Dreams

She gripped Killian's hand as they headed toward Granny's. After defeating Gideon two days ago, they had spent most of their time at home, playing board games and watching Netflix. Snow had called them this morning, insisting they meet them at Granny's for dinner, which Emma had happily agreed to.

"I am so ready for a grilled cheese," Emma said. She pulled Killian's arm around her shoulder and slid her arm around his waist, soaking in his warmth.

He chuckled and planted a kiss on her hair. "We've eaten grilled cheese for lunch the past two days, Swan."

"It's not the same. No matter how hard I try, Granny will always make better grilled cheeses than me, which is one-hundred percent okay with me."

Suddenly, they were enveloped in smoke, their vision obscured. Killian's grip on Emma tightened. She clutched his jacket.

When the smoke cleared, the two were standing in the middle of main street. Her parents, Henry, and Regina were clustered around them, looking just as confused as Emma felt.

"How did we get here?" Regina asked, looking at Emma. "Did you bring us here?"

"I was just about to ask you the same thing."

"Who did it then?" Regina demanded.

"Don't strain yourself, Regina. It was just me."

Emma froze. She knew that voice. It still haunted her in sleep. Slowly, she turned around to see Gideon approaching them, his dark hood pulled over his head.

Killian pushed Emma behind him, taking a step forward and unsheathing the sword he always brought with him. "Leave now before I run you through."

"How are you here?" Regina questioned, stepping next to the pirate.

Emma's hand wrapped tightly around Killian's arm. Her heart beat wildly. There was no way Gideon could be here. She had defeated him, died in the process. Sometimes, she could still feel the sword lodged in her stomach before it was yanked out of her.

"That doesn't matter," Gideon sneered. "All that matters is I am here to defeat the Savior."

"You're not getting anywhere near her after what you did to her," Killian growled, moving forward.

Emma's panic grew. She pulled Killian back. "Stop."

He looked back at her. The anger on his face masked his inner terror, though Emma saw right through it.

"Give me your sword."

"Emma—"

She brushed her hand across his cheek. "It's going to be okay."

He shook his head, tears springing to his eyes. "Emma, you can't—" He was cut off by a pierce of pain shooting through him. He let out a shout and began to fall forward.

Emma's eyes widened at the sight of a sword being yanked from his stomach. She caught him and crumpled to the ground, holding on tight. "Killian! Killian!" Her mind flashed back to when she had to kill him when they were the Dark Ones. The memory wasn't welcomed.

"You will lose everyone you care about," Gideon said with a grin. He stood a few feet back, a bloody sword in his hand. "Then, I will kill you."

Emma shot up, the blanket on her lap flying off her. "Killian!" She looked around frantically, confusion filling her at the sight of her living room.

Killian appeared at her side, worry etched into his features. "Emma, what is it?" He lowered himself onto his knees, her rapid breathing making his anxiety grow.

"Killian." She launched forward, throwing her arms around him and burying her face in his neck. "You're okay."

His arms went around her. "Of course I am, love. I was just making dinner."

"I thought I lost you," she sobbed, holding him closer.

His eyebrows furrowed before he realized what must have happened. The last two days hadn't been kind to his wife. She woke several times a night from nightmares about Gideon. She'd been exhausted, which led to Killian begging her to take a nap while he made dinner. Apparently, she wasn't safe from her dreams even in a light sleep.

"It was just a dream," he whispered, running his hand up her back. "Just a dream. I'm here. I'm okay."

She leaned back enough to see his face. Killian's heart clenched at the sight of her tears. He moved his hand to wipe the moisture away.

"I'm not going anywhere," he assured. "I promise. Gideon's gone. The danger has passed."

Emma nodded gently and hugged him again. She could still feel the stickiness of his blood on her fingers, see the sneer on Gideon's face, the panic in Killian's eyes. She tried to push the images from her mind, but she couldn't, not when something like that could happen at any moment. Storybrooke was Storybrooke. Villains and curses were always a threat.

Sensing her uneasiness, Killian stood and sat next to her, pulling her with him. She burrowed into his chest, her legs curled up into her. One of her hands slid up to the back of his neck, combing her fingers through his hair. The sound of his thumping heart helped calm her rapidly beating one.

Killian hated that Emma was still plagued with nightmares of her death. She'd suffered enough when she had her visions, she didn't need these dreams.

"Do you want to tell me about it?" he asked after a few minutes.

She hesitated. This dream was the first one she'd had in which someone she loved had died. Saying it out loud would make it seem real.

"It will help, love."

After a moment, she nodded and dropped her arm. Her hand gripped the chain around Killian's neck. "We were going to eat dinner at Granny's with our family. When we were walking, we were transported to Main Street. My parents, Henry, and Regina were there, too. Gideon appeared and he…he stabbed you." Her voice was thick, her vision blurry with tears.

Killian squeezed his eyes closed and rested his head on hers. "I'm alive, darling. Gideon is gone. He can't hurt anyone." Despite his assurances, Emma's small form was still shaking in his arms. "It was just a dream. I'm here."

She didn't respond, instead turning her head into his chest and breathing in his scent, anchoring herself. It had felt so real. The thought of losing Killian again after everything they'd been through was too much to bear. She couldn't imagine losing him now, after they had finally gotten their happy ending—their happy beginning.

Gradually, Emma's tremors stopped. Her breathing grew soft and even, but Killian knew she was awake. Her grip on his necklace hadn't loosened. He wanted nothing more than to stop the nightmares from tormenting her. If he could beat them away with his sword, he would. He felt just as helpless as he had watching her fight Gideon. He despised the feeling. He was Captain Hook, for goodness' sake, and he couldn't even protect his wife from nightmares.

Killian stood, keeping his grip on Emma.

She didn't even lift her head up. "What are you doing?"

"Taking you somewhere to clear your mind." He kissed her head again and set her on her feet. "Get your shoes on."

Her tear rimmed eyes met his. "Why?"

"Trust me."

She blew out a breath and dragged her feet to the front door. After sliding her shoes on, she took her jacket from Killian's hook and pushed her arms through it.

"Look a little excited, Swan," he teased, grabbing her hand and pulling her out the front door after snatching the keys.

Emma rolled her eyes and followed him, moving her arm around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm tired."

"You weren't going to go back to sleep. You never do after nightmares."

A small smile tugged at her lips. Sometimes, it was inconvenient that he knew her so well. "That's besides the point."

"Tell me, love, what is the point?"

She shrugged. "Where are we going?"

"I already told you."

"Vaguely."

His lips touched her head. "Trust me."

"I do. I just don't like surprises."

Killian tightened his arm around her shoulders. "I know, but this one is a good one. I promise."

She hummed in response and pulled Killian's arm farther around her shoulders, holding his hand in hers while her other arm remained around his waist. "I'm glad you're okay."

"It will remain that way. I'm not going anywhere."

Emma only nodded and closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting Killian guide her to their destination. She barely registered in what direction they were walking until Killian opened a door that revealed a staircase. She immediately knew where they were.

"Killian, wha—"

He released her and grabbed her hand so they could ascend the stairs with ease. "Shh, love. Just follow me."

She trailed behind him as he started up the stairs. When they reached the top and Killian opened the door, light poured into the staircase.

Anticipation filled Emma as she looked past Killian's shoulder. She hadn't been back here since the wedding, since the curse. Everything had disappeared when the curse had hit. Regina called her yesterday to confirm that all the decorations and furniture were back at the town hall, all having been locked up in a storage closet. Snow wanted to reset it all up and have a reception, but David had convinced her, thankfully, to wait at least another week to make sure nothing else happened.

Though the rooftop was plain and empty, memories of their wedding filled Emma's mind. She sent a smile at Killian only to see him gazing lovingly at her.

"What?" she asked, cheeks flushing.

He grinned. "You're smiling again."

She rolled her eyes.

Killian tugged on her hand and led her to the center of the roof. "I knew this would help." He grabbed her arms and put them around his neck, resting his hand and hook on her waist.

Her smile grew. She entwined her fingers behind his neck and stepped closer, laying her head on his shoulder. "I love you."

He started swaying, hoping that the motions would help chase any remnants of her nightmare away. "I love you, too." As an afterthought, he added, "Mrs. Jones."

A small laugh escaped her. "That's weird to hear."

"Well, I like it."

She pulled back and kissed him softly. "Me, too."

He beamed. "Do you feel better?"

"Yes. Thank you."

His forehead touched hers. "Anytime, darling. Anytime."