First of all, shout out to the awesome guest reviewer, Cody, for reviewing all of my chapters. That is absolutely awesome and I love that kind of support for the story. Also great thanks to the guest reviewer Kape and all the others who left lovely reviews for the story. Seeing reviews on this story always lets me know that there are people out there who really care about this work.

Secondly, I'm going to try and make the chapters a little longer, however, they are going to sometimes be either short (averaging 2500 words) because sometimes I feel as though that's a good stopping point for the chapter.

Thirdly, you'll all be glad to know that I have fleshed out Killian's backstory and who his mother and father are, both are going to be in the sequel to this story. This story is basically setting up the prequel to the next story. Here we learn about Killian's character and people close to him. So, basically this story is centred around Killian and Emma's relationship with a little backstory thrown in and then the sequel is going to be an action packed adventure with all the characters who I have chosen to come along. Hint hint, the sequel involves something to do with Killian's parents, if you want to know more PM me and I'll give you a few spoilers of where that is heading.

I honestly didn't expect people to love Figaro as I do, so with people requesting for him to appear in upcoming chapters, I'm having to go back and see if I have placed him in there. As some suspect, Figaro isn't a normal cat and he becomes a crucial role later in the plot of season one.

Again, if you want to know a few things about Killian's past or his parents, I'll give a few hints on where I got the inspiration to write them and Killian's story. However, there is a major hint in one of the upcoming chapters. If you notice, well then kudos, I won't tell you explicitly in a reply on a chapter update but I'll message you. I do ask if you get it right or if you ask for some spoilers that you do keep it on the down low because hey, some readers like the suspense. But then you can be like me, who can't wait and wants to know everything that is going to happen.

Please leave me some reviews, they are a blessing to me.

Thanks to all the people who have reviewed, favourited and followed this story and to those who continue to read it. You all mean a lot to me and when I saw this story broke 10 000 views, I was so happy. Please spread the word about this story, if you feel like it deserves it.

Henry hadn't slept a wink that night and it wasn't because of his overactive imagination either. No, it was real now. It just had to be because this proved it! The clock had finally moved and it was because of Emma. He knew she would stay, he believed it.

"The missing pages," Henry snaps around, "Where are they?"

Regina had glossed over the book. Every word. Every detail. It was their stories and it made her boil with rage. Seeing how happy they all were while she was miserable, well look who was on top now. She had won and that should have been enough. But as she had reached the end of the book, what should have been the end, there was still pages missing. Torn out. Whatever was on those pages could very well ruin her happy ending with Henry. It would destroy everything she had built and Henry… while she loved him could ruin what they have together. Why couldn't he just accept her love for him?

"It's an old book," Henry shrugged. One skill that he might thank Emma for was his adapt ability to lie, at least be believable enough to get away with stuff, "Stuff's missing."

Henry slug his schoolbag over his shoulder, intending to get out of there as soon as possible. He felt Regina's grip before he saw it coming, firm on his shoulders. "I care because you think I'm some evil queen. And that hurts me, Henry. I'm your mother."

Henry scrunched his face, looking at Regina, "No, you're not."

This angered Regina. Emma Swan. That conniving woman thought she was going to take her son away from her, well at least that was one problem dealt with, "Well, then who is?" Her voice was hard, the old Queen gripping her, "That woman you brought here? I don't like what she and this book are doing to you. Thankfully, both are no longer an issue."

Something flashed across Henry's face, something Regina could easily pick up on. He knew something she didn't, which wasn't something she was used to, "What?" She asked impatiently.

A resounding chime echoed. Regina's eyes snapped up to the window, towards the town library. The clock. She found herself walking over to Henry's window without realising. How… no. This couldn't be happening. What she had built. All the work she had done to get her happy ending, the ending which was rightfully hers, seemed to shatter as she heard that damn bell. Her world was cracking. Time was unfrozen but that couldn't happen. That was a part of the curse unless… Emma Swan. When she turned to ask Henry, what Emma was still doing here, he had vanished and she felt as though for the first time in twenty-eight years that she might just loose what she had.

"Killian!" Henry's feet pounded the pavement, huffing as he finally caught up to Killian, "Did you see!"

"That I did young lad," Killian replied, sipping at his coffee glancing up at the now working clock tower as he made his way down to the library, "Looks like Marco finally got around to fixing that." Figaro meowed in disagreement.

"No, I think it's because Emma stayed," Killian looked down at Henry and smiled. This was the happiest Killian had seen the lad and he knew who had done it. Which concerned him and he felt guilty for not sharing the shame belief as Henry at the moment. Killian was happy for the lad, truly, and as much as he wanted to believe in this Swan lass, it would be Henry to suffer if she didn't stay.

"Aye, that she did," Killian replied, "Booked a room at Granny's last night." Henry's face seemed to brighten even more at the statement, if it was at all possible. To know that Emma was staying, for him, that the curse may finally be broken and Henry for the first time in a long time finally felt that things might turn out okay for everyone.

"She did? Did you know what that means, Killian?" Henry said enthusiastically, "That Emma did really come to break the curse, that the final battle has begun!"

Killian unlocked the library. "Lad, while I'm glad that you are happy about this, try to keep the curse talk around Emma on a leash, or at least not so heavy" Killian turned to Henry, resting a hand on his shoulder gently squeezing it, "She's new to the idea." While Killian didn't believe in the curse, he knew that Henry needed it. He also knew that Swan won't fully understand that just yet and she may just say something that she would later regret, especially if Henry decided that Emma was prepared for his full theory on everything. It would most likely scare Swan and Killian knew that she wasn't ready for all that baggage just yet.

"You're probably right, Emma needs to be prepared for it," Henry agreed and Killian almost groaned as he could practically see the cogs turning in his head with a new plan, "I'll get back to you on that one, once I have thought of a good plan."

"Right but first you need to go to school before Regina finds out and calls a town wide lockdown," Killian chuckled at the pout that formed on Henry's face. If Killian hadn't grown an immunity to Henry's puppy dog face he'd have probably let the lad stay but alas Regina would most likely tear through the town at her son's third disappearance and Killian would much prefer a quiet day's reading and the chance of seeing Emma Swan instead of their dear Madam Mayor.

"Fine," Henry moaned before saying goodbye and pounding off, "But we've stopping by Granny's first."

"I didn't realise this was a negotiation," Killian said.

"It's not," Henry replied, "But you did promise me hot cocoa."

Killian smirked before agreeing, it's not like anyone would come down to the library anyway. He had to admit one thing though, the town certainly seemed more alive than usually, it felt for once that anything could happen.

When the knock sounded at Emma's door, she was disgruntled. So, when she opened it to find Regina poised with a basket of the shiniest red apples and a smile that seemed foreign on the woman's face, she was less than thrilled.

"Did you know the Honeycrisp tree is the most vigorous and hearty of all apple trees?" Regina started. It was so odd that Emma had thought that she was trapped in a weird dream because come on, who starts a conversation with apple trivia, "It can survive temperatures as low as forty below and keep growing. It can weather any storm. I have one that I've tended to since I was a little girl. And to this day, I have yet to taste anything more delicious than the fruit it offers."

Regina extends her arm to Emma, offering her one of the apple. Emma mumbled a thanks, still not quite sure what was going on but knew that Regina wasn't intending this conversation to be anything nice. Seeming as she thought Emma had left town last night and now this morning was knocking on her door, she knew the woman wasn't happy.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy them on your drive home," And there it was, Emma thought, there was the reason for this morning visit.

"Actually, I'm going to stay for a while," Emma replied, she could tell when she was being threatened and she knew how women like Regina went about it. They were the types who were most dangerous.

A flash of something dangerous appeared in Regina's dark orbs, something truly evil Emma would say. She'd almost compare it to what she saw in Jones last night, expect being on the receiving end of it was unnerving. If Emma wasn't used to those looks, she might have been frightened, but she wouldn't give Regina that type of satisfaction. Not when Emma knew that she was getting under Regina's skin.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Regina's voice was honeyed, trying to hide whatever look had been in her eyes but failing, "Henry has enough issues. He doesn't need you confusing him."

Oh, if this woman thought that this was going to make Emma want to leave, than she had another thing coming.

"All due respect, Madam Mayor," Emma met Regina's glare, "The fact that you have now threatened me twice in the last twelve hours makes me want to stay more."

Every word that Regina said was making Emma want to stay more and more. It was becoming more obvious that the woman wasn't stable when it came to Henry and control and that was dangerous. She certainly wasn't going to let Henry get hurt because of that.

"Since when were apples a threat?" Regina feigned innocence, her words only coming out as ice that cut through the façade that she wore.

"I can read between the lines," Emma said. If she was going to get anywhere with Regina, however, she needs to level with her and for Henry, try to get along, "Sorry. I just want to make sure Henry's okay."

It seemed thought, that Regina wouldn't take with that idea.

"He's fine, dear," Regina gritted, "Any problems he has are being taken care of."

Emma paused, "What does that mean?"

"It means I have him in therapy," Regina explained, "It's all under control. Take my advice, Miss Swan. Only one of us knows what's best for Henry."

Yeah, and I'm pretty sure it's not you. "Yeah, I'm starting to think you're right about that."

"It's time for you to go," Regina said.

"Or what?" Emma challenged. She wasn't going to let Regina threaten her a third time.

"Don't underestimate me, Miss Swan," Regina hissed at her, "You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Emma couldn't believe her morning. Not only did she just get threatened by the Mayor but now she had to deal with… men. There were only two that could have sent the cocoa and it was either the sheriff or it was the librarian both sitting in the diner seemingly alone. She took her chances with Graham, placing the cup of hot cocoa in front of him.

"Ah, so you decided to stay," Graham said.

Killian caught the two, amused by the thought that Emma thought it was Graham who sent the cocoa and also… jealous. It was a stupid thing to get jealous over. So, what if she thought it was Graham?

"Observant," Emma crossed her arms, "Important for a cop."

"It's good news for our tourist business, it's bad for our local signage," Graham chuckled awkwardly, Killian almost face-palmed at the joke. Emma quirked an eyebrow at him, "It's… It's a joke. It's because you ran over our sign."

Emma sighed. Graham was sweet, adorable in fact but she just wasn't interested, "Look, the cocoa was a nice gesture, and I am impressed that you guessed that I like cinnamon on my chocolate because most people don't, but I am not here to flirt. So, thank you, but no thank you."

"I didn't send it," Graham replied meekly.

Emma was prepared to then turn and have her go at Killian before Henry, unbeknownst to her, sitting in the same booth as him, said, "I did. I like cinnamon, too."

Killian, realising that the lad and Emma probably needed some time together, excused himself, quickly saying goodbye to Henry before moving into Graham's booth.

"It's bad for our local signage?" Killian chuckled, "Graham, you are adorable when you try to flirt."

Graham glared at him, "I wasn't flirting."

"Sure, and I'm not devilishly handsome," Killian replied, watching as Emma and Henry left the diner, sipping the now lukewarm coffee hugged in his right hand. "Don't you think it's unwise to flirt with the woman who is now Regina's mortal enemy?"

"As I said I wasn't flirting," Graham sighed, "I've never seen Regina get this hostile before." Killian grunted in disagree, "Hostile without someone actively provoking her, Kil."

"Well, it's not Emma's fault if the lad has decided that he wants to get to know her," Killian replied, "Besides, this is the happiest Henry's been and it's because of Emma. She's obviously doing the lad good."

"Killian, please don't make this into a competition between who's the better mother," Graham said. Killian was about to make the point that he was only defending Regina due to their late night romps but bit his tongue. It was a subject that would sour the mood. "Regina raised Henry, she's his mother. She has every right to feel threaten if she thinks Emma wants to take Henry."

"She doesn't have the right to be a bitch," Killian chuckled, absently rubbing his left wrist.

"Killian," Graham warned, but his eyes held a glimpse of amusement. Graham flicked his eyes down to Killian's wrist, "Phantom limb again?"

"Aye," Killian replied, "Been acting up lately."

Once the two had finished, both standing to return to their respective jobs, Graham leaving money on the table for Ruby and Killian saying a quick goodbye to the two.

When Killian had return to the library, he expected to spend the day quietly mulling over an old read, Figaro curled on the reception desk. However, when he returned from Granny's Diner, he encountered his first unexpected occurrence of the day. Something that hadn't happened in… well forever it seemed. Someone besides Henry and himself was currently in his library.

"Hello?" Killian called out, startling the poor woman from her current read.

"Sorry, the sign said open and the door was unlocked so I presumed," The woman said in quick recession, spinning on her heel. Killian didn't recognise her, so she mustn't visit Granny's at all since the library and Granny's were the only two places in Killian's routine until recently.

"No, that's okay," Killian said, making his way over to the reception desk, "I'm Killian, I run the library."

"Tiana," She greeted in return, "I've always loved reading and I don't know why but today I just had the thought of coming down to the library, it was weird."

"Well you'd be the first," Killian laughed, "Now since you're literally the first person we'd have in this library outside our honorary library club, I would like to offer you a membership free of charge."

"I feel so honoured," Tiana teased, a smile tugged at her lips, "Just how many are in this exclusive club."

"Well me and one other person," Killian replied, "But I can guarantee you that it's worth it."

"Fine, you've convinced me," Tiana said, her wavy black locks falling from her loose bun as she looked around. She placed the book down on the desk.

"If you don't mind me askin'," Killian started, scanning the book, "What part of town you from? I don't think I've seen you around before."

"I work as a waitress at Duke's Café more east of town," Tiana answered, placing the book in her handbag once Killian was done, "It's not as big as Granny's Diner but it's nice."

Something in her voice dropped at the end, losing her cheerfulness at little as though she contemplated her own words. Killian would have pried but it wasn't his place as a complete stranger, "Well, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"You too, Killian," Tiana nodded, taking her leave with a copy of 'The Princess and the Frog', the storyline always seemed quite odd to her.

As Killian and Graham had departed to their respective jobs, Emma and Henry were walking to the bus stop.

Emma had to admit, she liked Henry's attitude, even if he was a smartass about. "So, what's the deal with you and your mom?"

"It's not about us," Henry said, "It's about her curse. We have to break it. Luckily, I have a plan. Step one – identification. I call it Operation Cobra."

"Cobra?" Emma asked. "That has nothing to do with fairy tales."

"Exactly!" Henry exclaimed. "It's a code name to throw the Queen off the trail."

Okay, Emma could play along. "So, everyone here is a fairy tale character," she stated, "And they just don't know it."

"That's the curse," Henry explained. "Time's been frozen- until you got here."

Emma nodded, going to take a bite out of Regina's apple.

"Hey!" Henry started, startling Emma as she looked down, confused at what Henry was shouting about. "Where'd you get that?"

Emma scrunched her eyebrows. What was so damn important about this apple? "Your mom."

Suddenly, Henry snatched the apple from her hand and ditched it over his shoulder. Emma blinked. Well, there goes my breakfast.

"Don't eat that!"

"Okay, uh… Alright," Emma shook her head. "What about their pasts?"

"They don't know," Henry began. "It's all a haze to them. Ask anyone anything, when they first met someone or when they started working, and you'll see that they won't be able to tell you."

"So, for decades, people have been walking around in a haze, not aging, with screwed up memories, stuck in a cursed town that kept them oblivious." But honestly whenever Emma looked around, it didn't seem as bad as Henry was making it out to be. Sure, life on repeat sucked but everybody who ever worked in a dead end job felt that way about their life.

"Maybe," Henry said uncertainly.

"Maybe what, kid?"

"Well, Killian seems different."

Interesting. "How's that?"

"He just notices things," Henry said in thought, like he himself hadn't fully figured this part of the curse out. "It's like he knows that things aren't right but he can't figure out what."

He's right. Killian did notice things, he looked at Emma and saw something in her that no one else could. And it made Emma want to run for the hills every time he gave her that look. A look that was as if he was reading one of his damn books. She hated that vulnerability. That vulnerability which he had exposed without even knowing her. Not that she would even let Jones get to know her enough for him to find out anything more but it irked her that only he had done was simply had a few conversations with her and she was already exposed. Exposed like she had been with Neal. And it made her stomach role at the mere thought of that kind of vulnerability. She wouldn't let that happen again.

"See though," Henry continued, pulling Emma from those rather unpleasant thoughts. "I knew you'd get it. That why we need you. You're the only one who can stop her curse."

"Because I'm the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming?" Emma guessed.

"Yes. And right now, we have the advantage," Henry nodded. "My mom doesn't know that. I took out the end pages of the story. The part with you in it." Henry ruffled through his schoolbag, recovering the very torn pages and handing them to Emma. "See? Your mom is Snow White."

"Kid…" Emma's voice strained. What Killian had said earlier to Henry, about pushing Emma too far with the curse, was happening. Unbeknownst to Henry who seemed too absorbed in the fact that he was sharing this with Emma, that he was finally able to talk to someone about this without judgement. But for Emma, it had her reeling with unwanted thoughts. Because it was too much. Too much that Henry was saying that Prince Charming and Snow White were her parents. It was too much to believe that she was anything but the reject orphan abandoned on the side of the road. Prince Charming and Snow White would never do that to their child.

"I know the hero never believes at first," Henry stopped her, remembering what Killian had said before, although this wasn't probably what he had meant by it. "If they did, it wouldn't be a very good story. If you need proof, take them. Read them. But whatever you do, don't let her see these pages. They're dangerous. If she finds out who you are, then it would be bad."

The blurred sounds of kids all shouting and talking at once signalled their arrival to their destination and the conclusion of their walk as both arrived on schoolgrounds.

"I got to go," Henry smiled at her in a way that made Emma almost forget that she was only staying for a week. Just one week, Emma reminded herself. "But I'll find you later and we can get started. I knew you'd believe me!"

"I never said I did," Emma argued back, the kid was persistent.

"Why else would you be here?" With a sly little grin on his face, Henry ran to the school before Emma could further argue with him, although all that Emma could do was smile a little at the kid. Getting attached there, Emma.

Emma hadn't even noticed that Mary Margret had made her way over to her.

"It's good to see his smile back," Mary Margret said, smiling at Emma.

"I didn't do anything," Emma insisted.

"You stayed," Mary Margret said. "So, does the Mayor know you're still here?"

"Oh, she knows.," And she had the rude morning awakening because of it. "What is her deal? She's not a great people person. How did she get elected?"

"She's been mayor for as long as I can remember," Mary Margret shrugged and Emma felt a twinge from what Henry had said earlier before shaking it off. "No one's ever been brave enough to run against her. She inspires quite a bit of, well, fear. I'm afraid I only made that worse by giving Henry that book. Now he thinks she's the Evil Queen."

All this curse talk must have been getting to Emma because her next question was, "Who does he think you are?"

"Oh, it's silly," Mary Margret replied, embarrassment shading her cheeks as she knocked away the question.

"I just got five minutes of silly," Emma said. "Lay it on me."

"Snow White. Who does he think you are?" Mary Margret asked.

Your mom is Snow White

Emma blanked for a moment. Snow White. That would… No. Fairy tales weren't real. Snow White wasn't Mary Margret and she wasn't Emma's mother. Emma repeated until her nerves quelled enough for her for her to think clearly. She'd been listening to this fairy tale shit enough for one day, she needed a walk. Clear her head and then figure out her next move.

"I'm not in the book," Emma mumbled. "Look, thanks for chatting but I'm going to… take a walk. Look around a bit."

"Oh sure," Mary Margret replied, "See you around, Emma."

Throwing in some new characters is something that I love. Tiana won't make regular appearances until I'm certain of what to do with her but I do love her a lot and I will bring her back every now and then. So, if you have any ideas that you'd like to see with her character then chuck em my way :)

Thanks for supporting the story, please don't forget to leave a reviews, just even saying that you enjoyed something is always nice.

Constructive criticism is always welcomed but a friendly reminder that if you are going to leave something nasty, then it'll be ignored. But thanks to all the people who have supported me in that department.