A/N: If it makes you guys feel any better, the idea of ending Rubble kills me. It's been so much fun to write, and I've loved the interaction I've had with all of you. But don't worry, it's not ending with this chapter.
His brow furrowed. "She said that she did it. Got the dark magic out." Glancing toward Emma, his scowl turned to a look of pure fear. Her skin had paled and she'd broken out in a light sweat.
"She's getting worse." Reginia said, pushing Killian. "Move. Go stand over there and keep out of my way." He did as she asked, afraid of what might happen otherwise. She moved her hand through the air over Emma's body and a glimmering light covered her for a moment. "There. Preservation spell. I'd say it'll last a week." She stepped back, sighing, before turning to Killian. "She didn't say anything else?"
"No." He shook his head and sank into his desk chair, closing his eyes. "She didn't say anything else. This should be a joyous occasion. She's back, she's home. But obviously she wasn't safe." He scrubbed his hands across his face.
"Look, Pirate." Regina said, picking up her cell phone and keys. "We'll figure it out. Spending all this time with the heroes has taught me that every problem has a solution. They haven't faced anything that they couldn't fix so far. Somehow I think that your Miss Swan won't be any different." She headed to the door and patted his shoulder awkwardly on the way out.
He heard the door close and the tears that had been threatening to fall since he got home finally did. He crossed the room and dropped down to the side of the bed next to Emma. He took her hand and pressed it to his face.
"You said you'd come back." He sobbed. "This doesn't count. You're back to the old you, hair and all. You're even in my bed. But, it's like you're not here. If you die, Emma…I can't even think of it." He was so caught up in his speech that he didn't hear the door open. He felt a cool hand rest lightly on his shoulder. It guided him up and turned him around.
Mary Margaret wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Come on." She said, leading him toward the door. "You need some air." She walked him out to the deck and deposited him on his pillow nest. "I'm going to look over Emma. Henry will be here soon. Stay." She gave him a stern look and turned, heading back down the steps.
He fell back against the pillows, dazed, eyes locked on the stars above him. After a while, he heard someone clear their throat from a few yards away. Killian looked up to see David at the top of the steps.
The man moved closer and shook a large bottle of something. "Rum." He said, shrugging. "I didn't know what else to do." He dropped to the pillows next to Killian and unscrewed the cap, taking a sip before handing the bottle to the other man.
Killian took a hearty gulp and handed the bottle back, sighing.
"Hook." David said. "It'll be alright. I'm just as worried as you are. We all are. Somehow we will figure this out."
He grunted in response.
CSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSC
The night passed agonizingly slowly. Emma's family stayed with him for most of the night. Henry was just as despondent as Killian was. Both of them hiding out in their respective nests, neither one having the courage to go check on Emma.
Thankfully, Mary Margaret understood that and set up a system so that she wouldn't be alone. Even Regina offered to pitch in. Becoming the Savior had really softened her, whether she'd like to admit it or not.
Finally, morning came and Killian still felt horrendous. The sky seemed too blue, the water too glassy, even the chirping birds drove him crazy.
Regina was down in his cabin watching over Emma. Killian knocked on the door quietly before stepping inside. "Any change?" He asked.
"No, but I'm working on it." She held up an old book. "Combing through my mother's old books for anything I can find on the Dark One."
He nodded. "I'm going into town for a while. I need to get out. Going to take Henry with me. Okay?"
"Sure. Probably a good idea." She glanced back down at her book.
CSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSCSC
It had taken a while, but he convinced the boy to come with him. They had a quiet lunch at Granny's and Henry took off afterward to go visit Violet at the Camelot camp.
Somehow Killian ended up outside of Mr. Gold's new home. He stood by the front gate for almost twenty minutes before the man opened the front door and called out to him.
"Are you here to talk to me or just glare?" He stepped onto the front porch and beckoned to the pirate. "Come on."
Killian trudged up the walk and followed his old nemesis into his home.
Mr. Gold led him into the den, sitting in an armchair and motioning for Killian to sit in the one opposite him.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" He asked.
"Emma came back last night." Killian said, glancing down at the floor, trying to seem interested in the grain of the wood.
"And you're here instead of having a reunion?" He frowned. "Forgive my confusion, but I am a bit out of the loop now."
Killian snorted. "I imagine so. She came back, looking like her old self. Except she's passed out on my bed looking like death and slowly creeping toward it. She said she got the darkness out of her."
Mr. Gold's eyes widened and his face paled. "Pirate, if what you're saying is true, Emma could be in a lot of trouble. There are ways to rid yourself of the darkness, yes. But they all come at a horrible price."
"What did she do?" Killian whispered.
"I don't know, but we need to find out. Immediately." Gold stood and moved across the room to grab his suit jacket. "This is very bad, Pirate. You should have gotten me sooner."
A/N: Reviews? Please? Working another night shift so as always, reviews get a morning chapter!