Gold sat at the airport nervously watching the departure board, the flashing words mocking him; "flight delayed" his jaw clenched. 'Keep it together Gold' he told himself, 'they have no connection between you and Emma...just stay calm'.

Unknown to him they did have a connection, a little boy who should have been asleep. Police entered the departure gate and his body tensed, just a coincidence surely! He slowly got up and walked towards the book store, just to create some distance. He walked down the aisles of novels trying to look as natural as possible; he noticed his own tabloid on the shelf. His eyes lingered on Killian's face, a smug grin crossed his lips. 'Bastard finally got what he deserved' he thought to himself, just then two sets of firm hands gripped his arms, his head spun around to see the police officers.

"Richard Gold you're under arrest for the kidnapping and attempted murder of Emma Nolan."

"Attempted?!" Gold squealed. As they led him out the airport.

Killian opened his eyes, squinting at the sunlight shining through the hospital blinds. He'd crawled onto Emma's bed and spent the night holding her, her temperature always dropped while she slept, he knew she loved cuddling into him and soaking up his body heat. It was something he could give her, something that made him feel a little less helpless. He watched her sleeping peacefully and reached down to comb his fingers through her hair then leaned in to kiss her forehead.

Just then the doctor walked in and cleared his throat; "good morning" he eyed Killian realising he'd stayed all night but thought best not to comment, "let's see how the patient is today!"

Killian watched as he checked her vitals and took notes.

"Is...Is she going to be ok?"

"She is stable, we're just waiting for her to wake up, her body has gone through a terrible trauma but I'm happy with her recovery so far."

Killian swallowed, 'Ok so far that sounds positive' he thought. He took a deep breath and asked,

"And...the baby?"

The doctor looked up; he didn't know if Killian knew about the pregnancy so he hadn't mentioned it before.

"Well she hasn't miscarried...yet."

Killian closed his eyes whispering a silent prayer.

"So...so...there is a chance she still could?"

"The baby is most vulnerable during the first trimester, we will know more once she has her 8 week scan, and then we'll have a better understanding of if the baby has been affected by this."

Killian's hand lay on Emma's abdomen, gently stroking it with his thumb.

"How far along is she?" He asked in a small voice.

"6 weeks"

The night Emma came to visit him in Dublin...he'd taken her out for dinner in a local pub he used to play at with his old band. They were all there and ended up doing an impromptu gig, even pulling Emma up on stage at one point. They were all jolly after a few too many drinks. He remembered getting a taxi home and scooping Emma up in his arms carrying her into the house bridal style, almost dropping her into a bush, sending them into a fit of giggles, as he stumbled up the steps to the front door. They didn't make it to the bedroom; they were too giddy, when he slowly dropped her so she was standing again in front of him she looked up at him with her big green eyes through her long eyelashes. That look destroyed him, he was putty in her hands and the two of them were too consumed with want for each other to remember the protection that sat in his bedside drawer.

Killian wondered what Emma's reaction to being pregnant had been; if she was happy, or not. Their relationship was still relatively new but they'd committed to moving in together, blending their families, this child would make the bond even stronger. He wondered if she was scared about his reaction. She'd already given birth alone when she had Kathryn; maybe she was scared Killian would leave her. He hoped not, there was no way in hell he was going anywhere.

It dawned on him he'd never had moment to think about the news they were pregnant. With everything going on with Milah and Emma missing, it'd been pushed to the back of his mind, something to process later when his world wasn't upside down! But now he was here, Emma was safe...kind of, and now he had the news that his child was at risk. The wave of worry washing over him, desperation at the thought of them losing him or her gave him his answer. He wanted this baby, he loved this baby, and he would do anything to protect this baby.

He'd been so deep in thought he'd barely noticed the doctor continuing his checks on Emma; realising he was still there he asked.

"When will she wake up?"

The doctor looked sympathetically,

"There is no way to know for sure, it could be in the next 5 minutes or in a few months...we're hoping not the latter...the baby will have a better chance if she wakes up sooner rather than later."

"What can I do?" Killian felt so helpless.

"Talk to her, hold her hand, let her hear you and feel you and you never know..."

Regina came by that evening with more food. She knew Killian only ate when she brought it, the stubborn arse wouldn't leave Emma's side.

"I brought you a change of clothes and stuff so you can have a shower."

Killian looked up, "how did you get my clothes?"

"I brought them!" A familiar voice said and Robin walked into the room. He hugged his friend, "I'm so sorry mate!"

"Thanks, I'm glad you're here!"

Regina cut in, "right, we'll stay here with Emma, you get a shower and then we'll all have dinner here, I've arranged a roll away bed to be brought in for you tonight."

He nodded obediently and wandered into the en suite.

He returned to the room showered and dressed; the welcome aroma of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup filling his nostrils. He sat beside Emma's bed, facing Robin and Regina and tucked in. After she saw he'd eaten most of his food Regina said,

"They found Gold"

Killian almost spat out the water he was drinking, "what? Where?!"

"Trying to board a plane to Fiji." She replied matter of factly.

Killian shook his head, "that bastard! What did he say? Why did he try to kill Emma?"

"Turns out he and Milah used to be an item before she met you..."

Killian's jaw dropped to the floor, "Milah knew Gold? All those times he wrote lies about us, when I couldn't figure out why he was so hell bent on trying to ruin my career, she never told me!"

"Don't take it personally, I imagine he threatened her, probably said he'd hurt you or Liam if she did. He stalked her, followed her over to Vancouver where he started his tabloid."

Killian couldn't believe it. Well it certainly explained a few things...

Regina hesitated then added, "I got word from the lab, it was Milah's DNA, she is there...it's her in the...well you know..."

Killian looked to the floor, it would take a while before he would forgive himself for disturbing her peace, for thinking she could abandon him and Liam...

"Thank you. I hope she can rest in peace now...did Gold pretend she was alive...to mess with me?"

"It looks that way...he saw you moving on, starting a new life with Emma, he wanted to take your happiness away, and the way he thinks you took his."

This was his fault, Emma and their child were fighting for their lives because of him, because some sociopath blamed him for stealing his woman. His eyes darkened and jaw clenched.

Regina noticed his change in body language, as did Robin.

"Mate" he said reaching over and laying his hand on Killian's shoulder, "this is not your fault! You had no idea; this was Gold, all Gold! He'll be held accountable for his actions."

Killian stood up and began to pace the room with his fists clenched, finally stopping at Emma, his gaze fixing on her face. He slumped down beside her and released a deep breath. Hanging his head he whispered. "That monster preyed on the two women I loved and I couldn't protect them, I couldn't even recognise the threat."

Regina walked over and sat down beside him, resting her hand on his arm, she spoke softly to him.

"Milah was one of my best friends and I didn't have a clue! It's my job to protect people, believe me, I know how you feel. I keep thinking if I had paid more attention maybe I would have noticed something was off. She chose to keep it from us for whatever reason. I'm choosing to believe it was to protect us, because she loved us."

A tear ran down Killian's cheek as she went on.

"I will make sure that Gold pays for this, for everything. I owe that to Milah...I owe that to you!"

Killian put his hand over her's, "I know you will, love. I appreciate everything you've done so far."

Regina gave him a hug then announced, "Well we'll leave you with Emma and check in tomorrow."

Robin joined them, he hugged his friend and patted his back, "hang in there mate, she'll pull through! If you need anything you know where we are!"

"Thanks" was all he could manage at the moment. He watched his friends leave. He remembered the doctor's advice and decided to find a book to read to Emma, he walked down the corridor to see what he could find. He came across a playroom with a bookshelf in the corner. He scanned the titles then stopped when he saw the perfect choice. He smiled, 'you'll do nicely' he thought.

Back in the room he noticed the roll away bed had been put there for him, he pushed it right up against Emma's bed and climbed in next to her.

"Ok Princess, I've found the perfect fairy tale for you."

He opened the book and began.

"Once upon a time..."

He read enthusiastically to her, as if he was reading to Liam, after all Emma was renowned for her storytelling so he figured he should make an effort for her. He knew fairy tales were her weakness. He neared the end of the fable,

"...the Prince ran up the stairs to the top of the tower and saw the Princess laying on the bed in a deep sleep. The Prince knew the only way to break the sleeping curse was true loves kiss; he loved the Princess with all his heart so he leaned over and kissed her. Her eyes immediately opened, the curse was broken! The whole kingdom awoke from their curse and rejoiced! The Prince and Princess lived happily ever after."

He closed the book and looked over at his own sleeping beauty.

"Was that alright for you, darling? I can see why you like fairy tales...they're full of hope, I could certainly use a bit of that at the moment" he said to his sleeping girlfriend.

"I'm about ready to try anything..."

He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers softly. Then pulling away he watched her face...nothing! 'Figures!' He thought. He lifted his blanket over him, curled up beside her and took her hand in his. He was just drifting off to sleep when he thought he felt something, the tiniest squeeze of his hand, did he imagine it? He held his breath listening for any indication that anything changed, willing her fingers to squeeze his. Just when he was about to close his eyes again, accepting it as his mind playing tricks on him, he heard it...the sweetest sound he'd ever heard...

"Killian?"