Hello guys. Sorry for not posting earlier. We are at the end of this journey. This chapter is one of my favorites. I don't know how to thank enought my beta. She helps me so much. You can always comment and let me know your oppinion here! Also i would be really happy if one of you guys come to my twitter acc to talk. Many thanks for you guys being reading this thing. Especial thanks and kisses to the ones who reviewed me this week. :)

CHAPTER 14 – THE TRIP

The past few months have been going great; His ribs healed just fine. Emma was happy with her job; she got dozens of new interviews and a lot of trips and conventions. Same with Killian on his office, new projects were coming and he was growing as an architect. On a Friday afternoon, Emma was leaving Killian's place really happy and hopeful in their relationship. It was going so well, it was as if they were in a nice little bubble that could burst at any moment. And when she received her next email, it did. Everything fell apart as she read:

"Emma, I'm sending this to you because our main reported got sick and I need you to cover for him while he's on leave. We booked a flight for you on Monday to South Africa. I really can't accept anything but a yes. You will have to stay there for the rest of the year (6 months) and report back to me about the safari, the place, the touristic points attractions and the male soccer team of the country. Which means: everything. Once you complete this task, we can guarantee you a spot as the main reporter with a bonus check of $3500. "

Your boss, march 21, 2016.

She said she would meet Killian for lunch on her house on Sunday since he had to work all Saturday. She thought it was a good plan since she needed time to think about her possibilities and talk to him.

Killian spent his Friday with Emma. He couldn't be happier. They were perfect together in everything. So after a few kisses he let Emma go. A long and stressful Saturday he had to get through.

Saturday went slowly. It was hot outside and the windows in his office weren't helping. Also, Emma wasn't answering any of his calls and it was worrying him. But he couldn't leave work. After a few calls, a lot of reunions, three house visits and 5 new sketches, he finally could go home and rest. He went to a burger shop, ordered two burgers and went to his place, actually to Emma's. He needed to check up on her. So he did.

*knock knock*

Emma answered the door. It was Killian. The need to make a decision was consuming her thoughts. She just needed him. Pulling Killian into a bear hug, she started to cry. His concern showed on his face and as soon as she started he moved her to her couch to explain to him what was wrong.

Once there, he held her face on his hands and said:

_"My love,are you okay? Are you hurt?"

_"No.. not hurt but…" Emma said, crying again.

_"Just breathe love. Tell me." Killian said.

_"I don't want to break your heart." Emma said sobbing.

_"How would you do that?" He said worried.

_"They told me I have no choice but spend the rest of the year working in South Africa. I'm going on Monday." Emma said pulling him into a hug.

His heart broke. He couldn't breathe. Just when his life was going well, this comes up. And in a few days, the love of his live was going far away from him. His heart was in pieces and his mouth agape.

_"Killian say something." Emma pleaded.

_"I..just.. don't know what to say. I'm so sorry. I don't want to leave you" Emma said

_"It's work Emma I get it. But.. it doesn't make it easier love. I don't want you to leave either." Killian said.

_"You can't come with me? I can ask my boss and they can set up to you go with me." Emma said [add comma] trying to find a solution.

_"I can't leave the office now love, there's so much going on." Killian said with his hands in his hair.

_"So we have until Monday and then we meet in December? " Emma asked with her hands on her heart.

_" I guess so." Killian said. In that moment he got closer and they kissed. It was a passionate kiss but full of sadness.

After a few moments Emma said pushing him to her bedroom:

_"We have until Monday and I'm not letting you leave until then. Come here sailor."

Killian's point of view:

The worst 6 months of his life were coming and he didn't know what to do…

In the beginning Ruby and Victor plus Barbie and Julia, who loved each other by the way, tried to help by entertaining him and taking him out to make him happy, but nothing worked. At the end of the evening he would lie down on his couch and think about Emma.

He would go to work and drink more coffee, throwing himself into his work. Their friends were worried about him, but they all figured it would pass as soon as Emma arrive came back. Killian marked his calendar and counted down the days till Emma's arrival. He knew it was important to her but it was hard to live without her smiling face waking up or how her cheeks and nose would tinge red when cold or angry.

When she left, both were crying. She needed to go but she didn't want leave him, and that makes him smile everyday. So they made their promises. Every night they would think about each other until sleep comes. And they did, as the days passed.

He was a little bit drunk, and very very lonely when he decided something. He went to her apartment to get the bills, as they set up, next thing he knew he had a cat. A black furred, blue eyed cat named Captain Hook, obviously.

The cat helped on his days off when all he did was play with it. Hook was a calm pet, he thought. He only complained when Killian ignored him when he was working. So eventually both were happy as the last two months without Emma came. He slept with Hook, Emma's loss was making him needy and insane. And sleep with her pajama top clutched in his hand, and her sent enveloping him, is the only thing that kept him going.

Emma's point of view:

She should be happy, sure, traveling to another country and exploring new views and all. But she wasn't. Of course the place was beautiful: Full of massive trees, the bright sun, the hotel's pool and a very welcome place to be. But she missed Killian.

Her work schedule was hectic. On Mondays, visits to the museums; Tuesday, the stadiums from the recent world cup; Wednesdays were based on lectures and boring presentations; on Thursday the safari, with all the animals and it was the best day, and Fridays at the University having classes about old African mythology. On Weekends she was free to spend the day by the pool, or contact Killian via email or messages (phone calls were too expensive). She even managed to take a picture of herself one day.

Sleep was harder. She missed her apartment, her things but specially her Killian. The only thing she the only thing of his that helped her miss him a little less, was his favorite shirt, that ones that smells the most like him. So every night, she slept in that.

In the beginning, everything was new, so to speak, easier for Emma, But by the middle of her trip, she already had made everything there. Every class, every study, every trip. If there was time left, she attended a new class in the university, so she had everything done 2 months early. Her lectures already recorded and published and she sent everything to her boss; every update and news she got. Early into the night on Monday, 20:20 probably, after receiving an email from her, Emma made sure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel for the last time. She called him, one time will not hurt. Screw the time difference! She was going back to him. She was going back home sooner.

02:20 AM – New York:

*ringtone*

Killian groaned and grabbed his phone. Who the hell calls at 2 in the morning?

_"Killian! Hey babe! Sorry for the late hour." Emma said excited.

_"Emma? Is that you?" Killian said confused.

_"Yes silly, I'm calling because I got some great news!" she said

Killian finally shook off the sleep as he got up to talk to Emma.

_"Emma love, I miss you so much! You have no idea!" Killian said with a broken voice.

_"I know, me too. I'm calling because I'm coming home early!" Emma dropped.

_"You have.. What? Why? are you okay?" Killian asked.

_" I am fine. I just finished here earlier than I thought. I'm just so happy Killian, I'm coming home, to you. I land in NY tomorrow at the end of the day." Emma said but Killian cut her off.

_"Are you serious? That's amazing Emma. I can't believe it. I will pick you up at the airport. I miss you so much, my love." Killian said happily

_"Okay, I miss you too, babe. Not a day went by where I didn't sleep in your shirt or lay it down beside me. I miss your warm human body. I'm so excited I will not sleep tonight." Emma confessed.

Killian laughed, he really missed her humor.

_"Well that's amazing love and kind of hot! I otherwise missed you that much, imagine it, I got a cat and he sleeps with me because I don't have you yet." Killian confessed.

_"You what? Oh my god Killian, you are the worst." Emma said laughing so hard her belly hurts.

_"Anyway... My battery is dying, I have work tomorrow, but I will pick you up when you arrive. What time?"

_"Uhm.. Probably at 6." Emma said.

_"Ok. See you there. Should I tell your friends? And love? Killian pointed

_"No, I will talk to them on Wednesday, let's enjoy ourselves. Huh?" Emma said on the other line smiling.

_"Okay. I slept with your blouse everyday too. I miss you, have the best of dreams, let me help: I'm in nothing but my pajama bottoms- And I love you." Killian just said that then ended the call.

Emma was speechless, they never talked about love. But somehow she felt the same.