I'm still in awe of the number of follows, favorites and reviews I've gotten in response to this story. Thank you so much to everyone for their interest. Keep those coming.
"Emma always brings me to the bus stop in the morning," Henry told his grandfather as they walked together to the bus that would take him to school, "Is she alright?"
"I'm sure she's fine," David patted his grandson's back, "She called Mary Margaret this morning and asked us to take care of you, but she promises to be waiting for you right here this afternoon."
"She's with Hook, isn't she?" he frowned.
"Probably," David nodded, "But I thought you liked him?"
"I do," Henry nodded, but the frown stayed in place.
"But you like your father better," David concluded.
"I just want us to be a family," Henry insisted.
"You are a family," David replied, "We're all a family. It's just not a traditional family like in that fairytale book of yours. I never thought that I'd have a daughter that is the same age as me or a grandson before I'm thirty, but here we are."
"Are they going to get married?" Henry asked, "Emma and Killian?"
"I don't know, Henry," David replied, "But I'm sure if that was to come up your mother would talk to you about your feelings first."
The yellow bus pulled up to the curb and children started piling in.
"Have a good day at school," David told him as his grandson's patted his back once again.
"And Emma is going to be here at the end of the day?" Henry asked.
"I promise," David nodded.
Henry got into line behind the rest of the kids waiting to get on the bus. He turned to look back at his grandfather, gave him a slight wave, before he hopped onto the bus and found a seat.
Just as the bus pulled away, Emma came sprinting in.
"I missed it, didn't I?" Emma asked her father. She was out of breath from her sprint over, and she looked a bit disheveled from more than just a morning sprint.
"If the question is about missing putting Henry on the bus to school, the answer is yes," David told her, "But your mother and I covered for you when you didn't show up at Granny's this morning."
"Thank you," Emma took a deep breath to regain her wind, "Overslept this morning. Forgot to set my alarm clock."
"Is that the story you're going to use today?" David laughed.
"What story?" Emma glared at him, "It's what happened."
"Want some fatherly advice?" David challenged her with a merry laugh, "Come up with a better story before you pick up Henry from the bus this afternoon like I promised him you would."
"What are you talking about?" Emma asked as she walked quickly to catch up with her father on their way to the station.
"Henry isn't going to believe that you simply overslept after spending the night with Killian," David told her.
"I've spent every night with Killian since we left Neverland," Emma challenged him.
"I didn't need to hear that," David groaned as he paused from his walk for a moment to contemplate what Emma was saying before picking up the pace.
"No, it's not what it seems like," Emma continued to insist as she was nearly running to keep up with him, "Well, its kind of what it seems like."
"We may be the same age, Emma, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be okay with hearing about your sex life," David told her as they entered the station. He quickly shed his coat and put it on the back of his chair. "You're my daughter."
"And I'm not going to tell you about it," Emma assured him, "And I promise you, we overslept. Killian was scrambling for the Jolly Roger too."
"He's an independent contractor," David challenged her, "He sets his own hours."
"But the early ones are when he says is best for catching the fish," Emma stated.
"So the two of you didn't last night?" David released a sigh of relief.
"I'm not going to answer that question on principle," Emma stated, but the blush that crept to her cheeks told David he wouldn't have liked the answer.
"Just remind Killian that I have a gun, and I know how to use it," David stated.
Emma fought to contain a snicker as she turned her attention to the paperwork piled on her desk. Being the sheriff wasn't as action packed as she thought it would be when she took the job originally. No one talked about the paperwork.
"David," she stated after a moment of silence.
"Could you maybe call me Dad?" David asked.
"I…ah…could I work on that?" she fumbled for a response.
"Sure," he conceded. He knew she was still wrapping her head around her parents being her age and fairytale characters.
"Have you thought about running for sheriff?" she asked.
"Last I checked, that seat was taken," he pointed towards her chair.
"Well, at the time it was either me or Sidney Glass," Emma stated, "There really wasn't anyone else willing to throw their hat into the ring."
"You're going to need that steady paycheck to pay for that home you just bought yourself," David reminded her.
"I'd make enough as a deputy," she shrugged, "Surprisingly waterfront property in this town is dirt cheap."
"Well, we have three more years before I have to decide," David stated.
"Unless I were to resign," Emma tapped her pen against her desk.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" he asked.
"Isn't it a little weird working for your daughter?" Emma asked.
"I guess I always saw it as working with," David replied, "Does it really matter who's the sheriff and who's the deputy?"
"I suppose not," Emma sighed.
"Let's see this town through the next three years," David suggested, "Then we'll decide. There are enough fairytales in that book of Henry's to keep us busy for awhile on top of the everyday run of the mill crimes that seem to occur around here."
"True," Emma laughed, "Maybe we should tear out some of those pages so we can have some peace and quiet."
"If it would help," David laughed heartily along with her.
"I think our secret is out, Love," Killian returned from his fishing trip earlier than was his usual routine and snuck into Emma's cottage where she had been waiting anxiously for him having taken a late lunch as they had agreed that morning as they were running for the door.
"What secret are you referring to?" she asked as she peeled away his coat while biting at his neck.
"I stopped at Granny's for a bite to eat on my way here, and Ruby gave me a curious look," he explained, "She asked if I'd enjoyed my previous evening."
"That's just her looking to improve her tips," Emma rolled her eyes as she guided him towards the bed as they hastily pushed away their clothes.
"She told me dessert was on the house as I needed to keep up my strength," he added as she pushed him onto the bed.
"She's a lot more observant than I've ever given her credit for," Emma grinned, "But she does have a point. You are going to need to keep up your strength."
"You're quite the insatiable lass, aren't you?"
"I didn't hear any complaining last night and into this morning," she hovered over him.
"What exactly is there to complain about?" he grinned.
"This will go faster if you stop talking," she told him as she alternated between biting and kissing his neck.
"If that is the incentive, I'll never stop talking," he grinned devilishly.
"My lunch hour ends in thirty minutes and then I have to pick up Henry. Because of you, I missed taking him to the bus stop this morning," she scowled at him, "If you don't want me to leave you with that uncomfortable feeling, I'd suggest you get on with it."
"How is it my fault that you never set your alarm?" he spun them over on the bed so he was on top.
"Until last night I never needed one," she glared at him as she spun them back to their original position.
"Sounds like you're the one complaining, Love," he spun them again.
"This isn't a wrestling match, Killian," she reversed positions again, "Take me or suffer the consequences of a very unpleasant case of blue balls."
"Blue what?" he repeated.
"Oh, god, you don't even know what that is," she groaned as she buried her head in his neck for a moment.
"I don't think in the context of what you're describing I do," he spun them again, "Unless you intend to hurl a blue ball at a certain appendage."
"I'm going to order you a book on modern slang," she rolled her eyes as, "But for right now, just…" Her thought was interrupted as he filled her.
She hadn't been able to sit still all day. Her mind had continually drifted to this place, to the two of them in bed trying to satisfy their appetite for one another. She'd accidentally got caught up in one particular fantasy and released a moan that she tried to cover with a cough she was pretty sure David hadn't bought.
"Worst day of fishing in my entire bloody existence," he told her as they road together to their mutual satisfaction, "I lost count of how many fish got off my hook."
"I hope the most important one stayed on," she cocked an eyebrow, trying to imitate his cocky expression.
"Aye, it certainly has," he continued to rock against her, "Best catch I've never made too."
Emma felt the tingling starting in her toes as her eyes began to glaze over. Killian had spent the better part of the evening and morning coaxing that look out of her. He swelled with pride he brought her over the ledge of bliss. As her eyes rolled back, he surged into her one final time before he collapsed in exhaustion.
"Hey, Kid," Emma greeted Henry as he stepped off the bus, "Sorry about this morning. I overslept."
"It's okay," he hugged her around the middle.
"How about we get some takeout from Granny's, bring it back to the cottage, and watch a movie together?" she suggested, "It will be just the two of us tonight."
"Any movie I want?" Henry asked.
"Anything you want," Emma nodded, "As long as it's age appropriate. Nothing rated R or above."
"I know what I want to watch," Henry told her cryptically.
"Good," she ushered him towards Granny's, "Hopefully you know what you want to order too."
"Can Killian join us?" Henry asked as they were about to enter the diner.
"What about it being just the two of us tonight?" Emma asked, "Is the thought of spending the night with just your mom that boring?"
"No," Henry stated, "But you and Killian are dating, and I need to get used to that, don't I?"
"It would be nice," Emma conceded, "But I told you I wasn't going to force him on you."
Henry looked up with his large doe eyes.
"If you want Killian to join us, go ask him," Emma relented, "He's probably on his ship."
"I'll be right back," Henry told her as he was about to dart off.
"Hey, what do you want to eat?" she called after him.
"A cheeseburger and French fries," Henry skidded to a halt.
"I'll meet you back at the cottage," she told him as she went to the counter to order their meals, throwing in an extra cheeseburger for Killian. She knew he wouldn't turn down her son.
"Sounds like things are going well between the two men in your life," Ruby was wiping down the counter when Emma walked in.
"Yeah, three cheeseburgers and fries to go," Emma stated.
Ruby turned to put in the order and then turned back just as quickly, "So?"
"So, what?" Emma inquired.
"Don't play dumb with me, Sheriff," Ruby eyed her in amusement as she tapped at her ears, "These wolf senses of mine knows what they heard last night. It certainly wasn't me howling at the moon."
Emma cursed Ruby's super-wolf hearing under her breath.
"So," Ruby repeated.
"Pretty fantastic," Emma relented, not even trying to hide the smile that she felt forming.
"I would hope three hundred years were well spent on something," Ruby giggled, "Was it with the hook or without?"
"I'm not going into details with you, Wolf," Emma told her, "All you're getting is it was pretty fantastic."
"And how many times was it pretty fantastic?" Ruby's brow rose curiously.
"I lost count," Emma admitted.
"So he has stamina and is fantastic," Ruby grinned, "What else?"
"How are those burgers coming?" Emma asked. She knew that if she sat there too long that Ruby would eventually pry out every detail.
"Neal came in today," Ruby offered a change of subject, "He looks pretty defeated. Does that mean you came to a decision?"
"Yep," Emma nodded as the guilt settled into the pit of her stomach. She knew that she'd hurt one of them no matter what her decision had been, but that didn't stop the sensation. "Did he say anything to you?"
"He's talking about moving back to New York," Ruby stated, "But he's been talking about that since you all got back from Neverland."
"Now it's likely by himself," Emma frowned, "I hope he still wants to be a part of Henry's life."
"I would hope that he wouldn't want joint custody," Ruby stated.
"Regina is legally his mother," Emma replied, "I don't see Madam Mayor giving him much."
"What kind of arrangement do you have with Regina?" Ruby asked.
"Arrangement?" Emma asked.
"Yeah, if she is legally his mother, doesn't she dictate where Henry stays?" Ruby asked.
"Henry mostly makes that decision for himself," Emma shrugged.
"And what if he wants to go with Neal to New York for part of the time?" Ruby pressed.
"I don't know," Emma thought for a moment, "That's never really been brought up."
The doorbell chimed the arrival of both Henry and Killian.
"I thought we were going to meet at the cottage," Emma spun to greet the pair.
"Granny's is on the way," Killian told her as his lips brushed against her cheek as he whispered, "Hello, Lover."
Ruby turned away quickly to not show that she'd heard his words.
"So Henry talked you into joining us for movie night," Emma smiled, "Did he tell you what movie we were watching?"
"He did," Killian replied, "It sounded pretty interesting from the synopsis your son gave."
"Perhaps he could give it to me," Emma eyed her son.
"I've been sworn to secrecy, Love," Killian told her, "Isn't that right, Lad?"
"At least until the film starts," Henry added, "Then it will be pretty obvious."
"Burgers are ready," Ruby turned towards them with a bag in her hand, "I threw in desserts for the three of you on the house."
"Keeping up our strength, Red," Emma glared at her friend.
"Huh?" Henry asked in confusion.
"It's not important," Emma assured her son, "How much do we owe you, Ruby?"
After paying and including a generous tip, the trio was on the way to Emma's cottage. Not much had changed from the previous day, but Emma had set up the television and DVD player.
"So this is a smaller version of that theater we went to," Killian eyed the television with curiosity, "What will they think of next?"
Emma transferred all their burgers and fries to individual plates as Henry located and loaded the DVD into the player. Emma was two bites into her fries when she heard the distinct music that gave away which movie they were watching, Star Trek.
"Really, Henry, again?" Emma sighed.
"I like this movie," Henry defended his choice.
"We've watched it ten times already," Emma replied, "And no matter how much you try to talk me into it, no that captain's mother does not look anything like me."
"Shhh," Henry told her, "I want Killian to judge."
Emma rolled her eyes again. By the end of the movie, Killian and Henry were convinced that she had a twin somewhere in the world and that twin was the mother of Captain Kirk. She didn't feel the need to point out that it was merely a movie. Though it probably would have broken Killian's heart if she'd told him the truth as the pair dissected every bit of the movie.
"Time for bed, Henry," Emma told her son as she cleaned up the dishes that had been scattered about during the movie, "You have school tomorrow."
Henry groaned in disappointment.
"I know I'm a horrible mother, but you'll be thanking me when you become a doctor or an astronaut," Emma told him, "Brush your teeth and then off to bed."
Emma was as giddy as a schoolgirl as Henry stomped off.
"What are you so cheery about?" Killian asked as he stepped in behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist while she rinsed the dishes.
"That's the first time I've actually been able to say that to him," she laughed, "It's such a normal thing for a mother to say to her son."
"Hmmm," he hummed into her ear, "I didn't think I'd get to see you tonight."
"You can thank Henry. It was entirely his idea. Personally, I tried to talk him out of it," she smirked, "Truth be told, I'm kind of sick of you, Captain."
Killian growled as he bit down sharply on her earlobe.
Emma had to work hard to not squeal in reply, "Is that the best you've got?"
"I'll show you the best I've got," he vowed as he thrust his hips into her backside.
"After Henry goes to sleep," she scolded him, "And only if you promise to keep the volume down."
"I can promise," he vowed as he spun her in his arms to look her directly in the eyes, "But can you?"
Emma found herself lost in the icy depths and forgot his question. Just as their lips were about to meet, Henry popped out of the bathroom.
"Good night, Mom, night, Killian," he stated.
"Good night, Henry," Emma broke free of Killian's arms as Killian added, "Good night, Lad."
Emma finished cleaning up as Killian made his way to the roof to take in the moonlight shining over the sea. If he closed his eyes he could almost feel the gentle rocking of his ship.
"This roof is going to get a lot of use," Emma noted as she joined him, hooking her fingers into the belt loops of the jeans he was wearing to pull him away from the rail so she could slip in front of him.
"It's one of the best features," he noted as his head came to rest against her shoulder.
"I'm kind of partial to the master bedroom," she replied.
"Yes, that is another wonderful feature," he smirked, "Reminds me of the Captain's Quarters on the Jolly Roger."
"That was the first thing I thought of when I saw it," she admitted, "And then when I saw this roof, I just knew this place was perfect."
"Perfect for you or us?" he asked.
"Both," she told him, "I guess subconsciously I'd made my choice before I made it official. Do you think you could be comfortable here?"
"As in permanently?" he asked.
"As in the nights we stay here," she amended. She wasn't ready to talk about making their relationship permanent, and she was pretty sure he felt the same way.
"Considering that I'm able to sleep next to you, that's pretty comfortable for me," he told her.
"What were you thinking about before I came up?" she asked. She'd stood back and watched him for a few minutes before she'd announced her presence.
"I was thinking about how happy I've been lately," he told her as he kissed her hairline, "Happier than I've been in the longest time, centuries actually."
"That's a lot of pressure on me," she told him, "Three centuries of misery for what?"
"Even if it's three days of happiness, it's worth it," he vowed.
"Don't jinx us," she scolded him, "You were thinking about something else. What aren't you telling me?"
"I think Pan is going to find his way here," Killian told her, "And he's not going to like that we got the upper hand on him."
"So what are we going to do?" she asked.
"Be prepared," he told her, "For starters, I'm not going to be sailing as far from Storybrooke as I have been."
"And I'll check how the dwarves have been coming mining the fairy dust," she replied, "A little dust couldn't hurt, right?"
"I've only dealt with Pan in Neverland," he replied, "Free of that island, there is no telling what could happen. He may or may not have his magic, but Henry was important to him and the survival of the island. He's not going to just give up."
"Gold," Emma stated.
"Belle is looking for a way to bring him back to Storybrooke," Killian nodded, "If she finds a way…"
"Pan will tag along," Emma finished for him.
"Whether the Dark One wants him to or not," Killian nodded.
"We should tell Neal," Emma stated, "The more people that we have to help the better, right?"
"Yes," he agreed, "We should warn the entire town, but not in a way to work everyone up. Not everyone will be susceptible to his manipulations."
"How did you fall into allegiance with him?" Emma asked.
"He caught me in the weakest of moments," he explained, "The first time I met Pan was on a voyage with my brother. The king we sailed for sent us to Neverland to retrieve Dreamshade, claiming it to be a cure all for any disease."
"That's the poison that was supposed to kill David," Emma stated.
"The king obviously lied," Killian conceded, "Pan told us as much when we first arrived. To prove a point, my brother cut himself with it. It nearly killed him on the spot, which is when Pan appeared to tell me how to save him. He said that the remedy came at a price. It wasn't until we returned to our world from Neverland that I knew what price that was."
"When your brother died," Emma concluded.
"I didn't return to Neverland for many years, not until Milah died. I needed a place where I would never grow old while I figured out a way to defeat the crocodile," Killian explained, "Which is when Pan made his bargain with me."
"We'll figure out a way to defeat him," Emma stated confidently.
"I hope so," he replied.
"Come on, we'll think better on a good night's sleep," Emma pulled him towards the staircase.
Killian allowed her to pull him towards her bed and make him forget for the night who Peter Pan even was.
TBC…
