"You're going to do what?!" exclaimed David.
"You heard me," replied Pan, a smug smile on his face. "I want revenge, and Emma Swan can give me that. Sure, I could just kill everyone in your stupid little town, but I like to be creative. Considering pretty much everyone in Storybrooke has heard of the beloved savior, I thought that would be a tremendous way to kill all who had wronged me. The rest are just for fun."
"You're sick," I said. "Killing all of those innocent people. It's disgusting. And why do you need my daughter? Why not just take me?"
He chuckled. "Easier for transport. Anyone with your blood would have done the trick, but little Kary was simplest to handle. Plus, she is the cutest thing I've ever seen." His mocking tone made my blood boil, and I lunged for him. Killian's hook around my wrist was the only thing that kept me from killing him then and there. He put his hands up in mock surrender. "No need for hostility Emma. Please, stay and watch the show." He gestured grandly at the table that had been set up with all of the herbs needed for his spell.
"Make me," I retorted.
He smiled. "Okay then. Move one muscle and I kill this baby and use you instead." I went rigid, barely daring to breath. "Now," he said, reaching down the side of his boot. He pulled out the dagger and held it front of Gold's expressionless face. "Start the spell." Gold started to walk towards the swirling portal.
"No!" I cried.
He turned towards me. " Ah ah ah," he chided. "Remember what I said? One more outburst and she's gone." I shut my mouth. My mind was spinning, trying to think of a way to save my daughter. Then a thought hit me. I shot a sideways glance at Regina, and I could immediately tell that she was thinking the same thing. I started to inch towards her while Pan's back was turned. He prepared the spell with bravado, making sure we saw each step. When I was finally close to the brunette, I whispered.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" She nodded.
"Focus all of your energy on Pan first. Then we'll deal with Gold." I nodded. We started to move out hands upward, our movements slow and cautious. Suddenly, Pan turned around.
"What are you doing?!" he yelled. Regina and I locked eyes and understanding passed between us. Pan seemed to figure it out as well. "Rumple! Ki-" He was cut off when a beam of magic hit him square in the chest. He flew backwards, slamming into a massive tree before falling unconscious. He wasn't dead, however, so Gold continued with his movements. It appeared the spell had been finished just in time. He walked over to the swirling portal, holding Karoline above the sloshing water.
"Gold! Stop!" All of us ran towards him except for Regina, who went to retrieve the dagger from Pan. I grabbed Karoline from his arms, my heart flooding with relief. She was safe. I kissed her forehead, whispering, "Thank god." Regina ran over with the dagger.
"Rumpelstiltskin. I command thee to stop this right now." The blank expression left his face, replaced by one of complete and utter horror as he realized what he was about to do.
"Miss. Swan. I-I'm sorry. I didn't know –" his apology was cut short when Killian's fist smashed into his face.
"Killian!" I exclaimed.
"He deserved it."
"He did not! He couldn't control what he was doing!"
"It's quite alright," said Gold, getting to his feet. I was stupid to make such a deal in the first place."
"What did you do?" asked David.
"About a month ago, I learned that Pan was alive and vengeful. He stole the dagger from me and used me as a puppet. Again Miss. Swan I am so sorry."
I smiled sadly. "Really, it's okay. We have her back now." Killian walked over to me and kissed our daughter on the forehead before placing a kiss to my lips.
"You know what we have to do now?" All of the happiness and relief flooded from me, replaced by dread. The seconds I had with my daughter were numbered, counting down until I could no longer remember the overwhelming love I felt for her.
-ooo-
Once everything was sorted (which involved making sure Pan would not be able to follow us and closing up the portal thingy), we made our way out of the forest. I knew Killian wanted to carry Karoline, but he didn't interject when I held her to my chest the entire walk back. I wanted to remember the way it felt to hold her, because I knew I probably wouldn't want to do it again. I sucked in a breath when I could see the Keeper's candle flickering at the end of the path. He greeted us with a soft "You made it."
"We did," I replied. "Now what to you need me to do?"
"Take my hand." I leaned down, my lips close to my daughter's ears.
"Mommy loves you," I whispered. "Don't ever forget that." A tear fell down my cheek. I kissed her forehead again before handing her to Killian. Then I thrust out my hand. The kid's bony fingers laced through mine.
"Don't worry," he said. "This won't hurt a bit." Then, I felt the pulsing of magic as it ran from him to me. We stood there for a minute, and when he released me, nothing felt different until I turned around and my eyes fell on the most annoying creature known to man.
Killian POV
Emma turned around, and the moment her eyes fell on Karoline, they filled with hatred. "What the hell is she doing here?"
I groaned. This was not going to be pleasant. David seemed to want to avoid an outburst in the middle of the forest so he said, "We'll explain later. For now, let's get home."
-ooo-
As our walk progressed, Emma grew more and more annoyed. If Karoline even so much as cooed, she would be on her, complaining about how irritating it was. Her every word made me cringe, knowing that would despise herself if she ever heard what was coming out of her mouth.
When we reached the rabbit's house, he greeted us with a smile. "Good to know you are all safe," he said.
"I think my brain might be broken," Emma complained. The rabbit gave us a puzzled look.
"It's a long story," said Mary Margaret. "Could you please just take us home?"
"Of course," he said, digging a portal. I took Emma's hand.
"We're going to fix this," I said under my breath before being whooshed home.
Two Weeks Later
Karoline's screams ripped through the quiet of my home. I groaned as I got out of bed and went to where she was sleeping – Mary Margaret had referred to it as a 'bassinet'. It simply looked like a basket to me. I picked up my daughter, rocking her gently. "Shhhh," I whispered "Shhhh. Daddy's here." She continued to cry.
My heart ached for Emma. She would be able to help. From the second Karoline was born, Emma had been able to soothe her. Whenever we visited the Charmings loft, where Emma was currently residing, Karoline quieted at the mere sight of her mother. She gravitated towards her; her big blue eyes following the woman's every movement. Emma, on the other hand, did everything she could to avoid our little girl. At first, we had tried to make it work in the loft, but Emma would constantly complain, wearing down everyone's patience until I was forced to leave. Given my love would only come over if Karoline was away, I spent very little time with her. I thought back to Wonderland, when Emma had expressed her worry of me leaving her. Funny, how the tables had turned.
I was pulled out of my reverie when my daughter let out an especially loud scream. I tried to comfort her, but she was having none of it. Then, an idea struck me. I laid her down on my bed beside me, and her little fingers reached for one of the blankets that sat atop the mattress. She pulled it close, and instantly, her screams subsided until she was asleep. I smiled because I knew exactly why. That warm fuzzy blanket, which had been sitting on my bed for months – it was actually Emma's.
P.S. Don't forget to leave a review if you have any requests or prompts for the Christmas one-shot! xoxo
