[ She's an hard headed woman. It's one of the many things he's always known. Right from the bloody start. She's impossible at times. Her past often dictates her reactions and feelings about things, but he supposes it's typical. Yet Emma has always taken it to an entirely new level. He has no choice, but to quiet himself at times. To let her absorb and process when she needs him to stop.

He never wanted to pull her into one of these. He didn't think it fair to dump these things onto her. Especially this. This was a rough spot for them. Something that does look one way, but once you know the truth it's seen through different eyes. Killian is stunned into silence at first. His hand clenches into a fist upon instinct simply because of the memories that come with these cave corridors. The fear that sat in his chest at times.

Killian relaxes as time passes. Watching the two of them. His heart breaks all over again watching the look of anguish on her face. Emma Swan rarely cries. Only when she can't hold it in any longer. Only when moments like these hurt her. When they dig in deep. The voice that doesn't belong to this memory shakes him out of thought. Emma questioning what's happening. ]

We are happy, love, but every couple has their own--unique problems. [ Killian looks at her. ] I was never going to make it out of there at the time and I wasn't about to sign your death warrant as well. You had Henry to raise and your parents needed you. It would've been selfish of me. I didn't want that for you. I wanted you to live even if I couldn't do it alongside you.