The Ginger Changeling

“Killian!” Emma screamed, covering her face with her hands.

“I’m right here, Love.” Relief flooded through her at the sound of his voice. She opened her eyes to see him crawling toward her, avoiding Neal’s crumpled body on the floor. He pulled her into his arms, while several police officers rushed past them.

“Are you two okay?”

Emma looked up to see Mary Margaret’s boyfriend David Nolan looking at her with concern. “What happened?” she croaked.

“Officer Nolan just saved your life,” another officer reported.

“You shot Neal?” she asked.

“Only because he was threatening to shoot both of you,” David explained.

“Is he…dead?”

David threw a questioning look at one of the men squatting beside Neal. The officer nodded. “Looks like we’re gonna need the coroner.”

Emma buried her face in Killian’s neck, trying to block out the sight of the steadily increasing pool of blood spreading out underneath her ex. Killian’s arms tightened around her as she gave into her sobs.

*********

Killian held Emma’s shaking body, his own rush of adrenaline slowly ebbing away. He felt like he hadn’t taken a single breath since he looked through the window to see Cassidy slap Emma.

After several minutes, her sobs began to subside and he heard her whimper something against his throat. “What’s that, Love?”

“My babies. They must be so scared.”

He hadn’t thought about the dogs, but was honestly glad to have an excuse to get her out of the house. The atmosphere was completely chaotic with noise from police radios, officers collecting evidence and taking photos, and sirens outside signaling the arrival of more first responders. Slowly he got to his feet, not releasing his hold on her. “Let’s go check on them,” he murmured. Keeping her tucked tightly against him, he steered her past Neal’s body and out the back door.

Once they were outside, Killian reluctantly let Emma go. As he watched her snuggling with Sophie and Oscar, it hit him that he could have lost her if the police hadn’t arrived in time. Just the thought of it made his heart ache. In that moment he realized that his feelings for her had gone beyond friendship. Far beyond friendship.

Before he could ponder this further, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw David, who had an apologetic look on his face.

“I’m afraid the two of you are going to have to go down to the station to give statements.”

Killian glanced at Emma, then back to David. “I figured as much.”

“I expect you won’t want to stay in this house tonight,” David continued. “I took the liberty of calling Mary Margaret to see if Emma can stay with her. You’re welcome to crash at my place, if you like.” The two men had gotten to know each other when they both ate at the restaurant while Emma and Mary Margaret worked together.

Killian turned his eyes back to Emma, who was sitting on the ground with her head in her hands. “I appreciate the offer, mate, but I…I don’t want to leave her. Would you be alright with me staying at Mary Margaret’s as well? I’d be willing to sleep on the floor. I just…I think Emma needs me…and I need to be with her, too.”

David nodded. “I understand.”

“What about Sophie and Oscar?” Killian asked. “We can’t leave them here by themselves.”

“Mary Margaret said Emma can bring them along. Her landlord normally doesn’t permit pets, but since it’s probably only for one night, it’ll be fine.”

“Sounds like a good plan, then. Are you able to stay out here with Emma while I go throw some things in an overnight bag?”

“Of course,” David answered, then sighed and ran a hand through his hair before adding, “I can’t do much to help inside anyway. I’ll be put on administrative leave for a while, since I’m the one who killed Cassidy.”

Killian turned to face him fully. “I can’t bring myself to say I’m sorry, Dave. If you hadn’t shot him, we…Emma and I might…”

David quickly put a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t even want to think about it. I did what I had to do and I have no regrets.” The two men shook hands, their eyes meeting with an understanding that only two people who had shared such a traumatic experience could convey.

Killian walked over to Emma, touched her on the shoulder, and winced when she jumped. “Sorry, Love,” he apologized. “I wanted to let you know that David made arrangements for us to stay at Mary Margaret’s tonight.” When she started to open her mouth, he hurried on. “All of us - Oscar and Sophie included. I’m going to gather some things to take along. Is there anything in particular you’ll need, besides the essentials?”

She thought over his question. “Could you grab my pillow and blanket? Having those might make the dogs, and me, more comfortable.”

“I can do that. Anything else?”

She shook her head. “Not that I can think of at the moment.”

Squatting down beside her, he took one of her hands. “Before we go to the loft, we’ll have to go to the police station to give our account of the events. Do you feel up to it?”

She looked at him and his heart broke at the pain he saw in her eyes. “I loved him,” she whispered hoarsely. “How did things go so horribly wrong?”

“Everything that happened is a consequence of Neal’s poor choices,” he replied quietly. “I wish it hadn’t come to this, but everything that happened is on him.”

“If I would have just…”

“No. Don’t do that to yourself, Swan.” Ducking his head down to make eye contact with her, he added, “You did nothing to warrant the actions he took, and there’s no way you could have predicted this turn of events, aye?”

“Yeah,” she sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I am,” he quipped, hoping to lighten the mood a bit. To his satisfaction, the corners of her mouth turned up a bit. He stood up, hesitated a second, then bent down and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “Dave is going to stay out here with you. I’ll just be a few minutes.”

She started to rise to her feet. “I need to get Sophie and Oscar’s beds and food.”

“I’ll get them,” he hurried to assure her. “Just stay out here, Love.”

Looking up at him with tears in her eyes, she said, “Are you trying to keep me from seeing his…him?”

“You already lived through a nightmare today, Emma,” he replied. “You don’t need to experience more trauma by going back into that chaos.”

“Okay,” she agreed.

“Be back in a few minutes,” he said, then went into the house. He skirted around the edge of the kitchen, intentionally averting his eyes from where Neal’s body still lay in the middle of the floor.

After stuffing pajamas, underwear, and a change of clothes from his and Emma’s rooms into a duffle bag, he added their toiletries from the bathroom, and tucked the dogs’ beds under his arm. On his return trip through the kitchen, he collected the bag of dog food, their bowls and leashes, being careful to stay out of the investigators’ way.

Emerging into the backyard again, he saw David and Emma sharing a hug. They appeared to be comforting each other and Killian was sure the events of the day were just as hard on David as they were on himself and Emma. No police officer would choose to shoot and kill someone unless it was absolutely necessary.

Killian approached them quietly, not wishing to interfere in their private moment. They ended their hug and Emma wiped at her eyes, saying, “I’ll never be able to thank you enough, David.”

“Aye,” Killian agreed. “We owe you many thanks, mate.”

David looked at each of them in turn, then gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. After clearing his throat, he said, “Mary Margaret is on her way over to pick up the dogs, then you can go to the police station.”

“How long will we have to be there?” Emma asked.

“However long it takes for you both to give your statements,” David answered, just as his phone dinged with an incoming text. He pulled it from his pocket and checked it. “Mary Margaret is parked around the corner. They have the street blocked off, so she can’t get any closer.”

Killian handed the leashes to Emma. “Why don’t you clip these on while I go put our things in the car. I’ll be right back.”

He jogged around the side of the house and tossed everything in the trunk of his car. A police officer stopped him to ask if they should lock the door when they were finished collecting evidence. After answering in the affirmative, Killian returned to the backyard where Emma was leading the dogs around the yard, giving them an opportunity to do their business.

David was sitting on the steps, staring off into space. Killian sat down beside him and asked, “When the detectives finish their investigation, will they clean up the kitchen?”

David turned his attention to his friend. “The police won’t, but there are a couple of people who clean up crime scenes for us. I’ll give one of them a call, if you want.”

“That would be great. I know Emma will want to bring the dogs back home tomorrow, and I’d really like all the mess to be gone.”

The two men watched her lead the dogs back to where they sat. Killian stood up and took Oscar’s leash from her. “Ready to go, Love?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she sighed resignedly.

David joined them and the three of them left the backyard, following the sidewalk around the corner to where Mary Margaret was pacing beside her car. When she caught sight of the trio, she rushed over to David, embracing him in a tight hug.

Killian and Emma hung back, allowing the couple to have a moment. They could hear Mary Margaret murmuring words of comfort and reassurance to her boyfriend. As soon as they pulled away from each other, Mary Margaret turned toward Emma, gathering her in her arms as well. “That must have been horrible for you,” Killian heard her say.

“I never dreamed he could be so violent,” Emma answered, her words muffled against her friend’s shoulder. “It was like he lost his mind.”

Mary Margaret ended the hug and held Emma at arm’s length, a look of compassion on her face. “I almost hate to say it, but at least he won’t be able to hurt you again.”

“No, he won’t,” Emma agreed. “But I never wanted him dead.”

“It was either him or one of us,” Killian said. “And fortunately, thanks to Dave, it wasn’t us. Your boyfriend is a hero, Mary Margaret.”

“Yes, he is,” she said, turning a beaming smile at David, which he attempted to return.

They loaded the dogs into Mary Margaret’s car, watched her drive away, then headed back to the house so they could go to the police station.

*********

By the time Emma finished giving her statement, she was thoroughly drained. Not only did she have to recount the events of that afternoon, she also had to answer questions about her relationship with Neal. When she finally emerged into the lobby of the station, Killian was waiting for her. He swiftly rose from his seat to meet her.

“Alright there, Swan?” he asked.

“Yeah, I just…” Her voice faltered and he pulled her into his arms. She went willingly, craving the comfort he was offering.

After several moments, she heard him whisper, “Let’s go to Mary Margaret’s, see the kids, and get some sleep, aye?”

“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”

She expected him to release her, but he kept one arm wrapped tightly around her shoulders as they left the station and walked to his car. He opened the passenger door and she gratefully sank into the leather seat, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes.

Killian slid into the driver’s seat, started the car, and shifted it into gear. When they didn’t begin moving right away, Emma rolled her head toward him and opened her eyes. He was looking at her with obvious concern. She gave him a weak smile, reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. He flipped it over, threaded his fingers through hers, then directed his eyes back to the road. As he pulled away from the curb, she closed her eyes again.

They didn’t speak during the drive to Mary Margaret’s apartment. Emma appreciated the fact that Killian seemed to sense her need for silence after a day of chaos and didn’t try to fill it with unnecessary chatter.

When they arrived, Emma fumbled to unbuckle her seat belt, feeling like her hands were leaden and clumsy. Before she could reach for the door handle, Killian was opening it for her and offering his hand to help her out.

“What about our stuff?” she asked, as they started up the sidewalk.

“I’ll come back out and get it in a bit. Let’s get you inside and settled first.”

She leaned into him and once again, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, adjusting his stride to match hers. They went inside the building and trudged up the flight of stairs. Killian was just getting ready to knock on the door, when it swung open and both dogs ran out, happily bounding around them.

“I saw you pull up out front,” Mary Margaret explained. “When I mentioned that Mommy and Daddy were here, they got all excited.”

Emma glanced at Killian to see him smiling about being referred to as ‘Daddy’. He ushered her inside, guiding her to the couch. After she was seated, he grabbed the leashes from where they were draped over the back of a kitchen stool. “I’ll take the kids outside and get our bag from the car,” he said, kneeling down to clip the leashes on their collars.

She watched him go, then turned her attention to her friend, who had taken a seat beside her on the couch.

“He’s a good guy,” Mary Margaret said.

“Yeah, he really is.”

Mary Margaret reached over and patted her hand. “I put some clean sheets on the bed in the spare room. Would you like to take a shower before you go to bed? Or maybe a nice, warm bath?”

Emma considered the offer for a moment before answering, “A soak in the tub would be nice. I don’t know if I have the energy to stand up long enough to take a shower.”

Mary Margaret nodded in understanding. “First though, you and Killian need to eat something. I made some chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. I thought comfort food might be the ticket after such a trying day.”

“That sounds amazing,” Emma sighed. “Thank you.”

“Come sit at the counter and I’ll fix a plate for you.” Mary Margaret patted her hand one more time, then stood and went into the kitchen to begin dishing up the food. Just as she was setting a full plate in front of Emma, Killian and the dogs came back in.

“We were just about to eat, Killian,” Mary Margaret said. “Have a seat.”

“Have the kids had their dinner?” he asked, dropping the duffle bag beside the sofa.

Mary Margaret shook her head. “No, they haven’t. I wasn’t sure how much to give them.”

“Let me feed them and wash my hands first.” He picked up their food bowls, while Mary Margaret turned back to her own task.

   The three friends ate in relative silence, except for an occasional compliment of the meal or admonishment to the dogs when they begged for food. Emma expected to have little appetite, but found that she was famished once she began to eat. Now all she needed to finally put this day behind her was a hot bath and a good night’s sleep.

*********

After dinner, Emma went to start running the bath water. Killian removed his items from the duffle and dropped it outside the bathroom before helping Mary Margaret clean up the kitchen.

“It’s been quite the day,” she commented.

“Aye, that it has,” Killian agreed with a heavy sigh.

“David said you were the one who called 9-1-1. I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn’t.” Killian didn’t answer, trying not to imagine that scenario. Suddenly, Mary Margaret turned to face him. “How are you handling all of this? I’ve been concerned about David and Emma, but I haven’t asked about you.”

He put down the dish towel and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m fine, now that I know Emma is safe. When Cassidy pointed that gun at her…” He stopped speaking, a lump forming in his throat.

“You went in the house to save her,” she praised.

“It was the right thing to do,” he said, trying to brush off her admiration. Mary Margaret laid a soft hand on his arm. “I had to protect her, Mary Margaret,” he choked out. “If anything happened to her, it…it would kill me.”

She studied his face. “You care for her more than just as a friend, don’t you?”

“I…I didn’t realize how much she meant to me until I looked through that window and saw him hit her. I wanted to throttle him so badly for daring to treat her like that. Just the thought of her being hurt…it…I guess it made me aware of my feelings for her.”

“You’re in love with her.”

His eyes met hers, then his head dipped in a nod. “Aye.”

A huge smile stretched across her face, her eyes sparkling. “When are you going to tell her?”

He blew out a breath, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck. “With everything going on, hearing that I’m in love with her is not what she needs right now.”

“Or maybe it’s exactly what she needs right now.”

Before he could answer, he heard the tune from Disney’s Snow White, Someday My Prince Will Come. “That’s David’s ringtone,” Mary Margaret said, picking up her phone from the counter.

“I’ll take the kids outside so you can have some privacy,” Killian said, struggling to keep the bemused smirk off his face as he collected the leashes.

She nodded her thanks as she answered the call.

As Killian followed the dogs down the sidewalk, he thought about what Mary Margaret had said. Was it the right time to tell Emma he loved her? What if she didn’t feel the same? That would definitely make things awkward. But if she did reciprocate his feelings, they could pursue a romantic relationship, one in which he could show her how a lady should be treated.

His mind was still swirling with these thoughts as he led the dogs back inside. Mary Margaret was on her way down the steps. “David just got done giving his statement and he needs me,” she explained. “I left a key to the apartment on the table. Will you and Emma be alright?”

“I’m sure we will.”

She halted on the step above the landing where he stood. “I don’t know how much you know about Emma’s background, but she’s been abandoned many times by people who were supposed to love her. First, her birth parents soon after she was born, then numerous foster parents and prospective adoptive parents. And there were more men she dated before Neal who let her down. She has walls a mile high around her heart, Killian. It may take you a while to dismantle them.”

“Well,” he said, a small smile on his face, “I do love a challenge.”

“Have you thought about what will happen when your job here is finished and you go back to England?”

“Aye,” he sighed. “That’s another obstacle to consider.”

“Think about it, but don’t give up on her,” Mary Margaret urged him. “Emma is worth it. Love is worth it.” She leaned forward and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “I have to go. I’ll call Emma in the morning.”

“Tell Dave he’s in our prayers.”

“I will, and the two of you are in ours,” Mary Margaret said, before going out the door.

Killian watched her go, then continued up the stairs with Oscar and Sophie. Emma was still in the bathroom, so he finished drying the dishes and found where they belonged in the cupboards. Then he took the dogs’ beds upstairs to Emma’s room and called his closest co-worker to explain why he wouldn’t be at work the next day. When she finally emerged ten minutes later, he was sitting in the living room, checking emails on his phone.

“Sorry I took so long,” she apologized. “A hot bath felt really good, but now I’m all pruney.” She held up her hands to show him her water-wrinkled fingers.

“There’s no reason to apologize, Swan. I hope it was relaxing for you.”

“It was, but I’m sure you want to take a shower.”

“There’s still plenty of time for that,” he assured her. “Mary Margaret went to David’s for the night. She left a key on the table and said she would call you in the morning. I took the kids out, so they should be good for the night.”

“Okay, thanks,” she said, putting her hand over her mouth to stifle a yawn. “I think I’m going to bed.”

“Sounds good, Love. I put the dog beds upstairs so they can be close to you.”

He was trying to decide if he should give her a hug, but she made the decision for him by moving into his arms. He wrapped her up firmly, kissing the crown of her head.

“I will never be able to thank you and David enough for saving my life today,” she whispered.

“No thanks are necessary, Emma,” he murmured. “I’m just glad we were there in time.”

She clung to him for a few more moments before finally pulling away. Looking up at him, she said, “Goodnight, Killian.”

He couldn’t keep himself from caressing her cheek as he gazed into her jade eyes. “Goodnight. Sleep well.”

He watched her drag herself up the stairs, exhaustion evident in every step. When she reached the landing, she called Sophie and Oscar, who bounded up the steps. The room she slept in was an open loft, so Killian was able to see when she turned off the bedside lamp. Once she did, he headed off to the shower.

*********

Killian had just drifted off to sleep on the sofa when he felt a cold nose pressed against his cheek. Annoyed and half asleep, he batted at the offending dog, but when he heard an insistent whine, his eyes popped open and he sat up quickly.

“What’s wrong, Oscar?” he asked. The dog ran toward the stairs, looking back to see if Killian was following him, which he did with his heart pounding. He hadn’t seen the dog act so agitated before.

He took the stairs two at a time and turned the corner into the bedroom. Sophie was lying on the bed beside Emma, who was tossing restlessly. The whimpers coming from her broke Killian’s heart and as he got closer, he saw her face was wet with tears.

He was unsure what action to take, afraid that if he tried to wake her up, it would frighten her. Instead, he lay down on the bed and gently pulled her into his arms. “Shh, Swan,” he crooned. “It’s alright. You’re safe, Love.”

He continued to murmur comforting words and stroke his hands up and down her back, until he felt her rigid body begin to relax. He thought she was asleep, but then realized she was sobbing into his chest, causing tears to gather in his own eyes.

After several minutes, he heard her say in a voice thick with emotion, “I’m sorry. It seems like all I’ve done today is cry.”

“I would be worried about you if you didn’t cry after what you’ve been through today, Love.”

She didn’t respond, but he felt her wrap her arms around his waist and snuggle more deeply into his chest. He was content simply holding her and dropping occasional kisses to the crown of her head.

“Killian?”

He jolted, unaware he had started to fall asleep. “Hmm?” he hummed.

“Can I…will you do me a favor?” she asked hesitantly.

“Anything,” he affirmed.

“Stay with me tonight? I mean here, in my bed,” she clarified. “I just…I don’t want to be alone.”

“Of course I’ll stay with you, if that’s what you want. Truth be told, I’ll feel better being here with you, in case you have another nightmare.”

“Thank you,” she yawned. “You’re such a good friend.”

Her words hit him like a bucket of ice water. Long after she went back to sleep in his arms, he lay awake, her words echoing in his mind. Would she ever think of him as anything more than a friend?

*********

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