Title: Accidentally in Love

Author: Steph aka CaptainSwanLuver

Rating: PG

Pairing: Killian/Emma

Characters: Killian, Emma, Belle, David, Mary Margaret, Robin.

Category: Romance/Humor/Drama

Disclaimer: I do this out of a love for this couple. No infringement is intended.

Spoilers: Nope!

Summary: Emma Swan needs to be married by 30 in order to receive the money from her trust fund and save her failing business. Killian Jones is the thief who just tried to rob her store. The two strike a deal: Killian will pretend to marry Emma and she won't send him to jail.

Note: Thanks for your responses to the last part and for reading! Hope you enjoy this part! -Steph

…Accidentally in Love: Part 8/12...

~Be patient.~

Three months passed after that night and they were the worst of Emma's life. She couldn't stop thinking about Killian. She tried throwing herself into work, but that actually made things even worse. It was where they first met, so everywhere she looked she saw him. Every time the bell sounded on the door when a customer came in, her head whipped in its direction, hoping it was him.

This morning, Emma was putting out muffins and Belle was organizing a new batch of books, when the bell rang on the door. Emma's head sprang up at the sound and her eyes darted hopefully to the door. Belle watched her face fall as a woman walked through the door.

With a heavy sigh, Belle walked over to her best friend. "You know, one of these days you're going to give yourself whiplash."

Emma stared at her for a long moment. "What?"

Belle gestured to the door. "Every time you hear that door open, your head goes flying in that direction, hoping it's him."

"That's not true," she said, lowering her gaze.

"You've been doing it for three months now, Emma. My neck's starting to hurt just watching you." She paused and then added. "Go see him."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

She met her eyes. "He needs time. He needs to work through this on his own. I don't want to push him."

"Sometimes people need a little push."

She shook her head. "I let him know I'd be waiting when he's ready."

"What if he's never ready?" Belle asked.

Emma swallowed hard, but was saved from responding by her cell phone ringing. It was her mother.

"Hi, Mom," she said.

"Hello, dear. As you know, your father and I are celebrating our 35th anniversary on Friday. We wanted to keep things very low-key. We were hoping you and Killian could join us for dinner. We haven't seen him since the wedding."

Emma sucked in a breath. Up until now, she had managed to make excuses for Killian not being with her when she visited them. She thought about calling him a thousand times and she knew he would come to see her parents anytime she asked, but she didn't want him to think she was pressuring him. She didn't see any way out this time though.

"Okay, Mom. Sure, we'll be there."

"Wonderful. We'll see you at 6:30 then."

"See you then," Emma said and hung up.

With a heavy sigh, she looked at Belle. Her best friend smiled. "Now you have to see him."

Emma took a deep breath and pressed a button on her phone to call him. He picked up on the second ring, his voice filled with surprise.

"Emma?"

"Hi, Killian. How are you?"

"I've been better," he said. "How are you, love?"

Emma smiled at his use of the word 'love'. She had missed hearing him call her that. She had missed hearing his voice. She'd missed everything about him.

"Same," she replied. "Listen, I need you."

Emma hoped the simple words conveyed more than her need for him to fulfill his obligation to her.

"What do you need?"

"It's my parents' 35th anniversary on Friday and they want us to come over for dinner. I've already made excuses a-…"

"I'll be there," he said, cutting her off.

Emma couldn't help the smile that curled her lips at the thought of seeing him again.

"Great. Thank you. Meet me at the bookstore at 6:15."

"I'll see you then," he said.

He was about to hang up, when her voice stopped him.

"Killian?"

"Yes, love?"

"It was really good to hear your voice."

A smile appeared on his lips. "It was really good hearing yours as well, Emma."

"Bye," she whispered.

"Goodbye," he said, hanging up the phone.

Killian stared at his phone long after he'd hung up. He had a picture of Emma on his lock screen. It was one he had managed to snap on their faux wedding day. She was talking with Belle and laughing, her head thrown back. She looked so happy and beautiful. That was always how he wanted to remember her.

"You okay, mate?" came Robin's voice.

"What?"

Robin gestured to his empty glass. "I've been calling your name for a few minutes. Fill me up."

Killian reached for the glass and filled it with Scotch. He'd been working at the bar for the last two and a half months. He knew it wasn't much, but it was honest work and it paid the bills.

"Was that her?" Robin asked, as he took a swig of his drink.

"Who?" Killian asked, wiping down the bar.

He desperately tried to ignore the glistening of his wedding ring as he cleaned.

Robin rolled his eyes. "The Queen Mother. Who do you think? Emma, of course."

Killian slowly bobbed his head. "Aye, it was Emma. She needs me to go to her parents for their anniversary dinner."

"That's great."

Killian shook his head. "No, it's not."

"Mate, you've been missing that lass like mad. You've been moping around for three months. You're starting to depress me."

Killian offered him a scathing smile. "My apologies for depressing you with my pathetic love life."

Robin shrugged. "Apology accepted. Now what are you going to do when you see her?"

Killian's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"You told me she wasn't giving up on you. She's been waiting three months, Killian. What are you going to tell her?"

He sighed heavily. "I don't know."

Robin groaned. "Do you love this lass or not?"

Killian bobbed his head firmly. "Of course I do. More than you could ever know."

"Then go to her. Tell her that and be with her."

"It's not that simple."

"It bloody well is. You're the one complicating matters."

Killian felt his jaw tighten. "Why don't you mind your own business?"

Robin shrugged his shoulders. "Fine, but Emma won't wait forever. She's a smart, tough, beautiful, and soon-to-be rich woman. By the time you're done being afraid, some other guy is going to come by and snatch her up. And then you'll spend the rest of your life regretting the choice you made."

With that, Robin downed the rest of his drink, threw a few bills on the bar, and walked out.

Killian watched him leave, then returned his eyes to the picture of Emma on his phone.

…

~That's quite a lot of faith you're putting on me, Swan.~

Killian watched Emma through the window for a few minutes. He didn't think it was possible, but she had somehow grown more beautiful over the past three months. She wore a black dress that looked like a second skin and her blonde tresses cascaded around her shoulders.

Killian took a deep breath, as he opened the door and stepped inside.

Emma's head whipped up, her gaze landing on him. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips at the sight of him. He was wearing the same suit he had worn the first time he met her parents and it made her heart skip a beat.

"Hello, love."

She fought the urge to throw herself into his arms and forced herself to calmly walk over to him.

"Hi, Killian."

His eyes scanned her face for a long moment, before he leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek. Emma closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his touch that she had missed so much.

He pulled back and smiled. "Ready?"

She nodded and followed him outside. She began to head toward her car, but he touched her arm and gestured with his head.

"How about I drive for a change?"

Emma's brow raised in surprise. He had gotten a new car. His old one looked like it was on its last leg the one time she saw it. The Ford Escape was a nice upgrade.

"How did you afford this?"

"Well, it's a lease." He paused and then added, "I got a job."

Emma smiled. "You did? Doing what?"

Killian felt his face redden a bit. "I'm afraid it's not much. Just bartending."

Emma squeezed his arm. "I'm so proud of you, Killian. It's an honest job and that's all that matters."

"I'm taking some classes during the day. I'm trying to get my GED. Perhaps take some college classes after. I haven't a clue what I'd like to do though."

Emma's smile widened. "That's amazing. You've been busy!"

His expression grew serious. "I've been trying to keep busy."

Emma lowered her gaze and they fell into an awkward silence as they walked to his car and got in. The uncomfortable silence continued all the way to her parents. Killian stopped the car in front of the mansion and they both walked up to the door. Emma rang the bell.

As they waited, she felt Killian's hand slip into hers. She turned to look at him.

"We still have to make it look good, right?" he said.

Emma nodded. A moment later, her mother answered the door. She threw her arms around them both.

"Oh, it's so good to see you two," she said.

David appeared. "Ah, if it isn't the elusive newlyweds."

"David," his wife scolded.

"Happy anniversary," Emma said, as she hugged her father.

"Aye, happy anniversary. 35 years is quite impressive."

Mary Margaret smiled, as she wrapped her arm around her husband's waist. "Well, when you find the right person, even an eternity doesn't seem long enough."

Emma met Killian's eyes, but he quickly averted his gaze.

Mary Margaret gestured to the dining room. "Dinner is ready."

They took their usual seats, as the appetizer was served.

"So how's married life?" David asked.

Emma managed a smile. "It's wonderful."

"We're very happy," Killian added.

Mary Margaret tilted her head at them, sensing something was off. "Are you sure? Is everything okay?"

Emma nodded. "Of course."

"I do hope the terms of your trust fund hasn't put undue pressure on your new union. I know the first year of marriage is the hardest. I am sure Killian being away so much hasn't made things any easier," Mary Margaret said.

David bobbed his head in agreement. "Yes, how is that working? You must miss each other very much."

Emma turned to look at Killian. "You have no idea."

Killian took a deep breath, as he moved his gaze from Emma to her father. "Being away from your daughter is, without a doubt, the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

Emma stared at him for a long moment, tears building in her eyes. She bowed her head and pushed her seat out to stand up.

"Please excuse me," she said.

She hurried to the bathroom and entered, moving to the sink. Emma blinked furiously to keep the tears at bay, as she looked at herself in the mirror.

How had she gotten here? Four months ago, her only concern was saving her business. Now, she was hopelessly in love with a man she might never get to be with.

She knew it was him as soon as she heard the doorknob turn. She didn't need to see his handsome face in the mirror for confirmation, but it was reassuring nonetheless.

"Are you okay, love?" he asked.

She spun around to face him and shook her head. "No, I'm not okay, Killian. I haven't been okay for three months. You have no idea how much I've missed you."

"I think I have some idea," he whispered.

She shook her head. "I have tried to be patient. I didn't want to push you. I didn't want to pressure you. But…I…I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

She looked him in the eyes. "Be honest with me. You've always been honest with me. Will you ever be ready? Or am I just wasting my time?"

Killian squeezed his eyes closed. He desperately wanted to tell her he would be, but the fear that he had been harboring for years, wasn't easily overcome.

"I don't know," he replied truthfully.

Emma squeezed her eyes closed and nodded her head. "Well, I appreciate your honesty."

Killian licked at his lips nervously. "I don't expect you to wait for me, Emma. I would never ask you to do that. It's not fair to you."

Emma moved closer to him, her body pressing against his, as she placed a kiss to his lips.

When they parted, she said, "I just want to be with you, Killian. And until you tell me there's no chance of that, then I'll keep waiting."

"You have that much faith in me?"

Emma nodded. "And in us."

Killian simply smiled, as she slipped her hand in his and they left the bathroom.

The rest of the evening continued without incident. Soon, it was time for them to say their goodbyes. Emma and Killian left the house and made the trip back to the bookstore, making small talk along the way. Killian pulled up in front of the bookstore.

Emma hesitated before getting out. She turned to him. "Thank you for tonight."

"Anytime, love."

Emma leaned toward him and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Goodnight, Killian," she said, before getting out.

"Goodnight, Emma," he replied.

She stood by the curb and watched him drive away until he disappeared from view.

…

~All it took was meeting the right person and everything changed. I'd go to the end of the world for her…or time.~

Killian woke up the next morning, Emma on his mind as usual. He grabbed his phone and looked at the picture of her, his finger tracing her face. He missed her every second of every day and seeing her last night just made him miss her that much more.

He thought it would be less painful this way, but the ache he felt without her seemed to grow with each passing moment. And he knew she felt the same.

Killian took a deep breath and sat up in bed. He couldn't go on like this. His choice was making them both miserable. If he searched the rest of his life, he would never find another woman who made him as he happy as she did. Maybe he wasn't worthy of her and maybe he never would be, but she loved him and he loved her. Nothing else mattered.

He had wasted so many years of his life running from love and now he'd wasted the last three months running away from the woman he loved. Emma had found a way to face her fear and take a chance on him. He needed to do the same because he knew one thing for sure. He couldn't live one more day without Emma Swan.

He looked at Emma's picture one last time, a blissful smile on his lips for the first time in months. Then he quickly went about getting ready.

Thirty minutes later, he was standing in front of the bookstore again. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, before entering. Emma heard the bell and immediately turned her attention to the door. Their eyes met and she smiled. She opened her mouth to say something, but there was something different in his eyes and it stole her thoughts. Killian moved toward her without saying a word, his gaze never faltering. Belle watched the scene unfold, a book in her hand frozen in midair, not quite at its destination.

Emma was glued to her spot, as Killian rounded the counter. Before she knew what was happening, his body was slamming into hers, his hands cupping her face. He crashed his lips into hers in a kiss that put the others they had shared to shame. She responded immediately, her hands gripping at the collar of his leather jacket to pull him closer. His hands slid from her face down her back and wrapped around her waist.

They finally parted, their foreheads still touching as they gasped for breath. He focused on her eyes.

"I love you," he whispered.

Emma smiled, as tears appeared in her eyes. "I love you too." She paused and then began cautiously, "Does this mean-…"

"I'm ready," he replied softly.

Emma sighed happily, as she lifted her hand to caress his cheek. "So you're not scared anymore?"

He chuckled nervously. "I'm still bloody scared, but I decided I wouldn't let it control me anymore. I was miserable without you, Emma, and I know you felt the same. That's no way to live. I don't want to waste anymore time. You believe in me. You believe in us. I figured it's my turn now."

Emma kissed him again, then wrapped her arms around him and placed her head on his shoulder. She met Belle's eyes. She'd forgotten she was even there. Belle offered her a smile and then disappeared into the storage room.

Killian pulled back, as he brought his thumb up to brush away a tear from her cheek.

"I'm so sorry I hurt you, love," he said.

"It's over, Killian. We're together now. None of that matters."

Killian smiled. "Emma, you changed my life. I don't want to know what life is like without you ever again."

Emma cupped his cheek. "You'll never have to find out."

He bobbed his head. "A few more months and then the truth can come out."

Emma squeezed his hands in hers. "And we'll deal with the fallout. Together."

Killian nodded, as he pulled her into his arms. Nothing had ever felt so right before.

…

End of Part 8

Thanks for reading and please let me know what you thought! ~Steph