A/N: I forgot to mention that all the chapter titles are lines from "The Only Exception" by Paramore.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even sanity.

Chapter Two

"And curse at the wind."

Killian Jones was not having a good day. Normally he loved his job at the docks but today was just one of those days. His boss seemed to be in one of those moods and was taking it out on Killian. He had to try really hard not to lose it and yell at the man. The last thing he needed was to lose his job on top of everything else.

As soon as work ended that day he headed to the bar with his friend Robin. Robin was having some issues with his on again, off again girlfriend Regina, so he was more than willing to go drinking with Killian. Robin and Killian had been friends since Killian had moved to the States when he was just a lad. Robin had been there for Killian through everything: Liam's death, the loss of his hand, Milah... Killian took another shot of rum, not wanting to think about all the things he'd lost.

One shot of rum turned into two, which turned into three, and before they knew it both men were completely hammered. Killian was grateful that tomorrow was Saturday and he wouldn't have to go to work hungover. That wouldn't help his problems with his boss at all.

"Are you even listening to me, mate?" Robin asked, annoyance in his voice, pulling Killian out of his self deprecating thoughts.

"What was that?" Killian asked, honestly not sure what Robin was talking about anymore.

"I asked if you were ever going to get over her."

The color drained from Killian's face. He didn't want to talk about this. Hell, he had no idea why Robin was even bringing this up right now. "I have no idea what you're referring to, mate," he said, in a colder tone than usual.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Killian. For the past two years, ever since Milah, you've been distant. I can tell you've had a bad day but even if I asked, I know you wouldn't talk about it. You're too afraid talking to someone, opening up, will end like it did with Milah."

Killian knew Robin was just concerned but he was out of line. Who was he to try to analyze Killian? Robin, more than anyone should understand what Killian was going through. He lost his wife Marian four years ago. So why was he bringing this up now? Maybe it was the bad day, or maybe it was the rum, but Killian found himself getting more and more pissed off.

"Don't say her name!" Killian snapped. Robin looked surprised by Killian's sudden outburst of anger. "She doesn't have anything to do with this. I just had a bad day at work and needed a drink with a friend. I wasn't expecting you to ask like a complete arse."

Robin opened his mouth to say something back but Killian had already gotten up from the bar and walked away. He made his way outside, hoping to calm down a little before he called a cab and went home to drink some more. Robin was right of course, about everything, but Killian didn't want to admit that. Milah had broken him completely and he wasn't sure he would ever be able to let anyone in like that again.

Killian pulled out his cellphone and was about to call a taxi when someone bumped into him. He was about to yell at them when he looked up and saw an absolutely stunning woman. Her green eyes were filled with panic and her blonde curls were a mess, as if she'd been running her fingers through them.

"Sorry," she said quietly. He could tell that she was having as bad of a day as he was, and he wanted to know more about her, which should scare him. He didn't do relationships, not anymore. But that didn't mean he couldn't take her into his bed and make her scream his name so many times that she lost her voice.

"It's quite alright, love," he told her, putting on the charm. A one night stand could be exactly what he needed. He was determined that this was the woman he was going to have one with.

"I should have been watching where I was going," the blonde said, "but I'm a bit preoccupied."

"Anything I can help with?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in a way he knew made him look devilishly handsome. A blush rose to her lovely cheeks and he knew he was affecting her just as much as she was affecting him. She shook her head. "Will your boyfriend be wondering where you are?" he asked coyly.

"I don't have a boyfriend." she admitted. He wondered why the hell not, she was gorgeous. From the haunted look in her eyes he could tell that there was more to the story and he couldn't help but wonder what kind of foolish man would break her heart. "I'm here with my best friend and my sister in law."

"And won't they be missing you?" he pressed. She shook her head again and looked away. "Are you sure you're okay, lass?" he asked, his voice softening.

"Yeah, I'm just having a bad day and need a distraction. The whisky wasn't doing it anymore." He glanced from those gorgeous eyes to her soft pink lips. He wanted nothing more than to distract her.

"Join the club, love. can't say I'm having the best day myself. What do you say we don't fix this and give us both a much needed distraction?"