Runaway- CaptainSwan AU

• Chapter 27 •

Graham was driving them home, and despite Emma's pleads that he keep what happened with Sidney between the two of them, he was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his mouth shut. He knew that Killian had also been dealing with harassment from Sidney. Even if what Killian said was true and he and Emma weren't together, which he suspected was a lie, he felt that Killian should know.

After all, he knew that Killian cared about her, together or not. And if Emma wasn't going to tell someone how Sidney had been treating her, then Graham would do it for her. He suspected this wasn't the only time Sidney had approached her, contrary to Emma's denials.

"Sidney grabbed her," Graham blurted our, avoiding Emma's eyes. She and Killian were sitting together in the back seat. It had been quite the pleasant ride until now. Comfortably quiet with the radio playing lightly. Emma's eyes shot up in anger.

"Graham-" Emma started in a warning.

"No, wait, let him talk. He did what?" Killian insisted, listening intently.

"He approached her at her locker and grabbed her arm. I gave him a good sock to the face before he could do anything else, but lord knows what was going on in his mind."

"He wasn't going to do anything else," Emma cut in, but neither one of the boys was listening to her.

"I'll beat him senseless," Killian growled, his hands balling into fists tightly.

"No, you ca-"

"Emma, we'll take care of this," Graham said.

"Wha- no, no! Stop, this is ridiculous! I'm fine, alright? Perfectly fine. And can take care of myself just fine. I don't want or need you to do anything. Nobody is beating anyone up. If anything, I'll give him a well deserved slap, that's it! Understood?" Emma demanded strictly.

"But-" Killian started, but stopped under Emma's hard gaze. "Alright. Sorry, Swan. We know you can take care of yourself, it's just... gods how I'd like to wipe that smug look off his face for thinking he can get away with that."

After a moment of silence that eased the tension, Graham's focus returned to the road, and Killian and Emma's to each other.

"You still seem off, yet you said you're fine. You sure you're alright, Em?" Killian asked, concerned. She had a faraway look in her eyes. Like... she was there, but she wasn't... there.

Emma brushed him off, shaking her head.

"You're worrying for nothing. I'm fine, promise. I'm not a piece of glass you know," Emma said with a little smile. "I have my weak moments, but I can hold myself up. No, him grabbing me isn't what's got me off," she shook her head.

Killian glanced at her questioningly. What was it then? She clearly wasn't herself.

"When he grabbed me... he was drunk. Really drunk. He had this look in his eyes... one that I know all too well. One that... I've worn. I know he's not the best person, but Killian, what if he's going through something at home? Something like... what I've dealt with? I mean yeah, I hate the guy with a burning passion, but if it's true... I can't just let it go. Nobody deserves that," Emma said, conflicted.

Killian let out a breath. Emma always talked about how he was such a good person. How he was so kind and good to her. But he was far from perfection. All he wanted to do was give Sidney a good beating. Meanwhile, Emma of all people was willing to see past his errors to see that there could quite possibly be something deeper going in.