Chapter 32

Emma

"Are you really taking me to her tower?" I said quietly to Walsh.

His hand stayed on my upper arm as we walked up the spiral staircase that seemed to go on and on. My legs started to ache just from stepping up on the stone steps. The walls around us were rustic gold, and there were no windows. Walsh walked a step behind me, obviously watching me. No one else was around us, so it made this entire façade even more awkward.

"You're going to have to listen and do what I say if you want to live," he replied just above a whisper.

"Yeah, I got that," I replied sarcastically.

I kept telling myself that so far, Walsh seemed to care about me, and if I played by his rules to help him deceive Mombi, then maybe my husband and new friend was still alive too and might hopefully stay that way.

He waved his free hand forward to guide the way up the dim stairway. We climbed what felt like another five floors of the spiral staircase until we finally reached a landing area. It was dark and grim and still no windows. Ahead of us was a closed door at the end of a hallway.

Walsh's hand remained on my arm as he reached forward to unlock the door and then lift the latch, which looked like it was iron or steel. Either way, it would be hard to pick and escape like I normally would. He gently tugged my arm so that I would stand beside him near the door. He reached for something in his pocket and unlocked the door, which I imagined was probably the "tower" prison that he was expected to take me to. I tried to figure out how I could get him to help me to escape. It did not appear that he was going to take me anywhere secretly to break free of that nut job's castle.

Walsh opened the door and pulled it back, revealing a very disorganized and dusty room with random furniture like old sofas, shelves, an old jack-o-lantern pumpkin, framed wall art, antique tapestries, a circus poster framed with animals on it, cushioned chairs and vases for décor that made me think that this was more of a storage area, like an attic. There was a window across the large, unkempt tower, but I could tell that we were at least a dozen stories up in the air. I looked over at the corner of the tower where there was an antique fainting sofa with one rolled pillow on it. Next to the sofa was a polished end table. I narrowed my eyes, realizing that someone could easily sleep and stay up here for a long time. Basically it appeared to me like Mombi Monster moved in and tossed everything she didn't like in her new palace, in here.

"Wow. Talk about a fixer upper. Is this your room?" I asked jokingly.

Walsh stayed inside the tower room while he closed the door and turned to face me. His eyes were soft, but slightly undecided, as if he were not sure what else to say.

I noticed he kept staring at me, so I said warmly, "I'll play by your rules and do as you say." I lowered my tone to a whisper, "Do you mind telling me the plan?"

Walsh took a couple steps forward and looked into my eyes. He said softly, "That depends. Princess Mombi wants me to leave you here for three days until she's ready to take your head."

I blinked my eyes and made a sour face. He continued to gaze back at me almost in a knowing way, so I said evenly, "Are you going to leave me here?"

He took another step forward and seemed to relax. He let out a soft sigh and lifted his brows. "Emma, she intends on killing you. I don't want to do that or let her, no matter what our past is." His eyes seemed dismal and sorrowful.

Since he seemed vulnerable and at ease with me, I replied, "Look, Walsh, I know you're probably hurt about what happened. But I can assure you that I do not hate you. I just feel bad for you working for Mombi. She's got to be a bad boss." I figured that humor may lighten the morose mood and tension in the room that somehow emanated from him even though he seemed to be comfortable now with me.

He nodded, his eyes still holding mine. He replied, "I don't hate you either."

"So just how long am I going to stay up here? Away from Hook and Stanom?" I softened my eyes so that I appeared endearing and kind, letting my guard down. It was like the Walsh I knew before he turned into a flying monkey in the past, was back. That kind, funny, romantic guy that I had fallen for years ago, but did not want to marry.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Well, that depends on you." He searched my eyes carefully.

"Where are they?" I asked urgently.

"The other guard took them to a chamber to wait until Princess Mombi decides what she wants to do with them," he replied.

"Please don't let Mombi hurt them." I shook my head slowly, "Please. I know it's a lot to ask."

He said, "She hasn't decided. She would alert me. You see, I'm the one who takes orders from Mombi, and I order the other guard to do anything like that."

I did not respond. I glanced around the disarranged dusty room and looked back into his eyes.

He said gently, "I have status here. So, I do have power. I could help you escape, Emma."

I raised my brows at him, stunned to where my breath caught as he took another step closer until he was standing within an inch of me. I did not sense he was going to hurt me, but it was a little alarming that he was inching so close to me. I searched his eyes carefully and realized that he was telling me the truth. I also could sense that he still had feelings for me. This was how he acted when we were dating.

"You'd do that for me?" I whispered.

I noticed that his eyes moved to my mouth and then to my eyes. A small smile touched one edge of his lips. "I want to."

I gave him a puzzled look and looked him up and down, ensuring that he was not holding any objects or anything that may hurt me.

He said quietly, "Don't worry. I do not want to hurt you. I do not intend to. It's just that I know that Mombi will have me assist her when it is time to kill you and when she takes your head." He winced and frowned as he glanced down at my hands. He swallowed hard and continued, "Believe me, I still care about you." His eyes had that loving shine in them that they did long ago. It confused me.

I furrowed my brow to demonstrate that I was perplexed. I saw his arms moving and then felt his gentle hands reach under mine and softly lift them and hold them like we were together. As if nothing had changed, and I was back in New York with no memories of who I was before I knew that I was the Savior. I looked down at him cupping my hands in his and stared back at him, baffled at what he was really saying with his body language.

I licked my lips and said sweetly, "Walsh. I'm married." I gave him a forlorn, apologetic smile, knowing I had hurt him and probably broke his heart all over again. It pained me to say no to him again, even though I did not like him like that. I still felt an intense love radiating off him like heat.

Walsh stared at me mournfully and then averted his eyes down to my hands with regret written all over his frowning face. He slowly lifted his eyes to mine and said just as softly, "I know. You told me."

I gazed in his eyes, starting to piece everything he was saying, together. It was obvious that he still liked me after all this time. I did not even know that he was alive after all these years. His eyes were pleading with me somehow, which made me feel like he was waiting for something. I did not want to voice was I assumed he was asking of me. Instead, I said warmly, "You know I thought you were dead."

He smiled for the first time since I came to Oz. He whispered, "I know. Regina turned me into a stuffed monkey for Robin Hood's son. But I turned back. Mombi came for me." His eyes ran all over my face and his fingers cradled mine. His thumbs ran over the front of my hands, so gingerly like I was breakable, or precious and fragile.

I smiled back at him, just thinking that I was happy that he had not died. "I figured being a toy meant that you had no beating heart."

His hands let go of mine and then moved up my arms until he was holding me. My heart pounded at the electricity and the heat of the moment as he gently kissed me. I closed my eyes and then sighed, as he deepened the kiss. I felt him wrap his arms around me. I broke the kiss and looked down, thinking about Killian and that this could not go any farther. I was beyond confused and mostly, I felt like I had gone too far. I did not love Walsh, I loved Killian.

Walsh let out a long sigh and hung his head as he dropped his hands from me. I looked at him sadly and said, "Walsh, I just…I can't. I'm a married woman."

Walsh pressed his lips together and looked away at one of the sofas and then faced me, his eyes full of rejection and mostly, loss. He forced a small smile and said, "You kissed me back."

I frowned, baffled that he thought that. I did not kiss him back, but perhaps I just had a moment where I was stunned and wanted him to feel rewarded in some way for helping me not be killed in a few days. I shook my head solemnly. "Look, I don't mean to hurt you. I really am sorry, but I am not that kind of woman. I'm happily married to Hook." I lifted my hand and dropped it. I wanted to relieve his pang of rejection.

Walsh stared at me like we were saying goodbye and would never see each other again. He sighed sharply and looked down at my ring on my finger. "It doesn't have to be this way, you know." He locked eyes with me.

I tilted my head to the side. I wasn't sure how else to tell him no. "What do you mean?" I asked apprehensively.

He replied earnestly, "I'm risking a lot saving you from her will. And not only you, but for your friends too. And for me to disobey her, it could cost me my job position and not to mention, my life." He pursed his lips expectantly as he stared at me.

I breathed in deep, realizing that he was right. I felt bad for allowing him to put himself in danger, but what else could I do? I nodded. "I appreciate you; I honestly do. But I am relying on you, because I cannot save myself at this moment, or Hook. I care about Stanom too."

He nodded once but he did not stop staring at me. It was evident that he wanted more reassurance. "But don't you care about me?" he asked hopefully.

I gave him a tiny smile. "Of course, I do. I just do not know what else you want from me. I cannot give you anything other than friendship. I'm sorry." I shrugged and shook my head.

He nodded as if forcing himself to accept what I said. "I understand." He looked behind him at the closed door and then sighed as he walked over to a tall oak shelf. He reached for a higher shelf and picked up a large hourglass that was held between three dark polished wood thin columns. It was a fancy hourglass with red sand inside of it.

I squinted my eyes, trying to figure him out. Obviously, I had pushed him into some weird decision.

He set it down on a dusty end table near a random antique green upholstered chair that had seen better days. He looked at me calmly and said, "I'll let you decide your fate. How's that?" He rested one hand on the top of the wooden hourglass, which he had not turned over yet to let it sift its sand.

I stared at him mournfully. "Walsh. Please. Don't do this." I said sullenly. I sighed and looked away to the window and then averted my gaze to the ready hourglass. I did not want to know what he meant, but I was sure he would say it anyway. I pretty much knew what he was asking for.

Walsh rested his elbow on the end table as he watched me with a forlorn expression, but he held up his chin, showing that he still had his power due to his status under the Princess. He waited a few beats before he continued. He said evenly, "I am risking my life for you, Emma. You must understand that me helping you must be of worth to me too. I could easily be turned to stone or put to death by Princess Mombi, if she finds out that I help you and your husband escape. And I want to help you, Emma. But I want at least something in return."

I slowly shook my head and looked downward, realizing that this was probably going to be a difficult decision, whatever the stakes were that he would declare. I lifted my eyes to meet his. He seemed tortured and struggling as he gazed back at me. He still had that look of someone that was under the influence of unrequited love.

I did not want to ask him, but it was evident that he wanted me to hear it. "And what is that?" I asked somberly. I frowned at him, knowing it was going to be a high price.

His eyes moved all over my face as if memorizing the way I looked. Probably because that pathetic Princess may someday wear my head if I did not concur with Walsh's request. Walsh took a step forward but stopped there. He had a look in his eyes like he wanted to kiss me, but he also appeared confident with his words that he said next. "I want at least one hour alone with you, Emma. I think you know that."

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. I parted my lips, realizing that he was asking for something that I could not give away to anyone but Killian. I bit down hard on my lower lip and exhaled sharply. I shook my head as I said, "Walsh…"

"Your husband will never find out. I promise. This door is sealed closed with magic." He waved his hand at the massive, thick door behind himself.

My eyes started to water. He was hurting himself by asking for this, and not to mention, it was excruciating for both of us. I crossed my arms and stepped backward as I looked at him with a remorseful frown. "That's not what I'm worried about. Because your price will cost me my marriage," I said under my breath.

He nodded and dropped his eyes as he pondered my response. He lifted his eyes again and said lightly, "Yes, but as I've said. I only will take that as payment. What I want, you obviously will not give me, which is your hand." He glanced at my left hand. I knew he meant he still wanted me to be his.

I stared back at him for the longest time as he held my intense stare.

Walsh lifted his hand at the empty room. "After we do that, I can help you escape. I will also try my best to help Hook and Stanom."

I hardened my expression just a bit. "How?"

"Well, because there is a way out of Oz," he said casually. His eyes lightened up a bit. I assumed that he thought that I was considering sleeping with him, so it gave him hope.

"How?"

He gave me a lopsided smile but did not say anything.

I said, "Besides hailing a tornado. What is the other way, Walsh?"

We stared each other down for another minute.

Walsh finally said, "Why don't we go over to the sofa there, and we will discuss it." He motioned his head at the Victorian sofa with the pillow on it.

I ignored his stab at trying to persuade me to what he wanted, and I replied coolly. "So, you really don't want to help me. Or else you'd tell me."

His eyes were serious and honest. His smirk disappeared. "I do want to help you. I sincerely do. I just need payment for all that I am doing for you. As I have said, I am already risking my own life. And what I have asked of you is something that I really want. It is a high price I know. But as I have said you will also have my word, my oath that I won't say a thing to anyone."

"You already stole a kiss. Isn't that payment enough?" I responded with a slight bit of humor.

He shook his head ardently. "No. although it was very breathtaking, what I want, now that is worth what I will do for you."

I lifted my palms. "And saving my life and not seeing that nut job parade around with my head on her shoulders isn't enough to motivate you to just help me from the goodness of your heart?"

His face fell as if I had struck a nerve and depressed him in a way. He averted his eyes. "No, I definitely do not want that. She is lethal, Emma. She took over when Zelena left. As I have said. It would be extremely dangerous for you even to go against her. I don't recommend that either."

"I knocked her down with my powers. You saw that. I think I could take her."

He pushed his palms down and then shook his head. "No. You haven't seen her even try. I am warning you. That is why if I help you, we'll…" He stared at the window and then sighed as if letting go of an idea. He smiled sadly at me and shook his head again. "Why do you think I work for her? She is the most powerful witch I have ever seen. Worse than Zelena."

I pointed at him casually. "You worked for Zelena. She's one of us now by the way."

He nodded and smiled at me. The way that he stared at me showed me that he wanted me badly and was thinking about it.

The conversation spiraled into silence. Walsh advanced another step closer. He opened his palms as if in surrender. "Please Emma. It will be so easy if we just let our feelings take over. And then it is over. I do not honestly understand why you must think about it. Yes, you are married, but I am asking just this once. And you don't have to tell him." He pleaded with his eyes as he awaited my reply.

I stared at him, pretty much impressed that he wanted me to cheat and then lie to my husband forever.

"Isn't there anything else I can do rather than that?" I asked under my breath, hoping he would bargain with me.

He pressed his lips and shook his head slowly and shamelessly.

I felt my hopes sink. I waited for him to change his mind. I whispered, "There has to be something else, Walsh. Please don't make me do that." I asked sincerely, begging him to not make me become a horrible person and wife.

"Come on Emma. We've done it before," he said with emotion. I did not respond. After a few long tense moments, he said, "That's my final offer." He lifted his palms and gave me a soft smile with an expectant stare. The eye contact made me feel almost uncomfortable at the intimate topic of conversation.

I looked down at my ring and sighed. This was going to be so difficult to get through everything and hopefully, make it out alive and not be killed much less make it out of Oz.

I slowly lifted my eyes to his and said despondently, "I can't. I'm sorry Walsh." My voice cracked at the end. I didn't know why, but I cared about his feelings. Even though we were exes, he was still a person. The Savior instinct inside of me urged me to want to help him. It was probably a trait of not only my humanity, but that of a Savoir, who wanted to help everyone here escape from the oppressive rule of Mombi.

His gaze plummeted to the hard, stone floor. He looked up at me and forced a regretful smile, even though I could tell he was hurt.

"Then I guess I'll give you more time to think about it," he said as he strode confidently to the hourglass. He flipped it over and set it down carefully on the end table as he met my eyes again. It was as if he was not going to let this go. I knew that he wanted to save me, but it also hurt me that he was asking for something that precious as a reward for it. As much as I was tempted to just gain his assistance, I could not do it. I looked at him with sad, pleading eyes.

"Please Walsh. Don't leave me here," I begged quietly.

His face was hardened but I knew he was fighting a war inside as he stared back at me. "You have twenty-four hours to change your mind. That is when the sand will run out. Think about it."

I felt my eyes tear up from not only fear of what would happen otherwise, but of the intensity of the entire interaction that I had with Walsh. I had never imagined he still liked me so much after our relationship.

Walsh did not move for a moment. He waited like he expected me to change my mind right then and there. He was allowing the time for it.

"You would honestly let me die otherwise?" I asked. "If you like me so much then why would you do that?"

He took a step backwards towards the door as he said, "That's why I'm giving you one more chance. I understand it is an important thing to consider. But you know I always give you time to think."

"Then why would you ask for something that I can't give away? Does it matter that much to you?"

He nodded and said emphatically, "There's a reason."

"Then tell me what it is!"

He smacked his lips and replied, "Honestly Emma, I don't know if you realize it, but I won't ever find love again. Did you see the women here? She steals them. All of them." He held out his palm and tossed it in the air. His eyes were full of panic and passion and mostly despair. He recovered and swallowed hard. "Maybe you understand more now."

"I sympathize with you. That sucks I get it. Just come back with us when we leave because trust me, I will defeat her." I said through clenched teeth. "And…I have a single friends. Hope is not lost."

Walsh stared at me like I did not understand him. He said, "You know, I don't think you understand how I feel."

I walked closer to him so I could emphasize my words. "That's why I said come back to Storybrooke with us. There is a chance for love. There is a reason to risk everything and leave that sick in the head witch. You don't have to work for her anymore if you don't want to."

"I told you. No one can go up against Mombi. You do not know what you are saying, because you have not seen what she does to others. She whips her wheelers. She turned everyone to stone because she wants to be the most beautiful woman in this land. And now she has you here, who is more beautiful than anyone I have ever seen," he whispered. The compliment made me smile despite the urgency of my pending death.

He eagerly put his hands on my upper arms and said, "Please reconsider my offer. Because there is no way I am getting out of here alive. But if you do this with me, then I will tell you how to leave Oz, and I will help you every step of the way. There is a way, at Nome King's Mountain."

Now I just felt sorry for him. He had already given up. At least he had given me another clue.

I nodded earnestly and whispered, "I thought you just 'kind of liked me' before. That was what you said when we broke up. I didn't know I was the most beautiful woman you had ever seen." I smiled a little, feeling so confused about Walsh that I could not think straight anymore.

Walsh lightly squeezed my shoulders and searched my eyes, and I was sure he was going to kiss me again. Instead, he murmured, "You know, I lied to you that day on your roof, before I turned into a flying monkey." He paused as he gazed at me in awe with a smirk.

"You lied? I would've been able to tell," I replied in a soft sassy voice. "All I remember is you throwing that chair across my rooftop," I teased.

He didn't laugh. He still seemed like he was suffering inside as he stared at me adoringly.

Part of me felt like it was crumbling because Walsh was not going to back down, and, I could not be with Killian, and we were going to have to get to Nome King's Mountain and get past the freak of nature Mombi. Overall, I was not sure if I should hate Walsh for giving me a price for his help, or just let that go because of how sad and pathetic his life was here. I was the one who needed to help him. The depth of passion in his eyes was staggering. I felt compassion for him. That was the twisted part. I should declare him my enemy for what he was asking me for, but I was torn inside. I just couldn't despise him, even though it was cruel of him. But I understood him.

Walsh said, "I lied when I said I kind of liked you. Truth is, I meant that I loved you."

He might as well had punched me in my stomach. I could not breathe at the impact of his honest, heartfelt words. He gave me a sad parting smile as he pointed at the hourglass and said, "I'll see you in twenty-four hours." He opened the door and then closed it. I heard it lock too.

I heaved a huge sigh and said in frustration, "Son of a…"

What was I going to do?

Playlist ~

You're Beautiful – James Blunt

Collide – Howie Day

Dear Agony – Breaking Benjamin

Angel – The Weekend

Hesitate – Stone Sour

Before Its Too Late – The Goo Goo Dolls

Breathing – Lifehouse

Clocks – Coldplay

Give Me a Sign – Breaking Benjamin

Its Been Awhile – Staind

Lips of an Angel – Hinder

Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi

When the Darkness Comes – Colbie Caillat