Heya people! Thank you so much for your comments and support of this story, I've been honored by your responses!

In this chapter: In which ruthless pirate, terror of the high seas Killian Jones aka Captain Hook helps babysit his girlfriend's baby brother, sings a lullaby, and tries to set up his study partners because bloody hell the yearning looks were seriously starting to grate on his nerves


conscience hath a thousand several tongues,

And every tongue brings in a several tale,

and every tale condemns me for a villain

— Richard III, Act 5 Scene 3


It had been two weeks, two weeks and they had just barely started to go through the Dark One's library. Killian shoved the book he'd finished off to the side. There had only been a single, off-handed reference to the Sorcerer's Hat as some sort of magical prison in the whole book. Meaning the past two days he'd spent going over the thing had been utterly wasted. He ran a hand over his face and sighed, his own frustration starting to wearing on him.

It was just...he wanted to fix this so badly. Wanted to take the fairies and the old man and how many others that were trapped. He'd been in his fair share of brigs, not to mention the other times he'd been trapped, helpless to escape-

"Sit, lad...don't forget where your heart lies"

"Milah!"

"How do you think he paid for the rowboat?"

-and has never been one to condemn others to that fate. When he could help it, of course. Normally, he'd just...kill those who got in his way.

Which was why he was so desperate to get them out of the bloody hat. Because this, a low moment in a long life filled with low moments, was something Killian could actually take steps towards fixing. So with a huff, he pulled out the next book.

"I come bearing gifts!" Mim declared, a wide smile on her face as she stepped through the library door. She was carrying a to-go carrier from Granny's with three travel mugs, having been sent out earlier to fetch refreshments. "Specifically, tea and coffee. Because caffeine is better than any magic I've come across."

With a spring in her step, the witch placed one cup on the table next to Killian, before walking over to Belle at the reference desk. Out of boredom more than anything else, the pirate's eyes went over to them while he waited for his drink to cool.

She pulled a small jar out of her pocket, containing a recognizable golden liquid. "What is that?" Belle asked, opening her mug to pour in a packet of sugar.

"Lavender honey. I thought you might like some." With a thankful smile, Belle spooned a bit of the contents into her mug and stirred it in.

Killian didn't miss the look on Belle's face as she took her first sip. Nor did he miss the soft, unmasked delight on Mim's upon seeing her present was well received.

"It's delicious! Thank you."

"It's no trouble, really." Her own caffeinated beverage was sitting on the help desk, half-forgotten as she instead watched the librarian enjoy her cup.

"Aren't you going to have some?" Belle eventually asked, glancing towards said cup.

"Hm? Oh," the words seemed to shake the shapeshifter out of whatever trance she's been in. "Just, uh, waiting for it to cool a bit." She excused, opening up the lid of the travel mug. Belle had already gone back to her reading, and didn't notice that it wasn't tea, but coffee, in Mim's cup.

The mad madam lived up to her name, and stirred in a bit of the honey with the coffee.

She dallied just a moment, but upon seeing that the lady was returning to work, went back over to her own desk.

Killian turned back to his book, content to let whatever business was happening...happen.

But when he glanced back up, he noticed that Mim was still drinking the coffee with honey. Huh.

Except it hadn't just been the honey. After that, it had been the donuts, conveniently all the flavors and types that Belle preferred. After that it had been macaroons, a sweet delicacy that the librarian had offhandedly mentioned once were a childhood favorite she hadn't had since her mother died.

Bloody hell. Mim was interested in Belle.

Killian felt a small wave of protectiveness towards the brunette. For as little as he approved or even understood the relationship, Belle had genuinely loved the Crocodile, and would need time and space to process her feelings. Being betrayed by someone you thought loved you...Killian knew how that hurt, and wasn't a wound that would soon go away. (As always, fuck you Brennan Jones)

Normally Killian wasn't one to quibble over what happened in someone else's bedroom, and more than respected people's right to make their own choices, but Belle wasn't in the state to be just another of Madam Mim's conquests. (Because Madam Mim had been around for 200 slutty, sluttty years). Although, based on the soft, yearning looks, it was probably just a bit more than simple lust at work.

Still, a talk was in order.

He waited until Belle was checking on something in the pawn shop while the two of them were left to continue their research at the library. Again, Killian noticed the little smile on the witch's face as she watched Belle exit. (Remarkable, what people give away when they think they aren't looking).

He closed the book with a dramatic 'clap' to draw attention. As expected, Mim was jolted out of shooting a yearning look at the door.

"I think it's high time we have a talk about your intentions towards Belle." Killian started, deciding to take Emma's approach about just 'ripping off the bandage' to address the situation.

The purplette looked at him, raising an eyebrow "What are you, her overprotective older brother?"

"Merely a concerned friend." He said, remembering the fact that his first two interactions with said 'friend' involved lying-slash-trying to kill her. Because of her relationship to the Crocodile. "Belle only recently exiled her husband over the town line for betraying her. For all his faults, they did love each other. I understand that you may be feeling...stressed," he diplomatically decided, "with everything going on, but Belle really isn't the type of person who engages in quick dalliances to try and distract from unpleasant feelings. So if that's all you're looking for, look elsewhere."

Mim bit her lip, looking away for a moment before meeting his gaze head on. "Okay, first of all, that's definitely her decision and not yours, friend or not. Second, I assure you, my intentions towards Belle are nothing but honorable."

"Really?"

"I know, surprised me too." The witch's expression turned more genuine. "I like her. She's clever, strong, wonderful...it's been a long while since I've just liked someone." Mim looked off to the side, some memory or other likely going through her head. She soon looked back at him. "And you've...got nothing to say? About that?" She was putting up a good front, but the captain could see the nerves running underneath.

He shrugged. "Just that you'd definitely be an improvement on the bloody Crocodile."

She blinked.

Killian smirked, trying to put her at ease. "Trust me, Mim, a pirate is probably the last person in the world to look down on someone for that kind of thing."

The witch smirked back, apparently assured he wasn't about to bite her head off. "Admitting to swinging that particular cutlass more than one direction?" The teasing lilt to her tone informed him that she was feeling better.

He rolled his eyes. "I'm no more interested in that particular kind of male company than you are. But if I might get this back on track…" he glanced back at the reference desk. Belle could be back any moment. "If you do fancy her...I'm not saying that it'll never happen. I'm just asking that you give her some time."

Mim nodded in assent, and they were both back at their respective stations by the time Belle returned.


(Okay so that was bullshit.)

Another two weeks after Killian's little talk with Mim, (making four total since the fairies had been sucked up into the hat and the Dark One's ass had been kicked across the town line), and it had only gotten worse.

Because now Killian was sure that it wasn't only Mim who was interested. It had started a few days after the initial talk with the shape-shifter. The pirate was a tad late to the library, having shared breakfast at the Charming's loft with Emma. (There were pancakes, and as usual, Killian had a difficult time saying no to the Lady Swan)

When he did arrive, quietly closing the door behind him, he found the two women already there and in the midst of conversation.

"You must think I was crazy...trusting him like that, thinking he'd changed."

Killian paused, staying out behind the stacks. This was the first time that she'd actually talked about what had happened. Openly, at least, Leroy was enough of a gossip that Killian knew she'd been spending more and more time with the cricket.

"No, I don't think you're crazy."

It appeared both he and Belle were surprised by that response, based on the loaded silence. The witch decided to elaborate. "I believe you saw good in him, even if he mostly acted like a prick to everyone else. You're much too smart for it have all just been an act."

It was then that Killian peeked around the shelves. Mim's back was to him, but he could see Belle's face. A look passed over the librarian's face, the look of someone who'd been done a kindness but couldn't understand it. "I…" She cleared her throat. "Thank you. Not many people have been so...understanding."

The other woman shrugged. "Just because you can't understand something doesn't mean it's wrong."

Belle continued to stare, but eventually looked away, mumbling something about needing to get to work. The pirate made his presence known not long afterward, pretending he'd just stepped in, instead of having witnessed the private moment. Neither woman made mention of him being late, and Killian half-suspected they hadn't even noticed.

That wasn't even to mention the looks. Bloody hell the looks. Every now and then while reading, he would notice one of the women looking over at the other. It started out as quick glances, the both of them still very much focused on getting the prisoners out of the hat. But as time passed, and the work narrowed, the looks got longer and longer. At this point he didn't even need to look up to notice them doing it. He could sense the stares now as if supernaturally attuned to his research partners' unspoken feelings. Both women would occasionally look up, shoot a yearning look at the other, and look back down before they thought anyone else noticed.

If this was what Regina had to deal with him and Emma, than Killian clearly owed the woman a drink. Or a bottle. Lord knows Killian needed one, watching these two grown women act like shy schoolgirls.

Clearly, something needed to be done.

(Also Killian was definitely feeling more than just a bit guilty for putting Mim's father in the hat. So helping her potentially find love was his way of trying to make it up to her without making it obvious he was trying to make it up to her.)

Except...he'd already told Mim to give Belle time before approaching her. And there was no way Captain Hook was going to go back and admit he was wrong about something. (Especially not to the witch, who'd probably tease him relentlessly). So there was only one thing to do.

("You decided to play matchmaker with your study partners?" Emma would ask later, a bit incredulous.

"Well if they weren't going to do anything...")


"You know, to give the witch some credit, her elvish is impeccable."

"Uh, yes, Killian I've noticed. Mim's been a big help."

"As well as an excellent taste in tea."


"The purple hair's interesting, I will admit, makes her stand out."

"Lilac is a lovely color." Belle commented. "On anyone else it might be...a bit much but Maeve makes it work."

Ah so it's Maeve now. The pirate thought to himself. That was progress.


A flyer had been taped to the library's front door, advertising a neighborhood block party. Apparently, to celebrate the 'longest stretch of peace' since the curse had broken (and wasn't that a sad thought). He'd noticed Madam Mim reading it before entering the building that morning.

"Maybe ask Belle to go with you, she could use a relaxing evening." He suggested, nonchalant.

"Shouldn't we be focusing on translation work, not a bloody party? After all, my father is still trapped." Mim huffed, walking towards her usual spot.

Killian tried to trample down the fresh wave of guilt. "Aye, but I highly doubt that he'd want to you stop living your life while doing so." The witch didn't look up from her book, but the pirate could tell she'd somewhat listened to him.

Belle came into the library a few moments later.

Mim apparently listened to him, because she brought it up after fetching their usual midday refreshments.

"Hey, so, I was wondering...that block party that's happening. Would you...like to go? Together I mean? I've never been to one before." Killian watched the interaction with interest from his own desk.

"Is this a...date?" Belle asked, looking up with uncertainty.

Mim blinked, obviously taken off guard. "No...I mean if you want it to be, it could...be." She took a moment to collect herself, make things a bit clearer.

It didn't work. "I—dinner—you-party." Killian facepalmed. "Bye!" Mim couldn't have ran out of there faster if the room was on fire, leaving behind a rather confused-looking Belle and Killian who was honestly just feeling embarrassed on the witch's behalf.


"Uh, Archie, it's Belle. Can we talk?"

"Well, I think...Maeve just asked me out to the block party?"

"You think?"

"She seems to have gotten embarrassed and tripped over the words. And then...ran out of there."

"And that...bothered you?"

"No! Not at all I'm...not opposed to dating other women but...with everything with Rumple, and the fairies, I just wanted to talk to you. Do you think it's too soon if I were to go out with her?"

"Belle, I think what's more important is whether or not you feel as if it's too early."


"What the hell are you doing?" Granny demanded as the purple haired witch was laying down among the trash bins, and utterly despondent look on her face.

"I'm rubbish, so I'm waiting to be hauled away like rubbish."

It was then that Belle appeared, with one Archie Hopper at her side.

"I…" she trailed off, looking back to the doctor. Archie flashed an encouraging thumbs up. Belle turned back, and with a determined look in her eyes, made firm eye contact with Maeve.

"Well then, if you're garbage...can I pick you up around six?" The librarian asked, a red flush to her face.

The shape-shifter immediately perked up, and had the most ridiculous looking grin on her face as she gave an enthusiastic 'yes'.


Belle blinked at the woman standing at her doorstep

Maeve wasn't wearing plaid or leather, but was instead in sensible dark jeans, a light blazer, and a plum-colored button up shirt.

"You look…"

"Thank you." The shape-shifter gave a bashful smile, ducking her head. Which was when Belle noticed her hair. Maeve had allowed her natural hair color to grow out, so now only the lower half of her hair (bobbed and gently curled) was that pretty lilac. The upper half of her hair was black as pitch. The ombre effect was rather...fetching, Belle had to admit. "You're looking particularly gorgeous this evening as well."

The librarian smiled, and took Maeve's arm.


Emma found out about Belle and Mim at a party. An honest to goodness party with the kids left with the sitters and alcohol for sale and fully adult conversations without a curse or a villain or anything else hanging over their heads.

Noticing a familiar flash of purple, the sheriff looked over to see that Mim had a new hairstyle, and was sitting with a certain brunette they all knew.

Killian had mentioned that librarian and the shape-shifter had been making eyes at each other, but this was the first time that Emma was really seeing it. The brunette had a half empty drink in her hand and was smiling at something the other woman had said. (And Mim was giving a delighted, dopey grin right back at her)

Right now Belle gave off a vibe that screamed 'i just ended a terrible relationship and I don't particularly care what anybody thinks about what I'm doing and if my ex even breaths in my direction I will beat him to death with a bat'. In other words, about two seconds away from getting trashed and making out with Madam Mim.

It was a good look on her.


The Nolans found out about Belle and Maeve at Granny's, a few days later.

"Belle and Mim, when did that happen?" Snow asked, looking over to where the librarian and the witch were sharing a booth. They both had iced teas, and Belle was stealing fries off of Madam Mim's plate. There was a half-smitten smile on the librarian's face that made the princess happy for her friend. She'd only supported Belle's romantic entanglement with the Dark One because that was what Belle wanted, and genuinely hoped that love would help Rumplestiltskin towards good. But with the revelation of all the man had done—trapping the fairies, trying to kill Emma, leaving the rest of the town to die, taking and almost crushing Hook's heart—it was better for Belle to cut the losses and try and move on with her life. (Snow had learned that first love wasn't always the truest love the hard way, with Emma having a very...honest conversation about what actually happened between herself and Neal Cassidy. The Nolans were feeling rather regretful for pushing her towards him after that, and David had the wild impulse to exhume the body just to punch the man in the face.)

David looked confused, and glanced over his shoulder. "What are you—oh." He noticed the look on the librarian's face and turned back around.

"I didn't know she...was…"

"It is the twenty-first century." Snow cautioned. Back in the Enchanted Forest, those kinds of relationships...were not out in the open like that. They existed, certainly, but they were not in the open. (A fifteen-year-old princess had found two scullery maids kissing in a dark corner of the kitchens. It had been embarrassing for everyone involved)

"Dating again, I was going to say." He took a sip of coffee.

"Well, they're completely adorable."


Leroy was all too happy to spread that particular news over the dwarves' lunch break.

"You didn't hear it from me, but Belle's started going out with Madam Mim."

"The shapeshifter?"

"One and the same. You should have seen them, they were making eyes at each other during the block party."

"You'd certainly know all about that, wouldn't you?"

"The hell you talking about?"

"I don't know, how's Astrid doing?" The other dwarf teased.

"Worried about her sisters. It was lucky she was out running an errand when Gold had Hook suck up the fairies, or she'd be stuck in there with them."

"She's lucky to have such a good...friend like you to console her."

Grumpy, as always, was not in the mood. "Shut up, Happy."


"It seems a bit soon, don't you think? She did exile Gold across the town line only a few weeks ago."

"Eh, I think after that disaster of a relationship, the woman's entitled to do what she wants."

"More like do who she—"

"Whale, you finish that sentence and you'll be gargling your own teeth."

"I'm just saying, a shapeshifter offers some particularly intriguing—" SMACK.


Belle French has hoped that she and Maeve's relationship would stay just between them for a bit longer. But as Leroy was one of her closest friends in a small town full of busybodies, it was really only a matter of time.

Now, while most of the time when people asked her about how freeing the fairies was going, it was also to get a line on how her and Maeve's relationship was going as well. Belle had started to master the unamused deadpan look to get people to back off.

Like, don't get her wrong most people were at least trying to be nice about the whole affair, but Belle found that 'at least she's better than the Dark One' seemed to be the main reason people supported her and Maeve.

It was a sad statement on Belle's love life that the fact she doesn't have to talk her girlfriend down from murdering people on the regular was a marked improvement over her last relationship. Though, as the shape-shifter didn't seem to have any enemies in Storybrooke probably helped with that.

But it wasn't just that Maeve was an improvement on Rumple that drew the librarian to the witch. Maeve was clever, thoughtful, made her smile, and had a streak of genuine good in her that Belle didn't have to poke and prod to get her to show. She was well aware of Madam Mim's reputation (like the Dark One, references to the 'mad Madam' would pop up in her books, and rarely painting her in a positive light) but Maeve had been making the effort to, quote 'not be such a shitty person' long before they'd met each other.

Belle thought she was doing good by being by Rumple's side and encouraging him step by step towards goodness. But the minute his back had been turned, it was like everything had been for nought. It wasn't until she was with someone who didn't require her presence to make the right decision and NOT be evil that Belle realized how emotionally exhausting her relationship with her ex-husband had been.

Yes, ex. Even if Rumplestiltskin couldn't be there to sign the papers (nor would Belle want him to) the symbolic act of dissolving their marriage had felt...freeing. She was coming to terms with the idea that she was never going to see Rumple ever again. And she was starting to get to the place where she was okay with that idea.

Madam Mayor signed off on the divorce papers with a sympathetic smile on her face. And then offered her to grab a lighter so the librarian could burn the marriage certificate herself. Belle knew that she and the former Evil Queen would never be friends, not really, but the gesture had been appreciated all the same.

While Belle knew that a part of her would never really stop having feelings for Rumplestiltskin, she was choosing to start taking care of herself emotionally. She was choosing to move forward and move on with her life.

And Maeve? Well, Maeve happened to be a part of that moving forward.


It was movie night. If Maeve was going to live in this land, then she needed to start getting acquainted with the different technological marvels within. So, while Belle was working on some translation work in her living room after showing her girlfriend how to work the TV. The librarian had found an old VHS tape of The Sword in the Stone in the children's section, and Madam Mim was a bit curious to see how her story was told in this realm.

Apparently, not very accurately. The librarian half-listened to Maeve's running commentary as the story progressed, just enjoying her girlfriend's presence.

"Well for one thing, Merlin doesn't have a beard."

"Wart? Oh gosh that's clever."

"Of course they got feather-brain right."

"Bloody hell, I'm hideous. I love it." That caused Belle to look up. The animated Madam Mim was old, with short, wild purple hair, and bright green eyes as opposed to Maeve's sapphire blue.

As the animated Mim was singing about 'delighting in the gruesome and grim' the real Maeve let out a snort of laughter, and Belle was glad that this story didn't seem to insult her the way Peter Pan always insulted Hook (although for good reason, as Rumple's little demon of a father was always the hero of the piece). But after that, when she turns into a cat and starts chasing around the sparrow-shifted Arthur, the brunette noticed her girlfriend start to quiet.

Belle's eyes flickered from the TV to back to Maeve. There was a look on her face, a...almost guilty-looking one. "Are you alright?"

The purplette looked back over to her. "Just...some unpleasant memories, darling." She explained (another mark above Rumple, Maeve actually talks to her about things. And while Belle would never demand her new girlfriend tell her everything all at once, it's better than lies).

"Did...something like that happen? Between you and King Arthur?"

"Uh-"

("That's right! Run boy, run!" A mad cackle as her body changed shape to give chase.)

"-something like that."


(Speaking of not-so-pleasant pasts, let's move our gaze from the witch to another former villain spending a quiet night in.)

Prince Neal was screaming his little lungs out and neither of his babysitters knew how to deal with it.

(Well it would be a quiet night in, if it weren't for that.)

The baby somehow managing to accomplish what the Wicked Witch, Peter Pan and the Snow Queen had completely failed to do-making the Savior and Captain Hook feel utterly helpless, and confused as to how to proceed.

Emma's parents had gone out on a much needed date night, of course conscripting their eldest to watch the baby. But Emma had asked Killian if he'd liked to come over, on the assumption that her brother would be pretty relaxed and allowing her and her time together. An assumption she had been very much wrong about. Emma huffed, and gave herself a moment to just sit and think and not get frustrated because getting mad at her brother wouldn't help anything and shaken baby syndrome is no joke.

"Okay so, his diaper's clean,"

"He won't take the bottle." Killian added, looking as tired and frustrated as she felt.

"He's not sick."

"Maybe he just needs some attention." Giving nothing more than a shrug, Killian cautiously walked towards the crib where the screaming was from. Picking the boy up, he gently rocked the younger brother, and started a lullaby.

"My young love said to me,

My mother won't mind

And my father won't slight you

For your lack of kind…"

The baby prince stopped fussing. Killian scrambled, trying to think of the other lyrics.

"She walked away from me

And she moved through the fair

And I fondly watched her move here

And move there…"

By the time he finished the cobbled together song, prince Neal had finally, finally decided to nod off.

"Look at you, mister baby whisperer." Emma commented, leaning against the doorway and trying not to think about how one Killian Jones, sexy and leather clad pirate, managed to make her lady parts feel all warm and tingly just by singing a lullaby to her baby brother.

"Well, if it worked for my mother... " He shrugged. "She would sing it to us, my brother and I, whenever we were sick or just in need of comfort. I guess the little royal here thought it up to snuff." He said, now gently placing Neal back into his crib.

"It was beautiful." Emma smiled, as they moved back to the couch. "You never...I don't think you've ever mentioned your mother before."

"She...died. When I was quite young."

"I'm sorry."

Killian didn't respond for a long while. Emma knew precious little about her boyfriend's past, beyond the low points: the death of his first love, Neverland, his brother. She wanted to know more. Such as the mother who sang him lullabies that he still remembered over two centuries later. "What was she like?" seemed like the safest question to start.

"Kind." He swallowed. "Strict when she had to be, but kind. We would bring her flowers from outside, and she would recreate them on her loom. She used to spend hours in front of that thing...but she always had time for us, when it was important." He looked away, lost in the old, half-faded memories. Playing in the garden with Liam while father was away, and mother was busy at her loom. The two of them pretending to be knights, heroes, bandits, all the things little boys pretended to be. His mother's smile at the wildflowers they brought her, playing the part of their 'noble lady' as she bestowed a token on each of her 'little knights'. Bread-fresh and warm from the oven.

A late night, and trying to keep a candle lit as he waited for mother to return from her delivery to the next town over, but falling asleep anyways.

Her blue cloak, bloodied and torn was the last he ever saw of her. Warnings to never play near the woods again, and how the men of the village would go out on wolf hunts to keep what happened to her from ever happening again.

He took a deep breath, returning himself to the present.

"Ailis. Her name was Ailis."


They had a way to free the fairies.

The language was old, ancient really and the librarian had never seen it before. Even Mim's experience with magical languages had barely shed any kind of light on its contents.

But Belle, clever, resourceful genius Belle had the idea to reach out to the scholars of the Land Without Magic. One of them had gotten back to her (thank you magic boxes) and now they had a way to free those trapped within the hat.

And they had! It worked, Regina waved the Dark One's dagger over the hat box, and in a flash of light, the rather startled fairies were on the ground, looking scared and confused.

As they welcomed the fairies back, the sisters turning to each other for comfort over their ordeal.

"My turn," the shapeshifter smiled, holding out her hand. With only the smallest bit of hesitance from the mayor, Regina handed the dagger to Mim. Another flash of light, and the old man is there, startled and haggard-looking, but alive.

Madam Mim dropped the Dark One's dagger on the stone pedestal, uncaring, as she rushed to her father's side, wrapping the man in a big hug.

"M-Maeve?" The old man asks, looking around. "What's happened? Where are we?"

"You were trapped in the Sorcerer's Hat. But don't worry, father, we got you out." The man returned the hug, glad to be out of whatever ordeal he'd experienced while trapped inside.

Belle couldn't help but smile, feeling Maeve's secondhand happiness at being reunited with her parent.

"Father...this is Belle French, she was instrumental in getting you and the others out. Belle, this is my father, Michael."

(In our realm, the role of the Sorcerer's Apprentice had been filled by a certain familiar mouse. And yes, while the last Author did get that detail right, 'Mickey' had merely been a childhood nickname, and not one he used as a grown adult.)

The man's eyes flickered between his daughter and the other woman. Soon after though he gave an indulgent, honest smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. French."

Belle smiled as she shook the Apprentice's hand. "You as well, although you shouldn't just be thanking me, Killian was a huge help as well." She said, directing his attention to the dark-haired pirate standing on the fringes of the group, and suddenly looking as if he'd much rather be somewhere else.

Both women saw how Michael stiffened, just a bit. "You…"

"The Dark One was responsible for what happened," The librarian rushed to defend. "He was almost as helpless as you were that day."

Maybe not the best choice of words, based on the pained look on Killian's face, but Belle needed the man to understand who was truly at fault here. Rumplestiltskin and no one else.

"Then, I offer my thanks to you as well." Michael nodded.

The dark haired man gave a pained look, and returned the nod.


"Whoa, beware of lurking pirates," the sheriff of Storybrooke commented, coming out of the bathroom. "What are you doing?"

"Just...thinking."

"Lurking and brooding, that's classic combo." She tried to lighten the mood. "I think heroes can do a bit of bragging and celebrating. Let's go, it's a party, we should...buckle some swash or whatever." Emma was still definitely new at this whole comforting thing.

"I'm hardly a hero, the fairies were only in the hat because I put them there."

"You weren't in control of that, that was Gold. Besides, they're free now, along with the Apprentice. Mim has her dad back." Emma insisted. She'd seen them earlier, with Belle introducing the Sorcerer's Apprentice to iced tea. It was nice, seeing another family reunited. But Killian still had that sad look in his eye, as if he didn't belong here, didn't deserve to celebrate an accomplishment that he was very much a part of. "Trust me, you have a mark in the hero column."

Killian still didn't look convinced. "I hope so."


Ailis is the Irish Gaelic spelling of the name 'Alice' both meaning noble. Full credit goes to queen-mabs-revenge on tumblr for that headcannon!

Don't worry, we'll be getting to the good angst and brooding soon enough. Next chapter: Camelot

And always if you like what you see here and have any ideas/questions/thoughts/concerns just comment below and let me know!

Also, for those of you curious, the new cover art of this fic is what Madam Mim looks like, along with a few of her animal forms!