Killian ran headlong through the forest, the world was a blur of green and blue around him, his pounding heart all he could hear. All seven dwarfs trailing the teenager, their axes heavy, sleepy dragging his tool along the dirt, at the back of the pack.
"Slow down, dam pirate" Grumpy called out, between heaving breaths.
Killians focus was solely on putting one foot in front of the other, he would not stop until he found Emma. True love was the most powerful of forces in this realm or any other, it brought joy and pain, even rebirth, binding everything together in a delicate balance. Some could even feel this connection like an invisible string woven around their heart, tying them to another.
About twenty minutes ago Killian felt a change in it, as if someone had yanked on the string, abruptly stopping the flow of energy. The absence of it filled him with dread; so he ran, with each second that went by he became more desperate and reckless. Resulting in running straight into a small branch that snapped off a tree, leaving a scratch on his arm. This didn't slow him down, as the house came into view, running across the field he stopped just short of slamming into David.
"Killian, there you are" David sighed with a relieved but disapproving tone "Are you ok?"
Killian didn't reply, his eyes darting around anxiously as he searched for Emma but she was absent. Standing in the doorway was Regina and Snow White, in her hands a glowing heart.
"Is that?" Killian gasped breathlessly, seeing the thing he wanted to protect the most, in the hands of the dark one.
"Emma's heart" David said softly, leaning forwards he put a hand on Killians shoulder gently.
"Why has she taken it?" He glared accusingly pulling away from David, his sights set on Snow "Put it back" Killian's voice broke as he leant forwards.
"I can't" she looked up from the heart held delicately in her hand, eying him with suspicion "it's been cursed by the witch, while you were gone" her tone pointed.
"Why did you leave?" David's voice was uneasy as he stepped between the two.
"The mines, we'll need magic for the fight ahead" Killian looked away letting out a frustrated sigh, unable to focus on anything but Emma "where is she?" his voice croaked agonised.
"Inside, just wait" David's voice softened moving in front of the doorway "There's something else you need to know"
Killian pushed past David storming through the door, his feet crunched on the broken glass as he rushed into the bedroom. Emma knelt on the ground by the side of the bed, her hand clung onto her friends.
"Elsa" He stuttered, seeing his friend lying stiff over the cover's of the bed, hands at her sides with her eyes closed tight, the colour gone from her cheeks.
"It won't work" Emma voice was hollow
"What?" Killian stuttered out slowly walking over.
"True love's kiss" Emma's voice was void of emotion "I need my heart" she sniffled, holding back more tears.
Killian kneeled at her side, placing his arm around Emma, giving a comforting rub on her shoulder. Turning into him with a guilt ridden expression, she placed her hand around the nap of his neck, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"It's my fault, I broke the barrier spell, the witch got in, she cursed Elsa and took my heart and…" Emma's voice croaked her eyes wide in horror.
"Emma no, you didn't mean to, you couldn't have known" Killian said softly.
The usual comfort of his words, his touch had little effect. With the saviour's heart gone, the world was dull. Remembering how it felt when they held each other, but that's all it was now, a memory. The absence of their love caused Emma to gasp in despair, closing her eyes tight as more tears spilled out.
"I won't let them decide for me" Emma abruptly stood up, wiping her eyes and shaking her head before she walked out just as the Dwarfs filed in.
"Not again" Grumpy groaned glumly, removing his hat and holding it to his heart.
The dwarfs solemnly placed the axes against the wall before taking off their hats, silent as they approached Elsa, peacefully asleep. Emma marched past them back outside, fist clenched as her anger took over, while Killian quickly followed.
"You need to put it back in, now" Emma ordered, glaring at her mother who still held her heart in her hands.
"Emma, we don't know what it will do to you" David stepped between them, his eyes pleading as he played peacekeeper.
"I don't care, you have to let me save Elsa" Emma shook her head, unwilling to budge "Please I.."
"No," Snow stated unyieldingly, locking eyes with Emma.
Emma had never heard this tone from her before, no room for any discussion, even a reasonable bit of leanway. Regina watched the exchange closely, her eyes fearful, she pursed her lips.
"Let me see if I can remove the curse?" Regina reached out her hand for Emma's heart, but Snow White pulled away looking up to Regina, her eyes narrowed.
"Seriously, you don't trust me" Regina scoffed "after you ripped my own heart from my chest" she glared but the rage that usually burned inside her, was only a faint flicker.
"You can see it; you don't need to hold it" Snow retorted, holding Emma's heart up for her to inspect.
"Let me see it," Killian demanded, moving closer.
David's eyes were distant, while they huddled around Emma's heart, he stepped away taking his daughter's hand. Leading her around the corner and crouching down on two dwarf sized stools.
"Dad, what is it?" Emma asked, his presence bringing a smile to her face.
"I missed you" his voice broke and he placed a hand on the back of Emma's head pulling her closer, he wrapped his other arm around her.
"I missed you too" she said through a smile, closing her eyes she felt a calm wash over her safe in his arms.
The same devastated look in his eyes he had the moment she chose to go into the portal, what all seemed clear in the moment, was now more complicated. Emma had to go, to save her friends, at least that's what she believed her path was, and always would be. But it certainly wasn't an easy one, almost impossible for those who loved her to watch her go down it.
"I'm sorry" Emma stated as she pulled out of his embrace.
"Emma no, none of this is your fault" he shook his head, pride in his eyes.
"I've made so many mistakes" Emma's words croaked, it was barely audible.
He exhaled, turning he looked out to the valleys and mountains in the distance, a home he never thought he'd set eyes on again.
"Everybody makes mistakes, is what we do after that counts" turning to her he gently placed her hair behind her ear to see her face "we'll make it through this" he stated firmly like a promise.
"How can you be so optimistic," Emma scoffed "I mean evil witches, sleeping curses whatever, another Tuesday, right" her expression quickly shifted from frustrated to despairing "Mom's, not herself"
"Remember, all curses can be broken," David nodded, remaining hopeful he smiled at her.
Emma's concern did not waver as she looked into her father's encouraging eyes, sure they were hiding something.
"You think it will still work?" Emma looked down as she asked, fiddling with her hands.
"After everything me and your mother have faced, how can it not" David's voice stuttered revealing the truth. That he did have pause, after seeing his wife's cold distant eyes choking the life out of a man earlier today.
"You don't know everything, what she's done" Emma moved her hands to her sides, shaking her head.
"You can tell me" David's tone changed, his eyes wide as he prepared himself for the truth.
Emma looked around anxiously, listening out for the others, who were still around the corner deep in a tense discussion about her heart.
"We found a man," Emma paused looking into her father's eyes "She tortured, and left for dead" she stated in a whisper.
"Emma" He gasped "There must be an explanation" David nodded, as if convincing himself.
"He wasn't the only one, James…". Emma stammered out before he interrupted her.
"James my brother, he died a long time ago Emma" David shook his head dismissing her words.
"Well, he came back, he found me and for a moment I thought, I thought it was you, but then I woke up in a cell, chained to a wall" Emma spoke fast, the words getting tangled in her throat.
"Emma, what did he do to you?" David inhaled sharply, his eyes wide as guilt washed over him.
"It doesn't matter… he's dead, mom…" Emma stammered out, stopping abruptly upon hearing footsteps approaching.
"What are you two talking about?" Snow White asked, quietly making her way around the corner with a smile.
"Nothing" Emma's tone bitter and angry she swallowed, holding back her tears and looking away.
Snow's expression pained, aware of Emma's current animosity towards her, just as she was about to speak, the three of them turned. Their eyes spotting figures emerge from the trees, too far away to confirm who they were. Emma stood up, stepping forwards eager to find out who it was, but David stopped her, his arm outstretched protectively in front of his wife and daughter.
"What now?" David sighed, his jaw clenched.
Crossbow in hand was Granny, beside her Ingrid with a few more of Storybrooke's residents trailing just behind them, the Charmings eased slightly as their friends approached.