Chapter 28

Enchanted Forest, Rumple's castle

"So, I've got to get going now!" Emma insisted rising from Rumplestiltskin's large, ornate dining table. "Who knows what else that bitch has done to him!"

The great hall was full to capacity. Knights, Storybrooke resident and merry men sat in rapt attention as they listened to Emma describe Hook's predicament.

"Now lass," Sir Galahad said with an appeasing motion of his hand. "You said yourself it was a dream. I'm not sure how wise it is to go back to Camelot under so meager a guarantee."

Emma growled and shot her foster dad an exasperated look.

"Look, Dad," she said, desperate to make them understand, "It's not like that. This wasn't just a dream. It was real! I even felt the damp cold of the prison cell! He was hurt, bruises everywhere. And he had this feeling of…I don't know…hopelessness about him. I have to go to him. I'm the only one who can save him. Me and our talismans."

"Alright lass," Galahad said soothingly, "but be reasonable. Now that Morgana knows that you and Hook are the knight and lady of prophecy, she will be waiting for your return. She will protect the prison with dozens of guards, and the castle, where the Table is kept will be well-nigh impregnable."

Emma looked at him in utter disbelief. "If you think I will let any of that stop me from going to the man I love and saving him from torture and who the hell knows what else, you're crazy!"

"No my lady," Lancelot said in his deep, measured tones. "We are well aware of the power of true love. We are aware you must go to your knight. I believe what Sir Galahad is attempting to convey is an insistence that you don't go alone."

"Precisely," Galahad agreed with a nod.

"So what are you suggesting?" Emma asked.

"We," Lancelot stated, "the Knights of the Round Table, return with you. It is well past time that we, as a united body return and defend the kingdom that we love."

Emma felt a rush of affection and gratitude to these valiant men.

"Thank you!" She breathed a sigh of relief.

"But you are only twelve men fighting an entire army!" Tinker Bell pointed out. "It would be suicide."

"Nothing to be done for it, my lady" Lancelot said with a bow in her direction. "Morgana must be stopped and for that to happen, we must fight."

"But just like Emma doesn't need to go alone, neither do you," Tinker Bell said. "The fairies can help you!"

"The dwarfs as well," Grumpy offered.

"Us too," Red put in.

"Count the merry men in as well," came the offer from a rough looking man Emma had never met.

"Well, dearies," Rumple said in a bored voice, "I suppose you'll need a sorcerer as well. You need someone to counter Morgana's magic."

"Thank you!" Emma said. "So what's our plan?"

"I think our best bet is to utilize diversionary tactics," Lancelot suggested. "We split up into several groups, each taking a different part of the kingdom. We draw Morgana's soldiers to us, thereby allowing the lady Emma an opportunity to fulfill her purpose."

"Sounds good," Emma said, eager to set out.

"I'm still uneasy," Galahad said. "I don't like Emma going to the prison on her own."

"Why not recruit the love birds in the other cottage as body guards?" Rumple suggested.

And so it was arranged Robin Hood and Regina would accompany Emma on her mission to rescue Hook.

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"There it is!" Emma said pointing. "There's the tree where he buried it."

"How could you possibly know that, Miss Swan?" Regina asked in a snide voice.

"Because," Emma said with a roll of her eyes, "I saw it. I saw where Hook hid his talisman."

"Yes," Regina said, with her own eye roll, "in your dream."

She didn't have time for Regina's bs. She really didn't.

"Look," Emma said rounding on the woman, "are we going to stand here and argue about my dreams, or are we going to do what we actually came here to do?'

Regina opened her mouth to retort, but Robin stepped in before the argument could escalate.

"What shall we look for, my lady?" he asked.

Emma turned to the outlaw. "Look for evidence the ground has been dug up. It should be covered with leaves, debris, stuff like that."

"Very well," Robin said with a small bow.

They searched forever, or so it felt to Emma. The tree was ancient…and thus huge. Finally she found a spot that looked promising.

"Guys," she said, "I think I found it!" She began digging, heedless of her nails chipping. Within moments Emma noticed a kind of glow. She dug faster. There it was! Hook's cross!

"Is that…?" Regina asked stepping up to her.

"Yeah," Emma answered as she gently, almost reverently picked up the glowing, silver cross. Her own circle burned warm and strong against the hollow of her neck. Her talisman called out to his.

Emma pulled the circlet from around her neck and placed it on top of the cross. The two fused almost instantly. Here was proof if she'd still needed it. There was no doubt; his love still burned as brightly as hers. A warmth steeled over her, and the tears sprang to her eyes.

"Well?" Regina asked in annoyance, effectively killing the moment. "Are we going to actually go rescue your pathetic pirate, or are we going to sit here and day dream?"

Emma rolled her eyes again. It seemed she spent all her time doing that whenever Regina was around. She got quickly back to her feet, cradling the conjoined talismans protectively as though they were the most precious objects she'd ever seen.

"Yeah, let's go," Emma said pointing a dirty finger forward. "It's about a mile that way."

They walked slowly, silently, Regina and Robin so close they were nearly touching, Emma off by herself. It was still strange to her, thinking of Regina falling in love with someone…and even more strange thinking of someone falling in love with her. Yes, Regina had grown in the past year or so, but she was still…Regina. But there was no question; Emma recognized the signs. Regina was undoubtedly, unquestionably in love, and Robin was utterly besotted. She shrugged as she walked along. To each their own, she supposed.

That morning, she'd arrived at their cabin along with every other blessed occupant of Rumplestiltskin's castle. Emma was grateful for Cedric and his handful of friends who were most certainly not loyal to the Wicked Witch. It was thanks to their misdirection and distraction that Emma and company had managed to get away from the castle undetected.

After a hurried explanation of the plan, Robin and Regina had prepared to set out with Emma. That's when the difficulty began.

"I want to come with you, Mom," Henry had said firmly. "I can help."

"Henry," Emma had insisted, "I need you to stay here. This is going to be dangerous; no place for a child."

He'd gotten that stubborn expression she'd become way too used to in the year they lived together. The look that said he would not be giving up without a fight. She didn't have time for this.

"Henry," she said sternly, "I'm not asking. You're staying here!"

He'd dug his heels in farther. Both Emma and Regina had tried pleading, commanding, insisting, but Henry stubbornly insisted if they left him, he would just follow after them.

Emma was about ready to tear her hair out, more than a little tempted to tie him to one of the kitchen chairs to make him stay put when Robin Hood stepped in. He walked to the hearth and picked up a small bow and quiver of arrows and handed them to Henry.

"Master Henry," he said gravely. "I need your assistance. Can you be trusted?"

Henry looked surprised. He looked up at the outlaw and nodded. "What do you need help with?"

"Nearly every fighting man and woman will be traveling to Camelot for the fight. That will leave my son alone with Belle and Granny. They will be unprotected."

"What am I, chopped liver?" Granny muttered under her breath. Robin ignored her.

"I need to know that my son, the most important person in the world to me is defended. If the witch or her minions come, I need to have someone here I can trust. Can I trust you?"

Henry stuck his chest out, pride radiating from him. "You can trust me," he said. "I won't let anything happen to Roland!"

Emma looked to Robin and mouthed Thank you! Yes, this strong, steady man would be good for Regina.

"Tell me of the layout of this prison," Robin said, pulling Emma from her thoughts.

"It made Hook nervous," Emma answered, "and with good reason. The prison is surrounded by mountains on three sides. There are plenty of places archers and other assassins can hide. An archer up in the hills nearly killed me the first time we approached the prison."

"Very well," Robin said with a grim nod. "When we reach the prison, allow me to look over the area before we move forward. I will be able to spot likely locations where an archer might take cover. We must be sure we aren't walking into an ambush."

"Okay," Emma answered easily as they walked the last few yards to the clearing before the prison.

This was going to be difficult. The first thing Emma noticed were the ten burly body guards standing before the prison door. Ten to three? She didn't like the odds?

"How are we going to get passed all ten of them?" Emma whispered nervously.

Regina gave her a disgusted look. "Have you forgotten about magic, Miss Swan?" she scoffed. "I could take those ten fools out with one hand tied behind my back."

"I suggest you keep both hands free for fighting, darling," Robin said with a wink. Regina actually blushed.

Robin quickly scanned the hills, carefully checking each crack and cranny. "I can't be sure," Robin said after long moments, "but I feel reasonably confident that those ten men are the only we'll have to contend with."

"Excellent," Regina said with her Evil Queen smile.

"On my count," Robin said, "we move forward together. I fire volleys of arrows, Regina does…whatever she plans to do with magic, and Emma readies her cutlass in case any of the villains pass the two of us. Are you ready?"

"I can't wait," Regina said with another evil grin, conjuring a fireball.

"Alright," Robin said, notching an arrow into his bow. "In three, two, one."

They ran forward, battle cries on their lips. The guards were clearly taken unaware, and their small hesitation was their downfall. Within moments, Robin and Regina had vanquished all ten.

"As I said," Regina crowed, wiping her hands against her dress, "piece of cake."

Robin continued scanning the hills, tensed for another attack. Emma was already running forward, the combined talisman held before her.

As before, the key slid into the lock and turned with barely a flick of her wrist, and then the creaky door was opening. The strong morning light poured into the depressing prison, slowly illuminating every inch of the interior. Finally it landed on a crumpled form against the far wall.

"Hook," Emma breathed. And then she was running to him, barely able to see through the tears clouding her eyes.

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Hook heard the commotion outside the prison and wished he was close enough to see through the slit in the door. Were those cries of pain? What was going on? He knew full well it couldn't be good, whatever it was. Nothing was good in this godforsaken land.

Then the prison door was opening again. Hook tensed, hating himself for the quiver of fear that came over him. Whatever the witch had in store for him, this time, he would be ready!

His heart began pounding the moment she appeared. She'd come to him as Emma again? Did she have no imagination?

"Back for another rousing round of torture, pet?" he asked with as much scorn as he could muster. Granted, the words sounded rather weak, even to his own ears. He may know full well this vision before him was the bloody witch, but just the sight of his beloved made his heart do somersaults.

"Hook," she said in annoyance, "what are you talking about? I'm here to rescue you, not torture you!"

Her acting had improved immensely, he'd give her that. That 'you are a complete idiot' look was Emma to a tee!

Hook gave her a lazy, scornful look. "Oh, aye," he drawled. "Let's see. Will you ask me the location of my talisman before or after you unsuccessfully attempt to seduce me? No creativity at all, my dear."

"Emma" rushed forward and concentrated on his manacle. She closed her eyes, and her hands pulsed. The clasp fell from his wrist, and he got painfully to his feet. She wouldn't get the drop on him this time!

"Seduce you?" Emma asked grimly. "What the hell are you talking about? We don't have time for seduction, as pleasant as that might be. We've got to get out of here before Morgana sends more of her henchmen."

She moved forward, arms extended. How he longed to step into the hug she was offering! But he didn't. He stepped back, arms raised in the air.

"None of that," he growled. "It may have worked yesterday, but I'll be damned before I'm fooled by you again, witch!"

A look of…something…maybe dawning understanding…passed over her face.

"She took on my appearance, didn't she?" the lass asked. "Morgana pretended to be me to get to you."

"Aye," he said grimly, "that she did"

She stepped forward, reaching for him once again, tentatively this time.

"Hook," she said gently. "I'm no imposter. I am Emma Swan. Daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, mother of Henry, former bail bonds person, sheriff of Storybrooke…at least when it still existed, the woman who loves the stubborn and stupidly noble Captain Hook almost to distraction."

His heart leapt. This did sound like his Emma. How could he be sure? If he let himself believe and then found out it was another trick, he didn't think he could survive it.

"If it truly is you, love," he said tentatively, "perhaps you could answer me a question."

"Anything," she said, sitting cross-legged before him. He sat beside her and then reached out and grabbed her hand, couldn't stop himself. She pressed his hand warmly.

"In Neverland," he said, "I asked you how you unlocked the map. What did you tell me?"

He remembered the scene so clearly. He was already desperately, distractedly in love with her, but he hadn't admitted the fact, even to himself. He'd so desperately wanted to help her, to connect with her, to spend every moment he could with her. So he'd done the only thing he could think of to help her through the pain of those difficult days. He'd offered her his flask and his camaraderie.

She smiled. "I believe that was the second time I drank with you," he heard the laughter in her voice. "You asked me how I unlocked the map, and I told you I did what Pan asked. You wanted to know just who I was, and I tried to be, I don't know, flirtatious, I guess. I said 'wouldn't you like to know?'. It was supposed to be just, you know, our usual lighthearted banter, but then you got all serious. You told me you would…like to know, that is, and I ran away."

The spark of hope had flamed into a raging wildfire. "Why?" he asked through a throat tight with emotion. "Why did you run from me?"

"I don't know," she said uncomfortably, looking away. "I guess I was scared."

"Of what, love?"

"Of the love I saw in your eyes," she answered. "Of the fact that I was starting to have similar feelings. I'd been hurt so much. So many people had left me. I couldn't stand the thought of…I don't know…letting someone else get close."

He surged forward and crushed her too him in a hug so tight it was agony to his bruises. He couldn't begin to care. This was her! She'd come back! Hook felt the tears in his eyes. He buried his face in her soft golden hair, the fragrance of lilacs tickling his nose. "Emma," he muttered in a voice choked with emotion, "my love. My sweet, sweet love, you're here."

She sat limply for a heartbeat, no doubt startled by his sudden outburst. Then her arms came around him, and she clung as tightly as he. They sat there for long moments, holding each other, never wanting to let go, whispering incoherent words. He felt the steady stream of her tears fall onto his face.

Finally she sat back, wiped her streaming eyes, and fixed him with a steady look. "Now you answer me a question, and whatever you say, I better believe you."

He nodded acquiescence.

"Do you love me?" she asked. He heard the tremor in her voice and hated that he had caused it.

"Aye," he said, his voice breaking. "Emma, every beat of my heart belongs to you."

"I love you too," she said on a sob.

Then she leaned forward and kissed him gently. He brought his arms around her and reveled in the feel, the smell, the taste of her. It was a gentle kiss, and, alas, far too short. She broke the embrace, and sat back on her heels.

"Why?" there was pain in her voice. "Why would you lie to me like that?"

He brought his good hand to her face and gently caressed it. "I'm sorry, love," he said brokenly, "so desperately sorry for the pain I caused you. I…I didn't know what else to do. That morning, the morning I wrote you the love letter, I decided to search for the Table, see if I could make a bit of progress before you awakened. Morgana Le Fay captured me."

"I should have known she had something to do with it," Emma muttered.

"Aye," Hook nodded, "just so. She knew we were the couple of the prophecy. She gave me an ultimatum. Either I break your heart, send you away, destroy your love for me, or she would capture you and torture you to madness."

"But it's true love, Hook," Emma said gently, caressing his face with one of her soft hands. "Nothing in the world can destroy it."

He smiled gently at her. "Aye, but I suspect Morgana knows very little about true love…or any kind of love."

"Pretty sure you're right about that, if half of what I've heard about her is true."

"Believe me, love," Hook said ruefully, "whatever you've heard, I can assure you it doesn't nearly go far enough to describe the demoness!"

"So," Emma said, "she threatened me…"

"Aye," Hook answered, "and I couldn't risk your safety, love. I couldn't! Torture, death, torment, all those things I'd be more than willing to endure if I must, but to allow you to be subjected to it? Nay! I had to protect you. I know I wounded you. Please, please forgive me lass."

She leaned forward and gave him a quick, fervent hug. "Of course I forgive you."

She sat back and looked stern. "But if you ever lie to me again, I'll pull off your arm and beat you with it!"

He grinned. "Fair enough, lass. Fair enough."

"I love you, Hook," she said, and he could see it in her eyes.

"Lass," he said hesitantly. He couldn't have said why it was important, but there was one thing he desperately needed from her. "Could you call me by my name?"

Her face softened even farther. "I love you, Killian."

They came together again like two magnets. There was a bond so strong he couldn't have fought it if he wanted to. She hesitated for a split second, looking deeply into his eyes, and then she closed the last bit of distance.

This kiss was slow, gentle, filled with so much love it ached. There was no heat, and the passion he always felt with her was carefully banked. It was enough just to feel her lips against his, her hands in his hair, the soft fall of her hair in his hand. This was a giving and receiving of comfort, two hearts speaking to each other, sentiments too tender for them to put into words.

I love you. I missed you. I'll never send you away again. I'll never leave you. I couldn't breathe without you beside me. I can't stand the thought of being parted from you again. You are my heart, my soul, the best half of my very being.

Without him realizing it, she'd climbed onto his lap, and he held her tightly to him, never wanting the embrace to end. Their mouths meshed, pulled apart and meshed again, each sensation a balm for his wounded spirit.

"Um…" came a mocking voice from the doorway, "well this is awkward."

Hook tensed, but then felt Emma's lips turn up against his.

"I suppose I deserved that," she quipped pulling slowly away from him and getting to her feet.

"Yeah," the woman said, and Hook finally placed the voice even if he couldn't make out the features silhouetted in the bright sunlight. Regina. What was she doing here? "I figured turnabout was fair play."

A man stepped in behind Regina, and Hook was surprised to see Robin Hood.

"Robin, Regina," he said with a stiff bow. He was still rather sore, after all. "Welcome to my humble abode. I'm afraid the accommodations aren't all that could be desired."

Robin stepped forward and clapped him on the back, and then stepped back suddenly. "Good heavens man," he exclaimed, "what happened to you?"

Hook shrugged. "Let's just say Morgana was rather…insistent to determine the whereabouts of my talisman, and when I refused, well, she showed her displeasure."

Emma's lips tightened. "I'll kill her!" she muttered. "I'll murder her with my own hands. No one messes with the man I love!"

He grinned again. The man she loved. He could never hear those words enough.

"Yes," Regina said, "that kind of is the point, isn't it? Defeating Morgana? Do you think maybe we could get to it instead of standing around the freaking prison talking about how much we all love each other?"

"Hmm," Robin muttered with a wicked grin in the evil queen's direction, "talking about how much we love each other, I could go for that."

Regina blushed. "Well, as much as I'd like to gratify you," she said, "we do have a whole castle full of people out their risking their lives so that we can get the Table repaired. Might be kind of ungrateful to throw that away."

Hook grinned again. "Aye, love," he said. "Bad form indeed."

"Alright then," Emma said, putting on her grim battle face and reaching for his hand. "Let's get to the castle, find the Table, repair it, kick Morgana's ass and get back to the Enchanted Forest."

"Lead on, love," Hook said, "lead on."

Notes:

-Yay! I finally got to write the cs reunion scene! The separation was painful, but I thought it was necessary—both for plot reasons and for character/romance development reasons. Emma is so damaged by the people who have abandoned her, that it's very difficult for her to trust. She needed to get to the point where she's not going to second guess Hook at every turn. "Does he still love me? Is he going to leave me too?" In the last chapter, she embraced the idea of true love—a love that never dies. She made the decision to love Hook and a big part of that love is trust. He's proven himself over and over again, she's got to let go and trust. In a strange, perverse way, Hook lying to her and telling her he didn't love her made her come to that conclusion.

-Up next: Emma, Hook, Regina and Robin head to the palace. They know the Table is somewhere in the palace, but they aren't sure where. Will they have to fight their way in (or out)? Will they be able to find and repair the Table without interference from Morgana (hint: not likely)?