In history Emma pulls out her homework and Graham immediately starts questioning her.
"Where you and Killian at lunch?" he asks with raised eyebrows.
"We had some things to talk about," she says wearily. Where is this going?
"What things? Are you guys okay?" he asks worriedly. Emma gets defensive.
"We are fine. We have just had a some shit going on lately and wanted some alone time. Is that a crime?" she challenges.
"No, its not. I just want to make sure you're alright. Emma, too much has happened to you," he says.
"I did just fine without you. You don't get to act like you're my knight in shining armor. I don't need one. I never have or ever will. Killian knows that and you should too," she snaps.
"I'm not trying to be. Someone needs to watch your back."
"How is questioning my relationship watching my back? It feels like you're attacking me. What do you want from me?" she asks exasperated. He doesn't say anything for a couple minutes. She can see he is carefully deciding what to tell her.
"Dammit it, Emma. Nothing. I want nothing from you. I want you safe and happy," he looks so concerned and she can't figure out why. What isn't he telling her?
"If you want that you need to back off. Stop asking twenty questions about my relationship. If I need you I'll ask for help," she states and turns away from him. She doesn't talk to him the rest of class. How dare he? He isn't my brother, why does he think he can but his head in wherever he wants? She is furious. As a sign of impatience she taps her leg all class. As soon as the bell rings she bolts out of class. She needs Killian. Where is he? She wanders the hallways looking and searching for Killian. She finally finds him with some of the football boys.
"Hey, babe," he kisses her forehead and wraps an arm around her shoulders. His eyebrows furrow. She stands on tip toe.
"Can we talk?" she whispers in his ear. He nods and they move to the corner of the hallway.
"What's wrong, love? You look all shaken up," he says as he tucks her hair behind her ear.
"Its about Graham," Killian immediately tenses, "We got in fight and maybe you're right. Maybe I should stay away from him for awhile," she adjusts her glasses.
"Did he make a move on you or something?" Killian asks through gritted teeth.
"No, he was being oddly over protective. I told him to back off and he thinks I need to be saved or something," she rolls her eyes at the archaic notion.
"That's my job. Who does he think he is? I'm your boyfriend," he says with his fists clenched. She grabs his hands and he relaxes. Her petite fingers intertwine with his large rough fingers.
"I know you are. I told him to back off and he did. I won't be spending time with him outside class. Now you need to get to practice," she says with smile.
"What's the point? The doctor hasn't cleared me to play yet. Playoffs are soon and I need to practice, but I just sit and watch. Its very boring," he sighs.
"You seem fine to me. When are you going to be cleared?" she asks.
"I have an appointment on friday, so hopefully by then. You're right I have to go. I love you," he whispers into her hair. She blushes and smiles.
"I love you too," she says and he squeezes her hand before he walks away.
Emma catches a ride with Ruby. Emma, of course, tells her everything.
"What the hell is wrong with him? I never promised Graham a thing and now he thinks he fucking owns me. Can you believe him?" Emma asks enraged.
"Emma he's just looking out for you. I think you need to calm down," Emma's jaw drops. She collects herself and move on.
"I just think its wierd. He didn't need to know where we were at lunch. Its not his business." Emma says as they leave the parking lot.
"What were you guys doing because you sure it wasn't talking you're being too defensive," she glances at Emma and finds her blushing, "OH MY GOD! Emma Swan, you two snuck off to have sex. Where? Wait I don't want to know. No thats a lie, I want to know tell me," she squeals. Emma buries her head in her hands.
"The Jolly Roger," Emma buries her head in her hands, "Oh my god you can't tell anyone," she orders. Ruby nods.
"Its so dirty I love it. James and I haven't," she practically whispers the last part.
"What? Really? Why?"
"Because every guy I sleep with dies! I really like James I don't want him dying. I told him I want to wait and he said he's okay with that," she says as they turn a corner.
"You've slept with one guy, so its only happened once there isn't a pattern. Don't worry about that. He should understand if he didn't understand I would chop his balls off," Emma threatens. Ruby laughs and they pull in front of Emma's house.
"Hey, don't be too hard on Graham. He just cares for you," she says with a smile. Emma nods.
"Thanks for the ride. I'll text you later," Emma says as she gets out of the car.
After dinner Emma's in her room writing another article for the newspaper and there's a knock at her door.
"Come in," Emma groans without taking her eyes off the computer screen. Emma believes its her mother.
"Look if you assign me something you can't keep coming in here and interrupting me," Emma says as she spins around in her chair. To her surprise its Graham.
"You're not my mom," Emma states. Graham chuckles.
"No, I am not."
"Why are you here?" Emma asks defensively. Graham isn't scared by her and he actually moves closer.
"I wanted to apologize about earlier. I was pushy and rude. You're right I should wait for you to come to me if you have a problem. I am sorry," he sighs. She mulls his words over for a minute. Emma's forgiven him, but he doesn't need to know that quite yet. She knows waiting is killing him, but she's having a little fun with him. She stands from her chair. Finally she responds.
"I've already forgotten about it. Don't worry," she hugs him and he gives her a tight squeeze.
"Good, I was worried. What are you working on?" he changes the subject. She's okay with it. She rambles on about her article and they sit on her bed. She told Killian she would stay away, but that would make things weird and she needs something normal in her life.
"I have to go, unfortunately," he says with a fake frown. She giggles and playfully pushes his shoulder.
"I have homework to finish, so that's okay. I'll walk you out," she says with smile. He nods. They head downstairs and they keep bumping shoulders. Its a comfortable silence they are sharing. Emma opens the door and Graham walks on through. As she shutting it he glances back to her.
"We're good, right?" he asks. She adjusts her glasses.
"Yeah, of course. I'll see you tomorrow?" she leans on the door frame.
"Tomorrow. Goodnight, Em," he says and walks away. She shuts the door. No ones called her Em in a while. In fact he's only ever called her that. Maybe things are returning to normal.
Emma returns upstairs and gets ready for bed. She plops down on her window box to read. She tries to get lost in her book, but can't seem to shake this growing pit in her stomach. Like that something isn't quite right.
About an hour later her phone rings. Killian's name pops up on the screen. She smiles and picks up.
"Hey, stranger."
"Hello, love. How are you?" his accents rings through the phone. The pit seems to fade away at the sound of his voice.
"Good. You?" she closes her book knowing she will not get to read anymore tonight.
"About to be amazing. Look down," Her brow furrows in confusion. She looks out the window. Killian is standing there leaning against the tree. God, she should be over how hot he is, but it never ceases to amaze her.
"Well, I see a tree. Oh wait there's you," she teases, "What are you doing here? Aren't you grounded?" she asks worried.
"Don't worry, I took care of that. Let me in?" Killian raises his eyebrow. She nods.
"Backdoor, be there in a minute," she says and hangs up. She sets her phone down and quietly creeps downstairs. When she opens the door Killian is waiting right there. He swoops her in his arms and kisses her. Her fingers thread through his hair. She pulls away.
"We have to be quiet. Lets head upstairs," she whispers. he nods. Hand in hand they silently tread upstairs. Once her room door is closed she releases a breath she didn't even know she was holding.
"How are you here? Not that I don't love seeing you, but I don't want you in more trouble than you already are," she says quietly.
"Mum has the night shift. I thought I could come see you. I had to wait. Coach and I got into it today," he says looking at his feet. She walks up to him and places a hand on his cheek.
"He didn't say anything… everything alright?" she asks. He can see the worry written all over her face. He takes her hand and kisses it.
"Yes, I was being a brat at practice. I am not used to being benched. I think everything will be okay though," he shrugs.
"Alright. Graham apologized tonight," she blurts. This catches Killian's attention.
"Oh really? Thats good. What did you say?" he asks as they move to lie down on the bed. Emma lies her head on top on his chest.
"I let it go. I don't want things to get weird in the group. That wouldn't be fair to anyone," she says. Killian begins to play with her hair.
"I agree, I got a little hot headed about it this afternoon," he says nonchalantly. She looks up at him.
"A little?" she teases.
"Alright more than a little," he concedes. They just lie there for a couple minutes. The thought of him leaving her side tonight causes the pit to reappear. She needs him to keep her demons at bay.
"Killian,"
"Yes, love?" he asks.
"Stay with me tonight?" she asks. Frankly the thought of sleeping alone is unbearable. She just want to be held by him tonight. She can feel his body shift beneath hers.
"Everything alright?" she looks at him and once again he's worried about her. Once again she needs him more than he needs her.
"I just don't want to be alone tonight," she whispers. He nods.
"Of course I'll stay, but I'll have to leave early in the morning, in order to beat Mum home," he says.
"That's fine," she can hear his heartbeat. Its so comforting and soothing knowing that she won't be alone.
"Come lets get to bed," he gets up and turns off her room lights. She crawls under the covers while he takes off his jeans. He slips under the covers and brings her close to him. Her behind is pressed against his front. He kisses her neck. With the kiss the pit fades away again and she releases a sigh of relief.
"I'm here, love. You're not alone," he whispers. She slowly fades into sleep in his arms.