(Emma)
It was a cold night of mid-November; where all the people just want to go home and snuggle in their beds. It was past 1 in the morning; the area around my apartment building was deserted. Despite it being so late I was out here driving to a place I wanted to run from.
My home.
Today was a tiring day and now that the adrenaline from all the excitement was wearing off I could feel my body ready to collapse. It was a five minutes' drive from where I was in front of a small diner. I hoped to buy my dinner from there but it was long since closed. I looked at my watch again. 1:27 AM.
Damn. I thought. I really needed sleep and I knew I would have to go to work early to wrap up the case we solved today. There was going to be a lot of paper work.
I sighed and got back in my yellow Volkswagen. I'd have to cook something tonight but I was aching all over so I decided to go to bed hungry.
Just as I finished my thought I parked outside the building and got out. There were two lifters in the building that were shut after midnight. I looked at the stairs and just wanted to collapse on the stairs; after the day I just had I doubt I would be able to climb 4 flights.
I started to climb I was up one and half floors when I reached in my pocked to pull out my keys but there was nothing. And that was when I had a strong urge to break down right there. I could feel the tears pricking in the corner of my eyes but I forced them away with all my might. I wasn't going to cry because of something as stupid as this.
I went all the way back to the car pulled out my laptop bag and threw it over my shoulder. I checked if the keys were in there and put them in my pocket.
By the time I reached my apartment my knees were trembling. I fumbled with the keys struggling to keep my eyes from shutting down and went inside. I checked the fridge to see if there was anything that I could eat. There was nothing, I slammed the door shut and sat down on the couch and took my laptop out. I few files fell from the bag as well. I took the file and placed it on my dining table. There was a huge 'UNSOLVED' stamped on it.
I opened my laptop and hit the power button. I threw my head back and rested my neck while I waited for the window to start.
Knock knock knock… came a sound from the door. I groaned and hurried over to open the door, ready to throw a punch at whoever was knocking at the door at this ghostly hour.
I opened the door to see two of my friends standing outside the door. "Hey!" They said with a concerned and fake enthusiastic voice. "Do you see what time it is?" I hissed at them and stormed inside and fell on the couch again.
Ruby and Mary Margaret Came inside as I entered my password to unlock the window.
"Ruby why don't you go heat up the food." Said Mary Margaret as I kept my eyes on the screen. "We were worried about you Emma. David told me you were upset today and it's also the fact that today is—"
"What? Today is what Mary Margaret?" I tried so hard to stay calm but it seemed impossible. Mary Margret flinched.
"We're just looking out for you." Ruby said reappearing from the kitchen a few moments later. She had a large tray in her hand with three plates and three glasses on it. Mary Margaret had a bottle of wine.
"Say something." Mary Margaret said in a low voice. I had to bite my lip and look down at my feet to keep myself from screaming.
"It's been a year." My voice broke despite my tries to keep it steady.
"And…" Ruby urged me to go on. My head snapped up at her word and I stood up rushing to the dining table; I grabbed the file I placed on it earlier and threw it in her lap. "And this!" I yelled the tears started to flow. "They gave up! They said it's been a year and we hadn't been able to do anything."
"We're sorry." Was all Mary Margaret and Ruby could say.
"Maybe they're right, maybe I should give up." Emma slumped on the couch again without touching her food.
"No! I could talk to David he could convince George to keep searching. Emma! Think about this."
"No matter what efforts I have made for this company since it all began George has never ever given me any benefit. Neal had to strike a deal with him in order to make him take our case. A deal that got him killed! He's done nothing but sit on his desk and eat and get fat while I did his bidding hoping that he'd pay attention to my case. But NOO! The moment he got a lead he messed up! And now I don't want anything to do with him I don't want anything to do with my life." I only realized I was yelling when I had to stop to take some breaths but before Ruby or Mary Margret could comfort me I went on.
"I am broken beyond repair. I don't want to live." I cried so hard that I had trouble breathing ruby stood up and rubbed her hand on my back.
"I told George this was my last case. I'll go early tomorrow to wrap the case up completely; fill all the paper word and then I am out of Boston. Out for good." I continued now in control of myself.
"Emma are you sure? I mean you'd be completely alone." Mary Margaret said also standing up and kneeling beside the couch I was sitting on.
"I am already alone. I lost my brother, my Son and finally my husband." I was quite for a moment and then I spoke again. "I feel like I'm cursed to watch everyone I love die. I don't what that to happen to you to. I am not gonna give up on Henry I'll keep looking but I am not staying here." I said finally leaving no room for argument. "I am done fixing George's problems. He can go to hell for all I care. I need to sort my life out first."
"Emma… I can't tell you how sorry I am how much I wish I could help but…" Ruby looked at Mary Margaret their eyes met for a moment understanding passed between them. "But we know we can't change your made up mind so just know this… We will always be there for you no matter—"
"Comes hell or high water Emma we will help you in any way possible. Just don't shut yourself out on us. Let us be there for you." Emma just closed her eyes and sobbed in reply and there was nothing that any of the women could do to make her stop so they decided to let her rid of this burden through crying.
The clocks in Emma's apartment pointed out 2:00 AM but still Emma cried clueless to why was her life a living hell.
4 Year later.
(Killian)
I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock. I sleepily moved my hand and with my eyes closed searched for my cell to shut the alarm. I couldn't find the phone so alarm snoozed. I fell asleep again.
I woke up 2 minutes later again to the blasted sound of my alarm this time I opened my eyes and looked down beside the bed where my phone must have fallen during night. I shut the alarm this time and sat up grunting at how hard it seemed to wake up early to get to work.
I was a bail bonds person working for The Neverland institution established by Robin and his wife the mayor, Regina to keep the crimes at bay in Storybrooke a small town almost hidden from outside world. It was a rare event for people to come here but recently a gang of thugs invaded this peaceful town and ruined its peace.
I rubbed my eyes and looked at my bedside table and like everyday picture of my brother and wife caught my eye. I smiled sadly and picked it up. I ran my hand over my wife's picture and sighed.
It wasn't fair of life to be this cruel.
After washing up and taking a shower I went down stairs and made myself some breakfast. After I finished eating I gathered the paper work that I had brought home yesterday and went to my office building.
My job seemed duller than even now that my best mate had fallen from my side and left this world.
Smee I will miss working with you. I thought.
It seemed like torture to work without him even though it had been 1 and half year since we faced someone named Neal who killed Smee. I had to shoot him in the heart to save my own life.
I got to my office and turned on the computer on my desk. The technology in Storybrooke wasn't the best but it was still something.
I sat down on my desk and started looking through the cases but it seemed like I had a free day. I wasn't about to keep sitting there and doing nothing so I went to Robin's office.
"Hey mate." Robin looked up at my greeting.
"Killian. It's been long since you've actually talked to me. Can I help you?" He asked. I knew why he wasn't keen on starting a conversation. Being my best friend he was giving me space after what had happened.
"Oh I wanted to say that If you have any case for me just give me a call. I am going home since there isn't anything to do. I finished my paper work." I said and he nodded in agreement.
"Okay I'll do that." He said and turned to leave but he called again.
"Killian? A word please?" He requested. I hesitated but went inside the office again and closed the door.
"What about?"
"I just wanted to say that… It's okay to show you are hurting Killian last two years have been really hard I know but you have to try and engage with your friends again. Take your mind off things or maybe talk about them to ease you mind. Go on a date or two maybe?! Be happy?!" He raised an eyebrow looking at me expectantly.
"Aye but I need some time to myself to sort out this mess." I started to stand and leave but Robin mentioned me to stay.
"I have a partner for you." He said.
"What?! Robin! I told you I wanted to work alone from now."
"I know but you are best at your job and for the past year you have become, take no offence mate but you've become lousy. She will come in next Monday." I opened my mouth to protest but Robin cut me off. "No. I am not going to change my decision. I have a feeling she will keep you in line."
"A 'She' Robin?" I protested. Women could never work well they only meant trouble. Milah was an exception. "I don't know what your game is but it's not going to work. I'm going to your place to pic Liam and go home. Call me if something important comes up."
"Oh I have a few cases in stock. Just waiting for Miss Swan to show up. The arrow in my gut says you're going to make quite a team." He smirked and I groaned.
"Fine." I growled and went to my car. I drove to Regina's who was home today with her son Charlie.
I went in as Regina opened the door. "Papa!" I heard Liam's small sweet and innocent voice call. A soft smile overcame the grim expression I had on since I woke up.
"How's my little pirate?" I asked.
"I'm good." Said Liam and hugged me. No matter how sad or anxious I was Liam always managed to cheer me up with his small gestures and innocent conversations.
"Hey uncle Killian!" I heard Charlie as he came in my embrace and both boys pushed me on my back. I laughed.
"The pirates have attacked my navy ship aaaahhhh…" I yelled not too loud as Regina watched me playing with the kids.
"We're going to take you ship and make you walk the plank lieutenant." Said Charlie.
"Prepare to die!" Liam finished.
"I'll get you something to drink." Said Regina and walked to the kitchen.
"Oh, No need. I am just leaving."
"Awww." Charlie gave me the puppy dog eyes. "Can't you and Liam stay and play. You don't play with us anymore." I couldn't resist the pouty face that the boys gave me so I pushed myself of the ground and stood up picked up both boys. Liam on my left while Charlie on my right arm.
"Tell you what?! We go get some ice-cream and then go to the playground in the forest. How does that sound?" both boys cheered and hugged me.
"Drop Charlie of would you? He still has to finish his homework." Said Regina.
"I'll drop Charlie off before Dinner." I told Regina and she nodded. I took the boys to the car. Buckled them up. Both boys sat singing poems together as we drove to the ice-cream shop.