Chapter Eight

Killian is carefully cradling Emma in his lap on the stones of the Paris square, whispering promises in her ear as she gasps for breath. The burns on her feet and legs cause tears to stream down her face as she clutches Killian's shirt.

Regina, ever vigilant, remarks to the rest,

"Maybe we should take this little reunion to a less public place?"

Q's eyes have been darting around as well and he agrees with Regina.

"Yes. More guards will come and there will be trouble when news of Frolo's death spreads."

He spares a sad glance to the body of the man who raised him before looking away and continuing.

"We can take her to the cathedral for a few moments but we shouldn't linger there either."

Nodding in agreement, David stoops to aid Killian with Emma but Killian silently stands, holding Emma out of David's reach and starts walking towards Notre Dame.

David raises an eyebrow at him but doesn't comment.

Avoiding the fresh guards beginning to flow into the square, Killian and the others make it to the cathedral, Killian lays Emma down softly on a back pew but doesn't leave her side as he is takes stock of Emma's injuries. Q begins speaking.

"We cannot stay here long but there will be some supplies here to help Emma." He says before hastily darting away towards the front of the cathedral.

Killian distractedly looks up to watch Q go and then turns to Regina.

"There should be no need for that. Regina, you can heal her." He says, turning back to Emma who is beginning to whimper with pain. The sound of Emma's soft whimpers is sending Killian over the edge of panic.

"I would love to but those guards dosed me with whatever magic-blocking dust they used to capture Emma." She says in a very irritated voice.

Emma has another coughing spell and Killian immediately kneels down to stroke her back in small circles, after which he stands again and looks at the others with wild angry eyes.

"Well, we bloody need to do SOMETHING for her!" he shouts as Q comes running back to them holding bandages and salve. He stops in front of Killian who relieves him of the salve and bends to apply it to Emma's legs and feet, jerking his hand back every time Emma winces.

Q stands holding the bandages and says,

"I spoke to the priest and he has loaned us the use of his cart and horse to get Emma to your ship. He said he will leave them by the side door for us."

Snow replies.

"Good. With Regina's magic gone, we need to get Emma to Zelena and hopefully she can heal her and we can get back home."

Regina lets out a frustrated huff.

"Speaking of which, does anyone know how I can get my magic back?"

Esmerelda's head pops up and she looks at Regina, saying in a pragmatic tone,

"Oh, your magic will return after a few days."

Regina turns to the girl and stares her down.

"You mean I have to just wait until the powder is out of my system?"

Esmerelda shrugs.

"Yes. It usually only takes three days for the powder to wear off."

Before Regina could express her total relief, a croaky strained voice speaks.

"Well that's one less thing to worry about." Emma says and starts coughing again.

Killian reaches up over her body to press his fingers to Emma's lips and admonish her.

"Don't speak, love. You could hurt yourself more."

Even in her weakened state, Emma relishes the feeling of Killian's nearness. Clearly not immune to sparks flying between them, Killian straightens to stand with a knowing look before returning to his worried brooding.

"That's the end of the salve, let's get Emma to that wagon and be off."

Killian says as he steps around her, carefully scoops Emma back up into his arms and looks to Q to lead the way.

The wagon ride was longer than expected but the band of heroes manage to evade the guards and arrive at the Jolly Roger. They begin jumping down from the cart and David again tries to help Killian with Emma, but the pirate all but bares his teeth and growls at David to keep him away from her.

David is about to confront Killian about his possessiveness of Emma but Snow places a hand on his arm and silences him with a look.

Zelena looks up from smiling at baby Robin to see them all walking up he gangplank. She wanders over to Killian as he steps onto the deck of the ship.

"Wow. Didn't expect you back… well, ever. To be honest."

Killian pins her with a glare, which softens slightly after a moment.

"We need your magic. Emma is injured, and her and Regina have lost their magic for the time being."

Intrigued, Zelena begins handing Robin to Regina so she can follow Killian below deck.

"Seems I missed quite a day, didn't I?" she says to her sister before follwing Killian. Regina rolls her eyes at her sister's back and shifts baby Robin so she can turn and talk to the others. Q and Esmerelda are standing at the edge of the gangplank, awkwardly trying to not notice each other. Regina mumbles to herself.

"Lord save me from teenagers in any realm…" and she walks over to them.

Snow and David are already there, watching Killian and Zelena disappear with Emma into the Captain's quarters.

"Well, I guess everything should go back to normal now, right?" Snow says cheerily.

Regina looks at the blushing teenagers again and corrects Snow.

"I think there may be some minor changes to the fates around here." Snow looks at Regina questioningly and then follows her gaze to Q and Esmerelda and smiles wider. She addresses Q, saying,

"Well. It has been very nice meeting you but I think its time we took Emma home."

Q looks down at his feet and says,

"Please tell Emma that I am so very sorry for causing her any pain. It was not my intention." He says, turning away. Esmerelda starts to follow but turns back for a moment.

"Tell Emma I say goodbye!"

Snow waves to them as David starts taking in the gangplank, preparing for their departure.

Meanwhile, Killian has laid Emma down across his bed in the Captain's quarters and Zelena is having a look at her burns.

"Well, that looks rather painful doesn't it? Is that all that needs healing?" she asks Killian.

"She breathed in a fair amount of smoke as well." He says as he sits on the bed next to Emma to caress the strands of hair from her face. Zelena nods and holds out her hands towards Emma.

"Got it." And she begins running her hands a couple inches over Emma's burns. Shimmering light encases Emma's legs for a few moments and then Zelena stops and drops her hands with a frown.

Killian whips a sharp look at Zelena as David and Snow drop down into the cabin.

"What's wrong?"

Zelena looks at the burns on Emma's legs as if they offend her.

"It's not working. My magic is going into the burns but it's like her body is rejecting the magic."

Snow purses her lips and nods to Zelena.

"It must be that magic-blocking powder that she inhaled, working inside her."

Killian gives an exasperated groan and runs an anxious hand through his hair.

Zelena raises an eyebrow at Snow, shrugs and then starts walking away.

"Well, I guess you don't need me then." And she climbs up the ladder to join her sister on the deck.

Emma has dropped off to sleep and Killian stands to start pacing between her and her parents.

"What the blazes do I do now?!" he asks to no one in particular.

Snow goes to answer him but David whips around and blocks her.

"Snow can you go up and start getting the ship ready to sail?" Snow understands David's code for wanting to talk to Killian alone and silently leaves them.

David turns to Killian and takes a moment to gather his thoughts.

"Hey."

Killian doesn't even hesitate in his prowling or look up at David.

"What?"

David reaches out and puts a tentative hand on Killian's shoulder, forcing him to stop pacing. Killian looks over his shoulder at him, ready to start a fight, but David holds up a hand and backs away.

"I get it." He says, catching Killian off guard. David leans back against the captain's desk and crosses his arms.

"I know what you're thinking. [Killian scoffs] Snow has been taken from me a few times now, and whenever I get her back, I act just like you are, for a few days."

Killian continues scowling silently as David goes on.

"You feel guilty. [Killian glances up at David] I mean, we know that both Snow and Emma can pretty much handle anything that comes at them but when they get hurt…"

David looks down at the floor and furrows his brow.

"… it feels like we should have been there to protect them." He finishes in a strained voice.

By this time, Killian has turned and is kneeling down beside Emma, watching her sleep. He puts his head down on the bed beside her and says in a broken voice,

"I was almost too late."

David nods, knowingly.

"But you weren't. Emma will be fine, Killian."

Killian considers for a few seconds before he stands up and turns to David.

"I believe that's the first time you've ever called me by my given name."

David smiles at him.

"Don't get used to it. You're still a pirate to me."

Killian grins and blows out a huge breath. David pushes away from the desk and starts towards the ladder.

"Speaking of which, I think we need the Captain at the helm of his ship to get us back home and get Emma to a doctor." He says pointedly.

Killian looks back to Emma, worry creeping back onto his face and David changes direction.

"I won't leave her side." He says, moving towards her.

Killian watches Emma for moment and then bends to place a soft kiss on her lips and then turns to David.

"Thanks, mate. I've been running around in a blind panic since your phone call. I think I just needed to be pulled up, mate, and reminded that Emma will be alright."

David claps a hand on Killian's shoulder and gives it a squeeze before releasing him. Killian, with one last glance to Emma, vaults up to the deck to steer them home.