Killian was about hours away from coming home...err..the office. He had texted Emma that he would arrive at the office. He had spent the last two weeks in New York City for the exhibition of his drawings. Late at night he'd text Emma and tell about his day while asking about his. Once or twice Emma found herself waiting up until she had received his goodnight text. She was glad he was coming back. She have gotten so used to his smiles, jokes and randomness.

Emma went out to Killian's favorite little shop in town and bought his usual order of grilled cheese onion rings and an iced tea. The minutes seem to pass by slowly so Emma took her USB and walked out the office. She needed to get her mind off things.

There was a soft small knock at the door of the small room. Emma had been on here running some evidence into the machine.

"I have a new case for a miss Emma Swan."

At the sound of his voice she smiled and faced him. He was leaning against the door with a smirk.

"Killian!" She said reaching her hands out.

He did the same and welcomed her into his arms. "Hey, Emma. How are you?"

"I'm great! You gotta tell me everything about New York and your drawings. She snatched up the brown bag from her desk.

"Even got you your favorite lunch."

Killian grinned. "Why thank you, love. Might I suggest we have lunch at your place?"

Emma raised an eyebrow. "My place? Why?"

Killian leaned in close and spoke in a low voice. "I like ambience better. Eating in this place would be much too daft."

Emma rolled at eyes at the personality she had missed for two weeks.

"Fine. My place it is." She grabbed her red jacket and Killian followed behind.

Emma unlocked the door. Throughout the whole drive here Killian had kept tapping his foot and fidgeting with his fingers. This made Emma a little nervous. He was anxious about something, but what? Suddenly a thought ran through Emma's head. What if he had come back to tell her he was moving to New York permanently. Not that she should care about that... She dropped the keys in the usual table by the door and stepped into her living room. Or at least she thought it was her living room...

"Wh-what? Did I just enter a different apartment?" Emma asked shocked looking around. It was completely different then when she stepped out this morning. The boxes of files were usually on her floor weren't there. This feature was replaced by many new ones. Lamps, decorative pillows, a mirror, a vintage clock and so many other items that she recognized as the things Neal had come home with all those years ago were and now they were placed inside her apartment.

"What's all this?" She turned to Killian who was quietly and shyly staring at the ground.

"I- uh arranged for your apartment to get a makeover. You know to thank you for what you did for me."

Emma walked over to a shelf filled with the books she melts stuffed in a box in her closet. On top of the shelf were framed photographs. A photo of her parents. A photo of her parents and her younger self. Another of just Emma and Mary Margaret laughing. The last was of Neal, Emma and Mary Margaret with their arms around each other. A an old picture from when they were in college. She picked up it up and ran her finger across it.

"How did you-" Emma couldn't put words together.

"My flight may have flown in earlier than I told you. I got some help from Mary Margaret. She helped me choose the photographs and some of the furniture."

Emma didn't say a word. She just stared in awe at the rest of the apartment. Her apartment had never looked so much like...a home. Rather than looking like a place she just used for sleeping. Emma gasped as she faced the left wall. A painting on a canvas that covered her whole wall. It was one of a beach but with tall beautiful trees in the background. It looked a lot like that wonderful hidden island Killian had shown her.

"I knew you loved the island so I thought why not bring the view indoors as well."

Emma placed a hand on her wall admiring the color, and careful markings wondering how long it must have taken.

Upon not getting a response Killain assumed she hated everything. He reached to scratch behind his ear. " Um if you don't like it I can uh help you take everything down and put it away."

"This is absolutely wonderful. I can't believe you took the time to do all this and that painting. It must have taken you forever. I don't know what to say except... you didn't have to do all this."

Killian smiled at her words and felt his confidence coming back to him. "Oh but I did have to do all this."

"Why?"

"I thought it was about time you to had some good change in your life. You deserve it."

Emma continued to stare at the painting and softly let out a thank you.

"To celebrate you like the remodeling we should drink some champagne " Killian walked over to her fridge and pulled out a bottle.

"Well this day is just full of surprises isn't it?" Emma smiled.

Killian handed her a glass and both of them sat on the couch and clinked glasses.

After some small talk about his trip and after eating their lunch Killian looked at Emma. "You know I really missed you." Killian said.

"We texted almost everyday, Killian." She poured herself more champagne.

"Aye but it's not the same as having you here with me."

Emma laughed nervously and took a long sip of her champagne.

"I thought of you everyday."

Emma tried not to choke on her drink. "Why?" She asked trying to stay calm.

"I always think of you."

"What do you-" She started to say.

"Emma, When I first walked into the conference room on my first day I immediately knew you were the prettiest woman there."

He chuckled to himself. "Of course when we met I knew I was never going to get anywhere with you. Not with your tall bricks walls that you surrounded yourself with. Yet I was able to find little cracks where you would reveal yourself. I don't know if you realize but you revealed a beautiful soul to me."

Emma's heart started racing and she stood up. "Killian stop."

"No I don't want to stop. Your soul has been through a lot of pain that it doesn't deserve. Our souls are like kindred spirits that have been cut by the world. Yours more than mine. Every minute I spent with you I noticed how you hid behind your walls. But I want to break you out of that shell so you can show the world your smile. All I ever wanted to do was see your smile."

"What are you doing?" Emma's voice cracked. She was not sure she wanted this. In this moment all she wanted to do was run away. She didn't think she could handle being with someone. She didn't want to risk losing anyone.

Noticing the panic in her eyes he tried finding the right words to explain himself.

"I know you hate change. I myself thought that things in my life were changing for the worse. My dream had been torn apart and now but now it's becoming true. I can not thank you enough for what you have done. It makes me think one thing. Life changes so quickly for better or for worse and we somehow have to choose to remember the good moments. I didn't want this job as a criminal investigator. Luckily, now I'm never planning on giving up on my drawings and paintings now. There's something else I won't give up on... You. You're the reason all of this is happening. You're the reason I began to like this job. If I don't get another opportunity like the one I got and am not able to continue pursuing my dreams and was stuck working here instead I wouldn't care."

He wasn't making any sense. He was giving her a bunch of words that were making her nervous. She knew what her heart was telling her but he wanted to avoid it. Words that were asking her to reach down in her heart and let go of her feelings rather than lock them up. A quizzical looks is all she managed.

"Emma Swan. I don't understand how you don't see it." His voice sounded pleading. "That kiss. I know you said it meant nothing, but I think about it everyday." He took a deep breath. "I'm in love with you. You changed my life completely and now I can't see myself going back to my old life without you."

Killian took a step forward and she didn't back away. So he took the chance to lean closer. He took his finger to slightly raised her chin. Emma didn't stop him. He placed his lips on her lips stealing away her breath. It was a small kiss but she didn't kiss back. He took a step backward.

"I understand. It was inappropriate of me to assume you felt the same way. I just thought there was something between us." Killian reached down to grab his leather jacket and got ready to leave.

Emma bit the inside of her cheek and felt the touch of his lips still lingering on her. No she hadn't kissed back because she was still processing everything. Well now she had a choice. Push away the feelings she knew were growing for the man in front of her and let him go or start changing her life and leave her workaholic mindset to a life where she opened her heart.

Killian didn't know what else to say. He felt as if he had been punched in the stomach. Of course, she didn't want him. He was just someone who worked with her nothing more. Suddenly he felt her reach for his hand.

Emma placed her other hand on his cheek and parted her lips to kiss him. Killian moved his head to the side to kiss her better. Her hand moved to the back of his head letting her fingers run through his hair. Killian's hands slid from her shoulder until they rested on her back. He pushed her closer towards him not wanting her lips to leave his even for a second. After a passionate kiss Emma rested her forehead on his.

"I do feel the same way." She said breathlessly her arms were now wrapped around his neck.

Killian smiled widely and leaned to kiss her once more not wanting the moment to end. After their lips parted he chuckled. "Well there's a celebration of my return tonight. I've never been to an office party and I'd hate to go alone. What do you say Swan? Be my date?"

She laughed and kissed him back. "I'd love to."

—

Epilogue / A few months later

Everyone in the office was dressed in their best attire. One of the halls in the company building had been turned into a banquet hall. They hadn't had a huge celebration in a while but today was a special day. Mr. Jones was retiring and his job would land in the hands of Killian. It also happened to be the day Emma would tell everyone about her proposal for the company's future. The one she had come into work with her the day she met Killian.

Killian was wearing a blue suit bringing out the color of his eyes. Next to him linked to his arm was his girlfriend, Emma Swan, in the stunning red dress. They socialized with a few people before taking a seat.

"Did I mention you look remarkable tonight, love?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Only like a dozen times."

Clapping filled the room as Mr. Jones walked in. "Thank you. Thank you all for joining me here today. As you know I will no longer be the president of the company. It has been a wonderful time and I am ever so grateful to have spent it with you lovely people."

Mr. Jones went on with his speech mentioning when he first founded the company while also sharing a few light hearted stories. Nearing the end of his speech he mentioned Emma.

"I'd love to thank the wonderful Emma Swan for her dedication to this job. I am honored to present her this award for her longtime commitment to this company. Emma, come on down here."

He waved for her to join him in front of the room as everyone exploded with laughter. Killian gave her a thumbs up and a proud smile.

Mr. Jones gave her a hug and handed her the award. Afterwards he wrapped an arm around her. "Ms. Swan has also presented this company with a wonderful idea that will allow us to extend our services to those less fortunate while also strengthening our relationship with the city's police department."

Emma nodded as everyone was in awe as her proposal presentation was being shown on a screen. Emma was glad everyone seemed impressed. After all it had taken Emma 4 months to come up with a way to reach out to people who possibly couldn't afford private investigation without the company going bankrupt. She was proud that she'd finally be able to help out even more people.

"That is why today this celebration isn't about me and my retirement. It is also about Emma Swan. This woman right here has done nothing but show her love of this job. I had chosen my son, Killian Jones to be president of this company. Today he is a successful artist and I will not ask him to give up his dreams to take over this job. Yet I will still present this company their new president." He pointed his arms to Emma and clapped. The crowd did the same.

"Emma Swan is a person who will take this job seriously and lead this company possibly better than I am. Please Emma say your first words to us as president."

Emma stood speechless in front of everyone. She gripped the award in her hand. She faked a smile and took a step closer to the microphone.

"This is a wonderful surprise and I ask all of you to give me a moment to process this." As soon as she said those words she didn't wait for the applause that followed. Instead she ran out the door. She had to get out of here.

Killian got up from his seat and ran behind her into the vacant hallway. "Emma. Stop!" Emma walked faster and he reached out to grab her arm. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy?"

She turned and faced him but she was no longer smiling. "You knew about this! You knew about this and you didn't tell me?"

"Emma I- I didn't think you'd be angry."

She took a deep breath. "Are you crazy? I can't be president!. I'm I- I don't know how to lead people. I can't run this company!"

Killian wrapped his fingers around hers finally understanding she wasn't angry. He knew that face. She was afraid.

"Emma, you're the best person for this job. You've dedicated more hours than any of these people. You care about solving every single case and do not give up until it is solved. You can do more than lead this company. I believe in you. You can do this."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I've seen the passion you put into your work and its not just me. Everyone knows this. You're going to be the best president ever. This company needs more of your ideas, love. It would be nothing without you."

Emma smiled and as quickly as it appeared it vanished. "I don't know..."

"Trust me, love. You have this under control and you won't be alone. I'll be there to help but I know you're beyond capable of tackling this on your own."

He leaned to kiss her and with this kiss Emma felt her fears dropping away.

"Now why don't you get your beautiful self back out there and hit them all with the best speech they've ever heard."

He bowed down and then offered his arm to her. "The kingdom awaits her queen." He winked at her.

Emma laughed and took his arm. Things were going to be alright. Especially by the side of the man she loved.