Three months later

The apartment was a unremarkable tan brick, not pricey but not a dump, looking like so many other buildings Emma had seen in so many other towns. Nothing about it stood out, good or bad, from the squat shrubs lining the sidewalk to the scuffed tile floor inside to the beige-painted doors with shiny gold numbers, like the #7 she'd been standing in front of for five minutes.

Taking a deep breath, she finally raised her fist and pounded on the door. There was no sound from the other side, but she knew he was there, and as dumb as it seemed to her, she could literally feel the moment he spotted her through the peephole.

"I know you're there," she said. "Open up."

After a pause, she heard the locks click, and she took another deep breath before the door opened to fully reveal Killian on the other side.

He was, as the saying goes, a sight for sore eyes, and she took a moment just to look him over. He was dressed in dark jeans and a black T-shirt. His feet were bare, and his hair had grown out some, maybe a touch too long, but she found herself fighting back the urge to thread her fingers into it and pull the asshole into a kiss.

And there it was, the anger that had been building steadily for the last three months.

He made no move to speak or invite her in, just stood there staring at her, and that just made her angrier.

"Time's up," she said, stepping into his space and pushing at him until he stepped back to allow her inside. "I gave you space, I gave you time, but I'm done with that. I don't get you."

He closed the door behind him and turned slowly toward her.

"Swan? How?"

"I have a knack for finding people, that's how. You just left," she said, hating the way her voice wavered on the last word. "You didn't even say goodbye."

"I left a note," he said quietly.

"Oh yeah, that was great," she said. "'Hey Swan, good job breaking the curse, Killian out.'"

"It said a bit more than that."

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I … I understood you leaving. I thought you were planning to disappear, but instead —" she waved her hand at the sparsely-furnished apartment — "here you are, in my city, just miles from where I live, just here but not with me."

Killian avoided her eyes, scratching absently at the back of his neck. "I planned to leave the States for good," he confirmed. "I just … couldn't."

Emma nodded slightly, pacing further into the apartment. "Why haven't you called me, then? It's not a weakness to care about people, Killian. It's just —"

She stilled, staring at the stretch of wall beside the sofa, which was covered in papers and photos, some of which she recognized. "What the hell?"

He said nothing, just waited as she walked along the wall, skimming the documents, hand-written notes and images.

"You're investigating the Home Office," she said.

"Aye." He sighed. "It's nothing but dead ends, though."

"Dead ends in this realm," she said. "I've been looking into it, too. I don't want them coming after my family again."

She didn't say — she didn't have to say — that they could have saved themselves some time by investigating this together. "I don't think they're from around here," she said instead. "And the curse is broken, their agents are dead. I'm not dropping my guard, but I think we're probably safe from them. … If that's why you were checking them out."

"I … I know you've said otherwise, but I feel a responsibility."

"You don't owe me anything, Killian," she said, keeping her eyes on the wall instead of him. "But I thought we … I mean, I didn't imagine what was between us. Did I?"

"Swan. Emma." His hand curved around her shoulder, and she turned to face him. He looked serious, his eyes appearing a deeper blue than ever. "You're not imagining things … but once I remembered who I am … who you are, it all changed. You're a princess, Emma, and more than that, you have a nice family. I'm just a thief, an orphan, a wanderer. Bloody hell, a kitchen boy."

"I do have a nice family," she said, nodding. "Two nice families, now, and that's a whole level of confusing that I'm still trying to work out. But I think you're missing the point. You can be part of it all, too. You just have to want that, take that step."

"I want to," he said roughly, one of his hands coming up to gently cup her cheek. "I'm just not sure how to do that."

She moved in closer, fisting her hands in his shirt as she began to let herself hope. "Well, I think a good first step would be a date."

"A … date."

"Mmmhmm," she said, smiling up at him. "You get dressed up, I get dressed up. We have dinner, maybe some dancing, maybe some coffee … or whatever, after."

He swallowed hard, licking his lips. "I prefer tea, actually."

She gave in to her earlier urge, reaching up to tug gently on his hair, pulling his mouth to hers. She stopped just short of kissing him, nipping at his bottom lip. "I prefer 'whatever,' actually," she said. "But let's start with the date."

Pulling away, she strolled toward the door, putting a little sway in her hips. "I'll pick you up at 8," she said, grinning to herself.

Instead of answering, Killian moved up behind her, turning her around and backing her into his front door much like he had that night months before. Only this time, her heartbeat sped up for a completely different reason.

"Deja vu," she managed, before he lowered his lips to hers and stole her breath entirely. He kissed her deep and slow, like he wanted nothing else and had all day to do just that, and she honestly had no idea how long it was before he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. All she knew was she was warm all over was pressed up against him like she would never let go.

"I will pick you up at 8," he said, and she was pleased to hear his voice was as unsteady as she felt.

"What, you think I can't plan a date?" she asked.

"You can track down bad guys," he said, quirking an eyebrow at her. "And break magical curses. Let me use my skills for once. My legal ones, anyway."

"Fine. I'll see you then," she said, sighing as he stepped back. She decided she was definitely getting him naked before the night was through. "I'll tell you all about the time my parents met … my other parents, who happen to be the same age as me. Good times."

"I can't wait," he said, his eyes falling to her lips again.

"You …" She touched his face gently, unable to fight back a thread of doubt. "You're not going to leave again, right? I am going to see you tonight?"

"I promise," he said, leaning forward to brush his lips against hers. "I promise, Emma. Though … if you want, you could stay. Keep an eye on me? Just to be safe? I'm sure we could find a way to pass the time."

Emma laughed, winding her arms around his neck again. "Just to be safe," she agreed.

End

Aaaaaand, we're done! 84 years later, I finally wrapped it up. Thanks to those who stuck with it all this time, and I apologize again for keeping you waiting so long. :)