Emma is forced to watch as the Wicked Witch of the West attempts to steal Hook's heart. Will she find the means to save him and perhaps save herself at the same time? My head canon for the upcoming Jolly Roger episode. Rated K

Unleashed

Emma blinked furiously, trying to wake herself up and erase the nightmarish images from her eyes, but this was no dream. Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West, stood over Hook's prone figure with her claw-like nails mere inches from his chest. Her upper lip curled over her teeth in anger, though her whispered words were nearly inaudible given Emma's position some five yards from the pair. But Emma didn't need to know what the witch was saying to understand what was about to happen. A rush of acidic anxiety rioted in her veins, flowing faster than it should courtesy of the frantic beating of her heart. No, her thoughts cried. No!

Hook's eyes flickered between the red-haired harpy looming over him and Storybrooke's savior. Emma. His Swan, if only she'd allow it. He saw her struggle to lift her feet from the binding curse cast only moments before, but having experienced it himself merely a day ago, he knew it was useless. Not without some sort of magic. A burst of misplaced laughter loosened from his throat at the irony. His beautiful, magical, stubborn Swan! If only she'd accept who she really was, she'd be free of that false prison in seconds! But she wouldn't be her if she gave in so easily. It was one of the things he loved most about her: the challenge. That and her enviable obstinacy.

"What could possibly be so funny, pirate?" Zelena seethed.

Wearily, Hook turned his attention back to his captor, noting the furious envy teeming in her unearthly blue eyes. He'd been around enough women to recognize that expression. Jealousy. She may not be green in this realm, but it was just as apparent in her expressions, words, and actions. "I really don't think you'd comprehend my brand of humor, lass," he managed to say through strained vocal chords. He'd fought valiantly with Storybrooke's latest villain, but a costly error had left him exposed and she'd wasted no time in using magic to strangle him into his current position.

Zelena's expression darkened before her mouth twisted in a self-satisfied smile. "Well, far be it for me to allow a dying man his last moments of merriment. It's too bad your precious savior can do nothing to intervene." She lifted her hand to trace Hook's cheek with one of her finely-shaped nails. "Such a handsome face, wasted on a lowly pirate. Laugh while you can; I assure you, I'll be laughing last." Her tone lowered into a threatening growl as her hand returned to his chest.

That's where you're wrong, Hook thought, his gaze turning once more toward Emma. Even if he were to perish, he'd yet to see her fail in anything. She would defeat this loathsome witch. He was only sorry she had to witness his fall. She'd seen too much loss for one so young. When he'd confronted Zelena, he'd been willing to lay down his life to protect Emma and her son – the family he'd never even dared to hope for – but he hadn't counted on the witch being so cruel as to force Emma to watch. "I'm so sorry, love," he uttered just as Zelena's fingers trekked forward.

"No!" Emma cried again. This time the powerful word resounded throughout the entire docks, not just her mind. A thousand memories assaulted her all at once: endless glances, sinful smirks, playful teasing, but also sincere affection. And trust. Above all, there was finally a person in her life she'd learned to trust. How could he be taken from her now?

She struggled again to free her legs from whatever spell Zelena had activated, but the magic would not budge. A bitter taste welled in her mouth as she fought to calm her panicky breaths. This man, this pirate turned hero, had risked his life for her time and time again and it was finally going to cost him if she didn't do something to stop it.

"Zelena!" She yelled. "Zelena stop!"

The Wicked Witch turned a smug grin back to Emma. "Now why would I do that?" She laughed. "Be a good girl and enjoy the show in silence, will you?"

Hook's body arched off the ground as Zelena's fingers closed around his tremulous heart, a cry laced with pain pierced the stillness of the marina. His face contorted in a grimace that sent a stab through Emma's own heart. She tugged violently against her magical bonds before lifting her arms in front of her body in agonized frustration. A small spark of white flame danced in her fingertips. She gasped, holding the kindled magic in front of her wide green eyes.

"Pathetic," Zelena scoffed loudly, having glanced Emma's display. "The pair of you make me sick. Did you really think you could beat me with what…love? Love is weak. Just like the heart. Hate is strong."

"You need to channel your magic from a place of strength," Regina's teachings flitted through Emma's thoughts. They'd practiced magic earlier, but it wasn't until that moment that Emma understood what the Evil Queen had meant. A place of strength. For Regina and Zelena, strength came from their darker feelings. But Emma had learned to barricade herself from drowning in pain some time ago.

As she gazed upon Hook's face, she forced those self-imposed walls to crumble – if only for a moment – to allow her feelings to rush forward. Suddenly, she saw the true meaning behind each of those stored moments. She saw the vulnerability in his eyes in the echo cave, the passion behind his lips the one time she'd allowed herself to kiss him, the heartbreak in Central Park when she'd cuffed him to the bench and the sheer determination of his complete devotion when he'd left her in the diner some hours ago. She'd taken it all in stride, content to file it away in that part of her soul where she kept the feelings that could hurt her. But no longer.

"You're wrong," she asserted quietly. Too quiet for Zelena to hear, although she tilted her head just the same, perhaps in deference to the sudden confidence on Emma's face or the defiance in her posture. "Love is strength," Emma spoke louder just before tapping into her hidden power and sending a blast of white magic straight at Zelena's chest.

The Wicked Witch of the West was known for her ability to fly, but this was the first time she'd done it without a broomstick. As Emma's magic slammed into her very surprised frame, she was forced backwards into the outer wall of the nearby cannery. Emma rushed to Hook's side, cradling his head in her lap as she assessed him. "Hook...Killian. Are you alright?" She asked, worry thick on her voice.

Hook's startling eyes blinked open. As he took in Emma's anxious face, he smiled softly – that shy smile reserved solely for her. "I knew you could do it, love." He lifted his hand to lace his fingers with hers. "You only had to believe in yourself."

"No," she gently corrected. "I had to believe in you." A hot tear trailed down her cheek and she wiped it away hastily with her free hand. "You can't keep doing this…I'm not supposed to have to worry about you," she chastised lightly.

His eyes filled with tenderness. "As you wish, love."

"Isn't this just so dreadfully touching," Zelena mocked. She sauntered closer to Emma and Hook, brandishing Rumpelstiltskin's dagger next to her head. "Seems a pity to invite anyone else to our little soiree, but I do believe I'm done playing nice."

Emma helped Hook to sit up before wrapping her arm around him so her palm rested against his chest directly over his heart. Drawing on her newly discovered well of magic, she let the power flow from her hand to his body, creating an impenetrable shield over his heart. Leveling a stare at the witch she challenged, "By all means; the more to watch your destruction the better." Hook rose to his feet and held his hand to Emma. Meeting his steady gaze – so filled with love for her she wondered how she'd denied it so long – she grasped his strong fingers and stood by his side.

Zelena paced back and forth, her wrath brimming like some great tantrum about to erupt. Swirling green mist like tiny tornadoes formed in her hands. "You won't be able to play that trick again, savior."

"Perhaps not, but let's see what kind of duet the two of us can play together," Regina's haughty tone preceded her appearance by only a second. As she took in Emma and Hook facing down her half-sister, her own brand of magical storm appeared in her black leather-clad hand. She inclined her head at Emma, saying so much with a simple gesture.

Emma stood in front of Hook and focused on channeling her power again. Unlike Zelena's mist, or Regina's flame, Emma's magic flared like the brightest of lights chasing away the darkness of the night sky. She felt the power vibrating in her palm, tantalizing her senses with jolts of emotion she'd bottled for so long she felt she could become drunk on them. Holding her gaze on the Wicked Witch, she felt Hook step closer to her back, his presence strengthening the magic flowing through her.

Zelena's cruel features turned momentarily fearful before she masked it with evil conceit once more. "Perhaps another time, Sis." With a twirl of her wrist, the green vapor consumed her, leaving an empty space behind.

A sudden silence filled the docks as the unlikely trio struggled to process what had happened. Regina was the first to speak, saying "I see you've found the source of your magic. I told you it was only a matter of time before you were able to leash your emotions enough to control them."

Looking back to Hook, Emma smiled unconsciously. His sword was in his hand, ready to defend her as always. "Actually," she began, "I had to unleash them." He returned her grin, his own shifting into his trademark smirk and for once she didn't care. Did she love him? Maybe. She really wasn't sure what it was she was feeling. But she was finally ready to find out.

Review? (After all, we might not survive the next episode! I. Can't. Wait!)