"You have to be kidding," Emma growled. She sat in front of Regina, a look of anguish and annoyance painted across her face. Killian's manager had stayed in her position behind her large mahogany desk, from where she gave Emma a demanding look.

"I'm very serious Ms. Swan," she responded calmly. The firmness in her voice made a chill run down Emma spin as she groaned silently. "Killian's brother's birthday party is on Tuesday and since the previous tactic that we used worked well, I want you to accompany him as his date once more."

"And what am I to tell my brother?" Killian piped up from next to Emma.

"He will be aware of the arrangement," Regina stated. "I don't want him panicking about unfamiliar guests at his party. Especially not spectacles like Leroy and his six companions," she sassed.

"Regina, I think I can do my job without…"Emma tried but the brunette cut her off with a glare and a stern voice.

"You will do it Ms. Swan," she spat. "Unless this tactic is proven to be ineffective, you will accompany Jones to his events in that way, and that is final." Emma cursed internally and ground her teeth together. "Now get back to work. And Killian, go back to the studio and get on that album. It won't write itself." She waved them away briskly by slightly nodding her head toward the door. Emma turned and made her way out, Killian following behind. As soon as they stepped out and closed the door behind them, Killian spoke up.

"Looks like we will be posing as a couple again love," he said.

"Ya, I got that Captain Obvious," Emma hissed as she shoved her hands in her jean pockets.

"Well then if that is truly the case," he said, his voice low "then I guess we better make the best of the predicament." Emma scoffed and shifted her weight to the heels of her feet, tilting her body slightly away from him.

"It might be harder than you think," Emma breathed, cursing herself for her sudden flustered state. She looked up, meeting two blue eyes, who were shining in slight mischief.

"You might say that Swan," he breathed "but that doesn't change the fact that when I kissed you last night, you didn't bother to pull away. If I didn't know better love, I would say you enjoyed our shared moment." Emma felt her chest tighten, her gut screaming to counter his words, but the statement caught abruptly in her throat. This caused Killian to grin, pearly teeth making their presence. He lifted his hand to gently graze the dent in Emma's chin as she shifted at their close proximity. Emma was rooted to the floor, unsure of what to do. It was like gravity had turned against her, keeping her grounded to one place. She felt his soft touch run gently across her chin, instinct and experience screaming for her to pull away but a small voice keeping her in place. His smiled shone with hope and eyes smiled as he leaned in just slightly. Suddenly, Emma's gut over powered the little cry and she step back.

"Jones, I'm here to…"

"Protect me," Killian finished for her, his hopeful eyes cloud with disappointment as their closeness faded. The same emotion ran in his voice as well. "You have made that quite clear love." He moved his hand down and grazed her arms slightly. Goose bumps pricked their way up Emma's skin at his touch. "But what I don't understand is why you back way when your gut is mostly likely screaming something else." Terror ran through Emma's spine. How could he read her so easily? No one could do that, not even…

"Worry about your album Jones," Emma said quickly. And with that, she turned and left Killian behind, feeling a knot of confusion and uncertainty form in her stomach, a feeling she hadn't felt for a long time.

NLYDG

9 years ago

Emma was going to be sick. Her eyes were glued to a little pink plus sign. The symbol made the world fall under her feet and her heart leap into her throat. She felt her hands go numb and tears prick in her eyes. She didn't know what to do. Emma felt her legs start to tingle and go numb from her position sitting against the bathroom stall. She had been there for almost an hour, listening to the clicking of heels of other women who came and left. She wanted to call Mary-Margret or Ruby, but every time she picked up the phone, it slid from her shaking fingers. Her sudden fear had risen from not only the fact that she was going to have a child, but from the knowledge that the father would need to know as well. Neal. Oh god what was she going to tell Neal. Emma woke up that morning feeling sick. She had been aware that she had missed her period, but tried not to think much of it till she was sure about being pregnant. She had told David she needed to run to store for so Advil for a headache the minute she arrived at work. He knew she was lying and tried to grill her on what she was really going to do, but Emma had brushed him off. She bought the pregnancy test, feeling like every eye in the drug store was on her. She hustled out quickly and made her way back to work and into the first floor bathroom, where she had found out after a tortuous five minutes. The floor felt cold and hard and Emma knew she needed to get up. What was she thinking? Getting involved with Neal Cassidy, a relationship that had started out as a passionate mistake and moved into a hesitant and rocky state. Her and Neal haven't talked about their relationship since he found out his company was in trouble and had lost massive amounts of money. She dreaded telling him, but she really had no choice. Emma didn't just how she mustered the strength to get up from the floor and finally push her way through the stall door. She quickly disposed of the test, burying it under the paper towels in the trash, wanting it to get as far from her as possible. Emma washed her hands with soap and water, each scrub making her feel worse. She made her way out of the bathroom and into an empty elevator. Her hand shaking, she pressed the top floor button and felt the elevator rise. She finally reached to top floor and strode down a long carpeted hallway and was meet face to face with a tall grey door with the words 'Neal Cassidy' nailed to them. She pushed them open, expecting to see Neal's stern face, but was meet with David's instead. The office was almost empty; all that was left was the light brown desk and a few pens. There were no more pictures or files, not even the computer or its monitor. The office was abandoned and shell like. David was leaning against the empty desk and held a yellow piece of paper in his hand. He looked up to meet the fearful eyes of Emma.

"What happened?" Emma stammered, not believing the sight in front of her.

"He's gone," David sighed "I came here while you were at the store and found the office empty and this letter. It just says 'I'm sorry'."

Emma could feel her insides tearing piece by piece. Tears blurred her vision. "Why did he just leave?" she chocked out. David ran a hand across his face and through his hair.

"I'm guessing it is because he knew his company was tanked and he owed a lot of people money to dangerous people that he couldn't repay. So he took was he could and got away before they came to him," David explained, "Looks like were aren't getting that finally pay check either. We might need to start looking for another…" But Emma didn't hear the rest; the world had collapsed around her and her vision cleared to black. All she registered was her back hitting the floor and David yelling her name.

NLYGD

Present Day

Tuesday came in the blink of an eye. Emma didn't even notice that its presence had come until Belle had barged into her room holding another dress and a pair of heels for her to wear. The days had passed by slowly and uneventfully. Killian had spent them holed up in his studio, working on the songs we planned to put in his album. The task had become even more dire after Regina had told him she planned to announce the creating and writing of his new album the following week. When Emma had seen him the past few days, he either looked inspiration stricken or grim with frustration. She had called Mary-Margret, who babbled away about Saturday's wedding plans. She had talked to Henry as well, who hadn't stopped talking about Killian or the pick he gave him. Emma just laughed at the way her son now idolized the star. He had really taken a shine to him. Emma had also supervised the installation of the new security system, which had made Leroy groan and huff in frustration when he couldn't get them working. But the new system had finally gotten up and running last night after hours of work. Now Emma was sitting on her pitiful mattress as she slipped on a pair of cream colored strappy heels. She wore a powder blue dress that was tight around her waist and flowed freely around her legs. It stopped just below her knee, giving her room to again hide her gun in her leg hoister. She grabbed her matching cream-colored purse and her gift to Killian's brother (courtesy of Belle as well). Emma tucked another weapon in her purse and let it rest with her cell phone. She clipped in her tiny earpiece and glanced at her clock. It was six o'clock. Show time. Emma made her way out of the room, and out into the foyer, where she meet the eyes of Whale and Leroy, who were both dressed in their usual black attire. The rest of the crew had already made their way to the party. Both of them nodded silent goodbyes as they took. Regina graced her presence as well, wishing her luck once more and making her way out the door. Emma finally grew impatient as she stood waiting for Killian in they foyer again.

"Jones!" she yelled up the stairs.

"Love?" came a voice from behind her. Emma whirled around to see Killian. He appeared looking like a new man, out of his frustrated song writing stage. He wore a simple blue grey t-shirt, which he paired with a back, already buttoned vest, and in his hands, he held a gift as well. He looked dashing in the simple yet formal outfit. He smiled at Emma, and moved to gently tuck a stray hair out of her face and behind her ear. He leaned in slowly.

"You look lovely Swan," he stated "you always seem to know how make a hell of an entrance." Emma gave him a small smile and rolled her eyes.

"And you seem to know how to make a late one," she said back. Killian simple chuckled and shrugged.

"Can't rush the process that get's me so devilishly hansom," he told her. Emma shook her head and scoffed.

"So I thought you said your brother owned a boating shop up north," she wondered, changing the subject abruptly.

"He does," Killian answered "but he owns a vacation house down here in California as well. It's were he usually hosts his Birthday parties or get together." Emma nodded in understand.

"Ok, let's get this over with," she sighed. Killian bobbed his head in agreement before holding out his elbow for Emma to take. Emma cocked an eyebrow.

"Really?" she asked. Killian shrugged.

"Why not?" he grinned. Defeated, Emma shook her head and scoffed, before slipping her hand through his arm.

"Don't make a big deal about this," she stated, "I'm only doing it to keep you safe."

"Whatever you say Swan," he replied, "whatever you say." And with that, Emma tugged on his arm and dragged him out the door.

Ok, voilà, the next chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! I know it's a bit short but the next chapter will be chaotic (not going to spoil too much but I do promise it will have Emma in bodyguard action and you all get to meet Liam, if that make any sense lol). I want to again thank all of you who read/reviewed/favorited/followed the story! You are all amazing! I hope you all like this chapter and review if you can!