Chapter 4:
Audrey was reviewing some books online to add to the library when Belle walked in.
"Hi Audrey, how are you today?" Belle asked politely.
"I'm fine, how are you?"
"Great, Rumple and I went for hamburgers last night," she gushed. Audrey really didn't want to talk about Rumplestilskin and their date. But she was going to be polite.
"I'm sure it was fun. I have to finish ordering these books, could you write notes to the people with overdue books."
"Sure." They work in silence for a while when the door opens and Mr. Gold walks in the library. Audrey holds her breath. Breathe, she told herself.
"Good afternoon Belle," Rumplestilskin said, "and Audrey." He added as an afterthought. She nodded politely but stiffly.
"You forgot your cell phone, and I wanted to make sure you had it." He handed the silver phone to Belle and kissed her on the cheek.
"Why don't you stay? I could use some help with the organization in back." Belle tells him. Belle, why Belle; I don't want him to stay.
"Alright, why don't you lead the way?" They walk to the back of the library and into the back room. Audrey willed herself to calm down. You're okay, don't freak out. She was trying to focus her breathing. She continued ordering books and then finished filling out notes.
When lunch hit, she went to Granny's. The moment she left the library she felt like she could breathe again. She ordered a Caesar Salad and sat in a small booth. Archie walked in a few minutes later. Since there were no seats left he asked if he could sit with her. She nodded her head and they engaged in small talk.
"You seem distracted Audrey, is everything okay?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm fine. I just spaced out there for a minute. So, I heard that you and Ruby are dating? You seem really sweet together." He flushed a slight pink.
"Thank you Audrey. Yes, she and I have been together since the first curse broke." She smiled back at him.
"Well you guys look adorable together. Thanks for talking today, but I should be getting back." She left a tip and walked down the street. She didn't want to go back to work but her apartment was there anyway. She focused on her breathing and when she walked in Mr. and Mrs. Gold were eating lunch at the desk.
"Belle, I'm not feeling well, do you mind if I lie down for the afternoon? I'll stay late tomorrow." Audrey said.
"Oh don't worry about it, Rumple and me our almost done." Belle smiled at her and she went to her apartment. She took a warm bath and lied on the couch. She picked up a copy of Wuthering Heights from the coffee table and leafed through it. The hours slipped by as she got lost in her book. Before she knew it, it was six. Hook would be here before she knew it.
She quickly brushed her hair and made sure she looked presentable. When she finished she went downstairs to wait for the pirate. Belle and Rumplestilskin already left the library and while she waited she tidied up her desk. The door opened and she looked up to see Hook holding flowers.
"Who are those for?" she asked.
"For you, I thought a beautiful girl would like some beautiful flowers." She blushed.
"Th-thank you, they're beautiful. Let me go and put these in a vase. Would you like to come up?"
"Sure." They make their way upstairs to her apartment and filled up a vase with water and sets the flowers in it.
"I love lilies. Thank you again." He smiled.
"Should we go?" he asked.
"Yes, where are we going?"
"I thought Granny's for dinner and then we would watch a movie at my apartment."
"Okay, sounds nice." They walked down the street to the diner and he held the door open for her.
"So, how was your day?" Hook asked.
"It was okay, Mr. Gold was at the library all day."
"I'm sorry lass, are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes, I went to my apartment and waited. I'm still not comfortable around him. Anyway, how was your day? You work at the police station, right?"
"Aye, yes I do. It was good, not very busy today. But that means no criminals in Storybrooke." They ordered their food and got to know each other.
"Audrey, can I ask that you call me Killian? That's my real name."
"Of course; I would love to call you Killian." They finished their meal and got up to leave for his apartment.
His apartment was small and cozy. She felt comfortable here, and although she wouldn't admit it to herself yet, she felt more comfortable around him than anyone else.
"So, what's Netflix again?" she asked him.
"It's a thing where you can watch movies and TV shows. I thought we could watch 50 First Dates. Emma told me it was funny."
"Okay, sounds good." He set up the movie and they both sat on the couch. They sat close enough that they were almost touching. She wanted to be closer to him but didn't want to overdo it. The movie was funny, they were both laughing out loud. He got a little closer and their thighs were touching. It was eleven when the movie was almost over and she felt herself getting sleepy.
"You can lie your head on my shoulder, I know you're tired." She nodded and curled into him. They both fell asleep together on the couch.