In Flames • Captain Swan

2. Wrecked

NEW YORK CITY HOSPITAL

“So, how are you feeling?” Emma asked him, trying to make a conversation with him.

Killian sighed. “I'm fine.” he clearly wasn't in the mood for talking.

Three hours had passed since Killian woke up. The doctors said he would be discharged in two or three days. Abby was also discharged and Mary-Margaret was looking after her, since she wasn't allowed to visit her father — they didn't allow kids under 10 years old.

Emma was at Killian's room most of the time, watching him look at the ceiling. It made her sad, really. He barely even talked. Why do I care? was a constant thought in her mind.

Maybe Mary-Margaret was right after all. Maybe she did worry about him a bit too much. But she couldn't help it.

She blamed it all to the fact that she saved his life, but deep down she knew it was something else that kept her there.

Emma looked at him. “Look, if you're worried about your daughter... I can assure you, she's absolutely fine.” she said, trying to figure out what was wrong with him.

“I know... She's just all I have. I've lost everything. I don't know what I would have done if I lost her too.” he said, avoiding eye contact.

Emma knew how precious a child can be in someone's life, but she couldn't relate to him. Although she had lost everything too. There were moments like these that she wished to have kept her children.

There were times like these that she felt strong enough, even though she never felt that way.

She tried to think what she could do. “Maybe if I brought her here it would make you feel better?” she asked him after she thought this through.

He raised his eyebrow, his expression still seemed tired. “It's not allowed.” he said, confused.

Emma shrugged. “Rules are made to be broken, aren't they? After all, you're alone here, nothing's gonna happen to her.”

Killian smiled softly, but then he realized that this seemed weird. “Why do this for me?” he asked, like he was trying to get her not to do it. “Why do you even care?”

“I saved both your lives... You two are technically the closest people to me after my friend outside.” she hesitated at first, but then she pulled an awkward but soft smile.

Killian looked up to meet her eyes. He didn't say anything at first, he tried to read her. “No family either, huh?” he sighed.

He knew that you don't ask this kind of questions, especially to a person who you just met. But he wasn't judging her. On the contrary, he just felt like Emma was the only person who wouldn't judge him for what he was, because she was much like him.

Emma nodded. “I take it you're like me too?” she said, awkwardly biting her bottom lip.

Killian didn't answer. Emma understood this meant ‘yes’, so she didn't push it. She could see that he was hurt, that he was lost. Like she was.

“Look, I get you... You can't know if your daughter is okay if you don't see it with your own eyes...” Emma continued. “And it's okay if you don't trust me. But that's why I wanted to bring her here.”

Killian smiled at her. “Nothing personal.” his face fell. “It's just... Everyone makes promises and nobody keeps them. Even if I sound stupid in some cases, I still feel betrayed.”

Emma walked towards the door, still facing him. “Believe me, I know.” she whispered, and Killian barely heard it.

She got out of the door and Killian didn't take his eyes off her, not until she was out of his sight.