I swear on my tattoo
Killian gets hurt when the snow queen attacks him and David, when Emma helps take care of him she sees that he kept his promise to her.
Emma stood on top of the crest of the hill watching the Snow Queen studied her asking, "You really think you're magic is a match for mine?"
Emma took a deep breath and said, "There's only one way to find out." She let the energy of her own power fill her, and pushed it out towards the Snow Queen, who fell back onto the forest floor with a small cry. David rushed over and began hacking at the ice surrounding Killian's leg with his pocket knife, the crystals began to shake, then the Snow Queen waved her arm and they fell outright. Killian moved so his body was partially shielding David's as felt her heart catch as she thrust her hand (and magic out towards them) the ice around Killian's leg broke and he and David both flew through the air.
As David and Killian cleared the trap several of the icicles broke into pieces and flew out as shrapnel, Killian's eyes widened as he saw the ice coming, he turned and pushed hard against David's shoulder causing him to David to roll to the right and slightly down the hill. David grunted as he pushed himself off the ground to get fully out of the way. David managed to clear the flying ice, but Killian wasn't so lucky, Emma tried to use her magic again to shield him, but the shards had come flying so fast she simply couldn't manage it in time. Emma felt a rush of fear as she saw one of the icicles hit Killian in the shoulder as he gave a shout of pain.
Emma couldn't help thinking of what had happened to Marion, she was worried sick that the same fate would befall Killian. Emma had been keeping Killian at arm's length out of guilt for what had happened with Regina, and Robin, but she still cared about Killian (maybe even more than cared about him) and she would be devastated if he ended up turning to ice. Emma looked around and saw that the Snow Queen disappeared. Not having time to worry about where the other woman had gone Emma rushed over to her pirate, "Killian!"
Killian groaned as he pressed his good hand to his now injured shoulder which was freezing cold and burning hot at the same time, "Bloody hell!" he shouted.
Emma's eyes widened as she saw the three inch wide ice shard sticking out of Killian's shoulder, Emma checked Killian over twice for any signs of freezing like Marian, but he seemed fine (aside from the hunk of shrapnel in his shoulder). Emma asked, "Killian?" her voice hitching slightly from panic as she helped him sit up.
Killian clenched his teeth in pain as his shoulder throbbed, "I'm going to be alright Swan."
Emma shook her head, "Maybe, but you're still going to see Whale."
Killian grunted in annoyance, but didn't object. David walked over and the two of them helped Killian get to his feet. David put Killian's good arm over his shoulder and Emma went behind them and grabbed Killian under the armpit as they helped him stand. Killian clenched his teeth and hissed as he stood, the pain was radiating down his entire arm. The one thing Killian was grateful for was that he'd been hit in his bad arm so he didn't have to worry about losing any of the strength in the other.
Elsa, who had been standing to the side in shock finally shook herself and asked, "can I help?"
Emma said, "Yeah, my car's up the road. We'll need you to open the door for us."
Elsa ran ahead as Emma, David, and Killian stumbled up the small incline and into the bug. Emma climbed into the car and grabbed Killian's front as David moved behind him and gently helped guide the pirate into the car. Elsa slid into the front seat as David got behind the wheel and started to drive. Killian groaned as Emma ran her hands through his hair searching desperately for the same signs of Killian freezing the same way Marion had. Elsa turned around and saw the fear in Emma's eyes, so she said, "Emma, you don't have to worry about him being frozen, he wasn't hit by actual ice magic, just by an icicle created using ice magic. Believe me, there is a very large difference between the two."
Emma let out a deep breath as David continued to take them to the hospital. Killian lifted his head up, his face had changed from its usual pale, to a yellow waxy look, his face was covered in sweat, and his eyes were glazed from pain. Emma could tell Killian was suffering, but he still smiled reassuringly at her, "Don't worry love, I've had much worse than this and pulled through. Remember you were there for the last one"
Emma snorted as she remembered seeing Killian hit by a car two years before, "That was different. Back then I actually didn't feel that bad about you getting hurt, this time I do."
Killian gave her one of his flirtatious grins, "Well in that case maybe I should get myself injured more often."
Emma scowled at him, "Don't even think about it. I've got enough to deal with in this town without running around worrying you're going to get yourself killed."
Killian snorted, "You don't have to worry about me love, I'm a survivor remember?"
Before Emma could answer David pulled up to the hospital, Emma gingerly helped Killian maneuver out of the bug as David ran inside and grabbed a wheel chair. Killian scowled when he saw, but Emma cut him off before he get out a single word of protest, "You're using it, no arguments."
Killian huffed in annoyance, but got into the chair without any complaint, David wheeled him in as Whale a few nurses trotted over, "What happened?" Whale asked quickly.
Emma took a deep breath, "Killian and Elsa tracked the Snow Queen into the woods, she trapped Killian in ice, and then he got hit in the shoulder with an icicle."
Whale nodded as Emma and a red haired male nurse she didn't know helped get Killian out of his long leather coat. Emma started to unbutton Killian's vest, he gave her a lecherous smirk and said, "You know Emma, I've fantasized about you disrobing me a number of times, but never under these particular circumstances."
Elsa blushed as David gave Killian a dirty look while Emma rolled her eyes at him as her hands moved down to his brace, "Sorry." She muttered as began to undo the straps that kept his brace in place. Emma knew Killian hated having it off, hated having people stare, but there was no choice. The brace had to come off and Emma knew she was going to have a much better chance of getting it off Killian without a fight than anyone else. Killian reached over with his good hand and began to help Emma undo the straps while Whale started looking over the icicle still embedded in Killian's arm, it had melted somewhat, but not by much. Else looked at it and said, "I can use my magic to help remove this."
Emma looked up and asked in a panicked voice, "Are you sure you can do it without hurting him?"
Elsa nodded as Whale looked over the injury Elsa said, "Yes. I didn't do it before because my magic was neutralized by Ingrid's, now that we're away from her it's working again. I can do this Emma."
Emma looked at Killian, asking him without words how he felt as she pulled his brace off his arm. Killian nodded and Emma said, "Do it."
Elsa held her hands over Killian's still bleeding shoulder, Elsa's blue white magic surrounded his wound, and the ice slowly disintegrated until there was nothing by a pile of snow sitting on the floor. Whale instantly moved forward and said, "Alright, we're going to need x-ray's and we'll need to cross match him for a transfusion."
Killian's head jerked up, "transfusion?" he asked uncomprehendingly
Whale nodded, "Yes, you've lost a lot of blood Captain, so we're going to take blood that has been donated to the hospital and give it to you."
Killian sucked in a breath, Emma could see a slight shimmer of fear as he asked, "You're going to give me another persons' blood?
Emma grabbed his good hand, "You'll be o.k. Killian. People get transfusions every single day. I've had a couple myself."
Killian looked at her, ""You did?"
Emma nodded, "Yes, once when I had my appendix out, once when Henry was born, and once when I got hurt tracking down a bounty. It'll be alright."
His blue eyes met her green ones and Emma gave him a reassuring smile, as she did her eyes looked over the wound for the first time. It was nasty, Killian had a deep gash in his shoulders from the icicle and there was blood running down his arm. Emma was amazed he hadn't passed out from blood lose alone. As her eyes continued to move down she saw something on his left bicep. A tattoo, this in and of itself wasn't too surprising, Emma had seen Killian without his shirt whilst they were in Neverland, and she knew that Killian had several tattoos on his torso and back, but she hadn't seen this tattoo before.
Emma gasped as her eyes focused on it, the tattoo on Killian's bicep was a pair of beautiful swan wings curled together at the tips as though the animal itself were folding its wings in. Cradled within the wings was a very familiar looking compass, surrounding the compass like a frame was a circle of what looked like entwined leaves, but Emma recognized it instantly as a beanstalk, with a magic bean sprouting out of the center of a tulip. Emma was in total shock, the tattoo was a representation of everything they'd gone through together. Emma couldn't believe that Killian remembered her telling him that tulips were her favorite flower. It had come up in Neverland, Killian had plucked a white flower from a strand of ivy and offered it to Emma in order to cheer her up, Emma had taken the flower and said, "Thanks, but for the record I like tulips."
Killian had given her his usual smirk and said, "I'll be sure to remember that love." And he had.
Killian saw Emma starring and said, "I promised you that not a day would go by I wouldn't think of you."
Emma cupped his cheek with her hand, "I remember, I just didn't expect anything like this."
Killian answered, "This way, I knew I'd always have you with me."
Emma gave Killian a watery smile and leaned forward to plant a soft kiss on his lips. Emma was so overwhelmed by emotion that she couldn't manage to say anything more than, "Thank you." Emma had spent her entire childhood being let down over and over again by so many individuals. Emma had been told more times than she could count by foster families that this time she was someplace where she would be able to stay, a place where she could be safe, and every time she'd ended up being thrown out. It wasn't just the families either, it was guys as well.
Neal had been the first (and without a doubt the worst), but most of the others had been the same. They had promised Emma the moon, they had sworn that they would be different, that they wouldn't hurt her, but they all had. The only one who hadn't lied had been Graham (and he had died in Emma's arms). It had happened over and over again so many times that she had put up thick walls to protect herself from ever getting hurt again. There had been so many people who had broken promises to her, she had such a hard time trusting anyone, it was why she'd kept her parents at arms length for long, and why she had pushed her own son away when he'd first found her.
Starring at Killian's tattoo Emma felt a sense of astonishment and overwhelming reassurance rush through her. Killian hadn't lied, he'd told her he loved her (multiple times). Then , after the curse had been enacted he'd promised he wouldn't stop thinking about her until they were reunited, and he'd kept his word, he'd more than kept his word. Emma knew that Killian had given up his beloved ship to gain possession of the magic bean he's used to make his way to New York, and that Zelena had used Killian's love for her to try and force his hand, but despite knowing all of that, seeing this tattoo did something to her.
Emma met Kilian's deep blue eyes once more as Whale said, "We've got to get you to the operating room captain, you've lost a lot of blood, and we'll need to perform surgery for the damage to your shoulder."
Killian's head jerked up, "Surgery?" he asked with a twinge of worry and fear in his voice once more. Emma couldn't really blame him, despite the time Killian had spent in this realm (and his previous sojourn into the hospital) he was originally from the Enchanted Forest. Medical Science there was centuries behind what was available in this realm. In the Enchanted Forest surgery of any kind was extraordinarily risky, and more often than not could not only result in a patients' condition worsening, but their death as well. It was no surprise that Killian was nervous to hear he had to be operated on.
Emma put grabbed Killian's face with her hands, "It's o.k. I know surgery is dangerous where you're from, but it's much safer here. Whale operated on Greg when he hit you with his car and he came out of it fine. I know he ended working with Tamara to kidnap Henry, but the point is that he came out of the operation without any problems. You'll be fine."
Killian nervously scratched his ear, "Are you sure you can't just use magic to heal my wounds?" Killian's large eyes looked half-pleading and half-hopeful.
Emma hated to turn him down, but she knew she had no choice. Emma shook her head, "It's too risky, I haven't really learned any healing magic yet, and you have some nasty wounds. You'll have to go with Whale, but I promise I'll wait, I'll be right here when you're done." Emma gave him a playful smile, "And this time I won't handcuff you to the bed."
Killian gave her a roughish grin, "I thought you rather enjoyed that."
Emma shrugged, "Never said I didn't, but it's not necessary this time. Now you need to go with Whale."
Emma ran her hand along the tattoo on his arm, "By the way this is beautiful."
Killian nodded, "it seemed appropriate."
Emma gave him one last kiss as Whale said, "We need to get going."
Emma nodded and pulled back as Whale and a few nurses helped Killian onto a gurney and wheeled him into the operating room. David came up behind her and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, "He'll be fine."
Emma nodded as she swallowed hard, "I know, I'm just a little overwhelmed. I mean, I knew how he felt, but seeing that."
David took a deep breath, "Emma, as much as I dislike his past. I do have to admit that Killian."
Emma turned around in shock, it was a rare thing for her father to call Killian by his name. David must have sensed her thoughts because he shrugged and went on, "Killian has done everything he can to prove himself to you. I know you've been hesitant towards him, but maybe it's time for you to take that leap of faith."
Emma bit her lip, "You know leaps of faith have never been my strong suit."
David nodded, "First time for everything."
Emma grinned as she remembered climbing the beanstalk with Killian, even though she knew that David wouldn't understand the meaning of what she was about to say she couldn't resist, "you never forget your first."
David turned and gave her a curious look as Emma shrugged, Emma took a seat in the waiting room next to Elsa (who had gone ahead to give them a moment alone) as David grabbed coffee. They sat there for well over an hour before Whale came walking out in a set of blue hospital scrubs. Emma jerked her head up at him, and Whale gave her a reassuring smile, "He's going t be fine, he's resting right now. He lost a lot of blood, so he'll have to take it easy for a while and take iron pills as well. He's going to have to wear his bad arm in sling until his shoulder heals completely, but he'll be fine."
Emma let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding he was going to be fine. He was weak and a little roughed up, but he was going to be fine. Emma asked, "Can we see him?"
Whale nodded, "Absolutely."
Whale lead them into a small hospital room, Killian was lying unconscious in a bed, there was an I.V. hooked up to his right arm while his left was in a sling and wrapped thickly in bandages. Killian's face had a waxier tone to it than usual, but he was breathing easily and his face was no longer soaked with sweat as it had been. Emma sat down next to Killian and grabbed his good hand with her right hand. David and Elsa stood in the doorway, Elsa put her hands to her face as she sighed, "Oh, thank goodness."
Emma looked back and gave them a watery smile, "He's alright."
The monitors beeped steadily as David grinned, "Yeah he is."
David walked over and placed both his hands on her shoulders, Emma leaned back into him, "Do you want me to drop Elsa off at the loft and then come back?"
Emma said, "thanks, but I'll be alright."
David said, "call if you need me?"
Emma nodded, "Will do."
Elsa said, "I'm glad Killian's going to be alright, I'm sorry this happened."
Emma shook her head, "this isn't your fault Elsa. David will take you back to the loft, I'll let you know how everything turns out."
Elsa smiled knowingly and then she and David left the room. Emma would never be able to say precisely how long she sat holding Killian's hand, but eventually he started to stir. Killian tossed and turned in the bed grunting slightly. Emma said, "Hey there, about time. Step two sailor."
Killian opened his eyes and starred blearily at Emma before saying, "Aye, Aye Ma'am." In dry voice.
Killian coughed and Emma grabbed a glass of water one of the nurses had left behind. She put it in Killian's good had and said, "Sip it slowly, or you'll choke."
Killian nodded and took a few shallow sips before he said, "Well, if I did choke, you might have to revive me again, and that wouldn't be so bad now would it?"
Emma shook her head at him, "No it wouldn't, but seeing you impaled by a giant shard of ice is more than enough for one day."
Killian could see the unspoken fear behind her eyes and gave her hand a strong squeeze, "Hey," Emma met his eyes with her own, "I know you're scared, but you don't have to be. I'm a survivor love, always have been. Always will be."
Emma snorted, "That may be true, but being with me is risky." Emma huffed and sad sadly, "Every guy I've been with is dead. Neal, Graham, even Walsh." Emma's eyes saddened, "I can't lose you to."
Killian reached up and cupped her cheek (grimacing slightly as the stitches in his injured shoulder twinged) Killian said, "That's why you've been pushing me away isn't it?"
Emma knew she couldn't lie to him, so she swallowed and whispered, "Yes."
Killian shook his head, "You're not going to lose me Swan. You can't, I'm too bloody stubborn to ever let you go."
Emma snorted, "Yeah, I see that." She pointed at the tattoo that was displayed by the open sleeve of his sling and Killian grinned, "It was a way for me to keep you with me."
Emma gently ran her hand along the tattoo, being carefully not to aggravate Killian's injuries and asked, "When'd you have it done?"
Killian gave a slight shudder under her touch and said, "After I got the Jolly Roger back. I thought having my ship back would help ease the pain I'd been feeling since we'd parted, but it did no good. Eventually, I came realized that nothing would fill that ache, that's when I had this done."
Killian nodded towards his shoulder and Emma said, "It's beautiful."
Killian answered, "Thank you, but Emma, I need to tell you, you don't have to worry about me leaving you. I've crossed several reams and gone through time with you. I'm not going anywhere. EVER."
Emma saw the determined look in his eyes and wanted so desperately to believe him, it was hard. She had been hurt so many times, she had lost so much already, but she also knew that she was passed the stage where she ran away from anything that was too hard for her. Emma knew that being with Killian would be complicated, but she also knew that she owed it to both of them to give it a chance.
Emma leaned forward and gave him a soft kiss, Killian returned it eagerly, his dry lips and rough scruff tickling her mouth and making her smile. As Killian pulled away Emma asked, "So, how'd you like to try that quiet dinner?"
Killian gave her a broad grin, "I would be more than happy to join you, as soon as I'm up on my feet."
Emma shrugged, "Well, you know we don't have to wait. It may not be five star." Killian gave her a quizzical look as Emma continued, "But there is a cafeteria here, and we could definitely get a meal."
Killian shrugged without thinking, and winced in pain. Emma's eyes flashed with concern, but he waved her off, "I'm alright love, and I also suddenly find myself rather famished. I think a nice quiet meal together is just the thing."
Emma asked, "Anything in particular you want?"
Killian gave her a playful smile, "anything but bologna, and I wouldn't say no to some of that jello."
Emma laughed lightly, remembering Killian's first trip to the hospital and how he'd picked the lock on her cuffs and walked into the waiting room with a plate of blue jello. Emma said, "sounds great, I'll be right back."
Killian said, "I shall eagerly wait your return."
Emma couldn't help shooting him with, "Well, it's not like you've got much of a choice in that regard."
Killian snorted, "Oh come now Swan, I've broken out of more brigs than I can count, busting out of a bloody medical facility is child's play in comparison."
Emma said, "True, but if I catch you trying to get out of here before Whale gives you the o.k., then I'm going to do the worst thing I can possibly think of."
Killian raised an eyebrow and grinned playfully at her, "Oh, really, and what's that?"
Emma smirked at him feeling her herself start to relax around him, "Simple, if I can't trust you not to leave the hospital than I'll just call in a favor with Bell and ask Gold to come in and baby sit you until Whale authorizes your release."
Killian groaned as he leaned his head back into the pillow, "You wouldn't."
Emma raised an eyebrow, "Try me."
Killian raised his good hand in mock surrender, "Fine, fine I'll behave myself, just don't leave me with the bloody crocodile, odds are the results would be far from pleasant for anybody involved."
Emma walked out and headed off to get some food for the two of them. Ten minutes later Emma was back in the chair, whilst Killian was sitting up in bed, they were eating cheap ham and cheese sandwiches with carrot sticks, chips, and exceptionally watery apple juice. True to her word Emma had gotten jello for both of them. I was without a doubt some of the worst food Emma had ever eaten on a date, and as the two of them sat there with Emma trying to explain some of the basic ins and outs of the modern world to a three hundred and something year old pirate she couldn't help thinking that she hadn't felt this comfortable with someone in a long time. Emma knew that Killian would keep his word, and she knew that there was definitely something there for both of them, and she also knew it was time for her to stop making excuses and find out what that something was.
As they both dug into their jello Emma said, "Just promise me one thing Killian."
He looked up and her and said, "Anything Swan."
Emma said, "Promise me you'll keep the hospital visits to a minimum, as nice as this is I don't need the stress that goes with it."
Killian grinned back at her, "I shall endeavor to avoid future injuries Swan."
Emma gave him a stern look, then he playfully crossed his good arm over his chest and placed it right over the spot on his arm where the swan wings touched the compass, "I swear on my tattoo."
Emma snorted at him as she gave him another kiss, "I'll hold you to that then."
"Good." he said as they both slipped into a comfortable silence. Yes, Emma thought, Killian was a different person then the others she'd been with. Somehow Emma felt that this would be different from any relationship before, maybe now she could finally get a chance at the happy ending she'd never thought possible. After all, the princess and the pirate sounded like the beginning of the perfect fairy tale.
A/n what do you think? I might add another chap or two of them getting engaged and then getting married to this. Needed something to cheer myself from Killian getting his heart stomped in season 5.
