Author's Note: I still don't own the characters, sadly. So, this chapter is Emma and Killian's relationship, but the next one is all baby stuff. Enjoy and review!
"Shit! Killian! Killian! Please, wake up! Killian!" He heard a voice, but it just seemed so far away. He couldn't open his eyes and his head felt like it was going to throb right off of his body. Cold hands grasped one of his and he felt moisture falling onto his cheek. With extreme effort, he opened his eyes and immediately met scared green ones leaning over him. Emma.
"Oh thank god, you hit your head! I was going to call an ambulance…" Emma said through still-falling tears. She leaned down further and hugged him to her. "Y-you need to go to the hospital, you could have a concussion."
Killian sat up slowly, realizing that he was basically laying in her lap. "I'm okay, Swan. I promise. Just a bump." Looking down, he noticed that there was blood on his hands. "And a bit of blood. All okay." Emma sighed, wiping her tears.
"Y-you, y-you hit your head on the corner of the fireplace mantle. You were bleeding. And I totally froze. I… Thank god you're okay. I got the bleeding to stop once I snapped out of my haze. I still think you should go to the hospital," Emma said, calmer than before but still grasping his hand like it was all that was holding her to Earth.
"I'm okay, love. Just a bit of a headache. Although, my tux definitely will not do for tonight. Help me up and I'll get changed, then we can go to the fundraiser."
"Killian, I really think we should skip tonight. You're hurt…" Emma protested, knowing she was not going to win that argument. She helped Killian stand up and he smiled at her, shedding his bloody tux jacket.
"Not bloody likely, Swan. These tickets cost me $1500 each and all of my business associates will be there. Just let me go clean up and we can go. You look lovely by the way," he said with a wink.
"Thank you, Mr. Jones. You look quite lovely yourself, pre-blood at least," Emma said, blushing slightly. She fidgeted with her purse as she waited for him to change. In just a few moments, Killian emerged from his bedroom, looking even better than before in a new tux.
"Ready, lovely lady?" Killian asked, coming up next to her and offering her his arm. Emma noticed that he had a bandage on his forehead over the cut.
"Absolutely, sir. Thank you," Emma responded, taking his arm and following him out of the house. As he locked up, Emma noticed the limousine sitting in the driveway. "You hired a limo?" she asked.
"Actually, the limo belongs to Jones Brothers Aquatics, not me personally. But, being the CEO has some advantages." Emma smiled as Killian led her into the limo.
Within minutes, Killian was leading Emma into an amazingly decorated ballroom. The event had a Once Upon a Time theme, and the ballroom was decorated as the Enchanted Forest, complete with seven dwarf waiters and fairy tale princesses. It was amazing. "Who is throwing this benefit again?" she asked him, stunned at the beauty surrounding her.
"It's Storybrooke Children Hospital's annual fundraiser. All of Storybrooke's business, legal, and social leaders come to raise money for the hospital. There is a silent auction, a live auction, and dinner and dancing. Overall, it's a fun event for an excellent cause," Killian said before taking a glass of champagne from one of the waiters and asking for a glass of water for Emma.
"Actually, Sir, if you wouldn't mind, just two glasses of water, please," Emma said to the waiter, taking Killian's champagne from his hand and placing it back on the tray. She then turned to Killian, "You could have a concussion – no drinking!" she admonished him. The waiter laughed as he took back the glass.
"Listen to your girl, she certainly cares about you," he said before walking away, off to serve another couple nearby. Emma couldn't stifle the giggle that emerged from her throat as Killian's cheeks and ears turned a bit red with blush. Killian was embarrassed by just how much he wanted Emma to be his girl. His girl, his baby, his family. But Emma didn't feel the same way, so he deflected, taking the time to calm his mind down.
"Well, lass, I guess we should find our seats." He glanced at the tickets. "Table 5." Emma led Killian by the hand to their seats. He pulled her seat out for her before settling in the next chair.
"Emma Swan!" Killian turned his head at the call. A dark haired woman, who despite her pixie cut hairstyle looked nothing but feminine in a white, sparkly dress. The man with her was blonde and totally enamored with his wife (or girlfriend, maybe)? Emma turned around and immediately jumped out of her chair, running to the brunette and hugging her close and then moving on to hug the man.
"I can't believe you guys are here! Killian, come here," she called to him, so of course he immediately got up and joined the small group. "Killian, this is my very best friend Mary Margaret Blanchard and her fiancé, and another of my closest friends, David Nolan! Guys, this is Killian Jones." She didn't provide any more detail, so he assumed that they already knew exactly who he was. He smiled as he shook David's hand and then leaned over to hug Mary Margaret.
"So, what are you doing here?" Emma asked as they made their way back to the table (it turned out that the duo was sitting right next to them).
"Regina gave us her tickets. All three kids came down with the flu, so she and Robin decided to stay home and take care of them," Mary Margaret said.
"Wait, Regina and Robin… Locksley?" Killian asked.
"Yes, Regina is Mary Margaret's step-sister," David answered. Killian was shocked. Regina was his long time Vice President of Operations before leaving to start her own company with her husband. She knew his past, she'd known Milah. And she knows Emma. Killian sat silently, picking at his salad. Emma chatted with the happy couple throughout the salad, soup and entrée courses. Killian added to it here and there, but largely got lost in his own thoughts – worrying about his past suddenly being connected to the woman that was carrying his child.
Between the entrée and dessert, Killian forced Emma to dance. She claimed she didn't know how to do the waltz, but he assured her that the most important part was having a good partner, which he was. The two glided smoothly across the dance floor, talking and laughing, as their friends did the same. Killian couldn't believe how carefree and happy Emma seemed. And he realized then… he was falling in love with Emma Swan. The emotion of the moment, holding her close, with her head on his shoulder as they swayed to a slow song, became too much.
Killian announced that he was going to explore the silent auction before the live one started. He excused himself from the group and nearly ran to the nearest restroom. Standing in front of the sink, he stared himself down in the mirror. Come on, Killian, get it together! Everything's fine. Just relax. He spent a few minutes giving himself a pep talk before exiting to look at the silent auction items and bid a few things. Within minutes, an arm had wound its way around his waist.
"Hey, you okay?" Emma asked him, concern all over his face.
"Yes, love. I'm glad to meet your friends," he replied, smiling. "I may or may not have bid on some things for you, I hope that's alright." He was noticing that making Emma happy was what made him happy – every worry he'd had disappeared as a huge grin appeared on her face.
"You didn't have to do that! Listen, I'm actually really tired and you look worn out as well, especially given your injury. Wanna wait out the silent auction and then skip out of here?" she asked him, still smiling. He nodded. As they made their way back to the table, Emma's hand laced with his. He pulled her closer to his side once they sat, their chairs pushed next to each other. As the results of the silent auction were announced, he found himself holding his breath – hoping he won his top choice.
"And the winner of the romantic weekend vacation on a yacht is… Killian Jones, with a donation of $10,000! Mr. Jones, please see the auction desk to get everything set up." Emma was staring at him, her mouth hanging open. Behind her, Mary Margaret and David shared a quick look before their gazes landed on Killian. He couldn't quite decipher what was in the looks, but it almost looked like admiration and possibly happiness. Emma leaned into Killian's side.
"You got the yacht vacation for me?" she whispered. Everything else in the room disappeared as his gaze met hers. He saw tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she looked at him.
"Aye. I thought it would be fun… if you don't want to go with me, you're free to invite whomever you please. I think you deserve to relax after graduation," he said. She squeezed his hand.
"I… I want to go with you. I'm going to run to the restroom, why don't you go get everything squared away and I'll meet you outside," she said. He nodded. Once Emma left, David looked at Killian.
"I can't believe you did that for her… she deserves it, don't get me wrong, but she's never met anyone that cared about her that much. I-I'm glad. You're good for her. She's happy. Don't break her heart…" His fiancée interrupted him.
"Or I'll kill you!" Mary Margaret said. They laughed, but Killian could feel the truth in their words. They loved Emma. It didn't surprise them, who wouldn't love Emma. She was smart, funny, dedicated, and sweet. The trio got up and walked to the auction desk. Once Killian got it all set up, he stood with the pair to wait for Emma outside. A minute later, she met the group outside. Killian noticed that she was rubbing her arms, clearly cold. He immediately slipped off his jacket and put it around her arms. She mumbled a thanks and said goodbye to her dearest friends, promising to call them soon. The ride home in the limo was quick and the tension could have been cut with a knife. As soon as they entered the house, Emma stopped Killian in the foyer.
"Killian, I just wanted to thank you for the most amazing night. I haven't had that much fun in forever. I really felt like a princess," Emma whispered to him. Their bodies were so close that Killian could feel the heat radiating from her as she laced her hands with his once again. Before he could help himself, he leaned forward and his lips met hers. She responded nearly immediately, wrapping her arms around him neck and running her hands through his hair. He was intoxicated. High on the feeling of Emma Swan against him. She pulled apart from him, but then leaned forward and whispered in his ears.
"Goodnight, Killian," she said, her breathe fanning his skin. She pecked him on the cheek before whisking away into her room.
He made his way to his bedroom, lost in the memories from the evening. He didn't know what he was going to tell Emma, if he was going to tell Emma, but he knew one thing. He loved her. He loved her as much as he loved the baby inside of her. And he was desperate to hold onto her forever.