Emma had been stalking Killian's place. She never thought she would have to stake out his home. She sighs as she tries to do a web search on her phone for the Norn. That old hag lied to them. Sure, Ruby didn't pick up his scent, but there was something about that lady that was shifty as hell. Which leads her to another mystery—the woman looking for Killian. There was something off about her, too.
A knock on the window of her dad's truck startles her. "Hey, Emma, I got a call about a suspicious vehicle. What are you doing here?"
"Really? You're saying someone called in about my dad's truck?" She rolls her eyes. "Everyone knows my dad's truck."
He smiled. "They do, but I think they're worried about you. You haven't moved from here in days. Emma, he will be home soon, and then you will get all the answers you need."
Emma looks down, her eyes drifting to the passenger seat. The Poptart wrappers and empty food containers everywhere make her wince. Since that day at the station, with the off feeling she felt in her gut when meeting that woman Autumn, she had gone to Killian's place. In her mind, she was keeping Killian safe somehow.
Graham laughed. "Go home, you smell! I don't need to be a wolf to notice that."
Emma scoffs. "Whatever! I don't smell that bad."
Graham's brows knit as he looks at his phone. "That was the station. The motion sensors we set up to alert us if someone needs us went on and we need to go back."
Emma's eyes widened. "I can go check. You haven't had lunch. You were on patrol and Killian is on vacation."
"You are my favorite honorary deputy. I can get you something too." Graham smiles.
"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Get me my usual. Tell Ruby I said hi." Emma smirks and turns on the truck to head to the station.
As Emma arrives at the station, her heart speeds up. She was sure it was Leroy or one of the dwarves complaining about some nonsense, but the car parked in the deputy's spot is unmistakable. The beloved grey and black 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle is back. This could only mean one thing. Killian Jones is back. Her steps get quicker as she races to the door. She opens the door and her heart stops as her gaze lands on the man she loves. His hair is a bit longer. The scruff is thicker and those eyes are storm-dark blue. She runs the rest of the way and throws her arms around his neck. Her lips land on his and for a brief minute she forgets how angry she is and all the questions she has. He stands still with his hands on her hips. Normally his hands instinctively land on the back of her head. Emma slowly steps away and smiles. "I missed you." She raises her index finger. "You have some explaining to do buddy, but it's really nice to see you." She steps away as she looks for some change to manifest.
He feels frustrated, Belle had mentioned he needed to be honest about the situation and that Emma needed to know about what was affecting their relationship.
"Emma, we need to talk," Killian says as he guides her to the break room for some privacy.
"Yeah, that's for sure. Look, Killian, I know you went to see the Norn. I want to say, you didn't have to do that. At least not for me," Emma says as she stops moving.
Killian lets out a laugh. "I'm sorry, did you just say I shouldn't have gone to the Norn to save you?" He pauses. "You are the woman I love. I cannot picture a life without you and you think it was a mistake?" He enters the break room and she follows slowly.
"I just don't want you to hate me. I know that you felt guilty about Liam and—" Emma rushes.
"Aye, I felt guilty but that doesn't mean you are not worth it." Somehow he was now standing right in front of her.
"I just hate you had to make a deal with that wretched hag. She just made my skin crawl." Emma shudders.
"Emma, what did you do? Did you go see her?" Killian tries to stay calm.
"Well, I wanted to know what had happened to you. I was so worried. Killian, where have you been?" Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. "You just left. No note, not even a text."
His instinct took over and he pulled her into an embrace. "I'm sorry, darling, but now I'm back and we will find a way."
She sniffles. "Find a way?"
"Ah yes. Emma, I think you need to sit down. We really need to talk," Killian says.
"I find it when a man says that, I'm rarely in for a pleasant conversation," she grimaces as she sits down.
He paced the room a few times before he met her gaze. "I'm sorry love, I don't know where to start."
Emma's forehead puckered as his words registered. Since when did Killian not know what to say. "Killian, you're scaring me-" she laughs nervously. "You always know what to say."
The smile didn't reach his eyes. "I suppose I should try from the start." He pauses. "I was afraid I would lose you to this battle. I didn't think twice and I went to go see the Norn. I made my offer and what I wanted." He sighs. "I should have known better, she is known for her trickery. I just wanted you to be safe and I didn't care about the price."
"Your wolf, Killian I'm—"
Killian interrupted her as he sat in front of her.
"Emma, it was my choice to do this. Unfortunately, she decided to alter our agreement. She took something else."
Emma feels her stomach drop and her eyes widen. "What did she take?" her voice barely audible.
His hand subconsciously covers hers. "Something far more precious, my love passion."
Her heart is beating so fast. "Love passion, how can someone take that?"
"Ah, that would be with ancient dark magic, I'm afraid," Killian says.
"Wait... what does that mean? I don't understand," Emma asks, baffled.
Killian bites back his anger at the situation and himself. He did this. "Emma, by taking my love passion, the Norn took my love for you. Although I care deeply for you, I'm afraid my heart isn't yours. I should clarify, I can no longer feel passion for any woman." Killian winces at the look on Emma's face.
Her face went blank. "I don't understand, we're True Love. Why would you let her?" she screamed as she stood up. The room shook as her body started to glow brightly.
Killian stands, dumbfounded. As she gets brighter, he has to cover his eyes to approach her. "Emma, love, I didn't let her take it! She tricked me and I promise you I will find a way to fix this. All you have to do is trust me. Please, calm down."
Her body starts to dim as his words register. He was always her anchor. Her breathing evens out. "Haven't you learned anything? We make a hell of a team. We do this together. No more doing stupid stuff on our own." She laughs. They're both guilty of that. To be honest, she was the one that was reckless and he normally would like to strategize; that must be because of his military background.
He smiles. "I went to ask for help. Belle will be arriving soon."
"That's where you went. You couldn't call me to let me know you needed time away but you called Belle?" Emma scoffs.
"Emma, she's the closest thing I have to family left." He is astonished by her reaction.
"Is she? Because I thought I was your family. My parents love you like a son!" she fumes.
"Don't you understand? I couldn't face you after I ruined everything," he says defeatedly.
At the sight of his defeated demeanor, Emma feels the anger dissolve. "Killian, we will fix this, together. We will take care of that sneaky hag."
He simply smiles and feels like a fool for ever thinking she wouldn't understand.
Emma returns his smile. "What's the plan, Captain? How do we take this bitch down?"
"For now we wait; Belle and Scarlett will arrive soon. Then the fun begins."
"Can't we just go to my parents and have them make her give it back or something?" Emma asks.
"The Norn is one of the oldest Faes alive. No Stygia or Rioga would dare to reprimand her. It is said that she was once good and because of the threat of the Darkness she wanted to gain enough power to survive. She started making deals with Dark Fae and she became corrupt. Now she makes deals and sometimes alters them for her enjoyment. Our only choice is to play her game," Killian states.
The Norn didn't like waiting around. She's annoyed that her quarry has proven to be elusive. It didn't matter, though; in the end, he will be hers. The glamour potion was ready for her next attempt. She is so distracted by the plans she is making for the wolf she covets that she misses the glow between the hair and the wolf's love passion, indicating they are currently together. The wolf's heart essence recognized its one true mate.
Emma and Killian had gone to her parents to inform them of Belle's arrival.
Mary Margaret and David want some sort of explanation, but one look from Emma told them to stand down. They listen as Killian tells them of Belle's upcoming grand entrance. They agree in an instant to host the Rioga.
In a moment of privacy, Mary Margaret asks Emma if things between her and the wolf are alright.
"Mom, we are okay, I know you and Dad want to know what happened and I just want you two to give us space to solve our issues alone. We are grownups and need to take care of our own problems," Emma says.
"Alright, Emma. I, that is we, are worried. You were so worried about him and now it seems that's in the past."
"Mom, what he did for me, no one would ever even consider to do before. I can't hate him. I understand why he left. I wish he didn't, but he's back and that's all that matters," Emma assures her mother.
"Can you tell me why Rioga Belle is visiting?"
"She is coming because Killian needs her." Emma shrugs.
Mary Margaret nods. "Alright, I know you two have your reasons."
In a different room, David stares at Killian as he says, "I know you two are working things out, but I have to warn you that if you ever leave town again without a word to my daughter, I will hunt you down and kill you." David warns. "Killian, she was so worried and we didn't know how to help her. You have always been the one to tame her anxieties but this time, you were the one causing her pain. Whatever the problem is, True Love is worth fighting for."
The following day, the Norn twirls the vials with her fingers. She was running out of the Savior's hair. She had to use more because the last attempt failed. She eyes the potion gleefully; it looks perfect. She uncorks it and drinks it. Her body becomes enveloped by ash gray smoke and is transformed; her hair is platinum-blonde and the eyes are green. It's closer to her goal, but not exact, but it would do for now. She just needed a kiss to bind him to her. She dresses in a modest green dress and heads to town.
She rarely goes to town, so she looks around. Humans are so vile. They destroy all nature around them. The beautiful trees are gone so they can have luxuries. She scoffs in disgust.
The station is just in sight. She smiles wickedly, it's time to catch a wolf.
The station is busy with calls. Graham is out on patrol, while Emma is responding to a call at the docks. Killian was alone in the station answering the phones today. He's running his hand through his hair because he is frustrated and annoyed. They really need to hire someone to answer the phones and deal with these idiots.
The Norn enters and the bell rings to announce her presence. She stands in front of the desk, tapping her fingers on the wooden desk.
Killian sat at his desk twirling a pen with his fingers. He looked down at his notepad. They had to come up with a way to defeat the Norn. Yes, they would still get back his love passion, but he had a feeling that witch would not let it end there. The bell at the front desk caught his attention. Well, he was alone so he better go check out what the problem was. He really hoped it wasn't Leroy.
He approaches the front desk only to find a woman with her back to him. It's an odd feeling. He feels as if he knows her but then his stomach flips and not in a good way. There's something about her. He makes his presence known hesitantly.
"Excuse me, lass. How may I help you?" Killian says with a hesitant smile on his face.
The woman with platinum blonde hair and green eyes turns to him with a smile of her own. "Hello, I was hoping it was you."
Killian shakes his head in confusion because he knows he has never laid eyes on this woman and yet there's a nagging feeling. His wolf reacts as if he is under attack. "How may I help you today?" Killian says through gritted teeth.
"Oh, hello. My name is Hazel Forest. I'm here to make a report. I live on the outskirts of town and there have been some unlawful activities."
Killian quirks a brow as he writes down the information. "I can have Sheriff Graham go take a look. He is in that area."
"Oh no, I'd prefer it if it was you that checked it out. It's not a human problem."
She was saying it was a supernatural problem. He normally would offer his help right away, but there was something putting his wolf on high alert and he had long learned to trust his instincts. There was something wrong and it wasn't what the woman claimed.
"Alright. I will have Emma meet me out there. If there's a problem as you described, it will be better if she assists." He pulls his phone out of his pocket. "You said this was on the outskirts of town. Is this by the toll bridge?"
Her smile fades. "I think you can handle it on your own. I've never heard of a powerful wolf like yourself needing the help of some human."
Killian shakes his head in disbelief. Everyone loved Emma. She was the Savior and daughter of their Rioga, not to mention their bloody princess, but this woman seemed to think she was a simple human.
"Lass, the Savior is not some simple human. She has powerful white magic and I've yet to see her fail. She is the best option for any magical problem," Killian says with a smirk.
The woman tilts her head and scoffs as she walks out of the station.
Killian runs out after her but she is gone. She disappeared into thin air. There's a familiar scent in the air that makes him gag.
The scent lingers in the air for a while. He looks around the empty street because he feels as if he is being watched.
Emma arrives sometime later. He tells her about the encounter. She asks about the woman's description and once he provides it, she scrunches her face.
"How is it possible that there's this sudden influx of unknown women wanting your attention on their case? I know you are great at your job, but it feels off," Emma says.
"Are you saying these women are only out to gain my attention?" he says with a small smile. He has always loved her jealous streak.
"You know what I mean. Yes, I know you're hot and I'm used to women checking you out, but this feels like it's much more than that."
"Alright, love. How about we go on patrol to see if there was something to it. We don't need a new villain making a play right now. We have yet to take the Norn down and get my passion back."
Emma smiles; she loved going on patrol with him. She knows things are different right now but in her heart she still has hope. The more time they spend together the better. She remembers how it was when they fell in love. It was a somewhat similar situation but with the roles reversed.
They spend the day out on the outskirts by the toll bridge. She glances at him when he is looking around; she knows he is smelling around to see if anything catches his wolf's attention.
Killian glances in Emma's direction when she is too busy looking around for clues. He is still in awe of her. She is bloody amazing.
"Hey, did you find anything?"
"Sorry, no I didn't love. Everything looks fine. I have no idea what the woman was talking about."
"I still think it's fishy. She wanted you to come out here with no back up. I feel something is off in my gut."
"I've learned to trust your instincts. My wolf senses something as well and normally I can pinpoint the problem, but this time it eludes me."
"So, Belle arrives tomorrow. We should be thinking of a plan."
"And we will."
"I guess we should get back to the station. We can continue this talk at your place." She gives him a flirty smile.
Killian scratches his ear. "I don't know if that's a good idea."
Emma tries to hide her disappointment with her reply. "Oh, are you afraid you will find me even more irresistible? Come on lighten up, we are friends above all."
"Aye, that we are." He smiled fondly. "After you."