Unfinished Business, an once upon a time fanfic

Summary:

The scene we should have had in the underworld with Milah, Hook, and Emma after Emma went back to Save Killian. Enjoy.

Important Notes:

Title: Unfinished Business

Pairings: Killian Jones/Emma Swawn story with Milah and Rumple.

Warning: None. This is a clean story with no trigger warnings.

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They belong to the show and the fans of Once Upon a Time.

A/N: Appreciate you stopping by to read this story. Feedback and reviews are really important. Whether good or bad, please drop a note. Would love to know your thoughts. Thank you!

- One shot story.

Work Text:

Gold strode up Main Street with a woman with dark hair. When he told me to wait here while he went and found help, I expected him to join forces with one of our past enemies, powerful enough to help us defeat Hades and rescue Killian. The woman at his side was a bit of a mystery to me. She looked as confused and surprised at the fact that Gold was taking her to me.

"Why are you taking me to her?" The woman asked Gold in an accent, while she barely looked at me.

"Emma Swan, I want to introduce you to someone. You remember I was married once?" Gold asked.

I looked at him warily. "Yes."

Gold pointed from me to the mystery woman. "This is Milah. My ex-wife."

My brows shot up. Milah ? I swallowed. I remembered that name from the heart tattoo on Killian's wrist when we first met on the beanstalk. The haunted look in his eyes when I had asked who she was to him.

"Not just my ex, but you know…Hook's ex as well," Gold continued, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

I narrowed my eyes at his pure enjoyment in this moment. Gold was never one to not enjoy someone else's pain or discomfort for his own satisfaction.

Milah glanced between Gold and me with a confused expression. "What…what are you not telling me?" She asked Gold, though her eyes remained fixed on me.

"And Baelfire's mother," he added all giddy at me, ignoring Milah's question.

Oh, boy!

"Gold, I don't think now is the proper—"

Gold turned to Milah, whose puzzled expression turned to a narrow gaze at me. "Of course, Emma here, knew him as Neal. You see, Emma and your son were lovers. They even had a child together. Henry, who she ended up having in prison after their affair of course," he supplied.

I turned my angry, bewildered expression at Gold. I knew he harbored a lot of hate for Milah, always speaking about his love of pain he inflicted on her because what she had done to him and Neal. I suspected that Gold didn't care as much as he let on that Milah left him for Killian, it was the fact that she left Neal. A little hypocritical since he had done the very same thing.

"That's enough, Gold," I warned.

"Remember when I told you that you could help Hook?" Gold asked Milah.

I felt my body go cold. Milah was no dumb woman and by the look on her face, she already connected the dots on what Gold was about to say.

"Emma is the woman that your dear Hook now loves and has claimed his heart. By helping us, you are helping Hook be with her," Gold explained.

Milah blinked even though she had already suspected the news. She turned towards me. "So, let me get this straight. You've been with my former lover and my son?"

My mouth fell slightly open. "Technically, yes," I stammered.

Milah paled.

"One day, this will just be a happy laugh we will all have, won't we?" Gold asked, rhetorically with glee.

Milah and I narrowed our eyes at him. When she turned her attention to me, her scrutinizing gaze was far more intense. She was actually studying me. I didn't know if she was trying to determine who I was more worthy of—Neal or Killian.

I cleared my throat. "Can we focus on why we are here?" I prompted, trying to break the awkward silence.

"Yes, yes," said Gold. "To get back the man you…oops—" he slapped his palm to his forehead, "—the man that both of you love."

I growled. "Gold…"

"Well, we need Milah's help to do that. I thought a bit of honesty would help, considering the circumstances."

If we made it out of here, I was going to have a long and serious conversation with him about this.

Milah glared at me before she rolled her eyes and turned. "If we are going to do this, we need to hurry. Let's go."

We walked in silence as Gold and Milah led the way to the underground caves to break the spell Hades put there. Without it, I couldn't get to Killian and save him from Hades special torture he was inflicting.

I stayed in the shadows while Gold and Milah worked in tandem to bring down the spell. I was aware of Milah's glances my way every few seconds. I knew at some point the talk was going to have to happen. I mean I did have relationships with the two men she cared about.

"That's it. It's down," Gold announced. "Your work here is done, Milah."

She turned to me. Here we go . "I need a minute with Emma," she declared.

Gold shot me a smirk. "I'll just be over there," he said, pointing in the direction of the deeper part of the cave.

"Listen, Milah—"

She put a hand up to stop me mid sentence.

"I want to come with you," she said.

"With me? To…"

"Rescue Hook." She clarified as if the answer had been obvious to begin with.

I knew Killian loved me, but I couldn't help feel a little twinge of worry deep inside my chest at the thought of reuniting the man I loved more than anything with the woman he had spent two hundred years pining over and seeking revenge for.

Milah and Killian had a bond that I didn't know much about. I knew he loved her, I'd seen the ghosts of his despair when her name was brought up, or when Gold like to dig his knife deeper in to Killian's chest at losing her.

A part of me—a small part—wondered if given a chance, would Killian rather be with his first love. A first love that was hard to get over. I of all people should know, considering my feelings for Neal. While mine hadn't faded after a decade, centuries was even harder to compete with. While I would always love Neal, what I felt for Killian was stronger, more intense, and…a love that reached my deepest parts of my soul.

Inside, I gasped. I lost him without ever telling him that. Without ever telling him how much he truly meant to me. Even after I pushed him away time after time, I counted my lucky stars he always came back. The fear that gripped my heart told me Milah never rejected his love. Never pushed him away. By the look on her face, she made it easy for Killian to love her.

I frowned. She risked the wrath of Hades to help Killian and me. Knowing what Gold did to Milah, Killian never got a chance to say goodbye. I could give him that chance now. Or you could reunite their deep love, a sickening voice in my head whispered.

I shuddered.

"Alright," I said softly, the word tasted like acid in my mouth.

She studied me for a long moment. I did everything in my power to school my expression.

"I have my reasons," Milah offered.

I nodded. If I had to guess, a reason to win back the man we both love.

The sound of footsteps interrupted our conversation.

"All settled then?" Gold asked.

I stepped back and turned to Gold, well aware of Milah's gaze on me. "Milah is coming with us."

Gold's brows shot up in surprise, the corner of his mouth twitching. The jerk. "Now, there's a surprise."

Milah turned and stomped over to her ex-husband. "You may be the dark one, one who can see all, but you are still an idiot," she hissed.

It was my turn to grin.

Milah glanced over her shoulder. "The water we hear, is the river of lost souls. We should head this way."

We made our way down the cave until it opened to a large area broken into a waterway. A river of bright green water with whisps of white floating around. I stopped at the edge.

"Those are lost souls," Milah commented glancing down at the water. "Be careful not to fall in or you will spend eternity with them."

A part of me wondered if that was a forbidding warning on her end. Was that how she anticipated getting rid of me so she could take Killian and reclaim the love they once had?

Another shudder passed through me. It wasn't the cold or seeing the tortured look of the lost souls below.

"If you would please," Gold remarked impatiently, waving to the empty tied boat.

Gold held out his hand, helping Milah on first before me. I gave him a scathing look as I passed him and sat on the boat.

Gold rowed us down the river, careful not to disrupt the lost souls as we weaved our way through. Once we reached another clearing of a stone pathway, Gold steered the boat to a stop.

"Stay here. If I am correct, Hades will be down there, with your precious pirate. It will be good to see what we are working with," Gold explained.

As much as I hated to admit it, it was the right play. Milah and I nodded as he climbed out of the boat and made his way down the next cave.

"I don't know about you, but I would rather wait on the stone than in the river," I said awkwardly as I stood. The boat wobbled at my movement, but I steadied it as I grabbed onto the column and lifted myself out.

Milah followed. "So, you and Hook?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Together long?"

"Long enough."

I could tell Milah didn't appreciate my short answers. While she may be Neal's mother, my relationship with Killian is between him and me.

"Do you love him?" Milah asked, the curious note obvious in her tone.

"Killian?"

She lifted a questioning brow. "That's right you also were with my son."

I tried to ignore the judgmental note in her tone. I let out a long, slow exhale.

"Yes, I love Killian."

"What about my son? Did you love him too?"

I met her gaze head on. "Of course I loved him." I looked from her out into the river of lost souls. Floating in an endless circle, never to be at peace. "They are different kinds of love," I added.

"Right. Because of the affair and imprisonment that my ex mentioned."

I heard the snarkiness in her tone. It was clear that Milah didn't feel I was good enough for her son or for Killian. Even if she didn't really know me.

I sighed and turned back towards her.

"Was Baelfire your first love?" Milah asked.

"Yes."

"The first love is always hard to forget," she said wistfully.

In that moment, I didn't know if she was talking about Gold or Killian when it came to herself.

"Did my son love you?"

"Yes."

"Did you leave Baelfire for Hook?"

My patience was starting to wear thin at the entourage of questions being hurled my way, especially because I didn't know if Milah was just curious or hoping to gain additional information for her own advantage. Neal was still a painful part of my past that I rarely liked to speak about.

"If you must know, Neal left me. We saw each other again years later, but we never got the chance to really talk things through with all curses happening around us before he died."

Milah's brow lifted. "Curses?"

I exhaled. "Right. All this happened after you died." Milah stared at me expectedly. "I'm the Savior."

For a moment I thought Milah may break out in laughter before a puzzled expression formed on her facial features. "The Savior?"

"I am the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, a product of true love." I sighed exasperated when her confusion deepened. "It's a long story, but the short version, is the Evil Queen casted, a curse to bring everyone from the enchanted forest here without their memories. Well, a version of this place that is not in the underworld. I was the one who broke the curse and gave everyone their memories back," I clarified even though I was sure I confused her more.

Milah snorted. "Hook did always like the challenge to find the rarest of treasures."

I gritted my teeth. I didn't know how I liked being compared to some sort of treasure. What Killian and I meant to each other was far more valuable than any sort of piece of gold. I didn't care who Milah was, I wasn't going to let her cheapen what we were together.

"And now?" Milah prompted.

"Now, what?"

"Your feelings for both of the men I loved?" she spelled out.

"Look," I sighed, trying to keep my annoyance from my response. "I will always love Neal. He gave me one of my greatest treasures. Our son."

"But…"

I met her gaze head on. " I love Killian more than anything."

Milah studied me again. "And, he you?"

I thought about all of our times together, the way he looked at me, protected me, his smile, and the way he held me in his arms. I thought about each of our caresses, his kisses, the way his hand threaded through my hair as he pulled me close into his embrace. I thought about our adventures together. Our first kiss that, if I admitted to myself, awakened something in me I never thought I would feel in my life with my past demons. I hated that him dying took me to see that he is my home. Because he was the one person I missed the most. A smile crept on my face.

Milah frowned.

"That's what he tells me," I whispered.

Milah raised her chin, her eyes squinting like a cat. "You don't seem certain."

I folded my arms over my chest. "What about you?" I retorted.

Her eyes opened wide. "What about me?"

"You wanted to come here because you said you had your reasons. Is that Killian?"

Her lips pressed together. "When you have been here as long as I have, you have nothing but time to think about your mistakes. Regrets."

I swallowed slowly. Her response wasn't making me feel any better. I know Milah couldn't help the fact that Gold killed her in a cruel way. The fact that she remained here, meant she had unfinished business, which made me wondered if that unfinished business was hope to reunite with Killian here in the underworld. What if me bringing them together meant it would take Killian away from me forever?

Footsteps stopped our conversation short.

Milah and I turned to see Gold enter through the opening.

"I found the pirate," he announced.

I stepped forward in a rush. "Is he ok?" I asked.

Milah joined my side an equally worried look on her expression.

"He lives…for now," he replied looking between the two of us. "He won't if we don't go in there and get him before Hades returns to finish him off."

I wasn't going to wait for that. I took off down the cave, aware Gold wasn't following. I heard his low, hushed voice behind me.

"It's best you wait here, dearie," Gold suggested.

"I am not your wife to command anymore," Milah replied sourly.

Gold let out a bitter laugh. "You never listened to me anyway. I am suggesting you let Emma handle this. It's obviously been a while since the Captain has seen you. Our time is limited and we need to make a quick escape."

I was grateful for Gold for that at least. I rushed down the cave hallway, until I reached another opening.

There were small walkways in four different directions that all met at a single point in the middle of the room. A large circle was at the center, opening right into the lost river of souls.

Above the circle was Killian. Bloody, beaten, and draped in chains, as his body jerked as the pulley system lowered him closer into the river.

"Killian!"

He barely stirred at the sound of my voice.

I raced forward, careful to slow my pace at the narrow walkway. I heard the pulley lower him again, the tip of his shoes almost touching the water of the river. If that happened, the lost souls would cry out and reach for him to join them.

I made it to the platform and reached for the chains around him. Using all my strength, I pulled him away from the opening, grabbing the material of his pants to lift his legs over to the solid ground, and laid him carefully on the stone floor.

"Killian," I whispered, the back of my hand resting against his burning forehead.

I made quick work of freeing him from his chains, and pulled him to my lap.

"Killian, can you hear me?" I asked, water filling the back of my eyes.

"Killian, please come back to me," I begged.

He stirred, his eyes still closed.

"Emma?" he whispered, his voice filled with disbelief.

"I'm here," I confirmed. "I'm here."

His eyes blinked open. The softest most memorizing blue eyes stared back of me.

"Swan?"

I bent down and kissed his forehead. "Yes."

He frowned. "What are you doing here?" His tone anxious, worried, and a little angry.

"I came to rescue you."

He pressed his lips into a thin line. An action I could see that hurt him.

"I told you to let me go. You can't be here. If Hades…"

"I told you, I can't let you go. I'm here to rescue you. Besides, you know I never listen to you," I laughed through a tear slipping down my cheek.

"Aye, love. You are quite impossible," he managed through a weak smile.

I kissed him on the forehead again. "And you love me for it." I shifted my position so I could help him up. "Come on, we have to get out of here before Hades realizes you are missing."

Killian winced. "Aye."

I grabbed hold of his arm, using my strength so he could lean on me as we stood and started back towards the pathway. Once we made it to the cave opening, Killian was panting, resting his back against the opening to catch his breath. His hand came to rest over his stomach where he seemed to be in the most pain. He caught me looking.

"You aren't exactly catching me at my best, Swan," he gritted through the pain.

I stepped forward. He really thought his appearance, the fact that he was injured as bad as he was, would make me think—no love him—any less than I did. I know exactly what Hades was capable of doing based on how long we had been here. Killian's strength was the reason he had survived. A lesser person would have perished long ago.

My hand reached for his chin, and gently pulled it upwards to meet my gaze. "No one, not even Hades could make you any less attractive in my eyes." I wanted—no needed—him to understand.

His eyes softened.

I smiled. "Hold still," I ordered.

I called forth my power, my hand swiping down his face, hovering over his chest until I could hear the loud thumping of his heart, and over his stomach. When I was done, I pulled it back and got a good look at my handiwork.

My Killian.

"There," I declared. "My dashing pirate."

His eyes filled with desire and love. His hook reached for my arm, pulling me towards him, his other arm wrapping around me as his lips crashed down on my own. I wanted to stand there all day and kiss him, but we weren't out of danger yet.

I pulled back and rested my forehead against his, panting.

"Thanks, love."

I leaned back and stared up at him. "Always." I stepped back, grabbed hold of his hand and threaded our fingers together. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

"Aye. No need to tell me twice."

We rushed down the remaining pathway. Just as we reached the entry way, my steps slowed. In my haste to save him and get out of here, I almost forgot about Gold and Milah waiting for us.

Killian tugged at my hand, not understanding the reason for my hesitation, just as we reached the opening…where Gold and Milah waited expectantly.

"Hook?"

Killian froze.

"Milah?"

They stood there staring at each other as if after all of these years, they were both surprised that this moment was before them.

I tried to suppress the panic, jealously, and doubt stirring low in my gut.

I unclasped my hand from his. As much as I didn't want to, he deserved a minute to process his feelings and what he saw before him. I looked at Killian and then Milah at their staring contest, before looking at Gold with the hint of a smirk reaching his eyes.

I scowled.

"Come on, Gold, let's get the boat ready."

"It really is you," Milah exhaled in relief as she stepped closer to him.

I tried to avert my gaze as I grabbed the rope holding our boat on the stone column, and slowly began to bunch it up into a circle.

Killian shook off his initial surprise. "Aye."

"Don't worry Swan, I don't think they will kiss and embrace while you are here," Gold jested.

I narrowed my eyes. "You forget, I was a dark one once too," I threatened.

Gold's lip twitched. "Is the Savior intending violence?"

"Don't push me Gold," I warned.

"It's good to see you," Milah breathed.

"I hate to break up this heartwarming reunion, but we really must get out of here," Gold shouted.

Killian looked past Milah at me. I turned away, with the rope in my hand and climbed into the boat, while Gold held it steady and took a seat.

Milah turned and followed suit, looking back at Killian, who extended his hook for her to take as she climbed into the boat and sat across from me. Killian climbed into next and took the position next to me, using his hook to stab into the stone until Gold climbed in and sat down next to Milah. Killian and Gold pushed away from the ledge as we made our way back out.

The boat ride was filled with silence. It was tough sitting next to the man I loved with every fiber and being, and yet in the same moment feeling so far away.

Milah's eyes never left Killian's unless she glanced briefly at me. I swept the surroundings around us for any threat instead of focusing on the fact that Milah and Killian stared at each other in surprise.

After what felt like an eternity, our boat docked on the other side. I was the first to jump out and secure the rope.

Gold and I led the way, until we were out of the caves, underground, and back on Main Street.

"I told my parents we would meet back at Granny's," I informed.

Killian shook his head. "Your parents are here?"

"As well as Regina and Robin," Gold piped in impatiently.

Killian and I looked at each other, before I turned and started our way towards Granny's. Luckily, it wasn't far before we walked in to the quiet space. My parents, Regina, and Robin had yet to arrive.

Gold looked at the three of us with a bit of a scowl and amusement. "I think I am going to take a quick walk and see what I can find." He turned to Milah. "Milah," he acknowledged bitterly.

"Rumple," she replied clipped.

That was about as civil as a goodbye we could hope from them.

I glanced between the two, knowing that despite how much I dreaded this moment, there was no way around it.

"I'll give you both some space to talk," I declared.

"Emma?" Killian grabbed my arm to stop me, his back to Milah.

I did my best to offer a reassuring smile, before I pulled my arm from his grasp. "It's ok," I said.

I looked past his shoulder at Milah's eager gaze. My heart beated loudly in my chest, that I could hear it clearly in my ears. I loved him, and if I lost him…I didn't want to think about that. He deserved the truth.

"Milah risked her life and was the only reason we were able to rescue you."

I stepped back and did a terrible job at hiding my emotions. Killian watched me as I turned and walked down the hallway of Granny's restaurant.

I know I should give them their fully privacy, but I couldn't. A part of me needed to hear everything. I stopped at the first turn towards the bathrooms and pay phone, my back against the wall. I leaned over, able to see Milah and Killian as they stood and faced each other.

Killian rubbed the back of his neck. "Milah, thank you. For your help in rescuing me."

Milah smiled. "You're welcome, my Captain."

My Captain.

"It's been a while hasn't it," she said. "A couple hundred of years so I am told."

"Aye." I couldn't see Killian, but I could hear the smile in his response.

"Are…are you well?" she asked.

His head bobbled up and down. "Outside of dying, yeah."

Milah grinned. "How did you die? Was it Rumple?"

"No. Believe it or not, I died a hero."

Milah's smile grew wider. "I always knew you were. You may have been a pirate, but we both knew long before that, your compass always pointed due north."

"Listen, Milah—"

Milah raised a hand to stop him.

"I know we don't have much time. Trust me, I understand the awkwardness of the situation. It's not everyday that you find out your former lover replaced you with the same woman who was also with her son."

Killian's posture straightened.

Milah exhaled. "I told Emma that I had my reasons for saving you. There are a few things I needed to say."

I inhaled a long breath, my hand flying to my heart.

"I have had a lot of time—nothing but time exactly—to think about all the mistakes and regrets in my life."

"Aye. I know what you mean," Killian agreed, his voice pained.

Milah licked her lips. "While Rumple is still an ass, he was kind enough to tell me about Baelfire's passing."

Killian nodded, and stepped closer. "Your boy was a hero, Milah. He saved everyone."

She smiled. "He was always a good boy."

"He grew into a good man. I was fortunate I got to spend time with him as a boy and as a man. He loved you, Milah. If he could forgive the dark one—after learning what he had done to you—you have to know he forgave you. I made sure he knew your love for him."

Miah gave him a watery smile, reaching for his hand. "Thank you, Hook. I am so glad to know he had you looking out for him." She sniffled. "I have made as much peace with that as I can. I look forward to an opportunity to see him one day."

Killian tilted his head to the side and I turned on my stomach to peek around the wall.

"Then what keeps you here, Milah?"

She inhaled deeply and then exhaled. "You."

Killian lowered his head. "Milah…"

"You deserve the truth," Milah interjected.

I didn't like the way that Milah held onto his hand, squeezing it as she spoke her next words.

"I realized that my unfinished business with you is because I haven't been completely honest with you. Honest with myself," she began, her eyes sad.

"Whatever it is, Milah. Just say it."

"I was a selfish person, Hook. I got married young, to man I never loved. I never wanted to live in a small village, and despite the fact that I loved Baelfire with everything, I didn't really want kids."

I could tell how hard it was for her to lay her deepest and darkest secrets out into the open.

Killian cleared his throat. "You told me this before," he reminded her.

"Yes, well, what I need you to know is that I was selfish because at the time, all I could think about was finding a way to escape. Then, you came along. You were dashing, carefree, and offered an opportunity at escaping a life that was slowing killing me." She stepped closer and I stilled. They were far too close for my comfort. All it would take was either one of them to lean in and they would be in a position to kiss each other.

"You were so good to me. So patient. you gave me everything I asked for," she remarked wistfully.

"I would have, I loved you Milah," he confirmed.

I closed my eyes, the words stinging worse than I anticipated.

"I know." Milah lowered her head. "But…as I look back, I think I was more in love with the idea of it all. The freedom."

Killian stepped back, as he pulled his hand from Milah.

"Wait," Milah interjected hastily. "I did care for you, Hook. I did grow to love you."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I, don't understand…"

"I'm not doing a good job of being clear, am I?" she laughed nervously.

I heard the harshness in Killian's tone. "Then be clear, Milah."

"How can a selfish person truly give everything about themselves to another?" Killian let out a frustrated sigh. "It's why I wanted to trade the bean for your life to Rumple. I needed to pay my debt. It was the greatest gift of love I could show to you for everything you had done for me. I brought nothing but pain to your life because of Rumple. You deserved better than dying at the hands of the dark one because of my mistakes."

"So, what you are telling me is that you and me were a mistake?" he asked in frustration.

Milah stepped forward again to close the distance. "No, don't you see," she pressed, her hand on his forearm so he would face her. "You taught me what it was like to love someone more than themselves. To put someone ahead of their own wants and wishes. If we had more time, if I had known what I did in that moment when Rumple ripped out my heart…"

"You would have loved me," Killian guessed.

"I did love you," she corrected. She grabbed his leather jacket and forced him to look at her. "But as I sat here with Emma and watched the two of you, I realized that you and I never had what you two have," she observed. "You deserve that kind of love."

"Aye," he agreed.

"Do you love her?" Milah asked.

I leaned in intently for the answer.

"Aye, very much."

A genuine smile crossed Milah's lips. "I thought so. I'm happy for you." Milah's hand rested on Killian's chest. "I heard how you spent all this time seeking vengeance for my death. Do you want to know what I think?"

Killian let out a breath. "What?"

"I think you spent so long fighting for the vengeance because it was easier to feel that than know that we were never destined to be. Our time would have ended eventually, because I was incapable of that kind of love. Not like you and Emma clearly have. You know that to be true."

The muscle in Killian's jaw twitched. "Aye."

Milah smiled. "I can't say I would ever cross into the underworld for someone I loved." She smiled sadly. "I think we both needed this. To finally put the past behind us."

Granny's walls rattled, before a bright light showed outside of the door. Milah, Killian, and I all looked in that direction. Milah sniffled and let out a laugh of relief.

Killian glanced from outside back to Milah. "It appears your unfinished business is complete."

Milah titled her head to the side and smiled at him. Her right hand came up to rest on his cheek, before she leaned in and placed a long, slow kiss on his left cheek.

"Thank you, my Captain. For everything."

He took her hand from his face, and placed a kiss on the top of her hand before he stepped up. "You deserve to be at peace, Milah."

"I wish you all the happiness with Emma. I can see how good she is for you."

He nodded. "Goodbye, Milah."

She smiled, before stepping back and turning towards the door. As she opened the door to Granny's, the light grew brighter making all of us wince. I stepped outside of the hallway and back into the doorway.

Milah looked at Killian with a smile, before she glanced past him and at me with a nod.

"Goodbye," she said, before she walked out the door, into the bright light. We watched until the light fully engulfed her and then disappeared.

The room returned to silence.

"Killian?" I said hesitantly.

He turned around, his eyes brightening at seeing me.

"Are—are you ok?"

He stepped forward and smiled. "Of course, love. Why?"

It was wrong to listen in to their private moment and goodbye.

"Milah is gone, and I…"

He angled his head to the side as his gaze swept over me. "You really thought I would choose her over you?"

My eyes fell to the floor unable to quiet the doubt. "It's not everyday that the woman you loved for over two-hundred years comes walking back into your life."

Killian rested his hand on my arm, pulling me to him. "I told you once before, love, you—you are my happy ending."

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, my heart leaping for joy. "Good." I smiled when he laughed at my similar comment I uttered when he told me there wouldn't be a day that would go by that he wouldn't think about me after a curse would take our memories away.

Killian pulled me closer closing all space and I went willingly into his arms. His hand came up to hold my cheek tenderly. "Emma, you're everything to me. I know I told you to let me go, but when you saved me, as mad as I was for your safety, I was relieved. Relieved because I am not done with you yet. I don't want weeks or months. I want forever with you. I will do whatever I bloody have to get the heck out of here and come home with you."

A happy tear slipped down my cheek. Killian swiped it away with his thumb.

"Does that scare you, love?" he asked.

I shook my head, and cupped both sides of his cheeks. "No, Killian." I swallowed, finally ready to lay my entire heart out there. "You're my home," I admitted the vulnerability evident in my voice. "I didn't realize how much, until you were gone. Until I missed you."

His eyes shined brightly. He remembered our conversation before we had been swept up in the portal that took us back in time. When I had thought about leaving Storybook because I hadn't found that feeling when leaving and missing it. My parents were a large part of it, but Killian—it didn't matter where we were, as long as I was with him, I was home. I was complete. I finally understood the depths of the love that my parents shared. I understood how my mother would've made the same sacrifice back in Neverland when we thought my dad would never be able to come home with us.

Killian leaned in, his lips just hovering above mine. "I love you, Emma Swan."

His lips pressed against mine sweetly and softly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself against him, deepening the kiss. Our kiss took a more urgent undertone considering all of the obstacles and challenges we faced—and still faced ahead. I moaned into his embrace, his hand threading into my hair and pulling me closer if that was even possible.

When we finally broke for air, I rested my forehead against his.

"There is no getting rid of me, love."

I smiled. "Good," I repeated. I pulled back slightly to see his big grin. "I love you, Killian."

"Aye, me too, love."

He wrapped me in his arms, his chin resting on top of my head while we waited for everyone else.

My forever home.

The End.