Chapter 5: The Reformed Hearts

Killian woke up early the next morning with the feeling of a weight being lifted from his shoulders. He got out of bed, took a quick shower and decided to head to the kitchen and make himself a cup of tea. He hadn't had tea in the morning in over a decade, but today it felt like a good idea. His mind was distracted as he left his room and he was taken by surprise when he bumped into someone in the hallway.

"I'm so-" he started, only to shut up in surprise at Belle looking embarrassingly at him.

"I - I was…" she started sheepishly but Killian smirked at her.

"Just go, lass." He smiled and she nodded and quickly headed for the backstairs. Killian waited a few more minutes before he turned around and knocked on Will's door. Will answered immediately, already dressed for the day.

"You couldn't walk her out, mate? That's bad form," Killian spat at him.

"I wanted to," Will retorted, "but she thought there would be less chances of getting caught like this. Now if you'll excuse me, since this is already out, I'm going to walk my lady to her car."

"By all means, Scarlett," Killian said, smiling, as he stood to the side to let Will walk past him and followed him down the hall.

"Why are you up so early anyway?" Will asked.

"Long story. I'll make tea while you see your lady out," Killian replied.

"Aye. I'll be right there," Will promised as he headed towards the back entrance.

Only a few hours later, Belle entered the diner trying to act normal. Killian smirked at her, before he moved to serve a cup of tea.

"Killian, about this morning…" she started nervously, but he raised his hand to stop her.

"A gentleman never tells about a lady's whereabouts, darling." He bent closer, smiling broadly. "And I'm always a gentleman," he finished with a wink.

She smiled at him. "Thank you."

"He's a god lad. I'm happy for the both of you," Killian said, scratching behind his ear.

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Emma sat at the counter of Granny's waiting for her lunch. Her fingers drummed over the surface as she cast a glance towards the back of the diner.

"He's not here," Granny said as she placed a grilled cheese and onion rings in front of her, "he's running some errands for me."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Emma said, a light blush tinting her cheeks and Granny looked at her from underneath her glasses.

"Really, dear? You seem to forget that you lived here for six years. I know you."

"It- It's nothing, really," Emma deflected.

"It's not nothing. And you know it," Granny said in a firm tone. She immediately softened her eyes and reached for Emma's hand. "He's a good man, Emma. Made a few mistakes down the road, like we all did. But he's hard-working and loyal. There's nothing wrong with liking him…"

"I haven't liked anyone in years," Emma said softly.

Granny tilted her head. "All the more reason to give this one a go, don't you think?" she smirked at Emma, before patting her hand and heading to the back of the diner.

Granny lifted her head and stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of Belle and Will melted in an effusive embrace. It took her one second to recover, but she quickly put her hands on her hips and cleared her throat.

Belle and Will stopped their kissing abruptly and quickly pulled apart. Granny lifted an eyebrow at them.

"I probably should go back to the Library," Belle said, ducking her head first and then turning to look at Will., "I'll see you later?"

"Yes, darling," Will replied, giving her an adoring look. Belle got on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek softly before turning around and escaping, not meeting Granny's eyes.

Will's eyes followed Belle before he met Granny's inquisitive stare.

"I'll do right by her, ma'am," he vowed.

"You better."

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Killian was cleaning the counter when his phone beeped with a new message. He threw the dishcloth over his shoulder and reached for his phone in the back pocket of his jeans. A big smile brightened his face when he saw the message.

"What has you smiling so brightly?" A curious voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to see Emma walking in.

"Look, Swan!" he motioned at her eagerly and handed Emma his phone when she was near him. She sat on a stool and looked at a picture of two blonde boys that he had open on his screen."Who are they?" she asked.

Killian beamed with pride. "My nephews, they are 7 and 4." His eyes bored into hers with emotion. "I - I have nephews, Emma. Declan and Phin."

She smiled as she handed him his phone back. "You called your brother."

His hand reached for the phone, his fingers covering hers. "Aye, I did. I wouldn't have done if it weren't for you," he said softly, his eyes shining at her with gratitude. "Thank you, Swan."

"Anytime," she whispered as he finally took the phone from her, removing his hold on her hand. Her fingers trailed after his for a brief moment, before she pulled her hand away. She averted her gaze away shyly.

"I have to go pick up Henry. Can you have two orders of lasagna ready to go for when we get back?" she said as she moved towards the door.

"Aye," he said, his eyes never leaving her frame as she turned around and left.

"If you were looking for a opening, loverboy; that was it."

Killian turned around to see Granny giving him an urging look. "You said you wanted my help? This is me helping. Go!" she ordered.

Killian moved swifly towards the door, opening it and looking around for Emma. She was at the sidewalk, only a few feet away.

"Swan!" he yelled and she turned around to give him a questioning look.

He was by her side in an instant. "Go out with me," he said.

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise and she bit her lower lip, considering it. He tilted his head, his eyes pleading. "Come on, take a leap of faith, lass," he whispered softly.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes."

"Tomorrow?" he asked.

"Sounds good."

"I'll pick you up at 7. Dress casual." He smiled as he grabbed her hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "See you tomorrow night, love." He winked at her before turning around and heading back to the diner.

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Later that night, after closing time, he sat with Will and Belle in one of the booths, a pitch of beer for the three of them.

"We can call Moe, he'll set you up with some nice flowers," Will offered and Belle shot him a surprised look.

"You and my father are on a first name basis?"

Will gave her a cheeky grin. "Your father adores me, doll. He thinks I'm a great improvement from your ex husband."

Killian chuckled and Belle rolled her eyes fondly at Will before she turned around to face Killian.

"You need a car," Belle said as she took a set of keys from her pocket and slid them over the table towards him. "Take my ex's Cadillac."

"I can't take it," Killian said.

"Please, it's sitting there in the garage, hardly being used. Take it. Emma needs some romance in her life. Go woo her!" she cheered him on.

"Do you know where you are taking her?" Will asked.

"I have an idea," Killian smirked, cocking an eyebrow and reaching to take a sip of his beer.

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He knocked on her door and stood nervously, holding a bouquet of yellow tulips. Emma opened the door and his eyes scanned her. She was wearing jeans and a green halter top. He looked at her dumbfounded.

"You look stunning, Swan," he said.

She smiled at him and it was her turn to admire his tight jeans, black button-up shirt with a few of them left open and black leather jacket.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she said in a flirty tone and he chuckled.

"For you…" he said, as he handed her the tulips.

Her eyes brightened as she took the flowers, her fingers softly touching one of the petals. "Do they have a special meaning?"

"There's sunshine in your smile," he whispered softly, his face filled with tender affection.

She beamed at him. "Let me put these in water and we can head out. Come in."

Killian took a couple of steps, entering the house and standing in the hallway. He spotted Henry coming his way.

"Are you taking my mom out?" Henry asked in a serious tone.

"Yes," Killian admitted. "But don't worry lad, your mother couldn't be in better hands."

Henry crossed his arms in front of his chest, putting on a menacing look. "I know a lot of people that can make you disappear if you hurt her."

"Henry!" Emma admonished him as she walked back.

Killian bowed his head to Henry. "I'm sure you do, Henry. But I have no intentions of ever hurting your mother," he promised.

"Good." Henry said.

"Henry, Regina texted me, she'll be here in five minutes. Go grab your things and be ready, ok?" Emma said, as she ruffled her son's hair and pressed a soft kiss to his head.

"Alright mom, have fun," Henry said.

"Let's go," Emma said, and Killian led her to the exit, his hand resting gently on her back.

Emma whistled appreciatively when he opened the door of the Cadillac for her. "Do I want to ask how you ended up driving this car?" she asked as she sat on the passenger's side.

"I have full permission from the current owner, Swan. No need to go all sheriff on me, love," Killian said as he leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Besides, I was a smuggler, not a car thief."

"That was my specialty, actually," she replied.

"Was it?" He cocked an eyebrow at her. "No wonder why you're so good at picking locks." He reached for the inner pocket of his jacket and retrieved a folded piece of paper. "For you."

Emma took the paper, unfolded it and read the note.

Stop giving the man a hard time and enjoy your date. Belle.

Emma chuckled and her eyes lifted to meet Killian's. "Are we good now?" he asked smugly.

"We are."

He drove them to a local bar in a town nearby, known for its live music events and delicious food. When they got out of the car, he reached for her hand and pulled her to him. He tilted his head, his eyes boring into hers as he spoke softly, "Emma, I am going to do something now, because it has been on my mind since the moment I first saw you." His eyes sought silently for permission and she leaned in a fraction, giving it to him. His hand cradled her face and he closed the distance, kissing her softly, his warm lips moving slowly against hers. It was a short kiss, but they both looked dazzled when they broke it.

"Well, that takes the pressure off," Emma said, as her tongue darted to wet her lips.

"It does, doesn't it?" he whispered softly as his hand played with her hair.

She bit her lower lip, her eyes darting to his lips before she crushed her lips to his, the kiss longer and more passionate this time. "Just to be sure," she whispered when they pulled apart.

He smiled as he interlaced his fingers with hers and led them to the bar. They found a booth near the stage and they sat next to each other. They don't quite recall what the band played that night, as they were too busy talking to each other, pressing kisses against each other's lips, their hands touching. He leaned in, his arm crossing to place his hand on her shoulder, pulling her closer and she snuggled into him. It felt easy, it felt like it was meant to be. They danced in the middle of the bar, slowly swaying close, their hands wandering and exploring each other.

At the end of the date, Killian found himself kissing her by her door, her body pressed against the doorframe as she pulled him closer to her.

She smiled. "I haven't done this in years," she confessed and he knew she wasn't talking about letting someone into her apartment for the night. "Last time I did this, I ended up in jail."

He smiled at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Last time I did this, it ended badly too, and my life spiraled into the one that landed me in jail… but I am tired of living in the past." He rested his forehead against hers. "I am trying to move on, Swan. And I'd like it to be with you."

"Keep talking," she whispered.

His nose nuzzled hers. "Do you like it when I talk, love?"

"And keep calling me love," she said as she reached behind her to twist her doorknob.

His eyes bored into hers. "I thought you didn't like it when I called you love."

"I lied," she whispered against his lips as she pulled him into her place.

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He quickly entered the diner the morning after, hair damp and buttoning his shirt.

"You're late, boy," Granny told him. "How come you are late when you live right upstairs?" she asked, as she cocked an eyebrow at him.

"I - my alarm didn't go off," Killian said, scratching behind his ear.

Granny placed a hand on her hip. "Please, like I didn't notice that you just walked into the back two minutes ago and changed your shirt from last night into the one that Will handed over to you. You think I was born yesterday?" She rolled her eyes, "And I can bet our Sheriff will be walking in that door in 5, 4, 3, 2..." Granny mouthed the last number, pointing with her finger and right on cue, Emma walked into the dinner.

She stopped dead in her tracks as she took in Killian's dumbstruck expression and Granny turned around to raise an eyebrow at her.

"Go sit on that booth over there, you two. I'll serve you breakfast myself."

Killian chuckled before he reached for Emma's hand. "We've been busted, Swan," he said and he leaned in to to kiss her.