Emma

"My Mom just texted me and said they took Hope and little Neal to the storm cellar at Zelena's home," I whispered to Killian as I looked at the message screen on my phone from Snow.

Killian nodded with satisfaction and sighed in relief. "All unscathed, I take it. Hope all right?"

I nodded and slid my phone into the pocket of my jeans. "I don't hear Jabberwocky out there anymore. Not sure if that's a good thing, or bad," I murmured with a swift glance at him. I vigilantly peaked out from under the shelter underneath the surface.

"If it crashed through the glass out there then we would surely hear it destroying the bloody shop. Perhaps it was to frighten us," replied Killian. He poked his head out to survey our surroundings. There was nothing in the back room we were in. I still didn't hear anything.

"Unless that was Gold shattering the glass. But I don't think that matters as much as where it went and what it wants," I said, as I calmed down and pushed my fear aside, then replaced it with strength and willpower to find the Jabberwocky.

"I gather your parents alerted everyone in the community to take find asylum and remain there until further notice?" Killian asked in a soft voice.

"Yeah, Mom told Leroy. I'm positive everyone knows now," I replied with a little smirk. I sighed and frowned as I pondered the entire situation. I faced Killian and said, "It's just curious that right when Gold came in, the Jabberwocky soon arrived too. How do you explain that coincidence?"

"Nothing is coincidence, Swan. I reckon that bloody Crocodile is harboring that sword and the answers we seek and knows all about the beast already." He looked at me until I locked eyes with him.

"You're probably right. Gold is hiding secrets about the Jabberwocky. But what I want to also know, is where the hell is everybody? Gold, Belle, Zelena, Neal…" I lifted my hand then dropped it. Silence filled the air between us, so all we could hear were people talking and running outside the shop. I didn't hear any terrorizing screeches from the dragon following that though. "Lily too," I added in a perfunctory tone. "They've all just disappeared it seems. That just seems odd, doesn't it?"

Killian dipped his chin down and gave a perfunctory nod. He licked his lips and murmured, "Like they saw it coming all along," he supposed. "If that be the case then why wouldn't they alert us?" he asked rhetorically.

I slowly scrambled to my feet and stood up. Killian copied me and then took my hand as he slowly walked with me to search around the shop. We stepped carefully into the front of the shop behind the front counter. Killian led me to the main floor. There were shattered shards of glass on the wooden floor, near the front window. There was a hole busted in the window. I slowly made my way to it, keeping a safe distance from it. Killian was directly beside me. I turned to him and lifted a curious brow at him. He lifted his other arm to gesture at the busted glass and muttered under his breath, "It appears it could have been the Jabberwocky. We should get someplace safe until we know our next step. Perhaps reconvene with your parents."

I gingerly walked around the shards of broken glass on the ground, avoiding stepping on any pieces. I took one more look around the shop and then made my way to the front door. Killian still held my hand and stepped in front of me. He let go of my hand then cautiously opened the front door. I reached up above the door before he did that and yanked down the bell that hung above it. I broke it off of the hook and quietly set it on the table beside the front door. I glanced at Killian with a shake of my head. "I know Gold will yell at me for breaking his little bell," I whispered.

Killian proceeded to open the door for me. We vigilantly stepped outside and looked all around the empty street and sidewalk and crossed the street. I searched above us and glanced behind us, then forward as we trekked down another street a block away. Killian looked upward and glanced at me.

He said quietly, "Where do you think Gold is?"

I lifted my shoulder. "My guess is Neal's place. Or Lily's. I think they're most likely together in the same spot."

There was a beat of silence. "What makes you think that Love?" His tone was tender. His gaze drilled at the side of my face. We proceeded toward Zelena's old farmhouse home where our family would be in the cellar. We were walking down a vacant road on the edge of the woods. I looked at him and then forward. It was probably best to tell him about Neal's text earlier.

I pressed my lips together and replied evenly, "I just have a hunch that they are. Not only are they family, but, well, Neal gave me reason to believe that." I quickly glanced at him again. He looked perplexed, but he kept a natural, unruffled expression on his face. He looked ahead as we strolled beside each other. "And why is that?" he asked in a calm, nonchalant voice.

I sighed, giving in. As we walked, I glanced around us, ensuring the Jabberwocky wasn't hovering around us before I fished out my phone in the pocket of my jeans. I opened the message from Neal and handed it to Killian to read. I forced myself not to feel awkward or guilty, because I hadn't done anything wrong or a reason to feel ashamed.

Killian dropped my hand he was holding and held the phone up and quickly read the text. Once he finished, he handed me my phone and arched a brow at me like he thought it was bold yet ridiculous. Killian said coolly, "I gather that's what Gold was referring to."

I pocketed my phone again. I said indifferently, "I guess so. That's why I think Neal is with him. It makes sense to me."

Killian fell silent, as did I. We were getting close to arriving at the homestead where our family was.

"Aye. Seems to me he wishes to help you and knows how to. It's probably what he wants." He gave me a knowing look. His face was relaxed and blasé, but I could sense he was wary and didn't like the fact that Neal had reached out to me again.

"So, it seems. I haven't asked him to find out," I replied evenly.

Killian added, "The thing is, he probably could help you find him. And perhaps unravel this mystery of where the Vorpal sword is." He locked eyes with me for a second and then looked ahead on the road. After a few beats, he asked rationally, "What do you reckon you want to do about that?"

I shrugged and pursed my lips. I thought about using that excuse that Neal had probably come up with to get me to talk to him and go to him. I figured that was Neal's game, but he also was probably trying to help me. I felt Killian's eyes on me again as we walked side by side.

I said in a tranquil tone, "Well I did think about doing that. But I don't want that to get in the way of our marriage." I looked up at him, then looked at the side of the road that we walked on. There were trees near the side of the road nearby.

Killian lifted his eyebrow and kept his expression placid although I could tell by his pleasantly enlightened expression that he was impressed by my comment. He said casually, "Well, that is very thoughtful, Swan. We could both go to visit him and find out if he knows anything about this beast. I don't want you to give up a way to discovering information that might help us defeat it."

"And figure out the other mysteries. Like Zelena and what Gold's doing with her. He was lying about her heart. It's a reason to go to Neal's place, and if Gold's not there, then try Lily's. Besides the Pawn Shop, I don't have any other idea where he would be cowering," I said, not concealing my irritation with Gold.

Killian said, "I believe Gold has the Death Sack with him too. If anyone has that item too, it's got to be him." He gestured his chin in the direction of the home ahead, which was on the same property as the cellar door where my parents and the children were. "Perhaps we should check the house far ahead. He could be there. If not, we shall check Neal's place. What do you say?" We were about four yards away from the property.

"I think that's a good plan. The thing that makes me wonder about the Death Sack is that Gold probably still possesses it currently, so there's got to be a price to pay for bringing these people back to life. Neal and Robin," I said. I looked at him as that thought occurred to me. Killian slowed his pace and faced me. I did the same and turned to him.

His brows rose. "I think you're right," he replied. He nodded once as the realization sparked in his eyes. We stared at each other for a moment. Killian added, "Obviously the Crocodile has it for safekeeping and won't let any harm come to it since it harbors his son's life in it. He's going to keep trying to secure its safety and what it contains."

"Yes, so what's the price he's paid I wonder?" I asked. I lifted my eyebrow and widened my eyes to him. "Probably the Jabberwocky!" I said and then sighed at the discovery. "It makes total sense. So why has he been using me in all of this? His motives don't seem to match exactly," I exclaimed.

"What do you mean, Love?" he asked in a gentle voice.

I looked at our surroundings in the dark. There were lights illuminating the windows of the house ahead of us. We were far enough away from it still, that I couldn't hear anything inside of it, but it was obvious people were there. I pointed at it and said, "Okay, so Gold allegedly has Zelena's heart. He's already studied Jabberwocky and knows about it. And he provoked me earlier about Neal. He made it a big deal. So why would he do that?" I asked him rhetorically as I rolled my eyes and looked into Killian's eyes and then shook my head as I panned our surroundings again with my eyes to ensure nothing would catch us off guard while in our deep conversation.

Killian shook his head and meshed his lips together. He arched an annoyed eyebrow upward as he looked at me as if deeply searching for the answer within my eyes. He averted his gaze to my hand, which he still held as if remembering he was holding it. It took a few seconds, before he replied evenly, "Honestly, Swan, he doesn't want us together. Perhaps that's why he provoked you and said those ghastly things in front of me knowing it might make me wonder, knowing that it would trigger us into another bloody argument. He must want that. Not to only get back at you for invading his shop, but to also instigate that between us. It is probably no secret about our…situation." He licked his lips as if he were embarrassed about saying that last admission openly. He nodded once.

I stared deep into his eyes. I let out a soft sigh and swallowed hard. "You really are perceptive," I whispered. I looked down at our hands and followed his train of thought to the conclusion. As the revelation hit me that he had led me to. "You're right," I said, surprised that this made sense what Gold was doing. I continued, "So he knows that Neal has been…reaching out to me. So, he's exploiting that detail so that it would…break us up."

"Aye." His brow arched. "He knows that Neal cares deeply for you. And he is clearly aiding him with that." He paused as we held our gaze. He added under his breath, "Gold knows that Neal loves you. And it no longer matters to Gold that we are married and have vowed to one another. Like a contract and for him to try and break it, it must mean that he rather you two to be together instead. He wants us to get a bloody divorce."

I nodded and bit my lower lip. I looked down at our hands and shook my head solemnly. "Gold would do that if it meant that he'd benefit from that. But why? That's the question. Why would it matter to him? I know it does." It was refreshing that we were discussing Neal without fighting.

Killian cocked his head to the side and glanced around us again, keeping alert. I copied him and pondered that. Killian sighed and locked eyes with me again. He whispered, "Well, if you put all of those mysteries together, he clearly wants you to ensure that Neal stays alive this time." He lowered his chin as that theory struck me so hard that I let out a sharp sigh.

"Oh my God." I felt my eyes grow wide. "That's it. It's got to be." I looked away for a moment, collecting my thoughts. I lifted my other hand and pointed my finger at him. "So, if he succeeds in that, maybe that's why Gold thinks I would do everything in my power to protect Neal like I do with you and all our loved ones. But that part doesn't make sense." I frowned. "I mean, I would protect Neal anyway, as a friend. Why does Gold specifically want to destroy our marriage and use that connection that he thinks that Neal and I have going on?"

Killian stared at me pensively, his eyes dubious but not accusatory. He smacked his lips before he spoke. "Other than to get revenge on me for being here and threatening him in the past?" he said oratorically, "I think that Gold fancies you as Neal's protector so to speak. If you were…close to Neal that way, you would always be near him."

It was like the puzzle piece snapped into place at Killian's theory. I nodded slowly, still rather shocked that I knew somehow that he was right about Gold's intentions. "That's got to be it. Gold's entire life's been about finding Neal, and now that he lost him twice, but found him again, I think that Gold would totally play dirty like that." I narrowed my eyes at Killian as I thought about Gold orchestrating what he thought would be an argument in his shop earlier. I shook my head, disappointed. "Unbelievable. But no surprise there."

"Aye. I wonder if Gold is controlling Neal. He clearly has his hand in it. So, he probably is encouraging him." Killian eyed me knowingly. "Why else would Neal mention assisting you with Gold?" Killian asked rationally. I didn't detect any blame in Killian's tone or on his face. He seemed trusting and not wary of our discussion about Neal.

I exhaled and lifted my free hand and dropped it to my side. I took a moment to reflect on everything and finally arrived at another surprising conclusion. "That's it…" I looked away at the house in the near distance and then looked at my husband.

"What's that?" he asked, as he took a step closer to me, his eyes intrigued.

I gawked up at him, astounded at my own idea. I said with excitement at my discovery, "Gold wanted me to go back to the past. He wanted me to somehow find Neal, to change things. I think that Gold used me in that way. So that means…" my thoughts flew to the Jabberwocky.

Killian made a hmmm sound in his throat and added, "He somehow had a hand in that beast carrying you away to the past. So, he somehow got a hold of control awhile back when you went to the past when you were a teenager." His eyes widened in astonishment.

"I knew he was behind all of this the whole time," I exclaimed. I pressed my lips firmly together, wanting to pummel Gold for all of this. "I am so glad I finally got to hit him in the face. I should've punched him in the face." I said flatly.

"Aye Love. Was rather proud of you about that."

I smiled at him. "Did feel good." I felt my smirk melt off my face as I thought about the seriousness of everything. "But that takes us full circle. Then the Jabberwocky was the price to pay? Or the way to the past?"

"Perhaps both?" he replied.

I blinked my eyes as I looked towards the house thoughtfully. "So, if he really did steal Zelena's heart, the question on that is why?"

"Aye. What would he need her heart for?"

"Well, with that imp, everything is a pawn in his selfish game. He uses everything that he can and exploits even those he is so-called friends with. Could be he's getting revenge on Zelena too. For caging him and killing Neal."

He dipped his chin once in a nod. He glanced around us and said softly, "He's got to be using her somehow. Bloody Crocodile."

"Another question is how he found the Jabberwocky. He's got to be controlling it. Maybe that's why he has the Vorpal blade. I wouldn't be shocked if he's had that relic all along. If it's power, then I'm willing to bet anything on that," I replied.

"When we find Zelena, Love, and make this right then we can ask her." He resumed walking forward. He glanced back at me and added quietly, "I must admit that I'm pleased that you didn't respond to Neal's message, Swan." He turned his head to look at me and smirk. His eyes were warm. I looked up at him for a moment and then looked straight forward.

I felt comfortable, for the first time in a long while, to go as far as saying, "Not much to say to him besides no. I felt silence would hopefully give him the hint." I paused and then added indifferently, "He did try calling me earlier too. When I was at my parents. A couple times. But I didn't answer him."

Killian seemed deflated. He grew quiet and stared ahead.

I looked forward to where we were walking, now on the edge of the lawn of the property. I faced him again, curious as to why he had grown quiet again. I murmured, "Killian. I'm sorry. I was just being honest. I felt comfortable telling you and felt it was right to do that."

"I know Love. It's not your fault." He slid his eyes quickly to me and gave me a smile of being strong about the new topic, but I sensed that he was bothered by my new admission.

I let the silence take possession of the energy between us, but then I noticed that he didn't add anything to his short statement. I sighed and said somberly, "Look Killian…I know you know that this doesn't mean a damn thing. Him calling me." I paused in my strides and stood before him. He stopped in his tracks and faced me too. This time, I could tell that his eyes were sorrowful. He managed to put on a mask of indifference. He cleared his throat and shook his head and then topped that off with a shrug.

He even forced a soft smile, as if he was unscathed from this conversation. Like it didn't bother him, but I knew that it provoked him, knowing that Neal had called me. "I know, Swan." He said nonchalantly. His expression was casual. He even gave me an odd look like he didn't understand why I was still talking about this matter, but I could tell in his eyes, he was afraid. He concealed it well though.

The sky started to fill slowly with dark clouds, much like a thunderstorm gathering ominously, darkening the inky sky more than it already was. I glanced upward, smelling rain. In the distance, I heard light thunder. I guessed we were expecting another storm. I averted my eyes to Killian.

He looked downward and licked his lips, then lifted his head to look at me. His eyes seemed concerned and worried, with a touch of frustration. His face didn't demonstrate those emotions though. He pressed his lips into a casual smile at me, feigning that he wasn't bothered in the least by the knowledge about Neal calling me earlier.

I sighed and said casually with a soothing squeeze of his hand, "Look, Killian. I will block Neal if that makes you feel any better." I spoke patiently and calmly. He turned his eyes to me again, but this time, I could see the hint of fear in his eyes. He quickly covered that up with love as he flashed me a crooked smile like he was over that and confident about the issue, but I sensed that it still bothered him. His eye contact wavered.

I said gently, "Killian, I was ignoring Neal because I am not interested in him, and nothing is going on. Gold was making something out of nothing like we just discussed." I smiled reassuringly at him.

He lifted his other arm with a dismissive gesture of his hook in the direction of Zelena's house nearby. He replied lightly, "I believe you. Not to worry, I'm not jealous." A stalwart smile crossed his face but didn't reach his eyes.

I pressed my lips together. I could tell he wasn't exactly revealing his true feelings about it. He was trying to be strong. I admired that trait in him.

"All right," I said, dismissing the fact that I felt that he was lying to me, but I would let his feelings be his own. "Guess we should press forward and see who's home." I moved forward and started walking down the side of the road.

"Aye, agreed. I think that after we pay our visit to whomever is at home here, we should join our family underground. Seems a storm is coming." He lifted his hook upward to gesture at the gloomy sky and added, "It's getting rather late. And we will want to retire for the night and hopefully get some sleep. We will need it. We could continue tomorrow. It must be about midnight now."

I nodded as I reached for my pocket for my phone and tapped it so that it would light up so that I could see the time on the screen. The soft light from it illuminated the darkness around us, enough to see the road better. "You're right, it is after midnight," I said.

As we continued to stroll to the property and step onto the grassy lawn, my phone lit up, followed by a banner across my phone screen, declaring that I had a text message from Neal. My heart felt like it jumped inside my chest because I knew that Neal was trying again to communicate with me. And at such a late hour. I sighed as I tapped the message banner to open his text, afraid to read it. I knew that it had already snagged Killian's attention. He peered down at my phone curiously, then let out a sigh, clearly deflated because of who it was.

My gaze flickered up to his face, but I reminded myself that I had done nothing to be ashamed of. This was on Neal. I slowed in my pace to read his message:

Hey Emma. I haven't heard from you, so I'm just checking on you. Are you ok? I know it's late and I shouldn't be texting you, but I'm thinking about you. I'm still at my place. If you want to stop by, I'm going to be awake for a while. I wanted to show you something too. I'd also like to see you and I'd also like to see that you're ok.

My mouth went slack at Neal's audacity in his message. I blinked in disbelief that he would be this bold, again, to invite me over. I wondered what he wanted to show me. That piqued my curiosity.

Killian asked evenly, "What did he say?"

I felt embarrassed to show him, but since he asked me, I replied, "He's…saying that he has something to show me. Wants to know that I'm okay." I sighed and looked up at Killian. His eyes were skeptical. He lifted an eyebrow. Amusement and disappointment crossed his face. He frowned, irritated. He smoothed over his face to appear indifferent.

He replied in a flat tone, "I'm sure he does."

When I realized what Killian meant, I glanced down at my phone and up at him again, analyzing his reaction. I sighed and said steadily, "I'm not engaging in this." I gave him a supportive look. "I don't know what's gotten into him, but I won't encourage him by answering."

He shook his head, clearly peeved. "He doesn't give up easily, does he?" he said as he pressed his lips together. His eyes tightened as he glanced at the phone eagerly and inquisitively. He looked me in the eyes for a moment and then down to the phone again. He dragged his gaze forward and continued to walk with me.

"Evidently not." I replied flatly, annoyed myself. I dragged my eyes up to him again. His jaw had tightened, showing a hint of his frustration. When he noticed I was staring at him, he smoothed his facial expression.

I said, "I know this looks bad and Neal is being persistent and bold, but like I said, it's nothing to worry about." I paused, wondering if Killian would respond. When he didn't, I added, "On second thought, maybe we shouldn't go over to his place. Even to investigate. It might make matters worse."

He clicked his tongue and replied, "I must admit he's getting on my bloody nerves. I can't believe he is trying to mess around with a man's wife." He glanced at me and added softly, "Would it be too much to ask to read his message to you?"

I slowed my steps and opened the text again and handed my phone to him. I felt like this would irk him even more, but I had nothing to hide, and after all, he was my husband, and I wouldn't keep the text from him.

Killian clenched his jaw and passed the phone back to my hand. He exhaled and said evenly, "He has no shame. He is awfully bold to try and lure you to him like this. Does he not realize that you would more than likely show me his message?"

Just then, the storm clouds rolled above us in the sky, like a blanket of black and gray. I could hear thunder rumbling, threatening to crack lightning at any second. The wind around us started to blow lightly, but enough to declare that a storm had arrived.

Killian looked over at me and then flicked his gaze upward to the thunderclouds hanging above us. Killian frowned and then he tightened his jaw and then let out a sigh. I stared at him until he looked at me. I caught his gaze and I said tenderly, "Killian? Is this worrying you in any way? Because I assure you that you don't need to be afraid of anything here. It doesn't matter what Neal says to me."

"I can't say I'm not irked by his attempts to snatch you away from me. He's really testing my patience, Swan." His tone was composed, but his face was taut with irascibility. His eyes held worry and vexation.

"I know. I'll tell him to stop this," I said reasonably. I stared at him sympathetically.

Killian seemed agitated. He glanced away and then looked heavenward. He met my eyes and said steadily, "He more than likely wants a reaction from you to connect with you."

I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and said patiently, "Killian, please don't worry. It doesn't matter what he wants." I held my phone in my palm again and gestured to it in a sharp flourish. "I've told him before, but I'll tell him again to leave me alone."

Killian pursed his lips together and shook his head. "I find it rather difficult not to be concerned that he is pursuing you. I am not worried about you, Swan. But this is rather disturbing. And I don't believe that you are telling him to desist in this game of conquest, is going to stop him." His expression was calm, but I could tell in his eyes that he was troubled.

I shrugged and lifted my hand. "Then what would you like me to do?" I asked rationally.

When he simply glanced around us, but didn't reply, I rolled my eyes around. I could hear the thunder roll again and lightning flashed in the distance amongst the dark-gray clouds above us. Another streak of lightning sliced in a jagged crack of electric light.

I furrowed my brow and dropped my gaze to Killian.

He lifted his hooked hand and dropped it as if he was surrendering. "I don't know, Love. I just know that he is disturbing us by attempting to break us up, and I only worry that he might succeed."

"But he's failing, Killian. He can't break us up," I replied soundly. I squeezed his hand lovingly. "And I know you're worried about it. Just please don't."

"I'm not. I'm just trying not to let his attempts to coax you to him, to disturb me, but I cannot help but want to tell him my bloody self to stop." His eyes filled with exasperation. He shook his head.

I replied evenly, "Fine, then you tell him." I didn't let my frustration boil into my voice.

"That may help." He replied. "Perhaps that is just what he needs to stop chasing my wife."

"I know you're worried. You know I can tell when you're lying by the way," I said tenderly, in an attempt to soothe his fears away. I sensed that I was failing to ease his worries.

He rolled his eyes upward.

Another crash of thunder boomed around us, followed by a flash of lightning across the dark storm clouds. Another crack of lightning pierced through the sky, and then another crash of thunder.

I furrowed my brow and looked at the overcast sky. "I think we should get in the cellar," I said logically, as I lifted my chin at the sky. "Think we will need to take this someplace safer. I don't like this."

Killian replied, "Aye. But I don't think there is anything further to discuss except that Neal needs a firm talking to."

I sighed. "Killian. You sound pissed. Like I said, don't let him worry you. I'm yours and you know it."

Killian and I began making our way toward the cellar, still holding hands.

Another streak of lightning illuminated the cloudy sky. There was a loud clap of thunder, this time right above us. We sped up and sprinted to the cellar door, now just about three yards away.

Killian glanced up at the sky and exhaled. He replied, "I'm not pissed at you, Love. I'm also pissed at him because he knows you are mine and that's what's disturbing me the most."

"I get it, I do. He's annoying. But like I said, you have no reason to worry about any of this. It really hurts me to see the look of fear in your eyes, and I want you to not have to feel that way," I said consolingly. I didn't want to argue with him, so I kept my tone serene and understanding.

"I truly can't help it, Swan." He raised his brow at me and then gave his head a dismissive shake. "You shouldn't allow that to bother you either. I'm not angry with you."

I said coolly, "I understand how you feel. But I'm just trying to reassure you that you need to stop worrying about him because he doesn't affect how I feel."

There was another loud crack and boom of thunder, and then a flash of lightning cutting through the clouds like a jagged knife. Then it started to rain. I ducked my head as we almost reached the cellar door in the middle of the prominent yard.

There was another deafening rumble of thunder, and then an ear-piercing screech, familiar and unsettling. I inhaled sharply and looked up into the black clouds. "No," I said.

"I recognize that shriek. Hurry, get inside!" Killian scrambled to pull me to the cellar door and dropped my hand to reach for the door. I got down to my knees and unhooked it and then yanked it open.

Above us, I saw the black form of the ominous beast. I hurried to hold the door open. Kilian placed his hand on my back as I descended the stair well of the lit underground room. I gave the Jabberwocky one more glance. It soared through the sky and let out another ear-splitting shriek. It seemed to be circling us, and now it was hovering lower.

"Think it saw us," I said, as I swiftly stepped down the steps and reached for the cellar door to assist him in pulling it down. He pulled it shut and I reached up to lock it. I could hear my parents below talking. Snow said, "Emma? Oh, thank God. Both of you made it."

I could see her down below the bottom of the stairwell.

I finished locking the cellar door. Killian pressed his lips together in a line and faced me. We were still at the upper half of the stairs. I replied to my mom, "It's storming out there in the worst way. Jabberwocky is outside."

David asked, "Did either of you get hurt?"

"No," I sighed in relief. I faced Killian. He was looking at me inquisitively.

I gave him a questioning once over. Kilian's brow furrowed. He reached to place his hand on my arm soothingly. "That was bloody close. I reckon it was following us."

I considered the fact that the Jabberwocky had appeared again. "I guess it must've been following us. Or heard us…arguing." I had said the last word just as I tried to stop it, feeling rather embarrassed that I had given our conversation a label of a fight, but then I realized something else.

Killian arched an eyebrow as his eyes searched my face. Concern crossed his handsome face. He whispered, "What is it?"

I sighed as a thought struck home. I widened my eyes. "The Jabberwocky." I paused as I gathered the occurrences and our arguments and the fact that it had appeared again.

"What of it? What is it, Swan?" he asked as his hand rubbed my arm tenderly.

I parted my lips in awe. "Are you afraid of us…not making it?"

He rolled his eyes upward like my comment was absurd. "Is this a trick question?"

I tilted my head to the side and replied calmly, "Just answer me." I spoke to him like I was talking to Hope, a warm, soft tone.

"Uh…maybe?" He cringed a little bit with humiliation. His face was etched with concern. He swallowed and asked carefully, "Why?"

I nodded heavily and said in surprise, "That's it."

"I'm sorry Love, but I know you can tell if I lie, so I just went with the truth."

"No, I understand. It's good you're honest."

"Then what are you talking about?"

I stared into his eyes. "I think that the Jabberwocky knew that."

His eyes rounded and widened. He was silent for a moment and then said in alarm and surprise, "You're saying that it senses our fear?"

I nodded. "I think it summons the Jabberwocky. Worry, fear,…maybe even negative feelings. But I notice it has happened twice tonight."

"Bloody hell." He sighed with a nod. "So, we summoned that beast by arguments and our fears of…breaking up?" he said. His eyes were intrigued.

I dipped my chin down once in affirmation. I had felt fear of losing my husband a lot recently, and it was clear he had too, especially tonight. "It can sense our fears. I think it feeds off of them," I replied earnestly, as I held his gaze meaningfully.

Playlist –

4 Seasons of Loneliness – Boyz II Men

Heart Half Empty – Ty Herndon & Stephanie Bentley

Only Love Can Break Your Heart – Jill Andrews

Lithium – Evanescence

What About Now – Daughty

Falls On Me – Fuel

Hearing Damage – Thom Yorke

Broken - Lifehouse