I don't own ouat.

OMG! My readers are awesome! I send virtual cookies to all of you! Thanks for reading and reviewing, you make me so happy!

WASN'T LOVE, LOVE.

Chapter 21: Rebirth.

August stood frowning in front of the ship. He stared at the accelerator bottle in his hand and then he looked at his other hand, pressed to the ship's hull. He couldn't understand what was happening, what was wrong. His plan was perfect. Emma would have to move out of the ship if there was no ship. Find another work.

The sails were burning, the chairs and tables too, as well as the ropes. The deck wasn't, the mast stood proudly untouched, the flames licked the fuel covered wood without damaging it.

That was the reason August Boot wasn't miles away from the damned ship. He needed to see it. He was the son of a wood master, a carpenter, Geppetto the carver; he knew every single type of wood; and because he was Pinocchio, he knew better than anyone that magic wood could not burn, only magic could destroy it.

A whole ship made of magic wood. How many wooden people could have been created with it? Did the ship had feelings? Was it his brother?

August caressed the polished surface. A real magic ship from Fairytale land, a man with a hook; realization fall upon him like a thunder; Emma dated Captain Hook; and he could do nothing about it.

August took some steps back from the ship, suddenly realizing his life was in danger. He was bluntly attacking a pirate, a real one. Captain Hook was in their world and had promised to kill him if he saw him again.

He ran for his life. August didn't mind the curse anymore, he just wanted to live his life. If Emma really was intended to break the curse the fate would place her in the right place at the right time. He couldn't do anything else.

O0o0O0o0O0o0O0o0O0o0O0o0O0o0O

Emma covered her mouth with her hands as she saw helpless how Killian aimed to the man escaping on a motorcycle. He failed. The motorist picked up speed, increasingly moving away from them. Killian took a deep breath and aimed again, this time he hit the target, the bike wobbled but regaining control of the vehicle the driver disappeared around the corner. Killian cursed.

Emma stopped him from running, graving his arm. "Killian, the Jolly!"

They both stared to the ship. Just the things on the deck were burning. The ship was untouched.

"I was afraid it didn't work." Emma turned to find a Killian with a blank expression; it was much more frightening than an enraged Killian. "Don't tell the police I shoot him." Emma blinked, realizing that some police and fire services' sirens could be heard above the roar of the flames. "He wanted to kill you Emma." Killian hid the gun in his leather jacket. "I doubt his real name is Peters."

"I don't understand." He lowered his head until they were face to face, his blue eyes nailing into her green ones, his hand held her shoulder keeping her close, so close she could hear his whisper over the cracking fire.

"He's the same man who wanted me to leave you, the one that send the blonde at the party." His gaze was murderous, Emma shivered despite she knew she was not the target of his hate. "We're always at the ship at this time of the day on Mondays, alone. You my darling are his target." Emma made an 'o' with her mouth and he smiled, a terrifying devil smile that froze her. "Fear not darling. I shoot him, he will need medical aid, and I will track and find him."

Emma shook her head, her nose brushing his with the movement. "Don't, let the police manage it." Emma kissed him trying to calm his rage.

"You could ask me to bring you the sun and the stars and I would obey. But this, my lass, my darling, my Emma, my love –this is different.- Nobody threatens the life of the woman I love and escapes unscathed. This time that man has signed his death warrant."

His steel-blue eyes were fixed on the burning furniture on his deck, reflecting the flames. Emma shivered, it was the same look his eyes had when they first met, the first weeks, when he was cold and distant, when he was sad and slowly dying despite he didn't noticed.

"No, Killian. Forget about it. I'm okay." Emma kissed him again, trying to tear his eyes from his ship. "We are okay, the ship is okay." The sea blue shade of his eyes came back at her words. "We will buy new tables and chairs –new everything!" She caressed his face. "Revenge is not a solution."

"I will find him Emma." Killian embraced her as the firemen surrounded them, taking care of the fire. "It won't be revenge love, it will be me protecting you."

Olooolo0_Three Months Later_0olooolO

"A little signature here too." The real state man smiled at them as Emma signed again. "Congratulations dear. The apartment is yours, as long as you pay the rent."

Killian spun her around sneaking his arms around her waist, pulling her up, "You're…" he pecked her as she hooked her arms around her neck. "…a beautiful…" peck "… independent…" peck "…young…" he kissed her thoughtfully. "You're an independent woman Emma."

Emma tugged his hair playfully. "Maybe this independent woman will need some help of certain handsome man to tidy up her new apartment."

Killian brushed his nose with her. "I'm sure that if she asks nicely enough he will lend you a hand."

Emma chuckled and bitted his lower lip. "Just one hand?"

"I assure you he can do wonders with that one lonely hand." He said rising and eyebrow and smirking at her.

The real state man coughed as they kissed again. Killian lowered her unashamed. "Miss Swan, your keys and your copy of the contract. I think it's time to leave you alone."

Emma took the keys and as soon as the man left she ran to explore her new-destroyed apartment. Killian went to the window and observed his ship rocking peacefully.

"The kitchen is fine, but I would like a new island, definitely white. I'm tired of the ship's darkness, we need light Killian." He closed his eyes; the stubble man, Peters or whatever he was called, was nowhere to be seen. "In addition, the owner has given us carte blanche to reform it." He didn't even exist. "We need a new tub and we can change the bathroom tiles too, those are horrible." Killian was sure he had shot him, he had hit his left arm. Why the bloody man didn't go to a hospital? He took a step back as Emma walked in front of him. "First we must remove all the old wallpaper, and the carpet, do you like parquet?" He was really worried about Emma's safety. He slept with an eye open since the fire. He jumped startled as Emma rested her back on his chest, holding his hands –the fake one too- and hugging herself with his arms. "You have not heard a word of what I said."

He sighed resting his head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry lass. You were saying?"

Emma turned her head and hissed his cheek. "Stop worrying; I'm not a helpless teenager anymore."

"Since when I'm the open book Swan?"

"I don't know Jones, but I can fend for myself."

"Then maybe you don't need this man's help with the apartment love." He held her tighter as he whispered in her ear.

"Maybe I just look for the company of a tall, handsome man." Purred his little siren.

I'm sorry, burning the Jolly Roger was my first evil plan… but somehow you all made me save it! Damn peer pressure! Now my little manipulative friends… they have a ship and an apartment... so close and so far ;p

I hope you like the next chapter (it's time for some confessions.) because it can change many things… if you don't change my mind again with your reviews and PM!

Keep reviewing my friends!