"He's gone," Emma said as Archie opened the door, letting them all into the cabin.
"Gone?" Archie turned and faced an astonished Dora.
"Gone?" Dora repeated. "How?"
"It worked, then?" Belle asked. "The olive oil?"
"Astonishingly, yes," Gold replied. "It appears your guidance saved the day."
Killian opened his mouth to respond and Emma put a hand on his arm, shaking her head as if to say "Don't bother." He let out a sigh and rolled his eyes.
"He's not coming back, either," Emma said.
"Hera looked pretty steamed," Regina agreed.
"Hera was here?" Dora blanched, and the ground started to shake.
"And gone," Emma said. "You're safe now, Dora."
Dora hastily set the box on a nearby table, shaking her head as the rumbling continued.
"No, I'm not. And neither are any of you," she said. "Zeus was right. I'm dangerous. As long as I'm near the box, I'm dangerous."
"We don't believe that," Snow said.
"No, we don't," David agreed.
"The curse is dangerous," Archie pointed out. "But not you."
"I am the curse," Dora replied. "Can't you see that? I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it's just...hopeless."
"That's it. That's what you need," Belle said. "You need to have Hope."
Dora closed her eyes and Archie put his arm around her, pulling her close. Her face was a mask of pain. "I've tried. I really have."
"No, I think you need to have Hope," Belle repeated. "Your daughter."
"Belle..." Archie gave her a warning look over the top of Dora's head.
"Listen to me," Belle said. "I've been studying all the ancient myths, and the prophecy from the Oracles at Delphi. Zeus told you that your power and the power of the box would destroy you both because you're both too powerful. What if you could use that power - that magic, to find your daughter?"
"Return the lost," Snow said, nodding slowly. "It's possible it could lead you to Hope - or maybe one of her descendants."
Dora's face was wary, but she couldn't keep the yearning for that possibility out of her eyes. "Do you think so?"
"It's worth a try," Emma encouraged.
"What do I do?" Dora looked unsure.
"Try picking up the box, and instead of thinking of fear or pain or anger, think about Hope," Belle said. "Think about how much you loved her."
"Maybe you could try to call her name," Regina suggested.
Dora looked at Archie, who gave her an encouraging nod. "Go on," he said. "I'll be right here at your side."
She reached out hesitantly for the box, and a slight tremor shook the floor.
"Think of love, Dora," Archie reminded her.
"Remember all the wonderful things you told me about Hope?" Snow said. "She sounds like she was beautiful."
"She was," Dora said, smiling. "She was such a good child. Always happy. And the way her eyes lit up..." Dora's fingers closed around the box, and the room went deathly still and quiet as she brought it up to her face.
"Hope," she whispered. "I miss you so. Please, little one...I need you."
A glow began around the box and it built with a force that was blinding, white-hot and ricocheting off the walls as the box opened, and then a whirl of wind and a shower of light as a baby's cry broke the air.
When the light died down, Archie held the box, and Dora was holding her baby.
"Hope!" Snow's voice was ecstatic. "She was in the box all along!"
"Hello, little one," Dora said, with tears flowing freely down her face. She turned to Archie. "She's as beautiful as I remembered."
"Like her mother," he smiled.
"I had a feeling," Belle said, smiling from ear-to-ear. "All the legends say that once the troubles were released, the only thing left in the box was hope. We just needed to realize that they meant it literally."
"Why didn't she come out when we released you from the box? Or Henry?" David asked.
"You didn't call her," Gold answered. "The prophecy needed you to be specific."
"Does this mean the curse is broken?" Killian asked.
Dora cast a fearful eye at the box, and it rocked slightly, then the floor trembled again, though not as forcefully as before. "I don't think I'll ever be free of it," Dora said. "But with Hope - and Archie - I can manage. I know I can." She looked up at Archie, pulling Hope in closer and nuzzling the soft down on top of the baby's head.
"She must be hungry," Archie said. "Maybe we should find her something to eat?"
"Yes," Dora agreed. "Come little one," she cooed to Hope. "I have so much to tell you!"
And with that, Archie escorted her out the door. Snow wrapped an arm around David, watching them go.
"What a beautiful family," she sighed.
"It's about time Archie got his happily ever after," David said, with a satisfied smile.
"Add another one into that column on the town ledger," Killian replied. "I suppose we're all finished, then?"
"Not quite." Emma's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I have another happy ending to work on."
"My thoughts, precisely," Killian said, raising a brow and giving her a wolfish grin.
"Hold that thought," she smirked. "Regina? What happens when two incredibly powerful objects intersect each other?"
Regina's eyes widened. "Total destruction of both - and it's not going to be pretty. Why?"
Emma looked at Belle. "Do you trust me?" she asked.
Now it's was Belle's eyes that widened. Gold took a step forward, raising an alarmed hand. "Now, Miss Swan, let's not be hasty..."
But Belle had already drawn the dagger from her purse. "Dark One," she said. "I command you to take everyone but Emma to the other side of town upon the count of three." She gave Emma a cautious smile. "Are you sure you'll be safe?"
"Yeah," Emma said. "I don't know how I know, but I do."
Belle carefully handed over the dagger and Gold shook his head, silently pleading with his eyes.
"I'm staying with you." Killian's voice brooked no argument. She leaned in, giving him a kiss.
"Now, Belle."
"One, two, thr-" They were gone as Killian's "Emma!" echoed in the cabin.
The dagger began to glow, as if sensing the proximity to the box. She waved it over the top, and the box opened, light swirling out of it, growing in intensity. She could feel it, greedy and lapping at her, and before it could sway her, she took a breath and drove the dagger down into the box with all her might.
###
"I think she's coming around," a hushed voice - David? - said.
"Emma?" Snow's voice was worried. "Emma, honey..."
"Mom?" From Henry
"Emma." Killian's voice was quiet, more like a plea.
She opened her eyes, looking up at them. "What the hell are you all doing here?" She sat up, glancing around at the apartment. "What am I doing here?"
"We found you in the woods," Snow said quietly. "You were thrown when the cabin exploded."
"The cabin exploded?"
"There's nothing left but a smoking crater," David said.
"Let's get you lying back down," Killian said, putting a hand to her shoulder.
"I'm fine," Emma reassured him. "Seriously. I feel just fine."
"There wasn't a scratch on you," Snow told her. "And Dr. Whale said you had no internal injuries. You were just unconscious."
"How long?"
"Six hours," David said. "We were starting to get worried."
"And Dora?"
Snow's smile was wide and unrestrained. "The curse is broken. And the box and dagger are gone. Gold says he's finally free, and he wanted me to thank you...begrudgingly."
"I guess he's mourning the loss of all that power," David said.
"And the darkness," Killian replied. "When you've only known the darkness for centuries, it's hard to let it go. Having someone who believes in you makes it easier."
"Like Archie. Or Belle." Snow said, still smiling. Emma met Killian's eyes, knowing full well it wasn't them he was talking about.
"And who knows?" Snow went on. "Maybe someday Hope and Neal can go to their first ball together."
"That would be Prom here," Emma said.
"A child born of true love and a demi-goddess?" Henry raised his brows.
"Knowing this town, it'll turn out she's a relation, anyway," Killian pointed out dryly.
"Any chance of getting something to eat?" Emma asked, swinging her legs over the side of the couch. "I'm starving."
"We could head down to Granny's," David suggested. "Archie's throwing a 'Welcome to Storybrooke' party for Dora and Hope - so the town can get to know them."
"I could go for a plate of fries," Emma said. "Why don't you go on ahead? I'm gonna grab a shower and then I'll meet you down there."
"I'll wait with you," Killian offered. Henry rolled his eyes and David shook his head. He wasn't fooling anyone. A few moments later, they were all out the door.
"If you need some help washing your back, I'd be more than happy to assist," Killian called out as Emma headed for the bathroom. She looked over her shoulder with a smirk.
"Why the hell do you think I told them all to go on ahead?" she asked.
He was in motion before she'd finished her sentence, and for a man with only one hand, he managed to get them both out of their clothing in a remarkably short period of time.
"You don't really need a shower," he said, burying his face in her neck. "You smell perfectly acceptable."
"It was just an excuse. I feel like we haven't gotten much alone time lately."
He pulled back. "Are you sure you're all right? You had me nearly mad with worry."
She leaned in and kissed him lightly. "I'm fine, Killian. You don't have to worry so much over me. I can take care of myself."
"I know that, Swan," he said. "But when you love someone, it's not exactly a choice."
Emma went very still, and her eyes were wide. "Killian..."
He quirked a brow. "Now I've done it. You've made me say it out loud. I suppose you'll hold me to it now."
"You love me?"
"You doubt it?" He looked at her incredulously.
She looked at him a long moment, then slowly shook her head. "No, I don't. I don't doubt it. I haven't felt this sure about anything in a long, long time."
"And?" He waited expectantly, with a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
"And I'm standing here naked," she pointed out. "Is this really the time for conversation?"
His grin told her he saw through her machinations, but he pulled her into him, kissing her until she was breathless, and the feel of his body made her want to climb inside him, like she could never be close enough. And when he laid her down and worshipped her with his hands, his mouth, and the press and slide and roll of his body against her and within her, she lost herself to it, reveling in it until it built to the point where she had to answer him.
She reached up, holding his face and somehow found the strength to stop her movements, going still beneath him. He felt the change immediately, and his eyes moved to hers in silent question.
"Killian," she breathed. "I love you. With everything I've got...I love you."
His eyes brightened until they were burning, and he buried his lips on hers hungrily as his body moved on her, pulling her with him as they both shattered, broke apart, and came together again.
Emma made a satisfied sound as Killian gathered her close, rolling on his side to face her.
"You know," he said casually, "As far as interrogation techniques go, this was especially effective."
She rearranged her mussy hair on the pillow and smiled at him. "You certainly wore me down."
"Well, we're going to have to move eventually. Your parents are expecting you down at Granny's."
Emma groaned. "All right," she capitulated. "But I get the shower first."
"I could join you - it'd be faster."
"No, it wouldn't," she smirked. "And you know it."
"Then I shall recline here in sated repose and await your further ministrations." He rolled on his back, folded his hands behind his head and gave her a cheeky grin.
She leaned over and kissed him.
"I do love the way you use that mouth," she murmured.
"And I love to hear you say that word. Love."
"It comes a lot easier these days," she admitted, reaching up to push a lock of hair out of his eyes. "Thanks to Henry, and my parents...and you. It just goes to show you that no matter how bad you think your life is, there's always hope."
He reached up, pulling her down against him.
"As long as you've someone to love, there's always hope," he said. "And you and I - we'll always find a way."
Thank you for taking another journey with me, readers! And now you'll have to excuse me for a few days as I finish up the work on the print version of my latest novel, and hash out a couple of other projects. Next week - June 10th to be specific - look for my sequel to one of my favorite fanfics, "These Dreams!" This one is going to be epic! If you like my work, don't forget to check out my author blog (link in my profile) for info on my published works, upcoming projects, and teasers of things to come!