1724 Words, this Chapter. Long one here, and it's where I start explaining.

Chapter Ten, Dark Heart

The bell to Gold's shop tingled as David and Killian walked in.

Henry jumped up and ran to David. "We found something!"

"That's great!"

"Indeed, lad."

They walked to the desk where Rumple was looking from one book to another.

"It's not good, I'm afraid," said Gold.

"It matters not, we shall deal with it."

"I'm not so sure, Pirate." He sighed. "I'd be happier if what we found were more concrete."

"What did you find?"

Gold sighed. "Myths, legends..."

"Rumple," said Belle. "You know better than anyone that myths and legends are usually based on at least a kernel of truth."

He smiled. "Yes, my love. However, these stories are so old that finding the truth will be the major challenge."

"Enlighten us as to what...kernels...you have found," said Killian.

Gold nodded. "I've found similarities between the happenings in Storybrooke and several different legends, spanning realms and time periods. In all of these stories there are a series of major conflicts. Whats interesting is that there is always a mysterious source that is blamed."

"What kind of source?" asked David.

"It varies," said Gold. "One story called it a curse, another described a strange plague, another one blamed it on a series of creatures. I'm afraid it's all very vague. Several of these stories though lay the blame on a person or thing. Some dark...entity...that suddenly appeared and caused strife "

Belle spoke up. "Ever hear of Eris?"

Gold nodded. "She's quite famous, even in this non-magic world she was labeled the Greek goddess of strife."

"Is she the one doing this?" asked Killian, anger seething.

Gold shook his head. "You cannot take anything literally."

"She's more like a story book character," said Belle, "getting the blame for wars, romantic break-ups, family rivalries and so on. She's not the only one. There are stories of tricksters and different gods of discord and chaos, like the god Loki in the Norse myths of this realm."

"Even if it was a specific being," said Gold, "We have no concrete descriptions to help us find him or her."

"Great," muttered David.

"I'd like to read you a passage about one of the legends," said Gold. "It's quite interesting."

He picked up a volume and read. "Their hearts were literally turned. It turned their happiness to hate. The loves they had nurtured for a lifetime were suddenly cold and dying. It was as if their entire souls had undergone dark transformations."

It was the next sentence that made the hairs on their heads stand up.

"One touch could infect a person, turning all affections to darkness."

Killian looked at David. David nodded.

"Touch?" asked Belle. "That's scary."

"It is indeed," said Killian.

"It could explain why not everyone is infected," said Gold.

"And why certain people are," said David. "We suspected that touch was involved."

"Has Emma touched you lately?" asked Gold.

Killian scoffed. "She recoils every time I get near."

David nodded. "Me too."

"That's strange," said Belle. "Wouldn't she want to touch them, to infect them?"

Gold stroked his chin. "Perhaps not, she may be trying to protect them."

"That's what Ruby said, she felt like she didn't want anyone touching her," said David. "She didn't know why at the time."

"Hmm, interesting," said Gold. "Perhaps some unconscious part holds on."

Killian let out a deep sigh. "So Emma is still there, somewhere."

"It is still just a guess," said Gold. "Guesses gleamed from stories."

"Maybe, but I know Emma touched the dwarves when she arrested them," said David.

"And she could easily have touched Ruby that morning," said Killian.

"What happens if she touches you?" asked Belle. "I don't mean to make less of anything, but...people just get grumpy, right?"

Gold shook his head. "Perhaps not. Emma's being corrupted pretty thoroughly if we're right. So far, it is just acquaintances and friends touched, yes? Who knows what her touch would do to those she loves the most."

Belle nodded. "You're right, Rumple, particularly if this...whatever it is...targets love."

"I am simply theorizing," admitted Gold. "We have no proof."

"If there is a part of her that is fighting back," said Killian, "then that part would not want to harm us in any way."

"She wouldn't take the risk," said David.

"If of course, touch is involved," said Gold. "Again, I caution you. This is all speculation gathered from stories and legends."

"The last time I had physical contact with Emma," began Killian, "was the night before she changed."

"I haven't hugged her or anything since that morning you walked me to school," Henry said, looking at the pirate.

Killian nodded. "She began acting strangely later that day."

"Yeah," said David. "I haven't touched her either."

"And you're all fine," said Belle.

"That seems coincidental," said Gold. "I do not believe in coincidences."

"No. It's not much, but maybe we're on the right track."

"But what's causing it?" asked Henry.

"That...we have yet to find, my boy," said Gold. "We shall keep looking."

"How do we change her back?" asked Killian.

"We shall endeavor to find that out as well."

Henry's phone beeped. "It's mom," he said, then caught himself. "I mean, Regina." He gave them all a sad smile. "She wants me home for lunch."

"Go on, Henry," said David. "We'll keep at this til we find something."

"We shall," said Gold, smiling at his grandson. "You can come back, later, if you so wish."

Henry smiled. "Thanks. I will." He made for the door.

"Henry," Gold said again, "If you should see Emma, do not touch her."

"Until we know for sure what's going on," said David.

"Perhaps you should keep your distance from her entirely, for now," said Gold.

Henry frowned.

"I know it's hard, lad," said Killian kindly. "For all of us."

Henry nodded. "OK," he said and left the shop.

It was David's phone that now beeped. "It's Leroy." He talked into the phone. "That's not good. Yeah, Thanks, Leroy. Continue to watch, but be careful and keep your distance. Do not let Emma or that woman touch you, no matter what. Talk to you soon."

"What is it?" asked Killian.

David sighed. "Leroy's been watching Emma and a nun at Em's house."

"Wait," said Killian, stopping him. "A nun?"

"Yeah, why?"

Killian cursed. "Emma has a new friend, I met her the last morning that she was normal. Her name was Sister Meg."

David's eyes grew wide. "It's got to be her. Leroy got close enough to hear what's going on between them at Emma's house. He said this nun is acting very strange, for a nun. She's spouting hateful things about Storybrooke, especially us: me and Mary-Margaret, Henry." He eyed Killian. "You."

Killian took in a slow breath. He punched a book case. "I met her! Before all this happened!"

"Easy," said David. "You couldn't have known."

"Perhaps not, but..." He gave a light growl. "She was standing in front of me, David."

He nodded. "I understand. I feel like I've...failed Emma somehow too."

"Neither of you have," Belle said gently. She was sitting in Henry's chair by the desk, book in her lap. "You're here, trying to help."

Both men nodded.

David sighed. "There's more, though. This Sister Meg apparently has some sort of plan."

"Plan?" asked Gold, looking up from his place beside Belle.

David nodded. "She was telling Emma that she needs her help to make the town a better place."

"Doesn't that sound ominous?" asked Gold.

"Leroy heard her say that whatever it is, it will make her, Meg, very powerful."

"It would seem she is the source," said Gold.

"A nun?" asked Belle "That's awful."

"People hide in all sorts of disguises," said Gold.

"What do you think they're doing?"

"Well, if we go by the stories and Emma's behavior," said Gold, "I'd theorize that it has something to do with perhaps changing the rest of us as well. Unless she merely means to destroy us all in some way."

"That's bloody brilliant," muttered Killian. "Why Emma in the first place? Why is she so infected?"

"It's not wearing off either," said David. He looked at Gold. "Why?"

Gold shrugged. "What is it that is different about Emma Swan?"

Killian scoffed and grinned. "How long have you got, mate?"

David laughed.

Gold shook his head. "I mean, what makes her unique...in a town of rather unique people?"

David sighed. "She's the savior."

"Indeed," Gold said. "She is the product of True Love. Imagine what that means if she is in fact in the clutches of something that preys and changes love. Emma's very existence is bound to love. She must be quite the target."

"Her pure heart," said Killian softly.

Gold nodded. "I'd say the source of this strife has never come across someone like Emma, a heart so pure, love so ingrained in her every cell. It must be wonderful to corrupt her indeed."

David cursed. "It better be prepared to let her go."

"For I swear that it shall," said Killian, his voice forced into an unnatural calm.

"I don't suspect that will be easy," advised Gold. He sighed. "I would advise not touching her, more now than before. Add this 'love infection' to her powers as savior and we could have a very bad situation indeed."

"Great, so how do we quarantine someone like Emma?" asked David.

Killian smirked. "Normally I would have several strategies but not being able to touch her hinders me significantly."

David laughed. "We need to confront them," he said.

"Not yet," said Gold. "We do not know what we're dealing with, not entirely. I may be able to easily contain Emma with magic, but the nun may be another matter. I never go into a situation ill prepared."

Killian and David both sighed, Belle smiling compassionately at them. "We'll stop it and help Emma."

"We will," said David.

End of Chapter Ten