Hey guys, thought I'd try my hand at CaptainSwan. I'm really into OQ so forgive me if I don't do your ship justice - I'm trying to branch out and spare you the monotony that is OQ, even though this is an OQ story :-)
Emma Swan was a great many things. She was a sheriff deputy. She was a former bail bondsman. She was a lover. She was a fighter. She was a gym rat. She was faithful and loyal. She was wary. She was adopted. Today she was relaxing. She finally had a day off and she planned on spending every moment of it sleeping. Or eating. Perhaps both. She was still working on the sleeping part. Not that she was lazy or anything but with the holidays and Regina's scare with the pregnancy, Emma Swan hadn't really had any time for herself. Her day off was well – deserved. She had managed to move herself from the bed and onto the sofa in the living area of the two – bedroom apartment she occasionally shared with one Killian Jones. Of course she enjoyed spending time with him and she definitely enjoyed it when he spent the night at her place, but today she needed her alone time. Today she needed silence that may or may not be interrupted by binge – watching Law & Order: SVU. Oh, she had plans today and nothing was going to interrupt that. Funny then when she woke up from nap number two there was a note on the coffee table along with a bag of bear claws and a cup of coffee from Granny's. She slowly blinked her eyes open and took a deep breath. The confection hadn't been there that long. She smacked her lips and slowly sat up. The tv emitted a low hum and she could see Olivia Benson talking to Nick Amaro. She reaches for the remote and unmutes the tv. She prefers the seasons without Detective Stabler. And Nick Amaro is nice eye – candy. Dark and mysterious. She opens the bag from Granny's and takes a huge bite from the bear claw. It wasn't as good as The Muffin Man's but she wasn't going to hold that against her benefactor. While she chewed, she popped open the take out cup of coffee and unceremoniously dumped creamer and sugar into it, briefly stirring the concoction before swallowing her food and bringing the drink to her lips. She inhaled the warmth and took a slow, long sip. She hummed in appreciation. She took another bite of the bear claw and pulled the piece of paper with Killian's handwriting on it towards her so she could read it.
Hey love,
I know it's your day off, but I thought we could hang out at the docks together today. I brought you coffee and bear claws to help you on your way. Please don't say no.
X.O.X.O.
Captain Jones
Emma sighed and chuckled to herself before tossing the note aside. She popped the last bit of bear claw into her mouth before sighing and shutting off the tv. She supposed since he went through the trouble of getting her bear claws and coffee the least she could do was humor his romantic gestures. Honestly, however did she end up with such a romantic sap? Her fingers absently spun the promise ring on her right hand. It was something she'd caught herself doing ever since Killian put that ring on her finger. Either from unfamiliarity or nervousness, she wasn't sure why she found herself doing it, more often than not. If she wasn't careful, someone might catch on that the ring is something more than a decorative piece.
Emma worked her way off the sofa and headed off to the bedroom for a nice hot shower. The hot water cascaded over the top of her head, down her shoulders and back and finished off at her feet. It massaged the tension away from her shoulders as she stood underneath the shower head to relax. Eventually she picked up the bar of soap she shared with Killian and worked up a generous lather onto her washcloth before cleansing her skin, washing away the worries of the week. It felt amazing. Next she picked up the lavender scented shampoo Regina gave her for Christmas and massaged it into her scalp before rinsing it out and inhaling the wonderful scent that seemed to have an even more calming effect. She washed herself off once more with the stress relief body wash she picked up from Bath and Body Works before the water started to run lukewarm, a sure sign that cold water would soon follow. She let out a contented sigh as she shut the water off and reached for the towel just outside the shower curtain.
Emma stepped the sink, all wrapped up in her towel to brush her teeth and wash her face. She finished drying off and put on some lotion followed by some scented lotion she put on her arms and around her neck. She wasn't one for perfumes. She tossed the towel into the hamper and headed into the bedroom to search for some clothing that would be somewhat appropriate for a day at the docks. Jeans and perhaps a button down flannel shirt, she thought. She threw on an undershirt as well, just in case. Her boots rested by the door. After one quick glance around the apartment to make sure the food bits were put away and nothing electronic that could possibly cause a fire was still plugged up, she headed out the door and down to her car for an afternoon with her man.
Killian sat in his office by the dock, counting down the hours, the minutes, and the seconds until Emma arrived. Well, he hoped she would arrive. There were no guarantees. She could still be asleep for all he knew. What Emma enjoyed more than sleeping was her days off, which she used for more sleeping. He couldn't quite figure out why the blonde would rather spend all her time asleep when she could be outside exploring the world. He supposed she had enough of exploring the world growing up in foster care. It amazed him some days how well adjusted Emma seemed to be. Certainly she had her moments. There were times he wished she could be a little bit more compassionate. Other times he found himself quite amused with her, especially when he sees Emma and Regina interact. It was almost as if they were sisters sometimes; the bickering and sassing. It was entertaining to say the least.
Killian had given Emma something resembling a promise ring for Christmas. He was surprised she accepted. He was surprised he had actually given it to her; had even purchased it. He wasn't one for tying himself down to a person and Emma didn't seem that type either. He supposes that's why they get on so well. With her, he just felt something different than what he's felt with all the other women he's been with. He feels drawn to her and he's not quite sure why. He and Emma were the new people in this small seaside town. They were pretty much outsiders, perhaps that's what drew them together in the first place. Chuckling to himself at the memory.
Killian had been working at the docks for a little over three months when he saw the blonde wander onto the dock. She looked to be lost in thought, a bit troubled. She leaned against the railing, contemplative, looking uncertain. Perhaps running from trouble and not sure if this was a good stopping point. He decided to approach her, he certainly wasn't making any friends in this town, or enemies for that matter. It wouldn't hurt either way and who knew how the interaction might turn out?
"Killian Jones, at your service," he offered his hand to her. She looked startled, a bit taken aback. Shocked, even, that someone would interrupt her quiet time. She backed away from him.
"Uh, hi." She simply returned.
"I see you've wandered onto our docks. How are you enjoying the view?"
"Um, it's alright, good, it's cool." Killian could tell she was a bit nervous.
"Well, I know of a place that's got an even better view." She arched her eyebrows and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Really, and uh, which view would that be?"
"Me, of course!" She scoffed. Perhaps he should dial down the charm. Well, he thought he was being charming. This approach usually worked on women, the desperate type at least. Which a lot of them were. He was good – looking and had a sexy accent, who could resist that?
"Oh, I see. A view of you behind bars for harassment, yes, I think I would love that view. Feigning hurt, Killian brought his hand to his chest. Time for a different tactic.
"Oh, you wound me with your words!"
"Good, now maybe you'll take your mortally wounded self somewhere in a corner and die a peaceful, quiet death while I return to viewing the ocean from here." Emma returned her gaze to the harbor and stared hard out to the sea.
"Well love, no need for such hostilities. I'm just trying to make a friend. I'm new here and a bit out of my element it seems. Sorry." He even managed to look somewhat genuine. Emma turned back to look at him.
"Yeah, sorry, this place really isn't the best environment for making new friends. It's a small town. It'll take you a while for people to warm up to you, unless you run into Mary – Margaret and David." She returned her gaze to the harbor.
"Look, uh, I seem to be irritating you."
"You got that right," she said without missing a beat.
"I want to make it up to you, will you let me do that?" She turned to him and studied him hard. Her eyes seemed to pierce his soul.
"Sure, why not?" She said after what felt like an eternity.
"Really?" Killian said in disbelief. He couldn't believe how easy it was to convince her to let him take her out.
"Really. Meet me at the Rabbit Hole around nine." Killian's mouth fell open.
"The Rabbit Hole? That's hardly an appropriate place for a date."
"Exactly. This isn't a date. You'll be a couple of drinks under the watchful eye of a trusted bartender. We'll play a couple of rounds of pool until you get tired of me whipping your ass and having your pride wounded we'll probably never speak again."
"You're serious?"
"These are my terms. Do you accept? If not, you can kindly be on your way. Actually, either way, you can be on your way. I will be there at nine regardless if you show up or not." And with that final declaration, Emma walked further down the dock and away from him.
There was a light rapping on the window of the door to Killian's office. It was Emma, she came after all. He put down the pen he was twirling around in his hand and let out an excited grin, hopping out of his chair to greet her as she pushed the door open.
"Thinkin' really hard 'bout somethin'?" She asked as soon as she set foot in the office.
"Nope, just about our first date."
"Our first date?"
"Yeah, down at the Rabbit Hole."
"My dear sir, if that was our first date I may need to rethink this entire relationship. Thanks for the bear claws, by the way."
"You're welcome, I thought it would get you out of bed. What do you mean rethink our relationship?"
"Going to the Rabbit Hole is not a place for a date, especially not a first date. That is just terrible. Why would you think that was our first date?"
"Because, it was just the two of us, together, spending time together, getting to know one another," Emma let out a wry chuckle at Killian's response.
"Uh, no. You should know by now that I head out to the Rabbit Hole every Saturday around nine, with or without you. It's how I unwind from the week. Just because you happened to show up did not make it a date."
"But you gave me a time and a place to be there. So I could spend time with you, getting to know you. That's what people do on dates."
"Well, maybe I like a guy to pick me up after I've spent hours getting dressed up, not wearing jeans, a tight fitting t – shirt, combat boots and a leather jacket."
"Touché."
"So, why did you bribe me with bear claws? You know I like my sleep, just as much as I like bear claws."
"I just thought maybe you'd like to spend some time with down at the docks. Maybe take a boat ride?"
"Hmmm, that's it? Just a random boat ride? In the middle of winter? When I could be sleeping?"
"Well, if you want to sleep on the boat ride, I suppose you can, but you'll be missing out on a lot."
"Really? A lot like what?"
"Well, a nice picnic lunch for one. A nice breeze. Me protecting you from the cold with the warmth of my body heat. Or maybe adventures on the high seas."
"Oh really?" She let out a guffaw.
"Oi, come on Swan, I'm just trying to spend some time with you. Help you relax. I know you want to. The holidays have been rough on you, spending time with people when I know you prefer your alone time." Killian sighed as he approached Emma and began rubbing her shoulders.
"You're right, I do love my alone time. Which is what I was doing before bear claws and coffee randomly showed up on my coffee table."
"Well, you can enjoy alone time with me! I'll just take you out on the boat and be the captain of your solo boat ride, how does that sound?" Emma craned her neck so she could properly look at Killian. She smiled at him before turning around completely and wrapping her arms around her neck.
"I knew there was a reason I liked you."
"You like me?"
"Uh huh," she said shaking her head and then leaning forward to capture his lips in a kiss.
"Well then, I'll consider myself one lucky guy! Come on! Our lunch will get cold." He said as he pulled Emma through his office door and headed out towards his boat. A young deck hand rushed towards them with a huge basket and the warms scent of fish and chips wafted through the air as he handed the basket over to Killian. Killian offered Emma his arm and she gladly accepted it, allowing him to help her onto the boat before handing her the picnic basket. She settled herself into the boat and watched as Killian made preparations for cast away. Emma smiled to herself for trusting her instinct in that first meeting on the docks a couple of months ago. She wasn't sure back then if she could stay in Storybrooke anymore and with each passing day with Killian she was nearing that point to be glad she decided to stay.
Hope it wasn't too cringe - worthy. And as always, I love reviews! Please don't forget to leave me one - whether you hated it, loved it, missed the OQ...something...don't make me beg...
H. A.