"Slow down," Killian said. "I can't have you rushing in there and going for his throat."

"Sounds like a good plan to me," she said, still walking. Killian reached out and grabbed her arm, spinning her around.

"I mean it. I need you to back off."

"I don't take orders from you," she reminded him. "I have a score to settle."

"And you think you can just...what? Walk in and plant a dagger in his chest? He's The Dark One. It doesn't work that way."

She took in a breath through her teeth. "I plan to get that compass. When I do, it will direct me to a special dagger. Then I can control him."

"The compass can lead you to The Dark One's dagger?" Killian asked. "Why, that's brilliant!"

"You sound like you've had dealings with him, too," Emma said, suspiciously.

"No, not really. I just know about his motivations," Killian replied. "But right now, I need you to set that aside and work with me. We need to find out what happened to everyone. There's magic afoot here, and we need to get to the bottom of it."

"And how is that going to result in me getting my ship and the compass?" Emma asked, folding her arms.

"Oh, so now you want the ship and the compass," Killian said, arching a brow. "I thought you were willing to trade the compass for the ship?"

"I was. But that was before I knew The Dark One was up here. Now get out of my way."

Emma moved to push past him, and Killian grabbed her arm again. She retaliated by twisting his hand into an uncomfortable position, but not before he brought his elbow up, dislodging her grip. She ducked under his arm, grabbing his hook and wrenching it up into a half-nelson behind his back.

Killian let out a low hiss and turned into her, knocking her off-balance. She stumbled backwards and he kept the momentum going, pushing her into a nearby alley and swinging her up against a wall. He pushed himself against her, wrapping his fingers in her hair to keep her immobile and holding her tight to the wall. Emma's eyes spit fire as her chest heaved in an effort to draw breath.

"You like this, don't you?" she griped.

He looked down at her with hooded eyes. "I do indeed," he answered. "But as scintillating as this is...we need to talk and you're going to listen."

She gave him a look that promised retribution, then added an incredibly fake smile. "So talk," she said sweetly, twining her arms around his neck.

Killian's jaw tightened and his look said he knew exactly what she was doing, but he decided to talk anyway.

"Like it or not, we need him. Something caused all of this mayhem, and he may very well know who or what. And you can bet that if that compass can tell someone how to find his dagger, he won't have it out in the case for anyone to walk in off the street and buy."

Emma's smile faded and she gave him a reluctant nod. "You're right. So what do you have in mind?"

"First, we need to know whether he actually knows anything. He may be as clueless as the rest of us."

"I doubt that," Emma said skeptically. "You don't know this guy. He's crafty."

"I can deal with crafty types," he said. And to prove his point, he pushed her into the wall a little tighter.

"You're gonna do this to him?" she smirked. "I don't think you'll get the same reaction."

"I'm going to talk to him," Killian continued. "Let him think I'm just visiting. And while I'm there, I can look around."

"And what am I doing while you're making nice?" Emma asked.

"Staying out of sight. He knows you."

Emma glared up at him. "And what's to keep you from running off with the compass, sailing away on my ship, and leaving me here to rot?"

"This," he said, and that was all the warning she got before his mouth came down on hers, kissing her slowly and thoroughly, his body pressing into hers in a very delicious way. Emma's fingers slid into his hair and she leaned into him. It felt like an eternity before he finally raised his head.

"So you are interested," she murmured with a smile.

"Oh yes, love. I am very, very interested," he said, kissing her lightly once more. "But right now, we need to solve this. We'll have time for us later. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that."

"I'm counting on it." He gave her a crooked grin. "Now stay out of sight, and let me get the gist of the situation." He stepped back, releasing her. Emma put up her hands.

"He's all yours, your majesty. Go play clueless tourist. I'll go back to Smee's and chat with the waiter or something. So don't be too long." She gave him a taunting grin over her shoulder as she sauntered off. He threw her a scathing look in return, clenched his hand into a fist and stalked off down the street.

Charming's shop was at the end of the block, and the bell on the door rang out as Killian stepped inside.

"Hi there!" A voice called out cheerily. "Come on in!"

Killian pasted on a smile. "Thank you. It's a bit chilly out there."

"This place is rarely warm," Charming said with an amiable smile. "What can I help you find?"

"I'm not sure," Killian said with a shrug. "I'm newly arrived and I promised my sister a gift upon my return. I'd heard you dealt in antiquities and rare items, so I thought I'd give your shop a look." He strolled nonchalantly along the wall, glancing at items and occasionally reaching out to pick something up for closer perusal.

"Take your time," Charming said, and the smile stayed in place. "We rarely have visitors. Where is it that you hail from, Mr...?"

Killian stepped over to the counter, looking around and leaning in before answering.

"I'm actually traveling incognito," he said. "I'm royalty, and I'd rather remain inconspicuous, if that's all the same to you."

Charming's brows went up. "Royalty? We definitely don't get much of that around here. What brings you to Storybrooke?"

"Just a stop along the way."

"Really? Along the way to where?" Charming's smile was still in place, and it was becoming more than a little...creepy.

"Oh, just making the rounds. Diplomatic visits and the like. You know how it is." Killian stepped back, looking down into the case. "What do you think about jewelry?"

"I think a man who claims to be royalty should be swimming in it," Charming said, still with a smile on his lips - one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "And I also think that's not what you're really here for."

Killian's answering smile didn't falter. "You read me well," he conceded. "I'm looking for information. Your reputation quite precedes you, and I was hoping you could help me."

"I'd be happy to help," Charming said, his teeth sparkling in the light from the overhead fluorescents. "As long as there's something in it for me."

Killian strolled to the other side of the shop, where he pulled a dress off a nearby rack. "Does this come in blue?"

"No, I'm afraid not." There was that smile again.

"And what do you know about the event that occurred eleven days ago?"

Understanding lit Charming's eyes. "Ah. That kind of information." He stepped out from behind the counter. "Was your kingdom disrupted? Everything left in disarray?"

"Something like that," Killian replied evasively. "Obviously, this was a magical incident. The question is, what kind of magical incident, and who is responsible for it?"

"Can't help you with the second," Charming answered jovially. "But the first...well, let's just say it's an area of expertise."

"And what do you want in exchange for that information?"

"Nothing much. Just...a favor." He shrugged almost apologetically, with a goofy smile. "No big deal."

"No big deal," Killian repeated in a deadpan. "A favor granted to The Dark One is always a big deal."

"You've heard of me," Charming's eyes narrowed, but the smile remained. He folded his arms, giving Killian a good once-over. "And that tells me quite a bit about your place of origin, which leads me to revise my deal." He leaned his hip against the counter. "I'll tell you what I know about the magical event, and you tell me how you got here."

Killian took a moment, nodding as if considering the offer. "We have an accord," he said. "Now what do you know about eleven days ago."

"There's nothing notable about the date, that I know of, so I don't believe that has anything to do with it other than being the date that the event occurred."

"And was it dark magic?" Killian asked.

"No. And not light magic, either." Charming smirked, clearly delighted to be so deliberately vague.

"Well, it has to be one or the other," Killian said, a bit perturbed.

"Oh, so you're an expert on magic? I didn't realize." Charming gave a laugh.

Killian clarified his question. "What other kind of magic is there?"

"Portal magic," Charming explained. "Whoever did this was creating a portal."

"To where?"

Charming pointed at Killian. "You know, that's a very good question. Which leads me to my half of the deal. How did you get here?"

Killian studied him a moment. "I came up a beanstalk. I was told there was a giant here, but found myself in Storybrooke instead."

"And where can I find this beanstalk, exactly?"

"Just across the town line."

Anger flashed across Charming's face but was quickly replaced with that smile again. "Thank you," he replied. "Now...was there anything else? I'm a busy man."

"As a matter of fact, there is," Killian said, reaching out and taking a red knit hat off a nearby shelf. "How much for this hat?"

"That old thing?" Charming said dismissively. "I use it as a dustrag. Do you really want to take that back to your sister?"

"It's for a friend. How much?"

"The price of that item is...your name," he said shrewdly. "I'd hate to keep treating you like a stranger, now that we've had our chat."

"It's Killian."

"Well, Prince Killian," Charming replied. "I trust you can show yourself out?" The smile was all but faded now.

Killian picked up the hat, and with a nod, made his exit. Charming stood and looked at the door a moment longer before walking over and flipping the sign to "Closed." He walked toward the back room, waving a careless hand behind him. The lights extinguished as one, leaving the shop in darkness.

Killian arrived at Smee's a few minutes later, and to his dismay, there was no sign of Emma. He stalked over to Will, who was taking someone's order, and grabbed him by the arm.

"Will you excuse us?" he said to the table, pulling Will away.

"But I'm not done there!" Will protested.

"They can wait," Killian said, glaring at him. "Where is Emma?"

"Calm down," Will said, shaking his head. "She rented a room from Mr. Smee and she told me to tell you she'd be waiting. Room three, at the end of the hall."

Killian inclined his head in a gesture of thanks - just barely. "And where do I find Mr. Smee?"

"At the end of the counter, there." Will started to walk away, then turned back for a moment. "I wouldn't take too long, mate. She said if you didn't show up soon, she'd be waiting for me instead."

Killian scowled at Will's retreating back, very nearly tossing the hat at it before striding over to the cash register. Mr. Smee looked up from ringing in his last order and smiled politely. "Yes? Can I help you?"

"I brought you a gift." Killian set the hat down on the counter. "For your help earlier."

"Thank you!" Smee gave him a blank smile, and his hand closed over the hat. Killian started to walk away and got a few paces toward the back exit when Smee's voice rang out.

"Captain?"

Killian turned slowly, his eyes locking with Smee's.

"Mr. Smee?"

Smee looked down at his apron in pure confusion. "What's going on here, sir?"

Killian strode over quickly, leaning in and lowering his voice. "You know who I am?"

"You're Captain Hook," Smee replied, clearly befuddled. "But what am I doing cooking at Granny's?"

Killian reached around the counter, taking Smee by the arm. "Come with me," he said, leading him to the back. "We've got a lot to discuss."