She refused to leave him, no matter what anyone said to her. She sat by his bedside for days, holding his hand, not moving for anything, except to relieve herself. She took her meals there, she refused her lessons, she refused everything, except the necessities. If he can't have it than neither shall I.

He looked thin, so very thin. The only sign that he was alive, was the shallow rise and fall of his chest, and the facial hair that thickened with each passing day. Today, Liam sat beside her, his head in his hands, waiting, just like she was. They were waiting for something, anything to happen, and hoping their worst fears wouldn't be realized, hoping, that he would wake up. He can't die, I need him. He can't die. He can't die…

Liam stood up, pacing the room, running his hand through his curly brown hair angrily. I can't lose him, he's the only family I have left. He's my brother! In a fit of rage, he brought his fist back, and pounded it against the wall over and over again, tears streaming down his face. Guards came running to restrain him, but Emma sent them away, letting Liam continue to try to fight a fight he couldn't win. When he had finally burnt out all his energy, he sat down next to the princess, and sobbed, his body shaking, his cries echoing around the room. She sat there, a strong, sturdy pillar that others leaned on, for she had no more tears to cry for him, she had only her determination, and her will to live, to make him live. She took Liam's hand in her free one, and the magic ran through her, and into Liam, mending the bones properly, and fixing the broken skin. She then sent him away, and he went quietly, knowing that there was nothing he could do for his brother. Emma continued her quest, watching over Killian, until night fell. Then, and only then, did she allow herself to fall into the loving embrace of sweet, sweet sleep, however brief it was. As always, she dreamed of him.

KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEK

Killian felt like he was floating, but he was too tired to open his eyes. The darkness was all consuming, and all too familiar.

"Ah I just knew you couldn't stay away!" a voice, all too similar to his own called gleefully. Killian groaned, and opened his eyes, slowly, as to not jostle his head too much.

"You've got to be kidding me," Killian moaned, as memories came rushing back to him.

"Ah I see you remember," Death said, a smirk plastered on his face. "It's been a while Killian."

"Not long enough," Killian shot back angrily. "Why am I here?" Death's laugh echoed all around him.

"So many questions Killian, but none are the right ones!" Death chuckled. "You're a smart lad Killian, figure it out." Killian groaned again, massaging his temples with his fingers. He lifted his head slowly, as to not bring on another bout of dizziness. His eyes raked over his surroundings, before settling on Death himself, widening at the sight.

"You look different, but not different…" Killian mumbled, struggling to make sense of what he was seeing.

"Come on lad almost there." Death encouraged.

"Why do you look different?" Killian finally managed, the effort very nearly exhausting him.

"Bravo!" Death shouted, clapping his hands together, and by an extent, making Killian's head throb. "That's the right question!"

"Well," Killian said shortly. "Care to explain then?" Death's laugh echoed all around them, making Killian's head pound. He fell to his knees, holding his head in his hands. Death's laugh halted, and he shot an annoyed glare at Killian, his irritation rolling off him in waves.

"Oh do get up you poor sod," he snapped. "You'll face much worse in the future. Toughen up will you?" A painful gasp escaped Killian's lips, but he heeded Death's request, struggling to his feet, holding his head high.

"Good job Killy!" Death exclaimed. Killian glared at him.

"Don't call me that," he spat.

"Oh feisty are we," Death smirked. "Now I'm sure you're getting impatient, so why don't I explain."

"Please," Killian interjected. Death ignored his interruption, choosing to continue with his speech.

"Well my dear Killian, I haven't changed at all, but I suppose I do look quite different. I'm more, how would you say, solid, more real. This future," he said, gesturing to himself, "Is no longer just a possibility, it's a reality." Death finished dramatically. Killian's mouth dropped open slightly.

"I'm going to lose my hand?" he asked softly.

"Oh and so much more Killian," Death answered. "So much more."

KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEK

Weeks passed, and still, the young lieutenant didn't wake. The princess sat by his bedside, holding his hand all the while, summoning up every ounce of magic she had, to bring him back to them. But it was no use. Whatever was happening to him, was brought on by a magic that was much more powerful than that which she possessed at the time. She was visited every day by her parents, her brothers, and Liam. Her family tried to get her to let go, to let him go, but they wouldn't. She grew angry with them, a deep resentment settled into the pit of her stomach, and she just couldn't seem to make it go away. She relished the time when it was just her and Killian, and maybe Liam. She hated the periodic visits from her family.

"Emma," Snow said gently, her hand on her daughters shoulder. Before she could get another word in, the princess' head shot up, her blood shot eyes filled with pent up anger.

"What Mother?" Emma spat, her voice dripping with rage. "Do you want to tell me AGAIN how useless me waiting for him is? You want to ask me to let him go is that it? You want me to lose my chance at a happy ending?" Snow White was shocked, her daughter's ferocity rendering her speechless.

"Because I won't let him die! I am going to stay right here, and there is nothing you can do about it. Now LEAVE!" she screamed at the poor woman. She mustered up a fair amount of magic, lifting her mother from her chair, and depositing her in the hallway outside of the room. With a wave of her hand, the door slammed shut, and was barred from the inside. Only Liam came to visit her after that.

KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEK

"Why am I still here Death? Is that all you needed to tell me?" Killian asked finally, after a period of deafening silence.

"Please Killian, I think we've known each other long enough that you can call me by a more personal name. Call me Donn, or Osiris, or even Hades."

"Alright Donn, why am I still here?" Killian said, his tone cynical.

"Well my dear boy, you are still here because you are bordering on death," Donn said plainly. Killian laughed dryly.

"Thank you for a blinding flash of the obvious." He snapped, "But why am I still bordering on death? What more do you have to tell me. There's always something."

"Oh my dear boy, I'm simply deciding if you're lucky enough to be let go a second time!" Death said as if it were obvious. Killian glared at him, anger sparking in his eyes.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Killian asked, trying to control his temper. Donn tapped his chin, seemingly appearing to be deep in thought, though Killian knew better. "Well come on then! Spit it out!"

"Oh alright," Death sighed. "You're no fun." Killian gestured for Death to continue. Donn cleared his throat.

"Well you see, if I decide to keep you, then not only will I gain, the brave soul, but I will sure enough gain the wandering one. But the problem is, the fates wouldn't let me put both of you in the fields of Elysium, so one of you would be doomed to eternal torture, until it's time to try again. And that's a problem for me because I know you would insist that I doom you to eternal torture instead of her, but I really am quite fond of you," Death mused. "But if I let you go, then I run the risk of giving myself a bad reputation!" Killian took a deep breath, racking his brain for a way out of this situation.

"And we can't have that," Killian said quietly. "Wait, the wandering soul?" Death looked at the man like he was lacking in the brains department.

"Yes you know, the wandering soul, the answer to the prophecy. Your dear princess!" he said, as if it was obvious. Killian's breath quickened at his answer, his brain frantically searching for a way to outsmart Death himself, a way to save him, and by an extent, Emma. Then it came to him.

"But Donn," Killian started. "You said that this future," he continued, gesturing to Death with his hand nonchalantly. "You said that this future is a reality. You lead me to believe that there's no way around it." Death stared at the man, a grin blossoming across his handsome face.

"I knew you were smart Killian," he stated proudly. "I do have to tell you something before you go, and you may not remember it completely."

"Well that's a shock," Killian said sarcastically. Death just ignored him, pacing the area around him, with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Well, only you know about the prophecy, and even then, you will only remember half of it when you return. It will keep coming back to you though, in times that you are close to seeing me again. And be warned, I will not let you go a third time, no matter how the future is written," Death said, his eyes flashing with something indistinguishable. "Anyhoo, you need to tell Emma, and her family. They have to know. You have to tell them about the dreams too. It's important for your future together." Killian smirked.

"Are you giving me advice on woman Donn?" Killian chuckled. Death turned to him menacingly, his eyes reflecting fire, though there wasn't one.

"DON'T MAKE LIGHT OF THIS KILLIAN! IT'S NOT JUST YOUR HAPPINESS AT STAKE! IT'S THAT OF THE UNIVERSE!" Death shouted, his face growing rosy, his ears turning red. Killian, surprised at the sudden change in Death's usually cool demeanor, could only nod his head.

"Very well," Donn said, quickly returning to his usual self. "I suppose it's time to send you back."

KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEK

Liam was visiting her today, and his mood was cloudy, more so than what had become normal since Killian had fallen ill. They sat together in silence, her like a statue, him fidgeting like a child hyped up on sugar. Suddenly, he jumped up from his chair, briskly pacing around the room, raking his hands through his curly, unkempt locks. He turned to her, his face twisted with something akin to anger, mixed in with a look of pain.

"It's always him! He never did anything to deserve any of this, but they always punish him!" Liam screamed, not sure who he was really yelling at. "And I can't do anything for him Emma! I don't have pixie dust or fucking magical powers! But you do! And yet you sit here beside him day after day, wallowing in self-pity! Do something! Can't you see that he's dying?" If looks could kill, Liam would've been dead in second. The way Emma was looking at him, struck fear into his heart, and he cowered at the sight. Slowly, she stood, placing Killian's hand gently on the bed next to his body, before turning to face Liam.

"You think I haven't done all I can do?" Emma asked calmly. Too calmly. Not giving Liam a chance to answer, she continued. "You really believe that I would just let him remain like this?" Her voice was raising in pitch, as well as volume now. "I don't have the power to do anything Liam! I can't heal this! I can't bring him back, and I've tried God dammnit! You don't have the right," she went on, her voice wavering, as the tears that she hadn't cried for him in a month threatened to make a reappearance. She blinked them back, returning her stormy gaze to Liam. "I can't believe you!"

"Well what am I supposed to think Emma?" Liam shot back, finding his voice again. Before she could really give the man a piece of her mind, the creak of Killian's bed distracted her. He groaned, moving his hand up to his forehead.

"Oi I know I'm great and all, but do you really have to argue over me? I have quite the headache, and a story you'll never believe." He said, his voice hoarse with disuse. Emma covered her mouth, the tears spilling over. Liam's reaction was much the same.

"What did I render you all speechless?" Killian asked, looking up at his brother, and his Princess. It was Liam that spoke first.

"Aye brother, you did. Do you know how long you've been out?" Liam asked.

"Long enough to be busting to piss, but dying of thirst at the same time." Killian responded. "You haven't got a glass of water or a chamber pot on you by chance?" Liam shook his head.

"It's been almost two months Killian," Emma whispered, loud enough that only Killian could hear her. Killian eyed her warily, before turning to his brother again.

"Liam, why don't you go find me that chamber pot?" Killian suggested, giving his brother a pointed look. Taking the hint, Liam scurried out of the room.

"Emma," Killian whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He reached his hand up to pull her down to him, but she moved away.

"You promised Killian. You promised you wouldn't leave," she was sobbing now, her body shaking, the pent up emotion pouring out of her.

"Emma," he said again, his voice firmer this time. "I didn't leave on my own accord. And lass, you better bloody believe, I fought like hell to get back to you." The princess, his princess, finally looked him in the eye, her emerald green ones, meeting his sapphire blue ones. He pulled her towards him, and his lips embraced hers like they had been practicing for it in the weeks he was asleep.

AUTHORS NOTE: More will be happening with the plot in the next chapter, as requested. I'll warn you now, THE CURSE WILL BE CAST NEXT CHAPTER.

Donn: According to Irish/Celtic mythology, lord of the dead.

Osiris: According to Egyptian mythology, lord of the underworld.

Hades: According to Greek mythology, lord of the underworld