N/A: Because Emma figured out there was something wrong in under 10 seconds and Killian has learned his lesson from Zelena. Also, because we all need some relief from last night's angst. Completely unrealistic, I know, but my muse need to get this out.

*Thank you the person who noticed there was something wrong the first time I posted!

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Emma stomped up the steps to Granny's in a foul mood that morning. She had barely slept, regardless of the magic-sucking ribbon around her wrist. Or maybe because of it. She was tired from two bad nights and moody. And her mood didn't improve by opening the door and seeing, in the still empty diner, her brooding… well, a brooding Killian.

"Morning." he quirked his lips in a very poor attempt of a smile. "Hey, what's wrong. You've been… weird since last night."

"Yes, I'd say I have." he flinched then, as if in pain, and then opened a smile. "But everything is perfect this morning!" if his smile alone was not fake enough the tone of his voice carried enough fake enthusiasm to raise a thousand red flags.

"What is wrong?"

"There is absolutely nothing wrong, my dear. Everything is simply perfect. You look very charming this morning."

Emma frowned. Who was this and what had he done with her pirate? It was almost as if… "Are we reenacting 'Granny's To Go'?"

His lips quirked into that sarcastic smile of his, and his eyes flashed blue and real for the first time. "Do you think me so heartless, Swan?" Her hands started shining with magic as her anger boiled. Killian extended his hand and gathered hers in his. "Hey, I'd never lie to you."

"I know." she said through gritted teeth. It was obvious he was trying to be as sincere as possible. She faked a smile as well as she could. "Who did you hang out with last night? Since I was AWOL and all."

"Ah you know me, Swan… 300 years is a long time. You find out ways to be entertained. Reasons for living and all that."

A beat went by in silence. The reason he lived for 300 years was because he'd been in Neverland. And he'd been in Neverland because… she had to clench her jaw to control her anger and her magic. "I see. Well, what do you feel like doing today?" she only needed one more confirmation. One more and she was going to make crocodile stew.

"I don't feel like doing much of anything to be quite honest."

The coffee mug exploded spectacularly. "Sorry" Emma said, barely restrained "I just remembered, I have to be somewhere."

"Of course, love. Should I come?"

"No." she stopped on her way to the door. "Actually. I have to do something first, but would you like to come for me for the big finale?"

He smiled a sad smile, but at least it was his and not another fake. "I'd love to, love."

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Emma was sure she'd broke at least a dozen traffic laws in her haste to get to Regina's house. She wasn't even paying that much attention to the road itself, more worried about reining it all in. It didn't help that the whole control thing was so recent. But she kept reminding herself, almost as if a mantra, that she needed to keep it together to help Killian.

When the former mayor opened the door, the blonde was too distracted to noticed the slightly mussed hair, the kiss bruised lips and the crooked shirt. "Emma. Is something wrong?"

"Yes. How can I keep someone's heart from being controlled?"

Regina frowned. "If I recall correctly, according to my mother, your heart can't be taken. And if it can't be taken, it can't be controlled."

Emma merely rolled her eyes. "If I was the one being controlled, do you really think I'd be able to ask this question?"

Regina cocked her head to the side, as if granting her the truth in her statement. "So, which heart are we talkin– the pirate's, of course. I'd ask who did it, but I think it's pretty self-explanatory." she stop for a moment, as if contemplating what to say. "I know a spell to prevent a heart from being controlled – it's what I used on mine when Zelena was after it – and I know how to prevent it from being taken in the first place – it's what I did on Henry after the whole Neverland ordeal. But to protect a heart after it's been taken… besides, anything I have, Gold will see coming a mile away."

Emma huffed, her anger growing. "So basically, there's nothing I can do but let that insane megalomaniac control my– Killian."

Regina curved the side of her lips, obviously catching the slip. "Gold is a manipulator, Ms. Swan. To win this, you have to outmanipulate him. Which is close to impossible." she snapped her head in the direction of her study. "But I have something that might help."