A/N: Sorry this chapter is late. I graduated from university yesterday (with first class honours with distinction) and when I got home I went up to my room around 8:00 planning to write and just fell asleep then. Oops. But better late than never right? By my best guess there's going to be three more chapters and an epilogue after this one so it's winding down. But no worries, there is a sequel coming for those interested. Thank you so much for all the support, faves, follows, views and reviews. It means the world to me and inspires me to write, even when life is busy. I'm going to do my best to get the next one up on time, though I am going on a grad trip Thursday night for the weekend so I can't guarantee it. It may end up being just a short one so I can get something up for you to tide over until Monday.

Song: watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc

Warning: This chapter mentions self-harm and abuse.

Disclaimer: All aspects of Once Upon A Time belong to ABC and the show's creators.

By Sunday Killian was antsy. It was the longest he'd ever been away from his brother and often he would start to pace behind Emma as she sat at the piano, mumbling about Liam's condition. Killian would panic about whether Liam had his book bag for school on Monday, whether the foster mother knew Liam liked his ketchup kept in the fridge and wouldn't eat it if it was warm, whether he was safe, warm, happy. Often then it would turn to whether trying to get Liam back was actually the best idea. When that happened Emma would have to stop practice all together, call him over and reassure Killian that no one knew Liam as well as he did, that no one could care for Liam as Killian and his older brother could. The anxiety between the two of them was nearly crippling.

When Killian wasn't wearing a path in the floor behind her Emma was struggling over the keys. It was a near constant battle to keep her parent's voices out of the back of her head. To Emma she was no longer great. Her fingers were slower than they'd been, the muscles tight and paining her after just two hours rather than the hours at a time she used to be. And then the frustration would come crashing in like a tsunami because she did this to herself. She stopped playing for years and then damaged her fingers with lighters and sharp objects, hit them repeatedly against tables and door frames, her steering wheel and the Diner's counter. Guilt walked hand in hand with the frustration because Emma couldn't stop herself from thinking about how much better the benefit would be had she never stopped playing music, had she never started self-harming as a coping method and then as a scapegoat. She would have had an established following, would have been able to make Killian so much more money. But now- Emma just had to hope she could pull her shit together enough to make it to the benefit.

Granny spent most of her time in the Diner, leaving Emma to her privacy to practice, though would come up every hour or so to check on them both and update them on Ruby's progress. Ruby had been ecstatic to hear about the plan, telling Granny that she was going to kiss Killian when she met him for what he'd done. Ruby had started planning immediately and had booked a medium sized, old fashion concert hall for the benefit. She insisted that it was casual enough while still being in a good area to encourage the richer music fans to attend. To Emma, the hall was far too big, the thought of all the eyes that would be watching her making her fingers stutter over the keys as she worked through the intro of Claire de Lune. Info and posters were circulating through Boston and online, Emma coming across a picture of herself and some background when she googled the concert hall.

Monday morning Killian was pacing behind Emma as she spread her sheet music out on the piano to try and decide her set list. Every few minutes she'd push the music away and play the last few bars of one piece and the first few of another to see how they'd flow. She hadn't had to make a set list in years and she'd forgotten how anal she got about it. Killian's nervous energy wasn't helping and Emma found herself wishing his bruising had cleared up so he could have gone to school.

After the first hour Emma gave up debating how many pieces from classical ballets she could get away with and what theme she should follow for her set list and turned to watch Killian move through the room. Killian's hand raked through his hair, giving a tug at the ends as he paced. His bruising was a sickening green brown, climbing up his face. His eye wasn't swollen anymore but it was bruised black, the colour climbing up to the bridge of his nose. It would probably be clear by the benefit.

"Killian," Emma called, catching his attention. Killian stopped his pacing, though his hand kept twitching at his side. He needed a distraction and Emma was the only one around to give him one. "Come here."

Killian came over to the piano, sitting when Emma patted the bench beside her. Emma motioned to the papers in front of her.

"This is your benefit and I've never asked what you wanted me to play."

Killian shrugged, not looking at the music, still distracted. "You're the pianist."

Emma sighed, frustrated. With her anxiety levels she really wasn't in the mindset to dance around this with Killian. "Come on, Killian. Your brother is okay, I promise. And you'll be together again soon."

"But I don't know that. I haven't seen or talked to him since Friday. Everyone keeps telling me Lee's in a good home, that he's looked after, but the only person who's ever looked after him is me. I need to be the one to decide if he's okay."

Emma nodded, not expecting such an outburst when he'd been mainly talking to himself for the last few days. It made her chest constrict because Killian was right. The man had spent years looking out for his brother and now that he was no longer Lee's protector he didn't know what to do with himself. It wasn't just a position Killian could give up immediately.

Emma gave Killian's shoulder a nudge, feeling that tingle despite Killian's emotions because she was finally okay to touch him, they'd finally taken a step forward that weekend. "Okay, how about I make you a deal?"

Killian raised his brow. "What do you have in mind, Swan."

"How about you spend this morning helping me with the set list and then at lunchtime you and I will drive up to the elementary school and see Liam?"

"You wouldn't mind doing that?" Killian asked, eyes widening a bit. "Am I allowed?"

Emma shrugged. "Sure, why not. I'm sure Liam's missing you. It will make his day and you definitely need it."

Killian's face fell a bit, guilt clouding his eyes. "I'm sorry I've been distracted. You're doing all this for me and it's like I've been ignoring you."

Emma shook her head. Emma didn't know how many times she was going to have to tell Killian that she needed this benefit for herself as well. Killian had only really been the catalyst for Emma, the excuse to force herself back in. Just like the self-harm had sometimes been an excuse for her not to play when she was too weak to stop the desire, the benefit was the reason she needed to play beyond all her doubts. Emma needed to return to music for her own sake. She needed to climb out of the hole she'd dug herself of self-doubt and loathing and the only way she was going to do that was with the help of music. She needed to prove to herself that she was worth it.

"This isn't just for you, Killian. And it's fine. We've both been distracted with our own stuff."

Killian nodded after a moment, leaning over to press his lips against Emma's temple. Emma's lips curved up slightly automatically, the warmth radiating across her skin from where Killian had touched.

"I'll try to help now though. But I'm not sure how."

Emma's smile grew larger. "I'll help. You just tell me what you like."

They spent the next few hours pouring over the music, Emma playing bits and pieces for Killian, googling new music when Killian suggested an old English folk song she didn't know. Creating a set list with Killian pressed against her, sometimes running his hand up and down her back, was far more pleasant than it had been while he paced behind her. The closeness was something Emma had craved for years and adjusting to desiring physical contact again was far easier than she'd expected. Or maybe it was just Killian's contact.

In the end the set list had come out as an eclectic mix of piano music that probably wouldn't satisfy the snootiest of concert goers but it was a mix of her own tastes and Killian's. Killian had tentatively requested a few of the songs he remembered his mother singing, English and Irish folk tunes like Loch Lamond, Leaving of Liverpool and Galway Girl. Emma only really had heard of Loch Lamond but when Killian played the other pieces on his phone for her they sounded easy enough to master in a week. Mixed with that was the traditional pieces one expected at a piano concert, Debussy's Claire de Lune, Bach's Goldberg Variations, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and Mozart's Alla Turca. Rounding out the set to take it to two hours were the ballet pieces Emma loved and couldn't let go, probably too many Tchaikovsky pieces considering the mismatch of other song but this was to be her first concert back and she wanted the comfort of the pieces that had driven her to practice as a child. Emma needed the familiar tunes of Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker, Prokofiev's Grand Waltz from Cinderella and the first act's Allegro from Adam's Giselle. It was a mess. But it was one they'd made together so the concert goers would just have to deal with it.

At noon Emma packed up all her papers and followed Killian, who's anxiety had returned in full force, out to her Bug. They'd arrive at the school just as the children who stayed for lunch were being let out for their after lunch run around which would give them the chance to talk to Liam. In his hand Killian held a bag of supplies for Liam that he'd collected the same day Granny had kicked him out of the house to give Emma a moment's piece. Inside was a few clean pairs of socks, underwear, pants and shirts and Liam's teddy bear. Emma reached over as they drove up to the school, loosening Killian's grip on the bag. If he held it any tighter he'd tear it.

Emma parked in the closest parking spot to the playground she could find, hoping they could quickly spot Liam but when she got out it turned out she needn't worry because there was a little body running at the bright car.

"Killy!" the little boy shouted, barrelling straight into Killian's legs.

"Lee," Killian whispered, crouching down to better hug his brother.

They grasped onto each other, Killian swaying a bit onto his heels under the force his little brother was putting on his chest. Killian pressed a kiss to his brother's head before pulling back to examine Liam. Liam definitely fared better than his brother, having no injuries except for a lingering sad look in his eyes that hadn't been there before. That nearly broke Emma's heart. Killian pulled Liam back into his arms again, letting Liam burry his face in the crook of his big brother's neck.

Emma turned around, feeling she was intruding on the brother's reunion, pretending to fiddle with a chunk of ice stuck to the side mirror on the Bug.

"I missed you, Killian," Liam whispered, sounding like he was crying. "Miss Ingrid's really nice," Liam continued on. "She reads to me at night and loves to play in the snow with me but she doesn't know what shampoo I like or how to scramble eggs like you. I miss you."

"I missed you too." Emma closed her eyes at the sound of Killian's rocky voice. "But we'll be together soon, I promise."

"How?" Liam asked, voice unsure. Again Emma's heart constricted, unused to hearing that tone in the boy's voice.

"Emma's going to help us. Emma?" At Killian's call she turned, trying to smile at Liam boosted up on Killian's hip. Killian's face was bright as he looked at his brother then over at her.

"Hey Liam," Emma greeted, walking closer.

"Hi Emma. How's she gonna help us?" Liam asked, looking up at his brother. It was as if now that he'd been reunited with his brother he didn't want to look away in case he disappeared. Emma felt the pressure come over her to have this benefit be a success. It was up to her to bring in the money so she could reunite the brothers. If she didn't, well-

Emma shook herself out of the thoughts threatening to build until she'd have a panic attack.

"Remember how I told you about my older brother?"

Liam nodded. "The one we don't have money to find."

"Right. Well, Emma's going to play the piano at a concert to raise money so we can hire someone to find him."

"You can play the piano?" Liam asked, looking at Emma again. She nodded with a smile. "Are you good?"

"The best." Emma rolled her eyes at Killian, answering as if she wasn't there. But she couldn't bring herself to be annoyed because Killian looked just so happy about having his brother back in his arms.

"What if we can't find your brother?" Liam asked. Killian glanced towards Emma, the happiness draining away as Liam voiced the fear Emma had been feeling earlier, the one Killian seemed to be trying not to think about. Now Killian was scrambling to find something to say that would reassure his brother that they would be reunited permanently some how but he seemed to have no answer at all.

Emma chewed her lip, brain scrambling for a moment before she spoke up, instead. "Killian turns eighteen in two months. Any of the money we have left over from paying the investigator will go into Killian's bank account and he can use that to keep paying rent so you can come back, okay?"

Liam nodded, mulling over Emma's words. Killian was watching her with disbelief, as if he'd expected Emma to keep any of the extra money. Emma didn't want anything they made. She just wanted to make Killian's life a little easier and money would help with that.

The bell rang, signalling the time for the kids to return to class. Killian bent and put his brother down. Liam hugged his brother fiercely and Killian pressed another kiss to his head before pulling back.

"You be good, okay?"

Liam nodded. "Will I see you soon?"

"As soon as possible," Killian answered, reaching down to grab the bag he'd set at his feet when Liam had run over. "Now you go put this into your bag and take it back to Miss Ingrid's house. Behave, eat your vegetables and I promise," Killian said, voice breaking as he pulled his brother back against his chest one last time, "that I'll get you back."

"Love you, Killy."

"Love you too, Lee," Killian answered, pulling back and standing. "Now go, you'll be late for class."

Liam nodded, looking like he was trying really hard not to cry. "Okay, bye Emma."

"Bye Liam," Emma called, feeling heavy with the emotional atmosphere that was between the brothers.

"Bye Killian."

"Bye Lee."

With that Liam ran off to join the other kids and Killian turned to Emma. He looked just as upset as Liam had. Emma opened her arms and Killian rushed into them. She ran her fingers through his hair, scratching her nails against his scalp, trying to soothe.

"Did you really mean we could still have the money if we can't find Liam?" Killian was so used to people being selfish and treating him poorly that he expected Emma to profit from this, to only give him what was charged by the investigator. But Emma wasn't going to do that to him. Emma was going to help him. Just like he helped her.

Emma nodded, her cheek moving against Killian's own. "Of course. We're going to get your brother back, even if we have to wait until April."

"Thank you."

"No problem," Emma answered, pressing a kiss to his cheek. She pulled back, moving towards the driver's side of the car. "Now, come on, I've got a concert to practice for."