The Will to Remember

2 || how to save a savior

"Emma's here," Killian blurted out as he walked into the break room.

"What?!" David, or Prince Charming, exclaimed.

"Emma, your daughter, is here. As is Henry. I guess they wanted to visit the wonderful Disney World," Killian said with the wave of his hand.

"Does she remember?" Charming asked.

"If she did, don't you think she would be here with me? No, she doesn't bloody remember. She said I looked familiar, but other than that she didn't say anything."

Regina finally said something, "How is Henry? Does he seem happy?"

"Yes, your Majesty. He looks very pleased with life," Killian assured.

"So, how do we get the savior to remember?" Snow asked.

"With the Dark One gone, we have no access to magic. Ironically enough. So we can't make a potion," Regina explained.

"So we're hopeless. Wonderful," Killian sighed.

"Have you not learned by now that we are never hopeless? You'd think that after two years with us you'd learn that," Snow said.

|| A/N: in this story, it's been two years, not one since the curse was cast. ||

"After being a pirate for centuries, it's difficult to believe in hope."

"True Love's Kiss!" Snow exclaimed.

"I beg your pardon?" Killian responded.

"We could try True Love's Kiss!" Snow said excitedly.

"You're telling me that in the two years in the cursed land, you two haven't shared a kiss?" Killian gaped.

"Not between us, Killian. Between you." Snow smiled.

"Me? I don't think I understand."

"You and Emma can share True Love's Kiss," Snow replied, as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

"As much as I would love that, milady, your daughter and I aren't even romantically involved, much less capable of True Love," Killian said sadly.

"I know True Love when I see it, Killian. And you and Emma most definitely share it."

"I don't know, your highness. Even if we are... True Love, it wouldn't work. Like you've said before, it doesn't work if one of the two doesn't have their memories."

"I remembered Charming after drinking that potion. I think that as long as Emma is willing to remember, she will. After Charming nearly died for me, I kissed him and remembered, because I was willing."

"So I have to nearly die for Emma, then kiss her, and then everything will be fixed? That seems way too risky," Killian complained. "I would gladly die for Emma, but I don't want to risk actually dying, leaving you unable to break the curse."

"I know you would, but you don't have to. Just tell Emma what you had in our other life, not the whole fairytale part of course, but tell her your story. Then tell her that she can go back to that life, she just has to be willing."

"So... I have to tell Emma of our lives before, and hope that she wants to return? I doubt she will. She hated being the savior. She felt so pressured. She had two men fighting for her. One of them she hates, the other she can never trust again. I highly doubt she'd be happy to come back to this life," Killian said sadly.

"She does not hate you, Killian. She never has. I know my daughter. By the way she looks at you, it's quite the opposite of hate," Snow smiled.

"I can guarantee she doesn't love me. And even if True Love's Kiss did work, she would be so angry if she was put under that pressure. Being True Love with the man she's been avoiding? She would break down."

"Hook. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. She doesn't hate you, but you're right. She might not like the whole True Love thing. But, you still have to try. If she reacts like you're expecting, say you had to do it for the town. Or park, I guess. Anyway, you have to try. For us. For Henry. For her," Regina said.

"Ok. I'll try. But how? I can't take her out, I can't leave the park."

"Did she mention coming back before she leaves? If not, maybe we can track her down at the other parks," the queen said.

"She mentioned that she I plans to return on Friday."

"Perfect. I'll give you the day off. Show her around. Offer her a tour of the park, say you can get her into rides faster and help her meet characters faster, get discounts, and get into secret places. For dinner, take them to Belle's Castle. I'll make sure everyone knows what's happening so you don't run into any trouble. At some point during dinner, tell her your stories and then once she knows what's happening and accepts it, just lay one on her," Regina offered.

"What about the lad? I can't just take his mother out to a romantic dinner, tell these stories, and 'lay one on her' right in front of him."

"Good point. Um... you could offer to let him have an exclusive behind the scenes tour to see how the park works? Tell Emma that it's a once in a lifetime experience and that it's free. Snow, Charming, and I can guide him around. It'll be fun for him and give you the perfect opportunity to do what needs to be done."

"And you're sure this plan will work?" Killian asked.

"As sure as I can be," Regina replied.

"What about Henry? He'll need his memories too," Killian pointed out.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Let's take care of the savior first."

"Ok. I'll do it."