Chapter Ten:

Killian sat with his fists balled tight, matching the grit of his jaw, his teeth aching from the force of his bite as the muscle above pulsed agitatedly. He knew Emma was waiting for an explanation, had asked him numerous times as they packed what he meant by a war is coming, but he'd told her to wait until they were in the car. Now, as the scenery flew past the SUV window, leading them back to the harbour and his yacht, he fought to temper his anger so he could attempt to lay out the facts to her with some measure of control.

"Killian?" Emma prodded gently, laying a hand on his thigh. "Let's wait until we get on board and cast off. That way we won't be interrupted."

Killian's Adam's apple bobbed and he nodded his agreement. Releasing the white-knuckled clench he had on his fist, he covered her hand with his own then tucked his fingers under her palm, gripping it appreciatively as they drove the last few miles to the marina.

Emma didn't even bother going to her own quarters first, following him and Hyde (who was carrying his luggage) to his cabin while Arlo deposited her things in the guestroom. After Arlo disembarked so he could return to the casino to finish a few business arrangements on his employer's behalf, they set sail for Storybrooke and Hyde left them with the understanding they were not to be disturbed.

"Want a drink?" Emma offered, helping herself to his minibar and pouring them each a glass of something strong.

Killian shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto the bed before accepting the glass and gesturing towards the table they'd sat at, sharing another drink and another tale of woe little more than a day ago. Fortifying himself with a hefty swallow of the smooth liquor, he let the heat of it fill his belly and calm the maelstrom wreaking havoc within him, then turned his eyes to the woman who'd been more than patient, more than understanding, and anchored his burden in the haven of her sea glass gaze and deep waters of her unwavering resolve.

"Arthur's wife isn't tending to a family emergency," he told her, jumping right into the heart of the matter. "She left him. Ran off with his second in command, Lance Lott."

Emma's mouth dropped open. "Are you serious?"

"Aye, but that isn't the worst of it," he continued. "In the last week or so, while picking up the pieces of their treachery, he found evidence of someone working against him from the inside of his organization."

"Another rat?" Emma asked incredulously. "Does he think it was Guin or Lance?"

"No. He's identified the guilty party. A man by the name of Percy Vale."

Emma choked and sputtered on the mouthful she'd attempted to swallow, eyes watering as she coughed out, "P-Percy Vale?"

"You know him?"

"Yeah," she replied, clearing her throat and reaching for a bottle of water. "He was part of the crew I fell into after I ran off from the Nolans. He's how I met Neal."

A current of rage surged up from Killian's gut at the mention of Neal Gold and prickles of dawning comprehension skittered over his skin when Emma added, "Percy was the one who recruited Neal for the watch job. I always assumed he'd been in Gold's pocket at the time, trying to get Neal back into the fold. Why would he have been working for Pendragon if he was Gold's man?"

"Why indeed," Killian remarked in a dark tone, catching Swan's eye as they both came to the same realization.

"You think Gold is behind it all? The Mills rat? Percy? Your rat?"

"A plausible assertion, but we've no proof. I can't go to my father with mere conjecture of who is behind it all, only the fact that we have a rat problem and other families seem to as well."

"What about Percy?" Emma asked. "What did he say when Arthur questioned him?"

A scowl stretched over Killian's face and a heavy sigh expelled from his lungs. "He didn't get the chance. Percy took off when things got hot. He's in the wind," His tongue swept over his teeth, pressing against them in frustration. "And he has in his possession everything the authorities would need to take Arthur down."

Emma gasped, her brow pinched in indignation. Reaching across the table, she took Killian's hand and squeezed it, giving him a look that spoke volumes. She knew, despite the natural rivalry of their enterprises, that he viewed Arthur as more than a business opponent. He was a friend, someone Killian trusted who'd had his back more than once when they were younger. Someone who had his back even now, risking his own chance of escape so he could meet with Killian and warn him. With luck, Arthur would already be on a plane out of the country, but the tattered remains of his legacy, everything he and his father had worked to build, would be left to ruin.

Killian forced the melancholy ache shrouding his heart back into the dredges deep within himself, he could grieve for his friend and the necessary severance of their relationship later. He had more pressing concerns… like the expression currently taking up residence on Emma's face.

"Swan? What is it?"

She chewed on her bottom lip, her mind racing as she was clearly putting the pieces of something together.

"He said he'd heard I was working for you," she murmured. "But how? How did he know I was working for you before I showed up?"

"Who?"

Her head snapped up, as if only just remembering his presence. Swallowing heavily, she imparted, "Neal. When he came up to me in the hotel bar, he said he'd heard I was working for you, but we'd only just arrived. None of the other families knew who I was or that I was associated with you until I showed up on your arm, so how else would Neal have known unless-"

"He'd been informed by an inside source," Killian finished, seething through grit teeth. Scrubbing a hand down his face he drew upon his rational side to help quell his impetuous nature from jumping to conclusions. "Though, I suppose Flynn could have told him, seeing as we now know of the fence's connection to Neal and R.G."

Emma shook her head, "I don't think so. I'd been after Flynn for the bounty since before I met you, he'd have had no way of connecting us together, or had any reason to even suspect I was working for you until he'd ended up in The Brig's basement. And we both know he wasn't talking after that."

"Aye," Killian said darkly. "Dead men tell no tales."

"So, that leaves either someone who saw and identified me at the poker game, or your rat."

Toying with the bit of scruff beneath his bottom lip, Killiam mulled over her words. "Let's assume, for the moment, it was our rat. Identifying him and connecting him to Gold, would be the proof I'd need to convince father R.G. has betrayed the treaty. It would also unite the Mills to our cause and aid Arthur in his quest of retribution."

"We'd have to establish a connection between Gold and the Mill's rat as well, though," Emma reminded him. "We know Percy was directly connected to R.G. in trying to get Neal to step up in the family business. We also have Flynn connected to R.G., and Jefferson's information ties Flynn and Berkley together, having done business on numerous occasions, and we know Berkely was associated with Clau-"

Emma stopped mid-word, the syllable hanging in the air as she shot out of her chair and sprinted for the door.

"Swan?" Killian called after her, getting up from his own chair and following her to her quarters. "What is it, Swan? What have you just put together?"

Emma pulled out the packet Jefferson had given her, scouring the pages until she found what she'd been looking for. "Claude isn't listed as one of Berkley's current associates," she told him. "I didn't clue into the fact that Jefferson hadn't listed Claude as a recent associate, because I had Nottingham's assertions that they were linked closely enough for Claude's death to force Berkley into hiding tucked into the back of my mind, but look," she slid the paper over for Killian to view himself, "Jefferson didn't have any evidence, any recent jobs that linked the two together. The only thing that connects them is rumors of heist eight years ago, and Keith's testimony, which means either Nottingham was wrong, or-"

"Someone went to great lengths to ensure the relationship between Claude and Berkley remained hidden while Claude was in the Mills' employ. If they weren't connected somehow, then why would Berkeley have gone to ground when Claude's cover was blown?"

A hesitant expression flickered in Emma's eyes and twitched along her brow before she questioned, "Jefferson? Do you think Jefferson…"

"He can't be the rat," Killian reminded her, "Not unless he has an accomplice with greater access to the inner workings of the organization." Her shoulders relaxed and a breath she'd been holding whooshed over her lips. "That isn't to say he wouldn't have some other reason to keep Claude and Berkley's recent associations in the dark, but I highly doubt he would, especially since he already told us what he knew at dinner the other night. It tracks that he wouldn't list them as current associates if he had no concrete proof other than hearsay, though. So, I'm inclined to believe they kept their relationship secret another way. Perhaps using aliases when they worked together?"

Once again, something clicked in Emma's mind. Her eyes widened and she stared down at the page that listed Berkley's accomplices. "Berkley Black!" she exclaimed. "His full name is Berkley Black!"

"How is that significant?"

"Berkley Black. BB. He has the initials B.B."

"Aye," Killian replied, placing a hand on her shoulder and turning her attention back up to him. "And that is significant because…"

Emma stepped out of his grasp and began pacing the room, working out the discovery aloud as she gesticulated enthusiastically, clearly exhilarated by the puzzle that seemed to be coming together.

"When Percy recruited Neal for the watches job, I tried to get in on the crew, but got shut out. The only information I had about the others they were working with were initials." She closed her eyes and concentrated, calling forth the memory long buried, though recent conversations had likely begun to unearth it. "B.B., C.K., and J.R." she announced, opening her eyes and fixing them on his as she proposed, "What if… What if B.B. stood for Berkley Black? And C.K. for-"

"Claude Knight!" Killian supplied. "The Mills' rat."

"Claude and Percy could have infiltrated the other families and fed information to both Berkely and Flynn, who then gave the intel to Gold," Emma hypothesized. "But when Flynn got arrested, the information he gave the cops in order to lessen his charge, exposed Claude, and Berkley went into hiding, fearful of retribution, not from the Mills, but from Gold who would have wanted to snuff out the link back to him."

"Aye," Killian agreed, marveling at the way she was working it all out. "Which means whoever this J.R. is, he could be the rat Gold had infiltrate our organization."

Pulling her laptop from its bag, Emma set up work at the table and started a search for anyone within the Jones family with the initial's J.R. while Killian wracked his brain for anyone he knew with that monogram.

An alert sounded, signifying the end of the search, and Emma's shoulders slumped. "Nothing. No matches to J.R. Maybe he's working under a false name?"

Killian shook his head. "Robin's background searches are too thorough. He would have caught an alias. He does, however, log all known aliases our people use or haved used in the past. I'll have him add that to the information he's compiling for you. Perhaps, J.R. were the initials of the alias he used back then and he's using his real name working for us."

"I'll see if Jefferson can provide me with any names from about eight years ago that go with those initials, too," she said, already typing the message out on her phone as Killian sent a quick text to Rob.

With nothing more to do than wait for potential answers, Killian dropped down into the chair next to hers and picked up her hand. Turning it over, he pressed his lips to the pulse point at her wrist then cradled it in both his hands.

"You're a marvel, you know that," he praised. "Once I tell my father and brother everything you've managed to uncover, I know they'll see it, too."

"But until then," Emma began hesitantly, her tongue darting out to wet her lips nervously, "Liam's orders are still in effect."

Sighing, Killian pulled her from her seat and onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist as hers wound around his neck. "That order was issued to me alone, and I have no intentions of carrying it out, love," he assured her again, skimming his nose along the length of her neck and depositing a kiss to the sensitive patch of skin beneath her ear, his smile ghosting over her flesh at the small shiver he felt course through her. "Still," he continued. "It might be best if you hang back, lay low until the initial shock has worn off and I can convince him to rescind his order."

Emma ran her fingers through his hair, toying with the wisps at the back and causing him to shudder in response to her touch, just as she had to his.

"I could stay here," she offered. "I'm already set-up to keep working once I get those files from Robin or hear back from Jefferson, and it's a secure place for us all to convene if you decide to bring your dad and Liam back so we can go through everything together."

"Aye," Killian agreed. "Plus, no one, other than my father, Liam, and Robin knows that we're heading back early, so you staying on the yacht, rather than heading home, allows us to keep it that way. I ordered Robin to have the docks and warehouse cleared. I don't want to tip off our rat that we might be on to him and have him disappear like Percy did."

"Okay, then," she said, moving from his lap and back into her own seat, much to his disappointment. "I'll stay on the yacht until I hear from you. Meanwhile, I'm gonna work on solidifying those connections we made earlier, building you an ironclad case against Gold to take to your dad and Liam."

She began tapping away at her keyboard, an intense crease besetting her brow as she threw herself into the task at hand. Killian sat and watched her for several moments. Even with her sitting so close, he felt bereft without her in his arms, and was tempted more than once to suggest she forgo the research and spend the remainder of their journey engaging in more enjoyable activities. With him. In one of their beds.

She was right, though. He couldn't accuse Gold of betraying the treaty without proof, and he couldn't clear Emma of Liam's aspersions without her putting together the information. The sooner both issues were handled, the better. Besides… suggesting they resume their activities from the night before could potentially bring up the things he'd said in those vulnerable moments of rapture that he knew neither of them were actually ready to discuss just yet.

Not that he hadn't meant it. He'd meant every word of it. He wanted Emma to stay, to become one of his family's trusted agents... to become his. He didn't want to let her go, to lose her, but he also knew what he was asking of her. It was a tall order, and not a decision one should make lightly.

Knowing there would be time enough to discuss it once Liam's order and their rat problem had been dealt with, Killian left Emma to work, only returning to check-in with her once they'd docked in Storybrooke.

"Here," she said, pressing a flash drive into his palm. "That's all I've been able to compile so far. It should be enough to prove Gold is up to no good, and has all the information you originally gave me that alerted you to the rat problem in the first place, as well as my findings up to this point."

"Thank you, love." Killian curled his fingers around the drive, giving it a small squeeze before depositing it in his pants' pocket. "I'll be taking Hyde with me, but the crew will see to the security of the yacht. You'll be safe here until I return."

Emma pressed her lips together and flicked her eyes up to him, a coy smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she peered at him through her lashes. "Don't be gone too long, or I'm liable to commandeer this vessel for my own personal use."

Killian chuckled and gathered her in his arms. "Planning on turning pirate, love?" He brushed the tip of his nose against hers and purred, "I rather like the idea of you in tight leather with a sword at your hip. But be warned… I won't let the Jolly Roger go without a fight."

A sultry hum vibrated in the back of Emma's throat. "I suppose we could duel for her," she suggested, a cheeky brow arching up her forehead as she quipped, "You know how duels work, right? The pointy end of the sword goes into the other guy."

"I am well versed on the matter, Swan, and as I proved last night," his lips ghosted over hers, hovering just long enough for him to promise, "when I jab you with my sword, you'll feel it."

Her lips slanted against his, her hands desperately running over his back before one wrapped around the strap of the holster he was wearing and the other sank into the back of his hair, pulling the strands with an almost painful tug. His fingers dug into the back of her neck where one of his hands was negotiating the angle of her head, prompting it into a position that allowed him to deepen the kiss as his other hand splayed across her lower back and pressed her closer to him. Swallowing her moans, he felt his own rumble between their chests before it turned to a growl when a firm knock rapped against the door. Panting, he broke off the kiss, then ran his thumb over her swollen lips as his tongue swiped along his.

"That'll be Hyde," he exhaled, breathlessly. Stepping back, he ran his fingers through his hair, attempting to tame it, and adjusted his pants, finding them a bit tight in the groin now. "I'll, uh… I'll be in touch as soon as I can," he said, taking another step back before he could simply sod it all, and drag her to bed.

"Killian," Emma called out when he reached the door, but he didn't trust himself to turn back around, knowing the sight of her disheveled and wanting would cause his self control to crumble. "Good luck."

Opening the door, he glanced over his shoulder, shooting her devilish smirk and wink in reply before nodding at Hyde that he was ready to go and shutting the door behind him.

During the entire drive from the docks to The Brig, Killian wished he'd driven himself, needing the distraction to help soothe the ache his final moments with Emma had left behind. He forced himself to focus on the meeting ahead, and by the time Hyde pulled into the back lot of the bar, Killian had some measure of control over himself once more.

Control that was in danger of thoroughly unravelling given the sequence of events about to unfold.

His phone buzzed, a message from Emma telling him Robin had texted her. He was at the warehouse and had the files she'd requested. She was heading over in a few minutes to meet him.

Killian cursed under his breath and took a moment to text her back before he entered The Brig through the back, instructing her to take one of the crew with her. A churning in his gut prompted him to follow up his text with a phone call, but he cursed again when it went straight to voicemail. Pausing in the hall that led to the main room of the pub, he dialed the yacht captain, intending to have him make sure Emma was properly escorted, but it too went straight to voicemail. Turning his phone over in his hands, he couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong.

A feeling that became all too credible when he stepped into the bar area and spotted Robin seated in one of the booths.

"What are you doing here?" Killian demanded. "I thought you were meeting Emma at the warehouse?"

"What?" Robin replied, confusion clear upon his features.

"Emma said you'd texted that the files were ready and to meet you at the warehouse."

Robin stood, his expression concerned and wary as he told Killian, "I left my asset phone in my office." Robin utilized a separate cell phone in order to communicate with assets, one that, if it were ever compromised, wouldn't affect the organization as a whole since none of the assets were part of the inner workings of the business. "I'm running updates and trying out new encryption software on it. All I have is the one I use for official Jones business." Robin pulled his phone out to show Killian, and the realization of what Robin's words meant made his blood go cold, freezing in his veins. "I don't even have those files ready yet, mate."

"Fuck!" Killian roared. Spinning round he sprinted back towards the exit. "She walking into a fucking trap!"

"Killian, wait!" Robin called out, catching up with him when Killian paused to grab the keys to his Chevelle from his office. "You can't go alone. Let me go with you."

"No," Killian clipped out, pushing past him. "I need you to find out who sent her that text."

Robin grabbed onto his arm, forcing him back around. "Then take Hyde. You can't-"

Killian slapped Robin's hand away and raised his finger, jamming it in his mate's face with his teeth bared. "No. I can't wait for Hyde. I've wasted enough time as it is. Now. Get. Out. Of. My. Way."

Hands raised in surrender, Robin stepped aside to let Killian pass. The chevelle peeled out of The Brig parking lot a moment later.

~/~

The metal door groaned and grated against its hinges as it swung open. They really needed to do something about the God awful sound, Emma thought, before realizing they probably kept it noisy so they would be alerted in case anyone unexpectedly made their way inside.

"Robin?" Emma called out, heading towards the interior offices. The sound of her footfalls echoed in the cavernous space. A sense of dread slithered up her spine as she continued on with no evidence of anyone else about, but she chalked it up to her already-worked-up state with the feel of Killian's lips still tingling hers as her blood continued to run hot through her veins.

"Robin?" she called out again, opening the door that revealed the hallway lined with office doors. The first was locked, the handle unyielding in her grip as she attempted to turn it. Her head snapped up when she heard a door open further down the hall, a man stepping out and offering her a polite smile.

"Nice to finally meet you in person, Emma," the man said. "Come," he waved her forward and told her, "I've got the files in here."

Stepping to one side, he extended his arm, gesturing an invitation for her to enter the office ahead of him, his pleasant smile still in place as she walked forward.

"It's nice to finally meet you, too," she said, her steps guarded and cautious. She didn't really have any reason not to trust Robin, but he'd been a rather enigmatic figure from the moment she began working for the Joneses. "I didn't expect you to have the information ready so quickly."

"Time is usually of the essence with these things," he said as she walked past him into the room, her eyes landing on the desk and the file folders neatly stacked there. Robin followed her inside, his jovial tone sounding strange in her ears as he added, "And I'm nothing if not thorough when given an assignment."

The shriek of the warehouse door sounded and hurried footfalls reverberated from down the hall. Robin tensed and poked his head back out, his hand reaching under his jacket where Emma could see a gun holstered. Before he could draw the weapon, an enraged roar sounded from the hall that sent Emma's heart racing. A barrel was jammed under Robin's chin, the gun exploding in her ears as blood and gore sprayed the walls, its mist forcing her to stumble back as his body hit the floor.

Cursing the lack of her own weapon, Emma cast about in search of something useful, but then quickly focused her sights on the doorway as a figure stepped over the prone man and rushed into the room.

He was spattered in blood, red lines streaking over the contours of his face and down his neck, his hand and gun coated in a crimson wash that soaked the sleeve of his shirt. Stopping short after he made his way over the threshold, a relieved expression briefly softened his features as he took her in, but the hardened look quickly returned. He continued into the room with purposeful strides and Emma's shock finally wore off enough for her to question, "Killian, what-"

"That wasn't Robin," he ground out between clenched teeth, grabbing onto her arm and propelling her back towards the hallway. "You've been set up. We need to get out of here. Now."

Nearly tripping over the man, Emma averted her eyes from his lifeless form and let Killian drag her back down the hall. They hadn't made it far when that tell-tale creak echoed through the vacant building and several pairs of heavy boots stomped their way.

Killian pressed Emma's back against the wall and stood in front of her, shielding her as he took his second gun from his shoulder holster. Tucked in the back of his pants was a third pistol. Emma slipped it from his waistband, adjusting it in her grip and flicking off the safety as her pulse thundered in her ears and she latched onto the holster at Killian's back for dear life.

Gun fire erupted when the first man entered the hallway. Killian pulled open one of the office doors to act as a barrier and aimed around it with both pistols firing. Bullets pinged and ricocheted off the metal surfaces around them, grunts and cries of pain broke up the cacophony of bangs, and a metallic essence Emma could taste on the back of her tongue filled the air.

Realizing she'd had her eyes clamped shut, Emma opened them in time to see movement out of the corner of her eye. A second hitman must have hidden in one of the offices before she'd gotten there and was now emerging to finish the job. Unable to get a shot off in her current position, Emma pushed against Killian's back then stepped in front of him, molding her chest to his and taking aim over his shoulder as she fired from under his armpit. Her bullet caught the man in the neck, blood pumping an arterial spray as he collapsed, dead before he even hit the ground.

A deafening silence rang in Emma's ears as Killian turned to look over his shoulder then back down at her. They stared at one another for a long moment, bodies still flush against each other, adrenaline making their chests heave and their breaths coming out in pants. His hair was a chaotic wreck, and his eyes flashed with a cold fire that licked deliciously up Emma's spine. Despite the gruesome scene surrounding them, Emma couldn't help but think no man had a right to look that good covered in someone else's blood.

"I don't mean to upset you, Emma," Killian murmured, his eyes flicking down to her lips and darkening when her tongue darted out to wet them, "but I think we make quite the team."

With her gaze firmly fixated on his mouth, certain he was about to kiss her, she nearly missed the quick change in his demeanor before he shouted, "Swan, look out!"

Turning them, he shielded her once more with his body, throwing them towards the room a few doors down. A scream pierced the air as hot mist covered Emma's face. Killian stumbled, thrown off balance by the force of the bullet that tore through his shoulder, but he still managed to shove her into the room, to safety, before another round of bullets was shot down the hall, one of them ricocheting off the door and hitting Killian in his side.

"Killian!" Emma screamed, grabbing him by his holster and yanking him into the room. She managed to keep him upright and asked if he knew how many more there were in the hall.

"One," he wheezed on a pained breath, gripping his side and slumping against the desk.

Emma raised her gun but didn't have to wait long before the gunman appeared. She had the presence of mind to not empty the clip, saving a few bullets in case there were others lying in wait, hitting the man squarely in the chest several times before he could even get a shot off.

Silently, she stood in the center of the room straining to hear any evidence that others might be coming to finish them off. Killian's pained groan drew her attention and the color drained from her face, possibly making her as pale and ashen as he looked.

"Oh, my God! Killian!"

Rushing to his side, she stripped off her sweater, leaving her in a thin tank top, and pressed the thick garment to the wound at his shoulder. He cried out from the pressure she applied, but she had to do something to try and stop the bleeding.

"It went straight through," he told her. The agony in his even, calculated tone made Emma's heart clench, but she knew she had to keep her wits about her like he was.

"Okay. Let me tie this around your shoulder to try and slow the bleeding. Then we'll get you out of here and to a hospital."

"No hospitals," he ordered with his jaw clenched tight. "Whale. Take me to Whale."

Not wishing to waste any time arguing, Emma tucked into Killian's side to help bear some of his weight once his shoulder was wrapped. His hand was still pressed against his ribs, blood seeping through his fingers, but it was more of a trickle and not as concerning as his other wound. With labored steps they made their way out of the hallway, having to navigate over several bodies. Emma had holstered Killian's guns, but had her own still clutched in her hand.

She nearly shot Hyde as he came barreling through the warehouse door with another man hot on his heels.

"Bloody hell, mate!" the unknown man shouted, sprinting towards them and taking position on Killian's other side.

"You should see… the other guy," Killian panted with a smirk trembling at his lips.

They halted their progress when Hyde caught up to them, his expression grave and his tone deathly low. "Orders, boss?"

"Get a clean up crew over here and find out who those men were."

Hyde nodded then walked off, his phone already pressed to his ear.

"Let's get you to Whale's," the other man said, prompting them forward, but Killian remained rooted.

"No. Swan can get me to Whale's. I need you to find out what code they used to get in. I want surveillance footage from the warehouse and your office. Someone saw the yacht dock, someone who knew you were updating and encrypting your phone, giving them the opportunity to send that message to Emma."

"You're Robin?" Emma knew it wasn't really the time for introductions, but given the fact a fake Robin had been sent to kill her, it was a relief to meet the real Robin in person.

"Aye. Sorry we had to meet under such circumstances," he said with a contrite smile before turning back to Killian. "I'm already working on all that. Let me help get you to the car and on your way, then I'll get back to it."

Killian relented and they began moving again. When they arrived at his Chevelle, Killian dug out his keys with a trembling, red-stained hand and gave them to Emma. She left him in Robin's care, rounding the front to the driver's side while Robin eased Killian into the passenger seat. The engine revved to life, and the customized dashed illuminated as the dials and components powered on. Robin reached across Killian's body to the screen in the middle and punched in a code.

"Jolly, bring up navigation. Destination - Whale 3."

A map appeared on the screen, and Robin instructed her to follow it. "I'll call Whale and let him know to expect you."

Killian grabbed Robin's arm, pulling him in close. "Tell no one where we've gone," he commanded in a harsh whisper. "No. One. Do you understand?"

"Mate, you can't really think Liam-"

"I'm not… taking... any chances," Killian stuttered, his breathing becoming more labored by the second. "Make sure everything is in place for her… in case she has to run."

Emma's breath caught at the implication of his words. In case she has to run… He meant for Robin to finalize her new identity, to get the money he'd agreed to pay her, to make sure she was taken care of in case he...

Robin nodded, then shut the door when Killian released him. Turning pale, half-lidded eyes in her direction, Killian ordered, "Go."