Cloudless Skies

Chapter 6

The next day, Neal had Emma booked from the time she woke up at 5:30 until midnight. He had her cleaning rooms and waiting tables. Her shift was on the complete opposite side of the ship from where Killian was. Neal didn't need Emma distracted by any snobby rich person. By the time she went to her cabin, it was 1:00 in the morning. She was so tired that she completely forgot about going to Killian's cabin. She laid down on the bed, and was half asleep before her head even hit the pillow. In the morning, her shift wasn't as crazy. She got dressed and walked to the dining hall to see if she could catch a glimpse of Killian before she really had to start work. She peered through the window and saw him sitting at his table. He was looking in all directions. Probably for her. She walked in and touched his shoulder. He whipped his head around and stood up so he was eye level to her.

"Good morning," she said and gave him a smile. He had bags under his eyes and a frown on his face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Emma! Perfectly fine!" He hissed.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"You didn't show up yesterday. I didn't see you all day. That's what's wrong."

She gasped, "I totally forgot. I'm so sorry. Neal had me working until midnight, and I was just so tired."

A guilty expression crossed his features. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions that you had just forgot about me." He scratched behind his ear. "I'm a bloody idiot."

"No, you're not." She sat down and so did he. "I told you, Killian. This isn't working."

He sighed, "I was afraid you were going to say that. What do you want to do?"

"You need to forget about me."

"I can't! I think I'm falling in love with you, Swan."

"You're engaged! You have to love her, not me."

"I don't want to love her."

"Maybe if you met her you will be able to."

"No. I love you. Nothing is going to change my bloody mind." Tears welled behind her eyes. The truth was, she was falling in love with him too. "The only question is, do you love me too?"

"Killian-"

"No. Listen to your heart. Do. You. Love. Me. Too?"

"No." She stood up but he remained seated. "Goodbye, Killian." She kissed his cheek and left the dining hall in tears. After she rounded a corner, she burst into tears. She slid down the wall and covered her mouth with her hand to quiet her sobs. There was a dull ache in her chest, as if her heart was splitting in two. There were more reasons than one for why she had to distance herself, but she didn't like either of those reasons.

Killian replayed her words over in his mind. She didn't love him. He could still feel her lips on his cheek. He stared ahead as a single tear fell down his cheek. Everyone was too busy wrapped up in their own conversation to notice that he just had his heart broken. But a part of him kept saying that she lied. That she really does love him and that they were going to get the happy ending that they both deserve. He stood up and smoothed out his suit before walking back to his cabin. He locked himself in and collapsed onto the bed.

Emma stayed away from the first class section of the boat. She served guests flutes of champagne. Occasionally, she would get a tip, and she was grateful for whatever money she got. The more she got, the faster she got to leave The Jewel of the Realm.

Loud footsteps trudged on the deck, but she didn't risk a glance up. She handed a flute of the alcohol to a woman lounging on a chair. The woman nodded her thanks and Emma stood up straighter. She turned around and crashed into a chest. Glasses shattered on the floor and she fell with them. Champagne went everywhere, and the women lounging on the chair both screamed in surprise.

"You little bitch! This dress was designer!" One of the women yelled. Emma looked up and saw a man she didn't recognize.

"Be more careful, clutz," The man growled and kicked Emma in the stomach. The two women and the man walked away and left Emma on the ground gasping to catch her breath.

"Emma!" She heard a male and female voice yell at the same time. She looked up and saw David and Mary Margaret running to her.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Mary Margaret asked as she helped Emma into a sitting position.

"Some bastard ran into me and I spilled champagne everywhere. He kicked me in the stomach and they all walked away," she explained while clutching her stomach.

"I'll tell Neal that you need to take the rest of the day off," David said and walked away.

"Cmon, let's get you to your cabin," Mary said and helped Emma off the floor. "David and I are leaving when the ship docks. Will you be coming with us?"

"Where are you going to go?"

"Some place where we can live happily together."

Emma smiled warmly at her friend. "You don't need me in the way. I'll be fine here."

"We'll visit whenever we can."

"I know. I won't be here too much longer anyway."

"What will you be doing?"

"I don't know. Maybe I could get a job as a maid for a rich person. That might pay more than it does here."

"If you need any help, Emma, I'll always be here. No matter what it is."

"I know."

Mary Margaret led Emma to the maid's cabin and opened the door. Sitting on the bed was a single red rose. There was a black ribbon tied around the stem. Emma picked it up and sat down.

"Do you need anything?" Mary asked, walking to the door.

Emma held the rose in her hand and nodded her head. "Go find Killian Jones and thank him for the rose."