Smooth Criminal

Chapter One

When Gold and the Evil Queen pulled away from their surprising shared kiss as Gold asked her if he was really what she wanted, she looked deep into his eyes and responded no, then she continued, "There's something else... but I need your help to get it."

Gold stared back at the evil woman who's face was an inch apart from his own while he asked with disbelief, "And what makes you think I'd be willing to help?"

"Because... fortunately for you, there are still a few underwater creatures who owe me a favor," the Queen answered with a chuckle as she pulled out the golden shears that Killian and Henry had dumped into the ocean less than an hour earlier during their little adventure underwater, then held them up in front of him in hope of convincing him to agree.

"So, tell me, what is it you need my help in getting?" Gold asked again while he took the shears in his hands to admire them.

Almost as if desperate, she responded, "Oh… the one thing I've always wanted. Snow White's heart."

The Dark One turned back to the Evil Queen and used his magic to make the shears disappear within a poof of red smoke, then replied, "Perhaps there might be something I can do for you. However, first you need to come up with a plan that's better than just crushing the beating muscle inside both hers and her Prince's chests. That form of punishment has grown too tedious and boring for my taste. Do that, and I'll be happy to help you rid this town of those two perfect goodie goodies."

"You having the shears now wasn't a part of the plan," she said coldly when Gold started to walk away from her. "I need to know that I can trust you'll keep up your end of our bargain."

"And I told you come up with a new plan… then we'll talk," he retorted as he disappeared behind the curtain covering the entrance to the back room of his shop.

The Queen growled angrily, then an idea suddenly donned on her and she smiled and whispered to herself, "Perhaps that's not such a bad idea."

Meanwhile, within the town's hospital…

After Henry walked away, Emma turned back to Killian, looking at him with worry as she asked, "Okay, so... what's going on?"

"Everything that happened today was my fault," Killian answered quietly after he looked down for a moment in shame, then looked up into her eyes. "Henry was just trying to help me right a wrong."

"What kind of wrong?" she questioned in confusion. "When you asked me to dispose of those shears... I didn't. I couldn't lose the one thing that might help save you. Even if that meant you hated me, but luckily, your boy made me see the error of my ways. And before you say anything, they're at the bottom of the ocean where they can tell no tales."

Emma smiled softly as she continued to look at him and responded, "It's okay. I get it."

He stated with disbelief, "You do?"

"I would've done the exact same thing," the Savior replied, then allowed Killian to pull her into his arms to hold her for as long as he needed to, and the longer he did so, the more she could sense how distressed he really was.

"So, do you believe you and Liam… your younger brother, will be able to spend some time together?" she asked nervously when he finally released her and pulled away as he walked over to take a seat in the chairs before them. "You know, so that you and he can…"

Understanding exactly what it is she meant, Killian sadly interrupted, "No. No, I don't believe so. He has Captain Nemo back with him now and surely they'll be leaving as soon as Nemo is well enough so that they can continue their explorations together."

Emma knew he was avoiding the real question, but she continued anyways asking, "You know they won't be able to go anywhere. Not with the Evil Queen's spell up around this entire town. They're just as stuck here in Storybrooke as we are."

"Aye, you're right about that," he answered in frustration and looked away. "Well then, I suppose they'll be staying here until we can defeat the Evil Queen and get our town back under our control again. But then they'll be off and it will be as though they were never here, just the way it should be."

"Killian," Emma responded worryingly as she gently took his hand in her own and turned his head until he was looking at her again. "I can only imagine how difficult seeing your brother again after all this time is, after what you're clearly blaming yourself for, but… You've changed."

Hook replied, "That's exactly as I told Liam. Both as he was about to kill me and again while we spoke briefly in his hospital room. I know I'm not the same man as I was when I wronged both Liam and our father, Emma. But that doesn't excuse what I did. I murdered a man who had changed to be a better father even if he couldn't be that kind of father for me and, my other brother Liam. I knew he was a better man. I saw it in his eyes and I killed him anyways because I was too hell bent on getting my revenge. Yet I never got revenge because I became a better man myself, which means our father died for nothing. So I won't try to throw myself into Liam's life. It'll cause him too much pain. I only came here to make sure he'll be alright and he will be thanks to Nemo. He and I may be brothers, but he won't ever see me as such and I don't blame him. I can't be a brother to him. He deserves someone better than me. Besides, he'll only remind me of the brother I lost. You and Henry, as well as your parents are my family now. Even if it was only you… You're all I need, Swan."

Emma looked into his eyes while he spoke and though she saw he spoke the truth and tried to make it look as though he was okay with how things were, she could see how much the truth behinds his words pained him. She could also feel his trembling from that pain in his chest and his hand as she wrapped her arms around him again and held him close to her.

When he finished his confession, Emma felt her own guilt due to the fear of her imminent death and realized then that if they did fail to change her fate and she did die, Killian would blame himself and would suffer from a loss far deeper than her son or parents would and though she knew he was strong enough to not revert back to the villain he was before, she feared he may give up on himself all together even with Henry and her parents still around. If she died, then so would he even if his death was more in the figurative sense rather than a physical death.

While they continued to hold each other, she finally spoke up saying, "You don't know just how much I need you too, Killian. I didn't really understand how much until you died and then I had to say goodbye to you down in the Underworld… We've always found and saved each other from whatever dangers threaten us, just like my parents. And we'll continue to do so even now. I believe that because of you. As far as Liam is concerned, we could begin by inviting him and Nemo over for dinner one night. I think they'd like that and we can see how things will go from there. Who knows, maybe things between you will be better than you realize. Don't be so quick to believe a relationship can't be formed because of such a dark past. You may be surprised."

"I'd like to believe that, but…" Killian answered despondently. "Like I told you, when I look at him I'm reminded of Liam and although Liam is finally at peace, losing him still pains me. Please… don't push this, Emma. I won't bring this Liam down too."

"Killian, please don't go!" she responded fearfully when he suddenly pushed away from her and left the hospital in frustration.

Dr. Whale walked up behind her as she turned to him while he asked, "Is everything all right, Miss. Swan?"

She replied, "Fine. I have to go. Take good care of them."