranger.   

Rating: G

Note: Thanks for the responses to Missed Connections.  So this definitely won’t be happening in season 7.  I still have no idea how the time jump, or older Henry and Lucy are going to work, so I didn’t even attempt to work any of that in.  I just really wanted to show how Emma and Killian will always be connected, no matter what, and will always find their way back to each other.  I am hoping the show finds a way to demonstrate this in season 7 somehow.  So that’s what the goal of this fic was. Hope you enjoy it!  ~Steph

 ...One Call Away: Part 1/1…

 Killian felt the sun on his face, beckoning him awake.  He slowly rolled over and pried one eye open.  His eyes scanned the small, plain bedroom.  Brow furrowing, he sat up and surveyed his surroundings more thoroughly.   His brain told him this was his bedroom, but something didn’t feel right.  He looked down at his left hand and stared at it for a long moment, as if it was foreign to him.   He lifted his right hand in front of his face and wiggled his bare ring finger.  Why did it feel like something was missing from it?  

 Killian shook his head, feeling more disoriented by the moment.  Was he hung over?  He couldn’t recall drinking anything.  Perhaps he had blacked out.  He reached over to the night table and picked up his wallet.  He opened it and stared at it for a long moment, as if seeing it for the first time.  His eyes moved to the license inside.  It read Devin Cooper.  

 Devin Cooper.  Devin Cooper.  The name rolled around in his head.  He knew it was his name.  It had to be.  The picture alongside it was certainly him.  Then why did it feel so unfamiliar?

 …

 Emma was living a nightmare.  She had gone to sleep feeling like the luckiest woman in the world.  She was happily married to an amazing man with whom she shared two incredible children.   But when she woke up the following morning, her world was turned upside down.  

 Killian was gone.  She frantically searched the house, called his cell numerous times, visited all of his normal haunts, and called all of their family and friends, but no one had seen him.  And, to make matters worse, Regina and Rumple were also missing.  Everyone guessed it was another curse, but who cast it was unknown.  And, at the moment, Emma didn’t care who was responsible this time.  She just wanted her husband back.

 She stared at her wedding ring as she squeezed her eyes closed, tears burning her lids.  She could still hear the wails of their eight year old daughter and six year old son as she explained to them that daddy was missing.  Killian was an amazing father, just like she always knew he would be.  They had built a wonderful life together.  Ten happy years filled with incredible memories.  

 Of course, it hadn’t all been smooth sailing.  There had been the usual curses to break and villains to battle. Just like any marriage, they had their hard times.  But they were few and far between and they always worked through them together, emerging stronger than before.  

 And then, in an instant, he was ripped away from her, from them.  Their family was torn apart.  Emma didn’t have any idea where her husband was, but she knew one thing for sure.  She would stop at nothing until they were reunited.  

 A sudden thought hit her and she jumped up from the bed.  She hurried over to his chest that sat in front of the window and knelt down in front of it.  She lifted the top and dug through it.  A smile slipped across her lips when she found what she was looking for:  the conch shell Killian had used to communicate with her when Gideon had banished him.   

 She stood up and rushed over to the dresser and opened a small, wooden box he kept his jewelry in.  Shortly after their wedding, he had taken to wearing the shell necklace so that if they were ever separated again, Emma would have a way to communicate with him.  Emma, along with Regina’s help, had even found a way to enchant it so that it couldn’t be removed from his body.  Her smile widened when she found that it was missing from the box.  

 Emma held the conch shell up to her mouth.  “Killian?  Killian, can you hear me?”

 …

 Killian was positive he must be going mad.  First, he felt like he was having an out of body experience.  And now he was hearing voices.  

 “Killian?   Are you there?  It’s me.  It’s Emma.  It’s your wife.”

 Killian.  Who was Killian?  Emma.  His brow furrowed at her name and voice, his heart inexplicably beating more quickly.  Why did her name and voice illicit such a reaction in him?  And where was the voice coming from?”

 “Killian, please tell me you can hear me.”

 It was then that he realized the soft voice was coming from beneath his t-shirt.  He lifted the collar and peered down his chest.  It was coming from a shell hanging from a chain around his neck.   He pulled the necklace out of the shirt and stared at it in bewilderment.  

 “If you can hear me, please answer me back.  I need to know you’re okay.”

 Who was this woman?  And how was she speaking to him through a shell necklace?   Nothing made any sense.  He was beginning to wonder if this was just some crazy dream.

 …

 Emma clutched the shell in her hand, her voice growing hoarse with desperation.  

 “Please, Killian, answer me.  I will come find you, but I need to know where to start.  I miss you. The kids miss you.”

 Emma felt tears fill her eyes.  She had no way of knowing if he could hear her.  It was possible that he could hear her, but she couldn’t hear his response, just like he couldn’t hear hers last time they communicated this way.  But she refused to give up hope.  If there was even the slightest chance that he could hear her, then she needed to keep trying.  She needed him to know that she would never stop looking for him and not to give up hope.

 …

 Killian stared at the shell in awe.  This woman was acting as if he was her husband, but his name wasn’t Killian.  It was Devin.  His brow furrowed at that.  Something didn’t feel right about it.  But Killian...there was something so familiar about that name.

 He felt pity for this woman who was missing her husband.  And for their children missing their father.  He didn’t understand how any of this was possible, but since it was happening, he decided that it was only fair to let this woman know that her husband couldn’t hear her.  

 Killian held the shell up to his mouth.  “Uh, Emma, is it?  Can you hear me?”

 He felt his breath catch in his chest as he waited for a response.

 …

 Emma’s eyes flew open as she heard a voice come through.  It was muffled and soft, but she knew it was him.  She would know his voice anywhere.

 “Killian!   Killian, yes, I can hear you!”

 Killian let out a deep breath.  He felt terrible breaking this woman’s heart.  

 “Apologies, love.  I...um...I’m afraid I’m not your husband.  My name is Devin Cooper.”

 Emma shook her head, her eyes widening.  “No, that necklace you're speaking into belongs to my husband.  His name is Killian Jones.  You sound like him.  You even...you even called me love.”

 Killian felt awful. He sucked in a breath.  “I’m sorry.   I don’t understand any of this.  I don’t know how I got this necklace or how we are able to communicate through it, but I know I am not your husband.”

 But as Killian said the words, he didn’t feel them in his heart.  

 Emma swallowed roughly.  “No, it’s not possible.  I made it so that necklace couldn’t be removed from my husband’s neck.  So if you’re wearing it, then you must be him.  You must have lost your memories when the curse hit.   Killian, it’s Emma.  I’m your wife,” she repeated.

 Killian shook his head sharply.  What the hell was going on?  Talking shells?  Curses?  A wife and children he can’t remember?  None of it made any sense.  

 “I’m sorry, but I’m not who you think I am.  Goodbye,” he said abruptly.  

 “Killian!” Emma screamed, gripping the shell so hard her knuckles turned white.

 Killian stared at the shell for a long moment, before slowly lifting it up to remove it.  But he found that he was unable to get it over his head.  Not because it wasn’t large enough, but because it wouldn’t budge more than a few inches.  He then tried yanking on the chain with all of his might, but it wouldn’t break.  He even tried cutting the chain with wire cutters he found in a junk drawer in the kitchen, but nothing worked.  He couldn’t remove the necklace.  

 “Bloody hell,” he muttered, as he stared dumbfounded at the necklace.

 …

 Emma couldn’t be sure how long she clutched the shell.  Time felt like it stood still.  Finally, she shook her head determinedly, holding the shell back up to her mouth.

 “You may think you don’t remember me, but you do.  In your heart and soul, I am there, Killian. Nothing can ever tear us apart, not truly.  It’s been attempted over and over again, even with death, but we always find a way back to each other.  We are connected.  We can feel each other no matter what.  When my memory was stolen from me, you were the only one who broke through.  Your face, our wedding. Now I need you to try to feel it too, try to feel me.  Because I am with you, Killian.  We are true love and that is unbreakable.”

 Killian’s mouth opened slightly as he looked at the shell.  His heart began to beat rapidly and his chest tightened at her words.  He squeezed his eyes closed for a moment and, for a second, perhaps less, an image of a beautiful blonde woman appeared in his mind’s eye.  Her head was resting on a pillow beside him, a smile on her face.

 “Emma?” he found himself whispering.  

 It felt like that name had left his lips a thousand times before.  But how could this be possible?  His name was Devin Cooper.  He worked as a security guard at a bank in Hyperion Heights, a suburb outside of Seattle.  He lived alone in a tiny one bedroom apartment.  He wasn’t anyone’s husband or father.  And he certainly didn’t know anything about curses.  

 He felt all of the information roll around his brain, but it didn’t feel like it was about himself.  It felt like he was learning about someone else, like a character from a book or movie.  

 He took a deep breath and finally spoke again, his voice emerging softly.  “Tell me about him.  Tell me about your husband.”

 Emma felt a slight smile pull at her lips.  “You can sense something is off, can’t you?  You know something isn’t right.”

 Killian’s tongue lashed at his lips.  “Tell me about your Killian,” he said.  

 Emma inhaled and exhaled deeply.  “Okay.  He is an amazing husband.  Kind and sensitive.  He is always trying to protect me and take care of me. He believes in me.  He is clever and brave.  He is a great step-father to my now grown son.  And he is an incredible father to our son and daughter.  He tells them stories and plays pretend games with them.  He shows them everyday the kind of people they should be.”

 Killian nodded.  “He sounds quite impressive.”

 “He is,” she whispered.

 “What does he do for a living?”

 Emma chewed on her lip for a long moment.  She didn’t think bringing up the fact that he was Captain Hook would help her case.  

 “He used to be a ship captain.  Now we work together.  I am the sheriff and he is my deputy here in Storybrooke, Maine.”

 Storybrooke.  His brow wrinkled at the name.  Why did it sound so familiar?  

 “And how long have you been married?”

 “Ten years,” she said with a smile.  “Ten unbelievably happy years.   Our daughter, Leia, is eight and our son, Liam, is six.  He was named after your...my husband’s...late brother.”

 Leia.  Liam.  He squeezed his eyes closed again and another image appeared.  Two children jumping on a bed.  A blonde little girl who looked just like the woman from the previous image and a dark haired boy who bore a striking resemblance to him.  

 "Tell me about them," he said.

 "Leia is strong-willed, but also very sensitive.  She is adventurous and loves to do sports.  She loves to go sailing with her father.  Liam is kind and clever.  He is very artistic and has a great imagination.  He and his father would make up stories together and act them out."

 Killian felt his heart swell.  "They sound amazing."

 "They are.  We are very proud of them."

 "I'm sorry they miss their father."

 Emma swiped at a tear on her cheek.  "They miss you, Killian.  I miss you."  She paused for a long moment.  "You tried to take the necklace off didn't you?"

 "Emma," he whispered.

 A smile swept across her lips.  "You did and it wouldn't come off.  You know I am telling the truth. As crazy as it sounds, you know in your heart something isn't right."

 "I feel as if I am going mad," he whispered.  "How could I possibly forget such an incredible life?  An amazing wife and children?"

 "It was the curse, Killian.  And we're still inside you somewhere.  I'm betting you saw flashes of us. A blonde woman and a little girl who looks just like her. And a boy who is the spitting image of you."

 He found himself nodding.  "Aye," he said softly.

 Emma smiled brightly.  "That's us.  That is your family.  Those memories aren't gone.  They're just buried deep inside you."

 "I don't know what to think," he said.

 "I know.  I've been where you are and I know how disorienting it is.   But I need you to trust me."

 Killian felt like his head was spinning.  But something deep inside him said trust her.  Something told him he had long ago trusted her with his heart and his life.  

 "Emma, I don't know what you want from me."

 "Tell me where you are.  Tell me where you live so I can come to you."

 Killian's eyes widened.  He would have to be mad to tell a complete stranger who was talking to him through a shell where he lived.  

 She sensed his hesitation.  "I know how hard it can be to trust someone, especially when they are telling you something that seems impossible.  I didn't trust anyone for a long time.  I didn't believe in anything.  But you helped me change all of that. Now let me help you."

 "Emma," he said shaking his head.

 "Close your eyes," she ordered gently.

 He opened his mouth to question it, but then snapped it shut and slowly closed his eyes.  

 "I want you to picture that blonde woman and the little girl who looks just like her.  And picture the little boy who looks just like you.  Can you see them?  Can you see us?"

 The images flashed before his eyes again.  "Aye."

 Emma smiled.  "Okay, keep your eyes closed and listen to my voice.  Our story began on a beanstalk.  Can you see it?"

 A beanstalk flashed before his eyes. He was climbing it with the blonde woman.  And then more images.  Kissing her in a jungle.  Dancing at a ball.  Image after image.  A wedding on a rooftop.  

 "You can see it, can't you?  You can see us."

 "Aye," he whispered.

 Emma's eyes lit up.  "Now see our children, Killian."

 He squeezed his eyes more tightly closed and more images flooded his mind's eyes.  A baby girl wrapped in a pink blanket, then a boy wrapped in a blue one.  The little girl taking her first steps. The boy saying his first word.  Sailing on a ship with the little girl.  Dressing up as a pirate with the little boy and engaging in a sword fight.  All four of them cuddled up on the couch watching a movie and eating pancakes at the kitchen table.  

 He shook his head, as Emma spoke.  "You can see them, can't you?  You can see our family, our life together."

 "Aye," he breathed in disbelief.

 He couldn't explain any of it, but it didn't seem like a dream.  It all felt real.  They felt real.  

 "Then trust me, please.  Tell me where you are, Killian, so I can come to you."

 He slowly licked at his lips.  "Hyperion Heights. Just outside of Seattle."

 "What's your address?"

 Killian shook his head. "Meet me at Hyperion Park by the entrance.  Tomorrow at 1 p.m. Pacific Coast Time."

 Emma slowly nodded. "Okay, see you then."

 "I’ll see you then, love."

 "Oh, and Killian?  I love you," she said.

 Killian knew she didn't expect him to respond in kind, but he surprised himself with how much he wanted to.  How natural it seemed to want to return the sentiment.

 Emma stared at the shell, hoping he would say the words back, but not expecting him to.  She knew it didn't matter.  In little more than a day, she would have her husband back.  Now she just needed to restore his memories.  Knowing that true love's kiss doesn't work on memory curses, Emma realized she needed the memory serum that Killian had given her when he found her in New York all of those years ago.  Unfortunately, that wasn't easily conjured and the two people who could help her make some were also missing.  But Emma knew she would find a way. She always did.

 ...

 It was nearly 3 a.m. by the time her head hit the pillow.  She had worked all day long and into the early morning hours trying to make the serum that would restore Killian's memories.  She knew she needed to make enough for Regina and Rumple too.  She had already promised herself she would find them after she found Killian.  Her father, Belle, and Zelena had helped her, while her mother stayed with the kids.   Finally, after hours of work, they were able to produce just enough of the serum.  

 Her muscles felt so tired she didn't think she could move another inch.  But she managed to turn on her side, her gaze landing on Killian's pillow.  She felt tears burn her eyes as she looked at his empty side, the side he had occupied for over ten years.  They had made so many memories in this bed.  Making love, conceiving their children, waking up together, falling asleep in each other's arms.  The countless times the kids had piled into bed with them and they'd watched a movie or woken them up on Christmas morning jumping on the bed.  The whole house was filled with memories just like those.  Everywhere she looked she saw Killian.

 Emma's hand reached out and swept across his pillow.  "I'm coming," she whispered.

 At least she didn't have to worry about taking a plane across the country to get to him by 1 p.m. Pacific Coast Time.  A flick of her wrist and she'd be there in no time.  

 Slowly, her eyelids grew heavy and she began to drift off to sleep from sheer exhaustion.  She was nearly asleep when she heard a chorus of, "Mommy," come from the doorway.

 Emma's eyes opened and she looked at her children.  "What are you two doing up?"

 "We can't sleep," Leia said.  

 "We miss Daddy," Liam added.

 Emma's heart just about broke at the sight of her children.  She patted Killian's side of the bed. "Come here."

 They piled into bed beside her.   Emma kissed their foreheads and caressed their cheeks.  

 "I miss Daddy too.  So much.  But guess what?  As soon as the sun comes up, your grandparents are going to watch you and I'm going to get Daddy back."

 Their eyes lit up and smiles spread across their faces.  "Yay!"

 Emma placed a kiss on each of their cheeks.  "Now try to sleep.  I love you.  So does Daddy."

 Emma rolled onto her back and squeezed her eyes closed, seeing Killian's face and imagining he was right there with them.

 ...

 Killian stood outside the entrance to the park.  His hands were sweaty and he felt like he couldn't breathe.  What if this was a mistake?  He quickly shook aside those nagging thoughts and picked up the shell necklace.  No, this was right.  In his heart, he knew it.  

 He'd laid awake in bed all night long, thinking about the woman and children.  They felt like they were in his heart.  They felt like they were his heart.  And those images, more of which had flashed into his mind that night, didn't feel like dreams.  They felt like memories.  He knew they were memories.  He couldn't explain any of this, but he knew that he was supposed to be right here waiting for Emma.

 Emma appeared a block away from the park entrance and practically ran the rest of the way.  She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her husband, a smile spreading across her lips.  

 "Killian!" she screamed, rushing toward him.

 Killian's eyes landed on the beautiful blonde from the images.  She was even more beautiful in person.  He felt his heart begin to race.

 "Emma," he breathed.

 Emma couldn't help herself. She ran right to him, nearly knocking him over.  She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.  To his surprise, he didn't flinch or tense up when she put her arms around him. Instead, he almost automatically wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.  He marveled at the way they fit together, as if his arms were made to hold her.  It felt like the most natural thing in the world, as if he had done it a thousand times before.

 Emma couldn't even explain how good it felt to feel his arms around her again.  Slowly, she pulled away and looked at him.

 "I'm sorry for just attacking you like that,” she said sheepishly.  

 "Don't be," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers.

 Emma dug into her pocket and pulled out a small bottle with blue liquid inside.  

 "I know this is going to sound crazy, but this liquid will restore your memories."

 He offered her a crooked grin.  "Sounds about as crazy as everything else I've experienced in the last 36 hours."

 Emma held the bottle up.  "Many years ago, before we were together, I lost my memory."

 "So you've experienced this more than once?"

 Emma nodded.  "Yes.  But that time you came looking for me.  You wanted me to trust you, to believe what you were saying, but I couldn't.  Not right away.  But you never gave up.  You wouldn't stop until you got me to believe and trust you enough to drink this serum.  And now I'm asking the same of you."

 Killian stared at her for a long moment.  "Our house.  Is it a steel gray with white trim?  Victorian style.  You can see the water from the window."

 That house had popped into his mind over and over again last night.  

 A smile spread across her lips.  "Yes, you chose that house for us.  You remember.  "

 Killian slowly nodded. "More memories keep flashing in my mind."

 Emma looked down, noticing for the first time that he had his left hand and that his ring finger on his right was bare.  She knew that the serum should restore his memories, but it wouldn't break the curse.  The curse had taken more than his memories.  It had given him a new identity, complete with two hands.  The curse would have to be broken before he would get his hook back, but they could worry about that later.  

 Emma took his left hand in hers and placed the bottle in it.  "The choice is yours," she said.

 Killian stared at the bottle for a long moment.  Suddenly, more images appeared.  A flying monkey, eating bologna in jail, and standing on a sidewalk with her, holding a bottle just like this.  

 He met her eyes.  "I loathe bologna, don't I?"

 Emma chuckled and nodded.  "Never touch the stuff."

 He bobbed his head and then slowly pulled the top off the bottle.  He lifted it to his lips, hesitating for a moment.  He met Emma's eyes and the love and belief he saw shining back spurred him on. He downed the entire contents.

 Suddenly, his eyes closed and his mind's eye was filled with images. Memory after memory of his life as a pirate and then their life together.  Emma watched, biting her lip nervously, hoping that the serum worked.

 The images eventually faded away and Killian's eyes slowly opened.  They met those of his wife.  

 "Hello, love.  Did you miss me?" he asked with a grin.

 A huge smile spread across Emma's lips, as she cupped his face.  "You have no idea.  Welcome back, Killian."

 Her lips met his and Killian sighed into the kiss, thankful to have his wife in his arms again.  Emma felt tears fill her eyes.  There was a part of her that feared she might never get to kiss him again.  

 When they parted, he met her gaze.  "How are the children?"

 "They miss you," Emma said.  

 "We need to get back to them right away.  Do we know who is responsible for this?"

 Emma shook her head. "No, but Regina and Rumple also disappeared.  We don't know if anything else has happened so far.  I promised I would find them before we went back."

 Killian slipped his right hand in his wife's.  "Well, then I'd say there's no time to waste."

 ...

 It didn't take long to locate Regina and Rumple.  Emma was grateful for the experience her previous career gave her with tracking people.  Regina was working at a grocery store as a cashier and Rumple was a garbage man.  Emma figured whoever cast the curse had a sense of humor.  They didn't bother trying to convince them they were cursed.  They didn't want to waste the time.  Instead, they slipped the serum into their coffees when they weren't looking.  As soon as they drank it, their memories were restored.  Emma explained what she knew to them and with a wave of her hand, returned them all to Storybrooke.

 Emma and Killian stood in front of their house hand-in-hand.  

 "Ready?" she asked, turning to her husband.

 He nodded and they had almost made it to the stairs when the front door flew open.  Leia and Liam ran out and scrambled down the stairs.

 "Daddy!" they screamed.  

 They ran into him, nearly knocking him over, and wrapped their arms around his lower body.

 "We missed you!" they said.  

 Emma smiled as she watched them.  Killian caressed the backs of their heads, as he lovingly looked down at their children.  "I missed you two, loves."

 They pulled back and Liam's eyes widened at the sight of Killian's left hand.

 "Whoa, you have two hands!  Video games are going to be so much easier now."

 All four of them laughed as they headed up the stairs and were greeted by Snow and David.

 ...

 That night, Killian crawled into bed beside his wife.  

 "It was pure torture not having you by my side in this bed," she said.

 Killian pressed a kiss to her lips.  "I'm always by your side, remember?  I am always here with you."

 Emma reached out and fingered the shell necklace.  "You're right.  And I guess we can always stay connected this way."

 "Aye, it's far easier to operate than a talking phone."

 "If you think I am carrying a conch shell around with me wherever I go just so you don’t have to operate a cell phone, you're crazy."

 Killian laughed and placed a kiss to her forehead.  "Thank you for not giving up on me, Swan."

 Emma caressed his scruff.  "And I never will."

 "I love you, Emma."

 Emma smiled at hearing him say those words again.  "I love you," she said.

 She then placed her head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her.  Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door.

 "We can't sleep," Liam said.

 "Can we sleep with you tonight?" Leia asked.

 Emma lifted her head and met Killian's eyes.  "What do you say?"

 "Come on in, loves," he yelled.

 The door flung open and they piled into their parents' bed, squeezing themselves between them.  

 Emma and Killian placed their heads on their children's, as they joined their hands across them, content smiles upon their faces.  

 ...THE END...

Thanks for reading!  I hope you enjoyed it. I hope you’ll take a moment to let me know what you thought. ~Steph

[captainswanluver]

CS FF: The Journey is Half the Fun

Summary:  Emma and Killian encounter many obstacles on their way to their honeymoon destination.

Rating: T

Note: I’m trying to take comfort in the fact that Captain Swan will live on in fanfiction.  As long as inspiration comes and interest remains, then I will continue to write.  We’ll never get to see their honeymoon, so I thought this would be fun to write.  Hope you enjoy it!  ~Steph

…The Journey is Half the Fun: Part 1/1...

Killian and Emma sat in the airport, awaiting their flight to Honolulu, Hawaii for their long awaited honeymoon.  

"Love," Killian began, turning to his wife, "I don't understand why you can't just poof us to our destination.  It would be much safer than traveling in that flying tin can you call an airplane."

Emma laughed.  Killian had never flown on an airplane before and didn't trust that it could remain in the air without magic.

"I told you. I only use magic when it's necessary.  Plus, flying is very safe."

Killian took her hand in his and leaned in close to her, whispering in her ear. "Aye, but it is much slower.  Just imagine what we could be doing right now if we were already in Hawaii."

Emma felt a shiver run down her spine at the lust in her husband's voice.  He kissed below her ear and then her neck, eliciting a giggle.

"Killian, we're in public," she managed weakly.

"My point exactly," he said, moving to her lips.  "We could be in the privacy of our own honeymoon suite right now."

He was certainly persuasive and it was tempting not to waste anymore time after everything they had been through.  She allowed him one final kiss and then pulled away.  She lifted her hand to caress his cheek and met his eyes.

"I would like nothing more than to get you alone, but this is our chance to be a normal couple for once.  Just newlyweds on their way to their honeymoon."  She paused and then smiled. "Plus, sometimes the journey is half the fun.  I'd say it was with our relationship, wouldn't you?"

Killian cocked an eyebrow and shrugged. "Definitely only half, love.  I wouldn't consider battling villains and being separated by curses and death all that fun."

Emma laughed and placed her head on his shoulder, squeezing his hand in hers. "Maybe not. But it led us here, so I wouldn't change a thing."

Killian nodded and dropped a kiss onto her head. "Aye, me neither."

After a few moments, Killian glanced at the flight screen before them.

"Swan, what was our flight number?"

"725."

They were flying to California and then Hawaii.

Killian gestured at the screen with his hook. "I know I'm new to this flying thing, but I am going to assume cancelled isn't a good thing."

Emma's eyes widened. "What?"

She looked at the screen and saw that indeed their flight was now listed as cancelled.  Emma jumped up from her seat and went over to the attendant at the desk.  She returned a few minutes later.

"So bad weather in California of all places has forced our flight to be cancelled.  We can't get on another one until tomorrow morning."

Killian cocked a brow and grinned.  "You're right, love. This is fun."

Emma groaned. "I wish things could be easy just once."

"You said you only use magic when necessary.  I'd say this qualifies."

She sank back down into the chair beside him.

"I meant went battling villains and breaking curses, not dealing with cancelled flights."

Killian sighed heavily. "Alright.  What now then?"

"They gave us a voucher for a stay in the hotel next door.  So I guess we just wait it out until morning."

Killian waggled his eyebrows and smiled.  "Well, love, I do believe I can think of a way to pass the time."

Emma laughed and kissed him.  "I knew you would."

...

Killian pushed his wife up against the door to their hotel room, his lips moving to her chest, as his hand inched up her thigh.  Emma moaned as she reached behind her and struggled to find the key card slot.  She finally felt it slide in and turned the doorknob.  The door gave way and they both nearly tumbled onto the floor.  Laughing, they stopped kissing long enough to right themselves and close the door.

"Now where were we?" Killian asked, as he grasped Emma's hips and fused his lips to hers again.  

Emma felt his tongue sweep into her mouth, as she threaded her fingers into his hair and cupped the back of his head.  He backed them into the room, stopping when Emma's legs hit the bed.  They both pulled back for a moment to survey their accommodations for the night.

Emma's eyes widened.  "Twin beds?  What the hell?  We asked for a queen!  Why do they even have rooms with two twin beds?  What are we, at camp?"

Killian eyed the tiny beds. "Well, Swan, perhaps we could share one.  It would certainly be cozy and a challenge for what I have planned for us tonight, but I suppose we could manage."

Emma shook her head. "No way!  This is our honeymoon!"

She stalked over to the phone and dialed the front desk.  She was told that due to the cancelled flights and a convention, there weren't any more rooms left.  They had mistakenly given them one of the children's rooms that they offer, which shares an adjoining door with a room with the queen size bed they were supposed to get.  These rooms were usually reserved for families.

Emma slammed the phone down and glared at her husband.  

"This is ridiculous!"

Killian stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Don't fret, Emma.  It's only one night.  I am sure that the bed in our honeymoon suite will be plenty large enough."

"If we ever get there. And when I called and told them that we wouldn’t be checking in until tomorrow, they said they couldn't guarantee that we would still get the honeymoon suite."

Killian shrugged.  "They can give us a room with just a sleeping bag for all I care.  All that matters is that we're together, love.  We'll make the best of things, just like we always do."

Emma's face softened as she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes.  

"You're right."

He placed a kiss on her lips and then nodded his head at the beds.

"Perhaps we could push them together to form one large bed."

Emma's eyes lit up.  "That's a great idea."

Killian grinned and they quickly set about moving the night table that separated the two beds and then pushed them together.  

Emma smiled.  "Much better."

"Aye, love," he said, as he pulled her up against him again, his lips finding hers.  

Emma sighed contentedly, as his mouth trailed down her neck.  He cupped the back of her head and lowered her onto where the beds were joined.  Emma clawed at his leather jacket, finally pushing it off of him and flinging it into the corner of the room.  She moved to the buttons of his vest, as he managed to push her jacket off her.  His mouth moved down her chest, his tongue dipping into the valley of her breasts.

Emma giggled as she wrapped her legs around his hips and managed to flip their positions.  Killian grinned up at her, his hook and hand now on her hips, as she straddled him.   Her eyes never left his as she pulled her tank top over her head and flung it across the room.  Killian licked at his lips as his eyes moved to her sheer black bra. He brought his hand up to cup her breast and Emma moaned in ecstasy.  She then dove back down and captured his lips.

Her hand moved to his belt buckle, as his moved to the clasp of her bra.   She circled her hips and ground her center down on his thigh, desperately seeking some friction. She finally pulled his belt free and flicked open the button of his jeans.  She lowered the zipper, just as he pulled the bra free from her and tossed it across the room.  He was about to take her bare breast in his mouth when they suddenly felt the beds shift below their weight.  

Before they could react, the twin beds slipped apart and Emma and Killian fell into the crevice created.  They landed with a thud on the floor, Killian taking the brunt of it.

They stared at each other in shock for a moment, before erupting in laughter.  Emma buried her face in her husband's neck as she giggled.  

When the laughter finally subsided, Killian met his wife's gaze.  "So, Swan, what now?"

Emma shrugged.  "Make the best of things, right?  The floor will do just fine, I think."

Killian smiled, as she lowered her mouth back to his.

...

Emma and Killian arrived back at the airport for their 9 a.m. flight.  They approached the ticket agent.  

She shook her head as she looked at her screen.  Her voice emerged in a thick southern accent. “Due to yesterday’s cancellations, I’m afraid your flight is overbooked.  I’m going to have to bump y’all to a 2 p.m. flight.”

Emma’s jaw clenched and Killian watched as she tightened her fists by her side.  “You’re kidding, right?”

Suddenly, the woman’s eyes lit up and she smiled, gesturing to the screen. “Good news!”

Emma and Killian breathed a sigh of relief.

The woman tapped her fingernail against the screen. “We just had a cancellation.  There is one seat on this flight.  So one of you can take this one and the other can take the 2 p.m.”

Emma gritted her teeth together.  “We’re on our honeymoon.”

The agent smiled at them brightly.  “Oh, congratulations!  So that’s a no to separate flights then?”

Emma nodded sharply. “That would be a no.”

“Okey dokey,” she said, tapping away at the keys on her keyboard. “I’m going to go ahead and book you both on the 2 p.m. then.”

Killian was afraid Emma would reach across the counter and choke the cheeriness right out of the woman, so he pulled his wife off to the side.  

“Look, love, I respect and support your decision to only use your magic when necessary.  You have always taken that responsibility seriously and you have never abused your powers.” He paused and gestured to the waiting area.  “But look at all of these people.  There isn’t a soul here that wouldn’t use powers to get them to their destination if they possessed such a thing.  So I propose a compromise.”

Emma arched an eyebrow.  “I’m listening.”

“How about you use your magic to get us to California and then we take a flight from there to Hawaii?”

Emma chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully.  She had never used her powers for personal gain before.  But, then again, hadn’t she earned this one thing?  Just this one time?  Hadn’t they earned it?  After all, at this rate, they would be celebrating their first anniversary before they got to their honeymoon destination.

Emma slowly nodded. “Okay, just this once.”

Killian grinned and kissed her. “Thank you, love.”

Emma walked back over to the ticket agent and plastered on a smile.  “You can cancel our reservations on the 2 o’clock.  We’ve made other travel arrangements.”

The woman began to speak, but Emma turned on her heel and went back to her husband.  They quickly found a private corner and Emma waved her hand.  They disappeared and, a moment later, reappeared in LAX.

Killian smiled brightly, as he took his wife’s hand in his.  “Brilliant.”

Emma pulled out her phone and quickly booked them on a flight to Hawaii at noon.

…

“Finally!” Emma said as they boarded their flight to Hawaii.  

Killian trailed behind Emma, eyeing the vessel warily.

“Swan, I still don’t understand how this remains in the air without the benefit of a Pegasus sail like the one I use on the Jolly Roger.”

“I’ll show you how to Google it later, Killian. Right now, we need to find our seats.”

Emma looked down at their boarding passes and groaned.  “Great.  I just noticed we aren’t sitting together.”

“Bloody hell,” Killian mumbled.

“It’s just a seat apart.  Could be worse.  We could be on separate planes.  I have the window and you have the aisle.  I’m sure whoever has the middle seat will be willing to switch with one of us.  No one likes the middle seat.”

They finally found their row and noticed a frail elderly woman sitting in the middle seat.  She had curly white hair and large glasses perched on her nose.

Emma smiled and leaned down. “Excuse me, ma’am.  I’m Emma and this is my husband, Killian.  We are seated on either side of you.  We’re on our honeymoon and we were hoping that you would be willing to switch with one of us so we could sit next to each other.”

The old woman smiled.  “I’m Louise.  Oh, congratulations.  Ah, young love.”

“So you’ll switch then?”  Emma asked.  

The woman clutched her huge purse to her chest and shook her head.  “I’m afraid I can’t do that.  It’s against FAA regulations.”

“People do it all of the time!”  Emma said, eyes flaring.

“Doesn’t make it right,” the woman replied.

Emma looked like she was about to smack the old woman, so Killian gently pushed her aside.  He figured this was a perfect opportunity for his special brand of charm.

“Madam, I admire your adherence to the rules.  You seem like a lovely woman who respects authority.”

“I am.”

“But I am also sure you remember what it felt like to be in love.  You want to spend every moment with that person, be as close to them as possible.”

The woman’s face softened.  “I remember my honeymoon with my Herman.  We went to Mexico.”

Killian smiled.  “I am sure you had a wonderful time together.”

“He drank the water and got the runs.  Spent the whole honeymoon in the bathroom.  Made me regret those in sickness and health vows real quick.  Didn’t even want to sit with him on the way back.”

Emma stared daggers at her husband.  “Nice job, Don Juan.” She turned back to the woman. “Can’t you bend the rules just this once?”

The woman shook her head.  “I couldn’t possibly.  Besides, I read an article that said in the event of a crash the safest place is the middle seat.”

“Crash?” Killian said, his brow wrinkling worriedly.  

“I’ve never heard that,” Emma replied sharply.

“Move it, sweetheart,” a voice suddenly bellowed from behind them.  

Emma and Killian were still blocking the aisle and the other passengers were growing irritated.  

The same large man went on.  “Sit your pretty little ass down already.”

Killian’s jaw clenched, as he turned to the man.  The man had a 100 pounds and a good foot on him.

“Listen, mate, that’s my wife you’re talking to.  I suggest you show a little respect.  Apologize to the lady.”

“Well, tell your wife to take her damn seat and then we’ll be good.  You obviously have no control over her though.  Pretty clear who wears the pants in that relationship.”

Emma watched as Killian raised his arm, ready to punch the man.  She caught his hand before he could.

“That is the quickest way to get us thrown off this flight!” she scolded her husband.

“Did you hear what he said about you?” Killian asked through gritted teeth.

“I heard.  He’s an arrogant ass.  Ignore him.  Let’s just sit down.”

Emma dragged Killian into the row.  She climbed over the woman to sit by the window, while Killian took his aisle seat.  

They stared at each other over the woman, disappointed that they couldn’t hold hands or cuddle up close to each other.

…

Emma and Killian rolled their eyes, as the woman prattled on about her late husband and her eight cats.  Fortunately for them, she fell asleep about an hour and a half in.  Unfortunately for Killian, she decided to use his shoulder as a pillow and was currently drooling on him.

“Bloody hell,” he said, looking down at the pool of saliva on his leather jacket.

Emma laughed and reached over the sleeping woman, taking his hand in hers.  “At least we can do this now.”

Killian smiled and squeezed her hand.  “I suppose it will have to do.”

Emma lifted her eyebrows.  “Actually, I think we can do better.”

Emma removed her hand from Killian’s and brought it to Louise’s head.  She gently lifted it off of Killian’s shoulder and placed it against the back of her seat.  Emma then stood and made her way to the aisle.  She looked down at Killian and winked.

“I’m going to use the bathroom,” she said, lifting her eyebrows seductively.

“Alright, love,” he said, returning his attention to the book he had been reading.

Emma sighed. “Care to join me?”

Killian scrunched up his nose.  “In the loo?  I don’t need to avail myself of the facilities at the moment.  And isn’t there just the one anyhow?”

Emma rolled her eyes.  How was he not getting this?

She leaned down and whispered in his ear. “Let’s join the mile high club.”

Killian shrugged. “Is that a rewards club of some sort?  I don’t recall seeing a form to fill out.”

Emma groaned and whispered harshly in his ear again.  “I want to have sex in the bathroom, Killian.”

Killian’s eyes widened, as he looked up at his wife.  His lips gave way to a grin and he quickly stood up from his seat.  Emma was hoping to be a little more discreet.  She wanted him to wait a minute before joining her, but now all she wanted was to get him alone.

Emma opened the door to the small space and then pulled Killian by the collar in with her.  She quickly shut the door behind him and then pushed him up against it.   Killian smiled as she brought her lips to his, shoving her tongue inside his mouth.  His hand and hook roamed down her body, until he was pushing her skirt up around her waist.  Killian pressed Emma against the narrow counter and then lifted her up onto it.  She spread her legs and he moved between them.  Emma reached down to undo his belt buckle and the button of his jeans, as Killian’s mouth moved to her jaw.  

“I want you so bad,” she breathed, as she shoved his jeans down his hips.

Killian slipped his hook into the top of her shirt and tugged it down, so he could kiss her cleavage.  “I want you too, love.”

Emma threaded her fingers through his hair and held him close to her skin.  She then swept her hands down his back to his hips and hooked her thumbs into the sides of his boxer briefs, ready to push them down.

Just then, a fist pounded on the door.  

“Hurry up in there! I had chili for lunch!”

It was the same man from earlier.  Killian pulled away from his wife abruptly, shocked by the interruption.  Unfortunately, his jeans were now around his ankles and he lost his balance.  He fell against the door and it gave way.  He landed at the feet of the large man, as Emma brought one hand up to her mouth to stifle a laugh, while the other went to adjust her clothing.

Killian smiled weakly up at the man and winked. “We really must stop meeting like this.”

...

Emma opened the door to their honeymoon suite, gasping at the rose petals that were scattered across the king size bed and the bottle of champagne that sat in an ice bucket on the night table.  

“Finally!” she said, as she plopped down onto the bed on her back.  

Killian grinned at his wife and dropped their bags on the ground.  He joined her on the bed, hovering above her, as he brought his hand to caress her cheek lovingly.

“You know, love, I see no reason why we should ever have to leave the comfort of this gorgeous suite or this massive bed.”

Emma laughed.  “Killian, we are in Hawaii, one of the most beautiful and romantic places on the planet.  We are not spending the next week in this room.  If we were just going to do that, we might as well have stayed in Storybrooke. It would have been a helluva lot cheaper and a lot less trouble.”

His lips moved to her neck and he began to suck on her pulse point.

“I bet I can persuade you not to leave this bed,” he muttered against her skin.  

Emma’s eyes slipped shut and a moan escaped her lips as his mouth trailed across her chest.  

“You are pretty damn persuasive,” she breathed.  

Killian captured her lips with his and they began to frantically undress each other.  Clothes went flying across the room at a breakneck pace and soon rose petals fell onto the floor as they became one.  

They couldn’t imagine a time when they wouldn’t crave each other, when their appetites for each other wouldn’t be insatiable.  And being married had only deepened their emotional connection when they made love.

They savored each other well into the night, foregoing dinner for dessert and more dessert.   They finally drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.

…

As Emma began to stir the next morning, she felt something tickle her lips and giggled.  

“Killian,” she said, eyes remaining closed. “Your scruff is tickling me!”

Killian’s eyes popped open at the sound of her voice and he looked down at his wife, whose head was resting on his shoulder.   His mouth dropped open at what he saw:  a huge centipede, nearly 5 inches in length, was lying across her mouth.

“Uh, love, I’m afraid that wasn’t me.”

Emma’s brow furrowed and her eyes shot open.  They widened in panic at the sight of the centipede resting on her mouth, its many legs tickling her lips.

“Yuck!” she screamed, swatting it off her mouth and scrambling to sit up in bed.  The centipede landed on Killian’s bare chest.  

He shrieked and brushed it off of him onto the floor.   It was only then that they noticed that the centipede had brought friends.  There were dozens on the ceiling, walls, and floor.  They kicked a few more off their bed.  

“Bloody hell!”  Killian screamed.

“I can’t believe this! What else can go wrong?!”

Emma grabbed the phone and quickly dialed the front desk.  She was informed that this particular room had been having an infestation of centipedes as of late.  Efforts to remove them had been largely unsuccessful.  Now Emma understood why they hadn’t give their room away despite their late arrival.  Unfortunately, there were no other rooms available.   She was only able to get two nights comped for their troubles.

She slammed the phone down and then raised her arms, taking aim at the invaders.  She zapped each centipede with her magic until they were gone.

Killian smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek.  “I’d deem that a necessary use of magic.”

Emma fell back on her pillow and covered her face with her hands, as she let out a heavy sigh.  

“This is a disaster,” she groaned.

“Aye, love, we’ve faced a few obstacles and suffered a few setbacks, but it wasn’t anything we couldn’t handle.”

Emma turned to him, her expression serious.  “What if all of these things are a sign?   A sign that our marriage is going to face one hurdle after another.  I know marriage isn’t easy and our lives complicate things even more, but we deserve some peace.  We don’t deserve to constantly have to struggle for a few quiet moments, even when outside of Storybrooke and away from curses and villains.  But what if this is just our fate?  Things have never been easy for us and maybe they never will be.”

Killian brought his hand up to her cheek. “Easy is highly overrated.  Anything that comes easily probably isn’t worth having.  The road we took here was anything but easy, yet I wouldn’t change a moment.  You said the same thing.  Every moment we spend together now is that much sweeter, cherished that much more, because it wasn’t easy.  Because we had to fight for our love, for our future.  And perhaps things will never be easy for us.  But there is one thing I am sure of:  whatever comes our way, we will face it together. We will overcome those obstacles.  And we will make the best of whatever life hands us.”

Emma smiled, as she lifted her hand up to cup his cheek.  “I have a very wise husband.”

“And I have an impossibly gorgeous, amazing wife,” he said.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you,” he said, before placing a kiss to her lips.  

When he pulled back, Emma tilted her head and looked at him thoughtfully.

“What is it, love?”

“I’m just trying to decide who’s the better kisser: you or the centipede.”

Killian laughed before capturing her lips again and growling, “It’s no contest.”

He then pulled his wife on top of him and they continued their activities from the previous night.

…

Emma and Killian sat on the beach, watching the sun set.  The rest of the day had been blessedly uneventful and blissfully relaxing.  It was late afternoon before they finally ventured outside.  They enjoyed a swim in the ocean, sunbathing on the sand, and a romantic candlelight dinner by the water.  They thought that maybe their luck was finally turning around.  

Emma was sitting between Killian’s legs, his arms wrapped tightly around her, as her head rested against his chest.  

“Back on that beanstalk, did you ever imagine we’d end up here?” she asked, looking up at him.

Killian quirked an eyebrow.  “I knew you would change my life. I felt it from the moment I laid eyes on you.  We had a connection right from the start.”

“You could see right through me.  I had never experienced that before.”

Killian brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “And now here we are.  On our honeymoon, beginning our life together.  It started on a beanstalk and it’s been a wild ride so far.”

“Like I said,” Emma replied, “sometimes the journey is half the fun.”

Killian bobbed his head.  “And ours is just beginning.”

Emma smiled, as he leaned down to press a kiss to her lips.

…THE END…

Thanks for reading!  I hope you enjoyed it.  Please consider taking a moment to let me know what you thought. ~Steph

[captainswanluver]

CS FF: Never Say Neverland

Summary: Emma learns Killian is in Neverland and travels there to find a way to bring him home.

Rating: G

Note: So I was super confused by the promo for next episode.  I really just need CS to be reunited already.  I would love for it to happen like this.  Also, I have no clue how all of the portals work between realms so please forgive anything that doesn’t make sense.  Hope you enjoy it!  ~Steph

…Never Say Neverland: Part 1/1....

Never again.  Killian had sworn that he would never again set foot on this infernal island.  But he was starting to learn to never say never.

It had taken nearly an hour, but Killian had finally managed to evade the Lost Boys.  He had encountered Tiger Lily along the way and she had distracted the boys long enough for Killian to get away.  He had taken shelter in the Echo Cave.  

Killian smiled, as he stood in the exact spot where he had first revealed his true feelings for Emma.  That meeting her made him believe he could love again.  Their first kiss had opened up his heart in ways he didn’t think were possible anymore.  

And now look how far they had come. They were going to get married until everything came crashing down.  He needed to get back to Emma. He needed to make things right between them and help save her from Gideon.  

Killian sat down on a rock, his legs aching from all of the running.  He pulled the shell Ariel had given him out of his pocket.  He wasn’t sure Emma had heard him the first time, nevermind all of the times since that he had reached out to her.  He needed her to know he hadn’t abandoned her and that he was fighting like hell to get home to her.  

He held the shell up to his mouth.  “Emma, I hope you can hear me.  I am trying to get home to you, love.  I procured a magic bean and created a portal, but it brought me to Neverland instead of home to you.  I think my banishment is blocking my portal home.  But I won’t give up, Emma.  I won’t stop until we are back together.  I hope you are safe, Swan.  I love you.”

Killian bowed his head, as he felt tears fill his eyes.  What if he never got home to her?  Or what if it turned out to be too late by the time he did?

…

Emma cradled the necklace with Liam’s ring on it that Killian had given her.  Less than an hour ago, she had learned that the Black Fairy was in Storybrooke.  She made it clear that she was controlling Gideon.  Emma felt sorry for him now.  She knew what it felt like not being in full control of your actions.  

The Black Fairy had ordered Gideon to take away the shell necklace, so Emma couldn’t even hear Killian’s voice anymore.  Hearing his voice had brought her comfort.  She was relieved when she would hear it because that meant he was okay.  It made her feel connected to him.  But the Black Fairy denied her even that small comfort.  

Emma didn’t know how she was going to be able to defeat the Black Fairy, but she knew one thing.  She was always stronger with Killian by her side.  She needed to bring him back.  If only she knew where he was.  He couldn’t come through a portal to Storybrooke, but she knew she could go through one to him in whatever realm he was currently in.  Then, maybe, together they could figure out a way to break the spell and allow him to travel back to Storybrooke.

Her eyes widened as a sudden thought hit her.   Gold could help her find where he is.  Emma stood up and quickly made her way to the front door.  She arrived at Gold’s shop a few minutes later.

“Ah, Miss Swan, come to threaten my son again?”

Emma shook her head. “I know Gideon is not in control of his actions now, Gold.  I want to help you free him from the Black Fairy.”

Gold lifted an eyebrow.  “I’m assuming you want something in return.”

Emma nodded. “I want you to use your crystal ball to find where Killian is.”

“Fair enough.  But I don’t see the point.  He can’t travel back here.”

“But I can travel to him.  And together we can figure out a way to break the spell and bring him back.”

“That’s quite optimistic of you.”

“We always find our way back to each other,” she said.

Gold resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “How romantic.  Very well.  I will help you get your pirate back, despite the fact that I much prefer this town without him in it.”

Gold pulled a crystal ball out from the beneath the counter.  He waved his hand over it.  Emma peered into the ball, a smile slipping across her lips when Killian appeared before her.  

“There he is!” she said.

“And where is that exactly?” Gold asked.

Emma looked more closely.  Her eyes widened in shock. “He’s in the Echo Caves.”

Gold’s eyebrows shot up.  “In Neverland?  Where my son was held?”

Emma nodded.  “Yes.  Killian is in Neverland.  I have to get to him.  Can I use the portal door at the sorcerer’s mansion?”

“I was under the impression it was destroyed by that overgrown spider.”

“I was there earlier.  Another one appeared in its place.  I think it’s the one the Black Fairy came through.”

Gold bobbed his head. “Very well then.  Think of Neverland and it will bring you there.”

“Thank you,” Emma said.  “And I give you my word.  I will help you save Gideon.”

She then exited the shop as he watched her go.

…

Emma’s engagement ring rolled around in Killian’s palm.  She had worn it for such a short time.  He only hoped he got the chance to place it back on her finger for good this time.

He could still recall the look of shock on her face as he had made his confession to her in this very cave.  In that moment, he didn’t know if she would ever return his feelings.  But he did know that if he had any chance with her, then he had to change.  He had to be a man worthy of her.   And he had changed on that trip.  He had saved her father’s life and told her about Neal being alive when it would have benefitted him to keep quiet.  He had risked his life to save the son of the woman who had captured his heart.  For the first time in too many years to count, he had put others before himself.  Emma had reminded him that he could care for people other than himself.  She helped him find that man again and he hadn’t looked back since.

But now he was trapped in the one place he never wanted to return to. And he had no idea how to get back to Emma.   He clutched her engagement ring close to his heart, as he squeezed his eyes closed and pictured her.  

…

Emma arrived at the mansion and quickly entered it.   She made her way to the door and stood before it.  Squeezing her eyes closed, she imagined Neverland, imagined Killian there.  She then turned the doorknob and stepped through.

Emma fell through the door and onto the beach.  She surveyed her surroundings as she stood and brushed the sand off her clothes.  Neverland had changed quite a bit, but she was still able to determine the direction of the Echo Caves.  

It took her almost two hours, but she finally arrived at the caves.  Emma sucked in a shaky breath, as she gripped the ring hanging off her neck.  She slowly made her way into the cave until she came to the area where Neal had been held.  

A smile spread across her lips as her eyes landed on Killian sitting on the ground, propped up against a rock. His head was tilted to the side and his eyes were closed.  She could hear the soft sound of his breathing as he slept.

Emma ran to him, dropping to her knees in front of him.  She brought her hand up to caress his cheek.

“Killian?” she said.

Killian could hear Emma’s voice in his ears, but he was certain he must be dreaming.  

“Emma,” he mumbled.  “I will get back to you.”

“I’m here, Killian.  I’m right here.  I found you,” she said, as she stroked his jaw with one hand and linked their fingers with the other.

Killian felt Emma’s hand slip into his.  Slowly, he began to stir.  His eyes fluttered open and landed on her.

“Swan?”

Emma’s smile spread across her lips. “Killian.”

He shook his head, still feeling as if he were in a dream.  “Emma?  How are you here?  How did you find me?”

“I saw in Gold’s crystal ball that you were in Neverland.  I went through a portal to get to you.”

A slow smile crept across his face.  “I knew we’d find our way back to each other.”

“We always do,” she whispered, as she pressed a kiss to his lips.

When she pulled back, she rested her forehead against his.  “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too, love.”

“I love you, Killian.”

“I love you, too.”  He shook his head.  “I am so sorry, Emma.  I never meant for this to happen.  I just wanted to be the man you fell in love with again.  The man you need and deserve.”

“You are that man.  We’ve both made mistakes, Killian.  No more secrets and lies from now on.”

“Aye, love.”

He lifted his hand to cup her face and place a kiss to her lips.  He shook his head as he pulled back.  “I am so glad you found me. I know you probably didn’t hear my most recent message, but the banishment prevented me from entering Storybrooke through the portal.”

Emma shook her head.  “It was Gideon, who I now know is being controlled by the Black Fairy.  He took my tears and created a spell to block your entry into Storybrooke.  The Black Fairy is there now, Killian.  I don’t know what her plans are, but I know we are stronger together.  We need to find a way to get you home.”

Killian stood and linked their fingers.  “We will figure it out together, Swan.”

Emma squeezed his hand and then they made their way out of the cave.

…

They walked the island for hours.  Emma thought that maybe pixie dust could help, but they could find none.   They finally decided to stop and rest.  They lowered themselves to the ground, collapsing in exhaustion.  

Emma shook her head. “I didn’t think this through.  I was so desperate to get to you that I didn’t consider how difficult it would be to find a way to get you home.”

Killian turned to Emma, meeting her eyes.

“You need to go, love,” he said softly.

Emma shook her head. “No, Killian, I’m not leaving you.”

“You must.  With the Black Fairy in town, everyone in Storybrooke, your family could be in danger.  They need you, Swan.”

Emma felt tears appear in her eyes. “I had to leave you once in the Underworld, Killian.  And when I got you back, I swore I would never leave you again.”

Killian managed a weak smile. “Fortunately, this realm is far nicer than the Underworld.  Sure, there are people who want to torture me here too, but I like my chances far better.”

“I can’t leave you,” she said, as tears began to stream down her face.

Killian brought his hand to her cheek and wiped away her tears with his thumb.  “I will always be with you, Emma.  Nothing can ever change that.”

He pressed a kiss to her lips, swallowing her sob.  

Killian slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out her engagement ring.  He reached up and removed the necklace that held Liam’s ring from her neck.  He slipped her engagement ring onto the chain and held it up to her.

“Here, love,” he said.

Emma shook her head. “No, Killian, that ring was a promise of our future together.  This isn’t over.  When I get back to Storybrooke, I will find a way to defeat the Black Fairy and that will break the spell.  You will come back to me and then you will put that ring on my finger. And we will get married like we planned.”

“I want to believe that, Emma.  I truly do.  I will hold onto that hope.  But no matter what happens, that ring is yours.  It belongs with you.  I hope you will think of me every time you look at it.”

“I love you,” she whispered, as he placed the necklace back around her neck.

“I love you,” he said, as he pressed a kiss to her lips.

They slowly stood up, Emma clinging to his hand.  She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.  Killian stroked her back as he felt her tears soak the skin of his neck.

“Go now, love,” he said softly, as he reluctantly pulled back from her.

Emma swallowed roughly and wiped at her face with the back of her hand.  Her brow furrowed as her eyes landed on a spot just behind them.

“Do you realize where we are?” she asked.

Killian’s gaze followed hers.  His mouth dropped open slightly.  “This is where we shared our first kiss.”

Emma nodded, a smile crossing her lips. “I knew it wasn’t going to be a one time thing, you know.”

Killian chuckled.  “I certainly hoped it wouldn’t be.  In that moment, I knew you had captured my heart.  I knew it would be yours for eternity.”

Emma’s brow furrowed more deeply, as she moved her eyes to the ground and pointed.  

“Killian, what is that?”

Killian turned and followed her finger.  It was pointed at a sprout growing out of the ground.  They moved to the sprout and knelt down beside it.  

“I’ve never seen anything like it here in Neverland before,” he said.

Emma met his gaze.  “This is growing in the exact spot where we first kissed.  What if it’s a…”

“Sprout from our first spark of true love?” he finished for her.

Emma tilted her head. “It’s possible.  My parents had a sprout and it would have broken their sleeping curse if the Evil Queen hadn’t destroyed it.”

“They’re very rare, love.”

“So is what we have,” she replied softly.  “This could break the spell, Killian.  This could be the way to get you home.”

Killian smiled and joined his hand with hers.  “If you believe, Swan, then so do I.”

They each sucked in a breath and then brought their joined hands to the sprout.   As they pulled it free from the ground, a yellow light flashed around them.  Their entire romance flashed before their eyes.  Every moment they had ever shared played out before them.  

Emma and Killian’s gazes met.  

“Bloody hell, that was amazing.”

“It was incredible.  Killian, it may have lifted the spell.”

“Only one way to find out,” he said.

…

Emma and Killian made their way to the beach and found the portal door that matched the one in the sorcerer’s mansion.  

Killian turned to Emma. “Promise me you’ll go even if I can’t,” he said.

Emma shook her head. “Don’t think like that, Killian.  It worked. I know it did.”

“Promise me, Emma.  Please.”

Emma swallowed roughly.  “I promise,” she replied softly.

Killian pressed a lingering kiss to her lips, before linking their hands.

“Together,” he said.

They stepped forward and Emma opened the door.  With a deep breath, they both imagined home and then stepped through the door.  

A moment later, they found themselves back in the sorcerer’s mansion.  Emma and Killian turned to each other, smiles spreading across their lips.  Emma threw her arms around him.  

“It worked!” she said.  

“Aye, that it did,” he whispered in her ear, relief flooding through him at finally being home.  

“Welcome home, Killian,” she said, as she cupped his face in her hands.

…

They had been home three days.  Once home, they realized that their sprout had also broken Snow and David’s sleeping curse.  

Emma and Killian sat at a table outside Granny’s eating lunch.  It was the same table where they had shared the kiss that had changed everything.  

“So how did you get the magic bean that opened the portal to Neverland?” Emma asked, as she popped an onion ring into her mouth.

A grin curled Killian’s lips.  “Well, I came across Blackbeard and I knew he was without a ship.”

Emma’s eyes widened.  “You traded your ship for me again?”

Killian shrugged. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, love.”

Emma smiled, as she reached across the table and linked their fingers. “You’re incredible.”  She paused for a moment. “But the Jolly Roger is here.”

“It wasn’t exactly a trade.  I bet the Jolly Roger for the magic bean in a game of cards.  I lost, but Blackbeard had to hand the magic bean over to me once he realized the Jolly Roger was not in that realm and I would need to retrieve it.”

Emma grinned.  “You’re lucky it brought you to Neverland and not Storybrooke or you’d be ship-less once again.”

Killian shrugged.  “I have everything I need right here.  Storybrooke is my home now, Emma.  You are my home.”

Emma smiled, as he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her lips.  She then returned her attention to her food.  She picked up another onion ring and was about to pop it in her mouth, when she caught sight of something.  Her mouth hung open in shock at what was before her.   Her engagement ring was hanging off of the onion ring.

She met Killian’s gaze, as he grinned like a fool.  “How did you manage this?”

“A little help from Granny.”

Emma lifted up the chain that now held just Liam’s ring again.  “How did you get it off my necklace without me realizing it?  I haven’t taken it off since we returned.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Pirate, love.  And you are an extremely sound sleeper.”

Killian reached over and took the onion ring from her.  He slipped the ring through the tiny slice that had been made in it.  He then stood up and lowered himself to one knee as he held the ring up to her.

Emma couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips.  “Yes,” she said.  “I’ll marry you, Killian!”

Killian sighed.  “Love, if you don’t mind, I’d like to do this the proper way this time.”

Emma nodded, barely able to contain her excitement.  “Okay.  Sorry.”

He took her hand in his.  “Emma Swan, my life changed forever the moment you walked into it.  I never could have imagined the joy you bring to my life.  I was a broken man and you helped put me back together.  I am in constant awe of your bravery and strength.  It hasn’t been an easy road for us, but I wouldn’t change a thing because it led to this moment right now.  I love you with all that I am and all that I will ever be.  Emma Swan, will you marry me?”

Emma bobbed her head.  “Yes!  I will marry you, Killian!”

A huge smile lit up his face as he slipped the ring onto her finger.  He sprang up and she cupped his face, pulling his mouth to hers.    

After a few moments, she pulled back and whispered, “I love you so much.”

They were about to kiss again when they heard clapping behind them.  All of Granny’s, including Emma’s parents and son, were standing outside.

“‘Bout time!” Granny hollered.  

Emma and Killian simply smiled and then kissed again.

...THE END…

Thanks for reading!  I hope you enjoyed it.  I’d appreciate hearing what you thought. ~Steph