Credit to Cam for giving me some ideas for this chapter, namely the contents of the Swan-Jones refrigerator.

Enjoy everyone, I've recently found my inspiration and motivation to write again, so I'm hoping chapters will be much more frequent again..

Thanks again for sticking with this story, it means a lot.

CHAPTER 12 - Being With You

After a few days of loved up cosiness in the evenings when Emma returned home from training, they couldn't put it off any longer. They had to go grocery shopping. Killian had been noticeably avoiding going, so Emma had attempted every trick in the book to get him to leave the apartment again, namely outright refusing to go to the store without him. But when the only items remaining in the refrigerator were a single egg and an old lettuce, Killian was forced to concede to Emma's repetitive badgering.

"It'll be fine, Killian." Emma soothed, rubbing his shoulder as they sat in the parking lot of the grocery store. He was stoic, staring at his prosthetic, breathing heavily. "I'll be with you the whole time. Besides, I'm a trainee cop, I'll beat up anyway who so much as looks at you funny."

Killian chuckled at her comment, shaking his head lightly.

"What?" Emma smiled gently.

"You sound like your father."

She grinned widely, leaning over and kissing his cheek softly.

"So, you ready to go?"

"Aye."

"Swan, you really want to dress up?" Killian asked incredulously, staring at her in the middle of the breakfast aisle.

"Killian, its Halloween, we have to." She giggled."Besides, Ashley said dress up, so we're going to."

Killian sighed over-dramatically, rolling his eyes and tutting. Emma smiled broadly up at him.

"Well, what costumes do you suggest, Swan?" He asked. Emma's eyes glinted with mischief as she grinned.

"I have an idea. But you can't know until Halloween." Killian raised an eyebrow at her but agreed.

"Alright then, Swan. If the lady insists." He bowed his head gently, Emma laughed. They smiled warmly at each other until Killian turned away to grab a box of pop tarts from the shelf.

"Honestly, Swan, I don't know why you eat this rubbish." He sighed as he placed the box into the cart. It was then that Emma noticed Killian's left hand sitting in the pocket of his leather jacket. He's hiding his prosthetic. She narrowed her eyes, forming an idea. She pushed the shopping cart a little further, before pretending to trip. Killian, rushing forwards, spread his arms out in order to steady her.

"Swan! Are you alright?" He fretted, holding her tightly.

"I'm fine, Killian." She laughed. "I just tripped." She smiled up at him before grabbing his fake left hand before he could stow it away again into his pocket. He looked at the silicone held by her flesh in momentary fear.

"Swan, what are you-?" He started to ask in trepidation.

"You have nothing to hide, okay?" She cut him off, her voice sweet and gentle. Killian swallowed before nodding his head. Emma leaned up to place a feather light kiss on his jaw.

Flushed but no longer afraid, Killian continued to lead them around the grocery store, his prosthetic in plain view of all. He even used it to load items onto the belt for the cashier to scan. Emma was unbelievably proud of him and made sure to let him know when they were back in the car, causing the very tips of his slightly elfish ears to turn a bright red, along with the rest of his face.

The night of the Halloween party soon arrived. Killian had been badgering Emma repeatedly over the past few days to tell him who they were dressing up as, but Emma had stubbornly refused. But the time had arrived.

Emma stood in her bedroom, a plastic bag hanging on her wrist. She sighed and raised an eyebrow at the excitable man before her.

"I thought you didn't want to go to this party." She said sternly, her voice reminiscent of a teachers. Killian snorted.

"Aye, but that was before you helped me with this." He held up his left arm, gesticulating around it with his only hand. "Come on, Swan. It's high time you told me, and we're going to be late if you stall much longer." Emma remained stern for a moment before breaking. She rolled her eyes and held the bag out to him.

"You'll have to find out yourself." She laughed as he snatched the bag away and ran to his own room. He's gonna love it. Emma thought as she pulled her own costume from her closet.

Emma had just finished adjusting her bright red dress when a shout emanated from across the apartment.

"SWAN. I BLOODY LOVE YOU." Emma laughed as her door burst open and there stood her boyfriend, dressed head to toe in black. He was decked out in full pirate garb, mask and cutlass including. He'd even applied eyeliner.

"I can't believe it, love. I'm Westley! The Dread Pirate Roberts! The Man in Black! I'm so unbelievably in awe of this costume I-" His babbling stopped abruptly as he finally looked at Emma. "Swan, you look..." Emma raised an eyebrow.

"That's Princess Buttercup to you, Farm Boy." Killian grinned and swept her off her feet in a tight hug.

"Where on Earth did you find these costumes?" He asked once he had set her back on the ground. Emma was a giggling mess.

"Where do you think, silly? The internet, duh!" She replied, smacking his arm lightly.

"Well, I think I look rather dashing as a piercing-eyed smouldering pirate." He teased. "Scoundrel?" He asked again at Emma's rolling eyes, his eyebrow raised so high it almost flew through the roof. Emma laughed, shaking her head.

"Come on, Farm Boy. Let's head to that party."

"As you wish."

They were only a little late to the party even with Emma's stubbornness. As soon they stepped through the front door, they were greeted by Ashley, who had apparently dressed up as the slutty version of Cinderella. Killian smirked whilst Emma felt overdressed in her floor-length red gown.

"You guys look amazing!" Ashley cried. "I love the Princess Bride, you guys are so Buttercup and Wesley in real life." Both Emma and Killian held back a wince at the incorrect name of the character, refraining from correcting her and instead thanking the obviously tipsy woman before them. They chatted for a bit before Ruby sauntered up to them and dragged Emma away after winking flirtatiously at Killian.

He stared after them, getting a glimpse of Emma looking at him apologetically whilst getting an eyeful of Ruby's legs in her tiny Halloween version of Red Riding Hood.

"So, Killian." He turned back to Ashley who seemingly wanted to continue the conversation. "How are things going with Emma?" She smiled.

"Well, I think. It's an adjustment for sure, considering we've been friends for so long. But we're taking it slowly. Very slowly, in fact." He muttered, scratching behind his ear. Ashley, in her drunken state, simply smiled apologetically and patted him on the back.

"I have a good feeling about you and Emma, believe me." She smiled widely at him for a moment before a haze of green tinted her skin. "Excuse me..." Killian stepped aside as the blonde rushed past him upstairs to the bathroom. Killian took in her words for a second. If other people believed in the two of them sharing a happy ending, then maybe it could happen. Killian smiled to himself for a moment before setting off to find his Swan.

"Ruby, what the hell are you doing?" Emma scorned as her friend dragged her through the crowds of people, her grip tight on Emma's wrist. Ruby shushed her before stopping in a quieter area.

"I need to ask you something." She said, her face completely serious. She almost looked worried and scared for Emma.

"Ruby, what is it?" Emma said softly, reaching out to touch her friend's arm.

"I just really need to know..." Ruby began, looking to the floor. "If.. you've..." Her entire persona suddenly switched, her smirk returning. "Jumped that tall drink of water's bones yet."

Emma stared at the brunette, her mouth agape. Ruby burst out laughing as a red flush crept up Emma's face.

"Oh, Em. I scared you, didn't I?" Emma's light touch on her arm suddenly became a much tougher grip.

"Hell yes, you did. Oh my god, I was so scared for you." Emma gasped, her other hand clutching her chest as Ruby giggled.

"I'm sorry, Em. But seriously, have you and Jones gotten down and dirty yet?" Emma's face flushed even brighter as she stared at the floor awkwardly.

"No..." She whispered. Ruby looked shocked.

"Emma, you need to get your act together! You've never held back before! I hope you've at least had some amount of fun with the one-handed wonder over there." Emma's staring contest with the floor intensified as she shook her head lightly.

"Seriously? Girl, you need to get yourself some of that British pleasure machine." Emma almost wanted to laugh at Ruby's nicknames for Killian, but the embarrassment overpowered the humorous nature of the situation.

"I guess... I guess I just feel like it would be awkward, since we've been friends since we were eleven." Emma's hands twisted her dress uncomfortably, fighting her still remaining walls that had been crumbling.

"Em, come on. He's been head over heels for you for years, it not be awkward, it'll be totally FREAKING mind blowing. You've gotta get some action."

It was at that moment that Emma caught Killian's eye as he headed towards them. Ruby whistled as she took in his black pirate garb.

"You'd better hit that fast, sweetie, or I'm gonna have to steal your man." Emma glared at the teasing brunette but turned to kiss Killian softly as he managed to manoeuvre his way through the crowd to them.

"Hey." She said softly.

"Come on, lovebirds." Ruby chuckled, rolling her heavily lined eyes. "Let's go and try to find our lovely Beauty."

"I take it back." Ruby said as the three of them walked shellshocked to an empty couch. "Belle is no longer viewed as lovely."

"I can't believe we just saw that." Emma grimaced. Killian had been rendered speechless, his expression a mixture of disgust and violation. "I guess we found Belle..." Emma shuddered.

"Aye, Swan, with Gold's tongue down her throat." Killian responded, his eyes screwed shut as if trying to burn the memory from his brain. Emma and Killian sank down onto the couch, falling deep into the cushions as they shrivied up in disgust.

"I need a drink, or a few." Ruby said, pulling herself together first. "Do you guys want anything?" She asked, fixing her dress that had ridden up higher than it's usual position at the top of her thigh.

"No thanks, Rubs. I've gotta drive home and Jones is still on medication." Emma responded, her hand coming to rest atop Killian's thigh. Ruby nodded, gave Killian an overly exaggerated flirtatious wink that made Emma roll her eyes, and departed. The two let out a large breath of air before composing themselves.

"Glad you're here yet?" Emma had turned to face Killian, her arm coming to rest on his shoulder. Killian looked at her, sarcasm dripping off of his features. When he spoke, his voice was laced with gallons of the stuff.

"Aye, Swan. I'm having an absolutely incredible evening. I definitely wanted to see a friend of mine snogging my old teacher, who I hate may I add." Emma looked shocked and upset for a moment before he leaned in a pecked her lips briefly. "I'm only jesting, Swan. I'm having a wonderful time."

Emma's green eyes sparkled as she smiled. But the viridescent shine of her irises disappeared as her lids slid shut. She leant forwards, her hand slipping over his shoulder to hold the back of his head as she pressed her soft lips to his. Immediately, the thriving party around them dissolved as they lost themselves in each other.

All Emma knew was the feeling of Killian's lips on hers, the slightly salty taste of the sea that clung to him. He pulled her close, his arm wrapping around her waist. Her eyelids fluttered as she heard his breathing accelerate. The tip of his tongue caressed the seam of her lips, and she tilted her head, breaking the barrier and allowing him entrance.

He swept in, their kiss dancing as they caressed each other gently. Emma felt heat rise through her, desire pooling in the pit of her stomach. She tried to reach closer to Killian, her hands rising up to clutch at the soft black material of his costume's shirt. Suddenly, humour rose through her as she broke away, giggling.

"Swan, it wounds a man's pride when you laugh after he kisses you." Killian muttered, his arm still tightly wrapped around her waist.

"I'm sorry, I just remembered that we're dressed like Buttercup and Westley, and we are totally playing the characters right now." Emma replied breathily, her heart beating rapidly after the kiss. She rested her forehead against his. She actually felt his brow rise.

"Well, you know how the story ends, Swan." She pulled back, looking at him curiously. "Come on, Swan. 'Since the invention of the kiss, there have only been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.' Don't you think that we should make that six, love?"

Emma's smile could not have been wider. She looked at him with so much affection in her eyes that he felt like she could drill a hole into his head. She giggled again, her voice turning to a whisper.

"Well, I guess we may have to try." They leaned in again, but just before their lips met, a loud gasp caused them to spring apart.

"Emma?"

It was August.

"August! Hi! I didn't know you were coming." Emma leapt up to hug her friend, who returned her embrace hesitantly, as he gave Killian a stony glare. Killian's eyebrow raised as he crossed his arms.

"Jones."

"Booth."

Emma held back a laugh as the two men stared pugnaciously at each other. She managed to steady her face when August turned back to her.

"So, you two seem... close." He said, his blue eyes filled with hostility.

"Oh, yeah. Killian is my... um.. my man... friend." Emma stuttered, still unsure of their label.

"You can say boyfriend, Swan." Killian said, his arm returning to its position around her waist as he rose to stand beside her. August appeared stunned as Emma looked up at Killian, a warm smile gracing her features.

"Well, um, I'm happy for you both." August muttered. Emma thanked him before he made an excuse and walked away. Emma let out the breath she hadn't realised she had been holding. Killian chuckled at August's retreating back as Emma pressed her forehead to his shoulder.

He held her for a minute as she laughed breathily against him, before he noticed the upbeat music change to a much slower, more romantic song. He grinned, pulling away from her and bowing.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" Emma laughed at him, shaking her head.

"Killian, I have no idea how to slow dance."

"Well, love. There's only rule to a slow dance." Emma raised an eyebrow at this. "Pick a partner who knows what he's doing."

He held out his left, fake hand. She smiled flirtatiously, reaching out and placing hers against the silicone. He kissed her softly once, before leading her out onto the dance floor.

Thanks for reading guys! Let me know what you thought of this chapter, reviews keep me hooked on writing this (;D)