Title: A Life of It
Author: Roguie etc…
Part: 14/?
Fandom: Once Upon a Time
Characters: Emma/Killian
World: AU Modern
Rating: T, with the likelihood it will change to M over time, because I'm weak like that.
Warnings: Child abuse, bullying, mentions of potential molestation, all the bad things you'd expect to find in a poorly executed foster care system.
Spoilers: It's AU, so not likely.
Summary: Everywhere she was sent, he was there, her savior, the boy with blue eyes. He should have meant nothing to her, just another person that had to leave, but he meant everything. Against all odds, he kept coming back.
Disclaimer: OuaT is not mine, if it were, tackle hugs and sweet kisses would be our norm. Also, there would be way more, *cough*, sword practice scenes between our Captain and his Swan.
A/N: Y'know, in case I forget to say it, you guys make me so happy every day with your reviews. This little story started out just as something to do while I was bored at work one day, and I had absolutely no intention to update more than once or twice a month, and now here we are, one week and forty thousand words later. I haven't written with this much passion in ten years, I'll tell you that, and it's all because of your constant comments and praise. So, here's the thing – obviously we're getting close to the end of this story, I really don't see it going much past 20 parts (we'll see, but I figure that's about it), but I moved really quickly. As such, I'm offering you guys this – think about what I've skipped through and what you'd like to see as outtakes and I will write the requested outtakes – posted in a separate fic – the rating on this story will stay at T as one of you guys requested of me, however the ratings in the outtakes will not have that concession. Anyway, point being, thank you – and I'm so glad you guys loved David and MM popping by… judging by this chapter, they're here to stay! LOL This one is a little lighter again, no more beating the angst drum… today. :P There will be only one update today as my boss is all up in my hair about performing during this sale event (… we'll not make mention of the fact that at least 20 thousand words were written since the sale started LOL)… and I have to go be a boss for the rest of today. So, until tomorrow, thank you!
~~~?~~~
Two full weeks passed as Emma settled into her new home. Killian kept his word and texted her throughout each day, constantly letting her knew the little things that were happening outside of the four walls within which she was confined. The first big excitement came when he landed a summer job at the marina; he wasn't much more than a deckhand, tying off boats as they came into dock, running around after the rich kids came through and cleaning up the trash they inconsiderately left behind, occasionally working in the bait and tackle shop when the day was too miserable to be outside for long.
It certainly wasn't glorified work, but it was work all the same and Killian was happy to do it. He regretted the fact that he couldn't be trained for some of the underwater work; several of the guys were being schooled in scuba diving to work on the docks from under the water but unfortunately with Killian's twisted hand, his employers couldn't justify the danger involved not only to him but the others on his crew. With some of the welding equipment it was necessary to have two functional hands to operate, which left Killian staring at his scarred appendage, for the first time, with regret. Still, he brushed it off, enjoying the work he did above sea level rather than dwell on the skills he was missing out on learning.
When Officer Humbert finally returned to speak with Emma, Killian thanked whatever god was watching out for them that the sky was clouded over and the afternoon called for heavy amounts of rain. The dock master had no problem allowing Killian off for the afternoon, knowing that traffic would be minimal and his remaining staff could easily handle the duties that remained.
Killian did, however, curse the bus ride to David and Mary Margaret's foster center. By car, it took less than a half an hour to clear the distance between him and Emma, but on the city bus it took nearly four times that. He sighed to himself as he calculated how many weeks of work it would take to afford a small car. At first it seemed unnecessary to have two vehicles between him and Liam, but as he sat vibrating nervously for almost two hours as he very slowly made his way to his girl, he just knew it was something that needed to be done.
He waved at Mary Margaret as he walked into the house, noting that while she was trying to give Emma and Officer Humbert privacy, she was also hovering very close to the room in which they spoke, keeping a close ear out for trouble. Killian couldn't stop the grin of appreciation from curving his lips as he recognized her actions for what they were. She wasn't letting one of her ducklings face the cops without knowing that their fiercely protective Mama was nearby in case she was needed.
"Took you long enough to get here," David growled as he signed Killian into his log, pinning Killian with a disapproving glare.
"Didn't have the truck today, bussed it from the marina." Killian replied calmly, shrugging as he skirted around David's post and went to stand by Mary Margaret. He ducked his head to press a quick kiss to her cheek as she patted his arm in welcome.
"He hasn't been here too long; thankfully he called to let us know he would be visiting this afternoon. A little heads up is always appreciated."
"How's it going?" Killian caught Emma's eye as she looked towards the door, grinning at her and mouthing a silent, "Hi, pretty girl." Her smile lit up the room, and ignoring poor Officer Humbert she moved across the room at record speed and threw herself into his arms.
"You came!"
"Did you honestly doubt that I would, Emmie?"
She shrugged, a blush coloring her cheeks and she hid her face against his chest. "You can't blame me for thinking that maybe…"
"Emma!"
"Well, you are a pirate after all!"
Killian chuckled, shaking his head. "It was Halloween, Em! I was a pirate for one day!"
"Yeah, and now you work at the docks, ergo, pirate."
He heard the teasing tone in her voice, and laughed along with her. "You're insane, pretty girl."
"Probably," she agreed, pulling out of his arms only when Officer Humbert cleared his throat from the room behind them.
"Miss Swan?"
"Damn, he's still here?" she giggled into Killian's ear, low enough that only he and Mary Margaret should have heard her, but the impatient tap of the officer's foot told them that her voice had carried.
"And I'll not be leaving before I'm satisfied, so if you're quite finished?"
"Actually," Killian stepped forward, cocking his head to the side as he slowly assessed the officer. "On my way over, I spoke with my brother who advises that Emma not speak to you until her legal representation arrives."
"Legal representation?" Emma questioned quietly.
Killian shrugged. "Liam got the guy he was after. He should be here shortly. Honestly, I expected him to get here before I did."
"What the hell?"
They all turned at the sound of a motor cycle engine as it turned into their driveway and rolled up to the door. David's eyes were dark and unforgiving as he moved to stand in the doorway, glaring down the new arrival, his cheek twitching. The engine turned off and its rider stepped clear of the bike, taking off his helmet and securing it to the machine before removing his leather jacket and laying it across the seat. Only then did the dark haired man remove a brief case from the bike's storage case and turn to lock eyes with David as the blonde man watched him closely.
The stranger nodded in appreciation as he approached the door, his hand out. "You must be David Nolan?" He questioned, not waiting for a response as he took David's hand and shook it. "My name is August Booth; I have been retained by a Mr. Liam Jones to defend a Miss Emma Swan against the potential charges currently being investigated."
"Mr. Booth," David repeated in greeting, surprised as the other man pushed passed him and into the entranceway of the group home. He quickly took in Mary Margaret, Killian and Emma standing together with Officer Humbert still separated in the second room. "Ah, excellent. Everyone has arrived already so this should be a lot quicker than I had anticipated. Officer Humbert, if you'll join us out here, please." He looked over at David and shrugged. "I'm not a fan of enclosed rooms, so you'll pardon us if we conduct our business in your foyer."
"Not a fan of closed rooms but you're a lawyer? What do you do on court days?" David asked, disbelievingly.
August smiled serenely and offered David a shrug. "I deal. But that doesn't mean I have to deal with it every day."
August opened his briefcase and took out several stacks of documents, laying them across David's desk without asking. "Right, then. Emma Swan, 15 years old, no fixed address." He looked up and locked eyes with Emma, nodding in satisfaction. "Very good. Blonde hair, green eyes, healthy features…"
"Watch it!" Killian growled, stepping forward to put himself slightly between Emma and her lawyer, taking an instant dislike to the man.
August shook his head quietly. "If this goes to trial and you plan on being there, you'll have to learn to control your outbursts. Juries aren't very sympathetic to good girls with bad boy boyfriends."
Killian blinked. "Bad boy?"
August shrugged. "Whatever. Leather jacket, earring, jeans and a torn t-shirt, smells like fish…"
"I work. At the marina. With boats."
"You still smell like fish." August returned to his paperwork. "As I was saying, if this goes as far as trial, the whole girl next door thing she has going for her will work out in our favor. The jury will automatically be sympathetic to her, especially once they hear her sad little story of abandonment and years of foster care." August shifted through his notes until he came up with a file containing her hospital visit. "Right, Officer Humbert, you are here to talk with my client about drug based charges; this is her file from the hospital the night you first spoke with her, they did a blood test on her when she first arrived, her blood test is negative for anything besides an extremely low amount of THC which statistically can remain in the blood for up to ten days after use. Nothing in her blood and urine analysis indicates long term abuse of narcotics."
Officer Humbert sighed and shook his head. "We aren't investigating a case of drug abuse, Mr. Booth."
"Right, the potential sale of the product." He sifted through his paperwork and opened a different file, nodding in satisfaction before handing it over to the cop. "After speaking with several of my clients acquaintances, I noticed a trend. The teenagers that wouldn't appear to be in the whole sex, drugs and rock 'n roll scene spent a good deal of time telling me how Miss Swan was involved with a questionable group of kids. They explained that she spent her time skipping class, smoking, drinking, and generally involving herself in activities that no fifteen year old should. You would be amazed, Miss Swan, how many people at your school claim to have seen you perform a variety of unsavory actions in your short high school career."
Emma swallowed, her eyes trailing to the ground, guilt clouding her features while Killian reached for her and she stepped to the side, avoiding his comforting touch and his understanding gaze.
"Ah, and you have the good sense to fell shame about your actions. Very good, that will work in your favor as well."
David stiffened beside him, tapping a finger impatiently against the paper file. "Get to the point, Mr. Booth."
"My point is that not one of the kids I spoke to had anything to say about Miss Swan either dealing drugs or running drugs for anyone. They did mention that her boyfriend at the time was the go to guy for parties, however. Weed, lick 'n stick, E, you name it, he got it."
Neither Killian nor Emma reacted with surprise, only nodding quietly as they listened to what the school thought of Neal.
"Now, if you speak to the kids that are very obviously into the drug scene, they won't say a word about Mr. Cassidy; according to them he's a fine young upstanding citizen and a great source of pride to his father. Miss Swan, however, has been this desperately bad influence on the poor young man, leading him and subsequently his circle of friends, down a dark path."
"Ridiculous!" Mary Margaret snapped, moving forward to take Emma's hand, patting it softly. "This girl is the sweetest, most helpful teenager we've had in this place in years!"
Emma smiled, patting her house mother's hand quickly before pulling away gently so as not to hurt the woman's feelings.
"What does that mean for me?" she asked quietly, finally speaking up for herself.
"What it means is that you've been behaving like a troubled teenager for the last year, not like a bottom feeding drug dealer. I have a feeling once the police look into the situation in your bedroom, they'll find no trace of you on the confiscated items. Isn't that correct, Officer Humbert, was it?"
The police officer inclined his head. "It is true that there is no evidence that Miss Swan had any contact with the paraphernalia discovered with the exception of the fact that it was discovered in her private room."
"A room without a lock on the door, as I am led to believe?"
"Aye, there was no lock on the door," he nodded.
"Okay, so what's next?" Killian stepped up next to Emma, looking between lawyer and cop.
"Next," August began, "The police take a closer look at Emma's foster brother, Mr. Cassidy, and his activities of the last year."
Officer Humbert sighed and closed his notebook. "Please forward any notes you have pertaining to this investigation, Mr. Booth," he said, quietly, handing his business card to the lawyer.
"Will do. Oh, and Officer Humbert? The next time you wish to question Miss Swan with regards to this investigation, please ensure that you contact her through my office. She is a minor and under my legal consult, as such, no questions will be answered without my presence."
With a nod, Officer Humbert took August's business card in exchange and excused himself from the house. Once he was gone, August turned to face the teenagers and Emma's guardians.
"Well, he left with his tail between his legs, didn't he?"
Emma giggled slightly, turning to lean into Killian as August began stacking his paperwork and placing it neatly back into his briefcase.
"Will this go to trial, Mr. Booth?" Mary Margaret stepped up, helping August as he cleared David's desk.
"I doubt it. They have nothing on her that isn't entirely circumstantial. The problem is going to be Mr. Cassidy's father if it does turn out Mr. Cassidy is involved. That man is not the nicest individual to go up against, especially on something that involves his son. Honestly, I think there's a good chance that where Emma is concerned, this is just going to go away. Where Mr. Cassidy is concerned, however… well, that's going to be another story. He hasn't done well covering his actions in the last year; he's pretty well known in this area as the go to guy for teenaged fixes."
The small woman breathed a sigh of relief, turning her bright eyes onto Emma and Killian. "That's good news, guys. This could be over a lot faster than we expected."
When Emma's face fell slightly, Mary Margaret stepped forward, smiling at her gently. "What's wrong, Emma? This is good for you."
Emma shrugged, not meeting the woman's eyes. "As much as I want this to just end, I really kinda like it here." Her voice was soft and slightly muffled as she leaned closer to Killian, hiding her face as she flushed pink.
"Oh, Emma," Mary Margaret sighed softly, reaching out to cup her cheek, turning her to look into her eyes. "Just because you're not a criminal doesn't mean you can't stay with us. We have the room, and loving children who have no one else is what we do. You're welcome to stay with us as long as you would like. The children don't move out of here unless we sign the paperwork to release them into a better situation, to some place they can be happy."
Emma nodded quietly, but everyone in the room could tell she didn't believe a word Mary Margaret said. The woman sighed again and shook her head. "Don't worry about believing me now, Emma. The trust will come in time, and that's what we have here, time. Right, David?"
"Whatever you say, dear," he chuckled softly, moving forward to wrap an arm around her waist, pressing a kiss to her head. "No, seriously, Emma. No one's going to kick you out for being a good kid. You'll leave here when you're ready to and not a moment before."
Killian chuckled at the two parental figures, pulling Emma tight to him, squeezing her softly. "Hope you remember that," he grinned, "Y'know, when she's thirty and still living in your attic."
He ducked the fist that was slung at his head and pulled Emma towards the door, laughing. "C'mon, pretty girl, let's go for a walk."
David cleared his throat, calling their attention back to him. "Listen, we're not supposed to let her leave until she's officially cleared in this investigation."
Mary Margaret ran her hand up David's arm, looking up at him with big, pleading eyes. "David, it's just a walk."
He sighed. "However, given that the charges don't look like they're going to stick, I will look the other way, this time. For an hour. Tops."
Mary Margaret gave him a brilliant smile, leaning up to kiss his cheek lightly as Killian and Emma wasted no time in getting out of the house. "You're a good man, David Nolan."
"Yeah, I'm a regular Prince Charming."
~~~TBC~~~
Remember, much like magic all muses come with a price. This muse's price is that little review box down below. Please don't make her chase you for payment, it seems a bloody awful waste of her time, wouldn't you agree?
