I'm so excited to see that people are enjoying this! This chapter is a little shorter than what I anticipated, like I have a bunch more written but it just felt better to stop here. Don't hate me. The next chapter should be out soon!

Chapter Two

Emma stared down at her hot chocolate that was slowly growing cold. She didn't know what possessed her to stay another night…well she did, but it wasn't like her. She never did this before; she doesn't make friends or get to know new places, but here she is sitting in Granny's Diner listening to a girl ramble on about some guy like they were best friends. What was her name again? Some kind of stone…Emerald? No… Ruby. Right. Emma looked back up to Ruby making sure to nod and let out the occasional "yeah" or "no way". She seemed like a nice girl, carefree and outgoing. Everything Emma wasn't.

She was in her own world again. Something drew her here to this town. It wasn't just Ryan, that asshole who skipped town. There was something homey about Storybrooke, something she's always wanted but it's always been out of her reach.

"Earth to Emma…"

Emma snapped her eyes back up to Ruby's, "…uh sorry I zoned out a bit" Emma responded with a sheepish smile.

Ruby rolled her eyes, "How long are you staying? Granny said you were here just for another night. Where are you from? Are you going back home? Did you finish with whatever work you were doing here?"

Emma stared at Ruby, wow the people in this town are really nosy. "Well…" Emma paused, what does she say? She wasn't planning on going home anytime soon but she didn't really know where she was going. What she did know was that she was tired of Boston, and that she needed to get away for a little. She had some money saved up; maybe she would drive towards Vermont before making her way back home. Maybe a little road trip for herself, who knows. "I'm not really sure," Emma said slowly.

"I'm just taking it day by day" She added

"Well, okay… uh hot coco is on the house" Ruby said with a smile, not really sure how to respond. She noticed Emma's hesitation on the topic and for once in her life she decided to back off.

Emma smiled and added said her thanks as Ruby walked off to the next customer. It was almost 3:00 p.m. she had been hanging out in Granny's for a while now. Letting out a little yawn she settled for a nap and headed upstairs to her rented room.

Killian kicked his legs back and forth; he was sitting on the dock staring off at the horizon. He was convinced that he'd be a pirate in another life. He loved the water, the way it moved when calm and the way it chopped in a storm. The colors of endless blue reminded him of his mother's eyes. He missed her; she always knew what to say. Granted he was just a boy when she passed, but he knew she would probably still know what to say if she were here. And Liam, he missed his brother. He was off doing great things back in Ireland. They don't speak much but when they do it's like nothing changes. He would tease him and be an over baring brother, and Killian would dish it right back. He loved his brother, but he couldn't go back there. He just wasn't ready.

He sipped on a bottle of water he brought with him, it was summer and really warm out, but the gentle breeze near the water made him forgiving of the heat. Glancing around him he observed the docks; there were fisherman bringing their hard work up on the docks and he could see the small children in the distance at the playground. Killian smiled, he's always wanted a family. Milah didn't. He sighed and brought his gaze back out to the horizon, maybe one day he'll have that with someone. If he ever opened up to someone like that again, not likely mate. Yeah, he missed his mom during these moments.

Killian laid back and closed his eyes. Soaking in the sun, he listened to the waves crashing against the wall below him and drowned out the rest of the world.

He doesn't know how much time must have passed when he heard someone sit next to him. He blinked his eyes open, now realizing he had dozed off. Then sun was closer to the horizon now.

"How long have you been out here?"

Killian turned to look at the speaker, it was David.

"A couple of hours." He replied quietly, not ready to break to peacefulness of the setting.

"I was just passing by on the way to the store, need a ride?" David asked while looking out at the sun that was glowing orange. Killian replied with a small no. A light breeze picked up again, "This is nice, I can see why you come out here so often."

"Aye."

They both sat there until the sun was almost out of view, "Well Mary-Margret is going to be wondering where I am. I've had Leroy tending the bar until your shift starts."

Killian groaned, "Yeah just leave me to deal with that wanker, thanks mate."

David laughed "Oh come on, he's not that bad" and Killian just rolled his eyes. They both got up and started heading in opposite directions. They spoke their goodbyes and were on their way.

Shit. Emma sprang up from the bed. "Shit shit shit" cursing herself. It was 12:30 A.M. she had slept the day away. What was supposed to be like an hour nap turned into hours. Having basically a full night's sleep she was energized. What does she do now? She couldn't leave, check-out wasn't for another eight hours. She walked over to the bathroom and brushed her teeth; glancing up in the mirror she questioned herself. Her life was a mess. Even though she pretended like she had her shit together, she didn't. She knew that.

How could she? She was too busy running from her past. If there was one thing Emma didn't do, it was face her problems. Like Neal. Dammit Neal. It wasn't that she missed him, god she was elated to know that he wasn't her problem anymore. He just royally screwed her, because you fucking fell for an idiot and let that cloud your judgment. So she told herself never again; never again would she open her heart to someone because it always ends the same. Well hopefully not the jail part she thought.

After cleaning herself up, she decided to put her boots on and go for a walk. Maybe some fresh air would do her some good. She grabbed her trusty red leather jacket and made for the door, leaving her car keys because she had an idea of where she'd probably end up. Even if she didn't want to admit it yet.

Emma stepped out into the nighttime summer air, it was warm but breezy. She inhaled and then started wandering around. She noticed a pawn shop and peeked through the window, very antique-y. This town was very…quaint, but she kind of liked it. She turned another corner and passed and ice cream shop, making a mental note to stop by before she left the town. As she strolled down a familiar street she realized where she was headed. She rolled her eyes at herself; of course she would end up here. And as she came out of her thoughts she looked up. The sign was still lit, The Rabbit Hole. She glanced at her phone for the time; she had been wandering around for 20 minutes.

She took a deep breath and pulled open the heavy door.

It was fuller than yesterday now that it was towards the end of the week. People were actually still dancing, and a couple tables were filled with friends laughing. She noticed there were still a couple of barstools open, but does she dare sit up at the bar knowing who could possibly be behind it? Emma hesitated, she's not shy by any means, but she also knows that this isn't usual for her. She decides to go with it for now, it's not like the place was open for much longer anyways. So she picks up her feet that seemed to be glued to the floor and she starts moving towards the bar, choosing to sit on the far right where there were less people.

She watched him from her seat, he was crouched behind the bar grabbing bottles and when he stood to place them on the shelves behind the bar his shirt raised a bit, showing off what looked like toned muscles. She also noted a little bit on ink- a tattoo she couldn't make out. His dark jeans hugged his legs and ass perfectly, always drooling Emma. She had to stop herself from staring before he noticed, "Captain and coke, right? Should I make it a double?" Too late. She cursed herself silently, he must of noticed her staring because here he was standing in front of her. God, he was perfect. She looked up at him noting his grin, yup- he noticed.

"Uh, sure" She stuttered a little and he winked and walked away.

She straightened up in her seat when he returned with her drink. "So…" she said lamely

"So…" He copied her but with a grin. He leaned on the bar and studied her. Her hair fell in soft curls; she had thrown her jacket on the counter and exposed her shoulders in a white tank top. She was a beauty and he was so glad she returned. "You decided to stay another night?"

"Yeah, I ran into your friend David and his wife…uhhh Mary…she was pretty insistent that I check the place out; although I pretty must wasted my day sleeping." She chuckled and remembered the little dark pixie haired woman she almost ran into.

"Aye, Mary-Margret is a little spit fire. They are actually handful those two, but they grow on you. They are like family to me." He smiled softly thinking about his two favorite people in this town.

"They seemed like good people." She responded kindly, but starting to feel a little buzz from her drink.

They stared at each other, neither wanting to break contact, but someone yelled for him at the other end of the bar. She sat there holding her empty glass swirling the ice around. She wanted to know him, and she didn't really know why. She was more of a one-nighter kind of gal, but here she was. She liked watching him move around the bar as he did his thing. He wiped counters, refilled drinks, and he looked so comfortable doing it. Like he belonged.

Emma never belonged.

At least that's what she told herself for years. No one wanted her, and she didn't need anyone. But what she wanted right now was him. She looked at him and he caught her glance. They held that look until he turned towards the last man who was sitting at the bar. She sighed and glanced at the time, 1:15 a.m. Maybe she should leave. So she threw down some cash and headed for the door.

"Swan!"

She heard her name, and turned to Killian. He looked sad, "Leaving so soon?"

"Yeah, uh… I don't know." Emma said while shaking her head, she was a little confused and tired of feeling so many things.

"…stay" is all she heard before her eyes snapped to his. She nodded her head slowly and walked back to her seat before realizing it.

He walked over to her and gave her a glass of water, "It gets a little lonely here without David, would you mind keeping me company while I clean?" He sounded hopeful and who was she to deny this amazing creature in front of her, so she nodded.

"So Swan, do you have a first name?"

"Obviously"

He looked up at her from his spot across the bar expectantly.

She rolled her eyes, "Emma, my name is Emma."

"Emma" He replied with a smile, "Emma Swan."

She laughed, "And what about you, Killian? Got a last name?"

He grinned and said "Jones, Killian Jones."

"At your service milady." He added with a wink and bow. He closed the bar a little early since no one was there except for them. Grabbing a beer he joined her, but sat on top of the counter top.

Killing admired her from over his beer. She seemed like a strong willed lass, didn't take crap from anyone. He liked that.

"So Emma, what are your thoughts of dear old Storybrooke? Will you be gracing us with your presence often?" Killian was once again hopeful but this time he kept that feeling to himself.

"I really don't know. I actually like it here…" She said and surprised herself. "I met Ruby, im assuming you know her" she looked up at him and when he nodded she continued, "she is so full of life, I wish I was like that."

"Well, why aren't you?" He stared at her while she looked off into the distance. She was in her own little world now.

"I've never stayed in a place too long, I don't have many friends. I don't think I mean to close myself off from the world but I can't really help it. People disappoint and it's a setup for failure. Ive had too much failure in my life already." She responds with a sad tone in her voice and then continues, "I've always dreamed of an easy life. Love, family, and friends- it all sounds so easy. Too easy. But for some reason I can never find it." Emma's voice was longing and she sighed.

Her eyes went wide at the realization of what she just had confessed. Emma looked at Killian and he was looking at her with sad but familiar eyes. Like he knew what she was feeling. But once again she convinced herself that no one would understand. She had said too much and once again her walls were up.

"God I'm sorry, I should go." Emma grabbed her things and quickly made her way for the door.

"Emma, wait!" Killian jumped off the counter and ran to her, "Will I see you again?" He asked when he was face to face with her again.

"No, probably not." And then she was gone.

Killian stared at the door.

What just happened?

He stood there a little dumbfounded but eventually made his way upstairs to the small apartment above the bar. He screwed up, but when? She obviously didn't mean to reveal what seemed to be her guarded secrets. He sighed, he enjoyed Emma's company. A lot.

Feeling like he fucked up a great opportunity he crashed into bed face down into his pillow. Maybe one day luck would be on his side.

Okay so seriously, REVIEWS! I need to know what people are thinking! I have an idea of where this story is headed but if you guys have any ideas I'd love to hear them!

Also I may have had a couple drinks- so I may have overlooked a few mistakes. But I decided to post anyways. I'll revise it tomorrow! I wanted to post today!

Xo

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