A Clean Slate
Chapter Two - The Reunion
"Milah?"
Killian's words seemingly echoed throughout the diner. And as his words reached her, Milah turned toward him and their eyes met from across the room. Numerous emotions crossed her face upon seeing him: shock, confusion, happiness, and finally love. As they continued staring at one another in disbelief, a few patrons began to take notice of Milah standing in the doorway and started whispering amongst themselves. Many had heard the story of how Killian had earned his colorful moniker and were curious how this would play out.
After what seemed like an eternity, Milah dashed across the room toward him. Killian rose just in time to catch her in a warm and tight embrace. Instinctively, she buried her face in his chest and sighed happily.
"Milah...what are you doing here?" Killian finally dared ask.
Milah pulled her head from his chest and look up at him. Still amazed that he was really there. "I don't know. I don't remember how I got here. I'm just so happy to see you," she said with a loving smile as she moved to kiss him.
Without hesitation, Killian turned his head, deflecting her advances.
"You died, love. Hades pushed you into the river of lost souls," Killian told her, ignoring the look of hurt that flashed across her face.
Milah looked at him blankly, having no recollection of what he was telling her. "I..." she begun.
"Milah," Emma interrupted, making her presence known to the older brunette.
Killian and Milah both turned to Emma. Immediately, Killian withdrew his arms from around Milah, suddenly uncomfortable having Emma see him embrace his former lover.
Milah looked at Emma, a look of recognition registering on her face. "I know you. How...how do I know you?" Milah asked, unsure.
"My name is Emma, we met in the underworld. You helped me rescue Killian," Emma informed her, hoping to jog her memory.
"I did? I'm sorry, I don't remember."
"It's alright, love," Killian told her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It'll come to you."
"We should probably take her to the hospital. Have Whale take a look at her," Emma suggested.
"Aye, good idea, Swan," he agreed. But as Emma reached for her jacket, he placed a hand on her arm, stopping her. "How 'bout you meet us there?"
"Oh. Yeah, of course," she agreed. "I'll get some coffee and head over in a bit," she continued, sliding back into the booth.
"Thank you," Killian said with a grateful smile, before ushering Milah toward the exit.
Emma quietly watched them for a moment, taking in the sight of them walking side by side, reunited after lifetimes apart.
The hospital room was quiet save for the steady beeping of the various machines hooked up to Milah as she slept soundly. Occasionally, the sound of a page turning could be heard as Henry, seated in a chair at the foot of the bed, read a story from his book.
Henry had become so engrossed in his reading, that he failed to notice as Milah begun to stir.
"What are you reading?" Milah asked, pulling his attention away from the book.
Henry looked up at her with a smile, happy to see she was finally awake. "It's a story about you," he revealed.
"Me?" Milah replied, confused. "I'm in your book?"
"Well it's actually a story about Hook and Grandpa, but you're in it."
"Really?" Milah asked, stunned, "Who's your Grandfather?"
"Rumpelstiltskin," he responded after a moment, watching as the pieces came together in her mind.
"Rumpel? But that means your father is..."
"Baelfire," Henry interrupted. "Which makes you my grandmother."
Milah stared at Henry in shock, as she processed what he was saying. Finally she asked, "And your mother, who is she?"
"I actually have two moms, but Emma is my birth mom. You met her earlier at Granny's."
Milah nodded in confirmation. "I did, yes. She was there with Killian."
"They're...together," Henry told her, slowly.
"Really? Her?" she responded, surprised.
"Yeah, that's why she went to the underworld to rescue him."
Just as Milah opened her mouth to ask another question, a knock on the door announced the arrival of another visitor. Henry and Milah looked at the entrance, just as Killian walked in and made his way over to the hospital bed.
"I see the lad's been keeping you company," Killian said smiling at Henry.
Henry nodded, getting up from his seat and grabbing his book. "Nice to meet you, Grandma," Henry told Milah before looking at Hook. "I'll see you home."
Killian nodded, as he moved to sit on the edge of Milah's bed.
"Home?" Milah asked him, as Henry left.
Killian looked away, unsure of what to say.
An awkward silence quickly filled the room, as words unspoken hung between them. Finally, after what felt like yet another lifetime, Milah spoke.
"Apparently I'm a grandmother," Milah begun as the pair looked at one another. "Who would've thought?"
They both chuckled lightly at this, the tension easing...slightly.
"So...you and the blonde?" Milah started, quick to address the elephant in the room.
"Emma. Aye."
"Never thought blondes were your type."
"Never thought I had a type," Killian retorted.
Milah smiled sadly at this. "I suppose I wouldn't really know. We were together, but I guess we never really got to know one another. There was never enough time."
"Always life and death..."
"Until there was just death," Milah finished.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you. That I let him...I let him kill you," Killian said sadly, unable to look her in the eyes.
"Killian," Milah began, reaching out and tilting his chin up, forcing him to look at her. "I don't blame you for what happened. You didn't kill me. Rumpel did."
"Aye, love. But I should have done more. I should have stopped him, I should've-"
Milah pressed her fingers to his lips, stopping him mid-sentence. "Killian Jones, you are the bravest man I have ever known."
Emma paced the hospital waiting room, her eyes glancing at Milah's hospital room every few minutes. Just as she was about to complete her twenty-seventh lap around the circle of chairs, she heard the unmistaken sound of Killian's chains rattling as he made his way toward her.
"How is she?" Emma asked.
"Fine, love," Killian responded with a reassuring smile.
"Does she remember anything?"
Killian shook his head. "'fraid not."
"Maybe we can talk to Belle, or Regina, see if they have anything that can recover her memories. I can ask my parents if they've dealt with anything like this before. Or Gold, he must-"
Before she could finish, Killian pressed his lips against hers in a passionate kiss. Emma's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, as the kiss deepened.
"What was that for?" Emma asked with a laugh, once they'd separated.
"For being you, love," Killian replied, placing an arm around her. Emma smiled at this, her head dropping to his shoulder. Together, arms around each other and smiles on their faces, they exited in search of answers.
Author's Note: Many thanks to StormLightJewel and Ouatrulz14 for your reviews, as well as those who favorited and followed the story. I appreciate you all taking an interest in the story and hope you stick around for the journey. Happy Holidays to you all, hope you enjoyed the chapter! Next chapter will be much more action-packed!
