A/N: Hello all! So I debated when drafting this fic how fast I wanted things to go, and I gotta say part of me is kicking myself now. Making this fic so much longer than I originally thought means we are going a little slower than my usual rate, but I really think it will be worth it in the end. That being said, we are at chapter six and you can rest assured more pieces are coming together in the past and in the present. Hope you guys enjoy and let me know what you all think!

"So this morning's office schedule is pretty light as of now, knock on wood. Just that litter of kittens who need their shots, Lionel Johnson's iguana who isn't eating as much as usual, and the Smith's dog who needs a restitch."

Emma heard the words that Gus, the clinic's administrator, was saying, but it all felt very far away even though she stood right beside him. Subconsciously she internalized the information being told to her, and at some level she'd picked it all up, but still Emma was distracted, and distraction and her work simply did not mix. She had to have the facts and focus or her patient's could suffer, so she silently shook herself and tried to pay better attention, speed-reading the chart Gus handed her that said the exact same things he'd just imparted.

"Chester needs a restitch?"

"Yup. Your Dad checked him earlier on his way out, and the wound was still clean after you patched him up yesterday, but a few of the stitches broke overnight. We think he does that pseudo-running thing some dogs do in their sleep. Doesn't look like he purposefully messed with it."

"Got it," Emma acknowledged, knowing that Gus was right. It was likely just a dream-induced injury, and not something more to worry about. "And Dad's all good on the farms today? He doesn't need any back up?"

"No word yet. Last I heard all things were going well, but he's not at the farms as it turns out. He's somewhere outside Augusta. Got a call this morning from a remote patient and they said it couldn't wait."

"Another referral?" Emma asked and Gus nodded. "Someone should really give him an award or something. He's got to be the most popular vet in Maine at the rate."

"You're telling me," Gus said motioning towards the schedule in a way that said managing it was no cakewalk. Emma laughed and watched as Gus walked back out front to the waiting area and she knew she should follow suit and head to the exam rooms where her charges were waiting.

Before she could do that, however, she needed to get herself in order, and part of that meant looking through old files to make sure they were giving the best form of treatment. Gus had given her all of the medical histories they had on their regular patients, but for the kittens Emma wondered what exactly would be the best treatment option. They had a number of paths to choose from, and though she could make the decision on her own and be confident in that, she felt a need to be her father today and handle things as he would. To do so, she headed into his office, seeking out the files in the back cabinet that had all his information on strays and rescues.

As she looked for the files, Emma found her eyes moving over to her father's desk, which was meticulously ordered but comforting at the same time. He had the same familiar pictures standing up there. There was one of her parents at their wedding, one of her Dad and his best friend Lance who Emma considered an Uncle, ones of both Emma and Neal as very small kids, and a recent snapshot of the four of them at Emma's graduation. But there was only one picture on the table with a person Emma had never met and it was the one of her father and his mother. He was only a newborn in the shot, since his mother hadn't lived very long after having her father and his twin brother, but it was one of Emma's favorites all the same. The love in that photo was completely undeniable, and though the loss was heart wrenching and honestly so sad, she'd found her father smiling at it many times before, taking comfort in a mother he never got the chance to know.

Emma's fingers traced over the frame absentmindedly as she looked at the shot, but before her mind could wander too far on her family history, she heard the tell tale sound of chaos. A chorus of meows that could only be made by very young and rambunctious kittens was sounding out, and the sooner she got to work, the sooner those little cuties could get back to the shelter and the volunteers who would no doubt want to dote on them.

As the day progressed, Emma let herself relax into her work, losing herself in the familiar and unexpected parts of the process. She started by seeing to their nosiest tenants, the half dozen kittens who'd been brought in a few days back. They were ready for their four-week shots, and all of them were well behaved given the circumstances. Turned out all they wanted was some attention and affection, which Emma was very happy to give before and after she administered their vaccinations.

After the kitties, Emma shifted over to iguana care, which, as expected, turned out to be a rather benign case. The iguana was absolutely fine – he was just changing what food he wanted. It turned out normal old romaine could get boring, and Emma was able to get him to eat much more when she offered him a little fruit and some cherry tomatoes. She'd keep him over night for observation, but she was certain he'd pull through. And as for Chester, the lovable if overactive English setter, his stitches did in fact need tending to but he was a good boy as she did the work. She didn't even need to call in Gus for back up, and soon enough he was all stitched up and good to go.

This smooth sailing was arguably great, seeing as it made Emma's life easier, but the lack of intensity in her day opened Emma up to wandering thoughts again. Because there was no real risk involved, her mind could do its own thing as her body did the work she knew by heart, and it turned out that when given the chance all she could think of was Killian Jones and the way he kissed.

And damn could he kiss! Just thinking about it sent a thrill of anticipation up Emma's spine. That elated sensation reverberated outwards, filling her with this energy that felt almost electric and he wasn't even with her. Emma was completely by herself, but the room was still filled with anticipation and wanting all the same. It was crazy to be so affected by someone, but that seemed to be how the story went where Emma and Killian were concerned. She'd been drawn in since they first saw each other, and there'd been a build in her wanting him since that first moment, but after that kiss outside the Rabbit Hole… well, leave it to say there was just no way to resist anymore. She had to give in, and damn if giving in didn't feel so freaking good.

It was so good, in fact, that Emma had caved to that desire more than once in the past few days. The weekend had been filled with little moments, almost of all of which began, ended, or consisted wholly of kissing this man who made her feel so much. There was some talking scattered in between, mostly Killian saying these amazingly sweet or sexy things that just made Emma want him even more, but the kissing was the defining part of every interaction. They were honestly acting like teenagers, finding each other and sneaking away to make out like it was going out of style, but Emma found that she loved it and that she couldn't get enough.

The excitement of not knowing when she would see him but being certain that he would find her filled Emma with this rush she'd never known before. Part of her was dying to ask Killian exactly what this was between them. She wanted to put labels on the attraction that they clearly shared, but another part of Emma wanted to stay caught up in the moment. It felt so freeing to just be impulsive and take what she wanted, and Emma didn't think she had ever felt more alive than she did in those fleeting instances. Still, there was only so long that this pattern could hold. At some point her tendency towards needing a plan and craving direction would win out, and when it did she and Killian would have to talk about what was next and when 'next' would be here.

The thought of what all of this meant had been weighing on Emma to some degree, and though she tried to keep it to herself throughout the weekend, Emma did confess her slight misgivings to Elsa and to Anna. It was hard not to, especially since she told them about the first kiss. Since being informed of the new direction of Emma and Killian's relationship, her best friends had been starved for more news and more updates, and because they were like sisters to her, Emma was confident that anything she said would stay between them. She told them honestly about all she felt – about how for right now this was enough, but that she wanted more with Killian eventually – and their insights and perceptions had been most eye opening.

For Anna, this whole dance was a build up that Emma should be enjoying. It had been forever since Emma had shown interest in anyone, and never to this degree, and she'd been so busy with school and now working at the clinic that she hadn't had time for any kind of flirtation. Anna saw Killian as a means to a delicious and healthy end, and if things lasted in the long run that was great. But more than anything, Anna believed that Emma needed the adventure and a little more spice in her life. Emma agreed with that last part, but she found it hard to be so cavalier about the future. She loved the current dynamic of waiting and wondering, but the thought that somehow this wouldn't work out or move forward hurt Emma's heart and had old protective walls wanting to come up again.

Elsa, meanwhile, saw things very differently. To her the worry was not needed, not because Emma wasn't really putting her heart on the line or feeling more than she ever had, but because it wasn't actually a risk. Time had only further cemented Elsa's instinct that Killian was a keeper, and she held him in this esteem that made Emma feel like he would be a permanent fixture in her world and in Storybrooke too. Elsa's feeling before meeting him had blossomed after his coming to the bar. She'd met him and sized him up completely, and her results gave Emma this incredible hope. Knowing Elsa felt like this was right for her gave Emma room to really believe that it could be, and though she trusted her own instincts to lead her in the right direction, Emma had been counting on Elsa's gut with even more faith for years…

After everything that happened last night in the alley, Emma felt like she couldn't tell what was real and was a dream anymore.

She'd come back inside after the attack and had taken her time to find her family again, and when she did it was on the tip of her tongue to say something. She had to tell them, right? They needed to know that two giant wolves had just had a massive showdown in the back of the Boston Children's Hospital. But for some reason Emma couldn't say the words. Maybe it was because her parents looked so relieved to see her after she'd run off, or maybe it was the fact that she could see how tired they were from all of their stress, but in the end Emma ended up saying nothing, holding onto memories that confused her and alarmed her.

Emma tried to sleep that night, hoping maybe in the morning it wouldn't seem quite so crazy, but her dreams were filled with glimpses of those insane moments played over and over again. Panic that her life was ending would shoot through her, only to be ebbed away when the black wolf showed up to save her. She woke up time and again, tossing and turning in her sleep, until finally Emma gave up, rising with the sun and heading back with her mother to the hospital first thing.

Her hope was to see Neal and feel better. She was praying her brother would be in better shape, and that he'd distract her from what had happened. But being in that building again was like living through the trauma all over again. Emma was jumpy and on edge, and she didn't know how she could make it through this morning, never mind the rest of the day. Her parents asked her if everything was all right, and again she had the chance to come clean and to tell them what had happened, but she just… couldn't. It felt impossible to say, and though her parents could still tell that she was off, Neal was just as happy to see her as he ever was. He was still frail and fragile, but his smile when Emma was near lit up the whole room. That happiness Neal had became her anchor, and she stayed with him for hours, choosing to remain even when her parents were called away for more meetings with the doctors.

"Oh thank God, I found you guys."

For a moment Emma thought she must be imagining things, because she heard her best friend's voice clear as day. That was impossible though. Elsa was in Storybrooke, more than two hours away, but then Neal's eyes went wide with excitement and he sat up in bed eagerly.

"Elsa! You came to see me! I knew you would come!"

"You did?" Emma asked of Neal, before turning back to Elsa, her eyes growing wet with tears. "You came?"

"I had to. I had a feeling this morning when I woke up that I should be here, so I hopped on the bus and here I am."

Emma hugged her friend fiercely, trying desperately to keep from crying though her tears broke through all the same. Elsa held onto her tight, infusing in the embrace all the love and compassion they shared as best friends. It meant the world that Elsa was here, that she'd come without even having to be asked, and today of all days Emma needed her most. She'd been feeling so terribly alone, but now she had someone to confide in and to trust her true feelings with for the first time in forever.

"No Anna today?" Emma asked, wondering how in the world Elsa had managed to come alone. She and Anna were practically attached at the hip, and there was no doubt in Emma's mind that Anna would want to be here to support them too.

"She doesn't know I came. She'll be furious when she finds out, but you know she hates to lie, and she's just terrible at it. I couldn't trust that she wouldn't tell Mom and Dad we were coming, and I couldn't risk not getting here."

"I can't believe you're here," Emma said as they both took a seat, with Elsa coming next to Neal and exchanging their special handshake they'd formed a few years back at Neal's insistence.

"It was time," Neal said, like that was the most obvious thing in the world and both Emma and Elsa laughed at his assured statement.

"Yeah buddy, it was. Sorry I took so long," Elsa said and Neal accepted her apology as they got to talking.

Elsa filled Neal and Emma in on all the happenings in Storybrooke. Most of it Emma already knew from her daily calls with Elsa and Anna, but Neal ate every update up completely. He asked roughly a million questions and Emma swore she hadn't seen him this perked up in weeks, but eventually he did get tired again. It was natural that he would get weary as the day went on, and though he had to succumb and go to sleep, he pleaded with Elsa not to go without saying goodbye. Elsa promised, and when Neal was definitely out, Elsa turned to Emma with an expectant look.

"Okay, so you've had some time now. You have to tell me what's going on."

"You mean other than this?" Emma asked, waving her hand around the room. She didn't need to say the words aloud. It was obvious that Neal's illness was taking a toll, but Elsa looked persistent, and Emma knew once her friend was on a case, she never let it go without answers.

"Yes. Something happened. I know it did, I can feel it."

Emma debated for another moment whether or not she should say anything but eventually she confessed it all to Elsa. She told her about the wolves and the fighting, about her fear and the calm that came thereafter. She didn't leave any of it out, even the weirdest parts about not being afraid of the second wolf, and when it was all over Elsa didn't look at her like she thought she was crazy or she was judging her. She just took Emma's hand in hers and spoke her mind.

"Oh my God, that sounds terrifying. I can't believe that happened and in the city no less." Elsa whispered the words but her alarm made it louder than it should have been. Emma worried they would wake Neal, but another look at her little brother showed he was still soundly sleeping.

"But you believe me, right?" Emma asked, needing her friend to believe that she wasn't as crazy as she felt.

"Of course I do, no question." Elsa said without hesitation. "But that doesn't mean I have any idea why it happened. It must have been just a freak thing, but you think someone else would have seen them. They didn't just disappear."

"You're right, they couldn't have," Emma said, standing suddenly, feeling like she had to go back to the alley. It was the only way she'd be able to prove what had happened really took place, since there had to be evidence. The battle between the animals out there was brutal, so there must be a trace of something. "Stay here a minute. Okay?"

"Stay? But where are you going?" Realization dawned on Elsa's eyes a second after she asked the question and she soon stood too. "No Emma, you shouldn't go down there alone. You can't. You need -,"

"Elsa, what I need is for you to stay with Neal, okay? I don't want him to be alone. I promised him he wouldn't be and I don't know when my parents will be done with their meeting."

"But Emma -,"

"Elsa, please?" Emma begged and finally Elsa nodded.

"Fine. I'll give you five minutes, but if you aren't back by then I'm coming after you. Got it?"

Emma agreed before bolting from the room. She moved as fast as she could without running, and she wasn't sure if it was because she had an eerie feeling retracing her steps from last night or because she was so desperate for answers. Either way she was out in the alley way again in no time. Again it was empty, though now she could see everything so clearly and she took care to keep the door open so she wouldn't get locked out again. Then she moved forward, her breathing heavy and her hands shaking as she entered the space that was once so charged.

From what she could tell nothing looked out of place. The ground was strangely clean. There was no gravel even, and Emma was confused. She knew there should be signs of damage, and there should be a body somewhere too, but when she looked around the corner of the dumpster there was nothing. No blood, no body, nothing out of place. Emma felt even more confused than she had before and a prickle of foreboding climbed up her back. She looked back towards the entranceway, but there was nothing, only the occasional person walking by, completely unaware of her existence.

Emma shook her head, at a loss for words. There was really nothing here. So it had to be a dream right? She'd just had an episode – a mental break people called it. God she was crazy! She was actually losing her mind and –

From the corner of her eye she caught a glimmer of something and she turned to look at it more closely. Stooping down to the ground, she reached for the metal object that was left here, and when her fingertips first made contact she felt a flash of something she couldn't quite name. It was a white-hot surge of awareness, and the only thing she had to compare it to was the moment when she'd first seen the black wolf. It was foreign and bizarre, but also intriguing, and as Emma flipped the pendant over, letting the chain attached fall loosely over her hand, she marveled at the design she found, knowing, even if all signs spoke to the contrary that this was a part of the puzzle currently playing out in her mind.

After a few moments of taking in this mysterious artifact, Emma headed back inside, knowing if she lingered any longer she would have Elsa to answer to, but when she arrived back at the doorway of Neal's room she was surprised by what she saw: somehow, in the time she'd been gone Elsa and Neal's roles had been reversed. Her brother, for his part looked wide-awake and totally reenergized, and Elsa seemed to have fallen asleep at his bedside. Emma immediately moved towards her checking she was all right, and her friend came awake with a start.

"Emma? Oh crap, did I fall asleep or something?"

"Yeah you did. You were out like a light. Must have been the early bus ride."

"It must be," Elsa said, sounding like she wasn't quite convinced even though it was the most rational explanation. "Wow I have a headache – what do you think the chances are they have acetaminophen in a hospital?"

Emma laughed at Elsa's joke, taking comfort in the fact that her friend was returning to herself. "I'd say pretty darn good."

"What's acid-o-mini-fin?" Neal asked curiously and Emma responded with a brief explanation causing Neal to wrinkle his nose. "Medicine? But you don't need medicine Elsa. You need grilled cheese. Emma says everything can be cured with grilled cheese and she knows everything."

It touched Emma to hear her brother's high opinion of her, and she tried to fend off the tears that formed in her eyes at his sweet words. God, he was the best kind of kid, and he just had to pull through. Luckily, today he seemed to be doing so well, especially since Elsa had gotten here.

"Did someone say grilled cheese?"

The three of them turned to find her parents holding bags of food that Emma knew would hold their favorite meal inside them and she watched as their eyes grew big at seeing Elsa, but just as Emma expected their shock turned to love and appreciation swiftly. For as much as Emma was a part of Elsa and Anna's family, Elsa and Anna were just as much a part of hers…

"Knock knock," two familiar voices said from the doorway of the exam room and Emma turned to find her best friends bearing similar bags to the ones in the memory she'd just been reminiscing over. "Did someone order grilled cheese and onion rings?"

"Uh, no," Emma answered honestly. "But if you brought them to me I'll love you forever."

"Oh you already love us," Anna said with an eye roll before pointing down the hall towards the back door. "We were thinking picnic tables today, since it's so nice out."

"Well first we were thinking we'd ask if you were free for lunch," Elsa said with a smirk. "But then Anna decided that you would forsake any plans for a grilled cheese."

"Historically yes, that has been the case," Emma replied with a laugh cleaning up a bit before following her friends out into the beautiful summer afternoon.

"I said we shouldn't assume, especially with the way things are going with a certain new neighbor," Elsa supplied, making Emma blush at the mention of Killian. She tried to conceal it by brushing off some of the stray leaves from atop the picnic table that her parents had put back here years ago.

"And then I told Elsa that it's not an issue because there was no way you'd plan a real date without telling us first."

"So all those breakfasts just don't count?" Emma asked trying to sound like she was teasing and not fully affected by this conversation, and Anna shook her head firmly as she took a seat.

"No ma'am they do not. Until that man sweeps you off your feet with a romantic dinner or trip or something, I'm not counting it. Diner pancakes do not a love story make. You need a proper date."

Emma wanted to respond that all of those mornings spent with Killian kind of did feel like the start of a love story. She felt the same nerves and excitement every time she and Killian had shared breakfast that people claimed to feel on a really good date, but approaching footsteps on the path here at the side of the clinic stopped her. Emma guessed it would be Gus with an update, or maybe Belle coming to join them or something, but when she saw their guest was Killian she was struck with an instant anticipation that made her almost dizzy.

"Well speak of the devil, and he shall appear," Anna chortled with delight. "Not that I think you're the devil," she explained to Killian. "You seem very nice and not at all hellish or evil."

Emma knew that Anna's words, though radically out there and kind of wild, would be seen as no threat to Killian. He had a good sense of humor, and he seemed to understand her bestie's tendency to turn a strange phrase now and again. But she still felt relief when she heard his throaty chuckle and saw the smile on his face. She'd been fighting back a groan, and she exhaled a sigh of contentment as she looked back at him, finding herself hypnotized by his ocean-colored eyes.

"I appreciate your assessment, Anna. I'll have you know I see no devilish qualities in you either."

"Really? Because I do," Elsa replied, her joking tone making everyone laugh again as Emma awaited whatever moment was about to come.

"So, what brings you out this way?" Anna asked, clearly digging for the information Emma wanted and Killian only spared her a second's glance before looking back to Emma.

"I'm actually hear to ask Emma on a 'proper' date if you can believe it."

"You are?!" Anna asked excitedly as Emma asked a question of her own. "God, you heard that?"

"Yes I did, and yes I am. I had thought it would go a bit differently," Killian confessed, and Emma knew he was referring to their audience. It occurred to her then that she wanted things to be different as well, and as much as she loved Anna and Elsa, she didn't want this moment to come with so little privacy. So when Killian looked like he might press on and still ask her, she grabbed his hand and tried to turn things in a new direction.

"Maybe we could just…" she trailed off looking back at her friends. "Could you give us a second?"

"Absolutely," Elsa said for both Anna and Elsa. But where Elsa looked totally fine with Emma and Killian leaving for a bit, Anna looked downright disappointed. In this moment she looked like a little girl again, and Emma found she had to muffle a laugh as she pulled Killian towards the door to the clinic, and back inside, away from prying eyes.

"Well this is an unexpected pleasure. I finally get to see where you work."

"Oh, right," Emma said, forgetting that he hadn't been here before. Over the past week he'd become the focus of so much of her time and thinking that Emma weirdly felt like he'd always been here. "Do you want a tour?"

"Maybe another time, love. I've already crashed your lunch with your friends. Probably best to keep things brief or we may face repercussions."

"Good call," Emma agreed as she led him into his office and shut the door behind them.

When they were finally alone Emma felt her already present excitement amplify and she waited to see if he'd let go of her hand or get right to the point, but he didn't. Instead he moved closer to her, his hands running over her body in that now so familiar way. In their wake they left trails of arousal and desire, and Emma arched slightly closer, looking for something to take off this edge of need that he brought her every time. She looked up at him, her eyes tracing the curve of his lips, and she wanted him to kiss her right now. She wet her lips just thinking about it, and she swore she felt a growl come from his chest at the action. But instead of giving in, he held back, his hand coming up to cup her cheek in a sweat and steady gesture.

"I came here today with the intention of asking you out, love."

His confession was laced in a husky tone that told Emma Killian was similarly in need of some kind of release. She honestly didn't know if kissing would be enough. She wanted so much more, it was like her body and her common sense had disengaged from each other. They were at the clinic where she worked, and though the door was closed any number of interruptions could come, but it didn't seem to matter to Emma. She still wanted more… only after a moment did she realize he was waiting for her to respond and she swallowed harshly, forcing the words out though her throat was tight with her emotion.

"So I gathered. Are you still planning to?" she asked, as her hands trailed lightly over his chest.

"I know I should, but I don't think I can," he said, surprising her, but before she could feel the sting of rejection he clarified. "I don't think I can risk you saying no. I'm tempted just to tell you that we are going out, because I want you too much."

"I won't say no," Emma promised, trying but failing to suppress the thrill of his words. They were dominant and demanding, but Emma knew he would never wield that power against her. Killian was a man who took what he wanted, but he also respected her, cherished her even, and all his admission did was stoke the flames more and more.

"Thank God for that. So tonight then?"

"I'm off here at six. Pick me up at seven?"

"Aye, love. Nothing could keep me away."

With that agreement settled between them, Emma arguably could have moved to return to her lunch. Her friends were waiting on her and she only had so long for a break before she had to return to her duties of the day. Yet she couldn't let Killian go without taking some of what she wanted. She pulled him in for a kiss, but where she might have instigated the embrace, Killian soon took over. It was hot and heavy and full of inexplicable promise, and Emma wasn't too proud to admit that she lost her head a little bit. Killian transported her out of time and space, and he made her forget herself and where they were until he finally let her go, reminding her that though they had to stop for now, there was always tonight.

"I don't know if I can wait that long," Emma confessed, knowing she should be embarrassed by saying that but she couldn't seem to muster that emotion. She was too blissed out on good feelings to let anything bad in.

"It will be a trial for sure, but I believe you capable of anything, Emma, once you set your mind to it."

The compliment washed over Emma and she brought him in for one last kiss. This one was fleeting and swift, but she couldn't help herself, and from the gleam in his eyes, Emma knew Killian felt the same way. Without any more words he offered her his hand to lead her back outside, but when they left the office door, they were greeted by an unexpected face in the hallway.

"Emma?"

Shit! Her Dad was here. Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Uh… hi Dad," she said awkwardly. "I thought you were out on a call."

Emma didn't know what to do here and she looked at Killian for some kind of reaction. The only thing she saw in his expression was openness. He was looking for her to lead and he cemented that by squeezing her hand slightly. Only then did she realize they were still holding hands, but as she looked to her father, she saw he had definitely noticed. Instinctively Emma let go, but she felt the loss the moment that she did, and she found herself regretting that decision.

"I was, but it didn't end up being the emergency they thought." Her Dad looked over to Killian for a minute, clearly sizing him up, and Emma repressed the urge to groan at how blatantly over protective he was being.

"Doctor Nolan, I'm Killian Jones. It's nice to meet you, finally." Killian offered his hand in greeting, and though Emma was scared her Dad wouldn't accept it, he immediately did. Thank God – Emma didn't know what she'd do if there was a scene right now. She was mortified enough as is.

"You too. I've heard a lot about you and I suspect we'll have to have a talk at some point about your intentions."

Okay, now Emma was really embarrassed. Killian had literally just asked her on a date and her Dad was pulling this? It was way too early for talks like that, right? It wasn't fair to pressure Killian into anything. There was a good chance the date wouldn't go well, or maybe Killian would change his mind. But just the thought of either of those things happening made Emma's stomach sink painfully.

"Aye, I'm not going anywhere, sir, so I look forward to it."

It was hard to mute her reaction to those words, but Emma tried her best. They filled her with this insurmountable hope, because she knew Killian was a good man. If he said he was staying he was staying, and if he said he'd someday subject himself to that talk with her Dad then that meant he really say a future for them. Thank goodness for that, because with every passing day Emma felt herself falling deeper and deeper into this and into him. Killian Jones was impossible to resist, and he proved that by being a rock and support for her even in this trying moment.

"All right, well now that you two have got that all figured out… I'm going to see Killian off and get back to my lunch. I'll see you in thirty minutes?" she asked her Dad nodded before saying good-bye to Killian and heading into the exam room. With that, Emma led Killian out the door once more.

"I'm so sorry about that. If I had known my Dad would be here…"

"It's more than okay, Emma. I was glad to meet him. I imagine we'll be seeing more of each other in the near future."

"But we haven't even had the first date yet," Emma said with a smirk. "What if it goes terribly?"

"Will you be there?" Killian asked and Emma nodded, not tracking his logic until he spelled it out for her. "Then by definition it will be perfect."

Emma felt herself melt a little more at his promise, and as he said his goodbyes she was tempted to go after him, but she had already made her friends wait too long. It hadn't been any more than ten minutes or so, but still, they deserved her full attention, or at least as much of it as she could give.

"So… how did it go?" Anna asked innocently. Emma blushed and her friends both drew their conclusions immediately. "That good huh?"

"Oh yeah. He asked me out for tonight, and it was going really, really well, at least until we ran into my father."

"Your Dad is here?!" both Anna and Elsa yelled and Emma nodded. "God this just keeps getting better."

"He's going to want to talk about it," Emma said, not knowing how to handle it if her father did ask her about Killian.

"Of course he is," Elsa agreed. "But it's going to be okay either way. Your Dad is a reasonable man over all. Just tell him what you want when you want, and remember, the day has to end eventually."

And when it does, I'll get to see Killian again, Emma thought to herself, feeling the rush of excitement and nerves all over again. And as the day went on, Emma held close to that anchor of excitement, wondering where they night might take them and what kind of magic a date with this man would bring to her world.

Post-Note: I cannot even tell you guys how excited I am for the date chapter. It's been something I have been looking forward to for a while for a number of reasons, one of which being that the flashback is actually a happy one. Can you imagine?! Yes, you read that right, next chapter is basically a fluff fest, and it will be here in two weeks. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the story and I would love to know what you guys thought. Underneath the flashbacks and the present story, I'm putting in little crumbs of what's to come, and they might be really obvious to you guys but as someone who never writes stories with any kind of twist or anything, it's a big deal for me. Hope to see you all again in two weeks!