He swore he could hear her steps approach the door, but she was hesitating. "Emma, I know you are there. Please, please open the door and talk to me, love."
Killian heard the chain being removed, and then the door cracked open. His heart sped up when he saw her face. "Emma—"
Her voice was almost inaudible. "Hi."
Everything he wanted to say just flew out the window at seeing her. She was in her PJs, hair pulled back and messy. She stood quiet and uncertain, but god, did she look beautiful. He stepped towards her, wanting to envelope her in his arms, but she quickly took a step back. The distrust in her eyes hurt him to the core, but he didn't force it. "Emma." He swallowed, "Can I come in so we can talk?"
She shifted back and forth on her feet, he could tell that she was trying to decide if she should or not. But she clenched her eyes shut, released a breath, and stepped back along with the door, allowing him entrance into her apartment. He walked in and saw that some of her packed boxes were open, showing that she had needed things out of them, but he clung to the thought that she hadn't completely unpacked them.
When he got to the center of the living room, he watched as she closed the door, and then came in, but didn't sit on the couch. He took the opportunity to speak. "I don't know if you listened to any of my messages or read my texts or emails, but...Emma, what I believe you saw..." His voice caught, his anger flared at the memory and he clenched his fist. "Trust me when I say I did NOT want anything to do with it, with her. I was a completely unwilling participant, and as soon my body could react, I pushed her away."
Their eyes remained locked the entire time, both trying to read each other's expressions, as he continued. "I was going to tell you as soon as I got home, but…" He took another breath. "You weren't there. Then I got worried that something was wrong, because you tell me if you're going to be late. But then I saw your clothes gone." His voice cracked at that, he couldn't help the moisture that started to cloud his vision.
She could tell he was waiting for her to say something, but she couldn't. Her emotions were all over the place, making it hard for her to try to tell if he was giving her the truth. Part of her just wanted to leap into his arms, and another part just wanted to run away.
She was quiet too long, he could clearly see her indecision, so he decided to keep talking. "I requested that Regina fire her, like we talked about. Like I promised. However, Kathryn spouted some bloody nonsense about how she could file a lawsuit." He could see her suspicion, and he put up his hands. "I haven't even seen her or talked with her since it happened. You can ask Regina, you can ask Belle. Belle is working directly with Lily. But, we are getting evidence that Regina believes could lead to Lily's termination. Your instincts were correct as always, love. Seems she was up to no good."
She couldn't help but give a small smile at that. Her gut had been right; she hadn't been crazy. "What is she doing?" was all she could say. She wanted to roll her eyes at herself. Of course, talk about the easy part of all this. Deflect onto an easier topic.
And he knew exactly what she was doing. Then again, he was pretty good at reading her, but he went with it. At least it had her saying something. "Seems her contacts were too good to be true. We believe she was getting kickbacks from their deals."
"Let me guess, the so-called deals aren't really deals either," she responded, her voice still quiet, but she couldn't hold back the small amount of venom in it due to the other woman.
"Too right you are, love. Right down to the buildings she was trying to get us to lease." He took a step closer, and reached his hand out for her, but she took a step back, and he sighed.
"Emma...what do I need to say or do? I never wanted her to do that. I never gave her any reason to believe I did. I've done everything I can to try and make it right. I'm sorry for not having fired her the moment you said anything. I'm sorry that you had to see it, to witness it, to even for a moment have to believe it was true. What do I need to do for us to move past this...together?"
She looked down, tears forming in her eyes. The problem was, she didn't know how to move past this. Did she believe him? Yes. But, the feeling of trust, the safe feeling she had before was gone. She wasn't sure how to just push it all aside, and go back to the feeling she had prior to it all happening. All she felt was uncertainty. She looked back up at him and replied "I don't know."
Those three words and the look on her face killed him. The water in his eyes broke free of the dam and ran down his face. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat; he didn't want to ask the question, but he had to. "Do you still love me?"
He watched her eyes widen, and tears slip down her cheeks as well, but the simple nod of her head had his heart soaring. He breathed a sigh of relief. "I love you so much, Emma." His hand reached out slowly for her again this time wishing to cup her cheek, but he didn't force it, he just let it hover, allowing her decide what to do.
She looked to him and his hand and back, her lip quivering. She wanted to yell at herself for acting like a scared animal, but she couldn't help it. Her emotions and nerves were a wreck, and to say she was feeling skittish was an understatement. But he waited her out, and slowly she moved forward, and pressed her cheek to his palm, as her other hand came up to the back of his, holding him there.
He needed her in his arms, and he had a feeling she needed it as well, but she was scared. His other arm opened wide, indicating his wish, as his thumb slowly stroked the side of her face. He could tell the moment she made up her mind, the second before she moved into the hug, pressing herself to his chest. Both of their arms wrapped around each other, as she pressed her face to his chest, her tears dampening his shirt as his face nuzzled into the top of her head, smelling her hair.
They stood there for who-knows-how long, just holding onto each other, their arms tight, their fingers gripping as if the other would be pulled away any second. He kissed the top of her head numerous times, whispering how much he loved her repeatedly. It was her that finally broke them apart from her words. "I need to go to the bathroom."
That caused him to laugh, which also made a giggle erupt from her as well. He smiled, and pulled away just enough to kiss her forehead, "Of course, love. Just don't lock yourself away from me, please. Being away from you has been...torture."
"Same here. I just…" She rocked back and forth.
That caused a smile. "Go," he said, motioning to her bathroom door.
She ran off to the bathroom, and he tried to use the time to calm himself. He took off his shoes, and sat down on the couch. He was angry at the situation; none of this should be needed. Which just made him hate Lily even more, and he couldn't wait until they could get rid of her from their lives. He was relieved that Emma was at least talking to him, but if he was completely honest, a small amount of that anger was also at Emma. If she had only talked to him, trusted him, confronted him when it happened, they wouldn't be in this position right now.
He pushed it away as the door opened and she came back out. She was hesitant still, and she moved towards the other end of the couch, "Emma…" he said and opened his arms again, trying to get her to sit next to him. But she didn't and sat the other end. It felt like the progress of just minutes ago was gone once again. He closed his eyes, and took a breath. "Are you ever going to trust me again?" With the hesitation from her to say anything, his frustration grew. "This isn't fair to me, Emma."
"Excuse me? This isn't fair to you? Do you have any idea what I have been feeling?"
He took a breath and tried to calm himself. "Emma, I'm not dismissing your feelings. But do YOU have any idea about how I have been feeling? Have you even cared?"
She was caught off guard for a minute by that question. "Well, honestly no. Because, I thought you were the one cheating! I thought you were just upset you got caught!" She stood up on that in a huff.
He forced himself to remain sitting. "Did you ever trust me? Because you were so quick to believe it. Was there ever even a shadow of doubt? You didn't even let me explain. You didn't confront me. You just ran, without even talking to me." He could see her wanting to object but he wouldn't let her. "Do you have any idea how it felt to know that you left me? That you told your brother we were over? That you wouldn't listen to me? That I couldn't get a hold of you? That I knew just how bad you were feeling, and yet I could do nothing about it, because you wouldn't bloody even talk to me?!" He clenched his fists, and his eyes shut.
"I saw you kissing her! It was pretty damn solid evidence!"
"She kissed me! And if you would have stayed not even a few seconds longer you would have seen me push her away. Or at the least, you could have confronted me, so I could talk to you." He ran his hands through his hair, tugging on it in frustration. Now that he was talking about it, now that the immediate need to let her know that what she thought was wrong was over, his anger and hurt over her own actions in all of this were taking over. He didn't want it to, but he wasn't sure how to stop it either.
"I couldn't bear talking to you and hearing you confirm it was true. I don't know what I would do if I heard you tell me you didn't love me anymore. Hearing you say those words would have killed me!" she yelled back, it immediately quashed his anger.
Those words had him off the couch, his arms around her, and his lips on hers in an instant. Not even a brief second later, she was kissing him back frantically, her arms around his neck pulling him closer. His lips only broke the intensity of the kiss, but with their faces still pressed together, he pledged, "I love you, Emma Swan. That is never going to change."
Her arms tried to pull him closer, as her lips still tried to kiss and speak at the same time. "Show me," she pleaded. She needed this, they needed this. It was a desperate attempt to try and erase the whole ordeal from their minds, to find a way to move past the hurt and pain.
He didn't need any further motivation. He leaned down, his hands moved under her bottom and hoisted her up. Her legs instantly wrapped around his waist as his hands squeezed her cheeks, and pressed her core against his quickly growing arousal as he walked towards her bedroom.
He momentarily pressed her against the door frame to grind his hardness into her. She moaned as her head fell back and his lips found her neck. He sucked and nipped at her skin, leaving his mark. He groaned as her fingers wound through his hair, tugging and pressing him closer as her hips rolled against him. He growled and pulled away from the wall, and walked through her bedroom door and came to the foot of her bed. He hovered over it, and let her drop.
Emma let a small giggle escape as she bounced, and then she was up on her knees, her hands at his pants, trying to get them off quickly. HIs own hands pulled his shirt over his head, and as she was pulling down his zipper, his hands cupped her face and pulled her lips back up to his. His tongue delved into her mouth, exploring as her own fingers moved into his pants. He hissed as her fingers found their way under his boxer briefs and grasped him tightly.
Killian pulled back from her mouth and then pulled her hands away so he could pull her shirt over her head. As soon as it was off, she then started to remove her pants, and he fiddled with her ponytail holder, which soon found itself on the floor with the rest of their clothes as his fingers ran through her golden tresses. "So damn beautiful."
She rolled her eyes; she knew she looked like shit, but she just wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him hard. "Clothes off...now," she said and fell back onto the bed naked, her eyes open, and beckoning him.
He stooped over to push down his pants and underwear in one quick motion, and then stood back up at the foot of the bed. He took his length in his hand and gave it a couple pumps, watching her eyes as he did so. He then leaned over, grabbed her legs, and pulled her down the bed, his one hand on her hip, the other between her legs, letting his fingers trailing over her.
He groaned at finding her wet and ready for him. His eyes looked to hers and he instantly knew foreplay wasn't needed; hell, it wasn't wanted by either of them. His hand moved from between her legs to her other hip, as he hoisted her bottom and lined himself up. The head of his cock swiped through her folds, making them both groan. He then looked back up, and when his blue was focused on her green, he started to slide into her hot, tight depths. They both moaned as he moved deeper and deeper inside. Then with one quick thrust, he was buried to the hilt.
Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper, making him clench his jaw at the feeling and then he was moving, thrusting in and out in quick, hard strokes. It was as if he was trying to claim her body with his once again, and she was doing the same. Her back was arching, her legs tightening, trying to get leverage to move against him as well.
Her sounds were getting sharper and closer together as his hips snapped in quick succession. Her hands moved to hold his wrists which were clasping her hips; her fingernails dug into his flesh as she tried to hold on.
He felt her legs start to quiver around him, and with a shove of his hips, he pressed forward, pushing her back up the bed as first one knee and then the other moved onto the bed. She whimpered as he moved her legs back to her chest and then over his shoulders as he leaned over her.
She groaned as the new position changed the angle, allowing him to go deeper. His mouth sucked down the rest of her sounds, as he kissed her again, his hips moving harder and faster into her. Her hands drifted around to his shoulders, allowing her fingers to grip at his back, digging into his shoulder blades as her her body started to shake once again from the buildup.
Their mouths kept connected in open-mouthed kisses, their tongues tasting each other. He continued to plunge in and out of her core, repeatedly, with all he had, until her whole body stilled, shuddering. A scream of his name into his own mouth, the feel of her inner muscles squeezed his own breath from him, and he couldn't help but fall over the edge with her. He thrust once more, his own body stilling and shuddering as he released himself deep inside of her.
They broke the kiss panting as they tried to come back to themselves. Her legs fell from his shoulders and his face nuzzled into her neck as they lay there, still catching their breath, intimately connected. Minutes passed and then his arms wrapped around her, and pulled her with him as he rolled to his back, with her on top of him. One of his hands was at the small of her back, the other gently combed through her tangled hair as her head rested on his shoulder.
He cleared his throat a little, trying to figure out what to say. "So...need more clarification of how much I love you and want you and no one else? I'd be glad to keep showing—"
She cut him off with a swat to the chest and a small laugh, which was music to his ears. She moved her head to look at him. "Well, it did certainly help move us past that...weird...place...feeling or whatever it was." She couldn't describe it, but being with him again, being pressed close to him, hearing his heartbeat in her ear, having his arms around her. It felt...well, it felt like coming home.
He kissed her forehead. "I've missed you so much. You belong with me, and I with you. Will you please come back home with me?" He held his breath as he looked down at her. "We'll move past this...together," he promised.
She smiled up at him, and it was almost like she could just pretend the last couple weeks never happened. She really did want to just erase them from her memory and move on. She could tell he felt the same. "I wish I could just write off all of 'that' has some bad nightmare, but…" She watched as he closed his eyes, his body stiffen, and dread washed over his features. "Hey, hey...Killian." His eyes popped open, and she could see the worry there. "Just listen to me for a minute."
She took a breath and continued. "I can't just forget what happened. And...I don't want to." She pressed a calming hand to his chest. "You were right, I should have talked to you. I need to remember what happened, so I remember that when something is wrong, I need to talk about it, not run away from it." She saw the smile forming on his lips and the hope return to his eyes. "Also, I need to remember it, so it is even sweeter when I see her pay for it."
He chuckled. "Revenge, love? That's more my area."
"Not revenge really. Just, I would love to see the universe dish out some karma and watch her face as she gets fired and can't do anything about it."
His smiled got bigger. "I'm pretty sure that will happen very soon, my love." He swallowed hard. "So, does that mean, you'll still live with me? That we will...be okay?"
She couldn't help but smile at the hope in those puppy dog eyes. "Yes. Yes, I'll still move in with you." She leaned up and captured his mouth with hers.
When she pulled back to look down at his smiling face, his fingers traveled over her cheek. "So, I know you still have a little time left on your lease, but how about we just move your stuff, and you turn your keys in early?"
She grinned. "Wanting to make sure I can't run away again?" His other hand came up to scratch behind his ear, and she pulled it away. She knew that was a yes. "I think that's a wonderful idea." It was the perfect opportunity for her to try and grasp a future, and stop being scared of it.
Monday and Tuesday, Killian headed to Emma's apartment after work and they both stayed there to eat dinner and finish packing her apartment. She packed up all the boxes while he cleaned the kitchen and bathroom and then vacuumed. She had insisted she could do it herself, or hire a move-out cleaning company, but he insisted. Just having got her back in his life, he was willing to do just about anything to stay near her; besides, he didn't really mind.
During the day while Emma was at work, he scheduled the movers to come and pick up her stuff that Sunday, and made sure the space in his house was ready to accommodate her things.
At lunch on Wednesday, they both went with Belle to take a look at one of the buildings that she found. It was vastly better than anything Lily had shown them and in a much better location. But they all agreed to take a look at the other places as well before they made a final decision. Once Emma left to head back to work, Killian went into the shop to check in with Robin when Regina pulled him aside and into her office.
After she shut the door, they both sat down, and she gave him a smile. "First, I'm happy to hear you and Emma have worked things out."
He grinned and nodded. "Thankfully, we have." He was trying to forget the whole bloody ordeal, but it was difficult when even the mention of Lily had them both tensing.
"Well, I just wanted to update you. I won't tell you exactly what, but our IT and HR departments have uncovered more information. Legal is almost ready to pull the plug, and Kathryn is already working on the paperwork."
He couldn't contain the joy that washed over him at those words. "How much longer?"
"I'd say less than a week."
He nodded. "So when do we start looking for a new director?"
Regina held up her hand. "Not yet. We don't want anything tipping her off. Not until she's gone. But as soon as she is, I can have my people looking again, unless you have someone in mind?"
"I might, but I need to talk to someone first," he said and Regina smiled. They both knew exactly who he wanted to talk to. Emma's gut instinct had been right on the money. That night, after the last box was packed and only the bed linens needed to be pulled from the bed did they talk about it.
"Wait, so they are going to actually fire her?" Emma asked in shock, and then took another bite of her pizza.
He nodded. "Yep. Should be soon. Which, now we have to find a new director, and I have an idea but I wanted to run it past you."
"Killian...you don't need to run everything past me." She didn't want to make him feel like she had to personally approve of everyone on his staff, though it did make her feel good that he wanted to.
"I trust your instinct, love. I just ask that you tell me what you feel, even if it sounds 'crazy'." He said holding up his fingers in quotation marks.
She laughed even though her foot lightly kicked him in the side of the leg for the remark as they sat on the couch. "Fine. Who?"
"Belle," he said, looking straight at her, wanting to get her first reaction.
The instant smile on her face immediately gave him the answer, and she backed it up. "I think she would be perfect."
"Me too. Everything that she has been doing lately. She has the right personality for it. Everyone likes her." Emma nodded in agreement to what he was saying as she continued to munch on her pizza. "So, as soon as Lily is out of the picture, I'll ask her."
Emma smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. "Sounds like a good plan."
Thursday after work, Killian, Emma, and Belle headed to look at the last office building with the realtor. It was maybe a mile from Mills Racing—a slightly older building, but all one floor. There was plenty of parking and it was a standalone building. They wouldn't have to worry about any other businesses being on the grounds.
After getting out of the car, they took a look at the outside. There was quite a bit of land, with nice green grass and some large trees here and there. "How much of the outside land is for use?" Killian asked.
The man pointed to a far off simple fence on both sides. "Anything in the fence line. So, pretty much everything."
The three smiled at each other, all of them imagining events they could have with local community kids there, which had Emma speak up. "Can we build outside? Like picnic tables, maybe a small playground?"
The realtor checked his notes. "Per the zoning and the owners, that would be okay. You may want to check with the city just to be sure."
Belle wrote the notes down in her notebook, as they then headed inside. It was old and probably hadn't been updated since the late seventies.
"Wow, wood paneling." Emma mentioned, as they got inside. The walls were covered in it and the cubicles were a similar color, as was the carpet that was also really old and stained. "This will need some updating."
"True, and the owners know that. Thus why the price is so low, and the first couple of months are free."
They all took a look around, and Killian spoke first. "The layout it pretty good. It looks like it just needs to get the walls redone, update the breakroom, put in new carpet."
Emma nodded. "Don't forget to get rid of the popcorn ceilings." The four of them laughed at that.
"We were going to have to have different furniture for what the volunteers would do anyway, so all the cubes can go."
They continued to look through the offices, and each one had large windows looking out onto the property. "So, what do you think?" Killian asked walking up behind Emma and putting his arms around her.
She leaned back into him. "I'm not a contractor, but I have a feeling to fix this place up the way the charity needs it wouldn't be that much. Coupled with the cheaper rent, it will make the ongoing costs a lot better."
He nodded in agreement. "I also really like the land outside. Nothing else we have seen has anything like that. And the fact that it would just be the charity here, and not other businesses coming and going."
She smiled, she liked that, too. "It would make it great, and a whole lot easier for any events you might have planned."
"Hey, Belle," he called over to her, and she walked towards them. "Can you check with the city and see about what we can do with the outside? If we can make the improvements, I think this might be the one."
She grinned. "I'm glad, I think so, too. I'll give them a call in the morning."
Belle had told him the good news as soon as she saw him walk into the building. The city would allow them to put in a playground and other things at the office they saw the night before.
"Perfect! Get Lance on the phone, and let him know. I'm sure he'll be happy to get the sale. Let me know when the paperwork is ready, and I'll head over to sign it."
Belle nodded and quickly went back to her office to give the Realtor the good news, as Killian sent a text to Emma also letting her know as well. It was almost lunch time, and after his meeting with Robin, the commotion started.
Two police officers strode up to the receptionist, and instead of asking for someone to come up front, they had her lead them to the back. Killian and Robin moved out of the way for them to pass, and then followed. They weren't sure what was up, but wanted to be there if they were needed.
The receptionist lead them to an office, and then hightailed it out of the area. Killian couldn't help the smile that came across his face. Regina came up behind them. "What's going—"
They both hushed her, and Robin pulled her behind him, as the cops opened the door to Lily's office. "Lily Paige!" The woman looked up from her desk in shock. "You are under arrest." the one officer started to read her, her rights, as the other put the cuffs on her.
Killian looked to Regina. "Was this Kathryn?"
Regina shook her head quickly. "No. I don't know what this is."
Lily started screaming that she wanted her lawyer and that the police didn't have a right to do this, though the arrest warrant they had clearly showed otherwise.
Belle and Mulan were also watching from their office doors, and as soon as Lily was out of the building with the two officers, they were over to them. "What happened?" Mulan asked.
Regina was already on her phone calling Kathryn when Killian spoke up. "Karma."
Belle and Robin started laughing as Mulan looked at all of them, not understanding what was happening. Belle glanced up at Killian in question. "As soon as we get an idea for what all is happening, I will talk with everyone." But first he had someone else to tell, and motioned to Robin's office with his phone.
His friend waved his okay, and Killian entered Robin's office as he speed dialed Emma's number. At her hello, he quickly told her what they all had just witnessed.
"What? Why?" she said in disbelief over the phone.
"We don't know yet. But I'm pretty sure she'll be out of our lives for good." Killian said and Emma hummed her agreement. "Just wanted to give you some more good news today, my love. Sorry you didn't get to witness it, though."
It wasn't until a few hours later, when Kathryn and Regina had them all come into a conference room for a meeting that he found out. Kathryn started. "I was able to receive some information from the prosecution of Lily's case. The charges were brought from her prior company. She wasn't just getting deals from her clients, but she was also doctoring the books and stealing money. Her replacement had started to notice some odd things, but hadn't put two and two together until we started to inquire about her ourselves."
"We need to do a thorough investigation of our books and everything that Lily has had a hand in." Killian told the rest of his team.
Kathryn nodded. "I have already handed over all the evidence that we already had to the prosecution, and we need to hand over anything else we might find. I have also sent her termination letter to her and to her legal council to make sure she is notified while in jail."
"We will be looking for a replacement immediately," Regina told everyone.
"I'll also meet with each of you personally, to see if you have any questions." Killian told his team. "We would like to move forward from this setback as quickly as possible."
They all gave him a smile and voiced their willingness. As everyone filed out, Killian spoke up, "Belle, can I talk with you for a second?"
She waited as the rest cleared out. "What can I help with?"
He smiled back at the brunette. "Well, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. Emma and I discussed this, and we would like to offer you the position of Executive Director." Her eyes got big and her mouth opened in surprise. "We know you can do it Belle. You'll be great at it. I wish it was under better circumstances."
She held up both of her hands. "Wow. That's, amazing. And I'm honored, truly that you would both trust me with the position. But...I have to say no."
Killian wasn't expecting that. "What? But Belle, you would be great at that position. Have I done something that—"
She cut him off. "Oh, no, no, no. It's nothing like that. I LOVE working here...well, besides the whole Lily thing. I just don't want that job. It's why I didn't apply for it to begin with. I love what I do, working with the kids and the volunteers. I'll help out in any way I can, and fill in whatever you need while you find a new person. But, Killian, I'm sorry, but I don't want to do that."
He gave her a smile. "I get it; I do. What you currently do makes you happy. I can't hold that against you, even if it makes my job harder." He gave her a wink and she laughed.
He spent the rest of the day talking with Mulan, Will, and Merida. None of them wanted the position, all liking what they were doing, the same as Belle. However, all of them said they would see if they knew of anybody for the job.
Killian and Emma walked up to the doorstep of a house. He looked to Emma one more time as she knocked on the door. "Are you sure I'm supposed to be here?"
"You've asked me that at least five times now. The answer is yes. You are here for my brother. You two get to drink, head out back, play cards, or...you know, hang out with the rest of us."
He still wasn't sure about it, but if Emma wanted him there, he was there at her sister-in-law's baby shower. When the door opened, a older, rounder woman gave them both a huge smile, "Emma!" she said and pulled her into a big hug. She then pulled back to look at her, "It's been so long." She then turned to him. "You must be Killian." Before he could even say a word he was pulled into a hug as well.
Emma laughed. "Johanna this is my boyfriend Killian, Killian this is Johanna, Mary Margaret's godmother."
He pulled back, and gave a smile to the older woman. "Nice to meet you."
She smiled back and waved them in, but not before she lightly elbowed Emma in and side and whispered to her, "Nice job, sweetie. You and Mary Margaret got yourselves some fine men there."
Emma just shook her head and followed inside. Killian was happy to see Dave. He sat the wrapped gifts he was holding on the table with the others and headed over to him. David smiled and immediately gave Killian a beer as he continued to nosh on the hors d'oeuvres on the counter.
Emma sat down the gift she had as well and went over to say hi to her sister-in-law. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you." The brunette gave her a big hug and spoke into her ear, "And so happy to see everything is okay with you two." Before Emma could say anything she was waving Killian over, "Oh, don't be shy, let me introduce you."
Killian could tell David was trying not to laugh at him, and he returned an evil look as he headed over a the pregnant woman's request. She gave him a big smile, as Emma leaned against his side and he put his arm around her that held his beer.
"Some of you already have meet her, but this is my sister-in-law, Emma." They group said hi, and then she continued. "And this is her boyfriend Killian."
Killian caught that Belle was there; she had been recommended by Mary Margaret for the position, so he wasn't all surprised. But the curl of her lips told him she was trying not to laugh at them.
"Killian, as in Killian 'Hook' Jones?" the blonde on the couch asked.
"Glinda, I didn't know you watched NASCAR," Mary Margaret said.
"A boyfriend a few years ago got me into it, and it stuck."
Killian smiled at her, and reached out his hand to shake hers. "Nice to meet you, lass."
Her smile grew and she turned to the dark-haired lady next to her, "Damn, he's cuter in person."
That brought a blush to Killian's cheeks, and Emma couldn't help the snicker. Mary Margaret ignored the comment and went on with introductions. "Obviously, that is Glinda, she teaches English and American Literature. Next to her is Jasmine and she teaches History. At the end of the couch is one of my best friends from college, Rapunzel. And you already met Johanna and you know Belle."
Killian said hi to them all, and then turned to Emma. The look of embarrassment was still on his face and she patted his chest. "Okay, you can go back to David."
"Thank you, love," he said and kissed her on the cheek and retreated back to the safety of the kitchen.
Once over to the kitchen, David clinked beer bottles with him. "You made it out alive." Killian just laughed. "I'm also glad that I won't have to kill you." Killian raised an eyebrow to Emma's brother in confusion. "You and Emma made up, and she's happy again. I would like to keep it that way."
Killian smiled. "That's the plan, mate."
Emma couldn't help but smile at seeing her boyfriend and brother getting along, and then she turned back to the rest of the guests. She kept seeing Glinda looking over at Killian, and sat down on the arm of the couch next to her. "Don't get any ideas. He's taken."
The other blonde smiled up at her. "Don't worry. I know. But, can you blame me for looking?"
Emma laughed and shook her head. "I can't blame you for that at all."
The ladies sat around talking and eating for awhile, and then Johanna got out some paint and onesies. Each of the ladies decorated one. The guys came over to watch, as each drew something different for the baby. Killian moved behind Emma and watched her paint a few little yellow ducks. His smiled widened, "That is quite cute, love. I'm sure the lad will love it." He kissed the top of her head and then followed David back into the kitchen.
The men talked while they watched the ladies finish up and then start on some other shower game that Johanna had come up with. This one involved some type of balloons; Killian didn't catch the point of the game since he was listening to David talk about how they were currently looking at houses, but that for some reason there was a lack of houses for sale in Storybrooke.
He took a moment to look over at the ladies as he started to bring his bottle up to drink, and his whole brain stopped at the sight. The ladies now all had the balloons under their shirt, and were trying to do various tasks while Mary Margaret was laughing at the scene. But it wasn't the ridiculousness or the laughter that caught his attention. It was Emma, with fake balloon pregnant belly that had him stop and just watch her.
His brain flashed forward imagining that it was their baby shower, that they were the ones expecting. They had talked about it before; he knew they both wanted that future. But in that instant, he wanted it desperately. His brain imagined Emma swollen with his child and it made his heart constrict.
He was brought out of the moment by the laugh of the man next to him. "Well, I guess I don't need to ask your intentions with my sister, since it's written all over your face."
A smile bloomed on Killian's face, and he chuckled. "I think you asked me that a long time ago, mate."
"True, but you telling me you won't hurt her is quite different than seeing the look on your face I just did." David leaned on the counter next to him, and when Killian didn't say anything—just kept catching glances of Emma—David continued. "I know the look well; I have had it many times with Mary Margaret. But the question is, have you two talked about it?"
"A little personal there, Dave." The man shrugged, and Killian couldn't help the smile. "Bloody hell. Okay, yes, we've talked about it. We want the same thing."
And David looked at him, waiting. "And those are…"
"She's your sister, why not ask her?"
David laughed. "Really? Do you even KNOW Emma?"
Killian tilted his head, he had a point. "No worries, mate. We have both agreed marriage before children. You won't have to get out the shotgun."
"Good." Killian rolled his eyes at the man's response. "You know you don't have to ask for my permission, right?"
"What for?"
"I mean, I am her brother, but I'm not her father. Besides, Emma isn't that old fashioned." David winked at him, and Killian realized what he meant.
His eyes widened, and he turned directly towards him. "Has Emma said—"
David held up his hands. "Oh, no, no. She hasn't said anything, at least not to me, and Mary Margaret hasn't told me anything. So no need to panic." He laughed and took a drink of his beer.
The thing was, Killian realized, he wasn't panicked by the thought at all. Him wondering if Emma had said anything had more to do with seeing if she might be open to the idea, that she was ready for that step. He knew that Emma had thought about it, but she kept saying the future. He just wasn't sure when she wanted that future to start. He didn't want to push her too fast, especially with the last few weeks.
A cheer from the group of women brought him out of his pondering, as Emma stood their jumping up and down with her hands in the air, having obviously won whatever contest they were having. He couldn't help the laugh that came from him as the balloon under her shirt bounced with her enthusiasm.
"Okay, now it's time for presents!" Johanna told the group, as the ladies removed the balloons. "Come on over guys. David, you need to help your wife."
"On it!" the man said, setting down his beer and running over to sit next to Mary Margaret, giving her a kiss as he did so.
Killian followed suit, and sat down in the empty seat next to Emma and gave her forehead a kiss. She turned, smiled at him, and took his hand in hers as Johanna started to give the expectant couple their gifts.
When he saw that she was giving them the gifts he brought in, he smiled as Mary Margaret read the gift tag.
"Oh my!" Mary Margaret showed the tag to David and they both looked to Killian. "Elsa and Liam sent these?"
He smiled back. "Yes, and she told me to tell you: these were some of the things she wished she would have had with her first."
The brunette gave him a big smile, and started to tear into the wrapping paper. The first gift was an infant first aid kit.
"Oh, that is a good one," Johanna said as she started to write down the gifts on her pad of paper.
The next was a small humidifier, and the last was a bunch of pacifiers and straps to go on them. The couple smiled, looking at each one, and Johanna laughed. "She's right. You can never have too many of those."
"Will you tell them both thank you? Especially Elsa," Mary Margaret said and winked at Killian.
"Will do," he said as he wrote down his brother's address for Johanna to help with the thank you cards.
A few more gifts were opened, and then they got to the one that Emma brought. David read the tag, and showed his wife. "From Emma AND Killian," he said, giving the man in question a questioning look, which Emma caught.
"It is actually from both of us," she told them both as they started to watch them take things out of the bag.
The first had David laughing: it was a onesie with 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good' written on it. "Oh, I know this one is from you, Emma." She laughed and nodded.
Mary Margaret pulled out the second one that had an image of Captain Hook on it, which had them both laugh and look at Killian. "What?" He asked all innocently, which made them roll their eyes.
The next item was a small little hat, in scarlet and gold. "Yes!" David called out, "He's in Gryffindor!" That got everyone really laughing.
His wife just rolled her eyes, but couldn't keep the smile off her face, as she pulled out the last thing. It was a NASCAR baby blanket with the 71 on it along with the car and Killian's signature.
"Got to start the lad off on the right team," he told them with a wink, which got more chuckling. The soon-to-be parents gave them both a thank you, and were about to turn to the next gift, when he spoke back up. "You missed something there."
David looked in the bag, and then saw the small envelope at the bottom. Emma turned to Killian with a question in her eyes, but his small shake of his head told her they would talk later as her brother opened the envelope. His eyes widened and then he showed his wife the amount on the gift card, and her eyes grew big as well, and both turned to Killian. "Thank you." They both said in a heartfelt but shocked tone. David seemed to shake himself out of it, as he said to the group while putting it back in the envelope. "It's a Babies-R-Us gift card."
As they turned to the next gift, Emma looked at Killian, but he refused to acknowledge her look, and she couldn't help the smile. She was curious to exactly how much was on that card. He hadn't said a thing to her about it, but he also knew she would probably object. He didn't have to go that grand for her family, but she couldn't blame him. If she had the kind of money he had, she couldn't say she wouldn't have done the same thing.
After the party ended, they stayed so that Killian could help David load the gifts into his car. She stood with Mary Margaret when her sister-in-law spoke up. "You didn't know about the gift card."
Emma shook her head. "Nope. Do you mind telling me how much it was for?"
"Before I say, are you angry?"
"You know what. If you would have asked me a few months ago, I would have been. But now, after I've really gotten to know him—hell, live with him—know his past. I just...I know he does it because he's in a position to be able to. And I can't fault him for that, at all."
Her friend smiled, "Good. It was for a thousand dollars."
Emma blinked a few times, and turned to her friend. "What? I was thinking maybe a couple hundred."
"You aren't angry now, are you? If you are, then I'll feel bad."
Emma just smiled and shook her head. "I'm not mad."
With the slamming of the trunk, they all said their goodbyes and were all on their way home. As he drove, Killian looked over at Emma. "I assume your sister told you."
"Yep."
"Upset?" he questioned.
"Nope," she said and smiled at him.
"Good," he said as he reached over and took her hand in his and kissed the back of it.
The next morning, they were up early and over to Emma's apartment. They put a couple of boxes into his car of stuff she didn't want the movers to move. They took the sheets off the bed and took the frame apart so it was ready to go.
About an hour later, the movers were there, wrapping her furniture in blankets and then wheeled it and what boxes were left out and into the truck. It didn't take long for the three men to clear out the apartment. Once it was empty, except for a few things they had left on the kitchen counter on purpose, Emma locked up and they headed out with the truck following Killian to his place.
The drive was short and soon both vehicles pulled through the gate and up to the house. Killian propped the door open as Emma started to direct the guys where to move everything. Some things went into the room right next to the front door, some boxes went into their bedroom, some into her closest, and her couch went into the back guest bedroom.
As she was signing off on the paperwork, Killian tipped the men. Once the movers left in the truck, he turned to her. "I guess you are all mine now."
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Already was," she said, and went up on her tiptoes and kissed him. She pulled back when his hands pulled her body closer. "While I would love to continue with this line of thought, I really need to close out the apartment."
"Too right, love," he said as he too stepped back. They grabbed their things and headed back over to the apartment one last time. They took one more look around, making sure nothing was left, and cleaned up any of the stuff that was hiding under the furniture.
She stood in the middle of the now-empty apartment, amazed at where she was in her life. She felt Killian behind her and she smiled as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her back into his chest. "You okay?"
She nodded. She was okay. It was a huge step, almost like getting rid of a security blanket. But she was ready for it—she was ready for the rest of her life to start, to not be alone any longer. "I really am," she said and turned in his arms. "Let's get out of here."
Killian took the small bag of trash and the few things that were left to the car as Emma locked up and then went to the leasing office to turn in her keys. When she was done she got into his car, shut the door, and turned to him. "Now let's go home."
The following week, more information came to light about what Lily was being charged with. They also found out that Arthur and Percival were also being sued, and possible charges might be brought against them as well. It seemed that the three of them and a few others owned the building he had been shown. They had cut corners, things were not up to code, and were looking to turn quick profits from their unsuspecting customers.
Belle gathered all the information on the locations he had viewed and turned it over to Kathryn, who in turn gave it to the police for their investigation. After double-checking the building that they had liked was not owned by them, Killian signed off on the paperwork.
Between the investigation of what Lily had done, scheduling the move, and now looking for a new Executive Director, they were quite busy once again. Regina's HR department was looking for a replacement, but he knew it could take awhile. So while Emma was at work, he was pitching in as much as he could. Whenever they had some new prospects to look at, he and Emma were reviewing them together at night in their home.
Thursday night, after Emma was done with work, they were once again flying to the next track in Sonoma, California. Killian couldn't help how happy it made him to not be traveling alone, to have Emma once again by his side. Even though she had to work from the RV the next day, and probably every Friday for the rest of the season due to her using all her time off, she was at least there.
As soon as they were at cruising altitude, they were snuggling on the couch, eating dinner, and watching a movie. Both of them were glad to just be together, and with a little down time as well. They got in late and immediately headed to the RV to sleep. It wasn't until the next day, after practice and after Emma was done working, that she got to see the others. Victor was hosting a BBQ, though she knew it was mainly Killian that would be doing the cooking.
After finishing work, which was just after two in the afternoon due to the time change, she walked over and found Killian doing exactly that. He had tried not to bother her, allowing her to work in peace, and only came back long enough to shower before we was out the door to the BBQ. She walked up to him, and he smiled and gave her a hug before she was noticed by the others.
Ashley and Ariel screamed and came over to pull her into hugs, and tell her how happy they were to see her. The guys said it was nice to have her back. It was Ruby who stood off to the side, with her arms crossed in front of her, staring at her, that had Emma pause.
"So you're back." The brunette said, and everyone went quiet. Emma nodded her confirmation. "I called you. Left tons of messages." She waved at the others. "We all did. We heard nothing."
"Ruby—" Killian warned.
"No." She snapped at him, and Victor went over to try to calm her down, but she stepped around him. "Are we your friends, or just someone to entertain you while you are here?"
Emma looked at her shocked. "Of course you are all my friends—"
"Then why did we all get the silent treatment? He was the one you were angry at, but you cut us all out. If you two break up, do we never see you again?" Ruby spat accusingly.
Emma left the safety of Killian's arms, and walked towards her angry friend. "I didn't talk to anyone. I ignored my brother, my co-workers, everyone. I was…" Emma sighed. "I was hurt, and I was withdrawing from everyone, and I was being...selfish. And I thought...if I talked to any of you, you would just be on his side. You were his friends first. I thought, if I wasn't with him, then none of you would…" She stopped, as she looked down at the ground, and wrapped her arms around herself.
Killian wanted to rush over to her, but Ashley stopped him shaking her head. He nodded to her in understanding. This had to be worked out between them.
Ruby moved closer and put her hands on Emma's shoulders, causing Emma to look up, and be surprised at the smile that was starting to appear on her friends face. "If you and that idiot break up..."
"Hey!" Killian called, and everyone else laughed.
With a quick wink over Emma's head to Killian, Ruby continued. "We are still going to be your friends. We will still be here for you. And, while I probably would have told you what was happening for real...if you had just...you know...talked to me. But I would have still been just calling to talk to you, to check on you, to see what I could do. At worse, I would have drove my ass up to you, and brought ice cream, and we would have watched sad chick flicks."
Ashley and Ariel walked up to her. "Yep." They agreed.
Emma could feel the water in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I…"
Ruby rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "Okay, you're forgiven," she said, and then pulled Emma into a hug. Ariel and Ashley hugged her as well, and Emma laughed as she tried to hug them all back.
Victor then elbowed Killian lightly in the side. "Hey, don't burn the meat."
"Bugger off ya wanker, or cook it yourself." He brushed off his friend, and smiled at the girls, as the guys all shared a nod with each other. But in the end, he did turn back to the grill and finished cooking.
The girls took plenty of pictures around the table, and agreed it was time to post them twitter. As Ruby told her, Emma wanted to make sure it was still well known he was off the market. She got a good group shot and posted that it was nice to be back at the track. But it was the one that Ruby posted that Emma decided she needed to get printed so could she put it into a frame back home. It was all of them, together, and in it, Killian had his arms wrapped around her, with the happiest smile.
Qualifying was a bit of a shock for Emma. She knew it was a road course, but seeing it was a whole other story. As the girls found a place to sit so they could watch, Emma just shook her head in disbelief. "Well, this is quite different."
Ariel grinned. "Yep, they aren't just turning left this time." The others laughed.
"You shouldn't worry; Killian does amazing at road courses," Ashley told her.
"Really?" she asked. He hadn't told her that.
Ruby nodded. "He was a Formula One driver prior; they are all road courses. There will be a few other F1 drivers in the race who are subbing for some of the non-permanent drivers, but he definitely has the edge to the others who only drive them twice a year."
She grinned at that, and they started to watch qualifying. And true to what the girls had said, he did quite well, and was actually on the poll. Starting first and hopefully placing well would do some good to replace the point deficit he got from the last two races.
The race day went exactly like Emma remembered: press, fans, hanging out with the girls, intros, invocation, national anthem, and a kiss before Killian got into the car. It felt really good for everything to be back to normal.
The race was very interesting for Emma, but also stressful since she couldn't see all the of the track from her position. So she was watching it from her phone along with looking at the track, and listening to the radio to hear Killian, his spotter, and Robin all talking. Killian stayed in the lead even though August, and sometimes Victor tried to take it away from him. But at lap 27 of the 110 laps, he had to let go of the lead and come in for a green flag pitstop. But as soon as those leaders had to come in to change tires, he was back in the lead.
A caution came out here and there. One for debris in a corner, another for two cars in the back crashing in the last turn and hitting the wall. They had to get the wreckers to come out and take the cars off the track. At lap 79, a big wreck in turn seven for the middle of the pack brought out another caution, but Jefferson was able to squeeze by without a scratch, as two other cars were out of the race, and three more were in pits for fixes.
Lap after lap, Jefferson was making his way up, trading paint with other cars here and there, diving into the corners and rubbing the cars against the wall. Emma looked to Robin, and he shrugged his shoulders as he warned Killian that the driver was moving up in the pack. With some tire hopping in turn seven, first Victor and then August gave up their positions and Jefferson moved into second place with nine laps to go.
Each lap Jefferson was getting closer and closer and chipping away at the lead that Killian had. With two laps to go, the other driver was nudging Killian's bumper, and the cursing coming from Killian over the radio had Emma smiling. She didn't blame him at all.
It was down to the last lap, and Killian was in the lead with Jefferson still right on his tail. August was more than two seconds back; Victor, Sean, Eric, and the rest almost three back, all vying for the rest of the positions. Jefferson was dive bombing the corners as much as he could to catch up to him. It was in turn seven when Jefferson bumped Killian just right in the back corner of the car, and it moved the 71 over enough for him to take the corner and move past Killian.
Emma was off her seat, cussing the other driver's name as she watched Killian try to catch up in the rest of the turns, his bumper riding Jefferson's the whole way. They came up to turn eleven, the last turn before the finish line. Killian stook it sharp, making his car skid across the track. Jefferson's car then hit his, and both cars slammed hard into the wall.
Point Standings (same as the last chapter) :
Car - Driver - Points - *=leading
#71 - Killian Jones - 543
#8 - Phillip Haven - 562
#36 - Victor Whale - 563
#53 - Sean Herman - 564*
#65 - Eric Sirena - 563
#92 - August Booth - 550
#12 - Tarrant Jefferson - 496
