A/N: It's Friday! And part two of date night for Emma and Killian! We learn a lot more about Killian and his background here and it becomes a little spicy meatball at the end. Nothing crazy lol. Thank you so much to @superchocovian for being an AMAZING beta for this story and thank you to @artistic-writer who has made every single awesome piece of art for this story and listened to me whine and fret over it on the daily for nearly a month while looking it over with me and being basically a second beta as well lol. And thanks to you all as well, lovely readers! I love how much you guys are enjoying this story already and I hope it continues to be something y'all like! Here's chapter 5!

Chapter 5

When they wrapped up their meal, Jefferson and Grace both bid them farewell, Jefferson outright refusing the money that Killian tried to leave (taken from his wallet, not the envelope, she'd noticed) and they made their way out into the night. Emma shivered slightly as they reached the car. Killian only unlocked his door, his hand on her back again leading her where he went, dropping the remainder of the bottle of wine in the backseat and unconsciously (or maybe very consciously) giving Emma a great view of his ass. He pulled a jacket free from the backseat and draped it over her shoulders, glancing nervously at her feet.

"What?" she asked, smirking slightly.

"I'm afraid I didn't think this part of our evening through very well. As lovely as those heels are, darling, I don't know if your feet would endure a walk to the docks in them." He smiled up at her sheepishly. Emma was puzzled. His smile warmed at her confused expression. "I did promise you stargazing, love, and I have some things I want you to know about me as well. In case it should come up, of course." He winked.

"I'll have you know I've ran in heels quite a few times before. One of the hazards of private investigation," she retorted in mock indignation, unconsciously snuggling into the leather and spice scent surrounding her. Killian gazed down at her, a soft look overcoming his features as he took in the action. Emma eyed him curiously. "What?" She blinked up at him and he shook his head with a smile.

"Nothing, Swan, I was just lost in thought for a moment," he said smoothly. Emma didn't believe him for a second, but he moved on nonetheless. "Well, love, if you feel like your feet are up to it, it's just a short walk." He shot her a dazzling smile and placed his hand back on her lower back to guide her.

They walked in comfortable silence towards the pier next to the restaurant, the boats lining the docks all put to bed for the night. It was still relatively early and there were a few other couples like themselves out walking along the waterfront or late boaters finishing up their docking. But it was quiet. Peaceful. Killian's hands had dropped into his pockets and Emma's were clasped around her purse, resting against her abdomen. Every now and again, their arms would brush, making Emma feel warm all over. They stopped in front of a boat moored near the end of the docks. Emma looked at Killian in question, but he only smiled and stepped on board, extending a hand to help her up as well.

"So if your car is the Jolly Roger, does this make this the Queen Anne's Revenge?" Emma teased and Killian pulled a grimace. "Or maybe not." She laughed outright and his face lit back up at the sound.

"No, definitely not. We would never sully this beautiful lady by associating her with the likes of Blackbeard. This gorgeous ship is the Jewel of the Realm." He waggled his eyebrows at her and left to dig through a cubby concealed under a nearby bench for something.

Emma looked around. The Jewel of the Realm was a smaller boat compared to those around them, but it was much more well maintained, and its size certainly didn't keep Killian from referring to it as a ship. The rustle of fabric in the night air drew her attention back to Killian. He was finishing smoothing out a worn flannel blanket on the deck, illuminated by nothing except the light of the moon and stars.

"It's awfully dark out here. Are you sure you're not a serial killer?" Her eyes were teasing and she hid a smirk in the jacket still draped around her shoulders.

"If I were, it would be too late for you then, wouldn't it?" He led her to the blanket and sat down, patting the spot beside him. Emma sank down into it, watching him from the side of her eye and folding her legs neatly beneath her.

"Perhaps. Planning to dump my body at sea, are you?" She smiled and looked up at the sky. The stars were bright here away from the city lights, more plentiful than she had ever seen.

"You seem to have it all figured out. Are you sure you're not the serial killer here, love?" He thumbed his bottom lip, hiding a smile of his own. She shrugged.

"For the right price, perhaps I could be," she replied, paraphrasing his words from their first encounter. He looked shocked for a moment, then gave her a megawatt smile.

"I guess we'll just have to trust one another, won't we?" he said softly and Emma only hummed in response.

Killian watched her looking at the stars for another moment, seemingly enraptured by the moment. His gaze went unnoticed by Emma, her attention only drawn back to him when he stretched dramatically and laid backwards, his head pillowed on his folded arms.

She looked down at him and he glanced pointedly back to the spot beside him, silently urging her to lay with him. She rolled her eyes and shrugged the jacket from her shoulders, folding it and putting it down as a pillow for herself. She shifted to lay flat, her movements greatly exaggerated as if inconvenienced. They both knew she wasn't.

"That there is the North Star. Polaris." Killian pointed above him, his arm slipping from beneath his head, and Emma turned to follow his line of sight. "It makes up the last star in the constellation of the Little Dipper. And here," he moved his arm so it extended slightly over his body, Emma's head turning automatically and bumping into his shoulder, "is Orion. You can see the three stars that form his belt."

"There?" Emma pointed alongside him and Killian reached up to grasp her suspended wrist to adjust her.

"There." His fingers slipped down over the length of her arm as he released her, causing goosebumps to erupt in their wake. The smug bastard knew exactly what he was doing. Emma scooched over slightly, rolling on her side and propping herself on her elbow, leaving a bit more space between them. Killian didn't lift himself from the deck, but he did turn his face to hers, anticipating whatever it seemed she wanted to say.

"You know a lot about this stuff," she said.

"Royal Navy, love. You'd be surprised what they still teach there." He smiled. "Not a lot of money to be made in the service, though. So Liam and I came here after I discharged and… well, after I discharged. Chasing the American Dream and all that." His gaze took on a far off quality, his expression almost pained.

"Who's Liam? Jefferson asked about him, too, back at the restaurant."

"He's my brother. My older, more pompous, less handsome, know-it-all brother," he told her, huffing a small laugh through his nose.

"Sounds like an older brother," she replied. "Does he know what you do?" she asked after a moment, her words slow and careful. He shook his head no, now rolling onto his side facing her, mirroring her position propped on his elbow.

"No, he doesn't. But I do it entirely for him." His eyes hardened slightly, his features drawing taut for a moment. Emma was surprised by this and just a little more curious than she should have been.

"You fuck random women for your brother?" she blurted and Killian guffawed a startled laugh.

"God, no, Swan. That part's for me," he teased, raking his eyes over her form. Emma sighed heavily and adjusted herself into a sitting position, legs carefully kept closed beneath her skirt, like a proper lady. Mary Margaret would have been so proud. "It's the financial aspect that's for my brother. He had been unwell for a time. Leukemia. He's been in remission two years now, but he was sick for five," he said, moving to sit beside her.

"I'm so sorry." She laid a sympathetic hand on Killian's arm as he turned his focus out over the dark water surrounding them. Blindly, he took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles, almost in thanks, before dropping their joined hands into the space between them.

"It was touch and go for a long time. I almost bloody lost him at least twice. It was a miraculous thing that he recovered like he did. I'd already lost my mother that way. It would have killed me to lose him, too. He's the only family I have left since Mum died." Killian looked lost in thought, his aura bleeding pain and heartbreak as he spoke. Emma shuffled closer to Killian and placed her hand on his shoulder, rubbing small circles over the fabric there. The wind picked up slightly and sea spray misted over the hull of the vessel, making her shiver involuntarily. The corner of Killian's mouth tugged up and he brought his arm around Emma's shoulders, pulling her into his side. Emma tensed at the unexpected action, but she couldn't help but relax as he started to speak again.

"You know, for one of the greatest countries in the world, you Yanks are shit at healthcare costs," he said, his tone wry but hidden in false jest. "We would have lost everything. But luckily I seem to have found my calling in a profitable field." The easy smile was back on his face and Emma could see him slipping back into his cocky playboy persona now as simply as if he was changing into a costume. Emma let it go. He didn't push her. She wouldn't push him. She reminded herself that this wasn't personal anyways.

"How do you even get into something like this?" she asked, pulling herself out from under his arm and turning to face him directly to hide the defensive maneuver. His eyes sparked with recognition at the motion anyways, but he said nothing about it, instead answering her question.

"Er, well I happened upon it quite by accident, actually," he admitted, his hand coming up to scratch behind his left ear, pink blooming over the apples of his cheeks and the pointed tips of his ears.

"You accidentally fell into her vagina? Or she accidentally paid you?" Emma asked on a laugh. Killian gave her a crooked sheepish smile.

"Scenario number two, I'm afraid." He chuckled. Emma's head whipped up to meet his, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Oh, this I have to hear. How do you accidentally get paid for sex?" She sat up on her knees, giving him her full attention, and he colored further, now a bright red.

"Well, Liam had just been in chemo for six months at that point. His finances were crumbling and he couldn't work. I moved in to help, but even with my salary working at the cannery and our pensions, we were barely staying afloat. I was out at a bar, sipping the cheapest rum they had, when I saw a woman sitting a few stools down from me," he said, his fingers coming to lace themselves together in his lap as he folded his legs in front of him. "She was alone. Beautiful. Long dark hair curling around her shoulders. Gorgeous blue grey eyes. She caught me staring and beckoned me over."

"Geez for an accidental hookup, you sure remember a lot about her."

"You never forget your first," he said and Emma swore his eyes blue eyes twinkled with their own mirthful light. "And is that a note of jealousy I hear, Swan?" The edges of those eyes crinkled with his grin.

"You wish."

"On every star, love. It's alright not to want to share." He winked.

"Okay, Rico Suave," she said, her eyes nearly rolling from their sockets. "Continue with how this lady paid you to get out of her bed."

"Oh, it had nothing to do with my prowess, darling. I'd be willing to give you a demonstration, should you be amenable." That damn sinful tongue of his swiped over his teeth and toyed with the corner of his mouth. Emma suppressed a shiver at the sight, refusing to let his antics crack her stony facade. She raised an eyebrow at him instead. "No? Well, we'll put a pin in that, then. In any case, this woman. She was older, recently divorced and the recipient of half her wealthy former husband's assets. She requested that I help her get started on spending it. I had twenty dollars to my name and that wasn't nearly enough to drown my sorrows with, so I agreed to keep her company. Plus it didn't hurt that she was easily the most beautiful woman up to that point that I'd ever seen." He sighed heavily at the memory.

"Bet there's been hundreds more beautiful after her," Emma said, pushing her now salt frizzed curls over her shoulder.

"None until you," he replied, catching her gaze and holding it for a moment, only a moment, the intensity of it too much for Emma to bear. She darted her eyes down to where her clutch purse lay next to the blanket they sat on, just to have something to focus on. "Now shush, it's story time." He grinned at her indignant scowl. "We ended up having a great night together, drinking, flirting, laughing. When we ended back at her flat, I thought we had really hit it off. Until the next morning. By the time I awoke, there was an envelope on the pillow next to me containing quite a bit of cash and a note telling me to see myself out, along with a stern warning that the premises were under surveillance and to refrain from stealing anything." He chuckled at the memory and Emma even felt a laugh of her own rise up in her throat. But, ridiculous as the story was, Emma's mind was preoccupied with just one tiny detail he'd glossed over.

"How much did she give you?" she asked, curious as to whether or not what she was paying him was sufficient. Killian froze for a moment before frowning exaggeratedly and sweeping his hand through the air dismissively.

"It wasn't much. I make more now," he admitted, and Emma relaxed slightly. He wouldn't have entertained this charade if it wasn't up to his apparently heightened standards. But his sidestep at an actual amount sent a tingle to the base of her skull, almost an alarm but not quite. "But at the time, it was more money than I'd ever seen for one day's work. It kind of snowballed from there." He reached up to rub the back of his neck, the redness in his cheeks having dissipated slightly, but not completely receded.

"And your brother doesn't know? He had to have noticed the increase in income. And I'm sure you didn't dress like this at the cannery." She motioned to his well clad body and he gave a rueful smile in response.

"He thinks I got a promotion to purchasing and sales for the cannery. And that I go on nearly weekly business trips on the weekends," he murmured, the shame of lying to his brother coloring his words. Emma's heart ached. She knew how it felt, the twisting guilt at lying to family. At least he had a good reason.

Emma's phone beeped loudly from her purse, stealing her attention. She gave Killian an apologetic half smile and retrieved the device from her clutch. It was a picture message from Ruby.

Henry lay on the couch next to her, wrapped up in his superhero jammies and a thin fuzzy blanket, head in Ruby's lap.

Down for the count! Hope you're having a good night! Do NOT interrupt your date to reply to this. Henry is fine.

Another ding.

And your apartment is empty so…

Emma's face wrinkled in confusion at the multitude of emojis that followed the text that appeared to be… an eggplant?

"Are you reading a text or trying to solve a Rubik's cube?" Killian asked, amusement in his voice once again.

"It's Ruby. I think her phone did something weird because she sent me this," Emma showed him the text. Killian's brows shot up nearly to his hairline and he laughed, a deep, rich belly laugh. Emma was more confused than ever.

"Uhh…" Killian seemed lost for words and he reached up to scratch at his ear again. "I believe she's implying that we should have relations, love. That's intended to indicate…" he trailed off and then made a circling motion with his hand in the general direction of his, well, eggplant. Emma's eyes widened and she felt a rush of blood flow into her face (and she would have been lying if she said it only went to her face).

"Oh," was all she could manage in her embarrassed haze. Killian chuckled again, the laughter stifled by his thumb and that only served to turn Emma's embarrassment into irritation. "Well I'm sorry I'm not the sexpert here," she snapped. Killian looked absolutely thrilled with the title she'd bestowed upon him.

"Sexpert? I think I rather prefer that. Maybe I should have new business cards made," he teased and Emma groaned, hoisting herself back onto her knees. Killian moved swiftly to stand and offered her a hand to help her up. "Maybe we should get you home. Back to your empty apartment." His smile was absolutely filthy and Emma tried to take a step back as she stood and stumbled, causing Killian to reach out on reflex and catch her around the waist, their torsos now pressed against one another. "Well it's about bloody time," he purred dipping his head. Emma put her hand on Killian's chest and pushed off of him, gently disentangling herself from his grip.

"I tripped," she pointed out, smoothing out the skirt of her dress and retrieving her clutch. "But we agree on one thing. I do need to get home. It's getting late." Killian nodded his agreement and began to clean up.

Once the blanket was stowed away and the leather jacket was safely back on her shoulders (his doing, of course), Killian helped her from the boat and led her back to his car. Emma's feet were finally starting to feel the strain of the evening, even with the temporary respite aboard the boat. He opened the passenger door, mimicking his bow from the start of this outing and Emma slipped behind it with a smile. She found she was much more comfortable with the gentleman, even if the scoundrel made her come alive inside. She stiffened and reinforced the walls around her heart against that notion.

The drive to her apartment building was mostly silent. When they parked, she opened her own door before he could make it around the car, and he gave her an adorable pout, but offered his arm all the same. She wasn't expecting him to walk her up, but she appreciated the gesture. As they approached her door on the fourth floor, awkward uncertainty began to set in. He had kissed her once before. Was he going to again? Emma wasn't entirely sure that would be a bad thing.

No, she thought to herself. Business.

"I had a wonderful evening with you, Swan," he said, and Emma turned to face him, back to her door. A small smile tugged at her lips, his sincere gaze prompting her honest response.

"I actually had a good time as well. For a business dinner." One of her shoulders lifted in a lighthearted shrug. Killian stepped closer to her, and Emma swallowed involuntarily as his cologne filtered back into her senses.

"Well I had to make sure you got your money's worth somehow, didn't I, love? What with the aubergine being off the menu," he quipped and Emma slapped his shoulder.

"You're damn right it is," she retorted, beginning to turn around to unlock her door. Killian's hand on her waist stopped her halfway and turned her back to him. Before she could say anything, or respond in any way, he was bending down and pressing a firm kiss to her cheek, just glancing the corner of her mouth. Surprise warred with offense in her brain before she settled on something akin to disappointment. "Uh, right. Good night then," she said, turning and unlocking her door more smoothly than she thought she was capable of and shutting it behind her. She pressed her back against the wood, and took a deep breath. It was good to be home.

One of the good things about her son not being home was she didn't have to worry about leading by example. That's how her shoes ended up scattered across the floor and her clutch ended up on the floor next to the table. She made her way into the kitchen barefoot, pulling bobby pins from her hair and leaving them in a heap on the counter and fluffing her wavy blonde locks free as they came out of their confines. The rose from earlier sat in tall glass of water on the surface, making Emma's stomach twist. She was about to get herself a glass of water when an insistent knock sounded at the door. Emma groaned. Elsa must have seen her come home and wanted to talk about her evening. She wasn't even sure how she felt about the sham date; she definitely didn't want to talk about it with anyone else.

She swung the door open and the words she had planned to unleash died in her throat as her eyes landed on someone who was very obviously not Elsa.

"Killian? Did you need something else?" she asked, mind flitting through her memories of the evening in case she'd forgotten something.

"Just one thing," he said, a steely determination in his gaze. And then he surged at her, burying one hand in her hair and wrapping his other arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him as he sealed his mouth over hers. She could only cling to his collar for dear life as he opened her mouth with a nudge of his scruff covered chin and plunged his tongue inside to taste and massage every inch of it like it was the last kiss he would ever have. Emma felt like she had burst into flame and before she knew it, her arms had come up to wind around his neck and she was kissing him back just as fervently.

Something close to a growl worked its way out of his throat and he pivoted her so she was pressed tightly between the wall of her entryway and the hard lines of his body. He continued to kiss her, intoxicating her senses so much she could barely keep up. She had never been kissed like this in all of her twenty seven years on the planet. They clung tightly to one another, her fingers threading through the hair at the nape of his neck and his fingertips digging into her ribcage from behind her.

He slowed his kisses, until he was just feathering his lips over hers, his hand slid from her hair to cup her cheek and his other loosely palming the curve of her waist now. She slid her knee down the length of his leg until her foot rested on the floor again, though she wasn't sure when she'd hooked it around his thigh. They were both breathing in each other's air, panting like they'd run a marathon.

"Good night, Swan," he breathed, only slightly more than a murmur against her lips. He planted one more soft but lingering kiss on her mouth and finally pulled away, leaving Emma completely dumbfounded in his wake. He smiled one last pleased (and slightly wrecked) smile at her before seeing himself back out the still open door, shutting it behind him.

Emma stayed where she was for minutes after he left in stunned silence, her back firmly pressed against the wall as if it were the only thing keeping her upright. It probably was. After a few moments, her knees had stopped shaking enough that she could push off the surface and walked in a trance to her room.

She walked around the space as if on autopilot, stripping her dress off and leaving it where it lay. She changed into an old ratty t-shirt and some pajama pants and climbed into bed, simply staring at the ceiling. The scene played over and over in her head and her fingers drifted up to skim over her lips on their own volition. Then it finally sunk in what had just happened.

Killian Jones had returned to her apartment specifically to kiss the holy hell out of her. She wasn't sure if she was angry or smitten. As soon as the notion popped in her head, she settled on angry. That emotion was one she could handle. The other, not so much.

He was about to get an earful.

She looked at her bedside table and realized that for the second time, after her second night in his company, she'd forgotten her phone in her purse. There was no way she was getting out of bed to get it now.

He would get an earful tomorrow.