Emma had been in this place so long that she could hardly fathom the idea of leaving. It felt like a strange and hopeless dream that would never really happen. She felt like she could only dream of what she once had. all she had was the memories, where she held every moment, every single second of happiness. That was all she had to keep out the loneliness. But slowly her memories were beginning to drift away, like a dream as you awake to reality. And this was her new reality.

But oh, the hope of going home. She wanted to cry and shout. Oh father, mother. I'm coming home. Missing them was confusing and painful, it was almost like she wasn't living a life without them. All her days were a gray blur, they were meaningless. Nothing mattered.

Three years, how had she lived here so long?

"Charon, I need to talk to you." He was sitting on the windowsill with a book open on his lap, his familiar long leaf green coat was unbuttoned to reveal his black undershirt.

He looked up at her, a few strands of his dark hair hung in his eyes. He flicked them away distractedly, his mind seemed to be somewhere else. "Oh...of course, what is it?"

"I want to go home."

He gave her an odd little smile. "Really?"

"Yes I really miss it." She gave him her best teary eyed, sad look.

"Oh, there's no need for the drama. All you needed to do was ask."

She grinned. "Really? You will let me leave?"

He gave her a look that might suggest she had lost her mind. "Why would I try and keep you here, honestly. I am not completely unreasonable."

"Oh..."

He snapped his book shut and began to button up his coat. "Of course, I will have to lead you through the gates, otherwise you could drift to any old realm." He gave her a sad smile. "I will miss your company I must say, but I will not be selfish and try and keep you here."

Her stomach twisted, his face so sincere and familiar. She could not help thinking of Hook when she looked at him. "I think I will miss you too."

"No you won't." He slipped his hood over his face. "You have loved ones at home, people who care. I am not one of them, don't try and fool yourself." There was an empty sort of bitterness in his voice. He was lonely.

She didn't say a word. What could she say to that. She couldn't try and deny it.

"See what I mean. The last three years don't mean a thing if you believed that all this time you were a prisoner."

He had a point, she really wanted to try and deny what he was saying. But it was all true. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He grinned. "I have lived this life for a very long time, I have become accustomed to being alone. So it really nothing new."

She nodded. It was who he was, there was no changing that. He would never be a human. That's why he found it so easy to kill. He didn't have the same emotion or understanding as humans did. That's why it puzzled her that he was clearly very lonely. But he did deserve it. Another part of her wondered if anyone really deserved an eternity of being alone. Could anyone commit a crime heinous enough to deserve it? He killed Phillip. She reminded herself.

"I'm guessing you want to leave now?" Charon had his back to her as he slipped his book back into its shelf.

"Yes."

He turned and walked towards, the familiar giant mirror, that always sat in the corner of the room. She couldn't help noticing the cold look in his eyes and the tense set of his jaw. He didn't want her to leave.

"Are you coming?" He sounded too casual.

"Of course." She gave him a warm smile. A part of her really did feel sorry for him, he also reminded her so much of Hook. She had to constantly remind herself that he was the enemy. But three years did change thing between them. In this huge place with only him as company, she could hardly keep trying to kill him.

He gestured her forwards, with a very gentleman like sweep of his arm.

She sighed. She might as well say goodbye. Emma grabbed his shoulder and flung her arms around his neck. She felt his body tense in surprise. The he slid his arms around the small of her back and lifted her off her feet. She buried his face in her neck for a second, then she pulled away slightly, so she could see his face.

His eyes were sparkling, and there was a smile on his face that she had never seen before. Hook he looked so much like Hook. There faces were inches apart and her breath was mingling with his. His eyes seemed to see right to her soul. His lips were so close to hers, she felt his pulse quicken. Hook.

Then Emma noticed his eyes, the cold steely eyes. That looked like a storm cloud. They would never be Hook's warm blue ones.

She pulled away from him suddenly. How could she try and fool herself that he was Hook? No. He would never be. Three years in this place had made her lonely and stupid. This was the man that had killed her beloved Philip and tried to ruin the lives of everyone she cared about. No Emma. No. She needed to get home and save Hook. The only thing that three years with Charon had done was made her respect him. She respected that he was alone. That he had a terrible burden. She understood. But that would never make her forgive him for killing Phillip.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled.

"Oh, don't even worry about it." He laughed, and stepped a few paces away from her. "I tend to often have that effect on women."

She laughed and slapped his arm. He didn't say a word after that. She had tried to understand him, but always failed. Staying with him such a long time had not helped a single bit. How could she tell whether he really did are that she was leaving or that it was all just a silly game of his? He could be pulling strings and making her feel guilty. How could she tell?

"Hold my hand." He held out his hand for her. "Don't let go."

She grabbed his hand and immediately he leaped into the shimmering surface of the mirror. She felt like all the air was pushed out of her, but it only lasted a millisecond. In a flash she was standing on the cold hard ground of the palace gardens. Her heart leapt, it seemed like an eternity since she had seen this place.

Charon pulled his hand away from hers. "Here we are. Home sweet home."

"Thank you." Breathed Emma.

"Oh you're very welcome." He grinned. "I see we are both getting what we want."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

His mouth curved into a cold sneer of a smile. "Oh I really don't think you want to know, bye bye Emma." Then he was gone.

Oh gods. How could she ever try and understand him?

Emma walked through the gardens for a bit, humming and breathing in the scent of flowers. Then she realized. I am home.

Emma broke into a full sprint.

The kitchen doors were open, as they often used to be on a sunny day like this. Emma ran straight through without giving them a second glance. The castle was very much the same as when she had left. Familiar aged tapestries hung in the walls of the hall. She pushed open the double doors to her father's study. Snow and him were seated on one of the armchairs looking at a letter. David noticed her first. He turned chalk white, a blazing smile lit up his face and there were tears glinting in his eyes. He took three strides forward and gathered her up into his arms.

Emma buried her face in the warmth of his arms. It felt good to be home.

"Emma." Gasped Snow. She too came forward and put her arms around both David and Emma. They stayed like that for a while, Snow was crying and David would not let go of her. After a few more moments Emma pulled away from them both. "Its really good to be home. Where are my sisters?"

Snow gave her a tearful smile. "None of them are home, not even Aurora. But I will send word to them that you are here."

"Thank you mother." Emma frowned, they were both looking at her funny now. Then she realized, she looked three years older. "I have been to another realm. I spent three years there because I was under the impression that I was a prisoner. Time passed a lot differently there. I was overjoyed to hear that only six hours had passed in our world."

Snow and David look genuinely confused.

"I know it sounds odd. But I only speak the truth."

They smiled. "Of course we believe you Emma, it's just unlike anything we have heard." That was Snow.

Emma smiled, then she remembered. Hook was going to hang. "Where is the man who killed prince Phillip?"

"In the town square." Said David firmly. "He will die at noon." He thought Emma should be happy about it.

No,no no. "Can I take one of the carriages? I want to be there when it happens." She tried to keep the wobble out of her voice

David and Snow looked mildly shocked. "If that's really what you want." David nodded. Go down to the gates, the guards will help you set one up."

"And after, could you please come up and see us again. We have a lot to catch up on." That was Snow.

"Of course mother." She kissed them both on the cheek, then ran down to the courtyard. There were no free carriages. So one of the guards lent her a quiet gray mare. She galloped at full speed out of the castle. How could she get them not to kill him? how could she plead his innocence? they would never believe her. But she had to try, even if it was hopeless.

The town square was a mass of people all bustling about to try and get a glimpse of the dead man. Emma's heart dropped. Hook was standing with his arms tied behind his back, the noose swung gently in front of him. He had his eyes closed. A scream rose in her throat. Before she could make a sound a hand clasped to her face. She growled and kicked, twisting around to face the man. It was Graham.

"Don't fight me Emma, they can't see you here."

She screamed and bit his hand but he just held her tighter. Her only choice was to watch the horrible scene play out in front of her.

"Were you the only one involved in the murder of prince Philip? Was the princess Emma involved?"

Hook looked straight ahead from where he was. Emma and his eyes met. "No. It was just me.

Emma shrieked and kicked at Graham. He didn't let her go.

"I am sorry Emma, this is just for your own safety."

They slipped the hood over Hook's head. But before they could put the noose on, someone in the crowd screamed out. "Murdering scum!" And a knife spun and hit straight into Hook's chest with a sickening crunch.

Emma thumped Graham and shrieked against his hand. No, no no. Not him too. Tears streamed down her face.

Hook dropped to the ground. The hood slipped of his face, the dark patch on his chest only grew bigger. He touched the handle of the knife with an odd look in his eyes. Then his whole body went limp.

Everything around Emma seemed to slow. She could hardly hear Graham, tears blurred her eyes. There was a sickness in her heart. He was dead. First Phillip and now him. She heard Hook's attacker being dragged away by guards. Graham lifted her up onto the horse with him. They rode away from the scene.

Dead. Dead. Dead. She hadn't saved him.

A/N: Stay with me on this one guys..;)