Well, my lovelies, here's the final chapter I have in for this story (for now…). Many of you have been waiting for this one, and I'd hate to disappoint you. I've had some ask about continuing the story, but I think I'll let the reviews dictate that one.

Killian had never attended a royal ball before, and he hoped he never would have to again. Not if he felt like this at them all.

He watched, miserably, as the princess was led onto the dance floor by that guard. She had made her choice, and it wasn't him.

He turned his back on the scene, not wishing to subject himself to any more pain than necessary, and started wandering through the crowd.

The queen's dwarf friends were apparently making sure the wine was high quality by consuming large amounts of it. Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora were putting all other dancers to shame on the dance floor, causing many ladies to give her envious glares.

He made his way over to Emma's godmother and her family. Roland, the lad that had gotten hurt yesterday, was trying to talk around a mouthful of cake, while his parents admonished him.

"Lady Regina, Lord Robin, I wanted to make amends for-"

"Piwate?" Roland interrupted with wide eyes, looking questioningly at the lieutenant.

Killian chuckled. "Aye, and I should walk the plank for getting you hurt, lad. You'd fit right in. We could give you a hook for your injured hand," he joked.

Roland's eyes got even bigger. Killian was afraid his joke went too far until the lad turned to his parents and started chanting, "Hook! Hook! Hook!"

"Uh-oh," Killian said, sheepishly. "I think I created a monster."

"That's not possible. He was already a little monster, right, Roly-Poly?" Emma's voice came from behind him. He turned to see her reach and ruffle the lad's hair.

"Annemma! Hook!"

Emma looked at Killian with a question on her face, but he just shrugged. "Inside joke, right lad?"

"Hook!"

Killian chuckled before turning to the princess. Gods help him, but she was a vision. His smile died on his lips as he remembered her soldier. "Where's Baelfire?"

"Killian, I... I need to talk to you." She stammered getting the words out. "On the balcony?" She tilted her head in its direction.

Wordlessly, he followed her.

"Bye, bye, Annemma! Bye, bye, Hook!" rang out behind them.

Overhead, the stars were outshone by the full moon illuminating the sky. There were no clouds and a slight breeze helped cool Emma's flushed cheeks.

"Look, lass, you don't have to do this," Killian started, trying to intercept her rejection. "I saw you with Baelfire on the dance floor. You've made your choice."

"Yes, I have," Emma's mischievious smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She took a step toward him. "Killian. I. Choose. You." She said this slowly, deliberately, letting the words sink in. "What you saw was two friends sharing a dance, nothing more."

"Nothing more?"

"Nothing more."

"And you choose me?"

"I choose you."

"But, do you love me?" His eyes pleaded for an affirmative.

"I thought I made that clear-"

"Say the words, love. I need to hear them."

She took another step closer. "Killian," she kissed his right cheek as she said this, "I," (lips gently on his left cheek) "Love," (his nose) "You." (his waiting lips).

"Emma," he breathed into her mouth. "I love you, too."

With that, he pressed his mouth to hers, greedily taking his fill of her. From her side, she wanted to devour him just as much. She swelled with pent up passion that she had never felt for any other man. Killian was her world, right here, right now.

He groaned and moved his lips to her ear, kissing the sensitive area just behind her earlobe. She gasped at the delightful touch. Tracing kisses along her jaw, his mouth found hers again.

One hand pulled her to him from the small of her back, the other cupping her face tenderly, lovingly. She kissed him for several minutes more, savoring his embrace, until they broke apart, gasping for air. Their hands continued the caresses their mouths had begrudgingly stopped.

"My princess, my love, my Emma," Killian breathed.

Emma took great effort in standing straight and looking seriously into his piercing blue eyes. "You know," she mused, "we're going to have to tell my father."

She let out a squeal as he tickled her side and leaned back into her for more.

When Emma and Killian had finally returned from the balcony, the queen spotted her first, walking with her hand intertwined with the handsome lieutenant's. The king was not far behind in the observation. "Would you look at that," he said, a bemused smile on his face.

"I'm not going to hear the end of it from you, am I, Charming?" She playfully swatted his arm.

"Never," he grinned and bent his head to hers for a kiss.

Roland was next, bouncing up to the pair. He raised his good arm up to Killian, silently asking to be picked up. The sailor obliged and gave the lad a tickle.

Regina turned to Robin, "Well, if he has Roland's seal of approval, we better start planning the wedding now."

Aurora floated over to her friend and gaveher a hug. No words were exchanged; they didn't need to be. The two could always communicate volumes with just a look, and Emma's was pure joy.

"Annemma! Lookie. Hook!" Roland was indicating his arm, but Emma mistook it for Killian.

"Hook, huh? Is that what you call him? Hook," she repeated, a bemused smile on her lips. "I like it." She looked at Killian. "My love, my Hook."

Killian groaned, "Look what you've started," he playfully growled at Roland before tickling him again. Emma smiled as she watched the scene, her favorite sound ringing throughout the ballroom.

Well, did it live up to your expectations? Do I need to keep going? I've got a couple of other stories in the works, but I've been known to multi-task before… Review and let me know if you want me to continue this budding romance.