Emma sat cross-legged on the boat, watching the mist surround them. She didn't know exactly what she was feeling. She kept replaying the events of that terrible night in her mind, knowing she was completely guilty of all of it. There was a void in her heart, an emptiness that was unrelenting. Yet, in that hole, there was a brief flicker of hope. An ember of possibility. Regina believed it to be a risk worth taking, so it had to be likely to work. She pulled her knees to her chest, and rested her chin upon them, tears threatening to spill.

"Hey," a soft, deep voice called out, as her father sat beside her, his arm naturally coming across her shoulders. She leaned her head against his arm, letting the tears fall.

"We're going to get him back," David said to her, resting his cheek on top of her head. "With all of us working together, we'll bring him home." Emma could only nod, a sob escaping her throat. Together, they sat in silence, letting the situation wash over them.

Killian had "sacrificed" himself two weeks before. Emma remembers cradling him in her arms for as long as she could. She vaguely remembers the EMTs wheeling him away, her hand grasping his arm as long as it could before he was pulled from her. She remembers his funeral, or what posed as his funeral. Gold had told her that because of the Darkness, he would be taken to the Underworld, so Charon would have to retrieve the body. She recalls kissing his cold lips one more time before he was placed upon a raft, a coin resting on his mouth, ready to pay the ferryman. Henry and her parents flanked her, keeping her upright as her legs gave way once more.

For the next week, Emma had withdrawn herself completely. She lay upon her couch in her, their house, fingering the ring he had given her. The ring that was supposed to have helped him survive. She felt even more guilt. He had given her that ring, and it was then that everything started falling apart. Then, that moment had happened. When she heard the dagger. Everything changed from that point. While her parents and entourage hadn't been thrilled with the latest developments, or Emma's plan, they stuck by her and agreed to come along. It was funny how unwavering they were in their want to help her. She lifted her eyes to gaze around the boat.

Henry was looking over the side, trying to see anything but mist in front of him, his mind far away. Mary Margaret was in a huddle with Regina and Robin, no doubt trying to hash out a plan to not only find Killian, but to get out of the Underworld with him safely in tow. And Gold. Gold was sitting against the side, his legs outstretched, fingers tapping his cane. Emma gave a look of disgust, a look that her father immediately noticed.

"Emma, we need him." His voice sounded bitter. "Trust me, I want to see him suffer as much as you do, but we don't stand a chance without him." Emma sighed.

"I know." She looked over to Charon, staring straight ahead, commanding the boat. He had not been pleased with having to ferry seven of the living to the land of the dead. If not for Gold opening the portal to the river Styx, he would have refused the passage.

Emma and her father finally stood, joining Mary Margaret, Regina, and Robin. Henry returned to their side also, Gold following shortly behind.

"Have a plan yet?" Emma asked. Regina frowned.

"Not really. It's hard to formulate a plan when you don't know exactly what to expect. Gold?" Regina asked pointedly to the man. Gold scowled. He contemplated for a moment not helping them, but realized that the ramifications for refusing them aid would not be in his best interest.

"It's hard to say. The Underworld is not only the figurative Hell, but is also a literal Hell. Souls stuck here are confronted with their past, if they have, let's say, 'bad blood' with others. The best thing is to prepare yourselves. Some battles only you will be able to fight." Henry, Robin, and Emma didn't look too nervous. They hadn't really crossed anyone. Mary Margaret and David looked anxious, and Regina looked terrified, her face paling. Gold appeared uncomfortable.

"Will we have our magic?" Regina asked.

"That's uncertain," Gold replied. "When I was last here, I was in limbo myself, so I did not. But, we must remember it's an alternative realm. My estimation would be that if you do manage to retain your magic, it will be inconsistent at best."

"Great," Regina spat out. "A whole Underworld filled with the souls of people who will want to eat me alive, and I may not even be able to defend myself."

"Now, Regina. They're only souls. I doubt that they'll be able to do much to you," Mary Margaret tried to soothe. She was interrupted by a chuckle from Gold.

"I wouldn't put much stock in that, Dearie," he began. "Just because they're souls awaiting their destiny, either good or bad, doesn't mean they can't inflict pain or worse."

"Surely they can't kill us though," David interjected.

"That they can," Gold continued. "We are not meant to be there. There are few rules in the Underworld. We will be trespassing, and you can be certain that once we are discovered, the chances of all of us leaving in one piece, let alone with an extra, will be greatly diminished. Speaking of which, how do you intend to smuggle the pirate out of Hell?" Emma's head snapped up, fury in her eyes.

"You just leave that to me, it's none of your concern." Gold just tsked and smirked. The group stood in silence for a moment or two, growing impatient at the length of their journey. Suddenly, Henry pointed ahead of them.

"It's clearing!" he exclaimed, the others bringing their attention to the bow of the boat. As the mist seemed to recede, looks of confusion graced their faces.

"What the hell?" Regina asked, taking in the scenery around them. They were approaching the docks of Storybrooke, or at least what looked like the docks of Storybrooke. However, unlike their picturesque seaside town, the boats were all either dilapidated, capsized, or listing dangerously. They could see no one. The docks were abandoned, the entire town taking on an unrealistic orange-like hue. With a crash, the boat stopped at the dock. Taking a deep breath, Gold gripped his cane.

"Prepare yourselves, Dearies. This is our stop."