A/N: A huge thank you to my beta steph-the-fangirl-925. Also, to my other beta aimeeloren who has been keeping my church reference correct. Whatever extra mistakes there may be are my own. I would like to dedicate this chapter to my high school Humanities teacher, who promised me, despite my protests otherwise, that one day I would have to know the parts of a church. I hate when she is right. After this chapter I will probably only updating weekly, due to the demands of trying to keep up with two stories.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. They belong to the franchise of Once Upon A Time.

Chapter 2:

Killian sluggishly followed Belle to the convent. She insisted that since he was the one that had captured the fairies inside the hat, that he had to take the responsibility for their release. And while he agreed, he was also too tired to argue.

Ever since Emma left a day and a half ago, he had been hard pressed to rest. Last night, after laying in his bed unable to even get his eyes to close, he decided to wander the docks in hope that the calming sound of the sea would sooth him. When even that didn't work, he used his phone and dialed Emma's. The number two was becoming well worn on his phone from all the times that he pressed that one to reach her. And, of course she didn't answer. She hardly ever did and why would it be any different at four in the morning. But he heard her voice on what she called voicemail and it calmed the restlessness inside his soul as nothing else had. He didn't leave a message, not that time or the three other times he called after. Finally, after the fourth call, as the sun arose taunting him, his body relaxed into slumber.

He had been abed, deep within his blissful dreams, when Belle began banging on his door at Granny's at precisely noon. Groaning and holding his head, which felt worse than any other time that he had been lost in his cups, he gave himself a minute to acclimate to his surroundings before he set about dressing.

"Hook, answer this door," Belle demanded.

"Darling, unless you want to greet a half-naked, hungover pirate, I'd refrain from beating down that door," he informed her as he continued to dress in this world's version of clothes that he had quickly assimilated to. He grabbed his phone and realized he received a text from Emma.

You okay?

He quickly typed back on the bloody small buttons. Fine, Swan. Just needed to hear your voice.

He pulled on his boots as his phone vibrated. I miss you too, Killian. See you in a couple days.

He couldn't keep the goofy grin off his face when he finally opened the door and greeted Belle. She didn't even allow him to eat before they left, which was fine, the sooner he finished this task the better he'd feel.

CSCSCSCSCS

Emma sat in the living room of the minuscule extended stay hotel room Robin and his family rented. Marian was puttering around the small kitchenette insisting that she needed to make some lunch for them. Roland was off in one corner, playing with some toy trucks and other toys that the family had collected in the month and a half since their departure from Storybrooke.

Robin planned to resign from his job that evening, with the promise that he'd finish out the week so he could collect his full paycheck to pay for their rooms. That meant Emma and the Hoods were planning to leave in just two days, on Saturday, to head back.

Emma's phone chimed an incoming text. Fine, Swan. Just needed to hear your voice.

It was about time Killian got back to her, she thought with a huff. He had called her phone four times earlier that morning, causing Emma to panic. She had turned it off overnight in deference to the other members sleeping in the same room. Then when she had seen he called, her first thought was something was happening in Storybrooke, but if it had, Killian would have been sure to leave her a message, and Emma was quite sure her father would have been calling as well.

Instead she just sent him a text asking if everything was okay. She never expected that it would take over four hours to hear back from him. Reading his message again, Emma began to smile, as she could almost hear his voice saying the words to her. She wished desperately that Killian could have come with her. What she wouldn't give right now to just lean on his shoulder or to kiss his lips. Instead she typed a message back. I miss you too, Killian. See you in a couple of days.

What she really meant was that she loved the insufferably arrogant man and she hoped that he'd be able to read between the lines. Considering how well he knew her, he was bound to. Emma wondered what kind of mischief he was landing himself into while she was gone. She hoped that he listened to her for once and stayed out of trouble.

CSCSCSCSCS

"Okay. So, according to this book, you will be able to wave the Dark One's wand over the box and it should open and become the Sorcerer's hat," Belle told Killian from her position at the pulpit.

Killian waited patiently in the first pew holding the very objects Belle was casually discussing. For a couple hundred years, Killian had wished to come into possession of the powerful dagger that presently laid across his left knee. Now, he almost cringed with the knowledge that he might have to use it. As for the box that sat upon his other leg, if he never again came across the bloody thing the rest of his life, it would be too soon. Because of the star filled box, he had almost lost the one thing more precious to him than his own life and revenge, Emma.

His eyes flickered back and forth between the two items, blood lust and revenge brought him to this land, and these two objects were coveted by some of the most dangerous people and creatures known within any land. Yet, it was a lowly pirate who was in possession of them at that very moment. If he didn't wish to be rid of them as quickly as possible, he'd almost laugh at the irony.

"Is this going to take much longer, love?"

Killian raised his eyes to Belle who was still engrossed in the small leather tome resting on the stand before her. He almost felt she was prolonging his stay just to torture him for his participation in shooting her, as well as the fact that he unwillingly helped her husband. If the bloody crocodile hadn't stolen his heart, he would have never done some of the things he had. Emma seemed to understand that after they finally had time to discuss what had happened between him and Rumplestiltskin. Well, she did after she yelled and screamed at him for being so bloody stupid for blackmailing Gold in the first place. He still believed it was one of his better ideas when he decided to finally quiet her with his mouth. His lips stealing her words and breath like the pirate he was. He captured her in his arms and relished her breathy moans. She surrendered to his ministrations after but a few minutes and he felt the anger slip from her as her hands wrapped just as tightly around him. He knew her anger stemmed from her fear of losing him. She had already told him and once his heart was back he reassured her he was fine, but apparently his Swan needed to constantly be reminded of his steadfast resolve to remain by her side.

He licked his lips as he remembered how pliant Emma had been in his embrace. God, he missed the lass.

"Killian," Belle said sharply. "If you are ready."

He stuffed the box under his left arm and held the dagger, approaching the waiting Belle. "Okay, lass, what do I have to do?"

"Haven't you been paying attention, Hook?' she asked with a reprimanding tone. No wonder the kids at the library were afraid of her.
A blush spread over his cheeks. "Sorry, lass. I was lost within my thoughts."

Belle huffed, but a small smile appeared on her lips. "You miss her."

Killian glared at her, shoving the dagger on top of the book Belle now held in her hands, while he pulled the box from his arm and placed it on the floor in front of them. "Let's proceed."

Belle let out a knowing laugh, the sound echoing in the quietness of the church. "Alright. Here."

She handed the dagger back to him and Killian's jaw ticked in aggravation that he once again possessed the object. By all the Gods in the mighty sea, he wished to be rid of the blasted thing already.

"Now, you will need to wave it over the box clockwise at least twice. Once the hat appears, you'll need to then place the hat away from you. At precisely," Belle looked down at her watch and back at the book, "eight-fifteen you need to then wave the dagger counter clockwise four times in quick succession."

"Eight-fifteen?" Killian blasted out. "I have to wait here with this blasted dagger and box until this evening?"

"Hook! What your language," Belle scolded. "And, yes, you do. If you don't do it at precisely eight-fifteen the stars will not be in the appropriate spot in which to have everyone released. If you fail, we have to wait at least another week before we can try again."

"And where will you be during all of this?" From her tone, he suspected that Belle had no plans to stick around and make sure that he accomplished his task.

"I'm to meet with Regina for final preparations for Marion's return. We have decided that we need to perform the spell as close to the town line as possible in case something goes wrong." She touched his arm in reassurance. "I will try my best to be back in time."

Killian groaned. He had thought that this task would be simple and that he'd be able to finish it quickly, however it seemed that was not the case. He needed to rest. His head was still pounding from the lack of sleep and food. Instead, it looked like he would be taking up brief residence within the church's wall, as he awaited the appropriate time for the fairies' release.

Belle gave him a brief if tense hug, which had his eyes narrowing on his enemy's estranged wife. "You'll be fine, Hook. Maybe, you can use this time to find that last little piece of forgiveness for yourself and what you've done. Emma would probably appreciate a pirate who can absolve himself from the sins he perpetrated against his will." She smiled at him and turned to leave, before turning back. "I'll send Ruby shortly with some food. You look hungry. Oh, and Mary-Margaret wanted me to ask you if you would like to come to a late dinner tonight at their loft."

"While I appreciate her highness's offer, I think after this particular task is finished, I'll just retire back to my rooms."

The petite brunette smiled once again. "You'll do fine, but I wish you luck as well. I'll try my best to return by eight."
With that she turned and strode down the aisle leading the front doors of the church and he was left alone to ponder his existence. So many years ago, he had stepped upon his brother's ship with a purpose. A purpose soon lost once his brother was taken from him because a king led Liam, a most honorable man if there ever was one, to believe in a cause that was untrue. And while Killian had taken to piracy like a fish to water, it led him on a dark path that had nothing to do with the basic thievery that a pirate was known for. No, it led him to find Milah. A woman so lost in agony over her mundane life that she would leave a husband and son behind. Killian believed he loved her. It was because of that belief of love he allowed her to join his pirate crew and to confront the Dark One, who had once been her pathetic excuse for a husband. In his rose-colored glasses, Killian allowed Milah to step before him separating him from Rumplestiltskin. An opportunity the demon took advantage of as he flung Killian to the side and extracted Milah's heart from her chest, squeezing it until it was nothing more than dust in the wind.

Killian lost his hand and a woman he loved that day, but regained a purpose. It was that purpose that led him to Neverland and a villain darker of heart than even Rumplestiltskin. The things Killian agreed to do so that he may leave that accursed isle disgusted him, but in doing so it led him to Regina and then Cora. And while Cora and her daughter may not have been the best characters to associate with they led him to Emma.

Emma was the light inside his dark, bleak soul. It was because of her he could remember who he used to be so many years ago, before he lost his brother and ever heard of Neverland. If it wasn't for her he wouldn't be standing inside this church willing to await the time for him to perform his duty to the people of Storybrooke.

Deciding to rest, Killian stalked back over to his previous spot on the front pew, but instead of sitting he laid back and closed his eyes. His hooked arm rested over his face as his right reflexively grasped on the handle of the dagger.

Killian was unsure of what awoke him. Stumbling to sit up, his fingers reflexively twitched. The dagger was gone. The box was still tucked between him and the pew, but the Dark One's dagger was most definitely missing.

"Looking for this, dearie?"

Killian's eyes slid closed painfully. The crocodile had found his way back to town. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and watched Gold wave the dagger. "Ah, if it isn't one of my oldest friends," Killian sarcastically spit out the same words Gold used on him.

"Did you miss me, Hook? How quaint."

"I missed you about as much as I miss scurvy, crocodile." Killian rose. He dared not approach the imp until he knew of his intentions. Hiding the box further behind his back, Killian's jaw ticked. "Why are you here? Didn't Belle command you to leave town?"

"Why, yes she did. And I followed her command to do so."

Killian's eyes flickered around the walls of the church. The way the sun hung low through the stained glass windows indicated nightfall was not far. He wondered what had happened to Ruby, but a quick glance at the pew across the way, showed she had already been there and left. A sack full of food from Granny's rested there awaiting his consumption.

"Looking for someone or something in particular, dearie?"
Killian's eyes returned to Gold. Despite the tattered appearance of his suit and a few more streaks of grey within his hair, he didn't appear much changed from the last time Killian had seen him, when Gold attempted to crush his heart.

Belle had saved Killian in the nick of time that day, but apparently Hook's luck had run aground. "What do you want?"

"Well, for starters the box behind your back." Gold gave a slight laugh that crawled across Killian's skin like leeches in search of blood. With a slight poof of smoke, Gold possessed both of the items that Belled had entrusted to his care.

He had failed once again. Emma would be sorely disappointed with him upon her return, should he live through this exchange. His cheek continued its agitated tick. "Well, you have it."

"So, I have. You and I also have some unfinished business," Gold told him smarmily. "And from what I have seen around town your girlfriend, nor my wife, is around to save you."

"You plan to extricate my heart again, crocodile?"

"Oh, I plan to do something much more painful and satisfying than that. I warned you. If something happened to my love, than surely something would happen to yours."

"Don't you dare touch-" Killian couldn't finish his threat or even race to Rumplestiltskin's side before a flash of magic shot at him. Killian crumpled to the ground in an undignified heap as Gold let out a maniacal laugh.

CSCSCSCS

Killian awoke and was confused as to why he had fallen to sleep on the floor inside the nave of the church. Glancing down, he saw in was in clothes that he didn't remember donning, almost embarrassed by the amount of skin his open shirt exposed. He glanced around and saw the Monsignor standing before the pulpit. Rising, Killian proceeded over to him to apologize for his bad form.

"Monsignor," Killian addressed the man before him. "I apologize for my reprehensible behavior. I have no idea what may have come over me."

"Do not apologize to me, Father Jones, for I am just a man, with a man's fallibility. But, whilst I may understand, God may not look fondly on this. I'd advise you give penance and then prepare yourself in your vestments. I will need to speak to you about an assignment I will need you to undertake."

"Of course." Killian went to stand before the transept, buttoned his shirt properly, so as none of his chest was visible, kneeled down and made the sign of the cross over his head and chest.

He completed several prayers and proceed to the vestry. Killian was anxious to hear what the Monsignor had planned, but first maybe he would need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Whale to assure himself he was fine.

Once Killian left, Gold removed the glamour spell and laughed merrily, rubbing his hands in glee. This was going to be so easy and if he played his cards right, he'd not only be rid of the pirate who hunted him for centuries, but the Savior as well.