"I know you said you didn't want leather, Emma, but…how about this one?" Killian said, holding up a black leather jacket to his chest. Emma had finally finished up her work for the afternoon, and now they were hitting up the various clothing stores of Storybrooke, desperately searching for new clothes for Killian. Though this was Storybrooke and nothing was ever normal, people still gave him strange looks. Besides, Emma thought if he looked that attractive in his pirate get-up, she could only imagine how he would look in a sweatshirt and blue jeans.

"Hey, I never said I didn't want leather. I said we need to replace your leather jacket. Y'know, with something more modern. I think that one would work on you", Emma said, smiling up at Killian.

"Good", he beamed back. "So, are we done here?" Draped over Killian's arms were various clothes he had tried on that they decided would work. It was apparent that he was tired of shopping, and Emma was growing weary of it as well.

"Yeah, I think this will be good for now." Luckily, Killian had gone for a bunch of cheap, plain t-shirts, making it much more affordable for the two of them.

They paid for it all and walked out, ambling along the dark, lantern-lit streets. It was quiet, the two of them being almost the only ones there. Unexpectedly, Emma felt a hand lace it's fingers into hers, causing her to look up at the pirate next to her and smile. She looked back down as they remained in silence for a few brief moments until Killian broke it.

"Where are we going lass?" he asked, his breath making steam in the air. It was the middle of January, and the weather was as cold as it had been all season. For some strange reason, Emma felt somewhat even more attracted to him, seeing the steam in the air as he breathed.

"We're going to Granny's Inn. You know, so you can live somewhere?" she laughed.

Killian stopped in his tracks, Emma stopping alongside him. "I can sleep on my ship…I'd quite prefer it actually. Thank you though, love", he said, kissing her on the top of the head.

Emma's confused state was made apparent by her facial expression as she said, "But I thought it was invisible still."

"No, I guess it wore off. I saw it as were walking around today", he said, turning Emma around so that they were walking in the direction of Emma's apartment. "I'll walk you to your flat."

"Aren't you a gentleman?" Emma smirked at him. Though his eyes were directed straight, a smile spread across his face, seeing Emma out of the side of his eyes.

"I'm always a gentleman", he said with raised eyebrows.

"Now where have I heard that before?"

He smiled, clearly unable to come up with something to throw back at her. The silence was relaxing as they walked about another five minutes until they reached Emma's flat. Killian stopped, turning around so that they were face to face. His kissed her softly, letting go of her hand as he said, "Goodnight, love." There they parted their separate ways.

. . . . .

The door bells rang as Killian walked in to see Emma, sitting at her desk. The sheriff's station was where they decided to meet up every day. She smiled up the usual smile that melted his heart as he walked closer. Emma noticed that he was wearing one of his new, blue sweatshirts, a plain black t-shirt, and jeans. It was very simple, but he looked exceptionally attractive in anything. Heck, when Emma first met him, he was wearing a blanket and he was still as handsome as ever. She picked up the coffee cup on her desk, took a sip, and said, "Good morning, my lovely pirate."

"Good morning, lass", he said, pulling up a chair beside her. "What's that drink you're holding?"

"Oh. It's coffee. I suppose I'll have to take you to get a cup some time. It's really good. You want some?" she asked, bringing it closer to him.

He grabbed it, drank, and placed it back on the table with a satisfied face. "It's good. I want more."

Emma laughed and said, "Alright. In a couple of hours."

They stayed in the office, banter and laughter echoing against the walls, until Emma checked her watch, noting that it was noon. She stood up and put on a black, woolen jacket similar to Killian's old one.

Killian, noticing this, said, "Hey, how is that fair? You get to wear a black jacket and I don't?"

Emma sighed. "I never said you couldn't."

"Good. A pirate can wear what he wants", he said defiantly.

Emma laughed. "As much as you want to seem powerful, you're still pathetic, Killian." He stared at her for a moment, until Emma rolled her eyes, kissed him and said, "It's alright, though. I'm used to it." She grabbed his hand, and they headed out the door.

. . . . .

"Why haven't I discovered this before?" Killian said, taking another sip of his vanilla latte.

"Maybe coffee is too fancy for the high seas," she laughed. They sat in the warm, little coffee shop, soaking in as much heat as they could. The smell of coffee brewing made it feel even more home-y. They had finished their coffee and were making small talk as the door opened to the little shop, revealing Belle and Rumple. Emma's eyes widened as she quickly stammered, "K-Killian, we need to leave. Now." Belle and Rumple had finally cleared the doorway, as Emma stood up, grabbing Killian's hand.

He pulled her back towards him and said, "Why are we leaving, love? I was just getting comfortable."

"Rumplestiltskin is here", she said quickly. "Let's go."

Killian smirked and Emma immediately knew she had made a mistake. "Why leave when I've got my crocodile cornered now?" He raised an eyebrow and stood up as he finally spotted his prey. Now was the moment. His one shot at what he had always dreamed of: skinning his crocodile.

His thoughts were interrupted as Emma grabbed his arm and pulled him back with great strength, flinging him into one of the booths. "Stop, Killian! Think about what you're doing!"

Killian rubbed his now aching side and said, "I know exactly what I'm doing, Emma. That's why I'm doing it." He stood back up, only to be shoved down by Emma once again. Clearly he had underestimated her strength.

"You've been working at this for 300 years, Killian. 300 years. By now, has this just become something that you've always wanted and what your life has worked up to? Or is it something more to you?"

Killian looked down at the ground, trying to hold in his anger. Emma was a smart lass, but this had to mean something more to him than killing someone who had killed his love over 300 years ago. Didn't it? "I don't have time for this", he said at last.

Tears welling in her eyes, Emma backed away a step. "I heard that as 'I don't have time for you'. Something is clearly wrong here", she said with a face of disgust. "Obviously what you're trying to do is so much greater than me." She pulled a ten dollar bill out of her pocket, slapped it onto the table, and walked away.

As she was almost to the door, Killian yelled across the shop, "No, Emma, wait! You can't leave me again!"

Emma's mind stayed on the word again for a few seconds before she shook it out. "Actually, I can." If this was so much more important than losing Emma, then go ahead, she thought. If that's the price he wanted to pay, she was going to let him.

Killian rested his head in his palm as the door slammed shut and she was gone. He had lost her. He had never made her mad before, and now he recognized that it was his fault. This all happened because of him. Because of the lifelong goal he had set for himself years ago. Killian lifted his head, and his eyes immediately met those of Rumplestiltskin, standing inches in front of him.