Chapter 3: The Librarian

Will Scarlet was a man on a mission. He had left his thieving days behind and was ready to start a new life. That is why every morning for the past week he had woken up at the crack of dawn, taken a short shower, gotten into his jeans and a shirt and headed to the kitchen, ready to start the new day. Each day Granny would teach him a new recipe and he would execute it almost to perfection, his hands swiftly chopping, seasoning, mixing and stirring.

"You're a natural," Granny commented after she tasted the first batch of lasagna he made that day.

"Thank you, Ma'am," he replied, grinning, before he opened the oven door and pulled out a tray with perfectly baked muffins. "I thought chocolate chips and nutmeg could be a good combination." He explained sheepishly and Granny gave him a soft smile.

"That was a great idea, Will."

The little jingle of the bell above the door signaled the arrival of a new customer and both Granny and Will perked up to see who had entered the diner. Killian was behind the counter and he quickly turned around to cock an eyebrow at Will as Belle walked in.

Will stood there, mouth agape, looking at the petite brunette. Granny gave him a fond smile before she reached to pat his shoulder, "I've got this, dear," she said as she grabbed one of the muffins and headed towards the diner.

"Killian, can you please pour Belle a cup of tea?" Granny asked.

"Coming right up, Milady." Killian bowed as he turned around to fetch Belle some tea in a takeout cup.

"Belle, dear, I need your help with something," Granny said sweetly, "I've been teaching Will to cook these past few days and today he ventured on his own and baked some muffins. Would you try one?"

Belle's face had lit up at the mention of Will's name, her eyes darting furtive glances towards the kitchen. She quickly realized the amused look she was getting from Killian and she masked her features into a feigned uninterested face. "Yes, Granny, I'd love to help you out and try them."

She reached out and took a bite from the muffin, her eyes shutting as she chewed.

"Is it good, lass?" Killian asked, his voice laced with innuendo.

Belle opened her eyes and blushed, "Yes, they are quite good," she said feebly, taking the cup of tea and balancing the muffin in one hand as she left some notes on the counter. "I - I have to go. Have a nice day!" She turned around and quickly headed for the door.

Granny gave Killian a judging glare, "Was that necessary, Killian?"

The bell jingled again and Killian looked up, his features changing into a devilish smirk. "Tell me something, Granny, how come you help Will out and I get nothing?" he asked in a whisper.

Granny glanced over her shoulder and spotted Emma Swan walking into the diner, her eyes rolling slightly at the sight of Killian.

"You can handle yourself, dear," Granny told him with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

"She hasn't given me the time of day all week," Killian sighed.

"Keep trying, loverboy, you'll tear down those walls eventually." She patted him on the arm before turning around and beaming at Emma. "Good morning, Emma, we have some great muffins you should try."

"Thanks, Granny."

Killian turned around, flashing a smile her way, "Good morning, Swan. What can I do for you this lovely morning?"

She rolled her eyes at him, "You're still here." she deadpanned.

"You wound me, love. Are you trying to get rid of me already? We haven't even reached the fun part yet."

"There is no fun part, Killian. And stop calling me love," she sighed.

He leaned over the counter closer to her and her eyes darted lower, examining the chest he'd left exposed by not buttoning his white shirt completely. She quickly recovered and looked up, but he'd noticed and was giving her a satisfied smirk and raising his eyebrow at her.

She scoffed. "Did Granny decide to change the dress code?"

"Why, am I breaking any town ordinances regarding public indecency?" he asked in a husky voice.

"I'm wondering if you are actually capable of buttoning your shirt completely?"

"Would you like to assist me, love?" His tongue darted out, moistening his lower lip.

Emma held his intense stare for a while, before clearing her throat. "Can you get me two orders of pancakes and two hot chocolates with whipped cream?"

"Coming right up, Swan." Killian scribbled the order and sent it to the kitchen.

"I'm going to the bathroom, please pack my order to go."

"Aye."

Her order was ready by the time she was back.

"Well, either you are ravenous or you just order for two," Killian said, leaning closer to her again. "Should I be jealous?"

She leaned in closer this time, her face inches away from his. "Very," she said before her tongue darted out to wet her upper lip. His eyes darkened and he could see her enjoying the effect she had on him for a few seconds before she pulled away. "Have a nice day, Killian. Don't catch a cold."

It took Killian a few seconds to get his bearings after the visual of Emma's wet lips. "Aye," he said, shaking his head.

/-/

Granny was manning the counter later that day when Belle entered the shop, a couple of books under her arm.

"Belle! What can I do for you?"

Belle hesitated, biting her lower lip, before she took a deep breath and started to talk hastily. "I brought these for Will. If he's interested in baking, these have some basic techniques and recipes and other information he might find useful. I - I thought…" she trailed off, embarrassed, placing the books on the counter.

Granny grabbed the books with a fond smile on her face. "Thank you, that is very kind of you. Do you want to give them to him yourself?"

Belle blushed deeply. "Oh no, I - I have to go. Just give them to him."

/-/

It was finally pay day and Will was standing outside of Game of Thorns, a bright smile on his face.

He entered the shop and wandered around curiously before a brown haired middle-aged man approached him.

"I want some flowers," Will said.

"Well, clearly, but what type?"

"I'm not sure." Will looked around.

"Are you trying to impress a lady?"

Will nodded, ducking his head bashfully.

"What does she like?" the man asked.

"I don't know, mate," Will sighed. "I'm new in town and I've just met her."

"Perhaps I know her. What's her name?"

"Belle," Will said, a soft and tender smile coming to his face.

The man looked at him befuddled before his features changed into a daring stare. It confused Will a little and he tilted his head. "Do you know her?"

"I'm her father."

Will's eyebrows shot up in surprise and he internally cursed before he stood proudly and extended his hand, "Will Scarlet, sir, pleased to meet you."

"Moe French." Moe shook Will's hand. "Are you one of Granny's boys?"

"Yes," Will said.

"What were you in for?" Moe asked.

"I might - have - stolen a thing or two," Will explained sheepishly. "But I am not planning to go back into that life, no sir. Granny has been teaching me how to cook and I am doing very well at baking."

Moe lifted his hand to stop him. "I don't care what you were before if you promise to stay on the good side of the law. All I care about is that you do not lie to my baby girl. Her ex-husband lied and lied to her until her entire life crumbled apart."

"I might have been a thief, but I am no liar," Will declared.

"Alright, her favorite were red roses, but her ex-husband ruined them for her. Let's pick out something different for you to take her," Moe said as he motioned Will to come with him to the back of the shop.

/-/

Killian was cleaning up one of the tables when a brown haired kid entered the diner. He could not be more than ten or eleven and he was carrying a large travel bag and a backpack. The kid bounced his way into one of the booths and sat comfortably there.

"Can I help you, lad?" Killian asked in a friendly tone.

"I'll have the pancakes and a milkshake, thank you," the kid said.

"Shouldn't we wait for your parents to see if they are ok with that order?" Killian tilted his head.

"My mom will be right here, she's talking to Leroy outside. But she said it was ok for me to have a milkshake."

"I'd much rather wait for your mother to confirm your order, lad. I'm sure you are telling me the truth, but in case you misunderstood, I don't want to be the one to pick up the tab when she sends back the order."

"Well, you can ask her, she's right there!" The kid pointed to the door opening and Killian turned around. His eyes widened in surprise as Emma Swan walked directly towards them.

"Mom, he didn't want to take my order! He said we had to wait for you," the kid pouted.

"I'm sorry, Swan. I didn't know the lad was your boy," Killian said. "He ordered pancakes and a milkshake… is that ok?"

Emma gave Killian a sheepish smile. "Yeah, that is fine. I'll have coffee only."

"Coming right up," Killian said.

"Thank you, Killian."

When he came back with their order, Emma and her kid were deep in conversation. "Here we go," Killian said. "Coffee for the lady and pancakes and a milkshake for…"

"I'm Henry."

"Henry, nice to meet you. I'm Killian." He bowed his head.

"Are you one of Granny's men? Were you in jail?" Henry asked as he took a sip of his milkshake.

"Henry!" Emma admonished, looking at Killian with an apologetic smile.

Killian smiled as he lifted his left hand to scratch behind his ear.

"Wow… that's a cool scar!" Henry said, "Did you get that in jail too? What did they arrest you for?"

"Henry that is enough!" Emma said in a harsh tone before she lifted her eyes and looked at Killian. "You don't have to say anything."

"Aye." Killian nodded, embarrassed, before turning around and escaping towards the back of the diner.

Emma went quickly after him. "Jones!" she called. He turned around, his eyes not meeting hers.

"I - I'm sorry," she said. "I don't know what got into him."

"He's just curious, love. It's normal, right?" Killian said with a forced smile, "How old is he? Eleven?"

"Ten."

"Aye, he's bound to have questions about all the criminals running around here," Killian said half-jokingly, trying to hide his self-loathing but failing at it if Emma's soft look was any indication.

"Killian… are you ok?"

He lifted his head and his self-deprecating expression almost broke Emma's heart. "I'm fine, love. You don't need to worry about me."

She tried to say something else, but he cut her off. "I- I have to get back to work. Enjoy your meal, Swan," he said, before quickly retreating towards the diner.

/-/

Granny found a gloomy Killian and a pensive Will sharing a bottle of rum at the counter after closing that night. She sighed, throwing her dishcloth over her shoulder before clearing her throat.

"Alright, listen carefully." She pointed at Killian. "Hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon on top, grilled cheese with onion rings. Never fries. Never!" Her gaze turned to Will, "And you: hamburger and fries; vanilla latte and double-layered chocolate cake."

She gave them a final stern glare. "Memorize that, both of you. But most of all, those ladies have been crashed and burned before, they will not open up easily. Be ready to fight for what you want. And be patient."