Part 2 (Day 2 feat. Emma, Killian, Chris Argent)
Breakfast the next day had the group discussing how they should tackle their quest. Ruby wanted to go to the forest and try and pick up the scent trails she had found the night before first so she would have time to investigate the scents at the school should the forest prove to be a bust. Emma warned about the fact that the school was in session and for Ruby to be careful and discrete at the school as well as to not go until all the students were gone. Ruby agreed and promised to text if anything came up. After Emma said that she and Killian would explore the town and keep vigilant eyes around, not wanting to interrogate the Sheriff again, the group decided to meet back at the inn around 5:30 for dinner unless one of them texted otherwise.
After watching Ruby take off towards the woods, Killian turned to Emma, "So how exactly are we helping in this quest, Love?"
"Well we can explore the town, look for anything strange or out of the ordinary, and listen to gossip around town about weird happenings. Also there is one other thing I want to look into. There was this family I met and befriended a long time ago back when I was still staying in Tallahassee, I don't know. But I'm getting this feeling something happened to them and it was here.
"Very well, where would you like to start swan?"
"This feels and sounds morbid, but the graveyard." Emma spoke, a grave expression painted across her face.
Sensing Emma was slightly distressed, Killian reached for her hand to bring it towards his lips and place a soft kiss there before giving it a comforting squeeze. "The graveyard it is then."
The couple then quickly returned to their room to grab car keys and jackets before following the signs to the Beacon Hills Memorial Graveyard. Emma stepped out and walked toward some of the grave stones before suddenly kneeling in front of one specific one. The name read Victoria Argent, Beloved Mother, Daughter, and Leader. Softly tracing the words with the pads of her fingers, Emma stoically and quietly mourned another person from her past ripped away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know until now." Emma whispered to the gravestone before standing and turning towards Killian. "Is there one with the name Chris? Please Killian, I need to know" a slight tinge of panic escaping at her question.
Killian quickly scanned the nearby stones before meeting her eyes and shaking his head. "No, lass, only Kate Argent."
Emma nodded and listened, a small sigh in relief escaping her lips at Killian's words. She didn't know Kate, but Chris had been a good friend back in the day alongside his wife and young daughter, Allison.
"Who was she?"
"Someone I knew in Tallahassee. Chris and Victoria Argent and their daughter Allison, were some of the closest people had to friends back then. I wouldn't be who I am today without Chris. He taught me everything I know about finding people and how to handle guns. He even wrote me a reference letter for my first bail bonds job." Emma said wistfully. "Victoria was his wife. She taught me how to be a leader and a strong woman. She was much more intense than Chris but had a good heart."
Killian only listened, stepping close and putting a comforting arm around her waist, holding her close. It was clear she needed this moment for herself. After a few more minutes of just holder her, Killian prepared to speak when an outside voice called over to where they were standing.
"Excuse me. Is there something I can help you with?" An older male's voice called out.
Turning to face the third party, Emma gasped at the sight before her. It was Chris. He looked the exact same just a few more wrinkles, whiskers, and a tired look to his eyes. One that was almost like the one in Killian's eyes when they first met, the tired look of a lost family and mourning.
"Em-Emma?" Chris gasped as he took in the blonde before him.
Stepping forward, Chris approached Emma and pulled her into a strong embrace. Quickly wrapping her arms around his waist, Emma returned the embrace full force. She felt Chris curl one hand against her head, akin to something her father has done.
As she pulled away, Emma spoke. "Chris, I'm so sorry. I didn't even know. How are you doing?"
"I'm good, Emma. I'm good." Chris said, smiling slightly. "It's been a slow healing process but thankfully Allison has a good pack of friends and support system. But what about you, How are you, Emma?"
"I'm doing really good, reunited with my son. I've actually settled down after being a bounty hunter for a few years. I'm a sheriff in a small town in Maine. Even found my parents."
"And this is?" Chris asked, gesturing to the silent pirate who had been standing quietly behind Emma.
"Chris this is Killian Jones, my boyfriend. Killian, this is Chris Argent, an old friend." Emma said, gesturing between the two.
Chris extended his hand for a shake with Killian reaching to meet it, "Nice to meet you, Killian."
"Likewise, mate." Killian spoke, somewhat intrigued by the man before him.
"So what brings you to Beacon Hills?" Chris asked looking between the couple, addressing them both.
"It's kind of a weird answer, one I'm not sure you'd even believe me on." Emma said, looking away.
"Try me." Chris said, smiling.
"Well it's sort of a combination of two things. One, a friend of mine, Ruby, is the one who brought up visiting in the first place. It was because she was feeling a sort of pull to come here. She's off exploring right now. The other is, well, I've been hearing some strange rumors involving Beacon Hills. Bizarre murders, supernatural creatures like werewolves and lizard men being seen. So combining the two reasons, I figured I just had to see if it for myself." Emma spoke, looking anywhere but Chris in fear he think she was crazy.
After a few moments of silence, Emma began again, "Yeah I knew it was stupid sounding, sorry to unload that on you."
"Emma, wait. It's alright," Chris spoke, smiling comfortingly "Actually, I may be able to help you in terms of the rumors. How about you, Killian, and Ruby, was it, join me and Allison for dinner tonight. We'd love the company and I'd be able to answer any and all questions you have."
"Are you sure?" Emma asked.
"Of course, Look, let me give you my address. We'll have apple pie and hot cocoa with cinnamon for dessert even. How about you can come by about 6, does that work for you?"
"With an offer like that, how can a girl refuse? 6 sounds perfect. We'll be there." Emma said smiling.
The group then traded cell numbers and Chris gave Emma the address of his apartment as well as the key code to get in. After one last hug, Emma and Killian headed back to her car. Once back in the bug, Emma pulled her phone back out.
"Let me just text Ruby about the dinner before we set off. " She said, looking at the screen.
"Alright, love."
After sending a quick text, Emma put away her cell and looked at the time to see that it was already almost 1 in the afternoon. When she looked up towards Killian, she noticed a pensive look on his face.
"Everything okay?" She asked, placing a hand on his knee.
"Aye, Swan. Just a tad curious about Chris is all." Killian spoke, softly turning and giving her a smile.
"Well I already gave you a reader's digest version. There's not much else really. Tell you what, let's get a pizza and head back to the room. We can eat in and I'll answer any question you have."
"Sounds like a plan, love."
Emma then drove off in search of a pizza place to get their afternoon started. After quickly finding and ordering a large Hawaiian for the two of them, Emma and Killian headed back to the Inn to settle in.
Once comfortable on their bed with the pizza box between their legs, Emma leaned her head on his shoulder and spoke, "Okay, what are your questions?" she prompted, as she took a piece of pizza.
Killian thought a moment before firing his opening question. "How did you meet Chris?"
"After I got out of jail, I decided to go to Tallahassee and ended up getting a job at a diner there. About 6 months into the job, he comes in and orders an apple pie, burger, and a hot chocolate. It was slow that night so when it came time for his hot chocolate, I offered to put cinnamon on the top. He had never tried it before and we got to talking."
"You mentioned that you wouldn't be where you are without Chris. How so?"
"Well that day we met he must have seen something in me, because he ended up calling his wife and then inviting me to their family dinner that evening to meet Victoria and Allison. He said that it was because I deserved a good family meal and he wanted to discuss something with me. That something ended up being about him wanting to train me to find and hunt people. Said I had a certain fire about me that he admired. Over the next few months he taught me all about searching, whether through the internet or clues and all about guns. Chris is a consultant so he knows his stuff, while Victoria ended up teaching me about how to be a leader. At that point, I don't think I had ever met someone stronger and surer of herself than Victoria Argent. And it was obvious her and Chris were great parents that really cared about Allison. Always doting on her and guiding her."
"So what happened? It seemed like you hadn't seen each other or talked in years." Killian inquired.
"That's because we haven't. Victoria and Chris, but mostly Chris, became my friends over the next 18 months. But one day, Chris told me that he was being relocated for his job and had to move to Nebraska, I think. Shortly after their departure, I ended up deciding on my own change of scenery as well. I had applied and got a bail bonds gig up in Tennessee or something. But I've still never forgotten the last words he told me though."
"What would those be, lass?"
"He told me to believe in myself and my abilities and that I'd always be just fine. He then gave me a letter of reference that I could use when applying for jobs and told me that he was proud to call me his friend."
"Those are some wise words, Swan."
"Yup. After that, we just ended up losing contact and you know the rest. Always searching for home until finding it right here with you, Henry, and my parents." Emma said with a smile, snuggling in closer to Killian and burrowing her head in his chest.
"Aye, and here you shall find it always." Killian spoke softly before bending down to place a soft kiss on her lips.