Disclaimer: This is a swanfire fanfiction
"I guess we are going to take my car. It's not a long ride. We'll be there at 2 am. Not that bad."
"While you are driving I'll rest a bit. I didn't sleep quite well this month," expressed Hook.
"Why?" Asked Emma curious.
"I slept outside, near the subway."
"What? You should have rent a room in a hotel! Oh…you don't have money…well you could have ask me….Oh yeah, I wouldn't have accept… I don't know. I guess I'm sorry."
"No worry love. I did this for the whole town."
The conversation ended there. By leaving, Emma changed everyone lives. Even if she didn't want to admit it, everybody was expecting her to be the hero, a mother, a child, a friend. It was a lot of pressure for someone with issues like Emma and Hook knew it, but it was best for everyone if she came back to Storybrook. Hook just hadn't told her why yet.
As he slept, Emma thought of her future. Could she have a normal life again? The answer was no. This answer only bought more questions. Like what's next? , is she going to date again? , could she do that to Neal? , could she started over with her son? She remembered all the dreams she had about Neal. She couldn't denied it anymore. Not with Hook by her side. She needed to face the reality so she could move on. She needed to see Mr. Gold. He probably had something that could help her. She needed to start fresh. She thought she was going to do it in New York, but it turned out not to be the solution. She was going to try in Storybrook. Start over with Killian, her mother, her father, Regina….and her son.
Killian moved in his sleep causing her to escape her brain. She looked at him for a second before focusing for the rest of the ride on the road. As she entered the town, she passed her home and went straight to Mr. Gold's shop. It was late but the light were still on. She didn't wake up her friend. He needed rest and even if her car wasn't really comfortable, it was better than the street. She would take care of him for the night by bringing him to the apartment. She closed the door and walk through the shop.
As she entered, Rumplestilskin didn't move. He stayed concentrate executing a spell.
"What can I do for you dearie. Didn't think you would come back."
"Didn't know you would still be up at this time!"
"Can't sleep," he said. He finally looked at Emma. His face was turning white. He looked tired, like he didn't have a good night of sleep since she left. The circle under his eyes made him scarier. His eyes were empty. He was acting like he lost everything.
"You looked…." Expressed Emma.
"You are not here for me, are you? Let's talk about you."
"Oh yeah… Can't sleep either. While I can…But…Okay…I'll start again; Since I left, I dreamed each night of him. It's unhealthy, I know. I don't know what do so it can stop. It needs to stop if I want a new life. It's why I want your help."
Mr. Gold looked surprised as if she announced him that she was dead. He tried to talk but couldn't. He turned around but hit the door. A big noise echoed through the shop. Emma heard footsteps and Belle appeared from the back of the shop. She looked tired as well.
"Rumple are you…Emma?!"
"Hello Belle, didn't think you would be there."
"Yeah, since he can't sleep, we stay in the shop. Rumple does his things and I stay in the back. There is a bed and I'm supposed to sleep but I'm mainly awake. I can't sleep with the thought that he isn't feeling great. I'm here for him, but he doesn't talk to me…"
"I'm okay Belle, thanks for your concerns. Go back to sleep, dear." Said calmly Mr. Gold.
"You sure?"
He nodded for answer. He watched her disappear and he turned to face Emma.
"You were saying, nightmares. I can't do anything about it. I'm working on it right now."
"Wait, you have nightmares too?" asked Emma.
"I believe you are not here to talk about me, are you?"
"Maybe it has a link?"
"I'm sure it doesn't, but if you insist. I don't dream because I can't."
"I don't understand?"
"Each time I sleep, I dreamed of him, but he isn't there. It's his shadow. Something is holding him back from seeing me."
"You are not the problem. You aren't dreaming of him because I do. It takes all his energy! He can't be at two places in the same place. And I'm keeping him from you."
"Been alive for centuries, dearie, and never heard of something like that."
"There is a beginning to everything!"
"What shall we do?"
"You tell me, you are the dark one."