Chapter 8

A Gift

He was still shaking from his confrontation with damn Rumpelstiltskin.

Milah's husband was the sorcerer? How more messed up could this be? He knew that her husband was some legendary hero, but having obtained magic for his damn nobleness? It made him sick.

The man had wanted to talk to him, ask him why he was here, if he planned on ruining the man's new family too. Killian couldn't help reply with sarcasm and annoyance, but assured the man he had no interest in the man's, what had he called it? Ah, meager replacement to Milah.

Needless to say, a supposed to be peaceful talk turned into a sword fight, the same sword fight he was supposed to have nearly a decade ago. It ended just how he expected it to, he couldn't take down the knight, but at least this time, this time he tried. He even got a glancing blow on the man, cutting his too perfect dress shirt.

But he found a sword at his throat, and anger raging through his veins. He dared the man to do it, kill him, with no thought of the repercussions, Killian was just too angry to think straight.

And then Swan appeared, like a red glow, her hair, previously up, had fallen. The second he saw her, a bit of his anger diminished, the self-destructing kind at least, the kind that imagined the darkness swirling into this man after killing him in cold blood.

She made demands, just as he expected of his Swan, but she didn't need to, he was the damn sorcerer, had he been the knight, he probably would have killed him, perhaps cut off a hand before hand, but he had his damn light magic, his blood wouldn't taint it.

"Why don't you ask him to stay home longer with you and Bae?" Killian asked one day. He loved Milah, all he wanted was her happiness, even if that didn't include him.

"I've tried, he won't. The longer he's not fighting, the less influence he has with the other soldiers. My husband may appear as this noble character, but he is nothing without power."

If he tainted his light magic, then he'd lose his power. He'd given up his family to keep his influence strong; he wouldn't throw it all away to kill him.

But when The Sorcerer started threatening, threatening to ruin his future, tell Swan what he did, who he was. It enraged him, sure Emma knew about most of it already, but the thought that this man, the man who was supposed to be some sort of hero, would ruin his happiness just to spite him…it sickened him. He'd found a loophole, what was he some royal? Always finding ways to spill blood without getting his hands dirty?

Make no mistake, his hands were drenched in Milah's blood.

Just like Killian's.

However, the man did worse. Damn Rumpelstiltskin told Swan about the burns, about how The Dark One had burned him. He called it proof of Killian's mischief, of a betrayal, of how Killian was dabbling forces that he didn't understand. How he was making deals with the bloody Dark One.

Irony was, that it was he who did not understand, he didn't understand that he was in the presence of the Dark One, that she was here in a blood red dress, pretending to be a princess of a far off land that didn't exist.

He had revealed to his Swan that she had hurt him. He could see the guilt in her eyes as she refused to react for the knight, but Swan couldn't hide it from Killian. He could see it plain as day.

This was exactly why he didn't want to tell her! They barely hurt when he didn't flex the skin, he assumed that they would heal on their own, if they didn't. He'd find someone to heal it and she would never have to know. He wanted to protect her.

Thankfully though, the man's son, a blonde haired child who looked nothing like the dark haired boy Killian once knew, came running in, interrupted the tense standoff. He was relieved at that, Henry looked enough like Bae, if he saw a mirrored image in the man's new life, new son, Killian didn't know what he'd do.

But after the interruption, Emma and Killian managed to walk right out of a potentially bad situation, after all, he was supposed to be the vanquisher of all evil, and here walked in the epitome of evil into his home.

Killian wanted to instantly apologize to Emma, but knew if he tried, it would come out forced.

He really just wanted to punch a wall.

He watched the man and his boy that wasn't Bae go to a woman in a gold dress; kiss her on the cheek, lovingly, as if he'd never loved Milah, as if he hadn't destroyed her.

He approached the cottage one day a little earlier. He saw from a distance, that there were two adults there. It didn't take him long to realize that Milah and her husband were there.

"Where is he?!" The man yelled angrily.

"Gone! Weren't you listening to me? He's gone! He ran away!" She shrieked.

His heart sunk as he ducked back. He tried to listen because the obvious conclusion was impossible.

"You're lying." He declared. "My enemies must have took him! I'll find out who! I'll find my son." Killian could feel his heart break. Bae was gone.

"He ran away because he knows you don't love us, not as much as your power, you're never here, you come home and barely look at Baelfire, you don't even kiss me hello, face it, you never loved me. You never loved him. You love your power too much!" She shouted.

Killian heard the sound of things breaking and Milah screaming before the man stormed out.

He clenched his fists. If he had cared about Milah, saw what was really going on, actually bothered to pay attention, Milah wouldn't be dead.

She wouldn't have died if her damn husband hadn't kept them from escaping!

He suddenly felt Emma's hand over his fist, when had he clenched it? Killian didn't remember.

"Yes." She replied. "Her name is Belle, most annoying woman I've ever had the displeasure of meeting, can't believe she's a librarian." Emma explained her voice with a tinge of annoyance. He knew she didn't want to talk about them; she wanted to talk about what he had kept hidden from her.

Walking away, he could feel her tense, her anger raging. But he had a feeling that whatever anger she had towards him, there was just as much directed at herself, maybe more. It was the very thing he was trying to avoid. He didn't know what he could say to make it better, here in the middle of a party. Dancing guests and royalty.

But Killian couldn't help stare at the brunette beauty for another moment. She was a librarian. Something about that was raising an alarm in his head.

He turned back to Swan, pulling her close, whispering in her ear as to not get overheard. "I can assume that you are mad at me." He observed. Swan pushed him away but not out of anger, out of hatred, of fear.

She didn't want to hurt him. So she'd push him away instead.

"That you lied to me? That I had burned you and you didn't tell me? That you knew the sorcerer?" She accused. He pulled his hands away, hoping to drown out her self-hatred with a grin and a cheeky reply.

"In my defense, he wasn't a sorcerer when I knew him." He said, just a jerk and a bully who liked the idea of a wife and child he supposedly was trying to protect with his heroics. "As for the burn, I knew you would act like this." He directed. She opened her mouth to give an angry retort but her anger faded in an instant, her eyes turned distant.

"Love?" He questioned worried as she turned and crashed into him, holding him so tightly, like she thought he was going to vanish, his Emma was practically trembling. "Swan, what's wrong?" He whispered but she wasn't listening, he doubted she could even hear him. He wrapped her tighter, pleading to her to tell him what had happened, what was wrong.

"Now announcing Queen Snow and her loyal Huntsman!"

Then he knew. He held her tighter, seeing Henry's gaze from across the way, a searching gaze. The boy was looking at his mother. Killian turned Emma so he could try and prevent the boy from seeing how shaken the Queen's appearance was to her. He nodded to the boy, he was looking just as afraid as his mother. He started backing right out of the castle, his princess at his heel.

But Killian didn't move, he wanted to see, he knew the significance of the Queen, knew of her fierce and fiery temper, how she ruled with an iron fist, but he wanted to see her in all her glory.

And see he did. Her skin was pale, hair short and raised, dark as a raven, mouth as red as blood. She came in dressed in a deep red leather dress matching her lips, cut low, but what really drew him, were the Queen's eyes, they were dark and empty.

Emma's had always been dark, but they were wild too, wild with life.

The Queen was just darkness, darkness and hate. He'd mistaken her as the true Dark One any day.

It made him shivers, leading his date further away.

"Let's go love." He whispered. She nodded into him.

"Oh where oh where is the birthday boy?" Snow called triumphantly. He froze looking at the little Neal, waving at him at the back of the castle mid escape. He stopped in his tracks, smiling sheepishly at the little boy before going to stand with the little toddler to meet the Queen. He glanced from Emma to Henry.

"Emma, does your mother know about Henry? Has she ever seen him?" He asked quickly, recalling how his cutlass was resting on the floor in the chamber he'd been in earlier, but had Emma said the word, he'd rush up there and rip Henry off the platform and bolt as fast as his legs could carry him.

Emma shook her head, lifting it briefly, stealing a glance at the woman.

"I-I-I" She stuttered. "I can't go back. I can't." He pushed her towards the back of the ballroom.

"You won't, I promise, I'll keep you safe, I'll keep them from finding you." He vowed. "And if I ever fail you, I'll always come and bust you out, I'll always be there. I'll always come running back to you for as long as you want me."

She smiled, kissing him softly.

"She doesn't know who he is to me, just that I'm a friend to his family." She replied softly.

"Good." He breathed.

"Hi Neal." Snow said, Killian turned his head back to the scene. The crowd backed up as the four year old confronted the Queen, completely unaware at her reputation; she'd sooner rip out your beating heat than smile. The royal picked up his hand in her gloved fingers, leading them over to a chair, a thrown, sitting him up on her lap. Her huntsman at her side "I hear it's your birthday." She said gently.

"Yes ma'am" The boy replied happily, oblivious to the evil in the woman, to the shock in the others, she was never this nice nor kind to anyone. "Papa says you give me a pwesent every yeaw on my biwthday."

The Queen nodded, petting his blonde hair.

"Yes I do, now do you know what I gave you last year little one?"

Emma turned looking over at the scene carefully, but didn't let him go.

"This necklace! It's my favorite, mama doesn't like it but I do." He said boldly, the queen smiled, holding out her hand.

"May I?" The boy nodded, letting her take off the silver chain. "This chain represents all the connections you'll make with the people around you." She began. "I gave it to you on your first birthday." She motioned to the middle charm. "This is a shield, meant to protect you from danger." Then the next. "A sword, to remind you to be brave, like your father."

Rumpelstiltskin puffed up his chest, standing tall besides the petite brunette. They were watching the scene closely, not that he blamed them, the Queen of the realm was holding their baby boy. The Queen kept her gaze fixed on the child, her servant glaring at the proud parents.

"Are you going to give me another charm?" The boy asked hopefully.

She chuckled, waving her hand, a golden charm appearing in her hand, she placed it in his.

"A compass!" The boy squealed.

"So you always find your family, so you'll always find your way home." He felt Emma pull back into him, shaking violently. He bent down a fraction to look at her.

"Relax love. It's going to be ok." Emma shook her head. She was on the verge of freaking out.

"What are they doing? Why are they giving him that?!" She hissed, her hand going to her throat, rubbing and scratching at her skin at something that wasn't there.

Killian didn't understand, but something about the gifts was greatly distressing Emma.

Then suddenly, the calm party, erupted into chaos. He could feel tension in the air as Killian turned back towards the crowd, her eyes landing squarely on Emma and him. The blonde shivered.

"Dark One! I knew I felt your dark magic!" She roared, eyes of ice turning to liquid fire. "Guards! Get her!" He didn't waste a moment, grabbing Emma's hand and pulling her away as guards started filtering though the crowds of confused party goers.

"Time to go Swan." He informed her, grabbing her hand as they turned to the nearest exit. "Too bad we didn't get to have any cake." He snickered, getting an eye roll from Swan.

"I'll say." She muttered under her breath sarcastically. They ducked behind a column before a trio dashed past them.

People were running every which way in panic. They could hear the screams if panic, and children wailing.

(It was a party for a four year old after all)

"Henry!" She hissed as they got back up and ran out the door towards one of the balconies; she was looking back with a wide eyed look. He could feel every fiber of her being wanted to ensure that Henry got out, but before they could make move, black guards spotted them. He pulled out his sword, stopping in his tracks, getting ready for a fight.

(Thankfully Emma had magic-ed it back to his side)

They wanted Emma. They wanted to take her away, lock her up. She looked shaken at the thought. Killian knew what he had to do. He turned towards her.

"Go. I'll take care of Henry. Get out of here; I'll meet you somewhere safe. Get out while you can." He told her.

"No! Come on, lets stick together, get out of it together!" She insisted, grabbing his other hand with both of his own.

"I'm sure you can get out of here with ease without me." He insisted. Emma gave a small nod in confirmation. "Emma love. We'll be fine. I promise. I would never let anything happen to the lad." He told her. But she didn't look surprised, she looked like she wanted to argue but she didn't."

"Don't die Killian." She begged, "Please." It was a small voice, much smaller than any he'd ever heard from her.

"Well, if you insist." He said with a smirk, bringing a slight smile to her face as she kissed his cheek, before vanishing into thin air. He turned around just long enough to block a sword aimed at his throat. Two of them struck out at him, making him back away, barely blocking their assault.

"Where's the Dark One?" They asked in a gruff voice.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He growled back, disarming the first man. "I came for the rum mate." He blocked another blow, backing up a step, finding his back against the edge. Killian was at the risk of falling backward off the castle wall.

"He's telling the truth." Said a smooth voice. The men nodded at the presence in the corner, shrouded in darkness. "Go, search another area." She ordered. "I want her found!"

Killian moved slightly, but felt himself freeze as the figures eyes locked on him, like a rat under the gaze of a snake.

"Prince Charles." The figure addressed. "Where's your princess?"

He recognized the voice vaguely.

"I don't know lass, probably fleeing like many of your other guests." He said carefully, watching how her cloak fluttered in the wind. "Thank you for stopping those men, I appreciate it." He said simply, tensing, feeling the need to flee, to find Henry.

"You're a bad liar." She snarled. "Where is she?" The woman snapped, taking a step closer to him, grabbing him by the collar, and pushing his head off the balcony, dagger at his throat. Killian recognized the dagger.

"Ah, glad to see you've joined us L-" Her cloak fell due to the wind. It wasn't Lacey's face, or at least not all of it.

He was staring at Belle, the Sorcerer's wife. He recognized her, the golden dress, the dark curls but there was something else, when he looked closer, he saw Lacey's eyes, her hands, heard her voice.

There was only one logical conclusion. She looked at him carefully, he could see a brief bit of panic. She was unsure if he saw through her game.

(he did, but she didn't need to know that)

"Lady Belle." He finished quickly. "My, now I know what that man saw in you, not the helpless beauty are you love?" He asked.

She eased, placing a proud smile on her face. "No. You brought the Dark One into my home, into my son's party. Rumple called you a harmless nuisance; he called you a stupid fool. Are you a fool?" She asked, blade deepening, but not cutting, never cutting.

Lacey can't hurt you Killian, the deal physically prevents it.

"A fool never believes he is a fool, lass." He remarked. "Are you a fool?" He countered. "You married a power obsessed man after all."

She let out an angry huff, releasing him. "And you are a dirty party crasher." She snapped. "And are being manipulated by the darkness, let us help you."

The Darkness this and the Darkness that. What did Killian care? It was all Emma.

"It's only manipulation if you don't know it's happening." He said simply. "That's where you and I differ, love." He usually only called Emma love, but the maiden's face flushed up with rage.

"His heart is true." She insisted. He leaned in closer to the lass so that he could see Lacey's eyes.

"Is yours?" He whispered, leaning forward. "Tell me, is you lady having fun?" He asked making sure she knew exactly what he was referring to.

Don't worry Marian, darling, you'll have your fun soon.

She didn't respond. Killian enjoyed the panic returning, he could taunt her with the truth all night, but that didn't help his cause, it didn't help Henry. "You did promise her a good time, darling." He reminded her.

Belle/Lacy smiled. "You know nothing pirate. I hope you realize the truth as she rips out your heart."

Suddenly a bolt of purple appeared in his frame of vision, before letting out a piercing scream.

"The Dark One!" She cried. "Over there! She's ripping out hearts!" There was an extra cry of fear, the teen was positively shaking. Belle gave him a look before turning with a huff and leaving him alone on the balcony.

Killian took a single breath before he went to follow the teen, fearing what had caused her to go so far as to killing again, had she run into her mother? The Sorcerer? Had they hurt her? Just as he passed the brunette girl, all fear vanishing from hazel eyes and she grabbed his arm.

"Are you Mr. Jones?" She asked timidly. He nodded dumbly, her grip tightened as she smiled brightly, pulling him in the opposite direction. "This way!" He followed, suddenly realizing why she looked familiar…

"Who are you lass?" He asked. She smiled sheepishly.

"Princess Violet Equesta of Camelot." She introduced with the tiniest of curtsy.

Wasn't that the lass he'd seen with Henry? That he was with trying to con? He smiled, recalling the flustered lad dancing with the princess. He knew the instant connection when he saw it.

Finally met your match haven't you lad?

"We're almost there." She insisted.

"Where are we going lass?" He prodded as she expertly took him through the corridor of rooms, dodging view of their pursuers.

"Your Henry's Uncle right?" She asked. He scratched behind his ear.

"Not exactly." He replied. "I'm friends with his aunt."

The teen rolled her eyes. "Sure, friends." He sighed.

"How about you and Henry lass? You're taking quite the risk for someone you just met." He prodded, it made the princess blush.

"My dad's been trying to get me to meet a nice suitor, it's why I'm here." She explained quietly as they waited for the stairs to clear. "But Henry's different. I can't explain it." Her cheeks were pink.

"He's an interesting lad." Killian agreed. "Very brave."

Violet smiled. "Yeah." She blushed.

"You're pretty brave too Princess, not many would risk to help people they barely know, or even know as the Dark One." He prodded.

A smirk flashed across her face. "Please, everyone knows that the Queen is a liar, I never believe a word she says." She says boldly. "So when she said Henry's Aunt was a threat to the kingdom, I knew what I had to do."

What Killian would do to have that sort of bravery at that or any age.

It didn't take long before the young princess took him to the stables. "Henry!" She called. "I found him, are you here?" The lad bounded out, leading a horse with him. The second his eyes met the princess's, a deep blush crossed his face and he crossed his arms.

"I know how to get out of a castle undetected." He gloated.

"Well I had to get your friend here." She said, pointing to him nonchalantly, before taking a step closer to Henry. It made his face redden. "Out of there, he almost got caught."

He laughed slightly "Swan's out safe, now all we need to do is meet her somewhere safe." He explained. "I take it we'll be venturing from here on horseback?" Violet turned to him nodding. "There's Maximus and Rose, and Shakespeare. The princess introduced, pointing to the horses. Killian went and mounted the white one, watching as Henry and Violet exchanged banter as she helped him onto the smaller black horse, Shakespeare.

(A weird name for a horse if he said so himself)

He noticed the boy lean down, pressing a chastise kiss to the lady's lips, making them both blush red.

Henry was just about settled when Violet saw to the light brown colored one, preparing to get on her.

"Over here! They're over here!" Shouted a voice, and the next thing he knew arrows were flying into the stable.

"Henry! Duck!" He cried trying to maneuver the horse to get in front of the boy, an arrow barely missed him, ripping a whole in his jacket.

"Violet!" Henry cried as an arrow hit her in the leg, making her tumble to the ground as she grunted in pain. Killian saw Henry start to dismount and go to her aid but he stopped him.

"We have to go Henry." He told him sternly.

"Not without Violet!" He shouted back, the beginning of tears in the boy's eyes as he looked at the limp princess. "She saved both of us from being caught, I thought it was good form not lot leave anyone behind." They had merely moments before all escape would be futile.

"Good form goes out the window if it means keeping us alive." He said back bitterly.

"He's right Henry." Violet said weakly, trying to get to her feet before crying out and falling back down, eyeing the broken shaft in her leg. "Please. Go. As an order from a princess." She said bravely, but he could see the fear in the maiden's eyes.

"But Violet-"

They were coming in.

"Henry. This sorcerer would never allow a young girl to be killed. We'll come back for her Henry, I promise." He reminded the boy. She saw this hopeful look in the boy, looking at the pale form of Violet, once pristine dress, slowly becoming bloodied.

"I'll come back for you Violet." He vowed. "I promise."

And with that, the two of them rode off into the night.

Was that episode great or what? This season is amazing.

I really hope some of the subtle hints I've embedded have been well received, I try to balance them with some not so subtle hints. I really hope everything has been making sense. I've been rereading so many times it jumbles into a blur. Let me know if there is anything that isn't or you're wondering where in the world I'm going.

I'm going many places.

Guest reviews:

andria: Nothing bad has happened...yet.

Now, Jus a few words about the episode so

SPOILER ALERT

5x14:

Ok, I felt so bad for Milah, she's cheated in both life and death. I feel nothing for Rumple over this mess, just how its going to effect our heroes, speaking of whom, REUNION!

That was so cute! But the promo, Liam. I mean I guess he's sort of like father figure so he wouldn't approve of anyone, but still! I think its going to break our hearts. Trying to get Killian to pass on with him, and in the end he turning back and all nice and heart felt with a line or two that will be forever repeated in CS fanfics.

That's my predictions at least.

But how does the headstone thing even work? Are they declared dead, turned into souls? I hope they explain that.

Thanks for reading my rant.

~Luna