Violets | Killian Jones

9

The battle between Evil and Wicked had a bit of a confusing ending. Nobody really won.

Zelena wants Regina's heart, but as she learned from her mother, never bring your heart to a witch fight.

And now, Emma is finally willing to embrace magic. The battle made her realize that she needs to learn. To protect herself, and to protect Henry.

Scarlett stands at the docks as she watches her pirate give orders to his crew. She can't help but bite her lip when she hears him yell. He turns his head and notices the woman with the dog sitting next to her. He smiles and walks over to them.

"I love it when you get bossy," She smirks.

" It's not my fault my crew can sometimes be complete moronic idiots", Killian says, then pecks her lips, " Now, what is it you need, love?".

" Who said I need anything?"

" It's in your eyes, love."

"I need you to watch Henry as I train Emma to use her magic".

" Swan? You're helping with her? Am I dreaming?"

His words earn him a thump to the forehead.

" I'm serious. Watch him... don't bore him," Scarlett says, " And watch Hook."

Scarlett hands the pirate the leash, then walks over to the boy.

" Okay, buddy, stay with Killian. Your mom and I have some work to do," She says.

" Can I play with the dog?" Henry asks.

" Of course you can," Killian grins.

Scarlett watches as the two head down the docks with the dog. She smiles, and then transports herself to the vault where her mother is waiting for her. They lead Emma down the stairs who curiously picks up random objects.

"Don't touch anything," Regina says.

" How am I supposed to learn magic if I can't touch anything?" Emma asks.

" The same way I did with my parents. Although, it'll be a little trickier for you. We're going to create a solid foundation first and then build your skills from the ground up," Scarlett says.

" So, while we're here, who's looking after Henry? The un-Charmings?" Regina asks as she rummages through a chest.

" Actually, Hook is", Emma says.

" Well, those two have been spending a lot of time together lately", Regina says.

" Killian's good with Henry and Henry likes him," Scarlett shrugs.

" He's prone to violence, impulsive, and has a hook for a hand. What about him would a 12-year-old boy not like?" Regina asks.

Scarlett rolls her eyes as she crosses her arms.

" I trust him, mother. And so does Emma. He's good with kids," She says.

" As much as I don't want to admit it, Hook is pretty good with Henry", Emma says.

Regina is quick to change the conversation topic as she opens a book.

"Let's start with roots for incantations," She says, then hands it to Emma.

" Are you kidding me right now? What language is this-- Spanish?" Emma asks.

" We're not making tapas. We're making magic," Scarlett quips.

"It's Elvish. Well, half Elvish", Regina says.

" I'm never gonna get this. Is this how Rumple taught you? Just think about your training. What other methods did he use?" Emma asks.

" Rumple was a bully", Regina says.

" I do know his training techniques. He didn't suffer fools, and he certainly didn't coddle his students," Scarlett says.

"If he tried to teach you how to swim and you couldn't learn, you drowned", Regina says.

" Drowned?", Emma asks.

A lightbulb goes off above Regina's head as an idea comes to mind.

"That's it."

" That's what?"

The queen waves her hands and transports the three of them to a rope bridge in the woods. Emma stands on the bridge while Scarlett and Regina stand safely on the other side.

" What the hell are you doing?!" Emma exclaims

"Teaching you to swim", Regina says.

"Are you out of your mind?!"

"Every time you've exhibited your power, it's been spurred by your instincts. I was the exact same way when I learned how to control my magic. So today, we're going to push those instincts until you master them," Scarlett says.

" A little reading doesn't sound so bad now", Emma says.

" You can stop us", Regina says.

" Stop you from what?" Emma asks.

" This," Scarlett says as she raises her hand.

Half of the wooden planks then fly off of the bridge, leaving Emma in an even more panicked state.

" What the hell are you doing?!" She asks.

" Making the bridge collapse. You can either stop it...", Regina starts.

" Or die," Scarlett finishes.

The plank beneath Emma's feet collapses, and she now dangles from the rope with her hands holding on for dear life.

" Regina! Scarlett! Enough! Stop this!"

" No, you stop it. No more hand-holding. You have to do this. Reach into your gut. You know you can do this. It's inside you, Emma", Scarlett says as the rope begins to break.

"Save the bridge. Save yourself", Regina says as the rope completely snaps.

But then, Emma rises up, surrounded by the wooden planks that guide her back to them

" Did I just do that?" Emma asks.

"Yes. When I we wanted was for you to retie the rope", Regina says.

" It's like you said-- instinct. Why are you pissed? I did it. Why does it matter how?" Emma asks.

" You think we're mad because you didn't listen to us? We're mad because... look at all this potential inside of you, and you've been wasting it. I've been practicing magic ever since I came out of the womb", Scarlett says.

" That it very true", Regina says, " You almost caught my hair on fire".