Taking place after Emma steps out of Killian's hug at the docks in 04x16:
One Step Back, One Step Forward: Chapter 1
"I should go check on August."
Killian steps back and takes her hand proceeding to walk back towards town. "Alright, let see what light he can shed on the matter."
Emma smiles at him and can't help but continue to gaze a bit more at him.
"What is it love?"
"You're wonderful."
"Love…"
"No, seriously. My parents put you in an awkward position to come to me despite the little protest either of us might have to spend with one another."
"I will always do what I feel is best for you Emma. It wasn't out of duty to your parents, but my understanding that you would want to know about the welfare of your friend."
Emma can't help but pause and lean up and kiss him briefly. "Killian? Can you do me a favor?"
"What do you need Swan?"
"I need time… but not away from you. I just need time to process things with my parents. I still love them. They are my parents but I need to sort things out without Mary Margret being insistent on fixing things immediately."
"Aye, the Charmings can be a bit impulsive in their attempts to right wrongs."
"So we are in agreement?"
"Aye, but what is the favor that you need?"
"I need to head over to see August. One because he is my friend, but also I don't need my parents making any more rash emotional decisions with the knowledge that August has. However, I don't want to spend any more time with them than I have to tonight. The pain… it's too fresh."
Killian pulls Emma into his arms and whispers into her ear with a slight smile; "What do you need?"
"I need you to go back to the loft and pack an overnight bag for me. If it is alright with you, I'd like to stay with you on the Jolly Roger for a bit until I can sort things out with my parents. I don't want to lash out at them right now and get some lecture about how my anger isn't like me – because it is a part of me, it is just a matter of how I handle it. I fear if I spend too much time with them right now it might only make things worse."
Killian is a little taken back, but can't help but share a tender smile with her. "You're always welcome to be with me love."
Emma reaches up with her hand to caress his cheek; "and you with me."
Killian smiles again knowing there is more behind those words; for another time though.
"What would you like me to pack for you?"
"Just some of the basics for a couple of days."
"Emma, I don't mean to pry, but I need specifics."
"Oh God… the added awkward part of this evening." Emma smiles, "I need several changes of clothes – all layers…" This gets a lustful smile from her pirate. "Behave… Basic items from my bathroom – toothbrush, hairbrush, and maybe a few hair ties…"
"So I get to decide what you will be wearing for a short passage of time? This could be torture for me love, but trust me. I think I have noticed what you like and don't like. I believe that I am up for the task."
"I do trust you Killian. I normally would call my mom or Red to help me out, but for right now I just kind of what to keep the issue with my parents as quiet as possible, and let our family handle it without it becoming town gossip."
It's not lost on Killian that she said "our family". "Aye, I have to admit though I had rather wished that I would have been seeing the inside of your bedroom for the first time under different circumstances."
"We can grieve that later tonight, when I am curled up with you in your bed."
"Emma, do you mean..? Cause I can stay in the crew…"
"Absolutely not!" Emma huffs and see the confused and hurt look on Killian's face. She leans up to cup his face with both hands. "I mean that I just wish I could walk onto that ship of yours and fall asleep in the comfort of your arms right now without having to tend to all this author business." Looking up at Killian under hooded lashes... "It was nice to wake up like that this afternoon and discover that was what I had been doing, despite having been under a sleeping curse."
Killian understands completely and has to admit to himself that he had wished that he and Emma had had the luxury of having taken an afternoon nap on a lazy day as they stretched their arms when waking earlier versus being in full alert mode for impending danger. Sighing, and getting a grip on his thoughts Killian simply asks Emma to "Send me a message on that talking device when you are heading back from the fairies. I'll have the Captain's cabin warm for us upon your return."
"Thank you for doing this for me."
"Of course."
"As hurt as I am right now, I have to admit, only to you, that I think I am going to be able to get over this. And you know why?"
"Why love?"
"Because of you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you give me hope."
Killian pulls Emma toward him and places a warm kiss on her forehead. "As you do me". He then pulls Emma into a tight hug that just feels like an assurance of promise. "Alright love, let's get these errands done so that we can carve out a quiet moment for ourselves this evening."
With that they walk together in silence to the edge of the dockyard and part their separate ways as they both hold gentle smiles on their faces.
Next Chapter: Killian packing Emma's bag for her.