[A/N]: Yoooo. Does anyone still read this? Haha. Okay, so it's been a long time... It's not that bad, right? Ahaha *sweats nervously*. I'm really sorry for taking so long with posting this chapter. A lot of things have been happening and then we went on hiatus, so my creative muse for this fic just dropped for a bit. Now that the show is back and these idiots are being as cute as ever, I've made a comeback! I know it's a bit shorter than usual, but the next chapter will be up soon! I PROMISE YOU.

Also, thank you as always for reading. Really. I've still seen your guys' reviews (even though I haven't replied to any of them and I'm so, so sorry for that) and they're 75% of the reason why I got my ass in gear to write this. Your support of this fic is so important to me, so thank you for all the kind words. This one is for all of you. ~Sam

Chapter Nineteen

Stagger

\ˈsta-gər\- verb: to move unsteadily from side to side.

"Liam… What are you doing?" Killian whispered, eyes narrowed while staring at the unfamiliar man before him. "Let her go."

"I'm not your dear brother, Lieutenant," a sinister smirk curled the at the corners of the Captain's lips. "Does the title 'Evil Queen' sound familiar to you?"

The cool steel stayed pressed against her throat, making her scared to even swallow. She could feel the edge of the blade digging into her skin to the point where even the slightest movement would draw blood. Emma tried to keep herself calm in Liam's grip. His arm was wrapped around her torso uncomfortably tight, barely allowing her to even breathe. She listened to the wicked chuckle that rumbled in the man's throat and found a shiver running down her spine at the sound of it.

She wished she could run. Run away from the man that she had called a friend since the day she met him.

But she knew this wasn't Liam.

Liam Jones was the enthusiast, up for smashing heads and having a good time no matter when or where. He was like a brother to whomever he met, always giving advice and somehow knowing exactly the right words to say in the moment. He was their Captain, their guide. And without him there, Emma suddenly felt more lost than ever.

The brave-hearted man that she had always loved had been swapped with a ruthless murderer.

"Regina," Killian spoke uneasily, his brow narrowed in confusion and worry. Emma watched as the man's expression darkened in the matter of seconds. "What have you done to my brother?"

"'Regina'?" Liam spat. "Watch your tongue, Lieutenant. You're speaking to a queen."

"You were never my queen," Killian growled, pulling his sword from its sheath. "And you never will be."

Again, he laughed. "What? Are you going to hurt me, brother?" Liam jeered, and a horrible, devilish glint could be seen in his eyes, one that looked completely foreign in the kind Captain's features.

The Lieutenant pointed his blade directly at his older sibling before spitting the words, "You are not my brother-!"

The sound of loud footsteps above deck drew the attention of everyone in the room. The Evil Queen suddenly added more pressure to the blade against Emma's neck, causing her to gasp slightly. Killian stepped forward, calling out frantically "Stop!" Her chest ached when seeing the conflicting emotions playing across his features.

The Evil Queen chuckled, "That's good... That look. Strange, the things that fear can do to you. It's the same desperate look your Captain gave me… when I took his heart." Emma's blood seemed to freeze at that moment. She knew that Liam couldn't have been doing any of Regina's biddings willingly, but for her to have his heart? The very thought made her sick.

The news seemed just as shocking to Killian, because he immediately denied it, "That's impossible. Liam's never mentioned seeing you, or even being near your part of the forest. He would remember, he would have told me."

"If you think the situation is that simple, then you're a fool, Lieutenant," Regina hissed. "Your brother doesn't remember a thing from our encounter, that day… But there is someone else here who does."

Emma felt her eyes widen as answers began to fall into place.

No.

"How long did the trip end up taking?"

Suddenly her heart seemed to be beating out of her chest.

"A week."

No, no, no.

"Don't you remember, princess? How you ran? How you and your family left the poor little boy alone while you escaped?" The Evil Queen's whispered into her ear and the words echoed through her head, torturing her mind.

"What is she talking about?" Killian asked, his eyes meeting hers while keeping his sword up.

Emma spoke breathlessly, "The boy in the woods… No, you're wrong. He died that day; you killed him!" Waves of guilt and images of that night flooded her head.

"Hm, yes… I do suppose he died. A part of him, anyway. I didn't think I would have any use for the mind of a boy. But I bided my time, I waited. And sure enough I was given a little spy, one that became tightly woven in to Snow White's kingdom. And it's all because of you, dear," Regina cooed, leaving a sinister grin to stretch across Liam's lips.

It was all her fault.

Killian turned to her and she saw the look of confusion on his face, "Emma…" She nearly cringed at the way he called her name, the delicate and soothing tone he used. She didn't deserve it. "Don't let her into your head. Don't let her twist your thoughts."

"Oh, so you still care about this woman? Tell me, Lieutenant. What would you be willing to do to save the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming? The girl that left your brother to die?" Regina baited.

Killian's expression hardened when he spoke, "I blame no one for what has befallen my brother besides you, witch."

In the corner of her eye, she saw Liam's lip curl in disgust, "You would forsake your brother? After all he's done for you, you would choose a simple wench over the man that supported you for the entirety of your life?" The Evil Queen sneered at him and Emma could practically see the stakes that were being driven into Killian's heart.

But the Lieutenant's eyes narrowed, "I would never abandon my brother. We, all of us on this ship, have something you will never obtain in all the years of your life. You continue to spread this venom, your poison, but in the end what do you gain from that?"

"I will gain the satisfaction of seeing Snow White broken," The Queen spoke proudly and her smirk grew. "Her kingdom will be mine and I will finally get what I deserve."

"And you think that will sate your hunger?" Killian shot back, his sword still level with Liam's eyes. "No, that gap of desire will deepen to the point where you will have nothing. Just like your words are nothing, Regina."

The Evil Queen trembled with rage. Emma could feel the dagger tapping against her skin, hesitantly, dangerously. Regina's words came out in pulses as she whispered deadly hisses. "You insolent peasant. I would advise you to take caution with your words, Lieutenant. You have so much to lose." Regina pressed the knife to her collarbone, causing a stream of red to run down Emma's torso while she cried out.

"No! STOP!" Killian yelled and the crack in his voice nearly split her heart in two.

Emma struggled once again, only to feel the bone crushing grasp on her grow. Anger, frustration, and pain coursed through her, causing her long exhales to sound like coarse growls. She absolutely despised the way the Evil Queen was planning on using her, Killian's feelings for her, as a bargaining tool. Before, Regina's threats and magic did not sway Emma's resolve, her strength. Now, standing in the enemy's clutches, she had never felt so helpless and weak.

"What do you say, Killian Jones?" Liam stroked the flat side of his blade along her cheek and Emma's gritted her teeth as the skin underneath her eye was parted and a crimson sliver appeared and her face was stained with her blood. "What would you do for the safety of your princess?"

Please, Emma begged mentally. Don't let her use you like this, Killian. There was no way she was going to let the Evil Queen use her as leverage in her plans of destruction. If things continued like this, not only would Killian be under her thumb, but her parents as well. She sent the Lieutenant a pleading stare, but it was only returned with a grimace as hurt filled his deep, blue gaze. She knew Regina had won when she heard him whisper one word.

"Anything."