A/N: So, here's the last month of the regular chapters, aside from the epilogue. It truly has been a lovely journey with all of you, and I'm beginning to plan out a sequel to this story, since I've gotten such a lovely response! Anyways, I apologize in advance for this chapter—it's long and very, very, feels-y.

I listened to 'End Of The Line' from the Winter Soldier soundtrack, 'Fare Thee Well' by Mumford and Sons, 'Ghosts That We Knew' by Mumford and Sons, & 'Wipe Your Eyes' by Maroon 5. Enjoy.

Emma needed to get out of the house. For whatever reason, she wasn't scheduled to work the entire week, so she had nothing to do with Killian being at work.

She really only had him, then Mary & David-but, they were on some cruise in the Caribbean, so they were out of the picture.

The clock neared three, which meant Killian would get off work soon. He had been working since early that morning, and Emma couldn't seem to find a good way to pass the time.

"I'm home!" Killian's voice echoed through the foyer. Emma glanced to the clock only for a second before Killian's arms were wrapped around her from behind.

"I thought you worked until three?" Emma grinned as she tilted her head to meet his lips.

"Boss let me off early today." Killian murmured, "Meaning you and I can go do something I've always wanted to show you."

"Really?" Emma beamed.

"Of course. Put some shoes on, love!" Killian exclaimed, tugging away. Emma rose to her feet, only to be swept off her feet. She shrieked at the unexpected movement, then laughed when Killian started.

"Oh, love." Killian chuckled as he carried her up the stairs, to her room.

"Don't 'oh, love' me." Emma laughed, squirming out of his arms and walking to her closet. She opened it and bent down to grab a pair of ratty, grey Keds, then hastily tugged them on.

"I'm ready." Emma grinned after rising to her feet.

"Let's go, then! Hop on my back!" He exclaimed, turning around. Emma laughed and hopped onto his back.

"To Neverland!" Killian teased, holding onto her tightly and bolting down the hallway.

"Killian, where the hell are we going?" Emma asked after at least fifteen minutes of driving through what seemed like the middle of nowhere.

"I told you, love," Killian smiled, "Neverland!"

Emma simply smiled and rolled her eyes, deciding that it didn't really matter where they were going. She just wanted to be out of the house, and more importantly, with Killian.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm great." Emma smiled, linking her fingers with Killian's on the console.

"You just seem a little off." Killian noted.

"I guess I'm just tired. I don't know. I feel off." Emma shrugged, causing Killian to give her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Maybe you just need some fresh air. You've been cooped up in the house all week." Killian smiled.

"Yeah, I think that's exactly what I need." Emma smiled.

"Well, lucky for you, we're here." Killian replied as he parked the car.

"Killian, we're in a field." Emma deadpanned, making Killian laugh.

"Just trust me." He smiled, getting out of the car and stretching. Emma shook her head and got out, following wherever Killian was going.

"Killian, I really don't understand-"

Emma stopped when she saw Killian fall back into the grass with a laugh. He spread his arms and legs out, motioning for Emma to join him. She shook her head with a laugh and laid beside him.

"This is really soft." Emma noted, dragging her fingers across the grassy bed.

"I used to come here when I was a kid-usually when I was upset or I needed to think." Killian said.

"This is a pretty long way for you to run when you were little..."

"We used to live about two blocks down, on a farm."

"A farm?"

"Only for a few years, mostly my middle school years."

"Oh."

"Being out in the open made me realize how small my problems were." Killian sighed, "Then, I met Milah, and the problems seemed to... Fade away. Sort of like those fluffy dandelions."

"I wish mine did." Emma whispered, causing Killian to tug her close. She closed her eyes, only opening them when there was a shadow over her face. Emma raised a brow at Killian's hand holding the small weed over her face.

"What-?"

"Blow on it. Your problems will go away with it." Killian smiled. Emma stared at the puff, then offered a quick breath, causing all of the little fuzzies to float gracefully with the wind.

"Feel better?" Killian smiled.

"A little." Emma grinned, leaning over to kiss him.

"I think I've got just the trick to make you smile." Killian smirked, sitting up a little and setting his hands on Emma's stomach.

"No!" She shrieked as he started tickling her, causing her laughter to echo through the field.

"There's the smile I love!" Killian laughed.

"Stop!" Emma giggled, fighting his hands with her own.

"But, this is much more fun!" Killian laughed before finally falling back onto the ground beside her, still laughing.

"I hate you."

"No, you don't." Killian chuckled.

"You're right, I don't." Emma sighed, snuggling close to him.

"It's a great day to be outside... Not too hot, not to cold-it's perfect."

"I know, it is." Emma smiled.

"Hold on, I'm gonna go get my water from the car." Killian smiled, kissing her cheek and rising to his feet. In the process, he dropped his phone.

"Killian!" She shouted and picked it up, showing it to him.

"I'll be back in a second!" Killian called, hurrying to the car. Emma smiled at his phone's background-it was a picture of them from Prom. That night was probably the best night of my life, Emma thought. She smiled at it until a number called that the phone didn't recognize.

"Hey, Kill, someone's calling."

"Who?" He called from the car.

"I don't know, the number isn't one your phone recognizes."

"Answer it, please?"

"Hi, who is this?" Emma asked.

"This is Lieutenant Smith-is this Liam Jones' next of kin?" The man asked, and Emma's breath immediately hitched. She sat up slowly and bit her lip.

"Oh, um, no... He's right here, though." Emma said, not sure if she really wanted to give the phone to Killian.

"Who is it? Is it fucking Neal? That-" Killian stopped when he saw the look on Emma's face, "What's wrong?"

Emma hesitantly handed him the phone, knowing that whatever news the Lieutenant had wasn't good news. Emma watched Killian's smile completely dissolve, she watched him as he crumbled to the ground. Emma wrapped her arms around him tightly, not wanting to let go. Killian's sobs ripped through the otherwise quiet field, causing a few birds to flee to refuge in the trees.

"I can't breathe, Emma." Killian sobbed.

"Shh... I've got you, okay? I've got you." Emma whispered, digging the pads of her fingers into his back.

"Emma." He choked.

"We'll work this out, okay? We will." Emma spoke quietly, hiding her own tears from him.

"This isn't real, I'm not... I can't lose him."

"Killian, just try to breathe, okay? Don't start hyperventilating. Just in and out." Emma replied softly, knowing that there was a good chance he'd explode.

"I can't!" He shouted, ripping from Emma's arms.

"Killian, please don't push me away." Emma pleaded, "I know you're upset. But, no matter how bad this gets, I will stick right by your side. I can't see you hurt yourself."

Killian continued his sobbing, unable to stop.

"I need to go home." Killian whimpered.

"Okay. Let's go home." Emma nodded, shakily rising to her feet and holding her hand out for him. He took it gently, standing up and leaning against Emma as they walked. She pressed a kiss to his jaw, leading him to the passenger side of the car.

The ride back to the house was painful. Each of Killian's sobs made Emma's heart tear in half, as she tried her hardest to keep her own tears in. She needed someone to talk to-she needed Mary Margaret.

Killian ran straight up to his room as soon as he got inside, and for the first time, Emma was able to to release her tears.

"Emma, are you okay?" Mary asked as she heard a whimper on the other side.

"No." Emma admitted, tears present in her voice.

"What's wrong?" She asked, and Emma heard the background noise diminish.

"Um, Liam was killed in action." Emma croaked.

"Oh my god. No, Emma, please tell me you're joking-"

"I wish I could." Emma whispered, putting her head in her hand, "I don't know what to do. Killian is... I don't want him to fall apart."

"Can you hold out until tomorrow? That's when we come home from the cruise." Mary Margaret replied, "I wish I could be there now."

"I wish you could, too." Emma replied, her bottom lip shaking as she closed her eyes tight.

"I promise, as soon as we get off this ship, we'll come over. David lost his mother a few years ago... I know it's not the same, but he could maybe help Killian."

"Thank you, Mary Margaret... You don't have to do all of that-"

"Of course I do. That's what best friends do." She replied, and Emma could feel her smile.

"Thank you."

"It's really nothing, Emma. Now, go sit with Killian. Even if you're both sobbing, blubbering messes, there's a little comfort in that." Mary suggested, making Emma smile.

"I will. Thank you, again."

"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow." She replied, hanging up. Emma wiped her tears hastily before rising to her feet and walking up the stairs. Killian's door was shut, but it wasn't locked. Almost as if he knew she'd come up.

"Killian?" Emma asked as she cracked open the door. She found Killian lying on the bed, facing his large window. Emma gently sat on the bed, setting her hand on his arm.

"Emma, I have to be dreaming."

"Killian, believe me, I wish you were." Emma whispered. He sat up slowly, meeting Emma's bright, green eyes, sighing when she pulled him close.

"We'll get through this, okay?" Emma whispered, her voice cracking, "It'll be harder than anything we've endured before, but we'll do it, I promise."

After silently lying down for a little bit, Liam's Lieutenant called again, giving Killian his condolences and walking through all of the mess he had to deal with. Emma sat beside him and helped him plan everything out, making sure he knew that this wasn't something he had to do alone.

For the latter part of the night, the two laid on the couch, trying to work it all out, and with a little convincing, Killian even called his estranged mother, telling her. Emma had said she deserved to know.

After lots of planning, paperwork and tears, the two fell asleep on the couch, Killian holding Emma close, afraid Death would take her, too.

Emma woke up in the morning to the sunlight pouring into the room, her eyes taking a few moments to adjust to the brightness. Killian shifted a little in his sleep, causing Emma to gently turn in his arms. She pressed her nose to his, nestling closer. Take care of him, Emma. He'll take care of you.

After a few minutes, Killian jolted awake, causing Emma to jump as well. She sighed and gently rubbed the side of her head, closing her eyes.

"Bad dream." He whispered. Emma nodded, opening her eyes and offering a sad smile.

"Are you feeling okay?" Emma asked softly.

"I don't know. I don't really feel anything." Killian said with a long sigh, "I feel numb."

"That's okay." Emma nodded, "It's okay to feel whatever you're feeling."

"Thank you, Emma... For staying."

"I don't have a reason to leave." Emma replied, smiling when Killian kissed her.

"I'm so glad I found you. I wouldn't be able to get through this with anyone else." He whispered.

"You're strong, Killian. I have a feeling that you would be just fine." Emma replied.

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her nose.

"When are Mary Margaret and David stopping by? I need to take a shower before they do."

"I'm not sure. Probably not for a while, though."

"If you'll excuse me, then, I'll go take one." Killian sighed as both of them sat up.

"I'll make coffee, okay?" Emma offered, earning a small smile.

"Thank you, love." Killian replied before rising off the couch and walking upstairs. Emma sighed as she put her head in her hands, staring at all of the paperwork they filled out the night before. There was more than she remembered, causing her to wonder if Killian had done more after she'd fallen asleep. She tidied the coffee table up a little, organizing everything into neat piles.

She finally rose from the couch with a stretch and a yawn, then made her way to the kitchen. She grabbed the coffee from the counter, along with a filter, and started the coffeemaker. She leaned against the counter, closing her eyes as the sweet smell of coffee filled the air. Emma waited for the machine to stop, and when it did, she opened her eyes. Taking their mugs from the cabinet, Emma brought them to the coffee maker and filled them up. She put the right amount of sugar in hers, then Killian's, following with the cream.

"Oh, Emma, that smells delightful." Killian's voice purred from behind her.

"You shower really quickly." Emma noted, watching him plop down in his usual chair at the table.

"I try, love." He sighed, taking his coffee as she set it down, "Thank you."

"Of course." Emma replied, sitting beside him and rubbing his back.

"You know, I... I kind of thought this was coming."

"Oh, Killian, don't-"

"No, just listen." He spoke softly, then sighed, "I knew that when Liam left, he wasn't coming back. He... He told me that he didn't know where he was going, but he knew he'd be on the frontlines. He was in the epicenter of all of it. I just... I really hoped that it wouldn't happen."

"I know." Emma whispered, watching him stir his coffee slowly.

"I just... I feel like I should've cried more, but... The tears are all gone, and they've left me with this empty pit. I feel so numb, so... Empty." Killian sighed, then reached for Emma's hand, "Then I look at you, and I realize... I'm not all empty."

Emma offered a smile, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Like I said earlier, Killian, whatever you're feeling is okay. Today you feel numb, tomorrow you might be sobbing again. Regardless, I'll be right here." Emma promised, "I'll always be here."

Killian didn't even reply-he simply lunged forward and embraced her in a tight hug.

"That means more than anything to me, Emma." Killian whispered.

"I promise I won't leave."

"Not even if it gets ugly?"

"Especially not if it gets ugly." Emma spoke softly, then tugged away. She gazed into his red-rimmed eyes and gently rubbed his cheek.

"Killian, you didn't sleep last night, did you?" Emma asked.

"I couldn't, Emma. I tried falling asleep, so finally I decided to finish the damn paperwork."

"Why didn't you wake me up? I would have stayed up all night with you." Emma sighed.

"That's exactly why I didn't, love. I didn't need to wake you up."

"You're missing the point. I don't care-"

"Emma, I didn't want to bother you, okay? I got some sleep this morning. Probably two hours' worth."

"Killian-"

"I'll catch up tonight, okay?"

"Okay." Emma sighed. The two both jumped when Killian's phone buzzed on the table, and Killian answered it. He sighed into the phone and rose from his seat, grabbing his coffee and kissing Emma's forehead before wandering upstairs into his room.

Shortly after Killian had gone up to his room and Emma had gotten dressed, there was a knock at the door. She walked to open it, only to immediately get tugged into Mary Margaret's arms.

"Hey." Emma sighed, hugging her back tightly. She needed someone aside from Killian to grieve with.

"Mind if I go talk to Killian?" David asked.

"He should be up in his room." Emma replied, tugging away from Mary.

"Do you want to talk?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Yeah," Emma sighed, "I think so."

Emma led her to the kitchen table, where the two sat down.

"Okay, go ahead." Mary spoke softly, setting her hand on Emma's when she noticed how quiet she was being.

"I don't know how to comfort him, Mary. I've never lost anyone-I've never had anyone close enough to lose." Emma sighed, "He was so upset yesterday, and this morning, all he can talk about is how numb he feels. I don't want him to feel numb-I've felt numb, and it's not... It sucks."

"Sometimes, there's nothing you can do, Emma. Sometimes you just need to be there. For Killian, I'm sure that's more than enough." Mary Margaret replied, "I know you want to fix him, and fix the situation, but you can't, Emma. There's no fixing this-it's not your fault that you can't fix it, either. You just... you can't bring him back."

"I know." Emma nodded, biting her quivering lip, "He was just... Before me, Liam was all Killian had. He was Killian's world. What do you tell people who've lost their world, Mary?"

Mary Margaret sighed, squeezing Emma's hand gently.

"You listen to him. You distract him. You do whatever you can to make him and yourself happy. Don't overdo it and end up hurting yourself in the process, but... Killian needs you, whether he's ready to admit that or not. He wouldn't be able to get over this if he was doing this alone."

Emma nodded again, this time allowing tears to fall.

"Liam was one of the best men I ever knew, and... I want to be strong for Killian, but I can't, Mary. I can't be strong when I've lost someone dear to me, too."

"Yes, you can." Mary replied, moving her hand to Emma's arm.

"Liam was the one who talked to the police officer about letting me stay here... I don't want to believe that he's gone." Emma sniffed, "I just feel like... I have no place to be upset, since Killian was his brother, and I was just a friend."

"You may not have known Liam nearly as well as Killian, but you're allowed to be upset about this. He helped you find a better life."

"Emma, love, are you crying?" Killian's voice asked from behind Mary Margaret. She looked up to meet his eyes for only a moment before she found his arms around her body.

"I'm sorry." She whimpered.

"For what, love? You haven't done anything wrong." Killian whispered. Emma just continued to cry, and Killian tried his best to keep his own tears at bay, though they were screaming to be released. He gently tugged away, wiping Emma's tears with a smile.

"Emma, love, David had a great idea-he's invited us go with him and Mary Margaret downtown later this afternoon, after they're all settled in." Killian suggested.

"Really?" Emma asked, yearning to get some fresh air again.

"Of course! We just wanted to get unpacked and refreshed a little before going out again."

"Okay." Emma nodded.

"We'll meet you down at the dock at three?" Killian asked, directing it to David.

"Sure thing, Killian." David smiled.

Mary and David left, leaving Emma and Killian alone again.

"Killian?"

"Yeah?" He asked softly as he threaded his fingers through her hair.

"Is it okay for me to be upset about this, too?"

"Of course it is... You knew Liam as well as I did."

"But, he was your brother. I was just a friend."

"That mattered little. Emma, Liam loved you since he met you. He always used to pester me about asking you out." Killian smiled, making Emma giggle a little, "I promise that if you need to cry, my tears are gone. I can take care of you if you need to cry, or vent, or smash things. Well, maybe not the last one."

Emma let out a quiet laugh again, leaning further into Killian's embrace.

"You know what Liam said to me when we were saying goodbye at the airport?"

"No.."

"He told me that if I take care of you, you'll return the favor." Emma spoke softly, "And he couldn't have been more right."

"That's sweet." Killian whispered.

"You're sweet." Emma replied, earning her a kiss on the temple.

"Well, you've got me all choked up now." He said with a small smile.

"Sorry."

"Don't be." Killian said, "With you, I feel like I can be okay."

"I'm glad to hear that, Killian."

"I think next week will be… harder. With the wake, and the funeral..." Killian sighed, and Emma tugged away, looking directly into his hazy, blue eyes.

"I'll help you, okay? I'll help make this better." Emma sighed, taking his hand in hers, "But, I don't think this will be easy."

"Me either."

"We'll do it together, okay?" Emma spoke with a sad smile.

"Together." Killian spoke, mimicking her smile. He leaned forward to press a kiss to her lips.

They spent the remainder of the afternoon with Mary and David downtown, forgetting their troubles for only a few hours. Still, Emma could tell that it helped, and she loved seeing Killian smile.

Two days later, a package showed up at the doorstep, with all of Liam's belongings in it. Killian had a hard time with looking at all of his brother's things. Emma tried to comfort him by suggesting that they get shadow boxes for everything, but Killian simply leaned against her arm, his tears dripping onto her shirt. She simply wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace that he latched onto.