Thanks everyone for the love! I've really enjoyed writing this, there is a lot of stuff happening in this chapter. Enjoy!
Emma smiled as she put the phone down, it had been a month of dead ends, trying to work out what had happened in the Enchanted Forest, who started the curse, and what had happened to their family. She had been getting frustrated with the lack of information, and Killian had to stop her from just driving down there to find out what had happened, and Emma had to stop Henry from doing the same thing at least once a week. He was worried about Regina, she could tell.
But... she just got her first lead.
The seashell hadn't worked, well as far as they know. Killian spoke once a week, hoping to get in touch with Ariel to help but his pleas went unanswered.
She had found out where the dragon was, He moved every 3 weeks, and he had just moved to a shop on the other side of the marina.
"Here?" Killian asked, glancing up at the shop. "Doesn't look very magical."
Emma nodded, she had to practically strong-arm Henry into going to school today, so desperate to come with them to meet the Dragon. She promised if there was anything they could do today, she would come and get him.
The shop was small, filled with items. It reminded Emma of Gold's shop. Things that don't make sense to be there. She had only taken three steps in when she felt it.
Magic.
She gripped Killian's arm.
"We're in the right place." She murmured.
"Yes. You are Emma Swan."
A man appeared from the back, dressed in long robes, his face aged and haggard as he observed the two people now in his shop.
"I have been waiting for you." He smiled softly. "Both of you." His eyes glanced at Killian.
"Good. I had hoped you had managed to find each other." He motioned to the back.
"Come. Come."
Emma looked at Killian before shrugging, following him into the room, there was a large round table in the center of the room with three red chairs surrounding it. The man sat. Emma and Killian sat down. The man waved a hand. Three mugs appearing with a large ornate teapot. Emma looked at it wearily. She had learned the hard way that a drink may not just be a drink.
"I would not feed you a love potion." The man said knowingly.
"How did…"
"I know a lot of things." The man brushed off. "Pour into your mug, and let it sit, then drink."
Emma glanced between the man and the tea.
"Tea leaves?"
The man smiled. "Not all magic comes from another realm. This land does have it, if not entirely accurate." Emma nodded. Slowly pouring her tea before handing it to Killian, who did the same.
"So you do know about the Enchanted Forest?" Killian asked.
"Yes. I know of many realms, I know that the evil queen had cursed them all, and a saviour was foretold." He nodded at Emma. "I also know she gave up the love of her son, to save everyone. I also know that another curse has befallen the land."
"Do you know who?"
The man frowned. "I can see shapes, figures on the wall." He hummed. "It seems that information can not be shared at the moment."
"What the bloody hell does that mean?"
"It means Killian, that my magic flows differently. I can see things. I cannot choose what I see…" He suddenly froze. Staring at Emma.
"Interesting." He said slowly.
"What?" Emma's heart pounded. What had he seen?
"I am not certain if that is the path." He glanced between the two. "A consult with the tea leaves will help."
Emma nodded. Quickly drinking her tea. It was bitter, the most bitter thing she had ever tasted. Her face screwed up as she forced herself to finish the liquid. Killian followed suit, although smiled at the taste. Like it reminded him of home.
Emma passed her cup to the Dragon and he twisted it and turned it in his hand. Face etched with curiosity.
"That… doesn't..." He said quietly. He held his hand out for Killian's, looking down at his mug and eyes widening.
"Interesting." He said again. Emma took a deep breath, her patience wearing thin.
"What's interesting?" She asked, her voice shaking.
"Your leaves. They make no sense, apart." He hummed softly. "Together, however." He pulled the cups together. His face lighting up, taking years off his face.
"There you are." He smiled gently, almost lovingly.
"So… You know how to break the curse?"
"Yes. Yes, I do." He looked between the two. A heavy silence filling the air.
"What do I need to do?" Emma asked desperately.
"You have already done it." He said gently. "I'm afraid, you are not the one to break the curse.'
"Who is?"
"Your child."
Emma gasped.
"Henry? He… He can't." She said shakily. The Dragon tilted his head. An unreadable expression on his face.
"Not Henry."
Emma froze.
Wait…
It can't be.
She did the maths in her head.
She was late.
Killian had been here for a month, she would have been ovulating…
The day Killian came back.
The Dragon's eyebrow raised.
"Perhaps you should have listened to your mother." The dragon said lightly.
Emma turned to Killian who still looked confused. She took his hand tightly.
"A child born of true love." The dragon said gently. "Is very powerful, however, if the product of true love was to find true love herself, that child…"
The penny dropped. Killian's mouth dropped, eyes wide with shock, his gaze slipping to her stomach.
"So… so our child," Emma said quietly. "They can break this curse?'
The dragon nodded. "Yes. How… I am unsure."
"So we need to wait another 20 years?" Tears formed. Henry would be an adult, she would be an old woman meeting her parents who would still be young.
The dragon smiled sadly.
"It will not be that long. I imagine the curse will be lifted by their 8th birthday."
"You expect a babe to lift a curse?" Killian asked outraged.
"The child needs belief, and I think Emma knows, as you get older, hope and belief are a little harder.'
"So, we take an 8-year-old to a storybook where someone wants to curse us? That sounds like parenting of year."
The Dragons gaze fell back to the mugs. A deep frowned etched on his face.
"We have to go before? Don't we?" Killian realised.
"In order for the curse to be broken, both of you will have to be under it. Your child needs to fight for you. Just like Henry fought for you."
"I feel like children born of true love end up traumatised." Emma finally sighed.
The Dragon smiled sadly. "I'm sorry I could not give you better news."
"So how will we know?" Killian asked. "When its time?"
The dragon waved a hand, a pot with a small sapling buried in the dirt appearing next to them.
"As your child grows, so will this seed. When the last leaf falls. You need to go to Storybrooke.'"
Emma nodded. Picking the small pot up.
"Will we see you again?"
"When the curse is broken. I believe I will see you again, the final battle is still ahead ."
Emma wanted to ask, what final battle, however. One thing at a time.
One curse at a time.
"Oh and Miss Swan?"
Emma glanced up.
"Jack, you need to resolve that quickly. I can see a chain of events, and if left. It will ruin everything."
She slowly nodded as she stood. Cradling the sapling in her arms.
"I want to go pick Henry up." She said quietly as they left. Killian nodded.
"Of course love." He said quietly.
"Are you okay?" Emma said glancing over to him. She had done this before, pregnancy, even raising Henry, although they were fake memories.
Killian nodded. "I'm fine." he swallowed. "I… I never thought me being a father was on the cards." He admitted. "I… I know this isn't the best time. Or the best news, our child, having to break the curse." His face slowly broke into a smile. "I am glad that I am going to be a father."
Emma didn't even realise that is what she needed to hear. Until she felt a tear leave her eye. She had been scared, scared of Killian's reaction, she needed him to be happy about it. She needed to know he wasn't going to leave, leave her with a child.
Like Neal did.
"We will get through this." She wrapped her arms around his neck. Kissing him softly, smiling at Killian's smile, his bright excited eyes. "Together."
"You're pregnant?" Henry asked his face shocked.
"Yes."
"And they break the curse."
"Yes."
"So we need to wait?"
Emma sighed sadly. She knew this would be difficult news for him to hear.
"I'm so sorry Henry."
Henry nodded, looking out to sea. He slowly smiled.
"I'm going to be a big brother?"
Emma smiled "Yeah. The best big brother."
Henry grinned and hugged her. "I'm happy for you." He said softly. "I am."
"Kid," Emma said softly. "Just because I'm pregnant, and Killian is here…" She kissed his forehead. "You are still so important to me, and you are in a family. This one right here. It's just getting a little bigger."
Henry nodded. "I know. I like this family." His eyes glanced over to Killian, who was looking through the spyglass on the bow. Looking for Jack.
"I do too. I love you, Henry."
"I love you too mom."
"Swan!"
She looked up. "He walking down?"
"Yes."
"Right. Showtime."
Jack was surprised when Emma had asked him to meet on the pier. She had said that she was meant to be working. He glanced at his watch. She told him to be here at 5. It was 5. He sighed. For the saviour she was a terrible timekeeper. He looked up the marina, trying to spot a flash of golden hair.
He felt a sharp pain on the back of his head.
Then Darkness.
"Nice shot."
"Well. I still owe him for drugging me."
Jack's eyes opened. He was in a cage? He could hear the sound of water and a gentle rocking motion. A boat?
"Ah look who's up."
"Emma." Jack frowned, heart, pounding as he realised he was in some sort of brig.
"Emma love? What's going on? Where am I?" He asked, his voice shaking. Emma glared at him.
"Drop the act. I know. I know everything. I know about Storybrooke."
Jack's eyes widened. He wasn't expecting that. He let out a sigh.
"How long?"
"A month."
"How?"
"Does it matter?"
"Seeing as I'm going to get killed? Probably not." Jack shrugged. His eyes left Emma to the man who stood next to her. Immediately finding a glint of silver.
"Captain Hook?"
"So you know who I am?" Killian asked stepping forward his eyes hard and dark staring at the man.
"The Dark One talks about you frequently."
"Wait. The Dark One?" Killian rushed forward. "The Dark One is alive?"
"Yes. We made a deal, he told me I had to get Emma to Storybrooke." Jack explained. "I.. I'm sorry Emma."
"Wait, Gold died, he killed Pan. How can he be alive?" Emma asked.
"When we returned to the Enchanted Forest. Neal… Neal was obsessed with bringing his father back. He and Belle went looking for answers." Kilian said softly. Emma sighed. "Guess he found it. But why would Gold want to recast the curse? I know he's a villain, but he cast the first curse to be reunited with his son."
"Maybe... Maybe he's helping Neal get back to Henry?" Emma suggested before turning back to Jack.
"What did he say about us?"
"He said that Hook stole his happy ending" Emma frowned.
"Wait.. he had Belle, why would he still hellbent on killing you because of Milah?" Emma asked Killian who shrugged.
"No idea Love. I have left my path of revenge. Maybe the crocodile still has a score to settle?"
"Do you know why he wanted me in Storybrooke?" Emma asked Jack.
"He… He said that he was going to curse you. I think he was worried the saviour could break it maybe? I don't know. He didn't really confide in me much."
"Right." Emma sighed. "I guess we'll let you go."
"Wait." Jack frowned, scrambling up. "You're letting me leave? I know I'll have to tell the dark one?"
"We know. By the time you tell him. We won't be in New York." Emma shrugged. "Your deal with him, tell him it stands. I'm coming for him." She said softly.
"I will go back to Storybrooke. Eventually."