A/N: So I know I hinted at backstory and such? Yeah, I sort of forgot about that and this story isn't really giving me room for it. I might make it a separate story if I deem it good enough to write out. But yeah, thank you to all the reviewers! Hope you enjoy the chapter. I'm trying to move things along. Wove some more canon scenes into this. Enjoy.

Part Thirteen
While Emma is in New York…

"Believe it." Killian wasn't smiling. "You were there. You heard her." His voice was bored, droll, it was the tone he saved specifically for any interaction involving Cora.

The witch's lips were a thin line as she approached. With her hair down and her Storybrooke ensemble, he found her less formidable. But she was angry, he could see that much.

"What did you do?"

"I assure you, it was nothing I did. Women are fickle creatures." He shrugged and he watched her from the corner of his eye. She was pacing, which was never a good sign.

"You sabotaged this." She approached him, her tone threatening. Her stance offensive. She was going to attack. But Killian scoffed at the insinuation all the same.

"And why would I do that?" He didn't give her a chance to answer. "If you're suggesting I did something to influence the Swan girl's decision to leave, then you must think I'm quite the idiot."

"Not an idiot, no. But love can make people do foolish things. Things not in their best interest. Take your vendetta on the Dark One."

He glared at her, eyes narrowed. "I ask you, do I ever act where there is no room to gain? If this was my doing I'd have lost her and my alliance with you. Which would leave me without an ally and make my life a whole mess more difficult, so please don't insinuate that I'd be so reckless with my own well-being."

"You may be right about that, but you still haven't provided the use you can be to me now. I'm not one for keeping leftovers." There was that cunning smile. The one she reserved when she thought she was being particularly devious. The one she used when she thought she had the upper hand. Very well. She could think all she wanted.

He licked his lips and then smirked. "You mentioned something about a map?"

"I might have."

"Well, as it happens, I'm quite good with maps. Why don't you let me have a look and see what I can gather?"

Cora paused. They were on the deck of his ship. His fight with Emma had just been on public display for the whole town and Cora had wasted no time in confronting him on it.

"Leave me alone, Hook." Emma's eyes had been wide and hurt. "I thought this could work. I gave it a shot. But Henry…he'd never understand. I have a lot going on right now and this…this is just too much. I don't have time. I don't have the energy. I don't have anything and I just need you to go." She sniffed and he could see her fighting back tears.

Killian glared at her. "You are the one who kissed me. You woke me, Swan. I didn't ask for it. Does that mean anything to you now?"

Emma shook her head. "I know it should, but…it doesn't. I don't…I can't do this, okay? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lead you on, but it's over."

"I see. So you're going to run? Take the easy way out? Never mind that you have your son to go back to and I'm left with nothing. You know that this means the Crocodile is fair game? I stayed my hand for your benefit, but I'll not be sitting idly by while he still draws breath. This town will suffer for it, if that be the case. I'll stop at nothing."

"Then I guess we're going to have to be on different sides from now on. My focus is Henry. Henry needs me. And we're leaving anyway."

She turned on the dock and started to leave. And it took everything he had not to grin as his eyes followed the defiant sway of her hips. It was very well played. The tears? He had almost believed it. Even though they were trying to act as if they hated each other, it was taking a good amount of effort not to run after her. He settled for the view as she kept walking and Killian felt pretty confident that Cora had been watching.

Cora had finally agreed to bring him to Regina. The woman's house was…well, to each his own. Regina was sitting at a table when they entered and she seemed surprised, not happily.

"Ah, Regina. It's been a—"

"What is he doing here?" Regina turned on Cora after setting a scathing look over him. "Mother?"

"Relax, dear. He's going to help us." Cora soothed and Killian rolled his eyes. These two.

Regina didn't seem convinced as she looked back to Killian. "And what of his task distracting Swan?"

"He failed." Cora replied simply.

"Oi. I've no control over Swan's actions. That woman does as she pleases." He proceeded to follow them into a room of sofas and more of Regina's odious decorating.

"Which is why we needed you to control her." Regina retorted. "I had hoped that you'd be up to the task of taming of her. Neverland leave you a bit rusty, Captain?" She bit the word 'Captain' with disdain and smiled.

"Regina, don't waste your time on him. His incompetence won't go unpunished. Now, come, let's get that map so he can prove that he's not entirely worthless."

Killian paused in the doorway, ignoring the drawn out stare of Regina turning to a book shelf. "Punished?"

"Are you sure we can trust him, Mother?" Regina held a paper to her chest as he crossed the room to Cora. She eyed Killian with suspicion.

"It hardly matters, dear." Regina's head snapped to her mother and the two shared a look before Regina was smiling again. Not exactly encouraging, but there wasn't much he could do about it. Crossing back to him Regina handed Killian the paper in her hands. "This is what we found in Belle's library. It appears to be mostly gibberish, but we believe there's a map in there somewhere." She gave a half shrug as he looked it over.

"This is most assuredly not gibberish. Very very clever Crocodile." He was grinning and it occurred to Killian that he held the key to Rumpelstiltskin's undoing. The dagger was to be found in this map. It would have been so easy…but he was here with a purpose. Blinking he pushed any thoughts of Rumpelstiltskin aside. "It's coded. I can crack it. If you have the right materials."

"What materials? What do you need?" Regina asked, frowning.

"You say you found these in the library?" He asked and she nodded. "Then that's what I need. So. Ladies. After you." He stood back from the door, the paper folded in his hand. Cora stood up and Regina followed her out, but not before plucking the coded map from Killian's hand.

Once inside the library Killian organized the maps he'd gathered of Storybrooke and began to study the patterns until he had pinpointed the location of the dagger. He set his finger on the spot. "Here is where you'll find the Dark One's dagger."

"Very good. You've done something right." Cora smiled over the map and Killian held his tongue. "Come, Regina. We'll take it from here."

Killian turned. "Wait. You promised me—" Cora didn't hesitate in launching him backward, he could feel books hitting the back of his legs but he'd been dazed.

"The dagger is much too valuable to be wasted on you." Cora took her daughter and left him, the map in her hands.

Chancing movement, Killian rose to his knees. In actual fact, Cora had done him a favor. Much easier to make his surprise at her betrayal believable when she hadn't given him the chance to act on it. Although it hurt physically more than the alternative, he was glad that she had bought his panic. They may have gotten away with the map, but since neither of them could read one it wouldn't be much good to them. Not when he had pointed them in the wrong direction. Thankfully, he had a pretty good memory when it came to atlases and charts and he could find the right location provided he find another map of the town.

He stood and straightened his coat, not bothering with the books that he had knocked over. It was time to make a house call.

Knock. Knock. Kno-

"Hook."

Killian spoke through clenched teeth. "David." The silence between them was tangible. The man showed no sign of allowing Killian to enter nor did he tell him to leave. "Emma did tell you I was coming."

"She might have said something to that effect." David said sternly.

Protective fathers. Killian would never understand it. "Then she'd have told you I'm here at her bidding. If you'll kindly allow me in I have some information you might want to hear."

"David? Who's at the door?" Mary Margret stepped forward and then recognized Hook in the doorway. "Oh. Dear, you can step away from the door now." She was at David's side, a hand on his arm.

"I don't see why we have to do this in our home. I can just as easily hear him at the police station." David argued and Mary Margret rolled her eyes.

"Wouldn't be the wisest choice considering I'm to be keeping my association with you secret." Killian countered. "Had to sneak my way into the building as it is. Now, every second I'm out here is a second closer to someone noticing my presence and if word travels back to Cora, which it will it always does, then I'll be out of a job."

David was about to say something when Mary Margret shook her head and gently coaxed him away from the door. Killian remained in the hall until she returned.

Heaving a sigh that had her shoulders falling, she gave him a warm smile. "Hook. Why don't you come in?" She gestured with her arm and let the door swing open before closing it behind him. David was sitting at the table arms crossed, and not at all happy.

Oh good. He'd made a friend. Mary Margret shuffled around him, offering a chair and then rushing to the kitchen. "Can I offer you something to drink?"

Killian's eyes found David and he tried so hard to keep his mouth shut. But in the end his eyes had betrayed him as he stared at Charming and replied with, "That would be lovely, darling."

Mary Margret's eyes went straight to her husband as she began to pour some lemonade. David's jaw locked into place and he seemed determined not to let the pirate goad him.

"Here you are." She set the cup on the table with a napkin and then sat between the two men seated at either end of the table. Clearing her throat she turned to Killian as he took a sip of the drink, swallowing, looking at the glass, and then setting it down.

"So. What exactly are you here to tell us?"

"You'll know that Cora and her daughter seek the Dark One's dagger?"

"Yes, yes, Emma mentioned that." Mary Margret stared at the table, her fingers interlaced in front of her. "She, uh, she said the plan was to use it against her? To get Rumpelstiltskin to…to kill her so that Regina can get to Henry?"

"Aye. That is the intent. Although, I would not count that as their only goal. There's many things a woman like Cora could want with the dagger. It is a powerful tool that I've no doubt she's fully prepared to wield."

Mary Margret nodded. "Then we have to stop her from getting it."

"That is the general idea." He smirked and his situation was not lost on him. Going to Emma's parents, especially without her present, was the height of unconventional to him. It suggested commitment on a level he'd never thought he'd be willing to make. Yet here he was. "Cora came to me about a map that they had found in the library. Neither of them could decipher its meaning so I helped them." When Mary Margret's jaw fell open and David's arms came uncrossed, Killian added quickly. "In the wrong direction. They took the map with them, but I've marked the wrong location. They won't be finding a buried dagger anytime soon."

Mary Margret swallowed and set her hand on David's. "But you know where it is?"

"I can recall the location on the particular map we had been using. As I'm not familiar with this land, I could not sit here and tell you where. I would need another map."

"Okay." Mary Margret sighed. "Do we have another one?" She turned to her husband.

"Only one that I can think of." He said, now looking at Mary Margret instead of glaring at Killian. "In the sheriff's station."

It had already been hinted that going to the station was not the wisest move. Especially when Killian had the distinct ability to stand out in a crowd. Especially in Storybrooke. This had led to a bit of a discussion involving the best ways to go about walking him down there.

"We could disguise you." Mary Margret had the end of her thumb in her mouth, a nervous twitch that distinctly reminded him of Emma. "David has some clothes that I'm sure would fit. We get a hat over your head and then hide the hand…we can give you longer sleeves and…"

"I don't think dressing him up is going to help any." David sighed.

"Okay, then what do you suggest?" She retorted crisply.

"Well, the problem isn't him being seen with us. It's people thinking we're together. Friendly." David said and Mary Margret nodded along. "I say we cuff him and make like it's an arrest. Don't think anyone in this town'll have a hard time with that one." David smirked.

Killian was not anxious to be chained again. The first few times he'd at least had the pleasure of Emma, but somehow the same situation when implemented by her father lost all its appeal. However, the man did raise a fair point. It was the easiest most direct way that provided the least amount of suspicion. Licking his lips he sighed before holding out his wrists.

"Let's get on with it then." He huffed and David stepped forward, drawing a pair of handcuffs from his belt. Killian pulled away just as he reached for his wrist. "We get one thing clear now. As soon as we are safely inside the station, I am to be released."

David smirked. "You sound nervous. And here I thought you'd be used to it by now." For once, the man seemed happy.

Killian let out a breath through his nose and he just could not stop himself. "Oh yes, I'm well used to restraints," He leaned into his words, "but there's an entirely different effect when Emma's the one doing the restraining."

David's smirk fell in an instant. He paused and Killian could see the tensing of muscles that suggested David was ready to attack him. The man's jaw locked in place and Killian considered being sorry for saying it, for instigating. But he really wasn't.

"Okay. Enough. The both of you." Mary Margret put a hand between them. She held out a hand to David who was locked in a stare with Killian. "Give me those, I'll do it."

There was no stopping it. His lopsided grin spread all the way to his eyes as he extended his wrists in Mary Margret's direction. Not once did Killian look away and David seethed as Mary Margret secured his wrist. However, she had also made sure to clamp them as tight as they would go and his grin broke as he winced.

"There. That should hold." Then she held out her hand. "Hook."

"Yes?"

"No, give me the hook. We wouldn't arrest you with you still wearing it. So hand it over." She had moved past her polite acceptance. He really should have kept his mouth shut.

He did as he was bid, but not willingly. His mood had soured and whatever fun he had found in baiting David was mostly gone. David had made sure to get a few digs in on the walk to the station. He wasn't exactly gentle when pushing Killian along. His hand had latched onto Killian's shoulder and dug in as he dragged him into the station. Mary Margret hadn't said a word in Killian's defense. In fact, she seemed to be enjoying herself. Once inside, Killian was thrown forward and he just managed to get his footing and keep from falling. Mary Margret was the one to unlock him and then she returned the hook as well.

"Now. Where is this map?"

David pointed to one of the walls where a map of the town was pinned. There were scattered pins of papers around the edges and some writing in places, but Killian could recognize the shapes and layout from the map in the library. He ran his eyes over it, hand out as he brought up the coded directions in his memory.

"Here is where I sent Cora." His finger hit a spot in the woods and then he traced a line and halted. "This is where it is actually buried." He tapped the spot once and then turned around. "I suggest you move quickly before Cora realizes that I have steered her wrong."

"About that." David started. "Why so concerned about her finding you with us if she'll only figure it out once she realizes she's digging in the wrong place?"

"My steering Cora in the wrong direction would not mean I am on your side. Not to her. I can easily explain that I had sensed her inevitable betrayal and sought to secure my position with her by tricking her. Trust me. She'll understand. It was Emma's plan that I remain on Cora's side until she returned."

"Then that's the plan we'll stick with." Mary Margret said quickly, before David could retort. "I'm willing to trust her judgment on this one."

"Well, I'm still skeptical." David said under his breath.

Mary Margret was about to respond when her pocket began ringing. She reached down and then looked up quickly. "It's Emma." She hit a button and put a finger to her other ear. "Hello? I-hold-wha-slow down. Emma, take a breath. What's happened? Oh. I…" Mary Margret glanced up at the worried faces and then stepped backward, holding a finger up to them as she retreated from the room. "You mean he's—"

Killian was confused and he got the sense that something was wrong. "She's talking to Emma?"

"What?" David seemed to forget he was there. "Oh. Yeah. It's a cell phone. Long story."

"Then that is actually Emma saying that there is something wrong?"

"I suppose. I'm just as clueless as you on this one. I couldn't hear what they were say—Hook where are you going?"

Killian was already following after Mary Margret. "It'll be that slimy Crocodile, Rumpelstiltskin. He no doubt betrayed her as I had said he would." He was moving again, mumbling. "I should have insisted that she stay behind."

"Whoa." David grabbed his arm and Killian shook him off instantly, but stopped walking. "Look, it's upsetting. I get it. But we don't move until we find out what is actually going on. Mary Margret is talking to her now. If it was dangerous she would not have left the room without telling me." David let out a breath and set his hands on his hips.

Killian was antsy as he waited. Waiting. Such an arduous task. David was leaning on a desk, arms crossed. His eyes followed Killian's pacing and he finally spoke. "All right, all ready. You're making me dizzy. Just…just take a seat."

"I'd rather stand, thank you." Killian huffed. David was way too casual.

"Fine. Stand. But could you stop with the pacing?"

"Do even understand the situation she is in?" Killian did stop pacing and he fixed David with an intent stare. "The danger she is facing?"

"Of course I know."

"Then you know that Rumpelstiltskin is not to be trusted? That association with him only leads to death and misery?"

David seemed to be taking offense, but Killian was beyond caring. "Do you think you're the only one from our world with a grudge against him? Half this town wouldn't bat an eye if the man never came back, hell I don't think anyone would, now that you've gotten your hands on Belle."

Killian set his jaw.

"So stop acting like you're the only one who understands what's at stake here. I know. She's my daughter. All right? I've seen firsthand what Gold is capable of and I am worried about her. But I also know that Emma's a strong girl. She can handle herself."

Killian set his eyes on the floor. It was not his faith in Emma's abilities that had him so shaken. What David didn't, couldn't, understand was that Emma was currently with the man that had ripped out the heart of the last woman Killian had loved. Emma was strong, yes, and Gold might not be able to rip out her heart, but that didn't mean he couldn't hurt her. He should never have agreed to her leaving. He should have insisted that she stay. Now it might be too late. What the hell was taking Mary Margret so long?

David wasn't glaring any longer and Killian hadn't noticed him approach. David let out a sigh, hands in his pockets. "Look. I'm going to level with you here, I don't like you." Off to a good start. "Back home, you had a reputation. From what Snow has told me, you were helping Cora back in our world. You've got a bad attitude and you're entirely too mouthy for your own good. So as much as you might not like it, I've a pretty strong right to not like you associating with my daughter."

Killian didn't speak. So far, David hadn't said anything that wasn't true.

"However." David paused before continuing. "However, Emma seems to trust you. Or, at least, she seems to think you're not entirely the villain you make yourself out to be. As much as I don't agree with her, that has to mean something. Emma's not an idiot. Which is why I've been holding back." Killian almost scoffed openly, but he restrained himself. If this was David holding back disdain then he did not want to see David had Emma decided to hate him. "And…and from what I can see, you at least care about her. So I'm going to offer you a truce." David held out his hand. "You lay off the comments toward my wife and I'll ease up."

Killian looked at his hand and debated. Taking it was another step down this daunting trail of commitment and responsibility. It was another step that he knew he would have to make to keep Emma, but that went against his instincts. He decided to accept the gesture and shook David's hand.

David didn't release him, but pulled his hand closer, tugging on it. "And if you even think about hurting her Rumpelstiltskin will be the least of your problems." He released him and Killian took a step back. He couldn't fault David; the man had been nothing but honest and sincere. He was protective of Emma. Which Killian was beginning to understand. But it still unsettled him. The implications. It had his mind straying to terrifying prospects and he was beginning to worry that Mary Margret still hadn't returned when she finally emerged from the hallway.

She didn't look happy, but there was no urgency in her movements either. David ran to her.

"What is it? What's happened? Is Emma okay?"

"Yeah, Emma's fine. They, uh, they found Gold's son." She said as if this was the most confusing idea she could have. She took David's arm. "And he's Henry's father."

"What?"

"Gold's son. He's Henry's father." She repeated, still trying to grasp this herself.

A/N: So this is the filler while Emma is in New York. She returns next chapter. Thank you for reading. ^_^