Set right after Arthur declares his belief in Regina as The Savior at the end of 5X02. Killian goes after Emma and they speak of what is true and promises are made. I need this before what we see happening in next week's episode.

Caring naught to hear any more from this King as he speaks of Regina, The Savior, he sidesteps the royal to go after Emma, the only true savior of them all. She had retreated back down the steps only moments ago, sadness in her eyes and the unmistakable signs of defeat weighing her shoulders. Not wanting to call attention to her, he follows the ivory trail of her dress around the stone corners in silence until she steps out into the moonlit courtyard. He finds her, stoic and staring at Merlin's entrapment, the crooked branches casting shadows on her alabaster face.

She doesn't flinch at his touch, her senses obviously keenly aware of his presence. The cool skin of her cheek along his neck sends a slight chill down his spine as he pulls her close, tucking her against his chest as his lips fall to rest against her hair. There's a gentle pulse emanating from her palm where's she's clutching tightly to his back, the remnants of her magic he tried so hard to stop her from using. How will he stop The Savior from trying to save, hold her back from causing her own undoing?

"Killian?"

Her jade eyes, now clouded by hints of gray, are looking up at him, searching and seemingly memorizing his every feature. His cheeks warm at her perusal, unaccustomed to her newly completely unguarded affection. When he moves to speak, she silences him with a soft kiss, a gentle press so unlike the desperate assault from before that he can't help but feel a bit unbalanced. She reaches her palm towards his cheek as she pulls back, but stops before touching his skin as her eyes dart from her hand to his face and back again.

"Tell me that you love me."

Stunned, he tries to find the words, shown but so far unspoken for reasons he can't seem to conjure. She's frozen with her hand in mid-air and eyes locked on his, the only movement her teeth as they close over her bottom lip. Knowing not why she needs to hear this now, he relishes this chance to finally lead with his heart with more than his actions.

"I love you, Emma Swan, from the depths of my soul."

Her hand closes over his cheek at his words and he feels the spark, strong at first touch and then not, slowly fading until all that is left is the soothing warmth of her skin. A solitary tear falls as she closes her eyes, caught by his thumb as he moves to mirror her with his palm. The weight of the moment settles around them as they lean into each other's touch, neither speaking, merely allowing a moment to feel, to cherish.

The gray is gone from her eyes as she seeks his, the vibrant green now clear and full of light. Her gaze falls to his lips and he closes the distance to kiss her, deepening the contact until the thrum of her heart matches the rapid beat of his own. The press of her fingertips against his neck spurs him on, desperate for her to feel the depth of his love with every caress of his tongue, every gentle moan rumbling from his throat. His body is taught with arousal with her pressed so close, his arm around her back slipping lower to keep her hips aligned in a dangerously perfect fit.

Her lips pull from his and he moves in to chase, stopping only when he hears his name on a soft whisper. His resolve bends, but doesn't break at the sight of her kiss swollen mouth, forced to hold firm at the sudden seriousness of her expression.

"Swan?"

Her hands move to his cheeks, holding him in place as she keeps him locked in her gaze.

"I need you to promise me something."

"Anything, love."

"If we fail and I succumb to the darkness, don't succumb with me. Love me enough to fight me, push back and make me find the light again. I think you might be the only one who can."

Her words are like a dagger to his heart, sharp in their accuracy as he knows them to be true. This conclusion she's reached is one he's known since the moment she vanished, his role solidified as the blackness tore her from his sight. His centuries long journey with the Dark One has led to this. He will not fail her, or more importantly, will not let her fail herself.

"I promise."