Chapter Title: Countdown

Title: lessons

AUTHOR: obisgirl
Rating: nc-17
Characters: Killian/Emma

Summary: Fairytale land – AU. Emma is a princess on the verge of becoming a woman but wants more out of life than what her parents can give her, so she makes a wish to be swept away which translates into being kidnapped and sold at a slave auction to one Captain Killian Jones.

A/N: The Evil Queen's curse never happened.

Disclaimer: Once Upon a Time characters are property of Disney and Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis. This fanfic is for pure entertainment.

6 1/2 Months Later...

Emma never understood what it must have been like for her parents to raise a rebellious and very stubborn, independent but very spirited young teenage daughter until the day that she learned that was pregnant with her own child. Except, instead of looking forward to giving birth and raising her child with her husband, Emma's worried about the future.

It's been six months since her wedding and instead of thinking about baby names, all Emma can think of is whether her child will even have a chance to live in this world.

Killian comes into the room, notices her far off look and comes over to her. "Emma, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she says, not looking at him. But Killian knows his wife and she is a horrible liar.

He sighs and reaches out, holding her hands. "You're thinking about what the witch said again, aren't you?" he

deduces, "Emma, please. I can't keep having this conversation. You have to let it go. We're about to have a baby,"

That thought should be comforting to her but all it does, is make her even more nervous. "I haven't had a restful night since our wedding," she says.

Killian knows that's true, having to sit up with her for hours until she falls asleep again in his arms. He wishes that there were something he could do to ease her mind, but he can't deny that he thinks about the witch's threat every day and even consults with Emma's parents about what they can do to stop her. Charming even created a war counsel, tasked with figuring out a solution to this mess.

"That's what she wants love – to get in your head. But they're only words. She can't hurt us," he assures her.

"She almost killed me on your ship and I fell victim to her because I was heartbroken over you," she says, "She's very powerful, Killian, more powerful than the Evil Queen ever was. You have no idea of what she's capable of,"

Killian sighs and looks at her. "What can I do to help you ease your mind, love?" he asks.

Emma looks at him seriously, squeezing his hand. "Let me talk to him again," she reasons.

"Him? You don't mean…" he starts.

"I do,"

Killian pulls away from her and stands, bracing the baby crib. "No, no, no. It's too dangerous," he says.

"He sees the future," Emma continues, "He can help us,"

He turns back to her. "There's a reason he's locked up, Emma," he reasons.

But Emma's not backing down. "Can you promise me that our child will be safe? Can you guarantee it? Because

he can," she continues, looking honestly at him. Killian knows that look and he knows that he's lost this fight. There's no arguing with his wife after she makes up her mind.

"Alright. For our child," he concedes.

"This is not a good idea, Killian," Charming fumes, "Going to see Rumpelstiltskin about the witch's curse. I'm working with the war counsel on a solution that will save us all. We don't need to involve dark magic in this,"

"Normally I would agree with you," Killian muses, "but you and I both know how stubborn Emma is; she's worried and I am too. If there's a way to save them both, I'll do it,"

Snow gets up from her throne and stands between both men. "No one is doubting your love and devotion to your wife, Killian," she says, "I know you'll do anything to help her. But in this instance Charming, I have to side with him,"

"Two against – actually three against one," he reasons.

"This is a very bad idea," Charming repeats, "but I guess I don't really have a choice,"

Something about standing feet away from Rumpelstiltskin makes Killian's skin crawl. He doesn't hate the little imp but he does worry about how he could twist the situation in his favor to get what he wants. Killian recognizes that kind of motivation all too well, since it's exactly how he operated as a pirate.

But he isn't a pirate.

The Jolly Roger is still his and his crew still refer to him as Captain but that really isn't his life anymore. His life belongs to Emma and their unborn child, a boy or girl, though either one will do. He's not picky but a boy, a son would be nice.

If he didn't have to worry about the witch's curse, then he would happily raise his son or daughter with Emma. But these are desperate times and he needs to be able to protect them, and prove to Emma's father that he is worthy of her.

Although he was allowed to marry Emma, Charming's never really liked him. In fact, Killian's pretty sure that Charming possess a seething hatred for him, but he loves his daughter very much and wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

Protecting Emma is the only thing Killian has in common with his father-in-law.

"When we reach the cell, stay out of the light. Rumpelstiltskin. Rumpelstiltskin! I have a question for you," the guard instructs, coming upon Rumpelstiltskin's cell.

"I didn't get my pardon," the Dark One seethes, "You promised me that I would be pardoned,"

Emma and Killian remove their hoods, stepping closer to the jail cell, much to Charming's dismay. "The pardon's coming," Emma promises, "We've come to ask you about the…"

"Yes! Yes! I know why you're here!" he shouts, startling her. "You want to know about the witch's threat,"

"Tell us what you know," Killian demands.

Rumpelstiltskin smirks at him and Killian studies him curiously. "Ooh, tense, aren't we? Fear not! For I can ease

your mind. But… It's going to cost you something in return," he reasons, holding up a finger.

"No! He's just a waste of time," Charming interrupts.

"What do you want?" Emma asks.

The imp smiles. "Oh… The name of your unborn child?" he offers.

"Oh bloody hell no," Killian retorts. "Come on, Emma, we're leaving,"

"Deal! What do you know?" Emma agrees and Killian looks worriedly at Charming.

Rumpelstiltskin's grin widens and looks pointedly at Emma. "The witch wishes to enact the Dark Curse and it's coming. Soon, you'll all be in a prison. Just like me, only worse. Your prison, all of our prisons, will be time. Time will stop, and we will be trapped. Some place horrible, where everything we hold dear, everything we love, will be ripped from us while we suffer for all eternity. While the witch celebrates, victorious at last. No more happy endings," he explains.

"What can we do?" Emma wonders.

"We can't do anything," Rumpelstiltskin muses.

Emma looks at him curiously. She was supposed to be the savior but matters are different now. "Who can?" she asks.

Killian watches nervously as Rumpelstiltskin reaches outside of his cell, touching Emma's stomach. "That little thing, growing inside your belly," he says.

Killian pulls his sword and slashes his hand, forcing the imp to recoil. "Next time, I cut it off," he warns.

"The infant is our only hope. Get the child to safety. Get the child to safety and on its twenty-eighth birthday, the child will return. The child will find you and the final battle will begin,"

"We heard enough. We're leaving," Charming reasons, beckoning Emma to follow him.

"Hey! No! We made a deal! I want her name! We had a deal! I need her name! I want her name!" Rumpelstiltskin barks.

Killian looks back incredulously. "Her? It's a boy," he retorts.

"Missy… Missy… You know I'm right. Tell me, what's her name?" Rumpelstiltskin says, more calmly.

"Clare," Emma whispers, turning back to him. "Her name is Clare,"

tbc