#also she already did spiral in book three when she looked at the bulletin of missing children

[agentnatesewell]

The panicked response to N being zapped is one of my favorite scenes in the entire series

For Suri, everything that’s happened to her so far, she has been able to process and handle, keeps looking and going forward.

Accidentally causing severe harm (Nate! Isn’t! Healing!) to the love of her life? Her body altered (again) and she has no control of the electricity? Oh, she is spiraling!

[fabrowrites]

Miraculous: Part 2

“Your transformation is too long.  Do you want someone to stab you while you’re spinning around?”

Lloyd sighed, releasing his kwami.  Again.  "No one ever sees me transform,“ he retorted.  How long have I been practicing now?  A half-hour?  

Wu scoffed at his nephew.  "Just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it won’t.  Now try again.”

“Fine.”  Lloyd looked over at his kwami.  "You okay, Kronno?“

“I’m fine, Master.”

“I thought I told you to stop calling me that!”  

“I’m fine, Master Lloyd.”

Lloyd sighed.  It was a lost cause.  The kwami had been with his Uncle too long!  He ran his hand over the watch, calling, “Kronno!  Transform me!”

The watch always transformed first.  Lloyd tapped it once, made a slashing motion across his face, and threw out his arms.  He grew, his body aging and changing to that of a seventeen year-old.  Green enveloped him, embellishing the outfit with two small horns, wings, and a tufted tail.  Deftly, he snatched the golden staff from the air.

“Good,” the sensei said.  "That was much better.“

Lloyd grinned back, brushing bangs from slitted eyes.  "Can’t I cut my hair like this when I’m not in suit?”  

“We don’t want anyone connecting you to Hebi,” Wu said.

Lloyd scoffed.  "Uncle, I don’t think we have to worry about anyone connecting a twelve year-old to me.“

Wu said nothing.  "How are your powers coming?” he asked instead.  "Show me.“

"Uh, in general, or?”

Wu gestured at a small bean plant in the window.  

“Time Warp!” Lloyd called.  He focused his energy on the plant.  The stem buckled, warping and wilting until it was brown and papery.  The green glow around his hands faded; he picked the pot up.  

“Hmmm.”  Wu inspected it.  "You’ve improved in speed here, too.“

Lloyd dropped his transformation, passing Kronno a small bowl of rice without prompting.  "Thanks, Uncle.”

“Go work on your homework now.  We don’t want you falling behind.”

It was a clear dismissal.  Lloyd left the courtyard.  Inside wasn’t much warmer than out and he shivered, suddenly without the protection of his suit.  "I don’t wanna do my homework.“

"What was that, Master?”

“It’s just- Uncle never lets me do anything fun.  It’s always training, or chores, or homework.  I know that I’m a hero, but I’m also a kid!  Can’t I just have a break once in a while?”

“Your uncle just wants what’s best for you,” Kronno said.  "And he’s doing the best he knows how to protect and raise you.“

"I know.”  Lloyd pushed open the door to his room.  Piles of books greeted him, a paper stuck to the bulletin board reminding him of an upcoming project.  Something welled in his chest.  The room felt crushing.  

He needed out.

“Kronno?  Transform me.”

The night air was refreshing.  Lloyd balanced on a roof, clawed fingers holding onto a pole for balance.  He’d galavanted around the city as Hebi for a hour before transforming back into Lloyd and spending the rest of his day at his favorite comic book shop.  Now it was time for patrol and he was waiting for the others.

The staff on his hip vibrated.  Lloyd unclipped it and poked the jewel near the tip.  Bolt’s voice came crackling through the radio.  

“Hebi!  Hebi, you there?”

“Yeah, I’m here, Bolt.  What’s up?”

“Quake and I aren’t gonna make it tonight, he called me earlier and asked me to tell you.”

“Okay.”  Stuff like this happened a lot, with civilian life interfering with heroing business.  "See you next patrol, then?“

"Yeah.  Talk to you later.”

The transmission ended.  Lloyd returned the staff to its resting place.  There was a quiet thud behind him; he turned to see Shard brushing off his pale robes.

“Hello, Hebi.”

“Hey, Shard.”

“What’s up, amigos?”  

It was Firebrand’s voice, but Lloyd didn’t see him at first.  Then Phoenix flew into view, hauling the fire superhero up under the arms.  She deposited him on the roof unceremoniously and dropped down to land beside Lloyd.  

“So the other two aren’t coming?” she asked.  

Lloyd nodded.  "Guess you already heard then.  Yep, this is all of us.“

"Let’s get started then!”

This was the best part of being a hero.  Lloyd took a running start, jumping off the building.  His wings spread.  Then he was hovering in midair.  Flying.

“Catch me if you can!”

Phoenix sped past him, spiraling up.  Lloyd grinned behind his mask.  He willed himself higher, wings fluttering in response.

“Hey, you guys!  No fair to us non-winged people!  Gah.  Jerks!”

Phoenix snorted.  But she flew lower anyway.  "Fine.  But hurry up, slowpoke!“

They chased each other around the city, catching up on the past week.  Phoenix and Shard stopped a mugging, and Firebrand went and ordered a pizza for the four of them.  They sat in a circle in Central Park, mowing down on the food.

"Shard, you’ve been quiet tonight.  What’s up, buddy?”

The ice hero shrugged.  "I suppose I’m just tired.  The recent attacks have made it hard for me to keep my performance in school up, so I’ve been staying up late to finish my work.“

The other three made noises of understanding.  Then Phoenix shot up from the grass.  

"Oh, Hebi!  I forgot!  There was another attack in Jamanikai Village yesterday.”  She dropped back to the ground, digging through her pocket for a small stone.  

Lloyd took it.  "Did you learn anything new?“

Firebrand shook his head.  "Skales got away before I could ask.”

“I noticed that, when the Fangpyre attacked the city several days ago, the ones nearest to the General had the strongest abilities.  The transformations took a substantially less time than usual.”

“Huh.  Thanks, Shard.  That’s really weird.  Hey, stand back everyone.”  Lloyd took a step back too for good measure.  "Time Warp!“  He focused on the stone.  His hands glowed orange; the color of the stone faded from an inky purple to a dark blue.  A rush of energy washed over him; time was repairing itself.  

Lloyd glanced down at his watch- the timer was already ticking down.  "Well, it looks like I’ve gotta go now.  It was great seeing you all!”

“I wish I could see you more often,” Firebrand complained.  "Without having to wait for patrol or a Serpentine attack.“

Lloyd knew where the fire hero was going.  They’d had this conversation countless times before.  "You know that Master Wu says our identities must remain secret.  It’s to-”

“Protect ourselves and our loved ones, yeah, yeah, yeah.”  Firebrand shared a look with Phoenix.  "I just wish we could know each other outside of the masks.“

"I do too.”  Lloyd checked the time again- three minutes.  "I’ve really got to go now.  See you next time!“ Then he took off, zig-zagging around buildings and landing in his own room.  A flash of green shone on the walls, and Lloyd the child replaced Hebi the hero.

With a sigh, he sat down and opened the first book.  It was gonna be a long night.

[emmakillianfan]

Music of the Heart Chapter 48 of ?

Previous Chapters: FF.net and AO3

The work room on the back hallway of Storybrooke Academy was relatively quiet as Killian crunched into his apple and waited for the copy machine to whir its way through the stack of musical theory sheets he was trying to disseminate before next week’s test. Letting his mind wander, he did thought of Emma and the future they were planning together. While he certainly could not wait to marry her, he had very few qualms about any sort of wedding she might enjoy. Instead his focus was on the life afterward, appreciating her honesty about wanting to adopt.

He had thought she was brave before, but the moment she had admitted that made his eyes shine brightly with pride for her honesty and bluntness. Yes, he wanted children with her, the thought making him feel happy just to consider the idea. If she preferred adoption as a way of accepting what she had been through, then he would go through the process with her. In the not yet a year since they had been dating, he was sure of two things more in his life. First he was sure that he was meant to be at her side and love her for the rest of his life. Second he had found himself feeling immense pride and love for a boy who would at most call him his stepfather. The fact that he and Henry had not biological connection did not seem to limit his ability or desire to be a part of the child’s life.

Setting the apple aside, Killian was refilling the paper tray to finish the job when Mary Margaret entered the room, followed by Belle. The petite teacher looked physically pained at the presence of their boss’s wife. She gave Killian a half smile and told him that she was very thankful for his suggestion of a substitute for her class that morning.

“I trust she did a fine job?” he asked, leaning against the machine.

“Oh yes, and it was wonderful not to have to worry about anything while I was at my appointment. David and I got to see the baby!” Her eyes lit up as she spoke about the baby, describing him or her in terms of the size of a fruit and giving a general run down of what she had read that week. Killian nodded patiently, hoping that whatever she was there to tell him was not time sensitive.

“That’s so exciting!” Belle gushed, hugging the other woman tightly. “I’m so happy for you. I know my husband can be a bit of a stickler for rules, but be sure to get with him about your leave. It’ll be here before you know it.”

All talk of babies and ultrasounds done, Belle turned on her precariously high heels to rummage through a supply cabinet. Like many teachers, the sight of new office supplies delighted the woman to no end. She was practically singing with joy to show Mary Margaret and Killian the brand new pair of scissors she procured, as well as a roll of tape with cat paw prints on it.

“Smashing,” Killian said with a practiced grin. His copies now complete, he had no reason to stay in the work room and looked toward the exit. However, Mary Margaret was already a few steps ahead of him. She stepped toward the machine and started her own job coallating before letting out a little gasp. The picture of innocence with her pink cheeks and peter pan collar on a black and white dress, she smiled sweetly. “I think you forgot this one,” she said, tucking a magazine into his stack of papers that were in his folded arm. “I read it a few weeks ago. Good stuff on classroom management in there. I think you’ll really like the article on creative mind mapping. Page 33 I think.”

He smiled back, dipping his head in the direction of both women. “Good day to you both,” he said, backing his way out of the room. Once back in his classroom he thumbed to the page and found a post it note from the other teacher. On it she explained she had found a place that would be ideal for their campus. A former school had been abandoned three years ago when a newer school was built. It was currently sitting empty and had enough room for their first year and potential growth from there.

He didn’t have time to check out the link she mentioned in the note, as his phone chirped loudly. He halfway expected it to be Emma checking in with him, but found that Robin’s smiling face was staring back from his contacts.

“Do me a favor, mate?” Robin asked, sounding desperate. “Pick up Roland and keep him until a bit later. Something’s come up and I need to deal with a job.”

***AAA***

Graham stared at the copied sheets of paper, occasionally shifting his eyes to the notepad at his side and scribbling down a word or phrase of observation. He seemed unaware of the anxious pair across from him or at least unaffected. Tapping the cap of his pen against his lips, he squinted at the page he was currently reading.

“The guy is wordy enough to be a Jones,” Elsa grumbled, looping her arm through Liam’s. “You and Killian can both expand a sentence like no others.”

Even the jest that Elsa was poking at him made no difference as the elder of the brothers chewed at his bottom lip and occasionally lifted a now empty cup of tea. The third time he made that gesture, she reached out to stop him, smiling reassuringly.

Finally Graham dropped the pages on the counter, running a hand over his face. “Before we get into logistics and my thoughts, I want to know what you both think. Do you feel this was something sent as a threat?”

Appalled, Liam wrenched his arm away from Elsa and pointed incredulously at the letter. “Bloody hell, mate. It says right there that this man child is looking to do me harm. It says point blank that no matter what we do to guard Elsa that we are not safe and should expect the worse. How the bugger am I supposed to take it?”

Graham nodded and made another note on the page. “And you still believe this to be your brother’s doing? Your younger brother, also named…Liam?”

“Aye, it makes sense and would explain why my own name is being used.”

“Elsa, you’ve never met this man, is that correct?”

She shook her head, her face pale and drawn from both the stress of the situation and the lack of makeup. She had been enjoying a quiet bath and listening to some potential new tracks when Liam had called in frantic mode. She had thrown on the first set of clothes she could find, a pair of jeans and his own tshirt that she had covered with a flannel shirt that she usually only wore on lazy Sunday afternoons. “I haven’t met any of Liam’s family but Killian.”

“And when was the last time you saw your brother?” Graham asked, flipping through the pad while he waited to hear the answer.

“I heard from him a few months ago, but I haven’t seen him in…well, I’ve seen pictures. I haven’t ever really met him since he was a lad.” Liam reached back for Elsa, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. “My father…well, he started life again with his new wife. Killian and I stayed away.”

“Family can be complicated,” Graham mused, his eyes scanning the spiral pad as though looking for something. “And how did you acquire these pictures you’ve seen? Your father?”

Liam shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting over to the overfull bulletin board that contained memos and alerts from at least the last five years. “Online, okay? I was curious. I wanted to see what he looked like. I wanted to see…he’s my half-brother. I was curious.”

The soft squeeze of Elsa’s hand was comforting as Graham wrote down another note but said nothing. “I think that’s pretty natural,” she offered in defense. “I know I have always been curious about family I barely know.”

***AAA***

“I don’t know anything yet,” Emma said without looking up from the text that Elsa had sent about still waiting on Graham to get a location on the younger Liam. She knew that Regina was anxious, as the statement to the media about the previous incidents were creating a stir. One national news magazine show was even calling about doing an interview with Elsa.

“We do have other things going on besides some kid stalking his big brother,” Regina said from the doorway. “Though it does have to do with Elsa and your boyfriend, apparently.”

“What?” Emma asked, raising her head for the first time in hours. “What about Killian?”

“Roark Stevens, the DJ who has launched almost every hit song in the last decade, wants to have Elsa and Killian on to talk about the recording of Intertwined. I know there has not been much made of them going beyond just recording it for radio and internet release, but the buzz is out there. Roark heard the track at a recent industry event. He’s very excited.”

Emma’s jaw dropped, her eyes blinking at her boss. “Have you forgotten that we’re trying to keep Elsa out of the spotlight for a week or two. And Killian is a teacher, not one of our artists. You can’t require him to do this.”

“You’re so dramatic about things. It’s a radio interview about the song they recorded. Unless you finally want to admit that it was just a vanity project to make your boyfriend feel included?”

“I’m just not understanding your plan here. They recorded the song. If we still did records, it would be a b-side, never performed and just a footnote in her career. So let’s say they did the interview. Then what? Are you thinking to release this thing? Would you try to get them booked on talk shows and stuff? Because that’s impossible. Killian is a teacher. He can’t jet off for a six minute performance and interview. No, if he wants a new song from her, she’s got plenty of solo stuff or that duet with Liam. Either of those options is better.” Emma was aware of how much time and energy had gone into convincing Killian to record. He had said while he loved making music, he was uncomfortable with the process of recording. She was pretty sure that some of the awkwardness was singing with someone who was his brother’s girlfriend.

“Run it by him and her. I want their answers, not yours. But I am on the record as saying I want this, Ms. Swan. This is important to this label and our careers. Opportunities like this don’t come around every day.”

***AAA***

Reaching toward the sun visor on the passenger side of the car, Liam jabbed his finger at the garage door opener several times. “Bloody useless thing,” he muttered as it didn’t work for him.

“It’s probably just the batteries,” Elsa told him, glancing in the mirror to see the guard slip his car into a spot across the street. It was a different man that the night before and different even from that morning. She didn’t know his name, though he had introduced himself. Like the others he brandished metallic sunglasses and a humorless disposition.

“Knowing the cause doesn’t make it work any better.” He frowned sourly at the door. “I don’t mean to snap at you, darling. I’m simply frustrated by our situation. I brought this hellish situation upon us. And I can’t understand why you would ever forgive me for that.”

“Liam, you’re not to blame,” she said softly, hoping that her quiet tone would subdue him. “I love you. I loved you before this and will after. You said yourself that your brother doesn’t know you or Killian, not really. He’s only got your father’s words about you to go on. He’s lashing out. Maybe if…” She swallowed, moving her hand over to lace their fingers together. “Maybe if you talk to him. Or your father?”

“I swore I would never see that bastard again. I swore that he would die alone and crying for the sons he gave up. Then he…he replaced us with this son and a wife. He never…he must never have cared for us at all.” Liam wasn’t crying, not letting tears flow over his cheeks. But it was close. His voice broke and eyes glistened as Elsa squeezed his hand turned in her seat.

“Liam, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay. I’ll go with you. Or Killian will go. We could all go. We’ll see him. We’ll talk to him.”

“I don’t want that bastard to meet you, to touch you, or see the real you, darling. I have done a horrid job caring for you and protecting you, but by God I won’t take you directly to the devil himself.”

***AAA***

Roland gripped Killian’s hand as the trio, including Henry crossed the street in the direction of Granny’s diner. With road work and the busy nature of the dinner rush, parking was at a premium. That left Killian parking a few blocks away and attempting to funnel the attention of the kindergartner toward the diner and not the various shops and window displays between here and there.

“You know what I want?” he chirped, pushing his hair off his forehead. “I want a pony.”

“For dinner?” Killian asked, knowing it would get a rise out of the child. “You are hungry enough to eat a horse?”

Henry’s hands were buried in his pockets, undoubtedly because he had neglected to wear his gloves even after Emma’s reminders. He snickered, kicking a rock out of their path.

“Noooooo,” Roland nearly wailed. “I want to ride a pony. Just like Henry.”

“I rode a horse, not a pony,” the teenager patiently explained, hoping to dissuade the discussion before he was roped into another riding lesson. “It was huge and smelled kind of funny.”

“I bet it smelled like hay,” the kindergartner mused thoughtfully, using his considerable knowledge of farm animals. “They eat hay. Hay, and carrots, and apples, and horse food.”

Killian did not want to know why the boy’s hand was so sticky, but kept his grip to make sure that there were no stragglers. “And what precisely is horse food?” he asked, hoping that taking the route across the street meant that they would not walk past the candy shop that would be too hard for Roland to resist.

The child’s answer droned on and on, his voice carrying over the sounds of cars and other small city sounds. Thankfully they passed by the candy shop with its rich scents of chocolate and sugar that wafted through the air. Henry audibly groaned, but kept himself focused on getting Roland to where they were headed.

The babysitting adventure was a bit rushed, as Robin had asked at the last minute when things with Liam and Elsa had run long. He wasn’t even sure what the timeline was at this point, as Robin had not elaborated and Emma had called to say she would be late too. He was trying not to be too concerned, but even Henry had noticed Liam’s car at the sheriff’s station.

“Hey,” Henry said, his feet shuffling along the sidewalk. “Is that dad?”

Looking ahead, Killian could see the man Henry was referring to, standing at a window to the shop his father owned. There was not much sense in crossing the street to avoid him, as things had been civil between the two despite tension over the wedding and parenting. So swallowing a bit of doubt and a desire to stay loyal to Emma’s desires to co-parent responsibly, he gave a wave with his prosthetic hand and a noncommittal smile as Henry rushed ahead.

“What happened to the window?” Henry asked, stopping short. The window next to the door was shattered, spider web like cracks creating a lacey pattern. “Did you do that?”

Clapping his son on the back, Neal shook his head. “No, someone tried to break in while I had the place shut down for lunch today. Can’t leave it like this tonight so I was going to board it up before I head home. Flipping the hammer in his hand, he looked down at Roland. “Looks like you have one more joining you. This is Locksley’s kid, right? Roland?”

“Aye, the lad is joining us for dinner at Granny’s while his papa finishes a few things.” Roland smiled up at Neal, showing off his missing tooth and dissolving any bit of tension. Pointing proudly at the hammer in Neal’s hand, he smiled.

“My papa has a hammer like that. He uses it for work when he’s not making music.”

“Your papa’s a talented guy.” Squinting back at the street, Neal flipped his hammer again. “Emma’s not with you?”

“Work,” Henry interjected. “She said okay about the camping trip. It’ll be too cold for actual camping. Won’t it?”

“Not to worry, kiddo, we’re staying in my dad’s cabin. We’ll have indoor plumbing, a fireplace, all the creature comforts of home. But it’s a good chance for us to spend a little father son time together. We can cook over the fire pit outside if you want. Or we can order food in, if you’d rather.”

“Pizza, definitely pizza.”

Roland’s already alert ears picked up on Henry’s suggestion, the boy yanking away from Killian to join his friend and mentor. “I like pizza. No, I love pizza.”

“I would have never guessed,” Henry said, shaking his head. “I guess that’s our cue to leave, right Killian?”

Grabbing the smaller child around the waist and throwing him over his shoulder to the sounds of maniacal laughter and the slap of flailing limbs, Killian nodded. “The lad’s not eaten in nearly 20 minutes. He might turn into some sort of creature if his stomach growls. But if you want to…”

“Do you need my help, Dad?” Henry asked, reaching out to tweak Roland’s food as the child continued his wiggling attempts to break free. “I could hammer in some nails or something.”

Neal smiled at his son, shifting his glance to Killian and back again. “Go on. You’re probably starving and I’m sure Killian needs the help with Roland there.”

***AAA***

“Liam, slamming my door is not going to help,” Emma said sternly as her future brother-in-law stormed into the house. “Look, Graham is just trying to do his job. Yes, it looks like your younger brother is doing this, but he’s being thorough.”

Whatever the man muttered was probably not exactly polite or friendly, leaving Emma to ignore him and continue pulling out the ingredients for sandwiches. Perhaps not as dramatic as Liam, Emma threw the meats, cheeses and condiments onto the counter with resounding thuds as Elsa dispensed ice and Anna began to pour soda and juice for the four of them. It seemed an odd assembly, but when Elsa had called and asked Emma to come talk some sense into Liam, Anna had been there in the blonde’s office. She and Kristoff tagged along.

Liam yanked open a drawer to fish out a knife for the mayonnaise, slamming it back shut with such force that Elsa jumped at the crack of it. “Liam,” she said softly but firmly. “Can we just take a moment…”

“He was in our home, Elsa. I didn’t even know it. How the bugger am I supposed to protect you when I can’t manage to keep that man out of our home? He didn’t even break into it. He just sauntered in and dropped of that blasted note.”

Elsa flinched as he stomped around the island and threw back a stool with such force that it rocked precariously. “That’s why we are looking at security options. And why Graham is being so thorough.”

“The man made me feel like the bloody stalker for wanting to know about my own brother. How else should I take that conversation? He’s probably scouring my internet history now rather than out searching for the actual culprit.” He let out a few more four letter curses before Emma slapped a plate in front of him.

“Liam, you’ve got to calm down,” she said, looking him dead in the eyes. “I know you’re upset. I’m upset too. But right now the priority is keeping you and Elsa safe.” She wiped a few crumbs into her cupped hand. “Plus we’ve got Elsa’s guard out there who is probably going to call 911 if you keep stomping around here screaming.”

He scowled angrily as he reached for the sandwich, taking a large bite and wiping the crumbs off with the back of his hand. As he chewed forcefully his eyes softened. “You made me a sandwich?”

“You’re acting like a five year old,” she challenged back. “So yes, I made you a sandwich. You’re lucky I didn’t pour you milk and give you a cookie.”

She turned to the ingredients again after throwing the crumbs away. It was all she could do not to demand more information, to pull from him the reasons that he was so distraught even at the thought of a brother she had assumed they barely knew. Liam was not a man who ran or hid from danger. He was strong and had received medals in the Royal Navy for his service and valor. So she knew it was not fear that had him stalking the room like a caged animal.

Robin and Kristoff clamored through the door with a ladder in their hands. Sharing the task, they began the task of installing the security censors above the windows.

“Go join them,” Elsa said, kissing his cheek. “It’ll do you good.”

His growled response was tempered by her close proximity. “Darling, I never thought that my selfish pride would put you in danger. You must hate me, but I’m going to make things right. I swear it.”

“Liam, you’re not…”

Elsa’s words were cut off by the boundless energy of a young Roland. He scampered into the house with a more subdued Killian and Henry not far behind. His chocolate colored eyes scanned the room happily, finding himself with an audience. However, his first step was to his father, scrambling up the bottom step of the ladder as his father climbed down and throwing his arms around a leg joyfully.

“Papa!”

***AAA***

Henry threw the heavy backpack on his bed, shucking his school jacket and letting it join the lumpy pile there as he pulled out his phone. His message to Violet was quick, just a note to say hello and that he was thinking about her. His mother would probably be in his room soon so homework needed to be started. Yet he still typed out the message.

Violet: Bored. Are you reading that chapter for Mrs. Nolan?

Henry: Not yet. Hiding in my room. Too many people here and mom sent me in here.

Violet sent a question mark and a perplexed emoji in response. He knew that he had not made any sense. So he tried to fill her in the best he could.

Henry: Something’s up. Lots of people here looking worried. Guess I have to read that chapter.

The voices on the other side of the wall were distorted and muted, but he could tell that there was something going on from the intensity. Then he heard a door slam followed by the same sound much softer. He didn’t know what to think, staring back at his phone and the lack of three dots telling him that she was responding. In fact, Violet didn’t type anything back but called instead. Her voice was soft and quiet, obviously trying to avoid detection by her own father who limited her time on the phone and computer.

“Are you and your mom and Mr. Jones okay?” she asked worriedly. “Your text sounded weird.”

“I don’t know. My mom and everyone looked worried. I didn’t get to ask though. She said I had to do my homework.” As if his mother could see him, he dug into the straining bag and pulled out his science text. “Killian said he’d come help me later if I needed it.”

“I like Mr. Jones,” Violet said in response, earning a sigh.

“You and everyone else at school,” Henry said distractedly. He knew that some of the girls in class did whisper about his cute accent and his looks, but he tried to ignore it the best he could. Killian brushed those things aside easily, only getting embarrassed on occasion. Emma found it all to be hilarious with the exception of some of the single mothers who flirted with him.

“I don’t mean like that. I just meant that he’s a nice guy. And he’s always good with your mom when they take us to movies or concerts and stuff.”

“Yeah. I guess.”

“Look I know you can’t or don’t want to talk about whatever this is but I wanted to make sure you were okay. Message me later if you want. I’ll be up for a while.”

Henry smiled though she couldn’t see it. “Yeah, me too. And Violet?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for checking, okay? I…well…I…”

“I know. Henry, it’s going to be okay.”

***AAA***

Emma stared at the precisely folded note that Liam had thrust into her hands before storming off with Killian following in short order. Blowing off steam, Killian had texted her. It was certainly needed. The typed note was single spaced and three pages, a rambling diatribe that seemed to confirm the brothers’ fears that somehow their father’s youngest son was at the helm of it.

“I don’t understand,” Anna said, sipping her banana and strawberry smoothie through a thick paper straw. “Why would Liam do this to himself?”

Elsa’s head whipped ferociously to stare slack jawed at her sister. “Himself?”

The rust haired woman’s cheeks hollowed as she drank down her smoothie. “You said Liam wrote the note, right? And Liam received the note?” She pursed her lips and shook the foam cup. “So why would he write himself the note?”

“Liam…Elsa’s Liam…didn’t write the note,” Emma explained patiently, the pages of it ruffling. “Killian and Liam have a younger brother – a half-brother. His name is also Liam.”

Anna chewed at the straw, her eyes thoughtful. “So there are three boys in the family? No girls.”

“Right,” Emma and Elsa said in unison. Emma passed the note back to Elsa, who had already read it a few times. She simply folded it again, curling it in her hands and then smoothing it back out again.

“And two of them are named Liam?” Anna asked. “Is Killian’s middle name Liam too? I mean did some guy named Liam save their father’s life? Why would he name two of his son’s Liam and not the middle one? That doesn’t make sense.”

“I don’t know,” Elsa bit out a bit more tersely than she meant. “He’s upset about this. Blaming himself.”

Anna was still asking why as Emma sent her on an errand to find something. It wouldn’t take forever, but it would give Emma and Elsa a chance to talk without the incessant questions. Perhaps they could count on Roland, who was trying hard to be an assistant to a busy Kristoff and Robin. Sure enough, the child seemed to sense when he was needed, matching Anna question for question and enjoying the conversation.

“Do you know what Liam is planning to do about this? I know Graham said for you guys not to do anything, but…”

“But Liam has it in his head that he’s the only one capable of solving this mess. I get it. I don’t know. He’s been angry and sullen. I haven’t quite gotten it out of him yet.” Elsa looked toward the oversized windows and the darkness that seemed to envelop the house. “Their father must have been horrible to them. He never said much about him until this.”

“I guess,” Emma agreed, again tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Killian always seems unwilling to say much about the man. I assumed it was because he remembered less or maybe he was trying to protect me and my own lack of family memories.”

“They seem bound and determined to do that, don’t they? Protect us?”

Emma stirred her drink in her mug, watching the whipped cream dissolve amongst the dark chocolate and create a muddy hue that would still taste sweet on her tongue. “We do too. I think that’s part of it, isn’t it? Part of being in love? We want to protect the ones we love? You want to protect Liam and Anna. I want to protect Killian and Henry.”

Elsa looked far away again, running a knuckle over her lower lip. “You know I’m not scared, right? I don’t think he really wants to hurt me. But Liam. I’m scared for Liam. Even if his younger brother is stopped, Liam’s not going to come out of this unhurt.”

“They don’t make our jobs easy, but we’ll handle it. Let’s get you situated first. I know you had a few days clothes with you. Do we need to pick up more? Do laundry? Go shopping? What about Liam’s stuff?”

“We’re fine,” Elsa assured her, stabbing at the crusts on her plate. “Let’s just…”

Emma knew instantly what her friend meant, wanting to ignore the danger for a moment and pretend that everything was normal and mundane. “Got it. So Regina stopped by this afternoon. She had some questions about future interviews and stuff.”

The singer’s well plucked eyebrows knitted together. “I’ve been thinking about the tour dates. I’m sorry, Emma. I know that I said I would try, but I don’t think…”

“I don’t blame you,” Emma agreed before telling her about the opportunity to launch the new single. By the time they were done she was already setting up a plan to ask Killian.

***AAA***

“You brought me to Granny’s?” Liam asked, staring crookedly at the neon sign that glowed from the window. “I said I wanted to forget my troubles and you brought me to the family diner.”

“Oi, the Rabbit Hole was out because you know everyone there and they work for you. I didn’t think they needed to see you wrecked and wasted. There’s that new Italian place but neither of us are dressed for it. So you have a choice. We go to Granny’s and gorge on junk food, to the ice cream place, or we head over to the pharmacy and stock up on warm beer to drink in the jeep. I vote for Granny’s.”

“This town needs some economic development,” Liam grumbled as he jumped down from the passenger seat.

“Take it up with the mayor. Go get us a booth. I need to check in with Emma.”

“You, brother, are whipped,” Liam chuckled tightly as he scooted past three of the tables to a booth he usually shared with Elsa. His brother was already on the phone, clearly talking to Emma by the look on his face. Rubbing his hand over his face, Liam wondered again what had brought him to this spot. Not Granny’s, but the United States even. He had a life in London and then in the Navy. He’d spent years perfecting it. That was until he had made a bad call and let his anger rule over him. He was just starting to feel grounded again, having a family with his brother, friends, a job, music on the side, and of course – Elsa. Now it was as though he was teetering on the edge again, perhaps losing everything because of a rash decision to ignore his father’s needs in favor of his own pride.

“She’s worried about you,” Killian said, sliding into the booth and waving off the attempts to hand him a menu. He’d already eaten there once that evening. Requesting a beer, he waited for his brother to respond.

“I didn’t know Emma cared that much,” Liam answered sullenly. His shoulders drooped and the blue Henley he wore seemed faded in the artificial light of the diner. He shook his head as Killian opened his mouth to correct him. “I know Elsa’s worried. She thinks that perhaps I should see our father.”

“Do you want to?” Killian asked, a single eyebrow arching automatically with the question. The older of them sags at the question, opening his hands palms up to say he doesn’t know. “I can’t imagine that conversation.”

“Neither can I, brother. She suggested coming along or maybe you.” He shook his head the heels of his hands coming to rest at his eyes. “I can’t let her. I can’t let her see how that man looks at me like I’m nothing. I can’t let her know what it was like for us.”

Killian’s tongue darted out over his lips. “You know, he might have changed. He is older now. He raised our brother. Perhaps…”

“You’re forgetting what he was like. He hurt us physically. He left us abandoned. I don’t know about you but I’ve never had an urge to celebrate the man as a father.” He paused long enough to accept the two ice cold bottles from the server, tilting his toward his brother in mock salute. “I don’t know that it would do any good to see him. I would likely say something to make it worse.”

“And I’m the one with the temper and control issues,” Killian mused before a sip. “You always told me as much. Said I never thought things through and acted on impulse.”

“Aye, it appears to be a family trait, along with stubbornness and determination.” He followed that observation with a sigh. “And of course dashing good looks.”

“Of course. You know what Emma said when I mentioned perhaps finding our father after all this time? She said she thought I should. Said she never knew her own parents and always wondered about them. Perhaps we should listen to the lasses and get ourselves a pair of airline tickets. It might be time to face him.” He shrugged. “I would say I’m quite curious if my memories and the truth are even close to similar at this point.”

“She’s a smart one, that Emma. I’ve always thought so.” He swallowed again, his knee bouncing as he considered it. “I know you, Emma, and Elsa all have a point, but no. I can’t do this. I can’t go face him.”

“And if I said I was going to do it alone then?”

“I’d say you were a proper git.”