I do not own these characters, that would be Kitsis and Horowitz. I just let them out to play.

Paperwork. Who would have thought there would be so much paperwork? Storybrooke was a town filled with people from the Enchanted Forest with nowhere to go. How was it possible that there was even paperwork to fill out? It's not like they could send it to any place of real authority, the county officials probably didn't even know that Storybrooke existed. Let alone that there were reams of reports and backlogs boxed up and waiting for nothing apparently.

Emma sighed to herself, letting her head fall back trying to ease the tension in her shoulders. She should have made David do all the paperwork, she would have even pulled rank to make it happen. But he, along with Mary Margaret, were attending one of Ashley's parenting classes. Her parents were really pulling out all the stops when it came to raising Neal.

She didn't mind, not completely. Sure, there was a part of her that was sad that they didn't get to experience it with her and that she didn't get to do the same with Henry but there was no use dwelling on it. Her past may be a minefield of bad memories but Emma had resolved to not let it affect her future. So far it hadn't been too much of a hurdle, just a little speed bump here and there.

Really, it was her mom's fault that she was stuck in her office filling out a report about a damaged power line due to one villain or another. Mary Margaret had decided that as long as she was still mayor before Regina stepped back in she would do things right and not just be content with the fact that they really didn't need to worry about proper bureaucracy. Emma had tried to reason with her mom but then David had given her a warning look and she backed off. It was a weird feeling being chastised by her dad as an adult, especially when she wasn't used to it in the first place.

At least she had lunch to look forward to. Killian would be there soon and they would head down to Granny's to meet up with her parents to do a baby hand off. David would return to the station for the rest of the afternoon, Mary Margaret had paperwork of her own at the mayor's office, and Emma would be free from the paper pushing nightmare for the rest of the day. Plus, Henry would be coming over to the loft after school to spend the weekend with her.

Despite their past differences it had been relatively easy to figure out a schedule with Regina regarding Henry. Seeing as how Emma still lived with her parents and their baby, they both agreed that he would stay with Regina on school nights and then with Emma on the weekends. Of course, he usually stopped by the loft, or the station, after school for an hour or two if he wasn't helping out at Gold's shop that day. After Gold's banishment Belle had been running both the shop and the library so Henry had stayed on to help her out. Something that both Emma and Regina were very proud of him doing.

Glancing quickly at the clock she dropped her head back down in resignation trying to focus on the report in front of her. She only had to make it until Killian showed up and then she was free. It belatedly occurred to her that something about the time was off. Looking back at the timepiece she realized that it was twenty minutes past the time Killian said he would be there. He had never been late before. In fact, he was usually ten minutes early annoying her with puppy dog eyes and spouting innuendos until it was actually time for her to leave.

Digging her phone out of her pocket she saw that there weren't even any messages from him. He had recently gotten the hang of texting and found it endlessly entertaining. It was rare for him to send less than fifty messages while she was at work. Despite how much she enjoyed getting them she would never tell him that. It would just inflate his ego and the number of texts would increase ten fold. Plus, he could only neglect whatever he got up to down at the docks for so long.

Slightly worried she pulled up her speed dial and tapped on the photo of Killian. It was a cute picture she had snapped one day when he had taken her and Henry out sailing. He was standing at the prow of the boat pointing out something to Henry and the joy on his face never ceased to make her smile. Listening to her phone she realized she could faintly hear his own phone ringing in response. Quizzically she followed the noise out to the hallway where sounds of Killian muttering became clear as well. Grinning to herself she hung up her phone and turned the corner, ready to give him a hard time about almost standing her up for their lunch date. The words died on her lips the moment she laid eyes on him.

The first thing she noticed were his clothes. He prided himself on looking impeccable, something he reminded her every time she teased him about about how much leather he wore. He looked as if he had slept in them, and not a restful sleep either. His shirt was buttoned wrong, the cuffs of his sleeves weren't buttoned at all, and he had only halfheartedly tucked the shirttail into his pants. A vest was flapping open over his chest and his leather coat was missing altogether.

"Killian?" She was able to keep the worry out of her voice but just barely.

"Hello Swan, fancy seeing you here," he said, looking at her but not really seeing her.

Emma stepped closer to him, noticing even more as she did. He was swaying slightly on his feet, as though he had just stepped back on dry land after months at sea. His face was ghostly pale and as a result the scar across his cheek was so red it looked recent instead of years old. There were dark purple smudges under his eyes making it appear as if both his eyes had been blackened in a fight. In short Killian looked like he'd been hit by a car, again.

"Are you okay?" She reached a hand out to steady him but he barely noticed.

"Aye," Killian licked his lips distractedly, a look of puzzlement on his face as if he was trying to find the right words. "Sorry, I'm late. I'm afraid that I'm not feeling quite top form at the moment."

"No kidding, you look like crap."

Emma brought her hand up and placed the back of it on his forehead. His skin was clammy but that wasn't what concerned her. Killian's temperature was through the roof, as though he was a furnace running at high speed. His normally bright blue eyes were glassy with fever as he tried to focus on her.

"Jesus, Killian, you're burning up! What are you even doing here, you should be in bed," she admonished him as she dropped her hand to his elbow to guide him gently back into the station.

"We had plans to share a meal with your parents and I fear I may have overslept. Apologies," he leaned into her and she could feel the heat coming off of him in waves.

Making it back to her office she gently guided him into her chair behind the desk. He smiled gratefully up at her before tipping his head back and closing his eyes. Emma stood indecisively for a minute watching him. On one hand there wasn't much she could do for Killian besides pump him full of over the counter drugs and get him back to bed. On the other was there was nothing worse than being sick and having to suffer alone.

Quietly leaving Killian in her chair she walked a little ways down the hall to call David.

"Emma? Where are you?" She smiled at her dad's worried tone since he most likely thought she was busy with Killian doing other things.

"I'm really sorry Dad, but I'm still at the station. Killian just got here but he looks like he was dragged down here from the back of a truck and he's running a pretty high fever," she looked back down the hall at the slumped figure at her desk. "I'm going to get him back to Granny's and stop by the drugstore. I don't think I'll be able to watch Neal after all."

There was a pause as she heard him relay it to Mary Margaret. She heard her mom murmur in response but didn't really pay attention. From the way Killian was when he got to the station she realized that she would have to get a raincheck on more than just lunch with her parents. Henry would understand but that didn't mean he would like it. Maybe she could convince Regina to let him stay an extra day at the end of the weekend to make up for it.

"Emma?" David had come back on the line without her noticing.

"Hmm? Oh, sorry, you were saying?"

"I was just telling you not to worry about Neal. Your mother doesn't have any appointments this afternoon so he'll be fine at the office with her. Do you need me to pick up Henry?"

"No," she decided after some thought. "Killian is already pretty out of it and by the time I get him settled and drugged up I'll be able to get Henry myself. He'll have to stay at Regina's tonight though, I don't want to leave Killian alone for too long."

"Hmph, I'm sure Hook can take care of himself," he muttered. "Henry can spend time with his cool grandparents until you get home tonight."

This time she did hear Mary Margaret on the other end of the line. "David! That's not fair."

"Mom's got a point, way to play guilt tripping card. It's not about Killian fending for himself, it's about the fact that he doesn't have to. Being sick sucks and I want to be there for him."

Before David could answer Emma heard Mary Margaret wrestling the phone out of his grasp. Emma just rolled her eyes but was thankful she didn't have to endure more of David's overprotective dad issues.

"Emma? Don't listen to your father. Just take care of Killian and we'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay," she sighed, relieved the conversation was ending. "Mom?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Oh, Emma, of course."

Hanging up Emma stood in the hallway revelling in the feeling of having a family. People who cared about her, worried for her, and stubbornly tried to protect her. It was an odd sensation that she was still growing accustomed to but one she treasured none the less.

Smiling to herself she walked back to the dozing Killian. His head was resting awkwardly on his shoulder, breathing shallowly through his mouth, and his hand was splayed across his stomach fingers twitching as though reacting to his dreams. She could see a sheen of sweat that had broken out on his forehead, a sure sign that he was sicker than she originally thought.

Grabbing a few napkins she kept in her desk for the inevitable spill brought on by her clumsiness she dabbed his forehead gently. He murmured in response but didn't wake. Slowly, and with care, she rubbed her thumb across the shadow under his eye, the heat from his fever baking her fingertips. She let her fingers dance across his temple and comb through his slightly damp raven hair.

"Killian?" she spoke quietly trying to rouse him. "Killian, come on tiger, it's time to wake up."

"Hmm?" He leaned into her hand but didn't quite open his eyes.

"As comfortable as that chair might be it's time for us to go."

"Go?" Killian opened his eyes blearily. Sitting up he looked around him before settling his confused gaze on her. "Apologies Swan, I believe we were headed for Granny's before I rudely dozed off. Bad form."

"Considering the fever you're running I think you're entitled to a little 'bad form'," giving him a smirk she rounded the desk to grab her coat off the rack. "We're not going to Granny's. I'm picking up some medicine and we're getting you back into bed."

"That's not necessary Swan. I'm feeling much better now," Killian stood up to prove his point and promptly swayed alarmingly before steadying himself on the desk.

"Well, if that didn't convince me how much better you're feeling then the lack of interest in me getting you into bed certainly did," she quipped, raising her eyebrow at him.

Killian's mouth dropped open as he stared disbelieving at her.

"Perhaps you're right, love. A few hours rest should set me to rights."

They made it to her bug without incident, although Killian had been moving slower than normal. Emma grimly drove them to the drugstore figuring it was best to stop there first. Killian hadn't fallen back asleep but he was sitting listless in the passenger seat. The sooner he got some kind of medicine in him the easier he would be able to rest.

Emma was in and out of the store before Killian even noticed she was gone. Luckily it hadn't been busy and Tom had some plenty good suggestions on which medicines to get for the symptoms she described. After some consideration she also bought a paperback novel from a turnstile by the register. She wasn't about to sit in his room at Granny's counting the flowers on the wallpaper for entertainment.

It wasn't long before she pulled into the back parking lot and got Killian up to his room. They didn't meet anyone along the way but that wasn't surprising. The boarding house didn't have anyone else staying in the rooms that Emma knew of. It was a good thing that the diner was always busy because Granny wasn't making much of a profit off the room fees.

Setting the bag from the drugstore on the desk in the room she turned around to see Killian splayed out on his stomach on the bed. Rolling her eyes in exasperation she left him alone to pick which medicine to give him and get the dosage ready. After a quick run down to the bathroom for a glass of water and a dampened washcloth she hesitated slightly before sitting beside him on the bed.

"Killian," she whispered. If he was asleep she'd skip the medicine and let him rest.

"Hmm?"

"I have some medicine for you," she rubbed his back gently. "After you take it you can go to sleep."

He turned over slowly and raised himself up on his elbows. Eyeing the glass in her hand warily he sat up fully next to her.

"I don't know what potion or elixir you've procured Swan, but if it will restore me to full health I'll gladly drink it."

Grabbing the glass he drank it quickly. The look of shock and confusion had Emma pressing her lips together to keep her laughter from bubbling out.

"What the bloody hell was that?!" He gasped as he slammed down the glass on the bedside table.

"Alka-Seltzer. Lemon-lime flavor to be exact," she said flippantly as she pushed him back down onto the bed. "It usually works the fastest and the best for me and Tom agreed."

She shifted on the bed and noticed that he still had his boots on. Turning back to scold him she saw that Killian's indignation at the drug seemed to have sapped what was left of his strength. He offered no resistance to her removing his boots and was asleep by the time the second one hit the floor, leaving her with the task of maneuvering him onto the center of the mattress and under the blankets. She thought about taking off his vest and shirt but despite how often she had thought about divesting Killian of his clothes she knew she wanted him conscious to appreciate it. He would probably prefer it that way too. So she left him fully clothed, wrapped in the blankets with the washcloth across his forehead.

Before leaving she decided to write him a note explaining where she was in case he woke up before she came back. As she was setting the empty glass on it to hold in place on the bedside table his hand shot out and grasped her wrist.

"Leaving so soon Swan? And here I thought you'd been itching have me at your mercy," he quipped, albeit halfheartedly.

"We'll discuss you being at my mercy when you're not swimming in germs," she teased while loosening his grip and placing his hand on his chest, lacing her fingers in his. "I'm just going to pick up Henry and tell him that he'll need to stay with Regina tonight. I'll be back in an hour or so."

"No, love, there's no need for that. You've been looking forward to your time with Henry all week, don't forego that on my account," he made to sit up but she stopped him with their entwined hands still on his chest.

"Hey, relax. Henry will understand that I want to be here. For you."

They held a silent battle with their eyes until Killian agreed with a slight nod of his head. Emma smiled gently at him, pulling her hand from his. After fixing the washcloth that had slipped to one side she bent down and kissed him on his brow.

"Get some rest. I'll be back with some soup from the diner in a little bit."

Emma stood up and walked to the door. Before she slipped out to the hallway she heard Killian murmur to himself. She smiled contentedly to herself and promised silently to do as he asked. She would hurry back.