The Power of the Truth

Chapter 9

Killian's POV

Since August told me about liking Emma, and I told him to tell her, I keep thinking about it, hoping he has. I don't want him to turn into wood.

I know that him telling her hurts my chances with her because the two of them are just as close as Emma and I, but August is my friend.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I looked down at my talking phone and saw that it was August. I clicked the green button. "Hey, August!"

"Hey, Killian. So, last night, I told Emma."

"Oh, awesome. What did she say?" I asked.

"She said that she was thankful I told her. She wasn't frustrated about the lie itself, she was frustrated that I wouldn't tell you guys in the first place. I asked for her forgiveness and as soon as she said, 'I forgive you', the wood disappeared. It felt really good to be able to wiggle my toes!" He said, the last sentence very cheerfully.

I hate to admit it, but there was a very small part of me was upset because I knew now that it would be that much more difficult with Emma.

"Well, good. I'm glad the wood went away mate." I said, hopeful that the tone of my voice wouldn't give anything away. "Anything else you wanted to talk about?"

"That was it unless you had anything else."

"I'm good. Okay, well, I'll see you on Friday for guys night."

"See you then."

I hung up.

I looked out my window, it was really nice out. I decided to go for a walk.

I got dressed, locked my hook into place and headed out the door.

I have no idea where I'm going, just let my feet guide me.

I was so lost in thought, I didn't realize I was passing by the Crocodile's shop, until he materialized in a cloud of magenta smoke in front of me.

"Hello, Captain." He almost spit the word at me. "I've been looking for you."

"I've found that when the Crocodile is looking for you, it's never good."

"It's about your friend, Mr. Booth. He came to make a deal with me about a week and a half ago. He told me he's turning back into wood, and he wanted to know if there was something I could with my magic. I said I would try, for a price, of course. My price was I wanted to know why he was turning back into wood. He said because he was lying to you and Ms. Swan about the fact that he has a schoolboy crush on her."

"I know what you're trying to do Crocodile, you're trying to create a wedge between us. Well guess what? I already know all of this. August told Emma last night and the wood is completely gone. So, nice try, but you failed." I said with a small smile on my face.

"Alright, maybe this time. But, it won't happen again." He said and disappeared in that same cloud of magenta smoke.

I kept walking past the shop and smelled the sea breeze.

Of course my feet would guide me to the sea. I haven't been on a boat since I took Henry on a short trip and told him all about his father. While that was a good time, it doesn't compare to the Jolly Roger. I haven't been on her since I saved Emma from New York. I miss my beautiful ship dearly, but it pales in comparison to what I feel for Emma and I wouldn't have traded my ship if I really didn't feel like we had a genuine chance with Emma.

I kept walking and as I got closer, I kept thinking about my most recent interaction with the Crocodile. The old me would have exploded at August for vying for the same woman I am, but not the new me, and that makes me proud.