It had only been a week, and Killian Jones found that he truly liked his little brother. More than he had even thought possible. He found him to be smart, funny, and truly kind. Whatever his father may have done in the past, he had been raising a good boy.

But it was all happening too fast.

He had just met with his lawyer and been informed that everything had been processed, and he was now officially the guardian of Liam Killian Jones, age ten. He didn't even know it was possible for anything to happen that fast. But when both parents were dead and there was a blood relative, a stable of age sibling no less, willing to become the guardian, the state had no objections.

It's just, he wasn't ready. And he wasn't entirely sure Junior was either. He hadn't even started looking for a place to live. He hadn't prepared work for the changes that would need to be made to his schedule to accommodate the boy's school hours. He hadn't prepared himself.

So of course his first call after meeting with the lawyer was to Emma Swan.

"Swan." She answered the phone with just her last name, no attempt to soften her voice. He'd never called her during business hours, and wasn't used to her professional persona.

"'Swan.' You sound so commanding and tough. I like that."

He could hear the smile in her voice when she realized who was on the other end of the line. "Hi, Killian. What's up?" It put him at ease. Everything about Emma Swan put him at ease.

"Is now a good time? I know you're working."

"I've got a few minutes."

A few minutes wouldn't be enough for everything troubling him at the moment, but hearing her voice, and listening to her for even two minutes would be enough to take the edge off. "I just met with my lawyer. The paperwork is all processed. Technically I'm Junior's guardian now. For good."

He heard her let out a long sigh on the other end of the line before responding.

"Listen, Killian. That's great that the paperwork is processed, but I don't think…" He instantly knew where she was going and cut her off before she could finish.

"Swan, stop, please. I think we're both on the same page. I don't think it's the right time yet either. Can we talk more about tonight? Junior wanted me to come see his football practice." He was beyond grateful that he didn't have to flat out ask this amazing, generous woman to keep his brother a while longer. He knew she wouldn't mind, but not having to actually ask made all the difference.

Emma let the boys run off to find their coach, while trying to avoid the throng of soccer moms at the side of the field. Usually on practice nights, she let a book be her company. She would look up and smile and cheer for Henry, enough so that he knew she cared, but definitely avoided making eye contact with other parents, not wanting to invite any familiarity.

Not that they would try. Emma Swan: the single mother, the bail bonds person, had been found wanting.

So tonight, when Killian Jones joined her on the metal bleachers, every eye turned to them. She knew that the other moms would immediately know who he was. He was a clone of Brennan, and the story of the much older brother, so innocently related to his classmates by Liam, had spread through the school like wildfire.

She could see them sizing him up. Killian, the older brother adopting the orphaned brother he didn't even know, would be found perfect.

"Swan." She heard him call, in an imitation of the voice he'd earlier called commanding.

She laughed. "You're not going to let that go, are you?"

"Never." He smiled, handing her a hot chocolate. "Thought you might be able to use this tonight." The night was chilly, and she appreciated the thought. The metal of the bleachers had already frozen her backside, and she clutched the cup between her hands for its warmth. She noted him sipping his own drink as he looked out across the field. She pointed out which jersey number was Liam's, in case the black shock of hair didn't give him away.

"Glad to see Brennan had the sense to put him in a proper sport."

"And of course once Liam was signed up, Henry just had to as well. I blame Brennan for this entirely."

"Not your thing? I see there's a group of women over there you could have joined, and yet you were sitting here all alone."

She glanced at the soccer moms, shaking her head as she took stock.

"No, definitely not my thing. I try, for Henry's sake. But really, there's a limit to how much I can discuss whether or not Carol got a boob job, or if Timmy really should have invited Lois to his party." She didn't want to admit that it was they who didn't accept her.

He'd had his eyes focused on the field as they talked, and she was startled when he hopped to his feet and started cheering.

"Did you see that? Fantastic."

"What did Liam do?"

"No, it was Henry. Bloody nice goal. Looks like the lad has real talent."

He'd remained standing looking out on the field. Emma, knowing she'd already missed Henry's goal, didn't look out at the boys. Her eyes were trained on Killian. A man standing and cheering for her son. Her heart skipped a little, and she scolded herself. She was supposed to be helping him adjust to adopting his brother, nothing more.

But there was more. It had only been a week, and there was definitely more. She'd felt it from that first night in her kitchen. She'd spilled her life's story to him. She wanted him to know her. To really know her. She wanted to let him past every barrier she'd ever built, to let him into her family. He didn't even know that he was getting to see an Emma that most people didn't even know existed. She was terrified.

He sat. "So, Junior. How's he actually doing?"

Emma appreciated that he asked this question. It had been ten days since Brennan's death, and the boy was doing remarkably well. He was able to make it through the days. It was the nighttime that Liam struggled with. They'd sit, far away from Henry's ears, and she'd hold him as he cried.

"He doesn't want me to tell you this. Actually, he specifically asked me not to tell you, but he cries. He misses your father." She stopped herself, realizing she referred to Brennan as his father. In the week she'd known Killian, she had quickly picked up on the fact that Killian only ever called him Brennan. "His father."

Killian frowned. "Why wouldn't he want me to know that?" He looked at her, with the most earnest and questioning of expressions.

She smiled at his confusion. "Because I think he's starting to idolize you already. And he wants you to think he's tough, and strong. Like you."

"Hmf." She could see him studying his brother on the field. "He didn't see me when I was little, crying every night, asking Liam where Brennan was. Wondering what I'd done to make him leave." There was only anger in his voice, but even in profile she could see the sadness in his eyes. She could see the break in him that had never healed.

"I can't talk to him about it."

They'd been silent awhile as they both watched the boys on the field, and she was confused by Killian's train of thought. "What?"

"I can't talk to him about how it was when Brennan left. About how I felt. It won't make it better for him. I can't tell him how I felt without explaining more about what his father did to me. It's not fair to the boy."

She realized what he meant, and agreed. As much as it would help Liam to know that Killian had once been sad and scared, any way of discussing it would lead to demonizing Brennan.

"What did Liam do, I mean, older Liam? Liam Senior?"

"He kept telling me that we were brothers, and that brothers stuck together. That we took care of each other. He always did take care of me. I just never got the chance to take care of him."

A soft smile crossed her face as she replied. "I think you're getting your chance now. And I think Liam Sr's words should be passed on. You should spend some time with Liam this weekend. Just the two of you. I think it will help."

Killian eased Junior into their time together that weekend with a repeat viewing of Star Wars. What better way was there to a ten year old's heart? Or a 30 something year old's heart for that matter. They walked the blocks from the theater to Killian's apartment, pizza in hand, discussing all of their theories on the characters, villains, and ideas of what they could expect from episode VIII. Both Joneses were in heaven.

When Junior finally saw Killian's apartment for the first time, the hero worship continued.

"This place is so cool. Look at your TV." Killian smiled. Of course the boy went straight for the TV, and the cabinet of movies beside it. "You have, like, every action movie. Can we watch one?" And that's where Killian panicked. Wanting to be the cool older brother, he would have said yes to just about anything Junior asked. Needing to be a responsible parent, he'd have to figure out what was and wasn't appropriate for a ten year old. The last thing he wanted to do was call Emma for advice within five minutes of walking in the door.

"Let's eat dinner first, then we can pick something out."

Junior was still distracted by looking around the apartment, and he could see it on the boy's face when he realized the bed was out in the open.

"So, where I am going to sleep?"

"I figure we could stretch out a hammock between that column and the wall, and you can bunk up like you're crew on my ship." He was joking, but not expecting the response he got. Not in the slightest.

"Cool." The boy's face had lit up, as though he were excited about the adventure.

"Junior, I was just kidding. You're staying with Emma until we find a new place. One where we can each have our own room. Now come eat dinner."

The meal started out silent, Killian having served slices and poured water for them each. He would have loved to grab a beer but thought better of it. If he couldn't handle a conversation with a ten year old without a drink, the next eight years were going to be rough.

Junior was the one to break the silence, and it really made Killian wish he'd grabbed that beer.

"So, I'm not moving back home then?"

Killian closed his eyes. He'd been dreading the subject of Junior and Brennan's apartment. He'd made sure the rent was paid, giving himself time to deal with the idea of it. He knew eventually he'd have to clean it out, but he wanted to postpone the event until he thought he could handle it. He'd be paying rent on that apartment forever.

The boy looked so hopeful, but Killian couldn't lie to him. There was no chance that Killian would pack up his things and move into Brennan's life. He could see the dream plastered across the young lad's face. The dream that he could return to his old room and his old life. Killian wished it could be that easy. Killian needed to draw one line in the sand. One line for himself. And moving into Brennan's apartment was that line. He couldn't do it.

"Sorry, lad. But no. I can't do that. But you and I, we'll pick out our new place together. We'll find someplace amazing. It has to be in your same school district. And close enough still to Emma and Henry's. And whatever else you want it to be. But I can't move in to where you lived with Brennan." Killian hated the look on Junior's face, seeing the realization that his dream was crushed. "And if you truly want a hammock we'll put up a hammock." That brought out a small smile.

"Can I bring my stuff?"

"Of course!" He was shocked that Junior had the impression that he couldn't. "We'll go back tomorrow and get anything that you want, if Emma hasn't taken you already. Eventually we'll pack up everything that you want to keep for future and put it in storage. You don't have to get rid of anything. We just can't live there. And we'll find someplace for us soon, I promise."

The boy seemed placated enough for the time being, and they continued on with their dinner. Heavier topics were not addressed again until after they were finished. Junior wanted to watch a movie, but Killian thought playing a game would be a better idea, leaving them more chances to discuss things, rather than stare at a screen. He pulled out Jenga, usually only used for when his friends were over and they'd all had a few drinks.

"You know who was really good at this?" The boy shook his head, obviously not knowing the answer. "Our brother Liam. I never once, in all our years, was able to beat him."

"Well, it's not fair though. He had two hands, and you only have one."

He'd spoken a lot of their older brother with Junior, enjoying being able to share his memories of the most important person in his life. But Killian realized he'd never told Junior about how Liam had died. "Well, actually that never made a difference. The day Liam died is the day I lost my hand. We'd gone out sailing, and a group of drunks on a speedboat crashed into us. Liam was thrown into the water, and hit by the propeller. My hand was crushed, and they couldn't save it. So, alas, my missing appendage can't be my excuse. It was always a fair win. Liam was always fair."

Junior was excited by the mention of sailing. "Dad had just started teaching me how to sail. He said I was a good first mate. I was practicing all of my knots."

Killian smiled at his brother's enthusiasm. It was a split second decision, and he was hoping he wouldn't regret it. "Maybe we should go out sailing when the weather gets better?" He hadn't been out on a boat since the day of the accident, but the hours he and Liam had spent on the water had been some of the best of his life. If he could provide that for his younger brother, maybe it would be worth fighting his demons.

The grin on the lad's face was the first sign he was making the right decision.

Emma heard the crying, and went out to the living room where she knew she'd find Liam. He looked up, startled and scared.

"Hey, Liam." She scooted in next to him on the couch, pulling a blanket around both of them, and wrapping her arms around the boy. "Wanna talk about it?"

He shook his head, and tried drying his eyes on the back of his hand. He leaned his head against her shoulder, and she smoothed down his hair. It was these quiet hours that reminded her just how young he still was.

"How was your time with Killian today?"

He didn't answer, and Emma grew concerned the longer the silence lasted.

"Hey, did everything go okay? You can tell me if it didn't. You can tell me if there's anything, ANYTHING, that's wrong." Panic was rising. Killian had seemed fine, good actually when he'd returned the sleepy boy to her doorstep. She heard Liam start crying again, and she almost couldn't take it, until the boy spoke again.

"What if he doesn't like me, Emma?"

"I don't know what you mean, Liam. What if Killian doesn't like you? What would make you think that? Did he say anything?"

He shook his head and she heard sniffling. "He said that Liam took care of him. And that he was going to take care of me. Because that's what brothers do. But he and Liam loved each other. What if he doesn't like me? He's just stuck with me 'cause my dad died."

She held the boy close and tried not to laugh at his worry. "Oh, Liam. I already know that Killian really, really likes you. I promise. There's nothing I can tell you that's going to make you feel better tonight, but just you wait, kid. Killian's going to love you just like he loved Liam."

It couldn't have happened at a better time, but her phone dinged with an incoming text.

KJ: Thought you might enjoy this, Swan.

Attached was a picture Killian had taken of Liam posing with some props at the movie theater. Emma laughed at the image, and showed it to the kid.

"See, kid. I think Killian likes you. Guys who don't like their little brothers don't care enough to send pictures."

She loved the sheepish look that crossed his face, even as his hackles rose. "Younger brother, Emma. But get Killian to send you the one I took of him. He posed too."

ES: I love it. Liam's sitting here with me. He wants to see the one of you.

She and Liam both burst out laughing when the picture arrived on her phone, seeing Killian grasping the fake light saber with his prosthetic, pretending to battle Kylo Ren. It was what the kid needed to break the mood, and she sent him off to bed.

As Emma drifted off to sleep, looking at Killian's photo on her phone, she realized two things. First, tonight was the first night Liam hadn't been crying over the death of his father. Second, and she knew she was being as ridiculous as Liam, she understood the kid's fear. What if Killian Jones didn't like her?