Hello, guys. This chapter is my favorite chapter so far. This "Snow Falls" episode is going to be 2 chapters long, and this is the first one, and it is a bit shorter. I loved writing it. As always you are welcome to ask any questions vis review or PM, or on tumblr at captainswanapproved.

Starlight000 asked: Isn't Regina the slightest bit curious as to why Killian was brought over with the curse?

That is something that will be explored, but she's not going to be too concerned until he really starts to become a threat. I have a few really fun ideas for Killian and Regina scenes.

Nouqueret asked:

And will Belle be Regina's prisoner also?

I have a plan for Belle, and I'm really excited about it, but she's not going to be brought in until the Skin Deep chapter.

Is Gold going to try and kill Killian before the curse is broken?

Remember, Gold cannot harm Killian as long as he wears the cuff that Cora gave him. The cuff took the form of something inconspicuous when Killian was brought over with the curse. It's his gold wristwatch. So as long as he wears that, Gold cannot harm him, nor can he harm Gold.

JustWriter2 asked: When Killian gets kissed by Emma and he gets his memories back, will he have a panic attack because of all of his memories of people that he's loved leaving or being taken from him?

Killian getting his memories back will start to be explored very soon. I'm very excited about how the tension is going to play out, and it is going to be one of Killian's major arcs.

Enjoy! Reviews are magical.

Chapter 3

David Nolan walked into Granny's diner, and dropped onto the seat beside his best friend.

Killian looked up from his crossword. "Hello, mate. It's been a few days."

"Kathryn and I have been fighting again. You know how she gets. I couldn't really leave the house without her yelling at me."

"That's rough, mate." Killian replied, turning to catch Ruby's gaze. "Ruby? Can you give Mr. Nolan a drink?"

Ruby glanced at David, "If you want something strong, I suggest you go to the Rabbit Hole. All we have right now is beer."

"Then get me one, please," David said, massaging his temples, "and put it on Jones' tab."

Ruby returned a moment later, setting the beer in front of him. David took a long pull, and made a face.

Killian grinned. "What's the matter, mate? Can't hold your alcohol?"

"I can hold it just fine," David grumbled.

Killian studied him for a long moment. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really, no," David said. "Tell me what's going on with you."

Killian was about to speak when the bell chimed and Emma Swan entered, with her son beside her. Killian gulped and quickly looked away, but not quickly enough.

"Who is that?" David asked.

"Emma Swan," Killian replied quietly. "She's new in town."

"And you like her don't you?" David observed, taking note of how his best friend kept stealing glances at the blonde as Ruby took her order.

"Am I that transparent?"

David nodded. "I've known you for years. So when did she get here?"

"Three days ago," Killian said. "You haven't read the paper?"

"No. I haven't had a quite moment all week."

"Well she's Henry Mills' birth mother, and she's caused quite the stir in town." Killian couldn't help but grin as he took a drink of his own beer, recalling the previous night when it had just been him and Emma in his apartment.

"Oh look at you," David said. "You're grinning like an idiot. I think it's safe to say that Killian Jones has a little crush. Not that I can blame you. She's pretty."

"Shhh, mate, she'll hear you," Killian warned, looking over his shoulder.

But Emma was preoccupied with Henry. They were sharing one of Granny's sundaes, and Killian wondered just how Henry had managed to sneak away from Regina in order to meet Emma on a Friday evening.

"So, are you going to make a move?" David asked.

"Worry about the state of your own love life," Killian shot back.

David sighed and finished the rest of his beer. "Okay. Consider the subject dropped."

Killian and David stayed at the diner until Granny came and kicked them out. "But Granny," David whined, fumbling over his words.

"Go home to your wife." The old woman frowned and looked at Killian. "Make sure he gets home safely."

"I can get home on my own," David began to protest, but with the icy glare from Granny, the rest of his words died on his lips and he shrugged his shoulders, throwing his arm around Killian and slumping against his side.

"Come on, mate, let's get you home," Killian grumbled.

He hadn't drank nearly as much as David had, although seeing as it was a Friday night, he could have cut loose. At this point though, he was glad he had refrained from copious imbibing. He had to make sure his best mate didn't fall over and wreck his 'charming' face, as David liked to call it. He already had a scar, and Killian didn't want to add to it.

They arrived back at his place ten minutes later and Kathryn opened the door the moment they stepped on the porch.

"Oh thank god," she said, and Killian could see that she was genuinely worried. "Thank you for bringing him back to me, Mr. Jones."

"No problem," Killian told her. Despite his friendship with David, Killian knew that Kathryn wasn't too fond of him. He suspected it was Regina's doing, seeing as she and Mrs. Nolan were quite the pair. "He'll have a hell of a hangover in the morning," Killian warned. "Goodnight, Mrs. Nolan."

Kathryn nodded and closed the door, and Killian started to make his way back home.

He spotted Emma's yellow bug parked across from the clock tower and wandered over to the driver's side and tapped on the window. "The word is 'dashing', Swan."

Emma set down her newspaper and flashlight and rolled down the window. "Are you drunk?" Emma asked, with a raised brow.

"Of course not," Killian answered. "I can hold my liquor."

"Okay," Emma said, "No judgment here. It is a Friday night."

"That's right, and why, may I ask, are you sitting out here all by yourself? Are you okay?"

"I've been in tight spots before. Crashing in my car doesn't even rank in the top ten."

Killian's brows knitted together. "You're sleeping here?"

"Until I find a place," Emma replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"So you decided to stay," Killian observed, "for Henry."

"Yeah. But this town doesn't seem to have any vacancies. None, actually. Is that normal?"

"It must be because of the curse."

"Why are you out so late?" Emma asked, not really feeling in the mood to discuss this whole curse business.

"I had to make sure that your father got home safely," Killian told her.

Emma blinked, staring confused up at him. "My father?"

"Well, David Nolan to be exact. But Henry thinks that he's Prince Charming, which would make him your father."

"Right," Emma said, rolling her eyes. "Well, I should get some sleep."

"Listen, Swan. If things get cramped ... I do have a spare room," He told her, trailing off at the last moment.

"I don't think it would be a good idea. I'm not really the roommate type, and while I haven't been a mother for long, I know that living with your kids' teacher definitely crosses a line."

Killian nodded, understanding her reasoning. Of course it was a ridiculous notion, but to his defense he wasn't thinking quite clearly. "Well, I just thought I'd offer. Sweet dreams to you, Swan. I expect your boy will come looking for us later. We do, after all, have a curse to break."

Emma sighed and replied. "Right. Goodnight, Jones."

"Rumplestiltskin," Snow said, looking up from behind the counter of the pawnshop.

"Here, I go by Mr. Gold," he answered cheerily. "So ... I have discovered the identity of your Prince Charming."

Snow tried, and failed, to keep her expression carefully neutral.

"You are right to be on your guard, dearie. He's married. Regina certainly has a twisted sense of humor. For his wife is the former Princess Abigail."

Snow's eyes widened. "Midas' daughter?"

"The very same."

Snow's shoulders slumped and she put her face in her hands, trying to hide the tears that were bound to come. For twenty-eight years she had been locked away in a cell in Regina's home only to escape when her daughter arrived in town. A daughter that she hadn't even met properly. It wasn't as if she could go strolling around town, go up to Emma and introduce herself. No. She had her memories, and because of this she was a threat to Regina.

The only reason she wasn't with Regina now was because of Rumplestiltskin—Mr. Gold—she supposed she would start calling him by his cursed name for the time being.

"So what do you want from me?" Snow asked.

"What makes you think I want something, dearie?"

"You always do."

"Well, Snow, I think it's about time that you meet your daughter."

Snow's heart skipped a beat. Surely it was unwise for her to meet Emma at this point. But as much as she didn't like the idea, she would have to put her trust in Mr. Gold for now. "And how am I going to do that?"

"By meeting your prince of course."

Emma sat alone in a booth at the diner, sipping a steaming cup of cocoa with whipped cream and cinnamon. Letting out a soft sigh, she leaned back and closed her eyes for a second. The booth was far more comfortable than the seat of her car. It was troubling that there were no apartments to rent in Storybrooke, and it was bizarre that no one could remember any visitors ever coming to town before her.

She ran her index finger around the rim of her mug, catching the excess cream on her finger. Without a second thought she licked the cream off, smacking her lips.

She didn't even look up when someone slid into the seat across from her.

"You sure make that look good, Swan," Killian drawled, his eyes darting to her lips.

Emma looked up at him through her lashes, and damn it, she felt like an embarrassed teenager. How was it possible for someone to look so good this early in the morning? Especially after what she assumed had been a night of copious drinking.

Killian was dressed in what she guessed was considered to be casual attire, jeans and a simple button-up. No vest, no tie. He was a teacher, damn it. Teachers weren't supposed to be this . . . hot.

Emma took a deep breath and tried her best to sound composed. "Looks like you've recovered from last night."

"Like I said, love, I can handle my liquor," He told her, his mouth tilting up into a cocky smirk.

"Well, be sure to give yourself a gold star," she deadpanned.

"Someone is a little grumpy this morning," Killian remarked. "I would assume that sleeping in a car is hardly conducive to getting a good night's rest."

"I'm used to it," she murmured without realizing what she was revealing by the simple statement.

When she looked up at Killian, the playful expression had slid off his face, replaced with something far more serious, concern etched in his features.

"Henry said that your life growing up wasn't easy," he said softly.

Emma bit her lip, and focused her gaze outside. She wasn't going to talk about this. Not now, and especially with a man she barely knew. She wasn't even going to stay in town for that long, so there was no use getting close to someone. She was better off alone.

She felt a hand close around hers, and she yanked it away as if she had been burned.

"Apologies, lass," Killian said, and she could tell that he meant it.

"It's fine."

Henry coming inside the diner, clutching his fairy tale book, interrupted them. "Oh good, you're both here," he said with a smile, coming to sit beside Emma.

"How is it that Regina agreed to let you come here?" Emma asked, relieved for a distraction from her moment with Killian—Mr. Jones—she couldn't afford to start calling him Killian.

"She thinks I'm at the arcade," Henry told her.

"And she bought that?"

"She wants to believe it, so she does."

Emma pursed her lips. "Oh, imagine that."

"Bad form, lass," Killian said, and Emma rolled her eyes.

"Are you two okay?" Henry asked, looking from Emma back to his teacher.

"We're fine, lad," Killian replied. "So, what's the first step for Operation Cobra?"

"We have to find Snow White."

"And do you have any idea where she might be?" Emma questioned.

"Well, this morning after breakfast I found a secret door behind one of our book cases," Henry told her excitedly. "I've never noticed it before."

"And you think that your mother might be keeping Snow White locked away?" Killian supplied.

Henry nodded, and pulled out a key from his pocket, handing it to Emma. "Here's a key to my house. Tonight I'll ask my mom if she wants to have dinner together. It will get her out of the house and you and Killian will be able to sneak in and see if Snow White is locked away."

"I can do it on my own," Emma argued.

Henry shook his head and said. "At the very least, you'll need a lookout."

"Fine," Emma grumbled, "He can come. What time?""

"7:30," Henry said. "I have to go, but good luck. We'll meet back here tomorrow morning."

"Okay, kid."

When Henry was gone, Killian leveled a serious gaze on her. "So, we should probably talk about how we're going to do this."

"Simple," Emma said firmly. "You follow my lead. Finding people is what I do."

Killian's expression softened. "That's a fascinating occupation, Swan, how did you fall into it?"

"It's what I've always done."

"Well, Swan, it looks like you might finally find your mother," He spoke, thrumming his fingers against the table.

Emma couldn't help but feel unsettled by this man's uncanny way to read her and express exactly what she was thinking. "You don't actually think Regina has kept a woman locked up in a secret room for twenty-eight years, do you?"

"If anyone is capable of doing so, it would be Regina. I know you say you do better on your own, Emma, but for what it's worth, as long as we're involved in your son's plan, I'll be right by your side in case you ever need me."

Emma's heart clenched as she realized that he wasn't lying to her.

At precisely 7:15 Henry clasped Regina's hand and pulled her down the front walk.

"What's the rush, Henry?" Regina asked.

"I'm just really, really hungry."

Regina smiled down at him. At least he wasn't trying to have dinner with Ms. Swan.

Emma unlocked the front door of the Mayor's house, opening it slowly. "Come on, Jones," she hissed.

"No one's here, love," Killian told her as he closed the door behind him.

"Force of habit," Emma muttered.

"You don't actually want to find Snow White do you?" Killian asked as they headed for the study.

"I didn't say that."

"Perhaps not, but if we find her then that makes this curse a little bit more real, and you don't want that, do you?"

"I just think it's best to play along, until Henry learns the difference between fantasy and reality," Emma said, defending herself. "I'm trying to let him down gently."

"And what if everything turns out to be true?" Killian asked, invading her personal space as he moved to open the door for her.

Emma scoffed. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

Scanning the room, she spotted the shifted bookcase almost immediately. Behind it she could see a sliver of a door that matched the wall. "Come help me move this, Jones," she ordered.

"It would be my pleasure," Killian replied, walking over, and gripping the bookcase, as he and Emma easily shifted it backwards a few feet.

Emma gripped the handle of the door and pulled it down with no luck. But she didn't expect it to be open.

"It's locked, but luckily I always come prepared," she said, rummaging through her purse and removing a lock picking kit. She crouched in front of the door, and listening carefully for clicks that indicated the unlocking of the door.

A moment later, she stood up, a small grin on her face.

"Quite impressive," Killian told her with appreciation, taking a few steps towards her. "Are you ready?"

"Ready for what exactly?"

"To get one step closer to discovering the truth," Killian said pointedly.

Emma blinked, wanting nothing more than to escape his scrutiny. She had never felt this vulnerable with a man, and it scared the hell out of her. "We're not going to find anyone."

"As you say," Killian mumbled, but he took one of Emma's hands in his anyway, silently letting her know that he was there for her. And he truly was, even after only knowing her for a few days.

Emma took a deep breath and opened the door, only to discover a room that resembles a holding cell. Like she suspected, it was empty, but the fact that it was there in the first place was disturbing.

"It can't be," She whispered.

"Look's like you have one more shred of proof, Swan."

"What am I going to tell Henry?" she asked, almost too quietly for him to hear.

"The truth," Killian replied. "We had better get out of here."

"Wait," Emma cried, pulling away from his grasp. She walked into the cell towards a bundle of white. She picked up the material to discover that it was a baby blanket, lined with purple ribbon. The name 'Emma' was stitched on one side.

"What have you got there, Swan?"

"I don't know," she said, her voice trembling. "But I'm taking it with me." She emerged from the cell and closed the door, her gaze not leaving the blanket.

"It seems that your mother was here," Killian said softly, "that or Regina has a twisted sense of humor."

"Let's just get out of here, Jones," Emma told him, clutching the blanket to her chest as she rushed out of the room and Killian put the bookcase back into place before following Emma out.

They stood in front of her car, the blanket having been stashed safely in the trunk.

"Emma, are you all right?" Killian asked gently.

"Why do you care?" Emma scoffed. It wasn't meant to be cutting, but it came out that way.

"I just do," Killian replied earnestly. "I can't explain it."

"Well, thanks, I guess," Emma said. "But I'm fine."

Killian nodded, knowing that now was not the time to press her. It had already been a long day. "Well, then I suppose this is goodnight."

"I suppose it is," Emma replied.

Killian was about to leave when Emma stopped him, "Wait."

He did.

"Why are you really going along with all of this?"

"I care a great deal for your son," Killian explained, "And there are a lot of things about Storybrooke that do not make sense. Perhaps if you try to open your mind a bit, you'll start to see it as well."

Emma just stared at him for a moment before allowing him to walk away. Once again, this man was unfailingly honest with her, and at the very least, honesty was a quality that Emma valued.

That night, Killian Jones sat at his table, a glass of rum in his hand, trying to figure out what exactly it was about Emma Swan that was so captivating.

In all his hazy years in Storybrooke he had never once felt such an intense connection to anyone.

David was right. He definitely liked her. But was it more than that?

Honestly, Killian didn't even know if Emma would stick around long enough for him to find out. She was so guarded, and getting her to trust him would take time. Not that he could blame her. All those little moments of vulnerability over the past few days indicated that Emma had led a hard life. His heart ached for her, and he wanted nothing more than to learn her story, page by page.

Perhaps it was the teacher in him, but he suspected it was more than that.

When it came down to it, he saw part of himself in Emma Swan. A lonely little orphan who didn't think she was worthy of being loved.

Well, if Emma would let him, perhaps he would show her otherwise.

Unbeknownst to Emma and Killian, Mr. Gold had seen them walking back to Emma's car together, surprised by how close they seemed to be.

He would have to keep a close eye on the two of them, for he already sensed the spark between them, and it was intense. In his three hundred years as the Dark One, he had seen a lot.

But never had he sensed such a connection between two people. Not even between Snow White and her Prince Charming.

As much as he hated to admit it, there was a reason he had let Killian Jones live the day he'd killed his first wife. At the moment, he just couldn't remember it. But it would come to him in time.

For now, however, he would have to proceed very carefully when it came to Killian Jones.