CH 4

I'm so sorry about the long wait for this final chapter! I was preparing for a huge job fair event so I was up every night until 2am working on my resume and cover letter. I had a lot of this written, but it was in choppy scenes, and many of them I didn't like. Eventually I pinpointed what it was that wasn't working for me and refocused the scenes to make them tie in. Maybe the long wait was worth it? This chapter is about double the length of the others! Thanks for all the incredible feedback on this story! You've been wonderful! And on to the finale!

Henry glanced to the window and saw the gleaming gold of the telescope on the floor, then his eyes glanced to the window, where a gloomy looking pirate stood gazing outside. "So, it is you."

Killian turned around from where he was staring out the window.

Henry was watching him, a smile creeping onto his face. "I knew it was you!"

"You," Killian paused, "You can see me?"

Henry nodded, still smiling. "It really is you, right?"

"I think so, lad," Killian said, looking down to examine himself.

"I have to go tell mom! She needs to know you're back."

"Wait," Killian said, stretching out his hand to catch Henry's shoulder, but it went through him.

Henry paused, staring at Killian's hand that had just passed through him. He shook his head, shrugging off the bizarreness of the situation.

"Emma isn't the most open person, especially when it comes to supernatural and magical things. It'd just upset her, especially with the state she's currently in."

"You've seen her?"

"Of course, I've been following her."

"I knew it," Henry smiled, as he confirmed more of his suspicions. "You're right, though. My mom isn't open to this stuff. We need a plan, one that hopefully doesn't involve me eating another poisonous strudel just to prove that you're really here."

Killian laughed.

"I know! We can make it our own secret operation. We can call it Operation…. zombie." Henry smirked.

Killian stared at him unamused.

"Fine," Henry snickered, "I thought it was funny. We'll call it Operation Believe. We've got to get started. Follow me."

"I'm not a bloody zombie," Killian muttered trudging after him.

Killian followed Henry to the Town Hall. Henry swung the door open to Regina's office. The queen sat at her desk, hunched over a book.

"Hey, mom, do ghosts exist?"

Regina looked up from what she was reading. "Sure," she paused, narrowing her eyes with suspicion, "things like wraiths and demons exist."

"No, I mean ghosts. Like the ones that haunt you when they have unfinished business."

Regina raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips. "Is this about what Mary Margaret and David have been telling me?"

Henry sighed, "I swear I'm not making this up, mom."

"Henry, I know you're concerned for Emma, but this has got to stop. You really think pretending Hook's back is going to help her move on?"

"Mom, he's right here." Henry pointed angrily to the empty space beside him. Killian gave an awkward little wave. "C'mon there's got to be some sort of spell that can make everyone see him."

"Henry those type of hauntings aren't real. They're just something out of movies and stories."

Henry's eyes flashed with anger, "Yeah, well, so is this entire town. He's here, and I'm going to prove it to you, mom. To everyone."

Henry stormed out of Regina's office, Killian close on the boy's heels.

"Now what?" Killian asked.

Henry paused, thinking, then his face suddenly lit up with newfound enthusiasm. "I have an idea. Follow me."

Killian followed Henry out the door and down the street. Henry marched into the library.

"Hey Henry," Belle greeted, "Shouldn't you be in school?"

Henry shrugged and leaned against the counter. "I need to see all your books on ghosts."

"Ghosts? What for?"

"School project," Henry smiled his best innocent smile.

Belle eyed him suspiciously, as if detecting his lie. "Alright," she finally agreed, "Follow me."

Henry and Killian followed her to the back.

Belle pulled several books off the shelves and laid them on a table in the center of the room.

"Is it okay if I take some of these to the back reading room?"

"Sure, Henry, and if you need anything I'll be up front. I have some things to put away."

Henry scooped up some of the books and carried them to the back room. He sat down at one of the large wooden tables and cracked open the first book.

"How's this going to be of any use, mate?"

"We're going to learn anything we can about why you're here, why I can see you, and maybe how to help you." Henry opened a book and slid it over to Killian. "Here," he said, "Get started."

Killian quickly realized he was of no use as he couldn't turn pages, so he stood behind Henry to read over his shoulder. After quite some time, he became bored with that and began pacing the room.

"So, anything?"

"Why you're here, not really. How to help, no. Why I can see you-"

Killian cut him off, "Lad, you're the truest believer if anyone's going to see me it'd be you."

"I guess," Henry shrugged, "but my mom should be able to."

Killian stopped him again, "Emma's too heartbroken right now."

"And that's why it's our mission to make her believe," Henry chipped.

"Any ideas?"

"Well, all these books look like they convince the person they're haunting by sharing information that no one else would know with the medium or the person who can see them." Henry looked at Killian expectantly.

Killian paused, remembering all of Emma and his stolen kisses and private moments that wouldn't be appropriate to share with the boy. Finally he spoke. "The telescope."

"What?"

"When we all got back to Storybrooke and I realized Emma bought the house, our house, she told me she bought the telescope for me. It was so I could always see the ocean because she knew how much the sea calmed me."

Henry smiled, "Perfect."

Henry closed the books and returned them to their shelves, thanked Belle and left. Killian followed closely behind him.

"I don't know, lad, I really don't think a direct approach is the best idea."

"Don't worry, I'll go easy on her." Henry climbed the stairs to the front porch and opened the door. He headed straight to Emma's bedroom.

"Mom?" he knocked, not waiting for her answer before entering. "Mom, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"Can't it wait?" Emma asked, stretching before rolling back over.

Killian smiled. She looked so cute when she was sleeping.

"No, it can't wait." Henry sat down on her bed.

Emma sat up, grudgingly, but straightened a bit once she saw her son's determined face.

"Mom, surely I can't be the only one who's noticed all the strange things going on lately."

Emma slid on her slippers, wrapped her blanket around her and headed downstairs for some coffee. She nodded at Henry to follow her.

"Well, like the things falling off the walls,"

Killian smirked, he was particularly proud of making the painting of the harbor fall off the wall.

"And the telescope always being knocked over."

"I guess," Emma said, turning on the Keurig.

"I don't know how else to say this, but," he paused, gathering confidence, "Killian's here, mom."

"What." Emma said sharply.

"I suspected he might be, then I saw him at Granny's and I thought I was going crazy, but I saw him again in our living room by the window and-"

"Stop," Emma cut him off. She rested her arms on the edge of the counter visibly trying not to shake. She took a few deep breaths before turning to look at Henry. "Henry, if you really think that by making up some story about Ki-," she paused, unable to say his name, "-Hook being back is going to make me better."

"Mom, I wouldn't lie to you. When have I ever lied to you?"

"Henry, stop." Emma said again, this time weaker, her voice cracking with the coming of tears.

"Look mom," Henry said, pointing towards the living room, "the telescope, it's on the ground again."

Emma angrily wiped away the tears that had begun to fall, walked over to the telescope and picked it up forcefully, tossing it into a closet. "Henry, please stop. This isn't going to help."

"The telescope, you bought it for him, he told me. You bought it so he'd always have a view of the ocean from the house."

Emma's eyes flashed and she spun and walked out the front door, jumping into her Beetle parked on the street and locking the doors.

Killian chased her out and moved into the passenger seat beside her.

Emma sat gripping the steering wheel tightly with both hands. Her head hung so her blonde locks covered her face like a veil and she sobbed into her lap.

"Emma," Killian whispered adoringly, "you have to listen to the boy. I'm here, love. I need you to believe."

Emma continued to cry.

"C'mon love, don't go putting up your walls now. I need you. Please, believe." Killian reached out. Just as he was about to try to hold her hand, she pulled it back, as if reacting to his gesture. Killian looked at her curiously.

Emma sniffled and wiped her tears away on the back of her wrist before opening the car door and trudging back inside.

"I think I should go," Henry said, brushing past Emma.

Emma nodded in agreement as she headed for the stairs to her bedroom.

The next morning Henry returned to the house.

Killian greeted him at the door, "So last night went well."

"Shut up," Henry grumbled. "We just need a better plan."

"Well, now that all Emma's walls are up again, any suggestions?"

Henry thought for a moment, "How about a big romantic gesture? My mom would never admit it, but she loves those."

Killian looked at him wearily, "What'do you mean?"

"Recreate your first date. Candles, flowers, the whole thing. It'll be perfect."

Killian looked at him doubtfully.

"Just trust me."

Later that evening Henry knocked on Emma's door. He entered her bedroom.

"Hey, mom, you have to come downstairs, I have a surprise."

"What?" Emma sat up.

"C'mon," Henry grabbed her hand and started dragging towards the door.

"Henry, you know how much I hate surprises."

"Just close your eyes and keep them closed. It's a good surprise, don't worry."

Henry entered the kitchen first. He saw Killian sitting in one of the chairs at the set table looking as pale as a, well, a ghost. He knew that Killian didn't agree that this was a good idea, but Henry had faith that his mom would come around. She had to.

"Alright," Henry said, "Now open your eyes."

Emma did and gasped, stepping backwards instinctively. The kitchen lights were dimmed. Her tiny breakfast table was covered with a red checkered table cloth. Two places had been set and a candle illuminated the area from where it sat in the center of the table. A rose lay on one of the plates. On the chair opposite, Henry had draped Hook's old leather coat that he'd started wearing to "fit in" in Storybrooke. Finally, Emma noticed the hanger, where a pale pink dress hung. It was all too much. She felt like she was going to vomit. "What," her voice shook, "What is all this?"

"A date," Henry smiled.

"Henry, what did I tell you about stopping all this shit?" Emma yelled. She paused, pressing two fingers to her temple, closing her eyes, and inhaled deeply. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell."

Henry nodded, a bit shaken.

"I just," Emma started, unable to finish, she brushed past Henry and walked out the front door.

Killian raised his eyebrows in a I-told-you-this-wasn't-going-to-work fashion.

"Oh, shut up," Henry muttered and slowly walked towards the front door. He pulled it open and found his mom sitting on the porch staring up at the stars. He sat down beside her and saw the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"You okay, mom?"

She nodded.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes, both staring up at the night sky.

"Look, kid, I know you're worried. I know everyone's worried, but I just need some time, okay?"

"Mom, I'm not lying to you. He's here."

Emma closed her eyes and shook her head, "Just stop, Henry," she said defeated, "I know it's been hard on you too, but we have to accept that he's gone."

There was a pause.

"Do you remember when I first found you in Boston? I told you all this crazy sounding stuff about Storybrooke. You told me that day about your super power, that you can tell when people are lying. Use it now, because I promise you, I'm not."

Emma sniffled.

"We've been through a lot of crazy stuff in this town. I never thought that one day I'd be sitting on some porch steps with my birth mom mourning the loss of Captain Hook."

Emma laughed quietly, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand.

"We live in a town of fairytales, so why can't a ghost be real? I know you think I'm making this all up to help, but a lie would just hurt more in the end. I need you to believe me, mom. I would never lie to you about this."

"I know."

"Should we go back inside."

"I'm scared," Emma whispered almost inaudibly.

"Mom, I've watched you defeat countless monsters and villains, I'm pretty sure you can face the love of your life."

Emma nodded. She knew Henry wouldn't lie to her, but years of insecurities and betrayal screamed inside her that it was all a cruel trick. She followed Henry into the foyer.

He's waiting in the living room for you. By the window. It's his favorite place.

Emma smiled a teary smile.

"Just," he paused "close your eyes and believe."

She walked into the living room. There was nothing. No one stood by the window smiling lovingly at her. She was alone.

Emma sighed, wishing this were all true. Except rather than Henry believing in some ghost, that Killian was alive and well and waiting for her on the couch. Ready to start their lives together.

"Believe," Emma heard Henry whisper from the hallway.

Emma closed her eyes and wished harder than ever before that Killian was here. That when she opened her eyes he'd be standing before her with his lopsided grin that she adored.

She held her breath and opened her eyes. This time, in the corner of the room she could've sworn she saw a faint outline of someone. She walked closer, her heart racing. The shape became clearer. Her heart was practically beating out if her chest. She would recognize him anywhere it was him. It had to be and the more she wished it were real the clearer he became until Killian stood in front of her.

"Swan," he breathed, his blue eyes glistening with adoration.

"Killian," she whispered. She didn't realize, but she'd begun to cry. "You're really here."

Killian nodded unable to form words.

The two lovers met, not breaking eye contact. Emma reached to stroke his face, making sure her eyes weren't tricking her. Her fingers went through his skin, grasping instead at cold air. She choked back a sob.

"It's okay," Killian soothed.

"No," she shook her head, "I will find a way, a way to fix this, to bring you back"

"Emma wait-"

"No, there has to be some reason for this. A reason you're here."

"Maybe it's to let you know I'm okay. To stop blaming yourself. You did what I asked, what needed to be done, you saved me."

"Saved you?" Emma asked incredulously. "I killed you. No, there's a reason for this, and I'm going to save you." She spun on her heels and marched towards the door.

"Love," Killian called out, but it was already too late, she was gone.

Hours passed and the sun began to rise. Killian felt himself becoming weaker. He felt his time was coming to an end. He figured it out, why he was here, to help Emma move on. He wished Emma would return, he wanted a final proper goodbye. His energy was depleting quickly and he felt as if he would soon vanish.

Later that morning, Emma returned home with a determined look on her face. "Killian?" she called out panicking. She found him next to window. She looked worried. Surely she noticed him disappearing. He was weaker now. He had to tell her.

"Swan, I think it's time."

She shook her head, her blonde waves bouncing about. He longed to run his hand through her hair one more time. To hold her body against his.

"It's time for me to go. Please, you need to move on. Find happiness, Henry needs you."

"No. Killian, I've found a way." Her eyes lit up for the first time in a long time. She leaned into him their foreheads a mere few inches from touching. "I'm coming to save you" she breathed.

These were the final moments. Killian smirked, "Well then love, I'll be waiting." He winked before fading into nothingness.

A/N: Thanks again for all the positive feedback for this story. Special thanks again for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. It's been such a pleasure writing!