Disclaimer: Apologies for the disappearance! Here's the last chapter! I hope you enjoy :)

Playlist: Wild Mountain Thyme and Hey, Jude by The Beatles.

He was taking her to the building with the bathrooms and showers. Did that place have a proper name? Emma didn't know, she didn't care. It was early, the sun was just peeking above the horizon as he opened the door and carried her into the small room.

"You expect me to shower with you, Jones?" Emma asked playfully as he set her down and closed the door behind them.

He reached around the curtain to turn the water on, then moved back to face her. He smiled, "We're covered with dirt, love. It's not as if we can change into clean clothes –"

"So, we're gonna wear wet clothes?"

"Unless you'd rather continue wearing the mud," he said with a chuckle, turning the handle to a warm setting after he tested the cold water. He turned back toward her before he reached his dry hand out to touch her face, running his finger across her chin to follow the dirt splatter. "This isn't exactly the mud mask I had in mind."

Emma smirked, ready to make a comment about him knowing about mud masks, when he began to take off his shoes and socks – then his jeans.

"Wha – what are you doing?"

Killian was now standing before her in just his boxers – plain black cotton boxers that were clinging sinfully tight around him. She blinked a few times, forcing herself to look anywhere but down there. Apparently she was reverting back into that hormonal teenager who couldn't stand next to hot guy in his boxers without her heart beat racing to dangerous speeds.

She focused her eyes on him folding up his pants and putting them on the counter, almost jumping when he began to speak again. "Jeans are the bloody worst when wet –" oh yeah, she'd asked him a question "-they're heavy and coarse and they take forever to dry. Don't worry, Swan, I'm not shy," he winked before he reached his hand into the water to test the temperature again. He went on speaking as his back was turned toward her. "I understand if you don't feel the same, lass. Not all of us can have the same bravado."

Her brow furrowed as she considered his point. And while it was a sound one, she felt a tad of mischief pull at her gut that called out to a part of her libido that hadn't been touched in years. She used her heel to kick off her sneakers, her socks sliding off after as she began to use her free hand to unbutton her shorts.

He finally turned toward her when he felt her shimmy out of her denims. "Wha –" he stuttered when he finally realized what she was doing.

She peered up at him, smirking when she realized how flustered he was – his mouth still open as he blinked in the sight of her red underwear. It did her pride well to know she could render a rock star speechless. She ran her hands through her hair, clearing her throat when he still didn't say anything. "I think we're wasting the hot water."

"What? Oh, right!" Killian finally said, shaking his head as he reached up to scratch the back of his neck. He turned around and pushed the curtain aside before he stepped in. He gave her the clear – his eyes never looking lower than her face, she noticed – and she followed him in.

He moved to the side, letting her get all the way under the water. The shower reminded her of the community showers in her dorms freshman year. They were tiny and cramped with one person, let alone two. She remembered all the times she walked into the shared bathroom on one of her dormmates 'having company' in one of the showers.

Standing there with Killian pressed against her side as she drenched herself under the waterfall, she began to wonder how in the world those girls were able to get anything accomplished in such a tight space.

When she looked over to Killian, who was far too attractive wet, her face blushed deeply when she realized she was thinking about shower sex. He took a deep breath when he looked down at her, taking in the sight of her now-soaked t-shirt. What once was white was now nearly see-through, and Emma couldn't tear her eyes away from watching him breathe in deeply and swallow. When he reached up to touch her, she felt her breath hitch in preparation. He smiled, running his fingers across her face, applying enough pressure to wipe away the splatter of mud on her cheek. She chuckled embarrassingly, temporarily forgetting the main reason they were even in this shower.

"You're filthy," he finally said, continuing to wipe her face off.

Emma giggled as she began to mimic him, reaching up to wipe a few splatters off his own face. "Drastic measures."

Killian hummed as he continued to smile. He reached up behind him and pulled down the shower head, using it to direct the water flow through her hair better, making sure to get out all the clumps of dirt. She watched him bathe her, his eyes transfixed on his task at hand. It was almost intimate in a way. And by the time his eyes reached her own, he smiled, questioning the look on her face. She reached up and ran her fingers across his cheek, then lifted up on her toes.

His breath hitched as her lips pressed against his. This time was different than the two before; it was much softer, much sweeter. He used his free hand to cup her face toward him in response, stealing the air right from her lungs. She wrapped her fingers around his bare hips and pulled his center closer to hers as she deepened the kiss. He let out a throaty groan when her fingers grazed against the skin above his briefs. In response, Emma let out a small whimper when she began to feel his growing arousal against her. And, unlike earlier when he had the kind thickness of his jeans to help him control himself, Killian was well aware of what little job the briefs were doing to hide anything.

But that only seemed to push Emma closer to him. What were slow and soft kisses began to grow hungrier.

As if both of them had let their guard down, Killian pushed Emma's back against the cool tile of the shower wall as he fleshed his front with hers. He dropped the shower head, the water spraying against the wall at their feet as Emma's body began to arch against him, her pelvic meeting his in the most delicious way. The growl that rang deep from his throat only enflamed her libido, especially the way his strong, rough hands were gripping the skin beneath the hem of her shirt.

Without warning, his hands tore away from her skin and landed on the tile beside her. With a giant breath, Killian opened his eyes to look into her confused ones.

"Don't get the wrong idea again, love," he began when she realized he was stopping. "I want this. To the gods above do I want this." She smiled shyly, a small blush covering her cheeks as he moved a stray hair away from her face. "But I want to do this right. Without the shackle and without the residue of guilt and heartbreak."

"A fresh start?"

He smiled, "A fresh start."

"A date, then?" She asked, tilting her head slightly, a flirtatious smile pulling at the corner of her lips as she peered up at him.

"A date it is."

Carrying Emma to the band trailer, Killian laid her on the bed and climbed next to her. He didn't care that their wet clothes were going to dampen the sheets. He only cared about her, and the way she stopped shivering when he pulled the blanket over them. He only cared about the way she curled up against him as she positioned herself in a way that didn't tangle up their arms.

"Are you comfortable, love?" he asked softly. She hummed a satisfied yes. He chuckled, "Do you want me to stop talking now so you can go to sleep?"

He could she her smiling, feel her cheek rise against his arm as her head rest against it. He felt her fingers find his own, lightly playing with them in a soothing manor before she brought them to her lips, kissing each digit softly.

For the first time in a long time, Killian felt at peace. In his state of solace, he began to do something he hadn't done in a long time.

He began to hum.

Emma wasn't asleep yet, so she could still hear the soft sound coming from his throat. It was a nice rhythm, slow and steady. It peaked her interest, and she wanted to know more. Without opening her eyes or moving, she gently asked, "Is that one of yours?"

"It was my mum's," he replied, lacing his fingers between hers when her hand finally settled. "It was one she used to sing – one Liam would sing. Something from her childhood."

Emma nuzzled into him further, "Will you sing it for me?"

Killian paused. He'd sold out entire arenas and played for hours in front of screaming fans, performing material he'd created from scratch and vulnerably broadcasted it for millions to judge and criticize. He was no stranger to requests like this.

But this was his Swan. This was different. She was asking him to share a piece of himself that'd only been touched by few. And the fact that he knew he would never deny her anything she asked – ever – frightened him to his core.

She could ask him to go to the end of the world for her, or time, and he would without a second's hesitation.

He could feel her breathing begin to steady as he moved her long locks above her head. Then he began to lightly sing to her.

"Ohh the summer time is coming, and the trees are sweetly bloomin'. Where the wild mountain thyme, grows around the bloomin' heather. Would you go, lassie, go? And we'll all go together. Where the wild mountain thyme, grows around the bloomin' heather. Would you go, lassie, go?"

Emma giggled softly, leaning back into him. "You really are Irish, aren't you?"

"Aye, love." He chuckled, "That I am."

"Don't stop," she squeezed his hand. "Please."

Killian swallowed before he continued.

"And I will build my love a bower, and yon pure crystal fountain. And around it I will place, all the colors of the mountain. Would you go, lassie, go? And we'll all go together. Where the wild mountain thyme, grows around the bloomin' heather. Would you go, lassie, go?"

"And if my true love's gone, I will surely find another. And to her I would sing, things that make her know I want her. So would you go, lassie, go? And we'll all go together. Where the wild mountain thyme, grows around the bloomin' heather. Would you go, lassie, go?"

"Oh the summer time is coming, and the trees are sweetly bloomin'. Where the wild mountain thyme, grows around the bloomin' heather. Would you go, lassie, go? Would you go, lassie, go?"

Emma was asleep. Killian placed a light kiss to the back of her head before closing his own eyes.

"From the looks of you all, I expect you had a rough night last night?" Regina asked, pushing her sunglasses down as she directed her gaze at a yawning Victor sitting across from her at the table.

Will sat next to him, his head against the table, as Ruby laughed at Regina's observation of the men. Will groaned, his head still against the table, "Bed at 2am. I'm getting too old for this."

"Aren't you only 26 or something?" Tink asked, giggling. Tink was the most well adjusted morning person Ruby had ever met. Will groaned again in response.

Robin returned with David and Snow, all carrying trays of bagels and orange juice.

Regina shook her head at the bunch. "And where did Mr. Jones and Ms. Swan run off to? Killian knows he's supposed to meet us this morning before we begin our performance prep." She huffed, standing up to find a fresh bottle of water.

Just as she left, Killian and Emma emerged from the trailer, eyes squinting as they adjusted to the sun. After only a couple hours of sleep and a few hundred swallows of alcohol, the two were in no condition to face the world.

"Speak of the devils," Robin shouted. Everyone groaned at his volume. "Did you lot have a good time after we all went to bed? Where did you run off to, exactly?"

Killian rubbed his eyes, "Oh, nothing. Just crashed a couple prayer circles, knocked up a liquor store, that kind of thing."

They all sat down and began to dig into the breakfast. The guys started raving about the girls' performance the night before, pulling up a YouTube video to show Regina when she returned.

"Dearies!"

Killian paused handing a torn piece of his bagel to Emma. The same crazy man from the day before waltzed up to them in another dramatic entrance.

"Ah, Mr. Gold, was it?" Robin asked.

The man ignored his greeting, instead pointed to Killian and Emma. "I've been looking for you two everywhere. I need my handcuffs back, I've got other people to cuff. More happy endings to bestow and all that. Just call me the fairy godmother."

Emma scoffed, "Yeah, well we've been working on getting them off since you put them on. How about you give us the key?"

The man laughed impishly, "According to my wife, you already have them. Now… gimme!"

Robin and Killian exchanged a look before Robin reached in his pocket, a look that did not go unnoticed by Emma. "Oh, silly me," Robin said. "It seems like I do have them. My mistake, I must have been so dru-"

"Did you know he had them?" Emma asked Killian. The guilt on his face gave away his answer. Her brow furrowed, a feeling of betrayal brewing in her gut. "What is this, some kind of joke to you?"

"Emma, you know that it isn't –"

She reached over and snatched the keys from Robin. "Save it."

"Dearies, dearies! Don't you see? Nobody is going to save the planet but you all." Mr. Gold began as Emma unlocked the cuffs. "You bring a hundred thousand people together, no music. What do you get? A riot. You give them music, and it's magic. Music turns a mob into a movement."

"Keep your magic," Emma said, mainly to Killian, as she shoved the cuffs into his chest.

He grabbed her hands, stopping her from walking away. "What about our fresh start?"

"You lied to me!" Emma shouted. The gang could do nothing but watch as they stayed seated. "You let me walk around chained to you for your own sick game! You could have ruined our performance, our one shot at making something of ourselves!" She took a step closer to him, her voice lowering some as she fought to keep the tears at bay, "I couldn't take the chance that I was wrong about you. I knew letting myself open up to you would bring me nothing but pain. You played me like a fool."

"Emma," Killian breathed out, sadness behind his eyes as he watched the consequences of his actions unfold.

She shook her head, finally turning to storm off just as the first tear began to descend down her cheek. Snow, Ruby, and Tink followed her, giving a sympathetic wave to the guys as they left.

Killian called out her name again to no avail. Robin appeared by his side, a hand on his shoulder.

Regina, who had returned to the table just in time to see the show, cleared her throat. "Well, um. If that's done then. We should get to the tent, go over our set list before sound check and autographs."

"It'll be okay, mate," Robin said reassuringly as the rest of the band began to follow Regina. "The festival isn't over. We'll find her again."

"I can not believe him," Emma mumbled again, gripping her water bottle tighter as she screwed the top back on. "I mean, really. The nerve. What, just because you're a big shot rock star means you can do whatever the hell you want? Mess with whoever the hell you want? What did he think would happen?"

Ruby shook her head, scoffing out a laugh. "You've really got it bad, don't you, Em?"

"Excuse me?" Emma responded, her brow furrowed.

"Ruby," Snow also responded, "not the time."

Ruby shook her head, crossing her arms as she stood her ground. "No, this is the time. Because you know it, I know it, Tink knows it. We all know it, but her. Emma, you always get this way when you start to like someone too much – when you finally meet someone you want to let your guard down with."

Snow sighed, "She's right. That wall you keep up, it may keep out the pain. But it also keeps out the love."

"He likes you, Emma," Ruby said softer. "And you like him."

Emma shook her head, "I have every right to be upset. He could have ruined our set!"

"But he didn't," Tink spoke up. "He helped us. Our band has gotten more publicity from this weekend than it ever has. We owe him."

Emma considered this, pressing her lips in a thin line as she listened to her friends. She knew they were right – about the publicity part. Her heart wouldn't let her agree with the feelings part, even if her fingers began to rub against the wrist warmer.

"Skull Rock! Skull Rock! Skull Rock!"

The cheers from the other side of the rope grew louder.

Sitting at the end of the long table, Killian sighed, ready for this to be over. Which was a sad thought for him, seeing as he'd always gotten really excited when meeting the fans for autographs. Unlike earlier when it was more like a mob scene, this was a little face to face time. Here he got to hear their voice, see their excitement. It was encouraging and humbling and got him psyched for the performance.

But this evening his spirit was broken. Every blonde who approached him reminded him of Emma. Hell, everything reminded him of Emma.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen," Regina presented to the crowd. "It's time for the band to get ready to perform!"

The crowd cheered as each band member stood up and waved goodbye.

Back stage, Killian paused his guitar picking when a female form approached him from the dark. His heart began to race, anticipating the pale hair halo that he'd been waiting for all day –

"Killian," the voice finally said, and his heart sank.

Milah stood in front of him. Killian's brow creased, wondering what she was doing here. "Milah," he greeted.

She smiled, "I just wanted to stop by and say, have a good show."

"Thank you," Killian responded, still a bit confused.

Milah turned to walk away, when she stopped and faced him again. "You know, it seems to me like you barely needed the handcuffs." And with that, she turned and left his life forever.

The lights on the stage flashed on, cueing the crowd to roar an applause.

"Let's go mate," David shouted over the crowd, pulling Killian on stage, "it's time to rock!"

The men moved into position on stage, and Killian felt his mood lift some. The stage did that to him. He grabbed the microphone as David started up the familiar tune. Their first big hit - they always started a concert with this one.

"He got loved up on the seashore," Killian sang into the mic, the band blaring around him. "Kissing with a girl he never met before. Food was sparse but the drink was plenty. Jack was sixteen and Jill had just turned twenty."

The crowd was singing along with him. Killian's mind couldn't help wandering back to sitting on stage with Emma and The Fairest, comparing the difference between that stage and this one. How the crowd was so far away and stretched back farther than he could guess – and how he could hardly even see the crowd at all due to the bright lights.

"Lying there on the midnight sand, he said he'd give her the sky if she held his hand. She counted every star in the sky and said – I, I don't want that. I want you instead."

The men harmonized with him "I, I don't want that. I want you instead."

David exploded into his drum solo, giving Killian a minute to try and pull himself together – when David stopped.

The crowd grew quiet, everyone confused as the sudden change. David pulled the mic closer as he smiled, "Sorry folks! The boys and I have decided that we're going to change up the set list a little, do a bit of an improv for you. You see, this festival has gone a little different for us than most. We met a lot of really awesome bands over the week and even had the pleasure to perform with one. In honor of that performance, we'd like to dedicate this song to that band, and hope that someone gets the message."

Killian looked around at his men, just as confused as everyone else when Victor started up the keys. A simple tune that sparked a knowing ear from the crowd as they all cheered before Robin could even begin to sing.

"Hey Jude," was all he had to get out before the crowd roared. "Don't make it bad. Take a sad song, and make it better. Remember, to let her into your heart. Then you can start, to make it better."

Killian's head dropped, now he got it. Those bastards, he thought, a smile growing on his face as he shook his head.

"Hey Jude," it was Will's turn now. "Don't be afraid. You were made to go out and get her. The minute, you let her under your skin, then you begin, to make it better."

Killian began to laugh, finally taking the mic. "Okay, okay. I get it," he said to his mates. The band continued to play softly behind him. He looked out into the audience, laughing slightly at how ironic his 'I don't beg' comment to Snow now seemed. He swallowed his pride and finally yelled into the mic, "Emma!"

The crowd cheered.

"You guys, I -uh, I think I need your help. Will you help me out? Can we all shout Emma, please?"

A mantra of Em-ma began to sail across the entire festival. Even back to the tent The Fairest were staying in.

Ruby, who had the best hearing of them all, paused. "Wait, do you guys hear that. Shut it for a second."

Snow, Emma, and Tink quieted, listening.

"Em-ma! Em-ma! Em-ma!"

Emma's mouth fell open. That wasn't about her. No, it couldn't be. It was another Emma… who was being called out to during the Skull Rock concert. Had to be.

"You've got to be louder than that!" Killian encouraged. The crowd grew louder.

Snow smiled to Emma. "You know that's about you."

A spark in Emma brought a new encouragement. She smiled at her supportive friends. As soon as she jumped up, the rest followed suit. They ran to the arena.

Killian sighed, "Well, um. I don't know if she's out there. But Swan, if you can hear me: You make me feel more real than any girl I've ever met. I want you to come scream at me."

They started the song back up. "And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders. For well you know that it's a fool, who plays it cool, by making his world a little colder."

Emma reached the security fence where she met a familiar face. Graham, the guard who'd helped them earlier try to take off the cuffs, recognized her. Using his walkie talkie to inform the other guards that she was arriving.

"Na-nah nah nah nah, na-na-nah nah!"

She fought against the crowd to make it to the front of the stage.

"Hey Jude, don't let me down. You have found her, now go and get her. Remember, to let her into your heart. Then you can start, to make it better. So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin. You're waiting for someone to perform with. And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do, the movement you need is on your shoulder."

The guards at the front waved for her to join. By then Killian finally saw the flash of yellow below him, squinting his eyes until he saw his Swan being escorted to the stage. He jumped from his spot, dropping his guitar to the ground as he ran to the side of the stage. The crowd began to cheer between the "na-nah"s as Killian pulled her up on stage.

The two embraced each other before Killian pulled her face to his. He kissed her, on stage, all eyes on him, the crowd and band members cheering around them. He pulled away, a grin so wide Emma couldn't help but giggle. "This was not the date I had in mind."

Emma shook her head and pulled him in for another kiss. When they pulled away again, Killian faced the audience and held up her hand.

Into the mic, Killian announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: Emma Swan!"