Author's note: Again, thanks to all those who reviewed :) You're lucky that I have the next several ch of this already done, since with finals coming up at the end of the week I have virtually no time to write.

Chapter 20

"Where's Ava?" Emma asked as they exited the ice cream parlor, the very same one that she and Ava had visited not too long ago. As expected, Killian had ordered a chocolate cone.

"Staying with her grandparents." He replied.

"Oh. Why?" Though it had been an admittedly fun day with just her and Killian she found herself missing the little girl. "I thought you were moving here."

"Aye, that we are. But I figured it'd be better for her if I leave her with her grandparents while I find a place for us to live."

"Wait. You don't have a place? Where have you been staying?"

"In a hotel."

"Really? For that long? Damn." Emma whistled.

"What?"

"Not too many people would move someplace before securing their living situation. You must've been desperate."

"Perhaps." He said simply.

"Why?"

"Well aren't you a curious lass."

Curious didn't even begin to describe her. Ever since she'd met Killian and Ava she'd been dying to know what had happened to the little girl's mother. Killian had a lost, haunted look in his eye that suggested that something truly awful had gone down.

"You're either running away from someone or to someone. Or something, I guess." She surmised. One look at the expression on his face and she knew she was spot on.

"Quite perceptive." Killian said after a long moment. "But wrong."

Emma frowned. She was right; she was quite certain of it. But one glance at the look on his face and she stopped, deciding not to pry. "Ok."

They walked down the street in silence for a while, the awkwardness between them palpable. God, why did I say even say that? Ruined a perfectly good date! Emma mentally scolded herself. Maybe I should just apologize and leave.

But before she could do so, Killian turned to her. "What would you say to helping me find an apartment for Ava and me?"

Relief, so strong she almost fell over, flooded through her as she took in the relaxed expression on his face. He wasn't mad. "Sure."

"Damnit." Emma muttered as she dug through her ridiculously messy purse. "Where is it?"

From his position in the passenger seat Hook looked up from his cup of coffee and the newspaper in his hand. "What're you looking for?"

"My sunglasses." Emma sighed as she threw her purse aside and began digging through her coat pockets. "I swear I left them in here."

"Oh." He sat up and popped open the glove compartment automatically. "Here." It wasn't until Emma threw him a confused look when he realized his mistake.

"How'd you know they were in there?" She frowned suspiciously.

"Oh. Well." Hook stumbled, trying to find an answer. How was he supposed to explain that he knew exactly where Emma kept her sunglasses because she always kept them in the glove compartment of the Bug? "I always keep mine there so I figured you would too." He improvised.

"Thanks. So, you wanted a place with two bedrooms right?"

"Right."

"Ok, well there are several pretty nice places. Near a park too, so Ava might like that." Emma said, beginning to drive down the street.

"Sounds lovely."

(a week later)

"Bloody hell." Hook cursed as they left what felt like the millionth apartment building. "Another no."

"Yeah, I know." Emma said in commiseration. "Apartment hunting's not as easy as it sounds."

"One place too expensive, the other too noisy, and another has rats." Hook counted them off on his fingers. "It should not be this difficult to obtain a living space."

"Except that it is. You clearly haven't been to the city, I take it."

"No. And if it wasn't for…" He stopped himself just in time before he could reveal the actual reason he was here. He cleared his throat. "So what now?"

Emma shrugged. "Keep searching, I guess. Not really much you can do."

Killian sighed. "Great. More time away from Ava."

The look on his face was enough to make her melt. He was just so unlike anyone she'd ever met. Such a gentleman (most of the time, not counting his constant use of innuendos) and she could tell that he really loved his daughter. So different from what she was used to, deadbeat dads who abandoned their children and ended up skipping town.

Oh wait. Maybe that was just because she spent a lot of time chasing down felons. Who usually left behind kids.

Which was was why she was only partially surprised at the next words that left her mouth. "You could move in with me."

Killian looked over at her, his eyes wide with shock. "Come again?"

"...just until you find a place, of course." She clarified, her face already growing bright red. God, what was it with him and his ability to make her blush like a shy teeanger? "Wouldn't want you to have to be apart from Ava any longer."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." Emma nodded. "Totally."

"No, I couldn't. I don't wish to impose."

"Nah, it's cool. I have a spare room and it's a big apartment for just one person. Could really use a roommate."

He nodded, seemingly considering her offer. "Alright, then." He flashed her one of his brilliant smiles. "Thanks."

Why did I do that? Emma thought wildly as she attempted to de-clutter the spare room. Not that there was much to clean, of course, as she had never been a pack rat or very sentimental. Offering some guy I barely know to move in.

But he wasn't exactly just some guy she barely knew. She'd been out with him multiple times, invited him over, took his daughter shopping, and kissed him in the middle of the freaking park.

Speaking of the kiss. She was still surprised at how she'd so eagerly responded. Normally she would've pulled away immediately, probably kneed him or something. It had taken several months before she'd allowed Neal to even hold her hand.

But with Killian, it just felt so...familiar. And comforting. She didn't exactly know how to define their relationship. Were they friends? Perhaps. But there was the fact that he'd kissed her. And that she'd liked it and kissed back. Did that make them more than friends? There was no denying it; she had feelings for him.

She could easily see herself developing a relationship with him and his daughter. Letting them into her life, spending more time with them. In fact part of her wanted it. But the other part, the part that had been hurt time and time again, was screaming at her to just keep things platonic. That he would end up being someone who wasn't who he said he was.

Then WHY did you invite him to move in?! An angry voice inside screamed. Are you freaking insane? Do you want to be murdered in the middle of the night? You still don't really know much about the guy! I mean, sure he's a good kisser, but still!

Ava. Emma told herself. You're doing this for Ava. Because the thought of the poor little girl not having a home is just unbearable.

And as for Killian, she would just have to maintain a distance between them. Friends shared apartments all the time. They would be friends, but nothing more. Because her prior experiences had told her that letting people in would always end up to be a mistake.

Author's note: We'll see how long Emma and Killian remain "just friends". And him moving in...hmm that should be interesting? Any predictions as to what's gonna happen?