Promise

Protect

    "You'll be able to leave this evening Mr. Jones. Also, I have been notified that the authorities are looking for the man you described." the doctor says before leaving. I look at Killian and take his hand "Finally. Now, what do you want to do when you get out? Eat out? Sleep? Travel?" I ask. Killian laughs and responds "I appreciate your enthusiasm but I've only been in the hospital a day and a half. I haven't missed much"

    I mock a shocked impression. "That isn't true! So much has changed. Henry grew up and got married. We finally got a female president. Kim and Kanye got divorced! Polar bears are extinct and the world was taken over by robots. So yeah you missed a lot"

    I take a big breath after my long spiel and Killian laughs. "I stand corrected." 

    Killian pulls me closer and I sit on top of the hospital bed with me back leaned against him. We watch movies, talk, and play cards until he's finally allowed to leave. After he gets dressed in the clothes I brought him, we leave the hospital.

    "So, now that you're a free man. Where do you wanna go?" I ask as I pull out of the Hospital's parking lot. Killian answers right away. "Home is fine. I miss my own bed and it's getting late. You should go back to Henry or work."

    I glance at him quickly then turn my attention back to the road. "Okay, home it is then. Aren't you hungry? You haven't eaten all day. We can stop at a drive through on our way to your house? I'm sure it beats whatever hospital food they force fed you."

    Killian runs his hand through his hair and says "I'm fine, thanks." I want to ask him if anything is wrong but decide I didn't have the right to after how rude I was yesterday to him. He didn't call me when he needed help because I basically told him to stay away from me. Well, I did what I thought was right. Protecting him. That is what I'm doing right?

    No matter whether he says he's hungry or not I'm not gonna leave him without food. Maybe it's just the mom in me. I abruptly turn my signal on and quickly move lanes until I get to the one furthest on the right. "Hold on," I say and Killian grabs the handle on his door. Just barely missing a car heading towards us, I take the exit I almost missed and Killian looks at me questioningly. I smile innocently.

    As I see the familiar "Chick-fil-a" logo I turn right into the plaza. "So you're usual?" I ask Killian and he turns and smiles "You know me too well." I shrug and smile "Maybe".

    After I order and pay (also after Killian tries to convince me to let him pay about a hundred times) I park the car and we eat.

    "Killian, I wanted to apologize about the other day and last week. I'm sorry for being so distant lately but I-I just." I stop before I tell him why I've been avoiding him and say"Don't worry about it. Just know I'm sorry."

    Killian puts his trash in a bag, wipes off his hands, takes off seatbelt and turns to me in one swift move. "Emma Swan look at me. You know me and I know you. I think I can guess why you have been trying to distance yourself from me. Also, it is probably the same reason I've been so clingy."

    "Take a gander, after the break-in we both realized that we didn't save each other. And because of that, we feel guilty and think we should try and protect each other. You protect me by staying away because you think whatever danger I get into, it's somehow your fault. After the break-in, I felt guilty that I couldn't protect the most important thing in my life. You have no idea how bad and-and helpless I felt when I realized I just let what happened, happen. I couldn't protect you or Henry. I tried to somehow overcompensate by trying to help you out as much as possible this past week. We're both trying to protect each other. In our own ways."

    I nod "You're spot on. But you were put into danger because of me. That part was true. Henry too. I'm the one that let this case get out of hand and let you two get hurt." I say in an attempt to justify my point.

    Killian shakes his head. "No Emma it's not your fault. It's neither of our faults. We were outnumbered and outgunned. Luckily, nobody was really hurt and you have time to find these guys. I know you will."

    I grab his hand "I will. For us. Thank you for believing in me. Growing up I never really had someone to support me but these past couple months with you, I've realized all I've missed in the past. Healthy relationships make a huge difference. Who knew?" I say sarcastically. "Anyways, we need about ten more minutes until we reach your house."

    Killian does a salute and says "Aye aye captain." I laugh but then remembered what he said before. Killian was really spot on about why I was acting the way I was. "One more thing, how'd you know exactly what I was thinking?"

    Killian smiles bashfully. "I may have talked to Mary Margaret and she might have given me a slight idea." I comment sarcastically "Uh-uh. I'm sure only slightly. Well, either way, thank you. I love you, Kil."

    My mind goes over the moment I got a call from David telling me Killian was in the hospital and my hands tighten on the steering wheel. "I will catch the son of a bitch who poisoned you. I-I won't rest until I do. Nobody, nobody is gonna be coming after us again." 

    Killian rests his hand on my thigh "Emma? Emma, I'm fine. Okay? The doctors cleared me. I'm in perfect health. You don't have to worry about me, love." I shake my head "I need to find him. Who the hell does that? In your own bar too. I should've been with you. I could've seen him. I was the reason you were even there wasn't I?"Killian doesn't reply and I say "I knew it. See?! Even when I stay away from you, I put you in danger." 

    Killian quickly intervenes "Emma no. You could never. Besides, we don't know why he poisoned me. Maybe he's one of the guys I've beat on online poker that's here to get his revenge" 

    I can't help but laugh. "How about tomorrow afternoon we go try and track him down together? I remember what he looks like so I'll be able to help," Killian suggests.

    I look over at him. "Really? You'd do that?" He smirks "Are you kidding? Anything to get an excuse to spend the day with you."

    My hands loosen a bit on the wheel and I breathe freely for the first time all day. I will catch the guy. Oh and the two that broke into my apartment. And Mr. Gold. Wow, I have a lot of bad guys to catch. I shrug internally. Sucks for them.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello everyone!

Happy Sunday. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. New update coming your way next week! What'd you think? Classic Emma blaming herslef for everything :/. At least Killians helping. 

Til next chapter,

lost_forever_now