On The Couch

It had only been a few weeks after the whole "heartless" incident. Killian had moved into Emma's apartment at her insistence. The whole experience showed her how much she really cared for him, and she knew what it would do to her if she lost him. She almost had. But now she would be able to keep an eye on him and spend a lot more time with him. They both needed that.

It didn't take very long for her to forgive Killian for all his actions leading up to him getting his heart ripped out by Rumpelstiltskin. Fifteen minutes, tops.

But he would not get off so easily this time.

They had been sitting in their regular booth at Granny's, chatting and laughing with Emma's parents. Henry was staying with Regina that night, so it was almost like a double date. Not that any of them would label it that; except maybe Snow. They had easily fallen into playful banter and jokes, and this would be a moment that Killian Jones would regret for a long time to come.

David made a quick witted joke about Killian being a pirate, and without thinking, Killian continued the joke saying he had once been a ruthless, heartless pirate. Heartless. He said that. The moment that two syllable word crossed his lips, he knew it was a terrible mistake. Emma stiffened next to him and immediately stopped laughing. It was shocking and a little terrifying to watch how fast Emma's face fell from a lively grin to an angry grimace.

"It was nice spending time with you guys tonight," Emma growled to her parents. "We have to go now. See you at the station tomorrow, Dad."

As Emma stepped out of the booth, pulling her pirate behind her by the hand, David sent Killian a look that no doubt meant good luck, buddy. The second they stepped out of the diner, Emma dropped his hand and stormed down the street, back towards their apartment. He followed behind quietly, knowing he was in for a verbal beating when they got home. He tried to mentally prepare himself, but no amount of time would prepare him for what Emma had in store for him.

When they arrived, she opened the door and stepped in, holding it open for him to follow. The moment he crossed the threshold, she slammed the door behind him, shaking the walls and the doorframe. Trying to soothe her before a battle ensued, he calmly stated, "You know that's not how I meant it, darling. It was just a joke." His soft voice and pleading eyes did nothing to calm the storm that was Emma. Indeed, no amount of preparation had prepared him for this.

"Joke?! Killian, losing your heart to that monster is not a joke! You almost died! I almost lost you, again!" Emma's face was red with fury, but now Killian was letting his temper slip through his placid demeanor.

"You don't think I know that?! I almost lost everything that day! I almost had my heart crushed by a crocodile. I thought I'd never see you again, then you were there and I thought you'd have to watch me die. After a life of surviving, I was about to be destroyed!" Killian had started out yelling but had ended up barely whispering the last sentence.

Emma's face softened a little, but not by much. She knew that if she didn't leave now, she would get lost in his electric blue eyes that were so full of pain and despair. If she didn't leave now, she would end up forgiving him more quickly than she thought he deserved. Narrowing her eyes she let out an angry huff, then turned on her heels, and headed to their bedroom. After a few moments he followed, hoping to be able to put this silly argument behind them. He walked into the room to find Emma sitting on the bed, his pillow in her hands. She stood and tossed it to him, then without a word, turned and walked into the bathroom. The message was clear. He was sleeping on the couch tonight.

He didn't sleep very well that night. Neither did she, but she would never tell him that. Killian woke up with tight muscles and an aching back. He swung his legs off the couch and rubbed his hand over his tired eyes. Standing up, he stretched his back, then rotated his upper body which resulted in a few cracks and pops. Heaving a sigh, he padded toward the kitchen. On the counter was a mug full of coffee and a note written in Emma's rounded handwriting.

Killian,

We need to talk about this.

Come find me when you're ready.

Emma.

The lack of the word love or even sincerely before her name sent chills down his spine. Had he truly messed up so badly that she was done with him? Had she finally realized that she deserved better? Maybe he was overreacting, and she just wanted to talk this out with him. But he was terrified. He may be a 300 year old pirate, but even he knows to be scared when a woman says "we need to talk."

Before he went out to find his lady love, he showered and dressed, all the while thinking "is this the end of my love affair with my swan?"

Killian walked to the sheriff's station with a look of despair covering his features. He took slow steps in order to postpone the inevitable fight that was sure to take place the minute he walked through the doors. Fifteen minutes later he found enough courage to walk through the door that led to his Emma.

David looked up from his paperwork to watch as Killian entered the station. The prince stood up and gave Emma a sad look as he walked out of the room. As he passed Killian, David gave the pirate a reassuring pat on the back, a look of concern and pity in his eyes. Killian carefully made his way to Emma's desk and decided he needed to get a few words in before she left him forever.

"Look Swan, I know it was wrong of me to joke about my heart. I didn't mean it, and I don't want it to come between us. I love you Emma, and I know I made a right mess of this, and I know you probably want to run as far away from me as you can, but please hear me ou…."

Before he could finish his sentence, Emma grabbed the lapels of his black leather jacket and cut off his words with a firm kiss. He was taken aback by the surprising kiss, but was soon fully engaged, his lips moving with hers, his hand moving up to caress her cheekbone, and his hook that was resting on her lower back pulled her closer to him.

As the kiss slowed and came to an end, Killian rested his forehead against that of his true love. Hearing Emma sniffle made him lean away from her, giving him room to look into her damp eyes. She looked up at him then pulled him into a fierce hug, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I'm sorry I overreacted." She sighed into his neck. "Please don't leave me," She whispered, so softly he barely heard it. Rather than vowing to stay with her through thick and thin, he simply showed her by tightening his hold around her waist and whispering "never," into her blonde curls.