Chapter Four:
Today was the first time Killian brought Emma to the Nolan loft since the attack on her. Even though Killian wanted to take care of her on the Jolly Roger where he knew every inch that ship. Everything from the best places to hide to where he kept his private stash of Rum. Emma's parents had insisted that she come back to the loft, much to his distain. Killian didn't see the need to argue with any of them, no matter where Emma was, he wasn't going to leave her side.
"You know you don't have carry me. I can walk fine on my own." Emma spoke begrudgingly. She had been feeling off lately. For some reason every doubt she had ever had while growing up was coming back in full force now. She felt more alone now, even with everyone here to help her through this. Having Killian carry her up the stairs was only making matters worse.
"Yes I do. You are still recovering, and it's only three flights." Killian spoke candidly as he continued up the stairs. He had noticed her distant behavior lately. He made the rough conclusion that she was dealing with the after effects of her injuries and the multiple night terrors she has experienced over the course of three days. It seemed that every time Emma shut her eyes she was screaming within minutes. She was visibly exhausted and defeated, Killian could see it in her eyes every time someone tried to talk to her. He had wanted on many occasions to talk to her about what was going on in her head, but decided against it when she would barely speak at all.
As they reached the top landing where the loft door was, as if by magic the door swung open to reveal David standing in the doorway.
"Look at you! We have your room set up, and everything!" David spoke excitedly, happiness lacing every inch of his face. He was glad to see his daughter in somewhat better health, and back at home.
"Great, shall I take you to your room, m'lady?" Killian asked with a smirk on his face, trying to elicit some form of happy expression.
"Doesn't seem like I have much of a choice now does it." Emma spoke softly, distance creeping into her eyes and body language. Killian's chest constricted at the sight of it. He then made his way up to her room, placing her on the bed. Then reaching over to Henry's bed to pull off the blanket and very gingerly wrapped it around her fragile frame before they spoke a word to each other.
"There we go. How are you feeling?" Killian questioned as he brushed a lock of hair out of her face and behind her ear. Placing himself right next to her on the bed.
"Does it matter." Emma ask quietly as she avoided eye contact with him.
"Of course it does. Why wouldn't it?" The level of concern evident in his voice. But before she could even answer his question there was a tap at the window. As they both turned to look all they could see was flowers, white Calla Lilies to be exact. As Killian got up off the bed, he tried to peer around them only to be met with a face. Just then the window flew open and a thin framed figure entered the room, standing next to the open window. The figure had white tousled hair, blue eyes, a blue sweatshirt, with tan pants ending at just above his ankles, and no shoes what so ever. A caring smile spread across his face as he held the flowers in the direction of Emma.
"I brought flowers for the injured." His smile getting even bigger as he looked from Killian to Emma.
"Who the hell are you, mate?" Killian took a defensive step in between Emma and this intruder that was standing before them.
"There's no need to get defensive now. I am here to help." The male gently placed the flowers on the nearby dresser. Only to vanish and land on the bed post on the opposite side of the room.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jack Frost, and I do believe you have a live in pest residing in Storybrooke." Jack took a bow as he said his name.
"Jack Frost? You're Jack Frost?" Killian couldn't believe that the teenager standing in front of him was actually Jack Frost.
"The one and only." Jack hoped off the bed post to a sitting position on the end of the bed near Emma's feet. Killian flinched as Jack landed. The last guy who got this close was almost killed her.
"You can't be more then sixteen." Killian spoke in confusion and disbelief. There was no way that this child could be who he said he was.
"Oh, you are the type of guy who needs proof, huh?" One of Jack's eyebrows shot up at the question. After a forced sigh came out past his lips.
He then winked causing Killian to take a step back only to hear a crackling come from his left arm, he looked down to see ice completely covering his hook from base to tip.
"All that proves is that you have ice powers. And we have both personally met someone who has the exact same powers." Killian stared at his hook, inspecting the intricacy of the ice.
"Ooo, a fellow ice power. I shall very much like to meet this person." Jack gave and excited look towards Emma, his smile instantly vanishing as he could see her face was devoid of any happy expression.
"Pitch has really done a number on you, hasn't he?" Jack spoke in a low concerned voice. He could see what Pitch had been doing to her, it was visible. Even to the untrained eye anyone could tell that she wasn't the same person since after the accident. And Jack had witnessed something similar first hand, although it wasn't to the same extent that Emma was facing now. Pitch must have grown in power and strength since the last time Jack and the gang had faced him.
"What are you taking about? How do you know of Pitch?" Killian was at Emma's side of the bed reaching for her hand. Emma remained quiet, throughout this interaction. She had become a shell of a person, feeling cut off from everyone and today was nothing different.
"Pitch Black. He fixates on person who is the most threatening to him. In so doing he plays on their worst fears and uses that to debilitate them completely. Pitch is the Prince of Darkness, and a horrendous enemy. I was summoned here to Storybrooke to help Emma get her powers and defeat him once and for all." Jack spoke calmly watching Killian's movements towards Emma. He was now holding her hand in his. Finally realizing and coming to terms with her condition. Everything was starting to make sense, she was starting to become more and more distant ever since that first night terror. Even though Killian had his own suspicions about how she was doing this, it still hit him harder than normal now hearing that she was having all of her fears presented to her over and over again.
"How do we stop, Pitch?" Killian asked forcefully. He wanted to put an end to this creature who would dare fixate on his Emma.
"We don't. Emma has to." Jack got up off the bed looking at the two of them.
"And how the bloody hell is she supposed to do that?" Killian's level of frustration was rising again. There was no way Emma could do anything in her condition.
"With help from her family and friends, she will eventually go back to normal. And it is only then with the encouragement from everyone around her, will she be able to realize her true power." Jack stated as he paced the upstairs bedroom. Emma sat there listening to the two of them talking about her and Pitch. On some sort of level, she cared but the biggest part of her was focused on the debilitating fact that she felt abandoned all over again. And she for a moment wondered how everything could rest on her shoulders yet again. Regardless of everything all she wanted to do was curl up into a ball and sleep for months. Apparently what she was feeling at that moment was visible to at least Killian.
"Let's head downstairs, to talk more. Emma try to get some sleep, Love please. I will just be downstairs if you need me." Killian placed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. Giving her a small smile as she nodded in agreement. Killian tucked her in before he proceeded down the stairs with Jack, looking over his shoulder at Emma as he did. Everything inside him he wanted to chase away her nightmares and fears that she had ever had in her life. But all he could do now was support her and let her know she wasn't alone and never will be again.