Well, Readers...we're five chapters away from the end. And I don't just mean the end of the fic. :(
I'm going to have to take a break from writing fics for awhile - the YA novel (and it's sequel) are taking a huge chunk of my time, along with my other romance writing (and I've now been asked to work up a screenplay from one of my books!), so I honestly have to put the effort where the money is for awhile. I'd hate to start another epic and leave you guys hanging for weeks between updates. I know that makes me crazy when I read fics.
I will be leaving "You Had Me At Malfeasance" open for the occasional one-off, so favorite that if you haven't already. I do expect to write a full fic over hiatus - but it'll likely be 15-20 chapters instead of my usual 30-40. I'll still be doing recaps and fun lists on the OUAT recap blog, of course - and thanks to all of you who read and comment there!
And thank you, once again, for reading me, for believing in me, for cheering me on. I owe my writing career in part to all of the support I've gotten from all of you. You're amazing. I wish I could write every one of you into a story. Thanks again.
"Do we know exactly when we are?" Snow asked.
Killian shook his head. "The village has changed a bit. Different shops and such. My brother and his family are nowhere to be found."
"So we could be in our version of reality," Snow said. "Which means if George sees us, all hell will break loose."
"He doesn't know me," Emma pointed out. "I could go after the bean."
"No." This was said emphatically by everyone.
"Come on," she protested. "It's almost dark - who's going to see me?"
"Mom." Henry shook his head.
"The cloud over my head isn't that big."
Killian merely raised a brow.
"All right," she grumbled. "I'll stay out of the way and try not to touch anything."
"I'll stay with you and keep you from inadvertent harm," Killian said. "Henry, you're with us."
"I think you're forgetting that nobody here knows me - and I don't have bad luck following me everywhere," Henry pointed out.
"Henry - " Snow started to voice an objection, but David put his hand on her arm.
"No...he's right. Henry is completely unknown here, and at his age -who's going to suspect him? We can use him."
Emma started to open her mouth but David put up a hand. "We'll be careful. He's just going to talk to the guard while I go after the keys to the trophy room."
"And I'll be nearby, with my bow nocked and ready," Snow reassured her. "It'll go smooth as silk - especially with Regina keeping George busy."
Emma gave her a reluctant nod, and after a stern reminder to Henry to please be careful, the three of them left. She leaned back against the castle wall, flattening herself into the shadows. Killian was just moving into place next to her when a small chunk of the castle wall struck him on the shoulder. He jumped a bit, looking up toward the parapets.
"Maybe you shouldn't stand so close," Emma said apologetically. "Wouldn't want the wall to crumble down on you."
He was about to answer her when another chunk hit him, this time on the head.
"Ow! Bloody hell!"
"Killian!" The voice came from somewhere above them, and all that was visible in the shadows was the outline of a hand, reaching out through the bars of a window high above them.
Emma's forehead crinkled, but Killian knew that voice anywhere.
"Liam!"
"Up here!"
Killian locked eyes with Emma, and she gave him a push. "Are you kidding? Of course we're going up there!"
He gave her a grin, then grabbed her hand, pulling her along. In a very short time, they'd made it past the guards at the gate, up the stairs to the parapets and were running along toward the tower.
Liam's face appeared in the bars on the door, much thinner and drawn, under a mop of matted, filthy hair.
"Liam!"
"Killian - Thank God! Were you seen?"
"No." Killian stared at his brother in dismay. "How long have you been in here?"
Liam looked confused for a moment, as if remembering. "I stopped counting after three years. I'm not sure."
"Three years!" Killian punched the door. "I'm getting you out of here."
"What do you need me to do?" Emma asked.
Killian shook his head. "Stand over there against the wall of the parapet and don't move. I've got this."
Emma frowned. "Okay." She backed up against the low wall, half-sitting, half-leaning on the edge of the colorful banner George had hung from the parapet.
"Make it fast," she said. "We don't want to call attention to ourselves."
###
"So you see, my claim takes jurisdiction, here," Regina said, gesturing to a bound-up Robin. She adjusted the cuff on the new velvet gown she'd purchased, grateful for the feel of it after the rough homespun she'd been wearing all day.
"He's a common thief," George said. "What do you care if I kill him or if you kill him?"
"If you kill him, I don't get to do it personally," Regina said with a malevolent grin.
George eyed her in a calculating way. "What's he worth to you?"
"Let me guess: your kingdom is destitute again," Regina deadpanned. She turned to look over her shoulder at Robin. "And I thought you only stole from the rich."
Robin gave a shrug and George made an angry noise.
"We had a drought that decimated the crops, and taxes haven't been rolling in like they should."
"You don't say," Regina said wryly.
"A simple cash infusion would ensure-"
He didn't get to finish his tirade. The elaborate stained-glass window behind him exploded in a shower of shards, and Emma sailed through feet-first, with her hands clutching tightly to the shredded remains of the banner from the parapet. She dropped to the floor, rolling, and then came up on one knee. Her eyes took in the scene, George staring daggers, Regina's eyebrows near her hairline, and Robin looking at her incredulously.
"Really?" she complained. "Gimme a break!"
"What the hell is going on here?" George roared.
"Out!" Robin shouted, throwing off his bonds and reaching behind him for his bow. He ran for the door behind Emma and Regina, who turned at the last moment and magicked the door shut. George began beating on it from the other side as they kept on running.
Emma turned the corner, slamming right into Killian, who was bolstering his brother up with an arm around his shoulders.
"Oof!" Killian reeled back, and Robin sprang forward, grabbing Liam before he could hit the ground.
"Sorry!" Emma reached out to steady him, and ended up putting a finger in his eye.
"Dammit!"
"Sorry!"
"It's all right," Killian squinted. "Are you all right? I saw you fall over the edge of the parapet."
"I managed to grab the banner, but it ripped and sent me through the window," Emma said, disgustedly.
"Yes, it was quite the entrance," Regina said dryly. "Can we get out of here?"
"Do we have the bean?" Robin asked.
"I don't know," Emma answered. "My parents and Henry went after it - they should be in the trophy room."
"Then let's make our way there," Killian said, holding his eye. "Cautiously."
They wound their way through the halls and passages, keeping an ear out for any soldiers that George might have alerted. Killian took the lead, with Robin bringing up the rear, and in just a few short turns, Killian motioned for them all to stop.
Unfortunately, Emma was pushing her hair out of her eyes and didn't see him until too late. She barreled into his back, pushing him out into the hallway, where a group of guards sent up an alarm. She started to rush in, but Regina stopped her.
"Don't. You'll only get us killed." She raised her hand and with a flourish, knocked the guards out in one wave.
"Come on," Killian said, hoisting Liam up once again. "Are you all right, brother?"
Liam nodded. "I will be. Let's get out of here."
They finally found the proper staircase, and as they began their ascent to the next level, they were met by David, Snow and Henry who were rushing down.
"Let's get out of here," David said. "Someone alerted the guards - we barely got out of there!"
"We got the bean!" Henry exclaimed, holding it up.
"Good!" Regina said. "Let's go!"
They all turned to run back down, but as she whirled, Emma's cloak caught on a wall sconce, pulling it down with a clatter. This alerted the guards in the hall near the staircase, who shouted an alarm before they turned to ascend the stairs.
Regina started lobbing fireballs as David pulled his sword, Snow and Robin began firing arrows as Killian set his brother carefully down on the stairs.
"Stay with him," he begged Emma. She gave him a nod and he turned to fend off an approaching soldier. Emma shouted to Henry to get above her on the stairs, and he raced up.
Straight into George's arms.
"Enough!" George shouted. He pulled Henry in closer, pressing a jeweled dagger up against his throat.
"You don't want to do that," Regina warned.
"And you picked the wrong kingdom to rob," George said, reaching down to take the bean from Henry's hand. "I assume you have plans for this - which means it's still got power." He dragged Henry down a few steps, giving a cursory glance down at Liam, who was now slumped over and unconscious on the stairs.
"I'm keeping the bean, and I'm keeping my prisoner," George said. He pointed a finger at Killian. "And I'm keeping him. No one steals my ship and gets away with it."
"My brother had nothing to do with that," Killian spat. "And you've chained him up and starved him like an animal."
"I had his family killed, as well," George said with a shrug. "No one crosses me and gets away unscathed. That's what's kept me in power - a lesson that all of you need to learn."
Just then, Liam let out a groan, pulling George's eyes down. Emma leapt forward, wrenching George's hand away from Henry's neck. George slashed out with the dagger, grazing Emma's arm, but a moment later, his legs went out from under him as Liam rolled into him, taking him down. As they struggled, the others turned to take out the other guards. Killian was on George in an instant, but it wasn't fast enough. George rammed his dagger into Liam's chest just as Killian's hook sunk into his neck.
"Liam!" He scrambled over to his brother, but Liam's sightless eyes told him that he was already too late. "Ah, God! Liam, no..." he ran his hands over his brother's shoulders, down his arms, damned by his helplessness once again. He felt Emma's hands on his shoulder but he couldn't see through the tears.
"Killian," she said softly. "We have to go. Don't let his sacrifice be for nothing."
He nodded, numb, and got shakily to his feet. Everyone politely looked away as he rubbed forearm across his eyes. He pried the bean out of George's hand, and with one last glance behind him, he followed them out.
The ride to Lake Nostos was completed with no further interference from George's soldiers. Killian had offered to drive, and Emma sat next to him, aware that he probably wanted to be alone but not wanting him to be that way.
"I'm sorry," she said. "You shouldn't have had to watch him die once. Twice is beyond cruel."
"Let's just get out of the damnable dreamscape," Killian said darkly. "Then I can forget all of this. It's not reality."
Emma reached over and put her hand on his leg. "It's real for us. The hurt is just as real."
She rested her head on his shoulder and turned his head, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It's not as hard this time," he said. "I have you."
"I love you, Killian."
He brought his arm around her. "I'll never tire of hearing that," he said, rubbing his chin against her hair. "Never."
They reached the shore of Lake Nostos a few hours later, and Killian eased a sleeping Emma down onto her side on the seat before he jumped down. He opened the coach door for the others, and Regina stepped out.
"What's wrong with Emma?" she asked, glancing up front.
"She's exhausted," Killian said. "And it's probably safest for all if we leave her sleeping while I see to our task."
David stepped down after Regina. "Good idea. I managed to grab another key for my collection," he said, holding up the key to the trophy room. "With Henry taken care of and once we get Emma's luck reversed, we're each down to one item." He reached into his cloak and pulled out the branch. The final leaf was barely hanging on, withered and brown.
"We're nearly out of time," Regina remarked.
"An astute observation," a voice said from nearby. They turned to look as Loki stepped out of the trees nearby, aimed his sceptre at Regina's chest, and blew her backwards with a powerful bolt. She crumpled to the ground, sprawled and ominously still.
"Miss me?" he asked. And then he smiled.