It is finals week, so I am not promising to many updates. But I had this written and figured we all need fluff.

Don't forget to leave requests in the comments! Thank you all for reading!

Chasing After All That You Are

Emma was good at running, in more ways than one. Ever since she was little, she bad been running emotionally from her problems and from people. It was all she knew how to do. It had become second nature.

Somewhere along the lines of running from people metaphysically, she learned that she was quite fast on her own two feet. The constant switching of schools did not allow for her to participate on a school's track team, but in her spare time, as a way of getting out of the house and clearing her mind, she would run. That habit had lasted well into her adult years.

September in Storybrooke was perfect running weather. The air was chilled, but not cold, the last remnants of summer still holding on. She had moved to Storybrooke at twenty-three, needing a fresh start. The small town had been able to offer that to her. Nice people, simple way of life-it was all exactly what she needed.

Emma ran the same route most days. Storybrooke was not a big town, which meant the trails were left to a minimum. After a few attempts of switching up her run to add some variety Emma concluded that there was no point in reinventing the wheel.

It was later than Emma normally ran, the sun shining high in the sky. Today was Emma's day off from her job at the Sheriff's station, but she would be insane if she did not let herself sleep in until at least ten.

She started her run at a steady pace, heading towards the forest. She would always run in the forest, which was the majority of her run, and in the park before returning home. Some days, when she wanted to add an extra mile, she would run on the beach too.

The town was quiet, everyone busy with their own life, leaving Emma the perfect atmosphere to clear her head. Life was nice in Storybrooke. It was the stereotypical small town that she had always wanted to live in as a kid. Her upbringing left her yearning for something like a home, and Storybrooke was the closest thing she was getting to that dream.

Emma lost track of time every time she came out running, and this run was no exclusion. Somewhere around the forest, she was pulled out of her trance by the sound of footsteps. She turned around slowly, pretending to catch her breath, to see another runner a few yards back. Emma had never encountered another runner on one of her runs. Normally she went to early in the morning for someone else to be up, or she went while everyone else was at work.

To add to it, Emma did not even recognize the man running. As sheriff of the small town, Emma knew most of the inhabitants. She did not know everyone well, but she was at least able to put a name with a face. But with this guy, she couldn't. What a shame it was too. He had a nice face.

She made eye-contact with the mystery man for a split second as he ran past her. She stood up straight, finding her second wind. She bolted into a run, moving right past him and a few yards ahead. His laughter could be heard from where she was running.

He ran past her again, but it did not last for long. As soon as Emma could see him coming up behind her in her peripheral vision, she started pushing herself more and caught up with him, turning her head to give him a smirk.

As she turned back around and continued to run, making sure she kept the upper hand. Emma took a second to remember his face. He had dark features, except for his piercing blue eyes. His dark hair flopped a bit as he ran, but it suited him.

He clearly had no intentions of letting her win whatever this was, so when they were nearing the park, he cut in front of her again. Instead of taking the pavement path, me moved onto the grass clearing. She followed, only so that she could run in front of him again and win this before returning home. Emma Swan did not lose and she most certainly did not give up.

She struggled to catch up as the distance between them grew larger. She pushed herself, reminding herself that she needed to win. Emma knew the mystery man was telling himself the same thing. She started gaining momentum, only for him to fall and tumble onto the ground.

Emma ran over to him and extended a hand, trying to see his face to make sure he was alright. Before Emma knew what was happening, he took her hand and pulled her down with him, laughing the entire time.

"What was that for?" Emma asked when she finally caught her breath.

"I apologize, love, but this was the only way I could think of to meet the gorgeous girl I have been running with." He says with a thick accent-something European.

Emma sat up to scan him. "So, you faked falling?"

"Guilty. I had to know who you were."

Emma smiled at him. She felt a strange connection to this stranger, something she had never felt before.

"Emma Swan." She answered before her her walls could shoot up and her mind could tell her this was a bad idea.

"Killian Jones." He said as he too sat up. "I must apologize for making you fall though. Maybe I could make it up to you by buying you a coffee?"

"Sure." Emma surprised herself. It was unlike her to go out with a stranger, even if it were just for was something very different about this guy. Emma did not know what it was, but she intended to find out.

Killian stood up quickly and extended his hand to her, which she accepted. They started walking towards town and she leaned over closer to him. "You know, you could've milked that 'injury' for all it was worth. Could have gotten my to take you to coffee and kiss it all better." Emma joked.

"Is the kissing it all better still an option?" He teased back. She gently hit his shoulder and he said. "I wouldn't have done that, love. Tis bad form."

"Bad form? What's that?" Emma questioned.

"Guess you'll have to find out." He led on.

Yes, yes she would have to find out, because Emma Swan did not like to give up. Ever.

Up next: Not 100% sure. I personal prompts I can use if no one leaves a prompt (hint hint).

Thanks for reading! See you next time!