She typing vigorously on the keys, waiting for the new guy to arrive. The whole month has been a blur, so some change to the routine is the only thing keeping her going.
The familiar creak of the glass door makes her look up. He looks nervous, it's obvious as he comes up to her desk and tries a smile.
"Um," he coughs to clear his throat, "I'm Killian Jones. The, uh, new hire." His Irish accent leads the entire office to turn towards him, but it's his blue eyes that catch her attention.
Emma smiles. "Emma Swan." She stand from her desk to point out his own. "Enjoy this moment because you're never going back to this time before you met your desk mate, David." He gives her a funny look, but she only shrugs and points out his desk again which he heads to slightly unwillingly. His eyes seem to linger for just a moment longer before surveying the rest of his surroundings.
As he takes his seat and lays only a pencil on the desk, she finds a minute to look him over.
The dark blue shirt and black tie really bring out his ocean eyes, the ones she had to convince herself not to stare at just a moment before. His hair is slightly messy, like he just rolled out of bed and forgot to run a comb through it and instead used his finger. There's a slight scrubs covering his face as well, leaving her to assume he'd been running late for the first day. Irish as well. Probably new by how thick it seemed. Another glances lets her privy to a large yawn and head shake. Definitely not used to the time difference yet.
His head turns in her generally direction, and she immediately ducks her head to scan the empty computer screen. Her cheeks turn red at being caught examining him.
Two Years Later
He notices her eyes drooping every few minutes and for the thousandth time he wonders if she's been sleeping. Just looking at her hunched over posture, he knows she's stressed. Getting up from his desk, only receiving a few looks from David, he heads to receptions and taps on the counter.
"Swan, I have an idea."
She shakes her head, intent on the task of whiting out some forms. "I'm busy, Killian." The threat of downsizing was breathing down everyone's neck these last few months. To be honest, he's not worried. It's not like he plans on making a career out of an office job. That'd be sad. He has much bigger ideas.
"Come on, Swan," he won't accept her refusal; it's obvious she needs a break. Even in the last few months, he can tell she's almost at a breaking point. The wedding plans, Neal, and the daily stresses of the office were taking their toll.
Her eyes flick up to his in annoyance that shoots some of his confidence. "I said not now." He almost leaves her alone, just to spite her. Sometimes it would just be easier to leave it be. His heart would certainly thank him.
From his back pocket he pulls a small black remote about half the size of his fist. "But I'll let you press the button." Her eyes glance back up to his and he can finally see that glint of mischief. She hold out her hand, and he gives it up, letting his fingers linger for just a moment longer while she wraps her delicate digits around the remote. It's all he can do to pull himself away from the small moment of contact, something that he so desperately craves when he's around her. Honestly, he's surprised he's able to keep up such of a 'best friend' facade. He has always wanted more than that, but he doesn't want to hurt her because she's with Neal.
"What's it do?"
Killian slides around her desk and comes to kneel next to her. "Press and find out." Her smile is like oxygen to him as she flicks her eyes between him and the red button. "Go on, Swan." She shrugs and places a thumb on the button.
At first nothing happen, but then a beep sounds through the office and David's coffee explodes all over his shirt.
"Jones!" David is furious, his grumpy demeanor quickly changing to range as he sprints, actually sprints, to the men's bathroom. If Killian thought they'd be in any danger whatsoever of Robin, their boss, reprimanding him, he wouldn't of done it. One glance toward his office shows a small smirk, but an otherwise turned head.
Emma's turned in her chair trying to hide her laughter. His hand is on her elbow as he laughs with her, trying to keep himself upright. "Seriously, that was the best," he manages through his fit of laughter. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Belle giving him the evil eye for being so loud. He tries to tone it down a notch, but just cannot get over the face that David made when the coffee first exploded. Of course, he'd been nice enough to wait until it had cooled slightly before setting off the caffeine bomb.
A creak.
Both of their heads turn to the door and in comes Neal. Killian's enjoyment depletes in a flash. He forgets his hand on her elbow.
"Trying to cop a feel, Jones?" His nostrils flair unattractively. Killian removes his hand, suddenly aware he's gotten her in trouble. It's always the last thing he wants because he's never sure what's she's going home to. Neal seems like a nice enough guy, but there's nothing that really stands out as someone you want to spend a whole lot of time with...he might be biased though.
"We were just having a little bit of fun," Emma comes to stand, quickly pulling even further away from Killian. She stands next to Neal. She only does that when he comes in, as if they've done something wrong by enjoying each other's company. It's not like he makes her laugh that often, the task of making Swan come away from the daily troubles of life always falls to him, not that he's complaining.
"Oh yeah. So much fun." He's still eyeing Killian.
He has no idea what Emma sees in him, or how she thinks this man is what she deserves. She deserves everything, and that is not what he's giving her.
"Come on, Neal," her eyes are drooping again. He can practically hear how exhausted she is.
"Fine." Even as he says it, he's still looking at Killian. It's unnerving.
They go to lunch and she doesn't look at him as they leave.
0
"Yeah, Emma's great..I mean, everyone here is pretty nice."
"No, no, we're just friends. Emma's engaged to Neal, we just have fun together." He's not sure who he's trying to convince.
0
It's after lunch that they come back together; Neal kisses her a little too roughly for Killian's liking. He has to look away until he's gone, but even after Emma won't meet his eyes. She continues to look at the computer screen, even though he knows there hasn't been any calls her entire lunch break. He would know considering he only took a break to eat a few gummy bears at his desk.
It's five before she even glances up at him as he taps on her desk once again. "Swan."
Her eyes just barely leave the screen and touch his for a moment. She pulls her blue cardigan tighter around herself. "Hm?"
With a scratch to the back of his head, he continues rather awkwardly. "I'm, uh, sorry if I made you feel uncom-"
"No, no. It's fine," she hurried to cut him off. Not even letting him get out what he wants to. "I'll just see you on Monday?" It's a peace offering that she'd begging him to take. Begging to drop the earlier incident between them.
It's a deep sigh that he has to suppress next. "Yeah, Monday." He slings on his coat and forces a smile.
"Seriously, how many bloody times to I have to say we're just friends? She. Is. Engaged. My feelings don't really matter in this situation because of that."
"You guys need to stop."
0
"Killian? Yeah, he's my best friend. Like, when I'm having a bad day or have seen too many stationary envelopes for the wedding, he always knows how to make me feel better."
"No..I mean..I love Neal. I tell him stuff about my day too."
"Of course I hope Killian finds love. What kind of question is that?"
0
"Come on, Jones." He's trying to give himself a pep talk about the doors of Apple Tree Paper Company. It's just an entry level sales job, nothing he can't handle. On the contrary, it's also his first job since leaving Ireland. He's so tired still. The time change hadn't yet caught up with him despite already living in his flat for two weeks.
The glass door creaks as he pushes it open and he inwardly cringes. Of course it would creak. A mop of curly blonde hair turns up from behind the reception desk and a warm smile greets him.
His introduction is awkward at best, but the girl doesn't seem to mind. She seems almost amused as the entire office turns to stare at him. It's obviously because of his accent. Still, he can't shake the feeling this woman is giving him.
She points to an open desk opposite to a slightly hunched over man. Her eyes are almost telling him good luck in a challenging manner. Unsurely, he makes his way over, but allows himself one more look to the lass.
She is beautiful.
After a few moments, and the hundredth yawn of the day, he can feel a set of eyes watching him. He turns in the general direction, but only finds the Swan girl with her head ducked low.