It only took about twenty minutes for Emma to start panicking. "Killian, my mother is going to be devastated when she finds out that this whole thing is a sham. And Gammy will probably die."
Emma was pacing around the room after eating breakfast.
Killian got out of bed and wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her against his chest. "Love, no one is going to find out. Just relax. It's not like we are going to be married forever. We'll be happily divorced before you know it."
Emma nodded.
"Everything will be fine, Emma," he said, his thumb idly tracing circles on her stomach, as his lips grazed along the column of her neck.
Emma sunk into him, reveling in the contact. She felt safe and wanted and loved, and suddenly the thought of divorce didn't seem like a very appealing idea.
But she didn't actually want to marry Killian Jones, did she?
Well, it was better not to dwell on that. This was business. "You're right. We'll get a quick divorce and we'll be fine."
"Yes, we will," said Killian. "You'll not be Mrs. Jones for long."
Mrs. Emma Jones. It sounded right. Emma shook her head. This was a dangerous thought. She stepped out of his arms, needing the extra space.
Killian tried to hide his disappointment. "Now darling, would you like some more hot chocolate with cinnamon? I must be allowed to take care of my stubborn and independent wife in what small ways she'll allow. I wouldn't want you to leave me for another man."
Emma loved the way he said 'wife'. "I haven't left you yet, Killian," she said, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
Killian said nothing, merely looking at her with wide blue eyes. "Killian," she said, softly, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, love," then he went over to the tray to pour her another cup of cocoa. He topped it with whipped cream and cinnamon and handed it over to her.
"Thank you," said Emma, taking a sip. Killian watched as she licked some cream off her lower lip, and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her like she had never been kissed before, but these were dangerous thoughts. He had to get out of here. He needed air.
"I'm going to go," he said, quickly.
Emma blinked. "Where?
"I just need some air," said Killian, grabbing his coat and hurrying out of the room.
-/-
Focus Killian. This is just a business deal. Nothing more.
Killian kept repeating the thought as he headed towards the woods near the house.
Even as he thought the words, he knew that they were a lie. He was half in love with Emma Swan already, if not more. No one had ever made him feel like this before, and it burned him that their marriage would just be a sham, and that she would divorce him and then eventually find her happiness with someone that wasn't him.
But he had to put her happiness first, and while he knew he loved Emma, he was certain that she did not love him in return.
As Killian moved through the woods he began to hear a drum and a pipe.
What the bloody hell is that?
He moved through the trees and heard Regina's voice, chanting. She stood in Native American garb near a bonfire.
"Come to me, Killian of New York," said Gammy. "Come and see how I give thanks to Mother Earth. She has created this beautiful land, just as she had brought you and Emma together. We must give thanks. Come dance with me in celebration."
"Can't I just thank her from over here?" asked Killian, raising an eyebrow.
"I insist," said Gammy.
Killian walked over to join the older woman near the bonfire. "The lady requested a dance."
"Follow and learn," said Gammy beginning to chant.
Killian mimicked the sound she was making.
"Feel the rhythm of the drums, Killian," Gammy urged. "Draw inspiration from nature. We are so near the ocean, and water has always had magical properties. Chant. Use your vowels."
Killian felt ridiculous, but he tried to humor the old woman. He moved around the bonfire chanting indistinct sounds.
Gammy smiled in approval. She spotted Emma coming around the corner.
"Louder," ordered Gammy.
Killian obliged, until he was startled by the sound of laughter behind him. He turned around to see Emma, whose eyes were glimmering with mirth. His entire face began to heat up. He had never been more embarrassed in his life.
"What are you doing?" asked Emma.
"Your Gammy wanted me to give thanks to Mother Earth for bringing us together," he said, averting his gaze.
Emma walked up to him and took his hand in hers. "Can I take Killian with me, Gammy? His phone arrived and I'm going into town to pick it up."
Gammy smiled. "What ever you do is what shall be," she said. "Go on."
Emma turned and Killian followed quickly behind her.
-/-
Emma and Killian entered the General Store.
Graham was behind the counter. "Hello, Miss Swan," he said. "Remember this?" He moved his hips provocatively and sang relax, don't do it, when you want to go to it.
"Oh, hi Graham. This is Killian. I need to pick up his phone."
Killian frowned at the other man. He didn't like the way he was looking at Emma. His hand tightened around hers, causing her to look up at him with a raised eyebrow. "Don't be jealous," she said softly.
Killian was about to respond, but Emma squeezed his hand and shifted a little closer as they stood at the counter. His retort died on his lips.
"Here you go, Killian," said Graham. "It's all charged up, and I put in your lady's number in as well."
"Thank you," said Killian gruffly. Graham was still staring at Emma.
Killian put his hand at the small of her back and escorted her out.
Emma turned to him. "You're cute when you're jealous," she teased.
"I'm glad you think so," said Killian, checking his phone. "I have 37 messages. Is there a computer in this godforsaken town?"
"Come on," said Emma, pulling Killian towards the Sitka Internet Café.
"The computer is dime operated," explained Emma, handing Killian several coins. "I'll wait for you outside."
Emma left Killian in the café and stood with her back facing the establishment.
Neal was coming from the opposite direction. He came up to Emma as soon as he spotted her.
Emma wanted to leave, but she forced herself to stay put, slipping into old habits as Neal conversed with her.
Killian looked up from the computer screen. He hated dial-up. He looked out to the window to see Emma looking at Neal. He couldn't see her face, but Neal was grinning and stroking Emma's arm. Killian's heart clenched as jealousy lanced through him.
Maybe Emma would be happier with Neal and her family than with him in New York. Actually, he was almost certain that this was the case.
He finished responding to his messages. By the time he did, Neal had left.
"So," said Killian, coming up to Emma, "I bet it's nice to see Neal again."
Emma glanced over at him, her eyes wide. "It's fine. We're old friends."
"It must be good to catch up," said Killian.
Emma recognized the hurt in his voice and she had the sudden urge to reassure Killian that she was over Neal. However, she didn't get the chance.
Mary Margaret and Gammy surprised them to whisk Emma away to try on her wedding gown. While David came up to Killian and insisted that they have a drink together.
Killian hesitated before following the older man into the bar. "So, Jones, we're hoping that once you and Emma are married that the two of you might come to visit more often. Perhaps for the holidays."
"That could be arranged," said Killian, sipping his Guinness.
"It would mean the world to Mary Margaret and Gammy," said David. "They miss Emma so much when she is off traipsing around New York."
Killian frowned. What was David getting at?
"Mary Margaret wanted me to give you this," said David, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket, "for the ceremony tomorrow." Inside the box was a delicate silver band with set with a single glistening gemstone. "It has been in her family for over 150 years. Mary Margaret believes that True Love follows this ring."
Killian gulped. To be presented with such an heirloom was an honor. Emma had a family who loved her, and they were welcoming him with open arms. It was something he'd never had, and something that he didn't think he truly deserved. "Thank you, David."
"You do love my daughter, don't you Jones?" asked David.
"I do," said Killian, and he really meant it. Whether David believed him or not, well, that was a different issue entirely.
-/-
Emma was waiting in the boat for him when he arrived at the dock. David had left him after one drink, but Killian had stayed for a couple more.
He climbed into the boat as Emma untied it, and without thinking he got behind the wheel.
"Killian, what the hell are you doing?"
"Getting away from everything," he said, stepping on the gas. "Don't say anything, love, please."
The boat sped through the water, and Emma moved to the front of the boat, her hand gripping the side. "Would you mind telling me why you're so upset? Killian?"
"I forgot what it was like to have a family," said Killian, his voice raw. "I've been on my own since I was sixteen and I forgot what it was like to have people who love you, and make you breakfast, and want to come down for the holidays. You have all that here, and you have Neal. I'm just going to ruin all of that by taking you away."
Emma shook her head. "Killian, you're not doing anything wrong. I agreed to this, remember? You were there."
"You deserve so much more than a fake marriage, Emma. Your family loves you. You know that, right?"
"Of course," said Emma.
"And you're still willing to put them through this nonsense."
"They're not going to find out, Killian," insisted Emma.
"How do you know that?" asked Killian fiercely.
"Because you said so yourself, and I trust you," said Emma.
Emma's words shocked him, so much so that he was distracted and barely managed to avoid a buoy. He jerked the wheel and the boat turned sharply, throwing Emma off the side.
"I know you must think I'm insane, but I only want what's best for you, Emma," said Killian.
When she made no response he turned and saw her treading water several yards behind him. "Bloody hell," he cursed, as he turned the boat around.
Emma swan for the buoy.
Killian stepped on the break as the boat slowed down near the buoy. Killian reached for Emma and pulled her out of the water. "Emma, love," he gasped, his voice tinged with panic, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. This is why you shouldn't hijack a boat, Killian. You're a terrible driver." Her teeth were chattering.
Killian removed his coat and wrapped it around her. "I'm so sorry, Emma," he said, pulling her into his arms. "Let's get you warmed up." He rubbed his hand along her arm, pulling her tightly against his chest. He whispered sweet nothings and apologies into her hair.
"It's okay, Killian," said Emma after several moments. "It's okay."