A/N: Sorry for not updating in 24/hr. I came down with the flu-germy children (eeww!)Thanks again for all the love. I appreciate all the positive feedback for this story. It goes to show, you can never judge a story on this website by reviews alone. I've read so many GREAT stories with less than 10 reviews, but 1,000 views and 50 followers. Thank you again! I look forward to reading some of my followers' fictions. I'm a huge fan of the show.

Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time.

Apologies of any errors...

Chapter XI: Pawns

Derek groaned as he sat up. "Bloody hell…" he muttered. The sun peeked brightly through the bay windows.

He looked around the unfamiliar house, trying to recount his last memories. Jess was a backstabbing bitch, some strange woman named Meg had saved him, He had killed Morgan, Leia had killed Jess, and Jack had drugged him.

He needed to get the hell out of here. As if counter measures were invading his thoughts, he heard noise coming from above.

"Morning mate." Jack's voice greeted, coming down from the stairs.

Derek stood, wasting no time. "Where the hell are we?"

"Safe." Was Jack's vague answer. Everyone had agreed that less was more until they could find a way to restore Killian's memories.

But from the looks of things, Killian was ready to bolt, so Jack tried another tactic. "Look, we needed a place to lay low until the investigation dies down. Leia brought us here-we're off the grid."

Derek mulled it over in his head. Jack was right. He was probably New York's number one suspect at the moment. "Fine. Where can we get something to eat around this place?"

Jack smirked. "There's a diner not too far from here. Leia left us some spare clothes from her ex-boyfriend." Technically they were still Killian's, but he decided to mince words.

"Stop calling her that!" Derek snapped a little. "You and I both know that's not her real name." He headed towards the stairs to get dressed. He'd check his surroundings, and find a way to disappear.

Emma sat leisurely in her parent's apartment, studying the spell books. She and Regina had gotten started early, in hopes of finding some answers.

"Is there anything else that your friend told you about the medallion?" Regina asked tiredly. So far they were finding very little luck on how to actually use it.

"All she said is what the book says. Its power comes from Zeus, and it can restore Killian's memories and soul to him." Emma answered.

Snow came down the stairs, with a small frown of disapproval, but remained quiet.

"What is it mom?" Emma asked when she glanced up from the book.

"What? No, I'm fine!" Snow waved her hand, beginning to make herself some hot chocolate with cinnamon.

"No, I know that look all too well. Spill it." Emma pressed, closing the spell book.

"Really, it's nothing…"Snow said, sipping her drink. She absently began to drum her nails on the counter.

Regina glared at her. "WHAT?!" She demanded to know.

Snow jumped a bit, startled. "It's just that…I think you're going about this the wrong way." She finally admitted.

Emma looked down at the books. "What? I'm trying to find a way to restore his memories."

"Instead of making new ones?" Snow countered. When Emma paused, she continued. "Remember what you said about falling in love again? Now is your chance."

With a sigh, Emma stood placing the book on the counter. "It's not as simple as that."

"Snow's right." Regina agreed, closing the book with a resounding thud. "You're so deadest on bringing back Hook because he's already broke down those walls. Now that he's stranger, you have to do it all over again."

"You guys, he doesn't trust me!" Emma reminded them. "He doesn't even know my real name."

"He would if you told him." Snow chimed. Seeing her daughter's defenses on the rise, she exhaled. "I know you're scared. But you have to trust Hook. Trust your heart."

"I did that!" Emma snapped a little. "All in New York, I put myself out there and you know what I got? Nothing! I'm just tired of-"

"You're tired?!" Snow's eyes widened in admonishment. "You're tired of fighting for love?" she slammed her cup down, anger boiling from her gut.

Emma tried to explain, never seeing her mother so upset. "Listen, I didn't mean…"

"NO!" Snow cut her off suddenly. "YOU LISTEN to me Princess! You think you're tired?! I've been fighting for years! I've found love, lost love, been separated from it, and faced certain death because of it. My heart has been broken over and over-losing my parents, my home, my children…but it has always been worth it!"

Regina felt guilt at listening to Snow. She never knew how much pain she kept to herself. It couldn't be easy-having to suffer a lifetime for a mistake as a child.

"And when I lost myself, it was David's love that brought me back. Not magic, not medallions. I had to trust him- trust that he loved me enough despite me not knowing anything about him…

But none of it would have been possible if David had given up. You wouldn't have been possible. So the next time you're ready to give up hope, think of all the people who have sacrificed, fought, and died, so you can be tired."

Emma watched Mary Margret walk off, in a huff out the door. She started to go after her, but Regina grabbed her hand. "Give her a moment."

Silence stretched between them before Regina finally said. "She's right, you know."

"Regina-" Emma sighed.

She shrugged. "It's true! Love didn't come easy for them, and it's not going to come easy for you. I hate to say it, but my love with Robin couldn't have been possible if she hadn't told me to have hope."

With a sigh, she encouraged, "Go find Guyliner. I'll stay on this."

"You sure?" Emma asked, feeling guilty for upsetting her mother. How could she be so inconsiderate? The people around her had been through hell for their love, and here she was demanding a shortcut.

"Yes." Regina nodded. "I'm better at this than you anyway."

Emma smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She grabbed her red jacket, and headed out of the apartment.

Derek walked around the town, feeling strangely excluded. People looked him in the eye as if they knew him but didn't speak outside of pleasantries. Especially the old lady who owned the diner.

Jack didn't seem to notice, or at least he pretended not to. But Derek knew his friend all too well-the scalawag didn't miss a thing.

They were currently taking a walk on the docks. It was Jack's idea to see the town, and he didn't put up much of a fuss. The more he scoped the town, the sooner he could find a way to leave.

"Enjoying the sights?"

Derek was brought out of his thoughts at the sound of the blonde's voice-which his ears were now attuned to.

"Aye." Jack greeted. "Charming town darling, but a little hard to find a drink."

Emma rolled her eyes, taking out a flask. Jack eagerly accepted, taking a hearty sip. The familiar burn felt like heaven. "Thank the blooming Lord. I hadn't been this sober since birth." He walked off merrily, enjoying his new gift.

"Now that you've appeased him, maybe you can give me some answers." Derek interrupted coolly. "Where the hell am I?"

Emma hated seeing the distrust in his eyes, but she needed to try. "We're home, well, my home."

"You told me you were a drifter." Derek recalled. "But clearly, that's another lie."

"Would you have believed me if I had told you the truth?" She asked.

"I would've believed you're more than what I see you as now." Derek countered. "A pretty, distraction." He started to walk around her, but Emma grabbed his arm, ignoring the familiar words that cut deep onto her heart.

"All I've done is try to protect you!" She explained. "Can't you just trust me?"

"Trust works both ways, lass." Derek reminded her quietly. "You want me to trust you? Tell me how you knew Jess. Hell, tell me your real name!"

Emma stared into his tortured blue eyes. Her mother's voice was pounding in her head, her heart racing a thousand miles a miles a minute. 'I know you're scared. But you have to trust Hook. Trust your heart.'

"I…" Emma started, trying to find her voice. Taking a breath, she replied. "I told you, it's Leia."

"Thought so." Derek remarked, snatching his arm back. "I'm out of here."

"Derek-" Emma called, but he cut her a deathly glare that stalled her.

"I saved your life, you saved mine. From where I stand, that makes us even, so stay the hell away from me." He threatened, and turned away, storming off.

Emma ran her hands through her hair, frustration heavy on her shoulders. She watched him disappear around the corner. She knew she should go after him. Killian had been so persistent-how did he do it?

"I can't do this…!" she whispered.

"Yes you can."

David approached his child, having seen the tail end of the exchange. He was disappointed, but not all too surprised. His daughter could be as determined as he was, but her stubbornness was all Snow.

Closing in, he pulled his daughter in for a comforting hug. Emma cried silently into his shoulder. David rubbed her back gently, encouraging her softly.

"How did you find me?" she asked when she finally pulled herself together.

"I know you like the ocean." David offered. "Your mother's worried that she may have been too hard on you this morning."

"No, I needed it." Emma told him. "I just wish I was as strong as her."

"You are!" David said with a frown. "You went to the Underworld for love. You sacrificed being free of darkness, for love."

"But now, I'm lost….I have someone from my past, someone I was so in love with…but that's all he is. A ghost from the past." Emma whispered.

"Listen to me." David said, taking Emma's crying face into his palms. "Everyone made the decisions they made for you. They've made choices and taken yours away, your whole life. But there's no way in hell, I'm going to let anyone take this choice away."

Emma tried to stop the tears, not completely understanding. "What choice is that?"

He afforded her a small smile. "You can choose who you want to be with-who to fall in love with. If you want to love Killian, then save him; if it's Derek, then so be it, but don't give up."

"What if Milah is right?" She said, glancing in the direction of Killian's ship. "What if we don't belong together anymore?"

David lectured. "No one could tell me that Snow and I didn't belong together. They tried to make decisions for us, to take away our happiness, but we fought like hell. We fought like hell...for you."

Emma smiled sadly, remembering her mother saying the same thing-only a bit harsher.

"You and Neal are our happy ending. So whatever you decide, we're with you." He promised.

Emma thought for a while, and exhaled. "I think I need to be alone."

David understood. "You alright?"

Emma nodded, feeling a little more centered. "Yes I'm fine. Please, don't let anyone come search for me."

"Sure. I've got some sheriff questions for this new clown anyway." He glared meaning Jack. Emma laughed, seeing her father was acting so…protective.

"Go easy on him." She smirked and headed towards town. She paused when David called out, "If you need me…"

"You'll find me." Emma finished instantly. David's heart grew with pride. She was so much like her mother it was crazy.

"Always." He responded, before walking back towards the sheriff station.

Derek walked for what seemed like hours, circling the cookie-cutter town numerous times. Day had turned into late afternoon and there was still nowhere for him to escape. Every damn person was friendly and accommodating and asked too many questions. "I'm in hell…" he muttered.

He suddenly came upon isolated b run-down building in the woods. "Well that's odd." He thought aloud. He could have sworn that wasn't there an hour ago. But he was too wrapped up in thoughts of Leia to really have paid the scenery any attention.

Derek made his way inside. It was low-lit, and somewhat dank. A few people where playing pool in the corner, while others drank away their problems. Louis Armstrong played in the background.

He pulled up a seat at the bar, ordering a Johnny Walker.

"You must be new."

Derek glanced up to see a slim black man, with wavy hair and a toothy leer. "Is it obvious?" he asked, but didn't really care to converse.

"Well, you may have noticed," He spoke, pulling up a seat next to him. "The town ain't all that big and word travels fast."

Derek scoffed. "Understatement my friend."

"Welcome to The Shack." He greeted, signaling for a drink. "Though, I'm surprised to see a friend of the sheriff's on this side of the tracks."

"…Sheriff?" Derek asked wearily. Suspicion crept up his spine. Please don't say it.

"The blonde woman, always wears a red leather jacket." He described, trying to job Derek's memory.

"We're not friends." Derek corrected with a frown, then asked, "What do you know of her?"

"Word is she was a bails bondsman before she came here. Hell of sheriff too. She always gets her man." He offered the information, before sipping his drink.

"I knew she was a liar." Derek growled, banging his hand on the table. "Now I'm stuck here until she can arrange transport for me back to New York."

"Well if it's a way out you need, I think I can help with that." The gentlemen smirked.

Derek eyed him suspiciously. The man was crooked, no doubt. But then again, so was he. What did he have to lose? "Derek Norrington." Introduced.

"Doctor Facilier." The man grinned widely.

Emma walked into the Mayor's Mansion, finding Regina nose deep in a book. "Any luck?"

"I've been researching all day." Regina said. "Apparently, the medallion only reveals its power to someone of true strength. Given that it belonged to Hercules, I expect no less."

She had been in her vault all morning trying to find something useful. Without going to Gold, she was amiss.

"So what does that mean?" Emma asked feeling more than a little tired. Her meeting with Killian hadn't gone as expected. Not that she was expecting anything...well, she was expecting something.

"Until I can solve the riddle, it's best we keep this under wraps." Regina advised, raising a brow. "So far only we, know about the medallion. If it falls into the wrongs hands…"

"Gold…" Emma cut in with a nod. "I get it."

"Not just him." Regina advised. "We don't know what kind of state Killian is right now. Everything from the moment he entered Storybrooke will decide his life."

"Meaning, he could turn evil and we'll never get him back." Emma sighed. "So for now, what's the plan?"

"If he falls in love with you, he'll be less able to corrupt." Regina shrugged. "So I guess the plan is, keep him on the path of good."

"Easier said, then done." Emma rolled her eyes and headed back out the door.

"Pardon my rudeness, but...Doctor…?" Derek questioned.

Facilier laughed heartily. "I have a PH.D in tribal studies, specializing in the religion Voodoo."

Derek seemed somewhat surprised. "Really? A true magician."

Facilier waved off the praise. "Minor illusions, nothing fancy. Now, I specialize in a more lucrative trade."

"Which is?" He asked.

"I can make you disappear." Facilier said, and chuckled at Derek's cynical gaze. "I mean, I make fake identification-passport, license, SSC, and birth certificates...the works."

"You're telling me, you can create me a new identity, an untraceable identity?" Derek asked him raising a brow.

Facilier nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "For a price, of course."

"Name it." Derek demanded, knowing this was the best damn news he's heard all day.

Facilier eyed him for a moment. There was desperation, confusion, and ambition in the young man's eyes. A recipe for disaster. "The Sheriff confiscated an artifact of mine some time ago. I'd like you to steal it back."

Derek exhaled. Shit. "The sheriff and I aren't on good terms."

"If you want your freedom, I suggest you get back on good terms." Faciler said, an edge of frustration in his tone. Then, he corrected, "You're a good looking fellow, shouldn't be that difficult."

Derek paused to think about the new turn of events. In order to get his freedom, he had to do the last thing he wanted to do-explore feelings. "So you want me to get in good with the sheriff, risking my freedom for an artifact."

"Simple snatch and grab." Facilier explained as if it were basic math.

Derek scoffed, taking a sip of his drink. "Why does that sound like some sort of pawn?"

"You're only a pawn if you don't know you're being used." He countered with a wink. "Just get her to trust you enough to show you where the medallion is. And then, steal it."

"Last time I confronted her, I drugged and driven to this Godforsaken town." He said skeptically.

"I can help with that." Facilier took out a small vial. What is with these vials? Are they the latest trend?

"And what the hell is this?" Derek picked up the small liquid and frowned. "I'm not going to kill her."

"Good. Missing cops draws a lot of unwanted attention." Facilier agreed. "This however, is an antidote. More than likely, the last time they drugged you, it was with chloroform."

Derek smirked. Facilier had all the right answers to his questions. Something told him that was a major warning sign. But like he said, you were only a pawn if you weren't aware of it. Whatever the witch doctor's plans, he was staying out of it.

"Deal." He finally agreed. "When do I start?"

"No time like the present." Facilier hinted non-too-subtly. "In the meantime, I'll get started on the paperwork."

"Over confident, I see." Derek quirked. Facilier laughed. "I never make a deal I can't benefit from."

"Neither do I." Derek raised his glass to him, and headed out the door.

Facilier watched Derek leave out of the bar, making sure he was out of view, before he waved his hand. The building turned into black smoke before it disappeared back into trees, the evening air holding a familiar chill.

"Well, well…it's been a long time, dearie."

Facilier smiled, turning to see Rumplestilzskin emerge from the shadows, composed and lethal as always.

"Indeed it has dark one." Facilier agreed casually.

"I'm a little surprised to see you here. Given that last time, you couldn't pay your debt." Gold mocked quietly.

"Let's just say Hades put in a good word." Facilier hinted.

"Oh I see, out on parole?" Gold slyly added.

Facilier growled, feeling his anger emerge. He and the Dark one had been battling for centuries over territory. Gold had the upper hand in the enchanted forest, before banishing him to the real world. But now it was his time for glory.

Pointing a long finger in Rumple's face, he barked, "Don't you disrespect me, little man! Don't you derogate or deride!"

"Why? Are you afraid I'll out-best you, again?" Rumple asked. "Last I checked, your parlor tricks weren't enough to compete with me."

Facilier laughed. "But you're in my world now, not your world. And unlike you, I got friends on the other side!"

"By friends, you mean Hades." Rumple assumed. "Well I hate to disappoint, but he's not here."

Facilier countered fiercely. "My black magic isn't tethered. And with all your power, it's limited to the dagger. So unless you want to wake up to a corpse of a wife, I suggest you start playing by my rules."

Rumple gritted his teeth, before disappearing in defeat.

Facilier's cheeky grin was a mile long as he looked at the voodoo necklace glowing bright. "Patience my friends…soon this whole town will be nothing but a shadow."

On the way from the mansion, thoughts consumed Emma's practical brain. Keep Killian on the path of good. How the hell was she supposed to do that? He had struggled with his darkness for centuries. Who knows how he might turn out? Gold certainly had changed.

"Oi" came a voice as she was passing the diner. She turned to see Killian sitting there, with a bottle of rum.

"What's all this?" Emma asked, eyeing the shot glasses skeptically.

"A peace offering." Derek shrugged. "I may have been a little unreasonable earlier. Could have been the lying, or the drugging, or kidnapping-either way, I'm here to make amends."

She watched as he sat at same booth in Granny's when he they had escaped the time portal. "Come on luv, don't make a man drink alone." He persuaded.

Emma sighed. "What the hell…" she muttered. Here's hoping.

She took seat in the same spot as last time, while he passed her a shot. "I'll make a deal with you." He began. "If I tell you a truth, you tell me one."

"Just one?" Emma asked skeptically.

"Aye, for now." Derek agreed. He raised his shot glass. "Here's to truth."

"To truth." Emma repeated, swallowing the shot.

"So tell me." Derek began. "What happened between you and Jess?"

Emma breathed in the still air, before blowing out slowly.

"A truth for a truth." He reminded her, pouring another shot.

"She blames me for ruining her life." Emma finally answered.

"Well did you?" Derek found himself asking.

Emma paused, thinking about all the things they had been through in the Underworld. "…yes."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Review/Favorite/Follow-me!

-R.