Jogging through the streets of streets of Storybroke David held his hand to his chest. Even though the situation with Graham had barley simmered down, David felt he was needed elsewhere. Sensing that something was wrong he could feel it in his heart, like an ache. So much so, he called Mary Margret, he couldn't wait the mere few minutes it would take to arrive. But there was no answer anyway. Not entirely abnormal as she did mention how busy she'd be on the first day back at school. Still, David couldn't shake this uncertainty, that something was very wrong. What made this felling even more daunting to him was that he'd promised Emma, he'd be there. Looking down at the time on his watch, a shot of adrenaline coursed through his veins seeing that it was 3.14. In sixty seconds, he would be late to pick up Emma. A simple task most Dads could accomplish easily but everything for them was always more complicated. Quickly David broke into a run bursting through the doors into the halls of Storybrooke high at 3.15 on the dot. The bell rang and students started making their way out to the halls noticing the out of breath David. A still bleeding cut on his forehead from the mobs attack. As the students walked out of their classes, they looked upon him with confusion and distain. David barely noticed this reaction, looking for one face amongst the crowd. But Emma was nowhere to be found.
"David, what are you doing here?" Killian ask confused from behind David noticing his erratic behaviour.
"Where are they?" David replied desperate.
"Emma and Mary Margret? They left here about half an hour ago" Killian said getting concerned noticing how anxious David's was.
"What's wrong?" Killian asked ready to lend a hand.
"What do you mean they left, where have they gone?" David asked confused and a little annoyed.
"I don't know, I thought you would?" Killian said getting concerned now seeing David's cut.
David knew something was wrong now as Mary Margaret would have told him that he didn't need to pick up Emma. Frustrated he reached for his phone once more, calling Mary Margaret while making his way down the hall to the principal's office, closely followed by Killian. Grabbing the handle David grunted realising it was locked. However, David could hear the familiar ringtone coming from inside the room. Both David and Killian peered through the window, but the room was empty. Killian then spotted something odd, it looked like a finger poking out from under the desk. Quickly he made his way to the door feeling that was enough evidence for a break in. Most of these classroom doors where cheaply made so it wasn't hard.
"What are doing?" David asked surprised at the ease in which Killians got into the room.
Killian didn't even need to answer as they entered. David now saw his wife roughly tucked under the desk unconscious; her phone placed in her back pocket still ringing.
"Mary Margret" David said pulling her out, but there was no response. David rested her head in his arms desperately looking for a sign of life. There was silence as he felt for a pulse relieved as her heart was still beating strong.
"Snow" David yelled trying to get a response, but she remained unconscious.
"She's been drugged mate" Killian said noticing the cup on the ground with the remaining contents lining the floor.
David looked overwhelmed holding Mary Margret in his arms now realising why he felt the similar pain in his chest. This situation was much worse than before as they needed Mary Margret awake to explain where Emma had gone.
"I'll get help" Killian said making his way out of the room. Beginning to panic, knowing Emma was last seen with Mary Margret.
David had one tried and tested method when it came to this type of scenario. So, without much thought, he leaned in cradling Mary Margaret's head. Closing his eyes softy kissing her lips expecting when he opened them again, she would be awake smiling up at him. However, that wasn't the case whoever had done this, hadn't used magic. There was no curse to break this would just take time. Time, they didn't have though. David was kicking himself; he knew something was wrong. Probably felt it as soon as his true love feel unconscious. This was no time to dwell though, he needed to find Emma going straight into action mode, he stood up carrying Mary Margret in his arms. David headed out to the hall quickly. Killian who had swiftly managed to enlist Mulan, came towards him and followed just behind as he made his way to the exit of the school.
"Wait what she doing here? I saw Mrs Blanchard leave with Emma earlier" Mulan asked confused.
"It mustn't have been her" David said.
"No, I'm sure of it, I was across the quad looking for Elsa, it was defiantly them" Mulan persisted.
Whoever you saw with Emma it wasn't Mary Margaret, that's why they drugged her" David said moving faster realising how much worse this was. "It was an imposter"
"Emma" Killian simply said his voice shaking. Thinking of Emma alone and vulnerable with someone she believes she can trust.
"I need to ask favour" David said turning to Mulan, who nodded.
"Take Mary Margret to the sheriff's station, Graham will look after her while I find Emma" David instructed.
"Off course" Mulan replied.
The three of them quickly went over to Mulan's car and David gently placed Mary Margret in the passenger seat putting the seatbelt on her kissing her forehead. Whispering a promise in his wife's ear that he would find Emma, hoping on some level she could hear him. Thankfully, Mulan had seen them walk out of the school and knew the general direction they went in. It was the only thing David had to go off in finding Emma, but it would do for now. David told Mulan to take Mary Margret to the Sheriff's station. With instructions to try whatever they could to wake Mary Margaret. The only person with a clue as to who took Emma, they needed her conscious, he needed her to be ok. David started to head off out of the carpark quickly his mind racing.
"Wait" Mulan said as he quickly tried to run off "You might want to borrow this" Mulan said handing David her sword, which she kept in the car at all times just in case.
"Thank you" David said taking the word.
It wasn't until the car had pulled out of the car park David realised Killian was still beside him, as he assumed Killian gone with Mulan. Before he could say anything, Killian began his speech.
"I'm coming, I can help, I need to know she's ok" Killian said as demanding as possible.
"I know" David said cutting him off before he continued to argue his point further.
David smiled coming closer he put his arm around Killians shoulder pushing him forward to come with him. The truth was he just couldn't stand the idea of anyone else getting hurt. Even though Killian had been sixteen longer than most he still seemed so young and vulnerable to David now. Never having had his parents around to watch out for him just like Emma had for most of her life. They where one in the same and David new he had to look out for Killian.
They followed Mulan's directions which weren't much to go off she only saw them heading away from the school towards the main street. Hoping that someone saw them and could lead them to Emma, right now all they had to go on was hope. Despite the pair's anxieties about Emma's safety, it felt reassuring to have help and the made there way out to the street deciding to split up. Asking anyone they could find if they had seen Emma and the imposter. It made David's stomach turn into knots knowing this person was out there taking advantage of the fact Emma trusted Mary Margret, a trust that was hard to earn.
Killian couldn't help but notice the flyers on the ground and the looks of frustration on people's faces as he walked by. Racking his brain trying to figure out who could have done this. Unfortunately, the list of suspects was long. The truth was kind of obvious though, only one person in town had that kind of dark magic used to deceive and manipulate others. Before he even consciously made the decision, Killian found himself standing in front of the pawn shop. Trying his best to subdue his frustration in facing Rumpelstiltskin and asking for help. The bell on the door rang and rumple looked up surprised at his visitor who quickly walked up to the counter.
"Captain thought you'd come by sooner" Mr Gold said.
"And why is that?" Killian spat.
"An apology your brothers not dead after all, and your reunited" Mr Gold said with his usual mocking tone.
"What he had was a fate worse than death" Killian yelled back shocked at this man's blatant lack of remorse.
Killian could feel his hate burning him up inside he wanted to hit Mr Gold, to make him hurt like he did. Then he thought of Emma letting out a deep breath focusing on the what's important. Regaining his composure and unclenching his hands.
"That's not the reason I'm here" Killian said.
"How can I help" Mr Gold said sarcastically.
"What do you know about shapeshifting magic" Killian asked his voice shaking.
As the words left Killians mouth there was a sign of recognition in Mr Golds eyes like he realised something. Quickly making he's way to a cabinet in the back out of view of Killian not even giving him any explanation. There was sound of vials getting shuffled around and a frustrated slamming of the door once more. Mr Gold appeared from the red curtains back into the shop furious.
"It's gone" Mr Gold paused "Nobody steals from me and gets away with it"
"Who stole it?" Killian asked, "What was it?"
"The blind witch, she stole a potion that can do just that" Rumpelstiltskin said "Change a person face their voice, all she'd need is a drop of blood"
Killian heart sank realising he was warned just this morning about this possibility, while he stood right next to Emma. Making jokes and collectively decided this was nothing of concern. Now it was all he could think about not even bothered to stay here and continue this chat with Rumpelstiltskin. Killian ran out of the pawn shop towards David frantic.
Across the street David was looking for a familiar face someone that may have seen his wife and daughter. Running up to everyone asking if they'd seen anything but nobody had any answers for him. Then he spotted a more familiar face looking annoyed as usual leaving Grannies with bag full of food. David made a b line for him if anyone saw his family, it would be Leroy.
"Leroy "David yelled desperate coming closer.
"David, what?" Leroy huffed.
"Have you seen Mary Margret or Emma? I need to find them" David asked.
"Yeah, they were in a hurry, took off down there" Leroy said surprised by David's abruptness. Pointing down.
"Are you sure?" David replied concerned knowing there was one particular house on that street.
Killian ran out of the Pawn shop, with a devastated expression. He couldn't stop playing the moment from this morning over in his mind wishing he had taken it seriously. Coming across the street quickly he wasn't paying attention just as he reached David a car clipped him. Falling to the ground with a bit of a tumble, Killian sprung up quickly while the car continued like nothing had happened.
"Killian, be careful" David said with a little too much anger the last thing he needed was Killian hurt.
"I know who has Emma, it's the blind witch" Killian said ignoring David's concerns. David came over putting his arms on Killian shoulders looking him over for injury.
"You ok" David asked focusing on Killian for a moment seeing how utterly oblivious he was to how close he was to serious injury.
"I'm fine, this is nothing" Killian protested. "We need to get moving I know who's behind this" Killian said somewhat backing away from David's embrace.
"And I know where to go" David said pointing to where Leroy had gestured to.
"I'll just be here" Leroy shouted after them frustrated as they took off without any further explanation.
David took Killians arm and put it around is shoulder clenching the sword in the other they made their way towards Regina's house quickly. Listening to him grunting in pain David realised he couldn't bring him into this fight. It was also clear that there was no talking him out of it. Knowing himself how it felt when your true love was in danger, that you would risk anything. However, as David led the limping boy right to danger, he realised how wrong this was. Nothing new for Killian rushing headlong into trouble, but it shouldn't be. Someone should be looking out for him, protecting him. Putting him first.
"How's your leg?" David asked as they got closer.
"I'm fine" Killian replied.
Can you make it around the side of the house through the back, I'll signal when to come in" David instructed.
"Good idea" Killian said with a smile as he quickly let go of David another gasp as he put the weight back on his foot.
Killian started making his way around the house next door and through the park to get to the back. It would take him at least five minutes to have looped back around to Regina's especially with the limp. David felt guilty sending Killian the wrong way, but that quickly faded as he grasped the task in front of him. Who knows what the witch had planned, what she needed in Regina's house with Emma. David could see movement and magic in the front window. No time to dwell his decision rushing headlong into the house sword in hand. This time he would be there for his daughter.
Notes: Thanks for the continued reviews and support, David finds Emma but it might be to late