"Mary Margaret do I have to?"

"Please Emma, I really like him but I'm nervous to go alone. I promise just this one time."

"That's what you always say and then I end up finding a way to sneak you out of the restaurant when the guy turns out to be a creep."

"Well, if all goes well with this one, and I have a good feeling about him, then this will be the last time."

"Fine, I really hope he is. Honestly Mary Margaret I'm not sure how you can keep online dating. So far all the guys you've met have been creepy. Remember that guy that picked his nose when he thought you weren't looking."

"Ugh, don't remind me about him. Thank god I had you watching from the bar. It's a shame because he was actually cute. "

"Imagine kissing booger mouth at the end of the night."

"That's disgusting."

"Oh, and what about that guy who picked food off of other people's plates at the hibachi when he thought no one was looking."

"I know they can't all be winners but at least I'm putting myself out there. When was the last time you had a date?"

She frowned and chewed her bottom lip." I don't know, six months ago."

"Exactly Emma. One guy breaks your heart and you become a cynic for the rest of your life? Not all guys are like him."

"I know. Maybe booger eater is available."

Mary Margaret swatted her on the arm."Not funny!"

"Come on, it's a little funny."

She watched as her friend walked back to her office in a huff.

"Meet you at 7!"she called out.

She thought she caught the tail end of a rude gesture from her before she disappeared. She never ceased to be surprised by her.

Maybe Mary Margaret was right. She had been single and celibate for awhile now. She wasn't about to step into the online dating pool like her but maybe she could make an effort to hang out with friends a little more. She had been head strong into her career for the last year and that one date she had, he was just ok, not anyone special that she would make an effort for.

She decided that she'd be a little more open to the possibility if something presented itself. She just had to get through babysitting Mary Margaret through another dating fiasco. She really did hope that this guy was decent for her sake. If she had to watch her beautiful friend sit across from one more bottom feeder she was going to lose it. Mary Margaret deserved someone kind, caring and decent like she was.

"Dave, are you certain about this one?"

"I feel like she's my soul mate."

"You said that about the last creature that you met and she stalked you for a month after that awful date. She was picking her teeth with a fork for heaven's sake."

"Killian, they're all looking for love and the right person. I just wasn't the right one for her. From what I hear her boyfriend Billy Bob is the one."

"You still keep in touch with her?"

"She emails me sometimes."

He shook his head. "What's this one's damage?"

"So far, I haven't found one thing damaged about her. She's beautiful, intelligent, funny and really nice."

"Be sure to check in the closet for bodies Mate; she sounds too good to be true."

I think this is the one. I can feel it."

"Fine, I'll be there but I'll be the first to tell you I told you so if she turns out to be the spawn of Satan."

"Great, it's the usual place. I'll give you the signal if it's not going well."

"Right, I walk by and pretend there's an emergency at work."

"Yes."

"You're paying my tab."

He pat him on the shoulder and walked back to his office. "Don't I always? Be there at 7."

He never met anyone so optimistic about love and soul mates in his entire life until he met Dave. The man was hopeless. He watched him from the bar going on countless dates with these strange women. Each one just a little more deranged than the other but he continued to do it. He had to give him credit because at least he was trying, unlike himself.

He made the mistake of falling for the wrong woman at the wrong time in his career. He found himself out of a job and relationship all at the same time when his former boss walked in on him with his wife. He had no idea that the woman was married or that she was married to his boss. She'd used a fake last name and there were no family photos to be seen.

That was a mistake he would not be making again. He was lucky that Dave was around to help scoop him up off the ground and put him back together after that. So when Dave needed a little backup for his dates he couldn't say no.

It was really the least he could do to sit at a bar and hang out in case his best friend needed support. He could be a good wingman and sometimes he actually met a nice woman to spend the night with, never usually more than that. He didn't do relationships anymore, not after being burned so badly.

She rushed into the restaurant at 6:55 hoping to catch Mary Margaret before her date started. She had a last minute client meeting and of course she got stuck in traffic. She looked around and didn't see her anywhere yet. She also surveyed the room and there didn't appear to be any single men sitting alone so she figured she'd made it in time.

She knew the signal; Mary Margaret would pretend to sneeze three times if it wasn't going well. She would walk by her table and drop her napkin on the floor next to her if the guy showed any visible signs of being gross. After booger eater and plate grazer they had to come up with that one, she didn't even want to think about armpit sniffer. She shuddered at the thought.

She walked to the bar and found an empty seat towards the end. She placed her briefcase below the bar and took her favorite stool where she knew she'd be able to see her friend no matter which table she'd be in.

She pulled out the pin in her hair and shook it down around her shoulders pulling out the waves with her fingers. Finally the bartender came over and she ordered a drink. She sat back against the bar waiting for her friend who now appeared to be late. She pulled her phone from her purse and scanned for messages.

Emma our date got pushed back to 7:30 because I had a client meeting run late. I hope this doesn't inconvenience you. See you soon! MM

She quickly text her back letting her know she was there and it was no big deal. She took a deep breath and a sip of her drink. She put her phone away and suddenly the seat next to her was occupied by a very handsome stranger dressed in a three piece navy pin stripe suit.

He had the perfect amount of scruff on his face and his hair was conveniently mussed enough to give him a bit of ruggedness to an otherwise neatly pressed man. He also had the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen. She could get lost looking into them so she averted his gaze quickly before he noticed she was staring.

He did as she did placing his briefcase under the bar and waiting for a drink.

He rushed to the restaurant to meet Dave only to find out as soon as he got there that the time had been pushed back to 7:30. He was disappointed at first but when he saw the beautiful blonde shaking out her hair at the end of the bar he believed things were looking up. She happened to be sitting in prime date watching location so he moved quickly to take the seat next to her.

He noticed that she was drinking top shelf scotch neat, a woman after his own heart. He surveyed her gorgeous legs as he placed his briefcase under the bar, suddenly curious about how those would feel wrapped around him. He straightened up catching a whiff of the strawberry scent coming from her hair. She was intoxicating as well as beautiful.

He held out his hand to get the bartender's attention. He looked over towards her and he could swear she smiled at him before taking a sip of her drink. He finally got his own drink and checked the time. Dave should be arriving any moment and he knew he should keep an eye out for him but he couldn't help but keep an eye on even the smallest movements that she was making.

He noticed her looking around the room. He started to feel a little jealous; perhaps she was waiting for a date. He took a sip of his whiskey and looked towards the door. He needed to focus on his friend, after all that was why he was there. He'd just have to hope the gorgeous blonde would be here for awhile.

She watched his beautiful blue eyes drink her in. She knew what she was doing and this guy was hot. She couldn't help but tease him a little after she caught him taking an eyeful of her legs. She felt a rush of heat at the thought of his hands possibly rubbing up against leg as he sat up. She pushed those thoughts aside, for all she knew he was waiting for a date. Mary Margaret was going to be here any second and she needed to focus on her friend as promised. She didn't want her friend kissing a booger eater.

She hoped to god for once Mary Margaret was right and this date was the one. If so maybe she could focus on her own needs and perhaps throw her celibacy out the window. She just had to hope this beautiful man was still here after the drama unfolded so she could at least get his number.

When she turned her focus back to him she noticed he was looking at the door. She felt a pit of despair at the thought that maybe he was actually waiting for someone. She picked up her drink and took a long sip letting the burn in her throat distract her. She focused back into the room and noticed Mary Margaret walking in with a blonde gentleman.

He looked like a decent person so far, neatly pressed, hair coiffed nicely and he pulled out her chair for her; very chivalrous. She was going to give him points for that. She took another sip and kept watch.

Ah, finally Dave shows up with his date; a petite woman with short brown hair that framed her pretty face. She was dressed professionally but feminine. So far she seemed Dave's type and no red flags were going off. He sat back and took a sip of his drink as he watched. Out of the corner of his eye he happened to catch the gorgeous blonde next to him gazing in the same direction. He smiled and took another sip. Perhaps she was on a mission of mercy herself.

She finished her drink and put the empty glass on the bar never taking her eyes off the table with her friend. Mary Margaret appeared to be having a good time. She was smiling and laughing. Her date had his napkin in his lap, kept his fingers out of any orifices that were visible and only had eyes for her dear friend. She smiled and turned back to the bar looking to signal the bartender meeting a gorgeous pair of blue eyes in the process.

She blinked slowly and then noticed the smile grow across his face."Let me get that for you. Scotch?"

She smiled, he had a beautiful voice and accent that did things to her."Neat please."

He ordered two and turned back to face her extending his hand."Killian Jones."

She took his hand and felt a bit of electricity pass between them."Emma Swan."

The bartender placed fresh drinks in front of them and she picked it up to take a sip. She already felt relaxed after the first one. "So Killian, what brings you here tonight?"

"I suspect you are here for the same reason as I, in the duty of a friend."

She looked over at the table where her friend was still smiling and laughing and turned back to him."Internet date from hell watch, you too?"

He took a sip of his drink and smiled."Aye, my best friend Dave swears he will meet his soul mate if he keeps trying."

She laughed."Mary Margaret is the same way. There have been some real winners. Please tell me your friend is normal."

He laughed."Aye, Dave is the most normal man I've ever met. Perhaps they have fulfilled their match. They look to be hitting it off, both of them seem equally happy."

She looked over wistfully."Yeah, I'm happy to see her smile. She's one of the most decent and kind people I've ever met."

"Dave as well. It's nice to see him smiling on one of these for once."

She took another sip of her drink."So its safe to say your friend is not a booger eater?"

He laughed."No, I've never seen him eat a booger. Is it safe to say your friend isn't going to break any dishes or shout obscenities?"

"No, that's happened?"

He chuckled."Aye, he's been on a few wild dates."

"And I thought I had it bad watching some of her dates. No, I can assure you that she will not break any dishes and if she did she would be cleaning them up and begging the restaurant for forgiveness."

"Wow, she does sound perfect for Dave."

"What do you usually do if the date goes well?"

He shook his head."Not sure, none of them have so far. These things usually end with me rescuing him from a psycho and taking him to another pub where we play pool or darts."

"Hmm, yeah none of them have ever gone well for Mary Margaret with us but we get a sampler, drinks and laugh about whatever crazy guy she went out with."

"What do you say we relieve ourselves of duty, find another pub and make a night of it together?"

She eyed him cautiously remembering her promise to put herself out there."I want to let Mary Margaret know, just in case. How do I know you aren't just telling me he's a good guy, then I leave and he's a creep."

"Trust me Darling. Dave is one of the best people I know. He's as far from a creep as you can get."

She looked over once more to Mary Margaret who was smiling bright and focused completely on the man in front of her. "Alright. I'm game. Let's go."

"Brilliant. There's a great little place a few doors down from here."

"The Eagle, that's where we usually go, they have great food."

"Us as well. Seems great minds think alike."

He climbed from his stool and extended his hand helping her down from hers. He bent down and grabbed both of their briefcases and extended his arm to her. She took her briefcase and his arm as they walked towards the door. They both looked towards their friend's table as they left unable to catch either of their eyes because both were so wrapped in each other.

"Looks like we're in the clear."

He gazed into her beautiful green eyes trying to figure out what he did exactly to be this lucky."Indeed. Let's make the most of the rest of this night."

She smiled and couldn't wait to hear Mary Margaret's story in the morning, hopeful she'd have one of her own.

Ch.2