The Mind

Chapter 14

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Regina asked as Killian walked into the lab. Her hands were on her hips as she glared at him.

Killian looked down at his clothes, "this is what I always wear, so I don't think I messed up too bad."

"Not that, you idiot! You went to Emma while you were wearing the suit! What would have happened if you screwed everything up and she would have seen you as The Mind?"

"Relax, Regina. I figured that if I couldn't handle it, I wouldn't have seen her. But I needed help. You guys weren't coming up with anything. She was on the bloody computer for five minutes and I had something on that bastard. Besides, this is the second time I've seen her."

"Second time?" Regina yelled.

"Aye. The first was when I saved the window washer right outside her window. She was curious. I had to see her."

"Killian, I love Emma. She's my best friend, but what's more important? Your secret identity, or her curiosity?"

"Even if she did know, she isn't going to tell anyone. I trust her."

"I do too, but that isn't what I'm talking about. She wouldn't be safe and you know it. Some people hate the superhero disguise you have. Do you know what they can do with your weaknesses? They can hurt you by hurting her. If you are going to tell Emma that you are The Mind, you need to be careful."

"Regina, what you are telling me is what I already know. I've thought about this. I won't tell Emma the truth until the right time. We aren't even boyfriend and girlfriend yet. We're still dating. I want to make sure that she is the right one before I tell her."

"Be careful," Regina said in a final warning before walking away. Killian went on the computer to look for more criminals.

At the end of the day, Killian had a text message from Emma, saying that she wanted to see him at her place. It wasn't unusual for them to go to each other's houses. He wanted to bring her something special, so before he went over to her apartment, he picked up some lilies. Her favorite flower. He knocked on the door and she quickly opened it, immediately feeling guilty for starting the fight they were no doubt going to have.

"I got you some flowers," he said as he handed them to her. "I know how much you love them."

"Thank you, Killian." Emma turned to the sink and grabbed a vase and filled it up with water, then put the flowers in the vase. "We need to talk."

"This can't be good," he muttered. "What am I in trouble for? Or are we skipping that and going to the whole "it's not you, it's me, and we should just be friends" thing?" He asked.

"No, no. The thing is Killian," she paused to sigh. "I really like you. But, I have to know if you really like me too?"

"Of course I do. What would make you question that? Is it because I haven't asked you to be my girlfriend yet? I was actually planning to do that over dinner tomorrow."

"No, it's fine. It's just," she paused and looked away from his eyes. "You always come and go during dates and while we hang out together. Are you seeing another woman?"

"Emma, love, I'm not." He put his hands on her arms, and she looked back into his eyes, not seeing a trace of a lie.

"Then why are you always ditching me?"

He sighed. "I can't tell you. Believe me, darling, I would love to. But it's to keep you safe."

"I can take care of myself," she argued.

"I know that. But, not against these people. Trust me, okay? I can't tell you. At least not at the moment."

Emma backed up out of his grip. "Trust you? Don't you trust me?"

"Emma, you don't understand. The people that I have grown close to aren't just friends. They're enemies. If they got their hands on me, I'd be dead. Just imagine what they would do if they found out that you knew my secret. I'm doing this for you, Swan."

"Oh no, don't you Swan me. Why can't you just tell me whatever secret that you have? I'm really good at keeping secrets, you know."

He clenched his teeth. "I can't."

"Fine." She threw her arms up in the air and huffed in frustration. "Until you can get your little "emergencies" sorted out, don't bother calling me. A relationship is built on trust and honesty. When you figure out what those two words mean, leave me alone and get the fuck out of my apartment."

"Swan-"

She cut him off, "now, Killian! I won't ask again."

"You just don't understand that I'm trying to protect you!" He yelled. The lights in the apartment flickered, catching both of the adult's attentions. Killian backed up to the door, still as frustrated as before. "I have to go."

"Maybe you should go."

He glanced back at her one last time before leaving the apartment. He went out to the lab and let himself in. It was pitch black in the building except for a few emergency lights and the exit signs. He went into the lobby of the lab and grabbed his suit, putting it on quickly and going out into the city. He jumped up onto windowsills until he got to a rooftop that was the perfect place to look into Emma's living room window. He could feel her sadness more than her anger when he was still in the apartment. She felt betrayed. But, this was for the best. It wasn't that he didn't trust Emma, it was the fact that he was afraid of what Jekyll would do to her. He would do whatever it took to protect his Swan. And that included keeping a very important secret from her.