After All

Chapter 19

Killian fell to the ground with a pain in his chest. His heart was on hands of the Dark One. He had minutes left. 

"Please, Rumplestiltskin" Emma begged standing on her feet "Don't kill him"

"A deal is a deal, dearie" he answered examining Hook's heart "You even signed" 

"I'll give you anything you want... Even my magic"

Rumple blinked a pair of times lifting up his gaze to the princess. Her words had caught his attention. 

"Your... Magic, you say?"

"Emma no! Don't do this!" Killian yelled desperately before Rumple squeezed his heart, making him groan in pain. 

"Yes. I'm willing to give you all my light magic if you let him live" she answered between gasps. 

The Dark One was thoughtful. The Savior's magic. Such a wonderful and precious thing. He couldn't waste the opportunity. But he had to release the pirate. What to do? 

"You could be invincible" Emma said "Isn't that what you want?"

Killian looked at Emma. What the hell was she doing? She didn't know what the crocodile could do to her. Once he had her magic, he would kill them both. 

"Deal" The Dark One finally replied. He stepped close to her but her words stopped him. 

"The heart first"

"No. You'll surrender the magic and then I'll give him the heart"

"You can't be trusted. How do I know you won't betray us?" Emma slapped "I need you to swear it on your heart"

Rumple was expressionless. The girl is smart. Heart promises can't be broken. 
Reluctantly, he drew a cross on his heart and swore on it. 

"Happy now? He will have his damn heart in his chest as soon as I have the savior's magic"

"Do it"

This is gonna be easy. Rumple thought. When someone wills to give in his or her magic, the transfer is quite simple. 

White magic began to come out from Emma's chest as it was transporting to Rumplestiltskin's body. Both Emma and Rumple screamed. The released power was hurting them. Sparks and light were spreading all over the woods. 

Meanwhile, Killian was weak. He watched the scene with fear. He needed to stop it. Standing up, he walked towards Rumple, who was too busy on the transfer to put attention to any other thing. 

It was the moment. If he let one more second pass Emma would probably die. 

Without thinking it twice, Killian took out a dagger and buried it with all the strength he had left on the crocodile's back, right through his heart.

The transfer stopped. No more magic nor light was seen. Emma fell to the ground still conscious. 

The Dark One laughed out loud. "Killian Jones. You haven't learned, have you? A simple dagger can't kill-"

Looking down, Rumple saw blood coming out from the wound. What was happening? He was feeling pain. He felt a sudden shriek. It hurt. 

"I caught you in the right moment. When you were receiving Emma's magic... You were vulnerable. Immortality has it's rules too, ones that not even you can decline... dearie" Hook said. 

The Dark One was shocked. How?! It wasn't possible! He was the most powerful...

A cloud of white smoke surrounded Rumplestiltskin's body until it disappeared, leaving only Killian's heart on the ground. 

He was dead. The Dark One was really dead. 

There was a sudden gasp. Someone took a leap of air as she opened her eyes. 

"Mom!" Emma yelled before running towards her. Snow White was alive. Nobody understood the reason why, but no one questioned it. 

"Oh Emma!" The Queen said caressing her daughter's cheek "You are safe"

"I am, all thanks to-" she turned her head to Killian, who was lying on the ground "Killian!"

Emma joined his side "Hello beautiful" he said with a smile. 

"Are you alright?"

"Sorta. I just miss my-"

"Heart" Snow interrupted as she handed it to Emma. With shaky hands, she took the heart that belonged to her. It was a strange feeling. He inhaled deeply before placing it back on his chest. 

"Did it hurt?" Emma asked worried. 

"Just a little" he said before smiling. 

"Killian you saved us. You killed Rumplestiltskin" 

"It was the honorable thing to do"

Some steps were heard in the distance along with a male voice "Snow! Emma!" 

"Charming" The Queen said out loud as she ran towards him and embraced him tightly "You are alright"

"I am. The dark army was strong, but we defeated them" he looked at Snow, whose clothes were still stained with blood "Wh-what happened? Are you hurt?"

"No, I... Let's just say I died and came back to life"

"What?!"

"Shhh. I'm here now" Snow kissed him softly before Emma joined them. 

"Dad" the princess said hugging both "So glad to see you"

"So am I darling" he caressed her cheek before continuing "Wait, where's The Dark One?"

"Killian killed him. He saved us" her daughter replied as she looked at the pirate with a grin in her face. 

"We all did" Hook contested shyly. 

"Thank you... Mate" The King answered. Surprisingly, he smiled to him. 

It was such a happy moment. Family reunited, the villain defeated, and a saved kingdom. 

Emma walked towards Killian, leaving her parents hug. 

"I am sorry for those horrible things I told you" he said "I don't know what went on with me. I am an idiot"

"Hey... " she put both of her hands on his face as she caressed it "There's no need to apologize. I said horrible things too. Don't take all the guilt. Besides, I used your heart as part of the deal with Rumple, that was far worse than anything"

"He was going to kill me anyways. But we are all safe and sound. No more worries"

She leaned forward to him as she placed her lips on his. It felt so good. Emma put one of her hands behind his head as she buried her fingers in his dark hair. Killian placed his hand on her hip as he deepened the kiss. 

David cleared his throat rather uncomfortable, making them take some steps away from each other. 

"Sorry dad" Emma responded licking her lower lip and with a playful smile. 

"Just don't make that in front of me. I'm getting older"

Everyone laughed. Snow took David by the arm as Killian placed his left arm around Emma, dragging her close to him.