I started writing this fic months ago and finally felt like I was far enough into the story to share. It worked out perfectly that this week is also CS AU Week on Tumblr. Hope you like it.
Chapter One: Emma
It was an unusually warm day for so early in the season. Only mid-April and an expected temperature of seventy-seven degrees. The beach was deserted at this hour, not only because it was barely past seven in the morning, but because there was still nearly six weeks until that iconic holiday weekend that brought droves of tourists to every seaside town like seagulls to discarded Boardwalk fries. Part of her loved it; the way the sleepy little town became alive, every store and restaurant open for business, scents of caramel popcorn and sunblock wafting through the air, intermingled with the squawks of seagulls and shouts of lively children.
But there are parts she hated; the way it was nearly impossible to run errands on the weekend seeing as every hotel and rental property within twenty miles alternate between Saturday and Sunday check outs, jamming the main roads with cars full of people returning home to their usual lives in one direction and cars full of people desperate to start their vacation in the other. Parking was a nightmare, lines were long and everything was crowded but if she was being honest with herself, she wouldn't trade it for the world.
Nearly her entire life had been spent moving from place to place and this was one she didn't intend to leave if she had any say in it. The small cottage she rented, once a pool house on a larger estate was less than a mile from the ocean and on those rare nights where the ocean raged, she could hear the rush of the waves pounding against the sand throughout the cottage.
The ocean is what kept her there. There was something about digging your feet into the fine granules of sand and staring out into that vast expanse of blue that made you feel small and insignificant in the most perfect of ways. That your problems weren't nearly that problematic, your worries not quite as worrisome as you first thought and your fears not quite as fearsome either. That nothing was ever really as bad as it might seem.
That's why she came this morning. To get that reminder from the ocean, that everything is going to be okay. There wasn't something troubling her now, but it had become habit on her days off to slip down to the still night-chilled sand after the first rays of the sun begin to peek over the horizon and find that comfort in the ocean.
Not wanting to leave it's calming properties just yet, Emma Swan sank down into the cool sand, leaning back on her elbows. Closing her eyes, she turned her face up toward the sun, allowing the methodical rhythm of the waves crashing into the shore to relax her.
"Hey! Look out!" A male voice shouted, shattering her bubble of calm. Her eyes flew open just in time to see red frisbee hurtling right for her head, but she was more concerned about the gigantic golden retriever running behind it at full speed who didn't seem to notice her. She'd been nearly asleep, the relaxed state slowing her movements and there was nothing she could do but brace for impact as the dog flopped over her chest.
From her new position, flat on her back, she could see the frisbee had lodged itself into the mound of sand behind her. The mass of fur momentarily ignored her to retrieve the frisbee but quickly returned, slobbery pink tongue coming out to leave a trail of sticky canine saliva across her cheek.
She tried to speak but all that came out was a grunt and she realized the damn dog knocked the wind out her. Her hand waved uselessly trying to get the dog to stop.
"Brinkley!" A voice admonished and the dog immediately stopped his tongue bath to her face and backed up, sitting tall and looking to his master for further instruction.
"I am quite sorry. Are you okay?" The voice continued, now hovering over her.
She blinked a few times, wondering if she was hallucinating before taking in the attractive face peering down at her. Bright blue eyes surrounded by sculpted cheekbones and a chiseled jawline not hidden at all by what appeared to be a week's worth of scruff. Disheveled, although not from the wind as there was barely a breeze today, dark hair topped his head, a few locks falling carelessly onto his forehead.
"Fine." She wheezed, sitting up to gulp air into her lungs. "Just fine, but I seriously can't wait until the no dogs on the beach law kicks into effect."
The man offered her a sheepish smile. "Truly love, I am most apologetic for Brinkley here knocking you over. He's quite ashamed as well."
She stopped herself mid eye roll. Of course her attacker - well, the human of her canine attacker- would not only be attractive but have an accent. A rich Irish accent, like the ones described in the romance books she claimed to never have read. Her eyes trailed over to the dog, who offered her an impressive set of puppy dog eyes and appeared nearly as ashamed as his owner declared.
"Yeah he looks it." She conceded but the sarcasm was apparent in her voice.
The man held out his hand to help her up. She found herself taking it without a second thought, nearly dropping it from the spark that ignited when they touched. He didn't let go once she was upright, instead gripping her hand a little harder before shaking it with a nod of his head. "Killian Jones and as I've said, this gigantic pile of fur is Brinkley."
She snorted at his description of the dog who looked properly offended. "Emma Swan."
Killian beamed. "Nice to meet you Emma. Perhaps I could buy you dinner to make up for this mishap?"
"Not necessary, thanks." She replied, brushing the sand from her backside.
"Lunch?" He amended.
She shook her head. "Coffee then? Please, allow me to do something other than assist you up after my dog has knocked the wind out of you."
"Go to obedience classes maybe." She muttered under her breath.
"I don't think you're the type to need them." He replied easily with a smirk. At the look of outrage on her face, he continued. "Brinkley has taken obedience classes, as you'll note he's nicely sitting over there and I did not command him. What happened this morning was a mistake. He's quite contrite, I assure you. It'd mean as much to him as to me if you'd allow me to at least purchase your morning coffee to make up for it."
"I don't drink coffee." She replied, turning away from him. When she heard him sigh, she found herself turning back. "I do drink hot chocolate though and there's a place on the boardwalk that makes a mean one if you're so inclined to provide my morning sugar rush."
A grin broke out on his face. "Very much inclined. Please, lead the way. I haven't figured my way around much yet."
"Tourist?" She asked, dully, unable to keep the disdain from her voice.
"I'm renting a place until October." He replied.
"Extended tourist."
"Are those quite as bad?" He asked.
"Depends." She smirked.
The walk from the beach to the boardwalk and down the street to the restaurant was a short one.
"So where are you staying?" She asked, curious to know where he has found a rental. Most of the rentals came in week long increments, to cater to the vacationing families. There was a decent amount of rentals for the entire summer, mainly from the snowbirds that found Florida too enticing to leave but still weren't willing to give up their Delaware home.
Emma had lived in hotel rooms and seasonal rentals for her first two years, unable to make a more permanent move. When she finally decided to stay, searched for nearly four months before finding a year-long rental and the only reason she found it was because the children who inherited the main house from their parents wanted to keep someone on the property year round to make them aware of any issues.
"Its a condo off route twenty-six near the bay. The owners said they wanted to do a test run of a full year in Florida before deciding if it was going to stick." He replied.
She nodded. "Its common, all of the retirees are never quite sure if they really want to leave for the land of the old people permanently or not."
He snorted. "Land of the old people?"
"It's an entirely accurate description of the majority of Florida." She argued.
"Perhaps. I have yet to visit." He replied, coming to an abrupt stop behind her when she pulled open the door to the restaurant.
She turned, expecting him to follow her but instead found him looking between the door and Brinkley unsure of where park the canine for the time being. She sighed. "Bring him in." She said. "Betsy loves dogs and it's the off season." She swore the dog smiled at her as he trotted in after his master.
"Emma!" A silver haired woman emerged from the back room of the restaurant. "I didn't expect to see you today."
In attempts to keep her checking account in the black, Emma only splurged on hot chocolate from the Sunny Day Crepes restaurant once a week, opting to make her hot chocolate at home for the rest of the week. Emma pointed to the man next to her. "This guys dog tried to kill me. He offered to buy me hot chocolate to make up for it."
Killian blushed. "Is she always this dramatic?" He asked the older woman. "I'm Killian and Brinkley here is a very well trained dog. He got a little too overzealous this morning in his quest to retrieve the frisbee."
Betsy came around the counter and over to Brinkley who immediately offered her his paw to shake, unprompted. "Oh how adorable! Shake with your other paw?" Betsy asked Brinkley who promptly offered the other paw.
Knowing she was going to lose this war to a dog clearly intent on charming the restaurant owner, Emma sighed. "So, about that hot chocolate..."
"Oh, fine." Betsy pouted, dropping her hand from where she was scratching behind the dog's ears. "Killian, what will you have?"
"Coffee, just a splash of cream, no sugar. Although I must ask, what smells so heavenly?"he asked.
"Crepes. Can I interest you in one? Sweet ones are on that board, savory over there." The silver haired woman replied, pointing to the large hanging menus.
"This was just supposed to be hot chocolate." Emma muttered.
"Emma." Betsy warned. "Don't be so prickly." Turning to Killian she held up her hand, blocking her lips. "She's not known for being the friendliest, especially before she's had any sugar. " Betsy mock-whispered.
"I am not prickly and I'm sitting right here! Stop talking about me!" Emma exclaimed.
The older woman waved her hand. "Emma I know you won't say no to a banana crepe. Killian, you seem like the savory crepe type. Perhaps the bacon, mozzarella, tomato and basil crepe? I was just pruning the basil plant when you came in."
Emma felt his eyes on her, wanting to know if she'd accept more than just her morning drink with him. She glanced over at Betsy who offered her an encouraging nod. "Fine, but I want extra cinnamon sauce."
"Obviously!" The old woman replied with a grin, making and serving their drinks before making her way through the swinging half doors leading to the kitchen.
"Thank you for having breakfast with me as well." He said.
She shrugged. "The crepes are good."
"Would it be wrong to presume you're quite the fan of cinnamon?" He asked, gesturing to the brown sprinkles adorning the whipped cream topping her drink. "I've never thought to put it on hot chocolate."
She shrugged again. "I had it this way once as a kid and loved it. It's not common, but it's just my thing."
"Perhaps I'll have to try it that way sometime." He mused, taking a long sip of his coffee.
Betsy brought out their crepes a few minutes later, even putting a few slices of bacon on a plate for Brinkley. "I wasn't watching and they over-cooked." She explained, but Emma knew it was a lie. The old woman was meticulous about her cooking and there is no way she distracted herself long enough to let some bacon burn. The pieces were clearly made with Brinkley in mind.
Emma sliced off the corner of her crepe, making sure to get a slice of banana and swirled the forkful through the extra cinnamon sauce that has oozed out onto her plate. Her eyes slipped shut as she brought the fork to her mouth, allowing the favors explode over her tongue. She didn't allow herself these indulgences often but when she did, she made sure to truly savor each bite. She heard the chime of the restaurant door opening and footsteps heading past their table toward the counter but paid them no mind. Feeling the stickiness of the cinnamon sauce on her lip, she stuck out her tongue to lick it away.
Her eyes fluttered open at the sound of him clearing his throat. She watched as he fidgeted in his seat, the bob of his Adam's apple as he swallowed hard. "You okay there?" She asked, eyebrows raised.
He cleared his throat again. "Fine, love."
"You're lying." She replied immediately, picking up on the untruth without a second thought.
His cheeks took on a pink hue and his hand found it's way behind his ear, scratching nervously. "Err..."
"He probably wasn't expecting you to make bedroom noises at a crepe." Emma spun around to find her friend and co-worker Rachelle standing behind her.
"I did not..."Emma started.
"You were like a second away from moaning." Rachelle interrupted before turning her eyes to Killian. "I'm Rachelle, but my friends call me Ruby. And you are?"
"Killian Jones." He replied with a smile.
"Ooooh accent! Where are you from?" Rachelle grinned back at him.
"Ireland."
"So Emma, were you not planning on introducing me to your friend?" The brunette teased.
"Ruby, he's not my friend. His dog barreled into me this morning and in my sugar-free state I agreed to let him buy me a hot chocolate. Then Betsy had to make us crepes..." Emma tried to explain.
"Yeah, yeah. So did you leave your phone at home or something? David said he called twice and texted you about coming in tomorrow but didn't hear from you, so he called me and then you didn't respond to me either, so here I am." Rachelle asked.
Emma slid her hands down to her pockets, patting them for the cell phone that was always stored within. She came up empty. "Shit. I must've left it on the charger. What time tomorrow? This is suppose to be my only Saturday and Sunday off together until after the tourists go home for the season, which is months from now."
"I know, I'd cover for you but I'll be at the shop." Rachelle replied. Rachelle was one of the few locals who grew up in the tourist town and chose to hang around, not move further inland where nearly all the jobs were offered year-round. It's too far from the ocean, she explained to Emma on her first day at the shop. Emma understood immediately, requiring no further explanation.
Monday through Friday and alternating Saturdays, the pair worked at a car dealership answering phones to schedule sales and service appointments. They quickly became friends and when Emma confessed to needing another job to make it through the off season, Rachelle talked her boss at the seafood restaurant into hiring Emma. Rachelle was a bartender and Emma switched between bartending and waitressing, as needed at the popular oceanfront spot. "Ten until two, the brunch shift. Mandy can't get a babysitter and David doesn't want to be short handed for the bridal shower in the back room."
"Oh, ugh! I have to waitress the bridal shower?" Emma groaned.
"I know, I'm sorry! But hey, I gotta run I'm supposed to meet a Victor at Bayside for brunch in an hour and you never know how One will be." Rachelle replied, referring to the main highway linking all of the coastal towns.
Emma nodded in understanding. The barbecue restaurant where Rachelle was meeting Victor was more than halfway to the larger beachy resort of Rehoboth but also past the outlets and if Emma had learned anything about tourist-town living, it was that people from all over the state would still flock down on the weekends to take advantage of the outlets and tax free shopping, especially in such nice weather.
In the off season the traffic lights were set for shorter intervals, meaning if there was a back up at one outlet it would create a domino effect, causing nearly stand-still traffic. "Thanks for letting me know. See ya later."
"Nice to meet you!" Rachelle gave a quick wave to Killian before dashing out of the restaurant.
Emma stood up almost immediately after, glancing down at her watch. "Uh, thanks for breakfast but I gotta go." Losing one day of her weekend was not in her plans and now she needed to make up for it.
"Wait! I'd like you see you again. I haven't met many people here yet..." His hand reached up to scratch behind his ear again.
Emma was surprised she found it so endearing. She had barely spoken to the man and despite his canine's lack of couth, she found herself enjoying his company, something that hadn't happened other than with Rachelle in nearly five years. "It's a small town, I'm sure you can find me. Although I'd prefer an encounter not like the first one if you and Brinkley could arrange that."
His eyes lit up at her teasing. Offering her a salute he replied. "Aye aye ma'am. I promise our next encounter will be much different."
Laughing, she offered him a quick wave before closing the restaurant door behind her and quickly making her way down the street to where her bug was parked.
Working at the car dealership was the only thing that kept the hunk of yellow metal still running. Her boss there, Jeff, had a soft spot for older cars and gave her a decent enough employee discount to cover the many necessary repairs to keep the nearly forty year old clunker still running.