Emma slid into Killian's car, an apology for running extra late tonight ready on her lips. "Hey, sorry I was having a wardrobe malfunction that I couldn't figure out so I had to change into a whole new outfit…" Emma trailed off as she finally looked at Killian and took in his outfit for the night. "What the hell are you wearing?"

Killian's cheeks colored at the sharpness in her tone and shifted in his seat. "I'm just trying out something new. It's really not that different from my normal clothes."

He was wearing a dark blue button down with the top two buttons undone under what Emma assumed was a new black, leather jacket. Perhaps strangest of all, "Wait, did you get your ear pierced?" Killian's whole face was beet red from her scrutiny, as he started the car and headed down her street.

"Aye…just a few hours ago." His hand reached up to scratch behind his ear, and Emma realized she needed to tone down her surprise. "I just…wanted to try something new."

"It's a good look," he shot her a dubious glare. "I promise, it's working for you, all the change just caught me off guard. So…what's prompting this transformation?"

His turn onto the highway was a tad more aggressive than it really needed to be. "Nothing, Swan. I just, was ready for a change. You know when you wake up one day and realize that so few of your life decisions have been a conscious choice? That's what I realized about my wardrobe lately and I thought," he paused here dramatically to give her a pointed glare,"that I would test it out tonight, away from our classmates. But maybe I should have also done it when you weren't here."

Emma was laughing, "Hey, I am totally supportive of you figuring yourself out. And I'm totally on board for this whole outfit." She grinned widely, unable to stop herself. "But you pierced your ear!" Her laughs bubbled up infectiously and Killian couldn't help but grin wryly too.

"Maybe the earring was a spur of the moment decision," he conceded. "Liam was getting a tattoo this afternoon and, well, it's really boring to just sit there. So the new girl in the shop, you'd like her, her name's Tink. Anyway, she persuaded me to get something done so she could 'practice'. Next thing I knew there was a needle in her hand and she was counting down. It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would."

Emma tried to get control of her giggles. "How's it feel now?"

"It's just warm, kinda itchy. Is it red?"

"Yeah, but just around the earring. Nice jewelry by the way." Emma giggled again.

"Stop it, Swan. I have excellent jewelry taste, don't be jealous."

"I'm only jealous of Liam because he got to see this glorious event happen!"

Killian could only roll his eyes. He enjoyed her happiness, but it was time for a subject change. "Anyway…who are you meeting tonight?"

Emma kept grinning at the absurdity of Killian Jones with an earring. "His name is Neal. He's eighteen but not in school right now."

"Not in high school or not in college?"

"I guess…I had assumed college but now I'm not sure. He didn't really specify."

"Huh, okay. What else do you know about this Neal?"

"His profile picture is really cute. Much more attractive than Rob," Emma sniffed. "He likes to work on cars and he's taking me to the carnival tonight."

"Is that all? Not your usual level of background information for these dates."

"Well, I only had a week to question and investigate on Neal. These things take time, you know."

"I do. And since you're always so forthcoming, I think it's only fair that I share my plans for the evening."

"You aren't going to the club?"

Emma was surprised. Killian always went to the Jolly Roger on Friday nights. Ages ago she had tagged along. The music the club featured wasn't really her speed but she had gotten to know the cute bartender, Graham, that night. They went out once but their relationship was more friendly than could warrant any additional dates. But the next week, Emma had met a guy online who went to Cadbury's community college and they set up a date. Killian would drop Emma off in her public venue of choice, then head to his show. It had easily become a weekly ritual for them, and for Killian to not go to the Jolly Roger was unfathomable to Emma.

"No, of course I'm going, Swan. You can take a deep breath and quit giving me that flabbergasted look." She laughed; she had been giving him an incredulous look. "Last week the Roger hired a new promoter and obviously I made it a point to meet her. A new promoter could drastically change the whole integrity of the club, so I need to be certain this new woman would be up to the task."

"So what's her name?" Emma could see where this was going.

Killian flinched at being so transparent but continued anyway. "Her name is Milah. She's fantastic, really knows what sound she's looking for and has tons of industry contacts. This could be the beginning of something fantastic for the Roger. She could really put the place on the map."

"Killian, quit talking about music for a second and tell me more about this girl!"

"Just, talking with her last week was the first time I've had a conversation with someone who loves music nearly as much as I do." Killian glanced over at Emma, realizing she might be offended, but Emma just smiled, encouraging him to go on. "And, I felt like there might be a connection there, an indication of something more. Thus, the new clothes. And the earring. I'd like to impress her."

"It sounds like she should have been impressed with your enthusiasm alone for her new job. Why the extra effort?"

"Well, she's older than me."

"So?" Emma asked. It wasn't like she exactly dated guys her age.

"Really older, not just a few years."

Emma laughed. "You're making it sound like she's fifty, Killian. How old is she?"

"Twenty…six."

"Twenty-six! Killian, you're seventeen!"

"I'm aware of my own age, Swan."

"Nine years older than you! Goodness, Killian. I think you've lost the right to comment on the age differences between me and my dates."

"I know, its fairly hypocritical of me."

The lights of Cadbury began to come into view. "Very hypocritical! I can't believe you didn't tell me about this last week. You let me complain about Rude Rob all the way home when you had this in your back pocket the whole time!"

"You seemed upset!"

"I was, but this would have cheered me up!"

"Okay, I promise to be more forthcoming in the future."

"Deal, and that means you give a full report when we head back tonight."

"Fine, but there might not be that much to report on."

"Oh, I'm sure that won't be the case. Besides, I always know the right questions to ask to get you to spill all your secrets."

"I don't have that many secrets from you, Swan."

"And you won't have any when I finish!" Emma grinned, feeling triumphant.

Killian rolled his eyes at her. "Whatever you say. So where are you meeting your date tonight?"

"We're actually just meeting in front of the club, then we'll walk over to the carnival. The benefits of small town life, right? Neal's there, leaning up against that yellow bug."

"Wow, quite a classic. Those are hard to come by."

"Apparently the story of how he got it is really good. He wanted to save it for when we met in person."

"That's kind of a weird request, but I'm looking forward to the report back on that later."

"Alright, I can do that. I'll see you later."

"See you later. Have fun, Swan." He smiled at her as she got out of the car.

She grinned back at him before she closed the door. "You too, and good luck."