-E-
She thinks she was dreaming about talking donuts or some other kind of absurdity when she's jolted out of her sleep. It takes her a few seconds to figure out why, since the room is still dark and there's no shrill blaring of an alarm clock or cell phone assaulting her ears.
Emma feels movement next to her and then it becomes quite clear the reason behind her sudden wakening. Killian is thrashing in his sleep, legs tangled in the sheets as he lays on his back, having drifted back to his side of the bed sometime during the night.
It takes her a few more seconds to decide what to do. Usually, he's frozen still, agitated cries and a creased forehead the only sign of troubled sleep until he jerks out of his paralyzing nightmare with an anguished yell. Emma typically is able to sooth him back to more pleasant dreams by wrapping herself around him, combing her fingers through his hair and whispering in his ear until his forehead smooths out.
But now, his head is turning back and forth on the pillow, fists clenched at his sides and legs kicking. She doesn't trust herself to get close to his head in her sleepy, uncoordinated state without inadvertently jabbing him in the eye when she reaches for him, so she settles on gripping his shoulder and trying to shake him awake.
"Killian. Killian, wake up. Wake up, it's just a dream." She calls to him, sitting up when his leg catches hers mid-kick. He stills marginally under her hand and she reaches over to place a hand on his cheek. But as soon as her fingers make contact with the scruff lining his jaw, he jerks again and a hand flies out, connecting squarely with the side of her face. Emma falls back onto the pillows from the force of it with a cry of her own.
This at least seems to finally bring Killian back into consciousness and he scrambles into sitting position, looking around, chest heaving with panicked breaths.
Emma's not fast enough in removing her hand from the tender spot on her jaw so when Killian's wild eyes fall on her still cradling her face, they only widen in horror.
"Emma, sweetheart-," His gentle hands pry hers away from her face and his expression is instantly awash with remorse and self-hatred. He reaches for her with his other hand, but snatches it back at the last minute as if afraid that his touch will hurt her.
"Killian, it's okay, I'm fine." She insists ,reaching for his arm and pulling him so his arms wrap around her. He relents, pulling her close and burying his face in her hair.
"I'm sorry, darling. I'm so sorry." He whispers brokenly, holding her carefully. Emma catches a tear when it falls from his cheek and she pulls back enough to frame his face in both her hands.
"Killian, I'm fine. I'm not made of glass. Besides, it's my fault, I shouldn't have tried to… accost you in the middle of a nightmare."
"No." He says harshly, "No, it's not your fault. The blame lies entirely with me." Killian presses kisses to every inch of her face, delicately avoiding the contusion along her jaw. "You stay here, I'm going to get you some ice-."
Emma's hand shoots out and catches his wrist before he can get too far. "No, wait. I just want to go back to sleep. I'll ice it in the morning if I need to."
Killian eyes her doubtfully but doesn't make a move to pull away.
"Look, I've had worse injuries working in the kitchen and running into solid objects while drunk."
He hesitates but eventually gives in, "Alright, love." Emma releases him and starts straightening the covers.
"Wait, what are you doing?" She wrinkles her brow in confusion when he grabs his pillow off the bed.
"You stay here, Swan. I'm going to take the couch tonight."
One look at his countenance and Emma knows he still feels guilty about physically harming her, accident or not.
"Like hell you are." She snaps, wrestling his pillow back away from him before pointing a stern finger at him, "You're going to sleep in our bed with me tonight and forgive yourself and hold me because it was an accident and I won't have you punishing yourself or acting like I can't hold my own in a fight with an unconscious, sleeping person."
He gets back into the bed, albeit a little reluctantly and Emma pulls him over to her side of the bed so he won't have to lay in sweaty sheets. She slips a knee between his legs and winds her arms around his torso, resting her head just above his heart, which is still beating a staccato rhythm. His arms curl loosely around her and she speaks with her voice muffled against his chest.
"You're mine and I am yours, Killian Jones and I'll be damned if you don't let me comfort you after a nightmare when you're always there for me during mine."
Killian sighs, a heavy sound that ruffles the hair at the top of her head, but his arms tighten protectively around her and she finds herself drifting off in his secure embrace.
The last thing she's aware of is him whispering, "I love you so much, Emma."
-/-
She's not the least bit surprised when she wakes up to an empty bed the next morning. Following the smells of breakfast to the kitchen, she stumbles upon a set table of pancakes, fruit and even hot cocoa.
"Seriously? Bacon? Isn't that a little overkill?" She yawns as Killian removes the sizzling tray from the oven.
"Good morning, love." He smiles at her, kissing her cheek as he passes by to divide the bacon onto their plates.
"Is it?" She peers at his face, noting the dark circles and the downturn of his lips, "Killian, did you sleep at all last night?"
He just smiles thinly at her, "Let's eat. Your cocoa's getting cold."
"What? Did it leave a mark? Is it ugly?" She demands when his gaze flickers over her face before quickly turning away.
"Emm, love-," Killian tries to stop her as she runs to the bathroom to inspect her jaw.
"There's nothing there! It's barely even a bruise. You've left hickeys with darker marks than this." She hollers back, running her fingers over the skin to find that it barely even hurts. On her way back to the kitchen, she picks up one of his sweatshirts and slips it on, snuggling deep inside the soft fabric.
"That's not the point, Swan." Killian argues, though his eyes soften a touch at the sight of her wearing his clothes, "You shouldn't be at risk for getting hurt when you're sleeping next to me."
"And you shouldn't have to wake up to me sobbing all over you in the middle of the night. It is what it is." Emma says firmly, before slurping her cocoa to get the perfect amount of the hot liquid and the whipped cream Killain has generously topped it off with. "So are you going to tell me what it was that had you flailing around in bed?"
"A nightmare about you- us. We were battling flying creatures and then you fell into a chasm and I tried to follow…"
"You know that 'over a cliff' thing is just a figure of speech?" She points out and Killian gives her an unamused look, already accustomed to her attempts to pass off anything bordering on too serious as a joke.
"I'd follow you through time and space, love. You just say the word."
"And I'd walk through hell and back for you." She quips and this time, they share a more genuine smile, "You're going to be late if you don't hurry." Emma points out, glancing at the clock.
"Aye, love." Killian scarfs down his food then brings his dishes to the sink before coming back to the table and kneeling before Emma's chair as she eats at a more leisurely pace. "I'm sorry I hit you last night." He says quietly, taking her free hand in his.
"For the last time, it was an accident. And a one-time thing. We both know you never move around so much in your sleep. Now go or Mrs. Scarlet will have your back for being late to see her off. And trust me, I'll know- she's coming in for lunch later."
"Okay." He kisses her, quickly but thoroughly, "See you tonight?"
Emma nods, relieved to see some of the guilt melting from his expression.
-/-
"Hi Henry, what's up, kid?"
"Hi Emma. Mom said I could come hang out here for a while so she can get some paperwork done." The boy grins toothily at Emma and she smiles, secretly wondering how Regina is able to pass off a friendly family visit as a chance to snag unpaid babysitting and a free meal all in one.
"Sure thing, kid. What can I get ya?"
"French toast and a slice of pie?"
Emma raises a skeptical eyebrow, "How about french toast, a cup of fruit and a hot cocoa." See if Regina drops Henry off unannounced again after Emma spoils him with a sugary meal this time.
"Add cinnamon and whipped cream on top and you've got yourself a deal."
When Emma comes back with Henry's hot cocoa, Elsa's sitting at the counter next to him, engaged in a high-energy conversation. Or more accurately, Henry's speaking at breakneck speed and Elsa is nodding along patiently.
"Hey, Els. Didn't know you were back in town so soon."
Her friend nods, "Came back this morning. I figured the kids might not like to wait too long for a cone after Christmas." She says with a wink to Henry.
The boy nods sagely, "The day after Christmas is critical. You want to keep the cheer going so it doesn't die down before New Year's."
"Good thinking, kid." Emma shares a silent laugh with Elsa, "The usual?"
Elsa nods again and Emma goes to place her order. Recently, Elsa has taken to coming in for an early lunch before she opens and it's always been a good way for them to catch up before either of their establishments get too busy.
Emma comes back with both their orders and finds Henry chatting with Graham, who sits on the boy's other side and Elsa is sipping coffee serenely, flipping absentmindedly through the paper.
"So are you going to tell me why Killian called me early this morning to reserve two pints of Rocky Road and to check in halfway through the day to see if you need ice?" Elsa asks in a low voice.
Emma just purses her lips as Ruby slides up to Graham's side to take his order and for a bit of harmless flirting. She leans closer to Elsa, keeping an eye on Henry as he digs into his meal, "There was an… incident."
Elsa raises her eyebrows as if to say, go on.
"He had a nightmare last night and accidentally…" Emma trails off, fingers ghosting over the spot on her jaw where she applied just a little extra concealer to this morning.
Elsa's eyes widen, "Seriously? No wonder he sounded so morose over the phone."
"Yeah."
"But it was an accident. And it doesn't look like there's anything there."
Emma grimaces, "That's what I told him. Honestly, if you squint it looks a little purple, but I still woke up to a full breakfast spread and apparently will be going home to two pints of ice cream."
"And a surprise date night." Elsa adds wryly before catching herself, "An unsurprise date night." She amends sheepishly.
Emma groans, leaning her elbows on the counter and burying her hands in her face, "Oh God, he's guilt tripping so bad."
Elsa just clicks her tongue sympathetically before biting into her sandwich.
"What's wrong, Emma?" Henry pipes up and she straightens quickly under his and Graham's inquisitive eyes.
"Oh, um I just remembered… I forgot to turn the laundry at home." Emma fibs weakly and Elsa stifles a laugh behind her food while Graham presses his lips together in a smile at her blatant lie. Henry shrugs, returning to his french toast with gusto and Emma moves to serve her other customers.
Elsa finishes before long and pays Ruby, passing Emma on her way out. "Good luck with Killian. He'll get over it soon. Hopefully. Just let him take care of you a little until he gets it out of his system." She whispers.
Emma gives a sort of sigh and laugh which makes Elsa smile. It still amazes Emma sometimes how well Elsa's gotten to know their friend group over such a short period of time. They're so busy trading knowing grins that Elsa doesn't realize she's about to run into someone until a hand comes up to steady her before they both crash together.
"Careful, dear."
"Oh, Mrs. Scarlet!"
Emma hurries over as Elsa apologizes profusely to the kindly woman.
"Not a worry, dear." Mrs. Scarlet assures her, letting Emma take the larger of the suitcases.
"Oh, are you leaving already?" Elsa asks in a dismayed tone, eyeing the luggage at their feet.
"Oh no, dear. I wouldn't tolerate the long flight for just a few days here. No, I'm off to visit my husband in New York. Mary Margaret generously offered to meet me here after the lunch rush to drive me to the train station."
Elsa takes her smaller carry-on suitcase and walks with them to the counter, where Will's mother takes Elsa's vacated seat next to Henry.
"Yes, he relocated there years ago for work, shortly after our daughter passed away in an accident." Mrs. Scarlet explains further.
"Oh. Will never mentioned…" Elsa says in a small voice.
Mrs. Scarlet hums, "He and his father never quite got over it. They busy themselves with work I suppose, to keep the grief away, you know? His father still makes it home several times throughout the year but he never stays long. Me, I prefer to stay in our home so I can visit Liam, Alice and Penelope while everyone is away." She catches Elsa's stricken expression and pats her hand consolingly, "Don't fret dear. It was a long time ago and we must all try to just live our lives in honor of their memories. I can tell by your expression why Will was reluctant to share his burden with you."
"Mrs. Scarlet, I'm going to take this to the back so Will can pick it up and keep it with the rest of your things. Elsa?" Emma prompts her friend gently, feeling a little guilty about not telling her about Will's sister, especially now that she looks so devastated by the news right before she has to open up shop.
She hears Elsa excuse herself as she walks to the back towards the office and if there are more words exchanged between the two women, Emma's too far away to hear them.
Ashley ends up calling in sick, or more accurately, Alexandra develops a fever and Ashley asks if someone can cover for her so she doesn't have to leave a cranky toddler at home with Sean, who just finished the 24-hour Christmas shift at the firehouse.
Since Ruby opened, Emma volunteers to stay late, leaving a voicemail for Killian to let him know where she'll be and asking if he wants to come by for dinner, to which he replies the affirmative with a text.
The rest of the day passes by uneventfully, most families opting to have a quiet day in, especially with the snow gusting outside. By the time Elsa comes in for dinner to report a similarly slow day at the ice cream shop, only Dr. Hopper and Marco are in the diner sipping coffee in a booth.
Killian calls just before he's about to leave the firehouse, but halfway through making plans, Emma hears the drill of a call coming in. With a frustrated sigh, (it sounds like it's been a long day) he promises to meet her at home whenever they both get finished.
Emma gets home at a halfway decent hour, with the diner still operating on holiday hours and finds the apartment is brightly lit, a takeout bag from their favorite Italian date restaurant sitting on the kitchen table, but her fireman is nowhere to be found.
"Killian?" She calls out, wandering deeper into the apartment after shedding her winter things. She finds him facedown on the bed on top of the covers, hair still damp and dressed in an old T-shirt and sweats, back rising and falling with each breath as he slumbers. Emma quickly peels off her uniform and changes into her lounge clothes before sitting on the edge of the bed and running her hand through his wet hair. He looks as though he made the effort to get dressed but then decided it was too much and collapsed horizontally across their bed for a 'brief' rest.
Killian grunts, moving just enough so he can turn his head towards her. "Hullo darling." He says, voice still husky with sleep, "I tried waiting up for you."
Emma laughs softly, "I can see that. Did you eat yet?"
He grunts again and she interprets that as a no.
"Well, you should get something in your stomach before you pass out for the night." She croons, still stroking her fingers through his dark locks, probably a counter-intuitive practice if she's hoping to rouse him.
"Sleep? I was planning on engaging in some more pleasurable activities to make up for last night's not-so-pleasurable incident." Killian says but all intended charm and seduction is negated by his muffled voice and the way his hand gropes blindly for her thigh.
"Uh huh. Easy tiger. I don't need you falling asleep on me in the middle of sex."
Killian propels himself off his stomach so fast it actually startles Emma, "Killian Jones does not fall asleep during sex." He growls and Emma's core clenches a little at the sight of her fireman so deliciously rumpled with muscles pulled taut with the intensity of his need to prove his sexual prowess.
(Actually, she doesn't need any more proof, Emma's quite aware of his talents in bed.)
She just rolls her eyes and resists the urge to rub her thighs together as Killian advances toward her, a predatory gleam in his eye, "Well, be that as it may, Lieutenant, I want some of that takeout you brought home. If you can sit through a meal, then you're more than welcome to prove your worth-,"
Killian scoops her up and proceeds to carry her out of the bedroom, dropping her (carefully) on the couch as he goes to reheat the food. They eat her favorites while stretched out on the sofa, luxuriously propping their legs up on the coffee table with Emma's feet tucked into his calves to ward off the cold.
He tries to join her in the shower, but Emma insists he get under the covers and warm up the bed for her and he goes willingly, still wanting to pamper her with special treatment. The ploy works- he's passed out on his stomach again, this time laying lengthwise and between the sheets with his face buried in her pillow. The day's exhaustion combined with the sleepless night have taken a toll on him and as Emma worms her way under his arm to burrow against his chest, she prays that a restful night will chase away his guilt when he wakes tomorrow.
-/-
Something's poking at her, and moving her face around so she swats at it, grumbling for a few more minutes of sleep. Emma tries to snuggle closer to the warmth encircling her, but he moves away and she whines pitifully.
"You let me fall asleep last night."
"You were exhausted. As am I. Let me sleep." Emma shifts deeper into the blankets, still refusing to open her eyes.
"Let me see your jaw, love." He coaxes, fingers gliding over her skin again.
Emma turns her head into the pillow,, "No bruise."
Killian starts trailing kisses down her jaw and she hums when he finally lets her snuggle closer to him. Then his fingers grasp her chin and the kisses stop. She peels her eyes open to see him inspecting her skin with narrowed eyes.
"That's a cruel trick." Emma attempts to flip over again but Killian catches her, rolling her over onto her back so he can resume tracing his lips over her neck, nosing aside the collar of his henley that she wore to bed.
"What are you doing?"
Killian meets her eyes innocently, "I'm just kissing you."
"Really? This again? We're not having guilty make-up sex." Emma huffs.
He just runs his tongue over his bottom lip absently, "I'll make it worth your while."
Desire pools low in her belly, swiftly taking over her sleepiness, "Damn you."
"I think you mean fuck you."
She really shouldn't be so surprised when his phone rings right before his lips meet hers.
Killian curses loudly and angrily, but his expression instantly smooths over once he sees the caller ID.
"G'morning, Henry."
Emma's eyebrows shoot up and Killian smirks at her, settling back against the headboard while Emma takes this opportunity to check the time.
"Sure thing, lad. We'll be there in say, 30 minutes?"
She looks questioningly up at Killian as he nods to himself then says goodbye, hanging up the phone. "Well Swan, it appears our services are required. Henry needs our help with his Legos and he has requested our presence at the diner."
"Our assistance?"
"Okay, my assistance but he did invite you too. Apparently Leo has been a little preoccupied as of late wooing a lass from college."
Emma slides out from under the covers and starts toward the bathroom, "Better get going then."
"Perhaps we should share the shower? Save some time?"
She shoots him a look over her shoulder, "Only if you can keep your guilty hands to yourself."
He doesn't, but Emma doesn't complain because it's one of the best shoulder massages she's ever gotten.
-/-
"Here you are, darling. Extra whipped cream."
"Extra whipped cream? Geez, what did you do?" Henry shakes his head sympathetically at Killian.
"What makes you think I did something?" Killian asks with a raised eyebrow.
"I know a bribe when I see one." Henry says smartly as Killian slips into the booth next to Emma, cradling his own cup of coffee.
Emma laughs, "Killian didn't do anything wrong. He's just being nice."
"Okay," Henry replies, thoroughly unconvinced.
"Trust me lad, when you have a girl to spoil, you'll understand." Killian winks at Henry, then sensing that they're getting off topic, prompts the boy to show him the Legos he brought in the form of meticulously labeled Ziploc baggies.
Between bites of breakfast, Henry and Killian work through the booklet and by the time they've finished the complicated task of piecing together the engine, it's nearly time for Killian to leave for his shift.
"So Henry, are you excited to start school in Storybrooke?" Emma asks as Henry and Killian begin sweeping the spare pieces back into the baggies.
"Yeah," Henry shrugs, "It'll be kinda nice to make new friends and see some of the other kids from the group home."
"Other kids?" Killian asks, watching Henry tuck the baggies into his backpack, "I didn't know there were other kids from the home in Storybrooke."
"Well, the kids who got adopted. Like Emilie." Henry explains, slurping the last of his hot cocoa.
Emma nods, "That's right, the youngest Baker kid."
"And sometimes I see some of the older kids around town but they already aged out or ran away on their own."
"I better get going if I don't want to be late." Killian announces, getting up and planting a kiss on Emma's head. "Henry, I can give you a ride home if you'd like, lad."
Henry eagerly accepts, asking if he can be dropped off at his mother's office instead and while he's busy putting on his winter things, Killian bends his head to give Emma a proper kiss, murmuring against her lips that he'll see her later until Henry clears his throat loudly and they go on their way.
-/-
The buzzer sounds obnoxiously and Emma shifts the cardboard box in her hands, waiting for someone to answer the intercom, smiling to herself as she pictures the surprised looks she's about to be greeted with.
"Who is it?" A gruff voice crackles over the line.
"It's Emma." She calls back, recognizing the voice to be Will's.
"Just Emma?"
"Emma bearing soup, grilled cheese and onion rings." The door clicks open before she's even finished speaking and Emma knows Will's spied the bounty in her arms.
Killian's crew is already waiting for her in the kitchen, pulling out a chair for her and asking if she's going to join them for a meal. She's unloading cups of chicken wild rice soup when Killian appears in the kitchen, beaming widely.
"What's this? No one thought to tell me my lady love is here?" His voice is stern but the smile on his face betrays his true feelings.
Emma snorts at his flowery language as Smee replies, "We didn't want to disturb you, Lieutenant."
"Nonsense. You just wanted to squirrel away more food for yourself." Killian retorts, clapping Jefferson on the back good-humoredly as he walks to Emma's side, "Hello, love."
"Hi," Emma smiles, tilting her head so he can give her a quick kiss. "Is Lancelot in?"
Smee passes out the last grilled cheese and they all sit down at the long table, "The Captain is still in Carlion."
"So what do we owe this pleasant surprise to?" Killian hands a glass of homemade lemonade to Emma as they all tuck into their food.
"Ashley came back to work today and she told me she would take the rest of my shift since I covered for her last night so I decided to bring my favorite crew some sustenance."
"Very much appreciated." Jefferson tips an imaginary hat to her.
"I still have to go back later and meet with Granny about the new menu changes for next month, but that's not for a while yet." She tells Killian, "I'll be done by the time you finish your shift."
"Perfect. I'll come by the diner when I'm done? Or shall I meet you at home?"
"Better meet me at home since we drove separate anyway."
The rest of the meal goes by in a flurry of banter and trading crispy onion rings for halves of grilled cheese. When Everyone is finished, Smee, who is on kitchen duty this rotation, begins to clean up.
"Alright lads, I suspect you all still have paperwork to finish? Best get to it." Killian helps Emma up to her feet, a secret smile tugging at his lips.
"What about you, Lieutenant?" Smee asks cluelessly.
"I will be completing my share of the reports in the privacy of my office." Killian announces, before pulling Emma along behind him before the rest of the men can say anything more.
She's barely inside the tiny office when Killian has her up against the door, his mouth on hers, hands gripping her waist.
"Whoa, what was that for?" Emma pants when he finally breaks away for air.
"A bit of gratitude for bringing dinner."
Emma winds her arms around his neck, bumping her nose against his as she pulls him
back in for a slower, but no less intense kiss. "Well maybe I should start making more surprise visits."
Killian nips playfully at her top lip, "Maybe you should." He ducks his head and starts tracing patterns on her neck with his lips and tongue and Emma swallows a moan, tightening her hold on him.
"Killian, what are you doing now?" She gasps, eyes falling closed as he noses aside the
sweater she changed back into and starts to suckle lightly on her collarbone.
"Finishing what we started this morning." His hand squeezes her ass before running down her thigh and hitchen a leg up to hook around him.
"Here?" Emma hisses, her voice squeaking a little as she bites her lip to hold onto the last shred of sense, a difficult task with the way Killian's other hand is moving under her sweater to trace along her ribs.
"Don't tell me you never imagined me taking you up against a wall or a door in the firehouse. I know I have." He whispers, breath hot against her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine. "Say the word and I'll stop, love." He murmurs before leaning up to catch her lips in a hungry kiss.
"We'll have to be quiet." Emma breathes, allowing her hands to drop to the hem of his shirt, tugging on it roughly to free it from his pants as he ruts lightly against her.
"I think I can manage that if you can."
"Oh my God," Emma moans despite her previous warning. The thrill of a semi-public fuck only fueling her lust. Killian's lips latch back onto her neck again and his hands are fumbling with her jeans. She's about to berate him about leaving marks on her skin where Granny will surely see it later when his fingers finally find her folds and he gives a low groan as he dips an experimental digit into her dripping core.
"So this is one of your fantasies."
"Shut up and fuck me because I swear to God, if you get a call while you are taking your time-,"
It's a bit of a jumble shimmying out of her jeans and getting his undone but soon she's got her legs wrapped around him, panties dangling from one foot like some debauched porno and he's filling her delightfully, his face buried in her shoulder, one arm wrapped around her, holding her up with the help of his hips pinning her to the door and the other between them, hand cupping her breasts under her bra and it takes everything she has to keep from crying out.
Killian makes no such effort to keep quiet, speaking all sorts of absolutely filthy things in
her ear like they are in the privacy of their bedroom and not in the smallest office of the firehouse with plastic blinds pulled shut on the opposite wall and on the window next to the door they're currently pressed against. She expects this to be rough and fast, a quickie in an office, but Killian thrusts deep and deliberately, turning Emma into jelly in his arms.
The dirty talk, combined with the risk of doing it in his office has her so aroused that when he swivels his hips and starts rubbing his public bone against her clit, she comes quickly and hard. The only thing muffling her scream of pleasure is his lips back on hers. Emma swallows his moans in a similar fashion when he follows her over the edge moments later, hips jerking uncontrollably.
"Well, love?" Killian asks, after stumbling the short distance to his chair when he collapses with Emma still on his lap, "Was it everything you hoped it would be?"
Emma rests her head on his shoulder, still breathing heavily, "Yeah Jones, you rocked my world." She mutters sardonically.
Killian chuckles, kissing her forehead sweetly.
-/-
She's still basking in the afterglow of their tryst when she shows up to the diner, going straight to the back to see Granny frying up a burger with Jaq watching amusedly as the elderly woman handles the spatula with deft hands.
"There you are, Emma. I was worried you had left me for your charming fireman."
"Never in a million years, Granny." Emma says indulgently, smiling at the eyeroll Granny gives Jaq. "I was helping out with some of the orders in the front. Dinner rush is a bit late tonight." Granny nods, handing the spatula back to Jaq and they get to work going over the stockroom first, before reviewing the menu, Granny asking questions about orders and demand, which Emma answers easily.
"How's the meatloaf doing?"
"Still pretty popular, and not just between Leroy and Walter. It's good comfort food for the winter."
Granny nods, peering at the order log in front of her, "I'm going to keep the soups then. Anton says the gourds will keep a bit longer and if the firehouse location is the same as here, everyone likes the soups currently on the menu."
"We could also make butternut squash ravioli and maybe it will help temper the demand for the lasagne?" Emma suggests and Granny nods approvingly.
"Smart girl. Keep your pies on rotation and see if you can get some over to the firehouse
location. We'll drop the blueberry and peach for now until the season rolls around again."
It takes them a little longer to sort out the ordering changes for next month, Granny teaching Emma how to calculate for demand and transition new and old menu items rather than doing it all herself while Emma looks on.
There's a crash from out in the diner and Emma glances up from her notes to look quizzically at Granny. Before they can move, a scream echoes out and then the two of them are moving toward the doors to investigate, Jaq at their heels.
Emma coms to a full stop once she sees the sight in front of her. Ruby's hyperventilating behind the bar and Ashley's arms are around her, practically holding the brunette waitress up. But the real concern lies in the three firemen crowded at the entrance of the diner, still in their gear, helmets pinned between their arms and their sides.
Emma starts backing up, shaking her head as Will's gaze zeros in on her, his expression somber, soot still smeared across his face. Ruby lets out a relieved sound when the fireman's attention shifts from her to Emma because that can only mean one thing. She suddenly feels a surge of hatred towards her friend because somehow, that feels better than the other emotions threatening to take over her.
"Emma," Will's voice cracks and he reaches her just as her knees give way and there are hands supporting her, keeping her upright and she's not sure if it's Archie or Jaq because she's taken back to three years ago when she was surrounded by trees and wet grass, the sun shining up in the sky as if cruelly mocking her as her world crashed down around her. Will walking towards her from across the quad in the worst kind of surprise visit and no helping arms around her to support her as she drops to the ground, students murmuring curiously around them.
It's deadly quiet in the diner now, save for Ruby's sobs and Will's dressed in reflective, strong gear rather than clothes wrinkled from a four hour drive but the same feeling of numbness and denial captivates her every sense and everything else seems to swim before her eyes except for Will. Will, who's extending an arm out to her which she grasps onto like a lifeline.
"Killian." She whispers.
He doesn't nod, doesn't shake his head, doesn't do anything except hold her bicep in a vise-like grip.
"You better come with me."