Protecting Her Heart

Chapter One

Hook walked the docks alongside Ursula and her father, then stopped and looked at the villain he had wronged as he spoke up saying quietly, "I suppose this is farewell."

The sea witch nodded, looking between the pirate as well as her father while he walked on ahead of them, then she responded sincerely, "It is, but first, I have to hold up my end of the deal. Gold's plan... I'm afraid it involves Emma. She's the only way he can secure happy endings for the villains."

"Well, I thought he was gonna get the Author to rewrite everyone's stories?" Killian asked in confusion.

"It's not that simple," she answered while she continued to look at the man still standing before her. "The Author can't just change things in this world because he didn't give everyone their happy endings here."

Hook looked away from her as he replied with concern, "Emma did."

He sighed as Ursula continued, "She's the savior. And as long as there's a savior, the Author can't give the villains what they really want. And the Dark One knows this."

"The Dark One's gonna try to kill Emma?" he said fearfully.

"Worse... he plans to fill her heart with darkness forever," the woman responded remorsefully as his fear for the woman he loved grew deeper, as did his anger for the monster who's haunted him for most of his three hundred years of life.

No more words were spoken as Ursula gently patted his arm, then walked away to follow after her father. Hook watched as the two sea creatures jumped into the portal she opened up so that they could return home to their own realm, then once they were gone, he slowly walked back down to his ship.

After the kind of day he's already had on top of having to deal with his guilt over what he had done to Ursula long ago, as well as with nearly giving back into the darkness he knew was still inside of him when he threatened to kill her just this afternoon, Killian needed time alone before he returned to the Charmings' loft and told Emma and her family of Gold's plans. Emma was kind enough to keep reminding him that he shouldn't keep blaming himself for the things he's done in his past, but he wasn't ready to forgive himself. He's done too much wrong.

Unfortunately, his thoughts were interrupted within minutes of stepping onto the deck of the Jolly Roger as a voice Hook knew only too well spoke up from behind him stating, "Hello again, Captain. It feels as though it has been a long time, six weeks, although I'm willing to bet that for you, it hasn't been long enough."

Hook instinctively raised his hook in front of him as he turned around and glared at his enemy while he muttered icily, "Bloody Crocodile. You should never have returned to where you're not wanted. If you think…"

"Save your threats, Hook," Gold interrupted as he suddenly forced Killian back against one of the masts of his ship now behind him with his power. "You know exactly what it is I am capable of, so I suggest for now, you listen."

"And what is it you want from me?" the pirate asked in frustration as the man he hated more than anyone drew uncomfortably closer, then cautiously roamed his hand up over his chest until Gold finally pulled back upon sensing powerful magic where there wasn't any before.

Rumpelstiltskin smiled as he answered smugly, "It appears that the Savior got wise and placed a protection spell over your heart after I nearly succeeded in crushing it."

Killian replied curtly, "Indeed she did. At least she cares enough for me to not want to see me suffer like that again, or at the very least to not want to risk you using me for more of your dirty work. Is that why you've come, to finish the job? I'm afraid you'll have to find another way. Do your worst, villain."

"Actually, I've only come for a chat, Captain," the shop owner responded in frustration as he stepped away, then turned his back to Hook as Gold looked out at the horizon while he continued to talk. "I need you still alive for what comes later. You succeeded in turning one of my allies against me and somehow managed to return her happy ending, without the Author's assistance. I will admit, I didn't think doing so could actually be done. You continue to surprise me."

"Yes, well luckily for me I knew what it was Ursula was seeking," Killian answered while he continued to struggle against the invisible force holding him in place. "So sorry for ruining your plans to exploit the sea witch's pain for your own selfish reasons. And now I know exactly what those reasons are. I won't allow you to succeed. Emma will never fall for your tricks, Crocodile. She won't turn dark, as she's far too strong."

Rumpelstiltskin smiled smugly once again as he turned back around to look at the pirate and then replied cruelly, "Which is why I have plans to hurt her and those she loves most in order to force her to do what it is I need her to do. Both Cruella and Maleficent have their own roles to play, which should come about within the next few days. Luckily for me, I get the pleasure of coming here for you, dearie. In the morning, you can try to go and tell Emma and her family whatever it is you think you know, but for tonight, I'm afraid you will be much too occupied with trying to help yourself. Emma will be able to heal you, but I have a feeling that you will do everything you can to try to keep what I'm about to do to you, a secret, for her protection of course."

Killian looked at the Dark One with concern on his brow as he asked nervously, "What are you talking about?"

Without another word, the monster standing directly in front of his enemy raised his hand, using his powers to forcefully yank Killian's hook from his brace over his left arm, then willed it to rip open the captain's jacket and shirt he was wearing to reveal his bare chest, and proceeded to carve letters deep into his chest, eliciting agonizing cries from Hook as Gold watched with gratification upon seeing him in pain. It wasn't the same as killing him, the way he nearly had until his wife had gotten the better of him, but this was nearly just as satisfying.

Just as Gold was about finished, the sound of a dog barking in the distance interrupted him and as the animal's bark drew closer, the villain quickly etched the last letter and finally released his hold on Hook, causing the pirate to collapse upon the ship's deck, his bloodied hook falling in front of him, then Rumple dissipated within a black cloud of smoke before he could be seen.

"Pongo!" Hook heard the dog's master call out as the animal ran up onto the deck and stood before the wounded man as he struggled to sit up and lean back against the mast still behind him, then Pongo began to growl at the spot where the wizard had stood moments before until Archie stepped onboard the vessel as well and ran over to him, not seeing Killian right away as he did. "Pongo, what are you…? Hook?"

"Oh my God, what happened?" the doctor asked in concern as he swiftly made his way to the captain's side and took in the ghastly sight as Killian held his bloodied hand over a wound which Archie couldn't make out, as a massive amount of blood trickled out between his fingers, covering his clothes and the deck around him. "Who did this to you?"

Killian could barely lift his head to look at the man kneeling beside him, but he responded weakly, "It doesn't matter. You need to go. Forget you even saw me here tonight, like this."

Archie looked at the man in confusion and then answered with concern, "No, you need help. I'll call for an ambulance."

"Look mate," Hook replied more forcefully. "I've treated many a wounds such as this meself. I've got supplies here. I'll be fine."

"Hook, I know that you're resistant to accept others' help when there's danger involved, but I can't in good conscience leave you here alone to tend to yourself," the doctor responded worryingly. "If you refuse to let me get you to the clinic, then I'll just have to stay here and help you myself. I can call Emma…"

Killian quickly answered, "No! You can't. You can't tell anyone. It will do us all more harm than good."

Archie replied, "Okay. It's against my better judgement, but I promise not to say anything."