A/n: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Back as promised with another chapter. Reviews and Follows are ALWAYS welcome. Thank you. I mostly focus on the follows/favorites more than reviews. I don't always review a story I like, but I will follow it until the end and then review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time or the characters within.

Apologies again, for any mistakes wherein.

Chapter III: The Dutchman

"Parley!" Henry shouted. "I want to speak to the captain, and you can't hurt me till the parley is complete."

"Bring him here." The woman called out. The pirates grabbed Henry by the arm, throwing him at her feet.

"Milah…" Henry gasped in recognition.

"It's Mistress Jones! She roared. "And whatever business you have with the captain, you can take it up with my sword."

He stared up at his grandmother, not believing how similar they were. He had the same color hair, the same nose. It was strange to see a woman who died over 300 odd years ago, standing in front of him and not have a clue as to who he is.

"Search him." She instructed. Two of the pirates began to pull on him, checking for anything of value. They weren't disappointed. One of the pirates pulled out a handful of Dutchman doubloons.

Milah snatched them up, putting them in a coin purse. She took a kneel to meet his eye level, grabbing his neck in a choking grip. "You picked the wrong ship to steal from boy."

She stood, unsheathing her cutlass. The pirates all cheered, chanting for her to spill blood.

Pointing the sword directly under Henry's Chin, she demanded. "WHO ARE YOU."

"He's my son!" A voice called.

Milah turned to see a blonde woman, standing at the helm of the Dutchman, with four other intruders.

"Well you're just in time!" Milah called out with a leer. "I was just about to teach your boy a lesson in manners."

"If you want to fight, then fight me." The brunette called out next to the blonde. They approached the middle of the ship, the men shoving their way through to her.

"Let him go." The brunette threatened. "Or you won't have to wait for judgment. I'll send you to hell myself."

Milah laughed, as well as the crew above the ship. She took her sword from the boy's neck. Another short haired brunette approached the boy, pulling him into the safety of their huddle.

"I'm afraid I can't let you leave." She told them. The pirates made snarling noises as they surrounded the group.

"Not only are we leaving, but we're taking the gold with us." The blonde woman challenged.

"I don't think so, wench." Milah snarled, drawing her weapon on them. "MEN. ATTACK."

"Anyone got a plan?" Robin asked, not taking his eyes off the pirates that began to close in.

"Yeah." Emma said as she drew her sword. "Get Henry off the ship, kick their ass, try not to get killed."

"Good plan." Snow agreed. "Regina, give us a little breathing room."

Regina lifted her hands, sending all the pirates flying back with a powerful blast. "Now!"

They all charged, trying to fight their way through the pirates. Emma blocked a blow from her left, swinging back just in time to meet Milah's sword with her own.

She moved quickly, trying her best to play defense against Milah, who moved like…well, a ghost. But she was determined. She needed that gold to get her family home, and if need be, she'd kill Milah again to get it.

"You think you can come onto my captain's ship and steal from us?" Milah growled, giving a swift swipe of the sword.

Emma barely escaped it. She did a quick sidestep and roll that Hook had taught her, kicking Milah's sword out of her hand.

Emma pushed her against the mass, the cutlass tightly at her throat. "YES." She answered.

"ENOUGH." A voice thundered out. The pirates all halted in their efforts to kill the intruders.

Robin held his position, along with Snow and Charming. Henry stood eerily still as a sword was once again at his throat.

Emma felt herself go rigid with fear, hope…love and despair. Hook was there, looking right through Henry. He didn't recognize him, or anyone else.

She lowered her weapon from Milah's neck. Hook made his way towards her, dragging Henry along.

"You've caused quite a stir lass." Hook remarked with a cocky brow. "Now be a good girl and drop your weapons, or I'll kill this little spitfire."

Regina gave her a glance, and Emma nodded. They all lowered their weapons. Pirates seized them, tying their hands and feet.

Milah picked up her sword and went to Hook's side. "They were trying to make off with the doubloons."

Hook appeared concerned as he checked Milah. "Are you alright luv?"

She smiled, giving him a loving kiss. "Aye Captain."

Emma turned away, not being able to stomach the sight of Hook kissing another woman, again. Even if she was his first love. On some level she was rational- he didn't remember her or their life together.

But that was a good thing right? If he hadn't remembered her, she was the thing he loved most.

"Who are you?" Hook asked as he approached. "And let's have the truth. I'd hate to have to kill your son. My men just swabbed the decks."

There was a light hackle among the crew as Hook arched his cunning brow. She wished more than anything; they were back in Storybrooke with him trying his luck at making her do something less than honorable.

"My name is Leia." She answered quietly, not wanting to reveal herself. If Hook didn't know who she was, he could still be at peace. "I died some time ago."

"Now that's interesting, because the dead don't have magic." Hook smirked as he circled her. He stopped, and whispered in her ear. "Say goodbye to your son lass."

Milah raised her sword, preparing to stab Henry.

"NO!" Emma called out. "You're right! I'm not dead! We came to the Underworld to find someone. That's the truth!" she rapidly explained.

"Who were you searching for?" Hook demanded to know.

"…You." Emma breathed. Tears finally unleashed, and she couldn't stop the floodgates. "We came here for you, Killian."

"What?" Hook asked as he stared into her eyes. She was a lovely creature to be sure. Her emerald eyes told no lies as she stared back at him, pleadingly. He didn't know her, but apparently, she thought she knew him.

"You died, and I came here for you." Emma explained.

"You're not taking him anywhere, witch." Milah seethed, stepping closer to Hook. "Killian, she's obviously a lying mermaid or siren."

"Aye." Hook agreed, not breaking his skeptical, albeit curious, glare at Emma.

"She's not lying!" Henry called out, struggling against his hold. "We came here to bring you home."

"Killian…" Emma reached out a hand to him, but Hook snatched his arm back.

"It's Captain! And I wouldn't lass. My lady has a real jealous streak." He threatened.

Emma tore her hurtful gaze from him to Milah. Milah put a hand on to Killian's arm, staking her evident claim.

Killian wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "We're done here." He turned to the crew. "Boys, bleed them dry!"

Cheers erupted as the crew started to move in. Emma thought about what David said. He loves you, he just doesn't remember.

"I can prove it!" Emma shouted over the noise. Killian paused, half turning. "I doubt it."

Emma raised her hand, to show him the ring that never left her hand. Killian stared back at the ring, then gripped his chest where it once resided. Milah followed his gaze. "Is that…"

"Aye, It's my brother's ring." Killian confirmed, walking back to Emma. "How did you get it?!" he barked.

Emma glanced at a fuming Milah, before answering. "You gave it to me in Camelot, right before you told me you loved me."

"LIES." Milah objected.

Regina glared at her. "It's the truth. You've been dead for over 300 years. Killian's heart doesn't belong to you anymore, it belongs to Emma, and we came all the way to the underworld to get it."

Killian saw the ring on her pointer finger trying to put the pieces together in his mind. "No, that can't be. I've only loved Milah."

Emma sighed, fighting back more tears. "It kills me to do this to you now because you've found peace …but, I can't leave without you knowing how much I loved you."

"You're stalling, and I've had enough of your lies." Milah told her lifting her sword. Emma didn't flinch as she held it to her neck.

"Go ahead." Emma dared. "But I'm not running this time."

David smiled proudly.

Killian saw the determination in her lovely face. She was a fighter, and right now, she was fighting for him. He had to admire her effort.

"Just because you believe something doesn't make it true." He said quietly. Whether he was trying to convince her, or himself, was less certain.

Emma smirked at the irony of it all. "Those words are finally coming back to bite me in the ass."

Milah pressed the blade closer to her throat. "Any last words?" she growled.

Emma didn't break her gaze towards Killian. "I never told you before...the moment you sold your ship for me, I fell in love with you."

"ENOUGH!" Milah snapped, stepping back to give a final blow with her sword. She brought it down with all the force within her spirit.

Emma prepared herself for the blow, hearing screams from her family. She could die knowing she hadn't ran away-that she'd fought for love. Her only regret, was she wasn't strong enough be able to save him. Closing her eyes, Emma knew the cutlass to pierce her heart, ending her suffering.

And then...a clank of hard metal resounded on the ship.

Milah stood in disbelief as Killian held the sword in his hook. He cut Milah a sympathetic glance, before taking the weapon from her.

"Killian?" She questioned sadly. Her eyes shifted from him to the blonde, who'd appeared just as shocked. "Y-you…you don't believe her do you?"

"There's only one way to find out, I'm afraid." Killian told her, looking back to Emma. He took a tentative step towards her, lifting her chin ever so slightly.

"Tell me-why should I believe all this." He demanded softly.

"You once told me I was your happy ending. Now, I need you to believe in that, more than ever." Emma whispered. "Because I believe in us."

Killian cautiously closed the distance between them, sealing their lips together in a tentative kiss.

An aura blasted through the air, and Emma could feel the magic surround them. Killian felt the flashes of memories come flooding back though his mind, taken from the river. His hands pulled her tighter, their kiss becoming more passionate.

When they broke apart, Emma gazed into his eyes. "Hook?"

"Aye, love. You found me." Hook answered back affectionately. Emma smiled, kissing him again and again. They embraced tightly, as Hook spun her around.

As he set her down, Killian turned to his crew. "Release them!" He demanded.

The pirates began to untie them. The family came racing to Killian, Henry giving him a huge hug.

"What are you all doing here?" Hook asked in mock exasperation. "You're depriving me from a heroic death!"

Robin Smirked. "Too late for that mate."

"It appears the crocodile is the Dark One again." Regina informed him.

Hook turned to Emma. "But how is that possible? I thought you destroyed the darkness when I died."

"Well…." Emma tried to explain but not finding the words. How do you tell the man you love, that he died for nothing?

"Gold found a loophole." David broke it to him bluntly. "He used a potion to channel the energy back into a dagger."

"So Emma came up with the brilliant idea to come to the underworld and steal back your soul." Snow chimed in.

Hook touched Emma's cheek with his knuckles. "You came all the way to the Underworld, to avenge me?"

"Yes." Emma confirmed. "You told me you were a survivor, well so am I."

"Aye, but I don't think even you can cheat death, Swan." Hook told her quietly.

"Watch me." Emma smirked. Hook chuckled. "I do love it when you're determined."

"What the hell is going on?" Milah's voice rang out.

Killian and Emma's smiles faltered as they all turned to her. She appeared hurt, and confused and infuriated. Not that anyone could blame her. Nothing made sense anymore.

Killian gripped Emma's hand. "There's no sense of time here. So in her eyes…"

"You just broke her heart." Emma concluded. "We'll give you a minute."

Everyone started to leave, but Killian held onto Emma's hand. "You know…"

"Yeah." Emma nodded. "But it still hurts like hell."

"Aye, it does." He agreed. He gave her hand one more squeeze before walking over to Milah.

"Milah..." Killian introduced for a lack of a better explanation. "What they said is all true."

"She has you under some spell!" Milah protested. She refused to believe that her pirate was fawning over this woman and her lies.

Hook closed his eyes and sighed. "You've been dead for over three hundred years."

"Lies!" She shouted. "Fight it Killian."

"I tried." Killian confessed. "I was fighting that feeling all this time. The part of me that knew something was missing. I thought I would find it here, with you…but it's not. Not anymore."

Grabbing his hand, she clutched it to her heart. "Why are you doing this Killian? Whatever this is, we can beat it. Together, remember? Don't you love me?"

"I did!" Killian admitted. "I spent centuries chasing a ghost!"

"I never meant anything to you!" Milah retorted, breaking their hold as tears fell down her face.

A silence stretched between them. Killian grabbed her hands again.

"Who is she?" She whispered touching his cheek. "Why is she here? You're dead. We belong together."

Killian couldn't give her an easy answer, because she had a point. He was dead. Eternally, he belonged here, among the souls of the Underworld. He had come back to her, but his heart wasn't in it. The sea was no longer his home. Emma was.

"Stay with me Killian. I love you." Milah pleaded.

Killian squeezed his eyes shut, before telling her. "Sorry love. I can't."

Milah took a step back. "So that's it then? Just condemn me to Hell?"

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"My job is to protect the treasure from souls trying to leave the underworld. That's why the Dutchman never makes port."

"To guard the doubloons." Killian concluded.

"If I let them leave with it, Hades will know and condemn me to Hell." Milah explained. "Do you hate me that much?"

Killian stared back into blue eyes, seeing the pain in them. "Not at all, luv."

A/N: Another chapter done. So Milah is back and Killian has some decisions to make. What will he do? And we'll also be revisiting Mr. Gold as he faces off with none other than…Peter Pan.

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-R.