Chapter 9: Wasted Years and Endless torment
"Mom, I'm home." Emma heard Henry from her room and walked quickly to the living room, her son came running, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I missed you so much." He whispered and Emma looked up nervously at Neal. Henry rarely came home so emotional. He ran off to his room, shutting the door behind him.
"Uh, is everything alright with him?"
Neal shrugged. "I dunno, he's been a bit quiet this weekend. I was going to ask you if something was going on here."
"Why would you think something was going on here?"
"The kid mentioned your neighbor a lot. Thought perhaps you and Graham were having trouble."
Emma rolled her eyes. "First off, my dating life is none of your business. Second, he's friends with Killian. He likes talking about boats and sailing with him."
"Yeah I heard he wrote his whole poem about him." She could see the pout in his face. She knew that look, he was jealous of Killian.
"Well maybe if you spent less time in Barbados, he'd write a poem about you." She shrugged.
"Yeah I kinda talked to him about that this weekend." Emma's brow raised. "Was thinking maybe he could spend more time at my place." Emma stared at the man across the room, trying not to let her body language show her anger. They had tried this before and Henry had only gotten hurt when Neal would miss his visits, or not spend any time with him when he was there. Neal always ran off when things got real.
"Why don't you try staying in town for a bit before we talk about visitation changes."
"I told you, I had business in Barbados."
"Red head or blonde this time? I can never keep up."
"That's not fair, I'm a grown man, I have needs, Emma."
"Well until you learn to put Henry's needs above yours, you get him one weekend a month."
"That's not fair." He started to complain.
"Tell it to a judge, maybe you can explain exactly what your business is while you're at it. I'm sure he'd like to hear all about it."
He rolled his eyes and yanked the front door open. "You can't keep him from me forever." He argued as he stepped into the hall.
"The only person keeping you from a real relationship with Henry, is you, Neal."
"You're the reason he hates me." He yelled and Emma stepped toward him.
"Henry doesn't hate anyone, but if he doesn't want to spend more time with you, maybe ask yourself if it's something you're doing that could be causing that."
"Why do you always have to blame me when the kid gets emotional?"
"Because you're usually the one being a dick head."
"I don't have time for this."
"Good, then leave." Emma yelled. She spun to head back to her apartment when she noticed Killian standing at his door at the other end of the hall. His face a mixture of anger and concern. She nodded to him and then stepped into her apartment, slamming the door in Neal's face.
Killian grabbed his helmet as he headed out the door, only stopping when he heard loud voices in the hallway. He stepped out to lock his door and saw Neal standing in front of Emma's door.
"You're the reason he hates me."
"Henry doesn't hate anyone, but if he doesn't want to spend more time with you, maybe ask yourself if it's something you're doing that could be causing that."
Killian locked the door, trying not to eavesdrop further on the conversation, but the two continued their fight and he was afraid to move any further up the hall for fear of walking into the middle of the fight.
"Why do you always have to blame me when the kid gets emotional?"
Killian was starting to feel angry, listening to the man slinging crap at Emma. Obviously, the weekend with his father had not gone as well as he had hoped. He was concerned that it seemed like Henry was negatively effected by the visit with Neal.
"Because you're usually the one being a dick head."
Killian stifled a laugh, not wanting to make noise from his spot at the door.
"I don't have time for this."
"Good, then leave."
Emma sounded upset, her emotions boiling over and then she turned, and their eyes met. He should have stepped into his apartment but instead he was just standing there looking like an idiot at the end of the hall. She slammed the door behind her, and he started walking toward the man who had stormed toward the elevator. Stepping into the small box, he closed his eyes as the door shut.
"Are you fucking her?"
His eyes popped open. "Excuse me?"
"I can't figure out why anyone would make friends with an eleven-year-old boy unless it was to get his mom in the sack."
Killian was livid. "You think the only reason anyone would be interested in what your son had to say was if they were sleeping with his mother?"
"It's not unheard of, look I don't blame you, she's a hot piece of ass, get it while you can. But leave my son out of it."
"I beg your pardon; it just so happens that I am not sleeping with Emma. And your son is a very interesting kid. He has a lot of intuitive things to say, if you actually spent more than a minute talking to him."
"Don't lecture me about my kid."
"Perhaps someone should." He turned to face the man who was at least a head shorter than him and watched him cower away.
"Whatever, just don't get what she sees in you."
"I told you, Emma and I are not together. She's my neighbor and I consider her a friend. Henry too."
"Keep telling yourself that buddy." The doors to the elevator opened and he sprinted quickly to his car. Killian just watched him leave, wondering what Emma had ever seen in the emotionally stunted man he had just spoken with.
"Unbelievable." He grumbled to himself.
Henry spent the next few weeks hiding out in his room. He didn't want to talk to his mom about spending more time with his dad. He avoided the conversation any time she brought it up. As far as he was concerned, once a month was more than he could handle. Instead, he focused on the fact that his mom and Killian had been acting strangely since he had returned home from his dad's.
It wasn't that they weren't speaking, they spoke a lot when Henry was around. It was the moments when they didn't realize he was watching them that told him something was up.
The first issue he noticed, was that when the two of them were mostly alone, they got quiet. In fact, he watched his mom navigate to the other side of the room when Killian had stayed for dinner the other night. Instead of taking the dishes to the kitchen after Killian entered, she suddenly needed to check on a noise she heard in the bathroom.
He also noticed that anytime Killian accidentally touched his mom, either her arm, or brushing against each other in the hall, he would jump and apologize to her. It was the weirdest thing, and he didn't like it. It was like they were trying to stay away from each other, and that was the last thing he needed. Not if they were going to realize that they were each other's true love.
Henry wasn't sure at first, he had only hoped, but after the literacy fair, the way his mom and Killian had stared at each other over pizza, the way they started hanging out more, his mother's special laugh she had just for Killian, Henry knew that Killian Jones was the one and only one for his mom.
Unfortunately, Graham wasn't going anywhere, but that wasn't going to stop Henry.
"So, I was wondering if you could watch Henry tonight, Graham wants to go out tomorrow night." Will was sitting at the table as Emma put the dishes away.
"I wish I could, but I have plans."
"Plans? With who?"
"Don't make a big deal about it but I have a date."
Emma's eyes grew wide, "You have a date with who?"
"A girl. I don't want to talk about it yet."
"I'm really happy for you Will. That's great news."
He blushed. "Thanks, it's still new, been seeing her on and off the last couple of weeks, online mostly but she finally agreed to go out with me."
"Well hopefully you won't keep her a secret for too long."
"Eh, yeah maybe."
His mom looked at Henry and frowned. "Ruby has a date tomorrow too. I guess you're coming with us."
"What about Killian?" Henry offered.
"Oh. Well, I mean, I don't know if he wants to stay in with a kid all night. He might have plans." Henry rolled his eyes and stood up from the table.
"I'll go ask him."
"Henry…" Before she could say no, he ran out the door and sprinted down the hall, knocking on his door.
"Hey lad, come to see Smee?"
"Actually, I wanted to know if you could come over and watch a movie tomorrow with me. Maybe Pirates of the Caribbean?"
"Oh…"
"Sorry, I was going to come ask you, but this one…" Emma rushed up behind him and ruffled Henry's hair. "Got too excited and beat me to it."
"Ask me to watch a movie?"
"No, um, I have a dinner date." His mom started before pausing. "With Graham and well, Ruby and Will both have date's so they can't stay with Henry."
"I see, well, I'd be honored to spend time with the lad."
Henry smiled widely, "Great."
"I'm leaving at 6 so if you want to come over a little before I can give you the instructions."
"Sure, no problem."
Henry saw it again, the weird way Killian was looking at his mom, he could almost see the disappointment in his eyes that she was going on a date. He knew it, Killian liked his mom.
"Alright, well, we'll just let you get back to whatever it is you were doing."
"Sure, see you tomorrow, lad."
"Bye Killian."
Henry practically skipped back to his apartment. All he needed to do now was find a way to ruin his mom's date so that she came home and spend time with Killian instead.
Captain Jones followed Emma into the darkened tunnel as they made their way back to the castle. They exited through a painting in the East Hall. As soon as they were inside the castle, Emma went in search of a person she swore would be able to assist in the quest to find not only Baelfire, but now her son, Henry.
Turning a corner, they came face to face with the King who was talking quietly with the court's jester. "Emma." The King rushed forward, grabbing his sister, and pulling her closer to him. "I've been so worried about you. Is Henry with you?"
"No, Baelfire took him." She cried and the man beside the King stepped forward.
"I went to get him from his room this morning and he was gone."
"It's alright Will, Henry snuck out to follow me."
"Follow you? Did you leave the castle? What could you possibly be thinking?" The King scolded and suddenly there was a commotion behind them as the Queen came stumbling toward them.
"Emma. I thought you were dead."
"I'm so sorry Your Grace, I did not mean to concern you. I was not expecting to be gone so long, but I was helping the Captain in his quest."
"Why would you allow my sister to chase after this man, I thought I asked you for your discretion." The King advanced on the Captain.
"Don't blame him, I followed him. Demanded to know what he was doing at the castle."
"Emma. Why are you always getting into trouble? This is why you need to marry, settle down with the Duke and live a quiet life."
The Queen hushed her husband. "Where is that boy of yours?"
"Baelfire has taken him." The Queen put her hand to her mouth and let out a squeal.
"I need the Huntress. We found Leroy tied up in his house." Emma tried to explain.
"Leroy, but why?"
"I can't explain, but I believe that the Huntress can track him through the forest." The King and Queen shared a glance.
"Emma you know we can't release her."
"Who is this Huntress?" The Captain demanded. "If she can track Baelfire, we may need her assistance."
"We keep her locked up in the dungeons. She's a danger to herself and others."
Emma grabbed the Queen's arm, "I need to get to Henry before he takes him away from here."
The King nodded and they followed him through the castle until they reached the stairway down into the dungeon. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"She's my friend."
They entered the dungeon, a steel cage at the end of the hall, housing a dark-haired woman sitting at a desk, writing in a journal.
"What is this?" The Captain asked.
"Oh hello, who is this fine man you've brought me?" The woman sashayed up to the bars, reaching out to touch the Captain.
"Ruby, I need your help. The Swan Thief has captured Henry."
The Captain swore the woman's eyes burned red for a moment, before she turned and grabbed her cape from her chair. "How long has he been gone?"
"A few hours at most." Emma explained. "We were at Leroy's when he disappeared into the forest.
"Let's go, we don't have time to waste, it will be dark soon, and I fear the moon is full tonight."
Captain Jones shared a glance with the Princess, who only reached for the keys, unlocking the large gate, and releasing the woman from her prison. The two women hugged for a moment before the red cape was draped over her head and she took off toward the stairs.
The Captain grabbed the Princess' arm, leaning over to speak only to her. "Who is she?"
The Princess met his gaze, "She is our only hope. Ruby, the Huntress."
"Why the bloody hell is she locked up?"
"Because, when the moon is high in the sky, and full as it is tonight, she becomes, The Wolf."
Killian dropped her arm, watching her as she followed the group up the stairs. "Wolves…" He paused, staring after the Princess. "Wonderful."
"His bedtime is 10pm tonight and don't let him convince you otherwise." Emma was explaining as Killian watched her going down the list of items on the paper in front of her.
"Swan, he's eleven, not two, I think I can handle a simple evening."
"Ok but you know Henry, he can be a handful."
"Aye, we are going to eat some pizza and watch Pirates of the Caribbean. What could possibly go wrong?"
Two hours later, everything had gone wrong.
Killian wasn't even quite sure how to explain half of what had happened.
To begin with the pizza delivery guy got lost bringing the order and was 45 minutes late and then when the pizza was finally in hand, it got dropped, meat side down onto the floor.
After finally cleaning pizza off the floor, Killian made grilled cheese sandwiches and they sat down to watch their movie, only to have the Blu-ray player throw sparks at him and completely shut off.
Instead of the movie, Henry suggested they play a game and after twenty minutes of whatever the fresh hell Uno was, Killian decided perhaps they should just watch TV.
Imagine his surprise when they turned on the television to see full on nudity on the screen. Groaning he turned off the television, ignoring the boy's newfound questions about women, boobs, and if it was normal for a man's penis to be as large as the man on that was on the screen. Trying to divert the boy, he asked the lad if he wanted to read a book.
Killian was sure that whatever parenting was, he was doing a pretty terrible job of it. Even if it was only for the evening.
"I'm not feeling very well, can we call my mom?"
Killian looked at the boy who was holding his stomach. "You were fine just a minute ago?"
"I know but now I'm not, can you call her please?"
Killian groaned but wasn't about to take a chance after the way his evening had gone, instead getting the number from the paper on Emma's instructions and dialing it with his phone. After two rings, she answered.
"Hello, this is Emma."
"Emma it's Killian, I'm terribly sorry to bother you, but Henry says he's not feeling well and I'm not quite sure what to do."
"Oh no, can I talk to him?"
"One second." He passed the phone to the boy and sat on the couch.
"My stomach hurts really bad mom. Yeah lots of pain. I think I'm going to be sick and…Oh ok, see you when you get here."
The boy hung up the phone and tossed it to Killian. "She'll be home soon." He was almost sure the boy smiled but then he groaned, doubled over, and sat down next to him on the couch.
Whatever was ailing the boy was a mystery.
Emma apologized to Graham, and he immediately drove her home from their dinner date. She had never heard Henry sound so sick before and she had no idea what had caused it.
"You sure you don't want me to come up?" Graham asked as he pulled up to the curb.
"No, you have to work early tomorrow, I'll be fine." She leaned over and pecked his lips quicky before exiting the vehicle and heading into the apartment complex.
When the elevator doors opened, she started to exit when she stopped in her tracks. Will was standing in front of his door kissing a dark-haired woman. When they pulled away, Emma's blood boiled as she recognized the woman as Belle French, Killian's girlfriend. They didn't see her as they pushed open Will's door and disappeared into his apartment.
How could she cheat on Killian? How could Will do this? Emma was furious.
She pushed the key into her apartment door, looking back angrily at Will's apartment before stepping into her own.
When she got inside, Killian looked panicked, her house smelled funny and there was an entire box of pizza sticking out of her trash can.
"Mom's home." She announced, heading into the living room to see Henry laying on the couch. The boy sat up and smiled at her.
"Hey mom, I'm feeling much better now."
Emma narrowed her eyes. "Baby, are you sure, you sounded so bad on the phone."
Killian was glaring at the boy. "You were keeled over in pain two minutes ago."
"I know, but it's all gone now. Must have been gas. I'm gonna go to bed, I'm exhausted." He said, yawning. Turning toward Killian he launched his arms around his neck. "This was the most awesome night I've had in ages. You're the best."
He ran off toward his room leaving Killian and Emma staring after him in stunned confusion.
"Ok that was odd." Emma said with a frown. "Has he been like that all evening?"
"Honestly, this has been a terrible evening, the lad is being way too nice by stating that it was a anything but a disaster." Emma had to laugh at the way his face appeared to be genuinely upset by the events of his evening.
"Ok well, just tell me what happened."
"First off, the bloody pizza fell on the floor, your Blu-ray player almost burned the house down, Uno is the rudest game I've ever played, and you have porn on your television." He ended with an exasperated sigh.
Emma stifled the laugh that was threatening to roll off her tongue. He was clearly having a bad evening. "So, when did Henry get sick?"
"That's the thing, he was fine one minute and doubled over in pain the next. Is he always like that?"
"No, I have no idea what's gotten into him."
"Well, I'm glad he's feeling better, and if there's nothing else you need, then I shall take my leave as I have never been so exhausted in all my life."
Emma cleared her throat. "Um, I actually need to tell you something first."
"Is everything alright, Swan?"
Emma sat down on the couch and gestured for him to join her. He tentatively sat down next to her. "I don't know how to say this."
"Out with it, love."
"Belle is cheating on you." She spat out suddenly.
"Swan, are you concerned about my welfare?" He said with a chuckle and Emma couldn't believe how casual he was acting after hearing the news.
"Did you hear me? She's cheating on you. I just saw her outside Will's apartment and they were kissing."
He laughed. "Is that so? I guess they really hit it off."
"Killian, aren't you upset right now? I'm so sorry. I can't believe that Will would behave like this."
"Don't be too angry with the lad. He spoke to me first."
Emma's mouth dropped. "You approved of him dating your girlfriend?"
"That's the thing Emma, Belle isn't my girlfriend, she never was. Not really. We just…existed. But I'm happy for her." Killian stood from the couch and Emma rose to follow him.
"I don't understand, she wasn't your girlfriend?"
"Nah, Belle and I outlived our time. I don't do relationships." He said quietly.
"You don't do relationships?" Emma stated incredulously.
"They just don't…" He sighed. "Sadly, relationships don't work out for me, Swan." He paused. "Love brings nothing but wasted years and endless torment." He smiled sadly. "So, believe me when I say, I'm happy for her, I hope it works out better for her than it did for me."
Two weeks ago
"We need to talk." Belle showed up at his door at 7am on a Saturday and Killian knew it couldn't be for a good reason. She had been avoiding him for days.
"I've found that when a woman says that I'm rarely in for a pleasant conversation."
"This isn't working for me."
"Aye, I know."
"I love you, Killian. I really do."
He sighed, "I love you too. And I don't say those words lightly. I haven't used them with another woman since Milah." Belle frowned. "But I can't give you what you want and that's not fair to you. You deserve to be loved by a man who can promise you forever."
"You need to stop running away from love or you're going to be alone forever."
"Don't worry about me, love. I'm a big boy."
She ran her hand across his cheek. "You deserve to be happy, Killian. What happened with Milah isn't your ending. You weren't the villain in that tale, you were a victim."
"That's a story we tell ourselves to sleep better at night." He laughed. "I just want you to be happy, you deserve that."
"I think I could be, but…"
"What is it?"
"I, I met someone. Nothing serious, yet, but we've been talking. Mostly online."
"An online bloke?"
"About that…" She closed her eyes. "It's Will."
"Will, as in 4B, Will Scarlett?"
"Yes, I started watching his streaming channel and we just started chatting afterwards. He's a really funny guy and so sweet."
"Well, I'll be damned." He laughed. "I'm happy for you." He wrapped his arms around the woman, hugging her tightly.
"Are you going to be alright?" She mumbled against his chest.
"Don't worry about me, I'm a survivor, love."
Killian let the door close behind him as he walked slowly to his apartment. Standing in the dark shadows of the room he tried to ignore the silence of the empty apartment, his feelings overtaking him for the first time in years as he wiped a stray tear from his eye.