Okay so I've started another fic! This one probably wont be updated as constantly as Reborn but I'll try to get things out there as fast as I can!
I love this AU so I couldn't help myself from writing my own version of it! I hope you guys like it!
Chapter One
Emma Swan had never imagined that her life would end up like this. She never thought she would end up right where she started, the small town of Storybrooke, Maine.
"Have you talked to him yet?" Emma's best friend asks while lifting Emma's embarrassingly light bag into the back of her truck. She hadn't traveled with much considering that she'd started sending her things to her new apartment about a month ago, not that there was much of that either.
Ruby had kindly agreed to pick Emma up at the airport when her foster brother David had called and said there was an emergency at the sheriff's station. David's wife Mary Margaret would have offered if she wasn't currently in the middle of teaching her fourth grade class, so she can't exactly leave in the middle of the day. Emma told David it was no big deal and that Ruby would be able to do it and thankfully her friend was able to follow through.
"Talk to who?" Of course Emma knows who Ruby is talking about but she refuses to acknowledge the man she definitely hadn't been thinking about the whole flight back to Storybrooke. She wasn't thinking about how she was looking forward to seeing him again for the first time in seven years. It's not like she's spent countless nights imagining what it would be like to show her brothers best friend how much she'd changed. How she went from the nerdy, annoying little sister to the grown woman that she's become. She didn't think about how satisfying it would be too see her brothers best friend, (who she'd had a crush on since pre-school) see how much she's matured. Mentally and physically.
What used to be short and overly curly blond hair had thinned out into soft waves that elegantly drape around her shoulders. Emma had said goodbye to her braces a long time ago and she'd swapped out her glasses for contacts. Emma Swan had grown from the little girl who wrote the name Killian Jones over and over again in her Journal, to a mature woman who doesn't take anyones shit. At least that's what she thought had happened to her when she moved to New York, but apparently she's still capable of making giant mistakes.
It's been seven years since Emma's lived permanently in her home town. She'd moved away when she was only twenty years old to get a fresh start, whatever that means. Emma's still not even sure that was the actual reason, or if there was a real reason at all.
Emma had kept in touch with David of course. He and Mary Margaret visited almost every other month. Over the past few years those visits turned into once every six months when they had their first child, and when they found out the second was on the way they mostly just used skype and phone calls. Not that Emma's complaining of course. She knew moving away meant not seeing her brother as often as she'd like too.
Ruby of course wouldn't let Emma forget about her. She called almost every other night and was very big on surprise visits. Emma wouldn't have it any other way of course. Ruby is definitely one of a kind.
"Don't play dumb with me!" Ruby scolds while Emma hops into the passenger side meeting Ruby's glare behind the wheel. Emma sticks out her tongue and gets comfortable. It's going to be a long drive if Ruby keeps it up with the questions.
The familiar smell of her friends truck fills Emma's senses. Her eyes land on the Royal Pine air freshener that's shaped as a tree hanging from the rearview mirror. It's been there for as long as Emma can remember and she's not even sure it does anything any more. None the less the comforting smell of forest that lingers in the truck's interior settles the nerves boiling in Emma's stomach. She's not sure why she's nervous but she can't shake the feeling deep in her chest.
"You know who I'm talking about." Ruby raises a suggestive eyebrow as she turns her keys bringing the vehicle to life. Emma watches the beads that hang alongside the air freshener swing from side to side as Ruby starts out of the airports parking lot with more speed than necessary.
Emma contemplates her answer and decides that playing dumb is they best way to go if she wants to avoid a conversation about the men in her life, or at least one particular man in her life, the one she left behind in New York. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Ruby turns onto the main road and starts toward town. It's only about an hour drive but if Ruby keeps this up it's going to feel like an two, or maybe three.
"Oh come on Emma! Are we not going to talk about how the man you spent the majority of your childhood swooning over is going to be in the same room as you tonight?!" Ruby exclaims obviously very excited about the fact.
"I don't swoon." Emma glares.
Mary Margaret had been so kind to plan a welcome home party in honor of Emma's return. It's a very kind gesture but Emma would much rather spend the time unpacking than meeting everyone from her long forgotten past. Thankfully her new apartment is just below her brothers so she'll be able to slip away unnoticed after she's made her rounds.
"Look, it's been so long he probably won't even recognize me." Emma shrugs trying to seem unfazed at the idea of seeing him again. When really the idea sends her stomach spinning in different directions. It was only a crush that he'd brushed off multiple times, and by the time Emma was leaving Storybrooke he barely paid attention to the fact that she existed. But the past is the past and Emma is a grown woman. Things are much more complicated than high school crushes.
"Of course he won't recognize you!" Ruby exclaims like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Do you see how hot you got!" At that Emma rolls her eyes and turns up the radio, giving Ruby the signal to stop talking. Thankfully her friend takes the hint.
When they get into town a feeling of deja vu passes through Emma's body. She'd only come back to visit once in the seven years that she was gone. She truly tried to come more often but work always seemed to get in the way. She'll always regret not coming home for David and Mary Margaret's wedding. They said they understood and weren't mad at all but Emma could hear the disappointment in their voices when she'd called and told them the news. The only time she did come home was two days after their first child was born, she had only stayed a few hours but Emma thought she owed them that much considering how much she already missed. They knew how much strength it took for Emma to be there and they understood when she told them she wasn't staying.
"I'll stop by before the party and help you get ready." Ruby stops the truck in front of Emma's apartment building and helps her bring her suitcase and the few other little things to her floor. Thankfully it's only the second so they don't have to do much climbing.
"Sound good. Thanks for picking me up." Emma gives her friend an appreciative smile and closes the door to her apartment. When it's shut she leans back against the wood taking a deep breath. Her phone buzzes in her back pocket and she knows it's probably a text from David.
Hey you make it into town okay? - David
She smiles at her brother's concern.
I did indeed. Although I'm not sure my ears survived, Ruby does like to talk. - Emma
David sends back an lol and an I'll see you soon leaving Emma to take in her surroundings. She hadn't had a chance to see the apartment in person due to the short notice but David had promised her that everything was in working order and the walls weren't falling apart. He was right. Emma's never lived in a place as big as this and she's not sure she has enough things to fill the space. The loft is designed much like her brothers down to the colour scheme. The only difference is that the bathroom is placed on the opposite side of the open layout making things feel a little off. She's used to her brother's apartment. He and Mary Margaret had moved in together at the ripe old age of nineteen so Emma was able to get a feel for the place before her big move.
Emma stands behind the kitchen counter her eyes trailing over the empty loft she now calls home. An overwhelmed huff of air leaves her chest and she's thankful that David had insisted on setting up her bed before she got here, so she wouldn't have to sleep on the floor. The welcoming mattress taunts her but the lack of sheets and covers stops her from sprawling over the thing and skipping the party all together. Remembering it starts in an hour and a half Emma grabs some travel shampoo and conditioner from her suitcase and walks to the washroom. The warmth of the shower soothes her skin to the point she almost passes out. She takes that as a hint that it's time to get out.
/
Sighing in front of the mirror Emma tugs the straps of the third dress she's tried on. This particular black one fits tight against her body and dips into a generous V, revealing much more than she'd usually consider. It had been hiding at the bottom of her suitcase and the clothes strewn across the floor is evidence enough of how hard it was to find. Emma tells herself the suggestive feel of the dress is only because out of the three she'd found this one looked the best. It of course has nothing to do with the fact that she wants to show a certain someone she's not the teenage girl fumbling over her words anymore.
She should really let this 'show him what he missed out on' thing go. It's been seven years for god sake.
A knock on the door drags Emma away from her bathroom mirror and to the door, she's not surprised to find Ruby on the other side.
"Holy hot mama, look at you." Ruby gives a nod of approval at Emma's choice in clothes. Ruby of course wears a dress that's much shorter than Emma would ever be comfortable wearing. Her trademark red lipstick she's been wearing since high school is smoothed over her lips and of course she looks like a tall, long legged goddess.
"I thought you'd approve." Emma mocks heading back to the bathroom to finish curling her hair. Ruby follows after checking out the apartment and the few boxes littered around the place. Emma had been sending over her things during this past month. She finds herself once again embarrassed at her lack of possessions. When she'd lived with her ex boyfriend back in New York she'd quickly come to the realization that he owned most everything in the apartment. Emma's cheeks flush with anger thinking of the bastard.
"Have you seen Mr. and Mrs. Charming yet?" Rudy asks using the nickname Emma and her gave David and Mary Margaret long ago when they'd first started dating. The two work so perfectly together it's almost creepy.
"Not yet. David texted but I told them I'd see them at the party." Emma finishes her last curl but right when she's about to put the curling iron down Ruby snatches it from her hand and grabs a lock at the back of Emma's head. She obviously missed a piece.
"How weird is it that you're living in the same building as your brother again?" Ruby asks moving on to another piece of hair. "Talk about a blast to the past."
"In my defense we live in separate homes. They just happen to be in the same building complex." Emma's not sure why she feels the need to defend herself but she just mulls it down to being tired.
"Still, it's weird." Rudy finally finishes and turns the curling iron off with a satisfied grin. "Damn look at you. If someone doesn't try to jump your bones tonight, I might." Ruby jokes and winks suggestively.
"Shut up." Emma rolls her eyes and checks her phone. The party started ten minutes ago but David and Mary Margaret won't mind. Emma's not exactly known for her punctuality. "I guess we should head up."
"Don't sound to excited." Emma's friend chuckles as they head out the door and up the stairs.
Thankfully Emma's arrival goes mostly unnoticed. Ruby heads toward a group of people while Emma finds a beer in her foster brothers fridge and downs it faster than planned. Her nerves are starting to get the best of her as she watches people she's known since she was child make conversation among themselves. Most everyone doesn't recognize her and tell her how much she's changed. The question of why she's decided to come back to Storybrooke makes her stomach twist. Not wanting to tell the truth she just tells them it was time for a change.
"Emma!" Mary Margaret's very cheerful voice sounds from behind her as she grabs her second drink from the fridge. "There you are! Sorry I didn't find you right away. I had to talk to the babysitter for a moment!" She explains and Emma gives an understanding nod. "It's so good to see you!" Her sister in law pulls Emma in for a hug. Emma tenses at first then relaxes at Mary Margaret's comforting touch. "David should be here any minute he just had to finish a few things up at the station. He really wanted to be the one to pick you up at the airport, he feels terrible."
"It's fine, Ruby and I had a fun drive back." Emma exaggerates but David nor his wife need to know that. "Besides this is more than I deserve." Emma gestures to the people around her. "Thank you for setting this up." She smiles at her sister-in-law truly thankful that the woman is in her life.
"I knew you'd understand and I'm so glad you're back Emma. After everything that's happened it's good to see you on your feet. You deserve all this and more, and I promise I won't be offended if you opt out early." Mary Margaret gives Emma an encouraging smile before excusing herself to refill the chip bowl. The woman is a saint.
Emma had told very few people her reason for moving back to Storybrooke and those people include Mary Margaret, David, and Ruby. There are very few people Emma trusts but if she had to choose three people to trust with her life, she'd pick them
"Any sign of him yet?" Ruby sneaks to Emma's side scanning the room for a certain someone.
"I'm not looking, so no." Emma lies.
Throughout the whole evening, her eyes have been crawling over the room looking for him. She's beginning to wonder if he'll even show up at all. She hadn't dared ask Mary Margaret if he's to make an appearance tonight, considering the risk of sounding desperate.
"Well, I'm looking for you." Ruby winks and walks into the crowd while mingling with the residents of Storybrooke.
Emma finishes the second drink she'd been hoping to have lasted a bit longer than her first, but that clearly didn't happen. Her skin starts to tingle and as the drinks start to take their affect. Emma reaches into the fridge for another one, knowing she shouldn't but this time she'll really milk it. Maybe.
"Well hello lass, I don't think I've seen you around here before." Emma's shoulders tense at the sound of his voice. It still has the same effect as when she was in high school. Heat pools deep in her stomach and her breath catches as she turns around to meet his stormy blue eyes. Her heart leaps. It's almost like they'd become more blue over her time away from this place.
Killian Fucking Jones is still as sexy as she remembered. If not more. His dark hair has grown longer than he'd ever let it in their youth and his jaw is filled with stubble that hadn't been able to grow since she last knew him.
Lets just say the seven years that have passed did generous things for this man.
Emma's eyes sweep over his body. His black shirt is buttoned much lower than necessary but the hint of hair peeking at the top sends another wave of heat through her body. His sleeves are rolled up and his hair is perfectly tousled at the top of his head, giving the impression that he hadn't really gotten dolled up for the occasion, but he still looks sexy as hell.
Emma's eyes meet his and she feels her cheeks flush. He noticed her staring.
"Killian Jones." He sticks out his hand ready to shake hers.
Emma's jaw drops with shock. Un-fucking believable, he doesn't recognize her. Either that or he's completely forgotten about his best friend's younger sister who spent most of her time worshiping his every move.
"And you are?"
His chuckle brings Emma back to reality and the alcohol in her system makes her a little more confident than she should feel. "Wouldn't you like to know." She winks and takes a sip of her drink. She shouldn't play games with him but the look on his face when he finds out who she really is is going to be priceless.
"Aye, I would." He gives her a wink and she sends him a flirtatious smile. The ones she uses to make her targets weak in the knees before she takes them down. It always catches them off guard and usually always works. "I could have swore I knew everyone in this town, and I definitely wouldn't miss a breathtaking lass like yourself." He raises an eyebrow like his words are a challenge.
"Maybe I'm just passing through." Emma steps closer and the distance between their bodies grows more intimate.
"I'd be happy to show you around." Killian steps closer and she can feel his breath on her cheek. They really shouldn't be this close, especially with all the people who could be watching them. The buzzed part of her brain rectifies the fact with the idea that everyone's probably too drunk to even notice.
She's knows it's ridiculously cheesy but Emma can't help herself. "There's only one place I'm interested in seeing." Her fingers catch the front of his belt and the desire in his eyes intensifies making Emma's heart begin to race. She really shouldn't be doing this but there's no time to retract because she grabs the collar of his shirt and pulls him toward her. Her lips are desperately moving against his and her mind is screaming at her to stop. Instead, when he catches his wits and begins kissing her back with more force than she'd previously done, she lets him. Her teeth catch on his bottom lip while her hands tangle themselves in his hair and his hands wrap around the small of her back. The sound he makes is absolutely delicious.
With as much determination as she can muster Emma pulls back from the kiss, heavy breaths escaping her with a smirk on her lips. "Well that was..." He mumbles with dumbstruck look.
"A one time thing." She finishes his sentence for him and walks away from Killian Jones. If her younger self could see her now they'd be high fiving.
Finding herself another corner of the loft Emma quickly makes sure no one noticed the events that had just played out. It hadn't seemed to gain any unwanted attention due to the fact that everyone is either too drunk to care or too interested in their own conversation to notice. Emma lets out a deep breath trying not to think about how delicious his lips tasted against hers.
"Emma!" A welcoming and familiar voice pulls Emma from her thoughts and back to reality. Did she really just kiss Killian Jones? She doesn't have any more time to think about it because her foster brothers arms are wrapped around her in a warm and comforting hug. "I'm so sorry I couldn't pick you up! Leroy was convinced the town was in a crises."
"Don't worry about it! I got here safe that's all that matters." Emma lets out a breath when David lets her go. The tight hug making it hard for her to breath.
"How's the apartment?" David had been the one to tell her the loft downstairs was vacant. It was perfect timing and the rent is reasonable, so how could Emma have turned it down.
"It's perfect!" Emma gives him an honest smiles.
"Good." David's eyes fly past Emma's shoulder as he waves someone over from behind her. "Killian, you remember Emma, my little sister."
Emma has to bite her lip to keep from laughing. "Killian! It's good to see you again." Emma's voice is much too cheerful, but she can't help but be satisfied with the look on his face. He barely manages to catch his jaw before it drops to the floor. She chuckles a little bit and that seems knock some sense into him.
"Swan, it's been too long." There's a dark look behind his eyes and Emma can't tell what it is exactly. All she knows is that she's satisfied with their reunion and it couldn't have gone better. "Look how much you've grown." He says through his teeth.
"Seven years does that to a person." Emma jokes wishing she still had her beer in her hands. She must have placed it somewhere during her and Killian's heated moment.
"Well look at this, the gang is almost back together again." Ruby and Mary Margaret join the conversation with smiles on their faces. When those two get together they are a force to be reckoned with, Emma would know considering their years of friendship. "We're only missing Regina and Robin. Where are they anyways?" Ruby asks not to anyone in particular but David is the one to answer the question.
"They couldn't make it tonight, Roland came down with the flu." He explains.
"Well, we all have to get together again sometime. It's been forever since we've all been in one place." Rudy reminds them and wraps her arm over Emma's shoulder.
Emma's eyes sweep over all her friends faces as she takes in what she's come back too. Her eyes stop on Killian's meeting his. He hasn't stopped looking at her since he found out who she was. Emma can't tell if it's anger in his eyes or something else entirely, but she can't help the smirk on her lips. The blue in his eyes begins to burn deeper.
"Oh I have an idea! We could have a movie night like we used too! I mean it was usually just us girls but I'm sure you boys could join in." Mary Margaret suggests with excitement and naturally everyone agrees. No one is ever able to turn down anything she suggests. Hence the whole reason this welcome home party happened. "Good, it's settled, Friday night everyone better be here to watch some Disney classics."
Emma smiles at her friends excitement as her mind wanders back to when the four of them, Mary Margaret, Ruby, Regina, and Emma and how they would crowd around the TV ready to fall in love with the classics all over again. She remembers one night in particular when they'd watched Peter Pan, that was the night Ruby got Emma to finally admit to her school girl crush on the older, yet sexy, bad boy Killian Jones.
Emma's cheeks flush at the thought and her eyes flicker to find Killians once again. She's disappointed to find that he's no longer looking at her but looking rather distracted.
"Well I'm sorry to say but I must take my leave. Early start tomorrow at the docks." Killian explains and quickly removes himself from the group.
"The docks?" Emma questions out loud.
"He manages the docks. Makes sure everything's in order and the boats don't float away." David explains immediately. She always knew Killian had a passion for ships but she always pictured him captaining one rather than maintaining a place where they do nothing but sit motionless in the water.
"I better turn in too. It's been a long day." Emma gives David and his wife thanks and tells them that she'll see them in the morning. She makes a joke of how she lives right downstairs and that seems to settle them a little. They're both worried about her and they haven't stopped worrying since everything happened in New York.
Emma gives them a reassuring smile. She says goodbye to everyone then heads to the door ready for bed. Emma's high heeled shoes click beneath the hard floor as she makes her way down the stairs and opens her apartment door. She is thankful that before she started getting ready she had the mind to make her bed.
She changes out of her fitted dress and lays her head on her pillow, a faint smell of dust trails up her nose making it crinkle at the smell of boxed up fabric. She'll have to do laundry tomorrow, but right now she's too exhausted to care.
Emma thinks about her moment with Killian Jones but decides that it's best thought about when sober. Her mind is still fuzzy and she's too exhausted to think about anything. Sleep comes easy but Emma's not sure waking up tomorrow will be the same.
Feel free to leave a review! They always keep me motivated! :)