A/N: Hello Lovely Readers! Sorry for the delay I hope to get the chapters out quicker for this. I had a bit of a block on how the scene was to play out. I hope you enjoy this and more is coming soon. I've already started the next chapter. Thank you all so much for your reblogs, reviews, and comments. You all completely make my day. This chapter is all action.

They stood pressed against each other in the alcove waiting for their chance to move to another hiding space. A quick peek revealed that the bedroom door next to the one that held them captive was slightly ajar. Their plan was to move to the room when it was clear to move forward.

When the voices died down and appeared to be moving away, they quickly peeked again making sure it was clear before he took her hand guiding her forward into the room quietly shutting the door behind them. He pulled her into his arms and she breathed a sigh of relief against his chest. "That was close." He nodded."Certainly would have removed our ability to form a strategy." She looked up a sad expression across her face. "It sounds like they have bombs planted around town."

"Aye, I need to alert Robin, I'll text him about what we learned." He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He began to worry about his colleagues who would likely be in the thick of those fires once they began if they couldn't stop them.

She smiled. "I'm glad to see you have a cell phone. They took mine when they found us outside. I haven't seen a phone in any of the rooms we've been in so far. I wanted to reach out to you and let you know we were in here. I'm really sorry about getting us into this predicament."

He looked at her and shook his head."Love, I'm fairly sure I know what I've signed up for if I'm to be with you and I'm all in. I've been in far worse situations in my life and if the payoff means that I'm working with you and we are helping each other then I'd do it all again. I'm just glad that I can be with you to protect you."

She leaned forward and kissed him, knowing this is one of the many reasons she wouldn't be able to stop herself from loving him if she tried. "I'm going to check out this room." He nodded and quickly started to message Robin.

The room was nearly identical to the room they were held in except the closet and the bathroom were on reverse sides. The bathroom also had a window in it but it was facing the back of the house away from where the police were sitting. The closet had shelving that lead towards the ceiling where a crawl space opening appeared just like the other. "I wonder if we can get into that room through the crawl space."

She pressed her ear to the wall, to see if she could hear anything. Their voices were muffled but it sounded like Felix was awake and he was pissed off. She'd hoped they would have an easy get away if they just had to grab Gold and move out of there. If Felix was sitting in their guarding him, then that would certainly make things difficult.

She felt warm breath on her neck and hands move around her waist. She eased back into his embrace. He whispered into her ear."Anything I should know about?" She relished in his protective hold for a moment. "Felix is awake and he's like a feral animal ready to bite. He's pissed."

"Well you did knock him out with a candlestick, can you blame him?"

She shook her head."No, but it's going to make things a lot harder for us to get to Gold if we have to fight Felix to get him out of there."

"Well Darling, when have you ever turned down a good fight?"

She looked back and saw his grin and raised brow. "You're right. I'm always up for a good fight." She pressed her lips to his. "I like having you for a partner. It has a lot of perks."

He waggled his brows at her grinning."Just wait til I get you home later Love."

A shiver ran down her spine at the thought."I can't wait." She was hopeful that things would work out, they just had to. Their story had just begun and she wasn't ready for it to end so of course she was willing to entertain these crazy notions of being alone with him later. She didn't want to believe anything otherwise as dangerous as their situation might be.

"What did Robin say?"

"He's going to talk to the police. They are planning to act as if nothing has changed so they don't blow our cover. The detective was pissed about my coming in of course but Belle spoke with her and explained the situation. They also got David in the ambulance and off to the hospital."

She felt relief knowing David would get care."That's good. He's going to be pissed about missing out on catching them, especially after they pistol whipped him."

"Aye, he is. Now it's up to us to figure out how to do this."

She pointed upwards."See that crawl space, there's one like it in the room next to us too. Maybe they are connected." His eyes trailed up the shelves towards the crawlspace. "Perhaps we can catch them off guard, one of us call them out of the room with a distraction and the other sneak in through the back."

She smiled looking up into his beautiful blue eyes. "That's what I was thinking too."

He smiled. "Good then we are of one mind. I'll scale the shelves and check out the crawl space first. We need to make sure that we can get into the other room and that it's connected." He pulled a pen light from his vest. "Wow, you really are prepared."

"Oh Love, you've no idea how many tiny spaces I've had to crawl through in my day. It helps to be prepared for just the occasion. Hide just in case the noise draws their attention. I don't want you to have to fight them alone."

She nodded."Be careful up there."

She moved to the other side of the closet and watched him scale the shelves. There was a three foot wooden door in the ceiling. To gain entry to the crawlspace he had to push the door up into the space itself and slide it over. She hid in the corner of the closet as she watched him until he peered back towards her.

"It looks as if you are right. I can see the entry point a short distance away to the other room. There are wooden beams across that I can use to move over. Are you certain the other closet matches this one?"

"Yes, I checked it out myself."

He climbed back down the shelves and joined her on the floor. "I'll go and get into position in the closet in the other room. Since we don't know Gold's state I can't very well assume he can follow me back the same way. We'll have to surprise Felix from both doors. If you make a disturbance outside the door, I'll come through the closet and surprise him from the back."

She nodded."Then we can get Gold out through the library."

He smiled and kissed her softly, hopeful that their plan would work."Ready partner?"

She smiled."Yes. Let's do this."

"Give me 15 seconds to get into position before you leave this room."

He kissed her once more hard for good measure and then scaled the shelves quickly. Once he was safely tucked up in the ceiling he gave her the signal to move forward. She proceeded with caution back to the door of the room. From what she overheard it sounded as if Lou had left once again so it would just be Felix they had to subdue once more.

She picked up a book from the dresser in the room and counted to 16 for good measure before opening it carefully. She crept out of the room towards the door where they were held. She took the book and dropped it against the door, quickly moving back to the alcove. She stood holding her breath and waiting for him to open the door to move forward.

She heard the footfalls and then the door slamming open. She heard him muttering and then there was a soft cry. She quickly moved back towards the room and saw Felix was once again out cold on the floor, Gold was tied to a chair and Killian was standing over Felix smiling with the candlestick in his hand.

She quirked an eyebrow and smiled. "Poor guy, twice in one day. Come on let's get Gold and get out of here before they come back."

She pulled her knife from her boot and clipped the bindings around Gold's wrists and his feet. His face was bruised and blood was dribbling from a cut over his right eye. She looked up to Killian. "I'll carry him. Check to make sure the coast is clear."

"Should we tie up Felix?"

"No, leave him. The sooner we get out of here the better."

She peered through the door and the coast was clear for them to move towards the library. Will should be waiting for them at the bottom of the ladder as long as there were no issues. Hopefully the police would have Lacey and Lou occupied.

She looked back and smiled."Let's go."

He heaved the older man up over his shoulder and moved in front of her. She faced the opposite direction and walked backward so that she could watch their rear. They reached the library without being noticed but as soon as they entered the room, the walls shook and there was a loud explosion from the East side of the house.

"Move quick Love. Sounds like they've released the trigger."

They were rushing towards the terrace door when a bullet blew past her ear hitting the doorframe. She stopped and pulled her gun spinning to face their assailant in one swift move. It was Lou and he was smiling. She shot back and he ducked behind the chairs. "Keep moving Killian!"

She pulled the table in front of her and continued firing so that he could move through the door with Gold. Lou fired again and she slipped lower as the bullet hit the face of her makeshift shield. She quickly turned to see Killian handing off Gold to Will. She fired two more shots towards Lou to keep him at bay and cover Killian.

Killian was by her side on the ground immediately with his gun drawn as Lou continued to fire in their direction. "Go Love, I'll cover you." She eyed the door and then looked back up to him. "Not without you." He grit his teeth and smiled."Please, let me do this. Get to the door so that I know you are safe." His gaze was serious and she nodded. She could see him relax a bit. He picked up a book from the ground next to them.

"When the book hits the ground move, I'll cover you."

She held her gun at the ready and prepared to move from her crouch to the door. There was no sign of Lacey in the midst of what was happening. She looked into his deep blue eyes and smiled. "I'm ready." She took a deep breath and he tossed the book. Gunfire was drawn to it and she ran for the door as Killian provided cover fire for her.

She barely made it to the door before Lou realized what was happening. When he stood to fire Killian caught him in the leg and he went down with a loud wail. She looked to Killian and a message passed between them."Give up Lou, you won't make it out alive if you don't leave with us now."

Deep billowing smoke was filling the room and the only exit was back through the fire or out through the terrace. Lou's screams became louder. Killian stood and could see what she saw from behind the exit door; Lou grasping his leg which was bleeding out quickly. "Cover me Love." She quickly moved behind him and watched the door as they carefully approached Lou.

Lou looked up in a pained face. "Just get me out of here. She's crazy. She wasn't supposed to blow the house with me inside." She kept her eyes to the door trying to avoid looking at the face of the man who pistol whipped her. Killian scooped him up and she covered him watching the door as they moved towards the terrace. He called for Will and he climbed up to meet them. He handed Lou over to Will who helped the injured man down the ladder.

He looked over to her and took a breath suddenly remembering the incapacitated man. As if she read his mind. "Felix." He nodded. "We can't leave him." He motioned towards the ladder."Go on, I'll be right back." She shook her head."I'm not leaving you. You go I go." He huffed out a breath and started forward with her on his trail as they moved towards the door to the library. The smoke was filling the hallway. He turned back to face her. " Cover your mouth and get low." She nodded and did as he said following his lead and keeping her eyes out for their captors.

They reached the room in no time, disappointed and alarmed to see that Felix was no longer there. They both quickly went on the defensive, checking the bathroom and closet. He wasn't in either location. "Let's go. We need to get out of here. Cover your mouth and run!" She nodded and took his hand. They moved quickly out of the room and down the hall cautiously looking for signs of the other captors while keeping their eyes focused on the light source ahead of them. They ran through the library closing the door behind them and rushing out to the terrace.

She took once last glance back into the smoke filled room feeling sad for all the history that would be lost. She squinted looking harder after she thought she saw a glimpse of Lacey but shook the thought from her mind as she closed the door chalking it up to too much smoke.

Lacey was dangerous and if Felix was with her he would be angry too. She wasn't going to take kindly to them rescuing Gold and foiling her plans to kill him again. They needed to get away from danger while they could.

She quickly closed the door behind them glancing over to Killian. "You go first Love." He had his gun out to cover her and waved her forward towards the ladder. She quickly moved throwing her leg over the side of the terrace and onto the ladder. Robin was waiting at the bottom for them.

She gave him a tight smile and started down with him right after her. They quickly made it to the ground. Lou had been taken to the ambulance already by Will. The three of them rushed towards the fire truck and ambulances waiting safely at the perimeter of the grounds.

Once they were out of the blast zone she grabbed his arm to get his attention. She could see he was working on high adrenalin too and his eyes had a crazed look in them as he was staring towards the inferno. "Hey are you alright?" He pulled her into a tight embrace and breathed a sigh of relief before pressing soft kisses to her head. She relaxed in his arms letting herself feel safe again even if it was just for a moment.

She pulled back leaning up on her toes to press a soft kiss to his lips. "Killian, thank you for coming to rescue me." He chuckled."I told you I would never leave you. Where you go I go Love. Besides I'm sure you can make it up to me later."

She caressed his cheek feeling the pangs of worry begin. "This isn't over for you is it?" He looked to the fire and then back to her. "No, I must help my brothers." She hugged him tight again. "Please be safe, I'll be waiting for you." He chuckled."As safe as you would be my Love." She grumbled."That's what I thought. I'm going to check on David, Gold and our captor. Lacey and Felix are still out there. They're angry and unhinged. Don't go unprotected."

He leaned forward and kissed her softly letting his lips linger just awhile before pressing his forehead to hers."Don't worry Love. I can handle myself." She gulped knowing the words were true but it still didn't feel good to her. She sucked in the worried feelings and smiled. "Alright. Go on. Meet you after."

She saw Robin waiting by the truck with his gear. She looked back up into his eyes, she would never forget how he looked at her, with such adoration, no one had ever looked at her that way and she prayed that she would see those eyes when this was over.

Impulsively she grabbed him by the lapels and jerked him forward crushing her lips to his, kissing him breathless. He pulled back smiling." Well.." she pressed a finger to his lips."Just so you remember what you are coming home to. There's more in store for you later, just come home to me."

He nodded and rushed off to Robin who was calling for him. Their team was ready to jump in to help contain the fire and he was needed. He looked back to see her smiling at him before fully immersing himself into the job.

She moved quickly towards the ambulances. She wanted to find out what happened with Gold and their captor Lou. Both men were on the ambulance and they EMTs were working to stop the bleeding in Lou's leg before they were to rush off to the hospital.

She was surprised to see a familiar face standing by the doors, Graham. She became uneasy but approached with her head held up high. "Ah, Emma glad to see Jones was able to get you out of there. You are quite the magnet for danger aren't you?" She smiled ignoring part of his statement to focus on what really mattered."That he was, he's my own personal hero." He nodded. "What's going on with these two?"

"The EMT's wanted to wait for any other casualties before leaving for the hospital. David is already there and they were just about to take Gold when Robin arrived with Miere."

She stepped closer and saw them giving Lou a shot of something to calm him down. He seemed to stop squirming and lay back against the gurney. At the same time Gold was waking up and acting like a rabid animal. "Let me at that bastard!"

Miere laughed heartily."Ah, finally awake in time to see your life burning around you. Eh Gold?"

Gold tried to jump from his gurney but was pushed back by the EMT and strapped down. "I'll kill ya! lousy bastard!"

Miere appeared to be drifting out of consciousness."Tisk Tisk might not be exactly what you wanted mon amie but she seems to be better at strategy. Mon Cheri will win this game. You sir will lose. The city will burn tonight along with all your treasures."

Gold was fading out again as whatever was in the syringe that they gave him started working in on him as well."You don't double cross me Miere. I will make you pay for this."

Miere laughed. "Too late. Tis already been done."

She stood by listening to their conversation and taking in the familiarity between the two men. There was an understanding here and she wasn't sure what it was exactly but whatever it was didn't go as planned. This was not good.

She looked up to Graham's eyes and saw the same question lingering in his look. "Did you catch all of that?" He nodded. "I'll have to relay this to Detective Arendelle. She's taken over the case from our side." She nodded. "I'll talk to her. Be careful Humbert. Lacey and Felix are still out there." She saw a smirk creep up on his face and that flirty expression he liked to turn on."Worried about me now Emma?"

"Only in a sense than any human would be. Thanks for going to tell Killian for me. I appreciate it." He nodded smiling. "For good measure I'll ride with these two to the hospital. Maybe they'll spill their secrets."

She smiled before walking away to find the Detective Arendelle. The police were going to need help finding Lacey and she needed to keep her mind off of the fact that the man she loves is currently fighting a raging inferno.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~E&K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She stood along the tree line at the back of the house hidden from view. Her blood was boiling at the fact that her plan was once again thwarted by the blonde bounty hunter. She'd had him, he would be dead at this moment if not for her interference. Now she'd have to go to more drastic measures, she didn't want to make the people in town suffer but it seems she would have to.

That would be the only way to get peace in her mind. She owed it to her father to seek revenge on the man who stole his legacy and eventually his life. She looked down at Felix who was groaning and holding the back of his head. "Shut up! Someone could hear you. You're lucky I found you when I did or you'd be ash right now."

She stared off smiling, ignoring her companion's whimpering, as the fireman tried to put out her beautiful blaze. She loved to watch the flames flicker and dance about, the ash rise above floating into in the sky and the smoke billow above the inferno as it rose higher and higher signaling her achievement. She huffed out a breath folding her arms over her chest with pride. "This is my best one yet. Lou would be proud if he hadn't gone and got himself shot."

"That poor bastard. He should have just run with us when he had the chance. Now he's got a bullet in him and he's going to jail along with his buffoon of a brother. I guess that's what you get when you let a woman control your movement."

She felt the hair on the back of her neck rise up. Lou had been following her orders because he loved her, he wanted her to succeed and maybe he'd been stupid about how he did it but he did it just the same. Suddenly the sound of Felix's whimpers along with his negativity towards women really got to her. She licked her lips, reached into her clutch and pulled out the pink .22 caliber gun she'd gotten from Lou on their 10th anniversary.

She turned to face her soon to be expired partner aiming her gun at his head for the killshot. "No one talks about my dearest Lou that way and as for taking orders from a woman, you are fired." She pulled the trigger hitting him between the eyes, silencing him for good before he had a chance to protest.

She took a breath, smiled and turned back to face the beauty of the fire once more. She could now enjoy Gold's palace burning to the ground in peace. She smiled as she thought about Gold's suffering. "I'll get you, just you wait. You might have escaped once more but third time's a charm." She reached into her bag pulling out the trigger to the final bomb and depressing it.

She laughed as the West Wing erupted into flames.