AN: This is a look inside the head of everyone's favorite Pirate/Hero Killian Jones. I love how his character has grown over the last two years and was inspired to delve deeper into his transition from villain to hero. As always, here are few friendly reminders: words in bold are lines from the show, words in italics indicate thoughts (or dreams), and, as always, I own nothing.

Are We Devils or Black Sheep or Really Bad Eggs?

Chapter 21

The next morning, Emma was the last to arrive at Granny's. She must have gone back to the farmhouse, Killian thought because it's the appointed time, and the Charmings (Nolans? Royals? who bloody knew?) and Regina were already present and waiting. Finally, Emma arrived, along with a warning from Granny that they had a limited time for their meeting before she opened the doors.

"Is there any sign of our quarry?" Killian asked, not having heard from her since they all split up yesterday.

The news was not good. "I went all over that farmhouse and the land around it... nothing." Emma shook her head.

"Well, now that the sun's up, we should hit every place Gold might go... his house, shop, his cabin." The Prince suggested.

"Cause dead men love vacation homes." Emma quipped, but she was clearly still disturbed at the prospect of Rumplestiltskin possibly being alive. "Can someone explain to me how this is even possible? We all saw Gold. He…"

"Disappeared into nothingness." Snow finished for her daughter, clearly thinking along the same lines. "I know."

The discussion brought back a conversation with Baelfire right after the curse swept them back to the Enchanted Forest. Had Bae truly succeeded? "I might have an inkling." Killian said. "When we went back to the Enchanted Forest, Neal was talking about the possibility of getting his father back."

The Prince was intrigued. "What? How?"

I don't know all the particulars, and I don't think I want to know. Killian thought, and said "He didn't know how. He just…" Might as well admit this part, no matter how jealous it makes you, mate. He told himself. "He missed his family. And he was desperate to find a way to return to this world. He believed that bringing his father back was the key."

"Well, if that was his plan, then obviously something went wrong, because while Gold might be alive and kicking, Neal is…" Emma trailed off, trying to find the words. Killian watched her emotions flit across her face, trying to stem the thoughts of jealousy and sadness in himself.

She continued. "he's... we don't know what he is. We don't even know if he made it back to Storybrooke. No one's seen him since this new curse." Emma was frustrated, to be sure, but there wasn't that distinctive despair of someone missing their true love in her voice.

"He's out there somewhere." David said.

Regina broke in before the conversation could derail completely. "With all due respect, we have bigger issues right now than who brought Gold back."

Thank you, your Majesty. Killian thought. He felt guilty for not wanting to find Bae but at the same time, they did have bigger fish to fry.

"The fact that he was in the Wicked Witch's basement, for one. I want to know what the hell she was cooking up with him." Regina said.

"Well, the best way to find that out would be to ask Gold, right?" Snow asked.

David nodded, picking up his wife's train of thought. "He could tell us who the witch is... maybe how to track her down."

Regina was clearly done sitting and talking. "I'm gonna head back to that farmhouse. It's possible this witch left behind some trace of potion or a special ingredient."

"Have at it. Just be careful." Emma warned.

A year, well, really, nearly two years ago, if someone had told Killian that the Savior would be telling the Evil Queen to be careful…he'd have laughed at their face and asked what they were drinking.

"Well, she's the one who needs to be careful. She invaded my space. When I return the favor, I'm not pulling any punches." Regina's voice had a definite edge to it, which made Killian feel better. He understood the call of revenge, and though he'd let his with the crocodile go, this one gave him hope that Regina would succeed. Revenge didn't make her angry or careless, it made her determined.

"We need to tell Belle." Snow pointed out after Regina had left. "She deserves to know."

"And she's probably the first person he'd go to." Emma nodded, downing the rest of her coffee quickly. "Let's go. Thanks Granny."

They walked into Gold's shop, and Killian immediately hated it. He stole things as a pirate, yes, and even put a few things on display from his more difficult enemies, but Gold's shop was like a collection of trophies gathered defeating and destroying the innocent. Killian could not figure out how Belle could ever love the man, except…perhaps Belle loved the man, not the Dark One. And as a man, Rumplelstiltskin had grown from a coward to a hero a year ago when he overcame the darkness and put and end to his menacing father, Peter Pan. He did it to save his son and love. He sacrificed his life for the good of all. That wasn't the Dark One, the Dark One was selfish and cruel and craved power above all things. That had to be difficult for Belle, loving the man who was also the Dark One.

Belle had gone through the same questions they had when they first learned he was alive. But she caught on quickly to what was happening. Killian realized he had always really underestimated her.

"Keep your eyes out for him, too." David warned Belle. "If he comes into town, he'll…"

Belle was quick on the uptake. "He'll come to me. Yeah. I know."

A look and an eyebrow raise from Emma told Killian exactly what he needed to do. It wasn't his first choice, he'd rather stay with Emma, but David knew the woods better and she needed someone she trusted to watch over Belle, just in case the Dark One did return to her.

"I will stay here with you." Killian sighed, and added "I'm surprisingly good at research." Which earned him the faintest smile from Emma.

Belle was incredulous. "You will stay with me?"

Killian nodded.

"He'll protect you if the witch comes." Emma explained.

"You do know he tried to kill me." Belle pointed out.

That was two years ago! "Well, there were extenuating circumstances."

"Twice." Belle added.

What do you expect me to say? Killian thought, "Sorry?" He gave her his best I really am sorry but I'm also handsome face.

Emma's response was dripping with sarcasm. "You really know how to charm a girl, don't you?"

If it weren't such a serious situation, he'd enjoy winding her up a little more. But he had a job to do and a Dark One to find. They needed to get moving. Best to appeal to Belle's sense of fairness and second chances, most of the heroes bought in to all that. "This will be my way of making it up to you. Hmm?"

"Fine." Belle acquiesced.

That settled, Emma was ready to get moving. "All right, we should really get out into the woods."

When Snow moved to join her, David stopped in. "Hey, maybe you should stay home."

"Me? I'm the best tracker here." Snow argued, and it was true.

"I know, but we'll manage. Remember what Zelena said... you need your rest." David said and Emma looked away, not wanting to enter the disagreement.

I don't blame you Swan, he's brave soul that tells Snow White she can't do something. And I was right, the midwife is a bit demanding. Killian thought. But Snow held up her hands and turned, clearly this was one argument she was just going to let go.

Emma brought them back to the problem at hand. "Belle, thank you for your help. Don't worry. We're gonna find him."