He really should have known better, he thought. He'd been out of his mind, letting two ten year olds try to trick a grown woman, a brilliant grown woman at that, into falling in love with him?

Emma had figured out what was going on within two days. Obviously. It's not as though the boys were subtle.

He'd been home, sitting at the kitchen table while the lads were off in Junior's room, only to be scared senseless as the door banged open and Swan tore into the apartment.

"Where are they?"

"Junior's room, love. Why?"

"Where's your phone?"

He looked around and realized he had no idea. Shrugging in response, he followed as she tore off down the hall.

The boys had stolen Killian's phone and used it to text her. Apparently getting advice from the kids at school, they truly thought sending her a thinking of you babe text, followed by a whoops wrong number message would do the trick. Jealousy was a good tactic according to the middle school set. Neither boy had thought to try to mimic Killian's turn of phrase, nor had either considered the fact that Emma flat out knew Killian hadn't met anyone to be thinking of in the two days since they'd had their discussion.

The boys were marched into the living room, and sat on the couch for Emma's lecture on staying out of grown up affairs. He managed to keep a straight face for it, knowing Emma would be even more furious if he didn't one hundred percent support her, and knowing she was completely in the right. The boys' trick had been completely off base, even if he found it a ridiculously hilarious effort.

Emma decreed that Henry was grounded for the rest of the week, and that regardless of whatever Killian decided as Liam's punishment, they would not be playing with each other, and he quickly jumped in to agree.

"You lads better get your fill of each other at school, because once you're home it's off to your rooms," he managed to say with a completely straight face.

His reward was a tight-lipped smile from Emma.

He had a separate conversation with the boys as he drove them to school in the morning.

"Look, boys. I know you meant well, but that certainly wasn't the best way to go about it. Let's put Operation Velociraptor on hold a bit. Definitely until Emma has a bit of time to cool down. And let's make sure we're all in on the plans next time, aye? It's not going to work if Emma's furious at all three of us."

The two faces in the backseat looked only slightly chagrined.

Emma had a sullen ten year old on her hands for the rest of the week. She didn't know if he was more upset about not seeing Liam, or about her putting her foot down regarding Killian. Their dinner had not been pleasant.

"But he makes you happy."

"You make me happy, kid."

But…"

"But nothing unless you want to go to your room."

He gave her the silent treatment for the rest of the meal, and for most of the week.

Emma knew she was being slightly ridiculous, and that she should give Killian a chance. All signs pointed to him being as perfect for her as anyone could be. Even now, when she had been reprimanding the boys, she could tell that he wanted to laugh, but instead he backed her up. He always backed her up. He was always there for her.

It was just, she worried about whether or not she could handle it if the day came that he wasn't. He'd already become so much to her. What would happen when she let him become everything, and then everything was gone?

But she had hope. After the abandonment of her parents. After foster family after foster family sent her back. After Henry's father leaving her, pregnant at that, she wanted to believe that maybe Killian would be different.

And that maybe she could let herself open up, and allow him to stay.

They drove the boys to the bus together; Emma hadn't been able to think of a plausible reason to take separate cars. It wasn't that she couldn't handle the drive there. It was the drive back she wasn't sure about. The boys were spending Spring Break at a sleep away soccer camp, and it was the longest Henry was going to be away, ever. Holding it together while she dropped him off was a concern. If any tears were to be shed, she wanted to at least do it in privacy. There was also the issue of being alone with Killian. He'd been true to his word since that night, never once bringing up the issue of "them" but she avoided being alone with him at all costs.

Henry granted her the privilege of a real hug at the bus. She clung tight, and she found his excitement infectious. He was growing up so fast, but she knew they had so many good years ahead of them. It wasn't until she saw Killian stoop down and exchange words with Liam that she became emotional.

Turning slightly so she didn't appear to be eavesdropping, she listened in.

"I've told the camp you're allowed to call, anytime. Me or Emma. Don't be scared to if you need us. Either one of us. Understand?"

She grabbed Henry by the collar as she realized he was about to interrupt, and held him back.

"I'm going to miss you this week."

She heard shuffling and from the corner of her eye saw the boy embrace his brother, and heard the little voice utter love you, and the deeper voice return the words with no hesitancy. She grabbed Henry closer, and hugged him tight.

She tried not to get emotional as Killian turned to Henry, and with the same amount of care he used with Liam, told her boy how much he was going to miss him, and that he couldn't wait for him to come home, too. She had managed to avoid tears all morning, and that is what finally, almost, broke her.

He'd been sorry for their exchange that night for only one reason; it led to seeing Emma less. It had been necessary. It needed to be out in the open, how he felt, and he needed to know where her head was, even if she wasn't sure. But now she avoided their joint dinners, always giving some excuse to send Henry over on his own. Group outings that previously would have included all four of them became just one adult with the two children. He knew she needed her space to figure things out, but he wanted her to hurry. In the meantime, all he could do was return to their previous status quo.

Their drive back home was in near silence, except he finally asked her what she was going to do with her week to herself.

"Work. Try to get in a few extra cases. Purge Henry's room and hope he doesn't notice when he gets home."

"Doesn't sound very relaxing."

She just shrugged. "What are you going to do with your week?"

"Work." He grimaced a little, as he realized his response was the same as hers. "I've gotten so used to having Junior around I've forgotten what life used to be like without him. I'm sure I used to occupy my time with something. I'll figure it out."

When they finally split ways at their front doors, he turned to her. "Try to take a little time for yourself this week, Swan."

She looked at him, and saw the concern in his eyes. Nodding, she smiled and closed the door.

It was day five of the boys' trip when she realized all she had was time for herself. Even with the extra workload, and having finished cleaning out Henry's room, she found herself bored and lonely. She missed Henry. This couldn't be what Killian meant by time to herself. She'd binged everything on Netflix she could possibly find. She'd read a book. She'd taken a bath. There was nothing left to do.

When her boss called and asked if she'd be up to take over for a co-worker who called in sick, meeting a skip on a fake date, she jumped at the chance. All she would need to do was keep the guy interested long enough to slide the cuffs on him. It was one of the oldest tricks in the bail bonds books, but was a ploy Emma hadn't used in a long time. She slipped into her tightest, shortest dress, highest heels, and applied more makeup than she typically wore in a month. Pleased with the result, she turned and admired the costume in the mirror. The guy would never know what hit him.

She considered not letting the outfit go to waste, and perhaps stopping in a bar on her way home. Henry wasn't home. There was no need to find a sitter, or worry about explaining her actions to anyone. She was an adult. And if she wanted a one-night-stand, there wasn't anything to stand in her way.

As she was leaving to meet her mark, she saw Killian in the hall, dressed to the nines in a tuxedo. She was as surprised by his attire as he was by hers.

"Swan, you look…" His voice trailed off, as though he wasn't sure exactly how to describe her appearance.

Slightly embarrassed by the length and tightness of her dress, she quickly explained as they both made their way out of the building.

"It's for work. Set up a date with a skip. Get him comfortable at the table, slip the cuffs on him. He never sees it coming."

"No, he most certainly won't. He'll be quite upset when he realizes what you're really there for."

"That's the idea." She smiled. "You look…" She indicated his outfit.

"I know," he said with a smirk, but gave no explanation. "Go get him, Swan," he called, as they went their separate ways on the sidewalk in front of the building.

When she'd finished the apprehension she considered her original plan of stopping by a bar, but couldn't. All she could think about was the sight of Killian in his tuxedo in the hallway. She wasn't sure if it was the formalwear, or absence making the heart grow fonder, but seeing the dark scruff and bright blue eyes standing there had done something to her. There was only one man she would want to spend her evening with, and she had blown it. He was who knows where, with who knows whom.

Despite her bed being comfortable, and the usually soothing noise of the TV in the background, nothing would help ease her to sleep. She tried to blame it on the nap she had taken earlier in the day. She tried to blame it on the exhilaration of catching the skip. But the longer she laid there, the less she could lie to herself. All week she had been trying to blame her boredom and restlessness on missing Henry and Liam. But it wasn't just the boys she missed.

It was Killian.

She missed her friend. He had never left her, and was still there to support her in everything regarding the boys, but she missed being able to just talk to him. She missed the feel of his arms around her, thinking back to how comfortable she'd been that one night. She knew it could be something. She just needed to let herself have it. She hoped it wasn't too late.

There was only one thing she was brave enough to do at this moment. It was just a text, but she hoped it would be enough.

I miss you.

He'd had his phone glued to his side, with every text and ringer notification set to the maximum at all times. He couldn't believe he missed Junior as much as he did, and was desperate for the lad to call. As happy as he was that the boy was doing well, and obviously hadn't needed to contact him or Emma, he wanted to hear from him.

He had been forced to attend the black tie fundraiser for work, and was bored senseless. He had considered asking Emma to accompany him, but discounted the idea almost as soon as it crossed his mind. There was no way she would have said yes, and asking her would have pushed her away. So tonight, as he had sat, reflecting on how the whole event probably cost just as much as they would raise, he raced to check his phone when it vibrated with a text notification in his pocket. When he had seen that it was from Emma, he panicked slightly, thinking she may have heard from Junior. He had hoped that while the boy was away he'd contact him first. When he opened it, he was rather pleased.

I miss you.

Just three little words, but they made his night.

Not wanting to be impolite at the table, and partially to make her stew just a little, he slid the phone back into his pocket. He couldn't hide the smile across his face. He would not be able to concentrate on anything else for the remainder of the evening. Not sure what made her crack, he didn't really care. He just knew that this was another step in the right direction.

He waited until he was in the cab on the way home to text her back.

I miss you, too, you know. We can do something about this.

She must have been waiting up for a response, because it came in almost immediately.

What do you suggest?

Tomorrow 1PM. Wear sensible shoes. Bring a jacket. Leave everything else to me.

She had spent the morning in a tailspin.

He was always taking the boys out for adventures, and she knew he must have something up his sleeve for the two of them today. Whether she would be able to handle it she didn't know.

Finally, a knock came at her door.

"Swan." He stood there, with a gentle smile on his face. She expected a certain amount of teasing from him, but there was nothing. Just openness.

"Hi."

He motioned for her to proceed down the hall, and the two made their way to his car. Eventually she realized they were on their way to the water, and she put the pieces together.

"We're going sailing?"

"Yes, love. The boys will be disappointed to miss your first trip out on the boat. They both want to show off their skills. But, I could think of nothing more perfect for today."

Even before they set foot on the deck, she had to agree.

It was a clear day, and from the moment they set sail she could see he was in full command of the vessel. It was impressive, especially considering he was doing everything one-handed. Well, almost one-handed. He'd worn a brace with an attachment today, allowing him to tie the knots necessary.

When she asked him about it, he tried to shake the question off. "It's uncomfortable, and I usually don't need it. When the lads come with me they can take care of anything I can't handle, but I figured it might be useful today."

"Maybe by next time I'll know enough to help?" He didn't respond, but her use of the the words next time were enough for him.

At first, she left him to take care of sailing the ship, standing at the side enjoying the wind in her hair. She was utterly relaxed, and realized that something like this was what he had meant by taking time to herself.

Eventually they were at a good clip, and she looked back and saw that Killian was doing nothing more than minding the tiller, and she went back to join him.

"You love this."

"Aye. It reminds me of so many good times with Liam. And even of my father. That was the one thing he did with us before he left, sailing." He looked out over the horizon, and Emma thought she'd never seen him look this handsome. The wind had ruffled his hair, and the sun causing him to squint ever so slightly. He turned back and regarded her. "You seem to be enjoying it as well, Swan."

"I do. Henry told me I would. I'm going to have to listen to an 'I told you so' from my ten year old."

He laughed, and as he did so he took a chance, and pulled her to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

There was another thing her ten year old would be saying an 'i told you so' over, but he kept that thought to himself.

"And this, Swan, is where I leave you for the evening." he was holding her hand in his, in front of her door.

She looked up at him, surprised that he was ready to call it a night. "You don't want to come in? I could make us coffee. We could finally watch a movie that isn't something about superheroes?" He loved seeing the almost hopeful look on her face.

He let go of her hand so he could reach up to brush his thumb across her cheek. "Emma, I want to make sure this is more than just a one time thing. I need to know that however fast we take this, you're not going to get scared and pull away from me."

He heard her take a deep breath, and was prepared as she raised up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. She pulled him inside her apartment, and as she kissed him again added, "This is definitely more than just a one time thing."

Again, I want to thank everyone for all the support this story has received. It's unfathomable to me.