And I finally got the next chapter up! I want to apologize in not updating for a few days, I had an incredibly busy weekend and then Comic Con happened and that just stunted my brain and kept it from functioning like a normal person's (I will try and get the next one up tomorrow) I want to thank everyone who read/reviewed/favorited/followed the story, you are all amazing and I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Emma woke up to the sound of her door bursting open and a loud greeting from Leroy. She shot up into a sitting position, just in time to have the guard throw a newspaper at her head.
"You made the headlines sister," he scoffed. Emma rubbed her temple, feeling the nice aftershock of last nights drinking. She groaned into her palms before finally squinting her eyes open, greeted with the light of early morning sunshine that leaked in through her now open curtains. She finally looked down at the paper sitting in her lap, only to find an image of herself staring back. She was there; in the red dress she wore last night, hands buried in Killian's hair and lips glued to his. It was accompanied by multiple smaller images of them from that night as well. Her eyes almost leaked out of their sockets. Emma burst out of bed, clutching the paper in her hands. She glanced over at Leroy, trying to manage words, but only releasing sounds of disbelief. Leroy shrugged at her. Emma moved past him and out of her room, still in her simple white tank top and pajama pants she had been sleeping in. She made her was down the hall, her expression radiating with anger. She burst into the room Regina resigned in, finding the brunette at her desk working on her computer. Emma stomped over to her and slammed the paper down on her desk, getting her attention. Regina looked at Emma in apall and surprise.
"Ms. Swan, what in heavens name do you think you are doing?" she commented. Emma crossed her arms across her chest.
"Oh I'm sorry," she began "It seems you didn't see this mornings newspaper." Emma motioned her head to the item sitting on Regina's desk. The manger looked down at it, reading the headline aloud.
"Famous star Killian Jones has found himself a hell of a catch," she said as she peaked over the newspaper and looked up at Emma "I don't believe I missed it dear."
"Then why the hell do you seem so ok with it?" Emma snapped.
"Should I be alarmed?" Regina sassed. Emma snatched the paper away from the women's grasp.
"Well you shouldn't be so happy to see it," Emma hissed "why are you?"
"Because Ms. Swan, the reporters have finally decided to write about something other than Killian's drink problem, or mysterious downward spiral," she answered. Emma was appalled, her mouth hanging open.
"It's not ok Regina, I'm not his 'catch', nor his secretive girlfriend," she stammered "or whatever they called me in this. I'm his bodyguard and I sure as hell didn't sign up to play the role of his cuddling buddy!" Regina laughed.
"And what were you exactly expecting when you went to that party, let alone kissed him in public," she motioned to the picture on the front page, "a lip lock you seemed to be incredibly enjoying might I say."
Emma was about to counter when the door to Regina's office door burst open, Killian waltzing inside, holding the same headline in his hand.
"Look's like were in the tabloids Swan," he grinned. Emma gave him an annoyed glare. He smiled devilishly at her. "Quiet a nice shot of us too, don't you agree?" Emma swirled around to face Regina.
"I want that taken out of the papers," Emma snarled. Regina barked a laugh and shook her head.
"Sure Ms. Swan, I'll just wave my magic wand and make all the copies that are sold in L.A. disappear," Regina laughed. "Wake up and smell the roses Emma. I can't do that. In my defense, you signed up for this." Emma's eyes shot up to Regina.
"I signed up to protect his life," Emma hissed, waving her hand in Killian's direction "not play dress up and make the front pages."
"You agreed to the extending circumstances that came with this job," Regina snapped "and one of them just so happened to be playing the role of Jones's girlfriend for one night to make sure he didn't get smacked in the head again." Emma grumbled and slumped down into one of the leather chairs that Regina had in the room.
"Oh come on love, it really isn't that big of a tragedy," Killian chirped. Emma moved her head to face him. She glared at him venomously, telling him silently to shut up.
"Ms. Swan" Regina stated, "It is true you are here to do your job. But if this job requires you to dress up once in a while then so be it. And believe it or not, last night Killian Jones got out of there unharmed, so it appears the tactic worked. But obviously there was a small consequence, which was getting your face in the paper. You can simply tell your future employers that it was a necessary precaution to Jones safety."
Emma was about to counter the argument when a familiar voice sounded in her ears.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," David called from his current position in the doorway. Emma swirled around.
"David?" Emma questioned, "what are you doing here?" David moved his way inside the office.
"I'm here to see how things are going, I heard that there was an incident at Killian's last concert," he replied "plus there was someone who couldn't resist in coming to see you and meet one of L.A.'s stars."
Suddenly a cheery voice ran through the halls, filling Emma's ears and bringing a smile to her lips instantly.
"Hey Mom," Henry said as he made his way past David to hug his mother.
"Kid," Emma said in surprise.
"He practically begged me to take him with me when I went to visit him," he said. Henry turned and glared at David.
"I didn't beg," he answered "plus I couldn't miss an opportunity to go and see a house that is literally the size of California."
"Oh come on lad," Killian piped up "California isn't big enough for that comparison." Emma put a hand on Henry's back and led him to Killian, who was leaning against the wall.
"Henry this is…"
"Killian Jones," Henry finished, excitement ringing in his voice "I know who you are! Everyone does! It's so cool to meet you!" Killian smiled down at the young boy.
"Oh don't be ridiculous lad," he began "it is I who should be honored to meet the very secret son of L.A.'s best bodyguard," he stated. Henry rolled his eyes, giving his mother a slight glance. He then turned to look back at Killian and noticed the paper he was still holding. Emma saw her son's piqued curiosity at the tabloid as he tried to make out the two figures on the page. She reacted quickly.
"Henry, why don't you let Killian give you the grand tour. He can even take you to his studio," Emma smiled at her son, who nodded in excitement. As he was led out the door by Killian, who hinted at what she was getting at and stuffed the paper in his back pocket. He gave her a small smile before heading after her son.
"Alright lad," he said "let me take you to where the magic is formed." He led Henry out. Emma grabbed David by the arm, signaling that they needed to talk, and made her way out of Regina's office, dragging her friend behind her. They made their way downstairs, through the foyer and out into the backyard. Emma checked around for anyone before beginning.
"David what are you doing here?" she hissed.
"I was worried Emma. I saw that Killian was attacked and then I saw this mornings headlines and got quite the surprise," he babbled. Emma rolled her eyes and sighed in frustration.
"Regina insisted that I pose as his girlfriend so if anyone tried to hurt him than I would be there."
"Yes and that kiss was what, a safety tactic?" David scoffed.
"He pulled me in and surprised me. I guess it was a way to seal the couple act," Emma hissed. David shifted nervously, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Emma, listen I know Killian and he can get a bit," he struggled with his words "wild, especially with what happened with Gold, so I just need you to be carful and…" Emma looked at David as if he were insane.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," she interrupted "you think that I have something for him?" David shrugged hopelessly, confusing blazing in his eyes.
"I don't know what but you don't see a kiss like that in the papers often."
"David…" Emma began.
"Emma, I have known you for years and if an employer or co-worker did that to you ever, he would have ended up with a broken jaw and a few missing teeth, and I walked into Regina's office today with Henry and Jones seemed more than chipper."
"David…" Emma stammered. He held out his hand, stopping her.
"Emma, I'm just saying that you need to be careful so it doesn't effect your job and if that bastard hurts you I swear I will…"
"David?" a voice called from behind Emma. She spun to see Leroy making his way over to them. "What are you doing here Prince Charming?" he laughed
"Making sure my team is still in tact," David chuckled, patting Leroy on the back "And making sure Jones hasn't gotten into a mess." Leroy scoffed.
"Well we know that hasn't been prevented," he said. David gave him a confused glare before turning to eye Emma, who gave him an apologetic look. "Gold is back," Leroy finished.
"Back?" David asked, confusion and anger ringing in his tone.
"The night of the concert, Killian wasn't only attacked but his dressing room was trashed. The attacker left a message saying that he is back and signed it Gold," Emma explained. David sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm having a Graham look into the evidence to see who it was and if it was a real threat."
"I should probably stick around then…" David started.
"Don't be ridiculous David, your wedding is in no more than a week and a half and Mary-Margret needs you," Emma started "we can handle things here on our own."
"Are you sure Emma?" he asked, nervously fidgeting and staring at the phone he had pulled out of his pocket. Emma nodded reassuringly. "Ok, if you need anything you call me ok?"
"Ok," Emma replied.
"I need to get going," David stated, snapping his flip phone shut "Mary-Margret needs me to review some things with the wedding planner. I can take Henry back to Ruby's on the way…"
"Actually," Emma cut in, spotting Killian and Henry sitting on one of the benches on the outdoor patio that was next to the large infinity pool. Henry was smiling as he cradled Killian's guitar, strumming and glaring at it experimentally. "I think I wanna talk to the kid, I haven't seen him in days and…"
"I got it Emma," David stated knowingly "I will pick him up in an couple of hours." Emma gave him a small grateful smile.
"Thanks," she said, letting David wave goodbye and make his way out the double door exit. Emma watched him go then turned back to look at her son from a distance.
"I didn't know you had a kid," Leroy piped up from next to her. Emma sighed.
"Ya," Emma answered, "not many do."
NLYGD
"So you kissed my mom?" Henry asked. Killian looked up at Henry, the question taking him by surprise. He had taken the boy to his recording studio; let him look at the various instruments, where he eventually picked up the guitar. Henry asked Killian if he could teach him something and he obliged. He had taken them outside, telling the kid, just as his brother told him, that the outdoors would provide him with a good atmosphere for playing. Now the boy was gently holding one of Killian's guitars and strumming in slowly and looking at it thoughtfully. Killian's mouth hung agape at the question he had been given. Henry cocked his head slightly and gave him a perceptive look.
"I saw the paper," he answered "I may be a kid but I'm not blind or stupid." Killian chuckled.
"That you are not lad," he answered, his smile faltering slightly "But what you saw was only an act. Were obligated to go as a couple to this party, my manager thought it would be best if her position as my bodyguard remained a secret. " Henry nodded in understanding.
"But you still kissed her," he stated. Killian laughed.
"Yes lad I did in fact kiss your mother," he replied. Henry looked down once more at the guitar, the wheels in his mind visibly turning. He looked back up to Killian.
"Do you like her?" he asked. Killian paused for a moment, considering his next words. He finally spoke up to her son.
"I find your mother to be bloody stubborn and quite challenging to get through to," he stated, smiling beside himself then "but she is strong, intelligent, and a bloody marvel. She loves you a great deal lad and I am honored to have her protecting me." Henry smiled at the singer
"But you like her," he finished, leaving no room for Killian to reply. Suddenly hearing Emma's voice ring in their ears, both of the boys turned to see her jog down the stone steps to join them, now changed into her usual attire. She moved to sit next to her son on the bench him and Killian were perched on. Emma ruffed Henry's hair gently.
"Hey kid," she greeted "how's it going?" Henry nodded enthusiastically.
"Great!" he exclaimed, "Killian was teaching me how to play the guitar!" Emma looked up at Jones, giving him a slight glance before her eyes trailed back down to her son.
"That's great!" she said, smiling down at him.
"He also told me about how you protected him from a bunch of bad guys," Henry told her. Emma raised her brows in surprise.
"Did he now?" she asked. Henry shrugged.
"Ya," he told her "it was pretty cool." Emma looked up at Killian again, this time letting her glance linger for a moment. She gave him a soft grateful smile. Killian nodded, and stood up.
"I'm going to grab those guitar picks that lad wanted to see," he said, making his way toward the house. It was as if he had known Emma wanted a second alone with Henry. She watched him go, silently thanking him. She then looked back down at her son, her hands still brushing his dark brown tuff of hair slightly.
"How has it been with Ruby?" Emma asked.
"Fine," Henry answered dully, eyes still glued to the instrument in his arms. Emma sighed.
"I know I haven't been to visit kid, but things as been crazy these past few days and with all of the events I just couldn't risk…"
"Hey," Henry cut in "I get it Mom, it's ok, I get it." He repeated and gave her a reassuring smile. Emma mirrored his look, grinning gently at him.
"I promise that I won't keep bouncing from job to job forever, especially taking ones like this," she replied "it's just hard to find something that I can really stick to."
"I know Mom," he answered "I get it. I know why you do it and I know you need time."
"I got the picks," Killian announced excitedly, making his way back from the house, carrying a small red box. Henry's face light up as he handed the guitar to Killian and exchanging it for the picks. He started making his way through the box and asking about each of them. Emma, Killian, and Henry stayed out there for almost two hours, talking and laughing about the stories Killian had stared about each of the guitar picks in his collection.
"You what?" Henry laughed. Killian just shrugged bashfully.
"I admit I made my way into a few concerts, sometimes getting caught," he grinned.
"Sometimes?" Emma joked. Killian just looked at her with shinning eyes, smiling at her, his cheeks dusted pink. Emma just chuckled and shook her head playfully.
"Alright, almost always," he replied "but I did manage to snag that one from one time that I snuck in backstage. I even used it at my very first concert." Henry laughed and stared thoughtfully at the red pick. Emma checked her watch, surprised at the time that had passed. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket, pulling it out to see a text from David saying he was there.
"Looks like it's time to go kid," Emma said. Henry and Killian both stood up. Emma led her son to the door, Jones following behind as well. They made their way to the front of the house, Emma opening the large door to reveal David's red truck. Emma hugged her son tightly, kissing the top of his head. She lingered before letting him go.
"Thanks for the lesson Killian," he told the singer "maybe we can do it again sometime." Henry held out the red pick that he had been observing, "Here's your pick." Killian smiled warmly at the boy.
"My pleasure lad. And keep it," he winked, grinning at him. Henry turned to get into the truck before abruptly turning around, addressing Killian.
"By the way," he stated, smirking slightly. "Don't give up Killian, you might not be the only one," Henry turned and got into the truck, waving goodbye. Emma spun her head, giving Jones a questioning look. Killian just shrugged, not to sure what the boy had meant. Emma then felt her phone buzz again. She glanced at it.
"It's Regina, she wants to see you and me," Emma stated, "wonder what charade she wants to pull now." Emma slipped past him, leaving Killian in the doorway pondering about what Henry had said. He shook his head and turned to make his way inside. Suddenly he felt the paper he had stuffed into his back pocket earlier slip out. He turned to pick it up, looking at the picture of him and Emma again, when suddenly, he knew exactly what Henry had meant.