"I wanted to experience some of Arendelle's culinary delights and found myself here," Killian told Graham, then turning to Emma.
"Bloody hell! Emma wore that dress on her date with Graham?" Killian thought as his eyes widened at the sight of her. Emma's scoop neckline lined with crystals was high enough to be called modest but the rest of the blue velvet dress seemed to pour over her womanly curves. With her hair piled high on her head in an elegant coif, he was able to see just how elegant the slope of her neck and shoulders are, how rounded her bosom was, down to her slender waistline.
Trying to find his tongue and get back to the conversation at hand, he continued, "I met this lovely lady back at the tavern and she suggested this place. Right, love?"
Killian nudged the red head to speak.
"Oh, yes. Of course!" the red head said.
"And what would the lovely lady's name be?" Graham asked, having a feeling his night was getting hijacked.
"This is…uhm…what was your name again, love?" Killian questioned.
The redhead, looking slightly annoyed, said, "Annabelle."
"Right, Annabelle. This is Graham and Miss Emma Swan," Killian introducing his date.
"Nice to meetcha," Annabelle said.
"It's a pleasure," Emma answered, always reverting to the sense of decorum that was drilled into her.
Graham nodded his head to Annabelle in greeting. The waiter overhearing part of their conversation came over to assist them.
"Would you like to join your friends at the table?" the waiter asked.
"No, he wo-" Graham said until he was cut off by Killian.
"We'd be delighted to," Killian said over Graham's voice.
The waiter snapped his fingers and the wait staff quickly brought two chairs and two place settings for them. Graham was getting angrier by the second that his date with Emma was officially hijacked by Killian and observed that now Killian was sitting right next to Emma while he was across from her.
"Killian, what do you think you're doing?" Graham asked tightly, trying to keep his rising voice in check.
"Ordering champagne," Killian answered coolly. "Waiter! A bottle of champagne for the table!"
The waiter was only too happy to comply and an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne chilling in it was brought to the table right away. The waiter popped open the cork and served the champagne in elegant stemware with a flourish.
As soon as the champagne was served to Annabelle, she remarked, "Oooh, this is luxury!" then Annabelle downed the champagne in one shot, having never tried it before.
Killian whooped in delighted response and poured her another serving.
"How about we order the chef's tasting menu so that we can sample their best dishes, it's on me, of course," Killian announced. "Waiter! The tasting menu for the table along with the accompanying wine, please!"
The waiter immediately acquiesced, always happy when customers ordered the tasting menu since it was the most expensive item and hopefully he'd get a bigger tip.
"Wouldn't you rather have a private table for you and Annabelle?" Graham gritted through his teeth.
"Wouldn't want to bother the waitstaff," Killian answered. "So, what have you been up to all day, Emma?"
Emma wasn't sure if she wanted to tell him about her practicing magic.
"I mostly spent the day with Elsa," Emma answered.
"You know the queen?" Annabelle asked. "Well, fancy that."
"You're remarkably well connected for a girl who comes from a family of shepherds," Killian remarked.
"My family is known by a lot of people," Emma answered.
"Didn't know shepherds get around that much," Killian wondered.
"They just have personality I guess," Emma said offering an excuse.
They were interrupted by the first course, the first of eight courses that was being served. The good thing about getting smaller courses is that it kept you occupied with the food and one had a short time to indulge in conversation before you got interrupted with waiters taking away and then serving the next course. Killian drank the wine and ate the food with relish. Annabelle gobbled up each dish with gusto, not used to such rich fare. Graham ate the dishes grudgingly while conceding that the food was delicious. Emma sampled each dish and asked the waiter to send her compliments to the chef which he gladly did.
"Have you set a date for when you leave on the Grinder?" Killian asked of Emma.
"In two days, the Grinder should be ready and the ship's captain would be happy to drop you off at your destination," Emma replied.
"Excellent," Killian said.
"Oh, you're leaving?" Annabelle asked.
"Have to get back to my ship, my dear," Killian answered.
"Well then, I'd better give you a good send off," Annabelle said with a drunken smile fumbling to reach his leg underneath the table. Everyone at the table knew what was being intimated. She imbibed quite a lot of alcohol so her words and actions lacked inhibition. Killian moved his leg back so he wouldn't get molested under the table. It was a nice establishment that probably would frown down on those types of activities.
"Already over Milah so soon, Captain?" Emma asked of Killian. "Rather fickle of you."
"I have come to an understanding what my motivations were when I planned to take her from the Dark One," Killian started.
Emma cut him off, "I think we already know what your motivations were." His motivations were in his pants, Emma thought.
Killian ignored her and continued, "I wanted to play the hero and rescue the damsel in distress."
"Too bad that didn't work for you," Emma replied.
"Fate may have shown me a better path," Killian said looking into her eyes.
"Well, I certainly am happy Smee and Fitch were too drunk to know the difference between two women," Graham remarked. "I would have never met and been enchanted by you, Emma."
Emma gave him a coy smile while Killian rolled his eyes.
"Check, please!" Killian raised his hand and looked to the waiter. He was getting tired of averting Annabelle's grasping hands. The waiter rushed to bring him the bill and Killian paid it while Graham helped Emma out of her chair.
Emma thanked Killian while Graham gave him a look that promised a reckoning. Killian held out a hand to Annabelle and they walked to the entrance to retrieve their coats. Graham helped Emma with her coat that matched the blue velvet of her dress and quickly escorted her out. He hoped he would be able to whisk her away before Killian and Annabelle could catch up.
"I have another surprise for you Emma," Graham told her while gesturing to the horse drawn sled. He wanted to take her for a sleigh ride through the streets of Arendelle and a short journey through the woods.
"That looks wonderful, Graham," Emma stopped to adjust her hood and cape knowing it would be rather chilly in the open air carriage. She lingered long enough for Annabelle in her drunken state to notice the horse drawn sleigh and started toward it.
"Wouldn't it be lovely on an evening like this to enjoy a sleigh ride?" Annabelle said as she awkwardly climbed into the awaiting sleigh. "Come on, Captain! Climb aboard!"
Graham looked like he was about to lose it. Emma put a hand on his arm to calm him. She knew he was angry when Killian came to join them at the restaurant and was relieved that he could keep his temper down.
Killian just shrugged and said, "That wasn't my idea." What a turn of good luck that his date decided to climb into the sleigh, he thought.
Graham looked around to see if there was another sleigh available but of course there wasn't. He grudgingly took Emma's hand and helped her into the awaiting sleigh while boarding after her. He helped tuck the blankets around their laps to keep warm. Annabelle was already stretched out on the front seat looking like she was about to fall asleep when Killian moved her over to make room for a seat for him. Her head fell onto his shoulder as she took a small nap to sleep off the alcohol in her system. She had already had a few shots earlier in the evening but the wine and champagne made her even more inebriated.
"She couldn't pass out before she got into the sleigh?" Graham grumbled.
The sleigh then lurched forward and they were making their way in the moonlit night through the streets of Arendelle. It seemed so peaceful looking at the lights coming from inside the houses and buildings of Arendelle. Graham put an arm around the shoulder of Emma to shield her from a cold breeze.
"This is wonderful, Graham," Emma said as she looked up at him. Graham took advantage of the proximity to her and bent his head to place an avid kiss on her lips, oblivious to Killian who started forward in sharp displeasure, then caught himself. Annabelle's head fell behind his back and he quickly turned to straighten her up.
Releasing her, Graham met her astounded stare with a grin. "That was wonderful, Emma."
Emma smiled and blushed until she caught the vexed look on Killian's face. What did he have to look so pissy about, she wondered? Just because his date was sauced didn't mean everyone else couldn't enjoy themselves.
The ride took them outside the city onto a path through the woods. The snow on the trees made the scene look tranquil. They arrived at a small round gazebo to find a group of townspeople holding some festivities, serving hot drinks, and warm food. Graham alighted from the carriage and turned to help Emma out. He brought her closer to the gaiety and saw there was lighted torches all over and some people dancing to a tune that a small band was playing, most likely to help keep them warm. People were chatting, laughing and some people brought their ice skates to skate on the frozen ice in the small pond nearby. It was a pleasant and happy scene that people could enjoy themselves in the middle of winter.
Graham asked Emma to dance and they held hands while they stepped to the beat of the music. Graham had to excuse himself to take care of his needs and walked towards the woods; he had imbibed quite a lot of wine; which left Emma alone to wander around the happy scene.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself, Emma," Emma heard the Captain's voice behind her and she turned around. She was startled to find him so close.
"Graham planned a lovely evening," Emma remarked. "Why did you interrupt it?"
"Because the thought of you alone with him made me unbelievably jealous," Killian just came out with it. It was no use to keep his feelings in check.
"Oh come on," Emma said exasperated. "You can't expect me to believe that. You'd have to have feelings for me."
"Then let me show you," Killian said as he took her in his arms in a gentle yet unyielding grasp and let his lips descend onto hers. His parting lips moved over hers in a slow, deliberate caress that denied her resistance and sapped the strength from her limbs. By slow degrees his mouth parted and plucked the sweet nectar from her lips in soft caresses and then advanced with her mounting response until his tongue became a flickering firebrand as his mouth consumed hers with a hunger that would not be appeased.
Emma was so lost in his kiss that she didn't realize when he stopped until a few moments later when she opened her eyes to find him staring at her in absolute wonder and fascination.
This jolted her back to reality when she realized Graham could come back any second and she pulled away. She wouldn't want any angry outbursts to mar their magical evening. She felt breathless as she stepped away from Killian who was a looking at her with hunger in his eyes.
"I should go," Emma was feeling overwhelmed and she turned to escape his devouring look. Killian wanted to go after her but then he saw Graham making his way through the crowds towards them.
"Graham! Let's dance!" Emma asked.
Graham was only too happy to oblige. Killian watched as they stepped to the music and Emma twirled around the dance floor. He liked seeing her lose herself in the music.
After a few dances they stopped to catch their breath and went to get her some hot drinks. Killian already had a mug of hot buttered rum. The secret to remaining warm in the middle of a snowy evening was to dance and drink something hot. As soon as Emma finished her delicious hot cocoa they returned to the sleigh to find Annabelle still sleeping off her drink.
Killian sat Annabelle up so he had room to sit.
"Did I miss the party?" Annabelle drowsily asked.
"The party is over," Killian announced. "It's time to go home."
Annabelle pouted that she missed the festivities then promptly went to sleep. Killian jostled her awake to ask her where she lived. She told him the address then passed out again.
The sleigh ride was peaceful, tranquil and breathtaking once more as they made their way back to Arendelle. The sleigh driver went to Annabelle's address first and Killian helped carry her to her doorstep. He put her down to ask for the key but she was too out of it to comply so he searched her pockets and produced one. He unlocked her door and ushered her in to leave her sleeping on her couch. He was happy her residence was on the first floor which was more convenient.
He jumped back into the sleigh to continue the ride to the palace. He watched as Emma and Graham were murmuring words to each other. When they got to the palace, Graham helped Emma out of the sleigh and into the entrance of the palace. The palace guards held open the door for her and they walked inside.
She turned to Graham to wish him goodnight, "I had a lovely evening. Thank you so much, Graham."
"I'm sorry we got interrupted. I don't know what's got into Killian," Graham apologized.
"It was rather entertaining with Annabelle and all," Emma said. "I had a good time. Good night."
"Good night, Emma," Graham gave her another kiss on the lips but was more chaste and quicker than the first kiss he gave her since they had an audience comprised of the palace guards.
Graham gave her a last lingering look as he turned to go. Emma watched as the door closed behind him. She turned to walk upstairs to her bedchamber.
As soon as Graham, got into the sleigh he turned on Killian and yelled, "What the hell was that!"
The sleigh lurched forward and Graham fell back onto his seat.
"Graham, I'm sorry but I seem to have formed feelings for Emma," Killian admitted.
"You bloody git! I'm gonna thrash you!" Graham yelled.
The driver yelled back, "No fighting in my sleigh or I'll throw you both out!"
Graham kept his temper in check until they got back to the inn they were staying at. He went to pay the driver until Killian stepped in front of him and said, "The least I can do is pay."
"Get out of my way, Killian," Graham growled as he stepped around him. Graham paid the driver and as soon as the driver was out of sight rounded on Killian and punched him in the face. Killian's head snapped back at the force of the blow and staggered back. He didn't fight back but just took the shot.
"I guess I deserved that," Killian conceded.
"You bloody well did," Graham said and walked into the inn leaving Killian standing outside. Killian grabbed some snow to put on his eye to keep the swelling down. He knew he would be sporting a black eye tomorrow. He knew he earned that just as he knew there would be more trouble coming on the horizon.
As Emma was lying in bed she thought of all the events that happened tonight. Out of the three kisses she had received that evening the one kiss that she couldn't stop thinking about was Killian's. She had never felt more alive and warm when she was lost in his arms. She could still feel his lips moving over hers and using his tongue to fan the flames of desire that was slowly building in her. Then she came back to reality and realized this only meant trouble.