Just a shout out to those of you who leave me comments. I love reading them and am enjoying your predictions for what you think will happen next. So grab a tissue and see if you were right in any of your predictions...

Chapter 17

Hospital for Special Surgery
New York City, New York
Tuesday Morning

"How much longer do you think he'll be out?" he heard being asked by a decidedly familiar voice.

"I don't know," he heard her respond, "but I wish he would wake up."

There was worry in both voices but even though he tried, his eyes were still too heavy to obey his command to open.

No words were spoken for a few minutes, making him wonder what was going on, until he got a whiff of her perfume and felt her cool palm against his forehead. "We're here waiting for you, Robin," she whispered.

"I know," he tried to say, but just like his eyes, neither his lips nor his tongue seemed to be obeying his brain.

"Regina?" Marco sounded unsure and Robin hated that he hadn't been strong enough to stand next to her and introduce her to his father. He hated that he hadn't even really had a chance to tell his father very much about her and what they were to each other. But what they were was so new, there hadn't been time to share. That would come, though, because he knew how he felt, and thought that perhaps she felt the same.

"Yes, Marco?" She was nervous and unsure what his father was going to say, that he could tell from her voice.

"I never really got a chance to tell you," his father began, "but I'm very happy that you were here for my boy."

The slight hitch in her breath surprised him as Regina wasn't one to allow herself to be vulnerable, especially around strangers. "Thank you, Marco," she told him softly. "There's no place I'd rather be."

His father didn't say anything right away, but Robin knew if he were looking at him, he would be smiling, "You care for my boy?" He asked her gently.

"Very much. I just wish he would open his eyes." Her reply was wistful as if she weren't used to having her wishes come true.

Wanting to grant her wish, Robin forced his eyes open. "Regina." His voice came out sounding more like a bullfrog than his usual debonair self but she didn't seem to mind as the smile she bestowed on him warmed his heart.

"Robin!" His name on her lips lightened the pain. "Would you like a drink?"

He nodded his head and while she was reaching for the cup, smiled at his father, hovering nearby. "I'm okay, Papa."

"My son," Marco brushed his hair back just like he had always done when he was a boy, "you worried me."

Before he could answer, Regina held the cup for him to take some water. "The nurse said just a small sip at first or it might make you sick."

Once he had a little moisture in his mouth, he tried again, "I'm sorry, Papa." He took another small drink, enjoying the coolness against his parched throat. "Were you able to find out about Killian and Emma?"

Marco nodded his head. "They are both at University Hospital in New Jersey. I left word for Dakkar to call when he can. Now I will tell the nurses you are awake."

Robin watched him leave the room and turned his attention back to Regina. "Have you been here all day?"

She leaned closer and cupped his face. "I'm where I want to be, unless," she hesitated, her expression unsure, "you don't want me here."

Since his right arm was in a sling and his left hand had IV's attached to it, extra care was required for him to grasp Regina's hand. "I do want you here, very much." His eyes pleaded with her to understand.

"I'm glad," she said quietly, just as the door opened and Marco returned.

"The doctor will be here shortly to examine you," he told Robin, "and then we can find out how long you will have to stay in this place."

"I'm not sure I want to know," Robin groaned. "I'm also not sure how I'm supposed to get around with both legs broken and this arm here," he waved at his right one, "useless."

"I think that's part of what we'll learn from the doctor." Regina smiled teasingly, "Were you always a terrible patient?"

Opening his mouth to answer, Robin was surprised when his father answered first. "Yes," Marco affirmed, "he's always been a poor patient.

"I resent that," Robin piped in, his voice turning into a groan as he tried to scoot around in the bed and jostled his right arm.

"Robin, be careful," cautioned Regina, "I'd hate for you to hurt yourself any further."

"Is that even possible?" He complained to her and his father, "because from where I'm lying it's pretty bad.

The look on her face made him instantly feel contrite for his outburst. "I'm sorry, Regina, Papa. "I fear I'm not very good company right now."

They exchanged looks before Marco took the initiative, "I believe you have every right to be feeling out of sorts."

"Your father is right, Robin. You've been dealt a tough hand, but you'll handle it in the same way you always do. With courage and strength." She finished her impassioned speech with a tender smile.

"Listen to your girl, Robin. She's a keeper." Marco smiled at Robin before sending a grateful look Regina's way.

Robin couldn't have been happier about the camaraderie between his father and Regina. They were getting along and that fact made him very happy.

"Robin," Regina interjected, "if you don't mind, I'm going to go to my apartment and shower while your father is here. Is that okay?" She had posed the question to Robin but her look encompassed both.

"Go, get changed," Marco answered. "I will stay with Robin while you are gone."

When she laid her dark eyes on him, he could see the fatigue that she was trying hard to hide. "Take your time. I'll see you when you return, okay?"

Kissing him quickly, she took her bag from the closet and disappeared out the door. He watched her go through the door, and once it closed behind her he sighed, for it was as if some of the oxygen had been removed from the space around him.

"You found your soulmate, haven't you my son?"

"I believe I have, Pops. I believe I have." His eyelids felt heavy and, having a hard time keeping them open, he gave his father a self-conscious smile. "Do you mind if I rest a little while we wait for the doctor?"

"Sleep, Robin. I'll be here when you wake."

Robin closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, his dreams of walks through the streets of New York City with Regina by his side.

University Hospital
Newark, New Jersey
Tuesday Morning

Liam had spent the last twelve plus hours sitting beside Killian's hospital bed, willing him to wake up. He pushed himself out of the recliner where he had spent much of the night and, needing to stretch his legs, moved to the window to watch the busy street below. His sleep had been fitful and though he was more tired than he could remember being in many years, he thought the new day might revive his spirit. But as he stood there feeling raw, watching people moving in various directions as if they didn't have a care in the world, he turned away from the window and moved back to Killian's side.

Wearily, he drained the last of the coffee one of the nurses brought him, and dropped the cup in the trashcan. His actions of the previous day weighed heavily on his mind and they continually rolled around inside his head, as if they were on a loop. He felt a little like he was Jekyll and Hyde, with a sliver of his subconscious telling him he behaved like an arsehole and if Killian ever found out there would be hell to pay. But the other side, which happened to currently be the stronger one, reminded him that everything he had done, he had done for Killian. With how it had turned out, Emma would have the care she needed, Killian would have the life he was meant to have, and he would have performed his duties as the older brother.

As the hours continued to pass, and Killian's eyes remained closed, he began watching the door. Every time it opened, he hoped it was the doctor so he could ask him questions about Killian's recovery. He knew the generalities of his injuries but the fact that he had been asleep for so long was beginning to be worrisome. Standing next to his bed, Liam was taken aback by the pallor of his brother's skin, looking even more pale against his darker hair. And after watching him lay there for a few minutes, he had to look away because seeing his brother so unnaturally still was almost unbearable. He couldn't help but ask himself if he was being punished.

Just as he was about to give up and go down to the cafeteria, the door opened and Doctor Gold entered the room. "Mr. Jones," he greeted, "have you been here all night?"

"Aye, Doctor Gold. I'm happy to see you. I have some questions about Killian."

Liam watched the doctor select and slip into a pair of latex gloves and begin his examination of Killian's injuries. "Has he woken up since you've been here?" The doctor asked him as he checked his pupils with a small light.

Liam thought back to when he had arrived at the hospital and his last conversation with Killian. "I believe it was around 5:00 yesterday afternoon, and while he has groaned a few times as if he's in pain, he's not opened his eyes since."

"I'm going to consult with Doctor Hopper, who is a neurologist, and he will probably order some tests. I'll be in touch." Tossing his used gloves in the trash, he picked up Killian's chart and left as quickly as he had arrived.

Liam watched Doctor Gold leave the room, feeling despair deep inside his bones. What had he done? Was there any way for him to make things right? Did he even want to try? He decided that a trip to the hospital cafeteria for something to eat might help him find the answers.

Seattle Grace Hospital
Seattle, WA
Tuesday Morning

"Emma! Emma! Time to wake up." She heard the voice calling but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get her eyes to open. The truth was, she really didn't want to open them and wake up from the place she had found. In here, it was peaceful and pain-free. And when she found herself feeling scared, somehow the eyes showed up to give her strength. They were the bluest eyes she had ever seen, surrounded by dark lashes, and they looked at her with such love, she was immediately comforted. Would she have to give them up if she were to wake?

~~~~cs~~~~~

"She hasn't woken up yet?" Doctor David Nolan asked of his surgical nurse, Belle French.

"No, Doctor," she told him quietly. "She's mumbled in her sleep a few times, but every time I think she's about to wake, it's as if she's forcibly rejecting the idea."

David pulled on a pair of gloves and carefully examined Emma Swan's jaw for any further sign of infection. He had a feeling when his new patient woke she might be a little disoriented, as she had been when she had arrived, her face had been encased in bandages and running a high fever. Feeling confident that he had taken care of the problem, he mentally made a list of physicians that would be needed to help her once again be whole.

After he completed his exam and tossed his gloves in the trash, he contemplated whether or not she would continue to need gauze bandages wrapped around her entire face, but decided against it. The cuts she had sustained from the many shards of glass were healing and, while they might leave scars, those could be easily removed with a chemical peel. However, that would be the last step. Prior to that, they needed to heal her jaw and perform plastic surgery to repair her zygomatic arches as well as install implants. In eight to twelve weeks, he ascertained, she should be good as new.

She reminded him of pictures he had seen of his mother in her younger days. He wondered if James had realized that as he worked to repair her broken body. She had a long road ahead, he knew. He hoped she was strong mentally as well as physically because it would take both to help her recover, but he and his staff would make sure she had everything she needed.

He handed her chart to Belle. "Please, page me when she's awake." Checking on her one more time, he noticed she was experiencing rapid eye movement and wondered where she had gone to while she had been in surgery and, more importantly, when she would return.

~~~cs~~~

She could hear people talking in hushed voices to each other, and even periodically to her. She could hear the rustle of papers, the squeak of shoes or of a cart being wheeled across the floor. She could even hear the rhythmic sounds made by medical machines but since no one seemed to be calling for her, she sank back down into her dream world. "Hello," she called, "anyone here?"

On and on she continued to walk, constantly calling for someone, anyone to come help her. She had just about given up when she rounded a corner and there they were, the eyes. "I'm here," they seemed to say. "I'm here."

Safe, she thought. Now I am safe.

Group Home
Boston, MA
Tuesday Afternoon

Henry ran home from school, crashed through the door and straight to Blue's office, sliding around the corner.

"Henry!" she laughed. "Slow down. Where's the fire?"

His breathing rapid, Henry took a few minutes before blurting, "Have you heard from Emma and Killian? Something's wrong!" Henry, feeling panicky, couldn't stay still and continually moved around the room, bouncing up and down. "Please, Blue," he pleaded to her, "send them a text."

Blue contemplated him for a few moments before she nodded her head, picked up her phone and sent a quick message to Emma and Killian. "There, Henry. Let's get you a snack while we wait."

University Hospital
Newark, New Jersey
Tuesday Afternoon

After losing hold of Emma's hand, Killian wandered aimlessly for what felt like hours, trying to find where she had gone. Unable to locate her, the despair finally became so heavy he sank to the ground and, knees bent, laid his head on his crossed arms and wept.

It could have been minutes or even hours later when he heard what he thought was Emma's voice calling hello, but standing had become difficult. His knees felt stiff and when he pushed up, his left knee buckled, the pain so severe it took his breath away. Gritting his teeth, he eased up again, this time a little slower, using his left arm to help himself balance. Once he was up, he began his search again, hoping he would be successful and she would be just around the next corner.

cs~cs~cs

Liam had gotten as far as the elevator but then changed his mind about going down to the cafeteria. They were taking Killian for testing to find out why he wasn't awake and he wanted to be around when they returned. He knew Nemo deserved an update but until he had some definitive information about Killian's health, he had decided to wait.

He found himself pacing back and forth in front of the elevator, waiting for the return of his brother. When after a few hours and Killian still hadn't returned, he couldn't stand it any longer and went to the nursing station looking for answers. Thankfully, a nurse he recognized was working. "Please, tell me you've heard something about my brother."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jones," she said, "but I haven't heard anything. It shouldn't be too much longer."

"That's what I was told before he left," Liam groused. "What's taking so bloody long?" His patience was wearing thin and he wasn't sure how much more he could handle.

She finally took pity on him and gave him a gentle smile. "Let me see what I can find out." He watched her make a call but couldn't tell by her expression if she was getting any information or not. Finally, after nodding her head a few times, she hung up the phone. "He's on his way back to his room and once his doctor has the results, he will let you know."

"Thank you." His mother had been a stickler about manners and even if he weren't completely pleased with the information, he appreciated her efforts to help. But on his way back to wait for Killian, his subconscious tapped loudly, if you're so mannerly, then why did you corner Emma into that deal? Why not just help her like Killian asked you to?

He pushed open the door to the men's room so hard it bounced loudly against the wall, but his thoughts were so muddled he didn't even notice. Going straight to the sink, he splashed water on his face, trying to erase the fog. "You want to know why?" he told the person looking back at him. "I don't want my brother to ever feel what I have felt at the hands of a woman. My job is to protect him."

His resolve returned, he dried his face and left the room, walking out just as Killian's doctor and a bespectacled redhaired gent got off the elevator. "Doctor Gold, any news about my brother?" Liam called before they had gotten very far.

"Oh, Mr. Jones, there you are. This is Doctor Hopper, the neurologist who is consulting on your brother's case.

Liam shook hands with the newcomer, whose face somehow instilled a calmness that he shouldn't be feeling. "Doctor." He tipped his chin, "Any news?"

Doctor Hopper smiled at him, "Let me do one more exam and read over all the results, and then I will speak with you."

Sighing, Liam nodded his head. "Fine. I'll be in the waiting room when you're done."

Watching them walk toward Killian's room, he couldn't help but feel that somehow what Killian was going through was his fault. But if that were the case, could it be fixed? And if so, how did one go about it?

Hospital for Special Surgery
New York City, NY
Tuesday Late Afternoon

By the time Regina made it back to the HSS, she was annoyed. With her car still parked in Boston and not wanting to have to transfer to a bus, she had taken a cab, powered by the worst driver in NYC. Not only had he honked at anything that moved, he took the slowest route to the hospital and the headache she had just gotten rid of was back again in full force. She should have known it wouldn't be a good day after starting off with texts from her mother, all fifteen of them, sent in the span of just a few hours and all with the same message, although not verbatim.

Regina, Dear. Call me as I have news.

Nothing about how she, Regina, was doing or when was she returning home; just what was important to Cora, her news.

She pushed the button to the elevator and while waiting took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself. She didn't want Robin to see that she was out of sorts as all of his energy needed to be focused on getting well and not worrying about her. As her headache started to recede, she couldn't help but smile at the thought that he was like a balm that soothed her soul. He made her feel different, more like the girl she was when her father had been alive. She liked herself with him and couldn't wait to see where their relationship would go.

Headache temporarily abated, she rode the elevator up to the seventh floor, stepping off into a lingering cloud of the same perfume preferred by her mother. Someone has expensive taste, she thought as she headed toward the wing where Robin's room was located, periodically getting whiffs of the same scent. The whiffs were so frequent that she found herself looking in rooms, just to make sure her mother wasn't lurking around corners. "It's your guilty conscience," she muttered, knowing she should have told her about her new job and about Robin, but those two events in her life were new and she wanted to hold them close for just a while longer. Then, she promised herself, she would share.

Arriving at Robin's room, she was surprised to hear laughter coming from inside, as she knew Marco had left to go back to his store and she didn't think anyone else knew about the accident. Curious as to who was inside, she pushed the door open slowly…what she saw surprised her, as there were two visitors inside standing next to the bed, and very obviously…together. "Mother!" Her gaze was drawn to the tall, dark, bald man standing next to her, his hand casually running up and down her mother's back. "Nemo!" Her confused eyes settled on Robin, who returned her gaze in question, but the ever-present twinkle in his eyes was in place.

Cora had turned toward her upon hearing her voice, but when she had said the name of the man standing next to her, she had turned perplexed eyes in his direction. He gave her a rather sheepish smile before turning to Regina and greeting her in his booming voice, "Regina. I didn't realize you were in town. Come in, come in." He waved her into the room. "Cora, sweetheart, did you tell Regina where she could find us?"

Cora finally snapped out of whatever trance she had been in and sidled closer to Regina. "Hello, dear. It's so good to see you, but I thought you would call me back and not show up here at the hospital."

The tone of her voice took Regina aback for a second, as it sounded nothing like her mother's normally acerbic way of speaking. It was pleasant…friendly, even. Regina met her halfway and kissed her on the cheek. "Hello, mother. I'm surprised to see you. I didn't realize you knew, Nemo, or," her eyes met those of the man in the bed, "Robin."

Cora laughed, almost girlishly, and hooked her arm through Regina's bringing them both toward the men. "Oh, well…we do have much to catch up on." She moved from Regina's side to Nemo's, who immediately wrapped an arm around her. "Regina," she hesitated and looked up at Nemo, "Dakkar and I," she swallowed, before blurting, "are getting married!" She held her hand up, showing off a beautiful engagement ring.

Regina had to forcibly clench her teeth to keep her mouth from falling open. She cut her eyes to Robin before looking into the smiling faces of her mother, her new boss, and, apparently, her soon to be stepfather. "Wow, congratulations, you two. I'm..." she waved her hand at a loss for words before changing directions with her line of questioning, "when did you two meet?"

Almost talking over each other, Dakkar, as her mother referred to him, had been on the board of one of the many charities that her mother was a part of and they had met at a dinner the past November. Immediately, they had connected and had been seeing each other since. Dakkar had spirited her away for a romantic weekend in the Bahamas and surprised her with the beautiful ring.

"But..." Regina realized that her mother had been dating Nemo when she had interviewed for the job with his company, yet he had said nothing. Was that why she had gotten the job?

Nemo must have anticipated where her thought processes were taking her because he jumped in before she could finish her thought, "No, Regina," he smiled at her, "you got the job because you were the most qualified. Not," he smiled down at her mother in what could only be described as loving, "because I was enamored with your mother."

"Wait," Robin jumped in looking straight at Regina, "you're going to work for Nemo?"

Regina felt her face heat up as that secret of whom she was going to be working for in the City hadn't been shared with him yet. Moving closer to the bed, she squeezed the fingers of his good hand. "Yes, I got the call right before they contacted me about the accident. Is that alright?" Her dark eyes locked with his light ones, trying to read his thoughts.

"It depends." His gaze moved to Nemo. "Are there company rules about fraternization among employees?"

Nemo's face broke out in a huge smile. "Regina is the woman you've been smitten with for months?"

Regina noticed Robin's cheeks pinken before he flashed her those dimples. "I'm not even going to ask how you knew that, but yes," his voice softened as he gave her fingers an extra squeeze, "Regina holds my heart."

"Never fear, you two," Nemo looked from one to the other, "there are no such rules at NID, and, as it happens, you will be working on the same team, so it's a good thing you like each other."

Robin held her gaze a moment longer, making her wonder what he was going to say next, and when he opened his mouth, she wasn't disappointed. "Oh, I more than like her," he murmured quietly, giving her a tender smile.

"We should get out of here and leave you two alone." Cora hugged her goodbye. "I like your young man." She whispered, surprising Regina yet again with the change in her personality.

"Thanks, Mother," she whispered back, "I like him too." As Cora and Nemo moved toward the door to leave, she remembered her manners. "And congratulations again on your engagement."

"Thank you," they answered in unison, before Nemo took her mother's hand and shut the door behind him.

Regina turned back to Robin still feeling a bit stunned by the events. Deciding to put it aside to deal with later, she grinned down at the dear man in the bed. "And you," she leaned closer, "how are you feeling?"

He puckered his lips, and unable to resist, she leaned in and kissed him, still getting a thrill that she could do that whenever she wanted. "Better now."

"Sweet talker, you," she teased before sharing another tender kiss. "Perhaps we should talk about our jobs."

"Good idea," he agreed. "Pull up a chair."

Group Home
Boston, MA
Tuesday, Late Afternoon

After a few hours had passed and Blue hadn't heard from Emma or Killian, she picked up some of Henry's anxiety. It wasn't like Emma to ignore a text, especially one that was about Henry, and any other time it happened, there was always a good reason. Deciding to broaden her scope, she sent another message, this time to not only Emma and Killian, but also Ruby, Ashley and Elsa. If Emma hadn't contacted her, surely, she had left word with someone. Within minutes she was receiving responses:

Ruby: Haven't heard from either of them. But with finals over they may be catching up, ;-) ;-), if you know what I mean.

Ashley: Haven't heard from them, but Emma did mention she was looking forward to not having school hanging over their heads.

Elsa: Haven't been out of the apartment, let me check if she left a note.

Once Blue read Elsa's text she relaxed a little bit thinking that finally they might get some answers. Shortly another ping indicated an incoming text,

Elsa: She left a note. Going to send a picture.

Elsa,

Killian asked me to elope and I said yes. We are going to Atlantic City and will return in time for graduation. Robin is going with us but because of the new development between him and Regina, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't spirit her away when he returns.

See you Saturday,

Emma

PS. Don't tell Henry. Killian and I want to tell him ourselves.

When Blue finished reading the note from Emma, she couldn't keep the smile off her face. She was a little disappointed that she wouldn't get to be present when they exchanged vows, but Emma deserved to be happy and that was all that she cared about. Deciding to just tell Henry that Emma and Killian had gone away for a mini vacation, she went searching for him.

University Hospital
Newark, NJ
Tuesday, Late Afternoon

Killian wasn't sure how long he had been searching but knew he was tired, his heart felt like it was shattering in a million pieces, and…he wanted Emma. After passing what appeared to be the same place for the second, or it could have been even the third time, he needed to sit down and see if he could come up with a plan. He had been walking in circles, and that helped no one, least of all Emma.

As his steps slowed, he could hear a voice, its words indecipherable because he was too far away. He moved a little closer and listened again, realizing that someone was calling his name, but the person wasn't Emma. "Mr. Jones," he heard, "Mr. Killian Jones." His name was repeated several times, making him need to move closer still to try to hear them more clearly. But no matter how hard he tried, the words remained elusive, as though the person who was calling his name were under water. "Killian. Can you hear me?"

He felt as if he were in a deep pool and it didn't seem to matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get his head above the water. When he heard his name, he tried to answer the questions but was never sure if what he was saying made any sense. Once the voice stopped, the pain started, in his legs, his arms, from one side of his body…to the other…and try as he might, he couldn't seem to move far enough away to make it stop. And then as suddenly as the pain in various parts of his body had started, it receded and the pain in his head returned; a full marching band, complete with multiple bass drums and cymbals playing all at the same time. Too much, he thought. Way too much, until finally…when he could no longer handle everything that was coming at him, he dove to the bottom…where there was no pain…and he could think about Emma and the promises they had made to each other.

That day had been one of the very best days of his life. They had been so close to having it all, and now the promises were reverberating over and over in his head.

Emma had whispered, "Today, with these beads, I thee wed for as long as this rock, this earth, this sea and the sky shall live. And I promise you that I will never forget these beads and our promise to each other and what they stand for. I love you, Killian."

And as his heart expanded with all the love that he felt for her, he had stared into her eyes and promised her everything he had to give. "And I promise to always be there when you need me and to never, ever say goodbye to you. I love you, Emma."

In her arms, his future was full of light and everything that was good, but now he felt alone and the light had turned to darkness and pain…a pain so severe that all he wanted…was for it…to stop.

University Hospital
Newark, NJ
Waiting Room, Late Afternoon

Liam had been sitting, waiting for Doctor Hopper to come out of Killian's room for more than an hour and during that time he had stood up then sat down, unable to find a comfortable place to land. His wish was that the doctor would emerge with a huge smile on his face and declare that Kilian was awake. Then, and only then, would he relax.

When he heard someone coming, he held his breath in anticipation, but it wasn't the doctor he needed and so he resumed pacing. He knew exactly how many steps he could take from one place to another before he was forced to turn around and do it all over again. Ten steps, that's it…that's all it took. Ten steps to the left, turn and then ten steps to the right. Back and forth, ten times…twenty…possibly …fifty or a hundred. Over and over he repeated the same movement until…finally, he turned…and there he was, Doctor Hopper.

"Mr. Jones." He came into the room and since no one else was around, pointed toward one of the chairs. "Shall we?"

Liam tried to read his facial expression and had to admit that the somber visage staring back at him was frightening. "Tell me about Killian," he pleaded with the man sitting next to him.

"We ran several tests on Killian to see if there was an injury to his brain that we were unaware of, as can be the case when a patient doesn't immediately wake up."

"And?" Liam had been waiting somewhat impatiently and he needed answers, but the doctor's speech pattern was so slow that he wanted to scream, just spit it out. He hoped once he had answers, they would be able to move forward with…whatever was next.

"And," Doctor Hopper continued, "the good news is, there is no neurological reason for your brother's unconsciousness. No brain bleed, no blood clot, and the study we did on the electrical activity of his brain shows that everything appears to be working as it was meant to." He sat there for a minute or two allowing everything he had said to be processed before going on. "While your brother responds to pain and even has made attempts at speech, he has lapsed into a coma."

Liam frowned at the doctor. "Coma?" He thought back over what the doctor had said and compared that to what he knew about comas, mostly from movies he had seen. "But wait," he swallowed with some difficulty, "you said that all the tests showed everything is fine."

"Yes," Doctor Hopper agreed.

"But, when a patient 'lapses,'" he made air quotes with his fingers, knowing he sounded rather snide but really not caring, "into a coma, isn't that the epitome of a brain injury?"

"Not necessarily..."

Liam interrupted before he could continue. "Not necessarily!" Unable to sit still any longer, he popped out of his seat. "Bloody hell, Doctor. You're telling me my brother is in a coma, but you can't give me any good reason as to why he is in such a state. Am I correct?"

The doctor remained seated, calmly folding one leg over the other. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jones, but sometimes in medicine…we just don't know."

Liam's mind was racing so quickly and in so many directions that he was having difficulty formulating coherent questions. "So, best guess, Doctor - will my brother come out of this and be alright?"

Doctor Hopper studied him for several seconds before responding, "In my experience, I have seen patients whose brain activity appeared as normal as your brother's remain in a coma for months. I have also seen patients with less brain activity than your brother…especially those who are young and healthy…wake up and you can't tell there was ever anything wrong."

When he didn't elaborate further, Liam asked for the answer he was afraid to hear. "What do you believe makes the difference in waking versus not?"

"I believe," Doctor Hopper told him quietly, "it's that undefinable will to live. Question is, Mr. Jones, does your brother have a strong will to live?"

Liam's first inclination was to shout hell yes, but then flashes of conversations with Killian over the last year plus ran through his mind and there had been a common theme in them all. Emma. "I hope so, Doctor. I bloody well hope so."

"I'm going to order some physical therapy to keep his muscles strong and will check back with you in the next day or so." He stood to leave. "Please let me know if you have any further questions."

Liam nodded his head and watched as Killian's doctor left the waiting room, and then on autopilot traversed the hallway making his way back into Killian's room.

Killian was in the exact same position as earlier in the day, but every few minutes his hands would ball into fists or his legs would move under the thin sheet. Liam watched as his facial features changed, even seeing a fleeting smile before it was gone just as quickly as it had arrived. "Fight, Killian. Fight," he whispered as he brushed a lock of hair off his baby brother's forehead just like he had done so many times when he was young…wondering, for the millionth time it seemed…how life could have gotten so screwed up.

Killian muttered something in his sleep what sounded like a name, causing him to lean a little closer. "Killian, I'm here."

Killian's softly uttered, "Emma," caused Liam to stand straight up and, needing to do something, he left the room searching for answers he might not find.

cs~cs~cs

"Emma," Killian murmured again, "just Emma." He smiled down at the woman who held his heart and right this very minute was laying with her head in his lap, while they watched Henry building a sand castle not far away.

Emma grinned up at him. "That is my name," she teased as he combed his fingers through her blonde locks.

"And a fine name it is, Ms. Swan," he teased her back running his finger down her cheek, to stop at the dimple in her chin.

"What?" She asked when he continued to stare at her.

"I'm just happy." He kissed her quickly. "After all it took to find you, it still surprises me sometimes."

"Me too, babe." She pushed up, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, snuggling against his neck.

Holding her in his arms was heavenly, but with her lithe body in its unclothed state, he was getting ideas he shouldn't be having in public. "This bikini of yours is quite distracting, Swan." He adjusted her body, giving himself a little comfort. "If we were anywhere else..."

She giggled and kissed the underside of his chin. "I know. Perhaps after we take Henry back you can show me what you're thinking."

"Definitely," he nuzzled her ear, "but now..." moving her aside, he jumped up, picking her up and running toward the water, "we need to cool off." Just before the wave knocked them over they were joined by Henry, and all three spent joyous moments in the waves.

The memory felt so real that when it was over, Killian could almost smell the sunscreen and hear the waves as they rushed toward the shore. He wanted more moments like that, but for that to happen he needed to heal and then he would fight to return to his family. After all, a man unwilling to fight for what he wants…deserves what he gets.

cs~cs~cs

Liam ran out of Killian's room without any destination in mind and found himself moving mindlessly from one side of the hospital to the other. Up a floor, back down, he walked until it was almost like he ran out of steam and needed to stop and regroup and so… He stopped to lean against the closest wall.

He wasn't sure how long he had been leaning there, working on getting his erratic breathing under control or his heart rate to return to normal, when he realized that he was getting some rather concerned looks. A quick look around confirmed what he had suspected, that he had returned to the scene of the crime, so to speak. Was it too late to make things right?

Pushing off the wall, he stepped inside the room where a little over 24 hours ago, he had met with Killian's Emma. Instead of coming out the hero, his bitterness had led him down the path of destruction and now he was being punished and could very well lose the only real family he had left. If that happened could he live with himself?

His exact words to her were hazy, but the longer he stood beside the very bed she had been lying in, the clearer those words became.

"You have to promise me that you will go to this place and you will not contact Killian or any of your old friends while your rehabilitation is occurring."

And then finishing it off with, "I can't take the chance that I'm wrong about you Miss Swan. I do not wish to see my brother treated as I was treated by some orphan twit who knows nothing of love."

"Oh, God," he whispered, "what have I done?" With no one to lead him in the right direction, he rushed from the room and ran right into the very doctor who had inadvertently helped him push Emma away.

"Whoa," Doctor Nolan steadied him, "where's the fire?"

Liam took a deep breath, trying to get himself under some semblance of control. "I'm sorry, Doctor. I was..." What could he say that didn't make him sound like a bigger idiot than he was, finally deciding on a partial truth, "I was having second thoughts about the young lady being so far away from my brother, that's all."

The doctor's blue eyes bore into his as if to disagree with him but he didn't say anything like that. Instead he indicated a direction and as he started walking tossed, "Follow me," over his shoulder.

Liam felt a little like a lamb being led to slaughter but followed along meekly, surprised when he was led into the doctor's office and given a chair to sit down.

Doctor Nolan leaned against his desk, crossing his arms in front of him. "Mr. Jones," he began, "you asked me what I would do if that were my family and I gave you my honest answer. Yes, it's far away, but as soon as your brother has healed, he can fly out to be with her, in fact they usually encourage it. The young woman will get the very best care and return to her friends looking good as new. By providing a generous amount of money, you have given her a chance to be whole again. Your family should be thanking you."

Every word that came out of the doctor's mouth ripped through Liam as if they were darts being embedded in a board; the ache so deep that he couldn't breathe, and he felt that he might keel over at any moment.

Doctor Nolan walked behind his desk and pulled open a couple of drawers. "I do have something for you, though." He shut and then opened another drawer before he found what he was looking for, pulling out a bag and handing it across the desk. "These are Ms. Swan's belongings. I thought you might get them back to her."

As if in a trance, Liam reached out for the bag, drawing it close. With nothing else to say, he thanked the doctor, made his way back to his apartment and dropped down onto the very sofa that just a few days ago he had been sitting on when he confided his morbid story to Killian.

"Oh, Killian," Liam sighed, as tears filled his eyes and he looked down at the bag that he had been given. When his gaze landed on a bright and shiny diamond ring, he bowed his head and cried as if there were no tomorrow.

Seattle Grace Hospital
Seattle, WA
Wednesday Morning

Doctor David Nolan, Chief of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Seattle Grace Memorial Hospital, had worked hard to become the man he was today. An identical twin, he and James had been born to parents who owned a small farm in the middle of nowhere, USA. Growing up, the boys had been fiercely competitive, both knowing from an early age that they wanted to be doctors but realizing that going to the same medical school would not be a very good idea.

As such, James had gone east, graduating from John's Hopkins Medical school and David had moved west, graduating from Stanford. That they had ended up with the same specialty was just one of those fluky twin occurrences, but because they didn't live nor work in the same area of the country, it had never been a problem. James recommended patients to David who lived in the west, just as he recommended patients to James who lived in the east. This however was the first time his brother had ever sent a patient who was originally from his side of the country, which, if he were honest with himself, was very flattering. "Finally admitted I'm the best," he smiled as he organized the file in front of him.

"Who finally realized you're the best?" he heard, as he looked up and greeted his Chief of Psychology, Doctor Mary Margaret Blanchard, and the love of his life. She sauntered close and, foregoing a chair, came around the desk to give him a kiss hello. "Well, I'm waiting," she asked again. "Who realized you're the best?"

He gave her a look that said she shouldn't have been eavesdropping before answering in a self-deprecating fashion, "My brother."

"Ahh, that explains it. So, what did he do?" She hitched a hip up on the desk and waited for the full story.

David went on to tell her about the new case and how the woman had sustained significant injuries in a motor vehicle accident and that their job was going to be to put her back together.

"Sad," Mary Margaret murmured, "does she have a family?"

He flipped through several pages in front of him. "She has a fiancé, who was injured in the accident, and his brother is the one who paid upfront for the care and her living expenses for a year."

"Very generous of him," she vocalized what he had been thinking.

"Agreed," David hummed, "but as soon as she arrived, she was rushed back into surgery and she's yet to wake, and it's been hours." He looked at the clock on the wall thinking a full day had passed.

"Well, if you need me to consult, let me know. I just stopped to tell you I would be late as I have a group at Anita's Place tonight."

"I'll let you know." He kissed her goodbye and watched her leave the room and then started making notes and calls to pull his team together. So far, he had requested a consult with Mark Sloan, Plastic Surgery and Eva Prince, Orthopedics. Knowing that Eva would bring her own Occupational Therapist, he checked that off the list, and Mary Margaret, who was available if needed, completed another box. Deciding that anyone else would be added on as needed, he shut the chart and went to check on the patient herself.

cs~cs~cs

Belle had been watching Doctor Nolan's patient since her shift had started and she was pretty sure that she was starting to wake up. She checked her IV bags and her dressings, and then left the room in search of something for the poor thing to write on, since speaking with her jaws wired shut wouldn't be an option.

When she returned, the first thing she noticed was the patient, Emma Swan, lying quietly, her green eyes wide open staring around the room as if scared and confused. Setting the whiteboard and markers close by, Belle smiled at her, hoping to make her feel at ease. "Good evening, Emma. I'm Belle, your nurse. Are you in pain?"

The young woman frowned as if she were taking inventory of her injuries, finally shaking her head, indicating no, or at least not at this time. "I'm going to contact your doctor and let him know you're awake. Do you need anything before I go?" Another negative shake of Emma's head had her turning to go contact Doctor Nolan.

Belle had just picked up the phone to page him when David Nolan himself breezed into the room. "She's awake?" he asked, going straight to the new patient's side.

"She is," Belle told him, meeting him at Emma's side. "Emma," she said quietly, "this is Doctor Nolan. He's the one who fixed you jaw."

~~~cs~~~

David was taken aback by the sadness and fear he saw on Emma's face. "Are you in pain?" he couldn't help but ask. She shook her head no, which alleviated that concern and moved on with his questions. "Did the nurse tell you where you are?" Again, she responded in the negative. "You are at Seattle Grace Hospital. You arrived a little over a day ago and were taken directly to surgery, as one of the wires used to repair your jaw had broken, causing an infection. You've been asleep since."

He went on to tell her that her jaw should be healed in six to eight weeks, at which time she would need surgery to replace some bones that were broken in her face and give her new teeth. "Until then, it's straws and protein drinks for you. Do you understand?" This time she shook her head in the affirmative, and he continued. "Your arm is broken, and once the cast comes off you might need a little therapy to strengthen it, but I don't believe you need those big bandages on your hands and face that you arrived with." Seeing her confusion, he hastened to add, "Do you have any questions?"

She nodded her head and, since her mouth wouldn't open, looked around for something to write on. Belle, who had remained standing close by, handed her the whiteboard and a marker. Unable to write with her right hand, she put the marker in her left and David watched her painstakingly write a simple sentence. When she turned the board in his direction, he read:

"Who is Emma?"

And yes, I did go there. But you found out that Liam does have a heart so now the question is where do they go from here? I've loved writing the journey. Hope you all enjoy it too... Sunday your Chapter 18 preview gifs will pop up and next Wednesday the chapter. Keep tossing those positive vibes to my muse. I'm currently writing Chapter 22 and trying to tell my muse to shut up - which means the story will have 24 chapters. However, I have a tendency to word vomit so...