Disclaimer: Reluctantly I have to admit that I don't own these characters. They are property of others far luckier than myself.

"Is he awake and coherent yet?" Emma appeared at the hospital first thing the next morning and encountered her father who appeared to have been awake most of the evening.

"Awake, yes, coherent, no," David took a drink from the coffee cup that Emma handed him.

"Great," Emma muttered.

"Is the captain okay?" David inquired.

"Nothing but a split lip and an annoyed disposition," Emma replied.

"Whale was flabbergasted that he was able to make it out of the hospital at all," David replied, "He was on some pretty strong medications."

"Did he say anything last night on the way back to the hospital?"

"Nothing that made any sense," David replied, "Whale thought it best to restrain him, and I cuffed him to the bed as an added precaution."

"You stayed through the night, didn't you?" Emma asked with a nervous hitch in her voice.

"What for?" David looked to her in confusion, "He was tied down. I was up with Neal all night."

Emma bolted towards the hospital room. Her fear was realized when she found Will's hospital bed empty. "He's an expert at lock picking." She pulled out her phone and quickly called Killian.

"I was just going to call you," Killian answered his phone.

"Did Will find you again?" Emma asked.

"In a manner of speaking," Killian looked down at the soundly sleeping intruder.

"Tie him up if you haven't already and don't let him out of your sight," Emma instructed him, "Dad and I are on our way."

"I'll be waiting," Killian replied.

"Killian has him, again," Emma told her father, "We'd better go pick Will up before he tries to hurt Killian again."

David was kicking himself the entire way to the squad car.

"Killian?" Emma called out as she stepped on board his ship.

"At the bow, Love," Killian responded.

Emma and David made their way to the front of the ship. Will was passed out with Killian standing cautiously a few steps away.

"Found him like this when I came topside after you left," Killian motioned towards Will with his hook, "From the puddle of drool, I'd wager he's been here awhile."

"How in the heck is he getting here in his condition?" David thought out loud as he observed how bruised and battered Will looked.

"No clue," Emma observed. He couldn't hurt a fly in his current condition.

"Do we chance bringing him back to the hospital or bring him straight to the station?" David asked.

"We'd better get him back to the hospital first," Emma pulled out her phone to call for an ambulance, "We'll let Whale tell us if he's fit enough to be locked up…With this one patient, the medics are seeing more action than they have in a month."

"You alright, Killian?" David inquired.

"He didn't lay a hand on me," Killian replied as Emma stepped away to converse with the town's emergency operator. "Like I said, I found him like this."

"Whale's coming with the paramedics," Emma informed the pair, "If he clears him, we'll take Will straight to the station."

"This is odd, right?" Killian asked while motioned towards the sleeping thief.

"Oh yeah," Emma confirmed, "With the medications Whale has him on, he shouldn't be able to move a muscle, yet he's made his way to the marina twice. This is magical weird."

"Maybe we should call Regina," David suggested, "She might be able to tell us if this is magic based weirdness."

"That's a good idea," Emma nodded, "I called for the medics, so it's your turn."

David stepped away to make the call just when the paramedics and Doctor Whale arrived to tend to the thief.

"Thanks for the house call, Whale," Emma stated as Whale knelt down to take Will's vital signs.

"I'm rather curious about this patient's hulk like abilities," Doctor Whale responded.

"So are we," Emma agreed, "We think it might be magical. David is calling Regina to see if she might have any wisdom to impart."

"Regina's on her way," David rejoined the conversation.

"We just have to hope he doesn't go all hulk on us in the interim," Emma stated as Killian's arm came around her shoulders.

"He's stable enough to be incarcerated," Doctor Whale concluded after finishing his examination, "But he should be monitored on a regular basis. I can stop by the station later this afternoon."

"Thanks," Emma replied, "I'm sure I can convince Doc to swing by a few times too."

Regina appeared suddenly and just as quickly announced that Will must have been put under some sort of zombie spell.

"If someone is manipulating him, why is he passing out without following through on what he is sent here to do?" David inquired.

"A zombie spell is very difficult to control. The slightest interaction can interfere with it," Regina explained.

"So Killian hitting him last night broke the first spell," Emma concluded.

"And the second?" Killian inquired, "I didn't know he was here."

"Other magical abilities could also interfere," Regina offered, "If Emma was here when he came on board, the spell could also be broken."

"When was the last time Will was checked on at the hospital last night?" David inquired.

"I checked on him this morning around six," Doctor Whale replied.

"Plenty of time for him to get to the marina before I left for work," Emma concluded.

"So you are sleeping here," Regina concluded, "Is Henry okay with this?"

"He's fine with it," Emma looked at the paramedics that were eyeing her in fascination, "And that's really a discussion for another time."

"Let's get him to the station," David suggested. "Is this zombie curse strong enough to break him out of a cell?"

"No, that should work," Regina replied, "But you'll want to get to the bottom of who is cursing him."

"Thank you for that obvious assessment, Madam Mayor," Doctor Whale stated.

"Where am I?" Will began to come to.

"Good morning, Sunshine," Emma greeted Will with her hands on her hips, "You're on board Killian's ship. Anything you want to say in your defense before we lock you up?"

"How'd I get here?" Will looked around in confusion.

"We were hoping you could tell us," David replied, "Where have you been for the past few days?"

"I found a way back to Wonderland," Will responded, "But Ana wasn't there. She was kidnapped. I tracked her to the Enchanted Forest."

"Then what are you doing here?" Regina inquired.

"She was kidnapped by pirates. They offered me a trade, but the trade is your pirate."

"What!" Emma exclaimed.

"Who's the pirate?" Killian asked.

"He goes by the name Edward Teach," Will stated.

"Blackbeard," Killian replied.

"I've encountered Blackbeard before," Will shook his head, "This man has the same ruthlessness about him, but it wasn't him. He was much younger, perhaps twenty years."

"How are you getting around?" Doctor Whale inquired, "I've given you enough sedatives to knock out an elephant."

"He had a spell cast on me," Will explained, "He carries a sorcerer on board."

"Definitely not Blackbeard then," Killian chimed in, "He would never bring a magical person on board his ship. In his opinion, they're bad luck."

"Lucky for you, that's not true," Regina rolled her eyes when Killian's eyes locked with Emma's. The sight of those two looking at each other with admiration and love turned her stomach. She couldn't for the life of her understand what Emma saw in the one handed pirate.

"You're going to have to come with us," David hauled Will to his feet.

"No, you can't lock me up," Will struggled against David's hold, "I have to get to my Anastasia back."

"We'll figure something out," David nudged Will towards the dock, "But it won't involve trading Jones."

"No," Will continued to struggle against David.

"Wait," Emma called out, "Will, were you in Portsmouth a few weeks ago?"

"No," he shook his head, "I was locked up here. Ask your father. He let me out just before he went down to join you."

"He's right," David chimed in, "I locked him up twice while you were gone. There was no way he could have made it to Portsmouth and back."

"Worth a shot," Emma sighed, "So that makes two people that were out to hurt Killian. The list keeps growing."

"He is Captain Hook," Regina pointed out, "His sole purpose in life is to make enemies."

"Was," Emma corrected the mayor.

"Do you think he's really given up that life?" Regina snorted, "You aren't that really that naïve, are you?"

Emma refused to dignify Regina's comments with a response. She didn't expect Regina to understand Killian's motivation to change, especially given her propensity to turn towards the dark side every time her life took the slightest turn south.

With everyone disembarked, Emma turned towards Killian. Putting the split lip aside, he looked as he always did with his sexy scruff and dark leather, and his blue eyes were shining with happiness.

"I'm alright, Love," Killian assured her.

"We need to be more careful," Emma frowned, "We might even need to put you in protective custody until this situation gets resolved."

"Would that mean I'd be in your custody?" he raised an eyebrow in her direction.

"Mine or David's," Emma nodded, "Maybe I'd just lock you up in the cell next to Will."

"I didn't know you enjoyed an audience," he grinned.

"Pirate," Emma shook her head in amusement as she grasped his arm, "Come, Killian Jones, you are being placed in protective custody until further notice."

Killian followed Emma off the ship.

"Do you think this is really necessary?" David asked his daughter after she informed him of her idea for protective custody once they were back at the station. Killian had insisted on a stop at the library to find some entertainment and was in an office away from Will to read in peace, "Seems a bit excessive, especially since the only known assailant will also be in our custody."

"I don't care how excessive it is," Emma spoke quietly, "We're doing it."

"And Killian is on board with this?" David asked skeptically, "Seems to me that it's a challenge to his masculinity."

"I'm not giving him a choice," Emma replied, "He's been attacked twice, and there was a third attempt."

"He's taken care of himself for centuries," David reminded her, "Are you sure you're feelings aren't clouding your judgment?"

"So what if they are," Emma snapped, "I refuse to allow Killian to be hurt."

David wisely kept quiet.

Will was furiously rattling at the bars, begging to be released.

"We will help you," David rose from his seat and addressed their prisoner, "But not at the expense of another's life. What can you tell us about this Mister Teach?"

"He's ruthless," Will replied, "He's also a charmer. He will convince you that what you're doing is for your own benefit or your own idea when all the while you're doing exactly what he wants you to do. He can jump from realm to realm. There are rumors that his ship is made of enchanted wood, laced with magic bean dust."

"What does he want with Killian?" Emma joined her father to stand before Will.

"His agenda is unknown," Will responded, "Nor was I in position to know."

"Are you sure he has your lady?" Emma asked, "Did you see her on his ship?"

"He's not daft enough to keep her on board his ship," Will scoffed.

"How do you know he really has her then?" Emma pressed, "He could be lying to get you to do his bidding."

"He gave me one of her scarves," Will pulled the ivory fabric out of his coat, "It's hers. I gave it to her as a gift."

"You said his ship can move from realm to realm," David stated, "What's the name of the ship?"

"Queen Anne's Avenger," Will replied.

"What was Blackbeard's ship named?" Emma asked.

"Queen Anne's Revenge," Killian spoke as he emerged from the office.

"Have you ever heard of Queen Anne's Avenger?" Emma asked.

"No," Killian shook his head as he eyed Will curiously, "A man goes by the name of William Teach and sails the Queen Anne's Avenger. That's too much of a coincidence. You're sure it wasn't Blackbeard?"

"I'd swear on Anastasia's life," Will responded confidently.

"He's telling the truth," Emma used her supposed superpower.

"Then who is this man?" David replied.

"And what does he have against Killian," Emma added.

"You said this ship can jump from realm to realm," Killian stated, "How?"

"I don't know," Will responded.

"Jumping realms is not easy," Killian stated, "It's unpredictable. You don't always end up where you want to go."

"The compass," Emma realized, "If you don't have it…"

"You could end up anywhere," Killian nodded.

"Is there more than the one that got me and Mary Margaret home?"

"None that I've heard of," Killian shook his head, "I never would have aligned myself with Cora if there were more than one."

"He's a chameleon," Will added, "He can blend into any environment, him, his crew and his ship."

"He could already be in port," Emma gasped, "He'd just change the name of the ship."

"A captain doesn't just rename his ship," Killian snorted.

"You did," Emma stated, "Twice."

"It is a captain's prerogative to rename this ship when it changes ownership," Killian explained, "I renamed the Jolly Roger after I took command and took her off the King's line. I renamed Emma's Swan when I purchased her from Old Man Hallstrom. A ship's name is very important. A sailor may spend years thinking about it before he has the chance to name a ship. He's not going to rename it on a whim to avoid detection."

"So we wait for this Captain Teach to show himself," Emma stated.

"Ana can't wait," Will rattled the bars, "They could be doing gods only knows what to her."

"Mister Scarlet has a point," Killian replied, "Pirates aren't exactly known for treating their hostages with care."

"If he has her," Emma added, "I'm not convinced he does."

"Until we know otherwise, it's best to operate under the assumption that he does," David stated.

"I agree with David," Killian stated.

"So what do we do?" Emma asked.

"We draw him out," David replied.

"We don't even know where or when he is," Emma stated, "He could be in any realm."

"But he'll be coming to this one as soon as he's able," David replied, "And he'll be looking…"

"No," Emma halted her father's line of thinking, "I'm not offering up Killian as bait."

"That isn't your choice," Killian spoke up.

"No," Emma repeated, "This is not happening. I'm the co-captain, remember. I'm not allowing this."

"Emma," Killian turned her towards him, "I will be careful, but I can't just wait for something to happen. That's not my style."

"I can't let you get hurt again," tears welled in Emma's eyes, "You almost died a few weeks ago. You're finally on the mend."

"Do you trust me?" he touched her chin gently.

"You know I do," she responded.

"Trust me to protect myself," he spoke softly.

It took several moments before Emma's head began to bob up and down in agreement.

"That's my girl," he kissed her cheek softly.

"I'm still going to be with you as much as possible," Emma stated, "I am your girlfriend after all."

"Yes, you are," he replied.

"How bloody touching," Will rattled the cage again, "Ana is still in danger."

"We have no idea what realm this pirate is in," David stated, "How can we even start looking?"

"Jefferson," Emma stated out of the blue, "He could open a portal, and we could use my compass to take us to the right realm."

"If he's able to," David replied, "He hasn't had much luck in opening portals here in Storybrooke."

"We'll see what he can do," Emma stated.

"What about me?" Will continued to rattle the cage, "You can't keep me in here."

"We will until we get this curse off of you," Emma replied.

"I'll see if Regina can do anything," David offered.

"We'll go see Jefferson, and we'll meet back here in an hour," Emma tugged on Killian's arm.

"Hello, Sheriff Swan," Jefferson's daughter greeted her when she opened the door.

"Hi, Paige," Emma smiled, "Is your father home?"

"Yep," Paige nodded before she turned to call out for her father.

"Sheriff, what can I do for you?" Jefferson inquired when he came to the door, "Captain, how are you?"

"We need your help," Emma stated, "I don't know how to begin, so I'm just going to ask. Have you been able to open any portals lately?"

"Portals?" Jefferson repeated in surprise.

"Yes," Emma confirmed, "Portals."

"I'm sorry, Sheriff, but I haven't done anything with portals since I found my daughter. Haven't had any need," Jefferson replied, "Did something happen? Did someone use one of my hats without my knowledge?"

"No, it's nothing like that," Emma responded, "We're in need of a portal, and we're hoping you can help us."

"I wish I could, Sheriff," Jefferson responded, "Like I said, I haven't tried opening portals for quite some time, and I had a lot of difficulty here in Storybrooke."

"All I'm going to ask is that you try," Emma requested.

"I'll see what I can do," Jefferson nodded, "It will take me a bit of time to make a new hat."

"I hope not too long. It's kinda life or death," Emma bit her lip.

"I'll do my best," Jefferson replied.

On the way back to the station, Emma and Killian stopped by his ship so he could grab his sword.

"I have to say I've missed my friend," Killian fastened the belt around his hips, "It's been at my side for centuries."

"It suits you," Emma looked him up and down, "Maybe someday you could give me a few lessons."

"You've held your own," Killian assured her.

"By pure luck," Emma replied.

"Come, Love," Killian grasped her hand, "Your father is waiting."

"Wait," Emma tugged him back, "We need to have a few moments."

"What for?" Killian inquired.

"My head is spinning right now," Emma stated, "I need you to know a few things."

"I know you love me," Killian assured her.

"No, I need you to know other things," Emma replied, "When I left you up on that beanstalk, I didn't do it because I thought you would betray us or that I couldn't trust you. I did it because of what I was feeling as we climbed the beanstalk and maybe even before. I was drawn to you, and I couldn't allow myself to open up to another person.

"And when you sailed back to Storybrooke after I thought you'd gone for good just in time to save my son…I was so worried about saving my son that I could barely see straight, but you got me to focus. You risked your life for him…for me. You gave up your ship for me. I cannot fathom how difficult that was for you…to give up something that you've had for centuries, that you shared with your brother and Milah."

"I still have my memories, Swan," Killian told her, "Liam and Milah still live inside me. Parting with my ship wasn't as difficult as living without ever seeing you again would have been. That was something that I could not bear. I would trade my ship a thousand times if it meant seeing your smile only one more time. Never could I imagine how wonderful it felt to hold you in my arms, to have you look at me and have love echo in your eyes and heart for me."

"Please make it through all of this," Emma tugged at his lapel as she felt the emotions overtake her. Tears threatened to spill.

"We're survivors, Love," Killian reminded her, "You and I will find our way out of this together."

"Together," Emma entwined the fingers of one hand with his.

Emma's resolve was strengthened. Their pact was sealed with a scorching kiss that left them breathless and ready to fight side by side.

"Do you remember what spell was cast?" Regina was asking Will when Emma and Killian returned to the station.

"If I bloody knew that, I'd find my own counter curse," Will was as desperate as he'd been when they had left, "Get me out of here."

"We'll get you out of here," Emma tried to calm their prisoner down, "But you have to work with us. We can't allow you to walk around Storybrooke if you could be of danger to any of the citizens."

"What guarantees do I have that you'll assist me after your boy toy is not longer being threatened?" Will eyed her skeptically.

"You have my word," Emma stated.

"I don't know what the curse was," Will stated after staring Emma down for several moments, "It was something in Latin and some sort of dust was thrown at me when he spoke."

"So it was a wizard," Regina concluded.

"Does it matter?" Will asked.

"It can," Regina nodded, "Was he wearing a cloak or a cape or any different sort of clothing?"

"What the bloody hell does that matter?" Will's small level of patience was wearing out.

"It matters to me," Regina stated, "There are different types of magic. Some wear cloaks and wave wands. Some just mutter enchantments and wave their hands. Others throw dust, speak in foreign tongues and prance about. Was he wearing a cloak or a cape?"

"He wore a cloak," Will stated, "With a leaf clasp holding it together, a silver leaf."

"I need to go back to the manor," Regina gave a wicked smile.

"You can't just leave me here because you didn't like what you heard," Will rattled the bars furiously when Regina turned to leave.

"I'm going to get the potion that I need to remove your curse," Regina turned around and spoke calmly before she vanished in a cloud of smoke.

"What did Jefferson say?" David asked when the smoke cleared.

"He doesn't know if he can open a portal, but he's willing to give it a try. He's making a hat as we speak," Emma replied, "Is a hat going to open a portal large enough that we could sail through?"

"A portal will adjust to whatever size the object is that is trying to go through," Killian confirmed, "Whoever is on the ship will go through the portal. If one ship goes through, only one ship can come back."

"Then we'd better make sure that one ship is ours," Emma replied, "The compass will take us to the right realm, but it may not take us directly to this pirate. How will we find him?"

"Make port as soon as we can and ask around," Killian replied, "If he's as notorious a sailor as I think, they'll be news of him and his whereabouts. The Swan may be bigger than the Jolly Roger, but she's also faster. We should be able to catch up with the ship in no time. We'll need to equip her properly for a battle."

"Agreed," Emma nodded, "And train your sailors in battle. Are there enough sailors in this town that would be willing to help us?"

"We shall see," Killian replied, "It may take a bit of convincing from the Savior."

"Let's take this savior card for a spin and see what it really can do," Emma replied, "Dad, do you have everything under control here?"

David nodded, "I'll join you at the docks after Regina breaks this curse."

Emma nodded. She quickly made a beeline for the docks. The more adventurous and open-minded sailors were easiest to spot. Several volunteered before Emma could explain their mission. She didn't sugar coat it. She explained exactly what they were up against. Before David could join them, they had a full crew ready to sail at their captain's request.

"They're a rag tag bunch," Killian told Emma when the pair climbed aboard his ship, "But that's a typical pirate crew."

"Ariel will not be happy that Eric joined up," Emma settled into a comfortable seat on the deck.

"It's every man's choice," Killian replied, "If he wants to break his contract, I'll allow it. I don't want any sailors aboard my ship that are not one hundred percent committed to the journey."

"Are you going to make me sign a contract?" Emma inquired with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Only if you think it necessary," Killian slid in next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders, "A contract seems a bit unnecessary between us. Bonds of love are stronger than pen to paper."

"We're not allowing Henry to join us," Emma stated.

"Agreed," Killian's head nodded quickly.

"Mary Margaret too," David stepped on board picking up the last bits of their conversation, "She stays with Neal."

"You get to tell her that," Emma replied, "That's not a fight I want to have with Snow White."

"Curse broken?" Killian looked nervously towards Will.

"We think so," David nodded, "The counter curse knocked Will off his feet, but Regina insisted that was what was supposed to happen."

"I hear you're looking for some men up for a fight," Robin stepped on board with what was left of his Merry Men, "My men and I aren't much for sailors, but we are skilled in a fight and the surest of shots you can find."

"What about Roland?" Emma inquired.

"I will see to it that he is attended to," Robin responded as he tapped Will's back, "But us Merry Men stick together. We will get Anastasia home safe and sound."

"Thank you, Mate," Will nodded.

"When do we set sail?" Robin inquired.

"When Jefferson is able to open the portal or we come up with another way to find Captain Teach and his ship," Emma replied.

"Keep us informed, Milady," Robin requested, "We will keep ourselves at the ready, waiting for your instructions."

"Thank you, Robin," Emma nodded.

"If any of the other men you recruited would like a lesson in proper swordsmanship, we will be happy to put on a few demonstrations before we set sail," Robin added.

"We'll pass along the message," Emma replied, "I might take a lesson myself. Killian seems to think I'm adequate, but it couldn't hurt to learn a new trick or two."

"I'll assist as well," David chimed in.

"Can never have enough skilled swordsmen," Robin nodded, "Thank you. Will, do you have a place to stay in Storybrooke?"

"Just the bed at the jail."

"We have room in our camp if you'd prefer," Robin offered.

Will nodded in acknowledgement of the offer.

"We'll get Anastasia back," Robin tried to reassure him, "One thing that I've learned living here in Storybrooke is that we will never give up until we succeed, no matter how bleak it may seem."

"Giving up is not in the Charming DNA," Emma added.

"Whatever DNA is," Killian's eyebrows scrunched forward in confusion.

"Trust me, it's a good thing," Emma replied, "And Robin's right. We will get Anastasia back."

TBC…

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