"Okay, Killian, let's do ten reps this time," Dr. Dawson said. Emma stood by the pirate's side, a towel in one hand, and her other grasping his own hand. It was four days after their reunion, three days after Henry had proposed they buy a house, and two after Killian's return to physical therapy. While his left leg was able to bear about half his weight, his right was finally cleared to begin mild therapy. Dr. Whale warned them that this would be a painful undertaking, first because the stroke had caused some significant damage, and also because of the fractures his leg had sustained that had gone untreated. Even though they appeared to be going slow, Killian's strength and resolve were crumbling. Of all the torments, tortures, and unpleasantness the pirate had gone through in his centuries of life, none had been more barbaric than this. He took a shuddering breath and paused.

"W-wait," he sighed. "Dr. Dawson, I can't breathe," and Killian glanced at the oxygen tank standing at the ready on the floor beside him. Dr. Dawson nodded and Emma reached down, grabbed the tubing and hooked Killian up to the machine, allowing him to take a few steadying breaths. Even though his lung function was generally back to normal, this exertion, repetitive as it was, put serious strain on his breathing, especially when he grew frustrated. Emma leaned forward and whispered in his ear.

"One more set, Killian. One more for today. You're almost there." His pained blue eyes looked into hers. For someone like Emma, the exercises wouldn't be difficult. But for Killian, with his leg still in a moveable brace, these strengthening techniques caused him a lot of discomfort. Yesterday they had only done two sets of five reps on the modified leg press machine. Today, the goal had been one set of five, followed by one set of ten. The weighted resistance was low, but to Killian it weighed a ton. He was able to take his time somewhat, but the intervals had to be fairly consistent between reps. He closed his eyes and grit his teeth and began to slowly force his stiff and protesting leg against the machine. After counting to "three", he was allowed to pull back and take a breath before going okay.

Emma watched with sadness in her face as she saw the man she was falling for struggle to accomplish a task most people would take for granted. He was trying so hard, all for her. He let out a small grunt of pain every few reps, his eyes squinting, his face twisted in a grimace. Finally, after a steady ten minutes, the second set was done. Emma leaned forward and wiped the sweat glistening on his face with the towel, brushing his hair from his eyes.

"Nicely done, Killian," Dr. Dawson said approvingly, writing down the progress in his chart. "You handled more repetitions this time, and an extra pound on the weights. That was more than I expected so soon. We'll take tomorrow off so you can rest and work with Bianca. You keep this up, you'll be mobile soon." Killian smiled tiredly in thanks, and was able to use his stroke-affected arm to pivot his body around so his legs were dangling over the side of the machine. His arm, thankfully, had recovered fairly quickly. It still tired and pained him with minimal activity, but he could exhibit bursts of quick energy and strength in it when needed. Dr. Dawson walked over and aided Killian in standing up, his right leg elevated slightly over the floor, his left being allowed to support him as much as possible with Dr. Dawson's help. Together, they moved towards the wheelchair that Emma held steady, as Killian partly lowered himself into it.

"Thank you, Dr. Dawson," Emma said, picking up the oxygen tank and handing it to Killian so she could push him with ease. "See you soon." Emma began to push Killian through the doors back towards his room. They moved in silence for a while, Emma thinking, Killian regaining his breath, his strength.

"You did well today," Emma said after a few quiet minutes. Killian rested his head on his right hand tiredly.

"Aye?" he asked, his voice soft.

"Yeah," she confirmed, her lips curling into a smile. "Hey, I was wondering if you would be okay for a little bit this afternoon without me?" she questioned nervously. As she expected, he strained to turn his head towards her.

"Not that I expect you to spend every m-minute w-with m-me, lass, but w-why the sudden departure now?" Emma rolled her eyes with a silent laugh. She couldn't help but feel touched and amused at his desire to keep her near. She took one hand off the wheelchair for a moment to squeeze his shoulder.

"It won't be for long, just an hour or two. I promised Henry that I would meet him at the house, sign the paperwork, making it ours. I mean, I've seen the pictures my parents have brought, but, it would be nice to see it in person before I commit to paying a mortgage for the next 30 years." Killian gave her a confused look. She laughed out loud that time. "I'll explain a mortgage later. Is it okay? Will you be alright?" Killian knew he had to let her go. He didn't want to seem a child, but, after everything he had been through, having her with him made the whole ordeal seem bearable. If left alone, he tended to brood, hard as he tried not to.

"Of course you should go, Swan. I'll probably w-want to rest after w-we eat lunch anyway. Today's therapy w-was not as pleasant as yesterday."

"I know, Killian, but you're making progress. And moving faster than expected. We'll be home before you know it." Home. Even though Emma had not seen the house in person yet, she caught herself using the word more and more often. She found herself almost excited and only slightly nervous about moving into a place to call her own, a place to settle down, with her son and Killian beside her.

"Are you sure you w-want to do this Em…ma?" Killian asked sadly. Emma stopped the wheelchair and walked around to face him.

"What are you talking about?" Killian sighed.

"I m-mean, you should get the house, but, are you sure you w-want to m-move m-me there too? I know it w-won't be ideal for you or Henry, and the rehab center isn't too awful. I don't w-want you to stop living your life because of m-me."

"Killian, when are you going to realize that I am going to be with you no matter what? Even if you were in the rehab center, I would be with you every step of the way. And given that, I would much rather spend that time together in a place of our own, not surrounded by white walls and sterile floors. Wouldn't you?" Killian smiled.

"Aye," he agreed. Emma kissed his forehead, and resumed pushing him down the hall.

Killian's eyes grew heavy during their lunch, where he now enjoyed part of a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. He was still vastly underweight, but he had gained progress in that area as well. He had gained only about 12 pounds so far after his flu setback, but, it was enough to bring a little more color to his cheeks, a little more energy to his eyes. Dr. Whale said he still had at least 40 pounds to go until he was at a healthy weight. When Willow, who had finally returned full of apologies for passing her illness to Killian, came to take their trays, Emma and Killian tried their hand at moving him to the recliner without a third person. Emma had been shown how to do it, but her confidence had been lacking. Today seemed like a good day to try. She had to bear most of his weight as she lifted him to a standing position on his left leg. Together, with her partly carrying him, and him hobbling on his left leg, they made it and got him settled in the chair, reclining it. Emma wheeled over the oxygen tank and left it within reach just in case Killian needed it. His breathing had come back under control after therapy, but sometimes sleeping proved to be difficult without it. When Killian was all settled in, Emma gathered her things.

"Okay, I'm going to head to the loft quick, take a shower, get some things together, and then I am meeting my mom, Henry, and Mr. Gold at the house, check it over. As soon as I'm done, I'll be back. Maybe I'll bring Granny's for dinner." She walked over and gave Killian a kiss. "I think as soon as we bust you out of here, we need to stop and get you a haircut at Pearla's. You have everything you need?" She was nervous about leaving him. They still didn't know what Elsa was up to, and with Killian immobile and still weak, she didn't like him out of her sight.

"I'll be fine, love," he said quietly, his eyes barely staying open. "See you w-when you get back." Emma smiled and nodded, and walked out into the hallway.

Emma walked down the hall towards the main doors. It felt weird. She had only left the hospital since their reunion once, and that was to drive Henry home the night before. She didn't like leaving him, didn't want to leave him. Even with her taking care of him for once, she still felt safer when he was with her. She walked out into the sunshine, noticing that, while still cold, it almost felt like the spring day it should be. She smiled as the sun rays hit her skin, realizing that life was finally getting on track.