Notes:

I meant to post this last night after work, but I fell asleep :(

Thank you Allison for beta reading, and to Lydia and Eva for looking it over and for your constant support!

Hope you all enjoy!

Killian buries his face in his hands, sighing in exasperation. If it weren't the afternoon and if he weren't on duty, he'd be drowning in rum right about now. So instead he has to crave the feeling of the alcohol slide down his throat, the feeling of it burning all the way down. It would have been all he could do to ease his mind for a few brief moments.

It's been two weeks, and the murderer is still on the loose. Normally serial killers tend to leave some sort of pattern in their path of destruction, but this one seems to strike whenever their emotions run high, which means this person is not very smart, they're unorganized and sloppy.

Each victim has been murdered in a different way. The first one was a teacher who was found naked and strangled by rope in her basement, the second was a waitress at the Rabbit Hole who was found decapitated in her bedroom. There's been another since he'd left Enchanted—an elderly woman everyone had known as Granny—most likely because she'd made it public how supportive she was of vampires. Since they'd came out of the coffin, she'd always say she wasn't one to judge because she and her granddaughter, Ruby, were werewolves.

Despite the murderer's lack of intelligence, Killian doesn't feel any closer to finding out who this psychopath is than he did when the first victim was found. And he can't go back to the club, not until he finds out information for the Vampire Princess. So he sees this as a pretty good reason to throw back a couple of rums on a Wednesday afternoon. But instead he settles for a beer.

There's the usual rowdy crowd at the bar on their lunch break—Leroy, and the rest of the lads from the road crew, there's Arthur, Robin and Neal, who frequent the establishment, playing pool, and there's a few lasses who come to exchange the latest town gossip. And everyone seems to be quite cheerful despite the recent events, but then again they're not responsible for having to deal with all of the consequences; they're not responsible for finding and catching the killer.

Before Killian can even order another beer, one is slid his way.

"You know you'll catch him, right?"

Killian peers up from the bottle he's clutching onto like a lifesource, holding a doubtful expression on his face. "We don't even know if it is a him ," he grumbles spitefully.

The bar owner eyes him sternly, throwing the bar rag over his shoulder and leaning his hands on the edge of the counter. "Since when does my little brother give up on a case? Or anything, for that matter."

Killian expels a heavy sigh, trying to release the weight of emotions he feels churning in his gut. "How many times have I told you not to call me that?"

"And how many times have I told you to quit doubting yourself?"

"I'm not doubting myself," he snaps back with a bite in his tone, and it's a little harsher than he'd intended. "I just can't seem to catch this person quick enough."

"But you will catch him—or her. I know you will. But until then, you should really eat something."

Killian shakes his head, his features twisting in disgust. He can't even think about food right now. It's hard to have an appetite or stomach food when the weight of the town's on your shoulders and the number of citizens seems to be dwindling. "I'm not hungry."

"Brother, you have to eat something," he encourages again, and yells out into the opening of kitchen, "Hey August, can I get a loaded bacon cheeseburger with an order of fries?"

"Sure thing, boss!" he calls back.

Killian sighs, shaking his head at how well his brother listens to him as Liam attends to a few customers at the counter. He makes their drinks while cheerfully greeting other patrons entering the bar.

"Shouldn't you be the one who's less spirited than I am? You lost a waitress and your girlfriend's grandmother," he grumbles resentfully.

"Aye, which is why I have to be positive," Liam says with a gutted look falling over his features. Sometimes Killian wishes he could be as optimistic as Liam, especially during times like these.

"Just be glad Ruby's a smart lass." That's all the positivity Killian can offer at the moment, and his words seem to form a small crack over Liam's lips.

"She's dating me, isn't she?"

"That's why I said she was smart."

Liam's small smile turns into a full blown grin. "Well, what do you know, we actually agree on something," he teases, and Killian rolls his eyes, but he knows Liam's quite aware of what he means. Ruby's smart for not getting involved with vampires. But then again, it's in her nature to not go around consorting with them. Vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies, but it wouldn't surprise him if a werewolf and a vampire got together. In this town, he believes anything is possible.

"Speaking of being smart, you haven't been back to Enchanted, have you?" Liam asks suspiciously, narrowing his eyes. He'd never wanted Killian to go in the first place.

"No, of course not," Killian answers shortly. He'd previously decided not to mention the deal he'd made with the mysterious vampire princess.

Liam eyes him skeptically, unsure if he believes Killian, but the subject is dropped and soon he's serving his brother a plate of food.

Killian picks up a fry and nibbles on it slowly, not wanting to waste the food, but still not really having an appetite. "How is Ruby doing anyway?" he asks Liam between bites of his burger.

"She's still in shock by the whole thing. I offered to clean up the blood in Granny's kitchen, but she refused."

As if on cue, the dark brunette with a streak of red hair, walks into the bar, a sullen expression on her face, which is quite a contrast to her usual colorful personality. But who could blame her after what had happened?

Liam goes around the bar counter to hug his girlfriend, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Standing from the stool, Killian makes his way over to join them. "How are you holding up, love?"

"I'm surviving, I suppose, which isn't something I can say for Granny," Ruby answers in her southern accent with a sad smile, her eyes wet with unshed tears. "The funeral's tomorrow. Will you be there?"

Killian nods. "Of course I will."

"Hey, Rubes, sorry to change the subject, but have you heard from Angela?" Liam asks her. Angela is another waitress, and one of Ruby's friends. "She hasn't shown up for her shift yet."

The brunette shakes her head. "No, I haven't, but I can try and get a hold of her. She probably just overslept."

Killian's phone chirps and he sees his screen light up with a text from the station. "I have to go," he tells them, his eyes flickering with worry. Before leaving the bar, he gives Ruby a hug, promising he'll find who did this to her dear granny, which is something he doesn't normally like to promise, but the small Louisiana town could use a bit of hope right now.

Emma brushes her hair, looking into the mirror of her vanity, all dressed in a black and crimson red leather two-piece corset dress, before she has to endure another slow, dreary night at the club. Ever since the murders in Storybrooke, people have been tending to stay away from vampires, which is fine by her, except for the fact that it's hurting her business. Which is the only reason why she constantly wonders whether the Sheriff has made any progress or not on the case.

She wonders if he'll come through with his deal, and she's certainly not curious about what his blood tastes like. If he tastes anything like he looks or smells, she'd be in for a real treat if she were to have such a privilege.

Deep in her thoughts, Emma is abruptly yanked back to reality when she hears a knock on the door.

"Emma," Graham calls and opens the door before she can respond. "Sorry to interrupt, but there's someone here to see you." There's a look of apology on his face as his eyes dart to the floor.

"Who is it?" she demands impatiently. She doesn't like when she's interrupted, and Graham has a bad habit of doing that.

"It's the Sheriff."

Emma perks up as she lifts a brow. "Well, what are you waiting for? Send him in," she tells her progeny in a sharp tone, and shoos him away when Killian steps into her room.

She swallows thickly, trying to calm herself when his intoxicating scent permeates the room. The urge to bite him and taste his blood is much too tempting, it's making her dizzy with blood lust. But, there's also a few other strong scents on him which make her cringe—a werewolf and some humans. He also smells like death.

Killian walks further into the room, clearing his throat. He appears to be a bit nervous and apologetic as he speaks. "Sorry to interrupt you."

Emma stands from the bench, folding her arms. "I was just about to go downstairs anyways."

He nods, looking around the room curiously, his eyes landing on her bed. "I thought vampires slept in coffins," he states in confusion.

A small smirk pulls at her lips. "We do… but the bed is not for sleeping in."

Killian blushes and scratches behind his ear. "Of course. You have needs just as much as humans do," he notes, and Emma rolls her eyes.

"Except, our needs are much stronger." She walks over to him slowly, dropping her arms, licking her lips and eyeing him hungrily. "So if you're not interested in meeting them," a mixture of fear and curiosity flickers in his eyes as he swallows thickly, "I suggest you tell me what you're doing here."

He nods quickly. "Of course, Princess. I don't wish to take up much of your time. There's been another victim. This one was found in her bed with a man and she was suffocated with a pillow."

Emma looks into his, seeing his struggle. She can see the insecurity in his hooded eyes, and perhaps he doubts his capabilities as the town sheriff. "And the man…?"

"He's alive."

"Did he do this?"

Killian shakes his head. "No. The man is Victor Whale. He's a doctor, and he may be a bit of a horn dog but I know he wouldn't harm a fly. We've taken him in for questioning and he's pretty shaken up. The body was found lifeless, her blood still in tact, and there was no bite on her body, but there's a possibility she had other connections with a vampire."

Emma arches a brow, crossing her arms again. "What kind of connections?"

Killian exhales deeply, his eyes swarming with exhaustion and sorrow. "I went down to the victim's basement to investigate, and I found a chair and silver chains. It looked like someone had been kept as a prisoner down there."

Emma flinches at the word. Silver is one of a vampire's weaknesses. It won't kill one, but the touch of silver to their skin is extremely painful and it burns like fire, rendering any vampire useless as long as they're in contact with it.

"There was also a blood tube that appeared to be used for drawing blood." Killian walks across the room, wiping his hand over his face, and Emma turns around watching him, and waiting for more details. He turns to meet her gaze and continues. "I took a sample of the blood, and it's not from a human."

This peaks Emma's curiosity. "Oh?"

"I think the prisoner was the vampire you were looking for. I think the victim was stealing his blood to get high on it." Vampire blood is very powerful and has the capacity to heal and alter a human's mind if ingested. The user can have hallucinations, dreams and feel extremely anxious if too much is consumed. "And there was remnants of his blood on the chair, like someone had done a sloppy job of cleaning it up. I'm sorry, it looks like your vampire is gone, and I think that's why the victim was killed. This psychopath goes after anyone who deals with vampires."

Emma nods. "I see." She thinks about all the information he's given her for a moment. "And this Victor Whale… does he know anything about this? Perhaps he's the one supplied the blood tube from the hospital."

"He claims he had nothing to do with it," Killian says with a sigh.

Emma can't believe she's about to ask him this, she can't believe she's getting involved with the world of humans, but for some reason she hates seeing the pain in Killian's eyes. It would have made her heart ache if her heart was still capable of such a thing. "Where's the body? Perhaps I can help you find your killer."

Killian is surprised Emma is willing to assist him. He had come to the club hopeless and desperate after he'd left the scene in Angela's home, but the way Emma had looked at him with a rare softness in her eyes as she offered to help, gave him hope.

"Come with me." Emma offers her hand, and he eyes it wearily. "Do you trust me?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Have I enchanted you yet?"

He doesn't supply an answer, but instead he slips his hand into hers, allowing her to wrap her ghostly, cold fingers and dagger-like blood red nails around his hand. With that confirmation, she leads him to the window and out onto the roof, into the eerie darkness of the night.

Pulling him into her chilling embrace, she literally sweeps him off his feet when she lifts him into the warm air, holding him securely in her arms. It's not long before they're floating above Storybrooke and over the raging waters of the deep blue sea.

"Vampires can fly?" he asks dumbly, but this is something he was not previously aware of.

Emma laughs darkly. "The older we are, the more things we can do. You'd be surprised what I'm capable of."

Killian swallows thickly as he tries not to think about how her body feels against his, but it's either that or looking down at the violent waters below and hoping he doesn't slip from her arms.

But when she takes him to the morgue and they swoop down, landing near the back entrance, he no longer has the option of choosing fear as a distraction. So instead he forces himself to think about other things, like the heat of the Louisiana air, and he wipes away a trickle of sweat making its way down into his brow. Although he's not certain whether the heat is because of the humidity or the gorgeous vampire standing next to him.

Emma easily unlocks the door, turning the knob with her powerful strength, but it's very dark, apart from a lit up room, and they end up running into the funeral director. He knows who the sheriff is without his uniform—Killian hadn't wanted to create panic at the club, so he'd went there dressed in street clothes.

"I brought someone who's helping me with the case," he tells the man, but just in case the undertaker decides to call and tell someone the sheriff is there with a vampire, Emma enchants him with her hypnotic eyes.

"You will lead us to Angela's remains and open the drawer where she's being held. Then you will go home, and forget we were ever here, you got it?"

He nods compliantly. "You were never here."

Emma smiles in success. "Good boy."

He leads them down the corridor, as Killian whispers angrily, displaying his unhappiness about her enchanting someone. Even though he's accepted Emma's help, he still isn't a fan of vampires and especially not of their practices. "Bloody hell, was that really necessary?" he asks in irritation. or "It's not good form to enchant someone, especially not in company of a man of law?"

Emma rolls her eyes. "Do you really think he was going to let a vampire near the body?"

Killian accepts her answer reluctantly, knowing she is probably right. How would it look to the citizens of Storybrooke if they knew the sheriff brought a vampire into the morgue? Even with equal rights, he doubts anyone in this town would overlook it.

The undertaker leads them to the room and pulls out the body, covered in white sheets on the stainless steel gurneys, before he leaves.

Killian swallows thickly as Emma pulls away the sheet, her face showing no expression or emotion whatsoever. He watches as she takes in the scent of the lifeless corpse.

"There are three human scents. The strongest is the undertaker, one must be Victor and the other one I'm not sure."

Killian arches a brow, surprised by her powerful sense of smell. "You can tell that by smelling her?"

"Yes. I can also smell a vampire. A vampire who frequents Enchanted—Jefferson. He must have been the one chained in the basement."

Killian nods, his face pale from seeing the body in front of him. "So how do we find out who the other human is?"

Emma covers the corpse with the sheet, witnessing how Killian reacts to the sight of death. "I have to sniff him out. Did you know this woman?"

Killian nods. "She was a waitress at the Rabbit Hole, along with another one of the other victims."

Emma raises a brow. "The Rabbit Hole?"

"It's a bar my brother owns."

Emma nods and purses her lips in contemplation. "Do you think your killer frequents the bar?"

"It's possible. Everyone in Storybrooke hangs out there."

"So, we go there, and if the human I'm smelling is there, I'll be able to recognize his scent."

Killian is stunned in his spot, still surprised by her abilities and her offer to help him. "Are you sure about this? There aren't a lot of vampires who dare stepping into the Rabbit Hole. The customers there are normally very judgemental and not friendly towards your kind."

Emma shrugs off his words. "I'm not worried about some pesky humans. But it's nice to know you're concerned," she smirks.

Killian playfully rolls his eyes, a hint of blush rushing to his cheeks. "I know you're capable of handling yourself, love. You really wanna do this though?"

She nods. "I dp. But not tonight. I have to go there during peak times when there's a lot of people there. Just after sunset, perhaps?"

"Aye, but not tomorrow. I have a funeral to go to," he murmurs, a grim expression falling over his face.

"Alright, we'll go Friday night. It will be busier then anyway."

Killian eyes her in surprise, and Emma shrugs.

"What? I'm a business owner, and we're talking about a bar here, not the Cracker Barrel. I know when humans are the most desperate for alcohol, company and fried food."

Emma takes Kilian back to the club, and they head for her office to discuss further details about their plan to possibly sniff out the killer.

"If you think about it, love, you no longer have to worry about that blood-dealing vampire," he points out from the chair on the other side of the desk.

Emma nods and knows he's right. Jefferson got what was coming by offering up his own blood to humans.

"So, I'm assuming you'll want something in return for your assistance?"

Emma shrugs, resting her elbows on the desk and perching her chin on her joined hands. "There's nothing I need at the moment." She's not sure why she'd offered her help, but for some reason it felt like her dead heart had been clenching in her chest whenever the thought of not seeing him again entered her mind, now that Killian had held up his end of the bargain; there would've been no reason for him to come back to the club otherwise. And that had saddened her a bit. So, she'd decided to help him, thinking he would owe her a favor in the future if and when she'd needed one.

His brow quirks up; he seems to be unconvinced. "Let me get this straight—you offered your help without expecting anything in return?" he questions, and there's a bit of skepticism and, confusion in his tone.

"That's right. Perhaps you can owe me one in the future," she suggests with a small smirk.

"Of course." Killian accepts her answer and nods as he gets up to leave, thanking her for her help tonight and for Friday when she'll be dropping by the Rabbit Hole.

Emma follows him out of her office, and when he reaches the entrance doors of the club, she notices a pair of eyes from the other side of the room, and they're looking directly at Killian. Emma growls in disapproval, tightening her jaw.

No vampire has claimed him, so to all vampires, that is an open invitation to be fed on. And this vampire is new, Emma can tell. She hasn't been undead long enough to control her hunger, and is like a kid in a candy store who has no boundaries or abilities to contain herself. And from the looks of it, she doesn't have her maker there to guide her and teach her how to control her urges.

Before Emma can move, the other vampire approaches her target with vampire speed, attacking him and and sinking her teeth into his neck.

Killian cries out and grabs the assailant, struggling as he's being fed on against his will. The other vampires hiss, and their fangs pop out, the pungent scent of Killian's blood permeating the room. Emma's own fangs descend and she makes a dash across the room grabbing the stake she keeps hidden under her throne. In a flash she's at Killian's side, driving the thick, pointed wood into the baby vampire's back and into her cold, dead heart, turning her into nothing but an explosion of blood and vampire guts as it all gushes to the floor.

Emma catches Killian before he falls to the floor, holding him in her arms, and they're both covered in the thick, dark red liquid as she looks around, hissing at all of the other demons, threatening them with her glowing green eyes. "This human is mine. To anyone else who tries to bite him, your fate will be the same. Is that understood?"

Their fangs retract and they nod, bowing down to her obediently. "Yes, your Majesty."

"Graham, will you—" she doesn't even have to finish her question before Graham is at her side, giving her an answer.

"No worries, I'll take care of the mess."

"Thank you." Since everyone is in agreement, Emma lifts Killian up, drawing him into her arms, and his face is as pale as hers when she looks down at him. The young vampire had really done a number on him; she had feasted far too quickly, too deep, but there is one way to fix this quickly.

Woosh.

The air is disturbed by Emma's speedy dash upstairs to her bedroom.

She gently deposits Killian into the chair so he's sitting back before she goes to retrieve the first aid kit. When she comes back, he is alert and angry, his eyes full of rage as he holds his neck.

"I should close this club down," he barks and Emma swallows thickly hoping he doesn't mean it as she starts cleaning the blood off his neck.

"I'm sorry," she murmurs, shaking her head. "New vampires… it's hard to control them."

He hisses when she drags the alcohol swab over the broken skin, which is still pulsing with dark blood as it drips down his neck.

"She really got you good. Let me heal you," she offers, and it's something she normally doesn't do. Giving a human her blood is a very intimate and personal act. Not only is it sexually arousing for the vampire, but it allows her to tap into his mind. She can sense what the human is feeling, gets flashes of what they're thinking or where they're at, especially when their emotions are strong—fear, sadness, arousal, excitement—and not only does the vampire's blood get under their skin literally, but also emotionally. Humans will tend to fantasize about the vampire who has offered them their blood. So, Emma is very careful about who she feeds her blood to. The last person who drank her blood was Graham. And she did it to turn him. Before that it's been a century.

Emma's fangs pop out, but Killian grabs her wrist, stopping her while moving his head away in protest. "I am not drinking vampire blood. No offense," he says apologetically. "I just prefer to heal the natural way."

"Aren't you worried people will see the bite marks? I wouldn't think you would want your citizens to think you're fucking a vampire," she spats resentfully. She doesn't have to be a mindreader to know what he thinks about fangbangers. It's written all over his face. "Then perhaps you'll be next on the serial killer's list."

Killian lets out a sigh, knowing she's right. He doesn't want his reputation to be tarnished with faulty rumors about him being a with a vampire. "But, I'm covered in vampire blood already," he points out, confused.

"Yes, but you have to ingest it to heal. And trust me, you don't want to drink the newby's blood. You'll start having fantasies about her and you won't be able to get her out of your head."

Killian arches a brow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "But won't the same thing happen if I drink your blood?"

Emma nods. "Of course."

Killian's lips curve into a grin. "Am I sensing a bit of jealousy at the possibility of me thinking about another vampire? Even if she's dead for good?"

"I am not jealous," Emma protests. "I'm just looking out for your safety. Now, are you going to take my blood, or not?"

"Fine, you can heal me," he relents and Emma smirks, pricking her wrist with her pointy teeth, allowing the blood to seep from the incisions.

She lifts her wrist to his mouth, and Killian looks her in the eyes, the stormy blue clouded with a mixture of emotions. He's skittish, he's not one who wants to be associated with vampires, but Emma knows he is intrigued by her.

Killian's eyes never leave hers as he takes her wrist in his hand, bringing the wounded flesh to his perfect lips and starts to draw her blood into his mouth. She gasps at the contact; his lips are so soft and warm in comparison to her cold skin. The pull of her flesh is accompanied by the swipe of his tongue, which she is quickly longing to feel between her legs.

Emma can see his bite marks healing under her gaze, the skin closing up, but he doesn't stop sucking her blood. It feels incredible—she can hear a low growl rumbling from his throat as he feasts on her wrist—and her entire body is tingling, arousal shooting to her core.

Unable to hold back, Emma moans when he sucks particularly hard; her breathing is heavy, and when he pulls away, she whines in protest. Although it's a good thing he'd stopped because she's already feeling weak from the blood loss.

Killian clears his throat, licking her blood from his lips. "Sorry, love, I couldn't help myself."

"It's addicting, isn't it?" Emma manages a smirk and has to sit on the bed, leaning back while trying to gather her wits.

"You alright, Princess?" he asks, his voice laced with concern.

"Yeah…" she murmurs, closing her eyes. She sucks in a long breath through her nose, and that's when she can smell him—really smell him. Her smirk is tainted with devilry as she sits up, her eyes falling to his clothed groin, and she takes in another deep inhale of his scent. "Mmm, I guess sucking my blood turns you on?"

Killian's eyes widen as he looks down at himself. "How did you—? Is it that obvious? Or is it because you gave me your blood?"

Emma shakes her head. "No, the mindtap from having my blood takes time—normally a day or two. I know you're aroused because I can smell the blood pumping to your erection."

Lifting a brow in surprise, he blushes as a bashful smile curves his lips. "You can really smell that?"

Emma nods. "I'm a vampire. Of course I can. I can also smell the blood flushing your cheeks." She can see his face turning as red as a tomato as he looks away, scratching behind his ear. Emma has never found humans enticing, only their blood, and she certainly doesn't find them to be adorable, but Killian is easily both of those things.

She really has to stop and think about the consequences, though. She is not interested in getting involved with a human. She doesn't need the drama and everything that comes along with human life. She just needs him to leave as quickly as possible, but not covered in blood—that would be a dead giveaway that a vampire was feeding on him. "Do you want to take a shower?" she asks, her demeanor transforming into something more serious.

Killian arches a brow. "That's a bit forward considering we barely know each other," he teases, to her surprise, but she doesn't give into the smile threatening her lips.

"I meant to get the blood off. I'll use Graham's shower," she says sternly, and Killian quickly gets the hint, his features falling as he gives a nod.

"Of course. As long as you don't mind."

"If I minded, I wouldn't have offered, now would I have?" Emma asks sardonically before going to retrieve a towel for him. She needs to separate herself from the temping human who seems to be intent on knocking her walls down, whether he realizes it or not.

If she were human, he'd certainly be the death of her.