Alright! Two chapters in ONE day! I hope that you enjoy this story. The next chapter is likely to be the last. Please leave me reviews and comments! It makes my day! As always, I do not own OUAT or any of the characters.

Emma stood in the middle of the main street turning in every direction, her eyes scanning every building, every alley, and every possible place the author could be hiding. It was no use, he was nowhere to be found, at least not in this darkness and it was likely going to take more than just the savior to find him. She couldn't call her parents, no, she didn't want to be anywhere near her parents right now. No matter how good of a tracker Snow White was, she needed to keep her distance from them. Emma pulled out her phone and called the only person she knew who would be by her side in an instant.

"Killian" Emma was breathing fast and hard, all that running and anger and a little bit of fear was creeping up on her fast "the author…we released him...and he ran…I need…I need help." She took a deep breath and breathed in as much air as her lungs would take in. Killian vowed to be there soon, though she knew he tried to sound soothing and reassuring, there was an edge to it there. Panic maybe; concern probably, something else she couldn't quite pin down. It was no matter, she had work to do. She was almost grateful for the distraction that was likely to keep her hunting all night as she definitely wasn't going back to the loft.

"Love" Killian breathed out as he came rounding the corner, pulling her into his arms and nuzzling into her neck. He caught his breath and then pulled away slightly, still keeping his hold on Emma.

"What happened love?"

Emma sighed and relaxed into him once again and decided to tell him the whole story of what had happened before they go traipsing off into woods most likely searching for the blasted author.

"When I left you, I went to see August. I showed him the page and the key that Henry had found. My parents were there. I told August I wanted to release the author because I had questions for him about me. August told me about how it was possible he wasn't even the author who wrote my story. There have been many authors over time and he was the last one so far. And he also said that he is the only one who instead of recording stories that actually happened would manipulate them. That's why the sorcerer captured him in the book in the first place. It's against the rules to do that. That's why everyone is after him; he is the only author who has manipulated stories. Anyway, it seemed as though my parents knew him. I don't know how or why or anything, I didn't have time to ask. He threw the curtain rod down and it hit all of us and then he ran out of the mansion and I ran after him but he was too fast. He got away. I don't know where he is but it's important that I find him."

"Aye lass, we'll find him. I don't think it's wise to go out looking right now though. Not in the dark, not when Gold's around and those two witches anyway. How about we start first thing in the morning?"

"Killian what if he crosses the town line? He doesn't know this town and its borders. We know absolutely nothing about him, other than he is a manipulator. He could be anywhere, doing anything! Oh God! What if Gold get's to him first?!" Emma broke away and ran her hand down her face, massaging her temples.

"Hey" He took her hand in his, "we're going to win this Emma."

"Are we?"

"Yes. We are." Killian took another step closer, just inches away from her now.

"How can you be so sure?" Her voice sounded so small, as if she was already defeated. Killian studied her for a moment and saw the dark circles lining her eyes, her will to fight was crumbling and he knew that it was because she had a long and hard day and was spent.

"Because love. You are the savior. You will defeat them. You have always defeated them. I have yet to see you fail."

"Well failure might be coming, buddy. Why are you so sure I can do this?"

"Because Swan, I believe in you. I will always believe in you. I will always see the best in you."

"That doesn't exactly answer my question, but thanks." Emma offered him a small smile. She was feeling more emotional than she was comfortable with. Probably from the constant pain in her chest from her talk with her parents and from exhaustion. God, she was so tired.

Emma looked around one last time and then bit down on her lip trying to think of what to do and where to go. She wasn't going to the loft. Maybe she could rent a room at Granny's. Or maybe Killian would let her stay the night on his ship. She looked at him and it was no surprise to see him staring at her again. She wondered if he knew what she was thinking, after all, he read her like an open book.

"How about I walk you home love? We can go on our author hunt in the morning. You look absolutely spent." Killian wrapped an arm around her and used his hook to brush a piece of hair from her face.

"I can't go back there…to the loft…I can't sleep there tonight. I was just trying to think of where to go. I could rent a room at Granny's. Though she and Ruby are probably asleep by now. I don't really want to wake either of them…unless maybe…" Emma glanced up and looked at Killian whose understanding shown in his eyes and he nodded.

"Aye. You will come stay on the Jolly tonight."

"Are you sure? I'll try to work something out for tomorrow. I just can't go back there. It's going to take some time."

"Aye love, I'm sure. I would be honored if you'd stay on the Jolly. Stay as long as you like love. My home is your home, love."

Emma reached up and touched his face before pressing herself against him again; she almost collapsed into his arms. Emotions were wrecking her body and she was sure she couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Killian held her tight against him and his hand smoothed out her hair, this time it gave comfort to Emma. She let a few tears fall down her face and tried to compose herself before breaking away. Killian knew though, as soon as she pulled away and he looked into her eyes. He could see the sadness in them. He brushed away a stray tear and grabbed her hand and led her to his ship.