"How much farther?" She whined again, for the third time in an hour. Her black boots crunched the leaves on the forest floor, accenting each step she took.
"You complain more than my brother, Swan, and he's a proper man-child." Killian answered from a few feet in front of her. His hair was sticking up in all directions, the wind flying between the trees having its proper effect. The journey that they had spent the last day embarking upon had turned out to be slow and tumultuous, with the constant fear of biters and scavengers plaguing their minds.
Killian was more gentle than his first gruff impression had implied. He despised killing (even the undead), but wouldn't hesitate if it was called for. He was, however, exactly as smug and flirtatious as Emma had expected. At one point, she had pushed him against a tree to keep him out of the sight of a wandering biter, and he had let his hands explore her hips and waist, wiggling his eyebrows and letting out an, "It's about bloody time."
She had nearly choked, elbowing him in the ribcage and pointing out the corpse 20 meters away. He frowned in disappointment, but didn't release his hold on her until the biter had travelled a safe distance.
Still, it was hard for Emma to manage the long trek with all of her belongings on her back. Graham's bowie knife was strapped to one side of her hips, and her gun was snug in its holster on the other. Her dark jeans were splattered in mud and dust, and Emma wondered what it might be like to take a hot shower, after spending so many months bathing in the small lake near her cabin.
After a few more hours, Killian announced that they were close, and she had to stay behind him so he could alert the guards of their presence. His idea of "safely" involved throwing a rock at the watch tower to grab the attention of his brother, a snoring man with curls of brown hair and what eventually turned out to be eyes not-quite as blue as Killian's.
"Liam, you sodding git! Wake up!" Killian shouted, before sighing and turning back to her. It was nearly dark, and they hadn't eaten more than a can of beans in nearly two days, so Killian was impatient to get inside. "The bloody arse is sleeping on duty," He huffed, but his frown melted into a smirk as he turned back to her, "His girlfriend must have kept him up late." He winked at her then, and Emma smiled weakly.
It had been so long since she experienced intimacy that the concept was nearly foreign to her. She wondered if in another life, she might have had that connection with Graham. Maybe even Killian? A smaller, sadder part of her brain, wondered if the latter might be possible in this life. She shut it out.
Her hand found its way to the sleeve of her own jacket, gripping the material tightly as the man in the watchtower (Liam, apparently), scrambled down the ladder and opened the large metal gate surrounding their makeshift-town.
Jogging quickly to them, he grabbed Killian and roughly pulled him into a tight embrace.
The two clapped each other on the backs, and the older Jones brother chided the younger.
"Poor form, scaring your brother like that! You said you'd be back three days ago. Everyone was worried sick about you. What bloody took you so long? Killian could only grunt in response, before taller man's eyes trained on Emma.
She was quite the sight to behold, if you'd have asked Killian. She was small in frame and stature, but stubborn and nimble as well, strong and unwilling to back down from a fight. Her eyes were awake and clear, green as the leaves of the forest with golden specks as bright as the sun. Her blonde hair was matted and tangled, but she maintained a composure and intent that Killian found himself envious of.
"And who might you be?" Liam addressed her, after giving her a one-over and shooting a questioning look to Killian.
She inhaled a little too quickly, sticking out her hand.
"Emma Swan. I'm, um… a friend Killian's." Liam looked suspicious, slowly drinking in her tone and shifting feet, before replying.
"Right... I'm Liam. Pleasure." He shook her hand strongly, and she shook his just as forcefully back. Killian cleared his throat, nodding towards the entry.
"If you're done making our new guest uncomfortable, it's high time for me to see the tiles of a shower floor." Liam shook his head at the younger man, sighing loudly.
"Not before visiting Victor in the infirmary, little brother."
"Younger brother." Killian corrected, furrowing his brow, but turning back to give Emma a reassuring glance, reaching for her hand and squeezing it.
Killian was met with hugs and cries from the town's members- obviously he was well liked. Emma felt a pang of jealousy when she saw the camaraderie between him and the town's lead guard, David. The two had exchanged fierce words before hugging tightly. David briefly met Emma with a nod and a firm handshake, welcoming her to the community and confiscating her and Killian's weapons. It took a little pleading, but David let Emma keep her bowie knife.
By the time they got to the infirmary (a bungalow that had been converted from a little house to a makeshift medical center), Emma was on edge. Her nerves were bumbling around under her skin, and the end of her spine seemed to tingle every time Killian's deep voice mumbled words of comfort in her ear. His hand was clasped tightly around hers, tugging her forward and rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.
Victor Whale was the head doctor in their town (which was really only a small segment of what used to be a gated community, surrounded by tall fences), a tall man with light brown hair and a kind smile. He greeted Emma warmly, wrapping his hand around hers, before pulling them both into the living-room-turned-examination-room.
"I take it Killian is your sponsor?" He asked her, and she blinked before turning to Killian in question.
"It's just the system we have here. I'm liable for your actions for your first 6 months of staying here. If you manage to screw up," He nodded to Liam to remind his protective older brother, "Which she won't," then he turned back to her and continued, "I'll be punished along with you." Emma just swallowed hard.
It wasn't as if her past was anything to set a cloud over her future- even her brief stint in jail spoke more to her judgement in men than it did to her morals. She was just becoming increasingly worried that she had managed to spend the last 48 hours getting herself deeper into something than she could afford to go.
Victor's examination was brief, and besides a few bumps and bruises, Emma was fine and unharmed. When it was Killian's turn, Emma backed out towards the kitchen to get herself water.
That was one perk of the community that Emma had appreciated immediately- running water and electricity. They were entirely self-sufficient, with solar panelling and an operational sewer/water system. It had been so long since Emma had a normal glass of water, that her fingers trembled against the cup.
A throat cleared behind her, and Liam Jones stood with his arms crossed.
"Just what is your goal, here?" He narrowed his eyes at her, stepping closer. So, this is where he plays protective big brother, she thought. She could deal with that. She straightened her posture and jutted out her chin.
"To survive. Are you always this self-inflated and superior?" She dryly fired back.
"If you endanger this community-"
"I won't."
"- or hurt my brother-"
"I won't."
"-I will not hesitate to kill you."
She scoffed.
"You're a real ray of sunshine, aren't you?" He shook his head at her.
"Deflect all you like, Swan," He growled, (it was so much more menacing when he said it compared to his brother's affectionate tone) "I won't have you harming my family."
Emma just sighed and looked to the counter in resignation. Liam seemed to falter, just for a moment, seeing how broken she looked. She was small and fragile against the dark kitchen, but her next words defied any pity he might have harbored for her.
"I don't need your threats, Liam. I'm not scared of you, and I'm not out to get you. Believe it or not, I've somehow come to give a damn about your brother over the last two days, and I wouldn't do anything to hurt the jackass. You, however, I can't promise anything for."
He seemed taken aback by her insistence, and extended his hand for the second time that night. When she shook it, there was a newfound respect in his eyes that Emma had a feeling he'd never admit to.
Later that night, after Emma had been allowed a shower at her new house (there were plenty of empty ones, given that the community couldn't have been more than 200 people, so Emma had gotten her pick), she met with Killian at the town meeting. It was set in the tiny park that sat in the middle of a few of the houses, just big enough for everyone to fit in plastic lawn chairs. The 'mayor', as they called her, was a strict woman with raven hair and perfectly manicured condescension named Regina Mills. Although Emma didn't particularly enjoy the woman's introduction, she respected her ability to command the group with grace and ease. She was briefly introduced, with Killian standing next to her as her sponsor, before she was allowed to sit down. A short and perky woman with a black pixie-cut and a cheery smile came into the park 15 minutes in, finding an empty seat next to Emma. Regina had raised an eyebrow and reminded her to "Please take a seat, Mary Margaret."
The woman turned to Emma as the mayor went on about town rules and any recent news. Most of it was common sense, so Emma didn't hush Mary Margaret when she started speaking.
"You're Killian's girl, right? I'm Mary Margaret, but you can call me MM. You've probably already met my husband, David. He's a little brusque at first, but he's a real sweetheart when you get to know him. How did you meet Killian? Your name is Emma, right?" Emma could only blink in response to the waves of information and questions.
"Uh, yeah. I'm Emma." Mary margaret grabbed her hand and squeezed.
"It's going to be so great having another girl around. You've got to meet Ashley and her husband, Sean! And I'm sure you'll get along well with Belle, she's lovely. It's been so long since we've had another gal our age join the group."
Mary Margaret looked to be Killian's age, early thirties, and Emma was only 22, but she made no effort to correct her.
"Yeah, it's been a while since I've really been near so many people."
MM gave her a knowing smile, one that was sad and understanding.
"Yeah, I get it. I was on my own before David met me and brought me here last year." Emma's brow raised at that. Mary Margaret had seemed so well adjusted to the community, but she had only been there a year. A strange hope infiltrated the back of Emma's mind, and she unconsciously squeezed MM's hand.
Mary margaret smiled even wider, if that was possible.
"I can tell we're going to be good friends."
After the town meeting, Killian had insisted on making Emma a "proper meal", which, of course, meant wine was included. Emma was more than happy to oblige. The two sat in Killian's dining room, eating the food Killian had made. Even if he hadn't been an excellent cook (which he was) or hadn't made rotisserie chicken and steamed rice (which he did), Emma would have gratefully stuffed her face all the same.
"Slow down there, lass, you'll give yourself a heart attack."
Emma just hummed in response, finishing the last of her food contently.
"Thank you for this, Killian. I mean it." He nodded, clasping her hand in his own across the table.
"No need to thank me, Swan. As you said, there's only the dead and the soon-to-be. It only seems fitting to spoil one of the lovelier soon-to-be's."
Emma rolled her eyes, but her stomach seemed to coil a little tighter at his words in that heavy accent of his- and those hooded blue eyes staring her down left no room for hesitation. Emma squeezed his hand.
He walked her 'home' (as much as it could be one), and for a minute, it was easy to believe that they were just living normal lives, and the threat of biters was less than present.
("Really? Walking me to my door? Since when are you a gentleman?" / "I'm always a gentleman, Swan.")
Three weeks passed before Emma found herself truly getting comfortable. She and Liam, though they had gotten off to a rocky start, had grown small respects for each other, and could survive working guard shifts together. She had even begun to like the man (rue the day she ever admitted it, though).
She had been in for a shock when she met his girlfriend, the very same 19-year-old blonde and sister to a petite redhead that had stayed at her old cabin back in Summer. Elsa, a cold but loyal woman, and self-proclaimed technician of their little encampment, was more than happy when she was re-introduced to Emma. Anna, the younger sister, was similarly gleeful. She had even found her match in David's younger brother, Kris.
Emma's days were becoming more routine. In the mornings, she and Mary Margaret would corral the younger kids into the makeshift school house where MM would teach, and Emma would help her elderly neighbor, a woman that everyone simply called Granny, prepare breakfast for the three of them. By lunch, Emma worked with either Liam or David on guard duty, taking shifts in watch-tower on the slower days. She had her personal time in the afternoons, where she'd enjoy quiet reading with Belle or shadow Regina. Emma's favorite part of the day, though, was dinnertime, where she would meet Killian at his house (or hers, if she was feeling hospitable).
He had a somber way about him, some days, as if his fervent attempts to remain optimistic were finally catching up to him. But, then, he'd see Emma and his face would melt into something softer and more pronounced. She tried to ignore the casual touches, her hands lingering on his a little longer than was necessary, or the traces of his echoing smile sifting in through her dreams and out through her release of tensions when she was in the shower and could simply bear it no more.
It was a good bubble, a build-up of a hope that Emma was more than a little scared to deal with.
4 months after Emma had first arrived, when spring was just beginning to bloom, the news was announced that Killian would be going on another supply run. It was to last 2 weeks at most, and he'd have the backup of one guard. Emma argued desperately to be chosen for the job, but to no avail. A more experienced veteran, Robert Gold, was decidedly Killian's help. The british scoundrel himself was none too pleased, as Gold's vague and slimy affect would do no good for the harsh weeks ahead. He swallowed his concern, though, and allowed Emma to fuss and worry over him. MM was her best friend, but Killian… he was her person, and though she hadn't the courage to admit it, he had become more of a family to her than she'd ever known.
Killian had just grinned and hugged her tightly, promising to be back before long. Liam had already preemptively scolded his brother for whatever dalliance he might get on with, and embraced him emotionally. Emma hesitated at the gate, dragging Killian back. She had never been one for outwards affection, but she had a bad feeling in her gut about Killian leaving, especially with Gold. There was a churning in her gut as she clung to his sleeve, looking up at him with such intensity that he seemed taken aback.
"I'll be alright Swan. I swear it. Before you know it, I'll be back and irresistible as ever." She just grimaced and pressed her lithe body to his, feeling the warmth of his hands and the scruff of his cheek tug her closer.
"I know," She mumbled into his neck, ignoring his flirting. "I know." Then she was looking up at him, and his breath was barely there on her mouth, and she wanted so desperately to close the gap or tell him what she was thinking, feeling, anything- but instead, she gave him a gentle shove. "I'll see you in two weeks, Jones." And he seemed to shiver at the loss, but nodded nonetheless.
"Aye, love. That you will."