AU after the return from Neverland. For once in Storybrooke, everything is fine, and Emma decides that the Storybrooke Sheriff's Department could use some help. I don't own OUAT, the characters, etc etc. Song title is taken from lyrics from the song "Amazing" by Matt Cardle. My vision for what Deputy Jones would look like is heavily influenced by Nathan Wuornos from "Haven", because reasons. (exhibit A, exhibit B: hip badge)
For someone who was convinced that he would never fit in anywhere but on the open sea, Emma is pleased to discover that Captain Hook is fitting in just fine in Storybrooke. It took quite awhile, granted, but after Henry regaled nearly everyone in town with stories about how the once feared pirate Captain rescued him and his entire family from Pan's clutches, the residents of Storybrooke didn't hesitate to welcome him.
It had not been easy at first, she wagered, for him to accept the praise that was being thrust upon him. It made him happy, though, and she found herself constantly hiding smiles whenever she was around him and someone stopped to thank him. That shy smile (one she had only seen on his face once before) would appear and it was in that moment she knew that Killian Jones, not Captain Hook, was here to stay.
After three months, she officially deputizes him, much to her father's (and Neal's) chagrin. Secretly, she thinks David is happy that she won't be going alone on calls anymore. With the reintroduction of magic to Storybrooke, there is no shortage of petty arguments over things that happened years ago in the Enchanted Forest to sort out, and there's always the chance of someone becoming a megalomaniac and trying to take over the town.
Neal is convinced that Killian is going to try to take advantage of his new position, and to Killian's credit, he never tries to defend himself, he just stands quietly by Emma's side (like always), one eyebrow raised incredulously (like always) until she claims that she's heard enough. Neal storms off and Emma tamps down a sigh as she turns around and hands Killian the deputy badge that used to belong to her. He looks at it reverently and she begins to see just how much this symbol of belonging really means to him.
His first week on the job, he buys himself a new wardrobe. Emma stifles a laugh when he walks in the doors because really, and when he starts to take offense, she finds it incredibly endearing. "No, Killian," she starts to explain, (and she tries to ignore the way his eyes soften at the sound of his name coming off her lips) "We match." She says, gesturing to her own outfit.
They both wear jeans (she's 98% sure his are just as tight as hers are), and boots, and their badges clipped to their belts. He wears a fitted navy blue button-up shirt with a leather jacket over top that looks like it was made just for him. She wears a blouse under her own leather jacket, a tan color that her mother had gotten for her in place of her well-worn red one. (The red one, she still keeps, plans on keeping it forever. A part of her acknowledges that it was part of her "armor", and also acknowledges that maybe she doesn't need it so much anymore)
His eyes widen slightly and he lets out a laugh, a carefree sound that she wishes she heard from him more often. "Never let it be said that I don't have impeccable fashion sense, darling," he quips, and positively swaggers over to his newly-constructed desk that sits just outside Emma's office.
"Swan, I…" he trails off, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "I want you to know that I appreciate you doing this for me."
Her brows furrow, "What do you mean?"
He takes a step closer, and she knows before he even speaks that this is one of those moments David always talks about, that it's important, and her heart speeds up at the thought.
"This job… this responsibility that you've entrusted me with, it means a lot to me." Emma opens her mouth to speak, but he keeps talking, "Protecting the people of this town, protecting you and your family… this is the type of thing that Liam would have wanted for me. An honorable position." He clears his throat against the sudden onslaught of emotions presenting themselves, "So thank you. Thank you for letting me be Killian Jones again."
Emma doesn't quite know what to say, so she doesn't say anything, just absentmindedly squeezes his hand as she walks past him to the small kitchen. She tries not to feel his gaze burning into her as she walks away.
The next two months are a blur of break-ins, disturbance calls (usually largely due to Anton, who can't really help it if he makes a lot of noise), and calls about strangers trying to get past the town line. Killian has taken to wearing a gloved prosthetic that doesn't look nearly as menacing as his hook, and Emma almost feels proud when she watches him handle the citizens of the little town. He does it his own way, of course, as is the case when they get a call from Granny that Jefferson and the dwarves are nearly having a showdown in the street outside the diner.
Emma reminds him that Jefferson is not quite stable, and he just rolls his eyes before strolling out the door, his gun clipped to his belt. She follows him and they're soon matching each other stride for stride as the sounds of a heated argument grow louder.
"Alright lads, let's break it up, shall we?" He says, all smooth charm once they find the large group of men taking up nearly the entire street.
"Oh great, it's Captain Innuendo!" Jefferson calls with mock glee, and Emma rolls her eyes and sees a glint appear in Killian's eyes. He always does enjoy a challenge, after all.
"So happy to see you again, Hatter. Care to explain what all the trouble is?"
Jefferson jabs a finger in Leroy's direction, "This one attacked me in the middle of the diner!"
"Leroy…" Emma says warningly, and he puts his hands up as if to say he's completely innocent.
"I didn't attack anyone! He was being rude to Ruby, so I suggested that unless he wanted my picaxe somewhere uncomfortable…"
"You can't go around threatening people, Leroy." Emma grows quickly exasperated, and Killian's hands go to his hips in a show of displeasure that she is positive he picked up from her father.
"I think everyone should just go home and settle down, savvy?" Killian says, but the firm tone to his voice shows that this is not just a mere suggestion.
Jefferson sends one last withering glare in Leroy's direction before turning and stalking down the street, his coat flying around his ankles as he goes. The dwarves start to converse among themselves and head back inside the diner.
"Bloody dwarves," Killian mutters, "They're going to start a riot one of these days."
"You settled that one pretty quickly," Emma says with a smirk as they walk back to the station, "I'm starting to think that you don't even need me around to show you the ropes anymore."
He nudges her shoulder, "Ah, but where would I be without my lovely blonde partner?" He asks, winking. Emma rolls her eyes, but can't find it in her to hide her smile. She notices that's happening more and more around him lately.
As much as she had convinced him she'd be okay on her own, Killian cursed himself for letting her go on this call alone. It was no different than many of the other times they'd been called to the pawn shop over the course of Killian's time as Deputy, except for that Gold had apparently been pushed to the breaking point. Someone had broken into his shop and taken something that had once belonged to Belle, and for whatever reason, he had snapped.
Of course, Killian, Emma and David didn't know this at the time, or else there would have been no chance that they would have let Emma go on her own to take care of it. Killian and David were sprinting down the street now, fresh off of a phone call from a nearby shop keeper who could hear Emma and Gold arguing and was concerned. Killian tried to ignore the rapid beating of his heart at the thought that Emma might be in danger, and instead concentrated on getting to the scene as fast as he could.
The door to the shop was wide open, and Killian could clearly see broken glass and various trinkets scattered all around. He hoped against hope that this was the result of the break-in, and not evidence of a struggle. Passing near one of the open windows, he glanced in and felt his heart stutter to a stop.
Gold had a gun trained on Emma.
He froze in his tracks, causing David to do the same, and he turned to the Prince with wide eyes. "Mate, he's —"
"I know," David said sharply, "We need to try and talk him down."
Killian couldn't process what was happening, couldn't think of anything except that his long-time enemy had a gun pressed to Emma's head, and all logical thought seemed to flee when he heard a gunshot.
He ripped himself out of David's grasp and burst into the shop, gun drawn. "Make one more bloody move, Crocodile, and I swear to all the Gods I will end you." He growled, waiting for David to come inside so he could move closer to Emma.
Satisfied that David had a handle on the pawnbroker, Killian crouched down next to Emma, who was clenching her teeth in pain, her hands clenched tight around her leg. "I'm fine," she hissed, and he nearly slapped her hands away so he could examine her wound himself.
"You are not fine," he said through grit teeth. "You've been shot." He unwound his black scarf from around his neck and began to wrap it tightly around the bullet wound in Emma's thigh, wincing when a muffled sob worked its way out of her mouth.
"Jesus, that hurts."
"Sorry," he said, "… Gods, Emma, what the bloody hell did you say to him?!"
"I didn't say anything! He's not himself, I don't… I think whoever broke into his shop cursed him or hexed him or something."
His eyes met hers, "Regina?"
The blonde shook her head, "Regina wouldn't have anything to gain by stealing from him."
"Can we talk about this later? We need to get you to the infirmary." His fears were dampened after seeing her and talking to her, but he couldn't stop his hand from shaking as he helped her slowly to her feet.
"Hey." She grasped his good hand tightly, (he tried to ignore the sticky feeling of her blood on him because he was sure it would give him nightmares for weeks to come) "I'm okay." She said firmly, and he nodded, turning to David.
"We need to figure out a way to keep him here. Something's wrong with him."
"I gathered that, thanks," David said, sounding slightly out of breath as he struggled to handcuff Gold to a chair in the shop. "I'll stay here with him and call Regina to see what she can do and if she can help us figure this out. You take Emma to Dr. Whale."
Killian nodded tightly and wrapped an arm around Emma's waist, supporting her weight as they worked their way out of the destroyed shop. On their way out, however, they were nearly run over by Neal, who was sprinting for the store. "Emma? What… I heard a gunshot, and…"
"If you'll kindly step aside, Baelfire, we need to get to the hospital."
Neal's eyes were wide as he took in Emma's limp and the blood on both Emma and Killian's hands. "I can help, let me —"
"Look Neal, I appreciate it, but there's nothing you can do," Emma said, hissing in pain, "I just need to get to the hospital."
"Are you going to be okay?"
"She'll be fine," Killian said firmly, "But if she loses any more blood she'll pass out, and I really don't feel like carrying her all the way there, so if you please," he gestured for Neal to move, and Emma punched his arm. "What the bloody hell was that for?"
"Like carrying me would be so hard!"
"Is now really the time for this, Swan?"
"If I'm such a burden, maybe I should just walk there myself!"
Killian's eyes rolled upwards as he heaved a sigh, "For the love of all the gods…" Without another word, he slid his arms under Emma's legs, careful not to jostle her injury and despite her protests, began to carry her in the direction of the hospital.
Neal seemed frozen on the spot, watching them, and Killian narrowed his eyes slightly, "Did you need something? Or would you mind going inside and helping David with your father?"
"I… sure," Neal mumbled, turning and heading inside the shop.
"He doesn't wear jealousy well," Killian remarked.
"Shut up and walk, pirate." Emma said, and he smirked.
"As milady commands."
When Emma woke up in the hospital, Killian was slouched in the chair next to her bed, eyes trained on her.
"I thought Aurora was the one with the sleeping curse," he commented, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Almost an entire day," Killian said, and Emma could see the worry flash in his eyes for a brief moment. "After I brought you in, they operated straight away." He leaned towards her slightly, "You had me worried there for a moment, Swan."
She scoffed, "It was just my leg."
He almost looked angry, and Emma found herself surprised at the emotion playing across his face. "And what if it would have gotten infected, hm? What if they had to amputate your bloody leg?"
"Killian, really."
"I wish you wouldn't be so careless with your life, Emma."
"You're not serious."
He stood, beginning to pace, "Of course I'm serious! From now on, if there's a call from the pawn shop, I'm going to take it, or David."
"Excuse me —"
"I mean it, Emma, if one of us is not with you, I don't want you going in there alone."
"Where do you think you can get off with telling me —"
Killian snapped, turning to face her, "He had a gun to your head!" His voice echoed off the walls, and his eyes were blazing. "How do you think I felt walking in there and seeing you…" he shut his eyes tightly for a moment. "I have never been more terrified because I thought that monster was going to take away someone else that I…" Their eyes locked, and he held her gaze for a beat before dropping it. "That I care about."
A look of understanding washed over Emma's face, and she held out her hand. "Killian… sit down."
He did as she asked, grasping her hand and lacing their fingers together. With a jolt, he realized that they had been holding hands like this for the last few weeks now, whenever the other needed reassurance or comfort. He was always so aware of her, so how did this simple fact seem to escape him?
"I'm fine, okay? He's not himself. He didn't mean to shoot me."
"He —"
"Wait, let me finish. We had no idea what I was walking into when we got that call, or else I wouldn't have gone alone. You know that. I always drag you into life or death situations, don't I?" She smirked at him, drawing a small smile to his lips.
"It is always an adventure with you, that's for certain." He teased, and she squeezed his hand.
"Are you okay, now?"
His sapphire eyes met her green ones, and she was struck by the intensity in them. "I am now that I know you're alright."
"Killian, you know I… I care about you too," she finished, somewhat lamely. She wished that for once she could actually speak her mind.
He smiled at her then, a dazzling smile that rendered her speechless. He furthered her speechlessness by leaning down and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Pulling back, he whispered, "Please be more careful, Swan. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you."
"I'm sorry. I'll try." Emma knew her honesty wasn't what he wanted to hear, but it was all she could give him.
"Thank you." He knew the combination of fear, concern, and adoration was likely written all over his face, but this time he had no desire to try and hide it. They'd been dancing around each other for too long. He reached out and smoothed her hair away from her forehead.
"Will you stay for awhile?" she sounded oddly vulnerable, and his heart clenched at the sound.
He pulled the chair closer to her bed and grabbed her hand once more. "As you wish, milady."