Set after 5x08/5x09 because I am hoping (maybe naively so) that Killian will be able to fight off the darkness. Because, honestly, I will be heartbroken if he really means what he said to Emma in the promo…

He knows what he must do. He knows it's for the best. But standing here, in front of the house he chose for them, it takes every last drop of resolve to open the gate on the picket fence. Their white picket fence.

But he forces himself to. He forces himself to walk up the porch steps. He knows he could just as easily have 'poofed' right into the middle of the room but he needs this. He needs to steel himself for what he's about to say, for what he's about to do. He needs this reminder that this is what she'll have once he's done what he needs to. She'll have this house and her son and her family and they will help her heal.

Standing in front of her door, their door, he hesitates, draws a deep breath, and puts on the mask of distain he will need to get her to believe him.

He knocks, three hard raps on the wood, and waits.

No answer.

Alright then, 'poofing' it is.

He senses something's off as soon as he's inside. The sword is lying on the table right next to Liam's ring and he knows she'd never leave them unguarded. He looks around the room, expecting her to materialize at any moment. When she doesn't, he decides to play along with whatever game this is and starts toward the table.

In an instant, she's blocking his path. The puff of gray smoke appearing without warning.

"What are you doing here?" she asks.

"I'm here for Excalibur." It's not technically a lie, but it's not the truth either, since it's not the main reason he's here.

Years before, he'd been a master of half-truths and now as he says it, the words slither off his tongue. He ignores the pleasure it gives him, the darkness deep inside him rejoicing at his deception. He's not doing this for the darkness - and he's not doing it because of the darkness. He's doing it for her but he can't let her know that.

"What do you need it for?"

She squints her eyes as she asks the question and he realizes she's trying to use her superpower.

He meets her gaze steadily. "That's not really your concern, love," he replies as he tries to make his way around her but she blocks him again.

"Killian, please… talk to me." Her face is vulnerable and open, her eyes a mix of pleading and trepidation and his heart constricts painfully at the sight. But he can't let her know it affects him. He has to do this.

So he draws back into himself, wills his eyes to go colder when he responds, "You think I should share my plans with you, when you didn't with me?"

She takes a step back from the venom in his voice but then stands her ground, her eyes darting back and forth between his. "I had my reasons for that," she say softly, warily.

"And you think I don't?!" he snaps, his voice rising. He can feel the darkness slithering up his spine, it's manic elation at his outburst, but he taps it down easily. This isn't the first time he's fought demons in his head and this time around it's surprisingly easy.

Having True Love really does give you strength.

"What is it, then?" she asks, refusing to back down. "What is your reason?"

He steels himself as best he can and reaches for the words that are sure to hurt her most. Forgive me, Swan.

"I want to hurt you like you hurt me."

His words drip with distain, bitter on his tongue, and she visibly flinches in front of him. When he sees a tear form in her eyes, it nearly crushes his resolve. I'm sorry, love.

She doesn't stop him this time when he makes his way around her to the table and she says nothing as he picks up the sword.

He hesitates once he has it in his hand, his gaze on Liam's ring.

"You should take it… your brother's ring, I mean," she croaks out.

He can hear the tears in her voice and he forces himself to put on a bitter smile as he looks at her. Laying down the sword, he picks the ring and tosses it to her. "You keep it. I don't need reminders anymore."

Defiantly, she puts the chain over her head and closes her hand around the ring. "I'll give it back once we're both free from the darkness. Until then, I'll keep it safe."

When he smiles this time, it's a real struggle to keep her from seeing the relief he feels. No, Swan, it will keep you safe.

Now that he's accomplished what he really came for, he picks the sword back up, saying, "Well then, if you'll excuse me, I've got a crocodile to skin."

Then, with a quick flick of his wrist, he's gone.

—

He materializes outside Gold's shop and immediately stumbles forward two steps to rest his forehead against the wall next to the door. Clenching his eyes shut, he takes several deep breaths, the broken look on her face seared into his brain. She'll understand once this is over, she'll know he didn't mean it, won't she? Please let her understand.

Once he has regained his composure, he straightens and turns the knob. The last time he met Rumplestiltskin - the real Rumplestiltskin - he'd been the villain. This time, he'll die a hero and Emma will be free.

Without hesitation, he enters the shop.

For Emma.