"He was nice," Emma commented as they drove away from the docks. "Was he?" Killian replied, voice tinged with jealously.
"Yeah, he was. I learned a lot about shrimp, which will translate well into the market."
Killian huffed, "Well his prices were a little high. Even with the discount."
"What is it Jones?" Emma asked, giving Killian a side-glance, and turning her body towards him. "Did you not want me to go with you, because I thought you did? And now you're acting…" she paused, not wanting to say jealous, because that was unprofessional. "Dumb," she decided on, though scowling because calling your boss dumb instead of jealous wasn't that much better.
Killian frowned as the light in front of him turned red, and he slowed the truck, now caught in an awkward silence.
"I just thought he was leering at you," Killian spoke after a few seconds, not turning to face Emma.
"He wasn't," Emma said flatly, "And if he was…well…I can take care of myself. I've done that for a long time. I don't need a Prince Charming. The only one that saves me is me. IF I'm even in trouble… which I can assure you I wasn't."
Killian turned his head towards her, and the scowl on her face. Of course she could take care of herself. "No prince charming. Got it."
"And maybe I like being leered at sometimes," Emma added trying to get the last word in.
At this statement, Killian cocked an eyebrow up. She narrowed her eyes at him, and resisted the urge to stick out her tongue.
"Duly noted Swan," Killian smirked, and hit the accelerator as the light changed. Emma went to open her mouth only to shut it, and petulantly crossed her arms across her chest. Killian did not stop smirking for several miles.
The last stop of the day was both a delivery and pick up, and probably the most enjoyable stop, at least according to what Killian had told Emma. He had pulled up in front of a small, cabin like building. The word "Monstro" were painting on a small, what looked like hand carved wooden whale, which acted as a sign. A few cars were in front of the building, but it gave off an abandoned vibe from the outside.
Killian jumped out and unloaded two boxes from the bed of the truck, and handed one to Emma. "This person wants Salted Herring?" Emma asked, reading the letter on the box and following behind Killian towards the building. "Aye," Killian answered, balancing the box on a knee while he held the door open for Emma to step through.
Inside, was a very quaint, small pub. The entire wall opposite Emma was framed in glass, giving a wonderful view of a bay outside. Boats were moored to floating docks connected to a walkway, which explained why there weren't many cars outside the bar. Everyone took a boat in.
"Killian!" an older man exclaimed from behind the bar, and came around arms extended. Kissing Killian on both cheeks, he patted his shoulders warmly. "And what have you brought me today?!" he exclaimed, gesturing to Emma holding the box of fish. "Salted herring as usual my friend," Killian said, blowing his hair out of his face, and shifting the heavy box in his arms. "Ah yes, fish of course, but who is this beautiful woman?"
The older man took the box from Emma's arms and placed it on top of Killian's. Killian let out a little grunt, before staggering back towards the walk in freezer, "That's Emma…ugh…I'm just gonna go put these down…" Killian disappeared around the corner, and Emma watched with a concern face as he seemed to buckle under the weight, before the little Italian man distracted her with a two cheek kiss.
"Emma, I am Marco. What a treat! We never get lovely ladies like yourself in here. Come come…sit sit..." he gestured for her to sit at the bar on an intricately carved barstool.
"Wow, these chairs…the carving on these is beautiful," Emma admired, before gingerly sitting down. "Oh, well back when my hands were a little bit stronger, I could still produce beautiful things like that," the man replied, busying himself behind the bar.
"You carved these?" Emma questioned, turning the one beside her around to study the back. "Aye lass, he has quite the talent," Killian spoke, sitting down beside her.
"Had the talent. Don't flatter me Killian," the old man scolded him, but while beaming and throwing him a wink.
"Where have you been hiding this beautiful woman? I don't see you in weeks, and then you show up with this lovely lady? I feel she has kept you busy…" Marco teased Killian, raising eyebrows at him with a tsk tsk.
Emma felt a little panic set in, she was NOT with Killian. "Oh no, actually…" Emma started correcting Marco, but Killian placed a hand gently on her back to calm her.
"Alas Marco, you have misinterpreted the relationship between myself and the beautiful Swan. This is, in-fact, the newest employee of Jones Fresh Fish," Killian replied back, and he could feel Emma take a deep breath and settle herself.
"You work for this guy?" Marco gestured to Killian, and Emma grinned back at him, before giving Killian a sly look. "I do indeed. It's only been a few days though, so we'll see how it goes."
Marco laughed, "Well, you watch out for this one Emma. He can be trouble."
Emma let out another laugh at the face Killian made to this statement. Total mopey puppy. "I'll keep my eye on him sir, I promise."
"I like this one Killian, keep her around," he said, pointing to Emma, before putting two glasses on the bar in front of them. "Well, since you've brought me my bait AND a beautiful woman, I suppose I should treat you to something really special tonight."
Killian's eyes lit up, and he scootched forward in his chair, "Oh Marco, don't tease me."
This caused Marco to break out in laughter, before heading to the back, out of sight. Emma swiveled on her barstool to Killian, who still had crinkles in the corner of his eyes from laughing too hard. He was eagerly awaiting Marco's return like a child on Christmas morning.
"What is he getting you?" Emma asked, and Killian fidgeted in his chair. "I don't know Swan, that's the exciting part," he answered with glee, as Marco rounded the corner with a brown paper bag, with what could only be a bottle in it.
Reaching in, he pulled a short, stubby bottle from the bag. A dark, amber liquid filled the container, which was corked, and Emma thought Killian was about to clap with delight.
"Marco, you have OUT DONE yourself this time mate," Killian reached for the bottle and took it from him like he was cradling a small infant. Emma looked from Killian to Marco, and back to Killian.
"Is that rum?" she asked, disbelief over Killian's reaction.
Killian scoffed at her, "Swan, this is more than just rum. Marco, in exchange to keeping his lobster pots properly baited, procures for me the finest rum from around the world. This isn't just rum…this is…this is liquid art in a bottle."
Emma deadpanned at him, "So, it's rum?"
Killian dropped his head dramatically to the bar top. "Swan!" he exclaimed, exasperated. Emma giggled in response, and Marco pulled an already opened bottle of the rum from behind the bar, and poured a few fingers worth into each of their glasses, and a bit in small glass for himself. Killian perked up when he heard the cork pop out of the bottle.
"Marco, we can open this one," he said as Marco passed him the glass. "Nonsense, this was already open. You save that one for a special occasion." Killian nodded, and the three raised their glasses for a toast. "To what should we toast?" Killian asked, looking at his two bar companions. Marco looked between the two of them.
"To being young, full of life, and to the adventures that await you," Marco stated, clinking the glasses together. Killian gazed at Emma, who was softly laughing at witty quip of Marco's, spoken softly so that Killian couldn't hear him. Her golden hair had fallen from her ponytail, and fell around her face in ringlets. She was truly beautiful, and although she was guarded, she was strong, fierce, and Killian was afraid he would never have enough of her. The day with her was lovely, and he couldn't wait to spend time driving with her next week. And he found himself looking forward to work the past few mornings, instead of the dread that had greeted him for over a year. "To adventures that await us," Killian murmured softly, before taking another sip of his rum.
A few local men called Killian over a bit later, and Emma took the chance to talk to Marco. "How long have you had this place?" Emma asked, having switched to wine. Rum was good, but she much preferred a nice glass of cabernet. Marco worked on drying a glass, but Emma suspected that he just liked to keep his hands busy, as he had been drying it for at least five minutes. "I opened this spot up about, 15 years ago. Once my hands started giving me trouble." He held up a hand to show Emma, and his elderly fingers were knotted with arthritis, and Emma gave him a sympathetic smile.
Marco waved her smile off, "Ah…do not feel bad for an old man. I am still surrounded by the things I love, and I everyday I get to serve wonderful people. Like Killian. I've known him for…well since I opened this place. He and Liam used to dock here after a day on the water, and I always made sure to have rum ready for those boys. I even put them up here several times after too much of it." He chuckled at the memory.
Emma's brow furrowed, "Wait, I'm sorry…whose Liam?" Emma asked, and Marco's faces turned sad. "Ah, he hasn't told you yet. Well, that comes with time I suppose."
Emma looked at him with a questioning expression, and Marco sighed, lowering his voice, even though Killian was across the room. "Liam was Killian's brother. He passed a little over a year ago. His trips up here, or at least to visit me, have faltered quite a bit since it happened. I maybe see him every few weeks now, when the Jones boys used to visit me a few times a week. I worry about him, you know? I always thought so highly of those boys, and I know Killian hasn't been the same since. In fact, he's been he most like his old self tonight than I have seen him in a long time."
Emma looked shocked, and Marco smiled at her, patting her hand gently, "I have a feeling you are going to bring out the best in him, and bring our old Killian back to us."
"Swan!" Killian smiled brightly, sliding up beside her. His cheeks were flushed from the glass of rum, and he smiled down at her, grinning like a fool.
"Jones?" she questioned, taking a sip of her wine.
Leaning up on one elbow, his face melded into a flirtatious smirk, and he leaned towards her. "I believe it is time to escort the lady home, unless she would rather stay here this evening. I am sure I could arrange some leering if you are interested?"
Killian laughed as Emma smacked his arm. "Perhaps another time then?" he countered raising his eyebrows, and Emma smacked his arm again. "Alright alright," Killian laughed, and raised his arms up in surrender, before reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. "Don't you even think about it!" Marco scolded, before coming around to the front of the bar and embracing Killian in a very fatherly hug, kissing the side of his temple loudly, and patting his cheek. "Be good," he instructed him, and Killian grinned back at him. "Never!" he countered, and Marco laughed. "That's my boy!"
Emma slid off of her barstool, and Marco enveloped her in a hug, "It was so wonderful to meet you Emma. I hope I'll see much more of you in the future. Killian, you better bring her back with you!"
Killian smiled warmly at the man, before locking eyes with Emma, "If she'll accompany me, I will gladly escort her back into your lovely establishment." Emma dropped her head and broke eye contact with him, blushing slightly.
Marco shook his head and nudged Emma with his elbow, "He can't just say 'Yes' can he?" He laughed and gave Emma one last kiss on her cheek, before heading back behind the bar.
The duo traveled in silence for most of the way back. They were only about a 45-minute drive from Storybrooke when they left Marco's, and the soft humming of Killian along with the radio was the most noise the cab heard for most of the ride.
"I really liked Marco," Emma stated, cutting through the soft musical ambiance of the cab as they neared town. Killian grinned, and glanced over at Emma. "I love that man. Sometimes I think he's the closest thing I've ever had to a father."
"He uh, he told me about Liam," Emma said softly, and Killian's expression changed. He clenched his jaw, and Emma saw the muscle flex beneath the scuff on his cheek. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, I just…."
Killian pursed his lips together. "It's ok lass, it's been a while. It just, sometimes the wound seems a little fresher than other times." Emma supposed that Killian meant for this to sound like it was actually ok, but his voice was strained, and the sadness of it filled the cab, making it seem suddenly much smaller. Why did I even say anything? she thought.
The last ten minutes back were filled with quiet, as Killian had flicked the radio off. They pulled back into town, and parked in front of the fish shop. The sun had gone down a few hours ago, and Emma cringed at thinking about unloading everything right now. She was genuinely tired, but Killian must have seen her face. "Go home Swan, I'll see you tomorrow," he stated, still with a sad tinge in his voice. He dropped the tailgate of the truck, and reaching for the first cooler.
Emma was right beside him in a heartbeat, grabbing the other side and heaving it from the bed. "I said you could go home Swan," Killian stated again, looking at her with confusion.
"I know," Emma said, smiling at him, "So, where's this going? Let's get this unloaded." Killian hesitantly smiled back through his sad expression, and seemed to perk up, and it only took a few minutes to unload the truck and get the goods into the walk in freezer. Killian even managed to make a sly comment about the shrimp again, and Emma just shook her head, and pushing him back out the door for the next cooler.
Once everything was loaded in, and Killian shut the tailgate, there was a sudden shift in the mood. The air changed, and Emma, who stood awkwardly a few feet away from Killian, suddenly felt like she was at the end of a date. But it wasn't a date. It was work.
"Thanks for coming with me Emma," Killian started, nervously scratching the back of his neck, and Emma stopped him by coming forward suddenly and giving him a quick peck on the cheek, before turning and walking back towards Mary Margaret's loft. "See you tomorrow Jones," she called behind her, walking quickly away, and ducking up the next street.
Killian stood stunned in the street by his truck, fingertips on his cheek where Emma's lips had touched it mere moments earlier. "Emma Swan," he whispered to the night, a small smile spreading across his face, before shaking his head and climbing into his truck, "you are just full of surprises."
Thank you so much for your reviews and kind words! I am loving this story so much, and I can't wait to share more with you!