Let it go.I'm Defying Gravity

Passing by the library, Killian hesitantly broke the silence. “How do you think my brother and Belle got on?”

“How? Or Where?” Eyes widening and cheeks pinking, Emma hadn’t intended for the dirty innuendo to slip out.

Killian didn’t miss a beat. After a full-chested laugh he waggled his brows at her, quipping, “Indeed. I imagine they left the circulation desk, the conference table, and various stacks scandalized.”

“Are you suggesting my friend is a tramp?” Emma challenged in an amused and mock-affronted tone.

“I would never dream of besmirching Miss French’s good name,” Killian replied. “The only harlot in this scenario is my brother. Don’t let the self-righteousness fool you, love.”

Another laugh was not the only thing they shared as Killian pulled up to her house. Soft smiles and a gaze that spoke volumes passed between them. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Emma wet her lips and inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm her racing heart. The way Killian’s eyes fell to her mouth, his Adam’s apple bobbing in response to her tongue’s action was not helping matters.

“We should, um…”

“Aye. We ought to…”

Awkwardly, they exited the car and headed inside.

“I’ll tell Liam of our meeting with Regina and get an update from him if you’d like to check-in with Neal and--”

“Killian? Emma?” Liam’s voice called out from upstairs. “You better get up here.”

Sharing a brief, worried glance, they swiftly headed up the stairs, the urgency in Liam’s tone adding haste to their steps.

Emma expected to find him in the guest room, and was therefore surprised to see him hovering at her bedroom’s doorway.

“What is it, brother?” Killian inquired from behind her.

Peering around the elder Jones, Emma’s brows scrunched tightly together. “Neal? What’s going--”

“That isn’t Neal.”

The quiet warning underpinning his words caused the hairs at the back of her neck to raise. Killian rushed forward to stand next to his brother, partially blocking her from the room.

Peering over the brothers’ shoulders, she looked at the man standing calmly in the middle of her bedroom and asked, “What do you mean that isn’t Neal?”

Murmuring under his breath, Liam answered, “He’s possessed by a spirit. I’m just not sure which spirit.”

“Emma, did you see Regina? Did you speak with her?” Neal - or rather, Not Neal - took a step forward with an air of desperation; an action that had the Jones brothers even more guarded than before.

“I, uh…”

“Please,” he said, keeping his focus on Emma. “I know I shouldn’t have, but taking over your boyfriend’s body was the easiest way for us to communicate. I need to know if you saw her. What did she say?”

“Are we to assume you are Daniel?” Killian inquired, inching into the room while still barring Emma from entering.

“Of course I’m Daniel,” Not Neal replied, urgently. “But we don’t have much time. I don’t know how much longer I can keep hold.”

“Why are you only now using this tactic?” Liam also stepped into the room, positioning himself a few feet to Killian’s left. “You haven’t used possession before.”

“I didn’t know I could,” Not Neal answered. “And even if I had, I don’t think I would have been strong enough before.”

“So, what’s changed?” Killian asked, his arm slightly extended from his body in an effort to signal her to stay behind him when she crossed the threshold into the room.

“Hope,” Not Neal exhaled. “Ever since you found those letters and understood what I needed you to do, hope began to strengthen me.”

“And you discovered you could possess the living how?”

Not Neal waved off Liam’s question and turned his attention towards Emma once more. “There’s no time for me to explain. I need to know about Regina. Please, tell me what happened before the other one can interfere and overpower me again.”

“Who is the other spirit? Who is keeping you subdued?”

“I don’t want to talk about her.” Agitation and impatience slipped through the genial facade and with an edge of menace, Not Neal demanded, “Tell me what you told Regina and what she said.”

Killian shifted his posture and shot a knowing glance at his brother before stating, “You’re not Daniel. Who are you?”

“I am Daniel!” the spirit protested, moving to close the gap between them all. “Emma, you have to believe me. You’re the only one who--”

Both brothers countered Not Neal’s approach, shielding her from the spirit’s advance.

“You don’t speak to her.” Killian’s lowered tone and threatening timbre had the fine hairs of Emma’s body raising in an altogether different way than it had been. “I’m the one you’re going to deal with. Tell me who you are.”

Not Neal’s entire demeanor changed. Instead of a gentle and friendly expression, Neal’s face turned smug and bitter.

“Think you’re clever, don’t you?”

“Cleverer than most, though frequently underestimated.”

Not Neal scoffed and rolled his eyes, defiance and arrogance oozing from every inch of his body.

“We can stand here all day if you like, but you will answer our questions.”

A derisive hum vibrated against Neal’s lip and his form sauntered forward until it was toe-to-toe with Killian. “I’m sure your pretty face usually buys you a lot, but not my time.” Neal’s eyes shifted and met Emma’s, sending a cold chill down her spine. “You should have left well enough alone.”

Before any of them could respond, Neal’s eyes rolled back into his head and his body dropped towards the floor. Mercifully, Liam and Killian were able to catch him and lower him safely to the carpet.

“Neal!” Emma pushed past the brothers and knelt at his side, shaking his shoulders. “Neal, wake up!”

“Here,” Liam said, passing something to her. “Smelling salts. Should do the trick.”

Emma uncorked the small bottle and wafted it under Neal’s nose. The effect was almost instantaneous. With a wild jolt, Neal’s eyes shot open and he attempted to sit up.

“Woah, there mate,” Killian advised, placing a hand against his shoulder to keep him from getting up too fast. “Take it slow.”

“Wh-What the hell happ--”

“The unknown spirit possessed you, I’m afraid,” Liam said, sympathetically. “I know everything feels wrong and distorted, but I assure you, it’ll pass quickly.”

“Wrong is an understatement,” Neal muttered, shaking himself.

“Are you okay?” Emma asked. “Did they hurt you in any--”

“She,” Neal corrected. “It was definitely a she.”

With assistance from the brothers, Neal was hauled up to his feet. Emma reached out to help steady him as he swayed, annoyed at Liam’s immediate interrogation once Neal was settled on the edge of the bed.

“Were you able to identify her? Sometimes those possessed can gain knowledge of the possessing spirit. Any idea why she possessed you, or how she knew she could? Anything you can tell us could be helpful.”

“Liam,” Killian admonished. “Give the man a moment to collect himself.” Crouching down in front of Neal, Killian looked up at him with a sympathetic expression and asked, “Can I get you anything, mate? Water? Maybe something a bit stronger?”

His eyes cut over to Emma and despite her concern for the man seated beside her who was still clearly shaken, she let out an amused huff and attempted to stifle the smile Killian’s words engendered. The truth was, they all could probably do with a stiff drink right about now.

“I uh…” Neal’s utterances turned their attention back his way. Swiping a hand down his pale and clammy face, he said, “I don’t know how she knew she could, or even how it happened really, I just… all of a sudden I wasn’t in control of myself.”

Neal’s hand dug into the mattress, balling up the covers in his fist. Placing a comforting hand on his knee, Emma encouraged him to take his time then glanced at the Jones brothers. “Maybe we should give him time to rest a bit before forcing him to reliv--”

“No, it’s fine,” Neal countered with a slight bite in his tone. “There isn’t much I can tell you anyway… other than her identity.”

Taking his eyes off the floor for the first time since they’d helped him off of it, Neal met each of their expectant stares before locking his with Emma’s. “Cora. The other spirit is Cora Mills.”

“You’re certain?”

Even Killian rolled his eyes at his brother’s asinine question.

“What kind of question is that?” Neal spat. “Am I sure? You think that’s the kind of thing I wouldn’t be--”

“Apologies,” Liam offered with his hands raised in supplication. “It’s just… spirits can be tricky and we have to be sure the other spirit doesn’t want you to think it’s--”

“If he says it’s Cora, then it’s Cora,” Killian interrupted. Standing, he reached out and took Liam by the shoulder, guiding him towards the door. “Which means you and I have work to do. Let’s leave Neal and Emma be while we come up with our plan of attack.”

“Of course,” Liam acquiesced, a bit reluctantly. “I am eager to hear how things went with--”

“Aye, but it may be best to have that conversation outside.” Glancing around them, he reminded, “You never know who might be listening.” Before the two departed down the stairs, Killian called out over his shoulder, “We’ll be downstairs if either of you need anything.”

“Thanks,” Emma answered at the doorway, having followed them towards the door so she could close it, allowing her and Neal some privacy. With her back now pressed against it, she took in the pitiful sight of her boyfriend. She knew she ought to feel more in this moment. More concerned. More sorry. More upset. But…

It wasn’t that she didn’t feel those things, she simply wished she wasn’t the one expected to help him through it. If given the option, she’d much rather be downstairs discussing the day’s events and coming up with their next step.

She was a terrible person.

With a heavy exhale, Emma pushed away from the door and approached Neal with soft steps. “Neal, are you sure you’re ok--”

“No, I’m not okay!” he exploded, shooting up to his feet. “How could you even think I’d be okay after something like that?”

“You’re right,” she said, sheepishly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Stupid question. Sorry.”

Neal ran a hand down his face then let it fall dramatically down to his side with an equally significant sigh. “I think it’s time to cut our losses.”

Brows furrowing and head cocking to one side, Emma replied, “What do you mean?”

“I mean, fuck this!” Neal exploded once more, frantically gesturing around them. “Fuck all of this! Let’s get out of here. Pack up our stuff and leave this place behind.”

“Pack up and go where?”

“Anywhere! Anywhere but here. Anywhere but this house and this town.”

“Neal…” she began with a weighty pause. “You know I can’t do that. This is my home. Not just this house, but this whole place. This is where my friends are. Where my family is.”

Neal scowled and let out a derisive scoff. “Yeah, friends that think I’m a loser and family that thinks I’m not good enough for you.”

Unable to hold back the huff of amusement, Emma reminded him, “Yeah, well. David thinks that about everybod--”

“God dammit, Emma! How can you be so flippant? How can you want to stay? How can you even think of spending one more second in this house?”

“Because. It’s. My. Home, Neal.” She knew he’d been through a lot, but surely the man who had been brought up like her, bouncing from one foster home to the next until finally making a life for themselves on the streets would never think to ask that question. “You, of all people, should understand what that means to me.” Nibbling a piece of skin peeling from her lip, she added, “Besides, I can’t abandon Daniel. He--”

“He’s dead!” Neal shouted, now getting in her face as if an up close look at his anger would change her mind. “Dead, Emma. You don’t owe him a goddamn thing!”

“Well, what about Liam and Killian?” Neal’s expression hardened at the mention of the Jones brothers' names. “They came all this way to help us. Am I just supposed to send them packing in the middle of the job?”

“Some job,” Neal sneered. “Things have only gotten worse since they got here, but I get why that doesn’t seem to bother you any.”

Emma crossed her arms over her chest and shifted her weight to one side. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t play dumb, Emma. I know there’s something going on between you and Captain Guyliner.”

“Neal,” she said in a firm tone. She may be a lot of things, but a cheater wasn’t one of them. “There’s nothing going on between me and Killian.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” he replied as he took a few steps back, his tone indicating he didn’t really believe her. “But you haven’t been completely honest about him. Admit it.”

“I told you we had a past. I never hid that from you.”

“Past. Right,” he clipped. “Then why does the guy use a half-naked picture of you as a bookmark?”

Emma blanched and dropped her arms. “Wh…What are you talking about?”

Approaching her again, he held her gaze as he relayed, “I’m talking about a picture of you, half-naked, wedged between the pages of some other guy’s journal.”

“When did you…?” Confusion turned to indignation. “Did you go snooping through Killian’s things?”

“Oh, no,” Neal said, waving his finger at her. “You don’t get to turn this around on me. Tell me why he has a picture of you, half-naked--”

“In a bikini,” Emma clarified, hotly. “I’m in a bikini in that photo, because I was on spring break.”

“So you admit to sending it to him,” Neal replied with an almost gloating undertone, as though he’d caught her in an ‘I gotcha’ moment.

“Of course, I sent it to him. We were in a relationship at the time.”

“Oh, and I guess you think it’s no big deal that he keeps it as a bookmark in that freaky journal of his?”

Emma could not believe they were having this conversation. With everything else going on, this… THIS? This was the thing he was willing to wage war over?

“Neal, I don’t have time for your petty jealousy right now. If you want to leave, I’m not going to stop you.”

He’d clearly not been expecting that. His eyes widened and his jaw went slack in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I am,” she affirmed with a vigorous nod. “You made your feelings about staying here very clear, and to be honest… I’ve thought it best for us to end things and for you to move out for some time now.”

Neal’s expression darkened and his jaw tightened. “Let me guess. About the same time you reached out to your old flame?”

“Before that, actually,” Emma stated, matter-of-factly. “But I don’t expect you to believe it.”

“Well, I don’t.”

“Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re moving out.”

“I guess so,” he challenged, probably expecting her to take it all back if it seemed he really might leave.

“You can pack a bag for now then come back for the rest of your things later. I’ll have it all boxed up for you.”

He swallowed tightly, still hoping he was just calling her bluff and said, “No need. I’ll pack it all and be out of here tonight.”

“Great,” she said, holding out her hand, “Then I’ll just take your key and give you some space to do that.”

He stared at her for several moments, his eyes shifting between her face and her hand, until finally it seemed to click; she was serious. She really wanted him out. Out of her house and out of her life.

“Fine,” he growled, stomping over to the dresser where he kept his personal items and prying the house key off the ring. Slapping it into her palm, he said, “Just do me one favor.”

She closed her stinging hand around the sharp metal of the key. “What’s that?”

“Try not to fuck him the minute I leave.”

Emma rolled her eyes and made her way to the door. “Grow up, Neal.” Crossing the threshold, she grabbed the handle and couldn’t resist leaving without throwing out a final barb. “It’ll take more than a minute to strip the bed and put on fresh sheets.”

Slamming the door behind her, Emma stood seething for several moments before mortification set in. The ringing of anger within her ears had subsided, replaced by the deep timbre of the brothers’ voices as they conversed with one another downstairs.

Had they heard everything? She and Neal hadn’t exactly kept their voices down. Hopefully, they’d been outside discussing what each had learned from their morning’s inquiries for the majority of the break up. As assured and confident as she was that ending things with Neal was the right decision, it was still humiliating.

Although, no less humiliating than Neal’s behaviour the entire time Liam and Killian had been there.

She really could not believe she’d let the relationship go on for as long as it had.

One thing was for sure, Ruby would be insufferable over the news. The I told you so’s would probably never end… but neither would the celebratory drinks she’d insist on buying, so Emma guessed that would help balance things out.

Making her way downstairs, Emma found the brothers seated at the dining table hunched over a map. Hearing her approaching steps, the two glanced up. Liam gave her an acknowledging nod, then turned his eyes back down while Killian kept his gaze trained on her. The way he looked at her had always made her toes curl and her breath shaky in the best way. In an effort to mask her breathlessness and erratic heart rate, Emma tossed her hair over her shoulder and planted her hands against the table.

“So… catch me up.”

“Is Neal alright?” Liam asked with a note of concern.

“Um, yeah. He’s just…” Emma gestured vaguely in the direction of her room, not wanting to lie, but not quite ready to confess the truth.

“Probably best he rests,” Killian interjected, drawing his own conclusions to Emma’s response. “Possession isn’t something I’d wish on anyone.” Leaning back he dug into his pants pocket and pulled out a chain with some sort of symbol as a pendant. “In fact, I think it best you wear this until we get Cora sorted.”

Reaching across the table, Emma took the necklace from him, her skin pebbling in response to the way their fingers brushed against each other’s.

“What is it?” she asked with her attention trained on the swinging pendant, hoping he hadn’t noticed the goose bumps.

“It’s an anti-possession sigil,” he explained. “Also known as a demon trap. It’ll keep Cora, or any spirit or being, from being able to take you over.” Flicking a more significant look her way, he added, “It’ll keep you safe.”

“Don’t you… What about you? Don’t you need it? For protection?”

Killian gave her a soft smirk and cut his eyes towards his brother. Pulling open the collar of his shirt, he said, “We’ve got that covered.”

Beneath the thick mat of chest hair, Emma could make out the sigil inked into his and his brother’s skin. A more permanent layer of protection that Emma did not wish to think too long on as to the circumstances that had led to such a choice.

“Here,” Killian said, rounding the table. “Let me help you with that.”

Gently, he took the necklace from her grip and motioned for her to turn around. Emma lifted her hair so he could wrap the chain around her neck and secure the clasp.

“I should have given it to you when we first arrived,” he murmured. “I never considered the spirit here would know they could or manage enough energy to completely possess either you or…” Spinning her back around, Killian stared down at her with wide apologetic eyes. “Gods, Swan! I’m so sorry. I never asked how you were doing. I know what a fright it can be to see someone you care for taken over like that. Are you okay, love?”

“I… I’m fine. Really,” she assured him with a softly placed hand on his forearm. “As awful as it was, I’m just glad we finally know the identity of the other spirit.”

“As am I,” Liam said, turning their attention back towards the table. “I just wish we knew how she found out about possession.”

Emma gripped her bottom lip tightly with her teeth and closed her eyes before blurting out, “I think it was because of Neal.”

The brothers’ heads shot towards her in unison.

“I beg your pardon?”

“What do you mean?”

With her shoulders slightly scrunched, not thrilled about opening this particular can of worms, she glanced at Killian and said, “He mentioned something about opening your journal.”

“Your journal?” Liam repeated with a furrowed brow. “Why would he be looking in your journal, brother?”

Killian shook his head for a moment until Emma saw the truth dawn within the deep blue of his eyes.

“The photo,” he said, his cheeks turning rosy from the heat of his blush as it crested the tips of his ears.

“Photo? What photo?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Killian waved Liam off and brushed past Emma. The two followed him to the study where they found the aforementioned journal lying open on the pull out.

“What were you thinking leaving your journal open?” Liam admonished.

“Give me some credit,” Killian shot back. “I know better than that.”

“Why would it matter if the journal was left open?” Emma inquired, hoping the question would distract both brothers from the photo of her in that damned, scandalous, red bikini only a few feet away on the mattress.

“The journal is protected by the sigil, which means no spirit or demon can access it when it’s closed. When it’s open, however…”

“They can rifle through the bloody thing.”

Emma glanced down at the journal and noted it was open to a page titled, Possession, at the top.

“I’m so sorry,” Emma said, feeling even worse about Neal’s invasion of Killian’s privacy.

“It’s not your fault, Swan,” Killian assured her. Reaching across the bed, he picked up the photo and tucked it back into the journal before closing it firmly. After stuffing it away in his duffle he peeked up at her through his lashes, his hand pawing at the back of his ear. Perhaps realizing she wasn’t upset at him for still having the picture, he gave her that boyish, lop-sided smile of his and Emma couldn’t help but smile back.

“Well,” Liam began, shaking them both from the shared moment. “Now that mystery is solved, I suppose we should move forward with our plans. The sooner the better.”

“Aye,” Killian agreed. “I say we try and deal with her tonight. With her out of the way, it may be easier for Daniel to move on, especially if we can contact him without her interference and let him know that Regina knows the truth. Or much of it, anyway.”

“When you say deal with her, I assume you mean…”

“Aye,” Killian said, gravely. “Fancy a trip to the cemetery, love?”

Part Six - Coming Soon!

Tagging the Curious Crew: (add to tag list)

(Please be advised that I only keep one tag list for all fic updates and new works. If at any time you wish to be removed, just shoot me an ask or a DM. No worries.)

@bluewildcatfanatic @scotchiegirl @jonesfandomfanatic @idristardis @lfh1226-linda

@paradiselady19 @phoenix-untamed @jackieorioncat @tiganasummertree @snowbellewells

@brucethegirl @superchocovian @jennjenn615 @booksteaandtoomuchtv @kmomof4

@the-darkdragonfly @stahlop @zaharadessert @caught-in-the-filter @motherkatereloyshipper

@earanemith @captainodonoghue @jrob64 @djlbg @wyntereyez

@do-it-for-the-fandom @chickensarentcheap @earanemith @ligercat @queenlawrenceskingdom

@ncisfanficsandmore @tiva2023vibes @irish-trish @michaelscotedeproblem @tiva-licious-kitteh

@hopetheyshine1308

@icarusjarvis @hylianjo @mikaharuka @loudlooks @loismagic

@theonewithval @benditlikepress @benedettabeby @residentdormouse @kitcatling

@thatcaithness @tony-love-ziva @paperclipninja @imperiumwife @elisecc

@oceangirl24 @sliebman10 @udaberriwrites @lena-hills @television-overload

@hopeless-nostalgiac @indestinatus @isabellelightwood88 @halfblood-divergent-demigod @tiva-licious

@creators-club @rationalscientificexplanation @ncistivotee @tonysziva @samwhity

@tivajunkie @terrortwinunicorn @tiva-tony-ziva @tivafanfic @diana-fortyseven

@adtiva @rocketcitynerd @sheistheweapon @slouchingprovocatively