A/N: Hey all! This chapter brings us to the Emma and Liam introduction. Now, because it's me writing you all know that this chapter will be fluffy. I am not providing a true-to-show meeting between Emma and Liam in this AU, but what I am bringing is some light humor, an overload of cuteness, and a plethora of feels in the best way. I hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading!

All we have to do is make it through tonight, Killian thought to himself for the hundredth time. It's just one evening – how bad can it really be?

For the past few hours, Killian's thoughts had been focused on one agenda item – dinner between he and Emma and Liam. Today was the day his two worlds would collide after weeks in a glorious kind of bubble, and all Killian could hope was that nothing too terrible happened when they did.

It wasn't that he didn't love his brother or believe Liam capable of polite conversation and kindness to strangers. The problem was that Liam had always been protective of Killian, and though Emma was strong and sure of herself, Liam had a certain kind of humor. He was blunt and abrasive, and though he meant well, there was some room for mistaking his brother's meaning that was currently worrying Killian. He just wanted Emma and Liam to get along, for it would make his life so much easier, but he also didn't want either of them to think that Liam's approval was necessary, because no matter what Liam thought, Killian was in love with Emma, and that wasn't going to change.

"Boss? Boss? Earth to Killian!"

The voice at his doorway pulled Killian's attention from where he'd been staring at his computer screen. The screen saver on the device was a photo that had been taken during a night out with Emma and her friends last week. It was one of the only ones he had of the two of them, and Emma was impossibly beautiful and clearly relaxed in this picture. Killian knew it wasn't likely that she'd find such comfort during dinner, but he intended to get her back to that space when all of these obligations were behind them.

"What is it Tink?" Killian asked standing up and stretching. He'd been sedentary for too long and now with the interruption his restlessness had returned.

"It's Liam. He's here."

"He's what?!" Killian yelled, moving through the room to see Tink out there. "He wasn't supposed to come here!"

"I know, but Ernie on the first floor just sent me a message. Your brother is in the building and he should be arriving right about… now."

At that exact moment, the elevator door across the way opened revealing one Liam Jones, dressed in his usual suit and sporting a stern expression. To the average person he would appear grumpy or off-putting, but Killian knew his brother, and this was a look of determination. Another person in the crowd recognized that look as well, braving up to greet Liam as he walked through the office.

"Oi, Liam, what are you doing here mate?" Will asked and though Liam was surprised at the excess of the welcome and the familiarity of Will's greeting, Killian knew the reason for it.

There was nothing that could dampen Will's spirits right now – not when he'd finally manned up and asked Belle for a date. She'd ended up saying yes and tomorrow after work they'd go off and see if this mutual like between them could go anywhere. Killian was happy for his two friends, but he didn't have time to linger on those feelings now. Instead he was prepping for his sneaky elder brother and the long night ahead of them.

"What am I always doing here, Scarlet? Checking in and making sure my little brother hasn't burned the place to the ground."

"Bloody hell," Killian whispered aloud, biting back a few more curses as his brother made his way down the hallway. When Liam met Killian's eyes, a smile broke free and Killian knew he was in so much trouble. A feisty Liam meant he and Emma were in for a very interesting night.

"Ah Killian, there you are. You're looking well." As soon as he was close enough, Liam pulled Killian into a big hug, astounding Killian further.

"Liam, I thought we were meeting you at the restaurant…" There was no thinking about it actually – it was a fact that this had been their plan. Killian had specified that a number of times so that he'd have a few critical moments alone with Emma before this evening.

"Oh right, but I was feeling impatient, and then I figured why wait? This way I can see where this woman of yours works, and get a better feel for who she is."

"You mean this way you can throw us off balance and get an idea of how she deals with your crazy twists," Killian rebuffed.

"Same thing," Liam said with a grin and Killian sized his brother up. Something was different about him – not substantially so, but his brother was in a very good mood, and Killian had to wonder if it was all about seeing Emma or if there was something else at play.

"What's going on with you?" Killian asked as he stepped back into his office to grab his jacket and the last of his belongings.

"Nothing. I'm just eager to see if your investment will pay off."

Killian stilled at the words, hating the way that Liam was talking about Emma even if it wasn't actively meant as an insult. An investment? Emma was hardly a business transaction. Truthfully she was so much more than anything business related in Killian's life, and the idea that Liam was going into tonight thinking of Emma as something that could pay off for him or Killian in the future made Killian sick. He turned around and felt himself growling out some words of warning.

"I'm gonna stop you there, brother. Emma is not some sort of surrogate to achieve a set of expectations. She's a woman I care about – a women I love – and I won't have you treating her with less respect than she's worth. So if you're going to have trouble with that, we might as well call this whole thing off right now."

A silence passed between them where Killian awaited a confrontation from Liam. It wasn't customary in their relationship for Killian to be combative, but his emotions were high and his need to protect Emma was guiding him. He couldn't bring himself to feel bad for setting his brother straight, but Killian was surprised when a huge smile appeared on Liam's face. In that moment he remembered the last time he'd been with Liam and his brother's bizarre delight in Killian's being flustered. His jaw ticked at the thought that this was to be the new tradition between the two of them.

"So it's officially love, eh?" Liam asked and Killian thought back to his words and realized he had said that aloud. He ran a hand through his hair but didn't try and deny it.

"Aye. I love Emma and that's not going to change."

"Well I'm glad to hear it, especially given that monologue you saddled me with during our last talk."

Killian remembered the interaction vividly, and he considered again the scenario that Liam was preparing to enter in then. That whole idea about the matchmakers and the clinical marriage just for the sake of appearances and producing heirs had sounded terrible then and it sounded even more dreadful now. But tonight Killian intended to discover if anything had changed with Liam. Was his brother still intent on finding a bride through a cold, calculated arrangement? And if so, did Killian have any time to try and persuade him otherwise?

"It's not too late for you to find love yourself, Liam. Unless you got married while away and neglected to tell me." Dear God, please let that not be the case.

"I didn't, but I did narrow down the choices from five to two. They both have what I'm looking for on paper, and in person they were exceedingly competent. I'll be making my final decision by Monday." The phrasing made Killian's stomach sour. It just felt so less than desirable, to compare two women based on a set of parameters and decide to propose from one interview-like dinner… Killian could think of nothing he'd like less than that.

"So you're really going through with it?" It was hard for Killian to keep the distaste out of his tone.

"I told you I would. My wants and wishes haven't changed. The way I get there isn't important."

Killian could have argued with Liam about how wrong he was, but unless his brother felt that first spark with someone, or lingered in the moment where a true connection was made with a woman he could see a future with, he would never fully understand. Liam was pragmatic, organized and driven in every aspect of his life. He simply didn't know what romantic love was, and there weren't words that Killian could offer to his brother to make it anymore real. Yet maybe, just maybe, the dinner with Emma tonight could change things. If Liam saw the love Killian had for Emma and the strength of feeling she had for him, maybe he would abandon this foolish crusade for an heir and give himself a fair shot. Killian could only hope.

"Says the man who always told me that the journey makes the man," Killian quipped before diverting his brother off the topic and maneuvering him out of his office. "Now I'm assuming you let your driver go for the time being."

"I did, why?" Liam asked and Killian smirked, enjoying what he was about to do to his unsuspecting brother.

"No real reason. But I didn't drive today so we'll take the train to Emma's work." The squawked out sound that escaped his brother in that moment was truly priceless, and Killian caught the sound of a muffled laugh from Tink's station. He had to work hard to keep himself from chuckling too.

"The subway? Are you mad?!" Liam barked out, his hand running over the expensive suit he was wearing. Killian could practically hear his brother tallying up the total amount of money he was currently wearing and thinking what a foolish idea it was to enter public transport dressed as such.

"Don't tell me you're scared of a little train, Liam," Killian taunted and Liam stood up straight, defying the label instantly.

"You wont bait me into this, brother."

"Fine. You can take a cab and meet me there then, though I won't hesitate in telling Emma or her friends about your aversion to a completely normal mode of transport."

Killian took Liam's grumbled mutterings as a sign that he'd won the tiny scuffle, and he flashed his brother a smile. This might not be such a terrible time after all, and he could hardly wait to see Liam's reaction to the trains he rode every day. They'd been a bit galling to him at first, but they were largely fine over all, and for Killian they held the added nostalgic bonus of those months spent watching out for Emma. Besides, maybe they'd get lucky and there'd be a girl for Liam riding the rails today. Anything was possible, and surely anything was better than his settling for an artificial arrangement.

"Hey Boss, one last thing before you leave," Tink called and Killian moved closer to her listening to her whispered words. "I already gave Emma a heads up, so no worries. She's prepared for brother dearest."

"You are a true godsend, Tink. Remind me to give you a raise," Killian said, knowing he'd made many a claim before but that he'd make good on it this time just as he always had in the past.

Confident that everything that needed doing was done, Killian spent the next twenty minutes introducing his brother to a part of the city Liam hadn't needed to venture through in a good long time, and he laid the groundwork for the meetings to come. Killian told Liam all about Emma's career and her successes and how she wouldn't brag this evening but that she should. Emma and her friends were already proving themselves and building a brand and business model that could survive a very competitive climate.

Killian also included facts about each of Emma's friends so that Liam wasn't walking in there blind. Because if Killian was certain of anything it was that Emma's friends would be in attendance when they arrived – the four friends were a package deal after all, and where one went the others usually followed. They were also all of them nosey, and the prospect of a first meeting with Liam would be too juicy a story for any of them to pass up on.

By the time they'd made it to Bliss Boutique, Killian realized that he'd barely stopped talking the entire journey and in all that time Liam had been largely silent. Oh he was engaged and listening, but he hadn't demanded that Killian change topics or begun an interrogation about any one facet of what Killian was saying. This wasn't ordinary behavior, at least not for Liam, but his brother's comment right outside of the shop made Killian feel better about it.

"Whatever happens at this dinner there's one thing for certain – you are serious about this woman, Killian, and for better or worse you've chosen her. I have to admire that kind of devotion."

Devotion was a good word for it, but even that didn't seem strong enough to Killian. The attachment between he and Emma was growing more and more with each day, and every moment that he wasn't with her he wished he could be. Even now he looked through the glass windows and saw her standing there, wishing he was just beside her with his hand in hers. Emma was unaware for the moment of his presence, speaking with Tiana about something or other for the store, looking in control and gorgeous as per usual, but when her glance flicked his way and her eyes met his, Killian's whole world stopped. It hinged on Emma's reaction, and the smile that she offered him that spoke to her being happy even in her anxiety about tonight prompted him forward.

Without much thought for anything else, Killian walked inside and Liam did the same, but his steps never faltered all the way until Killian was standing right in front of Emma and pressing a kiss to her lips. It might be unexpected, and it wasn't something he was accustomed to doing with an audience that included his brother, but it couldn't be helped. He needed the feeling of Emma's lips on his more than he needed anything.

"Well hello to you too," Emma said lightly with a smile on her face when he pulled back. It was good to see that warmth again and that light in her green eyes. Killian immediately took her hand in his and felt the same reviving pleasure when her fingers instinctively intertwined with his.

"Emma love, this is my brother Liam. Liam this is Emma Swan, my girlfriend." Killian turned to Liam who was smugly grinning as Emma did the same.

"I've heard a lot about you, Liam," Emma said, offering her hand to shake.

"Have you now? Because my brother has been keeping you largely under wraps," Liam asserted, causing Killian to tense a bit and worry that they were already on their way to a problematic evening, but Emma didn't flinch in the slightest.

"Probably because he's horribly embarrassed of me. He really can't take me anywhere," Emma said and Killian gawked at her before she let a smile slip. "Kidding."

Killian felt his heart start up in his chest again and heard the rumble of Liam's laughter. That was a good sign for sure, for Liam was sparse with what he bestowed a chuckle on, yet the light in his brother's eyes hinted at genuine amusement.

"I think we'll get along just fine, Emma," Liam said easily, making Killian feel better in an instant.

"I hope so. These are my friends and two of my business partners: Mary Margret Blanchard and Ruby Lucas."

Killian nodded greeting to each of the women before they waved their hellos to Liam. The only one missing was Elsa, but considering her often more consuming schedule in the bakery, Killian wasn't surprised. It was a shame though – he'd just have to introduce Liam to Emma's amiable friend another time.

"I see handsome runs in the family," Ruby teased and Liam smiled widely.

"My brother is merely fortunate that there was any handsome left. I singlehandedly took all the good genes." The statement was ridiculous and everyone knew it was meant as a joke, prompting a laugh and a lightness that was comfortable even in the new situation. "But I was told there was a fourth friend and partner. Did I not make the cut for her to greet?"

"No no it's nothing like that," Mary Margaret professed quickly.

"Elsa just works harder than the rest of us," Emma offered kindly but the mention of Elsa did seem to spark something for her. "I actually was supposed to check in with her before we leave. I'll just-,"

"I'm here, I'm here!" Elsa said, rushing through the room to give a small blue box with the bakery's logo on it to Emma. "Sorry, there was petal emergency. Clara was supposed to make a hundred daffodils for the Callahan cake and she made one hundred daisies instead. I swear it was straight out of that nightmare I was telling you all about last week."

When the box was safely in Emma's custody, Elsa blew a strand of her almost white blonde hair out of her face that had fallen from her braid and she smiled at everyone. She was in many ways the embodiment of good humor, and every time that Killian had met Elsa to now he was impressed with her boundless energy and her ability to find the best in any situation and any person that she met, but when her eyes caught on Killian and Liam just beside him her smile evaporated. Now there was an intensity plastered on her pretty face instead and Elsa's blue eyes widened and were consumed with some unspoken energy that hadn't been there seconds before.

"Oh Elsa perfect timing. This is Liam Jones. Liam, my other best friend and our resident baker extraordinaire, Elsa," Emma said as she shared a knowing look with Killian. Whatever was happening right now, they both knew it was out of the ordinary, but Killian couldn't wrap his head around how extraordinary it was until Liam spoke.

"Bloody hell," Liam whispered aloud and Killian's head turned so fast to stare at his brother he risked whiplash.

What was this reaction? Was that something like interest in his brother's eyes? Aye it was! Killian had never seen that before and he'd certainly never seen Liam get so bent out of shape when meeting anyone. Liam seemed to realize his lack of cool a second too late and then stuck his hand out to Elsa.

"Uh, right, sorry. Liam Jones."

"Yeah I got that," Elsa said with a smile extending her hand to meet his.

This whole exchange was notably charged since Liam hadn't instead on shaking Ruby or Mary Margaret's hand, but when his brother's hold on Elsa lingered longer than was comfortable, there was an understanding amongst everyone that something was happening here. It was a strange and unexpected twist of fate, but Killian couldn't help grinning at the sight before him, at least until Elsa looked down at their joined hands and a frown settled on her features. Killian watched as the normally cheerful and open woman closed herself off a bit and retreated with a level of coldness that didn't match the intimacy of the moment just before.

"Come with us," Liam said, not making any sense to anyone. Killian attempted to clarify for his brother.

"You mean to dinner?" he asked and Liam nodded, still looking just at Elsa who was now attempting to look anywhere but at Liam.

"I can't. I have plans," Elsa said quietly but her refusal of the offer was firm nonetheless.

"Change them… please."

There was the gruff and demanding Liam that Killian knew, but underneath the usual hardness there was a discernable element of need. Killian didn't recall a time that he'd ever heard Liam sound desperate, but he was bordering on it in this moment. And the delayed attempt at politeness spoke volumes coming from a man who usually just said what he wanted and got it immediately. Clearly Liam was out of his depths with this, but from the smile that appeared on Emma, Ruby, and Mary Margaret's faces, the women seemed totally in the know of what was going on.

"Even if I could I wouldn't. This is your dinner to meet Emma. I didn't make those cupcakes for nothing," Elsa claimed, casting her glance at Liam again. When she did that bit of hardness that was in her voice was gone again. Emma's friend had become a walking contradiction – she said one thing, but her eyes gave away another desire all together.

"What is happening right now, Swan?" Killian whispered low enough so only Emma could hear and she just shook her head, the smile from before still lingering. She was perplexed, but her response was a bit more illuminating.

"I think they like each other? No scratch that, I know they like each other." Emma nodded back to Liam who was still trying to figure out a reply to Elsa's refusal.

The look on his brother's face was distressed and also a little angry. Killian could imagine it would be painful to be turned down like this or feel so out of one's element, especially for Liam who had no experience in such situations. Nevertheless, Liam persisted, trying his best to will Elsa into some kind of agreement with him.

"Another time then," he offered and Elsa gave a curt shake of her head.

"I can't," Elsa said before making an excuse and retreating to the bakery. It was only a matter of seconds before Ruby and Mary Margaret were following her, leaving Emma and Killian to try and break the tension with Liam who was still staring after where Elsa had gone, his fists balled tightly and his face appearing torn.

"Don't take it personally," Emma said offering his brother some comfort. "Elsa always comes around."

The hint from Emma that there could be some kind of hope on the horizon seemed to calm Liam, and he finally pulled his eyes away from the doorway through which Elsa had left. Though his smile wasn't as full as the ones before it, it was an improvement, as was his brother's attempt at humor.

"Right then. Well we should be off. I've got about a million questions and roughly four more moments were I make things uncomfortable still to go."

Emma and Killian laughed at that and followed Liam out the door hand in hand. And though there were many things left unsaid, and a number of items he'd like to explore further with Emma about what exactly had just transpired, Killian let it all just be. Soon enough he'd get the chance to be alone with his Swan again, and until then he'd try and enjoy this first opportunity to make his only family and the woman he saw as the key to his future happiness click in the way the hoped they could.

…..

"And you know what he said next?" Liam asked, urging Emma to guess what could have been going through Killian's head years ago when he was trying to get Citizen NY from an idea in his head to an actual publication.

"I have a few ideas," Emma said, smiling at Killian and anticipating that he'd be ready to fight tooth and nail for the dream he'd been trying to build for himself.

"He told me if I had even a shred of belief in him I'd shut my mouth and help instead of berating his life choices," Liam said and Emma noticed the way Killian went a little red and scratched behind his ear. It was a typical tell that he was feeling too on display or a little embarrassed, but Emma didn't think that he should. After all it was admirable that he was unwilling to hear 'no.' He had goals and he wanted to meet them even if it meant standing up to the one man he admired most.

"And let me guess – you sat there in shocked silence before agreeing," Emma finished and Liam nodded.

"Indeed I did. I've never been more proud of Killian than I was in that moment. I knew he had the courage he'd need to make it work. Sometimes a man cares so much that he practically wills something he wants into being."

Killian's thumb grazed lightly across Emma's knuckles where their hands were joined, and when she looked at him again, Emma swore she could read his thoughts. He was agreeing with his brother's assessment, but he wasn't thinking about work. Emma believed that he was thinking about them and how they'd both wanted each other for a long time before taking the plunge into a real relationship. Now it was Emma's turn to blush.

"Women do that too," Emma said as a joke and Liam laughed again. It felt like another little victory for Emma, and despite her earlier fears, she felt comfortable here with the most important person in Killian's life. It wasn't nearly as stressful as she'd once thought it would be, and with every shared amusement, all the lingering doubts of whether she'd be deemed as good enough fell away.

Through the course of the dinner tonight, Emma also found herself growing more and more accustomed to the dynamic between Killian and his brother. While there was a good amount of parental-like guidance on Liam's part, there was also a bond there that spoke to brotherhood over guardianship. They bantered like an old married couple half the time, and the competiveness between them was clear but so was the love and appreciation on both parts.

It was a really nice thing to see in person, and for Emma it offered a unique perspective as to who Killian was in other areas of his life and who he'd been in the past. Some of the stories that Liam shared were sweet and funny, about an energetic little boy chasing his elder brother around looking for attention and praise. Emma could imagine the two of them together causing chaos everywhere and giving their Mom, hell. But when their mother came up there was always a softness from Liam that Emma didn't expect. Killian had brought her up before a time or too, but it was clear Liam's memories were far more vivid and what he retained the best was that she'd loved her sons and wanted the best for them.

A moment came towards the end of their meal when Killian excused himself to use the restroom, and where Emma would once have been scared at the prospect of alone time with Liam, she couldn't muster those feelings now. Instead she sat there expecting that Liam would use this chance to make an inquiry that had been on his mind since they'd left Bliss. But if Emma expected any sort of casual segue into the conversation, she was sorely mistaken.

"Look, Emma, I know Elsa is your friend and I shouldn't ask but -," Emma raised her hand to ease his worried inquiry.

"But you want to know why she turned you down like that," Emma finished and Liam nodded.

"Yes, I do."

Emma looked at the man who sat across from her who wasn't so wholly dissimilar from Killian in looks, and she took in the confusion and desire to know in his gaze. That feeling she had before about Liam being interested in Elsa hadn't faded at all, if anything it had laid down firmer roots, and though Emma would usually never talk out of turn about her friends, she'd had the chance to touch base with Mary Margaret and Ruby during a 'bathroom break' of her own.

"You know what she told us?" Ruby had yelled through the phone. "She told us he's just too rich, like that was a reasonable thing to say! It took us a whole ten minutes to get her to admit that he was attractive, and then she went on and on about how 'that's how they get you, by being hot and commanding and having eyes out of a dream.' Apparently it's impossible for him not to be a huge ass just because he has a huge net worth. She's crazy!"

Emma further broke down the resistance on Elsa's part with her two close friends and they'd all decided that there was more happening on Elsa's part. All of them had seen it in her eyes, this hint that there might be more than economically-based loathing on the part of their dear friend, and they'd agreed that Emma could give Liam the truth. Maybe with that he'd be able to prove himself as being more than his money. Or maybe not. Either way they'd all know for sure, and there wouldn't be this big cloud of uncertainty hanging over everyone.

"It's your money," Emma said, preparing herself for some kind of blowback.

"My – my what?" Liam asked, clearly not understanding.

"Or I guess it's what it represents. Elsa spent her whole life finding what it is that makes her happy and it isn't money. So she avoids excess in anything but her desserts."

The expression on Liam's face was almost comical in it's level of shock. Emma could imagine it was hard for him to understand – most women he dealt with were probably just in it for the money, but that was the way it was. Emma purposefully didn't mention that Elsa stood to inherit millions of dollars some day and that she knew she didn't want wealth like that because of experience. She figured that part of Elsa's history and the more detailed reasons behind her aversion were best for her friend to describe.

"She expects me to get rid of my money?" Liam asked, and the tone in his voice wasn't angry, but almost like he was considering it. Emma moved to correct his thinking before the man did something drastic.

"To be fair I don't think she expects anything from you. You asked why she'd turn you down, and that's one potential reason."

"So what do I do?" Liam asked and Emma shrugged.

"I guess that all depends on what you want from her," Emma said, knowing this next part might not be as pleasant to say. "But I'll say this here and now – if you're just looking for a laugh or to see if you can make her like you just to walk away, look somewhere else. Elsa's one of my best friends and I'm not going to stand back and watch anyone mess with her head."

"I'd never hurt her," Liam said forcefully and Emma recognized the expression on his face. It was one she'd seen on Killian time and time again when he was talking about her or promising good things to come for the two of them. The thought that Liam could feel that way for Elsa calmed Emma, and reduced her worries.

"Alright then. As long as we're on the same page."

"And which page is that, love?" Killian asked, appearing at Emma's side once more and running his hand along her shoulder.

"The one where we're skipping dessert," Liam said rising from his seat with a newfound look of purpose. He offered Emma a genuine smile though, and his hand to shake. "It was a real pleasure meeting you Emma. You're good for our Killian here. Maybe too good."

"Hey!" Killian joked and Emma took Killian's hand in hers.

"I think we're good for each other," Emma claimed and she felt her heart skip a beat when Killian murmured that the actual word she was looking for was perfect. After a beat of staring into his blue eyes and wondering at how he always managed to say the sweetest things, Emma said goodbye to Liam and assured him that it was a pleasure on her part to meet him as well.

With that they all moved out of the restaurant, and Emma and Killian watched as Liam got into his town car and drove off. But where Emma was just a little relieved to be alone with Killian finally, Killian looked surprised.

"What is it?" Emma asked and he shook his head, still staring after Liam's car.

"Nothing – it's just… that's the opposite direction from where he lives." Emma thought about the direction and realized it was the way one would go to head back to Bliss.

"You don't think…"

"That my brother might swing by a certain shop for another potential glimpse of a pretty girl? If you'd asked me before today I'd say you were crazy. Now I hardly know," Killian replied as he let Emma into the cab they'd waved over and opened the door for her.

"I hope it works out," Emma said finally when they were both of them together inside.

"You do?" Killian asked and Emma nodded.

"Sure. I mean it was clear there was something between them, and you were just talking about how you worry about Liam finding something real. Elsa's pretty much as good as good can get, and the whole money hang up… there are just a lot of other qualities that speak to someone's worth more than dollar signs can. Elsa shouldn't write a possibility for happiness off just because Liam works hard and is successful."

"And what might some of these other measures be, Swan?" Killian asked, making Emma smile. He was clearly digging, not for Liam's sake but for his own, and Emma intended to tell him what parts of him made him the most attractive.

"Honesty for one thing – without it you can't have trust, and without trust you have nothing," Emma said, knowing that she already trusted Killian in a way she'd never been able to trust a man before.

"I agree with you on that. Trust is everything," Killian said as he took her hand in his.

"Ambition is good too. You don't want to choose someone to share your life with who has no drive, no desire to make something or to move forward. But you also don't want someone who only cares about work either. It's a delicate balance."

"A tightrope-like endeavor I'm sure," Killian quipped and Emma smiled.

"A sense of humor is a must, but it really helps if the guy waivers between cocky and boyishly charming." Killian of course had so many more shades to him than that, but it was incredibly valuable to Emma that he made her laugh so much. No one had ever done that before, and laughter, after all, was the best medicine, one she'd gone without all the years she was growing up.

"I'm not sure about the boyish part, but I think I follow your point," Killian agreed.

"And he should be kind underneath it all. Swagger and self-assurance are all well and good, but in his heart the perfect guy should be good. That's the most important thing when it comes down to it," Emma said, her face inching closer to Killian's ever so slightly as she watched the city lights reflecting in his deep blue eyes.

"And what would a man need to do to prove himself in all those fields?" Killian asked, his hand coming to cup her cheek.

"He wouldn't have to. He'd already have done that," Emma whispered and when she did they both moved forward for a kiss, forgetting their surroundings and surrendering to the kiss that they'd both wanted for so long now. It wasn't until the blaring of a horn outside a minute later that they pulled away, both of them smiling.

"So you've no need for looks then, love? I could be a real beast and you'd still care for me?" Killian teased.

"Well the pretty face doesn't hurt…" Emma goaded, knowing Killian would take slight issue with her descriptor.

"Pretty?" he asked roughly, his hands tracing a pattern on her skin that spoke to all she wanted once they were back at his apartment with nothing left between them.

"Sexy, handsome, drop dead gorgeous: You can take your pick and I'll humor you." Killian's responding laugh made Emma's whole body vibrate with need and desire.

"I'll leave the choice to you, Emma. I trust your instincts. But you should know that there isn't a single thing about you I don't care for. I'm a fan of every part of you as you well know," Killian confessed and Emma nodded.

"I know."

And I love you for it, Emma thought to herself, wishing that her lips would form the words. She felt ready to say it, eager to make that statement in a way she'd never been with anyone else but they wouldn't come. Maybe it was because of their current location, or maybe the time just wasn't right, but Emma didn't think now was the perfect moment to say those three little words. However she promised herself she'd find the courage to say them and say them soon. She didn't want to risk losing Killian because she was too afraid to speak her truth.

"Something on your mind, love?" Killian asked and Emma shook away the musings before offering a wry grin

"I do have one regret…" Emma said, setting him up for a joke.

"Oh really? And what might that be?" He asked, clearly in on her attempted jest.

"Your brother bailed with Elsa's cupcakes in hand before we could have dessert and I was kind of hoping for that triple chocolate cake they had on the menu," Emma admitted. Killian laughed at her words, the sound of it washing over her skin and making Emma feel warm and safe all at once.

"Well I can't easily offer you cake, Swan, but I do have something back at my place: how does mint chip ice cream sound?"

"Seriously?" Emma asked, suddenly very excited. That was the best kind in her opinion and Emma Swan was never one to turn down ice cream no matter what the flavor.

"Aye, love. You said it's your favorite and I didn't want to be lacking should the need for some ever arise."

"You might actually be perfect," Emma said with a sigh and Killian chuckled again.

"Hardly love, but I swear to make you happy in any way I can."

Needless to say Killian was able to do just that, and when they got out of the cab they both shared the cool, refreshing treat together before giving into some steamier activities. And all the while Emma had to think that they were lucky, for they'd made it through another key relationship step still in tact and stronger than ever.

Post-Note: So some of you might have noticed a mirroring between this chapter and chapter 2, especially in the beginning. I wanted to show the changes that have happened in just the few weeks that Liam has been gone and it felt like this was a really good way to do it. As for the rest of it, you all know how I love involving the friends, and yes… perhaps I am hinting at yet another love interest in the story, but really it's the more the merrier in my opinion. Anyway, thank you all so much for reading and I hope that you have a fantastic rest of your day!