Author's note: So my beta decided to rank this a 9.5 with a slap in the face on what she calls the infuriating rating.
I own nothing except my delusions.
Bringing the longboat up onto the small shore beside the docks, Killian jumped out into the low surf, holding out his hand for Emma, helping her climb out. Together, they and Leo pulled the boat onto the shore out of the tides reach.
Looking out towards the crowd on the docks close by, she saw them moving about, but a few cast the small group curious glances, Emma's red dress and Killian's pirate attire catching their eyes.
"You can still get out of here," Emma said in a low, urgent voice to Killian.
His eyes darkened as he scanned the crowd, seeing sudden movement as some people started rushing around, having recognized them. He turned his gaze back to her, giving her a small, sad smile. "No, I can't."
Looking towards the rustle of people, Emma understood. She gripped his hand tightly, as if willing the link to become permanent through sheer willpower. Knowing it was only a matter of time, she reached up, kissing Killian deeply, all the while ignoring Leo. With her free hand, she cradled his face while she felt the press of his hook on her lower back.
She stroked along his cheek with her thumb as they reluctantly pulled apart, resting their heads together.
"I love you," she told him, pouring all of her love into the words.
"I love you, too," he relied, his voice matching hers.
"Guys, we have to go," Leo interrupted, his voice wavering. "I'm sure that some guards have been alerted by now."
Nodding, Emma pulled away from Killian, but didn't release his hand, refusing to do so until they absolutely had to let go of each other.
Silently, they began to walk up further on the small beach until the sand turned to cobblestones. Watching the people carefully, she could make out flashes of her family's coat of arms through the crowd of people.
She felt Killian tighten his hold on her hand just as she applied her own pressure.
"Don't move!" she heard Grumpy yell from the crowd as the Huntsman and Red broke through, Grumpy with some of the other dwarves and some knights following close behind.
Emma took one last glance at Killian, seeing his blue eyes resigned as he looked at her.
"I love you," he mouthed to her, right as a strong force barreled into them, ripping them apart.
Lost in the chaos, Emma couldn't tell what was happening as bodies thrashed about, hearing the sound of yells and flesh hitting flesh. It was only when Red grabbed her, pulling her away with Leo, that Emma was able to get her bearings.
She looked into Red's wild eyes, seeing disbelief and relief in them as they took her in.
"Emma?" she asked, pulling her tightly against her, holding her close. Her voice was breathless. "Emma, Emma. You're safe. You're finally back home, and you're safe."
Emma tried to pull away, to see what was happening to Killian, but Red's grip was tight, pulling her and Leo away from the scuffle, away from Killian.
Being back in the castle Emma grew up in was surreal. As soon as she was placed in her old chambers, Snow White rushed in, embracing Emma as soon as she could reach her.
"Oh, Emma," she sobbed, pulling back to look at her. "You're home, sweetheart. You're finally home. I've missed you so much."
Despite the circumstances, Emma couldn't help smiling at her mother, finally seeing her again.
"I've missed you, too, Mom," Emma replied, hugging her mother. She pulled back, looking at her. Her voice turned urgent. "Mom, Hook-"
"The council in gathering right now to discuss the pirate," Snow said. Her voice would have been soothing if her words didn't horrify Emma. "I'm sorry, Emma, but I have to go meet with them. Your father's there, that's why he hasn't seen you yet. But just rest now. This will soon be over, and it will be nothing more than a bad memory. Just go ahead and eat something, change, and rest. You'll feel like yourself in no time."
She kissed her head before pulling away, exiting the chambers and shutting the door behind her, leaving Emma alone before she could say anything.
Emma shook herself, knowing that if there was even the slightest chance she could save Killian, she had to take it, damn the consequences to herself. She would gladly live in disgrace if he got to live.
Quickly, she rose from the edge of her bed, pulling open the chamber door and leaving the room. Walking down the corridor, she heard some of the maids approaching. Not wanting to be seen, she ducked behind a corner, waiting for the girls to pass. She could easily hear their conversation, making her stomach turn.
"-she's back," one of the maids said. "I know I've never seen this much excitement."
"I know," replied the other in awe. "I don't think there has been since the Evil Queen was almost executed."
"I know that that pirate's fate was decided the second he took the princess," the first girl responded excitedly. "The poor princess, though. To be held by that pirate for over a year? That must have been terrifying. And then for him to take the prince and destroy all those ships!"
"It must have," the other agreed. "I didn't think that the gallows would ever be used, to be honest. Everything has always been so peaceful for years. Even some of the royals from other kingdoms have wanted to come."
"I can see why," the first replied. "The legendary Captain Hook has finally been caught and is to be tried. I never thought I'd see a pirates execution."
Emma felt sick as she stepped out of her hiding place. They all knew that there would be a huge uproar, Killian's reputation wasn't exactly unknown. They all knew he would most likely hang, the thought still terrifying her when ever it crept up.
But Killian wasn't there to hold her and reassure her, instead locked up in a cage, waiting for trial.
Checking her path, Emma hurried though the halls, soon comming up on the council's chamber. She ignored the guards, swiftly moving past them, and throwing the doors open, interrupting the heated discussion inside.
"Release him!" Emma demanded, stepping into to chambers. "Let Hook go."
The shocked faces of the council looked up at her as they took her in. She saw all of the dwarves present, along with the Huntsman, Red and Pinocchio, who had taken over for Granny and Jeppeto. Jiminy rested on the table beside his projector, obviously being the one Emma had interrupted. She saw Belle and her son, Reve, towards the back, surprising her, briefly wondering what they were doing there. Regina and Robin sat together, Roland right beside them. Snow and David both sat at the head of the table, Emma and Leo's seats empty on either side of them. Emma knew from all of their expressions she would have a fight ahead of her, and everyone was going to be against her.
"Emma," Snow said in a scolding voice. "You should be in your chambers resting. We need to discuss-"
Emma shook her head, her voice sharp. "No. I'm just fine. Hook-"
"Will face punishment for his actions," Regina cut in, her voice stern.
"Princess, it would be in everyone's best interest if Hook was sentenced," Jiminy said, trying to sound reasonable.
"And it was in my best interest when I landed that hit on him," Grumpy added gruffly.
Eyes flashing, Emma glared at him, her voice dark. "What did you do to him?"
"I only got one hit in," he responded, sounding disappointed. "The Huntsman pulled me away from giving the bastard what he deserves."
Enraged, Emma slammed her palms in the table. Not keeping it in check, her magic surged, spiking up until it was released, causing one of the maps on the table to ignite.
Everyone's eyes immediately went to the fire, stunned. Before anyone could act, Emma waved her hand, extinguishing the flame.
"Emma, you..." Snow said, amazed.
Emma shook her head. "That's not important right now. Hook needs to be released."
David looked at Emma, his gaze softening. "Listen, Emma, I know you've been away from home for a long time. But we need to try him."
"Sweetheart, I know that they probably told you a lot of things, but you need to realize those were all lies," Snow said in a gentler tone, like Emma was an animal she was afraid to scare off.
"Emma, I know how easy it is to be tricked by a few words," Belle told her, her blue eyes gentle. "I married the Dark One, thinking I saw the man behind the beast, when there was only a beast."
Emma scoffed. "I was never manipulated. They never forced me to do anything. Especially Hook. He never did anything to me."
"Then why did they keep you there?" Regina asked in a biting tone.
"I chose to stay!" Emma nearly yelled back.
"But why would you?" Robin asked her.
Reve was looking at her curiously, until a look of dark realization washed over his features.
"You were going to leave, but you went back instead," he said, accusation in his tone. "At Port Rackham. Have you really fallen for the captain's tricks? Have you actually sunk down to that level?"
Emma turned to glare at him, her voice strained to keep calm. "What level, exactly?"
Pinocchio looked down at the table, refusing to look at her, his voice uneasy. "I remember the way he looked at you when he took you.
Reve steeled himself, his tone biting. "Have you really become nothing more than a pirate's whore?"
The room erupted in exclamations, their reactions ranging from shock to rage at the statement. Emma faintly heard Belle reprimanding her son.
"No, I haven't," Emma spit out, furious. "And I have never been treated as such."
Reve's eyes narrowed as he looked at her. "You have feelings for him, don't you? You really have actually become his strumpet. Just like my father's first wife. She was stolen from him by that damn pirate to become his slag before he killed her."
Before she could make a retort, David cut in, his voice booming.
"That's enough!" he yelled, making everyone fall silent.
His voice quieted, looking back at Emma, his normally gentle blue eyes blazing. "Hook will be tried, and punished as we see fit. Along with the rest of the crew when we find them."
Emma felt her stomach drop. She didn't want to think of the crew being captured, the very thought of Curry, McCullen, and Murphy being tried making her feel sick. But she also felt suspicious, like her parents, Regina, and Robin were hiding something, especially with their uncomfortable looks at Pinocchio's comment.
"Many of the crimes you're accusing him of, he didn't even commit," she said angrily. "The naval and merchant ships that have been attacked and the men killed, that wasn't him. There's a pirate who's disguising his ship as Hook's. He's the one that destroyed Leo's ship, not Hook. We're the ones who found the wreckage and pulled Leo out. That's how he came to be with us."
"Even if that's true, he's done too much, Princess," Jiminy said. "He's committed too many dark deeds. His heart is too dark. He can't be redeemed."
She nearly laughed at the hypocrisy.
"His heart is not dark," she defended. "His heart does not hold the darkness you think it does."
"He's a pirate," Regina said. "A pirate who's lived for three centuries, Emma. You don't know all of the things he's done. You don't know his heart."
"Actually, I do," Emma replied. "Killian has told me himself what he's done. He's never lied about or hidden anything. And I do know his heart, I've held it."
"How?" Belle asked, stunned curiousity on her face.
"When you sent the Dark One after us," she answered, looking at her parents. "Hook and Rumplestilskin have been fighting for centuries, because Rumplestilskin killed Milah and took Hook's hand. When he came on the ship, he hurt most of the crew and ripped out Hook's heart. He almost killed him." She turned to look at Regina. "His heart is a lot lighter than yours."
Regina scoffed in disbelief.
Robin, who had remained silent for the most part, brought his hand up to rest it over Regina's, trying to calm her.
The gesture caused pain to shoot through Emma's chest. The gesture was so similar to one of the things Killian did to calm her, to comfort her, to show their solidarity. Though she was still angry, she felt her sorrow beginning to break through. She needed to be with Killian.
Snow looked at Emma, trying to keep her tone comforting. "Emma, we have to do this. For us, and the kingdom. He has to pay for what he did. You've been with those scoundrels for too long."
"Scoundrels?" Emma asked, finally snapping. "Those are all good, honorable men. How many chances did you give the Evil Queen before she finally stopped trying to murder you? How many people did the Evil Queen kill before she finally stopped? And yet you won't even give Hook one bloody chance!"
She ignored the glare Regina gave her. Emma knew it was a low blow, but it was true.
David looked at the council members, his own temper teetering. "We'll meet again later. I need to speak to my family."
They rose up, quickly leaving the chamber with uncomfortable looks, leaving Emma, David, Snow, Regina, Robin, and Roland alone. They moved toward the large fireplace, the flames warming them.
"Emma-" David began, hanging his grey head tiredly.
"No!" she replied, looking straight at him. "This is wrong. Do you think I haven't heard what even the servants are saying? You're planning on hanging him no matter what."
"He's a pirate," David responded, his voice raised. "He's killed people, Emma. He's stolen. He's attacked ships. He needs to be tried for what he's done."
"How many people did Regina kill?" Emma countered. "Mom lived as a bandit for years, stealing. So did Robin. You've killed before too, Dad."
"I payed for everything I did as the Evil Queen," Regina said, her gray hair pale in the firelight.
"You got your happy ending with Robin," Emma responded. "If you got that, why can't Hook? Why won't you just give him one chance?"
"Are you forgetting that he kidnapped you to kill you?" Regina asked, sounding like she thought Emma was dense.
"No, I'm not," Emma replied. "He even told me about why. He had the last of his family taken from him by this kingdom."
"As sad as that may be, that still doesn't change what he is," Regina said.
Emma wanted to scream.
She shook her head. "So you're willing to hang a man that has changed, who has done some of the crimes you yourselves are guilty of?"
"In the time you were on that ship, how many people did Hook kill?" Snow asked pointedly.
"Three," Emma answered. "And all of them were because it was to save me."
"He's a pirate," Snow pressed. "He's lied to you, Emma. You have to realize that."
"Killian's never lied to me!" she protested. "I've never been pushed or manipulated by him!"
"Are you sure about that?" Snow asked her, wearing the same uncomfortable look as when Reve insinuated about her relationship with Killian.
"What are you all hiding?" she demanded sharply. "And don't lie."
They all went silent, everyone uneasy except Roland, who looked confused at the realization that something was concealed from him.
"We... looked in on you a couple of times through a mirror," Snow confessed.
Emma felt her jaw drop as she stared at them, feeling violated. Her voice was shaky. "What did you see?"
"We didn't know what had happened," Snow said quickly. "After we received your letter-"
"What did you see?" Emma asked in a louder voice, angry.
David sighed. "We saw you kiss him, a few times. We saw you spending time with him, and a good amount with the others, too."
She felt her cheeks redden at them spying on her kissing Killian. "Then you know what kind of men they are and that I wasn't manipulated. Is that all you saw?"
"After seeing you kiss Hook, we didn't want to see anymore of your interactions with him," Regina said in a tone that betrayed her disgust at the thought of Emma being with Killian. "The last time we looked in on you, it was over a month ago. We're assuming it was before Leo joined you with the pirates."
"We just don't understand what he said that could make you want to be with him," Snow told Emma, her tone holding her disbelief. "Why would you ever want to be with that pirate? Or stay on the ship with all of them? All of them, especially Hook, must have been lying to you. Look at what Rumplestilskin did to Belle."
Emma balked at her. "You honestly think that Hook did to me what Rumplestilskin did to Belle? That he kept me locked away, forced me to serve him, made me watch as he tortured people? That he showed only occasional hints of the man he was to try to make me love him? That him releasing me was just a test?"
"It worked on Belle," Regina replied plainly.
Feeling herself nearly cry out in frusteration, Emma turned when the doors opened again, Leo carefully making his way over, looking at them with concerned curiousity.
"Emma?" he called, gesturing for her to come over to him.
She quickly approached, feeling herself teetering.
"I was doing some quick research," Leo told her in a low voice when she was near. "I might be able to get them to reconsider with Hook. It's a long shot, but we may have a chance."
She released a breath of relief, praying that they could be convinced. Comforted by the fact that she had Leo on her side, she nodded.
"You've been with them for too long," he said, glancing at their family. "I haven't. I might be able to get them to listen to me because of that. The council members outside are all wanting to go through with it still, but this might work."
Emma felt the gamut of her emotions change to hope, praying that where she couldn't convince the council, Leo could. He was always better at politics.
Leo's voice dropped when he looked back at her, his eyes sad. "But Emma, just know that this might not work. Go be with him, just in case. If we can't save him, just spend what time you can with him. I'll do what I can here."
Feeling the lump growing back in her thoat, Emma swallowed. "Thank you, Leo."
He nodded as he offered her a sad but hopeful smile, gently resting his hand on her arm. "Go to him."
Giving him one last nod, Emma departed, leaving the chambers for the dungeons to find Killian.
Author's note: First of all, almost three hundred subscribers and almost 150 favorites? You guys are awesome. I really didn't think this story would be that popular, and I'm so happy so many of you have taken an interest in this story. Second, just to remind everyone, this story will have a total of sixty-six chapters. Third, to everyone worried about how this story is going to go, if it makes you all feel any better, my beta has threatened many times to murder me, but decides I'm forgiven because she knows how the story will end. And finally, I know it's past the date I originally set, but if anyone is interested in having a little mini-fic that shows what's going on behind the scenes in Blackbeard's POV, I will still do it if there's enough interest. Whether or not you're reading this on or Ao3, you can let me know by leaving a comment in a review, you can leave me a PM, or you can even contact me through my tumblr, megan-vampire.
I hope you all enjoyed (if that's the word for this one) this chapter.
Teaser: "That's not true," she said.
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