Daylight comes, and Emma has finally made it to the beach. She finds a boat, smaller than the Jolly Roger, but still large enough to get her to Killian quickly. She assumed it was a Royal ship, as the Royal flag flew from the mast, but that it was for emergencies as no one had been sent to the island in years.

No matter the reasoning, a frustrated Emma boarded the vessel and directed the ship towards the Pirate's destination. Apparently today was not the day she would transport anywhere. She prayed the old fashion way would be fast enough to stop him.

The castle on the cliff came into sight after a few hours on the water. Emma saw the Jolly Roger docked, and hoped for the best. She ran towards the castle as another storm rolled in. A light drizzle wet her hair as her heart beat quickly. What if he had already killed the Dark One? What if the Dark One had killed Killian? The possibilities made her head swim and frightened her to the core. Anxiety rose as she reached the castle and found Killian standing outside.

"Killian?" She questions and ran towards him.

"Emma?" He asks in surprise as he studies her in the rain. "What are you doing here?"

Was he mad that she had come? Did she foil his plan? Emma couldn't tell by his tone, so she shook her head, and grabbed his hand. "You were right."

His eyes widen; he pulls his hand from hers, and runs it down her arm. "Are you alright love? Did she hurt you?" His eyes anxiously study her and she chuckles.

"No she didn't." She reassures him, and meet his eyes. "She actually helped me realize something."

"Really? What was that love?" His dark eyes stare into her heart, and Emma grips his arms to keep from falling over. Her stomach twists in knots from the nerves, but she smiles knowing she was finally brave enough.

"That you aren't going to feel any better if you kill him."

He gives her a half smile, and she wonders what he is thinking. "I've been standing out her for a while now dear, unable to go inside." He glances up at the castle, and then back down at Emma. "I know he is in there, and I know now is my chance, but something is holding me back." He softly touches Emma's cheek, and pushes her wet hair down her back. "I've let go of my Mila, after all this time. And I have you to thank for that."

"Me?" Emma asks quietly, stricken by the fear and exhilaration of what he is about to say.

"Yes love." He grins. "I didn't believe I would be happy until the crocodile was dead, and I had my revenge. I didn't believe I could ever love again. But you made it all possible."

"Killian..." Emma's voice is a low whisper as she touches his cheek and smiles. "I..."

Killian's eyes suddenly grow wide, and his mouth falls open in a painful gasp.

"Hello deary!" A voice behind him cackles.

"Killian!" Emma exclaims as she takes hold of the Pirate and slowly lowers him to the ground. The stab wound through his back brought tears to her eyes. "No." She cried.

"Well isn't this touching! The Pirate finally moves on, just to lose it all again." Rumpelstiltskin stood over Hook as he frowned at him. Emma glared up at him.

"How could you!"

"Oh don't tell me he wasn't going to do the same thing to me deary. I know this man, apparently better than you do. He could say he loved you, but that doesn't make it true, does it?" He laughs again and starts walking away.

Emma carefully starts attending to Killian when he turns around again. "Oh, and one more thing." Emma looks up at him, and sees a fireball in his hands. "I can't just let you go free deary."

Emma raises her hand and produces a fireball. "You throw, I throw. Unless you want a war, I suggest you leave us alone."

"Oohhh look at you Little Princess! You are fiesty just like your mother aren't you." His evil giggle sends a shiver down her spine, but she refuses to flinch. She lays her other hand on Killian and tries concentrating. In her head she is praying; if this is going to work at anytime, it needs to be now.

"Too bad I have to kill you." He chuckles and sends the fireball at Emma. She doesn't even think to release hers, she simply focus' on getting her and Killian out of there.

She closes her eyes and holds tightly to him as she begins to cry. She'd failed. This whole journey had been a death sentence. She thought she'd found her happily ever after, but she really only found her demise.

"Princess?" A voice asks, and Emma opens her eyes. A palace guard stood over her and Hook. "You're back!" He cheers. "We must take you to the King and Queen at once." Emma looked around and found herself in the entryway to the castle. She was home.

She smiled happily, and looked down at Killian. Her smile quickly disappeared as she took in his fading state. "Killian." She says desperately.

"Emma." He smiles slighly, and reaches up to touch her hair. "You did it."

"I didn't do anything." She says exasperated. "I was trying to heal you."

"But you did." He says and looks into her eyes. "You saved yourself. All I wanted was for you to get home safely."

"But..." She starts to cry as she touches his chest. "You're going to die."

"At least I get to spend my last few moments with you." His voice is soft, and Emma can't control herself. She leans down and presses a passionate kiss to his lips.

"I love you Killian." Her voice cracks as she looks into his eyes.

"I love you too Emma." He smiles sadly.

"Emma?" Snow White's happiness fills the room as she runs to her daughter. Charming is not far behind her. Both of their faces experience a wide range of emotions as they study their daughter and the once-prisoner.

"We need the Blue Fairy." Emma says through the tears. When neither of her parents react, she demands it. "Now!"

"Emma," Charming starts, but is cut off my a glow of light.
"I'm here Princess." Blue floats over and looks at Emma. "What can I do for you my dear?" Emma looks down at Killian, and the Fairy follows her gaze. "Oh dear. I'm afraid my magic only works on the good. I cannot help him."

"He is good." She cries and holds his hand as his eyes start to close. "He saved me, he's good. Please at least try." Tears are streaming down Emma's face as she pleads with the woman.

With a somber expression, Blue nods. "I'll do my best Your Highness."

Emma watches as the woman hits Killian with her magic; for a moment, she fears it's not going to work, and that she's lost him. But soon, his wound is gone, and the Pirate opens his eyes.

"Emma." He sighs as he sits up.

"Killian!" She throws her arms around him and kisses him.

A gasp behind her attracts Emma's attention back to her parents. The Blue Fairy is grinning as she floats next to Emma's mother, whom stands with wide eyes and a slight grin. King David's mouth has fallen open in disbelief.

"Mom, dad," Emma starts, and glances over at Killian with a smile. "You don't need to worry about that ball anymore."