#csangstyaugust22

His magic had weakened somehow and now…

Emma stood, carefully resting Killian’s head on the deck. She clenched and unclenched her fists, her magic flickering and flaring at her fingertips. “My husband had made up for his debt to you countless times. You never had a claim on him and you were stupid to think you could try and collect.”

Davy stared at her. “You know nothing of how this works. The sea is different from the land. Those who owe a debt to Davy Jones are not done paying it until I say so!”

Emma narrowed her eyes. “But something went wrong, didn’t it? Something went wrong because you didn’t count on the love between me and Killian. Because it’s something you have never and will never experience.”

Davy yelled, raising his hands as magic poured from him.

Emma meet the magic with her own, gritting her teeth as the two forces collided. She ground her feet into the deck, wincing as she felt his magic beginning to push her back.

She closed her eyes, remembering the look in Killian’s eyes. The way his chest moved, not with breath, but with a heartbeat.

And then his eyes closing, his body become so still. Her pirate husband was always moving, even in his sleep, his fingers would twitch.

Now he was lying too still and Emma didn’t want to believe what that meant.

She willed even more magic to flow from her, meeting Davy’s blast.

She took two steps forward for the step backwards she had to take.

“This is a battle you can not win,” Davy said. “His debt has been set in stone the moment he killed them.”

“Give it enough time, and water will wear away the stone,” Emma ground out. She pushed forth more magic and gained two more steps towards Davy. She felt a small bit of triumph rising in her as he took a step back. “Killian has long since made up his debt towards you. You have no hold over him!”

“I will have my payment!”

“You can’t have him!”

And a yell tore through her as a blast of magic spilled from her entire body, creating an explosion of light magic that spread through the docks. The waves swelled and the other boats bobbed from the force of the explosion, and Emma almost thought she heard the sound of glass breaking.

The one thing she was sure of hearing though, was almost like a water balloon bursting.

The magic finally stopped flowing and Emma fell to her knees. Her heart pounded in her eyes and she could see black creeping into her vision.

Davy Jones was nowhere to be seen.

Emma knew she was going to pass out. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt that kind of power explode from her.

That actually might have been the strongest display of her magic yet.

And it took so much out of her.

Before she let unconsciousness claim her, she crawled back to Killian.

She grabbed his hand, in one last effort to pour warmth into his skin.

Her eyes rolled back before she could feel anything.

***

She opened her eyes and immediately knew she was in the hospital from the white tiles overhead and the harsh white light.

She closed her eyes with a groan, feeling a headache building in the back of her head.

“Emma? Are you waking up?”

She gave a small groan in response, peeking an eye open to see David and Mary Margaret hovering over her. “Mom? Dad?”

Mary Margaret let out a relieved breath, grabbing her hand. “Hey, honey. We’re right here.”

She swallowed hard, making an attempt to sit up and ask what happened.

But then the memories hit her and she wished they hadn’t.

Davy taking Hope.

Their daughter soaking wet and trembling.

Killian blocking Davy Jones’ magic from hitting them.

Killian falling, and the flutter in his chest Emma had been so sure she felt.

Attacking Davy with her magic and the monster disappearing.

Or maybe she had destroyed him.

But she could figure that out later. Right now, there was something more important to figure out.

“Killian,” she sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “Where is he? Is he okay?”

David and Mary Margaret exchanged a look.

Emma felt her world beginning to crumble with just that look.

She shook her head. “No, no it’s not true.”

“Emma, take deep breaths, okay? We’ll get Dr. Whale in here to check out your head and-“

Emma brushed off David’s hand. “No. I need to see him. I need to know that he’s okay.” Her voice cracked at that last word, but she stared hard at her parents, daring them to deny her this request.

Still, David placed his hand on her again, this time placing enough pressure to keep her from standing up. “Emma, you need to stay put. It’s not going to do anyone any good with you walking around without first getting your head checked. You have a nasty bump from where you hit your head on the deck.”

“Where is he?” Emma insisted, the fight starting to leave her body. “Is he…” She couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

“He’s still on the Jolly Roger,” Mary Margaret answered. “We couldn’t exactly get to him.”

Emma frowned, once again feeling herself standing and David holding her down to stay seated. “What do you mean? Is he okay?”

“Poseidon was there,” David said. “He was standing guard over Killian and wouldn’t let us get near him. Said he would only speak with you.”

“But was he okay? Was he…?”

“We don’t know. I’m sorry, honey.”

“I have to go. I have to make sure he’s all right,” she said, her voice beginning to crack from the effort at trying not to have a breakdown right there.

“Let Dr. Whale take a quick look at you. Then we’ll take you there ourselves. But we don’t want you passing out again because of this head injury. You have to take care of yourself too, Emma.”

And she saw how worried her dad was, the pleading in his eyes for her to just listen to him.

Emma gave a quick nod, trying to hold back a wince at how the movement made her head hurt even more.

David smiled, appeased, before giving her a quick kiss to her forehead and leaving the room to find Dr. Whale.

“Killian’s fine. I’m sure of it,” Mary Margaret said, reaching over to squeeze Emma’s hand.

She let out heavy sigh. “How?”

“Because you would’ve known. You would’ve felt it the moment he left this world.”

Emma pursed her lips. Her mother didn’t understand. For the last four months, it felt like had had left.

Because she was stuck with the shell of who he was.

Yet, somehow, he had tried fighting back to her too. Refusing to follow Davy’s last command. The reality TV shows he studied, the pictures and the mirror in the shed. And even the little gesture of grabbing Hope’s favorite jacket.

And Emma felt guilt seep into her because she hadn’t even noticed until this morning when they once again had to face down Davy Jones.

As she tried to figure out what to do with that guilt, the door opened, and David came back with Dr. Whale behind him.

It really was a quick examination. Five minutes at the most. It was a small concussion, but Emma wasn’t at any risk of passing out again and would just need to take some pain meds to deal with the lingering discomfort.

Once he gave her a clean bill of health, Emma was hurrying out of the room with her parents right behind her.

She didn’t have enough energy to teleport herself to the docks, much less her parents too.

And she wanted them to come with her. Because she had no idea what Poseidon wanted.

If he came looking for a fight.

If that was the case, then Emma would meet him head on. No matter what, she would not stop defending Killian with her life.

They piled into front row of David’s truck, Emma in between her parents. She explained everything that happened on the way to the docks. Hoping that as she spoke to them, some new detail would come out that would give her a clue as to what to expect when she got to the docks.

Still, as they pulled up, Emma had no idea what awaited her.

They all climbed out of the truck, but Emma felt as if this was something she needed to check on her own first. If Poseidon wanted to fight, then she would call for them.

She turned to tell them this, but it seemed they already understood.

David gave her a small nod of encouragement. “We’ll be right here, waiting for your call.”

Emma made herself smile in appreciation as she headed down the docks for the ship.

The god was there, standing over Killian.

It didn’t look like he had moved an inch.

Poseidon heard Emma’s footsteps and turned away from the water to face her. “Emma Jones, I never thought we’d see each other.”

Emma felt herself give a small scoff. “Yeah, usually when I have to deal with any gods, it doesn’t end up being good.”

Poseidon laughed. “Was that a threat?”

“Does it need to be one?”

He laughed even more.

And he was a god, but Emma had magic too and she tried to stir up what was left in her to get an attack ready. “Why are you here?”

“Were you the one to kill Davy Jones?”

Emma felt her heart rate pick up. “He’s dead?”

Poseidon turned an uninterested gaze towards the place where Davy Jones had stood hours earlier. “Yes. It surprised me. I’ve felt his magic weakening over the last few years, but something happened in the last four months that seemed to have made it all but disappear.”

Four months. That’s how long Killian had been without his heart. How long Davy had been trying to get Emma to wish him dead.

Without even realizing it, they had been the cause of it all.

Which explained why he came back, in what seemed like one final effort to collect the debt, which was most likely the source of his power.

But in the end, Emma didn’t care at all about that. “And Killian?”

Poseidon looked down at where Killian laid at his feet.

So still, it didn’t even look like he was breathing.

And Emma tried not to look at how pale he was.

“Davy Jones was a pest I couldn’t get rid of. The unbalance he might cause in the seven seas was too great a risk,” Poseidon continued. “You helped take care of that problem for me.”

And his words seemed to mirror what Zeus had told Killian years ago when he brought him back to life. Emma wanted to hope, but she was scared to.

After all the disappointment she experienced these last few months…

“That still doesn’t tell me anything about Killian.”

“Davy still had enough magic in him to kill whoever stood in the path of his blast.”

Emma felt her throat closing up. Did that mean…?

“I’ve got a dilemma though, that I’m hoping you can help me solve.”

She stared at Poseidon, tears filling her eyes and hating that he insisted on speaking in these riddles and not giving her any straight answers.

“Is he worthy?”

Emma blinked at him. “What?”

“Killian Jones. Is he worthy?”

“Worthy of what?”

Poseidon shrugged. “It could be worthy of love, of getting his heart back. Or it could be worthy of taking Davy Jones’ place.”

Out of habit, Emma reached for her gun, forgetting that she didn’t have it. “Was that a threat?” she asked, reminding Poseidon of his words from before.

And he laughed again. “I will say, I was surprised at how hard he still fought for you and your daughter, even after having his heart destroyed.”

Emma found herself repeating someone else’s words again. This time, they were Killian’s. “Because he will always protect what’s his. And he’s mine too and I would do the same for him.”

“Truly?”

“Yes,” Emma said without hesitation.

Poseidon nodded. “Then it is decided.” He raised his trident and drove it into Killian’s chest.

Emma cried out, running towards them, but she felt magic holding her back.

Then Poseidon pulled out his trident and Killian moved, his back arching, before turning to his side and coughing out water and what looked like black ink. Poseidon took a step back and Emma, allowing Emma to finally run to him.

She rubbed his back, hoping to ease some of the discomfort as the water and black ink continued coming out of his mouth. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I’ve got you.”

And when the coughs finally subsided, Killian rolled onto his back and stared up at Emma.

He looked at her as if she were the one that hung the moon and stars in the sky.

“Killian?”

He left out long breath, his lips moving into a half smile. “Emma.”

A laugh bubbled from her, mixing in with her tears.

Because in his eyes, she saw so much love.

She kissed him and he kissed her back and it was…

Still not right.

She pulled back, grimacing at the taste that filled her mouth, Killian’s expression matching her own.

“The remnant of Davy Jones’ magic leaving your body,” Poseidon said, reminding them of his presence. “I suggest giving your mouth a good rinse before kissing your wife again.”

Killian sat up, wincing only a little as he stared at the god. “What happened?” His hand moved to his chest and his eyes widened in shock.

It only confirmed what Emma had seen in his eyes.

“I’ll let Emma explain. But consider the debt paid, Killian Jones.”

“Wait, but you talked about an unbalance after Davy’s death. Are you…?” She looked to Killian, a fear forming in her heart that Killian immediately understood, judging by the hard look that entered his own.

“As I mentioned before. His magic was already beginning to weaken before he came to claim this final debt. Because you were the last person to ever owe him anything, Killian. The unbalance? Didn’t happen with his death. And it won’t happen either. I believe the time for such villains and monsters has passed. Wouldn’t you agree, Savior?”

Emma nodded, having her fill of those beings for several lifetimes.

Poseidon smiled at them both before giving a final nod. “I do hope the two of you live a long and happy life.” Then he turned from them and jumped off the ship as a portal opened for the god of the sea.

Emma turned to Killian, her eyes wide as she moved her hand to his chest and pulling aside his shirt a little. She could feel his heart, pounding so strongly in his chest and there was no black spot there.

“Is it over?” she asked, counting his heartbeats and hoping she never had to feel it still again.

“Aye,” Killian said, covering her hand with his own. “It’s over, love.”

And Emma threw her arms around his neck, sobbing in relief as he held her tight in his arms that were so warm.

***

The first thing Killian did was rinse out his mouth down in the Captain’s Quarters.

Once that was taken care of, Emma launched herself into his arms again and kissed him until they had to pull back for air, then only long enough for a few quick breaths before kissing him again.

Because he was back. He had his heart beating away in his chest and he was warm and the debt was paid and he was alive.

“Gods, Emma, I’m so sorry,” he said in between kisses. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Emma said. “Don’t ever keep something like that from me again.”

He kissed her neck, her jaw. “Never. I love you.”

While still holding her close to him, he asked for Hope. And she felt his heart almost jump at his own question in worry.

She reassured him that Hope was fine and that she was safe.

A relieved breath escaped him and she even felt his heart rate slowing as well before he was back to kissing her soundly.

Emma didn’t know how she managed to survive without his touch for so long. His hand and hook beginning to wander under her shirt. Her own hands moving to push aside the fabric of his shirt.

“Emma? Everything okay?”

Killian groaned, his hands stilling and his forehead dropping to her shoulder. “Your parents.”

She actually giggled. “My parents.”

“Tell them we’re trying to make pancakes?”

Emma laughed this time, making herself move away from him and straightening her clothes. “Hope will be thrilled that you’re okay.”

And that’s what set him moving. Tucking his shirt back into his pants and making sure his hair didn’t look like Emma’s hands had been tugging at it.

She smiled at him, giving him one last kiss before grabbing his hand and walking up to the main deck.

David and Mary Margaret were there, both poised for an attack.

But when they saw Emma and Kilian together, holding hands, they relaxed and even smiled. “Everything’s okay?” David asked carefully.

Emma grinned, wrapping her arm around Killian’s, and leaning into him, feeling how he leaned against her as well. “Everything’s perfect.”

Mary Margaret was the one to move first, pulling her son-in-law into a tight hug and saying how she knew everything would be okay in the end and that she was so happy for them.

David hugged him as well, giving him a clap on his back and warning him to never do that to his daughter again.

Killian smiled, looking at Emma with so much love, she was almost unsure what to do about it. “Aye. I don’t plan to.”

Now they had a small problem of how they were going to get back since they came in David’s truck and there was only room for three in there. While her parents discussed it, Killian whispered in Emma’s ear that he wouldn’t mind letting her sit on his lap.

She tried to bite back a smile, still feeling her cheeks flushing. Mary Margaret glanced at them curiously and Emma elbowed Killian lightly in the ribs, grumbling for him to behave.

He chuckled and she felt it rumble in his chest and Emma wished they were home because of how much she missed her husband.

It was finally decided that David and Mary Margaret would pick up Hope and they would take her to Granny’s. Emma and Killian would then walk there, meeting them for lunch and allowing Hope to see that her papa was much better now.

And while both Emma and Killian were eager to see their daughter and the joy that would be on her face to see that Killian was fine, they knew that if they left for Granny’s now, they would end up waiting there for at least twenty minutes.

“It’s only a fifteen-minute walk,” Killian said, wrapping his arms around Emma as he stood behind her. They watched her parents drive away in David’s truck. By the time they get to Belle’s, get Hope ready, then pick up Neal, drag him out of the house, and make it to Granny’s, it’ll take them at least half an hour.”

Emma turned around in his arms, fusing their lips together.

They barely made it below deck.

And it wasn’t nearly enough for Emma, but twenty minutes had already passed, and they didn’t want Hope to be waiting for too long.

They made their way to Granny’s, neither of them going a second without a lingering touch.

Because he was back, and Emma still couldn’t quite believe it and needed to feel just how warm he was to convince herself that this was real and wasn’t a dream.

When they finally got to Granny’s, her parents, Neal, and Hope were already there waiting for them. They weren’t even completely inside before Hope was running towards them, throwing herself into Killian’s arms.

He let out an exaggerated groan as he bent down to hug her and lift her in his arms, kissing her cheeks and forehead and telling her how much he loved her.

Hope pulled back, her squishing his cheeks together and her eyes wide. “Papa?”

He smiled, though it looked strange with her holding his cheeks. “It’s me, Hope.”

She grinned, hugging him even tighter. “I knew you’d get better!”

Within an hour of their lunch at Granny’s, the entire town knew what had happened. Henry called too and said he was already on his way back home, that this was a family emergency, and he still had several allowed absences in all of his classes.

Emma and Killian didn’t get a moment alone again until after midnight.

She curled up next to him, hand running over his chest, feeling his heart beating steadily, the warmth and how that black spot was gone for good. “I’m ready for a vacation,” Emma whispered.

“Hmm? And where would we go?” Killian asked, already half asleep but his fingers still running through her hair.

“You’ve never seen the mountains here, have you?”

“Are there any dragons or other beasts that need to be vanquished before we can go?”

Emma hummed in amusement. “No. Poseidon was right. The time for villains and monsters is finally over.”

Killian kissed her forehead. “Are these mountains fairly deserted?”

“You can rent a cabin, and no one would be around for at least fifty miles.”

“Mmm, I’m already liking this idea.”

“And we’ll bring Henry and Hope with us.”

Killian paused for a second before speaking again. “You can give Henry that plastic money card of yours and tell him to spend the day with Hope. Take her into the next closest town or something.”

Her laugh was soft, already feeling sleep beginning to claim her.

She must have dozed off though, because she felt a hand shaking her shoulder. “Mommy?”

Emma forced her eyes open and to focus in the darkness. Hope was standing right in front of her. “What is it baby?” Emma asked, her mind already waking up and looking for any sign of injury or danger.

“I’m scared,” Hope said, barely containing her tears. “Can I sleep here with you and Papa?”

“Of course.” Emma moved over a little, allowing space to climb over her to lie in between her and Killian.

Hope snuggled under the blankets, latching on to Killian’s wrist.

Killian’s eyes fluttered opened briefly, giving a small smile and kissing Hope’s forehead, then falling back asleep again.

Emma curled against Hope, her head stretching over her to grab onto Killian’s hand.

Her family was here. Her family was safe. And everything was right again.

***

They left the next day for their vacation, Regina pulling magical strings to find them a cabin far away from people, but still close enough that Henry really could take Hope to spend a day in town while Killian and Emma spent their time becoming well reacquainted with one another.

After a week, they had to return to Storybrooke and back to their normal lives.

Well, as normal as it could get considering they lived inside a fairytale.

The normality lasted only two months though.

Because Emma took a test and found that she was pregnant.

Doing the math, it most definitely happened during their vacation in the mountains.

And just like Emma’s first pregnancy, Killian doted on his wife, making sure she was always comfortable and wanting for nothing.

Which, like the first pregnancy, ended up annoying Emma by the time she was in her third trimester.

But her annoyance never lasted long as she looked at Killian’s eyes, the look of a kicked puppy when she would snap at him, and give in to his kisses and loving stares.

Because no matter how much she tried to forget, the memories of those four months would never completely leave her.

She would always remember those cold, dead eyes that would stare right back at her.

Those were the moments where she would hold his hand tighter, feeling his warmth and telling him she loved him, feeling her breath come easier when he repeated those words and followed it with a kiss.

There was a small complication during her last few weeks and the baby had to be delivered early.

It was a boy. Liam David Jones.

They had to stay in the hospital with him for two weeks before Dr. Whale said he was healthy, and they could take him home.

And when Emma and Killian walked through the front door of their home with Liam in Emma’s arms, both of them remembered what happened a year ago exactly on that day.

Emma had helped Killian inside their home, with his heart missing.

The memory seemed to have hit them both at once because they stopped, turning to look at each other.

Killian let out a breath, pressing his forehead to Emma’s, his hand moving to cradle their son. “I’m here, love. I’m never leaving your side again.”

Emma didn’t question his promise. She knew that this time, he would be able to keep it.

Because the time of villains and monsters was over.

They could finally, officially, move into living their well-deserved happily ever after.

***

Tag List: @kmomof4, @sotangledupinit, @jrob64, @teamhook, @motherkatereloyshipper, @the-darkdragonfly, @jadehowlettthewolf, @thepirateandhisson

Emma looked at it, her eyes filling with tears.

It was Hope’s favorite jacket. Red, with several pockets and thick, metal zippers.

She said it reminded her of her mommy’s jacket.

“She’ll be in her pajamas and most likely wet. It’s still cold outside, especially on the water,” Killian explained.

Even without his heart, their daughter’s safety and well-being was his main concern.

Without wasting another minute, Emma waved her hand, transporting them both in a puff of black smoke to the deck of the Jolly Roger.

“Hope!” Emma called out once they were on the ship. “Hope, where are you?!”

Then she heard it.

The sound of wet boots squelching up the stairs from below deck.

Before they saw Davy, they saw Hope, pushed up the stairs and falling onto the deck. She was wet and shivering in her pajamas with only one sock on as she normally kicked the other off in her sleep. When she saw Emma and Killian there, her face crumbled into tears.

“Mommy! Papa!” she cried, scrambling to her feet and beginning to run to them.

Emma ran a few steps towards her, but then froze as a hand came out and stopped Hope from getting anywhere near them.

Davy Jones stood behind Hope, holding her back. “Well, isn’t this quite the family reunion?”

And even though she knew it was pointless, Emma pulled out her gun and pointed it at Davy. Her heart ached at the whimper that came from Hope. “Let. Her. Go.”

Davy laughed. “Haven’t we been here before, Savior?” His eyes moved to Killian, and he grinned. “There’s not much you can say that will actually move me to listen to you.”

Emma gripped the gun tighter. “Why are you back? Haven’t you done enough?”

Again, Davy looked to Killian. “It’s taking too long. I am done waiting for you.”

Emma felt a lump in her throat as she moved her eyes from Davy to glance at Killian.

He held Davy’s stare as the muscles in his jaw ticked.

“What are you talking about?” Emma asked.

Davy’s grin only grew. “You didn’t tell her. Oh, I never knew a man without heart could lie.”

Emma looked back to Killian. It seemed like he was refusing to look at her. “What is he talking about?”

“I told you before,” Killian said, still not looking at her and keeping his focus on Davy. “She has no part of this. And neither does Hope. Let them be.”

Davy laughed. “I gave you the chance, boy! I told you what needed to happen and did you do it? No!”

“Killian, if you don’t tell me what the hell is going on right now, I’ll-“

“I was supposed to make you hate me.”

Emma blinked at his blunt honesty, her hand even loosening a bit on her gun.

“I had him for two weeks, Emma,” Davy said, looking at her. “Did you really think I spent the entire time torturing him? Well, I mean, that is what I did for the most part, but there were some commands I gave him during our time. Two in fact.

“The first was delivering that note for you. The black spot on your bed. I found it poetic that it would be your husband to seal your fate since this was all his fault in the first place. And the second, before you stormed that beach house, was for him to make you hate him, bringing the final payment to his debt sooner rather than later.”

Emma tried not to let her hand tremble as she looked from Davy to Killian, trying to sense the lie.

There was none.

“I could never hate him just like I could never wish him dead.”

Davy threw up his free hand in exasperation. “I know, which was why the last command before you showed up was for him to make you hate him.” Then he looked to Killian. “How did you manage it? Resisting that command for so long? I know it couldn't have been easy. Even without your heart. What did you do? Did you find some magic potion to keep you from following through with it?”

“You manage to find a way when you love someone,” Killian said.

And despite everything, Emma felt her heart swell at his words.

Davy scoffed. “You don’t love her. You can’t. Not without that heart of yours. Remind me again of what happened to it? Oh, yes, I crushed it. Felt it disintegrate in my hands.”

“Even without a heart, I still have my memories. Nothing will ever change the memories I have of our time together. The love I have for my wife, mother to my child, will always be there, with or without my heart.”

Davy narrowed his eyes. “How touching,” he sneered. “Regardless, I want to see that hate in your wife’s eyes as she watches you die.”

And Emma knew it wouldn’t do anything. But maybe it would distract him long enough to let go of Hope, giving her a chance to get away from him.

Emma pulled the trigger on the gun and shot Davy Jones in the middle of his chest.

A surprising thing happened right after.

The bullet didn’t go through him.

And Davy Jones grunted in pain, staggering back a little.

It proved to be the distraction they needed because he let go of Hope.

Hope ran towards them.

Emma set her gun down for just a moment, long enough to pull Hope into a crushing hug. She didn’t care that her clothes were getting wet. Her daughter was safe and Davy couldn’t hurt her.

Then Killian was next to her, wrapping Hope in her jacket and rubbing her arms to warm her up.

“Send her away, Emma,” Killian said, keeping his eyes on Davy as the monster continued staring down at his chest in shock.

Emma nodded, setting Hope down. “Hope, you find Pipaw, okay? Tell him we’re on Papa’s ship and that Davy Jones is here.”

Hope shook her head, face scrunched up as she continued crying. “Mommy, I don’t want to! I want to go home! Please!”

“I know, baby, but you have to do this, okay. Everything’s going to be fine.”

“Mommy, no! I want to go home with you and Papa!”

“Emma, send her away, now.” Urgency had crept into Killian’s voice as Davy was now staring right at them.

“I will have what is rightfully mine, Killian Jones.”

It happened so fast.

Emma saw Davy raise his hands and water mixed with black ink bursting from them. She grabbed Hope again, curling her against her chest to protect her from the blast.

Then she felt Killian move away from her, only to stand between her and the blast of magic.

Not one drop of the water or magic touched her or Hope

She did her best to cover Hope’s ears as Killian yelled in agony.

Then his yells stopped as did the roar of the water coming from Davy.

Emma looked up to see Davy staring in horror at his hands as Killian’s body slumped to the ground.

As if lifeless.

She didn’t let Hope look. Making sure Hope kept her eyes on her, Emma released her hold long enough to teleport Hope away to her parents farm.

To safety.

With Hope gone, Emma crawled the small distance to her husband. “Killian?” she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. “Killian, babe, open your eyes. Please.”

There was no response. And she kept her focus entirely on him, ignoring the way Davy trembled as he continued staring at his hands.

***

He was little. Too young to even understand numbers or aging or how time worked.

All he knew was that he was in his mother’s arms. Warm. Safe. Loved.

She smiled at him, lightly tapping his nose as she rocked him. And from her mouth, came the most beautiful voice he ever heard, singing a song just for him.

“I dreamed it last night

That my true love came in

So softly she entered

Her feet made no din

She came close beside me

And this she did say

It will not be long love

Till our wedding day.”

She pressed a kiss to his forehead as his eyes slipped close. He heard one last thing from her, not knowing that when he woke, he would only be left with the memories of her voice. “I love you, my dear Killian.”

***

He was seven. Curled in a corner behind several barrels and crates. It was cold and he couldn’t stop shivering. He could hear the loud footsteps coming for him.

He hadn’t finished scrubbing the deck, leaving a puddle of soapy water that he was working towards.

The first mate didn’t see it and he had been too late in calling out the warning.

The first mate slipped in the soap, landing on his back and loudly thumping his head against the planks.

He rose, face red with anger as he pointed a finger at him and blamed him for his fall.

Before the first mate could grab him, he got up and ran, moving faster than the older man. He hid in the brig, hoping the first mate would get bored after not being able to find him.

“Where are you, you little bastard!” the man growled.

He pressed further into the corner, holding his breath and counting the seconds.

“He didn’t mean to!”

His eyes widened as he heard the voice of his older brother.

Then there was the sound of a loud smack and he winced.

“Make sure that runt sees your face. Let him know that’s what will happen to him next time.”

And he was a coward, waiting until he heard the footsteps of the first mate disappear before he stepped out from the shadows. “Liam?” His voice was quiet, hoping that his brother wasn’t upset with him for hiding.

Liam turned around and smiled at him. “Killi! There you are.”

He stopped as he saw the blood on Liam’s lip from where the first mate had hit him.

It was his fault Liam got hit.

“Oh, come on, don’t cry,” Liam said as he threw an arm over his shoulder. “It didn’t even hurt that much. We best get moving though. Don’t want to make the Captain upset.”

***

He was sixteen, staring down at the new uniform he had been outfitted in.

“Looking sharp, eh brother?”

He smiled, seeing Liam in a matching outfit.

They finally did it. They made it out of those pirate ships and into the Royal Navy. A position of honor.

Liam stood in front of him and straightened his collar and brushed lint from his shoulder. “Ready for our first ever ball?”

“I suppose,” he said, bringing up a hand to scratch the back of his ear.

“You suppose? Killian! This is night we’ve waited for! Our induction into the Royal Navy! There will be the finest food we’ve ever tasted, the best drinks, and the prettiest maidens in all the realm. Tonight, will only be the beginning of our new lives. The first of many balls in our future.”

He took a breath to calm his nerves and smiled at his brother. “Okay. Yes. Yes, tonight will be good.”

“Oh, it’ll be better than good. It will be perfect. Now come on. We need to go already so we can make sure there are still young ladies to dance with.”

***

He was twenty-three and did it even matter how old he was anymore?

He was alone in the world now. His brother, the man he thought would be there with him until the end was gone. He was sitting alone in the Captain’s Quarters with a bottle of rum he had found on one of the sailors.

And no one had seen him pocket one of the Peagusus feathers before he burned that damned sail.

How final was death? Especially when you had something of value to trade.

***

He hadn’t known. Gods, he swore he hadn’t known!

If he had, then he would’ve found a different way or…

Maybe he wasn’t cut out for this lifestyle.

There was still time. He would turn himself in. Serve the time and hope that they would be lenient since he hadn’t even been a pirate for a full year.

Then a sailor sat down across from him, bringing a new bottle of rum with him. “You Cap’n Killian Jones?”

He finished off his own bottle of rum before reaching for the new one. “Aye, what of it?”

“Is it true you summoned Davy Jones only to kill the woman he loved in front of him?”

He took a long drink of the rum. He could still hear her cries. Pleading behind the gag.

She had been trying to tell him she was pregnant.

But his own grief made him deaf.

He drank more rum, willing the memory to disappear. “What does it matter if I did or didn’t?”

The sailor leaned forward. “’Cause if you did, then I’d like to join your crew. And I know a few other good men who would like to join. We ain’t never heard of a man with the balls to stand up to Davy Jones.”

He studied the man before him. He looked worn from age and had definitely seen his fair share of battles.

And he was a pirate.

But so was he. A pirate captain.

He took one more drink from the bottle of rum before nodding. “Welcome to my crew then. We leave port tomorrow at daybreak.”

***

His body had countless scars. More than he ever thought to have at this age. And over the scars he decorated them with ink in an effort to hide them.

An anchor. A kraken. A trident. A mermaid. And dozens of other images.

But now he had a scar that no matter what he did, he would never be able to hide. People would take one look at him and know exactly who he was.

Hook. Captain Hook.

Their eyes would only focus on that piece of metal that was to become a part of him now.

No one would be able to look past it.

Which is what he preferred.

Because in the end, it was better to be alone. That’s what the gods seemed to have him destined for anyways.

That didn’t mean he wouldn’t do everything he could to get his revenge on that bloody crocodile

***

He was sure of only two things. One, more than two hundred years had passed while he was stuck in that endless nightmare called Neverland. And two, when he made it back to the Enchanted Forest, the Dark Curse was cast, and time stood still for him for another thirty years.

And he spent his days plotting all the ways he would kill that crocodile. He was so close, he could practically taste it.

But then he saw her.

This princess who shared that same lost look he saw on countless boys on that bloody island.

The look he saw reflected anytime he passed by a mirror.

She looked exasperated when he introduced himself.

Killian Jones. Captain Hook.

She had heard of him.

He smiled, happy to know that his reputation had preceded him in this land without magic.

He found that he wanted to see her smile too.

***

He had been so close to finally getting his revenge.

But now he found himself traveling with that same demon back to the place he swore to never return to.

Because her son had been kidnapped and taken there and…

Perhaps he wanted to see what would happen if he helped her.

Maybe he’d finally see that smile of hers.

If he were lucky, he might even hear her laugh.

And maybe too, he could begin redeeming himself of all the terrible things he did during his two hundred plus years as a pirate.

Beginning with those first two lives he had taken.

***

He had traded his ship for her. Spent several days looking for her in this city that was filled with an impossible amount of people, buildings, and machinery he couldn't hope to understand. When he finally found her, he kissed her.

And she kneed him, the kiss doing nothing to jog her memories.

It had been a long shot, but he had to try. Had to see for himself if maybe there could be a chance for him.

For them.

But he had been wrong and he would leave her be.

Or what if, after her memories were restored, that's when they could have chance.

***

He hadn’t gotten drunk in a long time. He was worried Granny might complain to him in the morning about how long he spent stumbling up the stairs to his room.

He would sit there and take whatever beratement she had for him.

Because it couldn’t be worse than what he was feeling now.

Gods above, he loved her.

He loved her and that bloody witch had cursed his lips.

***

Everything had been made right.

No, not just right.

Everything was perfect now.

Because she had kissed him. For the second time.

Of course, not including the kiss she gave to bring air back into his lungs after he nearly drowned, though she insisted it was something call 'see pee are'.

She had kissed him and for the first time in a long time, he was excited to see what the future held.

***

They had dealt with ice queens, wizards and prophesied kings, countless curses and battles, and even the Underworld and Hades himself.

Even now, there was a curse looming, threatening to take away their happiness.

The happiness that he treasured so much because he never thought he could have it for himself.

Not after all his mistakes and sins.

He knew there were still things to come. Debts that needed to be repaid.

And he thought of Davy Jones…

But no, that monster wasn’t strong enough to cross realms.

Right now, he refused to worry about any of it. Not even this impending curse from the Black Fairy.

Because just down the aisle, was Emma. And she was walking towards him. And a new chapter was beginning.

One that they would go into together.

***

He didn’t think it was possible to feel even more happiness.

But his heart nearly burst from it as he held her in his arms.

She was so tiny and fragile, and she was theirs.

She would need a name. One that suited her.

They hadn’t discussed any names while she was still pregnant. One, because they wanted their baby’s gender to be a surprise. And two, because they wanted the baby to have a name that suited them, not one that was forced on them the moment they were born.

“Hope,” Emma whispered, half-awake as she watched him cradling their child.

He smiled at his wife, kissed her, then kissed their daughter. “Hello, Hope,” he said quietly as Emma fell asleep. “I’m your papa.”

And he sang a lullaby that he still remembered after all these years.

“I dreamed it last night

That my true love came in

So softly she entered

Her feet made no din

She came close beside me

And this she did say

It will not be long love

Till our wedding day.”

He made a promise in that moment, that no matter what, he would protect their daughter.

She would not have to pay for any of his mistakes

***

Things had been quiet and peaceful for a few years now. Five to be exact.

He should’ve known it wouldn’t last.

Instead of joining Emma at the station after dropping Hope off at school, he had gone to the docks to do maintenance on the Jolly Roger. And as he was putting away ropes, his hand began burning as if he had stuck it into a fire.

He clenched his fist tightly, willing the pain to go away.

And when the pain was finally gone, he opened his hand.

He had to sit from the shock.

Because right on his palm was a black spot.

It only meant one thing.

Davy Jones was coming to collect.

***

He had meant to tell her. He really did.

But he just wanted one last day of peace with her. One last day of happiness and love that he didn’t deserve.

When he woke up though, he was soaked, and he knew he had waited too long.

“Captain Killian Jones. Wait, I forget. It’s Captain Hook now, isn’t it. Either way, it has been a long time, wouldn’t you agree?”

***

He could hardly think past the pain anymore. Still, a part of him clung to the hope that she would find him and have a way to destroy this monster.

He had been burned, stabbed, beaten, but Davy Jones’ favorite form of punishment seemed to have been drowning, pushing him close enough to killing him, but them pulling him from the water before he could pass out.

He tried to remember what it felt like to be dry. To be warm.

To have her in his arms.

And then it came to an end.

Or at least, he thought it had.

But no, Davy had something much worse planned.

With his magic, he pulled out his heart without reaching his hand into his chest. Davy squeezed it, bringing an impossible amount of pain to him.

“It’s been two weeks,” Davy said. “A week for each heart you stole from me.”

Even through the pain, he tried to apologize. That it had been a mistake. He had been young and stupid. He was a different man now.

He hadn’t known she was pregnant.

Davy squeezed his heart even tighter, and he thought it might crumble in his hands.

“I have a message for you to deliver.” Davy pulled out a note from his pocket. He handed it to him. “It’s for your wife.”

***

He knew she would come. Of course she would come.

But he prayed to whatever gods would still listen that she wouldn’t.

Because when he returned from delivering the note with Emma’s own black spot, Davy had given him one last command.

“I want you to make her hate you. Hate you enough that she wished you were dead,” Davy said as he held his heart in his hands.

“Please,” he tried once more, panting for breath. “Do what you will with me. But leave her out of this.”

Davy shook his head. “You’ve always known the price of your debt. Two hearts.”

***

He could only feel pain. Everywhere, his body protested. And he knew the moment his body healed, he would feel nothing.

Because Davy destroyed his heart.

The only thing keeping him alive was Emma and her will to find a way to fix this.

He didn’t think it would happen.

Not this time.

How can you come back from a heart turning to dust?

But even without his heart, he knew how determined his wife could be.

And when they finally let Hope come in and see him, he knew he should feel something.

Joy, relief, love.

Nothing.

He nodded along while she spoke, half paying attention. His mind was more focused on bringing up memories of Hope. Willing himself to feel those same emotions from the memories.

He couldn’t.

She leaned forward to kiss him and he kissed her back.

It made her upset.

He felt nothing.

Then Emma kissed him and he could do this. He could kiss her back just like he did countless other times and it would be the same.

She pulled back and the look on her face told him it was all wrong.

He was all wrong.

Beyond hope of repair.

He focused again on the memories of his family as Emma left him alone in the room. He could remember how much he loved them, but he just couldn’t feel it.

He would do whatever it took to fix this.

And to hell with that last command Davy gave him.

He would not make his wife hate him.

***

He remembered hating reality TV shows, but he still watched them. It was full of emotional outbursts and he took mental notes of their facial expressions, phrases, and movements. Then he gathered pictures of his family, writing down notes and dividing them up into their categories of emotions.

Happy. Sad. Surprised. Love.

In the middle of all the pictures, he placed a mirror to practice and mimic the faces on the wall.

His eyes were all wrong though and no matter how much he practiced, he couldn’t get them to change.

And Emma would always know.

Still, even after she found the wall, he kept practicing. Because she wasn’t giving up on getting him his heart back.

So he wouldn’t give up either, on learning to live as normal as possible without his heart.

But every day, it was getting harder and harder to fight against that command.

***

Somehow, he managed to feel tired. It was physical tiredness, but that had to count for something.

Right?

She was avoiding him.

He didn’t blame her.

He was avoiding her too.

Because it was easier to not follow through with the command when he wasn’t around her.

When he was near her, he fought against cold words that bubbled inside of him. Dead stares that would only remind her of what they lost.

It was hard enough trying to perfect these emotional expressions in time for Christmas.

Perhaps that was why he was so tired.

He found himself at the Rabbit Hole, trying one last thing to get him to feel something.

Getting drunk off his ass.

Still, he felt nothing.

But then a man bumped into him.

And something inside of him snapped.

Despite being drunk, he managed to land a punch square in the other man’s jaw.

Perhaps this was all the hate he was supposed to make Emma feel exploding from inside him.

When she picked him up, he saw she was just as tired.

Of course she was. She was working on bringing his heart back.

And here he was, getting drunk to feel something that would never come back.

That night was the closest he ever got to making her hate him.

Because he told her what his terrible sin had been and practically told her to wish him dead.

Still, when she looked at him, there was love underneath all that sadness.

He had to get out of the car before he could say something that would make things worse.

***

Christmas came and he fooled everyone.

Except for his wife.

And people had moved on to the next problem to solve. Because to everyone else, it seemed like they had made the necessary adjustments to life without his heart.

Their home told a different story. Hope knew something was still wrong with him, but she believed it was a disease that was taking it’s time to run through his body. And Emma still spent every waking moment trying to bring his heart back.

It was almost spring.

A time of rebirth.

Perhaps this would be the season his heart would grow back by some miracle.

***

He loved his family. With or without his heart, nothing would ever change that. Because it had stopped being a feeling years ago.

That love was a part of him.

His love for his wife and his daughter.

He knew Davy Jones' blast of magic would kill him.

Still, he stepped in front of the magic, letting it hit him instead of his wife and daughter.

Better he be the one to die, than them.

The man without a heart. The man who continued cheating death. The man who had countless sins he had yet to pay for.

Let him die so his family could go on living.

And then he felt her cradling him. Shaking him and crying for him to open his eyes.

He felt something move in his chest.

It was almost like a heartbeat.

And he managed to open his eyes.

There she was. His beautiful Swan.

She was crying.

Something inside of him broke.

He reached a hand up to lightly touch her cheek, using his thumb to brush away some of her tears.

He hated seeing her cry.

“Emma…”

She smiled at him.

He closed his eyes and felt peace.

***

Tag List: @kmomof4, @sotangledupinit, @jrob64, @teamhook, @motherkatereloyshipper, @the-darkdragonfly, @jadehowlettthewolf, @thepirateandhisson

Her furrowed brow deepened. “Because you’re not doing it right anymore. Once you start doing it right, then I won’t wipe it away.”

“And how am I doing it wrong?”

Hope gave a frustrated whine. “I don’t know, you just are.”

“Explain it to me, so I can do better next time.”

She shook her head. “No, you know how to do it right. You just aren’t doing it!”

This wasn’t the first time Emma had seen this. Hope, still learning how to regulate her own emotions, getting overwhelmed by her feelings, not seeing any of the adults understanding her. “Hope, baby, come here.”

Hope turned to Emma with tears dampening her face. “What’s wrong with him, Mommy?”

She looked to Killian, hoping she would see some help as to what to do in his face.

But his expression told her he didn’t care one way or the other.

He didn’t have the ability to care.

Emma crouched down, pulling Hope into a tight hug and rubbing her back, hoping to ground her.

Hope cried into her shoulder, begging her mommy to fix what was wrong with her papa.

Emma didn’t know what to say that could possibly bring comfort to her.

When she finally settled, Emma carried her out of the room to where Mary Margaret was in the waiting room.

It was the first time Hope left without demanding a kiss from Killian.

Emma could only imagine what their home life would look like now.

She made sure to get him home while Hope was still in school.

It was a quiet homecoming. No banners or balloons, food, friends or family.

Just Emma, carefully helping her husband inside their home.

She helped him sit down on the sofa in the living room. He mumbled a thanks before staring straight ahead.

Emma swallowed hard, feeling awkward.

He had been like this since he woke. Unable to hold any kind of conversation.

She would ask him questions or try and tell him stories, show him the latest meme Henry was trying to educate her on, anything to get a reaction out of him.

He only gave her the same quiet, humoring responses he gave Hope.

“Do you want something to eat?” she asked after a few seconds of silence. “I know how much you hate hospital food. I can make some mac and cheese really quick.”

Killian shook his head. “I’m fine.”

He wasn’t though, was he? But there would be no point in saying that.

“Okay,” Emma said softly. “Let me know if you need anything.” She walked away and headed into the kitchen.

Today would be an attempt to get back into their normal routine. She opened the fridge to see what they had and make a quick list in her mind so she could get dinner going as soon as David dropped Hope off from school.

Aside from half an onion, a bottle of mustard, and a loaf of bread that had gone stale before Emma had stuck it in the fridge, they had nothing. She checked the pantry and saw several canned vegetables and soup cups, but nothing that would be substantial enough to make a meal for three.

She didn’t even have mac and cheese.

More take-out from Granny’s tonight then.

From the living room, she heard Killian turn on the TV. She walked a little to lean against the island counter, where she could peek into the living room.

Killian flipped through the channels, finally stopping on…

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Emma frowned a little. Killian hated that show. He hated all reality TV shows and in fact wasn’t too fond of the TV itself.

But hate was a feeling. Was he capable of it?

Emma went back to the fridge, grabbing a notepad and pen to write out a grocery list.

Because they had to return to some kind of normal routine.

Regina was continuing her research and had even pulled Gold into digging up information too. And Killian told them everything he knew about Davy Jones, which wasn’t much. Every book that even had just a few sentences of information had been scoured by them.

Still, none of it was enough to figure out a way to bring Killian’s heart back from dust.

Would it come to the point where she would quietly resign to his fate too?

She felt that was just as bad as wishing he were dead.

Emma left the kitchen and headed towards the den, passing by a family portrait of the four of them.

She paused to look at the picture. It was taken on the Jolly Roger, Emma and Hope sitting on some crates with Henry and Killian standing behind them.

They were so happy in that picture.

No, Emma would not resign herself to this fate. She started towards the den again, with every intention of reading through everything they had gathered on Davy Jones for what had to be the hundredth time.

***

Emma was right in assuming it was going to be a hard transition with Killian at home now.

Especially that first night.

When her parents dropped Hope off from school, they also gave her a casserole, sparing her from the hassle of figuring out dinner later on and more take-out from Granny's.

And like Hope’s first visit to him in the hospital, she ran to him, eyes bright and a huge smile on her face as she hugged him and welcomed him home.

But when he returned the hug, she insisted it was all wrong again and she stomped away, choosing to go play outside instead.

Dinner was quiet. Something that almost never happened in the Jones household.

Then Hope asked a question.

“What are we doing for Thanksgiving?”

Emma blinked, then pulled out her phone to look at the calendar.

Sure enough, it was next week already.

She had completely forgotten about it with everything that was going on.

That was still going on.

Killian was the one to answer her though. “We’ll do what we do every year,” he said, looking at Hope calmly. “Have dinner at your grandparents’ house. Regina will join us as will Henry.”

Hope tilted her head a little, poking at the last few bites left on her plate. “And you’ll be better by then?”

Killian shook his head. “Dr. Whale said it will still be a couple of months before I’m one hundred percent.”

That wasn’t what she was asking though.

But Hope nodded and accepted his answer.

And just like that, Hope was okay with this whole situation.

Because Killian told her it would only be a couple of months.

When Hope was tucked into bed, Emma headed to their bedroom. Despite everything, she was looking forward to finally being able to sleep in her own bed tonight.

Killian was sitting on their bed, his brace off and only wearing his pajama bottoms.

It was the first time Emma was seeing his chest since before the hospital.

There were a few gauze pads taped on him from the cuts that required stitches.

And the black bruise over his chest hadn’t faded at all.

In fact, now that Emma was able to get a better look at it, she could see it was in the shape of a perfect circle.

“A reminder from Davy Jones,” Killian said, carefully pulling back one of the gauzes to rub some ointment on it.

Emma hovered in the doorway, almost feeling like she was intruding. She glanced down at the carpet, seeing that wet spot from the portal had finally dried. “Well, I don’t think either of us really needs one,” she grumbled, moving towards the dresser to pull out her own pair of pajamas.

Killian continued, as if he hadn’t heard her. “It’s a reminder of the debt he’s still collecting”

Emma pushed the drawer shut with more force than necessary. “He said it was all paid for when he crushed your heart. What else could he be collecting?”

Killian looked at her, his gaze steady. “Your heart. Little by little, he’s collecting its pieces.”

A chill climbed up her spine at his words and how calmly he spoke them. She said nothing as she turned around and changed.

And she was annoyed that he said nothing as she undressed in front of him.

He always said some ridiculous suggestive comment.

It would probably be a long while before she heard one from him.

She climbed into bed, trying not to look at him.

At the reminder of how much she lost

Emma squeezed her eyes tightly and pushed that thought out. No, she hadn’t lost him. He was still here and she going to bring him back.

She had been right about the transition being hard. But it seemed like she was the one struggling the most.

Thanksgiving came and went. They tried celebrating as normal, and Emma tried her best not to let her dark mood ruin the dinner.

Because they already had to deal with Killian and his inability to react to anything.

Living with Killian was proving much more difficult than Emma had been prepared for.

While she doubted she would ever get used to him in this numb state, there was another thing she would never get used.

His touch, his skin, was always cold.

It surprised her that first night they slept together. Because Emma almost always woke up dazed in the middle of the night and her feet freezing. She would move around until she managed to snuggle her feet in between Killian’s legs from where his pajama bottoms would ride up in the night. His skin would always warm her and he would wake up at her cold touch, growl a half-awake complaint before pulling her into his arms, both of them falling asleep.

When she tried doing that same thing that first night, Killian didn’t react.

Because his skin was already cold.

Emma couldn’t fall back asleep and she had to get up to put on a pair of socks.

How much longer would this drag on?

It didn’t help that it seemed like getting his heart back was no longer a priority.

Too much time had passed and they still had no answers and no one was in immediate danger.

She wondered if they were beginning to think that there were more pressing and important things that needed their attention.

What if they had a point?

It didn’t help that everyone’s mind was on Christmas now and Emma didn’t even feel like celebrating this year.

That Thanksgiving night, Emma had a dream.

Killian was smiling at her, kissing her and she could feel how much he loved her and he laughed and they were happy and he had his heart back.

She woke up from the dream to the sound of Henry and Hope bringing up the Christmas decorations from the basement.

She turned in the bed to look at Killian.

He was awake too, staring at the ceiling.

Eventually, they would have to go out there and do their best to pretend.

For Hope’s sake.

“I had a dream,” Emma whispered.

Killian turned his head a little to look at her, waiting for her to continue.

“You had your heart again. We were happy.”

He stared at her with those cold, blue eyes that no longer reminded her of the warm ocean, but of ice. “You shouldn’t have woken from the dream.”

Then he got up, dressed, and joined in on the decorating.

Emma lingered in bed, moving into the spot he had just vacated. It still smelled so much like him. Salt, leather, and pine.

But the space was cold.

And Emma curled into a ball and allowed herself to cry.

***

“So what’s next?” Henry asked over his cup of hot cocoa. He was heading back to Boston to finish up the semester, then coming home for a month before the next semester started up.

Emma shrugged, adding a bit of extra whipped cream in her mug. “I’m waiting to hear back on some leads.”

Just before Thanksgiving, Emma had tried one last attempt at gathering new information.

She sent out messages to Ariel, Captain Nemo, and even Ursula. She explained everything that happened, from the black spot on Killian’s hand, the note she received with a similar black spot, to him living without his heart.

Like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.

These people were from the sea, the ocean water practically their blood.

Surely, they would know something.

She was actually hoping to hear from one of them today.

Because how long did it really take for a message in a bottle to reach to the bottomless depths of the ocean?

Henry gave her a hug goodbye and she walked him to the porch. She waited until she saw his motorcycle disappear in the distance before going back inside.

And when she did, she just caught a glimpse of Killian going out through the back door and heading to the shed in their backyard.

Emma took a long sip of the hot cocoa, ignoring the way the liquid burned her throat.

It was better feeling that than the constant pain in her heart.

After lunch, she bundled up and headed to the docks, making sure Hope was well entertained with her coloring while Killian kept an eye on her as well as the latest reality TV show he was watching. It was 90 Day Fiance this time.

Once there, she headed towards the Jolly Roger, and could just make out a glass bottle bobbing in the water beside the ship.

Grabbing a pole off the ship, Emma managed to grab the bottle from the water and quickly pulled out the note.

It was from Captain Nemo.

Emma, this is sad news indeed. I’ve heard of Davy Jones. Anyone who lives on the waters has heard of him. And sometimes no matter how much a man changes, his past will always catch up, one day or another.

It sounds like Davy Jones cast a preservation spell before crushing his heart. The only thing keeping Killian alive right now is your own heart, even though it beats in just your chest. Your hearts have become so entwined, and Davy knew this. You say Killian’s debt was two hearts. His and yours. The payment has been sealed, but Davy is collecting the remaining debt, your heart, slowly.

The moment you follow through with his words of wishing Killian were dead will be the moment the debt is finally repaid. That also means that Killian himself will die.

I am truly sorry, Emma. I wish I had better news to offer you.

Nemo

Emma crumbled the letter, ignited it in her hands, and threw it into the water, for good measure.

She didn’t want to believe it, but…

They were now getting closer to two months after Davy Jones first took Killian.

After all this time, no information presented itself of how to get Killian his heart back.

Emma stayed on the docks, allowing the cold air to seep into her mind and hopefully bring new ideas.

If they couldn’t figure out how to bring back Killian’s heart, then they would have to learn how to live without.

Before, Regina’s vault had been full of hearts. Those people still lived their lives, some even normally.

Why couldn’t Killian be any different?

And she remembered something new.

Years ago, Belle had dated Will Scarlett.

A man without a heart.

She went back home, willing the day to pass quickly. And finally, the sun sank and Hope was put to bed and a couple of hours later, Killian turned off the TV from his reality show and went to bed too.

Emma waited an hour more after Killian went to bed. If she were being honest, she was trying to avoid him. It was easier in the day to pretend, but at night, when they both laid side by side in a bed where they shared so many kisses and touches…

The memories were too hard.

She missed her husband, but she also missed her husband.

In fact, she hadn’t even kissed him since that last time in the hospital.

When she thought enough time had passed for Killian to have fallen asleep, Emma made her way upstairs and into their bedroom.

It was dark, and she climbed into bed, trying her best not to move the mattress too much and wake him by accident.

But then she heard a shift in his breathing and knew he was awake.

Emma swore a little to herself. She just wanted to sleep. She wanted to sleep and dream that everything was fine and that she was in his warm arms while he placed kisses along her neck because of all the love he felt.

“Have you heard of phantom pains?” he asked softly in the dark.

Emma turned to look at him. His gaze was focused on the ceiling. “Yeah,” she answered, matching his tone.

“When I lost my hand, I would get them all the time. Still do sometimes.”

Emma stared hard at him. She had a feeling she knew where he was going with this. But she didn’t want to be right.

“It’s the same thing now. With my heart.”

Emma closed her eyes. She didn’t want to look at his face. Because even in the dark, she saw the blank expression as he stared at the ceiling.

“Sometimes, I think I can feel something. Or I’ll remember something and…it’s as if my heart is still there.”

She opened her eyes again to see that he was looking right at her. “And what are they like? These phantom emotions?”

“Almost like the real thing,” he paused. “Just right now, I…I thought I felt like I missed you. Missed us.”

Emma let out a heavy breath. She reached out and grabbed his left arm, fingers just barely tracing over his scarred wrist. “I miss us too.”

***

She didn’t want to say that she cornered Belle.

But that’s exactly what she did.

Emma knew it was hard to talk about exes and then not to mention the fact that Gold was still the incredibly jealous type and wouldn’t enjoy the fact that Belle was having to talk about him.

It was important though.

Emma needed to gather all the information she could about Will Scarlett.

Because the entire time he and Belle dated, he did it without his heart.

It helped that the library was empty, allowing Emma to lean against the counter where Belle scanned books back into the library database

The conversation started out harmless enough. She simply brought up Will Scarlett, the time Belle spent with him.

She looked at Emma with a raised eyebrow, but answered her questions, still going through the books that had been returned over the weekend.

“Compatibility and chemistry aside,” Emma said as she watched Belle’s face carefully. “Do you think it could’ve worked out?”

Belle looked to the side, as if searching for an escape from Emma’s prying questions. “I don’t know. I mean he was always nice and kind to me…”

“Did you have sex with him?”

Belle spluttered. “Th-that’s a bit personal, don’t you think?”

So, she did have sex with him.

Belle huffed, placing her hands on the counter. “Look, our relationship was based solely on the…physical. Yes, we went on dates and hung out and talked, but…there was never really any depth to our conversations. He was sweet and that’s how I’ll always remember our time together.

“But my heart wasn’t in it because of Rumple, and his…well, his heart was buried in Wonderland.”

“Where is he now?” Because the former merry man had disappeared years ago.

“I actually heard he’s in Wonderland now. Married to his true love.”

Emma’s ears perked up at that. He had gotten married? And to his true love, no less. “Did it happen without his heart? Do you know if they’re happy?”

Belle pursed her lips before shaking her head a little. “He got his heart back. I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to tell you.” She reached out and grabbed Emma’s hand. “We are all still working on trying to figure this out. Killian will get his heart back. That I believe.”

And Emma was suddenly overwhelmed by the impossibleness of this whole situation. “How do you know?” she whispered, afraid if she spoke any louder, her voice would crack.

“Because look at Rumple. His heart was as black as the night sky. Yes, he’s still working on things, but the good is outweighing all the bad. And I know with time, there might not even be a trace of evil left in him.

Emma held back her scoff. Now was not the time or place to express her lingering distrust of the man.

She left the library, feeling as if she had gotten nowhere with that conversation.

Emma was frustrated with everything and when she pulled into their driveway, the first thing she saw was a pile of cat poop.

They didn’t even own a cat.

Her frustration skyrocketed.

She got out of the car, slamming the door, and made her way towards the shed.

Emma hardly went in there. It had become Killian’s second haven when he wasn’t aboard the Jolly Roger after he picked up gardening.

But she needed a shovel because a stray cat had come and used their lawn as its own personal litter box and Emma was frustrated enough to start fining everyone that allowed their animals to roam loose and do their business in other people’s yards.

Emma expected Killian to have kept the shed just as organized as he did the Jolly. Always going on and on about a sailor’s duty and good form and just because he was a pirate didn’t mean he was lazy when it came to cleaning.

Except when he spoke like that, there was always the hint of teasing in his tone and their conversation would end in laughter.

It had been a long while since she had laughed with her husband.

When she went into the shed, all the gardening tools were organized, just like she expected.

But the back wall was covered in pictures and notes with his sharp handwriting.

In the middle of it all was a mirror.

Emma approached the wall, taking in all the pictures and the notes.

Under a slip of paper that read ‘Happy’ were pictures of Hope smiling at the camera. Henry right after his high school graduation with his diploma. Emma, Mary Margaret, and Ruby in the Rabbit Hole during a girl’s night out.

‘Surprise’ had a picture of David for his surprise 40th birthday party. Emma running after Hope when she was two and decided to take off her diaper and run. Henry when Killian helped him buy his first motorcycle.

’Sad’ was a painting of Milah. Robin’s grave. A letter from Captain Nemo telling him his brother had gotten sick.

The ‘Love’ section had the most pictures though. They were pictures from their wedding day. Killian looking at her in a way that made her body melt. Hope, minutes old, screaming, as Killian held her with the widest smile. And countless other pictures of the two of them, staring at each, smiling for the camera, giggling with Hope.

The love in those pictures were as clear as day.

Emma had a feeling she knew why the mirror was there.

“You found it.”

Emma spun around, not having heard anyone come in the shed.

It was Killian. He had his hand in his jean pocket and hook resting through a belt loop.

She swallowed hard. “What is all this?” she asked.

Even if she already knew.

The pictures, the reality shows he took a sudden interest in, the mirror.

Killian took a few steps until he was standing next to her, his eyes roving over the pictures. He took down a picture and examined it closely.

It was a candid picture of them. They were at Granny’s, Emma laughing at something Mary Margaret had said.

Killian’s focus was only on her. Completely enraptured by her with the softest of smiles on his face.

The one he only showed her.

The one that she couldn’t remember the last time she saw.

Killian looked to the mirror, holding the picture up.

And he smiled, mimicking the photo version of himself.

Emma looked at his reflection.

She didn’t think it was possible, but her heart broke even more.

Because for a second, his expression looked exactly like the picture.

Pure love and adoration with that soft smile of his.

The image shattered as she looked to his eyes.

Numb. Cold. Dead.

His smile faded as he saw the tears building in her eyes. “I haven’t quite gotten down the eyes yet, have I?”

She swallowed hard and shook her head. She was afraid any word she might say would only end up being choked by a sob.

Still, a tear slipped from her eyes.

Before she could brush it away, Killian reached out, his finger gently catching the tear.

He stared curiously at the moisture it left behind on his finger. Almost as if he were expecting magic to spring forth.

“I remember how much I hated seeing you cry,” he murmured, still staring at his finger.

And she felt two more tears fall down her cheeks. She managed a small nod.

As he looked up to her face, Emma lowered her eyes.

She couldn’t take looking at his eyes.

Not when she would never find the comfort or love she so desperately wanted. Needed.

Killian surprised her though, taking a step closer and wrapping his arms around her.

Emma nearly melted in his arms, remembering all the other times her husband held her when the world was too much, and she just needed a good cry and Killian’s arms.

This embrace felt so foreign though.

She smiled wryly as she thought of an old saying.

Beggars can’t be choosers.

And she buried her face in his chest, curling her arms into her chest so that she could grab hold of his opened jacket.

She cried into his chest, imagining him whispering comforting words and rocking her.

Not this still, cold embrace he had her in.

Killian was the one to pull away first.

Both too soon and not soon enough.

“That didn’t help, did it.” There wasn’t a question in his voice.

Emma let out deep sigh as she wiped her face. “A little,” she admitted. “I was imagining how you would hug me before.”

“As was I.”

No matter how much he tried, how much he practiced with these pictures and this mirror, Killian would never be able to replicate those strong emotions he kept in his heart when it was still beating.

He might be able to fool everyone else.

But he would never fool his wife.

***

Emma avoided him more and more, spending her time at the station or the library.

It hurt every single time she looked at him or was even near him.

It was like living with a ghost.

She wondered if he was avoiding her too.

More often than not, he wasn’t home either. He would tell her in the morning he was going to the docks or the station. Sometimes as she cleaned up from breakfast, she would see him walk outside to the shed where he would spend hours. Once, he even came back home with his arms full of shopping bags while she was helping Hope finish up some reading homework.

“What’s all that?” Emma asked.

He glanced at Hope, readjusting the bags as if to keep them out of her sight. “Presents. It is still Christmas.”

No smile, no twinkle in his eyes, not even a secret promise to Hope that he would let her peek at one present.

Emma’s heart sunk just as Hope leaped from her chair, happily chanting presents and making an attempt to get up and see what Killian had bought.

Emma was quick enough to grab Hope’s arm before she ran to him though, telling her that if she peeked now, they would have to return everything since the surprise would be ruined.

Hope squirmed in her chair, watching her papa carry the bags upstairs to their room to be wrapped later.

That was another reason why Emma didn’t like spending time at home.

All the decorations reminded her of the impending holiday.

They had made it through Thanksgiving though, maybe they could make it through Christmas too.

If they both pretended hard enough.

Still, Emma tried everything to get Killian his heart back, different spells and getting him to drink different potions.

Nothing worked and she was so tired of it all.

Time continued moving though and soon enough, Hope was officially on winter break and Henry would be back home tomorrow.

David and Mary Margaret offered to let Hope spend the night.

“You need some rest too, honey,” Mary Margaret had told her. “Put away the books and the research for a few hours and get some rest.”

Emma gave a quiet nod, but she knew in her heart that she couldn’t. Because it had been more than two months since this whole ordeal started.

Everyday, it was harder and harder to look at Killian. His numb face, his cold touch.

And the last time he had told her he loved her was right before Davy Jones crushed his heart.

She was beginning to think she would never hear those words from him again.

Even though her mother told her to get some rest, Emma went straight home and pulled out books she had gone over what felt like a thousand times. Rereading the legends of Davy Jones, and people who lived without their hearts.

After a while, her eyes were beginning to burn and Emma considered going to bed before she fell asleep there at the desk with all the books spread out.

It wouldn’t be the first time she did that, but every time, she woke up with a horrible ache in her neck that developed into a migraine by the end of the day.

That was the last thing she wanted to deal with.

But then her phone began ringing. She frowned as she reached for it, thinking it was her parents and that Hope must’ve forgotten something.

Killian’s name flashed across the screen. Her heart sunk, because she hadn’t even realized that he wasn’t home.

“Killian, where…”

It wasn’t Killian on the other line.

She swallowed hard and closed her eyes as she listened to the man on the other end. “Okay, yeah. Thanks for calling. I’ll be right there.”

She hung up, grabbing her coat, wallet, and keys, and left the house.

Despite everything, she could feel anger begin to bubble in her stomach.

It was a quick drive and a glance at the clock on the dashboard told her it was almost three in the morning.

How could she have not realized Killian wasn’t home? When had things gotten so bad that she couldn’t even recognize her husband’s presence or lack of in their home?

She smelled the alcohol as soon as she stepped out of the car. He was sitting on the curb with the security from the Rabbit Hole watching him as he leaned against the building.

“Thanks for calling,” she said, with a quick glance in his direction.

The man gave a curt nod, then opened his mouth as if he was going to say something.

Emma hoped he didn’t. She had enough of all the sympathy and empty words of condolences.

Her husband had not died.

He just lost something very important to all of them.

For whatever reason, the security guard ended up saying nothing, giving another curt nod before going back into the bar.

Emma let out a heavy breath as she held out her hand. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

Killian grunted as he leaned against her, trying to get his feet under him and walk the few steps to the car. He gave her a pat on her head as he sat in the passenger seat. “”Sanks, love.”

Emma grimaced. “God, Killian, how much did you drink?” she grumbled.

He looked at his hand, beginning to count on his fingers, before giving up with a shrug.

Emma rolled her eyes as she walked around to get into the driver’s seat. She started the car but made no move to start driving. It wouldn’t solve anything if she got mad.

There wouldn’t even be a point because he couldn’t get mad back either.

But her voice was tight as she asked, “What the hell were you thinking? Trying to start a fight?”

His head lolled to the side to look at her, and he raised his hook to tap her nose. “Just tryin’ to feel something, love.”

Emma hated that she felt tears already burning in her eyes. “Did you?” she asked, softer this time.

Killian turned to look out the dashboard window. “No.”

And despite being the drunkest he’s ever been since Emma could remember, he sounded very sober with that single word.

The car ride home was quiet. For a moment, Emma actually thought Killian had passed out after taking a quick glance and seeing that his head was resting against the window and he was very still. But when she came to a full stop, she looked over and could better see that his eyes were still open, staring out the window.

She wondered what he was thinking about. Was he even thinking after all the alcohol he drank?

Almost like a freight train, Emma felt a wave of weariness hit her.

She pulled up to the house, turned off the car.

And she sat there, staring straight ahead.

Killian didn’t make a move to get out either.

“We’re here,” he stated.

Emma let out shaky breath, keeping her hands on the steering wheel. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this,” she whispered.

Killian’s body shifted to face her.

Emma kept her eyes straight ahead.

“You know what it’ll take for this to all end,” he said, with his words still slurring together.

Emma pursed her lips and shook her head. “I can’t do that, Killian. I can’t. What about Hope? What about…?”

What about her?

“What’s better? Hope growing up with the memories of before? Or to have those memories replaced by new ones, by this shell of who I’ve become?”

Emma bit the inside of her cheek, tasting copper.

“Look at me, love.”

Emma counted to three before looking at him.

“Davy’s got his conditions. Say it, wish it, however the bloody hell you want to handle it. But once you do, then it’ll all be over.”

His eyes were glazed over from the alcohol. But Emma knew he was sober enough to know and remember what he was saying.

And despite his eyes having that now permanent numb look, she could also see exhaustion.

He was just as tired.

Hopelessness clawed at her chest and for a moment, just a moment, Emma considered giving in.

Letting this entire thing be over and done with.

Even if that meant losing this shell of him and any hope at restoring his heart.

What hope though? Nearly three months of this and they weren’t any closer at figuring how to fix it.

She opened her mouth and thought for a moment that the words would actually fall from her tongue.

Instead, she closed her mouth and shook her head again. “I love you too much, Killian.”

And in his drunk state, he seemed to actually give her a sad smile.

She would’ve bought it if it weren’t for his cold eyes.

Then he spoke again, and Emma would’ve preferred he never said another word.

“Villains don’t get happy endings, love. We were only fooling ourselves thinking I had found mine.”

“And what about mine?” she whispered, her voice cracking at the words. “Doesn’t the savior deserve a happy ending?”

Again, that damned, sad smile of his that looked so empty with his eyes being the way they were. “I don’t think those who love villains get a happy ending either.”

Emma reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it, willing some of her own emotions to pass through into his own body. “You aren’t a villain though. You haven’t been one for a long time.”

He stared down at her hand gripping his tightly. She wondered if maybe the warmth was transferring into his own skin and that’s why he was staring at it.

Or maybe he was staring because it had been so long since she had voluntarily touched him.

“But I was at one point,” he said, eyes still on their hands. “And it was only a matter of time before my past caught up.”

And Emma finally asked the question she had been afraid of. “What did you do?”

What sin could have been so bad that it required two hearts to repay?

He looked up, and Emma almost thought she saw regret and pain.

Killian told her the story of how he had first become a pirate, after Liam’s death. How he wanted to do anything to bring his brother back. The legends he and every other sailor had heard of Davy Jones and the possibility of bringing a sailor back from the dead if you had something worthy enough to trade.

He had kept a Pegasus feather from the sail he had burned, thinking that would be enough to trade.

But when Killian summoned him, Davy Jones had laughed in his face.

And the pirate had refused to let it go.

He found out that somehow, Davy Jones had found a human woman to love. For the second time, Killian summoned Davy Jones.

In front of the sea creature, Killian killed the woman.

“I didn’t know she was pregnant,” Killian finished, still staring at Emma with his cold eyes. “Which is why my debt required two hearts. My heart and the thing I loved most.”

Emma was silent, holding his gaze and never letting go of his hand.

“Perhaps now, you’ll wish I were dead.”

Emma let go of his hand, but only to cup his face. “No, Killian Jones. I love you. Your past is exactly that. Your past. That happened more than two hundred years ago. I love the man you became and nothing will ever change that. I still love you. That’s why I refuse to give up.”

And she held her breath, waiting for him to repeat the words, or to kiss her hands, or even something resembling the love he once had to flicker in his eyes.

None of that happened.

Instead, he gave a small nod before getting out of the car and making his way inside.

Emma followed a few minutes later. But she didn’t go upstairs.

Yes, she still loved him, no matter what. Tonight though, she would sleep on the couch, allowing herself to cry and to try and dream of his warm arms and eyes full of love.

***

Christmas came and…

Somehow, they made it through.

They celebrated as a family, everyone gathering at her parents farm like every year. They exchanged hugs and kisses, laughter, shared stories and enjoyed the quiet peace inside as it began snowing in the afternoon and the kids ran outside to play.

Even Killian would smile and laugh quietly with them.

And when they left for the night, David held her arms and smiled. “See, Emma,” he said. “I knew things were going to get better. You and Killian are going to be okay. We’re fixing this.”

Emma made herself smile and nod, kissing her dad goodnight and wishing him for a final time a merry Christmas.

Once back to their house and after Emma put Hope to bed, she found Killian in the kitchen, putting away the dishes that had dried in the morning.

“Seems like you fooled everyone,” she said as she joined him with a towel to dry the things that were still wet.

He didn’t look at her, the smiles and laughter from earlier today were gone. How long had he practiced those expressions in the shed?

“Everyone but you,” he responded.

Emma set down the towel for just a moment, allowing herself to rub the tears out of her eyes.

She felt Killian standing behind her and she thought that maybe he would pull her in a hug and it might be cold, but it would an attempt to comfort her and it was better than nothing.

Instead, he opened the cabinet above where she stood and put away a stack of bowls.

Emma left him alone in the kitchen and went to bed.

New Year’s came and they spent it at home. Emma didn’t have the energy to pretend for anyone anymore.

And with the holidays officially over, they went back to their routine again. School for Hope, work for the both of them, and Emma spending all her free time trying to bring Killian’s heart back.

But they were entering March and she hadn’t made any progress.

One evening, while Emma was tucking Hope into bed, their daughter asked, “When’s Papa going to get better?”

Emma swallowed hard. “Soon,” she lied.

Hope frowned. “He said it was only going to be two months, but now it’s four.”

“He’ll get better. I am going to make sure of it.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Hope was satisfied with the answer. “I love you, Mommy.”

“I love you too, Hope.”

And that little conversation had been a balm to Emma’s soul, strengthening her own hope that Killian would get his heart back.

Because in Hope's eyes, there was no question that Killian was going to get better.

Two days later, when Emma went to wake Hope up for school, she saw that Hope wasn’t in bed.

“Hope?” Emma called out, turning on the lights and opening the closet. “Baby, it’s time for school. Come on, no hiding.” She pulled out her uniform and set it down on the unmade bed.

And her feet stepped in puddle.

Emma felt a wave of panic as she stared down at the wet spot in the carpet, and her mind flashing to the one that had been in their bedroom months ago.

“Killian!” she cried out, running down the hall to their bedroom.

He was pulling on a shirt, allowing Emma to catch a glimpse of that black spot that never disappeared.

It only made her heart jump to her throat.

She didn’t wait for him to ask what was wrong or to turn a disinterested look in her direction. “Hope,” Emma said, voice trembling. “She’s gone. Davy took her.”

***

Tag List: @kmomof4, @sotangledupinit, @jrob64, @teamhook, @motherkatereloyshipper, @the-darkdragonfly, @jadehowlettthewolf, @thepirateandhisson

Emma felt the frustration in her magic as well, her control of it slipping as it flared and faltered at a moment’s notice.

But she refused to move her hands away from him, willing her magic to heal him and to fix what had been done.

She had hardly heard the doors open, her heart pounding in her ears and tears spilling from her eyes.

She couldn’t heal him.

Emma collapsed against a pair of arms that pulled her back as a team of paramedics quickly assessed Killian before placing an oxygen mask over his face and loading hm up on a stretcher.

“Emma, what happened? Who did this?”

It was David who was asking her these questions. And she couldn’t bring herself to give him the answers she had. Because then that would make this real.

Instead, she scrambled to her feet as they took Killian in the ambulance. “Wait!” she called out. “I’m going with him!”

David grabbed her arm. “Emma, maybe it’s best you come with me. We’ll follow the ambulance and-“

“No!” she yelled, yanking her arm away from him. “It has been two weeks. I am not letting him out of my sight again.”

“Okay. Okay, I understand, but Emma,” he reached out for her again, cupping her face in his hands and eyes scanning her body for any injuries. “Are you okay?”

And Emma almost collapsed right there into her father’s arms. Because no, she was not okay.

She was afraid she might never be okay.

“I don’t know, Dad,” she finally whispered through her tears.

She could see heartbreak in his eyes as he hugged her tightly. Emma squeezed her eyes, wishing it was Killian’s arms around her right now.

But she accepted the comfort and felt a little empty when David let go. “I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

Emma nodded, wiping her face a little as she followed the paramedics outside and climbed into the ambulance once they had loaded Killian up.

The entire drive, Emma listened as the paramedics worked. The quick fixes they were able to do, shouting out different numbers and levels that Emma didn't understand and couldn’t tell if they were good or bad.

Once at the hospital, Dr. Whale met them in the ER. The paramedics gave him all the information they could, and Emma matched their pace as they pushed an unconscious Killian along. Emma watched his face carefully, but Dr. Whale didn’t show any kind of emotion. Without looking at her, he instructed the paramedics to take him into the operating room. He would be there shortly.

Then he stood in front of Emma, blocking her path from following after Killian. “You know I can’t allow you into the surgery, Sheriff.”

Emma numbly nodded, knowing it would be pointless to argue.

“Is there anything else I should know before I go in?”

And she had to say it. It was important information.

Except she knew as soon as the words left her mouth, it would only make it real.

“He doesn’t have his heart,” Emma said, her voice sounding steady and distant to her ears.

Dr. Whale nodded. “Okay, I’ll take that into account and-“

“No,” Emma said, shaking her head. “His heart…it was crushed.” Her voice cracked on that last word as images of the dust falling from Davy’s hand came to the forefront of her mind.

Dr. Whale blinked. “Are you sure?” he asked after a moment’s pause.

Emma didn’t want to nod. She didn’t want to be sure of it. She didn’t want it to be true.

But her hesitation to answer must have been enough for Dr. Whale. His face settled into an expression of grim determination. “We’ll do what we can. In the meantime, I suggest you get ahold of Regina. She’s the one that has experience in this area.

Emma barely managed a nod as Dr. Whale hurried away to the operating room.

She wasn’t sure how long she had stood there, watching the doors where Killian had disappeared behind. It could’ve been hours or seconds when she faintly heard David again.

It sounded as if he was speaking underwater though as he placed gentle hands and led her to a chair.

Emma sunk into it, her eyes still never leaving those doors.

And even though tears were still falling from her eyes, she felt numb. As if her heart was the one that had been turned to dust.

***

There had been extensive damage. More than Emma had realized. All kinds of gashes of varying depths, broken bones, bruising, internal bleeding, burns. And the water he had been submerged in hadn’t helped, bringing infection to some of the wounds.

There were all kind of wires and tubes connected to him, all of them working together to help him heal. The only thing missing was a heart-rate monitor. They had connected him to one at first and it flat-lined immediately, despite his chest still rising and falling and all the other machines picking up their readings.

He was under a medically induced coma to allow the antibiotics to work quickly and because he was still alive. After the trauma his body went through, Dr. Whale was afraid that his brain would finally catch up to everything that happened and…

Emma tuned out those last words, but she read the expression on his face.

In short, it wouldn’t be good for his brain to realize what happened.

Both Dr. Whale and Regina told her this was something neither of them had ever seen before.

Living after having your heart literally turn into dust? How was it even possible?

They wouldn’t have any kind of answers for Emma until after they pulled him out.

“And how long will that be?” Emma asked, holding his hand and hating how cold and clammy it felt.

As if he wasn’t even alive.

“I would give it a week. Again, to allow his injuries to heal properly.”

She heard Dr. Whale’s unspoken words.

To allow his body to adjust to life without a heart.

Another week without seeing his smile, blue eyes that lit up when he saw her, hearing his voice as he teased her and doted on Hope.

But Emma made herself believe this week would be better than the last two. Because at least she knew where he was and she could be by his side.

She layered another blanket on him after Dr. Whale left. He was so cold still and his skin damp. Was this a side-effect of…what had been done to him?

Her parents shared half a heart. Why couldn’t they share one? Yes, she had the plan once already when they were in the Underworld, and it had failed. But things had been different then. Surely, that would work now.

The only thing keeping her from doing it right this moment was Regina telling her they had no idea what would happen. Again, they were just going to have to wait for him to be pulled out of the coma.

Emma had asked Regina why her magic didn't heal him, even though she could still feel it's constant hum and it had held her own small cut.

The only answer Regina had was that it was connected to his heart being gone. Because healing magic only worked on a living thing. And without his heart, Emma's magic refused to acknowledge Killian as living.

Emma had no plans of leaving Killian’s bedside and when a nurse came in to inform her visiting hours would be ending in an hour, Emma shot her a glare that had the nurse quickly leaving with a small squeak.

Mary Margaret came by in the evening, bringing Emma some toiletries, a change of clothes, and some food.

“Do you want me to bring Hope tomorrow?” she asked as she settled in the chair next to Emma.

She shook her head, her eyes never leaving Killian’s still form. “I don’t think it would be a good idea for her to see him like this.”

“It’s going to be okay,” Mary Margaret said after a while. “He’s going to be okay.”

Emma blew out a heavy sigh. She wanted to believe it. Hell, he was constantly reminding her of how much a survivor he was. How many times he had cheated death?

He’d even been resurrected twice.

But Emma couldn’t help thinking that there was something different about this time.

She just nodded at her mom and thanked her for the things she brought.

Mary Margaret left after giving her a kiss on the top of her head and promised she would make sure Hope knew everything was okay.

Emma didn’t want to say that was a lie. Because how could everything be okay right now? Killian’s heart was gone. It was literal dust.

And Emma couldn’t have stopped it.

That first night she slept in the room with him, she had crawled onto the bed, being careful with all the wires and tubes. She imagined his arm wrapping around her and keeping her safe and warm. Instead, Killian stayed completely still, and Emma even felt a chill as her body pressed against his.

She couldn’t sleep that night. The events kept playing over and over in her head.

How Davy had held Killian’s heart. The silent scream as his body arched from the pain. The note with the black circle addressed to her. Davy saying Killian’s sins required two hearts, but then saying the debt was paid after crushing Killian’s.

And not for the first time, Emma wished Killian had explained everything before he went missing. She loved him, but sometimes she hated how stubborn he could be when he thought he was trying to protect her from something.

Dawn came and Emma climbed off the bed, not wanting to hear any of the nurses or even Dr. Whale reprimanding her for doing that. A nurse came in, checked Killian’s vitals, changed out his IV, and offered her some breakfast.

Emma turned down the offer, waiting for the nurse to say something about Killian’s condition instead.

There was nothing new though and Emma didn’t move from her spot until late morning.

David came by and he had Hope with him. But he respected Emma’s wishes and didn’t bring her in the room. He called her instead and asked her to come out to the waiting room.

Emma looked at Killian, so still and pale under the harsh hospital lighting. “I can’t leave him, Dad.”

“Your daughter needs to see you too, Emma. She knows something’s up. At least show her that you’re okay.”

Emma closed her eyes. Another lie. She would never be okay.

But Emma finally acquiesced. She leaned forward and kissed Killian on the side of his mouth since tubes were currently stuffed down his throat. And she paused for a moment, half thinking that a burst of light magic would flow through her and he would wake up from true love's kiss and his chest would move with his beating heart and everything really would be okay.

That never happened and Emma forced herself to leave the room and go to the waiting room where David and Hope waited for her.

Hope ran to her and hugged her legs tightly. Emma picked her up and carried her to sit down on a chair.

“Mommy, is Papa really okay?” she asked through her tears.

Emma never wanted to lie to her. But what could she possibly say right now? She chose to frame her question in a different light. “He’s going to be fine.” Because Dr. Whale had said all his wounds would heal and the antibiotics were already working on getting rid of the infections.

His physical body was going to be fine.

His heart though…

Would he look at them with that same dead expression he had when Gold had his heart years ago? Hope would notice right away that something was wrong with him. What would be their story then?

David sat beside them and handed Emma a bag of food from Granny’s. Her usual order of a grilled cheese with onion rings.

She made herself eat a few of the onion rings since she had hardly touched the food Mary Margaret had brought her. And while Hope still seemed worried and had barely calmed herself from all the crying, she managed to tell Emma all about her time with her grandparents and the games she played with her Uncle Neal and how Henry had video called her last night to read her a bedtime story.

Emma pressed a kiss to Hope’s cheek, grateful for the family that surrounded them and helped take care of Hope when she and Killian weren’t able to.

After a while, Emma began feeling anxious, not liking the time she was spending away from Killian.

Anything could happen while she was gone.

David noticed and handed Hope a few dollars to spend at the vending machine down the hall. It gave them enough time alone for him to update her on the investigation of Davy.

Basically, they still had nothing.

And Emma knew they weren’t going to get anything until after Killian woke up.

David hugged her as Hope made her way back towards them. “We’re going to figure this out. I promise.”

Emma wiped her eyes, not feeling up to crying even more. She gave Hope a hug as well, knowing David was leaving now. “I’ll make sure Papa knows you came by.”

Hope’s face lit up. “And I can see him tomorrow?!”

Emma tried not to let the sadness creep into her smile. “Papa’s got some really bad ouchies still. I think it’s better if you wait a little bit more.”

Her face immediately fell and her eyes filled with tears.

David picked her up. “How about when we get home, you make him some drawings? I bet he would love that.”

Hope sniffed, rubbing her eyes and looking between Emma and David. “Really?”

Emma lightly tapped her nose. “Really. I’ll see you later, baby, okay? Be good and I love you.”

“Love you too, Mommy.” Hope leaned forward and hugged Emma’s neck as tightly as she would while still staying in David’s arms.

She waved goodbye to her father and daughter and again, pictured Killian’s blank eyes staring at his family.

Would he even call Hope his ‘little love’ anymore?

Emma settled into a new routine for the week. Staying in Killian’s room for almost the entire day, except for the late morning when David would bring Hope by. Every day, Hope brought a new drawing for Killian.

Drawings of her family, her and a dog because she could never pass up the opportunity to ask for one, the Jolly Roger out on the water, Killian and Emma fighting off bad guys.

She wished the pictures of that last item didn’t exist. She hated that Hope lived in a world where that was still something her parents had to do.

Once the week was up, Dr. Whale asked Emma to step outside of the room so he could wake Killian up and pull the tube from him.

Emma refused and she bit the inside of her cheek as she watched Dr. Whale and the other nurses working. She knew they were only trying to help, but it looked as if they were only making things worse.

When they were finally done, Dr. Whale told her they were going to run some scans in a few hours to see if his heart really was gone.

She wanted to tell him it would be pointless. Emma knew what she saw. That dust his heart became was a fixture of her nightmares now.

Then Emma was left alone with her husband again. And she took her spot by his bedside, holding his cold hand and watching his face, a part of her terrified of what she would see when his eyes would finally open.

And after a half hour, she felt his fingers beginning to twitch in her hand.

“Killian?” She leaned forward, brushing hair out of his face. “Killian, can you hear me?”

He groaned and it was music to her ears after hearing nothing from him for a week.

With her free hand, she cupped his cheek, trying to ignore how it was just as cold as his hand. “Killian, babe, are you awake?”

His eyes fluttered before his face scrunched in pain. “Bloody hell,” he muttered. Then he began coughing and groaning and curling in on himself as if to get away from the pain.

Emma tore herself away from him only to poke her head out the door and yell at the first nurse she saw that she needed some ice chips or something. Then she was back at his side, willing him to catch his breath.

When a nurse finally came in, Killian had just managed to catch his breath. Emma took the cup of ice chips while the nurse started checking the machines and his charts before leaving.

“Here, this will help your throat,” Emma said as she placed an ice chip by his mouth.

He opened without question and took it. He closed his eyes, moaning a little in relief. Emma offered him a few more before he finally spoke again.

“What happened?”

Emma pursed her lips. “What do you remember?”

Killian turned his eyes to her and Emma felt a knot in her throat.

There was no light in his eyes. No relief, or joy, or even the tiniest hint of love.

His eyes were numb.

“Davy,” he spoke softly. “You were there and…” Then his hand moved to his chest. “How…?”

“We don’t know,” Emma said, staring hard to see if she saw a flicker of any emotion.

But there was nothing.

“You shouldn’t have gone,” Killian said, pulling his gaze from her and staring at the ceiling.

“And leave you there for Davy to kill?”

“There was nothing you could’ve done. I was a dead-man walking," He paused and Emma noticed his arm moving and resting his stump over his chest. "I still am.”

Emma shook her head. “No. No, you’re not. You are fine. I found you.”

“He crushed my heart, Emma,” he said, finally turning to look at her again with those dead eyes of his. “How long do you think my body will survive without a heart?”

His words cut through her, deeper than any sword or bullet could ever go. “Do not say that, Killian. We are going to find a way. My parents, they both share a heart. We can do that. And if that doesn’t work, then we’ll find something else, but the point is we are going to find a way.”

He scoffed. “It’s not going to be that easy. You don’t know Davy.”

“Yeah, because you were an idiot and decided not to tell me anything before he took you away! We have been to literal hell and back before. Why didn’t you tell me?” Her voice finally cracked at that last question.

“Because I thought I would have more time and I didn’t want you to worry.”

He never looked away from the ceiling and Emma knew he was telling the truth.

But his voice was all wrong. There should’ve been concern there. Worry. Regret.

Instead, it sounded as if he was reading from a script.

Emma was tempted to take her heart out right now, split it in two, and give Killian half of it. If only to prove him wrong.

Regina had warned her though that they needed to be careful and if that was the plan they were going with, someone else with magic had to be there too.

Just in case something went wrong.

Emma was determined to make it work though. It would work and things would be fine and go back to normal and this would only become another nightmare to add to their list.

Dr. Whale came back to run tests just as Regina messaged Emma that she was on her way to the hospital for her own tests.

The man of science and the woman of magic couldn't come up with any explanations though and only confirmed what Emma and Killian already knew.

His heart was gone.

Dr. Whale wanted to run a few more tests in an attempt to understand how Killian’s body was still functioning without his heart.

Emma couldn’t help her sneer. “You aren’t doing any of that, Frankenstein.”

Dr. Whale looked on the verge of giving a sharp retort, but Emma’s death glare made sure he kept his mouth shut and left the room.

Once he left, Regina clasped her hands together. “Well, then. Shall we move forward with splitting your heart?” she asked Emma.

Killian shook his head. “I already told her, it won’t be as simple as that.”

“It’s not going to stop me from trying,” Emma said, her tone sharper than she meant it to be. She stood up in front of Regina, shaking her hands out and taking a few deep breaths before giving her a nod.

Regina’s hand was in and out of her chest quickly. Emma barely had the chance to register the pain of it. She split the heart and handed a half to Emma.

And the action brought Emma back to the Underworld. A place her mind went only to remember the depths of her love for Killian. Of just how far she was willing to go and knowing he would do the same.

Except she didn’t want to have anymore experiences like that.

She just wanted normal, peaceful days with her husband. Quiet moments on their front porch while watching Hope play with Henry while he was home for the weekend that held just as much love as the moments when they were risking their lives for each other.

Emma held half of her heart as she stood by Killian’s bedside. “Ready?”

He shook his head. “It’s not going to work, Emma.”

“But we’re going to try,” Emma said before slamming half of her heart into his chest.

The machines he was hooked up to began sounding different alarms and Killian’s body arched with his mouth open in a silent scream.

And Emma reached for him, except her hand fell limply to her side as she collapsed.

***

Regina assured it that it hadn’t been more than an hour that she was unconscious. She sat up in the cot they had brought in and placed right next to Killian.

He watched her with disinterest.

Regina gave her best explanation while adding that she still needed to do more research and there might be another reason.

The heart split didn’t work because apparently, Davy Jones had cursed her as well.

“But why?” Emma asked, swinging her legs over the cot and staring from Killian to Regina.

Killian was the one to answer. “Because the price of my sins to Davy was two hearts.”

For a brief second, Emma swore she saw his jaw ticking with guilt, regret, self-loathing. An emotion.

But his eyes still had that cold, dead look.

Emma shook her head, because it still didn’t make any sense. If that were true, then why didn’t Davy try crushing her heart?

She was glad he didn’t, because of all that she would be leaving behind. But if it was two hearts then…

“Over time, your heart will die because of what he’s done to me,” Killian said as he looked at the ceiling. “Remember his promise? You’ll wish I were dead. That’s when the final price will be paid.”

“No,” she said, grabbing onto his hand and drawing his gaze towards her. “That’s never going to happen. I could never wish that. I love you, Killian.”

It was the first time Emma could remember that he didn’t say the words back.

A miniscule fraction of her heart wondered if her own words were true.

Regina did her research and brought Emma books to look over. Killian shared all that he knew about Davy Jones and his magic.

And the entire time, Emma had to keep her frustration and even anger in check because Killian had chosen not to share this when he received that first warning that Davy was coming for him.

That day at the docks when a black mark appeared on his palm.

According to Killian and all the information Regina managed to dig up, Davy Jones was as bad as Hades himself.

Perhaps even worse considering he didn’t wait until you were dead to collect his debts.

Two days after Killian woke up, Hope was finally allowed to visit him.

“Papa!” she exclaimed as she clambered up the bed before Emma could catch her.

Killian grunted a little as she jostled his sore injuries, but he opened his arms for her and hugged her.

For a moment, Emma could pretend that things were okay.

But then Hope pulled away from the hug and looked at Killian with a frown. “What’s wrong, Papa?”

He smiled at her, but Emma could see it was forced. “Papa’s just got some healing to do after his misadventure.”

Hope wasn’t satisfied with that answer. “No. You’re too cold.” She turned to look at Emma. “Why is he cold?”

Emma couldn’t tell her it was a side-effect from his heart being destroyed. “It’s like he said. He’s just got some healing to do and he got a little sick too. But he’s going to be just fine, don’t you worry about that,” Emma said, helping Hope off of the bed.

Hope tilted her head at Emma, making her wonder if her daughter picked up her little power of knowing when someone was lying.

Whether or not that was the case, Hope put aside whatever concerns she had and dragged one of the chairs to sit right beside her papa. She told him everything she did and the trouble she got up to with her Uncle Neal and how she loved spending the night with her grandparents, but she was ready to sleep in her own bed, and why hadn’t he taken her on his adventure and why hadn’t he said goodbye and when were they all going to go back home and Mimi was going to order pizza for dinner tonight.

The entire time, Killian smiled and nodded and humored their daughter.

Emma knew he was pretending though. Was this a sign that things weren’t quite as hopeless? He was pretending to spare the feelings of Hope. That had to mean something that he could still feel, right?

A few hours later, when David came to pick up Hope, David lifted her in his arms and helped her lean over to give Killian a kiss.

He kissed her cheek as well but Hope quickly wiped it off.

“You did it wrong, Papa,” she said, her brows furrowed in confusion.

Killian pursed his lips. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Do it again. But do it right this time.”

Again, Killian gave her another kiss on her cheek.

And again, Hope wiped it away. “No, Papa. It’s still wrong! Why are you doing it wrong?”

“Hope, it’s the same as always.”

She shook her head then turned to Emma, her eyes that she inherited from Killian filled with tears. “What’s wrong with him, Mommy? What happened?”

Emma swallowed hard as she took two steps to cup Hope’s face in her hands while David still held her. “We’re trying to figure it out, okay baby? Papa’s going to be okay.”

And something shifted in Hope’s eyes as she chose to believe her Mommy. “Be good for Mimi and Pipaw, okay? I promise you, we’ll all be able to go back home real soon.”

Hope nodded, leaning over in David’s arms to give Emma a hug and a kiss. Emma kissed her cheek as well.

Hope didn’t wipe her kiss off.

David gave Emma a kiss on her cheek as well and squeezed her hand.

In her father’s eyes, she could see the promise that everything would be okay.

She did her best to believe him, just as Hope believed her.

When they were gone, Killian spoke up. “What are we going to tell her?”

Emma turned to him. “We aren’t telling her anything. She doesn’t need to know or worry about this.”

“She’s going to find out.”

“No, she won’t.” Emma didn't need to have her superpower to know she was lying to herself.

“She already knows something isn’t right.”

“We aren’t going to tell her because this is something we’re going to figure out and fix before she can find out.”

Killian didn’t respond as Emma stared into those cold, blue eyes.

And she saw acceptance in them.

Not of what she said about Hope.

But of this whole situation.

Of him living without his heart.

Emma was at his bedside at an instant. “This isn’t permanent, Killian. We’re going to fix it, I promise you.”

He didn’t argue this time. He just let out a small huff and looked to the ceiling. “Whatever you say, Emma.”

And just like he had done with Hope, Killian was humoring her.

Emma took a deep breath. “Kiss me.”

He looked to her. “What?”

“Kiss me. You might not have your heart, but that doesn’t change who you are or that you love your family. That you love me. So, kiss me.”

“Emma-“

She cut him off, pressing her lips to his.

And his hand was cupping the back of her head. He opened his mouth, allowing her tongue to slip past his lips as he darted his tongue into her mouth as well.

After only a few seconds, Emma pulled away.

Because the kiss hadn’t been right.

Killian had been acting on pure muscle memory.

There had been no trace of love, desire, or lust behind his kiss.

Emma cleared her throat and took a few steps back.

Killian watched her, with not even regret in his eyes.

They just held the same blankness.

She needed air. She needed to get away from him and his dead stare and to just think for a minute.

Because this could not be the rest of her life.

Davy’s last words came to her then. He’ll live. But every day, you’ll wish he were dead.

They weren’t true. Emma would never let those words come true.

But after that kiss, she could see how it might one day happen.

***

Tag List: @kmomof4 @sotangledupinit @thepirateandhissons @jrob64 @teamhook @motherkatereloyshipper @the-darkdragonfly @jadehowlettthewolf

As if to prove his point, Killian reached out and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his mouth as he kissed her knuckles. “See? It’s good enough to still hold your hand.”

Emma wasn’t convinced, but she knew her husband. He wasn’t going to give up any information right now. She would have to wait until later, when they were at home and in bed to talk to him. “I forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer this morning, so that means take-out for dinner again tonight,” Emma said as the two of them began walking off the docks and towards her bug. She still held his hand, swinging it a little as they walked. “Do you want to stop by Granny’s first to pick up the food and then get Hope?”

Killian shook his head. “No, let’s pick up Hope first. I just really want to hold her right now.”

Emma stopped, making Killian stop as well. She knew exactly what he would say, but she had to ask again. “Killian, are you sure you’re okay?”

He nodded, but this time, he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. It was quick and chaste, but it still left Emma wanting so much more. “I’m okay, Emma. Now let’s get Hope.”

They drove in silence, and not once did Killian let go of her hand.

When they pulled up to her parents’ farm, Mary Margaret was sitting outside on the porch swing with Hope.

Hope jumped off the swing, her body wriggling with happiness as she saw her parents come out of the vehicle.

And Killian was bounding up the porch steps, picking up Hope and spinning her around. “Hello, my little love,” he said as he rubbed his nose against hers. “Did you miss Papa?”

Hope just giggled more as she snuggled her face into his neck and began rambling on about her day with Mimi and Pipaw.

Emma smiled at them as she climbed up the steps and sat in the spot Hope had vacated next to Mary Margaret. “Was she good?”

“Emma, she’s always good,” her mother said.

“And David?” Killian asked, barely managing to take his eyes off of Hope.

“He’s inside dealing with Neal. He decided it would be a good idea to bring the hose inside and flooded the basement.” Mary Margaret shook her head. “I had to separate myself from the situation because I know I was not going to be very patient.”

Emma snorted. “He’s nine. He still has a hard time saying no to those intrusive thoughts.”

Mary Margaret groaned. “I know. I just wish he could stay little like Hope is right now.”

“I don’t even want to think about the trouble Hope will get up to when she’s a little older.”

“She will be perfect with just a little bit of pirate in her,” Killian said, smiling at their daughter. “But, you’ll always be good for mama, yes?” Killian light tapped her nose with the blunt end of his hook, making her giggle again.

Emma tilted her head a little at Killian’s choice of words. Something else she would have to bring up later this evening at home.

Giving her mother a quick kiss on the cheek, Emma and Killian left and headed to Granny’s. While waiting on their food, Killian suggested inviting Henry over for dinner.

“Babe, he’s studying in Boston, remember? And he’s got midterms starting Monday. He promised he would come next weekend, after all his tests.”

Killian didn’t seem content with her answer though, his eyes focusing on the black cloth covering his hand.

They ate at the diner, enjoying the quiet evening.

For the most part.

Since early this evening when Emma went to the docks to pick him up, Killian’s mind seemed a million miles away.

And even when they finally made it back to their home, Killian refused to tell her what was wrong.

Instead, he carried Hope upstairs, taking charge of putting her to bed.

Emma did some light cleaning in the kitchen, making sure all dishes and food were put away before heading upstairs to their bedroom. She changed into her pajamas and waited for him on the bed, determined to get whatever it was out of him.

But as soon as he walked through the door to their bedroom, he pounced on her.

Emma sucked in a deep breath when his lips finally separated from hers, only to have them drag down her throat and work on undoing her top.

“Killian,” Emma breathed out, eyes fluttering closed as he licked that spot on her throat. “Babe, what is this?”

“Can’t a man ensure his wife is well and thoroughly taken care of?” he whispered in her ear.

Emma moaned as his hand palmed her breast.

“Okay, fine,” she said, sitting up to pull off her shirt and work on getting his off as well.

And when Killian was done making sure she was thoroughly taken care of, she laid in his arms, fingers running over the black cloth that he hadn’t taken off, despite now laying naked together in their bed.

“Killian, you have been acting strange,” Emma said, dragging her eyes up to his face. “What is going on?”

Finally, she saw the walls breaking down in his eyes. “I…” He took a deep breath and Emma felt her heart sink at the anguish she saw in his face. “I’ll explain tomorrow. But for now, I just want to sleep with my beautiful wife in my arms.”

“You promise?”

He lowered his face a little to kiss her jaw. “I promise.”

This time, Emma detected no lie. “Okay,” she said, choosing to trust him. “I love you.”

He kissed her again, this time catching her lips and leaving her breathless when he pulled back. “I love you too, Emma.”

She fell asleep in his arms, feeling safe, whole, and loved.

In the morning, when she woke up, Killian was gone.

***

Two weeks. It had been two weeks. That first morning when she woke up and he was gone, she thought that he had only let to get an early start on his morning. Or maybe he was downstairs making breakfast. Or maybe there had been a call from the Sheriff’s department and to let her sleep more, he left to take care of it.

But he was not in the kitchen or anywhere else in the house and there wasn’t a note or a message or phone call she missed that had him explaining what was going on.

She tried not to worry as she called him multiple times, then followed by calling David, the Sheriff’s department, Granny’s, she even considered calling Leroy.

But no one had seen him.

It didn’t help that Hope woke up in a bad mood and insisted on having a hug from her papa to make everything better.

Emma forced a smile and told her Papa had to leave early.

She whined and pushed away her breakfast, refusing to eat because it wasn’t Papa that had made it.

“How about we go visit Mimi and Pipaw?” Emma said, grateful it was the weekend. She was already pulling on her coat and grabbing her keys. She didn’t bother changing Hope out of her pajamas.

The entire drive, she constantly checked her phone willing it to ring or buzz with a call from him, saying that he was fine and that he was sorry he forgot to leave a message of why he was leaving early.

But she remembered how he was acting all day yesterday and she knew something was wrong.

She dropped Hope off with her parents, willing herself to stay calm as she briefly explained what was going on.

“I’ll go with you,” David said.

And Emma’s first instinct was to argue that she could handle this on her own. Instead, she nodded at her dad and reminded herself for the millionth time that she had a family now that she could rely on for help.

They went to the docks, retraced his steps from yesterday. Asked around if anyone saw him. Those who did see him at the docks said he was taking care of the Jolly Roger. Nothing unusual.

In this small town where everyone seemed to be in everyone’s business, no one knew anything about where Killian was.

Emma finally tried doing a locator spell. The jacket she had used from their closet moved in the air, hovered over his side of the bed, before falling to the floor.

“Why didn’t it work?” Emma asked, trying to keep the desperation from her voice. She picked up the jacket and noticed something strange.

The carpet was wet. As if someone had just come through and dumped a bucket of water right where Killian would stand after getting up from bed.

They called Regina over, hoping that maybe it was just Emma’s magic acting up from her worry.

When Regina did her locator spell, the same exact thing happened. His jacket dropped onto the wet carpet.

Regina bent down pressing her fingers into the water and bringing it up to smell. “How long has this been here?”

“I don’t know. I just noticed it before calling you over.”

Regina stood, a frown on her face. “A portal opened there.”

Emma felt her heart drop. “What?”

“I’m a little fuzzy on the details, but there’s only one way a portal is opened and a puddle of water's left behind.” Regina pursed her lips, as if considering whether or not she should share this information. Taking a breath and speaking in a cool tone, she said, “It’s Davy Jones.”

Emma immediately remembered the movie and of course that legend was true in this fairy tale world. “What would he want with Killian?” Emma asked, fighting to keep her voice from trembling.

Regina glanced at David and she already knew what she was going to say. “Emma, you have to remember. Killian was Captain Hook for at least two hundred years before he met you.”

She clenched her fist. “No,” she ground out. “We have been through enough already. We went through literal hell. Killian is done paying for the sins of his past!”

Regina opened her mouth, but David shot her a sharp look. Whatever she was about to say, she held her tongue. “I’ll start gathering the books I have that include any information on Davy Jones. I’m sure Belle has some at the library too.” She promised to stay in contact as she left.

Emma pulled on her coat again. “Let’s go to the library. We have to find something about him and-“

“Emma, wait,” David said, placing gentle hands on her shoulders. “You need to take a break.”

“How can I?” Her voice finally cracked. “My husband is missing, and Davy Jones might have taken him! The movies probably got nothing about him right, but he’s practically another version of Lucifer! Killian is in danger, and I am not going to rest until he’s back home and safe.”

“I get it, Emma. I really do, but you haven’t eaten all day and there’s Hope too. At least stop for dinner and make sure your daughter sees you and knows that everything is going to be okay.”

David drove her to his house. Mary Margaret had dinner ready by the time they came in. Hope was in a much better mood and ran up to Emma for a hug.

“Where’s Papa?” she asked, looking behind Emma as if expecting him to walk through the front door at any moment.

Emma squeezed Hope. “He had to take a quick trip. But he’s going to be back really soon, I promise.”

Hope frowned at Emma. “He didn’t tell me goodbye.”

And Emma fought to hold back her tears. Because now looking back, all day yesterday, it was as if he was telling them goodbye in his own way.

Emma had to set Hope down and hurry to the bathroom. There, she finally broke and let the tears fall. She gave herself a time limit though and after three minutes of crying, she made herself stop, washed her face, and went back out to eat dinner with her family.

She managed maybe two bites, her stomach churning at all the different scenarios Killian might be facing right now while she had a nice dinner.

Once done, Emma gave Hope another tight hug. Part of her never wanted to let go of her daughter, afraid that she would be taken away too.

But then who would look for Killian with the same determination that Emma had?

Hope would spend the night with Mary Margaret while Emma and David went to the library after Belle was kind enough to keep it open for them.

All night, Emma read through book after book that had even the tiniest mention of Davy Jones.

Nothing she read eased her worries.

She dozed off a few times, and by the time morning came, she was still at the library, restless and desperate to find Killian.

Again, David made her go to his house to eat something. She kept a brave face on for Hope, but still only had a few bites.

Her day went much the same as the day before. Searching the town in the morning, going to her house to make sure she didn’t miss anything, having dinner with Hope, then heading to the library to do research all night.

That became her life for two weeks.

Word spread in town that Killian was missing. All the people in town offered condolences and let her know they would tell her as soon as they found something or that they would help search for him too. Regina helped with research as much as she could too, but there didn’t seem to be anything on Davy Jones that would give them a clue as to where he might be.

Henry didn’t find out Killian was missing until the weekend after his midterms.

“Why didn’t you tell me anything?” he asked as he held his motorcycle helmet under his arm, standing outside of the library.

“You had your midterms. I didn’t want to put that on you.”

Henry still looked upset, but he held open the library door for her. “He’s a survivor, Mom. We’re going to find him and we’re going to bring him back.”

Emma hugged him, grateful for the child-like faith he still managed to hold on to.

He helped as much as he could and even said he could take time off of school to help look for Killian.

Both Emma and Regina refused to let him though and Sunday night, Henry was driving back to Boston.

Emma was positive he was still going to do his own research while at school though.

And at the two-week mark, when Emma went to their house for a quick shower and to change, there was something new.

On Killian’s pillow was a note with her name on it.

Emma was careful not to step on the carpet that was still inexplicably wet and grabbed the note.

She didn’t recognize the writing, but as soon as she opened it, she knew exactly who it was from.

Davy Jones.

The only thing on the paper was a large black spot.

Emma felt her heart drop.

But this was something new and Emma wasn’t going to wait around to see what the others thought of this note.

With a wave of her hand, she cast a locator spell over the paper and held her breath. It lifted into the air and began moving out of their bedroom.

Emma hurried after it, getting into her car as it continued outside. Her heart pounded as she drove along the coast until it seemed like she was going to leave town. But then a beach house came into view. It looked old and abandoned and the slip of paper finally stopped on the porch.

Emma parked her car, and practically ran up the steps. She paused at the front door, only to pull out her gun and make sure it was loaded. Not knowing what to expect, she opened the door slowly and walked in.

Sitting on the stairs as soon as she walked in was a man she had never seen before. Emma knew without a doubt it was Davy Jones though.

How else would you explain the puddle where he sat despite his clothes looking dry.

“Well, if it isn’t the Savior,” Davy said. “I thought you’d find me sooner. Finally had to leave you that note to get you to find me.”

Emma clicked off the safety on her gun and pointed it at him. “Where’s Killian?”

Davy smiled, showing his rotted teeth. He reached for a box beside him, opened it and pulled out a heart.

Emma knew without a doubt it was Killian’s.

The last time she had seen it outside of his chest, it had been a swirl of red and black in Gold’s hands. But now, so many years later, she could hardly see any trace of black.

Despite their current situation, it warmed Emma’s own heart to see even more proof of just how much her pirate had changed.

And it had been because of how much he loved her and she him.

“Drop it,” Emma seethed.

The man only laughed. “Oh, but don’t you think it might sting him a little.”

Emma flinched as she watched him carelessly toss Killian’s heart in the air, then catch it. Over and over, taunting her.

Because what could she do? Shoot him? This man was from a place worse than the Underworld. While he had Killian’s heart, he held the upper hand.

“What do you want?” Emma ground out, trying to keep her hands from trembling.

Davy caught Killian’s heart one last time and gave it a squeeze. She knew that wherever Killian was, the pain of that small squeeze would be unbearable. “That pirate of yours owes me. And Davy Jones always comes to collect his debts.”

“He paid them a long time ago. You have no claim to him.”

Again, he held up Killian’s heart and gave it a small shake. “Oh, but holding this says otherwise.”

“I won’t hesitate to shoot you. Give me his heart back.”

Davy laughed. “Don’t be stupid. I’ve seen it in your eyes. You know exactly how pointless that would be.”

Emma’s finger added just a little more pressure to the trigger. “Yeah, well it won’t hurt to try.”

He stood and walked towards her, feet squelching with the ever-present water dripping from him. “I have a better idea instead of you shooting me and wasting all of your bullets. Why don’t I call him out? Let you see him again. How much time has passed anyways? A couple days?”

Emma felt the breath leave her. No, it had been two weeks.

Bringing the heart close to him, Davy said, “Come out, come out, wherever you are. The princess is waiting for you. And if you could, please hurry. We don’t want her getting impatient.”

“You mother-!”

Davy tsked as he squeezed the heart again. “My, my, Princess. It seems you have the mouth of a sailor.” He smirked then and took three more steps towards her. “I’m always looking for good sailors. I don’t think I’ve ever had a woman join my crew. There’s a first time for everything.”

“Go to hell,” Emma hissed.

“I’ve been there already. Wasn’t up to my standards. It was much too hot. I prefer something…underwater.”

He was close enough that Emma could punch him. She would punch him by surprise, take Killian’s heart from him, and then run. With his heart, she could find him, and everything would be better once she did. They would figure this out. This was just one more thing that they would figure out and get through and they would be stronger for it on the other side.

Except Emma had thought they were done with things like this. Year after year, it was always something. Some threat, a curse, a witch, or a wizard.

She just wanted a single moment of peace with her husband.

But as she thought this, she heard movement upstairs until finally, she saw Killian walking down the stairs.

Her heart leapt into her throat in both joy and horror.

It was Killian. Standing in front of her. After two weeks.

He was barely able to hold himself upright though, leaning heavily on the stair railing. He was soaked, but even with the water dripping from him, she could see streaks of red mixing with the water droplets. She could only imagine the bruises and injuries his clothes hid.

His eyes were unfocused, lashes fluttering as he swayed and Emma thought that the gentlest of breezes might knock him over.

And she had seen that look on his face before. The same look he had back in Camelot years ago when he had…

Emma shook her head. No. She would not think about that right now.

“Killian?” Emma took a step forward. “Killian, it’s me. Emma.”

He inhaled sharply, as if he had been holding his breath this entire time. He turned to look at her. “Emma,” he breathed out.

Emma hurried up the stairs towards him, but then Davy’s voice cut through.

“Don’t let her touch you.”

And his body shook with effort, but Killian took a step back just as Emma reached out for him.

Not even her fingertips managed to graze his jacket. And she knew if she took a step towards him again, he would only step away.

“Emma, I’m so sorry.” Killian’s voice cracked from the effort as he spoke to her.

And Emma was furious. She spun around to face Davy again and didn’t hesitate.

She took her shot, knowing her aim was perfect and the bullet would go straight through his chest.

Except as it hit him, his chest became translucent, as if it was only water. The bullet fell just behind him, landing in a puddle of water.

Davy laughed. “Didn’t I tell you that wouldn’t work? But I do admire your persistence and lack of hesitation. That was most definitely a kill shot. You must be so proud of her ruthlessness, Captain.”

“Leave her out of this,” Killian demanded. “This is between you and me.”

“Since when did you become so noble, Hook? Besides, don’t you remember? The price of your sins is two hearts.”

“You don’t understand, I’ve changed,” Killian pleaded. “Take whatever payment is required but leave her out of this!”

Davy only laughed in response and began squeezing his heart.

Killian groaned as he doubled over, face scrunched in pain.

Emma moved to grab him. Again though, even through the pain, Killian moved away from her, falling backwards on the stairs.

“Stop this!” Emma yelled, dropping her gun in favor for stretching out her hands and blasting magic at Davy.

Just like the bullet though, the magic went straight though him without causing any damage.

“Emma, get out of here,” Killian panted. “It’s no use.”

Emma knelt beside him, hands hovering as she longed to touch him. “No,” she ground out. “I am not leaving without you. After everything we’ve been through, don’t you know that by now?”

Killian lifted his gaze, the pain making his gaze unfocused. “It’s different this time, love.” He gasped as Davy gave another squeeze. “I’m sorry, Emma.”

“On second thought,” Davy spoke up. “I’m in a rather benevolent mood. Go ahead and have the little reunion you deserve.” And with a wave of his hand, Killian’s heart was gone and Killian’s body jerked as he gasped loudly.

Somehow, Davy had given Killian his heart back without even getting near him.

Emma knew there could only be a trap behind his words, but she didn’t care. She threw her arms around Killian, heart lifting as he met her embrace. She held him tight but eased her grip when she heard him groan in slight protest.

She wanted to ask where he was hurt, how many injuries he had, to sit still as she ran her magic over him and healed every cut and bruise that was hidden from her view.

Killian pulled back a little to cup her face, running his thumb over her cheek. “I love you, Emma. I love you so much. I don’t ever want you to forget that. And make sure Hope and Henry know that too. That I love them both so much.”

Emma was losing the battle against her tears. Why did this sound like a goodbye?

“I love you too,” she whispered pressing her forehead against his. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay.”

Killian gave her a sad smile. “I hope you’re right.”

She kissed him and repeated her words. “I love you.”

Before he could give any kind of response, a blast of water mixed with an inky black hit him and wrapped around him, bringing him down to the ground floor.

Killian cried out as he arched against the water surrounding him.

Emma jumped up to run towards him, but something grounded her feet to the stairs. She looked down, seeing a swirling pool of water at her feet that kept her stuck there.

As if he had all the time in the world, Davy sauntered up to Killian, bending down and yanking his head up by his hair. Killian grunted at the sudden movement and Emma felt fury coursing through her.

“Leave him alone!” she yelled, still trying to get free from the water that held her down.

“Look at her, Jones,” Davy said. “I want you to really look at her. Memorize this look on her face. This will be the last time you see any hint of love towards you in her eyes.”

“Killian!” Emma cried, now using her hands to blast magic at the water holding her in place.

But it wouldn’t budge, and she couldn’t move, and the desperation clawed at her to the point where she felt as if she couldn’t breathe.

Then Davy straightened, waving his hand again and Killian let out a sharp yell as his heart was once again in Davy’s hands. His eyes focused on Emma as he held out Killian’s heart. “He’ll live,” he said in a voice so steady, it made Emma shiver. “But every day, you’ll wish he were dead.”

The words were on the tip of her tongue. Words that declared that would never happen. That she loved him, and he loved her and nothing would ever change that.

Before she could say any of that, a different word burst from her.

“No!” she screamed.

Davy squeezed Killian’s heart. Killian let out an agonized yell, his body arching off the floor from the pain.

Bringing both hands up, another burst of magic spilled from her hands.

But Davy lifted one hand, shooting water out and wrapping around her blast of magic, as if drowning it.

He squeezed harder and Emma sobbed as Killian continued writhing until his body went suddenly very still.

Emma inhaled sharply as through the tears, she looked at Davy’s hands and could see…

Nothing.

He didn’t hold Killian’s heart anymore.

Davy unclenched his fist that held it and dust fell to the ground.

He closed his eyes and stretched out his arms, inhaling deeply. “Your sins have been paid, Killian Jones.” Without another look at either of them, Davy disappeared into a puddle of water.

The water trapping Emma’s feet disappeared, and she ran down the stairs. “Killian! God, please, no!” She cradled his face in her hands, feeling how cold he was. Her tears blurred her vision, but still, she pressed her hands against his chest, his neck, any possible pulse point in an effort to feel something.

Not once, did she feel the steady beating of his heart.

This couldn’t be possible. It wasn’t supposed to end like this. Emma held him, face pressed into his chest as she sobbed, tears mixing with the water and blood that still dripped from his clothes.

But then she felt her head lift just slightly without any effort on her part. Emma froze, counted a breath of her own, and felt the movement again.

She lifted her head up and stared at his chest. She wiped her eyes, not wanting anything to prevent her from seeing clearly.

And his chest moved again.

Just barely and it sounded like something was rattling in his chest, but he was breathing.

That ever-present hope that almost disappeared seconds ago was flaring back to life. “Killian?” She touched his cheek. “Killian, can you hear me?”

Again, his chest moved.

Emma fumbled for her phone in her back pocket, still keeping her eyes on Killian and waiting for the slightest twitch in his face that showed he was waking up.

She dialed the first contact at the top of her favorites list and pressed her phone to her ear, still staring at Killian and willing him to open his eyes.

“Emma? Where are-“

“Dad.” Her voice broke on just that simple word. “I need an ambulance. I’m at a beach house in the north side of town, practically on the edge. I’ll send you the address.”

“Okay, but Emma, what is it? Is everything okay?”

Emma inhaled on a sob, looking to Killian’s chest again and reassuring herself that it was still rising and falling with breath. “I don’t know, Dad. Just please, hurry.”

She hung up and quickly sent her location to David. And all the while she stared at Killian’s chest.

Because it was impossible.

How could he still be breathing after Davy crushed his heart?

But even though his chest was moving, she knew it was moving with difficultly. It would hitch almost on every breath.

Moving carefully, Emma carefully moved aside his jacket and began undoing the buttons on his shirt to see what damage there was.

Not even three buttons undone and there was a bruise that she was sure extended over a large portion of his chest.

Emma tried to ignore the fact that it started over his heart. Or at least where it should be. She undid more of the buttons and even though there were other bruises and cuts and burn marks, her eyes would not move from that bruise.

Because it covered the entire space where his heart should be.

And Emma shut her eyes, trying to force out the image of Davy squeezing his heart until it was nothing but dust.

He was still alive. Emma made herself focus on that. He was alive and whatever the hell Davy had done, they would fix it. They would make it better and things would go back to their version of normal.

In fact, Emma would do her best to make their lives go to a regular normal instead of Storybrooke normal.

Because Emma wasn’t sure how much her heart could take after so many years of this.

***

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