A/N: Another chapter done! Huge thanks as always to everyone that was wonderful enough to have left a review. Seven chapters to go :)

Hope you all enjoy this one for now...

CHAPTER 19

NIGHT – (noun) The period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours

Silence descended as the townsfolk saw Regina and Emma walk into the tavern. While the Queen held her head high and looked down on the people as though she could cheerfully turn them all into bugs, the Saviour found herself shooting apologetic smiles at those that were practically cowering in their seats as the women swiftly made their way over to Killian and Robin's table.

"You and I need to talk," the Queen said without preamble as she pinned the archer with a borderline glare.

Before the poor man could say anything in reply, she placed her hand on his shoulder and the pair disappeared in a swirl of white smoke.

Emma stared at the empty bench for a moment then slowly raised her gaze to look at Killian. His face was carefully blank as he stared back at her and she felt a finger of unease trickle down her spine that she might have actually pushed him too far with her stupid temper this time.

A sudden noise from behind had her jumping in surprise and she turned to see that the tavern door had just fallen off of its hinges and smashed to the floor.

"Quite the entrance there, Swan," Killian commented impassively.

She swung back around to look at him and was relieved to see that there was amusement lurking in the depths of his cerulean eyes despite his tone.

"Yeah, well, I figured you'd seen enough of my exits, I thought I'd change it up a little," she retorted glibly.

His brow quirked up at her response and his lips twitched then he nodded towards the bench where Robin had been sitting.

"Why don't you take a seat?" he suggested politely.

"Thanks, I will," she replied with a smile as she reached up to undo the clasp of her cloak.

The pirate raised the bottle of rum he still held to his lips and took a long drink just as she swept the brown clothing off her shoulders with a flourish, timed to perfection.

Unprepared for the stunning reveal that was her bodice, Killian quite forgot to swallow and promptly choked on his drink. Leaning forward, he put the bottle down on the table with a thump and began to splutter and cough as he tried to ease his airways. Eyes watering he blinked rapidly to clear his blurry vision and saw her drop her cloak onto the opposite bench before tilting her head back to brush her hair back over her shoulders allowing him to view even more of the creamy skin that was unexpectedly on show.

"Bloody hell, Swan, what are you doing?" he rasped, trying to sound indignant even though his throat still burned.

"Taking my cloak off," she replied in tone that said that she thought it was obvious.

Killian's jaw tensed at her flippancy and he glanced around the tavern, shooting murderous looks at any man that dared glance in her direction. Forcing a tight smile to his lips, he looked back up at her and said curtly, "I meant your attire."

"What? Don't you like it?" she asked innocently, her hand drawing his avid gaze as she touched the low neckline of her bodice and began to finger the edging gently. "I thought it would help me blend in around here."

"I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, love, but you were not born to merely blend in anywhere," he retorted with a snort then looked up to meet her eyes and for the first time since she'd arrived a small smile touched his lips as he added, "And yes, Emma, I do indeed like it."

A slow grin spread across her face at his compliment then she moved around the table and sat herself down right next to him. Thigh pressing against his, she leaned across him to pick up the bottle. Her grin widened as his gaze briefly dropped to the incredible view she'd purposely given him of her chest and she heard his sharp intake of breath.

Hook felt a warmth start to invade his cheeks and looked up to catch her smile before she drank a mouthful of rum. The damn siren knew exactly what she was doing he realised and even had the audacity to lick her lips when she'd finished before silently holding out the bottle to him. He took it and after having a drink himself he placed back on the table.

As astounding as it was that Emma had come to him and apparently seemed over their fight, it wasn't enough. In the past he would have been happy to just accept it and move on. But things were different between them now, their kiss had seen to that. He knew how she felt even if she hadn't said the words; but so many things that had been left unsaid between them had only arisen later to cause pain and he wanted to make sure that it wasn't to be the case any longer.

Leaning back from her, out of temptation's way, he studied her face a moment then cleared his throat a little and took a deep breath.

"Dare I hope that you coming here to seek me out means that I am forgiven for my dreadful behaviour earlier?" he asked quietly.

"Why would I need to forgive you for telling me the truth?" she countered with a slight frown. "I like that you're honest with me, even if it is hard to hear sometimes."

"While that's good to know, it was still bad form to walk out on you like that and I apologise that my temper got the better of me," he told her looking down, ashamed at his actions.

"Hey, I'm sorry too," she said as she reached out to clasp his hand. He looked up at her again then she added regretfully, "Those things I said…I don't blame you for reacting the way you did. I should have just thanked you for finding me but instead I over-reacted."

"As did I," he was quick to assure her, never one to allow her to shoulder all the blame whatever their situation. "Though I do not want your gratitude. It was the right thing to do."

Emma smiled then let go of his hand to reach up and gently cup his cheek as she stared deep into his eyes.

"You may not want my thanks but you have it all the same," she told him earnestly before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his in the softest of kisses.

She drew back slightly after a moment to gaze at him then leaned in again, kissing him harder this time as her hand slid from his cheek to curl around the back of his neck and pull him closer. His hand came up to tangle in her hair as her tongue darted out to run along his lips seeking entrance. Never one to deny her anything, he gladly obliged and their tongues met in a slow, sensual duel.

The need for air eventually forced them apart but they still touched each other, reluctant to lose contact as they bumped foreheads trying to catch their breath.

"You're welcome," Killian finally murmured, sounding a little dazed.

Emma laughed, the throaty sound warming him like nothing else could and he smiled at her in response. She pulled back to look at his happy countenance and wondered why the hell she had pushed him away for so long. All her reasons seemed ridiculous now.

"Come on, let's go home," she suggested huskily, her hand dropping from his neck to run slowly down his exposed chest, "There's some other things I want to thank you for and it's going to take a while."

Killian drew in a sharp breath, his already thundering heart picking up its pace. He was unsure whether it was because she'd referred to the castle as home, like it was the most perfectly natural thing for her to do or whether it was the promise behind her words. Certainly the fact that her fingers were lightly caressing him had a good deal to do with it too.

"I find I have a fair few things to be thankful for myself," he replied, his own hand moving so that he could run a finger along the neckline of her bodice from her shoulder down to where it began to curve over her breast.

Although he hadn't actually touched her skin, Emma still felt the heat of the trail he left behind even through the fabric of her clothing. Her breath caught and she wondered what it was going to feel like once they had no barriers between them. She was going to be on fire if this fleeting gesture was anything to go by.

"Well, we've got all night," she told him with a flirtatious little smile before giving him a quick, chaste kiss then moving away and standing up.

Half smiling back at her, he poked the tip of his tongue out and ran it slowly over his full bottom lip. He watched in satisfaction as her green eyes darkened with obvious desire then slowly eased himself up out of his seat. Walking around the table, he stopped to bend and pick up her cloak then moved to stand behind her and tenderly placed it over her shoulders. Bringing his right arm around her, he leaned forward, his mouth gently brushing over her ear as he deftly fastened the cloak's clasp with one hand.

"And what if I find I need more than just tonight to let you fully appreciate my…gratitude?" he asked in a low voice.

She caught the hint of uncertainty in his words and turned her head to look up at him with a soft smile.

"Then you won't be alone because I already know I will." She grinned then and added light-heartedly, "I'm thinking at least a lifetime, give or take a few days."

The grin that broke out on Killian's face was a wonder to behold and Emma couldn't have looked away even if she wanted to.

"Sounds perfect, love," he chuckled then kissed her soundly and grabbed her hand, leading her out of the tavern and into the night.

END CHAPTER 19

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