Ok, confession time. As much as I hate to admit this, I've lost interest in writing the story. The frustrating part is that I have a lot of ideas but have a hard time stringing the words together to create a chapter. And on top of it all, I've been insanely busy in real life and the lack of time and energy sort of feeds into how tiring it is to read my writing, the same passage over and over again because I'm never satisfied with how it turns out. I have a lovely beta reader who provides me with amazing constructive criticism and feedback and that does help in fueling me because I appreciate the help to improve my writing.

Having said that, I still want to continue the story because I hate the idea of starting something and not finishing. It just might be that I end the story quicker than I initially anticipated and the updates won't be very speedy. For the few that have left feedback and wonderful comments, I honestly think of you guys whenever I want to quit so thank you for that. You guys are enough for me to continue writing the story or at least not want to give up on it. So here's the next chapter and I hope you guys are still interested in this story more than I am :D Thank you, thank you to Gloria098, lupis93, paupaupi, IAmShenanigans, and Nugget for feedback on the last chapter!

The next morning Emma was still consumed with thoughts of Killian. Her mind never strayed away from him-his intense blue eyes that saw more than he let on, the warmth of his hand against her face, the light puff of his breath against her skin, and the glowing love that pulsed in his blood for her. She vividly remembers the way her heart had raced—the way his heart had raced and his stomach had fluttered every time he would see her in school. The way an accidental brush of the hands in bio lab had caused his heart to stop and warmth to spread across his chest. All because of her.

She was remembering his face in her dreams when Robin approaches Emma at her locker.

The sound of scraping metal jars her out of her thoughts as Robin heavily leans against the locker next to her. "Hey Emma, look I'm sorry about yesterday and the whole intervention thing. Ruby made it sound like you were in some kind of trouble and I should have known it's her usual theatrics," he smiles at her abashed.

"Oh Robin, it's totally fine," she said, brushing off his apology. "You and Ruby were just concerned."

"Right, I mean she's my best friend and you're my best friend so I just needed to make sure everything was all clear in the air." He reached over and holds her by her arms looking into her eyes. "And you're sure you're alright? I mean the bloody order pad was freaky but you look unharmed to me," he says giving her a little shake, "and that's all that matters."

Emma grips Robin's shoulders in mock seriousness, looking back at him severely. "Yes Robin, I'm alright."

"Ok, good," he chuckles before letting go. "Just had to make sure. I'm sure Ruby will get over her imaginations."

"Yeah," Emma agreed weakly. She doubted Ruby would let go of this. Once she was onto something it was like taking a human from a wolf.

"So anyway, Regina Mills was looking at me earlier today. A few times too. What's up with that?" Robin said as they headed toward their class.

"She was what?" Emma asks, startled by this. Regina hardly ever gave a boy a second glance unless they were one of her dates and even then she seemed to absorbed in her own thing as they tried to fruitlessly keep her attention.

"Yeah, I don't know. I mean, hey, I don't mind but she looked all mystified and narrow-eyed. Kind of scary but kinda hot too," he shrugged.

"O-kay, Robin," Emma chuckled. "But, I don't know. Maybe she just thinks you're interesting." She was definitely bending the truth and Emma suspected the real reason had little to do with romantic interest.

"Ooh really."

Emma shrugged nonchalantly, but the truth was Regina was most likely looking at Robin in trepidation. She had given Ruby a wary eye as well and Emma could only assume she was scoping out whether Emma had told her best friends. "Who knows. But, my advice? Don't think too much on it, yeah?"

"Sure, sure," Robin said distractedly Emma turned to look at him and saw his gaze on Regina who he had spotted entering the classroom down the hall from theirs.

Emma rolled her eyes and grabbed Robin's arm, pulling him into their classroom with her. "Come on, lover boy."

He broke out of his daze when they entered the classroom and noted her bag. "Hey, new backpack?" Robin asked gesturing to her satchel slung across her body.

"Oh no, I just misplaced my other one. Have you seen it by the way? I don't remember where I left it and haven't been able to check the gym locker." Emma tried not to worry too much about her missing bag. It carried her tarnished waitress uniform and if it fell into the wrong hands-well, she didn't want to think about that. She just had to hope like hell someone hadn't found it.

Robin shrugged. "Pretty sure, I saw it with you at the end of the day yesterday. But, I'm sure it'll turn up. Not many places it can be, really."

"That's what I thought too," Emma murmured. "Yeah, hopefully."

Emma and Robin sit beside each other near the door and settle in as the second bell rang. Her thoughts were distracted by Robin's presence but now that there was a moment of quiet, she couldn't help but feel antsy with the reminder of her missing backpack. She just hoped Robin was right and that it would turn up.

"Ms. Swan?" Emma looks up to see her teacher approaching before bending down to her level. "There's someone to see you in the guidance office," she said in a whisper, handing her a pass.

Emma furrows her eyebrow in confusion before carefully takes the pass before standing up. Robin looks up curiously but only says. "I'll get your notes, don't worry."

She smiles tightly in reply as she walks away with her things. The short walk to the guidance office felt oddly long and like a death march toward hell. She enters the office with the pass gripped tightly in her hand to see Sheriff Arendelle seated behind the guidance counselor's desk, who was standing beside the door.

"Emma, I just got off the phone with your parents and they have agreed to let Sheriff Arendelle ask you further questions about what happened at the diner yesterday. Since you're only required to recount the day's events, your parents' presence aren't necessary, however I may act as a proxy if that would make you feel comfortable. Would you like for me to stay with you?" her guidance counselor asked thoughtfully.

Emma looked between her counselor and Ingrid, unsure as to whether she should go with what made her most comfortable or what was most safe for Killian. In the end, she decided on safety first. The less people suspected or knew anything about Killian's involvement in the incident, the better.

"That's ok, Ms. Midas. I'll be fine on my own and I'm sure it won't be long. Right, Sheriff Arendelle?"

"Oh, not long at all," she reassured in her soft voice, her icy blue eyes-so different from Killian's-looked back at her with a knowing gaze.

"Well, alright then, I'll just be outside in the main office then." And with those parting words, Ms. Midas left leaving Emma alone with the good sheriff.

"Afternoon, Miss Swan. Have a seat," she gestured to the chair in front of the desk she was standing beside. Emma slowly sat down as Ingrid began pulling out a file.

"I'm sorry to have to show you these, but I'm trying to piece together what happened and this is all part of the investigation."

"What investigation, exactly?" Emma asked, swallowing down the lump in her throat and forcing herself to remain casual.

"Why, what happened at the diner last night, of course. We still haven't found the two men. It would appear they were just passing through town, but I may have a lead."

Emma looked up into her eyes, noticing the raise in her eyebrows, the subtle change in breathe and the stillness in her body. She didn't know the sheriff personally, but she couldn't help but feel a lie in the midst.

"Ok, what do I have to look at?"

Sheriff Arendelle pulled out the what looked like photographs and laid them one by one on the desk in front of Emma. Emma resisted the urge to shrink back into her seat at the sight before her.

"These are images of a man that was found dead with no apparent cause of death except for that," she said pointing to an image that was a close-up of the man's chest. The image was in black and white, but Emma knew the handprint that was splayed across his chest was the same silver that was now on stomach. Her breath caught in her throat and she suddenly felt a chill up her spine, a niggle of doubt taking root at the back of her mind.

"What do you make of that mark," she continued in her dream-like tone.

Emma shook her head, "I've never seen anything like that before," she said even as her heart pattered against her ribs.

Sheriff Arendelle nodded as if expecting the response. "Miss. Swan, I'm sure you're aware that Graham is my nephew. He told me that he saw a similar mark on you the other night."

"He was wrong," was all she said her gaze flitting from her eyes to the picture again. November 16, 1956. How could that be? Now, Emma's thoughts were elsewhere. She had been worried about exposing Killian but she was beginning to think he was keeping something from her, something crucial.

"Maybe. But, yes I suppose hearsay is less believable than evidential proof. I'm going to have to see it for myself."

Emma let out a breath, "What? Isn't that-I mean, that doesn't seem appropriate, Sheriff."

"Think of it as an annual physical examination. Students have them yearly and I think it's with good reason one would be required of you in particular after your ordeal."

"I'm fine, Sheriff. I mean, I said that the day it happened. I just spilled ketchup, I said it a thousand times." She tried not to sound defensive and annoyed.

"Please, Emma."

Emma shifted in her seat nervously and conflicted. She knew she could get out of this, it's not as though they would be able to force her, but she also knew the implication of her resistance-she had something to hide. And maybe, just maybe, it was a good idea for the sheriff to know now after seeing the gruesome pictures. There was a strange feeling in her gut that she couldn't quite define. As a scientist, she should go with evidence and evidence has been used to prove facts, but as a detective she should go with her instincts and he instincts are telling her that there had to be more to the story than what she was seeing.

Emma stood up and carefully lifted her blouse, her heart thudding rapidly in her chest.

Sheriff Arendelle's eyebrows furrowed in suspicion before sighing and leaning back against the bookshelf against the wall. "According to the reports," she said gesturing at the photos with her head, "the mark on the man's chest disappeared after approximately eighteen hours."

Emma looked down at her bare stomach to see that it was completely unmarred as though the silver hand print never existed. She quickly dropped her blouse in relief and looked up at the sheriff who was scrutinizing her.

"What do you know about Killian Jones?" she asked suddenly.

"Uh, not much really. He's been a classmate since the first grade. Nice kid, I hear," Emma said, trying to offer as little as possible.

"Uh-huh, and was-"

"I don't understand what this is all about," Emma interrupted. "I don't see how Killian Jones has to do with the shooting or this man that you're showing me dead pictures of. Can I go home now?" she added harshly.

The sheriff looked at Emma, her gaze unwavering as always before finally nodding once. Emma didn't wait a second before walking toward the door.

"Oh and Emma? Someone found this. Believe it belongs to you?"

Emma turned around to see the sheriff stand up with her backpack and walk toward her with it, holding it out.

"Right, thanks," Emma quickly muttered before grabbing her bag and finally walking out of the sheriff's line of steely vision. She took a moment to breath and searched her bag. Her uniform was gone.

Emma scours the hall, looking for any signs of Killian. Her heart beats rapidly against her ribs as she walks aimlessly during the last period of the day. She spots a few classmates that she shares with Killian, none of which knew of his whereabouts. She supposed it shouldn't surprise her as much considering his habits of keeping to himself but there must be someone who has seen him in some class. She just about gives up before finally coming across someone who actually knew.

"Uh, yeah Jones? He has wrestling with one of my buddies at the Triple Gym. Probably there." The boy looked bemused as though shocked by the sight of someone actually seeking out the school recluse.

She barely called out a thanks as she sped toward the gymnasium. There were at least twenty boys in the gym all paired up and wearing the same P.E. clothes but it didn't take Emma long to spot his shock of dark hair as he pinned his sparring partner against the mat. He looks up just then, spotting her. His partner takes advantage of his distraction and quickly flips him over into a pin.

"Never let your eyes off your opponent, Jones! Not until the three seconds are up," the coach calls out.

Emma walks the short distance to Coach Frederickson. "Hi Coach, I was asked to escort Killian to the attendance office."

Coach Frederickson nodded distractedly, keeping his eyes on a pair of wrestlers that looked as though they were about to pummel each other for real. "Sure thing, he's all yours."

Emma nodded her thanks walking away with a backward glance to Killian, making sure he followed. Once they were out of the gym, Emma felt a shiver run up her back as she realized what she was doing. She was walking into an empty room with a potential killer. But, another look at Killian's confused face made her walk into the nearest empty classroom.

"Ok, Killian, I need answers and this time details would be great," she said without preamble. She let her anger at being deceived drive her words.

"Yeah sure," Killian replied closing the door behind him. "What's this about?"

Emma paused, taking a moment to gather her thoughts as she scrutinized him. She knows what she saw in the picture and logically with the facts that she was given it could only mean one thing, but looking into Killian's bright blue eyes that were showing nothing but affection-how had she missed that all this time—mixed with curiosity, she couldn't help the gut feeling that there had to be more to the story. But, she pushed it aside because he definitely hadn't told her the whole story.

"It's about you. I want to know everything from the very beginning. Starting from the moment you came onto Earth. I mean, where did you even come from, Killian? You said out there in space, but where exactly?"

Killian looked at her concerned for a moment before answering. "I don't know. All I know was that there was some kind of crash and we were found on the dessert."

"We?" Emma asked before it clicked into place. "Regina. She's like you too."

"And Victor."

Emma looked at him shock. "Victor Whale? Regina, I had suspected since you two were adopted together, but Victor…"

"Yeah, we lost him in the desert," Killian nodded. "But, we were later reunited in the orphanage and got lucky that someone in Storybrooke took him in."

"Wow." Emma took in the new piece of information before remembering her next question.

"Killian, the crash happened in 1947, but you're sixteen. How is that possible?"

"From what we can tell, the three of us were in these incubation pods where we came out of and soon after we were found and lived like normal humans. We don't know anything about where we came from, who we were or anything from that other life."

Emma shook her head, frustrated as she began to pace. The numbers didn't add up. If Killian and the others came out the pods-she can't believe the words are actually passing through her mind-in 1989, then they couldn't have been around in 1956 when the man had been killed.

"Um, Killian," she began slowly, "is it possible that there are more of you guys out there? Maybe someone else that came to Earth with you and got lost somewhere?"

Killian furrowed his eyebrows. "No, we never knew of anyone else coming with us. Why?"

She still had so many questions, but this was the most important one. "Because the sheriff showed me some pictures today, Killian. Pictures of a man who had the same hand print on his chest that I had on my stomach after you healed me. Only he was dead. The picture was marked 1959. How is that possible, Killian?" Emma asked shaking her head.

Killian's eyes widened as he stood perfectly still. He shook his head slowly, "That's not possible. Are you sure you saw it right?"

"Yes, it definitely said 1959. Killian, the reason she showed it to me is because…I think she suspects you."

Emma watched carefully as Killian stiffened and his jaw clenched as he stared off. "Killian, what-"

"I have to go." He quickly rushes to the door as Emma follows behind. She makes it out the door but gets swept in the crowd heading toward the Crash Festival. "Wait, Killian!" she calls out. "Killian!"

But, it's too late. He was already out of sight.

So the chapters tend to be on the shorter side but I'm wondering if that's ok. I know when I read fics I really, really appreciate the long chapters especially when there tends to be a long gap between updates but maybe the chapters are ok short? I don't know, I'm curious as to what you guys think of the length. Plus, I do like leaving off on a sort of cliffhanger to keep the suspense going and questions forming, etc. I don't know, what do you guys think? I'll try to readjust according the feedback I get, but I think I'll start merging chapters to make them a bit longer.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and the Emma/Killian scene. I really do enjoy writing them and let me know what you think! Also, thank you to those who reviewed the last chapter and so sorry to those that were promised a sooner update! I really did think at that point it would've been :/