Inspired by The Rescuers.

The murky waves

Meet dusty sky

Only sailed by captains brave

For lost ships on the bott'm lie

From storms, and monsters, and attacks

Courage a captain must not lack

"Come along, Killian. It's a school night, and you have homework." Killian's brother Liam called out, and Killian reluctantly closed his notebook.

"But it's a Sunday, that doesn't count." Killian grumbled as he walked away from the shore and towards his brother.

"Well, tomorrow is Monday, and you have school. So yes, it does, especially when you have a test in the morning. Let's have dinner, and then I'll help you study." Liam gave it right back.

"I can tell you all the right answers right now, but that doesn't help on the test, Liam." Killian told him.

And it was true. Killian always knew the answer whether the teacher called on him or not. But for some reason he did terrible on tests no matter how hard he studied.

"Alright, how about I let you stay for five more minutes if you study for just five minutes after dinner. That way you can't say you didn't try." Liam suggested, having learned the art of compromise quickly once he was the one taking care of him.

"Thank, Liam." Killian smiled and quickly went back to the shoreline.

He loved the sea, especially when he was feeling overwhelmed and needed to clear his head. The sea was always changing, there was never the same wave twice, but it was always there. But there was something about it, or rather; something odd floating in it that Killian snatched up once it reached land. It was a bottle and it appeared to have a message in it just like in the movies. He uncorked the bottle and curiously read the message.

"Bloody hell," He whispered before his head snapped up because of his brother.

"It's been five minutes, Killian. Let's get going."

"Liam, you're not gonna believe this." Killian told him with excitement as he ran back to his brother who was waiting by the truck. "I found a message in a bottle from E. Swan and it's asking for help."

"Killian, who knows when that's from? It was probably some kids doing it for fun." Liam sighed and walked around to the driver's side.

"I don't think so, Liam. I have a feeling." Killian stated once Liam started the truck.

"I'll look at it when we get home and think about calling David in the morning." Liam replied as he backed up and started driving.

Liam knew about his feelings. Killian had one the day they were told Mother had a terminal illness and a week before Father left them. He'd had them before, and they always signaled something bad or serious. Killian hoped that one day the feeling would lead to something good. And maybe it would if they could help Swan.

And Killian knew things would be alright if Sheriff Nolan was involved. He was his brother's best friend and helped them out when Brennan Jones left. If it hadn't been for him, Killian would've ended up in a foster home since Liam was a few weeks short of the legal age to take care of him.

Once they arrived home, dinner was a quiet event, but the food was good. Thankfully Liam could cook and that was one thing Killian never lacked for. Some kids brought a lunch of ham and cheese crackers from the store, had pop tarts for breakfast, and ate something put in the microwave for dinner. But not Killian. He always had a tuna or turkey sandwich at school. He had toast with good, old-fashioned butter and strawberry jam, or mackerel and grapefruit on special occasions, and home cooked meals for dinner.

Their mother taught Liam to cook from a young age and probably would've taught him too if she hadn't passed away. Killian knew it wasn't always easy for Liam to be his brother and parent, but his brother made sure he had food, clothes, and a home. That was all the brothers Jones needed.

CS

"Liam, did you talk to David? And guess what? I got a 88 on my test. It's still a B but that's still pretty good." Killian announced when he got to the docks where his brother worked.

"You bet it is, little brother. I'm proud of you." Liam stated with a smile and ruffled Killian's hair. "Now, go to the office and sit tight. I'm off in fifteen minutes, then I'll tell you about my talk with David."

"Okay…wait why are you getting off early?" Killian questioned him.

"I'll explain in fifteen minutes. Now, amscray or it will be longer." Liam warned and Killian finally went to the office.

Liam's boss knew who they were and of the brothers' situation. So he didn't mind that Killian stopped by every day after school to check in with Liam before heading to the shore to spend the afternoon until Liam got off. But Mr. Smee didn't want children lingering around for long since it could be dangerous. So if the weather was bad Killian usually hung out in the office, or if his brother occasionally got off early, like today.

Just as if he were at the shore, Killian took out his notebook and began sketching away. He was too excited to think and write today. And as it usually did, the time flew by. Before he knew it, Liam was finished, they were in the truck, and Liam was finally telling him what was up.

"I talked with David during my lunch hour and showed him the letter. Even though a lot of it is washed out, he figured out an address. Apparently this E. Swan wanted the message to get to the Morning Side Orphanage right here in Boston. It's not an official investigation or anything, but David is going to see if he can find anything out. And he knows how stubborn and determined you are, so he invited us along. But you have to let him do all the talking, we're just observers."

"Seriously? This is awesome! Could David make anything else out? All I could read was the name and a sentence asking for help." Killian responded eagerly.

"David couldn't tell much else either. However, he did see a child-like map drawn on the back. He thinks it's of Florida. Now don't ask how a bottle from Florida got to Massachusetts because I don't know. I would say it's impossible, but I'd almost believe anything right now." Liam told him as they pulled up at the orphanage and Killian saw David's patrol car.

"Hey, guys, you're right on time." David greeted them and took something out of his pocket. "Now, this isn't an official investigation which is why you two can be here. But I'm the police officer so you just follow my lead. And if anyone asks, you're my deputies in training."

Most of what David said, Killian already knew. But he thought it was great that he got to be considered a deputy in training, especially when Killian got the deputy sticker that David pulled out of his pocket. He might be nine and quickly growing up, but a kid was never too old for cool stickers.

"Can I help you, Sheriff?" The receptionist asked when they walked in. She immediately looked to Killian, probably thinking that the sheriff was turning him in.

"Yes, I'm looking for a child with the last name Swan. I only have that and a first initial. Did you ever have anyone here with that name? Miss…" David told the woman.

"Aurora Brierson." Miss Brierson replied before asking a question of her own. "Is this part of some investigation?"

"Not yet. The police department received a letter from E. Swan asking for help. We're trying to determine if it is legitimate. If it is, then this will turn into an official investigation to help the child." David replied diplomatically. This job obviously took a lot of patience and tact, which was why David was so good at it.

"Well, since you're the sheriff, I suppose I can tell you. We did have a little girl named Emma Swan here. But she was moved to an orphanage in New York a few months ago. This place is only for infants and children up to six years old. Sometimes we keep children a little longer, but Emma left two days after her sixth birthday. I can't tell you anything after that." Miss Brierson told them and stood up as if the conversation was over and to escort them out.

"That's a good start, thank you, Miss Brierson." David went along before turning the table and surprising Miss Brierson. Something told Killian she was used to getting her way and people following what she said. "I understand that you don't know anything about what happened after Emma left here. But the letter was addressed here and not New York. Can you think of any reason for that? Was there anyone here that she was close to?"

"No, she was quiet and kept to herself. The workers and teachers tried to reach out to her, but she refused to let anyone help her. I can't imagine why she would be asking for help now." Miss Brierson replied curtly, as if she was losing patience.

"It must be serious then." David stated, not about to back down in the least. That was another reason why he made a great sheriff. He went to bat for people who needed it and didn't stop until the job was done. He truly cared about people. "Would you mind if we talked to some of the staff here?"

"Only if they are willing to talk to you. This isn't official remember? And you can't disturb any classes." Miss Brierson stated and walked away.

"She's definitely in the running for most pleasant receptionist of the year." Liam stated sarcastically under his breath, and Killian snorted when he tried to keep from laughing.

"Well, I say we start in the opposite direction that she just went in." David added.

"How about the playground? She said we couldn't disturb any classes. People should be free if the kids are playing." Killian suggested.

"Sounds good to me." David nodded and off they went.

The first two people they approached had started working at the orphanage after Emma Swan left. The next person started to talk to them, but he only looked after the boys so he had only ever seen Emma in passing. But they finally got lucky when they came to a young lady who could be related to Snow White.

"And they lived happily ever after." The woman ironically had just finished reading a fairytale to a group of kids.

"Excuse me, ma'am, I'm Sheriff Nolan. I was wondering if I could ask you a couple questions about Emma Swan." David began. It was actually really good timing as another staff member came to take the group of children, which had been listening to the story, back inside.

"Of course. Is Emma alright?" The woman who was Snow White's look-a-like thankfully cooperated. "I'm Mary Margaret Blanchard by the way."

"We're not sure, Miss Blanchard, that's what we're trying to figure out. I received a letter from Emma asking for help. Most of the letter got washed out though since it came from the ocean in a bottle." David told her.

"You got a message from Emma in a bottle?" Mary Margaret asked skeptically. "Well, Emma always liked old pirate movies, but it's a miracle that somebody got it."

"Well, it's thanks to this young man here." David replied and placed his hand on Killian's shoulder. "Is there anything you can tell us about Emma from before she went to New York?"

"She was quiet and kept to herself. Everyone else here kind of gave up on her because she'd given up on herself and ever finding a family. It's sad to see kids so young having already lost hope, but not rare. I don't know why, she's not the first kid I've seen here like that, but I just had to help her. She always seemed indifferent when I spent time with her and hardly said anything. But one time I was sick for a few days. When I came back everyone said that Emma was upset the entire time I was out.

"After that she still hardly spoke but she was more receptive to spending time with me. I almost wanted to adopt her myself when I found out she was being sent to another orphanage. But I can barely afford my rent, let alone another mouth to feed."

Even though Killian didn't know Emma, he was glad one person in this place cared for her when clearly no one else did. In the hour he'd been at the orphanage, just as a visitor, Killian realized how lucky and thankful he was to have Liam and David.

"Did you keep in contact with her after she left?" David asked her.

"I wanted to. And I planned to when I thought she would be moved to the group home for girls here in Boston. I almost think Regina Mills had Emma moved to New York on purpose just to spite me."

"Regina Mills? The mayor's daughter?" Liam clarified.

"Yes, she's a social worker and does a lot of public relations work for the orphanages in Boston. She's also my stepsister, and we've never gotten along. We only talk to each other when we have to because of work." Mary Margaret told them and Killian wouldn't be surprised if Miss Mills did it on purpose. She was the one that tried to take him from Liam when he was six. Thankfully David called in an IOU and took him in until Liam was legally old enough.

"Okay, back to Emma, is there anyone else here that paid attention to her? Has anyone else, staff member or child, that has also gone to New York recently?" David asked.

"Not that I can think of. None of the other overage children have gone to New York and none of the staff have gone for work or vacation. The only one I can think of is Regina who goes for business once a month." Mary Margaret shrugged. "I'm sorry I can't tell you more."

"That's alright, Miss Blanchard, you've been the most helpful person today." David told her and shook her hand.

"Of course," Mary Margaret replied. And Killian was only nine so he might be wrong, but he was pretty sure he saw her blush. "Would it be too much to ask if you could keep me updated? I want to know if she's alright. And please tell me if there's any other way I can help."

"If we need you, I'll find you, Miss Blanchard. And I'll keep you updated. It looks like Emma needs people to care about her." David replied and after Liam and Killian thanked her as well they left the orphanage and went out to dinner together before parting ways.

Thank you for reading this first chapter! I've been working on this story for more than a year. I'm excited to finally share it, and it's good to be back. The plan is to update once a week. Let me know your thoughts, and I hope you enjoyed.