Chapter 21

"Running away?" Emma echoed Killian's earlier statement in disbelief. She couldn't believe that he had accused her of running away...and to her face. Emma had bottled up her emotions for most of her life, it was just easier. However, they had been bubbling to the surface all day and she felt like she was about to topple over the edge.

"Running? Hiding? Avoiding? Pick one!" Killian claimed heatedly from behind her.

Emma twisted around to face him, her usually calm demeanor quickly changing to one of anger. Her nostrils flared and her eyes flashed what she hoped was a deadly stare. If Killian wanted to pick a fight than she would give him one, she wasn't going to admit anything.

"Really?" Emma hissed at him through clenched teeth.

"You haven't said more than 2 words to me all day...I'd call that avoiding love."

Killian found her breath-taking when riled up, the vibrancy and life she exuded simply floored him. It seemed like he was always the one on the receiving end of her anger... she had challenged him ever since he had first set eyes on her in the elevator. He wasn't about to step back now and from the looks of it either was she. Killian arched his eyebrow as if daring her to confront him.

Emma threw her hands up in the air, "I am focused on finding Gold...not on making friends!"

Killian took several quick steps towards her, "That's good because I don't want to be your friend."

His eyes smoldered, speaking more than his words and she wasn't sure she liked what they were implying. Emma held her ground as Killian inched closer to her.

"Don't!" She snapped.

"It happened." The low timbre of Killian's voice shot sparks straight through her.

"It shouldn't have!" Emma retorted, straightening her spine and placing her hands on her hips.

"But it did!" Killian growled vehemently.

"What do you want from me?" Emma exclaimed, hating that he was pushing this line of conversation. She knew he was still seeing Miranda but things between them had become so muddled that her head was becoming too fuzzy when around him.

Killian's eyes had narrowed and his brows had furrowed, "To acknowledge me...this."

He swayed closer to her but knew that he couldn't touch her. If he touched her she would definitely run!

"We kissed, that was it!" Emma told him matter of factly, trying to brush their moments aside.

"It was more than that Swan. I was there!" Killian gave her a devilish smile, putting his playboy status to good use. The dashing and charming behaviour had never seemed to work on Emma before but he was getting desperate.

"You were grateful and in the heat of the moment you acted on that." Emma hated that she was coming across so unfeeling and robotic but she couldn't let him discover the effect he had on her. There was too much at stake. Too many people had already left her.

"It was more than that." Killian insisted moving slightly closer again. She wanted to look intimidating and uncaring but Killian didn't seem to be buying it so she decided to use his proximity against him. She needed to prove to him that there was nothing more between them.

She grabbed his shirt and dragged him up against her. His breathing hitched while she fought to keep hers even.

"This attraction is because we have been forced together...nothing more." Emma told him, trying to prove that she could control what was happening.

Killian leant forward and nuzzled against her neck, his stubble causing delicious friction.

"Has it really been that long for you?" Emma tossed the barb at him.

"You think I would stoop that low?" Killian pulled back and caught her gaze.

"You're still seeing Miranda right?" She questioned before pushing back on Killian's chest to create a much-needed distance.

"It's all for show!" Killian claimed. He hadn't completely answered her question so she responded in kind.

"I don't care! You are free to screw whoever you like but leave...me...alone." Her voice wavered slightly as she caught the bleak look crossing Killian's face.

"I'm not sure if I can." Killian whispered.

"It's too risky." Emma claimed shaking her head. She couldnt risk everything for something built on dishonesty. She couldn't risk everything for a fling.

Killian heard her mumblings and seeing Emma's intense internal struggle. She had something in her past that made letting people in hard. He needed to gain her implicit trust and have her open up to him.

"You are not a distraction or a toy" Killian whispered in an attempt to show how genuine his feelings towards her were.

"Dont try to turn this into something it's not." Emma proclaimed hotly, still trying to distance herself from him.

"That isn't fair!" Killian declared, feeling that he was again loosing ground with her. He decided to take one last shot and quickly moved into her personal space. Killian grabbed her hand with both of his and held it against his chest. His heart was beating a million miles and he hoped Emma could feel the effect she had on him.

"Tell me this is nothing!"

Emma squeezed her eyes shut and in that moment wanted nothing more than to admit how attracted she was to Killian, how connected to him. The moment passed and she pushed the thoughts aside.

"You have to fight this." Emma pleaded with him.

"We have to fight this." She finally admitted with a sigh. Killian's head whipped up in shock. He didn't like what she was asking but he would agree...for now. It had taken Emma a lot to confess that she too had been fighting and he was loath to push her any faster. He wasn't a patient man but for her he could wait.

Killian gave a small nod. If space was what she wanted than space was what she would get. He quickly tore his hands away and strode past Emma, he had a charity event to get ready for.

Emotional confrontations were the one thing that Emma hated. She had never been able to deal with them so she always avoided them...it hurt less. As a young child, she would put on her nicest dress, brush her hair and clean her face for the home's open days. It never helped! Emma could remember the stabs of disappointment and heartache as she was either looked over or taken by families and then returned.

She learned quickly learned how to mask her inner agony, how to hide herself from being hurt by others but never had she met someone so persistent and so good at getting under her skin. She just seemed to click with Killian and it made things that bit more complicated. They were in the middle of a life or death investigation and the lines were that blurred that she wasn't even sure where the lines were anymore.

Emma found that gazing out at the city put her mind to rest and she needed these moments of tranquility to calm her thoughts. She wasn't sure how long she had been leaning against the window for until her peace was interrupted by the clinking of glass. Her gaze moved from the skyline and landed on the man causing her so many problems.

Killian was facing away from her but even from here she could he was making himself a very stiff drink. He turned to face her and she let out a breathy gasp. Gone were his clothes from earlier and in their place was a well fitted black tuxedo. Killian's hair was slicked back and his stubble was only trimmed. It was perfection from head to toe and made her toes curl. Emma bet that his tuxedo was couture and cost more than she made in a whole month. Seeing him like this not only had her questioning why she was pushing him away but also reinforced the disparity between their lifestyles.

"Are we calling it Formal Friday now?" Emma joked, trying to lighten the already building tension.

Killian gave a small smirk and slammed back his drink. He winced with the slight burn of the alcohol and then promptly topped his glass back up.

"I'm slightly under-dressed." Emma pressed as she indicated at her own clothes.

"Killian!" Robin's voice called out loudly, interrupting the awkwardness and Emma was glad for the reprieve.

"Miss Miranda has arrived."

Killian cursed and slammed back the drink he had been nursing.

Emma frowned at Robin's declaration, 'Why would Miranda be here?'

The question she asked herself was a silly one and obviously answered when Miranda came sashaying into the living area. The brunette's hair was swept up into a sleek chignon but it was the dress that had Emma doing a double take. Miranda was wearing a floor length shimmering black gown. The plunging neckline, side cut outs and open back allowed the dress to be sexy without sleazy though the line was very fine .

Black

Black and White Tuxedo

Emma felt stupid. Killian was attending the 'Veteran's Black and White Ball' which was one of the biggest money-raising events of the year. Only the mega wealthy were even considered for attendance, with all expected to give big. Emma had received Killian's invite when she had started working as his secretary, it had stuck in her mind because the invitation itself had been stunning.

She'd known that whilst she was locked away that he still had business to attend and a replacement would be running his office. This event was something that he could not miss. He was Killian Jones!

He was so much more than what he played up for the paparazzi and it gave her a warm feeling knowing that he had shown his real self to her.

Miranda wasted no time in trying to glue herself to Killian's side and demand all of his attention. Emma felt her heart twist in her chest. She felt so silly as she had only just told Killian to fight their attraction and here she was jealous as all hell. She wanted to be the one touching him...it was so confusing and frustrating.

Killian sensed her eyes watching him and he resisted the urge to look at her. He just couldn't face her soul piercing gaze. He had made commitments and he had to stand by them, it was good form. Killian pushed Miranda off him and slammed back another drink. He'd needed to get a few down to calm his nerves and be able to deal with all the snobs at the Charity event.

"Give me a minute." Killian told Miranda softly as he grabbed Robin by the arm and dragged him into the other room.

Emma watched as Miranda pouted and helped herself to some of the alcohol on offer.

"I expect you will be gone when we get back?" Miranda's tone was classically bitchy and left Emma in no doubt that this conversation could get ugly.

Emma simply shrugged, letting the other woman assume whatever she wanted.

"I'll be keeping him up all night. You can listen to how a real woman satisfies her man."

Miranda was trying to shove her sexual history with Killian into Emma's face but she refused to bite. Killian hadn't sounded happy on the phone earlier so she knew that he'd probably been backed into a corner regarding his plus one. Miranda was a man-eater and with her looks and body she could have any one she liked. Killian was in her cross hairs tonight and Emma wouldn't put it past the hussy to do everything in her powers to tempt him.

"You should go back to the office where you belong!" Miranda continued to bait her. Her attempts were quite pathetic but they had Emma thinking.

"I will be, first thing tomorrow." Emma told the other woman. She needed to get out of this apartment and whether Killian liked it or not she was going back to work in the Corsair's offices in the morning. She was an independent and highly trained Agent that was not going to let a playboy like Killian Jones dictate to her. If Gold wanted her than he could come after her and face her wrath.

"Like bloody hell you are!" Killian's voice was laced with anger and displeasure as he re-entered the room.

"You shouldn't worry...You'll be apparently tied up all evening." Emma told him scathingly.

Killian stormed up to her, "We are not arguing about this again!"

"There is no argument! I...am...going...back...to...the...office...tomorrow." She told him slowly. Emma was so sick of the entire situation and Miranda flaunting herself and her sexual relationship with Killian had pushed her right over the edge. This case needed to be closed yesterday...flushing out the mole was her next lead.

"No. No. No." Killian repeated desperately.

"I am suffocating here Killian." Emma whispered. "Let me do this?"

His eyes were clouded over and the tension was coming off him in waves. He wasn't ready to give up this argument.

"Killian," Robin interrupted, "We need to leave now."

He tapped his watch several times to show that they would be late to the event. Robin grabbed Miranda's arm and guided her towards the front door. It may have been a mistake bringing Miranda up to the penthouse but hopefully it pushed Killian and Emma into making some right decisions.

Killian huffed, glad that his friend had the decency to give him a moment with his Swan.

"I have to go. This was one of Liam's favourite..." he trailed off awkwardly.

Emma gave him a slight smile, "I'm not changing my mind!"

"I'm not happy."

"I know."

"Why do you have to fight me on every bloody thing?"

"Why did you have to rub Miranda in my face?" Emma whispered.

Killian's gaze met hers, his eyes reflected his regret but he wanted her to understand.

"I made a promise but god I wish it was you."

"Thank you." she called out to him as he reached the entryway. He gave a dazzling smile and left her alone in the lounge.

Whatever their relationship, it was always going to offer the unexpected. She shouldn't want him...couldn't...but she did.

Emma picked up her mobile and dialled the the one person she had been dreading.

David.

TBC