Pendants

Rae didn't join in the hunt for Belle. Instead, she sat in her father's shop and waited for him to come back. She wanted desperately to talk to him, but she didn't want Belle to get in the way. As she wandered the shop examining all the magical relics – many of which she now recognized from the Enchanted Forest – she couldn't help the thoughts that kept drifting back to Killian.

She missed him terribly, and she wished there was some way, any way, that she could find out if he was alright. She glanced down at the pendant around her neck. That wouldn't work; the pendant only allowed for a feeling of connection and occasionally the sound of their name across realms, but there was no way to know for sure if he would feel her call. No, there had to be a better way…

Rae looked around the room, and her eyes landed on a collection of crystal balls that her father kept behind the counter to be turned into viewing devices. Her eyes lit up with excitement: she could make a crystal ball and see for herself if he was alright, then she could send him a message through her pendant.

Making a crystal ball was a complicated magical process, though, and Rae knew it would take time to be sure she did it properly. She bit her lip. No doubt her father would be out searching for Belle for most of the day especially if she was anything like she had been in the Enchanted Forest. 'And,' she reasoned with herself, 'if he does come back while I'm in the middle, I can just pretend that I'm making it so he can check on his son.'

With that comfort in mind, Rae began rushing around the shop, gathering the necessary ingredients for her crystal. She smiled to herself as she realized this would not be the first time she had used her father's things for Killian's sake.

Flashback

Rae sat in her room staring longingly out her window at the sea. It had been years since Killian last made port, and her mirror seemed to refuse to show her anything outside of their realm no matter what magic she tried to pour into it. She suspected her father had done something to it to keep her from seeing anything outside of the Enchanted Forest; he had often said there was nothing but danger beyond this world.

Sighing, Rae turned to a shelf above her bed and waved her hand gently. A pair of jeweled pendants appeared from where they had been concealed by a spell of hers just in case her father were to come and see her – a highly unlikely occurrence since Belle "left". She had just managed to smuggle the last ingredient she needed from her father's stores (not in his private workroom) in order to make the necklaces work properly.

When Killian came back at last, Rae was determined to give him something that would keep them from being separated again like they were now. True, she firmly believed that she would not attract his attention the way he had attracted hers, but she still wanted to be connected to him. He had seen and experienced so much, and he had watched his true love die before his very eyes, so what could she, a frightened, cursed, and inexperienced girl have to offer him? She could already tell that she loved him, but would that be enough?

She knew nothing of real love. Her parents had abandoned her, her aunt Regina never spoke of the man she had once loved, her father was now claiming that he had never loved anyone, and where did that leave her? She had certainly never felt like this before; the intensity of her feelings frightened her beyond belief, but she could not imagine giving them up.

It was amazing how quickly Killian had gone from being someone interesting that sparked her feeling of adventure to someone she now feared having to live without. How had he come to affect her so? In Rae's mind, it didn't truly matter.

All she knew was that when he returned, she would be waiting at the docks for him just like she promised when he left. If she was careful, she could probably even use her magic to guide his ship home faster once she could finally see it.

Rae took a deep breath and focused her attention solely on the necklaces before her as she began to twirl her hands in complicated motions to enact the necessary spells to connect the necklaces and allow them to reach across realms. Both pendants glowed a bright blue then gold before returning to their natural state. Releasing her breath, Rae glanced again out the window and had to clap her hands to her mouth to stifle her scream of delight.

Killian had returned to her realm at last!

Rushing closer to the window, Rae stared longingly at the image before her which showed The Jolly Roger rising over the waves. She waved her hand and the image focused on the captain who was shouting orders to his crew as they transitioned after their travel through the portal. "Finally," she whispered, staring longingly at his face. "Let's get you home safely."

She waved her hand again, and the wind picked up just enough to blow the ship home faster and not destroy it. Rae watched Killian's face register brief surprise before a sly smile appeared: he knew what was happening.

Rae guided the ship carefully until it was within sight of land, then she allowed the experienced crew to take over while she readied herself to meet Killian. She changed her gown in a flash and whirled her cloak around her shoulders. Just as she was slipping the necklaces into a hidden pocket, she heard her father pounding at the door.

"ARAYA! Open the door, now!"

Rae glanced fearfully from the image in her mirror to the door her father was pounding on, desperately trying to decide which she should choose.

"I know you took magical ingredients from my stores. What are you making?"

The color drained from her face in a flash. If her father found out about Killian, goodness knows what he would do especially considering their history. She had learned the truth several years before when she went looking for information on The Dark One, as Killian called him. It hadn't taken much searching to realize that her father was the one who had killed Killian's love, and Rae, while not wanting to choose between the two of them, knew it was a bad idea to let them anywhere near each other.

Thinking quickly, Rae cast several strong protection charms on her window to keep her father from finding out where she had been looking and vanished from her room just as her father managed to get in.

Rae reappeared seconds later on the pier and took a shuddering breath to calm her nerves at how close a call it had truly been. The last thing she wanted was for Killian to begin asking questions – she wasn't sure she was ready to tell him who her father was. She had just managed to school her expression when she saw the Roger docking nearby.

Smiling from ear to ear, Rae hurried along the pier until she was standing at the dock where the gang plank had just been lowered. She could hear Killian shouting a few last orders before he finally dismissed the men for a few nights of enjoyment on shore. She moved off to the side as the men charged towards the taverns in pairs or small groups. Finally, it was just the captain left on board.

"Killian!" she called, fighting to keep her excitement down.

Killian finally appeared and grinned broadly when he saw who had called him. He hurried down the plank and caught her in his arms, spinning her several times before replacing her on the ground.

"I knew it was you as soon as the wind picked up, lass! No weather has ever been so kind or so quick."

"I missed you," Rae defended, blushing scarlet. "I didn't want to wait any longer."

"Well the men certainly were grateful," Killian said. "I don't reckon they would've wanted to be at sea any longer either." He took her hand and began walking towards the town and the taverns. "And just for the record, love, I missed you as well."

Rae felt the blush rising in her face and desperately hoped he hadn't noticed. "How long will you stay?" she asked quietly, dreading the answer.

"About a month if not more," Killian replied. "It'll take time to restock the ship and find what we need for trade. Besides, we've been at sea for so long, the men deserve a break."

"So do you," Rae reminded him. "You should take some time for yourself."

Killian chuckled. "Aye, lass, I probably should, but a captain must take care of his men first – it's good form."

"I know, but if you're going to be ashore for a while, I'm sure you could find at least a little time for yourself."

"Perhaps. But tonight, we drink! I have a whole new set of tales for you, love, if you're willing."

"Oh yes please!" Rae gushed quickly. "Tell me everything! Did you return to Neverland?"

"Not this time, love. I want no parts of that place for a long while. But I did travel to many other places worthy of a tale."

Rae could have listened to him tell stories for hours on end, and, indeed, she did that evening. The only time he paused in his tales was when he ordered more rum, which she politely refused. By the time Killian began to slow down in his stories, they both suddenly realized just how late it had become. Together, they left the tavern and walked slowly back to the Roger.

"I don't want to go home," Rae suddenly admitted, shocked by her own boldness.

"Trouble with your father again, love?" Killian asked with more than a hint of sympathy in his voice.

"You could say that," Rae acknowledged with a humorless laugh. "I'm slightly concerned he'll kill me if I go home at this moment."

"What makes you say that?"

"I needed some supplies of his to make something…and he figured out that I had taken them. I didn't tell him what they were for, and I truly can't. He'd be more angry if he learned the truth."

"Was it something magical?" Rae could hear the barely disguised eagerness in his voice.

"Yes, and it is a gift for someone quite special to me," Rae replied with a sly smile.

"He's a lucky lad, whoever he is," Killian assured her.

"I'm glad you think so," Rae began, fighting the nerves erupting in the pit of her stomach, "because the gift is for you, Killian."

Killian stopped walking and turned to face her fully. "For me, lass?"

"Aye," she replied softly. "I wanted you to have something…oh, it's probably ridiculous."

"What is it, love?"

"I want to be connected with you, even when you leave. It was hard not knowing where you were or if you were alright. I know we don't know each other all that well, but I worried about you. These," she pulled the pendants from inside her cloak, "will solve that problem."

She handed him the one that glowed gold and tightly clutched the one that glowed blue. "These are enchanted with many spells that will basically allow us to communicate…even across worlds. I can speak to you through mine, and you can do the same with yours."

"Even across realms?" Killian asked, examining the pendant in wonder.

"Well, maybe not," Rae admitted. "Magic works differently in different realms, according to the research I did. But we should still be able to use them…the effect just may be less than it is here."

"This is truly amazing, Rae," Killian praised. "How do I use it?"

"Just like this," Rae grinned. She held the pendant up close to her mouth and whispered his name into it. Killian's pendant glowed and echoed her voice.

"You are a marvel, love," Killian smiled. "This is the most amazing gift I've ever been given."

"Truly?" Rae asked, flushing scarlet again.

"I may be a pirate, love, but I'm honest when it comes to ladies. I'll wear it next to my heart, love." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "As for not going home, you're welcome to spend the night on my ship – in my cabin, of course. I don't want you with the rest of the men: not that they're bad men, but why risk it? I'd be honored to have you, if you're willing."

Rae thought for only a moment. True, she was digging herself a far deeper hole than she had started with, but right now she wanted only to be with Killian, regardless of what happened with her father.

"Alright. I'll stay with you."

Soon, staying the night turned into staying for a week, then two. Suddenly, Rae found herself in the middle of the deck of the Jolly Roger holding a sword with Killian standing opposite her.

"I really don't think this is a good idea," Rae said, the apprehension obvious in her voice.

"Trust me, love, you'll be fine," Killian insisted, twirling his sword.

"But magic is my defense!"

"Suppose you land in a situation where you can't use your magic and still have to defend yourself," Killian suggested. "What do you do then?"

"Simple," Rae smirked as she lunged at Killian. "I die."

"You are getting better you know," Killian sighed as he began to parry her attacks.

"Oh no I don't mean because I'll lose the duel," Rae explained. "I mean if I don't have my magic, I die."

"What are you talking about, Rae?"

"I am what my father calls a Siphon. I live on the magic around me. I need it to survive, so if I lose it or if I'm in a place without it, I'll die like you would without air."

Killian grunted as Rae actually managed to almost land a blow. "Why have you not mentioned this before?"

"It's my weakness," Rae replied with a shrug. "I'm not going to trust the way to kill me with just anybody, you know."

"Fair enough, love," Killian admitted.

"Speaking of weaknesses: did you ever find one for the Dark One?" Rae asked. She felt slightly like she was betraying her father, but maybe Killian knew more about him than she did.

"I did as a matter of fact," Killian grinned in triumph. "I learned of it in Oz: a dagger with his name on it. It controls him, and it is the only weapon that can kill him."

Rae's face drained of color, and she turned away sharply before Killian could see, disguising it as a tactical move in their duel. She knew of the dagger, of course. It was the only thing keeping her alive as well as her father…it was her source of magic.

"Unfortunately," Killian continued. "I have no bloody idea where it is, and no doubt the Crocodile will keep it close by."

Rae bit her lip and lunged at him again, shoving him against the mast and moving in close. "Why don't you just leave it, then? Abandon the quest for revenge and start over?"

Killian stared at her, clearly thinking. It was obvious to him that the lass cared about his safety, and he'd be a liar if he said he hadn't been worried sick about her looking into the Dark One. The idea of something happening to her had not been pleasant to him, but could he really just abandon his revenge?

"He killed the woman I loved, Rae…I can't just forgive the demon for that."

"But would she really want you to spend the rest of your life in search of revenge? Wouldn't she want you to be happy and live your life?" They had stopped dueling now, but they had not moved away from the mast. "You could start over…maybe…maybe even find a new love."

Ocean blue met emerald green in a moment of honesty and vulnerability. Green willed blue to read the love in them, and blue allowed a momentary glimpse into the broken soul inside. Then blue blinked…and the spell was broken.

"You may be asking too much of me, love. I've been on the quest of revenge for so long…I'm not sure I could give it up."

"Even if it costs you your life?" Rae pleaded.

"Rae, in my mind there are two things worth dying for: love and revenge. The Dark One took love away from me…I will have the other."

"He only takes away what you let him take away," Rae whispered. "You could have love again, if you wanted to."

Killian suddenly seemed to understand. He looked at Rae for a moment in shock, then his eyes seemed to dim with sadness. "I don't want to hurt you, love. I never meant to lead you on…maybe at first, but you are far too kind and innocent a lass for that. You deserve to be courted, and loved, and adored, and worshiped like the lady you are. I…I don't think I can give that to you, Rae."

"Did you ever consider that's not what I want?" Rae whispered, fighting back tears.

"What do you want, love?"

"I want the freedom…I want the adventure! I've been living in the same place, within the same walls for my whole life! I want to see the world, I want to see other realms, I want to meet new people, feel new magic, see new things. My father would keep me locked away until I die to protect me from enemies he no doubt creates. I'm tired of being a child, Killian. I want to live, and you…you can give me that. Do I love you? I'm not sure yet. I think I do, but perhaps that's a girl's vision of what love is. Maybe I only love what you represent, or maybe I love something I see in you that you've missed. I don't know yet, but I want to find out. Can you accept that?"

Killian stared at the woman before him in wonder. He had never met a woman so open about what she wanted. Sure, Milah had been open about how much she hated her husband and how much she wanted to escape her life for a life of adventure, but Rae's admission somehow felt more raw…more real to him than Milah's ever had. Perhaps it was the freedom with which she spoke of her feelings regarding him that impressed him, but he felt his resolve breaking as he stared into her eyes.

"What are you suggesting, Araya?" he asked seriously; he wanted to be absolutely sure that she was sure before he did anything.

"I want to come with you," Rae said firmly. "I want to travel the world and be free."

"Are you truly willing to leave your father behind?"

"He doesn't want me anymore," Rae replied. "The woman he cared for walked out of his life because of his love of magic. He hasn't been the same since."

Killian took her hand. "You still have time to decide; the Roger won't leave for another week or two, but if you are really willing, I will take you with me when I leave. No one deserves to have their dreams locked away."

Back in Storybrooke

Rae beamed as the crystal ball in her hand glowed and an image began to swirl inside it. The longer she focused, the clearer the image became until she could clearly see Killian inside it, but a frown creased her face almost instantly as she realized he was being chained to something by none other than Emma Swan.

Her magic crackled just beneath the surface of her skin as she watched Killian desperately try to get free as Emma simply walked away. Once the horrible woman was out of sight, Rae turned her full attention to Killian's plight. Dare she risk using her magic across realms to aid him? Her magic was still a bit unpredictable, but the thought of leaving him there…

She carefully held the pendant in her hand and called his name into it. Through the crystal ball she could see Killian freeze as he heard her voice. He was frowning in concentration almost as though he didn't recognize her voice, but Rae persisted.

"Killian! Answer me!"

"Who?" she faintly heard through the pendant.

Rae felt her heart twinge, but reasoned that there must be some sort of magic at work. Perhaps he too forgot everything with the curse, and because he was in a different realm, the curse had not broken properly.

"Araya," she called back. "Rae…the girl who came with you from the tavern."

There was a flicker of recognition in Killian's eyes, but it was brief.

"I can help you!" she tried. "I can get you out of there!"

"How?"

Rae took a deep breath and concentrated hard on the chains binding him. It only took a few moments before the chains snapped and he was free. Exhaling, Rae smiled as he glanced at his hand in wonder.

"Thank you," he called. "Where are you?"

"Storybrooke," Rae explained. "Follow Swan…"

"Why help me?"

Rae smiled faintly even though he couldn't see her. "Because no one deserves to have their dreams locked away. Come home to me…"

The crystal faded with a final word from Killian echoing through the pendant around her neck: "Araya…"

Sorry for the long wait, but I'm actually an adult now with work and trying for a career, so updates are going to be catch as catch can for a while. Although, summer is just around the corner, so I may be able to update more over the next few months (no promises though).

The end of season 5 of this show really had me going for a bit there…no spoilers for those who haven't seen it yet, but holy cow what a ride! For those who have seen it, you know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I'll be back with more as soon as I can, and the good news is Killian should be arriving in Storybrooke at long last YAY! I can't wait to get into some of the later stuff with Araya…it's going to be awesome (I hope)!

Thanks for all the continued support, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter (as fluffy as it was). See you all soon!