The ringing sound wakes Emma slowly; it grows louder and louder as her mind sets back into reality. When she realizes it's her alarm making the sound, she rolls over and hits the top of it to shut it up. Then she falls back onto the bed in defeat. Last night had been her first night as a bartender and she hadn't gotten home until well into morning. If she could sleep in she might be alright but of course, she had to go in early so that she could have time to have lunch with Henry after his classes.
With a heavy sigh, Emma gets up to shower- but not before first turning on the coffee maker so that it will be ready with breakfast. Ten minutes later, dressed and showered, she grabs a pop tart to go with her black coffee and heads out.
Throughout her morning routine Emma's thoughts continuously return to that man from last night- the reason she didn't get any sleep: Killian. Even as she drives to work in her yellow bug, she can't shake the memory of his devastated eyes and the smell of ocean underneath all the rum.
The stoplight is red and as she stops, Emma makes up her mind. She'll go see him at Granny's Inn, just to make sure he's still alive so that she can get her money back. The stoplight is green now and she drives past the bar, to Granny's. She is greeted at the front desk by Ruby, who is reading a magazine. "He's in room twelve." She says when Emma asks. Ruby looks annoyed at the interruption and turns back to her magazine, so Emma goes up without another word.
She knocks on the door and hears a muffled groan come from inside. "Go away."
"It's Emma. Can we talk?" She feels nervous suddenly, then immediately pushes the feeling away. There is nothing to be nervous about. She's just going to ask a good-looking drunk when he'll be able to get her money back to her.
A few seconds later Killian opens the door. He is shirtless and his jeans are unbuttoned, obviously because he just pulled them on before answering the door. "Sorry, love. I thought you were a maid." He steps back and gestures inside. "Do you want to come in?"
Emma hesitates. "Uh…it's probably best if we talk at the diner. I need coffee." And Emma doesn't think her nerves can handle being near a bed and his naked chest.
Killian goes back into his room to put the rest of his clothes on and then they walk to the diner next door. They are silent until the coffee is set in front of them. With her hand around the warm mug, Emma feels safe again, back in control. "So, how are you feeling?"
Killian lifts his mug and takes a sip, considering. "Honestly, I feel strange. Something is different but I'm not sure what is."
Emma wonders if she should add the word crazy before drunk when describing him. "Well, it's pretty obvious what's different. Your wife cheated on you."
Killian flinches at Emma's directness. Then he has a quizzical look on his face again. "This is going to sound weird but I feel as if I found her…like that...last night. But that can't be possible. I was with you last night."
Yeah, he's definitely a crazy drunk. Emma takes a sip of her coffee to stall while she thinks of a way to reply. "It's common to lose a sense of time when horrible things happen." She looks away from his deep brown eyes when he begins to look heartbroken again. "I hear getting back into a normal routine helps. You could get a job, if you don't already have one, and pay back your debts…"
She glances back at him sees realization spark in his eyes. "Oh you want your money back. I was thinking you were genuinely concerned about me." He laughs. "Well, don't fret, love, you'll get your money back just as soon as I get my wallet back from Milah."
The breakfast Killian ordered is set down now and Emma fights the urge to roll her eyes. "So I assume I'm paying for your pancakes then?"
As serious as her tone is, Killian can see the humor dancing in her eyes. He laughs again, which invokes a small smile from Emma. "I promise all of my debts to you will be paid." They smile at each other for a moment, and then Emma sees his eyes light up as if he's just thought of something very clever. "Actually, would you allow me to take you out to dinner as well? You can think of it as interest on the debt." His smile is seductive yet sweet and Emma feels nervous again.
"You're asking me on a date? You're still married." Emma's protest is weak as she stares into those eyes which were heartbroken just last night but are now hopeful. This guy is going to be trouble.
The smile on his face wavers, but remains. "I never called it a date, love. It's business." His eyes very much contradict his words. Or maybe, he has a different definition of 'business'.
Emma is silent for a moment, considering. "Fine, you can pay your interest when you get your money. Right now, though, I need to get to work." She stands, throws some cash on the table, and stares down at Killian. He has a triumphant smile on his face.
"I look forward to doing business with you, Emma."