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 and Lies: Part 9/11...

"Emma? Emma?" August said.

Emma looked up from the Blackjack hand that she had been staring blankly at for the last few minutes.

"What?" she asked.

"It's your turn," August said.

"Oh, uh, hit me," she said to the dealer.

August's eyes widened. Her cards added up to 20. She should have stayed. The dealer put down a five and she went bust.

"I'm done," Emma said, as she stood up and walked away from the table.

August followed after her. "Are you feeling okay? You've been preoccupied since we got here."

Emma nodded. "Of course. I just can't wait until our ceremony."

August glanced down at his watch and then took her hand in his. "Only a couple of more hours."

Emma managed a smile.

...

Killian finally arrived in Las Vegas. His flight the night before had been cancelled and then his flight that morning had been delayed. Killian wondered if it was a sign that he was making a mistake. He briefly considered turning back around and getting right back on a flight to L.A.

He looked at his watch. It was noon. In an hour, Emma would be a married woman. He knew he had to try to stop her or he would regret it the rest of his life.

Killian hurried to find a taxi.

...

Emma and August entered The Little Love Chapel. It was the least tacky chapel they could find on the entire Strip. Still, it left a lot to be desired. It basically consisted of one room filled with folding chairs and an archway at the end of the aisle. Fake flowers littered the aisle and adorned the archway.

August looked at Emma's face as she took it all in.

"Are you sure about getting married here, Emma? We can go back to L.A. and plan a nice, small, simple wedding."

Emma shook her head sharply. "No, I need to do this now."

August's brow furrowed at her odd wording, but he didn't say anything. They walked hand in hand down the aisle to where the minister stood. He was dressed all in white with a pink bow tie and matching cummerbund.

"Shall we begin?" he asked.

They both nodded, as they faced each other and joined hands.

Emma took a deep breath. She felt her heart beating faster and her palms grow sweaty. She suddenly felt like she was going to throw up. Her face paled as she looked down at her shoes. She didn't hear a word the minister said.

"Emma, are you okay?" August whispered.

She didn't even hear him. All she could hear were Belle and Killian's voices ringing in her ears that she was making a huge mistake.

She knew she should turn around and run out of there. But she also knew it would break August's heart.

"Emma? Emma?" August repeated.

Emma finally shook her head and took another deep breath.

She met August's eyes and nodded. "I'm fine."

The minister went on. "Emma, do you take August to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

In that moment, Emma went into acting mode. She pretended she was Eva and she was renewing her vows to Tad. She knew it was the only way she was going to make it through this.

"I do," she managed.

"August, do you take Emma to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

August stared at Emma. He had loved her for five years. He had dreamt of this day, of this moment. He had imagined a future with her. But as he looked into her eyes, he didn't see love shining back. He didn't see the happiness or excitement that should accompany getting married. In that moment, he knew in his heart that this wasn't right. He had been denying it for a long time, believing that maybe things could change if he just gave her enough time. But he realized now that he was holding onto a dream that was not meant to be.

"August?" the minister said.

Emma looked at him, her brow furrowing in confusion.

He opened his mouth to speak. "I...I don't."

The minister's eyes widened and Emma's mouth dropped open.

"What?" she said.

"Emma, I can't marry you," he said.

Emma swallowed roughly. "Is it because we eloped? Do you regret not having your family and friends here? Do you regret not having a real wedding?"

August shook his head. "No, I don't care about any of that."

"Then what is it?"

He met her eyes. "This isn't right. We both know it, Emma."

"I don't understand. I thought you wanted to marry me."

"I do. More than anything."

"Then what's the problem?"

"You don't want to marry me," he whispered.

"Of course I do," she replied weakly, as she sucked in a breath.

"No, you don't. You're not in love with me, Emma."

"August, please don't do this."

Emma felt like she was being abandoned once more.

He shook his head. "I'm stopping us both from making a big mistake. I'm doing what you can't bring yourself to do. We could probably have a good life together. A safe, easy life. But you would never be happy, Emma. Not truly. And I deserve a woman who will love me like I love her."

"I...I don't know what to say," Emma replied.

"I didn't want to accept it, but I have to now. You're in love with another man, Emma. He would always be between us. As hard as this is, I need to let you go."

Emma felt the tears begin to slip down her face. He was right. She knew he was right. And she also knew that he wasn't leaving her or tossing her aside like the rest before him. Those people had never loved her or cared for. August did and he was doing this because he knew she didn't have the strength or courage to do it herself.

She stepped forward and brought her hand up to his cheek.

"I never meant to hurt you," she said softly.

"I know. You can't help how you feel. You can't control who you love. Trust me, I know."

"August, I'm so sorry."

"Just promise me you'll find a way to be happy," he said.

"I promise," she said.

But she was beginning to wonder if she even knew how to be happy.

August leaned down and pressed his lips to Emma's in a goodbye kiss.

Killian ran through the doors of the chapel and stopped dead in his tracks at the beginning of the aisle. His gaze landed at the end of the aisle. Killian's heart sank into his stomach as he watched Emma and August kiss.

He was too late. They were married.

Killian felt tears sting his eyes as he slowly turned around and headed back outside. Once outside, he leaned against the door and squeezed his eyes closed. He never even got the chance to tell her he loved her and now he had lost her for good.

Emma and August separated. "Goodbye, Emma," he said.

"Goodbye," she whispered, as she watched him walk down the aisle.

Emma stood there all alone, tears cascading down her face. She had forgotten the minister was even there. She slowly sank down into one of the chairs and allowed her tears to come in full force.

The minister cleared his throat. "I know this is a bad time to bring this up, but you still have to pay for the ceremony. I will be able to offer you a left-at-the-altar discount though. 10% off."

Emma simply stared at him.

...

Killian sat on the plane waiting for it to take off to L.A. He was staring at a picture of Emma on his phone. It was from one of those soap gossip sites and it was taken after her Emmy win. She looked so happy. She was smiling from ear-to-ear.

He ran his thumb across her face, wondering where they went from here. How was he supposed to see her everyday at work? How was he supposed to deal with knowing that every night the woman he loved went home to another man, to her husband? How was he supposed to kiss her and pretend to make love to her and not feel anything? He didn't know if he was that good of an actor.

Killian clicked off the site and placed his phone in his pocket. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against his seat. He had put his heart on the line for a second time with Emma and he had gotten it broken. He knew what he needed to do now. Killian knew he needed to go back to the man he was before he fell in love with Emma Swan. It was the only way he could go on without her.

Killian pulled his phone out of his pocket and hit Ruby's number.

She answered on the second ring. "Hi, Killian."

Ruby had no idea where he'd been or what he'd been up to.

"Hi, Ruby. I was wondering if you'd like to come to my place for dinner tonight."

Ruby smiled. "I'd love to."

"How does 7 sound?" Killian asked.

"Sounds great, I'll see you then," Ruby said.

Killian bid her goodbye and ended the call. Ruby was just what he needed to forget Emma.

…

Emma sat on the plane, her stomach in knots. What was she supposed to tell everyone when she came home unmarried and no longer with August? What was she supposed to say to Killian?

Killian. She was now free to pursue a relationship with him. August had let her go. She no longer had to worry about hurting him. But the safe, stable life she had always dreamt of had vanished. Pursuing a relationship with Killian meant putting her heart on the line again. Could she really risk that?

Emma could feel the gaze of the old woman sitting next to her fixed upon her face.

"Are you all right, sweetheart? You seem anxious."

Emma offered her a small smile. "Thank you for your concern. I, uh, well...I was supposed to get married today."

"Oh, dear, what happened?"

Emma swallowed hard. She wasn't really comfortable talking to a stranger about her love life. But the woman had such a kind, sweet face. She seemed like one of those wise, old women who had experienced much in life and knew how to dispense astute advice. She figured it couldn't hurt.

"My fiancé broke things off when he realized I wasn't in love with him. He knew I was in love with another man. Now I'm on my way home and I don't really know where I go from here."

The old woman looked at her for a long moment. Emma waited for her sage advice, maybe a comforting pat of her hand.

The woman's eyes narrowed at Emma, her gaze scrutinizing her face.

"Wait a doggone minute. You're the lady from my story, Love & Lies. Aren't you?"

Emma chuckled and nodded. "Yes, Emma Swan. I play Eva."

The woman's kind smile turned into a scowl.

"I hate you. You're cheating on that sweet husband of yours."

Emma's eyes widened. "Remember, I just play a character. I'm only acting."

"Now don't get me wrong. That boy you're stepping out with is easy on the eyes, but you're being a real bitch to Tad."

Emma's mouth hung open. That was not how she expected this to go.

"Again, it's called acting. In real life, I-..."

The woman cut her off. "In real life, you were about to marry one guy while in love with another. Sounds like you and your character are cut from the same cloth."

Emma snapped her mouth shut. The old woman was right. She and her character had been treating the men in their lives terribly.

In that moment, Emma made a decision. When she got home, she was going to put an end to that once and for all. She needed to stop hiding from love and take a risk. She needed to stop letting fear control her and influence her choices. Emma knew it was time to stop running. She was going to tell Killian she loved him and wanted a relationship with him.

Emma turned to the old woman and smiled. "Thank you."

The old woman simply stared at her, unsure of why she was thanking her.

...

Killian opened the door to find Ruby wearing a skintight red dress.

"Hello, Killian," she said.

He offered her a grin. "Hello. Please come in."

Ruby entered his house. "Nice place. So what's for dinner? Did you cook?"

Killian stepped closer to her. He took a strand of her hair and twirled it between his fingers.

"Actually, I was thinking we could start with dessert."

Before Ruby could respond, Killian was cupping her face and pressing his mouth to hers. He set a feverish pace that Ruby couldn't keep up with. She placed her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away, as she gasped for air.

She met his eyes. "What's gotten into you?"

Killian shook his head. "Nothing. I just want to be with you tonight."

Killian's lips were on hers again as his hands trailed down to her hips. He guided them to his couch and sat down. Ruby settled in his lap, straddling his hips.

Killian moved his lips to her neck, as his hand reached up to the strap of her dress and began to slide it down her shoulder.

Suddenly, a ding sounded on both of their phones.

"Ignore it," Killian muttered against Ruby's skin.

But Ruby glanced down at his cell phone which lay on the table beside them and read the Google alert aloud: Emma Swan Spotted at Vegas Chapel with On-screen and Off-screen Love."

Ruby pulled back from him. "Did you know August and Emma were getting married today?"

Killian swallowed hard, as he struggled to keep the bitterness out of his voice. "I don't care what Emma does."

Killian reached up and cupped Ruby's face to pull her back down to him, but she pulled away.

Her brow furrowed at him. "Yes, you do. It's written all over your face."

"I haven't a clue what you're talking about."

Ruby laughed mirthlessly. "It makes sense now. Calling me out of the blue today and then jumping my bones as soon as I walked in the door. You were using me to try to forget about Emma."

"Don't be ridiculous."

Ruby climbed off his lap and pulled the strap of her dress up. "I was right."

"About what?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"When you asked me out and I told you I sensed that something was going on between you and Emma. I was right."

Killian sighed heavily and shrugged. "Okay, fine, you were right."

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

Killian slowly nodded. "Aye."

"And I was your distraction."

"I didn't mean to hurt you," Killian said.

Ruby nodded. "I know. But I'm not the one hurting right now. The look in your eyes tells me you're in a world of pain." She paused and then asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Killian's eyes widened. "I can't believe you'd want to have anything to do with me ever again."

Ruby shrugged. "You don't need a woman in your bed tonight, Killian. You need a friend."

"Thank you," he replied softly.

She placed her hands on her hips. "So I'm guessing there's no dinner."

"You're quite perceptive."

"How about I whip us up some pasta and you can tell me all about how Emma Swan broke your heart?"

Killian nodded. "That sounds great. Thank you."

Ruby moved to his kitchen. He heard her banging things around and opening and closing cabinets. Killian picked up his phone and clicked on the Google alert. He swallowed hard at the sight of Emma and August entering the chapel hand in hand.

Tonight was their wedding night. Killian squeezed his eyes closed as he tried to ward off images of Emma lying in bed beside August, his ring on her finger.

His thoughts were interrupted by a crash in the kitchen. Killian's eyes flew open and he jumped up from the couch.

"Ruby, are you okay?" he asked, as he entered the kitchen.

Ruby's face filled with red. "Fine, just embarrassed and perpetually clumsy. I dropped a jar of sauce. I'm sorry."

Killian looked at the mess of glass and sauce on the floor. Ruby's dress was also covered in marinara.

"At least it matches your dress," Killian replied with a chuckle.

Ruby laughed. "Could be worse. It could clash."

"I'll clean this up. Go into my bedroom and look in the top drawer of the dresser. You'll find a clean t-shirt in there."

"Thank you," she said.

...

Emma sat in the taxi, staring out the window. She was on her way to Killian's. She had thought about waiting until tomorrow but she was afraid of losing her nerve. She didn't want to give herself time to come up with excuses and talk herself out of it.

Emma thought about Belle. She would be so happy that she had finally come to her senses and made the right choice. Belle must have been worried by now. She told her she would send her a wedding picture hours ago. She picked up her phone and scrolled through her favorites until she found her name. Her finger hovered above Belle's name, but she hesitated. She knew she only wanted to call Belle so she could assure her she was making the right choice. Belle would encourage her, just like she always did. She had been her voice of reason for 16 years. Emma relied on her, but she was starting to realize that she needed to stand on her own two feet. She needed to do this on her own.

Just then, Emma's phone started ringing. Belle's name appeared on the screen. They must have been thinking about each other at the same time. Emma almost hit the accept button, but resisted. She watched as the phone eventually stopped ringing. Emma waited for a voicemail or text to follow but none ever did. She figured Belle probably assumed she and August were too busy celebrating their wedding night.

Emma returned her eyes to the window. She was almost there.

...

Ruby took a sip of her wine. "Wow, you've got it real bad for Emma."

Killian nodded. "I never expected it to happen, but it did. And now I can't imagine my life without her."

"But now she's married."

"I saw it with my own eyes. Well, the end at least. The kiss."

Ruby's eyes widened. "You went to Vegas today?"

He nodded. "I was going to tell her I love her and I want to be with her. And then she would have had a choice to make."

"But you didn't get there in time."

Killian shook his head. "No, I didn't. And now I have to find a way to move on."

Ruby nodded. "You know the answer isn't to revert back to your womanizing ways, right? Emma wouldn't want you to give up on love again."

Killian downed the rest of his wine. "Too late. I can't go through this ever again."

"Killian, your love for Emma and her love for you, changed you. There's no going back."

"Right now, I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to face seeing Emma everyday and deal with being involved with her on-screen."

"You'll find a way. And I'm here if you need to talk."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

"But I am a firm believer in fate. If you and Emma are meant to be, then you will be. Marriage or no marriage."

Killian shook his head. "I wish I believed as you do."

…

Emma stood outside Killian's house. She was battling her nerves and the doubts in her head. If the taxi hadn't already left, then she probably would have climbed right back in.

What if he rejected her again? What if she had hurt him one too many times and he wouldn't give her another chance?

Emma took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. She needed to do this. She needed to take a chance for once. Emma slowly walked up to his door. She was about to ring the bell, when something caught her eye in the glass window pane beside the door.

Emma's mouth hung open and her eyes filled with tears at what she saw. Killian and Ruby were sitting on the floor in his living room beside a roaring fire, eating dinner and sipping wine. Ruby was wearing nothing but one of Killian's t-shirts.

It seemed obvious to Emma that they had just had sex and worked up an appetite. But this didn't look like some casual relationship that was just about sex. They looked as if they were engaged in an intimate conversation. It looked like the start of a real relationship.

Emma slowly backed away from the door as tears blurred her eyes. She hurried down the walkway. The tears stung Emma's eyes as she walked down the sidewalk.

Killian had moved on. He had found someone to give him what she couldn't. And she knew she had no one to blame but herself.

...

End of Part 9

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