A/N: So this is the first FF I've written, and if it's super terrible, feel free to let me know!

Emma Swan looked up at the departure board and sighed. She was running away again. She chuckled darkly to herself before remembering that if there's nothing left to run away from, it's not really running away. She was leaving. Leaving her past behind, her memories and her crushed dreams. She scanned down until she saw a name caught her eye.

Dublin.

As she reached the ticket counter, she set her old green canvas bag with just about all of her worldly possessions down on the ground. She reached into the small black bag slung over her shoulder and pulled out her wallet.

"One ticket to Dublin please."

"One way?"

Emma nodded silently. The woman behind the counter smiled and started typing on the keyboard in front of her. "Did you want the 4:30 flight?"

Emma nodded again and began to pull out her passport, she handed her driver's license along with the passport over to the woman before she could ask for them. She took them from Emma and looked over them carefully before turning to her computer to enter the information on the ticket. Emma smiled as she took them back and placed them back in her bag.

"That'll be 1,562.37."

Emma slowly pulled out the small roll of cash she had tucked into a small pocket of her bag. It was everything she had, and buying this ticket would seal her fate, at least for a while. She shook her head to try and rid the anxiety that was balled up inside her and began to unroll the cash, pulling out 16 hundred-dollar bills, and tucking the remaining 9 back in her bag safely. The woman smiled once more and handed her the change as well as her ticket. "You'll be checking this bag?" She gestured to the green canvas bag that was still propped against the desk.

"Yeah, it's free for international flights, right?"

The woman nodded and pulled it onto the scale before wrapping an identification sticker around the handle. "The terminal you'll be leaving from can be accessed through the security down this hallway and to the right."

Emma gave her a weak smile and muttered a quick thanks before ducking out of the line and heading for security.

The flight was uneventful, Emma slept through most of it, the fatigue of the past few days finally catching up with her. She awoke with a jolt as she heard the pilot addressing the cabin, "Alright folks, I hope you had a wonderful flight, we're beginning our final descent into Dublin now. Please fasten your seat belts and we'll be arriving very shortly."

Emma glanced out the window and her breath hitched. She'd never seen anything so incredibly green and beautiful. She'd grown up alternating from bad foster homes to the streets of New York. She'd never really lived anywhere other than a large urban city. The hills that rolled behind Dublin glowed in the setting sun, the lights of the city was beginning to illuminate the beautiful buildings. The river that ran through the city and stretched toward the ocean was brightened by streetlights set alongside it, and it glowed with a magical luster.

They landed 15 minutes later, and she was collecting her bag from the baggage claim when her decision hit her. She had left. Granted there wasn't much back in New York, but there was familiarity, comfort. She turned toward the exit and began to make her way outside. The sun had set now and night was beginning to fall. She looked around and internally cursed herself. Fuck it all; this was the worst idea I could have come up with. I don't know anybody here. I don't even know where anything is. Her internal berating came to a halt as a small old man leaning against a taxi called over to her. "Need a ride lass?"

She glanced up before walking over to him. "You wouldn't happen to know a place I could get a room for the night?"

He looked her over before responding, "How nice you looking for love?"

She self-consciously pulled at her ratty sweatshirt before grumbling, "As long as it has a bed."

He chuckled before responding, "Are you from America?"

"What gave it away, my accent?" She muttered impatiently, pulling at her sleeve. She wasn't very interested in having a long conversation; she just wanted to find a place for the night.

"Actually lass, it was your charming personality. All you American's are always so cheerful."

Emma glared at him before reaching for the bag she had set at her feet, "Well here's the thing. I've been on a plane for 8 hours, I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I don't know where the fuck anything is. I just want to find a room and crash for a little."

The man laughed at this. He laughed. Emma was beyond irritated now, she grabbed the bag and slung it across her back when she heard him say, "Alright lass, I'm sorry, I was just messin' with you. I'll drive you to someplace you can rent out for the night."

Emma eyed him warily before pulling her canvas bag off her back and putting it in the back seat. The man climbed in the car and turned to her, "So, what are you doing in Dublin? Since you obviously never been here before or know anyone living here."

Emma glared at him again, "How do you know I don't know anyone here?"

"Well, normally, if you're meeting someone in a foreign city they would have the courtesy to come an' get you from the airport. At least that's how we do things in Ireland." He grinned back at her and she scoffed, turning her head to look out the window without responding. She watched the buildings race past her as they drove for a couple more minutes in silence. The buildings began to slow until they were stopped in front of an old brick building that was a couple of stories tall. The corner of the building had dark red wood paneling that reached to the top of the first floor, there were tall windows that lit up the cozy pub that lay beyond them. The gold and black lettering on the windows read "MacTavish". She pulled her bag out of the back before handing 50 euros, not quite sure of the conversion rate. The man at the customs desk had told her when he changed her money out for euros, but she'd forgotten. The wiry old man chuckled before handing her back 20, "Will you be alright lass?"

Emma nodded and gave him a small smile before turning to the door. She pushed it open and was greeted to the sound of drunken voices, laughter and the clatter of dishes. She turned to the counter and the plump old woman behind it, "Excuse me, could I rent a room for the night?"

The woman smiled, "Of course, love, I'll get you the keys". She rummaged around under the counter for a few seconds before straightening up and handing a large skeleton key over to Emma. "It's just up the stairs, the third door on the right, once you're settled in, come on down for some food." Emma thanked her before climbing the stairs and unlocking the large wooden door. She glanced around the modest room before setting her bag on the desk and sitting down on the bed. She laid back and turned her head to the large window on the wall. The ocean moved slowly in the distance, the moon reflecting on the gentle waves. She'd seen the ocean so many times when she lived in New York, but there was something special about this ocean. This ocean seemed peaceful and calm yet wild and untamed all at the same time. Emma shook her head, smiling at her wandering mind. She sat back up and reached for her bag. She reached in and rummaged around until she found a thin black cotton shirt. She took off the ratty sweatshirt and pulled the black cotton over her camisole. She pulled her long blond hair out of the messy ponytail and combed through it with her fingers. Glancing at the mirror and sighing, she turned to the door. There really wasn't anyone to impress, so she left her face undone and climbed back down the stairs. She heard the sound of the pub growing until she stepped back onto the first floor and was greeted with a dull roar of noise. She walked back over to the bar and grabbed an empty stool. The plump old woman strode over to her, "What'll be love?"

Emma looked down at the menu that had been lying on the counter, "I'll have a beer on tap and a burger please." She placed the menu back on the counter and looked up at the old woman who was getting her beer.

"Here you are love, I'll go put in your order." Emma smiled gratefully and watched as the woman walked through a swinging door into the back kitchen; hunger suddenly took over and her stomach growled loudly. She began sipping the beer, surprised at how delicious it was and glanced around the bar. The walls were lined with liquor bottles and old pictures and posters. The woman emerged from the kitchen and walked back over to Emma, "It should be right out love."

Emma smiled again and gestured to her beer, "Thanks, what's this? It's really good."

The woman laughed heartily, "Aye, it's delicious. It's a local brewery company, they only supply the best bars." She winked and grinned down at Emma. Emma chuckled softly and continued to examine the pub.

"So, what're you doing in Dublin? Sight seeing, visiting friends?"

Emma smiled weakly, "Just trying something new. Something different."

The woman smiled at her softly, "I know that look. You're running away from something, I've seen that too many times to ignore it."

Emma glanced down at her glass before answering, "Yeah, I guess I probably am. Not that there is anything left to run away from."

"So what's your plan then love? Are you going to stay in Dublin or keep moving through the country?"

Emma wasn't even sure what she was going to do tomorrow morning, let alone the next couple of weeks. She looked up and admitted, "I'm not really sure, I should probably find someplace to work, there's no way that I'm getting by for longer than a couple weeks with what I have now."

"Tell you what love, you can stay here and work for a couple weeks while you figure it out. My granddaughter isn't coming back until May when her school gets out, and I could use the help."

Emma looked up, surprise apparent on her face. "You don't even know me. How do you know I'll be any good?"

The woman smiled warmly, "You seem lost lass, and the least I can do is give you a place until you find the direction you're heading."

"Alright, but if I'm shit at the job, just remember you said that."

The woman grinned at that, "I promise. What's your name?"

"Emma, Emma Swan."

"Nice to meet you Emma Swan, everyone around here calls me Granny."

A bell rang in the back room and Granny turned away, "I'll bet that's your food. I'll be back in a sec."

Emma looked down into her glass at the last sip of beer before raising it to her lips and finishing it. She smiled slightly at the warmth and kindness that Granny had shown her. Not many people had been that kind to Emma in her life. Seconds later, the woman came through the kitchen door holding a large platter with a thick juicy burger on top. Emma's stomach growled once again in response to the enticing smell that was wafting towards her. Granny set in front of her before reaching for her glass and filling it once more. The burger was beyond amazing, Emma wasn't quite sure if it was from the lack of food she'd consumed over the past 48 hours or if the burger really was that delicious. She gave up contemplating and just sat in enjoyment as she ate. After finishing her second glass of the dark beer that Granny had offered her, she turned to head upstairs bidding Granny goodnight.

The next morning Emma awoke in a strange bed, her groggy mind reaching for an explanation. As she started to sit up, she remembered the previous night and jumped out of bed. After a quick shower, she pulled on a pair of dark skinny jeans and a white camisole. She laced up her boots and turned to the mirror, combing through the tangle of her hair. She pulled on her boots, lacing them up and grabbed her leather jacket before heading downstairs. Granny was walking through the deserted pub, straightening chairs and wiping down the tables. Emma walked over to her, dodging a pile of what she hoped was spilled stew on the wooden floor. Granny looked up and smiled, "Ah, morning lass. You still on for working?"

Emma nodded and swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. She'd never actually held a real job before, instead moving from city to city, stealing cars and robbing convenience stores. Granny smiled reassuringly at her and handed her the rag. "Just wipe down the rest of the tables, I'll get one of the boys to clean up that mess later this morning." She motioned to the small pile Emma had stepped over earlier. "After everything is cleaned up for lunch you can head out and see Dublin if you like, I have enough lunch help, just be back by four so you can help with the dinner shift."

Emma smiled and continued to wipe down the tables, moving methodically across the room until they were all finished. After she finished she grabbed the leather jacket that had been hanging on a chair and exited the pub. Dublin at night had been beautiful and peaceful, but Dublin during the day was alive. It felt so much different from New York, while New York always felt comforting to her; it was still cold and lonely at times. Dublin felt warm and inviting, she moved down the streets looking up at all of the buildings she passed, moving through the city watching the people move through their daily lives. She continued walking until she was at rocky beach looking over the ocean. She glanced down at the large watch on her wrist; it was a quarter to one. She moved down onto the rocks and began climbing over them, moving farther and farther out into the ocean until she was at the dark jagged edge. She stood for what felt like forever, watching the water continually move, enticing her. She was transfixed by the sound of the waves and the color of the ocean. She glanced back down at her watch and saw the time: 2:30. She wasn't sure how easy it would be to navigate back through the streets and decided she should start trying to find her way back to MacTavish. As she turned to make her way back, her boot slipped on the slick rock beneath her. Before she even knew what was happening she was falling backwards, her hands reached up to grab onto something but found only air. The cold water hit her like a brick of ice as she fell into it, her head crashing back onto something hard, giving a sickening crunch as she moved her arms furiously, trying to find air. She fought to get back to the surface and blackness started to cloud her vision.

Something strong wrapped around her wrist and she felt cool air hit her face moments later. Sucking in oxygen, she looked around still thrashing wildly as a pair of sharp blue eyes meet hers. "Oi! Calm down love or we'll both be back in the water!"

The sound of an accented voice brought her back to reality. She stopped moving and looked up at the stranger who had pulled her out of the water. He was undeniably handsome. His hair was black and fell across his forehead, his eyes were a piercing blue, so incredibly similar to the ocean she had just been pulled from, and there was a small scar reached across his cheek. He was also very wet. She shook her head, trying to focus on what had happened and realized that he had jumped in and pulled her out. "You alright love?"

"Um, yeah I think so. Thanks, I guess." She mumbled the last part, unwilling to meet his eyes. He began walking along the rocky edge pushing her in front of him, a protective hand on her shoulder. They reached the road that had led to the small beach. "We should really get your head checked out, there's some blood turning your pretty blonde hair all red."

She reached up and felt a large gash on the back of her head at the base of her skull; she pulled her hand in front of her face and saw blood covering her fingertips. "Yeah, I'll get it fixed later, I really need to get going."

He stopped, pulling her shoulder so she spun around to face him, "You're not going anywhere love, there's blood pouring out of your head and your hands and arms are covered in scrapes. You need to see a doctor."

She glared up at him, "I don't need to do anything. Thanks for saving me or whatever but I'm fine." She turned around again and stomped away, irritated. She moved back up the streets, trying to remember the way back to the pub, and miraculously found it in a short amount of time. She glanced down at her watch only to realize that it had broken in the water. Sighing, she entered the pub, which had only a few customers left over from lunch. The clock on the back wall read 3:15 and she turned to go upstairs and change.

"What in the bloody hell happened to you?"

Emma grimaced as she heard Granny's voice calling over to her. "Nothing, I just, fell," she ended lamely. Granny looked her up and down and gave her a look that told Emma she wasn't having any of it.

She felt her cheeks begin to glow in embarrassment, "I was standing on a rock and I kind of slipped and fell into the ocean."

"You look a little bit more than just wet love."

"Well I also kind of hit my head and scraped my arms a little," she finished sheepishly.

"Oh for the love of God, I just hire you and you almost kill yourself. I'd be very irritated if I had to go find a new waitress lass." She sighed, "Alright, go clean up then and get down here whenever you're done." She gave Emma a small smile before turning to bark orders at one of the boys clearing the tables.

Emma walked upstairs quickly before stripping and stepping into the shower. The warm water stung as it hit her arms and head, but she scrubbed the cuts gently and washed her hair even more cautiously. She stepped out and pulled on a pair of blue skinny jeans and a long black shirt, covering the large angry gashes on her arm. She patted the back of her head; it had stopped bleeding, but was beginning to ache horribly. She walked downstairs at 5 til 4:00 and looked around for Granny. She was stacking menus at the bar while talking animatedly to one of the bus boys. She looked up as Emma walked over and looked her up and down, "Are you okay then lass?"

Emma nodded, her cheeks beginning to flame at the embarrassment of the situation.

"Alright then, you ready for tonight? It shouldn't be too bad since it's Sunday, but you never know."

Emma nodded and began tugging at her sleeve again.

Granny looked over at her, "Alright love, it won't be too bad tonight, I'll only give you a few tables and if you need anything I'll be right here."

Emma smiled weakly and nodded.

As the dinner crowd began to trickle in, Emma took orders, carried food, refilled drinks and talked with customers. Granny had been right, the night was slow, and there were enough breaks to allow Emma to collect herself before diving back in. Around 11 the crowds began to disperse, only a few lonely patrons were left. Emma cleared the last table of dishes and then sank onto a stool, resting her throbbing head on the counter. Granny set down a large beer next to her and Emma lifted her head slightly, "Oh, do you have some painkillers to go with this? My head is a mess right now."

Granny smiled before returning with aspirin. She placed three in Emma's hand and she swallowed them with a large gulp of cold beer. She looked over at Granny who smiled, "you did really good tonight love. And look at all the tips you made, the customers really like you." Emma returned the smile and stepped off the barstool, pouring the remaining beer down her throat before turning to the staircase. "I'll see you tomorrow Granny, I really need some sleep."

As soon as she stepped in her room, she kicked off her boots and crawled into her bed, not even taking the time to change out of her clothes. Her eyes fluttered closed and she was out in a matter of seconds.

The next couple of weeks were uneventful, Emma continued to work nights and explore the city by day, although she made a point to avoid the area around the beach she had fallen in, not wanting to run into that man with dark hair and impossible eyes.

One day at the beginning of May, Emma walked down stairs to see Granny hugging a tall thin girl with long brunette hair streaked with red. She let go of her and held her at arm's length, "Jesus Ruby, you look like a bloody skeleton. You need to get some meat on your bones."

"Granny, I eat like a fucking horse." Granny's eyes narrowed and she muttered something along the lines of 'watch your language'. Emma moved to the bar to grab something to eat before she headed out when the girl with red streaks turned to her, "Oh. My. God! You must be Emma! Granny told me so much about you. You don't know how happy I am that she finally hired someone my age. I mean, it would have been nice if it had been a hot man, but still, it's nice not to be surrounded by 15 year old bus boys and middle aged men." She spoke with an American accent and the words came out so quickly that Emma was taken aback at first.

"Yeah, I'm Emma, you're…"

"Ruby! Granny has me come visit every summer and help out around the pub. It's nice to come and visit Dublin every once in a while, but I'm so glad that there is finally some one my own age to talk to around here!"

Emma smiled at the girl. Her makeup was extravagant, her eyes were flawlessly lined and her lips were big red and pouty. She didn't normally make many friends, but was oddly glad that Ruby was here. "Oh, you're Granny's granddaughter then? You're going to school in the US right?"

Ruby nodded happily, "Yep! That's where I'm from actually, my parents moved there just before I was born and I only visit during the summers."

Emma nodded as she listened, "Are you planning on staying there after you graduate?"

Ruby sighed, "I'm not really sure, I mean I love Dublin. More than Boston most days, but I'll have to see. What are you up to today? Gran says that you mostly go out and see the city during the days."

Emma smiled, "Yeah, I've never been to Dublin before, so I'm still seeing what's out there."

Ruby grinned widely, "Well, as luck would have it, I basically lived here as a child, so I can show you all the best places!"

"Lead the way then," Emma smiled. Ruby grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the pub. It had been years since she had had a friend to just hang out with and she was weirdly excited for the day.

Emma and Ruby became inseparable over the next month. They explored the city during the day, and on their nights off Ruby dragged Emma to dance clubs or Emma dragged Ruby to different pubs and breweries across Dublin. They were at an underground rock club, something that was slightly out of style for Ruby one night in the middle of June. The music as surprisingly good and Emma and Ruby were having a blast, dancing in the middle of the floor to the roar of the music. Emma looked up to see Ruby smiling when something caught her eye in the background. A pair of piercing blue eyes were watching her dance with a look of amusement. She grabbed Ruby's hand and pulled her to the other side of the club, towards the small staircase that led up to the street.

Ruby looked at her in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Emma was unsure why she didn't want to see him, embarrassment probably, mostly for her clumsiness, but also for how sharp she'd been with him. "Nothing, I just don't feel that great, I think I'm gonna head home."

"Emmmmmma," Ruby dragged out her name in a whine, "please, we're having so much fun! Besides, I know one of the guys from the one of the bands that's playing and I really want to see them!"

"I'll be fine, you stay, I just think I need to get some sleep." She gave her friend a soft smile before turning to the door.

"Fine, but you're going to miss a great show!" Ruby looked over her shoulder at her one last time before making her way to the dance floor once more.

Emma walked back to MacTavish slowly, enjoying the cool air and soft noises of the city, a welcome change after the loud club. She reached the bar and climbed the stairs, kicking off the heels that Ruby had forced on her feet earlier that night and pulling the zipper down off her dress. She threw her air into a messy ponytail, loose curls falling out to frame her face, she pulled on a pair of sweats and a sports bra before laying on her bed, flipping through the television channels. She wasn't actually tired and continued to flip through the channels half-heartedly before settling on an old western movie. She hadn't realized how late it was until she heard Ruby slamming the pub door shut, probably waking half the people renting rooms. She climbed out of bed and walked barefoot down the stairs, she had reached the landing and could hear Ruby's giggling and male laughter. Emma smiled and was about to turn around to head back upstairs when Ruby spotted her and yelled, "Emma! Come here and have a drink with us!"

Emma chuckled before turning once more to step into the pub, and stopped dead. The man with those incredible blue eyes was standing there. She looked him up and down; he was wearing all black, a considerable amount of leather and was that eyeliner? He was looking her up and down with that same amused expression he had on earlier and she realized that she was only wearing her sports bra. Her mouth opened and closed silently, no sound escaping. Ruby hadn't noticed her reaction, she was busy pouring a couple of beers for the three of them, and Emma snapped out of it when she heard a door upstairs slam shut. She reached for the ratty sweatshirt that was hanging behind the bar and slipped it on, zipping it up.

"No need to cover up on my account love." He paused before continuing, "I'm glad to see you're not brain damaged or worse: dead, it would be such a loss to lose such a pretty face."

"Wait. What?" Ruby looked between the two of them in confusion. Emma was about to say something when she heard the stairs creaking. They all turned to see Granny emerging from the staircase, a shotgun in hand. Granny looked between the three of them before setting the shotgun against the wall and walking over to the tall man leaning against the bar, "Killian Jones. I haven't seen you in ages! What brings you around here?"

She pulled him into a tight hug that he returned, smiling warmly, "Ruby came to see me at the club tonight, and invited me back for some drinks, care to join us?"

"It's late, and I should really get some sleep, but since I haven't seen you in forever I guess I can spare a few minutes. Have you meet Emma? She's my new waitress and Ruby's new partner in crime."

Emma shifted slightly on her feet, carefully looking down and inspecting the wood of the floorboards.

She looked up when she heard his deep voice reply, "I have had the pleasure of making Emma's lovely acquaintance. It was a while ago though."

Ruby's confusion grew, "Wait, you too know each other. How?"

Emma began to feel a blush crawling up her neck towards her face. "He might have helped me when I fell in the water a couple months ago," she grumbled finally.

Ruby burst out laughing, "You fell in the ocean?!" Emma threw her a glare before looking up when Granny spoke.

"You didn't tell me someone helped you out."

Emma looked back down at her feet, "Yeah, well, it wasn't exactly my finest moment."

She heard a bark of laughter, "She wouldn't even let me take her to a bloody doctor. She just stormed off after I so heroically jumped in to save her."

Ruby gasped, "Wait. This handsome piece of ass jumped in the water to save you and you just left him! Emma, I'm so ashamed to call you my friend!"

Killian laughed at her comment, before turning back to Emma, "I told you that you should have gotten your head checked, maybe she really did suffer from brain damage."

Emma glared over at him, "Yeah buddy, that's it, I walked away from you so I must have some sort of deficiency."

He chuckled, "Easy love, I was only joking."

Emma reached for the beer that Ruby was holding out towards her and wrapped her hands around the glass before taking a long sip and smiling. "Jesus, Granny, what is this?"

Granny chuckled, "You like it? I though you would. It's a new dark lager I'm trying out."

Emma closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor the taste, "Oh God, this is amazing."

Killian raised his eyebrows at her when she opened her eyes again and gave her a huge smirk, "Having a moment love?"

She shot him a glare and opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by Granny, "There was something I've been meaning to ask you Emma. I've been trying to find some new ales and stouts for the pub. Would you be willing to drive out to Wexford this weekend to one of the supplying breweries? I normally visit them, but I've got an appointment on Saturday afternoon that I can't miss."

Emma grinned widely, "Of course! I would love to! Oh, um… I don't have a car though."

"You can take mine, my appointment isn't too far from here, I'll walk."

Ruby interjected, "Granny, she can't take your car, it's a piece of shit."

Granny looked over at her granddaughter with a stern expression on her face, "Watch your language, and it's fine, it's worked for me for the past 12 years."

Ruby rolled her eyes at her grandmother's back after she turned back to face Emma, "Alright, it's settled, now you all need to get to bed because you have the lunch shift tomorrow and I expect you to be awake for it."

Ruby gave an exaggerated sigh at her grandmother's words, "Fine, fine. I'll get to bed in a bit."

Granny grabbed Killian in a tight hug once more, "Now, don't be a bloody stranger," she mock scolded him.

"Alright, alright, I promise to visit more often."

Granny smiled at the three as she grabbed her shotgun and climbed back up the stairs.

"Well, that's my queue then. Ruby nice to see you as always." He turned his eyes to Emma, "Lovely to finally meet you officially, love."

"Yeah, whatever." She turned to start climbing the stairs as Ruby let Killian out and locked the door behind him. She was almost to her room when Ruby came sprinting up the stairs and caught up to her. "What the hell was that?"

"What do you mean?"

"The obvious eye-fucking that you two were doing. Was that really the whole story you told earlier about falling in the ocean? Nothing happened between you two?"

"What?! Come on Ruby, what do you think happened, he pulled me out and we made out because he's just so charming?" The sarcasm was dripping from her voice.

"I don't know, but it looked like he did more than just help you out."

"Sorry to disappoint, but I told you the entire story, now I am actually really tired now and I would love to sleep a little bit tonight."

"Alright, but this conversation is not over."