As Killian pushed through Emma's front door, he saw that her living room was in shambles. His shoe crunched on broken glass, and when he looked down, he saw puddles of blood dripped on the tile. Swallowing down the bile in his throat, his eyes frantically darted around in search of his girlfriend. He felt like he was underwater, as everything seemed to be blurry and moving in slow motion.
He looked to the right where the kitchen was located and saw a flurry of activity. Paramedics and police officers were gathered around something, no someone, on the floor. He saw blond hair fanned out over the burgundy carpet where the living room met the kitchen. Emma!
He turned and took a step in that direction, but a police officer blocked his progress. "I'm sorry, sir, but you can't come in."
"She's my...she's my girlfriend," he croaked, fighting to make his voice work.
"These people need to do their job, so you'll have to wait outside."
Killian began to panic. He had to get to Emma! He stared at the prone figure on the floor, hoping to see some movement from her, but she lay completely still. He could see a portion of her face between the feet of a paramedic, and could tell that she looked waxy and pale. Without conscious thought, he took another step in her direction.
The officer put his arm across Killian's path. "Sir, you cannot enter this house! You need to go back outside."
Killian finally took his eyes off Emma and looked at the man standing in his path. "At least...can you at least tell me, is she...is she," he stopped, unable to make himself say the words.
Fortunately, the officer understood what he meant. "She's alive. That's all I can tell you."
Killian breathed a sigh of relief as his eyes welled up in tears. "How...how badly is she…"
"It's not that I won't tell you, sir, I really can't tell you anymore, because I don't know anything about her condition. I'm sure they'll be getting her ready for transport soon."
Killian heard whimpering and looked over to see Evie limping across the living room, crouched low with her tail between her legs. When she reached him, he gently picked her up, stroking her fur.
"What happened to you and your mommy, Evie?" he whispered against the top of her head. The puppy whined and quivered in his arms.
"She must recognize you. She wouldn't come to any of us," the officer commented. He glanced up. "Watch your back."
Killian looked around and saw that a paramedic carrying a backboard was approaching the door. He quickly stepped out of the way, crushing more glass under his foot.
As soon as the woman was clear of the door, Killian walked outside, still clutching the shivering little dog to his chest. Fumbling in his pocket, he pulled out his phone. He scrolled through his contacts with shaking fingers until he came to David's number. Once he saw that the call was connecting, he held the phone up to his ear.
David's cheery voice came across the line. "Hey, Killian! It's good to hear from you! I figured you and Emma…"
"Dave, Milah came to Emma's house and attacked her. The police and paramedics are here, and they're getting ready to take her to the hospital. Apparently, Evie was hurt as well, and I was wondering if you could come over to pick her up." He was surprised that he was even able to make sense.
There was silence on the other end for a few moments after he finished. Finally, Killian heard David speak in a choked voice. "We're leaving right now."
"Thanks, Dave."
He replaced his phone in his pocket and started pacing back and forth across the yard, tugging at his hair in frustration. He felt like if he couldn't see Emma soon, he was going to go mad.
As he made one trip across, he noticed that a police officer was talking to a woman that Killian recognized as Emma's neighbor, Gwen King. She looked like she was giving a statement to the officer, who was nodding and writing on a notepad.
Two paramedics came out, removed a gurney from the ambulance, raised it, and wheeled it up the sidewalk. He watched the front door, hoping to see the rescue personnel emerging with Emma.
A few minutes passed with no more activity from the house, and then David and Mary Margaret came hurrying over to him. David took Evie from his arms as Mary Margaret pulled him into a hug. Killian hadn't even known how much he needed it until her arms were around him. He turned his face into her neck and wept great, wracking sobs that shook both their bodies. Mary Margaret rubbed her hands up and down his back, whispering reassurances, as her own tears streamed down her face.
Killian didn't know how much time passed before he was able to get himself under some semblance of control. Finally, he released his friend and stepped back, wiping the tears from his face.
"How is she, do you know?" Mary Margaret asked.
Killian shook his head. "All they told me was that she's alive. I only got a quick glimpse of her before I had to leave the house. She...she looked so pale, and...she wasn't moving at all."
David put his hand on his friend's shoulder, before explaining the plan that he and his wife had quickly devised on their way over. "I'll get this little girl to my friend who's a vet. She'll check her out, and I'm sure she'll be happy to keep her for a couple of days, under the circumstances. Mary Margaret is going to ride with you to the hospital. I'll join you there, after I drop Evie off. We called Emma's dad before we left home. He and August were leaving right away to come to the hospital."
Killian nodded his understanding. "I...I just can't believe this is happening. I never could have imagined that Milah was capable of doing something like this."
"Where is Milah?" Mary Margaret asked.
"She was being arrested when I got here, so I assume she's in jail. I hope she is, at least. She...she told me that she got rid of Emma so the two of us could be together." He rubbed his hand down his face, then around to the back of his neck.
David asked, "Who called 9-1-1?"
"I have no idea. There's so much I don't know. Right now, all I need to know is that…" his voice caught. He swallowed, then continued, "that Emma is going to be alright."
David saw movement over his friend's shoulder. "It looks like they're bringing her out right now."
Killian spun around and saw that they were placing a backboard with Emma strapped to it onto the gurney. Without stopping to think, he ran across the yard. The paramedics were fastening the straps around her body, so he was able to get close to where her head was lying.
"Swan? Can you hear me?" he asked hopefully.
She cracked her eyes open, then slowly blinked twice. "Ki-Killian?" she hoarsely whispered. He could tell that it was an effort for her to speak.
"Yes, Sweetheart, I'm here. You're safe now. They're going to take you to the hospital, but don't worry, I'll be there when you get there." He pushed some sweaty strands of hair away from her face.
"E-Evie? How...is…"
"She's got a bit of a limp, but she'll be okay. Dave is going to take her to the vet." He looked up and realized that they were finished tightening the buckles. "They're going to put you into the ambulance now, Love. Just relax, and I'll see you at the hospital."
She moved her head a bit, which he took as a nod, and closed her eyes again. He kissed her temple, then backed away.
They wheeled the gurney down the sidewalk and Killian watched as she disappeared inside the ambulance. Then he hurried over to Mary Margaret and David.
"I want to follow behind them," he explained. "Are you ready to go?"
Mary Margaret turned to David, giving him a quick hug and kiss. "I'll see you when you get to the hospital. Be good, Evie," she added, scratching behind the puppy's ears.
She and Killian walked to his truck where he opened the door for her, then rushed around to climb in his side after she'd gotten settled. A police officer was just closing the rear doors of the ambulance, as the flashing lights turned on and the siren started.
It took twenty minutes to reach the hospital. Mary Margaret noticed that Killian's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, and he gave only short, succinct answers to any questions that she asked.
The ambulance pulled up in front of the Emergency Room entrance, and Killian swung his truck into the closest space in the parking lot beside it. He and Mary Margaret walked quickly down the sidewalk, and arrived at the same time they were pulling the stretcher out of the back. Emma looked just as wane and pale as she had at the house. Her eyes were closed and seemed to be pinched with pain. Killian's heart ached as he looked at her.
The two friends followed the gurney through the double doors. When the paramedics stopped for a minute to check in with the nurse at the admitting desk, Mary Margaret leaned over Emma and said, "Your dad and brother are on their way, Emma. We'll all be waiting here for you. We love you."
"Love you too," she mumbled, with her eyes still closed. "Killian?"
"I'm right here, Love. You're so brave, Sweetheart. Stay strong."
"I'll try. Don't...leave me, okay?"
Hearing her say it in such a small voice nearly broke his heart. "I'm not going anywhere, Emma. I promise you that."
Mary Margaret patted Emma's cheek, while Killian kissed her forehead. "We'll see you soon, Swan," he said, then they watched as she was wheeled through another set of doors.
The nurse from the front desk approached them with a clipboard. "Are you Emma Swan's family?"
"We're friends of hers," Mary Margaret informed her, then nodded towards Killian. "Actually, this is her boyfriend."
"I see. Do you know if she has any family who will be coming? I have some paperwork that needs to be completed."
"Her father and brother are on their way, but it will take them a while to get here. I could call her father and ask him the questions over the phone, if that's okay."
"That would be fine. If there are any that you can't answer, just leave them blank." She handed Mary Margaret the clipboard then went back behind the desk.
Mary Margaret pulled out her phone, placed a call to Marco, and began filling in the blanks on the paper in front of her. Killian walked from one side of the room to the other, running his hand through his hair over and over, becoming more agitated by the minute. Finally, he told his friend that he was going to get some air.
Once outside, he pulled out his phone and called Will Scarlett, quickly explaining what had happened the best that he could.
Will struggled to contain his anger, while Belle clung to his arm, listening to Killian on speakerphone.
"What can we do to help?" Will asked, after his friend had finished speaking.
"I'll let them know at the library that you won't be in to work this week," Belle told him.
"Thank you. I don't know how long she'll be here, but I plan to stay with her as long as she needs me, even after she goes back home."
"Of course. Don't worry about your job - they're very understanding. When Will was injured, they let me take off all the time I needed."
"That's good to know," Killian stated. "Will, I want to make sure they have Milah locked up so she can't come after Emma again."
"I'll see what I can do to get that information," his friend promised.
"I have to get back inside. I really appreciate all your help."
"That's what friends are for, mate. Keep us updated," Will said.
"Give her our love and let her know that we're praying for her," Belle added.
"I will. I'll talk to you soon."
He re-entered the waiting room and saw that Mary Margaret was at the desk, speaking with the nurse. He slumped into one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs, placed his elbows on his knees, and held his head in his hands. This has to be a nightmare, he thought. How could this have happened? He'd known that Milah was angry that day at the ceremony, but he never in a million years would have thought she could be this violent.
He began to think about some of the strange things that had occurred in the past few weeks. He wondered if that gray car belonged to Milah. If so, he was sure that she'd been following them. She was probably the one they'd heard in the hallway that day at the hotel, and she'd more than likely been listening outside the door.
With a jolt, he realized that she must have been the cause of his flat tire, too. He'd found a nail that was driven into the side of the tire, a location that was impossible for it to have been accidentally picked up along the road. She had probably planned this all along! She must have watched them long enough to figure out their Sunday routine, and then used that knowledge to put her plan into action.
Killian felt sick to his stomach. Emma was severely injured because of his mistakes. He should've listened to all the warnings that his buddies had given him about Milah. He stood and started pacing around the room again, avoiding the areas where other people were sitting, waiting for news of their own loved ones.
The outside doors opened, allowing David to enter, and Killian strode over to meet him. Mary Margaret had just turned away from the desk, and joined the two of them.
"Any news?" David asked anxiously, putting his arm around his wife.
Killian answered, "Nothing yet. I'm assuming they're running tests. What did you find out about Evie?"
"Kimberly examined her and assured us that she's gonna be fine. There are no broken bones, she just has a couple of sore spots, which are more than likely deep bruises. She thinks that…" he paused and looked at his friend. He was sure that this news wouldn't be easy for him to hear. "She thinks that someone probably kicked her into a wall, or some other hard object."
Killian threw his head back and closed his eyes. He could only imagine how agonizing it must have been for Emma to watch that happen to her beloved puppy. What other horrors had she endured at the hands of Milah? From what he could piece together, he could tell that she'd suffered trauma that would cause more than just physical pain. Speaking from experience, he knew that emotional wounds ran deep, and could be even more difficult to recover from than the physical ones.
"I just got off the phone with Marco. He said they're about forty minutes away," Mary Margaret shared.
"I hate to meet her family under these conditions, knowing it's my fault that she's here," Killian said.
David and Mary Margaret both looked at him sharply. "How on earth is this your fault, Killian?" Mary Margaret asked, using her strictest teacher's voice.
"Milah did this because she wanted the two of us to be back together."
"No, she didn't! She did this because she wasn't getting all the attention she wanted anymore! She did this because she knew that you'd moved on without her, and she hadn't found anyone new to put up with her nonsense! If she had, you can be sure that she wouldn't have fixated on you and Emma. None of this is your fault, Killian Jones, so just put that idea right out of your head!"
David nodded his agreement. "She's right, man. There's something wrong with that woman. I wouldn't be surprised if they test her mental stability. I'm not being flippant about that, I seriously think she may have some sort of mental illness. I just don't see how someone who's mentally healthy could do something like this."
Killian sat down in a chair, thinking about what his friends had said. They were probably right, but he still couldn't help but feel some degree of guilt.
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While they waited for August and Marco to arrive, David told his friend some more information he'd found out before leaving Emma's house.
"Emma's neighbor, Gwen is the one who made the 9-1-1 call. She said that she and Arthur had been suspicious of a gray car that they'd seen driving slowly around the neighborhood on several occasions."
"So that was Milah's car. Emma was just telling me the other day that she had an uneasy feeling about it because it was always parked across from my truck at the hotel, and it seemed to follow her out of the parking lot and almost all the way home a couple of times. Both of us thought we saw someone sitting in it, but when we walked by, it appeared to be empty. Milah must have been spying on us for weeks. I'm sure she flattened my tire today so she would have enough time to go after Emma."
"Oh, that's so creepy!" Mary Margaret shivered.
"Anyway, Gwen said that she was outside with her little boy when she saw that car park in front of Emma's. After a while, she heard a lot of screaming from inside the house, since Emma had her windows open. Her husband wasn't home and she couldn't leave Lance to go over to help, so she called the emergency number."
"Thank God she did," Mary Margaret commented.
"It sounds like the police got there right after Milah pushed Emma into the wall and knocked her unconscious. I don't even want to think about what might have happened if they hadn't," David finished.
"Neither do I," Killian agreed.
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Almost exactly forty minutes later, Marco and August walked through the doors and hurried over to where the three anxious friends were sitting. Mary Margaret rose and gave both of them hugs, then stepped back as David shook their hands.
He turned and motioned Killian forward to introduce him. "Killian, this is Emma's father, Marco Swan and her brother, August. This is Killian Jones."
August stepped forward and shook his hand, then Killian offered his hand to Marco, but was pulled into a hug instead.
"I'm very happy to meet my Emma's young man," he said, gently patting him on the back. Killian had to fight back tears at the genuine kindness of the older man.
"Thank you, sir. After all that Emma has told me about you and August, I'm glad to meet both of you as well. I just wish it was under different circumstances."
"Have they told you anything about how she's doing?" asked August.
"Not a word. I'm sure they're examining her thoroughly, but it's difficult just sitting here waiting," Mary Margartet answered.
"Were you able to talk to her at all?" Marco wondered.
"Very briefly at the house and again right after she got here. She um, she seemed to be in quite a bit of pain," Killian said, dropping his head. "I'm sorry that all of this happened."
Marco studied the man in front of him, who hadn't yet met his eyes. Over his shoulder, he saw that August was engaged in conversation with David and Mary Margaret. He took Killian by the elbow and steered him further away from the others .
"The woman who did this, I'm told that you know her?"
Killian swallowed. "Yes, sir. I dated her for several months before my last deployment. I assume that Emma told you I was in the Army."
Marco nodded. "She did, but you've been discharged, eh?"
"Yes, sir, a few weeks ago."
"Did you know that the woman was going to do this to Emma?"
"No, sir! I would've done everything I could to protect her if I had any idea! "
Marco put his hand on Killian's shoulder. "Then, my boy, you have no reason to blame yourself or feel guilty for anything that happened today. We can't control the thoughts and actions of others. We can't always predict what they might do, or prevent them from doing something they've set their mind on doing. That is beyond our control. Right now, our girl doesn't need your guilt. She needs your strength, your hope, your prayers, and dare I say, your love. Can I count on you to give her those?"
Killian straightened his shoulders and looked him in the eye. "Yes, sir, I'll do my best to give her whatever she needs."
"Good, good! Oh, and one more thing, Killian…"
"What's that, sir?"
"Please don't call me 'sir'. I'm not your commanding officer, I'm family." His face crinkled with a smile. "You can call me Marco."
"Thank you...Marco."
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August and Marco had been there for nearly ten minutes when the double doors swung open, and a man in a white doctor's coat and blue scrubs came through. He had a shock of blonde hair that stuck straight up, and a stethoscope slung around his neck. He walked directly to the group and said, "I'm Dr. Whale. Are you Emma Swan's family?"
"Yes," August said, rising from his seat. "I'm her brother, this is her father and these are her friends."
The doctor shook all of their hands, and after noticing Mary Margaret's baby bump, commented, "Congratulations!"
"Thank you," she responded. "What can you tell us about Emma?"
He looked at Marco and August. "I can tell the two of you since you're her family. If you want anyone else to be in the room, that's your call."
Marco answered, "We all want to hear, of course."
"Come with me." He turned to go toward a room off to the side of the ER waiting room, and the others fell into step behind him.
When they were all in the small room, Dr. Whale leaned forward in his seat and began to explain his findings. "Miss Swan has several injuries, but none that are life-threatening."
Killian exhaled, relieved that the doctor hadn't made them wait to hear that bit of news.
"She suffered a concussion, and we've classified it as a grade three because she did lose consciousness for a brief period of time, is still very drowsy, and is complaining of a headache and nausea. She doesn't appear to have any memory loss, though. She'll have to be monitored carefully for several weeks to ensure that she doesn't have any long-term effects from it."
"She has two deep, but clean lacerations, meaning that they're not jagged. From what the paramedics told me, they were made with a large butcher knife. One is to her right forearm, and the other to her right abdomen, just below her ribcage. She lost quite a bit of blood, but we didn't need to give her a transfusion...yet. Hopefully that won't be necessary. We'll try to close them using a local anesthesia, but she'll need stitches inside and out because they're fairly deep. We don't like to use even a general anesthesia when there's a concussion involved. Luckily, it appears that there was very little damage to her muscles, and none to the tendons, ligaments or any organs from the cuts."
"We've determined that she has two cracked ribs on her left side. She was probably either kicked, or hit with a hard object. In addition, she also has a Type III separated shoulder - her left one - which hopefully can be conservatively managed. It does appear that she may have some strained or torn ligaments and tendons there. I'll recommend that she see a physical therapist when she's ready for treatment."
"She's a physical therapist herself," August interjected.
"Ah, very good!" Whale responded. "I'm sure she'll understand the process then, and will be able to select an experienced colleague. Time will tell if she'll be able to recover from it without surgical intervention. With the assessments that we've been able to perform, we're fairly confident that these are all the injuries that she sustained."
"Which injury is the most concerning?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Concussions can be very tricky because the effects can continue to show up randomly for months. Sometimes the symptoms improve, only to show up again later. All of the injuries are concerning, but Miss, excuse me, Dr. Swan appears to be in very good physical condition, which will definitely help with her recovery. She's more than likely going to need someone to be with her for a few days or weeks to help see to her needs."
"I'll be with her," Killian stated matter-of-factly.
"We live just a few minutes away, so we'll be able to help her, too," Mary Margaret affirmed.
"We're planning to stay for a few days," Marco added.
"It sounds like she'll be in good hands then. I want to get those lacerations closed up, and then we'll be moving her to a room, since I want to keep her under observation at least throughout the night. Do you have any other questions?"
"Can I, uh…can someone stay with her tonight?" Killian inquired.
"We can make accommodations for that."
Killian relaxed a bit, knowing that she wouldn't be alone if she woke up in the middle of the night.
"Anything else?" Dr. Whale asked.
They all looked at each other, then shook their heads.
"Not right now," David answered for all of them.
"Great! I'll have someone let you know when she's settled in her room. I won't limit visitors, but I must impress upon you that she's going to be sensitive to noise and bright lights."
"We'll be sure to keep that in mind," Marco guaranteed.
He shook all their hands once again, then exited the room.
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Killian didn't think he had ever lived such a long day in his entire life, not even the day when he himself was injured. He estimated that he'd gotten to Emma's house around noon. It was now nearing five PM, and they were still waiting to see her.
They'd made calls to Ruby, Ashley and Claire while they waited, and Killian had updated Will and Belle on Emma's condition, as promised. David and Mary Margaret had gone to the hospital cafeteria, returning with sandwiches, chips, fruit and drinks for everyone. Killian had taken a couple bites of a sandwich and had forced down some pieces of an orange just to be polite, but he had absolutely no appetite.
The longer they waited, the more the conversation lagged until they were sitting mostly silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
Finally, a nurse came into the waiting room from a different direction than the doors through which Emma had been taken.
"Emma Swan's family?" she asked cheerily.
They all scrambled to their feet as Marco answered, "Yes, here we are."
She stepped over to their area of the room. "She's settled into her room, so you can see her now. Please follow me." She turned and walked briskly toward a hallway on their right.
"We'll wait here so there won't be too many people in her room at one time," Mary Margaret said. "Tell her we'll see her later."
As Killian followed behind August and Marco, his heart rate began to increase and he was finding it difficult to take deep breaths. He knew that the doctor had said none of the injuries were life-threatening, but they were still serious. He wanted to keep his emotions in check, but he didn't know how he could if she was in a lot of pain.
They took an elevator to the fourth floor and wove through a maze of hallways until the nurse stopped in front of room 424.
"We've dimmed the lights and made it as quiet as possible in the room. Please keep it darkened and try not to talk loudly. There's a call button on the side of her bed rail. If she needs anything or is in any discomfort, please let us know. You can also come down to the nurse's station."
"Thank you," Marco and August chorused.
Marco led them into the room. The blinds were closed, and the only light was a small one turned toward the wall behind Emma's bed. Her head was slightly elevated, and her left arm was in a sling, while the right one was swathed in bandages. There were monitors in the room, but their sounds had been muted, and she was hooked up to an IV.
Her face was gray, with dark circles under both closed eyes. Her lips were thin and colorless, and her hair laid lank against the pillow.
Killian thought she looked absolutely beautiful.
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