A/N: Fanfiction, you guys feed my muse! Thank you so much for all the great comments. You're the most receptive of all three sites that I post on, and that is amazing! So please don't stop. Let me know what you think:)

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"You look… stunning, Emma."

Had she taken his breath away? Hmm…

"Oh?" She gave herself a little twirl. Or more like him a chance to check her out.

Emma wouldn't let jealousy rule her night. No, she had done everything in her power to make sure that that didn't happen. She wouldn't have time to be jealous because nothing nor no one would be able to compete with her that night. She had a gorgeous body in her arsenal. One that Killian seemed content on not even noticing. But tonight…

Tonight, Emma would make sure he had to think twice about where his eyes laid.

Jealousy was not an admirable attribute. Even without knowing anything about the woman who would be accompanying them, she had decided to make sure she looked her best. The best.

She wanted him to notice. Not the extra time and effort she had put in for him. But she wanted him to take notice of what was right at his fingertips. If only he would actually notice that fact.

The red cocktail dress wasn't new in the least, but it was one of her favorites. It was the way the satin of the halter ruffled mini hugged every single curve. She loved that every inch of creamy skin that it displayed was done in a classy way. Just a hint of cleavage, but all legs that were highlighted by the matching heels. She felt nothing but beautiful. And the way he looked at her…

A hand clapped firmly at the small of her back, warm and secure.

Emma blinked up at Killian, a small smile gracing her lips as she felt Neal take his place at her side.

"So where is she?"

And even though she had enjoyed that tiny moment that she had shared alone with Killian- even if it was only in her mind that he was a bit captivated- she, too, wondered where this mystery woman was.

"Ah…" Killian's eyes narrowed on the both of them. "She said that she was on her way. She should be here any minute."

"You didn't come together?" Neal asked, sounding surprise.

"Picking her up would have been the gentlemanly thing to do, Killian," Emma chimed in. Secretly, she saw it as a good sign. Come alone, leave alone…

The double-date was supposed to consist of dinner and a movie. Dinner was first. And they had decided to meet there at the reserved time.

Emma hadn't been surprised when she had seen Killian already inside when they got there. He had a penchant for being on time, if not early.

"Yeah, well." His hand raised to midway into the air and stopped there. "We decided that we would meet instead." He offered up one of his dashing smiles.

And it made her cringe at the feel of Neal's hand at her back. Emma had tried very hard to tamper any… lust for Killian when they were all together. It was just…

Damn, those eyes! He had beautiful blue eyes that looked just a hue lighter than normal. The usual carefully disheveled hair was now combed back and away from his forehead. And the beard that she had imagined grazing against her skin was actually trimmed down.

He was gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

And he was that way for…

Not her, but some random woman. Some random woman who was in no possible way good enough for him.

The hand on her back began to move up.

Emma swallowed hard. Life wasn't always fair. She had been studying her boyfriend's best friend. She had begun to take in every nuance of him while Neal stood at her side. She had spent a good part of her evening getting ready so that maybe she would see an appreciative glint form in his eyes. And she had stood there wishing that they were alone instead of Neal being at her side and some woman coming to be on his arm.

Killian looked down at his phone that he had pulled out of his pocket.

"Why don't you two go on in? I was just inside and they said our table would be ready soon. I'll just wait out here until she comes."

"Are you sure, man?" Neal's arm moved from Emma's back to wrap around her waist. "We could wait out here with you."

Killian shook his head. "No, I'm fine. If our table is ready then there is no reason to wait. I'll see you in there."

Neal nodded. "Okay." The slight tug informed Emma that he was ready if she was.

"Fine."

She let Neal take the lead, walking closely behind.

"Ems." And Killian's fingertips grazed her just below her elbow.

She couldn't contain the shiver that ran through her body at just that touch.

"Yeah?" It was breathless and had a note of surprise to it.

Those damn blue eyes, sincere as ever.

"You do look stunning, Ems."

She searched those eyes. She wanted to put a name to whatever it was she saw. And she wanted it to be what she thought it was.

For just a moment- it was such an infinitesimal and minute moment- it was everything that she had needed it to be. But it didn't last…

"You look rather dashing yourself, Killian."

She saw the corners of his lips move just as her hand was being grabbed in front of her. Neal was pulling her close again.

"See you inside," she called back.

Oh, what an interesting night this was going to be.

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She decided immediately not to like the redhead. And then she decided how foolish she was being. Emma couldn't dislike someone just because she was on a date with Killian. Then again…

She could feel the foreign feeling of resentment as she watched the close proximity of their chairs beside each other. There was plenty of room, and there was no need for those seats to be pushed against each other.

Okay, Emma surmised as she took in a deep and steadying breath, she was a bit jealous. She had absolutely no right to be jealous. No right at all. All the meticulous care that she had given herself that day had done the job. Even if Ariel- Ariel, really?- looked… hmm… Okay, she looked quite beautiful in her white A-line dress that hugged nicely at the waist and flared out into princess ruffles. There was a stark contrast of red waves that fell over her shoulders against that her already milky skin and that white dress.

Emma found herself out of the loop of conversation. It was so easy to continuously get distracted about trying to see what Killian may have seen in her.

Ariel. She seemed sweet and bubbly.

Was sweet and bubbly really Killian's type? Emma would beg to differ.

It was the way she sat there complacent. It was the way her fingers lightly tugged at the ends of her hair as she smiled sweetly from under lowered lashes.

Emma couldn't put her finger on it. It wasn't that it came off as pretentious or fake. No, that wasn't it. It was just…

Wrong. She was all wrong...

She felt the glide of fingers high on her thigh before it became a single pat that then rested there.

Neal's gesture had forced her to tune back into the present conversation. If Killian liked her, then she was supposed to give her a chance. She wasn't supposed to watch her so carefully until it sent her running for the hills.

"We haven't heard the story of how you guys met." It was Neal who had turned the subject from… well, she had no idea to be honest.

Ariel turned to look at Killian. Her smile reached those green eyes and she looked tempted by what to say next.

Emma wanted to shake her head in disbelief. Ariel had looked at Killian as if this story could possibly be of any interest. But how could it be? How long could he have known her without even mentioning that fact to her? Or to Neal?

Killian was looking back at Ariel. His lips formed a single line in question.

"It wasn't that long ago," she said with a shake of her head.

Killian turned to look back at them from the other side of the table.

"Not long at all," he agreed. "Or else you guys would have known about her."

Of course! So why act like this was the beginning of something when it clearly was not?

"We met at work," Ariel finally answered with a smile.

Which sounded a bit problematic.

Emma couldn't help the glare of surprise she gave him.

This wasn't going to work. And when it all fell through, then what?

"He was sent from the IT department when we were having issues with our computer system," Ariel continued. "And then, Killian being Killian, it was easy to strike up this little friendship."

"How long have you been dating?" Maybe it was out of line, but only because of her tone. Which she was sorry for. "I mean…"

Killian was slow to turn to her. The expression was difficult to read, but maybe he thought that she was a little out of line as well.

Ariel held up two pretty and perfectly manicured nails.

"This is date number two," she answered proudly.

Hmm, interesting.

"A second date and he suggested to make it a double with his best friends?" Emma wondered how she felt about that.

"Oh." Her eyes were wide and innocent. "This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know more about Killian. To be introduced to friends? I was all excited about it."

Emma shrugged. "Well at least a good chance to see how this will go."

She saw the stunned look on her face before the quick recovery.

"I… I…" She turned her attention to Killian. "I hope I do okay." And then she gave a nervous laugh.

"I'm sure." Her focus went from Ariel and back to Killian.

The look he gave her this time was indiscernible, but she could imagine what was on his mind. Why the attack?

Why the attack indeed.

Ariel was too sweet. Too good-natured. She wouldn't be able to give Killian what he needed. Not in any aspect. Didn't he get that?

"Emma."

She turned to see Neal smile at her, but a similar look of what the hell.

She was supposed to be on her best behavior. She was supposed to give this girl a chance. Because she knew how hypocritical it was to have Neal at her side and have feelings for Killian, and then expecting Killian to stay free and clear of any and all females. The fact was that he didn't want her. So shouldn't she be excited for him to be dating?

The reincarnate of any pick of the Disney princess… Hell no!

"Will you guys excuse me for just a moment?" Ariel back her chair away from the table slowly and very carefully.

Killian was quick to raise from his chair as well. Consummate gentleman…

"I'm going to go to the powder room. I'll be right back."

"Emma?"

She glanced at Neal. Did he think she was going to go make girl talk in the bathroom with her? It was almost laughable.

Emma lifted her gaze up at Ariel as she reached for her glass of wine.

It was a mystified look that she shared with Killian before she eventually walked off. Perhaps she was making a bad first impression.

Emma had only taken a brief sip of the wine before she heard the huff of laughter from beside her.
"I get the feeling …"

"Don't start."

"What is the issue?"

She turned to look at Killian then. He was stooped over the table, his gaze straight on her.

"Am I missing something?" he murmured softly. And those eyes roamed over her face. "When I thought about you guys meeting Ariel, I didn't think it would go so bad."

"So what is it, Emma?" Neal's arm wrapped around her chair, bringing him closer to her.

"She's sweet," Emma answered.

"But somehow that doesn't seem like a compliment." Killian leaned back in his own seat and he watched them both. "She doesn't like her?"

"I don't think she likes her." Neal grinned back at him.

"Is 'sweet' what you want, Killian?" Emma asked softly. Because she didn't think so.

The urge to be alone with him was stronger than ever. She wanted to say things that she knew she couldn't. It was for many reasons. Her boyfriend- his best friend- was sitting beside her. There was a woman who seemed to be hopeful of a budding relationship with him. And maybe most significant was the fact that she was in this alone. Just her.

So no, she wouldn't be alone with him in this moment.

"She's more than just sweet," Killian assured her.

He hadn't… Because she felt like her hypocritical heart would betray her if she thought that they had…

"Well you would be the one to know," she agreed pointedly.

"Is that the problem?" He moved then, his hands lying flat on the table before him. "I value your opinion- both of your opinions."

Maybe that chipped her heart just a little bit.

"So… can you give her… a chance here?" He offered the smallest of smiles. "It's early. Only a second date and all."

"Killian, we have your back," Neal told him with a firm nod of his head. "Finding a match isn't the easiest thing to do in the world. Emma," he looked at her then, "just wants you to be happy. Sorry for the…" He cut his own self off to chuckle lightly. "I don't know what that was really."

Neal had apologized, but Killian's eyes was only on her.

Emma didn't know enough about this Ariel woman. And it wasn't fair to Killian to be so rude just because she couldn't have what she wanted.

Okay, there was a bit of jealousy there. But that wasn't the reason she wanted him. She knew that the fact that he was this elusive to her wasn't the reason she craved him so much. She had nothing she could do about it. Nothing that could solve her problems. Not when she was with Neal and he was seeing someone else. Not when she was in this alone.

"I will… keep an open mind," she finally told him. "And I will be honest about whatever it is I think."

Killian shrugged at that response. "It's all I ask."

And she nodded in concession.

Open-minded or not, she knew that Ariel was not the one. If Emma couldn't have him, that didn't mean he got to ride off into the sunset with a bubbly redhead who was nowhere near his match.