Killian watched as his world crumbled in front of him.

Emma was gone.

He fell to his knees, trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall. Her last kiss lingered on his lips, her whispered "I love you, Killian," kept replaying in his head.

He picked up the dagger that was left in her place and took a deep breath, rising slowly.

Emma's parents had grief-stricken expressions on their faces. Regina and Robin looked devastated too.

David was the first to come to his senses and gently place a hand on Killian's back comfortingly.

Snow was still shaking her head as she hugged Killian, startling him.

"She did what she had to," David declared.

But Killian knew that even if that was true, becoming the dark one was never something that Emma had to do. He also knew it could be reversed and he was going to find her and reverse it.

Because she wasn't dead.

But after three months, they'd gotten nowhere.

It seemed as though with every day that passed another person lost hope. Regina was first, then Mary Margaret, then David. How they could give up, Killian had absolutely no idea. He was never going to give up on his Swan.

The one person who may be able to help them rarely left the pawn shop that was now always closed.

Rumplestiltskin had lost his Dark One status when a spell backfired on him that fateful day. That was how Emma had become the Dark One, trying to protect Regina, who the spirit had tried to attach itself to. Emma had left them because that had been the only way to give everyone else their happy ending.

Killian hadn't had a good night's sleep since that day and the only person who it affected worse than him was Henry.

He spent most of his time in Emma's bedroom at the Charmings' loft, he rarely spoke to anyone but Regina and Killian and he refused to attend school.

He, much like the rest of the family, was heartbroken.

And after three months, Killian was starting to fear for the lad.

He'd decided he'd had enough and went to seek out the crocodile.

Upon opening the door to the shop that had a closed sign on it, he heard an all too familiar chuckling.

"I've been wondering how long it would take for the Captain to come pleading for help. Sorry, dearie, but I can't, let alone want to help you," Gold said, standing against the door leading to the back of the shop.

Killian rolled his eyes. "Have you seen your grandson lately, Gold? The poor boy is devastated. He just turned thirteen and his mother wasn't there to celebrate with him. He won't talk to anyone, and he isn't leaving her room. So if... When... You choose to help, you won't be helping me. You'll be helping the only family you have left. And you'll be helping his mother. Because every single damn soul in this town owes her. If it weren't for her we'd all be dead," Killian said, shooting him a harsh glare.

Rumple glared back at Killian for for a moment before sighing. "Very well. There is a way. But it won't be easy and it's likely lives will be lost," he explained.

"If it gets Henry back his mother, then so be it. He'll be willing to do anything," Killian said.

"Oh, this won't involve the lad. This is all you, Hook," he said, "And that's exactly why I'm not concerned. The only lives that may be lost are yours and the saviour's because as you suspect, she's not dead."