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. Hope you enjoy this part! ~Steph

…Love & Lies: Part 7/11…

The next couple of weeks proved difficult. The Internet wouldn't let go of the notion that Emma and Killian were having an affair. They both spotted paparazzi from various soap sites following them around, hoping to get a picture they could twist to support their rumor. But Killian and Emma made sure to stay away from each other outside of work. And Emma was doing a good job avoiding him at work too. She took to spending all of her time in Belle's and August's dressing rooms. She only saw Killian on set.

Unfortunately for her, she couldn't avoid him much longer. The show had been invited to Fashion Week in New York. Normally, Emma's character would participate in Fashion Week on the show, but they would simply pretend they were in New York. This time, they would be able to shoot on the runway and behind the scenes. They could even shoot a bit around New York. Emma, Killian, and a few more actors who play models would be going, along with some of the crew.

Their time in New York would also feature a pivotal moment in the relationship between Emma and Killian's characters. Emma's character, Eva, had not yet slept with Killian's character, Tyler. They had kissed many times, but Eva would always stop it from going any further. She would insist that she loved her husband and that this had to stop. But invariably it would happen again. In New York, Eva and Tyler would be celebrating after the runway show. They would take their celebration up to Eva's hotel room and have sex for the first time.

Emma was dreading the entire scene. She didn't know how she was supposed to make it through a scene where she was pretending to have sex with Killian when her attraction to him and feelings for him were so incredibly strong.

They had shot their scenes in New York that day and Emma had gone up to her hotel room early. She was jetlagged and wanted nothing more than to take a hot bath and curl up with a good book. She had her robe on and was just about to get into the tub when she heard a knock at the door. She momentarily considered ignoring it since the water in the tub was nice and warm and the bubbles looked so inviting. But she thought better of it, deciding that it could be important.

She went to the door and threw it open, surprised to find Killian standing behind it. His eyes washed over her figure, which was still clad only in her robe. She grew self-conscious and pulled her robe closed more and tightened the belt.

"What are you doing here, Killian?" she asked.

"I wanted to see you, Emma. You've been avoiding me, love."

"Yes, I have and for good reason. I don't want to give the Internet any more ammunition for their scandalous stories. And showing up at my hotel room really isn't helping."

"Can I please come in?"

"I really don't think that's a good idea," she said.

"The longer I stand out here, the greater chance there is of a fan seeing us."

Emma groaned and reluctantly stepped aside, allowing him entrance. She closed the door behind him, but not before quickly checking that the hallway was empty.

Emma turned around and found Killian sitting on the end of the bed. She took a deep breath before sitting down beside him.

"Why are you here, Killian?" she finally asked after several awkward moments of silence passed.

Killian swallowed hard, as he met her gaze. "Because I've been lying in my bed down the hall, staring up at the ceiling and thinking about nothing else but you."

Emma dropped her eyes. "Killian," she said softly.

"I can't stop thinking about you." He paused before whispering, "I want you, Emma."

"Please, don't," she said, tears now filling her eyes.

Killian lifted his hand to her chin and gently tilted her head upwards so that their eyes met again.

"And I know you want me, too," he said.

Killian's hand moved to caress Emma's cheek, his thumb stroking her jaw, as he slowly closed the distance between them. Emma felt her breath catch in her chest at the first touch of his lips to hers.

They'd kissed many times as their characters, so she already knew how he felt, knew how he tasted. But this was the first time it was just them. Emma and Killian, not Eva and Tyler. All alone. No cameras. No crew. Just the two of them.

Emma cupped the back of his head, her nails gripping his hair, as Killian's tongue swept into her mouth. She always knew he was a great kisser, but this kiss was different. In this kiss, they finally allowed themselves to express the feelings they had been trying to suppress for so long.

Her tongue slid along his and then she nibbled on his lower lip, as a sigh flowed from his mouth. She felt his hands slide down to her waist and pull her closer to him, so that her body was pressed up against his chest. The only thing that separated her body from his was her thin silk robe.

Killian felt like he couldn't get enough of Emma. The feel of her body pressed against his and the taste of her was intoxicating. He knew he could spend the rest of his life holding her in his arms.

They finally parted, but their foreheads remained touching.

Killian smiled. "So much better than Eva and Tyler."

Emma laughed lightly, as her eyes swept across his lips. She was about to kiss him again, when she heard her cell phone ringing.

Killian placed his hand over hers. "Let it ring."

"I can't. It could be important."

Emma reluctantly stood up and walked over to the nightstand. She picked up the phone and looked at the screen. It was August.

She felt a pit grow in her stomach, the guilt suddenly making her nauseous. She felt guilty for kissing Killian, but even guiltier because she hadn't once thought about August as she was doing it. Not until the phone rang.

"It's August," she said, staring at the phone.

Killian looked at her and opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Emma considered not answering it, but then found herself hitting the accept button.

"August…hi."

"Hi, Emma. I just wanted to check in with you and see how it's going in New York."

"Oh, uh... It's great. We had a really good day shooting and the whole Fashion Week thing is incredible. I wish we could stay more than a couple of days."

"Glad to hear you're enjoying yourself. I miss you though."

The words hung in the air. Emma waited a long moment before quickly replying, "Miss you too."

Killian's eyes dropped to his hands.

She paused and then swallowed hard. "It's getting late here. I've got an early call time tomorrow, so I'm going to turn in."

"Okay, goodnight, Emma."

"Goodnight, August."

Emma ended the call and then placed the phone back down on the table.

"You need to go," she said, not looking up to meet Killian's eyes.

She moved around the bed to go to the door, when she felt his hand gently encircle her wrist. Emma looked down at him.

"Why did you lie to him?" he asked.

Emma shook her head. "I didn't."

"You said you missed him. The woman who just kissed me didn't seem like a woman missing her boyfriend."

Emma freed her wrist from his grip. "That was a mistake. It can't happen again."

Killian stood up and met her gaze. "And now you're lying to me."

Emma's jaw clenched. "What do you want from me, Killian?"

"I want you to be honest with me, honest with yourself," he replied sharply.

"I was! I told you I wanted to take a chance on you and you shot me down."

"You don't have a monopoly on broken hearts, Emma. You weren't the only one who was scared. But I'm not anymore. We both want the same thing. The only one standing in our way is you."

Emma blinked back tears. "Please leave."

Killian sighed heavily and then turned on his heel. Emma dropped her head and sank onto the bed as she heard the door slam.

…

The following day, Killian spotted Emma on set. The crew was preparing what was to be Eva's hotel room. Emma was sitting on the couch studying her script. Killian approached her.

"We need to talk about last night," he said.

Emma looked up at him. "Keep your voice down. There is nothing to talk about. We just need to get through this love scene and then get home."

"Emma, please, we-"

"Emma, Killian, take your places," Gold instructed.

Emma didn't meet Killian's eyes as she stood up and walked over to the bed. She sat on the end. Killian sighed heavily as he made his way to the other side of the hotel room door.

He couldn't help the flashback he had to the previous night as he stood at her door as Tyler this time, poised to knock.

"Action!" Gold yelled.

Killian knocked on the door and Emma stood up from the bed. She walked to the door and opened it. A smile spread across her lips.

"I was hoping it would be you," she said.

"I've been waiting all day to do this," he said, as he stepped through the door and pulled Emma to him, his lips crashing into hers.

Killian kicked the door closed and quickly maneuvered them in front of the bed.

Emma pulled back and met his eyes. "Tyler, I need you. I know I've been reluctant to take the next step because of my marriage, but I can't stop thinking about you. Make love to me."

Killian smiled at her. "I've been waiting to hear those words from you, Eva."

With that, Killian's lips descended upon Emma's again. They both tried to be professional. They tried to separate themselves from their characters, but it wasn't easy when they had developed such a strong attraction and deep feelings for each other.

Killian had done many love scenes in his ten years on soaps and he had pretended to make love to many beautiful women. But he had never once been turned on during them. There were always too many crew members around, too many directions to follow. It was usually more awkward than anything. The same was true for Emma.

But as they kissed and Killian slowly unbuttoned Emma's blouse to reveal a strapless black lace bra, everyone around them seemed to disappear. Emma met his eyes before he pushed the shirt off of her and began to kiss her neck, then her collarbone. She closed her eyes and threw her head back, loving the feel of his warm mouth on her skin. It was even better than she imagined.

Emma's hands moved to unbutton his shirt. She smiled as she exposed his toned chest. She then made quick work of his pants, revealing his boxer briefs. Emma glanced down at him and she could see that Killian was definitely being affected by their love scene.

Killian's mouth moved back to Emma's, as his hands reached for the zipper of her skirt. He slid it down and she stepped out of it, revealing matching black lace panties.

Killian pulled back and admired her. "You're so beautiful," he whispered.

Emma knew the script called for him to say Eva at the end, but she realized he had purposely left it off.

Killian stepped forward and swept Emma up into his arms. He carried her to the bed and laid her down on top of it.

Their eyes met and he was just about to kiss her again when Gold yelled, "Cut!"

Their eyes remained fixed on each other.

"Brilliant work, you two. Now get under the covers for the next scene."

Emma slid under the covers, as Killian did the same. He hovered above her, his gaze never leaving hers. His hand reached up to caress her cheek, even though Gold hadn't said action yet.

"Action!"

Killian's lips moved to Emma's and then trailed across her chest. Emma's hands slid down the smooth skin of his back, her nails digging into the muscles. The world disappeared around them again and they became consumed by the moment.

Emma flipped them over, even though the scene didn't call for it. She straddled Killian's hips and smiled down at him. Straddling during love scenes on daytime television was a big no-no. Killian smiled at her, as he reached up and cupped her face. He pulled her lips down to him, as Emma began grinding her body against his. Grinding was another big no-no.

"Cut!" Gold screamed.

But Emma and Killian were so lost in each other they didn't hear him. Killian slipped his tongue into Emma's mouth, breaking the third love scene rule.

"Cut! Bloody hell!"

They finally heard him and separated quickly. Emma looked down at Killian, stunned that she had let things go so far. She was a professional. She knew better. They both did.

"What the devil were you two doing? We're going to have to edit the hell out of that in order to get it by the censors."

"Sorry, mate," Killian said. "We were just improvising to try to sell the scene."

"Sorry," Emma whispered, her face turning blood red.

It was then that Emma realized she was still straddling Killian's hips and feeling the evidence of his arousal. He wouldn't be able to leave that bed for a bit without being very embarrassed.

"I...I need to get out of here," she said, climbing off of him and getting out of bed.

She felt her face flush red as she realized the entire crew had witnessed their lack of professionalism. They had crossed a line.

She turned around, ready to flee the set when she came face to face with August standing just off stage. She didn't have to wonder if he had witnessed their love scene. It was written all over his face.

"August, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to surprise you. I figured we could spend the weekend together in New York before flying back. I didn't realize I was the one in for a surprise."

August turned on his heel and stormed off.

"August, wait! Please!"

"Let him go, Emma," Killian said, his hand on her elbow, as he stood behind her, his lower body wrapped in a sheet.

Emma spun around to face him and tore free from his touch. "Leave me the hell alone."

"We need to talk. You can't keep avoiding this thing between us. Look at what just happened, Emma."

"Goodbye, Killian," she said, before heading in the direction August had gone.

"Emma!" Killian called, but she didn't look back.

...

Emma found August in her dressing room.

"I can explain," she said.

"Explain what? How you just broke every soap love scene rule in the book? How you let your feelings affect your work? Or how you keep saying you care about me and want to be with me, but your actions say something else entirely?"

"I'm sorry," Emma said, as she came to stand in front of him. "We got carried away. We were just trying to sell the scene and we took it too far."

"Stop lying to me. Just stop."

"I'm not."

August took a step closer to her, his eyes focused on hers. "Have you had sex with him?"

"No, of course not. I would never do that to you."

"Have you kissed him?"

Emma swallowed hard. "No," she said with as much conviction as she could muster.

She watched his face for his reaction, trying to gauge if he believed her.

"Okay," he whispered. "I believe you."

Emma wondered if he truly believed her or if he just didn't want to accept the truth that was staring him in the face. The woman he loved was in love with another man.

He paused for a long moment, his eyes scanning her face. "But you are attracted to him. You can deny it all you want, but it's very clear to me. Clear to everyone."

"August-…" she began but he cut her off.

"And it seems it may go deeper than that. But you need to understand the kind of man he is, Emma. Killian Jones is a womanizer. He's not going to just change for you, no matter what he says. You're a challenge. And once he gets what he wants then he will move on. And where will that leave you?"

Emma felt her breath catch in her chest. Maybe August was right. Maybe this was all just a game to Killian.

Emma forced a smile. "It doesn't matter because I am with you and that's not going to change. Let's just put this behind us and enjoy the weekend. Okay?"

August nodded, but didn't say another word.

"Let me get changed and then we can go sightseeing," she said.

August shook his head. "We need to go home."

"But you came all this way."

He dropped his eyes. "It's time to go home, Emma," he said.

Emma simply nodded.

...

Robin stared at his friend over his drink.

"I'm not going to lie to you, mate. That's bad."

Killian nodded. "I know. We just...we got swept up. We've been battling these feelings and this attraction and the night before we kissed in her hotel room so-..."

"Whoa, wait a minute. You left that part out."

Killian nodded. "We kissed and it was bloody brilliant. And then August called."

Robin sighed. "Look, mate, August is my friend too. I don't like what you and Emma are doing to him. He's a good man. He doesn't deserve this."

Killian nodded. "I know. I have tried telling her she needs to break up with him, but she's scared. She's scared of getting her heart broken again. But this thing between us is undeniable. It's not going to go away."

"You're in love with her, aren't you?"

Killian slowly nodded. "Aye. I've never felt this way before, not even for Milah."

Robin patted him on the back. "Glad to see you're not hiding from love anymore. But this situation is complicated. I think you need to back off. Give Emma time. If she feels the same way about you and you're meant to be together, then she'll realize it eventually and do the right thing."

Killian sighed deeply.

...

"You what?!" Belle said.

"Keep your voice down!" Emma replied, as she looked around at the cafeteria where the cast and crew were eating their lunch.

"Emma, this is bad. This is very bad. August doesn't deserve this."

"I know. He loves me and he has been so good to me. He has been so patient. And how have I repaid him? By having feelings for another man and kissing him. I've never even told him I love him."

"Because you don't. Emma, you are clearly in love with another man."

Emma swallowed. "A man who will only break my heart. Things could never work between us, Belle. Our egos are too big, we fight all the time."

"It's called passion."

"And passion dies and then what's left?"

"So you'd rather settle for a life with August. A safe, comfortable, passionless life."

"What's wrong with that?"

Belle smiled sadly, as she patted her best friend's hand. "Nothing, if you don't mind a life without happiness too. Killian makes you happy, Emma. I see the way your eyes light up when you talk about him, I see the way you look at him. I've never seen you like this before. August doesn't do that for you and he never will."

Emma shook her head sharply. "You're wrong. I can be happy with August. I can even learn to love him."

"Listen to yourself. You don't learn to love someone. Love isn't an instrument you take up. It's not like learning how to knit or ski. Love just happens, Emma. And it's messy and inconvenient, but it is worth it."

Emma paused for a long moment, as she chewed on her lower lip. "What if August is right about Killian, Belle?"

"What did August say?"

"He said he'll never change. He'll always be a womanizer. That he views me as a challenge and that once he gets what he wants he'll move on."

"You don't really believe that, do you?"

Emma shrugged. "I don't know. Obviously, I've been fooled before. Maybe I'm not the best judge."

"Well, I don't believe it for a second. Killian can have any woman he wants, but he wants you. If this was just about a challenge, just about sex, then he would have moved on long ago. Why put himself through all of this? Emma, his feelings for you are real. It's your fear that's making you question it."

Emma shook her head. "I just can't risk it, Belle. Maybe you don't remember how Neal destroyed me, but I do. I thought I could put it behind me and take a chance with Killian, but I was wrong. My life, my future is with August."

Belle simply sighed but didn't say another word.

…

Over the next couple of weeks, Emma avoided Killian whenever possible. She felt a shift in her relationship with August too. She felt him pulling away from her. Emma worried that she would lose him. She would lose a man who loved her and who could give her the stable life she had desired since she was a child.

The guilt over the kiss she shared with Killian and the lie she told August began to eat away at her. She wondered if he knew the truth and that had caused him to become distant. All her life Emma had been the one left behind, the one discarded by those who claimed to care about her. She never thought August would be one of those people, but maybe she had finally pushed him too far. Emma knew she had to do something before it was too late and she was cast aside once more.

She took a deep breath as she knocked on August's door.

He opened it and offered her a half-hearted smile. "Good morning, Emma."

"Good morning," she said, brushing past him and entering his dressing room.

He closed the door and came to stand before her. They stood in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments until he broke it.

"Did you want something? Because I have to be on set in a few minutes."

Emma's mouth hung open. The words wouldn't come out.

"Emma, are you okay?" August asked, his brow furrowing worriedly.

"I...uh...I...love you," she said.

August's eyes widened. "What?"

She swallowed hard. "I know you've been waiting a long time to hear me say that and I'm sorry."

"I don't understand. Five years and you pick now to tell me you love me. Why?"

Emma shrugged. "I don't know. I just...I don't want to lose you."

August had waited five long years to hear those words, but they brought him no joy. It felt like she was saying them out of obligation. But still he knew it was a step in the right direction. He loved Emma and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

Maybe, he thought, he had gotten through to her about Killian and she was ready to put him behind her. Maybe she realized that he was the right man for her and was finally ready to fully commit to him.

August stepped forward. "I love you, too," he said, before placing a kiss on her lips and then pulling her into his arms.

Emma buried her face in his shoulder and closed her eyes. She tried to feel his words deep in her heart and soul, but they only left her thinking about one thing: Killian.

...

Belle shook her head at Emma as they sat in Belle's dressing room.

"Why did you tell August you love him?"

"Because he deserved to hear it. It's been five years."

"But it's not true."

Emma shook her head. "Yes, it is. I do love him."

Belle sighed. "Not the way he loves you. You love him as a friend. You're not in love with him, Emma."

"Maybe being in love is overrated. After all, if you can be in it, then you can fall out of it. I was in love with Neal and look how that worked out. Maybe it's better to have a solid friendship and know each other really well. Maybe that's what makes a relationship last."

Belle snorted. "Then you might as well marry me if that's your criteria."

Emma chuckled and playfully slapped her arm. "Ha ha."

Belle's expression grew serious again. "Emma, those words mean a lot to August. But no matter how you justify it, it was a lie. You're not in love with him. You're in love with Killian."

Emma stood up abruptly. "My feelings for Killian don't matter. My future is with August."

"How many times are you going to have to say that before you actually start believing it?" Belle asked.

Emma ignored her and then walked out. Belle simply shook her head in frustration.

...

Emma felt Killian's presence behind her. They were on set, ready to start shooting.

"When are you going to stop avoiding me?"

Emma spun around, but refused to meet his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You haven't said a word to me outside of our characters since we got back from New York. We need to discuss what happened, Emma."

"We already did. It was a mistake. It didn't mean anything."

"So if it didn't mean anything, then I assume you told August about it."

Emma swallowed roughly. "I didn't see any reason to hurt him over something that meant nothing."

"And what about our love scene? Did that mean nothing too? Bloody hell, Emma, when are you going to stop lying to everyone around you? When are you going to stop lying to yourself? You don't belong with August."

"I told him I love him," she spat out, finally meeting his eyes.

Killian's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with hurt. "Another lie."

"I don't want to talk about this with you anymore," she said, as she maneuvered past him and walked over to take her spot to start their scene.

"Emma," he said, but she simply ignored him.

"Take your places!" Gold yelled.

Killian sighed heavily and then came to stand before Emma, who was in front of her desk.

"Action!"

"We need to be careful, Tyler," Emma began. "I think my husband is suspicious."

Killian stepped forward and brought his hand up to caress her cheek. The script didn't call for it, but Emma felt goose bumps appear on her skin at his touch.

"When are you going to leave him, Eva?"

"It's not that simple. We've built a life together. I still love him."

"Then what are you doing with me?" he asked, his eyes boring holes into hers.

Emma had to break eye contact with him. "I can't seem to resist you, Tyler."

"I don't want you to," Killian said, as he began to step forward to kiss her.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. The script called for them to be interrupted by Belle.

Emma swallowed hard and placed her hand on his chest, pushing Killian away from her.

"Come in," she said.

The door swung open, but it wasn't Belle who stood behind it. It was August.

Emma and Killian exchanged a confused look. The scene didn't call for August's character, Tad, to be in it.

August was holding a bouquet of roses. Emma swallowed hard, as she stared at him in shock. Killian stood by her side. She could feel his eyes on her.

August walked towards her and handed her the bouquet. Then he got down on one knee.

Emma's eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand.

"Oh my God," she muttered.

Killian felt his heart drop into his chest.

August reached out and took Emma's hand. "I'm hoping third time's a charm." He took a deep breath. "Emma, I think you are the most amazing woman I have ever met. I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

He let go of her hand and dug into his pocket. He emerged with a small velvet ring box which he opened and held up to her.

Emma stared at the beautiful three carat diamond ring. She suddenly spotted Belle standing off stage and caught her eye. Normally, her best friend would have been smiling, happy for her. But Belle simply shook her head.

Emma glanced over at Killian, his sparkling blue eyes now swimming with pain. She knew no matter what her answer was she was about to hurt a man she cared about.

August cleared his throat and laughed nervously. "Well? Don't leave a guy hanging."

Emma felt the eyes of the cast and crew on her, awaiting her answer.

She slowly looked down at August and plastered on a smile, as she found her head nodding and the words slipping out of her mouth. "Yes, I'll marry you."

August's face lit up and a smile spread across his lips. She held her trembling hand out to him and he slid the ring on her finger before standing and kissing her.

Killian felt the tears burn his eyes. He dropped his head and moved away from them, before quickly exiting the set. He brushed past Belle, who had been rendered speechless.

The cast and crew that had gathered to watch the scene erupted with applause now.

August and Emma parted. He smiled at her. "You just made me the happiest man on Earth," he said.

Emma returned his smile, but she didn't feel like the happiest woman on Earth. She felt like she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.

...

End of part 7

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