Title: Love & Lies

Author: Steph aka CaptainSwanLuver

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Killian/Emma

Characters: Killian, Emma, August, Belle, Robin, Gold, Regina

Category: Romance/Drama/Humor

Disclaimer: I do this out of a love for this couple. No infringement is intended.

Spoilers: Nope!

Summary: Emma Swan is the star of the failing soap "Love & Lies". Killian Jones is the star of their rival soap. In order to raise ratings, Killian is hired to star on Emma's soap. They immediately clash. Will sparks fly too?

Note: Thanks for the responses to the last part and my one-shot Pieces of You! Hope you enjoy this part! ~Steph

…Love & Lies: Part 4/11…

Killian and Emma sat in awkward silence the entire way to her house. Once there, they got out and he walked her to her door.

Emma gestured to her house. "Well, this is me. Home safe and sound. Your duty is done."

"Can I come in?" he asked.

Her brow raised. "Why?"

"I'd like to see your home."

She sighed. "I told you, nothing is going to happen between us."

The truth was, Killian knew nothing would happen between them, but he didn't want the night to end.

"I know. You've made that clear. I have a code when it comes to the women I'm with, Emma. I don't pursue another man's woman unless she wants to be pursued."

Emma chuckled. "Well, aren't you just a prince."

His voice softened. "Maybe I'm just enjoying spending time with you outside of work and I don't want it to end."

Emma sucked in a breath. She had to admit she was enjoying getting to know him too, but she wasn't sure she would be able to resist him if he came inside.

"One cup of coffee," he said. "And then I'll go. I promise."

"Fine," Emma agreed, as she unlocked the door.

Killian followed behind her, nodding his approval at the Spanish style home. "Your home is beautiful."

"Thank you."

Emma walked into the kitchen and Killian took a seat at the large granite island.

"How do you like your coffee?" she asked, as she put a pot on.

"Just black."

A few minutes later, Emma handed him the mug of coffee and then went into the living room. She kicked off her heels and sat down on the couch with her own cup of coffee. Killian sat down beside her.

He took a sip of the coffee and grimaced.

"Too strong?" she asked.

Killian shook his head. "No, it's just the most dreadful cup of coffee I've ever had."

Emma narrowed her eyes at him. "You're British. You know tea. What do you know about coffee?"

Killian moved closer to her, his eyes staring into hers. "I know what I like, Emma."

Emma felt her breath catch in her chest at his closeness. She put her mug down on the coffee table and reached for the remote. She flipped the TV on and then scooted away from him, planting herself in the corner of the couch.

Killian licked at his lips, as he continued to drink the coffee.

Emma stared at the TV. "You don't have to drink it, you know."

"You took the time to make it for me, so I'm going to drink it."

Killian took his time sipping the awful liquid, as he stared in silence at some infomercial on the screen. His eyes moved from the TV to scan the living room. She had very few personal items. There weren't any family photos. No pictures of her and August together. The only photo he did see was one of her and Belle.

"I don't see any photos of your family. Are you close?"

Emma's jaw clenched. "Belle is like family to me."

Killian sighed. "Bloody hell, Emma. You made an exception to let me share some of my personal history with you. Can't you make the same exception to share a little of your personal history with me?"

Emma met his eyes. She could see he was sincere. He was genuinely interested in getting to know her. It wasn't a ploy to get her into bed.

"My parents abandoned me when I was a baby. I grew up in foster care," she replied softly.

Killian's eyes grew wide in surprise. "I'm sorry. I had no idea."

"I don't like to talk about it," she said, making clear the discussion would end there.

He nodded. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I'm glad you found someone like Belle to fill that hole in your life."

Emma returned her eyes to the television. "It's not a hole that ever gets filled. You just learn to live with it."

Killian stared at her for a long moment. He knew there was a lot more to Emma Swan than he originally thought.

He turned his eyes back to the television, as they sat in an uncomfortable silence. After a few moments, he heard a sound come from his right. He turned to look and found Emma's head resting on the arm of the couch, as she snored quite loudly.

He smiled, amazed that something so loud and unbecoming could come from someone so beautiful. He set the mug down on the table and pulled the afghan from the back of the couch.

He placed it over her and then whispered, "Sweet dreams, Emma."

He then stood up and walked out.

…

Emma felt the sun on her face and then a wicked headache the moment she opened her eyes. She blinked a few times, realizing she was still on the couch and still wearing her clothes from the night before. She noticed the afghan covering her and smiled, realizing Killian must have covered her before he left.

Emma was startled by the doorbell and a pounding at the door. She squeezed her eyes closed. Her head was throbbing and the noise was not helping.

She walked to the door and opened it, surprised to find August standing behind it.

Her brow furrowed, as she patted at her unruly hair and squinted at the bright sun. "August? What are you doing here?"

His eyes scanned her. "What am I doing here? We were supposed to meet for breakfast an hour ago. You didn't answer your phone, so I was worried something had happened to you."

"Oh, sorry," she said, allowing him inside and closing the door behind him.

He walked into the living room, noticing her appearance, the heels in the middle of the room, the TV on, the afghan crumpled on the couch, and the two mugs on the table.

"What's going on, Emma? Why are you still wearing your clothes from last night?"

Emma bit at her lower lip nervously. "Well, I was with Belle at the bar last night and then Robin and Killian showed up. I had a little too much to drink and Robin and Belle had to leave early so Killian saw me home."

August's jaw tightened. "He was here with you."

"He had a cup of coffee, I fell asleep, and he left," she said.

"And that's it?" he asked.

"Of course," Emma said. "Nothing happened, August. He was actually a gentleman for once."

August nodded. "Well, I suppose that's good to hear. I'm glad he saw you home safely."

"I made it clear to him nothing would happen between us."

"I hope the message was received."

"He said he had a code. He doesn't pursue another man's woman unless she wants to be pursued."

"Am I supposed to find that comforting?" he asked sharply.

Emma smiled and placed a kiss to his lips. "It doesn't matter because you have nothing to worry about. Sure, I may have seen another side to him last night and got some insight into why he is the way he is, but I'm sure he'll be driving me up the wall again in no time at all."

August took a step back from her. "You know, for someone who claims not to be able to stand the man, you sure do talk about him a lot."

"What?"

"Everyday since he came onto the show all I've heard is Killian did this, Killian did that."

"Yes, because he annoys the hell out of me."

"Does he really, Emma? Or do you secretly enjoy the attention he gives you? Do you like that spark you get from sparring with him?"

Emma's mouth hung open. "I don't understand what you mean."

"You never argue with me, Emma. You just agree with whatever I say. And I know the last thing you are is a doormat, so I've always wondered why."

Emma's brow furrowed. "Let me get this straight. You're upset because I don't fight with you?"

August sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "No, I'm upset because you don't care enough to fight with me."

"So we're fighting about not fighting right now? This is the most ridiculous argument I've ever been a part of."

He shook his head. "You don't get it. When it comes to me, there's no passion from you. You're passionate about your work. You'll fight to the death for your character or for a storyline. And I see the passion in your eyes every time you talk about Killian. But with me, there's nothing."

Emma felt her throat begin to burn. "You're easygoing. I like that you balance me out. I don't feel the need to fight with you and I think that's a good thing. I don't know what you want from me, August."

August dropped his eyes. "I want you to care more about me and our relationship than you do your job and the man you claim you can't stand."

With that, August turned on his heel and walked out the door.

Emma stood rooted to her spot, wondering what had just happened.

…

Emma hid behind her sunglasses as she entered her dressing room. Luckily, she had an early afternoon call time.

"Good afternoon," Killian greeted her.

Emma brought a hand up to her head. "Why are you shouting?"

"Appears someone can't hold her alcohol."

"I don't usually drink that much and it was on an empty stomach," she said, as she stumbled to the couch.

"Well, love, you better pull yourself together quickly. We're needed on set in a half hour."

He held a Styrofoam container up to her.

"Grilled cheese and onion rings. Your favorite. Just what a hangover calls for."

Killian made it a point to notice things about Emma. She revealed so little about herself to him that he knew it was the only way to get to know her.

Emma waved her hand at him and didn't take the container. "Stop."

"Stop what?" he asked, his brow wrinkling in confusion.

"Stop being nice to me. Stop bringing me my favorite foods, and seeing me home safely, and covering me with an afghan. Just stop."

"Isn't that what friends do?"

"We're not friends."

Killian sucked in a breath. "My apologies. I was hoping we had turned a corner last night, but perhaps I was mistaken."

"You were," she spat out. "August showed up at my house this morning looking for me because I was late for our breakfast date. He found me in my clothes from last night and I had to explain what happened."

"I assume you told him nothing happened between us."

"I did and then he proceeded to make ridiculous statements like I don't care enough about our relationship to fight with him and that I am not passionate about us."

Killian dropped his eyes.

"What?" she snapped.

"I think he hit the nail on the head, Emma."

Emma's eyes flared and she stood up abruptly. "I should have known better than to let my guard down with you last night. You told me about Milah and I thought that maybe I had misjudged you, but I see now that this was all a part of your plan."

"My plan? What in bloody hell are you talking about?"

"You wanted me to see you as this broken guy who's been unfairly judged all of these years."

Killian gritted his teeth. "I told you the truth, Emma. I've never told another woman that before."

She dropped her eyes. "Whether it was the truth or not, doesn't matter. You're interfering in my relationship now. I was right to want to keep things purely professional between us."

Killian stepped closer to her. "That's not what this is about. You've been attracted to me from the start and you couldn't hide it anymore when we kissed on set. But you told yourself that it didn't matter because that's all it was. It was just an attraction. There could never be any real feelings there. But then last night you let yourself feel something for me and it scared the hell out of you."

Emma shook her head. "Believe what you want. Even if I did, it doesn't matter, does it? I have a boyfriend and you don't do relationships. You won't risk your heart, remember?"

Killian felt his heart beating wildly. He had never felt like this before. No woman, not even Milah, had ever evoked such feelings in him.

He came so close to her she could feel his breath on her skin. Killian brought his hand up to caress her face.

"Maybe I've just been waiting for the right woman to risk it for," he said softly.

Emma swallowed hard and stepped back from him, breaking contact.

"I need you to leave."

Killian sighed loudly. It was a huge step for him to admit that he wanted a relationship with a woman. And not just any woman, but her. It felt like a knife to the heart to have her reject him.

He felt his chest begin to tighten and he barely got the words out. "This is my dressing room too."

Emma blinked back tears. "Please, just go."

Killian dropped his head, as he spun around and left the room. Emma moved to the couch and placed her hands over her face, as she felt her tears come in full force.

No man had ever stirred feelings in her like Killian Jones.

…

A half hour later, Emma had managed to pull herself together. She arrived on set, but stopped in her tracks when she spotted Killian talking to one of the women who played a model on the show. Her name was Fiona. She watched as Fiona handed her phone to Killian and he punched his number in. He then offered her a grin, his hand brushing her arm. Emma felt her fists clench.

"Careful, you're turning green," she heard in her ear.

Emma turned around to face Belle. "What?"

"Jealousy. It was written all over your face," Belle said.

"That's ridiculous. And I'm still mad at you for ditching me, by the way."

"I had to get up early."

"Yes, but you didn't have to insist I stay with Killian."

"Why? Did something happen?" Belle asked.

Emma nodded, her voice softening. "Yes, the worst possible thing. I saw him as more than a womanizer. I saw the man beneath the carefully crafted facade."

"Why is that a bad thing?"

"Because I was having a hard enough time resisting him when I thought it was just an attraction."

"I told you it was more, Emma."

"I know you did. And, to make matters worse, things are all weird with August now."

"What happened with him?"

"He thinks I don't have any passion for him or our relationship."

Belle dropped her gaze.

Emma's eyes widened. "Do you believe that too?"

"Do you love him, Emma?" Belle asked.

"We've been together for five years. He treats me well and we get along great. I care for him a lot."

"That's not what I asked."

Emma lowered her eyes, but didn't respond.

Belle shrugged. "Emma, you have to admit that there has never been any spark between you two. August is a nice guy and he loves you, but you're with him because he's safe. There's no danger of getting your heart broken because you know you'll never be in love with him."

"I can't believe I'm the only one who didn't realize I was doing that all this time," Emma replied softly.

Belle rubbed her arm comfortingly. "No one blames you, Emma. You've been through a lot. It's understandable that you would be afraid to open your heart again."

"I guess Killian and I have that in common. He swore off relationships when his girlfriend was killed in an accident."

"That's awful."

"Yeah, it is. I guess we've both been hiding for a long time."

Belle nodded. "Emma, you've been with August five years and you've refused to live with him and marry him. What does that tell you? August deserves to be with a woman who can give herself to him completely, who will love him the way he loves her. If you can't do that, then you need to let him go."

Emma nodded. This wasn't fair to any of them. She had been scared for too long and all it had gotten her was lonely nights. Even with August, she always felt alone.

Killian was willing to take a risk on her. She knew it was time she took a risk too. She knew it was time she took a risk on him.

Emma slowly bobbed her head. "You're right. This isn't fair to August."

"Especially when you have feelings for someone else," Belle said.

Emma inhaled deeply. "I need to talk to Killian."

Belle smiled and took her hand. She squeezed it. "I'm proud of you."

Emma managed a weak smile, before walking over to Killian, who was still flirting with the model.

"Can we talk for a second?" she asked him.

"I'm a little busy," he replied, purposely not looking at her.

"It's important," she said.

"Will you excuse me?" Killian said to Fiona.

"Of course," she replied.

Killian followed Emma to a corner of the set. "What's so important?" he snapped.

Emma almost lost her nerve when she heard his tone and noticed the cold look in his eyes.

She nervously licked at her lips. "I…I wanted to apologize. You were right about everything you said earlier. I'm…I'm going to break it off with August."

Emma let out a sigh of relief as the words left her lips.

Killian nodded, his expression remaining stoic. "You should do what's best for you."

"That's it?" she asked, her brow lifting in surprise and confusion.

"What do you expect me to say, Emma?"

Emma took a deep breath. "Killian, I'm saying that you were right about what's between us. It's more than an attraction. This isn't easy for me, but….I'd like to see where this goes. I'd like to see what we can become."

Emma felt her heart racing as she stood there waiting for his response. She felt like she had just handed him her heart after so many years of hiding it away.

He shook his head, his eyes not meeting hers. "I don't think that would be wise."

Emma's felt her heart drop into her stomach. "What? Thirty minutes ago, you stood in front of me and said that maybe you've just been waiting for the right woman to risk your heart for."

Killian nodded, his voice emerging softly, as he met her eyes. "Well, maybe I need to keep waiting."

Emma's mouth fell open. "What? I don't understand."

Killian shook his head. "I can't risk my heart for a woman I know will break it."

Emma sucked in a ragged breath, as he dropped his eyes again. She felt like she was in a nightmare. This couldn't be happening. Not after she finally decided to risk her heart again.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a scene to do and then a date to get ready for," he said.

Emma's shock turned to anger. She knew she had made a mistake taking a chance on him.

Her eyes flared, as she pointed at Fiona. "Her? You're going out with her?"

"Please keep your voice down," Killian said.

She shook her head. "No, I will do no such thing. I should have known you weren't serious about changing. And you obviously don't have very high standards. My bra size is bigger than her IQ and I have shoes older than her."

"Maybe so," he whispered, as all eyes turned to them. "But at least she doesn't jerk people around and stomp on their feelings."

Emma stood there in shock as he walked away from her. Belle watched the scene unfold and came to stand in front of her best friend.

"What happened?"

"He doesn't want to be with me," Emma said softly.

Belle shook her head. "I don't believe that, Emma. I see the way he looks at you."

"He said he can't be with a woman he knows will break his heart."

Belle touched her arm. "You just need to give him some time."

Emma scoffed, as she gestured at Fiona. "Time to do what? Sleep with yet another woman? Maybe I was wrong. Maybe there's nothing more to him."

"I don't believe that. You need to remember that he's been hurt too. He was scared to risk his heart again and you confirmed his fears when you shot him down after he admitted he wanted to take a chance on you. Talk to him, Emma. Tell him about your past so he understands how you became the woman you are today. Help him understand how difficult this is for you and what a big risk it is."

"I don't think he's interested in listening to what I have to say," she said, as she watched Fiona and Killian laughing in the corner of her eye.

"Just give him some time to cool down," Belle said. She paused and then added. "I know this is difficult, Emma, but you still need to end things with August."

Emma shook her head firmly. "No, it was a mistake to think Killian and I could have something more. I see that now."

"Emma."

"August is the man I belong with. He loves me. And maybe there's no passion, but there's stability and security and a comfort level. That's what I want. That's what I need," she responded, as she fought back tears.

"Emma, please, think about this. That's not fair to you or August. Or Killian, for that matter," Belle pleaded.

But Emma simply shook her head and walked off set.

…

End of Part 4

Thanks for reading! I'd appreciate any feedback you'd like to give! ~Steph