Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Dilemma, Part Twenty-One
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
David lay on the couch, unable to sleep. He had trouble most nights, laying there for what seemed like hours before finally drifting off. It never lasted too long though and he found himself awake again after only a few hours. He had so many things going on in his mind that it was constantly working.
He had tried a sleeping pill but all it did was making him feel worse when he woke up. He tried to think when he had gotten more than five hours of rest and frowned. It had been the night after he had helped down in the mines. He hadn't been back, too many other things happening and keeping him from helping.
He looked towards Henry. Mary-Margret's bedroom had a folding wall which he had opened the night before so Henry didn't feel so alone. He had been afraid the experience at the stable would cause nightmares so he wanted to be able to get to him quickly in case it did. He was sleeping, arms at his sides and palms facing up.
David had tucked him in an hour and a half earlier, falling asleep almost immediately. It seemed that way to David anyway. He sighed and closed his eyes, trying to be very still so he could hear the child breathing. He hoped the sound would in turn relax him and help him sleep.
It was just starting to work when he heard Henry let out a bit of a whimper and mutter, " No... "
David opened his eyes and looked towards Henry, wondering what was going on in his mind...
Mary-Margret watched as Mulan paced at the base of the beanstalk. The warrior seemed restless and full of nervous energy. Every so often, she would go to the roasting deer, checking it and turning to make sure it got completely cooked. It was starting to smell done but still needed a little more time to be cooked all the way through.
Mary-Margret had busied herself with dividing up the fruit into five smaller piles. She had debated on giving Hook a ration and made up her mind she would. If he what he said was true, he would continue to travel with them once they had the compass so he could get to Storybrooke. It wasn't that she trusted the pirate or his words but did not want to make him feel scorned if he returned and found he had no food.
If he did not come with them, she would simply divvy up the extra ration between her and the others. Her first instinct was to give it all to Emma since her appetite was slowly growing and she would need the extra nutrition for the babies. She thought better of it though, not wanting to rouse Mulan or Aurora's suspicions. As far as they were concerned, Emma was recovering from a stomach flu and nothing more.
The story had gained some validity since Emma was no longer as sick as she had been. The return of her appetite also lent authenticity to the excuse, leaving the other two women none the wiser. Another thing that benefited them was the feeling that neither of the women had ever had children. A woman who had would have seen the signs right away and they hadn't.
Mulan glanced over, " Who's the fifth pile for? "
" Hook, " Mary-Margret replied.
Mulan came over, " YOU'RE giving him our food? "
" He'll need it if he stays, " Mary-Margret said. " And he sounded like he intended to if we can get him to Storybrooke. "
" You're taking him to your home? " Mulan's tone screamed disbelief. " Do you even know who he is? "
Mary-Margret sighed, " Of course I do. "
" Then why would you even consider taking him to your world? He's a no good, rotten pirate. He'll just carry on there as he has done here, " Mulan motioned to nowhere in particular. " He'll rob and pillage... Rape and destroy. How can you even consider... "
" Because he's helping us and we made a deal, " Mary-Margret said sharply. " And besides, we have rules and laws where we come from. He'll get punished for anything he does. "
" WE have rules and laws HERE! " Mulan said firmly but it was obvious she was trying not to yell. Aurora was sleeping not too far away, close enough for Mary-Margret to watch her and sort the food. " He hasn't been caught here so what makes you think... "
" Because Emma's the sheriff where we come from, " Mary-Margret cut her off. " She won't put up with his crap and she'll put him in jail. "
" But what if he leaves Storybrooke after he finishes with Rumplestiltskin? Who will stop him then? " Mulan asked.
Mary-Margret opened her mouth but stopped. She had a point. If the curse was indeed broken then it was quite possible that Hook would be able to leave town. She then decided he wouldn't get the chance because Emma would kill him if he harmed Rumplestiltskin. Her daughter had developed some very deep feelings for the imp, feelings she hoped would not end up hurting her in the end.
" Well? " Mulan asked sharply.
Mary-Margret looked her in the eye, " Emma won't let him leave. "
" I hope you're right, " Mulan replied coldly. Mulan then turned on her heel and headed for the time keeper, which was situated very close to where Aurora slept. She knelt down and studied the line closely.
Mary-Margret stood to ask her how long had passed but she was stopped cold when Aurora began to sob and jerk in her sleep. She didn't have to look twice to know the young woman was having a nightmare, something she had been afraid would happen since she had fallen asleep. She dashed over to her left side and knelt down. She reached down and shook her arm, " Hey... Aurora? "
Aurora jerked awake, gasping and crying. She looked around, acting like she was still stuck in the nightmare. Mary-Margret put her hands on the girl's trembling shoulders, " It was just a dream. It was just a dream, " She tried to comfort her, keeping her tone calming and quiet.
Aurora took a wheezy breath and panted as she shook her head, " It was horrible... "
" Why don't you tell me about it? You wanna tell me about it? " Mary-Margret said then took Aurora by her left arm. She urged her to her feet, " Come on. Let's stand. Tell me. "
Aurora pushed herself up to her feet, taking a few more sob-rattled breaths. She walked away from the log she had been sleeping on, looking like she was trying to remember the dream. " It was the same as last time, " She finally said. Mary-Margret nodded and she continued.
" I was in this room, " Aurora said. " This red room. There were bright blood red curtains. There were no windows or doors so it didn't make sense. I couldn't get in or out... I was trapped. "
Mary-Margret listened, what she imagined from Aurora's word scaring her as well. She put her hand to her chest. It sounded so much like the nightmares she had. The old fear started to grow inside of her, bitter and sharp like rusty blades. She forced it down, knowing she needed to remain strong for Aurora.
" The curtains... They were on fire, " Aurora said. Mary-Margret walked towards her, putting her hands on her arms as she said, " It was horrible. "
" Hey, " Mary-Margret reached up and brushed a lock of hair back from her face. She said nothing else because it looked like Aurora still had more to say.
" I was hunched in a corner, " Aurora reached up, resting her hands on Mary-Margret's arms. " I looked over into the other corner and, in the shadows, there was someone else there. I could just see his eyes. He was looking right at me. "
Mary-Margret brought her hands up and cradled Aurora's face. It was the way a mother would comfort her own child's nightmares, something she had not gotten to do with Emma. " It's over now. "
Aurora nodded but said nothing. She still looked terrified, as if she was still seeing the dream herself. Mary-Margret couldn't help but wonder how many people had done the same with Emma when she was a child... Or if anyone bothered to comfort her after scary dreams. She had never gotten to experience it but she could empathize with Aurora's terror.
" These nightmares? They will fade away, " Mary-Margret said quietly. " I promise. "
Aurora sobbed then asked, " Did they for you? "
" Yeah, " Mary-Margret said. She then turned and walked over to the log. She sat down, " Come on. I'll sit with you until you fall back asleep. "
Aurora looked apprehensive, like she was unsure if she wanted to trust Mary-Margret so much. Mary-Margret didn't blame her since they had barely met but she had to show her she could be trusted. " Bu... " She began.
" Who else do I have to take care of? " Mary-Margret gave her a little smile and shrugged her shoulders.
Aurora hesitated then walked back to the log, kneeling down as she reached it. Mary-Margret slipped her left hand across her back, urging Aurora to lay her head in her lap. The young woman leaned down, still sobbing a little as Mary-Margret stroked her hair. She then turned her eyes to the sky, wondering how Emma was doing.
She was so worried for her daughter and the babies she carried...
Mr. Gold pushed the front door of his house open. He was forced to return, in need of a shower and a fresh change of clothes. He inhaled deeply, Belle's scent had faded, leaving his home empty and cold. It wasn't much different from the way it had always been.
That was why he filled every room with things he did not have space for in his shop, to chase away the emptiness. Some things were in need of repair and others were just there, waiting to be moved. He could only recall a few brief glimmers of warmth, one that had turned cold and one that still shone in his mind. He moved to the stairs, taking them slowly as memories flooded his mind.
He could still see Belle fleeing up them in her nightgown, angry with him that he had been practicing magic in the basement. He remembered how tight his shoulders where that morning as he came to beg her to eat only to find she had ran away. They were becoming tight as he thought about it, like he was reliving the memory all over again. He paused at the stained glass window and closed his eyes, trying to force it away.
He opened his eyes, turning to look at the window. A sad sort of smirk tugged at the left corner of his lips, recalling how he had pushed Emma up against the glass to ravish her mouth the night they ended up in bed together. It had been at some point during that night the twins she now carried were conceived. If he had any idea it was going to happen, he would have done something to protect her.
He frowned, realizing he wanted another child more than anything. He wasn't looking to replace Baelfire but he did want to try again and perhaps correct the mistakes he had made with his only son. He had made so many and vowed to not make them again. Emma was going to give him that chance, deciding to keep the babies when her father wanted them gone.
His mind then went to the conversation he had with David earlier in the day, glad he had kept a few details to himself. He could tell the prince was holding back so he held back as well. He remembered Henry saying something about Emma being arrested but David said nothing about it. Because of that, he did not tell David that he had found some spells that would work but only with a willing participant who could sleep more than a few hours at a stretch.
He wasn't really sure how they would find someone willing to go under it. He did not have the most favorable reputation and, given the choice, most people would tell him 'no'. Willing was a key part of the spells he was considering since duress would only complicate them and cause them not to work. No, keeping that from David had been a good idea and he knew a way would present itself if given the chance.
He turned back to the stairs, taking them one at a time as his mind went back to Emma. He was worried and he wasn't going to lie about it either. After questioning Smee extensively, he released him. He knew the man couldn't leave Storybrooke and he was having Frederick keep an eye on him in case he needed anything else.
What had him worried was the fact that Killian Jones was still in The Enchanted Forest. Smee had told him he was going by a new name and had become bent on getting revenge for Milah's death. The hand he had cut off had been replaced by a hook, the same hook he had tried to kill him with. Because of that, he was being called something else in Neverland... Captain Hook.
Smee had told him how they had stayed there as Hook tried to figure out a way to destroy him. Many, many years passed but time had no effect on Hook and his crew. None of them aged, much like the children that lived in the place the bean had taken them. Rumplestiltskin had heard of the place but was unable to travel to it because there were no beans and Jefferson did not have access.
He had not bothered to use Jefferson's portal though. He was merely an employee and he really didn't trust the madman. He knew of the rules of the hat but he still passed on using it. He felt it was unnecessary since it only traveled to magical realms and there was no way Baelfire would be in any of them.
Smee also said that they had found a way back and returned to The Enchanted Forest after hearing rumors that Rumplestiltskin could be killed. He didn't know much after that, Hook striking out on his own and leaving his crew to tend to the ship themselves. All he really knew was Hook didn't get caught up in the curse when the rest of the crew did. After the curse was broken, most of them stayed with the lives they had been stuck with for twenty-eight years, not wanting to go back to the previous ways of life.
A lot of people had chosen that it seemed. It wasn't like they really had a choice considering they couldn't leave. No one had really wanted to until Regina made her return and the wraith ravaged the town. This much Mr. Gold learned from gossip around town relayed to him by Frederick and from the aftermath of the wraith attack.
He had no idea where Hook was or why he had not been taken by the curse. He had thought about it as he tried to find a spell to get to Emma and Mary-Margret, hoping he wouldn't get to them first. From everything Smee had said, he had become quite an evil character, his need for revenge turning his soul to black. He really didn't have that far to fall considering the things Mr. Gold knew pirates had done. However, he knew he was probably much worse than the last time he saw him.
He knew Emma was smart though and wouldn't fall for such a character. She wasn't one to be seduced by good looks or pretty words so she had that to her advantage. He had worked hard to gain the trust she had finally given him, certain it was not as strong as it had once been. There were just some things that needed to be done, no matter the cost.
He hoped Emma had a good capacity for forgiveness, hopefully as good as her ability to accept things out of her control. She seemed to take those things in stride and do what she could with them, making them work for her. It was an ability bestowed upon a few and was hard to master. Emma had a good hand at it though, probably making her way the best she could in The Enchanted Forest.
He passed Belle's room, not stopping as he headed down the hallway. He had not been in the room or touched a thing since she had left. He just couldn't bear to go in, thinking about what he had lost. He had to let her go though, knowing her attitude towards him would never change.
He had told her why he was the way he was in hopes she would understand. She had cried when he told her the truth. It had been a lot for her to absorb so he left her to take it all in. He had not seen her since, something that spoke volumes to him.
It seemed that was all in the past now though, his future lying with Emma. His visions had shown them fighting side by side but those had been patchy, most no longer than a few seconds. He had also had visions of her pregnant but he had assumed they foretold of Henry and nothing more. He had radically re-thought that after the child had come to him, the news taking him by complete surprise.
He reached his bedroom, pausing as he walked in. His eyes settled on the bed, again remembering what had happened there. It had become their own private world, the only inhabitants being them. Magic had been made, the spell breaking when she had to leave him.
He wondered if their time together was as good a memory for her, deciding it had to have been. He couldn't think of any other reason for her to be so despondent and distraught. The prince had blamed him totally for it but he knew there was more than that. Emma had to come to grips with having magic, something she had never believed in until she came to Storybrooke.
She also had to adjust to having a family and finally having answers to the questions she had asked her whole life. That was a lot for anyone to deal with all at the same time, even Emma. Such things would break a weaker down and he was glad Emma had survived it. It was testament to her inner strength, something he had seen in her long before they had become close.
He sighed, turning his attention to the bathroom. He needed to hurry up and do what he came to do. He still had a lot of work to do back at the shop...
Hook and Emma moved through the giant's cave quickly. She knew it was important they move fast but she couldn't help herself as she stared at the treasures that lined the walls and filled the floor. All kinds of it surrounded her, some of the gold coins she could see as big as her beetle. There were other things, like chests and gilded pottery, all filled to overflowing.
" They hoarded all of their greatest stolen treasures in here, piles of jewels and every room... " Hook explained. His voice started to trail a bit. " Filled with coins. "
Emma turned to find Hook had become enthralled with a big silver vase filled with gold coins. He smiled as he plucked one of the coins up and looked at it. " Let's get to it, " She frowned. She then decided she would need to clarify so he didn't take it as an innuendo. " The compass. "
Hook brought the coin up to his nose and smelled it, his smile getting bigger. He turned his face to her, chuckling and cutting his eyes a bit as he asked, " What's your rush? "
Emma rolled her eyes and scoffed. She wasn't surprised that the gold had distracted him but they didn't have a lot of time. In fact, she really wasn't sure how much time they had. " How long do you think magic knockout powder lasts? "
Hook was still fondling the coin but his smile lessened. He scoffed in return, shrugging his shoulders just slightly. " I have no clue, " He replied.
Emma glared at him, " That's my rush. "
He looked at her for a couple of seconds before tapping the coin with his finger. He then slipped it into his pocket. He left the rest of the gold behind and walked towards Emma. He motioned ahead of them, " Too right, lass. Come, everything we need is right in front of us. "
Emma watched as he strode down the hallway, moving to follow him. He walked with confidence and swagger but Emma was pretty sure he was just as clueless as she was about where to look for the compass. She decided to test that theory by catching to him, " So... Do you know where it is? "
Hook smirked at her, " Somewhere in the main treasure room. Only the most precious objects are kept there. "
" And what makes you think it's precious? " Emma asked.
Hook frowned, " Would we be up here if they were lying around everywhere? "
Emma blinked, " I guess not. Point taken. "
" This compass is one of a kind, " Hook said. " How do you think the giants got to and from the realms they plundered? "
" With the compass? " Emma asked.
" Yes, " Hook replied then said, " Well, compasses. "
Emma furrowed her brow, his words not making sense. " Whoa. You just said there was only one. It's one of a kind so why are you saying there are more? "
" WERE, " Hook stressed the word. " All but the one were destroyed during the war against the giants. So yes, it is one of a kind AND the only one. "
" Oh, " Emma said.
They neared the end of the hallway and a door, which they passed through. They stopped at the bottom of a small flight of stairs, looking around. From where Emma stood, she could see it was stuffed with even more treasure than the hallway had been. It was stacked from the floor to the ceiling, the light reflecting off of the objects there. " Do you think it's with this stuff? " Emma asked.
" No... But it won't hurt to look, " Hook said.
Emma looked around the room, seeing it was very cluttered. The hall had been neat but this place was a mess. She looked around again, " Did they kill all the giant housekeepers too? " She said. " How are we going to find a compass in this mess? "
" By looking, " Hook said and pointed to the other side of the room. " Start searching. "
Emma walked in the direction he pointed in. She had no idea where to begin. She didn't even know if the compass was big or small. If it was big then they were going to have a problem. If it were small, it would be damn near impossible to find.
" I wonder how much treasure we can carry down the beanstalk? " Hook asked as he looked around the room. He noticed the look Emma was giving him and added, " In addition to the compass of course. "
Emma looked down, finding a skeleton wearing tattered leather on the floor. " What the Hell? " She whispered.
" That, " Hook said in a rather authoritative tone. " Would be Jack. "
" As in Jack... " Emma started. In all the stories she had heard, Jack had lived. It seemed that wasn't the case after all.
" Giant killer, " Hook said.
She looked down at the sword that lay next to the body. It was normal sized and not what she expected to be used to kill giants. " With that toothpick? "
" It packs quite a wallop, " Hook replied. " You'd be surprised. "
Emma looked behind Hook, her eyes falling on a trip wire. Undoubtedly, it was attached to a trap and he was about to back right into it. " Whoa! Whoa! " She said as she lunged for him, pulling him away from it.
He wrapped his arms around her and smiled wolfishly at her as he pulled her closer. " It's about bloody time, " He purred.
Emma suppressed a yelp, his grip on her pressing her breasts into his chest. They had started to hurt not too long after she had been kidnapped but it was just a dull ache she could ignore. Her emotions at the time much stronger and she felt physically numb because of them. It was strange for her to admit she hadn't noticed them getting bigger but she really hadn't... Not until Mary-Margret pointed it out anyway.
She was doing her best to conceal them and act like everything was normal. She had even made sure to sleep on her back when they did sleep so she wouldn't lay on them and make them hurt more. They had gotten rather big with Henry and it looked as though they would again with this pregnancy. She just hoped they would get home before they did.
She had to fight Hook a little, finding him stronger than she thought. He started rubbing his chest on hers and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. She frowned when his chest hair brushed against her, making her skin prickle. She didn't mind a bit of chest hair but he had way too much for her tastes.
She got him off of her and stepped back, pointing to the wire. " It's a trip wire, " She said. She then looked up, finding it was attached to a cage suspended from the ceiling. She frowned, " Quite a security system. "
Hook looked up then at Emma. " I suppose you're excused for grabbing me, " He reached for her hair. " But, next time, don't stand on ceremony. "
Emma shivered as he touched her hair again. His touch made her skin crawl even though it was light. " Let's find the compass, " She said firmly. Then added quietly, " And go home. "
She wanted nothing more than to see Henry and tell Mr. Gold about the babies. She didn't know what would happen when she did but she knew she had to. If Belle was back in his life or not, he had to know. She also wanted to sleep in her own bed and have a hamburger at Granny's but those things were small compared to Henry... And Mr. Gold.
Hook stared at her for longer than she was comfortable with before looking down at the wire again. He then looked at her. He said nothing but she knew what he meant. She motioned to it as if to say, 'No, you go first. '
" After you, " She said. She could tell he wanted her to go before him and was a bit surprised he didn't try to say 'Ladies First'.
He nodded, " Hmm. "
Emma watched as he stepped over the wire, being careful not to trip it by taking a huge step. She sighed and followed, taking a similar step to clear the line. " You have to watch out for traps too you know, " She said as she caught up to him.
Hook chuckled, " I usually see them but I was so distracted by your beauty... "
" Can we save the flirting for later? " Emma narrowed her eyes at him.
" Oh? " Hook arched an eyebrow. " There's going to be later? "
" Not of you don't stop flirting, " Emma replied.
Hook chuckled, " Oh my. Is that a promise? "
Emma growled and rolled her eyes, " No. "
Hook chuckled again, " Then what was it? "
" Nothing! " Emma nearly shouted. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to gather her thoughts. It was hard with the way her chest was hurting and the things she was pretty sure Hook was imagining about her. He made no motions to hide his lascivious stares or the flirtatious tone of his voice. She had seen it way too many times... She could tell he wanted her regardless of how much she fought.
" Right, " Hook said slowly. They walked in silence until they turned a corner to find an area with more treasure, things that looked more precious than anything else she had seen. Hook looked around and smiled, " This looks about right. "
She made a sweeping glance around the room, " So... It's just in here somewhere? "
" Allegedly, " Hook replied.
Emma walked to a large vase, deciding to start there. She had made up her mind the compass had to be small or they would have seen it easily. She looked inside, the vessel filled with gold and jewels. None of it tempted her though. She had come for one thing and she would not leave until she got it.
" Give me a boost, would you love? " Hook's voice attracted her attention back to him. He stood near what looked like a large bird cage. He wanted to climb on top for some reason but she just did not think it was wise for him to get too far from her.
She walked to him, " So I can't see what you're pocketing? No way. You give me a boost. "
" Try something new, darling, " He said when she got to him. He looked deep into her eyes and looked almost hurt that she didn't have confidence in him. " It's called trust. "
Emma sighed. There was that word again. She did not give her trust away that freely but he didn't seem to understand that. His connection to Cora made it even harder. Though he had betrayed her and decided to go with them instead, she really wasn't ready to give her trust over so soon.
She sighed as she reached for one of the bars, " We do it side by side and fast. Who knows how long before the... "
She was cut off by the distant thudding of the giant's footsteps, the floor trembling beneath her feet. She and Hook looked towards the way they had come from as the thudding got louder and the shaking more pronounced. Hook frowned, " Someone's up. "
Emma watched the doorway as Hook placed his hand on her shoulder. She would have shrugged it off but she was too focused on thinking of a way to get away from the giant. The room shook more violently, stacks of things clattering to the floor. Emma could tell the giant was very unhappy just by the way he was stomping.
Hook let her go as the floor shook so hard, they almost fell. " Quickly! Get under something! " He said and ran for the back of the room. Emma followed him but paused to look back, seeing the giant had arrived.
He jumped into the room, shaking it with the force of a major earthquake before running towards Hook and Emma. The force shook large stones loose from the ceiling, almost all of them landing on Hook as Emma tried to stay upright. The sight frightened her and she cried out his name. She then looked up to make sure no more stones were coming down and finally looked behind her, the giant moving very fast.
Fear had her frozen to the spot as she stared up at the huge and very angry man that towered over her. Her body refused to move as he reached down and snatched her off the floor. He closed his hand around her as he took a seat on a nearby treasure chest, glaring at her so hard that she could feel it. He slowly tightened his hand, the thought of the babies forcing Emma to form real words instead of screams.
" No! I'm not what you think! " She shouted as tried to protect her belly with her trapped hand. It provided a tiny cushion against his grip but she knew it wouldn't last long. He was really strong and she knew she wouldn't survive if he used it all on her.
" You're a thief and you poisoned me so yeah. I'm pretty sure you're exactly what I think, " The giant said as he tightened his grip.
Emma could feel her joints start to pop as her hand pressed into her belly. The tightness was unbearable and making it hard to breathe. She forced herself to though in hopes she could explain herself. " No! You've got a compass! I need it! "
" I don't care what you need! " The giant said as he tightened his grip more. He scrunched up his face as he did it, like he was summoning up all of his strength to finish her off.
" It's for my son! " Emma gasped. " It's to save my son! Don't you have a family? "
The giant squeezed her harder and she slapped at his hand. He frowned deeper, " NO! Because humans killed them all! "
Emma groaned in pain as his grip became so tight, she knew her bones were going to snap. She couldn't let it end like that though. She was so close and she couldn't let the compass slip out of her grasp. She almost wanted to tell the giant she was pregnant but decided he wouldn't care.
She had to find a way out and fast since she was starting to pass out from the pain. A thought occurred to her and she acted on it. She leaned forward, biting the giant's thumb. He cried out and dropped her, sending her tumbling down into his lap and rolling off his robes.
She fell down and bounced off his foot, it cushioning her fall a bit before she landed on her stomach. Pain radiated from every part of her but she knew she had to get up lest she be caught again. She pushed herself up to her feet as the giant looked at his bite wound and took off as fast as her shaking legs would carry her. She wasn't running away, just buying time for a plan that was hatching in her brain.
She remembered the trip wire and cage, knowing she could use them to her advantage. As she passed Jack's skeleton, she snatched up the sword next to it. She then made the best flying leap she could muster to clear the trip wire, turning to wait for the giant to catch up. His long gait made the distance between them seem like nothing and he was reaching her quickly.
When he was close enough, Emma sliced the trip wire with the sword and brought the cage down upon the giant. It was a tight fit and heavy enough to pin him to the floor. Emma ran to the side of the cage, holding the sword out. She panted, " Nice security system. Efficient. "
" No! " The giant said as she waved the sword in his face. She moved forward and he shouted louder as he closed his eyes, " No! No! NO! "
" I can tell by your face that you know what this is. Let me guess... It's dipped in some sort of poison, " Emma said. The giant really looked scared of the sword and it was the only reason Emma could think of.
She breathed deeply, adrenaline still coursing through her veins and making her heart thunder in her ears. She took another couple of deep breaths before she said, " You have a compass. I need it. "
The giant stared daggers at her and looked scared all at the same time, " You're going to kill me either way. Go ahead... Kill me. "
" You don't know me, " Emma said quietly. She had no intentions of killing anyone. All she wanted to do was get Mary-Margret and herself home.
" I know your kind, " The giant said. " They massacred us and destroyed our beans. "
" I heard it the other way, " Emma said. She really wasn't for sure what the truth was anymore. It was like any story that got passed down through the years, probably twisted for dramatic effect. She knew Rumplestiltskin's story had been done that way and so many others.
The giant narrowed his eyes, " Because the victors get to tell the story. " Emma frowned and whacked one of the bars on the cage with the sword. He flinched and said, " Okay! Stop! "
Emma watched as he stuck his hand in the pocket of his robe and pulled out the compass. " Here, " He said as he tossed it at her.
She looked at it, realizing it was the side that had been facing Hook when the giant passed out. If they had only thought to check his pockets then they wouldn't have had to go through the whole cave. It irked her but what was done was just that... Done. She walked over to it and picked it up, looking at it to make sure it was intact.
" See? " The giant said. " I'm not the bad guy. "
Emma went to walk away but stopped, turning back to the giant. She held the sword up then let it down. She looked into the eye she could see, realizing something. She had detected no deception in him, her superpower kicking in. " Maybe you were telling the truth... "
The giant nodded slightly but said nothing. Emma could also see he didn't trust her still. " Doesn't really matter... I have to go, " She said, remembering that she had been up there a long time. She would have to hurry and get back down before Mulan cut the stalk down.
She lifted the sword and pointed it at his eye again, " Are there any more of you? "
" No, " The giant said quietly. " I'm alone. "
Emma felt a pang of familiarity. She knew what it was like to be alone and knew being the last his kind probably made it that much harder for the giant. She let the sword down and looked away, a tear coming to her eye. She looked down, seeing the giant's talisman.
She realized it looked like a bean though it was black. She pointed at it with the sword, " Is this a bean? Can it make a portal? "
The giant looked at it as well, " Not any more. It was destroyed like the rest of them. I wear it as a reminder... A reminder that you're all killers. "
Emma blinked as the words sank in. She walked back to where she had been standing before, holding the sword up again and thrusting it towards him. He closed his eyes again, obviously thinking she was going to kill him. " You're wrong, " She said quietly.
She let the sword down again and walked away. The giant let out a mighty shout and shattered the cage, pieces of it flying past Emma and scaring her. She whipped around and lifted the sword, sure the giant was going to kill her. He leaned down, Emma ducking as he did.
She didn't look but heard him grunt and something fly across the room into a stack of coins. She looked and found he had uncovered a hidden exit, probably that land's equivalent to a mouse hole. She looked up at him, puzzled by the action. " Go, " He said as he looked down at her.
" Why? " She asked.
The giant brushed a lock of his hair out of his face, pulling it behind his left ear. " Because you could have killed me and you didn't. "
Emma was so shocked she couldn't speak. She thought the statement she had made fell upon deaf ears. She wasn't a killer and she didn't think she would ever be unless it was completely necessary. She didn't know if she could live with herself if she just flat out murdered someone.
" You get one favor, " The giant rolled his eyes. " Now go before I change my mind! "
Emma turned and walked towards the exit but stopped, turning back to the giant. " Actually, " She pointed at him. " I get two favors. "
The giant furrowed his brow, " What? "
" The way I see it, I could have killed you twice, " Emma explained. " The poison and when you were knocked out. I didn't. "
The giant was silent for a few seconds then asked, " What do you want? "
Emma smiled up at him, " Help me get that guy I came with from under those rocks. "
The giant thought it over then frowned, " He might be dead. "
" Maybe, " Emma said. " But do you want him stinking up the place if he is? "
The giant shook his head, " No. "
" And then, " Emma said. " If he's alive, I need you to take care of him for me. "
The giant looked confused, " What do you mean? Kill him? "
" No, " Emma said. " I just need you to... Stall him. "
" Are you double crossing him? " The giant still looked confused. " I thought he was your friend. "
Emma shook her head, " No. I know he's trying to double cross me. "
The giant leaned down, " He's what? "
Emma looked around then up at the giant, " You have to believe me. He's using me to get the compass so he can go to my home and get revenge. "
The giant stood up, " As in kill someone? "
" Yes, " Emma said. " And I'm just trying to get back to my child. "
The giant's frowned deepened again as he thought it over. It seemed like he believed her as he said, " Then I will help you. Tell me what you need me to do. "