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Chapter 9: And the Tigers Come At Night

"Melody, I think its bath time." Ariel called to Melody.

"Alright!" Melody declared excited. Ariel watched as she went off the bath room, "I need to take this now right?" She asked Killian.

"Yes, I can watch Melody." He told her.

"Alright in my room then I don't want Melody to worry." Ariel admitted. She went into her room and looked at the bottle. It was small and a deep green with hints of gold, it was actually quite pretty. Ariel uncorked it and downed the bottle quickly. Rumple had lied, it burned like fire going down her throat Ariel fell to her knees in pain.

"Ariel!" Killian yelled, he had a shot of fear run though him that Rumple did something to her for a few moments. If he lost her- no he couldn't think about it.

"It's okay." She said her breath quickening as she tried to control the pain. "It just hurts like he said it would." Ariel told him "I just need to lie down." She crawled over the bed and practically collapsed on it.

He watched her worried, he prayed that it wouldn't have effect on Melody should they ever have to use it on her. Killian covered her with a blanket he kissed her forehead gently. "I'll check on Melody." Ariel nodded, the pain was already receding, but the feeling of the ocean was lost to her. Her heart, what made her Ariel was missing, as her connection to the ocean was severed for however long the potion might last.

"Melody?" He knocked on the bathroom door.

"Yes Daddy?" She called from behind the door playing with her toys in the bathroom.

"How are things going?" He called.

"Good, do you want me to get out now Papa?" She asked.

"That's up to you Love. If you want to be in longer, you may." Killian told her, it was so strange to him how quickly he became accustom to being a father.

Melody giggled. "Yay, but if I get out will you read me a bed time story?"

He chuckled. "Of course." Melody cheered and got dressed in a flash before opening the door while brushing her teeth.

Killian chuckled again She was so prefect he was so much in love with his little girl. "Alright Rogue Little Mermaid, Go find a book and go lay in your bed." Melody grabbed a book off the shelf and hopped on her bed.

"This one?" She asked handing him a book. "Let's see." He took it and looked at the cover.

Melody smiled "Its peter pan will you still read it?"

"Peter...Pan..." He murmured looking down at it.

She nodded, "We can read something else... but Daddy always tells me about Captain Hook and the mermaid."

"No, this is fine. If you like the story, I'll read it to you." He told her. Wondering what his future self told Melody about Hook and the mermaid. Probably left out the part where he broke his mermaid's heart for her tear. Hook hated himself for that, he'd made so many mistakes so many things he wanted to change a thought that never occurred to him in the slightest before. He would change at least in the future he did, he had a family something he never thought he would have. He remembered the look on future Killian's face when he spoke of Melody and he knew she was everything to him.

Melody smiled "Okay," He opened up the book and began to read. His little girl listened for a while and then slowly drifted off to sleep. Killian looked over at her asleep, he tucked her in marked the page in her book and went back to Ariel.

Ariel was laying on the bed shaking a bit the potion made her ache for the sea, for the part of her she never forget even when she was cursed. Ariel had to remind herself it was worth it anything to save her daughter. Ariel would pay any price that was asked no matter how much it hurt.

"Ariel?" Killian went over to the bed at sat down he ran his fingers through her hair tenderly.

Ariel turned back to him carefully, as the room was spinning a bit."I'm okay Killian, how's Melody?" She asked sitting up a little more.

"She's asleep."

"Oh good, Do… you have to go back to your ship tonight?" Ariel asked him, she didn't want him to say yes but Rumple was right they needed to be careful.

"I should, unless you want me here?" Killian admitted.

Ariel sat up and looked into his eyes "I always want you here but I think it's better if you go back tonight." She touched the side of his face and they breathed each other in for a few moments as if they were trading air. Then her lips touched his soft as far as kisses go, Ariel deepened the kiss opening her mouth to him slightly. He leaned into the kiss touching her face and kissing her back. He didn't want to leave her Killian was hoping he would be able to convey that in a kiss. He held the back of her head for a moment and looked into her eyes they were still so much like the ocean he felt he could drown in them.

Ariel met his gaze. "Please be safe." She whispered.

"The same to you." He told her, Killian wanted to say so much more but she looked ready to pass out.

Ariel smiled "I will be this potion took a lot out of me, I just need to sleep it off." She laid back down on the bed.

Cora had been watching...waiting...

It was late at night when Ariel woke in a sudden panic, she realized it was nothing she was just thirsty. Ashe stumbled her way into the kitchen and clicked on the light. She jumped at the shock of finding Melody in the middle of the kitchen. "Melody, you're awake?"

Melody looked at her, "Mama! Did I wake you?"

"No, I was just getting a glass of water. Do you need something honey?" Ariel asked her.

"I heard daddy leave. Where'd he go?" She asked rubbing her eyes.

"Oh he went back to his ship. He will be back in the morning honey, get some sleep." Ariel said explaining as gently as she could.

"Daddy's never left us alone before." Melody said sadly.

"I know sweetie." Ariel put her arm around her as Melody sniffled. "Mama, can I sleep in your bed?" She asked with a tiny voice.

"Of course you can." Ariel told her. Ariel took Melody's hand and led her to the bedroom. Melody went to lie down on the bed and Ariel sat down next to her. Ariel had a bad feeling in her gut she wasn't able to quell brushing it off as she laid down next to her daughter. Melody put her arm around her mother.

"Mama..." Melody's small voice came from the side of the bed.

"Yes?" Ariel asked.

"...is there supposed to be clouds coming from under your bed?" Melody asked. Ariel looked over the edge and noticed thick purple clouds of smoke coming out from under the bed. She got up grabbing Melody "Run!" Ariel made of move to get up from the bed but before she could a hand reached out of the smoke and grabbed her daughter. Melody made a choked scream before being lifted into the air.

"MELODY!" Ariel screamed lunging for her as awoman stepped out of the smoke, Ariel knew who it was right away.

"Cora..." Ariel was terrified she had no idea what to do. "Take me leave her."

Cora gave a laugh. "You've heard of me then?" Melody continued to struggle, crying.

Ariel ran over to her, she was gripped by fear, "Please please let her go…take me!" She had tears in her eyes. If Cora hurt Melody, Killian in the future would be all alone." Ariel couldn't bear the thought of that.

"What's so special about this girl anyway, hmm?" Cora's dark voice sent shivers up Ariel's spine.

"She is my daughter!"

"Your daughter isn't she a little old?"

"I had her at 15 okay!" Ariel tried. Her heart was beating so hard she was sure Cora could hear it. "Let her go!" With that Cora cause Melody to vanish into thin air.

Ariel backed away. "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"She's safe, for now." She went to Ariel grabbing her by her wrist. "As long as you cooperate!"

Ariel looked down "Alright, I will." She'd do anything for her daughter, whatever Cora wanted she wouldn't get. Cora then wrapped her purple sticky magic smoke around them both taking them to her lair.

"What do you want from me? Where is my daughter?" Ariel said as soon as they arrived. She wondered if Cora would kill her and then Melody wouldn't even exist. Ariel realized how stupid it was for her to trade her life for her daughters. If anything happened while she was pregnant Melody wouldn't even be around to save. Killian would no doubt yell at her for this lack in judgment but Ariel couldn't live with herself if Melody was taken.

"Answers my dear." Cora stated simply.

Ariel nodded, as if giving up. "Where is my daughter? Is she safe?" Cora answered by showing Ariel a crystal cube inside was a image of Melody sleeping. Ariel took a breath thanking God Melody was safe her heart felt a slight relief. "What do you want from me?" She turned to Cora.

"Who are you?" Cora asked watching her carefully and circling her like a loin with its prey.

"What? What do you mean I'm Ariel?" She looked at Cora trying to hide her fear.

"What are you?" Cora asked again as if she was stilling solving puzzles in her mind.

"I am nothing… what are you asking me?" Ariel asked her. Hoping she could play dumb for the time being she doubted very much that was the case.

Cora waved her hand over the cube smoke surrounded the bed "If you don't tell me what I want to know, your daughter may never wake and her dreams will slowly become scary reality."

"I... I … was a mermaid... in the merkingdom like so many others…But I am human now..." Ariel broke she couldn't bear to see Melody hurt. The smoke cleared and Melody's image went back to her sleeping. "Is that what you wanted to know?" Ariel asked her backing away.

"A mermaid hmmm," Cora walked over to her and touched her face. "So pretty too such a pity."

"Yes I am sure there are lots of them around." Ariel rambled trying to quell her fear. Cora grabbed her and threw her into a chair.

"There's more you're not telling me and I want to know. Let's do this the hard way shall we?" Cora used magic to bind Ariel to the chair. "Pain until you talk pretty little mermaid." Cora let sticky sweet magic cover the mermaids form, Ariel screamed in pain.

Killian rolled over in his bed it was missing Ariel's warmth. It was surprising to Killian, how fast he'd gotten used to sharing a bed with her. A few days and he couldn't even spend the night away from her. He wondered for a few moments, when he had fallen completely and utterly in love with her? However laying here he missed her, her red hair spilling over the pillows, how she smelled, her soft breathing next to him and how he awoke every morning with his face in her soft red hair. Much like he did with Milah no matter how he tried to deny it, Milah wasn't in his heart like Ariel.

He loved Milah but he had never ached for her when she was a room away. He didn't understand it, a few days with Ariel and with all he knew now he loved her all the more. He thought about why his future self couldn't bear to sleep in their bed alone and he understood it perfectly. It hurt to think about his life without her, if he couldn't make it one night how did he feel in the future and where did he find the strength to keep going for his little girl.

Killian knew himself he was ruthless, conniving and cruel but Ariel tamed him in a way he never expected. She showed him so much more then what he knew and gave him all of herself in return. In the future it must have taken longer when she became with child. Killian could see himself staying with her and not abandoning his child, which must have been a very new thing for him.

He never thought he would have one after all the eight winters with Milah never provided him with a child he always thought it was because he wasn't able to have one. Milah had given birth before after all, was she hiding it could she have been stopping herself from having a child because she didn't want a child growing up on a Pirate ship? Truth be told it wasn't something Killian had ever thought about honestly he wouldn't let himself. He would have respected Milah's choice no matter what she wanted to do. Still she could have told him if that was the case, then again he remembered Milah doing a few things that questioned her loyalty to him. He wouldn't lie to himself before he met her he was a scoundrel he'd sleep with any willing women and they were very much willing. It felt like several lifetimes ago now because of the time spent in Neverland but he was always faithful to Milah even if he suspected she might not be. Damn it he wasted so much time on her already.

His heart didn't beat for Milah the same way it did for Ariel, he knew that now if he was silly enough to believe in true love nonsense he would say that it was Ariel who would be his true love. With knowing that he would die before he let her come to harm he'd do anything to give them the future they deserved. He thought about how his future self fell for Ariel and it took months maybe it was fast this time but he saw it all he could change it now they could have more time, this time even a whole lifetime together.

Finally Killian couldn't do this anymore he just needed her nothing else to him mattered like it did before. He looked around his cabin that he remembered spending lifetimes in and just wanted it gone, he wanted something steady in his life. If that meant giving up the sea, his ship and his life as he knew it to be then that's what he would do. He would end his revenge against Rumpelstiltskin because he knew he needed the man, he watched him help him far more then Killian deserved in the future.

He got up from his bed and knew he just needed Ariel. He walked back her home which he started thinking of as their home. The air was cool and it calmed him he felt clear for the first time in years. He was happy truly happy for the first time in so long he couldn't even fathom an answer to the last time he felt such joy.

He opened the door, thinking he would go to Ariel and tell her how much she met to him. He heard Melody screaming in the bed room as if in pain. He broke in a run to Melody's room and rushed to her side. "Melody love?" He shook her a bit. Melody continued to scream and thrash around. Killian grabbed her from her bed and went into Ariel's room. A cold fear gripped him and he looked at the empty bed there was a sign of a struggle.

Melody screamed again, this time crying out for her "Papa!" Killian held her. "Wake up Melody! I'm hear love please wake up." He tried taking her over to the sink and placing some water on her face but it was becoming clear to him that whatever was going on it was real to his little girl, she was terrified.

Killian had no idea what do to he grabbed the phone and dug through Ariel's purse for Gold's number. He didn't know where he lived but it was too late for him to still be at his shop. Killian took Ariel's phone and dialed it with his shaking hand. He looked back at his little girl, tears were running down her face. The phone was ringing, "Melody please, and where was Ariel? This had to be Cora."

It took three rings before someone picked up the other end Killian wasted no time explaining, "Gold?" He said into the phone "Cora has Ariel and Melody won't wake up." He was rambling into the phone. Melody was still yelling in his arms it was breaking his heart.

Gold was about to ask if Hook even KNEW what time it was?! But then he heard 'Cora' and 'Melody' and gave. "Meet me at my shop." His tired voice said into the phone.

"I will be there." He grabbed Melody and left. Where the hell was Ariel? It was his worst nightmare… and it was coming true.Melody sobbed all the way to the shop and Killian never felt so useless in his life. He reached Gold shop relieved to find it was open.

"Gold?" He said into the darkness.

"Back room Killian." Gold's voice echoed in the shop.

He ran back there "Gold, thank you for coming Melody she won't wake up and Cora must have Ariel... if she hurts her Melody won't exist!" Killian's voice sounded strange to his own ears it was so scared.

Gold swore rather bluntly. He then placed his hand on Melody, he quickly removed his hand. "Cora placed a spell on her." He muttered. "And you're right, she has Ariel."

Killian almost broke into tears but he pushed them down and swallowed his pain. "What can I do? I have to find her."

"I understand. Bring Melody to the back room." Gold said simply.

He carried Melody into the back room and set her down on a small couch Gold had for sale. "If something happens..."Rumple looked to him his eyes questioning.

"She won't be born." Killian finished his voice low and filled with pain.

"And Melody would simply fade away." Rumple confirmed.

Killian nodded. "Anything you can do"

"Right now, the only thing I can do is place a shield around her, so that whatever is causing Melody to cry out won't be able to reach her." Gold explained. " Lucky for you I have something."

"What am I going to do if she dies?" Killian couldn't finish the pain was eating him up inside. "Do you know where Cora is?"

"I felt her when I touched Melody. If I can fallow that aura..." Rumple told him placing a protection spell over Melody. She seemed to relax and her features calmed for the first time since Killian had seen her tonight.

Killian watched him. "Thank you… I don't know what I would do if you weren't here." For once Killian was happy he didn't kill Rumpelstiltskin because if he had well he wouldn't have a clue what to do.

Rumple then grabbed a few more magical items, handing Hook a glowing stone. "Wear that, I made it as a protection for Belle, but right now you need it if Cora tries going for your heart"

Killian nodded. "Alright I will." He put the stone around his neck.

"Let's go. Melody will be safe here." Rumple told him. Killian followed him with no questions.

"This is way too much like the future... when Ariel... died." Killian told Gold.

"Don't think of that right now I need you sharp Killian, your no use to me like this." Rumple scolded him. "Right now we must focus on getting Ariel if you wish to keep Melody alive! Alright now grab on to my coat." He told Killian, the pirate grabbed it without hesitation.

"Now thinkof Ariel. If she is your True Love, my magic will take us right to her." Gold advised him.

Killian did his best to picture Ariel in his mind a clear image of her teal green eyes, or the way her red hair glowed in the sunlight. Her voice when she sang to him, her smile, her laugh everything about her until the image was complete.

Gold then threw magic powder on the ground and blue smoke encircled the both of them. When the smoke cleared they were no longer in the shop but Cora's hideaway where Killian had been once before in the future.

"Cora's lair?" Killian was pretty sure he recognized it right away.

Gold gave a nod. "Though I don't sense Cora." He started making his way to the main room. He took out the wand he stole form a fairy just for this reason. "Move carefully" He warned.

"Can you sense Ariel?" Killian questioned.

"I hid hers...remember?" He reminded Killian.

Killian really wished he had his sword He made it around a corner. "That's right."

Rumple was a bit shocked at how well the potion worked even he couldn't sense Ariel's magical aura. As the two made their way through the winding pathways Killian walked into entrance that was all to filmier to him Killian's heart dropped. "This is where…" His breathing became labored. He stopped for a moment, " If Ariel was…"

"Focus!" Gold hissed. "Is she there?"

Killian made his way carefully around the corner his blood froze when he saw her figure laying on the ground her red hair flowing around her like a halo. Gods No! He ran to her slamming on his knees beside her. " Ariel? Ariel?"

Gold didn't see or feel Cora but he didn't drop his guard. Killian pulled Ariel into his arms "Ariel Love Please?" As if Ariel was answering his pleas she opened her eyes slowly. "Killian?" She asked her voice so weak it was almost gone.

"What happened love?" Killian asked running the back of his hand down her face, Ariel closed her eyes unable to keep them open.

"Gold? What happened to her she isn't hurt?" Killian asked.

"There's time for that later! We need to get her out" He hissed at him. Killian nodded and picked up Ariel and carried her over to Gold. "The same way?"

He nodded. "Only Melody this time." Gold had him grab on to his coat.

"Okay." Killian thought of his baby girl. Gold threw powder down and blue smoke carried them back to the shop. Once they got back to the shop Killian set Ariel down a on the floor so he could look at her. "Ariel Love? Gold what happened to her... do you know can you tell me?"

"I…don't know what she was put through." Rumple told him, he had some ideas but he didn't want to tell Killian until he knew for sure.

"Can you tell if the baby is okay?" Killian asked his voice breaking he kissed Ariel's forehead softly. Melody lay still, under the spell yet. Gold hurried over to Ariel. "Melody is under a sleeping curse but I see no pricks and it's highly unlikely she was fed anything. She couldn't have gotten to Melody, unless..." He swore and hurried to Ariel as well and began to search Gold began to look around the area of Ariel's stomach especially. "If Cora saw Melody before taking Ariel then she knew Ariel was her mom, and it is a chance...but a chance it appears she ...might...have...Aha!" Gold concluded.

Killian was still lost, "Did you find something?"

Gold sighed. "When a woman is with child where would be the best place to say effect the baby's health, hmm?"

"A spell on the baby but how could she know Ariel's pregnant, she must know who Melody is?"

He slapped hook on the arm. "FOCUS, The quickest way to get the sleeping curse into the body is DIRECTLY through the bloodstream!" Gold informed him.

"So it's affecting both of them... "Killian finally got it,"How can we break it?"

"Finally!" He said sarcastically. Killian gave him a look.

"You need to wake ARIEL!" Rumple was getting annoyed.

"Okay, how?" Killian asked, at that Gold gave a growl. "Seriously?" He raised his eyebrows.

Killian thought for a moment trying to calm himself. "Alright it's a sleeping curse, oh a kiss really? You mean that actually works?"

He rolled his eyes if it's True Love's Kiss of course it'll work, Dearie."

Killian thought about it for a moment he loved Ariel, enough to stop fighting for Milah's revenge, enough to give up his life as he knew it to be with her, to be a father to his daughter, to change his ways. He leaned over and placed his lips on hers softly.

Ariel's eyes fluttered open. "Killian?" Her hands went to her Belly. She looked around and noticed where she was, "Gold?"

Hook met her eyes full of love for her he was so happy she was okay, "Is Melody safe?" Hook looked to the Sleeping Melody then his face growing sad.

"Cora, she used magic on me until I talked, I didn't but can the magic hurt the baby?" She asked Gold her voice still low and scratchy.

Gold looked over, "No Dearie the magic just causes pain it won't do any damage unless it's over several days." He told her, Gold wouldn't admit he was happy she was okay. He'd grown fond of her and her daughter. Still not Hook though but he would admit he didn't want to kill him anymore.

Ariel sat up and looked around. "Where's Melody?" Killian pointed to where Melody lay sleeping. Ariel crawled over to her, "Melody baby?" There was no response from her little girl and Killian choked back tears. Ariel started to cry and kissed Melody's forehead, Killian looked away. He held Ariel's hand. "I...I'm sorry..." He whispered. He was afraid that any louder and he'd break.

"No...No... I wouldn't tell her what she wanted to save her. I didn't care how much she hurt me just not her." Ariel told him crying Killian held Ariel her tears was the breaking point for him and tears ran down his face as well. Ariel leaned over Melody and kissed her brow again breaking into soft sobs. Her little girl this wasn't happening Ariel refused to believe she'd lose Melody.

Killian noticed Melody's face had more color and her eyes fluttered. "Look!" He whispered. "Ariel..."

Ariel lifted her head as Melody's eyes began to open. "Melody?"

"...Mama?" Melody's soft voice echoed in the room.

"Oh thank God... Melody are you okay?" She pulled her into her arms and leaned into Killian.

"Mama, why are we at Gold's?" She asked confused. "Melody do you remember anything?"

Melody shook her head. "Your safe now darling." Ariel looked over to Gold. "Thank you."

Gold gave a nod."I gave Hook a stone. Wear it Ariel, when you and Melody go out until we deal with Cora."

"I will." Ariel stood and walked over to him. "I might know of a way to stop Cora... but I have no idea how we could find what we need. I am sure you know of the Ink only Mermaid's can posse?"

"Yes!" Gold declared. "It Binds magic." He shuddered at the thought.

"Do you think we can find it here? My father always carried it with him but I've never found my family here unless Regina is keeping them locked away." Ariel Sighed. "It was an idea anyway..."

"If you are up for the search?" Gold asked.

"Of course I am... I would love to find my father will you help me?" She asked him hopeful.

"I can help." Gold nodded.

"Really? I feel like I can't ask you for anything more after what you did for me. If you can and he has the Ink once we bind Cora's power the rest is yours Rumple."

Rumples eyes got wide. "I...may have the rest of the Ink?"

"You may and I am sure you know how powerful it is. That's assuming my father is here and still has it." Ariel agreed. She would make her father give him the Ink if it meant saving her life..

"My best bet would be Regina..." Gold told her.

"Can we get her to tell us I mean she is on Cora's side?"

He raised a finger and shook it. "As long as her mom is around her, her mother has power over her."

"So we need to separate them?" Ariel asked.

"Yes"

"Alright just tell me what to do Maybe Killian can help with that? We need a plan...shall we meet and make one tomorrow?" Ariel asked gold.

Gold gave a nod. "Killian, stay with Ariel tonight. If you'd like I can guard Melody."

"I think that would be for the best she will be safe with you and Belle."

Killian blinked then. Melody...with...with Gold?

"I am still weak and Killian can't protect her with Magic like you can. I am grateful."

Gold gave a nod. Melody however saw the look on her father's face. "Papa, don't worry, kay? Gold and Belle both adore me." Killian gave a weak smile. "You speak as if you know." He teased half-heartedly.

"She does know." Ariel told him. Ariel went over and hugged Melody "Just for tonight honey," She nodded. "I'm not worried Mama, its Papa who's upset."

"I'll talk to him don't worry." She kissed Melody on the cheek and went over to Killian "Are you really worried after all Gold did for us?"

"Not because of Gold but..." He started.

"What she is your child to if you have a reason just tell me..." Ariel wasn't about to do something he wouldn't agree on.

Killian looked at her "That's just it...she's my little girl too..."

"I know and we need to keep her safe. Trust me Cora knows a lot more then she should. She pretended to be Melody snuck into our home and she knew you were gone. She knew everything Killian. I am worried about Melody I want her with someone who can protect her and I don't think we can..." She brought her voice low so Melody couldn't hear.

"Then what good am I Ariel?!" He demanded his voice going back to the angry pirate she once knew so well.

"Killian? What are you saying you're her father we have to know when we are out of our depth and we are,I don't like being weak anymore then you do." Ariel tried to reason with him. She knew why he was so upset but she wanted to calm him down.

"But I am her FATHER, DAMMIT! I should be able to protect MY Little Princess!" Killian's voice rose. Melody jumped, rather startled. Ariel knew how he felt but now wasn't the time. She grabbed Melody and brought her over to Gold. "Please just watch her tonight." Gold nodded. Giving Melody a hug and telling her she loved her. Melody smiled she loved going to Gold's house he had so many neat things to look at.

Ariel went back over to Killian "Please Killian... not in front of Melody."

Killian shook in an emotional state. Ariel was right of course. Melody remembered nothing right now. Ariel took him by the hand "Come on we can talk, you can scream and yell as much as you want but not in front of Melody." She pulled him from the shop and down the street heading home. Killian shook on the verge of breaking all the way home.

Ariel held his hand once they walked into the house she hugged him and ran her hands threw his hair. "Killian... go ahead yell and scream at me." Ariel told him.

Killian opened his mouth to do just that, but broke in a sob than. Ariel hugged him her heart broke for him "I know, trust me I know, I tried to lie to Cora she saw right through them. I was scared than she used pain and I refused to tell her."

"I-I should be able to protect Melody...to protect you!" Killian sobbed. He was broken he wanted so much to protect her but if he couldn't do that what use was he?

Ariel kissed his cheek. "Killian you can, magic is a little out of our range. In every other way you can protect us better than anyone and I love you for that. I love you for all of it, you stayed when you could have left, you became her father, I know how hard that must have been for you but you did it anyway. Killian..."

"I don't want to lose you...I don't want Melody to remember it twice..." He cried into her shoulder.

"I know... I know and if something had happened to me she wouldn't be here... I couldn't stop thinking about it Killian, I knew, I couldn't let her kill me." Ariel told him tears running down her face. She held him close Ariel had never felt such love for him as she did in that moment. No matter what they did in the future it would be together. Even broken down and hurting at least they had each other.

"And you didn't let her you fought all the way Love." He told her rubbing her back.

"I did... I thought I would die but I couldn't let her know. If I had died well I probably should have told her because Melody wouldn't be here. I think she knows Melody is from the future, I think she knows that's why she didn't kill me. This is why Melody is safer with Gold tonight."

Killian's body shook all over. "I…I should have never come here...should have never brought Cora."

Ariel held his face in her hands "If you hadn't we wouldn't have found each other. Listen to me Killian the life we will have. Even if it's short we were in love and had a daughter, who is worth my life. I would give it to her a thousand times. Six happy years with you its more then I could have asked for. I love you, you have made my life better just being in it." Ariel admitted she kissed him softly, "I won't hide it anymore I love you." She looked into his eyes and touched her forehead to his just letting their breaths mingle.

Tears fell from his eyes as he heard that phrase from her his hand holding her sides. He loved her to but he was too upset to say anything. Ariel held him for a moment then she took his hand and led him to her room. I can't stand anymore," She told him making him sit on the bed. She knelt on the floor in front of him. Taking her thumbs and bushing away his tears. "We will figure this out I promise."

"...I-I know." he whispered. "Ariel I...I love you too! I'd give my own life time and again if it meant saving you and saving Melody." He was ready to break again. She leaned up and put her arm around him. "I know you would... I know we are going to fix this we will be happy. I won't let Cora ruin our happiness." Ariel told him pressing her forehead to his again the closeness helped her and she hoped it would do the same for him. He gave a small sad smile then and a nod. Ariel opened her lips and kissed him carefully.

"Lets...go to bed ," He asked.

"Alright." Ariel went over to her dresser and pulled out a clean night grown. She took off her old one and put on the new one. "Killian can you just hold me?" She asked as she crawled into bed.

"I..I can" Ariel crawled in his arms and laid her head on his chest. "Are you mad at me for leaving Melody with Gold?" She didn't want to bring this up again but needed to know.

He rubbed her back. "Mad?"

"Yeah... I know how you feel about Gold and I know I just sent her off with him without really asking you. She wanted to apologize for it even though Ariel knew it was the right thing to do.

"I'm not mad it's just after a lifetime of wishing ill on him..."

"It's hard to see him leave with your daughter." Ariel guessed.

Killian was silent for a long moment "Aye..."

"He will protect her you know. After all he did for us Killian he led you to me didn't he?" Ariel questioned. "So do you trust him? I understand that's a heavy question but honestly…" She wanted to know if he was over the revenge thing. Ariel knew back in the past when she knew him, it was all he thought about day and night. She needed to know if he could move on like he did in the future.

Killian closed his eyes. "Really, do I have a choice?"

"Well not really" Ariel told him truthfully.

"Then there you are." He answered. Ariel could tell he wanted to be finished with this conversation.

"I know, I am sorry, we are actually lucky to have him help us. I know that's not easy for you but I guess we have to push that aside to protect her." Ariel finished. She would drop the subject now and leave him with that.

"Aye, I will." Killian actually agreed. Ariel leaned up from her place on his chest turning she kissed him. Killian rubbed her back as they kissed.

"I'm also sorry I kept pushing you away Killian." Ariel said burying her face in his neck.

"Don't be." he whispered. "I hurt you too."

Thing have changed, you're not the same." She kissed his neck softly.

"All I could think about all night before Cora... was you, I missed you one night and I missed you." Ariel confessed. It was silly she spent years alone but now having him in her life knowing what they would one day mean to each other it hurt to be away.

He chuckled softly. "You too?"

"You? I couldn't sleep I just kept thinking how strange it was that you weren't there. Then I realized that I must be crazy because it's only been a few days..."

He gave a chuckle. "Aye me too." Killian admitted his hand making small circles on her back.

Ariel looked at him "You mean you felt the same way?"

"I did..." Killian told her.

"You came back and found me missing?" Ariel asked him looking into his eyes.

He gave a nod. "And Melody screaming..."

Ariel's eyes widened "Screaming? Oh God and you brought her to Gold how?"

"I tried to assure her I was here and she'd be okay, then I called Gold." He ran through the night for her because he knew she should know.

"I am glad you called him." She told him running her hand through his hair.

"I-I didn't know what else." Killian stopped.

"I wouldn't have either, when Cora took Melody's form I really thought it was Melody. Once I found out it was her I tried getting away. She told me she'd hurt Melody so I went with her." Ariel admitted. Killian gave a frustrated sigh.

Ariel continued, "It's not lost on me that doing so would only hurt Melody, but when I heard my little girl screaming in terror what could I do."

"Right right..."

Something else was clearly bothering him "So what's on your mind?"

"What if I do lose you now...before...before..." He placed his hand on her belly. He looked into her eyes, his were dark and filled with pain.

"You won't." She kissed him as if to prove her point. "My power is hidden, I have this" She held up the stone necklace "and we have Rumpelstiltskin on our side."

"But my future self could still lose Melody..."

"I know but we won't let that happen. I thought about it...how painful, I couldn't do that to your future self. We are going to beat her once we find my father. If he has the Ink we can bind Cora's powers for Good." Ariel told him. Killian gave a nod.

"You trust me don't you? Believe me I don't want to die."Ariel finished. Killian kissed her gently, "I trust you."

"Good then can I show you how much I missed you now?" Ariel asked him running her hand down his chest. She needed him more then she could put into words, Ariel wanted to take that pain out of his eyes more than anything. Something, anything to calm both their fears and bring them a few moments of needed peace.

He closed his eyes, "Mmmm" He murmured Ariel kissed his neck softly at first then she dragged her teeth along his collar bone. "Because I did and I know it's late and I'm sleepy but I still want you." She warned him her voice low and sexy.

"You won't hear complaints from me Love." Killian said. He was surprised as always by her boldness it was something that he always liked about her. When Ariel wanted something she went after it and right now she wanted him.

"Good," Her hands went lower and she kissed him. Killian closed his eyes. Taking in all the sensory feelings he could let go with her and he hadn't had that in a very long time with anyone. Ariel kept kissing his chest going lower until she was at his hip bone which she bit lightly before going lower and Killian gasped.

She liked his response so she kept going "Killian? Do you remember how I told you I would repay you for the morning in the shower?" Ariel wanted to do something to help him forget and relax. Even after being hurt by Cora's magic she still wanted him Ariel would at least give him pleasure in place of his pain for a few moments at least.

"Aye..." he said though another breath he was having a really hard time focusing on anything but her mouth and her hands.

"Well," Her hands caressed his legs and removed his boxers. Killian was in pure bliss and then Ariel did something he never expected. She took him in her mouth and his mind shut down for a few moments before it was filled with wonder. Men paid for things like this women didn't do them out of the kindness of their heart. Milah never did… then he couldn't think anymore. Ariel was so amazing her heart knew no bounds and he was shocked to the core at how much he loved her. Then she did something with her tongue and he moaned. Lost in a pleasure he couldn't remember feeling in his whole life. He let go all thought all reason everything he surrendered to the waves of pure gratification she was giving to him. It didn't take long until he was spent and laying bad on the bed panting heavily.

Ariel was in the bathroom and came out a few moments later crawling into bed next to him. "That good?" She asked him throwing back exactly what he said to her after such activities.

He chuckled. "Aye, that good." He pulled her closer.

Ariel laughed. "Well I am happy then," She kissed him once more and then put her head down. "I'm going to sleep and then we can get up and get our little girl back."

"Sleep then love...I'm here" He kissed her head. She fell asleep quickly and Killian couldn't stop thinking about how he couldn't lose her. He wanted to spend every night next to her and kiss her awake in the mornings. The more he thought about it the madder he became at Cora. Finally he knew he wouldn't sleep tonight, he got out of bed and put in the DVD turning it down low. Maybe there were clues at least.