Summary: Takes place after Season 4 episode 5 "Breaking Glass" but before/during episode 6, "Family Business". Initially this story was going to take place before the next episode, but I had this idea about an alternate version of the episode. What if, Killian was taken by the Snow Queen in between episodes and Emma and the gang are searching for him as well as information on who she is and her connection to Emma. Since I have decided to write an alternative to this episode, I did go back and use some of the dialogue from the episode. Please remember, I do not own these characters (OBVIOUSLY).
Author's Note: Thank you to the readers who have seen this story! Thank you to the reader who left a review! I was nervous about making my return to fanfic writing after all these years, but I suddenly feel so inspired by everyone. Enjoy chapter two!
Chapter Two
Emma descends the steps of the loft and tries calling Killian on his cell phone, but gets his voicemail greeting.
"Henry, I don't bloody think it's working...wait...is recording this?' beep"
Even though he most likely won't know how to get to his messages, Emma leaves one. "Hey, Killian. I'm going to show everyone the video we watched last night. I'm going to grab stuff from Grannies and then head over to the Sheriff's Station."
She slips her phone back into her pocket and pulls out the keys to the buggy. She gets in the car and puts the siren light on top indicating that the Sheriff is officially on duty for the morning.
Killian's such an early riser. I find it hard to believe today is the one day he overslept.
As Emma drives, she takes in the sights and sounds of Storybrooke. Before she knows it, Grannies is on her right. After about fifteen minutes of listening to the daily grievances of the dwarves, she has her cocoa with cinnamon and a box of doughnuts.
At the station, Emma fiddles with the video camera and speeds up to the place where she and Killian spotted the Snow Queen last night. Snow looks away from the screen and turns to Emma.
"Emma, that's you..you must be…"
"Thirteen, maybe fourteen" Emma replies.
Over her shoulder, Regina asks "Are you missing the part where she is with the Snow Queen? Emma, you knew her before you came to Storybrooke?"
"Apparently my run in with her in town wasn't the only memory she erased. All this time in this foster home, or whatever that place was, is gone."
Emma sits, staring at the paused image of the Snow Queen on the television screen as the group continues wondering how and why she came to a world without magic when Rumplestilskin was unable to for all those years. Maybe that means she came after the curse was cast? Could that be possible?
Suddenly, a voice breaks through to Emma and she whips around when Regina calls her name.
"Emma! Did you hear me?"
Emma quickly replies, "No. Sorry...what's the question?"
Regina rolls her eyes and repeats, "Where's Guyliner? It's not like him to be so far from your side."
"Ugh, Regina…" Emma moans.
Now Snow repeats the question. " Regina is right, Emma. Maybe he's still at Grannies?"
"I don't think so. I left a message early this morning and when I left the diner, Granny mentioned she hadn't heard him come home last night. I am planning to check the docks right after this."
"I'm sure he's fine, wherever he is" Snow says.
Emma tries not to let the group know that she's worried, but deep down, she knows something is very wrong.
Noticing Emma's worry for Hook, David prompts the group so they can continue working on their Snow Queen problem. "Does it really matter how she got to Emma? I mean, shouldn't we be more concerned about why?"
"Obviously she needed her for something, but what?" Regina says. " Well...that's our next problem," she scoffs.
"Well, we know she's hiding somewhere in the North Woods. We combed every inch of her shop, tore apart her house...she must have cleared everything out days before, which means she must be hiding something," says David.
"But where," Emma says. "I'm going to try Killian again. It's not like him to be unresponsive."
"Wait!" Henry shouts. " What about her ice cream truck?"
Emma, surprised at Henry's question, says "Woah, she has an ice cream truck?"
"I'm a kid...I notice these things" Henry chuckles.
"Then we'll split up into groups to search the town and the woods. Emma and Regina will take the west. Gold, you and I will search the east."
"I think you know I prefer to work alone," Mr. Gold replies.
"Well, no time to argue with that," David replies. "Belle, how are your tracking skills?"
"Actually, I was thinking that I might be most helpful back at the library," Belle says. Elsa volunteers to go with her in the hopes of finding a clue that will lead to Anna.
David catches Emma checking her phone for a message from Hook. To keep anyone else from noticing, he addresses the group."Great. Everyone, keep in touch on the walkies or Emma's cell. No one goes anywhere alone. The Snow Queen could be anywhere. Let's meet back here in two hours."
He walks over to Emma and places a hand on top of her phone. "Any word yet?" Emma only shakes her head sorrowfully.
"He's perfectly fine. I am sure of it. He probably went to the Rabbit Hole last night and is sleeping it off at the docks."
"That would be a relief. I just wish he'd call."
Emma stands up, stretches, and gathers her gun and badge. "It's time to find this Snow Queen."
Killian...I'm worried. Please call me soon.
Rumplestilskin searches in the eastern section of the woods. He knows the Snow Queen is here, watching, as the rest of the search party is at her ice cream checks that he wasn't followed.
"You can show yourself, dearie", he says. "I'm not the one you're hiding from."
"No, you're not. To what do I owe this intrusion?"
"I come with a warning. The Sheriff, you know her...Emma Swan...the savior, is on to you. She knows all about your history and that it began outside of Storybrooke..
"I am aware", she says. "Is that all?"
"No, no that's not all. She knows her pet pirate is missing". The Snow Queen can't contain the smirk that grows on her face at the mention of the pirate she is hiding in her cave. "Hook is my leverage for Emma, not yours. So whatever deal you're going to propose, save it."
"The pirate and I have unfinished business, yes. But I need him alive, thank you. You see...I have plans of my own, dearie. It's only a matter of time before they find him."
"But I am counting on that. Then, Emma will have no choice but to come with me because it's the only way she can save him. She better figure it out soon. That wound you made on the back of his head seemed terrible when I left him."
"What can I say? He wouldn't have come quietly."
"Just say that you agree to stay out of my way, in exchange for Captain Hook."
"Deal."
[Back at the Ice Queen's hideout]
Killian climbs one of the taller ice piles and manages to extend his arm into the air in search of a phone signal. It gets one bar but quickly flickers back to no signal. He sighs heavily and rolls his eyes, at the modern "convenience" of his talking phone.
Why does Emma insist I carry this ridiculous device if it refuses to work when I need it?
He stands there a while longer. After a few minutes, a cold breeze rips right through him and his whole body shakes furiously. Shivering...is...good...good...means...I still have time for someone to find me. Killian climbs back down and notices that his battery is only half full now. Bloody useless device! He tosses the phone across from him.
He doesn't have many layers, but he removes his leather jacket, sits on the ground and uses it as a blanket. He wraps it around the front of his shoulders, keeping his arms and part of his face tucked inside. The warmth of his breath should help to keep his extremities warm for now. He feels the chill of the ice walls at his back and this breeze that came from nowhere, but it feels better than it did a few minutes ago. The wall of ice does feel good against the bump on the back of his head. But the chattering of his teeth and the shivers through his torso and legs are wearing him down. The warmth of his breath surrounding his face makes him wish he could curl up and rest, even just for a second. He closes his eyes briefly and thinks of Emma's sunny blonde hair and her fiery red jacket. Suddenly, his phone rings.