Thank you very much for your comments and kudos! Updates will be a little more sporadic, every other day or every 2 days as I continue working on this piece.

Also, warning: Angst is coming. And it will hit hard. Be warned. :)

Chapter 11 – The Deal

Killian came back to the station carrying three Styrofoam cups. As he walked in, he found Emma waiting for him sitting on his desk, talking animatedly with Mac.

"Do I even want to know?" He asked as he put the cups on the desk and handed one to Mac.

"Not really." Mac teased. "I was just entertaining your friend with some good police stories. You know, the type where I look great and you look like a klutz."

"Yes, I seem to recall those are your wife's favorites." Killian smirked at his partner and Mac raised his hand in surrender.

"Swan." He smiled as he handed her a cup. "Hot cocoa with cinnamon for you."

"Thanks, Killian." She smiled at him as she took a sip, her eyes never leaving his. Killian felt a rush of heat all over his body.

Yes, this was a great idea, mate.

"Let's get started, shall we?" Killian said as he headed over the opposite desk and rested against it.

"Do you ever sit down on a chair?" Emma asked.

"You know it's not quite my style, Swan." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, sipping his coffee. She smirked back raising an eyebrow at him.

Yes, definitely a brilliant idea.

They looked at each other for a moment, both waiting for the other to avert their gaze first, but as each second passed, their looks were less guarded and old feelings started to creep in, filling the room with an electrical intensity.

Mac cleared his throat, bringing them out of their stupor.

"Can we actually start or do you both prefer to continue making eyes at each other? 'Cause I'm fine either way…."

Killian smirked at his partner.

"Alright then." Mac said. "Emma, I'm not sure how familiar you are with this guy, but as Killian pointed out yesterday, we think he's responsible for several major crimes here in New Jersey. We had gotten a tip about his whereabouts for yesterday and we had set up an operation to close down on him and arrest him. Killian and his team were waiting for him outside the diner but you called out to him and he started running."

"And you know what happened after that." Killian added.

"You crashed into me sending me to the floor. Yeah, I know, I have the bruises." Emma replied.

"Apologies, lass."

"Ok, so where do we go from here?" Mac asked. "I don't think he'd be back there or go to any of the hiding places we have identified."

"He might." Emma said.

"Why would he do that?" Killian asked.

"I spoke with a few sources today, did some digging up." Emma replied. "This guy is an asshole, you already know that. But it seems he's very full of himself. He got away yesterday, he might think he is safe and has nothing to worry about. He might even get cockier."

"Overconfidence." Killian pondered the idea, "That is a common sin for treacherous villains. It might be the weakness that can lead to his undoing."

"Treacherous? Undoing? Tone it down, mate, it's not Halloween." Mac teased. "There's no need for the flowery language just because you want to impress Emma here."

Killian blushed and Emma chuckled a little, a bright smile enlightening her face, reaching her eyes. She had missed hearing him speak like that. She risked a look at him; he was scratching his neck, like he always did when he was embarrassed. She'd missed that.

God, she'd missed him.

The realization ripped her apart. She'd missed him every day of those three years without knowing it – or perhaps, without admitting it. And there he was, standing in front of her, modern clothes, modern language but the same old spirit underneath. He was breathtaking.

Killian's voice shook her from her daze, "So… what do you suggest, love?" He looked at her like he used to do, with trust and confidence in her.

"I was able to get the address where he was staying. Perhaps it's worth a shot to check it tomorrow and see if someone turns up or not." She proposed.

"A stakeout then. Good idea." Mac agreed.

"OK, Mac, you'll stay here and start raiding all the other places we had information on. See if something comes up there." Killian decided. "Swan, you and I are on stakeout duty tomorrow. Meet me here early and we'll go."

"I can pick you up at your apartment and we can drive there." She offered.

"We're not taking your car, lass. He might have seen it yesterday… and a yellow bug stands out. We'll take mine." Killian explained.

"If that is settled then, I have a wife to get home to." Mac said. "See you tomorrow morning. Don't stay up too late kids." He called on his way out.

Emma looked at Killian, who was finishing his coffee. "Are you ok with this?"

"You were right, Emma. I could use your help. But the deal still stands. You'll back off the minute I say so." He finished in a serious tone.

"I'll be fine, I know how to take care of myself." She replied dismissively.

"No, lass. I mean it." He said as he walked to where she was sitting, lowering his head so she could meet his eyes, his face inches from hers. "Promise me, Swan." He whispered.

She swallowed hard. "I promise." She whispered.

He stood there for a moment, hesitant. He only had to lean in one more inch and he could kiss her… just one more inch. She was as mesmerizing as he remembered. And her walls were as up as he remembered as well. He sighed and pulled away, standing up. She stood up as well.

"I should go." She said.

"See you tomorrow, Swan." He whispered as she was leaving.

"Goodbye, Killian."