To Save the Saviour

Chapter Three

Esmeralda had briefly left the deck to check on the sleeping couple. Not trusting Smee not to go below when he returned, she stood staring out to sea. She understood why her Brother loved the open water so much, but she had never been settled if she couldn't venture outside of walls. Even if they belonged to a ship.

Killian had written to her of his fear that he would not get to keep his happy ending now that he had found her. This must seem as though every nightmare he had ever had was coming true.

And what had the Saviour done to deserve any of this? Every time she had ever seen Emma, she was trying to help someone. By Esmeralda's thinking the only reason Emma still had so much light in her aura was because she had done so much good for others in the past few years.

So deep in thought was she, that when Smee returned and of course ignored her instructions she was unaware. At least she was until he hit the shield she had instinctively put up and went flying across the deck. "I thought I told you not to go below."

Smee quickly gathered the items he had been given together. He should have known the Gypsy would have something up her sleeve. "Sorry Milady, but their Royal Highnesses also sent some food and I did not wish it to get cold."

Smee's aura was going grey. That wasn't totally untruthful but he was exactly above board either. "I'll make sure Killian eats something when he has rested." She held her arms out for the food and clothes. "You may go now."

Obviously seeing the Captain tonight was out of the question. Most likely it would be out of the question until the Gypsy returned to her own realm. He had been hoping with the saviour out of the picture the Captain would get the crew back together and go to sea. Instead he had been wasting time trying to find her and free her from the dagger. "Good night Milady."

Esmeralda barely gave Smee a passing glance before heading below. The food smelt appetizing and the clothes appeared to be a lot more comfortable than what she was wearing. She just hoped that fool hadn't woken Emma or Killian. The blinding light that escaped from under the door to the Captain's quarters hinted that he had.

The thump of Smee hitting the deck had indeed woken Emma. As she was about to move to see what was going on, Killian's arm tightened around her. "Don't go. Es will sort out whatever's going on up on the deck." For a moment she thought he was talking in his sleep.

When she turned over she found herself looking right into his sea blue eyes. "How long have you been awake?" She needed to leave. Where was the dagger? Killian usually kept it under his pillow.

"Long enough to know you're real and not a dream." Killian could see that her instinct to run was back stronger than ever. "I love you Swan. I can't do this without you."

Tears ran freely down Emma's face. "I love you too, but I never wanted you to see me like this."

"It doesn't make me love you any less." Killian needed her to know he hadn't given up on her. None of them had. "I'm not going anywhere without you." He cautiously leaned forward and brushed her lips with his.

Their kisses had always been explosive, but it seemed as though it was electric as well. They kissed each other as though the other was the last glass of water in the desert. Neither were aware of the blinding light they were creating with their love.

Esmeralda took a guess at what was going on behind the door and quickly changed, grabbed a few blankets and headed back on deck. It was where she had always slept when aboard the Jolly Roger anyway. She had strapped the dagger to her back to be safe underneath her borrowed clothes.

As she settled in for the night two of the messenger pigeons she had sent out returned. One had a message from Quasi letting her know he missed her but was glad she had arrived safely. The other was from Italy saying that Merlin had moved on with no forwarding address.

She had known it wasn't going to be that simple to find Merlin, but it was still disappointing that she had already received one negative response. With any luck one of the other destinations would be successful.

Charming and Robin had decided to check in with Esmeralda on the way back from Jefferson's. The sight of a bright white light coming forth from one of the portholes of the Jolly Roger was a little unsettling. At least it was until they saw Esmeralda setting up for the night on the deck.

"Permission to come aboard." Charming called out not wanting to be hit by the Gypsy's magic.

"Permission granted." She called back. "What brings you out here at this time of night?"

"We thought we may need some more hats in case we have to travel to another realm." Charming sat down on the deck beside her. "What's with the light coming from the Portholes?"

"That's would be true love's kiss." Esmeralda poured some coffee from the thermos which Snow had sent with Smee.

"That's an impressively long kiss." Robin could see the light reflecting on the water. They had been able to see the light when they stopped the car at the docks. They could still see it now.

"I think they've moved onto other activities." Esmeralda sipped her coffee.

"You mean Emma's here?" Charming moved to head below.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Esmeralda gestured that he should sit down again. "I received word from Italy. Merlin has moved on. There are still a few places which I am waiting to hear back from so there is still hope."

"I thought true love's kiss could break any curse." Robin was already feeling a little more hopeful. If Emma was causing that light then she hadn't completely gone dark.

"The connection to the dagger was not a curse in Emma's case. She sacrificed herself to take Regina's place. The rules could be different." Esmeralda was not about to use the dagger to summon Emma right now. It could traumatise them all.

"Then we still need to find Merlin." Charming was a little disappointed. He wanted to see his daughter to make sure she was alright for himself.

"We do. The darkness can't keep skipping from person to person." Esmeralda calmly explained. "If it jumps to a truly evil person it could destroy all of the realms."

"Not everyone will have the strength to fight the darkness the way Emma is." Robin guessed. "Rumplestiltskin didn't."

"Rumplestiltskin was a coward who never did anything for the good of anyone but himself." Charming was still of the opinion they should transfer the darkness back into Rumplestiltskin while he was hibernating, but that would hurt Belle and Emma wouldn't stand for it.

As they sipped their coffee another of the Gypsy's messengers flew in. The bird sat calmly on her shoulder while she read the note. Slowly a smile spread across her face. "I suggest we all get some sleep. We're heading to Camelot tomorrow."