Chapter 2: The Thief

"Oi, mate, do you know where I cand find Mrs. Lucas?"

Killian lifted his head from the book he'd been entertaining himself with while he waited for the other new resident to arrive. And from the looks of the man that was standing in front of him, it seemed he had just crossed the door. He had dark hair, cut short and clean, and big brown eyes. He seemed cocky, but in a non-threatening way.

"She's at the back, she'll be here any minute," Killian said, closing his book and standing. "You must be the other resident she was expecting."

"Who wants to know?" the man asked, in a distrustful and guarded voice.

Killian extended his hand. "Killian Jones, former smuggler and new resident."

The man shook his head, smirking, before he reached out to shake Killian's hand. "Will Scarlet, former thief."

"A thief and a smuggler, this reaping surely had been good," Granny said, as she approached them, carrying a tray with another burger and fries and a piece of peach pie. "I'm Granny, dear. Now sit here and have something to eat while I give you the rundown on things. Killian, you have to try the pie, my boy."

Will nodded bashfully before he sat on the stool next to Killian.

Granny threw her dishcloth over her shoulder and put her hands on her hips as she took a look at the two men in front of her. "Alright, here are the rules. You get a room and meals and a job with minimum wage. Killian, you will be a waiter. Will, I think we can use your swift fingers in the kitchen."

"l know nothing about cooking," Will said sheepishly.

Granny gave him a fond smile. "Don't worry, I'll teach you. You never know, it might come in handy." She then turn around to Killian. "And while you'll be the one waiting the tables, in this place all waiters share the tips with the kitchen staff. I hope that is not a problem."

"Not at all," Killian replied.

"Alright, that is settled, then. You both start tomorrow. Take today to unpack, get settled in, get some rest. Will, let me show you the room," Granny said.

Will picked up his bag that lay nearby the door and was turning around to head to the rooms, when the door of the diner opened and hit him forcefully in the back. He stumbled forward as a voice called after him.

"I am so sorry!" Will turned around to see a petite brunette giving him an apologetic smile. He parted his lips in astonishment, not able to speak. He finally shook his head.

"It's fine, lass," he said, as he noted her short plaid skirt and high heels, her petite frame hidden by a long coat. She was carrying a few books that had fallen on the floor and she bent down to start picking them. Will promptly bent down to help her, but she hadn't seen him and accidentally hit his face with her elbow when lifting a book.

"Oi! Ouch! Careful, lady. You are going to hurt someone…" he said, as his hand rubbed his nose.

"Oh gosh, I am so so sorry," she said as her hand reached to his face. The moment her fingers grazed his skin, he froze and lifted his head, his eyes connecting with hers. She had bright blue eyes and a crystalline smile and he couldn't help the goofy smile that spread on his face. She seemed to be feeling the same way, because she leaned in closer, her fingers softly caressing his cheek.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"Aye," he nodded. "I'm Will."

"I'm Belle." She smiled in return.

Granny cocked an eyebrow before she changed her features into a worrying face. "Will, you probably need to put some ice on that before it bruises badly." She turned around and gave Belle a sweet smile. "Belle, can you help Will in the kitchen? He's new around here and still doesn't know where everything is."

"Sure, I'd love to," Belle said, as she and Will slowly stood up, not being able to tear their eyes away from each other.

Killian leaned in his seat to watch them leave, and then cocked an eyebrow at Granny. "What is she? Firefighter? Mayor?"

Granny smiled. "Town librarian. Recently divorced. Her ex husband owned most of the town and she kicked him out on the curb when she found out he was lying to her. She might seem sweet and innocent, but she's no fool. Got herself a badass lawyer from Boston and took almost everything he had."

"Good for her," Killian said, as he took a bit from his pie. "Really, Mrs Lucas, your food is quite the delicious feast."

Granny's chest swelled like a ruffled peacock before she heard the bell signaling an order was ready. As she reached to pick up the order, Killian heard the doorbell announcing a new customer and turned his head around.

He smirked as Emma Swan walked in. "Welcome back, Sheriff Swan," he said in a lilting voice.

She gave him a sideways glance. "You figured out soon enough who I was."

"Didn't even have to leave this place to do it, love." He grinned at her.

"And yet you're still calling me love," she pointed out.

"Is there another moniker you prefer?" he asked smugly, tilting his head, "Princess?"

She scoffed.

"Darling?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Beautiful?"

"Sheriff will do." Her tone was firm, but he could see the hint of a smile she was trying very hard to hide.

Whatever he was going to say next got cut off as Granny approached them and handed a paper bag and a styrofoam cup to Emma. "Your lunch, dear."

"Thank you, Granny. I'll see you soon," she said, as she left some money on the counter and grabbed her paper bag, heading towards the exit.

"I can't wait to see you too, Swan," Killian called after her.

"I wasn't talking about you, Jones," she retorted

She remembered his name. He smiled to himself at that thought as he smugly added, "Yeah, you were."

And then he watched her leave and wondered how much his life had improved in only half a day.