A/N: Back another chapter! I took my time with this chapter to build suspense. Now that we're towards the end, I just wanted to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I never thought this story would be as popular as it is. Over 10,000 views in just 12 chapters is a little over 833 views a chapter. Which is severely cool!

Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time

Apologies for any mistakes.

Chapter XIII: So Close

"You did what?!" Snow asked, in utter disbelief. She'd almost choked on her morning cocoa.

"I merely suggested that if he insisted on treating Emma like shit, he should leave." Regina told her defensively. "I was protecting her!"

Snow turned desperately to her husband. David rolled his eyes heavenward, grabbing his jacket. "I'll go find him."

She didn't speak again until the door closed. "You know if he leaves, he won't be able to come back!"

"And then Emma will have to accept it and move on." Regina countered. "We have been cheering her on with the hope speech, but what if Killian can't be brought back because Derek isn't worthy of her?"

Snow backed off a bit, mulling it over in her head.

Derek Norrington was a criminal who prided himself on non-commitment and a silver tongue. He didn't have any real friends, no alliances, and the lies Hades have put in his head run deep. He doesn't have any hope, and quite frankly doesn't want any. And if it's one thing Emma desperately needs-its hope.

"So what's the plan?" Snow exhaled, leaning in a new direction.

"We try to heal Emma's heart." Regina suggested. It was deceitful, but she was making the tough choices she knew Emma couldn't.

"And how do we do that?" Snow asked. "I'm pretty sure sending her true love over the town line will have the exact opposite effect."

"Instead of trying to restore Derek's memories, we're going to take all of Emma's memories of Killian." Regina explained solemnly.

"Like the dream catchers..." Snow whispered. "but, she'll never have known him at all!"

Regina raised a finger, turning to the book. "Not necessarily. The medallion can be used to erase memories, and afflictions. We can still leave her with the memories of their friendship, but the memories tied to her love for him will be gone..."

"And then she can move on." Snow finished. With a nod she agreed. "Let's do it."

Derek glanced down at his papers; the new driver's license was impeccable. Doctor Facilier had a true gift for deception.

Riding in the red mustang he was kidnapped in, he thought about Leia. He knew this was the right thing. He was a criminal, with no past, and no future. She deserved to be in this cookie-cutter town, with some prince charming.

A familiar flash of red in blue caught his attention in the rear view mirror. "Bloody hell." He grumbled.

The cop siren went off as a warning. He pulled on to the side of the road, as the sheriff got out of the car.

"Out of the car please." David said automatically, and waited until Derek. complied. He was silently thanking God that he'd reached him in time. The town line was only a few miles up the road.

"Look, if you're here on behalf of the Mayor, you don't have to worry, I was just leaving." Derek sighed stepping out of the mustang.

David rolled his eyes, with a smile. "Re-The Mayor can be a bit aggressive."

"Aggressive?!" Derek cut him a wide eyed scowl. "The woman is a rabid pit bull!"

"Well she has good reason." David countered, crossing his arms.

Derek sighed. "Another reason I'm leaving. This town is entirely too damn small."

"I didn't pull you over to make sure you left town," David told him. "I came to make sure you know what you're doing."

"I don't even know what I'm doing here!" Derek confessed. "Other than awaiting transport."

David blew out a breath. So he did know that Emma was a cop. "I know it's difficult to process now, but you were brought here for a second chance."

"What makes you think I deserve one mate?" Derek asked, then muttered "Least of all with her."

David shrugged. "I don't, but Leia does. And her wishes are very close to my heart. Which the only reason you're not being transported to New York."

Derek stared at him carefully. He and Leia were the same age, he was a handsome guy, strong build. "You an ex-lover?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm her fa…"David stalled for a moment, trying think quick on his feet. "I'm family."

Sensing the sincerity in his words, Derek nodded. "Big brother…well you don't have to worry about me mate. I'm not going to be making any headway with her."

"Why?" David found himself asking.

"Can love survive two lying, murdering individuals with hidden agendas and even darker mysterious pasts?" Derek asked the rhetorical question, out loud. It was almost comical, how screwed up they would be together.

But she might be worth it…He found his subconscious answering.

"True love isn't easy." David admitted. "But it must be fought for. Because once you find it, you know you can't live without it."

Derek raised a brow. "Spoken like a true married man." He snorted.

David lifted a shoulder. "I am. Don't regret a minute of it." Leaning off of the yellow beetle, he said, "If you're leaving, I won't try and stop you. There's a diner a few miles up the road with gas station for you to fill up."

Derek was stunned. "That's it? No 24 hour holding, fighting me?"

"Not my fight." David called back without looking. "Best of Luck."

"He's gone." David announced as he came back to the apartment. Snow fought back tears. "God, sometimes I feel like our family really is cursed."

"Snow, you don't mean that." He pulled up a bar stool next to her.

"Don't I?" Snow scoffed. "I mean, look at us! Both of our children have had traumatic childhoods, love seems to keep slipping from Emma…and now I'm resorting to taking her memories, just so she won't feel any pain."

"What?" David stood. This was not his wife talking. Snow was the epitome of hope. And if she was giving up…he didn't know how long he'd last. "Snow, what did you do?"

"Nothing yet." Snow assured tiredly. "Regina had the idea to use the medallion to wipe away Emma's memories of her love for Hook."

"You cannot be serious." David frowned. "She needs her pain Snow! It's a part of who she is!"

"I'm tired of seeing my daughter hurt!" Snow trembled. David nodded. "So am I. But do you think taking her love of Hook away will fix things? She'll never love again."

"It's alright." Emma said as she walked in. "I'm not going to need it."

She went straight for the cupboard, taking out her favorite mug. "Taking away my love isn't such a bad idea, although, a heads up would have been nice." She gave her mother a pointed stare.

David walked up to his daughter. "Don't do this Emma. If your heart can break, it can heel. You just have to give it time."

"Relax Dad. Regina told me without harnessing the power of the medallion, it's just a theory." She assured him while making cocoa. "Besides…Derek is gone."

"How do you know?" Snow asked, darting her eyes to David.

"The red mustang is gone. I woke up this morning and it wasn't parked outside my house." She told them. Not that she had expected Derek to stay. He'd made it very clear that he felt nothing for her…but she hoped Killian had. He's gone. She scolded. Time to move on…

Seeing her parents worried exchange she gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me. We all knew this was a long shot, right?" she took a sip of her cocoa. "And besides, Hades was right. Having him alive and a stranger is better than not having him at all."

Regina placed the last remaining decorations for the ball tonight. Henry stood by, admiring the scenery. "It's beautiful." He said quietly.

She glanced around, seeing much black and white, with dashes of red roses sprinkled about. A grand chandelier hanging in the center. "Well, magic does have its perks."

"So does all this fade by midnight?" He asked, checking out the glass unicorns.

"I hope not." Robin commented as he entered the room. "Regina…this place is amazing."

Regina smiled as he took her into his arms. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to impress me." He whispered, kissing her cheek.

She was, but he didn't need to know that. "Dream on, bandit." She chuckled pushing him off playfully.

Robin pretended to be wounded. "I shall hope for such an occasion. Now, I've come to take henry for his lesson."

"Am I learning the sword today?" Henry asked. "I'm already pretty good at sailing." And damn if he didn't miss doing it. He went to the Jolly Roger on days when he wanted to be alone, wishing Killian was there to talk to.

"No." Robin laughed. "If you want to learn how to use a sword, you ask David. If you want to learn how to track, you go to Snow. But if you want to learn how to use a bow…"

"I ask Merida!" Henry finished. Robin saddened a bit. "Me…I was going to say me…but Merida's pretty good, if aggressive accuracy is your thing."

Henry smirked. "I'm sure the famous bandit has a few tricks as well."

"Indeed." Robin winked. Regina turned slightly with a frown. "Keep my son away from Will Scarlett. If it's all the same to you, I wouldn't like Henry to have a fully juvie record by his 16th birthday."

"Hold on a second. Will watches Roland all the time." Robin reminded her. Regina raised a brow. "Remember last week when he stole his play mate's cookies?"

"Right.." Robin recalled with a sheepish grin. "I'll talk to Will. Come on Henry."

Henry waved goodbye to his mother and Regina watched as they left. Her cellphone rang not too soon after.

"Hey." Emma greeted. "Just wanted to say, I don't think I'm going to make it tonight."

"You're the savior, and the guest of honor." Regina huffed. "You have to be there!"

"What's the point?" Emma asked. "I can save everyone except the one I love? There's nothing to celebrate. Besides, I need to be on the lookout for the Shadow Man."

"And what better way to do that then at the ball?" Regina reasoned. "The whole town will be there, and we need all the allies we can get. Even Gold suspects he'll show up tonight."

"…Well when you put it that way…." Emma trailed.

"Be there. It's not a request Miss Swan." Regina directed, closing her phone. She checked around the room once more, praying like hell nothing went wrong tonight.

The ball was a spectacular event. The Royal family all dressed in some form of red to show unity. Regina chose to wear a lovely maroon mermaid gown, her crown, and sparkling diamonds.

Charming wore an all-white, royally decorated suite, with the honorary red sash across his chest with gold trimmings, while snow had a sparkling ball gown with a gorgeous train. They were all surprised to see henry arrive wearing a prince's attire, and blue sash. No doubt given by Regina.

Regina played a gracious host, showing her all too rare fun side. She and Robin laughed as they took shots, snickering at Leroy who was getting drunker by the hour.

Everyone was having a marvelous time. Everyone that is, except the guest of honor. Emma had showed up to the ball, receiving many compliments on her beauty and many thanks for saving the town.

She'd allow her mother to do her hair, in an intricate goddess braid, forming a golden halo on her head. Snow had given her a tiara that was her first. It delicately in her head, as lace weaved in out of her hair. Her dress was a flowing backless goddess gown, that made her appear to be floating as she walked. The only red she wore was her lipstick.

"Emma, you haven't danced all night." Snow said as she approached. Emma kept a watchful eye out. "I'm only hear to be ready for the Shadow Man."

"If you just stand here, looking for the next fight, you're going to miss out on something wonderful." Snow said sweetly. She nodded towards Henry, who was dancing with Violet.

Emma felt herself smiling, watching her son try not to stumble with the complicated dance. He and violet shared a smile, and she couldn't watch anymore. "Mom, I think Dad wants to dance with you."

Snow turned to see David with his hand outstretched. "It's been far too long, darling."

"Yes it has." She replied dreamily. Emma couldn't help but laugh as her father waltzed her mother away on a cloud.

She remembered her first dance at King Midas' castle. It was the most magical night of her life. And it will never be like that again… she thought miserably.

"And here I thought, you'd at least pretend to enjoy yourself. " Regina complained.

Emma smirked, changing the subject. "I see Robin has some pretty smooth moves on the dance floor."

"Yes, well…" Regina blushed, not wanting to elaborate. She had been sneaking glances at Emma all night to see her either reserved or playing stake-out.

"You should have a little more faith." She told the savior. "Who knows? I learned to love again, so can you."

"If only I had a quarter..." Emma shook her head. "I'm done learning Besides, the author was right."

"About what?" Regina asked.

"You can't write your own happy ending." Emma whispered.

"Emma, your prince is out there." Regina promised, placing a hand on her shoulder. "And it won't be some dirty criminal."

"I bathe quite frequently, thank you."

Emma's eyes grew big as they both turned to see Derek, standing behind them in a navy blue uniform, a sword at his side.

"Your son said this would be appropriate." Derek waved a hand to his decorated naval uniform. It obviously had belonged to Killian.

Regina cut an approving smirk towards Derek. "And here I thought you'd leave quietly without a fight."

"A man unwilling to fight for what he wants deserves what he gets." Derek said, raising a challenging brow to her. When Regina merely nodded, he knew he had earned her respect.

Regina walked away back into the crowd, but not before telling Emma, "You owe me a quarter."

Emma didn't have time to comment about the quarter reference as she soaked in the sight of Derek standing there, looking very handsome in Killian's clothes. "I thought you were-"

"I was." Derek confirmed.

"But you came back." She concluded.

He nodded. She just gazed into his eyes, wondering. "Why?"

"I had to see you again, even if it's just to say goodbye." He admitted.

"Emma Swan." She told him.

"Who's that?" Derek asked quietly. He had gotten so lost in her eyes, soaking in how gorgeous she was, mentally kicking himself on how he'd almost missed it.

"My name. It's Emma Swan." She said quietly. "I should have told you from the beginning, but I was just scared. And the thing is…I'm not so scared anymore. You know what I mean?"

He smiled. "I'm starting to."

"It's that time of evening folks." Doctor Hopper announced. "I would like to introduce the final dance of the evening-the King and Queen's waltz."

"Well, Miss Swan," Derek held out inviting hand, accompanied by devilishly handsome grin. "May I have the pleasure?"

Emma saw a glimpse of the man she used to know. Killian was standing before her, and she could resist a smile as she took his hand, allowing him to guide her on the dance floor. The lights dimmed into a romantic glow as the music flowed.

(You're in my arms, and all the world is calm…The music playing on for only two…)

They began to waltz around the room, everyone fading into a blur around them. Their eyes never left each other as he spun her around, creating a wonderful spectacle.

Derek had stolen her breath in one elaborate spin, her back now to his chest as he let the music enchant them both. Emma smiled, knowing that they had captured everyone's attention as he guided her around the ball room with flourish.

Snow and David watched as their daughter danced gracefully around the room. Snow wiped a tear from her eye. "Oh Charming…Look at her!"

"I know." He finished, watching her spin away from Derek, only to end up back in his arms. All the balls they would have thrown in the enchanted forest, all the parties Emma would have attended…he wouldn't trade that life for a moment of missing this.

(So close to reaching that famous happy end.Almost believing this was not pretend…And now you're beside me and look how far we've come…)

Henry watched in pure joy as his mother danced closely with Killian. When Derek showed up asking for help, he'd been all too eager to surprise her at the ball.

Yes! He thought to himself. Operation light swan accomplished!

Something warm encircled his wrist. Henry looked down curiously to see the bracelet glowing blue. "Oh no!" he breathed, trying to find Regina.

He saw Emma kissing Derek and he ran through the crowd. Something was here-something bad. "MOM!" he shouted, but it was too late.

"I know this thing between us was probably, doomed since the beginning." Derek said as they slowed. "But the thing is, I'm willing to try if you are."

"So, we just start all over?" Emma said as he stepped away from her, drawing her close again.

He nodded. "Yeah. I'm Derek Norrington."

She smiled brightly. She definitely owed Regina a quarter. "Nice to you Derek. I'm…"

"Stunning." He finished, spinning her around once more. As the final notes played the crowd cheered, praising the band.

Derek pulled her close to him, gazing into her eyes. "Emma, I…" his words were lost to him.

Emma placed a finger on his lips, before bringing her mouth to his. Derek returned the sentiment eagerly, engaging in the most passionate kiss he'd ever felt. There was a soft glow that warmed his chest, and a fever that struck his body aflame.

So this is love. He thought, cradling Emma's head in his hands. When they broke apart, he saw tears in her eyes, her smile a mile long.

"Mom!" The sound of Henry's voice in the distance, but Emma didn't have time to turn around. Something was happening.

Derek watched in horror as Emma's eyes grew big, and a sharp pain ripped through her. She put her hands on his chest, before they began to shake. Her eyes rolled back, and she began to fall. He caught her as she collapsed in his arms.

"EMMA!" Derek called, but she was unresponsive, her skin beginning to pale. Henry knelled by their side, taking his mother's hand in his. "We need help!"

Regina rushed over, seeing that Emma was unconscious. "What the hell happened!"

"I'm…I'm not sure." He answered, cradling Emma's head in his hands.

"You son of a bitch!" She growled. Snow and David ran to them, alarmed to see Emma on the floor.

"Emma!" David called, bending low. "What the hell?!"

"Ask him!" Regina retorted, nodded towards Derek.

"Regina, calm down." Robin soothed, placing a hand on her back.

"NO!" She snapped, glaring at Derek. "Don't tell me to be calm; she's lying half dead on the floor!"

"I didn't do anything!" Derek barked.

Gold parted the crowd, running a hand over Emma's body. "She's alive…barely." He examined carefully. "Something's draining the life out of her."

"Derek, what happened?" Snow pleaded.

"I just…kissed her." Derek admitted, slightly dazed.

"It's the Shadow Man." Gold assessed. "He's using him as a conduit."

"But how is that even possible?" Snow asked. "He doesn't even have magic?"

David glared at Derek. "Unless the Shadow Man gave him some."

Derek frowned. "Who the hell is the shadow man and what are you all blabbering on about when Emma clearly needs a hospital!"

"Derek, we need you to think." Robin said. "Is there anything you drank in this town, aside from the liquor?"

Derek thought back for moment…shit. "A man named Doctor Facilier, gave me a vial. It was just supposed to make me immune to chloroform so I couldn't be drugged again."

Gold raised a brow. "And you were stupid enough to believe that?"

Derek's eyes darkened at the insult. "Hey, little man. It worked. Now how do we save Emma?"

"I'm afraid you cant."

Everyone turned to a figure emerge from the shadows. Derek growled. He wanted to blow the man's brains out all over the ballroom floor. "Facilier."

David took a step forward, blocking him from Emma's body. "What do you want with our daughter?!"

Facilier lifted a nonchalant shoulder. "Me? Personally Nothing. Thanks to Mr. Norrington, I have everything I want."

Regina's eyes grew wide. The medallion... "Hell no!" She uttered glaring at Derek.

"I'm just here to tie up loose ends." Facilier told them all. "The Savior is mine." He waved his hand, and Emma's body transformed into a black smoke, before disappearing entirely, along with himself.

"NO!" Henry screamed, attempting to run after it. Snow pulled him back, clutching him close as he cried.

(So close…and still so far…)

A/n: In case you're wondering, that song and the chapter were inspired by the movie Enchanted. The song is called So Close. I just love that whole dance scene because it was realistic and just…wonderful to watch. What's happened to Emma?! What will the heroes do now? Where the hell is Calico Jack?! All to come in chapter 14. Stick around.

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-R.