A/N: Hey everyone! It's been a month since I've posted a chapter. I am so sorry it has taken so long. I am trying to make sure the chapters don't suck before I post them. I've been having trouble writing lately and my pregnancy has been exhausting and hard. I am hoping to post the next chapter within two weeks, but please be patient with me! Reviews do help with the writing - and not gonna lie - that pancake scene helped me write the last week! I hope you all enjoy!
Regina had vanished into thin air, and once again, Emma was left with so many unanswered questions. Also, Killian was right, and his expression was too much to deal with. He had that smug, cocky smile he had always worn when he was right - that Regina was behind the disappearance of Gold and Belle. Thankfully they had Belle back, but Gold was still missing and now Regina was nowhere to be found; which meant that answers were evading her once again. Plus, she had pissed Regina off royally, so she doubted she would be willing giving her answers anytime soon.
"She's at the hospital. Your father is watching her." Mary Margaret reported back to the group who were now sitting in the loft waiting on any news. Once Regina poofed away, Belle collapsed and they rushed her to the hospital. Emma and Killian though, decided to take Henry back to the loft to keep him safe. Regina couldn't be trusted at the moment, and they had a better chance of protecting him there than anywhere else. She knew Killian wanted to take them away on the Jolly - or at least take just Henry, but Emma didn't allow it. Even if Regina was behind this, Emma knew she would never physically harm Henry. The rest of them, sure, but never Henry.
"Alright, let me know when she wakes up, so we can question her." Emma replied, looking over at Henry who was napping on the couch.
"Of course, are you all doing OK?" her mother questioned.
"Yeah, as well as we can be." she replied. The walk back to the loft seemed long and tedious. Henry silent the whole way, with some tears streaming down his face. Killian wrapped his arms around his son as they walked, keeping him close. She was sure he had questions about his mother, but she was glad he didn't ask them. She wouldn't know how to answer Why did my mother kidnap Mr. Gold and Belle. Belle is the nicest person in town? Why does my mom think you want to take me away? Why did mom disappear?
"Alright, we'll check in later." her mother ended the call. Emma sighed, sagging into the chair she had taken up residence in since they arrived. It had been a few hours - four to be exact, since the confrontation went down, and she was exhausted. She had never been this tired in the Enchanted Forest, and they were constantly walking and moving there. Yet today, she felt like she had been beaten twice over. Maybe it was the emotions playing with her. Maybe it was just the overwhelming uncertainty that hung in the air. Either way, she was glad the day was ending.
"I got us some food love." Killian said, as he entered the loft. He had left about an hour ago, claiming he needed something off of his ship. Henry had already fallen asleep, so he thought it was the best time to leave. The first hour they were back at the loft, Henry didn't want to leave Killian's side, finding solace in the man's silence and statue. They just sat on the couch until Henry nodded off as some TV randomly played in the background.
The smell hit Emma's nose and she actually moaned at the scent. She noticed Killian's eyes darken at the noise, but quickly bounce back. She was so hungry, and the smell of greasy food wafting through the loft was doing things to her. She stood by her statement that greasy onion rings were better than sex sometimes, and today that statement was 100% true. Killian had gotten Emma her favorite order - Grilled Cheese and Onion Rings. There was a to-go cup of hot chocolate as well. For Henry, Killian had gotten a burger and fries, with a cup of hot chocolate as well.
"I thought the lad could use some comfort food. Maybe you as well." he explained.
"Thank you Killian. It's perfect. How did you know though?" she questioned, unsure of how the man knew her favorite fast food order considering he had only been here one day.
"We spent so much time together love, did you really think I would forget your favorite food? But Ruby also helped a bit. Reminded me that you would prefer the hot chocolate over the beer I was going to pick up." he smiled.
"She was right, while a beer would be nice right now, the hot chocolate is hitting the spot!" Emma sighed as she took a sip of the drink, tasting the cinnamon that was sprinkled inside.
Killian was looking over at Henry as he ate his food - some sort of boiled fish and some fries. Emma actually snickered as Killian ate, the ever the pirate. Did the man always have to eat fish? The smell of fish brought back horrible memories for her - it was the only reason she was happy Killian wasn't there during her pregnancy. The smell of fish used to make her so sick - in fact she went out once with Ingrid to a restaurant for dinner when she was about 4 months, and someone a few tables away ordered a fish plate, and Emma spent the rest of the meal in front of the toilet because of the smell. To this day, Emma still didn't enjoy the scent.
"You were really good with him today." she confessed to him, as Henry slept away on the couch. She knew he would wake soon - once the smell of his burger reached his brain. Emma had placed it in the microwave immediately after Killian arrived - hoping to let him sleep a bit longer.
"Do you really think so?" he scratched behind his ear, always embarrassed.
"Yes, you didn't push him to talk when he didn't want to. You stayed by his side, ready to talk though, if that is what he wanted. You comforted him when he needed it. You put him first, which is what makes a great parent." she promised.
"Aye, but I got so mad with the Queen earlier, and I knew he heard that. I just can't trust her with him anymore, not after today." he explained.
"It's not like Regina never said bad things about us in front of him before, and I'm sure he knows you were just sticking up for me and for him. He isn't going to hate you just because you yelled at Regina." she reached over and grabbed his hand, comforting him with her touch. He was trying so hard to be the perfect father for Henry, and it really touched her how devoted he was to them. He didn't need to stand up for her when Regina attacked, but he did anyways. Yes, she explained to him why she put Henry up for adoption all those years ago, but she was still worried he would eventually hold that against her. Yet, when Regina attacked her for that, he was all too willing to tear the queen down a few sizes.
"I just want to do right by him. I don't want to be my father." he confessed. Emma knew what he meant. His father was a horrible person, who treated his kids horribly. Of course Killian wouldn't want to be like him.
"Well, you are already better than him. You know what a father should and shouldn't do, you know what shouldn't be done, because you lived through it, and you want to do better; so already you are a great parent - much better than him." she told him.
He looked at her in a way he hadn't in a while. There was pure admiration and devotion in his eyes, like everything was better when she was there, like she made the world go round. She would by lying if she said she didn't miss that look he once gave her. Yet, there was too much going on to now try and figure out what was happening with them.
"Thank you Swan." he said, threading his fingers though her hand that was still attached to his. It felt right - similar to the kiss they shared earlier in the woods back in the Enchanted Forest. It felt like a piece of her that had been missing was returning to its proper place.
They sat like that for a few minutes - his hand entwined in hers, sitting next to each other on the chairs that faced the couch - their sleeping son softy snoring away in front of them.
"I can't believe he snores. Maybe he has more of you in him than we thought." she jested, hoping to lighten the mood a bit.
"I do no such thing love." she could tell he wasn't truly offended, even though he acted as such.
"Oh yes you do! It's not loud or annoying, but it's there - especially when it gets hot outside. You forget Captain, I spent three months memorizing how you sleep." the confession came out before she could stop herself, her cheeks turning red at her admission.
"I could never forget Emma. Ever." he said, with no embarrassment.
All she could do was give him a slight smile. She knew he wanted more out of this relationship, she knew he wanted them to be closer, to get back to what they once had, but Emma wasn't sure she was ready to give her heart away again - she wasn't sure she could handle if her heart broke again.
"So, where do we go from here?" he questioned, pulling her from her worry.
"What do you mean?" she replied.
"Well, I have to say, I like this. I like spending time with the both of you. I like spending time with him. I like the idea of coming home and you two waiting for me. I like the idea of us, being a real family." he admitted.
"Killian I…." she began before he stopped her with a squeeze of his hand.
"I know love, you want to focus on Henry. I understand, it's been a long time since we were together. I just want you to know that I am here Emma, I don't plan on going anywhere. No matter what happens between you and me - whether we get back together or decide to go our separate ways - I will never abandon Henry. He will always be my priority. I never thought I would feel this much so quickly, but I can't help it. He is my son Emma, and I will do anything for him." his words were just what Emma needed to hear - she needed to know that no matter what happened with them, that it would never come between them and Henry.
"But know this Emma, I want us to be a family. I won't stop fighting for you - I can't. I spent 300 years trying to find you again, and even if I have to wait a few more years, I will wait for you. But I want us to at least try - we owe it to ourselves, we owe it to him. All those years ago, I tried to come back to you, I wanted to marry you Emma Swan, I wanted us to spend the rest of our lives together, raising children along the seashore, growing up with Liam's kids, living the life I always dreamt about. I still see that for us Emma. I still see that future. I know you feel that spark that is still there - I know that kiss back in the Enchanted Forest didn't mean nothing to you, I know this doesn't mean nothing. All I am asking is that you try. Please, just say that you will try." he pleaded.
His eyes bore into hers, refusing to break eye contact after his confession. His words drove into her heart and buried themselves deep inside. She did still feel the pull of him - and she did want all of those things once - even if she did think they were just a dream - a wonderful, amazing, passionate dream. She hadn't been in a real relationship since him, never really opening up to anyone in fear of losing them the way she lost him - but he was real and he was here - so why not actually try? Why not take a leap of faith.
"We would need to talk with Henry first, make sure he understands that it may not work…" she began to outline an attack plan, wanting to protect Henry at all costs, when she was interrupted.
"Wait, are you saying yes, are you saying that you'll try?" she could see the hope filling up in his eyes, and she couldn't help but smile at the look he was giving her. She had only seen him this truly happy before.
"Yes, I am saying we can try and see where this goes." she said, and before she could get a hold of the situation, he swept her up and held her in his arms, just like he used to. His forehead rested on hers and he slowly breathed in.
"Thank the Gods!" he exclaimed, lowering his lips to meet hers, but as he did, the cell phone that was resting on the table rang out - a loud shrill that woke Henry up in confusion. Quickly she backed away from Killian, cursing at herself for allowing that to happen without some ground rules. She wasn't a seventeen year old girl anymore - she had a son now and she couldn't go around making out with his father, even if she wanted to - and in that moment she did want his lips to touch hers.
"What is going on?" Henry sleepily asked. Thankfully Emma didn't have to tell Killian to take care of Henry, as he had already moved to sit down next to his son and begin to explain what happened, as Emma answered her phone, she heard him tell their son about the food waiting for him and heard her sons excited YES as they moved towards the kitchen.
Belle didn't have much to say about her ordeal when Emma visited her in the hospital the next morning. She was still reeling from her experience of being kidnapped by Cora and Regina. Now that she had been cleaned up a bit and resting - Emma could see the toll everything had taken on her. It looked like she hadn't slept all night - and there was slight bruising on her arms.
"Emma, I already told your dad, I don't remember much of anything." Belle complained, clearly wanting to go back to sleep and forget about what she had been though.
"I know Belle, I just want to make sure he told me everything. I promise, you won't have to discuss this again after you tell me what happened." Emma promised, hoping that Belle would be able to shed some light into what happened.
"I had walked to Rumples around eight. He was upset that you and Hook had cornered him." she started, and Emma rolled her eyes at the confession. Of course Gold was pissed at her - because he could never see that he was in the wrong by playing games and keeping information about her life away from her. "I calmed him down - reminded him that he had changed and that he owed you some answers - then the store began to shake. It was like an earthquake - or what I assume an earthquake feels like. Rumple told me to hide in the backroom. I could hear him talking to someone. She sounded older, and vicious. She mentioned needing Rumple's magic for something. He of course refused unless there was a deal. She began to threaten him and I heard a scuffle. I came running out and I saw this older woman standing over Rumple's body, blood coming from his scalp. She took one look at me and sent some sort of magic my way. It knocked me out and the next thing I knew I woke up and Regina was standing in front of me in some sort of tomb. My hands were bound and my feet tied together."
"Belle, I am so sorry that happened to you. I promise you are safe now." Emma said, moving to take one of Belle's hands in hers. Belle was clearly shaken - but in the back of Emma's mind she couldn't help but think Belle must have known that something like this could happen, especially since she was in a relationship with Gold.
"What else do you remember? What did they want with Gold? Do you remember where you were or hear anything that may help us locate Gold?" Emma questioned.
"I remember Regina asking me where else Rumple would keep something special. She kept telling me there had to be a special hiding place and that I must know something. I swear Emma, I don't know. Rumple keeps things from me, so I hardly know anything. After Regina left, I could hear someone questioning Rumple further away. I couldn't really hear what was being asked, but I could hear that same woman's voice and Rumple's. The woman finally came into where she was keeping me, and asked me what I knew of the Dark One's powers. I asked her who she was, and all she told me was her name was Cora." Belle finished.
"She said nothing else?" Emma pressed.
"Not really. She kept asking the same question over and over again. Same with Regina. They were more focused on Rumple than on me. It was like I was just extra baggage they had to use. I do remember Cora saying she was going to get Regina's happy ending if it was the last thing she did. I remember it because she yelled it right before I was sent away." Belle added.
"Do you know why you were set free?" Emma asked - hoping that she would be done with questioning Belle soon. It didn't seem to be getting her anywhere - even though learning that Cora was back and was looking to help Regina get her happy ending was pretty substantial.
"No, but Cora seemed pleased with whatever happened. She walked out of where they were keeping Rumple, told me she would get that happy ending, looked at me and the next thing I knew, you all where there." she could tell the woman was becoming exhausted with the story.
"Thank you Belle. I'll let you get your rest. If you need anything, just let me know OK? Someone will be stationed outside at all times until Cora or Regina is found." Emma explained.
"Thanks Emma, I am sorry I don't have more for you." Belle responded, only receiving a nod from Emma as she left the room.
Emma was walking back from the hospital thinking about the pervious day's activities. It all seemed strange and a bit nuts. Why would Regina side with her mother - especially when she had told them upon their arrival back from the forest that her mother was bat shit crazy? Why wouldn't Regina try and clear her name if she was innocent? Why didn't Cora appear to them and explain everything herself? The woman did seem like the confrontational type - who like her daughter - loved the theatrics of everything - so why didn't she make a public appearance?
Her mother and father stayed at the hospital the night before to make sure that Belle was OK. They were all worried that Regina or Cora may show up and try and take her again. Even though they al knew there wasn't much they could do to stop a witch; they at least would know some extra information. The rest of the evening consisted of them enjoying their meal and Henry telling his father all about movies and his favorite TV shows. It wasn't too late, so Emma said they could watch a movie or two - hoping to allow them to bond a bit more. If she really was going to give this thing a try, she still had to make sure that Henry was comfortable with every part of their family. He was a trusting boy, who seemed to get along with everyone, but Emma wanted to make sure Henry had a strong relationship with Killian. Even if they didn't work out in the end, Emma wanted Henry to have a father.
She couldn't believe she actually told Killian she would try. However, she wasn't surprised. Her feelings for him had been creeping back into her mind since they first discovered him in the Enchanted Forest. There was always going to be that magnetism towards him - there would always be a special pull. Underneath all of the hard exterior that he built up over the centuries - he was still that man she had fallen in love with - he was still caring, still nervous about his actions, still compassionate and loyal.
Emma's mind was too preoccupied thinking about Killian and what their future may look like when someone stepped out from the shadows and moved to intersect her.
Regina - who was looking worse for the wear was standing in front of Emma, with her hands in the air. Her hair was disheveled and her makeup worn. She was wearing the same clothes she had on the day before. She looked completely wrecked.
"Regina?" Emma questioned, moving her hand to her holster, preparing for a fight that would come.
"Emma, please, you need to listen to me!" Regina begged and Emma was surprised at the traditional lack of the Ms. Swan that Regina used when talking with her.
"I don't need to do shit Regina. You helped kidnap Belle, you are helping your mother. You hurt Henry. I have nothing to say to you other than you are under arrest." Emma said sternly, moving to grab her handcuffs out of her jacket pocket.
"Fine, arrest me, as long as that means you will hear my story. But I didn't kidnap Belle, I had nothing to do with this Emma, you have to believe me." Regina begged, and Emma's superpower told her that the woman wasn't lying. Emma's superpower didn't always work with Regina, but in that moment, Emma could tell that Regina was telling nothing but the truth. Maybe it was her willingness to come quietly, maybe it was the way she was holding herself, but all Emma knew was that she believed her.
"Alright, say I do believe you, what the hell happened?" Emma questioned.
"We can't talk here - it's too open." Regina countered.
"Fine, then I'll take you in and we can talk there." Emma suggested.
"No, come to the vault - I'll explain everything." and with that Regina vanished like she wasn't even there. Maybe she wasn't - maybe it was all a trick to get Emma into her lair. But just like back in the Enchanted Forest, while this may be a trap, at least she was going into it knowing there was a chance she wouldn't be leaving.
She texted her father, who had returned that morning to the loft, to find Killian in his bed, with Emma upstairs and Henry resting on the couch. Yes, her father was a bit pissed with her - trying to be mister protective, but he calmed down knowing that nothing had happened in his home. It made Emma laugh actually - Emma already had a child with the man, so really what was her father expecting?
Emma: Hey! I'm going to Regina's vault. I'm not sure, but I don't think Regina had anything to do with this. If you don't hear from me within two hours, come and find me. Don't let Killian follow me - in fact don't tell him yet.
David: Are you sure that is safe? Regina had lied before to get what she wants.
Emma: I know, but she appeared to me and asked me to talk to her, and something is telling me she isn't lying about not being involved, but just incase, I thought you should know.
David: Alright, but call me if you get in trouble. If we don't hear from you in two hours, we will come to the vault.
Emma walked into the vault prepared for a fight - or at least for Cora or someone to appear and cause an issue. However, once inside, she realized she was overreacting about everything. Books were thrown all over the place - remnants of Regina's night. She must have spent the day and night trying to find answers to what her mother was doing here - if she was telling the truth and wasn't working with her.
"Ah… Miss Swan, you're here." Regina stated, moving out from a back room.
"Alright Regina, you got me here - now, you want to tell me what is really going on?" Emma questioned, cutting out all pleasantries.
"Ok, First, I didn't even know my mother was in town until Belle appeared and said her name. Second, I would never work with her again. She ruined everything good in my life - I lost everything because of her. All of this…" she said, pointing to the items around her, "is because of something she caused years ago. After that I would never trust her again."
"Then why is she here?" Emma asked.
"She thinks she can get me my happy ending - which was what the curse originally was meant to be. I wanted your parents to suffer for what they put me through. Especially your mother. My happy ending was seeing her not get hers. Since you broke the curse, my happy ending - according to my mother - has disappeared. So, she is here to get it back." Regina explained, causing Emma to roll her eyes. It always seemed like Regina was so focused on other people being the cause of her pain, and not her. Yet, Emma got it. Cora had hurt her badly, and even if Mary Margaret was her mother, the woman couldn't keep a secret, and it led Regina to hate her - she couldn't fully blame her. Hell, she is pissed at Gold for his role in whatever happened with Killian, so she understood part of Regina's pain.
"So what does she plan on doing with Gold? Also, how did she know about the curse and everything in the first place?" Emma pondered.
"When I first became queen and I was having issues with Snow, mother mentioned a curse, one that could destroy everything Snow held close to her heart. She mentioned it was dark magic and that I wasn't skilled enough to do the curse. She claimed there were only two who were powerful enough to do the curse: the Dark One and her. Of course, I had to prove her wrong eventually - since I found out she was the reason behind most of my pain. I suspect she plans on reenacting the curse again - this time without a savior - thus no one can break it. However, she needs the heart of the thing she loves most to enact the curse, and my mother doesn't love anything - but herself and she can't crush her own heart. I've spent all night looking through these books trying to figure out if she found a way around the problem, and she may have. The Dark One is powerful - if she combined his power with hers, she may be able to bypass the heart. It's the heart that allows for a savior to break the spell." Regina said, Emma's head swirling.
"If you weren't with your mother, how do you know all of this?" Emma wanted to believe Regina, but it felt too odd that Regina had so many answers.
"When Belle showed up, and said my and my mother's name, I was worried Cora may come after me - so I poofed back here to protect myself - and Henry. You were right Emma - the farther away from Henry I am at the moment is best for him. When I arrived, there was a note sitting on the desk." Regina moved to pull the note out of her jacket pocket, and handed it to Emma. "My mother's greeting."
Regina,
I will get you what you deserve. I told you once, this spell was too powerful for you to do - so I will do it for you.
Don't worry darling daughter, I will get you everything you deserve.
Mother
"Well if that isn't the strangest mother/daughter letter ever." Emma mumbled under her breath. It seemed like everyone in the Enchanted Forest had some sort of weird relationship with their mother.
"That is how I know what she is up to. I immediately started to research the curse with everything I have. Like I said, it looks as if she is going to use the Dark One's magic in combination with her dark magic to create the spell - not needing a hear at all. What I don't know is how that is even possible." Regina stated.
"But Belle said she say you in the tomb - or wherever she was being kept. She said you questioned her about where Gold would keep special items." Emma countered.
"That was my mother, pretending to be me. I am sure she wants me on her side of all of this - and if she turned everyone against me - she thought I would come running. It's one of her classic games. She gets everyone to turn against each other - in order to draw out what she wants. I am sure she thought if I felt hated enough or if I was pushed enough, than I would come to her - and ask her for the help." Regina explained. "You saw it before - in the Enchanted Forest."
She did see Cora become someone else - Lancelot wasn't really there - it was Cora is disguise. If Cora could trick her - then she definitly could trick Belle into thinking she was Regina. And it did make sense for Cora to try and break up the group. Sure, they were having issues about what to do about Henry - but Regina was still a part of the group. She helped while her mother and her were missing, and she couldn't fault her for trying to keep Henry safe.
"Then why did you leave so soon the other night, and why did you take Henry away so quick? Did you know it was your mother?" Emma wondered.
"We've been over this already Miss Swan." Regina replied rolling her eyes. " I knew something was up when Gold disappeared and I had to keep Henry and I safe. I didn't realize it was my mother at that time - if I had known, we wouldn't have come here. My mother can bypass the magic around my vault."
"What do you mean?" Emma's eyes widened.
"Blood magic. Anyone who shares blood and who has magic can break the spell of their relative. It would be all too easy for my mother to break into here and take Henry." she explained.
"Then why did you come here?" Emma didn't quite understand - was Regina purposefully trying to gode her mother?
"All my items are here - and if my mother wants a fight - I am not going to hide from her." Emma nodded at her response. It made sense.
"Emma I need your help getting rid of my mother. All she has ever done is tear families apart - it is what she lives for." Regina pleaded.
"I am not sure I am capable of fighting off your mom." Emma said weakly. She had just learned about her powers, and now Regina wanted her to use them?
"I am not asking you to use your magic - which I know you've been wondering about. I am asking your assistance. I need the muscle. Please, if you help me - I can get you the answers you have been looking for." Regina offered.
"You mean.." Emma began.
"Yes, I know about the prophecy - I was beginning to research it around the time you disappeared. The Dark One had said something to me during the curse that had me guessing - so I started to dig after you broke the curse and I was able to access more of my books. I also know that there is only one person who can fully tell you what you want to know." Regina said.
"The apprentice." Emma whispered.
"Yes, and lucky for you, I know where he is. However, I will only tell you if you help me to defeat my mother." Regina placed all of her cards on the table with that answer. There was no way Emma could turn down that offer. She knew in the end she had to get answers, and why not kill two birds with one stone? OK, she wouldn't be killing anyone she hoped, but hopefully this situation would be a win/win. Cora wasn't the nicest person on the block, so ridding the town of the crazy and finding the answers to her problems at the same time was the best thing yet.
"Alright, I'm in. But how do you even plan on beating your mother? That woman is ruthless - she has no heart. You said so yourself, she cares about no one but herself, so why is she even trying to help you?" Emma questioned.
"I am sure my happy ending is just a means to an end - an end we don't know yet. But you are right - she doesn't care about anyone but herself. She thinks love is pure weakness." Regina explained.
"So then how do we beat her." Emma wondered.
"Why by giving her something you said she doesn't have." Regina said with a smile.
"And what is that?"
"Her heart." Regina spoke, with a grin forming on her face that told Emma the woman would stop at nothing to make sure her mother didn't win.
"What do you mean Regina is going to give Cora back her heart?" her mother asked as the group had assembled in the loft to form a plan of action. Regina had gone off to find where Cora was hiding, knowing that her mother kept her heart under lock and key.
"Regina said that years ago, her mother removed her own heart, in order to stop herself from feeling, to harness all the power she could. If she didn't have a heart, nothing would stop her from getting what she wanted." Emma told them, looking around to her father and Killian. "So Regina thinks that by placing her mother's heart back in her body, we will be able to stop Cora from creating the new curse."
"Kinda like a reset on a computer?" her father added.
"Yes! Exactly. Regina thinks that if her mother has her heart back in her body, she will stop and think about what she is doing and correct the wrongs she had made. Regina said her mother hasn't had her heart in her body since before Regina was even born." Emma explained.
"It makes sense then why she has always been so uncaring." Mary Margaret added.
"All that needs to happen now is Regina has to get the heart. She is going to call when she has it. Once she finds the heart, we can call Cora out of hiding - distract her until Regina can get the heart and put it back in her mother's body. Should be pretty easy." Emma stated.
"Easy? Love, last time we tried to distract Cora you almost had your heart ripped out. I am not willing to let that happen again." Killian growled from his spot next to her.
She reached over and grabbed his hook - wrapping her fingers around the appendage. It was something that just felt right. Yes, when she fell in love with him, he had two hands, but he was the same person, one missing hand wasn't going to change anything. In fact, the hook was a nice addition. Before, Killian was proper and official, now he was a badass - a really sexy looking badass if Emma had to admit it.
"I know what happened last time. We know she can't actually take my heart. We also know that we won't let her get close enough to try it with any of you. I will be the only one making contact with her. I need all of you standing back, ready to attack from afar." Emma added, "I will be fine, promise."
"Alright Swan, if you really think this is a good idea, then let's give the witch her heart back." Killian said, smiling down at her hand on his hook.
It wasn't even an hour later when they got the go ahead from Regina. They all walked towards the main square moments later, preparing themselves for a battle. Sure, Regina said it would only take her a matter of minutes to actually get the heart and poof back to where they were and put it in her mother, but Emma was still sure Cora would be fighting them the instant she arrived. Her mother was going to wait in the clock tower, with her bows ready. Her father in the library, his gun's safety off. Killian however, refused to leave Emma's side. No matter how many times she told him he needed to stay away, he was adamant that he wouldn't be leaving. So they compromised. He would stand back on the corner of the street while she went to the middle. He would be there if anything was to happen.
"Stay safe Swan." he said as he turned to leave her in her position - something in his eyes telling her he was truly scared of what may happen.
"Hey!", she said, pulling him back towards her, "This will all work out - it will be fine. Have faith."
" I do Swan, I have yet to see you fail. You can do this, I just worry about what that witch may do to you." he confessed.
"I know, but you don't have to worry." she said, reaching her hand up to caress his face.
"Just be safe Swan, for our sake." he asked again, pulling her hand from his face, to kiss her knuckles as he walked back to the corner of the street. Our sake; she knew he meant him and Henry. Henry had wanted to come to the battle, but Emma wasn't even hearing that. Instead, Ruby came over and sat with Henry while the confrontation would happen. Ruby had orders to get him out of town if anything big was to happen. Emma would rather the two of them escape - even with Ruby losing her memories - than have Henry stuck in the town that would be under Cora's control. She also thought that Cora wouldn't be able to actually make the curse happen if Henry wasn't there. Regina had mentioned something earlier - about her mother thinking Snow's unhappiness was the key to Regina's happiness - but Emma knew that Regina's true happiness would be Henry.
She turned to face the middle of the street and yelled out "Cora!"
It felt like minutes passed before the woman appeared in a cloud of purple smoke, similar to Regina's. She was in the same regal gown she had worn in the Enchanted Forest - yet it was clean now and rid of any tears.
"Ah, if it isn't the savior," she stated, and took in the person behind her shoulder, "and her ever present pirate lap dog. Nice to see you again Hook." she waved towards him with a wicked smile on her face.
"We know why you are here Cora, and you won't get away with it. We know you kidnaped Gold and Belle - and that you are planning on using the Dark One's magic to create a new dark curse - to get Regina her happy ending. But it won't work!" Emma yelled at the woman who was standing a good ten feet away from her.
"And you think you are going to stop me little girl? You can't stop me. I have more magic than you will ever possess." Cora laughed.
"I don't have to use magic to defeat you." Emma said, drawing out her gun.
"Oh you silly child. That cannot stop me, nothing can. Once the Dark One has finished his potion, the curse will be ready - and all I have to do is add the final ingredients and your family as you know it will cease to exist." Cora smiled.
"Why do you even care? It is because of you your daughter was so unhappy. You killed the man she loved. You stopped at nothing to give her what you thought she wanted." Emma bellowed, hoping to draw Cora out more, in hopes of delaying any battle. She knew if Cora started wielding magic, she wouldn't be able to stop her.
"Again darling, love is weakness. What Regina thought she had wasn't love - it was infatuation, and it would have stopped her from getting her true happiness. All I did was show that to her. I care because she was destined for greatness, for a life better than the one I could give her. She was destined to be Queen." Cora answered.
"What I still don't understand is how you even got here in the first place. We took the dust, there are no left over beans and we have the compass - so how were you able to arrive so quickly after us?" Emma questioned, noticing it had been a few minutes since Cora arrived. Emma prayed that Regina would appear soon.
"Ah, I had help from an old friend. But you needn't worry your pretty little head about that right now. It won't matter in a few minutes." Cora responded, pulling her hand up and creating a fire ball. She had the same flair that Regina had when creating her fire balls. But, Emma wasn't worried.
Thankfully Killian was the only other person on the street and was able to keep his face straight - because in that moment, Regina appeared directly behind her mother, in a silent but brilliant fashion. All too quick, Regina shoved the heart of her mother back into it's proper place. Cora bent over, the fire ball vanishing into thin air.
Cora was crouched over, clutching her chest. Her breathing didn't seem labored, but she was taking in deep breaths. Mary Margaret and David had appeared - coming out of the library but standing only at the corner of the road. Killian had run up beside Emma, his sword drawn, prepared for anything that may come. Regina though was bending down towards her mother.
"Mother?" Regina questioned, resting her hand on her mother's shoulder, hoping for the best.
Emma prayed that this worked. She knew they wouldn't be able to fight Cora and Gold at the same time, even if Regina was on their side. She wasn't strong enough yet - or knew anything - and Regina wasn't really a match for Gold.
"Regina?" Cora questioned, staring up at her daughter. However, Emma could see that the look that was in Cora's eyes was different than the look she had once had. There was something there now, behind the icy glare. It was like a person was finally in the body.
"Oh thank god!" Regina breathed out, and Emma felt herself relax a bit. Her shoulders dropped and she put her gun back into her holster. She looked at the scene before them. Cora and Regina were hugging, tears streaming from both of their eyes.
"It worked." Emma whispered, to no on really, but of course Kiliian heard.
"That was brilliant love." he added, even though all Emma did was buy them some time for Regina to correct the situation. Today, Regina was the hero of the day.
"Darling, we all need to get inside, something is coming, and it isn't the curse." Cora explained before anyone could say anything else. Without even a moment passing, everyone was suddenly inside of the library, the chains on the door locked tight. God dammit if this is another trick I'm going to kill Regina.
"I'm sorry everyone, but it wasn't safe out there." Cora said before anyone could question. Killian still had his sword drawn and David's gun was back pointing towards Cora.
"Please, put down your weapons, I promise I mean you no harm now. Here…" Cora said as she pulled something from her dress - it looked like a dagger.
"Holy shit, is that…" Killian began before he was interrupted.
"That's the Dark One's dagger." Regina explained.
"It is, and I am giving it to you," she said, moving towards Mary Margaret - reaching it towards her with an outstretched hand. "Take it, he won't do anything if you command him not to. Take it as a sign of good faith. I am sorry." Cora said, tears coming down her face.
While Emma was a bit touched, she had to think that this whole thing was a charade. Did having your heart taken out really make you forget everything you've done, or have immediately remorse for the atrocities you committed?
"I'm sorry, I'm not really believing any of this." Emma admitted. "We thought putting your heart back would make you stop, but this whole change in character - I don't buy it."
"I understand child, but I lived for almost 50 years without my heart inside of me - it will do things to a person. Normally, when a heart is removed, it is only for moments, and it is done by someone else unwillingly. I however, took mine out willingly for years - in order to stop myself from loving or feeling anything. To have it back, truly has been a shock to my system. I understand that you don't trust me - but we have a greater danger coming than my curse." Cora said.
"What is it?" her father replied back.
"Well it has to do with how I come to town. See, after you all beat me in the Enchanted Forest, I called upon a old friend - or rather the shadow of an old friend." Cora began to explain. However, Emma's eyes traveled to where Killian stood next to her. He had suddenly tensed up - his hand turning white as he held on too tight to the sword.
"Pan." He hissed out. Emma noticed the fear and hatred in his eyes.
"Yes. He helped me arrive here - on one condition - he needed someone from here - someone important. He wouldn't tell me who - but I assumed it was you dear." Cora said, looking towards Emma. "You are the savior and the product of True Love - you must be what he is after."
"You mean Peter Pan is here in Storybrooke?" Emma questioned.
"No exactly, his shadow is. Once the shadow finds the person Pan wants - he will take him." Cora explained.
"And how is this worse than your curse that would have removed all the happy endings?" Emma bit back.
"Because child, once Pan takes you, you can never return. Storybrooke would be left without her savior. You son without his mother. Your parents without their daughter. And dare I say it, your pirate without his princess. Who knows what Pan is planning to do with you, but whatever it is, it can't be good for you or Storybrooke. I do know, Pan has always searched for a way to leave Neverland, and maybe he has found it with you." Cora added.
"This is crazy!" Emma yelled.
"Crazy yes, but still true." Cora smiled.
"So what do we do now?" Mary Margaret said.
"We release Gold for one - I need answers. Then we find the apprentice - Regina, you said you know where he is - maybe he can help us out. If we can find out why every magical creature is obsessed with me - than maybe we can find a way to defeat Pan before anymore chaos ensues." Emma answered, already leaving the library.
Emma could tell there was something up with Killian the moment the group split up. Cora and Regina were headed to free Gold while Belle - rather reluctantly - tagged along. Emma couldn't blame her, but knew she just wanted to see the man she loved. Her mother and father were going to grab some food - promising to meet up with everyone a bit later in order to start their search for Pan. Emma and Killian were going to pick up Henry from Ruby.
He was somber, that was for sure. She thought he would have been happy, especially when Emma took his hand as they walked down main street. It felt normal actually; walking hand in hand with Killian down the town she now considered home. Yet, what didn't feel normal was the angry energy Killian was giving off. She stopped, her hand pulling his to turn him to face her.
"Spill it, what's wrong?" she questioned, trying to not let annoyance get the best of her. She kept her voice calm and reassuring.
"It's nothing Swan." he tried to lie, but Emma knew. There was something in his strained voice.
"Killian, I've known you for years, and even though we have been apart for long, I know when something is bothering you. Just tell me." she pleaded.
"Emma, do you remember my last voyage…. with Liam?" he asked, and suddenly everything made sense.
"You went to Neverland." she replied.
"Aye, we went to Neverland to try and find a plant that we were told would cure any illness or wound. The King wanted it to save his people from the casualties of war. We met Pan when we landed on the island. He warned us against using Dreamshade - said it was a horrible plant that killed anything that it cut. Of course Liam didn't believe him… and tried to prove him wrong. He died instantly." Killian confessed, tears in his eyes. They were still standing in the middle of main street. She pulled his hand and moved them so they were sitting down on a bench in front of the bakery.
"But he didn't die in Neverland. I saw what happened remember. I was there." she tried to wrap her head around what Killian was saying.
"Aye love, he didn't really die in Neverland. Pan offered Liam a way to live. He told me there was water on the island that is poured into the wound - would cure Liam of the Dreamshade. So that is what I did. I had to do something to get him back. I couldn't lose him." he was shaking as he told the story. It must have been the first time he actually told someone the whole thing.
"So the Dreamshade cured him?" she questioned.
"It did, or at least we thought it did. As Liam woke up, I looked around to thank Pan, but he wasn't there. The lad didn't tell us anything else except the water would cure him. We walked back to the ship and promised each other that we would never work for a King who was that ruthless - and once we got back, we would find you and Sarah, and his boy, and we would make for another kingdom. We would never serve under the crown again. Yet, the second we touched down on the water in our realm…" his voice trailed off. Emma knew what came next - the memories coming back to her like a roaring wave. Liam collapsing on the stairs - Killian's anger and depression that followed - including his turn to the life of piracy.
"Killian I am so sorry. I was there, but you just couldn't see me. I am so sorry I couldn't have been there for you." she apologized, not really sure what else to say. Her hand was still wrapped in his, and she felt him give it a squeeze.
"I felt you that day. Even though I couldn't see you, I did feel you. Thank you." he responded - Emma surprised by his answer. "But there are other things you don't know."
"What?" she wondered.
"I told you I went back to Neverland to plan my revenge on the Crocodile - I had this insane idea that he was behind you leaving, and he took my hand for the fun of it. I knew he couldn't follow me to Neverland and I didn't need to use the bean to get there. However, I became the fearsome pirate you have heard about because of how the island changed me. I stopped caring about others - yes, I still lived by a code, but the rules were different now. I would stop at nothing to get my revenge - because in my mind - the Dark One took my chances of ever finding you." she could see the disappointment in himself as he finished his story. She could see the regret in his eyes.
"Hey, you did what you had to do to survive. I didn't know exactly what happened with Liam, but I'm glad you told me." she reassured him. She understood his anger, his pain. She understood why he had turned to the hard life he had. Of course, on some deep level, she missed the man he used to be, but at the same time, she was glad that he had grown and changed. Emma wasn't the same person she was all those years ago - and they were just going to have to learn about each other all over again.
"I just worry about what Henry is going to think. Emma, I wasn't a good guy - for a long time - I wasn't a good guy. I did things no man should do. I've killed people, I've stolen, I've pillaged and plundered. I am not as good of a man you think I am." he confessed.
She remembered having those exact feelings about him when he first reappeared to her in the Enchanted Forest. She had heard the story of Captain Hook when she was younger - the most fearsome and ruthless pirate around. She knew there were things in his past that he was ashamed of - that he wished he could take back. However, as time moved on, Emma knew that what he had done in his past didn't matter as much as what he is going to do with his future. He had proved himself now a few times that he wasn't who he was in the past - he had helped them get back home, he had tried to get Emma the answers she needed, he had protected Henry and put his needs before anyone else. Killian was still the man she once knew, with some additional wonderful things added in.
He had experience now. Yes, he was hardened by what he had gone through; but he had survived. He was strong and fiercely loyal. He had done everything he could to get what he wanted - and sure, the revenge was pretty bad, but at least he was consistent and persistent. Yet, Emma could see that Killian would never see it that way - or it would take him forever to figure it out. Emma decided in that moment, she was going to make sure that Killian didn't forget that he was still a good man at heart.
"Listen to me Killian." she began, lifting up her hand to cup his cheek, turing his face to meet hers. "What you have done in the past is just that - in the past. You have made some mistakes, and you have acknowledged them - which in my books is just like apologizing for what you have done. It's been hundreds of years - I don't blame you for any of it. Henry won't blame you for any of it. What is most important is that you atone for what you have done, change who you are going to be in the future. If you can be the man I know you are - one who is loyal to his family, one who is protective of that family, one who lives by a code and who believes in good form, then Henry is very lucky to have you as a father. Sure, you let that temper of yours get in the way at times, but that doesn't make you a horrible person - it just makes you human. Yes, it's only been a few days since you have met Henry, but as long as you protect him, support him, and show him how to be a good man, that is all that matters to either of us." she finished.
She really did mean all of it - and it was the most she had ever confessed to him since their reunion. She was worried that his past would come to haunt him, worried that he wouldn't be a good man and father to Henry, worried that he couldn't put his revenge aside for his family - yet he proved all of those worries wrong so far.
"Now, what do you know about Pan and getting ahead of him?" she questioned, hoping to get his mind off of the negative thoughts.
"He is a devil Emma - a cold hearted person - who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. After I had lived in Neverland for years - at least a hundred I think - slain multiple lost boys during skirmishes - he came aboard my ship and offered me a deal. He wanted to come to a place called Storybrooke. It was the first time I had heard of this land - but he didn't say it was here in this realm - all I knew is that he was offering me a way to get you back - for help on getting him here. He couldn't travel across realms in the way we could - his shadow could, but he couldn't. He had figured out a way using my ship. He wanted a trade. My ship for you. He promised me that if I gave him my ship - he would reunite us - he conjured a vision of you - one in which I could actually touch you and feel you. Yet, I knew it wasn't real - I knew he couldn't do that - so I turned down the deal. Instead I attacked his post - where the lost boys were living at the time - it was the most he had lost - and since that day, he has been worse. You've heard I was ruthless - but that lad is worse. He plays games, ones where you think you know the ending, but in some way, he always changes the outcome. You cannot trust anything he tells you, but at the same time, he never lies - at least when it comes to the games he plays." he told her. Emma's jaw dropped at his confession - Pan promised to return her to him, and he gave her up for what? Sure, it may have been just a dream, but why not take that risk - especially if he loved her so much.
"Why didn't you take the deal?" she questioned.
"I knew it wasn't real - I knew he couldn't bring you to me. I wanted to find you again - the real you. I didn't want a ghost that he would conjure up. Also, if he really could bring you to me - I didn't want him brining you to Neverland. You cannot leave Neverland unless he lets you leave. The first time with Liam, we were allowed to leave. When I returned again, we weren't able to leave - for almost three hundred years, we weren't allowed to leave. I couldn't have you there - even if it meant we never would grow older, even if it meant being together again. I couldn't do that to you." he apologized. She understood - the place was a prison and he couldn't let her live like that.
"So, he plays games, which means we just have to play his game better than he does. We can beat him Killian, and then we can finally start to live." she said, squeezing his hand one last time, before they stood up and went to find their son.