Oh, my gosh! Hi! I can't believe I'm doing this again. I'm back!

So, I last posted in November of 2018. At the time, I decided that I needed to take a step back from FanFiction and focus on other projects and my own life. A lot of things were happening. To be honest, I kind of fell out of love with the show after season 7. Recently, during this self-isolation, I've been rewatching our beloved show, Once Upon a Time. My love for it was rekindled and I decided to post some old stuff that I completed, but never posted.

I'm so sorry it's been so long! I really hope you enjoy this chapter. I did write this one recently, though. I finished it today and didn't know when I should post it, but I was too excited to wait!

This is based in 4x12, Heroes and Villains.

Enjoy!

Okay

"Take us to the town line," Belle demanded, knuckles white against the hilt of the dagger. In a manner of seconds, Belle and Gold had disappeared in a cloud of red smoke.

For a moment, no one moved. Emma and Mary Margaret stared at the place Belle had been, commanding her husband, in shock. Then, Killian let out a shaky breath. Immediately, Emma sprinted up the stairs.

"Killian, are you okay?" She collapsed to her knees in front of him. She took his face into her hands, searching for any sign of a wound.

He nodded. "Aye, I'm all right, Swan." He gave her a small smile.

Emma's eyes moved from Killian's to the heart he held in his hand. She clenched her jaw. "Gold was controlling you."

"Aye, that he was." Killian averted his eyes. All those things he'd done, all the sins he'd committed—Emma would never forgive him.

"I should have known," she mumbled. "I should have realized. I knew you were acting strange, but I just…I didn't know—"

Killian's eyes snapped up to her. "This is not your fault, Emma."

Emma blinked several times, keeping her tears at bay. "I should have saved you."

Killian needed his hand. He needed to touch her, comfort her, reassure her that nothing was her fault. He reached past Emma and set his heart in the chest Gold always carried it in. Then, he caressed her face, swiping the lone tear away. "Don't cry, love. None of this is your fault."

Emma sucked in a breath, steadying herself. She wasn't going to let any more moisture escape her eyes. "When Gold froze me, I watched him almost kill you. You looked like you were in so much pain. I could have prevented that."

"Emma, love, don't say such things." He tilted her chin up so she was looking right at him. "The Crocodile is to blame, not you."

She nodded and stood, pulling Killian with her. "I'm really glad you're okay."

He smiled softly. "Me, too."

Emma met his eyes. Their fingers entwined. She wanted to hold him close and never let go. He could have died today and she wouldn't have known. She almost never saw him again. Emotion overtaking her, she launched forward and wrapped the man in front of her in her arms. She felt him pull her closer.

She needed to say something, but the only thing she could focus on was the fact that nothing was beating in his chest. How could she not have noticed?

Killian buried his face in her hair. He breathed in her scent. He never thought he would do this again. He'd thought that he would never hold her again, never comfort her again. Oh, how bad he had wanted to tell her what was wrong.

"Did Elsa and her sister get home all right?" he asked in a hushed voice.

Emma bobbed her head, pulling away. "Yeah, they're fine. They're home." Emma's eyes were dark in the dim light of the clock tower, pulling at the guilt in Killian's chest.

"Emma, I wanted to tell you, but the Crocodile commanded me not to." His hand rested on her face. "I didn't want to leave you."

Something seemed to lodged itself in Emma's throat, making it almost impossible to speak without bursting into tears. "I know, Killian. I know." She looked down at her feet. "How long?"

He raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean, love?"

"How long has he had your heart?" She took the slightest step forward, her hand moving to his chest to rest above where his heart should have been. "When did he take it?"

Killian kept his eyes on Emma, wishing she would look up at him. "When you were going to dispose of your magic. He had an ulterior motive and I knew what it was. He was going to suck you into a magical hat. He wanted your power. He didn't want me telling you that. I was outside of the mansion when he trapped me and took it." He winced. He'd felt completely hopeless. Emma had been inside, about to be sucked into oblivion when he had been just outside with the information to save her.

Emma turned her head up to him. "I'm sorry you had to go through that—all of this."

His lips turned up. "It's over now, Swan. I'm okay. So are you."

She smiled a little and grabbed his hand. "Let's go to Granny's. I'm sure everyone else has gathered there."

He chuckled softly. "Aye."

The walk to Granny's was a short one, but felt like a mile. Mary Margaret walked in front of Emma and Killian, giving them some space. Emma's hand was wrapped around Killian's hook, her shoulder pressed against his.

They walked in silence, but it was comfortable. Emma didn't want to break it. It enveloped them, keeping them in a safe bubble. No one was going to interrupt them. They were together, happy. All they had to do was return Killian's heart to his chest.

Mary Margaret opened the door to Granny's and held it for her daughter and Killian.

"We'll go in through the back," Emma insisted.

Mary Margaret smiled and nodded. "Okay." She disappeared inside.

"Why are we going through the back, love?" Killin questioned.

Emma pulled him toward the back door. "We need to put your heart back, of course."

"Oh, of course." His voice was light, teasing. It brought a smile to Emma's face.

Emma and Killian were among the last people to leave Granny's. David had insisted that Emma come home with them, but Mary Margaret had dragged him away. Regina had smirked at Emma before saying Henry was spending the night with her. Emma happily agreed, just wanting alone time with her pirate.

They sat in a booth together, Killian's arm around Emma's shoulders as her head rested on his chest. Neither wanted to leave, but they knew they would have to soon. Granny may give them a little leniency, but definitely not more than thirty minutes.

"How's your heart?" Emma asked, hand going to Killian's.

He chuckled, his chest vibrating. "It's good, love. You have no reason to worry. You returned it safe and sound."

Emma's lips tugged up. "I'm sorry it hurt."

Killian pulled his hand from Emma's and traced her jaw, pushing her chin up. "It's all right, Swan. I already told you so."

Emma pushed herself up a little. "Actually, you didn't."

With a roll of his eyes, he leaned in closer and kissed hes. "Was I not clear enough?"

"You were." She kissed him again before stepping out of the booth and grabbing his hand. "Come on. I want to go on a walk."

Killian allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. He kept a tight grip on Emma's hand. "Sounds lovely, Swan."

Emma flushed. "Great. Let's go."

Despite the sweater and coat she was wearing, the chill of the night reached Emma's bones. She held back a shiver, though, because she knew what Killian would do and she did not want him to be cold.

Like he read her mind, Killian asked, "You warm enough, love?"

Of course he knew. She released his hand and wrapped her arm around his waist. His arm wrapped around her shoulders. "Now I am."

A soft laugh escaped Killian's lips as he pulled his love closer to him. Emma's head dropped to Killian's shoulder. She didn't know where they're heading, but didn't care either. She just wanted to be alone with Killian, doing something other than sitting down.

The grin on Killian's face was wide. He still couldn't believe he had this—a woman he loved that loved him back. He couldn't believe he was still alive, spending time with her.

It became clear to both Emma and Killian that they were heading toward the docks after a while. The cold breeze of the ocean blew past them, sending Emma into shivers. Killian, of course, had spent many nights on the deck of the Jolly Roger in far worse weather than this. The wind felt welcoming. He began to draw his arm away from Emma.

"What are you doing?" She leaned away, looking up at him.

He yanked off his jacket. "I'm not very cold."

Before he could offer it to her, Emma pushed his hand away. "No, no. You aren't cold because you have a jacket on. Put back on, you idiot. You're going to get a cold or something."

"I don't get colds, Swan. I am immune to such viruses." He tried to put the jacket around Emma's shoulders, but she stepped back, a teasing smile on her lips.

"That's because you always have a jacket on."

Killian rolled his eyes and took a step forward. "Emma, love, you're going to get a cold."

Emma crossed her arms. "I can handle a cold."

He pouted. "Please? I couldn't bear it if you got sick because I wasn't enough of a gentleman."

Emma gave him an exasperated look and snatched the jacket from his hand, pulling it over her shoulders. "Fine."

He beamed. "Thank you." His arm went back around her.

Despite her reluctance to accept the jacket, Emma was happy she gave in. She breathed in the scent of the jacket, grinning to herself. She wasn't cold anymore.

Slowly, they made their way over to a bench and sat close together on it. Emma felt Killian rest his head on hers, drawing another giddy smile from her.

"Are you sure you're not cold?" Emma whispered.

"I am quite certain, Swan."

Emma cuddled closer to his side. "Tell me if that changes."

For a while, they sat in silence. The breeze blew across their faces. Emma pulled her legs onto the bench to warm herself up even more. Killian tucked her into his side. The coolness of her face shocked him when he kissed her forehead.

"Emma, you're freezing. Let's go."

"I'm fine."

"You're a dreadful liar, Swan. Come on." He peeled himself away from Emma and stood, holding out his hand.

The sudden absence of Killian at her side made her realize she really was freezing. She dropped her hand in Killian's. "Fine." She dragged the word out.

Killian chuckled and tugged on Emma's hand, pulling her into his side. "Your father is probably going crazy."

Emma scoffed. "Yeah, whatever. He's so ridiculous."

"You're his only daughter. He's worried."

"He doesn't have anything to worry about. There are no more stupid villains and I'm with you. Plus, I have magic. I'll be fine."

"I don't think he's worried about villains."

Emma glanced up at him. "I know he's porobal;y being all protective and stuff, but he doesn't need to be, not when I'm with you."

A warm smile spread across Killian's face. He kissed her head. "You're correct."

Emma closed her eyes for a moment. "I know. Now, let's get inside somewhere and find hot chocolate because it really is freezing."

I hope you liked that! I don't know how often I will post or how long I will continue posting, but I will try to write more. I have missed this community.

Have an amazing day!