So, when I got the idea for this chapter, I was really excited about it and wrote it fairly quickly. It's been written for a while, just on the list of chapters to be posted. I'm so happy to finally post it! I don't know why I enjoyed writing it so much, I just did.

This chapter is based during the famous six weeks of peace in season four.

Thank you for all the follows, favorites, and reviews!

I don't own Once Upon a Time or its characters.

Necklaces and Shoelaces

The diner was quiet and empty, perfect for a late dinner with her pirate. Her shift at the station had been dragged out after a drunk Leroy made a riot at the Rabbit Hole, running right over Emma and Killian's dinner plans. As soon as she had gotten Leroy back home with his brothers, she'd called Killian to apologize and suggest they try again the following week. Killian, who had been looking forward to seeing her all day, convinced her to still join him at the diner—he would speak to Granny. Emma had happily accepted.

"Hello, love," he greeted as she walked through the door, her eyes roaming the diner until they landed on him. A smile appeared on her face.

"Hey." She approached him, kissing him gently before sliding into the booth. She peeled her jacket off and set it next to her.

"How was work?" he asked as he slid in next to her.

She groaned. "Don't remind me of that mess. Leroy is the worst when he has one too many drinks. I almost had to call David to come help me get him home."

Killian chuckled softly. "Apologies, love. I shouldn't have brought it up."

She gave him a soft smile and looked at the food on the table. "I can't believe Granny let you stay down here this late. It's almost midnight."

"It's only because she knew it was for you," he teased.

"No, she likes you." Emma popped an onion ring in her mouth and took a long drink of water, leaning heavily against Killian, who wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

He dropped a kiss to her hair. "If you are too exhausted, love, you can go home. I never wanted to keep you up."

She quickly shook her head, straightening herself back up again to show she wasn't tired. "If I was exhausted, I would've said no."

He nodded. "As long as you don't fall asleep."

She rolled her eyes. "These booths are not that comfortable, Killian."

"Aye, you are correct, I'm afraid."

Emma couldn't help the tug of her lips as she took a bite of her grilled cheese, wiping her greasy hands on a napkin afterward. She continued to eat in silence for a few moments before she noticed Killian hadn't touched his food. His eyes were focused on her hand.

"You all right?" she questioned, turning in her seat to face him better.

His eyes snapped to her face, a slight blush seeping into his cheeks. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

Emma gave him a look that clearly told him she didn't buy his casual words.

He averted his gaze, scratching behind his ear. "Don't look at me like that, Swan."

"Then tell me what's wrong," she insisted, scooting closer. Her hand clasped his on the table. "Come on."

He looked back at her, seeing the reassuring smile on her face. "You don't have to answer this if you don't want to. I'm only a bit curious."

She squeezed his hand in response, her heart beating quicker than usual. Usually, he was the one trying to open her up. It felt strange to have their roles reversed, but she knew she would gladly do it again. All she wanted was for him to trust her with his burdens, even when she was still working up the courage to do the same.

He used his hook to gesture to the shoelace wrapped around her wrist. "From the moment I first met you, you've been wearing that. I don't know the significance behind it."

She froze, her heart skidding to a stop before slowly starting back up again. Her eyes moved to one of the only things she'd kept from Graham. She felt a sting in her eyes and quickly blinked rapidly to hide the tears. It had been a while since she last thought about Graham. She retracted her hand from Killian's, guilt prickling inside her.

Killian studied her reaction, silently panicking. He had over stepped, he knew it. Though he wanted to know more about Emma's past, he wouldn't push her. She could tell him on her own time.

"Just forget it, love. Don't feel like you have to share if you don't want to." He nodded once.

Emma met his eyes, more guilt forming. She had just encouraged him to open up, but now that it was her turn, she couldn't bring herself to do the same. It had been years and yet, thinking about Graham still felt like jabbing a hundred needles into her heart. Though being here with Killian, seeing him look at her with so much tenderness, eased that pain, made it almost disappear. During the first curse, Mary Margaret had tried on several occasions to get Emma to open up about Graham's death. Emma had always brushed her off, refusing to let her walls down again, even for a moment. But right here, right now, all she could think about was taking a sledge hammer to them and pulling Killian in.

"It was Graham's," she whispered, eyes shifting back to the shoelace. "He…he was sheriff here when I first came to Storybrooke. He gave me my job at the station."

Killian nodded. He had heard tales of this Graham from people around town. He seemed to be adored by all, just as Emma was. Henry even spoke of him with a reverence that Killian had concluded came from sorrow. This man, this Graham, the way he had died—it had been a tragedy. His heart clenched knowing Emma had to go through that when she had already suffered so much.

"I only knew him for a few weeks, maybe two months. He…." She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "He died not long after that." She wanted to see Killian's face, read his reaction, but she was afraid of what would be there. She didn't make it a habit to talk about past…people.

His hand wrapped around hers, drawing her eyes to him. "He sounds like a great man."

She breathed out softly, smiling fondly. "He was, though I don't know if you two would have gotten along." Her back leaned against the wall behind her.

He let out a quiet chuckle. "Why is that, love?"

"He was a law-abiding citizen, very unlike a pirate," she joked, her grin widening.

The smile she wore made one form on Killian's face. He loved the way her eyes lit up when she smiled, especially when it was aimed at him. "I'm sure I could have been peaceful."

She glanced back at her wrist. "I started to wear it so I wouldn't forget him. Then, it kind of turned into a haunting reminder that I wasn't the kind of person who got a happy ending." Her eyes flickered up to Killian. "It reminded me to protect myself." Absentmindedly, her hand went to the swan necklace around her neck.

Killian noticed the movement, frowning slightly. He didn't know the origins behind the necklace either. He knew Emma wasn't the biggest fan of jewelry and knew that she would only wear the necklace as often as she did if it meant something to her. He prayed that it didn't have as tragic a backstory as the shoelace, but he didn't ask.

"What is it now?" he asked after a moment. When she gave him a questioning look, he clarified, "The shoelace—what purpose does it serve now?" He hoped he had phrased the question right. He didn't want to sound insensitive because he was far from it. He understood the need to have reminders. Every ring on his hand served as one.

"I don't really know." Her eyes were back on the shoelace. "Since…since you, it sort of makes me think that Graham would be happy that I've…" She squeezed her eyes closed. "That I've moved on." She feared Killian would think she was still stuck in the past, still lost in something that could never be when she wasn't. Despite yearning for Graham to come back for years, the last few months with Killian had driven those thoughts from her mind. She knew that as much as she missed Graham sometimes, she had been able to move on. If something had happened to Killian like Graham…. Emma couldn't even picture it.

She felt him press a kiss to her hand, drawing her eyes open.

"If he is even half as good as the man you describe he is, then I am sure he is thrilled that you are happy," Killian assured. "You found your family, your son."

"You."

His soft smile widened. "Aye."

Emma squeezed Killian's hand and sat back up. "You need to eat before your food gets cold."

He breathed out a laugh. "All right, I will."

As they ate their dinner, Killian asked questions about Henry, which Emma answered with great vigor, always happy that Killian cared for her son.

"He got a perfect score on his essay, which he wrote about David," Emma was saying. "Mary Margaret might be a little biased, but I read the paper and it was really good. You should read it."

Killian nodded. "I'd love to, if the lad would allow me."

"Of course he would. He loves it when people read his stuff." She went on about the model pirate ship he made for a project, which Killian found extremely entertaining. Throughout the conversation, Emma's hand clenched the swan necklace around her neck. Killian's curiosity only grew when she noticed and hid it in her shirt. After that, Emma didn't meet his eyes as they conversed.

"Emma, what's wrong?" he finally asked after a few minutes.

She sighed. She didn't have the energy to deny that something was wrong. She just didn't want to share what that was. He'd already suffered through their conversation about Graham. He didn't need another one about Neal.

He grabbed her hand. "You can tell me, love. Does it have to do with the swan pendant you're wearing?"

Her eyes snapped to his. How had he known that?

He smiled encouragingly, nodding softly.

A quiet breath escaped her. "I just…well, Neal gave me this keychain."

Killian swallowed thickly. So the necklace did have a tragic history. He wished that the universe had been kinder to Emma.

"For a long time, I wore it to remind myself not to trust anyone again." She looked away, staring at the empty plates on the table. "When I found him again, I gave it back to him. I didn't want it." She closed her eyes briefly. "Before he died, he gave it back to me. He told me to find Tallahesee…happiness…with someone else." Her eyes slowly found Killian's. "He wanted me to be happy, just as I hope Graham does."

"And did you?" he asked gently, eager for her answer. "Find happiness, I mean."

She held his gaze. "Yeah." Tears swam in her vision, obscuring Killian's face slightly. She hated it.

He beamed. "I'm glad."

She released a laugh and wiped her eyes, chasing the moisture away. "Now, the necklace reminds me that I can be happy, that I deserve to be happy."

He tugged on her hand, wanting her to look at him. "You deserve all the happiness this world has to offer."

Her heart swelled. Leaning forward, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips. She set her forehead on his after she pulled away. "So do you."

He caressed her face, heart bursting with joy.

A vibration drew their attention to Emma's phone, which sat atop the table. Emma checked it, eyes widening at the time.

"It's almost one o'clock. No wonder David's asking where I am." She sent her father a quick text to assure him she was fine before picking up her jacket. She smiled apologetically at Killian. "I should go. I still have work in the morning."

"Of course. Sorry for keeping you." He stood, holding his hand out to her to help her up.

She kept a grip on his hand when she was on her feet. "I didn't mind."

He kissed her forehead. "If you need help at the station tomorrow, I will gladly assist."

Emma shook her head. "You and Belle need to figure out how to get the fairies out of the hat, remember?"

"I would welcome a distraction," he said. "Especially if I could see you."

Her cheeks flushed. "You can bring me lunch, but you might need to bring David some so he doesn't feel left out."

He chuckled. "I will see what I can do. See you tomorrow."

She kissed him again before pulling her jacket on. She sent him one last smile over her shoulder before exiting the diner.

The Underworld, months later

Emma sat on the couch in the house that was supposed to be their home, Killian at her side. Mary Margaret had insisted that they have alone time for a few hours before ushering everyone out and to Granny's. Emma couldn't have been more grateful.

Killian's hand ran down her arm, holding her close. "Emma?"

"Hmm?" She was leaning against him, her arm around his waist as her eyes laid shut.

"Did you lose Graham's shoelace?"

Her eyes flew open. She knew this question was coming and, to be honest, she was surprised he hadn't brought it up earlier. "No, I didn't. It's back in Storybrooke along with the swan necklace."

"Were you worried you would lose them down here?"

Emma pushed herself up straighter, turning to see Killian. "No, they've been there since I became the Dark One."

His eyebrow raised in question.

She took a breath. "I decided I didn't want a constant reminder of what I've lost when I have everything I want right here in front of me." A small smile appeared on her face.

Killian's confused expression softened.

Emma pulled on the chain around her neck, tugging it out from under her shirt. She held it up for Killian to see. "Besides, I have something else I prefer to wear."

"You still have it?" he asked, looking from Liam's necklace to Emma.

She nodded. "After you sacrificed yourself, I couldn't let this go. It was something of yours, something you gave to me. It was a piece of you. I was worried it would disappear if I let it go, like you did." Her voice was barely a whisper.

His hand closed around hers, drawing it away from the necklace. "I'm not going anywhere." He kissed her knuckles. "Not again."

"I know." Her free hand gripped the ring. She glanced at it before looking back at Killian. "Do you want it back? I know it was Liam's—"

He shook his head. "No, Emma. It's yours now."

Her heart swelled. "Are you sure?"

He rubbed his thumb over her hand. "Aye. I wore that ring for centuries as a reminder of what I had lost. When I gave it to you, it was to remind you of what you had to live for, what you had to come back to. I don't ever want you to forget that."

She moved forward and kissed him softly, meeting his gaze when she pulled away. "I could never forget, Killian."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and leaned back against the couch, pulling his love into his side. Emma happily complied, sliding her arm around his waist.

"When we get back to Storybrooke, I am going straight to Granny's. The grilled cheese down here just isn't the same."

Killian chuckled. "The Blind Witch doesn't make them the same as Granny."

"You couldn't be more right." Emma inhaled deeply, holding her breath for a moment. When she released it, her body relaxed. She allowed all her worries to leave her. She didn't need or want them, not when Killian was holding her, not when she knew they would win.

I really hope you enjoyed that!