A/N: This is probably going to be my last chapter before the episode tonight. Trying to keep things moving along while being at least somewhat believable. Anyway, hope people like the chapter and thank you to everyone who comments! Enjoy!

Part Seven
Bag of Bail

Killian watched Emma turn her back on him and he knew she was fleeing. "Wait, Emma—" The door shut in his face. Or it would if he had not been trapped behind these blasted bars. He cursed under his breath and let his arms fall to his side. He had obviously made the better choice, picking her. She seemed so grateful for it, after all. So appreciative at the difficulty in making such a decision. So understanding that it had been a rash and, in hindsight, foolish decision not to get out while he could.

He huffed and then stood there, arms crossed. This was a fine mess to be in. Things had been so simple for him before that blasted vixen had decided to kiss him. Which he had still neglected to mention. She had kissed him. He had not asked her to and from what he could tell, she had been completely alone when the fancy struck her. Not that she could be blamed. He'd seen women succumb to their desires much faster than her and to Emma's credit she had waited until he was unconscious.

The idea made him smile. If only he could have been awake to see that. To watch Emma, as she no doubt did, wrestle with the idea of kissing him and all that would imply if he were to wake. Such an ill conceived move on her part, but she had brought this all on herself. So now he was quite determined to make her suffer for it. What else was he to do? Now that he'd chosen, he would see it through. It's not as if he didn't have the free time on his hand.

But then time caught up with him in that cell and he noted the sun setting as the shadows on her desk grew. How long was he expected to wait here? And did no one else work in this office because surely he should have been brought a meal? Or at least a drink. Emma may be angry with him, but she was not cruel. She wouldn't let him starve…he paused and considered that she might actually do just that. So he fell asleep: tired, sore, and incredibly hungry.

Killian woke when he heard the door to the station opening. He stirred from his fitful sleep and found that the cot was extremely uncomfortable, even without the injuries, and he sat up. It was Emma's face he was expecting, but instead his eyes fell on the considerably shorter person that had entered. A boy, no older than eleven, had walked in with all the purpose of one who knows exactly where he is going. The boy did not notice Killian at first, so the pirate waited and observed.

If he had to guess, the boy was Emma's son. Which was just the ticket.

Killian cleared his throat and the boy, Henry if he remembered correctly, jumped backward.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you." Killian offered kindly.

Henry blinked and then tilted his head. "You're Hook, aren't you? Captain Hook?"

"Aye." Killian acknowledged.

"Yeah, I've heard my mom mention you once or twice…"

"Your mother has mentioned me?" Killian doubted that it was to praise him, but still, even to speak about him with loathing was to speak of him at all. Which meant that she thought about him when they weren't together. Which meant she was more interested than he had first realized.

"Yeah…but it's never really anything nice. She doesn't seem to like you very much."

Killian chuckled. "Not as much as she thinks." When the boy frowned, no doubt confused, Killian changed the subject. "It's Henry, isn't it?"

Henry nodded.

"Your mother has spoken of you, as well. You're very important to her."

"Oh…yeah, I know that." Henry said, growing comfortable enough to move a little closer. Killian had no ill intentions for the boy, but he was glad to be gaining trust from him so quickly. "So, why're you locked up in here? Does it have to do with last night?"

"No one has told you, I imagine?" Killian raised an eyebrow.

"Nah, adults like to think I can't handle it." Henry shrugged. "I'm used to it. But really. Why're you locked up?"

"Oh, well, that is really a touchy subject. I think I've been wrongfully imprisoned, but your mother won't hear a word otherwise."

Henry nodded. "She can be stubborn. But you know, she can't do anything to you until you've had a trail. And if didn't do anything, I doubt they'll be able to send you to jail."

Killian frowned. "I see." He had thought he was already in jail. Henry implied that there might exist a prison more final than the one he was in. Which made him anxious.

"No, I mean, there's this whole thing that has to happen. Like court and judges and juries and stuff. We're kinda learning about it in school." Henry nodded and continued with gained enthusiasm. "Oh…and, technically, you don't even have to be here while you're waiting."

Killian kneeled down. "You have my full attention, Henry."

"Well, you're supposed to be innocent until you are proven guilty. In court I mean. What you need is bail."

"Bail." Killian repeated.

"Yeah. You pay bail and my mom would have to let you go until your trial. That's how the law works."

He grinned. "And, as the enforcer of law in this town, your mother would be obliged to release me despite any personal feelings?"

"Exactly." Henry agreed. "Of course, you're not allowed to leave town. Paying the bail is like a…trust thing. You pay so they'll let you go home, but you can't like…run away or anything."

"You're very enlightening, Henry. These 'adults' are underestimating you, in my humble opinion. You're more perceptive than those twice your age."

"Really? You think so?"

"Oh, definitely. You have told me exactly what I wanted to know and I hadn't even asked. Never take your strengths for granted. Age has nothing to do with it."

"Yeah." Henry agreed eagerly and Killian nodded.

He almost felt guilty. Henry seemed too eager to accept praise and Killian considered if he was taking advantage. But he had not said anything he didn't actually believe to be true. Henry had managed to explain the exact details of what he needed without any influence. "Now, do you think you could do me a little favor?"

When he heard the door again, Killian now expected to see Emma. She had changed her clothes and obviously showered, but if he wasn't mistaken, her hair was styled. He rose when she entered and she sought to ignore him, head bent over a paper in her hand as she threw a bag on her desk. When the action resulted in a jingling sound she stopped and looked up.

Emma looked at her desk and then stepped forward. There was a canvas bag where she had just thrown her purse. "What's this?" She asked hesitantly.

Killian grinned and leaned into the bars. "That is my bail money, Miss Swan."

"Bail money?" She looked up quickly and then smiled. "What do you mean 'bail money'?"

"Is it not the custom for me to buy my freedom while I await my trail?" He asked innocently. "That is my money. And that is me buying my freedom."

Emma shook her head and closed her eyes briefly. "Wait, wait, wait. What do you know about posting bail?"

His grin turned into a smirk. "Is that not accurate?"

"No, you're…you're right. But how did you come by this information locked up in there? Suddenly learn how to use a wifi?"

Killian frowned, "Wifi?"

"Never mind." She picked up the bag and opened it. Then she eyed him. "These are gold coins."

"Aye. Does gold not have value here?"

"No…it has value, but it's not what we use to pay for things." She said with a smile. Obviously, she found this amusing.

Killian waved the information off. "But you can turn that into the proper currency, yes? Exchange it for the accepted standard of payment?"

"I suppose I can, but…"

"Then I have paid your bail and you have to let me go."

Emma opened her mouth and closed it.

"It is the law, Miss Swan. As you so rigidly uphold."

"I beg your pardon, but I am not rigid." She huffed, indignant. She looked back at the small bag of gold. There was probably a good few thousand dollars worth inside. More than sufficient…

"The prove it." He coaxed. "Release me."

Emma shook her head. "You're just going to run. I can't let you—"

Killian stopped her with a dark look. "If had wanted to run I would have done so. I came back, Miss Swan. I believe this is proof enough of my good faith, but if you insist, then I give you my word I will not leave Storybrooke."

Emma looked doubtful, like this was the last thing she wanted to do. But Killian didn't care. He hated being caged.

"I…" Emma sighed.

"Come, Emma. The keys, if you please."

"Give me a second." Emma snapped. Killian shut his mouth wisely. She always had the option of being stubborn and denying him leave whether it was lawful or not. He didn't want to push her too far…not until he was free, at any rate. Wrestling with herself, Emma finally walked up to his cell and drew her keys. "I'm going to regret this. One way or the other, I'm going to regret this."

Killian smiled down at her as she went about unlocking the cell. "Have faith, love. There is every chance that you won't." He winked and she sighed.

"Oh yeah. This is gonna bite me in the ass." She swung the door open and he sauntered out.

"Unfortunately, you don't have a choice." He said stretching and then waiting. Emma pushed past him and he continued to stand in front of her desk.

"What now?" She groaned.

"My effects, Emma." He held up his left arm. Emma groaned. Then she went to a back room, unlocked it, and came back with a box. On top was his hook and he immediately secured it in place, feeling much better with the familiar weight. "If I can indulge on your…good will further, I'm afraid most of my time in this town has consisted of spying on Rumple-Gold and I am very much in need of food?"

Emma glared at him. "Granny's. It's the best-well, only, place in town."

"That will do. Where can I find this Granny's?" He leaned over her desk, pressing his face close to hers. "Unless you'd like to show me? I wouldn't mind a friendly voice to help me understand the no doubt strange cuisine of this land."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you don't need me. Ruby's plenty good at explaining things." Then Emma paused.

"Ruby?" He spoke the name slowly and deliberately. "Sounds like a delightful person." Killian said, reading Emma's eyes correctly. She immediately got up and grabbed her keys.

"You know what, I haven't eaten yet either. I'll go."

Killian grinned behind her. This Ruby was no doubt viewed by Emma to be a potential rival. It made him wonderfully curious to see what she might look like. Not that he was here to make eyes at whatever pretty face crossed his path. His purpose was to get Emma and he didn't think she would appreciate him filling his time with other women while he waited. Besides, the idea was surprisingly unappealing.

"After you." He said, motioning to the door and waving Emma through as he held it for her.

"Good God." Emma sighed and she headed out at a brisk pace.

Killain sighed and shook his head. If Emma realized how he perceived her contempt, she might be a little nicer. As it was, her annoyance with him was such that he got the impression she was seconds from jumping him in the street before they even arrived at the diner.

A/N: Okay, so I know it was a bit...lame that Henry was learning about that exact subject in school at just this time and happened to walk into Emma's work just then, but...I don't know. I am trying to move it along and I couldn't have him locked up forever, what fun is that? Besides, for my future...ahem, intimate scene, that I have planned, I need him to be not in jail. So this is what I came up with. I think it's not completely unbelievable, although it might be a bit cheesy. Plus, it allows Hook and Henry to interact, which I had wanted to do a bit of. Hope everyone liked it anyway. My tone for this story is meant to be light and somewhat humorous. So that is why I'm not touching on all the obvious drama nearly as heavily as I could have. I want to have fun writing it and people to have fun reading it. Thank you to everyone who commented and thank you for reading. More soon. ^_^