People tend to say that things in life happen for a reason. Certain events lead you to where you need to be. That happiness is just right around the corner where you least expect it. Life has a funny way of stringing you along, but you'll get there….

Yeah right! If that's the case, then life has a pretty fucked up sense of humor. Emma's life has been anything but roads to promised happiness. However will she count the ways?

Shitty, alcoholic boyfriend by the name of Neal Cassady.

No sign of the college degree she's been dreaming of achieving since high school. Why? See number 1.

She's stuck being a stupid waitress, at a stupid diner, working for stupid tips. Why? Refer back to number 2.

She still lives with her parents… at the age of 24. Why again? Please, re-read reason number 3.

Thunder rumbles through her body as she lounges in the bay window, the glass panes rattling ever so slightly. Emma's eyes are still shut as her mind tries to focus on the sound of the rain against the window. The smell of the cinnamon and chocolate invading her nostrils. The feel of her favorite polyester blanket cocooning her in a safe embrace. What she's not going to let her mind focus on is the fact that if she did open her eyes, they would be invaded by the sight of a very stupid man trying to carry waterlogged boxes into the house that sits adjacent hers. Along with an even stupider man who volunteered himself and his wife to help him. Emma, was not that stupid.

Her thoughts came to a halt when she heard tapping on the window pane in front of her. Sighing deeply, Emma slowly opened one eye to see her father's face mere inches from hers. Rain dripping from his hair and nose as he motions with a tilt of his head to meet him at the front door. Why he couldn't just come to the door was beyond her. With a low grumble and a quick sip of her, now lukewarm, hot chocolate she reluctantly climbed out of her cocoon and made her way across the chilled hardwood floor to open the door.

"Yes?" she asked a little too bitterly. Emma watched as David wiped the water from his face to no avail. The rain was unforgiving and looked as if it would stay through the night. Her patience was growing thin as she waited for his reply.

"Your mother had ordered some food from Granny's. And since you're the only one still dry-" he motioned to her with his hands with a half smile on his face, pleading silently. Emma raised an unamused brow before exhaling hard and rolling her eyes. David smiled and pulled out his wallet. "Thanks, Emma. The food should be ready by the time you get there," she took the fifty from his hand as he continued, "I really do appreciate this."

"Yeah, yeah." she muttered. "How's the whole moving in thing going with-" she glanced over just as the man in question came around the moving truck to grab another load of boxes. She did not notice the way his muscles were showing underneath the rain soaked grey shirt. Nope. Not. At. All.

"Killian. Well, it would be a whole lot simpler without the storm raining down on us but, we're managing." he cleared his throat and only then did she realize that she was still staring at Killian? Yes, Killian. What an odd name. "You should get going." he had his dad voice on and a slight glare in his eyes.

"Yes, father." she pursed her lips and shut the door in his face.

Emma finished her cocoa in record time as she gathered on her clothes and slid on some rain boots. She threw her golden hair into a messy bun before sighing at herself in the mirror of the hallway closet door. She had this feeling of dread over come her. She wasn't sure why but, she couldn't shake it. Swallowing hard, Emma turned on her heel, pulled the hood of her jacket over her head, and left the house as quick as she could.

Emma weaved around the puddles in the driveway toward her old, yellow bug, quickly fumbling through keys. Her hands were shaking. 'Why? What the hell is wrong?' she thought to herself. She had glanced up to the window of her car to see a boy standing behind her. "Holy shit!" she spun around throwing herself into the side of the door to see… nothing. No one was there. But the pounding in her chest and her inability to calm her breathing said differently. Was she going crazy? She had clearly seen someone, right? Maybe the rain on the car formed an image of sorts-

"You alright, love?" Killian asked as he ran over.

An accent. Of course he had an accent! "Uh, fine. I suppose." she muttered, not meeting his gaze. "I thought- never mind." she shook her head and turned back to the car door to let herself in.

Killian placed a strong hand on the top of the door to keep her from opening it. An eyebrow arched as her eyes finally met his. Emerald eyes meeting icy blue. "You thought-?" he urged, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Really. It's nothing." she bit back, forcing the door open, her eyes challenging his. Emma saw a slight nod as he backed away, hands in the air, surrendering.

"Very well. Just wanted to be sure you were alright. It looked as though you had," he turned on his heel, a smirk on his face, "seen a ghost." The last of his sentence was nearly missed over the sound of the rain picking up. And with that, he quickly made his way back to his front porch to shield himself from the rain. Emma thought she spotted an amused look on his face through the downpour as he conspicuously watched her get into the car and slam the door behind her.

She was right. He was a stupid man.

Emma was shrugging off a drunken Neal for the third time as Ruby finished boxing up the order. He reeked of beer and horrible decisions.

"Come on, babes…" he pleaded in her ear. "You know this break is fucking redundant." Neal's fingers found a wet strand of blonde hair and gently stroked it. "I love you. You love me. Perfect happily ever after."

Emma had to fight the urge not to regurgitate all over Ruby's clean counter top. She closed her eyes and turned away from him. "There's a difference between a break and a break up." she muttered.

"Not with us." he retorted.

"Go away!" she finally yelled, snapping her head towards him. Emma saw the exact moment that Neal's eyes changed. They went dark as his fingers yanked the strand it had been toying with causing her to yelp in pain.

Ruby was in front of them in seconds. "Neal…" she growled in warning, "Leave now before Granny gets reacquainted with her shotgun." She glared menacingly when she noticed Neal clench his fist at his side. "Now."

Neal seemed to give up for the moment. He threw his hands up in the air as he stood to his feet. "Whatever. Not like it's going to matter in a day or two anyway. Emma just can't seem to let me go." he smirked before giving her cheek a hard smooch. But, just before he pulled away, his lips touched her ear to whisper, "You will never find anyone who loves you. You're stuck with me, princess." he chuckled darkly and backed away, still eyeing Emma.

Once the door chimed Emma let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Along with a stray tear or two. But, she quickly wiped those away before Ruby had noticed.

"I'm sorry." Ruby whispered, shoving the to-go containers in front of Emma. "I would've warned you but you showed before I even got the chance." she offered an apologetic smile before taking the fifty Emma had managed to pull from her jeans pocket.

"'s okay." she reassured. "Um, I'm on the schedule for tomorrow, right? Morning shift?"

Ruby nodded, her red lips pursed. "I can cover-"

"No! Um, no… I'll be here." Emma kept her head down as she grabbed the change and the food. "Thanks." she muttered before quickly leaving the diner.

Everyone was now changed out of their soggy clothes and finishing their meals around the fireplace in Killian's new place. Mary Margaret had insisted on having Killian over for a proper meal once he was good and settled. Of course he was honored. The bastard.

Emma wasn't even sure why she was so angry towards him. She didn't know him from Adam. And yet, the animosity she held was indescribable. The way his stupid hair was now sticking in every direction from air drying was annoying. The perfect chiseled features of his face were irritating. The way his stubble was kept at just the right length-

She straightened when his eyes glanced in her direction, clearly trying to hide the amusement dancing behind those stupid blue eyes. A bushy brow shot up and his lips turned up in a half smile before returning to his mozzarella sticks.

"I hate you." she thought to herself with a glare in his direction.

"Cat got your tongue, love?" he asked into his greasy coated brown paper bag. Obviously, he was avoiding her gaze and she couldn't help but smirk.

"Nope."

Silence.

"It's just… you haven't really…" he looked over at her again and shrugged with a sigh. "Forget I mentioned it."

"Not a problem."

Silence.

Mary Margaret clapped her hands together with a smile to try and break the awkwardness. "Ok! Now that everyone's eaten… how about we help Killian put together some of this mess." her smile beamed as she stood. David groaned and Killian choked on a sip of water.

"Mary Margaret, it's not even your house to put together." he muttered as he stood to meet his wife's gaze. "It's a bachelor pad. I'm sure he doesn't want a woman's touch." he stated with a shrug.

Emma didn't miss the sly glance Killian threw her way. With a reluctant sigh, she stood to her feet and pointed towards the kitchen, motioning him to join her. It didn't take him long to scramble to his feet and hurry behind her.

The place was quite nice from what she's seen. Gorgeous hardwood floors. Amazing detailing in the wood paneling around the doorways. She stopped herself, though. This wasn't her house. She didn't even know this man, and yet, here they are in the kitchen together.

"Are you saying I can't even put the cups in the cabinets for him?!"

"It's not your house, dear."

"What about the silverware? At least let me do that?"

"Mary Margaret-"

Killian stifled a laugh as she suppressed a grin. Her parents really were quite the sight to behold. "Do they-" he started.

She nodded knowingly. "All the time. My mother is quite the mother hen. She'd take this whole town under her wing in a heartbeat. I'll be shocked if she doesn't invite you over for breakfast tomorrow." Emma took the chance to look him over when he turned his back to her as she spoke to rummage through some of the soggy boxes. He had changed into a pair of green plaid pajama pants that hung low on his waist. His shirt was black, hugging his arms as they flexed. The hem of it rising up his back the further he dug, revealing two small dimples. Her vision snapped back up as he turned around, hopefully hiding the blush on her cheeks.

"You know, love, it has come to my attention that I have failed to properly introduce myself." he seemed to be upset at that fact. "Killian Jones." he straightened up at his introductory, holding out the same strong hand that had held her car door shut earlier.

Emma contemplated as she bounced on her toes, eventually taking his hand firmly and nodding, "Emma Swan." She didn't miss that stupid eyebrow thing he does when she mentioned her name. "What?" she bit, pulling her hand from his.

Killian just shrugged and rocked back on his heels into the counter, crossing his arms. He opened his mouth to say something but her parents chose that moment to barge in.

"You will come over tomorrow for breakfast." Mary Margaret stated. It wasn't a request. "I'm making pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs." she beamed.

"I tried." David muttered in defeat. "I really did." They all seemed to chuckle at that statement.

"That's very thoughtful of you but-"

"Don't." she warned. "You are coming."

"Aye." he sighed with a defeated smile.

"Good! Now let's go! I'm sure Killian is exhausted. I know my husband is." she gave David a small hug and a peck on the cheek before leaving the kitchen, David following behind.

Emma didn't know why she was lingering in his doorway. Her parents had already left for home but she could see David peering at them from the bay window. She gave a roll of her eyes and made her way across his porch. "Goodnight." she muttered. Emma gasped lightly when she felt his hand grab her arm gently. Her gaze fell onto his and his icy blue eyes were filled with worry. She watched as he closed his eyes and gave his head a small shake. "Uh-"

"Sorry." he dropped his hand instantly and backed up into his house. "Goodnight, love. I suppose we shall see each other in the morning." he fought with himself, wanting to say something more but, instead gave her a small smile and shut the door.

Emma was confused.

She didn't do confused.

"Stupid man."