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Here comes the angst.
Chapter 12 – The Stakeout
Well you have no right to ask me how I feel
You have no right to speak to me so kind
Separate Lives, Phil Collins
Emma showed up at the station earlier the next morning and she found Mac and Killian going over a map that was spread over the desk. Killian raised his head and smiled at her.
"Good morning, Swan."
"Good morning." She replied as she approached them. "Ready for a stakeout?"
Killian looked at her with mischief in his eyes, "Am I ready to be trapped with you on a small compartment for several hours?" He got closer, his face hovering hers. "Always."
She rolled her eyes at him. Killian bit his lower lip, enjoying the familiar banter for a second. He turned around to face a very amused Mac, who was watching the scene with interest. Mac raised an eyebrow at him. Killian shrugged.
"Alright, then." Killian said. "Mac, you know where to start with the raids. Keep me posted on the outcomes. Ok, mate?"
"Will do. But before you leave, I have something for you." Mac said as he produced a brown wrapped package. "I mentioned to Laura that you had a stakeout today."
"Oh, that's more like it." Killian praised as he waved his hand in the air. "Tell you lovely wife I'm thankful for her kindness and I'm definitely not worthy of such attentions."
"Yeah, yeah… I told her you were not worth the hassle, but she thinks you are." Mac shrugged.
"What is that?" Emma asked
"It's not a stakeout if we don't have cannoli." Mac said. "It's a tradition for us, you would say."
"And don't even think for a minute that you are getting one, Swan. I don't like you that much." Killian said as he grabbed his coat from the hanger and put it on. It was not a leather jacket, she noticed, but a navy blue coat with two button rows. It made his eyes even bluer. He grabbed the package and adjusted it to his left arm.
"I mentioned to Laura that you'd be having company, so she made some extras." Mac pointed out. "Be nice and share."
"Ok, maybe just one if you are truly nice to me." Killian smirked at Emma.
"Got everything you need?" Mac asked.
"I think I do. Rules are simple: leave the gun, take the cannoli." Killian replied looking at Mac.
Emma was lost. Leave the gun, take the cannoli?!
"Are you quoting The Godfather?" She asked dumbfounded and Killian shot her a dagger look.
"Why wouldn't I? It's one of my favorite movies, love." He spoke shortly and looked at her pointedly. Don't break my cover, Swan. "Alright, let's go. Swan, first round of coffee is on you." He said as he headed for the exit.
They were sitting on Killian's car early in the afternoon, sipping coffee. There had been no movement at the address that they were checking. Emma reached out to the cannoli box.
"Don't you even think so, Swan." Killian warned, his eyes never leaving sight of the house they were watching.
"Mac said you had to share." She replied.
"Aye, and I did." He said tilting his head and raising his eyebrows. "You had three already. I had two, that one is mine."
"You're keeping tabs?" She asked offended.
"I'm very protective of my loot, Swan. You should know that already." He smirked at her.
"I must've forgotten, I got confused about what I knew about you when you started quoting The Godfather." She retorted, a fake smile on her face.
"Aye, about that," He said, his tone changing to a masqueraded impatience, "Next time, try to keep up. I know you are a terrible liar, but try to at least pretend not to be surprised about my knowledge of modern references."
"Are you afraid I'd blow your cover and someone will start asking questions?"
"It's not a cover, Swan." He replied with anger in his voice, "It's my life."
"Not a cover, really? Youngest detective to make Captain? How old do they think you are?" She looked at him.
"I'm 35 years old." He replied defiantly.
"35, uh? Didn't you lose a tenth multiplier somewhere?" She snarked at him.
"Why does this bother you, love?" He spat. "It's not like I am doing any of this to infuriate you."
"It's weird, Ok?" She said. "You are Hook and you are wearing a navy blue blazer and drinking coffee. Where are the rum flask and the leather coat?"
"All of this because of a coat?" Killian sounded surprised. "Bloody hell, Swan, it's too cold today for a leather jacket."
"This coming from the man who paraded around the Maine winter almost barechested… and it's not just that the coat!" She spat "Your rings are gone, your earring is different and you look too normal."
"And that is a bad thing?" He sighed. "Swan, when I decided to settle for this world, I had to start dressing the part. I traded the leather breeches for jeans, bought some sweaters, shirts. I couldn't use the hook anymore; it was too dangerous for this world, so I got a new hand. Then I lost the flashy jewelry." He smiled pensive. "Most of it, at least. I kept the necklace and traded the rings for just one single engraved band. I didn't plan it all, some of it just happened…"
"Like the leather bracelets?" She asked intrigued.
He smiled sadly, "Actually, those were Rebecca's idea."
"Rebecca?" She raised her eyebrows in surprise.
He sighed and smiled sadly, looking at her with indecipherable eyes. "My ex."
It was as if she were hit by a car. An ex. He had an ex girlfriend. He had had a girlfriend.
"Your ex?" She asked with a broken voice.
"Aye..." He said, not meeting her eyes. "We were at this stupid craft fair she dragged me to and she saw them in one of the stands. She thought they were a good match for my ring."
He finally risked a look at her and could see the confusion and hurt in her eyes.
"What happened?" She asked, avoiding his gaze.
"It didn't work out. We broke up over two years ago."
The pain cut her like a knife, like a sword blade. Two years ago. He'd gotten in a relationship almost right after leaving Storybrooke. Anger and jealousy took over her as she saw him fidgeting with the bracelets with his prosthetic hand.
"So, you're still wearing your ex's tokens" She stated coldly.
He gave her an annoyed look, "She did not buy them for me, she only suggested it would be a good look and I bought them. And why is that a problem? I see that you still carry your swan necklace and the shoelace on your wrist…"
"That is different." She spat.
"Why? Because they died and Rebecca didn't and we just broke up? That somehow nullifies the idea of wearing a token from a previous relationship? I don't wear this because I still have feelings for her… I wear it because it meant something. She meant something to me. She saved me." He finished, sighing.
"She saved you?" Another sword blade passed through her, ripping her apart.
"Aye, she did. Even if it didn't work out, she got me to open up, to build a life, to stop sulking in my apartment and actually live my life. I will always owe her for that. Even if I couldn't love her the way she deserved, she meant something."
"She was one of the things that sort of happened?" She asked bitterly.
"I won't answer that, Swan." He replied shortly. "You have no right to question me. You pushed me away."
"And so you just packed your stuff and moved directly into a new life with new clothes, a new car and a new girlfriend…"
"That is not what happened. I had to get out of there. I had nothing left…"
She could feel the pain in his voice, but anger had taken over her and she didn't care about his pain.
"It's almost ironic you say you had nothing and three years later we are sitting on your brand new Mustang."
"What!?" He asked surprised.
"How do you even afford a car like this with your salary? Or the apartment you own? Or that pretty boat of yours that is stationed at the marina?" She asked.
"You've been spying on me, love?" He raised one eyebrow at her questioningly.
"You lead a pretty nice life for a cop's salary, Killian."
"I got a sweet deal out of the Evil Queen. It gives me certain comforts…" He replied nonchalantly.
"What are you not telling me about that deal? All magic comes with a price. What was yours?"
"That's none of your business, love." He responded sharply.
"You are lying to me, Killian." Emma said.
"I don't have to bloody tell you anything, Swan." Killian retorted.
He remained silent and she could feel the frustration seeping through her.
"Hook, talk to me!" She yelled.
His hand hit the steering wheel in frustration. "Don't do this to me, Swan." He pleaded. "I've stayed the bloody hell away from your life for the past three years and I had no intention to cross paths with you again. You came barging back into my path, Emma. Whatever you think you are entitled to know, let it be. Let me be."
"I can't." She said. "If you cut a deal, if this going to come back to any of us…"
"It won't." He promised.
They remained silent for the rest of the afternoon. There was no movement in the house they were monitoring. Killian drove them back to the station and parked the car in silence. As Emma reached for the door, his hand stopped her.
"Henry came by the station yesterday." He told her.
"Henry?" She asked surprised.
"Aye. He wanted to talk and…" He hesitated. "He asked me to take him sailing sometime." He looked at her. "I'd love to do it; I'd love to spend time with him but…" His voice broke, "I'll understand if you don't want me near him. But I won't lie to him, Emma. If you don't want me to see him, you'll have to tell him."
"Ok. That's fair." She said and she reached for the car again.
"Swan… About earlier." He said. "Are you sure that was just about your need to know?"
"What else would it be about?"
"I don't know." He shrugged. "The fact that I've moved on?" He asked intently, his blue eyes boring into her.
She did not reply to him as she got out of the car and headed towards her yellow bug. He sat there, watching her leave.
Yes, definitely a brilliant idea, mate.