Chapter 25

Emma tucked her ruffled blouse into her high-waisted skirt and quickly scraped her hair into a tight bun. Efficient.

Her first day back in the Corsair's offices filled her with not only excitement but trepidation. Gold was stepping up his game which meant she must do the same. One of Emma's talents as an Agent was her gift for reading people. David had always commended her on the way she was able to catch people out in lies or how she could tell by body movements or physical reactions if a person was telling the truth.

It was her own little super power.

Emma halted at the kitchen door. Stunned. Killian was expertly brewing coffee, his business shirt hanging open at the collar and exposing the tuft of hair that she like so much. His scruff was freshly manicured and his hair was poking up in a way that made it look like he'd just rolled out of bed.

It wasn't often that Emma found herself without words. Last night she had opened herself up to him...trusted him with things that so few knew.

"Swan," Killian breathed her name as he pushed a cup of coffee towards her. Emma gave him a small smile before breezing into the kitchen. She picked up the cup and took a small sip. Excellent.

"I'm impressed." She told Killian before placing the mug down.

"I take it you thought the task too hard for a git like me?" Killian teased as she navigated her way around the island bench. Emma eyed off a plate of pastries sitting behind him on the bench. Leaning forward she reached past Killian and made to snatch several up. A small tug suddenly had her hair tumbling down around her face.

Emma quickly straightened up, her hands reaching up to push the blonde tresses out of her face and back up into a bun.

"Don't." Killian's voice commanded softly.

His fingers reached up to push her hair back, briefly brushing the side of her face. Heat flushed her cheeks as she let him continue playing with her hair.

"I like it out." He whispered huskily, his accent more pronounced.

Emma felt herself swaying forward, closer to Killian's body. His voice was luring and his eyes were mesmerizing.

"Killian?" Robin's voice broke the moment and he reluctantly took a step back, though his eyes never left hers.

Robin stalked into the kitchen, closely followed by Graham. Both men began briefing Killian on the security upgrades and Emma quickly excused herself.

She needed some breathing space. Everything was turning personal and somewhat domesticated between them. It was easy and it scared her.

Emma was more than impressed with Killian's security upgrades when Robin pulled up in an Armored Car. The Mercedes-Benz was top of the line and must have set him back a pretty penny. She couldn't argue with his safety precautions, hoping they would keep Gold at bay long enough for her to find his mole.

Killian didn't leave her side until they reached her desk and he entered his own office. Graham found himself assigned to the security and surveillance head quarters with Robin. Her desk was surprisingly cleared of work yet in the middle stood a single vase filled with stark white Chrysanthemum's and pops of blue Hyacinths. It was a beautiful but odd combination.

A small white card was propped up against the glass begging to be opened.

Don't wander too far.

K

Emma felt a large smile light up her face at the silly little message. On one hand he was giving her permission to snoop around but on the other he was wanting her to stay close and safe. At least she could go to his for anything she needed.

Emma moved behind her desk, taking a large sniff of the gorgeous blooms as she pushed them to a more suitable place. She booted her computer, staring thoughtfully at the gift while it loaded.

Do they mean something? Did he pick them out? When did he do this?

She hated not having answers. In her line of business she had all the answers or she worked until she discovered them all. The computer quickly logged her in and she brought up her internet browser. It wouldn't hurt to do a little investigating before she began pulling apart the Corsairs big wigs.

The browser automatically loaded Yahoo and her eyes quickly scanned the news feed.

JONES JUMPS SHIP!

The headline leapt out at her and a quick click had her reading all about Killian Jones' mysterious disappearance from last nights charity benefit. Emma bit her lip as she argued with herself about whether to search for more gossip on him. She knew what had happened from what he had told her but it was interesting to see what the press thought was going on. Emma punched in Killian's name into the search engine Before she could have second thoughts.

PLAYBOY PULLS A FAST ONE.

JONES DONATES BIG AND DISAPPEARS.

CAN THE PLAYBOY CHANGE?

The articles were coming fast, each with it's own interpretation of Killian's behaviour. The one Emma was most interested in was:

IS IT OVER?

The article was quick to point out Killian's disinterest in his date, his lack of charming flirtations and his eagerness to donate and then subsequently ditch the event - leaving his so-called date in the lurch. Emma had a small chuckle at the 'analysis' of Killian's night. The thought that Killian had ditched Miranda to 'rescue' her had warmth spreading quickly throughout her body.

Should she ask him?

Emma pondered the thought before realising that she had wasted nearly 45 minutes. She quickly closed the browser and brought up Corsair's database. Emma needed to access all of human resources knowledge on each of the suspects and then back track all of their expenditures and would give the mole away - it had too!

Emma had narrowed her suspects down to half a dozen by lunch. Each had spending discrepancies that did not coincide with where they said they were going to be. She needed to talk with each of them casually to gauge their responses and she needed access to each of their computers. Killian would be able to help her with access but she would need to tread carefully as not to tip-off the infiltrator...everything needed to appear as a normal working day.

Emma gave 3 raps on Killian's door and let herself in. He was on the phone but that didn't stop the massive smile that lit up his face at her entrance. Killian waved her over and she felt guilty as she took in the piles and piles of work that littered his desk. He said he had been working at the apartment but he had also been neglecting parts of his job that he was making up for now.

Killian ended his phone call and he beckoned her closer.

"Found anything?" He asked her as she propped herself up against the side of his desk.

"I need your help." Killian burst out laughing at her statement.

"The great Emma Swan is asking for help?"

"If you're going to be such an ass about it..." Emma hissed at him, pushing herself off his desk. She didn't get far before his fingers curled around her wrist.

"Did you like the flowers?"

Emma gave a small nod and turned back towards Killian.

"Help?"

"You already know that I would go to the ends of the earth for you." Killian whispered gently.

"Don't say things like that." Emma admonished him half heartedly, secretly liking his compliment.

"What do you need?" Killian cleared his throat and cleared some of the tension lingering.

Emma explained her plan and Killian agreed to helping her distract the suspects. He had been surprised to hear the names as many had served Corsair's for many years and were people he thought he could trust. She told him that Murphy and Mullins were her targets for the day and it would probably take most of the week to work through the men and women on her list.

"Lunch?" Killian asked her and she quickly declined. His disappointment was clear and Emma found herself explaining that she wanted to catch up with Mary-Margaret. A knock at the door interuppted the tense moment and Emma was relieved when Robin entered carrying a stack of papers.

She was also glad she had forgone heels for more sensible flats. It was always easier in flats. Easier to run.

Killian watched Emma pass Robin and duck out of the office. Would he ever figure her out?

"You should see these." Robin told Killian as he threw down several newspapers. One had his face splashed on the front cover whilst the other two had been opened to the Business and Entertainment sections.

"Do we need any damage control?" Killian questioned as his eyes flicked over the articles.

"Not needed."

Robin was right. All of the papers suggested he was trying to change his ways by remaining philanthropic but toning down his charming and flirtatious ways. They also all suggested that Miranda was out.

Killian liked the way the newspapers had pitched his quick disappearance and he couldn't help but agree that Miranda was out of the picture. He would need to call her and confirm the end of their dalliance - a substantial gift was a must. Killian couldn't continue with the ruse when a blonde haired vixen was stealing away all of this thoughts.

Emma's lunch with Mary Margaret had been refreshing and she felt that she had made a solid friend in the petite brunette. It would be sad when she solved this case and was forced to leave this life behind her. Killian's face flashed into her head and she quickly pushed it away and got on with her work.

Mullins and Murphy were dead ends. She'd chatted to them casually over coffee in the break room and officially with some made up reports. Both seemed above board with the discrepancies a simple mistake caused by lax paperwork. Killian pulled both of the men away at different times so she could load spyware onto each of their computers...monitoring their emails and activities would help clear them quickly.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Starkey and Vice-President of Marketing Turk were tomorrow's targets.

She was wired. There had been little sleep but tonnes of tossing, turning and repeatedly punching her pillow.

Emma didn't know what was wrong as she could usually sleep at the drop of a hat after an exhausting day.

Frustration

The word easily popped into her head. She was frustrated...not only with the case or Gold but mostly...mostly with Killian Jones. Why was there such a frustrating pull and push with their relationship? One minute she is pushing him away physically and than the next she is pulling him in - divulging her inner most secrets. It was all wrong. He was aiding her mission. End of story.

No!

Her heart rebelled against the thought of leaving when this case was closed. It had to be done - a clean cut was required of all Undercover Agents.

Should she give in?

As much as Killian had backed off, his proximity was slowly eating away at her. Could she let herself have her cake? Would indulging her needs damage the case? Maybe if it was a one-time thing?

Not anymore than it already has.

She'd sent him so many mixed messages but tonight would not be one of them. She'd let him know what she wanted and see how he reacted.

Emma slipped out of bed and made her way down the hall to Killian's room.

"Swan?" Killian's voice was rough from sleep. He bolted upright, his eyes seeking her out in the low light.

"Is something wrong?" The worry in his voice calmed her nerves and she stepped boldly forward, shaking her head.

Killian's brows knitted in confusion and his eyes widened at her appearance.

"What?" His voice spluttered.

"I...Want...You.."

TBC