Emma sighed as she pulled out the last of her cash, handing it over to the man behind the counter. He handed her the few coins that made up the change which she threw into the tip jar as a thanks. Emma grabbed the cup and walked out into the plaza, the slight chill of October hitting instantly.
"This coffee better be worth it," she muttered to herself as she brought it to her lips. Oh, it was so worth it after her night. She pushed her way into the library and went straight to the second floor, easily finding Killian in their usual spot.
"Good morning Swan," he greeted her with a smile as Emma took a seat next to him on one of the few couches in the building. "Still hungover?"
"A bit," she mumbled as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "At least I didn't have anything important today. Why did I let you talk me into going out for thirsty Thursday?"
"Because you had a very long week filled with midterms, love. You deserved last night more than anyone. Besides, you only have two classes on Fridays, one you've already attended. You just have to make it through one more then you're free." Emma sighed and took a long drink of the coffee, glancing down at his notebook that was on his lap. "I believe some of the band is coming to the bar tonight. You should join. Leroy said he might pull out the karaoke tonight and I could perform a couple solos I've been working on."
"I don't know if I can. I just spent the rest of what was in my wallet on this beautiful cup of coffee and my card is almost at its limit and I don't get paid until next week. I should really just stay home tonight, enjoy the food and drinks we already have around the apartment."
"Come on, we can do that tomorrow. I am tending the bar tonight, I might be able to sneak you a couple drinks. Besides, you and I both know if you dress right, you can get all the free drinks you could ever desire."
"I know, I'm just not so sure if I'm up for that. I might start looking for a second job or beg for more hours."
"You already work 15 hours a week at that bloody office. And you're taking nearly a full course load studying criminal justice. You do not have the time for more hours or a second job."
"Tell that to my wallet." He pouted at her and Emma rolled her eyes, taking another long drink of coffee. "So I stop going out with you every weekend and only go out when I have a day off? That doesn't seem like the end of the world. And maybe I can get lucky and I find a grading or tutoring job. Those schedules I could set myself at least."
"I find that option much more agreeable." She nodded as she stood, emptying her coffee in one gulp.
"I'm gonna go check the postings boards by the stairs. Watch my stuff?"
"Of course, love," Killian gave Emma an encouraging smile before focusing back on whatever he was writing in his notebook. Emma was so grateful to have a roommate like Killian. She couldn't ask for a better person in her life. She walked up to the board down the hall, gazing over all the options pinned to the cork. Nothing caught her eye until she saw one with $500 written in bold. She snatched it from the board, reading it carefully. A grin crossed her face as she walked back to Killian, flyer in hand.
"Did you find something pleasing?" he asked at the expression on her face.
"Oh yeah, this one is really good," she stated, looking up at him as her lips curled up even more. "$500 in a month good."
"What the hell kind of job is this? Low key prostitution?"
"Not exactly."
"Not exactly?" He grabbed her arm to pull her down on the couch with him, whispering this time. "What the fuck is this Emma?"
"It's just a research study for committed couples," she replied with a shrug.
"Swan, I hate to break it to you but you haven't had a serious relationship in two years."
"Yes, well, Neal was a nice little adventure. But look at this." Emma pushed the flyer into Killian's lap, his eyebrows raised in question as he read through the list of requirements. "We could both use that money. That's almost a month of rent. Think of what we could do with this extra cash around the place."
"You want to go into a study for couples, claiming that we are a couple, just to make some extra money?"
"Yes." He laughed at that but he didn't look away from the flyer. "Look, we've lived together for just over a year. This study is just going to be about communication which you and I have locked down. And it might even help us. You never know."
"Emma Jennifer Swan, you are bloody crazy."
"Oh, middle name and everything." He rolled his eyes, finally turning to look at Emma again. "Look, we have a week before we have to be signed up. Just think about it? Please?"
"I'm telling you right now my answer is going to be no. I know the money could be good for us but I can't fake a relationship with you Swan."
"Oh please, is it that hard to pretend to find me attractive?"
"Emma, you know what I mean." He crumpled up the paper, tossing in her bag. "I just can't do this. I can't pretend to date you. I love you but not enough to do this lass. I can help you find a grading or tutoring position though. We can figure this out without going to such lengths." Emma sighed and leaned into him again, taking in all of his points.
"You're right, I'm insane for even considering trying to pull this off." She pulled a textbook out of her bag, settling into the couch while pushing herself just the slightest bit away from Killian.
"Love, I'll still help you any other way I can with the job hunt. And if you truly become desperate, I can work a few extra nights at the bar to cover the expenses of the apartment."
"Nah, I can't ask you to do that. I'll find someway to get some extra cash. Now come on, help me study. I have a test in juvenile justice next week."
"I highly doubt you want me, the graphic design major, helping you study that."
"Then shut up and keep writing your little song so I can study." He chuckled at that, throwing an arm around her shoulders while clicking his pen in the other.
…...
"Damn," Killian whistled as Emma stepped out of her room in a pair of black leather shorts and a red tank top. "I see you're going with the free drinks from strangers route."
"Well, a girl has to drink somehow," she shrugged. "It doesn't seem so threatening when I know you're the one making the drink and will be the one handing it over and you're also available to throw out any guy that gets too handsy."
"I'm rather glad you take my advice about that Swan. Don't need my dear old roommate getting in any sort of trouble."
"Hey, I am only two weeks older than you." He laughed as he stood from his place on the couch in their common room. He grabbed his keys and held an arm out for her, making me roll my eyes as I slipped my arm in his.
"You got everything you need m'lady?"
"Just my phone and ID." He nodded and they stepped out to walk down to the Rabbit Hole. The streets of New York were just starting to come to life with the sun just setting over the horizon. "I heard some people talking outside my last class about there not being any good tutors. I'm thinking about just putting up my own posters to make some money."
"Now that's not such a bad idea. Then you don't have to pay back some company for dealing with clients. You can charge whatever you want and schedule whenever you want. I seriously don't mind having people over if it means you're making money."
"Thanks Jones, I really appreciate it."
"Of course. Remember our number one rule, never be a shit roommate." Emma smiled at him as he held the door to the bar open for her.
"Oh, such a gentleman."
"You should know better Swan, I'm always a gentleman." He paused for a moment once he stepped inside and Emma gave him a slight look of disbelief. "Unless the lady asks otherwise of course."
"Killian! Emma!" David exclaimed from across the room. He and Robin were already placed at their usual table. Killian gave Emma a wink before taking his place behind the bar. Emma stepped her way over to the table, contemplating where to sit.
"Who's girl is coming tonight?" she asked the two already seated before her.
"Mary Margaret is but Regina can't make it out tonight," Robin stated with a little dip in his voice, clearly upset his girlfriend couldn't make the two hour drive down from Connecticut. Emma took the chair next to him and gave him a pat on the back in sympathy. "You are looking quite foxy tonight though," Robin commented once she was settled.
"Thanks?" she questioned.
"Any reason?"
"A girl's gotta drink somehow and the funds are gonna be a little low for the next week or two. So I figured I might as well dress the part, see what I can get if Killian can't slip me too many free ones."
"Hey, we can cover you if you want," David offered but Emma shook her head, her blonde curls moving to motion she wouldn't accept it.
"No, I can't ask you guys to do that. Then I'd have to pay you back eventually."
"You've covered our asses plenty of times in the past. We can take it."
"I should take it easy after last night anyway but thank you Dave." Almost on cue, Killian was at the table with three bottles.
"This one's on me," he told them, all three picking up the bottles instantly. "I'm expecting a big tip night but I can't make any promises past this first round."
"Thank you Killy," Emma mused and pressed a kiss to his cheek which had him rolling his eyes.
"You know I hate that."
"Why do you think I do it?" He rolled his eyes again as he walked off and Emma took a long drag from the bottle of Corona. Robin shook his head as he placed an arm around me to pull me a bit closer. "What the hell?" I whispered as I looked at him.
"I don't like how that guy is looking at you at the bar," he simply told her, keeping his arm carefully in place around the back of her chair. "I know you wanted the free drinks but maybe not from guys like that." Emma's eyes followed his gaze easily to see a man at least twice her age, his nostrils flared as he looked between her and Robin.
"Yeah, no thank you," she muttered as she turned back. "Thanks Robin."
"Of course. We'll always be looking out for our best girl." It wasn't long before Mary Margaret showed up shortly followed by Jefferson, Graham, Victor, Ruby, and Will. They all gathered drinks, Mary Margaret snuggling into David as close as she could. Emma could only be sickened by how sweet her best friend's relationship was. At least Victor and Ruby knew how to keep the PDA low key.
"Where's Regina tonight Robin?" Ruby asked as Victor carefully wrapped an arm around her.
"She has a project due Monday, couldn't make the trip down for the weekend," he explained. "I might be going out to New Haven to see her tomorrow, give her a break from it all. What about you Scarlett? Where's Belle?"
"Hell if I know," Wall snarled. "It's not like we're dating or anything." Emma cringed a bit, clearly their on-again, off-again relationship was going to be taking an off period.
"Emma, you are looking particularly hot tonight," Jefferson wiggled his eyebrows at her. "You sure you still don't want to go on that date with me?"
"Jeff, she hasn't taken a second look at your sorry ass in three years," Ruby sassed which had the rest of the table laughing under their breath. "I highly doubt she's gonna go out with you now. The only good thing to come out of you hitting on her that first night was that we all gained a new friend. Now leave her alone about it before we lose her. Killian would kill you." Jefferson slumped into his seat a bit more, taking a drink from his own bottle. "Ems, you do look amazing tonight," Ruby gushed from across the table.
"Thanks," she felt myself blush a bit. She'd take Ruby's word over Jefferson's any day of the week. "I'm a little low on funds so I figured I'd try the selling out route. And none of you offer to buy me a drink, I won't take it."
"Well, luckily only another year before law school?" Graham posed and held his bottle out. Emma clicked hers against it before finishing off the beer. She pushed herself up from the table to go up to Killian at the bar, placing the empty in front of him.
"What can this buy me?" she asked him with a cheesy smile. He took the empty bottle and grabbed the shaker, moving far too quick that she didn't have time to protest him using the good liquor let alone making her a full out drink.
"Sex on the beach," he stated as he placed the pink drink down on the bar in front of her.
"Jones, I can't drink this. I know what this costs normally. I can't ask you to take that out of your tips."
"Believe me, I wouldn't have made this for you if it was from me. But luckily, it's not. The guy over there," he pointed to the tall man at the other side of the bar who had shaggy blonde hair, "asked me to make you this once you were done with your drink. And I'm your bloody roommate, I know this isn't your drink but the man insisted. You know the customer's requests come first here. But don't worry, I may have added a bit of rum just for you lass."
"You're the best friend a girl could ask for."
"I try." Emma caught the buyer's eyes and lifted her drink as a thank you. He simply nodded but didn't approach like most guys would at this point. "Look, a genuine gentleman."
"I know, odd. I guess Killian Jones isn't the only charmer in this bar."
"Darling, have you talked to our friend David lately?" Emma rolled her eyes and lifted the glass to her lips carefully to not spill it. "Are you going to get his number?"
"Maybe later. Thanks for the drink Killian."
"Of course. Now go back to the table and stop flirting with the bartender. You know you'll never get free drinks that way Swan. Have I taught you nothing?" She stuck her tongue out at him before returning to her spot next to Robin. It wasn't long before the karaoke machine was pulled out like Killian had promised. A small dance floor had started and grew with each performer. Everyone at Emma's table was trying to convince others to go up but no one had the guts to. With Killian the resident singer, none of them felt the need to perform.
"Hey beautiful," Emma felt whispered against her ear more than heard it. "You want to dance?" She turned to face the stranger who had bought the drink earlier, shrugging and following him to the dance floor. She caught Robin, David, and Killian glancing over every so enough while she danced with the blonde. They were like overly protective older brothers but she didn't mind feeling cared for. She really had found her family in college and she loved it. She moved against the stranger with the beat but Killian's movement toward the small stage caught her attention.
"Oh, hey, that's my roommate," she told the guy, vaguely remember him saying his name was Walsh. "I gotta go up front, give him a hard time with the rest of our friends."
"Of course. Come find me later?"
"I just might." He simply nodded at that and stepped back to the bar while Emma went up to the stage. She wedged herself between Mary Margaret and Ruby while Killian pulled his guitar on carefully.
"How's everyone doing tonight?" he shouted into the mic, only to get a cheering response from the room. "Just to break the karaoke up a bit, I'm gonna play an original. And if you like what you hear, you can check out my band Cursed in Neverland. We play here quite often so come check us out. This one's called Incarcerate." Emma caught herself swaying to the music. It was oddly haunting to hear just him and the electric guitar for that song but damn did he make it work. Like he always did. We all cheered as loud as we could once he finished and placed his guitar carefully back in the holder.
"Come on Emma, we are singing," Ruby exclaimed as she grabbed Emma's wrist to pull her on stage past Killian. He gave them a wink as he returned behind the bar. Ruby insisted they sing Man I Feel Like a Woman and Emma could only groan at the choice. Neither of the girls were great singers, not terrible but singing to a handful of guys in a band didn't help with the calls and laughter from their table. Emma felt a blush rising to her cheeks as the song continued on.
"Hey man!" was suddenly shouted from the crowd followed by another man shoving him. Ruby and Emma both went silent to watch as a fight broke out between two men. Killian was jumping over the bar as a punch connected with one man's jaw, sending him flying across the stage and knocking over multiple pieces of equipment in the process.
"That's enough!" Killian yelled as he grabbed both men, easily escorting them outside as his face flashed with fury. Emma and Ruby moved to pick up the items that had been knocked over, Emma's hand falling on Killian's guitar, the neck clearly snapped in two.
"Oh shit," Ruby breathed behind her. Emma glanced back to see Killian walking back up, a look of pride in his features until his eyes fell on Emma. He knelt down next to her, his hands moving to his guitar but refusing to touch it.
"Swan, please tell me this is a nightmare," he whispered.
"I'm afraid not," she whispered back and he finally took the guitar from her hands. "I'm so sorry Killian. Maybe we can go after the guy, make him pay for it." His shoulders slumped as he looked at his poor guitar. He pulled out his case and placed it in there as if it wasn't broken in the slightest. He clinched his fists as he walked back to the bar, his face almost emotionless though. Emma followed him while the rest of their friends sat back at the table. "Do you want me to go after the guy? Can't you just buy a new neck? Is it that hard to do?" she asked softly and he poured two shots of tequila.
"With what money Emma?" He took one of the shots with haste, showing no sign that it affected him.
"But it is possible, right?" He nodded before taking the next one.
"It's possible but it's gonna cost me." He rubbed a hand over his face before locking eyes with Emma and he visibly let out a sigh. "Fuck, I can't believe I'm about to say this. I'm in."
"What?" she questioned, not quite understanding.
"Swan, I'm in for that bloody study you found. I can pretend to be your boyfriend for a month."