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Chapter Nine, Dark Heart

Killian had gone to David's. He told him and Mary-Margaret about the cold stare he'd seen from Emma in the early morning.

Mary-Margaret had made coffee and they all sat around the kitchen table. "I don't suppose she was just mad that you were spying?" asked MM, with a teasing grin.

"Believe me, I wish that was the case," said Killian. "The look however, your majesty, was truly...terrifying."

David sighed. "Emma is not acting right, honey."

"I know," she said. "She won't answer any of my phone calls. I've left dozens of texts. I even tried to bribe her with spending time with her brother. Nothing."

"I think the time for waiting has passed," said Killian. "Has the wizard changed his mind?"

David shook his head.

"How about Regina?" asked his wife.

"She wasn't on board, but after last night and the phone call between Emma and Henry..."

Killian closed his eyes and moaned. "What did she say to the poor lad?"

"He wanted to spend the night with her," answered Mary-Margaret. "She...well, she wasn't mean or anything but he said she was cold almost like..."

"She no longer felt the same way about him?" asked the pirate.

MM sadly nodded.

"This proves it."

David nodded in agreement. "I agree, Killian. So does Regina. She's cast a detection spell but there was apparently no sign of a curse or other powerful spell."

"That is rather surprising."

Dave nodded. "Yeah, she's looking through her books now."

"The others," said MM, "Ruby and the dwarves, they're still normal?"

"I saw Ruby as well as her grandmother this morning," said Killian. "They are fine."

"So is Leroy," said David. "I called him earlier. He said the other dwarves are back to normal too. Only Emma isn't getting better."

"I intend to keep...spying... on her," said Killian, glancing at MM with a light grin. She smiled slightly back. "At the very least, she may lead us to what caused her affliction."

David sighed. "I guess you should. If she's this out of control, I don't want her hurting herself or someone else."

Then David's phone buzzed. After a short conversation, he smiled. "Henry's with Gold. After talking to him, Gold has changed his mind. He's going to help us."

Mary-Margaret smiled. "Good. How is Henry?"

"Upset, but he's OK. He's helping Gold research."

"Brave lad."

"Yeah. I'm going to head over there."

"I should come too," said MM.

"Stay with the baby, honey. When we find something, we may need you then."

She nodded. "Ruby's already offered to watch Neal. If Emma needs me, I'll be there."

Killian smiled. "Of course you will."

"On second thought, Hook, maybe you should come with me to Gold's," David said. "You're close to Emma, you'll be involved with this until the end. You should know what Gold finds out when I do. You can help plot our course of action."

Killian sighed. "Your argument has merit, however, I will not leave Emma unguarded."

"I'll ask Leroy to keep watch on her," said Mary-Margaret. "He'll be happy to do it, he's concerned for her too."

Killian looked at her. "Very well," he said finally.

"We'll find out what's wrong, Killian. I know it," she said gently.

He nodded, bowed and left with David.

Meanwhile, Emma was having tea in her home with Meg.

"So, how are you?" asked the nun.

Emma sighed. "I...I actually told my son to stay away from me."

Meg looked at her. "That must have been hard. Why did you do that, do you think?"

"I didn't want him...to see me like this. I didn't want to hurt him worse."

"I see. What sort of boy is he?"

"Henry's wonderful. He's so sweet and kind. He never gives up on me or anyone else."

"That is wonderful," Meg said, taking a sip. "You know, Emma, that can be a bit exhausting though, always knowing someone is there for you. Does it feel stifling?"

"Yes! And not just with Henry! I feel choked! My parents are always there. I work with my dad, after all. My mom always calls me, asking how I'm doing."

"Hmm. It can feel like...prying."

"It does. I'm a grown woman after all."

"You are, Emma," she said, taking Emma's hands. "You are a wonderful, strong, independent woman who doesn't need anyone."

"I...I don't know about that."

Meg let go, sitting back in her chair. She stirred her tea. "Tell me about the pirate."

Emma felt two emotions surge to the front of her heart: strong affection, even love and an equally strong if uncomfortable hate and loathing. "I...I..."

"Emma, don't think. Tell me what he makes you feel."

"I can depend on him. He's always there. He wants to save me."

"From what?"

"Danger."

"I see. There has been a lot of danger in the past."

"Yes."

"Has he saved you from it?" Meg asked, steadying her gaze on Emma.

"He has."

Meg narrowed her eyes. "He caused some of it, did he not?"

Emma looked at her. She thought she saw a shadow fly over Meg's hazel eyes. "Did he?"

Meg smiled and nodded. "He did, Emma. He's the reason you lost your powers."

"I got them back."

"Yes, but not because he saved them for you. You got them back because Zelena died, yes?"

"Yes."

Meg smiled. "How else did this pirate help you, Emma?"

"He brought me back from New York."

"Where you were happy."

"I was," Emma said softly. She knew that wasn't quite right, but she was having trouble thinking. Something else...there was something about her happiness in New York. What was it?

"So Killian Jones didn't save you, did he?" Meg asked, moving forward to caress Emma's cheek. "Except for saving you from happiness."

Emma frowned. "Saved me..." she said, like she was in a trance, "from...happiness." She slowly nodded.

"He's not a good man, is he?" asked Meg. "He is a pirate, the infamous Captain Hook, who killed and plundered, and took mothers from their children."

Emma stared at her.

"Baelfire's mother ran off with him after all, did she not?"

Emma felt darkness running over her like the tea that she had just poured into cups. "She did. She left Neal."

Meg nodded. "Abandoned him, just like you had been abandoned." She took a slow sip, her eyes firmly on Emma's. "It's Hook's fault."

Suddenly Emma jumped up. "Why didn't I see it before? He's bad!"

"I'm afraid so, Emma."

"He's the reason I'm here now!" cried Emma, pacing. "I'm stuck in this town of...meddling, needy people because of him!"

Meg shook her head. "I'm so sorry, but yes, it would seem so. Emma, dear, this town, they do draw a lot from you."

"They strangle me! I'm the savior! They always remind me of that!"

"They won't let you be, will they?"

"No! I can't have a life because of them!"

"All of them, Emma, they all use you, even your son."

Emma nodded, fuming and glowing with black hatred. Meg stood up and walked over to her. She took her hand. "I won't use you Emma. I'm your only friend."

"Yes. I know," Emma said smiling, burning with black energy.

"You and I must work together. You must not leave my side."

"I won't, Meg. I promise."

She smiled evilly. "Good, because I have plans for this town. Plans that will remove them all from your life forever. No more burdens Emma. No more Storybrooke."

"Sounds good to me," she said, her eyes glowing with a dark shadow.

End of Chapter Nine