Author's Note: Hey, everyone! I don't know if posting this is such a great idea considering I have absolutely NO clue where this is headed. But, enjoy anyway. This could possibly turn into a three-shot.

The desire to protect, the desire to love, and the desire to be loved by someone are all things pirate ship captain Killian Jones has felt at one point in his life. Some emotions are recent, and some have left him long ago, but their memory still remains to this day.

Memories of happiness. His life with his brother, and later, his life with Milah. Times when he felt as if he was less alone. A time before betrayal and also a way to cope with it. He wanted to protect his brother and his love, Milah. But they passed away.

Loss, pain, and heartache found him once with each loss. Both times he masked the pain with rum, strange woman, and long voyages at sea. He would always look forward, but he would never forget what had happened then. He put on a cruel mask and learned to play the part.

That was his identity.

Killian wouldn't admit this but he was deeply afraid of hurting someone, and he felt as if both tragedies were due to fault of his

own. That terrified him. He didn't trust himself, and he didn't trust the world around him. He closed off more of himself, staying that way until he met a woman named Emma Swan.

He remembers it so well. Only four years ago was he taking sides with Cora, trying to weasel himself out of yet another predicament.

She was a bright light to him. He could see the pain behind her eyes, and that made him feel almost safe. Almost sound. Maybe even a little bit whole.

He tried to run- heading back to his old ways of betrayal and distrust -but he didn't get far. Emma was ubiquitous in his mind and everything led back to her. This beautiful, blonde-headed woman, who was strong and courageous at her absolute worst. She made him feel something. That feeling of being alive and that feeling of floating on air, both dizzying and ephemeral. It felt real for a moment. The urge to protect, the urge to feel, and the urge and the urge to love. The things he missed the most. The things that hurt him in the past. From the moment he felt that, he vowed never to let her go.

But, it wasn't easy. He spent a very long time trying to win her over. ( some attempts more subtle than others ) She trusted him, despised him, and then loved him, in that order, and it wasn't until he gave up his beloved ship that she realized how different Killian had become.

He felt as if he was alive for the first time in a very long time. Her love was something to be treasured and he knew that.

But, now, in the midst of a battle of survival, Killian feels like a burden to his beautiful Swan. He fought long and hard along side Emma, but he was no match for the white dragon's magic. Now he watches Emma as she stands before the beast, fighting for his life. Using her power to protect the ones she loves most, as he bleeds out behind her.

"It's all right, Hook. Hang in there." says Emma, as she creates a translucent force shield with her bare hands.

Comforting words that should bring a sense of calm only seem to stir up panic inside him while he watches the woman work her magic. She hits the beast hard this time.

"Don't worry, Love. You can... handle this." Killian breathes through masked agony, clutching his stomach and fighting for his next breath.

What's pulling him through is a dream. Emma in a white gown, dancing with such grace, being held in his arms.

The very idea makes his heart race, and he wants more of that. More of her. And, he wants to be a father. Not only to Henry, but also a child of his own.

But most of all, he wants to be capable of protecting Emma.

A loud and unwelcome crash brings Killian back to a harsh and dizzy reality, as he tries to stay conscious.

He can hear Emma's father yell her name in the distance, but he can't se straight.

"Emma..." Killian chokes out, falling into a dizzy slumber.

And then he wakes up. A white ceiling greets him with a sore feeling throughout his injured body, and he instantly remembers the last time he was lying in a hospital bed.

Thoughts of Emma are ubiquitous yet again in his half-conscious state. He tries to flip through the memories. His groggy mind begins to wonder What happened to her and, is she okay? Everything leads to her. He wants to keep his eyes open but he barely has the strength to see straight, unaware that she has been by his bedside the whole night.

"Hook, you're awake." Relief pours over Emma like a waterfall.

"Aye, you aren't hurt?"

"Yeah, well don't be too disappointed. I guess this self healing thing is new." She softly jokes with her dazed lover.

"I thought you were, love." He states, his eyes now squinting from the brightness of the hospital room.

Emma lets a small smile appear on her lips as she affectionately strokes the side of Killian's face that isn't bruised.

"I know," She says softly, "I should have done a better job of protecting you, Killian."

"No," He insists through clenched teeth, "I should be bloody capable of protecting you, Emma."

"I don't need protecting." States Emma, blandly as she continues gently stroking his features.

He says nothing in response.

"Killian."

"Let me sleep, Emma."

and so she does.

Author's Note: Like I said, don't really know where I'm taking this. Either way, it won't exceed three chapters. Hope you enjoyed!