Author's note: Sorry for the delay, everyone. Figuring out how to not have this be anti-climatic was harder than I thought. Thank you to everyone who continues to review and favorite this story! :D
Warning: Do I need to warn about the impending death? Is anyone really complaining? ;)
Disclaimer: If they belonged to me, I'd be at Paley instead of Adam and Eddy. ;)
"So how do we do this?" Emma asked.
After sending Cora flying off again, the three of them – Emma, Killian and August – headed back into the maze. Briefly, the men had filled her in on what happened since Cora and Smee had snatched her. A few harsh words, a couple of even more unlikely alliances and here they were – come to rescue her, like she was the proverbial damsel. Which was ridiculous, of course. She knew the Killian didn't see her that way. Moving heaven and earth to come after her...well, that's just how he was wired. He had spent the last three hundred or so years trying to avenge his last love. The idea of him just doing nothing was out of the question. And as much as Emma worried about him, she was profoundly glad he was there. That he didn't abandon her. After spending her whole life fending for herself, it was comforting to know that someone would look for her if she were lost. Would miss her if she were gone. Would take on the most evil witch in all the realms to get her back. Sappy? Probably. But Emma was the physical embodiment of true love. If anyone was entitled to sappy, it was her, right?
"Ask Hook," August was saying. "I didn't really get the run down on the whole 'kill Cora' part of the plan."
Emma looked at Killian expectantly. He let go of her hand – which he had been clutching since they left the pavilion – and reached for his mismatched jewelry. Slowly, he pulled out a sapphire blue pendant and held it up to the light.
"According to Regina, this should lead us to where Cora's heart lies."
"And do we trust Regina?" Emma asked.
"Do we have a choice?"
Emma sighed. "Probably not. So how does it work?"
Killian lowered the pendant. "You don't see it?"
"See what, Killian?"
"The blue trail," he replied, gesturing out in front of him.
Emma looked down, then forward. Sure enough, there was a faint blue trail stretching out in front of Killian. "Whoa, that is freaky."
"I don't see it," August said.
"You don't?" Emma asked. "What's that about?"
"Well," August said, rubbing the back of his neck, thinking."Regina gave Killian the pendant, right? And you just...did whatever it was you did, saving his life. Maybe you're magically connected now? Like a True Love thing?"
Emma stared at August, a very bad feeling settling in the pit of her stomach."Whoa, who says I have magic?" she said, uncomfortable.
"Emma, darling, you just knocked Cora into next week with a simple word," Killan pointed out.
"That's so not what happened."
"Well, what was it then?"
Emma looked from Killian to August, desperately trying to will this conversation to end. Not only out of confusion, but fear. Twice now Emma had forced Cora away from her with some kind of invisible force. And prevented the witch from taking both hers and Killian's hearts. Not only was she completely at a loss as to how she had done it, but she was afraid of what it could mean. She'd seen how magic affected people. Almost everyone she knew who had magic were evil, or in evil rehab. What was it they said about absolute power? Emma didn't want that. Power like that. She was terrified of what it could do to her.
"Emma?"
Emma looked furiously at Killian. "I don't know, alright? I don't know what happened! All I know is that she was trying to take your heart and I felt it. Felt it here," she continued, hand to her heart. "And it was just like when she'd tried to take mine, a tugging sensation. But for some reason, she couldn't take it and then...she got thrown back by...something," she finished lamely.
"Emma, love," Killian said, placing his hand over hers, "that was you. I don't know what it was that you did, but it came from you. And it was powerful. More powerful than anything else I've ever seen."
"But how? It doesn't make sense."
"Oh, I think it does," he replied, a small smile gracing his lips. "You're True Love personified. It's no wonder that you'd be magical. It's the most powerful magic there is."
"I don't feel very powerful."
"Rubbish."
"Hook's right, Emma," August cut in. "I've seen a lot of magic and what you did back there...it's important. It's why you had to be the one to break the curse."
Emma stepped back from Killian; she needed to think. "So let's say you're right. That I do have magic. Why couldn't I get the hat to work? If I really were magical, stuff like that should work for me, right?"
"What hat?"
Briefly, Emma explained finding Jefferson's house in the maze. When she finished, August said, "Magical talismans are tricky, Emma. You really need to know what you're doing. Plus it's possible that Jefferson's hat is a one of a kind item."
"The Crocodile needed all the fairy dust in Storybrooke to repair it," Killian observed.
"See? It probably had nothing to do with you," August informed her. "Try something."
"Like what?"
"Well," Killian said, pulling back his coat to reveal the bloody hole in his shirt and vest, "this stings a fair bit."
"And you want me to what? Heal you? No freaking way! I have no idea what I'm doing! And I still think both of you are nuts."
Killian let go of his coat and took her hand again. "Emma, love, you can do this. I know you can."
Emma looked down at his still bloody fingers grasping her own tightly. She drew strength from the contact. Killian believed in her. He saw her in a way no one else ever did. He saw her, Emma Swan, the woman with the shady past, the trust issues, the wall a mile high, and the freaky fairy tale origins. And he didn't flinch. He was always there – annoyingly, persistently, determinedly, even when she didn't want him to be. If he thought she could do this, then maybe she could. She owed it to him to try.
"OK, I'll try," she told him, glancing up into those blue eyes of his. "But don't say I didn't warn you, if you get turned into a toad or something."
"I'll consider myself duly warned, love."
Emma let go of Killian's hand and pulled back his coat. Killian took it from her, so she could focus on his wound. She knelt down and examined him. The blood made it difficult, but it didn't look life threatening. The spear seemed to have missed the major organs. In the real world, it definitely looked like he would need stitches though. Clearly not an option at the moment. She felt way more confident in her ability to stitch him back up with thread than with magic. Focus, Emma.
"The Blue Fairy once told me that magic is fueled by your emotions, Emma," August said quietly. "Focus on that and you should be fine."
Emma looked from the bloody wound to Killian's face. He smiled at her reassuringly. "Go on, love." Emma took a deep breath and placed her right hand over the wound. Nothing happened. Emma frowned and focused on Killian. On how much she loved him, their family back in Storybrooke, on how much Henry needed them to return. Suddenly, Emma felt her hand grow warm, little electric sparks shot across the palm of her hand and it started to glow. It lasted for mere seconds then it was gone. Emma pulled her hand away and saw the perfect patch of skin below Killian's bloody shirt.
"Wow," she muttered.
She was still staring when Killian yanked her up and hugged her. He even spun her around for good measure. "Is this an inappropriate time to say 'I told you so'?" he asked, as he put her down.
"Well done, Emma," August said, grinning as well.
Emma found herself smiling as well. "This is all fine and good, but we should probably get going. Cora's going to be up and about sooner rather than later."
"I'm surprised her stone monstrosities have come after us yet," Killian observed, as they started following the blue trail once more.
"The same thing happened when I knocked her out the first time. I think they're linked to her. If she's unconscious, they're useless."
"That makes sense," August said.
"As much as any of this magic stuff does."
"Emma, we all come from a world full of magic. I think it's just something you're going to have to get used to."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," she shot back. Despite her success, Emma was still seriously freaked. For someone who was raised in a world without magic, suddenly faced with the prospect of being a serious magical player was frightening. Hell, there were still days she was half convinced all this was a majorly weird dream and she would wake up alone in her old Boston apartment. Since Henry had found her, her entire life had been turned upside down. Everything she'd ever believed had been shaken and tossed out the window. She was not an orphan, but the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White. She was friends with Little Red Riding Hood and her Granny. Pinocchio was tasked with looking out for her. Her son had been raised by the Evil Queen. And she, Emma Swan, was in love with Captain Hook. Boston!Emma would have taken one look at her and had her committed to the looney bin. So yeah, the whole magic thing was going to take some getting used to. Emma hoped she'd be forgiven for maintaining a smidge of skepticism.
They were all quiet after that. Which was a good idea in any event since Cora could wake up any minute and send her playing card statues after them again. Steadily, they followed the trail. It seemed to be leading them to the center of the maze. An obvious place for a vault of hearts, Emma thought, but given the probable magical nature of the maze, it was unlikely they'd find it on their own. Emma herself had wandered the maze for hours and had only gotten more and more lost for her trouble.
Emma's stomach growled loudly. It reminded her of just how hungry she was and how long she'd been gone. Emma groaned inwardly at the noise, knowing it was the last thing they needed at the moment. She'd just have to suck it up and deal.
"When was the last time you ate, sweetheart?" Killian asked quietly.
Emma shrugged. "Not sure. How long have I been gone?"
"A little over a day," he replied.
"That's not so bad then. I'm okay."
"Speak for yourself, love. It was the longest day of my life."
That brought Emma up short. "Sorry, I didn't mean..."
"I know what you meant. Here," he said, reaching into his satchel. He pulled out a sandwich and handed it to her. "Snow made these before we left." It was ham and turkey, her favorite.
Emma accepted it gratefully. "Thank god it's not chimera," she muttered as she dug in. It tasted heavenly. She wished for something to wash it down with, but there was no time. Emma polished it off quickly as they walked. She was so distracted with her food that she didn't see August stop in front of her.
"Bloody hell," Killian muttered.
"What is it?" Emma asked, immediately on the alert. But when she looked up, she clearly saw what had stopped them. Suspended in midair in the between the hedges was the Cheshire Cat.
It looked nothing like the Disney version. That cat had purple stripes and yellow eyes. This cat appeared to be an ordinary orange tabby cat, although it was slightly larger than any cat Emma had ever seen. And that was aside from the huge grin and floating in midair thing. It was a testament to all the strange things Emma had seen recently that she didn't start laughing outright. She'd learned the hard way that the things she once found comforting or amusing about fairy tales in her youth were very, very different in real life.
"We don't have time for your games, Cat," Killian whispered harshly.
"Games?" the cat replied. "Why I never play games, Captain. You know that. I merely state the truth. It's not my fault if you don't understand it."
Okay, so the cat talks. Wonderful, Emma thought. "Look..." she trailed off, not knowing exactly how to address a talking cat.
The cat seemed to amused by her confusion. "You may call me Cheshire, your highness."
How the hell did the cat know who she was? Emma saw Killian bite his lip in an effort not to laugh; he knew full well how Emma felt about her apparent royal status. She rolled her eyes at him. "Fine, Cheshire," she said, turning back to the cat. "I'm Emma. And if you don't mind we are in a bit of a hurry. So could you, you know, scram?"
Cheshire's grin only widened. "If only I could, your highness. But there is something you need to know about your quest before I can allow you to continue."
"What's that?"
"Mirrors are dangerous things, wouldn't you agree, Captain?"
Killian cocked an eyebrow at Cheshire. "What are you on about, you infernal feline?"
"I'd have thought you'd want to bring the princess home in more stately fashion is all."
"What is he talking about?" Emma asked, looking between Killian and August. They both shrugged, but Emma got the impression once again that there was something they weren't telling her. But they didn't have time, Cora was bound to be on them at any minute.
"Pity," Cheshire said. He looked again at Emma. "You will find what you need in the place you least expect it. But use them wisely, princess. I fear this will be your only trip to Wonderland."
With that, Cheshire disappeared with a pop. All except his near maniacal grin. A few seconds later that was gone as well.
"What the hell was that?" Emma exclaimed.
"Sodding cat," Killian muttered. "I hate Wonderland."
"Yeah, it's not exactly on my list of vacation spots either," Emma said.
"We should probably go," August said quietly.
Emma wanted to ask them just what the hell Cheshire was talking about, but knew August was right. Whatever it was they could deal with it later. They had to find the vault and Cora's heart. They rounded the next corner when Emma heard it. The tell tale shuffling of the playing card statues.
"Damn it," Emma muttered.
"Is that what I think it is?" August said worriedly.
"Yep. Killian?"
Killian drew his sword and nodded. "I don't think it's far now. Let's go."
Together, the trio ran, Killian leading them. All three had their swords drawn. Emma could hear the statues getting closer. Two lefts and a right and the path opened up, getting wider. They followed it until it stopped. There looming in front of them was Cora's vault. Unfortunately, it was surrounded.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bloody fantastic, Killian thought. Next time he saw that damned cat, he was going to stab it with his hook. Not only did it nearly tell Emma about the looking glass, but it delayed them, allowing Cora to catch up with them. The witch didn't appear to be in sight, but Killian knew that was just a matter of time. He just hoped they could get through before Cora materialized.
"So what do we do now?" Emma asked, at his side. They huddled in a shadowy corner near the exit of the maze.
Killian looked down at the pendant; it pulsed against his shirt. The heart was inside, he could sense it. They just had to break through Cora's guards and he could end this once and for all. He looked back at the guards, assessing. Only a single line of them surrounded the marble vault. But there were more on the way most likely. He turned to Emma and August.
"We've got to get them away from the door," he said.
"Diversion?" Emma asked. It was as if she'd read his mind; he grinned at her, suddenly proud.
"Too right, lass. Think you and August can manage it?"
Emma nodded. "We got this." She switched her sword to her left hand and leaned in to kiss him, her right hand briefly caressing his cheek. "Be careful," she said against his lips.
"You too, love."
Emma's lips quirked up as she pulled away. Killian nodded at August. Then they stepped out into the small clearing brandishing their swords, as Killian remained huddled in the shadows. It nearly killed him to let Emma leave his side, but he was determined to be the one who destroyed Cora. He wouldn't let Emma deal with that kind of guilt. She was too good; he refused to let her become a killer, even in self defense. Not when he could take that burden on himself.
Killian glanced up; the diversion was in full swing. Emma and August drew off the closest guards, swords swinging through the air madly. These guards – unlike the ones at the castle – carried swords. It was harder to disarm them, but not impossible. August was better, but Emma clearly had the raw skills to be an excellent swordswoman someday. Fortunately, the stone guards were big and clumsy, clearly not designed for this kind of fight. He highly doubted Cora ever intended them to be used for such a purpose. Emma ducked and rolled under one of the guards, taking its feet out from under it at the same time. When it fell, the sword it carried went skittering away. It froze instantly. Emma caught his eye and grinned.
Killian tore his eyes away and looked back at the vault doors. His way was clear. Killian stood and ran for it. Miraculously, he got there unscathed. But then he tried to open the door. It refused to budge. He put his shoulder against it and shoved as hard as he could, but nothing happened. He tried scratching at the lock with his hook, but that failed too. His heart sank as he realized it must be magically sealed. He looked back at Emma and August, who were still fighting.
"Emma!" he called.
She looked over in his direction. Taking advantage of her distraction, one of the statues took at swing at her, but she ducked it at the last second. Straightening, Emma parried and twisted the statue's arms to a ridiculous angle, causing it to drop its sword. Then she turned and ran for Killian.
"What is it?" she panted.
"The door's magically sealed, I think."
"Son of a bitch."
"Think you can open it?"
Emma looked down at her hand, then back at him. "Cover me," she ordered.
"Always, love."
Emma moved past him, examining the door. Killian put his back to her and faced the fight. August was down to the last statue. Once he disarmed it, the puppet dashed for the still closed door.
"Problem?" he asked.
"Magically sealed door," Emma muttered.
"Oh, is that all? I thought it was something serious," August retorted.
"Thin ice, puppet," Killian growled.
"I think I've earned a little sarcasm, do you, pirate?"
"Play nice, both of you," Emma said.
Killian was about to reply when he saw the contingent of statues they'd heard earlier came into the clearing. There were about a dozen of them, much like the pack that had attacked them earlier in the maze. But this time Killian and August had the advantage. They just had to hold the door long enough for Emma to open it. Killian looked at August, nodding a truce. August nodded in return and they went to face their attackers.
The narrow space in front of the door meant that the statues could only attack one or two at a time. There just wasn't space for all of them at once. One came rushing at Killian and he charged. Their swords clanged together in a shower of sparks. Killian withdrew and slashed again. The statue parried and thrust, missing Killian's chest by inches. Killian grinned ferociously. This time instead of aiming for the statue's sword, he swung for its stony head. Confused, the lumbering hulk tried to dodge, but it failed. Killian lodged his hook in between the stone hand of the statue and the sword, twisting it. The sword clattered to the ground, freezing the statue in place.
Killian moved past it and took on two more of them. Now that he knew their weakness it was much easier than when they had been ambushed earlier. He tried to glance back at Emma, to see if she'd gotten the door open yet, but there were too many frozen statues between them. He just finished off his sixth statue when he heard Emma call his name. He ran for the door and found it wide open. Emma was already inside.
The vault was huge, much bigger than it looked from the outside. Killian saw Emma over to the right, examining a long wall of drawers. Vaguely, Killian heard August somewhere behind him, but paid it no mind. He had to find Cora's heart. Warily, Killian sheathed his sword and grabbed the pendant; this was one of those times where a second hand would have been helpful. Bloody Crocodile. The blue trail led to what appeared to be a stairwell on the other side of the room.
"Emma," he called.
She turned to look, her eyes following the trail. "Down the rabbit hole, huh?"
"Appears so, lass."
"Let's get this over with."
Together, they went down the steep steps. It opened into another large room with more drawers. Torches lit themselves as they gazed around the room. The blue trail led directly to a single drawer on the upper right hand corner of the far wall. Saying a silent prayer for the trustworthiness of the Evil Queen, Killian made a dash for it. He yanked open the drawer and reached inside. The heart glowed red in his hand. All he had to do was crush it and they would be free of Cora forever.
Inexplicably, he hesitated. He'd seen and experienced first hand what it meant to have your heart removed. He remembered the horror of watching Milah die as Rumplestiltskin crushed her heart between his fingers. The light leaving her eyes was something he'd never forget no matter how long he lived.
"Memories are a terrible burden, my dear Captain."
Cora. Slowly – terrified of what he would find – Killian turned. Cora stood there calmly, a sword hovering at Emma's throat.
"This needn't be difficult, Captain. Just it to me."
Killian raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And you'll what? Let us go? You want us dead, Cora. Who's to say you won't kill us anyway after I've given this to you?"
"You don't. Trust, Captain. You trusted me once; it can be that way again."
"And got burned repeatedly for my trouble. Do you think me a fool, witch?"
Cora scowled. "Can you crush my heart before this blade cuts through your beloved's neck? Is that a risk you're willing to take?"
Killian's eyes fell to Emma. Remarkably, she looked calm. She smiled tightly and glanced to her left. When Killian didn't follow, she repeated the motion with her eyes. Killian glanced to his right and saw what Emma was getting at. His clever lass. Killian smiled and held out Cora's heart.
"You want it?" he said, maliciously. "Come and get it."
Cora took a step toward him when several of the drawers to the witch's left flew toward her. As they pelted her, Emma used the distraction to roll away from the blade at her throat. She snatched it out of the air and backed toward Killian. She didn't get far when Cora returned the favor; more drawers filled with hearts flying. One hit Killian unexpectedly from behind and he went sprawling. His sword poked him painfully in the side and worse, Cora's heart flew from his grip. Horrified, he scrambled through them desperately trying to figure out which one it was. He ducked instinctively when several more drawers flew at him, but they fell harmlessly several feet away. When he looked up, Emma was standing nearby her arm outstretched. She'd stopped them with magic. She looked just as surprised as he felt.
Cora screamed in rage and sent a fireball at Emma. Emma somehow deflected it. "The pendant, Killian," she screamed. "Use the pendant!"
How could be be so stupid? He yanked on the chain and it came free in his hand. He held it over the pile of hearts and prayed it would actually work. Like a compass needle, the hanging pendant moved until it hovered over one of the hearts. He could hear the magical duel going on around him. He knew Emma with her fledgling powers would be able to do little more than hold Cora off, and not for long. He snatched up the heart and stood. Cora's eyes went wide as she saw him, a grim satisfied smile on his face. This time there was no hesitation. Cora had tried to take everything from him. He – nor the people he cared about – would ever be safe as long as she lived. Slowly, Killian squeezed his fingers together and the heart glowed brightest red in his hand before turning to dust.
Cora fell to the floor in a heap. Dead.
Killian felt the remaining dust fall out of his hand. He looked over at Emma, half triumphant and half afraid. Regina's taunt about how Emma would see him flooded his head. But Emma wasn't looking at him. She was looking at Cora, a mixture of relief and pity on her face.
"Emma?" he whispered.
Finally, she looked at him. Relief, joy and love shown on her face. She ran to him and threw herself into his arms. "It's over."
"Aye, love," he said, relief flooding him. "It's over."
Emma pulled back slightly. "I know I should feel bad that she's dead, but..."
"She wouldn't have stopped, love. Not until she got what she wanted. I'm just sorry you had to see this."
"Hey," she replied, cupping his cheek in her hand, "you have nothing to be sorry for. I don't know how much longer I could have kept that up. Hell, I'm not even sure what I was doing. It was...instinct more than anything else. As far as I'm concerned you saved my life...again."
"I think you saved mine a time or two today as well."
"And don't you forget it, buddy," she joked. Then she kissed him.
A throat cleared loudly from the doorway. August. Killian had completely forgotten the puppet. Embarrassed, Emma pulled away from him, but stayed within the circle of his arms.
"Ding, dong, the witch is dead," August deadpanned.
"Isn't that mixing stories?" Emma asked. "There's got to be a law against that or something."
"You mean like how the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White fell in love with Captain Hook?" August asked, knowingly.
"Good point."
"I have no idea what either of you are talking about," Killian pouted.
"The Wizard of Oz?" Killian continued to stare at her blankly. Emma sighed. "Nevermind, we'll watch the movie when we get home."
"Speaking of which..." August began. But Killian cut him off. He wasn't ready to face that particular dilemma yet.
"We've got a good walk ahead of us," Killian said, quickly. "And we still have to find our way out of this infernal maze."
"Could you two give me a minute?" Emma asked.
"Anything wrong, love?"
"No, just something I need to do. Please?"
"Of course." He kissed her forehead and followed August up the stairs.
Whatever it was, it didn't take Emma long. Ten minutes later, she ascended the stairs. "Okay, let's get the hell out of here."
When the trio stepped out of the vault, they were shocked at what they saw. The hedges – which had once been a foot taller than August – were now down around waist level. And the stone statues were no more. Not just unfrozen, but gone.
"What happened?" Killian asked to no one in particular.
"Cora," Emma said. "It's the only thing that makes sense. If all this stuff was linked to her, then it would go back to how it was before she came here, right?"
Both Killian and August nodded in agreement. It certainly made finding their way back to the looking glass easier. Not an entirely happy prospect, Killian knew. He and August had talked about how to break the news to Emma that August would be left behind (assuming they all survived, of course), but had come up with no answers. Emma may not hate him for killing Cora, but she would be upset about leaving August behind.
They stayed mostly quiet as they navigated the now tamed maze. In seeming no time, they cleared the entrance and started down the mushroom lined path Killian and August had followed earlier. As the looking glass got closer, Killian's stomach filled with dread.
"Before we head home," Emma began, "I wanted to thank you for coming after me. I don't think I'd have made it on my own. Though not for lack of trying."
August stopped and looked at her. "I didn't do much, really. You and Killian did all the work. You guys make a really great team. I'm sure you'll be very happy together."
Killian shifted uneasily. "August, I'm sorry for...before," Emma replied. "I still don't like what you did, but coming here, that makes up for it."
"You're welcome, Emma."
"Can we go home now?" When nobody moved, Emma eyed them warily. "Alright, spill it. There's something the two of you have been keeping from me. What is it?"
Killian sighed, resigned. "August isn't going back with us, love."
"What? Why?"
"It's the rule of the hat," Killian explained. "However many go in, only that many can go out. Since only two came in via the hat..."
"Only two can leave. So what," Emma said, turning to August. "You're just stuck here? How is that fair?"
"I knew what I was getting into, Emma. I know I messed up before with Phoenix and Neal and everything. This is my way of making it right."
"How is you being stuck in freaking Wonderland right?" Emma yelled. "Did you know about this?" she said, turning to Killian.
"Aye, I knew," Killian said. "It's how I got to Wonderland the first time."
"Do I even want to know?"
"Probably not," Killian replied.
"Fantastic." Emma paced, her hands shoved in her jeans pockets. "I can't believe this. Does Henry know?"
"Aye."
"And he was just what? Okay with it? You're his friend, August. God, this is so messed up."
"Emma," August said, "Killian was going to come through alone. Which meant he'd have to stay behind so you could get home. Is that what you want? Trust me, this is better."
"So it's supposed to be okay because you volunteered?"
"Emma," Killian began.
"Don't you 'Emma' me, Killian Jones," she shot back. She had something in her hand that she kept twisting over and over angrily. "I can't even look at you right now."
"What would you have me do, Emma?" Killian said, heatedly. "Abandon you, as so many others have done? I saw a way to save you and bring us both home, so I took it. But if it's really so awful, you can August can go back. I'll stay here."
Emma looked at him with wide eyes, horrified. "I...I...never meant. God, Killian. I don't want to go back to Storybrooke without you. That life I had before I met you...it sucked. I mean, I have Henry and my parents. I love them. But they don't get me, not like you do. You're the only person who sees me, not the Savior or what could have been. Even when I gave you a hard time, tried my damnedest to push you away, you stayed. I can't tell you how much that means to me."
"If there was another solution, love, I'd take it a heartbeat. But I won't be sorry for not wanting to leave you. If that makes me a selfish bastard, then I'll accept the title. Gladly."
"Well, you are a pirate," Emma agreed.
"Too right, lass," he replied, hugging her to him. He kissed the top of her head affectionately. Emma buried her head in his chest as she clutched the lapels of his coat tighter. Killian looked down at her, surprised to see a vial in her fist. "What's that, love?"
"What's what?"
"That vial in your hand."
Emma pulled back and opened her fist. "Something I found on Cora when I...buried her? Well, if you can consider piling a bunch of drawers full of hearts as a burial. At any rate, she's covered up. It just seemed like the thing to do."
Killian could care less about whether or not Cora's hopefully soon to be rotting corpse was covered. What he did care about was the vial in Emma's hand. "Well, let's see it then," he said.
Emma opened the vial and tipped its contents into her palm. A handful clear beans lay there. "Oh my god, are those..."
"Magic beans? Aye, love."
"Does that mean we can go home? All of us?"
"Aye."
"What was it Cheshire said? 'You will find what you need in the place you least expect it.' I'd say finding magic beans in my pocket qualifies!"
That brought to mind something else Cheshire had said. Taking Emma home in more stately fashion. And there were nearly a half dozen magic beans. Never let it be said that Killian Jones was afraid to take a chance.
"What do you think about returning home on board our very own pirate ship, love?"