A fresh Start

Seattle, Washington.

Emma sighed as she ran her hand through her long red hair, missing the time when it was blonde. Right now she could never go back to blonde. Not if she wanted to keep herself alive and out of harm's way. The glasses on her face were fake, the tattoos on her arm where the fake sleeves from a party store and now her red hair, anything to keep her from looking like the Old Emma.

Standing in a library in Seattle Washington she took a deep breath trying to relax herself. She had 20 minutes until the bus was set to leave and she needed to use the computer for a moment. Thanking the man after he got up, she sat down and started typing her name in to Google.

Nothing came up. She relaxed some as she deleted her name and then deleted the history as she stood up and ducked in to the bathroom. Changing her close again she took the sleeves off and tossed them as well as the jeans she had been wearing when she left home in to the garbage and slipped on the grey sweats she bought before she left on and left the bathroom.

Making it back to the bus station in time she kept her head down and ducked on to the seat in the back. She was worried and scared he would find her. She had to get away before he made her life worse.

They weren't married. Neal was just the love of her life or so she thought. They had been dating since high school and when they moved in together, she was excited to see what the future would hold for them.

Only the only thing it held for them was problems. Neal became jealous over everything she did. He never laid a hand on her, Emma wouldn't ever let him do that to her. But he made comments about what she wore, or her friends, or even what she cooked. That was enough for her to leave. Neal wouldn't let her go.

He always found her and always talked to her come home. She had finally had enough when she was told to drop out of school and leave. She waited until he was gone with friends again, his normal Friday nights, and packed only a few things. Clothes, pictures of her few friends left, and some other important things. She left before he got home; taking a taxi to the subway station and making sure she never left a trail.

After 4 days she had gone from New York to Seattle and she wasn't done. She had to keep moving; until she felt safe she needed to keep going. Resting her head on the window she closed her eyes and tried to relax praying she would be safe. Praying she would find a new life somewhere soon.

Pacific City, Oregon.

"Miss this is you stop, time to get off." The drive said softly as he woke Emma up. Emma sat up quickly, her heart racing in her chest.

"Oh sorry, thank you." She said as she got up and headed down the aisle stopping to turn and look at the driver. "Um where are we?" She asked softly as she looked to him.

"Pacific City, Oregon." The driver said with a small smile. She thanked him again before she headed down the steps and away from the bus. She watched the bus pull away before she looked around trying to figure out what to do. She didn't know where she was besides a city name. She didn't have a lot of money on her and hoped that she could get a room for the night before figuring out what to do next.

Killian stood on the beach with David and Robin beside him. He was having a tough night and all he wanted to do was sleep. It had only been a year since his wife died and every day since then has been hard. Having his best friends helped but it hurt still.

"Do you want some alone time?" David asked as he looked to Killian. Killian looked to the water before looking to his best friend.

"Sure mate. I think I'm going to head home anyways. Thanks for being here for my today guys. It means a lot that I didn't have to do this alone again." He said softly as he watched them. He hugged them both and waited until they were gone to sit down. Life was hard for Killian. His wife died 5 months after his brother moved back to England, his parents weren't on speaking terms with the youngest Jones given he went a different path and suddenly he felt alone again.

He knew Milah's death was coming. There was a change in the air he just didn't know how to explain it. She told him she was sick and that was it. It was too late to help her by time he really learned the truth. Cancer, Stage 4 and she didn't want treatment. He remembered the day he lost her clearly. It hurt him relive the day over and over.

After an hour or so he knew it was time to leave when he felt the first drop of rain. Standing up he brushed himself off and headed towards the parking lot. His house wasn't far from the spot he liked to come too, but he didn't want to walk tonight. As he got to the car, he noticed a woman on the bench besides his car. Given he didn't see any other car he started to wonder where she was.

"Excuse me miss? Is everything okay?" He asked. Pacific City was a small town, maybe 1500 people on a good day. Everyone knew everyone and all got along, sometimes. Emma looked up to the man after he spoke and gave a small smile, trying her best to make it seem like she is okay. The walk to the beach had worn her down but she just needed a moment to think.

"I am thank you, just taking a moment to think." She told him as she stood back up, tossing her bag over her shoulder and turning to leave. She stopped and turned back looking to him. "Actually before I go, could you point me in the direction of a motel or inn or something?" She asked him softly.

"We don't really have on here in Pacific. Well we did, but Granny Lucas closed it down to remodel." He explained softly. Part of him wanted to save this girl because he didn't have a chance to save Milah. But at the same time he didn't want to continue the talk any more.

"Oh Okay. Um where is the nearest City then, one with a motel." She asked trying not to snap at him. He was trying to help but she was tired and sick of running. Killian sighed for a moment before he realized what he was about to say.

"There isn't one for a while. But I know we don't know each other but you look like you could room for a night Lass, I have a small apartment above the garage at my house. You are welcomed to it tonight." He offered to her, trying to keep voice even. Emma looked at him before shaking her head.

"I don't know you. No thanks." She said before she sat back down, figuring that she would find a table to camp under. Killian grabbed a piece of paper from his car and wrote his address down.

"You may not know me but I just want to help you. Here is my address in case you change your mind." He told her setting the paper beside her things. "I hope to see you tonight." He said before he got in to his car and headed towards home.

Emma closed her eyes as she heard the man leave, finding something calming about him. The rain started again and she closed her eyes.

"Seriously? Of all things right now this would be happening. I can't catch a break!" She said to no one around her as she stood up and looked at her things and the paper again. She groaned as she slipped her back pack on and the paper in to her pocket before she started walking again

Killian got home and headed inside, setting his keys down in the bowl. He didn't know why he gave his address to the girl but he knew she needed a place. Walking in to the house farther he started a fire and looked at the picture on the mantel, The last picture of him and Milah on the beach. He was angry at the world for taking her from him. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, the door bell taking him from his thoughts.

Opening the door he gave the Red head from early a small smile.

"I don't know you but I need a room for the night, if the offer still stands." She said softly as she looked to him. Killian nodded as he watched her.

"Of course, follow me." He told her softly as he welcomed her in to the house and led her through the kitchen and in to the garage and up the small stair case. The small apartment wasn't really an apartment like he said. It was a good size bedroom and a bathroom.

"I know it's not much but it's yours for as long as you are in town." He offered to her. Emma was taken aback by his kindness, he didn't know her. He didn't have to help her. But for once she felt like she might be okay.

"Thank you. I don't think I will stay long, I don't know what my plan is." She told him honestly. Killian nodded as he looked to her.

"It's okay. It's yours while you are here. I'll get a key to the side garage door made so you can have access. I know there isn't a kitchen here but you are welcomed to the kitchen in the main house as well as the laundry room. I'll bring up a few towels and blankets so you have them." He told her as he turned to leave. Emma sat down on the bed and took a deep breath. Tears filled her eyes as she thought about the last 4 days. The pain and the stress she had been through. Laying back down she fell asleep quickly, shocked she had lasted this long.

Killian headed back to Emma with a few towels and some warmer blankets. He knew he was just trying to help this girl but part of him knew it was more.

He was trying to save her like he hadn't been able too with Milah.

A|N: After watching Safe Haven this idea came to me, won't be based on the movie at all, just mainly the running away part. But I hope you enjoy it and will leave love on it! I'll be updating slowly as I get the time.