This was supposed to be up on Tuesday but something went wrong in the process of posting it. Sorry!

This chapter is based during the six weeks of peace in season 4.

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Illness

"I can stay home, Emma. I don't mind," Snow insisted, smoothing her daughter's hair down as she laid on her bed.

Emma shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Go."

Snow frowned. She'd awoken early that morning to Emma emptying her stomach in the toilet. Snow had stayed with her despite Emma's protests. She knew Emma was used to taking care of herself, but she wasn't about to let her do it again. Now, Emma urged her mother to continue with her plans to take Neal to a Mommy and Me class retreat for the day. Snow didn't want to leave Emma in her delicate state, but she had been looking forward to this time with Neal since her and Ashley had planned it two weeks ago. Emma knew this and chose to use it against her.

"Neal needs you more," she mumbled. "I can deal with this by myself. I've done it before." Emma gave her mother a weak smile.

"Emma—"

"If you stay, I'm going to feel really guilty. It might take me longer to get better." Emma's voice was raspy. She knew she was going to lose it if she kept talking. The thought of her mother hovering over her for the next twenty-four hours made her want to shudder. She loved her mom, but she didn't need a helicopter parent. She needed rest. The twenty-four hour flu was something she'd had several times before as a kid and once when she lived in Boston. She'd gotten along just fine on her own. She could do it again, especially when her caretaker had other plans.

Snow pursed her lips. "Are you sure?"

Emma's nod was soft.

The princess pushed herself to her feet. "If you need anything, call me. Or your father. He's covering for you at the station, but it hasn't been very busy lately."

"Just go," she muttered.

Snow kissed her head. "I love you." She turned and rushed down the stairs, pulling her phone out as she did. She knew who just to call.

Killian's phone buzzed on his nightstand. He slipped his bookmark into his book and picked the device up. His eyebrows drew together at the caller ID.

"Hello?" he answered curiously.

"Hook! Hi! It's Snow! Can you come over and watch Emma?"

Killian chuckled. "She's hardly a child."

"I know, but she's come down with a stomach bug. I have to go and—"

He was off his bed and yanking his shoes on before Snow could finish her sentence. "I'll be right over. Is she okay?" He held the phone between his shoulder and ear as he tied his shoes.

"Calm down, Hook. She's fine. I just don't want her to be alone."

"Aye, me neither." He grabbed his jacket and thrust his door open. "I'm on my way." He ended the call then, stuffing his phone in his pocket and pulling his jacket on before running down the stairs and out the door.

Images of a sick, young Liam filled his mind next to his worries for Emma. When he was a child, Liam had come down with a fatal illness that almost led to his demise. Killian had been petrified that he'd lose his brother. Liam's skin had been pale, but hot to the touch. It had taken him weeks to get better. Killian had to pick up his brother's chores in order to keep Captain Silver's anger away from him and his brother. The thought of Emma being in the same state nearly drove him mad.

His fist pounded on the green door minutes later. He breathed deeply, attempting to catch his breath.

The door opened a moment later. "Hook, that was qu—"

Killian pushed past her, eyes roaming the apartment. "Where is she? Is she okay?"

Snow shut the door quietly. "Shh. She's upstairs. It's only the twenty-four flu. She'll be okay."

Killian had no clue what the twenty-four hour flu was, but it didn't sound good. He ran up the stairs, freezing when he saw Emma. She was curled in a ball on the edge of her bed. Sweat coated her forehead and arms. Her green eyes met his blue ones.

"What are you going here?"

Killian knelt down next to her, touching her forehead gingerly. She was burning up. "Your mother asked me to come watch over you while she is away."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm fine. I don't need a babysitter."

"I'm not babysitting you, love," he assured. "Only helping you."

She scowled. "Same thing."

"How are you feeling? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"Like crap, and no. I'm not that sick, Killian. You can go home."

He shook his head. "Not until you're better, Swan."

Despite her irritation that everyone seemed to think she couldn't take care of herself, her heart swelled. She'd never had anyone take care of her while she was sick. Perhaps that could change, but only if it was Killian. He wouldn't treat her as if she was helpless.

"Okay," she whispered, smiling gently. She moved her hand until she found his. "But if you get sick, don't complain."

A grin flashed across his face. "I wouldn't dream of it. Now, do you want anything?"

Not long after Snow left, Emma was hunched over the toilet, the contents of her stomach spewing out of her as Killian held her hair and whispered soothing words to her. She had tried to resist the urge to vomit, not wanting to put Killian in an awkward position. When she'd sprinted down the stairs, he had been right on her tail. She wanted to tell him he didn't have to deal with her anymore, especially as she sat on the bathroom floor.

"Sorry," she grumbled, leaning back against his chest. "You don't have to do this. It's disgusting. I'm disgusting."

He pressed a kiss to the back of her head. "You could never be disgusting, love. And I don't mind. I like taking care of you."

She snorted, using his shoulder to help her up. Her legs were wobbly as he helped her to the sink. He smoothed her hair back, pulling it into a ponytail to keep out of her face as she brushed her teeth.

"Come on, Swan. Let's get you back to bed," he said after she finished her chore, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"You're going to get sick," she argued, but allowed him to pull her to safety anyway.

"I don't get sick," he assured, helping her up the stairs.

Emma resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Of course you don't."

He led her to her bed, steadying her as she crawled into it. "I spent two centuries in Neverland and was never ill once. I am immune."

"Don't jinx it." She dragged her covers over her only to kick them off a moment later. "Killian, you don't have to stay. I'm probably just going to sleep."

The bed dipped down next to her as he sat. "Do you wish for me to leave?"

Emma stared at him. He was really asking, not just humoring her, she could tell. He wouldn't force his presence on her if she didn't want it. Her expression softened. "No."

Killian's heart fluttered at her words. "Then I shall not. I will be here when you wake. Now, rest."

She nodded, relaxing against her pillow. Her hand grasped Killian's, holding it close to her.

Killian watched as his love closed her eyes and breathed in softly. After a few minutes, her grip on his hand loosened. He smiled softly, leaning forward and planting a kiss on her forehead. He frowned at the temperature. It hadn't cooled down at all. He released her hand and moved down the stairs and into the kitchen. He found a washcloth and soaked it in cool water before ringing it out and heading back upstairs. He set the cloth over her forehead, hoping it would cool her down some.

The pirate peeled his jacket off and tossed it on Henry's bed, making a mental note to hang it up the next time he went downstairs. He resumed his seat next to Emma, grabbing her hand again.

His original panic had slowly grown over the past hour despite Emma's and Snow's assurances that everything was going to be okay. Emma's symptoms, as Killian had observed, didn't seem nearly as lethal as Liam's had been all those years ago, but that did very little to ease his mind. He knew there were thousands of diseases out there that he knew nothing about, especially in this world. The thought that Emma could be taken away from him by any of those illnesses was enough to keep him glued to her side for the next two hours.

Twenty minutes into the two hours, Killian moved down to the foot of the bed and leaned back, his feet hanging over the edge. He stared at the ceiling, his hand stretched out to hold Emma's. His feet tapped the floor nervously until he realized he would probably wake Emma if he continued.

Gradually, Emma's even breathing and the warmth of her hand in his lolled him into a restless sleep.

Killian awoke to Emma stretching her legs out, kicking him in the ribs. He chuckled softly and sat up. Emma still slept perpendicular to him, but she had rolled over onto her back. Her hair was strewn across her face and pillow, the hair tie nowhere to be seen. As she breathed, the hair plastered to her face moved gently. The look of peace on her face made him smile. She seemed so unguarded in sleep. He wanted nothing more for her to feel that way when she was awake, but he knew she was getting there. The last couple weeks of peace had drawn her out of her walls little by little, Killian slowly breaking them down.

He got to his feet and picked up the now dry rag that laid on the bed next to Emma. He pressed two fingers to her head. Her temperature had gone down, pulling another smile from him. Perhaps she would be able to keep something in her stomach now.

Grabbing his jacket, Killian descended the stairs and hung it up by the door. As he walked into the kitchen, he tried to remember where everything was. He'd eaten dinner here many nights before, almost every night of the week, Emma always insisting he come over. It became so natural that Emma didn't need to ask anymore. Snow always set a plate out for him. Killian always showed up at six. When dinner was running late or the loft was in chaos, Killian assisted in every way possible, Emma or Henry often at his side.

He pulled the bread out of the cupboard followed by the toaster. Dry toast was something he was sure Emma would be able to handle at the moment. As he waited for the bread to toast, he filled a glass with cold water and wet the cloth again. When the toast was finished, he set it on a plate and draped the cloth over his arm. After setting the plate on Emma's nightstand and placing the cloth on her forehead, he went back for the glass of water.

Emma was stirring when he reached the floor again. Her hand slid across the bed. Her eyebrows drew together, a frown appearing on her lips. She opened her eyes and lifted her head, staring at the opposite wall.

"Killian?" she croaked.

"I'm right here, love." He put the glass next to the plate and sat on the bed next to Emma.

She turned around, her sleepy eyes meeting his. A smile lit her face and she moved closer to him, leaning against the headboard and grabbing his hand. "Hey."

"How are you feeling?" he questioned. He picked up the rag and put it on the nightstand.

"Better," she said through a yawn. "What have you been doing?"

Killian grinned at the strength that was in her voice. She was getting better. He used his hook to gesture to the toast. "You should eat something."

Emma's eyes moved to the nightstand. Her expression softened even more. "Killian, you didn't have to. I'm sure I could have made it myself."

He shook his head and placed the plate on her lap. "What else is there for me to do?"

"You make a fair point." Her face paled when she looked down at the plate.

"It will help, Swan."

She sighed. "I know." She held the toast to her lips, taking a small bite and setting it back down. "How long was I out?"

Killian glanced at the alarm clock on her nightstand. "About two hours."

Her eyes widened as she took another bite. "It didn't take you two hours to make toast, so what else did you do?"

He shrugged. "I fell asleep after a while, too."

Emma nodded. "Thanks for… staying."

"It's my pleasure." His smile remained soft.

She took a large bite of the dry bread and chased it done with a gulp of water. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, love. Anything."

She met his eyes, hoping her question wasn't too invasive. "When you got here, you seemed really worried. Did my mom over exaggerate or something?" She knew her mother hadn't. She wouldn't have wanted to worry Killian too much.

He averted his gaze, staring at the wall. "No, your mother didn't over exaggerate. Quite the opposite, actually."

She moved her head so she could see his face better. "Then why were you so anxious? It's just the twenty-four hour flu."

"I'm not entirely sure what that is, but that's not what worried me. My brother…Liam, when we were children, he got very ill." He exhaled softly. "Death was close to taking him. I was worried…I was worried you were in a similar state."

Emma's heart clenched. She reached her hand out and grabbed his. "I'm fine, Killian."

He turned his eyes to her, a tender smile on his face. "I know that now. Finish your toast."

She laughed, pulling her hand back. "Whatever you say, Captain."

When Emma finished her meal, Killian took her plate from her and ordered her to lay back down. She rolled her eyes, but complied. He put the plate in the sink and returned with a newly damped cloth. Emma's eyes were closed, her breathing soft as she slept. Killian put the cloth across her forehead before dropping a kiss to her hair. A tiny smile appeared on her lips.

Killian was reading a book about a wizard and a magical school when the door to the loft opened. He'd found the book on a shelf in the room. Henry's name was scrawled inside the cover.

Footsteps padded up the stairs. Snow appeared at the top. Killian held his finger to his lips, gesturing to the sleeping Emma. Snow nodded and approached her daughter, touching her head softly.

"She feels better," Snow whispered.

"Aye, she is."

"How long has she been asleep?" Snow adjusted the blankets around Emma and then picked up the empty glass on the nightstand.

Killian shrugged. "A few hours."

Snow smiled at him. "Thank you for coming. I know she's used to taking care of herself, but I didn't want her to be alone."

Killian looked at Emma sadly. The universe had not been kind to her throughout her life. "I would gladly do it again. I don't want her to be alone either."

"Anyway, I think she prefers to have you take care of her." The smile turned playful.

His face reddened and he scratched behind his ear. "I'm sure that's not true."

"I may not have Emma's superpower, but I don't think you believe that." They shared a quiet laugh before she said, "Well, you're free to go if you want."

His heart stopped for a brief moment. Though he knew Emma was going to be all right, the thought of leaving her when she wasn't one hundred percent made panic slip through him. What if her illness got worse while he was away? What if it wasn't the twenty-four hour flu? If she stopped breathing and her parents weren't aware—

"You can stay as long as you want," Snow amended, giving him a knowing look. "Neal and I will be downstairs if you need anything."

"Thank you, princess."

She nodded and headed back down the stairs.

Killian resumed his seat on the edge of the bed, setting the book in his lap. His nerves were taking over again, making it impossible to focus on anything other than Emma. He worried she wouldn't wake up, wouldn't get better. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Emma's sharp intake of breath before she opened her eyes. A sigh of relief left Killian's mouth as he met her green eyes.

Her eyebrows knitted together. "What's wrong?" Her voice was laced with sleep.

He shook his head. "I'm just glad you're okay."

She frowned. "Of course I'm okay. It's just the twenty-four hour flu, remember? Did you worry the entire time I was asleep?'

"No, just the last few minutes."

She grabbed his hand. "You should have woken me up. I don't want you to worry."

"I will always worry about you."

Emma's cheeks flushed. "Is my mom home yet?"

"Aye, she arrived a little bit ago."

She bit her lip. "Are you going home now?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Only if you want to. I don't want you to feel like you have to stay. My mom can take care of me if that's what you're worried about."

Killian knew—or hoped—Snow's earlier words were true. If Emma wanted him to say, he would. "Whatever you wish."

She turned their hands so her palms were facing up. "I don't want to keep you—"

"I will gladly stay if you want me to, Swan."

Her smile was wide. "Really?"

He nodded once. "Of course."

"Okay."

His heartbeat skyrocketed. Emma wanted him to stay, wanted him to take care of her. She trusted him enough to do so. The thought of making sure she was okay made his lips tug up. Nothing was going to happen to her while he was there. She was going to be safe, he would make sure of that.

"As you wish."

Killian sat in his room at Granny's, his leg bouncing wildly. Henry had returned home from school not long after Emma awoke. Killian had stayed, helping Henry with some of his homework and making sure Emma was comfortable. When it had come time for the lad to go to bed, Killian had excused himself, kissing Emma's head and saying farewell. She reluctantly let him go, holding onto his hand a moment longer than she needed to. It ached leaving her, but he knew he had to. They both needed rest, and Emma had refused to sleep again while he was there.

A knock sounded on his door. He sighed, expectanting Granny to be on the other side, demanding to know if he had eaten. The woman was kind, and Killian appreciated that kindness, but he couldn't help but feel like a child under her gaze. His breath froze when he saw who was on the other side of the door.

"Hey," she said, smiling widely.

"What are you doing here, love?" he questioned. "You should be resting."

Emma held her hand out to him. "Fresh air is good for me. Let's go for a walk."

"Swan, it's dark out. I don't want you to catch a cold."

She rolled her eyes, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of his room. "I have a jacket, Killian."

Killian pulled his door closed, happy he hadn't shed his shoes or jacket yet. Emma's palm felt warm in his hand, but not scorching like it had been earlier. "You're feeling better?" He couldn't take his eyes off her face. He worried she would pale any second and flee to a bathroom.

She nodded, pushing the door open at the bottom of the stairs. "Yeah, thanks to you."

"I did nothing."

"You brought me food. That's something I always need."

He chuckled. "Aye, though you didn't seem to want it at first."

"That's because I didn't, but I'm glad you forced me to eat it."

"I didn't force you."

She released his hand and slid her arm around his waist, wanting to stand closer to him. "Encourage might be the right word."

"Ah, that sounds better."

Emma rested her head on his shoulder and sighed in contentment. The cool air that washed over her was a welcome feeling after being stuck in her bed all day. Her mother had been reluctant to let her go, worried something would happen. As soon as Emma had mentioned seeing Killian, though, her mother had smiled and let her go without further argument. The balance between the night air and Killian's warmth calmed her. She was sure her sickness was finally leaving her.

The docks came into view and Emma smiled. Over the last few weeks, the docks had become their place. Emma found herself longing to go there when she woke up from a bad dream or when she couldn't sleep. Often, she would go there. Sometimes Killian was there for the same reasons. The demons that haunted the both of them seemed to leave them there, especially when they were there together.

As they sat on their bench, Killian moved his arm around Emma's shoulders, pulling her closer and kissing her head.

"I'm glad you're feeling better."

She smiled. "Me, too. I just hope you don't get sick from spending all day with me."

"I don't get sick, remember?"

She rolled her eyes. "How could I forget?"

Despite Killian's assurances that illness never plagued him, he found himself tucked in his bed at Granny's the next day, Emma encouraging him to eat toast.

I hope you enjoyed that chapter!