LATE NIGHT POST! :)

Here's another LONG, new chapter!

Please enjoy!

-FantasyWriterFoSho

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Summary of the Previous Chapter: Emma, Elsa and Killian go back to the lakehouse mansion and spend the rest of the night formulating a plan with the other four about Gold, who had escaped the urn.

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Chapter Twenty-Six: Obstacles

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Four Days Later -Storybrooke

As she walked from the station to the diner, with Killian close beside her, Emma couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety but, as of right now, she wasn't the only one teetering on the edge. Though nothing had happened with Gold, something else occurred.

Marian was awake.

At the moment of Ingrid's death, she thawed out, adding to Regina's already strained relationship with the dutiful Robin. This complication immediately prompted her to fall back into her foul mood. Shutting them out for a couple of days, she buried herself in research before suddenly contacting Emma—thankfully, she still planned on helping them out with Gold.

The first thing Regina had told her though was that she came to more conclusions about the Transference Potion. After reaffirming that Gold had coated his dagger in it, in order to absorb somebody's magic, she realized that for him to actually tap into it, he would need to perform a ritual of some kind. That would explain his need for a heart. Regina still wasn't sure what exactly he was planning but she reiterated what she had said before about it going to be "big".

Regina also informed her of a more solid conclusion for her surviving the dagger and potion combination. She had already stated that she was powerful but her status as the Savior definitely helped her cause because her magic was pure and good; however, the other important ingredient was the fact that she had found inner peace.

In this instance, everything had to be right for the True Love's Kiss to work and when she accepted herself, her magic kicked in and saved her. That not only showed her personal growth but also contributed to why her hands haven't sparked for awhile.

Though the news was helpful, Emma couldn't help but to frantically push them away.

Since they got back into town, she hadn't left Killian's side out of fear that if she did, he would be snatched, which could happen at any moment—especially since there were mysteries surrounding Gold's escape, like the enchanted cuffs he was wearing...

Being a Dark One must have its perks, she thought before switching gears. I don't want to lose him.

Not after everything we've been through.

She didn't know how she would handle it if it did happen and everytime she thought about it—which was most of the time—Killian tried to reassure her that he would be fine. But she wasn't easily swayed.

Not this time.

Sighing, Emma looked at her feet, her mind overloading.

Noticing her facial expression, Killian gave a knowing smile before reaching for her hand, which snapped her out of her thoughts. Intertwining their fingers, he tilted his head. "You're doing it again, Swan. If you keep thinking about it, you're going to explode..."

"Can I help it that I'm worried about my boyfriend's future?" she asked with a sideways glance.

"You know," Killian said, pulling her closer into his side. "That's possibly the second time I've heard you call me that. Does that mean that we're officially together?"

Emma playfully rolled her eyes. "Yes, that's what it means."

"I like it," he said with a wider smile. "But that brings me to another point: do you think we're moving too fast?"

Confused, she fully looked at him. "I don't think so. Do you?"

''Of course not," he replied. "I've wanted this for a long time." Looking down for a split second, he stopped and gently tugged her in front of him. He needed to see her reactions. "I just wanted to make sure that you're fine. I don't want to push you in any fashion."

Looking at his face, Emma observed him carefully. "What makes you feel that way?"

"You've been avoiding the L word with me," he answered, pain reflecting in his eyes. "Ever since we returned from the lakehouse, you haven't said it or responded it back to me when I say it. I'm not questioning your feelings. I know that you feel the same way, Swan...I just want to know why..."

Emma hesitated. He was right. She had been avoiding it and even briefly considered taking it back, but their shared feelings prevented her from doing so—besides, she was still an open book to him and he wouldn't believe her even if she tried to.

They're True Love. It was confirmed multiple times but that wasn't the problem.

She was just terrified.

Looking at their hands, she breathed deeply. "You know about my past relationships," she began, her insecurities once again rearing its ugly head. "You also know how they pretty much ended with them dying. I'm just...scared that...that you being with me will end the same way..."

Killian's eyes widened. "Swan..."

"I know that you're a survivor and that you're not afraid of me," she interrupted, meeting his eyes again with her now teary ones. "But life has a funny way of taking the ones I love, whether magically or naturally. That's why I am so scared of being with you. I'm still afraid that I'll hurt you."

He tried to pull her against him but Emma stopped it by breaking their contact. He wanted to hear it and now she had to get it all out. Nervously tugging at her now cleaned jacket's sleeve, she continued. "I even thought about permanently leaving Storybrooke for you and for my family's protection, so I won't be able to hurt anybody ever again, because...it would kill me if you guys were injured by me. You're too important" she paused, swallowing hard, finally admitting that latter part aloud to him.

Taking another deep breath, Emma continued in a softer but rapid tone. "Regardless of how I felt a couple days ago, I still believe myself to be dangerous and how you'll be better off without me. I also...still find myself conflicted between what the mirror showed me: my 'true self', vs. the one I want to be and the more I think about how I fought against my magic—how I lost control—before I found what Regina has called my 'inner peace' and healed myself from the dagger, the more confused I am..."

Suddenly, her hands started to glow but they quickly faded back to normal when, in the midst of her rambling, Killian decisively closed the gap between their bodies and grabbed them.

Pressing them tightly against his chest, he peered intently into her stormy eyes. "Firstly, Swan...I love you. I love all parts of you and that includes your magic. Secondly, life is sometimes too rough with the best of us, which is something that you and I sadly have in common, love."

Letting go of her hands, he cupped her face. "And thirdly, I'll keep telling you this until it gets through that stubborn head of yours," he paused to smile at her. "I'm not scared of you, Emma. You can say it all you want to but I'm not going away. I promised to fight and stand beside you, no matter the trials and tribulations, and I'm a man of my word."

"Killian," she said, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Brushing it away, he then leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I want to be with you, Emma Swan and if you ever choose to leave this place, you'll have to settle with me tagging along for both of our sanities—even though we know that running away isn't the answer."

Emma gave him a faint smile, feeling better. "How do you always know what to say?"

"I know you. We're kindred spirits afterall," Killian replied, brushing his nose against hers before pressing a kiss against her reciprocating lips.

Their moment was then interrupted by the sudden jerking of their rings.

Pulling apart, they both glanced down at their right hands, where the magical bands Regina had given them were noticeably shaking and blinking a yellowish color.

"Belle," Emma breathed, remembering the assigned colors they each were given. Waiting for it to magically transmit her location, she stared at the signet ring for a couple of seconds before the words: LIBRARY popped up on the flat surface. Tapping it to show that it was received, Emma immediately told Killian to go to the diner and wait for her there.

"No, I'm coming with you," he countered, rejecting her order with a shake of his head.

"I don't want to argue this with you," she said fiercely, her protectiveness flaring in her eyes. "I won't compromise your safety by dangling you in front of willing Gold. Please, just go to Granny's..."

Remembering what she had just revealed to him, Killian looked past her now tough exterior and instantly saw the vulnerability lying beneath it. Swallowing his pride, he then nodded his head. "Aye, I shall do as you ask, Swan, but just...just be careful. You're important to me too, you know..."

Relieved, Emma nodded her head before turning around and running into the direction of the library, feeling Killian's eyes watching her.

…

When she arrived, Emma carefully entered through the front door, her concealed weapon now drawn and pointed downward. As she slowly and vigilantly made her way through the various aisles, she eventually found Belle, who was facing away from her, in the very back with the long tables.

Noticing that she was alone, Emma glanced about in confusion before holstering her gun and making her way over to her. "Where is he?" she asked as she got closer. "Did he leave?"

Turning around, Belle gave her a small smile.

Something stirred inside of Emma when she took in the other woman's haunting features. Something is wrong, she thought. Gut clenching, she stopped moving and narrowed her eyes. "Gold?"

"You're becoming quite perspective, Ms. Swan."

Emma raised her hands up at the imposter. "I'd be lying if I didn't say I haven't had any practice spotting a fraud..."

Twitching, "Belle's" body fell away. The top of "her" head rapidly peeled downward and didn't stop folding or bunching over itself until it reached the tiled floor and disappeared in a smokey burgundy cloud.

Revealing himself, Gold tilted his head before raising his hand up, Belle's ring weaving between his fingers. "Interesting trinkets you all have here. I wonder where Regina got them." He then narrowed his eyes. "You're too late. She's already in my possession, Savior, and soon...Killian's heart will be too."

Emma growled. "You really are an imp, but tell me something. How did you escape those cuffs?"

"Consider it a perk of being the Dark One," he answered easily, which made Emma roll her eyes in confirmation. "After a certain number of times, I guess some things just wear out."

Using his other hand, Gold then summoned the already transformed hat into his palm. Littered now with five billowy white stars, Gold turned it around so that the opening was now directed at a wary Emma.

"Why are you doing this?" she then asked, staring at the dark space before it suddenly started to glow. "All I wanted from you was for you to help me with a potion but, of course, you made it all about yourself with all of these...weird ass tools." She then narrowed her eyes. "Why do you really want my magic?"

"A dying man will do whatever is necessary," he answered, moments away from sucking her into the hat. "Your power alone will ensure my victory, though I do want to apologize for it coming to this." He then paused, his tone becoming more sincere. "I am very pleased to see you standing before me. I knew you would survive..."

"Wait," Emma said, furrowing her brows. "You knew...? What do you mean?"

"You were my original choice for the dagger before I changed my mind a couple of times," he admitted.

Emma's heart dropped. "I was?"

"Do you want to know why?" he tauntingly asked before answering his own question. "Whether you know it or not, you are a powerful magical being. I only settled for Regina because of the extreme circumstances and before her, I chose the Snow Queen, knowing that each of them would die...but in the end," he then paused to nod into her direction. "I'm betting that the Transference Potion has never dealt with the likes of you."

Emma swallowed hard before slightly repeating herself. "What does that mean?"

"Let's just say that you're one-of-a-kind, Ms. Swan," he answered. "I do wonder what would've happened if I chose to use an incantation with my dagger, but unfortunately, we'll never know that or how special you truly are."

Gold then lifted the hat up and leveled it at her chest but before he could even push the glow past the brim, he was knocked out from behind. Eyes rolling back, he then fell forward, landing hard on his stomach.

Snapping her eyes up, Emma saw a heavy-book-wielding-Belle now standing where Gold once had, her hands held high above her head.

"Thanks," Emma said with wide, relieved eyes. "Are you okay?"

"He lied to me again," she said with a sad smirk, her arms dropping. "He told me that the room I was trapped in was magically locked. I guess he should've actually done that instead of monologuing..."

"His arrogance could very well be his downfall."

Dropping the book right beside Gold's head, Belle then knelt down and grabbed the ring he had been holding. "I'm sorry, Emma," she said when she got back to her feet and looked up at the other woman. "I tried to press the ring discreetly but he still saw me doing it before promptly stowing me away."

"No worries," Emma replied before furrowing her brows at Gold. "The problem we have now is what to do with him? Should we leave him or should we—"

Emma stopped when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her.

Whipping around, with her hands up, she soon came face-to-face with a jogging Regina, who was quickly followed by David, Elsa and Robin. Surprised at seeing the latter, Emma stared at him momentarily before looking over at her dad, her hands still raised in her puzzled state.

"Calm down, it's just us," Regina said while walking around the blonde, her gaze zooming in on the fallen Dark One. Looking at Belle, she then raised an impressed brow at her. "Good work."

After explaining what had happened, the group quickly decided to put him back into the urn, which Regina magically summoned into her hands.

"But he broke out of it the last time, didn't he?" David asked, looking at his company.

"How are we going to ensure that he stays put this time?" Elsa added in concern.

"By making sure it's closed, for one," Regina answered, shooting Elsa a soft reprimanded glance. "For two, I'll store him in my vault for safekeeping. Besides, we're only going to keep him in here until we can figure out a way to save his life without endangering or trapping others, right?" She then looked over at Belle, who nodded her head.

"I'm perfectly fine with the decision to keep him locked away," she said, a part of her dying on the inside at what he had become. "Though, I would feel better if we had his real dagger and...if I wasn't too worried about him suffering from a possible head trauma from a heavy book..."

Emma, David, Robin and Regina all smirked but Elsa shook her head.

"You don't need to worry about that. He'll recover inside of the urn. Once properly secured," she paused, giving them a knowing, sheepish smile. "He just won't be able to free himself from the entrapment."

Nodding in agreement, Regina then called the discarded hat to her and analyzed it. "It looks different. The stars are new..."

"Yes," Belle confirmed. "He told me that he's already trapped five fairies inside of it, hence the new design."

"Looks like I have to find a way to release them," Regina responded, leaning in for further inspection. Biting the inside of her cheek, she then looked down at Gold's crumpled form. Magically causing the hat to disappear, she opened the lid of the urn before pointing the item downwards, in a slanted position. Feeling it stir within her hands, she watched his body hover for a split second before being sucked into the urn, his body unnaturally flapping about before completely vanishing from everybody's sight.

Capping it with a swift gesture, Regina heaved a sigh of relief. One less thing to worry about.

"Now, that that's done," Emma said, relishing her new peace of mind. "I should go tell Killian."

"Where is he, by the way?" David asked. "I'm surprised that he's not here with you..."

"I told him to go to Granny's," she responded with a gesture. "We were going to get some food when Belle notified us."

"So, you basically benched your boyfriend?" Regina asked with a smirk. "Smart."

Emma smiled. "What can I say? I'd prefer if this one stayed alive."

"That's fair," Regina responded with a small laugh.

"Is it wrong that I feel like we should celebrate?" Elsa suddenly cut in, her eyes flickering to each person. "Belle did just stop Gold from conducting his plans..."

Everybody took a moment to consider her words.

They all felt horrible about Belle's complicated situation but, at the same time, she was right. They did just stopped something bad from happening.

"I think that's a good idea," Emma finally said. "Let's meet at Granny's later in the day, around 6pm, for the celebration. That way, I have something to look forward to after getting some work done at the station."

"Sounds good to me," David concurred neutrally.

When everybody else agreed to meet up, they all filtered out of the library, each in different directions—Emma went to go tell Killian about what had happened; David went back to the loft to tell Mary Margaret their decision; Elsa went with a determined Belle to gather her things from the Pawn Shop, intent on acting on David's extended invitation to stay at the loft; while Regina and Robin slowly made their way over to her office to talk.

…

After leaving momentarily to place the urn inside of her heavily enchanted vault, Regina came back and was now watching Marian playing with Roland outside of her window, her heart hammering in her chest. "You can't keep following me around," she said to a quiet Robin, who was staring at her from the middle of the room. "I'm pretty sure that your appearance severely confused the others at the library..."

"I'm sorry," he said, his throat thick. "I just...I just miss you."

"Stop it, Robin," she said, closing her eyes. "You can't say things like that to me anymore. I'm literally within walking distance of your wife..."

"I have good news about that," he said, moving closer. "She's aware of how I feel for you..."

Eyes wide, Regina immediately spun around, her soul lighting with hope.

"Though I'm married and duty bound to her," he continued, his gaze intense. "I'm not in love with her anymore. So, yesterday, we had a long discussion about it and she told me that she's willing to step aside for us." He then moved to stand directly in front of a shocked and trembling Regina. Reaching for her hands, he held them gently in his. "I want a future with you and now, it's a possibility, but only if you'll have me?"

Regina's mouth dropped open. Eyes watering and knees shaking, she felt her insides melt at his words. Rushing forward, she broke their contact so she could wrap her arms around his neck. "I would like that very much," she said softly, her body nestling against him.

Turning his head, Robin kissed her temple and hugged her tighter.

They stayed that way for a couple of minutes before they pulled apart and ended it with a passionate, breathless kiss.

Hands intertwined and smiles on their faces, they then headed outside to spend some quality time together but as soon as they began climbing down the front steps, they heard an alarming sound.

Looking up, the pair immediately spotted a crying Roland standing over the lying figure of his mother, who was motionless.

"Marian?" Robin said before they both ran over to her unmoving body.

Falling down to his knees beside her, he leaned over and gently shook her shoulders before Regina stopped him. Positioned on the opposite side of Robin, she touched Marian's face before analyzing her features.

Scanning down the rest of her body, Regina glanced at her hands and inwardly gasped. Lifting one of them up, she showed him Marian's now crystallized fingertips. "It seems that she still has remnants of the curse inside of her," she determined, her mind spinning over what could possibly be done to fix it. "It won't be long before she's frosted over again and I don't think she'll be able to recover from it this time..."

"What do we do?" Robin asked, moving back to his spot after he had grabbed his unconsolable son. "Perhaps Elsa could—"

"It wasn't her magic and the Snow Queen was a powerful and tricky witch," Regina interrupted with a head shake. "I can personally guarantee you that Elsa doesn't know this spell..."

Staring into Marian's subdued face, Regina tried to force her brain to come up with something but the only thing that made sense was an option that would rip her heart out. Inhaling deeply, she slowly put the other woman's hand back down before looking at an observant Robin.

"She has to leave Storybrooke."

His brow raised. "What do you mean?"

"Since this is a magical affliction," Regina continued, her insides hardening into screams. "She can't stay here. It'll only make her condition worse but there is a catch." Pausing, she delved into what she had just recently discovered in her seclusion. "At some point yesterday, I managed to teleport to the townline and I noticed something different about it. Since the Snow Queen cast her curse, though tiny as it may have been, those powerful shards deeply affected the border by preventing those who cross over to return. I found that out by throwing a stick..."

"What did that prove?"

Regina gave him a grave look. "I didn't see it again after I threw it over the line. It disappeared. If you can't see it, there's no way you can come back."

Robin felt his chest tighten. "So, are you saying that we will never see Marian again if we make her cross over?"

"I can't make an unconscious woman cross the line herself," Regina explained quietly. "You're going to have to go with her."

His eyes widened in shock.

"But even if she was able to move and walk around," she continued, looking away. "Her best option for survival would be if you two went with her. You've both had more experience in this realm then she has..."

"Regina, but..."

She shook her head and looked back down at Marian's nearby hand. "No, this isn't up for a debate. Judging now by how slow the ice growth is, we can take her there tomorrow. That way, you guys can prepare and say your goodbyes. I'll also have to make sure that Elsa gets rid of the wall beforehand, she'll be able to handle that much at least. So...we'll meet back here tomorrow."

Robin fervently shook his head and tried to reach one of his hands out to grab at Regina, but she quickly stood up, her face unreadable.

"I'll take her back to my office," she volunteered before giving him a faint smile. "See you later."

Disappearing in a puff of purple smoke, Regina quickly left with Marian's body so she could lay her down on her office couch. After glancing at the unmoving woman, she then teleported to her dark and empty house, her emotions crumbling.

Slowly moving into her kitchen, an inconsolable Regina stopped in front of her counter and collapsed against it, crying hard over her loss at true happiness.

…

As a shadowy figure approached the vault, it took a moment to glance at the vast structure before waving a clothed hand at the door.

Unlocking, the entrance shook before fully opening, allowing the unknown person to step inside with a gravelly sound. As the door closed behind it, the figure gazed about the many artifacts and didn't stop until it found what it was looking for.

Standing in front of the urn, the figure reached out and picked the item up to eye level, scanning the containment every which way before slightly lowering it.

When it was secured under an arm, the person then used its free hand to magically teleport away, disappearing in a puff of wispy smoke.

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