1338 Words this Chapter. This and the next were one chapter, but it was just two long, so they're split up and both posted now.

Chapter Twenty-Six, Alive

Gilly was with the others in the crypt. She did not like it there. It was dark, dank and depressing. "I shall go back to the rooming house and look for Killian. I can begin my plan of endearing myself to him."

Steel looked at her. "It will not work," she said.

Gilly glared back. "It will. We have been together for a long time. I will make us close once more."

"Have you forgotten your ruse?" asked Steel. "By now Emma's mother has explained the phone call that lured her out. When they study that action with Emma's new condition, you will be suspect."

Gilly frowned, then sighed, and sat on a crate. She shook her head. "I...I forgot."

Dag chuckled. "You are not prepared for the intricacies of deception, are you, my dear Gilly?" He patted her head. "It takes a great deal of planning to pull of schemes, my dear."

"It also takes a cold heart," said Gilly, looking at them both. "I do not have it."

Steel scoffed. "Some might say that removing a rival is very cold."

Gilly glared at her. "Yes, and it would seem I have done it for nothing. You were right, Steel, I did tip my hand."

Dag smiled. "Do not give in so easily, Gilly. You just need another scheme. I shall give you one. Steel, you must threaten Gilly."

The silver-haired woman looked at him in surprise. He laughed. "It must be a public display, in front of those with contact to the pirate." He then looked to Gilly. "I have no doubt that Steel can play her part, but I wonder if you, Gilly, can play yours."

"What part would that be, Dag?"

He chuckled. "Why, the part of the threatened, unwilling conspirator. Simply blame us for the earlier deceptive phone call. Tell them that we made you do it."

Gilly was looking at him, thinking it over. "Yes, I suppose...that could work, perhaps."

"I'm sure it will," said Dag. "The pirate will be distressed, he'll believe it."

"I do not know," said Gilly. "He is no fool. He already knows how I feel about him. He is not one to be rational when his heart is involved. If he does suspect me," she said, beginning to tremble, "I fear for his...vengeance."

Steel shook her head. "You must not think of those possibilities or you are already doomed."

Gilly nodded, feeling sick inside. "I'm afraid I've made a great mistake," she whispered. "Several in fact."

Killian was a one man tornado, ripping through town, searching for a way to save his Swan and her father. He burst into the diner, interrupting Ruby as she tried to take Archie's order.

"Jeez, I know you're a pirate, Killian, but wait your turn!" she snapped. Archie laughed, but shot the intruder and uneasy glance.

"Emma is ill, so is David. They are both...unconscious."

Rudy gasped.

"What caused it?" asked Archie.

"We think...we think it's the link, that the objects are doing something to them."

"But, I thought Bugsy went back?" asked Ruby.

"He did. Her car is in fact parked not far from Robin's camp," said Killian.

"Then what.."

"I do not know, Ruby, which is why I must find Gilly at once."

"Of course," said Archie. "I haven't seen her."

"Me either and I was looking for her," said the waitress. "She hasn't been here all day."

Killian sighed and collapsed into the booth opposite Archie.

"Can I do anything?"

"No, thank you, Dr. Hopper. I fear only Dag or Gold can help us undo what has been done. I need Gilly to help us find them."

Ruby suddenly began smacking Killian's shoulder.

"What is wrong with you, she-wolf?"

"Gilly!" she cried, pointing out the window.

Killian jumped up. He saw Gilly, looking terrified, as Steel stood behind her, a sword at her back.

Killian ran outside.

"Help me!" cried his former ship. "Killian, please!"

"I worn you, Pirate," said Steel. "Do not interfere. We have what we need now. Leave us be!"

"What have you done to Emma?" he screamed, running toward them.

"Stay back!" Steel cried, sticking the blade uncomfortably close to Gilly's skin.

Killian stopped, but his face was full of anger and desperation. He could barely make his feet stop. "I will save Emma!" he cried. "You will tell me what you did!"

"I am sorry," said the sword. "She is the savior, she had to be...removed."

He cocked his head. "How did you do it? Bugsy is still in car form."

Steel shook her head. "Be thankful that we've returned this one to you," she said, nodding at Gilly. "We can not have anyone who's heart is against us in our company. Stay away from us until the spell is complete and no one else will be hurt."

She then shoved Gilly forward and ran. Killian ran after Steel, but Gilly, sobbing, intercepted him. She wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, Killian, I was so afraid!"

"Let me go! I must follow her!" he cried, trying to push Gilly off so he could give chase.

"No, she will kill you!"

He looked down at her. "Why did they not kill you, if you are against them?"

"They...were going to . I am a warning," she said, hanging her head.

Killian cocked his head to the side. "Where is Dag? Where did Steel go?"

"I do not know, Killian. I am sorry, but I do not."

He sighed and pushed free. He ran the direction that Steel had gone.

"Killian, no! Come back!"

Mary-Margaret and Henry stayed beside Emma and David. "They look like they're asleep," Henry said softly.

His grandmother nodded, hugging him sideways. "They'll be fine."

Regina came into the tent.

"Anything?" asked MM hopefully.

Regina sighed. "Apparently not," she said. "I just cast my last spell option. I was hoping to come in here and find them awake and lecturing me on some moral issue."

Henry stood up and hugged her. "I know you're trying, Mom."

She smiled. "And I won't stop until we make them well." He smiled.

Robin entered. "I'm sorry. We still cannot find Dag or any of the others. My men are still looking, but I wanted to inform you of our lack of progress." He sighed. "We will continue to search."

Regina smiled. "I know," she said with a small kiss to his lips. "I haven't made progress either. I've cast every spell I can think of. Nothing helps them or leads us to the objects."

Robing nodded, caressing her back.

Mary-Margaret's phone went off. She answered it, talked then hung up and turned to them. "Ruby says Gilly is at the diner, apparently Steel was there too but she took off. Killian followed her."

"Great, so now the pirate's lost too," said Regina.

"Perhaps Gilly can be of help," said Robin.

Mary-Margaret sighed. "Ruby says that Gilly and the others have had some sort of rift."

"Really?" asked Regina. She looked at Emma. "The only thing that could do this, as far as we know is the link spell. Yet Emma should be in safe, so..."

"They must have cast some other spell on her," said Henry.

"Maybe, or they altered the link spell," Regina theorized. "I wonder if they're is a way to tell if Gilly is still linked to Killian."

"But if she's not a ship, she has to be linked to him," said MM, "Doesn't she?"

Regina sighed. "I'm not sure, but I want to talk to that woman slash ship. Henry, stay here. I've spelled the whole camp, it will keep out anyone who isn't supposed to be here, all objects included."

He nodded.

Regina turned to Robin. "I could use an escort. Will you accompany me to Granny's?"

Robin bowed. "Of course my lady."

End of Chapter Twenty-Six