Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT even though I want it lol.

soapdiva288208 asked: "My question is how long before Emma finds out that she is with child ? I have more but i don't want to overrun you with questions."

It will still be a while until they find out about the baby. The next chapter should hopefully have a time skip so we can get closer to Emma finding out. You know i love questions, why are you holding out on me? Lol.

FYI all of my fics are updating today, and I've finally posted to AO3. All fics on AO3 will be caught up except BSMH. If you want to read BSMH without being overwhelmed since it's so long here, you can check it out there. Also please feel free to read my other fanfics on here (all Captain Swan all the time) and my new fic Not This Again! which will be posted soon.

Also happy birthday to Jennifer Morrison!

Hope you guys enjoy! Reviews and questions are always welcome!

Chapter 3: Avoiding the Issue

Killian wasn't sure if Emma was a morning person or not, so he made the morning coffee and breakfast as quietly as possible, which for Killian wasn't much of a feat. Liam and David used to joke that he could be a ninja, sneaking up on people like he did, purposefully or not. It seemed that his particular skill was handy now. It kept him from disturbing Emma and allowed him time to think.

It hurt that Emma seemed perfectly fine with not pursuing things between them. As they were strangers, he could give her that. A one night stand does not a relationship make. Still, he couldn't help how he felt, no more than she could help how she felt. He had a gut feeling that she did feel something more, but the way she ran from him, the way she reacted to him last night, it wouldn't do either of them any good to push the issue. He could live with that for now. What he didn't want though was to share a living space, but avoid each other like the plague. Despite their odd situation, he did want to at least become friends or live with each other in a friendly and peaceable manner. Killian certainly didn't want Emma feeling like she couldn't live in her own home.

That was that then. He would shove down his feelings, and help make this living arrangement better for both of them.

He heard the creaking of a door, likely Emma's bedroom, before feet padded across the hall. Another door opened and shut.

Killian sighed as he heard the shower turn on. That kind of avoidance was exactly what they needed to stop before it even started. He plated eggs and bacon for her and placed it in the microwave so that she could heat it whenever she was ready. Placing his own plate and mug on the bar, he moved to the stool, opening his phone to check his emails while he ate.

He had a few assignments due by the end of the week, but nothing new was coming in. He needed to make a few calls and send off some emails then. Freelance writing had its perks, but always looking for new jobs was one of the bigger cons. Belle kept pestering him to publish more of his fiction though. He had a few short stories and poems out there, but nothing that made much money. She thought he ought to write a novel. What the bloody hell could he write about?

A pretty, prickly blonde perhaps?

Killian shook his head, a scoff escaping him.

The shower shut off, but he tried to ignore it, tried to push away the images of Emma wet and naked, which wasn't hard to imagine considering that he knew exactly what she looked like naked. Killian quickly polished off his breakfast, silently berating himself for thinking along those lines. Washing the dishes wasn't much of a distraction either as he could hear every move she made. Apparently the walls in this apartment were paper thin.

He needed a better distraction. Work would do it. He always became absorbed in his assignments.

Before he could leave the kitchenette though, Emma cautiously peered over the bar. Her eyes widened a bit, startled at seeing him there.

"I made breakfast." Killian said gently. "Your plate is in the microwave."

"I'm not really a breakfast person." Emma said. "Just coffee." She gave him a wide berth when she passed him to get to the coffee machine. Quite a feat considering how small the kitchenette was and he was standing in the middle of it.

Killian wasn't sure what to say. There was an air of awkwardness around them again. He needed to figure out how to break through it. "Look, Emma..."

Emma sighed, turning around to face him. "You want to talk about us, right? Let me make it easy, I don't do relationships. One night stands are as far as I go. Wooing me with breakfast food isn't going to change my mind."

"Actually that's not what I wanted to say." Killian said, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the counter. "The breakfast food was habit. Belle and I used to trade off cooking duties."

"Oh." Emma flushed a little with embarrassment.

Killian continued. "I wanted to say that with us being roommates, we can't avoid each other forever. Last night we said we were going to start over and we can't do that if we're still acting like we have a history. I'd like to try to be friends."

Emma considered his words as she turned back around to make her coffee.

As he watched Emma, Killian nervously awaited her answer. He hoped that she was receptive to him.

Once her coffee was done, Emma faced him. "How about we start with roommates and go from there?"

Killian smiled. "That works for me."

Emma didn't return the smile.

To avoid the awkward silence, Killian went out into the living room and powered on his laptop.

Emma watched him curiously as she looked out over the bar area. "Shouldn't you go to work?"

"I'm a freelance writer." Killian told her. "I mostly work from home. What about you?"

Emma walked into the living room, sitting a safe distance away from Killian on her couch.

Killian occupied his armchair that Ruby had assured him could move in and that Emma wouldn't mind it.

"I work at a bailbonds agency." Emma said. "Fox Bailbonds."

He tilted his head with a curious look. "You seem more bounty hunter type than bail bonds."

"I'm surprised you know there's a difference." Emma said.

"I've had run ins." Killian shrugged.

Emma arched a brow. "You're a criminal?"

There wasn't any judgement in her tone.

"Just a minor offense." Killian gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I was going through some shit, just moved to New York, didn't have anyone, so I did something stupid."

Emma appreciated his honesty. "I was a petty criminal. Three years ago, Cleo, my boss tracked me down and managed to give me a second chance."

"That's wonderful, Swan." Killian smiled gently.

Emma ignored the way her heart skipped a beat. She didn't ignore the panic that set in when she realized that they were bonding, unintentionally of course, but that wouldn't do. It took her months to even get to this point with Ruby, and even though she agreed to be civil with Killian, she wasn't ready for a new friend. "I should go get ready for work." She excused herself.

Killian watched her go with a sigh. His new roommate was a skittish one. If she balked this quickly into civil conversation, then it would take time to ease her into friendship. It was a good thing that Killian was a patient man.

Emma knew that calling Ruby would result in her calls being ignored, which was why Emma was waiting outside of the magazine that Ruby worked for. She'd ambush her friend when she came out for her lunch break. The perks of being roommates and friends meant that Emma knew Ruby's routine and at noon on Thursday Ruby liked to go out to eat at a trendy little cafe.

Emma laid in wait, watching for her prey. Prey that had no idea just how much trouble she was in with her blonde friend. How could Ruby just bail? Was she that desperate to set Emma and Killian up? Admittedly, had she and Killian not had a one night stand under her belt, and had he not been her roommate, Emma would've hooked up with him, but nothing more.

Ruby knew that Emma didn't do relationships, but insisted upon girls night out to scope for guys, or telling Emma about the new cute guy at work, or the cute barista at the Starbucks a few blocks over, etc. etc.

Killian had been the top contender. Emma lost count of the times Ruby, or even Belle, would bring him up in a conversation that would inevitably lead to trying to set them up.

Well, that definitely wouldn't happen now.

Emma watched the door of the building.

It was almost time for Ruby to come out. Sure enough, the brunette graphic designer walked out, catching eyes in her expensive suit and neck breaking red heels.

Emma pounced, coming up from behind Ruby. "I can't believe you bailed."

Ruby's green eyes widened. "Jeez, you scared the crap out of me." She whacked Emma on the arm. "Don't do that."

"You deserved it." Emma growled, walking at Ruby's side as Ruby headed off. "You can't deny that."

"Belle and I wanted some alone time." Ruby lied.

They were almost to the cafe, and Emma really wasn't in the mood for lunch.

Emma rolled her eyes. "You two live together, you have nothing but alone time. You were setting us up."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Ruby denied, though there was amusement in her eyes.

"I know you, Ruby." Emma said. "Look, I'm just going to tell you that Killian and I met now and we're just going to be roommates, got it? No more set ups."

Ruby sighed, disappointed. "But you two are perfect for each other."

"There's no such thing as perfect." Emma told her. Even as she said it, Emma couldn't help but think about her and Killian's night together, and how perfectly they fit together, and how they connected. She shook her head, trying to shake away the memories. "Killian and I are just roommates, got it?"

Ruby stopped and narrowed her eyes. "Why do you sound like you're trying to convince yourself of that?"

"I…I'm not." Emma sputtered.

"You have something to tell me?" Ruby asked. Her eyes flitted all over Emma's face before meeting Emma's eyes. "You think he's hot, don't you?"

Dammit. Emma cursed.

Ruby had her.

"Objectively, yes." Emma admitted with a growl. "Subjectively, it isn't happening."

Ruby wasn't convinced. "I think that's just fine. You two are just roommates." There was a teasing underlining in her tone.

"I'm serious, Ruby." Emma hissed.

"Okay, okay." Finally Ruby was being serious. "I will cease and desist on Operation Emma's Love Life. Belle and I won't leave you and Killian hanging anymore."

Emma sighed, relieved. "Thank you."

"So, how is Killian working out as a roommate?" Ruby asked.

Emma gave her a sour look.

"Just as a roommate." Ruby corrected.

"He's…okay." Emma shrugged. Really, so far he was great. He was quiet, kept to himself (though the awkward one night stand thing probably kept him away), he could cook, and from what Emma could tell of his room when she peeked in (the door was open) he was neat. So far, he certainly exceeded her expectations. Though she would hold back any higher opinions that she had of him for now. For all she knew, he could be acting like this to woo her. Okay, so she really didn't think that he was doing this all for her, he probably, more than likely, was just like that, but Emma Swan liked her excuses.

"Just okay?" Ruby asked.

"Well, we've been roommates for one night." Emma said. "It'll take a while to get used to him."

Ruby scoffed. "All right, whatever you say."

They reached the cafe.

"Come on, I'll buy you lunch." Ruby said.

Emma shook her head. She really wasn't hungry. "I got to get back before Cleo kills me."

"Please, Cleo adores you." Ruby scoffed.

"I'll see you later, Rubes." Emma said. She headed back up the way they came from to get to her car. As she walked, she thought about Killian, to her annoyance. He seemed to invade her mind every moment. She wished that they hadn't met and slept together; not that she regretted it, it was a special night, but that was only going to make living with him all that much more harder. It was just too tempting to give into the attraction, but she wouldn't. Emma refused to have another relationship. She wasn't going to risk her heart again.

Killian was just her roommate and would only ever be her roommate.

At least that's what she firmly told herself as she made her way back to her bug.

Belle looked up when lunch was deposited at her table.

Killian sat down with a sigh.

Belle eyed him as she pulled the to-go box over to her, using her other hand to push her books and papers aside. She never asked how Killian always managed to sneak food into places where outside food wasn't welcome. Namely the libraries that Belle haunted.

She was grateful for the Rueben and curly fries though. It was past lunchtime and she had only had a meager breakfast. Caught up in her graduate work, she hadn't caught the time, and it was a testament to how well Killian knew her that he knew where she was and that she'd skipped lunch again. "How was last night?" She asked fishing in the bag for ketchup.

Killian grumbled, stealing one of her fries. "It went okay." He sighed and corrected himself. "It was awkward."

"I expect so." Belle said. "So, what happened?"

I learned my roommate was the best sex I ever had. Killian shook his head. "It was awkward."

Belle grinned cheekily. "You said that already."

Killian stole another fry. "She was…" Beautiful, breathtaking, hated to see me again, prickly. "Prickly." It was the best word for now.

"That's Emma." Belle agreed. "She'll warm up to you eventually."

Or never. Killian sighed. He stole another fry.

Belle narrowed her eyes. "Okay, that's the third fry you've stolen in less than five minutes. You never steal that much that quickly."

"So?" Killian swallowed nervously.

"So, you're stress eating." Belle said. "You only do that when you're wound up over something."

"I'm not wound up." Killian huffed. His hand automatically reached for another fry, but he stopped himself.

Belle looked triumphant. Belle placed her chin on her hands as she looked at him. "Come on now. You can tell me the truth. We are best friends after all."

"Don't play the best friend card." Killian grumbled.

"Don't make me annoy you into telling me." Belle said.

"You truly are the little sister I never wanted." Killian huffed.

Belle stuck her tongue out at him before returning her attention to her sandwich. "I will make you talk eventually, Jones."

Killian knew that she was right, but if he were to have any kind of civil relationship with Emma, he needed to feed Belle false information. Or at least a half-truth, but he couldn't say anything just yet. He needed to think. "What are you working on?"

"Changing the subject isn't the smoothest move." Belle arched a brow.

She indulged him anyway and showed him her edits in her graduate thesis as she usually did whenever she made edits on it.

As Killian read in silence, Belle ate her lunch and studied him. He was definitely not being totally honest about his and Emma's meeting last night, but why wouldn't he be? Had Emma been more than prickly? Had Killian stuck his foot in his mouth? Belle had to know. Unlike her girlfriend though, Belle had patience. She'd let it go for now, and then lie in wait and ambush Killian when the time was right.

Like she said, she'd make him talk eventually.

With all of his things officially unpacked, Killian surveyed his new room. All of the empty boxes were stacked neatly by the door to be taken to recycle later.

His furniture was immaculate, his bed made neatly, and all of his clothes properly folded or hung up and put away. With nothing more to do, he went into the living room to work on his assignments.

He brewed some more coffee and settled in his armchair. Flexing his fingers, he set to work. It was a good distraction from the empty apartment and any lingering thoughts about Emma. He was so in the writing zone, that he didn't realize how late it had gotten. It was nearly dinnertime, so he got up and went in the kitchen to start dinner. He hadn't gone to the grocery store yet as Emma seemed to be low on foodstuff, but he was sure that he could scrounge up something.

He found sliced cheese and butter in the fridge, bread on the counter, and canned tomato soup in the cabinets. Easy enough to work with. Pouring the soup into a pot, Killian set it on medium heat and set out to work on the grilled cheese. He hoped she didn't mind such a meal. Personally, he loved grilled cheese. When he and Liam were on their own after their father left, cheese and bread were cheap, so it was the first thing Liam taught him how to cook in case he ever needed to survive on his own.

Memories of watching Liam, who was barely a teenager himself, carefully instructing him at the stove assailed him.

Over the past five years, Killian's self-imposed exile from Storybrooke had weighed heavily on him. His brother's last words to him before he left town were especially cutting.

Maybe you just need to grow up and stop being so selfish. Liam had said harshly. When you do, then come and find me.

Killian had been so angry and hurt over their fight, that he had left Storybrooke that night and never looked back. Even more, he'd been so ashamed of himself that he cut off all ties to Liam and the rest of his friends. Reigniting his friendship with Ruby had been more due to Belle than anything else. For the past two years, Ruby had encouraged, but not pushed, him to return to Storybrooke, but he couldn't face Liam. He was sure that his brother hated him now. And what of his friends? Would David be angry that Killian left? They had been as close as brothers and Killian had just stopped talking to him. Would he welcome Killian back? Would Liam?

He shook his head. He doubted they would. He was that coward that had screwed everything up, all because a pretty face turned his head and ripped out his heart.

Now Milah certainly wasn't someone Killian thought about in a while, and he'd like to keep it that way. So instead of dwelling on the woman who turned him against his friends and family and then broke his heart, Killian focused back on the present. The grilled cheeses were done, and the soup hot enough.

Hopefully, Emma would be back soon. She never did say what her hours were, but he doubted in her line of work that there was standard set hours. He fixed her a bowl and plate anyway, covering them with foil to trap the heat. If it grew cold, she could warm them up later.

As he sat down at the bar, chewing his sandwich, he wondered about Emma. She was certainly someone who had been through a lot in her life. While he didn't know anything about her past, it was clear to him that she had walls. Walls that she had let down for a moment when they made love that night before she ran. Now though, the walls were up and reinforced.

While there was a connection between them, Killian was content for now to be friends and just get to know her. The problem was that Emma didn't seem to want that. He was certain that if her name wasn't on the lease, she would've moved out as soon as she found out who he was. The thought alone made his stomach clench uncomfortably. He had thought about her every day since their one night together, and now that she was his roommate, he didn't want to let her go again. He shouldn't have let her go that night, but he hadn't wanted to force her to stay. Not when she was that vulnerable.

He swallowed his sandwich down with effort as he thought about that night again, and how he only wanted to comfort her. Never in his life had he ever been so drawn to someone before. The moment he saw her alone at the bar, he could feel something there. It was as though there was a magnetic field around her, pulling him right in, helpless to stop himself.

She had felt it too, but it had scared her.

What had happened to her to make her walls so high?

When he finished dinner, he cleaned up and made a shopping list for tomorrow, writing down a note on the list to ask Emma what she needed. He returned to his work, and when he deemed himself finished for the night, it was nearing eleven and Emma still wasn't home.

Worry began to collect in his gut, but he focused on his nightly routine instead. Once he was ready for bed, however, he decided that maybe he should try to wait up for her, just to ease his mind and also as a show of support. Perhaps if she knew he was here for her, then she might let him in, if only a tiny bit.

So he settled on the couch and flipped through the television station until he found a movie he could tolerate.

Hopefully, Emma would return soon.

It was cowardly to accept a stake out job when she and Killian agreed to not avoid each other, but Emma usually took one step forward then two steps back.

Killian even told her that he just wanted to be friends, and Emma still wanted to run. There was something there between them. There had been something the moment she turned around and saw him at the bar. He pulled her right in and instead of running then, she took the plunge and went home with him with every intent on sex and no intention of staying after the act.

The fact that she had scared her more than anything. She had never met anyone like Killian before. No man ever turned her head and kept it turned; certainly no one had ever stayed with her like Killian. Well unless you counted that bastard who she really didn't want to think about.

She didn't want to think about Killian either, but it was hard not to. He was her roommate. How does anyone ever deal with their one night stand becoming their roommate? Then again, Emma doubted that this ever actually happened to people in real life. Maybe in fiction, but not in reality. It was just her luck that it happened to her.

Groaning, she leaned back in her car. How was she going to deal with this Killian issue? They were going to be living together for the foreseeable future. Killian wanted to be friends; Emma wasn't sure how to be friends. Her track records for any type of long term platonic or romantic relationships was less than stellar. Only Ruby, and now Belle, being exceptions, but even then that was too much. Emma had felt deeply hurt when they wanted to move in together and take their relationship to the next level. While she had felt like a third wheel before, it had never been as prominent until Ruby broke the news to her. It was just another reminder of how alone she was.

You don't have to be alone. A treacherous voice in her head spoke. There's Killian.

Emma shook her head. No, that could never happen.

Why not? The voice persisted. He's willing.

But Emma knew the answer. She was too broken to be loved; too broken to ever be mended again. Her jaw clenched as her eyes watered. Her whole life she was never enough, why would it be any different with a virtual stranger who happened to live with her?

She needed to focus on her job.

Sniffing and wiping her eyes, Emma steeled herself.

There would be time to deal with Killian later.

Belle groaned as Ruby turned the beside lamp back on.

"Don't you think it's weird?" Ruby asked.

Belle just wanted to sleep. Ever since she came home, Ruby had been on about her encounter with Emma today and how two things were clear: one, Emma did find Killian attractive and two, Emma was hiding something.

Then Belle had made the mistake of telling Ruby that Killian had stopped by the library today, which only launched her girlfriend into an interrogation. Belle had told her that Killian seemed weird like he was hiding something. That had only fueled Ruby's conspiracy theory. Something had happened between Emma and Killian.

Belle wasn't sure how much merit she could give said theory since Ruby had been trying to set Emma and Killian up forever. As it was, her girlfriend was obsessing. "Maybe Emma and Killian just seemed weird because we bailed on them and their first meeting was awkward."

"You were the one who stared talking about christening our apartment." Ruby pouted.

"Yeah, after we introduced Emma and Killian." Belle corrected, glaring up at Ruby. "You were the one who tricked me into the moving van and drove off."

Ruby smirked. "We had fun though , didn't we?"

Belle blushed. "That's not the point. Just leave them be, Ruby." She turned around and snuggled into her pillow.

Ruby huffed, leaning back against the headboard. There was something else going on. She could feel it in her bones. Emma called it her "wolf sense" often comparing Ruby to a dog with a bone. And this bone was just too enticing to let go of. She knew the moment that she met Killian again when he moved here that something had changed in him from the sweet, naive guy she knew back in high school. Ever since then, that something about him had been telling Ruby that he and Emma would just fit together. If only they both stopped being so stubborn about it.

Belle might've been right that it was probably awkward for Emma and Killian to meet without buffers, but with how Emma was earlier, Ruby just knew that something else had happened. She was going to figure it out; she just had to be more subtle than she usually was.

But oh, eventually she was going to sniff out the truth.

"Go to sleep." A tired Belle demanded.

Ruby turned off he lamp and curled around her girlfriend, her thoughts still whirling around her head as she drifted off to sleep.

It was way too late or too early. Emma wasn't entirely sure. All she knew was that Cleo had given her tomorrow off to recover from the stakeout and her caffeine high was losing steam. She'd crash soon and she wanted to be in her bed when that happened.

When she reached her apartment door, she paused. She didn't know why she was preparing herself to face Killian when surely he'd be asleep. But she would have to face him eventually. He was right; she couldn't avoid him forever. Honestly, that wasn't fair to either of them. Neither had known who the other was that night. That had been more her fault than his since she had insisted on no names. Taking a breath, Emma unlocked the door as quietly as possible. She didn't know if he was a light sleeper or not, and she didn't want to chance waking him up. When she entered the apartment and shut the door, she turned ready to go to bed when she spotted the television on, the light highlighting a form on the couch.

Immediately, she went on alert, getting ready for fight mode…until she stepped closer and got a better look.

Killian was sleeping on the couch in a very uncomfortable sitting position. His neck was certainly going to feel that when he woke up. Why was he even out here? He had a bed to sleep on. Not wanting to question it, figuring that he fell asleep with the television on, Emma went to the kitchen to grab a quick snack.

Inside the fridge, she found the grilled cheese and tomato soup. She look back at Killian's form. He had made her dinner, and he waited up for her. That was why he was asleep on the couch. He was waiting for her to come home.

Not even Ruby had ever done that.

Something akin to affection unfurled in her heart no matter how hard she tried to squash it down. She set the food back in the fridge and walked over to the couch. Emma winced as she took him in; that position just didn't look good with his head titled that far back. Emma hated to wake him, but she wanted to thank him before she chickened out.

Her hand went to his shoulder and gently, she shook him awake.

His eyes flew open instantly, startled by her presence. He blinked a few times as his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting and he realized who she was.

Emma had to admit that he looked adorable when he first woke up, before quickly shoving that thought away.

Killian rubbed a hand over his face. "Emma?" He looked at her questioningly. "What time is it?"

"I don't know." She said softly. "You didn't look comfortable sleeping here."

He pushed himself up and winced. Emma was right. He was already feeling the aching muscles in his neck and back. "Thanks for waking me, Swan." Killian gave her a small smile. "I guess we should both head to our beds then."

"Wait." Emma refused to back out this time. He needed to know what he had done was appreciated.

Killian looked at her curiously, waiting for her to continue.

Emma took a breath. "Thank you."

"For what?" Killian was genuinely confused.

"For dinner." Emma mumbled. "For making dinner, for waiting up for me. Also for being okay with the whole starting over thing." She was sure her cheeks were a little red from embarrassment.

Killian gave her a winning smile. "You don't have to thank me for that, Swan. That's just what friends do."

Despite her adamancy at being nothing more than roommates this morning, she felt warmth from Killian referring to her as his friend. "Still, thank you."

Killian ducked his head. "It's no problem." He checked the time on his cell phone. "It's too late and too early to be up. We should head to bed."

Emma nodded.

They walked down the hall together, stopping before their respective bedrooms.

"Goodnight, Emma." His tone was gentle.

Emma gave him a kind smile in return. "Goodnight, Killian."

CS bonding? They're getting better about this roommate thing lol.

Also Ruby is on to them, uh oh.

Next chapter should have a time skip, so we will get closer to Emma finding out about the baby.

Until next time. Hope you guys enjoyed! Reviews are welcome!