Note: Thanks for your responses to the last part. Hope you enjoy this part! ~Steph

...The Con: Part 8/9...

Rule #8: Know when to cut your losses and move on.

Killian entered his apartment and found Robin sitting on the couch. He sat down beside him.

"Emma knows the truth," Killian said.

Robin turned his attention away from the TV. "You told her?"

Killian shook his head. "I never got the chance. You unknowingly tripped a breach alert on her computer the other night and she caught you on camera. She figured out the entire thing."

"Bloody hell."

"And everything you did was for nothing. She has a fail safe program installed that downloads useless files if there's a breach."

Robin ran a hand down his face, as he bowed his head. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

Killian's brow furrowed. "What?"

He met Killian's eyes. "I'm sorry for going against you. The truth is, I was frightened. First, Liam left and now you were leaving me too. I didn't know what I would do without you, who I would be. I reacted poorly. I think I was envious too. You and your brother found someone worth changing for. You have courage that I'll never have."

Killian slowly shook his head. "You were right. I lost Emma. She doesn't believe my feelings for her are true. She thinks it was all a lie. I don't think she believes I can change. Perhaps I can't. Perhaps I was a fool to believe I could be something more."

Robin sighed heavily. "You can be, Killian. You're smart and resourceful and determined. This doesn't have to be your life."

"Emma gave me a reason to change. Without her, I don't think I can do it. I don't see the point."

Robin opened his mouth to say something, but Killian stood up and walked down the hall into his bedroom.

…

Belle eyed Emma over their breakfast. Emma was simply staring blankly at her untouched bear claw. She'd been like this for the last two weeks, ever since she'd learned the truth about Killian.

"How long are you going to wallow?" Belle asked.

Emma met her eyes. "I'm not wallowing."

"Emma, you're miserable. And, honestly, you're making everyone around you miserable too."

Emma shrugged her shoulders. "What do you want me to do, Belle? I was betrayed by the man I love again. Do you want me to just plaster on a smile and pretend everything is fine? Because it's not."

Belle sighed. "I want you to consider why you're so miserable, Emma. It's not because he lied to you. It's because you miss him."

"Of course I miss him," she replied softly.

"Killian made you happier than I've ever seen you before."

"It was all based on lies."

Belle shook her head. "It may have started that way, but it grew into something real. Emma he called off the operation and wanted to go straight for you. He was going to tell you the truth even though he knew it could mean losing you and going to jail. That has to count for something."

Emma blinked back sudden tears. "I can't see past the lies."

"Do you believe he loves you?"

"I don't know what to believe."

Belle reached out and covered her hand. "Yes, you do. In your heart you know."

Emma sucked in a breath. "It doesn't matter what I believe or how I feel. It doesn't matter how he feels because I can't be with a man I can't trust."

"Of course it matters, Emma. Love is rare and if you find it you can't just discard it. You have to fight for it. Killian has made terrible choices, but he's owned up to them and wants to be a better man for you, Emma. I think you'll regret it if you just let him walk out of your life."

"Belle, a healthy relationship is based on trust. You can love someone with all your heart, but if you can't trust them then the relationship is doomed. I'd rather cut my losses now than give him a second chance and end up even more broken hearted down the road. Looks like I dodged another bullet."

Belle simply shook her head. "Killian's not Neal. Neal never loved you."

Emma dropped her eyes back to her plate.

…

Emma answered the door to her apartment, her eyes widening at Robin.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked.

Robin held up his hands. "I just want to talk."

"I should have had you arrested when I had the chance."

"But you didn't and I am very grateful for that. Please, can I come in?"

Emma eyed him for a long moment, before stepping aside and allowing him entrance. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Start talking."

"I want to apologize for everything. For targeting you, for the lies, for stealing from you. I hope one day you can forgive us both."

"Did Killian send you?"

Robin shook his head. "He doesn't have any idea I'm here. Emma, I want you to know that Killian's feelings for you were real. He wanted to call the operation off even earlier, but I wouldn't let him. He was going to tell you the truth. He truly wanted to give up this life for you."

Emma shook her head. "You preyed on me. You both did. Killian used my past, my pain, against me. He used it to manipulate me into falling in love with him."

Robin sighed. "He was drawn to you from the start, Emma, the moment he saw your picture. Killian has always followed rules when running a con. He broke them all because of you."

Emma dropped her eyes. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"I just want you to talk to him. Now that some time has passed, I want you to hear him out."

Emma felt her heart at war with her mind. She missed Killian desperately, but she didn't see the point of speaking to him again. It wouldn't change anything.

"He's miserable without you," Robin said. "I've never seen him like this before. He's not sleeping. He's not eating. But he's drinking. Drowning his sorrows at the bar every night."

Emma lowered her eyes. "I think it's time you left."

"Emma, please."

She walked to the door and opened it. Robin walked to it and was about to cross the threshold when her voice stopped him.

"Do you really believe he can give up this life? Do you really believe he can change?"

Robin nodded. "I do."

"What's the name?" she asked softly.

"What?"

"The bar. What's the name of the bar he goes to? You know…in case I get…thirsty."

Robin's lips turned into a slight smile. "The Rabbit Hole. It's a few blocks away."

Emma nodded and then closed the door behind him.

…

Killian stared into his drink, the dark liquid numbing the pain he'd been feeling for over two weeks without Emma. He knew he deserved it. He deserved every sleepless night. Emma was the best thing that ever happened to him and he had lost her. And he had no one to blame but himself.

A woman in her sixties sat down beside him. Killian felt her eyes on him. He could spot a wealthy woman a mile away and she showed all the signs. The perfectly manicured fingernails, the expensive hairdo, the designer dress and handbag, the gold jewelry. He noticed the wedding ring on her finger.

"Jerry, my usual," she said to the bartender.

"Figured I'd see you in here tonight," Jerry said, as he handed her a martini. "How many years has it been?" he asked.

"Three," she said.

"Hard to believe. George was a good man."

"Yes, he was," she said.

Killian listened to the conversation. He gathered that she was widowed for three years, but had yet to remove her wedding ring.

She fiddled with the ring. "I know George would say, 'Louise, time to let me go. Time to move on.' Maybe he's right."

Killian sipped his drink as he eyed the woman.

Emma appeared in the doorway to the bar, her eyes immediately landing on Killian. She felt her heart flutter in her chest at seeing him again. She sat down at a table behind him.

Louise looked at Killian. "Looks to me like you're nursing a broken heart of your own."

Killian nodded. "You're quite perceptive."

"I was married 40 years. You tend to learn a lot." She held her hand out. "Louise Martindale. And you are?"

Emma watched Killian carefully. He licked at his lips, before adopting a charming grin and slipping his hand into hers. "Peter James. Pleasure to meet you."

Emma felt her heart drop into her stomach. He hadn't changed. He hadn't changed one bit. She came there hoping to see something in his eyes, hear something in his voice that would make her believe everything wasn't a lie, that he really did want to give up this life. But she had been fooled once more.

She stood up and was ready to flee the bar, telling herself she would never see him again. But then she thought better of it. This woman was his next mark. She couldn't let the same thing happen to this widow that had happened to her.

Emma walked over to where they sat at the bar. She cleared her throat and Killian turned his eyes to her, a smile appearing on his lips.

"Emma."

"Hello, Killian."

Louise's brow furrowed. "I thought you said your name was Peter."

Killian's mouth hung open, but no words emerged. Emma shook her head. "His name is Killian Jones. He's a con man and a damn good one. I should know. He broke my heart. I don't want the same thing to happen to you."

Louise stared at him, her drink in her hand. She looked at Emma and then handed her the Cosmo. "Here, I think you'll get more satisfaction out of throwing this in his face than I will."

Louise then stood and walked away from them. Killian shrugged, as he gestured at the glass.

"Go ahead, love. I deserve it."

"You deserve far worse," she said. "But it won't make me feel any better."

She placed the drink down on the bar.

She shook her head. "I should have known better than to come down here."

"Why did you?"

"Because Robin came to see me. He said he believed you truly wanted to change. I guess I wanted to see for myself." She paused, shaking her head. "But I can see you're up to your old tricks."

Killian took a drink and then met her eyes. "You were right, Emma. I'll never change. You were my reason. You were my motivation. But I lost you and trying to go straight now seems rather pointless."

Emma shook her head. "You can't do it for me, Killian. I can't be your reason for changing for the better. No one can. You have to do it for yourself."

He stared into the dark liquid in his glass. "That's just it. I don't think I can. I don't think I have it in me."

Emma sighed. "I think that's an excuse because you're afraid of failing. You can't know what you're capable of until you try."

With that, Emma turned on her heel and left. Killian wondered if he would ever see her again.

…

Killian sat at the counter at Granny's Diner, staring at his grilled cheese and onion rings. It had actually become his favorite meal because of Emma. It had been two weeks since he'd seen her at the bar. He knew it was a bad idea, but he had started to eat lunch at Granny's everyday in the hopes of running into her. Killian knew that she didn't want to see him and figured that any meeting would surely be awkward but he couldn't help himself. He missed her terribly and the small chance of seeing her was the only thing that got him through the day.

Killian heard the door open and someone approach the counter.

"Hi, Granny. Is our order ready?" Belle asked.

Killian turned and looked at Belle. He scanned the diner for some sign of Emma, but found none.

Granny handed Belle a bag. "Emma's usual and your favorite."

"Thanks," Belle said as she paid.

She turned to leave when her eyes landed on Killian. His head immediately shot down to his plate. Belle stared at him for a long moment, chewing on her lip as she considered whether to approach him. She finally walked over to him. Killian sighed and looked up at her.

"Emma knows you come here everyday hoping to see her," Belle said.

"How would she know that?" he asked.

"Because last week she came here everyday at lunch and you were sitting right there."

"I never saw her," he said.

"That's because she didn't come inside. And now she refuses to come to her favorite restaurant. I have to come and get take out instead."

Killian sighed. "My apologies. Please tell her she can feel free to come here whenever she pleases. I will cease coming to this establishment."

Belle nodded. "Thank you."

She bowed her head and began to leave when his voice stopped her. "How is she? Is she okay?"

Belle met his gaze. "No, she's not okay, Killian. You broke her heart. I've never seen her like this, not even after Neal."

Killian felt his throat begin to burn. "I am truly sorry."

Belle saw the pain and regret in his eyes and knew he was sincere. Her expression softened. She placed the bag down on the counter and sat down on the stool beside him.

"You really love her, don't you?"

Killian nodded. "I truly do. If I could go back in time and change things I would. If I could take it all back I would in a heartbeat."

"I believe you."

"But Emma doesn't. She doesn't believe a word I say. I can't say I blame her."

Belle tilted her head. "She told me about what happened in the bar. Why did you tell her you wanted to go straight and then go right back to conning?"

Killian shrugged. "I was wrong to believe I could change. Falling in love with Emma gave me a reason to want to be better, be more. But now I realize I'm not capable. This is the only life I know. It's the only thing I'm good at."

Belle shook her head. "I don't believe that and neither does Emma. I think it's an excuse. It's an excuse not to try because when you try there's a chance of failing."

Killian stared at her for a long moment, contemplating her words.

She went on. "And I think you want to stay in this life to make it easier to live without Emma. You can believe you aren't deserving of her and maybe it will hurt less."

"I know I'm not deserving of her," he said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Belle shrugged. "Maybe you aren't, but she loves you. And I know deep down she wants to believe you can change. She wants to believe she can trust you again."

"Do you really believe that to be true?" he asked, hope flickering in his eyes for the first time.

"I do, but you have to prove yourself, Killian. I think she went to that bar to see if you really were trying to change. I think she may have given you a second chance if you gave her an indication that you were trying to go straight."

"Emma said she can't trust me. I don't believe anything can change that."

Belle shook her head. "Trust is earned. You need to earn hers back."

With that, Belle stood. "I have to get going. Emma hates soggy grilled cheese." She paused and added, "I hope you'll consider what I said."

Killian watched her go, wondering for the first time in weeks if he still had a chance with Emma.

…

End of Part 8

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