"Alright, this is it" Emma said as the GPS signified their arrival on the outskirts of town the furthest either hand ventured out to in a while.
"There's nothing here" Killian replied confused as he slowed the car to a halt.
"The GPS coordinates say it should be right over the hill" Emma replied with a too eager expression her anguish at Lily's situation taking over her better judgement about this whole situation.
"We better leave the car here, don't want to alert her" Killian replied hoping the sound of the car's engine hadn't caused Lily to run already.
Emma hoped they could just talk to Lily convince her everything was ok now that they were safe, no more hiding. That it was time for them to live, to have the life they always dreamed off. Killian was more concerned about Emma's inevitable disappointment and the resulting backstep she would take in opening herself up. Not to mention other dangers now surfacing around town since the return of so many lost and forgotten souls. It was starting to become more and more clear that something was going to have to give if serious action wasn't taken soon to establish order in Storybrooke.
"You sure about this?" Killian asked somewhat concerned noticing Emma's coping mechanism was starting to develop into find another problem to solve, another person to save.
"Yeah" Emma said trying her best to shrug of any concerns about this little field trip.
Killian nodded knowing it's best to be encouraging and the pair made their way out of the car quietly as possible. There was a steep hill in front of them, Emma almost slid back down. The hillside was still wet from yesterday's rain creating a slick surface. Killian promptly grabbed her hand steading her just before she face planted in the mud. They both giggled enjoying the day so far and in an exceptionally good mood especially after the time spent together the day before.
An old train shed with a tin roof came into view, it looked like a stiff breeze would send it tumbling down. The railroad tracks completely covered over in grass and tree roots. It made Emma wonder if there were trains coming and going from this location. Of course, there wasn't nobody ever came or went from Storybroke main and all this was just for show. It sure was a picture-perfect sight somewhere a person could call home for the night or at least use to shelter themselves from the weather. Emma imagined Lily making her way inside finding a comfortable place to rest in one of the old train cars. As she pushed the rusted sliding metal door into the huge, abandoned space it looked untouched like a post-apocalyptic world.
"We could throw quite the party here" Killian smiled his mind on planning the end of summer party as the prepared to go back to school. Excited to get back to living now he was finally reunited with Liam.
"Yeah, a few speakers, bonfire in the middle" Emma replied with a laugh picturing it, wondering if she'd even be allowed to go.
"It could be great" Killian replied excited for their plans.
"Even better if everyone could be there" Emma added standing up on her tip toes to see into a dusty train car for a sign of life, but it was empty.
Killian looked over to Emma he understood that she wanted to find Lily but not why she was beating herself up so much about it. It wasn't her fault Lily was the one who ran away and was now hiding. Emma didn't owe anything to her but for some reason she felt like she did. Before she came to Storybroke before her time in juvey it was just, the two of them against the world. Now that Emma had a family, she didn't want to forget that Lily still had no one.
"This place it's like I been here before, but really just a places like it" Emma said.
"It does have a certain familiarity" Killian replied agreeing having slept in similar safe havens strangely it was comforting to the pair. They thought on it as they looked around trying to spot the best place to sleep.
"Right here" Emma said pointing at a cosy spot in one of the only train cars not smelling of mildew.
"Very nice, and room for two" Killian said smiling before they continued looking for signs of life.
"Liam got a job" Killian blurted out from the other side of the train car.
"He did, that's great" Emma said trying to sound encouraging, but she was still on the fence when it came to Liam.
"His working down at the docks, fishing" Killian shrugged part of him wondering if it was just to avoid him.
"Give him something to do, when you back at school" Emma said
"Yeah, he seems to occupy he's time well, gone this morning before we got up" Killian said still very much happy to have his brother back in his life. Believing Liam had accepted Killian and his past and happy for it.
"Yeah, I noticed that" Emma replied trying to sound happy for him but it was curious where could he be going off alone.
The place looked so empty and quiet, so quiet in fact that when Emma stepped into the centre off the warehouse her heart sunk. Her footsteps the only sound, she knew Lily wasn't there. Maybe she was though, and a clue may lead them to where she is now. In the corner upon a small ledge was some rubbish. Empty cans of food rustling slightly in the wind. Emma smiled quickly running over their picturing Lily, laying back in the overgrown grass that had made its way through the cracks in the cement. Eating whatever she could find or more likely steal just surviving, Emma's hoped one day Lily could have more than that.
"You find something?" Killian called out his voice echoing from the other side of the warehouse.
"Someone was here" Emma Replied not as loud Killian couldn't quite hear her. Rushing over trying to listen in as Emma got lost in the moment. Her mind racing hoping she was getting closer to finding a clue.
"I bet I can track them" Killian said intrigued he started making his was over.
"I didn't know you could track" Emma replied laughing hearing Killian rush over with excitement.
"I have many talents" Killian replied.
There was a hideous smell as Emma got closer some of the food had been left out to rot covered in maggots. One thing Emma Knew is that Lily would never leave a scrap of food behind too afraid of how long it would be before the next meal. Emma slumped down realising they were chasing dead leads feeling hopeless ready to head back home. This whole thing was a mistake and now they had to explain why they had run off too all afternoon with nothing to sweeten the blow with. Emma off course refrained letting David or Mary Margret in on where they were going today. Knowing they wouldn't approve, but this place wasn't dangerous just a waste of time. The idea was if they at least came back with a good lead all would be forgiven. Why was it that Emma could save the entire town twice and not be able to do anything for her best friend?
"Killian?" Emma said confused realising he hadn't appeared at her side yet.
"Swan, I don't think it was Lily, that was squatting here" Killian replied his face pale as Emma turned to look at him.
"It was Emily and her team" Emma realised sitting up now coming over to Killian sensing something was wrong by the tone in his voice.
Killian was standing in place afraid to move even the slightest muscle, looking up at Emma he smiled but put his hands up warning her to keep a distance between them.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked the feeling of dreed washed over her seeing the fear in Killian's eyes but she continued to come closer.
"Looks like they left a parting gift" Killian replied glumly gesturing to beneath his foot.
Emma's eyes went down to where Killian was pointing to, under his right foot coated in dirt was a small land mine. Killian was in shook his mind racing already deciding what he had to do.
"No, the traps, they just left them armed" Emma yelled shocked at the pure lack of concern these people had for others.
"Emma, you need to go, get at least a mile away" Killian paused "Just call for help" Killian finished feeling the over whelming urge to run to Emma to protect her. But that was exactly the thing that would end them both.
Emma simply shook her head coming closer to him they were only a metre apart. Emma felt all the blood instantly rush from her head, looking down closely at the thing about to take Killian's life. Trying to think her way out having no idea how these things worked how to disarm it.
"I'll figure something out" Emma said panicked.
"Emma, we don't know how stable this thing is" Killian pleaded his hands still outstretched doing all he could to get her to stay back but he was powerless, and Emma was ignoring him.
"I'll call for help, like you said" Emma replied her eyes already welling up as she pulled out her phone to call Elsa.
Emma got on to Elsa trying her best not to scream or cry as she passed on the information needed to help save Killians life. Pacing as she did, not looking away from Killian hoping this wouldn't be the last time they lock eyes.
"Emma there's no time, it's ok" Killian said putting on a brave face like he wasn't just a scared kid, like he was ready to die.
"No that's not fair, you can't just ask me to.." Emma started to say but was getting chocked up "It's not, it's not ok"
"It could go off at any second" Killian started to yell getting frustrated as Emma refused to listen. Refused to get to safety.
Emma ignored him finishing her call with Elsa she would be able to stop it a quick ice over and they would be home for dinner. Emma could feel her blood pumping loudly almost having an out of body experience. Knowing that help was at least ten minutes away filled her with more anxiety trying to think how long this mine would hold out. Try desperately to look up a solution on her phone but google wouldn't have an answer. Emma could hear her heart thumbing her whole body beginning to shake, how did everything turn upside down in mere seconds.
"Emma, Emma look at me" Killian pleaded trying not to even move his neck around much.
"They're coming they be here any minute it will be ok" Emma said looking into his eyes planting herself firmly in front of him not even considering leaving.
"Since when are you the optimist" Killian replied with his signature smirk.
"Killian I'm not leaving you" Emma said determined.
Not wanting to spend his last moments arguing with the girl he loved Killian gave up in a huff. His mind still ticking in the background trying to think of a way to convince Emma, to make her see logic. So that at least two lives would not be taken today.
"So much for our low stakes search" Killian said with a smile trying to get Emma to calm down to see reason.
"We just need something else to shift the weight" Emma looked around frantically for a rock or something of similar weight to Killian. Not letting him distract her from saving him.
"Emma, wait" Killian said wanting to say goodbye and convince to get out of the blast radius, but she was trying her best to ignore him.
"I'm not a goodbye kiss person" Emma finally said looking over to him tears streaming down her face.
"People change" Killian said but this comment wasn't just about directed at Emma but himself. Facing certain death Killian had a moment of clarity able to acknowledge the hero he had become.
Killian smiled thinking about how happy he was to spend the day with Emma, help her find Lily to make peace with her past. Killian had already planned there evening out thinking they would have dinner back on the Jolly Roger. As Liam had been out fishing the one thing that still felt normal to him. Regret washed over Killian realising he was also leaving not just Emma but his brother alone. The decision to come her today was in hindsight a bit rash. Emma was just the kind of person that put her heart before her head even if she didn't recognise it. That's what he loved about her, that's why he couldn't let her die here fruitlessly trying to save him. On cue the ticking from beneath Killians feet increased its pace.
"It's a timer, they won't get here before it blows" Killian pleaded while Emma checked her phone desperately hoping that help was here.
"Emma go" Killian said demandingly as Emma had failed to move.
Emma shook her head once more grabbing his hands, as Killian tried to use them to push her away. Instead, she held them tight looking into his eyes seeing the frustration and love he felt desperately wanting to get Emma to safety. All while knowing that the slightest movement would lead to both their demise. It was a cruel turn of events.
"You have to go" Killian pleaded his voice softer now.
Killian began his goodbyes knowing that he could at least try a hail Mary and shove Emma away from the blast as it went off. Trying his best to take most of the hit by diving over the explosive.
"Emma it's ok, I've lived longer than most" Killian said trying to smile as if those years spent in Neverland where anything close to really living.
"No this isn't fair, we both been through so much for it to end like this" Emma said shaking her head not believing this could be the end of their story.
"Emma Swan, this was enough for me" Killian said smiling believing his own words "I loved being the one to break down those walls and find true love" Killian said chocking up unable to finish.
"That's it" Emma replied smiling wide.
Looking into his eyes seeing the passion he had and for the first time thinking of the future they could have together; Emma knew what she had to do. It was clearer to her then ever what it all meant. True love, the most powerful magic and Emma was beaming with it. Even able to create a shield to protect herself. A wall that Killian had surpassed long ago, Emma was sure he would be protected as well.
"Do you trust me?" Emma said holding out her hand.
"Off course" Killian replied seeing the clarity in Emma's eyes knowing she had just figured something out.
Without hesitating Killian hands gripped onto Emma's, knowing that everything was going to be ok. Emma pulled him close holding tight in that moment the small mine clicked once more letting off and explosion. While simultaneously a burst off light came out of Emma encompassing them both. Their love for each other protecting them from the blast showing off in an array of colours around the large bubble of glowing white magic that had formed around them. They could barely hear the sounds made from the aftermath of the land mine including the tin roof of the building now caving in on them.
For the first time Emma is able to bring someone else into her protective bubble it felt amazing all the fears she had about letting someone in fading away. They are both completely unscathed from the explosion not even feeling the heat from the fire. Embracing each other in a hug Emma's head on Killians should she never wanted to let go. The mere smell of him bringing tears to her eyes. Devastated just a moment ago and now overwhelmingly happy not only because Killian was safe, but because she saved him, using her powers on purpose. Emma had never felt this kind of control over her own life always a victim of horrible circumstances. Now she had the power to protect herself and those she loved.
"Your amazing" Killian said looking at Emma a big wide smile across his face.
Emma could hear screaming coming from outside their perfect little moment, but it was hard to make out. Easy to ignore for another moment of bliss before they burst this bubble. Emma wasn't entirely sure she wanted to ever take this shield down again, the strange new power causing the tingling sensation to return only now it felt familiar and welcome.
"The outside world is calling for us love" Killian said noticing Emma looking up at the bubble she had created in awe.
"Just, one more minute" Emma replied holding onto Killian, his arms softened around her still holding on stroking her back.
Emma calmed down slightly feeling him there knowing he would remain, eventually stepping back holding hands they walked out of the railroad shed the shield moving with them. Unclear how long this would last or if there was some sort of off switch. Emma knew she just wanted this feeling to last forever. Loving someone was always so terrifying to her even though she knew Killian would never leave willingly it was clear now more than ever that something could easily take him away. Under the protection of the shield was peaceful feeling that she hoped would last forever.
As the exited to the outside world, they both heard the wailing coming from there onlookers realising they were unaware Killian and Emma had survived the blast or what the large glowing bubble was coming towards them.
"No Emma" Mary Margret was screaming stopping in her tracks upon seeing the familiar bubble appear out of the rubble, just like the one back at the hospital. Overwhelmed with the relief, she felt knowing they were both ok.
Just as the explosion had ignited, they had come over the hill believing they had arrived only a minute too late to save Killian and Emma. With the sounds of her distraught parents the realisation of how close they came to losing both their lives, the bubble dissipated. As soon as the barrier was lifted, they saw Mary Margret and David running towards them. There expressions shocked seeing the powerful display of magic used to save their lives. Extremely relieved to see them both uninjured they didn't slow down there run at all colliding into Killian and Emma.
"I thought" Mary Margret tried to say through deep breaths covered in dust. Her sleeve covered in soot showing how close they were to the blast. Her arms still around Emma looking her over quickly for any injury before again embracing in a tight hug.
"It's ok, where ok" Emma said confused feeling guilty she had put them through this.
"How did you know we were here?" Killian asked somewhat surprised as he too was embraced with a hug from the pair.
"Elsa called us; they couldn't get here in time" David answered frustrated that she didn't call them first but the answer to that was obvious, she didn't want them to know what they had been up to.
"I'm glad you were close by" Emma answered trying to be calm as if she wasn't completely emotion obliterated.
"Emma, your magic" Mary Margret said in awe so relieved that Emma could protect herself.
"You took control of it, saved Killian" David said having not let go off Emma's arm. Feeling the urgency to get her far away from the now unstable building still teetering under the loss of most of the retaining beams. While also so proud of his daughter.
"I couldn't leave him" Emma breathed out looking up at Killian not able to finish her sentence still choked up over the fiasco.
"Are you two, ok?" Mary Margret asked feeling Emma's forehead seeing how pale she had become wondering if she would pass out again.
"Where fine, everything's fine" Emma said looking over to them with her best reassuring look.
"It was my idea" Killian said trying to interject before happiness they were alive changed to disappointment, they had put themselves in harm's way. But it was no use, they knew exactly who's idea it was to go wandering around an abandoned train shed in the middle of nowhere. This was defiantly the bright idea of their teenage daughter.
Having heard the explosion Elsa was desperately trying to get through to them and Killian realised he should answer his phone, let them know he and Emma were still alive and well. Leaving Emma to try and talk her way out of this talk with her parents alone.
"What happened, I mean we saw the shield?" Mary Margret questioned looking over at the know half collapsed train shed still unable to get the image out of her head of their bodies crumbled beneath it.
"We got that call yesterday that someone saw Lily around here" Emma answered quietly ashamed.
"We would have come with you" David added hurt thinking they would find Lily as a family.
"I didn't think there'd be a land mine" Emma replied somewhat defensive.
"You can't just go wondering around, we have no idea who's out here, what's out here" David replied shocked in his mind racing through the million other scenarios after all they have no idea what else was realised when the creature was destroyed.
The look of absolute love in their eyes even while so upset. Emma calmed down realising this was not anger they were experiencing but fear, of losing her.
The truth is Emma wasn't used to it checking in with people when she went anywhere or asking permission. No one had ever cared before if she came home on time or checked in when she arrived safely at a destination. Lately her parents had been expecting this especially after she was almost taken, and it was becoming too much for Emma. Going out today and not telling what they where doing was supposed to prove a point. Even though it did seemed to prove the wrong thing that it wasn't safe that they needed to be more careful.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think" Emma started to say but trailed off as it sunk in, she was the one who put Killian in danger today.
"Emma when you're in trouble, you call us" Mary Margret said sternly.
"I said I'd help you find her, I meant it" David added referring to Lily and the conversation they had earlier that same week.
Emma was quiet looking down at the ground, once again having nothing to say she couldn't explain why she continued to be so reckless, why she refused to rely on them. They had been there for her every chance they had. Despite their best efforts those times were few and far between even knowing they had perfectly reasonable explanation for not being there. Some part of her was almost testing it.
"Maybe we should head home" Killian said walking back over to them looking exhausted as he also got an earful from Elsa about always managing to get into trouble.
"Yeah, but I'm driving" David said looking at Killian after having discussion or more like a good vent by Graham about how they need at least enforce the law in Storybroke if anything was to become normal or even a safe place to live again.
"Why can't I drive my car?" Killian asked bewildered wondering if he had misheard.
"You just almost died, and you don't have a license" David said patting Killian on the pack apologetically as he went past.
"That's never been an issue, I'm a great driver" Killian said knowing that even though he could drive well he didn't technically know the road rules. They weren't exactly a concept in the enchanted forest.
"That was before" David said as they four of them walked back to the car.
"Before what?" Emma added confused.
"Before magic returned to our lives, before all these strangers appeared, before Anna drove a car through a shop window" Mary Margret said feeling more and more anxious with everything on the list.
"Is she ok?" Emma asked concerned.
Mary Margret nodded solemnly glad that everyone walked away from the crash. Knowing that Graham breakdown as they result, things where about to get worse before they got better in Storybrooke. So far, the Sheriff had only sent the message out to a few people and already they were beginning to see a revolt like reaction to this change. Their old lives and they knew weren't meshing as well as first thought. It was time to set some stricter guidelines as how to how the residents of Storybroke would live.
"New rules as per the Sheriff, only licensed drivers on the road" David simply said not exactly agreeing but he wasn't about to defy his Sherriff. Especially when he seemed so distraught, he needed to know someone was on his side.
"We'll no one cared before" Killian shot back getting upset knowing it was going to be harder getting everywhere for him and his brother.
"I know but we have to find a way to manage this chaos, especially now that we have new residents" David replied calming down seeing how this effected Killian but sticking by his partners decision.
"And confirmation where not going back" Killian added.
"We all have to adjust" Mary Margret said glumly realising herself that she had pictured at some point returning and now that seemed impossible.
"Most fifteen-year-olds don't have their own cars, driving around without licenses on trying to find people in the middle of the woods" David added but he knew that Graham was handling this new problem without much long-term planning. "Were not exactly normal" Emma replied with a shrug.
"Never will be" Killian said but just so Emma could hear, and they shared a smile.
Sitting in the back of the cruiser Killian and Emma both let out a deep breath feeling exhausted as the adrenaline wore off. Even after Mary Margret and David scolded them, they both couldn't help but smile. The truth was it felt so good to be cared for, safe in the back seat of the cruiser. Neither Emma nor Killian although getting used to having people in their lives, had never experienced this. People to get angry at them when they do something stupid and reckless. To care so much they wouldn't hesitate to be in the line of danger. Not bothered by being liked or appreciated just to do what's best, to put them first. They both relaxed feeling safe warm and loved as they headed home.
Notes: Thanks continued support of this fic, next chapter involves a bonfire a keg and unexpected ride home