Characters:
MM: Mary- Margret aka Snow White (Snow)
AP: Amber Philips aka Orion Constellation (Star)
KJ: Killian Jones aka Captain Hook (Hook)
DN: David Nolan aka Prince Charming (Charming)
ES: Emma Swan aka The Savior (Swan)
MG: Mr. Gold aka Rumpelstiltskin aka The Dark One (Rumple)
PM: Penelope Madison
BB: Blackbeard
BF: Blue Fairy
Mending Broken Bones
Killian dropped the sword he had used to fight Blackbeard and fell back against a stack of barrels. He pressed his hand against his wound. He kept his gaze glued on Blackbeard still trying to understand how this monstrous man could be Amber's father.
BF: I am afraid I do not have enough magic to heal your wounds. Blue said while she stood bent over Killian looking down at his bloody shirt and hand, Amber went to get help. Just hold on.
BB: This is not over... Blackbeard grunted, I will have what I came for.
Killian did not have the strength to respond. The bit of energy he had during the fight was now gone.
Fading in and out of consciousness Killian could hear the sound of sirens approaching.
BF: Here they come!
Leading the way was Emma and Amber in Emma's yellow bug. Following closely behind them was the ambulance. Amber hurriedly jumped out of the car and ran across the docks to the Jolly Roger. She stepped aboard the ship and saw the remnants of the battle between Blackbeard and Hook. She saw Blackbeard still sprawled out across the deck. Then her gaze floated to Killian who was fading quickly.
AP: Killian! She called as she rushed to his side. She fought back the urge to cry as she watched Killian close his eyes.
Emma boarded the ship and immediately found Blackbeard. She directed the paramedics and cuffed Blackbeard to the gerny. She used her magic to reinforce the cuff that way she knew he wouldn't be able to try and steal the keys and escape again. Then she and the paramedics made their way over to Killian. Both Amber and Blue stepped out of the way so that they could lift Killian out of the mess of barrels.
ES: Don't worry, he will be alright. Emma said to Amber and lightly put her hand on Amber's shoulder, He is a survivor.
Amber looked down at the sword in her hand. She couldn't help but feel responsible for all of this. If only she had been smart enough to stay away from Blackbeard. Emma offered to give her a ride to the hospital, so the two of them got back into the car and followed the ambulance to the hospital.
They waited at hospital for hours. Mary- Margret and David showed up with hot chocolate for everyone. Emma told David about the attack and the two of them came up with a plan to detain Blackbeard and ensure that he doesn't break free again.
MM: It will be alright. Everything will work out. Mary- Margret kept saying.
Amber knew she was only trying to help but her constant need to be optimistic was driving Amber insane.
AP: You don't know that.
MM: Yes I do. It will be alright.
AP: Stop saying that! Amber snapped. She felt the nauseating sense of guilt for everything that happened.
As soon as she did it, Amber felt badly for yelling. She knew Mary- Margret was just trying to make her feel better. Amber did not understand how Mary- Margret could just keep insisting that everything would be ok. There was no way for them to know for sure. Plus even if they were right and Killian did survive all of this that did not chance the fact that he nearly died.
AP: I am sorry. She whispered.
MM: I know. Mary- Margret said as she squeezed Amber's hand, We have to hold on to the hope... the hope that in the end everything will work out. That is the only way I know to prevent the darkness from taking over.
Amber nodded and rested her head on Mary- Margret's shoulder.
A little while later Dr. Whale came out of the double doors that led to the operating room. He took off his surgical mask and walked over to the group huddled around the waiting room.
DW: They both lost a lot of blood. He began once everyone was standing in front of him, Killian suffered a couple broken ribs. He was lucky the stab wounds were not closer to any major arteries. Blackbeard lost a great deal more blood but he does not appear to have any broken bones. Dr. Whale explained, I see no reason why they both won't make full recoveries.
Everyone let out a relieved sigh at the news that Killian would be alright.
DN: Thank you, Whale. David said patting the doctor on the back.
ES: I thought you hated Pirates? Emma asked teasingly.
DN: I do. David said with a wink, I guess he has just sort of grown on me.
AP: Can we go see him? Amber asked Dr. Whale.
DW: Yes, but he really needs his rest so don't stay for too long.
Amber nodded then looked over at Emma who waved her on.
ES: You go on ahead. I am sure he would rather see you right now anyway.
Quietly Amber tip toed into the hospital room. Killian was laying very still in the hospital bed, and she was afraid of startling him. Not wanting to wake him Amber sat down in the blue chair beside the door. She looked around the room and realized this was an ironic turn of events. This was exactly how she and Killian had met.
KJ: Hey there, beautiful. Killian grumbled still groggy.
AP: Well hello, Sleeping Beauty. Amber teased.
Killian laughed at the remark. It had not escaped him that this situation was similar to that of the night they first met.
AP: How do you feel? Amber asked as she stood up and moved to sit on the edge of the hospital bed.
KJ: Why don't you come closer and find out for yourself? He said with a raised brow.
Amber's jaw gaped open for just a moment then she laughed and shoved Killian's leg. Killian groaned but then broke out in a laugh. Amber rolled her eyes then got up and pulled something out of her pocket.
AP: I picked these up while we were all in the waiting room. She said as she popped open a small cardboard box and let the deck of cards come sliding out into her other hand, You stayed with me while I was in the hospital recovering. Now it is my turn. She said with a smile as she began to shuffle deck.
KJ: Hold on a minute, Star.
Amber looked up at Killian suddenly worried as he tried to sit up straighter in the bed.
KJ: Over there in my jacket... Can you get it for me? Killian asked his voice strained from the pain.
Amber stood up and lifted his heavy leather jacket off of the dresser in the corner of the room. She handed the jacket to Killian and watched as he dug his hand into one of the pockets. He pulled out a golden chain, and dangling from the chain was a large golden coin. Killian's gaze floated from the coin over to Amber. He smiled slightly after seeing the way she stared at the coin in awe.
KJ: It is rather beautiful isn't it? He asked.
AP: What is it?
KJ: It is a very important magic coin. Killian explain, Blackbeard had it and I took it from him during our fight.
AP: A magic coin?... You don't mean that thing your sister had when she...
Killian nodded.
KJ: This thing is very powerful, Star. I don't even want to think about what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands. Killian said, I need you to keep it safe.
AP: Me? Why not Emma or David?
KJ: Aye you, Emma and David have enough on their plates right now with Blackbeard and his men. The last thing they need is to have to worry about one of them getting their grubby hands on this coin.
AP: Killain, I don't think I can... I mean I hardly think I am qualified... it is my fault you are even in this hospital bed.
KJ: What? You don't really believe that?
Amber's gaze fell to the leather jacket now draped across the hospital bed.
KJ: Star?... This isn't your fault... Killian waited for Amber to look up at him again, Listen to me. You are not to blame for any of this.
AP: If I hadn't gotten mixed up with Blackbeard in the first place you wouldn't have had to save me. Amber sighed, I don't even know why I did it, or why I listened to him. I let him trick me. I knew better but there was just something about what he said...
KJ: You knew... You knew that there was a small chance it could be true and I could be a monster like he said.
AP: I am so sorry Killian. I should have trusted you. You have never given me any reason not to.
This time it was Killian's gaze that fell. His guilty conscious taking over as he knew he had been lying and keeping things from Amber since the moment she arrived in Storybrooke.
AP: I wish I could go back and undo it all.
Now Killian shook his head. He did not blame her for what happen and he did not want her to continue feeling guilty for something that would have happened with or without her involvement. Killian hated Blackbeard long before all of this and from the very moment Blackbeard sailed into town Killian wanted him dead.
KJ: No, you did what you thought was right. I do not blame you for that. Killian said, I have to do the same. That is why I want you to hold on to this. He continued as he reached out and dropped the coin in her hand. I know you will keep it safe.
The gossip about the battle aboard the Jolly Roger was spreading around the town like wildfire. Belle and Rumple had just closed up the shop when Grumpy stopped them on the street and told them that Hook and Blackbeard were in the hospital.
BE: Oh my gosh! That is horrible.
Rumple nodded but his mind seemed to be somewhere else.
BE: You don't think it had anything to do with why Killian was here earlier and the shop was ransacked.
Rumple shook his head.
MG: No... I told you that it was that Will character. I heard rumors he has been casing the place for weeks now. Hook offered to keep an eye on the place for me. Sure enough Will broke in but Hook prevented him from stealing anything.
BE: I know but it just seems strange. Belle noted not fully convinced that Rumple was telling her the whole story, I mean since when are you and Hook getting along?
MG: I admit we have had our differences but after our recent encounters since he came to Storybrooke we have decided to put it all behind us... bury the hatchet.
BE: Rumple, I am really worried. Please, if there is something your not telling me...
MG: There is no need to fret, my love. He said kissing her on the forehead, I promise I have everything under control. He said to reassure her, And to prove that I have put all of that behind me why don't we stop by the hospital to check on Hook?
Belle could sense that there was something off about this whole situation. None of it was adding up. She knew Rumple did not forgive so easily, and especially not when it came to Hook. However Belle agreed to go with Rumple to the hospital if not to see Amber and check up on how she was handling all of this chaos.
At the hospital Belle and Rumple found Emma, David, and Mary- Margret sitting in the waiting room. Belle immediately searched for Mary- Margret. When she found her, Belle pulled on Rumple's hand to lead him over to the group.
MG: I'll be with you in just a second. I just want to check on something with the nurses over here. Rumple said pointing to the nurses station.
Belle reluctantly let go of Rumple's hand and went to over to Mary- Margret. Belle asked her about what happened. Mary- Margret explained that Blackbeard attacked Hook on the Jolly Roger.
While Belle sat with Mary- Margret and David, Rumple dipped around the corner. He casually strolled down the hall peaking in each room until he found the one he was searching for. Then he slipped through the door and pulled the curtain around him and the hospital bed.
MG: Rise and shine. He called.
Blackbeard groaned as he rubbed his eyes and was startled to find Rumple standing beside his hospital bed.
BB: Get out of here, you rat! Blackbeard coughed.
MG: Now is that anyway to talk to a friend? Rumple said.
BB: You are no friend of mine! Blackbeard spat.
MG: Maybe not... but maybe I should be. You see I have something that I think you will be very interested in knowing.
BB: The only thing I want from you is my diadem.
MG: Ah, but what I have is of much greater value. Rumple said, And what I have to offer comes with revenge on Captain Hook.
Blackbeard raised his brow and gave Rumple a questioning glance.
BB: What could you have to offer?
MG: Information. Rumple replied simply.
BB: What kind of information?
MG: The key to destroying our good friend, Hook. Rumple said wickedly. If only Hook had followed through with their deal, The information I offer does not come without a price.
BB: What do you want?
MG: The coin... if you give me the Trolddom Pendel I will give you the key to destroying Hook.
BB: Tell me. Blackbeard demanded.
Captain Hook had humiliated him one to many times. After tonight there was no way Blackbeard could let him live. Blackbeard figured once Hook was out of the way he would have a clear path towards the diadem, and as long as Rumple thought Blackbeard's only concern was killing Hook then Rumple would not worry about guarding the diadem.
Of course Blackbeard knew that he no longer had the Trolddom Pendel to trade with, but Rumple clearly did not know that. Blackbeard knew he could use Rumple's ignorance against him.
MG: The coin for the information. Rumple said.
BB: The coin is in a locked safe aboard my ship. Blackbeard lied. I have the key hidden. Only I know where, you will have to wait till I break out of here to get it.
Rumple's gaze narrowed as he tried to determine what his next move should be.
BB: You have my word. The moment I am free of these restrains I will get you the key.
Rumple looked down at the cuffs which kept the Pirate chained to the bed. He could tell that the cuffs had been reinforced with magic. So he waved his hand over it and removed the magic spell. Then with a click the cuffs unlocked and fell from around Blackbeard's wrist.
MG: Give me the key. Rumple demanded.
BB: Tell me about this supposed information you have. Blackbeard countered.
MG: The girl, Amber. She is his weakness.
BB: I have tried that already. That is how I ended up with this. Blackbeard said pointing to the gash across his chest, That is it? That is all you have for me? That is hardly worth the Trolddom Pendel.
Rumple smirked and shook his head.
MG: No, you went about it the wrong way. She will turn against him with the proper motivation.
BB: Your wrong. Blackbeard said as he recalled the way she stood up for Hook.
MG: That is because you did not give her the right motivation.
BB: What is that supposed to mean?
MG: She did not have a reason to be loyal to you before. You lied and tried to trick her, so of course she went back to him. This time you have to give her a reason to be loyal to you.
BB: Like what?
MG: Tell her the truth. Rumple replied, Give her the one thing Hook knows but hasn't told her... Tell her who her parents are.
Blackbeard gave Rumple a confused look.
BB: I don't know what you are talking about. You are insane. Blackbeard said as he tried to shoo Rumple away.
MG: Since she came to us Amber has been searching for answers about who she really is. Hook knows that she is from our world, just as her parents were. Hook has not told her the truth.
BB: I don't see what that has to do with me. How will that help me?
MG: Because when she finds out who her parents are she will hate Hook for lying to her about it.
BB: Well who are her parents?
MG: You are. Rumple said simply.
Blackbeard's eyes widened. He could not think or speak. He was in complete shock.
MG: I know you have wondered what happened to that daughter of yours... Well there she is. Of course she has no idea, but when you tell her the truth. When you give her the one thing she has been craving but hasn't gotten then you will have her loyalty. She will turn on Hook, leaving him vulnerable and weak.
BB: My daughter... Blackbeard said still in shock.
Rumple nodded allowing time for Blackbeard to process everything.
MG: Now I have given you all the information you need to bring Hook down. I expect my payment.
Slowly snapping out of his state of shock Blackbeard nodded. He was still extremely weak but he slid off of the hospital bed and snuck out of the hospital room. Rumple and Blackbeard carefully made their way out of the hospital without being spotted by anyone. Rumple brought his car around and then drove them to the docks.
****Flashback*****
The wind howled and screamed outside the castle. Rumple tossed and turned in his bed.
MG: No!... Wait!... Please! He cried out in his sleep.
He continued to toss and turn. Then there was a flash of lightening and a crack of thunder. Rumple shot up in his bed. His heart racing, his palms and back sweating, and tears streaming down his face.
MG: Bae... He whispered as he realized he was alone in his room.
The door to the room squeezed as it was pushed open a crack. A thin beam of light poured through the narrow crack.
BE: Rumple?... Is everything alright? Belle called through the crack. Her voice shook nervously but she stood confidently on the other side of the door, I heard screaming...
MG: Get out of here! Rumple screeched, I did not call you here! Stop hovering over me like I am some kind of child! You are my maid not a caregiver. Do your job and go clean something. Rumple demanded.
Without a word Belle slammed the door shut. She huffed and turned to walk away but before she did she leaned against the door and called through it to Rumple.
BE: You know it wouldn't kill you to show some kindness. I was only concerned that you might need help. You don't have to shut everyone out.
Rumple did not reply. He saw the light from the candelabra pouring onto the floor from the crack under the door. He watched as the light was slowly pulled away a few moments later.
Once the light had disappeared completely Rumple laid back down. He stared up at the dark ceiling above him which was illuminated every few minutes by another flash of lightening. As he laid there in the dark he thought about the dream he had, or more like the memory he seemed to relive every night when he went to sleep. Even after all these years the images never seemed to fade. He could still see Bae's face when he realized that his father had betrayed him and broken his trust. He could still feel Bae's hand as it slipped from his grip, and he could still hear Bae's voice calling for him as he fell through the portal on his way to a distant world.
MG: I will find you Bae. I promise I will never leave you again.
*****Present Day****
Rumple followed Blackbeard on to the deck of the Jolly Roger.
BB: The key to my safe is hidden down here. Blackbeard said leading the way below deck.
MG: Hurry up, Pirate. We do not have all night.
BB: What do you want the coin for anyway. Blackbeard asked as he stalled for time. He knew full well that the coin was not aboard the ship but he was going to play Rumple for a fool and make him think the coin had been stolen.
Rumple looked around and recalled the stuffy area from the night he stole the diadem. He sighed wishing that had been the end of it. Wishing that the diadem had given him what he wanted.
MG: To get back what I have lost. Rumple said cryptically.
Blackbeard stumbled about for a few minutes then he retrieved a key. He walked the key across his cabin and revealed a safe which had been discretely tucked away. Blackbeard opened the safe. It contained several pieces of parchment paper and a torn up map but no coin.
MG: Where is it? Rumple demanded feeling as though he might have been tricked.
Acting as though he had been robbed Blackbeard shoved the safe to the floor. He slammed his hands down on the desk beside him.
Rumple reached across the desk shoving his fist into Blackbeard's chest. He clenched Blackbeard's heart and could feel it beating in his hand.
MG: You will get me that coin or so help me...
BB: No one else even knew I possessed it! Blackbeard continued lying. He prayed that if he lied enough it would convince Rumple he was telling the truth.
MG: Yes, someone did. Rumple mumbled. He pulled his hand from Blackbeard's chest leaving the Pirate's heart in place, Hook knew.
It was perfect. The plan was working better than Blackbeard had expected. He could now easily accuse Hook of stealing it.
Rumple pushed Blackbeard away. He no longer had any use for the Pirate if he did not have the coin. Rumple drove straight back to his shop. He parked right out front and when he went inside he did not even bother turning on the lights. He went behind the counter and pulled the conch shell out. He placed it on the counter in front of him and like he had done before he waved his hand over it causing an image of the Trolddom Pendel's location to appear.
At the hospital Mary- Margret and David were getting ready to head home for the night. They had said goodbye to Hook and offered to drive Belle home since no one seemed to know what happened to Rumple.
ES: I will follow you all out in just a minute. I just want to say goodbye to Amber and make sure she doesn't need anything before we leave.
DN: Alright, we will see you back at the apartment then.
Emma nodded then went into Killian's hospital room.
ES: Hey there. She said peeking through the door, Everyone is going to head out for the night but we wanted to make sure you two would be alright.
KJ: Sure. Star has provided me with the best entertainment. Killian teased then pointed at the deck of cards on the tray in between them.
ES: Alright, Emma laughed. Just give me a call if you need anything.
KJ: Wait Swan, before you go... Killian looked at Amber, I need to talk to Emma about something Blackbeard mentioned. Will you give us a minute, love?
Amber nodded and quietly left the room but she wondered what the big secret was.
ES: What's going on, Hook? Emma asked after Amber closed the door behind her.
KJ: When Blue came and stopped me from killing Blackbeard... I nearly didn't listen. I wanted to kill him.
Emma nodded knowingly.
ES: But you didn't. That is what matters.
KJ: The only reason I didn't run him through was because of what Blue told me.
Emma took a seat on the edge of the hospital bed.
ES: What did she tell you?
KJ: She told me who Amber's parents are.
ES: What! That is great! Did you tell Amber yet? You have to tell her... Wait, why did you ask her to leave? I thought you wanted her to know the truth about her parents? I mean I know we agreed to wait so she would not get overwhelmed but I think she has seen an been through enough by now I doubt she will be that surprised.
KJ: I think she will... I certainly was. Killian mumbled.
ES: What does that mean?
Killian sighed.
KJ: Blackbeard is Amber's father.
Emma did not say anything.
KJ: I don't know how to tell her. How do I tell her that the man who nearly killed her tonight is really the father was searching for?
Emma sighed and looked down at her hands.
ES: What about her mother?
KJ: Her name was Penelope Madison.
ES: Who is that?
KJ: She was a noble lady who lived in Delroy. We crossed paths once many years ago. It was her I stole the Triton from. Killian explained.
ES: Of course it was. Emma mumbled as she shook her head.
KJ: I don't know how to tell her. Killian said, How do I tell her that her father is a murdering Pirate and her mother is dead?
Emma stood up. She wished she could tell Killian what to do but she did not know.
ES: I don't know what to tell you, Hook. This is absolutely crazy. You're right, I doubt she will take it well when she finds out, but she will take it even worse if she thinks you were hiding it from her. Isn't that what you were trying to convince me when you first found out her parents were from the Enchanted Forest?
KJ: Yes, but that was before...
Emma shook her head. As difficult as the situation was she only saw one way out of it. Hook had to be up front with Amber and tell her everything. And the sooner he did so the better.
ES: On my way out I will send Amber back in. You should tell her tonight, Hook. Emma advised before she left the room.
Amber returned a few moments later extremely curious about Killian and Emma's secret conversation. As she and Hook played cards she tried to pry answers out of Killian, but it was no use. His lips were sealed.
Killian wanted to tell her. He wanted her to know the truth and for once he wanted to be able to be honest with her, but after everything that happened to her tonight he could not see how he could tell her.