" You agreed to drink with him? We are talking about Killian Jones, right?" Mary Margaret questioned, a huge smirk on her face. Clearly she was enjoying this.

"Yeah, so what? It's not like we are getting married or anything. Anyway it's been a while, Don't you think?" I confessed while going through my closet. Why did I need to defend myself for going drinking on a Friday night with a man? And a handsome one at that. Sometimes Mary can be more like a mother than a friend.

" No I totally agree. It's just... Killian? I never knew you were into the careless bad boy types." She teased. I knew she wouldn't be able to help herself. Whatever, it didn't matter because I wasn't finding anything in my wardrobe. Why was I sweating so much? It's just a drink, I reminded myself. " Emma, your blushing! So you really do have feelings for him?!"

Crap

" I don't know, maybe. It doesn't matter anyway; I cant find anything decent to wear, and I am meeting him in an hour. Urg!" I tried to change the subject, but Mary was still grinning from ear to ear.

"Alright, calm down. Why don't you borrow something of mine? I have something perfect for you." She said, clearly wanting me to meet up with him. She was always a hopeless romantic.

I followed her into her room. She opened her closet to a ray of pastels, except for one forest green dress. "Try this on for size." She pushed it into my hands with a smile. Dresses weren't really my thing, but then again going to the bar with guys weren't either. So i marched to the bathroom with a sigh.

Once I slid it on and looked in the mirror, I wasn't sure if it was still me. The silky fabric clung to my waist tightly, but comfortably. Just at my belly button the material spewed out delicately. As I looked a little higher, the sweetheart neckline had no straps. My long blonde hair fell loose on the dress, in curls. I couldn't help but notice the color matched perfectly with my eyes. I walked out of the bathroom to approach Mary Margaret nervously. As she turned around, I was greeted with gasps and smiles.

" Oh Emma, you are so beautiful!" She praised. " Which is more the reason to worry. Everyone knows that man is quite reckless, so all I ask of you is to be careful."

" Oh c'mon, if I'm not careful I don't know what is." I said, rolling my eyes. I tried very hard to be annoyed, but the truth is I love it when she is over protective. It reminds me at least someone cares.

" Okay fair enough. Now lets get you to you prince charming."

...

I should have known she wouldn't come. Yet here i am looking like a bloody fool, drinking alone. I would have cared how I looked, if Emma were here. But since she isn't, I took a big gulp of rum.

I never did care too much about my appearance, but tonight I actually took time to look through my clothes. There wasn't much variety, mostly just t-shirts, jeans, and leather boots. But I grabbed the black button up long sleeve, the nicest jeans I had, and the only pair of dress shoes I owned. I have also never been this nervous. And I have had my share of drinks with ladies, so this actually frightened me a little. Mostly because I was afraid I'd scare her off. At least I couldn't do that since she'd never show.

" Alright, let me get one thing straight; this is just a drink."

Emma.

I almost choked on my drink at the sound of her voice, but when I saw her, I stared with amazement. I've never seen her in anything other than jeans, and never imagined i would. But the way the dress complimented her in every way possible, was something like a dream. The way the color matched perfectly with her big, lovely eyes was astonishing. Damn. Now I am never gonna stop loving her.

" What, no sarcastic reply? That's a first." She spoke while sitting down next to me. For once I had no words, just a dumbfounded stare on my face. Finally I found my voice.

" Well, that's a first as well," I said looking down at her dress. "And, hopefully not a last." I admitted.

" Oh, Mary Margret made me put this on. But try not to choke again on your drink." She said with a little smile. I blushed, but grinned to hide it.

" And miss out on a drink with the lovely miss Emma?" I said. "I wouldn't dream of it." I added quietly, leaning in closer.

" Quite the charmer aren't you? She questioned.

" You can count on it love. So, hows life as a sheriff?" I asked, genuinely interested.

" Well, someone has to do it. Might as well be someone who doesn't have anything to do in the first place." She said with a smile, but i could see the sorrow in her eyes.

" Nothing to do? Swan, I would take you out like this every chance I could." I replied honestly. To my surprise she actually look touched, until she put her guard back up.

" Yeah, well how about you? Is life gutting fish all it's cracked up to be?"

" The bloody fish can die for all i care. It's the sea that made me stay. I always loved the fact that it will always be there, right there. It's quite comforting knowing that it can't just dry up one day." I relieved. There was that sorrow back in her eyes. Damn, I knew I would screw up. "Pardon for being so personal." I quickly added.

"No, It's fine. I just. I know exactly how you feel. People are so unreliable, but I always turned to my work- being the sheriff. Something I could always lean back into. Something that would always be there for me." She rambled. I just stared in wonder. I didn't think any knew quite exactly how I felt, until now.

"Aye, that's how I feel as well. Uh, do you want to get out of here? It's quite loud, don't you think?" I asked. I just wanted to talk with her. Just Emma and me. To really understand her.

Then all of a sudden her wall was back up. Oh, how could I not think of that? " Bloody hell, Emma I didn't mean it like that. Honestly." I sincerely said. She just rolled her eyes and choked out a laugh.

" She warned me this would happen." She said, half to herself. " You know, how about we, just never do this again. Deal?"

" No, Emma, that's really not what I meant! Just hear me ou-"

"No!" she blurted. " Right when I think I can finally let someone in, his only motive is to get in my pants?!" She reviled. By this point people were staring, but i couldn't care less. All I saw was Emma and the betrayed look on her pretty little face. Because of me. As she pushed past me to the exit, I ran to catch up. This might have been the worst mistake of my entire life.

" Emma! Please! Just listen to what I have to say!" I pleaded trying to keep up pace, and not run into people at the same time. All i could do now was completely open up, and hope she understands. If she didn't I would be totally heartbroken, but at least I'd know I tried.

" I'm scared." I blurted out. She turned and raised an eyebrow. Well I couldn't stop now. " I'm scared because every time I look at you I cant form words. I'm scared because when I hear your voice my heart stops beating all together. And because even when i just hear your name, I grin like a bloody school girl." I let it all out, no matter how stupid i sounded. I needed to just let it all out. "Emma, I'm scared i'm in love with you." The words seemed to flow out so naturally, and I couldn't stop them. Nor did I want to. She needed to know how I truly felt.

I expected her to give me some sort of speech on how unconvincing I was. Or that it was sad how shallow I was, just to get a 'good time'. Instead she just stood there, with an unreadable expression. That was it. I blew it.

" Damn you for knowing exactly what I wanted to hear." she said as she walked closer. I was still in disbelief when something even more shocking happened.

She practically ran up into me, but I wasn't complaining. When our lips touched- no smashed together, all the emotion I held in poured out. It seemed like it was the same for her. Then it hit me.

This is Emma

My Emma

The one I vowed to fight for until I couldn't. The one I kissed ( in what seemed like) so long ago. The one who truly owned my heart, since Melia.

She was here. In my arms. And I never felt more grateful. She abruptly lifted her head up to look me in the eyes. Now that I could see her, I saw tears roll down her cheeks. Those eyes. Those big, beautiful, green eyes that made me want to give her the world- looked so confused.

" Hook?"