I was blown away by your reception to the last chapter! It was amazing! I can not believe how far this story has come. Only a few more chapters until the end!

Review responses-

Nick-Thank you! I've wanted to use Robin and he will be in the next few chapters as well! *whispers* the story trailer will be at the bottom of the chapter.

fox24-Would we expect any less for our beloved Emma?

NecieLauren-I needed it too! Sunday killed me. Hope this chapter helps too!

Make sure to check out the story trailer at the bottom of the fic. The new story will come out shortly after this one ends! Make sure to be on the lookout!

Chapter 25: Silver Lining

It was amazing how after one brick was pushed from a wall how quickly the rest of the bricks came to the ground.

Three weeks ago Emma went on her first date with Killian, hesitant and scared as ever. Her sky high walls and power pink dress did not exactly fit each other, but the second she saw Killian, her anxiety ceases-for a few moments at least. Emma was Emma and her fears would not simply vanish overnight.

And it was that night, that beautiful night that he took her to the Italian restaurant and pulled out her chair and acted as a perfect gentleman that she confronted one of her fears. Well, technically he confronted it. They were conversing, borderline arguing,about something as they were talking a stroll through town after dinner. To this day, Emma had no clue what he had first said, her mind to far gone and to wrapped up in her nerves, but he finally asked why she could not trust him.

It was not trusting that she was afraid of. It was losing him.

But Killian, as smooth as ever, informed her he was a survivor, nothing in this world would separate him from her again, not if he had anything to do with it. And if fate played a cruel joke again he would fight tooth and nail until he was back at her side, where he belonged.

He didn't give her a chance to fight back-he kissed her before she had the chance.

Things still had not been smooth sailing after that point, Emma's walls and fears still present, but she was getting better. They had agreed to take things slow. Neither one of them could take things any other way. Heartbreak had been all too real in their lives and neither of them could dive right back into a relationship and not get hurt in the process.

Today, Killian was taking her somewhere. He refused to let Emma know where they were going. Emma pointed out that she was not one for surprises, but he reminded her he did do a pretty good job planning their first date, especially judging by the fact that they were still seeing each other. Emma could not argue with that logic.

So far, though, she should argue with that logic. It was eight in the morning on a Saturday, a time Emma tried to avoid with her very existence. But Killian insisted they get an early start on their day so she complied, but only with the agreement that he would drive and buy coffee.

Having no clue what was planned for the day, Emma opted for a casual outfit. She dressed in black skinny jeans, a white long sleeved shirt and her red leather jacket. The Maine weather was still nippy, despite the bright sun in the sky most days of the week.

They had planned on meeting outside her apartment at 8:15. Despite them being somewhat together for three weeks and having known each other for close to ten years and her having been to his place, he was still yet to come to her apartment. They were taking things slow and they meant it.

Emma grabbed her phone and her wallet and ran a hand her long blonde hair that she left down on her shoulders before leaving her apartment with one minute to spare. It was a short walk to the bottom of the building, but her anticipation for the day actually allowed her to be on time for once.

No surprise, Killian was waiting for her, punctual as ever. He leaned against his truck, paper coffee cup in hand and a smile on his face. Seeing him made her light up as well as she made her way over to him. He handed her the coffee and gave her a quick kiss.

"Hello, love. Ready?"

"Mind telling me what I might be ready for?" She teased. He led her to the right side of the truck and opened her door for her. It was a simple gesture, but a sweet one at that. It was not that he thought she could not open the door-he just wanted to be the gentleman he was and prove his affection.

He than got in the driver's seat and turned towards her. "Try something new, darling. It's called trust."

She rolled her eyes at him as she took a sip of her drink. "Just want to make sure you're not going to drive to some secluded place and kill me."

He started the car, keeping his good hand steady on the wheel and his fake hand resting between them. "This would be a part of the trust thing, love."

"You won't even give me a hint?" She pleaded.

"How's work been?" Emma scrunched her face at him when he changed the subject. "Dave tells me that paperwork has been through the roof."

"Yeah. We are pretty backed up. David really wants to hire someone else so we are not always swamped, but the position would have to be part time. We just do not have the money in the budget." Emma explained.

Killian nodded. "Who might Dave like for this position?" He wagged his eyebrow.

"Not you." Emma laughed.

He pretended to be insulted. "Why, love, Dave and I go way back. I believe he would love to work with me. Probably more so than he likes working with you."

"I'm sure you two would love working together." Her voice was light, with just a hint of sarcasm. She knew if the two of them worked together, little work would be getting done. "I just think he would like to keep the relationships at the station to a minimum."

That got Killian's attention. "Relationship, hmm? I never knew Dave felt that way about me."

She swore if she was not driving she would hit him. "You know what I mean."

He laughed, then his voice turned serious. "Is that what we are? A relationship?"

They had not really put any labels on whatever they were. David and Mary-Margaret (and of course Ruby) vaguely knew that there was something going on between them, but they were as in the dark as Emma and Killian.

"I don't know, I mean we've been seeing each other for three weeks." Emma started to ramble. "And we spend the weekends together and lunch breaks and half the time you walk me to work and-"

"Emma," He cut her off, glancing at her slightly before turning his attention back to the road. "If I have not made myself clear by now, I care for you. I want nothing more than pursue you justly."

Emma snickered at him, despite the tone of the conversation. "Pursue you justly? You make it sound all fancy."

"Shall we put it as eloquently as the teenagers and say we are 'boyfriend girlfriend?'" His accent changed with the last two words, an awful forced American accent coming through. Emma laughed at his joke nervously, but did not respond. Killian continued. "Love, what I meant is that I want to do this right. Have a real relationship with you and not mess it up."

"So, you want a relationship?" Emma asked. She did not know why she was so hesitant-she knew the answer. "Like, an exclusive one?"

"Aye, love." He answered simply. No flowery words, no long statement. Just a simple yes.

"Okay." She whispered. She looked out her window saw the Welcome to Storybrooke sign. Everything in her still wanted to ask where they were going, but she would not spoil whatever he was planning.

"So, what do you say Swan, will you be my girlfriend?" He looked over with a dopey lopsided grin.

"You're so corny."

"That doesn't answer the question."

"Yes."She answered amidst a laugh. "You're such a dork."

"Aye, but I'm your dork."

Emma smiled. Yes, yes he was.

Emma lost track of how long they were in the car. They talked about everything and anything. Childhoods, jobs, movies, books, jokes-the list went on. At some point Emma came close to nodding off, but pushed herself to remain awake for the rest of the ride. Killian, noticing this, stopped off for more coffee.

It did not take long for Emma to realize they were on their way to Boston. She had driven these highways many times. It all became very familiar when they were about a half hour outside the city. She recognized much of the area from when she was a kid.

Killian still refused to tell her what they were doing. All he would say was they would go get lunch wherever she wanted after they made one important stop. They drove to the outskirts of the city, close to where they two of them had lived together, before he finally parked the car on the side of the road and motioned for her to get out and follow him.

Emma glanced around the place. They were standing on a large grassy lot and several yards away were various stones scattered about.

A cemetery.

Emma gave Killian an unsure look, but he just smiled reassuringly before taking her hand and leading her into the cemetery.

He stopped walking and pulled her closer to his side. They were standing in front of a small tombstone that read "Eleanor Martin Abernathy. Friend, Helper, Nurturer"

Emma stared at the gravestone, before turning to Killian. "Is it-" Her words caught. Emma brought her hand to her mouth, holding back her emotion.

He nodded. "You told me you never got to go to the funeral."She could tell he was holding back tears as well. "I wanted you to have the chance say goodbye."

"Have you?"

"I've come every year for the past five years since I found where she was buried." He whispered.

Emma looked between the grave and Killian, emotion stirring in her head. She raised herself up on her toes to press a kiss to Killian's cheek and whisper "Thank you."

"You're welcome, love."

She looked back at the grave and sighed. "Do you think you could give me a moment?"

He gave her a slight smile, before kissing the top of her head and leaving her to say her words alone.

Emma moved to face the tombstone. "Hey. It's me. Emma Swan. I was your foster daughter when I was fourteen" She started out. It was a bit awkward, just talking, but eventually she got used to it. It felt like she was just talking to a friend.

"I've grown up. It's almost been ten years since I was at your house. A lot has changed." A tear fell down Emma's cheek and she did not even bother to stop it. "I got sent back into the system after you-" She could not bring herself to say the word. "But my next home was not as good as yours. You were my favorite."

"I got in some trouble when I was older, but I straightened out. I work as a sheriff now in this really small town, Storybrooke. You would love it there. Everyone knows each other and it's super quaint."She let out a little laugh. "I know what you're thinking. You can't really see me in a town like that. Neither could I. But I really like it there. It's been good for me."

"Killian lives there too. He loves it there. We've reconnected and-and we're happy. He's taught me that it is okay to trust. That not everyone is going to leave me. You taught me that, when I was young. You did not give up on me. He doesn't either. You both loved me even though I was too broken to even know what love was."

"I've missed you." Emma continued. Every few words would be choked out as she let herself cry. "I still do. You were the closest thing I ever got to a mother. I wish I could have told you that while you were here. Thank you for taking me in and showing me what a home was. Not just another house that I would hate, but a home. With a family. You are always going to be my family. You cared when no one else did and I can't ever say anything to thank you enough. I love you, Mrs. Abernathy."

Emma stepped back from the grave in silence. Absent mindedly, Emma brought her hand to her chest to grip her necklace, but instead of grabbing the key chain that Neal gave her that she normally wore, she gripped her other necklace. Her long silver chain with the silver circle at the bottom. The one that had been Mrs. Abernathy's.

The one that would remind her to hope.

Here is the (tentative) synopsis for my next story!

Retrograde-

After an accident, Killian wakes with amnesia. He can remember very little from his life, but one name stands out: Emma Swan. Only problem? Killian and Emma have not been on speaking terms for six months. Emma is dealing with her own problems and is too broken to help him. Her life is spiraling and she can barely save herself, let alone him. Can these two broken souls fix each other?

Thanks for reading! See you next chapter. Make sure to be on the lookout for Retrograde!