"A man unwilling to fight for what he wants deserves what he gets. I didn't fight hard enough for Milah. She revealed herself to Rumplestilskin and I ended up watching her die in my arms after he ripped her heart out and crushed it. He should have killed me to begin with and never known she was still alive. I've regretted that every moment since and spent centuries trying to avenge her death.
I didn't fight hard enough for you because you wouldn't forgive me and wanted to leave. I had to protect the men on my ship from being attacked by the Lost Ones who would have continued searching for you. I've felt guilty for that but you chose it as much as I did. I would have fought for you if you had just believed in me. I would have set aside my revenge against your father, on your mother's behalf no less, to take care of you the way she always wanted: for us to be a family.
You want to know why you should trust me to help you find Emma? I love her. I didn't choose that to hurt you. I can't help it. You of all people should understand that. I met her before I knew she was ever involved with you. I was drawn to her before she ever spoke your name and then I believed you were gone, as did she.
Regardless of how you or I feel about her, it's up to her. She'll make her choice, I've no doubt. So let's focus on the more important issue and let her decide later, shall we? You can get back to hating me after we find her but right now she is the most important thing to both of us. So yes, you can trust me to help you find her.
But let me make this clear: there is nothing in this world or any other, including you, that will stop me from fighting for Emma. I'm through having regrets."
