Hi guys. So I'm pretty bummed about the winter finale...the writers basically put the final nail in my Swan Queen coffin. I'm beyond disappointed as I am sure most of you are too.

Last chapter didn't receive was well as I thought it would, which sucked. That with the combination of the finale has left me unmotivated to finish this fic. I don't know...I thought about writing an alternate ending to the finale, but I'm extremely upset at Once in general. So sorry if I don't continue...I'm just bummed.

Well here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Previously

The blonde's eyes had bore into her soul. Regina had now just realized that her pulse was exceedingly quick. Her breathing was faster. The air had been sucked out of her lungs being in Emma's presence. Emotions swirled and mingled in her stomach. Regina had wanted nothing more then to demand answers out of Emma. She didn't want to question why Emma had taken Zelena. No. Regina wanted to know why Emma was doing this to her. Why it was so damn confusing to be around her all the time. Why, even though Regina wasn't around the other woman she always thought of her. Everything led back to Emma. Everything led back to their kiss.

Regina gritted her teeth in irritation. If she wanted answers, she would have to go to the source. It was now time to bring the fight to Emma. Regina needed to confront Emma. It was time.

~SQ~

Chapter 7

Hook had been so sure of himself. The man had been so sure that Emma was going to save him from jumping off a building. Not only was it dangerous, but also it was extremely idiotic. Did he really trust her that much? He had expected her to save him. What if she didn't? What is she had just let him fall to his death? Did he even consider that prospect? No. He had jumped without thinking of consequences. Never thinking of consequence Emma thought as she had seen the man take the leap.

He was giving her a sob story about being a pirate. The darkness that Emma had become wasn't because of selfish choices, quite the contrary. Her choice to become the Dark One had happened when she sacrificed herself for Regina. In fact Emma had known that she could very well be dead as a result of her choice. Her choices weren't out of spite and anger, they were to give someone—a very special someone—their chance at happiness.

Hook on the other hand, had chosen to become a pirate. He had chosen to kill people and steal their rings. Was that really a thing? He had given her a ring in Camelot. Initially she was terrified because she had thought that he was proposing. That was horrifying in itself, but no. These rings, like the one he had given her, represented death and the past.

Specifically, this was his past. Hook credited her for changing him, which was likely, but also cliché. The good girl had changed the bad boy after falling for him. It was the same story of ever woman that had fallen for a man that didn't deserve her. Maybe she loved him once, but it was in her nature to help people.

Now, Emma looked to the future, a new future one where she could be herself: a future where she didn't have to hide. No. Their stories were not comparable in the slightest.

"And I was absolutely wrong before…I love you, Emma Swan," he said. "Not matter what you've done," he finished. Hook was prepared to forgive her. Nothing she could have done was that horrible. He truly thought he was ready for the truth.

"So you really want to know the truth no matter how awful?" Emma asked. She knew he wasn't ready, but she still had to pretend. Just a little bit longer before everything fell into place. She needed more time. She needed him to think that she totally and implicitly loved him. She needed to show him that there was still something worth fighting for, because once he found out, all hell would break loose.

"I do," he said confidently, lovingly.

"Then there is something I need to show you," Emma replied.

She had convinced him that she needed to show him that something at her house. He had reluctantly agreed, but still questioned her. When was he going to realize that she wasn't going to have a secret room with a plan drawn and mapped out that would tell him exactly what he wanted to know. His impatience, while expected, was irritating nonetheless.

"The truth is tricky you have to look for it," Emma said trying to keep the smile off of her face. Oh if only he knew. The truth was never so opaque, far from it actually. The truth was never what it seemed. It was the one consistent theme in Emma's life: the truth will always has a way of revealing itself. Even if she couldn't see it before, it was always there. The truth was always there, she had just needed to accept it. Everyone had been so blind for so long. The truth would be the one consistency in this crazy world.

Hook walked over to the telescope, raising it to his eye. He sauntered with confidence in his stride. He was so predictable, so readable. Maybe that's how she knew exactly how to gain his trust. Emma knew that this would win him over. She had paid attention in their relationship. She knew exactly what would convince him that she was still his; that she was doing this for him. It was easy with the right ammunition. It was even more deadly when it was so perfectly calculated.

"Everything I've done is to keep that future alive," she explained.

"I guess this is the moment you tell me the truth," he said expectantly. He loved her. He really did love her. He would do anything for her. He could forgive her for anything she had done. Was he ready for the truth?

"Almost there, almost," she whispered before leaning in.

The lips met together. Emma told herself it was just another necessary move. She needed for him to trust her. That was the only way she would ever get what she wanted. It was the only way to gain his trust without question. Similar to play chess, she was lining up the pieces. She needed everything to be perfect. Maybe it was evil of her to exploit this man's love for her, but she didn't see another way. The sooner this was over the better.

In their pause Emma continued, "I can't tell you everything we have in between us until it is over." What was between them was so complicated. Now, it was more complicated than ever. Even when this was over, he might still not understand, but by then it would be too late. She knew he was about to protest, but she was ready. She would always be ten steps ahead of him.

"Why not?" he questioned, still failing to comprehend. Everything was always in riddles. The Dark Ones had mastered this particular skill set. You never could get a straight answer out of them. Their words were always not as revealing as it seemed.

"Because if you knew, you would do everything in your power to stop me," she finished. It was true. Well it was somewhat of the truth. Just like the divide between light and dark, there was a grey area in right and wrong.

He felt faint. He felt dizzy and he didn't know why. The Dark One was doing something to him. He could no longer stand. Hook looked up at this changed woman. He still didn't understand. The last thing he saw before he collapsed was her face. She was looking at him with the strangest expression. Pity? Regret? It was something he couldn't place. It was like saying goodbye. It was like saying goodbye again. Why did this feel so familiar? Then, everything went black.

~SQ~

"Regina she's still our daughter," Charming said, the concern evident in his voice. The couple had chased after Regina when she ran from the hospital. She was clearly upset about something or other. Whether it was the fact that she had become an aunt or, her sister had been taken by the Dark One, or even something else entirely David could not quite tell.

"We can't go to war with her," Snow added. They had managed to stop the brunette just outside of Emma's new house. After having conversation with her earlier, Snow was worried about Regina. She seemed angry, but not at Emma; she was angry with herself.

"If you don't have the stomach for this…"

"I am not going to hurt her," the pixie-haired woman cut Regina off. Emma was still her daughter, dark magic or not. Snow couldn't bear the idea of the two women battling it out with magic. It would be impulsive and destructive. But then again, the way these two fought back in the day, it seemed almost strangely familiar.

"This is exactly why she gave me the dagger," Regina said. She needed the couple to understand. Yes, the Charmings wanted to protect their daughter, but Emma was dangerous. "She knew that I'm the only one who could do what has to be done," she emphasized, the harshness of her words cutting through any doubt in her mind. Emma had given Regina the dagger and no one—not even Regina—had suspected it.

"I saved you. Now save me."

It had been such an intense exchange. Green eyes had looked straight into her soul, but Regina had met that intensity. Emma had essentially given Regina total and complete control over her. It was risky, but it was also smart. Emma trusted Regina. She trusted her with her soul. While the Dark One had copious amounts of power to do anything he or she pleased, the one who controlled the dagger possessed the real power. To have such control was great responsibility that was not to be taken lightly.

"If you can't save me do what no one else would willingly do. You are the only one who will get past their feelings to do what is necessary, destroy me."

The thing was could Regina do it? When it really came down to it, could Regina destroy Emma Swan? It had been a vow she had promised herself long ago. She would destroy Emma Swan if it was the last thing she would do. The foreshadowing of that event was now the reality that they faced. Had Regina gotten what she wanted? A chance to destroy Emma that now, she didn't know if she would be able to carry out. After everything they had been through, could Regina do what Emma had asked of her?

The only things that Emma had ever asked of her were to protect Henry, trust her, and then finally, destroy her. The thought of destroying Emma was incomprehensible though. No. Regina wouldn't destroy her. Like Henry had said it wouldn't come to that. Regina could save her. The Evil Queen could pull the Savior from the brink of darkness and back into the light. She saved me. Now I'll save her.

Snow looked at the woman in front of her. She could feel the magic emitting from Regina. It was emotionally fueled magic and Snow recognized it. She could see just how hard this was for her. She was trying to do the right thing, even if that meant making the unpopular decisions. Regina was right. Regina was always willing to make the hard choices and Emma knew this.

"Now stand back…or I'll make you stand back," Regina added with a biting tone. She didn't want to see the Charmings get hurt, physically or emotionally. If they didn't want to take part fine, but that wouldn't stop her. Regina needed to know once and for all. If she was the only one in Storybrooke willing to take action then so be it.

"No, we're coming with you," Snow said to the shock of Regina and her husband. "And not only will we stop her we will save her," she added with confidence. Snow was sure that they could still protect their daughter. Her hope was something that never faltered, not even in the darkest of times.

Regina's eyes conveyed understanding and gratitude. She was actually grateful that she didn't have to do this alone. Snow and Charming were going to help her. Together they would save their family, they would save Emma. Regina's head whipped around when she heard a voice, but not just any voice. It was her it was Emma.

"I don't need saving," Emma's voice boomed. "You're going to have to trust me. By the time I'm done with Zelena you'll all be thanking me, especially you Regina," the blonde said while descending down the steps. Tethering the Wicked Witch to the darkness was a solution that would benefit everyone. With her out the way, Storybrooke would be safe from Zelena and Regina would be free from her sister.

"Why would I thank you?" Regina said unsure of Emma's motives. She eyed the blonde once over quickly taking in the blonde's dark appearance. Regina could feel her magic building within her. The skin on her neck that Emma had trailed with kisses was burning with an unignorable heat. She had covered the deep purple marks with magic making them invisible to the naked eye, but Regina felt their burning presence. The intensity and the passion marked her skin and had yet to fade. Those red lips had ghosted over her own only days before.

The memories were still fresh in both of their minds. However, neither let these memories consume them fully. Both refused to indulge until each of their respected missions had been accomplish. Still, Emma and Regina both remembered. Only these two knew that they were there. It was their little secret.

Regina was brought back to reality by Emma's voice. She clenched her fists to maintain her composure. She had to focus. Zelena was in danger and Emma was standing right in front of her. The blonde was trying to convince her that once Zelena was "out of the way" Regina would thank her. Surely she doesn't mean…

"You don't remember this but back in Camelot you helped me admit some things about myself," Emma said with indifference. She knew what she had really wanted to say. She wanted to tell Regina. She wanted to confess all of her sins to the only woman that would understand. It was another riddle. It was another riddle that if Regina could read between the lines then, and only then could she figure it out. Her parents were standing right behind the brunette, so she quickly added, "And now I'm ready to repay the favor. Because deep down we both know you'll be happier when Zelena is gone." I'm doing this for you, for your happiness Regina.

"Gone?" Regina said not bothering to hide the shock in her voice. Emma thought she was doing her a favor by killing her sister. It was insanity. Maybe she had once wanted it, but not anymore. Sure she hated Zelena, but this was especially cruel coming from a child who was ripped from her own parents shortly after birth. "This is not the way Miss Swan and you know it," Regina said, her voice hardening. She needed to hide her weakness; weakness the Dark One might be able to exploit later on.

"We're back to Miss Swan," Emma gritted through her teeth, trying to contain her irritation. Even though she had effectively dodged Regina's comment, that damn surname would haunt her.

Miss Swan reminded her of a time before they were friends. It was time that they hated one another. It was a reminder that she had given up Henry for adoption; it was a reminder that she had struggled with her identity for so long. She hadn't known who she was or where she came from. Here in Storybrooke she belonged. She had a family. She had people that loved and cared about her. Here she was Emma.

This woman—this same woman—had tried in vain to get ride of her, only to make her permanently stay. The same woman that pushed her away now cared for her. This woman was trying to rid her of the darkness, a similar darkness that once resided in brunette's heart as well. Their lives were forever connected and intertwined like a tree rooted in the ground growing slowly overtime. Just like their hatred, Emma thought they had overcome that name.

Emma didn't care that her parents were afraid of her or that they wanted to save her. She didn't care that Killian had stupidly jumped off a building. She didn't even care that he had said he loved her. She didn't need that anymore. She didn't need him to define her happiness. If that man thought by saying he didn't love her would be the reason she gave up the darkness, then he was sorely mistaken. He thought he had power over her, but he didn't. The only person that controlled Emma was Emma. All Emma cared about was giving her son and his mother their happiness. Regina knew damn well what using that name did to her. It was infuriating that such a simple thing had such an affect on her.

"Well start acting like Emma again and we'll talk," the hurt clear in Regina's voice. It was so emotionally driven that it almost sounded like an urgent plea.

"I am Emma."

~SQ~

She couldn't move. She couldn't stop Zelena's taunts and promises that surprisingly were not directed at her. Her promises of revealing the truth were aimed at Hook. He had thrown the squid ink on Emma and now she was immobilized. She strained herself, but she couldn't move. If only she could strangle the deranged red head.

"Don't listen to her," Emma had said.

But the man didn't listen. He was watching the memory unfold. His eyes blazed with confusion, anger, and rage as he watched. His eyes never faltered from the dream catcher. He was watching his own memories that he had failed to remember. It was showing him the truth. It was showing him everything. It was ruining Emma's plan to finish this off quietly.

That damn witch had ruined everything. Zelena was always one for betrayal, but this was different kind of revenge. She thought she was tearing apart true love. No, she was just making this situation that much worse. Emma had wanted to destroy their darkness before she really told him the truth. She had been so close.

"I'm so sorry Killian, but I did not have a choice," Emma said. She was still trying to keep him on her side. Once he fully accepted the darkness, there was no telling what would happen. This had been exactly what she was trying to avoid.

"No, no, no, no, no, there must be some other explanation," Hook said still lost at the returning memories. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. Emma—his beloved Emma Swan—had turned him into the Dark One. She had turned him into the thing he had spent his entire life trying to kill and destroy. Rumpelstiltskin had taken his first love and crushed her heart right in front of him. He had vowed vengeance and now, he had become the very thing he loathed most.

"Aw," faux concern dripping from Zelena's tone. "Are you finding the truth hard to swallow? Here" she said while picking up sword. "Have a look at the sword."

She held it up to the light. The fully united blade was now long and powerful. At the tip, Emma Swan glittered in the light.

"Clever spell," Zelena said as she cackled. With the wave of her hand, the Wicked Witch revealed the other name on the sword. It sparkled in the moonlight as it was exposed to all eyes. The blade read, Killian Jones. "It was there the whole time right under your nose and you didn't even see it." Zelena let out another laugh. It was simply too juicy to not exploit. Since the blonde couldn't move, Zelena would take full advantage of this opportunity. "I suppose it's not the Dark One anymore is it? More like the Dark Ones." Her green eyes flashed with excitement.

"So that's why you saved my life twice tonight," Hook said, finally understanding. He looked up at Emma darkly, the pain etched in his face. "I was never in any danger you just wanted to keep me from the truth."

"I wanted to fix it first to make up for what I had done," Emma said meeting his gaze.

"By killing me?" Zelena said batting her eyelashes. The Wicked Witch was so close to her ear, Zelena's warm breath tickled her. "How sweet."

"It was the only way to destroy the darkness in both of us," Emma said, not faltering for a moment. Even though Zelena was the cause of all this, Emma would ignore her for now. Later, Emma would deal with her and all her treachery. "Everything I've done since we got back to Storybrooke was to try and save you Killian." It was still partly true.

"This is saving?" he said squaring up to her. "How could you do this to me?" Hooks voice had dropped dangerously low. He stared at her with a predatory gaze. He was hurt and he was angry, but now he finally understood.

The memories how showed him what had happened, but Killian dictated his own fate. He couldn't let it go. He couldn't shake the memory as it replayed over and over again. He had told her to let him die, but she hadn't listened. Instead, she had turned him into the one thing he hated. To save him maybe, but he didn't see it that way. No, Emma had damned him to become his worst enemy.

"I'm sorry," Emma tried. She really was sorry. Killian had been the person she thought she was going to end up with. Emma had genuinely thought this until…well, until she realized she didn't feel the same way.

He was possessive and unfaltering with his love. It was something Emma had initially liked, but she was so different now. She could reciprocate his aggressiveness. She was a fighter yes, but he was something entirely different. They had so many problems between them that they had tried to over come, but it wasn't enough. They wanted different things. She had only tried to correct a mistake she had made. She had tried desperately to rid him of the darkness. She was trying to make up for what she had done; something that she knew would hurt him. There was no other way.

She had lost Graham. She had lost Neal not once but twice. She had lost Lily only to find her again only to reveal a dark secret about her past in the process. Their friendship would never be the same. She was tired of losing the people she cared about. It wasn't about the romance; it was about the loss of friendship. She had shared something with each of them. She had shared a special bond with both men and one woman. She had shared an understanding, which might have led to something else. Now, she could never know.

She had also lost her parents. She had no idea who she was or where she had come from. Most importantly, she had lost her son. She had to give up her son to give him his best chance. She was tired of losing the people around her. She wasn't prepared to loose Killian. Emma was tired of losing. It was in her nature to care. She couldn't have just let him die.

"So much for our future Swan," he replied. His eyes clouded over with darkness. He was slowly embracing his fate. He was becoming everything he vowed to destroy.

And there it was: another stinging blow. How many times would he say he didn't love her only to take it back later when it was convenient? Emma couldn't respond. There was nothing to say. She didn't even say anything to defend herself. Emma did nothing to confess false feelings. It was over and she had lost. Emma just stood and waited for what was to come.

Zelena's laughter now filled the room. There was nothing she loved more than ruining people's happiness. "Now tell me are you ready to learn what else happened in Camelot?" she urged. The Wicked Witch had showed him the one thing she knew would turn him against Emma. It was the perfect set up and now she would deliver the killer blow.

"Aye," Killian agreed. "But first we have to take care of her."

Zelena couldn't stop the smile that spread over her face as she turned to the Savior. The witch was surprised to see that Emma wasn't fighting back. Yes, there was clearly emotion in her eyes, but it wasn't what she had expected. It was strange that the Savior wasn't begging for forgiveness. She wasn't even saying anything to sway Hook at all. How odd Zelena thought.

Thanks for reading guys! Love all of Swen so much!