AN: Thank you to everyone that reviewed the last chapter that I couldn't reply to individually - I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. It warms the soul and makes my day :)

CHAPTER 10

INTUITION – (noun) - The ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning.

Something was wrong.

Horribly wrong.

Emma had had the feeling ever since she'd woken up at stupid o'clock that morning and hadn't been able to shake it since.

The constant butterflies in the stomach that dipped and swirled around and around. Twisting her intestines into a million different knots that she doubted would ever be completely untied.

The tension in her muscles that refused to dissipate no matter how long she stood under the hot cascade of water in the shower.

The ache in her head as she tried to work out what the hell had happened to make her react this way.

The all encompassing, sickening feeling of dread that seemed to start in her heart and radiate outwards until she swore it had wrapped around her very soul.

She and Henry had stayed at her parents loft the night before. With the new threat of the Witch wanting Snow's baby, she'd felt the need to be close to her mother just in case. She'd helped Regina place a protection spell around the small abode and the night had passed peacefully so this feeling she'd awoken with made absolutely no sense.

She had gotten up first up that morning and was ready to go to the diner before anyone else had even dressed. She tried to contain her impatience as the others seemed to take an interminable time to get ready, the only genuine smile she could muster aimed at Henry when he gave her his morning hug.

The unsettled feeling continued to grow and her relief was almost palpable when they finally set off for Granny's. They arrived a short while later, Mary Margaret puffing slightly from the fast pace that the blonde had unconsciously set, and as soon as they entered Emma scanned the room.

She wanted to speak to Hook.

If anyone were capable of making sense of her irrational worries, it'd be him. He always managed to make her feel better no matter what the situation and she was certain that he would have a ready quip or slice of wisdom that would be of immense help. Not that she'd ever let him know that of course.

Her disappointment, therefore, was acute when she realised that the only other people there were the dwarves. She bade them a cursory good morning then followed her family to a booth near the back. Shortly after, Granny placed cups of coffee on their table and she half-smiled her thanks before taking a sip of the strong brew.

"Where's Hook? Isn't he always here by now?" David commented with a slight frown as he looked up from the menu and glanced around the diner.

"Not always," Emma immediately contradicted despite her own worries that the pirate was noticeably absent.

"Usually, then," the prince countered with a wry smile.

She gave him a tight-lipped smile back and tried to dampen down her escalating concern.

"Are you okay, Emma?" her mother asked suddenly, a slight frown marring her beautiful features.

"Sure," the blonde replied. When Snow continued to stare at her however, Emma let out a heavy sigh and shook her head before admitting, "I don't know, I just have this…feeling. Something's not right."

As if confirming her words the door to the diner suddenly flew open and a very bedraggled, but furious looking Robin Hood entered. Glancing around, he spied Emma and the Charming's in their booth and strode over with barely contained ire.

"Where's Hook?" he demanded foregoing any of the usual pleasantries.

Emma's eyebrows rose in surprise. She didn't think there had ever been a time when the thief had referred to Killian as anything other than, Captain. Nor had his manners ever been quite so forgotten.

"I haven't seen him," she replied, the unceasing dread she'd been feeling beginning to intensify.

On closer inspection the thief was quite a sight. There were dry leaves in his hair and sticking to his clothes. A painful looking purple and yellow bruise adorned his left cheek and there were streaks of dirt covering his face.

"What the heck happened to you?" Charming asked with a frown.

Robin glanced over at the other man then back to Emma, his expression immediately changing to one of concern, his previous anger apparently forgotten.

"The Captain hasn't returned?" he asked, sounding worried.

"What do you mean, 'returned'? Emma questioned sharply, "Where is he? What the hell are you talking about?"

Robin held up his hands in supplication at her rising voice and gave her and the others an uneasy look.

"It might be best if we have this conversation somewhere else," he informed them quietly.

"No…" Emma began.

"That's sounds like a good idea," the prince cut in firmly, giving his daughter a pointed look when she turned to him angrily.

"Fine," she huffed, standing up, "Let's go outside."

The two men followed her out and had barely closed the door behind them when she turned then folded her arms across her chest.

"Well?" she snapped.

Robin sighed, obviously not happy with the information he was about to impart.

"Last night I spoke to the Captain and suggested that we try and…obtain the Witch's necklace to destroy it," the thief revealed reluctantly, "He agreed but then knocked me out before we reached her farmhouse. He said that he couldn't allow me to risk my life when I had Roland depending on me."

Emma closed her eyes and tried to keep her suddenly raging emotions in check. She should have known. Of course everything she'd been feeling had been about Killian. It was always about him but she just never wanted to admit that to herself.

"So the damn fool went to Zelena's on his own?" Charming clarified disbelievingly.

"I'm going to get him," the Saviour cut in calmly, the determination shining bright in her eyes as she opened them again.

Charming turned to her in surprise then frowned slightly as he shook his head.

"Emma, if he's not back yet…" the prince began sympathetically, leaving the rest of his unhappy thoughts unspoken.

"He's not dead," she refuted sharply then held up her hand to forestall him when he opened his mouth to speak again. "I'm going to get him, David. This ends today. Now. Whether you like it or not."

Her father stared at her for a moment then finally nodded.

"Fine, I'm coming with you but just let me contact Regina first. We might need her."

Emma nodded her assent then turned away and took a deep steadying breath as she focussed inwards and tentatively reached out with her magic. There, at the very edges, she could feel him.

He was still alive and she was going to everything in her power to make sure it stayed that way.

END CHAPTER 10

Reviews are of the good :)