Disclaimer – I don't know exactly how baby funerals are handled, as I thankfully have never had to attend one. And it was not a topic I wished to Google. So I stuck to a typical funeral for this story.
Three weeks later, Killian stood in Ariadne's nursery with Emma, his arm wrapped comfortingly around his wife.
For her sake, he maintained the façade of strength, though he was crumbling inside.
When there was no baby, was a nursery still a nursery? Or just a collection of useless furniture?
After Mim had been defeated, Emma had put a preservation spell over little Adi's body, and then left her at the convent for observation. But despite leaving her with Blue and the other fairies, (who had been cured the moment of Mim's death) efforts to revive her had been unsuccessful. Even Emma's unmatched powers and an attempted True Love's Kiss were not enough.
Duplication of Ariadne's natural faculties, Blue said, was impossible. Recreation of her special nature could not be done. To which Emma and snarled, I know! You think I don't know that I can't replace my baby?
Killian had to drag Emma away as Blue had stammered that she hadn't been suggesting such a thing, she'd only been trying to help save Ariadne.
Later, perhaps believing that Killian was handling the situation better than Emma, Blue had approached Killian privately and told him in a pointed way that Ariadne was gone. She could not be brought back and keeping her body in stasis, she'd insisted, was cruel and inhumane.
Then it was Killian's turn to lose his composure, and after he had used some of the more colorful and creative parts of his vocabulary to express precisely what he thought of her suggestions, Blue had finally left in a huff, declaring him unreasonable.
During the following week, Emma had retreated into herself, and barely reacted to the world around her.
Killian and Emma had sent Henry to be with Regina while Killian cared for Emma; because although Henry was mourning as much as any of them, Killian still barely knew the boy, and Emma was not equipped to care for or comfort him when she could not even care for herself.
In fact, Emma, if left to her own devices, would not even be eating or sleeping. Killian had been reading the food manuals in the kitchen and preparing simple recipes, multiple times a day. He'd then take two plates and sit next to Emma, and speak to her aimlessly until she began to eat out of habit.
She hardly spoke in return, though, and her normal spiritedness and dry humor were absent, giving way to a listless, empty being.
Not that he blamed her. His own heart was shattered, and the only reason he was forcing himself to carry on was for the sake of Emma (and their growing child, if Rumpelstiltskin's claims were true). He'd known Ariadne but for a handful of days. How much more was Emma, the one who carried and birthed and cared for Adi her whole short life, suffering?
"Well, what do you say to a bit of lunch?" He finally asked. "I made sandwiches. We can eat in the backyard. The sun is out today."
"It's too cold to eat outside," Emma replied numbly.
"Okay, then," Killian replied gently. "I'll set up those TV trays in the living room."
She swayed away from him slightly, though she didn't shake his arm from her shoulder. Her gaze remained on the empty crib. "Killian-"
"Listen to me." He rested his forehead against her temple, speaking as slowly and reassuringly as he knew how. "We are going to get her back, Love. Before you know it, she'll be waking us in the night and spitting up over her finery."
"I don't…I don't know, Killian," she said dully, as a stage performer reciting lines poorly might. "I thought so too, at first, but I don't know anymore. Maybe Blue is right. Maybe we need to let her go. I mean, if I hadn't put her under a preservation spell, she'd already…"
To Killian's great relief, Emma couldn't bring herself to talk about decomposition.
"Emma…" Killian trailed off, uncertain. Her world, her magic, was so beyond him that anything answer he gave would be insignificant.
But maybe she didn't need an answer. Maybe she only needed his presence. "Whatever happens, I will never leave you."
And he wouldn't.
He couldn't.
Because he loved her.
It should been impossible. Something like love should take months, years…
The house rang with a chime, and Emma pulled fully away from him to look over at the open door of the nursery.
"Doorbell," she said unnecessarily. "Someone's here."
"Who do you think it is?" he asked, running through his still-shaky list of Storybrooke residents whom he actually knew by name.
Perhaps it was Starkey's duchess. They'd had a funeral and sea burial for Starkey two weeks ago, and Killian had assured his widow that he would be available if she ever needed anything.
"I don't now," Emma said, and her disinterested tone indicated it mattered little to her.
"Perhaps it's Blue. Maybe she's found a cure." But the rational part of him knew that was stupid.
Stupid to hope.
"Let's go find out," Emma said, and Killian was unexpectedly tired, suddenly feeling so old.
"As you wish, Swan." He nodded for her to take the lead, hoping that she could begin to regain control of her life, even in the smallest ways possible.
They wandered down the hall and staircase, moving past endless portraits of Henry and Ariadne until they became a blur. Killian tried not to see them at all.
Emma swung open the front door, and Princess Snow was there, arrayed in a gray coat and solemnity. Her eyes were stained with pain and the color red. She'd been crying recently. Maybe incessantly.
"Mom," Emma said.
"Emma," said Snow. Just that one word was dark, heavy. Whatever the princess had come to say, for once it was not a message of optimism. "Can I come in?"
Emma did not answer, stepping back and putting the choice on her mother. Snow entered the house.
Collecting Emma's hand in her own, Snow said, "Sweetheart, it's time to talk."
Killian knew.
"I know," said Emma.
One hour later, or maybe two, Emma emerged from the kitchen, with her mother behind her. Killian had waited in the living room, unable to hear their conversation. He wasn't sure he would have wanted to.
Emma led Snow to the door, and waited while she put on her shoes.
"I love you," said Snow, bringing Emma's face down to kiss her forehead. "Let me know what you decide."
"I'm not deciding anything without Killian," Emma said harshly. Then, more gently: "But I'll let you know."
With a respectful nod towards Killian, Snow bid them goodbye, then left.
Emma hovered beside the door, and Killian wondered if he should go to her. Even if in love, he was still learning things about her.
She turned so her profile was facing him, and lowered her head, a veil of snarled, uncombed yellow hair hiding her face. "I suppose you can guess what that was about."
He had; but the real question was, should he say it, or would it be better for her if she did?
"Yes."
Emma hugged herself. "She wanted to know if we want to bury Ariadne."
Killian's breath came out in a rasp despite himself. "I know."
She didn't say anything then, and neither did he. He sat and she stood, the silence longer between them than any distance.
"Emma-" He rose and went to her, and she met him halfway. They collapsed into each other.
"I don't want her to be like Regina's Daniel. I don't want to keep her preserved forever like a…like a taxidermied road attraction."
Killian cringed, but the words hit home. "Neither would I." Brushing some of her hair back, he met her eyes. "Let's think about it for a week, and talk it over. We have…we have time."
Leaning into him, Emma nodded. "Okay. You're right. You're right."
He really had no idea what was right, anymore.
Two Weeks Later
The day of the funeral
Emma left the driver's seat of her bug, grateful for her sunglasses. The day was warm and bright.
And as far as she was concerned, hideous.
She slammed the vehicle door shut, wanting to disrupt something about the tranquility around her.
Killian came around the car and took her hand. His facial hair was untrimmed and his eyes raw, shot through with red. He reminded her of a blanket that hadn't been folded quite right: rumpled and with the edges hanging out.
Emma doubted she looked much better.
Although she wasn't second-guessing their decision to lay Ariadne to rest, that didn't lessen the devastation that threatened to undo her.
"The first thing is, Killian, we can't think about what we want. Our choice needs to be made for Ariadne, not us. I made that mistake when I made you the Dark One. I can't do that again."
The beginning of one of their many discussions swirled through her head as they approached the convent door.
"I know," he'd said. "I wouldn't want that."
Then, as strong as she'd started, she broke down and began crying. It had taken them an hour to begin again.
Rapping on the convent door with his hook, Killian squeezed her hand in wordless support.
Blue opened the door, face drawn and tight. The long, healing wound trailing from the bridge of Mother Superior's nose to her ear was just another visual reminder of the day Ariadne had been lost.
While Emma, Killian, Emma's parents, and Graham had been fighting the fairies in the middle of town, Mim, with her restored wings and power, had gone to Blue for her final plan: to put Blue under the control spell as well.
Though Blue had defeated her, leading Mim to slink away and hunt down Ariadne for her power, Mim had been able to get a heavy strike in on Blue's face before doing so.
Blue had forgone using magic to heal it, deciding to let it scar – to remind her of what she believed to be her failings at protecting her sisters.
"Come in, Emma, Killian," she said, stepping back and allowing them to enter. "How – how are you feeling?"
"Guilty." Emma was too tired, though; too emotionally carved from within, to say it out loud and open that baggage. Instead, she removed her sunglasses. "We're surviving."
Blue placed a light, sympathetic touch on her shoulder. "I know today won't be easy."
"Yeah," Emma grunted. "Thanks for, uh, making the arrangements."
"We were happy to," Blue said, gesturing towards the closest hall. "Would you like to view the parlor?"
Emma looked to Killian. "Sure," she said. Just like she was supposed to.
They moved down the hall. Every once in a while, Emma would catch a glimpse of a busy fairy attending to duties, brisk and fleeting.
They continued to a quieter part of the convent, and suddenly Blue stopped before a closed set of doors. Though she had been silent for the duration of their walk, she now spoke, with her arms folded and head lowered.
"I just want you to know how terribly, terribly sorry I am for your loss," she said quietly, and opened the double doors before Emma or Killian could reply.
"Here we are." Blue wiped at the corner of her eye. "She's ready. We thought…We thought you two might like to say goodbye first. Before everyone arrives."
Emma felt herself tremble. "Thank you."
Blue retreated, heels clicking on the floor as she made her exit.
Emma blinked, at last taking in the funeral room. It was well-lit, painted in soothing beige tones, and she hated every inch of it.
In contrast with the plain surroundings, it had been overrun with flowers. They littered the podium, stationed themselves at the end of each row of chairs, spilled from the walls. Maurice had donated many; the citizens of Storybrooke had done the rest.
Emma knew she would probably never be able to look at another flower after today.
Cautiously, with Killian at her arm, Emma approached the casket. The funeral would be closed casket, of course; but, perhaps to offer one last bit of closure, Blue had propped the casket open with magic for the parents before leaving the room.
With shaking legs, Emma approached her baby. Killian moved right beside her, matching her pace evenly. She wondered if he had the same thought she did: At least neither of them would be alone for this last, private goodbye.
Emma rubbed anxiously at her collarbone as they halted next to the casket. Somehow, she expected Ariadne to look different.
Of course she didn't. The preservation spell was still on her, and she looked as healthy and rose-cheeked as if she was about to wake up and scream to be fed.
The dress, though, the one Emma had spent so much time picking out with her mother. It looked so uncomfortable.
And she would be buried in it. It wasn't soft enough.
"I should have given them a nightie for her to wear," Emma said, and then her tears started.
"What?" Killian asked gently.
"Nothing, it's…Nothing. Stupid."
"Swan, your feelings may be many different things right now, but they are never stupid," he whispered, taking her hand as they watched their daughter's still body. "Never."
She wanted nothing more than to turn and bury her face in Killian's shoulder, but that would be cheating herself. This might be the last time she ever saw her daughter's beautiful face.
"I'm going to miss her so much," Emma said, looking over every chubby curve in Ariadne's face, every stubby finger on her hands. "She was.."
Words failed her.
"Extraordinary," Killian supplied. "I'm so…so lucky to have had her in my life." Emma could hear his heart in his words, and it made her cry harder.
Killian didn't ask her to stop; in fact, he leaned his cheek against the top of her head, and she could feel her hair get wet with tears of his own.
They were both startled when the room's doors opened loudly.
Right behind them was Henry, hair disheveled and eyes worried. "Is she in here? I looked everywhere else…"
He stopped when he saw the casket, going pale. A small, stuffed lion blanket was clutched in his hand.
"Henry," Emma gasped. "What are you doing h-"
"I know, I know, I am supposed to wait with Robin, Zelena and mom until the funeral, but…" His brown eyes pled with her. "I want to see my sister. I have to. Violet gave me a ride here on horseback. You can punish me later, but please, don't keep me from seeing Adi. Please."
And Emma's mind was in a whirl, because she shouldn't let him view his dead sister, it would traumatize him for life, wouldn't it? He was too young, too gentle-
"Swan, perhaps you should allow him," Killian said quietly. "I know it's none of my business, and I would never presume to tell you how to parent your son, except…I cannot help but think of my own brother, and how I would have felt if I never was able to get closure."
Emma shook her head, though unconvincingly. "He's just a kid, though…I'd be a terrible mom if I let him…"
"It may be worse in the long run, if you keep him from her," Killian said quietly. "She'd haunt him forever. And I'm not talking about ghosts."
Emma knew he was right. And Henry really wasn't a little child anymore.
"All right," she agreed. "Come here, Henry."
Though Henry was clearly nervous and sad, he did not hesitate to walk forward until he'd joined him. He inhaled sharply when he looked at his baby sister, but didn't panic or show fear. Slowly, two tears rolled down his face. "Mom, Killian, can I have a minute with her? To say goodbye?"
"Of course, kid, of course," Emma said, wiping at her eyes. "We'll just…see you in a minute."
She and Killian left the parlor, stopping just outside the doors to wait. Killian closed them slowly, barely drawing a creak from the heavy wood.
"I'm sorry to take you away from her," Emma began to apologize, but Killian quickly shook his head.
"He has as much right as me to say his goodbyes, and probably more. He's known her since she was born." He tucked her under his chin, and said, "Let's give him a few minutes, aye?"
And for the first time since Ariadne's death, Emma just let herself be comforted.
Inside the room, she could vaguely make out what Henry was saying. His voice was gentle, calming, just the way he spoke to Ariadne when she was alive.
"Hey, Adi." He didn't say anything for a few moments. "I miss you." After another hesitation, he went on.
"I went to Mother Superior a week ago. Mom doesn't know. Neither does my other mom. I tried to get her to take my heart and give it to you. I wanted to save you."
Emma grabbed handfuls of Killian's shirt, and pressed her face into his neck, willing herself not to make any noise, even though Henry's confession was shattering her into a thousand pieces, each one crying out for her son, her first baby.
"She said that a heart wouldn't solve the problem. Not even the Author's heart. I'm so sorry, Adi. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, and I'm so sorry I wasn't enough to save you afterward."
Henry was then quiet for so long, Emma wondered if something had happened to him.
"Anyway, I brought you your lion. So you won't have to be alone."
Emma could imagine him tucking it against her cheek, its soft muzzle turned inward against her skin.
"Goodbye, baby sister."
This time, Emma did feel a whimper escape her, muffled into Killian's body. Why did her family have to be torn apart, to suffer, again and again?
The door creaked, and Henry's voice, from right behind her, asked worriedly, "Mom?"
"Henry." Emma swallowed her tears and turned to face her son. "Are you okay?"
Though his eyes were red, Henry shrugged. "Not really," he admitted.
"C'mere, kid," she told him, dragging him into a hug. "We're gonna…We're gonna be okay. Okay?"
He hugged her back, and she suddenly felt so glad to be around him again, it was almost painful. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you, too."
She leaned back and searched his face, stroking his cheek affectionately. He mustered a smile, for all the sadness he was obviously feeling. "I need to go get cleaned up for the funeral."
Wiping her eyes, Emma nodded. "Okay. I'll see you soon."
"And mom?"
"Yes?"
"Can I come home tonight?"
Emma felt something of a shock go through her. She had assumed through all of this that he'd wanted to stay with Regina while they went through the process of mourning, but maybe that wasn't the case. "Of course you can, Henry. You never have to ask."
He hugged her once more, then headed for the main exit of the building.
She and Killian watched him go until he was out of sight.
"You all right, Love?" Killian asked.
Like Henry, she wasn't. But she had to be strong, and get through this day, for the sake of Henry and Killian.
"I'm getting there," she said with a partial smile. "It helped, seeing Henry."
"Good." He gestured to the funeral room. "Want to go back in?"
She gathered his hand in hers. "Now I do," she said, her smile becoming real.
They walked together and only parted when they got to the casket, each wanting to stand as close to Ariadne as possible.
Sure enough, Emma noted with a tightening throat, the lion was right next to Ariadne's face, cuddled close.
Suddenly Killian began to sing, softly and sweetly.
" 'She stepped away from me, and she moved through the fair
And fondly I watched her move here and move there
And she went her way homeward, with one star awake
As the swans in the evening move over the lake.' "
He finished by murmuring, "Thank you for everything, my little one."
Misty-eyed, Emma gazed at him in wonder until he noticed her watching him.
"What is it, Love?"
"That song. It's beautiful. I had no idea you could sing."
He blushed slightly. "My mother used to sing it to me. I always made me feel peaceful. I wish I would've shared it with her befo…sooner."
"She heard it," Emma said, stepping closer to him.
Clearing his throat, Killian took something from his pocket and placed it near Ariadne's feet. A pair of baby socks, lace at the cuffs. The significance eluded her, but she squeezed his arm, realizing it was important to him somehow.
"Goodbye, baby," Emma breathed, not trusting her voice to be steady in anything above a whisper. "Mommy loves you."
"As do I, Ariadne," Killian said. "And don't worry about your Mum. I'll guard her heart with my life. I love her."
Emma tore her eyes away from Ariadne. "You…you do?"
He met her gaze evenly. "Aye." Nodding at Ariadne, he then said, "Can we give her a kiss goodbye?"
"Yeah. Oh, but let me…"
Waving her hand, she undid the preservation spell. "There. She's not…trapped anymore, now."
Killian nodded and took her hand. Together, they leaned down and each placed a gentle kiss on Ariadne's face at the same time.
And then…
A ripple went through the room, splashing the flowers and chairs and everything in between. Emma could feel the magic in her soul. It was both coolly refreshing and comfortingly warm; powerful enough to rip her apart, yet it cradled her gently. She felt like she was being reborn.
Killian, puzzled, gripped her hand in an almost frightened manner. "Emma?" he said suddenly, confusedly, blue gaze meeting hers. "I..I remember. I remember it all."
Below them, a baby adorned in her best dress opened her eyes, saw her parents above, and chortled happily.
One Year Ago
The Underworld
"Well…Let's try again?" Emma said to Rumpelstiltskin. Though the Dark One was only now with them due to Belle's intervention, Emma admitted she was relieved he was there to help her with what she was attempting, since Regina's powers were gone.
Regina, who had appointed herself supervisor of the task, rolled her eyes; and Rumpelstiltskin scowled.
"I told you this wouldn't be easy, Dearie. This sail was made of a magical creature. Repairing it will be nearly impossible."
"Which is why I suggested we try again," Emma said with thinly veiled sarcasm.
Reaching out, she touched the Pegasus Sail delicately, trailing her finger over part of the massive tear the hydra had created. The ship rocked gently in the green river, and Emma had to remind herself that the disruption wasn't due to any beast – they'd taken care of the multi-headed creature for good.
"I'm not sure why you expect a different result," Rumpelstiltskin said indifferently, adjusting his tie. "But if you insist…"
She did expect a different result, because he was unaware of the power she had – the baby's power. "Ok, kid. I'm going to need everything you've got."
"As a matter of fact, I do. Don't you want to get your pregnant wife out of here, Gold?" Emma asked, throwing him an exasperated look.
"Oh, I do. I just don't ever account for your plans succeeding."
Belle, who was standing near the wheel with the rest of Emma's family, crossed her arms. "Rumple. Enough. I haven't seen you come up with a better plan. Help her."
"Going somewhere?" a voice broke in.
Hades was striding up the gangplank while watching them and, Emma realized with chagrin, probably had been on the dock all along. "You going to try to stop us?" she challenged.
Rumpelstiltskin met Emma's eyes and gave her a slight nod. Not much, but just a small acknowledgment that for now, maybe for the last time, he was on her side.
Hades laughed. "You? Oh, no. I'm more than happy to be well rid of you, Savior and company. Hey, I will even give you a simpler and safer escape than that rickety old ship."
Waving his hand, a portal appeared on deck, swirling and glassy.
Every one of Emma's companions hesitated. They all knew it wasn't going to be that simple.
Hades waited for dramatic effect, then suddenly held up a finger, as if he had just recalled something. "Oh, but that's right. The Dark One has forgotten one little detail." Taking a rolled piece of paper from his pocket, Hades gave it a small shake. "The baby still belongs with me."
"If you're going to try and stop me, Hades -" Rumpelstiltskin growled.
"Stop you? You're free to go, my friend!" Swaggering over, Hades clapped him on the back with one hand while pointing the paper at the portal with the other. "As a matter of fact, Dark Ones first."
"And the catch?"
"The baby stays with me. Which means for right now, Belle stays with me." Winking at Belle, Hades said, "What do you think, sister? I mean, hey, it's no 'Castle Dark One' around here, but at least I won't make you do chores. I'll even give you the dungeon suite."
"I'm not staying with you," Belle warned, edging closer to the portal.
"My dear girl…As your husband knows, there is no choice. Magic binds this contract, which means even if you try to leave, you will only find yourself back here."
Belle made a lunge for the portal, and Hades made no move to stop her.
Rumpelstiltskin cried, "Belle, no!"
There was a blinding burst of light, and Belle was knocked to the deck. Emma ran to her side, gently helping her to her feet as Belle groaned.
"What did you do?" Emma asked angrily.
"I didn't do anything. That was the contract kicking in, and nothing else. This is one deal where the Dark One got in a bit over his head."
"She is not staying here," Rumpelstiltskin seethed.
"Quite simply, she is." Hades was on the move again, and Emma tensed as he came to stand in front of Belle. Lowering until he was at eye level with her, he smiled again, this time kindly. "Belle, sweetheart, as you just found out, contracts cannot be broken. However…"
He paused to cast a look at Rumpelstiltskin. "The terms can be modified."
Cheeks wet with tears, it was Belle who answered him, steel in her voice. "I'm listening."
"Oh, I do like this girl." Throwing a glance over his shoulder, Hades said, "Dark One, last chance. I am willing to be a gentleman and let you take the place of the baby in this contact."
"What do you mean by that?" Gold asked suspiciously.
"I mean, you would belong to me. No going back to the realm of the living, no chance of moving on, just an eternity of suffering and torment by my side. Oh, yes, I like that. I think I'll change it right now."
Unfurling the paper, Hades briefly pressed his fingers against the sheet, then cleared his throat. "New terms. 'I, Dark One, do resign my life and spirit to Hades, god of the Underworld, for eternity, to do with as he sees fit. My child cannot be claimed by him until the time of its natural death.' There you have it, my friend. Simple! It's like the first contract never even existed. Now I just need your signature, and your feisty little rose of a wife here can skip, hop, and cartwheel right through that portal. If not, the contract will automatically default back to the original."
"This," Gold growled. "This is your way of avenging Milah's death. It always was. Miss Swan told me about Milah…but you lied. You could have restored her to life, then to godship, anytime you wanted. You never even wanted the baby. You just wanted to make me suffer – and keep your daughter by your side to watch it happen."
"Well, obviously. In fact, I've been following your nauseating, self serving exploits for the last three centuries. I wanted to know exactly where you were when you finally died. Then, when you arrived here, I'd fashion it exactly after the place you expired, so you would always be reminded of the spot where you realized your greatest fear – dying. Forever."
So that was why the Underworld was fashioned after Storybrooke. That was why Milah had mentioned that the Underworld kept changing, altering itself. The Dark One often travelled in his quest for more power.
Hades continued speaking to Rumpelstiltskin. "Don't you wish you could do the same to the woman who tricked your first child into sacrificing himself to bring you back, Imp? Still a little irritated by that, just so you know. I nearly had you in my clutches, had even dragged your soul here from the Dark One vault. and then poof! Gone so soon, thanks to the imbecilic Baelfire unlocking the vault and bringing you back, and I had to go through this whole elaborate scheme instead. Still, seeing you sign yourself over to me is, in a way, even better."
He swirled his hand, and a feather quill pen appeared in his hand. "Portal won't stay open forever. Time's a-ticking."
"I'm not signing that," Gold spat. "Do you take me for a fool?"
"It is no trick. Like you, I take my deals very seriously. Sign it, or prepare to lose another child."
After waiting for a response, Hades cleared his throat. "Really, you might as well sign it. If you don't, the baby will die, anyway. He will be born sickly, because of your darkness; unable to survive past his tenth birthday - unless you sign this."
Turning unreadable eyes on Belle, Rumpelstiltskin said, "I will find another way, Belle. You must trust me. There will be a loophole, there always is. I will go to Storybrooke, and-"
"You unspeakable coward," Killian breathed, clenching his fist.
Tears now flowed openly down Belle's face, and she appeared torn, indecisive, and terrified.
Still serenely calm, and confident, Gold went on, "I know what I am dealing with. I can fix it, you just-"
"Dad, take the others and get them through the portal," Emma ordered, transfixed by the scene. "It's going to close soon."
"But Mom, what about you?" She heard Henry sob.
"I'll be right there! Dad, bring them through!" Emma demanded. She knew her father; just like her, would see the necessity and act.
"We'll see you soon, Emma," David called. Seconds later, just over Henry's arguing, she could hear bodies cross though the portal. Regina had stayed, as had Killian.
"Oh, look at that, Rumpelstiltskin. Half of your team just up and left you. They're the smart ones. Portal won't be open much longer."
"Rumple..." Belle whispered.
"Everything is going to be all right, sweetheart," Gold soothed, but Emma could see he was cornered.
He could try and try and try, but there was no way he would find a loophole on the original contract.
"Sign the bloody contract!" Killian yelled, apparently realizing the same thing.
"Unbelievable," Hades groaned, after waiting another half of a minute. "I actually underestimated your selfishness. Either that, or you're severely overestimating your own puppeteering abilities."
While he was talking, Emma noticed Killian sliding closer to Hades.
Emma wasn't sure what he was planning, but she wasn't going to let him do it alone. She readied herself -
And, completely unexpectedly, Killian went for the pen, and then the contract. Holding the paper against the brace of his hook, he scrawled something, the rest watching in confusion.
Then, all at once, Emma understood.
"No..." she uttered.
Gold was smiling, as if he had been waiting for just this moment.
Hades, eyes widened comically, laughed nervously. "Cute. You can't sign that, though."
"Why not?" Killian forced out, all bravado. "It says a 'Dark One' can pledge servitude and torment for eternity, and the old contract will 'not have existed'. You didn't specify which Dark One, or that it had to be a current one." Offering a mocking bow to Gold, he added, "And that's how you find a loophole, Crocodile."
Rumpelstiltskin huffed, all wry irritation. "Just had to one up me one last time, didn't you pirate?"
"Oh, no, that's just a bonus. This was for Belle."
Hades' scalp burst into flame. "No! It does not count!" Snatching the paper away from Killian, he began rereading it in flurried desperation. "You fool. You cheating little fool, don't you know what you have done to yourself?"
Numbly, Emma stood in place, not knowing what to do. This couldn't be real, couldn't be happening...
"You are dead. You are a dead man, you hear me?"
"Emma," Belle called, bringing her out of her daze.
Hand extended, the librarian was waiting gravely, drying tears still gleaming on her face. And somehow, from one mother to another, Emma knew what she wanted.
Just a pinch of magic, and Cora's magic-inhibiting cuff that Regina had given Emma days ago transferred from Emma's pocket to Belle's hand. Before Rumpelstiltskin could even process what had happened, Belle had stepped beside him and slapped it onto his wrist. In that moment, Emma could have sworn the petite woman was ten feet tall.
"We're going," Belle announced. "Emma, I'm...Killian, I-"
"I know I never truly apologized for everything I did to you, lass," Killian interrupted. "But I am sorry. You deserve nothing less than a lifetime of happiness with your child. Go."
Belle didn't have to force her husband through, as Gold was only too willing to get away from Hades as soon as he possibly could. Regina paused, then followed them.
"Killian," Emma's voice trembled. "You can't. Please."
His eyes drank her in, as if searching for a way to imprint her on his soul, one last time. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't leave an innocent baby to Hades. I'm sorry. If there's anything I wanted to do for you, it was the chance to give you something better than you'd already known. And here I am, leaving you and the baby. I'm sorry I failed you, love," he said. "Please, just tell the baby I wanted to be there, that I love them."
Stumbling forward, she clutched his sleeves, white-knuckled. She wasn't going to let go. She couldn't.
Peering over her, at the portal, he began speaking in a rush as he realized it would soon close. "Promise me you will not close yourself off again. Find whatever happiness you can, with whoever you can – your family, a, a new husband... wherever your heart takes you – Only please, don't shut out the ones who love you. If I helped take off that armor, don't put it back on just because you're going to lose me."
"Don't-"
"I love you." He gave her a good push, and she stumbled back, into the whirling clutches of the open portal.
The last thing she saw was Hades grab Killian by the throat.
The last thing she heard was the god's cold promise, "You will die for this, human."
Killian gasped for breath, but in his heart, he felt not fear, but joy. Emma was safe. Emma was home. Hades' threats were nothing.
"You -" he choked, smiling deliriously at Hades, "lose, my friend."
As he felt darkness closing in, a crack of thunder sounded, followed by lightning. So bright. He must be dying again…though he didn't remember going 'into the light' the first two times he died…
"Hades, STOP!" boomed a voice so commanding that even Killian's tormenter obeyed, and the hands around his neck loosened.
Killian dropped to the deck, coughing. Dazed, he struggled to lift his head.
"Zeus? Well, nice of you to stop by, pal," Hades said sardonically to the voice. "Only been a few centuries since I've heard from you."
Breathing raggedly, Killian searched about him, but saw nothing. The voice seemed to be projecting from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"What have you done, Hades?" asked Zeus's voice sadly. "You were to be the master and caretaker of this domain, not the architect. Look what you have done. Locked up our kin, refused to allow the Underworld to function the way it should. You have failed your duties and responsibilities, and you have failed your godhood."
Hades scoffed and, realizing he had no other outlet, kicked Killian in the ribs. "Is that so?" he called out. "And what will you do about it? I have the Olympian Crystal." Smugly, he threw the challenge up to the sky. "Will you fight me? Even you can't win against such a weapon. And it's mine."
Zeus laughed softly, the echo reverberating around them. "Is it, brother?"
Hades' face went hard. "Yes, I…"
He paused as a dark shadow flitted across the sky.
"Nyx?" he hissed, fear and horror beginning to erode his confidence.
"Your corruption is at an end," Zeus said calmly. "The Crystal is no longer in your possession. The other gods are free. The Underworld will resume its original functions. You will no longer be allowed to torment those under you. Souls will move on, as they should. I know you were keeping them here for their souls. That it only enhanced your power. I hope you can grow from this, Hades, I truly do. For your sake."
Hades began to pant, head jerking around as he realized the full magnitude of what Zeus was telling him. "But…How?"
"The humans, Hades. The humans."
Then, just as soon as the voice had arrived, it faded and silenced, speaking no more.
Killian rasped out a laugh. He was a dead man anyway. Might as well have his fun. "I told you. 'You Lose'."
Hades, who had been frozen, began to tremble with fury. "It was you. Wasn't it?" he growled, still turned away from Killian.
Scalp suddenly ablaze with blue, Hades turned the full might of his wrath upon Killian. "Think you're so clever, little human? Think you know what despair is after a measly 300 years of life? Oh, my boy, my boy, wait until I show you. You may have destroyed the crystal, but you will still be trapped forever. I still own you, remember? And I have decided exactly how I want my newest slave to live out the remainder of his years."
Hades waved his fingers, and everything went dark.
"Hello?" Killian called into the blackness. Really, not the most profound or beneficial thing he could have sad. Oddly, he was back in his old pirate cloths.
Reluctant to move his feet until he was sure there was solid ground surrounding him, he cautiously extended his arms. His hand and hook bumped into solid, flat surfaces, probably walls.
Then the area glistened with brightness, illuminating a long passageway with branching halls. The shimmer resolved itself, and a humanoid being appeared, emanating a glow that was akin to starlight.
"Greetings, young one."
Killian felt his scalp prickle. The being's voice was the same that had spoken to Hades moments ago. This creature may have looked like a person, but it wasn't one.
"I am Zeus," the deity introduced itself. "I am here to thank you for destroying the Olympus Crystal. You are to be commended."
"Right," Killian said, shifting his gaze to the towering maze around him. Head of the gods. Just another day in the life. "I don't suppose you could tell me where I am?"
"You are in the Minotaur's Labyrinth. It was constructed to be a place where reparations are paid." Zeus shook his head. "No human has ever solved or escaped it. Therefore, Hades banished you here. He expects you to live out your life always searching."
"Can you help me?" Killian asked hopefully.
"I very much wish I could, child. But you are bound by a deity-made contract. This is not easily broken. As much as I would like to simply deposit you on the steps of your home, I cannot interfere that way."
Perturbed, Killian began to stalk forward. "Then you are of no help to me. Get out of my way; I will figure it out myself."
"Wait, Captain. No need to be so rash," Zeus said soothingly, grasping his shoulder and stopping him.
"I already know you're lying. I have heard of this place before. The myths say a hero did make his way through. He was aided by the one who loved him, a lass named Ariadne. She gave him a sword and thread, and he slayed the Minotaur with the weapon and solved the Labyrinth by retracing the thread." Killian moved his shoulder, trying to shake the being off him. "If he can do it, then so can I. I am going to see my baby and my wife. Let go."
"A lovely story it may be, but sadly it has never happened," Zeus said calmly, not removing his hand. "Nobody has made it through. Running blindly into those pathways, you will be old and gray before you know it."
"Are you trying to talk me into giving up?"
"Of course not."
Feeling as though his lungs were crumpling up inside of him, Killian growled and punched the closest wall of the labyrinth. Dust and chalky powder lifted into the air, silent and choking.
"Can you at least tell me if Emma is all right? If she made it home safely?"
"She is safe. Heartbroken, as she will stay for a long time, but otherwise in good health; as is the daughter who is growing within her."
Killian felt his heart – Emma's heart – flutter. "A da- A daughter? We are having a girl?"
"Indeed, you are."
Gulping, Killian looked to the ceiling, fighting tears. A baby girl. A princess. He wouldn't be there to teach her how to swordfight or how to dance, or pretend he didn't notice when she was sneaking sweets from the kitchen. He couldn't read to her, or take her sailing.
"Killian, look."
At last detaching himself from the wall, Killian saw it.
A thin, gossamer thread, no wider than a spider's silk, was wrapped around his hook. Blinking away the wetness in his eyes, he tugged on it lightly. He realized it was leading ahead of him along the passageway, glinting faintly in places, until it wound down a divergent tunnel and out of sight.
"What is this?" he asked in wonder.
"That – That is something I have never seen before," Zeus said, sounding similarly fascinated.
That in itself should have been terrifying enough to make Killian tear the thread and escape it. But instead, he curled his hand around it, testing its strength. The cord was far less fragile than it appeared.
"You and Emma Swan share True Love, which you already know due to the True Love's Kiss. Because of this, the child you beget, a product of True Love and born of the savior, will be powerful indeed. My theory is that the thread is the beginning of the proof of this."
"How…Are you saying the baby created this?" He lifted the thread, trying to understand how such a thing was possible.
"In a way. Keep in mind that I have never seen such a feat, but any explanation I give is only my best theory, based on how strongly that cord emanates the impression of True Love."
"Tell me, then. It will surely be more accurate than anything I could come up with to explain it," Killian said, again studying the beauty and deceptive strength of the thread.
"It's the same magic that binds you to Emma, that keeps your shared heart alive, that helped create your offspring. Without the baby, this thread could not exist; yet without the True Love you share with your wife, the power that your baby will one day possess could not exist. The thread, I believe, is the result of you and your wife, with the developing child as a linchpin. The thread exists because of the baby, and ties you to her. True Love always will find one another, young one."
Killian gaped at him. "All that from just a theory?"
Zeus laughed. "Well, I am a god. I've had millennia to study and practice such magic."
"You said it ties me to my daughter," Killian said. "Are you saying I can follow it through the labyrinth? It will lead me to her?"
"It will bring you home." Zeus's bright aura seemed to dim as he added gravely, "But Killian, there are complications."
"Such as?"
"There is the Minotaur, for one. Asterion does not suffer intruders."
As if the threat of monsters could slow him. "I have my hook, and I'm not afraid."
"And should you somehow defeat it, Hades has rigged the exit of the Labyrinth with a mist, derived from the waters of the Lethe. His final punishment, should you manage to solve it. If you leave, some of your memories will go missing. Not all of them, but he's tailored it so you will be brought back to the point of your life when you felt the most despair, felt the most alone. When you were within reach of your goal and temptation was high, and you did not have any future to look forward to. It will be a curse not easily broken. Not with traditional cures, in any case."
They'd survived curses before. "That does not matter. I believe in Emma. She will believe in me. I know that I can find the man I want to be again, and that she will help me do it. I am going." The thread, in a prism of glinting colors, beckoned invitingly.
"That is not the only obstacle you face. Time here passes much more quickly. By my estimation it will take you a day, at most, to navigate the Labyrinth; but for Emma and Storybrooke, it will feel much longer. Many months, perhaps almost a year. By then, she may have moved on, found somebody else."
"If she does, then I will wish for her happiness." He said the words with a pang. "It won't be easy to see, even without my memories, but it is her choice. Regardless of that, I must return to my baby. I must. I will move heaven, the Underworld, or this Labyrinth, but nothing will stop me."
"Then if you're sure, child, I wish you the best. You are a hero. Not just to the souls in the Underworld, but to those who love you, as well. Don't lose sight of the thread, no matter what. Even when you engage the Minotaur. It is your lifeline."
"I won't. Thank you." Talking a deep breath, Killian, thread in hand, began forward.
"Goodbye, Killian," said Zeus. With that, he disappeared, and Killian was one more left in near-darkness. The thread, difficult to see before, was no longer visible. He had to hold on. He would never let go.
His lass, his tiny, precious, barely-formed bit of magic, had made this possible through her parents' love. She would have her mother's power, that was certain. "Hold on, my love, my sweetheart, I'm coming home to you." He breathed the promise. "You are already a legend, you know that? Ariadne, she was the heroine in the myth. Zeus said it never happened, but it is happening now, thanks to you. You are my Ariadne, leading me home. My sweet Ariadne. Ariadne."
He poured his soul into the name, closing his eyes as he walked, since it made little difference. He spoke the name into the Labyrinth, into his heart, into anyone who could possibly be listening. And the strangest feeling he had was that somehow, someone was.
There it is, guys. The grand finale. I hope the explanation Zeus gave in the Labyrinth was enough to explain why the dual TLK they gave Adi restored her magic and jump-started her back to life (and restored Killian's memories). Thank you very much, everyone, for taking this journey with me. And that is how I would have written 5B, if I had been given the chance. If you guys want, I will write a little epiloge. Just let me know in the comments. Thank you again, and all the best. I don't plan for this to be my last CS fic.