"Did you say Emma?" Killian's partner asked. "Emma Swan?"
"Yes, that's her name," he replied off-handedly.
"Man, how could you not remember? Her name was in like all of our reports from the shooting," Robin said. "She was that teacher who saved a bunch of the kids. And her own son was killed."
"What?" Killian swiveled in his chair. "How could I be so stupid? I should've remembered that."
"Please tell me you didn't do something stupid like talk about it in front of her," Robin sighed. "I don't think a person could ever recover from something like that."
Killian buried his face in his hands. For the rest of his work day, he had a sick feeling in his stomach. What a hell he must have put Emma through, talking about the shooting in front of her like that. And he barely knew her.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
He'd have to fix this somehow.
As soon as he got off work, Killian drove home and was greeted by Goldie. And just like he did pretty much every other day, he changed into jogging clothes and set out onto the beach. Only this time, his thoughts were preoccupied with the one and only Emma Swan. He couldn't even imagine the pain that she must still feel for her dead son.
He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice as he neared her house and Goldie took off. A few seconds later, he realized what had happened and ran after his dog. But it was too late.
"This is becoming a bad habit," Emma said quietly, her hand on the dog's collar. "I might have to confiscate your dog."
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind that," Killian said nervously.
He wasn't sure whether he should even bring it up to apologize. Maybe a look would suffice? Or be less painful.
"Stop giving me that look," Emma said coolly. "Somebody reminded you who I was, didn't they?"
All he could do was nod.
"Maybe be more careful in the future," was all she said.
And at that, she turned and walked back into her house, leaving Killian and his dog standing on her back deck.
"Well that could've been worse," he muttered to himself.
But the sick feeling in his stomach didn't go away.