A Lieutenant Duckling Story

The Tables Have Turned

Since the weather was calm, and the Jewel of the Realm was the fastest ship in all the realms, the trip back to Misthaven only took ten days. However, it felt much longer to a certain princess. Though Emma hated the idea of staying secluded in her cabin, it was the only solution she could come up with to avoid Killian. As well as he was able to read her, he would surely figure out something was wrong, and she wouldn't have any choice but to tell him what it was – he would know if she wasn't giving him the whole truth. She still refused to risk pushing him away by putting the pressure of breaking the curse on him. She knew just what it had taken for them to get to where they are – especially for Killian, and she wasn't about to jeopardize it.

However, another part of Emma was on the opposite end of the spectrum. As much as she knew facing Killian was a bad idea, she wanted to tell him what was going on if nothing more than for his peace of mind. She knew he had to be confused – less than two weeks ago, she had told him she was falling in love with him, and now she was avoiding him. She had no clue what she was supposed to do. It was easy for her to say she would deal with him after the curse was broken, but she wasn't sure she could make it that long – not only for his sake, but because of her feelings as well.

Emma had been wrestling with this for the last ten days, and she was still no closer to a solution than when they had left Seabrooke.

A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. When she got up from her place staring out a circular window to go open the door, she was met with Killian standing in front of her.

She tried to focus on anything other than those blue eyes as he said, "We're about to make port, Emma."

"Thank you, Killian," Emma told him before she turned back toward her cabin to get her bags, but Killian stopped her.

"Let me do that, Your Highness," he said, and Emma couldn't help but see his slightly teasing smile.

By the time he took her bags, and they made their way on deck, Emma could see her parents' castle. She, Killian, and Liam exited the ship and made their way toward the palace in silence. When they arrived, Emma was greeted by the smiling faces of her parents, and she wrapped them both in a big hug. When she pulled away, she didn't miss the brief look of concern on their faces before they turned their attention to the naval officers with her.

"Lieutenant Jones, Princess Emma will show you to her room so you can drop off her bags. But don't take too long. I need to see you and Captain Jones in the throne room for a report," Charming said.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Killian replied before he looked over at Emma – who quickly turned away from him to begin walking toward the stairs.

When they arrived at Emma's room, and Killian set down her bags, she said, "Thank you, Killian."

"Of course, Emma," Killian replied.

As Emma turned toward her door to leave, Killian grabbed her arm. Emma closed her eyes and sighed as she thought, "Here it comes."

As she turned around to face him, he asked, "Emma, why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not avoiding you, Killian," Emma answered simply.

"All due respect, Emma, but yes, you are. I should know – I did it to you enough times."

"It's nothing," Emma said.

"Then why did you stay cooped up in your cabin most of the time on the way back here, and why can't you look me in the eye?" Killian asked.

Emma once again sighed as she changed the subject, "We really should get to the throne room. My parents are expecting us."