Emma was walking along the main street when she ran into a woman with an adorable pixie cut and pushing a stroller.

"Hi! You must be Emma!" the woman said with a bright, friendly smile. "I'm Mary Margaret. You've been the talk of the town," she said. When she saw Emma's surprised face, she quickly added, "we don't get a lot of visitors."

"Hi. It's nice to meet you, Mary Margaret." Emma couldn't help but return the smile. This woman's niceness was infectious.

"Where are you headed?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Just to the coffee shop to work on some work and get a caffeine fix."
"I'm headed that way too. Do you mind if I walk with you?"

"Not at all. Your little one is adorable, by the way. What's his name?"

"Thank you! His name is Neal. A little silly, but my husband couldn't be dissuaded."

"It's a cute name. It's actually my boyfriend's name, too."

"Oh. What a coincidence!"

Emma and Mary Margaret talked the entire way to the coffee shop. Emma mostly listened as Mary Margaret filled her in on the town gossip, but honestly, she hadn't met someone who was so genuinely nice before. They parted ways after the ordered their drinks, but they had made plans to meet up for dinner soon.

Emma found a table in a quiet corner of the cafe and set up her work space and began checking her email. She had one from her editor nagging her for another story. She would probably have to work on a smaller story while working on the C. Hook one. Her editors, of course, wanted her to work on the main story, but she hadn't submitted a story in a while. She would have to figure something. Sighing and looking out the window, she noticed just how quaint and peaceful Storybrooke was.


Killian couldn't stop pacing on the deck of the Jolly Roger. He was getting ready to head to Granny's to meet up with Emma, but he didn't want to get there too early. Nervous didn't begin to describe how he felt about meeting up with Emma after he made such an ass of himself. One good thing had come from that whole mess though; he had finally gotten a decent start to his next novel. After pulling an all-nighter, he had sent his editor the first 5 chapters just that morning. He knew Emma had something to do with the end of his writer's block, and he was glad for it.

He decided he had waited long enough and started the walk towards Granny's. It wouldn't take him long to get there, and he wanted to make sure that he had to admit that he was excited to see Emma. He found a booth near a window and ordered a burger. It was noon. It wasn't until he finished his food that he began to wonder if she had decided to stand him up. It was 12:30 when he finally heard his text tone.

Running a little late. Be there asap.

A little late? In what universe was this a little late? He sighed audibly. I guess this is her way of paying me back, he thought to himself. It could probably be a lot worse. Well, if he had to wait, he might as well order dessert. It was almost 1 when she finally showed up. He was browsing his phone when he finally heard the door open.

"A little late?" he asked her with a smirk when she finally made her way over to his table.

"Yeah. A little late. Is that a problem?" He could tell that she was testing him.

"Of course not. I don't have any other plans today." He was trying to sound as causal as he possibly could.

"Alright. Since we're both here, why don't we get started."

"You really are all business, aren't you?"

" I really am." She had started setting up everything. Pulling out pen and paper and a tape recorder. "Do you mind if I record our interview?"

"Might as well. I'm sure I'll have plenty to say."

She started by asking him the basics. How old was C. Hook? Where was he from? He mostly told her the truth with a few elaborations of course. He may feel slightly bad about lying to Emma, but he always liked to tell a good story. He couldn't resist.

"So, how do you know Hook?" she finally asked.

"Well, like I said, he grew up in England. Well, obviously, so did I. We went to college together and majored in English. It was a small world." She paused to take some notes.

"But, I don't get it," she said, narrowing her eyes at him. "How is it that you just happen to represent your old college buddy? There aren't many stories like that out there."

"It was just luck, Swan. I got a job at the agency that would eventually represent him. Coincidence, really." By the look on her face, he could tell that she wasn't buying everything that he was selling, but she didn't push it any further.

"Well, I think I have enough to get started. Thank you, Mr. Jones." She started to pack up her stuff.

"Can I convince you to let me buy you a drink? To make up for last time."

"I'm not sure that is the best idea. Plus, I'd like to get started on this story." She did smile at him for the first time since she got there, however. He'd take that as a good sign.

"Well, if you change your mind, I'll be at the bar later tonight." He got up to leave and head out. "I really hope you change your mind, Swan."

He went back to the boat and sat down on his couch. Admittedly, he felt a little smug about how well the meeting went. He knew that she didn't trust his version of the story fully, but she did believe enough of it to keep meeting with him for a least a little while.

He met Robin at the bar later that night. He didn't expect Emma to show up, but he definitely wanted to be there just in case. He was there for about an hour when he glanced at the door. He felt a jolt in his stomach and couldn't help but break into a wide grin. Emma Swan had walked in the door.