A/N: This story was the first multi-chapter I ever wrote, and to this day it's still one of my favorites. I hope you guys and enjoy and happy (early) New Year!
December 31st, 2014 – Boston, MA
"I cannot believe I let you talk me into this." Emma Swan tried to discretely pull down the short hem of her perfectly fitted, gold, silk dress. Easier said than done when the top was as low as it was and she was teetering hazardously close to a fall in four-inch heels.
"Oh please, you look HOT. You'll be beating the men back with a stick." Emma's friend Ruby casually turned looking at herself from all angles in the large mirror hanging on their wall. The beautiful brunette looked effortless in her signature color, blood red to match her perfectly applied lipstick and smoky eyes.
"She's not doing it for them, she's doing it for herself." Mary Margaret replied as she walked into Emma's room and playfully chastised Ruby. She was dressed in a sapphire blue dress that, while also on the shorter side, had an empire waist and didn't hug her quite so tightly. What Emma wouldn't give to switch. Was there still time to? Emma glanced at the clock on her bedside table. 9:03 PM. Nope, they were late as it was.
"You do look beautiful though Emma. Really, this color with your hair and your green eyes…"
Emma looked over to Mary Margaret. Were those tears? Oh hell no, there would be no mama bear crying right now. They'd never get to the party at Luna if Mary Margaret ruined her makeup.
"No crying, please I beg you. Let's just go out and get this over with."
Emma tossed her long curls over her shoulder and moved to her closet searching for a coat that was warm enough to ward off the Boston chill without making her look like a frump. It was a delicate process, one she probably should have given more time. She knew by now that winter here was unforgiving and that if she had any chance of not turning into an actual popsicle after midnight a coat was a must.
"Oh no no no we are not going into the New Year with you wanting to just 'get it over with.' 2015 is going to be your year. You dropped the dead weight and kicked Neal's ass to the curb. You treated yourself to a hot new wardrobe and demanded that promotion you'd been fighting for all in the last month. And why did you do that? Because you know that there is better out there and that you deserve it, Ems." Ruby replied.
"Like love. You deserve love, Emma. And when it happens it will be real and true. When you find him, or he finds you, it'll be like magic."
Emma tried hard not to roll her eyes at Mary Margaret. It always came back to that particular four-letter word with her best friend. Sure Mary Margaret meant well, but her own lucky encounter with love had seriously messed with her sense of reality.
Six months earlier, Mary Margaret had been walking through the Public Gardens on her lunch break when she'd heard a soft crying from above. It had turned out to be a small stray kitten stuck in a tree. Queue a daring a rescue in which their very own pixie-haired Mary Margaret climbed to save the frightened little thing. On the way down though she fell awkwardly on her wrist. A passing stranger helped her up and asked to take a look. He was a doctor. Then they'd looked into each other's eyes and the rest was history.
Doctor David Nolan had become a constant fixture in the friends' lives as he and Mary Margaret were completely and hopelessly in love from that day forward. It was like a movie – worse, a fairytale - and Emma was torn between finding it gross and jealously wishing she had it. To be honest, Emma was surprised when Christmas had come and gone and David hadn't gotten down on one knee. But here they were a week later and no rock on Mary Margaret's finger.
"Or you know, maybe you could just get laid. That wouldn't be so bad would it? I mean it's been since Neal which is what… eight months?" Emma could have sworn she saw Ruby make sort of sign of the cross, like somehow a dry spell was contagious. There was a lot Ruby could bear, but apparently a lack of good sex was not something on that list.
"Fun as it is to try and prescribe a remedy for the sad state of my life, we are late. Like late-late, and if you want to get there before midnight you both need to hustle."
Emma's words brought the other women's attention to the time and they both bolted up to secure the final touches on their outfits. While they did, Emma considered between a modest green pea coat and a jacket she hadn't worn in years. Lined with white wool, it was made of smooth red leather and had always made her feel like a bad ass. With one last glance between the two, she threw the pea coat back in the closet and headed out.
…
"What the bloody hell do you mean August isn't coming?! He's the drummer for fucks sake!" Killian Jones, front man for Legal Piracy, paced the length of the room where his band had been given access before their set began in – oh hell – fifty minutes.
"I mean the man up and got married to some chick from Thailand and is not coming. What are we gonna do?" Will Scarlet (keyboard), Killian's older brother Liam Jones (back up guitar) and Killian's best mate Robin Locksley (bass) stared at Killian for an answer.
"Do we cancel?" Will asked.
"No we don't cancel. This gig could be huge for us. No, no just – give me a moment." Killian paced back and forth before it hit him.
"Graham. Graham Huntsman. You remember, my mate from uni? He lives around here and he played the drums when we were in school. Just give me a second." Killian fished out his phone and found Graham's number. Please, let the bloke answer. And let him have a pathetic New Years lined up that he can drop to come play drums.
On the third ring Graham picked up surprised but delighted to hear from his old school friend. Turned out Graham was already planning on being at Luna tonight. Something about a girl he'd met the week before. When Killian asked him to lend a hand, Graham was all too happy to. Twenty minutes later he was there. Killian introduced him quickly to his brother and friends and thanked the gods that Graham had been a better friend than he, following Legal Piracy's music that Killian published to his facebook page. With a slight warm up, Graham took the reigns of the drum set and actually managed to blend well with the others. Things were looking up.
"Five minute warning." A big burly man who had introduced himself as Tiny called as he stuck his head into the doorway of the practice room.
"Aye mate, we'll be there," Killian replied. And so they were. In five minutes time, the five of them took up residence on the modest Luna stage.
Killian stepped up to the microphone as he strummed his guitar just to make sure the feedback was right. Out of the corner of his eye a flash of gold caught his attention. When he glanced up at the audience, dead center of the crowd stood a woman, nay a goddess, dressed in gold with soft curls framing her flawless face.
He felt like someone had knocked the wind out of him and as the woman looked up from laughing with her friends and into his eyes, something within Killian seemed to click. His breath returned, his heartbeat sped up and the words that had flown out of his mind came tumbling back. He channeled the spike in emotion into his introduction of the band and their first song. All the while, he stared into the angel's eyes and directed at her.
"I'm Killian Jones and we are Legal Piracy." A cheer rang from segments of the crowd, some fans, some just already drunk. "Thank you for coming out tonight and bringing in the New Year with a couple of sorry lads from across the pond. This first song is called 'Volatile Times.'"
The crowd cheered again and Killian signaled to his band. With that they were off.
…
Emma felt glued to her spot, rooted by some unknown force. Who was she kidding? She knew the force. It was the breathtaking blue of the lead singer's eyes. Killian. God that was a hot name and the man was right there with it. Then the music started and the beat coupled with his silky smooth voice heightened everything. She felt herself slipping into the music like some blessed curse no one could escape. The crowd around seemed likewise transfixed.
"Wow that lead singer is looking at you like he wants to rip that dress off you." Ruby practically had to yell in her ear to be heard. Emma quickly glanced at her and then blushed. She, Emma Swan, actually blushed.
"Wait a second, don't we know him, there in the back. Yeah that's that guy who asked you out at the diner last Sunday when we had brunch. What was his name, Garrett?" Mary Margaret looked to David for help with remembering but he simply shrugged back and wrapped his arms more securely around her waist.
"You mean Graham? Where is he? I told him to meet me here and he's late."
Ruby scanned the crowd looking less than impressed with the fact that her date was missing then looked at Mary Margaret's pointing finger to the band. Finally she seemed to see Graham seated at the drums holding his own in the fray of the talented unit.
"Banker Graham is in a band?! Fuck me!" Ruby fanned herself with her hand.
"I'm sure he will if you ask nicely," Emma replied without taking her eyes off of Killian.
"Damnit. Here I was thinking I had him all mapped out and he's a closeted bad boy. We know I have a thing for bad boys. God look at him! The things I will do to that man later."
David held up a hand in a gesture of silent begging that Ruby not meticulously outline her intentions for the guy. Lucky for him, Graham managed a look over the drum set just then to Ruby and his joyous grin pulled Ruby out of the raunchy musing. She smiled back and waved.
Things progressed like this for another hour or so. The music was on point, the bar was packed and Emma remained completely entranced by the gorgeous guy who she had to admit was looking at her an awful lot. Every time he did, heat shot through her and the thoughts that went through her mind jumped to an X rating. She wondered how he'd taste, how he'd fuck. But her body was getting damn tired of wondering and it wanted some answers.
"Thank you all, you've been a fantastic crowd for us tonight. This last song goes out to the vision in gold. What's your name, love?" The crowd was thrown into a tizzy as Killian looked right at Emma. Ruby jumped up and down clapping then cupped her hands and screamed 'Emma.'
"This one's for you Emma." And with that she watched this man, this curious stranger, sing her a song about what-ifs and maybes. About wanting to take the risk, to make the jump, and Emma felt more alive in that moment then she ever had in her life.
"I told you he was looking at you!" Ruby yelled, but Emma ignored her, listening to every word that Killian sang and tucking them away in a special place in her heart.
Each uttered feeling was precious, and she never wanted this moment to end. But end it did, on the final strum of a perfect note and with the heated glance of her serenading suitor. Emma and the rest of the crowd applauded wildly and the band took their leave of the stage to a host of fanfare.
"Come on," Ruby pulled at Emma's hand. "I'm going to see Graham and you are sure as hell meeting Captain Hottie."
Emma allowed herself to be pulled towards the stage. When they got to the side door through which the band had gone, Tiny gruffly asked them just where they thought they were going. Right at that moment Graham came back out of the door and in a flash Ruby pounced. One second she was right next to Emma, the next she was wrapped around Graham in a passionate kiss, one the man surely did not object too. His strong arms wrapped around her in kind and the two of them were officially oblivious to their surroundings. Emma watched half fascinated and half concerned at their total lack of reaction to the rest of the world.
"You again."
The deep, throaty voice behind her sent goose bumps springing across Emma's skin. It was a chill mixed with blistering heat and it set her heart into hyper drive. She turned and stood within feet of the man who'd called to her all night. Her words got caught in her throat and forced her to clear it.
"Me again," she practically squeaked, earning a lopsided grin from Killian. He moved towards her and took her hand in his.
"Care to share a drink with me, Emma?"
The way her name rolled off his tongue made Emma hot. She felt the need to clamp her legs tighter together as she watched the way his mouth formed the word, but she stood her ground and nodded. He led her over towards the bar through a flurry of well-wishers who had only nice things to say about the band. When they arrived he ordered himself rum surprisingly, and when he asked her what she'd like she said the same.
"You really are a pirate, aren't you?" Emma joked.
"Aye, lass. With you I certainly feel that way. You've got me thinking about pillaging for sure." A beat passed and then the two of them laughed at the horribly corny line. He raised his glass and the two clinked them together before shooting back the drinks.
"You truly are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Absently, his fingers moved up to graze a tendril of her hair and began to play with a soft curl. Her heart beat irregularly and she thought about what it'd feel like if he pulled on her hair as he took her from behind. Another blush stole over her cheeks that Killian immediately noticed.
"Tell me I'm not alone in this, love. There's something here, yes?" Emma nodded and was about to respond when the MC's voice came from the stage announcing that there was one minute to midnight.
"No husband? No boyfriend?" Killian asked her somewhat randomly but again she shook her head.
"No, I'm single. Awfully forward of you to ask though."
"I'm a man with a code. A man of honor and that'll make this next part easier."
The surrounding bar was chanting the final ten-second countdown, shouting the numbers down to one while Killian and Emma hung there in the balance. He searched her face for any signs of trepidation and found nothing but excitement and anticipation. As the crowd screamed 'Happy New Year,' Killian lowered his mouth to hers and immediately a spark ignited in both of them.
What started as slow and sweet built to crescendo into a full-blown, earth-shattering kiss. Their tongues dueled for closeness, their bodies came together and as he firmly held her in place, Emma felt her hands grip his collar and tug him nearer to her, craving the touch and feel of him everywhere. Seconds, minutes, maybe years passed before they pulled apart and again his cocky grin returned.
"That was…" he began.
"Yeah," she responded before pulling him back in for more. Too soon, however, they were pulled apart by the ringtone she'd designated only for her foster sister, Elsa, who was expecting a baby. She couldn't ignore it.
"I'm sorry, just give me a second." Emma pulled out her phone quickly.
"Elsa is everything okay?... Now?... Okay I'll be right there." She hung up and looked back to Killian as her heart sunk.
"That was my sister. She's just gone into labor and her husband's overseas. I have – I have –," She looked down feeling completely defeated. He stroked her cheek gingerly and her eyes flashed upwards seeing nothing but understanding in his.
"You have to go. Not to worry love. I'll be here. Quick, before you go, let me just ask. Can I have your number?"
Emma nodded and punched her information in there quickly. She turned to leave and grab Mary Margaret and Ruby, but felt the need to turn back to Killian, pulling him in for one final, scorching (if swift) kiss. When she pulled away and said goodbye hating that she had to leave at all and praying to whatever higher power was out there that she got to see this man again. It had only been one night, but she just couldn't imagine a world without him. Not anymore
…..
Killian watched as Emma left him in the low lighting of the bar and he didn't dare to tear his gaze away. She was perfection made real, a figment of imagination brought to life, music made flesh, and Killian was hooked already. He knew she'd just single-handedly changed the game for him. Whatever he believed about love and attraction before was long gone.
His fingers moved up to his lips when she'd departed the bar trying to seal the memory of Emma… shit! He didn't even know her last name. It was all right. He'd ask her straight away. She'd given him her number, after all, and he knew she'd felt that spark too. There was no way she could have missed that blaze of something too pure and real to be bad.
At that moment a particularly drunken frat boy shoved a friend too harshly, which sent a poor waitress flying. The drinks she'd been carrying all flew right in the direction of Killian, and he watched in slow motion as he, and his phone, were covered in assorted drinks. A beat passed, and then another. He stopped breathing, his heart still in his chest as he watched the screen of his phone flash a deathly shade of white before going black.
Desperately he clicked the buttons on his phone but the screen didn't change, not once. Nothing could fix it, and while the poor waitress tried to make amends and help him get cleaned up he scanned the bar hoping to catch Emma before she left. He saw her flash of golden hair and ran through throngs of people hoping to catch up to her, but it was too late. By the time he made it out the door, he was just in time to watch her cab pull away from the curb, and off into the streets of a bustling, Boston New Years.
Post-Note: Looking back I cannot believe I left this first chapter on a cliff-hanger like this! I was so evil in the early days of writing it seems. Not to worry though. Those of you who know me know fluff will return, and to the newbies, rest assured that in tomorrow's update we will get a reunion of these two love sick cuties. Anyway thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed!