Days drag on with no word from Neal. He loves to set her on edge and just leave her there for days. Killian keeps talking about quitting his job, so he can be home more, but she knows he won't. He is getting ready to head to work.
"Love, you know I hate leaving you here. I have to go," He plants a kiss on her forehead.
"I know. Now, you don't want to be late," she says and he nods. He looks like he wants to say something else.
"Spit it out or go to work," she snaps and turn back to a paper for her literary class.
"Don't be like that," he sighs.
"We can talk about this when you get home," she adjusts her glasses. She doesn't want to look at him. She'll just get angry and they'll fight.
"Fine," he says and slams the door when he leaves. She jumps a little. Emma can't stand it when he tries to say something on his way out. Just shut up and tell her later. Now, she will just think about it all night until he gets home. Emma decides the paper can wait and picks up the phone. She dials Ruby's number. Emma hasn't talked to her since Neal came back. Ruby picks up on the third ring.
"Emma! We haven't talked in ages. This simply can't happen. Now catch me up. I want to know everything," she says in practically one breath.
"I know, I know and thats all my fault," she says shakily. Emma gets up from the couch and makes her way into the kitchen.
"What's wrong?" she asks.
"Umm well. It's Neal," She leans on the counter.
"Nothing could've happened. He's in j-... No. Emma no. Please tell me he didn't," she panics.
"He did," Emma states.
"Emma, are you safe? The police know right? Someone in charge knows right? God, how is Killian handling this?"
"He's taking it about as well as you'd expect. The police told us and the U.S Marshals are looking for him. I don't quite know what to do. I thought this was all over," She places the phone between her shoulder and ear as she makes a cup of hot chocolate with cinnamon.
"I know, but they'll catch him. He hasn't made any visits to you, has he?"
"No thank god. I don't know what I would do if that happened. He some how got my number and has texted me. It was just once, but still he has it," she mutters as she takes the first sip of hot chocolate.
"That's really creepy. Are things between you and Killian any better?"
"Yeah, actually. He is working less, but football has started, so we'll see how that goes. How's everything with James?" she asks thankful to be off the subject of Killian.
"Oh good. We got a place. It's about the size of a shoebox, but we like it. James is already starting to look at applications for med school. He looked at places out of state, which I am not sure I like."
"You guys will figure this out, you always do," Emma tries to reassure her.
"Yeah I know, but it's like he can't wait to get away."
"He's just eager to be a doctor. You know that. When the time comes for him to apply I am sure you will be considered in his decision."
"You're right. I know you are. I am just worried. Listen, I am meeting James for dinner. Can I call you tomorrow?"
"Of course. Have a good time!" Emma says with a genuine smile.
"Goodbye. Stay safe," she cheers. Emma hangs up and finishes her hot chocolate. It's still early, but she heads to bed. Emma opens the bedroom door and there he is. Neal. She turns to run and he grabs her arm roughly. She lets out a yelp. He pulls out his knife and places it against her throat.
"Do that again and I'll slit your throat," he threatens. She nods and trembles. Oh god he is going to kill me. Someone please help me.
"Its awfully hard to get to you, you know that? Cops everywhere… the marshals are after me. I have been trying to get in here for a couple days now," he moves closer until her head hits the wall.
"If you're going to kill me just do it now," she pleads. He smirks and chuckles.
"Oh don't worry I will kill you, but not now. You know me I like to play with my food," he whispers the last part in her ear. It sends shivers down her spine. She bites her lip to hold in her screams. He smiles and plunges the knife into her shoulder. She screams in pain.
"Until next time," with that he goes out the window. She slides to floor.
"Help! Please help me!" she yells. A few moments later the officers burst through the bedroom door. They call for an ambulance.
"Call the marshals. Neal decided to make an appearance," she mutters. They nod and begin to make the call. One of the officers hangs up.
"They were in their car on the street. They are looking for him and will come by the hospital later. I am going to wait for the ambulance in the hall," he directs to his partner. His partner nods.
"Do you need us to call Killian?" the remaining officer asks. She shakes my head.
"It's fine. He doesn't keep his phone on him at work," she sighs. The officer's brow furrows.
"I am sure he would want to know you were attacked. You know I could go get him from work," he says.
"No, he's off at nine. Will you call him then?" she asks and the officer nods. A few minutes later the EMTs come into the room and pull Emma up onto the stretcher. The car ride to is short thankfully. The funny thing is she can barely feel the blade in her shoulder. God, I wish Killian was here.
Emma arrives at the hospital and is rushed to a bed in the ER. The nurses tend to her and the doctor comes by.
"Well, this is a pretty clean cut. We will give you local anesthesia the blade, and then give you a few stitches. In the mean time is there anyone we can call?" the doctor asks.
"Um my boyfriend, Killian Jones. The officers who brought me in have his number," she says.
About thirty minutes and a few stitches later Emma is all bandaged up and waiting for the doctor to release her. With each passing minute she grows impatient. Suddenly the curtain is snatched back and there Killian stands breathing heavily. He walks over and sits on the edge of the bed. He pulls her into his arms softly.
"I imagined the worst when I got the call. Emma, I was so worried," he whispers. He takes her face in his hands and places a soft kiss on her lips.
"Killian, I am fine. I'm here living and breathing," She says calmly.
"Emma, I should've been there. I promised your father I would keep you safe. I failed him," he hangs his head low. She tilts his head up and places her hand on his cheek.
"Killian, do not blame yourself. There is nothing you could've done," she starts. Emma lets her hand fall from his cheek and onto his shoulder.
"I could've been there for you," he interrupts. Emma raises her eyebrows at his interruption.
"Shut up. I am not done. Neal said he had been staking out the apartment for days. This was bound to happen. Blaming yourself will not do you any good."
"I know. I won't leave your side until this is all over. I love you and I am not letting anything happen to you," he declares. She rolls her eyes and intertwine her fingers with his.
"Killian, don't be ridiculous we both haves jobs, school, and you have practice," she reasons.
"I know, but neither of us are doing any of those things tomorrow, especially not you. Anyway lets get you out of here," he kisses her head and leaves. Emma sits there in shock. Did he say he isn't going to practice? Who is that and what has he done with her boyfriend?
About an hour later they get home and all she wants to do is crawl into bed and fall asleep. When they get to our door the two marshals are waiting with two officers. She groans. Killian wraps his arm around her. When they approach them Killian speaks up.
"Sorry mates no questions tonight. The doctors ordered sleep, so that's what she is getting," he tells them.
"The more information we get the faster we can catch him," Marshal Wallace responds.
"I wouldn't push it tonight. Your incompetent team allowed that bastard to get in the apartment, hurt Emma, and escape once again. I trusted you to protect her and you failed no questions tonight. Return in the morning," he demands.
"We need vital information to continue this investigation, so we can apprehend Mr. Cassidy," Marshal Whitmore states.
"Here, I'll tell you the answers to your questions. No, I don't know where he is. All I know is he will come back and given the chance again he will kill me. So do what you must with that information," Killian pulls her closer to him.
"How do you know he'll kill you?" Marshal Wallace asks.
"He told me he would. Anyway, I am awfully tired. I am going inside my apartment now, and I am going to bed," Emma states.
"One last thing, there are now officers posted at every entrance of your building. Just to increase our chances at catching him and to protect you, miss," Marshal Wallace informs them. They both nod.
"Thank you, Marshals," Killian says and they head in the apartment and lock the door. While Emma gets ready for bed Killian insures all the windows are shut and locked. Twice. When she finishes brushing her teeth he is sitting up in bed wait for her. She is just wearing on of his t-shirts. She turns off the lights and crawls under the covers. He pulls her close to him.
"You're so beautiful, love," he whispers.
"Thanks. You're not too bad yourself," she teases and rolls over to face him. He tucks some of her blonde strands behind her ear. With one look from him she can see all the love and adoration he has for her. It warms her heart because she feels the same damn way about him.
"Emma, will you marry me?" he asks with his eyes searching her face. Emma blinks rapidly and stares at him speechless.
"What?" she asks him in disbelief. He smirks and shakes his head at her.
"You heard me. I asked you to marry me."
Oh my god! What do you guys think of that ending? What will her answer be?