A/N: Hey all, so this chapter is returning to the usual length for this story and it flashes forward a few days into the future. It includes Killian finishing up the article, Emma seeing a rare case of true love in her shop, and some usual displays of fluff and cuteness. Hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading!

As Friday morning turned into early afternoon, Killian found himself wandering through the top floor of the offices that Citizen NY owned to locate the woman who had thrust this damned article on him and give her a piece of his mind.

Okay so maybe he wasn't en route to outwardly chastise Belle, but he needed her right now, mostly to ease his mind about this article once and for all. He'd been working on it diligently for days now and the bare bones of it had been done for a while, but all morning he tinkered and toyed with the words and the direction. Killian wanted the article to be brilliant (because that was what Emma and her friends deserved), but it was hard to gauge whether he was letting his clear attachment to one of the subjects of his story cloud his judgment on good work. After all, it would be just as bad for him to submit a piece that was all pap and no substance as it would be to teeter too far the other way and make it some kind of personal expose using the information he'd gathered.

Rather than let himself stew any longer in the article's worth and potential success or failure, he approached Belle's office and readied himself for some honest feedback one way or another. Good or bad, he trusted Belle to tell it to him straight, even if she'd orchestrated this madness in the first place. He knocked at the doorway to her office and was immediately greeted by a pleasant and warm smile when she looked up to him and then to the papers in his hand.

"Is that it?" Belle asked, her desire to read it evident.

"It is. I was hoping you could -," he wasn't able to get the whole request for assistance out out before Belle ran around the desk and grabbed the papers from his hand, moving back slowly as she responded.

"Read the heck out of this and make sure you didn't mess it all up? I've got you covered, boss."

Killian nodded at Belle's humorous affirmations and though he could have easily taken a seat, he opted to stand, moving around the room as Belle analyzed every word and image and turn of phrase. Killian knew what she was reading almost by heart, for he'd read this story over and over again more times than he could count. His instincts told him he'd landed upon something worthwhile, but now he was too far in his own head to be sure.

He was tempted more than once to look Belle's way and to see her reactions to the narrative he'd chosen in real time. It was a multi-faceted approach and in some ways he'd split up the segments of the business, but every woman and every element of Bliss Boutique was woven together throughout the article somehow. The fabric of the story was that there could be no Bliss without each part present, and that each friend likewise needed her pillars of support too. That spun forward into a tale of New York City exceptionalism, and how these four women were not only innovators but dreamers who had chosen this city over others because of what it could offer.

Killian knew as a writer that it wasn't really his place to surmise about where the business would go even if he felt them destined for a long and profitable run. He instead imparted that Emma and her partners were vastly exceeding their original estimates and plans, and that this was all pointing in a favorable direction for Bliss Boutique. But the ending of the article was one particular quote from Emma that had been too perfect not to include:

"We're in the business of a feeling that everyone's looking for but is still very rare. Love is illusive, even a city where you're never really alone, but it's something nearly everybody wants. As long as people are looking, as long as people keep believing that love can happen and when it does it should be celebrated, we'll be here playing our part in that and reminding them that love or happiness or anything of the kind starts with them."

That quote from one of their later interviews this week had stuck out so much to Killian, mostly because right after that Emma added something off the record. She admitted to Killian that she herself was a skeptic and had been for some time. She'd seen love, yes, but she didn't know if it was worth it, and now after their date and getting to know each other better, she was reconsidering that mentality, which gave Killian more hope for them and their future than anything else ever could.

The rustle of papers shifting onto the desk caught Killian's attention and he looked up to Belle who sat there shaking her head. When her eyes looked up to catch Killian's, he had a second's worth of hesitation, but then his friend smiled widely and he could see he had nothing to fear from her review in the slightest.

"Killian, this is… I don't even have words except to saw wow! I mean really, I knew there was a story here but this is impressive. Maybe you shouldn't just be doing those letters from the editor. I know you're busy, but this is great." Belle's enthusiasm was genuine and to some extent it soothed the worry that had been plaguing Killian since he set down to actually write the article, but he felt himself still harboring some doubts.

"Do you think it does them justice?" Belle gaped at him.

"Seriously? I think it goes above and beyond what any of them is expecting. When I pitched this to Ruby it was kind of a puff piece, but this… somehow you managed to mix who they are with what they're doing so seamlessly. It's fantastic."

But will Emma be okay with it? That was the integral question that had been banging around in his head for some time now, and honestly it was Killian's most important consideration.

Over the past few days, Killian had become privy to enough fascinating information about Emma to fill the whole bloody magazine, but even if Emma was letting him in she was a private person by nature. There were moments that she'd allowed to go on the record that revealed so much about her and the last thing Killian ever wanted was to make her regret this, or to look back and wish she hadn't gone so far. So Killian toed the line of what amount of background was enough as he did with all her other co-owners. In his heart Killian believed he hadn't trespassed into unacceptable territory but he also knew that Emma mattered more than this story. It felt risky to even write this at all but since he'd given his word he wanted to be absolutely certain that what he wrote reflected well for her and the shop that she'd poured so much of herself into.

"You're worried about Emma." Belle stated the fact bluntly and Killian didn't bother hiding his thoughts on that.

"Aye."

"Well you shouldn't be. She's going to love it," Belle promised sounding absolutely convinced.

"It has to be right, Belle. This story – I have to get it right. There's no second chances and I've got to be sure." Killian uttered the words forcefully and watched as Belle stood up, patted the papers down so they were all lined up evenly, and handed it back to him.

"Well you can be sure. I would stake my career on it. This is perfect, and Emma will see that."

Killian accepted the papers back and ran his hand through his hair. He trusted Belle to give him her honest opinion, and though he was closer with Will, Belle had experience with Emma in some capacity and with her friends. She was the best ally he had for gauging once and for all, because as much as he might like to, he couldn't share the story with Emma just yet. She and her friends would have to wait for the magazine to be in print. That had always been the policy of this magazine, and though Killian was desperate to change that and make an exception, he wouldn't do that to the men and women on his staff who had been good enough to adhere to the rule.

After thanking Belle for taking the time once more, Killian walked back to his office searching for some kind of last sign that he was handling this correctly. He didn't think that such a sign existed, but when he returned to his desk and noticed a text from Emma he immediately felt his mood improving. With deft fingers he moved to read it and smiled when he did.

E: Remind me why I turned you down for that lunch date today.

Her argument last night was that she had far too much to do and a multitude of projects and consults on her plate and Killian assumed that hadn't changed. What was probably different now was Emma's level of wanting to deal with those commitments. He knew she was a hard worker, driven and determined in a very admirable way, but she was also taking on a lot. Her schedule often made his seem tame, and he felt like he was running around in circles day in and day out. Then again she was just starting to lay the foundation of what would one day be her empire, and Killian had found his routine a long time ago.

K: Because you knew I'd ask you to dinner when you said no and that means we'll have more time together in the end.

He sent out the text not really thinking it over. Only after a moment of her not responding did Killian realize that it was awfully presumptive. He was assuming that Emma was like him in her need to spend as many precious moments as could be had together, but that might not be accurate. He was lucky to have convinced her to see him as much as he had so far this week, and this text could be pushing too far. He worried about that until the moment she replied back and allayed his fears.

E: Oh right. Well I guess I'm now one of those cliché people living for the weekend then.

The thrill that moved through him at Emma's admission was intense, but as much as he loved it he felt the need to assure her that she was so much more than the ordinary person.

K: You could never be anything but a complete original, love.

E: Is that what you wrote in the article? ;)

Pretty much, but Killian smiled at her attempt to get him to reveal what he'd written specifically. It had become a bit of a game between the two of them, and though he had been worried only minutes ago, he wasn't now. Emma played at wanting to know more, but there had come a moment when they were out last night when she told him that she trusted him to do this story right, and that she didn't have anything against Belle, but she actually preferred knowing that he was writing the piece. She didn't say that she believed he would protect her in any way, but that was Killian's goal – to keep Emma's reputation as spotless as it should be while giving the world a glimpse of this remarkable woman and all she was trying to build.

K: Can't say. But I could use your help – I'm trying to formulate that disclosure I told you about. Any thoughts?

The disclosure statement would be brief. Just a sentence or two designed to say that there was a relationship of a personal variety between him and Emma, but it needn't get into any kind of specifics. Still with Emma he wanted more than the standard qualifier. He felt he owed her more, and a part of him liked the idea of everyone in the city (okay, everyone in Citizen NY's readership) knowing that they were tied together. They might not have defined what this budding relationship was yet, but if Killian had his way they would soon, and it would be of a very permanent and exclusive variety.

E: You could outline point by point how our friends plotted against us. Readers would probably eat that up. People love a good matchmaking story.

K: Is that right? And have they succeeded in creating a favorable match with us, Swan?

The text was risky and it had his heart thumping loudly in Killian's chest. He couldn't explain the need he had to hear the confirmation from Emma, but it was there rather frequently. Maybe it stemmed from how amazed he was personally at this connection between them, but he wanted to be sure at every turn in the road and step in the journey that they were in this together and on the same page.

E: Technically they didn't match us. We did that all on our own so we get the credit for it going so well.

Killian smiled triumphantly, thinking she was right and that both before and after their friend's interaction they'd taken charge of their future just the two of them. This week had been the best of his life and that was thanks to Emma and to him and the choices they made themselves.

E: Now stop trying to get me to do your work for you. You said you were going to ruin me for all other writers – so prove it.

With the gauntlet thrown and her flirtatious permission given, Killian grinned, settling on the precise words he wanted to use in the disclosure. He typed it up quickly as a footnote for the article, and reread it once before sending it off to the editing staffers underneath him who would get this formatted and sent to print once and for all. When that was done he sent a final text to Emma to assure her that he would not take her challenge lightly and that he'd see her tonight.

"Tink?" He called and a second later his assistant appeared at the door.

"Yeah boss?"

"Lets push through the rest of the day faster. I'd like to get out of here as soon as we can." Tink agreed, seeming happy for the chance at an early afternoon, but it couldn't possibly compare to how he felt. Because whenever today was over he had Emma to return to and that was a powerful motivator indeed.

…..

"So, Jasmine, tell us a little more about what exactly it is that you're looking for."

Emma sat across from their last consult of the day and was truly eager to hear the woman's response to Tiana's question. Since walking in a little while before, Jasmine (who Ruby informed Emma ran an international non-profit) had been nothing but smiles and admiration. This wasn't the most surprising thing, a lot of brides looking for dresses seemed excited and happy to start, but Emma noticed there was something different about Jasmine.

For one thing she was here alone, not bringing family or friends for this moment in her life that many brides deemed important enough to share with loved ones, and for the other she was glued to her phone and every time a message came in a look of pure joy spread over her face. Emma had seen that look enough to know that this was a woman in love, but she was curious (as Tiana no doubt could sense) and wanted more details about whether this state of love would last.

"Well I don't have a ton of time. The date we chose is only about a month away, and trust me I've gotten my fair share of gasps when I've told other people that…" Jasmine looked apologetic and Emma and Tiana shared a smile.

"That's actually not that bad. We've faced tighter situations before," Emma said and Jasmine immediately relaxed.

"I appreciate that. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to hear about this shop. Getting everything done and organized in one place? It's pretty much a godsend."

"Not a big fan of planning?" Tiana asked curiously and Jasmine shook her head.

"Usually I am at work or even in my personal life but I never really considered a wedding. My father has certain ideas about what a woman should do with her life and marriage was always a part of that. Love didn't really factor in and what can I say? I'm stubborn and that wasn't good enough for me. I want a life on my terms done my way."

"Good for you – settling is overrated." Tiana's compliment pulled a laugh from Jasmine and then a thoughtful look as she continued on.

"My thoughts exactly. But I guess I was fighting against that idea for so long in my head that I missed the part where people dream about floral arrangements and the perfect dress. I'm so out of my depths here and I really don't care to get acquainted with all the itty bitty details. If I'm doing this, I'm doing it once and that's it, so why know the difference between French and Italian laces, you know?"

Emma chuckled at Jasmine's words because the mindset behind them was so familiar. Jasmine's comments accurately depicted Emma's feelings so much, but she was intrigued that something had altered that way of thinking for Jasmine. To see someone who was skeptical of marriage choosing now to undertake it was always intriguing to Emma.

"So what changed?" Emma asked.

"I met Aladdin and I knew suddenly what everyone else was talking about."

"Just like that, huh?" Tiana asked, prying for a little more information, and Jasmine shook her head.

"Alright, maybe it was a little more complicated than that. On paper he's all wrong for me – I run a multi-national operation and he's an artist keeping weird hours and weirder habits. I hate mess and feeling like I'm not doing enough, he lives in every moment too deeply to see it that way. My family has all these expectations, and he doesn't have anybody to think about except his bizarre looking dog that's more ape-like than canine. But in the end my heart doesn't care about any of our differences. He's good to me. He values me. He loves me so surely and without fear and all it knows is that I love him too. Aladdin makes everything so much… better and he makes me better too."

Emma and Tiana sat there listening and watching Jasmine as she honestly and openly unfurled the truth of her relationship. It was refreshing, and so much more fulfilling as an artist to hear than most of the tales other brides and their families shared with Emma and Tiana. That honesty and uniqueness told Emma that Jasmine deserved more than the average bride in terms of a dress. Tiana clearly agreed when she sent a look to Emma.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" she asked and Emma nodded.

"The dress I made Wednesday, after the date." Tiana grinned and clapped her hands together, waving over one of the assistants and asking her to retrieve the sketch from the studio. At the same time Jasmine's phone rang and she turned a little red before excusing herself.

"I'm sorry, I should take this. We're on opposite schedules because he's got a showing tonight and… I just need a minute."

"We'll be here." Jasmine smiled and turned around, accepting the video call and though it was a little nosey of her, Emma took note of the man on the screen. She could see even from this distance that the same happiness Jasmine was carrying with her was clear on his face.

"This is exactly what we needed today. I mean don't get me wrong, I love this job, I love this place, I love you, but damn if everyone we've seen the past two weeks hasn't been a bit of a downer. Even the ones you know will make it work were so uninspiring. These two on the other hand have it." Tiana declared brightly.

"I just hope she likes the dress," Emma said thoughtfully, accepting the sketch from the assistant with a thank you and looking back at it again.

The gown Emma had designed had a classic feel. It was modest compared to many others, but fit the growing trend of delicate sleeves with detailed lacing along the arms. The cut was precise and form fitting and there was a train in back with delicate beading and adorning lace flowers to match. In Emma's imagining it came with a veil that was fine but prominent to the design. It was romantic in feel, a shade of off-white that felt more authentic than the almost clinical white some brides preferred, and it had an option (if the bride so wished) for color. Most women shied away from that track, but Emma had a notion that Jasmine might be different, and when she sat back down again ready to consult, Emma aimed to find out.

"Now usually, this is the part where Tiana and I ask you for what kind of feel you're going for, but if you're really as adverse to all of this as you say it might be better to go off of our instincts." Emma offered the drawing to Jasmine and watched as awe filled the woman's eyes. Tiana filled in with some more details.

"There's a reason Emma's so in demand right now. She's got an amazing sense of what works and what doesn't, but sometimes a dress comes along that's different than the others. This is one of those dresses."

"Must have been some date," Jasmine mused aloud as her hands traced the lines on the page.

"Excuse me?" Emma asked and Jasmine looked up.

"You said the design came after a date." Had she? Emma hadn't even noticed, but she did believe it, especially with Tiana grinning beside her.

"Trust me it was. Our little Emma here is well on her way to love if you ask me." Jasmine looked thrilled at Tiana's statement and Emma bit back a groan. When had this become a moment to talk about her love life?

"That's wonderful! And it makes a lot of sense. You'd have to be in love to make a dress like this. It's perfect. I'll take it." Emma and Tiana gaped at her.

"You don't want to see any others?" Jasmine shook her head.

"No. This is the one. I can feel it."

Emma smiled brightly at the compliment and she helped to make the arrangements with her staff to get seamstresses on this right away. A month was not long given the intricacies of this dress, but Emma was thrilled by the prospect of it, especially when Jasmine said she would love some color. Jasmine said she favored blue and sometimes a little green, and Emma knew she could work with that. She had a very particular shade of turquoise in mind, and a flower design to embolden it perfectly.

"So… are you?" Jasmine asked when all was said and done and she'd scheduled her appointments with Mary Margaret and Elsa and some fittings with Emma's staff at a later date.

"Am I what?" Emma asked, genuinely missing Jasmine's train of thought.

"Are you in love?" Emma felt herself blush and she did her best to ignore the expectant gazes of Tiana and Ruby, Mary Margaret, and Elsa who had joined them in the planning when Jasmine officially signed on.

"I'm in… something," Emma offered, not willing to give anymore away even if a part of her was adamantly crying out that if she wasn't in love yet she was dangerously close to getting there.

"It's love!" Elsa and Mary Margaret concluded at the same time as Ruby sighed dramatically.

"Of course it's love. Emma's just going to be as slow as molasses in admitting it, so strap in for a long wait." Emma narrowed her eyes at Ruby who just shrugged as if daring her to contradict her. Before she could Jasmine placed a hand on Emma's arm bringing her attention back to her.

"Well I remember 'something' and it's the single most terrifying phase, but it's also the start of everything. Enjoy it Emma, and thank you for sharing it with me with this dress. Now I know I'll have the wedding I never thought to dream of."

Jasmine gave Emma a hug to go along with her thanks, and though it was unexpected, it wasn't unwelcome. Emma appreciated the show of happiness from Jasmine and the bit of advice that she was very tempted to take. But when she pulled back, Emma found that the eyes of her friends and her staff weren't on Emma and Jasmine but at the door. From the looks on their faces, Emma was able to guess before she turned who she would find awaiting her.

Sure enough, when she turned Killian was looking back at her, dressed in another impeccable suit and looking hot and commanding in a business kind of way. His eyes were already on her, lighting her up from the inside out, and Emma wondered how she missed his entrance. The room was charged with an energy now that he was here that couldn't be avoided and it took on an even stronger charge as a smile came to his lips that was equal parts self-assured and hopeful. It left Emma caught in that same riptide of attraction and something a lot stronger than like that came every time he was around.

"What are you waiting for girl? Go and greet the man," Tiana whispered and Jasmine let out a surprised sound.

"Is he 'something?'" All of Emma's friends made slow sounds of affirmation that Emma tried to ignore as she walked to Killian.

"I didn't think that we were meeting until later," Emma said, though she was secretly thrilled that he was here. Work was over, and in a matter of minutes she would have gotten to the train, but this was better because they were together again sooner.

"I couldn't stay away, love. Forgive me."

He pulled a rose from behind his back and Emma smiled. Every day since their first date he'd found a way to bring her one either while he was interviewing the others or when they were out together. It was charming and thoughtful and something Emma knew most guys wouldn't do. This was just Killian trying to treat her well, and the feeling of being so cared for was more appealing than even the prettiest flower.

"That depends – where are you taking me tonight?" Killian stepped closer and his eyes dropped to her lips making Emma want to wet them absentmindedly.

"I was thinking dinner at my place."

"You cook?" She asked, not at all surprised.

"I do a lot of things, Swan. Perhaps I could show you some more of my hidden talents tonight."

The innuendo was barely veiled at all and Emma instinctively looked to her friends to see if they'd heard. They all looked fully enthralled, but thankfully his whisper was low enough to not be caught. While she was distracted by them though, Killian also looked their way and greeted them all.

"Ladies." He nodded and they all waved and said hello, not bothering to hide their appreciation of how he looked, it made Emma just the tiniest bit jealous and she wanted to deter away from them and back to the night that would just be Killian and hers.

"I just have to grab my stuff quickly and then I'm all yours."

Killian took her hand in his gently, spreading a rush of warmth through her, as his eyes searched her face. When he looked at her like this it made Emma feel beautiful and seen and excited and she couldn't help but think that Jasmine was right. Sometimes you found someone who made things better, and who made you feel so much more than you once thought possible. Killian was that person for her, the first one she'd ever met and maybe the only one she ever needed.

"I've all the time in the world, Emma. Whatever you need to see to, it isn't a problem. I'll be here when you're ready."

His easy manners and willingness to wait were natural for him, and Killian didn't offer it expecting anything in return, but that was part of what made Emma feel so strongly about him. Killian just genuinely wanted her to be happy, and he didn't expect her to bend to his plans or make room in her life that she wasn't ready to bestow. He was patient and yet still inspired this sense of wanting to rush into something bigger, to fall further, and to take that leap of faith. It had only been a few days since their first date, and a week since they spoke to each other but it felt like enough time for Emma to feel assured that this relationship was good, and that it would continue to be so.

This comfort in Killian and who he was allowed Emma to be brave and to do something she'd never really done before. She moved forward, brushing a kiss against his lips right there in front of everyone, and though it wasn't intense or all-consuming, it was a step in the right direction for her. Letting the world see she was happy and that she was finding it because she'd let a man in was something that once would make Emma physically ill. Now it felt like a good place to move forward and the right thing to do with a man like Killian.

"I'll be right back," she offered when she pulled back, smiling at the look on Killian's face that said he was just as affected as she was before moving around and facing everyone else with an eye roll.

"Enjoy the show?"

"Well yes, but maybe next time you could commit a little more. Give us a reason to tell you to get a room." Emma smiled despite herself and grabbed all of her belongings before turning back to Ruby and the others and giving them a piece of her mind.

"You all really need to find something to take your mind off of me and my business."

"Trust me girl we're trying!" Emma laughed as she came back to Killian and took his hand, heading back outside into the city she loved with a man who kept showing her more and more about it (and him) to admire.

Post-Note: So I realize that this is a little bit of a tease in terms of chapters, but I promise there is more direct CS interaction coming in the next few installments. I'm trying to set the groundwork for some things to come in future chapters and that ended up taking longer than I thought it would. I also want to thank you all so much for the kind words you have shared with each addition to the story. They really keep me going and keep me inspired which is awesome. At this point I don't have a set schedule for these updates. It could be once a week, twice a week. I'm kind of just writing when inspired. Anyway thanks for reading and I hope you all enjoyed!