All her life she'd been searching for somewhere she could call home, people who she could call her parents, a life where she wasn't constantly looking over her shoulder. And after 28 years she'd thought she'd finally found it- sure it wasn't your conventional family- with Snow White and Prince Charming as her parents and her boyfriend Captain Hook, but she should've known that she wasn't Emma Swan "the saviour" she was just Emma Swan, the orphan, the lost little girl that nobody wanted, the daughter who, her parents were for the third time scared of the power (or potential power she possessed) and lied to her about it. The worst thing of all was that she knew they were hiding something, there unwavering optimism that people change had faltered at the mention of the Queens of Darkness, leaving Neal to go on a hike but she'd chosen to believe them because that's what they'd always done, they'd helped her bring down those walls brick by brick and it was all a lie. Her house had been made of cards and it had been blown was more than she could take so she did what she'd done her whole life and ran. Ran away from the people who had lied to her, ran away from the darkness she could feel in her bones
Honestly he couldn't believe his ears. Yes there was no denying he'd done some god awful things in his time, things he wished he would never have to tell Emma, things that he would tell her nonetheless because he'd told her along time ago to try something new;trust, which eventually she did, now he had to do the same, because she'd promised him that she would see the good in him. He was a one handed pirate with a drinking problem and so although he could understand the royals pain and regret, he couldn't quite bring himself to look into their eyes, commenting that it was bad form, before going in search of his swan.
David began to protest but Snow, silently sobbing, stopped him, knowing that they had failed their daughter once again, and like before had to hope that true love and a lot of work and the help of a certain pirate would help bring their family together again.
He found at her docks and informed that August was ok, but he knew Emma would want to go by herself, He would be ready when she wanted to talk
It was late when she arrived back at The Jolly Rodger, the author, SOB had ran away, he certainly seemed to be a piece of work. Then again this was Storybrooke everyone was a piece of work. Thankfully August was alright, albeit tired and a little shocked. It felt good to have a friend back, ironically Pinochio, seemed to be one of the only people she knew that had been telling the truth.
She climbed aboard the Jolly Rodger, unable to face her parents. Killian was waiting for her. "Swan, you've been a long time, how's the wooden lad""He's fine and if I didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous""Me jealous, never. " (Emma poofed them below deck, and he had to say he was impressed) Despite the flirtacious smiles and her undeniable beauty he knew Emma just wanted to forget everything and as much as he wanted to show Emma the delights of pilagering and plundering, this was not the right moment. "Swan I think you need some rest, we can deal with your parents and the author tomorrow. " Emma awoke the next morning and took a moment to familiarise herself with the surroundings, ever the gentleman he had left her alone and tucked her in bed. There was no denying she'd wanted him last night but it wouldn't have been special. She walked above deck and saw him gazing over the ocean, it was only by watching him she realised how much he'd given up for her. He turned around, beckoning her to join him, she did and rested her head on his shoulder, and thanked him for being a gentleman.
As much as she didn't want to break the moment she had something to say: "Killian I want to apologise for snapping at you yesterday, I'm just not used to someone putting me first and i'm scared because if my parents who have helped instilled hope in so many people only did it to try and earn redemption then maybe I really can become dark. If that happens, I don't say it will do, I just say it may I want you to take Henry at leave Storybrooke" He opened his mouth to protest but she placed a finger on his lips."You're always better at saying how you feel but I need to tell you that my happy ending is with you, it has been since I climbed that beanstalk, I was just, I still am afraid to admit it, so if I go dark, don't try and save me, you've already done that so many times, just leave because I can't hurt you or Henry I just can't.
He hugged her tighter, "Emma you said it yourself not Rumplestitskin or some author or your parents gets to decide who you are. Who you are is the Saviour not of this crazy town but of me, so if darkness does become part of you, I will ensure your lad is kept safe, but I can not promise we will leave. I will fight the darkness, I will become the darkness but I can not leave you my love."
There we no words to say so she reached up and kissed him briefly on the lips. In that moment they shared more than any words could: it was a kiss not of passion but of loss, betrayal, revenge, deceit, hope, love and longing.
She smiled, as a final single tear escaped down her cheek, she wanted this more than anything but the darkness was creeping ever closer.
Thank you for reading this. Any reviews are welcome. Or if you just want to freak about the spoilers :)