an: I know things are looking bleak, but I swear they're going to be better soon! So this chapter got a bit long and I ended up splitting it into two and you'll absolutely see what happens immediately after what happens at the end of this one, I swear. ;) Thank you so much for your continued support! It means the world to me!

ten.

day 9. emma's apartment, NYC.

Killian is uncomfortable.

Emma had made things abundantly clear in regards to their semi-temporary sleeping arrangements after they'd had their little incident yesterday.

He can't blame her for what happened, but it's been a week together and they're not getting much closer. He wonders if she knows how much he desires nothing but her companionship.

Things have to change if they're going to stay married. Her walls have to come down, but he isn't sure how he'll help that happen if she won't spend very much time trying with him.

He'd slept roughly on her couch, most of his night spent staring up at the ceiling, or listening to Emma sleep. She's a very quiet sleeper, the occasional shift in the sheets signifying that she's still alive.

It's morning now, but it's dreadfully quiet, and Emma hasn't stirred yet.

It's unfortunate that this is the weekend, otherwise she'd already be gone and he wouldn't have to worry about whether or not it would be acceptable for him to watch television or, dare he even think it, have a shower. He wonders if she'd want to come to the show tonight if he asked.

He thinks he hears Emma's phone going off. "Hello?" Emma's voice is tired. He stretches his arm over his forehead and listens to her. "Oh. Um, I-" She pauses. "Okay. Alright. I'll watch him. Yes, it's fine. I'll be down in a few minutes. Okay. Love you too. Bye."

He hears her set the phone down and then he hears her get up. Moments later, he hears the dresser open and then the bathroom light turns on.

He sees her then, all gentle and graceful even in the earliness of the morning. Her hair's a bit of a tangled mess, bouncing down along her shoulders and back, but it's still bright as the sun to him even as she whisks the door shut.

Killian figures that he should get up if he's going to seem even moderately interested in starting the day properly with her, so he stands and gets the coffee machine started as he listens to the sink running in the bathroom.

It's odd, how they've somehow fallen into a rhythm together. He's used to her and everything she does, pretty much, and it's only been a little over a week.

By the time the bathroom door opens again, he's sipping at his coffee and he's dressed without having a shower, standing in the kitchen with his phone out so he can check his messages.

"Oh," Emma's voice is surprised. He glances away from his phone and up at her. Her eyes are wide and she looks lovely, with her hair half up. "You're up."

"Good morning," She smiles at him a little and Killian tips his head over to the mug he'd left out for her. "Coffee?"

Her little smile warms her cheeks and she reaches over for it eagerly. After she has a sip, she wraps her fingers around it and holds it by her waist.

"Um, Mary Margaret has an emergency thing and David's on call today, so he's out, and she asked if I could watch Leo for a while." Emma stares at him for a second. "If you want, you can come. I don't know how you feel about… kids."

She looks at the floor and Killian can't help but smile.

"I'd be glad to accompany you, Swan."

She jerks her head upward again, her eyes big and bright as she stares at him, obviously not expecting his reaction. "Okay. Then we should go."

/

day 9. mary margaret and david's apartment, NYC.

Emma smiles as she sits on the couch.

Leo and Killian are sword fighting with lightsabers in front of her, laughing and giggling. She can't help but feel her heart warm at the sound the two boys are making. Killian is completely throwing the battle so that Leo can win, obviously, and Leo spins around, swinging his plastic weapon around above his head.

He lets out a yell and pops Killian's shoulder, causing him to groan and clutch at it as he stumbles down to his knees on the rug.

"Prince Leopold," Killian begs. "Your mercies, sire."

He's breathless and wincing, making Leo giggle again. Emma rolls her eyes when Killian winks at her.

"Never!" Leo takes his lightsaber and slides it under Killian's arm until Killian lies flat on his back, his breaths coming thickly and heavily.

"Give my love to my family," Killian chokes out when Leo leans over him. Then he rolls his head to the side and closes his eyes, sticking his tongue out to the side.

Leo cheers victoriously. "Yes! I win!" He jumps up and down and turns to Emma, his smile wide. "Emmie, did you see me win?"

Emma nods. "I did."

Leo comes running up to her after dropping his toy to the floor with a clatter, and she laughs when he jumps up into her lap, wrapping his arms immediately over her neck. He gives her cheek a sloppy kiss and she giggles at the feeling.

"Hey, Leo, do you want to show Killian your room?"

Leo smiles at her and pushes his fingers through her hair. "I like Killian," he says, as if Killian can't hear. "Is he gonna be here for my birthday?"

Emma's eyes widen and she feels her face warming.

"I-" Emma shakes her head. "Um…"

"Of course I'll be there for your birthday, lad." Killian says from the floor.

She glances over and he pushes himself up to stand. He slides his lightsaber back down to carrying size.

"Really?" he asks Killian.

He nods. His eyes are warmer than she's ever seen them and it does things to her heart that stutters in her chest. "Aye. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Leo beams at him and jumps out of Emma's lap. He rushes up to Killian's leg and wraps his arms around it.

"Yay!" Leo pulls away after Killian presses a hand into his blonde curls. "Come to my room, Killian! I want to show you my Legos."

And just like that, Leo bolts away from the living room and down the hallway, leaving Killian to stare at Emma with a look of apology on his face that she shakes her head at.

"It's fine, Killian. He's five. He won't know the difference anyway."

He nods and tucks his thumbs into his jeans. "Right," he sighs. "Erm…"

He smiles weakly at her and she stands, leaning over to pick up the discarded lightsaber before she goes up to him.

"You're really good with him." She smiles a little. "Thank you for coming with me. Sometimes I feel like I don't know what I'm doing."

Killian shakes his head. "What do you mean? The boy loves you."

She feels her cheeks warming again and she looks down at the lightsaber in her hand. "Yeah. He's technically my brother, so-"

She sighs and looks back up at him. She had missed him, inexplicably, last night when he slept on the couch. But she couldn't share a bed with him after what had happened. No way.

"Killian!"

He whips his head around at the sound of Leo's voice and then back to her. "I suppose the lad wishes to see me now."

She chuckles and nods. "Yeah."

Killian stares at her for a second before he bops her nose with the barrel of the light saber. She laughs and he peels back a proud, happy grin.

"Would you… uh… like to come to the show tonight?" he asks.

Her heart squeezes at the way he asks the question. It's like he's asking her on a date. It's like the rest of what she knows about him is all gone and all she knows of him is this sweet, smiling man before her.

"Okay," she gives him a smile.

His grin spreads to his crinkling eyes and his dimpling cheeks and she has the sudden urge to kiss those lips of his, but then he starts to slide back, still looking at her so happily that she thinks he'll never stop.

"Good," he says. "Good."

She can't help but smile when he spins around and starts down the hall with red tipped ears.

/

Mary Margaret doesn't come back to the apartment until about two in the afternoon, apologizing profusely as soon as she enters the front door.

She and Killian are sitting in the living room watching what's left of Peter Pan while Leo sleeps with his head on Killian's shoulder between them. She likes the way Killian has been with Leo. He's obviously had experience with children before, because he knows how to handle himself around him.

"Oh," Mary Margaret comes into the living room and immediately smiles at the sight of the three of them sitting on the sofa. "Good. He's sleeping. I was worried he wouldn't be able to take his nap."

She sighs and presses her hands to her heart for a moment before she goes to put her things down in the kitchen.

Emma glances over at Killian and subsequently Leo, a soft smile finding her lips. She really likes this. She hates to admit it, but she wants this someday. Kids and napping and watching cartoons and playing with Lego's and eating macaroni and cheese.

"How was he? He didn't try anything, did he?" Mary Margaret asks in a quiet voice as soon as she comes back from the kitchen.

Emma looks up at her and shakes her head, still smiling. "No. He was great. How was the thing?"

She shrugs. "Oh, it was less than an emergency. Granny asked if I could help her while Ruby went to see an old friend. She thinks I should take a shift at the diner." Mary Margaret shrugs again. "But we'll see. I'd be just as happy here with another baby as I would working."

Emma nods. She hadn't known that Mary Margaret wanted a second baby. But it makes sense. Mary Margaret has always been maternal in nature, always wanting to give until there's nothing left to hand out.

"Well, if you'd like, you can go. I'm sure you've had your fill of Leo for the day."

Emma looks over at Killian and he nods. He carefully gets up and eases Leo's head down onto a pillow. Emma lifts his legs and he twitches a little, but otherwise remains peaceful in his sleep. She smiles over at Killian.

"Are you ready to go?" she asks.

He nods again. "Yes."

"Killian?" Leo mumbles, his eyes only a little open.

Emma sighs, but Killian squats down beside the couch and indulges him. Emma goes to the kitchen, where Mary Margaret stops her.

"So, how are things going?"

Emma raises an eyebrow. "I don't know what you mean."

Mary Margaret smiles. "You and Killian look… happy."

Emma sighs and gives the woman a look. "He slept on the couch last night. We're barely friends."

Mary Margaret hums curiously and folds her arms to her chest, tipping her head as if she knows what's going on.

"Alright. You two just seemed to fit right in with Leo. Like a couple."

Emma opens her mouth to say something, but she finds she has nothing to say.

"Alright," Killian approaches from the living room. "Leopold has said his goodbyes and I believe he's expecting us to come babysit him again next week, but we'll see about that." He smiles at her warmly, as if he's always looked at her like this and has always been comfortable with her. "You ready to go, love?"

Emma looks briefly over at Mary Margaret, who raises her eyebrow. Emma reaches in and hugs her. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yes," Mary Margaret says as soon as she pulls back.

Emma turns back to Killian and smiles slightly. "Okay. Let me grab my coffee mug." Killian lifts both hands and she widens her eyes. "Oh. Very thoughtful. Thank you. I-" She turns back to Mary Margaret and back again, suddenly flustered for absolutely no reason. "Okay. Let's go."

/

day 9. bar downtown, NYC.

Killian feels lighter than air.

He and Emma had gone back to her apartment after babysitting Leo and had spent some time doing normal, everyday type activities.

She brought him down to the laundry room and they did a few loads before they watched some television in the living room while folding it up. He can tell that she's growing a little bit warmer towards him, despite the fact that she's a little on edge from seeing him in his birthday suit.

She laughs more today than she has before, which has his heart racing and all abandon out the window.

He really cares for her, more than he thinks he's really ever cared for anyone. He isn't sure when it started, or if it'll ever fade away, but he doubts it could, not when the very sound of her laughter makes his heart race.

And that's why he has decided that tonight, the band will pull out the song they'd been working for the past few practice sessions- the one he'd written about Emma after their first kiss.

He has never felt more inspired to write a song than he did when he realized that Emma gives him abundant hope for his future. Of course, he desperately hopes it's with her, but only time and patience will tell if he's able to win her heart.

She's smiling proudly at him as they walk into the bar where they'll be performing tonight and he can't wipe the stupid grin off of his own face. It's ridiculous what she does to him with every little thing she does.

"I feel like the world's worst groupie," Emma confesses quietly.

He furrows his brows at her and they stop at the open backstage door. "Why?"

She shrugs, her eyes a little embarrassed as she glances down.

"I don't know," she sighs. "I've never been to a show and I'm only here because you're bringing me?"

He chuckles, lifting his hand to brush back her hair. Gods, she's beautiful.

"There's a first time for everything."

She smiles a little and glances over into the backstage area.

"Hey! Emma's here!" Robin says, breaking them apart as he comes up to the door. "Hi Emma, how've you been?"

She grins at his friend. "Good! How are you?"

Robin laughs. "I'm wonderful." Robin looks at Killian and claps him in the arm. "So you've finally brought your lady to a show."

Killian chuckles and nods, looking over at Emma. She smiles at him.

"She's been wanting to come along for a while. Today just seemed to be right."

Robin grins. "Well, we're happy to have you, Emma." She nods at him. "Killian, Whale is here and he's got some news before we get to setting up."

Killian nods and Robin starts back for the rest of the group, who he can see are already drinking a bit and joking with each other. "Erm," Killian looks at Emma. "I don't know if you want to come back and watch us set up-"

She smiles. "No, it's alright. I asked Ruby to meet me here so I'm not by myself."

Killian chuckles. "Very well." They stare at each other for a long moment. He shifts the guitar in his hand and then takes a deep breath. "I suppose I'd best get to it. Make sure you're in the front. I want to see you."

Emma grins and nods. "Of course. I'll be the one who cheers the loudest."

He loves that she's so proud of him. It's much different than the girls he used to see. They weren't nearly as proud.

Killian takes a chance and presses a kiss to her forehead. "I'll see you soon."

He smirks at her, watching the way the corners of her lips curve so perfectly into her cheeks. She has a bit of an embarrassed blush in her cheeks, but she doesn't say anything, instead just turning to go.

"Boy, you are wrecked, aren't you, Jones?" Jefferson asks, clapping him on the shoulder, his arm draped across his neck.

Killian gives him a look. "When you're married to the woman of your dreams and she won't let you in past her walls, you let me know so I can mock you mercilessly."

/

Emma is happy.

She and Ruby have been sitting at the bar with drinks, chatting about life and work and everything in between. It feels good to be out with her friend. Ever since the whole wedding and experiment thing, they haven't had as much time to spend together alone.

"So, when's this show going to start?" Ruby asks.

Emma smiles. "He told me eight thirty."

She glances over at the stage, where the guys have been bustling around for a little while. She looks at Ruby again. The girl is giving her a wolfish grin.

"How was he last night?"

Emma widens her eyes and lowers her voice. "Are you serious? He slept on the couch."

Ruby hums. "Right."

Emma sags her shoulders and shakes her head, looking over when she sees Killian strapping on his guitar. He's so focused on his task that his brow furrows and his lower lip disappears into his mouth.

She likes that he's wearing a plaid button-up, with sleeves that roll past his elbows. He'd told her it was his lucky shirt before they left the apartment, which had provided her with endless woodsman jokes until he got back at her and teased that she must have a thing for a gentleman in plaid.

That had promptly made her stutter like an idiot for what felt like a minute before telling him she just thought it looked good on him.

As if she needs more reasons to make it awkward between them.

Emma smiles as she looks at Ruby, reaching out with one hand to take her friends. "Come on, front row. I promised him that's where I'd be."

Ruby follows her along to the front, at the stage. Killian's still standing there, all alone, with his guitar around his body. The moment he sees her, he smiles widely.

"Hey, there she is."

Emma grins. "Are you going to start soon?"

He nods and moves so he's standing in front of her. "Great news, Swan. There's a rep from a record label. He's come to see if we're worth signing on."

Emma's face brightens up with excitement and she laughs. "What? That's awesome! Don't let me get in your head. I love you no matter what you play." He smirks at her and Emma cringes. "No, I mean- the band-"

Killian chuckles warmly. "You're my good luck charm, Swan. Don't worry about getting in my head. It's better that way."

He winks at her and if she were a teenager, she'd probably squeal and feel weak at the knees, but since she's almost thirty, she simply laughs a little as he takes a few steps back. He turns around when Jefferson and Robin come up to him and Emma's attention falls away from him.

"God, you two need sex." Ruby groans from beside her.

Emma gives her friend a look. Ruby takes a sip of her drink.

"Ruby, please. Just for one day, don't remind me."

Ruby laughs and Emma sips at her drink while she eyes Killian's rear end.

Okay, she's had a few drinks, and she's feeling really good right now. Plus, he's her husband. She should get ogling rights.

"He does have a nice ass." Ruby comments, earning a side glare for a mere second before Emma can't help but giggle.

"He does."