I own nothing except my delusions.


Emma clutched tighter onto Killian's back, nearly hugging him to keep herself secure as he swept just above the trees.

"Do you see him?" she asked, referencing David.

"Just his vehicle," Killian replied. "I'll turn back towards the forest."

She held on tightly as his body turned in the air, leading them back to the forest.

"I see him," Killian said after a little while. His voice suddenly grew tense. "There's someone he's fighting. And there's a black car moving towards him. I think it's Regina's."

The air whipped around them faster as he picked up speed.

The figure of her father was soon visible to her, with David kneeling on the forest floor. She couldn't exactly tell, but he appeared almost shaken.

Killian managed to lower them into a small gap between a couple trees, making them only a short distance away. Emma jumped down, seeing her guess about her father had been accurate. A car pulled up close beside him, revealing Regina's petite form leaving the vehicle.

"David?" Emma called as she jogged over to him. "You okay?"

"Well, where is she?" Regina asked as she approached. Everyone knew she was talking about the witch.

"It wasn't her," David panted as he shakily stood up.

"Then who was it?" Killian asked him. "You look whiter than a fresh sail."

"Myself," David answered simply.

Killian's brow furrowed in confusion, visible even with his reptilian face. "Come again?"

"It's the witch," Regina huffed in frustration. "She's toying with us."

"Did you guys find where she may be hiding?" he asked pleadingly.

"A farmhouse," Killian told him. "We think it's hers."

"Then let's end this," David nodded. His voice grew fierce. "Let's send that witch back to Oz."

David was too shaken to handle flying and Regina flat out refused, leaving them to having to trek on foot through the trees.

"Sorry," Emma apologized quietly to Killian as she walked close beside him. "I know it's not the easiest having to keep pace with us."

"It's fine, love," he responded just as quietly.

Offering him a small smile, she reached out to lay a hand on his shoulder.

He glanced back at David, his voice taking on a troubled tone. "Is there any particular reason she would send a demon that looks like you?"

"No idea," David replied. "It was just there wearing my face, harping on my deepest fears."

Regina suddenly rounded on him, making the party stop. "It knew your deepest fears?"

"Yeah," he said uneasily. "Things I've never told anyone. Even Mary Margaret." He suddenly looked pensive. "It wasn't until I admitted them that I was able to defeat it by stabbing it with the hilt of my sword."

"Where is it?" she demanded. "Your sword?"

Something about her tone made Emma's stomach twist, knowing that whatever Regina was about to tell them wasn't good.

"Well that's the strange part," David told her. "After I killed it, the hilt, it disappeared."

"Then what's that mean?" Killian asked, voicing Emma's question.

"When we face our deepest fears our true courage comes out," Regina explained to them. She looked over to David specifically. "When you used the hilt of your sword to vanquish your fears, your courage transferred into it."

"Then why'd it disappear?" David asked in confusion.

"It didn't disappear," she said simply. "She took it."

"Hang on," Emma spoke up. "The wicked witch stole his courage?"

"Well, a symbol of it, at least," Regina replied. "And symbols can be powerful totems."

"But what for?" Killian asked. "Why would she want Dave's courage?"

"That I don't know," she replied. "But the best way to find out is to find her."

Without another word, she turned on her heel to keep walking.

Sharing an uneasy look with Killian, Emma began following her father and Regina.

Longer than she would have liked, they reached the clearing, the farmhouse to only thing in the meadow.

"Where's the storm cellar?" David asked them.

Emma stepped forward, leading them to the spot.

"Give me a minute to pick this lock," she said, crouching down and pulling a pick from her coat.

"No need, Swan," Killian said, moving closer. "I can pull it off."

"Just the metal?" she asked. "Cause no offense, but I'd prefer if you didn't take the entire door off and something popped out."

He released a small growl that sounded like a chuckle. "Aye, love."

Careful of the wood, he hooked a single claw through the metal, giving it one yank. The entire armature came off, leaving nothing but the wooden door.

"Move back," he told them all. "If anything comes out of there, it's better if I'm the one to meet them."

Biting her lip, Emma silently nodded, knowing Killian was trying to protect all of them. She moved to the side, gripping the edge of the door to pull it open as his chest began to glow and the air became warmer, signaling that he was ready.

Nothing met them as they threw open the door, finding the cellar empty.

Feeling safer, Emma pulled her gun, clicking off the safety just in case as she stepped to the edge where the ground met the stairs. She let David lead the way in, following close behind.

The air felt heavy and oppressive in the cellar, not like it was stale, but instead similar to the night that the newcomers arrived to the town.

"You feel that?" Regina asked her.

Emma nodded. "Dark magic?"

Regina nodded solemnly. "This is definitely hers."

Glancing around the cellar, Emma's eyes were immediately drawn to a large cage, similar to the cells in the sheriff's station.

"Why would the witch need a cage?" David asked uneasily. "It can't be for her monkeys."

Regina lightly touched the bars of the door. "I don't think so. It's enchanted." She glanced back to David. "Like the cell you held Gold in in the Enchanted Forest. This is made to hold someone magical."

"There's only three people with magic in the town," Killian pointed out from above them. "The two of you and the Crocodile."

Nodding, Regina turned to Emma. "You're the Savior. You said that Walsh monkey mentioned it. This could be to hold you."

"Why?" Emma asked in confusion. "If I'm a threat, wouldn't it be better for her to kill me instead of keeping me as a prisoner?"

"Not if she can't," Regina responded. "You have powerful light magic, even if you haven't reached your potential with it. That's not an easy thing to beat."

Feeling uneasy, Emma nodded.

"We still don't know who this witch is, and as worrying as this cage is, it doesn't give us any clues," David sighed.

"I'll check back here again later," Regina said. "Maybe we'll get lucky if we come back."

David nodded before moving to exit out of the cellar and back into the field. The women followed, neither wanting to stay in longer than was necessary, thinking about how the cage could possibly be for them.

Emma's eyes met Killian's watching her closely as she stepped through the dead grass, seeing him silently checking on her. She gave him a small nod, letting him know she was alright.

"Should we search more of the forest?" David suddenly asked. "She's got to be hiding those monkeys somewhere."

Thoughtful, Regina nodded. "They have to be moving around. Maybe with a larger group we'll have better luck."

Nodding, David looked around at them. "I want to check in on Mary Margaret first then I'll gather up the dwarves."

He glanced up towards the sky before checking his watch. "It's after five. It'll be getting dark soon." He looked specifically toward Killian. "You'll be human by the time we go."

Killian nodded towards David. "I'll escort you back out, then go back to the cabin until it's time."

David nodded, leading them back towards the trees.


Throwing a quick dinner together for them, mainly because she knew Killian would be starving, Emma glanced at the clock, seeing they had just under an hour before they were supposed to meet her father.

She released a small groan as she caught sight of some small white flecks falling outside, realizing it had begun to snow.

"Everything alright, love?" Killian asked as he came up behind her.

"It's starting to snow," she murmured, knowing that with the change in seasons, there would be consequences.

It would make their search harder, covering any tracks that would have been left on the forest floor, as well as make conditions more dangerous. Cold would have to be factored in, as well as visibility while they were out.

Possibly the thing that she hated most was that it was another winter Killian would have to endure in the cold.

He placed a hand on her hip as he pulled her into him. "Yeah, but we'll manage."

Sighing, Emma looked back at him. "It's another winter for you."

"I'll manage," he told her quietly. "I did it last year."

She nodded uneasily.

"We need to go soon," he reminded her.

Blinking, she nodded as she turned away from the window. "Yeah, yeah. I made us something quick."

He followed her to retrieve their dinner, sitting across from her at the small table.

"Leave the dishes," he said as soon as they finished. "I'll take care of them later."

"I was actually wondering if I might stay here tonight?" she asked him.

He smiled widely. "I'd like nothing more."

She returned his smile.

In a gesture that made her chest flutter, he grabbed a black scarf from the dresser of his room, settling it around her neck. The material was warm and held his scent, making her smile further.

He helped her brush the snow from the windshield of David's truck before climbing in with her. Heat warmed the cab as she turned the engine, chasing away the cold that was setting in.

"Looks like winter is coming early this year," Killian remarked as she began to drive.

Emma shrugged. "I hope not. It's not even November yet. But it can snow up here pretty early."

He nodded.

"We'll get my car back after we meet David," she told him. "I don't think he's enjoying my car, especially if he has to take any of the dwarves."

To allow them an easier way to where they were supposed to meet, David had left Emma his truck, getting a ride back with Regina and telling her he'd grab her Bug for her later on.

Chuckling, Killian looked over at her. "I can only imagine."

Even in the snow the yellow of her car was easy to make out as she pulled them up to the other cars, their party waiting.

David tossed her her keys as soon as he was close enough, to which she gave him his in exchange.

"A couple of the Merry Men are joining us," David told them. "They should be here any minute."

Emma nodded, feeling torn. On one hand, the greater number meant more defense if things went wrong, but it also meant that there would be more targets, as well as them losing stealth.

Killian lightly nudged her hand with his, silently telling her that he was staying with her. Despite the situation, she felt safer, trusting him.

Only a few of the Merry Men showed up, explaining to them that Robin didn't come himself because he didn't feel safe leaving his young son alone with a smaller group. Emma understood, as well as knew David and Regina did, too. No parent would want to leave their child when there was a chance they would be put in danger.

Half of the remaining dwarves went to David while the other half reluctantly went to Regina. The Merry Men told them they had no qualms searching on their own, at their best with other members of their group.

"We'll go on our own, too," Emma said.

"Are you sure that's safe?" Regina asked her.

"Emma has magic and I can't be hurt," Killian said simply before his voice took on a dark edge. "Plus after what happened the last time, I don't care who the monkey is if they try to go after Emma again."

Emma gently squeezed his hand in reassurance.

David nodded. "Alright. Call or radio if you find anything."


Emma fought a shiver as she carefully pushed away a branch, silently cursing the falling snow.

"Alright, Swan?" Killian asked her as he held out his hand to help her over another large root.

"Just cold," she said. "And tired of these damn trees."

He released a small chuckle, even as neither moved to pull away from the other. "Well, I can promise some of your hot chocolate when we get back."

She hummed in amusement. "You know I'll hold you to that."

"I don't doubt it," he replied.

She was looking forward to the idea of returning back to the cabin with him later, of warming up by way of either a fire or hot bath.

Looking off into the distance by the road, she saw a dark shape, suspecting a car.

"Someone else is out here," she said seriously.

Killian peered at the vehicle. "That's not Regina's, is it?"

Emma shook her head as she quickened her pace. "I dont think so."

Getting closer, she was able to identify the car. "It's Gold's Cadillac."

"Gold is here?" he asked in confusion.

Shining a flashlight around the area, she saw some partial tracks in the snow. Killian crouched down to examine them.

"These are fresh," he said as he looked up to see the trail that led through the trees. "The snow would have obscured them otherwise."

Moving the beam, Emma saw herself the trail left behind.

They kept close together as they followed the prints, watching for anything about to attack them.

"Swan," Killian whispered. "You see that up ahead?"

Squinting through the darkness, she made out three shapes that appeared human in a small clearing further on. The only real source of light besides the moon was a small red object, something that Emma suspected with a sinking feeling was a heart.

"Yeah," she breathed out.

Sharing a serious look with him, she nodded, her hand straying to rest on her gun. She saw Killian mimicking her actions, his hand going to the gun she and David had given him.

He stopped her as they got nearer, pulling her behind a fallen log wide enough to conceal them.

Keeping crouched behind their hiding spot, Emma peered over, the shadows' voices audible.

She knew Gold's voice immediately.

"Give me back my son," he spit out. "Now."

"I will for a price," a feminine voice responded. "A trade, if you will."

The voice was slightly familiar to Emma, one she couldn't place immediately.

"My dagger for my son?" Gold asked.

The woman cackled. "Exactly. Don't worry, as you can see, my pets haven't harmed him."

Sharing a quick glance with Killian, they both knew they at least knew the voice of the Wicked Witch.

"Papa-" Neal's voice said, placing the identity of the third shadow.

"Hush," the Witch said. "The grown ups are talking."

"Let him go right now," Gold demanded. "He has nothing to do with this."

"He's here to make sure I get what I want," she retorted. "You did bring it, didn't you?"

Moonlight caught off metal as Gold pulled his dagger from his coat pocket. "Right here."

She hummed. "What do you say, dearie? Your dagger for your son?"

Gold threw the dagger to her feet. "Now let him go, Zelena."

Emma's stomach dropped at the name. The Witch had been under their nose the entire time, posing as her mother's midwife.

She didn't realize she'd been shaking until she felt a warm hand on her back, Killian steadying her.

Meeting his eyes, they both nodded, moving to stand and interfere. They couldn't let Zelena get the Dark One dagger, knowing she would have full control of Gold otherwise.

She knew David would kill them for going in without more backup, but they didn't have the time

Before they could move, Zelena shoved Neal away from her. "A deal's a deal."

The red light of the heart suddenly disappeared a second before Neal collapsed.

"What did you do?" Gold screamed as he fell beside Neal's fallen body.

"I told you I would give you your son back if you gave me the blade," Zelena said carelessly. "I never said what condition he would be in. Besides, Rumple, do you really think I would be careless enough to leave someone who could identify me?"

"And what's to stop me from identifying you and stopping whatever you're planning?" he asked her.

The moonlight shone off the metal of the dagger as Zelena raised it. "This. Now come along. Leave him."

Emma watched as Gold reluctantly released his son's body from his grasp, pushing himself up. Before he turned to follow Zelena, he looked over to her and Killian's hiding spot, as if knowing they were there. She knew what his expression was, to make sure Zelena didn't get away with Neal's murder.

Frozen in her spot, Emma couldn't move as Zelena disappeared with Gold in tow, watching as snow fell on Neal.

"Swan," Killian whispered, trying to rouse her.

When she didn't respond, he rested a hand on her shoulder, his voice growing more gentle yet urgent. "Emma."

She tore her eyes away from the clearing to look at him, seeing him watching her worriedly.

"We have to get him out of here and tell your father," he told her. "We know who the Witch is."

Stiffly nodding, she accepted his help up.

When she didn't move to alert the others, he slowly held out his hand, silently offering to make the call for her. She handed over the radio before moving into the clearing.

She faintly heard Killian talking to David as she kneeled beside Neal's body. Gently, she closed his eyes as she felt Killian come up behind her.

"He didn't deserve this," she said quietly.

"No, he didn't," Killian agreed. "Swan, she will pay for what she did."

Swallowing, she nodded as she stood. She immediately went to him as he opened his arms for her.

"How do I tell Henry?" she asked, lost. She might not have been on good terms with Neal, but was Henry's father. Henry deserved to know why his father was gone, but she didn't know how to tell him.

"Neal died because the Witch wanted to hurt Gold," Killian replied. "I think that's the only thing you could possibly say."

She nodded as she bit her lip.

"David and the others are on their way," he told her. "Regina is going back to make sure your mother is safe."

"Thanks," she said faintly.

He nodded, his expression sympathetic. He looked back at Neal, his voice quiet as he spoke. "He was a right bastard, but he didn't deserve this. No one does."

Closing her eyes, she nodded as she leaned further into him. Even when he wasn't in her sight, all Emma could see was Neal's body slowly being buried in the snow.


Teaser: She looked back at her son. "Is that okay?"

Henry nodded. "Yeah. I thrust him. I know he wouldn't let anything happen to me."

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