Chapter 15: Happy Beginning

Beep…Beep…Beep

The sound was familiar. She knew that sound, had heard it before.

What was that sound?

She opened her eyes, looking around the room. She was back in the hospital.

"There you are."

She turned her head to see Graham sitting in the chair against the wall. He got up and walked over to the side of the bed, concern and sadness in his eyes.

"How are you feeling?"

She groaned. "Like I got my ass kicked."

"You did." He said seriously.

"Killian?" She looked around the room.

"He's…"

Emma panicked.

I couldn't save him.

"Emma, he's alive." He said quickly. "He's just…Gold did a pretty nasty job on him."

"Oh God." She started to cry, her memory slowly catching up to her.

Neal was stabbed. She shot Milah. Gold was beating Killian. Gold shot her.

"I thought we were going to die."

"I know. We lost audio after Killian got to the warehouse. We heard him say your name and then everything went silent. It took us a while to get to you, the warehouse is well hidden and far outside the town line."

Emma knew that they had driven for a while when Milah had taken her from the house and put her in the trunk of her car.

"Hi Emma."

"Milah, what are you doing here?"

"Killian's in trouble. I need your help."

Emma panicked. "What's going on?"

"I can take you to him."

Emma ran out the door and was halfway to the car before she felt something hit the back of her head. When she woke up, she was in the dark. It took her a moment to realize she was in the trunk of a car.

"Neal and Milah are dead." He continued. "Gold is in custody. I've never seen him so crazy before."

Emma remembered the way he looked; she thought his face would be the last thing she would ever see again.

"You got shot, but you're lucky. It missed your heart. It's been touch and go, but you're a strong woman."

She laughed and grabbed her chest when she did. "Ouch."

"Yeah, probably best not to do that." He joked.

"I gotta ask because of the way I found you, did…" He hung his head. "Did Neal do anything to you? Your pants were…"

Emma took his hand. "No. Killian stopped him."

He exhaled loudly. "I had to ask. I should have gotten there sooner. I'm so sorry."

"Do you have enough now, for Gold?"

He cleared his throat. "Yes, everything was in the offices at the warehouse. Log books, weapons, we'll be going through it for weeks. But he's not getting out of prison for a long time after what he did out there."

"That's good." Emma tried to smile. "You must be so happy; you proved your hunch was right. You deserve to be sheriff, Graham."

"I never wanted to do it like this. You could have both been killed." He frowned.

"How is Killian?"

He looked away. "I uh, I should probably get David." He paused and then turned to face her. "You love him, don't you?"

Emma let out a quiet sob. "I'm so sorry Graham."

He smiled solemnly. "It's ok. You can't help who you love."

He turned and walked out of the room.

She stared at the machines in her room, watching the lines bounce on the screen to each beep. She needed to see Killian.

"Emma."

She looked up to see David walk into the room and rush to her side.

"I've been so worried about you."

"You know me, I'm too stubborn to die."

"Thank God." He brushed her hair out of her face.

"How's Killian?" She breathed out and he looked away.

"Um, he's not good."

"I want to see him."

"Emma, we need to talk about some things first."

He pulled up a chair and sat beside her.

What was he not telling her?

"Gold really messed him up. Beat him within an inch of his life. He's definitely gonna be pissed off at how his face is gonna look for a while." Emma could feel his apprehension, she knew he was holding something back from her.

"David what aren't you telling me?"

"Um…" His voice wavered. "Gold had a mallet that he used on Killian. He tore up his hand pretty bad. When they got him here, they took him right into surgery, but…" He looked away. "He lost his hand, Emma."

Emma's tears were streaming now. She needed to see him.

"Is he awake?"

He nodded. "Yes, he woke up a few hours ago. Robin and I told him about his hand. He's not taking it very well. He got so upset they had to sedate him."

"I want to see him."

"Emma, I'm not sure that now is a good time."

"David Nolan, you have no idea what I have just been through and I want to see Killian right now."

He sighed. "You're not going to stop until I take you, are you?"

"Not on your life."

Beep…Beep…Beep

Killian groaned, flashes of light and pain breaking through his subconsciousness.

He had woken up in a panic, almost falling out of the bed he was in.

David and Robin had been there at his side, a look of concern that immediately had him asking if Emma was alright.

When they told him, she had not woken up yet but that she would be fine, he knew something else was wrong judging by the look on their faces or the fact that Will immediately left the room, tears welling in his eyes.

And then they told him about his hand.

"Killian we're so sorry, they tried to save it, but the damage was just too much."

He stared down at the bandages covering his left arm. He couldn't feel anything different. His hand didn't feel gone; it couldn't be.

He was ripping the bandages off before anyone could stop him. He needed to see, needed to know if it was true. When he got to flesh and didn't find fingers, a palm, a wrist, he lost his mind. Screaming and throwing things in the room until a needle jammed into his arm sent him back into the nightmares of his sleep.

Beep…Beep…Beep

He felt groggy, like he was walking underwater the next time he opened his eyes. The room was dark and quiet minus the bloody annoying beeps of the machines he had learned to hate.

"Hey sleepy head."

He turned his head to his right and her face came into view.

"Emma." He tried to sit up but couldn't move his head.

"Don't try and get up." She said softly. He felt her hand brush his arm.

When he looked at her again, he saw she was in a rolling bed that had been placed next to his.

"I threatened David that I would come in here on my own unless he helped me see you." She answered his unspoken question.

"Emma, I'm so sorry." He choked out.

"Hey, stop. You didn't do any of this." She sat up in her bed and squeezed his hand.

"I did enough. I caused so much damage, Swan. You almost died."

"Nah, I'm a survivor." She teased and Killian turned away from her, choking back his tears.

"You're a hero, Swan."

"So are you." She whispered.

"If you hadn't passed me that knife…" he started.

"I'd like to think we make a good team, Jones." She ran her thumb over his knuckle. "Look at me, Killian."

He squeezed his eyes shut, lifting his arm to wipe his tears before realizing he had no hand to manage the task on that side. He wanted to yell, scream, rip Gold's throat out.

"Killian." Her voice called to him, and he couldn't resist her, turning to meet her emerald green orbs.

"You'll get through this. I promise."

"He took my bloody hand." He growled.

"I know. I'm sorry. None of that takes away who you are though."

He rolled his eyes.

"Killian, you damn well listen to me. I know you are upset, and I know you are angry at Gold. Trust me I am too. But you still won. He's going away for a long time because of you. You did that."

"And now I have one hand. What am I going to be now? A one-handed pirate with a drinking problem?" He bellowed sarcastically.

"A good man. The man I love. The man I want to be with."

He blinked. How could she want him after everything she went through? After everything he had done.

"You sure about that, love?"

"Yes. You and I are going to get through this. Because we beat them. And now we have a chance. A chance at a real future."

"You know I'm probably going to have to go away for a while. I did a lot of bad things Emma."

"I know." She said sadly. "One day at a time, remember. I'll be here waiting for you, no matter what."

"I can bloody well do that myself." Killian shoved Will's hand away from his chest as Will was trying to wash the tape marks off his skin from the wires that he had been dealing with for days in the hospital. He yanked the towel from his hands. "I may have one hand but this one damn well works enough to punch you in the gut."

"Touchy git." Will scoffs as he throws himself down into the chair next to the bed.

The door to his room opened and Tink walked in quietly.

"Hey Tink, he's in a right bastard of a mood." He barked.

"Hey Jones." She smiled and Will looked between the two of them as if slowly recognizing the awkwardness of the atmosphere.

"Oi, I think I hear Dave calling for me." He jumped out of his chair and ran out the door.

She walked closer to his bed and he noticed the way her eyes tried to avoid his left side.

"It's alright, lass. I don't need pity."

"Oh Killian, I'm so sorry. I…I can't believe what happened to you."

He held her gaze before looking away. "You tried to warn me for years this would be a fate that could befall me if I didn't walk away."

"I'm not here to say I told you so."

Their eyes met once more. "We should talk. I need to apologize for my behavior of late."

"Jones, we weren't married." She laughed. "I knew what I was involved with."

"You deserve more than a man using your bed to soothe his own troubled mind."

"And thank you for saying that." She sat on the side of his bed. "And is your mind less troubled now.…" She took his hand. "about Emma?"

He blinked. "I uh…"

"Oh, come on, you're an easy read, Jones. You aren't usually the hero type. You once told me you'd only risk your life for revenge or love. You didn't risk yourself over some wood and planks because someone blew up your ship, and I have it on good authority that Emma is lying in a bed a few doors down with a bullet wound in her chest so that tells me you did it for love."

"You are always perceptive, lady Belle."

"Damn straight I am."

"Can you forgive me?"

"There is nothing to forgive. You did the right thing with Gold. And you followed your heart with Emma." She leaned over and placed a kiss to his cheek. "That's all I ever wanted for you."

"I don't deserve such loyalty."

"Maybe not, but you're too hard on yourself, you ass." She joked.

"I can't believe you got shot. Shot, Emma." Belle was staring at her in shock.

"Were you scared, I mean, of course you were scared." Ruby said quietly.

"I was scared but determined to get out of there. I guess it was almost like someone else took over and I went into automatic overdrive."

"I can't believe what he did to Killian." Belle whispered.

"Belle." Ruby warned.

"It's ok guys, you're right. It's was awful."

"Did you see it…while it was happening?" Ruby added quickly.

"Oh my God Ruby, don't ask her that."

Emma frowned. "I did." She exhaled. "I had been shot by that time and I couldn't move. I couldn't get to him and Gold just kept hitting him and hitting him…" She stopped to press her palms over her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Emma. You don't have to talk about it."

"No, I want to. I need to. I just…I felt so helpless."

"Sweetie, you were shot."

"I couldn't protect him." She cried.

Both girls leaned over to console her. "You did everything you could and you both got out alive, that's what mattered."

She inhaled deeply. "He lost his hand; he feels like he's less of a man now. He's trying to put on a strong act for me, but I can tell he's lying to me about how he's doing with it all."

"Emma, Killian will be fine. It's just going to take him some time to get used to this new normal for him."

"I know Belle, I just want to fix it for him, and I can't."

"How are you doing with all this? I mean, with Neal and Milah…"

Emma gulped. "I still see the whole thing in my dreams. I can't close my eyes without feeling Neal's hands on my body."

Ruby squeezed her hand. "I'm so sorry, sweetie."

"And now, Killian is probably going to go to jail for a while. I don't know what I'll do without him." She added sadly.

"But you'll have Graham and all of us to help you."

Emma stared at her hands. "Graham and I, we uh, we aren't exactly together anymore."

"What happened?" Ruby seemed shocked.

"You remember tall, dark, and mysterious?" She whispered, closing her eyes before the girls reacted.

"Oh my God, you're back with the sex God? When did you possibly have time for that?" Ruby exclaimed excitedly.

"It was Killian."

Both women stood with their mouths open. Her eyes darted between them both and let out a tiny laugh. "Speechless. This is a first."

"You had sex with Killian?" Ruby says in shock before adding, "I knew he would be amazing."

"Ok, ok, but this isn't just about sex. I mean, yeah it's definitely what kicked started all of this, but honestly, I think I've been in love with him for as long as I've known what love was."

"Awww, Emma." Belle cooed.

"So, wait, does your family know?" Ruby whispered, looking around to ensure she wasn't overheard outside the room.

"Yes, we told them before everything went down. David was pretty upset."

"So now what?" Belle inquired.

Emma shrugged. "I don't know honestly. I guess we just deal with everything as it comes."

"So…" Ruby bit her lip. "Can we talk about the sex now, cuz you're the only one of us that got to climb that tree and I'm dying to know if he's as big as I think he is?"

1 month later

"1 year?"

"It's not awful." Regina argued. "With good behavior we can get you out in 6 to 9 months. This was a good deal, Killian."

He sighed. "Thank you for taking on my case."

"Well, dating Robin has made me feel more charitable."

"Then I guess thank you for making me your charity case." Killian scoffed.

"Don't go getting offended now, Jones."

"So, when do I have to leave?"

Regina frowned. "Soon, they will ask for you to report within the week."

"The week? I guess I thought I would have more time."

"Just think of it this way, the sooner you report, the faster you come home. You do want to start your life again, am I correct?"

"Aye, I do."

"Well then, I guess my job here is done. Good luck, Mr. Jones."

"Thank you again."

Killian walked to the back of the small courtroom, gathering the strength to meet his family outside.

Things had been busy in the weeks since everything fell apart.

Gold had been arrested and would be tried in a few months. Graham had told him that with all the evidence they had from the warehouse and with Killian and Emma's testimony he expected Gold would be put away for good.

Killian had taken a deal with the Attorney General for a lighter prison sentence in exchange for his testimony against Gold and the agreement that Emma would not face prosecution for her part in the deaths of Neal or Milah.

Killian had started seeing Dr. Hopper on a weekly basis. He was still struggling to deal with the loss of his hand, his choices that lead to what had happened on that day, as well as his guilt for his how his actions had brought a violent attack to Emma.

And then there was Emma. He had been cautious about diving into a relationship with her and insisted that they not discuss being together until after the trial. He knew he would be leaving after the sentencing and wanted to give her the option of taking the honorable way out without feeling guilty about it.

Now he knew he would be gone for possibly a year before he could even consider a life with Emma. He wouldn't weigh her down and wanted her to live her life while he was gone.

He stepped through the doors and prepared himself to be overwhelmed by his family.

Emma knew that a 1-year sentence was a good deal. They had originally thought that he may get 3 years but 1 year still felt like such a long time. Especially since Killian had been so insistent to not start a relationship with her until after he returned.

She knew he thought she would move on before he returned. That somehow, she would find someone else.

Emma knew that there was no one else for her except for Killian Jones. She didn't care how long she had to wait for him.

The doors to the courtroom opened and Killian stepped through and was immediately mobbed by his brothers who were hugging him and telling him how proud they were of him. She caught his eye for a moment, and he smiled at her. She nodded and then wrapped her coat around her chest and walked toward the group as they gathered to leave.

She stayed back, letting the group take the lead in front of her as they made their way to their cars.

"Regina says I could be out in 6 to 9 months if I stay on my best behavior." Killian brushed up against her.

Emma slowed her pace as Killian dropped back to walk with her.

"Sounds like you have a huge task in front of you then." She chided.

He pushed against her shoulder with his. "Very funny, Swan."

"When do you have to leave?"

"I um, I was talking to Dave about that. I'm actually not going back with you guys."

She stopped walking and stood in the middle of the sidewalk. "What?"

He turned toward her, "Look, I don't think I can go home and wait a week before I need to stop my life. I took care of everything I needed to do before we came today. I just want to get this over with."

Her emotions were starting to well up and she choked down the tears. "So, this is it then?"

He nodded. "Hey, come on don't do that." He pulled her into his arms.

She held her breathe for a moment. "I'm sorry, I just thought we'd have more time."

"Can you promise me something?"

She looked up at him. "Depends on what you're asking?"

"I want you to live your life, go on dates, meet new people."

"Killian…"

"I can't go away knowing that you are just sitting around waiting for me to come home. That's not what I want for you."

"I'm not moving on from you, no matter how much you push me away."

"I'm not intending to push you away, Emma. I just don't want to be responsible for you missing out on something that could be good for you."

She straightened herself up and looked him in the eye. "Fine. I promise you that I will live my life, Killian. I won't take anything for granted, and if in 1 year I still feel exactly the way I do right now, then I'll be waiting for you at home."

The corner of his mouth turned upward as he pulled her into his arms, pressing his lips against hers. Emma fought the tears; refused for them to come, because she was not going to make this a moment of sadness. She would not let this be goodbye. This was not the end of her and Killian.

"There's not a day will go by I won't think of you."

"Good." Emma said, turning and walking away from him. She didn't bother to look back; she was ready to move forward. This was her Happy Beginning.

Notes:

Welp, all that's left is the epilogue! I'm having bittersweet feelings about the end of this fic coming! I feel like I really got drawn into this little family and I'm going to be sad to see them go.