"Thank you for calling Gold Communications. My name is Emma. How may I help-"

"YOUR FUCKING COMPANY IS CORRUPT AND AWFUL AND I HOPE YOU GO TO HELL BECAUSE YOU WORK FOR THE DEVIL!" click.

Emma doesn't even get the chance to breathe before she hears the chime that signals a new call has come in immediately following the asshole who decided 7:00 am was the perfect time to prank call the cable company.

"Good morning! Thank you for calling Gold Communications. My name is Emma. How may I help you today?"

The caller, a man responded, "What's your name? Are you located in the United States?"

"My name is Emma and yes, I am located in the United States…."

Twenty five minutes later, Emma was still listening to the same guy rant and rave about how she hadn't yet helped him fix his services, that he pays too much for such shitty service and that the automated answering system is a pain in his ass. Unfortunately every time Emma tried to speak the guy cut her off and began a new tirade on some aspect of the company but because he wasn't cursing obscenely or threatening her, she couldn't hang up. Finally the man seemed to have ranted himself to exhaustion after thirty six minutes and Emma spoke quickly and without interruption. She managed to solve his problems in under three minutes. And if the man had just shut the fuck up he wouldn't have wasted forty minutes of both of their days.

Ding.

"Good morning! Thank you for calling Gold Communications. My name is Emma. How may I help you today?"

"Emma, thank you for answering. You speak English?" A man's voice, Emma would probably guess the caller to be late fifties or early sixties.

Was I speaking fucking Elvish? Emma ignored the man's comment and asked the questions needed to bring up his account. Not surprisingly he wanted the same services he had for less than his already low rate. He did not take it well when Emma explained he had the best rate and she could do anything other then extend the duration of his discount for another two years.

"You have no idea how difficult it is for someone who has a fixed income. You don't sound like you're very old. Have you even graduated high school? I mean you're probably some dropout on food stamps. I bet you're an unwed mother with a few men's bastards running around."

Emma was seething. This person didn't even fucking know her but the unwed mom comment struck a serious cord and it took everything she had not to flip the fuck out, throw her headset down and walk the hell out. But she thought of her three year old son, Henry, who was in the onsite daycare and she knew she couldn't just quit. She was already getting help from her oldest and dearest friend Killian who had moved her (and Henry) into his five bedroom house ("I've got plenty of room to spare, Swan. Don't let me rattle around in this big, old house alone. You can stay as long as you need to.") when Neal left her pregnant, alone and homeless.

"Sir, you called today to discuss your account and making unfounded personal comments about me has no bearing on this conversation," Emma relied smoothly and evenly in her well practiced customer service voice.

"So I'm right. Your generation is just so irresponsible it's not even funny," the man laughed dryly.

"All due respect, sir," Emma began (in other words, fuck you asshole), "you are incorrect in your assumptions. I completed high school and college and only took this job to help my husband and I pay a $900 per month student loan bill. My annual income goes almost entirely towards student loans and what little that is left I spend on my son. So I have some idea how difficult things can be when you have a limited income and a lot of bills."

Technically she had distorted the truth a little bit but most of what she said was true. Killian's family had lots of money and he didn't have student loans like she did. He was given a house for his graduation present (his parent's will had stipulated that if he finished university he would be given one of the family's houses and control over his trust fund) and so Killian didn't charge her rent or for any expenses for the house. Hell, he covered almost everything for her. She tried once to protest and he had insisted. Killian's family money bought and paid for the upkeep on house. He had a guaranteed job with his family's law firm before she had even met him. ("Friends take care of each other, Swan. I can and will as long as you'll let me.")

And Emma didn't fight him about it because he was the first person in her life who stayed, who took care of her no matter what. Thanks to Killian, she was so close to paying them off for good, only three more payments until she was debt free. She had lived with Killian for almost four years now. He helped her with Henry and even though she had tried to explain to Henry many times, he often called Killian "Daddy". Not that she could blame her son, because to Henry, Killian was daddy; he read him stories, played with him and was always there. They were an odd little family but she and Killian had never taken that next step. And it wasn't for lack of attraction. God knew they had always been attracted to each other. Why weren't they together?

Because Emma didn't want to ruin their relationship.

Emma brought her brain back from its inappropriately timed tangent and focused. Thankfully she was met with absolute fucking silence for a good thirty seconds. Emma wanted to say so much more than she had already but she'd be walking the line of well phrased retort and rudeness if she pushed it further.

"Now, sir, did you have any other questions about your account that we can address today?"

She wrapped up the call without further difficulties and logged out for her break.

In the break room, she ran into Aurora, the top agent in the call center and her good friend. They both had sons the same age. Aurora was the exact opposite of Emma, sweetness and charm oozed from her naturally. Emma had always been told she was a bit prickly.

"Hey Aurora, how's it going?" Emma asked taking a seat on the couch.

"Same old. People have been nuts this morning," Aurora sighed, sipping her coffee.

They shared a few stories of crazy shit people had said to them, when Emma's phone went off.

My case was resolved faster than expected. Is it okay if I pick Henry up from daycare and have a day at the park? - K.

Emma smiled.

"Is that Killian?"

"Yeah, um.. How'd you know?"

"Really Emma, I've known you a long time. Only two things make you light up like that. Henry and Killian," Aurora smirked.

Emma blushed.

"Seriously Emma, you love him, he loves you. You guys are already great together. I mean I thought you guys were a couple when I first met him."

Aurora got up and went back to her desk and Emma realized her break was almost over so she sent a quick text to Killian.

Yeah. Great minds. I'm leaving at noon. Got to use my vacation or lose it. So why don't you come get us since we took the train this morning. - E.

Emma's calls went much better leading up to her lunch time when she had scheduled to leave. About forty minutes before the end of her day, she got a call from a sweet elderly lady named Sara. Sara called 4 times a month with just general questions, according to the notes on her account. After ten minutes of talking to Sara, Emma learned why. Sara's husband of fifty-six years had passed away six months ago and the woman was lonely. She saw her kids six times a year and instead of visiting her for her 85th birthday, they sent her an iPad that she had no idea how to use.

Emma felt her heart break for the woman. It was the worst thing in the world not to have anyone. Well today, she would be Sara's someone. Emma patiently walked Sara through the setup of the iPad and getting it connected to her wifi. She helped her download the company's streaming app and helped her login. After they had completed that, Emma asked Sara what kinds of television shows and movies she like to watch. Sara, happy to have someone to talk to, explained that she loved romantic shows and historical programs. Emma gave several recommendations but saved her favorite for last.

"Sara, there is a show I know you'll love. It's called Outlander and it's on Starz," Emma explained.

"What's it about?" Sara asked.

As Emma explained the premise of the show, she could tell Sara was intrigued by the love story of Claire and Jamie. Emma helped her access the prior seasons via the app so she could get caught up and prepared for the new season that was about to begin. Eventually she started to wrap up the call.

"Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

"No, thank you. You've been so wonderful. I appreciate your help so much. You're such a sweet girl. You have a great day, honey!"

Emma bid Sara goodbye and logged out for the day. Grabbing her purse and keys, she went down the steps to the daycare and picked up Henry. Henry was so excited to see her and as they walked out of the building, she found Killian leaning against his black BMW in his suit and a pair of sunglasses. Henry begged to be let down and ran to Killian who picked him up and swung him around. Killian greeted her with a quick kiss on the cheek.

"We should stop at home and change. Maybe grab a few things and head to the beach house for the weekend. It's been ages since we've spent time with Liam, Elsa and the kids and I know you could use some time away from this place," he gestured to her the building behind them. "We could also invite Mary Margaret, David, Ruby, Dorothy, Robin, Regina and Will and Belle. Just have an impromptu house party this weekend. Just like old times," Killian winked, laughing as she rolled her eyes.

"Except everyone would have their children with them and I doubt the alcohol consumption would be anywhere near what it was in college. But it sounds lovely. Let's go. You drive and I'll email everyone that we are having a house party this weekend," Emma smiled. Killian had always said she was an open book to him and he always knew exactly what she needed. She had had a horrible day and now was actually looking forward to her weekend with her boys and all of her closest friends. As they made their way home, she watched him from the passenger seat and thought about her earlier musings and what Aurora had said. Killian caught her watching him and smiled from ear to ear. Oh, this weekend was going to be interesting.