A/N;Hi everyone! Sorry again for the delayed update. Life has been crazy, and I will do my best to post more regulary. I appreciate all the love and support! And now, back to our story- BS
Chapter 13-Recon
It was close to three in the morning when Killian heard banging on the front door. As the banging persisted, Killian grabbed his pistol off the dresser and headed down the stairs quietly. With everything going on, David didn't want Killian to be home alone without protection. As Killian slowly moved the curtain to the side of the window to look out. Killian's shoulders relaxed as he saw Robin standing outside his door.
"I know the late hour mate, I apologize." Robin began as Killian opened the door. "Did I wake you."
Killian shook his head, "No, I wasn't really sleeping."
"Aye, I can imagine." Robin nodded, following Killian to the kitchen. He sat down at the table as Killian poured them each a drink. They sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying their rum.
"So, what brings you here at the witching hour mate?"
Robin knocked back the rest of his drink. "I overheard a conversation from Walsh and one of his goons that I think you needed to hear about."
Killians knuckles went white around his glass, "Go on."
Robin started to quickly recap the story of how Walsh came in and so Robin went to work in the store room to be in better ear shot. He then told of the conversation, what he overheard, and most importantly what he heard of disposing of Emma. Darkness crossed Killian's face as he gripped his glass. Killian's stare was dark and dangerous, never breaking as he stared at the table.
"Killian?" Robin asked quietly, "What are you thinking about mate?"
"That we need to find Emma." Killian growled, "Now."
"Killian!" Emma woke screaming. Her cries echoed in the cave bouncing off the walls and filling the silence for a moment, then nothing. She sat up as much as she could and leaned her head against the wall once again. The dream was so vivid, so real... It was like she was like a fly on the wall and there was nothing she could do to stop Walsh and Zelena from killing Killian. She was still stuck in this cave somewhere in the northern woods and her pirate had no idea. Leaning her head back against the wall once again, Emma took a deep breath and stared into the blackness. She just wanted to go home.
A small light started flashing out of the corner of her eye. Emma lifted her head and looked to the left of her on the floor where she sat. One of the goods dropped their phone. She scrambled over and grabbed it. It was a cheap flip phone, most likely a burner phone. The nice thing about this phone was the lack of a front screen showed that it was 3:30 in the morning. Emma opened the phone to check the service and the battery, both were at one bar. She started to dial, this one call had to count and she called the one person she knew would answer.
Robin and Killian were still sitting at the table sharing the rum in companionable silence. Robin knew his best friend didn't necessarily need to talk, but just needed someone there. Killian's phone started to light up and buzz across the table.
"Who in the bloody hell?" Killian began.
"No idea mate." Robin finished and neither of them recognized the number.
Killian shrugged and answered the phone on speaker, "Hello?"
"I had a feeling you wouldn't be sleeping." the female voice responded.
Killian shot a look at Robin across the table, eyes wide. He knew exactly who this was, taking a deep breath he finally responded, "Emma?"
"Hey pirate." She sounded exhausted behind the smile that crept into her voice.
"Bloody hell Swan! Are you OK? Where are you? How are you calling me? Why-"
"Killian, slow down, I need you to shut up and listen OK?"
He gulped hard. "Aye love, go on."
"I don't have a lot of time, this phone has a low battery. I'm pretty beat up but overall OK." He gripped the glass again and his jaw went tight. "I know that look you have babe, stop grinding your teeth. I am somewhere in a cave in the north woods. I'm not sure which one, all I can tell is there are a lot of stalactites." Emma took a deep breath, "Killian I need you to do something for me."
"Aye love, anything."
"Relay this information to my father. But you can't come look for me Killian."
"The bloody hell I can't Emma!"
"Killian if they find you they will kill you!"
"If you don't let them find me they will kill you! Robin overheard Walsh tonight Swan, I believe how he worded it was to dispose of the problem."
"Better me than you, Pirate. Listen, the phone is beeping, it's dying. I love you babe. I-".
The line went dead.
Killian hung up his phone and looked at the time. 3:50 am.
"Do you think the sheriff would object to a wake up call at 4:00 in the morning?" Robin asked.
"When it comes to Emma, not a chance." Killian jumped up from the table and ran upstairs to get dressed. He was going to get his girl, or he would die trying.
Robin and Killian showed up to the Nolans' at 4:15 am. He felt bad waking him up at the early hour but this was something that couldn't wait. Before he could knock on the door, it opened with a tired Mary Margret standing behind it holding a cup of coffee.
"Good morning Milady." Killian said. "I apologize for the early hour."
"Good morning boys. Coffee is in the kitchen." she stepped to the side beckoning them in. "I will go get David up. I assume this is important."
"Aye." Robin answered.
"Killian, how much sleep have you gotten?" Mary Margret asked sternly.
"A few hours milady."
"So has David. Get yourself some coffee, we'll be right back down."
"Aye, thank you."
Killian and Robin helped themselves to a mug of coffee and sat at the table in silence. Emma's call was reeling in his head. Of course, his swan would find a way to get a hold of him and warn him of everything Walsh was planning. The woman never ceased to amaze him.
"Killian," Robin started, breaking him from his thoughts. "We will get her back."
Killian gave his friend a tight lipped smile and took another drink of his coffee. He would he get her back or he would die trying.
A few moments later David came down the stairs dressed and was slipping his gun holster on. "Good Morning Boys."
"Good morning Dave." Killian responded, standing from his spot at the table. "I apologize for the early intrusion."
David put his hand up and silenced Killian, "I know you wouldn't be here if it wasn't important." David grabbed his mug off of the counter and pulled out a chair at the table. "Fill me in."
Robin started with what he overheard and Killian finished with the phone call from Emma, and her explaining her location. However he left out the part of her asking him to stay behind, because there was no bloody way that was going to happen. David was quiet, taking notes on what they were relaying and sipping on his coffee. The sheriff's jaw was tight and the conversation of his daughter, and worry furrowed his brow. Emma was his second born, but they had a very special bond. This was his baby girl that was being threatened, and it did not sit well with him.
"The north woods," David finally spoke up. "At least that is a starting point."
"Aye. But which cave do we start with?" Killian asked. "There are at least 20 that are large enough to stand in."
"We can put together a team." Robin commented. "We'll divide and conquer the caves but we have to have some signal when we find the right one."
"Something silent."
"We have some laser signals at the station." David interrupted. " they read up to at least a mile. I know it's old fashion but then again so am I."
"Beats smoke signals Dave." Killian said with a smirk
The plan was in place. David, Robin, Killian and Jefferson would approach the caves this morning. David and Robin would circle to the left while Killian and Jefferon would circle to the right. Once the correct cave was found, one group would signal the other.
"What's the plan once we find the cave Dave?" Robin asked as the group covered the plan.
"If they are in there, I can approach them with their warrants for arrest. If they are not, then we need to have two people stand guard at the edge of the cave, and two find Emma, Either way finding Emma and getting her out safely is our goal." Both men nodded and David stood taking a large sip of his coffee. "Now You two," David continued, pointing at Robin and Killian " There are two couches in the den, I suggest you both go get a power nap in before this rescue mission."
Robin and Killian nodded in unison, "Aye sir."
"Good morning Princess" Zelena sneered.
Emma opened one eye and saw the sun peeking over the horizon. It had to be early, around 6:45 in the morning. She barely slept on the hard floor, with Killian in her dreams. Walsh and one of the goons sat her up against the wall. Emma's eyes turned dark green with fury as she stared daggers at Zelena.
"We will try this again." Zelena spat. "Good Morning Princess."
Emma lifted her chin defiantly and still remained silent.
"Well aren't we brave this morning." She snickered. "Sleep well?" Nothing left Emma's lips. " You are going to try my patience girl."
"Emma," Walshed commented slowly, "Answer her, it'll only get worse if you don't." Emma lowered her chin at Zelena and continued to stare daggers at her.
"We don't have time for this." Zelena snapped. "Where is your precious criminal?"
Emma let out a sarcastic laugh, "We went over this last night sis, I will never tell you where he is."
CRACK! Zelena's hand crossed Emma's cheek. Emma spat blood and glared back up at Zelena. "That's the best you got?" She sneered. "You can hit me, break me or bruise me. I don't care what you do. Try your fucking worst but I will never tell you where he is."
Zelena gave Emma a sinister glare, "Oh we will just see about that." Zelena flipped open her phone and dialed a number. Emma looked confused, who the hell was she calling?
"Hello Graham darling?" She cooed. "It's Zelena."