Thicker than Water Part II

by Sara K M

Sequel to the original Thicker than Water. The Charmings' have found each other (again), after Storybrooke was destroyed. Now they face even more challenges as they adjust to life in the real world. Pairings: Mostly Snowing and also minor Abirick. Eventual Captain Swan and Red/OC

40. Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Disclaimers: I don't own Once Upon a Time. Also, this is a sequel to the original "Thicker than Water" written by La Lisboa.

Thanks to Lisboa for betaing and letting me use her story as a starting point.

Emma thought about what Ruby had said to her at the fundraiser dance for the next few days. Of course, Emma didn't believe she could have what her parents had with Killian; that was impossible. She wasn't even sure if she could have that kind of relationship with Neal, even though she had loved him. Still, some of what Ruby said was true. Ruby had loved Peter, and she lost him. But she was able to be happy with someone else. Justin. Was it possible Emma could be happy spending time with Killian, even if he wasn't her True Love?

After all, Emma already enjoyed talking to him. Killian certainly was funny; his sense of humor was closer to hers than anyone else's she knew. And she was very proud of him for taking the green card she'd offered instead returning to piracy when he got out of prison. He'd even used it to get a job in Bangor, instead of returning to live on The Jolly Roger, like he had been doing before. Emma respected him for making his way in this world. She'd done the same thing when she'd got out prison, and it hadn't been easy. More important than that, Killian always made a point to talk to Henry when he came over. He seemed to want to make friends with her son as well. Henry had even begun to respond to Killian. So yes, Killian already made her happy. Wouldn't he make her even happier if she let herself kiss him as well?

Emma let herself think about something she'd ignored for weeks: how it felt to kiss Killian. His lips were firm, but gentle as they had pressed against hers. His hands had ran through her hair while she'd rubbed the scruff on his face. It had been wonderful, Emma admitted to herself. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had such a wonderful kiss. With Neal, maybe?

Then Emma shook her head violently. It couldn't have been as wonderful as kissing Neal. After all, Emma had loved Neal. She had accepted that Neal was dead and was ready to move on with Henry and her parents. But she missed him sometimes. Of course she did; Neal was her chance at True Love. So there was no way kissing Killian could be anywhere as wonderful as kissing Neal. So, in that case, maybe she shouldn't kiss Killian or go out with him.

Besides, there was a big part of Emma that still expected Killian to return to The Jolly Roger soon. Even if he didn't return to piracy, he might want to live on his ship again. Emma had known Killian, on and off, for about two years, and he always took his ship with him wherever he went. The idea that Killian would just leave it docked and move inland was hard to swallow. Didn't he miss his ship? Didn't he miss the sea? If he was going to leave her, she certainly wasn't going to let herself get closer to him.

On the other hand, he'd been in Bangor for over a month now and showed no signs of leaving yet. Emma had never expected him to stay that long. He'd even found a job that seemed to fit him. A job at a boat shop. He seemed pretty happy when she saw him. So…did that mean he was happy here? And speaking of being happy, what about Neal? Emma hoped he was happy, wherever he was. So…did that mean Emma should be happy, too? Of course, Emma was content with Henry and with her parents. But she was delighted to have Killian around, too. Would Neal want her to be happy with Killian? Would Neal encourage her to…date Killian? Emma remembered what she told Henry last year, before the memorial service. "He would want you to be happy." Did that sentiment apply to Emma as well? She liked to think it would. Neal told Emma he loved her, too, after all.

Emma was happy spending time with Killian, but she…might be happier if they were dating. If she didn't resist him trying to kiss her so much. It wasn't as if she planned on falling in love with him or anything. That was impossible, after all. "Just try one date," Ruby had suggested. That sounded like a good idea. One date at a time. Keep it causal.

Now that Emma had finally made her decision, she needed to find a way to tell Killian she was ready to change their relationship. She waited until the next time he came by their house. She didn't have to wait long, as Emma saw him appear the next day, looking as handsome and sexy as he always did. Emma took a deep breath as he came to the door.

"Waiting for me, Swan?" Killian gave her his smug grin as she opened the door.

Emma shrugged. It was one of Killian's more annoying traits; he could be quite full of himself. So she wasn't about to admit he was right.

"Henry, what are you up to, mate?" he asked, turning his attention to her son.

"Playing my Gameboy," Henry replied, his focus obviously on the game.

Killian shrugged. "I'll never understand the strange trinkets of this world."

"It takes a while to get used to," Snow agreed, as she mixed something together. Emma assumed it was for dinner tonight.

"Let's go outside," Emma suggested to him. Everyone else nodded. Emma often wanted to spend time with Killian outside their house, so it was nothing usual. For Emma it was the perfect way to be alone with him and at the same time make it clear they weren't dating, because they rarely went anywhere. Until now, that is.

"How's it going with the job? Did you raise a lot of money from the dance?" Killian asked as they stepped into the small backyard.

Emma smiled. "Chief Winslow seemed pretty pleased with the profits. He said he wants to use the money to get some new equipment, so that should be nice."

"Aye. Of course, I had fun either way, but I'm happy to hear it helped you as well."

Emma nodded. "Thanks." She glanced around the neighborhood for a minute, briefly considering fleeing. Could she really do this? "What are you doing this Friday night?" she asked in a rush.

Killian shrugged. "Nothing. Why?"

"I – wanted to see – if you would – go to dinner with me," she replied, in a bigger rush than she had before.

Killian smirked. "Come again, Swan? I didn't hear you."

Emma sighed. "I said, 'I wanted to see if you would go to dinner with me.' As a date," she added.

Killian's face broke into a huge grin. Not his "I knew it" grin, but a real, happy grin. "Bloody wonderful, Swan."

Emma smiled at him. "I'm glad you think so. I had a lot of fun with you last weekend. I always do. But I have to admit, I might have more fun if I allowed myself to kiss you again."

"Glad you finally realize that, Swan." He wore the smug grin again. "Of course, you pushing me away wasn't so bad, either. Pretty hot. As long as we're allowed to kiss in the end, it could be considered foreplay."

Hmmmm. "You think so, huh?" Emma replied smugly. She leaned over to kiss him, but as he leaned toward her she pushed him right on the ground.

Killian looked surprised for a second, but instead of getting up and walking away like he usually did, he grabbed Emma's arm and tried to pull her on top of him. But Emma smirked. She knew how to break from a hold like that. So she twisted herself out of his grasp, laughing.

Killian laughed too, and ran after her. They playfully wrestled for the next few minutes, until Killian finally caught her between his hands, with her back against the side of the house. Then Emma gave in and let him kiss her. It was just as good as she remembered.

Emma was still in the middle of enjoying the kiss when she suddenly heard David's voice. "What's going on here?" She and Killian broke a part immediately.

"What are you doing here, David?" Emma asked, annoyed. She glared over shoulder at David. Her father had his hands on his hips.

"I believe what's going on is obvious, mate," Killian snapped at him.

"Why did I hear a crash against the house?" David snapped back. "Emma has made it quite clear she doesn't want any more kisses from you. So what were you doing to her?" He grabbed Killian and yanked him away from Emma.

Killian shrugged. "Kissing her. Emma changed her mind."

Emma sighed. "Yeah…I guess I did. We were just fooling around, David. That was the crash you heard."

David looked completely shocked.

"I'll see you on Friday, Swan?" Kilian called as he walked off. "Wear something sexy!"

David was looked like he was about to run off and attack Killian, so Emma grabbed his arm. "I told him…I'd go out with him this Friday. As a…date, I guess."

David nodded. "I see. Let's go inside. Snow's got dinner almost ready."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOO

Henry didn't know what to think about his Mom and…Killian. He'd only recently started thinking of him as Killian. When he first saw him in Old Orchard Beach, all Henry had seen was Captain Hook, who was trying to use his mom as a conquest. But the man had tried to show Henry he wasn't a villain anymore. And since he'd arrived in Bangor, the former pirate appeared to have accepted that Mom only wanted friendship. He'd also tried to make friends with Henry. So, Henry had decided…Killian was alright.

But the other day Henry had heard some strange noises from the backyard. When he'd peeked through the window, he noticed Killian had Mom pushed up against the wall and was kissing her! Henry was just about to follow Grandpa outside. He needed to explain to the former pirate why kissing his mother was not acceptable. But Killian disappeared before Henry could do so. And Mom came back inside with a big smile on her face.

Now it was Friday night and Mom was trying to decide what to wear to her date with Killian. She put on a pair of black jeans and a red shirt. "How about this one?" she asked Grandma. "I wanted to wear something nice, but he said to wear something sexy…I don't know. The only sexy dress I have is the one I wore to the dance last weekend! Maybe I should just wear that again. Killian liked that one, after all."

Grandma nodded. "Yes, that was a very pretty dress, Emma. I think Killian would like to see it again. But…I suppose this is a nice outfit, too."

Henry shook his head as he watched his mother look at herself in the mirror again. What was his mother doing? Did she really believe Killian wasn't using her as conquest? Even if he wasn't, how could Mom forget about Dad? At least Grandpa realized this was a bad idea. Henry looked over at his grandfather, who was sitting on the couch, grunting.

Mom picked up the red dress from last weekend again. "I'm still not all that comfortable in dresses though…" She looked down at the jeans she was wearing. "I think these look pretty sexy…"

Grandpa grunted loudly at that. And Henry finally had enough. "Mom this a bad idea! Why can't you see that?" he shouted to her. "Just tell Killian you changed your mind!"

Mom entered Henry's bedroom and sat next to him on his bead. "I'm sorry, Henry," she told him. "I should have talked to you first when I decided to ask Killian on a date. I guess I was so…uncomfortable with asking him, I didn't think about it."

Mom had asked Killian on a date, instead of the other way around? This got better and better! "I thought you just wanted to be friends with him Mom. You said the kiss in Old Orchard Beach was a mistake."

Mom shrugged. "I did want to be friends with him…sort of, I guess. Henry, I wasn't willing to admit it, but I've had feelings for Killian for a while. Now I've decided to try doing something about them."

Henry shook his head. "It's still a bad idea. How do you know he's not just playing a game with you? Win you as a conquest or something?"

Mom looked concerned for a minute at that. Good. "I don't think so, Henry," she replied finally. "He isn't a villain who only cares about stealing treasure anymore. He cares about people. About me. About you."

Henry shook his head. "I know he isn't a villain anymore, Mom. But he doesn't have to be a villain to play games with your heart. Remember Michelle?" Henry thought about the girl he dated a couple of times last spring. He'd thought she'd become his True Love someday. Instead she'd broken his heart.

Mom shrugged. "I know that too, Henry. But I thought I'd try a date with Killian, anyway. I'm going to keep it causal. So it won't matter so much when it doesn't work out. I know he's not my True Love."

Well, that sounded a little better. But still… "Speaking of True Love, wasn't Dad yours? Would he want you to date another man? Especially the man who tried to kill his father?"

Emma sighed. "I don't know, Henry. I think Neal might have been my True Love, although it's hard to tell because he died before we could try anything again. And I had the same concerns when I thought about asking Killian on a date. But…remember what I told you last year before the memorial? About how Neal would want you to be happy? Because that's why he fell through the portal? So you'd have a better life than he did?"

Henry thought for a minute and then nodded.

"Well, I'd like to believe he'd want me to be happy, too, Henry. Killian does make me happy. Even if it's only temporary."

Henry stared at his hands for a minute thinking. What his mom said made sense. But Henry still didn't like the idea of Mom dating the man who tried to kill Grandpa Rumple, even if Killian was sorry about that. Besides, did this mean Mom was happy Dad died? How could she? "Are you happy Dad is dead?" Henry snapped. "Because it sounds like it doesn't matter to you as long as you can be happy again."

Emma shook her head firmly. "Of course not, Henry. I was really upset for a long time when Neal died. And I'll never be happy he died, I promise you. But I think…Killian could make my life better than it is. For a while anyway."

Henry sighed. "I still don't know if this is a good idea."

"I don't either, Henry," she told him honestly as she looked him in the eyes. "That's why I'm taking this one date at a time."

Just then there was a knock at the front door. "That must be him," Mom announced, getting up. "I'm sorry again, Henry," she added as she walked out of his bedroom. "I really should have talked to you about this before."

Henry could hear Killian talking to Mom in the living room.

Grandpa finally opened his mouth other than to grunt. "You'd best bring her back by ten at the latest," he snapped. "And if you ever do anything to hurt her, Snow and I will hunt you down and beat you to a pulp. Do you understand?"

"Of course, mate," Kilian replied.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

The next evening Killian came by he brought a deck of cards and asked their whole family to play. Henry had to admit, he liked how Killian tried to include all of them for some activities. He still remembered how much fun they had going sailing. Henry watched Killian interact with his mother, and he admitted she seemed to be enjoying her time with him. He seemed to treat her respectfully. He often put his arm around her (which Grandpa didn't like), but that was all. He talked to Mom and listened to what she said. Maybe…someday Henry would accept Killian.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOOOO

The former pirate was really getting on David's nerves. Ever since Emma had agreed to go on a "date" with Killian, it seemed he was at their house all the time. In the past week he and Emma had…wrestled and kissed two more times in the backyard. David's instincts were to stop them before they started, but as he'd told Snow before, Emma could take care of herself. What he didn't understand was why Emma seemed to be enjoying the wrestling/kissing matches. "Are you sure you want to be doing this with him?" David asked her several times.

Emma shrugged and nodded. "Yeah."

What was even worse was that the former pirate didn't even seem to be intimated by David! He'd wrap his arm around Emma frequently when he came to visit. And David's deadly glares didn't affect him at all. The former pirate even expected David, Snow, and Henry to become friends. David shook his head at the way he'd make a point to talk to Henry every time he came over, and would often try to talk to him and Snow as well. Of course, David did his best to ignore him, but Henry seemed to respond to the pirate sometimes. Will I lose Emma and Henry quicker than I thought? The first time Emma had gone to dinner with the former pirate, Henry had been upset. David had hoped maybe…he wouldn't lose Henry after all.

Snow was more hesitant to talk to the man than Henry, but she seemed okay with having him in the house. She even insisted she and David play cards with Emma, Henry and…the former pirate last week. Tonight, Emma and the man had gone to another restaurant. David stared at the clock the whole time she was gone, just like he'd done last week. "What do you think of…following them the next time they go out?" he muttered to Snow as he stared at the clock again.

"What have you told me about…letting Emma take care of herself?" Snow whispered back.

David just grumbled at that.

"Henry how about we take a look at your storybook?" Snow asked. She was obviously trying to get David's mind on something else. A part of David wanted to tell Snow "no." He didn't want to "get his mind on something else." But one look at Henry's excited face, and David couldn't say no. It was nice that book was still his favorite. Besides, this might be one of his last chances to spend with Henry. Soon, Henry would rather be with the pirate guy.

So David, Snow, and Henry took turns reading stories about the Enchanted Forest while they waited for Emma to return. David even managed to avoid looking at the clock for…about ten minutes.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Emma and the former pirate returned at ten o'clock, just as they promised they would. They were both laughing. David hated that. "So I'll see you soon?" Emma asked as she came in the door.

"Of course, Swan," the man replied, grinning.

That was it. David grabbed the man and shoved him out the door. "Goodbye!" he called as he did so.

Emma didn't talk to him for the rest of the night.

OOOOOOOOOOO

That night as David and Snow got into bed, she asked him, "Charming. do you think you're being too hard on Killian?"

Oh, so Snow was calling him Killian, too now? "Why are you calling him that?" he grumbled pushing away from her about half a foot on the bed.

"Only recently," she insisted. "I wasn't sure about him when he started coming around, either, remember? But Charming, the man has done everything we asked him to do. He waited for Emma to pursue a romantic relationship with her. He's been here for over a month and shows no signs of leaving. He even found a job and an apartment here."

"I know," David grumbled. "That makes me even angrier at him. I don't have a good reason to get rid of him anymore."

Snow sighed and reached for his hand. He supposed he shouldn't be taking his anger on the former pirate out on her. He knew he hurt her when he pushed away like that. So he moved back to sit close to her again. She smiled at that. "So this isn't about protecting Emma, is it?"

David looked at his hands. "Not really," he muttered. "I mean, I still worry about Emma getting hurt," he began explaining, a little louder. "But I know Emma can take care of herself. And I know we'll take care of him if he ever does hurt her." He smiled lovingly at her at that.

"Of course," Snow agreed.

"But…I just hate that I'm losing Emma, Snow," he sighed. "I've only just started to bond with her. And now she's got a new man in her life. Someday…she'll marry him, and he'll be more important to her than me. And Henry, too. Right now, I'm the man he looks up to. But he's already warming up to…the other man. When they get married, he'll take them both away, Snow." Tears began to fill David's eyes as he finished the speech.

Snow reached up and tenderly wiped the tears from his eyes. "Oh Charming," she whispered. She kissed both of his wet cheeks. "First of all, I think you're assuming too much. Emma has only just accepted she has feelings for Killian." Killian again, huh? The use of that name still bothered David. "There's no guarantee that they'll get married," Snow continued.

David shrugged sadly. "There's no guarantee they won't, either."

Snow nodded. "True," she admitted. "But Charming, Emma isn't going to disappear from our lives if that happens. She'll always be our daughter. Henry will always be our grandson."

"It won't be the same," David grumbled.

"I know," Snow admitted. "I know it will be hard if that happens. And not just for you, either. I don't like the idea of sharing Emma and Henry with someone else. But David…do you remember how upset we were when we realized that Emma loved Neal, and he died?"

David didn't like think about that, but he nodded. He remembered.

"We thought Emma had lost her chance at True Love. But…maybe she hasn't. Think how happy that would make her."

David nodded. He did want Emma to have True Love. He wanted her to have the same joy that he had with Snow. He…just hated that there was a price for it. And David would have to pay it. He sighed. He supposed it was better that he pay the price than Emma pay the price. "Yeah, I know," he admitted to Snow.

Snow leaned over and kissed him. "You told me that you could read Emma's facial expressions well because they were just like mine. So tell me, is she happy right now?"

David looked at his hands again. "I've never seen her so happy," he finally admitted.

Snow nodded. "Then that's the important thing, Charming. If Killian makes her happy, then we should accept him in her life. I think she'd be happier if we all got along. Do you remember how Emma reacted when you punched Killian when we came out of the tavern place?"

David nodded.

"And she didn't talk to you at all after you shoved Kilian out the door, either. Emma and Killian keep scheduling "family time," too." They both remembered the time they went sailing and the card game last week. "When you introduced me to your mother, do you remember how glad you were that we got along?"

David sighed. Snow was right. "Yes. Okay, I'll try to be nicer to…to…Killian."

Snow smiled brightly use of the other man's name. "Thank you, Charming." Then she wrapped her arms around him and began rubbing his back. "Even if Emma does marry Killian, you'll always have me, you know."

"Thank goodness for that," he replied as he began kissing her and undressing her. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she replied. "Always." With that she pulled down his underwear.

OOOOOOOOOOO

The next time the former pirate came by their house, David tried his best to be nicer. He even said, "Hello, Killian," instead of grunting when he saw the other man.

Killian's eyebrows raised at the use of his first name. "Hey, mate," he replied. David hoped Killian didn't expect David to call him "mate" as well, though. Calling the man by his first name, he could handle. Calling him "mate"…didn't that mean they were friends? That was taking things a bit too far.

Still, Emma seemed quite happy David was being nice to Killian. And that made it worth it.

Henry also gave the man the pumpkin he ordered that day. "Here," he told the other man, "this came in for you yesterday."

The former pirate nodded warmly to Henry. "It looks perfect, mate," he said examining the medium – sized pumpkin. "So I can just take it home with me, then?"

Emma nodded. "Yep. Put in your window. If you want to, you can put a face on it or something."

The man shook his head again, as he examined the pumpkin. He obviously thought it was a strange custom. David had to admit last year, he'd thought so as well. But this year, he was a little more used to this world and its festivals. "Aye," he replied finally. "Sounds like a great idea. I'll try that out when I get home."

OOOOOOOOO

But even though David was trying to accept Killian, he was still happy when the man finally left and their family could return to normal. It was particularly true that night. Their pumpkin had arrived as well, and Henry was all excited to carve it. David was quite excited as well, especially considering Henry had made it clear he only wanted the four of them doing it together. Maybe David wouldn't lose Henry as quickly as he thought.

They all gathered at the kitchen table with the pumpkin, a large knife, and a trash bin. "So which face do you want on the pumpkin, Henry?" Emma asked. "Do you want it like this?" She drew a sketch of a pumpkin with two triangles for eyes and a triangle for a nose, and a toothy grin. "Or like this?" She drew a variation, with the same mouth but circles for eyes. "Or like this?" She drew triangles for eyes again, but a smile face for a mouth.

"This one," Henry replied finally, pointing to the picture with the smiley face. "Because I'm a lot happier this year than I was last year at this time. I've decided my other Mom would be okay with me enjoying Halloween, after all."

David's heart soared at that. He tussled his grandson's hair to show his affection. "That's great, Henry," Emma told him at the same time.

"Definitely," Snow agreed. "I'll draw the picture on the pumpkin, and you and Grandpa can carve it, okay?"

Henry nodded eagerly.

An hour later, a smiling pumpkin with triangles for eyes and a nose looked back at them. "It looks great!" Henry exclaimed.

"Perfect," everyone else agreed together.

OOOOOOOOOO

The next day, when…that man…Killian arrived after dinner, David managed to say hello to him again.

"Your pumpkin looks great," Killian commented," looking at the face on the doorstep.

"I carved it myself!" Henry called out proudly.

Emma smiled at the man. She did look happy, David supposed. "It was a group effort, actually."

"I was wondering if you wanted to see mine tonight, Swan. My pumpkin, I mean. I've got a great face on it, if I do say so myself. And you haven't seen my place yet anyway, so I thought maybe…"

David shook his head as warning bells went off in his mind. Objectively, the invitation sounded innocent. Both Emma and…this Killian were interested in decorating the pumpkins, so he wanted to show her his. But Killian was planning on brining Emma to his apartment to do it. Alone. Any father would be uncomfortable with their daughter being alone with a man that was interested in her. Especially if that daughter was also interested in the man as well. Who knew what could happen? But…David was afraid that with Emma, it might be even worse. She had grown up in a world which seemed to have…incorrect morals about sexual intimacy. Plus, Emma was so independent. David hated to admit it, but he could see her pursuing an intimate relationship with Killian. And what about Killian? Even though the man was obviously trying to change his ways, he had still been a pirate.

"Yeah," Emma replied, interrupting David's thoughts. "I think that would be fun."

Killian grinned and David wanted to wipe it off his face with his fist. But instead he just screamed, "Absolutely not! You're not going to his apartment, alone, Emma."

Emma looked at David, shocked. "You're kidding, right? You can't actually believe you can decide where I go on a date. I'm an adult!"

David shook his head. "But you're still my daughter, Emma. In the Enchanted Forest, you'd never be able to go somewhere alone with someone who was courting you."

"Well, this isn't the Enchanted Forest, in case you haven't noticed. I can do whatever I want! I've been doing whatever I want for the past thirty years!"

David sighed. "Only because you didn't have anyone who cared about you enough to look after you. Now you do, and I'm going to make sure you don't end up in an improper situation."

"An improper situation?" Killian asked, interrupting David and Emma's argument. "Just what do you think I was planning, mate? Did you think I was going to seduce her? All I was going to bloody do was show her my decorated pumpkin, and I thought she might like to see the rest of the apartment, too. That's it."

David nodded. "Yes, I figured as much, but thank you for telling me anyway. But I also know that…things can heat up unexpectedly when you're alone with someone you're…involved with." How many times had that happened with Snow since they got married? They planned on spending time taking a walk through the forest or reading a book…and they'd end up doing something else instead.

Emma nodded. "Okay, but even if I did end up sleeping with him, what's the big deal? It's not like it would be a one – night – stand or something. Killian and I are…in a relationship, after all. And like I said before, I'm an adult. I can even get some birth control at the drug store if that's what you're worried about."

David shook his head, trying to block the images that appeared in his mind. "No! I mean it Emma. Just no. Not tonight or any other night!" He pounded his fist as he said that.

Emma put her hands on her hips and squared her shoulders and feet as she looked David in the eye. Just like David did when he was trying to intimidate someone. She didn't really think it was going to work on him, did she? "Listen, David I'm sorry you're worried about the 'family honor' and all that old – fashioned nonsense. But in case you didn't know because I have a kid, I haven't been a virgin in years."

David sighed. Yeah, he knew she wasn't a virgin, considering she had Henry. It was part of the reason he was so concerned. Obviously she'd…she'd…had sex before, what was to stop her from having it again tonight? Or some other night in the near future? But more to the point, what was this about "family honor"? Emma didn't really think he cared more about their honor than about her, did she?

He was just about to say something when Snow beat him to it. "Emma, honey, that's not what your father meant. No one knows us as royalty here, much less that we're your parents, so our family honor doesn't matter here. Even if we were in the Enchanted Forest, family honor could never mean more than you do. I thought you knew that. He just means…sexual intimacy should be something that only a married couple shares, and he wishes you would understand that." David nodded and gave her a small smile. Apparently this was time for Snow's diplomacy instead of his bluntness.

Emma sighed. "Thank you for explaining that to me. But with all due respect, 'wait until marriage' isn't what people do in this world anymore. And since, I grew up in this world, I think I'm going to follow this world's rules."

David shook his head. That was exactly what he was afraid of. "Emma, you can't listen to what this world tells you on everything. This is one of them. Just do as I say." Somehow, he found himself with his hands on hips as well.

Emma's eyes' blazed. "That's it! I've tried explaining this to you, but I'm tired of being treated like a teenager! She slapped her hands (which had still been on her hips), to her sides with a loud snap. "Come on, Killian," she said to the other man, who had been trying to stay out of the fight. "Let's go to your apartment. After we stop at the drug store first, that is. I wasn't really planning on sleeping with you tonight, but I think this is a great chance to show David he can't control my life."

Killian shrugged and nodded.

And before he and Snow could stop them, Killian and Emma were out the door and down the street. Emma was fast when she wanted to be.

"Should we follow them?" Snow asked, heading for the door already. "We could probably stop them if we work together quickly.

David nodded. "We probably could," he agreed, remembering how they'd overpowered the man to have a "chat" with him before. And there was a big part of David that wanted to do that. "But Snow…we already tried to stop her before she left. And it only made her more determined to make a mistake. Maybe…we should think of a new tactic." David shook his head. "She's just as stubborn as you are."

Snow looked back at him sharply. "You aren't seriously telling me I'm more stubborn than you are, Charming?"

David shrugged. "Maybe we're both stubborn then."

"You'd better believe it," Snow nodded firmly, still looking outside where Emma and the other man had run off.

"Which means Emma gets it in double doses," he concluded, sighing. "We'll never be able to convince her not to do something she wants to do, then."

Snow nodded. "True. So how do we convince her she doesn't want to sleep with that man?"

David sighed. "We probably need to try to discuss it more rationally. I really didn't help, screaming at her that it was a bad idea, instead of explaining the reasons."

Snow nodded. "Maybe. I know this is a difficult subject for you." She came over to him and rubbed his shoulder in an obvious attempt to comfort him. David sighed. She was right. Not only was he dealing with Emma jumping into a sexual relationship at the wrong time, he was also dealing with Emma getting closer to the other man. And even though David was trying to accept…Killian, it was still difficult. "But what do we do about tonight?" Snow continued. "She was pretty determined when she left, Charming."

David shrugged. "I don't know. I'd like to think she won't go through with it in the end."

As they both continued thinking and worrying about Emma, Henry suddenly peeked out of his room. "Grandpa? Grandma? Do you think…do you think Mom made a mistake when she had me?" he asked softly.

David's mouth dropped open in shock. Where would Henry get an idea like that? Snow ran over to their grandson and gathered him in her arms. "Of course not! You're a wonderful young man, Henry, and we love you very much. I know for a fact that Emma believes having you was the best thing she ever did, and I agree with her."

David joined the hug. "I agree, too. Completely."

Henry sighed between the two of them. "That's what I always thought. But…you guys said that…that…sex before marriage was wrong…and she and my dad weren't married when she had me so I wasn't sure…"

David sighed as he looked at Snow well they still held Henry in their arms. So that was the problem. "Come sit on the couch with us, and we'll talk. Maybe I can explain things better to you than I did with your mother." Henry nodded, and they all sat down, with Henry seated right in between his grandparents.

"Okay, so…first of all, do…you, ah, know what sex is?" David asked nervously. Henry sounded like he did, but David wanted to be sure.

Henry nodded. "They taught us what is in school last year."

David's eyebrows rose. People talked about sex a lot more frequently in this world, so he supposed he shouldn't be surprised. Well, at least that was one thing they didn't have to worry about explaining to Henry. "Okay, so…sex…is technically how people make babies, right?"

Henry nodded. "Yeah, but in school they told us you can use birth control if you don't want to have kids."

Snow sighed. "That's right." They knew about birth control. They had used it last year, after all. It definitely had its benefits, if having a child wasn't practical for a couple. But David wondered if it was also one of the reasons people in this world treated sex too causally. Well, that wasn't something they needed to discuss with Henry right now. "But, Henry, sex is a lot more than just 'making babies', with or without birth control. It's…well, it's an expression of deep love that can be best understood when the couple is married."

Henry seemed to think about that for a few minutes. "I see," he replied.

"But sometimes people…good people, like you're mom and dad can make mistakes, Henry," David continued.

Henry nodded. "Yeah. I know my mom can make mistakes."

"Well, I think having you was the best mistake she ever made, Henry. It was something that started out wrong and turned out right," David finished.

"A mistake so wonderful that it couldn't have been a mistake," Snow added. "Having you was part of a higher plan, Henry. Fate."

"So does it make better sense now, how we can say sex before marriage isn't a good idea, but still be overjoyed Emma had you anyway?"

Henry nodded. "Thanks," he told his grandparents and ran back into his bedroom.

"Good," they both replied at the same time.

"What are we going to do if Emma doesn't stop in time?" Snow asked David, returning to their previous conversation.

David sighed. "We'll have to show her we still love her but we disapprove of her choice. Somehow. Preferably without shouting."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOOOO

Emma and Killian picked up the condoms at the drugstore pretty quickly and then headed back to his place.

Killian examined the package as they walked along. "So what are these for again?"

Emma shrugged. "Sex."

He looked at the package again. "How? And Why?"

"You'll find out how soon enough," Emma replied, chuckling. "And as for why, they prevent pregnancy and disease from spreading when people are together that way."

Killian nodded. "I see." Then he looked at her seriously. "Swan are you sure this what you want to do?"

"Absolutely," Emma replied firmly. Her father had to learn he couldn't treat her like a sixteen year old just because he'd missed her teenage years. Besides, Emma had to admit, she was quite attracted to Killian. If kissing him was wonderful, having sex with him would have to be twice as wonderful, right? So why not "kill two birds with one stone," as the saying went?

They quickly reached Kilian's apartment. It was in downtown Bangor, on the second floor. Emma noticed you could see the Penobscot River in the distance from his window. She supposed it was nice that he'd found a place with a view near water, if he wasn't going to be near the ocean and the Jolly Roger. She looked around the rest of the apartment and found a modest – looking brown couch, an end table with some paper and a lamp on it, and what appeared to be a bedroom and a bathroom in the corner. "You've got a nice place," she told him. It wasn't a bad place for him to live temporarily.

"Thanks," Killian replied, smiling at her. "I'm going to try to put some maps and drawings up at some point to make it more of a home, but this is a good start." A home? Emma thought to herself. That was a strange word for him to use. Emma was still pretty sure his home was the Jolly Roger, and he would leave eventually. "Well," Killian continued, oblivious to Emma's thoughts, "did you see the pumpkin yet?" He pointed to the window in the corner, near the small kitchen.

Emma looked at that window carefully, and sure enough, there was a pumpkin sitting there. It had two big circles for eyes, a big nose with a wart on it, and a big mouth with a tongue sticking out drawn on it in black marker. It was one of the most creative pumpkin faces she'd ever seen. "I love it!" Emma exclaimed, grinning. "Where did you get the idea to do a face like that?"

Killian shrugged. "Well, I've never done a face on a pumpkin before, so I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. I just…drew a caricature, like some of the stuff I used to draw in taverns."

Emma examined the pumpkin face again. Killian had a lot more talents than just the ability to sail, steal, and hide treasure. It was nice that he was getting the chance to develop them now. Speaking of which, Emma was almost positive his talent for sex would be out of this world. "You did great on the pumpkin, but let's get back to the real reason we came here tonight." She picked up the package of condoms. She had something to prove to her father. "How does your bedroom look?"

Killian grinned. "Why don't you see for yourself?"

Emma nodded. "Great idea." They both went into the bedroom, which consisted of a double bed with no headboard and a small closet. The bed had a few thin blankets on it, which was fine for this time of year. Emma opened the condoms and put one on the bed. Then she leaned over and began kissing him hard as she let her hands explore his chest. Killian's hands explored her hair and her back.

As they continued kissing, Emma pushed him onto the bed, which made Killian kiss her even harder. Then she began unbuttoning his shirt. His chest was wonderful, Emma decided. Just the right amount of muscles. She supposed captaining a ship included some manual labor. He also had a small amount of chest hair. Not so much that she couldn't see his chest, but just enough to look interesting. Emma reached up and rubbed the hair gently with her hand and he moaned. That sounds perfect, she thought to herself, and did it again, which caused Killian to moan again. Then she placing small kisses on the same spot. Meanwhile, his lips began covering her neck with wet kisses. Emma began moaning herself. She'd underestimated Killian earlier. This is going to be way more than twice as wonderful as kissing him, Emma thought to herself.

As Killian began pulling off Emma's shirt while he continued kissing her, Emma felt a big satisfaction in proving to her father that he couldn't order her around. "Take that, David," she couldn't help but mutter as she continued kissing Kilian's chest.

Suddenly Killian stopped short.

Emma looked at him confused and hurt. What was the matter? Things had been going so well!

He sat up and looked her in the eyes. "Emma, I don't think we should do this."

Emma sighed. "I see." She pulled down her shirt. She supposed it was too much to ask for that a man like Killian would be interested in her. He probably no longer found her attractive now that she'd agreed to sleep with him. She'd met a few men like that before. "Well, I guess I'll see you around." She got up to leave, hoping the hurt on her face wasn't showing. At least Killian couldn't read her as well as her father could.

"Wait!" Killian protested. "Emma I didn't mean I don't want to have sex with you!"

Emma raised her eyebrows. "Then why don't we?"

Killian sighed. "Because even though you're interested in me, Emma, your primary motivation for this is still to get back at your father."

Emma shrugged. She supposed that was true. "So what? You knew that was the case when we got here. It didn't seem to bother you before."

Killian sighed and looked at the ground. "It did bother me a little, actually. I was just trying to concentrate on the fact that we were going to have sex. I want that with you Emma, and it was clouding my judgement." He looked up and down her body with extreme interest. That look made her feel a little better, although Emma still didn't see the problem with having sex tonight. "But Emma, if we're going to be in a good relationship, I think we need to start by having sex when the time is right for us, not because you want to get back at your father."

Emma sighed and sat back down on the bed with him. She'd never really thought about that. In the past, she'd slept with men when she'd had a lot of alcohol. She'd slept with men because she was bored. She'd slept with men because they turned her on. She'd even slept with some of them because she was trying to get information for bail bonds. "I guess 'waiting until the time is right' has never been on my mind when I sleep with someone. I never let relationships last that long, anyway."

Killian nodded and took her hand. "Aye. I've been the same way. I've had sex with a lot of women since Milah died, and I never really cared. But that's not the kind of relationship I want with you. You're special to me Emma, and I want to treat you better than that. And that means waiting."

Emma looked at him strangely. She never would have expected that from a former pirate. She was torn between the warm feeling his speech gave her and her suspicion that Killian was treating her like her father had. "So you want us to 'wait until marriage'? Like David does? I never would have thought you would treat me like a teenager! Like some girl who needs 'taking care of!'" Emma got up to leave again. This was getting ridiculous.

Killian shook his head violently. "Believe me Swan, I know you're a woman." He examined her attributes with his eyes again. "And I know you can take care of yourself. I've known that since you tied me to the tree back in the Enchanted Forest." He chuckled at that. "As for 'waiting until marriage,' I don't necessarily mean that. I just mean that tonight isn't the right time for us. Go home and talk to your father. Clear the air with him, so when we do have sex, it will be just us." His eyes twinkled. "I can't have another man in your head when we're together, especially not your father."

Emma made a face at the disgusting thought and image. But when she thought about it, Killian had a point. Her motivations weren't just to be with Killian. As good as it had felt with him, her motivations weren't even mostly about Killian. They were about spiting David. So…was she bringing her father to their bed? Maybe. She certainly didn't want that. "Okay."

"Your father is just looking out for you, you know Swan," Killian continued. "Maybe he went too far, but his heart is in the same place. He reminds me of someone I used to look up to, actually. Someone who taught me everything I know about being a gentleman. Maybe it's time I remember some of it." Emma could hear the admiration in his voice.

Killian admired David? Well, that was something new. "Yeah, David's okay. But…I'm used to him agreeing with me and giving me what I want with no arguments. The way he acted tonight…it made me so angry because I've never seen him make a demand like that to me. That's why…I thought he was treating me like a teenager."

Killian nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Maybe he made the demand because this issue is so important to him? All the more reason why you should go home and talk to him, Swan. Talk, don't yell, remember."

Emma sighed and nodded. "I'll try."

"And when we do have sex…it will be when we are ready. And maybe we could agree it will be after your father has had a chance to get used to the idea? After all, it's only been a couple of weeks, Swan."

Emma shrugged. "For most people in this world, that's when they have sex."

Kilian nodded. "But is it when gentlemen have sex? Even with a strong, feisty woman like you? I want to do this right, Emma."

Emma nodded. "Okay. I'll go talk to my father. But maybe you can leave these here?" She held up the condom that had already been opened, as well as the rest of the package. "For when we are ready." Emma let her mind wander to the way his chest looked and the way he'd kissed her neck earlier. Sex between them would be beyond wonderful when they finally did it.

Killian nodded. "Aye." Then he walked her to the door and shared a gentle kiss before she left.

OOOOOOOOOO

Emma walked home from Killian's very slowly. She understood why he told her they couldn't have sex tonight, really she did. And Killian's reasons had made her feel special. But Emma still wasn't ready to return home to David yet. She'd left to prove she wasn't a teenager. If she came home this quickly, Emma couldn't help but think she would be giving David exactly what he wanted. She would be coming home saying, "Daddy, you were right; I'm not ready for sex. But maybe I can go to the football game this weekend instead?" Or something equally appropriate for a typical teenager. Ugh. No, Emma wanted to let David sweat for a while.

So Emma took the long way home. She bought a coffee from a convenience store along the way. But eventually, she did arrive at their apartment again. "Hi, Emma," her parents greeted her as she came in the door. "I'm glad you're back," Snow said firmly.

"I'm glad you're okay," David added, taking a deep breath. They both hugged her. She stared at them for a second. They stared back at her.

Finally Emma took a deep breath and said, "I didn't sleep with Kilian tonight." They both sighed in relief. "But I think…maybe we should talk about this a little more," Emma added, looking right at David.

"I agree," he nodded. "Preferably without yelling."

"I'm going to say goodnight to Henry first," Emma added as she threw her empty coffee cup in the garbage.

"Okay," her parents both agreed. Then Snow noticed Emma's empty coffee cup. "Oh. I thought maybe…you'd be interested in hot chocolate with cinnamon for this discussion. But if you already had a drink, I guess you don't need it."

Emma shook her head. "No, go ahead and make me some. That sounds great." Hot cocoa with cinnamon always made her feel closer to her family. Maybe she could use that tonight. Killian was right. David's heart had been in the right place, even if he did act like she was still a teenager earlier.

Emma knocked on Henry's door while her mother set up the kettle to boil. "Henry? I'm home."

Henry opened his door, already wearing his pajamas. "I thought that was your voice. So are you still angry at Grandpa? Because I think he wants to make up."

Emma nodded. "That's what I want, too. That's why I came home," she admitted.

Henry broke into a grin. "Good. I don't like to hear my family fighting." With that, he climbed into his bed and she left the room.

"So, do you want to sit at the table or on the couch to talk?" David asked her.

Emma paused for a minute. "The table," she replied finally.

David nodded and sat down at the kitchen table. Snow sat down as well, keeping an eye on the kettle.

Emma sat down and took a deep breath. "I'd like to explain why I didn't sleep with Killian," she began. "When I left, I had every intention of doing so, if only to prove that you couldn't treat me like a teenager. And I'm sure sleeping with Killian would be wonderful, anyway."

David grimaced at that last comment. "Emma, that's not helping." Snow reached over and squeezed his hand for a second.

Emma sighed. Her father was going to have to accept she was an adult when it came to sex someday. "But the point is that Kilian convinced me tonight wasn't the right time."

David's eye's widened at that. He obviously didn't expect that Killian had put a stop to the sex tonight. "Well, that's good, I guess," he commented.

Emma nodded. "Kilian told me that I the main reason why I wanted to have sex was to get back at you. And he was right. He said…that wasn't a good reason to have sex in a healthy relationship. And that I was important to him. So he wanted to try to behave…more like a gentleman."

David sighed in relief. He smiled. Snow seemed to relax as well. "That's good to hear, Emma," she told her. The kettle whistled, and she got up to mix the hot cocoa.

Emma looked at David suspiciously, though. Did he think that meant Killian wanted to "wait until marriage"? That certainly wasn't going to happen, especially considering Emma would never get married. Killian was a nice guy, but what they had was temporary. "That doesn't mean we're going to wait as long as you want us to wait, David," she cautioned him. "We're going to wait until the time is right for us."

David's smile faded. "I see. And how do you know when that will be? How is it possible to be ready for sex but not be ready for marriage? Sex is supposed to be about the ultimate expression of romantic love, which means it should be reserved for marriage."

Snow handed Emma a cup of cinnamon cocoa and sat down to a cup herself. Emma took a drink to try to calm herself down. David was still her father, and she didn't want to end up in another shouting match with him. Still she couldn't stop herself from scoffing. "Really? Don't tell me you actually waited until marriage." There. Emma hated to think of her parents having sex, but seriously, the man was a hypocrite!

"We did, actually," Snow replied as she sipped her cocoa.

Emma's mouth dropped open. They did? Her parents? The king and queen of physical affection? How was that possible?

"It wasn't that we wanted to wait," David admitted, as he sighed. "But with the war against Regina and George, setting up the new kingdom, and all of Snow's dwarf brothers hanging around…we didn't have a lot of opportunity to be alone. And when we did, we were too tired."

Emma nodded. "Well then, if you wanted to you should understand my reasons for wanting to as well."

David nodded and rubbed Emma's shoulder. "I do, Emma. I hate to think about it, but I do. That's what worries me."

"Emma, we didn't want to wait at the time, but we were really glad we did. It made it…infinitely more special than if we had done it before hand," Snow explained. She looked right into David's eyes as she said that. He smiled back at her with goo – goo eyes.

"So, I'm worried that you'll have sex because you want to and it won't be as special as it could be," David finished. "And it has nothing to do with how old I think you are, I promise you. I would be upset if you were planning on having pre – marital sex, no matter how old you were."

Emma nodded. He'd told her that before, although he'd been yelling, so it had been hard to listen to. It was just so hard for her to believe. From her experience, the only people adults didn't want to have sexual relationships were teenagers. "Okay, David. I'll try to accept that." She took another drink of cocoa. "But you need to accept that what worked for you guys may not necessarily work for Killian and I." Especially considering we won't be getting married, Emma added to herself. "We have agreed not have sex right away. Can you be okay with the fact that we will do it when we are ready?"

David sighed. "I don't know. I just don't know."

"Well, if you can't be 'okay with it' can you learn to live with it? I still need to live my life, you know."

"I guess I could handle that," Snow finally agreed, sighing.

"Well…" David said slowly. "Maybe. Could you agree not to do it in this house, at least? I don't need to be thinking about that possibility."

Emma nodded. "I think we can agree to that. Killian has a nice, private apartment, anyway. And I'd rather not have Henry walk in on us if I can help it." She still remembered the time she walked in on her parents. Henry didn't need that kind of trauma.

David sighed with relief finally. He leaned over and hugged Emma. "I'm glad that's over."

"Me too," Emma replied as she hugged him back. It was the first time she'd ever argued with her father. It had been unsettling.

I know whether Snow and David had pre – marital sex is debatable. But I'm running with the idea that they didn't (based on the conversation they had in the Summer Palace in 3 x 10). Partly because it works better for the scene, and partly because that's what I want to believe.

Thank you for the reviews from the last chapter. Please keep them coming. Negative, positive, partially positive and partially negative. It doesn't matter to me.

Guest: I'm glad you like the chapter, especially considering I did put some of the scenes there with you in mind.

As far as Emma's height, maybe I am seeing her wrong. But I've read in several places that Emma is taller than Snow, so it would seem to me that she would get her height from her father. Also, the writers have mentioned that Emma and David are good with a sword, partially because they are tall and physically strong enough to handle it.

As far as Jennifer's facial expressions, I don't think she looks that much like Ginny at all. But I think we are supposed to assume Emma and Snow do have very similar facial expressions. The "you have my chin," comment for example.

But thank you for giving me a review, even if it wasn't all positive. I know some writers have a particular problem with negative reviews written by guests. But I want all my reviewers to be honest, whether you are registered or not. Negative, or partially negative reviews, in particular, allow me to explain things a bit more, or change them if I think they are needed.

Misscam: I'm happy you took time to give me a review, even if you had a busy couple of weeks. And thank you for the birthday wishes. Yeah, that was part of my reason for getting them involved in the PTO. (I really think we both see these characters almost the exact same way. :) )

Glad you liked the family bonding and the Snowing dancing, too.