Chapter 2

The Missing Link

"There's a fine line between gossip and history, when one is talking about kings."

― Michelle Cooper, A Brief History of Montmaray

The group of four was sitting on the ground of the library, looking through records of royals. Belle was browsing the aisles trying to find them anything on kings and queens of the Enchanted Forest.

They weren't having much luck though.

Killian and Snow had headed out to grab some coffee for the bunch of them. The pirat4e was still learning things and Snow felt like teaching him (it was more so a bonding attempt). That left Emma and David going over countless of history lessons, none that had any helpful information.

Emma huffed and tossed yet another book onto the ever growing pile.

"We're getting nowhere."

"What ever happened to that optimism you and Mary – Margret carry with you everywhere?"

David gave his daughter a look and she shrugged. "I'm just saying."

Belle then approached the pair with more books filled in her arms.

"Here you go. I found these. I'm not entirely sure they'll do you any good but it's worth a try. I'll keep looking."

"Thanks."

The blonde shuffled through the books, her eyes scanning each title quickly. There was nothing, and Emma tossed another book over into the pile of useless. She continued but something was nagging in her brain. The blonde hit her head a few times and smiled sheepishly at David when he gave her a puzzling look.

Emma reached over into the useless pile and grabbed a leather bound journal. It didn't fit in with the rest of the hard covered textbooks. It was brown and old, the leather strap fading away and the pages stained yellow. With tender hands Emma opened the journal and began to read the notes.

It was a diary. There were dates scattered amongst the pages, with fancy cursive writing that was so flourished it was almost impossible to read. Many things fell out of it as Emma opened the diary which drew the gaze away from the journal itself and onto the scraps of paper on the floor.

Emma shrugged figuring she'd go through them later. She continued to scan the journal until David pulled her out of her thoughts.

"What did you find?"

"Some kind of diary. I don't know whose it is but…it doesn't fit in with everything else we've been looking at so I figured maybe we ought to check it out."

"Find anything helpful?"

"Not yet."

David nodded and continued to search the book in front of him as Emma read the diary.

It was going to be a while till they found something.

…

Killian watched Snow White as she struggled to sit up on one of the bar stools at Granny's. She was tired and had wanted to take a break. The pirate understood but on the other hand he really wanted to get back to Emma.

The princess was fine but she was pregnant with what Emma referred to as crazy pregnant hormones.

He was not a fan. Why?

Because they'd already been at Granny's for a while and Snow had gone to the bathroom eight times coming back from her ninth, and had ordered more food than the original plan which was to only get coffee.

Then she had changed her order several more times.

If this was pregnancy did to women, Killian was glad he was a guy.

Granny passed Snow a rather odd dish and she ate it grateful as Killian leaned against the counter waiting. She munched and crunched and the pirate rolled his eyes. The princess noticed this, and her eyes glared at him.

"Be patient. I've got a bun in my oven. I'm eating for two you know."

Killian gave Snow White an incredulous look, baffled by her choice of words. Bun in the oven? What kind of reference was that to a child in a woman's womb? This world was strange indeed.

Shaking his head, the blue eyes drag themselves over to the dish the princess was eating from.

"What is that?"

"It's called grilled cheese and this is ketchup."

"Catch – up?"

Snow laughed and motioned for him to sit down beside her.

"Ketch – up. Ketch not catch."

"Ketchup. Which is?"

"Uh I'm not entirely sure. It's got tomatoes in it…"

"That's it?"

"And other things."

Killian slowly touched the red blob on the plate and looked at it questioningly. Snow stayed amused, watching the pirate.

Tentatively, like a cat, Killian licked the red substance from his fingertip. He made a face and Snow barked out in laughter.

It was a bitter taste but overall not a disaster. He shook his head and saw then that Snow had finished her food.

"Shall we head back then?"

She nodded and pulled out what Killian assumed to be the currency of the realm and slapped it on the counter. A very attractive brunette came out, Red was her name, Killian believed.

"So that's it for today Snow?"

"That and four coffees please."

"sure thing. How's the baby?"

"Kicking for sure. It's fine."

"Do you know the gender yet?"

Snow shook her head. Ruby passed the coffee and waved bye to the pair as they left the diner and headed back to the library. Killian held the cup holder in his hand that held the four beverages. The pirate placed his hooked arm behind the princess to keep her from stumbling with that humongous belly of hers. Charming would kill him if something happened.

They made their way across the street and Snow pulled the hefty doors open with great strength. Killian grabbed the edge and kept it open as she went inside and he followed in return.

There were books scattered everywhere and papers lying around. All in all not much had changed from when they left. Charming was going through a book, huddled over it while Emma was leaning against a bookcase, a leather bound journal in her hands and her hair falling into waves behind her.

Snow took two coffees from the cup holder and walked over to her husband who gratefully took the drink. He helped her into the chair beside him and they both began to browse the pages before them.

Killian made his way over to Emma, holding out the coffee before him. She seemed consumed by the book and he lowered himself beside her to get her attention.

His movement worked and her green eyes popped over to see his blue.

"Coffee."

"Oh you are a god."

"I've heard that before but usually it's screamed instead."

He winked at her and the blonde merely shook her head in amusement and went back ot the book.

"Swan, what is that?"

"A diary of some sorts. Nothing in here but a bunch of old gossip anyway. Honestly doesn't this woman have a life?"

The royal couple perked up at that.

"Emma, do you anything about the writer?"

"She was a maid of the castle I think."

Snow whispered to Charming and he nodded in response.

"What?"

"Well in any castle the maids gossip a lot. Depending on what she did though as a maid, that could tell you whether it's real or not. A lot of the time, gossip is just the truth wrapped up in a scandal."

"So what does it say lass?"

"Well there's talk of a family tree. But the last descendants are unknown. Apparently the maid was kicked out before she could ever learn what happened to them. She complains about how awful the other maids were but how good looking the king was and his family. She didn't like the queen much though. Vapid thing."

Snow and Charming exchanged another glance.

"Emma, check the papers around you."

The blonde gave her family a quizzical look but did as they asked. She set the journal down and shuffled through the papers.

"Wait, there."

She turned to where Killian was pointing and grabbed a stained sheet of yellow. It was the size of a journal page, but folded up several times. She unfolded it and before she could take a look, Henry walked in.

"Mom!"

"Hey kid. What are you doing here?"

"You promised I could hang out with Killian today."

"I did?"

"Aye lass."

"Oh well. Alright. I guess I'll be seeing you two later."

Killian nodded and stood up, putting his arm around Henry. "Let's put some wind in those sails then lad."

"Will I get to actually steer this time?"

"Maybe."

Emma watched with a light heart as Killian and Henry left the library. He was so good with him. Neal had been a decent guy to Henry, a good father for the few moments he knew him but Killian was…a natural really.

She smiled and turned her attention back to the paper.

"Wow."

"Emma was is it?" asked Snow.

"It's a tree. A family tree."

A massive chart flowed down the page with scrawlings of black ink. Names were written with lines connecting them to others on the tree. Emma used her index figner to trace the lines down to the bottom. Her brow furrowed though when she did.

"What is it?"

"The bottom, it's missing three slots. There are no names but there are indications that there should be three kids. It's weird."

Emma got up and brought the chart over to Snow an Charming who looked at it.

"That is odd. Charming do you have any ideas?"

"Not in the slightest. Emma?"

"I think we may have an idea. Obviously this is the kingdom," she said as she pointed to title at the top, "but look here at the bottom."

"It seems the king married twice."

"And from one he had two kids and the other only one. I bet that there is our girl."

"You're probably right. It makes sense. But why wouldn't the names be there?"

"Think about it Charming. Most likely some sort of scandal took place and the children were cut off."

"All three?"

Snow shrugged in response. "Anything's possible."

"Okay well let's try to find out who this girl is now that we've got a lead."

The royal couple nodded in response and dove into their books, now looking for something more specific. There had to be something on this royal family.

Emma meanwhile grabbed the diary again and read the pages more carefully this time, wanting to find something on the missing descendants of the family.

There had to be something…right?

…

Killian and Henry walked down the docks towards the vessel that the pirate had commandeered. It wasn't anything next to the Jolly Roger but it was at least a boat and enough to teach the boy how to sail.

As usual Killian hopped onto the boat and lent his real hand to Henry to climb aboard. The lad ran straight to the wheel as Killian began to approach it slowly.

"Oy! Can't start steering till you check everything!"

He grinned as Henry rolled his eyes. Checking was his least favourite part, but the pirate knew that the boy had to learn. He watched as henry checked the ropes, waving them up and down.

Killian leaned on the wheel, watching and waiting for Emma's son to finish. Once he did he joined the pirate at the helm.

"So do I actually get to sail today?"

"Aye. Do you know your directions?"

"Uh port, starboard, bow and stern right?"

"Very good lad! Aye that'd right. Now place your hands here and here."

Killian directed Henry who moved his hands obediently to the correct places.

"Alright now close your eyes."

"What?"

"Just do it. Trust me."

Henry shrugged and closed his eyes as asked.

"Now clear your mind. Once done, listen to the ocean, feel the waves rock the ship. Feel the wind in your hair. Let that be your guide."

The boy's face scrunched up but he did what killian told him. He listened and tried to feel the things around him. All of the sudden, Henry's hands turned left and the ship began to set sail into the ocean. His eyes opened wide and he gasped.

"I…I did it!"

"Aye that you did lad. That you did."

Killian grinned as Henry began to get excited and more confident. He wasn't a natural, but he did have some sea blood in him. The pirate watched on and checked on the ropes and sails every once in a while just to make sure they wouldn't sink or crash.

Soon they pulled into the harbour again and there on the dock waited Emma Swan herself. Her face brightened up at the sight of her son, sailing the boat himself.

"Mom! Look at me! I'm sailing the boat!"

"Very cool Henry! C'mon let's head to the inn so we can get something to eat."

"Can Killian come?"

Emma looked at the boys as the come off the boat and walk up to her.

"It was kinda expected considering he's staying with us."

Her eyes met Killian's then and the pirate swore his heart skipped a few beats. The sun hit her face beautifully and her hair glowed in absolute radiance. His blue eyes quickly diverted their gaze from her and off onto the ocean.

"Cool! Let's go then!"

Emma nodded and the trio headed towards her bug. They got in and drove down to Granny's. Henry chatted excitedly along the way, Emma's gaze drifting to the pirate who kept his eyes on the road in front of them. He was amused though.

When they got to the diner they took take away, heading back up to the room to eat. Henry set everything up with the help of his mom as Killian took off his jacket to hang it up. They sat around the table, laughing and eating, simply enjoying one another's presence.

Soon it was time for Henry to go to bed.

"Alright kid, time to hit the hay."

"But Mom!"

"No buts! Skedaddle on out of here! Pjs on, teeth brushed, I'll come tuck you in a bit alright?"

Henry nodded and dashed off to get ready. Emma meanwhile began to clear all the garbage as Killian watched. Soon the pirate helped her until it was all cleared.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"So… I guess I'll just be getting ready for bed then."

The blonde awkwardly stood up and began to walk towards her bedroom, leaving Killian behind.

"Swan…wait."

She slowly turned around to face him. "Yeah?" her heart began to flutter…was he going to?

"Thank you for letting me stay here."

Her heart sank and she smiled but both knew it was fake.

"Uh yeah. Sure. No problem."

The blonde then hurried over to her room shutting the door behind her. She let go of a breath, leaning against the door.

Was she disappointed? Was that the feeling wrenching in her gut? No. Probably not. Right?

She shook her head wanting to focus on other things. Emma got changed into her own pajamas and did her own teeth. She took out her contacts (annoying things they were) and put on her glasses. From there the blonde hopped onto the bed, got herself settled and pulled out the diary she had found.

Emma was doing very well until she realized that she hadn't heard from Henry in a while. She checked the clock. It said 10:00 pm which was at least an hour after she told him to go to sleep.

The blonde placed the diary to the side and slowly got up and walked to Henry's bedroom. She was about to open the door when she heard two voices coming from behind. Emma opened the door a bit and saw Killian sitting on the edge of the bed, telling Henry a story about his adventures. The blonde smiled and slowly shut the door and headed back to her room.

She'd let Killian tuck him in.

It was around ten thirty when a knock erupted on Emma's door. It was faint, so faint that the blonde barely heard it.

"Come in."

The door opened slightly and Killian poked his head in.

"Hey."

"I hope you don't mind me putting him to sleep. You were just taking a while and he then insisted I tell him something and –"

"Killian, it's fine."

"Right. Okay. Goodnight then."

The pirate then shut the door leaving Emma to go back to her book. But instead of him going ot bed he popped his head back in, looking at her strangely.

"Swan, are those…glasses?"

Emma chuckled and pushed them further up her nose.

"Yup."

"But you don't wear glasses."

"I don't most of the time. Usually I have contacts in. But whenever I'm home alone or it's a late night I put on my glasses."

"I see. They uh…they suit you."

"Thanks."

Killian nodded his head and let his fingers tap on the door. Emma was flattered from the compliment because she usually felt ugly with them on. Walsh had never really said anything about them, not that she cared anymore but it would've been nice to hear something positive about something she was so insecure about.

That was the thing with Killian. He always knew what to say. It was weird she guessed, because no one could read her like he could (and she strongly disliked that mind you. But at the same time, soaked it up like it was the sun).

"Well…goodnight then."

"Night Killian."

He slowly left the room, shutting the door softly behind him and Emma leaned back into her pillows, blushing like a fool due to his compliment.

She sighed happily and pulled back the diary and continued to read it. Her brows furrowed though when she came to a specific passage.

May 19

The castle is in chaos! The King has disappeared! No one is sure of exactly where he's gone but most believe it has to do with Lilac, the maid he had his eyes on since she started working here. I feel awful for the Queen, having to live with such an awful husband. Then again, the marriage was arranged.

Oh why couldn't he have ever looked my way? I am a much better fit than…Lilac. Who names their child after a flower? How foolish. Honestly, he could have done much better.

Emma shook her head and placed the book on the nightstand. It was nothing the entry. She had hoped it to be more when she read about the chaos bit, but it was just mindless gossip. Nothing important to what they were looking for.

The blonde settled herself in the bed, reached over and took out the light, hoping tomorrow she'd actually find something useful. Hopefully somewhere inside the diary was the missing link.

..

Zelena furiously threw the glass ball across the room, watching it smash into a thousand pieces.

She was getting nowhere with this supposed "hero" that would defeat her. The only good thing was that the others had no idea how to find her either.

Rumple had been no help considering he knew nothing. Or that's what he had her believing.

She stormed further up the stairs to her own potions lab to check on the old man to make sure he was creation her concoction perfectly.

Because he was the one who told the others about the girl, Zelena figured he knew a potion to track her as well. And she was right.

So he was creating a potion to tell her exactly who this mysterious girl was so she could choke the life out of her once and for all. The witch pursed her lips and leaned over his shoulder, breathing in his musky scent and smiling viciously.

"How's it coming?" she caressed each word and was pleased with his shivering reaction.

"Fine."

"Good." She said, pulling back and heading back down the stairs.

Meanwhile Rumple peered at the door, listening to see if she'd come back in. The hosue was silently and so he quickly got to work.

He pulled out a pen from his coat pocket and grabbed a scrap piece of paper that laid on the room. He began to write, quickly and furiously, checking every once in a while to make sure Zelena wasn't coming up the stairs.

Soon he was done and he quickly hid the paper and pen in his jacket. He hoped Bella would find it and soon.

A/N: Another chapter done. Don't worry, things will start to pick up in the next chapter and get a tad bit more intense (wait till the middle of the story. CRAZY!) Anyway please please please review!

I love reviews! I eat reviews! Your comments inspire me so please leave a comment below!

Enjoy this chappie. Until the next one!

~ Ember G.