A/N: Welcome everyone, to a new story! This is my speculation (okay, hope really), of how August will be returned to Storybrooke. I know there's a lot of theories, and some stories are saying it's going to be flashbacks, others saying not, but this is what I would wish. And, for those of you reading my other fic, I haven't given it up. I have the final chapter half written, but was bitten by this plot bunny and want to get a majority of it posted before the episode tomorrow. As always, I love the comments!
"Well, well, well," a voice called out as a group of women moved towards Killian. "If it isn't Captain Hook," Maleficent called out as she took the front and center spot of the formation.
"Ladies," he greeted hesitantly, his eyes searching for someone.
"I've heard many tales about you, Captain," Maleficent continued. "In fact, it is because of those tales that we've decided to offer you the chance of a lifetime." Killian bit the inside of his cheek, setting his jaw, still not able to see who he was looking for.
"I have no desire to create alliances with you lot," Killian said firmly. Maleficent chuckled.
"Oh, but see, you may want to at least hear the deal. We feel that you may be of some use to us. And I know you miss your Emma so terribly. We, the villains, have decided to give you a chance to join us in our quest for a happy ending. After all, you were once one of us, and once a villain, you never truly change. Don't you want your Emma, a foolproof happy ending, and a return to the pirating ways you sometimes regret giving up?"
Killian's gaze fell, as he briefly was tempted. He missed sailing, running a ship, pillaging and plundering. Cruella then stepped forward.
"Yes," she drawled, giving him a knowing look. "Think about it. I can see it in your eyes. The longing, the regret of trying to be a hero," she laughed softly. "Join us, Hook. Remember who you really are." Killian struggled with himself. He had come so far, he was not going to ruin his chance at redemption. And he most certainly wasn't going to allow Emma to become a villain like he had once been. But he needed a plan.
"While your offer is certainly appreciated, I wonder what Emma has to say about it?" Killian answered, still looking for her.
"Oh, don't worry, dear, it was all her idea," Ursula interjected with a sick smile. A tentacle appeared and wrapped itself around his torso tightly. He gasped as it squeezed the air from him. Another tentacle caressed his face as he turned away. "If I had gotten my way," she laughed through closed lips, "you'd be dead already." His face was growing white from lack of oxygen.
"I don't believe you," Killian gritted out. "Emma doesn't even have a voice, does she?"
"Ursula, let him go," a familiar voice called out, calm, but eerily cold. The person he was so desperate to see stepped forward, Regina flanking her side. He felt the grip around him relax as Ursula retracted her tentacles. But, the relief he had felt immediately come to him as Emma stepped forward disappeared just as quickly. Her green eyes that he had always seen so much love and care in, even among the hurt lingering there, were replaced by dull irises brimming with a venom he couldn't place.
"Contrary to what you believe, I do have a say in this group, Killian," Emma began firmly. "Unlike the rest of the people in this town, they welcome me, the whole me, potential for darkness included."
"Emma," Killian started, his eyes and stance begging her to truly hear him. "Please, listen to yourself, love. I've been where you are, and it was centuries before I remembered who I really was, who I wanted to be. You are not a villain, no matter what they tell you. You are a hero. I see it in you, now you need to see it in yourself." It was a long shot, he knew, and he waited anxiously. With a flicker of hope, he saw a trace of sadness and uncertainty flit across her eyes.
"I belong here, Killian. You heard what my parents did, what they kept from me. I was never meant to be a hero. I should have had a choice, but, like the rest of my life, every path was chosen for me." Killian sighed and ran a hand down his face.
"Swan, I know what your parents did. And believe me, they feel plenty guilty about it. But subjecting yourself to this, this tainted moral code, it's not what you want. You're more than that." Emma's gaze hardened.
"Who are you to tell me what I want?" Emma said loudly. Killian knew his chance of getting her to listen to him again was slim to none now. Regina, still undercover, gave him an apologetic look.
"Emma, love, you know that's not what I-"
"Don't even, Hook," he flinched at the resurgence of the name he had tried so hard to move past from. "Not so long ago, you relished in your quest for vengeance, in your piracy. You experienced both sides, and you ultimately chose to be a hero. Well, good for you. Now, it's my turn. I've seen what being a hero has gotten me. Responsibility, the death of friends and loved ones, never-ending problems. Now? I'm ready to take the happy ending I more than deserve." He had one last card to play and he knew it was his only chance to bring her back. He looked at Regina, who discreetly nodded. When he returned his gaze to Emma, her back was to him, the Queens of Darkness speaking with her in hushed tones. He took a deep breath and prayed that what he said next would get through to her.
"What about Henry?" He called out to her. She spun around quickly, her head tilted, her eyes once again flickering between sides.
"What about him?" she asked slowly, as if trying to decide how she felt about it. Again, Regina nodded to Killian so slightly that only he would notice.
"He's your son." Emma rolled her eyes.
"I am aware of that."
"Doesn't that mean anything to you? He already has lost one mother to these women. What is he going to do if he loses you as well? What will happen to the boy?" Emma blinked quickly, and again Killian felt a small surge of hope as she seemed to fight a war within herself.
"Henry will be fine." Killian was felt brave and took a small step towards her.
"Will he? Listen, Swan, he's had a lot of turmoil in his life. He needs you." For a moment, he thought he had her.
"He'll be okay. He has the 'heart of the truest believer', remember? He has Mom and Dad, I don't have to worry about how he'll turn up. He's aligned with the Light."
"Which means he'll be a hero, and you'll be a villain. You know what that means. In the end, it will be you against him. One of you will end up hurt, or worse…" Killian trailed off. He couldn't bear the thought of Emma, or the lad, injured or dead.
"Killian," Emma said softly, love in her eyes, but something sinister in their depths as well. "I need to do this. I've lived a lie my whole life. These women have yet to lie to me. What they say makes sense. I'm tired of being responsible for everyone else's happiness when I can't seem to find my own." Killian's face fell. He knew there was nothing else for him to do but plead. He couldn't handle the thought of losing her. Especially not to a lifestyle he had once followed himself. He took another step forward. Maleficent and Ursula made to move as well, but Emma's raised hand stopped them.
"Then what about me?" Killian asked in a whisper, his eyes shining. Emma walked up to meet him, her hand caressing his face. He nuzzled his cheek into her palm, lifting his blue eyes to meet hers.
"Killian," she began, just as softly, as if sharing a secret. "I arranged for you to join us. Ursula was ready to murder you. But, I changed their minds…mostly. Come with me. We can still be together." Killian laced his hand through hers, looking down at them.
"Emma, you know I can't do that. It's not who I am anymore." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. He expected her to at least understand where he was coming from, but he was met with a tight grip on his hand and flashing eyes. "Emma?"
"Would you come if I was Milah?" her voice was low and wavered slightly. Killian pulled his arm from her and gripped her shoulder.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about," Emma spat out, her voice rising. Regina's face fell. She knew it was over. "If it were Milah standing here, would you still say 'no'? Because I don't think you would." Killian felt his own blood start boiling as he shook his head and hid his frustration with a tight smile.
"Emma, Milah bloody doesn't have anything to do with this! She's dead, Swan. If Milah were alive, this wouldn't even be happening. I'd still be a villain, thieving the seas for treasure. You're here, and that's why I have changed. Why would I go backwards." Emma pulled away and took a few steps backward.
"So, that's it then? That's your final answer? You won't come with me, be with me?" Killian looked straight into her gaze, his eyes littered with tears.
"No. I won't return to the man I was. Instead, I'll be waiting on this side for when you return to me." Emma's eyes briefly teared up and she turned around to face the villains.
"Let's go," she said softly, and most of the group followed her. As Killian, looking defeated, watched the group move away, Ursula struck again.
"Emma!" he choked out as the tentacles returned, gripping him in total agony. Emma heard and spun around.
"Ursula!" she admonished. Ursula looked at her, Killian unable to move, his eyes bulging slightly. "Let him go." Emma said firmly. Ursula resisted. "This is not the way to do this," Emma continued. "It's bad form." Killian smirked at the use of his line. He knew somewhere deep down, Emma still cared for him. That seeing him in trouble was a lifeline to getting her back. Maleficent stepped forward.
"Ursula, if Emma wants to pirate to live today, you will let him go. We have bigger things to plan." Ursula loosened her tentacles bitterly and strode away in a huff. The other women followed her, Emma included. However, Emma seemed to walk away slower, clearly conflicted.
"Love, wait," Killian called out to her. She kept walking. "Emma, you wouldn't have spared me if you didn't care for me. That shows you're not a villain. Emma!" He ran forward and grasped her arm, spinning her around. The Queens of Darkness turned to face them. "You're not one of them," he said softly, pleadingly to her. Her gaze hardened, and the hand gripping her became hot, burned, and blistered. He cried out, releasing her arm. With a flick of her hand he flew through the air, slammed hard against a wide tree, and fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Don't tell me who I am." Emma walked away without a second glance, and the others followed. Regina's eyes showed regret, but she could sense that he was alive, and, to keep her cover, followed suit.
