A Lieutenant Duckling Story

Tick-Tock

I can't fight this feeling anymore

I've forgotten what I started fighting for

It's time to bring this ship into shore

And throw away the oars forever

'Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore

-Can't Fight This Feeling, REO Speedwagon

"You know, dearie, I have to admit your plan was quite clever. Using your magic to sneak in and plant a magic cuff on me and then steal the potion. But I think there's something you forgot," Rumplestiltskin taunted Emma from outside the cell where he had locked her up in his dungeon.

The princess wasn't in the mood for playing his game, but she asked anyway, "And what's that?"

Rumple backed away from the cage and gloated, "Why, I'm Rumplestiltskin, of course," as he made a show of his hands. Emma only glared at him through the bars even though she knew she really couldn't blame anyone but herself.

She then frustratedly asked, "Are you just going to keep me in here?"

"At least until you transform into a swan. Then you can fly away to live out the rest of your days, dearie – it is your birthday, isn't it?" Rumple replied.

When Emma didn't answer, Rumple continued, "It's too bad that lieutenant never told you that he's in love with you."

Emma's eyes widened as she questioned, "You know about Killian?"

"Of course. Who do you think sent Zelena to trick him?" Rumple replied snarkily.

The realization then hit Emma, "You knew she was alive. You two have been working together."

"Nothing gets past you, does it, Princess?" Rumple taunted before he said, "it doesn't matter. No one can save you now – it's almost sunset." He then disappeared in a cloud of red smoke.

Emma sighed as she sat down on a wooden stool in the cell. She really wished she would have succeeded. All she thought about was the impact this would have on her parents. Her friends. Killian. The future she had been wishing for with him was gone. All her hope for a normal life was gone.

Just as she buried her face in her hands, she heard something. Thinking it was Rumplestiltskin ready to taunt her some more, she didn't bother to get up. However, as she glanced up and saw where the noise was coming from, she stood and gripped the bars of her cell.

She then said, "Killian? What are you doing here?" not even attempting to hide how worried she was.

"I'm here to rescue you, love," Killian replied.

"You should have stayed at the docks. You have no idea what Rumplestiltskin is capable of," Emma told him.

"I had to do something, Emma," Killian began before he started examining Emma's cell and said, "Between the two of us, we should be able to break you out of here."

"It won't work, Killian. The bars were forged by magic – and magic is the only way to escape," Emma told him. And before he could ask, Emma showed him her wrist, which had a leather cuff on it, and said, "I was planning to use this magic-blocking cuff on him, but I wasn't successful."

"It doesn't matter. We can still defeat him. Together," Killian said.

"How?" Emma asked.

Killian stilled for a moment before he said, "We can break your curse, Emma. I...I love you."