A/N: And we're back. Hello to you all my lovely readers and thank you as always for the follows, favourites and reviews. Sorry to leave you hanging as there has been quite a bit of anticipation for this next instalment so I shan't keep you any longer.

Be warned there are many feels ahead but also a hell of a lot of angst.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas in my brain.

Chapter 14: Accidentally In Love

Emma could feel the tiredness in Killian as his whole form slumped and his ministrations became feather light and oh so tender. It came to her all of a sudden as he was slowly mouthing at her temple, to out of it to properly kiss her. She rotated her torso and proceeded to slide a hand threw his hair multiple times and then gently down his face. His forehead dropped to her shoulder and she turned further to kiss the side of his head and whisper in his ear.

"I love you."

~E&K~

"I love you." Killian heard Emma's near silent confession and slowly raised his head from where it rested against her shoulder, to look into her eyes.

"What?" he asked, not daring to hope for a second that this was actually true and that he wasn't having some elaborate dream of his own imagining.

"I love you," Emma replied nervously, a bit of the light leaving her eyes when he didn't instantly respond.

All he could do was stare. Words failed in the moment that he'd spent over four years waiting for. Caught up in his own euphoria, he only just noticed the fear and rejection enter his Swan's gaze as she tried to dismount him.

There would be none of that.

"We're going for more popcorn," Killian announced to the group, receiving only tired sounds and non-committed shrugs in return, before he grabbed Emma's hand and practically dragged her from the room.

"Killian what the-" Emma tried to say once they were outside, but was swiftly interrupted by the crash of his lips against hers, the force of his longing sending them both stumbling back until they were pressed against the hall wall. A gasp escaped her as Killian's hands reached around to her ass, pulling her firmly against him and he used the opportunity to plunder her mouth with his tongue like the pirate he claimed to be. Her own hands groped at him of their own accord, seeking purchase on any available surface: his arms, shoulders, ass, face, hair, and eventually, without any permission, her leg slowly began to inch its way up until it was draped securely over his hip. He grabbed the back of her thigh, bringing her that one millimetre closer so that she could feel his own desire resting tightly against hers, which acted as a very abrupt wake up call, making her push him away.

He fell back looking hurt and confused by her sudden detachment, a splinter of ice piercing his heart as she seemed to fold back in on herself, wrapping both arms around her middle and hunching her shoulders as if to keep him at bay.

"Emma..." he started to say softly, but she flinched back from his advance with one hand up to halt him.

"Don't," she whispered, "Please just don't." He watched as a few tears began to slip slowly down her cheeks that were still flushed from the activities they were previously engaged in. "You don't have to say anything Killian, I mean, the fact that you didn't kind of says it all. I understand, it's nothing new to me, I just...I thought that this might be different, that maybe you- but I guess I was wrong. Neal was right; I am just an unlovable orphan who's only good for a quick fuck."

At that she took off down the hall towards the stairs. For only a second Killian was frozen, his brain processing through the information until two things became clear: 1. Neal was a huge dick and was owed a solid right hook on their next encounter, and 2. He hadn't said it back.

After that one second, Killian took off, sprinting after Emma and taking the stairs three at a time. He burst through the doors onto their floor just a few metres behind her. She continued to run and was soon wrestling her door open, attempting to slam it shut, but Killian grabbed it just in time and pushed it back so that he could crowd into the room.

"Please stop-" Emma cried but was cut off as he seized her up in a bone crushing hug.

"You are the most beautiful, infuriating woman I have ever had the fortune to come across Emma we need to get you a middle name Swan," he spoke into her ear as her body tensed and relaxed ever so slightly. "Now there are two things that I need to do. One is to get both of our brothers and take them over to the gold dorms to destroy that Neal arse-hole who has been poisoning your ears with lies; but right now that will have to wait because first I need to tell you how much I love you." He felt rather than heard Emma's sharp intake of breath and pushed her slowly back so that he could rest his forehead against hers.

"Emma my love, I have loved you for so long now. Since the day we met in that corridor and you first looked up I was a gonna. At first I wasn't sure it was anything more than a teenage crush, but then you allowed me to get to know you and I fell even more in love; with your laugh, with your smile, your quick wit and no nonsense attitude. When I watched you floor that guy who tried to get with you at Ruby's birthday party, I swear I have never been more turned on in my life. Then I was torn away from you, forced to go back to Ireland and it broke my heart. Every day for two years, I thought of nothing but you, counting down the minutes until I would be by your side again. For over four years I have wanted nothing and no one but you and that is never going to change, not now, not ever. I love you Emma Swan, to the ends of the world and time itself I love you, through everything and anything I will wait for you. You are my love and my light and I'm sorry for hurting you, but it's brought us here to this moment and bloody hell Swan do I love you, with all my heart, I love you."

Emma looked into the ocean blue eyes of the man who had just laid his soul bare to her and finally saw the truth. In his gaze she could see years worth of memories but from the angle of his devotion to her. Every time he'd hugged her, him helping her move in with Ruth and David, the weekend he spent playing nurse for her when she was ill, sitting through the Princess Bride a thousand times whenever she felt inadequate. Pushing away the creepy boys who threw themselves at her, shouting down the cheerleaders who were cruel, putting down the football players who catcalled when she passed. She looked on as he, the most popular and hottest guy in their grade, turned down girl after girl and took her to school events instead saying it was just as friends because he didn't want to lose her. Emma saw all of this and realised how truly blind she had been.

"Killian." she breathed and hurled herself back into his embrace, where he easily caught her as she knew he

always would. His arms came around around she shoulders, one hand stroking her back the other lost in her hair whilst she sobbed into his shirt.

"Sssh darling," he murmured, "It's okay, please don't cry. I'm here Swan, I've got you."

"I-I love you," she choked out, "I love you so damn much you bastard."

Killian chuckled and was happy to feel a small laugh of her own reverberate through his chest.

"I love you too Swan," he said, kissing her temple and rocking them slowly.

~E&K~

Eventually they returned to the common room (with a bowl of popcorn) only to find their friends had mostly fallen asleep. There were enough blankets and pillows around to make the floor comfortable, so they decided to set up camp for the night and watch the rest of the movie before trying to get some rest. Emma went to hit the floor, but Killian beat her down and tugged her back into his lap in order to cradle her close and make sure she

knew how loved she was. They remained close together until the credits rolled and Emma slid up to retrieve the disk and shut off the TV. By that time, Killian was laid out on the floor and patted the space in front of him. She happily snuggled down into his warmth, chest to back with his lips on her neck.

"I love you," he whispered just as sleep began to claim him.

"I love you too," she replied, drifting away into some of the most peaceful rest she'd had in her life.

~E&K~

In the morning the group was roused by the sounds of the rest of the building heading for food and, after working out the kinks from their muscles and packing their things away, they soon followed. Pulling up four extra chairs for Liam, August, Graham and Kristoff, the table was even more crowded and full of life than usual. Emma sat as close to Killian as was possible, so that every time one of them moved, their thighs, arms or hands would touch and a lingering glance would be exchanged. The table obviously noticed, those like Tink and Mary-Margaret sensing the shift in their relationship and trying not to 'aw', whereas those like Will and Victor were more obtuse and pretended to vomit into their hands. Naturally the couple were to absorbed in each other to care, even when Killian got roped into a conversation with Liam and Jefferson, he kept one hand closed tightly around Emma's, resting them on his leg and occasionally trailing his thumb across her knuckles.

The sound of his phone cut off conversation momentarily, but Killian waved to signal that everyone should continue but at a lower volume level. Emma listened in on bits of conversation, her shoulders slumping when she realised Killian was getting called in to work, so she'd be forced to spend the day without him.

"Okay, no problem Melody. I'll try to be there in 30...alright see you in a bit." He hung up and looked down at Emma who was still fiddling with the ring on his finger.

"That was the store. Melody has to take off for the day because of family issues and needs me to take over," he said with a sigh noticing the slight dejection in his girlfriends eyes.

"Hey," he said quietly, "You know I'd much rather spend the day with you, and before you say a word, I'm not going to make you come to work with me because you'll be bored out of your mind."

Emma pouted. She had been about to interrupt and suggest that exact thing, but she knew he was right and it wasn't like either of them weren't going to survive a day apart, she'd see him later.

"You better get me some candy on your way back Jones to compensate the make out time I'm going to miss."

He chuckled and leant forward to whisper into her ear,

"I love you Swan."

At which point he got up and said his goodbyes to everybody else. Just as he reached the door Emma yelled,

"There'd better be gummy bears!"

In return she received a salute and a wink before he vanished from sight and she let out a heavy sigh. They would both survive for one day. Nothing was gonna happen.

~E&K~

It was late...well not that late, it was only around seven thirty, but being winter, the sky was already the colour of pitch and the moon was out casting a soft white light in the dark patches between the street lights. Killian had locked up The Sirens Lair and was just leaving the small corner shop with a bag of gummy bears tucked under his arm. He wasn't looking where he was going, trying to send a quick text to Emma saying he'd be back in about ten minutes, when he walked smack bang into someone causing them to stumble back.

"Oh bloody hell, I'm sorry mate I wasn't-" He cut off noticing the figure in front of him was in fact Neal who was swaying on the spot, and judging by the odour coming off of him, he'd been drinking and for quite a while to.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the British bastard who stole my girl," he slurred advancing on Killian, "What are you doing here you fucker?"

Resisting the urge to cover his nose and punch the obviously wasted man, Killian rolled his eyes and tried to side step around Neal.

"OI!," the drunk yelled, "I'm not finished with you."

"Yeah well I'm done with you," retorted Killian, approaching a stop light and waiting for the change.

"I said," spat Neal who'd somehow got right up behind him, "I'm not finished with you."

Shoving him hard in the chest, Neal sent Killian stumbling back into the street.

There was a flash of headlights, a blaring horn and a screech of brakes.

Killian felt an almighty pain and then the world went black.

~E&K~

Emma checked her phone again. It was eight o'clock, Killian should have been back twenty minutes ago. She had no idea where he was or what was keeping him and it was making her jumpy and anxious.

"Chill Ems," said August from the other side of the pool table, "He's probably found a new guitar that's caught his fancy or is busy trying to seek out the best candy in the world for you. He'll be back soon, so stop worrying and take the shot."

She did as he asked, mostly. She took her shot and sunk two more stripes but went straight back into fidgeting with her cue and allowing her eyes to flit between her friends and the door, waiting impatiently for her boyfriend to burst in and sweep her off her feet.

In the corner of the room on one of the couches, Liam was chatting with Tink and Belle when his phone lit up with an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Liam Jones?"

"It is, who are you?"

"My name is Rose I work at the Storybrooke General Hospital, I'm calling about your brother."

"Killian?" Liam asked not wanting to know what was about to come. Upon hearing his brothers name, Emma had flown across the room and was now leaning over him with fear written all over her features.

"I'm sorry to inform you that Killian has been in an accident. We've called your mother but there the voicemail said she was out of state. You are his next of kin and we need you to come down here."

Liam gulped, "Is he...?"

"He's not dead, he was taken straight into examination and I believe his surgery will be starting shortly."

"I'll be there soon, thank you for calling me. Good bye." He looked up at the assembled group who were all panicking around him, his eyes drifted to where Emma stood beside him and could see the tears threatening to spill over and the tremor that was running through her body.

"Emma, I need the keys to the bug, we've gotta go now."

~E&K~

Emma, Liam, David and Mary-Margaret burst through the doors of Storybrooke General and headed straight for then reception desk. They had all split up into different cars and with Liam's adrenaline fuelling his driving, the bug had been pushed to it's limits and they'd arrived first. Skidding to a halt and slightly out of breath the eldest Jones spoke,

"Hi, my name is Liam Jones. I got a call that said my brother Killian was in an accident, can you tell me anything."

The receptionist looked up in sympathy at the ragged group of young adults not old enough to be out of college.

"I'll just page the doctor who has the details if you'd like to take a seat over there."

Sitting still was obviously put of the question, but the four of them moved away to stand by the chairs and wait impatiently for the doctors arrival. Fortunately they weren't waiting long.

"Mr Jones?" A voice called out and they managed to wave down the man in the white coat who extended his hand in greeting.

"Mr Jones, my name is Dr Baymax, I've been over seeing the care of your brother."

"How is he? What happened?" Liam practically begged.

"From what we were told by passing pedestrians who witnessed the accident, a drunk man was following your brother, shouting at him the whole time, when he didn't receive a rise, it seems he pushed Killian out into the road and into the path of an oncoming car. Fortunately, the driver had their wits about them and managed to brake soon enough and swerve slightly so that the impact wasn't as serious; he is currently being patched up for the few cuts and bruises he gained. The man responsible for the incident is currently having his stomach pumped while the police are waiting for his father to arrive so that the issue may be handled."

At which point Robert Gold limped into the building escorted by two police officers.

Emma noticed and let out a tear filled cry of hate and anguish,

"Neal," she sobbed in an explanation to the others who looked confused, "That's Neal's father. He did this, he attacked Killian, he's the reason...oh god no...I'm the reason! This was about me, I guarantee this was about me, and now Killian-Killian, he oh my god..." Emma's legs collapsed from underneath her and she hit the floor hard, rocking back and forth, struggling to breathe through the mass of tears spilling down her face and into her mouth.

"Everybody back up, she's having a panic attack," she heard faintly in the background, not being able to focus on anything but the thoughts of guilt and self loathing that were playing on repeat through her head.

Suddenly, there was a sharp pain across her cheek and everything came back into focus. Dr Baymax shifted away having done half the job allowing Liam to crouch in front of the broken blonde and try to sooth her.

"Hey Emma look at me," he commanded, watching her watery eyes attempt to lock onto his face, "This isn't your fault. Neal is the one to blame, even if he was angry at Killian about you, it's still his fault. He ruined your relationship and you both moved on but he obviously couldn't stand to see how much happier you were without him. Please do not put this on yourself, because you are completely innocent and my little brothers gonna need you."

"Younger," Emma corrected automatically and Liam grinned slightly.

"You're right. My younger brother is gonna need you and so am I. So please be strong Duckling and stop blaming yourself because you know Killian will be having none of that and it'll be who gets to face his wrath once he finds out I wasn't looking after his girlfriend."

Emma choked on a laugh that quickly dissolved into a sob as she collapsed into Liam's arms.

"What if the last thing I ever said to him was 'There'd better be gummy bears?'"

"He was found with a bag of gummy bears clutched in his hands," interrupted the Doctor but this only made Emma cry harder, "Oh god! I'm so sorry, I've never been good at dealing with emotion, would you like a hug or something?"

Safe to say that once they had all the details on Killian (A few broken ribs, heavy bruising and cuts on his face; they were checking for internal bleeding.) they sent Dr Baymax away so that they could deal with their fear and anxiety alone.

~E&K~

An hour and a half later, the group, who had all arrived, had taken over most of the reception area. David had his arms wrapped around a tearful Mary-Margaret, Robin and Regina were also joined constantly by the hand. Belle and Tink were comforting Liam as he moved between sitting and pacing. Ruby and Victor were making sure everyone had food or drink when they wanted it before rejoining Will, Jefferson, Graham and August who were keeping an eye on Emma and pulling her back every time she started to slip into a panic attack, or hugging her tightly whenever the tears started to fall. They'd had a rotation of who would ask the doctors for news but so far there'd been little luck. The most they'd discovered was that Killian was still in surgery under thorough examination, the driver was fine and would be out by morning and that Neal was still unconscious under the watchful eyes of his father and a few cops.

By eleven pm, the fear had gone up a notch at the lack of knowledge on Killian's condition so that they were all huddled closely together and Emma had wound up on Liam's lap so that they could clutch at each other and share in a level of worry that the others couldn't quite understand. At eleven fifteen, a doctor in blue scrubs appeared and asked for Mr Jones.

They were all up in an instant and surging forward to find out what was going on,

"Mr Jones, I'm happy to say you're brother is going to be fine. We've kept an eye on him for a long time and there is no sign of internal bleeding. His wounds should heal up fairly swiftly and he'll be back to normal in a month or so. Right now he's still under the influence of the anaesthetic, but should be waking up shortly. If you would like you can go and see him."

Liam nodded frantically and he started forward with Emma hot on his heels only to be halted again by the doctor's arm.

"I'm sorry miss, family only," he said with a pointed look at the other eleven. Liam watched as Emma's lower lip trembled and her body started to shake from restrained sobs, but she still took a step back and gaze him a wobbly smile to convince him to go on ahead.

"She is family," Liam stated firmly, returning his gaze to the doctor as if daring him to argue.

Apparently even seasoned professionals who had to abide by the rules, were not immune to the Liam Jones death glare, as was shown when the doctor swiftly waved Emma forward and dated off to some place or other, probably to find his dignity. The two of them then made their way through the long, sterile corridors of the hospital to where room 305 was and Killian was waiting.

Liam didn't hesitate to push open the door and sweep inside claiming one of the chairs by the bed, Emma however was suddenly reluctant and hovered uncertainly, half in and half out of the room. It pained her to see him this way. Her handsome boyfriend with cuts criss-crossing his cheeks and bruises on practically every uncovered piece of skin. However, he still had that same young, relaxed, boyish look about him even in his wounded state which brought a small smile to her lips that grew slightly as his fingers twitched and his eyes began to flutter open.

~E&K~

His head was pounding and there was a strong ache in his ribs. These were the first things Killian noticed as he fought his way to consciousness. The second was that he was obviously in hospital and his brother was beaming down at him with unshed tears in his eyes.

"Liam wha-" he broke off with a cough noting how his throat felt like sandpaper.

"Here younger brother, drink this...slowly," Liam admonished as Killian attempted to gulp it down in one.

"You never call me younger brother, only ever little," he stated having slowly finished his water and watching the smirk spread over his brother's face.

"Yes well, fortunately for you, you had someone out there to put me in my place."

"Swan," he breathed, "How is she Liam? Is she okay?"

There was a loud huff from the door jam, and he finally looked up to notice the blonde angel in his room.

"Seriously? You're the one who was in a freakin' accident, and you're asking if I'm okay? I swear to god Killian Jones..." she said, choking towards the end as fresh tears fell from her eyes.

"Oh Emma love. Come here," he begged, but she shook her head and even made to leave, "Emma?"

"I can't. Killian, I can't. This is all my fault!" she wailed, "Neal did this to you and it was probably because of me and now, now you're in hospital and you could have died all because I wanted fucking gummy bears and I could have lost you and...and..." Emma was forced to stop and Killian started to panic as he watched her entire frame shake and her eyes lose focus. Liam however, was up in an instant and gripping her shoulders tightly until her body relaxed enough for him to drag over to the bed and plop her down on the edge next to Killian who immediately reached over and took her hand.

He could see her attempting to fight it, to not lean in to his touch and to blame herself for every little scratch on his body, but he could also see her losing the battle until she eventually gave up and curled into his side, desperately trying to avoid causing him pain by putting pressure on his ribs. But Killian didn't care. With a gentle tug she was even closer with her arm over his waist and her face against his collar bone where he could feel the tears pooling.

"Sssh love, it's okay, I'm okay, I've got you. Seriously brother you let her let herself believe that she is somehow responsible for this?" Liam tried to argue that he had in fact argued against that very point, but Killian had already started up again. "Don't cry love, it's not your fault, not even a little bit, not at all. It's fine, everything's fine except now I'm going to be even more ruggedly handsome with my manly cuts and bruises. You may have to fight off the entire female population of Misthaven."

That succeeded in making both her and his brother snort.

"You know I'd win," he heard her mumble in to the skin of his throat.

"Of course you would darling, I have every faith in you," he responded, tilting his face down and ignoring the twinge of pain that it caused, to kiss her lingeringly on the temple.

"I love you," Emma breathed, imprinting the words onto his body with her lips.

"I love you too," Killian said, not caring one little bit about his brothers shocked expression as he held his Swan securely to his chest.

Author's Note: So there is that. I hope you all enjoyed. I thought myself truly hilarious with the title because they are in love and Killian was in an accident...see, it's clever. Anyway please feel free to drop a review happy, hateful (although hopefully not) or any ideas about what you want to happen later on in the story. Coming up in chapter 15: Killian's recovery and justice must be served.

Stay beautiful lovelies :)