A/N: Hello my Lovelies! I thought you might like a new chapter before the hiatus ends. This one's a nail biter. More clues are being revealed. I'm sure you are still guessing who it could be. It just might not be who you thought it was. There is more to come!
Thank you to those readers who take their time to leave me messages. You have no idea how they help me write this story. When I know you are as excited as me it makes me want to write faster and I appreciate all of your notes. I will also tell you that fire scares the hell out of me but Hot Fireman fuel my muse. Check out my manips on Tumblr for this one.
Ch. 9
She woke up suddenly and quickly realized it was still the middle of the night. She was nestled into Killian's side and his arm was draped over her. His handsome face was illuminated by the moonlight coming through the window. She softly traced the line of his scruff and smiled. The stress of the day poured into her sleep and it was nice to wake up knowing she was safe.
She tried to go back to sleep but she felt too restless after everything that happened. She couldn't believe she'd been robbed again. It happened once before a few years back. She came home to find her apartment door locks broken and they stole some of her clothing, including one of her favorite leather jackets. She chalked it up to junkies since she'd been living in a sketchy part of town at the time. It was unsettling to say the least and she'd quickly moved on from that town.
She was feeling too restless to go back to sleep so she carefully lifted his arm and slowly slunk out of the bed. She pulled the blanket up higher and tucked him in, even though she knew he would kick it off eventually. She grabbed her large suitcase and her duffle bag before quietly walking out to the living room.
She plopped the bags down and turned on the overhead kitchen light. She grabbed a glass of water and sat down with her things. She unzipped her bag and took a deep breath as she looked at the messy pile. She pulled everything out and put it on the floor next to her suitcase. She folded and examined each item taking inventory as she went along.
When she finished the first bag she quietly crept back and got her other case. She folded everything in it and added the clothing to the piles she'd already made. Her eyes roamed over the piles and there didn't appear to be anything missing. She stacked the clothing neatly back into her cases and grabbed her duffle bag.
This bag held a mish-mosh of items from her room, her make up bag, soaps, toothbrush holder, hair accessories and hair dryer. She'd already put some things into the bathroom but of course she had more. She took inventory of everything and remembered she needed to return to clean out the medicine cabinet, the hall closet for her shoes, the kitchen cabinets for her things, and the refrigerator. There wasn't much in the kitchen since she hadn't been there long enough to accumulate the left over containers and other food stuff yet.
She zipped the bag and stacked it with the other cases. She'd figure out where to put her things at a normal hour tomorrow. She let the enormity of their decision sink in. Yeah, they were moving very fast and it's not something she would have thought about in the past but Killian made her want more, he felt like her missing piece.
She walked back into the kitchen and refilled her glass. She spied the stack of perp sheets sitting on the counter next to her evidence bag. She picked them up and went back to her spot on the floor. She'd studied those sheets a bunch of times, memorizing details and making notes. She'd numbered them in order of who she'd go after first. Of the twenty-four she had she'd already gotten three.
She spread the sheets out on the floor and started putting them in order pressing out the creases as she looked each one over. She stacked them in numerical order and that's when she noticed there were a few perps missing from her stack and possibly pages from others. She'd have to check the apartment tomorrow to make sure they'd gotten the sheets but perhaps that was what the robber wanted.
She licked her finger and leafed through them again making sure she was right. She felt the weight of the hour and got lost in thought. "Love, is everything alright?" She looked up with a start. "Hey, I'm sorry did I wake you?" His hair was all over the place and he looked so sleepy. "No, it wasn't what you were doing; it was that you were missing. I got worried when you weren't there." She stood and walked over into his waiting arms. He kissed her forehead and she sunk into his warm embrace.
"I couldn't sleep. I just figured if I went through my things and organized them I might feel better, this one has me rattled. Everything looks like it's here except a few of the perp sheets are missing." He pulled her back and looked into her eyes. His face full of concern. "It's going to be alright Love."
"I know, I just hate that they were touching my things. Ever since I was a kid I've had to fight to keep anything. It was easy for things to be stolen and lost the way I grew up. That little box in the bottom of your closet is everything I have left from my childhood. It's not much."
He held her tight."We'll take extra precautions and I'll be sure not to borrow anything without asking." She swatted him on the chest." I'll share if you're nice. " She kissed him softly. "I promise, I'll always be nice to you Love."
"I have a few errands to take care of before I come to the station. Will you let David know?" He nodded."Do you need my help? I can take off and do whatever you need." She shook her head."No, no, it's menial stuff that I can handle. I'll just be getting the locks changed, giving the keys back to the landlord, and collecting the remainder of my stuff."
He kissed her softly."If you need me I'm there, I don't care how menial it is. You don't have to do these things alone." She hugged him tight." I know and that does make me feel better to know I can count on you. " She whispered into his chest. "You ready to go back to bed Love?" She nodded. He pulled her into his side and they walked back to bed together.
She snuggled into his warmth and breathed a sigh of relief. He kissed her softly."Goodnight Love." "Goodnight."
She settled her thoughts, even if it was just clothing, they were hers and they were all there. It was comforting to know someone wasn't walking around with her clothing on somewhere.
He woke to the clanging sound of his alarm going off on his phone. She was snuggled into her pillow snoozing softly. He quickly turned it off so she wasn't disturbed. He looked over and brushed her hair lightly from her beautiful face. He walked into the bathroom and smiled when he saw all of her things lining the sink. He turned on the shower and thought about the prior day's events. It was full of so many ups and downs but the fact that she was here with him now made him happy.
He didn't think he'd ever be able to look at sea green tile again without thinking about her sexy body and the way she moaned his name. He shook the thought from his head and decided he should opt for a cooler temperature in there.
He stepped in and the water stung against his skin but it did the job. He noticed her shampoo bottle sitting there next to his. He picked it up, lifted the cap and breathed in the delicious scent of strawberries that was uniquely Emma. While the strawberry scent was part of it, the rest was all her because her scent drove him insane.
He finished quickly and found himself wide awake after subjecting himself to those frigid temperatures. He wiped the water off of his face and body before wrapping the towel around his hips. He gave his scruff a quick trim to neaten it up and finished the rest of his routine.
He turned to put the towel down when he noticed her standing there watching him. "Good Morning Love, I wanted to let you sleep. Sorry to have woken you." She sidled up next to him and picked up his toothpaste. She had her brush in hand. "Good morning." She kissed his freshly shaven cheek softly. "I have calls to make and I wanted to spend time with you before you left."
"Shall I make us some breakfast?" She had a mouth full of toothpaste at that point and she smiled at him, nodding. He swat her on the ass with his towel before leaving. She jumped at the sting, laughing at him and checking out the view as he walked into the bedroom. He is one fine looking man.
She finished her routine and met him in the kitchen. She was welcomed to the glorious scent of fresh brewed coffee wafting in the air. "Mmm, smells good in here." He turned to face her placing a steaming mug on the counter grinning from ear to ear. "I believe that's how you take it." She sat at the counter in front of him and watched as he made magic on the stove with eggs." I like waking up with you." He looked over his shoulder."I like waking up with you as well Love. It only took once and I was hooked." She grinned as she took a sip. "Perfect."
He placed the plate in front of her and one next to her. He came around with his mug and sat on the stool beside her. "This looks great. Thank you." She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his soft lips. She tasted of coffee and mint. He licked his lips."It's nothing Love. I'm happy to cook for you. What have you got planned for today?"
She put down her fork and took a sip of her coffee." I'm getting the locks changed, cleaning out the rest of my stuff and going to talk to my land lord about the apartment. I was leasing month to month anyway so I'll just give him the new keys and end my contract. Hopefully all that stuff won't take too long and then I'll come down to the station to look at the evidence. The lab should have something for us by now."
He looked over and smiled." Don't forget I'm here if you need me. I've got loads of time off saved and I would be happy to be there for you." She scratched her fingers up and down his back." I know, you're really sweet and I promise I will call you but I know the team is down a man so I feel bad taking you from them, especially with all the activity lately. "
They finished breakfast and she told him she'd take care of the cleaning since he cooked. It was nice because he had a dishwasher too. She had very few amenities at the place she rented so this felt like luxury. She walked him to the door." Love, there is an extra key in the top drawer next to the fridge. Please take it as your own."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and he circled his arms around her waist pulling her close."Thank you, I'll see you later." He leaned in for a soft kiss but she pulled him in and deepened the kiss leaving him breathless. He pulled back to see her grinning."You're making it hard for me to leave Love." She kissed him lightly." It's just a promise of what's to come when you get home later. Be safe ok?" He nodded.
He liked the idea of coming home to her. It really was incentive to be safe even though now his pants were a lot tighter than they needed to be. She waved goodbye to him as he left, shutting the door and locking it behind him.
He checked his watch and had to jog to the station again. It was worth it, she was worth it.
She found the key in the drawer just as he said it would be. It was hanging on the end of an anchor key ring. He really was her sailor. She put the key into her pocket and called the locksmith. He said he'd meet her at the apartment in twenty minutes. She quickly emptied one of her suitcases into the drawers he gave her and rushed across the street to her apartment. She may have mixed some of her panties in with his boxers on purpose.
She'd arrived just in time to meet him. He was a short gruff looking man wearing grey work pants, and a navy jacket, his tag read Leroy. "Hi, I presume you are the locksmith I called." He extended his hand."Yeah, name's Leroy from Diamond Locks. This the right apartment?" She nodded."Yeah, come in." She pushed open the door and walked inside.
It still held an eerie vibe. She wished she had her gun on her at that moment. "This won't take long, do what you gotta do." Said the gruff man. "Alright, I'll just be in the other room if you need me."
She walked back into the bedroom and checked through the drawers, the closet, under the bed and in the cabinets of the bathroom. She gathered the remaining items she found and put them into her suitcase. She also gathered all her linens, sheets, towels and the like. Killian's bed was the same size so she hoped he didn't mind sleeping on her soft sheets with little flowers on them.
She walked out and scoured the floor in the living room, looking under the couch, loveseat and tables for the missing perp sheets. She came across two pages that were missing but a few perps were still gone from the stack.
She grabbed a few grocery bags that she had tucked into the cabinet below the sink and emptied her pantry and fridge items into them. "Sister, this is fixed." She walked up to meet him and he handed her the invoice slip. She went into her purse and pulled out cash to pay him. She realized she didn't have enough for a tip. "Hey, I'd like to give you a little something for coming out so quickly but I'm short of cash. Can I interest you in a pack of cookies? " she said holding up the package.
"How bout the six pack? " he said pointing to the beer on the counter. She laughed."Deal." she handed him the cash and the beer. "I appreciate this, here's the new keys. Good Luck." She walked him to the door."Thank you." She closed and locked the door behind him. She placed the new keys into her pocket and gathered up the bags placing them near the door.
She was able to stuff some of the items into the suitcase, luckily it had wheels. The rest she could carry in the grocery bags. She gave the place one last look and happily said goodbye. She was moving on to greater possibilities.
He calmly walked into the station with minutes to spare. He was greeted by David at the water cooler."Hey Jones, Is everything alright? How's Emma." He took a sip of his water and looked into his friend's concerned face."She's alright. She was a little shaken by the robbery last night. You didn't notice anything odd at your place right?"
The blonde shook his head." Oh, that's good. No, Mary Margaret and I were home all night. I take it she went to your place?" He grinned."Well you could say she went to our place. I asked her to move in with me." David's eyes went wide."What? Already? I knew things seemed serious with you two but wow. That's great. I'm really happy for you both. Wait until I tell Mary Margaret." He said smiling.
"What's going on?" asked Jeff.
He felt his cheeks reddening a bit and he looked over at David who was pursing his lips closed. He smiled."Emma moved in with me." Jeff stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at him."You're kidding?" He shook his head."No Mate. She moved in with me last night."
Jeff looked dumbfounded as they walked to the table side by side. They all sat down as usual and waited for Robin. He appeared minutes later with Will next to him. Will was looking to the floor and rubbing the back of his neck. He still had a bone to pick with him but he'd do it later. He was in too good a mood to let his unresolved discussion sway him.
Will looked around the table at David, then Jeff, and finally Killian. "What, What I miss?" Robin stood with his arms folded and chin out."Spill it."
"It seems Killian has a new roommate." Said Jeff.
"What? Who?" asked Will.
He looked over to see Will's gaping expression."Emma."
"The blonde avenger? She moved in with you, already? Wow, ye tamed that filly quick." Said Will.
He stood and pointed at him, glaring into his face. "Oi, I asked you not to talk about her like that."
Will held up his hands."Sorry mate, I didn't realize it was so serious."
"Emma's apartment was robbed last night, possibly by our arson suspect." Said David.
Robin dropped his hands to the back of the chair in front of him and the rest of the men sat forward gaping mouths. "What? Is she alright? I'm sorry Jones, I wouldn't have kid around with you had I known." Said Jeff.
"Is she alright Mate?" asked Robin.
He glared at David."Aye, she's alright. Shaken a bit but we'll manage."
"Jones, I'm sorry. I'm an arse." Said Will.
He looked sternly at him. "We'll talk later."
He nodded and took the seat next to him.
"You may be wondering why loverboy is here. Will's on probation but his grandmother wishes him to be out of the house so I've agreed to allow him to be here at the station. He'll be in charge of filling all the tanks daily not to mention any other tasks that must be completed with regards to safety daily during his probation and probably for a long while after." Said Robin.
Will huffed out a breath."Will do, thanks mate."
The men went over the daily plan and divided up the tasks for the day. Will caught Killian by the arm before he left the table. "Jones, I'm really sorry about that whole situation. I'm an arse. Thank you for saving my life." He bit the inside of his cheek. He really wanted to let him have it but he was still in a good mood about Emma moving in.
He groaned. "I've told you and I'll keep telling you that you need to settle down. It's not a game, you aren't the only player, and this is dangerous work. If you can't commit to it you shouldn't be doing it. People can get hurt or killed if you pull a stunt like that."
He looked at him with a serious expression."I know. Robin's told me I have one more chance. If anything else happens I'm out. I don't' want that. You lot are like brothers to me. I've learned my lesson and plan to be focused on the job while I'm in it. Save the fun for after work."
He poked his finger into his chest. "I'll be keeping an eye on you, mate; if I catch you messing around again I'm not going to hold back. You could have gotten me killed."
"Alright, I understand and I'm sorry. Won't happen again. I promise. Perhaps you and the blonde ave... I mean Emma might want to go out for a drink some night? "
He smiled." I'll ask her. I'm sure she would be fine with that."
"So living together? Wow, I'm surprised. "
He clapped him on the shoulder."I'm happy."
"That's all that matters. I'm glad you found each other. That's quite the story."
He laughed." I know, one for the storybooks. Now get to work Probie. Those tanks won't fill themselves."
"Aye Aye Captain." He said saluting him and walking off.
He checked his phone, he had a text message from Emma.
E: Hey Sexy! locks are changed and I'm back at "our" place unpacking the rest of my stuff. Call me when you get this. XX
He pressed the Emma button on his phone.
"Hey, everything went ok?"
"Hi, yep, got the new locks, keys and I'm headed over to meet the landlord now. His office is in a little office park right near downtown. I'll terminate the lease and give him the keys. I should be at the station within an hour. You're sure you still want me to live with you right? Once I do this there's no going back."
"Of course Love. Seeing you has become the best part of my day and knowing I get to come home to you now; well that just takes the cake."
"Good, because I'm invested now. My toothbrush holder is now safely in your bathroom holding our toothbrushes."
He laughed."Perfect Love. I can't wait to see them when I get home."
"Oh and I hope you don't mind little flowers on your sheets because I made the bed so I could wash the others."
"No, as long as I have your warm body there with me, you can put on whatever sheets you like."
"Good. I'll see you soon."
"Ok Love. Bye"
She pulled up into the parking lot of the complex. It was odd that his office was inside of a warehouse park but she'd seen worse. She noted the sign, Gold Property Management, when she turned in the lot among the other business names on the little tiles.
She parked in the far lot out front of the building and grabbed her bag. There appeared to be construction activity going on at the lot next to this one. She walked into the building and down the long corridor to find the glass front of the office. The company name embossed in gold letters across the top. She walked in and the reception desk out front was empty.
She tapped the little bell on the desk and waited. She looked around the waiting room. It was your typical generic floral carpet, light blue waiting room chairs and a plant stood in the corner that had her questioning real or fake. She was about to touch it and find out when she heard a crash from the back room.
She quickly moved around the reception desk and head down the hall towards the offending sound. She saw Gold's door slightly ajar so she went in. She saw a red head passed out on the floor next to the desk and Gold himself was lying behind the desk face down. She quickly knelt next to the woman and checked for a pulse. She was breathing but possibly just knocked out.
She got up and walked around to check on Gold. He was also breathing but had a cut on the side of his eye and unconscious as well. She stood, looked around the room for any sign of a struggle and that was when she noticed the smoke coming out of the file cabinet drawer. She walked over and lightly touched it to check for heat before she tried to open it. When she pulled the drawer open the door slammed shut and she heard a click. She rushed over and pulled hard on the door but it was locked.
She ran to the windows but they were high up, small and incapable of being opened. She went back to the drawer and noticed it was a smoke bomb. She waved the smoke away and closed the drawer.
She pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911.
She quickly spoke."Hello, Emergency, there are two people unconscious at Gold Property Management. Send an ambulance. One is bleeding at the head, the other is unconscious without any visible marks."
As she was giving the dispatcher the information she heard an explosion from outside the door."Shit, that was an explosion, send the fire department." They assured her they were on their way and she hung up the phone.
She frantically dialed Killian with shaky fingers.
"Hello Love, That was quick."
"Killian, I'm still here, it's the arsonist. I'm trapped in Gold's office. Gold and his receptionist are unconscious. I've called 911. There was an explosion." She could hear the alarm going off behind him.
"We've gotten the call. We're on our way. I'm coming to get you Love. Stay calm."
"OK, Please hurry. There's no way out. I'm trapped in here."
"Aye, I'm coming. I'll be there as soon as I can."
"I have to go smoke is coming in."
He breathed into the phone."I'm coming."
Smoke started coming under the door. She found an extra coat hanging on the back of Gold's chair. She pulled it off and stuffed it under the door to try to keep the smoke out. She picked up the red head by her shoulders and dragged her towards the back of the office away from the door. She did the same for Gold.
She pushed back the blinds on the small window, picked up the visitor's chair, climbed on the desk and swung it towards the window. She hit it as hard as she could but it was unbreakable glass so it knocked her back and she fell onto the desk. "Shit." She dug through the desk drawers looking for a screw driver or anything to try to get the knob off.
Nothing, she started to panic. She smoothed her hands down her jeans and felt the keys. She took out the new key ring from Killian. The anchor was thin enough. She poked the edge into the hole and turned the screw as best she could. It took some time but it came out. Her hands were shaking by the time she started in on the second screw. She could feel heat coming from behind the door. She was sweating and getting nervous. This was their only way out.
Her only thought was to make it easier for the fireman to get to them. She was afraid to imagine what it looked like on the opposite side of the door after the blast. She frantically twisted the anchor. She felt a shiver of relief when she heard the sirens approaching. She closed her eyes and kept twisting. This one was harder to remove than the first.
She twisted it once more and finally got the screw out, her fingers burning from turning so hard. She kissed the anchor and put it back into her pocket. She pulled her sleeve down and pulled roughly on the warm doorknob. It burned her hand slightly through the fabric. Half of the knob popped off into her hand and she dropped it to the floor. If there was warmth that meant the fire must be close. She poked her fingers through the opening, pushing the other side of the knob out leaving a hole to see through.
She covered her nose and mouth to shield from the smoke and peered through the hole to see how bad it was. She could see the shadow of flickering flames on the wall opposite them but it was too smoky to see anything else. She knew the fire must be close. She felt a pit in her stomach as she waited for help to come. She didn't know how bad the fire was and they were in the interior office. What if they couldn't get to them?
She felt herself begin to panic and stood and took a deep breath. She grabbed the pocket square from Gold's jacket and stuffed it into the hole to keep the smoke out while they waited. She began to pray, something she hadn't done in a very long time. She prayed for herself and for her fireman that were coming for her.
She could hear shuffling and water splashing coming towards them. The voices were getting closer. "Hey, I'm in here!" she yelled. She knelt down, pulled out the hankie and looked through the hole in the door. She could see the flames lapping at the wall in front of the office. Fear ripped through her. "I'm here!" she called again as loud as she could.
"Emma! I'm coming." Her body shivered when she heard his voice. She looked back at her two unconscious companions and waited. She didn't dare open that door or the flames would pour in and get to them. "Killian, I'm down here!" She saw the water flooding down as she watched through the hole and then she saw the uniform flash in front of her eyes. He bent down and looked into the hole.
She saw his blue eyes staring at her. She took a breath." Thank god you're here." She felt tears prick behind her eyes. "Stand back Love!" She stood and moved back so he could pull the door open. She jumped into his arms as soon as she saw him."Thank god you're here." She turned and pointed at her companions. "Help me get these two out of here."
"Jeff! Down here we need help!" He called back towards the corridor. "Emma, this fire is really bad. We need to get you out. Jeff and Robin came running in. Each man grabbed one of the unconscious and carried them; she followed closely behind Killian who was holding Mr. Gold. Robin led their way out of the building spraying at the flames to give them passage.
When she got outside she took a deep breath before turning around to see the back half of the building engulfed in flames. The EMT came rushing up to her and threw a blanket over her shoulders. "Love. Are you ok? Are you hurt?" She looked into his concerned blue eyes and felt like she was in a dream. She smiled and nodded but felt herself going under. Then she blacked out.
He saw her falling and caught her in his arms. He carried her to the ambulance and they put an oxygen mask on her. He smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead. "Stay with me Love." He got a radio call from Robin requesting assistance. The EMT looked at him."Jones, I've got her, she'll be safe. Go!" He gave her hand a squeeze and head back towards the building.
He squeezed the mic on his shoulder."Robin, where are you?"
"Around the back side of the building. We are trying to contain the blaze from spreading any further and hitting the mayor's precious construction site across the road."
"Aye, I'm coming around now." At least he didn't have to risk going back inside. The place was engulfed in flames. Thank god he got to her in time. The whole time they were in the truck on the way he was silently freaking out.
When he heard her scared voice calling out to him in the hall, it nearly broke him. He pushed himself to get to her and by god when he saw her sweet relief came to him. His angel was safe.
This time the arsonist meant business. His heart was wrenching at the thought of Emma being there when this happened. If he hadn't gotten to her when he did they wouldn't have been able to easily get them out and she could have been hurt. He would have moved hell to get her; he was absolutely certain of that.
His adrenaline was pumping hard as he ran to meet his crew. He grabbed one of the hoses and started to douse the flames. "Thanks Mate, glad you could make it. Is Emma alright?" He nodded."She passed out, she's with the EMTs. She said it was the arsonist when she called me."
"It looks that way. Could have killed those people if Emma hadn't shown up when she did. I don't know if she was meant to be here mate, I think it was a coincidence."
He nodded. He was too angry to think otherwise. He just kept his eye on the dancing flames. He put all his focus there not to worry about it. It took awhile to get the fire under control but they did it. They were able to keep the new construction site clear of fire. This building was barely standing; the fire destroyed most of the interior and made it nearly impossible to get back inside. The blown out windows might be the only way in if they have to investigate.
He walked around the other side of the building to find Emma sitting in the back of an ambulance with a blanket around her and oxygen mask wrapped around her lovely face. He barely noticed the annoyance standing in front of her until he got closer. "Humbert." He grumbled.
He rushed forward and she stood as soon as she saw him. He wrapped his arms around her gently taking her into his embrace."Are you ok? I'm sorry I had to get back to the fire." She whispered."Yeah, I'm ok. The EMT helped me. Thank you for rescuing me." He squeezed her harder."God if anything happened to you."
She knew what he was feeling; she'd just gone through it herself."I'm here, I'm safe, and I'm ok, thanks to you." She threw those words back at him and they squeezed at his heart. He knew how she must have felt the other day.
She was still on shaky legs. He helped her back down into the truck.
"Can I get a statement from you Ms. Swan?" asked Officer Humbert.
"Can't it wait Mate? Can't you see she's not really up to it right now?"
"Jones, let me do my job. You know procedure." He said smugly.
She grabbed his hand and squeezed."Killian, it's alright. I'm fine. Better to do it now."
He bit his lip and closed his eyes stepping to her side.
She took a deep breath. "I came to give the new keys to Gold and when I got there the front desk was empty. I heard a crash and ran back towards the sound. I saw his door ajar and noticed the receptionist, red head, on the floor. I walked in, checked her pulse and saw Gold laying on the floor behind his desk. I checked his pulse and then noticed the smoke coming from the cabinet. I pulled open the cabinet and the door slammed shut and locked. It was a smoke bomb. That's when I called for help."
His eyes flickered up to Killian and then back to her. "Thank you for your cooperation Ms. Swan. I'd also like to reopen my offer of a place to stay. I'd be happy to personally ensure your safety since you seem to be in need of saving so often."
He'd had it. He was already still hopped up on adrenaline, he'd nearly lost her and now this jerk was hitting on her again. "Humbert, take a walk. I'm warning you."
The smug man raised his eyebrow and smirked at him. "Jones, I'm just offering to do what you don't seem to be able to accomplish, keeping the lady safe. I think she has the right to chose."
He was about to rip his head off when Emma stood up, held him back and slapped Humbert in the face."How dare you? I've listened to your bullshit and tried to be professional but you don't take the hint. He just saved my life! How fucking dare you? Do you have any idea how hard it is to see someone you care about in danger? Just in case you weren't sure – I choose him – infinity times over – I CHOOSE HIM! I believe you have my statement so take off before he kicks your ass."
He smiled and held up his hands. "Whoa, I get it. Thanks for your time Ms. Swan. I'll see you around. Be sure to ask for me next time you come in for your check." He tucked the pad into his jacket and walked away.
She turned around to see Killian's eyes shining brightly under all the soot and his grin covering his face. She caressed the side of his face."Baby can we go home?" He leaned forward and kissed her softly."Aye Love, let's go home."
