Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

XXI

Walsh is here. Walsh is in Storybrooke. Walsh found her. He found her and he's with Gold and Neal. He wasn't supposed to find her yet. They had time. They were going to deal with Neal and then come up with a plan. When he found her she would have a plan.

Emma and Killian found August pacing outside Killian's apartment building, "What the hell happened?" He asked as they stepped out of Killian's truck.

"We should take this inside." Killian reached out and laced his hand with Emma's, pulling her upstairs and into this apartment.

"Okay, we're inside, what the fuck happened?" August repeated his question as Killian flicked the lock on the door before leading Emma over to the bar to sit down.

"He's here. Belle said he's here." Emma whispered.

"Belle? Gold's wife? What does she have to do with anything? And how does she know anything?" August glanced at Killian for answer's when he realized Emma was still too shocked to respond. After Killian quickly filled him in on Emma's conversation with the librarian, he took a few deep breaths before sifting through his thoughts. Staring at Emma's pale form perched on a bar stool, August crossed to her and took her hand in his, "Emma, maybe we should get you and Henry out of town. Go to New York City or Chicago or LA or somewhere he can't find you."

Emma shook her head and shoved him back lightly, standing up, "No, I'm not running from him anymore. I like it here in Storybrooke. Henry likes it here. This is our home now. Walsh isn't going to take that away from us. I ran for so long, I'm done running. I don't want to run anymore." She tugged at her hair and closed her eyes, leaning against the island with a tired sigh.

"I get that, Ems, but we don't have a plan yet." August argued.

"What about just reporting him?" Killian suggested, "I realize it's a radical thought"

"And use what proof?" Emma snapped, "All of my bruises are gone. Other than my word, what the hell do I have?"

"But you've been to the hospital before. You've got medical records," Killian continued, "shouldn't that be enough proof?"

"Proof of what? That I'm clumsy? I was too terrified to tell the staff anything and when they saw my last name they were too terrified to call the cops. Not that it would've done any good." Emma stood up and lightly shoved Killian back so she could pace, "Do you have any idea how powerful Walsh is? How many senators and congressmen and other political friends he has in his pocket. It would ruin their reputations if he was a wife beater. They wouldn't let that happen. They would protect him. And I would just be this little orphan girl who got knocked up by a thief, who lied and ran away and is now living with some guy in another town. I'd be labeled a whore. And then what would that do to Henry? What would happen when it came out that I was a thief? Walsh has done everything to hide that. At first I thought it was to protect Henry and me, but now I know it was just to protect himself. How would that effect my son? And Walsh would just walk away from it all unscathed. He'd married the poor little orphan thief. He did his charity work with the foster system and group homes. His community service has been served. Now he can find a nice rich girl with a rich daddy and all his problems will be solved. After he ruins my life. After he manages do something like separate me from son."

Placing his hands on her shoulders and blocking her path, Killian stared her dead in the eye, "He's not going to take Henry from you. We won't let him."

"And who are you to stop him?" Emma asked quietly, "I should've never gone out with him. You were right, August. I've trapped myself in this marriage to this psychopath. Either I go home with him or I fight him." She shook her head, her voice and body language showing defeat and resignation, "I don't know, maybe you could take Henry for a while. Maybe you could keep him here or take him to some other city far away and I could go with Walsh and try to figure out how to get a divorce. Find someone in Texas who can"

"You are not going anywhere with that man." Killian's voice was low and threatening and dangerous. Emma's eyes flashed to him, "I am not letting him anywhere near you. Do you understand me, Emma? He's not coming near you. I won't let him hurt you or Henry."

"Too late for that." She snapped.

Taking a breath, Killian replied softly, "Well, I won't let him hurt you anymore. You just have to trust us."

Sighing, Emma wrapped her arms around his torso. Burying her face in his chest, she let out a sob. He tightened his grip on her and rubbed her back, waiting for her to calm down, "I'm sorry." She murmured, "I know you're just trying to come up with a solution, I'm just so tired." She pulled back and closed her eyes, "I'm just exhausted and beaten down and just" She shook her head, trying to keep the tears at bay.

"Hey," Killian cradled her head in his hands, "it's okay, love. Why don't you go lay down. You look like you're about to fall over." He pressed a kiss to her brow, "All of this will still be a problem when you wake up. It's not going to get substantially worse between now and then, alright?"

Emma furrowed her brow as she thought about his words, debating whether leaving them to hash out ideas without her was a good idea or not, "Seriously, Ems, go lay down. You'll be able to brainstorm better when you're not dead on your feet." August advised from behind the island.

"Fine." She muttered, turning and dragging her feet back to Killian's room, much in the same way her son does when he doesn't want to go to bed.

When the door clicked shut, Killian turned to face August, "So, you're the mastermind," Killian leaned on the island, "got any ideas?"

"Outside of murdering Walsh and pinning it on Neal and Gold to effectively get rid of all of them?" August quipped.

"We'd probably have to murder Gold too and pin it on Neal." Killian mused.

"Dude, it was a joke." August rolled his eyes.

"No, it was a lovely idea. Unfortunately, it'd cause more problems than it'd solve in the end." Killian assented. "So, any other ideas?"

"What is Walsh's plan exactly?" August asked.

"Belle told Emma he wants to institutionalize her and take Henry, but now that he's met Henry's father" Killian's voice trailed off at the end of his sentence.

"Fat chance I'd let that bastard near Henry." August snarled, remembering just how broken Emma had been over Neal's betrayal and then over Henry being born while she was in jail. It took a solid three months for her to get her bearings after that.

"Look, mate, we're not letting any of them near Emma or Henry." Killian sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "We need something, anything, to leverage against them." A banging at the door stopped his suggestion. When he opened it, he wasn't surprised to find Regina, Tink, Graham and David standing on the other side, "Can I help you?" Killian asked evenly.

"Where's Emma?" Regina pushed her way inside, "Is she okay?"

"She's taking a nap." Killian replied, "Headache, remember?"

"Headache my ass." Regina spun, "What's going on? What are Neal and Gold up to now?"

"Regina, would you please keep your voice down?" August rounded the counter, "We can discuss this later."

"No, we're going to discuss this now." The mayor snapped, "I'm worried about Emma. I'm worried about Henry. Don't you get that? Now let us help!"

"Would you please be quiet." Killian whispered, "I just convinced her to try to take a nap. She may not even be completely asleep yet."

"It's okay, Killian." Emma emerged from the bedroom in one of Killian's plaid button downs, her hair rumpled from the tossing and turning of trying to fall asleep, "They might as well know what's going on."

"Look, Emma," Graham's accented voice was soothing compared to Regina's harsh words, "We just want to help, that's it."

"I know," Emma sighed and took a seat on the sofa, indicating they should follow, "everything is going to come crashing out now. I mean Gold and Neal already know the truth"

"Swan," Killian shook his head, "you don't have to"

"The reason I was keeping this quiet was to protect myself and Henry from him. Now he's here. It's time for a change in plans." Emma turned to face away from Killian, "My name isn't Emma Swan. It's Emma Carter West. And I'm married."

Regina and Tink's eyes narrowed on her before Tink replied, "Killian, please tell me she told you before"

"Of course she told me." Killian snapped at the blonde. "I know everything, and I trust her. For you to come into our home and"

"Killian," Emma reached her hand out, a small smile crossing her tired face at his use of 'our home'. Instinctively he crossed the small space between them to take it and lace their fingers together, "It's okay that's she protective. They all should be. You deserve to have people who care about you and love you. If I were in their place I wouldn't trust me either. They're finding out that I've lied about everything."

"Okay," David held up his hands, "Emma, what did you lie about exactly and who is your husband."

"Oh my God," Regina shook her head, "I knew there was something about him. I just forgot. I forgot that he was even here."

"Who?" Graham asked.

"Do you remember, a couple of nights ago this guy came into Granny's? He introduced himself as Walsh West. Mary Margaret thought I was overreacting, but I got a weird feeling about him. I just got distracted by Roland." Regina shook her head, "How could I forget that?"

"Well, it's been awhile, but once again we do have a lot going on here in Storybrooke." David muttered, remembering the drama surrounding Killian, Gold, Milah and his step-father.

"So this Walsh guy is your husband?" Graham's eyes narrowed in on her neck, which was now perfectly pale and bruise free.

Emma bit her lip and nodded, "He never touched Henry." She wanted to make sure they understood that. "I stayed for far too long with him. August got us new identities and we wound up here completely by chance. I never imagined it would fall apart this quickly on us." She murmured. Killian rounded the sofa and pulled her into his arms, grabbing a blanket off the back of the couch to drape over her bare legs. "Somehow, Walsh and Neal met. Belle told me today that they're working with Gold. The ultimate plan is to take me back to Texas and put me in a facility and hand Henry over to Neal." She buried her head in the crook of Killian's neck, her body shuddering lightly, "I feel like I've officially lost. I feel like this is just how my life is supposed to be an all of my talk of being independent again and having a good life is just that, talk." A sob tore it's way out of her throat as Killian rocked her gently, murmuring in her ear.

"That's not going to happen, Emma." Regina snorted, "So pull it together." When Emma didn't look up the woman rolled her eyes, "I mean it. No one is sending you back to Texas or letting him put you in any damn facility and we sure as hell aren't letting any of them within ten feet of Henry. So it's time to toughen up and find that last bit of resolve that I know is in you. You said this place feels like home and you and Henry have finally found your place?" Emma still didn't respond, so she continued, "Then it's time to fight for it. Crying and whining and giving up won't help either of you."

Killian let out a huff, "Don't you think that's a little harsh, Regina, even for you? She's been through enough as it is."

Emma shook her head and pulled her head out of its hiding place. Wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands, she replied firmly, "No, Regina's right. It's time to fight. The only question is, how?"

"By beating them to the punch." Regina stated calmly, "Let's take this to someone outside of Storybrooke. Someone higher."

"Like the state attorney's office?" Tink suggested.

"And maybe let a few state law enforcement officers I know." Graham offered.

"And perhaps maybe a member of the state legislature." Regina's lips curled into a smile, "Let's see how high we can go before Gold starts climbing that ladder. The best part will be that we'll already be there to knock him back down."

OUAT

Emma absently stirred the pot of stew on the stovetop as she waited for August to get back from picking Henry up from his play date with Roland. Her stomach churns at the thought of telling him Walsh is here. In town. At that very moment. He needs to know. He needs to be prepared. Regina, Tink, Graham and David were planning to work different contacts in the legal, political and law enforcement world that work at the state level. Tink hoped one of her contacts at the state attorney's office would have contacts in Texas who would be willing to make a case against Walsh. And everyone was looking into how to discredit Gold. She could vaguely hear Killian on the phone on the balcony getting an update from David. Emma's stomach dropped at the thought of having to tell the rest of the group tomorrow. Henry needs as many people looking out for him as possible, though, so it benefits him for everyone to know.

"Momma! Do you feel better?" Henry's arms wrapped around her legs and Emma stumbled back slightly as August shut the front door and clicked the locks in place.

"Hey, kid." Emma murmured, pulling him close to her.

"Is your headache all better?" He asked, looking up at her.

"Kid, we need to talk for a few minutes, that okay?" She waited until Henry nodded before glancing up at August and motioning to the stove. Wrapping an arm around her son's shoulders, Emma led him back to the room that is now his. They slid almost absently-mindedly into life with Killian.

"Momma, what happened?" Henry's voice was small as he curled up at the head of the bed.

"I know that I told you he would never find us here," she held eye contact with him, "but Walsh is here."

She waited as Henry seemed to process this information for a few moments before he finally asked, "Have you seen him?"

Emma shook her head, "No, kid, not yet."

"Do you have to see him?" The concern in her son's eyes for her safety and well-being made her heart clench. She'd raised such a sweet and kind boy. And she had no idea how she did it all alone.

"Probably." Emma finally admitted.

Henry frowned as he processed that bit of information, "Do I have to see him?"

"You're not going anywhere near him." Emma bit out quickly. Henry seemed content with that knowledge, so Emma continued, "He's been spending time with your real dad, though"

"I'm not going with them." Emma's eyes widened as Henry leapt off the bed and crossed the room, "I don't want to go with them."

"Oh, baby," Emma moved to him and pulled him into her arms, "we're not letting you. You're staying right here with Killian and me, okay? I promise."

"Why do they want to do this now?" He asked her quietly with a sniffle as he buried his face into her t-shirt, "Why does he want me now? Why can't they just let us be happy with Killian?"

Emma wanted to cry at her son's words, "I don't know, baby. I wish I could explain it to you, but some people are bad guys. They're bad guys, but guess what?"

"What?"

"We're really lucky because we're living with a good guy." At his questioning look, Emma chuckled, "Killian is the best guy. So is August. And Robin and Jefferson and David and Graham and Victor and Sean and Philip, they're all good guys too." She reminded him, "So we've got lots of good guys."

"And good girls." Henry pipes up, "Like Regina. She's scary."

"Kid, she's terrifying." Emma smiled softly, "I'm going to keep you safe, Henry. I'm always going to keep you safe. I love you. I love you more than anything or anyone in the entire world and I always will."

"I love you too, Momma." His voice was small and after another squeeze, he stepped back and climbed up on the bed, pulling his book off his night stand without another word.

Leaving Henry in his room to read through his storybook (she really thought he just wanted time to process), Emma cracked the door and found August and Killian standing in kitchen by the stove talking quietly. "What's going on?" She asked.

"I just got off the phone with Regina." Killian leaned against the counter. "She has a friend in the state legislature. He told her some confidential information about Gold." Emma raised a questioning eyebrow at him, "He's being investigated for tax evasion and bribery. They're also looking into a few suicides and mysterious deaths that may be connected to him."

Emma sunk down onto a bar stool, "So in other words, the state officials would be willing to work with us."

"Even more than that, the congressman Regina spoke to is going to talk to the governor and they're going to very quietly look into Walsh." Killian smiled softly, "Emma, this may never get anywhere near you."

Shaking her head, Emma replied, "Oh, Walsh will make sure it does."

"David is also putting hits out on all of Neal's known aliases to see if he's wanted anywhere." August spoke up, "So they're trying to take down all of them. In the mean time, we told David to tell Mary Margaret. She's going to let the school know that Henry will be out next week. You two are staying here. We're not taking any chances."

Emma nodded, "So now all we do is wait to see what Regina's contacts say?"

"For the moment, yes." Killian confirmed.

OUAT

XOXO

MAS