Chapter 14

You guys have been such devoted followers I have to post this now. I have to say I think this is my favorite chapter I've written so far! Sorry if there are typo's because I literally just got done writing it and I want you all to read it!

The major theme of this chapter is making choices that are about protecting those you love even when they're hard. I hope you all understand why I am taking the story in this direction and that you'll stick with me!

Enjoy!


"Dad! Thank God you picked up!"

"Emma? Is everything okay?"

"Not exactly"

"What happened?"

"Well Zoe ran away…"

"Again? Emma if this is too much for you guys…"

"No! No, we found her but we found out that a few days ago she made contact with Heidi"

"How?...but we have been looking for her for a month now! How did she find her?"

"She ended up finding someone else who knew Heidi and we found out that ever since that phone call that Zoe made that Heidi has been making her way down here…to Zoe"

"Emma that's dangerous! She could be leading Stult's men right to you guys! Where is Heidi? You guys need to keep Zoe far away from her!

"But Dad"

"Emma if someone has been following this girl and see's that she is connected to you guys then they are going to be able to put two and two together"

"But…Killian and Zoe are already on their way to go pick her up"

"I'm calling Killian. I love you Emma but I have to keep you guys safe" and with that David hung up. Emma was so frustrated, her dad hadn't even given her a chance to explain anything! She was going to have to decided if they were going to listen to her dad, or do what they felt was right.

XXXX

Killian and Emma rode in a somewhat comfortable silence minus the radio playing in the back ground. Killian was infuriated that Zoe had not only lied to them and snuck out but he was more upset that she put herself in danger. Over the last few weeks of taking care of Zoe he and Emma really had started to think of her as their daughter in every way and he was not just protective of her because it was his job, but because she was his daughter.

He really didn't want to scare her off and he knew that sharing that would do just that but he also wanted her to be able to understand. He was broken out of his own thoughts when Zoe spoke up

"I'm sorry" She said. It was barely above a whisper and Killian almost missed it

"What was that?" He asked not believing what he just heard

"I'm sorry…for all of this"

"I forgive you Zoe, but I need you to understand something"

"What is that?"

"Zoe…as mad as I am that lied to us and snuck out…I'm more upset that you put yourself in danger"

"Because you could have lost your job" She said staring at her lap. She hadn't really thought about the fact that they were getting paid to watch out for her and that they may loose that if she was hurt or something worse

"No, I wouldn't have cared all that much if I lost my job" Killian said. He waited for a moment for a reaction from Zoe, he really wanted this to sink in

"What?"

"Zoe…Emma and I are getting paid to take care of you, that part is true. But we would give up the paycheck if it meant that you would be safe"

"I don't understand what you're saying" Emma said looking at him inquisitively. He wasn't making any sense to her. Why would they be willing to give up a good paying job?

"Zoe…Emma and I…we don't look at you as our assignment…we see you as our daughter" He felt like all the breath was let out of him when he said it from the shear panic that was rushing in. He didn't know how she was going to react. Maybe he should have waited for Emma to be there. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything at all.

"Oh" That was all Zoe said. She wasn't sure how to respond

"We love you Zoe…and it's okay if you don't feel that way about us but…that's how we feel about you"

"Stay straight for 20 miles" Came the GPS followed by Killians phone starting to ring.

"David"

"Killian I need you to run around and take Zoe home now"

"Mate I can't do that"

"Killian if you care about the safety of you and Emma and Zoe you will turn around right now"

"David what are you talking about? This girl is in trouble"

"I know, that's why the Georgia State Cops are on their way to pick her up right now. You can't take her back with you because anyone who has been following her is going to put two and two together and all of this. All of the progress you guys have made and the relocation of Zoe will be all for nothing"

"David"

"Killian when I gave my blessing for you to marry Emma, and when I sent Zoe to live with you , it was because I knew that you would do everything in your power to keep them safe. By going and bringing this girl back to Florida, you are putting all of you in danger. I'm not trying to be a pain, but if it comes to it, I will call your superior and fill them in"

"David…you're starting to cross a line"

"Than don't make me do it Killian. Take Zoe home and don't let her out of your sight till we can determine that no one has caught on and followed the trail back to Zoe" David knew that he was really pushing it and that Killian wasn't taking well to his threats, but he also knew that his son-in-law wasn't going to back down without a fight.

"David do you realize what kind of position you're putting me in?"

"I do, and you know that I wouldn't be so adamant about his if it wasn't life or death" David said sounding as desperate as Killian had ever heard him. He knew that David was right but he also knew that he didn't want to have to tell Zoe what was about to happen.

"Killian, what's going on?" Zoe said becoming worried

"It's fine Zoe, just a change of plans is all" Killian replied trying to keep her calm. "Alright David, but you have to promise you'll stick to our deal"

"I promise we will do whatever we can to find her a good home" He said sounding relived.

"Thank you mate"

"Killian, be careful"

"I will" and with that Killian ended the phone call and pulled off to the side of the road

XXXX

"Mom! How can you side with him?" Emma said frustrated as she paced the living room.

"Emma what else are we supposed to do? This girl is going to lead these men right to you and Zoe! The whole point of this was that you all would be kept safe!"

"And what about Heidi? Who is supposed to keep her safe"

"You're father and I will deal with that when she gets here. We already sent the Georgia state cops to collect her and bring her back to us in Maine, after that we will find her a good home, I promise. We aren't going to let anything happen to any of you, but that is going to take us making some hard choices" Mary said in a voice that she saved just for Emma. It was the voice she used when she was trying to teach Emma and help her understand.

Emma knew that her mom was right, she had to think of she and Killian and Zoe first. As much as this effected Zoe, it would affect her even more bringing Heidi to Florida. "How do I tell Zoe?"

"You be honest with her and you tell her exactly how much you and Killian love her and eventually, someday she'll understand that you made the hardest decision you ever had to as parents. Choosing her safety above all else"

"I don't know if I can do that"

"We wouldn't have brought her to you if we thought that. You and Killian are being wonderful parents. She will understand, someday"

"I wish you and dad were here"

"Me too baby. Me too"

XXXX

"Killian? What are you doing? Why are you pulling over?" Zoe asked. She felt her heart rate start to quicken

"Zoe…"

"Killian, don't lie to me. What did David say?" Zoe asked bluntly. She already knew something as wrong and she quickly figured out that it was something to do with Heidi or herself, or, more likely, both.

"David felt it was best that you and Heidi not been seen together so the Georgia police are picking her up right now"

"What does that mean?"

"We're not sure yet. We just need to be sure that none of Stult's men followed her or have made the connection between the two of you" He said placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. He didn't know how to tell her the full truth about what was really going on.

"Killian…"

"Zoe, will you trust me? Trust me that I am only doing what is best for you?" Killian was shocked by the words that came out of his mouth. Maybe David was right, he could do this. Zoe stared at her would be father for a moment. So far all that Killian and Emma had done for her was to try and make her feel safe…

"Okay"

"Thank you Zoe" Killian said before leaning over and kissing her forehead "Let's go home"