Earning Happy Endings

by BrainWithAMouth

All it took was one choice. Cora decided to allow Regina's curse to take her as well, though not without securing some protection of course. Now, more people from the Enchanted Forest lived a lie in Storybrooke for 28 years, and Emma will find herself in the midst of it all. With the help of her son, they'll find out who can be trusted, and who may want them gone. Canon divergence.

34. Fangs and All

In this chapter, Captain Swan check out a house, two old men feel possessive, and an old curse reignites.

Also god does Rumple suck.

Disclaimer: [insert obligatory BrainWithAMouth doesn't own anything from the show]

All thanks to Cant-Stop-My-Fandoms for helping me with this chapter (so many thanks). Also, BytheDawn's Enchanted Forest map is a lifesaver.

Thanks to Verona2 and AngelColdHeart for following this story (and me :D)

Trigger Warning: In the last scene of this chapter, Graham talks about his sexual assault with Marian. For anyone not comfortable reading that, please feel free to just ship it. There's nothing after that scene.

If needed, the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline is 800. (4673).

That is all.

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Fangs and All

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March 4, 2012

For an open house on a great piece of property, it was surprisingly empty for being later in the afternoon.

The realtor, Goldi, said this was normal. Goldi was a slight blonde woman with blue eyes and skin that was pale and looked like it easily burned in the sun. She was perky, attentive, and wore a bubbly smile on her face that matched her bubbly tone.

She also, Emma discerned, had a sharp eye and a silver tongue.

"Some people, like today, prefer to come first thing," she explained to Emma and Killian as they walked through the living room. "But you two are in luck. Coming at this time of day really emphasizes how the street and sea look as the sun starts getting lower."

Emma got the sense that this was just part of the pitch, but Goldi had a point. She looked out the front window and, in fact, everything seemed brighter from her perspective.

As Killian talked briefly about price with Goldi as Emma thought over what she could make for dinner. She wasn't a culinary expert by any stretch of the imagination, but she could...do something. Right now, her parents were watching the kids and dogs while Emma helped Killian look over this house.

Emma was glad that Killian still wanted her to come with him. Two nights ago, he seemed kind of shaken by what he told David, and later Emma in the dead of night, about his brother. Literally, he was shaking in her arms as he whispered the story to her. She half expected him to clam up afterwards, though maybe that was because that was something she would've done.

Instead, it seemed to bring them closer, and resulted in both of them being eager to look at this bit of real estate.

She had to admit, Emma liked this house the longer she stood in it.

"Now, normally I don't do this," Goldi lied, because Emma could just tell, "but if you're willing to pay the extra fee, I could get you a discount with a moving crew."

"I've already got a few friends helping me move things here," Killian lied smoothly, because Emma knew him. "And that's if I get the place."

"Friends are always helpful," Goldi agreed, "but the movers I have are professionals. They'll handle your items with care, especially your heavy items. In fact, three of them are a family crew that used to be bears, so you know they've got the muscle."

Goldi...three bears...what?

Emma and Killian glanced at each other is barely suppressed bemusement.

"Three bears?" Emma questioned.

"Oh, back when I was a kid," Goldi said airily. "See, I actually broke into their house to crash, and I got so comfortable in the baby bear's bed that I fell asleep. Almost got eaten, but hey that was the best night of sleep I'd gotten in months. We're actually good friends now."

Goldi's phone began to ring.

"Oh, sorry. Got to take this," Gold apologized to Emma and Killian. "Feel free to take a look around."

Goldi answered the phone as she walked out the door to the front yard, "Statham Settlements. Mrs. Potts, I've said it before. If you want to fit all of your teacup children into one home, you're going to have to be willing to deal with spacing issues."

The door shut behind her, leaving Emma and Killian alone.

The two looked at each other...then burst into snickers, covering their mouths with their hands to muffle the sound.

"Gold-" Killian chuckled, struggling to regain control. "Goldilocks, burglar and home invader extraordinaire, is selling houses."

"Hey, at least she made a career change," Emma choked back a laugh.

After these two managed to get ahold of themselves, they turned to look around the living room.

"Lots of space for furniture," Killian said, already imagining moving the couch from his apartment in front of the fireplace. Imagining where to put a nightstand and a coffee table. "And enough room where we can roam around without bumping into everything."

Emma went to explore the kitchen/dining room. "You thinking about keeping the fridge or exchanging it?"

Killian soon joined her, surveying that particular appliance with a calculating eye. "Mm, keep it for now. It looks improved compared to the one I have at the apartment."

That's when Emma took a quick look at the small kitchen table before going over to look out of the window. "Table might be a little small, but the window's got a good view of the street."

She didn't know what Killian thought of the wallpaper, but it was...okay. He could do better with blue paint.

After checking out the sitting room, the two of them moved upstairs, and ended up in the master bedroom.

There, Killian drew back the white curtain from one of the windows and saw the backyard from a higher elevation. His eyes immediately lit up, already imagining the kids running around with Lady to their heart's content, without having to worry about upsetting the neighbors since the great backyard was fenced in.

"Take a look at this," Killian urged his girlfriend. (The word never failed to quirk his lips into a smile.)

Emma came over, and, again, she found a new thing about the house that she loved. She imagined Henry and Tien running around playing, Phoebe teaching Lady new tricks, her and Killian sitting at an outdoor table watching them.

She became so engrossed in this image that she didn't even question if she had a right to think it.

She also began to speak without thinking.

"It's so big. We could totally-" Emma blushed. "I mean, you and the girls can totally have lots of room here."

Emma suddenly looked away from the window, turning her gaze to the room. Wow, that wallpaper looked very interesting.

Meanwhile, Killian looked at her in hopeful astonishment. Was it truly a slip of the tongue, or did she really want to...?

Killian decided to test the waters.

"You know," he started, stepping close to stand next to her, "if I get the house, and you and Henry ever needed a place to stay…"

Emma turned her gaze from the wallpaper to Killian, finding that he was blushing about as much as she was.

Did...did he really mean…

"We could come live here?" Emma questioned. "With you?"

Was he serious about the offer? If he was...well, Emma did kind of want to get away from her parents. Even if there wasn't the tension between her parents and Killian, she wanted some space; needed it, in fact.

The idea that she, Killian, and the kids could all live together in one house was an idea too big to hope for...right?

"Only if you wanted to," Killian quickly said, worried she thought he was being too forward. "And temporarily if you and Henry just need to spend a night away from your parents. Not that I'm implying anything."

"You're not," Emma assured him. "Not exactly. If I'm honest, then...I kind of want a place of my own with Henry."

The fact that if she and Killian lived under the same roof that didn't have her parents meant they could make out with more privacy, well...

Then, not wanting to seem like she was rejecting Killian's offer, she hastily added, "But if your offer is still open, I think, well, yeah."

Both of them were blushing, stammering idiots.

Killian showed them both some mercy by saying, "Yes, my offer is most certainly open."

And Killian couldn't wait for her to take it.

---

March 5, 2012

Snow and David were acting oddly toward Killian.

They were acting more civilly, but at the same time they tiptoed around him.

He could only guess that maybe it was because David told Snow about his brother, though the idea that it would elicit this response from them didn't sit right with him. Killian hadn't told the story to gain sympathy; he just didn't feel like lying.

Killian also didn't want David or Snow to be the first to tell Emma.

So, when he went to bed, Emma revealed herself to be awake, if a bit sleepy, asking him how his walk went.

Killian only hesitated a moment before committing to his next action. He had taken the plunge and gotten under the sheets with Emma, whispering the tale of Liam's death to her in the dead of night. Emma said few words to him as he spoke of what happened to his brother, but she did hold him after he started shaking.

That was all he needed.

No one spoke of Liam's death to him beyond Snow giving him a polite condolence, which Killian accepted. The kids didn't know, which was fine with him for now. Also fine with him was that no one lingered on it at the moment.

Like he said, talking about Liam reopened old scars that he didn't feel like picking at.

At the very least, neither Snow nor David objected to Killian walking the kids to the school bus pickup.

"How's the house hunting going?" Henry asked him, walking next to Killian's right. Up ahead, Phoebe and Tien were walking together, engrossed in their own conversation. Something about Phoebe wanting to watch a film on Saturday, the very mention of that particular day of the week bringing a smile to the older girl's face.

"Still ongoing," Killian said honestly, even if it wasn't the whole truth. That house he and Emma looked at the previous day was still on his mind, and despite having other houses he thought about checking out, that seemed to be the one for him.

What was the issue? Well, Emma was seriously considering taking him up on his offer to have a part-time guest status at his new home. If so, then it would require some of her and Henry's things to the new house. And in that case, Emma had to think about how to best approach her parents with the subject of moving out. Theoretically, there shouldn't be much of an issue.

Also theoretically, whatever civility David and Snow showed Killian might fly out the window if they think negatively of their only child and grandchild moving in with him.

It shouldn't be an issue though, Killian told himself. She's a grown woman who can make her own choices.

If that resulted in her and Henry staying forever, he'd be happy to oblige.

That also brought up another factor - how to tell the kids.

Again, that shouldn't be too much of an issue, as they all seemed to cohabit the same space well enough, even cramped together. If they were a bit more spread out, then it should only help things further along.

"You didn't like the house from yesterday?" Henry asked confusedly, bringing Killian out of his reverie.

"What? No, I did," Killian replied.

"Then what's the problem?" Henry questioned correctly.

Before Killian could answer, both the man and boy heard Tien suddenly shout, "Big kitty!"

Their gaze snapped up ahead, further away from the school bus stop, and there was Art, standing by Freddie's size. The lioness was absentmindedly licking her lips.

The rumble of an engine sounded in Killian's ears, and upon turning around, he found the school bus approaching. Sensing an opportunity slipping away, especially as he saw Freddie and Art walk away while more children approached the bus stop, Killian made a plan to give chase.

"Daddy, he has fur…" Tien murmured as the bus came to a stop in front of them.

"Onto the bus, sweetheart," Killian said as he quickly kissed her forehead. He started to do the same for Phoebe, but she suddenly became embarrassed and side hugged him.

She's a teenager and I have to hurry, Killian thought, ignoring the slight sting.

He ruffled Henry's hair, and departed the moment the kids stepped onto the bus.

Killian managed to catch up to Freddie and Art as he turned the corner. Though perhaps he wasn't as fortunate as he thought, as the moment he turned said corner, he was confronted by a growling lioness.

"Whoa," Killian said, taking a careful step backwards. Thankfully, Art didn't try to approach further, but neither did she relax.

"Hi, Killian," Freddie said, but there wasn't a trace of his usual friendliness. He wasn't...cold, per say. Killian could stand against a frosty approach. However, what he wasn't prepared for was the wariness Freddie showed him. No fear was present, but deep down Killian knew Freddie would leave at the first sign of trouble.

"Hi Freddie," Killian replied, suddenly at a loss for what to say.

I'm sorry, forgive me?

Hate me.

Can I dare ask Belle forgiveness?

Despise me. I deserve it.

The only thing he could get out was an admittedly quiet, "How are you?"

Freddie heard him well enough, and placed a comforting hand on Art's hand, getting the big cat to relax a bit. "Okay. Just needed to get out of mine and Belle's place for a bit."

Because of Midas, Killian thought. David had told him, and Killian heeded the warning. If Midas thought he was going to lay his hands on Killian's friend while he still drew breath-

Was Freddie still Killian's friend? Killian's feelings for him hadn't changed, but how did Freddie feel about him now?

Freddie decided to speak once more.

"Belle told me more about what happened," he finally said, looking so sad, so disappointed that it just deepened a fracture in Killian. Freddie seemed just as at a loss for what he was supposed to do as Killian was, culminating in him asking, "What am I supposed to do with this? How am I supposed to look at your, my friend, and know you hurt something that I l-" Freddie stopped, then quickly amended it with, "-someone that I really care about?"

"I'm not that person anymore," Killian responded without thinking.

"Really?" Freddie asked. "So you're not obsessed with destroying the Dark One anymore?"

The question made Killian pause.

An old burning anger swelled up, remembering the way Milah looked him in the eyes as she knew she was about to die, murdered at the hands of her estranged husband. If he focused enough, he could feel her body go limp, how it grew cold before he allowed her a burial at sea.

A newer rage only added to it, as he could see Phoebe's tear-streamed face in his mind, how she was so scared of retaliation from Gold, of losing everyone she'd grown to love. The blatant disrespect the crocodile showed Killian's daughters by referring to them as a pest and a halfling.

Rumplestiltskin deserved the worst fate imaginable. He deserved to feel nothing from pain, to endure the fear and isolation of a terrible death as his wretched soul finally left his scaly body. Already, Killian's mind was going back to the poison he had procured some time ago-

And yet here he was, in the middle of a town both strange and familiar to both of his identities, having just dropped off his children for school.

My children?, Killian questioned. The girls were most certainly his, but he had no legal relationship to Henry...but did that matter. He cared for the boy, he...Killian loved him as much as he loved Phoebe and Tien. He would do anything to protect him from harm, as much as he would for either of his daughters. For goodness sake, he wanted both Emma and Henry to live with him and the girls.

To be a family.

Would he give that up for a chance to kill the crocodile? Would he allow Milah's death to go unpunished so he could keep the family he'd gained?

Killian was certain of his answer, and he was almost afraid of it.

"I...I thought..." Killian struggled with confessing why he attacked Belle, but feared that Freddie wouldn't hear him out. His shoulders dropped, feeling defeated. "I can't say that I'm not, but it's because of more things he's done to harm my family. What I did...when I went looking for Belle, I was a man consumed by revenge and rage. I didn't care about anyone or anything." He felt his eyes sting as he looked at Freddie. "I have a family now. My girls, Emma, Henry. My friends. Everyone's been hurt by the Dark One, especially my daughter. So no, I can't say that I'm not ready to destroy him. But now, all I want is to protect my family from him." Taking a breath, Killian stepped back. "Freddie, I will always regret the man I was. I will always hate myself for hurting others with no regard. All I can do now is make up for it. I...I do hope that one day you and Belle will forgive me, and I swear on my daughters and Henry and Emma, that I will never hurt her or any innocent intentionally again. You don't have to be my friend anymore, but I hope...someday we can work things out. Tell Belle, if...just tell her I'm sorry, and she doesn't have to accept my apology, and I don't deserve her forgiveness, but I am truly sorry."

With that off his chest, though still feeling his heart weighed down with guilt, Killian turned around and began to walk away.

He didn't hear any footsteps behind him, not that he expected Freddie to follow. Killian sighed, hurrying along down the street, wanting to get as far away from his past mistakes as possible. He turned the corner, no true destination in mind, his feet automatically taking him somewhere.

Minutes later, he found himself coming upon the docks.

The sea. It always calmed him. It wasn't surprising that while he was in turmoil, he sought refuge here, looking out over the calming, blue waters. He didn't stop until he reached a bench overlooking the sea. He didn't know quite what to do with himself. Certainly, there were things he could be doing, like going to find Emma and helping her with whatever tasks were on today's to-do list.

"Captain?" A hesitant voice asked.

Killian instantly recognized the voice and turned around.

There he was. A heavyset man in his early 40s stood before Killian. His short, brown beard wrapped around his chin and neck, and a connecting moustache covering the skin above his upper lip. His blue eyes flitted nervously about, and his arms were awkwardly wrapped around each other. Not as if he was crossing his arms, but as if he was hiding something in his beige cargo jacket.

Even if Killian forgot Smee's face, he would've recognized that trademarked red-knitted hat anywhere.

"Smee," Killian said at last. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you, sir," Smee said as he dared approach his captain. "I've been waiting for a while, but I wanted to make sure you were alone."

"And why would you want that?" Killian asked suspiciously, his tone deliberately sharp like a knife. He knew Smee was not the type of man to dare take him head-on, but he wasn't above using trickery if someone bigger was on his side. He thought Smee would be loyal, but it had been so long since they'd seen each other. Kilian had reason to doubt if that remained the case.

Smee, however, had no such doubt, as he hurriedly assured Killian. "To talk about when you wanted the crew to get back together."

"The crew? They're here?" Killian asked, though to be honest that wasn't what he was really interested in. Blimey, he'd been so concerned with his new family that he thought so little of his old crew.

"Yes," Smee said eagerly. "Well, not here here. They're in town, but we all decided to lay low until I made contact with you."

"And what is it that you want?" Killian further questioned, already guessing the answer but nonetheless wary of it.

"To assemble the crew," Smee said as if it were obvious, oblivious to any hint of discomfort that Killian may have given away, though he was careful to avoid it. "To follow you, and to slay the Dark One...if that's what you still want." Then, he reached into his coat.

Killian immediately raised a hand up. "Careful, Smee."

Smee nodded slowly, understanding the warning in Killian's tone. Then, after seeing Killian wasn't going to attack him, Smee slowly and carefully pulled out the object.

To Killian's mild surprise, his hook was as shiny and the end as sharp as if he'd just taken it off.

"Where did you-"

"It was here, at the docks," Smee explained as he held the hook carefully in one hand. "I found it during the curse, while I worked here as a dock hand. I didn't know what it was at first, but deep down, I just knew that I had to keep it safe. I cleaned it and sharpened it. Once the curse broke, I knew that once I returned it to you, it had to be in tip-top shape." Smee then adjusted his hold on the item, until it lay flatly on Smee's upturned palms. He offered it to Killian.

After a moment, Killian reached over and gingerly accepted it.

It was cool to the touch, and despite his mixed feelings, it felt right for Killian to have it with him once more. There was an itch to take off his prosthetic hand, to let it fall forgotten on the ground, and to replace it with the hook.

He was already beginning to do so, pressing the flat edge of the hook between his left arm and side, his right hand going to his left wrist.

It would provide more protection, not just for himself, but for his family-

That reminder stopped his thoughts dead in their tracks.

"Sir?" Smee asked, having noticed Killian stop. "Is everything alright?"

What was he to say to that? Smee and the crew were ready and willing to follow him again. They had been loyal to him for so long; they were a good crew. Killian owed them a lot. However, that life was his old life. He couldn't return to his pirating ways with his family to take care of. As for the Dark One, as much as Killian wanted the beast dead, he knew that Emma didn't want him to just go out and murder someone, even if it was the Dark One.

Smee possessed a great capability to annoy him at times, but he also held a greater capacity for loyalty, which is why Killian's next words pained him.

"Things are different now," Killian told his first mate. "There's a lot more at stake."

"With the little ones?" Smee guessed, much to Killian's surprise. "We all know about the girls, sir. Frankly, some of us were a little surprised you stayed with them."

"Were you now?" Killian responded with a raised eyebrow.

"N-Not me," Smee stuttered. "Not necessarily. I mean, it's nothing against your character, sir, it's just that…"

"Just what, Smee?" Killian questioned.

Smee was quite hesitant to answer, but he felt that he owed his captain some honesty. "Once we remembered everything, it was a bit surprising to find out the famed Captain Hook worked as a librarian, but we all chalked it up as an effect of the curse. Even with the young girls, we thought it was just something the curse made you do. Then, after the curse broke, and we realized you were keeping them with you...are...are they your wards sir?"

"They're my daughters," Killian said firmly, grabbing the hook with his right hand, and lowering it to his side.

"Does that mean they're part of the crew?" Smee asked.

You're under my care, making you my crew.

That's what he'd told Tien and Phoebe the morning after the curse broke. They were his crew now.

Smee continued with, "If that is the case, then that's where the surprise comes in. We didn't know if you wanted the girls to be part of this life, sir."

"And what makes you think there is a pirating life here, Smee?" Killian snapped, unable to help himself. "No one can leave, so escaping to another shore is impossible. It's prosperous, so there's no need to steal. And in case it escaped your notice, my daughters are not going to be a part of that life."

A silence fell between them, and despite himself, Killian felt terrible at the sight of Smee's downcast look. After a rocky start, one which saw the man try to steal a magic bean from Killian when they first met, Smee had shown nothing but loyalty toward him.

And this was how he repaid it? How he repaid the rest of the crew who followed him after Liam into a life of piracy, who died at the hands of the wretched king, Pan, and other such creatures?

I can't abandon them, Killian thought, but I can't go back into that life. Could any of us?

Then, something came to mind. Something very important that he knew he should run it by Emma and the others first, but having more eyes around and ears on the ground could help.

"However," Killian started, and managed to feel mildly better when Smee perked up, "there is one thing the crew can still do."

"What is it, Captain?" Smee asked, hardly able to keep his eagerness hidden.

Killian stepped closer to speak quietly to him. They appeared to be alone, but one could never take too much of a chance. "Before I tell you, you have to swear to keep this conversation between us. No telling the rest of the crew yet."

"Understood," Smee immediately replied. "I won't breathe a word."

Killian knew Smee meant every word.

"I need you to keep an eye out for a woman," Killian told him. "She's a witch. Older, white, has brown hair, will likely keep to herself." That much he remembered, and that was all Killian really could give Smee.

"Does she have a name?" Smee asked, but at Killian's warning look to not interrupt him, he quickly apologized.

"I'll see if I can give you more details soon," Killian said. "If anyone matches that description, make a note and report it to me."

"How will I know that it's safe to talk, sir?" Smee asked.

"The old signal," Killian answered. It was code that Killian would leave a white seashell - no matter how big or small - by a window of wherever he felt it safe to talk. "Best to be on our separate ways."

"Yes, sir," Smee said, looking much happier now, and departed soon afterwards.

Killian stayed in place for a while longer before he eventually reminded himself to get moving. He needed to walk, clear his head, and think of what he was going to say to-

"Hey, stranger," Emma's voice said.

Turning around, Killian saw that Emma was right there, having emerged from behind one of the dock's tool sheds several feet away from him, her car nowhere in sight.

"Emma?" Killian questioned. "When did you-"

"A while ago," Emma said as she approached him. "I was actually going to find you at the library to catch up, but then I saw you heading toward the docks. Then I saw that guy, Smee, right? He was following you, and I got out of my car to make sure he didn't try anything."

"How much did you hear?" Killian asked, nearly wincing when he realized how guilty that sounded.

"Some of it," Emma answered vaguely as she stood before Killian. "I was hoping you'd fill in the rest."

Killian immediately did so.

After he was done explaining what Smee had said, and also what he thought about using the crew for, Emma looked down at the hook. She reached for it, pausing when Killian stiffened. She looked him in the eyes, not saying anything, only waiting for his next move.

A brief pause, and then Killian hesitantly offered up the hook.

Emma accepted it, and turned it over in her hands as she looked at it carefully. He half-expected her to chuck it into the harbor, getting rid of that reminder of his past.

"So...this is the famous hook."

"Emma-"

"Do you want it back?" Emma asked him, looking into his eyes once more.

"Not if you don't," Killian said.

"That's not what I asked," Emma told him firmly, catching the lie. "I'm asking if you want it back, not if I do."

"I…" Killian trailed off, knowing what he wanted, but afraid of how she'd react. Would it just be confirmation that he was the same ruthless captain? Would it be a sign for her to cut her losses? After all, if Freddie - loving, gentle, kind, harmless Freddie - had trouble reconciling what Killian did with who he was now, what might Emma think?

"Yes," Killian forced himself to finally say, letting his answer hang in the air, waiting for the great reaction.

A reaction came, but not in the way he'd expected.

"Okay," Emma said simply, handing the hook back to him with ease. Not harshly, slapping it down on his hand, or thrusting it forward to get it away from her. No. She simply offered it back like it was a simple tool.

"Okay?" Killian couldn't help but sound deeply perplexed.

"Well, yeah," Emma said. "It's yours, you want it back. What's the big deal?"

"I just…" Killian trailed off once more, accepting the hook back.

"Just what?" Emma asked gently. "Just thought I was going to freak out at you? That I'd just throw it in the water?"

"The thought crossed my mind," Killian admitted quietly, unable to keep his eyes from looking down.

Emma's hand gently cupped his face, getting him to look at her. "I helped you find a house. I'd like Henry and I to stay there. You've told me about your brother. If none of that is going to scare me away, I don't know what is."

Killian nodded quietly.

"There is one thing."

Apprehension took hold of him. "Yes?"

"I want to know the story behind it," Emma said, lowering her hand to reach over and hold his, the two of them keeping the hook in place. "You told me that Gold took your hand, but you never said why. I'd like to know why."

She was leaving it up to him, he could just tell. It was in the way she softly spoke, how she looked at him patiently. If he decided to keep his mouth shut, to say he didn't want to talk about it, he knew she'd be hurt, but she would respect his decision.

But why would he remain silent? Why not tell her the truth?

Because it hurts like hell to talk about, Killian's mind supplied unhelpfully.

He told it to bugger off.

He looked around, and saw that despite it all, they were still alone. Killian nodded at the end of the pier. "Let's sit there."

Emma nodded, and the two of them went and did so.

Once there, though, Killian found himself stuck on what to say first. He knew that there was much to the store, perhaps too much, but he didn't feel much like repeating himself. Also, as with Liam's death, if he had to tell a story, he'd prefer it if Emma was the one listening.

First, he needed a visual, one that had only reappeared once the curse was broken, and one no one had questioned him about yet. Just as well, he supposed.

Killian placed the hook between him and Emma. He tried to roll up the sleeve on his right arm, but had some trouble. Luckily, Emma jumped in and helped him out. Judging from her reaction, she knew what he wanted to show her.

"I was going to ask eventually," Emma said as the tattoo on his right forearm was exposed. A heart pierced by a dagger, and a woman's name on a banner in front of it. "Who's Milah?"

Killian held Emma's hand as he looked at her. "Someone I once loved. I met her at a tavern. She was...saddened with her lot in life." Killian swallowed, forcing himself to say the name aloud, and even then it was a struggle. "Milah...was a woman meant to be full of life, but she was shackled to a cowardly man who crippled himself in the Ogre Wars, to save himself from dying an honorable death. The love had gone out of their marriage long before I came along. We...connected. Eventually, we decided to run off together."

"What did her husband say about that?" Emma asked him.

"Oh, well, he gave quite the effort to get her back," Killian scoffed. He sighed. "Though he did have one point." Killian's shame flared up again. "Milah had a son with her husband."

There it was. Disappointment from Emma, because instantly she knew where this was going.

"I'm not proud of what Milah and I did," Killian told her remorsefully, knowing this had to be opening old wounds for her. Still, her hand remained in his, and he took that as a sign that she wasn't ready to bolt. "Milah thought about bringing her son, Baelfire, with us, but sea life, much less the pirating life, was too dangerous for a boy that young." Exactly why he didn't want Phoebe and Tien involved. "So...she decided to give her husband one more chance to fight for her, to fight for their family. She hid in the ship while I told the husband we had kidnapped her, but if he fought me in a duel - one-on-one - he could have her back." Killian shook his head. "He didn't even try to pick up the sword. He left and never came back, and we sailed off."

"She left the kid behind," Emma pointed out, a hard edge to her tone.

"She regretted it," Killian tried to defend.

"Not enough to go back for him," Emma immediately retorted.

Killian replied, "She did eventually. Once Baelfire was old enough, we went back to find him, but found out that he'd used magic to end up in another world. Milah was undeterred, and swore to get him back, to make up for abandoning him. So, we procured a magic bean, which could help us get to that world he ended up in. That's how I met Smee. And how we crossed paths with Milah's husband."

"He was after the bean too?" Emma questioned.

"Oh yes," Killian said, his own tone becoming hard as he remembered what happened next. Without meaning to, his grip on Emma's hand tightened, but she didn't say anything. "He was different now." Killian kept eye contact with Emma as he added, "By then, Rumpelstiltskin had become the Dark One."

Emma's reaction was swift. "Rumple- Gold...he was Milah's husband? Gold has a kid?" She looked like she could hardly believe the words were coming out of her mouth.

"Yes," Killian replied tersely, though relieved the pressure on his hand, and gently rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand to let her know it wasn't her he reacted to. "The crocodile was all cocksure now with dark magic on his side. He tried to kill me, but Milah convinced him to let me live in exchange for the bean. We made the exchange on The Jolly Roger, but-" Killian's throat threatened to close up. "Everything went south. They argued over Baelfire, and when Milah told him she was miserable in their marriage, that she never loved him…" Killian had to briefly close his eyes, and now it was Emma's thumb stroking the back of his hand for comfort. He opened his eyes again, but couldn't look at Emma. "The crocodile ripped out Milah's heart and crushed it in front of me. She died in my arms. Then he cut off my hand and left."

"Killian…" Emma started, and when he looked up, she just looked so sad for him. "I'm so sorry."

"That's why I want him dead," Killian told her. "Not for my hand, for Milah. I won't pretend that her abandoning her son was a good act. It wasn't. It was something Milah hated herself for, and something I should've talked her out of years prior. That didn't mean she deserved to die."

"No," Emma agreed.

"The last joke was on him, though," Killian couldn't help but smirk, but it was empty, a way to distract from the pain. "He cut off the wrong hand. The one I still had with me had the bean. After we gave Milah a burial at sea, I took the crew with me to Neverland, the world where no one even grew older, in the hopes that I could spend as much time as possible to find a way to kill him, to avenge Milah."

Not that that worked out. The Dark One still roamed the Earth, and was likely still terrorizing people. What did years in Neverland result in? No method of killing the Dark One. No surefire way to avenge Milah.

"He could kill you," Emma told him, a new tone in her voice, one that sounded like repressed desperation. "If you tried to kill him, he could end up killing you."

"The price was worth it-"

Emma didn't let Killian finish his sentence, hardly listened to what he was trying to say. "It's not worth it to me. If you died, even if you managed to kill him...you can't die. I won't let you."

"Emma-"

"I'm serious," Emma told him fiercely. "I don't care how sure you might be in any plan. We are moving into that nice house with the kids, and to do that, you are not allowed to die, you hear me?"

Killian swallowed thickly, touched by her passion. Wait, did she just confirm that they were moving into the house? "You'd want to live with me?"

"Of course." Emma said, smiling confidently at him. There wasn't an ounce of hesitation present. "We're...a team, you know."

Truth be told, once the words escaped Emma's lips, she felt more sure of her decision than she had before. Previously, there had been talks of temporary stays or occasional nights in. Now that it was out in the open, Emma was already drawing up plans for which rooms the kids would get. Emma, of course, would be in the same room as Killian.

Killian gave her a small smile, caressing her cheek. But he wasn't finished. He needed her to know something. "Emma, what I was going to say was that the price was worth it. Past tense. I know what going up against him means and at one time, I hoped that I would die and be reunited with Milah." Killian gently caressed her cheek. "You and the kids mean everything to me. Besides, as you said, we have a lot to do."

Emma smiled, shoulders sagging with relief. "Promise not to go dying on me?"

"Promise." He didn't hesitate to kiss her.

Emma kissed him back, each pouring every ounce of passion they felt in that moment into it. Her lips molded against his, each brush of skin making his heart beat faster, and his soul feel lighter. They held each other close, and closer, and-

He felt the cool metal of the hook against his thigh.

They both pulled back at the same time, and looked at the hook pressed in between their thighs.

"One last thing," Emma said as she turned her hand, her palm now upwards. "Give me your left wrist."

Giving her a questioning look, Killian nonetheless did as she commanded.

He then watched in some amazement as she undid his prosthetic hand, carefully removing it and placing it next to her. Once that was done, she grabbed the hook. Then, with a touch of clumsiness since she'd never done it before, Emma used the attachments from the prosthetic to place the hook back where it belonged.

"Emma," Killian said. "Are you sure?"

"Definitely," Emma said. "It's a part of you, and now you have it back. Besides," Emma ran a finger over the hook's curve, "I think it suits you."

The coy smile she gave him made him cover her lips with his once more.

Between kisses, Emma told him that she and Graham were going to deal with the hearts in Regina's mausoleum, but it was locked up now. Though her own words were practically forgotten as Killian and Emma held each other in their arms as they continued to kiss.

Killian just took this moment to revel in this acceptance of his worst parts, of his bad deeds. He let himself feel the care Emma felt toward him, the...the love he felt toward her but wasn't yet ready to say. He felt that he might soon though.

He might not be the man she and the children deserved, but he would work to be. He could at least do that.

---

Belle could always tell when something was bothering Freddie. No matter how much he tried to hide it, there were little signs she'd picked up. A pinched look in his expression, or his eyes becoming downcast and hollow as he was lost in thought. All he would wave away or pretend hadn't happened, no doubt an attempt to spare her feelings.

She really wished he wouldn't.

"What's bothering you?" Belle asked him as she, Freddie, and Art sat on the floor of their room at Granny's. She knew he'd been itching to go out, but he'd cut his already short outing shorter when he suddenly reappeared. Belle had a book in her lap that Granny lent her called Pride & Prejudice.

Belle had taken notice because Freddie confessed he gave her the cursed name Jane after the author. The book lay on her lap half-forgotten, as Belle was focused on Freddie, who was stroking Art's fur absentmindedly.

Freddie seemed startled out of his thoughts, and Belle could instantly see the lie about to form.

"And please don't say it's nothing," Belle urged. "I know that's not true, and you know that's not true. Please, just tell me what's going on. I hate that you think you have to shoulder anything on your own."

She wanted to ease his burdens. If that meant taking it on as well, she was eager to do so. Belle knew a life without pain was impossible, but for someone as kind and good as Freddie, she wanted to relieve as much from him as possible.

Freddie hesitated. Then he said, "I talked to Killian today."

Her insides calcified, or at least that's what it felt like. After her outburst three days prior, she'd felt so emotionally exhausted that she hardly left her and Freddie's room. She should've been itching to get out after spending so much time locked up, but Belle couldn't help but briefly go into self-isolation.

And now? Now she still felt the same anger against the man, but it was duller than before. Blunter.

"Oh?" Belle asked, her singular word sounding only a touch strangled. "What did he say?"

Freddie's eyes became sad. "He said he was sorry, and that he regrets the man he was. And that he hopes he can make it up to you someday."

Belle hardened herself as she asked her next question. "Do you believe him? You knew him, even if it was only the cursed part of him."

The sweet man before her thought about it before he nodded. "I do. I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Belle questioned sincerely. "What do you have to be sorry for?"

"Because he hurt you," Freddie answered guiltily, the feeling so obvious that Art took notice, and adjusted herself to place her head on his lap.

"Freddie," Belle said softly as she closed the book, set it aside on the floor, and scooched forward to be closer to him.

"I'm sorry, Belle," he confessed, only able to occasionally look her in the eye now. "I do believe him when he said he wanted to change, that he wanted to protect his family more than he wanted to hurt the Dark One, but…" Freddie's features showed fractures of anger now, "that doesn't change the fact that he hurt you. I could forgive him more easily if he hurt me…" Once more, Freddie's expression became remorseful as he looked at Belle. "I'm sorry that I…"

"That you what?" Belle asked him, placing a gentle hand over her. "Tell me."

Freddie struggled to say, "That…he was, is, my friend. I don't know. He...he was a good man during the curse. You should've seen the way he was with Henry, Phoebe, and Tien. With Emma. He was always kind to me. It's hard to think of that man being someone who could hurt a defenseless woman. I...I don't know what I want to do."

A lie. Another one to spare her feelings, because she knew what he wanted to say.

"You want to keep speaking to him," Belle surmised, because she was not a fool. It was hard enough for Freddie to be cooped up in this room most of the day, even if it was for his own protection. He kept in contact with David and Percy, but it was clear he missed all of the friends he made.

He'd once told her that he hadn't had any true friends before they met, only acquaintances or allies. She had been happy to find that he had found people he could both rely on and feel happy around, especially in her absence. It struck her that he denied himself contact from Killian for her sake.

Despite what he thought of himself, and what others with ill intent no doubt encouraged, Freddie wasn't a fool either. If he said that he believed Captain Hook wanted to be redeemed, then perhaps there was a chance that he truly meant it.

"I'm sorry," Freddie said once more, his gaze focused on the floor. Or rather, away from her eyes.

"Freddie," Belle said, unable to let him feel like this anymore. She brought up both of her hands to cup his soft face, tilting it up until he was looking at her. Even if Belle didn't like it, this wasn't up to her. "Freddie, if you want to keep in contact, you can. That's your choice, not mine."

"But-"

"But nothing," Belle told him firmly. "I can't say I understand it entirely, but…" her right thumb gently stroked the skin on his cheek, and she could feel the heat coming off it. "It's up to me to forgive him for what he did to me, and up to you if you want to forgive him. It's like I told you a long time ago - we control our hearts."

"I-" Freddie started to say something, but cut himself off. Was that embarrassment on his face? Instead, Freddie raised his hands, each hand taking one of hers, and gently squeezing around them. The weight on his shoulders dissipated. "Thank you. You're a truly amazing woman, you know that?"

"I have an idea," Belle whispered, hardly noting that their faces were close, that his lips-

A sharp knock on the door broke them apart, so startled that Art grumpily moved out of the way.

"Housekeeping!" A maid said through the door.

Belle looked around, and found the 'Do Not Disturb' sign was still resting on her nightstand.

"Housekeeping!"

"I'll tell her to go away," Freddie said, giving her a shy smile as he began to get up.

"Actually," Belle stopped him before shouting to the maid on the other side of the door, "Be out in a minute!"

"What are you doing?" Freddie asked as Belle began to put on her shoes.

"We are going outside," Belle told her. "I refused to let us be cooped up in this room all day."

"But the Dark One," Freddie started. "King Midas-"

"I doubt Rumple will bother us," Belle told him assuredly before she picked up a book. "And if King Midas comes near you, he'll find that I have surprisingly good aim."

Freddie didn't look entirely sure, but he did put his shoes on. Then, his face brightened. "Actually, I think I want to show you a new place."

After a minor mishap with the maid and Art - Belle found that once you live in close quarters with a lioness, the novelty wears off - the three of them were out in the streets. On the way out, Granny lent Freddie something that was called a 'baseball cap'. It did nothing to hide his identity, but it did obscure it somewhat.

He wears it quite well, Belle thought with a smile, not even caring how off topic it sounded in her mind. After all, she was a touch too focused on how Freddie's eyes lit up upon being outside.

No one bothered them, though they made sure to use the less populated streets as Freddie guided her to where he wanted to go. A place he wouldn't tell her about until they got there, be patient.

On the way, Art decided to tussle with Freddie.

"Be careful," Belle urged him as she spotted a tiny rip in his jacket from one of Art's claws.

Freddie said, "It's fine," even as Art placed her paws on his shoulders and smooched her jaw onto the top of Freddie's head. "I'm strong, remember?"

After everything he'd been through, Belle didn't doubt it.

Eventually, Art and Freddie got back in order, and Freddie spotted something ahead. He stopped them, checked his wallet, and then placed it back in his pocket.

Feeling bold, Freddie grabbed Belle's hand, trying not to let the jolt of pleasure he'd felt seem too obvious. "Come on. It's a place called a flower shop. I think you'll like it."

"We'll see," Belle challenged in good humor, daring to let her fingers weave through his. In the Enchanted Forest, they'd been in contact so much that this shouldn't have felt different from the occasional brush up.

Then again, even those made her feel good.

A bell next to the door marked their arrival.

"They've got all kinds of flowers here," Freddie said excitedly, purveying the flowers on the ground, in the planets, in the hanging pots, all colors and shapes and sizes. "I'm partial to sunflowers-"

"Belle?"

The woman stopped dead in her tracks as a heavyset older man came out from the back. He stared at her like he was looking at a ghost, waiting for her to disappear if he dared to blink.

His blue eyes - the ones he gave her - started to water.

"Papa?" Belle said, her voice breaking halfway through, and before she knew it, she released Freddie's hand, and was suddenly in her father's arms.

"Oh my girl," Maurice said, his arms wrapped firmly around Belle. "Oh my beautiful girl."

His voice was shaking as much as Belle was.

Maurice was the first to pull back, only so that he could cup her face. As she suspected, he started to cry. "How can this be? I thought the Dark One had killed you."

"What?" Belle asked in surprise.

"When Gaston failed to come back from his mission to save you, and when word came that you died…" Maurice shook his head. "Can you really be her?"

Gaston came for me, Belle thought confusedly. What happened to him?

Pushing those thoughts aside, Belle moved her hands to touch father's arms and squeeze them, reassuring herself that this wasn't a dream.

"Of course I am, Papa," Belle said softly. She then looked back at Freddie, who looked at the scene with sad fondness. Art sat faithfully on the ground next to him. "Freddie helped me survive once Rumple banished us from the castle." Belle looked back at her father imploringly. "Regina kidnapped us both, but he tried to save me."

Maurice tried to move Belle away from Art, but when she remained firm, he could only look at the lioness warily.

Thankfully, he wasn't so wary that he didn't go forward with his daughter, and extended his hand.

"Thank you," Maurice told Freddie as they shook hands, "for saving my daughter."

"No thanks are needed, Your Grace," Freddie told him.

"Actually," Belle said as she looked at her father, who released Freddie's hand. "We need your protection."

"From who?" Maurice asked immediately. "The Dark One? The Evil Queen?"

"King Midas," Belle answered.

"King Midas?" Maurice asked in surprise. "What has he done to you?"

"Not to me," Belle clarified, reaching over to grab Freddie's now free hand. "To Freddie. He needs sanctuary from King Midas immediately."

"Were you a prisoner?" Maurice asked, not sure how to take this news.

"Yes," Freddie told him grimly. "He made me his slave. The Dark One exchanged me for something else, but…"

"We're afraid that since the Dark One banished us from his castle," Belle added, "that King Midas will take that as a sign to forcibly take him back."

"This is a king we're talking about," Maurice told them. "And slavery isn't outlawed in his kingdom."

"But it is in our dukedom," Belle told him, affronted that he wasn't already offering sanctuary. She stepped away from him, and closer to Freddie.

"Belle-" Freddie started, not wanting to be the one who soured her reunion with her father.

"Freddie needs our help," Belle told her father. "Please, Papa."

Maurice fell silent for a moment before saying, "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you, Your Grace," Freddie told him, grateful that the man was even considering it.

Belle didn't feel entirely the same way, but at least her father was considering it.

After that, Maurice asked her to come live with him, but she declined, saying that she and Freddie already had lodging at Granny's Inn. Her father didn't seem too happy to find that they were living together, but he didn't have a say in the matter.

They stayed for a while longer, and, despite Maurice's cajoling, Belle, Freddie, and Art eventually left.

"I can't believe it," Belle steamed as they walked down the street before they plopped themselves on a bench. "Is he really so concerned about a king with no power that he wouldn't want to protect you immediately?"

"He doesn't know me," Freddie told her realistically. "And he has a point about Ancyra. Slavery isn't technically illegal there."

"It should be," Belle said firmly, still quite upset about it. Frankly, it was perplexing that Freddie wasn't more upset. "Why aren't you more angry about this?"

"Angry, why would I be?" Freddie asked her. "I'm terrified, but I'm not angry. I had no right to expect a duke to look at me - poor, uneducated, orphaned - and think, 'Yes, this is who I am willing to wage war over'."

Despite his claims to the contrary, Freddie looked fairly angry. Art circled around them, and as if sensing Freddie's emotions, she bristled in anger.

"Make no mistake," Freddie continued, "Midas may have been a good man once, but the isolation that comes from his curse drove him to this...level of self-delusion that he'd be willing to do anything to get me back. Having no power here might not mean anything to him. He just wants to eat, to drink, to hold his daughter without risking it all turning to gold." Freddie shook his head as he looked at the ground. "What's a king's happiness compared to a peasant? Who would wage war over me?"

"I would," Belle said immediately, and meant every word of it.

Freddie looked up at her in surprise. He looked a little emotional as he formed his next words. "Me? Even with fangs and fur?"

Deep down, Freddie feared that one day they would suddenly reappear, and he'd be thrust back into the isolation that comes from a curse. One where no matter how many people you're surrounded by, you suffer alone.

He understood Midas in that way.

Belle impulsively grabbed his hand. "Especially then, because I know you'd do the same for me."

Freddie didn't say anything. What he did do was reach over and pull her in a tight hug, burying his face in her neck.

Belle shivered at the skin-on-skin contact, especially because, for the briefest moment, the skin of his cheek brushed against the skin of hers. She held him close, hoping what she felt inside made its way to him.

---

Ruby was on her way back from making a quick delivery - orders outs were nearly as common as dining in - when she literally bumped into Graham.

"Sorry," Ruby apologized as she and Graham steadied each other.

"No, it's my fault," Graham said, having looked startled to see her. He must've really been lost in thought.

Ruby had walked as opposed to using her car, as the delivery wasn't too far away, plus she needed to stretch her legs.

That's why, when she sensed something off about Graham, Ruby asked, "Hey, you have time to take a walk with me?"

"I don't want to be a bother," Graham said, trying to politely turn her down.

"It's no bother to me," Ruby assured him. "I left someone in charge of the diner while I made the delivery. Besides, I have a feeling we need to talk."

"I don't know about a walk," Graham insisted...before he said, "Then again, an impromptu patrol could do some good. Want a ride in my car?"

"After you, Sheriff," Ruby agreed.

His car wasn't very far off. Apparently, he'd had the same idea about stretching his legs, but he didn't seem to have an aim beyond that. Emma was manning the station, and, according to Graham, had been firm in telling him to get out of the station for once.

As he was telling her this, while the two were getting in his car and driving off, Ruby couldn't help but think that Graham looked lost.

Deciding to break the ice, Ruby said, "Any updates on Cora?"

Snow had told her about it as soon as they were alone. Having been friends and close allies for years, it just made sense to get Ruby in the know. Percy had been relieved he was allowed to talk to her about it.

There was a lot to talk about once we had some alone time, Ruby thought, thinking about that moment a couple of nights after the curse broke. LJ was with Granny, and Percy needed to tell her something.

Ruby briefly closed her eyes. She was still able to see Percy's misty eyes as he told her about Lainey.

I wish I could help. I wish I could tell him about me.

She had just found her red cloak, and kept it hidden in her room.

"Nothing so far," Graham answered, causing Ruby to open her eyes. He was driving quite slow.

"I want to think that's a good thing," Ruby commented. "Knowing what we do about Cora, though, I'm pretty sure she's just planning something. And Regina still doesn't know Cora is around?"

"Nope," Graham replied. "And we're hoping to keep it that way."

"Is your prisoner behaving as usual?" Ruby asked sardonically.

Graham let out a short but harsh sigh, the sound and feel of it jarring something in Ruby.

"She continues demanding to be let out," Graham said, his eyes fixed to the road. "Not in so many pleasant terms, and with the extra demand to let her see Henry."

"That's never gonna happen," Ruby stated, incensed at the gall the woman had to not only demand freedom, but to have access to the boy she abused for years. Oh, once it hit her that Henry had been telling the truth about the curse the entire time, and that Regina made him seem crazy, Ruby felt tempted to sink her fangs into the sorry excuse for a 'mother'.

"I think Emma would be the first to throw the witch over the town line, if not outright kill her," Graham replied, steel in his voice. "Frankly, I don't think it's such a bad idea."

"What? Killing her, or throwing her over the town line?" Ruby questioned.

"Either one," Graham answered, his tone sounding oddly hollow now. "Just..either way, she disappears from our lives forever."

Ruby paused, not knowing what this feeling she was getting off Graham was. Thanks to her returned wolfy sense of smell, she could take in the scent of perspiration. There was this nasty energy that didn't simply radiate off him. It felt like it was rotting something inside him. That's why she got the overwhelming sense that she needed to tread lightly. "She wasn't affected by the curse. It could be that she would still remember everything."

Graham shrugged, not answering verbally this time.

After turning the same corner on the same street for the third time, Graham took another route, still driving slowly. Mechanically.

"So...Emma's at the station by herself?" Ruby asked.

"For now," Graham said before bitterly adding, "I just didn't want to be in the same room as her"

"I hear ya," Ruby said in the lightest tone she could, not missing the way his expression pinched. Then, she asked, "How did she screw you over?"

Grahan flinched, and unbeknownst to Ruby, it was at the choice of words. "She, uh, nothing. She just-"

"Hey, it's okay," Ruby said immediately. "You don't need to explain."

"Yes, I do. I…" Graham trailed off, flinching at some awful thought or bad memory, no doubt. "Did...did Snow tell you what Regina took from me?"

Ruby shook her head, but noticed how when he'd said that, he waved his hand in front of his chest.

Her own heart clenched.

"She took it, didn't she?" Ruby calmly asked him. "Your heart?"

"That and more," Graham got out, though it felt like he could barely do so. Clearing his throat, Graham added, "I'm surprised Snow didn't tell you."

Ruby already knew why. "She probably wanted to respect your privacy. It's not like her to share information like this without asking the person first."

Graham nodded, more to move things along rather to give an actual response.

Ruby pursed her lips as she now smelled something in his body change. Like he was trying to shrink inwards. There was also the undeniable hint of...regret? Deceit?

If that was true, he was holding something back. However, given his current reaction, she didn't think it wise to push too much.

"Did she say what she did with it?" Ruby asked him.

Graham shook his head.

"Okay," Ruby said quietly before amending it with, "Well, not okay, but..have you talked with anyone about this?"

"I already told David, who told Snow and Killian and Emma, and-"

"I meant," Ruby interrupted gently, "have you talked to anyone about how this makes you feel?"

Coincidentally, they arrived at a stop sign. Once they came to a stop, Graham looked over at her, his brown eyes looking over at her almost wounded.

After a long silence, helped because no cars or people were behind them, Graham admitted, "I...I don't know how I feel. Everything feels muted, washed down. I…" Graham swallowed. "I love Declan and- and I care about Marian and Roland. I care about my friends, but it just-"

Graham couldn't speak anymore.

Knowing he'd said all he could say, Ruby told him, "Hey, don't worry about it. We'll find your heart and put it back where it belongs. In the meantime, if there's anyone you want to talk to, including me, just say the word."

"I don't want to bother anyone," Graham said, though Ruby sensed that something was itching to come out. Just not yet. "There's already so much to deal with. Rumplestiltskin, Cora, Regina...why add my problems to the plate?"

"Because we're your friends. It's what we do," Ruby told him firmly yet softly. "Take it from someone who knows - holding all this stuff only hurts yourself, and it never goes away on its own."

Graham paused before reluctantly nodding. "I'll keep that in mind."

They continued driving around in silence after that until Graham drove her back to the diner.

There wasn't much to say at that point anyways.

---

Emma sat firmly in the chair she planted in front of Regina's cell, glaring at the woman who was the source of all their troubles. Deep down, she knew something bad had gone on between Regina and Graham, something he couldn't bring himself to talk about. All kinds of awful scenarios whirled around in her head, but Emma didn't feel comfortable going her usual straightforward way about it. She also didn't know if she was subtle enough to prompt him to talk about it.

That's why she suggested he take a break out of the station for a while. The hearts could wait. Graham looked ready to explode until he exited the station.

"Are you going to stare at me all day, Miss Swan?" Regina asked, sitting primly on her prison cot. She had her suit jacket folded and placed next to her.

Emma simply glared harder at the woman, feeling all of her hatred and anger swelling in her. She breathed deeply though her nostrils in order to remain calm.

Not happy that she hadn't pulled a reaction out of Emma, Regina tried another tactic. And a tired one at that.

"Where is Henry?" Regina asked, intending to get a location. Given the time she saw on the clock, he'd be in school right now. Still, he was her son, or so she thought. She felt she had a right to know.

Emma was quick to disabuse her of that notion. "As far away from you as he can possibly get."

"More like how far you're trying to keep him from me," Regina snapped back, feeling the clothes on her becoming restrictive. It was a side effect of being caged, feeling everything around her was getting smaller the longer she stayed in there.

"In case you forgot," Emma said, "Henry told you to your face that he didn't want to see you again."

"Only because you turned him against me," Regina accused.

Emma scoffed. "You're still going with that? Did you conveniently forget the part where you tried to kill me and his grandparents? Or when you cursed people or ripped their hearts out? Or maybe the part where you spent his entire life trying to convince him he was crazy?"

Regina only addressed Emma's last point of contention. "I only did that to keep the curse intact. To keep us together."

"Don't act like you did this for him," Emma snapped, feeling her temper get the better of her. "You did everything you could to keep him isolated. Not just from me, but from his other family and his friends. Making someone think they're crazy when they're not is not okay. And you only wanted the curse intact so that you'd be slightly less miserable than everyone else."

"He's all I have left," Regina retorted, and for once, her voice almost sounded hurt. Emma didn't let herself believe for one second that it was out of genuine love. Rather, it had to have been from the fear of being all alone.

"You can't take him from me," Regina told Emma, her voice becoming more waspish. "You already have your pirate boy toy and his winged brats."

"You want to really test me? Keep talking about them like that," Emma challenged.

"How much do you really know about them? About him?" Regina smirked. "Would you like to hear about a little assignment I gave Hook?"

"You mean how you hired him to kill your mother?" Emma asked back, allowing herself a smirk at Regina's surprised look. "Oh yeah. He told me everything."

Including the bit where your mommy dearest is still alive, Emma thought, but that's need-to-know info. And you don't need to know.

"You're still with him?" Regina asked, acting aghast. "You're allowing a black-hearted pirate to be around my son?"

The hypocrisy was astounding.

"Better him than a black-hearted witch," Emma replied coldly. "Believe it or not, Killian's actually trying to change."

"And you believe him?" Regina asked like she thought Emma was an idiot.

"Absolutely," Emma answered confidently.

Regina had the temerity to shake her head at Emma. "This is why I didn't want you to have Henry. I knew someone as desperate for love as you wouldn't care about his safety. You'd stick with any man who made you feel good about yourself."

Emma tried not to show how much that statement pierced something in her, an old wound able to bleed as readily as a new one.

"Why?" Regina asked perplexedly. "You have your pirate, your stupid parents, and even a couple of spare kids. Why do you have to have Henry too?"

"He's my son," Emma said, and quickly interrupted Regina when she tried to speak again. "And don't bring up your crap about me 'abandoning' him again. It's played out, and it doesn't excuse everything you did to him."

"What I did was raise him since he was an infant," Regina pushed on. "And look at him. Because of me, he's bright and well-off-"

"He's a good and decent kid in spite of you," Emma sharply cut her off. "You don't get an ounce of credit for that."

Only in the silence that followed did Emma realize both she and Regina were leaned forward in their seats. If the bars of Regina's cells weren't between them, Emma didn't know if they wouldn't already be at each other's throats. Literally.

Simultaneously, the woman leaned back, taking a moment to regain whatever was left of their calm.

For a few minutes afterward, no one spoke.

Eventually, the silence became too much for Regina, as she asked in a bored tone, "When is Graham coming back? Not that I don't love our talks, but when he's here, things feel more pleasant."

"It didn't seem so pleasant for Graham," Emma retorted.

"You don't know him like I do," Regina replied.

Emma acted like she agreed. "Hmm, maybe you're right. One thing you do know is the location of his heart. Where is it?"

Regina's face smoothed, becoming expressionless. Then, there was a quirked eyebrow and a small smirk. "I think I'll just keep that to myself."

Something was wrong. Her inner lie detector was going off. But if that was the case, then…

"You don't know where his heart is, do you?" Emma blurted out.

Regina blinked.

"Shit," Emma swore in a near whisper before bringing up the volume of her voice, staring incomprehensibly at this woman. "You lost a heart? How do you lose-" An even worse thought broke through Emma's head like a hammer through the skull. "Or someone took it?"

Judging by the way Regina's shoulders stiffened, despite her attempts to hide it, Emma knew she'd hit the money.

Cora, Emma thought immediately. Who else could it have been? The heart couldn't have been stolen for too long. Regina was arrested almost immediately after the curse was lifted, and she knows someone took it. Was it taken before the curse broke? How would that even work? Would Cora-

The sound of the bullpen doors opening jarred Emma so much she quickly spun around, half-expecting Cora - whatever she looked like - to be right there.

Instead, to her relief, it was Marian.

Relief because some other people had tried to walk or straight up force their way in with the sole purpose of murdering Regina. Emma sympathized, but she couldn't allow it. Marian, however, could be trusted to not go straight for the kill.

"Hi, Deputy," Marian greeted, glancing disdainfully at Regina.

"Emma," the woman in question corrected before saying, "Hi, Marian."

Marian nodded in understanding before she looked more fully at Regina. "Hello, Regina."

The way Marian said Regina's name was as if she was spitting out a curse.

Regina nearly visibly bristled, but hid it well enough in time. "I know that being married to an outlaw dulled your manners, but you're still a noble. A dead king's niece, but still a noble."

"The niece to two dead kings. Thanks to you, if the rumors are true," Marian replied coldly.

"Now why would I do that?" Regina asked cooly, but she barely hid the smirk on her face.

"The same reason you made me a widow," Marian couldn't stop herself from hissing. Emma listened in rapt attention as she realized what was going on. "You kill anyone who stands in your way. After all, it got you another piece to add to your kingdom, and you killed a famous outlaw."

"It was only a little, and only a low-life bandit-"

The snideness of Regina's tone finally broke Marian, and she quickly began to head toward Regina's cell with hate-filled eyes.

"Easy, Marian," Emma said as she interrupted the woman, grabbing her by the shoulders. "She's not worth it. Think about Roland."

Marian looked at her before looking back at Regina. She released a sharp breath before forcing herself to stand back.

"You're right," Marian said as she looked down her nose at Regina. "She's not worth anything anymore."

She promptly ignored Regina's indignant look as she turned to Emma. "I did need to speak with you about something. Do you mind if we talk in private?" Marian leaned forward to whisper in Emma's ear, "It's about Graham."

"Sure," Emma readily agreed, wanting to put some distance between Marian and Regina. Besides, her curiosity at the request was piqued. She then nodded at Graham's office. "After you."

They headed inside, and Emma closed the door. She also made sure to shut the blinds. If Regina wanted to make trouble, she'd be able to hear it.

"What's up?" Emma asked. "Something wrong with Graham?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you," Marian said as she briefly shuffled from foot to foot. She pursed her lips before asking, "You and Graham are close, right?"

Emma shrugged. "I guess. We're friends."

Marian nodded, more to herself than Emma. "Have you...noticed his behavior's been off lately?"

"Off how?" Emma asked.

"Like...sometimes he doesn't seem all there," Marian described. "Like sometimes we'll talk, and things will seem normal, but then it's like a part of him shuts down. He doesn't smile as much, but he won't talk about what's bothering him. He acts like everything's fine, but I know that's not true."

She doesn't know about his missing heart, Emma realized. Then again, only a select few did.

At this point, Marian's expression began to show cracks of some deep-seated desperation. "The curse didn't change how I feel about Graham. I still care about him, a lot, so I need to know if I'm misreading this. I already talked to David, and he suggested waiting for Graham to tell me, but…" Marian visibly steadied her emotions, forcing herself to regain her composure.

That's when Marian confessed to something she couldn't hold in anymore. "You have to understand. After my husband, Robin, was killed, I didn't think I could fall- that I could feel that way with anyone again." The words tumbled from her lips before she could stop them. Truthfully, she didn't want to. "I focused so much on Roland and the Merry Men, and I thought that was it for me. With Graham, though, I feel...so happy. I feel like I can open myself up to someone again. I want him to know that he can do the same with me." Marian then added more firmly, "Something is hurting him. I don't know how I know, I just do. Please, Emma, I need to know what's wrong. I want to help him."

Would Graham approve of her telling Marian about this? If he didn't, that could seriously cause a breach of his trust in her.

On the other hand, she knew that he cared as much about Marian as the woman did for him. Emma saw it every time Graham looked at her, held her hand, or how he would look at the clock, counting the seconds to when he could be with her and the boys again.

The same way Emma did when all she wanted was to get back to Killian and the kids.

Maybe this could help them, help Graham, in the long run. And if in doing so he was going to be pissed at Emma, she could live with that.

"There is something wrong," Emma finally said, taking note of how Marian hung on every word. Then, she pushed herself to just get it over with. "Back in the Enchanted Forest, Regina ripped his heart out. According to him, she made him do whatever she wanted, and didn't care if he wanted to do it. He hasn't given more details, but I get the sense that what happened wasn't good."

As soon as Emma gave her explanation, Marian briefly closed her eyes, her expression pained as if Emma had just stabbed her. Once she opened her eyes, however, it wasn't just compassion and empathy in her gaze.

There was anger.

"That's why he hates coming to work," Marian said. "Every morning we spend together, he always hesitates before walking out the door. He claims to want to go out on time, but he does everything he can to delay it. And when he comes back, he doesn't want to talk about what happened." She looked around the office. "No wonder he hates this place now."

Emma's chest squeezed with guilt. Previously, she'd have little problem leaving a little early, prompted when Graham himself told her to go back to her family.

What about his family? Why hadn't she noticed the signs more? Why hadn't he just told her to stick around longer while he went home?

Why hadn't she done more?

"He should get some time off," Emma said before the thought fully processed in her mind. Well, it was out there now. Might as well see it through, since it did feel appropriate. "I'll see if I can talk him into taking a break."

"Won't that leave you here alone? With her?" Marian asked.

"I can handle myself," Emma said. "Besides, the station could always use more than just Graham and I."

Marian nodded.

"There is one other thing," Emma said, thinking back to her earlier conversation with Killian, about why he thought about telling his old crew about Cora. While she wasn't entirely sure of their character, she trusted Killian's. Besides, Marian seemed trustworthy, and if everything Emma heard was correct, so we're the Merry Men. "There's a witch named Cora out there. She cast this spell on herself, so none of us knows much about what she looks like. Still, we have information from a trusted source that she's an older white woman with brown hair."

"Got it," Marian said slowly, clearly not getting what made this witch so important.

Emma decided to let her in. "She's Regina's mother."

"Regina's-" Emma quickly has to shush Marian when the other woman spoke a little too loudly. They waited, trying to listen to any clues that Regina overheard. Emma even took a quick and sneaky peek through the blinds, but Regina was clearly oblivious.

"Regina's mother?" Marian whispered once it was clear that they were safe.

"Yep, evil runs in the family I guess," Emma whispered back. "You can tell the Merry Men, but only the ones you're sure can keep their mouths shut. Cora doesn't know what we know, and we'd like to keep it that way."

"Who's we?" Marian asked.

"There's Graham, Killian, Snow, David, Percy, this guy named Smee, and myself," Emma told her. "Regina doesn't know, neither does Gold, so definitely keep those two out of the loop."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Marian replied.

"And your men?" Emma questioned.

Marian scoffed good-naturedly. "We're thieves. We know how to keep secrets."

Emma couldn't help but smirk. "Good to know."

That's when Marian remembered something. "Are the rumors true - that Killian is Captain Hook?"

Feeling as if lying would be pointless, what with Killian sporting his hook once more, Emma crossed her arms. "Yep. Got a problem with it?"

"Hey, if he doesn't mess with me or mine, I won't mess with him or his," Marian replied. "Besides, who the hell am I to judge a fellow outlaw?"

Emma could accept that.

Marian looked at her wristwatch. "I better get going. I needed to talk with Little John about something anyways. Now I have more to share." Marian began to make her way to the door before she stopped, and turned back to Emma. "Emma...thanks for telling me about Graham."

Feeling protective about the man, Emma said, "Just...be good to him, alright?"

"I always am," Marian smiled before leaving the office, then the station altogether.

Emma remained at the station, already making plans on how she could find to cover for Graham. She couldn't go back and change what happened, but she could help him now.

---

Rumple knew that, eventually, Belle would return to the town library.

She always loved books, he thought, remembering how her eyes lit up for the first time as she saw the vast collection of books in his castle. How she'd actually smiled when he gave her permission to read whatever she desired (except the cursed books, though he kept them safely stowed away in the lower parts of the castle).

He knew she was angry with him over the beast, but if he could just explain, make her see why he did it, then she'd understand.

Why the curse hadn't regained a hold on the man, Rumple didn't know.

It didn't matter. What did matter was getting Belle to see reason.

Rumple saw through the library window that Hook and 'Freddie' were speaking. They couldn't see him from where he stood outside, standing across the street and obscured from view when he hid behind the corner of a building. The street didn't have many people at the moment.

Inside, the pirate and beastly man spoke. There was some tension there, but it dissipated soon enough. He wondered if something happened.

Meanwhile, Belle stood apart from them, watching the interaction between the men but making no moves to join them. Still, she seemed to be doing alright.

Finally, Hook, the beastly man and his accursed cat moved out of sight, most likely in the direction of the back room. That left Belle to look around the library.

Alone.

Now was his chance.

Rumple moved as quickly as he could, the magic in this world not yet keeping up with his healing leg. It wasn't nearly as bad as it was when he was Mr. Gold, but it wasn't free of aches and pains when he was fully the Dark One.

Magic was indeed unpredictable here.

He quietly went inside, and a precursory glance around showed that he was indeed alone with Belle, who was in one of the aisles with her back to him.

Rumple managed to avoid using his cane, thus preventing him from being heard. Once he was at the end of the aisle, he said, "Belle."

The woman spun around, snatching her hand away from a book on one of the shelves. Her lovely face shifted to a shocked expression as she looked at him with startled blue eyes.

"Rumple?" Belle asked. "What are you doing here? If Killian sees you-"

"The pirate is of little concern to me," Rumple replied confidently.

"Still," Belle said, "I don't think it's a good idea for you to be here."

"I'll leave soon enough," Rumple promised. "I just need to talk to you."

"About what?" Belle asked warily.

"About us," Rumple clarified, both of his hands holding the handle of his cane, the stick placed firmly in front of him.

"There is no us," Belle told him.

Rumple's hands tightened around the cane's handle. "Belle-"

"What else is there to say?" Belle asked him, crossing her arms over her chest. She was firm in her stance, but maintained her composure, and the fact that she hadn't raised her voice or outright told him to leave worked in her favor. In so far as it allowed Rumple to soothe his wounded pride.

"You banished me from your castle," Belle told him further. "You yourself said my debt to you was complete. I mean no disrespect, but what exactly do you want from me?"

The 'no disrespect' but was, to be frank, a lie on Belle's part, but it slipped out easily enough. She wasn't going to let Rumple have his way, but she'd prefer to not antagonize him too much. Belle knew him well enough to know that would only drag things out.

"We're no longer in the Enchanted Forest," Rumple told her. "The banishment no longer applies for a location we're no longer in."

And a place that no longer exists, if his suspicions are correct.

He almost missed the place, if only because he was far more accustomed to the magic there. Other than that, that world held nothing of value for him. Not when there was Bae and Belle to consider.

Speaking of…

"You could come live with me," Rumple offered. "You'd have your own room, of course, but you'd have free reign of the library. Besides, I imagine it would offer you more room that Granny's little inn."

"How did you know-" Belle stopped herself, staring at him incomprehensibly.

"Forgive me," Rumple said, though he was insincere about it. . He just didn't want to ruffle Belle's feathers too much. "I believe I came on too strong. Still, the offer stands whenever you want. Amends for how I treated you previously."

Belle had enough of the forwardness, the runarounds he thought he was giving her unnoticed, just...everything.

There were only two things she wanted from him, and while she meant what she said about going to war with Midas, Belle didn't feel safe making another deal with Rumple. Especially after his proposition.

That left her with one thing she still wanted.

"If you truly want to make amends," Belle said, seeing how this grabbed his attention, "then break the curse on Freddie."

Rumple felt something crack in him, indignation rising.

He released it with a scoff. "Well I can't do that."

"Why not?" Belle persisted.

"Because I simply can't," Rumple told her plainly. "That curse is nigh-unbreakable."

Only one thing could break it, and though Rumple didn't believe Androcles had a True Love waiting around, he wasn't about to let anyone else know the solution.

"Nigh-unbreakable," Belle repeated, immediately taking note of the word. "So there's a chance it could still be broken?" When Rumple didn't respond, she added, "Well what can break it?"

"I just know that I can't," Rumple told her, not liking that determined look in Belle's eyes.

That look, to Rumple's growing displeasure, became distant.

Because he was genuinely curious, Rumple couldn't help but ask, "What future do you see with him? Mark my words, that fur will eventually come back. Besides, King Midas would have more use for him."

Those words alone made Belle's face turn to stone.

"There's nothing more to talk about," she told him coldly.

"Belle-"

"I'd like you to leave."

Rumple scoffed. "I don't recall you owning this place."

"But I do," the pirate's voice said.

Rumple and Belle turned to the sound, and found Killain, Freddie, and Art standing at the entrance of the aisle. Each one of them clearly wanted Rumple gone.

"You okay, Belle?" The monster disguised as a man asked her, looking at her with a soft expression.

"She's fine," Rumple answered for her, noting the way Belle looked at him.

Hook glared at him stonily, his body as taut as a wire, before looking at Belle. "Do you want him to leave?"

Rumple saw Belle nod.

"You've got your answer, straight from the source," Hook told Rumple, only stepping out of the way to make his meaning clear. "Get out, and don't come back."

Rumple sneered at Hook, wishing ever so much that he'd have enough magic to reduce the man to a worm, and crush him under his boot.

Funnily enough, his increasing anger wasn't even directed at him. It was directed at Androcles, 'man' glaring at him like he posed any sort of threat to the Dark One.

He wanted to reduce that nuisance to less than a worm, even if only as a reminder of what he truly was. He wasn't some great hero or even a murderous pirate like Hook. He was a mere simpleton, a fatherless peasant who was lucky enough to not end up as a meal in the belly of his precious lioness.

It galled Rumple to think such a man could hold Belle's attention.

Rumple turned to Belle once more. "My offer still stands."

He left the library soon after, outwardly calm but inwardly seething.

Once he was in his car, parked in an alley down the street, he gripped his steering wheel tightly.

The image of Belle staring adoringly at the beast flashed in his mind's eyes, and his gritted his teeth. The way she longed for him.

For so long, Rumple had mourned Belle's murder at the beast's hands. Even knowing that didn't happen, Rumple believed it was only a matter of time before it showed its true colors. There had to be a way to get Belle to see sense, to realize that monsters like that could never be tamed.

An idea struck him. It would be risky. As he said before, magic was risky, but it would be a way to prevent the monster inside that man from hiding.

He already had the base ingredients, and if he concentrated hard enough, he might just get that particular curse to stir from its slumber, and reawaken.

Smiling, Rumple turned on his car, and began to drive back to the shop.

If he succeeded, everyone would only need a glance to see what a disgusting beast Androcles truly was.

---

Freddie had been thinking about his mother lately. In his cursed life, he remembered a mother who died when he was a child, and also remembered that he never met his father.

Aside from when his mother supposedly died, everything else was spot-on.

He possessed no pictures or paintings of her. All he had to remember her by was her memory.

That's when a scene of his life popped into his head.

I'm in you, his mother once told him, sitting in front of him in their small home, using one hand to gently hold on his arms, while the fingers on her other hand softly traced the veins on his forearms. My blood is your blood. As long as you live, so will I.

She had told him that after one of the village children mocked him for not having a father, to not know where his blood came from.

In tears, Freddie (then Androcles) asked her who he was, but she didn't say.

With her death, she never would.

"Freddie, you okay?" David asked.

Freddie was brought back to the present, remembering that he and David were having lunch in a place called Sabine's Place. It was run by a wife-and-husband team whose names under the curse were Sabine and Drew, when in reality their names were Tiana and Naveen. According to Drew, they were already making plans to replace the sign, hoping to rechristen the restaurant as Tiana's.

David and Freddie sat in a booth near the back of the restaurant, affording themselves some privacy while they ate. It was a compromise because Tiana didn't much like Freddie wearing a hat indoors, and Freddie had been too unwilling to speak out against the overall nice woman to object to it.

They had finished their food, and while they waited for their check, their conversation lapsed into silence. David didn't notice at first because he received a text from Snow, asking what he wanted for dinner that night. He replied back, and when he looked up, he saw Freddie tracing the veins of his forearm contemplatively.

"I'm sorry," Freddie apologized. "Got lost in thought."

"Hey, it's no problem," David assured him. "Want to talk about it?"

Freddie shrugged. "I was thinking about my mother." Then, because he realized he didn't tell David about her, he said, "She died some time ago."

"I know," David replied, surprising Freddie. "Abigail told me."

"Princess Abigail?" Freddie asked for clarification, quieting his voice.

"Yep," David said. "She worries about you."

Freddie frowned, but nodded nonetheless. "She's a good woman. And Frederick is a good man." Freddie realized something. "I wonder if that's why the curse gave me this name."

"It's as good a name as any," David replied. "But I prefer you."

"Thanks," Freddie said before grunting in pain.

"What's wrong?" David asked worriedly.

"Nothing," Freddie denied, scratching at his chest, like something was burrowing under there. "Must be heartburn or something."

"We'll get you something for that on the way back to your place," David said. "Unless you want to go with Belle."

Despite the pain that wouldn't go away, Freddie smiled.

"Awww," David said.

Freddie became embarrassed. "What?"

"You liiiiiiike her," David teased, chuckling a little when Freddie glanced away. "Hey, no shame in that. Belle seems like a good person, and she's pretty on top of that."

"Beautiful," Freddie corrected without thinking about it.

"Awwwwwwww," David drew out longer, this time laughing a little louder when Freddie tried kicking him under the table.

"Eh," Freddie shrugged, enjoying the good feeling while it lasted. "We're friends. That's it."

"You sure?" David inquired. "Because I couldn't help but notice the burning looks you two exchanged when you left Art with her."

"We weren't giving each other burning anything," Freddie stammered as his face began to feel hot. It started in his cheeks, but then started going to his head, forming a sharp headache. "Ow."

"Seriously, you need to go outside?" David asked him, his humor dying down.

"I'll be fine," Freddie said, feeling an abrupt wave of irritation forming as he sighed harshly. "Where is the waiter?"

He was beginning to feel sick.

"He'll be here soon," David assured him, looking around to see if he could spot the waiter, but failing.

Freddie rested his head on his hand, staring blankly at the tabletop as he tried and failed to will himself to feel better.

An old, bitter, grieving feeling bubbled to the surface. Before he could stop it, Freddie said, "I miss my mom."

David's eyes became sad. "I do too."

Freddie looked up.

David said, "My mother was killed by King George."

Freddie let his hand drop silently to the table. "I'm sorry. Did you get to say goodbye?"

"Yes," David said, grateful he got at least that much.

"It's important," Freddie said, his throat threatening to clench up as he thought of his mother, the grey in her black, kinky hair. The laugh lines around her eyes whenever she smiled, the gap in her teeth. The warmth of her arms around him, squeezing tightly as he went off on that fateful journey that would eventually lead to Midas' castle. "To say goodbye to those you love."

"I know," David said quietly.

Freddie leaned back in his seat, feeling a new wave of discomfort flow through his muscles, seeping uncomfortably into his bones.

"I'm going to find a waiter," David told him, "and see if they have anything for you. I'll be right back."

Freddie nodded, rolling his neck to try to relieve the aches and pains there. The food was delicious. He hoped it wasn't the cause of this.

He closed his eyes, groaning lowly when his teeth began to ache.

"Problem, Androcles?"

Freddie's eyes shot open, and he looked over to find a horrifyingly familiar man standing there.

He was tall and broad, with greying hairs at his temple, discoloring the rest of the brown hair on his head. The old soldier's face was lined with stressed wrinkles, not helped by the severe look on his face. This was a man who never knew that a king could and should be told no. As far as he was concerned, the king or queen's will was absolute, and anyone should be lucky to fall under their notice.

Especially commoners like Androcles.

"Kostis," Freddie breathed out, looking around for David. Instead, he saw sitting at different tables were soldiers he recognized from Midas' guard.

Before him stood the captain of the guard, Kostis.

"His Majesty wishes you to return to his side," Kostis said. He wore casual clothes, but he might as well have been wearing plated armor, particularly the gold arm band Midas himself granted him.

"I...I don't-"

"His Majesty ordered us to bring you back to him," Kostis overruled him. "Now come with us, and King Midas will reward you handsomely."

"I'm not going back," Freddie told him, his stomach rolling as the muscles in his legs ached painfully. He wanted to run.

"You speak as if you have a choice," Kostis told him plainly.

"I do have a choice," Freddie whispered fiercely, groaning in pain as the muscles in his back rippled horribly underneath his skin. "He can't take me. The Dark One already traded me for-"

"The Dark One banished you," Kostis said. "Now the king wants you back." He leaned forward to whisper. "Walk out with us now, or we'll drag you out."

His head felt hotter and hotter. The smells of everything around him became sharper, and he wanted to rip into Kostis-

Frightened by the violent thought, he looked around frantically, hoping someone would take notice and help him. Please help him!

No one did before, a voice in Freddie's mind said meanly. They all knew what Midas was doing to you, and none of them spoke a word. They only looked away or looked down their noses. No one helped you. No one will.

That's not true!

Freddie started saying, "David-"

"Is one king," Kostis said, though Freddie detected hesitance there. However, Kostis was too loyal to Midas to consider anything less than giving the king what he wanted. "And there are many of us. He wouldn't be able to stop us"

In one moment, Freddie became cold at the implication. Not that David wouldn't be able to save him, no.

That they would hurt good and honest and kind David.

Freddie's fist snapped forward and landed into Kostis' jaw before he realized what he was doing.

Screams of a woman, then a man. One of Kostis' soldiers came for him.

Freddie roared and swiped at him, clawing the man's face with his nails.

Another guard came, and that one went down as easily as the next one. And the next one.

Get out.

Freddie avoided a blow as he made his way to the door, patrons leaping out of the way, their fear wafting through his nose.

His eyes narrowed at another of Kostis' men who tried to tackle him, but Freddie grabbed him by the shoulders, lifted him up, and threw him into a table hastily emptied by the patrons.

"Freddie!" David shouted, but Freddie couldn't hear him, because he was too busy letting out a scream of pain.

Too hot. Air. I need air!

Freddie pushed the entrance door open, and ran outside. It wasn't enough. He nearly doubled over in pain, looking down at his hands, and gasping at the sight.

He hadn't clawed at that man's face with his nails. He'd done it with claws.

The realization only intensified the sharp pain as his claws grew, as fur began to replace skin. His joints popped painfully in his neck, and something sharp pierced the inside of his mouth.

No. No nonononono!

Freddie started to run, forcing his legs to work despite the pain, and running for something clean. Something fresh.

The forest.

Gogogogo!

Freddie hardly had a sense of where he was, and only the smell of the trees engulfing him made it through.

Only then did the sound of his own inhuman roar ring through his ears.

---

"Hi, Daddy!" Tien shouted as she ran into the library, hardly giving Killian time to get down on his knees before she flung herself into his arms.

"Hello, sweetheart," Killian greeted, tightening his arms around her, mindful to not let the hook touch her. Looking up, he saw Phoebe and Henry following close behind, and Henry's friends slowly trickled in to take seats at the desks.

Phoebe let out a long whistle as she looked at them. "Wow. Nice accessory."

"Huh? Acceptory?" Tien asked, mixing up the word, trying to turn in Killian's arms to see what Phoebe was talking about.

"Oh my god," Henry said excitedly, not noticing the way Killian tried not to stiffen. "Is that the original hook?"

Killian slowly stood up, and slowly brought the hook up so that they could all see it. Having the hook on his person once more felt right, but he didn't realize how self-conscious he'd be around the children.

Tien gasped before exclaiming, "I knew it! I knew you had a hook!"

"Inside voices," Killian corrected automatically.

"Duuuuuuuuuude," Declan drew out the word as he and Nick walked closer to inspect it. Soon enough, all of the children were crowded around him.

What struck Killian the most wasn't the fact that they seemed to have no problem with the hook, or the realization that he was truly Captain Hook for the ones who didn't know already. Instead, it was the fact that they were fascinated by the object, and asked many questions.

"How'd you get it?"

"Is it detachable?"

"Can you shoot it out of your arm like a zipline?"

"Where would the rope even come from?"

"Um, magic?"

"Alright, alright," Rapunzel said, coming out from one of the aisles with her arms full for books. Next to her was Belle, who similarly had books in her arms (and the book on top of the pile was inexplicably open), while Art followed her around. Shortly after Belle decided to stay at the library, and Freddie left Art with her before going with David, Rapunzel had arrived to get back to work. Surprisingly, despite Rapunzel's less than steady belief that the world wouldn't suddenly sink underneath her, being in close proximity to a lioness no longer seemed to phase her. "Save the questions for later, mini reporters."

Tien noticed Belle. "Hi Rapunzel. Hi, lady."

The dog by the same name trotted over, yipping happily.

"No, not you Lady," Tien said. Killian had lowered his arms once more, and to his shock, Tien grabbed his hook as if it was one of his hands. His youngest kid wasn't even reacting to the cool touch of metal. It was simply...normal for her, as if it had always been there.

"Tee, you can't just call people 'lady'," Phoebe scolded in lieu of Killian being able to do so. "Um...what's your name?"

"Belle," she said. "Nice to meet you."

Henry instantly recognized her, and in a few moments he took off her backpack, pulled out his book, and began flipping the pages. "Oh, oh, oh, I know you. You're in my book. Where- just a sec- here it is. Beauty and the Beast."

"Oh yeah," LJ commented. "It's the same as the movie."

"What movie?" Belle asked, her head tilted with a perplexed look on her face.

"I think," Killian started, not wanting to overwhelm the woman after they arrived at a truce, "that you all need to do your homework."

They all groaned.

"Captain Hook is making us do homework?" Ava questioned. "Can't we seafare or pirate or something?"

"Did you find your ship?" Henry asked.

"Homework. Now."

The kids got to work not long after that.

They also finished with surprising speed, and were soon back at asking him a series of questions while Rapunzel sorted some of the books, and Belle eagerly helped her.

Meanwhile, Art took a break from guarding Belle to laying down on the floor. To Killian's surprise, she became quite receptive to belly rubs from the kids once she saw Phoebe do the same with Lady. Art didn't even become jealous whenever a child switched from the lioness to the dog. If anything, Lady would yip unhappily if Phoebe, Henry, or Tien paid too much attention to Art.

They ended up in a part of the library that was the designated "reading room" even though it wasn't so much its own room as a separate corner. In the corner was a comfy chair, which Killian sat in. Meanwhile, the kids were seated in a circle around him, Art comfortably stretched out while Grace, LJ, and Nick petted her to Killian's left, with Phoebe and LJ behind them. To Killian's right sat Henry and Tien, and the former had Lady in his lap. Declan was behind Henry.

"Have you ever met a sea monster?" Nick asked him.

"Oh, aye," Killian said, making his voice sound deeper, correctly guessing it would pique the children's interest. "A long time ago, the Jolly Roger traversed a heavy storm on the high seas of the Enchanted Forest. Heading this venture was I, the illustrious Captain Hook," he puffed out his chest, to the giggles of the children. "Every soul on the ship was either on deck tying everything loose down, or below deck to check for any leaks. That's when I saw the cook, who was green with seasickness, on the deck trying to help. I ordered him to head below, where it was safer. Before he could get there, a wave swept over the deck. Like a hand, the waves dragged him overboard and pulled him into the sea."

The kids were all staring at him, some with bated breath, and Tien cuddled into Henry's side. Henry gently squeezed Lady without realizing it. Even Phoebe was wondering what happened next.

Glancing up, Killian saw that Rapunzel and Belle were standing in one of the aisles. To his surprise, Graham was there also. He thought the man was there to pick up Declan, btu he just nodded.

"What happened next?" Henry asked, bringing Killian back to attention. The kids were practically vibrating with anticipation.

When Graham nodded, letting him know it was okay to continue, Killian obliged.

"Well," Killian continued, "any captain worth his salt would save a crew member who went overboard. So what I did was grab a lifeline…"

Killian continued with the rest of the story, and while he may have embellished a detail or two to make things more dramatic, he didn't need to do so when it came to the beast of the story - the Leviathan. He vividly recalled the sickly yellow color of its eyes, its twisting in the water, and its persistence to prevent the crew from escaping the watery death.

The only thing he left out of the tale was how Liam's ghost haunted him. How he would always haunt him.

When he told the children about how the crew managed to escape, all of them breathed a sigh of relief.

That's when Graham stepped forward, and the sound of his footsteps alerted the children of the new arrival.

Declan spun around, and smiled at his foster father. "Hi, Graham."

"Hi, Declan," Graham greeted as the boy stood up and rushed forward. To his mild surprise, Declan hugged him, though Graham was quick to hug him back. "Ready to go?"

"House hunting, ahoy," Declan smiled.

"House hunting?" Henry asked as he and Killian went up to them. Phoebe went off to talk to Rapunzel, while Tien stayed close to Killian, having gotten a bit of a fright from the tale, poor dear. Lady made the rounds with the remaining children, thankful for receiving more attention now that Art returned to Belle.

"Yep," Graham answered once he and Declan broke off their hug, and Graham put his hands in his pocket. "It's long past time we moved somewhere bigger."

"There's this house that's got like three or four bedrooms," Declan said excitedly. He then smirked and nudged Graham's side. "There's enough bedrooms for Marian and Roland to sleep over-"

Graham covered the boy's mouth with his hand, then quickly added, "Lick me hand, and I'll wipe it off your shirt."

Declan side-eyed him.

Deeming it safe to remove his hand, Graham then added, "Good news. Emma said she found some extra help, so I'm off for the day."

Declan gave a great, big smile. "Seriously? Who'd she get?"

"A couple of the dwarves, apparently," Graham said. "Grab your backpack. It's time to house hunt."

"Sweet," Declan said before saying his goodbyes, first to Henry, then to the rest. He and Graham soon left.

"Speaking of house-hunting," Henry said as he looked up at Killian, "any progress since we left?"

"You don't quit, do you?" Killian shook his head while smiling.

"Nope," Henry answered, popping the 'p' in that word.

"Are we gonna have a house, Daddy?" Tien asked him.

His talk with Emma came to mind, as did her desire to move in with him, of their mutual wish for Henry to come along. For them all to live together.

Phoebe peaked her head from behind a book aisle, clearly having listened in on the conversation.

Just as well, Killian thought. She's a part of this too.

"Actually," Killian said, anticipating the kids' reactions, "Emma and I were thinking that-"

"Killian!" David's voice suddenly shouted, and they all snapped their heads up in the direction of the sound. Quickly enough, David appeared, his face flushed and breathing heavily.

"Grandpa?" Henry questioned warily.

"Go play with Lady, kids," Killian told them as he walked toward David, already sensing something was wrong.

"I kept calling you, why didn't you pick up?" David asked in a rush as they moved away from the kids.

"My phone's charging over there," Killian said as they emerged in the main part of the library, pointing at the main desk. "I was busy with the kids. What's happened?"

"Have you seen Freddie?" David asked, still trying to catch his breath.

"No," Killian said. "Why? What happened?"

"I don't know," David quickly said, trying to keep the sound of his voice low while also steadying his breath. "We were at that restaurant - Sabine's Place - when he started feeling really bad. I went to get help from a waiter, but when I got back, it turns out Midas' men ambushed him while I was gone. Freddie, he...he went completely berserk. He fought back, and then he took off. I tried to follow him, but he was inhumanly fast. I've been calling everyone, but no one else has seen him."

"Freddie's in trouble?" Belle asked, and both men were startled to find that she had been listening in. Her face was paled.

"It seems so," Killian said.

"We have to find him right now," Belle told the men. "The longer we wait, the more time Midas' men have to regroup. A-And you said he was in pain? What if he was drugged or poisoned? We've got to go now."

Belle immediately went for the door but Killian stopped her.

"We don't even know where he is right now," Killian reminded her.

Before Belle could argue, David's phone rang.

He immediately answered it. "Hi, Ruby. Did you find anything?" David listened to what Ruby said. "Really? You're sure. Great. Okay. I'll tell the others. Just try to keep on top of the trail. I'll call you back soon. Bye."

The moment David hung up the call, he told Belle and Killian, "Ruby got a scent. He headed into the forest, and she's pretty sure she's got a trail."

"I'm calling Emma," Killian said. "With her and Ruby on our side, we'll get Freddie back in no time. Rapunzel!"

"Yes?" the young woman asked as she appeared nearby.

"You're in charge of the kids," Killian said.

"Where are you going?" Phoebe asked as she appeared also.

Killian said, "We're going out to help a friend. Don't worry. We'll be back before you know it."

He just hoped they still had enough time.

---

"Ruby, you still have the scent?" Emma asked the woman as they traversed the woods.

"Yep, but it's getting fainter," Ruby said as she led the way. Their group consisted of those two, Killian, David, Belle, and Art.

"You smell anyone else?" Emma asked, almost stunned by how nonchalantly she was able to ask that. After a while, suspension of disbelief became almost second nature. Almost.

Ruby sniffed the air a bit in concentration. "Nope. We're alone for now."

"Let's hope it stays that way," Belle said as she stepped over a log. "If we can get to Freddie before Midas' men do, we might have a chance to keep him safe."

"Remind me again why the King Gold Touch wants him?" Ruby asked.

"Basically," David said, "Freddie can touch something and makes it immune to Midas' touch."

"Huh," Ruby said. "Didn't know he had magic."

"I'm not sure if he does," Belle replied.

"But-"

"It's not something he intended," Belle interrupted Ruby as they all climbed up a particularly steep hill. "He could just do it one day. He has no idea why."

"We'll be sure to ask him when we find him," Emma said as they got to the top of the hill.

Ruby stiffened.

"What is it?" Killian asked Ruby, looking around to see if there was some danger.

"Something about the scent," Ruby commented. "At first I thought I was mixing it up with Art's, but no. Freddie's scent keeps changing the further in we go."

"Is that even possible?" David questioned.

"Yeah, except it only happens when I-" Ruby cut herself off, and judging from the look on David's face, Emma knew there was something the two of them weren't sharing.

"When you what?" Emma inquired.

"When I...transform," Ruby admitted, having suddenly become self-conscious at the fact that David was the only one who knew beforehand what she was. Then, deciding, screw it, might as well talk, she said, "I'm a werewolf. Hence the sense of smell."

I just thought it was a magic thing, Emma said. I guess it still is a magic thing.

Art began to move forward, and the others followed.

"His scent is similar to my scent whenever I transformed," Ruby explained. "When I change from human to wolf, from skin to fur."

Ruby's words struck a chord in Killian.

Something Tien said...

"He has fur," Killian the moment he remembered it.

"What was that?" David asked.

Killian, realizing he'd spoken aloud and that his words caught the group off-guard, told them all, "This morning, Tien saw Freddie and said he had fur."

Belle's reaction showed that he'd hit the mark.

"And this is...part of that thing Tien can do?" Emma asked him.

"What can she do?" Belle asked them.

Killian explained, "Tien has this ability where she sees and knows things she's not supposed to, like how I'm supposed to have a hook," he lifted his hook, "and how Freddie is supposed to have fur? Is there any reason she should think that?"

Belle paused before answering, "When Rumple banished Freddie and I from his castle, he placed a curse on Freddie, one that transformed him into this creature. Half-man, half-lion. We tried for so long to find a way to break the curse, but nothing worked. We hoped to seek sanctuary with my father, but we never made it. Regina," she looked at Killian, who did her the favor of not looking away, "thought I would be useful against Rumple, and that Freddie would be useful against me." Belle's heart ached at the memory of their forced separation, how they tried so hard and failed to be together. "That was the last time we saw each other before the curse."

"We'll find him, Belle," Killian told her. "I promise."

Belle looked up, clearly wanting to believe him.

Art made a rumbling sound in her throat, and Belle quickly caught up to the lioness, who was standing next to a particular tree.

"What is it, girl?" Belle asked before she looked at the backside of the tree. "Oh."

Curious, Emma asked, "What is-"

She saw what Belle had seen - claw marks entrenched deeply in the wood.

"Freddie!" Belle called out, suddenly looking around as if she would catch a glimpse of him. "Freddie, are you there?!"

"He's not here," Ruby told her. "Let's keep moving. We might be able to catch up."

Belle didn't need to be told twice, and this time she led the pack with Ruby and Art at the front, David following close behind.

Meanwhile, Emma and Killian covered the rear.

Emma glanced at Killian, who walked with her at her left side. His eyes tried to remain focused on the path in front of them, on Ruby leading the way, but there was something off. Something was bothering him.

Getting straight to it, despite that being Emma's usual M.O., didn't feel quite right at the moment. So, Emma decided to go for some build-up.

"I was thinking that we could sit the kids down tonight," Emma suggested, "and tell them about the house situation."

That brought a smile to Killian's face. "Henry's been asking me how house hunting went all day."

"Really?" Emma asked, feeling pleased that Henry took such interest. "Think he'll be happy to know we all get to live there?"

"I certainly know I am," Killian told her, leaning over to give her a brief kiss on the cheek, the two of them breaking apart to keep the momentum of their steps going.

Emma took another daring step - speaking of her desires out loud. She'd probably done more of that in the last few days than she has her entire life.

"Phoebe and Henry are probably going to fight over which room they want," Emma said. "Henry will want the best street view, and Phoebe will probably want one with the best natural lighting, right?"

"On the nose," Killian told her. "Tien might put up a struggle too, if only because she might object to the color of the room."

"She does know we can paint the walls, right?" Emma questioned with a smile.

"That might take some explaining," Killian said. "She might still be young enough to think once you painted a wall, it's like that forever."

"We're about to blow her tiny mind," Emma joked, getting a small laugh out of both of them, though they respectfully kept it quiet.

When they remembered the weight of the situation, their good mood tapered off.

It did, however, get the result Emma hoped for.

"Freddie deserves better than this," Killian told her. "He deserves better than to be hunted through the woods, cursed by the crocodile."

"Damn straight," Emma concurred. "We'll find a way to fix it."

"Which problem?" Killian asked. "The curse, or Midas' obsession with him."

"Either. Both," Emma answered.

Killian looked ahead, checking to see if the others were out of hearing range. Once he was satisfied that they were, Killian said, "Out of the two, Midas is worse than this curse. Curses can be broken. It's very hard to convince a man in power he's not entitled to everything."

There it was. That tenor in his that gave Emma the opening she needed, the opening that, deep down, Killian knew he was giving her.

"Are you speaking from experience?" she gently questioned.

When Killian looked at her, the expression he gave, the way his eyes dulled in light...it suddenly gave her the urge to cry.

Killian looked away from her again. It was the only way he could go through with speaking about another thing that haunted him for centuries. Doing so twice in one day was exhausting.

She didn't know this part of his story, and it's about time she did.

"My mother died when I was 7 and Liam was 17," Killian finally said. "Our father couldn't cope, so one night he brought us on board the ship of a captain he knew. He told us everything would be alright." Killian swallowed, shaking his head as an angered expression took hold. "He lied. He lied to my face, and he left us there. What fun it was to wake up that morning, and have Long John Silver tell us our father left us on a boat with strangers. That we were under his 'protection', and that to continue earning that protection, he would work us to the bone." Killian raised his flesh hand to look at it. "After a while, I got used to the blisters covering most of my hands, of the ache in my knees from scrubbing the entire deck over and over." Killian lowered his hand. "What killed me, what made me hate my father beyond abandoning us, was the knowledge that we'd been traded like livestock. No, not even traded. We were…" Killian's angered look melted into hurt, which transformed into a lost look. "He dumped us like we were old boots he didn't want to wear anymore. And having Silver look at us like we were nothing? If it wasn't for Liam, I would've believed I was nothing."

Like how I felt after the Swans, Emma thought, feeling her eyes starting to sting.

She had been too young to really remember them, and thankfully she hardly thought about them. There were nights there, when she couldn't sleep, where she thought about warm arms holding hers, then the cold nothingness that followed. Emma didn't know if that was just a memory or a construct of her mind, melding together bad feelings and bad memories.

Either way, it made her want to punch a wall, to cry in a way she refused to do since she was a little girl.

Yet, even that wasn't as bad as what Killian went through. Sure, he had his brother, but at least the Swans didn't intentionally leave her with someone like Silver.

Emma held Killian's hand. "I'm so sorry. I keep thinking that I'm saying this a lot, but...I really am sorry."

"Silver was the first man like that in my life," Killian said quietly, "but he wasn't the last."

The Swans weren't the last people to disappoint me.

"That's why I understand why Freddie ran," Killian told her. "It took years for Liam and I to work our way out of Silver's clutches. If I found out that Silver intended to hunt me down, I'd show him the sharp end of my hook. However, if as a younger man, still trying to get used to freedom like Freddie is, I'd be tempted to run myself."

Emma threaded her fingers through his. "No one's going to do that to you again. They'll have to go through me first."

Killian smiled at her. "And they'd be right to be fearful."

"No one's getting control of Freddie either," Emma promised. "Not Gold, not Midas, nobody."

"I'm glad to hear it," Killian replied. "I'm sure Belle would be happy to hear it too."

Emma looked ahead, and found Belle intently scanning every direction.

"You get the sense that she and Freddie are more than just friends?" Emma asked him.

"You too?" Killian asked back. "Aye. They just don't seem to realize it yet."

"Gold might," Emma replied. "Think about it. Belle said he only cursed Freddie after he banished them both, and you mentioned earlier that Gold tried to get Belle back with him."

Killian realized the implications, and felt like a fool for not seeing them sooner. "He must have somehow used magic to reactivate the curse."

"But how?" Emma questioned. "I thought magic was too unpredictable here."

"With the crocodile, I don't doubt he'd find a way," Killian said. "He thrives on chaos as much as he loves causing misery to people he sees as obstacles. And if he viewed Freddie as an obstacle to get to Belle-"

"He might not wait for this curse to do its job," Emma finished his thought.

With one last look, the two picked up the pace.

---

Freddie panted as he leapt through the air, his beastly legs propelling him forward. When he landed on the earth again, his claws dug into the earth before he ran forward on four legs.

When he breathed out, the harsh sound of a growl coincided with it.

He let out a whimper at that.

Unfortunately, he wasn't paying attention, and he tumbled down a hill. Once he reached the bottom, he stayed still for a few moments before he heard the sound of rushing water.

Freddie looked up, then flinched at the sight of his arms, which had long since become elongated and covered with fur. He thought he might vomit at the sight of the claws that replaced his fingernails.

However, he also spotted a nearby stream, and after all that running, he got up on his hind legs to drink from it. Freddie couldn't help but take a wobbly stance, though, since he also knew looking at it would force him to see himself.

Thinking he could handle it, Freddie bent over to drink from the water-

And caught his reflection. His lips were no longer plump like they were when he was human. They were thinner now, hidden by the dirty yellow fur with only black lines to show where they were. When he opened his mouth, instead of smoothed out teeth, he now possessed a row of fangs. His eyes were still brown, this his, but nothing else was. Not his nose, his neck, his face-

Freddie couldn't take it anymore. He covered his face, and began to cry.

As usual, he had been a fool. He'd allowed himself to get comfortable, to think that he might be able to get away from this. That he could live his life as he did when he was Freddie the janitor. Even as an illiterate janitor, his life knew more peace than it ever did as Androcles.

Androcles was cursed. He could never be free of Midas' control, of Rumple's jealousy, or of anything that didn't wish to torment him.

Now his curse spilled over to his Freddie persona.

People in town already feared Art. What would they do to a freak like him?

I can't have Belle, he thought, and a sob came out. Even if she did want me...she can't love me. She can't be allowed to love me while I'm like this. Not like I love her.

And he did. Oh gods, he truly did love her. Why wouldn't he? Belle was brilliant, kind, and beautiful. She never cared that he had so much baggage, and stuck by him even when he was cursed. Plus, she was the only woman - the only person - he'd seen without any powers who could keep calm and stand up to Rumplestiltskins.

But this was too much. Not only was he this monster again, but Midas' men would be looking for him. If they would be desperate enough to even think about hurting a king, what would they do to a mere duke's daughter.

I'll only be a stone around her neck.

Freddie let out a sob, which combined with his anger at the unfairness of the situation, became a roar.

Freddie's arms fell uselessly to his side as an inner deadness took hold. He just...he couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't keep pretending he was fine, because he wasn't fine. He would never be fine again.

He went on the move once more, hoping to go as deep into the woods as he could, so no one could find him.

Something dark. I need somewhere quiet and dark.

I don't want to be seen again.

---

There was a roar somewhere far, far up ahead, but the group still faintly heard it.

"Freddie!" Belle shouted, and she began running forward, paying little mind to the others trying to keep up with her.

He might've already fully transformed, Belle thought. If that was the case, then he's going to be in a lot of pain, and he's going to be miserable.

Belle's heart ached. Freddie didn't deserve any of this suffering. Her poor man-

Her man?

It was lucky that the group slowed its pace once Ruby had to track Freddie's scent again, because the thought would've made Belle stumble over.

Next to her, Art let out a low whining sound, and she briefly reached down to pet her fur.

Freddie's fur is a darker color than Art's.

Her man, but he wasn't hers, was he? Belle cared for him, as much as she cared for her father. No...it was different. She couldn't be sure if it was more, but she was sure it was different.

"Hey, Belle?" Ruby asked as they walked beside each other. "We'll find Freddie."

"I know," Belle replied, but she was so lost in thought she didn't realize how disingenuous it sounded.

"We will," Ruby told her reassuringly. "And we'll protect him. Granny says her offer of protection is still up."

Feeling grateful, Belle looked at Ruby. "I can't thank you or your grandmother enough for helping us as much as you did. Not many people have stuck their necks out for us."

"I'm sure that's not true," Ruby replied, not believing that anyone outside of Midas' camp would be so apathetic.

The look on Belle's face, however, proved her wrong.

"Most people don't want to get involved, especially with a king in the mix," Belle corrected.

Belle didn't know the full extent of how much that affected Ruby, though it leaked out in the other woman's understanding, knowing gaze. In an instant, Ruby remembered how angry Percy felt at his own perceived helplessness against his uncle for what he did to Lainey and Lancelot. For things he hinted his own father did to people.

How he'd looked so ashamed when he told her this, like he expected her to scream or berate him for his own weakness. He admitted to that fear later on, as he figured most people would do the same.

And just like she'd told him, Ruby said to Belle, "I'm not most people. Besides, Freddie is a nice guy. Like, actually nice. I'm sure he'd do the same for you."

"Yes, he would," Belle said, feeling a touch lighter at the thought.

"What's your relationship exactly?" Ruby asked her. "I know your friends, and I could be completely missing something, but are you two…"

Belle shook her head. "No, but it's not because of the curse. Not really." She'd already said too much, but the confession was too great to hold him. "When I'm with him, I feel at peace. I can talk to him about anything, and he can talk to me about anything. When I was growing up, my mother was the only one who truly valued my intelligence, my independence. My father loves me, but he'll always see me as this little girl he has to shelter. Gaston was the same way, but instead he saw a wife he needed to keep hidden from danger. With Freddie, though, he wants my input. He'll try to protect me, but he won't try to coop me up. He's sweet and gentle and-"

I love him.

It was true. She did love him. She loved how she could make him smile, how he could make her laugh. He loved the fact that he looked at a hungry, angry lioness, and saw a creature who needed help. She loved him and wanted him to feel nothing but happiness for the rest of his days, and would do anything to secure that for him.

"Even if we could never be physically together," Belle said, "I would still want to be with him for the rest of my life."

"Even with the fangs and claws?" Ruby asked, hanging on every word, because she dreamed that she could tell Percy everything about her, to unburden herself of her secrets, and to have him love her anyways.

Belle laughed a little. "Freddie asked something similar. And like I told him, 'Especially then'."

Ruby smiled. "He's a lucky guy."

"I'm a lucky woman," Belle retorted. "I just wish he wouldn't hide from-"

An old memory sprang up. Androcles trying to hide, to keep himself away from others, from Belle. Somewhere quiet and dark.

"Belle?" Ruby asked.

"What's up?" David questioned as the others caught up to them, and only then did Belle realize she'd stopped walking.

Art brushing up against her leg brought her back to reality.

Belle finally said, "Back in the Enchanted Forest, whenever Freddie truly needed to be alone, he would always look for a nearby cave. He'd stay there for days on end when his beastly side started to run rampant."

"Are there any caves nearby?" Hook asked the group.

Ruby started sniffing the air again, walking around in close proximity to the group before she faced northeast. "That way! I think it's that way!"

"Let's get going," Belle told the group, and Emma hastily folded the map and jammed it into their pocket as they went on the move once more.

Belle hoped her thoughts were somehow reach Freddie. Hold on, Freddie. I'm coming.

---

"How much farther?" Killian asked Ruby as the group walked as quickly as they dared over the rough terrain.

"Not much farther now," Ruby told them, leading the pack through the woods.

"We're losing daylight," David commented as he looked up at the sky, or what he could still see that wasn't covered by the tops of the trees. Sure enough, the light above was getting dimmer, and while Ruby's nose was reliable, they all had a better chance of defending Freddie if they could see in front of them.

Belle, Ruby, and David were up in the front while Killian and Emma remained in the rear.

Twigs, leaves, and other things on the forest floor crunched under their feet.

Killian said to Emma, "I was thinking about offering Belle and Freddie my old apartment above the library."

"Really?" Emma asked, the two of them trying to stay as quiet as possible.

"Mhmm," Killian replied. "Only if they want it, of course. If they feel safer at Granny's, that's fine, but it could provide more personal space for them and Art. Plus the library would be appealing to Belle."

Focus on the future, on the good things that could happen. Not the uncertainty, not the potential doom.

"I think that's a good idea," Emma said before she stiffened.

"What is-" Killian started to say before he heard something. He looked up ahead to see if the others noticed, but Ruby was too preoccupied following Freddie's scent, and Belle and David were too busy following Ruby.

Finally, Ruby noticed something, and began to shout, "Get-"

Ruby ducked out of the way as an arrow shot through the air, and struck a tree that had been behind her.

"Scatter!" David ordered as everyone dove for cover.

Killian and Emma raced to hide behind a nearby tree, the trunk wide and thick enough to shield them both.

After checking to see that Emma was okay, Killian carefully took a peak around the trunk to see who was firing. They were well-hidden, but Killian saw a man's peak from one of the corners.

Emma tapped his shoulder.

Killian hid behind the trunk fully once more, and looked to see Emma holding up her phone. She showed that it was on silent mode, and David had sent a text message to Emma, Ruby, and Killian. Sure enough, once Killian checked his phone, which thankfully had also been silenced, the message was there too.

Midas' men. There were seven at the restaurant. I don't know how many are here now.

That's when Ruby sent a message of her own. I smell six. I'm so sorry I didn't notice before.

Killian saw Emma type something out before it was sent. Thank the gods reception was still available...but how? They were deep in the forest, so how-

"Fan out!" A man ordered, and Killian carefully peaked around to see a man leading

The phone in his hand vibrated.

We need to cover Belle, Ruby, and Art.

Killian tapped her shoulder, and nodded to the direction of some nearby thick shrubbery that could give them some cover. They put their phones away, and then quietly but hastily made their way there. Both managed to hide before one of Midas' men appeared and searched their former hiding place.

Emma quietly undid her gun holster and pulled out her gun, her thumb pressed against the safety, holding off on making a sound until the last possible moment. Killian readied his hook.

The man turned around, sword in hand, and Killian felt his body prime itself for a fight.

The man began moving toward them, and the sound of a growl was all the warning given before Art leapt through the air. The man screamed as Art pounced, and pushed him to the ground. Frightened at the sight of a lioness hovering over him, the man tried to move his sword to cut her, but Art sank her teeth into the man's arm, causing him to scream in pain.

"Police! Freeze!" Emma shouted.

Killian saw that Emma, now standing up, pointed her gun at someone. He looked and found a man with a crossbow aimed at Art's back.

Killian wondered, If Art's here, where's Ruby and Belle?

"Ruby! Go!" David shouted in the distance, and there was the sound of a scuffle nearby.

The man with the crossbow began to move his aim at Emma, and in a millisecond, Killian knew that Emma would hesitate too long to shoot him, to risk taking a life. He leapt up and pushed her to the ground, an arrow flying through the air where Emma once stood.

"Are you okay?" Killian asked her, his heart racing at the brief but terrible image of the arrow striking Emma's heart.

"I'm fine," Emma told him, getting him off of her.

Art growled lowly as she released the arm of the now weeping man, whose blood covered her maw. She turned around, and began to run at the crossbow man, who had just finished reloading.

At the same time, Killian and Emma stood up, and now Emma had no hesitation in shooting the man before he could shoot his arm. Blood spurted from his arm, and he fell down, screaming when Art began gnawing on his leg. She made quick work of that before suddenly disappearing back into the forest.

"Two down," Emma said as she went forward to stop Art from killing him.

Suddenly, a man came up from behind the trees, and Emma narrowly ducked before he could chop her head off.

"Emma!" Killian shouted, rushing forward to get to her, but the moment Killian saw movement in the corner of his eye, he sharply turned, and blocked a sword with his hook.

We took down two, Killian thought as the muscles in his left hand pushed against the force of the blow. Two here. Two unaccounted for.

Killian saw Emma raise her gun at him, but the man she faced knocked it out of her hands with his sword. He thought he heard the gun clatter down a nearby hill.

As much as he wanted to, Killian couldn't focus on her. He had to put his energy into preventing the man before him from driving that sword through him.

"This isn't your fight," the man Killian fought told him. He looked quite young, and it struck Killian that he was hardly older than Phoebe, maybe 19 at the most. "Please, just let us-"

Killian put enough force behind his next shove that the young man fell to the ground. Kicking his sword away from him, Killian said, "Not going to happen-"

"Killian! Behind you!"

Killian turned around at the sound of Emma's scream, and he instantly dove out of the way when the man she had fought drove his sword at his stomach. He managed to get out of the way to avoid a mortal blow, but still let out a cry of pain when it sliced through his left side.

He went down hard, clutching his left side, and when he pulled back his right hand, blood came away. He pushed himself to get up, but his side burned too much.

I'm out of practice, he thought blearily. I can't die on a forest floor. Not when I have people waiting for me.

Killian rolled out of the way of the man's next strike, but his former young opponent was getting up again, sword in hand. He headed towards Killian as the other would-be killer raised his sword once more-

"No!"

Killian didn't have enough time to see what Emma was yelling about. All he did see was a white light nearly blind him, and suddenly two of Midas' men were thrown through the air several feet back, their weapons thrown even further away.

The two men groaned as they hit the ground with painful thuds, and only after seeing them struggle to move around did Killian turn his body, side burning, to see Emma standing there. She looked alright, but she was staring at her hands, which omitted the same white glow that had thrown off Midas' men.

What?, Killian thought, looking as stunned as Emma did. She...she has magic?

"Emma?" Killian asked, and the sound of his voice finally got her attention.

"Killian!" Emma let out, looking as scared as she did when Henry was in the hospital, and she rushed over to kneel by him. "Oh god, Killian, you're bleeding."

"Tis but a scratch," Killian tried to joke, but he groaned in pain.

"I-I there's got to be something," Emma looked around, but there was no one else there. "David! David, Killian's hurt!"

"Go...go to your father," Killian told her. "He needs your help."

"You need my help. I-" Emma stopped herself, and looked at her hands, which still glowed white. Her expression gave away her wariness, feeling as if her hands were no longer hers, but someone else's. That had to be the case, right? Product of True Love or not, she...she wasn't magic. She couldn't be. This was someone else. A spell or a curse or…

And yet, when she looked at Killian's wound once more, she felt something pull her to it. A string that, without her truly realizing it, tugged her hands forward to lift up Killian's shirt.

"Sorry," Emma apologized when he hissed in pain. She winced at the wound, how it sliced open flesh and muscle, with blood seeping out.

We don't have a car or anything. No bandages, nothing. Infection is a risk, and if we don't get him help soon…

The thoughts, as scary as they were, subsided in Emma's mind as a stupid thought came over. Stupid only in that, to Emma's logical and wary mind, she didn't trust herself to do it. However, that was overridden by wanting to help Killian, heal him, take away his pain. His wound.

Emma placed her glowing hands over Killian's wound.

Killian winced once more at the touch, and thought Emma was going to press down on the wound. However, it soon became clear that Emma wasn't putting any pressure at all. Instead, her touch was gentle, and Killian felt something odd. Looking down, he saw her hands glow a little brighter, and he felt as if his wound was closing up, invisible threads stitching it together. It itched and he wanted to move, but he forced himself to remain still as Emma gained this transfixed expression.

After a few more moments, the glow in Emma's hands died down until it disappeared completely. Her hands were covered in his blood, and she seemed disturbed by it. Once she took her hands away, however, both were stunned to see that, save for the blood covering his side, Killian was completely fine.

No wound. No pain. Nothing.

"I...I did that?" Emma whispered, not believing she'd seen it with her own eyes.

"Yes, you did," Killian said as he looked up at her amazed.

Emma looked like she wanted to kiss him, but then they heard rustling.

Both were immediately on alert when they saw the men Emma knocked over start to get up.

"Shit," Emma swore under her breath, and Killian would be lying if he said he didn't feel a great amount of trepidation when he heard the sounds of more people approaching.

Reinforcements?, he wondered.

Men stepped out of the forest, armed with swords and ropes and crossbows, and Emma helped Killian stand up, both ready for round two.

However, then they saw David emerge from one side of their view. He looked a little beaten up, but much better than the two men who were tied up with rope next to him, each with someone guarding them. That was because the older of the two tied up men had visible claw marks on the side of his face, blood seeping out, and Art casually stood nearby. Meanwhile, the clawed man in question tried to side step away from her.

On the other side of Killian and Emma was Abigail and a man Killian thought might've been her Frederick.

"Glad to see you got my message," David told Abigail.

"Of course," Abigail said, standing tall and proud as she addressed the men that Killian now realized were with her. "Seize them."

For a terrible moment, Killian worried she meant them, but instead, her guards grabbed up the two soldiers Emma and Killian just thought. Meanwhile, the one who had been partially mauled by Art were restrained, but also given some medical attention.

"Princess-"

"Captain Kostis," Abigail interrupted sternly. "I hereby place you under arrest. You and your men, after being given proper medical attention, will be placed in the custody of Sheriff Humbert, who has been apprised of the situation."

The man, Kostis, looked stunned. "Princess, you can't...your father-"

"Is also under arrest," Abigail said, and this time, her cool expression faltered. Frederick soothingly held her hand. She then addressed Killian, Emma, and David, "I'm sorry, but I should have done this years ago. My father is no longer king."

"A coup?!" Kostis asked aghast. He then addressed the other men. "King Midas is your liege, your-"

"We serve Queen Abigail," an older man said loyally.

Kostis looked disbelievingly at Abigail. "You're going through with this? Against your own father?"

"Yes," Abigail said, her cool expression hardened into an icy one. "Make no mistake, I love my father, but I stood by for far too long while he enslaved an innocent man. I won't do that any longer." Abigail then addressed David. "David, give Freddie my apologies."

"You can tell him yourself," David said before he realized something. "Freddie. We've got to go."

David and Art. didn't wait for anyone else's response, and neither did Killian and Emma. As Abigail and Frederick led their men and prisoners back to town, the three of them went to find Freddie.

Thankfully, Art seemed to know where they were supposed to go, and the newfound adrenaline pushed them harder and faster than they thought possible.

Eventually, they found Ruby standing at the entrance of a cave with her back turned towards them.

She whirled around, and let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Ruby said as she walked over and hugged David tightly, solely because he was the closest to her. Art paid her no mind, and went inside the cave. "What happened to Midas' men?"

"We got some help from Abigail and Frederick," David said as he hugged her back.

Ruby then hugged both Emma and Killian at the same time before she sniffed the air and stiffened. She pulled back and looked at them. "Oh gods, is that blood? Are you hurt?"

"Emma?" David questioned, looking suddenly fearful.

"We're fine," Emma told them, and before they could question further she asked, "Where's Belle?"

"In there," Ruby told them as she pointed to the cave. "She's been trying to get Freddie to come out, but no such luck. He wouldn't let me in there, because he doesn't want me to see him."

"We can give him some good news about Midas at least," Killian said as he went toward the cave, hearing David apprise Ruby of the details.

"Please, the others won't judge you," he heard Belle say as he stood at the mouth of the cave. He couldn't see them because they were too deep in, but he could still hear them. "They came all this way to help."

"I can't, Belle," Freddie said, or at least Killian thought it was Freddie. The voice sounded distorted, lower, and with the undercurrent of a growl. "And Midas-"

"Freddie," Emma called out as she joined Killian, her voice echoing as a result of the sound bouncing off the inside of the cave. "Freddie, it's us."

"Go away!" Freddie shouted back, the sound reverberating through their bodies.

"Freddie, mate, we have good news," Killian told him, adding a touch of joviality in an attempt to defuse the situation. "Midas and his men are taken care of."

"No...no he can't…" Freddie trailed off.

"It's true," Emma said. "Abigail and Frederick swooped in. She's queen now."

"You see?" Belle asked with a touch of audible desperation. "You're safe now. He can't hurt you again."

"My face-"

"Listen, Freddie, we don't care what you look like," David said as he and Ruby suddenly appeared. "You're our friend. Nothing is going to change that."

Then, Ruby added, "Freddie, I'm a werewolf. I've been like this my whole life, and Snow and David have been my friends for years. They don't care. What we do care about is you being safe and happy."

"Just give them a chance, please," Belle pleaded. "For me?"

Freddie didn't say anything, and Killian strained his ears, listening for the slightest clue on what was going on.

Eventually, Killian heard the sound of heavy footsteps, followed by Belle warning them to get back.

They quickly did so, and not long after Art emerged, followed by Belle, who was holding a clawed, fur-covered hand in hers.

Eventually, Freddie stepped into the light.

He was a touch taller than his normal 5′ 10″ height - perhaps six feet now thanks to his elongated hind legs. Dark yellow fur covered his body, and he was slightly hunched over, as if he just wanted to go on all fours. Killian suspected he only refrained from doing so because Belle was holding his hand. His face had morphed as well. It was more snout-like, akin to Art's, but not quite so. The thing that got to Killian most was his eyes. They were still the same soft brown eyes they always were.

Freddie shyly looked at them before looking away, seemingly ready to rush back to the darkness of the cave at the slightest hint of a bad reaction.

Ruby was the first to speak. "Wow. Your fur looks prettier than mine."

"Ruby-"

"I'm serious," Ruby interrupted Freddie nonchalantly. "You've been out in the woods this whole time, and it's all sleek and everything."

Freddie couldn't help but preen. Then he looked questioningly at the others, hopefully.

"No complaints from me," David said with a smile. "Are you hurting at all?"

"No," Freddie told him, coming a little out of his shell. He then looked at Emma and Killian. "What about you?"

"I mean...I fought a dragon," Emma told him. "And you're a lot nicer than she was."

"Where did you fight a dragon?" Freddie questioned, both he and Belle looking at her curiously.

"Under the library," Killian answered.

"There's a dragon under the library?" Ruby questioned before David whispered that he'd tell her later.

"We all care about you Freddie," Belle told him, and instantly his attention was on her again. She still held his hand. "I care about you. I…" Belle glanced over at Ruby, who gave her an encouraging nod. Emboldened, Belle looked at Freddie and said, "I love you."

"Belle," Freddie said softly, disbelievingly, hopefully.

"It's the truth," Belle reaffirmed.

"You can't...you can't love me," Freddie replied, sounding like he so badly wanted to believe her. He started stammering, "You're...You're you, and I'm me, and I love y-" Freddie cut himself off, and then sighed saying. "I love you, I do but...you can't love me."

"Yes, I can. Fangs and everything," Belle told him, heartfelt. She then placed her other hand on his neck. "I can prove it to you."

"Belle-"

Freddie was cut off when Belle leveraged herself upward, and kissed him on his lips.

Suddenly, a rush of energy burst out from those two, and it felt familiar. Very familiar. It felt warm and good and soothed away any and all aches of pains. It was like a wave emitted from them, and there was a light that, for the briefest moment, blinded all of them, though the only ones who didn't notice where Belle and Freddie.

Killian had to close his eyes, his head aching at the brightness of the light, and when he opened them, he couldn't help but stare.

Belle and Freddie pulled away from each other, and Belle seemed just as surprised when she saw that the beast Freddie had been disappeared, and the man stood before her once more.

"What is it?" Freddie asked, looking over her worriedly. When he checked her arms to see if something was wrong there, he gasped when he saw his hands were back to normal. He reluctantly let go of Belle's hand, lifting both of his hands up to examine them. He then felt his face, his nose, his teeth, everything.

Freddie choked out a laugh that sounded like a half-sob, and his eyes started to well up.

"How...is this real?" Freddie asked, and Belle nodded, her own eyes becoming misty. "How?"

David was the one who figured it out first. "True Love's Kiss."

Belle and Freddie looked at him stunned, and that's when Killian remembered why this felt so familiar.

"It's true," Killian said aloud before looking at Emma. "When you kissed Henry and broke the curse, it was the same feeling I had just now."

"When I broke the curse on Snow," David concurred, "it felt the same way."

"That means that we're…" Belle trailed off, looking at Freddie once more.

"True Love," Ruby said, smiling widely. "Congratulations."

Freddie smiled before picking Belle up and spinning her around. She laughed happily, and Killian felt Emma slip her hand into his.

When Freddie stopped spinning her, he eagerly planted another kiss on her lips before pulling away. He looked happier than Killian had ever seen him. "This is the best day of my life."

Art let out a happy sound as she rubbed up against them.

"Art, you good girl," Freddie said as he let go of Belle and hugged his faithful companion, Belle doing the same.

"Thank you," Belle told the group, unable to stop smiling. "Thank you all so much."

They all told her it was no problem.

"Killian," Belle said, the use of his name startling the man. Once she got his attention, she smiled at him. "Thank you."

In other words, We're good.

Killian smiled and nodded back before a thought came to mind. "You know, my apartment is about to become vacant. Perhaps you two could fill up the space?"

Despite the surprise on the new couple's face, both of them seemed pleased. Freddie smiled lovingly at Belle, "Yes, I think we will."

---

Fury swelled inside of his chest as he shattered the mirror with his cane, the shards making sharp sounds as they cascaded to the floor. A snarl escaped him as he turned away.

It can't be. It just can't be, Rumple thought as he paced the back room of the pawnshop. That lowly, pathetic beast can't be Belle's True Love.

It just wasn't possible. How could she love that pathetic whelp when she could be with him? He was the Dark One! The most powerful sorcerer to ever live! And she chooses a slave! A peasant! How dare she?!

And yet, there it was. They had kissed - an act that Rumple sneered at - and the curse had broken.

Rumple tried to steady his mind, but his newfound knowledge jarred him so much he couldn't think straight.

This was Milah all over again.

In his eyes, Belle was no longer a lovely girl he saw at his side. No, now she was a stupid, insipid mortal who made the wrong choice.

He wanted to rip out her heart like he did with Milah, toying with the idea that she would be forced to be his servant once more. Instead, he finally started to calm down, though the indignant rage remained.

Fine. If she wants to choose the beast, that's what she would get. He would teach them both what it meant to make a fool of Rumplestiltskin.

---

Emma had to check in on a few people before she, Killian, and David headed back to the loft.

First, she called Graham, who had briefly left Declan with Marian when he got the call from Abigail. Sure enough, their cells were getting full. Grumpy and Happy, the two dwarves Emma had previously left in charge of the station, reported that Regina wasn't happy at having to share a cell with so many people. However, when Grumpy said they'd be happy to put her in the same cell as the morose Midas, she declined.

She was probably okay with Midas being the only one to occupy a single cell.

When it came to future accommodations, Happy said that they might be able to convert the mines, or part of them, into cells. That would have to wait for some time, since the dwarves wanted to check if the mines had any usable materials before they filled it up with people. Plus, as much as they disliked their prisoners, none of them wanted to risk a mine collapse killing them.

Speaking of future accommodations, once Emma and Killian picked up the kids from the library, Belle and Freddie announced plans to move their limited items from Granny's to the apartment. Ruby and Rapunzel both offered to help them.

With all of that done, Emma and Killian got their kids piled into the back of the bug before they took the front seats. However, Emma didn't start the car, even as David drove off to the loft.

"Mom?" Henry asked curiously. "Why aren't we following Grandpa?"

The kids looked at her questioningly, as did Killian.

Emma turned in her seat, looking at Killian as she asked, "You think we should tell them? About the house?"

It finally dawned on Killian what she was getting at, and he smiled. "Yes, I think we should."

"Tell us what?" Phoebe asked.

Both adults turned in their seats further so that they could look at the kids more easily.

"I found us a house," Killian announced, smiling as Phoebe let out an "Awesome" and Tien outright cheered.

"And," Emma said, looking at the kids but focusing more on Henry, wanting to gauge his reaction, "Killian and I talked it over, and we were thinking about all of us moving into it."

Henry's jaw dropped, and to her relief, he looked excited. "Seriously? We get to live together?"

"Yeah," Emma said, "but we wanted to know what you all think."

"Yes!" Tien exclaimed happily.

"I'm in," Phoebe said, smiling at Tien and Henry.

Henry, meanwhile, actually bounced in his seat. "Me too. This is gonna be so cool. When can we move in?"

"We need to move some furniture in first," Killian told him. "The beds and the couch first, and then moving in more things over time. However, it shouldn't take more than a few days."

Henry gasped excitedly. "Do you think we'll get to move in on my birthday?"

"I don't know if it'll be ready by then, but should have most of it done by that point," Emma answered, thinking about how with two days left before Henry's 11th birthday, she'll likely be more focused on giving him a good birthday.

"We could have your birthday in the loft," Phoebe suggested to Henry. "Kind of as a going away thing too, even if we're only moving to another part of town."

"Oh yeah," Henry said, his spirits dampening a little. "Will Grandma and Grandpa be sad we're leaving?"

Emma shrugged a little. "Maybe, but it's not like we're going away forever. Like Phoebe said, we'll just be in another part of town. And this way, you all get your own rooms."

"My own room," Phoebe whispered, her shoulders relaxing.

"I think that's a yes," Killian said before announcing, "All in favor, say 'Aye!'."

The 'ayes' were unanimous.

They soon drove off, and were still talking about the move when they entered the loft.

Snow smiled at them, dressed in sweatpants and a soft pink sweater as she closed the oven. David was nearby, also dressed in sweatpants, but wearing a short-sleeved black shirt.

"Hey guys," Snow said, "what's with all the chatter?"

Right. They'll have to explain this to them.

"We're moving into a house," Henry announced as they hung up their coats.

Snow and David looked confused.

Might as well get it over with.

"Hey kids, you mind getting ready for dinner?" Emma asked. "We need to talk to Snow and David."

The kids did as they were told, going off in different directions to get ready while Emma and Killian took seats at the kitchen counter.

"Food should be ready soon," Snow told them, though she said it like an afterthought. "I was just checking on it."

"What's this about moving?" David asked, getting straight to the point.

"Exactly like it sounds," Emma told them, feeling a little nervous. "That house Killian and I looked at on Sunday. We were talking and-"

"We?" Snow interrupted, looking confused.

"Yes, we," Emma continued. "Anyways, we talked about it, and we figured that since the house is basically perfect and has enough rooms, Henry and I will be moving in with Killian and the girls."

"So soon?" Snow asked before she realized how she sounded. "I mean, congratulations on getting the house, but you two have only been dating for a few months."

Truth be told, both Snow and David were a little surprised Emma was on board with this. Not because they doubted her feelings for Killian, but because they didn't know if this was too fast for her. Given the little they knew about her previous relationships, or lack thereof, they thought this wouldn't happen for at least another year.

Emma had a feeling this would come up, but even then, she was more uncomfortable than prepared.

That's when Killian decided to step in.

"We haven't officially been together long, that's true," Killian said casually. "However, in that short span of time we've already lived together, here in fact, the kids are all for it, and it would give you two some space."

"If this is about space, it's not a problem," David said.

"Yes, it is, David," Emma told him bluntly but not harshly. "We appreciate you letting us stay here, but it's not the same as during the curse. It's not me living with my roommate and her boyfriend. Now it's my mom and dad living in the same space with little privacy as me and my boyfriend."

When he saw Snow and David glance at each other over the 'privacy' bit, Killian couldn't help but quip, "But fear not. If it makes you feel better, I will ensure that Emma doesn't threaten my virtue."

Emma nudged him in the side for that one, hoping she wasn't blushing too much.

In the end, Snow and David knew they had a point. As much as they wanted to keep Emma as close as possible, they also knew she valued privacy. Besides, despite their worries, this was a big step in a good direction. Killian continued to prove that he was trying to do better, and both of them did believe he had Emma and the kids' best intentions at heart.

Also, Emma might have had a point about David and Snow wanting some privacy. They hadn't had much proper alone time since the curse broke. It did help that the separation wouldn't span entire worlds.

"Well…" Snow trailed off before addressing Emma, "if it makes you happy, then your father and I support it."

After getting a look from Snow, David nodded. "Yes, we do. Does this make you happy?"

Emma held Killian's hand as she smiled. "Yeah, it really does."

"Great," Snow said with a newfound upbeat tone. "When do you plan on moving in?"

"Hopefully in the coming days," Killian said. "One more thing. I doubt we'll have everything moved in by Henry's birthday, and Phoebe suggested that we hold his birthday party at the loft."

"If that's okay with you," Emma interjected.

"Of course it is," Snow told them sincerely.

"This will be our first birthday with our grandson," David said, smiling at the idea of getting to celebrate this with the boy. Then, a little more dramatically, he added, "It'll be a grand affair for the ages. Years from now, our descendants will talk about the best 11th birthday party the world has ever seen."

"Are you talking about my birthday?" Henry asked as he appeared once more, clothes changed and hands washed. The girls weren't far behind.

"Your grandparents have agreed to hold it here," Killian informed them.

"Ooh, what flavor of cake do you want?" David asked him, and soon the men began discussing the details of the birthday.

Snow took that moment to walk around the counter and wrap Emma in her arms.

"I'm glad your happy," Snow whispered in her ears. "That's all I want for you."

Emma hesitated before hugging her back. "Thanks Snow."

Snow pulled back, cupping her face with a small smile, and soon got everyone to work setting up for dinner.

Later that night, Emma would tell her parents about her newfound magic, and ask what the hell she was supposed to do with that.

For now, though, Emma would enjoy the peace.

---

Ruby cracked the joints in her neck, standing at the front desk of Granny's Inn, looking over the day's logs. It had been a long day.

Thankfully, the manager she'd left in charge of the diner kept things running. At first, Granny had been upset that Ruby took off from the diner with such little notice. Her annoyance had abated once Ruby gave her the full story, and she looked ready to put a few holes in Midas herself. As it was, Granny had talked to Belle and Freddie, and agreed that it was probably better for them to move into the library's upper apartment.

Not everyone is as fond of lions as you are, Granny had told the couple. They had agreed, but seemed too smitten with each other to feel Granny's disapproval for the big cat.

Truth be told, even Granny seemed too happy for them for her admonishment to hold real weight.

"Hey there, hero," a familiar and welcome voice said.

Already smiling, Ruby looked up and saw Percy approach the front desk. She met him halfway as the two of them kissed, her heartbeat increasing at the feel of his lips on hers.

When they pulled back, she had a question in mind. "Where's LJ?"

"Upstairs reading a comic book," Percy told her. "He wanted me to let you know that he thinks you're 'Super cool' for helping Freddie."

"Super cool, huh?" Ruby teased. "I'll take it."

"I'm so proud of you," Percy said sincerely and warmly as he leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

"It was no trouble," Ruby said. "Well, yeah it was, but it was worth it to save Freddie. Now, not only is Midas out of the way, but his curse is broken too."

"He had fur, right?" Percy asked. He let out a little whistle. "Rumor has it the transformation was painful."

"Pretty sure it was," Ruby answered. "Not like-"

Mine. She was about to say mine.

The fact that she nearly blew her secret caused her to clam up.

"Not like…?" Percy inquired, not understanding why Ruby suddenly stopped herself.

Her stomach clenched. Should she just tell him? It was such a simple thing.

I'm a werewolf.

Peter's terrified face floated to the front of her mind.

The murmurs of fellow villagers wanting to kill the wolf wafted through her ears.

Granny's own protectiveness of her - their - secret.

However, hadn't she told Freddie earlier that Snow and David didn't care? They still saw her as Ruby.

Would Percy? Would he just...accept her?

"Ruby," Percy said as he reached over to hold her hand, and her hand remained limp as he did so, "is something wrong?"

Ruby hesitated before saying, "Not really? I mean...I was thinking about Belle, and how she accepted Freddie even when he was furry."

"That's love," Percy surmised with a little smile.

"Yeah, it is," Ruby told him, her voice quieter now, feeling as if an invisible hand was squeezing her throat, trying to choke the words back. Before it could quash the attempt, Ruby rushed out, "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course," Percy replied immediately.

Go. Just go for it.

"I'm...a werewolf," Ruby finally said, feeling the air rush out of her lungs. Forcibly taking in a shaky breath, she continued, "I've been a werewolf my entire life. It was passed down from my mother, who got it from my grandmother. Every full moon, I end up transforming. I have a red cloak that helps me keep it under control, but I can feel it coming. March 8 is the next full moon, and...I wanted- no, I needed to let you know before that happened. Just in case you-" Ruby sighed, and suddenly realized she had trouble seeing Percy's eyes, because tears began muddying up her vision. "Just in case you wanted this - us - to end."

"Ruby," Percy said her name again, using his free hand to reach up and wipe a stray tear off her face. She leaned into the touch. "Thank you for telling me. And I want you to know I'm serious when I say that this changes absolutely nothing."

"Really?" Ruby asked desperately, hating that her voice broke in the middle of that one word.

"Obviously," Percy teased her gently. He only let go of her hand so that he could use both of his hands to cup her face. "Listen to me - you are gorgeous, you are brave, and you are very smart. You being a werewolf is just another part of you like those things are. And I am very lucky to have you as my girlfriend, if that's what you still want."

"Yes, it is," Ruby told him. "You, um, you think LJ will be okay with this?"

"Are you kidding?" Percy asked. "He'll think you're a superhero. Lucky for you, I'm into that."

Ruby let out a breathy laugh before placing her hands on his neck, pulling him down to share a kiss. Their lips pressed and moved against each other, and soon her arms wrapped around his neck and his wrapped around her waist.

It was then that Ruby realized that a weight had been lifted off her, and she felt like she could breathe again.

---

Not for the first time, Graham felt great walking into a home where Declan, Roland, and Marian resided. Also not for the first time, he wished they all were living together.

The entire time he and Declan looked at that house earlier, his son teased him.

"You and Marian can share this room."

"I bet Marian would like this kitchen."

"You and Marian should probably clear out the attic. I don't know if ghosts or shit are haunting it."

That swear cost him a dollar.

Still, Graham said he'd be lying if he didn't consider it. He and Marian were still dating, and now that Regina was locked up and seemingly without magic once more - how Tien did it is beyond him - they didn't have to worry about reprisal.

Even the Merry Men seemed okay with their relationship. Not exactly warm, but that was alright. They didn't know him and he didn't know them. He'd be happy to try though.

Declan also adored Roland, and vice versa.

However, there was a complication.

Regina.

Sure, physically she was out of his hair for the most part. Emma had proposed deputizing Grumpy and Happy, since they did need more help. That would give him a way to get out of Regina's sight for longer periods of time.

But even when she wasn't physically around, he felt her. He felt dirty in the dead of night, sick. Like he wanted to throw up, hoping the ugliness would drain out of him.

He loved it when Marian touched him, whether it be a kiss or a simple hand hold. She'd also started feeling him up more, and he loved it...until he did it.

Graham knew it would only be a matter of time before his excuses of 'I'm tired' or 'I have a headache' would get old. Not that he thought Marian would pressure him into it, never, but she would start to get suspicious.

He stepped inside Marian's home, having gotten a spare key from her, and found her drying some dishes in the kitchen.

Despite his lack of a heart, despite his muted emotions, Graham couldn't help but smile and feel a little bit happier seeing her. He walked up and wrapped his arms around her.

Marian startled, but then relaxed when she realized it was him.

"Hello, stranger," Marian smiled.

He kissed her on the cheek. "Sorry for scaring you."

"Pfft," Marian replied. "A big teddy bear like you. What've I got to be scared of?"

"Teddy bear?" Graham asked incredulously. "I prefer being a wolf."

"Or really?" Marian teased.

Graham tightened his arms around her, and caused her to laugh a little loudly as he twirled her around.

"Shh, shh," Marian warned, though she laughed quietly as she did so. "The kids are asleep."

"Really?" Graham asked as he remembered the time. "Declan's asleep at this hour?"

"Mhmm," Marian said as she turned around in his arms. "Roland needed a nap, and Declan started reading The Hobbit again. Last time I checked, they're both cuddled up on his bed."

"That's adorable," Graham replied. "Let me take pictures for blackmail- I mean prosperity."

"Wait," Marian said as she tightened her arms around him, stopping his progress. "We've still got time before they wake up from their nap. I think," she kissed him, "we can," another kiss, "have some time before they do."

"Really?" Graham asked, suddenly feeling a little nervous. No, this was good. This was meant to feel good. Not like. No. No no I said-

"Graham?" Marian's voice brought him back, jarring him from his thoughts, and he saw that her teasing face and voice disappeared. Now she looked worried.

I'm mucking this up, Graham berated himself and he tried to smile. "I'm fine."

A tiny frown marred Marian's face. "It's okay if you're not always fine, right? If you ever need to talk about something, I'm ready to listen."

I can't, I just can't.

I want to. I need to. Please don't look at me badly. Please just...if I tell you, please don't look at me like…

One thing. I can tell her one important thing.

Graham released her, and she allowed him to go when he stepped back.

Graham put his hands in his pockets. He tried to act like he was relaying a piece of information, trying to imagine reading off a grocery list.

Milk. Eggs. Lost Heart.

Simple.

"I...I don't have a heart," Graham told her, rushing it out as fast as he could without sounding incomprehensible. "Not that I never did, but...Regina ripped out years ago. She…" Emma told him something important before they departed earlier, something that made him want to strangle the witch. "She lost my heart, and now I have no idea where it is. For years she made me do things, and…"

Graham couldn't bring himself to say more at the moment.

To his shock, Marian said, "I know. Emma told me." Then, not wanting to anger him, she added, "She only did it because I already knew something was bothering you, but you wouldn't say. I just wanted to know if maybe I was missing something, and she told me that. She also told me about Cora, and I relayed the message to the Merry Men. I'm sorry if I overstepped."

"You don't need to be sorry," Graham whispered out. He only felt partly relaxed, and he knew why. He wasn't telling her everything.

"I'm so sorry about what Regina did to you," Marian told him, her eyes sad. "I promise I will do everything I can to get your heart back, and if you need to take a step away from the station, I will help you there too. I've never experienced it, but I can't imagine losing your heart is an easy thing to deal with. And-"

"That's not all she did," Graham said, this time so quietly that Marian nearly missed it. Graham didn't notice that though, because he felt dirty again. Disgusting.

Please still like me after this. Please just believe me.

Marian didn't say anything, waiting for him to make the next move.

Graham took his hands out of his pockets, crossing his arms over his chest. A would-be shield against...what? Marian? Rejection?

You've already gone this far, Graham told him, just say it. Gods be damned and just say it.

"Regina hired me to kill Snow White, claiming she was just an enemy," Graham confessed. "When I met Snow, however, she was nothing like Regina claimed. I tried faking her death. I cut out a stag's heart to trick Regina, but she saw through it. She took my heart as compensation. After that-" Graham closed his eyes, using one hand to cover them as he shrunk in on himself.

He thought he felt Marian start to move toward him, but when he shook his head, she backed off.

Thank you. Thank you for that, even if it's just for now.

Graham once again properly folded his arms, but couldn't look at Marian anymore. His voice was shaking. "She ordered her guards t-to bring me to her bedchamber. Once she got there she…" Graham sucked in a shaky breath, and now he could feel stray tears going down his face. Self-doubt threatened to end his confession, but he pushed on. This was for him, and he needed to say it. "I didn't want to have sex with her. I'd never even done that with anyone before, but sh-she didn't care. Sh-she ra...she...she raped me."

The man glanced up, and saw Marian was crying now too.

"She'd do that anytime she wanted," Graham continued, his voice shaking terribly now. "I begged her to stop, but she wouldn't...I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Marian told him immediately, her own voice now unsteady.

"I am sorry," Graham said again. "Even during the curse, when she had my heart, she still did that to me. Only after I met you and realized I-I wa-wanted you...I finally walked away. That's why I couldn't stop before. May-maybe that's why I could back then, b-because she didn't have my heart. I promise I want you, but I can't forget her on me and-"

Graham covered his mouth, suppressing a sob, holding back a wave of tears that threatened to come forward. For years, Regina told him that he should feel lucky and no one would believe him and-

He tried shaking his head, shaking those ugly, ugly thoughts out of his mind.

Neither of them spoke for a few moments.

Marian swallowed a lump, feeling shock and rage and grief for Graham, hating Regina in a way she didn't think possible. However, so much made sense now. Those little things that went under the radar at first now pieced together perfectly. Oh gods, why didn't she realize this sooner?

Forcing herself to focus on the now, on how hurt Graham was, Marian steadied herself as best she could. She tried carefully choosing her words to cause as little to no damage to him as possible. Thank goodness the boys were still asleep. "It's not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry about. I am so sorry this happened to you."

Graham just nodded.

"I…" Marian started. "You can say no, okay? You can absolutely say no to this. Would you like me to hug you? You can say no, and I'll do what you want."

Graham lowered his arms and nodded sharply.

Marian stepped forward hesitantly, but once their fronts were pressed together, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hoping that somehow, someway, her love for her would pour through into him.

Graham stilled for a moment or two before he felt his shoulders sink. The tension in his body that didn't disappear. Instead, it transformed into action, making his arms wrap around her waist, getting his head to fall into her shoulder.

Then, not of his own volition, Graham began to cry. He tried to stop it, but it was done. Tears and cries of anguish poured out of him, muffled only by Marian's shoulders.

"It's okay," Marian told him, her voice quiet as she tried to suppress her own urge to cry.

Graham just held onto her, hoping beyond hope that one day she would be right.

---

No lie, my arms hurt from how much I wrote those last scenes. Seriously, my biceps are aching. But it was worth it.

There it is. Captain Swan is moving in together, Belle and Freddie are True Love, Ruby confessed to Percy, and Graham told Marian the truth.

Let me know what you think!

See you next week!