Time is going to once again slow down in this chapter. Also this is the M rated version of the chapter. If you would prefer the T rating, it can be found on AO3.

And the song I'll Never Say Goodbye that plays during the first section can be found ... watch?v=CPjs2p3XqF0 It's SO Pretty.

Chapter 21

Boston, MA
Sunday evening

Killian knew he was asleep, but he could still hear the music as it played softly next to the bed; the melody haunting and the lyrics written, it seemed, just for him. As if there were a puzzle he needed to solve, yet hadn't uncovered the missing piece. Emma, he thought, she was the missing piece.

Say goodbye
Why, I can barely say good night
If I can hardly take my eyes from yours
How far can I go?

"I'm here. Come to me, love," he called, hoping she was close and could hear him.

He heard her giggle before he saw her smiling face, and as she ran to him, he braced to catch her. "You're here," She jumped into his arms as if she had no doubt that he would always be there to catch her. "You're really here."

"I've missed you, love. So much." He covered her lips with his, pouring every ounce of love he felt for her into the kiss. She tasted like sunshine and chocolate and that unique taste that only belonged to Emma...his Emma…

Walk away
The thought would never cross my mind
I couldn't turn my back on spring or fall,
Your smile, least of all

Releasing her lips, he carded his fingers through her beautiful blonde hair, smiling when she purred like a kitten. "Still like that, do you?" he sighed against her skin as he placed butterfly kisses across her cheek to capture her earlobe between his lips, before burying his face in her sweet-smelling neck.

"I've missed you so much, Captain," she whispered against his shoulder.

"And I you." He tightened his hold around her trembling body, binding their bodies closer together just as their souls were bound, for together they were stronger. "I'm sorry, Emma. I never meant to leave, but..."

"Shh," she laid her finger on his lips, "mistakes were made by all."

"But you," he shook his head, "you didn't ..."

"Run?" He nodded his head. "I did, in my own way."

"But why?" It seemed that instead of answers, he was coming up with more questions.

She shrugged a shoulder. "We didn't believe enough? We didn't fight enough? Maybe deep down it's that we are lost and didn't think we deserved our happy ending."

When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much as today
I'm not afraid to say, I love you,
And I promise you, I'll never say goodbye

Killian thought over what had transpired on that day in May and the events that followed, trying to decide if he agreed with her or not. Was what she said true? He didn't want to believe that, but Liam...had said...what? "But Liam said you were gone," he cried, agitated that maybe she was right.

"Did he, Killian? Did he say I was dead?" He was locked in her unwavering green gaze and couldn't look away. "Did you ask him?"

Had he? "No," he shook his head dejectedly, "I behaved just as he had, but that's no excuse for..."

Once again, her finger stopped the words. "What's done is done. We need to do what we do best, my love. Fight for each other...together.

We're dancers on a crowded floor
While other dancers live from song to song
Our music goes on,
On and on
And if I never leave your arms
I really will have traveled everywhere
For my world is there

"There's something else we do well, Emma. We make beautiful music together." Killian threaded his fingers in her hair again and pulled her face up, needing his mouth on hers. Bringing her whole body close, he held her tightly while he explored her mouth with deep, soul-searching kisses. Every part of him felt her, tasted her, breathed her in as his tongue slid over and around hers and he nipped at her lips. Cupping her arse, he lifted her, encouraging her to lock her legs around his hips, and carried her across the room.

He lowered her to the bed, and removing her tank, he tossed it over his shoulder before closing his hands over her shoulders, down her arms and around to cup her breasts. Using his thumbs, he drew lazy circles over the tips causing them to tighten through the thin cotton of her bra.

Kneeling at her feet, he reached behind her where, with a simple twist of his wrist, the cotton joined her shirt on the floor and his lips could cover one taut peak. He sucked and rolled his tongue over the bud until she moaned and squirmed in his arms. When he released it, and moved to the other side, she moaned louder, and grabbing handfuls of his hair, held him close.

Releasing his possession with a pop, Killian covered her mouth and followed her down to the mattress, taking the opportunity to slide his hands down her body, pushing her shorts and panties off. "You are so beautiful," he whispered, skimming his hand down the center of her body, before returning back to the top to repeat the process all over again. Never would he tire of her. Never would he willingly walk away. "You are mine. All mine."

"I'm yours," she agreed. "Love me. Please love me," she begged him, arching backwards, offering herself to him.

His lips traveled to her jawline, then beneath it, moving down the column of her neck as she arched back, her scent stimulating his senses, calling him home. He licked and stroked, creating a trail along her skin as he moved lower with each kiss, her movements dictating which direction he should move.

"So pretty," he whispered, stroking his hands along her shoulders, then down her arms to link their hands. Slowly he pulled both hands up, holding them on each side of her head as he lowered his lips to the upper swell of her breasts.

Love, hunger, and something more...something he didn't recognize and couldn't define threatened to pull him under. Threatened to destroy the control and the pleasure they were sharing.

Brushing his scruff over the hard tips of her breasts, he allowed his tongue to take a quick, flickering taste. As he laved and sucked he watched her expression, watched the pleasure building inside her.

This was a high that never could be duplicated in any other way with any other person. She was his woman and the pleasure he found with her was an addiction that he was afraid was impossible to live without.

Parting his lips, still watching her, he lowered his mouth to the pebble-hard tip again.

"Feels so good," she moaned, arching into him as desperation filled her voice and need filled her gaze.

Aye, he knew that pleasure rising inside her. That same pleasure he felt when she loved him.

Tearing his lips away from her breasts he dragged his open mouth down midline, kissing and licking at intervals until he left a wet trail between her breasts and her navel.

He kissed every inch of her abdomen, then moved lower to kiss, lick and suck her thighs and in between, taking her to the edge but always backing off before she reached her peak. Her hips bucking uncontrollably, she finally grabbed his head, holding him in the spot she wanted, and then he willingly granted her wish. With only a few well-placed sucks and a flick of his tongue, she slipped over the edge, reaching the climax in their song, her body flushed and her heavy breathing like music to his ears.

Unable to wait any longer, he slid up her body, once again clasping her hands on either side of her head with his, holding her gaze.

"Hurry," she whispered, wrapping her legs around his hips, opening herself up for him.

Easing forward, he sheathed himself inside her tight womanly body, inch by inch until he could go no farther. "What you do to me," he murmured, kissing her nose softly. "You undo me." His hips, unable to stay still, moved again, sliding out an inch...then back in. Slowly...steadily he moved in...then out.

Emma tightened her legs around his hips and dug her fingers into his arse, pushing his hips tighter against hers matching his rhythm.

Unsure how much longer he could last, he watched and read her body, and with one more firm thrust, his lips clamped down on her neck, needing for some reason to leave his mark. Hitting the note, their bodies perfectly in tune, she reached that high note she had been straining for, pulling him along, and together they rode the crescendo as it went on and on.

As her whole body relaxed in his arms, his eyes met hers and in a broken voice he uttered, "I love you, Emma. Come back to me," before kissing her and giving her his whole heart. And then, tucking her against his side, they drifted off to sleep...together.

When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much as today
I am not afraid to say I love you
And I promise you, I'll never say goodbye
How could I ever say goodbye

Anita's Place
Seattle, WA
Monday Morning

The sun coming in the window woke Emma much earlier than she anticipated after spending the night making... Her eyes popped open before she could even finish that thought, and sitting straight up in bed, she dropped the sheet and looked down.

"But..." she squeaked after noticing she was in bed…naked. The image of a dark head kissing and caressing her body was so lifelike she checked the other side to make sure she was really alone.

Once she had assured herself there was no dark headed, blue-eyed pirate sleeping peacefully next to her, she glanced around for her clothes. She found them in a pile on the other side of the bed as if someone had removed them from her body and hurriedly tossed them aside.

"A dream...only a dream," she finally admitted, falling back against the pillow. "But oh, what a dream." Taking inventory of how she felt, the word that kept coming to mind had her worried about her sanity for a few seconds because she felt sated...sexually, she was almost embarrassed to admit. In her dreams, her blue-eyed Captain Hook had spent quite a few hours showing her how talented he was with his lips, fingers and other...parts...of his body. "But how can that be?"

When the empty room gave her no answers, she tossed the blankets aside, grabbed her clothing from the floor, and stepped into the bathroom. Turning the shower to warm, she reached for a ribbon to tie up her hair and her image in the mirror gave her pause.

The woman staring back at her had sleep...or...sex tousled hair, sparkling green eyes, lips that looked kiss swollen and...she leaned closer to the mirror...what looked like a hickey right where her neck curved into her shoulder.

"What the... "She pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail and stepped into the shower, wondering what Doctor Blanchard would make of this...and how much of it to share.

NID Offices
New York City, NY
Monday Morning

After spending a whirlwind weekend with Anna in Boston, Elsa felt hungover and decidedly uninterested in spending two hours on a conference call with Kurt Flynn and Frederick Teach of Sunsports out of Key West. Especially when, after ninety minutes into the call, they refused to deal with her any farther, wanting only to speak with Liam. Which is why she found herself, at not quite 10:00 on a Monday morning, tracking through the offices to Liam's side of the building.

"Good morning to ye," Liam's assistant greeted as she entered her office.

Elsa smiled at Colleen. "Good morning. Is Liam available?"

"He is," Colleen returned her smile, "and a fine mood he's in today."

"Is that fine as in good or fine as in watch out?" Elsa quipped.

"Oh, he's all smiles today, is our Liam. In fact, I've not seen him smile so much since-"

"Elsa," Liam interrupted his assistant before she could finish her sentence, "is there a problem?"

Elsa side-eyed Colleen, who was watching the exchange as if they were in a movie and just getting to the good stuff. "Some issues with the Sunsports," she said.

He sighed as if he had expected as much and indicated she follow him into his office. Once inside, she handed over the file and quickly explained the problem. When he indicated she have a seat while he made the call, she was surprised but curious to see him in action.

"How was your weekend?" he asked while waiting to be connected on the other end.

Pleased that he had remembered she was going away, her eyes met his and she saw an awareness that hadn't been there before Friday. "Good," she answered shyly. "Did you get rid of the extra sofas?"

He made a face and shook his head. "Not yet. Today, hopefully," he amended just as the call went through and Frederick and Kurt captured his attention with their demands.

Elsa observed him while he was focused on the call and not on her, because as much as she hated to admit it, he made her nervous and giddy at the same time. At times there was just something about his piercing blue eyes when he was attending to her that made her want to say, "Yes, sir. Anything you say, sir." That intensity no doubt made people give him whatever he wanted, which probably came in handy when he was in the Royal Navy. However, there were other times when the sadness in those eyes almost broke her heart. Did that sadness have to do with Emma and Killian, or was there something else in his past that put it there?

He was expressive when he talked, she noticed, using his hands to gesture even though the people on the other side couldn't see him. And he wasn't one for idle sitting, either, as he was constantly moving. His legs or hands or body were in motion at all times.

He hung up the phone, shut the folder, and stood up all in one motion. "Bloody hell," he bellowed, but not as forcefully as she was sure he would have done in the past.

"What happened?" she asked him curiously. "You sounded like you were making progress."

"Aye," he agreed, "I was until that wa... er…Frederick jumped in. Looks like we'll be making a trip to the Keys."

"Sorry about that," she sympathized. "I thought I could handle them."

"No problem." His somber face broke into a grin. "I love the Keys. Have you got an overnight bag here?"

"Ugh, no. Why do I need an overnight bag?" His moods were changing quicker than the weather in some places.

He shot her another quick grin. "Why, you're going with me, of course."

Elsa had no comeback, and as if by automation, she walked with him as he asked Colleen to contact their pilot, as they needed to be there in a few hours. After stopping by her office to pick up her briefcase and purse, and by their apartments to grab overnight bags, they arrived at the airport where they were ushered onto a small jet. Within minutes they were ordered to strap in, and the small plane had taken off bound for Key West, Florida, the southern-most tip of the United States.

Within a few hours they had touched down at the small Key West airport where a car was waiting to take them to their hotel. With barely time to drop their bags in the rooms, they were whisked away, this time to the offices of Sunsports. Frederick and Kurt were more jovial in person, more relaxed than they had been over the phone. Within a relatively short time, the contract had been signed, and as Liam and Elsa were ushered back to their car, they had been instructed to grab their swimming suits and be at the marina within the hour. Dinner and drinks would be served aboard the Sunsports yacht, and with instructions not to be late, they were left alone.

Elsa looked at Liam, who appeared to be just as perplexed as she felt. "Do you have any idea what just happened?"

He frowned. "What?" Then shook his head as if to clear the cobwebs out. "I think we've been out maneuvered," he whispered, showing his thought process, "but I'm just not sure why. I guess we grab our suits. Perhaps we'll find out tonight." He took off toward the wing that housed their rooms, expecting her to follow.

On the way to the elevators they passed by a small shop stocked with several items she had forgotten to pack. "Liam," Elsa grabbed his arm to stop him, "did you even bring a suit? I didn't."

There wasn't much variety in style, but both came away with the necessary wear for their afternoon and evening of boating. Since their hotel wasn't far from the marina, they walked. The sights and sounds around her were unique, and part of her wished they didn't have to go out with Frederick and Kurt and could just be tourists.

"Have you ever been to Key West?" Liam asked as they stepped down onto the dock.

"No," she shook her head, "I was just thinking I would like to play tourist."

He was prevented from saying anything more as there was a shout and they were ushered onto the Sunsport. Katheryn, Frederick's wife, and Charlotte, Kurt's fiancée, greeted her as if they were long lost friends and pulled her along with them to where they had already placed lounge chairs. Before she had time to think about it, Elsa dropped her sarong, revealing the skimpy red bikini she had on, stretched out on a chair and tilted her chin up to the sun.

As the yacht skimmed across the water of the blue Atlantic Ocean, Elsa listened more than she talked, and when she caught Liam staring at her with eyes that almost scorched her, told herself she was imagining it. But as the sun moved across the sky and darkness settled around them, she relished those looks and what they might mean once they returned to their hotel.

~~~CS~~~

Liam followed her into her room and tossed her bag on the bed. "I can't believe you forgot to put on sunscreen, Elsa." His eyes traveled from her face, across her chest and down her legs to where her feet peeked out under her sarong, bright red from sunburn. He closed the gap between them holding up the bottle of aloe. "Your skin is too fair. Here, this will help it heal."

Her skin felt too tight for her body, and hot, she was so hot. "I'll be okay." Taking the bottle from him, she poured a little on her hand and rubbed it down her arm and over her shoulder. "That feels good. Thanks, I didn't realize the sun was so strong that late in the afternoon."

Liam shrugged a shoulder. "It's Florida." He took the bottle from her. "Turn around. Let me do your back."

Not really sure if it was a good idea or not, but helpless to resist the tenderness she saw in his gaze, Elsa slowly turned her back to him. There was no lying to herself, she had dreamed about his touch, but standing in front of him, waiting for it, scared her a little. In the past, the possibility of being this close had been only a dream, but now….now she could feel the heat from his body as he stood behind her. Holding her breath, she waited for his touch and when it came, his hands were so gentle and the shock of how good, how right it felt sent goosebumps throughout her body. When he lifted his hand, she turned back toward him. "Thank you."

He thumbed a drop of aloe left behind, his hand lingering on her shoulder. Their gazes locked and hung, suspended just the two of them, so very far away from home and all alone. His eyes, she thought, are so blue that I feel like I am drowning in them and his lips, she closed her eyes, but only briefly, as her gaze was immediately drawn back to his lips, I want a taste.

"I shouldn't do this," he whispered, his voice hoarse and edgy.

"Do what?" she asked, never assuming she would get the answer he gave.

"Kiss you."

"No?"

Instead of responding, he edged closer to her, his lips hovering precariously close to hers. Her sudden intake of air was all she had time for before their mouths met.

His hands framed her face as he pressed hot and hard against her. She gasped for air but never thought of pulling away. It consumed her. He consumed her.

His mouth inched upward until his teeth nipped and caught at her upper lip. His tongue licked and laved before he released her lip and moved to the corner of her mouth.

Forgotten was her sunscreen. Forgotten were all the reasons why she shouldn't be kissing this man because all that existed for her was him. His touch, his kiss, his very essence wound around her, filling her until everything else disappeared.

She reached for him, sliding her hands over his shoulders. Her fingers inched toward his neck until one hand cupped the nape, pulling him closer. She nibbled back at his mouth, meeting him kiss for kiss, lick for lick.

"Liam," she whispered as he let go of her and stepped back. "What?" She frowned up at him, unsure what had just happened.

"I'm sorry, sweet Elsa. That shouldn't have happened." He held her clasped hands between both of his. "I'll see you in the morning."

With another longing gaze, he turned and exited the room, leaving her with more questions than answers. Knowing no answers would be coming tonight, Elsa grabbed the bottle of aloe and went to take a shower, a colder one than had been originally planned.

Anita's Place
Seattle, WA
Tuesday Morning

The weird, mystical phenomenon of a dream lover who left visible marks on your body and crystal-clear images of his...parts still lingered in Emma's mind. Oh, who was she kidding, she thought self-consciously, as just how much of an...impression those parts made still lingered twenty-four hours after she had awakened.

In fact, they had lingered so strongly, she spent too much time sharpening her skills at drawing human anatomy. Her proficiency seemed to display her acquaintance with her Captain's...sword in such a manner that should he jab her, she would feel it. And, here it was Tuesday morning, and while it had to be her imagination, she could definitely still...feel it.

But the explanation for the mark on her neck made it more difficult to chalk it all up to her imagination, as did the redness that could only be described as whisker burn that she found in other places on her body, or the soreness she felt down- "Not going there," she muttered as she finished her last sketch. "So, not going there."

With a flourish, she finished shading in the bed covers scattered over the mattress that she sat on with the Captain kneeling in front of her. Her tank lay on the floor behind her and the intense way he was looking at her caused her lady parts to jump up and down and yell, "More, more!" And, lawsy, was she more than willing to participate, if she could just remember who he was, and more importantly, who she was.

The Captain's sword wasn't the only thing she couldn't get out of her head. There were song lyrics spinning around and around inside, but she didn't remember ever hearing the song. Somehow it felt important. She wasn't hearing all of the song though, but the chorus...playing over and over, as if on repeat.

When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much as today
I'm not afraid to say I love you
And I promise you, I'll never say goodbye

There were so many questions she hoped Doctor Blanchard would help her unravel at their session later, most importantly that she hadn't lost the rest of her mind. Once she had sorted through the drawings and chosen three that weren't too graphic, she hid the others away in a drawer, considering them for her eyes only. She had just put the drawings she was taking with her into a file when there was a knock on the door and a shout that the shuttle would arrive in thirty minutes. With a smile on her face, she hurried to get ready.

Seattle Grace Hospital
Seattle, WA
Tuesday Afternoon

Mary Margaret handed over the charts to the floor nurse and started the long walk back to her office. Her hospital rounds had taken longer than she had anticipated and now she would have to wait until after Emma's session to grab a bite to eat. It was only an hour, so she could handle it, but she might have to grab some chocolate to appease baby girl Nolan.

A quick stop at the vending machine took care of her chocolate need, giving her extra time to review the new information she had learned about Emma. She needed to- her thought stopped mid-sentence when she walked into her office to see her hunky husband sitting at the table with a cheeseburger, fries, and a cookies and cream milkshake from her favorite place, Snow White's Burger Barn, waiting for her. The minute the smell tickled her olfactory system her mouth started to water, and before she had said hello to her husband, she picked up and took a large bite of her cheeseburger, groaning in ecstasy. "Hmm, so good," she mumbled around a mouthful of ice cream.

"I knew you wouldn't have time to eat and wanted to surprise you," David told her as he kissed her on the cheek while pushing her chair close to the table.

"We thank you." She patted her stomach. "I picked up these," a half-eaten bag of M&M's was tossed on the table, "on the way back."

David frowned at the chocolate. "I thought the doctor said to watch your sugar."

She smiled as she shoved a handful of fries in her mouth. "She did, and greasy foods too." She smirked and took another bite of her burger.

"Touché," he grimaced. "At least we don't eat this way every day."

"True, and I have a few minutes before Emma arrives."

"How's she doing?" David asked her quietly.

She thought about how much to say as she nibbled on her fries. "Good. She's remembering more daily, and..." She hesitated before rushing forward, "I got a break on the Emma case."

"Really?" David asked, surprised. "What happened?"

"Someone called to talk about Emma. Someone who loves her. It was her-" she got out before she was interrupted.

"Hello," Emma called out, pushing the door open. "I'm sorry, Doctor Blanchard but Dorothy wasn't at her desk."

Mary Margaret cut panicked eyes to David, but he gave a gentle shake of his head and she relaxed. "Not a problem, Emma." David pushed up from table and rewrapped his burger for later. "My lovely wife just told me you were on your way. Would you like a fry?"

She grinned at him. "No, I just ate. Thanks anyway."

"Your loss," David kissed Mary Margaret and walked toward the door, "Snow White's fries are...the best." He winked at his wife and was gone.

"Are you sure I'm not too early?" Emma asked as she moved farther into the room and set a file on the small table in front of the sofa.

"You're fine," Mary Margaret waved away her concern, "just let me finish my cheeseburger. Someone gets grumpy if I don't eat on a regular basis." She patted her belly with one hand as she continued eating with the other.

"I'm sorry, I've been meaning to ask when you're due. I feel I've been rude."

Mary Margaret dimpled. "I'm due at the end of October. We're having a girl and we don't know what we're naming her. We want to meet her first." She took the last bite and stowed her trash before continuing, "And no, you've not been rude. You've had other things on your mind."

"Or out of it," Emma grumped, throwing herself into her usual chair.

Something's different, Mary Margaret thought as she sat down on across from her patient. "What happened?"

Mary Margaret watched Emma chew on her bottom lip and stare at the envelope in her hand. After a few minutes, she looked up and grimaced. "I had a dream."

"Oooookay," Mary Margaret began, "but...there's more, I gather?"

"I'm afraid you're going to think I'm nuts." Emma sighed, squirming in her chair. "It was a dream that felt...real," she finally shared.

"I would never think you're nuts, Emma," Mary Margaret told her in a soothing voice. "Dreams often feel very real."

When Emma didn't immediately start talking, Mary Margaret looked at her, really looked at her, and when she realized Emma was embarrassed, she smiled warmly. "You can tell me anything, honey. I'll never judge you, and chances are I've heard it all before."

Emma nodded her head. "When I woke up...the clothes I had worn to bed were on the floor," she finished in a rush.

"Oh, Emma, is that what's worrying you?" Mary Margaret asked. "Because if so, there are many reasons why a person might shed their clothing when sleeping."

"Really?" Emma asked in disbelief. "Such as?"

Crap, the good doctor thought, but quickly came up with a few examples. "You might have been dreaming you were too hot. Or maybe you were dreaming you were changing clothes. Or-"

"Making love," Emma finished.

"Exactly," Mary Margaret agreed, thinking perhaps it wasn't so much a dream, but a memory. "So, you dreamed you were making love?" Emma nodded her head. "With the man you've been drawing?"

Emma nodded her head again. "But how do you explain the fact that when I woke up, my lips were..." she touched her finger to her lips and Mary Margaret watched as a dreamy look crossed her face, "swollen, as if I had been kissed...extremely well."

"You were biting your lip in your dream? Or you had an allergic reaction to a new lotion." She knew she was reaching but that sign wasn't as easy to explain away.

Emma squinted as if remembering something that left her shattered. "I remember how he tasted," she whispered, "and how he felt. But there's more."

"More? What else happened, Emma?"

Emma moved the neck of her shirt aside, showing her the bruise displayed prominently on her neck. "It's a hickey," Mary Margaret said incredulously.

"I know!" Emma blurted. "See why I'm a bit freaked? And these…" She pulled the three drawings out of the folder and handed them over. "I've been drawing images that won't get out of my head. And some of them are just..." She closed her eyes as a single tear spilled over and rolled down her cheek. "What am I missing?" she whispered. Reaching up, she wiped her face and pointed to the top picture. "See that drawing? See his arm? Why did I draw that?"

Mary Margaret looked down at the picture that was causing Emma such pain. It was her and her Captain Hook, locked in a heated embrace on a bed. She was on her left side, he on his right so his left hand that she usually attached the hook to was under the cover, but she had drawn a mark on the inside of his right wrist.

Slowly Mary Margaret moved to the second drawing. In this one Emma was sitting on the side of the bed with the man kneeling at her feet. But the way he was looking at her was powerful and the love on his face, thought Mary Margaret, was almost tangible. Just staring at them almost made her feel like a voyeur, which is an odd feeling when just looking at a picture.

"These are amazing," she told the artist as she flipped to the final picture, which showed the couple hugging and the man's face was buried in Emma's neck.

"See what I mean?" Emma murmured as Mary Margaret handed the drawings back and she slipped them back into the folder. "But there are some I drew that are just...just…"

"Just what?"

"Graphic," Emma answered without thinking, "almost as if I were drawing something for an anatomy book."

"What were you drawing?" Mary Margaret asked curiously.

Emma tilted her head and nodded it subtly, "Yes, his...sword," she finished on a little giggle.

"I see." Mary Margaret grinned but instantly sobered when she could tell that whatever had happened had obviously affected Emma. "How did he make you feel? Do you remember?"

Emma instantly answered, "Very loved and very safe. Do you think he's important to me?

"Do you?" Mary Margaret threw right back at her.

"I do," Emma answered after a few minutes, "I just don't know why." She tilted her head as if an idea were being whispered into her ear. "Is it possible I know him?

"I would count on it," Mary Margaret answered, relieved that it seemed as if a huge breakthrough had somehow occurred in her dreams.

Not quite ready to drop the subject, Emma shook her head slightly. "But how...why?"

"Connection," was the answer simply given.

And Emma snorted in disbelief. "Like what? True love or something?"

Not saying anything, Mary Margaret watched Emma come to her own conclusion, but instead of saying anything she just grunted. "That reminds me-" She needed to bring up something that she wasn't sure what Emma's reaction would be. During the last few sessions, she had purposefully stopped using the new moniker, Kate, and yet Emma had responded readily. "Now that you're having memories, I think there are a few things we should discuss.

Emma gave her a wary look but only answered, "Okay."

Taking a deep breath, Mary Margaret dove right in. "We've never talked about the possibility that someone might call me and ask about you. If that happens, unless I have your permission, I can't point them to you. You would need to sign a waiver so I have that option."

"Show me," Emma told her, conviction ringing true in each word. "This," she waved her hand over the folder, "whatever it is, made me see that I want my life back. Do you think that's possible?"

"Oh, Emma. I do. I really do. One more thing, you know August, right?

Emma frowned. "Sure. He hangs out at the house all the time. Why?

"Go to him. He's an attorney and can look into replacing some of your lost documents, you know...just in case you need them."

Emma nodded her head and stood up to leave. "Thanks, Doctor Blanchard. I feel better knowing I'm not crazy."

"Never crazy." She had Emma sign a couple of forms and walked with her to the door. "I'll see you Thursday."

When Emma spontaneously reached out and hugged her, Mary Margaret felt a lump in her throat and chalked it up to pregnancy hormones. Emma was half way out the door when she turned back quickly.

"Oh, do you know a song that has these lyrics?"

She sang,

"When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much as today
I am not afraid to say I love you
And I promise you, I'll never say goodbye"

The melody was haunting and the lump instantly returned. "It's beautiful, but I don't think I've ever heard it before. Where did you hear it?"

"Oh, that's too bad." Emma hummed through it again. "Since I woke up from my dream Monday, it keeps playing round and round in my head."

"Let me do a search for it and I'll let you know Thursday," was all she could say as she watched Emma walk out of the office, but this time there was something different. "Seems I have a phone call to make," she murmured, as she opened Emma's file, and after double checking a number, dialed it.

Treasure Island, Florida
Tuesday Morning

Robin wrapped his arms around Regina's waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Enjoying your last view of the Gulf before we catch our flight?"

"Yes," she sighed softly and pressed her head to his, "it's been a perfect four days." She turned to wrap her arms around his neck. "How did you know I needed this?"

His dimples appeared. "Oh, it was you who needed this? I thought it was me. Seems I made a comment about wanting to see you in a bikini..." he ran the back of his fingers down her cheek, "sometime in May. I'm happy you finally granted my wish." He kissed her, allowing the kiss to go just beyond that place where his body started thinking about doing more than kissing, but not so far gone that his body took control. "Perhaps a small walk along the beach before we have to leave?"

"That would be lovely." Regina smiled as she took his outstretched hand. "Lead away," she said softly as they left their room.

Robin led the way out of the hotel, where they walked down a set of steps to reach the powdery, soft sand of the Treasure Island beach. As they walked along the shoreline, periodically picking up seashells, they reminisced about the last four days they had spent in Florida.

They had exchanged their buttoned up, fast paced life in New York for four idyllic days of bikinis, boardshorts and sandals. They relaxed under the sun during the day, spent their evenings enjoying romantic meals and walks along the water, and their nights loving each other well into the morning hours. Through it all, they rejoiced in the freedom they felt being married to the person they were meant to be with for the rest of their days.

When they reached the bend in the beach and it was time to turn around, Robin pulled her close. "Are you ready for this?" he whispered as the warm sea breeze caressed their skin.

"I was born ready for this, Robin," she whispered back.

His eyes crinkled with happiness. "Then let's go," his smile grew, "Mrs. Mills-Locksley, and get our boy."

Her uncharacteristic giggle caused his heart to flip as his lips claimed hers for one more kiss under the warm summer sun.

Group Home
Boston, MA
Tuesday, Early Afternoon

Henry pushed aside the curtain of the bedroom window he shared with J.J. and Wyatt, hoping to see that Killian had arrived to pick him up. As had been the case the other times he had looked, the driveway was empty. When Killian had dropped him off on Sunday, he had been happy. He was excited to see his friends and play Guitar Hero. He had missed Sister Blue's hugs and Marion's cookies and the rest of his...things. But now, after being back for a few days, it wasn't the things he missed as much as he missed the people. He needed Killian...and Killian needed him too.

Sister Blue had tried to keep him busy, and on Monday had taken him to his old school where they got papers so that he could start a new school in New York. When they got home, he had asked where Killian was, and had been told he was taking care of things. Things, he thought, what kind of things?

All summer Killian had been taking care of things. Every time he had asked him what he was doing, that's what he had said, "I'm taking care of things, Henry." He had to wonder if an adult's things were the same as a kid's things, but hadn't quite got brave enough to ask. Maybe someday.

Since he had already packed his bag, Henry skipped down the stairs on the way to Sister Blue's office, intending to ask her for a cookie or two, or three, since a kid could never have too many cookies. When he heard her talking to someone, he stopped and peered around the door. She was sitting behind her desk, with the phone up to her ear and she had her other hand pressed on her mouth. Hmm, he thought stopping to listen.

"I'm so glad you called, Doctor," he heard her say, and then she listened a few minutes.

"This is wonderful news. Things have been rather bleak."

And then her voice had gotten soft and he had scooted just a little closer to the doorway, thinking of leaning in when he remembered his conversation with Emma one time when they had gone to the aquarium.

Henry smiled and shrugged a shoulder. "I've been told I'm preco, uhm, preco, uhm, precochus." He beamed with pride at coming up with the right word.

"Precocious. And where did you hear that?" Emma smiled down at him as they moved up in line

Henry ducked his head and kicked the toe of his sneaker back and forth on the ground. "I heard Blue telling someone on the phone," he mumbled quietly.

"Henry," she put her hand on his shoulder to take the sting out of her words, "probably not a good habit to have."

"I know, Emma." He pressed against her side. "Next time I'll make more noise." Which he had when he came looking for her in Marion's office earlier in the day.

Emma's heart turned over at his show of affection and she had to swallow a couple of times before she felt her voice would come out normal. "Good idea."

And as tough as it was, he pulled himself away from the door and ran to the kitchen to get his own cookie. After all, he was eleven now.

Back up in his room, he grabbed his DS to play Pokemon, wishing he had gone to the park with Marion and the other kids. Wondering if it was too late to join them, he tossed his DS back into his backpack and ran out the door, right into Sister Blue.

"I'm sorry," he told her quickly, hoping she wasn't coming to bust him for listening outside her door. She placed her hand on his shoulder, and it was shaking, as if she were upset about something. He finally looked up at her, instead of at the ground, and realized her eyes were red and a little puffy.

"Henry, Killian's here. Are you ready?" She smiled but to him, her face looked a little sad.

"Alright!" He hugged her quickly, pumped his fist and grabbed his backpack before racing down the stairs.

~~~CS~~~

Killian had hated leaving Henry behind for an extra day, but after his dream on Sunday night that had seemed so real, he hadn't been able to get it out of his mind. Even the scratches on his back that he had brushed off as something he had done to himself served to haunt him, pulling him back time and again to Emma. She had come to him in his dreams just like many other times, yet this time when he woke...he could still feel her...still taste her...and still smell her on his skin. How could that be?

All day Monday he had stayed close to the apartment, climbing back in bed many times throughout the day, hoping and praying that she would return to his dreams. But while she was there, it had been like before... He could see her, he just couldn't reach her. This morning, discouraged that she hadn't returned, he had finally taken care of all that needed to be done, and now it was time to move toward the next phase of his life.

Arriving at the Group Home where Emma had grown up, he had been prepared for the memories that bombarded him, but not for the pain that those memories created. Several times before he stepped out of the car, he had to forcibly clench his teeth and breathe through the pain to keep from driving away and asking Blue to bring Henry to him. But no...he was here...he just hoped Henry was ready to leave before the last of his strength was exhausted.

When Blue had answered the door, Killian hadn't been able to maintain eye contact for long. He was afraid he would see how much she blamed him for everything that had happened to Emma, afraid she would tell him to stay away from Henry. When she kept letting Henry leave with him, it always surprised him, and through it all she had been helping push the adoption paperwork through, giving him weekly phone calls with updates. He wasn't sure he deserved that kind of support.

"Killian," he heard as Henry barreled down the stairs into his legs, "I'm ready to go. I've got my backpack and there are a few boxes and my suitcase, that's it." He said it all quickly, as if he were afraid if he gave Killian too much time, he would be left behind.

"Whoa, mate. Slow down, you don't want to raise the ire of Sister Blue, now do you?" He grinned over Henry's head at the woman in question, just coming down the stairs carrying Henry's suitcase.

"No. Sorry, Blue," Henry mumbled as Killian untangled himself to take the suitcase from her.

"Let's get these loaded." Tipping his head slightly in Blue's direction, Killian led Henry to the car, loaded the suitcase and then ran back into the house to get the boxes that were waiting for him. The last trip in, Blue handed him an envelope with Henry's school papers and another file with Henry's health records. Was he truly ready to be a dad? he asked himself as he was handed the information. But one look into the face of the little boy standing patiently next to him, and he knew the answer was yes. He just wished...no, he wasn't going there until he could talk to Liam and try to figure a few things out.

After goodbyes were made and they had driven off, Killian looked in the rearview mirror at Blue standing there, with her hand covering her mouth, as if she were crying, and once again the song he had been hearing since Sunday drifted through his mind.

When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much as today
I am not afraid to say I love you
And I promise you, I'll never say goodbye

How could I ever say goodbye

Group Home
Tuesday, Late Afternoon

When Blue watched Killian drive off with Henry, the enormity of the secrets she was keeping threatened to overwhelm her. She found herself covering her mouth with her hand, forcibly holding them in. If she could just share them, the lives that she could bring joy to...a few more weeks, or she prayed, possibly just days, based on that phone call she had gotten earlier, and then everything would be out in the open. Hopefully.

Heading to her office, she pulled out the file of paperwork to go over with Regina and Robin when they arrived. The fact that two of her boys were being adopted this week, and by good friends no less, was a miracle. Roland's paperwork would be signed today and Henry's, she was covertly holding on to until...

Refusing to go there, she opened the file, flipping through the pages, making sure she had the proper forms and number of copies when her eye caught sight of a picture of Ruby, Emma and Ashley taken when they were younger, and a fresh set of tears filled her eyes. Picking it up she hugged it to her chest and whispered, "Hurry home, Sweet Girl," a simple prayer sent out hoping it reached its destination quickly.

She had tried to protect her Lost Girl ever since she had been found on the steps of the Home. It was ironic that now her Lost Girl and two Lost Boys had to trust each other and believe in the power of love to save them all. A happy ending for one assured a happy ending for all. "Can they do it?" she whispered, reaching for a tissue to blow her nose.

"Blue? Everything okay?" Robin asked as he and Regina entered the room.

Blue looked up at Robin, who, with his twinkling green eyes, had become a favorite of hers for the way he always jumped in to help the children whenever possible, and had to bite her tongue to keep from spilling her secrets. "Nothing, nothing." She pushed the picture aside and stood up to hug her company. "You two look wonderful. Married life suits you."

Robin pulled Regina close and kissed her on the cheek. "It certainly does," he winked. "I couldn't be happier."

Blue noticed that Regina's cheeks pinked a little at Robin's effusiveness, but secretly loved seeing the proper Miss Mills come a little undone. "Come, sit. Let's sign the papers and get you a son."

They sat down and one by one went through each of the forms until they were all signed and it was official. "We never had an official last name for Roland, so he will now be known as Roland Locksley." Blue looked up at the pair to make sure that would be okay.

She saw Regina exchange a glance with Robin. "Would it be possible to add Mills as his middle name?" she asked.

"That we can do," Blue easily agreed, and with the stroke of her pen, the paperwork was completed and Roland had new parents. "Congratulations, you two." She smiled at them as she closed the folder to take care of later.

"And now we celebrate." Going to a cabinet in the corner, she pulled out a bottle of champagne, which she handed to Robin to open, while she found three glasses. The cork was popped, champagne poured and a toast was made for well wishes in their married life and then another toast was made for the future of their family.

Robin was quiet and as soon as they sat down after the toasts were made, he pinned her with his green eyes. "You have made Regina and me very happy by helping us make Roland our child. Are you sure there isn't anything we can do to help you?" He looked pointedly at the picture on her desk she had been holding.

Blue glanced at the picture and then at the clock. They had a few minutes before Marion arrived back from the park and she really needed someone to talk to. Her mind made up, she set her glass down and turned to Robin. "Emma's alive and working her way back to us," she blurted out without any warning.

Robin's mouth dropped open. "But how...what...?" He tried to formulate his thoughts.

"It was like this," Blue began, "I called..."

NID Offices
New York City, NY
Wednesday, Mid-Morning

Liam stood looking down onto the atrium, watching Elsa walk across the floor and disappear down the hallway that led to her office. He hadn't seen her since they had returned from Key West...actually, he admitted to himself, he hadn't seen her since they had returned from Key West because he had been hiding from her. A chicken, that's what he was. Just a huge chicken. But after their encounter...hell, who was he kidding...after their she's probably going to be the death of me kiss, which he could still taste, he had slunk away with his tail tucked between his legs. He wasn't sure whom he was running from the fastest. Was it her? Or was it himself? More than likely, a bit of both.

Once she had disappeared from sight, he turned back toward his office, and just like every other time he had seen her this past month, her image lingered in his mind. Her cool blonde hair and ice blue eyes continued to mesmerize him, making him wish for things better left unsaid at this time in his life. But that didn't stop him from seeing beyond the buttoned-up suits of dark and muted colors to the woman underneath who wore soft cottons and warm colors when she was at home; the woman who made his heart beat again just by being in the same room.

And turned him into knots more than he ever could have imagined possible. And her body...

Standing on the bridge listening with half an ear to Frederick and Kurt brag about their yacht, Liam watched Elsa. She was moving around the deck in a brightly colored sarong that was so from her usual attire that he'd practically swallowed his tongue when she stepped out into the hallway outside of their rooms. With her hair pulled up and the sarong tied around her neck, her shoulders and back were left bare for his perusal, making him want to touch to see if they were as soft as they looked. Several times on the walk to the marina their arms had accidentally brushed and the zing he'd felt had traveled throughout his body, waking parts that had been long dormant.

He told himself he was just making sure she was comfortable in the company of the other women, but when they had been chatting for a while and he was still watching, that excuse was harder to believe. Frederick had asked if he'd like to take the helm, and just as he was starting to turn away, Elsa had reached up to untie the sarong. As she lowered the ends and the first edges of her bright red bikini were revealed, his breath had stopped, and his heart rate had taken off at a gallop. "Bloody hell," he blurted just loud enough to catch the attention of his two bridge mates.

"Whoa, Liam, you've got it bad there, dude," He heard Kurt mutter.

His primary head was no longer in control and he couldn't tear his eyes away from her to respond to Kurt. His gaze trailed from the tips of her feet, up those legs, over her flat stomach, and lingered over her pert breasts before reaching her face, covered by large sunglasses, leaving her luscious mouth ready and waiting for him.

No! He forcibly pulled his eyes away from her, wiping his chin that suddenly felt wet and muttering about something left the bridge. Crossing the deck, he made his way to the bow of the ship, as far away from his Blonde Goddess as possible. As the women were sunning in the stern, he needed to give himself a good talking to, as well as allow his body to calm down before he was fit for company.

And while the ocean breeze had served to cool him off temporarily, he still hadn't gotten the image out of his mind, now going on thirty-six hours later. Unacceptable, he thought as he entered his office, set his briefcase on the desk and dropped down onto his chair. He didn't deserve someone as pure as the lovely Elsa, not until he made sure that all was well with his brother and his intended.

In all his soul searching, Liam had come to realize that he had been lying to himself for years in saying that this behavior had all been to protect Killian. The sad truth was that everything he had done had been not to protect his brother, but in truth to protect himself. He had sought to keep others out because that had been the best way to insulate himself. But after three long months, he was on his way to becoming a new man; one who put others' needs before his own. One who listened before making decisions, and one who loved without boundaries.

And today was the day. The day he had been waiting for since Killian had walked away into the airport terminal without so much as a goodbye. He just had to choose the right time and hope that Killian...and Emma would be receptive to everything he had to say.

He still had the bag holding her belongings that the doctor had given him that long ago day in May. Several times he had thought to pack them into a box and mail them to Killian's Boston address, knowing they would be forwarded, but something had stopped him each time. Liam felt he needed to look her in the eye when he returned them and say the words that had been haunting him...I'm sorry. Would she accept his apology? Would they?

Hearing the door to the outer office open, he glanced up, expecting to see Killian filling the doorway but was surprised to see Nemo. "Everything okay? You don't normally come to my corner of the world."

"Things are fine, Liam. I just wanted to apologize for being gone so much this summer, but what-"

"-Cora wants, Cora gets?" Liam finished teasingly as his mentor's face took on a reddish hue.

"Well...ugh," Nemo stopped and cleared his throat before continuing, "I wanted to be there for you and now I feel I've missed quite a bit." He hesitated as if he weren't sure how to bring up the next topic. "I also wanted to let you know that Killian will be stopping by a little later and he said he's bringing someone with him."

Liam's ears perked up at this bit of news, but since Nemo had been preoccupied with Cora all summer, he wasn't aware of everything that had happened. "I did hear he would be stopping by today. I'm hoping I get a chance to speak with them while they are here."

"Good, good." Nemo nodded his head as he stood up to leave. "I'll get out of your way now."

Liam watched him walk toward the door and thought maybe his steps seemed to be a little lighter, his smile a little broader. "I'm happy you found someone, Nemo. Dad would have been too."

Nemo smiled. "Thank you, son. Your time will come. We'll get together for dinner soon. Cora would like to get to know you."

With a tap on the door facing, he was gone, and Liam was left with a bemused expression on his face as he contemplated dinner with Nemo and his new bride.

After Nemo left, Liam tried several times to work on plans for a few projects, but he couldn't stay focused. Every time he heard Colleen's phone ring or the outer door open, he prepared for Killian and Emma's arrival. But when mid-morning was over and there had been no sign of them, he tossed his pen aside and decided to take a walk.

He had just walked in Colleen's office went the outer door opened. His heart picked up speed as he expected his brother, but when he looked up it was none other than the beautiful Elsa. His mind immediately superimposed an image of her in her red bikini over the actual image of her in her suit. "Elsa." His voice came out sounding husky even to his own ears.

"Liam," she smiled at him, "I'd like you to meet someone."

When she mentioned that she wanted him to meet someone for the first time, Liam realized that she wasn't alone, but standing there holding the hand of a child. A very familiar looking child, if he wasn't mistaken.

"Henry," she looked down at the little boy whose hand she was holding, "this is Liam, Killian's brother."

"And Liam," she grinned at him with twinkling eyes, "this is my friend, Henry. Or shall I say, your nephew?"

Yet another part of his brother's life that he had missed out on, Liam thought as he and Henry sized each other up before they stepped forward at the same time and shook hands.

"Where's Killian?" Liam frowned at Elsa wondering why she was bringing the boy into his office.

"Oh, he had to take care of several things and said he'd be about an hour, so I offered to hang with Henry, but," she said sheepishly, "I forgot about a call so...can he hang with you?"

Liam looked at her, knowing he probably looked as panicked as he felt. What did he know about kids? But if this child was going to be part of his family, then no time like the present to get to know him. "Aye. We'll get acquainted, alright Henry?"

Henry shrugged his shoulders, and after hugging Elsa goodbye they were left alone.

"Come on into my office, little mate," Liam invited Henry. "Do you have something to do in that backpack of yours?"

Once they were in his office, Liam watched the lad take out his handheld gaming system, knowing that if it were turned on, he would lose any chance of getting to know Henry, and he needed to jump in with both feet.

"So, Henry. How was your summer?" He was curious as to when Killian had traveled to Boston to get the boy and if he had taken him to Seattle with him to spend the summer with Emma.

"Okay," Henry answered, already engrossed in whatever game he was playing.

"Go anywhere fun?" Liam tried again.

"Portland." Again, Henry answered with one word, never taking his eyes off the game.

Liam frowned. "Portland? Like in Oregon?"

"No," Henry shook his head, "Maine."

That took Liam aback, as he was certain Killian had been in Seattle all summer with Emma. What had happened and why was Henry separated from Emma, whom Liam still assumed was his mother. "Oh, I bet you missed you mum?"

Henry still didn't meet his eyes, but stayed focused on the game. "My mom? My mom's been gone since I was a baby."

Liam frowned, once again trying to process the bits of information that were being doled out a piece at a time. "I was talking about Emma. I bet you missed her."

Henry didn't answer right away as he had on previous questions, but when he looked up his eyes were swimming with tears. He nodded his head slowly. "Yeah, Killian misses her too, but..." he mumbled softly.

By this time, Liam was really confused as to why Killian missed Emma instead of going to her and why Henry was so sad talking about her. Something inside though told him that the information he learned next might not be what he expected. "But what, Henry?" Liam asked softly.

"Emma, Killian and I were going to be a family, but she's gone." His lower lip trembled, and he went back to his game.

"Gone? Henry, what do you mean by gone?" Liam asked him hesitantly.

Looking up, Henry frowned. "She died in May. Didn't you know that?"

As soon as he registered the words, Liam's knees buckled, and he landed on his desk. Dead, he thought? Killian thinks she's dead? How can that be? All summer long he had thought Killian was in Seattle with Emma and this morning, just when he thought he was going to be able to finally say he was sorry, he discovered he had been wrong…..once again. He didn't know exactly how he was going to fix things, but knowing he was going to try, Liam grabbed his briefcase. "I just remembered somewhere I need to be, Henry. If you need anything you can ask Colleen."

He was half-way out the door when Henry's voice stopped him. "Wait, where are you going?"

Liam sighed, "Seattle, Henry. I'm going to Seattle."

So this was a huge chapter. What did you think? Stop by and let me know and stay tuned for Chapter 22 and more unraveling...