Cerulean Flames

Chapter Twenty Three- The Moments That Follow

Emma had fallen asleep upon Killian's chest as she tired herself out from all the magic and sadness. She was awoke with a jerk as Killian awoke before her. He clasped his hands all over his body, before pulling her close and hugging her-nearly releasing her of all and any oxygen.

"This is incredible." He said with a hoarse voice. It sounded almost American as he spoke. He stood to his feet but found there was little use of them as he fell back to his knees. "Some things will take getting use to again." He said with a smile.

Emma was almost unable to see due to the swollen tears in her eyes. They poured down her cheeks before she brought him into Granny's and the crowd erupted; applauding his rise from the dead. And Merlin had a particular eye on him. Watching each movement, each look, every stumble-seeing if anything had altered him from when he had last seen him.

"I wanted to thank everyone for their help. Now if you do not mind, I would love some rum." He said as everyone applauded. Red brought him some in a coffee cup and he downed it within seconds. Emma did not leave his side for a second until he gave her a split second of guilt about not letting Henry feel left out. Killian needed to talk to someone-and knew Emma was unable to handle it.

"Can I talk to you?" He asked Charming who stood beside Snow who was holding Neal in her arms. He nodded before Killian led him toward the back of the establishment. "How am I here?" He asked as Charming explained. Charming just learned the detail himself as he was told to allow Emma to revive him. He told Killian exactly this and he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Are you not happy you're alive?" He asked with confusion.

"It's not that mate, I feel like my head is straight and I can see everything...but in a different way. I can almost feel guilt and lust even...anger and sadness. Every emotion and it's tearing me up..." He paused before leaning against the wall. "I saw something where I was...It was the underworld. I could see this portion or section of the underworld that was like a mirror room. It had different mirrors and everyone who looked in them saw something different." He recollected the moment as he explained it aloud. "I could see what was happening as I laid dead. I could see the tears in her eyes and the sadness on Henry's face. I could feel her breath on me even. But in another mirror, I saw how everyone's lives turned out. I saw how everyone died..." He paused once more, only this time fighting tears. "I kill Emma...I don't know how all I know is I'm standing over her with bloody hands and clothes and Henry is being dragged off by Merlin.

"I'm sure it was a possibility portal or something-just something not true..."

"I hope so...but what if I do something...I can't be alone with her...It could be any moment and I couldn't live with myself-"

"Hook, I won't allow you to be alone. It isn't much of a task, I am still her father..."

He gave him a polite smirk before placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Is there something else you aren't telling me Killian?" He only asked due to his avoiding of eye contact.

"I think it's best if I don't say..."

"So there is something else?"

"Isn't there always mate?"

He clinked their glasses together as Killian looked to Emma and saw a thankful smile given to him and he gave her one back. And for the first time in what felt like forever, they felt as if they could truly have a happy ever after...but then again...this is Storybrook and since when is that the case?