Leroy struggled against Killian's grip.
"Oh, I don't think so. You're going to listen." He released his grip just enough to give the other man a little slack before slamming him back into the brick wall. The man scowled but stopped struggling, either due to pain or reason. Either way, Killian didn't care. "Don't you think that boy's got enough to worry about without you going after him? Huh?! His mother was ripped from him and he's upset! What in the hell is wrong with you?"
Leroy, for the first time since they'd met, stayed silent.
"You know, for all the love you have for Snow White, I'm amazed that you would treat her grandchild that way. You should be ashamed of yourself." He released his hold and Leroy stumbled into the middle of the alley. Killian pointed a finger at him. "You stay away from Henry. Do you understand me? And if you speak of this to ANYONE at all, I'll do worse than sneak up on you in a dark alley."
The dwarf snorted. "You don't scare me anymore, Pirate. You're good now."
Killian saw red. His fist connected with Leroy's face before he even realized he'd moved. The man fell backward onto the pavement and looked up at him in shock.
"Yeah, well, I'm realizing my reason to be good is gone. I meant what I said. Tell anyone and it won't end well for you." He turned and calmly walked away, popping his collar against the chill of the night.
He reached his ship in record time. After climbing aboard and checking to see if Henry was still fast asleep in the cabin, which he was, Killian returned to his pillow nest on deck.
After hooking his phone into the "power bank" that Henry brought him every day, he settled against the pillows and closed his eyes.
Buzz buzz.
He cracked an eye and glared at his phone, certain that it was a signal of the oncoming angry mob. He could have ignored it, but he was pretty sure a heads up was a good thing.
Killian clicked through the screens until he found his messages and almost dropped the phone.
Emma: I'm not gone.
Hands shaking, he responded quickly.
Killian: Yeah? Then where are you?
He held his breath, desperate for her to appear in that despicable cloud of smoke. As much as he hurt, as angry as he was, he still needed to see her. But alas, no Emma, only another message.
Emma: I'm around.
Killian: It's too late for vagueness, Swan.
Emma: I can't come back right now. I just want you to know I approve.
Killian: Not that I need your approval, but what have I done to earn it?
Emma: You embraced the darkness.
Killian: No. I protected your son. That's it.
Emma: If you say so.
He tossed his phone down without answering, the anger rising back up. He tossed and turned for almost an hour before sending another message.
Killian: Have you really found someone else?
Emma: Maybe.
Killian sighed and spoke angrily into the night.
"Emma Swan. Emma Swan. Emma Swan."
He heard the quiet "puff" behind him and climbed to his feet, turning to face the Dark One. She was dressed as was her new norm. Black trench, black dress, black heels.
"Can I help you?" She asked, annoyed. "I was in the middle of something."
"You know what? Yes, you can. I waited for you, Swan. Henry and I both waited twelve days just to hear from you. You told that boy that you would try. And what do you do? You disappear and torment us. And right before you go off for twelve days, you tell me that you may have found someone else. I get that you're the Dark One. Congratulations, you've finally managed to drive it into my thick skull. But, you are still a mother to an exceptional child and you're treating him like you just don't care. So, Swan, I'm done. Leave me alone." He turned to go back to his pillows when he heard her speak quietly.
"Ask me where I've been."
He shook his head, not facing her. If he saw her face, he had no doubt that he'd take back the last bit of his speech. He doubted it would be above him to drop to his knees and grovel.
"Fine. Goodnight, Killian." He heard a small thud and the customary puff of the smoke cloud. He dropped to his pillows and sighed shakily. When he finally turned to look at the spot where Emma had stood, he noticed something glinting in the moonlight. The dagger.
He reached for it, certain that it was a trick. But once his fingers closed around the hilt, tears pricked the back of his eyes. The phone beside him buzzed again.
Emma: Have faith. The Dark One follows through on her promises to the best of her ability.
The next morning, Henry stumbled out of the cabin to find a positively cheerful Killian. He'd made the short journey to Granny's and come back with way too much breakfast food and coffee. It looked like he was planning to feed a small army.
He'd pulled up the MP3 player on his phone and was playing a song that Henry had loaded onto it, singing along off key.
"What's going on?" Henry asked.
"Nothing, lad. Just having a good day, I guess. How's your face?" He tapped his hands to the rhythm of the song on the wheel.
"Sore." The boy admitted.
"I can imagine. Looks worse today."
"Thanks." He answered, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.
"Anytime, lad. So, you won't believe what news I have for you." Killian said excitedly, eager to share the story from last night with the boy.
"Henry? Hook?" They heard David call down from the dock. "Come on. I need you to come with me now."
Killian crossed the deck to look down at the prince. "Can't it wait?"
"No. Emma's back at it. And this time, she crossed a major line."
A/N: Reviews plllllllllease?