A/N: *cracks fingers* let's do this
Will you hold the line
When every one of them is giving up or giving in? Tell me
In this house of mine
Nothing ever comes without a consequence or cost, tell me
Will the stars align?
Will Heaven step in? Will it save us from our sin? Will it?
'Cause this house of mine stands strong
The pirate captain wrinkled his nose as he docked his ship. He took a deep breath and came to a conclusion; Storybrooke smelt terrible and his daughter was not going to be raised somewhere that smelt so awful.
He glanced at Cora to see if she was as affronted by the smell as he, but she gave no such indication.
He went through the motions of preparing to disembark his ship, but his mind was elsewhere.
The love of his life was here. She was in this city. It was the closest he'd physically been to her in a while and he missed her. The small pockets of stolen time hadn't been nearly enough to sate him. He doubted they had been enough for her either.
To his surprise, Cora waited patiently for him to finish his tasks. He half expected her to abandon him immediately. He had quietly hoped she would.
No matter, he imagined they'd have a quick chat, exchange pleasantries and platitudes and off they'd go their separate ways.
Once he'd finished, Killian courteously raised his hand to Cora to assist her down the ramp. She gracefully accepted and they finally placed their feet on Storybrooke territory.
He had been waiting for Cora to dismiss him or to evaporate into a cloud of smoke, but it became apparent that it would have to be him that would end their partnership.
Well, there was no time like the present.
"Well, my dear Cora. This is where we shall part ways." He told her resolutely as he halted his steps beside her. He sprinkled just enough gloom to seem genuinely regretful about the departure.
She looked up at him expressionless. He hated how difficult a woman she was to read.
"Thank you for everything." he murmured truly sincere for the first time in their acquaintanceship. He realised almost belatedly that he should add something else, "but it's time for me to skin my crocodile."
He had a story to sell after all. Killian didn't feel it necessary to take any further risks when it came to the witch.
He nodded to her as respectfully as he could and started on his way. He'd made a few steps without her saying anything which made him almost convinced he'd done it. He'd gotten away from her without a scratch. He didn't think he could accomplish that.
He ate his words when she appeared before him blocking his path.
Shit.
"You might want to rethink this." She told him. It sounded almost pitying. As though she knew something he didn't.
He tried not to growl at her. He didn't care what she thought, he had things to do.
"We had a deal." He reminded her not completely unkindly, "get out of my way."
"Believe it or not, I'm doing you a favour." She almost sounded sincere.
He knew that whatever favour she presented him was likely to be a manipulation. He wasn't in the mood.
He played along. "By preventing my vengeance?"
"Ask yourself how I'm doing that?"
He didn't want to play her games, but she wasn't going to let him go until he at least rolled the dice. Hopefully, he could get away with his weighted dice.
He forced a thoughtful expression. "By using your dark magic."
"Exactly. Magic is here and that makes matters a bit more complicated. If you go off half-cocked after an empowered Rumpelstiltskin do you know what will happen?" she spoke to him like he was some small boy about to jump off a cliff with no lake below him.
It was an easy answer. He'd die.
His face must have been obvious enough because she spoke softly. "So, you do. Good."
A voice from behind them broke their conversation. "Hey! You folks need anything? Tackle shop don't open until morning but if you wanna go out and try and snare some of New England's finest pescatarian creatures I'd be happy to open early for you."
Killian almost felt bad for the obviously kind and humble man. Poor lad, wrong place, wrong time. Tale as old as time.
Hoping to avoid whatever Cora was sure to cook up Killian stepped forward. "No, thank you, we're fine." It came out harsher than he'd intended but it was probably what was needed.
He waited and hoped that Cora would just let the man leave.
The man couldn't take a hint and kept on. "It's a fine vessel you've got there, when did you get in?"
This man was treading on some dangerous grounds and he didn't even know it. Bar slashing him with his hook Killian was convinced he wasn't going to go anywhere.
Cora stepped in. "What vessel?" she asked, coyly.
The man looked baffled. Killian wanted to throttle him. Their attire should have been more than enough to tip off the man that something was wrong.
"Uh- why that one righ-" the man's utterings cut off as Cora concealed the ship from prying eyes.
The man still didn't get the hint. Even Cora was looking exasperated.
"Hey! That's a neat trick. You some kind of magician back in our land?"
Killian wanted to groan and smack the fella over the head. She would not take kindly to being undervalued like that. He may as well have asked if Cora was a travelling clown.
He was right – Cora took offense. She barely flicked her wrist and the man was gone. Transformed into something at their feet. Where he belonged, Killian was sure Cora believed.
The new fish flopped around in a panic as Cora sighed.
The man didn't deserve it. As much of a fool he was he seemed a kind man. The kind of man who his Red likely knew and befriended.
He kicked the fish into the water as delicately as he could in front of Cora. He couldn't let on he was soft.
He turned back to her and double checked. "What did you do to my ship?"
"I hid it from prying eyes." She reassured.
As he suspected then.
She picked up the conversation they had been interrupted from. "For what we both want to do, we need the element of surprise. Now, are you ready to listen to me?"
Did he have a choice? No, so what was the point in asking?
Why was this witch so insistent on keeping him around? Sure, he was handy but that was when they had a common goal. With that being achieved their arrival should have been the natural conclusion to their relationship. He looked at his feet, feeling weariness trickle into his bones.
"Go on, your majesty. What now?"
She smiled. "Let's go have a little look at this 'Storybrooke', shall we?"
He wasn't against this, but he had so hoped to do it alone.
So, he did as any gentleman would do and held his arm aloft to escort her.
That's the price you pay
Leave behind your heart and cast away
Just another product of today
Rather be the hunter than the prey
And you're standing on the edge, face up 'cause you're a natural
Sitting aside his invisible ship sharpening his hook Killian wondered why he was there. Not so much on the dock but more so why he was here.
He knew why he was in Storybrooke. He knew what he wanted there. So why wasn't he doing that?
Why must he obey Cora while she played her little games?
Knowing the answer did not make him feel any better.
It was because Cora could find him just about anywhere and he would be damned if he led her straight to Red and Silvia. His precious girls. He wouldn't do that to them. Who knew the vile atrocities the witch would commit if she suddenly decided to be upset with him? The heartless bitch would go to new lows to assert her power over others.
He sensed more than heard her approach. Very few people's presence set him on edge like that. Back to playing her little lapdog. What a bloody bellend he had to be for this.
"You're back." He stated somewhat bored. "Soo, did you get what you wanted?"
To further display how uninterested he was in her conversation, he continued sharpening his hook. Who knows, maybe he'll get lucky and have a chance to plunge it into her throat soon enough. Wishful thinking that.
She looked positively gleeful. "Yes, my daughter's lost everything now."
Killian withheld a wince of pity he felt towards her daughter. No one deserved a mother so callous.
Don't say it.
"Ah, well. Aren't you mother of the year." Oops. He said it. Ah well. He called it as he saw it. May as well commit. He shot her a dashing smile she didn't return.
"I did what was needed." She assured almost convincingly.
"Yeah, well what about what I need?" he muttered. He continued more strongly, selling his tale that kept on spinning. "You promised you'd help me get my revenge on Rumpelstiltskin."
She smiled indulgently. "And I've already started."
Internally, Killian screamed. He didn't want her to start on anything! She was just going to cause unnecessary problems.
"Or didn't you notice the little gift I left you in the hold of your ship."
He paused in his ministrations to his hook. "A gift?" he queried unsurely.
He stood up quickly a bit panicked. "What is it?"
She shook her head. "Not what. Who." She motioned him to follow along and he did.
Each step he took his heart pounded faster.
Shit. Shit. Shit!
He didn't want this. He wasn't ready to start an outright war with the crocodile! If they've kidnapped someone he cares about then that is exactly what they've done.
Don't get him wrong – he wanted Rumpelstiltskin to die. One day. Preferably when Killian had all his ducks in a row.
The tattoo on his wrist felt like it was burning. Milah. He did swear to avenge her, and he will. But she was dead and buried. His family wasn't and he wasn't eager for them to join her.
His heart felt like it was in his throat at this point.
They opened the door below and stepped through. He looked around but saw no one.
Cora strutted on without falter. Killian made a show of looking interestedly at his cabin walls. Anything to delay what he was terrified would be below.
She opened the trap door and encouraged him to peer inside.
He did as instructed but to his surprise did not find the lassie he was expecting. In fact, it was a man who did not look like anyone the crocodile would associate with. He doubted this buffoon looking man was going to start the war he was terrified of a moment earlier.
"Who is that?"
"Someone privy to Storybrook's deepest secrets." She shot him a conspiring look. "Including Rumpelstiltskin's. Someone who can help us determine his weaknesses here. Dr. Hopper."
He looked at her confused, recalling that this was the man she had been planning to kill while wearing her daughter's face.
"Well, if that's him than who did you kill?
She cackled. "How would I know? It's my first day in town."
He smirked a little impressed despite himself. "You disguised the body to look like him? As if death wasn't punishment enough. Marvelous work."
She simpered. "Thank you. Now you'll have all the knowledge you'll need. It may take some work, but this cricket will chirp."
"Aye." He didn't doubt that. He looked like a soft man unfamiliar with even the slightest of discomfort. He'd barely need to torture him. "That he will."
He had to admit it was an incredible gift. He almost thought Cora above such considerations.
The Witch grinned, gave her excuses of needing beauty sleep and was on her way. Killian couldn't say he'd miss her.
He stared down at the creature in front of him. It was pathetic really. Did he want to hurt the man? No. Would Cora be suspicious if he didn't? Yes. What a bind to be in.
He thought of asking after Red or rather Ruby as she was called in this world, but he hesitated. She'd never mentioned this man, so he doubted he held her confidence more so than Snow. They kept their relationship very hush hush and he doubted this was the way to announce it. As eager as he was to learn more of her he stopped himself. Besides, who knew if Cora was listening in.
The man looked up at him with a mixture of fear and trepidation on his face.
Weighing his options wasn't helping much. He stared at this doctor and wondered what exactly the crocodile told him. Did he tell him everything? Sordid history and all? Had he told him about Milah?
Righteous anger filled Killian at the thought of Rumpelstiltskin speaking her name. Her name coming from his lips. A fire itched under his skin that he hadn't felt for a while. The slimy, disgusting crocodile. Did he tell them how he'd killed her? His own wife because of his petty jealousy? Of course not – he's a coward. Would he have cried over Baelfire saying how he'd lost the boy when in reality he'd thrown him away? Would he tell them how in one fell swoop he'd disabled a man?
Killian's breathing become labored and he paced back and forth before the doctor.
He remembered how he hated that pathetic excuse of a man. He gazed contemptuously at the doctor who stared at him with increasing horror.
He thought of the cycle he had inadvertently fallen into.
Killian took Milah. Rumpelstiltskin killed Milah. Killian will kill to avenge Milah.
What then?
He ran his hand through his hair stressed. He knew the answer.
Rumpelstiltskin would kill for revenge yet again.
He'd kill his whole family. He wouldn't stop at one.
He pictured Rumpelstiltskin hunting Red down for sport. He imagined Red clutching their little girl to her chest as she fled in terror. He could envision her being trapped like a dog as the Dark One giggled madly. He could almost hear her beating heart being ripped out of her chest and being crushed to smithereens before the monster's gaze would fall to Silvia.
Killian felt sick. No. That would not happen. No, he could not let that happened. It would end with him. No matter what it took.
Killian needed to end Rumpelstiltskin once and for all.
Then and only then can he be with his family and guarantee their continued safety.
After giving himself a minute to calm himself, he nodded. He was ready. He lurched towards the doctor who baulked.
Well, there was no time like the present.
"Wait, no. Please, don't! Wait! Please! Please"
Killian slapped his hand over his mouth and shushed him.
"Hey, hey, hey. Shh!"
He stared so deeply into the doctor's eyes he swore he could see his soul. He wouldn't miss a thing. Not a twitch of the eye, crinkle of the nose, sweat bead on his forehead – nothing. This man would tell him everything and he'd leave nothing out.
"As your patient, the Dark One must have told you all manner of secrets." He wiggled his finger in the doctor's face, reveling in his fear. "Where is his dagger?"
Deep down Killian doubted the crocodile would be stupid enough to disclose that information to a simpleton like him but he was nothing if not thorough.
The Doctor looked mystified. "I don't know anything about a dagger."
Killian wasn't surprised.
Neither of them spoke for a moment and all that could be heard was the creaking of his ship.
"No, you don't, do you?"
He pulled away from his hostage and pondered the predicament. It was very likely that Rumpelstiltskin didn't directly tell the good doctor much. Perhaps he'd need to approach this from another angle.
"It's his weakness." He muttered unnecessarily. "Now, tell me, does he have any others?"
Dr. Hopper pulled at his restraints pointlessly and the captain struggled not to roll his eyes at his antics. He'd clearly never been a captive before. However, it was this restlessness that gave him away. Dr. Hopper knew something.
Killian gave a Cheshire grin.
Hopper looked at him defiantly.
"Very well," Killian shrugged and grabbed his head pitilessly. He leaned low and whispered evilly in his ear. "I've always wanted to dissect a cricket."
As predicted, the doctor panicked. "No! Wait! Wait. Please."
Killian hummed happily. It was the quickest he'd seen anyone break. "That's more like it."
"Now, tell me, cricket. What is his weakness?"
A beating heart of stone
You gotta be so cold
To make it in this world
Yeah, you're a natural
Living your life cutthroat
You gotta be so cold
Yeah, you're a natural
He heard her before he saw her. She wasn't a very subtle thing. Although, admittedly, she probably wasn't expecting a predator in waiting for her.
The crocodile's first mistake. Flaunting her around and then leaving her unprotected.
It was a mistake he'd come to regret for the rest of his days. Killian will make sure of it.
She was practically skipping as she approached where he'd situated himself. Not even looking his way when he wasn't even well hidden. She was pretty he could admit that. Rumpelstiltskin's taste in women was decidedly above his weight.
Oh well. Pretty or not, bait is bait.
When she at last noticed him - he practically grinned. She didn't recognise him. He'd give her a minute; he'd relish watching the fear spread over her face.
"Uh, sorry, the library's not open yet." She told him a little hesitantly.
"Oh," he looked up at her and made a show of closing the random book he'd chosen. "I'm not here for the books, love."
Correct as usual he watched the recognition filter on her face. She instinctively started backed to back away from him. Oh yes. She remembered him.
"You? You're the one who broke into my cell at the Queen's Palace."
Their eyes locked and Killian grinned at her.
She bolted quicker than a gazelle.
He wanted to applaud her. She wasn't a complete dunderhead.
She didn't make it very far; he had her impractical shoes to thank for that. He blocked her path and they stood opposite each other with only a bookshelf between them. A bookshelf for a barricade was no match for him.
She was panting already, fear for her life pumping adrenaline through her veins.
"You wanted to kill Rumpelstiltskin." She informed him. As if he hadn't already known that.
"Oh, I still do. But right now, I'll settle for you."
He made to run around the shelf and catch her, but she managed to push the shelf and it landed harshly on him. He grunted in pain but groaned as he heard her run away.
This wasn't what he meant when he would jokingly say he enjoy chasing damsels.
She made for a door and frantically started mashing a button. He fumbled with the shelf before managing to get it off him. He took too long though. The door opened and it closed on him as he lunged towards it.
Infuriated she'd managed to evade him; he pounded his fist against the door. He looked around, surely there was something he could use to force it open. He couldn't see anything. He growled in frustration and pounded on the door again. There must be something. He couldn't let her just stay there – someone would come sooner or later. He needed her dead or to be gone with her before then.
He paused with that thought.
She had seen him. She will go running along to the crocodile and he'll decipher it was him.
In a roundabout way, it wasn't a complete failure if he didn't kill her right now.
Either way, he'd be able to get what he wanted.
Assured that the crocodile would be leaving his shop promptly, he was only a little put out he didn't leave a corpse waiting for him.
He pounded on the door one more time for good measure and then quietly slipped out. He would go to the rendezvous point and most assuredly one of the few people he trusted in this world will be there, item in tow.
Will somebody
Let me see the light within the dark trees shadowing?
What's happening?
Looking through the glass find the wrong within the past knowing
Oh, we are the youth
Cut until it bleeds, inside a world without the peace facing
A bit of the truth, the truth
As he saw the crocodile for the first time in decades through his spyglass, Killian felt tension coil in the pit of his stomach. It would spring before too long and the crocodile would pay.
He watched as the creature rushed to the hidden safe and tore it open. He suppressed his glee at seeing him wretchedly upset to find it missing.
He heard familiar footsteps and his heart tugged slightly. He tried to bury the feeling. He didn't have time for that right now.
"You have it, Mr. Smee?"
Smee approached him and offered the shawl to Killian.
"What is it, Capt'n?"
Killian accepted the proffered shawl, trying to stay as detached from it as possible but finding it frightfully hard. He tenderly patted it.
"It's the end of the crocodile's hope. Now, he's trapped here."
He fingered the shawl between his fingers. This was Baelfire's. Killian imagined him wearing it when was he playing outside in the snow, keeping him warm. Milah made it for him. He imagined her having stitched it herself before proudly placing it over Bae's shoulders. He tried to convince himself it was just a shawl, but his mind couldn't wrap around this fact. Two people he cared about dearly had been associated with this article of clothing. Both were lost to him. He held it to his chest and his hearts rhythm seemed to steady. Strange, that such a sentimental keepsake could do that to him.
He glanced sideways at the cask of kerosene he brought with him, but he knew he couldn't do what he'd originally intended.
Perhaps he would keep it. It could be his first gift to Silvia. He put it in his satchel.
"Capt'n." Smee approached hesitantly.
Killian sighed and ran his hand over his face. He looked up a Smee. As annoying as the bugger could be, he had missed him more than he'd care to admit.
If it weren't for the circumstances, in a gesture that would otherwise be uncharacteristic Killian brought his first mate into a one-armed hug. It was returned with the same fervour. After a minute, Killian pulled him back and stared at him.
"What happened to you?" he had always wondered.
When he'd returned to his ship after his voyage to Storybrook he'd waited for him. It was as though he'd never came back. Seeing as he was here, it seemed he hadn't. He tried extremely hard not to be bitter at the thought. He would have done anything to stay and yet it was Smee who managed it.
Mr. Smee looked down as though ashamed. "I'm sorry. I tried to find you before time ran out. I was too weak and pathetic. Forgive me."
Killian gave a tight smile and waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright, mate. I'm sure you did all you could."
Smee almost looked as though he were about to cry.
Killian looked back through his spyglass and watched as the Dark One destroyed his shop further. He was even more convinced that his family wasn't safe here. He returned his spyglass but couldn't bring himself to look at Smee again.
"Have you seen her?" Killian asked softly.
There was no need to discuss who she was.
"Yes, once."
Killian turned and looked at him incredulously. He'd been here for years and he'd seen her once? What an absolute waste.
"How was she?"
Smee smiled. "She was looking for you. Determined, she was. Wouldn't accept that there was no way back to you. I'm sure she's thrilled you're back."
Killian didn't respond but acknowledged the irony.
He'd just chastised Smee for seeing her once when he had no real connection to her. She was his everything and he hadn't seen her yet once.
He knew it was for the best and he had his reasons, but it didn't make him feel any better.
She wouldn't be happy. About anything he was currently doing. She would have to forgive him because he would not be asking for permission. He was prepared to grovel.
His silence must have been telling. "You haven't seen her yet, Capt'n?"
Killian sighed. "I have to skin a crocodile first."
Smee shifted his weight hesitantly. "I can't imagine she will like that."
His captain snapped his head towards him. "Why? Don't tell me she's befriended that blasted monster?!"
"No, no!" Smee assured him. "She doesn't seem to like him. That being said, she is such a good person. I can't imagine her wanting anyone dead. Not for any reason."
She would if they were a risk to her child. Killian knew that much.
There was something else he needed to know.
"Has she been safe here?" He asked offhandedly, quite confident she had been.
When Smee hesitated, his insides twisted. Smee looked away. Killian grabbed him and shook him.
"What? Tell me!"
Smee didn't fight being manhandled and sighed tiredly. "It didn't happen that long ago, but it ended fine. No one hurt her. She was fine."
Killian wasn't reassured. "What happened?"
"There was a murder." Smee started strongly, but hesitantly continued as Killian's eyes darkened. "It was more a butcher actually. Poor sod was found in halves. Anyway, it was quickly concluded that it was a creature who did it. A wolf."
The blood in his veins froze. "Red…?"
Smee rushed in. "She was hysterical. No one could console her. When a mob assembled, she didn't even try to defend herself."
Killian was trying to take deep breaths. He knew the ending – Red was alive. That was what mattered.
"And?" he prompted.
"They were fully prepared to kill her. Put her down like a damn dog! It was David who saved her. It ended up being that someone else was the murderer. They'd just tried to pin it on Ruby."
He was trying and failing to stay calm. "You said she didn't try to fight it – why?"
He knew that Red would have felt unfathomably guilty at the thought of having killed another. She was far too sweet a person to ever get used to the brutality of murder.
But she was strong. She had pulled through before and she would again. What made this time so difficult for her? Had it been a friend she thought she slaughtered?
Surely their daughter was had been enough to fight for?
Smee looked a bit contrite. "It's no secret she's been a bit morose these past few weeks. No one knows what for, but it seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. She just didn't fight." He continued on quickly. "David made sure she was alright. He kept her safe."
A part of him wanted to know who this bloody David was and what his intentions were towards Red but he reined it in. Killian concluded he owed this David more than he could ever give a man. He made a mental note to start by buying him a flagon.
He patted Smee on the shoulder. "Thanks, mate. Stay safe, alright?"
"You too, Capt'n. Take care of her too."
He scoffed. "As if I needed reminding but thank you."
They went their separate ways. Smee, to leave town. Killian, to his ship.
One thing Killian was becoming more convinced of was that he needed to get Red and Silvia out of Storybrook as soon as possible. It really was a cursed land.
That's the price you pay
Leave behind your heart and cast away
Just another product of today
Rather be the hunter than the prey
And you're standing on the edge, face up 'cause you're a natural
Well, well, well. Beauty and brains. Who'd a thought?
She'd let the good doctor go but when she's offered herself up on a silver platter like that how could he complain?
He watched as she shifted through worthless knickknacks looking for the precious shawl he held in his hand. He observed her quietly. The girl was brave but by coming alone it proved she was also incredibly stupid.
"Looking for this?" he asked rhetorically.
She startled and righted herself before him. She got over her flustered state at being caught and pointed at him judgementally.
"That doesn't belong to you."
"Oh, it does now." He informed her smarmily.
Her eyes betrayed her as she looked for her gun that she'd foolishly put down.
They lunged simultaneously and Killian came out with the gun.
He hummed and chuckled at her disgruntled expression. He observed the gun. Nice little thing. It didn't particularly like guns, but he would use it to gain an advantage on the crocodile.
He laughed that Rumpelstiltskin had given her a gun. Silly, really. The first rule he'd ever been taught about combat was as simple as it was true; any weapon you bring can be used against you. She didn't strike him as the type who could hang onto her weapon. A gun was a wildly inappropriate choice for her.
"My dear Belle, you should have stayed with your books." He found he was quite sincere. "Real life can get so messy."
He levelled the gun on her.
He reminded himself of his earlier words.
It would end with him. No matter what it took.
"I'm not afraid of you. And I'm not leaving without that." She pointed to that shawl.
Killian had a feeling that being under the Dark Ones protection had given her a self-inflated sense of importance. Did she really think he wouldn't shoot her?
He rolled his eyes. "I admire your loyalty. But helping Rumpelstiltskin? I'm afraid you're fighting a lost cause."
She was insistent. "He needs that shawl to find his son."
Killian almost scoffed at her. She really had no idea, did she?
"And what makes you think his son wants to be found?" She didn't answer. "I'm doing that boy a favor."
But the lassie just had to take it a step further. "Have you not hurt Rumple enough?"
"Oh." Was the only sound he could make for a moment. "I've hurt him?"
This wasn't some one-sided rivalry. This was steeped to the bone in murder and carnage. She literally had no idea. She was loyal to a coward who couldn't tell her anything.
"You stole his wife." She accused.
His anger started to flare up again. The Dark One always knew how to play the victim. Hiding behind misleading words and carefully selected phrases. Woe is he; a pirate stole my wife who then died. It was time this girl learned the truth about the man she loved.
He approached her until their faces were inches apart. She stubbornly stood her ground. His attempt to intimidate her was not working nearly as well as he'd like. Oh well. She was surely uncomfortable.
"Tell me something, love. If a woman comes to you and begs you to take her away is that theft?"
"Why would she leave him?" She sounded genuinely perplexed.
He wanted to hit her. How narrow minded was she? Did a woman need a reason to leave a man like that?
He told her truthfully. "Because he was a coward."
He felt her flinch beneath him. Ahh, so she knew that much about her beloved.
"And because she loved me."
He stepped away from her and collected the shawl.
"I should have burned this the moment I acquired it."
"Why didn't you?" Curiosity thick in her voice.
He delicately caressed it. "Because she made it." He told her with barely concealed anger.
He should have destroyed it. He should destroy it.
"I'm sorry she died. But vengeance? Vengeance won't bring her back."
True but it was about more than that.
He pointed the gun lazily at her again, mad at her choice of words.
"Died?" He repeated humourlessly. "Like it was some kind of accident. Is that what he told you?"
He approached her again and she looked unsure.
"H-H-He didn't say."
"No, of course not." He muttered. "Of course he would leave out the most important detail of her passing."
She stared at him intently. She honestly wished to know. "And what would that be?"
"He killed her." He told her with vehemence.
He pointed his gun to her chest and quietly informed her. "He ripped out her heart and he crushed it right in front of me."
She shook her head in denial. "No." But her face looked defeated. She didn't doubt him.
"Oh, yes."
"No!"
"Yes."
Stubborn creature. Didn't want to admit to herself that the man she loved had lied to her. Most likely again. Poor little girl. What should she expect when she plays with matches?
It was time to light it and set off some dynamite.
"He would do anything. Anything to hold onto his power. Why do you think anyone who's ever gotten close to him has either run away or been killed?" his voice raised towards the end to drive the point home.
He cocked the gun and pointed it at her. She stared back at him defiantly.
"Now what makes you think you're any different?" he asked her viciously. "And tell me something, darling, why would you want to fight for a man like that?"
He was frankly curious. The girl could do better. She was a princess for goodness sake! Why waste that by throwing her lot in with him?
She stubbornly stood by her crocodile. "Because I still see good in him. Because I believe he's changed. Because his heart is true."
Killian wanted to scoff. The only thing true about the crocodile was that keelhauling would be too good for him.
"And yours," She started, looking him up and down with distaste. "Yours is rotten."
Before he could comment on that she had acted. She slung a beam at his head and hit the bullseye, sending him off his feet and through the trapdoor. His back thumped harshly against his ship. He took a second to calm himself as he heard her footsteps slowly fade.
He grinned.
He thought of what he would do when he caught her. He would show her that his heart was as rotten as she claimed.
"You have no idea." He agreed rhetorically.
He jumped to his feet and rushed to intercept and block her path.
It was easy and she gasped when he jumped up before her. She clenched her fingers tighter around the shawl – she wasn't going to let it go without a fight. He was prepared to give her one.
"How'd you-?"
He cut her off. "Oh, I know this ship like the back of my…" He trailed off chuckling, raising his hook significantly. "Well, you know."
She looked at him with distain. He really didn't have time for this. The girl wouldn't see reason, he understood that now.
"I suggest you give that back to me now." His tone brokered no room for argument.
"Or what?" interrupted another voice.
Killian whirled around and there it was. The crocodile.
This world had been good to him. Gone were the crimped hair and scaly skin. He could almost pass for a human had his wickedness not seeped from him like bile. He stood taller, looked clean and overall presented himself in a better light. But even snakes look pretty with the sunlight hitting their scales. Rumpelstiltskin sauntered towards him - as well as one could with a cane - as though he hadn't a care in the world. Each step he drew incensed Killian further.
It was the closest they'd been since Milah had died. Since he'd had his hand unceremoniously chopped off. His heart thumped erratically in his chest. This man – this monster - deserved nothing less then what he had planned for him.
"Oh." Killian uttered. Here we go. "You look different in this world, crocodile. Like the coward I met so long ago. Limb and all."
The beast continued to approach. "Yet, you still can't kill me."
Killian had grieved for Milah. He'd wanted the crocodile dead. Although he may not have loved her as he once had she hadn't deserved to die like that. There was no one left willing to avenge her. Only him.
They were within arm's reach of each other now. All one had to do was reach out a snuff the life from the other. It was a day of reckoning and they both knew it.
The monster needed to attack first. Luckily, he was easily antagonised.
"Let's have it, Dark One. What magic are you going to hide behind today?"
He had the gull to chuckle. "Oh no, not magic."
Killian was completely blindsided when the monster raised his cane and struck him across the head. The crocodile used physical violence – that was new. Sadly, it had managed to throw Killian onto his back. The next blow came just as harshly as did the next.
Shit.
He could hear the girl running towards them, trying to calm the situation. She tried to entice him to leave.
The monster didn't listen, and Killian felt another blow rain down on him.
"No, not yet, Belle." He told his lady love calmly as he struck Killian again.
She shook the shawl in front of him. "This." She reminded him. "This is what you came for."
The monster didn't even look her way, but he'd stopped his rain of fire.
"This is what's going to get you back to Bae."
Killian almost smirked. Even in the face of his misdeeds she had unwavering faith in her lover. He ran a hand down his face and was a little irritated the crocodile had managed to make him bleed. Killian couldn't resist poking the bear again.
"You're wasting your breath, love. He can't resist. He has to prove that he's not a coward."
As always, the crocodile chose the path of villainy.
"You might want to turn away, Belle. This isn't going to be pretty."
Although he knew it was coming, he still yelped when they cane came down upon him again. And again. And again.
Killian was starting to get pissed off. He'd placed a quiet bet that the girl wouldn't let him get beaten too badly but she'd stopped arguing seemingly content to let Rumpelstiltskin get it out of his system. He disliked when his bets didn't pay off. As per usual, he'd have to do this himself.
"Do it!" He taunted him. "Do it, kill me." Killian laughed, it sounded mad even to his own ears. "He has to show you how powerful he is."
The girl finally spoke up again. "No, Rumple, this is what he wants. To destroy every bit of good in you."
Killian observed the crocodile looking at her with understanding.
Nope, that wouldn't do. Time for the big climax of their little show.
"Rip my heart out." Trying to sound sincere about Milah came more naturally then he expected. "Kill me like you did Milah. And then I'll finally be reunited with her."
Come on girl, don't let me down.
The Dark One dropped the cane with a hint of exasperation. "He has to die, Belle."
He latched his fingers around his neck prepared to strangle him.
"No, no he doesn't. There's still good in you. I see it. I've always seen it. Please. Please show me I'm not wrong."
Yes, girl. Keep it up.
The monster stared between the two of them with a look of agony across his face. A war going on in his mind. Abruptly, he dropped his arms and pulled back his decision made.
Rumpelstiltskin turned on him menacingly. "You take your little ship and sail until you fall off the edge of the world."
Their eyes met and neither could hide their loathing of the other.
"I never want to see you again." He struck him in a final act of retaliation.
That had been a failure. Oh well. He wasn't done yet.
There'd been a reason the Dark One never showed mercy. It comes back to bite you in the arse.
And Killian had sharpened his fangs for such an occasion.
A beating heart of stone
You gotta be so cold
To make it in this world
Yeah, you're a natural
Living your life cutthroat
You gotta be so cold
Yeah, you're a natural
He observed them for a while. There they were at the edge of the town saying goodbyes of epic proportions. He'd never had the chance to have such a sweet goodbye. Only stolen moments filled with a dread that it would end soon, and they may never see each other gain.
True love. The Beauty and her Beast. How touching. It made him want to be sick.
Seeing him wrapped in Bae's shawl nagged at Killian in a bad way. The monster didn't deserve to have such a keepsake. He'd abandoned Bae and he was his natural born father. Killian would have done anything to keep him, to see him happy. It wasn't his fault that the only way he could do that was to let him go.
He didn't deserve to find his son. Bae wanted nothing to do with him. He'd honour Bae by helping him stay hidden. It was the least he could do for the boy who wanted nothing to do with his father, least of all their world.
They held hands sweetly, heartfelt smiles graced their faces. Killian could barely wait to wipe them off.
"I'll be here waiting for you for when you get back." She promised him.
No, you wouldn't.
As they leaned to kiss or embrace, he took his chance. He shot the gun and watched them startle. He watched them both fall to the ground and for a moment he couldn't tell which he had hit.
"I wouldn't count on in." He informed them viciously.
The monster called the girl's name a few times in a panic.
Had he shot her then?
Then she looked up at him in shock and confusion. "Who's Belle?"
Killian's heart swelled. So, she didn't remember him. He knew how horrible it was to love someone so deeply and them not know who you are. It was a more fitting end then he could have hoped for.
There was blood on the crocodile's hands as he frantically muttered 'no' over and over again. He'd got her in the shoulder by the looks of it.
The vengeful pirate didn't feel any guilt.
"Oh, fear not, she'll live. She'll just have no idea who you are."
The monster whimpered pathetically. "What you've done cannot be undone."
Rage filled Killian. The girl was still alive. If he bloody tried, she'd love him again. Milah was gone. Dead. There was no coming back from that.
"Well, now you finally know how it feels!"
Killian kept the gun levelled on him. Momentarily debating whether he should kill him or let him live with the knowledge that the woman he loved no longer loved him.
It was swiftly dismissed. He needed to die. Mercy, after all, would come biting.
He wouldn't risk his family. Not for satisfaction that petty.
"Go ahead, crocodile! Do your worst!"
Fire erupted from Rumpelstiltskin's hand. "I intend to."
Lights came from nowhere and it startled Rumpelstiltskin so much he rolled Belle and himself aside.
Killian wanted to scoff. What a coward. They're only lights- followed by some giant metal beast. He attempted to leap away but it was too late. The contraption got him, and he was left rolled over on the ground.
If he was in pain before from being assaulted, it was nothing compared to the agony he was in now. He flung his arm over his eyes, trying to orientate himself. He groaned as he tried to shift his body. It felt like there was some serious damage done.
Bloody hell.
Almost immediately there were more lights and sounds. Belle was frantic, Rumpelstiltskin was trying to calm her, but it seemed to only make her more upset. He didn't have the strength nor will power to gloat in their misery.
More people had arrived and there were more panicked voices.
Someone stood over him suddenly and he looked up to see the dreaded Emma Swan.
Just his luck. She'd probably kick him while he's down.
His antagonistic nature kicked in. "Hello, beautiful." It hurt to even speak.
She crouched down beside him, hopefully to offer him aide but he doubted it.
"Here, I didn't think you noticed. You-Ah!" she pressed down on him sending shockwaves of agony through his body.
Bloody hateful bitch!
"Your ribs are broken." She told him dully.
He had guessed as much already and with far less invasive fingers!
"Well, that must be why it hurts when I laugh." He gestured vaguely to his foe. "Did you see his face? His one true love, gone in an instant. Just like Milah, crocodile. When you took her from me."
They both glared at each other, slowly trying to reach each other to tear the others throat out.
It was the crocodile who got to him first. "But you took her first." And with that said kicked him in the face.
He'd always been a coward. Kick a man while he's down. Only way he knew how to do things.
Emma, of all people, came to his defence. "Gold, are you insane?!"
"Yes, I am!" Finally, they agreed on something.
As the Dark One went to choke him out with his cane, Emma and another man struggled to pull him off.
"You can't do this!"
"I can if you let me go!"
"You don't want her to see that!"
"I'm a stranger to her!"
"Murder is a bad first impression."
The bint had a point and he could see it made sense to the crocodile too.
The unknown man chimed in. "What would Belle want you to do?"
More noises and more lights distracted Rumpelstiltskin enough for them to pull him away. Finally.
That would have been an undignified way to die.
There was too much commotion and Killian was in far too much pain to truly keen up with the happenings on. What he wouldn't do for some rum. He felt drowsy. He was so tired.
He just needed to rest his eyes. Just for a minute…
Deep inside me, I'm fading to black, I'm fading
Took an oath by the blood of my hand, won't break it
I can taste it, the end is upon us, I swear
I'm gonna make it
I'm gonna make it
When finally awoke he almost wished he hadn't. His head was throbbing, the slightest twitch made his abdomen hurt. He needed water desperately. It was so bright. Had he slept the whole night away?
He tried to move. His ribs decided otherwise.
He grunted as he tried to raise his head and as he blearily opened his eyes he was greeted with the sight of the unhappy Emma. Not a great way to start.
Gods, it even hurt to breathe.
She jumped straight to it. "Where's Cora?".
"What?" He asked, still a little delirious. He went to move his hand but found it bound.
He sighed. "Again?" He almost winced. He sounded as horrible as he felt. "You're really into this aren't you?" He tried humor.
Her face gave a tight smile but otherwise didn't change.
He wanted to sincerely thank her for abandoning him on the beanstalk and then foiling all his well laid plans to return home to his beloved family. Why would he help this woman? He decided sarcastic starkness and clever aloofness would better serve him in this situation.
He rebelliously tugged the shackle and grunted as pain shot through him. "Damn, that hurts."
"Told you. You cracked a few ribs." She moved closer to him. "Where's Cora?"
Did she really think he was in that deep with Cora she'd just tell him where she was stationed? Dumb broad. Even if he was why would he tell her? It was only information she'd use against him.
He finally noticed his hook was gone too. Would these guys let him keep none of his dignity?
Flattery and avoidance were the weapons he chose in his unarmed state. "You look good, I must say. All 'where is Cora' in a commanding voice. Chills."
"You have all sorts of sore places I can make you hurt." She rebutted.
Killian paused and gave a surprised smile. Was she flirting? He could scarcely believe the bird had it in her. Not that he was interested mind you. He had a woman worth hundreds of her.
He had not expected her to put pressure on his ribs.
He gritted his teeth as he tried to withhold his whelp of pain.
She smiled. The bitch smiled.
Oh, how he hated her.
"I have no idea where Cora is." He told her. "She has her own agenda."
He had thought this would have been obvious. But the good guys weren't known for their smarts he guessed.
"Let's talk about something I am interested in, my hook. May I have it back?" He asked kindly.
She shot him a look screaming refusal and if it had been any other woman, he would have made a dirty joke about other attachments, but he didn't like this woman. She wasn't worthy of his jokes.
"You're awfully chipper for a guy who just failed to kill his enemy. Then got hit by a car."
Is that what those blasted things are called?
"Well, my ribs may be broken but everything else is still intact." Even he winced at his words.
It wasn't often he accidentally made an innuendo but why was it always in front of this woman? He didn't want her getting any ideas. He doubted he could charm her into getting what he wanted.
He continued as though he hadn't caught it. "Which is more than could be said for other bad days I've had."
He remembered when he'd been bed rested under Red's care. He'd been in more pain then - feverish and suffering. What a delightful nurse she had been. The pain in his body no where near matched the pain in his heart from missing her.
"Plus, I did some quality damage to my foe."
"You hurt Belle." She corrected.
"I hurt his heart. Belle's just where he keeps it." He knew that better than most. "I know the feeling."
She gave him an unsympathetic smile. "Keep smiling buddy. You're chained down, he's on his feet, immortal, has magic, and you hurt his girl."
Their eyes locked as her smile faded to nothing. "If I were to pick dead guy of the year, I'd pick you."
Then she was betting on the wrong horse.
They shared sarcastic smiles and she leisurely left.
He yanked at the chain again, not surprised when it hurt as much as the last time he tried.
A beating heart of stone
You gotta be so cold
To make it in this world
Yeah, you're a natural
Living your life cutthroat
You gotta be so cold
Yeah, you're a natural
He couldn't remember what he had done after the bitch had left, but when the door opened again and slammed shut, he decided he really couldn't be bothered dealing with her again.
And judging by how harshly she'd slammed that door she was in a foul mood.
"Look, the fascination you have for me is absolutely flattering but I'm really not interested."
He waited for a rebuttal but received none. Odd, not like the blonde sheriff at all. He raised his head towards the door to ask if a cat had caught her tongue when his own twisted and knotted. He felt his heart start racing so hard he thought it might burst.
It wasn't that infernal Emma Swan. Nor that self-righteous Mary Margaret. Or even that damned crocodile.
She was an angel that appeared to him when least expected but most desired. Her hair was straighter than he was used to but no longer tinted red like before in his more modern memories of her. She stood tall and proudly, her demanding presence fully emersed the small room. Her pallor was paler than he was used to, but she was pregnant, so it was likely a symptom of that. She wore a raincoat which hid any evidence that their child was held snug and safe inside.
He sniffled a little at the sight of her. He had fought so hard and waited so long to see her again.
Despite looking a little more like the Red he remembered - her attire and painted face showed him that Ruby hadn't completely vacated either.
This woman – no, angel - before him was neither Red nor Ruby but rather a combination of them both.
He was perfectly alright with that.
Her steps were frustratingly slow as she approached.
The pirate lifted his good hand to caress her face, but it stopped short because of those infernal hand cuffs.
Her eyes never left him and for the first time since she entered, he truly looked at them. They were narrow and dark. Not at all what he was expecting. When he searched deeper within her eyes, he flinched by what he saw.
SMACK!
The sound resonated across the room and he sighed deeply, wincing at his now red cheek.
"What the hell is going on?"
This would obviously not be the reunion he'd been dreaming of but rather the one he deserved.
Their eyes locked and she was ablaze with barely concealed fury.
He couldn't help it. He beamed at her. A few stray tears fell but he kept smiling.
Dear God, he loved this woman.
Natural
Yeah, you're a natural
A/N: *tentatively comes out of hiding* Hi. Sorry for the wait. I don't have good enough reasons for why this has been left for so long but here is the next chapter. As always, please leave a review and let me know what you think!