A/N: Get ready! I've got my energy back and I'm ready to post some FF. Woot! In case you haven't seen it, I updated CH4 b/c the WRONG version was up. Apologies 3 Note, I've also updated CH 1- 3. The only edit I recommend taking a look at is CH2 because I inserted a small memory about Emma and Robin meeting.

Thanks for all the follows!

Warm days, afternoon showers, and the sound of twittering birds meant May had arrived bringing summer with it. Killian had hardly seen everyone in the same place since the party two weeks ago. Victor and Ruby were on the outs. Regina and Robin wanted time alone. Emma, well, according to Robin she was busy; apparently the wicked witch across town employed her services as a full time nanny. Not that their lack of appearance bothered him. He wasted time, spending mornings at the gym and afternoons napping on the couch or reading an Orson Scott Card novel. Most of the time, Killian could be found at the stables taking care of Shadow.

This afternoon he planned to do just that, but first he needed to drop off Emma's jacket. Killian thought about calling ahead but Robin said Emma hadn't returned his calls in the last few days and gave him directions to Mrs. Pond's mini mansion, suggesting he drive over instead. As Killian exited his car and headed up the drive way a woman flung open the front door.

"What," she hissed out, "Do you want? I don't know you; how dare you strut up to my home—scare my children—"

"Ma'am," said Killian, hands raised in surrender. "I am only trying to return Emma her jacket. She forgot it at a friend's place."

The older woman paused before she said, "Emma doesn't reside here any longer, young man."

"Sorry?"

"I don't have time for this."

"I'll only trouble you a moment longer, Mrs. Pond. Emma doesn't live here? When will she be over to nanny?"

"Never again. I fired her two weeks ago." Mrs. Pond popped the door shut.

Swan lied about her job and home, now she wasn't returning phone calls. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.

"Love, what have you got yourself into?" Killian asked aloud.

Ruby toyed with a French fry and tuned out Regina and Victor's conversation. She couldn't figure out why Emma wasn't returning her messages. Actually, she couldn't remember the last time she'd see her.

"When is the last time either of you spoke with Swan?" The three exchanged glances. Finally Regina spoke up.

"I guess not since the party. With what happened between Killian and her I figured she would come around and apologize soon rather than later."

"Emma doesn't have anything to apologize for," said Victor, "Killian should not have—"

And there it was again, thought Ruby, Victor rushing to Emma's side, eager to defend her honor. It was almost as sickening as the two of them at the party, shoulder to shoulder whispering with each other.

Ruby rolled her eyes and cut him off. "Are you kidding me? She isn't perfect, Victor. They were both ass-hats to each other. That disaster aside, she is being more elusive than usual. Regina, check with Robin. Maybe he's good enough for her to talk to these days."

"Sure," said Regina nodding her head and standing to leave. "But you need to deal with whatever issue you clearly have with her. You staying or am I driving you back?" The question was for Victor. They were neighbors and often carpooled.

He looked at Ruby for a moment. More than anything she wanted him to stay with her. Instead he shook his head, disappointed. "I'm going with Regina then I'm going to find our friend and when you figure your shit out feel free to join us." The pair left Ruby in the booth alone, staring at an uneaten basket of fries.

Back in the car, Killian sent out a text.

KJ: Send me Emma's number?

RG: Why? Isn't she home?

KJ: Not sure, had to put jacket return on hold. Want to arrange meeting now. Save gas.

RG: Got it. Sure, I'll let her know you got it from me. Best of luck.

He dialed the number but the call was rejected and sent to voicemail.

"Swan, I've still got your jacket. I am dropping it by 's. Maybe I'll see you, maybe I won't." He hung up and said, "Let's see if that doesn't light a fire under her."

Sure enough as he pulled up to the stable his phone rang. Let it, he thought, she can worry. Plus, Killian didn't let anything interrupt his time grooming and riding Shadow.

"Wait it out, Swan."

Damn. Double damn. Killian's voicemail rang in her ears. Not time to panic, yet, I'll just call him back and arrange to meet him somewhere else. But he didn't answer her three calls or the one text.

ES: Home not best place for drop off. Pond doesn't like strangers. Meet up somewhere else?

Emma didn't need anyone knowing she slept in her car now and worked as a bartender/waitress at two different places every night of the week. She could just imagine Robin's frown and everyone else getting behind him, looking for a solution to her sorry excuse for a life. They didn't understand: life wasn't always fair. Even with the two jobs she struggled for gas money and food because saving for an apartment was not cheap. Deposits were a bitch.

Emma figured she would be in a new place by late August, just in time to see everyone leave for school. She checked her phone again. Jones still hadn't replied. The last thing she needed was that pirate swooping down on 's place and learning the truth. Emma had a feeling he wouldn't let this go as easily as he had the panic attack.

As Killian finished brushing Shadow's coat and picking his hooves, a heavy rain fell, too heavy to ride in without damaging the leather equipment.

"Another day, boy," he said. Shadow shook out his black mane and nudged Killian's pocket for a treat. "Fine, but only one." He fed Shadow a carrot, gave him one last pat and went off to find Emma Swan.

They arranged to meet at a local coffee house. Across the room he spotted her wild light gold waved hair, falling past her shoulder. She turned to see who had come through the door and looked beyond relived at his arrival. Killian ordered a cup of coffee then sat across from Emma.

"Where is my jacket?"

"Right down to business, eh, Swan?

"I'm on a tight schedule; —"

"Yes, let's talk about her, shall we? She had some choice things to say about you this morning." Emma avoided his gaze and made no comment while he drummed his fingers on the table.

"Two weeks ago lands us at the party. The same day she fired you. I'm going to connect the dots here and say that played into you panic attack. And now, you're doing God knows what and haven't spoken to your friends since. Let me know when I'm getting warm, Lass."

Emma scowled. "If you're not giving back the jacket I have some place to be." She went to stand but Killian stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

"You're lying to your friends, not answering their calls and texts, dropping off the face of the Earth, plus panic attacks—"

"That was not a big deal."

He frowned and took a deep breath, looking for patience. "Emma you were immobilized. Helpless. Like it or not I rescued you."
"No one asked you to be the hero, Jones. Are you going to tell Robin? Or anyone else?"

"I haven't decided yet. It depends."

She asked, "On what?" Emma finally met his ice blue gaze. A less vigilant woman could lose herself in eyes like those.

"The truth," he said. "Tell me everything."

I know, no Captain Swan goodness, yet. It is getting there, I promise. Maybe.

Review please!