Working late into the night was what Emma did. And no, it was not good for her, but she powered on through the twenty-four hour shifts she took on. And in ways, this was good- but not when Emma slept for only a couple of hours before taking on another twenty-four hour shift. No one actually knew about these ridiculous times she spent at the station; she had told everyone that Killian was doing the second shift, not her and no one questioned her further. Killian did help out on one of the shifts, but Emma always told him to head home about half an hour before she should have left so he never knew about it either.

The reason Emma took on so much was so David, her father, could have a lot of time with Neal so he could watch him grow up. David jumped at the chance to spend more time with Neal, but this only made Emma feel the need to isolate her more. Maybe he didn't want to spend time with her. Maybe Neal was her replacement and all there regrets of not being there for Emma to grow up, went out the window and they started fresh, disowning her. At least she had Killian.

But as the months dragged on, still no one had any idea of her long, unnecessary shifts, but it gave her time to wallow in pity and shame. Wasn't she good enough for them now? It didn't matter to her- well…it did. It really did; she had to grow to live with it though as all there love had been stolen by her little sibling. Her parents scarcely made any contact with her and when they did, it was to look after Neal for the evening so they could do something together. When they returned, she excused herself as quickly as she could, claiming she had to do something.

Killian noticed this; she was drawing away from people, avoiding them and her walls were slowly, yet surely climbing back up. So when he slyly waited outside for Emma to finish her shift, he was alarmed when she never appeared from her isolation. He continued to wait for a while, presuming she had to complete a task, but an hour past. Silently, he crept inside and slowly emerged into the now darkened room and there before him was his precious Emma, huddled up in a fragile position upon the couch, the blanket tucked tightly under her chin, her baby blanket clutched in her white fists.

Only when he became closer did her notice the penetrating red that surrounded her eyes and the dried tears decorating her flustered cheeks. Instant regret and sadness filled his entire being. He had promised to look out for her everyday of their lives, and he did. He really did- but how did he miss this. In the second he saw her, he knew that what she was crying about was the thing pushing her away from his love for her.

Scooping her up in his strong arms, he held her guarded and close as she stirred in her uncomfortable sleep. He grudged out the door, in the bitter cold and struggled back to Emma's house. Once they arrived, he placed her into her bed, tucking her up once again. Standing there, he made the split second decision to stay with her. He stripped down to his dress shirt and underpants and climbed in beside his sleeping swan, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, drawing her closer. He buried his nose in her hair, placing a light kiss on her scalp, soon succumbing to the burden of sleep as well.

Only when the sun penetrated to room in the later hours of the morning, did Killian rise to see his sleeping swan still cuddled up in his arms, one arm draping over his chest and a small smile graced across her face in her mindless form. Tightening his grip around her and gathered her further into his warmth was when her thick eyelashes fluttered open and met his crystal eyes. An instant look of worry flooded her face as she saw him and her secret was revealed.

"Good Morning, Love" Killian whispered softly into her hair, as if nothing had ever happened. For a while, Emma thought that maybe she'd made her way back home in her sleep, but that thought was quickly interrupted when he confronted her. "So, darling, are you going to tell what you were doing crashing on the couch in the station?"

"Oh- I got… tired and…. Um… had a.. Rest?" she stuttered out, hoping that he wouldn't see past the obvious lie from her mouth. Avoiding eye contact, she tried to make a run for it, pulling back the covers and jumping out of bed. But the her dismay, Killian hooked his hook around her wrist, tugging her back into his embrace.

"Now then, Love. Are you going to tell me the truth or not?" Emma remained quiet and refused to make eye contact; she knew if she did that she'd instantly crack. "I have all day, love. And Emma," he tucked his hook under her chin and angled her face so their eyes did meet, "you know I won't judge you at any point, in any realm or time. I love you, Emma Swan. You can tell me anything." By the end of Killian's speech, she had tears running down her flustered face.

"Well,erm… I wanted my da.. David, to have as much time with Neal as possible and told him to take a couple of days off, and he jumped to that opportunity and it made me feel unworthy. It... it was like he didn't even care for me and didn't even put up a fight. And then a couple of days turned into a week and then into a couple of months and there's been so much work to do I've had, had to do twenty-four hour shifts just to keep on top of it. There's still so much to do and I, I can't.. Can't cope anymore." Bye the end she was only just managing to stumble her words through her thick, constant tears that were streaming down her face like a violent waterfall.

Killian held Emma close, whispering sweet little things into her ears and hair as she continued to whimper. "Listen, darling. I love you for being so king and thoughtful and the most beautiful and perfect person on this planet. I know you've been hurt before but I'm so happy you've told me. I am sorry I didn't noticed before and from now on out I will help you with all the work and spend every moment of my living life helping you in every way I can-okay?"

"Okay. I love you so much, Killian. Believe me- I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Just as much as you mean to me, Emma. Before we go back, I have someone to talk to."

/

"What the hell?" David shouted after Killian described Emma's situation.

"Yep- she didn't think you loved her anymore. Thought Neal was her replacement and you had disowned her completely. And as much as I'd love to say it wasn't all your fault- it nearly was."

"What?" Snow and David exclaimed simultaneously.

"Well when her dear old father doesn't even process a thought about how much work there was and how little Emma could do by herself compared to two people. Did it even cross your mind that when you work, you actually spend time with Emma and when you said yes instantly it was like a punch in her gut. She thought you just wanted to get away from her and spend your every waking moment with Neal."

"David, we failed Emma. We made her think we didn't love her or need her." Snow said, sadness overtaking her already small voice.

"Go talk to her. She needs you right now- not me. I've done all I can to comfort her but what she needs, is her parents."

Sorry everyone. I've been away for a while and had no internet access, but here is the new story. If you want, I can write and second part- but that's up to you, please tell me in the reviews. Love from .Swan