I just wanted to say thank you to my friend kmomof4 (Krystal) for allowing me to poke a bit of fun at her in this chapter.

Chapter 12

The following week, with a little help from higher-ups, the images from the traffic cameras were slowly starting to trickle in. Killian was halfway through the first one when a jaw-popping yawn had him pressing pause and taking another drink of coffee.

"You look like you've been ridden hard and put away wet," Robin laughed dropping a box from Paula's Pastries on the desk.

"Mmm," Killian moaned when the yeasty smell hit causing his mouth to water as he reached for a fresh sweet roll.

"By the way," Robin pushed Killian's hand aside to snag the chocolate confection he'd been eyeing. "Paula sends her love."

His sing-songy style meant to imitate the pastry shop owner's intonation pattern, had an image of the petite sexagenarian forming in Killian's head, "Did she send extra frosting for me?" he asked around bites of chocolate covered goodness.

His mouth full of danish, Robin nodded his head and fished a small container out of his pocket, "You're such a child." he grinned handing it over.

"You're just jealous." Killian taunted, peeling off the lid and licking the frosting that had adhered to it. "Thanks, Mate."

As the sugar combined with the caffeine he'd been drinking and worked their way through his system, Killian could feel his energy returning, "Anything new?" he checked with Robin before turning back to the TV.

"I have a few more calls to make." Robin finished his donut and tossed the napkin into the trash, "But since your carousing days are behind you, why you were so tired?"

Killian grunted, "The girls have decided the middle of the night is the best time to play." He swiped a hand through his hair, "And they aren't happy unless I'm in the middle."

Bam!

Killian's head whipped to the right to see dark eyes shooting daggers at him, "Bloody hell, Mary Margaret," he shouted. "Did I forget to do something?"

"No," she frowned, "but what did you just say about your girls?"

"My girls?" Killian glanced over to Robin for help, but his blank stare said he didn't know what had her so riled up either. "What about my girls?"

She shook her head and without answering picked up the books she had dropped, "I thought you were interested in Emma," she spit at him.

"I am," Killian confirmed.

"Then how can you be involved in," she lowered her voice, "those kinds of games with other women?"

"Those kinds of games?" Killian queried, a teasing smile crossing his face, "What kind of games did you think I was talking about?"

"You know," she waved her hand around as if it would help her find the right word. "Sex games," she finally mumbled.

"Oh," Killian nodded, his smile growing larger, "that's what I thought you were talking about." Over Mary Margaret's shoulder, he saw his boss step out of his office, "Don't tell me that David hasn't asked you to play sex games."

She sputtered, "Why that's...that's beside the point."

"Mary Margaret," David slipped his arm around her halting her mid-tirade. "What's going on?"

Killian arched a brow, waiting to see if she would say anything, but when she pressed her lips together, he couldn't resist, "She's concerned about my nightly activities," he smirked at Dave. "Doesn't think Emma would approve of my girls."

David looked from Killian to his wife, "Why wouldn't she approve? After all, she gave them to you."

Mary Margaret's gasp had all three men laughing, "I'm sorry, Honey." David gave her a quick kiss. "Killian's girls are his kittens; Trudi and Nina. Isn't that right?"

"Aye," Killian verified their names. "Would you like to see their pictures?" He pulled up his photos on his phone.

"Oh, don't get him started," Robin groaned. "He's just like a new father." He excused himself leaving Killian alone with the Nolans.

"I'm sorry, Killian," Mary Margaret apologized. "I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion."

Killian laughed at the contrite expression that crossed her face, "I guess that was a perfect example of how gossip gets started."

"I really am sorry," she reiterated. "Here," she set some books on his desk, "I'll let you choose which one you want to read to the class next time."

"Alright, thanks. And Emma," he stressed, "is the only one who has my interest. She has nothing to worry about."

"You're sure about that?" She prodded.

Once he had assured her that Emma was truly the only woman he was interested in, he turned back to the video images they had received. It was a tedious task and Killian quickly lost track of time.

After what felt like hours of mindlessly fast-forwarding through them, he was no closer to uncovering any clues than when he had started, "Bloody hell!" He blurted hitting stop, watching as the television screen went black.

"Nothing new?" Robin asked quietly.

"No," Killian replied tersely.

"Wrong camera angles?" Robin posed. "Or are the cameras poor quality?

"Neither," Killian twisted his chair around to face his partner. "It's location." He hesitated several seconds attempting to organize his thoughts, "I get the impression that our killer knows where the cameras are and which way they face."

Robin nodded in understanding, "That makes sense, but..." He pulled a small notebook from his pocket and began rapidly flipping through the pages.

"What?" Killian asked impatiently, hoping the other man had unwittingly come upon something they could use.

"Hold your horses," Robin groused, "I'm looking. Here." He pointed excitedly. "Sean Prince, his dog was victim number four, remember?" Killian made an impatient move hurrying Robin along. "Turns out that his neighbor, Krystal Salas has a security camera attached to the front of her house."

"Krystal Salas," Killian mused aloud, "why does that name sound familiar?"

"Golden Lasso Saloon," Robin revealed. "Wears a lot of spandex, has high blonde hair and carries a golden rope that she uses to," he winked, "lasso men."

"Oh," Killian nodded, his lips curving into a flirty smile. "I've seen her around town.

"Don't tell me she was another one of yours," Robin snorted.

Killian laughed, "I don't kiss and tell, you know that."

Robin's response was only a lifted eyebrow before he continued with his story, "Rumor has it that Old Doc Gold gave her the money to open the place.

"Old Doc Gold?" Killian wrinkled his forehead in concentration, "Name isn't familiar.

"Wealthy family," Robin explained. "He's who gave Emma her clinic. You don't think," he started but quickly changed his mind, "no, never mind."

"Just spit it out, Robin," Killian snapped, his temper fraying more quickly than usual.

"The rumor has Ms Salas earning the funds for the Golden Lasso through creative means with her lasso, " Robin mused. "You don't think Emma..."

"Bloody hell! Don't go there, Robin!" Killian bellowed having no interest in contemplating the possibility that Emma would have used any means but her sharp mind to get something she desired. Besides, she came from money, didn't she?

"Sorry," Robin apologized. "But anyway, this could be our big break, right?"

Killian nodded his head, his thoughts on what story the camera might tell, "Did you get the tape?"

Robin shook his head, but held his hand up before Killian could explode, "She said she would email it to me sometime after noon today. So maybe..."

"After noon?" Killian questioned impatiently. "Why the bloody hell do we have to wait? Can't she just go to her computer and punch beep, bip, boop and hit send?"

Robin tilted his head in confusion, "Beep, bip, boop?"

"Or whiskey, scotch, rum," Killian argued. "We need those images."

"She'll come through," Robin tried to assure him.

"Bloody hell, I hope she can be trusted," Killian confided. "I hate that the dick who is doing this has gotten away with it for so long."

"And it's making you bloody frustrated," Robin quipped.

"Don't be cheeky," Killian scolded Robin, the buzzing of his phone keeping him from any further comments. "Hello,"

"Killian, it's Claudia Joyce. I finished my examination of the dog's remains. Do you want a report, or can I just tell you?"

"You found something?" Killian asked hurriedly.

Her answer had Killian's pulse speeding up with excitement. "I'll be right there."

~~~cs~~~

Ava had stayed four days and while their relationship wasn't perfect, it was better. They had spent most of their time holed up in Emma's apartment, cooking simple meals, ordering in and talking. It had been a cathartic four days for both and, surprising herself, she had even shown her mother the letter from her father. Her mother's response had given her more food for thought, rather than the answers she craved.

"Emma, while some of your Grandfather Leo's behaviors used to make me angry, I never doubted that he loved me. But love to him had a different definition than what I wanted or needed. Would I be a different person had he been different? Possibly. But my health scare showed me that I can't change what's already happened, nor can I go forward unless I dig down inside and let go of all the negativity. Does that make sense?"

"So basically what you're saying is I'm in charge of my destiny? Emma had responded, her thoughts on how when she looked in the mirror, the person looking back was stronger and happier than ever before.

"Yes," her mother's blue eyes held her attention. "Your father's letter has given you an opening; the question is whether you'll walk through."

Yet a week after her mother's departure, Emma still hadn't decided what to do about her father. Between the clinic, worrying about the dog killer and trying to make sense of the emotions inside of her, she had almost come to the decision that one wayward parent was all she could handle. The fact that her mother had shown up, forcing her to confront those ghosts was something she was thankful for, but the rest...

Her phone rang saving her from making heavy decisions about one facet of her life, but the pounding of her treacherous heart when she saw who it was, told her she wasn't completely free, "Hello," she answered breathlessly.

"Good afternoon, Doc," Killian's melodious voice sent a little thrill through her system. "Busy?"

"Not right now," she answered hesitantly. "What's going on? Has something happened I should know about?"

Emma hadn't seen much of him since he had picked up Trudi and Nina, especially with her mother in town, but a day hadn't gone by without a text or two. While his messages had served to keep her apprised of the investigation, she was pretty sure his goal was a little sneakier. "And darn, if it didn't work," she muttered thinking of how many times he had popped into her mind over the last week.

Killian's laugh was low and sexy, adding to the shivers working their way up and down her spine, "Why, Doctor Swan. Can't a man just call to say hello?"

"That's not something you would do," she divulged, probably telegraphing she paid more attention to his messages than she was willing to admit.

"I wouldn't call you to just say hello?" he questioned and somehow she knew both his eyebrows had arched in surprise.

Emma laughed lightly at his confusion, "No. You would send me a kitten picture or try to stump me with an animal fact first."

"Oh."

His succinct response was so unlike Killian, Emma felt the need to reassure him that she enjoyed his unique style of communication. "I like your pictures and you've not stumped me yet." she hastened to soothe his potentially bruised male ego.

"I'm glad, Doc, but..." he hesitated for several moments and in Emma's mind she could see him running his hand through his hair in frustration. "Seems I've been remiss with how friends treat friends."

"Killian," Emma reiterated, "it wasn't a critique."

"Maybe not, Doc," he sighed, "but I can be such a git sometimes. As your friend, I plan to do better. Would that be alright?"

Emma was sure there was something more he was trying to say, without just saying it, "I would like that," she finally answered, her heart giving a little flip when his quick intake of air reached through the phone.

"Yeah?"

His happiness radiated through the communication device, "Yeah," she answered, their exchange leaving her feeling slightly giddy.

"Good." He cleared his throat, "Doc, I need your help. Are you available?"

"You need me?" His voice didn't give her any hints as to what he had in mind, but thankfully, it didn't sound like it was anything too serious, "And are you going to tell me why I should meet you?"

Killian chuckled, "You sound suspicious, Doc. It's important, trust me."

"Another rescue mission, Killian?" She teased.

"You could say that," he acknowledged. "I'll text you directions of how to get here, alright?"

"Okay," she agreed. "What do I need to bring?"

"Your bag and a cage...or two." And then his voice dropped an octave, "I'll be waiting."

"Damn that man and his sexy voice," she mumbled sliding into her boots and grabbing a coat before heading back down to the clinic to gather supplies.

While she collected the cages, double-checked her bag and drove toward her destination, she gave herself permission to think about Killian. She had learned tiny kittens could turn his heart into a big marshmallow and he wasn't afraid to let her see that side of him. He was kind and caring and the gift he had given her on Valentine's Day was thoughtful. How was she to continue to ignore their connection when each new trait she uncovered made him more irresistible?

Even her mantra of no detours, Emma and remember the list, were no longer working as he kept finding a way to creep inside. Her mother had admitted that having it all hadn't been easy for women of her generation. Especially, those who wanted to be a part of the high-powered corporate world, but what about small-town veterinarians? Was it possible to have it all?

Her visceral reaction to the cocky Killian she first met and then spoke to briefly at Mary Margaret's party still surprised her. The response had been so strong and unexpected that it had sent panic through her causing her to pull her cloak back around. Was her strong response to him because some part of her knew he was going to be a danger to her plans? Ava's advice was,

"If you find that you have a good thing, hold on to it tightly with both hands, because you never know."

Was she strong enough to listen to those words and open her heart and mind enough to find out what was between them? The question floated around inside her head as she pulled onto the side of the road and her eyes met Killian's.

The way her body responded to the sight of him leaning nonchalantly against his car seemed to telegraph its desires. Her heart skipped a beat, dropped to the bottom of her stomach then galloped back up to lodge in her throat. No contest, the question had been answered, but what now?

When he started toward her, his swagger on full display, the thought of greeting him with 'you're the one that I want' had her lips turning up. He gave her a quizzical look, opening her door before the engine had been allowed to die, "Everything okay, Doc?"

"Everything's fine." She took her time removing the keys from the ignition and unfastening her seatbelt, wanting a moment to compose her racing heart.

"Need some help?" Killian held his hand out for her to hold as she stepped down from the clinic van. "This is much larger than that other vehicle you use to zip from one end of town to the other."

"Hey," Emma teased, placing her hand in his and immediately feeling the current between them wind its way up her arm. "Don't make fun of Elli. She's been a good friend for a lot of years."

"Elli?" His eyes twinkled, "short for Coccinellidae?"

The muscles on Emma's face stretched into a big smile, "Very good, Deputy Jones. One of the first texts you sent me." She reminded him.

"Guess I should have expected your car would be named after a ladybug," Killian grinned

"Perhaps," she acquiesced. "Ready to tell me what we're rescuing?"

"A family," Killian replied softly, taking her hand and leading her away from their cars.

~~~cs~~~

"A family?" Emma exclaimed, giving his hand a little tug, "Come on, Jones. You can do better than that."

When she had pulled on his hand without relinquishing it, Killian allowed himself to breathe again. He couldn't get over just how right it felt holding it as they walked side by side. Something had changed since the last time they were together and while he wanted to ask what, he didn't care. "A family of canis lupus familiaris," he finally capitulated.

"Hmm," Emma grinned up at him, "so it's a family of dogs?"

"Right."

"But they aren't in danger," she stated matter of factly.

"Detecting, Doctor Swan?" he chuckled. "You don't trust me?"

"Oh, I trust you," she assured him. "I'm just nosey." He laughed at her confession, completely charmed with her flirting. "So," she encouraged when he didn't immediately begin talking.

"Remember the night I picked up Trudi and Nina?" he began. When she nodded, he continued, "I was on my way home and had to slam on the brakes when a white dog ran in front of the car."

He left out the part about the kittens running around in the car and that was why he couldn't go searching for the dog. Some things, after all, were better left...

"Could you tell if the dog was running from anything?" she asked quietly interrupting his reflection of what he should and shouldn't tell her.

"It all happened so fast," he answered, his thoughts going back to the dark night. "As soon as the dog disappeared, I was blinded by the headlights of an oncoming car."

Her quick inhalation told him that her thoughts had gone in the same direction as his, "You don't think..." she couldn't even finish her sentence.

Killian gently squeezed her fingers, acknowledging the unspoken conclusions, before moving on to something positive. "After that night several of us began actively looking for her and..."

"You got lucky?" Emma guessed.

"Aye," he agreed. She didn't need to know that one of the other guys had found the dog and it had taken trading shifts to get where he was today. As far as he was concerned, he was the lucky one, "I'm glad you were available, Doc. I tried to get closer and the little dam wasn't happy with me."

Emma laughed, "I bet. Mother dogs are quite protective."

They walked in silence for several minutes before Killian spotted the broken branches, "There," he whispered and pointed toward a clump of bushes. "They're in there."

He watched Emma slowly walk toward the nesting area the mother dog had created for her little family. When she was about two feet away, he saw a black nose appear followed by the same low growling he had been privy to earlier.

Killian took a quick breath, ready to say something but a frown from his dog whisperer had him biting his tongue as she took another step. This time the sound from the bushes was lower, more menacing causing him to rethink bringing Emma into this. When the white flash had crossed paths with his car, he had wondered if it was a dog or a wolf? What if he was wrong in thinking it was a dog? Wolves lived in Maine, didn't they?

The growling grew louder, so sinister, fear rippled along his skin. The image of an animal flying from the bushes, aiming straight for Emma's throat coalesced in his mind, becoming so realistic he blurted, "Emma, be careful."

His voice, albeit soft, shattered the silence around them causing the animal to disappear back under the brush. "Killian," Emma took several steps away from the family, "you have to let me do this."

"But," his eyes implored her to understand that his natural inclination was to want to protect her.

She stepped into his space, close where he could smell her unique fragrance. Near enough he could reach out and touch her. Her eyes begged him for his complete trust, "I'm okay." She ran one hand down the lapel of his leather jacket, her touch settling his fears and raising awareness of another kind.

Killian's heart was racing and before he could second guess his actions, he had taken her hands and pulled her flush against his body. "Emma, what if it's a wolf?" he murmured letting go of her hands to rest his on her hips.

The corners of her eyes crinkled, "Is that what you're worried about?"

"Well," he peered around her toward the plants that were no longer making noise but were still rustling. "I didn't really get a good look when it ran in front of my car the other night."

"Oh, Killian," Emma grinned up at him. "It's not a wolf.

He looked down into her green eyes, realizing he was exactly where he had dreamed of being for months. "Emma," he took a step closer, forcing her to lift her chin another notch to maintain eye contact. "How can you be so sure?"

Her eyes flared, her voice softened, "I just know."

"And just how exactly," he hesitated a heartbeat or two, "do you know?" With every word, Killian had leaned a little closer until his lips hovered over hers. Their breaths mingled and while he'd been this close before, he'd never had the pleasure of a taste.

He wanted to kiss her and had wanted to for weeks, but the first time their lips had been inches apart, Leroy had burst in effectively breaking the spell. That hadn't been the only time they had been that close though as the opportunity had arisen once again. However, when they'd shared a moment and he read the same desire in her eyes as in his...he'd been weak. He'd moved closer to her lips, anticipating the first touch until...Buster had barked.

Bloody hell, Jones, he silently shouted. You're not why she's here.

Killian pressed his molars together, feeling the little tic in his jaw starting to jump, and took a step back. "I'm sorry, Doc. This wasn't why I brought you out here."

The look of frustration on Emma's face, he was sure mirrored the one on his own. With them, it was all about timing. Soon, he promised himself, very soon.

"You didn't answer my question, Doctor Swan." He cleared his throat, "How do you know it's not a wolf? Don't tell me you can discern the growl of a canis lupus familiaris from a canus lupus?"

Emma laughed, stepping back even farther, "No, nothing like that," she admitted.

"Then what?" He took a step toward where the animal was hidden, its growl beginning again. "That's not the sound of a friendly sort," he groused.

She placed her hand on his arm, whether it was meant to stop him from moving closer to the animal or to calm him, he wasn't sure, "I saw her face, okay?" She took her keys from her pocket and handed them to him, "She's a scared dog, terrier mix, maybe 25 pounds or so. Can you go back to the van and bring the large cage, the blue blanket and a leash."

Killian studied her face several seconds, seeing no fear, "Be careful, Doc." Giving her a small nod, he left to do her bidding.

~~~cs~~~

Once he left, Emma wanted to think about everything that had just transpired between them but shoved it in a box for later. Instead, she used her time to learn as much as she could about the family so that by the time Killian returned the mother was accepting of her help.

"Ready," she murmured to the mother dog, gently clipping the leash around her neck.

Under the mother dog's watchful eye, Emma lifted a puppy out of its nest and placed it on the blanket in front of her. One after another, she reached into the brush until there were six puppies laying on the ground. "I think that's it." She picked up one of the tiny dogs, "Here, hold him and let's see if we can get mom to follow."

Killian took the puppy from her, holding it as carefully as he would hold a piece of crystal, "It's so small," he whispered.

"They're not very old," Emma observed, positioning his hands so the momma dog could see her puppy. "Come on, Momma," she crooned tugging gently on the leash. It took several minutes, but once the larger dog started moving, she didn't stop until she had determined all her puppies were safe.

Emma used her phone light to double check the brush, making sure they were leaving nothing behind. Her next move was to transfer the family into the cage and then with Killian's help they carried the dog family back to her van and settled the cage in the back. "They should be fine now," she assured her quiet helper.

"You sure?" He studied them carefully before shutting the van door. "Maybe I should follow you back to the clinic and help you get them settled."

"I'd like that," she replied somewhat breathlessly. "Ready?"

Once they arrived back at her clinic, Emma showed Killian how to weigh the puppies while she bathed the mother. The older dog stood calmly while she was scrubbed, rinsed and dried allowing Emma a few minutes to study Killian. Since the rescue he had been unusually quiet, brooding about something. What exactly, she wasn't sure.

"All done, Doc." Killian imparted softly, "Where should I put them?"

"Go ahead and put them in that bottom cage," she nodded her head toward the one she meant, "and come hold the mom for me. I want to scan her for a chip."

Emma couldn't keep her eyes off Killian as he transferred the six puppies to a more comfortable home. He was just as careful and meticulous with them as he had been with each kitten. Soft words, a gentle rub against his jaw, a little cuddle and then they were carefully placed in the cage. No wonder she had such trouble staying aloof. He drew her.

Once the puppies had been taken care of, Emma left Killian with the mother and went to get her microchip scanner. She wasn't expecting anything but there was something about the way the dog behaved with her that made her wonder...

"There now," Emma heard Killian murmur to the dog. "Don't you feel a lot better?" Surprisingly, the mother nudged his face, almost as if she was agreeing with him. "Your puppies are doing well," he went on. "You have three lads and three lasses; did you know that?"

The sight of the man talking softly to the dog he had been so worried about had her heart flipping and her knees feeling weak, "I hate to interrupt, but let's see..." The scanner was aimed over the dog and slowly moved around, until, "Well, look at that." Emma grinned up at her rescue partner.

"What is it?" Killian peered over her shoulder at the display. "Her name is Summer?"

"Yes," Emma wondered, "I wonder where her family is."

"And," Killian added, "why was she running free?"

"Where's your home, Summer?" Emma asked the dog, picking her up and placing her in the cage with her litter.

The dog whined, a mournful sound making the hairs on Emma's arms stand up, "What do you think she's trying to tell us?" Her eyes met Killian's and the unsettled look in his had her moving closer to him.

He wrapped his arm around her, drawing her tighter against his side, "I don't know, Doc," he whispered. "I promise you though, I'm going to find out."

"I know you will." Emma moved away slightly to shut the cage door. "But at least you saved Summer."

"Emma, I," he started...

She placed a finger over his lips, halting his speech, "I don't care what the reason was that kept you from going after her the night she ran in front of your car." The way his eyes skittered away from hers confirmed her suspicions that there was more to that story.

"But, I," he tried again.

"What matters is that," she pointed to the puppies, "and the fact that they are safe from the sick person out there." Since they had arrived with Summer and her family, Killian had been beating himself up about something, but Emma needed them to celebrate this victory.

"I know, but I," he ran his hand through his hair, an obvious sign of his frustration. "I'm not quite the hero you're making me out to be."

"Maybe not," her eyes twinkled up at him, as chances were that would be the same thing any of those bad boys Elsa was so fond of watching would say. "But I do think it earns you a mark in the hero column."

He smiled at her, one of those smiles that had a way of causing her heart to somersault and her knees to have to lock to keep holding her, "It's all about timing," he murmured so softly, she got the feeling the conversation was no longer about the dogs.

"Agreed," she swallowed, her throat suddenly parched. "How's yours?" she asked just as softly.

~~~cs~~~

Even though Emma was no longer flush against his side, Killian could swear ever nerve ending she had touched was still alive. How's his timing? Since when had he cared about bloody timing? In the past if he wanted, he took...until Violet. And then outwardly, he had behaved the same Until Emma.

"My timing?" He glanced at Summer, who was calmly tending to her puppies. "It's an area I've been working," his voice lowered, "to develop some patience."

She grinned, her face registering understanding, "That's ah..." her voice trailed off as once again their eyes locked.

Killian fought the urge to step forward because somehow, he knew, this was not the time for their first kiss. When one of the puppies squeaked as it pushed its way closer to its mother's warmth, he gave Emma a lopsided grin as if to say, see, I knew it.

"Killian," Emma frowned up at him, "tell me about Buster and the morgue."

Wait! his thoughts bounced back from some invisible wall that she had just thrown up. "What did you say?" He blurted out, immediately regretting the harsh words. "Forgive me, Doc. That was rude. What I should have said was what brought on that question?" he tried again more softly.

"See that puppy," she pointed to one of the puppies laying near Summer's head. "It's coloring reminded me of Buster."

He looked at the puppy, before quickly moving his eyes back to her, "What do you want to know?"

Emma studied him for several seconds, "Why take him to the morgue?" she finally asked, her hands never idle as she began cleaning.

Killian knew she deserved answers, but how much to share was the question, "Evidence," he finally settled on. "We saw something stuck to Buster's fur and so..."

Her quick intake of air had him halting midsentence, "Really?"

"Aye," he barked, "our killer got out of the car and stood over that dog! Bloody hell," he cried, "I want to know why!"

Once he wound down, he felt embarrassed...frustrated that he had let his emotions get the better of him. Stupid move, Jones, he scolded. "I'm sorry, Emma. I should go." He grabbed his leather jacket off the chair, slipping it on before working up the nerve to look at her.

"Feel better," she asked quietly.

"Maybe," he acknowledged.

Emma checked on the dog family one more time before leading him out of the room, "Hungry?" she asked stopping his movement toward the door.

"Why?" he frowned, "are you wondering if that would tame the beast?"

She rolled her eyes, "No, I just wondered..." her eyes dropped from his, suddenly finding a spot on the floor to study.

After several seconds when she hadn't completed her thought, Killian placed a finger under her chin, tilting it up, "What did you wonder, Emma?"

"Well," she began, "I was going to make something easy to eat and watch the movie Grease. You see, a friend gave it to me the other day. Interested?"

"One friend spending time with another," he mused.

"Yeah," she smiled, "if you don't have any plans, that is?"

"I think Trudi and Nina will be alright for a few more hours, so…I'd like that." He knew he sounded like a breathless git but he didn't care.

"Good," she beckoned, starting up the stairs toward her apartment. "Follow me."

Killian watched her hips sway in front of him as he climbed behind her, "Anywhere, Doc. Anywhere." he murmured.

~fin

Do I hear a few screams? I'll see you next Wednesday for Chapter 13.