Captain Swan One Shots

Take One Vacation (And Call Me in the Morning)

Summary: Since returning from the Underworld, Emma has been having trouble sleeping, so she pays Dr. Archie Hopper a visit. He prescribes a vacation, which Emma decides to go on with Killian.

Rating: PG

Note: So this is based on the BTS photos from last week for the filming of 6x05. I realize that the pictures of Emma loading bags into the car while speaking to Archie and then kissing Killian on the docks are probably a precursor to some mission she must go on, but I decided I wanted to do a different, more romantic take on them. Hope you enjoy it! ~Steph

...Take One Vacation (And Call Me in the Morning): Part 1/1...

Emma stared at Archie, as he sat across from her in his leather armchair, pen poised above his yellow legal pad.

"So, Emma, what brings you here today?"

Emma shrugged. This was just about the last place she wanted to be, but she couldn't go on like this.

"I haven't been sleeping since we returned from the Underworld," she replied. "I just lie there all night long. Killian lies with me, forcing himself to stay awake to keep me company."

He scribbled something on his pad. "Why do you think you are unable to sleep?"

Emma pulled at a loose thread on the hem of her shirt. It wasn't easy for her to open up about her feelings. Normally, Killian was one of the few people she felt comfortable discussing her feelings with. But even he wasn't sure how to help her this time and had encouraged her to seek assistance from Archie.

"I can't turn my mind off. I guess a part of me still feels guilty for what happened to Robin. And then there's Hyde and the Evil Queen. Everyone I love is threatened again and I...I just don't know what to do."

Archie leaned forward. "You have been through a great deal in such a short time, Emma. You need to give yourself a chance to process it all. You need to give yourself some time to decompress."

Emma chuckled bitterly. "There's no time for that. I was sent here to return everyone's happy endings. And those are once again being threatened."

"What about your happy ending?" he asked.

Emma arched an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"Have you found it?"

Emma nodded. "Yes, it's the people I love. My parents, my son, my brother. Killian."

Archie bobbed his head. "And while you've been so busy fighting to protect everyone else's happy ending, have you had a chance to enjoy yours?"

Emma's mouth hung open for a long moment. "I guess not," she finally answered softly.

"Do you think that's fair? It seems like quite a burden."

"Saviors make sacrifices. It's in the job description," she replied.

"Do you ever feel like it will never be enough? That you won't be enough?"

Emma moved her gaze to her hands. "Yes."

"That must be very difficult for you."

"It is," she said, meeting his eyes again.

He pointed his pen at her. "Well, I think even saviors deserve a break sometimes. I don't think you're going to do anyone any good if you're feeling this way and sleep deprived."

Archie pulled out a prescription pad and wrote something on it. Emma sighed heavily. She figured this was coming. He was going to prescribe sleeping pills. She hated taking drugs. They made her feel like she wasn't in control. He leaned forward and handed her the sheet.