Looking After You Chapter 7: VII: Licht, an once upon a time fanfic

(A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU GUYS~ I WANNA GLOMP YOU~

Okay, that was creepy, I know. :P But come on, it's Christmas, and ain't no time of year like this one to glomp, amirite? Even though this year's was kinda sucky (that's how I honestly feel *all the time* in 2014. I had a bad feeling of this year, sorry), there's no end to be happy! I have hope that next year'll be good. Please enjoy this 5000+ word chapter (I'M SO TIRED ;P;). You've earned it. Plus, I didn't do a double update like I think I said before, so here you go. MC from me to you~

This week I was re-watching the entire season of Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama (a truly funny and adorable anime that basically everyone should watch), and I couldn't help but add a few references from it into here. Also, KITTEHS. I am in love with kittehs. If I ever find a man who ever owned and loves cats, i'd be like, "OMFG MARRY ME NOW." ...Okay, maybe not like that, but come on. Guys that love cats are adorable in my opinion. Hehe, love you guys~

Oh, hehe, probably should let you know... I might not have a News Years (Eve) update. I'm really busy and am going to go on vacation with my family for a few days and it'll be real hectic, and I can't bring my laptop with me. ಥ_ಥ Bless.)

Warnings: Swearing? (because I'm really too lazy to check if there was). Spelling errors? (yeeeeah, too lazy to check that too. I'm a true procrastinator n.n)

Disclaimer: I remember asking Santa this year for a show this year. ...Yeah, that jolly old man is cruel. So cruel.

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...

The first day of sorting out Killian's case began busily.

Last minute Christmas shoppers scanned the shops meticulously, while others rushed about to get that final gift. It was strange to see so many procrastinators in Storybrooke, as many there to him seemed to be the neat, organised, proper sort. And there he saw Miss Superior, running around like a chicken without a head in the direction of wrapping paper.

It was true that Christmas was, indeed, one of, or the most stressful time of the year, which is why some people love Christmas and some people despise it. Nevertheless, this year was, somehow, different. Like there was a different feeling to it than those many years ago that can't be grasped so easily.

Oh yes, that's right, Killian remembered. It was the first day of finding evidence to throwing Albert's sorry ass in jail. Now, Spencer was very powerful and a very infamous scoundrel in every way possible. He had grown up to be a very influential man to be a DA like Miss Mills, and his lawyers are rumoured to be unbeatable. Albert had money. Albert had class. But he was a murderer and should be treated as such.

This year Killian had no-one to spend Christmas with, and his lawyer did, too, apparently, so why waste a day that could be filled with progress? He called his lawyer (who seemed to like to droll on and on about his ex), got an appointment at Mills and Co., and began discussing his hatred and experiences with the bitter man, and showed the evidence of how Liam's death points to him and Liam's portrayal of him.

But it wasn't exactly easy trying to converse with a man such as Neal Cassidy.

"So why do you want to sue this man, exactly?" Killian stared at him with annoyance. Wasn't it obvious?

"He killed my brother." He made an attempt to calm himself, but his voice made the anger appear much brighter than before. "And I intend to make him pay for what he's done."

"Alrighty then, Mister Moody," the lawyer rolled his eyes, but wasn't totally unaffected by Killian's harsh tone. His eyes showed the horror, no matter how much sarcasm he used. Neal coughed awkwardly.

"We'll do more work on the case in a fortnight. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go make a Christmas call to my papa. See you then." He slammed the door in a rush. And that gave Killian time to think on what this doofus had just said.

'Mister Moody'? 'Papa'? How old was this guy? Seven?

Oh well, he thought, shrugging. I guess I was wrong. He DID have Christmas plans. I still think he's going to die alone, though, if he keeps acting like that.

But before Killian could exit the office, somebody opened the door excitedly. The girl had a very petite body, as if she were some sort of dancer, with bright, fluorescent clothing adorning her pale skin. Her hair was the colour of red autumn leaves, while her eyes were a deep hazel. Sure, she was pretty, but she wasn't exactly someone he'd like to be romantically involved with.

What? He was trying to keep up with the promise he'd made to Liam, remember?

"Mr. Cassidy, sorry to bother you, but can you please hand out these flyers? They're for this charitable project and-" The girl looked up, and stopped abruptly in the middle of her sentence, realizing quickly. She looked down in embarrassment, twirling a lock of her hair nervously. It seemed to be something she did without realizing it.

"Oh, sorry. Didn't notice you weren't Neal. It was just because you looked a bit like him when I took a little glance at you before and I don't really give a lot of eye contact a lot, which is sort of a problem because sometimes I accidentally talk to the wrong people - like now! I tend to do this a lot when I'm really focused or really like what I'm talking about, or when-"

"I heard you said something about a charitable project, love," Killian said loudly, effectively cutting off her rambling for the sake of his sanity. The redhead nodded, blushing.

"Is it by any chance called Neverland?"

The girls eye sparkled with excitement. "Yes! So you've heard of it?"

"Indeed. I heard you're hiring, from a page I saw on the internet."

"Yeah. The more people the better, right? That's basically what the flyer's about. You know, the basic stuff, 'Come and join us here at Neverland!'"

Killian thought for a second. This could be an amazing opportunity for him! He liked what Neverland did, he liked a girl there, he could even bet he had a friend or two in there, it seemed almost perfect!

Of course there were a lot of risks. Like if this company was a scam and it was just used to bait gullible, charitable, justice-loving fools in to capture them and force them do their bidding...

But this girl - and Emma - didn't seem like the people to be doing such things to others.

Whatever. He was going to take a chance, even against his better judgement. "Who can I contact to, er, sign up?"

"You're considering?" She seemed to be in a fervid daze, stopping to stare at him. Noticing this, the girl shook her head out of it and apologized. "Sorry, that sounded insulting. And - oh my goodness! I haven't even told you my name! The name's Ariel, one of the nurses for the few sick children we have at Neverland!" Sticking out her hand politely, she smiled as the man took it firmly, shaking it strangely, as his big hand in hers was a big contrast.

"I'm Killian Jones. Nice to be of acquaintance, Ariel."

Ariel grinned delightedly. "Same to you. So, like I asked before, Killian, are you thinking of joining Neverland?"

"As a person who shares the feeling of feeling lost, definitely, lass." His blue eyes scan a flyer which had fallen to the ground a few seconds ago. "Your organisation is non-profit I believe?"

She looks down to where his gaze leaded to, nodding. "We care about the children and families. Some people we pick up fresh off the street, and can't exactly pay up after we help them. Love and hope shouldn't have a price."

"Who do I contact to join?"

Ariel literally bounced around the office in joy, all smiles. "Ooooh, this is so exciting! You better go to Emma Swan's homepage, SwanLilyslyce17, on EdgeChapter. She's basically the founder of the place."

Huh. How 'bout that.

The girl he likes is truly amazing in building a community such as Neverland (it isn't believed to be easy to make such a place with such favourable reviews), the place Ariel indicated to contact her was the one he'd found her in in his own time, and the cause was something he was so interested in...

It was like... an early Christmas present.

Killian smiled pleasantly. "Hey, there's a coffee shop around the corner - way better than this stuffy old office - care to join me, love?"

...

Later that day, Ariel and Killian became friends. He was glad he didn't flirt with her before because of how her persona seemed - she had a strong, protective husband she'd met in high school and Killian'd rather not have a fight with this dude.

(Well, he'd still win, but still.)

Other than the flyers, Ariel held to what seemed to be a raffle box. She smiled radiantly when he asked about it.

"It's a Kris Kringle thing!"

Killian raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "...Beg your pardon, but what is this 'Kristopher Kringlet thing' you speak of?"

"You haven't heard of a Kris Kringle, Killian?"

Killian looked down in embarrassment. "I was, in a way, home-schooled. I'm not too familiar with the customs you usually have around this time."

Her eyes softened. She seemed to know what he meant. "Sorry, I understand. It's like... what do you call it..." Ariel paused, deep in thought, and then her eyes lit up as she finally found the word she'd been looking for. "...a Secret Santa! That's right! So basically you draw a name from the box, which has all of the Neverland staff names inside it, including mine and a few others, like you, and you give a gift to this person, without them knowing it." The bubbly redhead whispered the last part cheekily(which Killian absolutely didn't understand - who was going to listen in on their conversation anyway? The baristas?), making him chuckle.

"I'll enter you in. Let's see, what time is it?"

He checked his watched, squinting. "About... eleven past ten, why?"

"Fantastic! We'll be officially drawing names at around one. You have the address I gave to Neverland, right?" Killian nodded, standing up from his chair, still sipping his cocolatte (hold the coffee).

Ariel stood up too, starting to walk away from him picking up her things busily. There was someplace she needed to be, it seemed. "Go to the quadrangle. You can't miss it. I gotta go now, Killian! Nice meeting you!"

"You too, love!" Killian yelled to her disappearing figure. He nodded to himself, shoved his hands in his pockets, and walked home. What a morning.

...

The blonde sighed blissfully, breathing in the sweet aroma of her coffee. Taking a small sip, Emma realized how grateful she was to have a day off of work to just relax and stay home a while. Her apartment filled with early-morning streaks of golden daylight through the open window, leaves of the trees outside rustling in the soft breeze. The thin, soft curtain attached to her window blew back and forth, it's lovely light lavender colour pleasing her mind. What a beautiful day it was. She was going to have to remind herself to take a bike ride around Storybrooke some time.

It had been a long time since she'd actually have a day like this - without anyone to bother her, no stress, no worries, practically hakuna matata.

(She loved making Disney movie references. Especially from the Lion King.)

Well, that is, until she got a phone call from a worried Belle. Emma sighed tiredly.

"Hello?"

"Hi, yes, Emma," her friend seemed to be in quite a hurry, the words coming together into a mush. A child's crying could be heard in the background, as well as some men yelling and toddlers screaming, which made Emma remember how stressful it sometimes was in Neverland. "Have you forgotten about the interviews online?"

Her eyes widened and internally facepalmed, remembering clearly what she was assigned to do - check all of the online interview applicants while Elsa, Mary Margeret and Graham took care of the in-person interviews at Neverland. And, honestly, every time she attempted to check them, she was either too hungry or too sleepy or couldn't be stuffed and would do it later but repeat that every time after that. Emma felt pathetic.

"Sorry Belle, I was caught up in something," Emma said in a good-enough apologetic voice. "I honestly forgot."

"Oh, okay. As long as you weren't procrastinating as usual." She could literally feel her eye-rolling.

"Fine, okay, you caught me. But today's my only day off, and it-"

Belle sighed. "Just please do it by the end of the day, Emma. Or else Ingrid is going to get pissed at both of us."

"I've gpt time, Belle, don't worry so much." She replied indignantly. "It's only like-" she checked her phone on her nightstand, "-Eight in the morning. I can assure you we'll be done fast."

"Alright, I trust you. Don't screw this up~" Belle singsonged. And with that, she hung up as quickly as she had called - out of the blue.

...

She really didn't expect there to be so much of interviews applicant entries, though. Emma learned, scrolling up and about her EdgeChapter wall.

Most was just useless, perverted spam that she really didn't give a shit about, but some were really heartfelt, awesome, legitimate appliances made by amazing people. She sent the chosen people e-mails to deem them worthy to an actual interview at Neverland or via the Neverland website. Some people wrote their entries in different languages, which she hoped someone at Neverland could translate for her. Of course, it wouldn't be too much of a problem for someone who spoke a different language at Neverland - in fact, it could totally make it better! Some children didn't exactly speak English, or some just wanted to learn how to speak something other than that.

It would be interesting to make a class to study other languages at Neverland and educate the children even further. There were translators working with her, like Mulan (who could effectively use Chinese and bits of Japanese in daily life) and Elsa (German, Danish, Swedish, and a bit of Norwegian, smart girl she was), even Tink (who could fluently use sign language), and others around the community who were just too awesome to be true that they had to learn another language to prove it.

Well, that's how Emma saw it, anyways.

It was sad to see none of the chosen applicants were online at the moment. Hmm, perhaps they were busy or asleep or something.

Was she... and dare I say it... finished?!

After all that time reading and approving and disapproving and making like twelve cups of coffee to get her through, was she actually done?!

Beep, beep! Her computer buzzed quietly as Emma redirected her attention back to its screen. It had appeared that a new applicant had arrived. And just when she thought her work was finally over...

KKJnes_bluesea: Hello

Huh. It had seemed that this person wasn't all that formal like everyone else. How 'bout that?

SwanLilyslyce17: Hi. I believe you're here for an interview entry?

KKJnes_bluesea: What, someone can't look for a friend over the internet?

That made her laugh. At least someone had a sense of humour in this age.

SwanLilyslyce17: Couldn't you just be another guy who's spamming me?

KKJnes_bluesea: I'm not

KKJnes_bluesea: ...Are you?

SwanLilyslyce17: what even are you talking about

KKJnes_bluesea: You're not the only one who could be spammed at the moment

This guy were right, but in the strangest way possible.

SwanLilyslyce17: I guess so

KKJnes_bluesea: Okay fine i'm actually talking to you about the Neverland application

SwanLilyslyce17: Caught ya. :D I can spot a liar from a mile away

KKJnes_bluesea: Or through the internet? Fancy ;D

SwanLilyslyce17: Shut up

SwanLilyslyce17: So are we going to talk about Neverland or not, Miss Walkie-Talkie?

KKJnes_bluesea: For your information i'm a 31-year-old man

SwanLilyslyce17: And i'm a 28-year-old woman. Your point?

KKJnes_bluesea: You're mean ;p;

KKJnes_bluesea: Okay fine, lets talk about Neverland

She took all of KKJnes_bluesea's details, through a very strange conversation over the internet. Apparently, his name was Killian Jones, a boat salesman (SwanLilyslyce17: SAILSMAN LOL xDD KKJnes_bluesea: you are the worst *^*), fisherman/sailor and an ex-captain of the Navy. His mother died when he was four and his father abandoned him when he was seven because he was in-debt, leaving him pretty much an orphan along with his brother, Liam, who died in service to the Navy earlier this month. This made him very passionate about Neverland when he found out about it.

Honestly, from the moment he messaged her, she was hooked. Killian seemed like a very nice, funny, passionate person, and was someone she'd love to work at Neverland. She approved him, bade him farewell, and closed her computer.

...

Emma looked around the halls of Neverland - the green and red filled season was taken to an entirely different level there. When it became known to Emma that some kids weren't educated very much on Christmas, she decided to host a program for the families and soon, everyone seemed hyperactive with excitement, even the adults were cheering.

How she loved sharing the joy of Christmas.

Since then, everyone had been decorating, writing to Santa (follow-up letters, the kids were so cute), trying to wrap presents, and some even attempted to dress like Santa and his elves. But no-one could forget the Kris Kringle that was to be in twenty-four minutes or so. It was so hard to get the kids to sleep the previous night, as everyone was awake, asking questions about Santa, some wanting to get started on presents already, and some were just really restless sleepers when they were excited. However, it wasn't a surprise that some kids stayed up late just to hang around Emma and her colleagues.

They were family like no other to them.

The Christmas tree was bought using funds from generous donators around the area. The tree, metres tall, sat in the centre of Neverland's quadrangle, stringy lights around it aglow, baubles hanging, radiant and colourful in the late afternoon sunshine. Decoration's made by Neverland's inhabitants, the good and the bad, the glittery and the sticky, hung from branches high and low in shapes of candy canes and ribbons and little angels and trees, all of the pleasure-filling wonders that Christmas brought to the world, which underneath, held truckloads (brief exaggeration) of gifts. Some were, admittedly, looked like they were wrapped with a foot, and some seemed just so pretty to rip up.

(But everyone knew that that time would come. Sooner or later.)

Emma couldn't hold back her excitement - this was the first year they'd be doing a Kris Kringle thing. They'd lower the people actually doing the KK for the first time they'd do it, as there were far too many children and families to participate in such an event. That would take hours to call out names to pick a name from the box - not to mention a gigantic box with too many pieces of paper inside, effectively wasting quite a number of trees. Maybe so big of a box that even a small child could swim through (using the paper as water of course), and perhaps the Olympic officials would use for the next Games.

The blonde checked her watch anxiously. 12:54. Bummer. The boredom seeped into her quickly, and she looked around for someone, anyone to talk to.

She spotted Ariel, talking and welcoming a few guests and visitors, when suddenly it seemed like she'd found someone she recognise. Her eyes widened in joy when she spotted a tall man above the crowd. Smiling, the ran up to him, hugged, and made small talk, before he waved her goodbye, making his way to the tree.

Emma grinned. Ariel was a child at heart, but passionate and serious when she needed to be. The redhead was a hard worker (a stubborn one, at that), and that's kind of why they were friends - they were so alike.

When she approached her, Ariel let out a huge squeal, hugging her tightly. "I'm so excited, Emma! I've found you a guy!"

Well, Emma wanted to be indignant and say something along the lines of: "I can find a date on my own, Ariel." or "Men aren't supposed to be your main thought tonight," or even "I don't need a matchmaker at the moment," but Ariel was squeezing her so hard that all she could let out was: "ASFDGVARIEL CAN'T... SCHHHBREATHE!"

"Oops!" Her bubbly friend replied apologetically, unlocking her arms from her friends back, giggling. Emma seemed not to be the only one who need to catch their breath. "Sorry, I was just so excited, and, Killian's such a nice guy, and, oh my dear Lord you need a date before you de alone, and-"

The blonde's eyes shot open. "Wait wait wait, Ariel. Did you just say Killian?"

"Hmm?" Ariel looked up at her inquisitively. "You know him by any chance?"

"Yeah, sort of, he's one of the Neverland applicants I met online. I think he's really nice."

Her friend looked at her dazedly, grinning. "Soooooo much moe~!"

"What's moe?" Emma raised an eyebrow.

She laughed nervously. "Just an anime thing, haha. Otaku stuff, no big deal..."

Emma wasn't all that interested in that sort of thing. She had to get out of this awkward conversation, and fast.

"Hello everyone!" They turned to see Elsa on-stage with a microphone in hand, smiling. Oh yeah, the blonde recalled. She's in charge of announcing, got it. "And welcome to the very first Kris Kringle here at Neverland. Are you excited?"

Cheers of all sorts erupted from the huge crowd, and off of the large television over her head, displaying what was playing worldwide on TVs everywhere.

"Great! The participants today consist of Neverland's staff and few visitors and supporters today! Each will pick a name from the box - no peeking or telling anyone who your recipient is or knowing who's giving a gift to you - it's all Christmas luck and cheer!"

Names, most of which were very familiar, were called out in role order, alphabetical, which meant when Emma was called out, it was nearly the end of the Kris Kringle Call-Outs (which an excited Ariel named it).

"Mary Margeret Blanchard!" Emma felt some vague Harry Potter business, being it sort of like the Sorting Hat, Ingrid sort of McGonagall. She looked eagerly at her piece of paper, placed it in her pocket, and walk back to her seat, some friends around swarming her to get some details.

"August Booth!"

"Ashley Boyd!"

"Belle French!"

"Gold." Yeeeah, Ingrid didn't like Mr. Gold all that much, and wouldn't exactly welcome him to the stage in an exactly welcoming manner. Pity, they were so alike.

"Archie Hopper!"

"Robin Hood!" The poor guy whose parents were obsessed with that one story in the childrens books...

The list of names ran on and on. Each person came up to the stage with excitement and took a name. No-one seemed to be unhappy with any name they received, so that was good.

"Killian Jones!" The crowd was almost silent as he approached the stage, small whispers being heard among them. Who was this handsome guy? What was he doing in such a place? Was he someone famous? More and more questions were thrown around the room as he took a name from the box, nodded and smiled to the cluster of people and Ingrid and Elsa, making his way off of the stage. She noticed that he hadn't checked his piece of paper at all. Perhaps he would save the surprise for later?

The blonde tried to focus on the man's face, interested as to who he was. He seemed vaguely familiar...

Wait. Emma squinted at his facial features. Her eyes widened as big as saucers when she discovered...

No, no, it couldn't be...

It was HIM.

She'd thought, perhaps, that he was just a guy she'd met online, or a guy with the same name or something, but... he was...

The man she'd been essentially stalking for the last month. The guy who'd seemingly followed her to her workplace. The person she just couldn't get away from or vice versa was here. Today. Right here. Right now.

How she wanted to basically rant and lecture this dude (and probably put in some legal matters too) for the next couple of hours, but really how would that conversation start?

"Hi, yeah, I'm Emma Swan (which you might already know), and I want to know why you keep following me and why you're so attractive?" Hmm, yeah, not the ideal conversation that she exactly wanted to have right now...

"Emma Swan!" She looked up in surprise. It was her turn already? Standing up, the blonde quickly walked up t the stage, smiling at Elsa and Ingrid as she reached inside the bright green and rose red coloured box. The few pieces of paper inside the box tickled her hand before she grasped one tightly in her hand.

Taking her leave off of the stage, lips pressed together in a surprised but serious frown, Emma sat down in her seat. Ingrid proceeded to call out names, getting to Miss Superior and Whale while she took these things into thought without even looking at her scrap of paper.

"Psst." The blonde looked around confusedly. Was somebody calling her? And at a time at this? Emma caught the eyes of Ruby, Mary Margeret and David, who made attempts to play it off like they'd never seen her when Emma rolled her eyes and tugged on Ruby's ear, tugging the other two along with her.

"Ow, ow, ow, ear, ear ear!" Her long-haired friend squealed quietly. This attracted a few people's attention, but Emma waved them off, as if to say, don't worry, I've got this as a personal matter.

"What did you call me for?" Emma whispered furiously.

"Gee," Ruby deadpanned. She stared solemnly at her other two friends. "You would've thought she'd be more appreciative from us help her, don't you think?"

She raised an eyebrow in question. "Excuse me? Help me with what?"

Mary Margeret looked almost sadly at her, motherly nature showing its true colours. "Oh, Emma, we know that the breakup with Neal's been hard on you and all, and we just thought..."

"...That you'd find me someone else?" The blonde finished for her, staring her down impassively. She looked over her shoulder. "Yeah, I thought so."

"Look, Emma," David patted her shoulder caringly. "We just want to be good friends, Emma. Don't you understand?"

"You forgot the point that you wanted to go double-dating with them, Nolan." Ruby said under her breath. He ignored her jab, rolling his eyes in irritancy.

The blonde sighed. She looked up at David. "I get it. Whadd'ya got?"

Ruby fist-pumped the air excitedly. Mary Margeret smiled warmly, handing her a slip of paper, almost identical to Emma's. The blonde looked up at her in confusion. "Here. I got Killian, but I don't really want to get him anything for your cause."

"Who'd you get?" David asked.

Emma uncurled her fist, opening her crumpled-up piece of paper for them to see. "Ah, I got Whale."

"Really?" Ruby's eyes widened excitedly. "Can I have it- Oh crap." In the middle of her sentence, MM sighed happily, almost squealing.

Emma looked between the two of them, smirking. "Oooh, what's up between you and Whale, Ruby? You two likey-likey each other, eh?"

"Shaddup! What's going on between you and Killian, Emma?"

She blushed. "Nothing!"

"Oh, really?" A sarcastic voice erupted from somewhere far away. Ruby squinted, sighing. They must've been having that conversation so loudly that it had surpassed the entire audience's.

"Regina." Emma said, neutral.

"Emma. What have I said about not drooling over men?" Regina mock-scolded, making a fraction of the crowd laugh. Emma could see Killian's head among them, looking down awkwardly. His face was a faint red.

She growled angrily. "Why don't you mind your own business with Hood, Mills? I'm sure that'll keep you busy for another millennia."

She didn't even care that she might get fired from her job, or if she was going to give her more hell than usual after this, or even if she (or Robin, even though it was very unlikely to happen, he was such a nice guy) was going to beat her up or whatever for doing so, even though it wasn't really much of a comback. It was a risk worth taking for defending her honour.

Regina didn't even reply. She made a small growl and simmered down to her seat. The crowd was silent, too. Serves them right.

Taking her three friends, her piece of paper and her dignity, Emma was a feisty little blonde when she got home. But then she remembered she had to get Killian a present.

Crap.

...

Killian stared at Emma's back, as well as her three companions' in a mixture of amazement and admiration.

He looked down at his scrap of paper. Emma Swan. Hint: She likes surprises and, one day, wants to care for something. What kind of bloody hint was that, Killian thought quizzically, confusion filling his facial features.

You know how in the cartoons how when a character gets an idea or something, a light bulb appears over their head? Yeah, pretty much what he felt like happened at that moment.

And so he knew exactly where to get it.

"Hey, yeah, Jefferson? Yeah, I need you to make a full-access delivery to Miss Emma Swan by tomorrow, and yes, I'll pay in full."

...

When Emma went to her workplace the next day, she found her co-workers in a cluster around her desk. She rushed over, trying to see what the commotion was.

"Oh my God, Emma!" Ashley squealed happily, clutching Emma's shoulders while she gave a look of pure horror from her surprise glomp. "I wish I had a boyfriend who sent me presents like this!"

Emma raised an eyebrow in question, trying to make her way through the little crowd they'd made, while Sean yelled at his wife indignantly. It must've been from her secret Santa from last night! I mean, she could cross off 'boyfriend' off of her list, and who else would get her a present this time of year? Not her dead parents, or even her foster parents - they hated her, and she basically moved out when she was of age.

A faint hiss could be heard in front of her; her desk must not be too far away. Wait.

Why was there a hiss?

The blonde looked around suspiciously. No normal human being hisses like that, she was sure. Well, at least none of her colleagues hiss on a daily basis (that she knew of, anyway). Emma was expecting her kris kringle to provide her with something cheap and cheesy, like a teddy bear, or a hat, or basically anything Neal would get her for her birthday or anniversary.

But apparently not.

And OH MY DEAR GAWD WHOEVER WAS HER SECRET SANTA DESERVED EVERYTHING GOOD IN THIS PLANET.

Emma screamed excitedly when she set her eyes on the little kitten sitting in the corner of the cage it was in, purring adorably. On the handle of the cage there was a ribbon with a thousand dollar gift card to the best pet shop in the area, JeffAdores Pet Galore, connected to it. Also attached to it was a little homemade Christmas card, fancy scrawl in it's contents.

Merry Christmas, Emma. I got your hint ;) Treat this kitten with care, he can get a little feisty sometime (I know, he nearly ripped my face off when we first met xS). Love and best wishes, your Secret Santa.

In her excitement, Emma barely noticed that this scrawl and way of writing was so very familiar. But you know, she'd figure it out sooner or later.

She was a smart lass.

...

(A/N: MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS! Haha, sorry, i'm a bit angry that my computed won't send this and update the story. Been trying for hours, honestly.

Anyhow, did you enjoy the chapter? Feel free to leave a review or something to share your ideas (you don't have to, btw, but I really'd like to hear your opinion ^.^) or follow/favourite to see more of these updates!

To Guest (Andria): I know you wanted them to have a conversation sometime, and maybe the conversation I wrote up wasn't exactlywhat you meant, but I swear, next year, they WILL talk with each other. Promise. They can't go long without doing that, anyway ;)

Question of the Day: What do you think Emma got Killian for Christmas? What do you think HIS hint was? What about Whale's hint?

Have a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! May all your 2015 wishes, guys!~)

Enjoy your holidays and wait for the next instalment of...

~ Looking After You ~