A/N: Thanks to all my loyal fans who are reviewing, favouriting, following, or even reading. You guys are awesome!

Enjoy this chapter =).

The castle rose in front of them, just as majestic as Emma remembered.

"Isn't it exciting to be home?" Snow enthused as the horses' hooves clattered on the cobblestones in front of the guarded gate.

"Yeah," Emma commented drily, leading her horse closer to Killian's. He was looking a little overwhelmed by the large crowds and the sight of the imposing castle ahead. "How are you doing?" she asked quietly.

"Great, lass. Just great," he forced out through clenched teeth. "But the bigger question is: how are you doing? Any dizzy spells?"

She shook her head. Since starting the journey back towards the castle, her bouts of weakness had entirely ceased. It made sense to assume that Rumpelstiltskin's deal was giving her a break since she was on her way to him with the flower. The respite made her grateful, but at the same time, thoughts of her idiotic deal and the flower that she carried secretly made her shudder in fear. "Did you come up with any brilliant ideas to solve my problem?" she asked, still keeping her voice low. She didn't want to alert her parents if she didn't have to - she preferred to be independent whenever possible.

Something flickered across Killian's face for a brief moment - sadness? - but then it was gone, replaced by resignation. "Sorry, love," he shook his head. "You should ask your parents." It sounded like a plea more than a suggestion.

"I can't. Not yet, at least."

"So your brilliant plan is to wait until you're about to surrender your will before you ask for help?"

Glaring at him, she retorted, "No. Well, yes. But I don't see that that's any of your business."

"Tell them, Emma," he sighed exasperatedly. "Or I will."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me," he returned evenly. "I'm not going to let you give in without a fight because of stupid pride."

The comment stung, and Emma fell silent. She knew deep-down that he was right, but the thought of admitting the full scope of her adventure to her parents was a miserable proposition.

"Promise me."

Gritting her teeth, she forced out, "Fine."

"Today, lass," he pushed.

"Fine."

Snow picked that moment to angle her horse in between them, cutting off any further attempts to continue their argument.

As much as Emma enjoyed talking to her mother, she wasn't able to dedicate her full attention to the conversation. Instead, her brain was too busy mulling over Killian's advice and the promise she had made, a promise that she wasn't really looking forward to keeping. However, it wasn't like he had given her much choice.

…

Emma would kill him if she knew what he was doing right now.

Killian didn't care.

She was currently engaging in a 'heated discussion' with her parents as she explained the details of her deal with Rumpelstiltskin to them, though it sounded much more like an argument to Killian. Regardless, he appreciated the chance to escape and put his plan to save her into action.

The darkness curled around him, the light from his torch barely lighting the ground immediately in front of him.

"The pirate's come at last," the taunting voice echoed through the cavern. "I wondered when you would arrive."

Killian chose to pretend that his involuntary shiver had more to do with the draft through the tunnel than the fact the Rumpelstiltskin knew he was coming.

"Have a proposition for you, mate," he forced out, working valiantly to control his temper. Anger would only make things worse, but even being around the repulsive man made him want to turn to murderous rage. He refused to let the Dark One kill another woman in his life.

"Let me save you the trouble - you want me to free the princess from her deal. Isn't that right, dearie?"

As Killian took a couple more steps forward, the weak light of his torch was able to penetrate into the cell, showing him a man slumped in the back, greasy hair covering most of his face. "Yes."

In a flash, Rumpelstiltskin jumped to his feet and faced Killian, the glint of madness clear in his eyes. "Why would I do that, sonny boy? Out of the goodness of my heart?" In a conspiratorial whisper, he added, "I wouldn't rely on that, dearie."

"I'm prepared to make you a deal."

"I'm all ears."

"Me. In exchange for Emma. Release her and take me."
The Dark One steepled his fingers in front of his face and grinned. "Tempting. But no."

Clenching a fist, Killian demanded, "Why not?"

"Because," the man hissed, "I want you to suffer. To suffer like I did."

"You already took Milah from me; isn't that enough?"

"Revenge never ends."

…

"Killian?" Emma called, attracting the attention of the leather-clad pirate walking across her path.

"Emma," he breathed, sounding relieved as he changed his course to meet her. "This blasted castle is huge - I've been trying to find you everywhere. Did you tell your parents?"

She nodded glumly. "Yeah. They've got every magical being in the city looking for a solution, a loophole, anything."

"That's great."

She fell silent and started walking, needing the soothing movement to calm herself.

"There's something you're not telling me," Killian commented, falling into step beside her, his long legs keeping up to her brisk pace easily. "Something bad."

Biting her lip, she debated whether or not she should tell him what she had figured out and what she had decided because of it.

"Emma, love, stop. Talk to me." Killian grabbed her shoulder and forced her to stop and face him. There was real concern in his eyes, and that was what made Emma decided that she couldn't keep the truth from him.

"I don't think I have much longer," she whispered, feeling hot tears pile up in her eyes. "I'm...I'm drawn to him. I don't know how to explain it, but I don't think I'll be able to resist for much longer. Not long enough to find a solution, for sure."

Killian folded her in his arms, letting her took some comfort from his strong embrace. Tears spilled out of her eyes and down her cheeks. "It'll be okay," he whispered soothingly, his hand stroking her hair.

"I need you to promise me something." Her voice came out muffled against his shoulder, but still understandable.
"Anything."

"Kill me. Kill me before the Dark One can take control of my will."

Killian's hand stilled on her hair and he pulled away so that he could look her in the eyes. "Absolutely not."

"You said 'anything'."

"Anything except that."

"You have to promise me," she ordered fiercely, refusing to back down. "Death is better than being his slave."

"Emma...Emma, I can't."

"Why not?" she demanded, frustrated.

"Because I love you," he retorted angrily. "I love you and I can't be the cause of your death. I just can't."

A warm feeling spread through Emma, driving out the fear and the pain. "You love me?"

"Aye. And I can't-"

"I love you too," she interrupted, pushing aside her worries so that she could enjoy this one moment before she lost him forever.

Killian cupped her face with his hand, tilting it so that her lips were facing his. "Then never ask me to kill you." Before she could protest, he leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss filled with tenderness and mingled with sadness. Emotions surged within Emma - anger at herself for the mess she had gotten herself in, fear at what lay ahead, and gratefulness that she had met Killian and had fallen in love.

The moment was only diminished by the knowledge that it would all end soon.

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