Disclaimer: The characters and any references to the series 'Once Upon A Time' are the respective property of its creators, writers, etc. The plot of this story and everything else is my own.

a/n: This is my first attempt at a OUAT fanfic and I am excited and nervous to see what you guys think. Leave me your thoughts and if you have any one-shot prompts for Captain Swan you'd like to read, let me know and I'll see if I can do them!

EMMA

"Come and have a drink, girly!"

The rowdy voice was followed by a swift smack to Emma's bottom. She clenched her jaw, balancing the tray of drinks in one hand, as she turned to face the obnoxiously drunk sailor who was missing his front tooth.

"Did you need something else?" she asked as nicely as she could.

The man licked his lips, making her shudder. "How about the pleasure of your company, milady?" He staggered to his feet, stumbling a bit as the table laughed and cheered him on. "Whadd'ya say, beautiful?" He leaned in close, his rum-soaked breath fanning across Emma's face.

She wrinkled her nose and took a step back. "I'm sorry," she said. "You've got the wrong woman." She turned around to leave, but he grabbed her arm. Sighing, she turned around, slipping out of his grasp.

"Come on, don't be like that," he said. "I'll make it worth your while."

Emma's mouth opened for a quick retort when her best friend and fellow barmaid intervened the two.

"Gunther, sit down and finish your drink," Ruby said in her no-nonsense voice. "Leave Emma be."

Ruby grabbed Emma's hand and dragged her away from the table of rowdy men, Gunther's voice following them, "You know where I'll be if you change your mind, sweetheart!"

Emma rolled her eyes as she walked around the bar and set the tray of drinks down.

"You okay?" Ruby asked, leaning on the bar beside her.

"I'm fine, I just...I'm tired of drunk and obnoxious sailors hitting on me."

Ruby smirked. "Well, can you blame them?"

Emma glared up at her.

Ruby lifted her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. But it comes with the territory. You know that."

Emma nodded, trying to get her frazzled mind together. "I know that. Some nights it's just difficult to get through a shift I guess."

Ruby lowered her head to meet her friend's eyes. "Are you sure you're okay?"

She managed a tight smile. "Fine."

Before Ruby could argue, a little body slithered between them. "Momma!"

Emma looked down, startled when she saw her nine-year-old daughter standing in front of her, her bright blue eyes shining under the dim lights of the tavern.

"Scarlett!" Emma scolded, hands going to the little girl's shoulders. "What are you doing here? You should be with Granny."

"Sorry, sweetheart," Granny said as she joined the women at the bar. "The little one kept asking for her mother. She was scared."

Emma's eyebrows furrowed as she looked over her daughter. "Scared? You don't get scared, Scarlett."

"Pirates, Momma! There are pirates in port!"

Emma raised an eyebrow at Granny, who sighed in return. "Word in town is a group of pirates have recently arrived. I think they just have the townspeople a little on edge."

"Pirates?" Emma asked. "Pirates don't usually make port here."

Granny shrugged. "I know. I thought if Scarlett saw you were safe, it would put her mind at ease."

"No pirates here yet," Ruby shrugged. "No attractive men either."

Granny nudged her granddaughter. "Hey, watch it."

Ruby sighed and rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Better get back to work." And with a kiss to Granny's cheek and a quick ruffle of Scarlett's blonde hair, she was off.

"All right, Scarlett," Granny said, "let's leave your mother be and get back home."

"No!" Scarlett whined, wrapping her arms around Emma's waist. "I wanna stay here with you, Momma."

Emma sighed, wrapping her arms around her little girl. "Scarlett..."

"Please, Momma? I'll be good. I promise."

She lifted her gaze to Granny, who shrugged. "It's up to you, mother bear. I have a roast in the oven though, so I gotta get back there. If you want, I'll let you off early tonight."

"No, Granny, you don't have to—"

"Really, Emma, I insist. Scarlett could stay here with you for another hour, then you can both head home. I'll come back to help Ruby close up shop."

Emma bit her lip, not wanting to take advantage of Granny's generosity. Ever since Scarlett had been born, Granny and Ruby had been by their sides. And after opening the tavern, Granny had always been understanding and accomodating to Emma's needs. She didn't know where she'd be without her.

"Okay," she finally relented.

Scarlett was ecstatic. "Yay!"

"One. Hour," Emma reminded her sternly.

After saying goodbye to Granny, Emma took Scarlett to the small table near the bar. It was by the window and more secluded from the rest of the tavern. Emma pulled a small book our of her apron pocket. It was well-worn and crinkled at the sides.

"Here," she said, placing the book in front of her daughter. "Practice your reading. If you need anything, ask me or your Aunt Ruby, okay?"

"Okay, Momma," she smiled up at her mother.

Emma's heart fluttered a little. When Scarlett smiled that way, she reminded her so much of her father. Shaking off the thoughts, she bent down to place a kiss on her head before she returned to serving drinks.

—

It was another half hour or so when the mood in the tavern shifted. The front doors swung open to a group of laughing men. They were in high spirits, and taking in their attire, Emma knew.

Pirates.

They took a seat at one of the larger tables and Ruby attended to them immediately. Emma rolled her eyes at the way her friend flirted with the men so easily. It was like second nature to her.

She gave Emma a wide grin when she met her at the bar. "Okay, that no-attractive men comment I made earlier? Out the window."

"Ruby—"

"Seriously, Em. I mean, most of them are nothing to look at, but a couple are mighty fine if I do say so myself."

"Right."

Ruby shrugged. "You should see this one guy. Blue eyes like you've never seen before."

Emma's heart dropped, her mouth falling open slightly. "Yeah?" she asked, trying and failing to come off uninterested.

"Yeah," Ruby said, giving her a strange look. "Are you all right, Em?"

But before Emma could answer, a loud voice—that voice—was speaking up over the crowd of rowdy men.

"Gentlemen! Drink, be merry, grab yourself a bar wench or two. You've earned it."

And there he was. Ten years had been favorable to him. He was older, more handsome if that was possible, his face covered in a layer of dark scruff, his smile just as beautiful as always. She could hear Ruby calling her name, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from him.

And then, as if some force in the universe demanded it, he turned his head slightly and his eyes met hers. His smile slowly faded as they locked gazes, before Emma finally shook her head and looked down at the bar top.

"Emma?" Ruby tried again, sounding concerned. "Are you okay?"

Emma shook her head again and finally looked up to meet her friend's worried gaze. "Yeah. I'm fine. Back to work." And without another word, she grabbed a tray of drinks and resumed her job, avoiding that section of the tavern altogether.

—

But fate had other ideas. Because not ten minutes later, while she was wiping down an empty table at the back of the tavern, he was there behind her.

"Emma?"

Emma closed her eyes tightly at the sound of his voice. The familiar accent, the deep timber of his tone, sending shivers down her body.

"Emma," he said again.

Emma swung around to face him, her skirts swaying around her. "What? What do you want?"

Killian ducked his head slightly to meet Emma's eyes better. "Is it really you?"

Emma pursed her lips, looking anywhere but at him. But when he reached out to touch her, she took a step back, her eyes snapping up to his.

"Don't."

"Emma..."

"No. I have nothing to say to you," she said brusquely, moving to go past him. He grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Emma, it's been ten years."

"I'm well aware how long it's been, Killian," she said, her tone like acid.

"Please, talk to me."

"I have absolutely nothing to say to you."

Killian leveled his gaze with hers and Emma had to look away from the intensity of his blue eyes. When he spoke again, his voice was soft, imploring.

"I had to leave, Emma. It was my duty."

Emma looked at him again, finally taking in his attire—leather trousers, leather coat, a sword sheathed at his hip. She raised an eyebrow. "Seems your duties have changed."

A flash of hurt crossed Killian's face before his expression immediately hardened. It only made her angrier.

"Go," she said mockingly. "Sit with your men, drink, be merry. Then leave."

Killian's jaw clenched at her hostile tone before he took a step back and nodded. "As you wish."

She watched as he walked back to his table before she ran both hands through her long hair and swiftly headed back behind the bar to busy herself. Thirty more minutes. Then she could take herself and Scarlett away from here. Away from him.

—

Emma held Scarlett's hand tightly in hers as she secured her cloak and finally left the tavern. About ten minutes into their walk, Scarlett was telling Emma how fun it was practicing cross-bow with Granny when she heard footsteps behind them. After a minute or so of the person continuing to follow them, Emma whirled around, pushing Scarlett behind her and getting ready for whoever or whatever it was. When she saw Killian standing several feet away, one hand raised in a gesture of surrender, her breath caught in her throat.

"Swan," he started, his voice hoarse, "please, I just want to talk."

Scarlett tugged on Emma's hand. "Momma, who is that?"

Emma watched as Killian's eyes traveled between herself and her daughter, his mouth parting slightly as he no doubt took in their similarities. He took a few steps towards them and Emma instinctively took a step back.

"Stay back, Killian. I mean it," Emma warned, her threatening tone weaning when her voice shook.

"Emma, love—"

"Don't call me that."

"All right. Okay," he said quickly, as if he was speaking to a small child. He stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment before sighing. "At least allow me to escort you both home."

"I don't need your help," Emma bit back.

"I'm well aware of that, lo—Emma. I just..." His voice trailed off when Scarlett moved from behind her mother and Killian was able to get a good look at her.

She saw the moment it clicked in his head. The way he stared, mesmerized at her long, blonde curls, her shy smile, but—most importantly—her piercing blue eyes. His mouth parted on a gasp as he stared at the child and Emma pushed Scarlett protectively behind her once again.

Killian finally looked up. "Swan," he whispered.

Emma swallowed the giant lump in her throat before she looked down at the ground, tears forming in her eyes. When Killian moved towards her, she looked up at him, once again on guard.

"Emma, please, just...let me walk you home."

Emma stared at him for a charged minute, taking in his desperate eyes and addled state of mind. After a deep breath, she nodded curtly and turned around to continue their walk.

—

Killian trailed behind them for the most part. Every now and then Scarlett would look over her shoulder and ask him questions: 'what's your name?' 'where are you from?' 'how old are you?' 'are you a pirate?' Emma kept her gaze forward, but she could hear the wonder in his tone, could feel the fascination he felt towards her daughter.

Once they were at their small cottage, Emma told Scarlett to go inside and get ready for bed. She shocked them both when she hurled herself at Killian, whispered 'goodnight,' then went inside. Emma made sure the door was closed before turning to face him once again.

"Emma, how old is she?"

Emma crossed her arms and looked down. "She turns ten come spring."

He let out a gust of air. "Is she...I mean...am I...?"

Emma finally lifted her eyes to meet his. "Yes," she said begrudgingly. "She's yours."

"Did you know? When I left for the navy, did you know?"

Emma bristled at the accusatory undertone in his question. "No," she said defensively. "I didn't know until months later and then it was too late, wasn't it? What, would it have made a difference? Would you have stayed?"

"Emma—"

"No, of course you wouldn't have. You still would have left me," she said, her tone biting.

"I didn't have a choice," Killian gritted through his teeth, moving closer until there were only inches separating them. "My brother joined the army, my father, his father before him. It was my dream. You knew that!"

"Yeah, I did. I just thought our love would have been enough for you to stay."

"I told you I would always come back. No matter what, I would always come back to you. You didn't want me," he said, growing angrier by the second.

"I couldn't just sit around, waiting, wondering if you were going to come back to me alive or if the next time I saw you, I'd have to bury you!" she said, tears streaming down her face.

"You left the Enchanted Forest," he accused. "Why?"

Emma shook her head, quickly swiping at the tears on her cheeks.

"Tell me," he said, stepping impossibly closer.

"I couldn't stay there, not after everything. I thought if I left, I could forget you." She let out a shaky breath. "But that was pointless because I've had a reminder of you everyday for ten years."

"I came back," he said. "I searched for you. For years, I searched. And then Liam..." He trailed off, stepping back and looking away.

Emma's brows furrowed in confusion. "Liam...what?"

He shook his head and cleared his throat. "Liam passed, four years after I joined the navy," he said solemnly.

"Killian." Emma's voice was just a whisper. She reached towards him then reconsidered and dropped her arm. "I-I'm sorry."

He only nodded in response. "I left the navy not long after," he continued.

"And took up piracy," she finished for him.

Killian looked up and chuckled humorlessly. "It's a better look for me, wouldn't you say, love?"

Emma couldn't hold back a small smile at his attempt to lighten the mood. His expression turned serious once again.

"Emma, you must know I never stopped loving you—"

"Killian—"

No!" he said, closing the distance between them again. He wrapped an arm around her waist, his other hand cupping the back of her head, forcing her to look up at him. "Even when I'd finally given up on my search, I never stopped looking. Every town we made port in, every village we visited, I was always searching for you. I saw you in every blonde, every pub and tavern. Bloody hell, when I saw you tonight I thought it was a damn hallucination." He stroked the side of her face gently, cupping her jaw. "I'm sorry if you thought I gave up on us before, but I didn't. I never did. And I'm bloody well not going to start now."

Before Emma could even formulate a response, his mouth was on hers, dominating, all-consuming. And it only took her a few seconds to respond. She clutched his coat with both hands, her mouth moving in time with his, fighting for control and giving as good as she got. When they finally broke for air, she didn't want to open her eyes, too afraid this was all a dream and she'd wake up.

"What's her name?" he whispered.

Emma's eyes snapped open. "What?"

"My daughter," he said gently. "What's her name?"

A small smile formed on Emma's face. "Scarlett. Her name is Scarlett."

Killian's thumb stroked her lip before he leaned in for one more chaste kiss, then pulled back to gaze down at her once again.

"Do you..." Emma cleared her throat and looked down, feeling suddenly shy. "Would you like to come in for a bit and spend some time with her?"

"You'd let me?" he asked, a measure of awe in his voice.

"Of course, Killian. You're her father." She considered something for a second. "But let's maybe not tell her that just yet, okay?"

He nodded. "Whatever you wish."

She smiled slightly, leaning in for another kiss. "Killian?"

"Yes, love?"

She let out a small breath against his lips and met his gaze once more. "I just want you to know," she said, "I never gave up on us either."