Title: A Life of It

Author: Roguie etc…

Part: 17/?

Fandom: Once Upon a Time

Characters: Emma/Killian

World: AU Modern

Rating: T

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: Well. This is literally the tamest thing I have *ever* written in my life. For those of you who wanted me to keep this T, well I thank you for the new experience lol! For those of you who wanted me to up this to M… you're up next. You can choose to read this official chapter entry to this fic, or you can follow my profile to read the separate outtake version of this chapter. www fanfiction net/s/11355249/1/A-Life-of-It-Part-17-Mature-Post Your choice. :) This is also the longest chapter to date for this fic, both T rated and M rated, coming in at a minimum of 5k words. Looks like our kids are growing up folks… maybe three parts left before this is over… she's winding up quickly now. Don't forget to let me know what you think – and which version you read because I'd love to hear back from both sides. You guys keep me empowered to write, even if I suck and haven't said thank you to everyone this week. Know that your every review, like, favorite, follow, etc make me a very happy girl. Always.

~~~?~~~

The night before Emma's sixteenth birthday, Killian Jones was nowhere to be found. His shift at the marina ended at ten that evening, but beyond a simple text wishing Emma a good night, he disappeared. Neither Emma nor Liam received a call that evening, his bed hadn't been slept in when Liam went to rouse him for school the next morning, and his jeep hadn't been in its parking spot at any point during the night.

If he hadn't been eighteen years old and spent enough time on his own to know how to take care of himself, Liam would have been concerned. Instead, he shot a text to his little brother at seven in the morning.

"If a man were to be looking for his little brother, where would he set his gaze?"

It took a solid ten minutes before his phone chirped a reply.

"Marina."

Liam lifted his brow and shook his head. "Didn't know they had you working over night."

Another ten minutes passed.

"Just finishing. Can you bring me clothes? I'll be late to pick up Emma if I have to come home first."

"I'll be wanting an explanation," Liam texted back.

"And you'll have one when you arrive, just hurry."

~~~?~~~

Finding Killian at the marina was harder than Liam would have expected. He wasn't at the dock master's where Liam had expected to find him, nor was he at the bait and tackle shop. He had to ask several of the other workers before finally being directed to a covered dock in the very back of the marina.

Walking into the building, Liam instantly understood. Growling curses filled the space, the scent of veneer and paint filled the small space, and finally he ducked with a laugh as a paintbrush came flying out of the dim lighting and nearly struck his head.

"Killian Jones!" He called out through his laughter. "At ease, little brother, before you decapitate the one person willing to assist you through whatever this debacle is before me!"

Killian's exhausted face appeared over the railing of the small ship he was currently fighting to get into the water. His face was lined with the proof he'd not slept a wink the night previous, splotches of paint decorated his wrinkled clothing, his hair stood up in all directions, glued in place by the paint and varnish he'd had on his hands while running his fingers through it in frustration, and his eyes flashed dark with the amount of pressure he'd placed on himself.

"Quit barking at me, then, and help me get her afloat," Killian ground out, steadying the boat with strained muscles as Liam dropped what he was carrying into the corner and moved over to assist. Together they were able to roll the stubborn sailboat off her lifts and into the water, securing her easily to the covered dock.

Once the little ship was floating peacefully against her moors, both Jones brothers stepped back to give her a once over.

"Well done, little brother," Liam murmured in appreciation.

Six months before, Killian had come to Liam with pictures of the wrecked little sailboat that was for sale at the marina. Liam initially had rolled his eyes at the idea of Killian buying the 21' boat, but even he had to admit that the $3500 price tag on the little gem was too good to pass up. Together they had gone over the ship from bow to stern, the amount of work necessary to get her sea worthy daunting, but Killian had insisted he was up to the task of putting her back together. Liam had initially put the money down, Killian paying him back paycheck by paycheck until the little boat was entirely his own. After that, every paycheck went to supplies for putting her back together. The goal was to have her complete for Emma's birthday. Killian had been hinting at her surprise since the day he and Liam signed the papers for the boat, and Killian wanted it for this day so badly. It was something that was just for them, Killian and Emma, where they could escape from their lives together on the water, even if it was only for little periods of time here and there.

Killian breathed a slow sigh of relief. His exhaustion was obvious in the forward slump of his shoulders, but a quick glance at the clock told him he had no time to spare. With a quick nod of thanks at his brother, Killian grabbed the bag Liam brought him and ducked to the back of the docks where a small bathroom and shower was available to those who kept ships docked nearby. The hot water helped to restore some of his energy, even though he made it the quickest shower he'd had in his life, and he threw on the fresh clothing, running a hand through his wet hair to put it in some kind of acceptable state, before packing up his dirty stuff and ducking back out into the dock.

"You going to make it through the day, little brother?" Liam asked with a smile.

"Find me a steady supply of coffee to get me going, and the rest I'll leave to adrenaline," he grinned back.

"So I'll not be expecting you home tonight, either?"

Killian shrugged. "Perhaps, perhaps not. I've stocked the cabin on the boat, just in case."

"And you've advised David and Mary Margaret?" Liam prompted.

Killian chuckled. "They know my birthday present to our girl is to take her out on her boat. I've been advised that as it is her sixteenth birthday, concessions will be made. Going forward, I'm not to assume the concessions made for this night are in play for our future sailing expeditions." He recited David's instructions to him so perfectly that Liam started laughing.

"Did he have you memorize that?"

"I had to sign a binding agreement."

"You're joking?"

Killian laughed outright, slapping his brother on the back as they threw his bag into the jeep, and Killian slipped into the driver's seat. "Yeah, I'm joking, brother. David's not happy, but Mary Margaret insisted that he allow us tonight."

Liam cleared his throat, suddenly looking uncomfortable, a slight pink hue staining his cheeks. "Now, I'm not going to pretend I don't have an understanding of what you're planning for the night, Killian, and as your guardian I feel it necessary to ask… am I correct in assuming that you do have the non-sailing safety aspects covered as well?"

"Wow, really?" Killian tried desperately to keep his lips from twitching as he watched his brother shift from foot to foot, not meeting his gaze.

"I'd be remiss in my duties as your guardian if I didn't inquire," Liam hedged again, clearing his throat as he suddenly found the nearest moored ship intensely interesting.

"Liam, perhaps I'm missing the point of this conversation," Killian teased, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Are you asking me if I packed the cabin with condoms?"

"Jesus wept, Killian!" Liam groaned, covering his eyes for a moment before staring straight out over the marina.

Killian burst out laughing, shaking his head. "We're covered, Liam, no need to have an aneurism. Even if I didn't know what I was doing, David threatened enough body parts if I brought her home pregnant that I would have figured it out by now."

"Thank God for that," his brother intoned, shaking his head.

"I appreciate the concern, Liam," Killian said truthfully, "And I don't mean to bail on you but I've got less than a half hour to get clear across the city or I'll be late to pick her up."

"Go," Liam waved behind him, indicating Killian to leave, all without turning around to face him. "And wish the girl a happy birthday for me, she deserves it."

~~~?~~~

True to his word, Killian ran on adrenaline through most of the day; he started to lag through last period, his chin tipping down, his eyes growing heavy, but he battled the weariness hard. Knowing that David and Mary Margaret wanted at least some time with Emma, he drove her home after class, leaving her on her doorstep with a sweet, gentle kiss and a promise to return for her at eight that night.

He made it as far as the sofa at his and Liam's apartment before he closed his eyes and passed out cold.

~~~?~~~

He was torn away from dreams of Emma's sweet kisses, her gentle touch, as he unceremoniously hit the living room floor, arms splayed out dramatically, the sense of falling not as easy to shake off as one would make it seem.

"What the hell?!" he yelped, sitting up and rubbing his forehead where it had bounced off the wooden floor.

"Your alarm's been going off for a half an hour; you could at least thank me for not allowing you to sleep through the entire night," Liam growled, humor dancing in his eyes as he peered over the back of the sofa and down at his brother on the floor.

"So you chose to break my nose?" Killian groused miserably, sweeping a finger over his phone to silence the alarm that had failed to wake him.

"Figured you'd rather a broken nose than a pretty girl with a broken heart," Liam lifted an eyebrow, held his gaze for a moment to ensure he was awake, and then returned to the kitchen where he had a pot of coffee hot and ready.

Killian glanced at the time, and realizing it was almost seven thirty he hissed out a sharp curse. "Fuck, thank you!"

He leaped to his feet, dashing into his bedroom. Liam heard the shower come on a short time later, turn off only minutes after that, and then laughed to himself at the cursing and rustling that came of Killian doing his best to rush. When he appeared again, he was dressed in black slacks and a royal blue dress shirt, the top two buttons opened but the cuffs done tight at his wrists. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, a rose in his teeth, and his eyes flashed undying gratitude as Liam handed him a thermos full of fresh coffee for the drive.

"You have your dinner arrangements made?"

Killian nodded. "Yep, loaded a mini fridge into the cabin this morning, completely stocked. It's plugged into the marina for the moment, but it'll work off turbine energy once we get underway."

"Good show," Liam nodded, impressed. "Flowers?"

Killian flushed but grinned. "In vases all over the cabin."

"Nice. Gift?"

Killian paused. "The boat is her gift."

Liam laughed and slapped his shoulder, knocking the boy forward a step. "It's her sixteenth birthday, little brother, you'll want to have something for her that is hers alone."

Killian panicked silently, his eyes flashing his sudden uncertainty as Liam shook his head and moved across the apartment. In moments the older man returned with a small jewelry box. He opened it, showing Killian the several small pieces of glitter within. "The old man died a few years back. When they cleaned out his house, they discovered that he'd been hoarding all of Mum's stuff. I've a few other things set aside in storage, but maybe your girl would like something from here."

Taking a quick second to text Emma that he was running a little late but that he'd be there shortly, Killian sat down on the sofa with the little box in his lap. He knew the piece he'd be giving her the moment he lifted the lid, but he took his time and picked through each item within. He smiled as he lifted necklaces he remembered his mum always wearing, frowned as he ran his fingers over broaches he'd swear he'd not seen in his entire life, and chewed his lip as he pondered the small drawer of rings and bracelets.

"It'll be the first, won't it?" Liam asked with a gentle smile, sitting beside Killian and lifting the piece in question out without any tease in his voice.

Killian nodded quietly, knowing no other piece in the box said what that one did. It wasn't anything big or ostentatious, it wasn't anything she could show off for the expense of it, it wasn't even anything particularly unique, but it said it all. Liam handed Killian a small ring box and the little pearl promise ring that his mother wore every day until her fingers grew too thin and she was at risk of losing it.

"She'd be happy you've found someone to wear that ring, Killian," Liam said quietly, already prepared with a piece of silver wrapping paper and a bit of tape to decorate the box. "That ring was the first piece of jewelry Pop gave Mum. She wasn't much older than your Emma." He sighed. "Y'know, little brother, you were too young to remember the good times, before she got sick, before she left us. We were a pretty happy family in those days. She loved us, and she loved Pop, more than you could remember. He just broke after… he wasn't strong enough to stay together after she died. Hell, maybe he broke before she died but we were so wrapped up in our own fear and then our own grief to see it. I… I just want you to remember that this ring was given to her with a lot of love. She'll be happy to see it go to someone for the same reason. That's all."

Killian's jaw twitched, a lifetime of anger and hatred held against his father had built a wall around his heart when it came to acceptance of his past, but he knew his brother well enough to hear the truth in his words. "Would she have liked Emma?" he asked quietly as he carefully wrapped the little gift.

"Y'know, I think she would have. Your girl has been through more than enough to break a person but here she stands, willing to trust that history will not repeat itself. I can see a bit of our mum in your Emma: her strength, her will to fight for herself no matter how hopeless something seems, the way she loves you without holding back anything of herself. You picked a pretty good one, brother."

"One that's liable to leave me bleeding if I don't get going," Killian added wryly, bouncing the little box in the palm of his hand, offering his brother a thankful grin.

"Right, well, off with you, then. It isn't very good form to keep a lady waiting."

The heavy moment broken, Killian punched his brother's shoulder lightly, grabbed his bag, and headed out the door.

~~~?~~~

She knew where they were the moment he helped her out of the jeep, the scent of fish and sea salt in the air unmistakable.

"Why are we at the marina?"

"Y'know, Emmie, the idea behind a surprise is to be surprised, not be told in advanced so that you're suitably prepared."

"Don't be a smart ass."

"Don't be impatient."

"I can't see a thing like this!"

"Again, that's the point of a blindfold, love."

"Yeah, well when do I get to blindfold you?"

Killian's response was a deep throaty chuckle full of intent. "All you've ever had to do was ask, pretty girl."

He pointed her in the direction of his dock, laughing as she continued to grumble under her breath. "I'll show you blindfolds… and handcuffs, too, smart ass. Betcha if I ask, I could even get David's taser. That'd show you the point I'd be about to make."

Killian burst into laughter and she found herself pulled into an energetic hug before he opened a door and helped her through. "You have been reading too many dirty books, Emma Swan."

"I wouldn't have to read about it if my boyfriend weren't such a prude." She muttered pointedly.

He chuckled again, nudging his shoulder into hers, his voice teasing. "I told you, I have plans for us. Preferably without handcuffs and intentional pain the first time, but I'll see what I can do going forward."

Leaving her standing facing their little boat, Killian quickly moved to a nearby switch, flipping it on and grinning wide as the boarding plank, the rails and the mast lit up with the strings of white tea lights he'd so carefully put in place over night. He was back at her side in an instant, wrapping his arms around her and leaning his chin on her shoulder. "Are you ready to see your surprise, Em?"

She nodded eagerly, lifting her hands to her blindfold, but Killian stopped them with his damaged hand, holding hers lightly as he raised his good hand to her face, trailing a single finger over her cheek before slipping the piece of cloth off her eyes.

She blinked quickly as her sight began to return, adjusting to the dark dock with the bright shock of lights just in front of her. Her head cocked to the side in confusion as she took in the sight of the little sailboat floating only a few feet in front of her.

"Um, okay?"

Killian chuckled softly, moving her slightly so that she could clearly see the little square of tea lights that he'd placed around the careful paint job he'd done on the sailboat's new name.

Pretty Girl

K.J.

"Oh!" Her eyes flew wide as it hit home what he was showing her. "You bought a boat?!"

He grinned. "I bought us a boat."

"And you named it after me?"

He shrugged. "My freedom should be named for my future, don't you think," he winked at her, watching as she flew forward and up the little boarding plank, onto the little ship. "Everything looks so new, how… how could you afford this?"

His grin grew even wider. "It bloody well better… I've put months of work into her, took her from little more than a wreck into this beauty. I finished her up this morning and Liam helped get her into the water. What… what do you think?"

"I think it's beautiful, Killian!"

He gave her a lopsided grin, glancing down a little shyly as he came aboard, scratching at the back of his ear. "Yeah? Really or are you just saying so, because I thought I did a pretty good job, overall, and I got to looking… did you know I can take courses at the college… if… well, y'know, if I'm good at it. I took before and after pictures of the Pretty Girl to send in with my application."

Emma turned to face him, her eyes shining brightly. "Are you serious?"

Killian blinked, looking more and more uncertain. "Um, yeah, if… if you don't think it's too dumb. I mean, it's just a trade but there's a good job market for when I graduate and… well… I liked doing it." His voice trailed off and his throat bobbed visibly as he swallowed nervously.

Emma threw herself across the small deck and into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Killian, that's great! You've found what you want to do! Do you know how awesome that is? I mean, everyone talks about what they want to do after high school and they all go and take all sorts of courses at college, but no one ever really knows, and you know! You're going to do great at it!"

Killian flushed red, but his blue eyes sparkled and he hugged her back softly. "If I get accepted, you mean."

"You'll be accepted, I know you will. I mean look at this boat! You can't tell me that any other 18 year old applying for their program is this good without any formal training. They'd be idiots to not take you."

"Want to come with me, pretty girl?" he asked quietly, brushing his lips over hers in a light kiss.

"What, to college?"

He shrugged, offering her a soft grin. "Yeah, why not?" As he spoke he moved to the side of the ship and began releasing the moorings, pushing off the dock and using the natural current to allow them to drift free of the building into open water. As they were drifting, he began raising the sails, readying the little boat to catch the wind when they were free of entrapment.

"I'm not sure I really know what I want to do."

Killian shrugged, grinning as he moved to the small engine that would give him control of their drift out of harbor. It started easily and within moments they were underway. "Really, no idea at all, Em?" he teased softly, knowing that even if she didn't know right that moment what she wanted to do, she had an idea.

"Well," she hedged, moving to sit near him as he directed them into the open water. "I guess, maybe… something like David does?"

"Security in a foster home?" he teased harder, pushing her with his good humor just a little further.

"Maybe… or maybe, y'know, be that person they call to find the foster care run-a-ways? I… I think I'd be good at that, and I'd be helping kids like us."

Killian grinned widely and nodded. "So foster care private investigator. I bet if you ask David and Mary Margaret, they'd at least be able to lead you in the right direction for a course load."

"Yeah?"

"Why not? Someone has to do it, and if you think you'd like it, then go for it." He gave her a sweet little lopsided grin as the coastline disappeared into the darkness behind them. "But hey, it's just a thought right? It's not like we have to figure out our entire future tonight. We'll try what we want to and if that doesn't work, we'll try something else."

"That sounds pretty simplistic," she murmured, gazing off into the night, doubt creeping into her voice.

"Life doesn't always have to be hard," he murmured in return, cutting the engine and moving to the sail, letting it drop into place and tying it off, catching the wind just right for the little ship to pick up speed and move forward, cutting through the waves with barely any effort.

They sailed in silence for quite some time, watching as the stars and the moon rose around them, as the night grew late.

"If you're hungry, I packed supplies in the fridge downstairs."

Emma's eyes shot to his, surprise evident in her eyes. "There's a downstairs?"

Killian bit back his sharp bark of laughter as he shook his head at himself. "I forgot to give you the tour," he explained, chuckling. Quickly he pulled in the sail, letting their little boat drift with the tide as he tied down the canvas securely. Once the sails were secure, he lowered a small sea anchor he'd fashioned to slow their drift and reconnected the tea lights from the mast to the bow and stern, giving some visibility to their small craft while he took her below.

As the Pretty Girl was only just over twenty feet, the small cabin beneath the deck wasn't much to brag about, but still, Killian was proud. There was a tiny head and shower that lay separated from the living area by a thin wall; it sat next to a space that was designated for the galley. Their fridge was only knee height but it hummed along happily with the residual energy the kinetic turbine had gathered while they were cutting through the water. When that energy ran dry, the remaining electricity would be provided from the store of large batteries hooked up to the generator that he'd painstakingly installed the night before. The center of the cabin was a small sitting area, bench seating that subbed for a sofa, two tables that folded down from the cabin walls, and a privacy wall that was currently folded open, displaying the double mattress built into the bow of the craft, surrounded by built in shelving units.

Killian's grin was unstoppable as Emma stepped towards the sleeping area and gasped at the sight of all the vases of roses he'd placed around the bed. The room was scented by dozens of roses in different colors: red, white, yellow, pink, purple. The soft comforter on the bed was layered in petals, the excess forming a small path on the floor from the stairs to the foot of the bed.

"Killian!" she breathed softly, tears in her green eyes as she turned to face him.

"Happy birthday, pretty girl," he whispered in return, stepping into the room behind her, pulling her against him, stealing the breath from her lungs with a slow, sweet kiss. He led her to the small bed without intention, sitting her on the edge amongst the purple petals. "Better than a silly bouquet of weeds?" he smiled at her through his lashes as he knelt at her knees.

She cupped the side of his face lightly. "Nothing will ever be better than that bouquet of beautiful flowers that I treasured, but this, this is a very close second."

Killian licked his lips softly and leaned forward to pull her little gift from his jacket pocket. "When you get this you're going to panic, but I swear it's not what it looks like." He paused, looked down at himself and chuckled while he shook his head. "Okay, I'm not helping matters down on my knees, either. But I swear it's not what you're going to think. It… it's not new, but honestly? It was my mum's, and she prized it, Em. Now I want you to have it as my promise to you that I will never break your heart the way I did so many years ago. I'm gonna fuck up, Emmie, I know I will, but I promise that no matter how hard I fuck up, I will never hurt you like I did. I will never voluntarily leave your side. You will never be alone again unless you want to be. You are important to me, you are so important to me, and I will work every single day making sure you don't have the opportunity to forget that. I love you, Em."

He leaned forward and stole another kiss from her warm lips as he pressed the little wrapped ring box into her hands. He watched her with wide, earnest eyes as she unwrapped the delicate paper Liam had chosen, and opened the little box. She gasped softly, taking the little pearl and silver ring from its case and held the delicate ring in trembling fingers as tears started a fresh path down her pink cheeks.

"Killian, it's so beautiful," she murmured softly, immediately slipping it onto her ring finger, marveling at the perfect fit. "How could you possibly pick something so perfect?" she whispered, eyes never leaving the antique pearl.

"Liam helped," he admitted sheepishly.

It was in that moment, his eyes hooded with embarrassment, her eyes glazed with hot tears, that they knew everything, absolutely everything was at their fingertips for the taking.

Killian didn't question when her hands came up to cup his face. He didn't pull back when she pulled him to her lips to reward him with sweet little kisses that soon turned into much, much more. He didn't try to stop her when she leaned back, pulling him with her so that he was settled against her warm little body, his hands and hers free to explore vast expanses of warmth while their little ship rocked with the waves beneath them.

They hadn't started out seeking perfection from each others bodies, so when the first time they came together resulted not only in sharp gasps and soft moans but in giggles that made them both blush and shrieks of protest as one captured the other and demanded a second chance, not a single moment had been ruined.

The whole experience was perfect for them, Emma and Killian, with nothing looming over their heads to take away their breathy laughter, or the absolute security they found laying in each others arms while they dreamed away the night together.

~~~?~~~

When Emma woke very early the next morning, she had a moment of panic when she found herself alone in the small bed, Killian's footsteps overhead clearly heard through the thin deck. She frowned and nibbled at her lip, wrapping the white sheet around her body and beginning the short trip to the deck, dragging petals the whole way to the stairs. She had to laugh when she popped out from below, watching as a nearly nude Killian pulled their sea anchor from the water, draining the small chute before rolling it and storing it beneath the stern. She watched him with her hands over her mouth as he leaned over to ensure their engine blades were clear, sputtering when a larger than normal wave sent water over the railing and soaked him clear through his shorts.

He looked up when he heard her laughter, his own blue eyes sparkling with mirth. Her hands went up in defense as his wet body cleared the distance between them, lifting her up and out of her sheet, shrieking the entire way as he tossed her naked over his shoulder and hauled her down the stairs into their cabin, away from the world that would return with the rise of the sun.

"You are such a pirate!"she shrieked as she bounced on the small mattress, having only a moment to catch her breath before he was upon her, stealing hot wet kisses from her lips between her gulping intakes of air.

Slowly he drew an X over her heart with his finger, tracing the invisible lines with his lips before smirking up at her from between the valley of her breasts. "What's a pirate who's already found the treasure he wants?"

She drew him up to meet her kiss, catching his gaze seriously before they lost themselves between the sheets once more.

"Happy," was her simple, serious reply.

For once lacking the words to properly speak what lived in his heart, Killian Jones allowed his body to show his pretty girl exactly how much he agreed.

~~~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?