A/N: So, I've been a very bad girl. I've been writing instead of working... I know, I know, you're more likely to be happy than my client, but sometimes the muse is just stronger than everything. So, here goes chapter 3! Any parts in italic happens in the past.

Disclaimer: If only I got paid to write this!

Chapter 3

It was rather late when Killian finally closed the door of his hotel suite. He was absolutely and utterly exhausted. Fan conventions were always draining, but this time, he was also emotionally drained of all energy. Mustering some courage, he walked to the bathroom praying that a hot shower will help him turn off his brain and enable him to fall asleep quickly.

Killian turned the shower on before he began to undress. Spotting his own reflection in the bathroom mirror, he couldn't help himself but compare his face to Ava's. She may have her mother's smile, but the eyes were his. Of that, there was not doubt. She even had his pointy ears, for Christ's sake! Sighing for the umpteenth time that day, Killian stepped under the scalding cascade of water, hissing as the heat worked some of its magic to ease the tension he didn't know he had in his shoulders.

Closing his eyes, his mind started to drift back to the very first moment he had met Emma Swan.

March 29th, 1997

"Alright children, please gather 'round!"

16-year-old Killian grabbed the handle of his suitcase and followed his schoolmates to where their teacher, Mr. Nolan, was standing.

"In a few minutes, you will all get to meet the family with which you will be staying for the next month, as well as the child that will be flying back home with you for another month. Now, I want you all to be on your very best behavior, and I will see you at your new school on Monday!"

Shouldering his duffel bag, Killian started to turn around when he heard his name being called.

"Yes, Mr. Nolan?" he asked the teacher, seeing him approaching with a thirty-something woman with a big smile and pixie haircut.

"Killian, I'd like you to meet Ms. Blanchard, the Canadian teacher coordinating this exchange with me."

"Oh, bonjour!" Killian greeted her in French, extending his hand.

"Bonjour Killian," she smiled, shaking his hand. "David, I mean, Mr. Nolan, told me you're the boy who will be living with the Swans and their daughter, Emma, am I right?"

"Killian is the only boy I can trust with this situation," David nodded at Killian, putting a hand on the teenager's shoulder. "I believe the family is also agreeable to the arrangement?" he asked Ms. Blanchard.

"Yes. And Emma is a very sweet girl, and very trusting as well. I have a feeling that she and Killian will get along just fine nonetheless."

A few weeks prior to the beginning of this student exchange, Mr. Nolan had approached Killian with a rather sensitive situation: there weren't enough families with sons to accommodate all the Irish boys. David had flat out refused that Killian lose his place because of this. After several discussions, the Swan family had accepted, upon high recommendation from Ms. Blanchard, to welcome a male student into their home, despite having only a daughter his age.

"Alright Killian, ready to meet your new family?" Ms. Blanchard cheerily asked him.

Killian nodded, becoming somewhat nervous, all of a sudden. He followed the woman towards the only family that was left waiting for their exchange student.

"Killian, these are the Swans!" Ms. Blanchard started.

"Hello Killian! Welcome to our family! I'm Lillian Swan," the mother said, smiling warmly. "This is my husband, Robert, and our daughter, Emma. Em? Emma! For crying out loud, take your nose out of your book for a second!"

Killian suppressed a laugh as he watched the girl lift her face from the book she was reading and cast a mildly annoyed, albeit puzzled, look at her mother.

"Oh, uhm, hi, nice to meet you and welcome to Montreal," Emma shyly greeted Killian, her cheeks turning red.

"Tout le Plaisir est pour moi," Killian replied, trying not to gawk at Emma.

Emma Swan was the most beautiful girl Killian had seen in his entire short life. She had wavy blonde hair that fell down to her waist, eyes the color of jade, with very long lashes. She had pale white skin that looked soft to the touch. Her long legs were encased in tight denim jeans and Killian tried to avert his eyes when he noticed how great her small breasts looked through her sweater.

During the hour and a half car ride to their house, the Swan parents and Killian made small talk, trying to get to know each other a bit. Emma was silent for most of the ride, still engrossed in her book, and trying very hard to ignore the very hot boy that she would have to live with for the next two months.

"What are you reading?" she suddenly heard Killian whisper.

"The Notebook," Emma replied, her eyes finally meeting his.

"What's it about?" he asked, leaning towards her.

And that's when he knew he was screwed. Being this close to her meant that he could smell her sweet and intoxicating scent. The butterflies that had lodged themselves in the pit of his stomach when they'd been introduced suddenly did summersaults, causing Killian to try and catch his breath.

He hoped to gods that it was all due to the long flight and the nervousness at meeting his "family" and having to speak in French for the better part of the upcoming month.

But a part of him knew it wasn't that. Oh gods no. He had a feeling the butterflies would be a permanent part of him whenever Emma Swan would be in close proximity.

Yep. He was screwed.