Chapter Three

"One coffee coming up" Ruby turned away from him to pour the drink.

He was sitting at the counter top at Granny's alone, it was still early, but he couldn't sleep anymore. He was kind of hoping to see Emma again and apologize for whatever he must have done wrong. He needed to see her again. Killian stared towards the hallway that led to the rooms, hoping to see her sunshine hair and green eyes.

"She left." Ruby stated quietly while placing his coffee in front of him. "She left the key to her room with a note for Granny. It's too bad; I was hoping she'd stay. She looked like she wanted too. I kind of liked that girl." She chatted to him while leaning on the counter.

Killian looked back towards Ruby a little surprised, "She left town? The Swan girl?"

"Yeah, how do you know her? Did you guys do it behind the bar or something?" Ruby wiggled her eyebrows at him.

"NO!" He exclaimed quicky, "No no, she just came by one night and then the next and then she was just…"

"Gone" Ruby finished for him.

"Aye."

"Yeah she seemed kind of fluttery. Anyways, hey how's that boat of yours?"

"She's great" Killian said a little brighter, "I'm almost done with her and then she'll be ready for sailing." He smiled at the thought of his biggest accomplishment. He built a sailboat. One he knew his brother Liam would be proud of.

"Well you'll have to take me and my friends sailing! It's summer after all, and I need a tan."

Killian laughed at Ruby's excitement and nodded, "Aye, very well."

They chatted a bit longer until the place started growing with people; he bid his farewell and walked outside. It's beautiful out, already sunny skies, and a nice breeze; and yet something doesn't feel right. On days like this he wished he had someone to share his time with. He shook his head-instead of wallowing in self-pity he decided to stroll on down to the docks, it is a nice morning and he will spend it doing something he loves; so he settled his sights on a particular sailboat and smiled. It's about time to finish what he started.

Emma threw her keys down on the counter. She was home. In Boston. The second she walked out of the bar she ran. Ran to Granny's and packed her things and jumped in her car. She knew she had to get out of that town, the town that made her feel comfortable, the town that made her feel like she could have friends to share her secrets with, and be home. God, she was so stupid.

He asked her to stay, to talk and just be there. And boy did she talk, she felt too comfortable around the man she'd known for less than 24 hours. And what was that face he made when she had let her walls down? It was as if he knew her pain, her struggles of family and friends and happiness. But he didn't know, no one ever understood; Hence the running.

Killian Jones, a beautiful man she will never forget and she would hate herself for that… and maybe she would hate him a little too- for being there. No one has ever been there for her.

Emma walked into her small room and threw her stuff down before lying on her bed. It was still early in the morning and she hadn't slept a wink yet. Maybe one day things would be different for her.

"Yeah right," she muttered before closing her eyes and letting exhaustion take over.

When she woke it was a little after four, she showered and ate before heading down to her P.O. Box. She had a check to collect, and boy was she excited for some extra cash for the savings. She planned on saving enough to get her car fully restored- she loved her bug, but it was falling apart. She headed downstairs and got in her car, driving the 10 minutes to the small mail room. When she finally reached her box she grabbed her key and almost ripped the small door open. A bunch of crap mail immediately fell out, coupons for places she will never visit and a thick envelope- but where was her check?

Huffing out in annoyance she grabbed her mail and stopped back to her car, when she was settled in she grabbed her phone and started doing a little google search. She looked up the number for Sheriff Graham's office in Storybrooke, and dialed it when she came across it.

Storybrooke sheriff's Office, Graham speaking.

"Graham, its Emma Swan. I came by the other day and…"

Ah, yes Miss Swan. I remember; we don't get many visitors. How can I be of service?

"Did anyone ever contact you about my payment? I never received a check in the mail. Normally it'd receive it by now."

Ah, yes well we actually received it here. Sorry about the mix up. You can stop by anytime to collect it. Or I can have it mailed out to you, but the post doesn't come and go quite often around here so it may take a couple days.

Emma grumbled something incoherent, days? She didn't want to risk her check to get lost in the mail, because they would never send a new one. "Okay uh, let me figure it out and call you back in a few." She hung up before he could respond.

She hit the steering wheel out of frustration. Going back to Storybrooke was not an option. She sighed and reached for the thick envelope sitting on her lap. Important Notice. "That can't be good." She mumbled as she fussed with the packaging. Finally opening it, she read the contents:

"Dear Ms. Swan,

We regret to inform you that Parkside Commons has been bought out. We understand you are a current tenant at the address 100 Stockton St, we are sorry for the complications this new deal may bring about. We are offering that our current tenant may purchase their current apartment from our buyer, or you may relinquish your lease with no extra fees. Move out dates are the 12-20 of June. If you have any questions or concerns please use the following information to contact me.

Best,

Mr. Gold

(617) 560-8989

"WHAT THE FUCK! This is not happening!" Emma started crying, real tears were now streaming down her face. What was happening? Her life hasn't been ideal, but this? All of a sudden it took a sharp turn down some kind of steep mountain. She didn't have the kind of money to just buy an apartment. What was she going to do?

She wiped her tears and looked at herself through the rear view mirror. Who is she? What is this life she is living? She had to make some real adult decisions and fast. She has an idea of where to start, so she brings her engine to life and pulls out of the parking lot. Emma stopped by her apartment to grab her things- ALL of her things. Turns out, she didn't own much. It all fit in the small trunk of her car. And before she knew it she was on the interstate reading a sign- Storybrooke 230 miles, and then she picked up her phone to dial a certain sheriffs number.

Ruby was leaning over the front desk while chatting with Granny. It was late and she wanted to go out- she was 26 after all. Granny was old fashioned though and worried about her safety, "I don't have to ask your permission you know. I'm a full frown adult and it's Friday night. I'm going out."

"Don't come back here all doped up with strange men." Granny said over her glasses and added "I also don't run a brothel.

"Granny, do you even know what a brothel is?" Ruby laughed.

Granny gave her a pointed look and went to respond but there was a ding signaling someone's arrival.

"Uhhh, hi." Emma stood at the doorway awkwardly staring between the two, "I was wondering if I could get a room again…I'm not sure for how long though."

"Ms. Swan! Of course, come in. Is a square view okay?"

"Emma. And yeah whatever's available."

"So you're back. You left so early this morning I didn't think you'd grace us with your presence again." Ruby said while eyeing Emma, trying to figure out what she was all about.

"Something came up" Her reply was plain, trying not to show any emotion on the matter. She had a rough day and just wanted to wash it off.

"Alright Ms. Sw… Emma, here's your key. Room 4 same as last time." Granny said with a smile. "Stay as long as you'd like and don't be a stranger for breakfast. Emma smiled at Granny and nodded at Ruby before heading upstairs.

Emma got to her room and went straight for the shower, washing off her horrible day. She made a mental not reminding herself she had to go to see Graham in the morning for her check, after all that's why she came back. But for now, maybe she would go to the bar. Obviously she wanted to see him again, the man she left without warning and she didn't really want to play mind games with herself over it. So when she got out she settled for dark jeans, boots, and a flannel shirt. Her hair dried straight and she wore minimal make-up not exactly wanting to dress up but not wanting to look like a zombie.

She wasted no time and quickly walked to the bar, it was only 10 p.m. so the bar was in full swing- especially since it was Friday.

"Emma!"

She heard her name being called over the music; Ruby was hanging on some guy she'd never seen. Emma smiled in her direction but didn't walk over to her; she was on somewhat of a mission trying to find Mr. Tall, dark, and Irish. In reality he wasn't hard to find, she looked over at the bar and there he was doing his bartender thing. He hadn't noticed her walk in, so she used that to her advantage and leaned against the bar- no seats were left.

She tried a couple times to get his attention but he was so busy- eventually she just yelled, "What's a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?!" She asked with raised eyebrows.

Killian turned at the sound of her voice; looking down the bar they locked eyes. He was shocked, he thought she had left, but here she is. He was a little upset with her, but he was also relieved to she returned for whatever reason.

He walked up to her and gave her a lopsided grin, "Swan, missed me already? The usual?"

She had a usual now? She shook her head and looked at him through her lashes, "Possibly" she flirted back. "Can I get rum, straight?"

He raised a brow at her, "Rough day? Does the lady wish to talk about it? Bartenders are supposed to be great listeners from what I gather." He poured her drink and handed it to her.

"I don't want to talk about it." She huffed lightly, "Just keep the drinks coming." She responded and tossed the warm liquid back, finding comfort in the burning sensation.

He raised his hands in a surrendering manner, "As you wish."

She sighed, "Sorry, I've just had a long day…and well I'm not used to sharing my feeling and whatever."

"Is that why you left so quickly before?" He asked her quietly.

She nodded and brought the rum to her lips again.

"All's well then, love. As you can see I'm a big lad, I know when not to take it to heart. Obviously my charm worked on you though because here you are." He grinned at her again before walking off to attend an impatient group of college students.

She watched him work for a couple hours; he would occasionally come back to where she was, now seated in the center barstool, to swap witty remarks. The alcohol gave her a little more of a buzz, dare she say she was tipsy- not drunk.

"So Mr. Jones what does a bartender do during the day? I've always wondered." She grins up at the Irish beauty standing in front of her.

"I am a man of many talents, you see. I've actually just finished restoring… well basically building an old sailboat. I plan on taking her out soon." He smiles at her in response.

"A captain of the waters, are we? Well then Captain Jones, maybe one day you can teach me how to sail." She giggled to him… giggling now, Emma? Jesus.

He leans forward on the bar when he responds, "Perhaps…and maybe you'll join me tonight again after we close? We can talk more about this sailing excursion you wish to take."

Emma nodded without hesitation. Whoever she was when she was with him was not the Emma Swan she knew herself to be. And she was surprisingly okay with this change in personality. This man does something to her, and she is enjoying every moment of it right now… I'm blaming the rum she thinks.

"Great, be back in a moment." He grins and walks off.

Emma looked up at the clock, it was nearing 2 a.m. closing time. She glanced around and watched the people slowly clear out until it was just them. He was had gone into the kitchen with dirty dishes, so she decided to help herself to another drink. She hopped up from her spot and walked behind the bar. She scanned the shelves until she picked her poison and then poured it in her glass.

"You know, some would call this an invasion of space." She felt his breath close to her ear and jumped a little in surprise.

She turned around and raised an eyebrow to him, "Yeah? And what would you call this?" She motioned at the little space between them.

"You're behind my bar, love." He flashed a cheeky grin to her.

Rolling her eyes, "I'm not your love."

"Aye, yes well not yet at least." He winked at her, again.

She walked around and copied his move the other day of sitting on the bar top. He followed her around and sat on a stool next to her.

Emma stared down at him for a long moment, "Tell me something true, something real."

He considered what she was telling him to do. She wanted him to confess a secret, or at the very least something personal. He looked at her and realized she felt just as vulnerable for saying that. He took a deep breath before responding, "My mother died when I was a small boy, and my dad ran out being the drunken bastard he was. So I was left to be raised by my brother, Liam." He looked down at his hands that were intertwined.

She placed a hand on top of his.

His eyes shot up to hers, this was the first time they physically came in contact. She gave him an understanding smile, "I get it, you know. The not having parents thing." And she left it at that, removing her hand from his.

Killian nodded his head slowly before asking, "So, are you sure you don't want to tell me what riled you up today?" He raised a brow and smiled, "I really am quite the listener."

She gave him a long hard look that slowly softened, now she looked down at her hands. "I'm getting evicted."

"Ah. I see." He furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her with a tilted head. "Move here." He stated as if it were so simple.

If she had a drink in her mouth it would have been a perfect spit take. "Excuse me?" She looked at him with wide eyes.

"Move here." He repeated again simply.

"Move here…with you?" She tilted her head at him showing her confusion.

Killian smirked at her, "Well there's an idea. I meant here to Storybrooke, but If the lady insists." He winked at her.

Emma blushed and ducked her head a little, "Oh! Well yes, that's an idea I suppose. But it's not that simple."

"Why not?" He asked while pouring another drink for her and the guy sitting next to her. "Make it simple, lass."

She rolled her eyes at him, "I don't…it's not…I just…" She fumbled out.

Emma let out a frustrated sigh and jumped off the counter. She started pacing next to him.

"How would you feel if you chased down asshole for a living? Found out your paycheck wasn't in the mail like it's supposed to be. Actually, instead of money what you do find is a god damn eviction notice from your shitty landlord. And during all of this crap, I meet you and it throws my week off even more! Like I wasn't expecting to run into some hot bartender guy who cares about how my day went or how I'm feeling. Actually I wasn't planning on meeting a whole town of people concerned about my damn well being!" Emma let out quickly in one big breath, running both hands through her blonde hair.

"So you think I'm hot." Killian grins widely at her.

"Really?! That's what you took from all of that?!"

Killian sighed and crossed the small space between them, "Look, Emma, we all have problems. We all have a shitty part of life we have to face. So I can stand here and pat you on the back saying 'you'll be fine, these things find a way of fixing themselves' or you can cut the crap and make a decision." He placed his hand on her shoulders and asked her, "What do you want, Emma?"

Emma has thought long and hard about this question for years. What did she want? A home, a family, a life worth living… all of those things were definitely on her list. She raised her eyes to meet Killians, they were like looking into the depths of the ocean- almost dark, and full of desire. She stared at him for a little longer before stepping back.

"It's late, I should probably go." She said dropping his gaze.

"Emma, I…"

"Look, I get it. And you're right, I have a lot to think about. So I should probably get some sleep." She shrugged and looked at him. "I won't leave again without saying goodbye, I promise." She offered him a small smile.

Killian nodded, she wasn't leaving…yet.

"Goodnight, Emma." He looked at her longingly but she tried to ignore it.

"Goodnight." She backed away slowly before turning towards the door.

Once again Killian was left staring at the place Emma once occupied, unsure of what to do.

But this time he was sure of one thing.

Emma Swan would be the death of him.

Review?

:-)