When Emma stood next to Calypso's side, the ocean whirled around her, tunneling her into the ocean. She had to close her eyes to prevent the salt water from entering them. Being spun around was making her dizzy. She heard a thud and the sound was accompanied by a searing pain on her back and head. When she opened her eyes, she was staring at the pitch-black sky-a sign she collapsed on the ground. The goddess lazily looked at Emma as she picked herself up from the ground.
"I thought you were going to send me back?" Emma yelled, not bothering to hide her anger. It was bad enough that she was separated from Killian. She was tired of Calypso's games.
"Oh, I am," Calypso answered with a smile, before her expression turned serious. "I wanted to have a few words with you first. You were brought to the past with a wish by the very necklace that hangs around your neck." She pointed to the green object for emphasis, causing Emma to absently grab it.
Emma's superpower indicated that the goddess was telling a half-truth. Why would Calypso find a need to lie? If Calypso was immortal, what threat would Emma be to her? Emma didn't care if she was brought to the past by a wish. She wanted to know what Calypso's goals were.
"Why tell me all of this?" She probed, eyes narrowing in irritation.
"You, Emma, are going to face a difficult choice. You have a chance to return to your husband again, but it will have to be at least a week before you use that necklace. If you wish hard enough and your love is true, I will grant you your wish. However, you may not like what you see in the passage of time." Emma had a feeling that Calypso was playing a sick game with her. Her misery was her amusement, but Emma wasn't going to let her win.
"I know my love will be true, " Emma said confidently. Her love for Killian wouldn't waver. All her time in the future will be spent trying to get back to him.
"Then you wouldn't have any problems, if I give you a test," Calypso said confidently. She was toying with Emma. The goddess's face looked devious as she smiled, thinking about her plan for Emma. "I will take your memory of this conversation. "
Emma didn't have time to protest as the witch pointed the tip of her trident to Emma's head. A bright flash blinded her, causing her vision to turn white. When she opened her eyes, she was traveling through a tunnel of seawater. As she was falling through, she cried out when it felt like her soul was literally ripped in half, causing her to pass out from the pain.
She woke up in a hospital room, yelling hysterically for Killian, but she was trapped in her world and wouldn't be able to see his face. The medical staff thought she was crazy. They kept on asking her why she wore a green dress and was on the dock during a windstorm. She made some sort of excuse of practicing some lines for a play. After making sure she didn't have a concussion, they told her she was in the ocean because of the windstorm and was rescued by the local coast guard. The day was October 21st .
After six months in the past, only one day had passed in hers. She didn't care for the modern comforts. Nothing in this world was going to make her give up her search to go back. She made him a promise to return. So, she went to all the local libraries and looked up all the magical lore, and she visited the shops that claimed sold magical objects, but she had been unsuccessful.
Here, she was a week later in need of food. She hated to resort to stealing, but a job was unnecessary, if her time in the future wasn't permanent. She was walking and looking for easy targets to steal, when she heard the sound of shoes hitting the pavement. Looking up, she saw a black-haired man running in her direction. He was looking behind him as though he was being chased before turning his gaze forward again. He was wearing a white wife-beater with an open, brown hoody. His brown eyes widened when he saw her until his face turned smug. Suddenly, he stopped in front of her, pushing her into an alley.
No stranger was allowed to manhandle her like this. She was going to give him a piece of her mind, but her words were cut off when he kissed her. The cops ran past the alley, continuing their chase and missing their target.
The man was feeling up her ass and tried turning the kiss into a make out session. She punched him in the jaw." What the hell?"
"I guess, I deserved that," he said with a smirk, rubbing his jaw. "Well, thank you," he said, staring her up and down. "I'll just be going." He left with a wink. As he was walking away, Emma noticed her back pocket felt empty.
"You know, I don't let men just kiss me and walk away." He turned around, his expression smug. The cocky bastard was getting the wrong idea. "Especially, if they took my wallet," she drawled unamused, correcting his assumption.
His smug smirk fell when she called him out. "What?" He looked at her nervously, taking a step back and ready to run.
Luckily, she had leverage over him. She held up his wallet that she managed to retrieve from his hoody, earning a genuine grin from him.
"You have some skill," he observed, impressed. His hand reached out for the wallet, but she pulled it back. With a sigh, he handed back her wallet, and she returned his back.
"The name is Neal," he introduced, holding his free hand out expectantly.
"Not telling you my name," she refused to give him her name, causing Neal to laugh. His opinion didn't matter because she would leave him soon. This guy was a thief, and in her experience, every thief was out for himself. This philosophy made her successful in being on the run during her criminal days.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Babe." He put emphasis on the endearment. This guy just met her, and he resorted to pet names. It sounded wrong coming from his mouth, because she was used to Killian calling her pet names.
"Don't call me, babe." She groaned, rubbing between her brows annoyed. "Fine, the name is Emma, if it stops you from calling me pet names," she said, irritation in her voice.
"If you're interested, I know some easy goods we can fence. I'll help watch your back if you watch mine," he proposed, crossing his arms.
Emma put a hand under her chin in contemplation. She didn't know whether to take Neal's offer. Her situation was unknown. If she was going to stay in this time longer than anticipated, she needed a way to get money. Still, she could work with him on a temporary basis.
"Maybe, I'll stick around for a while until I find a way to go home." She began, but she wanted to draw the line on their relationship. " I just want to make one thing clear. I'm a married woman." She held up her left hand, flashing her wedding ring at him.
"Whatever you say, Emma," he said dubiously, throwing her a grin.
During her walk with Neal, he didn't stop flirting with her and asking her to have drinks with him. She told him she was married, but he didn't believe her. His disbelief annoyed her to no end. Maybe in another life she would have taken him up on that offer. She paused when he stopped suddenly on the street. He was staring at her necklace she removed from under her shirt because it was getting hot. His eyes were looking at it with a scrutinizing gaze, and finally, he whistled.
"That thing on your neck looks pretty valuable. Where did you get it?" She frowned and looked at the green necklace hanging around her neck. "Don't get any ideas. It was given to me on my wedding day."
She remembered a happier time, it was a gift given to her by Rumpelstiltskin. She wondered how he was doing with his family? He was a nice enough man, who only wanted to take care of his family and was interested in legends.
She stopped dead on the road. Rumpelstiltskin said there was a legend associated with the necklace. She could probably use this necklace to see Killian. Calypso sent her here because of her mistake. Maybe, she would send her back. If so, Emma wasn't going to waste anymore time.
"I need to go. I'm sure I won't see you around."
"I don't believe you, but good luck with what you need to do," he said, rubbing the back of his head unsure. If you change your mind, look for a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. I'm usually in the back seat." He offered with a shrug, slightly disappointed.
"Thanks," Emma said with a small smile.
Putting his hands in his hoody, he left with a nod.
Emma could feel her heart racing as she ran from the park to the docks. Looking at the sky, she could see that the moon was full. Her thoughts started to wonder at how much time has passed in the Enchanted Forest. She hoped that Killian was still alive and well. Her stride came to a halt when she noticed the dock, or what was left of the Portland dock.
The storm happened a week ago, yet the owner made no move to repair it. It didn't matter for her situation. All she needed was to be near the ocean so she could open a portal.
Standing by the water, she tried to remember what she needed to do. She unclasped the necklace and stared at it, loosely hanging from her fingertips. Remember, Emma. She thought, her eyes scrunched in concentration.
When the moon is full over the ocean, the pendant will turn the sky green when held over the water. Rumple's voice echoed in her mind.
"Okay, well, here goes nothing." Emma put her hand over the ocean, and the sky turned green. Emma couldn't contain her glee when it worked.
I am the voice that calls your name. Emma jumped when she heard the first line of the aria.
Oh, that was supposed to happen. The thought caused her to relax. Now, was the moment of truth.
Emma closed her eyes and beseeched Calypso with all her heart, "Calypso, please, bring me back to my love. I just need to see him." As soon as she made her wish, the chain and pendant disappeared.
The sound of rushing water caused her to open her eyes. The part of the ocean where she held the pendant began to swirl violently until it formed a vortex. The vortex turned dark green, and Emma couldn't stop a grin from forming on her face. I'm coming for you, Killian. With that thought, she jumped into the portal.
When she landed, she was soaked with water. She had no money and luckily she was able to barter. An odd merchant was willing to give her a cloak and an old sword for a pen that survived the ocean, a watch, and a lighter. He wanted her whistle, but she refused to give it to him.
The town she was in was familiar. She recognized the cathedral where she got married, and it looked like it had aged some years. She didn't know why she landed in this particular town, but Killian must be nearby if she was here. She didn't know where Killian was, but she could feel some semblance of the bond. Her mind focused on his presence, and she followed the tugging on her heart.
Suddenly, fear flooded her being. She broke out into a run as she continued on her path. Killian was in trouble from the myriad of emotions that were taking over her. As she neared her destination, she could hear the clash of swords echo in the distance. A sinking feeling in her gut told her that he was engaged in that swordfight. Entering in a nook of an alley, she saw him kneeling down with a man in front of him. A sword was at his throat. She couldn't see the man's face, but he had his hand pulled back, fingers taut, ready to strike. Suddenly, the man thrusted his hand in Killian's chest, causing both Emma and Killian to gasp at the same time. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed.
If she didn't do anything, Killian would die. A glimmer of silver caught her eye. Looking down, she saw a knife sticking in a barrel. She wasted no time grabbing the knife and throwing it at the man. The man turned around swiftly and caught the knife between his index and middle finger.
Her eyes widened in shock. He caught the knife as though with magic.
When the man turned to face her, she couldn't help but gasp. He was ugly. His skin was gold with zits on his face, and his eyes were similar to that of a reptile.
"Well, you must be stupid to interfere in the Dark One's business," he said, his voice low but slightly high pitched.
Emma didn't say anything as she pulled her sword out with her right hand, holding it out in a challenge. The man giggled gleefully, taking in her antics. "It looks like you have a death wish. "
She chose not to say anything. Her mind was trying to come up with ways to save Killian. Bantering with the Dark One would distract her from her goal.
"Oh, mute are you?" His lips were upturned, amused at his own private joke. He snapped his fingers, looking at Killian and smiling at him.
"What the Bloody Hell did you do to me?" Killian yelled, his body unable to move.
"We can't have you interfering in our duel, but don't worry I will deal with you later," he promised darkly.
The Dark One picked up his sword from the ground, circling her with his sword pointed at her with one hand. She circled him with her own." I will see your face when the light leaves your eyes." He taunted her by pointing at his eyes for emphasis. She had to admit this odd man had a flair for the dramatics, but he was also dangerous.
He was trying to make her lose her nerve, but she couldn't shake the familiarity of this man. She didn't have time to think when his sword lunged at her. She met his easily, but she was surprised when he pressed on relentlessly. This man was as fast as Killian. He attempted to hit her in the face with this hand, but missed as she turned her head to the side. She brought up her knee, kicking him in the stomach. The wind got knocked out of him and she pressed on with her blows. He staggered by the force of her swings.
He parried her final blow, and their swords remained crossed. Emma's arm struggle for dominance, and the man smiled wickedly at her tiredness. She hadn't picked a sword in months and was out of practice. She had to hurry up and get the upper hand. She hit his head with a right hook, and he looked at her angrily. They engaged in combat again, and suddenly, he disappeared, causing a static sensation to crawl up her arm, similar to Neverland. That meant she was attuned to his magic radiating off him. Sensing magic behind her, she moved her body to the side, and he missed when he attempted to stab her. When she completed her spin, she brought her sword forward, stabbing him in the heart.
"Very good, Dearie." Her eyes widened when he grinned at her. He just got stabbed in the heart, and he was talking to her as though he was discussing the weather. " But not good enough." He finished, pulling his hand back in a claw. "Let me return the favor." He stuck his hand in her chest and a strangled gasp came from Killian's mouth when the Dark One started to pull. Her heart hurt like hell when he was pulling with all his might. His sadistic grin turned to surprise, when he wasn't able to pull her heart out. Emma prayed that he was successful, if it stopped him from pulling at her heart.
"Why" Pull. "won't your heart" Pull. "come out?" At the final pull, her hood fell from her head and a flash of white light exploded from her. Her form was hunched, clutching at her chest in pain. Labored breaths wouldn't stop leaving her mouth.
The man got up angrily before his eyes widened in shock. Suddenly, his countenance sobered, but his smile turned mischievous.
"My, my, Emma." At the sound of her name, Killian gasped, but the Dark One continued. "It looks like you haven't aged a day in ten years." She gasped at his acknowledgement. A week only passed for her, but she was only going to turn eighteen in a few more days. If ten years had past for them, Killian was twenty-nine.
The way the Dark One said her name was familiar, and her eyes widened in recognition.
"Rumpelstiltskin?"
"Yes, it's me, Dearie." He smiled at her, but she couldn't tell if it was genuine.
"Emma," Killian said surprised. He said her name with so much longing it hurt. Her body stiffened as she slowly turned to face him. She looked at him properly since she returned. He had a scar on the left side of his cheek. His ponytail was gone, but she had to admit she liked his new hairstyle. He definitely aged well and looked more handsome than she last saw him. His eyes softened when they met hers, and she could see a myriad of emotions running through them until they started to be filled with tears.
Her eyes closed as she felt his love flooding through her, comforting her. "It's me," she confirmed, answering him with a smile before frowning. Why was he in this predicament with Rumple? Speaking of Rumple, what happened to him?
"What happened to you?" She asked slightly confused, turning to her friend. She knew of some diseases, but not any that could completely change a skin tone gold.
His face contorted with rage before looking at Killian. "Your husband happened."
No, surely he must be mistaken. Killian wouldn't do anything to hurt Rumple because he was their friend. She knew his revenge was against King George, but her heart sank when she didn't detect a lie.
Emma looked at her husband in disappointment. Her eyes pleaded with Killian to prove Rumple wrong. "Is he lying?" She asked, voice even.
When he looked down ashamed, Emma shook her head in disbelief. What had he been up to, since she had been gone?
"Emma, I know this situation looks bad, but please, let me explain," Killian beseeched her before turning an angry gaze to Rumple. "Let me go, now, Crocodile," he commanded, still unable to move the lower part of his body.
"Why, so you can try and manipulate Emma?" Rumple pretended to think for a moment, ignoring Killian's threats. "I think not. You see, Emma, your husband tore my family apart," he said bluntly, turning his gaze to give Killian a murderous glare.
Emma gasped at his words. "Why would he do something like that? He would never tear anyone's family apart because family is important to him."
She hoped that there was some semblance of the Killian she knew. He spoke to her about having a family, especially being a father. The thought of tearing anyone's family apart would kill him. His behavior didn't make any sense.
"You see…he wasn't satisfied with you," Rumple said with mock sadness.
"No…" Emma absently took a step back, shaking her head in disbelief. He said he would fight for her and always love her. When she turned a hurt gaze towards Killian, his eyes were horrified before he directed an angry gaze towards Rumple.
"Don't feed her your lies, Crocodile!" Rumple thrusted his hand in Killian's chest again, causing both Killian and Emma to yell in pain when he squeezed his heart. "Maybe, you shouldn't lie to your wife," he threatened with a growl.
"Killian!" A woman yelled with emotion.
What the hell was going on? Emma watched as a brunette ran down a flight of stairs, wearing a dress fit for the seas.
"Milah? You said she was dead." Rumple looked at Killian in shock. Emma felt like she had just entered into a soap opera that one of her foster moms forced her to watch. She returned to the past to see Killian almost get killed. Rumple claimed he tore his family apart, and some woman, who Rumple thought dead, was yelling Killian's name with fear and a hint of affection. Emma rubbed her head in frustration.
"Now, can someone tell me what's happening!?" Emma yelled, clearly losing her patience. "What does he have to do with her?" She asked, pointing from Killian to Milah.
"Emma Jones, I would like to introduce you to my not so faithful wife, Milah," Rumple introduced with distaste.
Emma dropped the sword she was holding. Was Rumple insinuating that Killian stole his wife? She hoped not.
"This is her?" Milah finally made it down the stairs, running to Killian's side. She looked at Emma, sizing her up.
Emma almost fainted from shock. The way Milah referred to her so callously. Killian didn't have the nerve to mention her name to Milah. So Emma was a "her" now? Did she mean so little to him that he referred to her as a pronoun?
Emma made a frustrated yell as anger took over. She wasn't going to cry in front of them. She felt Killian's worry take over her. She pushed his emotions away as she addressed Milah.
"Yes, I am his wife," Emma snapped. She couldn't help but glare daggers at the woman holding onto her husband. Was she truly replaced by this woman? Emma just needed another confirmation from either Killian or Milah to know that she made a mistake in returning.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Milah's voice.
"If you let us leave with our lives, I'll give you the bean," Milah addressed Rumple.
"Fine," Rumple agreed, disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Emma, Killian, and Milah were making their way to the Jolly to fulfill a trade that started the mess with Rumple. Apparently, Rumple was trying to procure a magic bean, but when he found out Killian was involved, he thought it was the perfect time to get his revenge. Emma couldn't bear to walk next to Killian. She could feel his concerned eyes on her. He could tell she was quiet. If she said anything, she might regret it. Her eyes shifted towards his direction. Milah was trying to support his weight, but he pushed her off to stagger in Emma's direction, when his eyes met Emma's. Emma quickly looked away, refusing to look at him. She was so angry, hurt, and confused that her head was going to explode.
Killian grabbed at her arm, but she removed her hand. She didn't miss his jaw clench, and his free hand clenching at his side.
"Emma, please, don't think anything about this right now. Everything that is happening is chaotic. I know you are making a lot of assumptions." She snorted at his poor choice of words, but he continued. "You're hurting and it's understandable, but when you are hurt you throw up your walls and close yourself off. Please, love, let me tell you without anyone interrupting," he pleaded, clutching his heart that was still suffering from being squeezed.
She looked into his gaze and hated those damn blue eyes. They always looked sincere when looking at her. Emma opened her mouth to respond, but Rumple interrupted them.
"Come on, Dearies. I don't have all day," Rumple called from the deck impatiently.
"You heard him. He stuck his hand in your and my chest out of anger. Who knows what else he would do." She ignored his plea and boarded the Jolly.
"It looks like you have found the family you have always wanted. One you couldn't have with me." She heard Rumple say with jealousy to Milah, barking orders to the men as though she owned the ship.
Emma's blood boiled as she got another conformation to her suspicions. Milah basically made her home at the Jolly. The Jolly was the home that Emma was so desperate to return to, but it looked like she was easily replaced. She shook her head at such thoughts. It was better to ask them, than to hurt herself with these assumptions.
"If you're Rumple's wife...you ran off with my husband. Emma wanted answers- to finally put all her fears to rest- or confirm them.
"Emma, please understand. I met your husband in a tavern. When he drank, he would tell stories about his adventures, and I was entranced by his tales. I wanted to escape my life. My own husband was a coward; he wouldn't even fight for me."
Emma wanted to cry at Milah's story. Of fucking course, he met Milah in a tavern. Her mind drifted to when he attempted to bring an armful of girls on the Jolly. Emma was never able to keep him sated. This was why he looked for company elsewhere and the only possible explanation. Emma had to clutch at the side of the deck for support. She felt like she was going to pass out from all her emotions.
"Why would I have to fight for you when I was Emma's friend? He had his own wife! Do you know what he did, Emma?" Emma turned a tired gaze towards Rumple after he yelled at Milah.
This was all a horrible nightmare and a mistake.
"What did he do?" Emma could hear her voice starting to break. She didn't want to hear how much her husband had changed since she had been gone. She had so many happy memories of him, and they were being polluted every second she stayed on the ship.
"He held his cutlass to my neck and called me a coward, even though I told him I had a son."
"Emma, what was I to do? She was unhappy, and I was doing her a favor," Killian explained, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"By sleeping with her?" Emma berated, tears were running down her face. She was so glad that she was standing near Rumple. If Killian touched her, she didn't know how she would react.
"Emma, please, don't put words in my mouth." Killian opened his mouth to continue, but he was interrupted with Rumple yelling at Milah.
"You knew he was married, yet the one thing I don't understand is: how could you leave Bae?" Rumple was in Milah's face now. Emma was a little impressed that Milah didn't cower when he stalked menacingly towards her.
"I wasn't happy because I don't love you." Emma winced when Milah scathingly told Rumple the truth. With a yell of rage, Rumple pulled Milah's heart out and Emma threw up, when she saw the beating heart in his hand. She watched horrified as he crushed it.
Emma forlornly watched Killian catching Milah in his arms. As the last bits of Milah's heart crumbled to dust, Milah ardently looked up at Killian. Her hand reached up to cup his face and whispered "I love you, " with her dying breath.
Emma's heart shattered at the spot at the woman's declaration. The woman clearly had feelings for him, and she died in his arms. If that wasn't love, Emma did not know what was.
She looked at Rumple shocked. "How could you?! She was your wife," she asked, appalled.
"She was my wife," he said nonchalantly. "Well, she's pretty much dead now. So, I guess she's my dead ex-wife if you want to be specific about it," he quipped with a shrug.
Emma's emotions were all over the place. Killian ran off with a married woman. Said woman died because he allowed the situation to escalate this far. Emma buried her face in her hands as she thought about whether they could move on from this.
"This whole situation is insane. I don't know what to do with you anymore," she told Killian truthfully, shaking her head in defeat.
"I have a solution," Rumple said before thrusting his hand again in Killian's chest.
"Stop, putting your hand in his damn chest!" Emma panted. Rumple watched her with interest. "Just stop." Emma doubled over in pain as he pulled Killian's heart out.
"If I kill him, it will do us both a favor," he said, slightly squeezing the heart experimentally while gleefully looking at it as he squeezed.
God, why did she have to feel Killian's pain?
"Please, Rumple, you once said you wished me to be happy," she said through gritted teeth, trying to talk over the pain. "If you kill him, you will kill me. Not only emotionally, but from the looks of it literally."
He looked at her in rage and disbelief. "He stole my wife. He turned me into what I am. He cheated on you. How can you love this monster? He deserves to be punished for what he did to you and me," he answered, returning his attention to the heart giving it another squeeze. Emma was on her knees, clutching at her own chest.
"I still love him, and I made a vow to him when I married him. I intend to keep it against my better judgment, as my last act of his wife," she said with resignation.
There was nothing left for her here. Killian was willing to forget about her. Her home was now the future.
Rumple's eyes widened in shock before he gave her an impish grin. He moved to step away, allowing her to properly look at Killian, but not before shoving Killian's heart back in his chest, rather roughly.
Emma slowly got up from the ground, willing all her strength to look calm. If she was a bubbling mess, then Killian wouldn't take her seriously.
"Emma?" Killian asked, trying to gauge her reaction. His eye widened in horror as he guessed at what she was going to do. "Please, no. It's not what you think," he pleaded for her to listen to him, but she had already made her choice.
"Milah loved you. Obviously, something happened between you two. It's clear you were so ready to move on. You know what's the worst thing about this whole entire situation?" Emma asked rhetorically, laughing bitterly to herself. "I spent every waking moment trying to get back to you. I actually tried keeping my vows. If you found me as an old man then I still would have loved you. I don't fault you for moving on. Live your life. I came back to let you know that I loved you. I believed you, when you said you would always fight for us. I guess I didn't realize you weren't serious." Shaking her head in disappointment, she felt so numb that she couldn't tell if she was crying.
"Loved?" Killian questioned shocked before recognition filled his eyes. He shook his head in protest and tried moving towards her in urgency. " Emma-" He begged hoarsely.
Emma cut him off as she thought of more words to say. "I only wanted you to be happy. Well, Killian Jones, I hope you find your happiness because clearly it's not with me."
"Could you feel it when I was squeezing his heart?" At her nod, Rumple continued. "Well, this changes things. We have some words to discuss, Mrs. Jones, before you leave." He finished, watching the entire scene play out with interest.
Emma Jones was a reminder of what she couldn't have. If she was going to return to the future, she was going to leave everything in the past. "It's Emma Swan," she said in the most controlled voice as she could possibly muster, but her heart was filled with grief.
Killian was openly crying. "You don't mean that, Emma, after everything we shared. You said you trusted in us. Please, listen," he begged her with his eyes. His face was heartbroken, and his voice was in utter despair.
Emma closed her eyes, trying to control her breathing as she did her next act. If she looked, she would lose her resolve. Her fingers twisted around the band on her finger, causing her finger to feel naked without it. "Give this to the woman you truly love." She threw the ring, and it seemed to fall in slow motion as it landed at his feet.
She watched as he picked up the ring, staring at it in horror. He shakily approached her, eyes filled with grief. "Emma, please-" Killian's sobs were cut off when he was thrown to the mast by magic. Emma was glad Rumple was keeping him at bay. If he touched her, she would have let him talk her into staying.
He will lie and abandon you like everyone else. He will always love his brother more… you will always be an orphan. You're alone." Pan's words flooded back to her mind. She could imagine his smug face staring at her at this moment as she realized how true his words were.
Still, Killian refused to give up, He shouted many declarations of his love. Emma closed her eyes, drowning out his words. She was done listening to him speak.
"I guess, I'm still that naive teenager you met years ago. Well, thank you for showing me that I need to grow up." She nodded to Rumple, and with a wave of his hand, she disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
After Emma, the product of true love Rumpelstiltskin foresaw in the future, left, it took all his self-control to not give into the darkness and kill the bastard in front of him. The little light left in his heart really felt for Emma as she tried to remain strong, but she was broken at her husband's betrayal. He remembered her kindness, and she didn't deserve what happened. He had a theory if this vile man died, then Emma would die because they were apparently bonded. He didn't miss the pain she felt when he squeezed Killian's heart. Killing this man was a risk he wasn't willing to take. He needed Emma alive so she could break the curse that would find his son. Still, he could revel in her husband's pain.
"The irony is not lost. What was it you once said to me? 'A man unwilling to fight for what he wants, deserves what he gets,'" he mocked, laughing internally at the shame in Killian's eyes. Rumpelstiltskin's eyes narrowed in a glare as he continued. "You don't deserve her." Killian's eyes darkened, and his face contorted in rage. He openly laughed at getting under Killian's skin. "Too bad you will never see her again," he said with a shrug, as he continued to rub salt in his wounds. "She was born 300 years in the future. She is needed back home to fulfill her destiny. Be grateful that Emma was here to save your miserable hide today. If I run into you again, I won't be merciful next time," he warned, but he smiled when he saw determination and anger flood Killian's being.
Killian broke free from his bindings, and with a yell of rage, he stabbed Rumpelstiltskin with a hook lying on the ground. The sensation was uncomfortable, but Rumpelstiltskin looked at the broken man before him, who was shaking in rage.
"I will kill you, Crocodile, for taking her away and letting her leave like this. I will find you!" He yelled, his voice breaking at his dark promise. Killian's words caused Rumpelstiltskin's eyes to widen in shock, but he quickly made his face blank. Clearly, the man before him still loved Emma. Maybe the Milah situation was a total misunderstanding that escalated out of control because of hurt emotions, not that he was going to admit he was at fault. Maybe he could rectify the situation a little. He still owed Emma for what she did for him ten years ago. One thing he hated as a Dark One was being in someone's debt.
Rumpelstiltskin knocked the man away from him with a wave of his hand. Killian landed on the deck of the ship with a thud. Now, he had to knock some sense into the pirate's head. He crouched on his knees, looking into the man's blue eyes.
"I think you did the damage quite well on your own," he said, voice low." Should you really be focusing on revenge?" He tutted ,watching the man's eyes narrow in confusion. Good, that meant that he got his attention. Now, he had to give him a reason to fight.
"If you are still determined, too bad you won't live that long." The Dark One laughed before continuing. "I don't need the bean. I found another way to get what I want. It may take a little longer, but at least I know it's a guarantee, unlike that bean of yours. If today you were truly trying to get to Emma, magic beans transverse realms not time."
With a high-pitched giggle, Rumpelstiltskin disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke. The hook fell on the deck in his absence with a clang- a reminder of the events that had just taken place.
Next: Screw Destiny