Chapter 18: Plans

Mary Margaret took Emma and Killian to meet with Mother Superior. Snow had trusted the Blue Fairy with the safety of her own daughter as a baby, and the fairies were trusted friends of Snow and Charming, so she convinced the others that the fairies may have ideas about how to protect the twins as well as some clue about how to destroy the shadow.

The convent was bustling as it often was. Mother Superior smiled her approval at the expectant couple and offered any help she may be able to give. Although she was unfamiliar with this shadow, she wondered if it might be similar to Peter Pan's shadow in Neverland. Emma listened as her mother and the Blue Fairy discussed protection strategies when she realized Killian had crossed the room to talk to Tinkerbell.

Emma was no longer paying attention to the words spoken near her as she was preoccupied by a conversation she couldn't hear. Tink didn't exactly fit in at the convent. She was wearing vibrant green clothing in a sea of navy blue. Her blond curls spilled over her shoulders as she didn't wear the sensible head coverings of the nuns. She looked like a woman who was out of place at the convent, but didn't exactly belong anywhere else either.

Tink didn't initially look very happy to see Hook, but Emma could see the moment when he told the fairy the news. Tink smiled contentedly, touching Hook's arm in congratulations. The fairy looked legitimately happy to hear the news. Then he quickly looked around to make sure he couldn't be heard and said something else. Tink's expression mirrored his seriousness as he explained. He handed Tink a small black bag. She clasped it in her hands protectively as she continued to listen. He reached into his jacket pocket and produced one gold coin, offering what appeared to be further, very specific, instructions. She clearly affirmed everything she was being told until Killian reached into his coat and grabbed another small black bag and tried to give it to her. She adamantly shook her head, pushing his hand and the black bag back at him. She held the other items close, offering what looked like one more congratulations before she disappeared.

Mother Superior left the room to continue her work. "You okay?" Mary Margaret asked Emma when they were alone.

"Yea. Fine. Why?" Emma replied.

"You aren't worried about Hook and Tinkerbell? Are you? Because he seems far too in love with you to—"

"I'm not jealous. Or worried. I was just curious about what they were talking about. It seemed like he was trying to negotiate or buy something."

"She's a fairy, and where we're from, asking fairies for items of protection or help is common practice. Maybe he feels more comfortable talking to her about this situation instead of Blue. They were both late arrivals in Storybrooke. Most of us had almost thirty years to get used to this world before we even knew we were from somewhere else. We had time to adjust. Or maybe he just wanted to share the news with a friend. They were both in Neverland for a long time, so they probably got to know each other pretty well."

"I haven't forgotten," Emma answered.

"If he had feelings for her, he probably would have brought her along when he escaped Neverland."

"I'm not jealous! I'm really not, I was just curious," Emma whispered quickly as he approached.

"Blue Fairy have any ideas?" Killian asked, unaware of the discussion that Emma and Mary Margaret had been having.

"A few," Mary Margaret replied. "She doesn't know anything definite about the shadow though. She's going to look into it. The fairies will work on protecting the babies."

"Excellent." Killian said before he answered his cell phone. When he hung up, he explained, "That was your boy. He found a few homes he wants us to look at when we're done here."

"Maybe we should put the house hunting on hold. It doesn't seem like a good time," Emma wondered.

"It will never be a good time. If you put it on hold for every threat, you'll never find a place," Mary Margaret said. "There's always something, and you have to start preparing for these babies. Because they are going to be fine, and they're gonna need a place to live."

Tink came up unexpectedly. "Emma, I'm so happy for you both. Congratulations. Hook told me your news."

"Thanks," Emma answered.

"Take this," Tink offered, holding out a necklace with what looked like an empty vial. "If you're ever in danger and need my help, break this vial. I'll alert the other fairies and we can come to your aid."

"I will."

"And try not to worry. We'll sort out this whole mess with that shadow. You know, Blue was the one who secured your passage to this world."

Emma nodded slowly, her heart sinking as she thought about her parents' decision in a whole new light. "If you hear anyone talking about sending the babies through a portal to a different world, can you make it clear that that option is off the table?"

Tink nodded sympathetically and replied, "Of course."

Killian earnestly said, "Thanks for all of your assistance, Tink."

"I'll talk to you soon then, Hook?"

"Certainly," he answered before he left with Emma and Mary Margaret.

Emma and Killian met Henry at an apartment in town. It was newly redecorated but a little cramped, although only a short walk from the Charming loft. None of the trio liked the second gloomy apartment. The third apartment was a house near the beach. It wasn't right next to the water, but it was on a hill, so the ocean could be seen from certain points on the property.

Emma and Henry checked out the bedrooms, discussing the possibilities for him and his future brother and sister. Henry decided to explore the basement while Emma went to find Killian, who had separated from them at some point.

The window in the master bedroom was open, and Emma leaned outside and finally saw Killian sitting on the slanted roof. His eyes were closed as he faced the sun, the breeze from the ocean wafting over him. She saw how happy he looked, finding a spot in Storybrooke that felt familiar and homey to him, and without another word, she knew which apartment they should choose.

She felt a sense of sadness that he'd given up so much. He was already living in a very unfamiliar world. She had lived much of her life alone, too, but now in Storybrooke, she was surrounded by family and friends. Although many people were beginning to warm up to him, some still regarded him as a villain who shouldn't be trusted. Tinkerbell was probably the closest thing to an "old friend" that he had in this new world, but it wasn't like they were really close. Gold was another person who'd known Killian for a long time, but Emma knew that wasn't a relationship Killian cherished. Gold was a reminder of so many painful things. She also figured Smee was still somewhere in Storybrooke, but she certainly hadn't seen him around lately.

At that point, he'd noticed she was there, and he looked at her, his eyes confessing that she'd caught him in a moment of personal luxury.

"You like it here?" she asked.

"If I close my eyes, it's almost like being back at sea. I can feel the breeze, smell the salt in the air, be warmed by the sun…it has everything but the sway of the current."

Emma carefully climbed out the window, accepting his hand when he held it out to her. She sat behind him, her legs on either side of his and her arms wrapped around his waist. Leaning her chin on his shoulder, she started to sway slightly from side to side. He closed his eyes again, lifting his face to the sun as he joked, "A man with a weaker stomach might actually get seasick."

"You like this place, don't you?"

"Indeed I do."

"I like it here, too."

"Farther from your parents…"

"Nothing in Storybrooke is really far from anything else."

"What does the boy think?"

"Henry?" Emma shouted down from the roof when she saw the boy wander out from the cellar and into the yard below.

Henry looked up. "Yea?"

"What do you think? You like this one?"

"I like the room in the attic. I could have my own space," Henry subtly bargained.

Emma looked at Killian for confirmation and then replied, "It's yours."

"Then it's okay with me."

She turned to Killian and said, "Let's go find the realtor."

Once they went downstairs, the realtor was nowhere to be found. As they went to Emma's car, a black Caddy rolled down the road, crackling the pebbles beneath its tires as it approached. Killian realized who it was and put a hand firmly on Henry's shoulder, "Not a word to your grandfather about your future siblings for the time being, alright?"

Henry bobbed his head before the three turned their focus in the direction of Gold's car. Belle got out, followed a second later by Gold. Belle warmly greeted everyone, but Gold approached less welcomingly. "Congratulations," Emma said. "I hear the two of you got married."

Belle took Gold's hand and nodded, "Thank you. We're very happy."

"What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?"

"I own this place," Gold answered, his eyes darting over to Killian. "Typically I allow the realtor handle these things, but once I heard my own grandson might be living in one of my properties, I had to come out for myself. Are you interested in this place?"

"Yea," Emma said. "I think we are. Maybe you'd consider selling it to us instead of renting it?"

Killian looked surprised, but knew Emma must have a reason to make such an offer, so he played along.

"I may consider it…for the right price," Gold answered. "Captain, or as I don't see ship around, perhaps it's just Hook now? Tell me, Hook, where is your vessel?"

"I don't believe that's any concern of yours," Killian stoically answered.

"That may be, but I'm left to wonder how you intend to pay for your expenses? I'm not sure our sheriff would approve of your former methods of treasure acquisition… for lack of a better term. I doubt there's much treasure left in your coffers."

"Why don't you get to the point and tell us what it is that you want?" Killian insisted with a falsely pleasant smile.

Gold looked at the house and said, "I'd need twenty-thousand as a down payment…something to prove you're truly interested in this property. Unless there's something else of value you'd care to suggest as trade?"

"Like what?"

Gold stepped closer, sneering as he said, "Make me an offer."

Killian could tell Gold was trying to pull information from him, so he didn't answer yet, quietly considering his next move when Emma said, "I think we should stick with money. I have some savings and I'll see what we can put together."

Belle interrupted since she was fond of Emma, saying to Gold, "Darling, I think you could take half of that for a down payment. After all, you're dealing with family."

Gold didn't like her intrusion on his deal, but capitulated, "Fine. Contact me when you have the money and we'll negotiate a final price."

Belle got into the car, but Gold paused after he opened the door but before he got in. Using a tone that Killian understood to be a veiled threat, Gold said, "What a lovely little family you have here," and then he got in his car and left.

Killian and Emma watched as Gold's car pulled out of sight and Killian drew his hand across his face with worry. "Do you think he knows?" Emma asked.

"I didn't say anything to anyone," Henry defended.

"I'm sure you didn't," Killian replied. "I think he suspects that something is going on. More than that, I'm afraid he sees I have a new vulnerability. I fear I've put you both in danger."

Emma said, reassuringly, "Don't talk like that. He's changed. He's probably just suspicious because he knows something is going on, but he doesn't know exactly what it is. He hates being out of the loop. We can deal with Gold."

"Of course we can," Killian said, forcing a smile.

"Killian, stop. Stop worrying. We can handle this. We need to get back though. I promised to watch Neal for Mom this afternoon," Emma explained.

"What are you doing later, mate?" Killian asked Henry.

"I dunno. Nothing," the boy answered.

"Care to work with me for a few hours?"

"Sure," Henry answered, cautiously intrigued.

"What kind of work?" Emma asked.

"I thought we'd commandeer a vessel, swill some rum, sail down toward the yacht club due south of here and plunder enough to get the payment," Killian matter-of-factly explained. Noting her wide-eyed expression of concern, he clarified, "That was a joke."

"Good. Because you know you can't just—"

"I know, love. Go watch your brother. Henry and I have work to do."

Curiosity drove Emma crazy all afternoon. Neal was a model baby while in her care, so she had time to entertain all of the questions in her head. What had Killian requested from Tink? Emma was pretty sure it was more than just the vial Tink had given her. That seemed like a gift directly from Tink, and not really a reason for secrecy. Did Gold already know their secret? Was he a danger to her growing family? And what in the hell were Killian and Henry working on? She texted Henry a few times, and he was slow to answer but eventually replied without giving any real clues about what they were doing. Once Mary Margaret and David came home, they wanted to talk about everything that was going on, so when Emma finally left their loft, it was dark outside.

A text from Henry let her know that her guys were already done for the day and back at Regina's. When Emma joined them, Henry was asleep in his room on top of the covers, so exhausted that he was oblivious to the world. Emma went in and folded his quilt over him so he wouldn't be cold, smiling at the boy who was growing more quickly than she was prepared for. She pushed his hair back, kissed his forehead and crept out of the room.

Emma found Killian in their room. He looked tired and sweaty from a long day's work, and she watched him for a moment before he realized she was there. Emma felt the sense of sadness and worry that descended upon him since the meeting with Gold. She felt Killian had assured her enough times that he was happy with the turns their lives had taken. He was happy they were together, excited about the prospect of having a family and even content to live in Storybrooke if it meant he could have this life they were building, but still these outside threats lurked, jeopardizing their happiness. She wished there was an easy solution for them.

Killian pulled off his new jacket, shirt and boots to get comfortable, and then he went to the dresser and disengaged his hook and started to remove all of the coverings from the end of his arm. Emma became acutely aware of the fact that he'd always hidden his damaged arm from her as much as possible. There was always a piece of linen or scarf or bandage that he kept on when everything else had been taken off.

He realized she was there just as he removed the tie and dressing that had covered the end of his arm. "Swan," he said as he threw his shirt over his shoulders as casually as he could. "Regina went out. She seems to think I didn't notice she's consorting with the leader of that band of thieves. Henry did well today. He's a good boy and a hard worker too. You'd have been proud. And—"

Realizing that Killian was uncomfortable, she came closer, and asked, "So you had a good day?"

"Definitely. Everything go alright with young Neal?"

"Yea. Fine. Look, I'm sorry about the run-in with Gold. I forgot he owns pretty much everything in this town."

"It's no trouble."

"Well, I know you wanted to avoid any involvement from him. I'm sure it's still hard for you."

"He can't take what I have," Killian smiled. "I won't allow it."

"Neither will I. But seeing him must be a reminder of the past."

"I'm focused on the future and not what he's taken from me in the past. I've lived in the past long enough."

Emma took his damaged arm and put the wrist on her hip as she also guided his hand to her other hip. She wanted to make it clear that she accepted him as he was without explicitly saying that. She rested her hands on his chest and asked, "Did he use magic to take your hand?"

Killian swallowed at the memory, but she was happy when he didn't avoid the question and he answered, "A sword. He thought I was holding something he wanted. So he took it."

"But you didn't bleed to death? How is that possible?"

"He didn't want me to die. He wouldn't let my suffering end so easily. I suppose he used magic to make sure I lived. There wasn't all that much blood, given the circumstances, and I was left to fight another day."

"Whatever made him decide to let you live, thank god he did…I can't even imagine a world without you anymore. Or maybe I just don't want to imagine it." She stepped him back until his knees hit the bed and he sat on the edge, looking up at her. She asked, "Do you still miss having your hand? I mean, you really decided to own the whole hook thing, but…do you miss having it or are you so used to it that you don't really notice anymore?"

"I miss it at times," he answered, pulling her abruptly forward in his embrace.

"Which times?"

"Sometimes when I hold you," he said, affectionately. "I wish I could touch you with both hands. I wish I could feel your body more completely when I'm making love to you."

"I guess I can't understand what that's really like."

After a moment, he placed his palm flat on the bed and said, "You could try it. We'll both agree…no hands."

"No hands?"

"None," he answered, leaning forward and popping the button on her jeans open with his teeth. As he pulled down her zipper in a similar fashion, he looked up at her, his eyes communicating his intentions.

"So I can't use them at all?"

"You just can't use them to touch me," he said as he leaned up, moving closer like he was going to kiss her and pulling back just beyond her reach when she'd expected their lips to meet.

He continued, moving in just close enough to nearly touch or faintly brush her lips each time he came closer, and waiting for her to lean in to close the gap that remained. The game was frustrating her until she realized what he was doing. He was reclined, resting his upper body on his elbows. She was kneeling on the edge of the mattress, one knee between his thighs, her hands braced next to each of his hips. "I know what you're doing," she temptingly whispered before she nipped at his bottom lip.

He wiggled out of the shirt that was just draped over his shoulders, somewhat assertively capturing her lips in a searing kiss before he replied, "Then why fight it?"

Taking his cue, she pulled off her shirt and bra, tossing them behind her, and she leaned over his body, letting her breasts brush his stomach and chest as she slinked closer to him. Their skin met with hot, delightful promise, finally allowing the contact that had been too long withheld since the usual immediate contact between hands and bodies was disallowed. It was amazing how quickly she craved the touch that had been only momentarily forbidden. There it was, skin warm and soft, the hair that covered his chest brushing against her, her long blond hair spilling onto his torso, the friction at the places where their legs met. All of those touches were filled with promise and excitement, but the most connected feeling came as she lowered her body completely onto his, and they could feel the other's heart pounding through their chests.

With her hands now resting on either side of his head, holding the sheet to remind her not to allow her fingers to wander, her tongue parted his lips as she deepened the kiss, and she could feel the firmness of his leg between hers. He bent his knee, bracing his foot on the bed so his thigh could nestle closer to her sex. When she first felt the pressure against her through her jeans, she rocked her hips down, grateful that something was finally touching her exactly where she needed to be touched. She actually rubbed her body against his thigh to soothe the desirous ache that was rampant within her.

She loathed her fucking jeans in that moment, wanting to feel the directness of his touch against her without the thin but un-ignorable barrier of fabric between them. She opened her eyes and saw him gazing up, his eyes glazed over with want as he watched her hovering over him. And then their remaining clothes were gone, the wish building inside her until magic removed the focus of her ire.

He lifted up off the mattress, sliding his leg against her and feeling the dampness of her sex against him. He lifted his knee high enough to push her forward, making her lose her balance and allowing her body to fall completely against his. Fueled by the strength of their desire, they ground their bodies against each other. He was so fucking hard, his cock pressing against her leg, and she wanted so badly to wrap her fingers around him and just touch him. She moved, straddling his body so her knees were on either side of his hips as she reminded herself again that she wasn't to use her hands to touch him. It was almost impossibly difficult to resist, and she wondered if he felt that same kind of ache every time he couldn't use his hand to touch her. She wondered if he longed for it that much.

He lifted again, this time rolling her under him, his hips resting between her thighs. She dragged her toes up the back of his calves before she wrapped her legs around his waist. She felt the head of his cock as it slid along her slit, pausing at her opening as he demanded her focus. His hips pushed forward, his sex pressing into her body as she allowed him entrance. She wanted to tilt her head back, to be swept away by pleasure, but he watched as he buried himself in her inch by inch, and she couldn't possibly look away.

His forearms cradled her head as their eyes met. He moved patiently, each time sinking slowly into her warmth, relishing each inch of pleasure and every pulse of her body when she'd tighten around him. As the pressure within him began to build, he smiled almost imperceptibly at her, all of the love that he had inside him could be seen in that one small expression as he began to pick up his pace. In that look she saw the truth: he craved this gentle moment. He wanted to be held, touched and understood, to find loving contact in a world that had been so very harsh and desolate for him. His life had been full of loss and loneliness, and this type of loving, connected touch had been in painfully short supply.

His wrists moved under her, tilting her pelvis up toward him, his hand nearly touching her. He thrust into her, swiveling his hips each time he was completely inside her and watching as his efforts wrung the pleasure from her. She began to lift more ardently up to him, intentionally tightening her inner muscles around his sex. As her orgasm grew close, she felt this longing within that made her realize she'd probably never really have enough of him. Not being able to touch him made that all too clear. This feeling grew until her fingers slid around his sides and down over his ass so she could pull his body into hers, guiding him each time their bodies met. Her need surpassed the rules of this demonstration. She'd caved and used her hands, there was no point in fighting desire like this, but it still wasn't enough. She kissed him, her lips demandingly seeking his, and as her orgasm hit, she moaned into his mouth, her gasps and quiet cries blowing softly against his lips. His pace quickened as he plunged into her a few more times, and he buried his face against her neck as he came.

When he finally used his hand, his fingers touched her chin, tilting her mouth to his for an appreciative kiss. He rolled onto his side, keeping his arm around her, not wanting to crush her under his tired weight. "You see how that can be rather frustrating? At least frustrating enough for you to break the rules of our little challenge," he asked with a smile that was supposed to be cocky but just looked amorous.

Her fingers tightened around the back of his head, grabbing his hair to hold him still while her lips grazed his neck and jaw, finally moving to his mouth. She knew as she kissed him, once again freely using her hands, that she'd probably never vanquish every bit of pain from his soul or truly make him whole again, but she was going to try with both hands and a full heart.