Note: Thanks for your responses to the second part and "World's Best Mom" and "Never Let Go". Hope you enjoy this part! ~Steph

...The Con: Part 3/9...

Rule #3: Never reveal anything personal about yourself. Stay in character.

"Someone's here to see you," Belle said from the doorway of Emma's office.

Emma glanced down at her watch. "I thought I didn't have any appointments until 1."

"He doesn't have an appointment."

"Who is it?" Emma asked, as her brow arched in curiosity.

Belle smiled. "The man who put that dreamy smile on your face."

"Killian?" Emma said, as she felt her cheeks redden.

"In the flesh," he said, poking his head in the door.

Belle disappeared and he entered Emma's office, sitting across from her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

Killian pulled a check out of his pocket and held it up to her. "I'm here to settle my bill."

Emma hid her smile as she raised an eyebrow. "In person?"

He shrugged. "Figured I'd save myself a stamp."

"Oh," Emma said, disappointed.

"And properly ask you out," he said, as he leaned forward on her desk.

Emma couldn't hide her smile. "You could've called."

"I'm much harder to say no to in person," Killian said, gesturing to himself. "This is a hard face to refuse."

Emma laughed. "So you thought I might say no?"

"I was pretty confident you'd say yes, but better safe than sorry," he said. He paused. "So is that a yes?"

Emma nodded. "Yes."

Killian grinned. "Great. I'll pick you up at 7. Would you like me to meet you here?"

Emma shook her head. "No, come to my apartment."

She scribbled her address down on a piece of paper and handed it to him. He placed it in his pocket and handed her the check.

Emma's brow furrowed as she looked at it. "Is this the total Belle gave you? It seems rather...low."

Killian shrugged. "Well, Belle forgot to factor in the discounts."

Emma smiled. "Ah, the discounts."

"$50 off for the grilled cheese and onion rings."

"Yup."

"And $250 off for my assistance on the stakeout."

"That seems a bit steep."

"I did do half the work."

Emma pointed at the check. "Not to quibble, but it's still off by $3.50."

He offered her a tiny smile. "That was for the Cheetos."

Emma laughed. "Are you going to make me pay for your dry cleaning bill caused by the Cheeto dust too?"

Killian shook his head. "That's on the house."

"How generous."

He nodded as he headed toward the door. "I thought so." He paused before exiting. "See you tonight."

"I can hardly wait," Emma found herself muttering to his retreating figure, a smile on her lips long after he'd disappeared.

...

Emma stood in front of the full length mirror in her bedroom, as she gnawed on her lower lip. She was currently on her 5th outfit. She stared at the little black dress. It was the perfect date dress. It showed off her legs and the neckline left just enough to the imagination. She slipped into black heels, just as she heard a knock on the door.

Emma took a deep breath as she approached the front door.

"You can do this," she mumbled to herself. "It's just a date. Your first one in five years. Okay, don't think about that."

She swallowed roughly and opened the door. Killian's mouth dropped open at the sight of her.

"You look stunning, Swan."

Emma smiled. "Thank you."

She noticed he was dressed casually in a pair of jeans and button down shirt.

"Oh no, I'm overdressed. I didn't know where we were going. I'll go change," she said, turning on her heel.

"Don't you dare," he said, stopping her movement.

She slowly spun around. "Really? But where are we going?"

"Well, the plan was bowling, but it would be a crime to waste a dress like that on bowling. You deserve better than beer, soggy pizza, and nachos. So how about dinner first at a nice place and then bowling instead?"

Emma nodded. "Sounds good. Let me just grab a change of clothes. There's no way I can bowl in this dress. Come on in."

Killian entered and Emma disappeared down the hall. He perused the simple, modest apartment. He had expected her to live in a fancy penthouse given her wealth. While the apartment was nice, it was nothing like a woman of her considerable wealth would normally live in. He realized Emma didn't flaunt her wealth. The women he normally targeted always had theirs on display. They lived in opulent mansions or penthouses. They drove fancy cars or limos. They always sported the latest designer dress or handbag.

But not Emma. You would never even know she had money. Her apartment was decorated simply, with modern furniture and few knickknacks. She only had two personal photos. One of her with her parents that looked to be taken shortly before their death and one with her and Belle.

Emma returned a moment later with a bag in her hand.

"All set."

"Your apartment is lovely," he said.

"I know what you're thinking. What is an heiress doing living in such a normal apartment?"

Killian shrugged. "It crossed my mind."

Emma came to stand before him, as she glanced down at the picture of her parents. "I haven't touched a penny of the money I inherited for my own personal use since I graduated college. I support myself through hard work. I'm proud of that."

"You should be," Killian said with a nod and then asked the question he didn't want to ask. "What do you do with the money then?"

"It's in an account dedicated to various charities I support, including the foundation I just started."

Killian sucked in a breath. That would mean any money they stole would essentially be stolen from those less fortunate. He didn't know if he could handle that. He was used to stealing from those who had it all. It didn't make it right, but it helped him sleep at night.

He slowly nodded his head. "Well, that is impressive indeed." He paused and then added, "Shall we go?"

Emma led the way out.

...

They settled on an Italian restaurant a couple of blocks away. They ordered their meals and then fell into a comfortable conversation.

Killian took a sip of his wine and leaned toward Emma.

"How old were you when your parents died?"

"Five. I didn't have any family so my nanny raised me, but it was just a job to her. We were never close. When I turned 14, she sent me away to boarding school. I was actually looking forward to not being alone all the time, but I felt more alone than ever. I couldn't connect with any of the girls. But then Belle transferred there when I was 16. She was my first friend and now she's my only family."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," he said sincerely.

"What about you?" she asked. "What was your childhood like?"

This was usually when he would make up some sob story to suit his character. But he realized his own story would have the most impact and that he wanted to tell her the truth.

"Well, my father left my mother, brother, and I when I was 8. My mother struggled to raise us until she died from cancer when I was 16."

"I'm so sorry."

"My brother was 18 and struggled to care for us too. We came to the states pursuing the American dream, but things didn't quite work out. My brother became involved with drugs. It was like I didn't know him anymore. I tried to get him help, but he refused. I haven't seen him in years."

"That must have been very difficult."

"It was. I had to find my way by myself. I suppose we both know what it's like to feel alone," he said.

But it wasn't a line meant to connect with her. It was the truth. What he didn't tell her was that his brother started running cons to support them and his drug habit. He was the one who taught Killian how to run cons and introduced him to Robin. And they were a trio for years.

But a few years ago, Liam met a woman and they fell in love. He sobered up for her and decided to go straight. Killian was furious with his brother for abandoning him, accusing him of being like their father. Liam apologized for dragging him into this life and told him that he could be so much more, so much better than this. But Killian refused to listen and they hadn't spoken since.

Emma reached across the table and linked her fingers with his.

"Maybe you don't have to be alone anymore," she said softly.

Killian offered her a smile.

...

Killian and Emma entered the bowling alley.

"I have to warn you," Emma said, as they found their lane. "I am an awful bowler."

"Well, I feel it only fair to warn you. I am a brilliant bowler."

Emma tilted her head to the side, as she came up close to him. "Can I use the bumpers?"

Killian chuckled. "No, because you're not 6."

Emma gave him a sexy little pout and he nearly relented.

"Will you at least help me find a ball that's not too heavy then?" she asked, as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

Killian walked over to the racks and pulled off an 8. "Try this one."

Emma lifted it and shook her head. "No, too heavy. How about that green one?"

Killian laughed. "That's child size. I doubt you can even fit your fingers in the holes."

Emma walked over, slipped her slender fingers in, and picked it up. "Perfect."

Killian shook his head with a laugh as he found his own ball.

"Ladies first," he said, gesturing to the lane.

Emma slowly walked to the line and dropped her ball. It almost immediately went into the gutter.

"Bloody hell, you weren't kidding were you?"

"Nope," she said with a shake of her head.

Her second try resulted in the same. Killian's first ball was a strike. Emma threw two more gutter balls and Killian threw another strike. Killian was starting to feel bad for her. Would she even knock down a pin?

She prepared for her next turn. As she stood at the line, Killian came up behind her, pressing his body against her back. Emma felt her breath catch in her chest at his closeness. He placed his face near hers, as he tried to steady his own racing heart. He slowly ran his hand down her arm, causing goosebumps to appear and then covered her hand with his.

"Allow me to give you a few tips."

"Okay," she breathed.

"You want to have one fluid motion," he said, as he pulled her arm back. "Don't twist your wrist when you release the ball. And use your lower body to propel yourself."

"Got it," Emma said, as she turned her face and found his lips right in front of her.

Killian's eyes darted down to her mouth and it took all of his strength not to kiss her. He reluctantly released her and stepped back.

Emma took a few steadying breaths and then set up her shot, following his tips. She released the ball and instead of going into the gutter it made it all the way down the lane. It curved to the right a bit and then knocked all the pins down.

Emma threw her arms up in the air, as she turned around to face him. He offered her a grin.

"Brilliant, love," he said.

Emma rushed towards him and threw her arms around him. She caught him by surprise but he quickly recovered, his arms wrapping around her waist.

Killian loved the feel of his body against hers and didn't want to let go. He finally forced himself to pull back.

"Thanks for the tips," she said.

"Anytime, milady," he replied.

Killian's next turn was a gutter ball, while Emma got another strike. Two more strikes followed after that for her.

Killian watched her carefully, noticing her perfect form and expert follow through. He finally shook his head, a grin upon his lips.

"What are you smiling about?" she asked, as she sat down next to him.

"You know how to bowl, don't you?"

Emma smiled. "College champion four years running."

Killian shook his head with a laugh. The con had been conned.

"You had me fooled."

She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "It's called a hustle. And you were far too easy of a mark."

She then stood, walked over to the rack to get a size 10 ball, and took her turn. Killian swallowed hard at the irony.

...

Killian walked Emma to her apartment. She turned toward him and leaned against the door. Killian stepped close to her, as he placed his arms on either side of her body, palms flat against the door.

He looked down at her, his eyes flitting across her face.

"I had a great time tonight, Emma," he said.

"So did I," she replied.

"Will you go out with me again?" he asked softly.

"That depends," she replied with a smile.

"On what?" he asked, cocking his brow.

"If your ego has recovered from my hustling you in bowling."

"I demand a rematch."

Emma shook her head. "Nope. And I get to plan the second date."

Killian smiled. "So I assume that's a yes then."

"Yes," she whispered.

Killian's face moved closer to hers, his lips tantalizingly close. Emma was sure he was going to kiss her. She even closed her eyes in anticipation. Instead, she felt his soft lips brush against her cheek.

"Goodnight, love," he said, before stepping away from her and turning to leave.

"Goodnight," she replied, as she brought her hand up to her cheek.

...

Killian arrived home to find Robin waiting for him on the couch.

"How did it go?"

"Fine," Killian said as nonchalantly as he could manage.

He sat down beside Robin on the couch.

"That's it?"

Killian sighed heavily and met Robin's eyes. "It was amazing, okay? Is that what you wish to hear?"

"Bloody hell," Robin said, as he dragged a hand down his face. "I knew it. You're falling for her!"

Killian didn't dispute the claim. He didn't think he'd be very convincing.

"Listen, Robin, I think we should reconsider this mark."

"I knew this would happen. You're letting your feelings get in the way of doing your job."

"Please just listen," Killian said sharply. "Emma doesn't use any of the money for herself. She has it in an account and it is used solely for funding her charities and foundation."

"That's useful intel."

"If we steal from her then we will be stealing from children, from the underprivileged."

Robin sighed. "And this change of heart has nothing to do with your feelings for Emma?"

Killian licked at his lips. "She's a good person. She doesn't deserve this."

"We've targeted good people before, Killian. You just haven't fallen for any of them." Robin let out a frustrated breath. "How about a compromise?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"We don't steal her money. We just access her client accounts. We can gain information we can use to con them, steal from them."

Killian stared at Robin. He wanted to say no, but he felt like he would be letting him down.

"Fine," he agreed.

Robin nodded. "Okay, well, the next step is to figure out how to gain access to her client accounts. We should-..."

Killian stood up abruptly. "I'm exhausted. We'll discuss it tomorrow."

Robin opened his mouth to say something, but snapped it shut when Killian turned on his heel and headed toward his bedroom.

...

End of Part 3

Thanks for reading! I'd appreciate any feedback you'd like to give. ~Steph