Disappearance of the Swan

by Bellajewels

Emma witnesses career criminal Robert Gold kill a romantic rival and is taken into police custody for her own protection. Detective Killian Jones, who has his own history with Gold, is assigned to her case. What happens when the lines get blurred and his professional life becomes more personal?

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

"Have you ever flown love?" It had been several hours since their conversation and they had found themselves in a whir of activities. Nothing like creating false identities to cut into getting to know you time. "Excuse me?"

"Have you ever been on a plane?"

"No, I've only ever driven where I needed to go. Never really had enough money for a flight." He looked back at the suitcase on his bed and got back to packing. She watched closely, observing him. He was meticulous. Every shirt was folded as though it was going to be on display in a store. Every pair of pants were folded so that they fit perfectly on top of each other. Looking back at her own suitcase she realized that perhaps you could learn a lot about someone by the way that they pack. Her clothes had been thrown into the suitcase haphazardly and with no particular rhyme or reason. She's like to blame it on the speed with which she had to collect her things but she knew that it really never looked any different when she packed. Order was never really her strong suit. "What about you? Have you ever been on a plane?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth she felt foolish. Of course he'd been on a plane. He had an accent. Not only had he been on a plane he'd been overseas. The corner of his mouth ticked up just a fraction and it looked like he was about to tease her when he thought better of it. He was comfortable around her but she was still a stranger and he didn't really have a good read on her personality yet. "Aye love. I was born here but after I was adopted my family and I moved back overseas. I've been back here for a while now though."

"After I said I knew it was a stupid question. You have an accent."

"No worries love and not a stupid question. Plenty of people have accents from here. If you grow up in a home where your parents had an accent it would be easy to pick one up." She looked as though she was about to crawl out of her skin for such a simple error. Whatever she had gone through it had marked her in ways he wasn't certain even she was aware of. He continued to look at her until it seemed like she was uncomfortable and then went back to packing. The hours since they had their conversation about expecting to expect nothing in regards to their relationship had been spent gathering whatever they could from their old lives to take into their new lives. David and Mary Margaret did the legal leg work, only requiring them for photo documentation and signatures. An hour before they had to leave for the airport a man with thick rimmed glasses and curly hair entered the hotel room that had become the headquarters for the impromptu move. David walked in behind him and closed the door. "Emma. Killian. This is Judge Hopper. He's been apprised of the situation and he's agreed to marry you, although not without some reluctance."

"These are less than ideal circumstances for a marriage. I'm sure you'd agree Detective Nolan. There's no way that they can just say that they're married. I hate to make light of such a sacred vow." Killian moved from his spot near the bathroom door and moved to shake the man's hand. "Judge Hopper. I greatly appreciate not only your willingness to do this against perhaps your better judgment but your devotion to doing your due diligence to your position. I just ask you what you look for when you look for a husband. A man willing to lay down his life for his wife? A man willing to leave all that he knows to follow her anywhere? A man devoted to keeping her safe and protected? Emma and I don't love each other. That's true, but those things are still true of me."

"And what of her for you?"

"I can't speak to that but I know that she's willing to make sacrifices as well. That should be clear by the chaos in this room." They all chuckled, alleviating some of the tension in the room. "Emma, what is in this marriage for Killian from you?" She stood again by the window, her time in Storybrooke short and the window almost serving as a anchor to the life she was giving up. Her eyes fell lightly on Killian and she shifted uncomfortably. It was one thing to have conversations about their relationship or lack thereof with him. Already there seemed to be a bond between them, most likely stemming from the fact that it was their lives that were being uprooted by this move. "I'm not really sure what's in it for him. Gratitude for certain. It may seem a bit as though I'm unaware of the sacrifices he's making for me but I'm not. Not in the least bit. In fact if anything I'm overwhelmed by the knowledge of what he's giving up for my benefit. There will be friendship for him. A person to share his life with. His concerns with. When he feels the weight of the sacrifice, which I'm certain he will, I'll be there for him to lean on. I'm not an easy person to live with and I'm certain there will be days that he may regret this decision." Her eyes came up from the floor, locking on the man standing across the room from her. His deep blue eyes peered at her from under dark lashes and she allowed herself to take him in. For all their talk of being friends she couldn't stop the stirring of attraction that had already begun to take root. Not from his attractiveness, although his appearance certainly didn't hurt matters at all. It was his kindness and compassion that drew her to him as though he were a beacon. He could put her in line but he never allowed her to lose sight of the fact that they were in this together. He was not going to rule over her but he would attempt to be a partner for her. "I just hope when those days come that he remembers the words that we say here tonight. And I hope that he knows that when those days come when he exasperates me because we've spent far too much time together that I'll be remembering the words that we say here tonight. I've never been one to commit lightly and the suddenness of this decision doesn't change that about me. I've thought this through. I know the decision that I'm making and I will honor it. Once we say these vows I will stand by him through anything, good or bad."

"I wish the people that I see that are in love with each other were half as mature about marriage as you two are."

"Maybe it's better that we're not clouded by messy feelings. We can be clear headed about this and allow whatever happens next to happen." Killian walked over to her by the window and extended his hand as he bowed at the waist. "Will you do me the honor milady?" She laughed as she rolled her eyes and placed her hand in his. "I suppose." She attempted to sound bored but laughter danced in her eyes and a light blush covered her cheeks. They turned to look at Judge Hopper and the mirth left the room. "I would imagine that the David and Mary Margaret will serve as your witnesses. Is that correct?" They nodded at the same time and the judge began the normal vows. The ceremony was quick, leaving out references of love. No use making promises that they couldn't keep. Perhaps love was in the cards. Perhaps it wasn't. Although if they were both being honest they felt a spark between them and the more time they spent together the more it seemed to grow. They shared no kiss, although Killian did bend down to place a gentle kiss on her knuckles. She could tell that it was a promise. Not just of protection but that he would allow her to set the pace. That they would find their way through this situation and they would find it together.

The hours had been long and now that the wedding was done they quickly gathered their small bags and headed to the airport to depart for Charleston. David was going to have their stuff shipped to a small town near Charleston and Killian was going to go pick it up so that it couldn't be tracked to them. Now that there was much to ship. The agreement on both of their parts was that they were going to start from scratch. They might have to go without some of the finer things in life for a while but it would be worth it to not have reminders of a life that they couldn't have anymore popping up. Killian couldn't stop himself from smiling as he watched Emma fret going through airport security, fearing that somehow their new identities would put them on some kind of airport watch list. He, however, knew that her fears were unfounded. The airport had been alerted to their special circumstances and even if it hadn't been their documentation was complete and in order. Still he watched as she fretted until they were in their seats and the plane was preparing for take off. "What's it like Killian? Flying?"

"It's not really much different than riding in a car love. There are occasional bumps but for the most part it's steady going. Are you scared?"

"With the last twenty four hours I almost feel like a plane ride should be the least of the things that frighten me but yeah I guess I am. Most people have done this before and I haven't. Doing things that I'm not familiar with frightens me. You'd think I'd be used to it by now but I'm not." He knew some about her past but he intentionally didn't investigate much. He didn't need to know about her history in order to protect her so he just briefed himself on her involvement in this case. If they were going to spend their life together he wanted her to trust him with information. He wanted her to want to confide in him, when she was ready. Her statement though intrigued him, furthering his belief that her childhood had been less than ideal. "Change is hard for anyone Jen. This new life of ours is bound to be scary but hopefully it's a little less scary with me by your side." His hand sought hers out and he linked their fingers, lifting her hand to his lips to brush a soft kiss across her knuckles. The gesture could easily be one to fool the people on the plane but she knew what it was. Yet another affirmation to her that she could trust him. That she could count on him to walk her through this season of change. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes as the plane began to jettison down the runway. Within minutes her breathing had evened and she was asleep, with him following behind her shortly.

When Emma saw the house for the first time she was in awe. It was beautiful. Probably the most beautiful house she'd ever seen. "Killian this place is astounding." He smiled at her although she noticed a small amount of concern in his eyes. He didn't say anything though but instead took a couple of steps to reach her on the porch of the house. "So what say we give the neighbors a show love? Happy couple and all that. Carry you over the threshold?"

"We're not supposed to be newly weds."

"No but we're supposed to be excited to move into our new house. Besides I wouldn't mind having a traditional moment with my nontraditional wife. In love or not it's the start of our new lives."

"I suppose it wouldn't be the worst thing ever." He smiled a little as he lifted her over his shoulder, and stepped over the threshold. She shrieked and kicked her legs but he just kept walking until he was in the living room. He set her down and she looked around the barren room. As beautiful as the house was it was empty and didn't feel at all like a home. "We need to go shopping Killian."

"Aye. That we do. But I wanted to mention that to you love. Calling me Killian. It's fine when we're in here but any time we're outside, even on the porch, you need to call me Colin. If a neighbor walks by and hears you calling me Killian it could raise suspicion."

"I didn't even think of that. You wouldn't think after twenty four hours I'd be used to calling you anything but it's going to take a bit to switch from Killian to Colin."

"I understand. You're already Emma for me. It's going to be hard for me to call you Jen. When we're in here though we're ourselves. I'm sure it'll take some time to get used to." He too looked around the bare room, taking in the many things that we needed. "So I have a credit card burning a whole in my pocket with enough to furnish the house and get what we need. What do you say we got to the store and get a few things."

"You think we should leave already? We just got here. Maybe we should stay here and get settled?"

"And where do you suggest we settle love? We have no furniture. Not even an air mattress. We needn't decorate the whole house in one night but we should probably at least get a few of the bare essentials." She nodded, knowing he was right. Within an hour they were at a store and they were facing their first truly awkward impasse as a married couple who barely knew each other. In the middle of the local furniture store Emma lay in a king size bed with her hand out, inviting Killian to join her. "Come on Colin. It's just a bed."

"Aye love and I'm sure that you'll make an exceptional choice. I trust you implicitly."

"In this bed now husband. We're picking out a bed for our room and you should give your input." He lowered his head, his eyebrows furrowing in worry, before lifting his gaze to meet her eyes. She bit her lip, a look of uncertainty crossing her face, before reaching her hand up. "Come on," she said quietly. Without another second of hesitation he joined her on the bed where she promptly shoved him over. "Can't get a good sense of the mattress unless you're laying down there buddy."

"Quite observant love. Why we hadn't recruited you to the force yet is a mystery."

"Ssshhh. No one is supposed to know remember. That was the whole point of all this."

"Aye lass. You're right. I quite like this bed. You have extremely discerning taste."

"Why thank you." A smile split her face as she bounced up and down a little on the mattress. "So do we need one for your room or...?"

"We'll get one for my room now. I'm certainly not going to force my presence into your space. We'll need to keep my stuff in your room though for when we entertain. The room I stay in will need to be essentially the guest room. I'll keep some stuff in there so that you don't feel uncomfortable. No need to keep looking for a bed though. We'll just get two of this one. Perhaps a couch should be next on our list of furniture."

"How about a couch, a TV, some blankets, and a microwave?"

"Sounds like you may have a plan in my love."

"I may." She smiled as she climbed off the bed, making a beeline for a salesclerk to make arrangements for the beds to be delivered. She had never gotten to a furnish a home like this before. It had always been mismatched furniture from thrift stores. To be able to go to a store and pick furniture that she liked, instead of furniture that was just inexpensive, was a dream come true. Killian didn't hurt. The pull towards him was already strong and she was fairly certain that the feeling was mutual. Still they had only known each other for a few days. While she was speaking with the salesperson Killian's phone rang and he moved to a quiet corner of the store to take the call. "Henry."

"I see you're taking to the new name."

"Aye mate. What's up Dave?"

"We have Gold in custody. It's as we feared. He knew that there was a good chance that someone had seen him and he already has some of his men on the search for whomever it might be. Luckily though he didn't see Emma. There's not a large scope of people though that it could have been. The apartment complex she lived in wasn't large and he knows that it must have been someone that lived there since the cops were on it so quickly. His people will be looking at the tenants."

"When they find out she's gone from her apartment she'll be first on their list of people to have seen it."

"Exactly. I can imagine that their plan is to eliminate the witness so that she can't testify against him. She's really our only evidence in the case at the moment so she's definitely going to be a target."

"What do you need then?"

"I need you to be very careful. For the time being stay close to home. Get your background straight. You can't slip up. On our end we have a female undercover detective making daily trips to and from Emma's old apartment. The landlord is motivated to have us get this taken care of and is agreeing to allow us to pay a base amount for the apartment. We've not moved her stuff. Get me a list of things she needs and we'll try and get it to you. Same for things from your apartment."

"Sure thing." He turned his back to the room and lowered his voice. "How worried do I need to be Dave?"

"I don't think you need to worry too much for the moment. We've got things under control but you should definitely be on alert. We're also looking into Gold's background. For you. Trying to find a connection to that case that you mentioned. Mila Stilts."

"Why would you do that?"

"It seemed like it was important to you. Besides it's a cold case. No matter how long ago it was she still has family out there and they deserve answers. She deserves justice." Killian nodded, a lump in his throat. He had done his best to keep his interest in the death of Milah Stilts quiet but it was with him every day. Never far from his mind. "Have you had any luck with it?"

"Not much. You've been working the case so you know that there's not to go on. When the murderer killed her he took the murder weapon with her so there's no prints. She had been gone almost twenty four hours before the police got a phone call from her son."

"Do you know where he went to make the call?"

"No. The police went to the house and found the body but the boy was gone. If Gold was the one that killed her my guess would be the boy knew that he was dangerous so he disappeared."

"That's always been what I've thought too." At that moment Emma reappeared by his side. "Mate, I need to go. My lovely bride is back and we've got a life to get started." He smiled down at her before making his final goodbyes to David. "So everything squared away love?"

"Yeah, they'll be delivered tomorrow. Who was that?"

"It was David."

"And?"

"How much do you want me to keep you in the loop Emma? Do you want me to carry the burden and allow you to live fear free or do you want me to share with you?"

"Share with me. Trust me I won't be living fear free if you don't tell me. I'll just be living full of fear and without the facts. At least if I know what's going on I can feel like I'm staying a step ahead."

"Well then Gold is in custody but he's already got his men trying to locate the person who witnesses the crime. He knows it is someone in your apartment building so it probably won't be long before he realizes that it's you. They have an undercover detective going to and from your place every day though to throw them off the scent that you've relocated. There's no danger now but we do need to be cautious." Without thinking she reached out for his hand and linked their fingers. It seemed so natural to find solace with him, which seemed odd to her since physical comfort had never been her style. "Thank you for telling me."

"So...what else do you need to do to arrange this surprise evening?"

"Oh you'll see."

A few hours later found them on the floor of their new place with blankets spread out on the floor, two glasses of wine in solo cups, and a large pizza next to them on the floor. The electricity in the house had been turned on while they were out shopping but they still came home and lit the room by candlelight. A fire had been built in the fireplace, adding a homey feel to the room. She had changed into a pair of leggings and an over-sized gray sweater that fell off one shoulder in a way that he found unspeakably attractive. He had changed into a pair of black and white plaid fleece pajama pants with a back v-neck sweater that dipped low enough that the chest hair that she found so delectable was on full display. "So this was your plan then love?"

"Well, we'll hook up the TV and DVD player and I thought we could camp out here and have a movie night. Take some time to get to know each other. It'll be fun." He laughed, thrilled that she was starting to move on from the events a few days before and was becoming more personable. She had been almost affectionate all day long to the point that he thought perhaps she becoming interested in him. "Well lass how do you propose we get to know each other while watching movies?"

"Movies come later. Pizza and a game of real or cover come first."

"And what exactly is real or cover love?"

"We tell each other things about ourselves and the other has to guess whether it was a real fact about them or something that is just part of their cover. If it's a cover then we add it to our real cover." He smiled as he thought of what she was saying. In a very real way she was asking to open up to him. To tell him things about herself that he imagined she didn't tell people every day. For him it was a bit like she was an open book but for the average person he assumed she was something of an enigma. "Sounds like quite the game lass. Settle in and get started then?" She nodded as she found a plate and loaded it down with pizza. She sat cross legged on the floor with her plate on her lap before grabbing her cup of wine. "To the start of our new life." He lifted his cup as well, clinking it with hers before taking a large swallow. "I'll go first lass. To kick things off. My father was a fisherman and when I was a boy he would take me out on his boat. It's where I gained a love of the sea that has stayed with me my whole life." She twisted her mouth as she stared at him, trying to read whether he was telling her the truth or not. "I'm going to say real. I could be wrong but it sounds pretty authentic."

"Aye it is. My parents adopted me when I was young and took my older brother and me overseas. Before he left us my father taught me what it was to love and respect the sea. He left but that loved stayed. Your turn." She paused, deep in thought about what she was willing to share. She thought it would be a fun game but already she sensed that it could get more personal than she had expected very quickly. "In the same vein I guess my mom was a middle school literature teacher who passed along her love of reading to me."

"I'm going to guess true?"

"Is that a question or a statement there pal?" They both laughed as he picked up another slice of pizza. The evening had evolved into the exact kind of night he loved. She was open and laughing, and it felt real. It didn't feel like they had met just days ago and they were in the witness protection program as husband and wife. It just felt like they were two people getting to know each other. "I'm going to guess true."

"It's partially true. It was actually my sixth grade literature teacher that taught me to love reading. But my mom wasn't that teacher."

"So according to the rules then your mom was a middle school teacher that taught you to love reading and that's part of your back story. In this back story of yours what did your father do?"

"He was a teacher too. They met at school and fell in love."

"Sounds like quite the romance."

"I love reading. I know all the tropes." He laughed and the sound made her stomach clench in the most amazing way. It was a deep laugh, sincere and completely open. "Your turn."

"I played Peter Pan in a high school production of Peter Pan."

"Cover. You don't really seem like the Peter Pan type."

"That's true. I was actually Captain Hook."

"Now that I can see. Were you the handsome version of Hook?"

"No, they dressed me in one of those silly wax mustaches and a bad permed wig. It was pitiful. Your story."

"Growing up whenever a Disney movie was in the theater I went. Even if I had it on VHS or on DVD I still wen to see it on the big screen. I still do." She looked down at her shirt and picked at a little, clearly feeling a little insecure about the level of authenticity that her little game required. Being honest with people you know is scary enough but it's terrifying to be honest with strangers. He wished that he could explain to her how inspired by her he was but something told her that she wouldn't welcome that at the moment. Already she had questioned his intentions in regards to their relationship and what it would be. He didn't want her to think that he was complimenting her to get something from her. "Real. You seem like the cynical type but I see a bit of a romantic in there as well. I have no problem imagining you in the theaters rooting for a happy ending."

"I've never really believed in happy endings."

"Believed in them, perhaps not. But tell me you don't secretly long for them." She smiled hesitantly at him. He knew her too well already. It was unnerving. She didn't tell people that she loved cheesy romantic comedies or that she could mouth the words along with Dirty Dancing. Those were her secrets but somehow in just a few days time he was able to see them without her saying a world. "Well you're right. About that being real, not about the longing for happy endings thing. Although I wouldn't say that you're completely wrong about that either. Your turn."

"My mother lives in London dying for the day that she becomes a grandmother." The color left her face and he realized immediately what he had just done. He told his stranger wife that his mom wanted grandchildren badly. He'd only kissed her during their wedding, had assured her that he wasn't going to force a romantic relationship, and now undid all of his assertions by indicating that he waned to have children."So do you think that's real or cover?"

"Real?"

"Cover actually. My mother passed away a long time ago. Before my father left." He wanted to tell her more. He wanted to tell her how his father had crawled into a bottle intent to never come back out. How his brother had raised him and even though he never made him feel like a burden he couldn't shake the feeling that he had always been in the way for everyone. He wanted to share the good and the bad of his life with her but he knew that it was too much, too soon. That she wasn't ready for that level of honesty from him. They could play their game and goof around but she was the type that spooked easily. He could see it a mile away. If he shared too much she would panic. "My favorite drink is hot cocoa but it has to have cinnamon on it. And whipped cream."

"Oh lass I know without a doubt that's true."

"How's that?"

"I'm a detective remember? That was far too detailed for you to be lying. Beyond that it was the perfect shift from me telling you that my mother died. A light, easy topic to ease the discomfort of a serious detail."

"Oh really. Well fine. How about this one? I grew up in foster care. True or cover?"

"Also true love. But I'd love if you'd tell me about it. I'd love to know more about your beginnings."

"Not much to know really. I don't even know that much. My birth parents left me on the steps of a church in a basket. Left my name and birth date on a piece of paper under my baby blanket. Thankfully that was enough to get me my social security number and my birth certificate."

"So you know your parents names then?"

"Sure. Tracy and Bryant Swan. But I've never had any luck finding them and honestly I've never really put a lot of effort into it. The being left on the church steps kind of gave me the feeling they weren't interested in knowing me. Can we change the subject? I've already told you more than most."

"Let me reciprocate. I hadn't planned on telling you certain things yet, not until we were more familiar with each other, but I want you to know that you're not alone. My adoptive father left shortly after my adoptive mother died. Years later I found out that he had remarried. Settled down with a new wife and a new kid. Heard he went to all the kids football games and they were a dream family. Like you I never searched him out. I felt that him leaving Liam and me behind was proof enough that he didn't really want us. I'd imagine my adoptive mother pushed for him to adopt me so I understand him leaving me but I've never understood why he left Liam. That was his blood. It never made sense. I'd give just about anything to know where my blood is." He looked up and saw sadness in her eyes, but the pity that he was used to from others wasn't there. She understood. She knew the pain of being left and she knew the pain of feeling like there was something lacking in her that made people leave. His marriage to her may have been one of convenience, to protect her, but he was starting to feel that there was something more at work here. Something pulling them towards each other and that they were powerless to stop it. At the moment that he started to feel his feelings pulling him towards her in a way that he knew that it was too soon for, that he knew would make her pull back and shut down, he felt a pillow come down hard across the side of his body. He caught her eye and the sadness had retreated, replaced by laughter and a joy that he hadn't seen there before. "What was that for?"

"We just got far too serious. I felt you needed to be punished." He laughed as he reached out and pulled her towards him by her leggings covered ankles. His hands reached her ribs and he tickled her until she was laughing so hard that she could barely breathe. "I give, I give. If you'll just hand me a white flag Captain I'll gladly surrender it."

"Aye lass. Surrender it is then." She smiled before jumping up and grabbing the sheets that she'd lain on the end of the couch when they got home from the store earlier. She knew that they were going to stay in the living room but she figured they'd blow up an air mattress for her and he would sleep on the couch. "How about a fort?" String up some lights in there. We can have that childhood that you and I never really got to have."

"Sounds like quite the treat Swan." They stood and put together the fort and Killian made a quick trip to the local store to grab some Christmas lights. With the holidays coming they would need them anyways. A happily married couple in their first house would surely decorate for the occasion. Finally they were done and they leaned back against the couch, the light illuminating them. "Killian this was a lot of fun. It sounds crazy but probably the most fun I've ever had."

"I feel the same lass. I'm starting to think this whole assigned to you for life thing might not be such a bad thing." She smiled before leaning in, brushing her lips against his. He tried to hide the fact that he felt his breathe hitch, and he it seemed as though his heart skipped a beat. Her walls were high and yet she had been the one to make the first move. To initiate the first kiss. When she leaned back she kept one hand lightly touching his chest as she said, "Ditto."

"I knew you loved romantic movies but I didn't have you pegged for the tragic ones."

"What do you mean?"

"The movie reference that you made knowing that I would get it. Ghost, love."

"I did know you'd get it. I don't know how you know me so well but somehow you do. I look forward to seeing how this marriage thing works out for us."

"Ditto."