Author's note: My God I know it's been a long time since I've updated this story! A little something called life got in the way, aka school, work, etc. Just found this chapter on my comp and hopefully it'll inspire me to continue writing this!

Chapter 4

"I think I'm gonna throw up."

Emma fingered the delicate silver necklace fastened around her neck as she spoke, running her finger over the bumpy chain as she had developed a habit of doing. It did little to calm her down.

"Relax." Mary Margaret said soothingly. She, along with Ruby, was simultaneously curling and pinning up sections of Emma's hair as she sat in front of a large vanity.

"No, not like this." Ruby said as she made a grab for some of Emma's hair, tugging it out of Mary Margaret's grasp. "Curl it like this. It'll look better."

"No, I really think it should be the other way." Mary Margaret protested.

"Guys." Emma started.

But neither of them seemed to pay her any attention. "Look I've been doing my hair like this for ages." Ruby argued. "Whereas you have short hair."

"Well I didn't always." Mary Margaret countered.

Regina spoke up from the corner of the room, where she'd been waiting to do Emma's makeup. "Yes, because you had so much time to do your hair while on the run."

"Yes, but I was a princess and-"

The nausea was rising, filling up inside, threatening to bubble up and out. "Guys!"

Regina clapped twice, loud and staccato. "E-nough." She stood up and strode over to where Mary Margaret and Ruby stood. "Clearly neither of you two children are fit for this. Look at poor Ms. Swan. Her face is growing greener by the second, looking far too much like my dear sister, and you are not helping."

"But-"

"I will take it from here." Regina said, snatching the curling iron from Ruby's hand. "Unless you want her to throw up over that dress."

"Of course not." Mary Margaret sounded horrified at the prospect.

"Good." Emma could see from the mirror that Regina was smiling smugly. "Then go sit over there."

"We're not children." Ruby grumbled, but she did as told.

Regina only raised an eyebrow before turning her attention back to Emma's hair. "I'll beg to differ."

With Regina doing her hair, the room much was much more silent, mainly the sounds of the various hair tools that were being used filling the air; this gave Emma nothing to focus on except for her own rambling thoughts.

"Well don't look too happy or anything." Regina said as she stood back to admire her work. "I'm good, but without at least a neutral expression I might as well have done your hair and makeup in the dark." Sensing no response, she snapped her fingers in front of Emma's face. "Hello!"

Emma jumped slightly. "What?" She sounded irritated.

"Smile!"

Emma thought this was a bit thick, coming from someone who used to be known for her first class scowl. She tried and failed to rearrange her lips, managing only a weak half smile.

"Better." Regina's gaze softened as she dusted a bit of powder over Emma's face. "But only slightly." She and Ruby left to go and change, leaving Mary Margaret and Emma in the room.

"Nervous?" Mary Margaret teased.

"No." Emma gulped. "Why would you think that?"

Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's perfectly natural to be scared. In fact, the day before my wedding I thought about running away into the forest again. Seemed a lot faster."

"Also because Regina was after you."

"Well yes, I do suppose there was that." Mary Margaret laughed. "But you want to know what stopped me?"

"What?"

"The thought of being alone again. I was so scared that I completely forgot about what I'd be gaining."

"Yeah?"

"A family." Mary Margaret finished. "That I'd never have to be alone again, that I'd always have somebody by my side. And I knew that whatever happened, there was no way I'd ever give up what I'd gained. When I walked down that aisle, I'd known I'd made the right choice." She smiled briefly at the memory. "Now, your situation was not the same as mine, thank goodness. But just like the lonely girl who'd lived in the forest for so long, you deserve that same chance for happiness."

Emma stared at her mother as she listened to her. Everything she was saying-Mary Margaret had idea that Killian was hiding so many secrets. "Mom?"

"Yes?"

She opened her mouth, ready to spill everything, to tell her about the mysterious napkin with the random pattern of dates, the secret outings, and the meet up at Granny's. "I-"

"Yes?" Her mother repeated. Her face was so eager, her eyes wide and sincere.

I can tell her. I should tell her. She'd understand. She'd know what to do. "I, um, I…" But the words were stuck in her throat, unable to push themselves past the tall gate of her mouth. "I'm glad you're here." She finished lamely.

"Oh, sweetheart." Mary Margaret reached out and hugged her, all the while mindful of the beautiful white dress that had taken so much time to find. "Me too."

I can't tell her. Emma realized as she sat stiffly. Look at how happy she is. It would break her heart.


Killian tugged at the neck of his shirt, frowning as he stared down at it. "Tell me again why I have to wear this bloody thing."

"It's called a tie." David fixed his own tie as he spoke. "And you're supposed to; it's tradition."

"Well, nothing about Emma's and my courtship would be considered traditional, so I really don't see-"

"Because you have to." David interrupted, grimacing at everything the pirate was hinting at. "And quit messing with it." He reached out to straighten Killian's tie. "Don't worry. You still look as devishly handsome as always."

Killian struck a pose and raised an eyebrow at his reflection in the mirror. "You think so, mate?"

But despite his light tone, his stomach was winding itself into rather complicated notes, while he thought he was about to be sick. Normally he would've had a sip (or five) of rum to calm himself, but the mere thought of imbibing anything was enough to cause tremors in his hand.

As David shrugged on his jacket, Killian's thoughts wandered to the now very wrinkled napkin left behind in his jacket at home. If things went according to plan, by the end of this day all of his efforts would pay off.

Almost as if he sensed Killian's apprehension, David placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stop worrying."

How could he, though? As he stared into the face of the man he now considered one of his very best friends, he wondered idly if his mate would continue to act this way towards him if Emma reacted badly today.


"In order to understand Ms. Swan, you must understand all of the circumstances that have created the woman she is today." The Crocodile limped into the back area of his shop as he spoke, the volume of his voice rising to adjust for the distance between them.

"Enough with the riddles. What the bloody hell does that mean?" Killian interjected rudely.

Rumplestilskin shot him an irritated look, but continued, returning with a large vial of bright red liquid. "It means, pirate, that you need to understand everything your girlfriend has been through." He plunked the bottle down on the counter.

"I don't get it. I already know about Emma's past."

"Yes, everything she's told you."

"Emma's told me everything." He insisted.

"As much as you would like to believe that, you and I both know that's not true." Rumple said impatiently. "One can never fully comprehend another's actions until one has experienced everything the other has. This potion will allow you to do so."

"How?"

"Simply add a stand of Ms. Swan's hair, mix, and drink."

"Just like that?"

"Not exactly. You must focus on the one who's mind you wish to probe into. Focus on seeing the experience you believe is pertinent."

Killian nodded. He reached out for the vial, but then retracted his home. "Oh, I know you Crocodile, far too much for my liking. Name your price."

"No price." Rumple said, somewhat reluctantly. "Consider this a-thank you for all you've done for Belle."

Well, if the Crocodile wasn't going to demand anything, he was going to get the hell out of here. Killian pocketed the vial and turned to go.

"Wait."

He turned around. "What? Changed your mind?"

"No, but you might want to. As I have always said before, all magic comes with a price. This is no exception. This potion will allow you to see into Ms. Swan's head, but it also holds a strong, very powerful consequence that many would wish to avoid."

But Killian had heard enough. Without another word, he nodded shortly and pushed open the door to the shop.

A strong, powerful consequence. He was certain that his recent fight with Emma had been the price; he had nothing to lose, then.