Title: The Santa Sub

Author: Steph

Rating: G

Pairing: Hook/Emma

Characters: Hook & Emma

Category: Romance/Humor/Drama

Disclaimer: I do this out of a love for this couple. No infringement is intended.

Spoilers: Nope!

Summary: Emma Swan is the new event coordinator for Macy's and it's her first year organizing the Thanksgiving Day Parade. When the man who usually plays Santa in the parade has a heart attack one week before the event, Emma is forced to replace him with the CEO's son, Killian Jones.

...The Santa Sub: Part 2/5...

Emma stood outside the costume department and glared at Killian when he came into sight.

"You're 20 minutes late," she said.

"I'm not much of a slave to time."

"Well, time is money. I am an extremely busy woman so let's get this over with."

Emma entered the costume department with Killian following behind her. She found Louise, the head of the department, sitting behind a table. Louise was nearly 75 and had worked in the costume department for 50 years. There wasn't anything she couldn't do.

"Hi, Louise. I've got a real challenge for you this time. This is Killian Jones."

Killian extended his hand and shook hers. "Pleasure. I must say you have eyes that sparkle like emeralds."

Louise giggled like a school girl, while Emma rolled her eyes.

"Louise, this is Mr. Jones' son. He is taking over as Santa for Leon this year."

Louise's mouth formed a little O. "This handsome young man is going to play Santa in the parade? Pish posh!"

"Orders from Mr. Jones' so we need to make it work."

Louise moved out from behind the table and came to stand in front of Killian. She poked him in the chest and stomach and side with her crooked, pointy finger.

"He's thin as a twig."

"I prefer toned," Killian said.

Louise whacked him in the stomach with her hand. "There's no bowl full of jelly in sight. There's barely a teaspoon!"

Emma laughed as Killian winced.

Louise gnawed on her lower lip. "Well, I may have an extra fat suit in the back. We keep them around in case our Santas in the toy department aren't quite portly enough. Let me go check."

Louise disappeared into the back. She emerged a few minutes later holding a fat suit.

Emma couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"You are going to look so dashing in that."

Killian hid his smile. "You're just loving this, aren't you?"

Emma nodded. "Very much so."

"Let's try it on," Louise said.

Killian removed his leather jacket and stepped into the suit. Louise zipped him up in the back. Louise and Emma stood back to admire him.

Louise nodded. "Not bad."

"It will do," Emma said, desperately trying not to laugh at the sight he presented. She thought he resembled a Sumo wrestler.

Killian couldn't even bend his arms. He looked like a kid in a snowsuit two sizes too small.

"This is rather uncomfortable," he said.

Emma patted his belly. "No pain, no gain."

Louise gestured to the back of department. "Let me go find a Santa suit."

She returned a few minutes later with a suit. She helped Killian put on the pants and jacket, then the hat, belt, boots, and gloves.

Emma nodded. "Getting there."

Killian smiled. "Admit it. I'm the most devilishly handsome Santa you've ever laid eyes on."

Emma fought a smile. She couldn't argue with that.

"What about the wig and beard?" he asked.

Louise shook her head. "Can't help you there. If you want to look like the real deal, then you're going to need the make-up department to help you with that."

Emma nodded. "Fine. Meet me there tomorrow at 9, Killian. I have work to do now. See you then."

Emma walked out the door.

Louise bobbed her head. "Yes, I really must get back to work too."

She disappeared into the back.

"Wait!" Killian called. "I need help getting out of this bloody thing!"

Killian tried in vain to move his arms to unzip it, but only succeeded in falling onto his back. Once on his back, it was impossible to get up. He looked like a turtle flipped on its shell.

"Bloody hell!"

Just then, Emma walked back in. "I forgot my-...

She paused and stopped abruptly, as she looked down at Killian lying at her feet. She couldn't help but erupt into laughter.

"Perhaps you could lend me a hand?"

Emma started clapping, garnering a scowl from Killian.

"A little assistance would be much appreciated," he said through gritted teeth.

Emma took out her new phone and held it up. "I am so glad I didn't waste any time replacing my phone."

"Don't you dare, Emma," he said warningly.

"Say Ho, Ho, Ho," she said, as she snapped a photo. "This is definitely going in our company newsletter this month."

She finally composed herself and put her phone away. Emma reached down and extended her hand to Killian. But instead of lifting himself, he pulled her down on top of him.

Emma let out a squeak as she landed with a soft thud on top of him. Their faces ended up mere inches apart and his arms managed to wrap around her waist. Emma was suddenly distracted by his lips. Killian found himself similarly distracted.

Emma swallowed hard and then reluctantly wriggled free of his grip. She rolled off of him and stood up as gracefully as she could. She hesitated for a moment before extending her hand again. This time he placed it in hers and managed to lift himself off the ground.

Emma blushed and averted her eyes as he came to stand before her. She busied herself with straightening her clothes.

"Well, I must be going," she said.

"See you tomorrow," he replied, as he watched her leave.

His heart was thumping in his chest so hard he forgot that he still needed someone to help him get out of the suit.

Emma stopped outside the door and leaned against the wall. She now knew what it meant to get weak in the knees.

...

The following morning, Emma stood in front of the door to the make-up department. She looked down at her watch in annoyance. Killian was nearly twenty minutes late...again.

A moment later, he came sauntering in.

"You're late," she said by way of greeting.

"Good morning to you, too," he said with a grin.

"My time is valuable, Killian. I have to pull this parade together in less than a week. If you can't take this seriously, then maybe you should just quit."

"You'd love that, wouldn't you?"

"Look, why do you even want to do this? You're a spoiled, rich guy who has probably never worked a day in his life. Why do you want to pretend to be Santa?"

He shrugged. "I love kids and I love the parade. I also look dashing in red."

Emma tilted her head to the side, eyeing him. "There didn't seem to be any love lost between you and your father. Why would he want you to do this?"

Killian swallowed roughly. "My father and I have never seen eye to eye on how I should live my life. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps. So I went to university and I majored in business. The moment I graduated I knew that I couldn't do what he wanted. I couldn't put on a suit and tie and sit behind a desk every day making decisions about things I don't care about. My guess is he gave me this job - a job he believes to be beneath me- in the hopes that I will come to my senses and finally be the man the man he wants me to be. He's hoping I'll finally put that business degree to good use and come work for him."

Emma nodded. "So what do you do then? Wait, let me guess. You live off a trust fund or a monthly allowance from daddy. You probably travel around without a care in the world. No responsibilities, no commitments."

Killian paused for a long moment, then shrugged. "You have the traveling part right, but I haven't taken a penny from my father since I graduated. I do odd jobs here and there to clothe and feed myself and to finance my travels."

"So I was right. You don't really do anything."

Killian stared at her before answering. "Every place I go, I work to help those less fortunate. I built a school in Haiti and houses in the Dominican. I taught English to children in Costa Rica and dug wells in Ethiopia."

Emma's mouth dropped open in shock. "Wow...I had no idea. That's impressive. I'm sorry I misjudged you."

Killian shook his head. "I don't like to talk about it. I don't do it for the recognition. I do it because I want to help. I want to make a difference. I've been given so much in my life. I just want to give back to those who haven't been as fortunate."

"Why not just have your father write a check? It's easy and you don't have to get your hands dirty."

"Because anyone can write a check. You don't see the realities of what people face around this world when you write a check. And you don't get to see the good you cause in their lives. I want to show I care."

Emma was speechless. She never would have guessed that Killian Jones was a selfless do-gooder.

"You and your father aren't close then?"

Killian shook his head. "No, my mother died shortly after we arrived here. My father was always too busy with work to have much to do with me. I was raised by nannies."

"And with no cell phone or permanent residence you make it pretty impossible for him keep in touch with you," she said.

Killian moved his eyes from hers. "I don't think he cares much. I see him at Thanksgiving and Christmas. He seems fine with that." He paused and eyed her with interest. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"This job seems very important to you."

"It is. I started as a cashier in the shoe department when I was a teenager and climbed my way up. I worked very hard to get where I am and I am not going to let anyone ruin that for me."

"What about your family?"

Emma dropped her eyes and looked at her watch. "You know what? I can't do this today. I have too much to do. I need to get going."

"Emma."

"Killian, I have a lot of work to do. I will see you tomorrow,"' she said, before brushing past him.

He simply watched her go.

...

The next morning, Killian leaned against the door to the make-up department. He casually glanced at his watch. A moment later, Emma came around the corner.

"You're late," Killian said, a lopsided grin on his lips.

Emma looked down at her watch. "Two minutes."

"Time is money," he replied.

Emma rolled her eyes and then walked past him into the make-up department. Les was the head of the make-up department. He was a good-natured man in his late fifties who had worked there for over 25 years.

"Emma, always nice to see you," he said.

"You too, Les," she replied.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

Emma gestured at Killian. "This is Killian Jones, Mr. Jones' son. He will be replacing Leon as Santa this year."

Killian shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

Les moved his eyes up and down Killian's figure. "Little young, no?"

Emma nodded. "That's where you come in. We need you to give him a realistic wig and beard. Some rosy cheeks and whiten those eyebrows."

Les bobbed his head. "It won't be easy, but I can do it. Have a seat, Killian."

Killian sat down in a chair. Les disappeared and returned a few minutes later with a white wig and beard. Emma had to admit they looked pretty realistic.

Les began by placing a net cap over Killian's head. Emma snickered at his reflection in the mirror.

"What?"

"You look like a lunch lady," she said.

Killian felt his cheeks redden. He was starting to wonder if he could pull this off.

Les then placed the wig on Killian's head and secured it with clips.

Emma stifled a laugh. "You look like a dead president."

"I'd prefer it if you kept your comparisons to yourself," he snapped.

Les held up the beard. "The beard is a little trickier. We want it to look realistic, which means I must apply it to your face with glue."

"Is it easy to remove?" Killian asked.

"It just requires a Q-tip soaked in spirit gum remover. It will soften the gum so that the beard can easily be removed. Then, clean the face with spirit gum remover and wipe the residue completely off. Wash the face thoroughly and apply some moisturizer to it."

Killian nodded. "Okay."

Les brushed the spirit gum across Killian's face and then carefully applied the beard. He pressed it to his skin to be sure it adhered and that it met up with the wig on the sides.

Emma nodded, as she looked at him in the mirror. "Not bad. You're actually starting to look like Jolly Old St. Nick."

Les finished the transformation by adding strips of white hair to his eyebrows and blush to his cheeks.

"There you go," Les said with a satisfied clap of his hands.

Killian admired himself in the mirror. "I have to say even I don't recognize my devilishly handsome self. You've disguised me quite well. Thank you."

"Yes, thank you, Les," Emma said.

"Of course. When the big day gets here, you'll be able to fool everyone," Les said.

Killian nodded. "Now, can we get this off me?"

Les smiled and removed the wig. He then applied the spirit gum remover to his face, but Killian and Emma noticed his brow furrowing as he worked.

"Is something wrong?" Emma asked.

Les chewed on his lower lip nervously. "Well, it's just that I've...I've never seen this happen before. The spirit gum remover isn't working."

Killian's eyes widened. "What in bloody hell do you mean it's not working?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. The beard is not budging."

"You must be able to do something. Is there anything else you can try?" Emma asked.

She would never admit it but she quite enjoyed admiring Killian's handsome features. She didn't like the idea that they could be obscured indefinitely.

Les looked at the bottle. "Ah, here's the problem. This expired two years ago. I don't use this stuff much. I'll have to order another bottle. It's going to take a few days though."

Killian's eyes widened. "Are you telling me I have to walk around like this for a few days?"

Les shrugged. "I could cut the beard and shave it as much as possible, but I would never be able to remove it all. And it would destroy the beard."

Killian placed his hands over his face. This was turning into a nightmare.

Emma bit back a smile and then patted him on the shoulder. "Come on, Grandpa, let's go."

"Bloody hell, Emma, this isn't funny."

"I beg to differ." Emma's eyes lit up for a moment. "Actually, this gives me a great idea. Since you're stuck with the beard anyway, we'll use this to our advantage. We can use it in your training. Tomorrow, you'll play Santa in the toy department. This way, you can start getting used to moving in the suit. It will also give you a chance to be around some kids, as well as practice your wave and Ho Ho Ho's."

"Sounds like pure torture."

"You said you liked kids," she replied with a grin.

"That I did," he muttered.

Emma's eyes danced in delight.

End of Part 2

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you thought! ~Steph