A/N: I got nothing. Remember, words from the show (aka, words I don't own) are in bold. Thoughts are in italics. Enjoy! Also, I own nothing, it belongs to Disney/ABC/etc.

Are We Devils or Black Sheep or Really Bad Eggs?

Chapter 28

After leaving the loft, Killian took a long walk. He felt like he couldn't win. Just when he was trying to turn things around, his past mistakes caught up with him. And now, even if he did get Emma to open up to him, even if they did start something, Killian could not - he would not - take her powers from her. Today only proved to him that he needed to start doing the right thing. Doing the right thing got him invited to dinner. Doing the wrong thing got him cursed.

He could see it now, if he'd made different choices…if Zelena had been a more rational, predictable adversary…he'd be sitting in there now, stealing a fry of Swan's plate and grinning at her. And he could flirt with her all he wanted without any remonstrations from David because he couldn't play the part of peeved off father with Henry there. That would certainly raise questions, and Henry already had a lot of those. Emma would smile at him, Regina would say something snarky, which Mary-Margaret, Snow, would pretend to be offended by. Then they'd all laugh and talk and act like what they were, what they should be: family. And he could have been a part of that. Killian wished, not for the first time tonight, that he could go back in time and fix things. But what had his mother always said? The past is a country you can never visit. But how could he solve this predicament he was in? Zelena had backed him into a corner and she knew it. Killian sighed, feeling defeated. His only option was to keep Emma at arm's length. He would not do anything to harm her or take her powers, even if that meant he'd be miserable for however long it took them to defeat the bloody witch.

The next day, Killian found himself at Regina's mansion, waiting for the others to arrive. He grabbed and apple and tossed it up and down, trying not to dwell on his personal quandary.

Emma opened the door and walked in. "I'd watch out for the apples in this house." She said dryly.

"Aye." Killian said absently, he knew she was teasing, but he was in no mood to laugh.

"It was a joke. Where's your sense of humor?" Emma asked.

Killian knew she didn't deserve his ire. He sighed, "It left when the witch arrived."

"Well, we're gonna take care of that. Regina said she has a plan." She said optimistically, sounding like her parents.

"I'm sure she does." He said and sat down at the table where the Charmings were clearly having a disagreement.

"Emma, will you please tell your mother that we're not gonna name your brother 'Leopold'?" David asked his daughter.

Of course, Emma didn't even get a word in, as Snow and Charming kept arguing about names. Dave's right, your highness. Leopold is quite ridiculous for a wee fellow. Though to be fair, Dave hasn't offered up any alternatives to Leopold. Killian rubbed his forehead. This was the last thing he needed when he was already feeling the weight of his secret and his curse.

Regina bustled in and began pouring something from a teapot. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I was making this special tea."

David reached for one of the small goblets and Regina shouted in alarm, "No! Don't drink it. It's a deadly poison for summoning the dark vortex."

"I prefer Earl Grey." David quipped.

"The dark what?" Emma asked.

"Zelena came by this morning. While the dark one was stealing my heart, she was here gloating." Regina explained. "She said that my weakness was that I don't know enough about her past, so I've decided to summon someone who does. We have to talk to my mother."

We have to talk to bloody Cora? Killian thought, alarmed. Whoever is in charge of fate must hate me for some reason. Regina explained the process and why they could do it. It was still a little difficult to think that Snow, optimistic, bird-loving Snow, was responsible for Cora's death. But that did work out in their favor, as Snow was more than willing to participate in the ceremony. Their job was easy. Hold hands and focus on Cora. At least Regina wasn't requiring them to think of good thoughts of Cora. Killian was pretty sure he didn't have any of those.

At the moment, I'd take her as a villain over Zelena. Cora had weaknesses, was rational and at least somewhat predictable. The bloody witch is insane. Killian sighed as he took Snow's hand and felt Emma place her hand on his arm, right below the hook. Well, that's a new sensation. Killian thought. He and Emma never touched. He felt a shudder of electricity run down his arm and he wondered if she felt the same. Killian shook his head and refocused his attention on Cora, like he was supposed to, and nothing happened.

They sat, holding hands in the dim light of the candles, for what felt like a full minute. Then the fire went out, an a loud noise directed their attention to the ceiling, where a creepy swirling blue vortex had appeared. Regina was calling for her mother, and all Killian could think was what would Cora say if she appeared and saw him and Regina sitting alongside the heroes? Working with the heroes? She'd think we'd lost our bloody minds. And maybe we have.

Emma's hand twitched and her thumb rubbed a little circle on his arm, causing Killian to jump a little in surprise, which knocked the table and startled Snow, who gave a shout and dropped his hand, cutting the connection off.

Quick, think of an excuse! Think of an excuse! Killian wracked his brain for something, anything. "Sorry love." He said and it came to him. "That was me. I crossed my legs and bumped the table."

Regina let out a sigh and blew out the candle Snow had used to kill Cora.

"Do we try it again?" Snow asked.

"No. There's no point." Regina was clearly disappointed. "It worked. The portal opened, but nothing came from it. She doesn't want to talk to me. I guess whatever secrets lie in her past, she wants to keep buried there."

They prepared to leave Regina's, brainstorming ideas about how else to stop the witch. David suggested getting Belle more involved, which wasn't a bad idea, the clever woman was excellent at research and willing to help. Emma was getting more confident in her powers, which was also a good thing. But Regina…Killian had never heard her Majesty so…lacking in confidence. Regina was always confident, always full of bravado, but her response to Emma to make sure she was ready, it sounded like Regina had no thought that she could handle her sister herself. That was a scary thought, Regina was fond of saying that monsters ran from her, not the other way around. Snow had elected to stay, while the others were to head off to continue to research the witch and what, exactly, she was planning.

Emma and Killian arrived at Granny's and unlocked the door. The old woman had given Emma and David keys so they could use the diner as a base during a crisis, and there was always a crisis. Killian opened the book he'd found at the library and dutifully began reading. Or, at least, pretending to read. Emma was in a strange mood. She seemed to sense something was off with him and seemed to be trying her best to…lift his spirits.

"I can't sit and read, yet. I need hot chocolate." Emma said. "You want one?"

"No, I'm fine, Swan." Killian replied, not looking up from his book. Curious, he raised his eyes oh so slightly and saw a pout on her beautiful face.

Damn it Zelena. This is torture. He groaned inwardly but kept his face placid and pretending to focus on the book. Emma set about making her hot chocolate, but didn't bring it over. Instead, she stood at the counter and…he couldn't tell what she was doing, she had her back too him.

All of a sudden, the hot chocolate appeared on top of his book.

"Boom!" Emma smacked the counter. "Granny's to go. I should open a franchise."

She walked over to him, clearly pleased with herself and clearly not willing to be ignored.

"It's impressive." Killian said, picking up the mug and putting in in front of her as she slid into the booth.

It really was impressive. But it was also torture. Killian knew that Emma was flirting with him. And if it weren't for the blasted witch, we'd be having the time of our lives. She finally opens up to me and I have to…damn you, Zelena! Killian thought.

Emma evidently wasn't done. "You want to see something really impressive?" She waved her hand and a tinkling noise alerted Killian to the sight of his hook hanging from the coat rack. Emma burst into the most adorable giggles, which made this whole situation that much worse for Killian.

"That's bad form, Swan Tampering with a man's hook." Killian said, harsher than he intended, as he got up to retrieve the appendage.

"Okay, seriously, what is up with you?" Emma asked.

It's not her fault, idiot. You shouldn't take it out on her. Killian clicked the hook back in place. "I apologize for my rudeness. It's a long story Too long for now." He pulled out his flask. His heart couldn't take it anymore, he needed a drink.

Emma was taken aback, but she pressed on, determined to get to the bottom of the issue. "Okay. Obviously, something's -"

She was interrupted by the door opening and Belle running in. "Emma! Emma, I found it!" The brunette plopped a book down in front of Emma, opening to a specific page. "We have to tell Regina and the others."

And just like that, Emma was in Savior mode and Killian was reprieved. "Okay, Belle, slow down. What did you find?"

"Zelena's plan. I figured out what she's doing." Belle said and Killian sat up a little straighter. Finally, some good news.