Chapter 10: Attention Please

The Captain watched the woman in the red cloak sniffing the air as she moved through the forest. He knew of her kind, had heard of their abilities, but had avoided interaction with her species. His First Mate warily followed behind him, refusing to allow him to continue his quest unless she accompanied him after finding out about the inclusion of the aid of the Huntress.

"Are we sure she isn't leading us into a trap, waiting until we are all separated before turning and hunting us all?"

Killian turned toward her, "Such positive affirmations, French."

"Besides the ability to track, I also have excellent hearing." The woman in the cloak remarked loudly from the front of the group.

"Great job, now you've offended her." He chuckled, continuing his path.

Suddenly the woman stopped, holding her hand in the air. She whispered to the Princess, "I caught the scent of Master Henry. That way."

Killian rushed to the Princess, grabbing her by the arm. "Stay here. I'll go ahead."

"I'm going with you." She said defiantly.

"I believe the King, and might I say the Duke, were told that you would not venture into danger on this quest. So, I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist that you stay here with the woman."

"If you think I give a damn about what you told my brother, much less the Duke, you are very mistaken." She held her chin high, yanking her arm away from the Captain and marching in the direction that Ruby had pointed.

Killian grumbled and followed the woman down the path. "One of these days, I'm going to stop chasing this woman."

"So, she's just dating Will now?" Ruby asked after Emma explained what had happened with Killian, Belle, and William.

"I guess. Apparently they've been chatting for two weeks." Emma held her hand in air quotes because she wasn't exactly sure what chatting meant. "But Will just asked her out the other day. Apparently that was their first real date when I caught them sucking face outside his door."

"How's Killian holding up?"

"How should I know?" Emma deflected.

"The two of you seem pretty close lately, I saw you both at the diner the other day eating lunch together. Just saying, you seemed pretty cozy." Ruby teased.

"There's nothing going on, if that is what you are implying Rubes."

"So, then you wouldn't mind if I asked him out? You know now that he's single and all."

"I uh…" Emma frowned, trying to calm her sudden anxiety. "I don't know if he's going to want to date right after getting dumped by Belle and all." Emma took a drink of her water. "But sure, I mean if you want to ask him out."

"What better way to get over a broken heart than by getting back up on the horse." Ruby grinned. "I'd ride that stallion bareback."

Emma choked on her water. "Um, yeah I guess."

"Oh relax, I'm not going to ask him out. I don't date men who aren't emotionally available anyway."

"Well, you do whatever you want. I'm not his keeper." Emma said dryly.

"Are you sure about that?" She smirked, but Emma only nodded quietly, her mind swirling around thoughts of her neighbor.

Later that evening, she sat on the roof, surrounded by her family and friends at an impromptu get together, she couldn't keep her eyes off the man sitting with her son, drinking his beer, telling stories that made her son laugh until he was doubled over, a smile across his entire face.

Besides David and Will, Henry had never taken an interest in a man the way he had with Killian. Emma had to admit there was something about him that had captivated her as well. He looked up and her eyes locked with his. She smiled softly, the corner of his lips turning upward in return.

A noise knocked her from her trance as she looked up to see her brother clanging his glass with a fork. "Excuse me, if I could have your attention please." He jumped up on one of the tables and pointed toward her as Graham stood up next to her. "My best friend, Graham has a few words he would like to say."

Emma looked up, watching with apprehension as Graham turned toward her. For some reason it made her stomach wretch with anxious energy. "Emma…" He started to speak, and Emma felt her entire body tense. "I know we haven't dated a full year yet, but these have been the best nine months of my life."

No, no, no, no, no, this can't be happening.

Emma could barely see Graham's face with the way her vision was starting to blur, not from tears of joy but from panic.

"And there is nothing I want more than for you and Henry to be a part of my life permanently." He bent down on his knee and Emma felt like vomiting. She looked around the room at the happy faces staring at her, and she turned desperately trying to find her son. Henry was standing alone at the table he was previously enjoying time with Killian at.

His face was solemn, ghastly almost as he watched the scene in front of him in solitude. Killian was nowhere to be seen.

"Will you do me the honor of being my wife?" Her attention turned back to Graham, kneeling in front of her, holding out a shimmering ring toward her.

She didn't know how to speak. Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth, but Emma knew that the sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach should not be there in the middle of something that was supposed to be a happy moment.

"Emma?" Her eyes jerked up to meet Grahams.

She wanted to say yes and embrace him with joy. She wanted to let him know that she would be happy and taken care of for the rest of her life with Graham by her side. She wished more than anything that his question made her the happiest woman on the planet. Graham was good to her. He would be a good husband; he would love Henry as his own. He was a good man.

Emma knew the words she needed to say, she rehearsed them in her head. She was lucky, she was blessed to have someone like Graham want to marry her and take care of her son, yet when she opened her mouth, the words would not come out.

"Graham…" She said softly. "I…" She reached out and cupped her hands around his outstretched palm, closing his fingers around the ring. "I can't."

Killian stopped in the stairwell, leaning against the wall to calm his breathing. He knew he shouldn't be so affected by the proposal taking place on the rooftop. Emma had been with Graham since he met her, it was the natural order of things for normal people. People unlike himself. People who deserved to find everlasting love.

Emma deserved to be happy. Yet he couldn't stop the aching pain in his chest the moment he watched the man drop down to one knee in front of her.

It was bad enough that the evening began with Will and Belle attending the festivities together. He was happy for Belle, and Will honestly, but it stung a bit to see her laughing and enjoying her time with the man. Had it not been for Henry, Killian would have felt completely alone tonight. Instead, Henry stayed by his side, asking him questions about his day, telling him stories about the latest movie he had watched.

But as soon as Graham dropped to his knee, Killian slipped into the shadows, retreating to the stairwell to make his exit. He didn't belong up there, with her friends and family, celebrating the good news. He would allow her the moment in private.

As soon as he reached his apartment, he crossed the kitchen, opening his cupboard to pull the bottle of rum from its place. Instead of pouring the liquid into the glass, he titled the bottle into his mouth, the warm liquid burning its way to his stomach.

He dropped down onto his couch, the bottle tucked into his side, another night alone. He drank until sleep took him, golden blonde hair blowing on the bow of his ship, shimmering flecks of green dancing in the sunlight. She turned toward him, his name falling off her lips like a secret blowing in the wind.

Killian.

He sat up, a knock on his door pulling him from his dream. The empty bottle fell from his side, hitting the ground and rolling under the couch. He groaned, pulling himself up from his prone position and stumbling toward the door. Turning the handle, he cracked the door open, peering into the hall. His vision dropped down to see Henry staring up at him.

"Hey Killian, can we take Smee to the park?"

"Morning, lad, you're up early!" He moaned, grabbing his head.

"It's after one." He laughed. "Did you just wake up?"

"A bit too much partying last night." He opened the door, letting the boy in as he fished the dog's leash from its spot on the counter. "A bit of sunshine might do me good."

"Did you hear that Smee, we're going to the park." The dog jumped excitedly around the boy and Killian felt another ache in his chest. Surely the boy would still want to spend time with him after his mother married. He didn't realize how much he enjoyed the boy's presence until the thought of losing it presented itself.

"Are you ready?" Killian smiled and opened the door, letting the boy take the leash and following him out the door.

They walked to the park, Henry talking rapidly about a game he wanted to play later, as Killian realized he had just placed his hand on the boy's shoulder as they walked. It was a gesture so simple and pure, yet he had never had such a kinship with a young kid before.

"So maybe we could play on Wednesday night now. You know because mom won't be doing that anymore."

Killian realized he hadn't heard a word the boy had said. "Sorry lad, what is it your mom won't be doing on Wednesday?"

"Date night with Graham."

"Henry, just because your mom is getting married, doesn't mean that date night stops, it just means they happen more frequently, at home." He chuckled.

"But my mom isn't getting married." He stopped walking and looked up at him.

"What are you talking about, Henry. I was there for the news last night."

"You mean when she broke it off with Graham?"

"She did what?"

Henry shrugged, "Yeah after she turned down his proposal, they had a long talk and mom came to my room and told me that she and Graham had decided to stop seeing each other. She was afraid I was going to be upset about it, but honestly, she made the right choice. Graham isn't her true love anyway."

Killian just stared at the boy; Emma turned down Graham's proposal. He shouldn't care, it shouldn't make him as happy as he's feeling right now, yet it was the only thing he could say for certain. Nothing made him happier than knowing that Emma had rejected Graham's proposal.

It was ridiculous, it meant that Emma was alone, just as he was. Technically he was free to pursue her, free to finish what had been started twice before with their kiss. There was nothing standing in the way of him having her, tasting her, taking her the way he had dreamed so many nights before.

But Emma was different than other women he had bedded. She wasn't a one-time thing. And just as with Belle, Emma deserved better than one night in bed with him. She deserved love, a home, a relationship. Things he couldn't offer her.

"Do you like my mom?"

Killian's eyes grew wide. "Of course, I like your mom, she's my friend."

He laughed. "That's not what I meant. I mean, do you like her, like her. You know, as a girl."

"I think your mom is a lovely woman, lad."

The boy smiled up at him, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "So, you like her."

Killian chuckled, "Alright lad, let's get you home before your mom starts wondering where you are."

"I'm going to take your answer as a yes, because you didn't actually say no."

"Let's go." Killian turned the boy back toward the apartment, unable to keep the smile off his face.

The path led to a small cottage, smoke billowing from the fireplace. Killian grabbed the Princess by the hand, pulling her back and pointing to the back of the home. "Shh, let's go to the back." He whispered into her ear.

They snuck around the back, peering into the small window. The Princess put her hand to her mouth as she saw her son sitting on a small bed in the middle of the room. She felt the Captain put an arm around her shoulder. "Stay here." He whispered, his breath hot against her ear. She silently protested, grabbing his arm as he turned to leave, breathless groaning as he turned back to her. "What?" He almost pouted.

She grabbed him by the arm, yanking him down under the window as Baelfire walked toward the glass pane. His body pressed into her, her face in his chest as she cowered to the ground. She could feel the heat radiating from his body as he looked down into her eyes. A slight nod to address her quick action that had saved them from being spotted.

"Go around front, I'll stay back here in case they try and leave through the back." She whispered.

"Take this." He handed her a small dagger, pressing it into her hand. "Be careful, love. I do not wish to see you harmed."

He crawled to the side of the wall, standing, and making his way to the front of the cottage. She peered through the window just in time to see the wooden boards burst to pieces and Captain Jones appear in the wake of their destruction.

"I have come to take you in, by order of the King." She heard him announce, she stood, making her way to the back door.

"You will not take my son from me; his mother will pay for keeping him from me."

She pushed through the door, startling everyone in the cottage. Baelfire turned quickly, grabbing Henry, and pressing his dagger to his throat. "Was expecting you, Princess."

"Let him go, he's innocent."

"Did he know about me?"

"No, I told him you were dead. It was the same as being abandoned, thrown away."

"You had no right. He's mine, together he and I can make twice as much as I do now."

"Unhand the lad." The Captain's voice boomed over the Princess and the Swan Thief's argument.

"Moved on, did you?" Baelfire taunted. "You can't replace me, Princess."

The Princess watched as Captain Jones crept closer to her son. The dagger was piercing his skin and Emma felt desperate to get to him. Just as Emma was about to press her blade to Baelfire's back, Captain Jones nodded to her boy, lunging forward as Henry ducked and knocking the man onto his back.

"I had it under control." Emma complained.

"I told you to wait outside." The Captain argued.

Henry watched in amusement as his mother stood arguing with the man who had just saved his life. His father knocked out cold at their feet.

Henry bounded into his apartment to find his mother sitting on the couch, staring at the television which was currently turned off.

"Hey mom."

She jumped from her spot and turned toward him. "Henry, did you enjoy your walk?"

"Yup, we took Smee to the park."

"That's great." She said turning back toward the television with a frown on her face.

"Are you ok mom?" He sat down next to her on the couch.

"I'm fine, it's just been a long week."

"Are you sad about Graham?"

"I'm sad that I don't feel sad about Graham. Does that make sense?" She said with a laugh.

"Yeah. I mean, I liked Graham, but he wasn't right for you. He's not your true love." He said wistfully.

"Oh Henry, real life isn't like your fairytales." She ran a hand through his hair.

"Not if you don't believe." He replied.

Henry paced in his room that evening, everything seemed to be working out perfectly. Belle was with Will now; Graham and his mother were finished. Killian and Emma were free to be together. He knew they liked each other, it wasn't hard to see the way they looked at each other or how calm and free his mother was when he was around.

But now they were both free to admit their feelings, and yet neither of them seemed prepared to do so. If only he could get them to be honest with each other. If they just had a moment alone where neither one of them could deny how they felt.

Henry paused in his pacing, a smile coming to his face. Slipping from his room he snuck into the hallway, he could hear the shower water in the bathroom, his mother singing quietly in the shower. Pushing his mother's door open, he crept into her room, her cellphone charging on her nightstand. He picked it up and quickly searched her contacts until he found what he needed.

E: I need to talk to you. Please meet me on the roof at 7pm tomorrow night.

After the message sent, he clicked the delete button, removing it from her phone and setting it back on her table.

Moving quickly, he slipped out of the apartment and knocked on Killian's door. It opened and Killian stood in front of him in his bathrobe. "Lad, is everything alright?"

"Yeah I think I left my phone over here earlier. Can you help me look for it?"

"Aye, do you remember where you might have left it?"

"Maybe the bathroom, or the kitchen." Henry looked around the room, scanning it for the phone when he saw it on the kitchen counter. "Yeah maybe you can check the bathroom and I'll look around here."

"Alright lad, be right back."

Henry ran to the counter, picking up the phone and seeing the message from his mom. Typing quickly, he sent a reply.

K: I need to talk to you. 7pm, rooftop tomorrow. Please come.

He deleted the message and marked the one from his mother as unread. Putting the phone back on the counter, he yelled to the back of the apartment. "Found it." He yelled down the hallway, holding up the phone he pulled from his pocket. "Sorry to bother you, it was on the counter."

"Alright, well, glad you found it."

"Thanks again." He ran out the door and quickly snuck back into his apartment. Pausing in front of the bathroom to listen to the shower still running. He smiled as his mother sang.

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?

I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now.

A smile formed on his face. "Don't worry mom, I'm going to make sure all your wishes come true."