AN: Ruby and Robin are still here...for now. Also Baby Neal has been changed to Baby Leo because I really did not like that the baby was named after Neal.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not Once Upon A Time, or Disney, or any of the characters in this story.

It's been roughly three hours since the Spell of Shattered Sight was broken along with the destruction of the Snow Queen and everything seemed to be going well. None of the residents held their peers accountable for anything that's been said or done while the spell was in effect and any property damage was easily fixed by Gepetto and the dwarves.

Emma was currently in the loft relaxing with her parents, Killian, Regina, Henry, and Baby Leo trying to enjoy this peace for however long it lasted. Her mom and Regina were currently telling them about their fight in the Sheriff's station, their side comments and playful insults at each other having the whole table laughing.

Well, nearly the whole table. Killian was sitting by her side with the tightest smile she's ever seen on him. She suddenly remembered the odd feeling she got when he kissed her right before the Spell took effect.

"Is everything okay?" She whispered.

For a moment he just looked at her, his hold on her hand tightening just shy of being painful, but before long that tight smile was back.

"Aye love. Everything's fine." He assured her, "Have you thought more on that trip I told you about? The whole Charming family on a little sailing trip to celebrate yet another victory. The stars are particularly bright tonight. What do you say, Swan?"

He smiled winningly at her, but something wasn't right. He wasn't lying about the trip, he did ask her about that a few days ago, but he was lying about something. She just didn't know what.

Before she could say anything or ask him further about it, Henry shared his own battle story.

"I made Hook slip on some marbles." He laughed, "Mom, maybe we can get that video footage so I can watch Hook fall over and over again! Captain Hook Takes a Dive!"

The whole table laughed, even Killian cracked a smile as he remembered what happened.

"I think you've watched one too many Home Alone movies, Henry." Snow joked.

"But it worked. Even when Hook opened the door, I still won."

Killian smiled at Henry, "Aye, it did. Seems that's another thing you and your mother have in common Henry. You've both bested the oldest, most fearsome pirate in the Enchanted Forest."

Henry sat up straight, pride shining through his brown eyes. "I did, didn't I?"

"Wait." Regina frowned, "You got inside my office? How? I spelled it so that only Emma could open the door. Even Henry shouldn't have been able to open it from the inside."

With that, all eyes turned to Killian.

"Perhaps there was something wrong with the spell Your Majesty."

Instantly, Regina was fired up defending her spell.

"Nothing was wrong with my spell!"

"What were you even doing there, Hook? I thought you said you would be at the docks?" David questioned.

"I am a pirate mate. Accustomed to the fine art of escapology, I've never come across a form of restraint capable of holding me for long."

"Calm down, everyone," Snow said, "None of us were in our best behavior during the spell. It messed with our heads and brought out the darkest thoughts we had."

David seemed somewhat mollified but he still looked suspiciously at Killian, and for the first time in a long time, Emma shared his suspicion.

But Regina wasn't done yet, "That still doesn't explain how you were able to open the door."

OoOoO

Killian was panicking on the inside. He knew that Regina, and especially Emma, wouldn't believe whatever lie he came up with. Regina knew her magic too well and Emma had her superpower. He knew that only the truth could salvage his relationship with everyone in the room but Gold ordered him not to reveal anything about their deal.

Not for the first time, he cursed himself for ever thinking he could blackmail the Dark One. And again, for not telling the Charmings the truth about Gold when they found out Emma's plan to rid herself of her magic. It was just…

For two centuries, he's contented himself with no longer having a family. He told himself all he needed was his revenge, he just needed to kill the Dark One then he can happily die and reunite with Liam and Milah and his mother. His crew helped with his loneliness all those centuries ago, but no matter how close they all were and how much Killian was willing to do to keep them safe from Pan, there would always be a barrier between them. Because his crew were also there for both Liam and Milah. They all shared that loss and it made it harder sometimes for Killian to connect with them because they were walking reminders of all that he lost.

Then, he met Emma and Henry and David and Snow White and suddenly he had a family once more. One that didn't cause painful memories to resurface every time he looked at them. So, he swore he would protect them with everything he had, like he should have protected Liam and Milah. He worked hard to convince them he was a good man, to let him into their circle, and just the thought of the disappointment on their faces if they found out about his deal, caused his absent heart to seize and burn painfully.

So, he told himself he could save Emma and stop her from sacrificing her magic without letting anyone know what he'd done.

He's never been more wrong and for that he would lose the first real family he's had since Liam died in his arms.

Villains don't get happy endings.

"Hook?"

He closed his eyes, unable to look at Emma's eyes because he was scared that if she continued to push him, the Dark One's contingency plan would take effect and he would do anything to avoid that.

When the heroes start getting suspicious of you, when they start asking for the truth, I want you to let Captain Hook take over. Raise your hook and show them that you are still the same ruthless villain you once were. That the puppy dog pirate act you've displayed was just a ploy. Hurt them if you must.

So instead, he stood up.

"Perhaps it's best I leave now. I will see you all at Granny's."

"Not just yet, pirate!" Regina stood blocking his path. "You have some explaining to do and you're not leaving until we're satisfied."

He grit his teeth. He could feel the Dark One's voice starting to take over and it was taking everything in him to fight it off before he did something unforgivable.

He had to leave. Now!

Aggressively, he pushed passed the former Evil Queen and headed for the door. He knew there would be repercussions for his behavior. That they would likely never trust him again after this. But he'd rather suffer their distrust and hatred for the rest of his life than use his hook against any of them.

He reached for the door. Just one pull and he can get out of here, away from the most important people in his life so he could keep them safe. Safe from him and the darkness that will forever follow him.

And then her hand was on his left arm pulling him back.

"Hook! Stop! What are you doing?"

He could hear the plea in Emma's voice. How she practically begged him for an explanation that would excuse his actions.

"Nothing, love."

"Tell me the truth."

That was it.

The trigger word and all of a sudden, he felt the Dark One's voice invading his head, the demon's hand clutching his heart, and then darkness took over.

The change was evident to everyone in the room. Killian's back straightened, his lips curled up in an ugly sneer, and his eyes dilated as he succumbed to the darkness within. Even his hook seemed sharper and deadlier in Snow's living room.

The heroes watched as with a few subtle changes in his posture, Killian Jones, Emma's devoted suitor, was replaced by Captain Hook, scourge of the seven seas.

David's muscles tensed as he prepared to tackle the pirate at a moment's notice. Snow shifted closer to her daughter while Regina put herself between her son, Baby Leo, and the pirate that was suddenly the enemy again. But Emma, despite seeing the same thing her family did, never let go of her boyfriend's arm. If anything, she held him tighter than before.

"The truth my dear Swan is the same as it's always been." Hook said, "I'm Captain Hook of the pirate ship The Jolly Roger and I answer to no royal."

Emma ignored the cold way that he spoke to her and focused instead on what has become an absolute truth since Neverland: Killian Jones and Captain Hook are the same person and neither of them has ever been truly evil. Neither of them would hurt her.

"Hook, I don't know what's going on but this isn't you. Just tell me what's wrong and we'll fix it."

She looked into his eyes and watched as a flicker of something flashed through them before it was immediately snuffed out by the coldness.

Hook glared at her and grabbed her wrist that was holding onto him, gripping it so tight she knew there would be bruises.

"Perhaps love, the problem is that you never knew me at all."

With that, he yanked the savior's hand away from his arm and shoved her away from him into Snow's ready arms. Once his left arm was free, he raised his hook and poised to attack Emma Swan!

But before he could, something happened.

The flicker of something in his eyes was back and it was fiercer than before. His hook froze mid-strike and he staggered back, a pained but determined look upon his face.

"No." He ground out with all the force he could muster in his current state.

He felt the Dark One's voice getting louder and louder in his head. Commanding him to do as he was told and hurt Emma Swan, hurt anyone who asked for the truth. But he resisted, he fought the darkness with everything he had in him. He'd captured the old man, trapped the fairies, and made a show of trying to take Henry, but he would never hurt his Swan or anyone she cared about.

OoOoO

AN: !TRIGGER WARNING! Sort of graphic descriptions of torture ahead. Skip to the next OoOoO if you're uncomfortable with it.

OoOoO

Pain. Unimaginable pain coursed through his absent heart. It was being pounded, crushed, burned, sliced all at once. He screamed and screamed (was he screaming?). Each scream was a sword slicing at his throat, forcing its way out and ripping apart his insides.

NotEmmaNotEmmaNotEmma

The pain intensified and suddenly his brain was on fire. It was being squeezed between a giant's sweaty palms. It was being ripped apart, shredded, and stabbed over and over again. And then... something metallic on his lips. Blood. His blood?

NOTEMMANOTEMMANOTEMMA

As each second ticked by, the pain grew more and more intense as did the Dark One's voice in his head. Pain, fire, and blood were all he knew and he just wanted it all to stop. Why wouldn't it stop?!

STOOOOOOPPPPPP

But then he opened his eyes and saw her looking at him and his resolve strengthened.

He would not harm Emma Swan.

AN: Updates for this will be sporadic guys as I'm still studying while writing all this for.. well for fun and honestly as a stress relief. So yeah.

To my Shifted readers, fear not, I'm also still writing Shifted. I'm crazy like that. Studying med and writing multiple things simultaneously. Please be patient with me guys :D Anyway, ONS has been sitting in my laptop for ages so I thought to post it

And if you don't like my writing plot or style, feel free to let me know. All I ask is that you please write it as constructive criticism so I can learn and make adjustments :D