Killian walked into the Sheriff's station feeling an immediate sense of warmth as the doors closed behind him, not just because he was no longer in the cold night air, but because Emma was just around the corner. As soon as he entered, he could hear the tapping of her pen on the desk as she worked, smiling when he rounded the corner, his head up high. However, Killians expression changed as the boxes of case files came into view, the Goldcorp logo standing out amongst the chaos on Emma's desk.

"Emma, what are you doing?"

"Just research for a case me and Graham are working on"

Somewhat startled, she lost focus as if he suddenly appeared and hadn't just walked right by her, despite her exhaustion and hopelessness, Emma smiled as she looked up at him.

"What case has you researching Goldcorp?"

"It's a lot of cases actually, including a few your right in the middle of, I wanted to help"

"Why does it have to be you? Graham and the Raiders are already on this"

"Why couldn't you tell me all this yourself, we went to the Lost Boys Club together and I've taken this job, seems like Gold Incorporated owns everything in this town, including this department?"

"The people involved are very powerful, you should try to keep your distance"

"Killian are you telling me, not to do my job" she said frowning, wondering if it was him who told Graham to keep Emma out of it.

"I... I don't, want you in harm's way"

They were quiet for a moment before a smile escaped her lips happy to have someone concerned for her wellbeing, but she shook her head before turning her swivel chair around and stood up, looking at Killian in the eye, noticing something fundamentally different in the way he looked at her.

"Kind of in the job description, what are you doing here, anyway?"

"I wanted to see you"

"See me?" she replied in awe.

"I wanted to know how your coffee with Mary Margaret went. I hadn't heard much from you since we had dinner"

"I'm sorry, been really busy here and trying to find a new place, the lunch went as well as it could, but at the moment it just feels like reopening old wounds"

"Only way to truly heal love"

"It feels like I'm just moving on, forgetting how much pain it caused"

"The past can hurt but learning from it doesn't mean you have to hold onto your pain, like it's your lifeline"

Emma looked up surprised to be hearing these words from Killian, sensing there double meaning, looking closely at him, she noticed he was somewhat awkward in the way he stood, like he had something on the tip of his tongue. Killian had serious helmet hair and sweat trickling down his sideburns, his eyes bright glowing with anticipation.

"I have you to thank though, if you hadn't pushed me to make the call, well I wouldn't know the whole truth and that's everything these days"

"Always at your service Swan"

Killians tone was mocking, but his expression serious as he peered into Emma's eyes waiting for her response, he wasn't disappointed as she smiled back at him blushing slightly.

"I'm going for a ride tomorrow the whole club will be there, it's the last part of my initiation before I become an official member"

"That's great Killian"

"Yeah, I wanted you to come, if your free"

"I don't know if that a good idea Killian..."

"I like spending time with you"

"You want to spend more time together, get to know me, but you don't want me getting involved in your brother's case?" Emma said arms crossed, immediately going into defensive mode.

"Emma" Killian said strained before letting out a deep breath "It's dangerous"

"This, us right now, that's the only thing that scares me"

"Why is that?"

"We haven't even been on a date and were already disagreeing about my job, I just can't see a happy future with anyone"

"I don't mean to push you, but I'm ready for another round, you said I wear my heart on my sleeve, I'm not afraid of the pain anymore, I have a feeling that this won't end that way"

"Killian, please don't"

"Me and you it's different, it's going to be different"

"I just need you to be my friend right now"

Killian was quiet for a moment smiling slightly his heart a flutter, realising Emma respected their relationship so much, she didn't want to risk losing it.

"Emma, I know you can handle it, your job, but these people don't play by the rules, they will take what's most precious to you"

"I don't have much to lose"

"That's not true"

Emma began to walk away from him trying her best not to turn back, making her way to the staff room and filling up her water bottle. Focusing on getting home and preparing dinner, this new job had a steep learning curve, and she was mentally drained, making it harder for her to stay composed.

"You don't trust yourself, to get close to anyone" He replied deflated.

"How... how can I ever trust anyone again"

"It's a leap of faith"

"Where both not in a good place, I just started a new job, I'm moving"

"You want to wait until what, everything's perfect!"

"You can't love someone, until you love yourself first" she said, shaking her head trying her best to turn away but she couldn't for long, looking back into Killians eyes.

"Bullshit, I have never loved myself… But, oh god I love you"

Killian came closer his voice stern, but he didn't raise it and his tone wasn't rage filled, because he wasn't angry at all. It was happiness overflowing and with so much passion he couldn't contain it. Emma just stared, a dumbfounded expression on her face, looking up at him letting out a deep breath she smiled, reaching up and grabbing his shirt by the collar pulling Killian in close.

This kiss was real and raw, all she could focus on was when to take the next breath, the feeling of his skin underneath her fingertips, now working their way up his neck and through his hair, was causing a sensation neither had ever felt before. The fluorescent lights of the Sheriff station faded away, just as the fear of rejection all the pain of the past dimmed, they embraced their love and passion for each other, only breaking away every ten seconds or so, to look tenderly into each other's eyes, before they kissed again. After a few minutes they finally stopped just smiling at each other for a moment, before Killian spoke again.

"I told myself, I would never risk it again"

"Risk what?"

"Falling in love, love is one truth that can't be contained, whether you believe in it or not" he said, hands placed on the side of Emma's face, looking at her in awe.

"Killian I…"

Emma hesitated before finishing her sentence and it seemed she was looking for a way out, but one found her anyway. Walking into the Sheriff's office with a purposeful stride a young man came into view holding a sealed document in his hands, he headed straight for the pair, like he didn't notice or more likely just didn't care, that he was interrupting a private moment.

"Hello?" Emma said with a frown.

"Emma Swan?"

"Yeah, who's asking?"

"You've been served" He stated placing the documents in her hand before abruptly leaving.

"What?"

Emma's mind racing wondering what this was about, another attempt by the Rabbit hole to get her back, for quitting, saving Jocelyn, which resulted in Walsh's arrest. Or was this something to do with the case she'd been looking into, maybe she should have been more careful announcing herself back at the Lost boys' club.

"Hey, you can't be in here" Killian barked, but the man had already begun to leave.

His anger was rising again he felt it right to his core, his jaw tightening and fists clenched but still restrained himself from becoming violent, as his attention went back to Emma. She was thrown another blow and when their eyes meet, she didn't look sad, just numb.

"What it is?" he asked.

Emma' hand shook as she tore open the letter, knowing what it was as soon as she read the first line. Her heart sunk in all her worst fears, she didn't imagine this of all things, the only thing she couldn't bear to lose, Henry.

"Neals filing for custody, got some fancy lawyer too"

"Really, a guy living out of a cheap motel, can afford a lawyer"

"I can't believe this" Emma said, checking the top right-hand corner of the paper before gasping "Gold Incorporated"

"It can't be a coincidence that the same group of lawyers helping Neal sue for custody, are the same team defending my brother's killer"

"You really think they'd go this far, going after your… friends"

"I told you; I was afraid of this; you have to stop looking into them"

"No, we have to stop, looks like you were right, I do have something to lose"

Emma leaned her hand on the desk for support, feeling faint, her mind racing back through all the decisions that lead her here, in danger of losing the one person, she couldn't bear to see walk away. Tears already began pouring down her cheeks as she pictured Henry being forced to live with a father, who never there to begin with.

"It will be ok Emma"

Killian reached for her as he said it, but Emma recoiled, stepping away from his attempt to comfort her, walking back over to her desk wiping her tears and attempting to continue with her work. Mindlessly scanning through the emails in her inbox, as if she could focus on anything else right now, Killian was about to bare his soul once more, before a notification appeared on Emma's phone. Help was requested at an incident downtown, involving some shoplifting, she got up from her desk, putting on her jacket and grabbing her gear quietly, trying her best not to look Killian in the eye.

"Duty calls"

"Graham, can take this one"

"It was just a moment Killian, it's over"

"Please don't shut me out, don't walk away"

"I'm sorry… I can't do this now"

As Emma pushed open the doors of the Sheriff's station, she was met with the cold bitter rain soaking through her jeans and as she looked down at them, she hesitated. Killian was still there as she turned to face him, but she shook her head before letting go of the door and heading to her cruiser her heart racing and breathing uneasy as history repeated itself.