Author's Note: It's been a while, but life gets in the way sometimes. I'm amazed that I still get notifications of users following my stories and liking my stories and following me as an author. Thanks so much to those that are still with me. I appreciate you.

All he can see is darkness. Its pitch black. "Emma?" he calls out. He sees nothing; hears nothing but his own breathing. "Emma?!" he calls out, louder this time.

Suddenly, in front of him, a small light glows. A candle. He can't see who holds it. "Killian." she whispers. He starts to run towards the light, the small flicker of hope left in the darkness. It's her. Finally. "Emma! I hear you!" he yells.

He stops in front of the flame, can just make her out in the darkness. The flame grows brighter, illuminating her features until he can see her clearly. He sighs in relief and reaches out to her, desperate to touch her, to know she's okay and she's her again.

He can't though. His hand goes through her, like she's mist. She looks at him, with tears in her eyes, and his heart aches. "Emma." he whispers.

She tilts her head. "You were supposed to save me. You said you'd protect my heart." she says.

Before he can say or do anything, she's changing. She morphs into the person he hates most in the universe.

"Hello, dearie." he says, and plunges his hand straight into Killian's chest, ripping out his heart and squeezing…..

"No!" Killian yells, sitting bolt right and gasping. Taking in his surroundings, he sighs, laying back down. Staring at the ceiling of Emma's bedroom, he runs a hand over his face, shaken.

It's been two weeks since Emma became The Dark One and they're no closer to finding out where she might be. No one's seen her. No one has any leads and he continues to grow anxious and impatient. He simply cannot be without her.

Closing his eyes, he can still see the expression on Emma's face; of her last seconds as herself. She stares at him and he returns her gaze. Then she's gone, taking her "I love you." with her.

"I love you." He repeats it in his head, over and over. He never got the chance to tell her that he loves her too and that pains him.

She's The Dark One. Emma Swan, his Emma, is The Dark One. He can't fathom it. He spent hundreds of years seeking revenge on The Dark One and now she is it.

He can't sleep. He hasn't been able to since she's been gone. When he's not with The Charmings trying to locate where she might be, he's at the docks. He barely eats, is forced to on occasion by Emma's father and can't seem to sit still.

He's been this close to just getting on his ship and looking for her himself, but Charming stops him and says they need a plan, they need to know where to start. "Emma would kill me if I let you go out there alone anyway." He relents.

This life, these moments without her leave him numb. He thinks back to the moments they've shared. "I love you."

Her laugh.

"I love you."

Her stubbornness.

The look in her eyes when she stares at him.

"I love you."

Her complete and utter faith in him.

Her trust in him.

Her.

"I love you."

A single tear escapes his eye. He will find her. He'll bring her back home.

"I love you too, Emma." he whispers.