"What makes you think a bow is going to help us against The Dark One?" Robin asked as they pushed open the door to the hardware store. "Won't he see that coming?"
"It's not about him, mate."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Emma asked. "Either we're working on a plan or we're not."
"We are," Killian reassured her. "But this has to be handled with some stealth. Hence, the bow."
"You gonna shoot him in his sleep?" Emma asked incredulously.
"I hate to take sides, Killian," Robin said, "But I have to agree with her. This seems a waste of time."
Killian stared at his friend. "How long have we known each other?"
Robin shook his head. "Killian - "
"How long?" he repeated.
"All our lives," Robin said. "Our kingdoms border each other and they've been allied for centuries. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Based on all that, I'm asking you to trust me," Killian said.
"You've got a strategy."
"Something like that," Killian replied. "Now, you walk over to that wall and pick out a bow...and look hard. Find a good one. One that...fits." He turned to Emma. "And you - see if they have any swords."
"I thought we weren't using swords," she said, putting her hands on her hips.
"Robin isn't using a sword," he explained patiently. "You are."
"I have a sword," she said, tapping the hilt on her cutlass.
"Then get one for me," he snapped in exasperation. "Just give them a glance over and find one that looks right."
"Looks right?" Emma raised her hands in confusion. "What the hell does that mean?"
He reached out, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. "Trust me."
Emma looked over at Robin. "Trust him," she smirked.
Robin shrugged, and Emma pulled her hand back from Killian. "Okay...I'm off to find just the right sword," she called over her shoulder in a patronizing voice as she sauntered off toward the back of the store.
"And I'll be getting a bow that fits," Robin said, walking toward the wall of bows. "I hope you know what you're doing, Killian."
"So do I, mate," Killian grumbled under his breath. He followed Robin over the the wall display, which held several types of bow. Robin paused in front of them, putting a hand to his chin as he studied them.
"Perhaps you should pick them up," Killian suggested. "Try their weight in your hands."
Robin raised his brows. "All right," he said, reaching out for the first one. His hand stopped part-way, then shifted slightly to the right, hovering over the next bow on the wall.
"I say, Killian - what do you think of this one?"
Killian looked at him intently. "Why? Do you like it?"
"It seems...different than the others. Bigger, perhaps. The craftsmanship is excellent."
"Well, give it a go," Killian suggested with a smile. Robin reached out, wrapped his fingers around the bow - and promptly froze. He blinked a few times, but didn't move a muscle.
Killian moved up beside him. "Robin?"
Robin's head turned as if he were startled. "Killian - what's going on here?"
Killian glanced over toward Emma, who had her back to them, perusing a wall of shotguns, and then turned back to Robin. "You know who you are, mate?"
"Yes. Both incarnations. What the hell is going on?"
"I'll tell you in a moment, but first - let go of the bow."
Robin gave him a confused look, but he stepped back, releasing his hold on the bow. "Now what?" he asked Killian.
"Still know who you are?"
"Yes. Killian - why is Storybrooke at the top of a damned beanstalk?"
Killian shook his head. "I don't know yet. But at least now we know that once you touch your talisman, you become yourself again. I was afraid you might have to maintain the contact for it to work."
"My talisman?" Robin looked up at the bow on the wall again. "I suppose that makes sense. I'm never without my bow. What was yours?"
"A piece of the Jolly Roger. I happened to be holding it when everything went to hell, and I've remained myself throughout." Killian glanced over his shoulder. "The same cannot be said for most everyone else, however, including Emma."
Robin looked over at Emma, who was now staring at a glass case full of hunting knives. "You haven't found Emma's talisman?"
"I'm hoping that it's the compass, but her father is now The Dark One, so retrieving it will be problematic. I'm hoping Emma can recognize his sword - I would imagine that would be his talisman."
"Who else have you brought round?" Robin asked.
"Just my bos'n, Mr. Smee. I'm hoping we can find others, but it's not going to be an easy task."
"Any sign of my son? Or Regina?"
"Sorry, mate. Not yet. We could really use Regina. There's magic afoot here."
"What are you two jabbering about," Emma asked, walking up to them. "And looking for a sword is a lost cause in this place. Even the daggers are pretty small."
"Robin and I were working on a plan," Killian replied. "He thinks he may be able to conceal himself near The Dark One's house. We'll search the shop after he leaves for the evening, and if something triggers an alarm and he tries to return, Robin can stop him before he gets a foot out his door. He'll never see it coming."
"So we have to wait till dark," Emma said.
"It appears so," Killian answered. "In the meantime, we can walk the town...question the locals."
"An excellent idea!" Robin hastily interjected. "I'll check out the forest. There may be others encamped there."
"Good thinking," Killian agreed. "Emma and I will start here, at the various shops."
"Sounds thrilling," she said dryly.
Killian walked her over to the door, holding it wide for her.
"Where to?" she asked.
"Around. Why don't we go and visit the mayor?" Killian suggested. "Perhaps she can give us a bit more information about the town."
"She? How do you know the mayor is a woman?"
"I don't," Killian said. "The mayor could be anyone. Anyone at all."
She moved around in front of him, walking backwards. "Okay, so spill it. You and Robin are planning something, and you're not clueing me in."
His step hesitated, mostly because he didn't want to run into her, but she took it as confirmation. "Hey!" she said, putting a hand on his chest. "I'm serious, here. And I might be able to help."
"Help with what?" Killian asked. "I've told you the plan so far."
She put her hands on her hips. "Not all of it. I heard you talking about Regina."
He reached out, clamping his hand on her arm. "You know where Regina is?"
"Well, not exactly...but I've run into her once or twice. I could find her, for the right price."
"And how, exactly, do you know her?" Killian queried.
"Are you kidding?" Emma looked at him like he was crazy. "Regina the bandit queen? Who doesn't know her?"
"Bandit queen?"
"She used to have a kingdom, till George deposed her. Now she's on the run and she's pretty much making his life hell where she can," Emma explained. "She tried to book passage with me once, then she changed her mind. Haven't seen her since but the wanted posters say she's still around." She looked at him suspiciously. "How is it you're from the Enchanted Forest and you don't know all this?"
"I don't deal with common riff-raff," he lied. "And Regina's been gone so long we all thought her dead."
"Well, George's army has been ta- oof!" Emma was cut off as a nearby door opened, slamming into her back and shoving her at Killian. He grabbed as she fell into him.
"Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry, miss."
Emma turned to look at the man who opened the door. "It's okay. I'm the one who was standing in the way."
Killian's eyes went wide as he took in this new, bizarre Rumplestiltskin. The man was wearing a long, flowing shirt with a flowered print, and his long hair was secured with a beaded headband that went across his forehead. On his nose was perched a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. He was the picture of peace and tranquility.
"I'm Rufus," he said, extending his hand with a friendly smile. "I don't think I've seen you around Storybrooke before."
"We're new in town," Emma explained. She shoved a thumb over her shoulder. "This is Killian. He's a prince or something."
Rumplestiltskin's eyes went wide. "A prince? That's heavy. Never met a prince before." He held out a hand to Killian, who paused a moment and then shook it.
"Please, just call me Killian," he said, forcing a smile. "We were just on our way to the mayor's office."
"Oh, Mayor Anton! He's placid. You'll like him." He smiled apologetically at Emma. "I was just running out to my car - I left a couple of books on the seat. I wasn't expecting anybody to be standing here."
"No harm done," Emma said.
"Let's go." Killian put a hand to the small of her back to guide her forward, but she stopped suddenly.
"That's what you get around in?" She asked Rumplestiltskin. "How do you even fit?"
Killian rolled his eyes impatiently as Emma turned to follow the librarian over to his car - his bright yellow car.
"Swan..."
He said it just as her hand connected with the roof, and he watched the shockwave ripple through her body.
She staggered back, and he rushed forward. Rumplestiltskin was faster, catching her before she could hit the ground.
"Are you all right?" he asked Emma. "I've got some herbal tea inside. You're welcome to come in and sit for a while if you need to."
"No...I..." she looked at him in confusion. "Herbal tea?"
"Swan." Killian reached out, taking her by the elbow.
"Killian - what just happened? What..." she shook her head, trying to clear it. "I don't understand."
He pulled her back around. "Walk with me, Swan."
"Are you two sure you don't want some tea? It has echinacea!" Rumple called out. Killian kept on walking.
"Am I to assume you just found your talisman?"
"Huh?"
He pulled her into the alley between two nearby buildings. "Dammit, Swan - are you back to normal?"
"You mean, am I a pirate?"
Killian's face fell. "Nevermind." He started to walk back out of the alley, but Emma grabbed his arm.
"Hey - wait! I meant...yes, I remember that I'm a pirate, but I'm also Emma Swan, sheriff of Storybrooke."
"Swan!" He pulled her in, kissing her soundly. "Thank God!"
"Yeah...guess it's been rough for you," she said, completely unable to meet his eyes. He reached out, lifting her chin with his fingers.
"You've tested me soundly, I'll give you that. And we'll address all that at a later date, I promise you, love. But just now, we need to figure out what the hell happened."