The next week was the beginning of the flurry that would be the couple's lives for the upcoming months. Killian and the band were working night and day to have the album recorded in time. They were also beginning to plan for their tour that would start a month after the release of the album. Emma had almost daily meetings at the studio, whether she was in the costume department or discussing her role with Zelena.
Emma and Killian weren't seeing a lot of each other and the media caught onto it, claiming the couple had spilt. When Killian had sent Emma the article she laughed and responded immediately.
Emma: Looks like it's official, we're done.
Killian: It was good while it lasted ;)
Emma: Do you think anyone believes these articles? They have no clue what goes on with our lives
Killian: I hope they don't, but Regina thinks we should post something on social media… Emma rolls her eyes. Of course Regina thinks that. Ever since the award show Regina has been on her ass about it. David thinks it's a good idea, but knows when to back off. Killian knows she's not wild about it.
Emma: Fine, we can post something tonight if necessary she sends off.
Killian: As you wish, love. She smiles before putting her phone away and focusing on the script in front of her. She's set to be on location for the film in ten days and she almost has all her lines memorized. She needs to work on this today because with the couple's impending separation they are determined to spend as much time as possible together. Emma is going over to Killian's later tonight for a quiet night in.
Emma knows that they are scrambling for any amount of time they have together and it never seems as though they never have enough time. Her being on location for a month won't even be the longest time they have apart. Killian and his band will be on tour for much longer than that. Emma doesn't know how she'll handle the separation. She doesn't want to think about it at all. She gets distracted from her script again and curses herself before actually going through her lines again.
Later that night when Emma arrives at Killian's house she finds him in the kitchen cooking them dinner. A couple pots are on the stove and as Emma walks closer she can feels the heat radiating from the oven. Killian still hasn't noticed her yet, he's completely lost in the task at hand. Emma clears her throat and his head whips around, a smiling when his eyes meet hers.
"Well, hello there, love. I didn't hear you come in." She walks over and surveys what exactly is in the pots. As she passes by him she brushes a kiss across his cheek. Before she gets too far from his grasp Killian wraps his arms around her waist. He presses a kiss into her temple.
"You can cook?" She asks pleasantly surprised. Emma relaxes in his arms and looks up at him.
"Yes, we're having lamb with asparagus and rice," he tells her. Emma places her hand on his chest.
"You've been holding out on me," she teases him and she can feel a low rumble of laughter move throughout his chest.
"I had no idea you were looking for a man who has skills in the kitchen," he smirks. Emma playfully swats his chest.
"I didn't mean that at all and you know it," she rolls her eyes.
"Hmm are you sure? Now, I'm thinking you're after me for my cooking abilities," he says while tightening his grip around her waist.
"If I was I'm not doing a very good job because it's been a couple months and you're only cooking for me now," she raises her eyebrow, challenging him.
"Fair point. I guess you're off the hook for now." Killian releases her to to tend to the food. Emma just shakes her head. She pushes herself onto the counter, sitting there watching Killian at work.
"Should be ready in just a few more minutes," he tells her.
"Do you need any help? You probably don't want me to touch the food because it's more than likely to catch on fire. My abilities are more in the realm of getting drinks or setting a table," she suggests.
"Ah I see, so it's not that you want a man who cooks for you. It's that you need one," he says throwing a wink at her.
"Do you want help or not?" she says feigning annoyance.
"The table is set, but some drinks would be lovely if you could," he says kindly. Emma hops off the counter and glances through his selection of wine before choosing one. Once she does she shows him the label.
"Good choice," he nods. Emma works on opening the bottle of wine while Killian strains the asparagus and rice. He also pulls the lamb from the oven. Once everything is placed in serving dishes Emma helps him carry everything out to the table.
"It smells amazing," she tells him.
"Thank you, love." When both their plates are full of food Emma pulls out her phone and snaps a picture of her plate.
"What are you up to?" He asks before digging in.
"Regina wants a social media presence, so she'll get one. Instagram knows you can cook now," Emma smirks before taking a bite.
"Ah good to know, love," he says, noting he should probably comment on the picture. His train of thought cut short by the noise coming from Emma.
"This is seriously so good," she practically moan the last word, "As much as I don't want to make your ego even bigger..."
"But?" He smirks.
"This might be the best thing I've ever eaten," she tells him.
"Ah well thank you, love. It's a favorite of mine to make. I'm glad you like it," he blushes at her compliment. She smiles and their meal goes well with them talking about their perspective days. Once they finish eating Killian pulls out his phone opening instagram. He immediately sees Emma's picture with the caption of damn he can cook too with several heart eye emojis. A grins crosses his face and he looks up at her. She smirks at him before she takes another sip of her wine. He likes the picture and adds a comment of his own. A notification lights up her phone.
"Are you causing trouble?" she asks, unlocking her phone.
"Perhaps," he tells her. The comment on her picture reads you only want me for my cooking abilities with a winky face. She chuckles and responds in kind. Her comment reads you know that's not true.
"Hope that satisfies Regina," she mumbles.
"Unlikely, but she'll stop hounding us for a couple days at least," he tells her.
"I'll take it," she says. A silence falls over them and it's not uncomfortable, but the silence is full of all the unsaid things between them. Killian is the first to break it.
"We should talk about it," he states.
"We should," she sighs, not quite meeting his eye. He raises an eyebrow at this.
"Do you not want to?" he asks her, unsure about how she's feeling at this moment. All he knows her shoulder tense up.
"Not particularly, but that doesn't change anything," she states.
"We'll be apart for sometime after next week. I don't want anything left unsaid between us," he says reaching out for her hand. She laces her fingers with his.
"I've never been very good at the relationship thing and that was when I was in the same city as the person," she says, not quite looking at him once again.
"I'd like to think we're doing a pretty good job so far, but correct me if I'm wrong," she shakes her head, "then I think we just have to do the best we can. We'll both be busy and working hard. Thank god for technology so we can skype and visit each other."
"I know," she says quietly. He brings her hand to his lips, kissing it softly.
"Then what is the problem?" he asks her. Damn him and his ability to read her.
"The problem is I want to be with you, not miles and miles apart from you," she confesses. Killian pulls on her hand.
"Come here," he insists. Emma stands and he pulls her to him. He guides her to sit in his lap. She's looking intently at him. He kisses her tenderly. He never wants this to end, this feeling of content is something he could spend the rest of his life feeling. She pulls away and he looks up into her gleaming green eyes.
"I want that too. The distance will be a challenge, but I think we can handle it, don't you?" he asks her. She nods and he captures her lips with his once again. Not bothering to clean up Killian scoops Emma up in his arms and carries her into his bedroom.
Later that night Killian finds his bed empty, frowning he gets up from bed and wonders out of his room. He finds her cleaning up in the kitchen. Emma standing there in one of his shirts her golden hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. My gods she's beautiful and she should definitely wear his shirts more often. Still trying to rub the sleep out of his eyes he finally gets her attention.
"Love, what are you doing?" he asks her, spotting a clock on the wall reading that it's just past three in the morning.
"I couldn't sleep," she shrugs, loading the dishwasher. He walks over to her and helps her finish up.
"You didn't have to clean up," he tells her.
"I was up and you cooked the least I could do is clean up," she tells him. He just nods.
"How often does this happen?" he asks her a hand trailing up and down her back. Emma looks to him sheepishly.
"Eh often enough. I've always had some trouble sleeping," she shrugs.
"You could've woken me," he tells her pressing a kiss into her temple.
"And have both of us sleep deprived? No, you need your sleep," she says her hands sweeping up his biceps.
"So do you. I can leave you down here to do whatever you like or would you like to come back to bed with me," he says, giving her a choice. Emma takes his hand in hers and leads him back to bed. When she drifts off to sleep she gets some of the best rest she's had in months.
The next day they both sleep through their alarms and are woken by a quite irate Will Scarlet.
"Oh for the love of god. Love birds, let's go!" Will yells throwing the door open. Emma groans and rolls over, hiding her face in a pillow.
"Scarlet!" Killian shouts back, "Out! I will be down in ten minutes."
"If you're not I'll be back," Will says pointing a finger at Killian. Emma rolls back over and flips off Will, who just laughs on his way out.
"It seems we slept a little late, love," Killian says kissing her neck.
"Mhmm we did," she smiles, "You better get downstairs and in the studio before Will sends Regina in here." The momentary fear that is in his eyes makes Emma laugh. He groans then buries his head into the crook of her neck. Killian reluctantly gets out of bed and hops in the shower quickly. He comes out a couple minutes later and dresses in record time. He sinks into the bed next to her and she smiles up at him.
"I know you've got places to be as well, but I'll see you at the album release party on Friday?" he asks her.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," she tells him. He gives her one last kiss as they hear Will stomp up the steps. Emma pushes him off the bed, telling him to get his ass to work.
The rest of their week flies by. Emma forgot she asked Mary Margaret and David to come with her to the album release party. When they show up at her doorstep ready to go Mary Margaret takes one look at her and shakes her head.
"Come on, I'll do your makeup," Mary Margaret pushes her upstairs, David trailing behind them.
"Did you forget we were coming?" David asks shocked as Mary Margaret pushes Emma into a chair.
"No, I napped after I got back from the studio today then I overslept and I'm not ready," Emma grumbles.
"Clearly," Mary Margaret scoffs, getting to work. David looks to Emma with an eyebrow raised.
"Are you going to be ready for all the on sight shooting? You leave for Paris next week," David says, checking in with her.
"David, I'm fine, I'm ready," she tells him. Emma wishing she could roll her eyes, but Mary Margaret is awfully close to stabbing her eye with the eyeliner. Fearing for her eye's safety she stays still. All week they have been doing all the stunts that require the green screen. It's been a long, hard week.
"As your brother and manager it's my job to check in on you," David scolds her.
"I know it is and I'm telling you. I'm fine. Are there any reporters at this party?" Emma asks David.
"Just photographers, no interviews for you tonight," David nods. Emma is grateful for it, she definitely doesn't have the energy for a fake smiling and fake answers. There are three, rather loud knocks at her door.
"I'll get it," David says as Mary Margaret works away furiously. A few minutes later David comes up with Killian, who looks a little frantic.
"Swan, you're not dead," Killian says sighing in relief. Emma tries to frown, but Mary Margaret fixes her with a serious look.
"Did you think I was?" Emma asks concern in her voice.
"You didn't answer your phone and you said you were doing that stunt with all the flips today," he says their eyes connecting in the mirror. Emma laughs and turns to Killian much to Mary Margaret's annoyance.
"Killian, I don't do the stunts I stand in for the first part then the stunt double jumps in and I come in again in the end. I wasn't in danger I promise," she reassures him. Killian's face turns bright red and he scratches his ear.
"Right well of course that would be dangerous. Of course you don't um do that," he says.
"It's sweet you thought I could do it though," she smiles before Mary Margaret grabs her face to finish up.
"You can be adorable later, I need to finish this so we're not late," she tells the couple.
"I came as well because Regina wanted us to arrive together," he tells her. Not longer after Emma is ready to go and they pile into one car to the venue. It's not a huge party, but big enough to have some press in front of it. They pose for some pictures and Killian's grip on her is tighter than usual. Usually during pictures his movements are light and carefree, even at times teasing. Tonight it's like he's worried if he let's go she'll blow away in the wind.
"Killian, what's wrong?" she whispers in between pictures. He shakes his head and in his eyes she can see he promises to tell her later. Emma simply gives his hand a small squeeze. Once inside Killian pulls Emma to the side.
"Killian," Emma implores, searching his eyes.
"I was just so worried all day when you didn't answer it felt like it was happening all over again. That I was losing someone I care for again," he says his voice shaking, care isn't quite the word he would like to use. He can't say love, though. Emma wasn't ready to hear that. Emma places a hand on his face.
"I'm sorry I didn't answer. I didn't mean to scare you so. You haven't lost me. I'm here, I'm here," she tells him, resting her head on his. He takes her in his arms for a moment and breathes her in. At times Emma forgets that she isn't the only one with baggage. Killian hides his so well she sometimes forgets. He's had people he loves leave like she has. She wishes that he had never been hurt because he doesn't deserve it, but she understands his pain. She understands it and holds him closer because there are no words to sooth his fears.
Regina clears her throat and they break apart. The manager leads him to the middle of the room with Robin and Will who all say a little piece about the album and truly kick off the party. Emma finds him again drinks in hand. David and Mary Margaret find them as well and the group has a fun time, despite when Regina has to take one of them to meet some important person or another.
Of course the band plays Since We're Alone, their single that has been doing ridiculously well over the last couple of weeks. Killian doesn't take his eyes off of Emma the entire song and dear god she may be falling in love with him. Her heart skips a beat at this thought. Being in this relationship was almost as easy as breathing. It shouldn't be this easy right? Emma just smiles and grabs a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. She knocks it back easily, wishing for something a little harsher, stronger. Last time she fell in love it was a disaster that almost ruined her. She pushes that thought away, knowing Killian would never hurt her like Neal had.
Regina pulls Killian into some conversation or another he desperately does not want to be in, but he just nods and smiles. Will is tangled up with a cute, petite brunette. Robin has found his way over to Emma.
"I doubt Killian's had time yet to tell you, but Regina's private investigator found him," Robin states casually. Emma's brow furrows.
"What?" she asks, confused.
"Your son, Regina's private investigator found him," Robin says again as if this is good news. Emma's stomach drops and she wishes the ground would swallow her whole.
"Did they?" she all she can manage to get out. Both Robin and Regina know she has a son. Something she trusted to Killian with the utmost confidence. It is something she doesn't tell anybody. Who else did Killian tell? Does Will know too?
"Yeah, Regina has everything," Robin says cheerfully, not picking up on the fact that Emma is devastated by this news.
"Thanks, Robin," Emma nods before walking away. She feels like the walls of the room are closing in around her. She never trusts a soul besides David and Mary Margaret and look where that got her. How dare he tell someone else that? Why would he do that to her? Anger coursing through her veins. Emma trusted Killian and he wanted behind her back and told others? She scans the room and find Killian looking for her as well. When she reaches him his face falls.
"Love, what's wrong?" he asks her. Damn him and his stupid ability to read every damn emotion on her face right now.
"We're done," she snaps, a bitter taste in her mouth.
"What?" Killian asks confused. He reaches out for her, but she moves out of his grasp.
"I'll fulfill this damned contract, but whatever else was happening between us is over," she says lowering her voice.
"Emma, can we please talk about this?" He asks completely blindsided by what she's saying. He doesn't know what she's talking about or why the hell she's so mad with him.
"No, frankly I've heard enough of what you have to say," she snaps turning away from him. He reaches out and grabs her hand.
"Just like that you decide that we're done. I don't get a say?" he asks, confused as what could've happened to make her look at him like that. A look so full of anger and hurt. She pulls her hand out of his grasp.
"Not after what you did," she says before slipping into the crowd. What the hell does she think he's done? Killian stands there in shock, not knowing why the love of his life is walking away from him.
Emma finds David and Mary Margaret near the front door.
"Can we leave?" she asks tears filling her eyes. David takes one look at his sister and nods. The couple leads her out of the party and it doesn't take long for them to get a ride home. Once in the car Mary Margaret turns to Emma, who has begun to cry.
"What happened?" she asks tenderly, only having seen Emma cry a couple of times. The presence of tears alarming the couple.
"Did you know Regina hired a private investigator to find my son," Emma asks David, who curses at this.
"No of course not," he tells her.
"Does Killian know about…" Mary Margaret asks trailing off and Emma nods.
"He does and then obviously you two know, but that's it. He must've told Regina. I don't understand," she says before the sobs rip through her body and cause her to stop talking. Mary Margaret just holds her. The couple makes sure that Emma comes home with them, both of them worried about her.
Once Killian comes to his senses he launches into action. He first seeks out the band and Regina. He finds her at the bar with Robin.
"Have you two seen Emma?" he asks. He needs to find her. He needs to know what the hell actually happened. More importantly he needs to know how to make it right between them. He doesn't even know what happened.
"I was talking to her a little bit ago, but I thought she went to find Gina," Robin shrugs. Regina scowls at her husband.
"Why was she coming to talk to me?" she asks, Killian looks between the two, waiting for answer.
"Well I was updating her on the situation with the private investigator," Robin tells them. Regina's face falls and Killian gets more confused.
"Private investigator?" Killian asks more confused than ever. Regina grabs both of them by the arm and drags them out of the party and into a hallway.
"You and I will be having a conversation later about what you are allowed to tell other people," Regina says sharply to her husband, "After the Neal blow up I hired a private investigator to find out more about Emma's past, so we wouldn't be blindsided again. He found she had a son." Regina is waiting for Killian to freak out.
"I knew she did. She told me that," he turns to Robin, "what exactly did you say to her?"
"Just that the private investigator found her son," Robin says realizing how badly he has complicate everything. Killian understands why she was so livid with him. Emma thought he had betrayed her.
"Fuck, I need to find her," he say before leaving the couple in the hallway. Killian will not lose her to something as stupid as a miscommunication. Killian searches through the crowd and can't find her anywhere. Giving up he realizes that she must've left and went home. Killian's not even sure how he gets to her place. He doesn't drive, but there's a very good chance he stole someone's uber. He runs out of the car and up to her door. He rings the doorbell and waits. Nothing happens, so then he knocks. He hears nothing from the other side of the door. No movement, not a movie filling the background with meaningless noise, just silence. Perhaps she's not home yet. Emma might've gone somewhere else before coming home. She'll have to come home at some point. Killian sits on the porch swing. With the seabreeze nearby, the late hour, and the gentle rocking of the swing Killian drifts off to sleep.
In the early hours of the morning David mutes the call and looks to Emma who is giving her brother a confused look.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" David asks her, uncertainty in his voice.
"It doesn't sound like I have a choice. Zelena is moving up the filming date for Paris," Emma shrugs.
"It's technically voluntary. They can only hold you to the date in your contract," David tells her.
"I'll go. I don't want to be the reason we get behind on filming," she says shaking her head. Also, it will put the most distance between her and Killian, but she doesn't say that out loud. Although everyone in this room knows her well enough that she doesn't have to say it.
"Emma will be at the airfield by nine today," David confirms and Emma tunes out the rest of his conversation. Mary Margaret places a hand on Emma's shoulder, catching her attention.
"Do you have everything you need? Have you packed at all?" Her friend asks Emma.
"My passport and wallet are at home. I threw a few things into a suitcase," Emma tells her. David finally off the phone turns to them.
"We're short on time. Even if there isn't a lot of traffic it will be a surprise if you get to that airfield on time," David explains.
"Why don't I go and get your things then meet you there?" Mary Margaret offers. David nods.
"Okay, I'll start getting ready," Emma agrees. Mary Margaret kisses David on the cheek before running out the door.
Arriving at Emma's house Mary Margaret spots Killian on the porch swing and sighs. She knows that Emma is using work as an excuse to run from Killian. It's as plain as the nose on her face. Mary Margaret cannot believe Killian would do anything malicious towards Emma. For God's sake the man is asleep on her friend's porch waiting for Emma to come home. Bastards don't fall asleep waiting for you to come home. There is more to the story here, but Emma felt hurt and betrayed. All these emotions are blinding her to the fact that there is more going on here.
Once Mary Margaret shuts the car door Killian jolts awake. When he spots Mary Margaret his face falls. She walks up and pulls out her key.
"I'm surprised the neighbors didn't call the cops on you," she tells him. Killian just shrugs.
"Looks like I still have some luck I guess," he mutters.
"Come in, can't have you scandalizing the neighbors anymore," she offers with a smile. Quietly he follows her inside.
"Where's Emma?" Killian finally asks.
"At my place with David," she tells him with a look that gives him the distinct impression he's not to go there looking for her.
"When will she be back?" he asks, itching to talk to her.
"Not for a long time, I'm afraid," Mary Margaret says sadly, moving into Emma's room. Killian follows her.
"What happened? Is she alright?" he asks concerned.
"Emma is fine. The director called and moved up their start date for the movie," she says as she grabs a few outfits she knows Emma likes and wears often. Mary Margaret then looks for the suitcase Emma began to put things in.
"What?" Killian says shocked, stopping in the middle of the room. Mary Margaret let's him process the information and finds the suitcase in the corner of Emma's closet.
"She's leaving for Paris today," she confirms.
"No, please. I need to talk to her. This whole mess is an misunderstanding. I didn't play any part in this," Killian tells her. Mary Margaret holds up a hand stopping him.
"Killian, I believe you, but she has to want to talk to you. Right now she's not ready to hear you. She wants to believe the worst." Mary Margaret walks around the room collecting more of Emma's belongings.
"Why?" He asks her.
"You know why. If I could make her I would," she says kindly. The last things she grabs are Emma's passport and wallet. Killian realizes she about to leave.
"Please let me go with you," he pleads with her. Mary Margaret sighs.
"No," she says firmly, "I won't ambush her like that."
"Then can you please tell her to call me?" he asks.
"I can do that," she agrees. They both walk out of the house and Mary Margaret locks the door behind them. Killian stands on the porch not sure where to go as he watches Mary Margaret climb into the car and drive off.
Killian pulls his phone out and calls Emma. Not surprisingly it goes to voicemail.
"Emma, I know you're upset and angry, but we need to talk. I had no idea what Regina was doing. I absolutely never told her about him. I would've never done that to you. I certainly would've told her that a PI was out of the question. Bloody hell this whole thing is such a mess. Now, you're getting on a plane and I don't want to lose you. Please call me back." He runs his hands through his hair not knowing what else he can do at this point. Killian hopes he hasn't lost Emma.
Mary Margaret meets David and Emma at the airfield just in time. Before handing over her things Mary Margaret gives Emma a wary look.
"Honey, can you give us a minute," Mary Margaret asks David sweetly. Her husband frowns but nods, stepping away from them. Emma frowns at this.
"What is it?" Emma asks annoyed.
"Emma, you should talk to Killian," Mary Margaret advises her. Emma crosses her arms.
"Why? He doesn't deserve it," she says. Emma knew he called her and she simply doesn't want to talk to him. He hurt her. He betrayed her. He does not get to justify his actions to her.
"I think you know that there is more to the story here. That man loves you and he wouldn't hurt you. You should hear him out," Mary Margaret says getting upset with her. Killian can't love her this was never supposed to happen. This was supposed to be a business deal, but apparently it stopped being that a long time ago.
"You don't know that and why are you saying all this?" Emma says frustrated beyond belief.
"He was at your house waiting for you. He slept on your porch all night. He begged me to bring him here and he told me what happened. You need to hear it from him," Mary Margaret says handing over Emma's suitcase and passport.
"I-" Emma starts and Mary Margaret stops her.
"I'm not saying to do it now or even tomorrow. You have to be ready, but you need to listen to him. Now, you have to get on that plane and kick ass," Mary Margaret says before pulling Emma into a bone crushing hug. When she lets Emma go David comes over and hugs her as well. After that Emma holds her head high, walks up the steps, and onto the plane.
Don't hate me, gotta love that angst.