"My, my, my, I don't think this cell has ever seen such beauty," said an unfamiliar voice.
Emma looked up from her bunk to the man sitting in the other cell. Her heart skipped a beat. Damn, he's handsome, she thought. Even more handsome than Graham, who was no slouch.
The man was dressed in dark wash skinny jeans, a red button up shirt and a black vest. His dark hair was a bit messy from a night in the jail cell, and he was staring at her with impossibly blue eyes.
"Do you have a name, beautiful?" he asked.
Emma bit her lip. She shouldn't tell him her name. She was leaving as soon as she got out of this cell. However, she felt an inexplicable pull towards him, and before she could stop herself she said, "Swan. Emma Swan."
"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman," said the man with a grin.
"Thanks, I guess," said Emma, averting her eyes.
"So, you are Henry's mother?" asked an older man, coming into the station and pouring some coffee. "He must be so grateful to have you back in his life."
"Actually, I'm leaving Storybrooke as soon as possible."
"That's a pity, love," said the man in the cell. "And I was going to ask you to join me for a drink."
"Killian," said Graham, "If I let you out, you have to promise to behave."
The man called Killian looked up at the Sherriff. "You know that I don't make promises I can't keep."
Graham sighed. "Just be good, Jones," he said, unlocking the cell.
Killian stood up left the cell. "Thanks, mate, and how long are you going to keep this lovely lady locked up? If it's for another night, she might want some company."
Emma flushed at his blatant innuendo.
"Just leave," said Graham.
"Fine," but before he did, he turned toward Emma. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Swan. I certainly hope I see you again." Then he turned on his heel and left the station.
"Who's that," asked Emma with interest after he left.
"Killian Jones. He's a bartender at the Rabbit Hole."
"Oh, well speaking of bars, I wasn't drunk. There was a wolf," said Emma.
"A wolf? Looks like Regina's drinks are a little stronger than you might think, Miss Swan," said Graham.
"Yeah, well, I can handle my liquor. Just let me go, and I'll be out of your hair."
Just then Regina came in, looking worried. "Graham. Henry has run away again." She spotted Emma. "What are you doing here? Do you know where he is?"
"I haven't seen him since last night. I've got a pretty good alibi, but if you let me go, I'll help you find him."
Regina sighed. She was desperate. "Fine."
-/-
"I thought you were leaving?" said a voice behind her.
Emma whirled around to face Killian Jones. "I am leaving, after I find Henry and take him back to his mother."
Killian smiled. "You know, I believe I saw the boy at the playground. It's near the docks. I could show you."
"Fine," said Emma, "Let's go."
Killian held out his hand, and she just stared at it.
"Try something new, darling," he said. "It's called trust."
Emma grabbed his hand just to shut him up.
-/-
Killian hung back and watched Emma as she conversed with her son. There was something special about her, and he hoped that she wouldn't just leave. The boy needed her.
Henry Mills was a clever lad. Killian had only spoken with him a handful of times, but he liked him well enough. The boy was the loner type, and he deserved to be with his mother, with his family. Killian Jones knew what it was like to grow up alone, having been abandoned by his own parents.
Emma took Henry's hand and the two walked towards him. "Thank you for helping me find Henry," said Emma.
"No problem," said Killian, "You alright lad?"
Henry grinned up at him. "I'm fine, now that Emma decided to stay."
"You're staying in town?"
"For a week," said Emma. "Hey, after I take Henry home, why don't you meet me at the Rabbit Hole at 7:00. I'll buy you a drink to thank you for finding Henry."
"I'd be honored, Miss Swan. See you later tonight. Goodbye, lad."
"Bye, Mr. Jones," said Henry.
-/-
After Emma booked a room at Granny's she freshened up a bit before heading out to go to the Rabbit Hole. It had been a long time since she'd voluntarily had a drink with a man. In fact, she hadn't really spent any time with a man since she was 17, besides the men she tracked down as a bail bonds person, or her quick one night stands.
She tried to convince herself that this was just to thank him for helping her find Henry. It had been a long time since anyone had helped her without expecting anything in return.
Emma entered the dimly lit bar only to see Killian already sitting at the bar. Emma walked up to him. "Hey," she said sitting on the stool beside him.
"Hello, Swan," said Killian. "You look lovely."
Emma felt her cheeks heat up. "So you spend most nights here?" she asked quickly.
"Aye, but you are far better company than the usual crowd, and it's nice to have a night off every so often."
"So, what do you do when you're not here?" asked Emma, doing her best to ignore his compliments.
"Well, as you might have guessed, I often end up at the Sherriff's station, but otherwise I spend my time at the docks. It's very peaceful there."
Emma smiled. She understood that. After spending two years in Tallahassee she'd come to love the ocean. It was one of the few constants in her life.
"Well, enough about me. Let's talk about you. What will you have?"
"Rum," said Emma.
Killian grinned. "I've always appreciated a lass that can hold her liquor. Flynn, the lady would like some rum, and double that."
"Coming right up, boss," said Flynn, pouring two doubles of rum and sliding them down the bar.
"So, Swan, what's your story?"
"It isn't very interesting," said Emma, taking a sip of rum.
"On the contrary, I bet it's fascinating," said Killian.
Emma looked away and continued to drink her rum. She felt Killian's eyes on her. Why did he care, anyway? No man was ever interested in getting to know her, which had suited her just fine in the past. But Killian Jones was different. It scared her.
Emma drained her glass. "Look, I'm kind of tired," said Emma. "Thanks for helping me find Henry."
"Have I done something wrong?" asked Killian, looking concerned.
"No," said Emma quickly. "I just need to get some sleep. Jail cell bunks aren't very comfortable."
"No, they aren't," said Killian. "I can attest to that."
"Yeah," said Emma. She opened her wallet, but Killian laid a hand on her wrist. She stiffened at the contact.
"It's on me," said Killian.
"But I wanted to buy you a drink," said Emma.
"Your company was thanks enough," said Killian. "Goodnight Swan."
"Goodnight Killian," said Emma, smiling slightly and putting her wallet back in her purse. "I guess I'll see you around?"
"Looking forward to it, love."