Hi everyone! I'm Krystal, a Christ-follower, married, officially RETIRED homeschooling mom of 4. Once Upon a Time is my favorite show, although I have recently fallen in love with Bridgerton as well, books and show. Lord of the Rings is my favorite movie (yes, that’s singular on purpose) and will occasionally show up here, as well. CS is my One True Pairing forever!!!
Piratey Things Ch. 4 A Much Delayed Birthday Fic for @snowbellewells
It's the final chapter!!! I so hope you've enjoyed this fic and let me know what you think! Marta, again, you are such a tremendous blessing in my life and I love you dearly! Thank you so much for your patience as I worked on this and I hope you love it as much as I loved working on it for you! Happy (MUCH delayed) birthday again!! Thank you again to @jrob64 for her beta work on this!! I REALLY couldn't have done this without you!!
Rating T for language and suggestive themes
Words 1221 of 10k
On ao3 from the beginning / current chapter
Tagging the usuals. Please let me know if you'd like to be added or removed.
“Oh, Killian,” breathed Emma, as they entered The Melting Pot fondue restaurant the following evening. “This is wonderful! I’ve never been to a fondue restaurant!”
“Neither have I,” he replied. “But Liam and Elsa have one somewhat close to them in Bedford and they love it, so I thought it would be a nice place to bring you for our special date.” He lifted her hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips, smiling gently at her.
“I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.” She returned his smile before he approached the host stand and gave his name for their reservation.
“Ah, yes, sir,” the hostess replied. “Everything has been arranged to your specifications, Mr. Jones. Please follow me.”
Emma’s eyebrows nearly hit her hairline at her words and she wondered exactly what her boyfriend had planned for the evening.
Once they were seated, their server approached with a bottle of champagne and poured them both a glass. Since they were both new to the fondue experience, he explained everything about the 4 course celebration they were about to enjoy.
A decadent cheese fondue with artisan breads, fresh fruit and seasonal veggies to dip, followed by their choice of salads, then they would choose a single cooking style - Coq Au Vin, Court Boullion, Mojo, Traditional Oil, or Grill - and their individual entrees. Finally, the dessert course featured rich chocolate fondue with various sweet treats and fresh fruit for dipping. Emma’s mouth watered just listening to him.
They chose Classic Alpine cheese fondue - a delicious mixture of gruyère, raclette, and fontina cheeses, mixed with white wine, garlic, and nutmeg. For their salads, Killian chose a classic Caesar, while Emma chose the California, with mixed greens, candied pecans, gorgonzola, tomatoes, and raspberry walnut vinaigrette. They chose the Court Bouillon cooking style since it paired well with any entree, then for the main course, they both created their own. Killian had sesame crusted Ahi tuna, Atlantic Salmon, and Shrimp, while Emma enjoyed the herbed chicken breast, teriyaki steak, and petite filet. Finally, for the chocolate fondue course, Yin and Yang, because in Killian’s words, I’m dark, you’re light, and we pair perfectly together. His waggling eyebrows when he said it made her cheeks heat as she remembered his words from the night before after they’d gone to bed.
She laid perfectly content and sated, spooned against Killian when he nuzzled behind her ear and placed a gentle kiss on her neck. “I love you so much, Emma. You’re the perfect woman for me and I never want to let you go.”
She turned in his arms and faced him, running her fingertips along the side of his beloved face. “I love you, too, Killian. I wish we had more time together before we have to leave.”
He looked like he was about to speak again, but something stopped him. Instead, he kissed her and then rolled on his back, drawing her close to him so that her head lay on his shoulder, his arm around her, and his other hand on top of hers where it lay over his heart.
It was only minutes later they were both sound asleep.
“Yes, we do,” she replied, before giving him a kiss. She speared a strawberry and dipped it into the dark chocolate before bringing it to his mouth.
“Mmmmm,” he said, never breaking eye contact with her as he enjoyed the morsel.
Shivers cascaded down her spine at the heated look in his eyes. She couldn’t look away from him, but could just perceive in her periphery his spearing something else from the dessert platter and bringing it up toward her.
Something flashed in the corner of her eyes and she finally glanced away at the fork that had just entered her line of sight. Dangling at the end was a huge, sparkling, round diamond ring.
Emma gasped. “Killian!”
“Emma,” he began, taking the ring off the fork and holding it in his hand, “since the moment I first saw you on the airplane in Boston, I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world and at the time, I wanted nothing more than your phone number and permission to contact you again after going our separate ways. You graciously gave me both, and the last four and a half months have been the happiest of my life as I’ve gotten to know you and Henry and fallen in love with you. I love you more than life, Emma and now, I want nothing more than to make you happy for the rest of our days. Would you do me the greatest honor and be my wife?”
A tear rolled down her cheek and her heart fluttered within her as she lifted her hands to cup his beloved face. “Yes,” she whispered before drawing him to her for a tender yet passionate kiss. She never thought she would have this. A good man who loved her with everything that was in him, and loved her son as his own. When they parted, Killian slipped the ring on her finger, both of them beaming. Cheers broke out from around them as their server and other employees, as well as fellow diners, congratulated them on their engagement.
Their server handed Killian’s phone to him as he turned slightly unsure eyes on her. “I hope you don’t mind, but if you do, I can delete it, I just thought it would be something…” he rambled before she stopped him with another kiss, knowing exactly what he was trying to say.
“No, I don’t mind,” she assured him. “Mary Margaret and Elsa will certainly want to see it.”
Emma snuggled into his side, as he held her tightly against him, and took her own bite of a rice krispy treat dipped in the decadent chocolate fondue. They took turns enjoying the fruit and other culinary confections dipped in the luscious and delicious chocolate. All too quickly, their platter was empty and Killian was paying for their meal.
“I’ve had all this arranged since before everyone got here,” he explained. “The manager and our server were most accommodating with everything I wanted to do, so this tip is going to reflect that.”
Emma glanced at the ticket and saw how much he was leaving them. She couldn’t hide the small gasp that escaped her lips before she spoke. “We’re going to be their favorite customers after that,” she commented, a small smile touching her lips.
“You may be right,” Killian conceded with a nod at the host as he opened the door for her. “But once we’re married, this will be our celebration restaurant.”
Emma grinned. “Sounds good to me!”
As they exited the restaurant into the gloaming of early evening, Emma’s head resting on his shoulder, Killian lifted a thankful prayer to God for the gift of the wonderful woman at his side and the very best Christmas ever.
~*~*~
The End.
Thank you for reading and sharing! I'd love to hear what you thought!
If it isn’t, I’m gonna self-promo myself anyway… today’s the day that I posted Of Darkness, Vampires, and Soulmates back in ‘20, for what I thought was the final year for the CSSNS…
This fic was and is to this day the hardest fic I’ve ever written because at the time it was the first fic I’d ever written that came entirely out of my own head.
Can be found on ao3 here.
I can’t self promo this fic without the LOUDEST of shout-outs to @spartanguard for her INCREDIBLE artwork that brought the fic to life!!! PLEASE go give her all the love!!!
If you haven’t read it, I hope you do and let me know what you think, and if you have, maybe it’s time to revisit!
Characters: Emma Swan, Captain Hook | Killian Jones, Elsa (Once Upon a Time), Prince James (Once Upon a Time), William Smee (Once Upon a Time), Baelfire | Neal Cassidy, Widow Lucas | Granny
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Regency, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Enemies to Lovers, Angst with a Happy Ending, Dark!Killian Jones, Scarred!Killian Jones, Badass!Emma Swan, Captain Hook | Killian Jones/Emma Swan Smut, BAMF Emma Swan, BAMF Killian Jones, Banter, Angst and Romance
Summary:
What do you get when a sharp-tongued spinster strikes a bargain with the most fearsome duke in England?
Lady Emma Swan is not most women. With her beloved sister dangling on the edge of a disastrous engagement to a predatory earl, she does what she does best — she thinks three moves ahead and charges straight toward danger with very little regard for consequences. If that danger happens to be the infamously terrifying Duke of Hookshire… well, she’s faced worse. Probably.
Killian Jones, the Duke of Hookshire is scarred, snarling, and perfectly content to terrify every soul within a ten-mile radius of his estate. He doesn't want company. He doesn't want a wife. And he absolutely, categorically does not want Emma Swan storming through his doors and refusing to be intimidated.
She needs him as a means to an end. He tells himself she is nothing but a nuisance. They are both, spectacularly, wrong.
If you like, buy me a coffee :)
READ HERE: AO3
Preview:
As always, a huge thanks to my wonderful beta, @xarandomdreamx, for correcting my mistakes and encouraging me with her thoughtful comments ❤️
New Chapter of my CSSS (hosted by @cssecretsanta2020) fanfic for @senchosuwan! Sorry for the long delay. Things happen in real life so it was hard to focus. But good news - the next (and the last) chapter is already written too. Just need a couple more days to translate it into English.
Read on AO3
Tag people who may be interested: @bpdcaptainswan @teamhook @booksteaandtoomuchtv @exhaustedpirate @anmylica @hollyethecurious @kmomof4 @winterbaby89 @undercaffinatednightmare @resident-of-storybrooke @caught-in-the-filter @tiganasummertree @stahlords @lfh1226-linda @darkshadow7 @fleurdepetite @motherkatereloyshipper @soniccat @jrob64 @beckettj @whimsicallyenchantedrose @jonesfandomfanatic @zaharadessert @bluewildcatfanatic @once-upon-a-happy-end @ultraluckycatnd @qualitycoffeethings @deckerstarblanche @goodqueenkaro @brucethegirl
A Doggone Good Plan - Chapter 1 (An Offer Out of the Blue)
A CS Multi-chapter Modern AU
I intended to write this story as a birthday gift for @whimsicallyenchantedrose and hoped to at least start posting it before her birthday month was over. Alas, April came and went, and here it is, the end of May. I sincerely hope it was worth the wait, Jen!
Huge thanks to @kmomof4 for all her help and beta services for this story.
STORY SUMMARY: Desperate to save her beloved dogs when her ex-boyfriend makes threats against them, Emma Swan takes Killian Jones up on his offer to foster them.
*Please take note - this fic is very much anti-Neal and anti-Swanfire
RATING: M (for language, verbal abuse and gun violence)
WORDS: 2874 of 18,700 (There will be 6 chapters & a short epilogue)
Can also be read on Ao3
Story begins under the cut
*********
Emma Swan entered the back door of the restaurant, slamming it behind her. After preparing herself for her shift, she went into the employee’s bathroom to check her reflection in the mirror. Just as she expected, her eyes were red and puffy and her face splotchy. She grabbed a paper towel, ran it under cold water, and dabbed around her eyes, trying not to completely ruin her makeup. It already looked worse for wear from the crying she did on the way to work.
“Stupid, fucking Neal,” she ground out, using another towel to pat her face dry. “What did I ever see in him anyway?” When the woman in the mirror didn’t offer an answer, she sighed and tossed the wad of paper in the trash can on the way out the door.
She checked her table assignments, relieved to see she didn’t have any of the bigger tables. At least she wouldn’t have to deal with large parties of people tonight. Plastering on a smile, she headed to the booth in the corner to take their order.
After turning in their food order to the kitchen, she went to the bar to place their drink order.
“Hello, Emma,” the bartender greeted.
“Hey, August,” she replied. Of the three bartenders she worked with, he was her favorite. She recited the four drinks she needed, but August didn’t move to start making them.
“You seem upset,” he observed. “What did your rat bastard ex do now?”
“It’s that apparent, huh?”
“It is to me.”
She leaned on the bar, fighting back fresh tears. “He says he’s going to take my dogs to the animal shelter.”
“You’re kidding!” August blurted.
Emma shook her head. “I wish I was.”
“I thought he liked the dogs.”
“He does, or at least he acted like he did,” she shrugged. “He’s just doing it to get back at me. He knows I can’t have them in my apartment, so he’s threatening to take them to the shelter to try to get me to move back in with him.”
“What an absolute dick,” August said, as he set out the drink glasses.
“Yeah,” she sighed again. “What am I going to do? I can’t let Sophie and Oscar go to the animal shelter! They’re like my own kids. It was hard enough to leave them behind when I moved out, but I had no other choice. I had to get away from Neal and I couldn’t find a place on such short notice that would allow pets.” Her words ended on a stifled sob.
“I’d be willing to foster them until you find a place for you and your dogs.”
Emma’s tear-filled eyes swung to the man at the bar who had spoken with a British accent. He held his hand out to her. “Killian Jones.”
She hesitantly shook his offered hand. “Emma Swan.”
“I didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but it was difficult not to when I’m sitting right here. It sounds like you need some help.”
“I do. But why on earth would you offer to help a complete stranger?”
“Well, I love dogs,” he said, ticking the reasons off on his fingers, “I’m renting a home that allows pets and has a fenced-in backyard, and I abhor men who treat women spitefully.”
Emma turned to look at August, who was busy making the drinks while listening to the conversation. “Do you know this guy?”
“Killian’s been in several times. He’s a great tipper,” August grinned, as he set the four filled glasses on Emma’s tray.
Her mind was swirling. She had absolutely no reason to trust this guy, especially since her experiences with trusting men were less than stellar. Still, she had to do something to save her babies. There was a chance that Neal wasn’t serious about his threat, but she wasn’t willing to risk it. He was furious that she had the gall to move out and was vindictive enough to follow through with getting rid of them just to provoke her.
Turning around with her tray, she said, “I’ll tell you what - if you’re still here when I take my break in three hours, I’ll sit down and discuss this with you. If not, I’ll know you weren’t serious. Deal?”
“It’s a deal, lass,” he said with a smile.
Emma continued working her shift, occasionally returning to the bar for mixed drinks. Each time she did during the next two hours, Killian Jones was sitting in the same place, nursing a soda. Whenever she looked his way, he smiled warmly, then turned his attention back to the soccer game on the TV above the bar.
Forty-five minutes before her break, she went to turn in a drink order and noticed the man’s bar stool was empty. Her heart sank a little, because despite telling herself over and over again not to, she had still gotten her hopes up.
August took one look at her face and sent her a commiserating smile, “He’s in the restroom, Emma.”
She tried not to show the relief she felt. “I wasn’t worried. He’s free to leave if he wants,” she said with a shrug.
August rested his forearms on the bar to look her in the eyes. “I’ve been talking to him all evening. He seems like a good guy and he’s serious about taking the dogs.”
“Maybe it’s just his way of getting into my pants.”
“You know how good I am at reading people,” he reminded her. “I don’t get that impression. If I did, I’d toss him out on his ear.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll see, I guess.” She recited the drinks she needed and August got to work.
Just as he was setting the last drink on her tray, Killian Jones returned. He gave her another smile, then checked his phone. “Your break is in about forty minutes, isn’t it, lass?”
“That’s right.”
“Great! I was hoping you would agree to eat with me. I already ordered some food to be ready at that time. August told me what you usually get to eat.”
Emma glanced at August, who was grinning at her. Looking back at Killian, she replied, “Um, sure. I always sit at the bar to eat anyway.”
“She vents to me while she has dinner,” August said.
“Hey, if you didn’t want to hear about people’s problems, you shouldn’t have become a bartender,” Emma huffed.
The two men were chuckling at her response as she picked up her tray and walked away.
The rest of the time until her break seemed to crawl. Finally, she was free to go to the restroom and wash her hands. Looking in the mirror this time, she saw a woman with a genuine smile on her face. She could attribute it to the very appreciative elderly couple to whom she delivered food just before her break, but if she was truly honest, it was also due to the fact that she would be eating dinner with Killian Jones. The man was seriously good-looking and his offer to help gave her hope that she could somehow keep her pets safe.
She pulled the elastic from her hair, combed through it with her fingers, and pulled it back into a neater ponytail. Then she applied some fresh lipstick from the tube she kept tucked in her pocket, feeling a little silly for wanting to make a good impression.
Exiting the restroom, she quickly made her way to the bar and slid onto the stool beside Killian. A steaming plate of chicken alfredo was waiting for her and she gave him a smile of appreciation before picking up her fork. “Thank you for putting in an order for me.”
“I hope August didn’t steer me wrong,” Killian said, getting ready to take his first bite of beef tips.
“He didn’t. I need the carbs to keep me going through the rest of my shift.”
They ate a few bites before he spoke. “Tell me about your dogs.”
Just the thought of her babies brought a smile to her face. “Sophie is an Old English Sheepdog that I’ve had since she was a puppy. She’s four years old now. Oscar is a…well, we’re really not sure of his breed. We got him a few months ago from a lady who was fostering him after he was picked up as a stray.” She pulled her phone from her apron and chose a picture to show him.
“May I?” he asked, wiping his hands on his napkin. At her nod, he used his fingers to zoom in on the picture. “He appears to have a nose and ears like a Shih Tzu, but seems a little bigger. Definitely a mixed breed.”
She was impressed with his apparent knowledge of dogs. “That’s what we thought, too.”
“I love his underbite.”
“Yeah,” she laughed. “That’s what got my attention when I first saw his picture on the website.”
“They’re both very cute dogs,” he said.
Emma nodded in agreement, locking her phone and tucking it away. “They’re my babies.” After taking another bite and swallowing, it was her turn to question him. “So, tell me about yourself, Killian Jones.”
“In case you haven’t already figured it out, I’m from England. I moved to Maine four months ago when the company I work for opened a new office here and asked me to help get it up and running.”
“So you’re just here temporarily?”
“I expect to be here for at least a year, and the way things are going, it may be even longer.”
“It’s that bad?” she asked, cringing slightly.
“Not really bad. It’s just going to take more training than they were planning.”
“What kind of business is it?” she asked before taking a bite of a breadstick.
“Digital design, specializing in boats, yachts and small ships.”
She finished chewing and swallowed. “Sounds interesting.”
“I enjoy it very much,” he agreed. “Now, getting back to your problem…”
“My problem is my asshole ex-boyfriend, as you already heard. I don’t know if he’ll actually follow through on taking them to the dog pound, but I have to take his threat seriously because…let’s just say I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
“Will you be able to get Sophie and Oscar away from him?”
“I’m pretty sure I can. I still have a key and I doubt he went to the trouble of having the locks changed. All I have to do is wait for him to go to work, then I can go in and get them.”
“What will he do when he finds out?”
She shrugged. “I’m sure he’ll be angry, but I’m used to dealing with his temper tantrums. It’s one of the main reasons why I ended our relationship.”
“I’m sorry, lass.”
“Thanks. Anyway, getting the dogs shouldn’t be a problem and he won’t be able to figure out where they are, so you shouldn’t have to worry about him bothering you.”
“I’m not worried about that,” he replied. “I just want to make sure you and your dogs are safe. This guy sounds like a bloody blighter.”
“Come again?” she asked, confused at the term.
“Contemptible idiot,” he clarified.
“Oh, that certainly describes him. Okay, let’s say I do get the dogs. Would I be able to visit them? I don’t even know where you live.”
“I rent a house three blocks from here, which is why I frequent this restaurant. And of course you would be welcome to visit them anytime I’m home,” he assured her. “They’re your dogs, after all.”
She considered him for a moment. “Look, I’m not going to beat around the bush. Are you making this offer so you can get into my pants?”
His eyes widened almost comically. “Get into your pants?”
“Seduce me,” she explained.
“I’m aware of what the phrase means,” he said with a rueful smile. “I’m just a bit shocked you would think that.”
“Well, I don’t know you.”
“Point taken,” he admitted, scratching behind his ear.
“There’s also the fact that I’m obviously a terrible judge of character when it comes to men.”
“Emma, I promise I have no ulterior motives.” His tone was soft and reassuring, and Emma found herself relaxing and beginning to trust him. “I simply heard your dilemma and have the ability to offer a solution.” He tugged his phone out of the front pocket of his jeans and searched for something. Finding what he wanted, he turned it so she could see it. “This is my house. It’s small, but could easily accommodate your dogs. Besides the backyard, there’s also a dog park a few blocks away. How are they on a leash?”
“They’re good. Sophie is better than Oscar because I trained her as a pup, but he’s a pretty calm, easy-going dog.” She looked at her phone to check the time. “Oh, gosh. My break is over in a couple of minutes.”
Killian grabbed a napkin and pulled a pen out of his shirt pocket. After scribbling down his phone number, he slid it across the bar to her. “Think about it, Emma. If you decide to take me up on the offer, give me a call. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll assume you figured out a different way to solve the problem.”
She folded the napkin and tucked it into her apron pocket along with her phone. “I really appreciate your willingness to help,” she said with a smile. “I have to get back to work. Thanks again, Killian.”
With that, she resumed her shift. When she returned to the bar to turn in an order ten minutes later, Killian Jones was gone.
*********
“Neal, why are you being such an absolute jerk?”
“It’s your own fault, Ems,” he said, and the calmness in his voice infuriated her even more. “If you hadn’t moved out, I wouldn’t have to get rid of these mutts.”
“And if you hadn’t cheated on me then pitched a temper tantrum like a child, I wouldn’t have had to move out!” Emma shouted.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Ems. It was only one time. Get over it already.”
She couldn’t believe this asshole. “Seriously? I’ll never be able to trust you again!”
“Would you stop being so dramatic? So I slept with someone else. What’s the big deal?”
Emma closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to keep her temper under some semblance of control. “How would you feel if I slept with someone else? You get mad when I even look at another guy!”
“Did you sleep with someone else?”
“Of course not! You and I were in a committed relationship and living together!”
“Which you obviously thought gave you permission to invade my privacy. You wouldn’t have even known about Tink if you hadn’t nosed around in my phone.”
“Wait, what…are you saying…” she sputtered. “Somehow you’re turning the blame for this on me?”
“Ignorance is bliss, Ems. The two of us would still be together if you would have just left well enough alone, but you had to go and ruin a good thing.”
“You’re the one who ruined a good thing by being a fucking cheater! But that’s not right, either, because evidently our relationship wasn’t good at all.”
“It was starting to go downhill. In fact, you were getting really boring. Always talking about bills and groceries and schedules…”
“You mean things that normal adults talk about?” she asked incredulously. “Grow up, Neal. Life isn’t one big party like you seem to think. Bills have to be paid on time or utilities get cut off!”
She heard him heave an overly dramatic sigh. “There you go again, Ems. Actually, I’m glad you moved out - it saved me the trouble of kicking you out when I finally had enough of your nagging and complaining.”
Emma felt hot tears sliding down her cheeks. How could the man she thought she loved be so heartless and cruel? Swallowing hard, she fought to keep the emotion out of her voice. “If that’s the way you feel, I’m glad I moved out, too, but please let me have my dogs. It’s not fair for them to be punished because we broke up.”
“You already told me you can’t have them at your apartment, so what would you do with them if I did give them to you?”
“I’ll figure something out. I just don’t want them taken to the shelter. They would hate it there.”
Neal didn’t respond for several seconds, then said flippantly, “You’re right. They would hate living in a shelter, so I guess the best solution is to have them euthanized.”
“What?! NO! Neal, you can’t be serious!”
“Oh, I’m completely serious,” he replied. “I’m sick of taking care of them. I hope you gave them a nice, long goodbye before you left, Ems, because it was the last time you’ll ever see them.”
The call ended before Emma could respond. She stared at the phone in horror. What if he really was angry enough to kill her pets? Panic began to set in and she forced herself to take deep breaths.
Once her mind cleared enough to think, she retrieved the napkin from her desk drawer and punched in Killian’s number.
*********
Thanks so much for reading. Please leave comments, like and reblog if you're so inclined. Every bit of nice feedback is appreciated.
Killian and Liam Jones are called in to help with the haunting of an old carriage house where a skeleton was recently found walled up within the cellar. This is no ordinary ghost hunt for the supernatural fighting brothers, however. This job will require Killian to face the person who has been haunting him for nearly a year. Emma Swan. The woman he ghosted.
A/N: We are getting closer to the finish line! Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me through my writing drought and inconsistent updates. As I mentioned in my last update, this fic is finished, so the final chapter will be posted a week from today!
Shout out to @kmomof4 for her exceptional beta skills! Also a HUGE thank you to @snowbellewells who made the cover art for my birthday last year. Thank you again, Marta! I absolutely love it!
Rated T / Also available on ao3 / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me! / Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five
Part Six
Orange and red bathed the headstones as the sun set over the graveyard. The three of them had waited in the park next to the cemetery, intending to enter closer to nightfall, but still within the permitted hours. Seated at a picnic table on the outskirts, they watched as a police car slowly crept down the road that ran alongside the burial site’s boundary.
“Bloody hell,” Killian cursed beneath his breath. “What is that? The third patrol in an hour?”
“Something like that,” Emma replied, before glancing at him sideways and cheekily adding, “The town stepped up their police presence here after some lunatic dug up and set fire to a body last year.”
Killian met her taunting countenance with an equally teasing sigh and feigned annoyed glower. The two could only hold their needling expression for a scant moment before smiles took over their faces.
Seemingly oblivious to the fond nostalgia being shared between his companions, Liam stood and began to make his way towards the treeline. “Lucky for us the Mills Mausoleum is on the other side of the cemetery, far from the road.”
Lucky, indeed.
Or so it had seemed.
Once they arrived at the Mill’s family resting place, their luck took a turn.
Killian had expected the mausoleum to be locked. Affluent family gravesights often were, as a way to ward off theft and vandalism. What he had not anticipated was the style and intricacy of said lock.
Crouching in front of the iron door, Killian cursed as he fiddled with the mechanism. “Bloody tumblers won’t budge. It’s as though they’re secured by magic.”
“We’ve no evidence that Cora was a witch,” Liam replied without a hint of sarcasm, his gaze scanning the area for any signs of interruption.
“I didn’t mean literally, brother,” Killian said with an eyeroll, then muttered, “Though, I wouldn’t have put it past her.”
A soft giggle pulled his attention upward to where Swan was standing over him, holding the flashlight. As it was prone to do, his body instantly reacted; his breath catching and his heart palpitating as a warm flush of desire and affection spread through him. Seeing her, bathed in moonlight amongst the headstones, transported him back to the night they met, here in this very cemetery.
What he wouldn’t give to go back and do things differently. He’d been such a fool and desperately hoped--now that everything was out in the open between them--that she’d give him a second chance. A tall order, considering she was currently romantically involved and living with another man. Even if he found said man to be lacking in a number of ways and nowhere near deserving of someone the caliber of Emma Swan.
Although, some might question whether he was any more deserving himself, given how he’d squandered his chance with her when he’d had it, regardless of how noble he thought his reasons were at the time.
“Want me to give it a try?” Emma asked, crouching down beside him. Her breath against his cheek caused a shiver to run down his spine, compromising his balance and landing him on his backside with an audible oomph.
“Shhh,” Liam hissed. “Someone’s coming.”
His brother hid behind a tall grave marker as the beam of a flashlight swept across the headstones. Grabbing Killian by the lapels of his jacket, Swan pulled him back towards the cover of the mausoleum’s shadow, the two of them tangled together as they sat pressed against the structure and one another.
The roar of his blood thundered in his ears as he held his breath, his focus torn between trying not to be discovered by who he assumed was one of the officers on patrol and the feel of Emma wrapped in his arms as she practically straddled his lap. It felt like an eternity before the coast became clear once more, but Killian made no effort to extricate himself from his current position. Leaning back to glance around the side of the mausoleum, Emma’s hips shifted over his groin and he was helpless to stop his body from responding, or the aching whimper from falling off his lips.
The startled swiftness with which she straightened back up, eyes wide and lips slightly parted told him his affliction had not gone unnoticed. The two of them held the other’s gaze for a long moment, and when her eyes dipped down to his lips, his followed suit. Their breathing shallowed, exhales mingling in the chilled air that was growing more charged by the second. His fingers gripped her hip a bit tighter, his thumb sliding under the hem of her sweater to the bare skin beneath causing her breath to hitch and her flesh to pebble from his touch. Cautiously, he inched forward, intending to close the gap and claim that perfect mouth of hers, but only if she gave him the slightest hint of consent to do so.
Consent he’d never know if he would have received, thanks to his clueless, meddlesome, infuriating brother.
“That was too close for comfort,” Liam whispered. “I think it best we take our leave and come up with a new plan.”
Emma scrambled off Killian’s lap, forcing another pained sound to escape from the back of his throat. Holding his hands out, Liam assisted them both to standing and waited for their agreement before setting off in the direction of the park.
It wasn’t until they were back in his Chevelle that Emma suggested, “Maybe the groundskeeper has a key to the mausoleum. We could ask Belle to find out. She could use the excuse of needing to update records or wanting to do research for city historical purposes.”
“Perhaps you could also ask Sheriff Humbert if he’d be willing to pull back on the patrols here, although I’m not sure what reason you’d give him,” Liam offered from the backseat, having graciously insisted that Swan ride shotgun, which Killian knew had been his brother’s way of torturing him. The git.
Emma smirked and stated, “If I have Ruby ask him he won’t need a reason.”
Liam chuckled. “Aye. The lass does seem to have your sheriff wrapped around her finger.”
“Among other parts of herself, I dare say,” Killian quipped, earning him a chortle from Swan and a slap at the back of his head from his brother. “Oi! Bad form to assault the driver whilst the vehicle is in motion!”
“Bad form to make such remarks about our host’s friend.”
“I assure you, I was only stating what Emma was already thinking. Isn’t that right, Swan?”
Glancing towards the passenger seat, Killian was met with a cheeky expression and mischievous glint sparkling from those enticing, green depths he often found himself lost in.
“Actually, I was gonna suggest that Liam talk with Belle about getting us access to the mausoleum, seeing as he wouldn’t mind being wrapped around more than just her finger.”
Killian erupted into laughter and peered at his brother through the rearview mirror. Even in the dim light of passing cars and streetlights he could see his brother’s face turn bright red. Fortunately, it was accompanied by a caught out smile and good-natured chuckle.
“Lass, I fear my brother has been a bad influence on you.”
“No more than I am over him,” she quipped back haughtily, furtively shooting Killian a look that made his pants tighten impossibly more.
He wasn’t sure how he’d ever manage to get out of the car, much less make it up the stairs to the front door. Coming up with some excuse to hang back, Killian remained behind the wheel as Emma and Liam both exited the car.
“I’ll see you both in the morning, then,” Swan replied, heading up the front steps, her tight jeans hugging her arse in a way that solidified the reality that Killian was in for a long, uncomfortable night.
“Everything alright, brother?” Liam asked with a little too much concern in his tone. “Finding it hard to put the day behind you?”
“Piss off,” Killian grummaced, throwing open the car door and stepping out into the cool night air.
“You’re both idiots, you know that right?”
Sighing, Killian conceded, “I’ll admit to you being half right. I’ve only myself to blame.”
Placing a firm hand on Killian’s shoulder, Liam urged, “Just tell her how you feel. Explain what happened after the Wend--”
“I have,” Killian told him. “But it’s not that simple. She’s with someone now. I don’t want to make things more complicated for her, or be the reason things fall apart and cause her more pain.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that, brother,” Liam confided. “I have it on good authority that things were rocky between her and Neal long before we got here. If I were a betting man, I’d say their relationship has run its course and it’s only a matter of time before he’s out of the picture completely.”
“And you think I ought to be waiting in the wings, ready to pick up the pieces? A bit opportunistic, don’t you think?”
“I think,” Liam countered in a somber yet affectionate tone, “you should give yourself permission to fight for what you want. Give yourself permission to be happy. You deserve that as much as anyone else, little brother.”
Killian swallowed past the tightness in his throat and gave his brother a nod of understanding before following him inside, muttering younger as they entered the carriage house.
~/~
Consciousness came slowly, lazily, and with little effort. Stretching out the few kinks peppering her body, Emma could not remember the last time she’d slept so well. Allowing herself a few more moments of comfort, she hugged the pillow beside her and sighed into its softness. The smell of her laundry detergent and the lavender scented dryer sheets filled her sinuses and a contented smile lifted the corners of her mouth.
After they’d returned home from the cemetery, Emma had made her way upstairs and surveyed her room. Her room. No physical sign of Neal remained; a fact that had enveloped her in a blanket of relief. She’d wasted no time stripping the bed, replacing the sheets she’d last shared with him with fresh ones from the linen closet.
From the depths of her dresser drawer she’d pulled out the raggedy t-shirt she’d almost always worn to bed before Neal had become a frequent overnight fixture. The one he’d mocked incessantly until she finally replaced it with a cami or some other barely there pajama top. The soft, worn fabric felt like the embrace of an old friend on her skin, welcoming her back with comfort and ease.
Out of habit, she’d pulled back the blankets on what had been her side for the past couple months, but then stopped herself. She’d only started sleeping on that side, the one closest to the door, because Neal had preferred the other. The one closer to the bathroom, so he wouldn’t have to go too far if he awoke in the middle of the night, ensuring he’d get back to sleep quickly. Nevermind the fact he was never quiet about it and often woke her up in the process.
She supposed she could sleep on whichever side she chose now. Hell, she could take up the entire bed if she wanted. Smiling, she’d climbed onto the mattress and slid beneath the covers smack dab in the middle of the bed. Nestled beneath the weight of the extra blankets--Neal had always wanted it as cold as possible when he slept, despite her desire to stay warm and cozy--Emma had drifted off perfectly content.
Well, almost perfectly content.
There was that small pang of disappointment that it was a stack of quilts and not Killian’s body pressing her into the mattress before sleep fully claimed her. She’d be lying if she said it had only been a fleeting thought. Her dreams of him had been anything but fleeting.
Reluctantly, Emma rolled over and reached for her phone. Unplugging it from the charger, she did a double take when she read the time.
1:16 PM
“Holy shit!” Shooting up, she struggled to detangle herself from the blankets. Grabbing a pair of nearby leggings, Emma hopped towards the door on alternating legs as she struggled to put them on. A glance towards the guest room showed it to be empty, and after making her way down the stairs, another look into the study revealed the same. Turning into the kitchen, she stopped short at the sight of a shirtless Killian Jones, hair sticking up at odd angles with pajama pants perched precariously low on his hips, filling a cup of coffee.
“Morning, love,” he offered in a rough, gravelly voice before bringing the steaming mug to his lips. After a quick, testing swallow he turned towards her fully, his eyes taking her in over the brim as he took another sip. Tonguing an errant drop from the corner of his mouth, he smirked and said, “Nice shirt.”
Glancing down at herself, Emma remembered which shirt she’d put on the night before… and where it had come from in the first place.
“You’ve been taking good care of it, I see.” Before Emma could respond, Killian grabbed another cup from the cabinet and asked, “Coffee?”
“Uh, y-yeah,” she stammered. “Please.”
By the time he’d poured and handed her the beverage, she managed to pull herself together.
Sort of.
“Guess I’m not the only one who overslept?”
Scratching his fingers through his hair, Killian followed her to the living room, a yawn escaping him as he replied, “Seems so.”
Sinking down on opposite ends of her couch, they both took a drink and waited for the coffee to do its thing. Or for the other one to break the ice. Emma wasn’t quite sure which.
“Have you seen Liam?” she asked, tucking her feet beneath her and wrapping her hands around the warm ceramic. For all its comfort and charm, the carriage house still had issues with letting in the morning chill.
Killian pulled an afghan off the back of the chair next to him and handed it to her. “Aye. Briefly.” He helped her spread out the blanket so she wouldn’t have to put her mug down, then added, “He woke me up about half an hour ago. Said he was going to meet Belle at the library and ask her about that key.”
Emma nodded and brought the cup up to her lips, murmuring against the edge, “I’ll call Ruby and see if she can work her magic on Graham.”
Setting her coffee down, Emma took her phone out of the side pocket of her leggings. She was scrolling through her contacts when Killian asked, “How’s Neal this morning? Haven’t seen him since yesterday’s unfortunate event.”
Sucking in her bottom lip, Emma warred with herself before confessing, “He’s, uh… He’s gone.”
“Gone to work?” Killian replied. “I would have thought he’d call out, but I suppose I can’t blame him for wanting to get out of the house for a bit.”
Emma opened her mouth to correct him, but was cut off by an incoming call. She didn’t recognize the number which normally would mean she wouldn’t answer. This time, however, she’d risk a telemarketer in order to have a reprieve from the current topic of conversation.
“Hello?”
“Miss Swan?” inquired a male voice on the other end of the line.
“This is she.”
“Miss Swan, this is Robin Locksley. We met briefly at Regina Mills’ house yesterday?”
Sitting up straighter, she waved at Killian to get his attention (which she already had) and took the phone away from her ear, putting it on speaker. “Yes, Mr. Locksley, I remember.”
Killian scooted closer and the two of them hovered over the phone as the man replied, “Oh, call me Robin. Please.”
“Robin,” Emma repeated. “What can I do for you?”
“I’ve had a talk with Miss Mills… Regina, and she wonders if you’d mind her and I coming to the carriage house so we can all talk some more about… you know.”
“Of course!”
“Terrific. We can head that way in about an hour and be there around four?”
“We’ll be here.”
Killian leaned in so his voice would be picked up clearly, and said, “Robin, mate. It’s Killian. May I ask… What made Regina change her mind?”
Silence echoed over the line to the point that Emma wondered if Robin had ended the call before Killian spoke. The clearing of a throat attested otherwise.
“I’d prefer to have that conversation in person… if you don’t mind.”
Emma shared a bemused look with Killian who haltingly replied, “Sure thing, mate.”
A heavy sigh crackled over the phone. “Thanks. We’ll see you both soon.”
“Aye. Safe travels.”
“See you soon.”
Ending the call, they both sat back into the cushions, dumbfounded over this sudden turn of events. Now that Emma had a chance to process it, a series of concerns ran through her mind.
“You seem vexed, love. Unexpected as it may be, this is a good thing.”
“I know,” Emma said, worrying her lip. “It’s just…”
“Just what?”
Turning her body, Emma looked up at Killian, momentarily distracted by his chest, and whispered, “Is it really a good idea for her to come here? What about… you-know-who? We won’t have a chance to… you know, until after dark. Won’t Regina being here to find closure with Daniel amp Cora up?”
“Probably,” Killian responded nonchalantly, draping his arm over the back of the couch. “Unless we create a warded area that will keep her from interfering.”
Cocking her head to one side, Emma stared at him with a dubious expression and muttered, “How, exactly, do we do that?”
Shooting her a cocky grin and lifted brow, he crooned, “Leave that to me, love. Leave that to me.”
Emma snorted at his ridiculousness and was once again sidetracked by her phone. “It’s Ruby,” she said, putting her friend on speaker. “Hey, Rubes. I was just about to call you.”
“Too late,” Ruby said. “Belle got me first. I just talked with Graham.”
She shared yet another glance with Killian. They both should have known Liam wouldn’t waste time putting things in motion.
“And?” Emma prompted. “What did he say?”
“He said the best he could do was give you an hour of no patrols at shift change.”
“That’s it?”
“I’m afraid so,” Ruby replied. “He said, and I quote, ‘the mayor will have my guts for garters if he finds out I suspended patrols this close to Halloween.’ I mean honestly… who talks like that?”
Emma nearly laughed out loud at the affronted look on the face of the man she knew full well said things just like that.
“Sorry I couldn’t do better.”
“You did plenty, Rubes,” Emma assured her. “Do me a favor and let Belle know so she can tell Liam?”
“Will do,” Ruby replied, and Emma could almost hear the shift in her friend’s demeanor before she sultrily inquired, “So… how’s it going with Mr. Hot Cemetery Makeout Guy? You buy a ticket on that ride yet?”
“Ruby!” Emma exclaimed as Killian choked on the last bit of coffee he was polishing off and erupted into a fit of coughs.
“Oh, shit! He’s right there, isn’t he?”
“I have to let you go.” Without waiting for a response, Emma hung up and got up from the couch. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”
His hand wrapped around her wrist, stopping her, and he managed to croak out, “It’s fine, Swan. No need.” With one last cough, he cleared his throat then swallowed hard against the tight knot that had formed there. “See? Right as rain.”
“I’m sorry about Ruby, she’s…”
“No need to apologize,” he said, and it seemed to Emma that he was suddenly hyper aware of the fact that he was only half dressed. Releasing her wrist, he stood and headed towards the hallway. “I should get myself dressed. Robin and Regina will be here soon, and we need to…”
“Right,” Emma agreed, feeling a bit self-conscious about her own appearance. The thin material of her shirt likely left little to the imagination, especially since she wasn’t wearing a bra, to say nothing about the painted-on quality of her leggings. “I need to shower and get ready.”
Her face went red at the mention of a shower, and the traitorous thought of asking him to join her. Fortunately, Killian spoke again before her tongue could betray her.
“I’ll check-in with Liam and let him know of Regina’s impending arrival. Take your time. I’ll take care of getting things ready.”
As much as Emma wanted to question him about what that might entail, her instinct to run whenever things got emotionally overwhelming took over. Though she’d spent years trying to overcome the reaction and the root of its cause, it still reared its ugly head from time to time. Usually, she would berate herself when it did, but this time she was glad for it.
Racing up the stairs, she entered her room and firmly closed the door behind her. Shedding her clothes, it wasn’t until she was under the spray of the shower--the dial turned to a much colder temperature than usual--that Emma allowed herself to face the truth of why she’d run from him just now.
Because if she hadn’t, she would have done as Ruby suggested, and having Regina Mills show up as she was riding Killian probably wasn’t the best way to help the woman get closure.
~/~
It was much later than four before Robin and Regina arrived. Still struggling with doubt and a whole host of other emotions, Miss Mills had apparently insisted the two stop several times along the way. At one point, Robin had called to inform them of their updated estimated time of arrival, which would be cutting it close to the window of opportunity they had to enter the mausoleum. Knowing Emma would need one of the brothers there for support and assistance with helping Daniel move on, it was decided that Killian would stay behind while Liam and Belle - who was the one securing the key from the groundskeeper later that evening - would deal with Cora’s resting place.
When Robin and Regina finally arrived, the former extended heart-felt apologies while the latter coolly offered a ‘sorry I’m late’ before strolling into the structure she likely had not set foot in for many years, possibly decades. Emma welcomed them both, her nerves taking over and causing her to overshare about the remodel as Regina perused her surroundings. It wasn’t until Killian invited them all to have a seat in the living room, offering beverages that might make the situation a little less tense that everyone began to relax and soften.
“I must say,” Regina stated, accepting the offered libation being handed to her, “you have done a remarkable job here. Everything looks impeccably finished yet it feels so homey.”
“Thank you.” Swan took a swallow of her own drink, obviously allowing herself time to formulate a more in-depth response.
Killian, however, did not wish to waste time on small talk. “If you don’t mind my asking,” he began, cradling his tumbler in his hands as he leaned forward with his elbows resting on the tops of his thighs, “what changed your mind about coming here? You did not seem very keen on the idea when we left you, and given the amount of stops you made along the way, it seems you may not yet be completely at ease with the decision to be here.”
“Yes, well…” Regina took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly before continuing. “You’re right. When you and Miss Swan left, I thought you were either some sort of conman team set out to swindle me, or completely insane.” Glancing over to the man seated beside her on the sofa, she added, “But after you were gone, Robin sought me out to check on me, and after I told him what you had said, he…”
Hesitantly, Robin reached over and took Regina’s hand, picking up on her distress before it became apparent to either Emma or Killian.
“I asked Regina whether she was willing to take the chance on you not being crazy and missing out on the opportunity to heal a long held wound.” Shifting in his seat, Robin met Killian’s eye and said, “I have some experience with unrestful spirits. My wife, Marion, visited me after her death.”
Robin gave them both an appreciative nod then shared the story of his wife’s passing. Her death had been sudden and tragic; a fire had broken out at her workplace and due to several fire code violations, she and several of her co-workers had perished in the blaze. Robin had been out of town for work in a rather remote area and had not spoken to his wife for several days, only communicating via e-mail. When he was notified of what happened, he’d been told she was identified by dental records and there was no need for him to identify the body. In fact, he was encouraged not to, being told he would not wish to remember her that way.
“Of course, I said good-bye to her at the funeral, but…” Swallowing past the lump that had formed in his throat, Robin looked up at the ceiling in an attempt to quell the tears pooling in his eyes. “It felt so empty. I remember being tortured by the fact that I couldn’t even remember the last thing I ever said to her. Had I told her I loved her? Had I made her feel missed? Or had I been short and flippant because I was busy?”
Taking a fortifying drink, he gave himself a moment before clearing his throat to continue. “It was about a month after her death that I started to… experience things.”
“What sort of things?”
“The smell of her perfume, an indentation on her pillow, the feeling of her presence, and what I thought to be the occasional glimpse of her in the corner of my eye. I thought I was going mad, and I confided in one of my mates, Will.”
“And did this Will believe you?”
Robin let out a light chuckle. “Not only did he believe me, he dragged my arse to a psychic medium he knew.”
“You went to a psychic?” Emma inquired, fascinated. “Who?”
“A woman by the name of Zelena,” Robin told her. Killian filed the name away in the back of his mind and encouraged the man to tell them more about the meeting with her. “She backed up all my experiences. Said that those who die suddenly or violently often have difficulty moving on due to having unfinished business. She, uh… she helped me get closure. She helped me say a proper good-bye.”
Killian did not wish to offend the man, but he had to ask. “And you are certain she was… legit?”
To his relief, Robin smiled at the question. “Regina said the same thing.”
“I did,” Miss Mills said, sheepishly. “And I’m still not sure I believe in ghosts, or psychics, or any of this,” she said, gesturing vaguely at the room around them. “But what Robin told me in reply made me at least keep an open mind and be willing to see this through.”
Killian and Emma shared a common look of curiosity before Swan asked, “What did you tell her?”
“I told her,” Robin said, squeezing Regina’s hand. “That even if I had imagined everything that had happened after Marion’s death, and even if Zelena was a total fraud… The closure was real. The peace is real. The firm belief that Marion is in a better place, her unfinished business resolved… that’s real. And it has allowed me to move forward through my grief into a life that is still worth living.”
A long pause hung in the room; Robin and Regina looked fondly at one another while Killian and Emma shared furtive glances. The buzz of Killian’s phone broke the reverie, and he apologized as he pulled the device from his pocket.
Key acquired. Headed to the cemetery. The text from Liam read. Putting the phone back in his pocket, Killian turned his attention back to the couple who was looking at him expectantly.
“So…” Regina drew out, hesitantly. “What now?”
“Now,” Killian replied, getting to his feet. “We get you and Daniel the same closure.”
Part Seven - Coming Soon!
Tagging the Curious Crew: (add to tag list)
(Please be advised that I only keep one tag list for all fic updates and new works. If at any time you wish to be removed, just shoot me an ask or a DM. No worries.)
Killian and Liam Jones are called in to help with the haunting of an old carriage house where a skeleton was recently found walled up within the cellar. This is no ordinary ghost hunt for the supernatural fighting brothers, however. This job will require Killian to face the person who has been haunting him for nearly a year. Emma Swan. The woman he ghosted.
A/N: So... good news and bad news. Bad news: this isn't the final part. Good news: the entire fic is finished, so you won't have to wait as long between updates!
Shout out to @kmomof4 for her exceptional beta skills! Also a HUGE thank you to @snowbellewells who made the cover art for my birthday last year. Thank you again, Marta! I absolutely love it!
Rated T / Also available on ao3 / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me! / Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four
Part Five
The road stretched on endlessly, the journey home feeling as though it took twice as long as it had going to see Regina Mills. Deafening silence was punctuated by each mile marker, and Emma was excruciatingly aware of every breath, every glance, every minute movement Killian made.
A thick tension surrounded them both, and neither of them wished to burst the fragile bubble that had formed from their confessions. A silent purpose which left Emma with only her thoughts. Thoughts of Daniel, unable to move on. Thoughts of Regina, betrayed and lied to all these years.
Then there were the other thoughts; the ones she tried to push away, unwilling to give them any attention until the whole ghost ordeal was over. In an effort to heed them off, Emma attempted to focus her mind on less complicated matters. Mentally, she went over to-do lists. Outstanding deadlines for work. Gatherings to plan for the upcoming holidays. The punch list of final tasks for the restoration. The best way to break things off with Neal.
Emma was caught off guard by that final thought. So much so, she was surprised Killian had not inquired what was wrong with the way she’d physically reacted to the random notion.
Was it really random, though?
It’s not as if she hadn’t been considering ending things with Neal for several weeks now, ever since he’d moved himself into the carriage house. They had never even had a conversation about it. One day it had simply dawned on her that all of his stuff was there and that they were living together. Of course, that was sort of how their relationship had started.
In an effort to pull her out of her heartache, her friends had insisted she attend every dinner, event, activity, and group outing they’d overplanned. She’d only met Neal a couple of times before that; he was August’s friend from high school (which should have been a red flag, even if she did consider August a friend) and had moved into the area a few months before their gang had graduated college. With each ‘group-thing’, fewer of her friends attended, until eventually, on a night when she’d gone to the local bar after work for a meet-up, she found herself sitting there with only Neal for company.
Emma knew her friends weren’t the biggest fans of their relationship, but Neal had been there to fill the void none of the rest of them could. It wasn’t until after she’d finally started coming out of the fog that she realized he couldn’t fill it either. No one could.
Save for the man seated beside her.
Enduring the excruciating quiet in his own way as they hit the town line.
Passing by the library, Killian hesitantly broke the silence. “How do you think my brother and Belle got on?”
“How? Or Where?” Eyes widening and cheeks pinking, Emma hadn’t intended for the dirty innuendo to slip out.
Killian didn’t miss a beat. After a full-chested laugh he waggled his brows at her, quipping, “Indeed. I imagine they left the circulation desk, the conference table, and various stacks scandalized.”
“Are you suggesting my friend is a tramp?” Emma challenged in an amused and mock-affronted tone.
“I would never dream of besmirching Miss French’s good name,” Killian replied. “The only harlot in this scenario is my brother. Don’t let the self-righteousness fool you, love.”
Another laugh was not the only thing they shared as Killian pulled up to her house. Soft smiles and a gaze that spoke volumes passed between them. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Emma wet her lips and inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm her racing heart. The way Killian’s eyes fell to her mouth, his Adam’s apple bobbing in response to her tongue’s action was not helping matters.
“We should, um…”
“Aye. We ought to…”
Awkwardly, they exited the car and headed inside.
“I’ll tell Liam of our meeting with Regina and get an update from him if you’d like to check-in with Neal and--”
“Killian? Emma?” Liam’s voice called out from upstairs. “You better get up here.”
Sharing a brief, worried glance, they swiftly headed up the stairs, the urgency in Liam’s tone adding haste to their steps.
Emma expected to find him in the guest room, and was therefore surprised to see him hovering at her bedroom’s doorway.
“What is it, brother?” Killian inquired from behind her.
Peering around the elder Jones, Emma’s brows scrunched tightly together. “Neal? What’s going--”
“That isn’t Neal.”
The quiet warning underpinning his words caused the hairs at the back of her neck to raise. Killian rushed forward to stand next to his brother, partially blocking her from the room.
Peering over the brothers’ shoulders, she looked at the man standing calmly in the middle of her bedroom and asked, “What do you mean that isn’t Neal?”
Murmuring under his breath, Liam answered, “He’s possessed by a spirit. I’m just not sure which spirit.”
“Emma, did you see Regina? Did you speak with her?” Neal - or rather, Not Neal - took a step forward with an air of desperation; an action that had the Jones brothers even more guarded than before.
“I, uh…”
“Please,” he said, keeping his focus on Emma. “I know I shouldn’t have, but taking over your boyfriend’s body was the easiest way for us to communicate. I need to know if you saw her. What did she say?”
“Are we to assume you are Daniel?” Killian inquired, inching into the room while still barring Emma from entering.
“Of course I’m Daniel,” Not Neal replied, urgently. “But we don’t have much time. I don’t know how much longer I can keep hold.”
“Why are you only now using this tactic?” Liam also stepped into the room, positioning himself a few feet to Killian’s left. “You haven’t used possession before.”
“I didn’t know I could,” Not Neal answered. “And even if I had, I don’t think I would have been strong enough before.”
“So, what’s changed?” Killian asked, his arm slightly extended from his body in an effort to signal her to stay behind him when she crossed the threshold into the room.
“Hope,” Not Neal exhaled. “Ever since you found those letters and understood what I needed you to do, hope began to strengthen me.”
“And you discovered you could possess the living how?”
Not Neal waved off Liam’s question and turned his attention towards Emma once more. “There’s no time for me to explain. I need to know about Regina. Please, tell me what happened before the other one can interfere and overpower me again.”
“Who is the other spirit? Who is keeping you subdued?”
“I don’t want to talk about her.” Agitation and impatience slipped through the genial facade and with an edge of menace, Not Neal demanded, “Tell me what you told Regina and what she said.”
Killian shifted his posture and shot a knowing glance at his brother before stating, “You’re not Daniel. Who are you?”
“I am Daniel!” the spirit protested, moving to close the gap between them all. “Emma, you have to believe me. You’re the only one who--”
Both brothers countered Not Neal’s approach, shielding her from the spirit’s advance.
“You don’t speak to her.” Killian’s lowered tone and threatening timbre had the fine hairs of Emma’s body raising in an altogether different way than it had been. “I’m the one you’re going to deal with. Tell me who you are.”
Not Neal’s entire demeanor changed. Instead of a gentle and friendly expression, Neal’s face turned smug and bitter.
“Think you’re clever, don’t you?”
“Cleverer than most, though frequently underestimated.”
Not Neal scoffed and rolled his eyes, defiance and arrogance oozing from every inch of his body.
“We can stand here all day if you like, but you will answer our questions.”
A derisive hum vibrated against Neal’s lip and his form sauntered forward until it was toe-to-toe with Killian. “I’m sure your pretty face usually buys you a lot, but not my time.” Neal’s eyes shifted and met Emma’s, sending a cold chill down her spine. “You should have left well enough alone.”
Before any of them could respond, Neal’s eyes rolled back into his head and his body dropped towards the floor. Mercifully, Liam and Killian were able to catch him and lower him safely to the carpet.
“Neal!” Emma pushed past the brothers and knelt at his side, shaking his shoulders. “Neal, wake up!”
“Here,” Liam said, passing something to her. “Smelling salts. Should do the trick.”
Emma uncorked the small bottle and wafted it under Neal’s nose. The effect was almost instantaneous. With a wild jolt, Neal’s eyes shot open and he attempted to sit up.
“Woah, there mate,” Killian advised, placing a hand against his shoulder to keep him from getting up too fast. “Take it slow.”
“Wh-What the hell happ--”
“The unknown spirit possessed you, I’m afraid,” Liam said, sympathetically. “I know everything feels wrong and distorted, but I assure you, it’ll pass quickly.”
“Wrong is an understatement,” Neal muttered, shaking himself.
“Are you okay?” Emma asked. “Did they hurt you in any--”
“She,” Neal corrected. “It was definitely a she.”
With assistance from the brothers, Neal was hauled up to his feet. Emma reached out to help steady him as he swayed, annoyed at Liam’s immediate interrogation once Neal was settled on the edge of the bed.
“Were you able to identify her? Sometimes those possessed can gain knowledge of the possessing spirit. Any idea why she possessed you, or how she knew she could? Anything you can tell us could be helpful.”
“Liam,” Killian admonished. “Give the man a moment to collect himself.” Crouching down in front of Neal, Killian looked up at him with a sympathetic expression and asked, “Can I get you anything, mate? Water? Maybe something a bit stronger?”
His eyes cut over to Emma and despite her concern for the man seated beside her who was still clearly shaken, she let out an amused huff and attempted to stifle the smile Killian’s words engendered. The truth was, they all could probably do with a stiff drink right about now.
“I uh…” Neal’s utterances turned their attention back his way. Swiping a hand down his pale and clammy face, he said, “I don’t know how she knew she could, or even how it happened really, I just… all of a sudden I wasn’t in control of myself.”
Neal’s hand dug into the mattress, balling up the covers in his fist. Placing a comforting hand on his knee, Emma encouraged him to take his time then glanced at the Jones brothers. “Maybe we should give him time to rest a bit before forcing him to reliv--”
“No, it’s fine,” Neal countered with a slight bite in his tone. “There isn’t much I can tell you anyway… other than her identity.”
Taking his eyes off the floor for the first time since they’d helped him off of it, Neal met each of their expectant stares before locking his with Emma’s. “Cora. The other spirit is Cora Mills.”
“You’re certain?”
Even Killian rolled his eyes at his brother’s asinine question.
“What kind of question is that?” Neal spat. “Am I sure? You think that’s the kind of thing I wouldn’t be--”
“Apologies,” Liam offered with his hands raised in supplication. “It’s just… spirits can be tricky and we have to be sure the other spirit doesn’t want you to think it’s--”
“If he says it’s Cora, then it’s Cora,” Killian interrupted. Standing, he reached out and took Liam by the shoulder, guiding him towards the door. “Which means you and I have work to do. Let’s leave Neal and Emma be while we come up with our plan of attack.”
“Of course,” Liam acquiesced, a bit reluctantly. “I am eager to hear how things went with--”
“Aye, but it may be best to have that conversation outside.” Glancing around them, he reminded, “You never know who might be listening.” Before the two departed down the stairs, Killian called out over his shoulder, “We’ll be downstairs if either of you need anything.”
“Thanks,” Emma answered at the doorway, having followed them towards the door so she could close it, allowing her and Neal some privacy. With her back now pressed against it, she took in the pitiful sight of her boyfriend. She knew she ought to feel more in this moment. More concerned. More sorry. More upset. But…
It wasn’t that she didn’t feel those things, she simply wished she wasn’t the one expected to help him through it. If given the option, she’d much rather be downstairs discussing the day’s events and coming up with their next step.
She was a terrible person.
With a heavy exhale, Emma pushed away from the door and approached Neal with soft steps. “Neal, are you sure you’re ok--”
“No, I’m not okay!” he exploded, shooting up to his feet. “How could you even think I’d be okay after something like that?”
“You’re right,” she said, sheepishly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Stupid question. Sorry.”
Neal ran a hand down his face then let it fall dramatically down to his side with an equally significant sigh. “I think it’s time to cut our losses.”
Brows furrowing and head cocking to one side, Emma replied, “What do you mean?”
“I mean, fuck this!” Neal exploded once more, frantically gesturing around them. “Fuck all of this! Let’s get out of here. Pack up our stuff and leave this place behind.”
“Pack up and go where?”
“Anywhere! Anywhere but here. Anywhere but this house and this town.”
“Neal…” she began with a weighty pause. “You know I can’t do that. This is my home. Not just this house, but this whole place. This is where my friends are. Where my family is.”
Neal scowled and let out a derisive scoff. “Yeah, friends that think I’m a loser and family that thinks I’m not good enough for you.”
Unable to hold back the huff of amusement, Emma reminded him, “Yeah, well. David thinks that about everybod--”
“God dammit, Emma! How can you be so flippant? How can you want to stay? How can you even think of spending one more second in this house?”
“Because. It’s. My. Home, Neal.” She knew he’d been through a lot, but surely the man who had been brought up like her, bouncing from one foster home to the next until finally making a life for themselves on the streets would never think to ask that question. “You, of all people, should understand what that means to me.” Nibbling a piece of skin peeling from her lip, she added, “Besides, I can’t abandon Daniel. He--”
“He’s dead!” Neal shouted, now getting in her face as if an up close look at his anger would change her mind. “Dead, Emma. You don’t owe him a goddamn thing!”
“Well, what about Liam and Killian?” Neal’s expression hardened at the mention of the Jones brothers' names. “They came all this way to help us. Am I just supposed to send them packing in the middle of the job?”
“Some job,” Neal sneered. “Things have only gotten worse since they got here, but I get why that doesn’t seem to bother you any.”
Emma crossed her arms over her chest and shifted her weight to one side. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t play dumb, Emma. I know there’s something going on between you and Captain Guyliner.”
“Neal,” she said in a firm tone. She may be a lot of things, but a cheater wasn’t one of them. “There’s nothing going on between me and Killian.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” he replied as he took a few steps back, his tone indicating he didn’t really believe her. “But you haven’t been completely honest about him. Admit it.”
“I told you we had a past. I never hid that from you.”
“Past. Right,” he clipped. “Then why does the guy use a half-naked picture of you as a bookmark?”
Emma blanched and dropped her arms. “Wh…What are you talking about?”
Approaching her again, he held her gaze as he relayed, “I’m talking about a picture of you, half-naked, wedged between the pages of some other guy’s journal.”
“When did you…?” Confusion turned to indignation. “Did you go snooping through Killian’s things?”
“Oh, no,” Neal said, waving his finger at her. “You don’t get to turn this around on me. Tell me why he has a picture of you, half-naked--”
“In a bikini,” Emma clarified, hotly. “I’m in a bikini in that photo, because I was on spring break.”
“So you admit to sending it to him,” Neal replied with an almost gloating undertone, as though he’d caught her in an ‘I gotcha’ moment.
“Of course, I sent it to him. We were in a relationship at the time.”
“Oh, and I guess you think it’s no big deal that he keeps it as a bookmark in that freaky journal of his?”
Emma could not believe they were having this conversation. With everything else going on, this… THIS? This was the thing he was willing to wage war over?
“Neal, I don’t have time for your petty jealousy right now. If you want to leave, I’m not going to stop you.”
He’d clearly not been expecting that. His eyes widened and his jaw went slack in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I am,” she affirmed with a vigorous nod. “You made your feelings about staying here very clear, and to be honest… I’ve thought it best for us to end things and for you to move out for some time now.”
Neal’s expression darkened and his jaw tightened. “Let me guess. About the same time you reached out to your old flame?”
“Before that, actually,” Emma stated, matter-of-factly. “But I don’t expect you to believe it.”
“Well, I don’t.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re moving out.”
“I guess so,” he challenged, probably expecting her to take it all back if it seemed he really might leave.
“You can pack a bag for now then come back for the rest of your things later. I’ll have it all boxed up for you.”
He swallowed tightly, still hoping he was just calling her bluff and said, “No need. I’ll pack it all and be out of here tonight.”
“Great,” she said, holding out her hand, “Then I’ll just take your key and give you some space to do that.”
He stared at her for several moments, his eyes shifting between her face and her hand, until finally it seemed to click; she was serious. She really wanted him out. Out of her house and out of her life.
“Fine,” he growled, stomping over to the dresser where he kept his personal items and prying the house key off the ring. Slapping it into her palm, he said, “Just do me one favor.”
She closed her stinging hand around the sharp metal of the key. “What’s that?”
“Try not to fuck him the minute I leave.”
Emma rolled her eyes and made her way to the door. “Grow up, Neal.” Crossing the threshold, she grabbed the handle and couldn’t resist leaving without throwing out a final barb. “It’ll take more than a minute to strip the bed and put on fresh sheets.”
Slamming the door behind her, Emma stood seething for several moments before mortification set in. The ringing of anger within her ears had subsided, replaced by the deep timbre of the brothers’ voices as they conversed with one another downstairs.
Had they heard everything? She and Neal hadn’t exactly kept their voices down. Hopefully, they’d been outside discussing what each had learned from their morning’s inquiries for the majority of the break up. As assured and confident as she was that ending things with Neal was the right decision, it was still humiliating.
Although, no less humiliating than Neal’s behaviour the entire time Liam and Killian had been there.
She really could not believe she’d let the relationship go on for as long as it had.
One thing was for sure, Ruby would be insufferable over the news. The I told you so’s would probably never end… but neither would the celebratory drinks she’d insist on buying, so Emma guessed that would help balance things out.
Making her way downstairs, Emma found the brothers seated at the dining table hunched over a map. Hearing her approaching steps, the two glanced up. Liam gave her an acknowledging nod, then turned his eyes back down while Killian kept his gaze trained on her. The way he looked at her had always made her toes curl and her breath shaky in the best way. In an effort to mask her breathlessness and erratic heart rate, Emma tossed her hair over her shoulder and planted her hands against the table.
“So… catch me up.”
“Is Neal alright?” Liam asked with a note of concern.
“Um, yeah. He’s just…” Emma gestured vaguely in the direction of her room, not wanting to lie, but not quite ready to confess the truth.
“Probably best he rests,” Killian interjected, drawing his own conclusions to Emma’s response. “Possession isn’t something I’d wish on anyone.” Leaning back he dug into his pants pocket and pulled out a chain with some sort of symbol as a pendant. “In fact, I think it best you wear this until we get Cora sorted.”
Reaching across the table, Emma took the necklace from him, her skin pebbling in response to the way their fingers brushed against each other’s.
“What is it?” she asked with her attention trained on the swinging pendant, hoping he hadn’t noticed the goose bumps.
“It’s an anti-possession sigil,” he explained. “Also known as a demon trap. It’ll keep Cora, or any spirit or being, from being able to take you over.” Flicking a more significant look her way, he added, “It’ll keep you safe.”
“Don’t you… What about you? Don’t you need it? For protection?”
Killian gave her a soft smirk and cut his eyes towards his brother. Pulling open the collar of his shirt, he said, “We’ve got that covered.”
Beneath the thick mat of chest hair, Emma could make out the sigil inked into his and his brother’s skin. A more permanent layer of protection that Emma did not wish to think too long on as to the circumstances that had led to such a choice.
“Here,” Killian said, rounding the table. “Let me help you with that.”
Gently, he took the necklace from her grip and motioned for her to turn around. Emma lifted her hair so he could wrap the chain around her neck and secure the clasp.
“I should have given it to you when we first arrived,” he murmured. “I never considered the spirit here would know they could or manage enough energy to completely possess either you or…” Spinning her back around, Killian stared down at her with wide apologetic eyes. “Gods, Swan! I’m so sorry. I never asked how you were doing. I know what a fright it can be to see someone you care for taken over like that. Are you okay, love?”
“I… I’m fine. Really,” she assured him with a softly placed hand on his forearm. “As awful as it was, I’m just glad we finally know the identity of the other spirit.”
“As am I,” Liam said, turning their attention back towards the table. “I just wish we knew how she found out about possession.”
Emma gripped her bottom lip tightly with her teeth and closed her eyes before blurting out, “I think it was because of Neal.”
The brothers’ heads shot towards her in unison.
“I beg your pardon?”
“What do you mean?”
With her shoulders slightly scrunched, not thrilled about opening this particular can of worms, she glanced at Killian and said, “He mentioned something about opening your journal.”
“Your journal?” Liam repeated with a furrowed brow. “Why would he be looking in your journal, brother?”
Killian shook his head for a moment until Emma saw the truth dawn within the deep blue of his eyes.
“The photo,” he said, his cheeks turning rosy from the heat of his blush as it crested the tips of his ears.
“Photo? What photo?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Killian waved Liam off and brushed past Emma. The two followed him to the study where they found the aforementioned journal lying open on the pull out.
“What were you thinking leaving your journal open?” Liam admonished.
“Give me some credit,” Killian shot back. “I know better than that.”
“Why would it matter if the journal was left open?” Emma inquired, hoping the question would distract both brothers from the photo of her in that damned, scandalous, red bikini only a few feet away on the mattress.
“The journal is protected by the sigil, which means no spirit or demon can access it when it’s closed. When it’s open, however…”
“They can rifle through the bloody thing.”
Emma glanced down at the journal and noted it was open to a page titled, Possession, at the top.
“I’m so sorry,” Emma said, feeling even worse about Neal’s invasion of Killian’s privacy.
“It’s not your fault, Swan,” Killian assured her. Reaching across the bed, he picked up the photo and tucked it back into the journal before closing it firmly. After stuffing it away in his duffle he peeked up at her through his lashes, his hand pawing at the back of his ear. Perhaps realizing she wasn’t upset at him for still having the picture, he gave her that boyish, lop-sided smile of his and Emma couldn’t help but smile back.
“Well,” Liam began, shaking them both from the shared moment. “Now that mystery is solved, I suppose we should move forward with our plans. The sooner the better.”
“Aye,” Killian agreed. “I say we try and deal with her tonight. With her out of the way, it may be easier for Daniel to move on, especially if we can contact him without her interference and let him know that Regina knows the truth. Or much of it, anyway.”
“When you say deal with her, I assume you mean…”
“Aye,” Killian said, gravely. “Fancy a trip to the cemetery, love?”
Part Six - Coming Soon!
Tagging the Curious Crew: (add to tag list)
(Please be advised that I only keep one tag list for all fic updates and new works. If at any time you wish to be removed, just shoot me an ask or a DM. No worries.)
To start with a much needed apologies - firstly to my beta reader Cat. I made her rush through this so I could post it.... then I forgot. I suffer with migraines and they make me forgetful. My next apology is to you, my readers... I made you wait for this and I can only hope that you feel it's worth it. Thank you @ultraluckycatnd for reading this through for me. I really do appreciate it.
This is the conclusion of this story, but I have left it open to revisit it, should people want me to, and I feel so inclined.
A chill went through Killian when he saw the message pop up. He'd heard Emma's phone ping and could tell she'd received something similar. Ordering his usual alcoholic beverage, he walked into the private area of the bar, indicating he wanted his drink served in there. Thankfully Emma took the hint and joined him soon after he made himself comfortable in the plush leather chair.
“It's time,” Emma said quietly, but loud enough she knew those listening in back home would hear and understand they'd got the messages.
“It is indeed, darling. I want you to know that whatever I say to get you out of here safe I don't truly mean. Do you understand? It’ll be James’s words coming out of my mouth and believe me, the sooner I can shirk that persona the better.”
Emma nodded in understanding knowing deep down he loved her, but the next few hours and perhaps even days would hurt. She took his hand covering the new tattoo gently with it. “Just do what you need to do,” she said.
“Good, cause I'm going to have to make this convincing to get you as far away from this place as possible,” Killian continued.
“Wait! What about you? I'm not leaving you,” Emma muttered, shocked at the thought of whatever was to come.
Killian chuckled mirthlessly, slipping back into his James persona with ease. “Oh darling, you never need to worry about me. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's surviving. I think I've proved that already.” He took the glass from her hand and downed the rich, amber liquid in one gulp. Placing the glass on the table in front of him he stood and prowled towards her, pulling her into his arms before kissing her firmly.
Emma sighed into his touch but braced herself for his next move. “It's showtime,” she whispered against his lips. With one last goodbye kiss, she pushed him away, indicating she was ready.
Killian chuckled at the move, but before he could speak his Emma had already made her way to the doorway, flinging it open with such force it almost made him jump. It certainly put him in the right mindset to give the bar a show for what was going to be their very public breakup.
“You know what James, I've had it with your antics! You can't just ignore me after fucking me like you did,” Wendy shouted, drawing attention to them.
“Ah, Wendy,” James growled. “You knew what you were getting into when you started up with me. I should have known you'd be the clingy type. Always seeking attention and never quite satisfied with what you've got.”
“Fuck you, James. Fuck you! I'm out of here.” With that all said, Wendy stormed off, gathering her belongings and calmly explaining to the bar manager that she didn't think she could work there anymore.
Outside of the bar, Emma dropped her other persona, climbed onto her bike and put on her helmet. Then, with a roaring of the engine, she pulled her bike out of the parking lot and made her way back to Storybrooke. Emma wasn't the type to usually pray, but that day she offered up a prayer to any higher being that was listening to keep Killian safe and stop him being a martyr.
Meanwhile James ignored the pull to race after Wendy on his own bike. Instead, he went to sit with Tink, putting his arm around her.
“Are you for real? I'm no rebound girl, so you can get that out of your pretty little head. Go play some darts or something to get the testosterone down, then you and I are going to have a talk. Stupid, stupid man. Now get your hands off me before I do something you'll regret.” Tink took herself off to the restroom leaving James to simmer down. She was pissed for Wendy and the way James thought he could treat her and for the way he was going to fuck his way through the bar to get Wendy out of his system. Well she wasn't going to stand for it.
James was different from these other bastards. Tink saw that as soon as he and his brother walked into the bar. The day Barrie was killed she saw James turn dark, it was as if the reasons he had to live were taken away. But then Wendy came to work there and sparked something in him. Tink was not going to let him throw that chance for a happy ending away.
As she left the toilets, Tink bumped straight into James who caught her before she could topple over. “Oh darling, if you wanted to be back in my arms there was no need to stand on ceremony. How about we go back to the ladies and you can get on your knees for me again.”
James smirked as he watched Tink's eyes flash with anger. Then bracing himself for the slap he deserved he heard the crack before he felt her soft, small hand make contact with his face. “You need to go after her, James. That woman changed you and whatever you did to piss her off you should find her and make up for it. This,” she indicated to the bar area, “James, it's not the real you. I don't know who that is, but you need to work it out and get away from Gold and his men.”
James nodded. Their plan was working, but he did truly care for Tink. If he could help her out as well, he would. “You're right. Wendy did bring out the best in me. Maybe I should go and find her.”
“You really should. Get on your knees and grovel for forgiveness.”
James chuckled. “Maybe you and Belle should get out of here for a few days. Go to a spa or something. I know that Gold has her under protection in the hospital, but if anyone can get her out for a day or two it's you,” he winked at her.
She agreed, having visited her a few times since knowing it would be plausible to take her out for a little while. “Oh a spa weekend does sound good. Belle would love that. She misses him, you know. Your brother. We don't talk about him much for obvious reasons. I think getting out of there for a few days would be nice.”
“Ok then. I should thank you for slapping some sense into me, just don't ever do it around any of the others, yeah?”
Tink shook her head. “Whatever you say, James. Now go get your girl. I've got a spa weekend to plan and pack for.”
James kissed her cheek. “Take care, Tink”
“That sounds like you're not coming back.” Tink narrowed her eyes, studying the scruffy yet good looking man in front of her. “What aren't you telling me?”
Trying to remain impassive and not flinch under the scrutiny of Tink's discerning glare, he simply said, “Nothing. I've no idea what you mean.” James tried to feign a sense of innocence but he knew that Tink wasn't biting. “It's just if I do find Wendy I may take her away from here for a break too.”
Tink’s eyes narrowed trying to read him. “Fine. Well I hope you do find her. If you do, tell her I said you're an idiot. I hope our paths cross again one day.”
“Aye, love. Me too. See you around.” James gave her one last hug before walking away without looking back.
~♡~
Killian sped away from Underbrook as safely as he could without drawing attention to himself. He hoped he left enough hints for Tink to get her and Belle out of town before the operatives descended on the bar.
As he approached the Welcome to Storybrooke sign, Killian slowed, a wide grin spreading involuntarily across his face. There, sat on the edge of her bike waiting for him, was his love. His Emma. It had only been a few hours since he'd seen her but bloody hell she was a sight for sore eyes. Pulling up on his bike, he secured the stand, flung his helmet off, and dragged her into his arms. She willingly came, kissing him with abandon.
“I'm so sorry for anything I said today that may have hurt you,” Killian told her, still a little shaken by the whole scenario.
“You didn't, it's ok, Killian. Now come on, let's go home.”
Killian allowed Emma to lead the way, feeling the need to keep her in his sight.
They were soon pulling up to the station and both were glad to see the familiar streets and faces of Storybrooke again. The adrenaline was fading and Emma was looking forward to seeing her parents again. But as she looked in Killian's direction she saw his demeanor sag. Yes, she was actually going to see her family again, but the only family Killian had was killed in this mission. And if Emma was a betting person, she'd put money on the fact that this fact was setting in for him too.
As soon as she was able to, she took her helmet off, made her way to Killian and took him into her arms. As he'd also taken his helmet off, she was able to cradle his head as he let out the tears he'd been holding back.
Vaguely aware they were no longer alone, Killian wiped his face but kept Emma held close. “Dave,” he said as a way of greeting his boss.
Keeping up appearances, just in case anyone was watching, David ushered them into the station indicating to Graham and Robin that the bikes were to be hidden. Once they were all safely out of view, Emma ran into her father's arms. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hi Sweetheart. It's good to see you again. Both of you. Killian I'm sorry about Liam,” David said to them both, but looking sincerely towards Killian during the last sentiment.
“Thanks mate, but it wasn't your fault the wanker couldn't keep it in his pants.”
“Come now, you don't mean that,” David told him.
“Oh I do. Doesn't mean I don't miss him like hell though,” Killian admitted.
David nodded, having a fair idea of the grief journey Killian was likely traversing, having been on it himself when his twin, Jimmy, was killed in the line of duty.
“How's Mom?” Emma asked, sensing both men needed a change of subject.
“She's doing ok. Missed you of course,” David said to his daughter. “She'll want to see you in person soon. But before you leave the station, you'll need to also leave behind Wendy and James. We've already fabricated an ending for them.”
“Sounds intriguing?” Killian commented.
“Hmmm, let's just say after being trapped in a burning building that sadly the responders couldn't reach in time meant they wouldn't live to tell many tales.”
“Ok, so I'm guessing you need the clothes we were last seen in.”
“Yes, and you'll need to lay low for a while, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I don't expect either of you back at work for two weeks and even then it's policy to be on desk duty for a couple of weeks.”
They both started to grumble about how unfair it was.
David chose to ignore them and asked to have a private conversation with Killian. As he walked away not waiting for an answer, he knew that Killian was following him. A wry smile across his face. He'd missed the man dearly, but he knew things would change between them now that he was in a relationship with his daughter. It was now time for ‘the talk’. He led Killian into his office and invited him to take a seat. “I wanted to thank you for taking care of Emma despite everything that took place. Mary Margaret and I are truly thankful for that. But I need to know, moving forward, just how serious are you about her?”
Killian stared at his friend, boss, and father of his girlfriend, trying to work out which one he needed to appease. “David, I'm deadly serious about Emma. I know everything about her past and I wouldn't mess with her. But as for our future? Well, that's as much up to her as it is me.”
David smiled and Killian let out a breath he'd not realised he'd been holding. “Good answer. I do need you to do one immediate thing, though, and that is to keep her and yourself safe just a little while longer whilst we wrap up this investigation. I know you've both just come back, but take her away for the weekend and treat her to a proper relaxing spa or something.”
Killian chuckled, raising his eyebrow. “Aye mate, I think I can do that.”
David slapped him on his back. “I knew I could trust you. Now let's put her out of her misery, get you out of those ‘James’ clothes, and off to see Mary Margaret for a proper home cooked meal.”
Killian left David in his office to go change. As he walked along the precinct corridor he saw Emma leaving the ladies’ toilets having already done the same. He smiled coyly at her, making his way towards her. “You look lovely, Emma.”
Emma wore blue skinny jeans, a simple red T-shirt, and ankle boots. “Thanks. It feels good getting back into my own stuff,” she replied before rising up to kiss him chastely on his cheek.
Together they set off in the direction of the men's loos for Killian to get changed. However on their way they bumped into Graham who flushed a deep shade of red.
Avoiding eye contact with his colleagues, a beet red Graham greeted the returning pair. “Err, great to have you both back. Jones, truly I'm sorry about Liam, he was a good man.”
“Thank you. You ok though? You look flushed,” Killian commented.
“Yeah. Look, can I have a chat with the two of you?” Graham asked.
Emma looked at her colleague with concern. “Yes of course. Lead the way.”
They entered the nearest room to them, which happened to be the evidence room, in silence.
Graham stood facing the pair, barely able to look them in the eye. “Look, you both know that I'm far from a prude,” he began, “but what you've both put me through in the last few weeks has really tested me.”
It dawned on Killian and Emma that each time they fucked, they'd both been wearing their hidden mics. Attached to jewelery, those stayed on whilst they took everything else off.
“Yeah… Now you understand my dilemma. David knows nothing of what went on. I made sure nothing was recorded. You both owe me for that, by the way.”
“Aye, we certainly do. Thanks mate.”
Graham nodded. “We'll never speak of this again. Now go get changed.”
Killian did so, leaving Emma with their colleague. “You like him don't you, Nolan?”
“More than I ever have with any of my other boyfriends. Sorry Graham.”
“Never apologise for being happy. You deserve it. Just know though that if he hurts you he'll have me to answer to.”
Emma hugged her friend gratefully, laughing when Killian walked in on them with a shocked look on his face. “Come on babe, let's go. I'll explain on the way.”
On the way to her parents house, Emma told Killian that she and Graham had dated briefly in high school but decided they were better off as friends.
Killian realised there was still so much to find out about each other, but now that the case was drawing to a close, he wanted to do just that. He was in this for the long haul. He just hoped she was too; they'd not really had much time to discuss future plans after all.
“Hey, Killian. I've decided to stick around. After our enforced break, my dad's offered me a job permanently with the team. I know we've not really talked about it, but I'd like to see where this goes. You know, me and you when we're not trying to bring down the mob.”
“Oh, Emma, my love. I'd love that. We do make a great team.”
She laughed freely for the first time in months as he leaned over to place a kiss on her lips.
The dinner was bittersweet. Mary Margaret fussed over her daughter and Killian, pleased that they were back safe and well. She, like everyone else, had been devastated when she'd heard about Liam's murder. But Killian had made it clear he didn't want to talk about it that evening, so respecting his wishes, she continued as she would with any other dinner party.
It was only when Emma went to pack her bag again that the mood changed. “I'm coming back, Mom. This time for good. Now that I've met Killian, I never want to leave again.”
Her parents and Killian exchanged glances with one other. They'd all picked up on the same thing. Emma Nolan, the perpetual runaway, was settling down. Yet none of them said a word to her.
“Thank you for this lovely meal, Mrs. Nolan,” Killian said, kissing her hand.
“Please call me Mary Margaret. I've a funny feeling I'll be seeing you more often now,” she told him, acknowledging his closeness to Emma.
He nodded.
David brought him in for a hug, patting him on the back. “Keep her safe. And yourself, we're not out of the woods yet.”
“Aye. You've got it boss.”
After saying his goodbyes to Emma, David ushered them out of the house. “I've arranged for a taxi to take you to the Spa tonight.”
Emma and Killian noticed that it wasn't just any taxi driver but rather one of their colleagues that was undercover. They guessed that other operators would be there too to make sure they were safe.
And so with a final farewell they set off for Middlemist Hotel and Spa.
~♡~
Meanwhile back at the station, Robin submitted the final bit of evidence to the DAs office. Once Regina gave the final go ahead the SWAT team descended. He laughed as he heard the screams and chaos unfold.
David had made it back to his office just in time to listen in on Gold's arrest. It was with joy when they realised it was going wrong and the team pulled the trigger, shooting him dead.
“Would we class this as a success?” Robin asked his boss.
David thought about it for a moment before answering. “Come take a seat Robin.”
Pulling up a chair opposite the older man, Robin made himself comfortable.
“The thing you need to realise about men like Gold is this. Society, even if they do end up in prison, would never truly be free of them. They're corrupt and they corrupt the people around them. Would I have wanted justice for Liam? Yes, of course. Would Liam want this outcome? You know he would because this is the better one.” David let his words sink in before continuing. “We'll always have the small-time criminals to contend with. But the Golds of the world are better off dead.”
“Well said boss!”
David nodded in acknowledgement. “Right, I think you've worked hard on this case. Thank you for that by the way. You deserve a few days of downtime. I don't expect you in for the rest of the week. Go ask the DA out on a date or something.”
Robin sat gobsmacked at the idea of someone like him even approaching Regina.
David laughed. “Just go.”
~♡~
Misthaven Spa was everything you'd expect: calm, private and the perfect sanctuary to recover. Soft music played throughout, which after the months of tension, heartache, and violence was precisely what Emma and Killian needed to recalibrate.
They booked in for a couples massage, initially opting for the full Champagne package.
“We should talk,” Emma told Killian as they walked through the woodland path towards the lake.
He cocked an eyebrow. “In my experience when a woman says that I'm never in for a pleasant conversation. But, given what we've been through I agree, we do need to talk.”
They found a quiet spot overlooking the lake and sat in silence for a while until one of them found the courage to start.
“I want to start by telling you I love you, Jones.”
“And I you, Nolan,” he replied. It wasn't lost on him that she was keeping things light, impersonal almost by the use of his surname.
“Even though I knew you were playing a role, it still hurt knowing how many of those bar skanks you had to be with to gather intel. I know you've assured me that you never slept with any of them, but it still stung.”
Killian knew when he allowed himself to go all in with the ruse of the bad boy James persona there would be consequences, but to see the devastation in Emma's eyes broke him. “Emma, it would be crass of me just to apologise now saying that I'm sorry I hurt you. I was lost and focused solely on one thing; avenging Liam. I didn't stop to think. When I saw you again not only did you save me physically, but emotionally.”
Taking hold of her boyfriend's hand, Emma laced their fingers together. “I meant what I said back in Storybrooke, I do want to give this relationship a real chance. However, I think you need to see a counselor when we return. You've been through a traumatic experience and need to talk about it with a professional.”
“We will get through this, my love. I have it on good authority that I'm an idiot so that's something to work on,” Killian admitted explaining to her that before he left, Tink slapped some sense into him, literally.
“A woman after my own heart. Just as long as she doesn't go after you again. But in all seriousness, I choose to see the best in you, Killian.” Emma leaned in to place a soft kiss on his lips, pulling back before he could deepen it. “Come on, Jones. We've got a massage to get to, then afterwards I'm all yours.
Walking away with a wink and a sway to her step, Emma laughed loudly at Killian's groan and mutterings.
“Keep that up, love and you'll have our lovely colleagues having to arrest me for indecent exposure.”
The massage was everything that Emma hoped it would be. Having been greeted with a glass of Champagne, the couple were given a chance to enjoy it before the hot stone massage they'd opted to have. During this time they basked in the much needed quiet.
Later that evening, fully relaxed and well on their way to being healed, Killian and Emma were enjoying their evening meal when the waiter came over with a bottle of champagne for them. Attached was a note: ‘Good form prevailed. Your brother would have been proud.’
“It's from the two ladies sitting at the corner table,” Pierre, their server, explained to them.
Both Killian and Emma turned to look, curious as to who'd sent the bottle across. Afterall, the only people who knew their whereabouts were her family and a handful of work colleagues.
“Killian, how did they know…?” Emma began to ask at the same time as Killian started to explain.
“Thank God she took the hint. He loved her, Emma. I couldn't allow Belle to get caught up in things.”
“And Tink?” Emma asked, trying to keep the jealousy out of her tone.
“Emma Nolan, it's you I love,” Killian reminded her. “Tink is a good person who got caught up in a bad thing. I think she'd be good for the case, though, if you'd be willing to work with her.”
Emma nodded. “I'm curious about one thing though. Do they suspect we were undercover?”
As relaxing piano music played in the background, Killian clicked his fingers to summon the waiter across to their table again.
Emma rolled her eyes. “If we're to continue this relationship please don't ever do that again. It's obnoxious behaviour and I don't do that sort of thing.”
Killian was sorry, but Pierre approached nevertheless so he asked him to thank the ladies for their gift and to ask them if they could arrange to join them.
Tink and Belle were thrilled to see them again, especially when it was explained what had been going on.
“I knew you and your brother were different,” Belle said. “It's what drew me to him. I only wish we had more time together and I got to know who Liam was as Liam and not Barrie.”
“The whole Gold family was toxic and they deserve anything they had coming to them,” Emma seethed.
Tink looked at her with great empathy. “I thought I recognised you when you first arrived at the bar but I didn't like to assume. You're Neal’s ex.” Not a question, but a statement of fact. One that made Tink feel even more guilty than she already did.
“That bastard didn't know what a good thing he had, did he?! At least this one seems to have come to his senses. I can only apologise for my part in any hurt you felt when you realised what happened.”
Emma didn't quite know what to say. “Thank you. It was all part of the ruse though wasn't it? Besides, I think I got my own back didn't I?”
“Aye, the less said about that the better. I still rather not think about how much of your body the others could see,” Killian muttered.
Both Tink and Emma rolled their eyes, making him groan. “I'm going to regret getting you to team up, aren't I?”
Emma shrugged. “Maybe?” she said with a wink.
~♡~
Returning to Storybrooke, Killian and Emma promised each other one thing: to slow things down whilst still putting each other first.
“I'm in this for the long haul, Emma my love, I assure you of that. But we had such an intense beginning to our relationship. If you'd allow me to, I'd really like to court you.”
“I'd like that too,” Emma agreed.
After everything they'd both been through they were spending time seeing a counselor. Talking through therapy really helped clarify what it was they both wanted out of life. One thing was very clear. They still wanted each other.
~♡~
With the evidence that Belle and Tink were able to give, the trial ended up being relatively straightforward.
Whilst Gold had been killed during the arrest, his right hand man Rufus folded like a pack of card houses. Singing like a canary in a coalmine, he was able to tell the police where the bodies were buried, drugs were hidden, and weapons were stashed.
Even though he talked, he still got a heavy duty prison sentence for his part in the murder of an officer of the law.
~♡~
Six months later Killian stood at the edge of Liam's grave, holding the ring box he found when he went through his belongings. Inside it was their mother's engagement ring. “I know this would have gone to the person you truly fell in love with, Lee.” He wiped a stray tear away. “One day when the time is right I'll ask her, you know. I love her so much, but I'm not sure she's ready yet. Soon though. Goodbye brother.”
It was a bright sunny day so he'd walked to Storybrooke Cemetery, arranging to meet Emma at Granny's afterwards. As he walked back through the quiet town, he revelled in its beauty: the tree lined streets, the sounds of the water from the nearby harbour, but most of all its people. He stopped and really appreciated this, just as Dr. Hopper had advised him to.
As he did he noticed Emma chatting with Tink. Over the months their bond had grown into a strong friendship. He smiled to himself at the memories they'd already created since her move to the town. Feeling ready to approach the pair, he ventured across the road.
“Shall we?” Killian asked them, holding the door to Granny's open for them.
Tink entered first with a whispered, “Go for it,” as she went.
Before Emma could go any further, Killian guided her to one of the outside tables. “Do you recall we first met just near here? I couldn't take my eyes off you.”
“Hmm,” Emma's eyes sparkled with mirth. “I seem to recall it was my ass you couldn't take your eyes off. But then again I was the same so I was just as bad.”
“Too right,” he laughed. “But then I had the chance to get to know you. We may have had an unconventional start to our relationship, one that brought heartache and tested our love for one another. But we got through it stronger and, I think, more in love.”
Emma nodded. “I do love you, Killian.” She had a good feeling she knew where this speech was headed and, thanks to her chats with Archie, felt at peace with how she would answer. Afterall, she had a little surprise for him too.
Now down on one knee, Killian took Emma's left hand. “Emma Nolan, we make an excellent team. Will you please be my partner in life, love, and friendship? Will you marry me?”
“Oh Killian. I will on one condition. Will you, Killian Jones, be the best father to this magic bean we've created? I'm pregnant.”
“For real?”
“Yes Killian. And yes, I would love to be your wife. I love you.”
“I love you too, so very much. And you,” Killian said to his fiancée’s stomach.
Through their tears of joy their lips connected in a chaste, loving kiss. Savoring the moment of calm before telling their friends and her family their joyous news.
Where once what they did was fuelled by passion and love, now their decisions were filled with pure love.
Characters: Emma Swan, Captain Hook | Killian Jones, Elsa (Once Upon a Time), Prince James (Once Upon a Time), William Smee (Once Upon a Time), Baelfire | Neal Cassidy, Widow Lucas | Granny
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Regency, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Enemies to Lovers, Angst with a Happy Ending, Dark!Killian Jones, Scarred!Killian Jones, Badass!Emma Swan, Captain Hook | Killian Jones/Emma Swan Smut, BAMF Emma Swan, BAMF Killian Jones, Banter, Angst and Romance
Summary:
What do you get when a sharp-tongued spinster strikes a bargain with the most fearsome duke in England?
Lady Emma Swan is not most women. With her beloved sister dangling on the edge of a disastrous engagement to a predatory earl, she does what she does best — she thinks three moves ahead and charges straight toward danger with very little regard for consequences. If that danger happens to be the infamously terrifying Duke of Hookshire… well, she’s faced worse. Probably.
Killian Jones, the Duke of Hookshire is scarred, snarling, and perfectly content to terrify every soul within a ten-mile radius of his estate. He doesn't want company. He doesn't want a wife. And he absolutely, categorically does not want Emma Swan storming through his doors and refusing to be intimidated.
She needs him as a means to an end. He tells himself she is nothing but a nuisance. They are both, spectacularly, wrong.
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As always, a huge thanks to my wonderful beta, @xarandomdreamx, for correcting my mistakes and encouraging me with her thoughtful comments ❤️
