Colors blurred, tears obscuring Emma's view. She was not one to cry. She was a strong woman who had been independent for a long, long time. Being without the kind of love she had with Killian was normal. So why was it so difficult to revert to her old life without him? They had only been together for hardly a few weeks.

At first, they were slow, barely streaming down her cheeks. Now, there was no holding back. She gave in, letting the tears wash down her face. She probably looked like a mess, but she didn't care. The front door was locked, and no one was going to see her for a few hours anyways. She rested her head in her palms, tears falling onto loose papers before she shoved them away and into the floor in a fit of rage.

Why did this make her feel so pathetic? It was as if she was some lovesick teenager with no hope. She never really let her feelings fly, especially over a guy. But now, she didn't even feel like herself anymore. As cruel as she knew Hook could be, the true Killian inside him made up for that. It was as if he had almost let go of the pirate inside of him, but all it took was Rumple to bring him back.

Emma would give anything…anything…to have the Killian she knew back. But now she was back to the beginning, back before she ever knew he existed. Maybe it was better this way. She was perfectly happy back then. But, as much as Emma tried, she couldn't get herself to think this way. She continued, losing complete track of time, crying at her desk over the pirate who had stolen her heart right from the start.

Emma jumped up in her chair, suppressing a shriek, as she grabbed as many tissues as she possibly could and began dabbing them frantically on her face. The front door had opened to reveal the pirate behind it all, looking ultimately confused. Emma pushed herself back in her swivel chair, trying to avoid him as much as she possibly could. She turned it around so he couldn't see her face as she yelled, "Killian, please, go away! I really don't need this right now." But, much to her displeasure, she heard footsteps on the hardwood floor creeping closer and closer to where she was sitting.

"Emma, what's wrong, love?" he said, fear enveloping his words.

"What do you think, Killian?" He was now stooping down directly in front of her. The tears had left as soon as he walked in, and now her vision was clear enough to see that he had a black eye. "What happened?" she said, unintentionally backing away from him in shock.

He pulled her chair back where it was and said, "Rumple. That's what happened."

Emma breathed heavily, looking him directly in the eyes. "You know, deep down inside I really thought that maybe you'd let it go. Clearly I was right to leave." She stood up and began walking towards the door, but before she could leave, Killian grabbed her wrist gently, turning her around to face him once again.

"He hit me with his cane and I refused to lay a hand on him until Belle convinced him to stop. I swear, Emma, ask anyone who was there. All I want is you."

She saw the desperation gleaming in his eyes as he said these words, reassuring her. The realization of how easy it would be to give into him hit her. His face was inches away from hers, only getting closer, but she turned her head, causing him to back away.

He sighed deeply as he said, "I know I lost your trust. When I had it, everything worked so well until I screwed it up. And I understand this, Emma, I apologize as sincerely as anyone ever could. But if you walk away from this…if you walk away from us…I don't blame you. I showed you that you would have the right not to trust me. I showed you a side of me I wanted never to surface again. But, Emma, I desperately need you."

They sat in silence for a few moments before Emma broke it, asking, "How did you get in here anyways? The door's locked."

He pulled a key out of his pocket and dangled it above them. "I found it the other day wandering around the station. I didn't mean to intrude, though. I didn't know you were…crying." The last word came out as a whisper, making it clear that he felt terrible even thinking that he could inflict that kind of pain on Emma Swan.

The sincerity in his voice…it killed her. It brought her to such a vulnerable state, making her want to let her walls down and just give in to him. She could tell he knew this as he pleaded one last time. "Emma…please. I love you."

Those last three words ended it all. Any doubts she ever had were diminished as she grabbed him, kissing him for the first time in the last couple of days. After a few seconds, she forgot why she was mad at him to begin with, just letting everything else go. She was solely, entirely focused on him. In this moment, nothing else mattered. After a few moments, they let go.

"You know what's different with you, Killian? Everyone I've fallen for…they left me, one way or another. But I was the one to leave you. Because I was scared. Because I didn't trust you. I still remember what you said. I told you that you would have left me up on that beanstalk if I wouldn't have left you first, and you said, 'Actually, no'. And there's something about your eyes, Killian, the way they say everything for you…I knew you meant it."

He smiled, leaning against her desk. "I don't break promises, Emma. Never intentionally. And until something unexpected happens I'll always be here to protect you." He wrapped his arms around her, and she sat on the table right next to him. Being in his arms felt like nothing could ever hurt her.

Emma looked down at her watch to see that it was five o'clock. "Well, it's time for me to wrap things up here", she said, standing up. Emma heard Killian's footsteps following behind her to the front door. She opened it, letting him through with her, and locked the door.

She grabbed his hand as they stood in the doorway. "Are you going to go to your ship?"

He sighed. "I suppose so." He kissed her on the top of the head. "I'll see you tomorrow, Swan?"

She smiled. "I hope so."

He let go of her hand, and walking away, said, "I'll be looking forward to it." Emma watched as he faded away before she left for home, the memories of the two of them never leaving her mind the entire walk there.