Sorry about not updating last week! I was really sick and did not get around to it. This chapter is a bit shorter, but important. Next week's chapter should be longer though!
Review responses:
NecieLauren-That chapter was fun to write and fitting in that iconic kiss scene was so great! Hope you stick around to see what happens with them!
Andria-More Emma and Henry in this chapter!
Guest-I guess my job is a success! I update (normally) every Tuesday! Maybe after my semester ends I will update more! Hope you enjoy!
Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 21: Problems Haunt
Ignoring Killian was easier said than done. They lived in a small town and not seeing each other was not exactly an option. They ran into each other at Granny's, on the sidewalk, virtually everywhere.
So, the next option, after avoiding him, was pretending the kiss never happened.
Emma knew that it was not fair to either of them to forget about their shared kiss and just move on like nothing happened, but it was all she could do. Their friendship was not worth the risk. She could not lose him just because she had acted out of impulse.
Things were weird when they saw each other. Neither of them had spoken of the kiss or told anyone else. There was an awkward vibe whenever they were with each other, but neither addressed it. They did not have any real conversations in the past week, Emma often hurriedly rushing out, claiming she had a butt load of work to do at the station.
There was an undeniable connection between the two of them. It was obvious to everyone, including Emma. But everyone Emma ever got close to left her. Even Killian left her alone before, even though he had not wanted to. The universe did not want Emma to be happy. It was not in the cards for her.
Things would go back to normal eventually. They would forget anything ever happened and simply be friends again. It was better that way, for both of them.
Maybe if Emma kept telling herself that she would finally believe it.
"Hello, Captain." Killian heard called out to him. He looked up from his work on the dock to see David Nolan approaching him.
"Hello, Sheriff." He said, reaching for a towel to wipe his hands. "What brings you by the docks today?"
"Patrol." David answered when he was finally close enough to Killian to have a civil conversation. Killian had known David ever since he moved to Storybrooke. The duo had made quick friends, spending much spare time either on the waters sailing or in the Rabbit Hole.
"Is there a problem officer?" Killian joked.
David rolled his eyes. "Well, I was just coming over to say hey, but if there needs to be a prob-"
"I assure you, I have managed to stay out of trouble."
"Good." David gave a deep laugh, before his voice turned more serious. "You left the Rabbit Hole early the other night. Everything all right?"
"You noticed that? I thought you and Mary-Margaret were too drunk." He tried to make light.
"We were not that drunk." David insisted. "We noticed you slip out. With Emma, might I add."
Killian groaned. "David, not this-"
David's hands shot up, defensively. "That's not what I was doing! I was asking if everything was alright. It's not like you to bail."
"Aye, mate. I apologize. Emma and I figured since you all had had a few too many pints that our presence would not be missed."
David nodded. "You two go home?"
"Granny's." Killian corrected him, earning a raised eyebrow from David. "Not anything like that. Just hot chocolate. I walked her home after that. End of story." Minus our kiss, Killian thought, but that information was probably better kept for himself.
"Okay." David seemed sufficed. "Just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Thanks, mate."
"I probably should get going. Patrol the rest of the town." David said. "We should go sailing this weekend. Weather's getting nicer."
Killian nodded. "Aye, mate. That we should. I'll notify Will and Robin and see if they can make it."
"Sounds good. See you later, Killian." David said before walking off to finish his job.
Killian ran a hand through his hair before turning back to his work. This would all get easier with time he told himself. He liked Emma, had since he was a kid, but after their kiss, she had run for the hills. He knew that she was scared, just has she had been all those years ago, but her walls were higher now. She did not want to let him in and have any type of relationship with him. Even their friendship was no awkward.
But Killian Jones did not give up. He loved a challenge.
Emma loved getting to see Henry. He always was able to lift her spirits. Today, they found themselves at Granny's enjoying an after school snack. Emma had postponed her lunch break so she could come to the diner with Henry, resulting in her being extra hungry and a bit less patient for her Grilled Cheese. The boy besides her happily drank his milkshake, only taking a break either to talk to her or munch on some french fries.
"And in history we learned about the resistance period!"
"Renaissance." Emma corrected him smiling.
"Right." He nodded before taking another bite. "It was kinda boring though. Just a bunch of fancy people."
"What about recess?" Emma asked, onion ring in hand.
"I read." Henry shrugged. "Ava and Nicholas are out of town visiting their mom."
"Do you not like to play with anyone else?"
"Not really. A lot of the kids won't be my friend because they are scared of my mom." Henry seemed unphased by this, almost used to it.
"I'm sorry, Henry. Kids can be cruel."
"Yeah." He muttered before turning his attention back to his food. "Do you think Neverland is in some other realm or it's here and we just can't see it because no one believes?"
Emma laughed a bit at his question. She loved Henry's imagination and his outlook on life. It was much more positive than her's had been when she was his age. "Don't know, kid. Probably some other realm."
"How does he get here then?" He asked.
"Doesn't he fly?"
"No, I mean how does he cross realms. That sounds like a lot of work."
Emma took another bite of her food. "I don't know, kid. I thought you were the expert."
"I am, but sometimes it's nice to get a second opinion."
"And I'm your second opinion?" Emma laughed again.
"Henry!" A yell cut through the dinner. Henry's little face immediately shriveled into a fearful expression as he sat perfectly still. Emma leaned past over a bit to see a tall, thin woman with dark hair dressed very professionally making her way towards them.
"Henry Daniel, I told you to go straight home after school, not go to the dinner for sweets! You know you do not eat sugar!" She all but yelled, now standing next to where Henry and Emma sat.
The woman turned towards Emma. "And you! Who are you?"
Emma sat stunned for a moment, slowly opening her mouth to answer. "I'm-"
"Oh, I know who you are!" She cut Emma off. "You are that Sheriff. What is it, Goose?"
"Swan." Emma gritted through clenched teeth.
"Whatever." The woman waved her hands. "Henry, let's go."
"I want to stay with Emma." Henry said, very calmly all things considering.
"Now, young man!" She said sternly. She looked back at Emma. "As for you, don't even think about coming near my son again."
"Mom!" Henry cried out.
"Let's go." She told him, before roughly grabbing his backpack and motioning him to follow her.
"Bye, Emma." Henry whispered as he got up and left. Henry's mother shot Emma a dirty look before walking out the diner with him, not even bothering to offer an apology to the others in the restaurant.
Emma might now have had a mother while she was growing up, but Henry's alternative seemed rough as well. Henry was clearly upset at his mother's outburst and at her saying he could no longer see Emma.
Emma pushed her food away. She was no longer hungry. The incident with Henry's mother was enough to take away her appetite. It did not matter what that woman thought of her, one thing was certain. Emma Swan did not give up when things were important to her and Henry was the most important person in her life.
Sorry that that was a bit shorter. Hope you liked it though. Please review. Once we get to 100 reviews, I will reveal the plot and title of my next story! See you next week!