Captain Swan One Shots

The River of Broken Dreams (Part 3)

Yes, I've been gone for a month and a half, no I don't really have a good excuse, yes, this chapter is over 1200 words so that should make it up to you.

Following the initial shock of bloody hell they're here, Killian was once again able to compose himself enough to realize the fact that Liam and Milah were actually here. Though, of course, he shouldn't be surprised, this was hell, and he was dead, seeing his dead brother and ex does that to you.

"Killian..." Liam said quietly, reaching for Killian's arm gently. Killian remained still, emotions flooding his entire body until the desperation and heartbreak of that young lieutenant who had seen far too much, who was lost along with his brother, overflowed in the form of a devastated sob into Liam's shoulder.

Killian wasn't sure when he fell into his brother's arms, but for a moment he allowed himself to be that little boy who had been abandoned by his father and only had Liam left. He allowed himself to imagine none of the loss that he has experienced since had occurred, and that the Jones brothers were ready to set sail for yet another adventure on the Jewel of the Realms.

But this wasn't two hundred years ago, and Liam wasn't here to take him on an adventure, Killian wasn't that young and innocent lieutenant, and he certainly wasn't someone his brother should be proud of anymore.

Despite this, Liam's whispered assurances, "I cannot put into words how proud I am of who you've become brother," and "Killian, look at this family you've found, look at the man you've become," gave Killian the courage to look his brother in the eyes and smile fondly.

Wiping away his tears, Liam returned the smile with everything that Killian remembered and missed, so much.

"I've missed you, brother," Killian said, feeling like that little eleven year old boy who's father had left him so many years ago.

"I've been with you all along. I've always been watching. You've done great, little brother, with what you had."

"Younger brother," Killian corrected with a chuckle. Liam grinned and patted his shoulder, nodding toward Milah.

Milah. And Emma. They'd met. Killian couldn't help but wonder how that went, but judging from Emma's huge smile and the fact that she stood happily beside Milah, he assumed it had gone over well. He'd known from the moment he met Emma that her and Milah would have gotten along quite well.

But how was he supposed to approach Milah, who he had loved so dearly, in front of Emma, who, if he lost, he would do just as she has done and follow her to hell?

Thankfully, Emma seemed to detect his hesitancy and placed a hand on Milah's back, nudging her toward him.

Milah looked nervous as well. Killian looked back to see Emma nod with a laugh, and Killian pulled Milah in a close embrace.

"I'm so sorry for leaving you, Killian," she whispered.

"It's my fault, love. I should never have upset the croc- Rumplestiltskin." He replied, lending back to look at her. Just as he remembered, his Milah, his beautiful fighter. What he felt for her now was odd, though. In place of undying passion and fierce love, he now felt a strange sense of pride and peace. He would always love Milah, but looking at the blonde that stood behind her, his Emma, his Swan, he knew that Milah could never compare to what he had found with this woman.

"I'm proud of you. You found someone else... Even if it took a few centuries," Milah laughed and Killian smiled.

"Now," Liam said, "Shall we get you and you family back home?"

Emma approached Killian and took his hand.

"Swan, you know I can't come with you. I'm dead, Hades won't allow it."

Emma shook her head, ever the stubborn princess he'd fallen in love with. "But your death wasn't fair to you. It wasn't your fault and everything you died for was a lie, thanks to Gold. I'm not letting him get the satisfaction of watching you rot here, or of seeing me in tears whenever something reminds me of you."

"Emma-"

"Please. Killian, I can't do it without you, I can't go back. You're the one I can't lose. You promised me you were a survivor, that I didn't have to worry. And I know I messed up before, but I'm doing it right this time, I'm bringing you back the right way, I promise. Please, just don't leave me again. I love you too much." She pleaded.

Killian was breathless, tears threatening to spill once again. For a moment, he stared at her in awe, them wrapped his arms around her tightly, pulling her close, burying his face in her hair and breathing her in. This was his Emma, not the selfish dark one. This was the woman he would do anything for.

"I'll never leave you again. I'm sorry I made you kill me, and I'm sorry for everything I did and said. I love you more than you'll ever know, Swan."

They spent another moment wrapped up in each other before realizing that their family was still there, waiting for their decision on what to do next.

"Sorry..." Emma mumbled when David cleared his throat, receiving an annoyed swat from his wife.

"So do we know where we need to go next?" Regina, who had remained surprisingly and uncharacteristically quiet throughout the whole reunion spoke up.

"About that..." Emma replied slowly. "You may not like it- none of you will. But we kind of need to make a pit-stop at the river Acheron."

"The what now?" Regina questioned, clearly oblivious to what that meant.

"The river Acheron, the river of sorrow. When we split up before, to find Killian, I ran into Persephone, the queen of the underworld, Hades' wife. She explained that the only way to get back was for Killian to be free of all the sorrow and regret that has filled his life since Liam and Milah's deaths. She wants to to help, but her husband knows we're here and he's angry," Emma explained.

"And you didn't think to tell us this before?" Regina demanded.

"I didn't want to stress anyone out more than necessary! If I'd told you the queen of hell had found me, you'd all throw a fit!"

Regina sighed, not about to argue with Emma's statement.

"I'm assuming I must relive all of the events that led to the sadness?" Killian asked, looking very unamused.

Emma looked up at him apologetically, his arm still circling her waist, her's resting against his chest. "You need to do more than that. You must submerge yourself in it, feel all the sorrow at once."

"Could that kill me?"

"Well, you're already dead..." David chimed in.

"David!" Mary Margaret scolded and the same time Emma let out and annoyed "Dad!"

"I'm not sure. But if... When it works, I'll split my heart and then we can go home and start out happily ever after. I promise." Emma vowed, stroking Killian's cheek.

"Well," Killian sighed, "Let's go for a swim."

For those of you who don't know, the river Acheron is one of the five rivers of the underworld in Greek mythology. It's the river of sorrow and holds all of people's lost hopes, hence the title of this four-shot, The River of Broken Dreams. If you have any other questions about the mythology I used in this chapter (or will in the next), feel free to ask, I'm happy to answer!

~Emily