Chapter 2
Snapping of the Cuffs
Killian tugged at the ends of his neatly secured bowtie, pulling on the black fabric just so it rested perfectly against the crisp white collar of his elegant white dress shirt. He felt the engine of the black SUV he had been in slow to a hummed mummer as it pulled to a stop. Show time. Killian pushed open the door of the sleek black car and stepped onto the red carpet that was rolled out onto the massive stone steps. His blue eyes followed the line of the carpet to the shinning entrance of the dream dropped mansion of a filthy rich jewel collector, Abet Walters. He was hosting an annual auction to sell some of his most exquisite gems, an event that Killian Jones wouldn't dare to miss. He gracefully made his way out of the car and up the steps to the mansion. Every room was glowing in a warm blaze, illuminating the night and dimming the light of the barely visible stars. The greenery surrounding the huge estate was glowing in the pale shine of the numerous street lamps scattered along the twisted driveways leading from the tall black gates. Masses of people draped in fancy suits and dresses wobbled up the never ending set of stairs. Killian made his way up to the usher at the entrance of the wide open doors.
"James Hook," Killian announced, the usher scratching his name off of the list immediately. He smirked as he sauntered inside, following the crowd through a long hallway and through another pair of double doors. He pushed inside, his eyes feasting on the main hall of the mansion, a smile creeping on his features as he saw cases of the world's most beautiful jewels laid out carefully. Killian made his way around, taking in the jewels, pausing at last on the most eye catching one. He glared, observing its blue luster and blinding shine.
"Beautiful isn't it?" a voice drawled out from behind him. Killian turned his head, coming face to face with a tall, slender woman with dark red lips and short black hair. She had on a floor length, sleek black gown and pair of icicle like diamond earrings.
"That it is, love," he purred. She was holding out two glistening glasses of golden campaign. Killian grabbed one from her and took a sip, his gaze moving back to the gem.
"They call it the Jewel of the Realm, one of the rarest jewels in the entire world," she hummed, taking a swing from her glass, leaving a red lip stain of the clear glass. "God knows why that old balding bastard is selling it."
Killian chuckled. "Oh Regina, I see you haven't lost your biting wits."
The brunette cackled. "And I see you haven't lost your charms, Jones" she spat.
"Oh I most definitely haven't," Killian laughed "nor my devilishly handsome looks." Regina chuckled. "So I hear you outwitted the authorities once more." A soft chuckled tumbled through the women's lips. "And changed you hair," he finished, eyeing her short locks.
"Well it only seemed fitting for the occasion don't you find?" Regina replied. Killian shrugged.
"I was rather fond of the previous look," Killian chuckled.
"Mmm, yes blonde, just like your FBI friend," Regina snorted.
"She certainly doesn't like to think so," Killian replied, smiling at the thought of Agent Swan's sharp green eyes and whipping blonde hair.
"Not a surprise since you have been stringing her on a wild chase for the past year," Regina said, her eyes moving to eye the surrounding gems, as if she were stalking her prey, picking and choosing her next snag.
"That won't be for long, love," Killian replied, smiling slightly. This caught the brunette's attention. Her dark eyes snapped to him and eyed him carefully, a single finger tapping against her campaign glass.
"What are you up to?" she asked as she chewing on her bottom lip thoughtfully.
"None of your bloody business," Killian smiled before turning to meet her gaze "but I do suggest you make a quick and brief exit."
"Oh and I would I do that? I just got here Jones," she pouted, dropping her empty drink on a passing server's tray.
"Because my date is about to arrive," he answered quickly, countering Regina's curious look with a sinister smile. This earned him a groan and an eye roll as the brunette turned and swayed toward the exit. "Shame you can't stay Regina, the fun is just about to start."
/
Emma marched up the massive stone steps of the Walter mansion; gun in hand and a team of agents behind her. A rush of relief and determination was clouding her thoughts as the idea of catching Killian Jones would finally become a reality. She had tracked the motor boat down to a dock not far from where he fled his yacht. She then scoured through multiple hotels to find him as well as review her hotels security footage to prove her really had barged into her room to leave his little love letter. She was suck until she got an anonymous tip that someone had overheard of Jones' attendance to the gem display. Emma was hesitant to believe it until she got word of Regina Mill's escape from prison, flaming Gold's anger enough to have her grasp at any chance she was given. Luckily enough, the tip had been correct. She had given the command to storm the house after confirming what there indeed was a James Hook inside. That idiot seemingly had a pattern of using names of fairytale characters as his aliases, his previous one being Lance Charming. Emma reached the top of the steps and flashed her badge to the voucher near the door. She glided in, turning into the main hall, where she was met with the eyes of the elegantly dressed guests. She could hear her team scour the other rooms as she raked her eyes over the area, spotting a head of black hair facing a gem display. She held her gun out at arm's length and moved over to the man.
"Killian Jones, you are under arrest," she growled. The man turned to face her, only to reveal an unfamiliar face. It wasn't him.
"Shit," Emma hissed. Her walkie talkie crackled then.
"Emma, there is no sign of him, we checked all of the rooms," Graham voice called. Emma cursed; she couldn't let him go again. Then, suddenly, it hit her like a wave.
"The roof," Emma yelled. She ran through the crowd, a group of cops behind her, commanding the others to follow. Emma turned into an emergency stair case and bolted upward. Masses of footsteps clamored behind her. She finally reached the top and kicked the door open, a rush of night air hitting her. She scanned the massive roof top, spotting a figure standing near the ledge. She raised her gun once more and yelled.
"Jones, I swear to god you move one fucking inch and I will shoot you!" A laugh ran afterward, followed by the return of a familiar face as the man turned to face Emma.
"Swan, I thought we would never meet again," Killian chuckled as he raised his arms in defeat.
"Well tough shit," Emma snapped before lunging herself at him. She grabbed his arms before he could move further and pinned them behind his back.
"Killian Jones, you are under arrest," she said once more, a sudden rush of relief filling her as she heard the snapping of her handcuffs against his wrists.
/
Emma couldn't stop fussing. She had locked herself in the bathroom, her case file thrown on the sink and her gun sitting on top of it. She felt like throwing up and kept tying and re-tying her hair, not sure whether to leave it up or keep it down. God, why the hell did it matter? She was due for an interrogation in two minutes, finally facing the man she had been hunting. But why did she feel so off her game? The event seemed almost intimidating as it lurked over her. Killian Jones' arrest had been easy, almost too easy. It seemed almost like a defeat. But there was no way in hell Killian Jones would succumb to defeat, not after so long. It was unlike him. Then why did this arrest feel so wrong? Why wasn't arresting him as satisfying as she had imagined it to be? And most of all, why the hell had she pulled her hair down again? Like appearance would matter. It shouldn't…but somehow subconsciously, Emma's gut made it matter.
"Screw it," Emma scoffed as she whipped her hair back up into her hair tie, snatching her gun and Jones' case file off of the sink and making her way out, avoiding the mirror purposefully because she knew that one look would make her pull her hair down for the fourth time. She walked down the hall and toward the interrogation room, exchanging a quick encouraging glance with Graham before reaching the door. She was met by a stern eyed Gold, who was waiting for her outside of the door.
"Agent Swan," he greeted.
"Gold," Emma replied.
"I hope you are ready," he stated "we need to get any information we can get from him, especially about the location of the stolen gems that weren't on his boat." Emma nodded.
"Gold, something about this is wrong," she blurted before thinking. The man gave her a curious look.
"And why is that?" he asked.
"He gave up;" Emma answered immediately "that isn't like him. Killian Jones doesn't give up; I have been on a wild goose chase to prove that. I know him Gold; he wouldn't do this unless he had something up his sleeves."
"Ms. Swan, why should it matter? We have him, that it all that matters right now," her boss answered.
"And what about Regina?" Emma shot back. "What if he has something to do with her escape?"
"Well why don't you ask him once you get in there," Gold snapped "he says he won't talk to anyone but you." Emma sighed as Gold stepped aside, freeing the entrance to the interrogation room. She sucked in a deep breath before putting a hand on the door handle. She pushed the door open after a second, but not before using the other to quickly let down her hair from its pony tail. Emma marched in with her head held high, greeted by the shining eyes of Jones', who hands were cuffed as he sat in the middle of the room. He rested his feet up on the single metal table in the middle. He was facing the mirror that hid the agents in the other room. He smiled as soon as Emma walked in, his teeth shinning.
"Hello love," he greeted. Emma could feel annoyance rush back suddenly.
"Jones," she greeted, suddenly smug as she pushed a grin on her face. It was nice to see him cuffs, Emma had to admit. She moved to sit across from him, motioning for him to put his feet down with the simple flick of her eyes. Killian raised his hands in defeat, nodding his head before moving his feet down.
"You're in a lot of trouble buddy," she stated simply, still smiling smugly at him.
"Oh whatever for?" he laughed. Emma rolled her eyes and opened his case file.
"Well for starters identity theft, position of stolen property, and not to mention countless charges for theft and resisting arrest multiple times…" Emma began.
"You hair is down," Killian said suddenly. Emma blinked.
"What?" she asked.
"Your hair is down," he repeated, eyeing her carefully "and I'm not going to mention that your lovely green blouse seems to be showing a bit more that it usually does. Not that I'm complaining, you look stunning. But it seems you made an extra effort in your appearance today Swan, I wonder why that would be."
"I'm sorry Jones I must have missed the memo about this being wardrobe critique. If I had known I would have worn a full length gown and heels," she snapped.
"Hm, that wouldn't have helped. I have always been a firm believer of the less is more theory," he smirked, his eyes flicking to her blouse again.
"I will keep that in mind; maybe pass that note to your cell mate. I'm sure he will share your beliefs," Emma snapped, turning back to her file, feeling Killian's eyes stay on her. "Now let's see, there are multiple things you and I haven't even gotten to yet. Heists ranging from France, Italy, Canada…and you seem to have the Chez Republic Politsiya on your ass as well and not mention rumors of a mafia having you as their prime target. And you seem to have tendency to string along multiple people before setting them up for capture. You betray them. I guess that didn't sit well with your last partner, he ratted you away… How exactly would you like to begin to explain all of this?"
Killian shrugged. "I was framed?" he tried.
"Haha," Emma replied "God, you have the wits that get many people very far in life, and not to mention the intelligence. Yet you chose to throw it away on countless of mindless schemes.
"They are anything but mindless, love," he butted in.
"And not to mention the fact that your brother used to be a well-respected diplomat…"
"You seem to know a lot about me Swan," he snapped, tensing at the mention of his brother, who, according to the file, had been killed in an accident only a few years ago.
"It's my job," she replied, eyeing his sudden change in demeanor.
"Well it seems you and I share that advantage," he laughed. Emma narrowed her eyes.
"You know nothing about me," she snapped.
"Oh but I do love," Killian said "You used to work as a bail-bonds person before joining the FBI. You have a limited amount of friends according to the few pictures they have of you on their social media pages. The most common where of people names Ruby, Mary-something, and Dave I believe. You also have a dark past, one that most likely includes multiple criminal charges but only minor since you were young. They also got easily over looked. There is no record of your parents, yet multiple records for foster home families indicating you were put up for adoption at a young age…"
"Ok that's enough," Emma hissed.
"Ah, so I'm right…" Killian said.
"About what?" Emma snapped at him.
"The last part was a guess. I couldn't find records of you when you were little so I assumed…seems I was right."
"Alright Jones, I didn't come here for you to knit pick my wardrobe or my personal life. I came to try and offer you a deal for information but it seems that is off the table."
"What?" Killian asked, bewildered.
"Looks like you played your cards wrong," Emma said. She snatched up her case file and marched out the door. Once outside, she groaned in frustration and chucked the file against the wall, watching a few papers scatter from it.
"How you holding up?" Graham asked as he made his way towards her, handing her a cup of coffee.
"How much trouble would I be in if I killed him?" Emma spat, leaning against the door and downing the coffee in a large gulp.
"Try 70 to life," Graham replied. Emma groaned again, hitting the back of her head against the door. Gold was going to kill her, without a doubt. She tossed the coffee cup in a nearby trash can and quickly whipped her hair back into a pony tail. She should have gone in with it, she decided. She never did like her hair down.
And here is the second chapter! It's been I while I know, but I have been working more on my other fanfic Never Let Your Guard Down so it took me a while to write another chapter for this new story! I will be continuing with Never Let Your Guard Down in addition to this, I plan on finishing it in probably less that 10 more chapters so I can then begin to work on this story a bit more. That being said, I do promise to continue with this story as well because I am excited about it and where it will go. This chapter is un-betaed so ignore an minor errors till I get the chance to fix them. Thank you to those who read, reviewed, favorite, and followed! Hope you all enjoyed this second chapter, reviews are appreciated! Hope you all have a nice weekend!
