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"Dark One…I summon thee."

His breath hitched and his lungs inflated with the cold Maine air, sucking it deep into his chest and very core as he searched the town square for any sign of his Swan.

Meeting the gaze of Emma's parents for the briefest flicker and seeing the uncertainty that probably mirrored his own, he continued to scan the surroundings. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The dagger bit into his hand, digging and burrowing as he clenched it tighter.

"Emma Swan, I summon thee." His voice shook with a quiet nervousness, the words tentatively lilting. Lifting the dagger a bit higher into the air and circling it around his head as though the movements would cause her to materialize directly in front of him, he violently shook it once more - slicing it through the thick air and letting it settle defeatedly to his waist. Another yelp left Snow as she buried her head into David's shoulder, her dark locks sweeping in front of her eyes and covering up her tear stained eyes.

Panic began to seize and tug on his heart as it hammered against his sternum, the cadence vibrating in his ear drums as the blood rushed to his head. A deep pounding had settled behind his eyes and sinuses, both shed and unshed tears clogging his thinking. She was gone. Just gone. And if the dagger couldn't even summon her, then that meant…

"We need to speak to the Apprentice." Regina's voice cut through the drums in his head, sharp and shrill. She still clung to Robin's arm, linked within her own, and as she walked towards Killian she began to pull Robin with her. She was afraid to let go of him, rightfully so, Killian pondered for the briefest moments. A pang of white hot rage erupted like a powerful wave in his belly, simmering as it threatened to rip from his throat — and then just as quickly it was gone. He wouldn't allow the darkness and anger stand in the way of his happiness. He would get back his Swan.

"The Apprentice is dead." The words fell flat out of his mouth.

"He's dead? How in the hell did he die?" Regina's voice sharpened as she halted in her steps.

"Does it matter? He can't help us. He told us to find a sorcerer of sorts, a man by the name of Merlin. He's the only one that can help us."

"Merlin?" Snow's voice sounded muffled, as she raised her head from her husband's shoulder.

"Do you know of this man?" Sliding the dagger into his overcoat's interior pocket, Killian took a few steps towards Snow.

"Everyone in this realm knows of Merlin. He's a character in stories, just like we are."

"Let's get to Gold's and see if we can get any answers out of Gold. Maybe he has heard of him."

"That's if there is anything left of the crocodile to question." His tone was clipped and angry as he struggled back to swallow the hatred that threatened to once again consume him. Gold didn't deserve to see the light again, to wake up and have a fresh start away from the darkness that now plagued Emma. He deserved to perish from the sins he'd committed for the last hundreds of years.

The cold air permeated his flesh and bones, sinking deep into the pit of his stomach. Catching the Prince's eyes, Killian nodded as he turned on his heel and began to lead the way down the street towards the shop. Hearing the crunch of feet behind him and realizing that Regina and Robin had once again linked arms, he choked back a bark of maniacal laughter. He had told Swan that he wouldn't get his happy ending if the rules followed that villains were to suffer their own fate and here he was - utterly alone and holding the only tether he had left to Swan in his coat pocket. Narrowing his shoulders against the harrowing wind that had picked up, Killian swept a tuft of matted hair away from his eyes.

Hardening his gaze, he picked up his pace.

"We're going to need to think of something to tell Henry." Regina's voice was soft and uncertain and Killian could hear her gait shuffle slightly.

"Oh, Henry…" the gasp came out of Snow this time and Killian felt the tears once again well up in his eyes. The boy had been through quite a lot in the last year but he had proven himself worthy over and over, especially in the last few days, of how much he'd grown up. The boy deserved the truth.

"We will tell him exactly what happened. It's what Swan would do." He said this with a sense of finality, refusing to turn around or halt his brisk walk as he rounded the corner. Gold's shop came into view and he quickly cross the street, padding against the pavement in a run.

The heavy wooden door creaked in harmony with the bell that jingled from above as Killian pushed it open. His boots clacked against the hardwood floor as he searched for any sign of Belle or Gold, resting upon the corner of the store where a small cot had been set up. Belle's dark hair had been perched upon the crown of her head unceremoniously in a what he believe he had heard Emma call a "bun" once. The crocodile lay with his hands, white knuckled and clenched, in his lap. His jaw was slack with rest and his eyes still closed. Belle was peering over a heavily bound book, but turned her attention towards Killian as she head the bell. Dark circles rimmed her eyes and although she looked incredibly anxious, she offered a small smile towards him before quickly frowning when Killian moved closer. The wooden floor creaked as the Charmings crossed the threshold, quickly followed by Regina and Robin. Moving towards the back of the store, Killian leaned his weight against the glass cabinets - sagging against the weight of the moment and allowing David to take lead on this.

The dagger laid heavily against his chest and Killian found his hand reaching inside the pocket, fingers gracefully sliding across the etching of her name.

"What's happened?" Belle moved to stand, the book falling to the floor with a heavy thud as a puff of dust wafted through the air.

"Emma…she sacrificed herself…" As the Prince continued on Killian's thoughts travelled elsewhere - specifically on the thoughts of what to tell Henry. It seemed the boy wasn't here and judging by the anxious looks the Queen kept flashing towards the back curtain, she was also afraid of him wandering in at the wrong point in the conversation. It was definitely best to seek out the lad and tell him themselves what had exactly transpired and it was in that moment an idea struck Killian. Excitement welled up in his chest as he chastised his own stupidity.

Of course - Henry - why he hadn't thought of it before.

"Henry is the new author, of course!" The agitated words erupted from him, quick and light, and Killian sprung away from the glass case. David had clearly been in the middle of a sentence as he set his jaw and gaze towards Killian. Belle had tears staining her cheeks and as all the eyes in the room focused on him, he felt irritated at their confused befuddled looks.

"He can cross realms as the new writer. This means that he can simply write Emma back here to Storybrook!" A moment of realization passed across David's face and Killian couldn't help a sigh of relief that he had understood what he was trying to say. David straightened his pose and puffed out his chest, his sense of purpose renewed.

"Where is Henry? Where did he go?" Killian had already moved towards the back, sidestepping the cot, and peered past the thick curtain. The Apprentice's body lay prone on another cot, a thin sheet covering his face and frame. Gulping back a thick knot in his throat, Killian saw no sign of him.

"He…he left as soon as you all did. I had assumed he had followed you?" Belle's words sunk deep in the air and he heard Regina mumble something that sounded remarkably like a string of curse words. Running his fingers through his hair, Killian moved towards the front of the shop - his strides long and purposeful. Flinging open the wooden door once more, he felt the presence of David and Regina flanking his sides as he crossed the street.

"Regina, where would he go?"

"I don't know! Granny's maybe?" Her words hitched with each step she took, the bitter air forcing itself into her lungs as she broke into a run. The own strain of his lungs and the pinching of his leg muscles burned, enlivening every nerve in his body and setting him on edge.

"Regina, check the diner. I'll check the loft. Killian —"

"I'll check in between, aye." Pivoting on his boots, Killian faced the direction of the town square that Emma had been but a mere hour before. There was a silence that had cloaked the town, enveloping the streets in an eery quiet where only the howl of the wind and the frosty puffs of his own air echoed in his ears - and then suddenly he heard another sound. Faint. Barely discernible, Killian slowed to a stop leaning in towards the sound. It was a whimper, quiet and muffled, coming from the alley behind the shop of dresses.

Emma. It had to be Emma.

Sprinting towards the sound, Killian felt his chest tighten - they would get through this together.

I love you.

His feet pounded against the pavement, each step lengthening, and the sound of whimpering and soft sobbing only getting louder. Rounding the corner and using his hand against the brick wall as leverage to catapult himself into the alley, Killian stopped in his tracks.

Henry sat hunched against the brick wall, his body cowering into itself, head bowed against his chest. His shoulder shook and one of his hands was clenched tightly around something while the other furiously worked through his hair.

"Henry, lad?" Another tentative step towards him and Killian cocked his head to the side. Henry lifted his face, startled, and rose hazel red rimmed eyes towards him. The lump in the back of his throat was back and Killian quickly moved towards the boy coming to a rest at the boy's feet, his good arm reaching towards him.

"I know she's gone." The boy used his hand that had been pulling at his hair to run across his flushed cheeks, swiping angrily at the tears that were still welling from his eyes.

"Aye."

"I can't make it work." Killian's eyes widened as he look down towards where the boy had motioned and felt his own eyes begin to prickle and itch. A burning scathing itching clawed behind his retinas as he took in the sight of the broken quill that lay in the boy's palm. Blinking slowly, Killian averted his gaze to meet Henry's own but the boy had once again bowed his head. Using his good hand, he cupped the boys chin to bring his eyes to meet his own.

"Henry, we will get her back. Together, quill or no quill, we will get her back. I promise you, lad. I promise." The words were fierce and they even surprised himself at his own vehemence. Henry blinked a few times and allowed the quill pieces to clatter to the alley ground.

"How?"

The boy's face seemed younger than it had in ages, the smooth planes of his face marred by pink and angry red blotches of emotion. His almond shaped eyes had swelled and puffed from tears and as he sat curled within himself, Killian was moved by the strongest urge to embrace him.

Pulling both arms around the boy, Killian felt the tears begin to fall from his own eyes. Burrowing his head into the crook of Henry's neck, he held tightly to the small frame as both of their body's wracked with sobs. Holding dearly on to Henry, Killian struggled to regain his composure. Pulling his head back, he once again met Henry's eyes.

"Together. We'll do it together."

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The worn leather flask felt heavy in his hand and his hook weighed down his forearm to the table, a bone deep weariness had settled into his joints. Bringing the flask up to his parted lips, Killian closed his eyes and envisioned Swan aboard the Jolly Roger - her long tresses whipping in the salty sea air, a mischievous smirk flashed his way as she wondered where his rum was. Opening his eyes and blinking away the memory, his eyes adjusted to the the dim lighting of the back room. He was slouched in a chair, twisting the cork between his fingers, attempting to resist the urge to pace back in forth past the Crocodile. He'd nearly worn a hole in the floors earlier and after many dirty looks from the former Queen and Belle, he'd simply nodded his head and stalked to the back room to await news. He felt bloody useless. He should be doing something, anything, everything - to find a way to Swan. Her boy had fallen asleep upon the desk next to him, his ears and face flushed with emotion even at rest. Standing and settling a well worn blanket upon the lad's shoulders, Killian sighed a hot breath of air.

Henry had believed that the answer would lie within books and had quickly gone to work reading. He resembled his father in so many ways and often Killian swore he was looking straight into the eyes of Bae. At times when the boy would take on an intense gaze, he even could see Milah. But the determination was all Emma. The set of his jaw, the straightening of his back, and the fierce wrinkle upon his forehead had all been inherited from his Mother and Killian felt his chest swell with pride towards Henry. He'd protect the boy and love the boy until Killian met death, that was for certain.

Settling once more into the chair, Killian brought the flask up and took another healthy swig of the spiced rum. It burned at his throat and left an acrid taste on the back of his tongue. His head buzzed from the heat from the alcohol and he struggled to maintain his composure at the thoughts that flittered across his mind.

"Mind if I have a drink?" The voice startled him, nearly dropping his hand from the flash. A few droplets of the amber liquid sloshed out the neck and onto the table. Nodding towards David, who had leaned up against the door frame, Killian lifted the flask towards him.

"Have at it."

"Thanks." David took a large gulp of the liquid, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth afterwards before handing the flask back to Killian.

"Any luck out there?"

"They'll get it. We just have to have hope." David's words faltered a bit towards the end as he heaved himself in to the chair next to Henry. He pinched his forefinger and thumb to the bridge of his nose, he closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath before turning his gaze back towards Killian.

"Aye, hope."

"I know it seems as though we're getting nowhere, but we will find her Hook."

"And what makes you so sure, mate?" He whispered back, careful to not wake Henry.

"Because we're heroes and contrary to the little adventure we just had, heroes get their happy endings. And if there is one thing that I can say about Emma, it is that she is the biggest hero of us all." His words cracked at his daughter's name, high pitched as his breath quickened as he motioned towards Killian for the flask once more. Wordless handing it over towards David, Killian let out his own deep breath and gazed once more at the sleeping boy.

"I'm worried for the boy." Another drink, the burn familiar.

David's eyes flashed towards Henry and clouded over for a moment. Killian wondered if he too saw Emma for the briefest of seconds. Rubbing his hand against his stubbled jaw, David let out another sigh.

"He will…," a frown crossed his features before, "I am too."

Killian nodded at this. There wasn't much else to say.