Today was the day that the royal family of Misthaven would start their journey to King John's Kingdom. Better yet where Killian would be Emma thought.

Ever since she had kissed him she couldn't get him out of her mind.

The blue of his eyes were mesmerizing, while the taste of his lips tasted like sea salt and something that was distinctly him. How flushed his face was afterwards, and the promise of seeing eachother again those six months ago.

Emma was absolutely besotted, yet she found that she didn't mind one bit.

"Your Highness, it's time to depart for the docks." Johanna said, bringing Emma out of her thoughts.

Turning around and giving her a smile Emma replied kindly " I'll be right along Johanna. I can't believe it's been six months since we've seen the Jones brothers, time sure does slip by quickly."

"Yes, that it does. I swear it was only yesterday that your mother was receiving her first tiara from her mother Queen Eva. Now she is a mother herself and Queen." Johanna replied with nostalgia.

"Well I suppose I better get going to the docks" Emma said while give Johanna a smile.

Walking up the gangplank Emma was met with the excitement of her little brother. "I can't believe we're going on a boat across the ocean!" Leo said with enthusiasm, a grin lighting up his small features. His eyes were a sparkling green. Emma wasn't surprised by this, it was after his first time traveling by ship. Replying with a chuckle "Leo we are traveling by a ship, a boat is much smaller!"

"Yes I know that Emma! Anyway aren't you excited we get to meet the King." Leo huffed.

Emma just gave him a smile and ruffled his wavy raven locks then walked off to find the cabin she would be staying for the duration of their journey. Happily this wasn't the first time she travelled by ship, so during the night she was able to sleep easily. Unlike Leo who got seasick and swore of boats for the rest of his life.

The week out on sea went by quick enough, Emma was standing by the sides of the ship, looking out into the horizon. The coastline was quickly coming into view, Emma noted that the forest here was especially beautiful.

Arriving at the docks was uneventful, the real greeting with fanfare and trumpets alike would be at the castle, first the royal family had to travel by carriage through Sherwood forest to reach King John's palace.

Seated in the carriage Emma felt stuffed in, she was seated next to her father, while her mother was sitting next to Leo on the other side.

"I don't understand why we are trusting King John, did he not nearly usurped the throne from his elder brother King Richard while he was at war. Robin said his reign over the kingdom was horrible and that he had the Sheriff's over tax the people. That's why he became a bandit, to give back to the poor. Why should we align ourselves with an arrogant and selfish ruler?" Emma said questioningly, trying to understand why her parents had made their decision to trust him. She thought her mother was a bit naive to believe King John could've redeemed himself, after all people don't change easily.

"Emma, you know why, King John has redeemed himself. Please refrain from saying such things in front of your younger and impressionable brother!" Snow said astonished at what her daughter had just expressed.

Emma merely rolled her eyes and gave a mother a mock smile replying with a fake cheeriness, "of course mother, forgive me."

Their relationship had a bit of a strain ever since Snow said Emma wasn't old enough to understand the politics, this was seven months ago. The rest of the carriage ride went by in silence.

The sound of trumpets blasted into the carriage, alerting the family of their arrival. Emma was relieved to have finally made it.

Putting on a big fat fake smile Emma prepared to depart from the carriage, waiting for the footman to get the door. Then the door opened and Leo was the first to exit, then Emma and then the King and Queen. They were greeted to the sight of King John standing before them, Emma couldn't stand the sight of him. He had sandy blonde hair, blue eyes that reminded her of a snake and pale skin that contrasted against his dark red attire.

"Welcome to Tarith, I do so hope you enjoy your visit." King John said with an overly welcoming tone and a smile to match his equally disturbed features.

Continuing on he said "It is a pleasure to have you here Queen Snow and King David, I do hope you take well to our celebrations later tonight."

Looking to her far left Emma spotted Killian and Liam. She was met with his ever gazing blue eyes staring directly into her own jade eyes. Blushing ever so slightly Emma sent a hopeful smile his way. While Killian merely gave her a tight lipped smile and looked away, clearly startled at being caught gazing at the princess. His cheeks had the faintest hint of a blush.

The rest of the day was a blur, that is until Emma was able to see Killian again. It was dusk and Emma was out in the gardens roaming about, when she spotted Killian. He was standing near the rose bushes, deep in thought, not sure whether or not to disturb him or to just leave she just stayed in her current position. Deciding to leave him be she began to walk away when he turned her way and took notice.

"Your highness, fancy meeting you here. Are you enjoying your trip here so far?" Killian said with slight surprise and a quaint smile on his voice.

"Lieutenant, it's been a pleasant enough visit here." Emma said unsure of where they stood. He had been avoiding her all day after she had arrived, every time she tried to look his way he would turn away and refuse to make eye contact or to acknowledge her presence. It was infuriating to say the least, she thought after their kiss he would be more open to her, however it seems it only closed him off more.

"Yes well, I'll leave you then." He replied while hastily walking away.

Emma feeling angry just stomped off to her bedchambers, trying to forget about the handsome lieutenant.

The next morning Emma was held up in meetings with her parents and the court of Tarith. It was all a bore, she would rather be out with Leo exploring the nearby village.

Whispering into her ear David said "Emma are you alright? I know these things can be tiresome, but something else seems to be bothering you.."

There was worry in his tone as well as his memories of having to sit in meetings when he first was adopted into royalty. Though he seemed to have adapted well into being a kind and fair ruler, David still yearned for simpler times out in his farm with his mother.. He would never trade anything for the life he has now, being with his true love Snow White and building a family with her beats having to shed his shepherds skins and done that of royalty, for love anything is worth the price.

"Hmm, oh I'm fine. Just lost in thought, I was thinking about going out into the village with Leopold today and exploring." Emma said whispering back.

Giving her a smile David replied happily "That sounds like a perfect idea, perhaps Captain Jones and Lieutenant Jones could show you two around."

"Oh yes, that would be perfect. Lieutenant Jones could show us around, i'm sure Captain Jones is probably busy with something." Emma replied trying to mask her enthusiasm. This would be a perfect chance to get Killian to talk to her again, and to look at her. Content with that she zoned back into the discussion currently going on, something about the taxes for the people and how to handle the dark one.

Meanwhile King John sat at the other end of the table, plotting something in his head..

"Emma where are we going first? Could we go to the market place first!" Leo said with excitement. All day he had to walk around the palace grounds with Johanna, and it was boring. So many rules! Finally he would be able to go out and explore with Emma and the Lieutenant Jones, now he could have some fun! He wore a mischievous grin with pride, which made Emma wary to say the least.

"The market place would be a good place to go, we can even get some stuff there as souvenirs." Emma replied with a grin of her own. Grabbing his hand they went off to get meet the lieutenant down by the front gates.

Killian was nervous. So far he was able to successfully ignore the princess, and avoid her gaze. Now he was to personally escort her and her little brother the prince to the nearby village and show them around. He knew Emma would try to talk to him about the kiss. It was something that happened and must not ever happen again, it was entirely improper. Bad form indeed.

"Lieutenant Jones, thank you for agreeing to escorting my brother and I around the village." Emma said with sincere gratitude.

Killian reached up and scratched behind his ear, a nervous habit of his.

"It is an honor your highness." Continuing on he said to Leopold "and you must be Prince Leopold, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He said while giving a slight bow.

"It's nice to meet you too Lieutenant Jones, can we go to the market first."

"Of course your highness. Now just follow me and we shall descend to the village." Killian said with all the dignity of a Lieutenant in the royal navy, hoping to sound professional.

With that the trio went off to the village. Emma kept sneaking glances at Killian while they walked in relative silence, Leo kept asking the Lieutenant about the navy, and his kingdom and if he could sail a boat. Killian was quick to correct him that it was a ship. Every once in awhile his resolve would waver and he would catch a glance at Emma. He noticed how her hair was in an intricate braid, how her dress would fit along the curve of her breast just perfectly. With each thought he would instead give all of his attention to the prince. Hoping to distract himself from his traitorous thoughts.

Emma was confused, for the most part Killian would completely ignore her, but then he would look her way and the expression in his eyes told a different story, he had the look of his desire. Well she wasn't exactly sure, but it was almost the same look the cook would give to the kitchen maids. So he did find her attractive, that much she knew.

Later on Emma was able to corner Killian while Leo was off playing with some of the village children.

"Killian are you going to keep pretending that we never kissed, because you did kiss me back." Emma said hoping to finally get some answers.

"Your highness please, we can't do this. It would be improper as I am only a lieutenant in the navy, while you are a crown princess. It was bad form for me to kiss you back and it can never happen again."

"Please call me Emma, and I don't care about propriety. I like you, and my parents don't mind that you're a lieutenant. My father was a shepherd and my mother lived as a bandit while Regina hunted her down." Continuing on with only her nerves and passion "Just please give this a chance, we have a connection you can't ignore that." Smiling with a hint of hope Emma reached out and stroked his cheek, relieved when he didn't flinch away.

Replying with hope and relief "Emma, I. Would you want to go riding with me tomorrow." Killian was amazed by her replying smile, it was like the sun was infused with her very soul and it was beaming out.

"I would love to" Emma replied while leaning up, pausing a moment before gaining his permission. When their lips met at last, It was sweet and tender. It spoke of a promise for the future.

Well here is chapter five, it seems each chapter is getting longer. Well finally they are sorta courting. Upnext some more interactions with Liam, and a birthday celebration coming up. Let me know what you guys think of this chapter in the review box! :) Please and thank you.