Sorry, this "technically" isn't a CS "deleted" scene because Emma isn't present, but it is very much about Killian's and Emma's relationship (and dose of Snowing) so I'm still posting it here because I have some issues with the sacrifice of characters-for-plot the show has done with the last several episodes… (and I had such hope they were going to fix Snow after the date episode...sigh).
This scene picks up with Snow's last line in 4x07 (The Snow Queen).
"David, we failed today. When our daughter needed us most she looked in our eyes and all she saw was fear. The Snow Queen has some mirror that turns us against each other. Well, she doesn't need it. Look at us. We're doing it to ourselves."
No, you're doing it to your own daughter.
Killian shifted uncomfortably, biting back the words he wanted to snap at Snow White.
He'd known something was off with Emma when they'd stormed the clock tower, but she'd waved him off, focused on capturing the Snow Queen. The guilty words of her mother reminded Killian that Swan was supposed to be watching the little prince that morning.
What the bloody hell happened after I left Swan at the station to make her terrified of her own magic?
"If it's all the same to you, I'd like to keep looking for her." Killian's frustration simmered under the surface, trying to escape. He needed to leave before he spoke words he'd later regret.
David turned to him, studying his face, finally giving him a nod. "We'll stay here in case she comes back."
She won't.
"Do you want some help?" Elsa fidgeted with her hands, her worry obvious. "I might be able to reach her." She gave an apologetic smile to Swan's parents. "I know what it's like to have those you love fear you."
"No offense, lass, but the last time we went searching through the woods together, the Snow Queen tried to kill me so the town would blame you." He raised an eyebrow at her. "I'll likely be safer alone." He turned to leave, walking to the door, only to have a hand on his arm stop him.
"Be careful, okay? Emma's not herself." David's warning sounded from behind him.
Killian twisted, meeting the man's gaze. "That's what you don't seem to get, mate. She is who she's always been. The only difference is Emma used to run because she feared getting hurt. This time she's afraid she'll be the one to cause harm." Killian's eyes tracked to Snow, unable to disguise the censure in them. "The same magic you fear has saved me and the people of this town on multiple occasions. Remember that when you see her again."
The grip on his arm loosened and Killian left the apartment without another word.
His unease grew as he walked down the stairs.
They'd walked right into the Snow's Queen's trap and she had used it to sink her claws into Emma. The fear and horror in Swan's eyes at the station had sliced through him, and yes, he'd been afraid, but not for himself. For her.
I never should have left her alone with the bloody ice witch, knowing they shared a history.
You didn't know, mate, and Swan prefers to handle these matters alone.
But she doesn't have to, not anymore.
Killian had witnessed first-hand how the Snow Queen wanted to isolate Elsa and turn the town against her. It simply hadn't occurred to him—or the others for that matter—that she would attempt the same tactic with Emma.
Or that it had a bloody chance in hell of working.
Emma was the Savior, not a stranger like Elsa. While her magic was unpredictable, Killian couldn't imagine the town she'd repeatedly saved turning on her.
Of course, he hadn't anticipated Snow White's reaction, either.
Bloody hell.
He exited the building and pulled his phone from his jacket pocket, flipping it open and pushing the Emma button.
Pick up, sweetheart. Please.
"Hey this is Emma. Leave a message."
Killian hated this damn thing.
"Isn't the entire point of this device to have someone answer on the other end?" He tried to lace the complaint with humor—she had insisted he carry it for that very purpose after all—and took a deep breath, choosing his next words carefully. "I don't know what the Snow Queen told you in that station, but I know you, Swan. I know how when you're afraid you push away those you care about. I know you'd do anything to protect your family. And you have. Your magic is a part of you, love, and without it, those in this town would have been destroyed long ago. It protected you from Cora. It saved me in Neverland. It's how we were able to travel back to this time. You can use your magic to beat the bloody ice witch at her own game." Killian knew his time was short, and hurried his next words. "I need to know you're alright, Swan. If you refuse to do it in person, perhaps you could use your telephone to—"
A beep sounded and Killian cursed as the message cut off.
He needed to see her. His words were just that—words. Swan placed far more trust in actions and he had to show her—dammit—that he trusted her.
Killian had to explain how, even when she'd claimed to have lost control, the invisible tug of magic had surrounded him. He hadn't known why at time—so focused on Swan he'd not seen the pole falling toward him—but it had been there, warm and electric, much like when Swan had rescued him and David from the icicles.
She was going to save me. Again.
Then someone had shoved him from behind—the prince certainly knew how to demonstrate his full approval—and the pain on Swan's face as the object struck her father was like a blow to his own heart.
Swan had run away before he'd been able to inform her that if it hadn't been for her father's penchant for heroism, her actions would have harmed no one.
And really, it only grazed the prince. I hit him much harder in Neverland.
Killian fiddled with the buttons on his phone, making sure he'd hear it if Emma tried to reach him. He set off with a purposeful stride, his destination a stretch of woods far away from Hood's camp.
I will find you, love.
I just hope the bloody witch doesn't find me first.
I might not be as forgiving for what she's done to you, foster mother or not.
Emma wasn't the only one willing to do whatever it took to keep loved ones safe.
Many thanks to BirdOfOrk for her beta skills.
A/N and rant: I almost miss Neal because he used to the be character sacrificed for plot and now it appears to be Snow (or occasionally...Hook). This was my therapy to deal with Snow from that episode and my new head canon to make sure she never, ever does it again (you hear me, writers?). /end rant
Anyone else agree?
Review? All feedback welcomed.
