A/N: Aaaaah, things are getting stickier and touchier. Just wait. Also, much angst. Sorry.

While writing, I listened to 'Enchanted' by Owl City, 'Don't You Forget About Me' by the Simple Minds, 'She Will Be Loved' by Maroon 5, & 'Tessellate' by Mumford & Sons. Enjoy!

"Mary Margaret, I can't do this."

"Why not?" She asked as she curled Emma's hair carefully.

"I don't like school dances. I can't go."

"But, you went in November."

"That was different, I was trying to prove a point—I can't do this."

"Emma, is there something you aren't telling me?"

Emma turned around in her chair, offering a nod. Mary Margaret moved to sit on the counter, her thin eyebrows furrowed.

"What happened?" She asked.

"I was only fourteen, I didn't know what I was doing. I wanted a boyfriend, someone who could love me. So, I went to the winter dance with some kid I didn't even really know, and… I was so stupid." Emma stopped and put her face in her hands.

"Emma, please don't cry." Mary Margaret said, setting her hand on Emma's shoulder.

"He took it from me. He stole my innocence. I was only fourteen—do you know many fourteen year olds who have had an abortion?" Emma cried, making Mary's heart break.

"Emma, Killian wouldn't do that to you. I promise. He would never want to hurt you." Mary replied.

"I know, I just… It's so hard for me to trust people, and I want to trust Killian, but my mind keeps telling me that it'll hurt me." Emma whimpered.

"Not every guy is like that. Killian truly adores you. He wants nothing more than for you to be happy. I promise."

"I want to trust him, I do—"

"Then, take that leap, Emma. Sometimes taking a risk proves to be the best thing that's happened to you." Mary said, hugging Emma tightly, "Killian loves you, Emma. He would never want to see you hurt. I promise."

"Thank you." Emma sniffed and tugged away, "I'm sorry I just messed up my makeup."

"It's not a problem at all. We've got time." Mary smiled, "Now, let's finish up your hair, okay? Once this is done, you need to put your beautiful dress on!"

"Thank you." Emma nodded.

"Of course, Emma." Mary Margaret smiled, continuing to curl Emma's hair.

"Oh, Emma, he's going to fall to his knees when he sees you!" Mary exclaimed with a smile as Emma stepped into the room.

"I feel like an oversized Barbie doll." She sighed.

"Do you not like it?"

"No, I do, I'm just not really used to getting all dressed up." Emma replied as she looked in the mirror. The light blue dress had a sweetheart neckline, with small, tulle straps. The bodice was all sparkles, and the skirt was tulle, like the straps.

"Well, you look gorgeous."

"I look gorgeous?" Emma smiled, turning to face her friend, "Mary Margaret, that color looks so beautiful on you."

"Aww, you're sweet, Emma!" She giggled, "Thank you."

"When did Killian and David say they were coming?" Emma asked, rubbing the back of her neck.

"I think they said six—so, like ten minutes. Prom doesn't start until eight." Mary replied, "Gosh, I can't get over how gorgeous you look! That dress fits you perfectly."

"Thanks, Mary." Emma blushed, her lips parting a little when she heard the doorbell.

"C'mon!" Mary exclaimed.

"Mind if I take a minute?" Emma asked.

"Of course not." Mary replied, "We'll be waiting downstairs."

Emma nodded, tucking her bangs behind her ear. After Mary left, she took a deep breath, looking in the mirror again. She didn't want this to end the way it did only three years prior. She wanted to trust Killian. She knew she could. But, her brain wouldn't.

After a few minutes, Emma closed her eyes. He was waiting.

"Emma, are you coming, love?" Killian's voice echoed down the hall. She quickly brushed off the imaginary dust from her dress and looked up just as Killian stopped in the doorway.

"Oh, Emma." He breathed, "You look—"

"Like a Barbie."

"No… You look beautiful." He spoke with a smile, taking a step closer. Emma tucked her chin into her shoulder, hiding a smile.

"Thank you." She replied as he gently moved a tendril of hair from her face, "You look handsome yourself."

"Thanks, love." Killian chuckled, taking her hands in his and taking a step back, surveying her dress.

"So, um, do we need to…" Emma said, her voice getting quieter as she spoke—Killian was coming closer, his lips within reach. Finally, he settled his hand on her neck, pulling her close and crashing his lips against hers. Emma tried to loosen up her body, but she couldn't shake the feeling.

"Emma, love, you're so tense." Killian noted, breaking their lips apart, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong, I promise." Emma replied with a quick smile.

"You can't lie to me, love." Killian grinned, stroking her cheek, "What's up?"

"I don't know. I'm just nervous about this whole 'Prom' thing."

"We don't have to—"

"I didn't go through the trouble of dress shopping to miss out." Emma smiled, "I'm just nervous, that's all. I'm sure we'll have an amazing time."

"The night of our lives?" Killian smirked, making Emma laugh.

"Sure, lover boy. Let's go." Emma giggled, tugging his hand and dragging him down the hallway.

After dinner was over, the group drove over to the venue. It was already full inside, and all Emma could think of was the dance three years prior.

"Emma, love, will you dance with me?" Killian offered with a smile.

Emma looked out to the crowd of people dancing, catching Mary's eyes as she motioned for her to go out.

"Yeah." Emma finally replied with a smile.

"Emma, love, do you totally hate this?" Killian asked as the two started dancing to whatever pop song was blaring.

"No, I don't, I promise." Emma replied, forcing a smile.

"You don't seem like you're having fun." Killian said, stopping his movements. Emma rolled her eyes and pressed her back to his side, bending her knees. She slid down his body, her hand trailing above her, then stood back up with a smile to see Killian's face bright red.

"Oh, I'm having fun." Emma grinned, trying to forget her past.

"Keep dancing like that, love, and… well, I'm afraid we might have to leave a bit early."

Emma smirked, dancing around him as he grabbed her hips to keep her in one place.

"Mm, grabby, are we?" Emma teased, turning in his hands to face him. She started swaying her hips, causing Killian to as well, tugging her closer to his body.

"This song is so disgusting." Killian laughed.

"It makes for a perfect raunchy-dancing song." Emma replied with a raised brow, earning the notion in return.

The song came to a close, and in its place was another upbeat song.

"Ready for another bout, love?" Killian grinned, reaching up and tapping Emma's lip once.

"Yeah, I think so." Emma smirked back, still trying to suppress the memories.

After what seemed like forever of dirty dancing, a slow song finally bellowed through the speakers. Killian took no time in tugging Emma as close as he could. She settled her cheek on his shoulder, pressing a kiss to his neck.

"Emma, love, are you still enjoying it?"

"Will you stop asking me that question?" Emma whispered in his ear, "I'm here with you. I couldn't be happier."

"Emma, I want to spend the rest of forever with you."

"That's a pretty bold decision." Emma replied, "Do you really want to deal with me for that long?"

"Of course. You mean more to me than anything in the universe, love."

"Another bold decision."

"One that I intend on keeping." Killian whispered.

That's when Emma knew he was the right one. She'd finally found him. For once, she felt like she didn't have to keep running anymore—Emma was finally in the right place. She'd found her home.

The two danced the night away, only stopping when they decided that they were both ready for something new.

Killian spent no time opening the front door and carrying Emma upstairs, her legs around his waist as their lips collided. He gently set her down on his bed before crawling on top of her. She worked his tie until it was off, tossing it into the floor.

Within moments, Emma had slipped out of her dress, and Killian out of his suit. The two spent a good minute staring at each other, trying to decide where to go.

"Emma, is this okay?" Killian whispered.

"Yes." Emma nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"Are you?"

"Of course." Killian spoke with a tired smile.

"Let's go, then." Emma grinned.

After a few minutes, the two lied on their backs, trying to catch their breath. Their eyes never left each other's, green meeting blue in a sea of passion. Emma couldn't help but smile.

"How was it?" Killian asked.

"Good. Very good." Emma nodded.

"Was that, um, your first time?"

"Um, no. I was... It's a long story." Emma replied, "You?"

"No." Killian shook his head.

"Now we're really bound together, aren't we?" Emma smiled nervously, causing Killian to tug her closer.

"I'm afraid so, love." Killian smiled back, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I think I need some rest, if that's okay."

"No, I forbid you to get any rest. How dare you even ask." Killian teased, earning a playful whack, "Goodnight, love. Tonight was perfect."

"Goodnight, Killian." She whispered back, tucking her face between his neck and his shoulder.

Emma woke up once, early in the morning. She glanced around before lying back down. Her eyes traced over the curve of Killian's body, even under the sheets. His face looked so peaceful, so innocent, as he slept. She supposed that most people looked like that when they slept, but there was something different about Killian.

His breath was even, a gentle rhythm that filled the otherwise silent room. Emma smiled a little as he shifted just the slightest, moving his arm to bring her closer. Protective in his sleep, even, she smiled. She couldn't imagine spending a night like that with anyone else but him. He was so gentle, so careful, unlike others she'd been with.

Which, to her, was ironic, given that he put on a tough façade. He acted differently around her, like he was protecting her from something she didn't know about. She decided she didn't want to know, if there was anything.

"Em?" Killian mumbled, stirring a little.

"I'm still here, Killian." Emma whispered, blushing under his hand that now caressed her cheek.

"Mm. You are so lovely." Killian whispered, making Emma smile.

"You are, too." Emma replied.

"I just had a dream that you and I were dancing in the twilight, in a beautiful meadow." Killian whispered.

"That sounds perfect." Emma replied with a small smile.

"It was." Killian smiled back, "Mm, what time is it?"

"Five." Emma yawned, "Which means back to sleep."

"I'll make breakfast later." Killian promised.

"I like that idea." Emma grinned as she shifted onto her side. Killian wrapped his arm around her over the sheets, and Emma linked her fingers with his.

"Goodnight, my love." Killian whispered.

"Goodnight, Killian." Emma breathed.

Later in the morning, after the two woke up and dressed, something kept poking at the back of Emma's mind. And Killian picked up on it.

"Something wrong, love?" He asked, sitting beside her with a fresh mug of coffee for her.

"I have to tell you something." She admitted, "But, I don't know how to."

"Are you okay?" Killian pressed, making Emma offer a small smile.

"Not exactly. There's, um, something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Emma, you're scaring me."

"You know... I told you last night that this wasn't my first time, right?" Emma sighed, earning a nod, "My first time wasn't even my choice, really. I mean, I stupidly consented to it, but I wasn't ready at all. I was, um... I was fourteen."

"Fourteen isn't the worst I've heard, love." Killian assured her.

"That's not the worst of it." Emma replied, "He made me feel special, like I meant something to him. I found out later that I was entirely wrong, but that's another story. I didn't know what I was doing-we didn't use protection or anything. A few weeks after... I found out I was pregnant. I couldn't do it, I couldn't have a kid when I still was one. So, I... Got rid of the problem."

Emma couldn't finish before she broke down. Killian tugged her close, stroking the back of her head to comfort her.

"Emma, love... It's okay." Killian whispered, "You made the right decision. I promise."

"I'm sorry I haven't told you before, I just-"

"No, Emma, you didn't have to tell me at all. The fact that you did just means that you trust me. And I promise that I will never do anything to break that trust."

"Thank you, Killian." Emma whispered.

"Shh... Please don't cry, love." He replied, tugging away and kissing her temple, letting his lips linger.

"Thank you," Emma sniffed, wiping her eyes, "For not running."

"Why would I run?"

"How many seventeen year olds do you know that can say they've had an abortion?" Emma asked.

"You aren't alone, Emma." Killian promised, "I'm sure of it."

Emma nodded, looking down to her lap.

"Hey," Killian said, gently lifting her chin, "Please don't beat yourself up."

"I think I want to alone for a little while." Emma sighed, earning a kiss to her forehead.

"Of course, love." Killian replied.

Emma laid in her room for a while, staring at the wall and thinking. She had pushed all of the memories out of her head long ago, so resurfacing them was unpleasant, to say the least.

Her thoughts were only interrupted by a noise at the window. She ignored the first one, but the second tick caused her to sit up and turn to the window. Something large and brown (she thought it was a pine cone) hit it again, so she slipped off the bed and went to sit on her bench. She glanced out the window to see none other than Killian standing in the front yard, dressed like Judd Nelson from Breakfast Club. He was carrying a giant boom box (where did he get that?) on his shoulder, and there was a wide smile on his face.

Emma immediately opened the window, confused as to what was going on.

"Killian, what are you-"

He ignored her, pressing play on the boom box and causing 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' to blare through the neighborhood. Emma couldn't hold back a smile, much less her laugh.

"You are insane!" Emma laughed, covering her mouth.

"If being that's what being in love is, then, yes! I am quite insane!" Killian beamed. Emma couldn't help but smile wider, realizing just how in love with this idiot she was.

"What will it take for you to come back inside?" She asked. Killian simply pointed to the boom box as it sang: 'When you walk on by, will you call my name?'.

"You heard Simple Minds!" Killian grinned, "Will you call my name?"

Emma rolled her eyes with a smile before shaking her head.

"Killian!" She shouted.

He set the boom box down and simply raised one hand, just like the end scene of the movie. Emma's laughter multiplied as she watched him, entirely sure that she was falling in love with him for what seemed like the thousandth time that day. She hurried out of her room and down the stairs, crashing into Killian's arms just as he walked inside.

"I want you to be happy, Emma. That's all I want for you." Killian whispered.

"Thank you." Emma replied, pressing a kiss to his neck.

Maybe he wasn't perfect, and maybe she wasn't either, but none of that mattered. They found each other, two diamonds in the rough. And for the first time in a long time, Emma felt like she was supposed to be in his arms.