Sorry it's taken me so long to post this chapter, I've been busy over the holidays!

I hope you all like it and thanks once again to my amazing Beta reader!

Reviews are always helpful!

Chapter Four

"All the tears in the world can't bring back the dead or wash away your

fears and grief. I want you to put up your chin and tell

yourself you are strong. And if you begin to weaken, hold on to me.

That's what I am here for." - Cynthia Wright, Silver Storm

"You're sure you'll be alright?" Killian asks his brother for the third time. It feels wrong to leave him after so many years spent apart. The need to be around Liam seems to intensify with every moment Killian spends with his brother. He's getting comfortable with him again and if this doesn't last its only going to make it more painful if Liam's lost to him again.

"I promise brother, besides I should be the one who's worried about you, I am oldest." Liam jokes while he closes the door to the room they'd been able to get at Granny's. It's not much but it's better than the small bed on his ship.

"Technically I'm oldest, remember." Killian teases giving his brothers hair a ruffle like Liam used to do to him when they were kids.

"Oi!" Liam shoves Killian off with a smile on his face. He hadn't realized how much he missed that smile until now. It forces memories of Killians childhood into his mind. He didn't have the best upbringing but Liam always made things easier. He made things more bearable when times got tough and there wasn't always food on the table. Killians father tried to give his children the best upbringing he could manage, or at least in the beginning he did. It wasn't until father dearest traded in his sons for his own freedom that Killian started to understand. When he was a boy his father was very good at hiding his true self, Killian wanted to be just like him. They'd met once more in the distant future and it wasn't until then that Killian had a the ability to see who the man truly was and who he became after so long. He hadn't even given himself the chance, he'd shoved a blade through his father's stomach before could try. If Liam knew what Killian had done would they be joking like they are now? Would things be this easy to settle back into? Killian pushes the thought away. That's a conversation for him to share with his brother when the time is right.

"She's not really like this." The change in topic is abrupt but Killian finds himself with the sudden need to explain Emma's actions. His brother must know know that the woman he loves is nowhere near as dark as the power that possesses her. "Emma, she's different." Killian continues to explain when Liam gives him a strange look. "The person you met today that's… that's not her." Killain tries. He sits himself on the side of the bed running his hand through his hair.

"I'll take your word for it." Liam sits beside Killian.

"I wish I knew how she became this. What if there was something I could have done to stop it all from happening." Killian races through his memories trying to find something that could hint toward Emma and his past, but he finds nothing.

"Don't beat yourself up brother. The past is the past and you need to focus on the present. If Emma isn't who she really is we have to find a way to bring her back." Liam encourages his brother, trying to build up the hope that he seems to have lost.

"We?" Killian questions.

"Yes brother. Your battles are my battles. We'll get her back for you Killian, no matter what." Liam promises, wresting a firm hand on Killian shoulder. He'd forgotten how it felt to have his brother lift his spirits. When they were young Liam always told Killian he could do or be anything he wanted. He was always the positive one. He made the impossible seem possible. "I can tell you love her. I'm happy you've found someone who can make you happy. Maybe not at this exact moment, but she will." Liam smiles once more.

"Thank you." Killian means it. With his brother at his side things don't seem as terrible, like there's something constant in his life, something unconditional. "I better get going." Killian stands and gives his brother a firm pat on the back as if to say goodbye but only for a little while.

The walk to his ship seems longer than usual. David had offered to drive Liam and Killian where they needed to be, but Killian declined wanting to spend some time alone with his brother. Thinking back on it now he wishes he'd said yes. He's more tired than he thought he was. The day's events have drained him from what little energy he had. By the time he gets below the deck of his ship Killian falls onto the bed, his eyes becoming heavy with sleep.

Killian doesn't always dream, but when he does it's about her. Emma and him are always in a meadow surrounded by breathtaking flowers that cover the ground to the forest's edge. Usually they just talk but sometimes they say nothing. It's enchanting and peaceful. It makes Killian forget about all the terrible things that are currently happening in the real world. The dreams never last though, somehow they always turn into nightmares.

Killian wakes suddenly with a deep feeling in his gut. He knows instantly something is wrong. He just isn't sure what, yet. The moment he steps from his bed he finds himself consumed by a cloud of smoke transporting him into a dark and unfamiliar room. Killian can make out the white walls that surround him and beige curtains that block whatever moonlight could seep into the room. When he steps forward he bumps into a silver coloured chair that his eyes are able to make out when they've adjusted to the darkness. It's a sound that catches Killians attention first, a soft whimper comes from the other side of the room. On a sofa matching the furniture Killians just ran into Emma lays with her arms wrapped around her stomach and tears streaming from her closed eyes.

"Killian." Emma whispers and he's by her side instantly. Dark liquid oozes down her cheek smearing where she's tries to wipe it away.

"Emma it's all right, I'm here love." Killian smooths his hand over her silver locks that end in a tight bun. When he touches her she becomes tense and her eyes snap open. Her body relaxes at the sound of his voice, he continues to sooth her by wresting his hand on her cheek wiping away her many tears with his thumb. She must not have meant to summon him here, it was an accident. Yearning for a form of comfort she called for him. Killians stomach sinks. How many nights has this happened and he wasn't here for her. How many times had she called for him but it wasn't quite enough for him to hear?

"Love, can you sit up?" He questions, his hand now in hers making circles in the palm of her hand with his index finger. She gives a small nod and he helps her into a sitting position with her feet tucked beneath her. She squeezes onto his hand as she winces in pain. Killian finds tissue on the coffee table and kneels in front of her handing her the material. She coughs into it and more black spills from her mouth.

"Well that can't be good." Killian grabs more tissues but this time he sits beside her wiping away her tears and the dark substance surrounding her mouth. When finished he tosses the tissue so it lands on the coffee table. Emma groans and leans forward resting her head on his shoulder. Wincing as she clutches onto him.

"It's alright love." Kissing the side of her head he runs his hand up and down her back.

"Killian it hurts." She grasps onto him tighter nuzzling her head into his neck. He holds onto her, her body shaking against his as she leans onto him for support. She feels delegate and fragile, as if she were to let go of him, she would collapse into nothingness.

They sit like this for a while until her breathing begins to steady and her whimpers no longer sting his ears. She's in pain and there's nothing he can do to help her. "Emma love, you need to tell me what's going on." Killian tries.

"I don't…" She mumbles into his chest. Killian closes his eyes frustrated, not with her but with himself. He knows he shouldn't push her. Especially well she's clearly weak and vulnerable but Killian knows this is the only time he'll get answers, while her guards down.

"What was that love?" He questions once more.

Emma takes a deep breath and sits straight. She closes her eyes like she's forcing the world around her to stop spinning. "I don't know. The past few days it's been happening." Emma confesses. Killian squeezes her hand wishing he'd been there for her. "Usually it's tolerable." She closes her eyes once more and takes another deep breath. "But this time, it was… it was something completely different. It felt as if I was coming apart from the inside. There was so much noise in my head and it was like every bone in my body was on fire… and… and I couldn't stop it- I couldn't…" her body begins to tremble.

"Calm down love, it's over now." He lifts her chin forcing her to look him in the eyes and focus on something different. The last thing he wants is for her pain to overtake her again.

"Water." She manages to say with a shaky voice.

"Aye love." Killian rushes to the kitchen and grabs her a drink bringing it to her swiftly as possible. He finds her in the same position he'd left her. She looks so helpless. It feels like a lifetime since she's let him see her in such a vulnerable state. Usually she pushes him away before he can try to help. "Are you okay?" Killian knows it's a stupid question but he needs to ask it.

"Define 'okay'." Killian can't help but smirk at the comment, still his quick witted and sarcastic Swan.

"Do you know why it's happening?" Killian asks as he tucks a strand of hair that had fallen from her bun behind her ear. She shakes her head no and he sits beside her, his hand now on her back tracing comforting circles. After a while she starts to lean into him "There's nothing that happened recently that could have started this?" Killian tries not to push to hard.

Emma begins to shake her head but she stops herself, her eyes beginning to widen in realization. "You need to leave." Her voice is sharp but there's a slight plea behind her words.

"Swan?" Killian questions, startled at her abruptness.

"Go. Now." She looks as if she's about to stand but she thinks better of it not sure if she's strong enough to hold herself up.

"Emma?" Killian questions once more. He reaches for her but she pulls away.

"I said leave, or I'll make you." She snarls.

"I'm not going anywhere." Killian stands his ground knowing it's pointless, she'll just remove him from the room using magic but at least the gesture means something. He'll never leave her.

"Killian please." She tries more calmly but he stays in his seat beside her. She sighs, flicks her wrist and killian finds himself back on the deck of his ship, a beautiful view of the sunrise greets him when he looks to the horizon. It's morning already and Killian had only gotten a few hours of sleep before he found himself with Emma. Why did she make him leave? What did she remember? Killian shakes his head knowing that if he keeps asking himself these questions it'll drive him mad so he decides to walk to Granny's and meet his brother for breakfast. It's a 15 minute walk and Liam was always a earlier riser so he should be up soon anyways.

The walk is cold and mostly spent thinking of Emma. Killian debates in his mind on whether or not he should he tell Snow and David about what's happening to her. He doesn't even know what's happening to her and he doesn't think she has a clear idea either. Worrying her parents won't do anyone any good, but they deserve to know. Killian battles himself in his mind. He avoids thinking about the way she looked at him. She was in so much pain, how is he supposed to help her if he can't even take it away.

The bell on the door forces Killian back to Granny's and his brother. He doesn't bother saying Hello to Granny because Leroy has her to distracted while he complains about how his pancakes were cold. Killian heads straight to Liam's room. He gives a small knock on the door but when there's no greeting Killian pushes it open. Liam sits with on the bed his eyes clothes and the palm of his hand pressed against his forehead.

"Liam?" Killian questions, he notices his brother wince at the loudness of his voice. "What's wrong?" He tries again a little more softly.

"I've had a terrible night." Liam's voice is hoarse. "My head is killing me." Liam confesses looking at Killian. He looks like he's had a rough night. His tousled hair and the bags under his eyes say enough for Killian to know it wasn't a pleasant sleep at all. He gives his brother a concerned look. "I'm sure it's just side effects from coming back from the dead." Liam says nonchalantly. "I'm sure it's nothing. I'll go get ready for breakfast." Killian can tell Liam tries to hide another wince when he stands and heads to the bathroom.

Killian has that sinking feeling in his gut again, something is terribly wrong.