Full Summary:

Fear for her unborn child, a bruised and broken Emma Swan is determined to escape an abusive marriage. After she drives a long way from home to a small town in Maine, she doesn't think her life could get more complicated... that is until she ends up falling for her OBGYN, a blue-eyed British man who's shielded his heart from love long ago. But he may be just what she needs to begin her healing process and start a new life for her child. If only nothing gets in the way.

Rated M for a violence, language and eventual smut.

*TRIGGER WARNING* Mentions of physical and verbal abuse/domestic violence towards a pregnant woman.

Author's Notes:

This is something that's been in my head for a while and wasn't sure if I should write it, but my muse got the better of me. And just to be clear, Killian is very professional and not some pervert using his position to get into Emma's pants. Killian helps Emma and comforts her while she tries to deal with her emotional scars. There won't be sex in the stirrups - this is not that kind of fic.

"Shit..."

Emma mumbled to herself as she used the flashlight of her cellphone to see the tire of her yellow bug in the dark. She let out a heavy sigh as she looked at her surroundings. Just what she needed... a flat tire in the small town of nowhere.

She had a spare in her trunk, but she wasn't really in a condition to change it, seeing as she was four months pregnant and even if she knew how to change one, she couldn't see well enough to anyway.

She tried to use her phone to search for a towing company but there was no signal.

"Just perfect..."

Emma got in her car, rather than stand outside in the dark as serial-killer bait. She should have known this would happen. She knew that after a whole year of plotting an escape from her life... from Neal... and finally going through with it, something would go wrong and she would end up going back. But she couldn't go back. As much as she was capable of enduring what she had been through in the last couple of years, she couldn't just think about herself anymore. She had her unborn child to protect and she would stop at nothing to keep her baby safe.

Trying to think of a plan to get out of this current predicament, her thoughts were interrupted by the roaring sound of a motorcycle approaching, the headlight glaring through her window. She swallowed thickly as it stopped off to the side of the road, a few feet from her car. The motorcyclist got off the bike and approached, carrying a flashlight.

Panic ran through her blood until she realized it was just a cop. He tapped on the window and she quickly rolled it down.

"Everything alright, mam?"

A set of blue eyes under his helmet shot through her as she replied, a nervous tick in her voice. "Yeah, I just have a flat tire and my phone has no signal."

"Ah, tough luck. Well, do you have a spare in the trunk and maybe jack and a wrench? I can change it for you so you can get your car to a repair shop."

"Oh, uh yeah, I do." This wouldn't be the first time her yellow bug needed a tire change over the last ten years and it certainly wouldn't be the last. Although normally Neal changed it for her before he lectured and blamed her for driving over potholes. And he never liked to show her how to do it herself; she figured it was because he wanted her to need him for things, so she'd always have a reason not to run off.

"Alright, I can have it changed in no time so you can be on your way."

Emma. didn't really know if she should be grateful that he was trying to help her, or worried. She was a bit of both either way as she got out of her car and opened her trunk.

She held the flashlight, shining it in his view as he replaced the damaged tire with a doughnut. Putting the flat tire in her trunk and closing it in, he took the flashlight back as she handed it to him.

"Thank you," she said with a small smile.

"Not a problem. You must be new in town. I would have recognized a girl like you if I saw one," he said with a smirk. Was he seriously flirting with her?

"No, I'm just passing through," she replied tentatively.

"Well, if you need a place to crash for the night, there's a bed and breakfast in town just a couple miles east. There's also an mechanic shop not too far from there."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

"Not a problem," he assured her, reaching into his pocket to retrieve what appeared to be a business card. "The name's August Booth, if you decide to stay and you need anything, don't hesitate to call."

With a nod and a half-smile, she took the card and scanned it, seeing that he was the town sheriff.

"Have a good night."

"You too."

She didn't even wait for him to take off on his motorcycle before she pulled out onto the road and left. She started yawning soon enough and she hadn't really planned on staying, but perhaps one night wouldn't hurt. She longed for an actual bed instead of her car, anyway.

Emma drove into town and found the bed and breakfast that the sheriff had mentioned, pulling in front of it. She rifled through her bag, digging out some cash. She had managed to save enough money from her tips as a cocktail waitress back home, not that she would exactly call the place she lived home. To her, home was a place she actually missed.

Everyday that she had left from work in the last year, she hid a stash of money in the house before having to give the rest of it to Neal. And now, she had enough for gas and food and one night in a hotel. Then she would to find a job and settle down somewhere. Where exactly that place was, she had no idea, but it definitely wasn't here.

Emma got out of her car, taking her bag with her. She went inside the building, looking around. It seemed clean enough from the looks of it as she approached the counter. There was a man with dirty blonde hair sitting behind it with his feet propped on his desk, reading a book.

"Um, excuse me. Do you have any rooms available for the night?" she asked, pulling his eyes from his book. Her breath caught in her throat at the crystal blue eyes as he flashed her a crooked smile.

"Hi there. I didn't hear you come in." He set the book down and stood up, approaching the counter as he looked her up and down, making her feel a bit uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "I do have a room available for you. It's a hundred bucks a night."

Emma bit her bottom lip. It was more than she wanted to spend and more than she could afford, but she accepted it anyway. "Okay, I'll take it." She reached into her bag and pulled out the cash, setting it onto the counter.

"Alright, let me show to your room." He grabbed the cash before turning to retrieve the room key and came around the counter, leading her to the room she'd be staying for the night. He unlocked the door, opening it for her as he followed behind. "It's not much but it's very clean, I can assure you."

"It's fine, thank you. I just need somewhere to rest my head," she explained as she turned to look at him. As soon as she did, she could see his eyes staring at her ass and quickly look up at her when he realized he was caught.

"Where are you from, beautiful? Certainly not from around here?"

"Thank god for that," she answered as she rolled her eyes.

He gave her the key and stepped out of the room. "Well, if you need anything at all, let me know. My name's James Nolan, by the way," he said, extending a hand with a smirk. "Or if you get lonely in here, I'd be happy to keep you company," he said as she shook his hand.

She didn't even dignify that last remark with a response as she released her hand from his grip and shut the door in his face.

The next morning, her eyes slowly fluttered open, the sunlight seeping through the curtains. She had a restless night and was in desperate need for coffee, as much as her OB doctor back home told her that it wasn't good for the baby. Even though she didn't have to sleep in her car or with the man that called himself her husband, she was plagued with nightmares that involved him finding her. Even thousands of miles away from him, that fear was still settled deep inside.

She got up and brushed her teeth before carefully getting dressed from her athletic shorts and a white tank top to black leggings and a red blouse that stretched a little over her protruding tummy. The bruises on her body were still sore, but luckily none of them would be visible to the public.

She pulled on her jacket and before she left, she stopped abruptly, dropping her bag to hold her stomach as pain shot through her. A groan fell from her lips as she leaned against the wall, waiting for it to pass. She had the same feeling before a couple of times after she escaped the house she lived in. It was also after her last encounter with Neal when he got angry at her when his dinner wasn't done as soon as he got home.

She really needed to go to the doctor and as much as she wanted to leave this town, she needed to make sure her baby was okay. She managed to get her things and walk out into the lobby, where James had a bright smile plastered on his face. It was different than last night though; less creepy and more friendly.

She let out a breath before she walked over to him with purpose.

"Good morning, mam. Did you sleep well?"

She shot him a glare as she slammed the key on the counter and started to head out the door, but stopped herself and turned to look at him. She decided to muster up the courage to say something to him about how he acted before. It was definitely not a good way to run a business. He looked at her, slightly confused as she spoke. "You know... I have traveled a long way to come here and I got a flat tire that I have to replace which I really don't have the money for. I'm tired, cranky and pregnant and came in here looking for a place to sleep only to get overcharged, hit on and looked at inappropriately like I'm a slab of meat. So, no I did not sleep well, thank you very much," she said sharply before she turned around and headed out the door.

"Wait!"

As she walked outside, he ran after her. "I think you have me confused with my brother, James," he called out apologetically. "We're identical twins. Three hours apart."

She stopped abruptly and turned around. "And I'm supposed to believe that?" she asked. But as she looked at him, she could tell that he wasn't the same person she had met last night. He had an innocence about him that was not there before.

"Well, I guess you don't have to, but I do apologize for last night. My brother can be quite a jack-ass. I only gave him this job to help him out, but I'm starting to reconsider it."

"So, you own this place?"

"My wife and I do. We also own the attached diner." He extended a hand out to her. "David Nolan."

Accepting his explanation, she eyed him curiously as she shook his hand. "Emma Swan."

"Nice to meet you, Emma. And may I ask, how much did my brother charge you to stay here?"

"A hundred dollars."

David looked appalled as he motioned for her to come back inside. "That's twice our actual rate. Let me give you a refund."

She followed him inside and he went around the counter, giving her two fifty-dollar bills. She looked at him, confused and shook her head, giving one of them back. "This is the hundred that I paid."

He put his hand up to reject it. "I'm aware. Consider last night free for the hassle James has caused you."

She was still confused as she made another attempt to give it back to him. "I couldn't let you do that. I don't need your charity."

He still refused to take it. "It's not charity, just courtesy for poor service."

She sighed in defeat as she dropped her hand, putting the money in her bag.

"Now why don't you get some breakfast while you wait for your tire to get fixed? I'm sure you're starving. And besides, breakfast is free for the first night."

She nodded, admitting that she was pretty famished. "Thank you. I just have to take my car to the shop first."

"Of course. And when you go into the diner, just tell my wife I sent you. Her name's Mary Margaret. She's the one with the dark, pixy-cut."

"Okay, thanks."

She left and drove to the auto shop. As she walked in, a different set of blue eyes looked up at her, except they were darker, like the color of the ocean. What the hell was up with all of the blue eyes in this town anyway?

"Morning, lass. Welcome to Captain's Choice Mechanics. My name's Liam. What can I do for you?" As he spoke to her, she noticed that his eyes fell to her baby bump.

"I need a new tire. Mine blew out and I just have a spare one for now."

"Sure, lass. Show me the damage."

She led him outside to her car, showing him the tire in her trunk. "Definitely going to need a new one." He took it out, offering to discard it for her.

"How long do you think it will be?" she asked after she retrieved her bag from the car and handed him her keys.

"Well, we do have that tire in stock so it will be done in less than an hour. How does that sound?"

"Perfect." She started to leave, but then turned around again. "Oh and could you tell me where the hospital is around here? I need to make an appointment?"

"For the baby, you mean?"

She frowned at the accusation. "You know, you shouldn't assume a woman's pregnant just because she has a belly on her."

Liam chuckled. "I didn't have to assume anything, it was more of an observation."

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"My brother's an OBGYN so I've picked up certain observational skills when it comes to mothers-to-be."

"Oh," she said, accepting his explanation. "Well then I think you're brother is who I need to see. I've been having these sharp pains in my stomach and feeling dizzy and I wanted to make sure my baby is alright."

"Of course." Liam led her inside and grabbed a pen and a pad of paper, scribbling something down before he ripped off the sheet of paper and handed it to her. "His name is Dr. Killian Jones. Here's the number of his clinic."

"Thank you," she said as she grabbed the slip of paper, tucking it into her pocket. She didn't know how she was going to explain her bruises to the doctor if he had to examine her, but she would think of something.

As she walked back to the diner, she pulled her phone from her bag, seeing that it was in service again. She looked at the phone number Liam gave her and called Dr. Jones' office to schedule an appointment, but he was booked until that afternoon, so she made an appointment at one o'clock. For now, she was feeling better as she placed her hands on her belly, feeling her baby move inside her. She didn't like the circumstances for her child, but it was far better than the alternative.

Emma walked inside the diner and was greeted by the hostess and led to a table as she took in her surroundings. The place was busy and the people looked friendly and inviting. Some of them even wished her good morning as she was shown a booth. She sat down and removed her jacket as the hostess handed her a menu. Emma scanned it as the hostess went back to her post.

A moment later, a short woman with dark hair approached and Emma immediately knew that it was David's wife.

"Morning, my name is Mary Margaret. What can I get you, sweetheart?"
Emma was thrown off by the kindness in the woman's eyes and her voice. It wasn't something she was used to.

"I'll take some scrambled eggs... and pancakes... and a cup of hot cocoa with cinnamon." She was starving and her belly was letting her know, so she didn't want to deprive her baby. "I'm eating for two," she explained with a small smirk.

The woman laughed lightly as she took the menu. "Sure. Anything else?"

Emma shook her head. "No, thank you. Oh and I'm supposed to tell you that David sent me."

"Okay. I kind of figured you were just visiting. It's a small town so everybody knows everybody around here."

Emma nodded with a small smile.

"I'll be back with your hot cocoa." When she left, Emma retrieved her cell from her bag. She had discarded her old one back at the house and bought a new phone, but she was still paranoid that her husband would find a way to get a hold of her.

A moment later, Mary Margaret brought her drink to the table and set it in front of her. "Here you are. Hot cocoa with cinnamon. And I added some whipped cream on top."

"Thank you." Emma looked at the hot beverage and picked it up, desperately bringing it to her lips. It had been a long time since she could actually enjoy a cup of cocoa. She licked the whipped cream from her mouth and looked up at Mary Margaret.

"So, I thought you owned this place. How come you're serving tables, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Not at all. I just enjoy waitressing and I get to talk to the customers and get to know the newcomers."

"Oh, right. I know what you mean. I used to be a waitress, myself."

A flicker of excitement shown in Mary Margaret's eyes as her smile became brighter. "Plus, to be perfectly honest, I'm kind of short-staffed for the time being. My waitress just quit on me yesterday."

"Oh," she replied, trying to avoid the woman's gaze. She didn't give the remark any thought as she took a sip of her beverage.

"So, what brings you here?" Mary Margaret asked curiously.

"Just doing some traveling," she lied.

The brunette's eyes were full of doubt as her smile turned into a look of disappointment and surprise. "While you're pregnant? I know it's none of my business, but that doesn't seem like the best way to take care of you're unborn child."

Emma looked at her sharply. "You're right. It isn't any of your business," Emma muttered, the tone in her voice harsher than what she had intended.

She could see the guilt in the woman's eyes as she dropped them to the floor. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I shouldn't have said anything. I'll just go get your breakfast. Be right back."

Mary Margaret started to turn around and Emma sighed, her stomach twisting in regret. "Wait..." Her words stopped the brunette in her tracks and she turned back around. "I'm sorry. It's just... I had to get away. Where I was... it wasn't safe for my baby," she explained quietly, not being able to look the woman in the eye. She wasn't too keen on divulging so much information but she felt an odd sense of trust illuminating from her. It was infuriating but at the same time, it was refreshing.

"Please don't say anything to anyone."

Mary Margaret quickly shook her head. "I won't. I promise."

"Thank you," she said graciously.

"You're welcome. Now let me get your food," she gave a warm smile and walked away.

When Mary Margaret came back, she deposited the plates of food on the table, along with syrup and packets of butter. The delicious aroma was overwhelming as Emma took in the sight of everything. The large stack of pancakes and the pile of eggs and bacon. She was glad she was eating for two with the amount of food there was.

"Thank you, but I'm pregnant, not a Romanian powerlifter," she said with a bit of amusement in her tone.

"Well, you can always box up what you don't eat and take it with you. You know, you could just stay another night here if you wanted to. There's a microwave in each of the rooms."

"Okay, I'll think about it," she promised as she picked up her fork and took a bite of pancake. The offer did sound intriguing and she did stay for free last night, so she could afford another night.

Mary Margaret's eyes widened in shock as though she weren't expecting that answer. "Oh, that's great to hear. Is there anything else you need?"

"No, this is good. Thank you." Before the owner left, Emma spoke again to stop her. "Actually, I do have a question..."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, I have an appointment with Dr. Jones this afternoon. Is he... trustworthy?" she asked on behalf of her baby.

"Oh, yes. He's very professional and good at what he does," she said adamantly. "You have nothing to worry about with him, believe me. He took over after Dr. Lucas retired and he's upheld the reputation of the practice very well."

"Good, that's a relief," she said, although she was still unsure about the doctor until she met him herself.

When she finished her breakfast, she picked up her car from Liam, thanking him and paying for the new tire. She went to the clinic, her stomach in knots. It was probably nothing, but she wanted to be safe. Also, she thought it might be time to learn the gender of her baby, so she could find that out, too.

The receptionist gave her a clipboard with paperwork to fill out as she sat in the waiting room. Not wanting to give out too much information, she only filled out what was necessary. She had insurance so she provided that information as well as some vague medical details and left her address blank.

The nurse called her name and she stood up, handing the receptionist the paperwork before she followed the nurse to one of the rooms. She performed the routine checkups before providing Emma with a hospital gown to change into.

"Doctor Jones will be with you shortly," the blonde nurse assured her with a friendly smile before she left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Emma did as she was told, folding and laying her clothes on the chair when she was dressed in nothing but the gown. She sat on the edge of the hospital bed, waiting anxiously.

After what felt like an eternity, the door opened and the doctor entered with a clipboard in his hand.

"Good afternoon, lass."

Emma's breath hitched at the sound of the smooth British accent as he shut the door, his back facing her. When he turned to look at her, the impossibly blue eyes connected with hers and she lost another breath. Of all of the men she had come across in this town with blue eyes, the pair that were gazing back at her would surely be the death of her. And why the heck did Mary Margaret fail to mention how gorgeous he was?

Well, fuck.