Emma's relationship with Neal progressed like a bolt of lightning over the next three weeks. He had called her the next morning and asked if he could take her out to brunch, since she had plans with Ruby that night. Then he started calling her each night, "just to hear her voice". They had another date on Friday where they got so wrapped up in each other, Killian literally had to come and drag her away so they could go home. Neal came to Storybrooke again that Saturday and Emma had showed him around town.
They were in constant contact throughout the week until they could see each other the next weekend. Emma was entranced. Neal was always interested in what she had to say and was constantly pushing her to new heights. Emma knew it was probably just the honeymoon phase of their relationship, but things were so blissful she didn't even try to pick at their cracks.
The problem was that Neal didn't really like Killian all that much. Neal was perfectly nice but a touch more snarky than he really needed to be whenever he had to interact with Killian. Killian for his part maintained his "good form" and was polite when he dropped Emma off or picked her up. He only ever commented on Neal's ability to find free things and that he was too old for Emma. To which Emma always replied, "Twenty-six." The reminder of Milah's age always managed to shut Killian up.
Killian's relationship with Milah was progressing too, but much more slowly than Emma's new relationship. Emma had met Milah once over the last three weeks and while she seemed nice enough, there was something about Milah that Emma didn't quite like. Maybe it was the way Milah had kept casually touching Killian or the way Killian seemed to forget everyone else was in the room when Milah started talking. But that was ridiculous, because that would mean Emma was jealous, and Emma never got jealous.
It was just weird to see Killian be interested in someone for a change. Emma was with Neal now, anyway. There was absolutely no reason for Emma to get a knot in her chest and find it hard to breathe when Killian casually touched Milah back. There was no reason for Emma to clench her teeth when Killian referred to Milah as "love". Killian called everyone "love"; that wasn't special. There was no reason for Emma to feel dizzy when Killian spent the entire drive from Cadbury to Storybrooke telling her about what Milah said, and what Milah did, and wasn't it so funny what Milah said, Swan?
Emma wasn't jealous. There was just something off about the way Milah treated Killian. As his best friend, Emma was determined to pin down exactly what was wrong with their relationship. That was what she was doing tonight, when her and Killian would meet Milah at the Roger later to see a show. Emma had invited David and Ruby along, because it never hurt to have witnesses and a second opinion. And Neal would be there, of course, Emma thought slightly belatedly.
Emma hadn't actually seen Killian much this week. He had been spending almost every night in Cadbury, helping Milah prepare for tonight's show. They had passed each other a few times in the hallways at school, but there was never enough time to properly catch up. Emma adjusted her dress in the mirror one last time and headed downstairs. Ruby was meeting them at Emma and David's house and then Killian would come and drive them all to Cadbury.
Emma heard a car honk out in the driveway and she smiled. Killian was so obnoxious sometimes. She opened the front door to see Killian climbing out of his car.
"Is Ruby not here yet? And where's Dave?"
"Clearly not. David said something about checking on Robin but that he'd be back soon, and Ruby was coming from her shift at the diner. You're early though, so come inside."
"If I'm early, then why are you ready to go?" he said as he came inside.
"I like to mix up my routine every once in a while, to keep you on your toes." His responding grin made Emma's heart clench and she reminded herself he had an almost-girlfriend. "I did forget to grab my phone though, so I'll be right back."
When Emma came back downstairs, Killian was chatting with David about the band playing that night and Ruby was touching up her red lips. Emma's anxieties about the night disappeared as she saw her friends gathered in one place; everything would work out in the end.
"Okay, we ready to get this show on the road? Killian might leave us behind if we wait any longer." Ruby and David laughed at Emma's joke and led the group outside.
"I might leave you behind, Swan, but Dave and Ruby are my guests tonight. You've had plenty of warnings from me to know about the importance of timeliness by now." Emma laughed because he was right, and more often than she would ever admit, she was late on purpose just to aggravate him.
The drive to Cadbury went by quickly as the small group gossiped about the drama that had exploded that week at school. David and Killian's friend Robin had gotten himself into some trouble when he had started dated Regina, the half-sister of his ex-girlfriend Zelena. Apparently the sisters were not that close and all week had been openly throwing insults at the other until they actually started trading blows at lunch earlier today. It hadn't been pretty and Robin was quite upset at all the drama he had started. Robin was originally supposed to come with them but had decided that he had better stay in this weekend until things had calmed down.
They soon pulled in to the main drag at Cadbury and Killian parked near the club. They still had an hour before the show started but thanks to Killian, they were all going to meet the band playing tonight.
The Jolly Roger was mostly empty and dark when their small group walked in. There were a few lighting and sound technicians up on the stage working through the last bits of rehearsal with what Emma assumed was the band. Graham was already behind the bar, stocking a few last items for the night. He waved them over when he noticed their group.
"Hello, Killian, and Emma, its always lovely to see you. I don't think I've met your other friends though." Emma tried not to feel awkward around her exes and Graham was always very kind to her. Emma just realized though that Neal would also be here tonight and probably wouldn't be too happy to learn that Graham was her ex.
Killian introduced David and Ruby, who saw her opportunity and was pouncing. Emma smiled as Graham became a little flustered under Ruby's full offense. Maybe Graham would be distracted enough to not talk to Neal at all tonight.
Killian's attention was back on the stage. "Look, there's Milah. We can probably go meet the band now, if we want." Emma and David moved that way with Killian, but Ruby promised to "catch up in a bit". Emma doubted they would be seeing her again anytime soon.
"Killian, you made it!" Milah said as she noticed the three of them reached the stage. "And Emma, its nice to see you again." She nodded slightly at Emma before turning to David. "We haven't met though, my name is Milah."
"I'm David, Emma's brother and Killian's friend."
"Oh, Dave, Killian talks about you a lot." She smiled, then waved the band over. "I'd like you to meet tonight's talent. They're actually originally from your town, Storybrooke is the name, right?" Emma restrained herself from rolling her eyes, annoyed at Milah apparent forgetfulness, but tried to keep a friendly smile on her face as the band came over.
Milah grabbed Killian's arm and pulled him forward in front of David and Emma. "Killian, I want you to meet Snow White and the Dwarfs. This is Mary Margaret, the lead singer, and that's Leroy, Doc, and Tom." Milah pointed to three men who looked a little burly and grumpy to Emma to be musicians. The woman was the image of a princess though, with her fair skin and black hair and kind smile. Emma thought their band name was very fitting.
Mary Margaret shook hands with Killian and thanked him for coming. She peered around him to see David and Emma. Killian noticed her interest and quickly introduced them. "This is my friend Emma, and her brother David." Mary Margaret smiled warmly at Emma before outright beaming at David. The light in the club was dim, but Emma could swear Mary Margaret's cheeks were turning red. Emma looked over at her brother and saw that he looked dazed and was definitely blushing as he stammered out a hello. Emma looked over at Killian to exchange grins with him. Emma wondered if they would be taking either Ruby or David back with them to Storybrooke tonight.
Milah looked back at the bar and started waving at someone she saw there. "Oh good, he made it. Killian, I'm so excited to finally introduce you!" Emma saw her confusion mirrored on Killian's face. "This is my husband, Rumple."