New York City, New York


Neal paced the living room, beer in his hand. Why would Emma leave? He gave her everything she ever wanted. Sure she didn't always get her way but he didn't care. She didn't need to get her way. He was in charge and she had to realize that.

Three days after she first left, he knew she wasn't coming home. Things were missing in her small dresser, a few pictures she had with friends were no longer on the shelf and her journal she always had hidden under the bed was gone. He didn't care that she left. He didn't need her in his life when he had Tamara on the side. She was more of a woman then Emma was. Gave him all he needed and more.

He smirked at that thought before the smirk turned in to a frown. Emma had the one thing he did need though. The necklace his dad gave him. His dad said it was a mark of property. At the time it didn't make sense but as he grew up and watched his dad make the women around him his property, nothing more than a warm body in bed after a night of partying, it made sense to Neal. He told Emma it was his grandmothers, knowing she would never wear it if she knew the truth. But now he wanted it back. Emma was garbage to him now. His feelings for her were done the second she started questioning everything he did for her. He didn't know where to start looking for her but he knew he would find her, he always did.


Pacific City, Oregon.

Emma woke with a start, her body covered in sweat and her heart pounding. She was confused for a moment, trying to figure out where she was. Everything was a blur until she sat up and started remembering the last few days. Sighing she pushed herself off the bed and headed to the small bathroom, grabbing a towel from the pile Killian had left for her.

Looking in to the mirror she didn't recognize herself. Her red hair was fading, dollar store brand was all she could afford, her eyes looked lifeless and her face looked thinner. She didn't know what to expect for the day, for any day honestly. She was scared Neal would find her, sweet talk her in to coming home. She didn't want that, she wanted to be away from him for good.

As she showered Emma remembered times with Neal when he was sweet. Back when she was in college, he would bring her coffee or lunch between classes just to spend time with her. When she was working late he always had dinner ready for her on the table and a rose beside the bed. He had his sweet moments. He always knew what she needed when she was feeling down. She thought they would get married, start a family and be happy. But suddenly he changed. Suddenly it was like living with two men in one body. One moment he was sweet and wanted to buy her things to show his life, then the next he was lashing out at her for putting a dish away too loud, or not washing his white shirt he needed for the next day, even as it hung in the closet, clean. She started doing less right and more wrong in his eyes.

It scared her how fast he changed when he was mad. She always tried her best to keep him from getting to that point but nothing worked. No matter how much she tried he was always mad at her for something.

It didn't help that she knew he was cheating on her with some girl in his office. He wasn't sneaky about it. Lipstick stains on his shirt, receipt to gifts he bought the girl laying on her dresser, as if to say she was easily replaced. It was the phone calls in the middle of the night that made her realize the feelings for him where long gone. He would always think she was asleep and go call some girl he called T. Tell her he loved her and explain all the things he wanted to do to her when they were alone. The last call Emma heard between them was the one that made her leave the next day.

It had been after a long fight with Neal and Emma was tired of fighting. She knew it wouldn't change unless she left ad he was making sure she never left. She had gone to bed with a tear stained face knowing tomorrow she would be gone, free. He watched her sleep and left the room to call T, promising he would marry her once he was done with Emma, that she was a warm body in his bed and nothing more.

Emma waited until he was gone and packed only what she need and left the necklace he gave her on his side of the bed, a note saying they were done and not to bother looking for her. She did her best to cover her tracks knowing if he was determined enough, he would find her.

As Emma dressed in jeans and a long sleeved shirt, she took a deep breath knowing she was safe again. She could live a little or even set roots down somewhere. She laughed to herself as she headed down stairs wanting to get something to eat before she walked around town, hoping to find something to do before bed that night.

Killian stood in the kitchen as Emma walked in, the look on his face making her stop and stare at him for a moment. He looked handsome, she wouldn't deny that. But the look he wore currently was one of confusion. She shrugged it off and she knocked on the door frame and moved in to the room.

"Good morning Lass. How did you sleep?" He asked her curiously as he held out a cup of coffee.

"Well thank you. Thank you again for letting me crash here. I promise it won't be long." She said as she took a seat, grabbing an apple from the basket on the table.

"You're welcome, and don't feel like you have to get out of here right away. I promise you are no bother here. It's nice to know that space is being used again." He said with a smile as he put his empty cup back in to the sink. "I found the extra key to the door for you. I won't be here most of the day but you are welcomed to anything in the house. I should be back tonight if you would like to get dinner together? I can pick something up at Granny's on the way home." He said softly as he set the key beside her before he turned to grab his bag from the counter.

"I thought Granny's was the motel?" Emma asked slipping the key into her pocket confused. Killian laughed some smiling.

"She also owns a diner, first level is the diner and reception areas, second and third are the hotel rooms. If you have time you should check it out. It's almost done now and Granny loves new people and showing off her work." He said with a smile. "I need to go before I'm late. Have a good day Emma." He said with a smile as he headed from the house.

Emma watched him leave and sat back in the chair, the half eaten apple in her left hand, the town on her mind. Maybe she would check it out. See if there were any jobs in town or something to do while she was there. Finishing her apple and coffee, she stood and threw the apple away and placed her cup in the sink beside Killian's mug before she headed out.

The walk to down town took her maybe 10 minutes. It was different than she was used too back in New York. But she was falling in love with the small town feel. People said Hello to her and smiled as she walked past, something she definitely wasn't used too. She could get used to it all and that thought scared her a little.

Walking in to the diner she smiled at a couple who said hello on their way out and made her way to a table taking a seat. The diner itself was decorated in black and whites with hints of blues and purples throughout the seating. Emma grabbed her phone out when she heard someone stop at her table.

"You must be new here. I'm Ruby." The girl said with a smile. Emma looked up and gave her a smile, deciding that Red had to be a theme for the girl, red streaks in her hair, bright red painted lips, and red clothes. It was a look Emma couldn't ever pull off but Ruby did it so effortlessly.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Emma." She said softly. Ruby smiled and sat down across from Emma watching her.

"You aren't a natural Red head and that color is all wrong for you. But you do pull it off well." She said causing Emma to laugh.

"You're right. I'm actually a natural blonde but wanted a change. I take it you do hair?" She asked smiling as she looked to her. Ruby shrugged before grinning.

"Hair, waitressing here, reception at the inn when it opens again. I do it all." She said with a laugh, causing Emma to laugh again.

"How do you ever have a life?" Emma teased with a small smile. "Do you know of any places looking to hire at the moment? I just got in to town and need a job to help out some." She said as she looked around the diner. Ruby smiled and nodded.

"I know a few. Depends on what you are looking for and where you are staying." She said smirking. Ruby was nosey, but she felt like it was her job to make sure she knew what was going on. No one did anything in her town that she didn't know about.

"Anything really, I was in school to be a nurse but had to drop that. I worked as a waitress, maid, barista, and a nanny since I was 18. And I'm staying with Killian something. I didn't get his last name." Emma knew she didn't know much about him but her stomach said to trust the strange man. Ruby's face, full of shock and wonder made Emma pause.

"You are staying with Killian? Wow I'm surprised to be honest. He hasn't let many people in to the house since his wife died last year. I'm glad he's starting to finally opening up again." Ruby said more to herself but it still made Emma interested in what was going on. "I know Granny is looking to hire another waitress here given I'll be opening my own salon soon, and she could always use help in the inn when it opens next week." She said as she looked to Emma smiling. "I'll get you an app and some hot chocolate." She said before she got up and headed towards the kitchen.

Emma wondered what Ruby had meant about Killian's wife, but she knew it wasn't her place. Shrugging it off she turned her phone on for the first time since Nebraska and set it down as it powered on. She watched as the screen light up with missed texts and calls, mainly from Neal. She sighed as she started going through the texts, knowing that he was just trying to get in to her head again.

"Where r u?"

"Im starting to worry about u Emma!"

"This is pathetic, come home. Ur wasting my time!"

"U STUPID BITCH COME HOME. I CAN NOT STAND U RIGHT NOW!"

"Ur acting like a child Emma."

"I don't understan doing this. I miss u. ILY. Come home."

"I WANT MY NECKLACE BACK BITCH!"

Emma had to laugh at the texts. He was the one acting like a child. His spelling made her laugh; he never told her he loved her. It was always love you or ily, made her realize that he didn't truly care. And the last text had her almost in tears laughing. Had he been in his own bed he would have seen the necklace on his pillow. It just showed how often he was out with T.

Ruby smiled as she set down an application and a pen for Emma along with some hot chocolate. Emma thanked her as she took a drink and started filling the paper work out. She wanted to be able to give killian some kind of money to help out. Her phone lit up again, grabbing her attention from the paper.

"Hey Ems, missed you at work today. Mitch says you need to come in tomorrow or you are fired. Girl where are you!? –Trina" Sighing Emma picked up her phone and texted Trina back letting her know what was going on, and to not let Neal know anything. Trina promised as long as Emma kept in touch. Handing the application in to Ruby, she left money on the table before she headed out the door, calling a good bye as she went.


Killian had a long morning which made the afternoon even worse. His head was throbbing; his back hurt and his hands were starting to ache. But he had missed work. He missed building houses and laughing with his friends as they did their best to get it done.

Killian opened Jolly Roger Construction when he was 18. He did his best to keep it afloat while he worked on small projects as a one man office. Now at 26, he had a 15 man crew, building some of the best houses in Oregon. Robin and David had helped him the last year, taking over so he could have the time off to mourn and while he was back, he didn't demote the men back down to just workers, he knew he needed them in the office with him or on jobs, he needed them as his right hand men. He decided to tell them that night before they all headed home his new plans to expand the company even more.

"Boss, its 3, time to call it a day!" Tiny, one of Killian's largest but hardest working men called to him. Killian was glad to have Tiny on his crew. He always reminded the men to drink water when it was hot or of times when he knew Killian would forget if he was in the Tone.

"Alright men, Finish the part you are on and call it a day. Clock out with Tiny and Lock up your tools!" He called out to the men as he finished framing the wall. Cleaning up his tools he thanked Tiny with a nod of the head, another man who had stepped up with he was gone the last year, and headed to the small trailer that served as an office when they were on site.

Sitting behind Killian's desk, Robin had his feet up and was on the phone with his fiancé Regina. Killian didn't like the woman that well but she made Robin happy and that was good enough for him. Killian smacked his feet as he walked by, putting his tools away. David walked in with the clip boards from Tiny and set them in the correct spots before dropping to the couch, exhausted. Killian took a seat beside David as they waited for Robin to be done.

"Sorry, she is wanting to get all the wedding plans done before she leaves on her trip next week." Robin said as he hung up the phone.

"The wedding isn't for 3 more months though?" Killian said watching Robin.

"What can I say, she likes to be ready." Robin said with a laugh, David and killian joining in. Kiillian cleared his throat looking to the two beside him.

"We gotta talk business for a moment." He started before he got up and looked to the men. He was nervous but knew it would all be good. "I've done some thinking while I was gone and I want to hire more help. We are growing and the demand is getting larger. I want you both beside me in the company and not just working for me. I can't offer a raise at the moment but I was thinking your own crews, own trucks and the chance to take any job your offered if you want too?" Killian offered nervous. Robin, who had taken Killian's place beside David, stood up.

"Mate, we already almost make the same you do so if you were to give us a raise I'd kill you. But I'd gladly accept the promotion." He said before he hugged Killian, David agreeing and following suit. Killian was more than happy that both men wanted to have a promotion. He couldn't run J.R. without them.

Realizing the time he sighed some, knowing he promised Emma he would grab dinner on his way home.

"Sorry Mates, I have to get going. I've got plans." He said, not bothering to tell either man what the plan was. As he grabbed his things he checked his phone, realizing he never gave her his number in case she needed to get a hold of him.

"Yeah? With who?" David asked smirking, grabbing his own jacket and setting it on. Killian rolled his eyes knowing there was no way he would be able to get out of it now.

"Her name is Emma. She is new in town and needed a place for a few nights, so I offered the room above the garage to her." He said as he shrugged. "I told her I'd bring dinner home and we could discuss things tonight. I need to go before Granny decides not to serve tonight." He said as he headed out of the trailer.

Robin and David looked to each other and just smirked knowing that this was a good thing for Killian, though they both knew that Killian was trying to save this girl because he couldn't save Milah. Both agreed to talk about it later, just not tonight since they wanted to get home.


Killian walked in to the house, a bag of Granny's burgers and fries in his hand. He was happy to be home, to work on expanding the company and talking to Emma. As he walked in to the kitchen to set the bag down he noticed her sitting at the table writing.

"I brought Cheese burgers and fries. I would have grabbed a drink but I didn't know what you would want to drink. I hope water is okay for tonight." Killian said as he set the bag on the counter, grabbing some plates out.

"That sounds great. Anything to drink would have been great but water tonight sounds perfect." She said as she put her notebook away and cleared the table some.

"I'll remember that for next time." He said with a smile as he grabbed them each water from the fridge and carried the bottles plus their plates to the table before he sat down. "Granny tells me she hired you to help out. Sounds like you are getting a great start here." He said smiling as he started eating his fries.

"Yeah, I met Ruby today when I went in to town just to get out and we talked about jobs and such. She is really nice." Emma said as she ate her cheese burger. "I start tomorrow and be able to pay some rent or even bring home dinner as well." She said with a smile as she ate. Killian smiled as he looked to her before he shrugged.

"You don't need to pay rent. I didn't invite you here for that. You just work on yourself." He said before he paused. "That came our wrong I apologize. Im just saying that you don't have to pay me. I don't want your money." He told her with a smile as he continue eating. Emma nodded watching him for a moment.

"I'd still like to pay you or something." She told him as he ate. "Even if it's something small, I want to feel useful and helpful around here." She said as she looked to him. "I want you to know something about me. It's important you know more about me because of me staying here." She told him as she pushed her half eaten plate away.

"Okay. I'm listening." Killian said as he put his burger down and looked to her. Emma started telling him as much as he could about Neal and her life back home. She was scared to open up to him, scared he would hurt her like Neal did. But so far Killian was nothing like Neal. Tears filled her eyes as she kept telling him, stopping when she finally told him about the meeting him on the beach.

Emma expected him to freak out, like she had been used too. Instead Killian moved his chair closer to her and watched her for a moment before he placed his hand on hers.

"I promise you, he won't hurt you here. You are save here and will be safe here." Killian promised her as he gave her a small smile. Emma brought her free hand up to her face and wiped the tears as she looked to him, feeling safe all over again.

"Thank you Killian. I know that we just met but I trust you." She told him as she watched him for a moment. Killian took a deep before he decided to tell Emma about Milah. He wasn't scared to open up with Emma.


Emma laid in bed that night thinking about everything that happened as they both opened up. She was worn out and tired, but she felt free. Sighing she turned in her bed and wondered what tomorrow would bring for her. She thought about going back to school, earning her teaching degree and getting a job in town. Hearing her phone beep she got up and moved to where it sat picking it up, wondering if it was Ruby or Killian now that both had her number.

"Sleep tight Emma. I'll see U soon."

Her blood ran cold.

Neal.


A|N: This ended up being a lot longer than I thought. BUT it's both chapter two and three I had planned out and that makes me happy. Please let me know what you think and how you are enjoying the story so far! Next chapter will be up by Sunday at the latest!