Hey Oncers!

Yay, another chapter! I'm trying to update this story every week, before I start working more, and hopefully, it'll be done soon :) Positive thoughts, people. I need positive thoughts!

Please Enjoy!

FantasyWriterFoSho

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Summary of the Previous Chapter: Emma managed to escape David, Mary Margaret and Hook in her car before the latter decided that an encounter with Gold was absolutely necessary.

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Chapter Six: Confrontations and Decisions

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"You're a tad late, dearies," Gold stated, his back turned away from the front door of his establishment. He had left their potion on the counter in order to prepare for Emma's second arrival. If he was going to do what he must for that powerful magic of hers, he'll have to spend his time wisely. He was in the midst of gathering the items necessary for his plan, from his safe, when he heard his door open then subsequently close with a dull thud. When he didn't hear any further noises, from whom he assumed to be the Nolan's, he exhaled impatiently. "If you're not that serious in saving your daughter's life," he began, turning back around; leaving the safe open and its items exposed. "Then I guess our deal can be voided and—"

"Don't you fret about that, crocodile. I'm plenty 'serious' in finding Emma and I'll do it at any cost."

At the sound of that particular voice, Gold's attention was immediately gained. His eyes automatically darkened when he saw his long-time nemesis perched in his shop's entrance, his hook and a scarf both in hand. "Well, this is an unpleasant surprise. I hope your presence isn't going to be of a regular sort now that we've...'buried the hatchet'..." Gold smirked at the last bit but Killian scowled, the latter completely unamused.

Holding back a chuckle, he carried on. "I assumed that the parents would be collecting the potion..."

"I volunteered," Killian responded curtly, his movements slow when he finally entered into the main area of the room. "I wanted to have a further, but small, conversation with our generous, magical benefactor." When he was in front of the counter, he stopped and placed his hook menacingly atop the glass while his hand anxiously rubbed at the scarf's material, down by his side. Tapping it carefully, he narrowed his eyes. "It's contents are quite sensitive and I wouldn't want unknowing ears becoming privy to it, if you catch my drift..."

"How cryptic," Gold responded in a huff, his temper rising at the former pirate's audacity. It was one thing to confront him outside, in the streets of Storybrooke, but it was another to do so in his shop. "Well, why don't you enlighten me then."

"I know that Emma came to see you," Killian revealed easily, his tone surprisingly level for somebody who was rapidly loosing his emotional equilibrium. "And I know that she's interested in irreparably ridding herself of her magic, no doubt thanks to your influence."

"My influence? What an assumption," Gold dismissed. "After what happened to her father, I would think it a natural inclination to want to make amends in a certain way, dramatic or otherwise."

"Perhaps," Killian slightly conceded, remembering Emma's reaction in the woods. "But even so, I don't see you as the intervening or genuinely caring sort, particularly where Swan's concerned."

"Indeed," the older man responded, sarcastically. "But...besides your girlfriend, or whatever you two are, supposedly coming to see me, which is a ridiculous notion, how does this really involve me?" His eyes were now slits and his tone now held a noticeable growl. "And I mean, other than the delusions of a one-handed fool?"

Smiling mirthlessly, Killian tried to not let the other's comments affect him. He wouldn't fall into his trap. He had to do what was best for Emma and right now, that included staying as reasonable and as calm as possible in the face of his notorious enemy. "You seem to forget that I know you. I know your character and your tricks, crocodile. You're unredeemable yet, thankfully, consistent, which is something I've come to rely on in my days spent in this town. If there's any trouble stirring or brewing about, you're the first person that I have, and will always, consider the prime suspect..."

Gold didn't reply. He just stared at the other with a contemptuous sneer.

Knowing that he had his full attention, Killian carried on with a satisfied glint in his features. "On that historical note, I know for a fact that she came to see you because who else but you would be willing to assist her in removing her abilities? And I'm not even including the instance of when the parents and I all spotted Emma besides your shop just a few minutes ago...so, here's how this is going to work...you're going to tell me everything about said meeting, about your plans, and I won't inform a certain librarian about your transgressions, although, I'm surprised that she hasn't had an inkling about them by now."

Breathing in deeply, Gold took a minute before speaking, the wheels in his head turning over what the other could possibly know about him and his schemes. He had little doubts that Hook wouldn't hesitate in telling Belle that he had given her a fake dagger but he didn't believe that he knew every tidbit; otherwise, this confrontation would've headed into a different direction by now. He was fishing, like every good pirate does when they want more information than they already have in their greedy pockets, but fatefully, he was smarter than the average seafarer. He may know of the magical world, but Hook didn't know every specificity involved in it.

"Even if that was true, and I'm not saying that it is," he began, his voice remarkably steady. "What would make you think that I have an ulterior motive? That I have any 'plans', as you say, towards Ms. Swan?" Slightly leaning over the counter, he continued. "What could I possibly want with her?"

"As I said, I know your character," Killian responded darkly, lifting his hook and pointing at him. "And you always want something. I've suspected you for months where this Snow Queen's concerned and whether or not you two are in leagues; however, I now suspect that it goes deeper than that..."

"So, let me get this straight," Gold began immediately after Killian's statement, first grabbing his well-placed cane before moving around the counter with his signature limp. "What you think you have on me, these suspicions of yours, is the result of my past dealings and hypothetical partnerships?" He then raised his brow in amusement. "Really? That's your bargaining tool? Empty conjectures? ...How disappointing. You should be better at this, dearie, but as I've mentioned before, I'm a changed man, though...it doesn't seem that you are."

"What do you mean?" Killian asked dryly, a irritating tick beginning to form near the corner of his mouth at the irritating game they were playing. He watched as the older man shuffled closer to him, a disturbing unreadableness settling into his expression. "How have I not changed but you have?"

"Why, you still view me as a threat to your happiness."

Gold continued walking till he stood a few feet in front of Killian, who was doing his best to not resort to violence at the last statement. It would only prove him right. "Just because Emma came to me and not to you doesn't mean that she doesn't trust you. She just needed somebody who has a firmer understanding of what she's going through and I, pirate, am that person..."

His blood boiling, Killian was moments away from snapping at the cripple when something registered. "So, you admit that Emma came to see you?"

Gold first twisted his cane then tilted his head. A grin then parted his lips; despite his unedited mistake. "Caught that did ya?"

Taking a step back, Killian glared at him, his skin chilling and his heart pounding, erratically. "I knew it. What did you promise her? What deal did she accept? Tell me what happened!"

"Uh, uh, uh," the other answered, showing clear delight at the other's reaction. "I don't make it a habit to state the details of my agreements. It's just not good business sense, now...if I were you," he continued, taking a small pause. "I would get the potion to Ms. Swan's parents before they start getting weary of your motives..."

"Not before you tell me of your deal!"

Chuckling, Gold turned away and slowly made his way back behind the counter. Finally shutting his safe's door, he then leaned his cane against the inner side of the counter before speaking again. "Don't make it a habit of coming in here, Captain. I wouldn't want it to sully my good reputation."

"This isn't a joke!" Killian screamed, lifting his hook back at him in a threatening manner. "You're playing with people's lives! A changed man wouldn't do that, but a conniving jackal will!" Bringing the tip of his hook down hard against the glass, which elicited a sharp scratching sound, he could literally feel himself beginning to loose it. Gulping in some air then releasing some in small breaths, he decided to back off, his revengeful anger almost getting the best of him. Never once breaking eye contact, he noticed, through his peripheral vision, that the potion was still standing on the counter and so, without any hesitation, he grabbed for it, unwilling to loose what was already owed to them because of his frame of mind. "Last chance," he finally said, his temper simmering.

"Or what?" Gold prodded, his tone eerily neutral. "Or you'll tell Belle? Well, go ahead, dearie. Tell her of your suspicions and see if she'll trust you over me." He was rolling the dice with his future and he was fully aware of it, but he too knew the man that stood before him. Whether or not he was going to inform his love about the particulars of Emma was debatable—the dagger was still his main issue there, at least till he figured out an alternative—however, he knew that he would share this with David and Mary Margaret; unless he was waiting for more conclusive evidence to present them with. He would also inform Regina, who may or may not serve as their powerful ally—should she choose to assist them—and that would definitely give him less time, then he would like, if she did.

Inwardly groaning, he reprimanded himself. If he hadn't spilled the beans about her coming to his shop, things would've been easier, but who could make the argument that it wasn't intentional? Maybe telling Hook would provide him with a source of leverage? Who knew? But...the downside of it all was if he decided to tell Belle EVERYTHING. If he told her and she believed him, that would ruin EVERYTHING. And he couldn't have that.

So, his only option? To call the Captain's bluff and to hurry with his plans.

Killian blinked back his surprise, disbelief shaping his features. "You're willing to gamble away your life with her because of your bloody pride?"

"Pride has nothing to do with this," Gold explained on a sigh, showing nothing of his inner turmoil. "You see, very soon I will have enough power to do whatever I want and that's worth some considerations and sacrifices—Belle will understand this and accept it, but...in a course of a day, everything will change."

"But we know what will never change, despite always proclaiming to," Killian said, shaking his head in disgust, his color paler than normal. Knowing that they were going around in circles, he turned around on his heels and walked to the front door, completely missing Gold's face falling at his next statement. "Just know that if anything happens to Emma, in any form, I will find a way to end you...permanently."

"Oooh, I'm trembling with fear, but find a way to understand this, Hook," Gold said, his eyes now gleaming with purposeful intent. "Soon, very soon, everything I've ever wanted will be mine and I won't have to worry about paying a price anymore..."

Killian had slowed down his walking when the other man began speaking but found himself picking up the pace at the end of the other's ominous statement. He didn't know that he had been holding his breath till he had left the building and began moving towards the Sheriff's Station, his entire body shaking with rage. The last bit of Gold's words kept repeating itself over and over again in his mind, making him more vexed and apprehensive with every step.

The sheer nerve of that man set every one of his ablaze but he had to think about the next move. He couldn't allow himself to get swept away in his past mistakes. Emma wouldn't want him to give into the all-too-familiar and dark grip of revenge and, neither did he, so, he will put all of his attention and focus into saving her first.

She was his salvation, after all, and he wouldn't allow that man to affect her in the same way that he had been affected.

When he had located the truck in front of the station, just where David had said it would be, he quickly approached it. Instantly seeing the two figures within the vehicle, Killian moved towards the passenger's side and found himself meeting Mary Margaret's hopeful eyes.

"What happened?" she quickly asked after rolling down her window, her body fully facing him. "What did he say?"

"Everything and nothing," he answered irritably. "He confessed that Emma came to him and asked to remove her magic but, unfortunately, he didn't reveal the method in which he intends on doing so. He also seemed unbothered by my accusations; however, know that his intentions are completely sinister and that he has every desire imaginable in completing his bloody task."

David swallowed hard, not liking where this was going. "Do you have any ideas as to what it could possibly be? Any at all?"

"No, I don't, but we know somebody who may."

"Who?"

Killian grimaced before faintly nodding his head. "Regina."

"I don't think that that's a good idea," David said, tapping his steering wheel nervously. "Under normal circumstances, she would be willing to go up against Gold, but ever since the time traveling and Marian situation, she's been, well..."

"...Resistant and bloody stubborn?" Killian offered dryly when the other drifted, his response half sarcastic and half honest. After receiving silent responses from the couple—David nodded his head while Mary Margaret knowingly raised her eyebrows—he continued, his tone more somber. "We'll never know unless we make some kind of effort. Now," he paused, choosing that moment to lift up both the scarf and the small vial with a sharp pull of his arm. Pinching the liquid's container with his thumb and middle finger, he then handed the two items over to Mary Margaret, who accepted them with a furrowed brow. "Hurry. You must find your daughter before something irreparable occurs."

"What are you going to do then?" she asked curiously, gently placing them into her covered lap. "You're not coming with us to find Emma?"

"No," he replied slowly, licking his chapped lips. "I'm going to have a little chat with our Evil Queen but you two should get started on the search."

"Are you sure?" David asked with wide eyes, slightly surprised that he would forego the opportunity in searching for his love.

"Aye, mate. This is something that I have to do," Killian answered, quietly, his mind whirling over what may happen when he approached the volatile Regina—nobody was as emotionally unstable as she was at the moment. "The crocodile is too crafty and powerful to go after by ourselves. The Queen maybe our only chance at stopping him, permanently." Heart practically beating against his ribcage, he exchanged glances between the two—particularly with David—his soul heavy. "As much as I want to join you, to stop her from taking Gold on his offer, this is also important...I can't let her accept a bargain from him..."

"We understand, Killian," Mary Margaret said softly, her eyes compassionate. "Do what you have to, but be careful. Regina isn't somebody to...to take lightly."

He nodded and then took a step away from the car. He was about to head into the direction of Regina's home when David stopped him.

"Good luck, Hook," he called out, neutrally. "We'll call you when we find her."

"Understood," Killian replied uncertainly, remembering that he was now immersed in a complicated and technological world. Instinctually patting his leather coat's pocket, a finger found then traced the edges of the device that he was given, making him exhale in relief. He stayed there for a few more seconds before he hastily made his way over to Regina's house, his attitude significantly lighter when he subsequently heard the roar of the car's engine trailing then disappearing down the street.

If there was anyway he could save Emma, he would do it, even at the cost of his own skin, which—given the Queen's mood—could very well be an option.

...

Gold waited to see if anybody else planned on entering his shop again before he locked and magically sealed it shut. What he was about to do had to remain a secret, especially from Belle.

Reopening the safe with quick fingers, he laid out five various bottles and vials onto the counter—near the still out, but discarded, mixing bowl—before magically summoning the real dagger into his hands. Carefully placing it down, he then picked up the dry potions and poured a teaspoon of each into the bowl before combining them all together, the different colors conjuring a purplish hue. Using two of his fingers, he then dipped them into the container where he created a healthy coating onto his tips before gingerly sprinkling the residue onto his dagger; his arm moving from side-to-side in order to cover the entire length of the blade with that particular magic.

"Glow," Gold whispered to himself, waiting for the finalized indication.

The Transference Potion is a very powerful and a very tricky concoction. It has the ability to take away anything the orchestrator desires, ranging from the mundane to the highly sought after, but there's a catch—as was the way with most enchantments. Once you've used it on another and took away whatever it was that you desired, it's irreversible. There's no solution. No rewind or cure. It's past the point of no return with a one-way ticket, so, the person performing it would have to be absolutely sure about it before using it.

But that wasn't all.

When accompanied with a spell, whether with its own or another, it could have deadly consequences. It takes a certain type of person to survive the Transference but the odds weren't very good. Only a handful of people have lived to tell the tale, but they had long since passed, so any research that could've or would've be made about them, for historical use, was out of the question; however, Gold wasn't too worried about that part. He was positive that Emma would pull through because of her willfulness and her True Love status, but that didn't stop the growing gnawing and twisted feeling pummeling around in his gut.

Granted, his motivations were normally selfish ones and he didn't usually care about the outcome, but, every now and again, a series of "what if" scenarios would plague him: what if she did die? How would he explain that to everyone—if he had to? Would he leave her where she fell or place her body in another spot? Would they automatically assume it was his doing, like the Captain, or would they, this time, believe that the Snow Queen had something to do with it? ...and...what would Belle think about all of his actions?

Gold cleared his throat before then magically summoning the special device into the palm of one of his hands. It was too late now, he thought resolutely, hastily dismissing his gut's reactions and its theories. I have to do what is best for myself...and for my family.

Glancing down at it, he sighed and rubbed his thumb over the metallic and ancient markings, silently remarking at its weighty feel. The entire thing was a perfect circle. It was smooth on its front-side—minus the scribbled, wavy designs that had tints of rust in-between its tiny fissures—but has since faded in certain areas, giving its appearance an old-fashioned feel.

Raising his brow, he then rolled it over in his hand. He had lied to Emma when he told her that he would need time to get things ready. He didn't need much to remove her magic. In fact, he had them all: the device, the potion, the chosen spell and his dagger. All were literally within his grasp! The only thing that he had left to worry about was the location. It had to be performed in a spacious, but lowkey place. Somewhere perfect for a ritual...

His mind was suddenly brought back to his countertop when his dagger began glowing a lavender color—signaling its completion. Tilting his head, he picked it up with his free hand, the hilt smooth against his skin. Balancing both weighty objects in his slightly bent limbs, he looked over at the locked and enchanted door, his questioning mind softening into a purposeful one.

"My apologies, Ms. Swan," he said, louder this time. "But all magic comes with a price..."

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It's getting good! Please stick around! R&R!