Emma POV:

I open my eyes and all I see is darkness. "Where am I?" I ask as I feel around. "Help me!" I yell as I start to panic. I'm in some kind of box and can barely move.

"Is anyone there?" I ask but get no reply. "Help!" I yell again as loud as I can.

Suddenly I see the the sun shining brightly above me. I squint to see, as my eyes adjust to the sudden brightness. A man is looking down at me with bright blue eyes.

"Emma!" He says so quietly. Does this man know me? He moves back slightly and I sit up and look around. I'm in the graveyard back in Storybrooke. How am I here? I try to think back to the last moment I remember. I was with Merlin in Camelot and we had just united Excalibur.

Suddenly realization hits me. I died! I was stabbed. I reach down to my stomach and lift my shirt up. There is no mark there and I don't feel any pain. But sitting here now, in what is clearly a casket, I know I died.

I look up at the stranger, "I died?" I ask to confirm my thought.

He nods "Aye, love, you were dead." Sounding just as surprised.

"How am I here? Is this the underworld?" I ask, still confused.

He smiles at me, "No you are very much back among the living." He chuckled.

Tears start to well up in my eyes, I start to sob still sitting in the casket that was clearly mine. I'm alive even though I shouldn't be.

He stranger leans in and hugs me, clearly trying to comfort me. His embrace is warm and even though I don't know him I'm seeking comfort from him. I sob into his leather jacket for several minutes and he doesn't say a word.

I pull away, "can you help me out of this thing?" I ask still a little shaky from the shock of everything.

He nods. I stand up in the casket awkwardly. He wraps his arms around my waist and picks me up and lowers me down slowly. Holding me so close, our faces only a couple inches apart that I can feel his breath. I know I'm blushing but I don't know why. "Thank you. I think I can take it from here." I state as I look away trying to avoid his gaze.

As if he didn't realize he was still holding me he lets me go abruptly. I walk backwards a couple feet and look around. There is snow on the ground. How long was I gone? I can't remember. "What is the date?" I look back at him.

"December 20th." He replies.

I was in Camelot for months. I left Storybrooke in August. I've been gone for almost five months. The weather was different in Camelot but time wasn't exactly something I kept track of while I there.

I hear the man cough, pulling me away from my thoughts. "Why don't we go somewhere warmer? Perhaps find your mother and father? I know they will be so relieved to see you alive and well." He suggests.

I crinkle my eyebrows, I don't know who this man is but he knows me and he knows my family. "You know an awful lot about me but I don't know who you are."

His expression looks sad for a second but then he smiles, "My apologies, I am captain Killian Jones, I am the new sheriff in these parts. And you just solved my very first homicide." He laughs trying to make light of the strange situation.

I smile, someone coming back from the dead is impossible but in Storybrooke, it's just like any other day.

No, I don't think I should see my family. I shake my head. "I'm not sure they want to see me after everything I've done." I recall the hurtful things I said the last time I was here and what they saw me do when I was the darkone. I'm not sure I'm ready to face all the hurt I caused.

Seeming to realize exactly what I meant he holds out his hand for me. I hesitate. I want to take it but I don't know why I would. I look at him, and he gives me a small smile to reassure me. I place my hand in his. It's warm. "I know your heart is uneasy Emma, but your parents are the most understanding people I know. I may be a stranger to you but I feel like I know everything about you. Your parents are crazy about you and I know, despite everything, they just want you back." I smile, knowing he's right. "Come on." He nods towards the hill. "My car is just over there."

"Okay." I nod without further argument letting him tug me along.

I didn't notice before but he has a prosthetic hand on his left arm. Captain Killian Jones? As in captain Hook? Wait a minute, isn't he a villain? I remember going to Neverland on a ship called the Jolly Roger when we tried to find Henry but I don't remember meeting this man.

We reach the car, the sheriff's car, and he opens the passenger door for me. I get in. I want to ask him if he is captain Hook but I tuck that thought away for later.

He gets in and starts the car. It doesn't take long before he pulls up to Granny's. He shuts the car off and we sit there quietly. I am trying to work up the courage to get out and go in. He seems to realize my dilemma and sits with me.

"Would it be easier if I go in and tell them?" He offers.

I look over at him, I must look terrified because he grabs my hand. I am shaking but not because of the cold. I blink back tears and I can see the worry in his eyes. What's is wrong with me. We only just met but I am being so emotional around him.

"Can we go in together?" I ask.

"Sure!" He replies and gets out of the car to my side and opens the door for me, holding out his hand again.

I take it and stand. I let go and walk behind him. He walks ahead and I stick close as he walks into the dinner. Everyone is here. I try to hide behind him. I can see Regina, Robin, Henry in one booth. My parents and Neil in another with bell and Rumple.

"Killian!" I hear Henry yell! He jumps out of his booth and hugs him. Whoever he is to my son, they seem really close. Suddenly the place falls completely silent.

Henry let's go of Killian, "mom? I thought you died?" He asks looking up at Killian now.

"Yeah, I did kid! But now I'm back." I say, still a little shocked myself.

He runs up and hugs me tightly.

"Emma!" Both my parents yell, jumping out of the booth and running up to me. They embrace me with Henry. I can't hold back the tears any longer as they hold me. I missed them all so much.

"You're alive!" Mary Margaret holds my face up and wipes a tear away from my cheek. I smile back at her and nod.

"Welcome back, Emma!" Regina says a few feet away. She's standing with Robin.

"Thank you." I reply quietly with a small smile.

"How?" My father asks me.

I shrug and reply, "I have no idea. When I came to, I was in a casket, screaming for help when sheriff Jones found me." I state

"Sheriff Jones?" My dad asks, looking confused. "You know..."

"Mate!" Killian grabs David's shoulder, "I think your daughter has been through a lot. Perhaps it would be best if she went home." He suggests giving David a look but I can't quite get the meaning behind it.

David seems to understand something and nods in agreement. "Mary Margaret, why don't you, Neil, Henry and Emma head home. I'll run to the station to fill out a report and then we can order in some pizza?"

Mary Margaret nods. Something is up, that no one is telling me. "Wait! There is something you're not tell me. What is it?" I ask.

Killian goes to say something but David stops him. "I'll tell you when I get home. Promise." He smiles at me and kisses me on the forehead.

I nod accepting that answer for now. I turn to leave following behind my mother and Henry. I have a sick feeling in my stomach. I feel like something is missing from my life. I remember being so determined to protect my family from the darkness but I thought there was more to it. I was having visions of my future before but I can't remember what they were about anymore.

I put my hand on my face as I yawn. All of it can wait until tomorrow. It's good to be alive and home again.
I smile as I look at my mom and son.

Killian POV:

I watch as Emma leaves with her mother. I am still shocked that this friend of Emma's was able to bring her back from death. I've never heard of anyone being able to do that. If the cost of that magic was for her to forget me, then I'm glad I paid it.

David is staring at me. I cough and nod at him, "why don't we discuss this privately." I walk to the back of Granny's. He follows behind me.

When I reach the back I turn towards him. "She doesn't remember who I am." I state bluntly.

David looks confused, "What happened when we left you?"

"A man showed up claiming to be a friend of Emma's. His name was Merlin. He offered to bring her back." I sigh, "You and I both know all magic comes with a price. Well I paid it. She doesn't remember anything about me or any of the moments we shared." I look down trying not to give away how sad that makes me feel. The alternative was to never see her again and that was far worse than this. "I took a chance and it worked! If it means she had to forget me, then it's a small price to pay to have her back."

David puts his hand on my shoulder and I look up at him. "We will find a way to fix this. Curses, potions and spells couldn't keep snow and I apart. If it's true love, you will both find your way back to each other."

I smile. Leave it to David to have hope. I don't even know if she still cared for me before she died. We did end things before she left all those months ago. She told me she never loved me.

David continues, "All we need to do is be honest with her. Let's just tell her what happened."

I scoff, "I know Emma. She will want proof."

"So we find proof. I'm sure there is something." David counters.

Maybe this will work. David and I walk out of Granny's. We wave goodbye and I jump in the car pulling out onto the street towards my home. We will find out tomorrow.