Chapter 7:

The library has been open for exactly a week and Audrey was beginning to feel the stress. She was working twelve or more hours a day and she was exhausted. Belle kept leaving early and that left Audrey to pile the returned books back on the shelves. She was trying to put on her happy face but she was miserable. She loved books and she loved this library, but the stress was eating at her. She sighed, closing time. She had a speaker installed so she wouldn't have to walk the entire library telling people.

"The library is now closed, you can quickly check out or come again tomorrow morning. Thank you." She said in her peppy librarian voice. A flock of people started flooding towards the desk to check out. Belle had already left so she was on her own to check everyone out and close the building. After twenty minutes of telling everyone when their items were due back she was finally able to lock the doors. She looked around the library and saw that the place was trashed. Books lying all over the place, people not throwing away their wrappers, and receipts littered across the entrance when the wind blew them out of people's hands. She started with the receipts and she felt like a chicken; bobbing up and down to grab the paper. For some reason that made her laugh and pretty soon it turned into a deep belly laugh. She was sure if someone were to walk by; they thought she'd gone crazy. Maybe all the stress of the library was finally getting to her and hysteria was one of her ways of relieving it. When someone knocked on the door she jumped. It was only Killian.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him, her heart pounding hard in her chest after he scared her.

"It's been a while since we've had time to spend together. I thought I would kidnap you and take you to Granny's for dinner," he replied.

"I would love to, but the library's a mess, maybe tomorrow night."

"Here, I'll put the books back on the shelves, you sweep up. I expect we'll be done within twenty minutes. And then we will go on our date."

"Sounds like a plan. Alright, let's split up." They went their separate ways and after twenty minutes of silence they finished cleaning the library.

"Go grab your coat and I'll get the car warm." He tells her.

"Sounds good; see you in a minute." She walks upstairs to her apartment and puts on her winter coat and knitted hat before she meets him in the car.

"Thank you for helping, you didn't have to do that."

"I would do anything for you."

"Anything, hmm… well than I think I want you to clean my apartment since you're so good at cleaning." She says jokingly.

"Very funny, now come on. I'm sure you're starving." They enter the diner and they wave at Mary Margaret and David before sitting at a table.

"So, how was your day?" he asks her.

"Very busy, how was yours?"

"Slow, so the library's been a success huh?"

"Very much, I'm glad people in Storybrooke like to read. I was worried television would ruin the love of books."

"Agreed; although you really can't say no to watch The Office, can you?"

"No, you really can't. We should finish season two tonight. I hope Jim and Pam get together," she says with a smile on her face. He is never as happy when he sees her face light up in that beautiful smile.

"As you wish, you seem a bit pale tonight. Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine, it's probably because it's autumn and there's not a lot of sun right now." They sit and talk for the rest of their meal before heading to Killian's apartment.

They sit and watch a few episodes before Audrey has to leave.

"I should probably head home. I have an early morning tomorrow."

"You always have an early morning. What time do you start?"

"Around five; there is always work to be done."

"When does Belle get in?"

"Eleven and she usually leaves at four."

"Why doesn't she come in early tomorrow? You can spend the night again and I can cook you breakfast."

"She just got married Killian, besides I'll be fine. I'll see if I can come to the station for lunch. I'll see you tomorrow." She meant to move away but he grabbed her hand.

"Just hold on a second. I want to try something." He slowly leans in and kisses her full on the lips. It wasn't a huge Breakfast at Tiffany's kiss or anything, but it was soft and warm. His slight beard tickled her cheek and she smiled while they were kissing. She felt completely safe and protected at this moment. Like nothing could hurt her. When they both let go they just stared at each other.

"That was-that was my first kiss," she stutters out.

"And?" he prompts her.

"It was wonderful. Thank you. But I really should go. Thank you for tonight." She smiles at him again before leaving his apartment for the library.