Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon A Time or any of its characters.

Chapter 9- All At Once

Emma POV

"Killian was right," I told Mary Margaret in a listless voice. "He was always right."

It might have been hours or mere minutes since Zelena destroyed my only chance at happiness. Time had come to come mean nothing. The minutes seemed to go by in sudden leaps or agonizingly slow shuffles. All I knew and cared about was that everything that meant anything to me had been, literally, ripped away from me.

"About what, Emma?" Mary Margaret asked softly. When I just stared at her blankly, she repeated her question. "What was Killian right about?"

"He told me that we shouldn't fall for Zelena's bribe," I sighed. "If we didn't kiss, I would still have my magic. And if I still had my magic I would have killed Zelena by now!"

"We can't keep thinking about the 'ifs'" Mary Margaret stated firmly. "We just have to have hope now."

"I failed Henry, I gave him up!" I cried desperately. "I can't fail Syrena as well. And what about Killian?"

"You didn't fail Henry or Syrena," Mary Margaret said softly. "And as for Killian, don't you know that True Love is the most powerful magic of all?"

"You heard Zelena- True Love's Kiss won't save Killian," I explained. "He's gone, and it's all my fault."

"I think that Zelena underestimates the power of true love," May Margaret smiled, hope flaring in her eyes. "And it won't hurt anyone to just try."

"What if Killian and I aren't True Loves?" I asked in fear. "What if I can't save him?"

"You just need to believe in yourself, and in Killian as well," Mary Margaret smiled. "It will work."

I had never seen Killian sick, so I didn't know what to expect when Mary Margaret helped me to his room. I had seen Killian injured, after he got hit by Greg Mendell's car, but never sick. I swallowed and tried to take deep breaths. You're the Savior, you can do this, I told myself encouragingly.

I wasn't prepared to see a pale, barely breathing Killian lying in bed, oblivious to the world. He was hooked up to dozens of machines and tubes went into him every which way. I felt tears, hot and wet, pricking at my eyes. I had always known the depths of his feelings for me, but I would try my hardest to deny that I felt something for him too. Now that he was sick- I refused to think he was dying, because my brain just couldn't process that- I just wished that he would have known that I cared about him.

"I'm so sorry," I reached out to hold his hand, being mindful of the IV wire. "This is all my fault."

"I'm going to go get some food from the cafeteria," Mary Margaret said in a distraught voice, understanding my need to be alone.

"Killian," I gently squeezed his hand, but there was no change. If anything, he looked paler. "Come back to me, please."

"I never even told you thank you." I whispered to his still form. "Thank you for bring me back to Storybrooke. Thank you for giving up your ship for Henry. Thank you for everything- the sacrifices, the rescuing, the love you have shown me and Syrena. I just wish you could hear me."

I brushed his dark hair off his face and tentatively pressed my lips to his cool forehead, trying to convey every emotion that I was feeling. As the seconds dragged on and there was no change in Killian, I felt the tears come back. "I need you," I begged his still form, my salty tears falling onto his skin. "I need you in my life, Killian."

"Please wake up!" I gasped, peppering his face with kisses. "You can't leave me, you promised that you would stay with me always! Wake up, you damn pirate!"

She had failed. She and Killian had never even talked about whatever their relationship status may be. She had no idea if he even loved her. And then, she suddenly remembered all the sacrifices Killian had made for her, and she mentally kicked herself.

Of course Killian loved her. He had said in so many words that he would do anything for her. She couldn't believe that she had even doubted his love for her.

"I'm sorry, Killian," I sighed. "I'm just too messed up to ever love anyone, and thanks to me, you are going to...just fade away."

Being alone was my curse, I understood that now. Whenever I let myself get close to anyone, they were always taken away from me. I had let my walls down for one magical night with Killian and now I was paying the price. Every time I got close to someone, I hurt myself. I had sworn that I wouldn't fall for Killian, and now here I was. Hurt, alone and broken. I would never learn my lesson. I had been so afraid to fall for Killian because it seemed too good to be true. He was dying and it was all my fault. "I bet you wish that you never met me." I said hollowly. "You'd be safe that way."

"Emma!" Dr. Whale rushed into the room and stared at my tear-streaked face. "Are you alright? What are you doing out of bed?"

"I couldn't save him," I whispered. "I'm a useless Savior!"

"No, you're not," Dr. Whale said firmly. "Now, I'm going to help you back to bed. Killian is stable for now, and you need rest. You've been through a lot today."

I allowed Dr. Whale to help me back to my room without a fight. I was too tired to argue anymore. That tiny spark of hope that Mary Margaret had given me had disappeared when I couldn't wake Killian up. I felt so empty and alone. Absentmindedly, I stroked my still swollen stomach. She's gone, I told myself. You'll never see Syrena again.

"I want my baby," I told Mary Margaret, who was stretched out on the couch in my room. "I never even got to tell her that I loved her."

"I know, Emma," Mary Margaret whispered. "Nothing can make up for the loss of a child."

"I miss her," I sighed, feeling exposed and vulnerable. "What if she's hungry? Or hurt? She needs me!"

"I know," Mary Margaret soothed. "Go to sleep, Emma. When you wake up, David will be back with Syrena. I promise you."

I nodded and laid down against my pillows. I was too tired to do anything else. Maybe if I went to sleep, I'd wake up and realize this was all a bad dream. I was asleep within moments.

"Emma. Emma, wake up," A gentle voice shook me awake. It was dark again outside, meaning that a whole day had passed since Belle gave Killian his hand back. That happiness was a lifetime ago- it belonged to a different Emma, one that would never come back.

"Emma, someone is here to see you." Mary Margaret smiled as David walked into the room with Regina close behind him. There was a bundle of pink blankets in his arms, and a wide smile on his face as he stared down at the baby in his arms.

"It can't be," I stared at the bundle, refusing to believe that I had my daughter back. On their own accord, my hands instinctively reached out to the girl. For the first time that day, I felt tears of joy coursing down my face as my heart filled with pure joy.

"Hi, little princess," I murmured, staring into my daughter's face. "I missed you so much."

"Where's Zelena?" I looked up from Syrena's face and addressed David and Regina. "Was Syrena hurt?"

"Zelena is locked up in the Sheriff's office," Regina said smugly. "We took her magic away."

"Regina, you're being too modest," David grinned and addressed us proudly. "Regina did it all on her own. She used light magic and took Zelena's pendant, which contains all of her magic."

"Thank you," I felt a smile growing on my lips as I looked down at the perfect baby in my arms. I stared into her small face, content in sleep. "I love you," I whispered to Syrena as I held the bundle close to my body. "I'll never let anyone take you again."

"Where is the one-handed wonder?" Regina asked me. "Zelena told me how to reverse the spell after Gold threatened to kill her."

"How?" I asked immediately, my eyes snapping up to the Mayor's face. "How do we save him?"

"True Love's Kiss," Regina replied while rolling her eyes. "Same as always."

"But I already tried that," I said, my heart sinking. "Killian and I aren't true loves. He didn't wake up."

"Emma, you have to believe," Mary Margaret said earnestly. "You need to believe in his love, and in yours as well. It can't be one-sided."

So, I found myself back in Killian's room. Syrena was still cradled in my arms. I refused to let her go again. I realized this fear was going to be a problem, but for now, I just wanted to hold Syrena forever. I know that I will have an irrational fear of letting go of Syrena in case I lost her again.

"Killian, Syrena is here to see you," I smiled softly as Syrena stretched in her blankets. "She's beautiful, and she looks exactly like you. She's fine, thanks to you and everyone in Storybrooke."

I gently ripped the oxygen mask off of Killian's mouth. I leaned down, being mindful of the precious bundle in my arms. "I believe," I whispered. "Killian… I love you."

When my lips touched Killian's, I felt the rush of magic immediately. The warm, beautiful magic filled every fiber of my being. The world faded away until it was just Killian and me, our lips still locked. When his lips responded eagerly against mine, I pulled back, desperate to see his bright blue eyes and wide smirk.

"It worked," I whispered, happiness bubbling over in my chest. "So, we're true loves, then?"

Killian didn't open his eyes. "Killian, wake up!" I shook him by the shoulders. "I know it worked, pirate!"

His lips curved up into a sarcastic smile. "Love, I don't think it worked. You're going to have to try again."

"You insufferable pirate," I said, but there was no anger in my voice. I laughed when he opened his eyes and stared at the multiple wires sticking out of him.

"Bloody hell," He grumbled as he began ripping the wires out with a wince. "They couldn't have added any other wires if they tried."

"It's ok, Killian," I smiled. "It's all over."

He gazed into my eyes, and I immediately opened my mouth, desperate to tell him everything that he deserved to hear. "Killian, I-"

"Don't say you're sorry. This isn't your fault." He said firmly. "And, Emma?"

"Yes?" I asked in a timid voice.

"I love you and I know you love me too." He said without hesitating. "I know how you feel. You don't have to say anything, love."

"But I want you to hear it anyways," I smiled. "I love you, Killian Jones."

Killian smiled as he ripped the final wire out of his arm. His eyes immediately fell upon Syrena. I handed her over without a word, smiling at how beautiful Killian looked holding her. "I love you, lass," He smiled down at the sleeping baby. "I'll always protect you."

"Here you go, Swan. I know that you never want to let Syrena out of your arms again." Killian said, reading me like an open book as usual.

"No, Killian," I smiled contently. "I trust you."

"Thank you," He smiled as he cradled Syrena carefully and rearranged the blankets around her. I could tell that Killian was going to spoil Syrena rotten. She was going to be an absolute Daddy's Girl if Killian kept this up.

"I intend to give her everything she could possibly want," Killian said, reading the expression on my face correctly.

"Alright," I said in defeat. "She's going to be a spoiled princess."

"Swan, are you jealous?" Killian asked, his face lighting up with a conceited grin. "I didn't know I had that effect on you, love."

"You're paying more attention to my daughter than to me," I replied, aware that I sounded like a whiny toddler.

"How about I show you just how much you mean to me, love?" Killian asked as he slipped Syrena into my arms.

"I missed you," I whispered honestly. "I thought that you were going to die."

"You can't get rid of me that easily, love," Killian chuckled. "I told you, I'm in for the long haul, love."

"I know," I smiled. "But I think some people want to meet Syrena, so we should go back to my room."

As I had predicted, my hospital room was overflowing with people, all eager to meet Syrena. When Killian and I walked through the door, Mary Margaret and David exchanged knowing glances and smiled proudly.

"You broke the curse, Emma," Regina smiled. "We all have our missing memories back."

"How?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowed. "All I did was kiss Killian…"

"It was True Love's Kiss, Emma," Mary Margaret smiled happily. "It broke our curse as well as Killian's Sleeping Curse."

"Hook," David began. "Thank you. And welcome to the family."

"I believe your father just gave us his blessing," Killian smiled. "I told you, mate, I'd win you over in the end."

"I can take it away," David replied immediately, his eyes narrowing. "I'm keeping an eye on you, Hook."

"Killian," Killian grinned as he held up both of his hands. "I'm hookless now, mate."

"Hook," David responded stubbornly.

Men, Mary Margaret mouthed at me with a grin. I nodded and laughed, tucking the blankets around Syrena more firmly.

"Can I hold Syrena, Emma?" Ruby asked me eagerly. I nodded and handed my daughter off to the brunette.

"Hi, Syrena," Ruby cooed softly. "I'm Auntie Ruby!"

Ruby caught Whale staring at her and Syrena somewhat wistfully. "Don't even think about kids, Whale," Ruby called warningly.

I laughed at Ruby's boldness. "She's adorable, Emma," Ruby smiled as she handed Syrena back to me. "Congratulations."

Whale and Mary Margaret promptly kicked everyone out of the room not much later. Mary Margaret was being even more motherly than usual, and I figured it was the hormones. I was thankful, though, to finally be alone with Syrena and Killian.

"Sleep with me," I yawned tiredly as the day's events finally caught up to me. When I caught sight of his cocky smirk I rolled my eyes at the pirate. "Not like that, Killian. I just gave birth, and I'm exhausted."

"Alright, Swan," Killian carefully climbed into the bed with me and I snuggled up to his chest, wrapping my arms around him. Syrena was asleep in her hospital cradle, for now. I had no doubt that my daughter would wake me with her crying in a couple hours, but for now, she was quiet.

"Good night," I whispered into his chest.

"Good night, Swan," Killian murmured softly. His fingers were tangled in my hair, twisting and playing with the long strands. "Sleep well, love."

Dr. Whale deemed Syrena and I ready to go home early the next morning, much to Killian's relief. It turns out that he despised hospitals, after his previous experiences of pain in them. I didn't blame him, because I felt the same way.

I had just strapped Syrena into her car seat when Killian came in the room, his arms full of food. "I brought breakfast, love," Killian announced. "I don't know much about food in this realm, but I do know that hospital cafeteria food leaves much to be desired."

I glanced at the bagels and cream cheese in Killian's hands. "Someday, we'll go to New York and get those bagels that Henry loves," I promised him as I began eating.

Killian's eyes gleamed when I used the word "we," but he didn't say anything. It was going to take a while for both of us to get used to the fact that I wanted to share every moment with him. "Yes, we will go, silly," I squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You said it yourself- we make a good team."

"Aye, love, we certainly do," Killian smiled as he took Syrena's car seat in one hand and the baby bag in the other. "Now, let's get out of this bloody place."

David and the truck were waiting for us right by the hospital exit. Killian, being the gentleman that he was, immediately opened the door and helped me in. He put Syrena in the middle of the backseat and then climbed in himself, and David started up the engine.

"How's Syrena today?" Mary Margaret asked from the passenger seat. She turned around and smiled softly at the sleeping baby.

"She's great," Emma replied. "Hey, listen. Killian and I don't want Syrena to keep you up at night with her crying. How about Killian and I go and get a room at Granny's again?"

"Emma, no!" Mary Margaret cried immediately. "We want you to stay with us! Taking care of a baby is hard, and I want to help you and be there for you."

"Thank you," I replied softly, knowing there was no use arguing with Mary Margaret.

"How's Henry?" I asked suddenly, remembering that everyone's memories had been restored. Now Henry knew that I'd given him up, and that our life in New York was completely fake. "How's he doing with… you know, the real memories?"

"He's fine, Emma," Mary Margaret smiled. "He doesn't blame you for giving him up. He still loves you. He spent the night with Regina, but he's waiting for us in the apartment now. He's so excited to meet Syrena."

"He's going to be a wonderful brother," I sighed as Syrena started crying.

"Why are you crying?" I cooed softly at the baby. "You didn't cry last night!"

"Actually, she did, love," Killian said with a small grin. "The little princess kept me up all night."

"Why didn't you let me take care of her?" I asked, turning to Killian in shock. "You can't just stay up all night!"

"You look so peaceful when you sleep. I didn't want to wake you up, love," Killian said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You can keep the mushiness down when I'm around," David called from the driver's seat. "Actually, you can keep the mushiness down all the time."

"Thank you," I whispered to Killian so that David wouldn't hear us. "I'll take baby duty tonight so that you can sleep."

"Alright, love," Killian said softly, watching me as I cradled Syrena. She had stopped crying once I held her in my arms. She had just wanted to be held. As I looked down at her, I wondered how different my life would have been if I kept Henry. I would have held him, stopped his crying, rocked him to sleep every night. But Regina had done all of those things for Henry. All my fake memories were Regina's real memories with Henry, I realized with a pang in my heart.

"We're home!" David announced. I put Syrena back in her car seat and took the hospital bag the hospital bag down with me. Killian was carrying Syrena in her car seat and I felt a small smile tugging on my lips. The fearsome Captain Hook was carrying a baby. It was so ridiculous, but it suited him, weirdly enough.

"See something you like, love?" Killian asked with a grin when he caught me staring.

"Yes, my daughter," I said in a firm voice, refusing to smile and give him an ego boost.

"You're lying, love," Killian grinned even more widely. "Open book, remember?"

"Am not," I said, aware that I sounded like a pouting child.

"You are," Killian countered. "It's enough satisfaction for me to know that you are attracted to me, even if you refuse to tell me."

"Dream on, buddy," I said as I turned around, trying to hide my blush from him. Of course he was right. When I caught Mary Margaret grinning at my scarlet face, I sighed in frustration. It was obvious that I wouldn't get a break in this house.

"Mom!" Henry hugged me the moment I walked through the door. "Mom, I missed you."

"I did too, kid," I said with a grin as I hugged Henry back. "Do you want to meet your baby sister?"

"Yeah!" Henry said with excitement as he ran to Killian. Killian unstrapped Syrena from her car seat and cradled her in his arms. It was amazing to see how perfectly he handled Syrena. And to think he had been terrified of not being a good enough father. When Killian handed Syrena off to Henry, I felt tears springing to my eyes. It was obvious that Henry was already entranced by his sister.

After a couple minutes, we carried Syrena upstairs and put her in her crib. She looked so perfectly peaceful surrounded by the blankets. I sighed in contentment. If you told me that I would have a baby with Captain Hook and be in relationship with him I would have laughed and called you a liar. But here I was, perfectly content with my new, slightly crazy life.

"I made a special welcome home dinner, Emma," Mary Margaret said. "Should we go down and eat while Syrena sleeps?"

"Yes," I said as I shared a knowing smile with Killian. "Killian didn't enjoy the hospital food and is probably starving."

"Aye, lass, very true," Killian said as he pulled the blankets closer to Syrena before we walked back downstairs.

The food was delicious. Mary Margaret had really outdone herself. There were five different dishes and I hardly knew where to start. We ate mostly in silence, but it was a nice silence. I wondered if this would be a normal dinner if I grew up with my parents. My foster families usually didn't outright starve me, but I never had enough food to be completely full. Whereas today, I felt ready to burst.

"That was delicious, Mi'lady," Killian said to Mary Margaret. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Killian," Mary Margaret smiled, blushing at the compliment. Mary Margaret and Killian had warmed up to each other significantly. Mary Margaret used to be unable to stand Killian, but it seems like she had accepted him as a changed man.

"Thanks, mom," I said, noticing Mary Margaret's face light up when I said "mom." "I'm never going to lose all the pregnancy weight if you keep cooking like this."

"You look perfectly beautiful, love," Killian said. "You're not fat."

"Thanks," I mumbled as I blushed. Hearing someone compliment me so genuinely was foreign to me.

"Get used to it, Swan," Killian said, reading my thoughts. "You are more beautiful than you can imagine."

David suddenly cleared his throat, very loudly. He gave Killian a very pointed glare. "I thought your father was beginning to warm up to me, love," Killian murmured under his breath. "What changed?"

"He'll be fine," I reassured Killian. "He just needs time to get used to this."

"What exactly is this?" Killian asked, gesturing to us. "What are we?'

I paused. "Well, I care about you a lot," I began hesitantly. "I know that we're true… loves, but can we just take this one day at a time for now?"

"Yes, that sounds perfect, love," Killian smiled reassuringly. "As long as we're together, I'm the happiest man in the world."

I was saved from replying when Mary Margaret's phone rang suddenly.

"Hello?" Mary Margaret answered into the phone. "Regina? What's wrong?"

There was a pause as Regina was speaking into the other end. My heart began pounding as I desperately hoped that nothing was wrong.

"Are you sure?" Mary Margaret whispered. "Ok, I'll send David right away. Yes, we'll stay home and keep Henry safe."

Mary Margaret hung up, her face pale and her eyes full of worry.

"Mary Margaret, what's wrong?" David asked in alarm, immediately running to her side, his face full of worry.

"Regina went to the station to bring Zelena some food and talk to her," Mary Margaret began in a shaky voice. "Except she wasn't there, and the door to her cell was wide open."

"She escaped?" David asked in alarm, his hand immediately going to his sword.

"Yes," Mary Margaret confirmed. "Regina wants you and Killian to come to the station. She's getting together a group to go face Zelena again."

"Syrena!" I gasped, already running up the stairs. I had to make sure that she was still there, sleeping safely in her crib. I couldn't lose her again.

When I saw the broken window in the loft, I screamed softly as the tears began to fall again. Before I even got to Syrena's crib, I knew that she wouldn't be there anymore. Zelena had come back for Syrena and succeeded. Again.

The crib was empty, the blankets thrown haphazardly off to the side. I felt myself sink to the ground as hopelessness engulfed me.

"No, not again," I cried. "I'm going to kill that green bitch!"

Killian came rushing into the room, followed by Mary Margaret, David and Henry. The looks of horror on their face reflected my own sorrow. How stupid could I have been to leave Syrena alone upstairs?

"We'll get her back, love," Killian swore. "And we'll kill this bloody Witch once and for all."

Thank you so much for all the reviews to the past chapter, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to personally get back to everyone. I was really busy this week, but I promise I will respond to each review again with this chapter.

Thanks for reading/reviewing/favoriting/following, as always. You guys are all so wonderful.