As always thank you to the-lady-of-misthaven and zengoalie for beta'ing. An even bigger thanks to o-u-a-timer for being my right hand on this fic.

We are back to one p.o.v for this chapter - Emma's. This chapter kinda got away from me while writing it... not that any of you will care. So, here... have some fluff (yes, I did say fluff you are not imagining things!) and a drop of angst. I hope you all enjoy!

Thank you so much for all of the favorites, follows, and reviews! The keep my muse going!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own OUAT or its characters.

Ten Years Ago.

Emma looked down at the map and then back up to the buildings surrounding her. How hard could it be to find the right building? She'd grown up in a bigger city than Storybrooke and had no problem finding her way around town, so finding 'White Hall' should be easy. Except, it wasn't. If it were, she would have found the building ten minutes ago and wouldn't be five minutes late to orientation on her first day.

She combed her fingers through her hair. Wonderful first try at being an adult, Emma. Really stellar. At this rate are you even going to make it to your classes? She shook her head. This was supposed to be the easy part. She'd made it through eighteen years in the system, made it through countless foster homes until they finally gave up and placed her in the group home. She'd survived years of being alone, of being forgotten, of not being chosen. She'd applied to college, gotten the grants and loans, and made it across the country from Boston to Storybrooke. She'd done it all on her own.

The map began trembling in her hands. How come she could do all of that, but she couldn't find a simple building. Her eyes scanned the map again. It is like it wasn't even there, like the damned thing didn't exist.

"You know...staring at the map isn't going to make whatever you're looking for appear, lass." An accented, maybe British, voice called from beside her.

Her head jerked up to meet the source of the voice, eyebrows furrowing. He stood about a foot away from her dressed in a pair of black converses that had seen better days, ripped jeans, and...was that a Autobots t-shirt? She shook her head, what was it about cars turning into robots that guys found so fascinating? His look was completed with a black beanie atop his head and skateboard in his hand.

What he was wearing wasn't what caught her eye though. He was easily the hottest guy she had ever seen. Dark hair peaked out from under his hat, she could tell it was a little longer and likely flopped a bit over his ears. A wide grin covered his face showing off his perfect teeth. Then, there were his eyes. His eyes were the color of the ocean and reflected nothing but amusement in her direction.

For a moment her heart skipped a beat. Get it together, Emma. You don't even know the guy. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to return to the problem at hand… finding the damned building so she could make it to orientation.

"Lass?" He interrupted. "May I be of some assistance. I do happen to know my way around the university." He pointed to the map as he spoke.

She shifted from foot to foot, glancing from him to the map and back to him weighing her options. She could either let him help her and get to orientation or she could stand here trying to find this invisible building for who knows how long. Option one it was.

"I'm looking for 'White Hall'...do you know where that is?" She held out the map to him as he walked closer.

"Hmm… 'White Hall?' Can't say that I have, lass." His features crunched apologetically. "Perhaps, you have the wrong building?"

Sighing, she reached into her bag and pulled out her orientation letter. Thankfully, she had remembered to grab it from the desk in her dorm this morning. Unfolding it, she handed to him. His eyes scanned the paper and a chuckle escaped.

"Huh, lass…" His hand rose to scratch the hair at the nape of his neck. "This says 'Whit Hall,' not 'White Hall.' I think that's your error." He held the paper out for her to see.

She ripped the paper from his hands, eyes drifting to the middle of the page where it clearly stated… damnit, 'Whit Hall.' She was such an idiot. She'd been in such a rush to get there in time, for once in her life, that she'd read it wrong and caused herself to be late anyway.

Running a hand through her locks, she tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "Thanks for your help. Next time, I'll be sure to double check the name."

"No problem. It just so happens I am heading that way meself, I could walk you if you'd like."

She tilted her head to the side as she bit the inside of her cheek. Her eyes ran across his face as she tried to figure him out. He stood there, skateboard still in his hand, giving her an easy smile. Would it really hurt to let him walk her to the building? She was new here and knew not a single person, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to make a friend. It would be her first, group homes were not really conducive to making friendships. Besides, he'd helped her when she needed it, when no one else had.

"Um, sure." She finally agreed with a quick shrug of her shoulders.

His easy smile turned into a delighted grin as he began to lead the way, holding his skateboard on the outside so it wouldn't bump into her.

Falling into step next to him, she inclined her head and looked at him curiously. " So… just who are you, my knight in Transformer clothes?" He scuffed beside her as she laughed at her own attempt at ease. "What's your name?"

"Killian Jones." His eyes twinkled as he continued. "At your service, m'lady."

She swallowed slowly. She might have just met Killian Jones, but she knew what that look meant. It meant that he liked her. And she...well, she wouldn't complain if she got to spend a little more time with Killian Jones. She was definitely drawn to him in a way she'd never been drawn to another.

As they continued to walk, their hands brushed lightly. She felt heat spread up her arm. Ignoring it, she smiled briefly in his direction. "Nice to meet you, Killian. I'm Emma Swan."

"Swan, huh. Pretty name for a pretty lass." He turned his head to wink at her flirtatiously, she rolled her eyes in return.

"Cool it, Casanova. I have an orientation to make it to." He laughed and spread his arm out in front of himself.

"Too right, lass. Orientation first, getting you to fall in love with me later."

A grin overtook her face as she shook her head. Warmth spread through her chest as she continued to keep in step next to him. In the few minutes she'd known Killian Jones she'd already felt different, lighter somehow. She definitely wanted to spend more time with him.

She barely made it through the door to the apartment before her phone rang. Shifting the bag of groceries to the other arm she reached into her back pocket to pull out her cell phone. Killian's smiling face stared up at her from the screen. Her heart fluttered in her chest as excitement flooded throughout her body. Her lips curled in a gentle smile.

He was actually calling. When they'd parted earlier he had said he would call her tonight, but doubt had creeped back in. How many other times had he said those very same words to her and not followed through, how many times had she waited by the phone for him to call only to be disappointed? It didn't matter though. He said he would call and he did. Even though it had only been a couple of hours since their new beginning, since they had decided to try again, it felt nice knowing he'd kept his promise.

Walking into the kitchen, she placed the the bag of groceries onto the counter. Swiping the screen to answer Killian's call, she placed the phone to her ear.

"Hello, Killian." Her lips curled into a grin.

"Evening, love. You sound busy."

"I'm putting groceries away. What are you doing?" She opened the refrigerator to put the milk in.

"Uh.. well…" She heard him sigh over the line and she stopped moving, placing her free hand on the counter. What was he doing that he didn't want to talk about? They needed to be honest with each other if this was going to work.

"Killian, just tell me." Her voice came out harsher than she'd intended. She heard him shift his body and she could imagine him twisting the hair at his neck nervously. "Please." She added gently.

"I… well… I just finished removing all of the alcohol from the house." His voice was soft, as if he were ashamed.

Her stomach twisted. In the few times she had talked to David about Killian, he mentioned that Killian had been drinking a lot. So much that he had drunk dialed David several times. Hell, Killian had mentioned it that day at Mary Margaret's. Back then, she had tried to ignore how she'd felt about him drinking, but now… She closed her eyes to block the tears from falling. All of this could have been avoided if she would have just talked to him.

"I'm sorry." She whispered brokenly, hand clenching the edge of the counter.

"There is nothing to be sorry for, love. We found our way back. Took a bit of the long way, but we are here." He tried to soothe her over the line.

She shook her head sharply. "But if we would have...if I would have…"

"Emma." He interrupted. "Stop. Tell me about what you did this afternoon, love."

She smiled through her tears. "Well, after I left you, I called Leroy and told him what we decided."

"Ah, yes, and how is Mr. Grouch?"

"Grouchy." Killian chuckled over the line. "But he is happy for us. Then, I called and made an appointment with Dr. Hopper." She waited with baited breath for his response. She knew he had agreed to go to counseling, but agreeing and actually going were two separate things.

"Well, when are we going, love?" She exhaled quickly.

"He had a cancellation for tomorrow at three." She needed to move so she picked up the box of cereal and moved to the pantry.

"I'll pick you up at 2:30?" He asked quietly.

Emma smiled softly, closing the door to the pantry. "Okay."

"Perhaps, after we could grab an early dinner?" He sounded so hopeful.

She froze in the middle of the kitchen, her heart twisting at his words. She wanted more than anything to go to dinner with him. It was just… she didn't want to get his hopes up. What if they were not able to solve anything? What if they couldn't fix what was broken? It was better if they took things slow. They needed to walk before they could run.

"Killian, I…" Her voice caught in her throat. "I can't."

There was a short pause on the line before he finally spoke. "Okay. We'll get there, love, I know we will."

He sounded so confident, like he knew they would be fine in the end. It was comforting to know he felt that way, to know he had that much faith in them. Suddenly, all of the anxiety left her. She was so tired of second guessing everything, it was all she'd done for the last several months.

"Maybe a stroll along main street could be arranged, though?" She asked coyly.

"Now that sounds like a splendid idea." She could hear the smile in his voice.

Leaving the kitchen, she walked into the living room. Settling into the couch, she turned the television on. "What are you doing right now?"

"Right now I happen to be watching a motion picture of great importance."

She could tell by his tone which movie he was watching and rolled her eyes. "One, two, three, or four?"

"Come again, love?" She could picture him arching his eyebrow in her direction.

"Which Transformers movie are you watching, Killian?" She deadpanned.

"How do you know it is Transformers? I could be watching Ironman." He sounded like a child and she smiled again.

"Really? 'A motion picture of great importance.' Like it could be anything else." She rolled her eyes again.

"Well, for your information, Mrs. Jones." Her heart skipped a beat when he called her by that name. She knew it was irrational, it was her name after all, but hearing him say it made her body fill with warmth. She barely heard him continue. "I am watching Revenge of the Fallen. They go by names not numbers."

"You're such a child, Killian." She laughed as she said it.

"But you like it." He responded without missing a beat. It was nice, this banter they had. She'd missed it, just like she'd missed him.

"Yeah." She murmured. "I kinda do."

She flipped through the channels until landing on the same movie. Digging herself further into the couch, she watched the movie with Killian on the phone. It wasn't a date, but well… it was start and at this point, that was all she wanted.

Therapy Session 1

His office was small, but cozy. Degrees from UCLA decorated the walls. Dr. Hopper sat, legs crossed, in a chair on the other side of his office. His wire-framed glasses perched on his nose, notebook rested on his lap. She sat on the couch with her legs curled under her, he had told her to get comfortable so she had, and her hands rested on her legs. She was trying really hard not to fidget. So far, she'd been successful.

"Now, Emma. As I explained to you over the phone… I like to conduct the first few sessions individually so we can talk freely. After a couple of sessions, Killian will join you. Does that sound okay?" He gave her a kind smile.

She nodded, twisting her hair in her fingers. "That sounds okay, I guess."

"So you told me on the phone that you and Killian want to work on your marriage before you proceed with a divorce. What caused you to file for divorce?"

Nervously, she shifted so her feet were on the floor. Her thumb rubbed the base of her ring finger unconsciously, the place where her wedding ring would have been… if she hadn't taken it off, if she hadn't given up so easily. Her shoulders sagged. She hated talking about her problems, hated opening up, but she needed to keep an open mind. She wanted to save her marriage, there was no question about that. She had to believe that therapy could work, that it could help them work on the issues between them, the issues that she had. She had to try. Otherwise, what was the point?

Sighing, she pulled at the fabric of her jeans and murmured softly. "Do you want me to start at the beginning or start from what actually made me leave?"

Dr. Hopper shrugged his shoulders, removing the cap from his pen. "I think the beginning is always the best, don't you?"

The corners of her lips curved up slightly in a gentle smile. She closed her eyes as she tried to find the courage to begin her tale. She took a deep breath and then released it. She could do this. To save her marriage, she would do this. She opened her eyes to meet Dr. Hopper's patient ones. He smiled at her encouragingly and quickly she smiled in return, time to start.

"Killian's band made it big about five years ago. I spent the first two years touring with them and spending time between here and LA, until I graduated and got a job. That was where our problems started…"

Sept. 9

6:26 am

Why I Love You, Emma Jones (Reason #1): When you love, you do it with your whole heart and there is no going back.

Have a great day at work, love.

-K

Staring at the text message, she blinked the tears from her eyes. This… this was what she needed to hear. After yesterday she thought she may have messed this up. She thought that Killian might have changed his mind. Relief washed over her. He was still here, still trying, despite her actions yesterday.

Her first session with Dr. Hopper yesterday had been hard, really hard. She normally wasn't one to share her feelings and that in itself had pulled her out of her comfort zone. Then, she had to answer all of his probing questions, questions that brought up the past and her feelings, questions that reminded her of how hurt she'd been by Killian's actions. By the end of the session, she'd felt raw and exposed. When she left she wanted nothing more than to go home and curl into a ball on her bed. Killian must have known something was the matter when he saw her walk out of the office because he tried to approach her, but she didn't want to talk to him. Muttering a quick apology and an excuse for bailing on their non-date, she grabbed her stuff, left the office, and called Ruby to pick her up. When he called that night, she ignored it.

Now, in the light of the day so to speak, she knew that she behaved harshly. They were trying to fix things and in order to do that… well, she had to grow up and be willing to talk about their marriage without getting upset every time. She had to let the past stay in the past and move forward to her present. A present that would hopefully include Killian. Quickly, she typed out a response.

Killian, I have no words.

I'm sorry about yesterday.

Can we reschedule our walk for this afternoon?

Maybe we can talk?

She sat the phone on the nightstand and threw her head back onto the pillow. She had a busy day ahead of her. Three new cases yesterday meant three new children needed placement, whether it be foster care or adoption. There was no way she could be late this morning, not when she had three children relying on her.

Sitting up, she swung her legs out of the bed. She was halfway to her closet when her phone rang, startling her. Tilting her head to the side, her brows bunched in confusion. Who would be calling her this early? Her heart rate sped up when she saw the picture on the screen. Killian.

"Hello." Her voice was tentative as she bit her lip.

"You don't need to apologize, Emma." His voice was stern. "You have every right to feel whatever you are feeling…"

"But…" She tried to break in, only he ignored her.

"No, Emma. Nothing you do is going to change how I feel about you. If you need space, that is fine. I want you to trust me and to do that...I need to let you lead. I'll not push you, love. If you need me to back off...just say the words and I will."

She swiped at the tears that had formed in her eyes. How was it that he knew exactly what she needed to hear? It had been so long since he'd paid any attention to how she was feeling that she'd forgotten how in tune he could be when it came to her. It reminded her of the beginning of their relationship, of happier times, of times that she wanted back.

"Thank you." She hoped the whispered words were enough to show how much she was trying, how much she appreciated that he was trying, and how much she wanted to mend what was between them.

"You're welcome, love. Now, how about I meet you when you get off of work...for that walk?" She knew he was messing with the hair at the nape of his neck by his nervous tone. It was cute especially because she'd been the one to ask him on the walk in the first place.

"Is 5:15 good for you?" Cradling her phone between her ear and shoulder, she made her way to her closet.

"Aye. Have a brilliant day, love. I'll leave you to get ready. See you tonight." He sounded happy and that made her heart swell.

"Tonight. Have a good day as well." She hung up the phone with a smile on her face.

Sept. 11

6:30 am

Why I Love You, Emma Jones (Reason #3): When you smile, your whole face lights up. I could spend hours just watching you smile.

-K

Sept. 13

6:20 am

Why I Love You, Emma Jones (Reason #5): You are the most understanding person I know, even when people are undeserving of it.

I enjoyed our conversation last night, love. You are right, as you always are, what happened was no more my fault than it was yours.

I should have been there, however, and for that I am sorry.

-K

And I should have told you.

Let's just agree that there are many things we both did wrong.

Sept. 15

6:15 am

Why I Love You, Emma Jones (Reason #7): You are the strongest person I know.

-K

"Sing it to me?" She asked over the phone line.

It was late, she knew it was, but she didn't care. She wanted to talk to him. He had been so excited when he called. He'd finished the song that he was working on and it was perfect. She loved that he enjoyed writing so much, loved that he was so passionate about getting the lyrics exactly as he wanted them.

"What?" His voice wobbled in surprise.

She smiled to herself. "Sing it to me. I would love to hear it...besides I, I kind of miss hearing you sing."

"Well, who am I to deny you anything, love…"

As his voice carried over the line, she felt a deep calmness take over. She hadn't heard him sing in… years really. She'd forgotten how lovely his voice was. Slowly she began to drift, her eyes shutting. Moments later, she was asleep.

Sept 17

6:21 am

Why I Love You, Emma Jones (Reason #9): Your ability to care for each case that comes through your office. I've never told you this, but I have always believed you were the real superstar of the two of us.

-K

3:15 pm

This is what I am dealing with this afternoon.

[press to download photo]

Emma shook her head as a picture of Robin and Will came up on her phone screen. Her features crinkled in confusion. Were they… wrestling?

What are they doing?

Seems Will has acquired Robin's phone. He's been messaging Ms. Mills all afternoon pretending to be Robin.

A giggle escaped her and her hand shot up to cover her mouth. She was at work. That was such a Will Scarlet thing to do… really Robin should have expected it.

You might want to jump in. Robin may murder him.

Step in? Now why would I do that, love? Will's a grown lad. Besides, Robin got a date out of it.

She shook her head, rolling her eyes. Boys. No, men.

Sept. 19

6:11 am

Why I Love You, Emma Jones (Reason #11): Your laugh. It is infectious. You cannot help but feel lighter when listening to it.

-K

Placing the phone on her ear, she waited for Killian to pick up. These last few weeks had been amazing. They had fallen into a pattern, one that she particularly loved. A pattern that included her waking up every morning to a text message from Killian stating a reason why he loved her, it included phone calls and text messages throughout the day about anything and everything, and it included him calling her at the end of the day so they could say goodnight to each other.

The end of the day calls were her favorite. She loved cuddling in her bed and listening to him chat about whatever antics Will and Smee had gotten into that day or the weird budding relationship that seemed to be occurring between Robin and their new manager, Ms. Mills.

What she really loved, though, was listening to him talk about writing, about getting that lyric just perfect. She could hear the pride in his voice, hear the love he had for writing music. Once or twice, she'd even asked him to sing the songs to her and when he did… her body filled with warmth.

There was only one thing weighing on her mind. How long would this last? She knew he was taking a break from the band, but eventually he would have to go back. What would happen then? She couldn't ask him to quit the band entirely. It was his career. He'd wanted to be in a band since before they met. She closed her eyes. She needed to stop. Dr. Hopper said to take everything one day at a time, that they needed to communicate in order to solve their problems.

"Hello, love." Killian's voice came over the line making her smile.

"Hey. I think I am going to turn in early tonight. I had a long day and it looks like tomorrow is going to be even longer." She sighed as she got into bed. There was a problem with one of her foster children, she needed a new placement immediately. Unfortunately, not a lot of people were willing to take care of a sixteen year old female with a record.

"Is everything okay, Emma?" He sounded concerned.

"Not really." She whispered, wiping the newly formed tears. That girl could have easily been her twelve years ago, in fact, it was her.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

What she wanted was his arms around her, but it was still too soon to ask that of him. There was one other thing that he could do, something that he'd only done one other time, something that she'd loved...

"Just… can you sing to me again?" She laid her head on the pillow.

"Aye, love. Anything for you."

The deep timbre of his voice came over the line and she relaxed into the bed. This man had spent the last several weeks proving to her in every way that he was sorry, that he would be there. It was everything she'd hoped for. Slowly, her eyes closed. He was everything she needed in that moment.

Therapy Session 3

"Now, Emma, this is our last individual session. How do you feel about that?" Dr. Hopper's eyes bore into her from across the room.

She shrugged her shoulders indifferently. "Fine. I am ready to work on things with Killian. We've been talking a lot over the phone and through texts. I think we are both ready to take the next step."

It had been three weeks since they had started therapy. In those three weeks, Killian had made it a point to talk to her multiple times a day. She smiled. He was trying to prove to her that he would be there, that he had changed. So far… it was working.

"Good. Good." Dr. Hopper interrupted. "There is just one last thing I'd like to discuss before we move on to your co-sessions with Killian." There was something about his tone that made her nervous.

She twisted her hands in her lap. "Okay…"

"I want to talk about the day at the hospital, about how you felt when you found out you could no longer have children." He gave her a small, comforting smile.

Her eyes widened as her stomach twisted. Tears flooded her visions. She didn't want… she couldn't… she wasn't ready. Her heart pounded in her chest, her hands began to tremble. It felt like her throat was closing up, like she couldn't breathe.

"Emma!" Dr. Hopper had moved in front of her. His face was directly in front of hers. "You need to breath, Emma. It will be okay. I promise."

Her eyes darted across the room. She shook her head violently. It wasn't okay. She wasn't okay. She needed… She looked at Dr. Hopper, but barely heard a word he said. She needed Killian.

"Killian." She choked out.

Dr. Hopper nodded frantically and ran to the door. Seconds later, she was in his arms. Seconds later, his voice was in her ear. It will be okay, love. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I've got you. She buried her face into his neck as she slowed her breathing. He was here, he wasn't going anywhere.

Once she finally calmed, Dr. Hopper resumed his place in his chair. Killian never released her from his arms.

"Emma, I'd like to continue individual sessions with you. I think you have gone through a very traumatic experience and it would be best to work on that, too. We can work on your marriage in the session with Killian, we can work on getting you better in the individual one. How does that sound?"

She nodded her head. She needed help. It was hard for her to admit, but she knew she did. She looked up to Killian's face. He smiled at her encouragingly. There was no way she could fix her marriage if she couldn't fix herself. It was worth it just for that reason.

Sept 30

9:48 pm

I need you.

She'd barely been able to type the message to him because her fingers were trembling so badly, tears had clouded her vision and she couldn't see the screen. She was sitting in the middle of her bed at Ruby's apartment. Her bedroom door was shut, but not locked. In all honesty, she was surprised Ruby hadn't come barrelling in yet. It wasn't like she was trying to hide the fact that she was sobbing. No. She'd been quite loud since she made it to her room.

She shook her head despondently. When she arrived home she thought she'd been okay, thought she was fine, otherwise she would have never let Killian leave her. He'd been the only one able to calm her during her mess of a session with Dr. Hopper that afternoon. A session that included Dr. Hopper asking about how she felt when she found out she could not have children, when she found out that her dreams had been ripped away.

She closed her eyes in anguish as her heart danced in her chest. Why did he have to bring it up? She'd been doing fine focusing on her marriage, she'd been doing fine trying to forget what she'd lost. There was a reason she never talked about her feelings, a reason no one knew that she would never be a mother to her own child. She didn't want to talk about it, she didn't want anyone to see that she wasn't strong, didn't want to allow anyone to see how broken she really was.

Because that was what scared her. The idea that she was too broken to ever recover, the thought that she had failed in the most simplest of ways, that she had failed at being a mother. It was almost too much to bear. A choked sob escaped her. Yet, she had to live with this knowledge everyday. She had to wake up and go to work, she had to deal with parents who'd neglected their children, and she had to do it all with a smile. Those parents didn't even know how lucky they were to have their own child, how blessed, because she would give anything to be in their shoes. She would give anything for a child of her own.

That didn't matter though. It didn't matter what she would give up because she could never have a child of her own, she could never bear a child for Killian, and it killed her. So much so that she didn't want to talk about it, she didn't want to think about it. She wanted to put it in the back of her mind and pretend like it didn't matter, like it didn't affect her.

Which is why when Dr. Hopper asked about it she froze up and panicked. She couldn't answer his questions, couldn't talk about how she felt. She watched morosely as her tears fell onto her blanket. Talking about how she felt meant that it happened, it meant that it was real, it meant that she…. she shook her head. She couldn't talk about it. Not now, not ever.

Suddenly, she heard someone pounding on the front door to the apartment. A moment later footsteps sounded down the hallway stopping in front of her door. A frantic knock followed.

"Emma?" His voice carried through the door and more tears flooded her vision. From happiness or sadness, she didn't know. "Emma, love, it's me." The handle of her door jiggled and he must have realized it was unlocked because the next thing she knew Killian's frame was before her and Ruby behind him.

Her eyes ran the length of his body as he stood there, chest heaving. He was dressed in his trademark Transformers pajama pants and a white shirt. His shoes were mismatched, one black converse and the other grey, neither of which were tied. He'd thrown on his black leather jacket over the white shirt and it looked like his hair may be slightly damp. Why was he dressed like this?

She realized in that moment that he hadn't texted her back after she messaged him. She'd been too caught up in her thoughts to notice, but she knew it hadn't been too long since she'd sent the message. Maybe ten minutes at the most. All of the sudden his appearance made sense. He hadn't texted back because he'd gotten her message and left immediately. He'd rushed to get here, he'd rushed to her. Because she needed him and he'd promised he'd never let her down again. The reality of his actions, of his promise, slammed into her and more tears formed in her eyes.

From the door she heard him mutter, "Oh, Emma." before he moved to the bed. Sitting behind her, he pulled her into his arms. She turned her body toward him and curled into his chest, finally feeling safe for the first time since he'd left her that afternoon. Vaguely, she heard her bedroom door close and she knew Ruby had left to give them some privacy.

For what seemed like hours, but was likely only minutes, he rocked her on her bed. His nose was buried in her hair as he whispered comforting words to her. Slowly she stopped crying as all of the despair she'd felt left and was replaced with a feeling of comfort that only Killian's embrace could provide.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He shifted his head so his cheek was lying atop of her hair. She shook her head into his chest. Talking about it was the last thing she wanted, it was what started this whole mess in the first place.

"You know…" He murmured softly. "It is okay not to be strong, to open up. I'm not going anywhere." Again, she shook her head and pressed further into his chest. "Is it about what Dr. Hopper asked about?"

She wanted to deny it but she couldn't. Not to him, not when they were trying to save their marriage, not when they were trying for a fresh start. They had promised to always be honest with each other and that promise applied to everything.

"Yes." Her voice was hoarse from crying.

She felt him kiss her hair. "I was upset when I found the paperwork. At first, I didn't believe it. I thought…" He shook his head. "I thought it was a mistake. When I realized it wasn't, I was angry… at the situation, at the world really, and then at myself." She tilted her head up to look at his face and he gave her a small, sad smile before continuing. "We've lost something huge Emma. Something…" He closed his eyes and she watched as tears fell from them. "There are no words for what we've lost, but it is okay to let yourself talk about it, to let yourself feel the loss. To grieve."

She didn't speak as she contemplated his words. Finally, she looked up and wiped the tears from his eyes with her thumb. "If I let myself feel it, then it's real." She whispered.

His arms tightened around her. "But it is real, love, and if you don't feel it you'll never heal. You have to heal, Emma, because I have to heal with you. I need you in this as much as you need me. And I know, if we do this together, we'll be alright." He kissed her forehead. "We'll get there, my love. Together."

Her mouth fell open. His pain was evident in his tone and her heart clenched in response, but there was something else there also...something akin to hope. He truly believed that they could heal each other, that they would survive their loss together. It comforted her to know that he felt this way, to know that he had that much faith in them. She could feel the sorrow leave her body as she pulled back from his chest to meet his eyes. Somehow, he always knew what to say to make her understand, to make her realize what she needed to do. Her hand came up to caress the stubble on his cheek and she leaned forward to rest her forehead on his.

"How is it that you always know how to make me feel better?" She whispered with a small smile.

The corners of his eyes crinkled in confusion at her question, the change in topic catching him off guard. An easy smile formed on his lips. His shoulders shrugged slowly, eyes darted from her eyes to her lips before returning to meet her gaze. "Because I know you better than you know yourself, lass."

"I know." She nodded her head against his. Her words were barely a breath upon his lips, a declaration of truth that she knew he desperately needed to hear. "You always have."

"And I always will, Emma. For as long as you'll let me." He placed a light kiss on her nose.

She wrung her arms around his neck and pulled him into her embrace. She'd been so lost earlier, so desolate, and then he showed up. Just being in his arms had allowed her solace, his words and promises had done the rest. It was like a weight had been lifted. She no longer felt alone, not when she knew he would be at her side healing with her.

Pulling back, her hands fell to her lap. She bit her lip as her eyes shifted downward. "I couldn't do this without you, Killian. I… thank you for not giving up even when I gave you every reason to."

He sighed as he reached out and ran his thumb along the backside of her hand. "There was never another option for me, love."

Emma took in a deep breath as her eyes lifted to meet his. His eyes reflected nothing but the truth. Her chest tightened as she realized he'd meant every word he'd said.

"You were never going to give up, were you? This whole time, even when you felt like there was no hope to be had, you still believed that we would find our way...didn't you?" Her eyes searched his face in wonder.

He nodded slowly. "Aye."

She knew it then, knew that she was ready to let him in fully, to allow herself to let go of all of the pain and the hurt. She was ready to take the next step in more ways than one. It was time to really trust in him, to trust that this was going to work, to trust that he wasn't going to leave her.

"Killian?" She could feel each beat of her heart as it thumped wildly in her chest. His hands reached out and intertwined with hers as he continued to watch her.

"Yes, love?" Gently, he squeezed her hands when she did not answer him right away.

"Go on a date with me?" She whispered the question. Getting it out, making the request, made her feel lighter in a way. Like she was finally letting herself live for the first time in three months.

His eyes widened. The corners of his lips curled into a small smile. "A date?"

"A date." She breathed out, smiling brightly.

"Are you sure, Emma?" His eye crinkled, a brow rose in question.

"I've never been more sure of anything?" She vowed confidently.

"Then, I'd be honored." He inclined his head shyly and a giggle rose in her throat. She'd never seen so sure about something since he'd asked her on their first date, so in a way it was fitting.

"Honored, huh?" She bowed her head to catch his eyes. He grinned in return.

"Aye, love. Honored. I do have one request, however." His eyes twinkled with mirth.

"Oh, really, and what's that?" She returned his smile as one hand lifted to comb through the hair at the nape of his neck.

"You let me plan the evening." He tucked a stray lock behind her ear.

Of course he would want to plan their evening. He would want it to be perfect, the perfect start to their renewed marriage.

"Okay." She leaned into his touch.

They stayed like that for a moment and she wondered how she ever thought she could live without Killian Jones. She'd been a fool. She needed him as much as he needed her.

"Then, accompany me to dinner. Tomorrow." His finger trailed along her jawline.

"Tomorrow?" She questioned with a smirk. "So soon?"

He didn't laugh like she expected. His expression turned serious as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "I've spent far too long without you, my love. I do not intend to prolong the experience if I can help it."

Her breath caught in her throat, stomach flipping. She was surprised to find that his words did not scare her, instead they filled her with longing. She didn't want to be apart from him longer than necessary either.

She sat, wrapped in his arms, in the middle of her bed for a long while. Slowly her eyes began to drift shut. She'd almost fallen asleep when she felt him stir.

His hand came up to pull at his ear. "Well, I suppose I should return to the house. It is late and you wake early for work." When he moved to get off the bed and she grabbed his arm.

"Stay." Her words were confident.

"Are you sure, Emma?" His voice wavered at her request.

She nodded her head. She wanted to sleep with his arms around her, with is heartbeat in her ear.

"Yes." Then, she added. "But just to sleep."

His mouth widened into a grin. "As you wish."

Once he took off his shoes, turned the light off, and joined her in the bed; he wasted no time pulling her into his arms and burying his nose in her hair. She'd never felt safer or more loved than she did in that moment.

"Goodnight, Killian." She murmured into his chest.

"Goodnight, my love."

She fell asleep quickly wrapped in the arms of her husband for the first time in weeks.

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