So this idea came to me out of no where and I knew I had to write it. It's gonna be full of angst and all that good stuff so hopefully that's your thing. I love the idea of Liam coming back and I wish they would just do it in the show already.

Thank you Clare (Captured The Saviours Heart) for Beta reading for me, you've been the most help in the world. Check her stuff out because it's honestly amazing!

Anyways, thanks you guys and I hope you like it!

Chapter One

"When everything goes to hell,

the people who stand by you without

flinching - they are your family. " - Jim Butcher

He's not sure if this is real or not because It almost feels like a dream. Killian never thought he'd see his brother again, but that day has come. He's not sure how but he can't find it in himself to care. Not yet anyway. Killians brother is here in Storybrook, more specifically in Granny's diner, and only a few feet away. He's alive and looks just as he did the day they set sail for Neverland, aside from the clothes of course. Same scruffy beard and curly hair. His eyes still hold that bold sense for adventure he always seemed to find, even when he wasn't looking. "Liam? Is that you?" Killian's voice is quiet and hoarse. He hadn't expected it to be, he thought he'd be beaming with excitement but apparently his emotions have got the best of him.

Robin, from across the table, barely hears Killian say a word. He only looks up at his one handed friend and raises an eyebrow following his line of sight to a man who looks just like the rest. But he's not, he's Killian's brother. With Hook staring blankly at the man Robin leans toward his friend raising an eyebrow. "Hook? Who is that?" He questions bringing Killian out of his trance.

"I think that's…" Not finishing his sentence Killian walks toward his brother, his face now turned away. Could this man really be who he thinks it is or is his mind playing tricks on him? After so many years, is Killian finally losing his mind? There's only one way to find out. He places a hand on the man's shoulder, when he turns around a smile almost reaches Killians ears.

"Killian!" Liam cheers, pulling his little brother into a hug. Words can't describe the feeling of seeing a loved one you'd thought you'd never lay eyes on again. Confusion, pure happiness, and panic buzz through your body in one blow. The thought of blinking seems terrifying, it's as if you close your eyes for a second they'll be gone once more. Every possible feeling rises in Killians chest as tears begin to prickle at the back of his eyes. He pulls away from his brother keeping a hand on his shoulder.

"How?" Killian asks. "I thought you were…" he trails off not wanting to say the word. The unbearable feeling of losing his brother that day pools inside Killain's stomach. Like a wound had been reopened and everything comes flooding back at once, as if it happened yesterday. Neverland, Pan, Liam in his arms about to take his last breath…he was so helpless, Killian had never seen his brother that way before. It was like an unbreakable man had been shattered into a million peices. Pushing the memories aside Killian forces himself to focus on the now. His brother is here, alive and well.

"I have no idea. One minute I'm on the ship about to die," Killian winces at his brothers bluntness. "the next minute I'm here as if nothing happened. I was walking down a path surrounded by such strange things. How is this possible brother?" Liam questions a bewildered smile on his face.

"Wait did you say brother?" Robin asks, he'd obviously been eavesdropping. He looks up at the two men sharing the same confused look as they do. "As in…" Robin doesn't finish knowing about the terrible things that happened so long ago. Hook had only recently told Robin about his past. They had a few drinks one night here at Granny's and got talking about the people they used to be and the things they used to do. Robin laughed in his face when Killian told him he's worked for the Navy under the rule of a King. Killian almost laughed himself. It had been so long ago, he was a different man back then.

"Yes mate." Killian swallows with his sense coming back to him. Something else is going on here, dark magic. He's more than happy to get his brother back, but that's the thing Liam shouldn't be here. There has to be a catch, there is always is one. This isn't how things work- not in this realm, or any realm really.

"Where are we?" What is this strange place?" Liam asks his brother as Killian pulls him to sit down in the booth across from Robin.

"It's another realm." Killian explains.

"Like Neverland?" Liam asks, and Hook nods in response. "How long has it been since I…?"

"About three hundred years." Killian wants to laugh at how ridiculous that must sound. But given everything, nothing is ridiculous anymore. "I went back to neverland. Spent quite some time there."

Liam pauses taking the information in. "Well then, I guess you're not my little brother anymore." Liam pats Killian on the shoulder. There's a look in his eyes that says I'm sorry I left you so long and if I could change things I would. Killian wishes he could.

"Guess not." Killian nods not being able to meet his brother's gaze. Maybe it's because he knows there's something wrong. People don't just pop out of nowhere for no reason at all. This is something else. A price will need to be payed for this magic, but who's paying it?

"Tell me everything, what have I missed? We should probably start with the Hook because that must be a long story." Liam chuckles becoming giddy. He's excited to hear about the man his brothers become and the adventures he's been on.

"Perhaps it's best you two go back to your ship?" Robin suggests to Killian and he knows exactly why. Previously deceased people walking around might spread a panic and they both know how well this town deals with panic.

"Aye." Killian agrees.

"The Jewel? Brother do you still have her?" Liam asks excitedly.

"Aye, she's the Jolly Roger now." Killian says grimly as his brother gives him a questioning look. Coming to the realization of all thing things he'll have to tell his brother Killian's stomach takes a turn. Liam always despised pirates, will he despise all the things Killian has done? He wouldn't blame his brother for it. The mistakes of his past still haunt him to this day. What if his brother grows to despised the man he's become?

"I'll explain once we get there. Come on we better hurry, we don't want anyone noticing someone new is in town." Killian gives Robin a nod before they leave the diner.

"Why can't anyone see me?" Liam asks following his brother down the street toward the docks.

"Lets just say they don't take well to new comers." Killian picks up his pace forcing his brother to do the same if he doesn't want to get left behind.

"This realm is so strange, the buildings and clothes." Liam gestures to his own blue t-shirt and jeans. "It's wonderful."

"You get used to it." Killian explains with a small smile on his lips as he remembers his first few days in this realm. It truly is magnificent.

"Oh, she's even more glorious than I remember." Liam marvels at his brother's ship as they step onto the docks walking toward the Jolly Roger. "You took excellent care of her brother." He smiles when they get closer to the beauty. Liam runs his hand along the side of the ship. The moon catches in the reflection of the water giving the base of it a breathtaking glow. Killian had recently tended to the Jolly, he'd made a list of the things needing to be fixed and he's happy he'd actually taken the time to complete the list. Having his brother gape at at his work makes him feel as though he's accomplished something meaningful. He always looked to his brother for approval and that's exactly what he's getting. Pride begins to find its why to Killians chest.

They climb the plank leading to the ship's deck. Once aboard Killian can't help but smile at Liam, he looks just as he did the first day they set sail together. He's full of hope and life, that never lasted. How long will it this time? The grim thought forces Killian to clear his throat "You go ahead to the captain's quarters. I assume you know the way." he smiles at his brother once more. Liam nods and bounces down the steps that take him below deck, he's like a kid in a candy shop.

Killian's smile drops the minute his brother is out of sight. He has questions and there's only one person who will be able to answer them. "Swan." Killian calls shortly to the air. "Swan!" He tries again, his voice a bit less pleasant. "I know you can hear me Emma." He's angry now.

"You got my present then?" Killian spins around. Emma leans against the side of his ship with her arms folded across her chest. Her red lips form a smirk that sends a shiver down Killians spine. It reminds him of how much she's changed, it's like he doesn't know who this woman is anymore. At a time he thought he knew her better than she knew herself, but that seems so long ago now.

"Is this what you call a present?" Killians fist clenches at his side, ready to punch something. "My brother?" he growls. She makes him feel so many things at once, at it's hard to process it all. Anger seems like the easiest emotion to focus on

"What, don't you like it?" Emma sticks out her lip and tilts her head to the side as if to mock him. "I thought it was a good one." Her skin glimmers with the dim glow of the moon.

"This isn't a game Emma. If this is some sick joke you're playing I'll…"Killian doesn't know what he'll do but he know's it wouldn't be anything good.

"I know it's not a joke Hook." Her voice loses its usual teasing tone. "That is your brother and he is very much alive. I may be the dark one but I'm not cruel, at least not to you." And it's back again. The smirk that drives him mad finds its way back on her lips. Ever since the moment they shared on this ship, he hasn't been able to have an honest conversation with her. This is the most they'd come to one in a while. Come to think of it this is the first time he's seen her in almost two weeks.

"Why?" Is all Killian can think to say. Shouldn't she have better things to do, world domination of sorts? Why bring his brother back? It would have taken time and power, which would explain not seeing her for so long. "Why bring him back? What do you gain from this?" He elaborates trying to force Swan to give him a straight answer for once.

"Wouldn't you like to know." She states plainly. Killian should have expected nothing less. Of course her answer is vague and filled with another question. That's who she is now, she plays games. Emma gives him another smirk but it's quickly replaced with something different, something like confusion or fear. She turns away quickly as she coughs into her hand. When she pulls it away Killian looks over her shoulder. A black, tar like liquid pools in her palm. She turns back around, her body shaking slightly. Her eyes water, she's in pain. A spot of black stains her chin when she uses her other hand to wipe it away.

"Emma?" Killian questions. It's clear she's afraid, but of what? "Whats going on?" He steps forward reaching for her but she steps back bumping into the side of the ship. "Emma?" He questions again when she continues to stay silent. He's close enough now he can place a hand on her cheek, he almost pulls back at how cold her skin is. He takes another step putting less distance between them. "Are you alright love?" Killians heart breaks when he looks into her eyes, they hold a agonizing plea for help.

Killians change in tone seems to snap her back to her senses because she immediately masks the expression on her face. "It's nothing." She says sharply and engulfs herself in a greyish smoke. When it clears, she's gone. That wasn't nothing, that was something.

"Emma!" Killian calls to the air hoping she'll come back. "Emma!" He tries again knowing it's pointless.

"Brother are you coming or are you just going to stand outside all night?" Liam calls from below deck. Killian closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. At least he knows this is his brother and not some imposter. That's if he can trust Emma. She seemed so genuine that it can't be a lie. But this wouldn't be the first time she's bested him. With another deep breath he goes below deck sitting down his brother. It's time to go digging into the past and explaining everything that's happened in the last three hundred or so years. They might be up all expression Emma had in her eyes keeps finding its way into Killians thoughts making it hard for him to focus. It's going to be a long night.

By about three in the morning Killian had finished informing his brother about the events that took place between his death up until today. He was quiet for a while when Killian finished, which was understandable. It's a lot to take in, especially when your brother changes into a completely different person in what seems like one night in Liam's perspective. Questions eventually started getting asked. Most were about Emma which again is understandable. She is the woman who brought him back to life, he'd be crazy if he wasn't at least a little bit interested in her. The questions are hard for Killian to answer, the events from earlier still fresh in his mind.

"Why did she bring me back?" Liam finally asks after a stretch of silence. "Is it because of you and your history?"

"I'm not sure." Is the only answer Killian can give his brother, because he's been asking himself the same question since he arrived. Emma told him she would let him go if he didn't love her anymore. This doesn't exactly seem like letting someone go. "But I'm going to find out." his brother nods. "We best get some sleep." Killian tells his brother. He's exhausted. Talking about his past isn't Killians favorite thing to do and he'd just spent all night doing it. There's something wrong with Emma and he needs to make sure she's safe. His brother is back from the dead and Killian can't find himself completely happy about it. He keeps waiting for something to go wrong. Liam takes the bed and Killian sits behind his desk. Trying to keep his eyes open he feels them fall shut and he can barely concentrate on anything. Sleep sounds marvelous right now, but he doesn't think he'll be getting much of it tonight.