I do not own Once Upon a Time.

And guess who is back in the story!

Emma Swan finally arrived in New York City, the city that never slept. If she could make it here, she could make it anywhere. And now she was singing in her head, what was this city doing to her already? Her flight was late, so there was no time to drop her bags off at the tiny motel she got for the week. Her two bags went to the police station where she had been transferred to and stuffed into a locker.

She had her first case and as excited about it as she was, she also nervous. She had to investigate a murder. The murderer was dead but there had to be a reason for it. Normal people don't just murder rich guys without a reason.

Emma freshened up as best as she could before catching another taxi and going to the address the chief had given her. She could have done her own research on the flight but her iPad was having connection issues. She hated going into a mission blind.

The building was huge. Emma went through the revolving door and walked up to the front desk. "Detective Emma Swan, I'm from the police department."

The girl behind the desk looked up at her with a sad smile. They all knew why she was here. Hopefully to bring some justice, or answers at least.

"Detective Swan?" A man's voice came from a room behind the front desk. "So glad you came. Let me just call upstairs and tell them you are here."

Tara and Killian were in the conference room, not the board room. Neither of them had any idea if or when they would be comfortable going in there.

The phone buzzed. "Tara, the detective from the police department is here." Robin said.

Tara pushed the button. "Good, send him up."

She couldn't hear Robin's chuckle. "Him."

Five minutes later, the door opened and Tara lifted her head. "You have got to be kidding me."

Emma Swan, former sheriff of Storybrooke Maine was in her conference room.

Killian wasn't sure what to think. Sure he had missed her, or maybe it was he missed seeing her, she was easy on the eyes. And a challenge back in Storybrooke. He also liked a challenge. But she was there for a reason, she was there to get him answers. She was going to be his savior.

This was the reaction Emma was expecting actually. Killian staring at her, she didn't really know what to think about his gaze. And Tara being annoyed. To be honest, they hadn't gotten off on the right foot when they first met.

Before anyone could say another word, Regina entered the room. "Oh, Sheriff Swan, what a surprise. Why are you here?"

"I just got transferred to New York City, this is my first case." Emma answered.

"Oh, well I wish you the best of luck. What can I get for you?" Regina was going to be as helpful as possible because neither Tara or Killian would. Maybe it was better if they stayed clear of the investigation actually. They would be too emotional.

"Umm, an office if that is possible. Then records of the board member who was shot. Then probably everyone's records." Emma asked, hoping nothing was outlandish. She remembered the check Regina had cut her back in Storybrooke, money was no problem for these people.

"Anything you need. My office is down the hall; the secretary outside is Noelle. You might want to speak to Robin and Ruby, they are on the security detail."

"Yes, that would be great." Emma nodded then turned to Tara and Killian. I will find out why your brother was killed." She promised and Emma Swan never broke promises.

He wanted to flirt with her, be like how they were back in Storybrooke. But Killian knew he was not the same man. And she was working a case that would maybe put his mind at ease. Or at the very least, give his fist a place to go.

He kept walking past her office. Emma had been given one of the smaller offices down the hall from his. She had taken off her red leather jacket and pulled her hair out of her face. She was stunning.

He began to feel things, real things that he hadn't felt since Milah. How was this even possible?

"So, how long are you going to stand there? She has work to do, people to talk to."

Killian actually jumped. He turned to see Ruby staring at him with an amused smile on her face. He had no words, he just walked to his office. He had papers to look over anyway. Anything to get his mind off the beautiful detective.

"Detective? You wanted to see me?" Ruby knocked on the door.

"Ruby Humbert? Yes, come in." Emma had to move some papers off her desk. Her office here was the size of the whole station back in Storybrooke. She finally got a look at the security officer. Knee length black shirt and high black boots. A crisp white button down blouse under a tailored red blazer. And she wore dog tags on a long chain. "So, tell me exactly what happened."

Ruby repeated the whole story to Emma, she was shocked she didn't cry. Maybe finally her emotions were under control. Or as Tara would word it, she was numb. It took over an hour, she needed every detail and then more information about the board member, his connections, anything odd he said leading up to that day. Anything that would be useful. Ruby gave all the information she knew, maybe Robin knew something she didn't.

Finally, Emma was satisfied with her notes. "Thank you. Could you ask Robin to come in? I need to talk to him."

"He left for the day, it's after five after all." Ruby said.

Emma looked at the clock. The day sure did fly. "Oh, then I'll catch him tomorrow morning. Thank you again, this was really helpful."

"Anything else you need, just ask." Ruby stood up and wasn't sure whether she should shake hands or not. She decided against it and walked out the door.

She didn't get far when she was grabbed around the waist. "Hi princess, what are you doing here?"

Sophia Cassidy looked up. "Getting Mommy to leave work."

"Well, she is in her office. Go get her." Ruby kissed Sophia's head before the child ran off.

Emma exited her office. "Who's that?"

"Sophia, my daughter, well mine and Tara's." A man was walking down the hallway. He was dressed casually, which made him stand out next to all the suits in the office. "Neal Cassidy, Tara's husband." He held out his hand.

She took it. "Hi Emma Swan, formally from Storybrooke. I'm the detective leading the case to find who…" She stopped short, this was Liam's brother in law. Should she even be talking about this with him?

"It's okay, we are all dealing as best as we can. Thank you so much for taking the case. I hope you find whoever is behind it."

Neal walked down the hall to Tara's office. Emma shook her head. Everyone was so friendly, expect for Tara and Killian. But maybe she had to give them a pass, they had lost their brother and gained so much responsibility that maybe they weren't ready for.

Neal walked into his wife's office to see Sophia sitting on the desk telling Tara about her day. Both Sophia and Tara had the very bad habit of sitting on things that weren't chairs.

"Hey, we should invite Emma to dinner tonight." He suggested.

Tara looked up at him. "Why?"

"Because she just got to town, who knows what she is going to eat, she doesn't know anyone." He walked over to her. "At least one of us has to be friendly."

Tara leaned up for a kiss. "This is why I love you, you're friendly enough for the both of us."

"Ewww!" Sophia jumped off the table and ran out of the room.

"Well, I hope that's not the only reason you love me." Neal kissed her again. "I already texted Roxanne, she's coming…"

"Who's going to get her?" Tara asked.

"No one, she is driving. She said that if someone came to get her she would, and I quote "hate them with the intensity of a thousand suns"." Neal said.

Tara wanted to shake her head but she nodded instead. Roxanne was the stronger person she knew. She had accepted the fact that Liam was gone and refused to be pitied in any way, shape or form.

Neal and Tara walked out of the office and found Sophia having an animated conversation with Killian. The sight warmed Tara's heart. It was wonderful to have him back home.

"Uncle Killian is coming to dinner with us." Sophia announced.

"The more the merrier. So six at the pizza place." Neal said. He went to the office that Emma had been given.

"Six?" Killian asked confused, He knew how to count.

"Roxanne is coming and Neal invited Emma. We should have been more welcoming to her." Tara sighed, Neal had been right.

Welcoming? Killian was more than welcoming when it came to Emma, though maybe not in the best way. Then the last time he was in Storybrooke, he was going through a rough patch.

"No, it's fine. I'll just grab Chinese on the way back from the station after I pick up my bags." Emma followed Neal into the hallway, pulling on her leather jacket.

Was she always this difficult? "Emma, we are inviting you to dinner. Please come." Tara sounded nice when she tried to convince her.

"Okay, fine. I'll pay my way though."

The five of them walked out of the building. Sophia hadn't let go of Killian's hand. She had missed him so much.

"Wow, she really can't accept charity, can she?" Tara said under her breath.

"Sounds like someone else we knew." Neal squeezed her hand.

They entered the small pizza place and were warmly greeted by the owner. The family had been coming here for years and had an amazing relationship with everyone who worked there. The owner had sent food to her house after Liam's death.

There was a table waiting for them in the back. And Roxanne was already sitting there talking with the owner's mother.

Roxanne looked up and her face lit up when she saw all of them. Sophia let go of Killian's hand and sprinted to Roxanne. No matter what happened, Roxanne had been a part of Sophia's life since birth and she was going to be remain Aunt Roxanne.

"Hey princess, how was school?" She asked.

"Great, we made a volcano. It got messy." Sophia told her.

"Sounds awesome, maybe Mom will let you make one at home." Roxanne joked.

"I think that would be a great idea for a girls' afternoon, Roxanne. At your house." Tara reached Roxanne and hugged her.

More hugs from the group. Roxanne stared at Emma confused. "Killian, you didn't say you were taken."

Killian opened his mouth to correct her, but Emma beat him to it. "No, we are not together. Detective Emma Swan. I'm on the police detail to find out…" Should she even finish her introduction? This was Liam's fiancée. Things were now uncomfortable.

"Oh, in that case, thank you. This means the world to me, and to the family." Roxanne said, sizing Emma up. Could she find out who wanted her love murdered?

"Here are two pies, one cheese, one garbage." The server bought over the pizzas. They order rarely changed. The Jones' were quite set in their ways.

Emma was ready to dig in and already had a bite in her mouth when…

"Bless us Oh Lord…"

She looked up, Sophia had her hands clasped in front of her. Roxanne, Neal and Tara had their eyes closed. Killian was following suit and was failing at hiding a grin. What, this family said grace too? How were they this perfect?

"Amen."

And the awkward finally ended. It was the best pizza Emma had ever had. She didn't even bother holding back. It's not like she was on a date. Though she did work for the people she was eating with.

The conversation was lively. It was a whole new side of Killian. Back in Storybrooke, he was the sex crazed, musician whose words fell from his lips like honey. But here, with his family, he was funny and witty and caring.

"So you guys are… Scottish?" Emma joined the conversation. Bad move.

Tara gagged.

"Hey, we are Irish, though and though. Fifth generation from the Emerald Isle." Killian raised his glass to her. "Though it is hard to prove that point with a glass of Coke." His eyes twinkled.

"How do you think I got my middle name? It's Liam Patrick, Tara Sinead and Killian Michael. Our mother was Kathleen. We are very Irish." Tara said.

"Why aren't you guys at an Irish pub then?" Emma asked, not knowing what kind of answer she was going to get.

Tara gasped and lightly hit Killian's shoulder. "We forget our disguises! People can't know we come here."

Neal and Roxanne started laughing and Emma couldn't stop herself from joining in. And she didn't feel so left out, this was must be what it's like to have a family.

"I had an amazing day at work today. Wait until you hear what I did…" Roxanne began.

"Aunt Roxanne, that's not dinner conversation." Sophia pipped up from her word search.

Silence fell over the table, then laughter.

Emma stared. This family never ceased to confuse her, right when she had them figured out, they threw a curve ball. "I don't get it, what do you do?" She asked Roxanne.

"I'm a brain surgeon. And someone, or rather three people can't handle the mention of blood." Roxanne looked over that Tara and Killian.

"They can't be that bad…" Emma began to say.

"Wait, I have proof." Neal pulled out his phone. "I was going through videos on my phone…"

The scene unfolded and Killian wished he was anywhere else but in that pizza parlor. Why did Neal have to embarrass him?

"So I cut this guy's head open and then sliced…" Roxanne was saying then then camera panned around to the three Jones kids sitting on a couch. For the first time, Emma saw Liam. Board shoulders, identical eyes to both Tara and Killian's sapphire ones. He looked like a person to rely on, a born leader. Just not at this moment in time. Liam covered his ears and was trying to block out what his fiancée was saying. Tara's hand over her mouth, forcing herself not to be sick. And finally Killian's hand was hitting his leg and his eyes were closed. They were all disgusted. What was crystal clear was the words none of the kids could say: "Please God, make her stop."

"Someone's inners should say on the inside and not out for all to see." Tara shuddered next to Roxanne.

Seeing a need to change the topic, Emma turned to Roxanne. "How did you and Liam meet, if you don't mind me asking."

"No, I don't mind." A smile crossed her face. "We met at the animal shelter years ago."

"Aww, you were both volunteering?" Emma asked.

Tara half sorted in her soda. "Liam was there because the courts told him to be there."

Emma was bewildered. "Yes, He had community service while I was there because I am a good and caring person. It was love at first sight. Never believed that before I met Liam. One date led to another and then he popped the question. It was beautiful while it lasted." Her voice dropped.

Silence fell over the table. Neal raised his glass. "To Liam, the best brother and man we will ever know."

The rest followed suit.

They finished the meal, Tara snuck off to pay the bill to avoid Emma trying to give her money for it. All six people stood outside of the parlor to say good bye.

"Emma, where are you staying tonight? Roxanne asked.

"Umm, after I stop at the station to pick up my bags, any motel that has an open room." Emma answered.

Emma then had four sets of shocked eyes on her. "Absolutely not. You deserve better." Tara began and pulled out her phone. She spoke in French for a few minutes then turned back to Emma. "You are staying at the Mark hotel. Just give the front desk my name."

"I couldn't. You guys just bought me dinner. I couldn't…"

"Emma." Tara said and there was a certain amount of authority in her voice. This had to be how she ran a company. "Take the room."

"I'll pay you back." Emma promised.

"Just find the bastard what wanted my brother dead and we will be even." Tara hailed a taxi. One pulled up instantly. "Evening, this woman needs to get to the police station on…" Tara looked at Emma.

"7th.' Emma said.

"7th. Thank you." She handed over some bills. "Keep the change." She opened the door. "Your chariot awaits. We will see you in the morning."

"Neal, Roxane, Sophia nice to meet you. Tara and Killian, nice to see you guys again. Good night." Emma climbed into the cab.

Neal and Tara watched the taxi drive off. Tara made another call.

"You don't trust her that she'll go to the hotel?" Neal asked.

"Nope."

"I'm going to head back to my car. This was fun." Roxanne said, hugging Tara, Neal and Sophia.

"I'll walk you to your car." Killian offered.

"Thanks." Roxanne agreed. They walked down the street.

"Wait, she's fine being walked to her car by him? Thought she wanted to be independent?" Tara sounded confused.

"Maybe she wants to talk to him." Neal observed. Sophia held both parents' hands as they walked down the streets. "I think there's something between them."

"Between who?"

"Killian and Emma."

"What? No. Seriously? There is nothing."

"Yeah there is. You just don't want to see it. You don't want a repeat of last time." Neal said, knowing where Tara's mind was.

"I'm just trying to protect my little brother…"

"Don't let him hear you call him that. You know it annoys him."

"Fine, I'll play. Five bucks says there's nothing between them." Tara bet him.

"You're on."

"So Emma Swan. She seems nice." Roxanne casually commented as she walked next to Killian.

"Yes, Swan. She's easy on the eyes." Killian said.

"Not where I was going with that observation. Can she do it? Find out why someone wanted Liam dead?"

Killian paused. Then he gave Roxanne a confident smile. "She kept Storybrooke in line for years, that includes me. I have yet to see her fail."

And there was a sparkle in his eye, one Roxanne had never seen. She smiled to herself. She knew something he didn't.

The taxi pulled up to the station. "Thanks, I'll be out." Emma told the driver. She ran up the steps and was shocked to see Robin Loxley standing there.

"Wow, Tara really doesn't trust me, does she?" Emma joked.

"Nope, get your bags and I'll take you to the hotel."

"I am so sorry I pulled you away from your family after hours." She felt horrible.

But Robin laughed. "No, I should be thanking you. A man can only be forced to watch the Bachelor so many times before his brain gets fried." That was Regina's guilty pleasure that she wanted to share with him.

Fifteen minutes later found Emma outside a hotel suite. Robin opened the door and carried her bag inside. Emma could only stare. It was huge and something out of her dreams.

"Welcome to your home away from home for the time being. I will see you in the morning." He walked to the door but stopped. "One word of advice, do not google Tara or Killian. I wish I hadn't before I started working for them."

"Thank you, for everything."

The Bachelor remark was put in for a coworker. Emma is going to be in the story for a while, yay.

Reviews please.