Chapter 14: Betrayal

Killian and Henry both thought about the previous evening, about the last time they had seen Emma, and realized she had indeed left the ship in order to get rid of her magic. The boy's smile had vanished and he looked down.

"That's why she told me she loved me. She knew she was leaving, she never planned on listening to me. I thought I had convinced her."

"Henry, I haven't seen it coming either," reassured Killian. He was not smiling either, and was considering their options. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"We have to stop her," Henry said, putting into words what the pirate was thinking. "Killian, she can't get rid of her magic. She surely went to Rumplestitskin, we have to call him."

"My thoughts exactly."

Killian headed to the door and indicated the boy to follow. Unable to shake this bad feeling he had, he knew there were two possibilities: the crocodile would come to them, or not.

"Crocodile!" Killian called once they were on the docks. But as he had feared, nothing happened.

"Maybe he doesn't like being called that," suggested Henry. "Rumplestitskin!"

There was still no sign of him on the docks.

"Lad, he usually comes instantly."

"Maybe he's just busy?" But Henry himself wasn't convinced by this hypothesis.

"Come back." Killian didn't wait: he grabbed his wrist and pulled him back on board, under the cover of the protection spell. He knew they had to act fast, but his priority was to tell the boy what needed to be told, without hurting him. "Lad, I know you like him, but I really don't know what he's up to, this time. And if he doesn't come when we call him, I'm afraid he might be up to something wrong."

But Henry already seemed to have realized something was wrong. "Killian, I'm sorry. If I had stayed with Regina, if I hadn't come to find Emma, she wouldn't have asked Rumplestitskin to help with her magic. She'd still be safe, with you. I keep putting you both in danger. It's all my fault."

Killian was trying to think of a plan, but the guilt imprinting the boy's words was enough to catch all his attention. He shook his head and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Lad, I won't let you think like that. You coming into our lives is one of the best things that happened to us. Your mum and I both agree your place is here with us: you belong with us, you're our son. Well… Emma's, but…"

The words had simply escaped him, and Henry looked up with eyes full of hope. "You consider I'm your son?"

"Aye," Killian admitted with a smile. "How could I not?"

He had been with Emma when she had met the boy, he had been there to welcome him on board and more generally into their lives, and he had been there for him all the time since then; there had never been a moment when he hadn't taken care of him as if he was his own son. The boy was looking up at him admiringly, and suddenly hugged him tightly.

"You're all I've always wanted as a father."

"And you're the perfect son." He would have let this moment linger if he could have, but glancing up at the docks reminded him of a more urgent issue. "Let's go and bring your mum back, with her magic."

"Killian… If there's really something wrong and he did something bad… Now, he knows we're looking for him."

"He won't care, he won't expect us to go to his mansion. Because he knows his place is protected. Bloody hell." Killian grumbled as he realized the crocodile might be right: they couldn't find him.

"It's protected but I know where he lives."

"You do?"

"Yes. I think. I need your map of the land."

Running to the quarters, Killian rummaged through the chest in which his maps were stored, until picking the one he was looking for. He spread it out on the table and watched the boy studying it, wondering how he knew, or whether he'd be able to locate the Dark One's mansion. Unwilling to add any more pressure, he tried to say nothing, but curiosity got the better of him.

"How do you know where he lives?" Killian asked; though he had been there every day, Rumplestitskin had always brought them directly inside, and he had no idea what was around.

"I went to his place several times, I know it well. And there's something you should know: in front of the main door, there's a gate, and he told me anyone going through this gate triggers an alarm, so he knows who's there. This gate could be annoying. But only the front side of the mansion is protected."

"Alright," Killian frowned. "What's the point of an enchanted gate if it's not surrounding the entire place?"

Henry shrugged. "He's weird. But who would choose not to take the main entrance when there's a nice path leading there?"

"Is there another entrance?" asked Killian.

"No."

"Well, we'll figure out some way."

Henry went back to studying the map. Luckily, reading maps was one of the things Killian had taught him, and he had been playing with this one map of the land enough times to know where they were or where Regina's castle was.

"This path," Henry suddenly said, pointing one of the lines on the map. "That's the one we were always taking when we went horse-riding with Regina. On this path there's a tree I love, a willow tree. And I could see it when I went out of Rumplestitskin's mansion."

"Lad, how can you be sure that's the same tree?" Killian was willing to trust him, but he couldn't take any risk. "There could be many of these willow trees, whatever that is."

"It was the same one. From this path, we had a view of a valley. His mansion is in this valley, the willow tree looked like it was on a hill. I'm sure the path was there."

"Alright. Very good, lad. Is there anything else you know?"

"The willow tree should be somewhere over there," he said, trailing his finger over a part of the path. "I'll recognize it, we can't miss it. When I was outside his mansion, facing the hill, I could see the tree," Henry closed his eyes as he pictured the memories in his mind, and indicated a direction on his left, "at about eleven o'clock. So if we arrive from here…"

"His mansion will be at two o'clock once we reach this tree," finished Killian, unable to stop himself from feeling proud of the boy. "You're amazing, do you know that? Let's go and find your mum!"

The Dark One's mansion didn't seem so far. Killian stared at the large map, just long enough to memorize the path they needed to take. He then quickly tucked his compass in his pocket and grabbed a lantern, before taking Henry's hand and running to the docks.

"Should we call Liam?"

"We don't have time for this," said Killian, heading towards the stable of the village. "I take it you know how to ride a horse?"

"Yes! Are we going to steal horses?"

"Let's rather say we're borrowing them."

"It's ready."

Emma turned around. She had tried to distract herself by looking at the different objects stored on the shelf, but she had been unable to think of anything else than her hands which hadn't stopped flaring. When she had walked on the docks and called him, Rumplestitskin had come instantly and brought her to his mansion. She had told him she wanted to get rid of her magic, and he had told her to wait, because there was something he needed to prepare. There had been already so many thoughts running through her mind that she hadn't even thought of questioning him, and had waited for him.

He was now back and indicated her to follow him into a part of the mansion where she had never been. They stopped in front of a closed door.

"So, what do I need to do?"

"I've cast the spell inside that room. All you have to do is step through the door." But he saw she was hesitating. "Is something wrong?"

The bright light she could see through the crack in the door had made her wonder what was about to happen to her, and she had then been thinking of Killian and Henry.

"Just... I've talked with Killian and Henry about getting rid of my magic. Both told me not to do it. They said I shouldn't get rid of something that makes me happy."

"Has your magic been making you happy lately?"

"That's what I said." She glanced at the door and, though she wasn't willing to take any more risks to hurt the ones she loved, it was like a part of her was trying to convince her not to step through it.

"But you still have doubts."

"Do you blame me?"

"No," he simply replied. It was one of these times when he was exceptionally calm, and Emma was glad he was, because she wouldn't be able handle his usual eccentricity. She couldn't stop thinking of Killian and Henry. She wanted to go back to them, but with her magic, she was too dangerous. She had to get rid of it first.

"Is it safe? Will I be okay?"

"No magic is without risk, even magic used to take away magic."

"But it's going to stop me from hurting people?"

"That much I can promise, yes," he reassured. "Look, this is very much your choice. I did tell you it was a major decision to take."

"What would you do?"

"I wouldn't go in there for anything."

"What? Why?" This had not been the answer she had been expected; she had thought he would have encouraged her to step through the door.

"Because, dearie, I'm not like you. I'm a man who always chooses power and, a power like yours? Never would I get rid of it! But you, Emma? What you value the most are your pirate and your son; people you have or could have hurt because of your magic."

She stepped towards the door; his words had convinced her. She had hurt Killian and could have done even worse to him. It also could have been Henry. And the flares were still out of control. No matter how loud this little voice inside her was screaming not to do it, she had to step through the door and get rid of her magic.

"Rumplestitskin?" The man, who had started to walk away, turned around. "Thank you."

"Of course," he said before walking away.

"Lad, be watchful! We should reach your tree soon."

Killian needed to shout in order to be heard by the boy, as the light rain they had when leaving the ship had turned into a pouring rain, making the journey even more uncomfortable. He had memorized the map and knew they were now on this portion of the path Henry had indicated. Galloping through the night, lit only by the lantern hanging from his hook, he was staying as close from the boy as he could, to provide him as much light as possible, so he could see the trees around them.

"This one!" Henry indicated the tree which had just came into light ahead of them. "That's the willow tree I was talking about!"

"Well done, lad!"

They slowed down as they reached the tree. They knew which direction they had to follow, but there was no path there; they would need to ride through the forest. Killian looked up but, of course, the clouds were hiding all the stars. Pulling his compass out, he examined it before tucking it back inside his pocket.

"Let's go!" Killian said, indicating him to follow.

They went as fast as they could, though they couldn't go as fast as on the path. Minutes went by and Henry was feeling more and more nervous.

"Killian, what if I was wrong?"

"Worry not, lad. We will find Emma."

They kept riding and, despite Killian's words, Henry was worrying more and more.

"Maybe you shouldn't have trusted me."

But Killian had noticed how the forest was becoming less thick.

"You said a path was leading to the main entrance. Look at this," Killian pointed a path which was starting right in front of them. "If his mansion is protected, the path leading there probably isn't linked to any other paths. Just like this one."

As they followed the path, the forest was less and less thick. At last, they entered the area covered by the protection spell and the mansion suddenly appeared to them. Killian grabbed the reins of Henry's horse as fast as he could and pulled him out of the path; out of view. Back on his feet, he helped the boy get off the horse.

"I don't know what he's up to, but I fear he's doing something wrong. Do not say his name," said Killian, exposing the plan he had thought of. "We increase our chances of finding her if we split up. She must be inside. I will cross the gate, so that he knows I'm here. He will probably come to me. It's better if he doesn't know you're here as well: while I'm with him, find another way to enter the mansion, like another door or a window, and find your mum."

"You should go and find her, she will listen to you more easily than me."

"I'm not sending you to him, he might be dangerous. You go and find Emma, you're her son; she trusts you. Just be careful not to be seen. He has to believe I came here alone." The thought the crocodile might not come even when he would walk through the door crossed his mind, and he added, "Wait here until you see him with me. Then, you run. Go and find your mum, and bring her back. You can do it, lad."

Henry nodded and stayed hidden behind the tree, watching as Killian headed toward the mansion.

Pretending he didn't know anything about the enchanted gate, Killian ran and crossed it while shouting, "Emma!"

"Watch your step, captain." As expected, Rumplestitskin had appeared. He used his magic to close the gate, and stood in front of the pirate. The fact he was blocking the way tended to confirm Killian's fears: the Dark One was up to something wrong.

"Where is she? Where's Emma?"

"Inside. How about I treat you to a front row seat and you can attend the outcome of a story you didn't even know you were a part of? An annoying secondary character you've been, but the woman you love happens to be much more interesting."

"What did you do to her?" Having no idea what the crocodile was talking about, he was glaring at him, his jaw clenching. "Out of my way, crocodile!"

"Not so fast!"

The next second, Killian felt his feet leave the ground. His back violently banged something hard, and ropes coiled around his wrists, his body and his ankles; he was tied up to the gate. It was impossible for him to move. He was tempted to look back and check whether he could see Henry from here, but unwilling to give any hint about his presence, he didn't. He simply hoped the boy had left before seeing how he was now held prisoner against the gate, and would find a way to get inside the mansion and find Emma.

"Before you depart, let me tell you a story. I am sure you will be delighted to hear it." If he had been calm with Emma, his usual eccentricity was now back.

"Emma!" Struggling against the ties, Killian shouted desperately.

"Try all you like; with that pouring rain, she won't be able to hear you. And you won't be able to free yourself." The Dark One sniggered. "Listen to my story instead. It started a very long time ago, at this time when I was weak and mortal like all of you; at this time when I've made the worst choice I've ever made and, because of this choice, I've lost my son. My Bae. He fell through a portal and I've done nothing to prevent it. He was only fourteen, and I've never seen him again."

"How touching," said Killian, still trying to free himself. "What does it have to do with us? Let me go and find Emma!"

"Do not interrupt me, pirate!" Rumplestitskin said with his theatrical ways. Killian kept trying to free himself, in vain. Ignoring him, the Dark One went on with his story. "I've lost my son a very long time ago, and I've spent my life looking for him since then."

"If it's been such a long time, how can you know he's even alive after all these years?"

"Prophecies, dearie. A prophecy told me a boy would lead me to him. It was quite unclear at that time, because the boy wasn't born yet. And later, I got a confirmation my son was alive: someone… someone I'm sharing a complicated past with, told me that, after falling through this portal, my Bae had been with him, in Neverland. Of course, when he told me that, it was too late, and Bae was already in another realm: a land without magic. But it was such a long time ago that I've lost track of him, and in this case, even magic wasn't enough. The only way for me to find him was to go directly to this land. I've asked Regina to cast a curse which would bring us all to this other realm, this land without magic where I needed to be. But she had finally won against the one she had considered for years as her greatest enemy, so she didn't need the Dark Curse. Instead, she used the dagger on me, and cursed me."

"The Dark One's dagger? This thing's real?" asked Killian, remembering reading about this dagger which was the only thing that could stop a Dark One. He had given up on struggling, and kept casting glances at the mansion, hoping to see Henry and Emma appear any time.

Ignoring him again, the Dark One went on, using a tone of voice making him sound like a victim reporting a crime. "She used the dagger to curse me, and because of this curse I'm trapped here: I can't go to any other realm. Even if there's a portal open right in front of me, I won't be able to go through it."

"That's why you hate her," guessed Killian.

"But tonight, Emma will give me what I need to solve this problem of dagger, and I will be able to leave this place and find my son."

"What are you bloody talking about?" Killian desperately tried to free himself again and Rumplestitskin sniggered.

"Why, her magic of course! She still had doubts when I left her, but any time now, she should make her decision and give me what I need."

Killian glared at the man, realizing what his words could mean; he had always been caring only about Emma's magic. "You've been lying this whole time, from the beginning. Your aim has never been to protect us, or to help Emma. You were only acting for your own interest."

Killian kept struggling but he knew there was nothing he could do, other than staying there and keeping the crocodile busy as long as he could, to give Henry as much time as possible to find Emma.

"Did you really think I'd do something for anyone but me?"

"How could you do this to Henry?" asked Killian "He trusted you."

"Henry is a nice boy. He actually reminds me of my son, sometimes. But he also happens to be an essential part of the story: he's the boy of the prophecy, the one leading me to my son, because he is the one who led me to Emma and her magic. When I've learned she was giving him up for adoption, I knew I had to keep him close to me. And, what a coincidence, Regina happened to be at this time in need of a child, to fill the void left by the sudden loss of her beloved father. After what she had done to me, I couldn't resist the temptation to arrange the adoption for her; to bring her the baby who happened to be her greatest enemy's grandson."

"How could you find Emma's baby if you can't even find your own son? How could you even bring him to this realm?"

"I've lost my son at the moment when he went through that portal, but I never make the same mistakes twice: I've kept track of Emma all these years, from the moment when Regina sent her away when she was just a newborn, so I knew where to find Henry. I couldn't go there myself, but there's someone I know who makes quite useful hats so I sent him there instead; there was something he wanted from me, I accepted to give it to him in exchange of the baby. With Emma, it seemed more complicated: I didn't know how I was supposed to bring her to this realm. But she happened to come by herself. It then became much easier than I thought it would be, when you decided to ask for my help to find your love when Regina took her away from you. I had to help you, so that you would agree to come and see me again. And you did. And Henry, who already trusted me thanks to all these years I've spent by his side, then did exactly what I wanted him to do: he convinced Emma that I was her best chance, that I was the only one who could help her with her magic. The boy already trusted me. All I needed to do was to win your trust as well. To do anything you wanted and make you believe I was on your side, while I was in fact simply developing Emma's magic because, the more powerful her magic is, the better."

"When I asked you on the docks what you'd ask in return for helping Emma with her magic, you said you wouldn't ask for anything. You even promised," Killian reminded him.

"And I've kept that promise. I haven't asked for anything, and I won't. Dearie, I don't need to ask: I just take. She's the one who asked me to help her get rid of it."

"You're playing with words!" He glared at the man, his jaw clenching as he realized they had been played the whole time. There was still no hint of her presence or the boy's, and his only hope was that she had been hesitating long enough to give Henry the time to find her. He desperately called again. "Emma!"

"Of course, I've done what was needed to lead her to that point. Do you really think she simply happened to lose control? No, dearie. Whenever she was struggling to use her magic, I was bringing her to one of these alternate realities. She was usually more successful there because the potion was not only meant to create the alternate reality, but also to boost her magic and, in the end, make her lose control."

"You've said her loss of control was caused by Regina, at the ball! You've said it would improve with time. That she just needed to wait a few days!"

"Well, I've lied. No matter how hard she would try, I knew there was no way she could get it back under control. And I didn't want her to. I wanted her to be willing to get rid of her magic, so I've kept bringing her to this alternate reality every day, while making her believe her loss of control was due to Regina."

"What kind of man are you?" Knowing that, all this time, he had been using the woman he loved, was the most unbearable thought.

"I'm the Dark One, dearie. And the Dark One plays, the Dark One tricks. I've lost my son years ago, and I want to get him back. Now, I can."

"Why Emma? What does she have to do with your son?"

"Emma has nothing to do with him. Her magic simply happens to be the key. I will find him, because I will now have all I need: her magic, and this."

Killian panicked as he instantly recognized what Rumplestitskin was holding in his hand. "Whose heart is this?"

"Milah's."

Relieved it was not Emma's, Killian was still shocked. "You sacrificed your wife?"

"I had no choice. To cast this spell which will finally separate me from the dagger, so that it will no longer hold power over me, I need the heart of someone special, someone who knew me before the dagger; before I was the Dark One. She was the only one fitting that description. I guess I'll just need to find another maid. And maybe this time I won't need to use this enchanted sand from the mystic island of Avalon to make her stay."

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"Nothing of your interest, dearie. But perhaps you'd be interested to know I am about to sacrifice the woman you love as well."

"NO!" Killian shouted; all this time, he had been hoping they'd stop her from getting rid of her magic, but he hadn't dared to consider the option that the crocodile was planning on doing even worse than stealing her magic.

"There is, inside, a hat which will collect her powers. Right now, she is standing in front of that door, making sure getting rid of her magic is what she wants. Once she opens the door, there will be no going back. Not only her powers will be taken; she'll be sucked in too."

"EMMA!" Killian yelled, but the rain was still pouring and making it impossible for her to hear him. He was struggling harder than ever, but it was making no difference.

"It should be happening soon, now."

"I'll die fighting before I let you use that bloody hat on Emma!"

"I was thinking death could wait but actually…" Rumplestitskin pretended to consider his offer for a second. "With pleasure!"

Killian let out a cry of pain as the Dark One ripped his heart out.

Watching from behind the trees, Henry watched Killian running to the mansion. He didn't need to wait long before seeing another figure appear. Doing as Killian had told him, he ran towards the back of the mansion, keeping an eye on the windows he was going past. But no window was opened and, like in his memories, there wasn't any door other than the main one. There was light coming out of most of the windows, allowing him to see inside, but all the rooms were empty. One of the windows then caught his attention, because the light coming out of it was different; more intense and fluctuating. At first thinking the light was coming from Emma's magic, he could see once he peeked inside that it was coming from a hat. The boy felt like his mother could be standing on the other side of the door. He also felt like, if the hat was the solution to take away her magic, he really needed to stop her before she would open the door, because the hat suggested nothing good. Running to the next window, there was still no sign of his mother. He had been hoping she would be in one of the rooms and he could just knock on the window to draw her attention, but the hat had convinced him that she was probably in the corridor, standing in front of the door which would lead her to this hat; he needed to find a way to enter as quickly as possible. Afraid of not being fast enough, he tried not to panic and thought of all the heroes in the books he had read: they could be afraid, but they always tried to remain calm and do the right thing. Henry examined the window and tried to push it open, but as he had expected, it was locked. Taking deep breaths, he looked down at the ground and found what he was looking for: a stone. He tossed it against the window pane, but it wasn't enough. He tried again, tossing it harder, but the window pane was still intact. Picking it up on the ground and clutching it in his hand, he closed his eyes and took another deep breath. Killian was believing in him, he had told him he could do it. He needed to believe too. Opening his eyes, he took a step back, and chucked the stone as hard as he could. This time, the impact was accompanied by a sound of shattering glass as the window pane started to break.

"Yes!"

Henry tossed the stone again and, this time, it went through the window. Hitting the pane with his elbow, he finished to shatter the glass, and carefully climbed inside. Rushing toward the door, he burst into the corridor, and found Emma exactly where he had been expecting to find her: standing behind the door leading to the hat, below a chandelier whose light was flickering. Her hand was on the door handle.

"Mum, stop!"

Emma started with surprise and turned to him. "Henry! What are you doing here? How did you…?"

"I came with Killian. You can't get rid of your magic!"

"Where is he?"

"Outside with… you know who. I can't say his name. It would summon him, and he must not know I'm here as well, that's what Killian said. Mum, you can't get rid of your magic," he repeated.

He was keeping his distance from her, knowing from what had happened in the morning with Killian that coming too close would lead to nothing good.

"Henry, my magic is a danger for all of you. I've been hesitating for a long time, but it's the right thing to do. I need to step through that door."

"No! Mum, it's dangerous!"

"I know. No magic is without risk," Emma repeated what the Dark One had told her. "But that's the price to pay. I can't take the risk to hurt you, or Killian again."

"This is not just a risk. It's dangerous! Mum! I've seen what's inside the room."

"And you've seen what my magic can do. Look at this," Emma indicated her flaring hands and the flickering chandelier. "It's all because of my magic. Rump…" She stopped herself from saying his name right in time. "He promised me I won't hurt anyone again if I step through the door."

"Because you can't hurt anyone if this hat kills you! Mum, what if it's truly dangerous? I've seen how it is, inside this room. This hat looks very bad. What if it kills you? Mum, please, don't do it."

"Henry… Do you really think Rump… he would do something which would kill me?"

"Killian thinks there's something wrong with him. If getting rid of your magic was easy, he would have told you how it worked. But he told you nothing. Mum, I love your magic. Killian loves it too, and he can help you with it. Killian also said you would trust me. He trusted me to bring you back, with your magic. Please, don't open this door." Seeing she was still hesitating, he added, "Or I'll come inside with you."

"Henry, no, it could be dangerous," she said, only now caring about the danger waiting for her on the other side of the door. She was now remembering a conversation she had with Killian and the Dark One, a conversation when the Dark One had said she needed to be protected because of her power; if she was getting rid of her magic, he would probably stop putting so much energy into keeping her safe.

"I know it could be dangerous. This is why I can't let you do this. If you step through that door, I'll come with you. But I don't want to go inside. I want to go back to the ship. Please, come home with me. Killian is waiting for us outside."

Realizing Henry might be right and the Dark One might be truly up to something wrong, the thought of Killian being with him suddenly worried her. "Let's go!"

Relieved to see she was not talking about the room with the hat, Henry followed her towards the front door. While she opened it, she heard Killian's cry of pain. The view turned her blood to ice: she instantly recognized the red glowing object in the Dark One's hand, and it reminded her of this alternate reality where Regina had ripped his heart out right in front of her. There was just enough light to allow her seeing that Killian was tied up to the gate, obviously in pain.

Killian's pain was indescribable. As Rumplestitskin squeezed his heart, he felt like he could barely breathe. Keeping his eyes closed the whole time, he had not noticed Emma was there, with Henry standing right behind her. But suddenly, the pain vanished, air filled his lungs, and an enjoyable wave of warmth spread through his body. He opened his eyes and saw his heart was now in Emma's hand. The Dark One was immobilized, and it reminded Killian of how the Evil Queen had immobilized his crew, on the first time when she had taken the woman he loved away from him. But this time, it was Emma who had done it: she had neutralized him, making him unable to do anything. Emma focused on Killian and he felt the ties loosen, until he was finally free. He didn't care about how his heart was outside his chest; he was so relieved to see her alive and with her magic that he ran to her under the pouring rain and kissed her. As his fingers went through her damp hair and his lips molded hers, for a moment he forgot the hatred he was feeling towards the man who was still immobilized behind him.

But Emma was unable to lose herself so easily, and she broke the kiss to look down at the heart she was holding in her hands; her hands which had finally stopped flaring. It had all happened so fast that she was still trying to process: when seeing Killian's heart in the Dark One's hand, she had instinctively summoned it to her. She had barely been aware of what she was doing when she had neutralized Rumplestitskin; she glanced at him over Killian's shoulder to check he was still immobile. The fact she had been able to do this without even realizing was slightly scaring her. And then, there was this heart, which she had seen already several times, in alternate realities or nightmares, being taken out of Killian's chest. But each time, she had awaken or come back to her reality before seeing how to put it back where it belonged.

Killian was staring at her and, after being so afraid he would never see her again, was relieved that he was still able to simply enjoy gazing at her. Looking down at his heart reminded him where they were.

"Come on, love. We should go."

"But…" Emma glanced up at him and indicated his heart.

"It can wait. I'll be fine." Killian caught Henry's eye and nodded approvingly. "Well done, my boy. I knew you could do it. Are you alright?"

"Yes!"

"Good. We need to go, now. We're not safe here." Killian glanced back at the Dark One, who was still prisoner of Emma's magic, and his jaw clenched.

"Was he really about to do something wrong?" Henry asked, coming closer to the pirate.

"He betrayed all of us," replied Killian.

"Then, we're not safe anywhere, anymore." The boy's face was imbued with disappointment as he stared at the one who had been helping him all these years. "We need to leave, far away."

It was only then that Emma tore her gaze away from the heart and looked up, a thought crossing her mind as she heard the boy's words.

"We can surely find a safe place in this realm, but in case we decide to leave very far away… Henry, you know Rumplestitskin better than us. Do you know where he could be hiding precious objects?"

"I know there's this vault in the wall. I've found it one day. It's behind the painting, in the back of the room, on the left side of the wardrobe."

"Very good."

"What are you looking for?"

Emma didn't reply and closed her eyes, visualizing the room, the wardrobe, the painting. She didn't know whether it would work but since her magic had been reflecting her thoughts very easily, she had to try. The painting on the wall needed to be removed. The vault needed to be opened. She focused on the dried magic bean she had found at the top of the beanstalk; the one Killian had traded against a locator spell to find her. Killian guessed what she was trying to do and, believing in her and her magic, looked up at the mansion and silently waited. Following his gaze, Henry imitated him. The rain was easing off. Killian felt this same kind of warmth than when Emma had summoned his heart to her, or when he had taken her flaring hand; this warmth was coming from her magic, and since he could feel it, he knew it would work. This was why he wasn't surprised when he saw the magic bean coming out of the mansion through the open door and floating towards them.

"Awesome!" said Henry as he recognized it.

Killian was the one to grab the bean, and tucked it in his pocket.

"Amazing, love. As always." He kissed her cheek and glanced back at Rumplestitskin. Seeing what Emma could do, he thought of something else. "Love, do you remember in this book about the Dark One, there was something about a dagger. There was a drawing of this dagger. It's real. Regina used it on him, to force him not to leave this realm. I'm sure that, after this, he didn't take any risk to be controlled again. He's probably keeping the dagger. Perhaps in this same vault. Can you try to summon it as well?"

Emma had no idea about what he wanted to do with it, but she complied. Again, Killian felt the warmth of her magic spreading through his body and he guessed it was working. Indeed, the dagger arrived like the magic bean a moment earlier, and Killian seized it. He glanced at it, looking at Rumplestitskin's name written on the blade, and looked up at Emma.

"Can he still hear us?" he asked.

"Yes. He's just unable to move."

"Until when?"

"Until I decide to free him. I think. But what do you want to do with this?"

"Insuring our safety," said Killian. He stepped towards the Dark One and, holding the dagger in front of him, glared at him. "You will not hurt or do anything which could harm Emma, Henry, Liam, me, or anyone we care about, ever again. Anything which would turn out to be potentially hazardous to any of us, you won't be able to do. And nothing or no-one can make you go against this statement."

Listening to his words, Emma knew that no one could have done any better. Standing beside her, Henry was admiringly staring at him.

"Let's go before I'm tempted to use the dagger to stab him," Killian said as he came back to them.

"Are we keeping the dagger?" Henry asked.

"No. This dagger is now useless to us, and it's much too powerful. I'm not taking the risk to keep it." He tossed the dagger inside the mansion. "We need to go."

"But Killian, we can't leave now… Your heart…" Emma was still carefully holding it in her hands.

"My love…" Every hint of hatred towards the Dark One disappeared to let tenderness imprint his features. He came even closer and softly brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers, while gazing at her. "I'm trusting you to keep my heart safe. I've always had. Do you remember when I gave you my mother's ring? I've told you I'd trust you with my heart. I didn't mean it literally then, but now I do."

"Killian, I…" Speechless, Emma was gazing at the heart, and lost herself in thoughts.

"Come with me, love. The horses are over there. We have to go."

Emma remained lost in her thoughts while Killian led her towards the forest. Killian got on the horse first.

"Lad, your mum may need her hands right now. Can you just…"

"Hold your heart?" Henry asked, looking slightly worried at the idea.

"Just for a moment. I'll be fine as long as you don't squeeze it in your hand."

Killian flashed him a smile and Emma carefully handed the heart over to him. Very cautiously, Henry kept it in his hands while Killian helped her to get on the horse, and handed it back as soon as she was settled.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Emma asked, looking back at him.

"Affirmative! My heart has never been in better hands," Killian reassured while securely wrapping his hooked arm around her. "Let's go back home."

They left, and Emma's only focus was on the heart; the most precious thing she had ever hold in her hands. Caring only about keeping it safe, she leant back against Killian, and protectively held his heart with both hands against her chest while they rode back to the ship.