FINALLY. They meet, they adventure. There's some sparks!

Killian spied himself an empty table in the back of the establishment, thankful for the partial solitude it seemed to provide. It was only after he plopped himself down, did he realise that there was already someone sitting there, their dark cloak having blended into the darkness of the corner. He moved immediately, but even that hadn't been soon enough, for he'd already managed to topple the person's ale all over them.

"My apologies…." He trailed off, his eyes widening as the person's cloak fell off, revealing a head of golden blonde curls. "Princess Emma," he breathed out, making the woman look up at him with a glare.

"Do you not see where you are going?" she snapped, looking up at him with a murderous frown. However, once she seemed to recognise him, her expression morphed into one of panic. "Oh, God. You're one of Prince William's men," she muttered, pulling her hood back up and getting up to leave. But Killian was blocking her path and was in too much of a shock to react in any other way. "Please don't tell anyone," she pleaded, when it seemed like he wasn't going to let her out.

Killian snapped out of his momentary lapse, blinking at her. "I- I won't," he stuttered, not entirely sure what he agreed to. "What shouldn't I tell anyone?" he asked, bemused.

She stared at him as if he'd grown two heads. "That you saw me here," she said slowly, trying to get him to understand.

Realisation dawned on him, as he blinked at her again, a small smirk taking over before he could stop it. "You snuck out, did you, Princess?"

"Can you not call me that?" she snapped. "I want to have a low profile, and you calling me princess at every turn is not very conducive to that."

He nodded, biting his lip to keep from grinning. She was even more beautiful up close, her eyes shining like two emeralds, mesmerising him. "If I cannot address you by your title, what should I call you then?" he asked, sitting a respectable distance from her, while still close enough for her to hear his whisper. "Swan?"

Emma resisted the urge to roll her eyes, shooting him a less-than-amused glance. "Swan? Really?"

"Seems to suit you, Pri- I mean, Swan. Graceful, elegant and ready to attack at moment's notice," he teased.

Emma was taken aback by this man's familiarity with her. It was, however, refreshing to talk to a man who did not seem to have an agenda with her. She shifted so her hood fell further to cover her features and, perhaps even her blush. That was if, of course, she were to admit to herself that his candor made her blush. "You seem to know so much about you, and yet, I know nothing of you, good sir," she said instead, her curiosity winning over her need for some privacy.

"You had already guessed it, Swan. I am one of Prince William's men. Ser Killian Jones, the Head of the King's Guard at your service," he mock-tipped his hat at her. "And his half-brother."

"His half-brother. How – Oh." She was embarrassed by her late realisation, unsure if she should assume or apologise. "I-uh…"

He chuckled, "It's quite alright, highness. My mother was never married to the king, if that's what you are wondering."

She shot him a small smile before going back to what was left of her drink, both of them unsure of what to say. "Do you mind me asking," Killian began, after he'd down a couple of shots of rum. "What is someone like you, doing in a place like this?"

Emma wanted to be offended by his question, but she understood by his look of genuine curiosity that he didn't mean to question her status, but her intention. She could give him that much. He was going to keep her secret after all. "I just needed to get away for a while," she said, shrugging. "You don't get a lot of time to yourself when you're the….princess," she whispered the last part, her breath hot in his ear, sending involuntary shivers down his spine. He swallowed thickly, nodding as if he understood. But everything seemed to reduce to a meaningless buzz with the princess so close to him.

As if she realised her proximity to him, she quickly pulled away, ducking her head down to hide her blush. She was never so familiar with a stranger usually, and the fact that she seemed comfortable with this man gave her pause. Breathing in deeply, she stood up, making him look up at her. "I must take my leave now, Ser Killian. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"O-of course," he agreed, standing up quickly before she could move back, both of their heads bumping.

"My apologies, Your Highness," he muttered, quickly moving out of her way.

Emma rubbed her forehead, shooting a quick glance around, hoping no one had heard him. "I thought we agreed you'd call me 'Swan.' A little discretion is all I asked, Ser Killian."

Killian nodded, scratching behind his ear. "If it isn't too forward, I'd prefer to accompany you back home, Swan," he said softly.

Emma pulled back in affront, frowning at him. "I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

"Oh, of that I have no doubt. But you are a sovereign, perhaps even soon to be mine, and it is my duty to protect-"

"Let's get one thing clear, Ser Killian. You might be in the King's Guard, but I am not your king and I do not need your protection, simply because you assume I am too frail to defend myself."

Killian's shifted back, insulted by her insinuation. "I never claimed that you were too frail to defend yourself, simply because of your gender. Pardon my language but my sister has kicked my arse enough for me to have a healthy respect for a woman's ability with a blade. But it is late at night, and this isn't necessarily a safe place. It would bring me some comfort to escort you home. So if something does happen, I would not feel guilty for leaving you without my assistance."

"How nobel," Emma deadpanned. "Alright, fine. You can accompany me back to the palace," Emma relented. "But you better keep pace with me."

"I think I can handle that much, Swan," he winked. It was only a moment later did he realise how inappropriate he was being with the Crown Princess of Misthaven, not to mention the woman his brother was to be betrothed to.

-/-

"Am I right in assuming this isn't your first visit to the tavern, Princess Emma?" Killian asked after they'd walked almost half the distance in complete silence, Killian always a step behind.

"Back to 'Princess Emma' now, are we, Ser Killian?" She teased.

"Just Killian is fine, Your Highness."

"Well, then I must insist you must call me Emma."

"I- Somehow, I don't think arguing with you would work, so I relent….Emma."

Emma glanced over her shoulders, surprise evident on her features. "That was easy."

Killian huffed out a laugh. "I know to choose my battles."

After a moment, Emma stopped suddenly, making Killian pause in his tracks. "Something wrong, lass?"

"Uh," she hesitated, looking around them. She'd chosen to take the path through the woods, knowing she was less likely to run into any of the palace staff there. But with the threat of the Duke out there, maybe it wasn't the wisest decision. "I just thought I heard something."

"Well, aren't you glad I came alo-" but he was cut off by an arrow that whizzed right between them, missing the princess by a hair's breadth. "Emma!" he cried, reaching for her with one hand as he unsheathed his cutlass with the other. "Are you alright, Princess?"

"Y-yes, I am. The arrow, it came from our left." She started walking in the direction, leaving Killian to stumble after her.

"Oi, where do you think you're going?" he called after her. "We need to get you to safety and alert the guards."

"But that would be too late. Clearly, whoever tried to kill me didn't want to reveal himself. If we go back now, he will get away," she argued, picking up her pace. "Hurry up, Killian."

"Princess, this is not safe."

"Oh, for fuck's sake." Emma whirled around to face him, her face scrunched up in frustration. "Fuck safe. Fuck it. I cannot keep hiding. That is not who I am. I do not just defend myself. I attack back. Now, you're either with me or you're not; but I am going after that man and finding out who sent him."

Killian clenched his jaw, staring down the stubborn princess. "Alright. I will come with you, but you let me lead."

"Why, because you're a man?" she scoffed, crossing her arms. "I know these woods better."

"Listen, Princess. We do not have time for me to convince you I am not a misogynist arse. You may know these woods, be the better tracker and whatever else - but I need to protect you. Let me do my job."

Emma wanted to argue further, but the more time they spent arguing, the further away their attacker got. "Fine."

-/-

They had trekked through the woods for a good while before they chanced upon an abandoned cabin.

"Well, isn't that convenient," Killian commented, stalking closer and crouching behind some of the shrubbery, tightening his grip on his cutlass.

"That used to be my Aunt Ruby's cabin," Emma murmured, drawing her own dagger. Killian eyed it, surprised that it was the one he had had commissioned for William, to present to the princess.

"Quite the dagger you have there, highness," he commented, looking away and back to observing the cabin for any movement.

"You should thank your brother for it," she replied back. "Focus, Ser Killian."

"No need, m'lady," came a gruff voice from behind them, making both Emma and Killian freeze. Killian was the first to react, jumping up from his crouch and charging at the man.

But whoever the stranger was, one thing had to be said about him - he was a skilled fighter. He easily parried Killian's blow with a broadsword, swiftly knocking it out of Killian's hand, before pressing the tip of his own weapon against Killian's throat. "You need to work on your speed," the man smirked, before turning to Emma.

"Who are you?" Emma demanded, getting up as well, concealing her dagger behind her back.

"Doesn't matter now, does it, Princess?" he sneered, shaggy brown hair falling over his face. "I have a job, and I usually finish them." His grin turned sinister as he grabbed a dagger from one of his pockets, pointing it at Emma. "Now, I was hoping that you would be alone and this would be easier. I was told you had left alone, and yet-" he pressed the tip of his broadsword deeper, making Killian clench his teeth. "-yet, you have a bodyguard. You see, Princess… I don't like witnesses."

"Leave him alone," Emma snapped, inching back a little, hoping the man would take the bait. And he did, narrowing his eyes at her, as he shifted forward, his sword still aimed at Killian.

"I wouldn't take another step if I were you, Princess," he warned.

Emma's eyes shifted slightly to her left, catching Killian's gaze before refocusing on the man in front of her. "You wouldn't dare harm a princess in her own kingdom, and so close to the palace," she challenged, summoning her magic from inside her and hoping she had enough control to carry out her plan. She felt the weight of the dagger disappear from her hand just as her attacker's focus shifted to her.

She heard Killian's sharp intake of breath, and hoped he'd understand her message and wouldn't overthink it. She hardly had time to doubt however, as she saw movement from her periphery and the next moment, her attacker was howling in pain, clutching his arm, blood pouring from the end. It took Emma a moment to notice that he was clutching at a bleeding stump, his severed hand lying at his feet. Emma stumbled back, stifling a scream, watching with wide eyes as Killian pulled his arm back. He punched the man square in jaw, knocking him unconscious, and his howling stopped.

Killian panted, looking at Emma in concern, but wisely not approaching her. "Are you alright, Emma?" he asked, pushing his sweaty hair away from his face.

"Did you- did you just cut off his hand? With a dagger?" She wrapped her arms around herself.

Killian focused on wrapping his belt above the man's stump, serving as a temporary tourniquet. "Aye," he answered finally, looking up at her. "I did. Isn't that what you intended for me to do, Emma? When you put that dagger in my hand?" he asked, getting up and crossing his arms defensively. "And how did you do that exactly? Magic, perhaps?"

"You cannot tell anyone," Emma whispered, her heart in her throat. She hardly knew this man, and yet, she had revealed her darkest secret to him.

"Not a soul, I swear. But you need to stop looking at me like I am a monster."

"I am no- I'm just processing what happened here. I need a moment," Emma said, turning her face away from him. Clearing her throat, she nodded to the unconscious man. "What do you intend to do with him?"

"Find out exactly why he tried to kill you, and who paid him to do it," he grunted out, pulling the man upright. "Grab his other side and help me get him to the cabin."

-/-

"We need to cauterize his wound," Killian informed Emma as he finished tying the man up. Between the both of them, they had managed to drag him to her Aunt Ruby's abandoned cabin, making quick work of restraining him before he woke up. "We need to get a blacksmith down here."

"Why do you need a blacksmith?" Emma asked, trying to wrap her mind around everything that had happened in the span of the last hour.

"To cauterize his wound, lass. We do not want him to bleed out on us."

"Yes, I understand what cauterizing means. No need to patronize me. But why do you need a blacksmith when you can do it yourself?"

Killian turned, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "You think you can handle that?"

"You have no idea what I can handle, Ser Killian. Now, hand me his broadsword," she instructed, rolling up her sleeves. She grabbed the weapon from Killian's hand, hovering her hand over the blade. Never before has she used her magic so liberally, and having to keep such control over it once had exhausted her. But they could not afford to wait any longer. When the sword refused to heat up from her magic, Emma squeezed her eyes shut, concentrating and willing it to work.

"Emma, are you alright?" Killian asked, watching as she gritted her teeth and sweat beaded on her forehead.

"I'm fine, stop talking," she snapped. Just when Killian was about to interrupt her, the sword started glowing faintly, the light slowly growing brighter until it stood out starkly in the dark room, turning a fiery red. "Cauterize the wound with this. It'll not hold long," she said, breathing shallowly from the energy the magic had sapped out of her.

"He will wake up from the pain, you need to hold him down and keep him quiet, alright?" Killian waited until Emma nodded in the affirmative, positioning herself behind the man, a torn sleeve stuffed in his mouth and her hands bearing down on his shoulder.

The next moment a muffled scream ran through the cabin, Emma's grip almost jostled off from how much the man was squirming. But the job was done.

-/-

"I will stay here, Emma. You need to get back before someone notices that you have gone missing." Killian said, after walking her until the edge of the woods.

"I will ask Belle to come meet you with some supplies to bandage our friend up. Are you sure you will be alright?"

"Aye, your highness. I will move him to a secure location after that, do not fret." He smiled, hoping to alleviate the princess' concerns. "It has been quite the night, hasn't it?" he quipped.

Emma huffed out laugh, "You could say that." Her expression quickly turned serious. "We need to find out who sent him, Killian."

"Aye, and we will, Emma." He hesitated before adding. "And don't worry, you're secret is safe with me."

Emma let out a shuddering breath, relief sweeping over in waves. "Thank you," she said in a whisper. "Are you sure you are fine by yourself, Ser Killian?" she asked, hesitant to leave him behind with a mess to clean up.

"You will be missed more than I, your highness. It's better I do the dirty work."

Emma's expression softened, their bizarre camaraderie on their adventure tonight sparking something in her. "Thank you, Killian."

Killian looked bemused, an unsure smile on his face. "You already thanked me, lass. I only did what any gentleman would do."

"Not just about helping me. I just wanted to...thank you, I guess, for being a friend? I do hope that we are friends now." Emma flattered towards the end, unsure about where she stood with the half-brother of the man she was to be betrothed to.

"Of course, Swan," he smiled kindly at her. "Adventures, no matter how dangerous, have a way of bringing people together."

Emma felt the heat rise in her cheeks, chiding herself for her reaction. This was not the first time a man has flirted with her, so why did Ser Killian's words make her feel that tell-tale flutter in her gut? Clearing her throat, she said, "I should get back."

He let out a shuddering breath, his heart beating uncharacteristically fast as he watched Princess Emma walk away. She reminded him so much of Queen Snow, in her strength and her kindness, in her innate goodness. But whatever feelings he felt blooming towards her, he had no right to them. She would be his sovereign one day, and he could not allow something as simple as a schoolboy's crush get in the way of his brother's - and Camelot's - future. He needed to stay away from Princess Emma; dalliances with royals would never, ever end well.

And so with one last glance at the retreating princess, he walked back to the cabin. He had someone to interrogate, after all.

-/-

Emma slipped through the servants' entrance, her heart in her throat. She had never been away from the palace for so long during her other night-time excursions. Considering how someone was sent to murder her, it was even more dangerous to be out of her quarters. While she could quite easily guess who would want her dead so badly, she could not go to the council without solid proof. She needed her attacker to confess, and Killian was her only choice for now.

Emma managed to reach her room with no trouble, resting her back against the doors once she was safely inside. Just as she was contemplating telling her father, she froze in her spot when she saw a figure sitting on a chair. They slowly rose, walking towards her, their face illuminated by the moonlight pouring in from her large, french windows.

"Where have you been, young lady?" her father asked, adopting an imposing stance with his arms crossed and a deep frown marring his features.

I hope you guys liked that, despite the shorter chapter! I will not be updating again until AFTER New Year's since I have a lot of deadlines and then Christmas break at my aunt's. But this is just the beginning for our pair and their drama, no worries!