A/N: Wow what a crazy ride this has been! I'm so thankful for all of you who've read, reviewed, followed, and favorited this story. I had all but stopped writing before joining this ship, and now look at me- writing a story longer than my favorite book! This is it, guys. We're right at the end- only two more chapters to go! I really hope you enjoy this one and that you understand why I made it so angsty in the last chapter (and even in this one as well). You all are amazing, and I couldn't have done this without you. Lyrics are from Your Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
Cause you're my, you're my true love, my whole heart

YESTERDAY

Emma bit her lip before speaking. "I have an idea- but I don't know if it'll work," she said.

"Well, deary- tell me what it is; perhaps I can help," Gold replied. Emma nodded, noting that he had a glint in his eye as if he had a plan of his own.

"Cora's the queen of hearts, right? Or at least- was?" Gold nodded slowly. "If I was her, I'm not keeping my heart in my chest. It has to be somewhere, right? Like- in Regina's 'collection'?"

"I suppose so," he said, a smile threatening to break through. "Tell me, Miss Swan- what exactly do you have planned?"

"It's just…she wasn't always this way, was she? I mean- she had a heart at some point. Was she any different? Because with Graham," she paused, taking a breath. "He used to say that he couldn't feel anything. That he felt empty. If we put Cora's heart back in her chest, would it make any difference in her actions?"

"Yes," he answered after a moment of silence. "It isn't that simple of course; she's been without it for so long it might not have any effect on her at this point. If it did, however, her empathy would return, as well as her capacity to love," he said.

Emma was quiet. If he was right, then returning her heart might not do anything, and they'd be back at square one. She had one shot to get rid of Cora, and it had to be worth it. If they put her heart back in her chest, they needed a backup plan. Or rather…

"What if we lay a dummy trail?" Emma said, her thoughts racing, eyes dancing with possibility.

"A- Emma, we aren't tracking," Gold said.

"No- look- back when I found criminals in Boston, sometimes they'd lay a dummy trail to trick me. What if we make Cora think she's in charge- that she's getting what she wants, only to turn the tables on her when she least expects it?"

Gold's eyes lit up and he went into the back of the store, leaving Emma alone for a few minutes. When he returned, he had an old wooden box. He opened it, revealing a few vials and a pouch of something. "Before the curse, I gathered a few things in case I ever needed a portal back to our land. Well, any land really. It doesn't actually matter where. I just need a few items to complete it- including something from the land it returns you to."

"Are you saying…"

"I can get you back home, if you go with her," he said simply. Emma's heart started racing- Killian was not going to like this.

Emma sat down, thinking this through. She worked through it in her mind over and over again, finally looking up to the man in front of her and speaking. "So, I go with her, return her heart, and then…give her the option to be queen in the Forest or be a part of our family here?" She had to admit, the longer the plan sat in her mind, the more it made sense. It was the only way she could ensure everyone's safety.

"Well…yes, I suppose that would work," he said somewhat surprised. "Miss Swan- if this is to work, she has to believe she truly is in charge- that she has the power."

"I know," Emma replied, her words full of dread. "But it's the only way. The others will be safe, and if Cora is still…bad…when I return her heart, then I come home alone. No harm done," she said.

"What would you like to tell the others?" he asked.

"I don't know..." Emma said, beginning to pace the pawn shop. This would be difficult- convincing everyone of a plan that would never be. It had to be good, but it also needed to be believable that it might not work. It would have to be temperamental… It would have to be capable of going wrong…

"We tell them about the portal of yours," she said confidently.

"Miss Swan- they can't know about-"

"Hear me out. If we tell them about it, saying we're going to use it to get rid of Cora, they'll believe it. We tell them that…that we'll use our magic to send her back through it."

"And that potion for the portal is very old and may not work," he finished.

"Exactly. We make it sound like it's the only chance we have- they'll take this over nothing. When it doesn't work, Cora will think she's in power again. She'll try to take Regina…or someone…and I offer myself up instead." She thought for a moment before adding, "We'd have to make a dummy potion. We give it to one of the others, and I keep the real one along with Cora's heart for when I leave with her." She knew this was the only way, that it was a good solid plan, but it killed her knowing how torn her family would be when she left. They couldn't know. Their emotions would be what sell's this plan; they could not know, no matter what.

Gold fought the smile as Emma spoke; she really had grown into the woman he always knew she would. He'd hoped she'd come to a similar conclusion on her own- that was mostly why he'd bit his tongue in the shop- but when she pulled him aside to tell him what she'd come up with, it was even more ingenious then his version of the particular plan.

"Are you sure we can do all this by tomorrow? I don't want to leave anything to chance," she asked.

"Oh yes, I believe that won't be an issue. You understand the risks you're taking here, don't you?" he needed to be sure she wouldn't back out. It was all or nothing with this.

"Yeah, I do," she replied. He nodded and let his smile slip up this time.

"It'll all be fine in the end, Emma."

"I know…gets worse before it gets better, huh?" He chuckled.

"Indeed, Miss Swan, that it will."

PRESENT TIME

Killian held the young boy in his arms as he watched the town break down around him. Emma better have a damn good excuse for this. He trusted her, and he had faith that this hadn't been goodbye; just I'll see you soon. But it was hard to think about that when her parents were being consoled by the townsfolk while they cried, and Henry was holding onto him for dear life.

Nothing was right.

He caught a glimpse of Rumplestiltskin and was suddenly filled with rage- anger unlike anything he'd ever felt. This was his doing. His fault- he knew it. "Hey!" he shouted at the man, prying Henry off his side and into the arms of a shell shocked Regina before charging the crocodile.

"Hook- this isn't what-" he tried saying, but it was too late. Killian reached him in a matter of seconds, wasting no time in planting his fist in the man's face. He didn't give him any time to recover before kneeing him in the gut. Gold doubled over and Killian grabbed his cane from his hand and whipped it back to hit the man.

"Stop it!" Belle screamed from the dinner, running towards them quickly. Killian let out a frustrated growl and dropped the cane, grabbing the older man's shirt collar to jerk him up.

"If she doesn't come home, I'll finish you like I should have the first time you stepped foot on my ship," he spat before shoving the man down and turning to walk away just as Belle reached them.

"Killian!" Snow called after him, her voice raw with emotion. He ignored her, storming off in the direction of the Jolly Roger. Her absence was starting to sink in and it felt him desperately wishing he wasn't surrounded by the others. Emma's last words rang in his head and they pushed him forward, telling him that there was hope. It was the only reason he hadn't killed Rumple right then and there- or rather, tried to kill. He knew if he stayed in that part of town he'd do something he'd regret, and right now he needed to trust Emma and let go.

She'd come back.

She had to.

Emma fell to the ground with a thud, looking up and sighing. This place might be home to her parents, but it sure as hell wasn't home to her. She reached around her, checking that her backpack was still on, and then stood. Cora was standing already, accessing Emma with mild interest. "What?" she asked.

"Nothing, dear. I'm simply trying to figure out why you're here," she responded with a smile.

"You were going to take my son," she spat, hoping she was playing her part of the concerned mother well. She'd watched enough people lie to her to know what not to do to avoid getting caught.

Cora hummed appreciatively of her answer and began moving. Emma rolled her eyes and followed. "What, no horse and carriage waiting to take us to your kingdom?" she taunted.

"You looked like you could use the exercise," Cora sneered. Emma fought the urge to punch her in the face and kept moving. She knew she needed to wait for just the right moment to enact the second part of her plan for it to work. Cora couldn't see it coming.

As they walked, Emma took in her surroundings. She knew her parents wanted to come back here and return the kingdom to its former glory, but it didn't look like it could be saved at this point. The town they had already passed through was burnt to the ground, homes and shops in rubble at their feet. Bodies were still strewn across the grounds, a small smile playing at Cora's lips. It made Emma sick, seeing all this; she wondered if Cora could truly be saved, when she had done something as awful as this without a hint of remorse.

"Was this your doing?" Emma asked.

Cora laughed. "Miss Swan, I don't get my hands dirty," she said.

"So this will be my job?" Emma asked seriously. She wanted to know what Cora had in store for her, even if she never intended on letting it go that far.

Cora turned sharply. "Only if you prove to be difficult. You will take your place as princess, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. You will be a symbol, nothing more. And you will do as I ask. Is that understood?" she answered darkly. Her eyes were hard but there was something behind them that gave Emma hope.

"What's going on?"

"Is she coming back?"

"What just happened?"

"Why would she just- leave?"

Questions hung thick in the air like smoke as people tried to accept the reality of what just occurred. Gold stood with Belle fussing over him after his run in with Hook, debating whether he should just tell the others the original plan to end all this debate.

"Rumple- are you sure you're okay?" she asked. He kissed her forehead and smiled.

"Oh don't worry about me. I'll be alright," he answered before turning and walking towards the royal couple.

"Gold," David said. "What the hell just happened?"

"It's a bit complicated-"

"Did you know?" Snow asked in horror.

"I did," he stated. Fresh tears sprung from her eyes and David squared his shoulders.

"Do we get answers?" he grit through his teeth.

"You have to understand- if it was to work, no one could know," Rumple began.

"What is that supposed to mean?" the man asked.

"The plan we told you, was never the plan," he said. He looked between them, letting it sink in.

"Please tell me her leaving was part of the plan," Snow whispered. "And that returning is part of it as well."

"It is- I assure you. The most important part of this was making Cora believe she had the power- that she wasn't being played. Unfortunately, that also meant neither of you could know," he said. "For that I'm sorry. Emma didn't tell you to keep you safe. But fear not- she is safe, and the portal we were going to use for Cora is in Emma's possession. She'll use it to return here," he said.

"If that's the case, why isn't she back?" David asked.

"Well… that's where it gets complicated," he began.

Killian stormed through his quarters, feeling sick to his stomach. The moment the portal closed around her, he felt himself slipping. It was already too much, not being with her. He felt her absence like his hand those first few weeks he'd lost it. It was as if a crucial part of him was missing and his body was trying to compensate for the loss.

She was everywhere and yet nowhere. Nothing here held anything for him, and his chest began tightening much like it had when he'd first arrived here, back before he'd discovered Emma was under a curse. He tried slowing his breathing but it was no use; he felt so far from her with each passing second.

"Try something new, darling," she'd said. Her words haunted him the same way he was sure they'd haunted her when he'd spoken them. He wanted so desperately to believe she was okay, to trust her.

And he did. He really trusted her. But this felt different. This felt final. He hoped it was just paranoia.

He got up and started off the ship, the urge to be close to her overwhelming his senses. He took the back way, knowing if he didn't he'd inevitably end up running into the others. The walk wasn't nearly the distraction he'd hoped, but he arrived at the apartment quickly, much to his relief. He reached the door, the pain in his chest rising. He forced it down, telling himself he was being stupid.

She was coming home.

She had to be.

He found the spare key easily enough and walked through the door. Tears burned his eyes as her final words rang in his ears again and again, begging him to trust her as he walked through her home, feeling her presence all around him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, thanking whatever gods were above that her family wasn't home yet. He stumbled through the rooms, refusing to look at the counter where they'd eaten only hours ago, or the couch…

He entered her room, his cheeks wet with words that had gone unspoken this morning. If only he'd asked her not to go. He knew she would anyway, but maybe if he'd just asked before her parents had arrived…if he'd just asked what she was planning…

He sat on the bed, his face in his hands as he tried to collect himself. He looked up briefly, something catching his eye. He wiped at his face, moving to the bedside table. An envelope sat next to the alarm clock, Killian's name delicately written across it. His fingertips graced it gently, his eyes slipping closed.

If this was a goodbye letter he wasn't so sure he wanted to read it.

Try something new, darling.

He picked it up carefully, turning it in his hands before opening it to find his letter inside. He unfolded it slowly, his heart pounding in his chest as it broke seeing her handwriting.

He knew she'd come back. She wouldn't leave him. He shouldn't be acting like this. He should be waiting with the others, waiting for her return. He should not be moping in her bedroom, wishing it all away.

He took a deep breath and began reading, hoping it would make him feel better, not worse.

Killian,

Words cannot describe what I'm feeling. You look so peaceful when you sleep, it almost hurts to write this when you're right here without a care in the world. Let me start with this- I am so, so sorry. I can't even imagine what you're going through, but I know if the roles were reversed I'd be broken hearted the moment that portal closes. I'm sorry. I can't say that enough.

If you're reading this, then you've probably wondered back in here hoping to find some piece of me. I know, because the first place I'd go to feel close to you is your ship. Of course, this also means that you're already missing me, and you shouldn't. I'm not gone, Killian- I meant it when I said you weren't losing me. I'm coming back, you just have to trust me. Gold and I have a plan- a really good one- but you couldn't know. And it kills me, it honestly has been killing me not to tell you, to sit by and watch as you worry. Cora had to believe my intentions were pure in leaving with her, though. The only way she'd believe it, was if you were torn up. I'm so sorry.

When I leave with her, I'm going to give her heart back. Gold says it might return her empathy, and if it does she might be different. I'm going to give her a choice to come back with me as a part of Regina's family, or to stay in the kingdom and attempt to rule it alone. Regardless of what she chooses, I will be coming back.

The potion Gold and I spoke of wasn't fake. It was completely real, but the compass is a false trigger. I'll have the real one, and it will take me back to you. You have to believe that I would never leave you like this without a way back. I love you too much to do that.

This plan will be tricky, even risky. But I don't care. The only thing I'm worried about is you. I know that if anything will stop me from going through with this, it'll be the look on your face. Killian, you have to understand that I love you so very much, and I hate that I'm going to do this. But it's the only way you and Henry will be safe.

I'd rather say goodbye for a little while, then goodbye for good.

So, darling, try something new. Believe you'll hold me in your arms soon enough, and please help Henry understand that I did this to protect him, and that I love him, too.

Save me a kiss,

Emma

They'd been walking for an hour when Emma asked if they could take a break. Cora was reluctant to say the least.

"I just lost everyone I love and now I'm back in this God forsaken place! I want to take a break," Emma said as she said down on a nearby rock defiantly. She needed to regroup and find a way to return Cora's heart- and fast. She could feel part of herself shattering with each passing moment away from Killian.

It was amazing that all the parts of her he fixed, were suddenly breaking once more without him. It made her worry about what kind of shape he was in.

"Ah, the pirate," Cora said. "Tell me, dear- when was it you first realized you had feelings for our captain?"

"Like you care," Emma muttered. She was not having this conversation. She reached into her back and pulled out a water bottle, leaving the opening to the bag towards her in case she saw an opportunity.

"You knew you'd be coming with me," Cora said slowly, staring at the bag.

Emma froze momentarily, swallowing the water and shrugging. "I knew I'd do whatever it took to save my family. If that meant coming with you- I wanted to be prepared. Something I learned last time- no filtered water here," Emma said with a smirk.

"Did he know?" she asked. Why is she so interested in my love life?

"No," she stated, slipping the bottle back into the bag and looking at the horizon.

"My my, keeping secrets from your one true love?"

"I did what I had to do. You were going to take Henry. He understands," Emma said, assuring herself as much as Cora.

"Oh I'm sure. He's probably just fine," she said bitterly.

"Why do you care?"

Cora narrowed her gaze, walking towards Emma. Seeing a possible opportunity, Emma stood as well, swinging the bag over one shoulder. "We're old friends, Hook and I. You have no idea how many women have attempted to distract him from his revenge. He never wavered- 300 years, he never so much as smiled at them sincerely- until you. You managed to change that man, and then you left him. I care, because it's interesting," she said.

Emma looked down, Cora's words making the pang in her stomach stronger. She missed him already, more than she thought she would. It was like she was split in two and the other part of her body and mind was back there, with him. She felt disoriented almost. "I left him because I love him," she whispered.

"True love," Cora sneered. It struck Emma then that perhaps Cora had been in love once, and lost it. Maybe she was so interested in Emma and Killian because it reminded her of someone else.

Of her.

It gave Emma hope that her plan would work after all, and when Cora turned her back, lost in thought, Emma acted quickly. Reaching into her bag, she pulled the heart out of the pouch, the pounding flesh foreign to Emma's touch, yet reacting to the contact. Cora turned, everything in her screaming something was wrong. Emma looked at her, focused all her energy into sending the woman against the tree to their left. You're doing this because of your family, because they need you to return home- because you need to go home. Her thoughts fueled her power as the woman was tied to the tree trunk with branches just as Emma imagined it. Cora began shouting, puffs of purple smoke exploding around her as she tried to break free.

A look of sheer horror overcame her when she realized Emma was stronger in that moment. Emma had applied the slightest pressure to Cora's heart when she felt her slipping from her grasp, seizing the woman's movements as the air left her lungs. She was completely powerless, a feeling she hadn't had in hundreds of years.

The combination of holding her heart and being the product of true love was too much for Cora's dark magic. She stopped fighting and lifted her chin. "So this was the plan all along, then? Come with me and return my heart? It won't make a difference. I'll still kill you," she said evenly.

"Maybe," Emma said, taking a step towards her. When she was close enough, Emma curled her fingers around the heart and took a deep breath, plunging her hand into the woman's body, releasing it and pulling away. She watched as her eyes widened and back arched while her body adjusted. Light filled the woman's eyes, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she took shallow breathes, filling her lungs rapidly is if she'd been deprived. A small laugh rose from her throat, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She looked at Emma and smiled, her eyes full of unshed tears.

"Cora?" Emma asked quietly.

"Thank you," she whispered. "My God, thank you." Her eyes watered over and tears slipped down her cheeks faster now. Emma still had her hold on Cora, magic keeping her against the tree in case this went south.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, dear! My- I haven't felt like this since…since before I had Regina- Regina! My beautiful daughter..." Cora smiled up at Emma then through her tears. "Are you going back there? To the land my daughter lives in?"

"I am," Emma said. This was it- the moment that decided everything.

"I'd like to come; I want to meet my daughter properly." Emma was struck with how kind hearted Cora suddenly was, how shy almost she seemed. Everything about her changed the second her heart was returned. Emotion like this couldn't be faked.

She wasn't lying- her intentions were pure.

Killian dropped the letter and closed his eyes, his head falling into his hand again. He remembered something she'd said to him last night after they'd made it to her room when he'd asked her why she felt she needed to take charge with the Cora problem. "I'm the savior, Killian. I'm just doing my job."

She told him the truth. She really was just trying to save everyone, Cora included. He let go of everything in that moment, all the fear, all the dread, all the sorrow for losing her. He let it all go and just cried, hoping he'd run out of tears by the time he'd encounter her family so he could tell them what he'd discovered.

Emma was coming come.

He thought back to earlier that day when they'd found the backpack. Emma had insisted on keeping it with her- now he knew why. The heart and potion must be in there. She had this planned out so well; he truly hadn't thought this would happen. Sure, he suspected she'd give herself over to Cora- but he never thought this. She was brilliant. His beautiful Swan; she was absolutely brilliant. He collapsed back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.

"You need to move out of here," Killian murmured against Emma's skin. She turned her head and kissed him.

"Why's that?" she asked with a smirk, taking his wandering hand in hers and intertwining their fingers.

"Lass, now that this has happened, I don't see it not happening again. And with your parents and Henry around…." Emma laughed.

"Yeah okay, I see your point."

"You could always come live on the Jolly Roger," he said casually. She rested her head on his shoulder and smiled.

"I'd like that," she said quietly, kissing him softly. "I do like your boat, after all," she teased, looking up under her lashes.

"Oi! Ship- she's a ship, Emma!" he said with a hand over his heart.

Killian smiled. He wished he could relieve last night- back before she left and all the worrying. He knew it was only a matter of time before she returned, but he still felt empty; watching her walk away still stung.

Soon enough, he reminded himself. I'll see her soon enough.

The door to the apartment swung open and he heard conversations echoing through the place.

"He's got to be here! He wasn't at the ship. We have to tell him!" Henry said excitedly. Killian rubbed his face on the sleeve of his shirt and sat up, picking up her letter from where it fell.

"Killian! Found him!" Henry shouted. A smile touched Killian's lips as he looked at the boy. Gold must have told them what Emma was doing.

"Hey, kid. What happened?" he asked, playing along.

"Mr. Gold told us everything! He said that my mom- wait, you don't look as sad as you did earlier," he said.

"Quite perceptive," Killian said with a small smile. Henry looked around the room, his eyes settling on the paper in Killian's hand.

"She wrote you a letter," he said almost reverently.

"Henry, what are- oh, hi," Snow said as she entered. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm alright," he sighed. "I'll be better when she comes back," he added while standing and placing the letter on the bed, ruffling Henry's hair as he walked out of the room.

"How are you planning on getting us back?" Cora asked, her hands twisting with each other. Emma got the idea that it had been a very long time since Cora had to let someone else have power over her, and even longer since she'd been overwhelmed with emotions. She almost seemed anxious, something that didn't look right on the older woman.

"Remember the compass Killian threw?" Emma said while shuffling things around in the backpack.

"The exploding one?" Cora asked with a small smirk that still didn't hide the slight worry in her eyes.

"Yeah. The others thought it was enchanted with a potion to create a portal. That's what we told them, anyway. The real potion was used on….this," she said as she pulled out a dream catcher- specifically the one Neal had given her years ago. She had no use for it anymore, and Gold had thought it would be perfect for their purposes. It was from the same land that Storybrooke was, so she would be able to use it to return. It also had sentimental value- or did, anyway- which strengthened the bond with the potion apparently.

Cora looked at it curiously before returning her gaze back to Emma. "Does it work like any other portal? The hatter's hat, giant's beans…"

"Yes. We just throw it and the portal appears. Are you sure you want to come back? You might not be welcomed at first, you understand that?"

Cora nodded. "I understand. My only hope is Regina can find it in herself to forgive me…"

"I think she will," Emma said softly. Cora looked up at her. "Regina has done some pretty awful things, too. I doubt she'll deny you the forgiveness she wants so badly for herself."

"Thank you. Now…when do we go?" she asked.

"Whenever you're ready," Emma replied, her fingers curling around the dream catcher. She seriously hoped this would work. There was no plan B.

"I'm ready, dear," she answered coolly.

Killian walked the streets swiftly, hoping to gather his things from the ship before sundown. Hours had passed since Emma had left, and every moment he felt his body grow tired with the weight of his heavy heart. Snow and David offered to let him stay at their home until she came back, knowing this was going to be hard on all of them and being together might help.

In a strange way, Emma leaving was turning out to be beneficial in one aspect: Killian had begun to earn David's respect. Emma's father was fiercely protective of her, as he should be, but it also made life difficult for Killian when he was constantly trying not to screw things up and make her father hate him even more. He was a pirate, and he knew very well that his title had trouble and heartbreak written all over it, and that David saw that when he looked at him. Sure, Killian enjoyed taunting the man from time to time, but Emma leaving left him breathless and without the will to try to be tough like he so often did. Pirates don't show emotion, they fight through the hard times.

That very fact he'd lived his life by was proof enough that he wasn't a pirate anymore.

He was just Killian. Her Killian.

And David had begun to see that today. He'd always understood that being with Killian made Emma happy, and he'd seen what happens when Killian is apart from Emma, but this was different. When she was under the curse, Killian could still see her. Now he couldn't, and the toll it took on him to know that even though she had a plan, that it might not work, was killing him. David finally saw just how much Killian loved Emma.

When he suggested he stay with them, as a part of their family, there wasn't a single person in the room that wasn't shocked. Henry wore a small smile however, knowing it was only a matter of time before his grandfather came around. Killian thanked the man and left quickly after to gather some clothes from his ship while Snow barely held back tears. She was relieved her husband was done pouting and moping about their daughter loving a pirate. It felt like things were falling into place, and they all hoped desperately that the last piece- Emma returning- wasn't far from completing the puzzle their lives formed.

So, Killian walked to his ship with new hope. Her father was finally accepting him, and Emma would be home soon. She had to be. His life had never looked so full of promise, so full of….of hope.

He approached the docks and took a deep breath before boarding the Jolly Roger. He went down to his quarters and took the bag- duffle, he thought it was called- that Snow had given him for his things, and began packing clothes into it. After he had all he thought he might need, he closed the door behind him and left. Something about it felt wrong, leaving his ship, but it also felt like a new beginning.

He walked through town, the people smiling at him and encouraging him with "She'll be back before you know it," or, "Emma's smart- she'll make it back just you wait." It didn't take him long to figure out that Gold had told everyone of the real plan, and that Emma had the real portal to take her home. He saw Regina sitting on a bench alone, and set out to see if she was alright. He knew the news of her mother possibly returning might be a bit much to handle.

"Regina," he said.

She looked up at him and gave him a curt nod, as if addressing his presence, before looking off to the side. "You must be thrilled about the news," she said casually.

"I'm hopeful," he corrected. "And you? Do you even want to see your mother again?" he asked, skipping right to the point. He didn't enjoy small talk much, especially with her.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "If she comes back then wha-"

Her words were cut short by a loud whooshing sound towards her right in the woods. Their heads snapped toward the sound, eyes wide and hearts racing. Killian didn't wait to see what she would do; he began walking towards the trees, past the town until a mirage like view appeared near a well, the sound louder than it was before. His steps picked up in pace when purple smoke swirled around it, spilling over the top of the stone. He got so close, however, that he was propelled back when the smoke doubled in size, a portal- the portal- taking shape before his eyes.

He stood quickly, taking another step before stopping. This was it. She was back, she was really back. She'd come home, just like she promised.

He was vaguely aware of footsteps and shouting behind him as others came to the same conclusion he did. People closed in quickly, soon he wasn't alone, but it didn't matter. His focus was on the well, and nothing else. The smoke filled his senses as it shot up in the sky, gasps coming from behind him as two figures appeared in the air, being propelled towards the trees by the force of the portal doing its job.

Killian took off in a sprint towards the bodies, Regina close behind him. The smoke vanished in an instant, clearing his senses of the magic. He reached Cora first, carefully stepping around her as his eyes focused on Emma, lying on the ground.

He approached her slowly, his heart hammering in his chest as the pain in his abdomen that had been present since she left vanished, leaving him lighter than he had been in awhile. He fell to his knees, the sound and commotion behind him melting away as he saw her chest rising and falling, air filling her lungs. She was okay. And she was home.