" Shit! "

Killian ' s eyes sprung open, instantly squinting at the unexpected noise from the living room.

" Goddammit! "

Yawning and rubbing his eyes with the backs of his hands, he swung his legs onto the bedroom floor and made to stand. Tiredness made every movement heavy and sluggish, his mind still in the midst of sleep and dreams. Waking up was a reluctant process, especially recently. Asleep, everything was so much damn simpler.

Two days had passed since Emma had returned from her assignment. Two days of tactfully avoiding any further discussion of what had passed between them that evening. Two nights of sharing a bed. Over 48 hours of wanting … what, he wasn ' t sure exactly.

To talk, yes. Certainly to go over those words they had exchanged in the darkness of the bedroom when lust had faded and naked intimacy was all that remained. An intimacy that had faded almost as quickly as it emerged.

Oh, and to touch her again. To place his hands on her bare skin, to pull her close and breathe her in … He had not quite appreciated just how addictive Emma Swan could be, though now he knew he craved more of her.

But Killian Jones was not a risk taker. Certainly not one to gamble with chance, especially when he knew the odds were stacked against him. He knew Emma well enough to understand her behavior. The way she seemed to tense a little more when he was near her. The overly breezy conversation that had passed between them over the last couple of days. Not to mention, the fact that she seemed determined to spend as little time in his presence as possible. To press matters further could only lead to problems, and given their current arrangement, that was something neither could afford.

And it wasn ' t really like anything could come of their brief liaison. As much as she soothed the ache in his heart that he had begun to forget he carried with him… she just wasn't ready.

Emma seemed determined as possible to avoid any further chance of those past moments being recounted. Therefore, it was no surprise to him that once again she seemed to be in the process of leaving the apartment before he had even woken.

Drowsily, he pulled open the door to the living room and was confronted with the sight of Emma tearing apart the sofa, tossing cushions and pillows around while cursing under her breath.

" Problem, love? " he gently teased, resisting the urge to laugh at her scowling face when she turned to face him and trying to ignore the way her lips parted in surprise, no doubt at his appearance, remembering just then he was briefly dressed in just his underwear.

He watched her let out a deep breath. " I lost my key. "

(And if her eyes flickered over his form, who was he to deny himself a small measure of satisfaction?)

" And that warranted tearing apart the apartment? " He grinned, enjoying catching her off guard. Enjoying seeing her more natural that he had in days.

She smiled thinly. " The door was locked and I didn ' t want to disturb you to ask for yours …"

" Ah, " he nodded, " Well, since I ' m already awake, I can open it for you . Early meeting? "

" Something like that …" she muttered, while staring at the floor, toying her tongue between her teeth, her hands stuffed in her jean ' s pockets.

Feeling somewhat bold, perhaps from the sleepiness he was still feeling, he took a step closer to her. " If I didn ' t know better, love, I ' d say you were avoiding me. " There was a teasing lilt to his voice, he knew himself he was testing the waters, seeing if perhaps today she would want to talk further about what had happened-

" Please, " she replied with roll of her eyes, simultaneously folding her arms, " I don ' t avoid people. Why would I avoid you, huh? "

A breathless moment passed, where he was almost tempted to say the words that had hung silently between them for more than 48 hours.

" Besides, you know, I have a job. An important one- " She looked him straight in the eye and he saw it for a second, that familiar fear that they both wore so well, " And I ' m late. "

" You go then, I ' ll look for your key. "

"Are y ou sure? " she asked. And for a fraction of a second there was some uncertainty in his mind as to what she was referring. The way her voice shook slightly, that tiny lift at the end-

" Aye love, come on, " he promised, swallowing back the urge to say more.

/

As the door slammed closed with a satisfying thud, Emma quickly picked her way down the aged wooden staircase that led to the lobby of the building. Her low heeled boots made a click-clack sound against the wood-stained steps, one that struggled to keep up with her heartbeat as it ricocheted about in her chest like an out of control rubber ball-

Finally, at the second floor landing, she paused.

" Fuck, " she panted, catching her breath. He ' d really caught her off guard there. She ' d managed to shower, dress and sink back a cup of coffee, all the time sure he was sound asleep. When he had appeared in the doorway, her heart had leapt into her mouth, so unexpected was the sight of him barely dressed and adorably (yes, she was going to use that word) half asleep. It had taken quite the self-control to stop herself ogling him. It was ridiculous.

Emma had been so proud of her efforts to both avoid him and act like nothing had happened between them. Well, apart from the bed sharing decision. She ' d chosen to remember that portion of the evening. But right now she was remembering why she had been so cautious. Her stomach was in knots, her brain barely any better - the yearning need inside her to just be near him, seemingly insistent in maintaining its presence.

She ' d told herself that their dalliance had been a mere blip. Just something she could get over by giving herself time and space. Avoiding the temptation of a repeat performance was all she had to do.

And now? Now she felt like it was hopeless. Just being in the same room as him made her heart beat a little faster. Memories of the way he touched and kissed taunted her. Sleeping in the same bed as him was a sweet kind of torture; his warm and closeness so tormenting as she clung to her side of the bed. Though she had made sure to turn in long after him and wake at least an hour earlier than needed.

It was clearly insane. But it had been two nights now and she didn ' t want to stop sleeping beside him.

And it was increasingly harder for her to think why should she?

Her mind was a confusing tangle of words and thoughts and emotions as she made her way to the subway. It was barely eight am, but stopping for breakfast and getting off one stop farther from the office would only make her slightly early for work. Still, all this avoiding Killian was becoming awfully tiring.

Maybe things would settle down soon, and then she could really forget what had happened and they could just continue on until the time came when they no longer had to be in each other's lives, or at least not living together.

Maybe, she sighed to herself as she started down the subway steps.

/

He had found the mislaid key wedged between the back of the sofa and the foam portion that formed the arm piece. Looking for it had made him late, but he had a seminar that morning and he knew his juniors could cope in his absence for a few minutes.

It was clear straight away why she had lost the damn thing. The plain silver key he had given her when she had moved in was forlorn and lacking either a key chain or any other means of identification. He rolled his eyes as he stuffed it into his pocket.

Grabbing his jacket, he paused a second and let himself look at the apartment. Somehow over the past few weeks it had become truly theirs not just his - aside from the pieces she had picked from her sublet, her brown boots sat near the door, the worn copy of Gone with the Wind was on the small table near the couch, one of her leather jackets was strewn over the armchair near the tv.

Smiling as he left, Killian realized he actually quite liked it this way.

/

They ' d exchanged a grand total of five text messages that day.

I found your key, down the back of the sofa. K

I thought it was there! Can I come get it from you? I might have to work late.

Sure, but I ' ll bring it to you, my 3 pm lecture ' s cancelled. K

Great, I ' ll be at Jeremy ' s Coffee Bean on Lexington, four?

I ' ll be there. K

She was easy to spot, camped out in a corner of the cozy coffee shop, laptop open, coat slung over the back of her chair. Killian was just about to advance towards her when he saw another man take a seat on the chair opposite. A tall man with dark blonde hair and a takeout coffee cup in his hand.

Scrunching up his forehead, Killian watched as the two chatted for a moment, the easy smiles on their faces clear evidence that this was not the first time they had met. A strange feeling occupied his gut as he hesitated for a few moments. He wanted to know who this man was. He was curious, that ' s all.

But if that was it, why did his fingers tingle like they did when he was nervous? Why was he struggling to hold back a frown from creasing his forehead?

" Can I help you? "

Startled, Killian turned to see a waitress holding a serving tray looking at him quizzically. He smiled quickly, shaking his head and insisting he was fine.

Because he was fine.

With long, confident strides he walked across the shop floor until he was within a few feet of the table. Fixing his face with a carefree, confident expression he placed a hand on her shoulder.

" Hello Emma, " he breezed, immediately eyeing up the other man.

" Killian! " she cried, as he kept his gaze fixed on the other armchair, its occupant moving to stand. " Is it four already? " she asked. He looked down and saw her cheeks flushed and eyes wide.

" Almost, " he nodded, sending another purposeful glance at the other man.

Emma seemed flustered, clutching at her own coffee cup as she looked between the two men. " Oh, um, Killian this is Graham, Graham this is … Killian. "

He caught straight away that she did not give either man a relationship - ' my friend ' , or ' who I work with ' or husband for that matter. Swallowing back that piece of information he reached his hand across the table and gave Graham ' s a firm shake. " Nice to meet you. "

" And you too, " Graham replied with a curious squint, " I have to be going though. Later Emma? "

" Sure, " she nodded, nervously tucking hair behind her ears as he went to leave.

There was an awkward few seconds as Graham made his way past Killian towards the door, flashing him a terse smile. With stiff shoulders, Killian waited until he was almost there before moving to sit in the vacant seat.

" So …" he began with a quick raise of his brows. " You ' ve never mentioned this Graham before- "

(And as soon as those words passed his lips be wanted to kick himself, realizing how juvenile they sounded).

She shrugged, " He ' s a contact for work. Actually, he ' s a police officer, gives me inside information from time to time. "

Killian raised his brows again, this time holding them there for a second, as if expecting more details. " You seemed quite … familiar? "

Emma shrugged. " Not really. I mean, he asked me on a date once, but that ' s it. Purely business. "

Killian felt an unfamiliar prickle on against the back of his neck. He managed to play it off into merely the barest flinch, but he was sure she registered it by the way her eyes flickered questioningly. Nodding, he let his eyes slip closed, trying not to imagine the fair haired man ' s arms around her, or his lips pressed against hers-

" So, keys …" he mumbled, searching through his pockets.

Emma busied herself with her laptop for a second as he patted his jacket down before remembering they were in his back jeans pocket. He shuffled forward on the chair, reaching in his hand and pulling out the silver key. " There you go. "

" Thanks- " she began, reaching out her hand, smiling as she saw what was attached to the keys. " A keychain? "

" I thought it might lessen the chances of you misplacing it again. "

She smiled briefly, taking the key and looking at the keychain, her small smile suddenly breaking into a full-blown grin at the copper colored adornment. " A lobster? " she laughed.

Shyly, Killian shrugged. " I thought it apt. "

Emma continued to grin as she looked at the small, metal lobster that hung from the key.

It had made her smile and that was what he had hoped. It had been chosen partly on a whim from one of newsstands that lined the streets near the university. Buying a copy of the Post, it had caught his eye and brought him back to that night in Cape Cod, that first time he ' d really seen her carefree and perhaps even relaxed in his company. It was a happy memory for him and he hoped for her too.

" I guess I ' ll have to call him Larry, " she added as she rubbed her thumb over the lobster ' s spiky legs.

" It ' s only appropriate, " Killian added.

" So, um, can you stay for a coffee? " she asked, with a hint of hesitation in her voice.

He smiled briefly, " Wish I could, but I ' m meeting Will to watch a match and I ' m already late. "

" A- what? " she asked, confused.

" A match - a game, football, I mean soccer. "

" I didn ' t know you were into sports, " she teased.

He swallowed heavily, his voice dropping a little, " You don ' t know everything about me, love. " The cafe seemed to get instantly quieter, more intimate and a flush crept up her cheeks. His eyes fixed on hers for a second or two longer than seemed natural, finally letting his face break into a grin. " But since you asked, I have been known to watch a game or two. Especially when it ' s Scarlet ' s turn to buy the pints. "
/

He left as she placed the key in her pocket.

Her latte was a little cold so she pushed it aside and turned her attention back to her laptop. Her mind, however, had other ideas and insisted on running over the previous few minutes.

Maybe she was imagining it, but Killian had seemed a little jealous of Graham. Which was ridiculous, really. He was a nice guy and all, but that in itself had been enough reason for her to keep a wide berth from him while politely declining his offer of a date not long after they had met.

Yes, on paper he would make someone the perfect partner-

But, as she reminded herself, Emma Swan was not looking for a partner, in any respect. Graham had taken the hint and now they were at best almost friends.

Still, the idea that Killian has been threatened by his presence was all at once crazy and at the same time, intriguing. There was no ownership in their … arrangement. No promises, no expectations beyond the visa process and their eventual divorce-

The word divorce sunk rather heavily in her mind as she took a final sip of her coffee.

In about six month's time, she would no longer be married woman; nor, technically, single. She would be a divorcee. Emma felt a nasty taste in her mouth.

Gulping back a mouthful of lukewarm coffee, she grimaced.

/

Killian arrived just as the first half of the game was going into extra time. Wordlessly, Scarlet slid him a bottle of beer as his eyes remind fixed on the television. Nothing came between Will and his football.

Sipping his drink quietly, Killian ' s mind wandered to its usual topic of late - Emma. Somehow over the past few weeks he had become thinking about her more and more. And now, after their night together, these imaginings and ponderings were ever more vivid.

" Jones! "

Killian spat out the mouthful of beer he had in his mouth as Will slapped his hand hard on his back, it took a few moments of coughing and spluttering before he regained his composure.

" You dick, " he smiled.

" And yet you still put up with me, " Will laughed, finishing his beer and holding up his hand to order another two from the barman.

" So, how ' s the game? " he asked, realizing that he had failed to register the score whilst his mind was preoccupied.

" Shit, " Will sniffed, " The ref ' s a Southerner and we now you southern pansies no nowt about the beautiful game. "

" So you remind me quite often, " Killian smirked as he accepted his new beer.

Will tipped his bottle towards Killian ' s, " Cheers. " They took another sip each - Killian overlooking the fact that it was a little early to be downing beers when he had a class at 8am the next day. " I have some news, " Will revealed, flashing a wide grin.

" And … ? "

" Well, I had a call today, from a Ms. Cora Mills. "

Killian let out a deep sigh. He ' d been expecting this.

" She was alright actually, a bit posh, " Will shrugged.

" And? " Killian pressed, trying to remind himself that Will was a far more laid back person than he (so laid back that he may be careless about what he would reveal to Ms. Mills…).

" She asked a few questions about you and the missus, how long you ' d been together, that kind thing. I said exactly what you told me. " Will looked at Killian expectantly.

" Oh, great, thanks mate. Does she need to see you in person? "

Will shrugged, " She said that was enough for now and she ' d call me if she needed anything else. That ' s good - right? "

" I guess, " Killian sighed, rolling the beer bottle in between his hands. " This is all brand new territory. "

" Chin up, mate, you need to be more positive. "

Will nudged him in the side and Killian tried to relax a little. He could feel the tension he had been holding in his shoulders loosen a little as he let out another deep breath.

" How ' s things goin ' then, with Emma? Still sleepin ' on the couch? " Will ' s tone was teasing as per usual, but instead of his usual blustered reply, Killian began to scratch behind his ear. " Cat got your tongue? "

He really hadn ' t planned to tell Will about what had happened the other night. Better he kept it to himself-

" Jones- " Will warned. And he knew then that the blasted Yorkshireman would get it out of him if he liked it or not.

" We had a- "

A what? How the hell could he explain what had happened when he wasn ' t even sure himself?

" What I mean is we kissed and- "

" Shagged? " Will suggested and right then Killian just wanted to punch him, mate or not.

Pursing his lips he gave Will a warning look.

" No …"

" But something happened, mate. I could see it the minute you walked in. "

Killian frowned. Really? Was it that obvious?

" You ' re all tense and you ' ve got that look on your face that tells me a woman ' s on your mind. "

" Because you are on expert on all things women related. "

" Belle has no complaints, " Will quipped, running his tongue suggestively along his lips. " Anyway, this is about you. "

Killian pinched his mouth together. " We - we got intimate. It was all a bit …"

" What? "

Killian shook his head. " I don ' t know mate. I really don ' t know what to say. Things happened and then we talked a bit and now it ' s like nothing has changed. She hasn ' t mentioned it at all. "

" But have you? " Will pointed out.

" Fair point, " Killian conceded as he picked at the paper label of his bottle.

" Look mate, I have no idea what you two are up to, but what I do know is you can ' t afford to fuck this up. Talk to her. If it was a mistake, then you need to deal with it. "

Surprised, Killian looked at his friend. " That ' s actually really good advice. "

Will winked. "Now, on to more important matters. Fancy a bet on who scores the next goal?"

/

She wasn't home when he made it back from the bar just after eight. Scarlet's team lost 3-0, so he had insisted on drowning his sorrows in a few more beers before he would let Killian go. Thankfully, after pleading an early start in the morning, he had switched to drinking ice water before depositing Will into a cab and sending a warning text to Belle.

She was avoiding him again, he supposed. Their brief detente in the coffee shop had just been that - brief. He sighed as he shucked off his stale work clothes and pulled on a pair of sleep pants and an old t-shirt. After that morning, he thought it may be a good idea to wear a few more clothes to bed. If they were going to be sharing this space now, as they seemed to be, it would be best to keep things as platonic as possible.

(But even as he thought that, he was laughing at himself. Platonic was impossible when you can't stop thinking about the other person.) A bowl of soggy cereal and a TV movie from 1985 were enough to convince him that an early night would be a good idea. He wasn't avoiding her. And he wasn't avoiding taking Will's advice (or so he told himself).

Lying in bed, he listened to the humming sound of the street outside and the bangs and rattles that seemed to sneak along the pipework from the other apartments. Sleep was elusive. He tried clearing his mind, but it was impossible. She kept appearing - her laugh, her smile. God, why couldn't he shake this?

It must have been almost eleven by the time he heard her key in the door, a little jingle of her keychain, soft footsteps - and that made him smile.

He closed his eyes as she stepped into the bedroom, listening to her take off her boots and clothes, the soft sound of fabric falling into the laundry hamper mixing with her gentle breathing. The floorboards creaked and he felt the bed shift as she slipped under the covers beside him.

Briefly, he thought about admitting he was awake, but then he felt her hand against his cheek and he froze. She was brushing her fingers against beard, her body just a few inches away from his. Her touch was electric. He struggled to maintain his even breathing, confused and unsure as to what was happening, but in no way wanting it to end.

Pushing back the hair from his forehead, she placed a gentle kiss there and he shivered, his eyes flickering open-

"Oh-" she whispered, eyelashes fluttering shyly. "I thought you were asleep."

He shrugged, swallowing hard, not really sure how to reply-

Then her lips were on his again, soft and impatient, trailing over his mouth and jaw. It took half a second for him to respond in kind, his hands coming to her waist, feeling that she was dressed only in her underwear and tank top, her skin an inferno against his-

Her leg slid between his, her thigh pressing against his groin and making him moan as he fully emerged from the half sleep that he had been lingering in, his conscious awake as he mumbled against her lips-

"Emma…"

"Shh," she whispered, cupping his face with her hands, "Let's not think about it."

And with that prompt, he let his body take the lead.

A/N My muse is awfully fickle as of late, but thank you for all the lovely reviews. They mean a lot and they do motivate me to make this the best I can! And thank you of course to my wonderful beta Ztofan/Nickillian.