Chapter 15

He Preferred Sailor

After Emma had been visited by Killian's spirit, things changed for her, she felt better, lighter. Somehow knowing that he had come back for her, even in death soothed her. Along with the fact that Killian wanted her to fight, so fight she would. But to totally believe his words, that her baby was alright…she wasn't sure if she could do that.

But Lily seemed all too ready to take Killian's word for it, to believe that Henry had survived and was just waiting for them. And while Emma did feel better, she was in no way near that stage. Worse, Lily could not stop talking about it.

"How is it even possible?" Emma had snapped angrily at the brunette, after another excessive argument over the fact that ghost Killian was telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but.

(Emma was very aware at how confusing that sounded.)

Plus, Lily didn't know for sure, she didn't know the feel of Killian's hand on her cheek, arms around her waist. She didn't know what it felt like to watch her true love die. But Lily had faith and hope, something Emma had been raised without.

"Emma, he came to you for a reason. You loved him right? Maybe this is his way of telling you the same, by telling you that Henry is alive, my son is out there somewhere." She left out the part about him being her son too, but Emma couldn't blame her. Henry would be so much better off if he was Lily's in all possible ways.

"Maybe you're ready to give up hope but I'm not." She stated firmly. She recalled their arguments lasting years over the best decision to make, she made her opinion known, but it had always been Lily's decision, it was the agreement they had made all the way back then.

"She's right Emma. Henry is a strong boy, don't lose faith in him." Mal insisted.

"I will always have faith in Henry, but I can't lose him twice. I can't believe he's alive just to lose him again. How is any of this possible? Killian is dead." She insisted. "Maybe that's why I can't believe it? Did you ever think of that?" She snapped. "And why do you have faith in a man you've never even met?"

"True love is a powerful bond, one not so easily severed." Mal replied. "Perhaps since Killian's dying thoughts was to protect you and Henry, he's doing that now? I've also heard of a way dwellers in the Underworld. And I trust Killian because you trust him."

Emma just glared her way, wondering what right she had to talk about Killian's dying thoughts. She didn't know him, didn't know what made him smile and what made his temper spike, she didn't know what he was thinking when her father cut him down from behind, or when he jumped overboard of his own ship.

"Killian this, Killian that. Hope the fish are enjoying munching on that…pretty face of his." Aurora sneered weakly from blood loss. Emma's eyes drifted down towards her.

"Don't say his name! Do you hear me? Don't say a bloody word about him or I'll come over there and strangle you!" She snapped pulling on her chains. Mal rose to the defense, Lily watching carefully. Emma wasn't too sure if Lily would come to her defense if she did truly snap, it would probably only be to keep Emma from killing, not because of Aurora. "They can't protect you forever." She snapped. "You had a hand in killing him, so I suggest you keep your mouth shut before I make you."

Mal tried to say something, but Emma's glare kept her quiet. "And you, after what you've just done, you don't get to say anything about Killian's last wishes. Did you know that I tried to sell my freedom for his life? You don't get to talk about his wishes, you never met him, didn't know him, and if she puts me under, and I never wake up." She swallowed. "His death will mean nothing. And that will be on you."

On one hand she understood the decision to sacrifice her for her child, but Emma had once considered Mal her mother, and to see her just toss her aside for a child who hated her? Sought to hurt her? It hurt.

Mal had been in possession of one of the most powerful curses in all the realms, the Sleeping Curse. Once put under, there was no reversing it, no curing it, only the most powerful magic could break it.

True Love's kiss.

"Sorry sweetie, Mommy loves me best." Aurora said with a grin and a flutter of her lashes. "But between you and me, I bet it's a whole lot of guilt wouldn't you say?"

Lily had told her, once Killian's spirit had left, that while she was gone, the Huntsman had stormed the room, threatening and hurting Lily to try and get it from Mal. It was only when he had stabbed Aurora that she finally gave in.

"Not the daughter of her true love, but of the man she hated, the daughter who hated her, who's spent every waking day trying to hurt us."

Lily glared at the bleeding woman, making her be silent.

"It'll be ok. Henry. You love Henry and he loves you. He's alive and I'll find him." She vowed.

"Lily, how could he be?" She asked, not looking at Mal, "I saw Henry go over the edge, I saw him drown." She insisted.

"You said Killian had him before he fell right? Maybe he did something? Maybe someone fished him out first?" She prodded. "When we get out of here, I'm going to look for him, find out what happened, for better for worse."

Emma nodded. "Me too." She whispered.

If I got out of here.

"If…she gets the curse to work before I get out…and you find Henry…" She closed her eyes tightly, not wanting Lily to see the bit of hope in her eyes.

"Nothing would stop us." She promised. "I won't let you be all alone."

Emma smiled at Lily, wondering how being here in captivity had somehow smoothed out all their issues. Perhaps it was seeing Emma in such a defeated state, or even their need for a united front.

"I want you to take him and run. Don't come back for me." She admitted. "Keep him safe."

Lily looked like she wanted to say something but she was interrupted.

Footsteps, they could hear footsteps and voices outside the door.

"She's in here? She has to be in here." The first said.

"Calm down, she's in one of these towers, just be patient." The other said with annoyance, it was a female's voice. Emma found this unusual since Snow's guards were mainly male.

"We've been through three of these bloody towers." The first snapped back in annoyance.

Emma closed her eyes as they drew closer.

Rumor had it that the sleeping curse put one back in their worse memories for eternity, others said you'd be able to hear everything happening around you, another theory said that you were locked in a fiery room.

"Get back Emma." Lily ordered, pushing Emma as far as her chains would go. Lily may have magic, but she'd been enchanted with a charm that nullified it. Emma looked toward Mal, she, like most other fairies needed pixie dust to activate her magic.

In short if they wanted to take her, curse her, they were entirely helpless to fight them.

"If they're taking you it's through me!" Lilly said regardless, eyes sparking and face holding such fire that there were no other words to describe it other than dragon-like.

"Emma, I'm so sorry." Mal said. "If there was any other way-but Aurora is still my daughter, talk to your mother, make her see reason." She insisted.

Emma snorted. Said mother was probably sitting on her thrown feeling mighty pleased with herself, she'd be even happier if Emma came to her, begging not to be cursed. What did she need a dagger for if she had Emma on her knees seeking mercy. No. Emma didn't do that.

For Killian? Yes.

For this? No.

She just looked to Aurora, the one who caused this mess. It was her fault that Lily and Mal were taken, her fault that she had to rescue them and it killed her son and her love.

It was her fault she met Killian.

It was only this fact that kept her alive at the moment, that and the chains.

"Don't kill her." And perhaps Killian's aversion to her slaughtering people who bothered her, yes, that was an important factor as well.

Maybe a slow death is what she deserves.

The guards entered the room, leaving the door open, an amateur mistake.

"What do you want?" She snapped as Lily took a position in front of her. "If Mother wants to curse me, she better come down her and do it herself" The guards stood in the room hesitating, one was purposely keeping their hood down, the other was shrouded but was looking right at her, almost as if they were in a stupor.

"What the hell are you looking at?!" She growled, stepping past Lily, she could see his eyes a bit from under the hood, a burning blue color.

Eyes weren't meant to be that blue.

"Swan." The guard said in a single breath, surging forward and trying to kiss her, Emma reacted instantly, pushing him off with a punch to the jaw.

No one got to steal a kiss from the Dark One. He didn't get to call her that; he didn't get to have eyes that mirrored his.

"Don't you dare touch me! I may not have magic, but that won't stop me from killing you here and now." She sneered.

"Emma-" Lily tried, but she shrugged her off. She wanted to make sure he knew not to mess with her, to tell all his guard buddies, just in case any of them had any ideas.

"Bloody hell Swan. Really? In the face? I thought that was half the reason you kept me around." The guard said, clutching his jaw.

Swan. He called her Swan. Again.

"Who are you?" She snapped, ramming into him, arm against his neck as hard as she could, cutting off his air supply. "Who told you to call me that?" She snarled. Only Killian got to say it like that, so desperate and endearing. "They just cost you your life slave." She added.

The first guard rose to help but froze when Emma glared her way. It made Emma grin in delight.

The Dark Swan would deal with her later. She decided. After this one is dead.

The man tried to move her arm but her grip was like steal. He started making a gurgling sound, kind of like he was…laughing? She was trying to kill this guard, and he had the audacity to laugh.

"I prefer Sailor, Swan. Your sailor to be precise." The man choked with a smile. "I'd also prefer if you didn't suffocate me on dry land though, mighty embarrassing death for a pirate." He coughed.

Her sailor.

She moved her arm a fraction, just enough to pull back the hood and see the guard's face.

Perfect blue eyes, dark wild hair from the hood, a wide silly dopey smile, stubble that was a just long enough to melt her heart, a small scar on his cheek, she breathed in, smelling salt and leather, his leather. There was no mistaking it.

"Killian?" She gasped, dropping her hold, reaching for his face with a shaking hand. "Oh god you're-" She didn't get a chance to finish as he swept her off her feet, kissing her hungrily, over and over again, holding her like she was the most precious being he'd ever encountered. He probably would have twirled her if the chains had that much slack.

For a split second she thought it was another dream, but his kiss, she knew how he kissed. She kissed him back, kissed him like she had dreamed she could, because she had thought he was gone.

"Swan. My Swan." He gasped. "My perfect beautiful Swan."

Her arms clutched his shoulders and his around her waist.

"Killian. Your alive, you survived." She breathed, nearly sobbing into his shoulder as the kiss broke, her knees buckling only held up by Killian. She could feel his presence; smell the salt that was forever on his skin. He was here, he was safe, and he was healthy.

"I did love, I didn't want to leave you. Henry did as well. I promise. Everything is going to be alright." He whispered back in a desperate voice, desperate to tell her as much as possible as quickly as possible.

"Henry? He's ok?" She looked up, his blue eyes shown with utter certainty. "Is he here?"

Killian shook his head. "He's ill, but I left him with people we can trust." She narrowed her eyes, now hearing a tinge of uncertainty, but he glanced quickly to the other guard. He obviously didn't want her to ask. Emma hadn't forgotten the fact that they weren't alone.

Killian put her down, unlocking her chains as he spoke. Emma eyed the other guard suspiciously, she didn't seem surprised that he was setting her free, but was obviously not trusting of her.

"Swan, this is Gina, a new…acquaintance of mine, she saved Henry's life and helped me get here." He said carefully, the other guard flinched as the first chain dropped.

"Are you sure that's wise?" This Gina person asked, eyeing her wrists where the chains bounded her. She could hear the fear in her voice.

Emma turned glaring wickedly, preying on it instinctively. Despite the scene they'd just made, she didn't want to be seen as soft, or weak.

"Sorry sweetheart." She sneered. "The demon's coming out of her cage." She said with a mad giggle. "Don't worry, I don't bite." She glanced at Killian. "Well, unless you like that Sailor." Killian scoffed, ears turning pink in embarrassment over her crude innuendo. She smirked. It was like things were back to normal.

The guard took a hesitant step back.

"Emma." Lily groaned, turning towards the guard. "Sorry, she's just messing around, we've been going a little stir crazy in here." She said, holding out her hand. "I'm Lily." Lily turned towards Killian, looking him up and down. "I was told you were dead, Captain Jones."

Killian chuckled. "Takes more than a disgruntled father to put me down. Good to see you in the flesh milady." He joked, returning to Emma, and undoing the second chain. "Normally I'd introduce myself properly to a lady, but I believe the sooner we get these off the better eh?" She smiled, feeling her magic turn in her, come to the surface briefly before flickering out. It took a little while before her dampened magic would return her to full strength.

"Lily, help me with Aurora." Mal asked, the first time she had spoken since Killian and Gina had arrived. Killian went to assist, but Emma grabbed his arm, holding him firm.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight Killian." She whispered softly, touching his bruised jaw and the beginning of a purple mark on his throat. He flinched slightly at the sensitive spot. She wanted to heal it, but didn't have enough magic for it…yet.

"Aye love, I'd despair if you did." He said, placing his hand over hers. "It'll heal when it heals Swan. I assure you, I'm fine." He said. "You have one hell of a right hook though love." She didn't miss how he fingered her pendant briefly.

He looked over at Gina, addressing her with a friendly voice. "So? The Dark One here hasn't killed you, go and get your prisoner." He insisted, sounding slightly tense. "Oh, and if you see a young girl, around fourteen possibly with a hurt leg, goes by the name Violet, would you let me know?" The woman nodded.

The guard pulled down her shroud warily, eyes stern but obviously terrified, she was looking toward Emma, as if waiting for Emma to recognize her. But she honestly didn't. She was probably one of the many escapees she'd seen fleeing her destruction over the years.

"Emma, she's under the impression that you'd kill her on sight, she believes all those nasty rumors, would you mind setting her at ease?" He prodded.

She shrugged. "He doesn't like me killing people; a girl's got to make sacrifices to make her guy happy." She caught his grin as she called him 'her guy'.

"Thank you. I'll be back soon; they probably won't know you're free for a while." The woman replied before readjusting her hood and disappearing out the door.

"Mighty possessive today Swan." He whispered into her ear, making her try not to smirk. "I quite like it." He purred, kissing her cheek gently. Hand back around her waist, as if he couldn't get enough of those gentle touches. She wouldn't argue, she wanted nothing more than to curl up against him and never leave his side.

"Oh God, I think there sweetness is going to kill me." Aurora moaned. They ignored her.

Emma turned to him, placing a hand over his chest, where she had seen the blade go through him, he didn't even flinch, he just smiled softly, knowing what she was thinking.

Now that she had him close, what happened, even if he had survived it, he should be writhing in agony for weeks, maybe months from such a wound, not here, on his feet playing the dashing hero to the captured princess. He pulled his shirt up for her, revealing the angry red scar, but it was healing, she could feel it, healing by unnatural means.

"Only hurts when you put-" He hissed as she pressed against it. "When you do that." He bit out as she retracted her hand. "You have questions, I know, I'll tell you everything; just give me a moment first alright?" He asked. "Let me see to your friend over there." He said gesturing to Aurora, "and then once we're back at camp, I'll tell you everything ok?" He said, squeezing her hand.

"She's not worth it." Emma snarled.

"Swan, you know I don't share that opinion" He insisted, raising her hand to his lips kissing it before releasing his hold.

Emma hesitated before nodding, crossing her arms. He went to Mal's side, kneeling besides Aurora and Mal, speaking softly to them. She watched, worrying, expecting him to just disappear or wake up.

"Emma? Are you alright?" Lily asked.

"He's alive." She breathed, tears flowing freely "I thought for sure he was dead, especially with all the ghost haunting and stuff."

Lily shrugged, "I have no explanation for it, just that you shouldn't question it, enjoy that fact that he made it and he saved Henry."

Emma nodded in agreement. He was her hero.

"Don't touch me peasant!" Aurora cried, pushing weakly against Killian. She could see the blood on his hands as he tried to sew up the wound. Emma glared at her, daring her to try that again, but her silent threat was unneeded.

"Bloody hell! Would you just sit still? None of you know the first thing about treating an injury without magic, so will you let the only mortal in the room make sure you won't bleed to death?" He snapped back, hands back sewing up the gaping hole in her side. "I've had less difficulty sewing up my own bloody self." He snapped. "Would you like to have a go at that? Take it from me, it's not bloody pleasant!" She heard a few more muttered exchanges between them but Aurora seemed to settle, watching the wall above Killian's head.

"No wonder you like him, he doesn't seem afraid of our wicked tempers, plus he's quite the looker, stormy blue eyes, devilishly handsome…" Lily snickered, Emma rolled her eyes.

"Please, don't inflate his ego." She said with an eye roll. "And he was afraid of me. But…he realized that I wasn't a monster, and then put me in my place when he thought I was out of line, he still does that, its rather infuriating." Emma admitted. "But it mellows me too, because I know that he'd only say something if it was really a problem. I trust his judgement."

Killian got back up, going to her side, wiping his hands on his pants, before pulling her close, her head rested against his shoulder.

"I believe a tale is in order love? About my miraculous survival and quick rescue?" He snickered, placing another kiss on her cheek.

"You call over a week a quick rescue?" Emma said back. Killian shrugged, wrapping his arms around her. He looked like he wanted to say something but he held back, he was just looking at her.

Emma saw Lily beaming.

"Do you want to know my story or not?" He said instead. She nodded, listening as how he had managed to keep a hold onto Henry when he was stabbed, just able to unbind Henry's hands in his final moments before dropping him, how after he realized what she intended to do, give up for him, he had to flee, had to keep her from trapping herself and jumped into the harbor, Henry tried to save him but couldn't.

"He's a very brave boy, you should be proud."

Lily nodded. "Thank you." Even though he had not been looking at her.

Emma was very shocked when she learned he'd been fished out and healed by a mermaid in her home. It alarmed her, wondering what deals he made to save his own life. As soon as they got out of here, she was going to make sure this fish knew exactly who they were messing with.

"Killian, mermaids are selfish creatures, she must have wanted something from you, you can't trust-" He shook his head.

"Usually I'd agree with you on that, but this one was…a friend of mine, I'll tell you more about that later, but take my word for it, the worse she did is upset me a bit with her choice in conversation, ok?"

Emma nodded, trusting him. They would have a lot to talk about later, and a lot of catching up to do that didn't involve talking.

When he told her about Henry's injury and infection, it wasn't just Emma who gasped, Lily was right there, listening in, trying not to intrude, but she couldn't help it now.

"What happened? Didn't you clean his injury? Get him to a healer?" she snapped impatiently.

"Yes, but I discovered the wound late, after the infection had already taken hold, I got him to help, I saw him before I left, the healer assured me he'd be well taken care of." He promised. It made Lily let out a sigh of relief, but Emma didn't react, he was lying through his teeth. Killian never lied, and hadn't been lying about Henry being alright, but it was obvious that he had left him with someone he didn't completely trust.

Emma didn't refute him, not wanting to get Lily into Mama-Dragon mode.

"Emma, how does you magic feel?" Mal asked, breaking the tension. Emma dug deep, bringing her magic to the surface. She saw Killian smile as the black sparkles danced across her skin.

"Enough to poof us out of the castle, that's for sure." As long as Killian helped carry her after, poofing out of the castle would take pretty much all of her strength. She'd need at least another hour before the rest of her magic bubbled to the surface.

"Alright, let's just wait for Gina to get back with her friend and we can-" He stopped short, stumbling on his feet a bit, gripping his head with a weakened look. Emma, alarmed, grabbed a hold of him to keep him steady.

"Killian?" She asked. He shook his head clear of whatever distraction had caused him to lose his balance, forcing a smile to his face.

"Sorry, little tired, love." He said straightening instantly. Emma took a second look at him, really look at him, the dark circles under his eyes and the beginning of a flush on his cheeks. He looked a little paler, positively drained, making her wonder how much he's slept and if he'd been so concerned with Henry that he'd forgotten to take care of himself.

"You sure?" She pressed, her hand over his cheek, feeling a bit of heat before he shrugged her off with a kiss on the hand.

"Very Swan, after this however, you may need to put me down for a nap." He said cheekily. Emma rolled her eyes.

"Please, you and I both know that sleeping would be the last thing on our minds." She replied with a smirk.

"Someone kill me now. I thought her crying was bad, but this? This is just torture!" Aurora said loudly, standing, leaning against Mal.

"Emma, Gina is taking too long, I'm getting worried." Killian admitted, "I want to go look for her and Violet." He admitted.

"Violet?" Lily asked, looking between the two.

"Henry's lass." He said simply. Lily's eyes shot wide between them, searching for an explanation. "No time, I'm sure the lad would love to give you that explanation himself." He snickered, reaching for the door. It brought a smile to her face, they both knew that that was the last thing Henry wanted to tell Lily.

"Henry has a girlfriend?" Mal asked with a smile.

Oh, Henry was in for it now.

"Oh no he doesn't!" Lily seethed, "Not unless I get to meet her and her parents first." She snapped.

Emma stopped him, going to Lily, waving her hand, breaking the enchantment on her magic.

"Lily, get your family out of here, get to Henry. I'm going to stay and help Killian." She instructed, the longer they waited, trying to get their group together, the more likely they would get caught. As much as she hated Aurora, she needed to get some proper medical attention.

Lily looked surprised. "Emma-" she shook her head.

"Lily. Please, I'm trying to do the right thing, finally. Just…if she ends up getting me, tell him that…" She glanced at the scowling Aurora. "that Auntie Emma loves him."

Lily nodded, bursting forward and wrapping her in a hug.

"I forgive you Emma, I have for a long time." She admitted in a whisper. "I just wanted you to know that."

Emma forced a smile. Lily didn't know, but she would never forgive herself for that day.

She grabbed Killian's hand and followed him down the hall. He lowered his hood and pressed against the wall, one hand on the hilt of his weapon, the other stayed nestled in her grip.

"Killian." She breathed once they were alone. "Wait let me just-" She held onto him, head on his chest listening to his heart beat before pulling away, tears building in her eyes. "Never do that to me again." She said poking him in the chest. "You don't get to die on me Killian Jones!"

He pulled another forced smile to his face.

"I'll keep that in mind, love." There was something on his mind, something still that he couldn't say to her, it made Emma wonder.

"You call me love. You call everyone else mate or lass, why me love?" He stiffens, rubbing behind the ear nervously.

"Emma, now's not the time for-" she places his hand on her wrist.

"I felt your spirit, right here telling me to keep fighting, do you know anything about that?"

"Please love lets-"

Her next words are a surprise to herself as well as him.

"Do you love me? I didn't want to pressure you and ask, but I think you do, I think your keeping something from me that keeps you from saying it, from making this real."

He nods. "I am." She sees something akin to fear and pain flashing across his face.

She tenses, ready to listen, ready to hear it.

"Emma, I can't tell you now, not here, when I tell you, there will be fall out, I suspect you will be so incredibly angry with me. Right now, I need you to trust me, trust that I'm trying to protect you until we are out of harm's way alright? Think we can do that?"

She considers it.

"Fine, but after this I want everything? You understand? All those secrets of yours that are driving me crazy alright?"

He smiles softly. "Anything for you Swan."

And they continue on wards. Together.

Well, the fated moment you've been waiting for has finally arrived, they're reunited at last. I hope it was worth the wait.

I know I loved writing this chapter and am happy with how it turned out.

andria: Yes, I could never REALLY hurt Henry, he's Henry! I always knew Regina was essential to where I want to take this. (Plus I love her character) And the reunion has finally arrived!

Anna: I'm glad my chapters brighten your day, that's always a pleasure to hear! I love Zelena and while she's difficult to write, she's also such a great character. I promise you I plan several evil characters to make appearances. Thank you for your reviews, I appreciate the support!

Now my rant about Sisters, I had seen it when I last posted a chapter, but I had seen the episode but I was streaming it online, and if you don't know what that's like, it basically has this ability to skip all the main and important scenes. So I didn't want to comment until I had experienced the episode in its full.

Now, Spoiler Alert!

Ok, I absolutely LOVED that episode, I was in near tears at the sight of the young sisters being torn apart. Makes me wonder what would have happened if she'd stuck around. I don't think Zelena would have been evil, that's for sure. Cora getting to move on was touching and such a perfect scene. James and David getting their brief meeting was amusing, and I expected that end, but Captain Charming rescuing Emma and Robin was great. Although why Robin couldn't take the bracelet off Emma is still a mystery.

(I don't have much respect for Robin, he needs to do something finally)