After Mary Margaret and David left, Emma and Killian went upstairs to her sitting room. Emma turned on the TV, trying to find something that wouldn't require too much of her attention. She came across a creature feature, and Killian told her to stop. He loved Godzilla movies, and she'd sat through more of them than she ever would have liked when they were children. Tonight, it would be just the thing.

With his arm around her shoulders, he played with her hair and sipped a beer while she drank a glass of wine. Occasionally something in the movie would trigger a conversation. Otherwise, they just sat comfortably, enjoying a normal evening. Emma noted that it was exactly what they would be doing if Graham hadn't died, and that it was another step closer to life getting back to normal.

She started trying to brainstorm ideas for a Christmas gift for Killian. As much as he teased her about having everything she could want, he was the same way. He'd inherited a sizable fortune from his parents, and again even more after his brother's death. Emma wanted to do something crazy and buy him an amazingly extravagant gift, but could think of nothing. She turned her attention back to the movie, and it hit her. She'd get Killian an assortment of all of their favorite things from childhood. Monster movies, a trampoline (they'd had one, but it had been dismantled when Emma had fallen off and dislocated her shoulder at the age of 7,) remote controlled boats to race on the pond, Monopoly. There were so many good things that would bring back great memories for the two. She was excited by the planning and truly happy for the first time in a week.

She dozed off almost towards the end of the movie, and didn't wake up until she felt Killian carrying her in to her room. He lifted back the covers and put her under, pulling them back up close to her chin. He leaned over to give her a kiss, and she opened her eyes.

"Killian, stay. Please. I miss you."

They'd not shared a room since the night before Graham's death. He had been giving her the space she needed. They hadn't done more than kiss since his return, and he knew that tonight would not be the night, but he was glad that she was letting him back in to her bed. It was a big step towards returning to their normal. As much as he delighted in waking up to find that Emma had snuck across the hall into his bed, he enjoyed falling asleep holding her even more. He left briefly to go to his room and change and get ready for bed. Once he returned, he climbed under the covers and Emma immediately snuggled up against him and fell promptly back asleep. Killian was a happy man.

\\\

Emma returned to the office on Monday. Things had been piling up, as Mary Margaret and David had also shied away from work. The four, including Graham, had carried the heaviest of the workload, everyone else being part-time volunteers. Luckily the volunteers, having known and liked Graham and understood the situation, really had jumped in and done as much as they could in the absence of their four leaders.

She'd brought the wolf figurine she had bought Graham for Christmas in and put it out on her desk. It would be a nice reminder of him. Mary Margaret noticed when she put it out, and nodded at her and smiled.

"I was going to give it to him for Christmas. I think he would have liked it."

"He definitely would have. David went to clean out his apartment yesterday, and he called laughing over the sheer number of wolf related items. Apparently Graham's will said that everything was to go to David to decide what to do with it. He's selling most everything, but there are a lot of kids who might be getting random wolf toys for Christmas this year."

It was Emma's turn to laugh. "I think there are few Graham was close to who might really like that."

Mary Margaret agreed.

Both spent the morning going through emails, opening mail, returning calls, and when they realized it was almost one decided it was time to take a break for lunch. They headed down the street to the diner they usually ate at, and grabbed a table.

"So…. You and Killian…." Mary Margaret started. "How serious is it? Will we be hearing wedding bells anytime soon?"

"Mary Margaret! He's been home for a week and Graham just died. It's not exactly something we have discussed."

Just then, Ruby, their usual waitress came over right then to take their orders.

"Emma, Mary Margaret. It's so good to see you again. I am so sorry for your loss. Honestly, Graham was one of my favorite customers ever. And not just because he left me great tips. He was just such a decent guy."

"Thanks, Ruby. I really appreciate that."

They put in their orders, and then Mary Margaret quickly went back to the topic at hand.

"So, when will you be discussing it?"

"Mary Margaret." Emma was going to tell her to drop it. She thought though, she'd never had a girlfriend to talk to about these things, and maybe this was what girlfriends did. "Fine. I'll talk. We won't be discussing it anytime soon. We've got a lot of old territory to cover before we get to that. He's been gone for such a long time, and we need to get to know each other again." She recapped their history. It was easier to tell Mary Margaret about their one night together without David there. She was sure David would hurt Killian if he found out that particular part of the story.

"And you haven't been with him again since he's returned? I mean, I know I'm engaged and that David is nothing to sneeze at, but Emma, Killian is certifiably hot."

Emma was shocked. She and Mary Margaret had never discussed men before, and she really didn't know how to handle the usually prim and proper woman commenting on her boyfriend like that.

"Careful Mary Margaret, keep talking about Killian like that and I'll tell you everything I like about David." Emma was proud of herself. She was pretty sure it was normal for girlfriends to tease each other like that. Just she'd never had anyone close enough to try it out on.

Mary Margaret laughed, and was happy that Emma was teasing her. She truly loved the princess, and considered her the closest thing she had to a sister. It was so good to see her happy, and opening up. She liked Killian, even more so knowing that his return was only helping in getting Emma to open up.

\\\

Dinner tonight, Swan? Cafe Figaro? I'll pick you up outside your suite at 7.

Emma looked at the text and realized she was just being asked out by Killian on their first date. A smile spreading across her face, she responded quickly.

I'd like that, Captain. I'm looking forward to it.

And she was. She'd always dreaded dates with Graham, feeling like she had a such fine line to walk, not letting him get any ideas about their relationship. She felt like a date with Killian would be perfect. No worries about sending the wrong message or where it was going.

She left promptly at 5 in order to get home and allow herself enough time. She wanted to look perfect. She spent time curling her hair, applying makeup, and picking out just the perfect outfit. Even still, she was ready at 6:30 and wanted to walk across the hall and talk to Killian while he finished getting ready. She decided to respect the 'date' like intentions Killian had planned by telling her he would pick her up, and sat in her sitting room trying to wait patiently.

When Killian knocked at her door promptly at 7 she threw the door open before his fist rapped for the last time. He laughed at her.

"Anxious, love?"

"More like excited, Killian. You look very nice." He was wearing a dark gray suit, with a white shirt and dark tie and Emma fully appreciated how good Killian could look cleaned up. She privately admitted she liked it when he was wearing just jeans and a button up, with his several day old scruff, but couldn't complain about the dapper man in front of her now.

"You look devastatingly beautiful tonight, Swan. No man in the restaurant will be able to take his eyes off of you." As he said this, he brought a single long-stemmed red rose out from behind his back and handed it to Emma. It was the first time she had received flowers from a man, and she wanted to make sure it lasted as long as possible. She grabbed a vase from one of her side tables and filled it with water, setting it on her bedside table before they walked out the door.

Killian had arranged for the Palace chauffeur to drive them that night. He didn't feel comfortable driving with just one hand yet, and figuring it would be best to be able to give Emma all of his attention. Hodgson, the chauffeur, was actually glad for the assignment. Emma didn't call on his services too often, and he was bored. He hoped the return of the Captain, especially considering his disability, may lend to his days being busier.

When they arrived at the restaurant they were immediately seated at a quiet, intimate table in the back. All of the tables at this restaurant were intimate. It was billed as one of the city's most romantic restaurants, which was why Killian had picked it. This was his first date with Emma, and he wanted to do everything to ensure it was perfect.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight, Swan?"

"Only about three times, Captain. I think I need to hear it again."

"You look utterly gorgeous. You put everyone else here to shame." Emma blushed, but accepted the compliment.

"You clean up pretty well there yourself. Special occasion?"

"The most. A date with you." Emma blushed again, and took his hand. The privacy of the table in the back let Emma feel comfortable that she wasn't being stared at by anyone who may recognize her, and she and Killian were able to have a perfect dinner. They shared stories, reminisced, planned for the future. Before they even realized, it was eleven o'clock, and they decided it was best to get home. Both were full from an amazing dinner, and sat quietly in the car on the way back to the palace.

Killian walked her to her door, and kissed her softly on her cheek. He said goodnight and turned to leave, ever the gentleman, and Emma called after him.

"I think I'm supposed to ask if you want to come in for coffee. It's what they do in movies after a good date."

He turned and came back to her.

"Was this a good date, love?"

"The best date."

She put her arms around her neck and leaned her head up to kiss him. He deepened the kiss, and held her closer as she reached back to open the door. Pulling him inside and towards the bed, she deepened the kiss even more, and started to move her hands down his chest.

"Emma, love, stop for a moment, please."

She looked up at him through her lashes, and he couldn't believe he was stopping this. He wanted her more than he ever had, and she was ready to give herself to him. But he needed to know she was ready.

"Emma, are you sure. I want to know that you're ready. I want to know that you won't regret this in the morning."

"Killian, I've spent ten years waiting for you to come back. I know this is right. I know I want this."

With that he enveloped Emma in his arms, and didn't look back.