Hello readers! So I've already got a Captain Swan fanfic going, but that one is based right after the season 5 finale. After doing some reading of AU fanfic, I became inspired to transport my beloved OTP to a different setting and have them meet under different circumstances. I present to you, my modern day AU fanfic.

Emma Swan works as a lecturer at a university in London (it's a fictional university based in one of my favourite parts of London). She moved to London and has been teaching for 10 years. Her life since she started teaching has been uneventful until one morning on her usual commute when she meets a stranger.

I hope you like it, please review and let me know what you think!

And when they looked back at him, he saw the glint in their eyes, fed by visions of gold. 'Are you with me?' Hunter shouted. They responded with a shout.

'Then, on to Matanceros.'

'We will shortly be arriving at London Liverpool Street. Please ensure you have all of your personal belongings with you when leaving the train'. Emma groaned. She was just getting engrossed in Pirate Latitudes, a book she had been dying to read for months, when the train arrived at the station.

It had not been an easy journey for reading. Many of the passengers were talking loudly to each other, or down the phone at someone, or there was the usual cry of a baby who really didn't want to be there. And of course, there was the loud eater that had a never-ending packet of crisps. None of this surrounding noise allowed Emma to escape into the pages of her book, and her commute to work was one of few moments she had to read.

Emma couldn't remember a time when she didn't love to read. Her mum had read her stories about pirates, princesses, and dragons since she was a little girl. She loved every story her mum told her, but tales about pirates were her favourite. In fact, Peter Pan was one of her favourite stories and it often eluded people that she rooted for Captain Hook. There was something about pirates that had always fascinated her, but she'd never been able to put her finger on it.

As the train pulled into the station and came to a halt, Emma reluctantly put away her book and replaced it with her Oyster card. She did her usual; waited for the hoard of passengers to leave the train first before she moved. Standing up, she pulled the hem of her skirt down and pulled on her coat. It was the middle of autumn, and being London, the weather couldn't decide on either sunshine or rain so you had to be prepared. As she stepped off the train she noticed how much warmer the train had been. The cold air hurt her cheeks and it pushed her to rush for the barriers to get out of the station.

Once she was through the barriers her feet automatically took her across the station and to the Underground. It was busier than normal, but after working in London for nearly five years, Emma was more than capable of fighting her way through the crowds. Her footsteps echoed as she walked down to the Circle line, which was a long and boring walk. The train Emma needed, which was heading for Edgware road, turned up as she arrived, and Emma hopped onto the train.

She looked around desperately for somewhere to sit, but the train was busy so Emma had to stand. Disappointed that she wouldn't be able to read, she stood by the door and decided that people watching would be her commuting entertainment. As the train was crowded, it was difficult to get a good look at people without creeping anyone out. Giving up, Emma looked to the ground and decided that the long journey to South Kensington would have to be uneventful.

The doors beeped as they closed and Emma prepared for departure. Usually Emma was able to stand without holding on, but the train lurched forward quicker than Emma was used to. She fell against the man standing next to her. His arm hooked under her back and she was saved from falling on the floor. Emma was blurting out an apology before she had the chance to see who had saved her. When her eyes met the stranger's blue ones, Emma was rendered speechless. She had not seen a man this attractive before, especially not on the Circle line. He had dark hair that was almost black, with a trimmed beard, strong jawline, and a smile that made Emma weak at the knees.

"No apologies necessary, love," he spoke with a deep voice. The stranger helped her stand up. Emma reached for the horizontal pole above her head, which was cold to the touch. It brought her back to reality.

"No, really, I'm sorry, I should have been paying better attention," Emma said, trying not to look too deeply into his eyes.

"Really, it's okay. No harm done," he laughed. "Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?"

Emma laughed, "only my dignity." He laughed back, a laugh that he truly meant.

"Oh c'mon, love, it wasn't that embarrassing. It could have been much worse," he said as he flashed that smile again. It was only then that Emma took in his appearance. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, with a white Oxford shirt, dark blue tie, and black brogues. A tattered leather satchel hung off his left shoulder, and he had a bandage on his left hand. His dark hair was swept to the right side of his head. Emma had seen plenty of suited men around London but none of them stood out like this one. There was just something about him.

Emma smiled and looked down at the ground. She noticed what she must look like and became embarrassed at her appearance.

She had woken up late and hadn't had time to sort herself out like she normally would. Knowing she would be working late, she opted for comfy clothes that consisted of battered brown brogues, knee length maroon skirt, and a crew neck black t-shirt. She threw on a baggy, grey knitted cardigan that didn't really go with her outfit and ran her fingers through her hair as she legged it out the door.

She only lived a few minutes walk from the station, and once she was on the train, she managed to get a table, which allowed her to do her makeup. A subtle layer of foundation, thin line of eyeliner and a bit of mascara sufficed Emma. She rarely wore more makeup than this, unless it was a night out or a formal event, which were usually the same event.

Emma wished she hadn't woken up late so that she could have put a bit more care into her appearance. Her laid back 'could care less' attitude was fine when she was teaching, but Emma hadn't had much luck with men, and she quite liked the look of this guy.

Her eyes darted back up to the stranger who was eyeing her up. Emma wasn't sure whether she liked this or not. She wasn't used to it. Should she say something to him? What would she say? How do you ask someone out? Clearly the confusion appeared on her face, because the stranger spoke again.

"Is everything alright, love?" Emma snapped out of it, and smiled.

"Yes, everything's fine. Sorry, I'm in a daze today. Lots on my mind!" Emma smiled again, and looked anywhere but at him.

"Busy day, huh?" He cocked his head to one side. The train pulled into Aldgate and the majority of the passengers got off. Despite the many available seats, the two remained standing.

"Yeah, teaching all day and then a meeting afterwards. The joys of lecturing!" Once again, Emma awkwardly laughed. What was it that this stranger did that made her do that? She never awkwardly laughed!

"Oh you're a lecturer?" Emma nodded, and he asked, "what subject?"

"Erm," Emma's mind went blank. It had been a long time since someone showed interest in her job. "English Literature and History." Seeing his intrigued expression she explained, "I originally started teaching English Literature and then I was asked to take over part of the History teaching as well."

"That's impressive." If anyone else had said it, Emma would have assumed they were being sarcastic. The stranger, however, seemed sincere. "How long have you been teaching?"

"For about 10 years," she said, with a smile. He smiled back. The train then pulled into Bank, the next station.

"This is my stop," he said, with a look of slight reluctance on his face. "It was nice talking to you…" he paused and waited for her to announce her name.

"Emma."

"Emma. It was nice talking to you, Emma," he said, with that smile.

"Likewise…" Emma reciprocated his technique.

"Killian," he said, maintaining that smile.

"Killian," Emma said.

The train doors beeped to indicate they were about to close and Killian ran for the door. He just made it through before they shut behind him. He turned to face Emma, and although he looked slightly embarrassed, Emma was happy he took one last look at her. He flashed that smile as the train sped out of the station, and Emma kicked herself for not getting his number. For the chances of her seeing him again were second to none.