A/N: Posting a bit later today, sorry. Also, it's another Emma-heavy chapter. Regina's stuff is coming, but it's just taking a while. Stick with me.
Emma walked out of the school building, pulling her phone out of her pocket as she did up her red leather jacket. It hadn't looked like rain that morning, and she didn't have an umbrella. Of course, she'd thought she'd get a lift from either Regina or Neal because that was what usually happened, but no such luck. She figured she could phone her best friend, who would no doubt be eager to hear how her maths session had gone, but when she realised that her phone battery was flat she wanted to scream.
"My life is cursed!" She wailed as she walked down the stairs and across the car park. She'd been outside for less than a minute and she was already drenched.
"Need a lift Swan?"
Emma's head, bent against the rain, shot up when she saw a car slow down in front of her.
"Mr Jones, I'm starting to think you're stalking me!" She said as she rushed over to him.
"Oh yes," he drawled as he watched her run around to the passenger door. "Because a teacher being around a school after hours is such a strange thing." Emma just poked her tongue out and pulled off her jacket before getting into the car.
"Careful Swan," the music teacher started driving again. "Don't stick that out unless you plan to use it." Emma blinked at him, and then she very carefully, very intentionally poked her tongue out again. Mr Jones glanced over at her, and then poked his tongue out as well. Emma gave a little shiver and then did up her seat belt. Mr Jones just chuckled at her and pulled out of the car park.
Once they were out on the road, he started to head into town.
"Do you have time for a coffee?" he asked as he made his way towards the main street. Emma raised an eyebrow.
"Waiting for me to ask for help with my music class?" She teased, and he glanced at her, chuckling.
"Not quite," he replied. "I told you, I'm patient and when you want help from me I'm sure you'll come and ask for it."
The way he lingered over certain words in that sentence made Emma want to melt right into the seat.
"Actually, a coffee might be good." she tried to sound casual, and she was pretty sure she failed, judging from the smirk on the teacher's face. What the hell was it with this staff? Was it in their job descriptions that they had to be a) ridiculously attractive and b) constantly smirking?
"Good to hear. Because I have a proposition for you Swan." he glanced over at her and shook his head. "Don't get your knickers wet. Not that sort of a proposition." He paused and she watched his tongue dart out between his lips. "Not yet anyway." Emma couldn't help but let out a little moan. This day was AGONY! "Actually, the coffee shop I'm taking you to has an open mic night and I was thinking of getting some of the class to try performing there. It could be good exposure for them."
STILL with the pauses on words to make her feel all sorts of warm! Emma clenched her thighs together. Sometimes she thought he didn't even realise he was doing it, the bastard. First she had a maths teacher that turned her on talking about fucking algebra, and now she was getting frisky because her Music teacher was saying things like performing and exposure and it was just ridiculous. She really needed to get laid.
Maybe she should phone Neal.
Ugh! Was she that desperate? Sure they still hooked up sometimes, but really?
"Swan?"
She glanced up.
"Oh, yeah," She blushed. "Yeah, that sounds good. Who did you have in mind?"
"Were you still thinking about your maths lesson?" he teased, and she frowned, wondering if that really was a note of jealousy in his tone.
"Not really, no." She admitted.
"Aww," Jones sounded a little more chipper. "I'm sure Jefferson will be heartbroken that you'd forgotten him already."
"Mr Chapelier was teaching me algebra I'll have you know. Which I'm sure you know about, since you were watching." She smirked at him but he just concentrated on the drive.
"Was I really?" he sounded rather non-committal. Emma frowned, momentarily confused. Suddenly she wasn't quite sure of herself.
He glanced over at her, and had to force himself not to gloat. This was far too much fun.
"So, are you going to sing for me tonight?" he asked her after a few moments silence. She blinked in shock again.
"Excuse me?"
"There's an open mic session at the coffee shop tonight. I want to know if you'll sing for me."
Emma blanched, and she was too nervous to reply for a moment.
"You want me to sing in public?" she stammered, and he glanced over at her, putting his hand on her thigh for a brief comforting squeeze, pulling his hand back before she could react.
"Only if you're comfortable, but it would mean a lot to me." Then he smiled at her and she felt herself melt just that little more into the seat.
"Maybe?" she managed to stammer, her voice a little breathless again. She really was feeling so out of her depth today. Why the hell had she and Regina made the decision to pursue the staff?
"In public or in private, I'd like to hear you sing for me." he told her, and that cheeky smirk was back. Emma glanced at him, but she couldn't say anything. So she just sat there in the car, and stayed quiet for a bit.
Not too much later they made it to the coffee shop and Mr Jones parked the car.
"Wait there," he told her, and jumped out of the car, grabbing an umbrella from the back seat before he rushed around to her side and opened the door, sheltering her from the rain.
"Such a gentleman!" She teased him, grabbing her wallet. She glanced up at the name on the window. 'Grounded for Being Fresh'
"Of course Lass," he looked almost offended at the idea that she was surprised. She just snorted and walked with him into the coffee shop. The heat from his body was surprising, and she felt herself warming up even as the rain fell so heavily around them.
"Killian, welcome. You singing tonight?"
Emma looked up when she heard a woman's voice call out as soon as they were through the door.
"Probably Malle," he replied as he shook off the umbrella and left it in a holder by the door. "But I'm hoping my friend here will give it a go as well."
Emma blushed and wiggled her fingers at the woman who was currently glaring at her, the smile for Killian vanishing. Emma frowned, leaning back a little into the teacher.
"Fair enough. Well as long as it doesn't put the customers off their coffee it's all good." Then she turned back to the counter and focused on the customers she was serving.
"Ouch." Emma muttered under her breath, and Mr Jones chuckled softly as he guided her to a booth.
"Sorry about that Love," he murmured his hand on the small of her back. "Malle and I have a bit of a history and she can be a bit touchy."
Emma sat down and peered at him as he took a seat opposite her.
"Translation: You slept with her and she sees any other female with you as a threat. Fair enough. But if you went for her it's clear you go for older women, so why is she scared of me?"
The teacher laughed again in surprise.
"That's the Swan we all know and love. Never one to beat around the bush are you?"
This time it was Emma's turn to smirk as she picked up the menu on the table.
"Are you suggesting I'm wrong?"
"Only about me only going for older women." He stood up and leaned over. "If the woman is beautiful I don't care how old she is." he murmured in her ear. "What do you want to drink?" He straightened up, and Emma had to steady her breathing. She'd just thought of another thing that must be on the job description - likes to murmur in students' ears and get them flustered.
"Hot chocolate please, with cinnamon if they have it, and extra whipped cream." She grabbed her wallet, ready to hand over some money, but he just glared at her until she put it down again. "Um, ok? So I'm not paying then?"
"I invited you out Swan, that means I pay."
"Ahh, so if I invited you out I'd pay?" She asked him, and he shrugged.
"Well no, because I work full time and you don't, so I'd still pay. But if you asked me out then maybe I'd let you split the bill." He quirked an eyebrow. "Why? Already planning our next date?"
Emma's eyes went wide as she stared up at him, and he just chuckled and headed off to order their drinks.
Holy shit! What was going on?
It wasn't long before Mr Jones came back and took his seat.
"The drinks are on their way." he told her.
"Thanks Mr Jones."
The teacher shuddered.
"Oh please, not here." He groaned, and Emma frowned. "It's bad enough that I have to hear that at work, but please call me Killian when we're not at school."
Emma blinked, and couldn't help the smile on her face.
"Ok… Killian." She tried it out, and felt her stomach flutter at his answering smile. He looked genuinely happy.
"Much better." he nodded.
"So," Emma gazed over to the woman that had greeted them "How long have you been sleeping with Malle?"
Killian raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Checking out the competition?" he teased, and his hand was near hers on the table. Emma blushed and tried to deny it.
"You wish!"
"Well, now that you come to mention it…"
He looked so sincere and Emma just stared at him, mouth open. He stared back for a moment and then smirked at her and squeezed her hand.
"Don't worry Swan, you're safe with me." he said, and was surprised when she pouted.
"What if I don't want to be safe?" She asked softly, gazing up at him through her lashes. Before he could respond, however, Malle had brought over their drinks and a slice of chocolate cheesecake.
"Thanks love," he hardly looked up at her. Instead, his eyes were still locked with Emma's. Malle stood there for a moment, clearly trying to flirt, but then she turned around and stalked off.
"I hope she didn't spit in my drink." She muttered, as Killian rubbed his thumb against her hand.
"Why would she do that?" He asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Um, because she was clearly trying to jump you and you're busy playing handsies with me?"
Killian stared and then chuckled as he glanced back at Malle, before looking at Emma again.
"Right you are." He let go of her hand then and she couldn't help but gasp at the loss. He handed her a fork. "Do you like cheesecake?"
Emma's eyes lit up.
"You got this for me?" She asked, taking the fork and automatically going to take some.
"I got it for us to share." Killian corrected her, and held up his own fork. They each took some cheesecake, and while Emma put hers straight into her mouth, he delayed, and was soon distracted by the look of absolute delight on her face and the moan that escaped as she tasted the dessert.
"This is sooo good!" Emma's eyes had drifted closed and then she opened them again to gaze at her teacher.
"Huh?" He gulped, the fork hanging in the air halfway to his mouth.
"Are you going to try some?" she asked, amused, and he blinked.
"Oh, yeah, right you are." He stuffed the fork into his mouth and jabbed his lip with a tine. "Bollocks!"
"Are you ok?" Emma couldn't help but giggle, even as she reached out her hand.
"Yeah, fine. Just an idiot. Didn't hurt." Killian muttered as he swallowed the cake. Emma gave another mock pout.
"Oh, so you don't need me to kiss it better then?" She said softly. "Fair enough." And she took another piece of cake, gazing innocently around the cafe.
"Minx!" Killian muttered, grinning despite himself.
They ate in silence for a while, and then somebody started to sing on the stage, and Emma glanced over to where a woman was sitting on a stool, a guitar on her leg as she started to croon.
"You don't really want me to sing do you?" Emma asked, nervous. Killian shrugged.
"I'd love to hear you sing, and I think it would be a fantastic experience for you. Why don't you want to do it?"
Emma chewed on her lip, watching the singer.
"What if I'm rubbish? What if people laugh at me?"
Her voice was so soft. Killian leaned over again and took her hand, rubbing his thumb along the side of her hand.
"So sing for me." He spoke just as softly. "Ignore everybody else and just sing to me." he smiled gently and Emma's breath caught as she looked at him, smiling shyly.
"I don't have a guitar." she protested, and Killian rolled his eyes.
"I can play for you, if you want."
"Really?"
He nodded at her smile.
"Really." He kept rubbing his thumb against her hand and she felt her stomach fluttering.
"Ok." She finally said, smiling. "I'll sing to you if you play for me." Then she took a deep breath. "Oh God! What am I going to sing?"
Killian chuckled.
"Whatever you want Lass."
Emma chewed her lip as she considered it. What could she perform? After a few moments she grinned. She went to grab her phone but remembered it was still in her bag, in Killian's car, flat.
"Can I borrow your phone?" She asked, and he was amused. It was clear she'd had an idea and he was intrigued. He quickly opened up his internet browser, not wanting her to see the background screen.
It was a, well he liked to say it was an 'arty' shot, and he'd applied filters to it so it wasn't obvious, but he couldn't take the risk that she wouldn't recognise it was clearly a photo he'd taken on Friday night, from the lighting box.
"What do you want me to look up?" He asked, and she snatched it from him, typing in the details before handing it back. Then she waited for his reaction.
He watched her for a moment, and then glanced down at the screen and raised an eyebrow.
"This song is older than you are!" he spluttered and she just shrugged.
"Most of the things I like are older than I am." She gave him a very obvious leer, and he burst out laughing.
"Right you are Lass, and we're all glad for it." He squeezed her hand again and then nodded.
"Can you play it?" she asked, leaning forward.
"Aye, Swan. I can play it." He reassured her. Then he stood up. "Let me go tell Malle that we're going to be performing."
"Are you going to sing as well?" Emma watched him as he stood up. Killian nodded.
"Only because Malle asked me to."
Emma scoffed.
"Oh yeah, sure thing Killian. Not because you're a performer and you love to show off or anything!"
Killian leaned forward and murmured in her ear again.
"I thought you knew Swan, I like to watch." Then he straightened up and walked away.
Emma had been feeling so impressed with herself, the way she was able to flirt with him, and then he went and said stuff like that and she was melting into her chair.
She was desperate to call Regina and tell her what was going on. Why the hell did she let her phone go flat?
Killian was leaning against the counter, chatting to Malle, and Emma took the time to look at him. Dark jeans, grey shirt, black vest, scruffy hair, old Doc Martins on his feet. She rested her chin on her hand, elbow on the table, and she gazed at his perfect butt, dreaming of running her fingers through his hair and pulling his face down to hers for a kiss. By the time he finally made his way back to the table she was trying to work out just how the stubble on his cheeks would feel against her inner thighs.
"Penny for your thoughts Swan?"
Emma snapped her head up, broken from her day dreams, her cheeks flushing.
"How much to act them out?" She quipped, and then felt her blush burn as she realised what she had said. Killian just looked at her and then burst out laughing. "I'm so sorry," she mumbled, mortified. "It's just a line we say. I'm so sorry."
Killian pouted.
"And here I was about to check how much money I had in my wallet!"
Emma's eyes went wide and then she burst out laughing as well.
"You are crazy!" she muttered as she drank the last of her hot chocolate. Killian just grinned at her, and they settled into a comfortable silence as they listened to the various performers.
"And now we have a favourite at 'Grounded for Being Fresh'" Malle's voice rang out loud over the PA system. "Killian Jones is going to come and sing for us. Come on Killian." Killian stood up as people clapped him, and he made his way over to the small stage. He picked up the guitar that was resting by the stool and mic, and spent a moment or two tuning it.
"Evening all," he spoke to the crowd. "Tonight I'm going to be singing 'Seagull' by Saturday Sun."
There was another scattering of applause, he started to play, and Emma couldn't help the smile on her face as she watched him from her seat.
Do you give much
Do you take more
Do you know what's good
Build your tower on the ladder
But I've no reason to coin for you
Emma didn't know the song, but she loved his voice, and the way his gaze settled on hers as he sang made her wish for the moment to last forever.
Occasionally he would look around the room, and Emma took the chance to watch the audience, but their gaze kept returning to each other and they shared a secret smile. When she watched the rest of the crowd she felt a bolt of jealousy whenever she saw a woman so obviously attracted to him, and he would grin and wink as he sang, but then he would look at her, and she knew that there was no reason to be jealous at all. She was the one he was singing to.
If I saw what I see now, I'd be ashamed
If I saw what I see now
I'm coming home again
Home again
Under your cover of blue
The song ended and Emma wasn't the only one on her feet clapping. Killian was grinning, and then he leaned into the microphone again.
"Now we have a special treat, and I'm going to have to ask you to put your hands together to encourage a friend of mine who is an open mic virgin. Come on Emma, come sing."
As he called her a virgin he smirked at her and then he waved her over to come join him. She was bright red again, and glared at him, but she stuffed her wallet into her pocket and headed over to the stage. She breezed past Malle, who was glaring at her, and she went and sat on the second stool that he had pulled over for her.
"Say hello to the audience Swan," he encouraged, and she gave him a death stare before she looked at the crowd, trying to swallow her nerves.
"Hi." She wiggled her fingers at the people sitting before her. There were maybe 20 people scattered around the room, and she tried to tell herself this was no different to singing in class. Except she knew all the people in her class, and she knew that they would have to sing as well, but these people were just there to watch and it was awkward.
"Malle can we grab another mic please?" Killian asked, and soon they were set up so there was a mic for the guitar, one for Emma and one for Killian to sing. Emma was so nervous, but Killian squeezed her hand and she nodded at him. "We can leave as soon as you're done Swan," he whispered, and she gave him a grateful smile. That way, if she did make a complete fool of herself, at least she wouldn't have to stick around and experience the humiliation.
"This is called 'I get weak'" She mumbled into the mic. Then Killian started to play, and after a moment Emma started to sing.
When I'm with you
I shake inside
My heart's all tangled up
My tongue is tied it's crazy
Can't walk, can't talk, can't eat, can't sleep
Oh, I'm in love, oh I'm in deep 'cuz baby
With a kiss you can strip me defenceless
With a touch I completely lose control
'Til all that's left of my strength is a memory, woooah
I get weak when I look at you
Weak when we touch
I can't speak when I look in your eyes
I get weak when you're next to me
Weak from this love
As she kept singing, her eyes closed so she could focus on the music, she heard Killian start to sing with her, his voice in a perfect harmony, and she opened her eyes to look over at him, smiling as she sang.
As she kept singing she felt herself relaxing a bit, and she even managed to lift her head and look at the crowd. Her eyes kept going back to Killian's though, and she was pretty sure she had never seen anything as beautiful as the light in his eyes as he sang with her.
Just a kiss you can strip me defenceless
Just a touch I completely lose control
'Til all that's left of my strength is a memory, woooah
I get weak when I look at you
Weak when we touch
I can't speak when I look in your eyes
I get weak when you're next to me
Weak from this love
I can't speak when I look in your eyes
I get weak I get weak I get weak"
As soon as she finished the place erupted with applause and Emma couldn't stop smiling. Killian set down the guitar and stood up, holding Emma's hand as they bowed to the audience. Then he led her off the stage and she was bouncing with excitement. He called out a farewell to Malle and then guided Emma out of the coffee shop, as promised.
"Did you have fun Swan?" He asked as he grabbed his umbrella from the stand by the door. He pulled the door open and waited for her to walk through.
"That was incredible!" She felt so buzzed and he couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. It was still raining and Killian was concentrating on getting the umbrella up and keeping Emma dry. So he wasn't ready for her when she threw herself into his arms, holding him tight. "That was so fucking amazing!" She grinned, and then before he could react she kissed him hard.
Killian took a moment, but then he slipped his free hand around her waist and returned the kiss. He slipped his tongue into her mouth as she wrapped her leg around his, pressing her body close to him. Finally though he managed to pull away, his forehead still resting against hers, [5] their breath heavy. She was grinning but he felt guilty. He was kissing a student on the street.
"We should go." He murmured, and she dropped her leg down.
"Ok." she chewed on her bottom lip and he led her back to the car in silence.
"I should drive you home," he told her, sitting in the car but not starting the engine. Emma just kept fiddling with her hands, not sure how to behave.
"I'm sorry, I thought you wanted…" she faltered, and he looked over at her.
"I did, I do I just…" he frowned as he reached over and took her hands in his. "You're my student Swan."
"So?" She glared at him. "I was your student when you were watching me on Friday and I was your student when you pulled me into the classroom today. So why does it matter now?"
Killian mused about that, and then he gave her a small smile as he nodded.
"What time are you expected home?"
Emma glanced at the clock in the car and cringed. It was just gone 6pm.
"Probably about now," she admitted, and Killian forced back a sigh of relief.
"I'll drive you. Where do you live?"
Emma gave him her address and settled back against the seat.
They drove in silence and Emma's mind was racing. Today had been a ridiculous day. Like, seriously crazy. When she and Regina had started talking about their plan she had been keen but, if she was honest with herself she hadn't actually thought anything would come of it. But now, just over a week later she'd had one teacher go down on her and two others kiss her. If she'd realised it was going to be that simple she would have suggested it months ago.
"So did you enjoy today?"
Killian's question made her blush, until she realised that he just meant the singing.
"Yeah," she nodded enthusiastically. Then she snickered. "Well except for the death glares from Malle. I'm sure that she probably spat in my hot chocolate."
Killian chuckled.
"The amount of cream on it, I'm surprised you could taste anything."
"Hey," she glared at the older man. "Don't you be dissing my drinks!" He just laughed at her, and the conversation switched to the idea of the class taking part in open mic sessions.
When he stopped the car out the front of her house, Emma looked up and realised that nobody was home.
"I'd invite you in, but I have no idea when my parents will be back."
"No Swan, that's quite alright. I should be heading back anyway, books to mark and all."
Emma nodded, wishing she knew what the hell to say.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow I guess." She made no move to get out of the car. "Thanks for the lift." He looked intently at her. Then, with his officially sanctioned (or so it seemed) smirk, he leaned forward and tapped his lips.
"Perhaps a show of appreciation is in order then Swan"
Emma gave him a confused grin.
"Um, yeah? That's what the thank you was for!"
He just kept tapping his lip, and then raised an eyebrow.
"Well," he drawled, dropping his hand. "If you don't think you can handle it?"
"Oh please!" Emma laughed. "You're the one that couldn't handle it, old man!" Then, before he could protest her title for him, she leapt over to him and crushed her mouth to his, kissing him hard. He'd only just managed to recover enough to respond when she pulled back and she was out of the car, bag in her hand. "See ya tomorrow Mr Jones!" She grinned, and then slammed the door and ran into the house.
"Bloody minx!" he stared at her, open mouthed, and then started the engine again, driving away as he chuckled to himself.
A/N Part 2: The songs were 'Seagull' by Saturday Sun (Killian) and 'I get weak' by Belinda Carlisle (Emma).