A/N: This is Part 10 and takes place after Part 3 and during episode 1.04 "The Price of Gold"

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Emma hadn't woken up that morning planning to give a motivational speech to a nineteen year old but then she hadn't planned on getting a job offer from the hot sheriff or having Regina make her feel like shit, or ruining her shirt with scalding hot chocolate. Yet here she was in Granny's laundry room lecturing a very pregnant girl while struggling with her own frustration and anger.

Emma doesn't know why but she found herself telling the teenager all the things she wished someone had told her when she was alone and pregnant. The encouragement she could have used the nights she laid awake in her cell terrified of the future and of all the ways she would screw up her babies life. And the motivation she had needed when she was back on the streets alone and unsure of who she was or who she wanted to be.

"You want people to look at you differently? Make want to change things you are going to have to go out there and change them yourself because there are no fairy godmothers in this world."

The girl wiped at her eyes and nodded. "Thank you. I needed that."

Emma gave her a small smile. Then the girl stepped forward as if to hug her and she spun back to the washer–the moment was over. There was an awkward silence and then soft steps as she left Emma alone.

She braced her hands on the washer, breathed a sigh and blinked her eyes quickly. She wouldn't let herself cry. She wasn't a scared teenager anymore and she needed to take her own advice. Regina didn't know her. Sure she had moved around a lot but she had also survived, she had made a life for herself. Besides this time was different because she wasn't going to run. She would be a person who stayed. For Henry that is who she needed to be.

"You know you really shouldn't have encouraged her to punch and fight her way out of her problems." A low, masculine voice jolted Emma from her thoughts.

Her head jerked up to the doorway. There stood the librarian shifting his weight and attempting a pleasant smile. With his carefully combed hair, immaculate khakis, and perfectly straight yellow bow tie James Stuart looked the epitome of a well-rooted and put together adult.

She kind of hated him.

"That's not what I said and how is that any of your business anyway?" She growled.

He pushed up his glasses. "Apologies. I didn't mean to overhear– "

She shoved up the oversized sleeves of her borrowed shirt and crossed her arms. "Right, you weren't creepily eavesdropping or anything."

He stood up straighter. "I wasn't! I wouldn't! I came back here to get my shirt and you were talking and I didn't want to interrupt." He was so indignant Emma almost believed him.

"Your shirt?"

"Yes. It had an ink stain and Ruby offered to wash it for me."

Despite herself the corner of Emma's mouth ticked up. She wasn't one for small town gossip but she had a feeling she had just stumbled onto some. Ruby, with her red streaks, daring fashion sense, killer body and sense of adventure, had a thing for the shy, cardigan wearing, law abiding, librarian. Emma silently wished her luck. Stuart had potential to be attractive–he needed a make over and less of a baby face– but he was much too wholesome and a bit self-righteous. He had practically lectured her when he learned she took a chainsaw to Regina's apple tree and now he was taking issue with her advice to a scared kid. She couldn't understand anyone wanting to be with a judgmental ass like that but if Ruby wanted to "do his laundry" that was her business.

Emma uncrossed her arms and gestured vaguely. "Well grab your shirt then and keep your opinions to yourself."

She turned back to the washer and started turning the dials a little harder than necessary. She felt his eyes on her and glanced back up. He hadn't moved but his ears were now tinged pink.

"What?"

"My shirt." He waved a hand at Emma "You're wearing it."

She looked down at the blue dress shirt she had pulled from the drying line. It was definitely a man's shirt and while it didn't smell of books it looked to be his size.

"Yours? Seriously?" She couldn't believe her luck. She started ripping at the buttons intent on giving him is stupid shirt back right away.

"No. No!" His voice went comically high. "You can keep it." Emma glanced up. His cheeks were a bright red and he seemed intent on studying the ground.

She rolled her eyes. "Never seen a woman in her bra before?"

He looked up at her taunt. His gaze swept over her–too quick for Emma to know if he really appreciated the view– and settled on her eyes. There was a glint of determination in his eye even as his face continued to flame.

"I was trying to be a gentleman."

He seemed so genuinely embarrassed and so earnest that Emma felt the fight go out of her. He was just trying to get his shirt back and she had jumped all over him. Plus he was important to Henry and they would probably be seeing a lot of each other it was best that she make nice.

"Look, I'm sorry. It's just been a shitty morning. And seeing that girl–" she shook her head unable to explain.

He nodded as if he might understand what she had left unsaid. "I am sorry too. It really isn't my business. I just feel that violence is–"

She held up her hand to cut him off. "Look Stuart I am trying really hard to be nice to you right now. Don't make me regret it."

To her surprise he smiled. It lit up his face and made his eyes almost mischievous. If he could laugh at himself there might be some hope for them to have some kind of truce.

"I appreciate the no doubt herculean effort, Ms. Swan. I know I can be a bit–"

"Irritatingly moral?"

He shook his head but he was still smiling. "I have strong beliefs about right and wrong. But since you are trying to be nice it is only fair that I should also try to see things your way."

She smiled back. "Thanks."

There was a long pause that wasn't quite awkward but not really comfortable either. He scratched behind his ear and Emma played with the hem of her–well his– shirt.

"I should go." He gave a little nod and turned away.

"Wait. What about your shirt?"

He glanced back and this time Emma was sure he definitely appreciated the sight of her black bra and toned stomach.

"Keep it. It looks better on you anyway." His smile wasn't quite a smirk and he quickly ducked his head and fled making what could have been a salacious comment almost sweet.

Emma chuckled. Maybe he wasn't a complete stick-in-the-mud. Maybe she could even teach him how to flirt, eventually. Maybe Ruby didn't have that bad of taste after all.

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Authors Note: This was kind of born from convos about how sad it was that Killian didn't get to see S1 Emma's wardrobe. I mean that blue shirt belonged to SOMEONE.