Killian chuckled, the sound echoing through the cell.
Emma whipped her head around and narrowed her eyes at him. "What on earth are you laughing about? Personally, I don't find anything amusing about being locked in a cell while the Wicked Witch is torturing our loved ones."
Killian sobered immediately. Of course there was nothing amusing about the situation. The witch had captured them a few hours before, throwing them in a cell, before telling them in excruciating detail just how she was going to torture the denizens of Storybrooke. Still, Emma had said our. She'd been doing that more and more ever since their return to Storybrooke. She often referred to them as a unit, and it never failed to make him smile, no matter what the situation.
"And now you're going to ignore me?" grumbled Emma.
"I apologize, love," he said. "I was merely lost in thought. We will get out of here and we will save everyone. Remember, I've yet to see you fail."
Emma smiled despite herself and shifted closer to him. "Yeah, well, things look pretty bleak right now. Do you want to tell me what you found so amusing? I could use good moment right about now."
Killian looked a little embarrassed. "Well it just occurred to me that I am spending the day of my birth in a jail cell. Which is a first for me, despite being a pirate."
Emma's eyes widened. "It's your birthday?"
"Yes, but its nothing worth celebrating," said Killian. "I've had over three hundred of them."
Emma reached for his hand, which he gladly accepted. "Happy Birthday, Killian," she said softly, "I'm sure this isn't the best birthday you've had."
"On the contrary, I may be in a cell, but I'm here with you. In fact, this is the best birthday I've had in 300 years," he pulled her to his side, and she let him, his arm curling around her.
She rested her head against his shoulder. Despite the fact that the world was falling apart around them, in his arms she felt safe, loved and wanted. Just like she always did when she was around him. "So how did you celebrate your birthday in the Enchanted Forest?"
Killian shifted so he could look at her. "Nothing extravagant. My brother would give me a gift, usually a journal or a star map or the like, and then he'd drag me to port and try and persuade me to have a drink. After Liam died, there was nothing worth celebrating. I let the day pass unnoticed. Then in Neverland the day became a way to count the years as they passed by. Nothing more. Almost all of them have been spent alone," he said, his voice slightly pained.
Emma cuddled against him. She was continuously surprised by his ability to be completely honest and open with her. She understood having to celebrate alone, thinking of the cupcake on her 28th birthday. The day that had changed everything.
"What about you, love? How do you celebrate your special day?"
"Every year I would get a cupcake and a single candle. And every year I would make a wish that I didn't have to be alone. It took 28 years to come true," she whispered, surprising even herself. She had never told anyone that before.
Killian's arm tightened around her. "We have a similar tradition in the Enchanted Forest, blowing out a candle to signify the passing of another year, and to bring luck upon the individual."
Emma took a breath. "We have another birthday tradition here in this world," she tried to keep her voice from shaking, and for the life of her, she didn't understand why she was even mentioning it.
"Do tell," he said.
"When it's your birthday, if you're lucky enough, you get a kiss."
Killian's eyebrows shot up. "Pray tell, Emma, am I lucky enough?" he asked with a roguish grin.
Emma blushed. "I don't know," she said.
Killian nodded, accepting her decision. "Well, whether I get a kiss or not, I'm glad to spend this day with you. Now how about we try and find a way out of this cell?"
Emma smiled. "Let's do it."
-/-
After several failed attempts of unhinging the door, and trying to open it with strategic leverage, Emma had sunk to her knees in frustration, whishing that the damn door would open.
Killian laid a hand comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll find a way," he said.
Perhaps it was his faith in her that made it happen.
She raised her hand, palm facing the door as she channeled what little energy she had left. By magic, her magic to be precise, the cell door sprang open.
"Emma, you never fail to impress me," said Killian, taking her hand. "Let's go find your family."
-/-
Killian and Emma hurried through the darkened streets. They had no idea where they would find the witch, or where her wickedness was keeping her family.
A piercing cackle split the silence. "You'll die one by one, by the hand of the Dark One" said the familiar voice of the witch.
Killian grabbed Emma and pressed her against the wall of the alley. He pressed a finger to his lips, and peered around the corner. In the center of the town square, the witch stood with the Dark One's dagger, waving it about menacingly at Snow, Charming, Regina, Tink, Belle and Neal in turn. The dwarves were huddled behind them, with Granny, Ruby, and Whale. Rumple, stood just behind the witch, powerless to do anything to stop her.
"We have to save them," said Emma urgently.
"I'll save your pretty little daughter and her pirate for last," said the witch.
Emma flinched. Her pirate? Emma attempted to move past him, but he held her back.
"Normally I'm not averse to charging headfirst into dangerous situations," he hissed, "but this is different. I will distract the witch, and you'll get Henry, your parents, and everyone else and get the hell out of dodge." He pressed something into her palm. It was a tiny scroll.
"What is this?" she asked.
"It's Cora's cloaking spell. Take everyone to the Roger and cast it. It should be powerful enough to protect you all and give you time to formulate another plan."
"I'm not going to leave you with the witch," said Emma fiercely.
"It's the only way. I'll be fine."
"You can't know that," said Emma. "I don't want to lose you."
"You won't," said Killian, cupping her cheek in his hand.
Emma leaned into his touch. "Promise me?"
"I promise, love, you'll not be rid of me so easily. I have a knack for survival, and now I have something to live for."
Emma's heart melted at his words, and before she knew it she was kissing him fiercely.
He was surprised at first, but his arms wrapped around her as he kissed her back, just as passionately. When they drew apart they were both breathing heavily.
"Was that my birthday kiss?" he asked teasingly.
"No," said Emma. "You'll get that when you get back to the ship," said Emma.
"I look forward to it," said Killian. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," said Emma.
Killian squeezed Emma's hand before releasing her and charging out into the square. "Oi, green isn't really your color, your wickedness!" shouted Killian.
The witch turned toward the pirate, and Emma took advantage of her distraction and hurried towards her family.
"You have no idea who you are dealing with," cried the witch.
"On the contrary, lass," he said, "I think I'm dealing with a woman who has never been loved a day in her life and is now taking her frustration out on those who are fortunate enough to have found love."
"And what does a pirate know about love?" taunted the witch. "Who could love you?"
Killian kept himself from glancing towards Emma. He was the distraction after all. "I bloody well know a lot more about it than you do."
"Prove it, Captain," she waved her hand and conjured a bag of powder. Killian knew what it was. He glanced over the witch's shoulder; relieved to see the retreating backs of everyone save Rumplestiltskin retreating and heading towards the docks.
Despite the fact that the witch was controlling the Dark One, the imp was apparently not bound to tell her that her quarry was escaping.
"If anyone actually is capable of loving a one-handed good for nothing pirate, then one day you'll awaken. But I highly doubt it," said the witch, cackling with glee.
Killian barely realized what she was about to do, before the witch through the poisonous powder in his face.
His eyes slid closed as he fell to the ground.
Emma will save me.