Killian found himself wandering the corridors of the hospital. After sitting down for the best part of an hour with the Charming's, he had told them that he had to clear his head. He had looked in the direction of the ICU where he knew that Emma was lying unconscious and alone. How he wished that he could go to her, hold her hand and reassure her that everything was going to be alright. Maybe it would help him to actually believe that too. He didn't know where he was heading, he didn't realise that he had an actual destination, until he got there.

'Maternity Ward' was written in huge white letters on the navy blue sign. Killian stared up at the sign as he felt the hot prick of tears threaten to spill from his eyes. He closed his eyes and pressed his thumbs firmly into his eyelids to try to get a hold of himself. For Emma.

He opened his eyes as he heard the heavy automatic doors swing open. His eyes fell on a man holding a woman's hand; she must have been about 6 months pregnant. The man gave Killian a nod as he moved to the side to let Killian through the door. He wasn't sure why he went in. He thought that he should just go back to the Charming's and wait for news on Emma. There was no use torturing himself with the sight of happy expectant parents when his future happiness was so uncertain. However, as he sat down on the chair in the maternity ward's waiting room, he found the atmosphere more comforting than anything else. His mind went back to when he first brought Emma here, or rather she brought him.

"So remind me again what's actually going to happen today?" Killian asked as he and Emma took their seats in the waiting room.

"It's a scan to make sure that everything's ok with the baby. We should be able to see it now, if I remember correctly." Emma smiled, taking hold of his hand in her own.

"How are we going to see it? I still don't get how this 'machine' won't harm the baby. Or you. Are you entirely certain that –" Killian eyes flitted between Emma's own and her stomach. She laughed sweetly at his nervousness and interrupted him with a slow loving kiss on the lips.

"I'll be fine." Emma stated reassuringly, bringing Killian's hand to her stomach. "We'll be fine."

"If you say so, love." Killian still wasn't entirely convinced, but he trusted Emma enough to believe that she wouldn't risk any harm coming to their child.

They sat in silence for a little while longer, Killian absentmindedly rubbing small circles on the back of Emma's hand with his thumb.

"Emma Swan." A nurse calling their name broke the calm aura surrounding them. Emma stood up first, giving Killian's hand one last squeeze before letting go and walking towards the nurse. Killian took in a deep breath and stood up, following behind the two women. He tried to shove his worries to the back of his mind, as Emma lay down on the bed and he took a seat next to her. He immediately held onto her hand again, as an attempt to try to stop his from shaking.

The nurse looked over at them and smiled. "A little nervous are we?" She asked looking at Emma, even though Killian was sure that she knew that it was him who needed help. "Well there's absolutely nothing to worry about. A lot of first time parents can feel-"

"This is my second, actually." Emma said propping herself up on her elbows. Killian had felt her hand slightly tense at the nurse's words, but she had managed to keep her 'prickliness' out of her voice. Mostly.

"Oh how lovely. How old is the little one?" The nurse rolled up Emma's top and spread some sort of gunk onto her stomach. Killian eyed it suspiciously as Emma answered the nurse.

"Um… he's 15, so not so little actually." Emma let out a nervous laugh as she gripped Killian's hand tightly, silently asking him for assistance. As he looked up he could see that the nurse was trying to work out just how young Emma would have been when she had Henry. Before she had a chance to make the situation uncomfortable, Killian spoke for the first time since entering the room.

"I'm new to all of this though." Killian smiled down at Emma who looked up at him, a silent 'thank you' in her eyes.

"Oh well then, I'd say we should show you what all the fuss is about." The nurse laughed lightly, seemingly thankful as well for the change of focus. She proceeded to rub a wand over Emma's stomach, an action that made Killian's eyes widen as the nurse added a little pressure.

"It's okay." Emma whispered as she brought his hand up to her lips. Kilian smiled adoringly at her as a fast rhythm filled the room. For a second Killian was sure that he was hearing his own heartbeat, before he saw Emma's eyes well up with tears as she turned her head towards the machine. Killian followed her gaze and his breath caught in his throat. On the screen in front of him were moving images and, even though he couldn't make sense of them, he knew that somewhere in there was his child. And that the sound that he was hearing was their heartbeat. He and Emma had created a life. A life which he already loved more than he thought was possible.

"What about you, Dad?" asked the nurse, and Killian realised that both women were looking at him. He didn't know how long he had stared at the machine for, but he had obviously missed something. He looked at Emma with a huge smile on his face and the look in her eyes told him what he needed to know.

"It's… bloody amazing." Killian said softly, still in awe of what he had just witnessed. He seemed to be on some kind of time delay, as only then did he register the term which he had been referred to with. 'Dad'. He let out a breath that he didn't know he was holding in as the reality hit him. He hadn't thought about how this child would see him as a dad. As a protector in this harsh world, and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to protect them every second that he had breath in his body.

"You okay?" Emma noticed that he was deep in thought and wanted to make sure he wasn't worrying again.

"Aye, love." Killian spoke softly as he lent down to kiss Emma's forehead, to which she hummed happily in response. He then placed a hand on her flat stomach stroking it with the gentlest of touches. "And this one will be as well. As long as I live I promise to take care of you both."

Killian got up and quickly left the Maternity Ward, not looking at any of the expectant parents as they no longer brought him any comfort. His words reverberated through his thoughts over and over again. As long as I live I promise to take care of you both. He had promised to keep them safe and now he was helpless to do so. What kind of Dad would he be if he couldn't even take care of them both now? He suddenly needed to get out of there. Out of the Maternity Ward. Out of the hospital. To put as much distance between him and those happy couples as possible. He practically ran through the white corridors, trying to get his mind around the confusing maze of signs and automatic doors.

He finally made it out of the front of the hospital and the fresh air hit him slam in the chest. It didn't feel how he expected it to. It wasn't the refreshing break he'd been hoping for. And he knew why. Emma. She was still in there. She was unable to just get up and leave. To run away as he was. He slumped down on the steps to the hospital and buried his head in his hands. He wouldn't leave her. Damn it he couldn't leave her. Not like everyone else did. He started to shake as his resolve broke and the tears fell from his eyes. He yelled out in frustration, in pain, in helplessness. As long as I live I promise to take care of you both. He wanted to keep his promise more than anything. More than his own life. He just didn't know how.

"I'm sorry Emma. I've failed you, love." Killian whispered in despair into his hands. He stiffened as he heard someone behind him call his name.