A/N: A big thanks to optomisticgirl for putting up with my rambling and bringing my back from the ledge when this chapter was pushing me to the brink - and for being an all-around sweetheart as well. You're the best, B!
To say Killian hadn't been looking forward to this little excursion would be a vast understatement. He remembers all too well the last time he and Emma visited a tavern, the near suffocating jealousy he'd felt when he'd been forced to watch her sidle up to and flirt with another man. It had been nearly unbearable.
Tonight, however…
Tonight is different. Tonight, she's throwing him conspiratorial grins and flirtatious winks every chance she gets. Tonight, she's flittering around the tables with Patricia, moving from man to man, never allowing one to get too familiar.
He'd forgotten that about Jeff and Patricia; how the two of them have perfected this game of intel gathering. There's been a steady stream of women coming and going from his own table, as well. It's a bit awe-inspiring the way Jeff manages to dismiss them while still making them feel lucky to have so much as sat with them for a short while. A few pout as they leave, but even those do so with a smile.
There's still a twinge of jealousy, to be sure – on both sides. Earlier, a particularly overzealous sailor's hand had wandered over Emma's backside and he'd nearly seen red. Before he'd been able to move, however, the man's hand been bent back at an awkward and painful angle, causing Killian to switch from anger to pride at Emma's quick reflexes. After that, there'd been a lass who had draped herself on his arm and practically crawled into his lap which had had Emma's eyes flashing until he'd unseated the woman by abruptly standing and excusing himself to the privy.
He smiles to himself as he remembers the quick tryst that little insurrection had spiked, Emma catching him in the back hall and yanking him into a darkened stairwell, her breath hot in his ear when he'd made a jest about her jealousy, "Just remember who you're dealing with, Hook. If I were jealous, the place would be full of toads by now." His resulting chuckle had been swallowed by her mouth, and when she'd teased him back about his own jealousy, he had pointed out swiftly that, "All the bastards are still alive, aren't they?"
Yes, tonight is very different than their last excursion, the jovial atmosphere of the tavern and the obvious enjoyment Emma is taking from their mission turning the evening into a singularly entertaining experience.
It helps having Jeff at his side again, his boisterous behavior and outgoing personality making it feel almost like a celebration. It's clear he and his family will be able to stay in Portsmouth and, as such, Jeff seems determined to relish their last evening together. It's a bit bittersweet when Killian thinks about it. It could be Captain Hook's last night of revelry with his original first mate, and Killian can't deny he wants to enjoy it as much as possible. So he orders another bottle of rum from Phoebe (who has now recovered from seeing him and Jeff together - her eyes had nearly popped out of her head when they'd walked in) and even pours her a drink when she delivers it.
He's tempted to buy a round for the whole bloody tavern.
And that's another thing that has leant to his good mood. He's still receiving distrustful looks but not nearly as many as he usually gets and he admits to himself that it does lift a bit of the weight from his chest. He's not sure why people seem less anxious around him, whether some of them believe he and The Hatter truly are partners or if it's just the fact that he's now squarely in the corner of being a common enemy of Regina's, but the patrons around him are looking at him with more curiosity than fear.
He's just won a round of dice against Jeff, lifting his glass of rum to toast his victory when something catches his eye. The glass nearly slips from his fingers and he gapes at the sight, all the air in his lungs releasing in a rush. As he starts to rise, he hears Jeff breathe out an awed but harsh curse, immediately followed by a curt dismissal to the ladies presently sitting with them, then Jeff is rising, too. The blood pumping through Killian's veins makes his head light as he watches the new arrival study the room, terror crawling up his chest. His eyes fly to Emma to find her engrossed in conversation with the sailor she's next to, oblivious of what's unfolding mere feet away. He's tempted to call out to her, to tell her to run, but he doesn't. She's safe in disguise. The thought of which reminds Killian that he's not – and neither is Jeff – not when it comes to the person across the room. He reaches for his friend, but it's too late – the man's eyes have made it to their corner of the tavern and the moment they land on his own, they widen with recognition.
K&EK&EK&E
An uneasy feeling spikes in Emma's stomach as she lowers her glass and her eyes immediately seek out Killian. As soon as they land on him she freezes, alarm jolting through her system. He's staring at something off to the side that she can't see, his eyes wide in disbelief. His posture screams danger and Emma grasps Patricia's hand, slowly rising to her feet. It doesn't take Patricia long to see what Emma does and they move as one across the tavern, trying to casually make their way around the obstacles that have their view blocked to whatever Killian and Jeff are so captivated by. She stares a hole into the side of Killian's head as she goes, trying to get him to look at her, to give her some indication of what's happening but his eyes stay resolutely on the same spot. The fact that he won't even flick his eyes in her direction is a message in and of itself, and when the subject of their attention finally comes into view – a dark green cloak and chestnut hair – Emma immediately realizes why.
She comes to an abrupt halt and Patricia nearly crashes into her. "What's happening?" she whispers. "Who is that?"
Emma doesn't answer right away, the implications of his sudden appearance racing through her brain. She can feel each breath she takes, every one of them more labored than the last as those implications become more dire in her swirling thoughts. He's already seen Killian. There's no way he doesn't recognize him – which is exactly why Killian won't look at her. He's not going to risk drawing attention to her and, in a flash of clarity, it hits her that standing here staring is not the smartest thing. So she turns away and pulls Patricia toward two empty chairs at the bar, situating herself so that she can inconspicuously watch the scene by looking over Patricia's shoulder.
"What's happening?" Patricia asks again.
"It's just been discovered who Captain Hook really is," Emma whispers back, "and it may now be impossible to keep it from the Evil Queen."
Patricia's face blanches. "How? Who is that?" she asks.
"A man I thought was dead," Emma replies. "The captain of my mother's personal guard. His name is Graham."
K&EK&EK&E
Tension hangs thick in the air, so much so that Killian is surprised its weight doesn't alert the other patrons to the danger in their midst. But none of them seem to notice, the lively music ringing through the room almost a mockery to the gravity of the moment.
Graham now knows who Captain Hook is and while that, in and of itself, is alarming, it's not the main concern racing through Killian's brain. The greater concern is why his old friend walked into this bloody tavern in the first place because he obviously wasn't expecting to find Killian Jones. But was he looking for Captain Hook? Possibly as an assassin? Could he be after The Hatter? Or worse, could the Evil Queen have sent him after Emma?
"Could it be coincidence, do you think?" Jeff asks in a low voice.
Not bloody likely.
The words almost leave his tongue but they stick there when Graham makes a sharp movement, turning to study the other side of the room. He goes back to searching the rest of the establishment and Killian's stomach clenches, the question as to why the huntsman has suddenly appeared now answered: He's looking for Emma.
Somehow… Somehow the Evil Queen has discovered that the Swan Princess is in league with Captain Hook.
"It's not a coincidence," he replies, "he's here for Emma."
"For what reason? To capture her? He's not even carrying a sword. It makes no sense that she'd send him to capture Emma since she already knows about his heart. It's not like she'd go anywhere with him willingly."
No, she wouldn't. Of course, she wouldn't. And Graham would know that. And the Evil Queen would know that which means –
Bloody hell.
Which means Graham isn't the danger. He's here for another reason… "He's trying to draw her out."
Jeff straightens. "He's bait," he surmises grimly.
"Yes, which means Regina is here… watching us all."
As if Graham has overheard their conversation, his eyes suddenly meet Killian's again and they both freeze. In the periphery of his vision, Killian can see Emma sitting at the bar with Patricia and it takes everything he has not to meet her gaze.
"What do we do?" Jeff asks out of the corner of his mouth.
"We need to move this outside. Whatever Regina is planning, we don't want it to happen with this many innocent people around."
"And… Gwen?"
It takes a herculean effort not to look to Emma. "She needs to get back to the Jolly. Make your way to her and give her the message without raising suspicion. I'll go out the back. Tell her to use the front."
"What if Regina sees?"
"She can't watch both of us and I'd be willing to bet she's more interested in keeping an eye on me."
Jeff nods nearly imperceptibly and starts moving away. Killian doesn't waste any time, going in the opposite direction toward the door with the hope of splitting the Evil Queen's attention as much as possible. He only makes it two steps before his path is blocked, a sultry voice whispering into his ear, "Going somewhere, Captain?"
Too distracted, he doesn't even bother to look at the woman, simply moving to step around her but she takes the step with him, her fingers closing around his upper arm. It's then that he drops his eyes to hers and what he sees makes his heart thud against his ribs. He's seen those eyes before. Once, a long time ago, those eyes looked directly at him. They were embedded in a different face then, but they're definitely the same eyes. There's no one else in the realm whose eyes harbor such madness and distain.
"Nature calls, love," he says, doing his best to keep his voice flippant, "but when I return," he glances up and down her body, intentionally letting his gaze linger appreciatively, "perhaps you'd allow me to buy you a drink?"
It doesn't fool her and he's not surprised. He's not really trying to fool her so much as he's trying to buy time for Emma to get out of here. But she pretends to play along – at least for a moment – slowly raising up on her toes to invade his space, her hand moving to his shoulder for leverage.
"Did you really think that would work, Hook?" she purrs into his ear, "Do you really think I'm that gullible?"
His skin crawls from her proximity and he clenches his teeth. His hand is squeezing his sword with a death grip but he doesn't draw the weapon yet, hoping to move a little further from the crowd before having to do so.
Taking half of a step back, he meets her eyes, "I think you want something from me, love. Otherwise I'd already be dead. And I'd much prefer to discuss whatever it is with an empty bladder and a full stein."
That makes her chuckle, "Look at the pirate being all civilized," she chides, her finger running down his chest while those malicious eyes sweep him from head to toe. After a thorough examination, she's back in his personal space, her hands fisted in collar of his coat and her breath on his lips. "Fine. Let's sit, shall we?"
She releases him with a smirk, and in one last ditch effort to move this away from the crowd, Killian nods in the direction of the door, "I really should run to the – " but he's cut short when his vocal chords contract, the feeling akin to a vice closing around his neck.
"Don't push your luck, Hook."
The vice is gone as soon as she's finished speaking and he gasps in a breath. She's already walking toward his abandoned table and he raises his hand to his throat, taking advantage of the few seconds her attention is elsewhere to find Emma. She's standing close to the front door with Patricia, her eyes wide with comprehension. She has obviously surmised just what is going on here and he wants to tell her to run, to leave him and save herself, but just as the thought enters his mind, she shakes her head and nods in the direction of the empty seat at the bar she'd only recently vacated. His eyes flit to Patricia and Jeff as well, only to find them thinking the same thing. Whatever is about to happen here, they're all staying.
As casually as he can manage, he takes a seat next to the Evil Queen and watches her pour two glasses of rum. Without a word, she hands him one, then clinks the glasses together in toast. He doesn't even feel the burn of the alcohol as it slides down his throat and when he lowers the glass, she's studying him over the rim of her own.
"Have we met before, Captain?" she asks as though she's just now noticed something about him that she finds familiar.
His jaw hardens to the point of aching but he doesn't even try to disguise it. Instead, he stares her down.
"Aye. We have."
K&EK&EK&E
Most of it is a disjointed mess, the hazy memories he has of the days in the dungeon after the Evil Queen's takeover. He was in and out of consciousness from pain and despair, freezing one moment and burning with fever the next. He remembers the foul smell of body odor and bile. He remembers Liam cleaning his wrist, murmuring reassuring words, telling him to rest.
But that day… That day he remembers in perfect detail.
He awakens to the sound of iron creaking, the words, "Get them up," in a commanding voice ringing through the cell.
Liam shifts behind him and he realizes he must have been sleeping against his brother's chest. They're both wrenched to their feet and Killian immediately sways. He feels hot, feverish. He sees the floor rising up to meet him when his legs give out but Liam is there, grabbing his good arm and securing it across his shoulders to keep him from falling.
Then they're moving. He's not sure if his feet are actually walking or not but he's definitely moving. He hears Liam grunt and he tries to help, tries to put one foot in front of the other but it's no use.
"I've got you, sailor," he hears Liam say. "Don't try to walk, save your strength."
He has no strength, he wants to respond – but he doesn't. He's gotten a glimpse of the castle corridors and the black knights surrounding them and he refuses to admit weakness in front of them.
They're ushered into the Great Hall where he sees some men from their ship along with a mixture of other sailors and a few of the castle guards, maybe fifteen men in all. A gasp sounds at their arrival immediately followed by an urgent whisper from Liam to keep quiet. They stand there as others are escorted in and a moment later, he feels a presence on his left. Jefferson wordlessly and gently lifts his left arm to take some of his weight as Graham appears on the other side of Liam.
"They're looking for him," he hears Graham whisper.
Killian feels a moment of relief – the king must have escaped – but the relief quickly gives way to confusion when Liam stiffens next to him.
"Do they know what he looks like?" Liam whispers back – which makes no sense at all. Why wouldn't they know what the king looks like?
"Apparently not," Graham replies. "Just a vague description. The king and queen were smart to keep them around only those most loyal."
The conversation is too confusing for Killian to follow in his weakened state and he's just about to give up on trying when Liam turns him in his arms and shakes him until his eyes open.
"Listen to me, brother. I need to you swear… Swear to me that whatever happens in the next few minutes you won't say a word."
The jostling brings Killian's foggy mind into focus long enough for him to notice that the doors are barred and the black knights have left the room.
"Why? What's happening?" he asks in sluggish tone.
"Just swear it to me, sailor," Liam says urgently, shaking him again.
Killian wrinkles his brow and reopens his eyes, doing his best to keep them open this time. He's never seen Liam so intense and foreboding settles into his chest but he nods anyway, too weak to argue or insist Liam explain further.
"Say it," Liam demands.
"I swear," Killian immediately responds in a voice stronger than he feels.
Liam's eyes leave his to look at Graham and Jefferson in turn, nodding to each of them. Then he looks at the others standing around. "That goes for the lot of you," he announces in the voice he uses when he captains his ship, "not a word, do you understand?"
The men nod their agreement, many of them placing their right hands over their hearts and responding, "Yes, Captain," as they do so.
Killian slumps again and Liam and Jefferson turn him so that his weight is shared evenly among the two of them once more. As they wait, Killian does his best to survey the room. It takes some effort, his eyes heavy, but he manages to notice several things.
The tables from the ball are still present, though most of them have been tipped over, but the thrones on the dais seem to be untouched. The banners with the king and queen's crest are still hanging from the walls but they're askew and riddled with holes. Rubble litters the floor, pieces of stone from the pillars and wood from the broken tables alongside shattered dishes and discarded wine goblets. There's a stain of blood a couple of feet in front of him and he remembers vaguely that he's standing in almost the exact spot where the king had been the last time he saw him. That thought has him giving in to the weakness again, sagging further and letting his head fall.
When the door behind the dais swings open with a loud bang, it startles him out of the near unconscious state he's drifted back to and, when he looks up, he sees several black knights enter followed by the Evil Queen herself. The men in the room shuffle nervously and Liam turns to the side, subtly positioning himself between Killian and the queen as she comes to stand before the thrones and surveys the room.
"Oh, this won't do," she says offhandedly when her eyes land on the banners.
With a wave of her arm the banners behind the thrones disappear to be replaced with new ones, black, trimmed in silver with the crest of a lion.
"Much better," she announces to no one in particular before turning back. "So, these are the prisoners."
"Yes, Your Majesty," one of the black knights replies.
Hands on her hips, she paces the dais, taking the time to look at each and every one of them. When her eyes land on him, he holds her gaze, the dark brown not nearly enough to hide the demented evil in her soul. She raises a brow and he feels his jaw tighten, fury boiling in his veins. Her lips quirk into a smile at his defiance before she flicks those insanity-riddled eyes to the next man.
K&EK&EK&E
"I must admit, I'm surprised I don't remember you. It's not like me to forget such a handsome face."
The words call him back to the present but the memory lingers in his mind, his fury so intense that he's sure she'll notice. But if she does, she doesn't let on, her posture casual as she leans back in her chair with a deceptive air of nonchalance.
Doing his best to relax his jaw, he mimics her cool demeanor. "Well, I wasn't looking my best at the time."
Regina's answer is a sly smile but she doesn't pursue the topic and Killian assumes it's because she's simply lumped him into a pile of other countless faces that she's left bereft over the years. Instead, she gets down to business. "You know why I'm here, of course. Why don't we make this easy and you just tell me which one she is?"
"Never."
"I can offer you gold," she suggests and Killian chuckles.
"I've got plenty of gold. A fact you should be well aware of considering how I procured most of it."
Her eyes flash for an instant – but only an instant – before she sighs in exasperation. "Fine, we can do this the hard way if you'd prefer... In this very crowded tavern... With all these innocent people about."
The threat is clear and Killian can't stop his eyes from glancing to the people around him, all of them still blissfully ignorant of what's happening in their midst.
"It would be much easier if you tell me of your own free will."
His eyes snap back to hers so quickly that she actually looks startled. "Free will?" he asks and even he can hear the sharp accusation dripping from the question. He knows he's treading on shaky ground but he doesn't care, the absolute wrath those words invoke too violent to hold his tongue. "Interesting choice of words, Your Majesty."
K&EK&EK&E
"Well, they are a sad looking lot," Regina says condescendingly once she's completed her assessment of each man.
"Do you think he's here, my Queen?" the knight to her left asks.
The queen takes a deep breath, her nostrils flaring. "There's one way to find out," she replies, "Bring her in."
There's a collective gasp from the men when Snow White is escorted into the room, her arms held securely by two black knights and Killian feels some of his strength return as rage fills his chest.
Snow's eyes scan the men as she's led to stand before Regina. When she meets his gaze, her step falters and her eyes widen but no one else seems to notice.
"Ah, Snow, darling, what do you think of my new decor?" the Evil Queen asks with delight, waving a hand toward the banners.
Snow glances up and then meets her step-mother's eyes. "I think they match your black heart," she replies in a strong voice.
The Evil Queen laughs at that. "Yes, they certainly do," she agrees with amusement, placing her hands on her hips and turning again to admire her handiwork.
Snow rolls her eyes at the queen's display of glee. "You didn't summon me here to discuss interior design, Regina. What is it that you want?"
Regina turns back to Snow, dismissing the knights holding her arms by waving a hand at them. "Oh, I want so many things, my darling Snow… But right now," the queen's voice turns hard, "I want to ensure a certain prophecy is thwarted before it has a chance to come to fruition."
Snow White's shoulders stiffen for an instant. "What prophecy?" she asks.
"You know what prophecy!" Regina bursts, making everyone except Snow shuffle nervously. Then the Evil Queen immediately turns away to take a calming breath.
Snow's eyes dart to Liam while the queen isn't looking and, for the first time, Killian can see fear in them.
"Are you really going to play coy with me? I know you know what I'm talking about. That's why you've kept his identity a secret for so long." Then, turning back, she adds, "Tell me, is he as handsome as they say?"
Snow White straightens but doesn't answer.
Regina is undeterred by Snow's silence. "Ah, I'm sure he is. How could he be anything else to have won the heart of a princess?"
Killian stiffens, realization hitting him hard in the chest: The Evil Queen isn't looking for King David, she's looking for him. Liam's hand closes over his arm in warning, subtly reminding him of the promise he made to keep silent.
Killian averts his eyes to the ground and finds himself studying the blood stain in front of him as he tries to process this information. A prophecy? What prophecy? A thousand questions run through his head but he can't make sense of them, his mind too foggy with fever. He looks to Liam questioningly but Liam won't meet his gaze, instead simply increasing his grip again and Killian turns back to Snow who is staring Regina down as she says something about a sailor.
"He is a sailor, isn't he? I'm surprised at you Snow, that you'd give your blessing to your daughter with a commoner, but I suppose I shouldn't be considering your own 'prince' is a simple sheep farmer."
"That's rich coming from the granddaughter of a miller," Snow retorts.
The Evil Queen's eyes turn murderous at those words. "My father was a KING!" she shouts.
"So was MINE!" Snow immediately responds, "And my mother a QUEEN, not some conniving, opportunist – " Snow cuts off in the middle of her reply, her hands going to her throat, struggling for breath.
"Be careful what you say about my mother," Regina hisses, looking absolutely livid, her hand raised in front of her in a way that looks like she's gripping the queen's neck.
Several of the prisoners grumble, some even taking a step forward to protect their queen but Regina waves a hand and they stumble back. It's not until one of the black knights steps forward, voicing a wary, "Your Majesty," that Regina lowers her arm.
She huffs out a breath. "Thank you, Claude," she responds, "I nearly forgot why we're here."
Snow gulps in air, rubbing at her neck while Regina waits patiently, weaving her fingers together in front of her. Once Snow's breathing normalizes, Regina speaks again, her voice sounding almost conversational, "As I said, I won't let this prophecy come to pass. My knights are scouring the kingdom looking for your daughter but there are rumors that her lover didn't escape. As such, I've gathered all the men of the right age from the dungeon. Tell me which one he is and I'll spare your daughter's life."
Snow shakes her head in denial, straightening and letting her hands fall from her throat. "I won't tell you anything," she states with finality.
Regina laughs at that. "So this is a secret you think you'll be able to keep? I find it interesting that when I had a secret, you weren't so tight-lipped."
"I find it interesting that you still blame me and defend your mother when we both know – "
"Enough!" Regina cuts her off, her voice rising again and taking a step in Snow's direction. "You can tell me what I want to know of your own free will or I will make you tell me!"
Snow White seems completely unimpressed and actually smiles a little at that. "Free will," she replies thoughtfully. "You know, I remember the last time you gave me the choice to do something of my own free will. Do you remember, Regina? You offered me an apple and told me if I took a bite, you'd let Charming live. You were lying then and you're lying now. You'll never let Emma go free. You will hunt her until your dying breath."
"Perhaps," Regina replies, her tone slipping into something that makes Killian's blood run cold. "But you'll never know. I've wanted to crush your heart for a long time, Snow, and I think the time has finally come." She starts rolling up the sleeve to her dress, walking with purpose toward the other woman. "But before I crush it, you're going to tell me what I want to know. And fair warning: Once your heart is in my hand, I'll know if you lie."
Snow doesn't hesitate when Regina's hand shoots out, quickly knocking it away from her chest and darting across the dais. She sinks to her knees in front of an ornate chest and yanks open the lid.
Regina laughs wickedly with what sounds like true amusement. "There's no escape Snow. You're not getting out of this room."
While the Evil Queen speaks, Snow's eyes meet Liam's over the chest before locking onto his own. She doesn't nod, she doesn't say anything to him, but her eyes carry a command that Killian will forever understand: Be safe. Survive.
When she turns back to the Evil Queen, she's holding an apple in her hand.
The apple, Killian realizes with a shock. They've kept it here all this time?
Regina grasps what's happening and starts rushing forward a moment before Snow lifts the apple in the same way someone would lift a wine glass for a toast.
"Free will, Regina," she says with a smile…
And takes a bite.
K&EK&EK&E
Regina's eyes narrow on him and he knows without doubt that she's piecing the puzzle together. There's a part of him – a very small part, mind you – that worries over the dangerous turn this conversation has suddenly taken but the bigger part just doesn't care. He's been waiting for this for years. He's bided his time and lived in the shadows long enough. Besides, he knows there's an excellent chance he'll never walk away from this table alive, anyway, so if these are to be his final moments, he will, at the very least, use this opportunity to seize any amount of satisfaction he can get.
"So that's where I remember you from," she says slowly, "You were there that day."
"Aye," he replies.
"And that's how you know my… pet," she adds with a nod in Graham's direction.
Killian flicks his eyes to Graham who has now moved to lean against a pillar in the middle of the tavern and he feels his jaw tighten. "He and I have known each other for many years."
"A friend of yours, was he?"
"He still is."
"Even after he betrayed his country? His princess?"
"He never betrayed his country or his princess. It's not a betrayal when you have no choice."
For some reason those words make her pause, her eyes narrowing on his and considering him carefully. Her fingers drum lightly on the table and Killian gets the impression that she's working through some complex riddle in her head – a riddle, it seems, that she thinks he has the answer to. Her thorough study is enough to send his mind racing, trying to think why his statement would draw such a reaction but before he can reach a conclusion, she tilts her head to the side, her voice low, "So you believe the betrayal hasn't happened yet."
It hits him then that she's talking about the prophecy, a vague memory of Leroy mentioning something about a betrayal the night he found Emma in Arendelle. He tries to think back to exactly what Leroy had said but the only clear memory he has of that night is the terrifying moment when Emma had collapsed at his feet.
Regina must see his confusion and she chuckles. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
Killian chooses not to answer that because it seems his lack of knowledge has eased some of the tension in her shoulders and while he'd like nothing more than to throw it in her face, he doesn't have a death wish.
"So, you weren't close enough to my step-daughter and her husband to be privy to their plans but you were close enough to the princess that she trusts you – and not only trusts you, but has enough conviction in that trust to seek passage on a pirate ship?"
Again, he chooses not to answer, instead simply raising an eyebrow.
"Just who are you?"
Killian can tell she's trying to act like it's idle curiosity but he can see the wheels turning in her head and it makes foreboding settle into his stomach. "I'm not sure you'd believe me even if I told you," Killian evades, casually moving his hand closer to his sword.
"Well, you must have been a member of Snow's court. A duke, perhaps? Or an earl? Or maybe you were a mere stable hand," she adds with scorn, "but – it doesn't really matter anymore, does it? The only thing that matters now is that you seem to be a better choice than my pet over there."
He catches her meaning instantly and tries to twist away but she's too fast, her hand shooting out and boring into his chest.
Her cold fingers close around his heart in the same instant the magic bursts, the force of it colliding with Regina's so strong that it sends him and everything nearby flying. There's a ripping feeling as her hand leaves his body but it's overshadowed in the next moment when he lands hard on the ground, hard enough to knock the wind out of him and leave his head reeling. Stunned, he struggles to stand, but his muscles are sluggish and protesting and he can't manage to get his legs under him before he's knocked back to the ground by the panicked horde of people scampering and shoving toward the door.
Someone's foot lands on his stomach and another makes hard contact on his hip but he can't even worry about that right now. The most pressing concern is whether his heart is still in his chest. He can hear it pounding in his ears and that gives him some relief but it's not until Regina's voice booms through the air, her words laced with fury that he knows for certain that it's not in her possession.
"WHAT THE HELL!?"
The outrage and volume of Regina's shout causes the entire pub to stop moving and it's only an instant later that every single window and door slams shut, trapping the remaining patrons inside. A quick glance around tells him that a good number of people made it out and he frantically looks for Emma in the mass of bodies. The task is easier than he'd anticipated when her face appears in front of him just as strong arms lift him from behind. A glance over his shoulder reveals Graham who immediately shoves Emma to the side with a whispered 'stay back,' and for a moment Killian feels a flash of anger at his old friend but it's squashed in the next second when the mass of bodies starts moving again and the space between them and Regina clears.
She's not in disguise anymore and whispers filter through the crowd as they press into the shadows. He can see Emma on the periphery of his vision being pulled further back by Patricia but he doesn't look because Regina is walking straight for him, looking absolutely livid.
"How did you do that!?" Regina demands at the top of her voice.
The strength of her anger projects across the room along with her words and Killian feels it hit his chest. He's still reeling from his flight through the air and it's only Graham holding him steady that keeps him from swaying on his feet. He inhales deeply while the crowd watches with bated breath, everyone seemingly enraptured by the scene playing out before them. They're separated into two main groups, one gathered at the front door and one at the back with a few scattered against the far wall underneath the windows. Jeff is standing on the edge of the group at the back door, just off to his left with his sword drawn but pointed to the ground. Emma is to his right, subtly struggling against the grip Patricia still has on her.
"How did you do that?!" Regina demands again, but doesn't give him a chance to answer before she goes on. "That magic came from inside you! It's not possible! Just who the hell are you?"
Satisfaction fills Killian's body at how enraged and insane the Evil Queen looks in that moment. She's completely unhinged, her eyes wild and frantic but, underneath the intimidating exterior, Killian can also see fear – the panic-stricken terror she's trying to hide.
He can't help but smile. This moment is going to be as rewarding as he always knew it would be. It's going to be worth all the hiding, all the secrets, and all the pain to witness her reaction when she finds out.
"WHO. ARE. YOU?!"
"I thought you said it didn't matter anymore," he taunts.
The queen's eyes darken dangerously, reaching into the folds of her skirt and pulling a glowing red heart from its depths. She holds the heart out in front of her, and without looking away from Killian gives it a slight squeeze. "Who is he?" she snaps to Graham but the huntsman just grits his teeth and shakes his head.
When her fingers contract harder over the heart, Jeff rushes forward, both he and Killian supporting Graham to keep him on his feet. "WHO IS HE?"
Pushing Graham into Jeff's arms, Killian steps between them and Regina, leveling an even gaze on her. "This is starting to feel a bit familiar, isn't it, Your Majesty?"
K&EK&EK&E
A chorus of gasps sound as Snow crumples to the floor, immediately followed by stunned silence as the apple falls from her hand and rolls ominously across the dais where it stops right in front of the Evil Queen.
But Killian's eyes don't follow the apple, they stay on his queen, Emma's mother, the most gracious and kind woman he's ever known. She's lying on her side next to the chest in an unnatural position and Killian's eyes sting with tears.
No. The word hammers in his head over and over again. No, no, NO!
He wants to go to her, at the very least straighten her neck from the awkward angle it landed in, but he's frozen to the spot, her final unspoken command ringing in his head.
His attention is drawn back to Regina a moment later when she makes a sound of utter rage and bends to pick up the apple, hurtling it across the room. Then she stalks toward her fallen adversary, fury coming off her in waves that Killian swears makes the air harder to breathe. But once she's standing over Snow's lax firm, she stops abruptly, her eyes widening as she inhales a sharp breath. "'One will sleep both night and day,'" he hears her whisper.
Another inhuman sound leaves her mouth and she spins, lashing out at Snow's throne and sending it crashing to the floor. The resounding bang that follows echoes through the hall and makes even the black knights jump in fright and step back.
She's completely insane after that, sending one thing after another sailing across the room, causing everyone else to duck or take cover to keep from getting hit. Killian closes his eyes and braces for impact when a table comes flying at them but Liam and Jefferson manage to move him just in time. Pain lances through his arm, making him see stars when Jefferson inadvertently brushes his wrist and he falls to his knees, cradling his maimed wrist to his chest while Jefferson and Liam hover over him, protecting him with their bodies. They stay that way until the mayhem quiets and, when he risks opening his eyes again, Regina is leaning over while bracing her hands on the arm of the Emma's throne.
The sudden quiet is tense while everyone watches carefully for her next outburst, bracing themselves to run but not daring to move lest they draw her attention. She takes several deep breaths before lifting her head in a sharp motion, turning to the prisoners with a wicked gleam in her eyes as she seems to realize something.
"He's here," she says softly.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty?" the one called Claude asks.
"He's here," she says again, louder this time. "She wouldn't have taken a bite of that apple to save herself, only to save another, which means he's here."
Straightening to her full height, she walks to the center of the men, looking at them with disdain. "Which of you is Killian Jones?" she barks.
Liam and Jefferson look to each other over his head but neither say a word, nor does anyone else.
At their silence, the Evil Queen opens a palm and produces a fireball out of thin air.
"If Killian Jones does not make himself known to me, I will kill each and every one of you!" Regina shouts.
Still silence.
People are scattering in the next instant as Regina raises her hand to throw the fireball at one of the men, ducking behind tables and hiding behind columns and Liam takes advantage of the distraction to bend down in front of him, meeting his eyes with determined resolve. "Not a word," he whispers urgently, then he raises a hand and clamps it around the side of his neck, holding him there and giving him a small smile before adding, "I love you, little brother."
Killian's eyes widen as he realizes what his brother is about to do and he opens his mouth to protest, but before he can Liam turns away and steps into the middle of the room, announcing, "I am Killian Jones."
There's a scream bubbling in Killian's throat but it doesn't make it past his lips, a whispered, "Don't," coming from Jefferson, making him gulp it down. So Killian watches, frozen in place as Regina turns on Liam, the fireball in her hand extinguishing with a tightening of her fist. Slowly, she makes her way across the room, her eyes alight with maniacal glee as she studies his brother.
"So, the rumors were true," she says in a velvety voice when she reaches him, extending a hand to run it down his chest, "Handsome. It really is such a pity that a man of your… caliber… has to die." She lifts the hand and runs it along Liam's cheek. "And those eyes… they're as piercing blue as I've been told. Such a pity," she repeats.
Liam says nothing, just stands straighter and clenches his jaw.
"And so noble," the queen adds with mock admiration as she steps back and presses her hand over her chest. "But I wonder," she continues, narrowing her eyes and tapping a finger to her lips, "Are you honest? Are you really him?" Regina's eyes snap to Graham. "You're the huntsman. The Captain of Snow's personal guard. If anyone here knows who Killian Jones is, it's you."
Before Killian even has time to blink or consider what those words mean, she steps forward and plunges her hand into Graham's chest, wrenching a startled gasp from him. His friend's mouth falls open and his eyes widen as the queen yanks her hand back, clutching his still beating heart in her hand.
K&EK&EK&E
Regina's eyes narrow, the glowing red heart beating frantically in her palm. "If you remember that day, you know I can make him tell me."
"I remember it perfectly. The question is: Do you?"
"Of course I remember! Snow thought she could outsmart me, but it didn't work. She ate that apple and I still won."
Emma releases a small gasp that he prays Regina doesn't notice just as magic starts gathering in his stomach. He knows she'll be angry later but he tamps it down because she can't reveal herself yet. They've got to get Graham's heart first. If they don't, the man is as good as dead.
Killian directs his attention back to Regina, taking immense pleasure in the tinge of madness in her eyes. "Did you, Your Majesty? Did you win?"
"You were there! You saw me crush Killian Jones' heart!"
Killian doesn't answer and Regina's eyes switch to Graham, realization starting to flicker across her features. "I crushed his heart! I pulled it from his chest and turned it to dust in my hand!"
No one answers but Graham walks forward to stand to Killian's right, a satisfied smile lighting his face. At the same time, Jeff comes to a stop on Killian's left. Regina glances between the three of them, her chest heaving. "You couldn't have lied!" she yells at Graham, "I was holding your heart! You couldn't have lied!"
She sounds nearly hysterical now and Graham takes another step. Killian is tempted to pull him back but there's something about the set of Graham's shoulders that stops him. He knows what he's doing – after all, he's been defying Regina right under her nose for years now. He'd helped Emma escape, kept Killian's secret, done god only knows what because the Evil Queen had ordered him to, and that's not even mentioning the fact that he's the one in the most danger at this very moment.
Graham stops a few feet away from Regina. "Think back to that day, Regina," he says softly. "Do you remember what you asked me?"
The Evil Queen's eyes drop to the floor, her brow furrowing. It takes several strained heartbeats but when her eyes fly back to him, there's panic and understanding in them.
Graham smiles. "I didn't have to lie."
K&EK&EK&E
Graham falls to his knees and Liam rushes forward to catch him.
"You don't need confirmation," Liam yells desperately, "I am Killian Jones!"
"We'll see about that, sailor," she says, seemingly intent on studying the heart in her hand while she absently motions for two black knights to separate Liam from Graham. Liam struggles furiously against their hold, grunting and twisting as he's pulled away, but he can't get free.
Once Liam is no longer blocking her path, the Evil Queen changes her attention from Graham's heart to his face, leaning over to line up their eyes and giving the heart a small squeeze. Graham winces and grits his teeth but not a single sound escapes.
"Is he?" she asks quietly, almost gently, "Is he Killian Jones?"
Graham doesn't reply, his eyes filled with fury when he squares his shoulders and boldly stares down the Evil Queen.
"More nobility," she comments, straightening and stepping back. "Resistance is pointless, you know. You will answer."
Graham shakes his head even as he winces again at the way Regina tightens her grip on his heart.
Wincing himself, Killian looks to Liam who is staring hard at Graham, both arms held tightly behind him by one of the knights. When Liam's eyes shift to his, he sees fear in them but he doesn't make a move or say anything.
"Is that man Killian Jones!?" Regina shouts and Liam directs his gaze back to Graham.
But Killian doesn't look, he keeps staring at his brother, his heart pounding in his ears.
It won't work! Killian wants to yell, the queen is going to find out the truth and when she does, they're all going to die! She'll kill Liam for lying and everyone else for helping him. She just said that she'd know a lie while holding someone's heart. Graham is a strong man but he won't be able to resist forever…
"ANSWER ME!" she commands.
Killian only barely notices Graham's grunt of pain or the way he falls forward onto his hands, too busy straining against Jefferson's grip. He won't speak, he gave his word, but he's got to do something. Everyone in this room is about to die because of him, but when he tries to break free his body betrays him and his head swims at the exertion, a wave of dizziness nearly sending him to his knees. It's only Jefferson's arm around his waist that keeps him from falling, squeezing warningly even as he pulls him back.
His body sags, pain and fever threatening to pull him under and a dizzy haze filling his mind that blurs what's happening around him while he struggles to remain conscious. He can tell the queen is becoming more outraged by the way her voice raises, he can hear Graham's agony filled shouts of pain as he continues to resist, but the actual words don't register.
Why are they even bothering? he wonders in despair as blood rushes to his ears and blocks out everything. He already feels like he's dying. They shouldn't even be trying to save him. There's an excellent chance this fever will kill him either way.
It's the jolt of Jefferson catching him as he nearly crumbles to the floor that brings him back to consciousness and he opens his eyes to meet Liam's across the room. His brother's look is hard, carrying a message that Killian can practically hear shouting in his head. He's telling him not to die. He's telling him to fight, that there's something bigger going on here and he's got to survive.
Somehow, Killian nods to his brother, and the clear relief he sees on Liam's face fills him with such determination that he starts to feel his strength return, the world sharpening back into focus and the blood clearing from his ears.
Turning back to Regina, undiluted rage rockets through him just as Regina shouts again, "IS THAT MAN JONES!?"
Graham slumps instantly at the question, seemingly giving up the fight, but Killian knows better. Then, the huntsman raises his head to the queen, pain still riddling his features as he grounds out the word, "Yes."
She didn't ask if it was Killian Jones, just 'Jones.'
It's not a lie.
Killian feels a mix of satisfaction and agony flush through his body. Satisfaction that they have managed to thwart the Evil Queen and agony because he knows what's going to happen next.
Regina looks positively giddy when she straightens. "Thank you," she says to Graham in a sickeningly sweet tone, holding his heart out to the black knight to her left. "I think I'll keep this," she says of his heart, "It might come in handy."
The queen turns on Liam in the next second even as the other prisoners all start yelling things at her back.
Killian is struggling again. He won't speak, he knows there's no way to stop what's about to happen, but his body acts instinctively because he can't just bloody stand here and watch his brother die for him but –
But Liam doesn't struggle, he doesn't run. He stands straight and tall as the queen approaches, his voice full of conviction when he speaks his final words. "My princess will destroy you."
Liam's calm faith and utter belief makes Killian still and even the Evil Queen's step falters for one second.
"Not now, she won't," she replies, quickly closing the remaining distance and sinking her fist into his chest. Liam's eyes land on Killian as the queen yanks out his heart and an instant later he collapses to the floor.
Dead.
K&EK&EK&E
Regina shakes her head in disbelief.
It can't be. It just can't! The moment of her greatest victory cannot, now, be the moment of her most devastating defeat!
But…
But the pirate has blue eyes – bright, smug-filled blue eyes – that are glittering with an air of cool triumph that no one else in the realm has dared level on her in years. And the princess… she has her magic now. And Merlin said only Killian Jones could unlock it. And he'd been in Arendelle… the first place she's sure the princess had used her magic. And he's been her most persistent adversary… the most illusive…. the most mysterious… and…
And it can't be true but...
But when he raises his eyebrow at a cocky angle, when those intense blue eyes sparkle in mockery, when his pristinely white teeth flash in victory, she knows.
"You're – "
His grin widens into a full-fledged smile. "I'm Killian Jones."