Eighteen Years Later

Though rebuilt, the place once home to Blackbeard was a shell of what it used to be. Its isolation made it nearly impossible to reach, but it was still open to those who waved Blackbeard's flag. And there was only one ship that had the gall to do so. Tucked away near the island, the Damnatus sat idle and anchored. The sailors spread themselves along the sand and under the shade of the trees, laughing, eating, and drinking their fill. It'd been far too long since they'd had fresh water, fresh fruit, and bread that wasn't on the verge of spoiling. Yet while the men enjoyed their break, beneath the ship in her private room, the Captain relaxed in her chair with her eyes closed. She twirled a small blade between her fingers, the metal catching on the thick ring around her middle finger. There was a knock on the door, and Emma smiled.

"Come in, Tobias," she said, opening her eyes.

The door opened, and her godfather slipped inside with a tray of food and water. She moved a few papers from her desk to make space, and he placed the tray down.

"Maoi says you're getting too thin."

"And how much wine did he give you to tell me this?"

"Enough to last another quarter."

"Of course, but we will not be here much longer. I have our next location."

Tobias stole a grape before gesturing to her hair and asking, "Would you like for me to cut it?"

"Yes, please."

Emma removed her hair from its ponytail and shook it out. The sides were far too long, and the top was beginning to reach her jaw again. Tobias plucked the blade from her hand and used it to carefully cut her hair how she liked it.

"Where are we headed?" he asked.

Emma munched on a piece of bread and pointed to a map in front of her. Tobias leaned over and squinted slightly.

"What in God's name is Storybrooke, Maine?"

"Allegedly, it is where the Queen cursed the others." Tobias glanced at her, and Emma pursed her lips. "My contact in the Forest says Hook has joined forces with the Queen of Hearts, and their last known location was Storybrooke."

"But what is Maine?"

Emma bit off a strip of meat and stretched forward, snatching a book off the edge of her desk. She opened it and flipped to pages she'd already marked, and Tobias read what she pointed out.

"The Land Without Magic?"

"Do you remember August Booth? Or, rather, Pinocchio?" she asked.

"With regret, yes."

"He used to live there. According to him, it is separated by countries, states, and continents. Maine is a State in somewhere called America. I am unsure what that means, but he says there truly is no magic in that realm. That the Queen and the Dark One live there in unison, and the people there have no memories of who they are. It sounds like the perfect realm to curse a group of people too."

"And Hook went there willingly with the Dark One?" he asked.

"Rumors are his actions against my father cost him a lot more than his hand," she said. "I assume the Queen of Hearts is better than mopping fish guts on a merchant ship."

Tobias grunted and brushed the hair off her shoulders. He returned the knife to her and sat on the edge of the desk, taking the book from her. He flipped through more of the pages, reading about their next destination, and he clicked his teeth.

"And this contact of yours is trustworthy?"

"No," she said, chuckling. "But Robin Hood is desperate enough to get back into my good graces that he would not risk lying to me again."

"I see. Permission to speak freely?"

"You never have to ask."

Tobias put the book down and crossed his hands.

"You know this is where she will be."

"I know."

"Are you ready to see her?"

Emma tilted her head as she thought of her answer and said, "There is nothing to be ready for. It would be like meeting a stranger."

"And if she figures it out?"

"Then so be it. But it changes nothing. I had a father, one who loved me and protected me, and his blood flows through my veins. Regardless of whether magic plays a part in it or not. Snow White and Prince Charming hold no claim over me." She waved her hand and added, "No matter what that damned prophecy said."

"Ah, yes. The child of True Love poisoned by dark magic."

"That witch was a con."

"Aye, but she was quite the storyteller," he teased.

"Me as some Savior, meant to defeat the Evil Queen, and break her curse? Laughable. I would be more likely to help her than stop her."

"And how would you help her? With your head between her legs?"

Emma punched him in the thigh, and he laughed.

"What? You are the one who dreams of her."

"Not anymore," she muttered.

"Oh?"

"Yeah." Emma reclined in her chair and ran the tip of her blade against her lip. "The last one I had was her standing on the beach. And…" Tobias nudged her with his knee to force her to keep going, and she grimaced. "I do not think these are merely dreams anymore," she said hesitantly.

"What do you mean?"

"In this last one, I swear to you that she said my name."

"Truly?"

"Yes."

"Well. It is not unheard of for two people to share dreams, or in your case, memories. Though it only occurs between True Mates," he said.

"Like True Loves?"

"Not quite. True Mates are - you can have more than one True Love. A person changes over time, and unless that person changes with you, you can be the so-called perfect partner for multiple people in one lifetime. But True Mates are individuals who are quite literally destined to be together. One soul split into two until it comes together again."

Emma stared at him for a long time before she said, "Stop reading Alias' texts."

"I get bored at night," he said defensively. "And you cannot deny that the idea appeals to you."

"Which part?"

"Being True Mates with the Woman of your dreams."

Emma scoffed and said, "Come off it. She's years older than I, and she's- shit. She's in Storybrooke."

"I was wondering when that would click." Tobias patted her on the head and got up from the desk. "Eat your food, Captain. The men will be ready to sail on your orders," he said, leaving the room.

"Make sure they give the islanders our gift!" she ordered.

Tobias waved to show he heard and closed the door. Alone once more, Emma blew out a long breath and rubbed her temples. She had no desire to see Snow White again, regardless of who the woman was. But Hook had gone far too long untouched by his actions against his kind, a pirate who chose money over the code, and a man selfish and wicked and deserving of a slow and painful death. Emma held her hand out and a black flame appeared over her palm. She clenched her fist and glanced back out of the porthole.

"Storybrooke," she murmured. "What secrets do you hold?"

As the men carried the gifts from the island onto the ship, Emma leaned on the railing and watched her reflection in the water.

"Get her on the ship," Blackbeard hissed to Tobias.

"But sir -

"Now, Tobias, that is an order!"

Emma overheard the conversation from behind the column, and she wasn't surprised when Tobias appeared beside her with a solemn expression.

"Come along, pretty one," he said softly. "You heard the Captain."

Emma hadn't cried since she was ten, but her eyes watered as she followed Tobias toward the row boat. In the distance, the Jolly Roger loomed closer, and the smell of smoke spread over the deck. The other men screamed and shouted, and Emma risked looking over her shoulder. Her father met her gaze and glanced around before sighing and coming over to her.

"My treasure," he started.

"Is that all I am to you?" she interrupted. "A treasure to protect and whisk away?"

"Of course not! You are my daughter -

"Then why must I run? Why cannot I stay and help? You have taught me to fight -

"No, I taught you to survive," he said. "And that often means to retreat and regroup."

"Then come with me."

"A Captain must stay with his ship. You know this."

Emma gripped the ledge and said, "Papa, please, come with me. We can get a new one!"

"This is my ship, Emma," he said, his voice stern and strong. "And I will not abandon it."

Emma knew that. She knew. But it still hurt. She felt a tear slip free, and Blackbeard softened. He wiped the tear away with his thumb and shook his head. The fire had started to spread behind them, getting closer, and Emma could hear the men on the Jolly Roger preparing to board.

"You are my legacy. You are my namesake. And you are my child. Do you understand?"

Emma nodded, and Blackbeard kissed the mark between her eyes.

"I love you," he whispered, loud enough for only her to hear. "Never forget that."

"Yes, Papa."

Blackbeard stepped back and looked at Tobias behind her. A silent conversation passed between them before Blackbeard turned and walked off, barking orders to the men that were staying behind. Emma hung her head, and her stomach lurched as the rowboat began to drop into the ocean. There were only three men with her - those trusted to protect Emma, and she knew they would pretend not to notice if she cried. Once they hit the water, two of the men began to row while Tobias remained at her side. Further and further they went from the ship, and Emma finally lifted her head. She watched the Queen continue to burn. No matter how much they tried to put it out, the fire had a life of its own and grew. Standing at the helm was Blackbeard, and while his body was angled toward the Jolly Roger, his eyes were on her the entire time. He smiled her smile and tapped his chest twice. Emma repeated the action, even as her tears blurred her vision, and Blackbeard looked away.

Beside her, Tobias reached into his pocket and removed a bean. He kissed it before tossing it into the water. Emma glanced to the side as the water began to bubble, but when she returned her attention to the ship, she saw Killian sneaking up behind her father, who was already fighting off three men and unaware of the danger. She shouted his name, but it was too late. Killian's sword went straight through his back and out to the other side, and the black magic that exploded from Blackbeard sent shockwaves over the water. It blew everyone from the ship, including Killian and his men, and Emma gasped when it slammed into her chest. The last thing she remembered was the bright lights of a portal closing around her.

"Captain?"

Emma opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder at one of her men.

"Are you ready to leave?" he asked.

"Obviously," she drawled. "Why would you ask me that?"

"Because Mister Tobias told me…" he trailed off with a low groan and bowed. "I apologize for the interruption, Captain," he said.

Emma chuckled and said, "Ryland, stop letting Tobias trick you. I am not as terrifying as I seem." Ryland stared at her, and Emma snorted. "At least, not when it comes to something as simple as setting sail. These are not things you need to ask me unless otherwise stated," she corrected.

"Of course, Captain. I will remember that for the future."

"See that you do."

Ryland nodded and ran off, and Emma lazily looked to the side. Tobias leaned on the wheel above her and smirked.

"Stop torturing my men," she said.

"Your father liked his men afraid of him."

"And I like mine capable of doing their jobs without pissing themselves."

"Sounds boring."

Emma walked up the steps toward Tobias and pushed him away from the wheel.

"I have half a mind to toss you over the edge."

"You would miss me far too much."

"And you hold yourself in too high of value. Now prepare for travel."

"Yes, your Highness."

Emma flipped him off and placed her hand flat against the wood. Tobias pulled up the hood of his cloak, and it covered the bottom half of his face. Emma blinked, and the green of her eyes slowly melted away until all that remained was black. She whistled low and slow, and the men paused to flip their hoods over their heads like Tobias. Unlike other ships, the Damnatus didn't travel by traditional portals. She only needed the name of where they were going, and her magic did the rest. Images of a town unlike any she'd seen flashed through her mind, and Emma tilted her head. Her whistle became sharp and piercing, and black tendrils seeped into the wood and raced along the ship until it reached the bow. And from it, a gray and black swirling portal opened. Emma's last whistle was short, and the ship lurched forward.

Regina shot up in bed and clutched her chest. She threw off her covers and ran out of her bedroom, skidding and sliding down the stairs. She went to her window and looked out over the water, seeing the black mass swirling in the distance.

"Mom?"

Regina pressed her hand against the window and smiled brightly.

"Mom?"

Regina turned and found her son, Henry, watching her from the kitchen. He had a bowl of cereal in front of him, and Regina forgot that he was out of school for the week. He had grown a lot over the last three years, no longer her suspicious and angry child, but her suspicious and angry teenager. Which wasn't a massive change but at least he wasn't directing that suspicion and anger toward her anymore.

"Mom!"

Regina jumped and realized she had zoned out, and Henry shook his head. He put down his spoon and pushed back from the table. He shuffled over to the window and looked out, squinting at the ship growing larger as it got closer. He stopped at her shoulders now, and she ran her hand through his hair. He allowed it, if only because he was distracted.

"You think that's her?"

"I hope so," she admitted.

"Well, if it is, things are going to be fun again. Nothing shakes things up like a demented pirate showing up in town."

"Hook was more of a nuisance, not demented."

"I was talking about your Captain," he teased.

"Why does she have to be demented?"

"She has to be if she's your True Mate, your royal Evilness." Regina smacked the back of his head, and Henry snickered as he went back to the kitchen. "But if you're going to meet her, you should change," he added.

Regina glanced down at her Christmas pajamas and sock-covered feet, and Henry started laughing again.

"Sorry, but for someone who terrorized an entire realm, you look as terrifying as a bunny rabbit."

Regina flicked her wrist, and Henry's cereal exploded in his face. Milk and Luck Charms dripped down his face, and he held up his hands in surrender. Regina went back up the stairs, but before she closed her door, she flicked her wrist again.

"Thank you!" he shouted.

Emma massaged her chest absentmindedly as the ship grew closer. Tobias stood by her side, and she hummed.

"Dock the ship and find me later."

"What? Where are you going?"

Emma turned from the wheel and walked down the stairs. Her magic wrapped around her before she reached the bottom, and Tobias huffed.

"Dock the ship and find me later," he repeated. "Unbelievable."