It was early in the following week when Killian found himself pacing back and forth in Liam's office, waiting for his brother to arrive. LJ was perched on the armchair, his amusement clear as he watched Killian.
"He's going to turn up eventually, Killian It's not the first time our big brother didn't come home to sleep."
Killian didn't miss the playful tone on his brother's voice, nor the fact that it didn't seem to affect him as much as it did Killian. He took a brief moment to give his brother a stern look before he resumed his pacing back and forth across the office.
Shortly after, Liam Jones made his way into his office, whistling a tune and carrying a tray with paper coffee cups. "Good morning, coffee anyone?"
As if the whistling and the extra spring in his step weren't a sign, his blinding smile and cheerful eyes were a dead giveaway. Killian watched as Liam made his way towards his desk, left the tray and picked up his mail. His eyes lingered over one of the envelopes before he finally lifted his head and met Killian's eyes.
"You have to stop sleeping with her…" Killian didn't feel the need to beat around the bush when everyone in the room knew exactly where Liam had been the night before. "Think of the example you're giving to LJ!"
"Oh no, leave me out of this." LJ raised his hands in front of him, palms out. "I'm happy someone in this family besides me is finally getting some."
Killian tried to find a single sentence to lecture his little brother with that didn't sound hypocritical coming from him. There were none. He cursed under his breath before he met Liam's eyes again.
"Liam… you're only going to get hurt in the end."
Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, but she was upset and she needed someone to talk to. She's afraid she's going to lose an important case and it wasn't even about the money, it was about the custody of this ten-year-old. I - I couldn't leave her alone when she needed me."
Whatever reproachful words Killian had for his brother died in his lips when the door suddenly opened. Three heads turned to see Regina Mills standing in there. She looked impeccable in a blue dress and black blazer. Her eyes scanned the room and she tilted her head briefly at the sight of Killian and LJ, but she didn't seem fazed by their presence. She lingered by the door, her gaze now focused solely on Liam.
"Is that invitation to dinner is still open?" she asked, her tone no-nonsense.
Liam gaped and it took him a moment to reply, long enough for Regina's lips to curve into a smile. "Aye, it is… always."
"Pick me up tonight. Does 7 work for you?" She cocked an eyebrow playfully at him.
Liam strode towards her and brought her hand to his lips. "I'll be there."
Regina cleared her throat and nodded to herself before she turned around and left her office.
"Well, it seems we're finally making some progress on our own family's happy endings," LJ announced, moving to slap Liam in the back. "Well done, big brother."
Liam smiled, reaching for one of the papers that were scattered on his desk. "Aye, between this and Miss Swan's final report clearing us from any further investigation, I think we're turning on a new page."
Killian gave both his brothers a brief smile. "Now, if I can only find Swan's perfect match and delivered on my promise to her, I'd be happy to celebrate with the both of you."
"What is taking you so long?" LJ gave him a quizzical look, his brows furrowing. "You're usually much more expedited than this."
Killian tilted his head, his jaw clenching, finally showing his brother the frustration he'd been keeping at bay for weeks. "I don't know. It's not coming to me…"
"Is Killian Jones losing his touch?" Liam jested. "That'd be a first."
"It's not that. My touch works fine, thankyouverymuch," Killian countered, running a hand through his hair. "It's just that I… I can't find him."
"Have you perused all of our files?" Liam asked, getting all business-like as he contemplated his brother.
"Aye, and no one seems to be a good fit. They're not good enough."
"Maybe hit a bar or two," LJ offered shrugging. "Expand your horizons. There might be something there that might be worth to look at."
"I'm not going to find Emma Swan's perfect match in a bar," Killian spat, anger taking over him.
"Why not?"
"Have you seen the bloody idiots that circulate there? None of them are going to be good enough for Emma!"
"Is that so?" LJ quirked an eyebrow at him and something stirred inside Kilian.
"She deserves more than a random guy picked in a bar after everything she's gone through in her life." He paced back and forth, trying to explain to his brothers what Emma was entitled to, trying to put into words the feelings that'd been assaulting him ever since he'd promised to find her match. "She deserves someone that will see past the walls she built around herself and realize she's amazing. Someone who likes those walls, who wants to be the one to break them. Someone who wants to be by her side, regardless everything and anything, someone who can understand her, someone…"
"Like you?" LJ's voice brought Killian back from his heartfelt speech.
Confused, he turned around and found LJ looking at him with a mix of amusement and surprise. "Oh my god, it's you."
"What in the blazes are you talking about, LJ?"
LJ took a moment to tilt his head and observe Killian, studying him closely. "It makes so much sense now…" he trailed off, exchanging a look with Liam. "Killian. Emma's match… it's you."
His brother's words made Killian's heart beat frantically against his chest. "Nonsense."
"Please…" LJ started, taking a few steps in Killian's direction. "Have you heard yourself when you talk about her?" LJ's hand lift to Killian's shoulder. "Killian… open your eyes, brother. Or close them, and picture it in your head: when you see Emma with someone, who is there by her side?"
The clear picture in Killian's mind took his own breath away. "Bloody hell," he whispered and he opened his eyes and met LJ's clear blue eyes.
Still stunned, Killian turned to look at Liam, who was looking on with both pride and amusement. "Well, baby brother, it seems you've solved your first case."