When They Met

Chapter 7

One of the things Emma loved about Killian was the fact that he was so shy. All day, he would try to get closer to her, but he didn't want to make it seem too obvious. He was so cute because of how he acted. But, he seemed rather determined to get her foster parents caught, but she wasn't sure he even knew what was going to happen. They weren't sure if Liam would even let Emma stay with them in his house. Babysitting his little brother was one thing, but letting her move in? That was a completely different story. Emma just didn't want to be taken away so fast.

She followed Killian off the bus, and into the house. He hadn't mentioned the kiss, and neither did she. Emma had hoped that he would. But, if he wanted to pretend that it never happened, then that's what they would do.

They watched tv and worked on their homework until Liam got back. Emma was in the bathroom while Killian was in the living room. He jumped up from the couch and went over to his older brother.

"W-we n-n-need to t-talk." Killian said, dragging Liam into the kitchen.

"About what? Where's Emma?"

"B-bathroom. Sh-she's an o-or-orphan. H-her parents b-b-beat her i-if she does s-some-something wrong. C-can she m-move in? I-I-I d-don't w-want t-t-to lose h-her, Liam. P-please."

"Of course she can! Why didn't you tell me sooner, Killian? It's not safe! She could really get hurt!"

"Sh-she al-already was. I f-found out today."

Liam sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter. He put his head in his hand. "We need a plan."

"S-save Emma."

The older Jones chuckled. "I need to adopt her. I can't just take her out of the home she's in now and claim myself as her new foster parent. I'm not going to let her be taken away from here. Not while you're doing so much better thanks to her. I'll call the adoption agency tomorrow and see what I can do. In the meantime, Emma can stay in the guest bedroom here. I'll go with her to her house to pick up some clothes with her and whatever she may need. You are to stay here at all costs. I don't want you getting hurt."

"I t-took bo-box-boxing in t-tenth gr-grade. I-I can d-defend myself. L-let me c-come."

Liam sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You stay in the car."

"Deal!" Killian said quickly with a smile on his face. Liam grabbed his keys and they went out to the foyer, only to see that Emma's bag was gone.

"Bloody hell." Liam muttered. "We have to go. Now. Maybe we can still catch up to her."

The men got in the car and drove down the road. After a few quick twists and turns, they finally were behind a blonde girl walking. She turned around and her eyes popped out of her head. She tried to pick up her pace, but Killian jumped out of the car and ran up to her, engulfing her in his arms from behind. Emma struggled in his grasp.

"Let me go! You need to stay away from me! You can't get hurt!" She yelled, on the verge of tears. Killian sunk to the ground with Emma in his arms. She was still kicking and fighting and squirming, so he wrapped his legs around her to try to get her to stop. "Killian, please!" She stopped kicking and clawing at his hands and turned into his chest and cried.

He stroked her hair. "It's al-alright, l-love. I-I'm h-here."

Her sobs got louder. She clenched his shirt in her fists. "I'm sorry."

"F-f-for w-what?"

"All the shit I have been putting on you recently. I'm-"

"I-I had m-many of my o-o-own p-prob-problems too. Yours a-are nothing."

She let go and sat up. Killian stood up and held his hand out for her to take. She placed her hand in his and settled into the backseat of the car. Killian sat beside her, and held her hand. He could feel her shaking with the nerves, and he squeezed her hand tightly.

"We are going to go to your house to pick up some things you may need. You are going to be staying with us until I can legally adopt you, Emma. All you need to do is tell me where you live." Liam said.

Emma told Liam the directions to her house and a minute or so later they pulled up in front of it. She started visibly shaking now. Liam got out of the car and opened the back seat door. She turned to Killian.

"Please come in with me. I can't handle them alone."

"L-Liam is g-going in."

"Please, Killian. I'm begging you."

Killian met his brother's eyes and Liam nodded. The younger Jones got out of the car and they walked up the steps. Emma took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping in. Killian and Liam entering the house right after her. As soon as the front door shut, the yelling began.

"What the fuck, girl? Can't you ever be on time?" Shawn yelled before entering the room. Killian's hand tightened around her own.

"We're right here." Liam whispered in her ear from behind her. He gave her a confident smile, but she couldn't return it.

Nothing was processing through her brain because of her fear that something was going to go wrong.

Shawn stepped into the room and audibly gulped. "Brynn!"

A moment later, a woman came in and stared at the two men who had came in the house with Emma. "Who are you and why are you in our house?" She demanded.

"We're here to take Emma away from you." Liam said.

"Stupid girl! What was the one thing we told you when you moved in? You were to keep your mouth shut. I see you can't even do that!" Shawn yelled. He began taking off his belt as fast as he could. Emma took a step back, and Killian stood in front of her. "I suggest you men leave before you see something you don't want to see." He said, cracking the belt, making her jump.

Liam lunged at the man and tackled him to the ground. Emma ran up the stairs and grabbed the duffle bag under her bed and started filling it with all her clothes. The only thing that she had ever had since she was born was a baby blanket. That was already tucked away. She ran downstairs and looked through the clean laundry, and found more of her clothes. She stuffed them in her bag.

"Y-you h-h-had things p-pa-packed and re-ready to go. Wh-why?" Killian asked.

"It makes things easier if I have to run." She said, not making eye contact with him.

The two teenagers made their way to the foyer where the adults were. Liam held a fighting stance. Shawn and Brynn looked like they were ready to attack. Liam quickly shoved the kids outside and everyone ran to the car, and quickly drove away.