Author's Note: Sorry it took so long for this update. I started this story with the intention to follow along with the second half of season 5 and weaving in my headcanons. I knew staying true to the overall flow of the events would be challenging and limit my creativity a bit so I'm not surprised I hit a wall here in the middle of the tale. I re-wrote this chapter so many times until it felt right (Thanks to my wonderful beta reader Adele for the push I needed on this chapter). I had (and still do) an overall idea of where I wanted to end up (if you paid attention to the hints I dropped in earlier chapters) and already know what the completely divergent sequel to this story will be.
However I've always been of the opinion that it's the journey rather the destination that means the most when telling a story or just for life in general. The title of this chapter doesn't just describe the characters and their journey, but also mine in writing this chapter.
Thanks to those who have read, followed or favorited this story. It means a lot to have support for my first foray into writing in years. I hope you are willing to trust me and this story enough to continue the journey. So if you are, let's take that next step as Emma and Killian always do... together.
When Killian returned to their bed, he tucked Emma into his arms and held her as she slept. Killian remained on high alert as this wasn't their house in Storybrooke, it was still the Underworld which had dealt them enough trauma to last lifetimes. Killian wished he could join her in sleep, being dead he didn't need to, however Killian didn't feel dead when she was in his arms.
Watching her chest rise and fall in the even breaths of sleep, he couldn't help the feeling of love he felt. If his heart was beating, it would have been beating out of his chest right at this moment. Every time he looked at her, he fell deeper in love. She snuggled against him in her sleep, blond tresses falling across her face as she tried to burrow into him. Killian brushed the errant strands of hair behind her ear and leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. Their interactions here in the Underworld defied logic but he would defy the universe to be with Emma. Now they just had to figure out how to get everyone home safely.
Emma awoke gasping for air. It only took a moment to register the strong arms that had her enveloped in a safe and protective embrace.
"Nightmare, love?" Killian whispered into her ear, brushing his hand against her face. Killian had watched her sleep for almost eleven hours without interruption.
"You're still here. I dreamt that I lost you again," she cried. "I want to go home so badly because until we're back in the real Storybrooke, I still might lose you."
Killian, for once, was at a loss for words. He knew that he couldn't tell her it would be okay, not quite yet. He didn't want to tell her they would all make it out because there could still be truth to her words.
"Emma, my love, everything will work out the way it's meant to and no matter what happens, I'll never stop loving you."
It sounded like a goodbye, which Emma knew it wasn't. He hadn't promised it would be all right and she knew it was because he couldn't say that. Emma snuggled into his chest, but the absence of his steady heartbeat, once her greatest source of comfort, just loomed as a reminder that none of this was real.
"This feels so real, but it's not. Not truly. We're still in the Underworld."
"I'm here with you and that's real enough for me. We have to make the most of the moments we have, even when everything feels hopeless. I have faith in you, Swan. Have faith in us?" Killian sighed as Emma nodded her head.
"Now perhaps we should get dressed and head over to your parents' loft before they day has completely passed." Killian suggested. As loathe as he was to leave the bed, he'd be happier to be able to take her back to their true home than linger in the Underworld longer than necessary.
"Ok, but we should probably shower separately." Emma decided, kissing him quickly. She could tell by his expression that he understood what she left unsaid. Emma wanted nothing more than to have her pirate again, but it felt a little awkward. Well, only because she had sex with her dead boyfriend in the Underworld version of their house while his body was back in the real Storybrooke. It was just a bit weird even if his soul was given a corporeal existence here. It certainly gave her a headache thinking about the metaphysics of it all.
Killian noticed the strange look that passed over her features and grabbed her hand as she stood to leave.
"We don't have to be intimate every time we are in a state of undress, Emma. I understand and it's okay," Killian gave a half-hearted smile. Open book, love.
I know, Killian. She stood up and pulled him out of the bed with her, dragging him into the bathroom.
A half and hour later they arrived at the loft to find Snow, David, Regina and Robin gathered around the kitchen island chatting. Snow shared a smile with Regina when they entered and Robin actually winked at Killian. David was pretending not to notice the subtle acknowledgment of what might have occurred between the pirate and his daughter. Emma was a bit annoyed at everyone's reaction to her and Killian showing up together well into the afternoon. Everyone in this room knew that they had shared a room together in Camelot for goodness' sake. And they knew she hadn't slept in the nine weeks she had been the Dark One so she was sure as hell (pun intended) overdue for rest. She raised her eyebrow, mimicking Killian's way of teasing her, almost daring them to say something.
"Where's Henry?" Killian asked, hoping to diffuse the tension in the room.
"He's upstairs, but he's refusing to talk to anyone," Regina replied.
Emma let go of Killian's hand and walked upstairs to speak with Henry, but he refused to talk and told her to go away, so she immediately trudged back down the stairs.
"Well, we officially have a brooding teenager on our hands." Emma threw her hands up in exasperation as she joined everyone at the island again.
Killian wrapped his arms around Emma from behind and he felt her relax a little. "Maybe, love, he just doesn't want to speak with his mothers. May I?"
Emma nodded and Killian looked to Regina who nodded in agreement as well. Emma's heart swelled with the thoughtfulness of him seeking permission to speak with Henry but she would have to let him know that he didn't have to do so in the future. He was as much a parent to Henry as she and Regina.
Killian couldn't see Emma's facial expression but he could tell from her body language that he had missed something important, but he knew they would talk later. They still had so much to say and sort through. He kissed her on the cheek and released her, making his way to the room she and Henry had shared. Henry was sitting on the left side of Emma's old bed.
"Hey, lad. What are you doing?"
Henry looked up, his eyes as stormy as Emma's could be when upset. "Just thinking."
"Do you mind if I join you?" Killian was still waiting at the top of the steps for the lad to give him permission to enter the room.
"Yeah, sure," Henry gestured to the bed next to him. Killian sat down at the bottom of the bed but didn't say anything. Killian was content to sit in silence until Henry was ready to talk.
"Did my moms send you up to talk to me?" Henry said at last, turning to face Killian.
"I'm here because I want to be, Henry."
"Did mom tell you she saw my father? That he tried to stop her from coming here to save you?"
"Baelfire... Neal is here? In the Underworld?" Killian didn't know about Emma's conversation with Neal.
Henry looked at, unshed tears in his eyes. "No, he moved on. He contacted Emma through, and I quote, 'a long distance call from an old friend.' I wasn't his unfinished business and I thought I would be. I didn't know him very long and didn't remember him when he died, but he wasn't the man I hoped he'd be."
Killian understood Henry's position. He had always had a little trouble reconciling the man Neal became with the young boy Killian met in Neverland. How had young Baelfire become adult Neal who seduced a young Emma, leaving her with child and behind bars? A man who had used Dark magic to bring back the Dark One, ultimately at the cost of his own life. He felt partly to blame for destroying the hope of the young lad all those many years ago. Blame and regret wouldn't help Henry though. He thought of what he had said to Emma just that morning. That things worked out the way they were meant to and he knew Neal had believed that too.
"I'm sure he was able to move on because he knew you had what he didn't, a loving family. Two very protective mothers and no shortage of people who love and care for you, lad," Killian assured him. "I know that my actions as the Dark One may indicate otherwise, and for that I am truly sorry, but I care for you. I know I can never take your father's place but I am here for you."
"That's just it. And I didn't realize it until mom told he had moved on and you were still here. Neal might be my father, but you're my true dad, Killian. You're one who has been there for me, taught me sailing, navigation, helped me with my math homework because we both know Emma hates math, how to cheat at dice and even advice about girls," he laughed. "I know you didn't mean to hurt us, that it was the Darkness controlling and influencing you and that you sacrificed yourself to save all of us because love sometimes means sacrifice. I was just upset that I couldn't do anything to help save you or mom because I broke that damn pen. I wanted to come to the Underworld because mom isn't the only one who lost you."
Killian was speechless for the second time today. He didn't realize Henry felt that way and never would have expected it. Henry surprised him again by throwing his arms around him in a hug. Killian pulled back and ruffled the boy's hair.
"Henry, using the pen to bring me back wouldn't have been what I or your mother would've wanted. The cost of that is something that you should never have to pay. I'm honored to be considered so important to you. Even if I cannot be brought back home to Storybrooke, know that, no matter what, I love you just as much as if you were my own blood, Henry. I would do anything to make sure you and your mom are safe."
"Thanks, dad." Henry hugged him tighter. "Knowing all that I hope you and my moms won't be too mad when I tell you what I've been keeping from you. Someone told me the pen was here in the Underworld and I've found it."
Killian felt such happiness at Henry's words he almost missed the boy's confession. Almost.
"I think it's best if we go downstairs and you can explain it all at once. Don't you? Although it might be best if you refrain from cursing in front of your mothers or we will both be in trouble. And make sure you apologize for your sulking and shutting them out, it'll certainly help soften the blow when you make your confession."
Emma, Regina and Snow had been sitting at the dinning room table for over an hour when Henry then Killian came down the stairs. Robin and David, whom had been sitting at the counter of the kitchen island stood and came over to the table.
"Mom, mom, I am sorry for my behavior. Dad and I talked about why I was sulking and resolved part of it, but I have to tell you what I've been keeping from everyone."
Emma looked at Killian who was scratching behind his ear and looking down, embarrassment written clearly on his face. Emma was pleased at this development between her love and her son. Regina definitely blanched at Henry calling Killian 'dad' but surprisingly said nothing. Emma wondered if Henry thought something similar about Robin, though she'd be surprised. Aside from herself, Regina and Killian, the kid spent more time with his grandfather than his other potential step-father. Her mother touched her arm softly breaking her out of her thoughts.
"Cruella asked me to write her back to life and told me that the pen was sent here to the Underworld after I broke it. I found it at the Sorcerer's mansion. I was going to do it too," Henry confessed.
"What?" Emma exclaimed at the same time Regina said "Henry Daniel Mills!"
"Why would you think you had to do that?" Emma glanced at Killian standing next to her and he shrugged and nodded his head back toward Henry.
"Because you killed Cruella and I thought that I could help remove the guilt you were feeling over it. I have all this power as Author and still couldn't use it to help you or dad," Henry said looking back an forth between Emma and Killian. "But I know that neither of you would want me to do that because it's not the right way and the magic used to do it would come with a price. But I know now that I can use the pen to recreate Hades' story and maybe find a way to defeat him and go home."
"We will find a way Henry." Emma grabbed Henry and pulled him into her arms, holding him tight. Emma glanced at Killian over Henry's head and he smiled brightly at them and Emma knew everything would be okay.
They decided it was best if they ate dinner and Henry could start writing in the morning. They settled in an an easy evening of eating and stories from the Enchanted Forest. Emma thought that if they ignored they red tint that filled the air, it was almost like being in Storybrooke, enjoying a normal (well normal for as complicated as their relationships and family tree truly was) family dinner and laughter. Emma and Killian decided that the loft would be too crowded if they remained, as Robin and Regina had taken up Emma's old bed, so Emma poofed them home.
Killian led her to their bedroom. Once they locked the door Emma waved her hand, conjuring nightclothes for both of them. Killian looked down to find himself in a black t-shirt and black sweatpants and Emma was wearing a sleeveless blue shirt and shorts. Killian took off his hook and brace, laying them on the side table. Emma felt relief when they both climbed into bed and he pulled her into his arms, no space between her back and his body. This is home, Emma thought before sleep finally claimed her.
