2528 words this chapter

Chapter Five, the Love Challenge

Hook walked with Emma out of the sheriff station. He stopped in front of a black car that had red ribbons tied along both bumpers and a large red bow around the antenna.

Leroy leaned on the hood. "Finally, let's get this show started, huh?" he asked grumpily.

"You're playing chauffeur tonight?" asked Emma.

"Playing? Heck no! Your boyfriend paid me good money for this gig. Now get in!"

KIllian frowned. "I also instructed you to perform your duties with kindness and finesse, otherwise I assure you that you will not get the extra doubloons you were promised."

Leroy sighed. He cleared his throat and forced a smiled. "Shall we go?" he asked with an attempt at pleasantness as he opened the car's rear door.

Emma chuckled and got in, followed by Killian.

After the car took off, Killian smiled. He leaned beside him and pulled up a bucket of ice, two glasses, and a bottle of wine.

"You're doing this right, pirate," she said.

"Of course, Swan, that is the only way to do it," he said, enunciating the "t." He poured the drinks, smiled and raised his glass. "To your prolonged good health, my darling."

She smiled and clinked her glass to his. She made eyes at him over her wine glass as they sipped. He draped his arm around her and she scooted closer. He nibbled her neck.

She giggled. "I'm going to spill the wine, Killian!"

"There's an extra charge for upholstery cleaning!" snapped the driver.

"Yes, yes," said Hook. "There will also be deductions for killing of the mood."

Emma put her hand on his knee. "I think the mood will be hard to kill," she whispered.

He licked his lips. "I should hope so, Love."

Leroy shook his head and grumbled.

They ignored him, too caught up in each other's eyes. Emma took the hand from his knee, moved it to his neck and pulled him to her. She then...well, basically sucked his face.

Leroy groaned. "I'm not getting enough money for this."

The kissing was hot and heavy. Leroy would be needing that extra money for the upholstery as both glasses of wine ended up on the floor. Emma and her pirate were completely hands (and hook) all over each other.

"You promised to keep it PG!" cried Leroy.

Emma giggled as Killian's hand caressed her back and his hook teased with the shorter side of her hem.

"I neglected to mention to our driver that I have no idea what those two letters represent," Killian said through kisses.

Emma laughed. She pushed him gently away and straightened up. "We should behave ourselves." Killian groaned. She touched the side of his face. "For now, the night is young."

"It is," he said, with a kiss to her hand.

"Unfortunately," added Leroy. "Thankfully, we're there."

"Already?" Emma asked.

"You were occupied," mumbled the dwarf.

The two love birds laughed.

"If we're not at a fancy restaurant, then we're at the docks," said Emma.

Killian gave a soft laugh. "Neither location was special enough."

His lady love gasped. "Did you just insult the Jolly?"

He chuckled. "Never, Love, but I wanted to do something different, something unexpected," he said with a raise of his eyebrows.

Leroy opened the door. Emma shivered into her coat. She looked around. "We're in the woods. Killian, are you crazy? It's winter, in Maine!"

He chuckled. "Trust me." He tossed Leroy some coins. "You may want to run the heater. We shall be a while."

Leroy grumbled. "You better have a whole pile of doubloons ready then."

Killian took Emma's arm and began walking. He called over his shoulder. "I left a thermos under your seat, as well as something warm from the Lady Lucas."

"Oh, well, that's a start," said the dwarf, with a happy tone to his voice.

Emma's teeth chattered as they walked. "This is why I wear...jeans and...boots."

"Not much further, Love."

Soon the darkness gave way to a soft, warm glow. Emma could make out a small building. As they got closer, she saw it was a cabin, with light coming from inside, and smoke coming from the chimney.

"Oh, it's the...place where the...Queens of Darkness took...August," she said through shivers.

"It's seclusion is ideal for a base of evil doing," KIllian said, "I however, have visions of other uses for it." He winked at her.

She chuckled and walked in with him.

Emma melted into its warmth. A fire raged in the fireplace. Vases full of every color of rose were placed on the window sills, side tables, cabinets, and all over. Candles burned beside them. On the floor was a large blanket with plates and cups laid upon it. A large basket sat at its side.

"I thought a romantic picnic was in order," he said with a smile as he pulled her to the fire. He took her coat, then her hand and pulled her gently to the blanket.

As she sat she said, "This is cozy." He smiled. "But, I'm wondering why we got all dressed up."

"One wears one's best for one's beloved."

She smiled. "That's sweet, Killian, but a tad impractical. We're alone. Heck, we could wear pajamas if we wanted."

"Or nothing at all," he said with a leer which made her laugh. "No, Emma, this is a special day, or the day before the special day, so we dress accordingly. It matters not, besides," he said with a wink, "we can remove anything we wish."

She laughed. "You're crazy, Pirate. Only you would dress me all up fancy and drive me to the woods for sandwiches and potato chips."

He stared at her. "Sandwiches? My Love, do you truly believe that is how I would cater to your delicate taste buds on this most holy day?"

"Holy?" she said with a laugh.

"Sandwiches, she says," he muttered as he reached behind the basket and opened a cooler. He produced a chilled bottle of champagne. He winked as he opened it.

She laughed. "My 'happy' drink."

"Indeed," he said. "I do like how...receptive this libation makes you. The bubbly is not all I have to kick off the evening." He set a small platter down.

"Oysters," she said, smiling.

"Indeed, to make sure we are both...receptive and quite able to...accomplish any other activity we may wish to engage in later."

She chuckled.

He poured her a glass, then held his up. "A toast, to this wonderful realm and it's Valentine's Day. To my beloved, Emma, the light that has led me back to a good path."

She blushed. "To you, Killian. I love you"

"I love you, Emma."

They locked eyes as they enjoyed the oysters.

"Now to our dinner," he said. He pulled out several foil wrapped containers. "See how I cater to the one I love," he said, opening one dish. "I do not bring sandwiches," he said with distaste. "I serve the finest roast chicken."

She raised her eyebrow. "It looks warm."

"It's precisely the correct temprature, Love."

"I..I think I apologize."

He raised his eyebrow. "You think? We shall remedy your indecision, Swan." He smirked and unwrapped other containers. "May I present grilled herb potatoes, asparagus with almonds with a honey lemon glaze and homemade dinner rolls. All of which are also at the correct temperature."

She chuckled.

"And to completely earn that apology, Love, I give you what I suspect is not usual picnic fare."

He opened the last dish.

Her eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open. "Lobster?" she asked, looking at two large, smoking claws. "I absolutely apologize, Killian."

He gave a happy grunt. "I should hope so, Emma. I accept." He filled their plates and they ate their meal in the romantic solitude of the cabin.

"That was delicious, Killian. It was the most wonderful picnic."

He smiled and kissed her hand. "For dessert…"

"I can't eat anything more," she said with a laugh.

"No? But, Love, we have bananas and figs, drizzled with chocolate." He grinned wickedly. "I can think of something else I'd like to see drizzled in chocolate," he said, ogling her.

She shook her head and laughed. "I'll try the figs."

"And bananas," he said.

He dished them out.

"Oh...my...gosh, these are good!" she cried.

He lounged beside her on the floor. "Indeed, they serve a purpose as well."

She covered her mouth as she laughed. "Besides being delicious?"

He smirked. "They are foods of love," he said, taking her hand and licking the chocolate off her fingers.

She caught her breath, her heart beating rapidly, as she watched him.

After licking them clean, he turned his attention to a window. "Judging from the stars, we still have time before the dwarf freezes."

She laughed. "You really need a watch."

"I do not, Love," he said. He looked at her with desire in his eyes. "Now, before we depart, if you're game..."

"Game for what?" she asked, rubbing her hand along his cheek.

He bit his lip. "Well, there is a rather large bed in the other room."

She blushed. "Is there?"

He nodded. "If you go inside, you may find a box."

"A box?" she asked, with a grin. "Something boudoir-related, maybe?"

He smiled back. "Perhaps."

She kissed him passionately. "I can always use my magic to defrost the dwarf," she whispered. He laughed. She took his hand and began to walk to the bedroom.

He resisted. "I'd like you to go alone and prepare, if you do not mind. I assure you, I will not be able to keep my distance long."

She gave a soft smile then nodded and walked into the bedroom. After a few minutes, she called to him. He walked in, and she gasped. He had removed his clothes and was now wearing a long red and black robe. He stared at her.

She stood in a crisp white knee length robe. It was decorated along the hems with red sparkling jewels. Even though it wasn't sheer, the red she wore underneath peaked through. She walked to him.

"And I thought my surprise was gorgeous," she said. She rubbed her hand along his chest, brushing the fuzziness of the robe. She bit her lip and smiled. "I really like this."

He smiled, his eyes on her. "I confess I prefer yours, Love. In fact, I absolutely worship your attire."

She laughed, and with his eyes fixed on hers, she slowly unbuttoned her robe, letting it fall down her body.

The top was a sleeveless mini tank. The red lace allowed her skin to peek through except at the breast area. It was lined with black. The top ended just below her breasts. Her torso was bare. The panties matched, black lining the private parts, with the skin peeking through on her tummy. Both the top and the bottoms were adorned with red beads, black bows, and tiny red rosettes

Killian smiled lovingly at her. He stepped forward, running his finger along the lace from her shoulder down the top, over her naked torso and down to her belly button. He could feel her shudder.

She grabbed him by the lapels and pulled him backward towards the bed. She laid down, him bending over her. She untied his robe and smiled as she found it was all he wore.

"Oh, I wanted to be ready, Love."

She laughed and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you, Emma. May I show you how much?"

She smiled. "Please do."

Emma giggled as they ran to the car. Her hair was no longer curly or pinned back. Her makeup was smudged and her lipstick had worn off. She blushed as Leroy stared at her, shaking his head.

"Did you have a pleasant time, Leroy?" asked Killian. "We had a most agreeable experience."

""Believe me, I know!" cried the dwarf. "I had to turn the radio up."

Emma blushed and giggled, putting her head into Killian's side.

He just smirked widely. "Please drive us home."

"Throw gold this way and you got it."

KIllian laughed and tossed a whole bag up front. He looked at Emma and tossed up another. "For your hearing and my beloved's dignity. If she asks for discretion..."

"About what?" asked Leroy with a wink.

"Good man."

Leroy smiled widely and the car took off.

Emma sighed happily and settled beside her pirate. "I don't need him to keep this a secret. It was a perfect, lovely evening."

"It was," he said with a soft, loving smile, "and it continues." He leaned down by his side of the car seat. He straightened and handed her a large heart-shaped box.

"Chocolate," she said with a smile. "Whoa, five pounds?"

He shrugged. "In my research I discovered that this holiday is sometimes referred to as 'the chocolate day' so I wished to do it justice."

She chuckled, looking over the huge box. "You go overboard."

"I am a sailor, Love," he said with a wink. "Now, let me run through my list. Flowers, delivered," he said with a grin. "Champagne, disposed of."

She giggled.

"Romantic dinner, consumed. Jewelry and fine clothing…" he looked at her with a proud smirk, "displayed."

She shook her head with a chuckle.

"And I will wager that neither have ever been displayed so attractively." He winked. She laughed. "We also partook of...naughty clothing. That only leaves chocolates and…" he pulled a large teddy bear holding a pink heart from beneath the seat, "a cuddly depiction of a human killing machine."

She took the bear with a loud laugh. "KIlling machine? Not the normal description, Killian."

"Perhaps not," he said with a grin. He sighed with contentment. "I do believe I have performed all the rituals of this Valentine's day."

Emma held onto the huge bear and chocolates as best she could while also juggling a rainbow rose bouquet she took from the cabin. Killian said he had more compatriots who would fetch the rest, put out the candles, and retrieve the leftover food.

She looked at him. "Thank you. You didn't have to do all this you know. There is only one necessary ingredient for a successful Valentine's day."

He smirked. "Oh, we accomplished that in the cabin's bed, Love."

"I can hear you!" yelled Leroy.

Emma blushed and chuckled. "I meant...this," she said, taking his chin in her hand. "I love you."

He smiled. "I love you, Emma."

"That's all I need." She kissed him, slowly and tenderly. With her lips an inch from his, she whispered, "but I like all the other stuff."

He laughed. "I enjoyed choosing them for you."

She put her head on his shoulder. "You did really well."

"Thank you."

"But I'm still going to beat you."

"We shall see. Even if I lose, dear Emma, I wager I will enjoy the battle."

"Oh, you will," she said. "You definitely will."

"Just so I don't have to hear it," mumbled Leroy.

Emma laughed. "No."

"Well then," said their driver, clutching the thermos, "Happy Valentine's Day!"

He drove them home as they laughed and cuddled.

End of Chapter Five