Cs ch 1

Chapter 1

The sun was too bright as it beat down on the weary man from above. Killian barely registered the sound of the cawing sea gulls overhead that use to remind him of freedom of the open ocean. Instead, his thoughts were on the woman he was carrying in his arms as he trudged across the sandy beach with each foot heavier than the last.

When he first lost Milah, he closed himself off from everything and everyone almost immediately so that he felt nothing. But now, feeling the shaky rise and fall of Emma's body he felt as if his senses were in overload and his mind suspended in disbelief. This wasn't supposed to happen. Killian thought to himself as he walked closer and closer to the Jolly Roger, it being barely visible from where he stood.

It's Emma, she always manages to best me…

How could I let this happen?

I never told her…

He felt everything. The clawing in his chest that she may never awaken. The nausea rolling in his stomach like a greenhorn sailor. The trembling of his hands and the sweat of his palms. His heart was beating too fast for any normal man. The heat from the sun as it burned his ears and the tip of his nose as he hunched over Emma to keep her skin from being burned. The rushing of the waves sounded cacophonous in conjunction with the birds that were drowned out earlier.

Killian wanted it all to end. He wanted her to wake up and punch him again for not moving fast enough if that was what it took. He couldn't do this without her; not again. He just found her. They just found each other. Killian was becoming delirious to nothing yet aware of everything when the memory of her voice resounded in the recesses of his mind, "Damn it Killian. Get your act together; do I look dead to you?" For a second, Killian almost thought she had woken up to yell at him and he smiled. Aye, lass. You're most certainly not dead yet. You're not getting away from me that easily, I've got something to tell you. His steps became stronger as he made a plan in his mind while murmuring non-sensical nautical terms to Emma in case she could hear him. First, he will wake her up. Second, he kisses her until he can't breathe. Thirdly, continue with the second when they can both breathe again. His determination continued even as he faltered apprehensive about the reception they'll make and what her parents will say, but more so, see the hero worship in Henry's eyes fade when he realizes that he couldn't protect Emma even when she was protecting him.

"What am I going to do with you Emma, love? Always saving everyone, saving me." He shook his head at the thought and then smiled ruefully with pain being evident behind his stormy eyes. "I guess, it's my turn to save you, my stupidly brave savior. And I am sure you are aware of the proper etiquette to present to your hero after the said saving is a … kiss. By god, lass, I can't wait to see your petulant face when I tell you that. Your face will scrunch up like it does if you knock back rum from the sting." He let out a strained laugh as he brushed her hair away from her face with his nose as the wind picked up the strands of gold to taunt him with their liveliness. The billowing of his ship's sails was evident as his girl sat off shore quietly as if she knew the heaviness of his heart.

Killian neared the canoe that they had hidden on the shoreline; amazing him that it was such a short time ago that Emma was so full of life and spice. He set her down on the beach under his coat while he positioned the canoe for their return travel to the ship, the Jolly Roger. He picked her up reverently while still tucked into his jacket and placed into the canoe while Killian pushed the boat into the water and then jumped in. While the Jolly Roger was not far and he was by no means, not fit, his muscles strained and shook under the exhaustion of the day but he was resolute and did not stop until he reached the commanding presence of his ship.

"Oi! Anyone up there?" asked Killian as he stood on the uneasiness of the dinghy. He waited a beat and growing impatient he yelled again. In another beat, a head full of brown hair and a deceptively charming smile looked over the railings down at him.

"What do we have here, pirate?" questioned the Dark One as he looked down at the sleeping girl with an expression of being unsurprised. His anger at the Crocodile's lack of ability to understand the urgency of his situation was swept away by his concern over Emma, and all he could say was, "It's Emma – lower the ladder." Rumplestilskin merely nodded disappeared and then reappeared with the ladder, throwing it over the side. Killian bent and picked up Emma the best he could, threw her over his back while his sea legs were able to remain balanced on the wood boat rocking precariously on the waves. One after the other, they soon made their way up the side of Killian's ship and while Killian fell to the ground unceremoniously he made sure Emma was cradled in his arms so that she would not receive any of the impact that he did.

Gold, Rumplestilskin, looked down at Emma, judging her appearance, already assuming the events that took place inland. Killian was once again readying himself to get on his feet so he could place Emma in his cabin when her shoulder grabbed his attention as it once again began to glow a deep red causing the sleeping Emma to cry out in pain before she once again slipped into nothingness. He just sat there caressing her face, hoping and praying for another sign when the door to the galley opened. All he heard was the sound of glass breaking, footfalls, shouting, and then Killian heard the sudden wails of her mother ringing in his ears as his heart shattered at the sound and his vision turned to inky black oblivion.

I hope everything is going ok and you all like the fic. Please review so I know what is on your mind and don't worry the angst will slowly ebb. Have a wonderful day!