Whew, that's the last chapter. I cannot express how grateful I am to my beta Maggie. She is a treasure and she made this better. She made my dream better.

This story means a lot to me, especially Evie. She's my girl and I am so so so glad I wrote this. I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I like writing it.

xoxo

One thing Evelyn Jones had accepted a very long time ago was that she'd never get to meet her parents. Of course, she heard a lot about her mother in her formative years, when her aunt Meryl took care of her.

(Until of course, she died too - and Evelyn was truly orphaned).

And centuries later, when she met her uncle, he would not stop talking about her father. So, yeah, she's always felt their presence in her life - especially recently. She knows how much her aunt and uncle love her as their own, but the longing for her parents never really faded.

And now - now it seemed like she got her wish after all, as she looked up and down at the man in front of her.

"No way." she breathed out, her blue eyes widening as they brimmed with tears. "Dad?"

Identical blue eyes lit up as the man, with the curly dirty blonde hair and a diplomatic stature, grinned so wide, like he just found his salvation in her. "Aye, lass. It's me."

Evelyn remembered the one other time her uncle had said he'd seen his brother after he died - in the Underworld. So if she was seeing him that meant -

"Am I dead?" she blurted out, sucking in a sharp breath and watching as the light faded from Liam's eyes. "Or-or maybe this is just some weird hallucination from blood loss or something, right? You're not real, are you?" Her voice broke at the last part, because as horrifying as death would be, it would be excruciatingly heartbreaking if this turns out to be unreal.

Liam Jones may not have been there for his daughter for her entire life, but he'd be damned if he wouldn't comfort her when she's so clearly distressed. He closed the distance between them in two strides, his arms limp by his side as he shifted his weight, unsure about how to begin.

He cleared his throat. "Evelyn, I am very much real. But I assure you, you are not dead."

She gulped hard, staring up at him. Her chin wobbled as she tried to put on a brave face. "So, you're really my father? You're - you're real? You're here?" she shot off, one question after another, her voice trembling and scratchy.

He laughed despite the tears in his eyes, grabbing her smaller hand in his and guiding to place it palm firmly against his chest, letting her feel the steady, solid warmth of him. She curled her hand in his shirt, her mouth slightly agape and her tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked up at him with a mixture of awe and sorrow.

She let out a sob as she flung her arms around him, surprising him with how easily he caught her. Liam held her tight, his one arm around her while his other hand cradled the back of her head, pressing her closer to him, his own throat tighten with emotion. "Oh, my darling girl," he crooned, rocking her back and forth slightly as she broke down in his arms.

-/-

Killian Jones has survived losing a lot in his life – including his own life multiple times. But ever since they had Dahlia, ever since Evelyn came into their lives, he knew he couldn't survive losing anyone. Not now, not ever. His jaw clenched as he sat unmoving at his niece's bedside, never taking his eyes off her for a second, lest she wake up or move or do something to indicate that she was still there. The doctors were clear, of course, with her prognosis. She lost too much blood, and she was in bad shape, but the surgery was a success. Now all they had to do was wait – it was all up to her now, she has to come back to them.

He'd hardly noticed time passing when he felt comforting hands run down his shoulders, his arms, coming around him, blonde hair falling over them in a curtain.

"Hey," Emma whispered, her voice scratchy. "Killian," she sighed, pressing her forehead to his temple, closing her eyes in pain.

"She looks like she's just sleeping." his voice breaks at the first words he's spoken in hours. "I just-"

"I know," she whispers. "Killian, we need to talk. It's Dahlia," she said, her breath coming out stuttering.

He swivelled around so quickly, it caught Emma off guard. "What happened?" he demanded, halfway out of his chair.

She placed a restraining hand on his shoulder. "She's determined to go back to The Dutchman to get the antidote for Darius."

Darius... he'd completely forgotten about the lad in all the confusion. But Dahlia going alone was out of the question. He knew the guilt of killing a man better than anyone, and he knew where this was coming. He could not let her do this alone.

"Absolutely not," he protested, his brows furrowing. "How could you let her go?"

Emma gaped at him, her own anger triggered by his accusation. "Let her? You think I let her go after you? You think I had any say in this?" she demanded, crossing her arms, her jaw clenching. "I have one daughter trying to atone for defending herself by putting herself in danger and one lying in the hospital bed struggling for her life! You think I am okay with any of this? I am dying on the inside, trying to hold this family together while the entire world conspires to rip us apart and you think I am letting it happen?!" she shouted, her words angry and full of pain as her eyes brimmed with tears.

Killian was taken aback, swallowing thickly as his wife fell apart in front of him, because of him. He was surrounded by a sea of guilt, and a worse man would have drowned in it. But she was, is, and will always be his solace; and now it was his turn to be hers.

He pulled her into his arms, allowing her to cry, soothing her with whispered nothings in her ear. "I'm sorry, Swan," he murmured. "I'm so sorry, love. You are so strong for all of us, that I sometimes forget that you are strong for us. I'm sorry."

She pulled back after a while, wiping at her wet cheeks. "Dahlia's stubborn, just like you are. And you need to save Darius." When he began to protest, she cut him off. "Evie will wake up, Killian. And she will be devastated to find out that he's gone before she woke, that she couldn't even say goodbye. This is the rest of her life, Killian. She'll want him with her, and she won't be able to go one without him. So do it for Evie as much as for Darius." She ran her hand through his hair with a reminiscent smile. "Go, show your daughter that she's as much of a hero as her father," she whispered.

He turned back, his eyes taking in Evelyn's prone form, her heart monitor beeping steadily. "If- if anything happens to her at all-"

"I'll call you first thing. Now, go," Emma sniffled, smiling encouragingly. "I'll be with her every second," she promised, leaning into him as he kissed her desperately. He broke the kiss, pressing his forehead against hers, wanting to say a lot of things but couldn't, knowing whatever he said would sound like a goodbye. So instead, he said, "I'll be right back, Swan."

"I'm holding you to that, Jones," she smirked weakly, watching as he walked away. Her smile faded, her apprehension growing by the minute. She took his seat by Evelyn's bed, her fingers brushing back some of her hair, her lips pressed thin so she wouldn't cry again.

"Hey, Evie," she began, her voice thick with tears. "You are the most stubborn girl I've ever met. You are a blessing to this family, but to me especially. I see so much of who I was in you. Who I still am, I guess. I love you, so much, Evelyn Jones. You are a part of my very heart. And your uncle, you're- you're everything he's lost since Liam died. You're everything, Evie, to him, to me and Dahlia and Henry. You are everything to Darius. Please come back to us," she pleaded. Tears run down her cheeks unbidden, as Emma buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with her sobs.

-/-

"Dahlia Lucia Jones!" Killian's voice thundered as he spotted his daughter rushing out of the hospital. He saw her freeze as he caught up, his hand grasping her arm and turning her around to face him. "Where the bloody hell do you think you are going all by yourself?" he demanded, growling at her defiant expression.

"To get the antidote for Darius," she snapped, wrenching her arm from his grip. "Since I'm the only one who apparently cares."

His jaw clenched. "You cannot simply walk away like this, Dahlia. Do you not understand the consequences of-"

"Of course, I do!" she cut him off at that, her eyes sharp as steel. "I can very well understand the consequences of my actions. I just killed someone, Dad." The way she said it in such a flippant manner made his blood run cold. "Shall we skip the lecture and get on with it?" she asked in a droll voice. But Killian knows his daughter better than that, and he knows the pain she's keeping bottled up and hidden behind her hard facade.

His brows furrowed and arms crossed. "No, we are doing this now," he insisted. "Dahlia, look at me. Listen to every word I say. What you did was self-defence, aye? Yes, you killed a man, and yes, it will have consequences. But you will not have to face them alone. You are never alone. And you are far too young to succumb to the darkness. You are the light of my life, but beyond that, you are goodness incarnate. You are everything your mother and I wished for – and more. You are... you are my little girl." His voice broke, his hand cupping her cheek and brushing the stray tear as she stared at him wordlessly. "You are strong, Dahlia. Find that strength and hold on to it."

She breathed out, swallowing thickly. "I can't be weak."

"You never were. You just forgot that you are strong."

-/-

It took her while, but Evelyn finally pulled herself together enough to stop crying. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and wiped her cheeks, bowing her head in embarrassment. "I- um, I'm sorry for reacting like that."

Liam's heart clenched at that, but he pushed past the ache. "Darling, I'm your father. It's my sole purpose to comfort my child. Fate was cruel enough to deprive me of that for so long, so as selfish as I may sound, I'm glad I was here for you now."

She sniffled, but smiled nonetheless. But their reunion had made her forget one very important thing.

"Where am I? If I'm not really dead and I'm not in the Underworld-"

"You're in the In-Between, for the lack of a better term." Liam finished for her, his eyes downcast and sad. At her bemused expression, he explained, "You- you aren't dead. You're tethered between life and death."

She gaped at him, her eyes wide. "So I might die?"

Liam sighed, seeing so much of Evelyn's mother in her. He would have laughed if it were any other circumstance. "Evie-" he began, but when he saw her reaction to that nickname, his heart broke further. His expression softened as he cupped her face reverently, knowing that may never get this chance again. "Whether or not you live... That's up to you, love. This is between life and death, and surprisingly very few choose life."

Evelyn let out a harsh breath. She knew what he wasn't saying: if she died, she would finally be reunited with her parents. She wouldn't have to deal with any more shit in her life. And as far as she knew, there was no way of saving Darius now that Silver is dead. If-

Maybe if she-

Maybe she might see him again.

She couldn't survive life without him, and knowing that she would finally be reunited with her parents. With the father she'd heard so much about and idolized. With the mother she'd yearned for when she was a child and spent nights crying for in Neverland. With Darius, even.

She could be happy.

But what about everything you'll leave behind? a voice whispered. What about the family you'll leave behind? Uncle Killian, Aunt Emma, Dahlia, Henry. Everyone. Will you just forget them? The whispers got louder, prompting her to cover her ears and clench her eyes shut.

"Ugh," she groaned, pulling at her hair in frustration and looking up at her father in desperation. "Must I make my decision now?"

He hesitated before answering. "Soon. But we have time for now," he tried to smile, but it came across more as a grimace. But for how long? he couldn't help but think.

-/-

When Killian and Dahlia approached The Dutchman, they'd expected to fight their way through a crew of pirates to the antidote. What they didn't expect was to find a group of men gathered together in a sombre circle, their heads bowed down and emanating an air of despair. Killian sucked in a sharp breath when he noticed the sailcloth covered body, recognising it at once. In all the chaos, he'd almost forgotten about his father's demise.

Well, truthfully, he's long accepted that the man was no longer his father. There was too much hurt and betrayal to bridge that gap. But he was not a monster and, even after all this, after all the hatred, his heart clenched seeing another part of his family perish, especially after knowing all that he'd done to keep Evelyn safe and sacrificing himself for Killian. Killian knew what it feels like to have your sacrifice mean naught, and he may be a bastard, but he had his own moral code too. His father died a hero, and he deserved to be respected as one.

One of the men approached him, fidgeting slightly and his head bowed, as if in respect. "We didn't know whether you wanted to be here," he began, but Killian simply nodded, cutting off the man from anything further.

"What's going on?" Dahlia questioned, bemused at the sorrow on everyone's face. "The real captain of the ship, he died saving you, didn't he, Dad?"

Killian swallowed thickly, unable to form the words to let his daughter know that the man in question was really her grandfather. A man she knew nothing of because he was too ashamed of turning into his father, too afraid of betraying his family that he refused to even think of the man. Now here they were, and if there was any 'good' time to tell Dahlia that the man who gave up his life to protect him (twice, a voice whispered in the back of his, tauntingly) was her grandfather, this would be it.

"Dad? We should pay our respects," she whispered, tugging on his sleeve and breaking him from his reverie.

Killian sighed, turning his daughter to face him as he forced the words out of his mouth. "Dahlia, that man, he, um... I knew him before he was the captain of The Dutchman."

"How?"

This was it, moment of truth. He had to tell her. And his father, for all his misgivings, loved his sons. He knew that now. He'd always known that, but now he was certain of it. All those years he spent hating the man, cursing him... It didn't stop him from loving and missing his father, even centuries later.

"He was my father," he breathed out, unable to look his daughter in the eye.

She gaped at him, her gaze shifting between her father and Davy Jones' sailcloth wrapped body. She sucked in a sharp breath, tugging on her father's sleeve to make him look at her, her brows furrowed in consternation. "Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded. "Does Mom know?"

"I- No, she doesn't. I didn't know, either. Not until we boarded the ship – and everything with Silver and Evie happened and I-" he cut himself off, swallowing thickly. "Sweetheart, he- we had our differences."

"You should have said something. He is still your father, my grandfather," she said, her voice breaking slightly. Clearing her throat, she grabbed his hand squeezing tightly. "You said I have the strength to face my demons. Dad, you're the master of facing your demons. You're the strongest person I know."

Killian blinked back tears, pulling Dahlia closer and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Shall we say our goodbyes?" he whispered, prompting her to nod and smile up at him proudly.

To see his daughter shine brighter than the sun sent him reeling because his life - his world - it all existed to make his family proud. Proud of the man he had become because of them. It made his heart soar; he had always known, always, she was the light of their lives. She has once again proved how unassailable her spirit is – his brave pirate princess.

The men had gathered at the railing, starting to sail forth, just a little into the sea. He knew that he needed to rush back with the antidote, but they had the time and this - he needed this more. He needed to say goodbye to his father, to finally let go and be at peace.

Father and daughter shuffled forward, Killian standing stock still, his entire form tense. All the men looked to him to say a few words, making him tense and avoid their gaze, unable to form the words now that it was time. And once again, his daughter stepped up.

She cleared her throat, turning all attention – including his – towards her. "So, um, I- I never met my grandfather. Well, not this one," she stutters, looking around at all the men gathered there, her brows creased and her lips pressed thin. She began again, stronger this time, "I never met him, but to see you all gathered here, with him until the very end... I can clearly imagine the kind of captain – the kind of man he would have been. I can say that because I have an amazing father who is also a benevolent leader and one hell of a captain. I- I'm sure Davy Jones was not a perfect man, or a perfect father. But he was a good man and father who, despite his ways of showing it, loved his sons.

"Dad, you may have a lot of reservations about this. But you've shown me that just because we do bad things, it doesn't make us bad people. Saving your life? That wasn't a bad thing, and that's exactly what Grandpa did. You taught me so many things all my life. You're the best father a girl can ask for. You've always done right by us. I'm sure Grandpa is proud of the man you've become," she finished, turning to him, tears in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him tight.

Killian hugged her closer, burying his face in her mess of curls, hiding his tears as they ran down his cheeks. He swallowed past the lump in his throat, straightening up, Dahlia still pressed to his side. One of the men passed him a flask, which he took with an appreciative nod. He turned to all the men, addressing them after a deep breath.

"My father, he used to say one thing all the time. He used to tell me that we get to choose the kind of men we want to be. And when he left, for a very long time, I felt like I was drowning in churning endless waters. But I found my rescue boat in my brother. Liam, he was a far better man than I, and he would know exactly what to say at this moment." Killian chuckled dryly. "I've spent centuries hating my father, but nothing could erase how much I love him, despite everything. He was, until the very end, selfless and relentlessly protective of his family. I owe him my life, and that of my daughters'.

"I'm not here because I'm thankful, but because he deserves to have his family with him at his last moments. I've chosen the kind of man to be and that man would never leave his father to leave this earth with any regrets," he breathed out, holding the flask up in a toast. "May he rest in peace," he declared, prompting everyone to repeat it, their heads bowed respectfully.

They'd soon ventured far enough into the waters and the men prepared to lay him to rest, Killian held Dahlia closer, his eyes closing as he breathed in the ocean air, allowing it to bring him the peace. All these years, the anger made him forget all the good memories he had with his father. But now that his father was gone, Killian felt his heart give, tears stinging his eyes. He was the last Jones man standing, it would seem. There hadn't been a time he's missed his brother more than now, as he stood at the helm of their father's ship and finally able to breathe.

Just then, one of the men approached Killian and Dahlia, his shoulders squared back, his stance proud, and his face emotionless. Killian pulled his daughter behind him slightly, raising his eyebrow at the man menacingly. "Is there anything we can help you with, sailor?"

The man stopped a few paces in front of them, his arms crossed across his chest. "We spent centuries as your father's men, and when that bastard Silver took over, none of us took kindly to it. Before him, we had a just captain and that man brought dark magic and disorder into our lives. He took away our control. But this young lass, she finally put an end to it all." He nodded at Dahlia, smiling stiffly. "We owe your our freedom, lass. If there's anything we could do for you."

Before Killian could get a word in edgewise, Dahlia pushed past him, her expression serious. "Silver, before he died, he hurt someone in our family, he poisoned him. He's dying and we need the antidote to save him. Do you know if Silver had it with him?"

He shook his head, but added, "He may have kept it in his safe. You are welcome to look," and showed them to the captain's quarters.

-/-

Evelyn laughed as her father told her about the time Killian got jealous of their neighbour. The boy had gotten a favour from the lass her uncle fancied, so Killian'd marched up to her house and demanded a ribbon of his own.

"He had the gall to tell her she was too blind to notice his affection, and clearly he was more handsome than the lad she gave her favour to," Liam laughed, shaking his head.

Evelyn snorted, her eyes tearing up from the mirth. "I'm never going to let him live this down. Oh, when I see him-" she cut herself off when she realised what she'd started to say.

Liam sighed, smiling tightly and squeezing her hand reassuringly. "I think we've delayed the inevitable long enough, love," he began softly, even as she started shaking her head in protest, her eyes tearing up. "Oh, sweetheart, you know as well as I that I never want to stop. But you must make a decision, Evelyn."

When she turned away from him, her shoulders tense and jaw clenched in defiance, he sighed. "You're just as stubborn as your mum, I swear to the gods. That woman could bend a rod before she bent her decision," he huffed, turning her to face him. "Do you know why I'm here? I knew you needed someone to help you make a decision, and I'm a selfish man, Evelyn. I want you to live forever, even if it meant that I am without for that much longer. Your mother, when I saw her in the Underworld, she was distraught that she'd left you all alone. And me? Until then, I hadn't a clue I had a daughter. Knowing I could never see you, never watch you grow up." Liam tried to gulp away the guilt he'd long had. "It killed me every day. I had made my peace with the fact that I'd never see you.

"And your mother, she was miserable for so long, darling. I loved her with my very being, and I will never stop loving her. My Adeline... When your aunt Meryl passed and came to the Underworld, she helped your mother find peace, to let go of her pain and sorrow and regret. I promised her I'd join her as soon as I knew that you were alright, but I-" he cut himself off, his expression tight. "I couldn't. I couldn't let go and accept that you had a - a life. And when I saw my brother in that wretched place, I had been tempted to ask after you. But when he made no mention of ever meeting Adeline, I knew he didn't know about you. I thought you'd passed on, and I tried to make peace with that. When Killian returned to the land of the living, I truly thought I had no unfinished business, but try as I might, I couldn't stop worrying about what had happened to you. I knew I couldn't rest without knowing. So, I made a deal with Hades, to know about what happened to you.

"I truly believed that once I knew, I'd be able to move on. But, you, my darling, you have too much of your uncle's fire in you. I was too worried to leave then," he chuckled, trying to make light of the situation. But when he saw that it only made her more upset, he exhaled heavily, pulling her into his arms, holding the back of her head. "Truthfully, I couldn't move on, Evelyn. Not without you. I vowed to wait forever for you. I'll always wait for you, darling, whether it - it's today or years from now. I just thought that you needed to know."

-/-

Killian upended the Captain's quarters, searching for anything resembling a vial holding the antidote for a deathly poison. Just then, Dahlia burst through the cabin doors, her eyes bright and lips stretched into a wide grin, a small glass vial clutched in her hand. His heart raced, eyes widening as he saw it, a grin of his own forming. "You found it!" he declared, clutching her shoulders and smiling proudly at her.

"No, but I found the next best thing," she grinned. "I found this in the medical cabinet. I found it in a box labelled Lake Nostos. You know what that means, don't you? This can heal any wound!" she exclaimed.

Killian truly wanted to believe in her, but if they turned out to be wrong, Darius would die. His apprehension made Dahlia's expression fall. "What is it?" she questioned, biting her lip nervously.

"What - what if it doesn't work?"

She considered it for a moment, before she squared her shoulders. "Well, there's only one way to find out," she answered, grabbing the dagger she'd hid in her shoe and promptly slicing her hand, making Killian exclaim in surprise.

"Dahlia, what in the worlds are you thinking?!" he asked, placing his hand on her wound to stop the blood from spilling too much.

"You wanted proof, I'm giving it to you," she gritted out, opening the vial with her mouth, spitting out the cork to the side. "Let's just hope this works," she muttered, pouring the liquid on her wound, hissing slightly. It closed up quickly and her hand was as good as new, minus all the blood. She turned her hand over, checking to make sure it actually worked. "Ha!" she grinned smugly, smirking at Killian. He glared at her, shaking his head at her.

"You tell your mother that, she will have my head."

"And she will ground me. Trust me, this is between us," she muttered, making him chuckle. "Now, let's get this to Darius."

-/-

Emma paced back and forth, watching fearfully as the doctors fretted about Darius' room, the machines beeping incessantly and nurses rushing in and out the room. When Whale saw her trying to peer in, he shot her a sympathetic grimace before closing the curtains. She groaned in frustration, walking into Evelyn's room and slumping on the chair next to the bed. She pulled out her phone knowing she had to call Killian, but she turned to Evie, her heart in her throat.

"Evie, Darius needs you now. We all do. I was the saviour for so long, holding this town and this family together. But we need you now. You're-" she breathed out. "I will be so mad if you leave us now, Evie. You're our daughter. You may be Liam and Adaline's biologically, but you are ours. You are my kid and I would be so mad at you for letting go. I- I need you back so we can sneak off for more sword fighting. I need you back so Dahlia has someone to talk to when she can't come to us or when Killian needs a sailing buddy or when I need someone on my side of the argument. But most importantly, because you and Darius need each other. He needs you just as much as you need him. You deserve your happy ending. It's about time; believe me, I know," she finished, brushing a kiss against her cheek.

Dahlia burst into the room just then, grinning widely. "We got it, we got the cure!" she cried, running to Emma, who got up just in time as Dahlia threw her arms around her. Emma pulled her close, her heart soaring as she spied her husband leaning against the door jamb, his eyes shadowed and posture slumped.

He smiled when their eyes met, but she knew there was more to it than that. You okay, she mouthed and frowned as he nodded. She pulled away from Dahlia, smiling down at her daughter, "You got the antidote?"

"We got the next best thing – waters from Lake Nostos. And we checked with Aunt Regina, she thinks it will work."

"Theoretically," Killian added, walking over to his niece's bedside, brushing her hand softly before looking up at Dahlia and Emma. "She said theoretically it will work."

"It will," Dahlia insisted. "And we better get this to him fast."

Killian breathed in deep, sharing a look with Emma, who nodded, smiling tightly at him. "He doesn't have much time. We need to do everything we can to make sure he's alive when Evie wakes up."

Killian's jaw clenched as he looked back down at his niece, her skin looking paler under the harsh fluorescent lights. "If she wakes up," he muttered, making both of them cry out in protest.

"Dad! How can you even say that?!"

"Killian," Emma admonished, her brows furrowed together. She couldn't understand what had gotten into him, but she knew they needed to sort it out as soon as possible. "Dahlia, honey, let's get this to the doctors and give your father some time with Evie," she suggested, dragging her daughter out of the room, shooting her husband a glare as she went. But he ignored her in lieu of taking up his spot next to his niece, holding her hand and thinking about all the people he'd lost already.

He cleared his throat, focusing on their hands as he spoke: "Evie, darling, your- your grandfather... he's passed. I know you felt that I should forgive him." He sucked in a sharp breath. "I finally know what you meant. Evelyn, darling, I cannot live through another funeral. I refuse to accept a world where you don't exist. I could never live up to the father Liam would have been to you, but in all aspects of the term, you're my daughter. So, come back to me. Come back to us."

-/-

Emma shifted nervously as Whale filled a syringe full of water from Lake Nostos, exchanging a nervous glance with the two Jones women. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Do we have another option?" When Whale shook his head, brows arched condescendingly, Emma huffed, "Then, yes. We are doing this."

Dahlia huddled closer to her mother, biting her fingernail in apprehension. "Dad should be here," she murmured.

"I am," Killian whispered, stepping into the room, his arms wrapping around his wife and daughter. Emma smiled at him tightly, pressing her face into his leather clad shoulder. Whale exhaled loudly, shooting them a final questioning glance. "Go ahead. It will work," Killian said, his voice ringing with confidence.

The doctor nodded, pushing the needle into Darius' arm, injecting him with the water. He pulled back, stepping away slightly as they all stared at Darius with bated breath, waiting for any movement.

Five seconds passed. Ten. Fifteen.

And then the machines all started beeping all at once, his heart fluctuating suddenly, prompting Whale rushed to his side, lying Darius flat on his back, calling for a crash cart. "The three of you, get out of here," he snapped, gearing up the paddles. "His body is shutting down, and his heart is failing. I need to stabilize him," he narrated as he geared up the defibrillation paddles, ready to resuscitate him. "All right, push to 110," he ordered, pressing the paddles to Darius' chest. The machines going haywire.

Emma and Killian pulled Dahlia away from the room, turning her away from the scene and huddling around her.

"I really thought it would work," she muttered, burrowing into her mother's arms, trembling slightly.

"We all did, sweetheart," Killian reassured, pressing a kiss against her head, as he exchanged a terrified glance with his wife. And just when he thought everything was lost, he heard Whale call them in. He saw the doctor grinning widely as he opened the door further, revealing a very alive – and finally – a very awake young man.

"What the fuck happened?" he demanded, his arms crossed and brows furrowed.

-/-

Evelyn held her breath, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I don't want to leave you here," she whispered brokenly, hugging herself. "I can't let you wait for me."

"Evie," Liam sighed, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "You cannot die for me. Do you know how bloody insane that sounds?"

"D-dad, I just met you. It's too little time," she cried, tears now freely wetting her cheeks. "This isn't fair."

"I know, Evelyn." He hung his head in defeat. Zeroing his gaze on his daughter, he said, "I have one final story to tell you."

"Dad, I am being serious. This isn't the time-" But he cut her off with an endearing half smile, making her sigh but allowing him to talk. "Has Killian ever spoken of our mother?" When she shook her head no, he chuckled. "He really loved her. Losing her... he lost a part of him that day, even as a child.

"She was a brilliant woman, truly. A force to be reckoned with. She had a heart of gold and the spirit of the ocean during a storm. She was our mother, but beyond that, she was the strongest woman I've ever known. She never used to take to authority well - she married a pirate after all. She was smart and beautiful and had the entire town enamoured with her, but for her, her family was everything. Her love for us, it was boundless... she used to tell us all the time how she was blessed to have us. And we were truly fortunate to have her for our mother.

"And when she was dying, she told me something I would never forget. I think of her words every day. She told me, 'Love surpasses life. It surpasses time and tide and every mundane thing that will eventually end. But love does not, will not.'" He exhaled sharply, as if just talking about is too painful to fathom.

He met her gaze after a moment, the sorrow replaced with something softer and equally tortured, pulling on her heartstrings. "My love for you is boundless, Evelyn Jones. You are such a wonder to behold. You are named after the strongest women, after all."

Evelyn's eyes bugged out at that, her expression one of shock as her heart shattered to a million pieces. "I-I'm named after your mother?" she asked hoarsely. "Why wouldn't Uncle Killian tell me?"

"When we lost her, he was too young to understand. And when he was old enough to, his love for her had only grown. He took it very hard; they were far closer than she and I were. He never talked about her after she died."

"I don't want to go through that same pain."

"Oh, my darling girl," he whispered ruefully, pulling her into his arms and holding her tight against him. "You will not. You have a father in Killian and a mother in Emma. They have been your family all these years, cared for you as they did their own. You will not go through that pain alone, and you will never lack for love in that family," he chuckled wryly. "You cannot give up all that for me. Do you understand? Evelyn Jones, the one you're named after? She would not condone this. She would always choose life over death."

He pulled back, grabbing her by the shoulders instead. "I implore you, do not give up on your future."

"But Darius, he's the man that I love, my future. The way you felt about mom, I feel for him. And he-I was supposed to save him. What if he's dead?" she shook her head as more tears spilled down her cheeks. "I can't-"

Liam had known that his daughter had been through her fair share of heartbreak, but knowing about the lad in her life, knowing that she'd found love, it made him ache because he'd missed it all. Every moment that he should have spent with her, holding her hand as she took her first steps, her first words, soothing her nightmares, scaring her suitors. Every single moment that he would have cherished if given the chance. He shook his head, dismissing his thoughts for now. She needed his help, not wallow in self-pity.

"Evie, don't let fear dictate you. Choose your own path, my dear. Find the strength I know you have in you," Liam begged, his expression earnest. "I will wait forever for you if I have to."

Her brows wrinkled as she met his gaze, "No," she murmured, pulling back. "No," she repeated, more strongly this time. "I can't let you do that."

"Evelyn, darling. What do you -"

"I can't let you wait for me. You need to move on," she added, holding his hands in hers. "You've lived so long in that hell. I- Dad, you had unfinished business. That was me. Now you know I'm alright. You can move on," her voice broke. "There won't be anything holding you back," she smiled through her tears. "You can finally be with Mom."

Liam looked dumbfounded, his own eyes filled with tears. "But what about you? I promised her I would watch out for you, make sure you're safe..."

"And you have," she insisted. "I found my family, I have my love. I am beyond happy, Dad. You've shown me everything I'll miss, and now I'm doing the same for you. You can-" she breathed deep, her smiling blinding. "You can move on, Daddy. I am happy."

Liam looked ready to burst, as he pulled Evie into his arms one last time, running his hand down her hair. "I love you so much, my darling girl," he choked out in a stuttering breath. "I will never stop loving you."

"I love you too," she whimpered, clinging to him, her face burrowed in his shoulder. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"Hush, now. Your mum and I, we will be there with you no matter what," he reassured her, sniffling as he pulled back. "You've grown into such a strong, wondrous young lady. Never forget that," he pressed, cupping her cheek and brushing away her tears. She nodded, holding his hand to her cheek. "It's time now," he whispered, stepping back.

Her arms fell to her side limply. "Tell Mom I love her," she requested. "Tell her I miss her. And I am happy. Tell her everything."

"Every last detail," he promised, indulging at her. "It's time to wake up, darling."

"Five minutes," she tried, but he shook his head, squeezing her hand before he let go.

"Time to wake up, Evelyn Jones. The rest of your life awaits," he spoke even as his voice grew fainter and a bright light enveloped her.

-/-

Darius has been sitting at Evelyn's bedside every since he woke up and learned of his love's condition. He'd not said a word, simply struggled onto the wheelchair that an orderly had brought him and wheeled to her room. He felt his resolve almost crumble when he saw her lying on that damned bed, her eyes closed as if in sleep. Her skin was pale from blood loss and her features soft, the only thing anchoring him the steady raising and dropping of her chest with every breath.

He was startled out of his thought by a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Killian looking down at him with a grim expression his face. "Lad, you need to rest."

"Not until she wakes up," he muttered, his gaze shifting back to her. "I'm not leaving her side for another moment."

"Darius-" he started to say, but halted when he saw Evie's fingers twitching. He sucked in a harsh breath, his heart racing. "Darius, she's waking up," he breathed out, his hand tightening on the lad's shoulder.

Darius' head shot up, his eyes widening as he noticed it too, her eyes fluttering this time. "Evie," he pulled himself as close as he could get to her. "Evie, can you hear me? Come back to me," he pleaded, his hand tightening around hers.

Killian had gone to call the others, eyes stinging from unfallen tears and face split into a grin. She was awake: she came back to them.

Back in the room, Darius waited with his heart in his throat as he watched for any signs that she was really waking up. Her eyes shot open, startling blue meeting his warm brown ones. And his world began to turn again.

-/-

Evelyn felt disoriented, her heart heavy after her tearful goodbye. She turned her head, expecting to see Uncle Killian or Aunt Emma. Or even Dahlia. But nothing could have prepared for who she saw instead. Darius, her love, her grounding force. She let out a sob, even as she grinned so wide, hands reaching for him as she tried to sit up. He was beaming at her, his hands reaching for her own, entwining them together as he pulled her for a kiss, his lips pressed to hers hard.

And even through all the wires and tears and struggles for breath, they had never felt more complete. The only reason they pulled apart was because, right that moment, her entire family had thundered in, all frozen at the doorway as they saw her sitting up and making out with her fiancé. She pulled back fully, resting against her pillow, wincing slightly, her hands still entwined with Darius, who was looking at her with love and awe and everything else and she just-

"You're- you're alive," Emma whispered, her voice breaking and tears blurring her vision. She grinned wide, letting out a half-sob, half-laugh as she rushed to Evelyn's side, pulling her into a hug, keeping mind of her injuries. "Oh, God, Evelyn Jones," she admonished, "you scared us half to death."

Evelyn chuckled, holding her aunt close. "I'm sorry. I promise never to do that."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Dahlia joked, next in line to hug her. "I am so glad you're okay."

"Me too, kid," Evelyn sighed. "Are you okay?" she asked, brows furrowed in concern as she pulled away from her cousin's embrace.

"Me? You're the one who came back from the brink of death," Dahlia deflected, scratching behind her ear. "But, yeah. I- I'm okay." She looked back as her parents, who smiled reassuringly at her. Evelyn smiled proudly at her, squeezing her hand.

Turning back to Darius, she smiled. "I'm so glad you are okay," she sighed, pressing her forehead to his. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he whispered, locking his gaze with hers. "But I have a feeling you want a moment with your uncle?" he whispered so only she could hear. She chuckled and nodded, biting her lip before placing a sweet, chaste kiss against his. "Just a moment," she promised.

Darius smiled at her, all tender features and radiating fondness. "Emma, Dahlia, could you accompany me to my room? I think these two need a moment," he added, not one for subtlety, the idiot.

And then, it was just the two of them. Killian refused to meet her eyes, silently stewing as he took a seat next to her bed. She bit her lip. "Uncle Killian? I'm so sorry," she began but was cut off by the haunting expression on his face as his head snapped up.

"You're sorry?" he choked out, tears stinging the back of his throat. "Evelyn, if I had gotten to you sooner, I could have- Gods, it was all my fault. I am so sorry, darling."

She gaped at him, her own tears gathering in her eyes but she blinked them away. "It was not your fault. It was all on Silver. That son of a bitch forced Dahlia to- Uncle Killian, he's a monster and he caused this. You are not at fault," she told him, her voice strong and left no room for argument.

His lower lip trembled as he let out a stuttering breath, his hand cupping her cheek and brushing away a stray tear. "I am so glad you came back to us. I felt so helpless, holding you in my arms, watching the life drain out of you, I felt so helpless, Evelyn. It was Liam's death all over again," he swallowed thickly. "Gods, Evie, we almost lost you," he whispered brokenly.

She threw her arms around him, burrowing herself in his embrace, and cried, mumbling incoherently. Killian soothed her, shifting so he was seated next to her on the bed. He knew they had a lot to talk about, but right now, she needed this. That's what he would give her. His Evie was alive. That was all that mattered.

When Evelyn finally managed to calm down, she pushed herself up so that she was facing Killian, his hand in hers as she told him all about meeting Liam, about everything. She watched as a maelstrom of expression flitted across his face, his eyes growing damp with each moment.

"He finally found peace, my brother?" Killian questioned as she finished. She nodded, smiling through her tears. He pulled her close, his hand on the back of her head. "Oh, darling. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," she whispered. "You're my family. I need you just as much as you need me. You've given me love, a family - everything I could possibly dream of. You've been the father that I'd been missing all those years. And I know that you always try to live up to my dad, but you have been much more than that. My dad's so proud of you, Uncle Killian."

He let out a sob, cupping her face in his hand, "Oh, darling. You have no idea what that means to me. He must be proud of the person you are now. I know I am," he beamed, kissing her forehead. "I do have some disconcerting news, however. Your grandfather... he passed, love. He died saving us," he swallowed thickly. "I know you loved him."

"And you did, too," she added, her throat heavy with tears. "Are you okay?"

"Aye, I am now. I've made peace with him, and with myself," he smiled. After a beat, he added. "I think it's time I leave you and your fiancé to yourselves," he smiled.

"Thank you for saving him."

"It was all Dahlia," he smirked at her raised eyebrows. "She certainly is a force to be reckoned with."

"Aren't all Jones women?" Evelyn replied, her father's words about his mum echoing in her ears. She smiled to herself.

He was almost out of room before he turned back. "I hope you know, I don't wish to replace Liam in your life... but you are our daughter, Evie."

Her smile was radiant when she said, "And you're my father, no matter what."

-/-

Emma spied her husband sitting outside Evelyn's room, his eyes closed and head thrown back. "Penny for your thoughts?" she whispered, sliding into his lap, making him grunt slightly.

"Oof, Swan. Careful. I'm not as young as I seem," he joked, brushing a kiss against her cheek. She rolled her eyes, even as she tilted her head and kissed him, a slow slide of lips. "I love you, Jones," she murmured, pulling back and looking at him with the love that never wavered.

"And I, you, Swan," he echoed, pulling her closer to him, her hand resting on his chest. "Listen, I need to tell you something." She smiled at him encouragingly, nodding for him to continue. "The ship we found Silver on, it was my father's. He was one of the men being controlled by Silver."

Emma let out a soft gasp, her eyes going wide. "Is he okay? Where is he?" she questioned, her face falling when she noticed the look in his eyes. "Oh, Killian..." she breathed out, her hands cupping his face. "Babe, I'm sorry," she bit her lip.

He ran his fingers down her arm, his chest tight. "I spent so long hating him, but it still... It hurts, knowing that he's really gone. Trying to save us, no less," he admitted, leaning into his wife's comforting touch.

She smiled tightly at him. "He saved my family. He died a hero, Killian. He's in a better place now."

"I know," he agreed. "I never got a chance to tell him that I do forgive him. I- I don't want him to think I hated him. I don't want him to be stuck in the Underworld forever," he confessed. "I wanted to tell him that I forgave him and that I loved him."

"He knew, Killian." When he looked ready to protest, she cut him off. "We don't live in a perfect world, you know that. You will never be ready for it when someone dies, Killian. You just need to trust that you loved them enough for them to know without it being said. He knew, and he's in a better place now."

He looked up at her in awe, shaking his head in disbelief. Even after years, she had the ability to leave him speechless. "You have no idea what you've given me, Emma Swan."

"Jones," she reminded him. "It's Jones now."

"Aye," he conceded. "But you'll always be my Swan, my light. The half of my heart."

She chuckled through her tears, bending up to press her lips to his. The half of her heart, she thought.

-/-

Darius was back in Evelyn's room, unable to stay away longer than he had to. They both had their foreheads pressed together, revelling in the fact that they were both alive, and most importantly, happy. She giggled as he nuzzled her nose, pulling away slightly. "That's so gross and couple-y, Darius."

He rolled his eyes, "Well, apologies, Mi'lady. I was simply trying to romance you into a good mood."

"I am in a good mood," she wrinkled her nose, and grinned at him. "I'm in a great mood, if I'm being honest."

He smiled, hesitating as he cleared his throat, grabbing her hands in his. "Evelyn, I- I know that a lot has happened in the past couple of days and we've both been through hell and back, perhaps literally. I just- I don't want you to regret anything," he sighed. "I don't want you to regret us."

She looked taken aback for a moment, wrinkles forming between her brows. "Darius, I'm never going to regret you. You are the love of my life and if you think for one second that I wouldn't go through everything all over again for you, you're dead wrong, buddy. You're stuck with me for life."

He chuckled, pulling her closer and kissing her hard, showing her how much she means to him. They both pulled back, panting slightly. "Where'd that come from?" she smiled, concerned.

He sighed, pushing back an errant strand from her face. "I don't want you risking your life for me-"

"Would you risk yours for me?" she cut him off, her arms crossed and eyebrow raised.

"In a heartbeat."

"Then, stop asking me to love you less. That's stupid, and more than that, it's impossible. So stop with the martyr act, and be the man I fell in love with. The man who could give a damn about what is the 'right thing' to do; we love each other, that's all the reason we need to be together. Screw what the world thinks," she replied vehemently, frowning at him,

Darius shook his head, "God, I love it when you are all riled up," he grinned, kissing her again. "So, we're really doing this? We are going to do the whole white picket fence, kids and a dog?"

She made a face, her nose wrinkling again. "No dogs," she shuddered, making him laugh.

"No dogs," he promised, smiling at her. "Cats?"

"Cats," she nodded, laughing. "A whole clowder of 'em."