Under Lock and Key #Wattys2016

Chapter 6

Killian walked in the house with all of the bags in his hands. Emma rushed to the door and tried to grab some of the bags, but he didn't let her. She crossed her arms over her chest at his stubbornness.

"Just let me help you." She insisted.

"I got it." He said blankly.

She huffed. "Has anyone told you that you are super stubborn?"

He smiled at her as he placed the bags on the floor. "Aye. It has been said."

She rolled her eyes and picked up a few bags and running into the living room with them. She giggled as she sat down on the couch and started to go through them.

"Do you approve of everything?" He asked sitting down next to her.

"You really know how to shop for women. All of this is wonderful."

"Do you want to try it on and see how everything fits?"

She squinted her eyes. "Are you implying that you want me to model for you?"

He smirked. "It's all up to you, love. You don't have to model for me, but I certainly wouldn't be complaining about it."

She grabbed the bags and headed to the bathroom. "Stay there."

He chuckled and watched the bathroom door until she came out in the first outfit. She had a pair of blue jeans on, brown knee length boots, and a gray long sleeve shirt. Her curly hair was put up into a low and loose ponytail. Emma walked over to him and stood right in front of him and spun around.

"What do you think?" She asked.

Killian didn't want to make it look like his eyes were going to pop out of his head. "I love seeing you in my clothes, but you look gorgeous in some of your own as well."

She giggled. "So you like it?"

"The question, Swan, isn't if I like it, but if you like it."

"I do."

"Good. Now go try something else on."

She went back into the bathroom and dug out another shirt and pair of jeans. She also found makeup in the bag. She grabbed the foundation, eyeliner, and mascara and put some of each on before putting a black shirt and black jeans on. For her shoes, she put on a pair of black sneakers that went well with the entire outfit. Her hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment as she questioned how she looked. She glanced at herself in the mirror and took her hair out of the ponytail, but not feeling too much better about her appearance. Why would she care how she looked? She was just trying on clothes for Killian. For Killian. She shook the thoughts out of her head before she went back over to him.

"What about this?" Emma asked.

Killian stood up and looked at her. "Absolutely stunning." A look of confusion crossed his face when he looked at hers. "You're wearing makeup."

"Yea, I figured that I needed it."

He grabbed her hands and tugged her body closer to his. "You don't need makeup. You are stunning without it as much as you are with it." She blushed and looked down at her feet, only for two of his fingers to pull her head back up so she was looking up at him again. "Don't hide your beautiful face from me, love."

"Stop with your compliments and I will."

"Never."

Emma smiled at him. "Thank you. Thank you for everything that you have done." 'Huh. Never thought I would say that to a murderer.'

"Don't mention it. But there is one thing." He motioned for her to sit down next to him on the couch. "I ran into Walsh today."

Fear fell across her features. "Did he recognize you?"

"No, but he is looking for you."

She lost her breath. She put her hand over her chest and clutched at it as she started to hyperventilate. He put his hand on her back and rubbed small circles into it. "D-d-don't let him find me." She stuttered. "Please, Killian. I can't go back with him."

"Relax, love. He isn't going to find you. Everything is okay. You are safe here with me."

She nodded but was still panicking on the inside. Killian noticed her nervousness and pulled her closer to him. She fell onto his chest and his arms went around her. Tears were still flowing down her face. He ran his hand up and down her back when she flinched away. He lifted his head off of hers and lifted her shirt. He could feel her trying to squirm and wiggle her way out of his tight embrace.

"Emma, it's okay. Just let me see." He whispered.

She clenched her eyes shut and tried to push the tears away, but they just kept coming. Emma felt his fingertips dance across her skin, making their way closer to a large welt on her skin. She felt him brush his thumb over it and she flinched and winced in pain. "Ouch."

"Oh, love. Let's take care of that." He stood up and went into the bathroom and got a wet washcloth to sooth the still overheated skin. He sat back down on the couch behind her. "Lift your shirt, okay?" She nodded and took it off, leaving her in her bra, sitting in his lap. "When did he do this to you?"

"The day you took me."

"I'm so sorry, Emma." He placed the rag on her skin and she winced in pain.

"I don't need your pity." She spat.

He understood how she felt. He didn't like anyone to pity him. He liked to be strong and helpful, not weak and helpless. "I'm not pitying you."

She stood up and ignored the stinging on her back as she slipped the shirt over her head again. "You are."

He noticed the tears in her eyes and grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down into his lap. "I know how pity feels like, and I am not giving it to you. Try something new, darling. It's called trust."

Emma pulled herself from his arms and stood up in front of him again. "How can I trust the person who kidnapped me?" She yelled.

Killian stood up and looked into her green eyes. "The person who kidnapped you is protecting your arse from your abusive boyfriend because you couldn't do it yourself!"

Emma felt like she was hit in the chest with a baseball bat. "The only reason I am still here is because you are scared I am going to tell everyone who you are and what your secret is."

"I can easily kill you and that secret dies with you. I have been running this operation for years, love, and trust me. No one knows you are here."

"So then why don't you do it?"

Killian stayed quiet. Emma huffed and started walking up the stairs. "Where are you going?" He asked.

"I need some time to myself." She said barely above a whisper before slamming the bedroom door shut.

He walked over to the wall and slid down it until his knees hit his chest. "I haven't hurt you because I like you." He said quietly.