I do not own Once Upon a Time.

Tara took the quickest shower of her life; she had to get the smell of drugs off of her. She got dressed and looked at herself in the mirror. Navy blue dress paired with nude pumps. She wasn't ready to look completely like she was in mourning; she had to be professional now. The real mourning was saved for the wake and the funeral. She just had to hold it together on camera.

She redid her makeup and replaced her jewelry. Now she felt human and like she could take on the world. And she could, as long as Killian was by her side.

Tara left her room and knocked on Killian's door, they were supposed to meet Regina at the town hall in twenty minutes for a run through.

Killian opened the door; at least he was mostly dressed. "Do I have to wear a tie?" He whined, holding up said article of clothing.

"Yes you do." Came the stern answer.

He rolled his eyes and threw it around his neck. He stared at himself in the mirror and actually began to play with it. Tara heaved a sigh.

"You forgot how to tie one?"

"Being a rock star doesn't call for ties." Killian reasoned.

"But they call for head to toe leather?" She took the tie from his hand and did it for him. She had a ton of practice, Neal wasn't the best at ties.

"Tara, you and me, we never did a press conference before. At the one after… Dad died, we let Liam do all the talking." He was sweating bullets.

"I know, we let him do the hard work while we just stood there. The easy days are over." Tara remarked sadly. She finished the knot and smoothed out his shirt.

"How's Roxanne?" Killian asked.

That made Tara pause. Their almost sister in law was a complete wreck when Liam died. "She's in a bad place. Robin was the one who told her. I had her staying with me and Neal until I left. Her mother is with her now. No one wants to her to be alone yet."

"She's going to need support to get through the wake and the funeral." Killian remarked.

"That's what we are there for. To lean on each other. Grab your jacket, let's go."

They exited the inn and walked down the street to the town hall. It had a retro feel to it. They entered the building and saw the place was buzzing with the media. They were immediately greeted by Regina Mills.

"There you two are. I have your script ready." The public relations officer handed a sheet of paper to Tara.

"Thank you, Regina." Tara said, taking the sheet and reading it over.

"Regina?" Killian asked. It was never just Regina, it had always been Miss Mills, the woman who looked at him like a disobedient child. And Tara had never been her biggest fan.

"Nice to see you too Killian." Regina greeted him.

"Are we all friends now?" Killian was confused.

"A lot has changed since you left." Tara responded then turned to Regina. "This works, I just do not want to do a question and answer part.

"Did not think you would. Are you ready?"

Yes, wait no. Oh, could you make sure none of Killian's fan girls are able to come in. And also the sheriff." Tara asked Regina.

The look on Regina's face told Killian had not that much had changed. "What did you do?"

"Nothing, I was my normal charming self." Tara shrugged her shoulders.

"Alright, people, you heard her. No fan girls and no sheriff." Regina was very good at taking control.

There was a podium, the Storybrooke town crest had been removed and replaced with the Jewel of the World logo. Regina placed Tara behind it and Killian was pulled to her right side. The cameras were a few feet away, behind the handful of audience members, all from the press.

"And we are live in three… two…" Regina mouthed one and pointed to Tara.

Tara looked at the bright light in her eyes and knew the whole world could see her.
"Good afternoon, I would like to thank you all for attending this press conference." She began to read from the script. "As you are all aware, my brother Liam was shot and killed two days ago." She sounded so robotic, well she had to be or she would start crying again. "We are launching a full scale internal investigation to understand the motive behind this horrific act." Now for the part that scared her. "I have taken full control of the Jewel of the World shipping as CEO and will try to lead the company with the same integrity into the future. I ask for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I will not be taking any questions at this time." Tara nodded and moved to leave her post.

"Is it true that you and Killian were in jail this morning?" One of the reporters asked.

"Was the killing for something in your past?"

"What happened to the shooter?"

"Is it true it was a board member?"

"What part of no questions do you people not understand?" Tara felt her self-control and her patience wearing dangerously thin.

Killian had stood by his sister's side during that whole speech without a single word, he was stone. But he saw her distress and jumped in to save her. He touched her arm and moved into her place behind the podium. "To follow up with what my sister said…" He started. Tara only stared, unsure what he would say.

"Rock on Killian." Apparently, the reporters were fans.

"Thank you for that but that is not why we are here today. This company, my family, suffered a tragedy. One that will force us to rebuild and grow. It's times like this that reminds us to treasure our family and friends. You may not know this, but I had a falling out with my siblings three years ago. The last time we spoke, it was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I fully regret how my brother and I parted ways. So take our experience as a lesson. Don't wait until it is too late to tell someone how much you love them how much you care. Because when they are gone, no matter how loud you shout and cry, they won't hear you. Thank you." Killian ended his speech with a nod before placing a hand on Tara's shoulder and leading her off the make shift stage.

They went into a side room. Tara just stared at him. "Wow. She said softly.

"Did that surprise you?" He asked, already loosening his tie.

"Yes, I know you have a way with words, just not usually those kinds of words. Thank you."

"For you, anything."

Regina joined them and had a shocked look on her face. "Killian, that was impressive." Maybe he wasn't such a screw up.

Killian nodded.

Tara's phone rang and she quickly answered it. She paused then handed it out to Killian. "It's Roxanne; she wants to talk to you."

Who would have thought Killian could say those words? So the would be sister-in-law wants to talk to him, is this good?

Reviews please?