Chapter 27: The broken secret

A loud sound came from outside, it seemed like someone was knocking on her window. Taylor's window to be precise. She threw the warm covers off her body, walking towards the curtains in her black satin pyjama trousers and blouse.

She opened up the curtains and there he stood, Killian Jones. Taylor opened up the window quick but without any possible sound, "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing here?" she whispered right into his face.

"I just wanted to tell you that Rumplestilskin doesn't know."

"He doesn't?"

"Can you please let me in, I'm freezing…"

"Are you crazy?" but Killian's face made her feel bad for him, he really looked like he was freezing to death, "Alright, but be quiet please."

Killian climbed into the window, trying to be as silent as he could.

"What now." Taylor said, standing just in front of Killian.

"He doesn't know anything about us as I told you. But I needed to do him a favour."

"And that's?"

"Staying away from you and Belle."

"No way that that's gonna happen, I've waited 28 bloody years. There's no possible way that I'm just going to forget everything."

"I didn't say I was going to fulfil his request, he might rip my heart out… But it's worth it." Killian stepped forward and planted a gentle kiss on Taylor's soft forehead. It made her blush and smile for a brief moment.

"Taylor?" they both heard from downstairs

"It's Belle, she probably heard that I was talking to someone, so you better get out of my room. Like right now."

"Meet me at the bridge, tomorrow around noon." Killian said as Taylor nodded, jumped into bed as soon as she could and heard her door open right after Killian hit the floor from jumping off the roof. Belle stood in Taylor's doorway, not seeing anyone.

"Now I'm gonna be the one who hears voices in her head…" the older brunette whispered to herself, and went off to bed again.

The next morning Taylor woke up with a doubt, did she dream it all? No she didn't, because the pirate forgot to lock her bloody window. The young lady got out of bed, picking out one of her nicest outfits. A fall outfit though, it wasn't as warm anymore. She wore a high waisted black pair of jeans, a white blouse tucked into the jeans, matched with a burgundy red and dark blue hued scarf and cognac coloured knee high boots. Her hair was pinned up in a low bun, so the tiny pearls in her ears were showing. Before she went downstairs, she quickly grabbed the bracelet she got from Regina. All ready to go.

"Good morning Taylor." Rumple said, giving her a kiss in the cheek as soon as she came down the stairs.

"Good morning Rumple." She responded, "Where's Belle?"

"She went off to Granny's, breakfast with Ruby or something. They're friends I guess."

Taylor giggled, "Yes Rumple, they are." She said as she poured in some orange juice for herself when the toast popped out of the machine. Rumple mostly made that for her as he mostly knew what time she would get up.

"So, do you want to go to the Pawn shop with me today? We can actually spend some time together." Rumple said placing the toast on her plate.

Damn it, she was about to leave for Regina's office as she promised to come today. And of course her meet up with Killian at the bridge… She needed to go, she wanted to go, "Oh I would love to Rumple… But can I come in the afternoon? I promised Belle to work on some old book cases in the library this morning. That's kinda why I was asking where she went." Yeah, she just lied to him.

"That's alright, I'd love it if you come."

"I promise you, you'll see me in the afternoon." She emptied her glass, grabbed her last toast and gave Rumple a kiss on his cheek as he waved her goodbye.

Rumple thinks I'm with you, please cover for me and I'll explain later – Taylor

She send her sister Belle on her phone right when she walked out.

Taylor had a nice morning at the office, Regina was in a good mood and even invited her for lunch. Only Taylor's smile already revealed that she couldn't come because of her little meeting with the pirate. She went with her bike to the mayor's office, but she walked towards the bridge as it let her think for a moment. Just a good walk with herself.

After twenty minutes or so walking, she arrived at the bridge. Killian? She couldn't see him anywhere. "Killian?" she softly said, a bit creeped out by the empty space. There was no answer.

"Killian?" She yelled this time.

"I'm here darling." She heard from behind.

"Oh my…" she took a deep breath, "You were about to creep me out. This place can be pretty scary…"

"Well you're not alone, and I've got a surprise for you."

"For me?"

They both walked a bit further into the woods, and there it was. Killian had laid out a whole picnic for the both of them, "No way that you did this all by yourself." Taylor said, shocked by the appearance.

"I had a little help…" he placed his arm around his waist, it was like all those empty years never existed. All those 28 years were Taylor felt an emptiness inside her heart which she couldn't describe.

They had the most loveliest lunch ever. They laughed, ate, maybe drank… and Taylor felt loved again. It was different… She knew Rumple and Belle loved her, But Killian was no relative or seen as family. He was, extra special. He made her heart bounce harder than fear did. It was love what made her heart go crazy all the time.

Taylor's head laid next to Killian's on the warm picnic blanket, "What's the time?" she asked.

"I don't have such a connecting thingy you fancy people always drag around."

"A phone? Oh that's right…" Taylor grabbed hers out of her purse, "Damn it… I'm gonna be late."

"For what?"

"I promised Rumple to be in the Pawn Shop this afternoon and it's already 3:30 PM, he probably expected me to be in earlier than that…"

"Hey it's okay, I'll find you anyway." He planted a kiss on her lips which made her breath in deeply, full of happiness.

"I'll see you…" She said, jumping up and starting to run back to the main street. It would take her longer if she'd walk the way she did on her way to the bridge.

Taylor was exhausted, but it was late so she needed to walk inside of the Pawn Shop. She took a few deep breaths and opened the door, "I'm here!"

"Where have you been so long?" Rumple said, not looking at the young brunette. He was polishing the glass countertop of the shop.

"I had to deal of some stuff after I helped Belle, but I'm here now."

"Have you been lying to me for all that time?"

"Excuse me?" Taylor did not move.

"You heard me Taylor, how long have you been keeping secrets for me."

Taylor swallowed, her eyes widened and she couldn't speak.

"I asked you a question, so answer me!" Rumple's anger grew, so she threw a copper ornament on the floor as he looked Taylor straight into her eyes.

"I love him Rumple…"

"Love? You don't know what love is if you play around with a pirate."

"This is exactly why I never told you. You would just go mad as you don't like him."

"Taylor believe me as I say, that I'm protecting you with this. You don't know what he is capable of. Hook isn't the nicest guy."

"His name is Killian."

Rumple walked over to Taylor, and grabbed her arm. "I don't want you to speak to him, ever again. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, Rumplestilskin. Or should I say the Dark One, as you nickname others too." She pulled herself out of his grip, and walked out of the Pawn Shop. It started raining, and Rumple wasn't fast enough to actually follow her. She knew Belle didn't betray her, she never would. Who did was a mystery, but Taylor would not return home that day.