Key

Separate Lives Verse

He drifted awake slowly, drowsily, as he felt movement in his room. His eyes tried to adjust to the dimly lit room. His sleepy gaze finally zoomed in on the figure that was moving around his bedroom.

"Swan?!" He asked sleepily, his voice hoarse.

"Shh… go back to sleep, I'll be right there." She said as she fumbled and he heard the distinct sound of clothing being pulled and put on.

"What are you doing here? At 2 am?" He asked after taking a look at his alarm clock.

"My stakeout was completely pointless and it's freezing outside and I thought I should call it a night." She said, taking a moment to hesitantly continue. "Henry is at Regina's and I did not feel like going back home to…" She trailed off, the end of the sentence hanging unspoken between them: an empty bed without you.

He smiled in the dim light of the room, "Come here…" He said as he pushed the blankets so she could join him.

"Just a minute, I'm trying to find some flannel pajama pants… I'm terribly cold." She said as she searched around the room. "You know…" She continued. "I'm surprised I didn't wake you up earlier. Aren't you supposed to sleep with one eye open and your hook always at the ready?" She teased as she got in the bed with him.

"I've had no reason to fear mutiny or someone trying to murder me in my sleep in more than three years, Swan. I've let my guard down a little…" He said as he moved over to trap her in his arms. "Which brings me to a very important question, love: how did you get in?" He asked as he nuzzled her neck.

"I picked your lock." She replied nonchalantly as she spooned closer to him.

"Emma, you have to stop picking my lock to get in," He sighed. "You are aware that it's a crime and I am a police officer?" He said intently.

"By all means, officer, handcuff me and take me into your custody." She teased him and he chuckled, pulling her closer to him. "This feels nice," She sighed. "I was so cold in that damn car. I'm beaten up."

"Do you want me to fetch you some tea to warm you up, love?" He offered.

"No, go back to sleep… I'm perfect now." She said as she started to fall asleep. "This is all I needed."

"You are welcome to my bed anytime, Swan." He said, falling asleep as well. "I'll get you a spare key tomorrow…"

/-/

When she woke up the next morning, he was gone already. She checked the alarm clock to see she had overslept and it was past 9.30am. She yawned and made her way to the kitchen, desperate for some coffee and food. The sight on the kitchen counter melted her heart. There was coffee done and kept warm on the coffee pot and a covered plate next to it. She got closer to find a note on top of it.

Swan, you looked so peaceful that I couldn't wake you.
There's coffee and an omelette that I hope helps keeping you warm this morning.
I love you, Killian
PS: Please use this and stop picking my lock. I'd love to handcuff you, love, but under very different circumstances.

She rolled her eyes but giggled at the same time. Her eyes spotted a key right next to the plate. Her heart did a funny dance as she grabbed the key and held it to her chest. As she started to attack the omelette and sipped her coffee, an idea came to her mind and she smirked.

/-/

Emma walked into the bakery hesitantly. This was strange territory for her and while she and Laura had bonded over the past few weeks, she still felt a little out of place. She only had a few seconds to feel weird before she head Laura calling to her.

"Emma! It's so great to see you here!" Laura approached her smiling and was almost about to hug her, but she refrained herself. "Sorry, we are heavy huggers, it's my first impulse." She said sheepishly.

Emma smiled at her. "I know…" She replied. "Listen, it's about Killian. I-I have a favor to ask." She said blushing and Laura put a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "Let's head to the back, I'll make us some tea and you can tell me what you are thinking." She beamed at her as she motioned Emma to the backdoor.

A few minutes later they were sitting with tea and cannoli, and Emma had told Laura that she wanted to do something special for Killian. "He's always doing these little things for me, or getting me flowers and…" She stuttered. "I'm really bad at these things, but I want to do something for him." She sighed.

Laura was positively glowing. "Oh, you've come to the right place. First, and this might come as a surprise, but cannoli is not actually Killian's favorite pastry." Laura stated.

"It's not?" Emma asked curious.

"Nope. Like Mac, he's a sucker for cornetti filled with Nutella." Laura smiled.

"Oh yes, Nutella…" Emma trailed off remembering a certain time when she got introduced to a jar of Nutella by Killian, which ended up in other enjoyable activities.

Laura cleared her throat while trying to hide a smile and Emma blushed, "So… cornetti then. Do you have any available?"

"Yes, let me get them for you in a package to go." Laura said. "Anything else?"

"Can you give me directions for Vinnie's flower shop?" Emma asked.

Laura smiled. "It's two blocks away from here…" She pulled her cellphone. "Let me call him and tell him you need a delivery done. He'd be thrilled to do it. He'll go overboard." She dialed in. "Actually, I think I'll send Mac some cornetti too."

Twenty minutes later, Emma left the flower shop with a smirk on her face.

/-/

Killian's head was buried in paperwork, his hand playing with a pen. He heard a distinct voice calling for him and he looked up.

"Vinnie?" He asked surprised.

Vinnie was smirking to him, holding a bouquet of forget-me-nots, a Styrofoam cup and two wrapped packages.

"I have a delivery for you, Lieutenant Jones," He said cockily. "Some very striking blonde, who it's too good for a rascal like you if I might add; dropped by the shop and asked me to give these to you." He said as he put the flowers, the cup and one of the packages on his desk.

Killian looked dazzled at his desk and he heard Mac's chuckle. "Don't laugh that much, Lieutenant Sanders," Vinnie said turning around. "Your wife, who we all know you don't deserve, sent you this." He said as he gave Mac the other package.

"Oh, I know I don't deserve her," Mac confirmed. "But I'm not giving her up, buddy." He winked.

Vinnie turned around at Killian, who had opened the package to find the cornetti and his mouth was watering at the smell, "I'd be careful with that cup, detective, it's pretty loaded." He smiled and then waved at them. "Ciao, boys."

Killian looked at the cup curiously before turning it around. And then his heart skipped a beat. A key was taped to the coffee cup sleeve, and a little note was pinned next to it. He quickly opened the note.

I'm pretty sure you are more than able to pick my lock (pirate), but I thought I'd save you the trouble.
After all, it would be bad form to be caught breaking the law, Lieutenant.
I love you, Emma.
PS: You are welcome to my bed anytime, Hook.

He smiled broadly. Whatever had conspired to have his Swan finally with him like this, he was thankful.