Cash point

I am back! I am sorry for missing last night posting - still have not seen the new episode and forgot that I post on Sundays, not on Mondays :P Please enjoy the new chapter and thank you for the wonderful reviews. Kou Shun'u, water does not expand - but I m sure that explanation satisfies Hook as to how water behaves when boiled and bubbling. And yes, my washing machine averages 1 hr 50 per wash. And I m sure he would be fine with pink. But not with charming giggling in the background ;)

Today was a monumental occasion.

With Regina's assistance, Emma had managed to procure Hook a legitimate identity and Social Security number. In turn, it now meant that he could use things like the bank for actually storing money rather than exchanging gold and silver (actual real pirate) Doubloons for dollars.

Today, he would be collecting his first salary from the cash point.

Following the work that he was doing, Mira's accountant husband had suggested that, since he had to pay tax, he might as well do everything legitimately, and had helped him organise employment records, get a CV and set up a contract for the work he did for the landscape architect. This meant that he got paid more, and no longer under a table, and it came at a set time. Both he and Emma agreed that this was a good thing, and would be good to have a regular stream of cash added to the household's income.

Today, he would get to feel that money in his hands.

Killian calmly approached the 'hole in the wall' and inserted his bank card into the slot.

There was a soft whizzing sound, and the card is t gently sucked in. So far so good.

The machine displayed the following: "Please enter your PIN"

Below, it read in smaller writing: "Be sure to shield your PIN from others to prevent your details being stolen."

As there was no one but Emma in the vicinity, and since she was likely to get a large portion of the money anyway, he punches in the numbers on the letter he was given confidently, with her watching and nodding over his shoulder.

Everything seems to be going fine.

Then a message comes up on the screen:

"Fatal error."

Killian's stomach drops. It seems that his curse involving technology has not left him. Next to him, Emma makes a strangled noise of disbelief, pulling the letter out of his hand and double checking the numbers.

Another messages comes on screen.

"Your card is being shredded. We apologise for the inconvenience."

The way the pirate reacts is a mark of just how much he has changed in the last few months. Rather than hit the offending device, shout at it or attempt to dismember (de-circuit could be more appropriate though) the electronic screen and number pad, he leans against the wall and sags down. He stays there for a moment, eyes closed and completely silent, to the point where Emma beings to worry that her flat mate has fallen asleep, leaning against the ATM.

After a long moment, he exhales a breath she does not realise he was holding, and looks resigned to his fate. He pulls out the paperwork from his pocket and, taking her hand, goes over to the bank cashier to explain the situation.


He never again goes near the machine, preferring to deal directly with the staff who will not, without a very good reason, take away his money or the method of getting it.

They also never really stop holding hands.

AN: I hope you like this. Only 4 more chapters to go. Lets hope I find a place to live by than, or I will be panicking with living under a bridge. ^_^