Title: Love's Bounty
Author: Steph
Rating: G

Pairing: Hook/Emma
Category: Romance/Humor
Disclaimer: I do this out of a love for this couple. No infringement is intended.

Spoilers: Nope!

Summary: Emma Swan is a bounty hunter tasked with finding the thief, Killian Jones, who has jumped bail and fled to Vegas. Once found, the two embark on a road trip to transport him back to NYC.

Note: I don't usually write AU fics, but this one wouldn't get out of my head. It will probably be about 4 parts. Hope you enjoy it and please let me know what you thought! -Steph

….Love's Bounty: Part 1.…

Emma Swan had been a bounty hunter for the last seven years. It wasn't her dream job, but it paid the bills and she was good at it. Of course, being a bounty hunter in New York City was not without its challenges. In a city with more than 8 million people, it was pretty easy for a fugitive to hide in plain sight.

With a heavy sigh, Emma entered Len Goldman's office. He was her bail bondsman. Len was a nice enough guy and Emma liked him. He was pushing 60 and had a terrible comb over. He weighed over 300 pounds and Emma couldn't think of a time when she hadn't seen him with food in his hands. But what he lacked in looks, he made up for in personality.

Today, he looked up from his desk as she entered, a powdered donut in his hand. Confectioner sugar was sprinkled across his cheap blue suit, tie, and shirt.

He smiled at her. "Emma. Always good to see you."

"You too, Len. What have you got for me?"

He stuffed the rest of the donut in his mouth and swiped at his clothes in an effort to brush off the confectioner sugar, but only managed to make more of a mess.

He began searching through piles of papers on his desk. Emma was certainly not a neat freak, but Len made her seem like one.

"Ah, found it," he said triumphantly, as he pulled a folder out from one tall stack. He opened it up and read. "This one jumped bail yesterday. Male. Early thirties. Name's Killian Jones. Born in Ireland, raised in England. Moved here at 18."

He handed Emma the folder. Her eyes attempted to scan the paper, but she couldn't pull her gaze away from the picture of the man staring back at her. He was easily the most gorgeous man she had ever laid eyes on. He had short, dark hair, sparkling blue eyes, and just the right amount of scruff. And he was smiling. Emma had never seen a mug shot with one of her fugitive's smiling.

Len cleared his throat. "I know, looks more like a GQ model than a thief, right?" He paused, eyeing her. "That's not going to be a problem, is it?"

Emma jerked her head upward, finally removing her eyes from the picture. Her jaw clenched. "Len Goodman, how dare you question my professionalism. In seven years, have I ever given you cause to think that I would be anything but professional?"

Emma made it a point to never get personally involved with her fugitives. Of course, she had never had a fugitive that looked like Killian Jones. She looked down at his picture once more and then closed the folder.

Len shook his head. "No, but from what I hear this guy is quite the charmer."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not some young girl who's going to get weak in the knees because some hot guy flashed me a smile and said I'm pretty. I don't fall for the charms of criminals, no matter how good looking they may be."

Len nodded. "Good."

"Now, give me the Reader's Digest version. You said he's a thief."

Len bobbed his head, as his tongue snaked out to lick at some powdered sugar at the corner of his mouth. "Yup. Responsible for a string of thefts at pawn shops across the city and in Atlantic City. Been at it for years. He uses his good looks to his advantage. He stakes a place out, picks one with a young lady working the counter. Goes in a few times and flirts with her. Then he asks to see some jewelry. He distracts her and takes off with the jewelry. They call him the Don Juan Dasher."

"Clever," Emma said sarcastically. "So how did he finally get caught?"

"Couple of weeks ago, he goes into a place and attempts to flirt with the girl at the counter. Apparently, she was immune to his charms and got suspicious. She had a friend who worked at another shop that he robbed recently and she thought he fit her description. She had another employee distract him while she called the cops."

"And then he jumped bail?"

"Yup. It was set at $50,000. He was supposed to appear in court yesterday and never showed. You find him and you'll get your 10%."

"Any leads on where he might be hiding out?"

Len nodded. "Yes, actually. When he didn't show, I had one of my guys go to his place. He thought he was clever and deleted his web search history, but my guy recovered that quickly. Found out he was researching Vegas."

Emma's eyes widened. "Vegas? No way, Len. You know I only work the east coast."

Len rolled his eyes. "That's because you're afraid to fly."

"I am not afraid to fly. You know I can't bring my gun on board and there's no way I'm checking it and then having to drag my perp all around the airport without any protection."

"Yes, that's what you always say. But the truth is, you're afraid to fly."

"Give it to someone else. It's not worth the 10%."

"You're the best I've got and you know it. You can drive. You'll lose a lot of time, but you've always had a quick turnaround. I'll rent you a car and reimburse you for all your expenses."

Emma closed her eyes and let out a groan. "Vegas is huge, Len. How I am supposed to track him down there?"

He flashed her a smile. "You're smart. I'm sure you'll figure something out."

Emma leveled him with a glare, as she headed toward the door.

…

Emma made the drive to Vegas in 2 ½ days by only stopping for cat naps, food, bathroom breaks, and gas. By the time she arrived in Vegas, she was exhausted and cranky.

Since Len was going to reimburse her, Emma decided to stay at the MGM Grand on the strip. She checked in, took a much-needed shower, and slept for a few hours.

Before leaving, she had researched pawn shops on the strip. She figured Killian Jones wasn't going to change careers now. He had come to Vegas because he knew there was a pawn shop on every block on the strip. She decided to start down one end and show his picture at every shop. Since his MO was to go to a place a few times before robbing it, she figured her best bet was to hope he was already back in business and would be recognized by an employee. She grabbed a quick bite to eat and then set out.

…

Emma was nearing the end of her third day of searching and had yet to get a lead. She only had 5 more shops to visit. She entered Pat's Pawn Shop, her eyes scanning the store. She was the only customer. A girl about 21, who looked like she belonged in a church more than a pawn shop, was working the counter.

Emma walked over to her and held up Killian's picture. "Hi, my name is Emma Swan. I am a bounty hunter and I am looking for this man who is wanted for theft. I was wondering if you had seen him."

The girl looked at the picture closely, but shook her head. "No, sorry. If a guy looking like that came in here, I'd definitely remember him."

Emma sighed and handed her a card with her contact information. "Okay, thanks. If he ends up coming in, can you please contact me as soon as possible?"

She nodded. "Of course."

"I'll leave a copy of his picture with you. I'd appreciate it if you'd show it to all of your employees and ask them to keep an eye out for him."

"Okay, no problem."

"Thanks."

The girl disappeared into the back and Emma was about to leave when a piece of jewelry caught her eye. In the case in front of her was a bracelet with a swan charm. She had always loved jewelry with swans on them. Just then, another slightly older girl with tattoos and a nose ring came out from the back. Emma was about to ask her if she could see the bracelet, when she heard the bell on the door sound.

"Hello, lass. I was hoping you could help me."

Emma froze. The accent was English with just the slightest hint of Irish.

Emma heard the girl giggle for no apparent reason. "I'll do anything I can for you."

"I bet you will."

Emma began to inch her way toward him. She slowly made it so she could observe him with her peripheral vision without making it obvious. She could only see his profile - and what a profile it was - but she'd stake her life that it was none other than Killian Jones.

Just then, he whipped his head in her direction and she quickly jerked hers down, her gaze moving to the case.

Killian Jones stared at Emma, thinking she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Beautiful women were drawn to him and he took full advantage of that fact. It wasn't often that he paid attention to a woman without considering what she could offer him. But something seemed different about this woman.

She could feel his eyes on her for a few long moments, before he turned his attention back to the girl. He leaned forward on the glass, his hand cradling his chin as he looked up at her.

"I'm looking for a gift for my mother. It's her birthday next week. I wish I could afford to get her something from a nice jewelry store, but I don't make much as a substitute teacher."

Emma rolled her eyes.

"Oh, you're a teacher," the girl said. "My mom's a teacher. Second grade."

"I've been looking for a permanent position for a couple of years now, but no luck yet. I'd love to teach kindergarten."

Emma had to resist the urge to burst into a fit of laughter.

"Aw, that's so sweet. I'm sure you'd be great at it."

Killian reached out and covered her hand with his. "I just want to make a difference in the lives of children, just like your mother. I bet she is an amazing teacher."

"Yes, she is. And an amazing mother."

"She must be to have raised such an incredible daughter."

Emma nearly lost her lunch at that one. She couldn't believe how gullible this girl was. From the looks of her, she would have expected her to be a bit more streetwise.

Emma continued to inch her way closer to him. She made it so she was within three feet of him, but kept her eyes focused on the case in front of her.

"So what were you thinking of getting for your mother?"

"Well, she loves hearts, so I was thinking maybe a necklace or a bracelet."

The girl's eyes lit up. "Oh, I think I have the perfect thing in the back. It just came in this morning. Let me go get it."

With that, she disappeared.

Killian quickly turned his attention back to Emma. His eyes swept over her appreciatively and she could feel him moving closer to her. Emma felt her face turn red under his gaze.

"I'd get it if I were you."

Emma turned her head in his direction, seeing his entire face in person for the first time. He was even more gorgeous in person. She swallowed hard.

"What?"

He pointed in the case. "That jade necklace you were staring at. It matches your beautiful eyes."

Emma felt her mouth go dry. "I…I am considering it."

"A woman such as yourself should never deny herself anything."

Emma took a deep breath and mentally reminded herself that he was a thief. He was a con man. Everything he said was a lie designed to manipulate women.

"I guess you would know, wouldn't you?" she said. "You must know women very well since you seem to be very close to your mother."

He flashed her a brilliant smile. "Eavesdropping, I see. My mother raised me to appreciate women."

"She must be very proud of you."

He crooked an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"Well, you're quite successful."

He laughed. "You must work on your eavesdropping skills, love. I said I was a substitute teacher."

Emma discreetly reached into her jacket pocket, gripping her handcuffs.

"Oh no, I was talking about your full-time job."

He tilted his head to the side. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you do. You know, your full-time job ripping off pawn shops. You were quite good at it. That is, until you got caught. Mom must be so disappointed in you now, huh. Isn't that right, Killian?"

His mouth dropped open in shock, but he recovered quickly and made a break for the door. Unfortunately for him, another customer was walking in at the same moment, which gave Emma just enough time to reach him and slap a cuff on his wrist.

"Killian Jones, there's a warrant out for your arrest. You skipped out on your bail. You'll be coming back with me to New York."

Killian sighed heavily as she cuffed his wrists behind his back.

"I didn't get your name, love."

"Emma Swan." She paused and then added. "And see what happens if you call me 'love' again."

Killian offered her a grin. "Feisty, I like that. So you're a cop?"

"Bounty hunter."

Just then, the girl returned with the jewelry. Her mouth dropped open when she saw Killian in handcuffs.

"What's going on?"

"This man is a fugitive," Emma said.

Killian smiled. "Thanks anyway, lass."

"But what about your mom's birthday present?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Listen, sweetie, it was a con. He was flirting with you because he wanted to rob the place."

"You mean it isn't your mom's birthday? Are you even a teacher?"

Killian shrugged his shoulders, as Emma let out a groan. "My mother is dead and I'm definitely not a teacher. But say hi to your mom for me and tell her I admire the work she's doing."

Emma snorted, as she pushed him out the door. "I'm sure that will mean a lot coming from a criminal."

"Bye!" she heard the girl call as the door swung shut.

…

Emma pushed Killian into the back seat of her rental. She made sure the child locks were on and got into the driver's seat.

"Well, Swan, you were quite lucky to happen upon me as you did. I can call you, Swan, right?"

"I'd prefer it if you'd speak to me as little as possible. And luck had nothing to do with it. I spent nearly three days visiting all of the pawn shops on the strip."

"You're a tenacious thing, aren't you?"

"I'm good at my job and I don't give up."

"I do believe that is the definition of tenacious."

"And I do believe I told you I'd prefer it if you'd speak to me as little as possible."

"No need to be rude. It's going to be quite a long, uncomfortable flight back to New York if we have to do it in silence."

"We won't be flying."

"We won't?"

"We're driving. I'm going to the hotel to pack and check out and then we'll be on our way."

Killian's brow furrowed. "Why are we driving across the country?"

"Not that I owe you an explanation, but I would have to check my gun and I am not going to roam around an airport and go on a flight with a criminal unarmed."

Killian shrugged. "Fine. I love a good road trip."

Emma's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "It's not a road trip."

"I have to disagree. It's a trip on a road. Therefore, it is a road trip."

"This isn't National Lampoon's Summer Vacation. You're not Chevy Chase."

"I haven't a clue who that is."

Emma sighed heavily. "Road trips are fun. This will not be fun. There will be no sight seeing. There will be no snacks. There will be no car games."

"But we can sing along to the radio, right?"

Emma looked at him in the rear view mirror. "There will definitely not be any singing."

"What kind of road trip is this?"

"It's not a road trip!" She took a deep breath. "We will make only necessary stops to rest, eat, and use the bathroom. And we will drive in silence."

"Don't take this the wrong way, love, but you're a bit of a kill joy."

"AND DON'T CALL ME LOVE!" she screamed.

Killian grinned at her in the rearview mirror. Emma inhaled and exhaled deeply, as she began driving. It was going to be a long few days.

…...

End of part 1

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you thought! ~Steph