The week after dinner with her family had been crazy. She was working long hours at the shelter, and he was at the shop or out doing car tests all day. Both were so exhausted that when he'd call to tell her he was heading back, she told him just to head home, as she was already heading to bed.

The first two nights he let it go, hearing the exhaustion in her voice. Wednesday night when she did the same, he was starting to worry. Had he made a wrong impression with her brother? He thought it had gone well. Has he done something wrong? He wasn't sure what to think, but not seeing her at all for three days and only brief phone calls and text messages was driving him crazy.

So he made a decision. It was Thursday evening and this time he wasn't going to call and ask. He stopped and grabbed Chinese food and then drove over to her place after leaving the shop. He needed to know what was wrong, and he wasn't leaving without an answer.

He knocked on her door, holding the take-out to the peephole so she could only see the bag. She was already saying as she opened the door, "You have the wrong apartme…" Her eyes opened in shock at seeing him.

He gave her a smile. "Hello, love." She had her hair in a messy bun, was wearing a baggy sweatshirt and loose pajama pants with fluffy socks. She looked beautiful.

"What are you doing here?"

He was taken back by the accusatory tone and unsure of how to proceed. "Well I had wanted to see my girlfriend, since I've barely spoken to her all week. But now I'm wondering if she doesn't want to be anymore…"

He saw her look down, biting her lip. "Killian…"

He tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "Just at least tell me what I did wrong." When he looked back up he saw that she was already in tears. He instantly went to her, pulling her into his arms. "What's wrong? What did I do?"

She held him to her tight, and he backed them into her apartment shutting the door behind him. "It's not you…" she said barely audible over shoving her face into his chest. He scooted them over to the couch and plopped the takeout on the coffee table as he got her to sit next to him. Her tears still coming in muffled sobs.

He rubbed her back, still trying to figure out what was wrong, trying to taper down the elation that it wasn't directed at him. "What's wrong, Swan? Let me help you."

She pulled back, and tried to rub the tears from her checks. "You can't." She shook her head. "You shouldn't be here...I'm too crazy right now."

"What? Why?" He was really confused, "You can tell me anything; what's going on?" Then he saw her blush, her cheeks, the skin viewed from the scoop neck of her shirt, he knew just how far down that went. But a blush didn't make sense with how she was acting. "Emma…" He took her hand. "Tell me."

She sniffed again, her hand waving. "Just give me a couple more days, and I'll be fine."

And I then his brain pieced it together. Slow on the uptake Jones. He yelled at himself, as a slow smile he couldn't help reached his face. Granted it wasn't really his fault, he had never encountered hormonal Emma Swan before. If math served the last time would have been the week they fought.

His hand came out and caressed the side of her face, her body leaned into the affection. "Love, are you avoiding me due to your...monthly cycle?" She pulled away and looked down, but he reached out for her and pulled her back. "For what reason?"

She refused to look at him, "You don't need to be around me like this." She said waving a hand at her ensemble. "Besides, I really don't need you here looking all...that." She motioned at him. "When you won't want to. Not with me like this."

He was trying not to smile, while she was talking, but he couldn't help himself. He pulled her closer, resting her head on his chest. "I don't know where you got all these notions about what I would and wouldn't want. But let me tell you a few things love. One, I want to be around you no matter what. If you're gloriously naked, wearing a gorgeous dress or in baggy sweats. No matter what, you are still the most stunning woman I have very seen." Her face burrowed into his chest and he kissed the top of her head.

"Not to mention, the sexiest. Two, no matter what you may believe or that I have demonstrated recently, I can control myself if necessary. If you want me to, that is." She pulled back and looked at him, giving him a questioning look. He gave a smirking smile in return, "And lastly, if you are okay with it, and if you want me anyways...well, I certainly don't mind." Her eyes widened, and he kissed the tip of her nose. "Besides, I have heard that orgasms help with cramps, headaches, and other discomforts during this time." He arched an eyebrow at her.

She pulled back, "Killian, you don't have to…"

"Oh, trust me, it would not be a hardship love. Anything but." He pulled her close again, "Now if you don't want to, I can understand that and I won't force the issue." His fingers lightly trailed over her spine. "But if those hormones are making you want to...I am definitely up for the occasion." He took her hand and placed it over his hardening length, and she gasped as her eyes rolled back.

She pulled back again, her eyes still questioning. "You don't find it...well...gross?"

He shook his head. "I don't know who put that notion into your thoughts, love. But no, I don't find a normal bodily process gross." He took her hand again, letting his thumb rub over the back of it. "I mean there are different steps that need to be taken than normal, but that's all." His other hand had come up to the side of her face. "In fact, if you had just told me, we could both me enjoying my shower right now." He felt the small shudder go over her her. "Tell me what you want, love? Dinner or…dessert?"

He could see the indecisiveness in her eyes, the war in herself of what she wanted versus what she had been told was wrong. She then bit her lip. "I'm not sure...how...I've never."

He gave her a soft smile, "Do you trust me?" She nodded instantly making his heart swell. He stood from the couch and held out his hand, which she took and he pulled her off the couch and pulled her up to him. "Head to the bathroom, and remove any feminine products." He watched her blush, and he leaned in for a soft kiss. "Wash up a tad, make yourself comfortable and bring out a towel with you."

She squinted at him. "How often have you done this?"

He scratched behind his ear. "Only Milah. She opened my eyes to the fact that women may want to be intimate during. Before that, while I had no issue, I thought women were opposed to it during that time. I now know each woman is different in regards to this…and most things, really."

She nodded, then reached up and stroked the side of his face. "Are you sure?"

He leaned down to press her lips to his and pressed her to him. His mouth opening, his tongue delving onto hers. They both moaned, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, her hips pressing against his now-hard length. He pulled back his head, his eyes dark with desire, her hips still pressed to his. "Can't you feel how sure, my love?"

"Mmmmhmmmm." She leaned up and kissed him again, then pulled away, she nodded her head, straightened her shoulders, strength in her resolve. "Give me a few minutes, and I'll meet you in the bedroom."

She turned and headed to the bathroom, and he gave a small swat to her backside. She turned with wide eyes which he just returned with a smirk, and then headed for her bedroom. He was very used to this room by now. He started with his shirt, unbuttoning a few buttons and then pulling the rest over his head. He sat on the bed, and took off his shoes and socks. Then stood once again to get rid of his pants, leaving him in his black boxer briefs. He pulled back the comforter and top sheet to the end of the bed, and then sat down on the soft queen bed waiting for her.

A few minutes later, she walked into the bedroom in just her sweat shirt, holding an old towel, her hair down and brushed, while biting her lip. "Emma...come here, love." He said with his arms open wide and she walked to him. He stood, and tilted her chin up, "If you don't want to…"

"I do," she said quickly.

He gave her a soft smile, and took the towel from her and placed it on the bed. Turning back to her he he moved his hands to the bottom hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. She was deliciously naked underneath. "I've missed you so bloody much." A smirk formed on her face, and then she started laughing. He was confused as to why she was laughing for a minute and then he placed what he said and he started laughing as well. He shook his head with a smile. "I swear that wasn't intentional."

Her smile grew. "Well, it certainly broke the tension." She raised up on her tiptoes and kissed him, and then moved onto the bed, centering herself on it and the towel. She then looked back up at him. "You are overdressed. Those need to come off." She motioned to his boxers.

"As you wish." He gave her a wink and bent over removing them quickly and left them on the floor. His hard length bobbing as he strode over and climbed up onto the bed over her. Her legs spread wide for him as he moved in between them and crouched over her. His hand trailed over her side, and up to cup a breast. She arched into the touch and he watched her face to see how sensitive she was. She jumped a little as he pinched at the peak, and he noted to play a little more gently.

He kissed her deeply, feeling her moan into his mouth, as her hands tried to pull him down to her. He pulled back. "Not yet, love." His mouth moved down her neck with soft kisses and little nibbles. His mouth moved over her chest, and he lightly sucked on a nipple, than gave it a soft flick with his tongue. She moaned, and a hand came up to grasp at the back of his head as she arched her back. He moved to the other side, and did the same, making her squirm under him.

His lips trailed down her stomach and she tensed. "What are you doing?"

He looked up at her with a smirk, his hands spreading her legs wider. "Relax, my love." He moved his face closer to her core and she tensed again. "Emma, his is as low as I'm going." He said as his tongue flicked at her bundle of nerves. She moaned and he groaned against her, sending the vibrations through her. "I missed you." He said as he sucked her clit into his mouth, making her hips move against him, both of her hands now in his hair. He felt the tension in her change from being unsure to being on edge and ready to fall.

He was actually a little surprised how fast she was already there. She whimpered as he continued, her legs starting to shake around him. He knew her body, and knew she needed just a little bit more to send her flying. He moved two fingers to her core, and pressed them inside, curling them to that spot that had her screaming his name, and moments later she was. Her muscles contracted around his fingers as he slowed his ministrations.

A few moments later, he stopped and caught her eyes flutter open. He pulled his mouth away from her and smiled. "Better?"

She nodded. "But I don't think we are done yet, are we?"

He shook his head. "Not by a long shot." He pulled his fingers from her, and kept his eyes locked on hers while he wiped them on the towel, and then moved up over her. Kissing her soundly, he settled between her legs, and then she wrapped them around him.

His tip was already pressed to her entrance, and she tilted her hips, trying to take him in. He grinned into the kiss, and then pressed slowly into her, groaning as he felt her tighten around him. He pulled away from her lips. "God, I missed you."

Her hands trailed over his back, pressing him closer. "I missed you, too." She grunted when he pressed fully into her and then started to move. She brought her legs up higher, changing the angle slightly, allowing him to move even deeper. She gasped into his ear as he increased his speed, moving a little harder into her, his hips plunging in and out. The pleasure was exquisite. Had it really only been four days apart? It felt like so much longer.

As he continued his thrusts, his arms moved under her back to grip her shoulders from underneath, allowing him to plunge faster and harder. With her moans and gasps encouraging him, he buried his face in her neck, kissing the skin, nipping at her flesh. He could feel her inner walls already beginning to flutter once more. His mind briefly wondering how much her current hormones were affecting her. But her hands gripping his shoulders, her sounds increasing volume and frequency, and the start of her muscles gripping him had him forget everything but the pleasure she was creating in him and that he wanted to extend for her.

His hips continued to pump into her at her screams, and her body shook as she gripped him hard. He couldn't hold on, and with another thrust he was losing himself to the pleasure inside of her. His hips stilling deep, his hands gripping her tight to him, and his mouth finding hers one more time in a searing kiss.

They broke the kiss and his head move to her shoulder, as they both tried to regain their breath. Moments later he started to feel a small rumble under him, but then it turned into a full giggle. He picked his head up and looked at her quizzically.

She laughed harder at the look on his face, which caused him to smile. "A man could get a complex with you laughing after sex like that, you know."

Emma giggled some more. "Sorry. It's not that. Really."

He moved his arms from under her, and his hand came up to cup her cheek. "Then what is it?"

"I feel so good right now." They smiled at each other. "I should have told you days ago." She winked at him, and he laughed.

"Yes, you should have." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Now, I have a serious question for you."

She swallowed a little look of worry on her face, "What?"

"Did I tire you all out, or are you interested in round two?"

"Round two? I might be game."

"Good." He pulled back, and gave her a smirk, "Care to join me for a shower?" She grinned, nodded, and followed him into the bathroom.

After the shower, they sat on her bed, partially clothed,. she in her PJ bottoms and a t-shirt and he in his boxers, both eating reheated Chinese food while watching Netflix on her laptop. She snuggled into his side and he kissed the top of her head. She was relaxed, and finally feeling pretty good. She pressed her face into his side, smelling him and taking the comfort in his presence. He was now her favorite choice in PMS relief. Well, he was much more than that. She should have known she could tell him anything.

"Feeling better, love?" She nodded into his side at his question as she took another bite of egg roll. "You sure you don't need anything else? Some ice cream? Chocolate? Another go-around?"

She laughed into his side and swatted his shoulder, "I'm good." She sat up and then looked at him. "Really good." She leaned in and kissed him and he leaned in, his hand going to the side of her face. "Thank you."

He shook his head. "Trust me, you don't have to thank me. If you didn't notice, I was pretty happy myself." He winked at her and she laughed. "But, please don't hide from me. Just tell me whatever is wrong."

Emma nodded. "I will."

Killian smiled and reached for her hand to give it a squeeze. They then continued to eat, when he remembered, "Oh, I was meaning to ask—how is the new counselor doing?" He tried to sound nonchalant, but he knew that the answer to this would be the major reason if his next was going to get a positive answer.

"Good. Ingrid has tons of experience; the only training I really needed to give her is on our systems and policies and how everything works, like what forms to use. We divvied up the casefiles last week." She looked down at her take-out box, trying to avoid his confused look. But she knew she had to tell him. "So, as you must know from that, I haven't been working late this week. I was just…"

"Trying to avoid me." His hand came out and moved her chin up to look at him.

"I'm sorry. I just...it seems so silly now."

"Emma, it's not silly." He leaned in and gave her another kiss. "But I want you to be able to tell me anything." He looked deep into her eyes, "Anything." They both swallowed. "Don't ever think something is too silly to tell me. Or don't be afraid. Just trust me."

She knew what she wanted to say, but it wasn't the right time. Tonight was definitely not the right time, but she nodded. "I do trust you."

He smiled back, and changed the subject. "Good. So, since Ingrid is doing a good job, do you think you could take that vacation that Archie promised you?"

She squinted her eyes at him and tilted her head. "What are you planning?"

"Well...next week starts the Daytona race weeks. I was wondering if you could come with me?" A little bit of panic started to rise inside her. Could she take time off work? A trip together...that was huge. But she also saw the hope on his face, and before she could say anything he continued. "We could fly in Wednesday night. Practice is in the mornings, but afterwards we could head to the beach. Warm sun and sand." He reached out and took her hand. "We could watch the sunset with a picnic on Saturday for a pre-Valentine's Day celebration. Unfortunately, the race is on actual Valentine's Day...but I will make that up to you."

He squeezed her hand and she was floored that he thought he would have to make up for his job having to be done on Valentine's Day, when he was already trying to whisk her away to a warm beach. Part of her was worried about taking the time off, but she knew she deserved it, and from the look on his face, she just couldn't say no, so she smiled. "Okay." His grin was huge and he was pulling her in for a kiss when she stopped him. "I will ask Archie if it is okay. But if he says no…"

Killian smiled. "I doubt that will be a problem."

She eyed him. "What did you do?" He pulled her quickly into a kiss, and for a moment she forgot about her question. But when she took a moment to catch her breath it came back. "Hey! Answer me."

He looked sheepish, and his free hand was already up and scratching behind his ear. "I may have talked to Archie the last time I was in the office." She was going to murder him. His hands both went up to stop her, "I just asked if his offer of you going on vacation was still on the table. He said yes, as long as the new counselor was doing okay and trained."

"And that is why you asked that first!"

"I'm sorry, love. But, I'm really looking forward to you being there. I got to see what you do, and I want you to see me in action as well." His hand came up to caress her cheek, "Not to mention to get you some place warm, and maybe in a bikini."

She laughed and threw a pillow at him. "You already see me naked."

"I'm still a man, love." With that he pulled her to him and pressed her back into the bed, his mouth to hers. Oh he was definitely a man, and he was all hers. God, she was lucky.
===∞∞∞∞∞===

Emma drove to Killian's house the next night after work. He was done early and requested that she spend the night with him. He of course reminded her of his shower, trying tempt her. It wasn't really necessary anymore; her lovely 'friend' was basically almost done visiting. But she really didn't want to make him have to get back in the car and drive to her place.

She pulled into the driveway, and he must have been watching the camera because she didn't even have to ring in to get the gate to open. She was ready to park on the side of the drive when she noticed one of the garage doors open and an empty spot. He was there, waving her in.

Emma pulled into the garage and parked her Bug, then got out of the car with her bag as the garage door closed. "Where did the car go that was here? There wasn't an open space before."

He was already scratching behind his ear, "I uh...moved it to storage with the others." Others? Just how many damn vehicles did he have? He then started walking to the door into the house, and held it open for her. "I barely use it anyways."

She knew he had done it for her, but was just trying not to make it a big deal; her heart swelled at how sweet he was. He pulled her towards the kitchen, and she could already smell whatever he had cooking for dinner. Her stomach let out a small growl, and he chuckled. "Dinner is almost done, love." He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of white, one of her favorites that he kept stocked now. "Wine?"

"Please."

She sat on the bar stool and watched him work. A man that knew his way around the kitchen was a very, very sexy thing.

He handed her a glass while he kept one of his own. "So...what did Archie say?" he asked as he walked over to the oven and checked inside.

Emma swallowed her sip of wine. "Well, I'm not sure what to think. When I asked, it almost felt like he wanted to throw me out the door right then."

He raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "I doubt that." He walked back to her. "More like, he knows you need time off, and cares, and wants you to relax a little."

She gave him a glare but it quickly turned into a smile. "I suppose so. Even Ingrid was happy to take on the cases while I left. I just hope I have a job to come back to."

He reached out for her hand. "I highly doubt that would ever happen." He interlaced their fingers. "How about you relax and just think about what you're going to pack and what you want to do while there."

"I've never been there; you know better than me. So just surprise me?"

His grin got bigger. "I can definitely do that, Swan."

"So how are we getting there? Road trip? It's a little late to buy tickets." She didn't even want to think what the price of a plane ticket to Florida would be with less than a week to go.

"No worries, we are flying in on my jet. The only thing I need to get to them is your personal data so they can clear you."

"What?" Her brain was reeling, "You...you have your own...jet? Do you know how much that costs?" She wasn't sure why she asked that. She had no clue, but he more than likely did since he bought it. Her heart was racing; first all the cars, now a jet. The feeling that he was far, far out of her league slammed into her again. Hell, she didn't even know how to cook.

"Emma...relax. It is standard amongst drivers. We travel all the time; if we had to on commercial airlines with their schedules—bloody hell it would be a nightmare. With the jet, it's a lot smaller and can land at the smaller airports, and some tracks even have their own runway. The crew is on another one as well."

She nodded; it made logical sense. But that sense that they were from two very different worlds wouldn't leave her. They may have started life in relatively the same one, but they were worlds apart now. She gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Makes sense."

He could tell she wasn't dealing well with what he said. He had known she probably wouldn't take it well, based on their prior talks. He was hoping at some point it wouldn't bother her, but she was obviously not to that point yet. She was trying to act like everything was fine, but he knew better.

He gave her a smile and headed back to the oven, and pulled out the lasagna that was now ready.

"What can I do to pay you back for all this?" He quickly turned towards her voice and her question. "I mean, you always cook for me. You're taking me on this trip. You do my laundry that I leave here. You take me out to dinner and lunch. You spoil me rotten." She was going on, and on about what he did for her, and he could see she was close to tears. He sat down the food and went to her, pulling her close. "And you just know what to say and do. What do I give you? Because I can't think of anything."

"Emma…" Where did he even begin?

She pulled away, tears streaming down her face. "See...nothing."

"Are you kidding me? Love...You do so much more for me, I'm trying to decide where to even start." She gave him a look that said she didn't believe that. "Lass, you are much too hard on yourself." He pulled her closer, "You have a beautiful soul. You care so much about those kids, about everyone."

Emma shook her head. "What do I do for you?" She knew she was putting him on the spot, that she wasn't being fair. But she just didn't understand what her appeal was. He could have anyone; she wasn't that special.

He pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. "Emma...I get to be myself when I'm around you. You see me for who I really am, not the famous racecar driver. You don't take my shit and you call me on it." He leaned in and kissed her nose. "I thought I would never be able to have the future I wanted ever again after Milah, and thank heavens you have shown me, given me hope that it's all still possible." He gave a soft kiss to her lips, and his thumbs brushed away her tears. "You make me so happy by just being with me, talking to me, waking up next to me. How simple things that don't cost anything mean so much more than what any amount of money can buy." He kissed her again. "You have such a huge heart, and you care so deeply. You bring out the best in me. You make me the man I want to be—the one I forgot to be for years."

She was crying again but now for a different reason—she wasn't sure how she had done so much. But she could see that he meant and believed every word. She wasn't ready to say what she felt, but she wanted to show him. She pulled him in by the lapels of his shirt and kissed him deeply. His arms wrapped around her back, pulling her close as he deepened the kiss, his tongue delving into her mouth, making her moan and press her chest against his, both trying to meld themselves together.

Emotions were running high for both of them, and there was really only one way this was going to end. He pressed her legs open and moved between them, then pulled her towards him. She got the hint and wrapped her legs around his waist without even breaking the kiss.

Then he was moving, he didn't even bother asking as he headed for the master bath. There was a shower with both of their names on it, and he intended on showing her just how much he cared for her and what she meant to him without words.