"You know Emma Swan has a crush on you?" Zelena Green asked Neal Cassidy with a kind of glee that would have any perceptive person suspicious.

Neal was not a perceptive person.

"Really? She's one of the prettiest girls on campus."

"The way I hear it, she thinks you're exciting." Inwardly, Zelena rolled her eyes. She had always thought Neal was an idiot.

"The problem is she's so smart, and she's pretty athletic. I wouldn't have much control in the relationship."

"Well, if you want to be in charge of your relationship, I know a way to do it?"

"How?"

"Emma's a former foster kid. She's used to always being rejected. If you were to be going out with someone for a while, then suddenly reveal to her that she was the one you wanted, she would be so happy to have been chosen that she would do anything to keep you. All we have to do is pretend to be dating, then after a couple of weeks, you start flirting with Emma. Make her think that we're having problems because you have to always have to give in to what I want. Then, at the Halloween party, you make a big show of breaking up with me and proclaim that you want Emma. After that, she won't want to risk pushing you away. You should have all of the power in your relationship with her."

Neal loved the sound of that, and agreed to Zelena's scheme without a second thought.

A couple of days later, Mary Margaret and Ruby were in the former's kitchen, preparing snacks. The group of friends were getting together to plan out the Halloween party. Mary Margaret would be hosting and she wanted everything to be perfect.

At the moment, the two women were discussing the latest gossip.

"So apparently Zelena and Neal are dating."

"I wouldn't think those two would have much in common."

"I guess they found something because they've been telling everyone that they're a couple now."

"A couple of twats is what they are." Will Scarlet said as he entered the kitchen.

"Will, that's not nice." Mary Margaret scolded.

"But it's kind of true." Ruby pointed out.

It was common knowledge that Zelena had a wicked streak. She was known for spreading rumors and playing mean spirited jokes on people.

"Last spring, she spread those rumors that you were cheating on David with Whale and David was cheating on you with Catherine."

"Remember all of the dirty looks you got? Somebody even spray painted David's truck. If it hadn't been for Catherine confronting Zelena, threatening that she would make her father the deen expel her if she didn't reveal she made the whole thing up, everyone might still think it were true."

"Catherine hadn't liked her reputation being ruined either. She was interested in Frederick Knight. The type of guy he is, if he had thought she were sleeping with David, he would have never paid attention to her."

"For Catherine, that's like a death sentence. Though she's been a lot more tolerable since she and Frederick have been sharing an apartment together."

"Maybe Zelena and Neal will be better now that they are dating?" Mary Margaret offered.

"A better gossipy witch and a better self righteous prick? I shudder to think."

"Neal has always acted like he knew everything and was so superior to everyone. Every group project he's ever been involved in he acted like he was in charge, and yet he never helped much with anything. Face it, the only good that will come of those two dating is that Emma's little crush on Neal will be squashed before it becomes anything."

"Oh, that's right! Poor Emma, I wonder if she's upset?" Mary Margaret hated her dearest friend being heartbroken.

"She's fine. She hadn't gotten to know Neal all that well. I think she's a little disappointed, but it won't be hard for her to move on. Killian Jones has been flirting with her. And from what I can tell, that man is very good at distracting her."

"Killian Jones? Didn't he transfer here from the UK?"

"Relax, MM, he's not going to run off with your best friend and take her across the ocean. He's got a job lined up here once he's finished up with a couple of classes."

Mary Margaret visibly sighed with relief. She wanted her friend to find love and happiness. She just didn't want her to be in a different part of the world for that to happen.

When Emma entered to help plan the Halloween party, Mary Margaret rushed to her.

"Oh, Emma, are you alright? I know you had a thing for Neal. You must have been crushed when you found out he was dating Zelena."

"I was a little disappointed. I thought he was someone who was spontaneous and exciting. But I really only had an interest in him. He never approached me or seemed interested in talking to me, so I guess I'm just not his type." She shrugged, "Oh well."

"I'm sure there is someone else that you can be spontaneous and exciting with." Killian grinned, giving Emma a wink.

She rolled her eyes, but was smiling brightly as she did it.

She also sat next to him on the couch, so close her body was nearly touching his.

"If Zelena is the kind of person that fascinates him, then he could never appreciate a woman like you, Swan." Killian insisted, looking at her earnestly. "We've all witnessed her tantrum two weeks ago when her table was bumped and water spilled on her. It was obviously an accident and it was just water, but she acted like we spilled acid on her."

"Maybe he thinks that kind of crazy is fun in bed?" Scarlet offered.

"Oh, god." David groaned, "Please do not make us picture those two in bed."

Mary Margaret leaned up and whispered something in her boyfriend's ears.

"Yes. That is something I definitely want to imagine." He told her with a grin.

"Do not tell us what she said. No one wants to be traumatized." Will declared, covering his ears.

The group continued with the party planning until every detail had been finalized to Mary Margaret's liking.

Once things were wrapped up, Killian asked Emma if she would join in at the local diner for some onion rings and a milkshake.

All of their friends hid their relief when Emma smiled and said yes to Killian's request without hesitation.

In the weeks that followed, Emma and Killian spent a lot of time together. The two seemed to get physically closer every time they were seen out together.

The night before the Halloween party, Neal angrily pounded on Zelena's door.

"I just saw Killian Jones with his hands all over Emma!" He growled the second she opened her door. "You swore to me that she would be too heartbroken over me to date anyone else."

Not looking the least upset, Zelena shrugged her shoulders and simply said, "Oops" Then shut her door in his face.

The Halloween party arrived. Everyone was laughing and having a great time. Everyone except Neal. He was steaming with anger at having been played a fool.

The feeling increased when he spotted Emma, who was looking incredible in a mermaid costume that practically molded to her body.

"Oh, Emma, you look amazing!" Mary Margaret complimented.

Neal thought that was an understatement.

"What did Jones come as, Aquaman?" Will Scarlet joked.

"Something much sexier." Emma grinned as Killian sauntered up, handing her a drink. He wore tight black leather pants, black leather boots, a billowy black shirt, and a black vest with red brocade. The neckline was so low it gave a large view of his chest hair.

"There's my sexy pirate." Emma smiled, taking the drink and giving him a peck on the lips.

It made Neal sick to see the display. That should have been him being kissed by Emma. That should be him putting his arm around her, touching her bare skin, the way Killian Jones was doing now.

Having enough of the affectionate display, Neal approached Emma, "Can I talk to you, alone?"

Ignoring the death glare Killian was giving him, he placed his hand on her elbow, hoping to guide her away from the others. But she instantly pulled it away.

"Why do you need to talk to me?" Emma looked at him with suspicion clear on her face.

"It's really important. There's something that you need to know."

"Whatever it is, you can tell me here."

"Yeah Neal," Ruby growled. "There's no reason in the world that you and Emma need to be alone together."

He let out a long breath. There was no way he was going to have control in his and Emma's relationship. There wouldn't even get to be one, unless he confessed the trick he and Zelena had played.

"Zelena and I never dated." He blurted forcefully. "It was a trick we pulled."

"What kind of a trick would involve pretending to date someone?" David asked.

"This idiot thought he could make Blondie jealous." Zelena walked up to the group and sneered. "He actually believed me when I told him that he could have control in his relationship with Emma by making her think she needed to fight for him."

"You both did me a huge favor." Emma said to Zelena and Neal. "I'm glad I didn't have to waste my time with the wrong guy." She looked adoringly at Killian, who instantly returned her affectionate glance. "I got to spend that time with a wonderful sexy man who doesn't play tricks with my heart."

"I could never, love." Killian assured her. "I believe your heart should be treated to the best a man is capable of."

"Come on Emma. Just give me a chance." Neal pleaded.

"You tricked yourself mate," Killian growled. "A man who doesn't fight for what he wants deserves what he gets."