Because I need a slight break from Fairytales and Rule The World right now, I figured I'd share what I have, of something new I've been working on.

This one is based heavily off a night I spent on Jen's Instagram account, so Emma will share a lot of her traits. And I'm aware of how this story begins, and how it sounds. But, I'm hoping you'll trust me enough to see where I take these two this time, and why I made the choices I have done, so far.

If you won't give me a few chapters to make those differences (and my reasons) clear, then don't bother sending Anon hate. It's just being deleted by a friend of mine, so you're only wasting your time.

When he found her that afternoon, sat in his trailer, with her hands clasped together, and her head hanging down, Killian knew exactly what was going on.

"You're leaving."

It wasn't a question. He could tell her answer from her posture. He'd known something had been bothering her all day. But, he'd just chalked it up to the weight of the decision currently resting on her shoulders.

Ever since she'd come him, to that first day, to let him know that, unlike their co-stars, she hadn't signed that contract extension, when it was offered to her, Killian had known this day was coming. Emma had said she'd needed time, to work out her options. And she'd spent most of the rest of her night, pacing the floor of his trailer, talking through the pros and cons of leaving, when her contract was up.

She'd tried talking herself into staying.

She'd ranted about how guilty she'd feel, if her decision resulted in the end of the show. And she spoke about how angry the fans would be with her, for giving up on them.

But each time, Killian had assured her that she needed to make the right decision for her and not for everyone else.

So, it wasn't really a surprise that she'd decided to leave.

"Yeah," she replied softly. "I'm sorry, Killian. I tried. I tried to talk myself into staying but it's just not the right decision for me. Not now, anyway."

"Don't be sorry," he assured her, dropping down next to her on the sofa. Killian pulled her into his side, offering her the tightest hug he possibly could. "You're doing the right thing, Emma. Follow your heart. It won't steer you wrong."

Emma turned around and folded herself into Killian's waiting arms, to cry out the relief she felt at his acceptance. When she'd finally come to her decision, it had been his reaction that she had most feared. Killian was, by far, the best friend she'd made on the show. She didn't want to lose that friendship, just because she'd felt like it was time to move on.

"I'm gonna miss seeing you every day," she chuckled tearfully into his neck.

"Well, if you miss me that much, I'll Facetime ya every morning before work."

Emma laughed into his shoulder, at his words. She knew Killian well enough to know he'd do exactly that, if she asked him to. And a large part of her really wanted to ask him to.

"I'm not so sure your wife would approve of that," she said instead, as she pulled back to dry her tears. "But you'll definitely keep in touch, right?"

"Of course I will, Emma," he replied, looking a little hurt at her insinuation. "I'm gonna miss you too, you know?"

"I um… I haven't told the other yet," she explained softly. "You'll keep this to yourself, won't you?"

"Of course. You can trust me."

And she did.

Killian knew more about Emma than the rest of their cast and crew combined. The two of them often spent late nights together, on set, talking about everything and nothing at all. Emma had even once joked that Killian was her soulmate, in a completely platonic, and friendly, manner.

He just seemed to get her, in a way that very few others ever did.

"Dinner?" Emma offered suddenly, as she stood up and wiped her palms down her jeans. "My treat, Jones."

"Well, how's a guy supposed to refuse that?" he stood up too, and gave her hand a quick squeeze, before starting for his bathroom. "I just need to shower and change, and then give Milah a quick call, to let her know what's going on. Then I'm all yours, Swan."

"You know where to find me, when you're ready. Tell Milah I said hi," Emma chuckled, as she slipped out of his trailer, and closed the door softly behind herself.

When she was gone, Killian stripped himself out of the clothes wardrobe had left for him that morning, before turning his shower up and stepping in. The water was just the wrong side of hot, stinging rather than pleasurable, but he needed that pain right then.

While he'd been expecting Emma's decision, that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

She was the first friend he'd made in the business, and the two of them had clicked instantly. For the best part of a decade, she'd been a huge part of his life, with the two of them seeing each other more days a week than they didn't, even when they weren't filming.

He couldn't imagine another season without her.

But, he'd already signed on that stupid dotted line.

Milah had told him to stick with the show that gave him his big break, as it was a consistent and well paid income. But hearing that he'd be doing it, without Emma by his side, had him regretting that decision for the first time since he'd signed on to the show to begin with.

Killian slammed his fist into the wall above his shower head in frustration, before he turned to let the water rush over his back.

He needed to get a grip on his emotions, before he faced Emma again. She might not have made her decision public, yet, but he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he ended up being the reason she chose to stay.

He absolutely would not be the cause of her unhappiness.

Emma deserved better than that.

Thanks for reading.