I do not own Once Upon a Time.

This is a super long chapter. It's nice friend bonding time.

Amelia had an unexpected visitor in the library the following morning. As the mistress of all evil, Maleficent didn't have the best fashion sense. Or at least that's what Amelia thought.

"Can I help you with something?" Amelia asked. She was very cautious but not concerned. Villains didn't concern her anymore.

"I need your assistance. The Dark One highly recommends you." Maleficent said.

"He recommended me? For what pray tell?" She had no idea where this was going.

"That you can find people."

Oh, yes. Gold would be eternally grateful to her for finding Neal. But she couldn't be much help. "I can't leave town, so I wouldn't be helpful. Emma would be better." Amelia said.

"Me? Call upon the Savior for help? Well, if I must." Maleficent turned to go.

"Wait!" Amelia stopped her. "Who are you looking for?" She was curious.

"My daughter."

"Your daughter? She survived the portal jump? She's safe somewhere in this world?" Amelia was impressed and felt there was hope for the mother. Maleficent looked shocked at the amount of knowledge the librarian had about things she never would have known about. "I might have forced it out of Mary Margaret and David. Then scolded them."

Maleficent nodded then studied the woman in front of her. "You also lost a child." Amelia blinked back a sudden tear. Was she that transparent? "There's a light missing in your eyes."

Oh. "I had a miscarriage about a year ago." Even though she knew Maleficent was a villain, Amelia felt she could open up. "I still have good days and bad days."

"How do you manage the bad days?"

Amelia smiled then looked down at her hand. "Neal. He's my rock. He's so strong and understanding. He's my True Love."

"You're lucky to have one of those. Looks like I have to pay the Savior a visit now." Now Maleficent could leave.

Amelia leaned against the front desk. At least there was hope for Maleficent. And one day, Amelia and Neal would have their own little bundle of joy.

Emma made up her mind rather quickly. She wanted to get away from her parents for a little while. And Amelia couldn't blame her. But what did slightly shock her was that Regina was going with Emma to Boston. Maybe the plan was for the newly reformed Evil Queen to keep a close eye on the potentially dark Savior.

They were heading to Boston. Talk about a small world. Maleficent's daughter had crossed paths with Emma during their childhood. They had been friends before having a fall out. Emma wasn't saying much on the topic. According to the information Emma found online, Lily lived in Boston. Which oddly enough, had been where Emma lived before coming to Storybrooke.

Amelia and Neal were part of the sendoff party. Henry said good bye to both of his moms. Robin and Roland said good bye to Regina. Mary Margaret attempted to say something to her daughter. But Emma cut her off with a death glare. David placed a hand on Mary Margaret's shoulder to calm her down. Then Emma looked at Amelia and Neal. "Look after Henry."

Neal nodded. Amelia thought it was a knife through the heart to not trust her own parents with her son.

Killian said his own good bye, encouraging words no doubt. About darkness and not giving in to it. Amelia had to admit, they were good together as long as Emma was open.

Regina and Emma climbed into the yellow beetle and drove away. Henry stood there for a few more minutes before walking in the direction of the school.

Neal leaned over to Amelia and whispered in her ear. "Was I that bad when I was mad at my father?"

"You mean the man you sat next to in a booth and didn't talk to when we got engaged?" Amelia responded.

"Good point."

Amelia looked over at Killian. He seemed so lost without Emma. But she wouldn't be gone long, unlike last time where it was a year. She was going to do her job and come back to her family. Finally, Amelia wasn't scared that Emma was going to run off.

Amelia walked over to Killian. "You should come over for dinner tonight. I can assume that things are tense at the loft."

Killian smiled. "Just slightly, nothing I can't handle."

"You're coming over for dinner, Killian." She said sounding very final.

"If you insist." He gave in. "What time?"

"Five thirty is good."

"Maybe Amelia will make you a monochromatic meal." Neal had quietly stepped up to her side. Amelia gave him a down death glare. He got the hint and added. "I hope you like hamburgers because that's what I'm making for dinner."

"Damn straight you're making dinner. See you later Killian."

"Alright Ginger Snaps, let's go." Neal wrapped an arm around her waist.

She raised an eye brow at him, confused. "Ginger Snaps?"

"When a red head goes crazy, Ginger Snaps." Neal explained and Amelia had no idea what to say.

Neal was in the bedroom later that day changing his shirt when he noticed the strange mark on the inside of his arm. Upon closer inspection, he discovered it was a silver mark, like a tattoo. He gently poked it, it didn't hurt. When and how did he get that?

There was a soft hum behind him and Neal actually jumped slightly. "Could you not sneak up on me?" He asked the ball of light floating near his head. Blinky had kept her distance from him since entering Storybrooke. Maybe she was figuring out of he was like his father. Blinky then sank down to his arm to examine the mark. "You proud of your work? You fell asleep on me?" He asked. He hated the one sided conversation he had with Blinky, Neal would love to be able to understand the ball of light. He actually imagined she had Amelia's snarky altitude.

I didn't do that. That snarky remark floated across his mind.

Neal almost fell over in shock. Did he just…? Was that…? "Can I now understand you?" He asked Blinky.

No answer, she just left the room as quickly as she came.

Neal shook his head. That was one strange guardian spirit.

Killian knocked on the door just as Neal was putting the burgers on the portable grill in the kitchen. Amelia let him in and they joined Neal.

"It's rude to show up at someone's house empty handed, so after consulting Henry, here's a plate of cookies from the bakery." Killian placed the tray on the island.

"Thanks. Normally people bring wine, but there's enough alcohol here." Neal said, flipping the burgers.

Amelia left the room to clear off the table. This left Neal and Killian alone. Neal rolled up his sleeve and Killian noticed something odd.

"What happened there, mate?" Killian asked.

"I just noticed it today. I thought Blinky fell asleep on me or something but according to her, she didn't do it. So I don't really know what happened." Neal didn't sound concerned at all.

Killian, on the other hand, was very worried but kept it to himself. That mark had magic written all over it. When had Baelfire, or rather Neal, come in contact with a magical being? Was he marked in some way? There was someone who cared about Neal more than anyone else in the world. Someone would always go to always go to crazy extremes to safeguard their loved ones. And Killian would confront that person after he ate a hamburger. Whatever that was.

it was a nice spread. Amelia and Neal pulled out of the stops. Hamburgers, buns, two kinds of cheese, ketchup, mustard, relish, lettuce, pasta salad, potato salad, green salad, pickles and salad. They would defiantly be to leftovers; Henry would have to come over the following night.

"Amelia's this is impressive." Killian complimented her.

She smiled. "Well I never only do half the job."

Killian choked on his soda at that comment. He had to hit his chest a few times. "Sorry, went down the wrong pipe." He said when Neal looked at him strangely.

Amelia then understood and simply rolled her eyes.

"So how does this hamburger work?" Killian asked.

"It's simple. Bun, patty, and then any fixings you want." Neal explained as he made his own.

Amelia watched him with a critical eye. Bun, burger, cheese. "Monochromic much?" she smirked.

Neal looked up with a challenge in his eyes. At that, he placed a piece of lettuce. "Color. You happy now?"

"Very." Amelia leaned over the chair and kissed his cheek.

Killian smiled. Amelia was so light and carefree with Neal. And they clearly had inside jokes.

"So how is Marian doing?" Neal asked when the three of them sat down at the table.

"She's adjusting very well. She went through so much in a short amount of time." Amelia said. Marian was busy with the dress shop. Storybrooke still needed a reason to wear Marian's beautiful creations.

"She's so understanding about Robin moving on." Neal said then turned to Amelia. "If something ever happened to me, I would want you to move on. Be with someone, I wouldn't want you to be alone."

Amelia freaked out and grabbed Neal's hand. "Don't talk like that. I could never get over you. We are True Love. I have done things for you that I never did for anyone else." She was completely honest with him.

Neal smiled and leaned over for a kiss. And it did not escape Killian's notice that Amelia's hand tightened on Neal's arm.

They ate and laughed, swapping stories of adventures spanning three different realms. They cleaned up and opened up Killian's plate of cookies. And to further the fun, Amelia brought over a coffee can.

"And what are we doing with that? Neal asked. She grinned and opened the top. Inside was not coffee beans both men were expecting. It was full of beer caps. "Amelia, I think you might have a problem." Neal's eyes bugged at the amount of cars.

"Not really. This is twenty-eight years' worth between four people. So it's not a problem. These are from Ballantine Ale, there's a rebus on every cap."

"So it's a puzzle." Killian took one from the can and studied it. It read 'Eye, th, ink pot, the, circle, of u.' This was going to be a challenge, but Captain Hook was always up for a challenge.

Neal picked one and seconds later, "Got it. Easy come, easy go." He looked pleased.

"You got an easy one. What about this one?" Amelia handed him another one. Then she looked down at her own. "Don't call us, we'll call you."

"Show off. Take me out to the ballgame." Neal said.

And Killian still sat there confused.

"You need a help there?" Amelia asked. Killian just nodded. She leaned over and pointed to one symbol. "That's a world."

Well that wasn't helpful, until he actually thought about it. "I think the world of you." He said, a grin growing on his face.

"There you go, here take another one." Amelia handed him another one. Now things were easy. "You've got a point there."

The three of them kept going, getting through puzzles that read "Sharp as a tack", knight in shining armor", "You are a barrel of laughter", and "Music to my ears." There was one in peculiar that stuck home for them. "The ruler hand ted 4 wrist." "The Enchanted Forest." Finally, one stumped them for a good few minutes until Amelia screamed.

"I got it!" She had been sitting on the arm of the couch. "Move over." She wedged herself between Killian and Neal. "That's a bowling alley…"

"How on earth is that a bowling alley?" Neal asked, squinting at the tiny cap.

"Trust me, it's a bowling alley. So it's Tallyho."

"These rebuses must be easier after you have had a few beers." Killian commented.

"You did well, you got "No place to go but up"." Neal said.

"I did, didn't I?" He looked happy with himself.

When they all had their fill of puzzle solving, the night was over but Killian still had one thing on his mind. He gathered up his courage and walked into the kitchen to confront his former lover. "Thank you for dinner, lass." He started off slow and casual.

"Any time, Killian. Maybe when Emma comes back, you both can come over." She paused her drying for a moment. "Wow, I just suggested a double date."

Killian didn't understand the concept but he asked the asked the burning question on his mind. "What have you done for Neal that you never did for anyone else?"

He didn't see the smile that crossed her face with her back to him. "Wouldn't you like to know?" She thought there was a hint of jealousy in his voice. But when she turned to face him, there was a look for complete seriousness.

Her smile faded. He wanted to know the truth. And as always, she did not want to tell him.

"What did you do?" He asked, a bit more forceful when he saw her pull back. "Who did you go to?"

"Who said I went to someone? Who even said I did anything?" She became defensive.

"It's you. You always save the people you love by doing the craziest thing that you can think of." He took a step towards her. "And you're not telling Neal."

"And you think I'll tell you?" She asked, slightly angry.

"I'm not afraid of you, unlike maybe your love."

She stood her ground and had a staring contest with the pirate captain. She broke first though and that never happened. Her shoulders dropped. "It doesn't matter if I did anything. Neal is safe."

"What did you do? What trouble did you get yourself into?"

"I thought trouble was my middle name?"

"Bernadette…" He growled her name and took a step towards her, something that in the past would have been threatening.

"Killian…" She tried to put him at ease. But there was very little she could say. "I… didn't go to anyone. I don't need… anyone. I have everything under control. Please trust me. There is …nothing to worry about."

He did realize she was being careful with her choice of words. That could only mean she trouble, deep trouble. And of course, she wasn't going to say a word. But what more could he do? He sighed. "If you need help…"

"I know where to turn." She gave him a small smile.

Killian finally backed down and left the room.

Blinky flew in and hummed.

"I'm under strict orders not to tell anyone." Amelia said. "And he is the last person I would tell."

More humming.

"Of course I'll break. That is going to be interesting. It would change the balance in the town." She downed a shot.

Amelia waited a few minutes before going into the hallway to say good bye to Killian.

"Thank you both for a wonderful evening. I'm going to retire to Granny's for the night." Killian said.

"You going to look for a place of your own soon?" Neal asked.

Killian shook his head. "Granny's is fine. I don't need much, just a place to hang my hat."

Amelia chuckled. "You don't have a hat."

"I used to. Navy days, it was giant and very official." Killian brought his hand and hook up to give them a visual on the size.

Both Amelia and Neal stared at him oddly.

"So glad I didn't know you back then." Amelia said honestly. Back then, she had no need for a straight laced naval officer.

Killian left the apartment. Neal wrapped an arm around Amelia's waist. "You're trying to picture him with a hat, aren't you?"

"Yes. And he's getting his own place when Emma gets hers." Amelia said and Neal agreed.

You know things are bad when Amelia, who is never afraid to say something, is being careful with her words. Everything is coming out in the open in the next chapter. Now is it going to be a good or bad thing?

Reviews?