Emma paused. The alcohol must have affected her more than she realized. Without flinching, she replied, "Sorry, Kid. I don't have a son." She reached into her dress and pulled her apartment key out from her cleavage.

"Clever," Killian said.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Thank you for walking me home," she said to him. She dismissed Killian as easily as she dismissed the child at her doorstep. She slid the key in the lock and with a satisfying click, she opened her door.

"Ten years ago, did you give up a baby for adoption?" the child asked.

Emma stopped and it gave confirmation of the truth. She thought about that baby boy she gave up every day at first. But as time passed, the intervals between the memory got longer. Eventually, she was able to block him out. He was a source of pain that she would rather soon forget. It was better for him that she not be in his life. Or so she thought.

"That was me."

Emma's mouth hung open in awe. A wave of confusion and annoyance washed over her. She shook her head slightly as if to rid herself of the emotions, but quickly changed her mind as a dizzy spell took ahold of her. She reached out to the wall to steady herself. She looked to Killian.

"Guess you do have a kid after all," Killian shrugged. His face held a small smile but it was accompanied by uncertainty.

Emma suspected his joke was meant to be light-hearted and to soothe her, but her already hectic night was getting worse. All she wanted to do was sleep in order to rid her mind and body of her reality. Instead, the surprises kept coming.

Without any further questions, Henry snuck past Emma and let himself in.

Emma stared at Killian for a moment, confusion and desperation written on her face. She simply left her door open and followed the uninvited child deeper into her apartment.

ooo

For a moment, Killian pondered whether or not he should leave. He could tell that Emma didn't have any plans of continuing their nonexistent relationship, but the child that just showed up at her door claiming to be her son increased his curiosity of both her and now the situation. Plus, she did leave the front door open.

Just like the child had done, Killian let himself into her apartment. He closed the door behind him. He cautiously ventured deeper into the apartment. Immediately, he noticed how clean and impersonal her apartment was, like she could disappear at any moment and nobody would know who lived there.

"Where are your parents?" Emma asked.

Killian cleared his throat. "I hope you don't mind," he said, "but I thought you could use my help." He was polite as if that would excuse him from letting himself in.

"I don't need your help," Emma said. Her words were forceful but not meant to be mean.

Killian gave her a slight nod in response. He unconsciously took a small step back to let Emma know that he was harmless. He didn't want to cause her anymore distress. So he just watched.

"What happened to your hand?" Henry inquired. He was sitting on a barstool in the kitchen, drinking juice from the bottle.

Killian raised his left hand up to allow the child to get a better look. He knew by the look on Emma's face that she had not noticed the prosthetic hand attached to his wrist. "Accident. While I was in the Navy."

He watched Emma and wondered what she was going to do. She crinkled her nose and sighed.

"I'm sorry, Kid," Emma said, "but I've had a long night. I'm going to call the cops." She moved across the room to her phone.

"Then I'll tell them you kidnapped me."

Killian couldn't help but smile. This child was clever. He could already see the resemblance between them: stubborn and independent. He watched as Emma hesitated for a moment before clicking the call button.

Emma glanced at Killian then back at the child. "And they believe you because I'm your birth mother?"

"Yup."

Emma raised her eyebrow. "You're not going to do that."

"Try me."

Emma crossed her arms over her chest. "You're pretty good, but here's the thing. There's not a lot I'm great at in life, but I have one skill. Let's call it a superpower. I can tell when anyone is lying, and you, Kid, are."

"Wait. Please don't call the cops. Please. Come home with me."

ooo

Emma sighed. She wasn't exactly in the mood to call the police. She had already spent enough time with them tonight. A pang of guilt hit her all of a sudden, and she made a mental note to check up on Harrison. Not in a blatantly obvious kind of way. Just a quick stop to make sure he was okay.

Emma hung up the phone. She allowed her shoulders to slump forward in defeat. Why did this kid show up at her door? Whatever the reason, she felt for him. "Where's home?"

"Storybrooke, Maine."

"Storybrooke? Seriously?"

"Mmm-hmm"

Up till now, Killian had been quiet. He had been a bystander, but she needed his help. She gave him a nod towards her bedroom to indicate to him that she needed to talk to him in private.

"I'm drunk," Emma confessed.

Killian made a face. "I know," he laughed.

"I mean I can't drive." She didn't want to completely explain. She wanted him to understand without saying the words. She looked back to Henry who seemed content where he was, still sipping the juice from the bottle.

"And you need me to take you?" He nodded towards the child. "And the boy?"

It wasn't until now that Emma showed any signs of vulnerability. With her shoulders slumped, her eyes became soft, almost pleading. "I can pay you."

Killian held up his remaining good hand to stop her. "No," he said, firmly. "I'll help. That's why I'm here."

Emma let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She offered him a small smile. "Thanks, I owe you."

The adults returned to where Henry had propped himself at.

"Okay," Killian said. "You ready?"

Hey, guys! I want to thank you for reading this. Sorry it's a bit short. I'll work on length for the next chapter. Home you enjoyed it!