Toxin

Labor of Love

It had been about a month since Emma had decided to move in with Killian. She couldn't leave him by himself, especially at a time when he needed her most. Emma was making dinner when she heard Killian's key in the door.

"Em?" Killian called out from the doorway.

"I'm in the kitchen." She replied as she removed her apron and made her way into the living room.

Her eyes widened when she saw Killian. His face was bloodied, one of his eyes was swollen shut. His clothes had been ripped in numerous places.

"Hey, beautiful." He said with a slight chuckle, wincing as he clutched his side.

"Killian?! What happened to you?!" Emma asked worriedly as she walked toward him quickly.

She wrapped her arms around him and helped him lay down on the couch. She touched his ribs gently and he yelled out in pain.

"Your ribs are broken." She said as she made her way to the bathroom to get a washcloth and some bandages.

"That must be why it hurts when I laugh." He said lightheartedly.

"This isn't funny, Killian. What happened?!" Emma asked as she slowly helped him sit up, beginning to clean the blood off his face.

"Gold's men...I was walking home and they just came out of nowhere. I tried to fight back, but there were too many of them." Killian explained as he winced slightly when she ran the cloth over his swelled eye.

"Gold is still at the warehouse, right?" Emma asked.

"I know what your thinking, love. Don't do it. I am begging you, do not go over there." Killian begged as he held onto her arm tightly.

"When I get back, you still better be on this couch." Emma warned as she got up.

Emma walked into the bedroom and reached under the bed, pulling out the gun they had hidden, in case of emergency.

"Emma, Emma, Emma! Please don't do this!" Killian begged as Emma began to walk toward the door.

"Stay." Emma ordered as her hand reached for the door.

Killian fell off the couch as he attempted to reach for Emma.

"Emma, please don't go. Please." Killian begged, tears streaming down his face.

Emma rested her head against the door, her eyes closed. She sighed before walking back to the bedroom, placing the gun back into its hiding place. She slowly made her way back to Killian who was still laying on the floor.

"Killian..." Emma said as she sank down to her knees besides him.

He remained on the floor, tears rolling down his face. He clenched his fists shut as he managed to look at her.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered as she pulled him close to her.

Killian's face rested in the crook of Emma's neck. She could feel each of his hot breaths against her skin.

"Emma, don't go. Okay? Please promise me you won't go. I've lost too many people I've loved to that man. Promise me, Emma." He pleaded as he pawed at her hand in an attempt to hold it.