AN: 36 chapters and not anywhere near the end. Wow. Happy New Year, folks! This was one of my favorite sections to write, I absolutely love the fact that 3x21 and 3x22 (the finale of season 3) were totally Captain Swan, through and through, but in a fun way. So, my jaunt into Killian's head continues. As always, I own nothing, bold words are from the show, italics are thoughts, and...reviews are welcome? Happy 2016!

Are We Devils or Black Sheep or Really Bad Eggs?

Chapter 36

It was not far to the Dark One's castle, half a day's walk at their somewhat quick pace, but Killian's feet felt heavier and heavier as they drew closer. This was not Mr. Gold who could be reasoned with - though to be fair Gold was still a terrible person - this was the full-fledged Dark One who was spinning deals and manipulating the citizens of the Enchanted Forest. The Dark One who would kill him on sight. I just hope you're ready with an explanation, Swan, or you're going to be on your own. Sooner than Killian liked, they were in view of the castle.

He pointed it out to her. "Look ahead, Swan. The Dark One's castle"

"A little more imposing than the pawnshop." Emma remarked. "So, what do we do now? Knock on the door and introduce ourselves? Hey. We're from the future."

This might need to be as far as I go. "Might be best if I stay back. The Dark One and I have a rather complicated past. I'd wager he want to kill me on sight."

"Oh, I'll take that bet." A familiar voice said causing Killian and Emma to both turn around. Rumplestiltskin giggled excitedly. "I can't tell you how long I've been looking forward to this. Oops. I suppose I just did."

Rumplestiltskin flicked his wrist and Killian felt his throat constrict. He tried to tell Emma to start talking or run, but the only thing came out was "Swan!" Come on Swan! I'm not going to die in the past at the hands of the bloody Dark One!

"Stop!" Emma exclaimed, panicked.

Rumplestiltskin simply flung her aside. "I don't know who you are, dearie, but why don't you run off and let me enjoy my killing in peace."

Killian felt his throat getting tighter and tighter. First the bloody witch had him drowned, now the Dark One had him in a magical choke-hold. I know now I prefer death by sword. This is awful.

Emma was quickly up on her feet, arguing with Rumplestiltskin to let him go. The Dark One didn't seem to care. Finally, Emma pulled out the trump card: "Because if you don't you'll never see your son again."

Rumplestiltskin paused for a moment. If this doesn't work, I'm a goner. Killian thought as he began to black out. Sorry, Emma.

Just before he lost consciousness, Rumplestiltskin released Killian, and he fell to the ground with a groan.

"What do you know of my son?" The Dark One demanded.

"His name is Baelfire. You're planning to enact a curse in hopes of reuniting with him." Emma explained.

Rumplestiltskin looked confused, and a little thrown. "Who told you that? What are you? Some kind of witch?"

"No, I'm not a witch. I'm the one who breaks the curse so that you can find him. I'm the product of true love." Emma said, and Killian knew that had to be hard for her. She was still only just accepting her parents as her parents, then there was that whole pesky wanting to move back to New York to get away from the emotionally complicated, and probably somewhat crazy, life she had in Storybrooke.

"That's speculation. Part of my plans. But I haven't done it." Rumplestilskin was confused, for once in his immortal life, and Killian took a little secret pleasure in that.

"You will and you will succeed." Emma assured him.

The Dark One was catching on. "If that's true, then that means-"

"We're from the future, mate." Killian interrupted, knowing that Rumplestiltskin wouldn't hurt him and honestly wanted to get in a few digs.

"But time travel hasn't been done, mate." The Dark One snapped back.

Emma sighed. "Yeah, well. Someone's cracked that code. We need your help."

"Help?" Rumplestiltskin did that annoying giggle again. What is that? He didn't do that as a man, surely. "You need my help? Then answer me one question: Do I find my son?"

Don't answer, Swan. He can't know too much about the future. That's got to be just about as dangerous as changing the future. Killian watched as she hesitated, which clearly angered the Dark One, and he demanded that Emma answer him.

"Yes." Emma looked down.

Oh, Swan. I know this is painful, but you've got to keep your wits about you. Killian thought as Rumplestiltskin muttered to himself about finding Bae, the emotion in his voice hit Killian, and he realized how much he missed his friend, and he felt himself sympathizing, just a little, with the Dark One for the first time. But only a tiny bit.

"Don't tell me." The Dark One Held up a hand, realizing the problem with too much knowledge. "If I succeeded, I don't want anything in my head that might throw it off"

"It might already kind of be thrown off." Emma confessed.

Kind of? Swan, it's very thrown off. Killian thought.

Rumplestiltskin stared at her for a moment, incredulous. "You've changed things. What have you done?"

Emma looked at him but there was nothing to it but to tell the Dark One the truth. "We interrupted my parents meeting."

Rumplestiltskin whisked them to his palace and led them to the library, which was clearly set up to be his office of sorts, where he made all his deals. Emma, darling, you're babbling - a bit of a nervous habit of yours I'm noticing - which normally is somewhat adorable, but today is very stressful. Killian thought as he listened to her talk. Who knew what damage she could do with a misspoken word? But then the Dark One was pointing at him. I was wondering when we'd get to this…

"Why haven't I killed him?" Rumplestiltskin asked.

Killian held out his hands in a bit of a mocking shrug. "If it makes you feel any better, it wasn't for lack of efforts. Let's just say we bury the hatchet."

"Yes." The Dark One replied. "But why not in your skull?"

Before anyone could respond, Belle walked in. Killian looked down in frustration - the more people they encountered in the past, the worse it was going to be.

Then Emma turned around and said "Belle", like she was greeting an old friend.

Dammit Swan! Killian thought, and suppressed a groan when she told Belle that the Dark One had mentioned her. If it was an appropriate time to "face palm" as the boy calls it, I would. You, darling, are a terrible time traveler.

Rumplestiltskin seemed to be on the same path of preserving the timeline and sent Belle away, rather rudely, but he was the Dark One.

"It's a miracle you two fall for each other." Emma muttered.

I now fully understand the concept of face palming, I will have to tell Henry. Providing, of course, that he exists when we return. Killian sighed.

Unfortunately, the Dark One heard her and was asking questions.

Enough. Killian thought and spoke up. "Yes. She has a strange sense of humor. But let's get back to her parents."

"Yes. Who are they?" Rumplestiltskin asked.

Emma explained the whole story of who they were and how they were supposed to meet. "See, that's what I'm trying to tell you. This marriage isn't supposed to happen because the ring he was going to give her gets stolen by Snow."

"It's quite a tale you're spinning." The Dark One said.

"Here, let me show you. It's in the book." Emma turned to Killian and he pulled out the story book. But when she turned the pages, there was nothing there. "Wait. What?"

"It's all gone." Killian said, a niggling of the cause forming in his brain, and it wasn't a pleasant thought. "Anything that was supposed to happen after they met has disappeared."

"The ripple effect." Rumplestiltskin trilled his r's dramatically. "Once you change something in the past, anything from that point forward becomes uncertain. The future, as you can see, is a blank page."

"We need to get Snow to steal that ring, so we can put their story back on track." Emma's voice was stronger, glad to have a plan.

"You're in luck." The Dark One explained. "There's a ball tonight at King Midas' castle. Prince James will be there and so will his ring."

"So, we just need to get Snow there." She nodded.

Killian wasn't as convinced of the plan. "How? We don't even know where she is."

Rumplestiltskin held up a hand. "Allow me."

The Dark One walked over to his crystal ball and Killian and Emma followed.

Emma brightened a bit at seeing her mother. "There she is."

"She's with Black Beard. She's trying to secure passage on his ship." Killian explained, recognizing the pirate.

"And, it appears failing." Rumplestiltskin added.

"She can't escape the Queen without the money she's supposed to get for the ring." Emma reasoned, and turned to the Dark One. "Can you help us?"

"Help you? I can work on get your portal to the future open again. But getting your parents together? You made that mess, dearie. Only you know what you did. Now go, undo it." Rumplestiltskin said dismissively.

Killian got an idea. "If she's looking for passage out of town I might know a ship's captain who might help us."

"Who?" Emma asked.

He smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Me."

Emma turned back to Rumplestiltskin. "One more thing you can do for us."

The Dark One raised an eyebrow, but, Killian thought simply because of Emma's pluck, he granted her request and sent them to the harbor.

"That didn't go too badly." Emma sighed. "How close…"

"Very." Killian replied, rubbing his neck. "Good thing you brought up Bae."

"Well, he did die for him once." She shrugged and turned to him. "Now where to?"

"A tavern." He smiled. "Normally I'd be happy to take you to a tavern, after visiting the Rabbit Hole, I think you'd like it."

"But?" Emma prompted.

"Never mind." Killian shook his head. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something about this felt like a bad idea. He couldn't find any alternative, however, this was their best bet. "It's the right move. Let's go find myself."

They made there way to a table where they had a good view of Hook without being seen. Killian kept his collar up and his head down. They watched for a bit, sipping their drinks, as Hook and his crew played dice.

This has got to be the strangest thing I have ever done. Killian thought as he watched himself. Then it hit him: the bad feeling he had was about himself. Emma's going to have to distract me. Yes, I somewhat had a code of honor but that man there…what will she think?

She can't know that I have any reservations, but I'm going to warn her. "There I am. Rather dashing, don't you think?" Killian asked, using humor to cover his own insecurities.

"Is this even a good idea?" Emma asked. "What about preserving the future?"

"It'll be fine. Given what I'm drinking, if I remember anything, I'll simply blame the rum." Killian shrugged and turned back to her. "Just make sure that I - he - remains occupied. Doesn't return to my ship. I'll take care of the rest."

"Okay." Emma sighed and pulled back her hood.

Then she started doing the strangest thing - she started unlacing the bloody corset. "Wait. What are you doing?" He asked, his voice going up almost a whole octave out of shock.

"Making sure he stays occupied. Shouldn't be difficult. You and I both know I'm his type." Emma said, and stood.

No, no, no, Swan. This is a terrible idea. Killian stood to stop her. "Swan, that man sitting there…you don't know him. Just be careful."

Emma smiled. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're jealous."

Killian didn't say a word, he couldn't, because it was true. He took one last look at her face and her assets and left the tavern quickly. He didn't want to watch Emma fawn all over his past self. That man didn't deserve her.