Hi all, so sorry this has taken so long, I've actually had it ready for a while but wanted to have the next chapter done before I posted - this is kind of a filler. Alas we cannot always get what we want. Uni has been a nightmare these passed months.

Thanks for the reviews/follows/favourites!

Bold italicsare signing without speaking out loud, signing and talking will be pointed out in the narrative when signing starts. Accept Henry, he's always signing, and Emma and August always sign when Henry is there, unless otherwise stated.

E

The first thing I noticed as I woke up was the pounding headache. I mean really, I hadn't even moved or opened my eyes but the dizziness and pulsing behind my temples was almost unbearable!

"Henry?" I tried to call out but my throat was so dry that it just came out as a choked rasp.

"Hey," a familiar voice, that I couldn't quite place, whispered and I felt someone touch my hand, "easy there Swan, let me get you some water."

I finally managed to prize my eyes open, blinked against the sudden brightness, and met a pair of soft blue eyes just as a straw was pressed to my lips. I opened my mouth just enough to sip and almost groaned at how good the cool water felt on my throat.

"Killian?" I asked confused about why he was here. "Where's Henry? Is he ok?"

"He's just fine love," Killian assured me and nodded towards a chair across the room, where I saw my little boy curled up, fast asleep. "He fell asleep about an hour ago but he's just fine. Mostly he's just been worried about you," he smiled fondly.

"What happened?"

"It seems you were so worried about your boy that you didn't realise that you had a bloody great shard of glass in your leg. You lost a fair bit of blood, Swan," he explained. "Gave us quite a scare."

"Sorry?" I offered, earning a chuckle from the cook.

I tried to ease myself up but gasped at the sharp pain in my thigh and another wave of dizziness.

"Careful Swan," Killian chastised as he stepped forward to help me into sitting position.

"I got it!" I snapped, causing Killian to freeze. "I'm sorry," I sighed. "I'm not used to accepting help I guess."

"S'alright," he smiled. "We all get a little moody when we're not feeling well. I won't hold it against you."

"What are you doing here?" I frowned, only then realising that he shouldn't be.

"Well, with you out of commission and August out of town, apparently it was me that Henry asked for. I grabbed his bag from your room and brought it in for him. After some harsh words were exchanged between Dr. Whale and myself someone got a hold of your brother who appointed me as your emergency contact. At least until he gets here." Killian explained. "Don't worry, I haven't had to make any important decisions. I've mostly just been babysitting your lad."

"Mostly?" I asked, worried that something might have happened while I was out.

"Your lad went on a walk about briefly, and he ripped his stiches so we had to ask him not to sign-"

"You what!" I snapped. "How would you like it if I told you not to talk buddy? Signing is his language! You can't tell him to stop just because it inconveniences you!"

"Woah woah woah! Calm down love" Killian held his hands up as if to surrender. "It's not like that. He was hurting himself Emma. I didn't like having to tell him not to talk to us, I felt bloody awful about it but he didn't just rip his stitches, he had torn the original wound. Dr. Whale said that he could have damaged his ligaments or something if he didn't rest it. Surely it's better not to risk any more damage?"

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I knew I was over reacting, but just the thought of Henry being alone and unable to communicate…

"I'm sorry," I exhaled. "I'm sorry it's just-"

"I know love," Killian smiled and perched himself on the side of the hospital bed. "I get it. I promise you, he's not been alone since. I've been with him and we gave him a notepad so he could still talk to us… He's ok Swan. Just worried for his mum."

I looked over and saw how peaceful Henry looked, despite the cramped, surely uncomfortable hospital chair.

"Thank you Killian," he only nodded in response before we fell into silence.

I watched Henry sleep and tried to pretend I couldn't feel Killian's soft gaze on me, at least until I realised what Killian had said.

"Wait, where is August? How long have I been out?" I frowned, looking to the door as if he'd appear there.

"He's on his way. You've been unconscious for a fair few hours, so he shouldn't be too much longer. I could call to see how far away he is if you'd like?"

"If he's not here…" I trailed off confused. "How have you been talking to Henry?" Killian opened his mouth to answer but another voice beat him to it.

"Turns out Killian's been holding out on us." We both looked up to see Ruby leaning against the door frame. "I mean I've known this guy forever and I didn't know he could sign until he started interpreting earlier."

"You did?" my eyes widened as I looked back to the cook, who was now sheepishly scratching behind his ear.

"I tried. I mean I only started to learn ASL when I met you lot the other day," Killian explained. "I'm afraid I had to resort to fingerspelling a lot, but I didn't want the lad to feel ignored."

I was completely speechless. How could this man who was hardly more than a stranger to us have invested so much of his time in making Henry more comfortable here? Why? I would have been suspicious if not for the fact that I was so touched. I don't know how long I stared at him, searching for words but luckily a sudden shout meant I didn't have to.

"Mom!"

.

.

.

K

The sudden tension between Emma and I was broken at her lad's exclamation. I stepped back to allow him to climb onto the bed with his mother, and found myself awkwardly hovering on the edge of a private moment between mother and son. I decided it was probably best to leave and turned to usher Ruby out, only for another figure to appear in the doorway.

"Emma," August breathed out in relief as he limped into the room. "Are you guys ok?" he asked, eyes flicking between his sister and nephew.

"We're fine," Emma assured him, pulling Henry into a tighter embrace, as if trying to reassure herself. "What the hell happened to your leg?" she asked, gesturing towards his limp.

"What? Oh that, I may have kicked my bike in frustration when the hospital called."

With that I cleared my throat and bid the small Swan-Booth family farewell, recognising that for now at least, my presence was not required, and led Ruby out into the corridor.

"You know I'm sure they'd be happy if we stayed," Ruby stated. "I mean Henry clearly likes you and August must trust you if he left you responsible for them. As for Emma, well at the very least she owes you now. Why run away? You obviously like her."

"For starters, Emma owes me nothing. Anyone would have helped Henry out if they could, I just happened to be the only one around that could." I pointed out. "And as for my leaving, there's a difference between running away and recognising someone's need for privacy. A skill you have yet to master."

"Hey!" Ruby protested, indignantly. "I know when people need their privacy."

"So it's just a lack of respect for it that's the issue then?" I teased.

"You're an ass," she retorted, "and you're deflecting. Why are you leaving? If this is just about Emma's privacy then why didn't you just offer to go on a coffee run or something?"

"Because Ruby," I sighed, "Emma is not the sort of woman who accepts anyone's help easily. If I stay here now, try and insert myself anymore into her life, then I fear it would only result in her pushing me away."

"So you admit it!" Ruby spun on her heel to block my path, pointing an accusatory finger at me with a triumphant smile. "You admit that you want to be in her life?"

I tipped my head back and let out a long sigh, wondering why I put up with this woman.