Operation Swan
The dagger dropped, sliced through the air with the terror of The Dark One. Had it really happened? What was that there? Was that the wind or the chill in the air from the undeniable truth? The thunk of the dagger hitting asphalt did nothing to Regina and Robin, nothing to Snow and Charming. The couples remained in their protective embraces. But Killian? Killian fell to his knees, almost in time with it: a musical number ending in tragedy.
"Swan." His voice cracked with disbelief and regret. He didn't move, couldn't move. It wasn't until the small force of a fourteen year old boy came tumbling down the street.
"Mom! Mom! What was that?" Henry came rushing to the scene ahead of him. Regina turned to him, as she acted as the only mom that could do so. Her eyes were wide. Everyone's were. What could be said to this boy?
Killian stood up. Emma's "I love you" was a fuel, a fire in his heart—the only thing willing his feet to move, the only thing allowing his hand to follow the will of his brain. He picked up the dagger that now bore his True Love's name.
He began shaking his head uncontrollably. "The crocodile." Anger picked up in his voice. How long had it been since he'd given up the search of this bloody object? When was the time he would have actually willed this corrupted knife into his hand? What did this time mean to him now? Now. Well, now was a different story—the completion of his love story. The one currently devoid of what he would call a "quiet moment." But if he knew one thing: he and Emma Swan were timeless. This step in the journey couldn't be more severe than the others.
And he couldn't be more prepared for this journey. He would not let the darkness consume him again. His thoughts were brought back to Emma: the reason he had become a changed man—and the reason he wanted to stay one. What had she said to him, after all?
He had—no, has—a mark in the hero column. He is no longer a villain. She said that she would choose to see the best in him. And he wasn't going to let his Swan down, not now. His heart ached, and he wondered if it was because the emotions were literally being wrung out of him.
He looked over to Henry. Henry, who seemed to be all he had left of Emma. He made his way to him, literally bearing the bad news. Emma's voice rung in his ears like a song. He would find her. He always did. Even if he had a little help along the way.
What had she said to him? Killian, I…wanted to thank you for sacrificing yourself… No, that wasn't it. I love you. She had finally said it. And when he found her again, it would be his turn. It took a moment for Killian to find his voice, but when he did he said: "Henry. We've got to find your mother." He put the dagger in the boy's hands. "I've got something to tell her. And I need you for Operation Swan if I'm going to say it."