Emma and Killian walked into the bar. The bartender, Ruby, waved them in as they shrugged out of their jackets.

Killian took her red leather jacket and offered, "Here, love, I'll get Ruby to stash these behind the counter while you grab our seats at the bar.

"Take this, too. Let me just grab my wallet."

When she reached for the zipper, he covered her hand with his.

"Uh, uh, love. I told you that the drinks are on me."

She crossed her arms. "You said you had the first round."

He smiled at her. "I just want to treat my best friend."

She cocked an eyebrow. "You already used that when you bought the donuts."

With a grin, he pushed her hair behind her ear. "Then I'm confident that it'll work just as well this time."

She smiled and shook her head. She playfully punched his arm.

"Just go. I'll grab our seats."

Killian shot her a wink before he made his way over to Ruby. Emma shook her head once more and rolled her eyes before she wound her way through the tables and past the dance floor.

When she sat down, her attention drifted to the drunken crooning of a couple of karaokers.

She laughed before she heard a voice behind her, "Believe it or not, those two sing worse when they're sober."

Emma craned her head and cocked an eyebrow. "I'm not sure making fun of your customers is good for repeat business, Dorothy."

The brunette waved her hand. "Those two would be the first to admit they can't sing. But that doesn't stop them from belting out the best of the 80s."

Emma couldn't help but laugh as Dorothy crossed her arms over her chest. She nodded toward the stage.

"You and Killian should get back up there. You guys killed it."

A slight blush rose to her cheeks. She ran her fingers through her blonde hair.

With a shrug, she offered, "That was a one-time thing - I'm not much of a singer."

"Could've fooled me." She then tilted her head and leaned against the bar.

"Although, you two weren't aware that anyone else was in the room when you two were up there."

Emma ducked her head as her blush deepened. Dorothy only grinned before she grabbed a couple of glasses and placed them on the bar top.

"I'll be right back - gotta go grab the Captain Morgan."

She turned on her heel and walked toward the shelf full of bottles. Emma took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair.

She couldn't help but smile as the stool next to her rocked. "Took you long enough. Dorothy's grabbing our drinks."

"You know, I've been wanting a drink with you for some time, Emma."

She furrowed her eyebrows. Her jaw then clenched as she balled her hands into fists.

She turned and crossed her arms. "Walsh. What the hell are you doing here?"

He folded his hands in front of him. "I already told you - I want to share a drink."

"And I've told you - multiple times - that I'm not interested."

"So, your flirting in my furniture store was what then? A cruel joke?"

Emma exhaled through her nose. "The only joke was me thinking you were a decent guy. But I watched you try to swindle that mechanic who just wanted some new beds for his kids - you're lucky he was too smart to fall for it."

Walsh rolled his eyes. "I don't know why you got so upset about that - it was just business."

"And the fact that you still think that a year later shows what a creep you really are."

He clenched his jaw before he started to speak - only to be interrupted.

"Everything alright, love?"

Killian's hand grazed her waist as she continued to stare down Walsh.

"Just the usual - he doesn't know how to take "no" for an answer."

A smile snuck across Walsh's face. "I wouldn't have to keep asking if you'd say yes."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Just go, Walsh. And leave me alone while you're at it."

He glared at her. "Fine. Your loss."

He pushed himself off the stool and stalked off. He then stopped and sent another glare her way.

"I guess I should have known better than to get between you and him - the pathetic lost puppy he is."

Killian barked out a laugh. "Wow, mate - the fact that you have to insult me speaks volumes about your inflated ego."

Walsh fumed as he stomped off. Dorothy poured their drinks as Killian slid onto a stool.

He tucked Emma's hair behind her ear. "Are you truly alright, Swan? He is rather a bloody nuisance."

They both called out a "thanks" to Dorothy before she disappeared into another part of the bar.

The blonde then took a sip of her drink before she nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I've unfortunately had lots of practice."

She then tilted her head and peered at him. "I'm surprised you didn't, you know, intervene."

He grinned at her. "Oh, Swan, I learned a long time ago that you are quite capable of taking care of yourself."

She couldn't help but smile. She then leaned on her fist.

"Mm-hmm. And don't you forget it."

He grinned. He then sipped on his rum. A smile then bloomed across his features.

He played with the ends of her hair. "Although, love, you do know I would be happy to rescue you anytime."

She offered a smile in return. "I know you would, Killian." She then giggled and teased, "But the only one who saves me is me."

He shook his head before his phone beeped. He grabbed it from his pocket as Emma sipped her drink.

Killian smiled. "Looks like my younger brother's latest adventure took him to the Temple of Zeus."

With a tilt of her head, Emma surmised, "Greece, right?" At Killian's nod, she took another sip of her drink.

She then waved her hand. "To only be half-brothers, you and L.J. are a lot alike. You both have that restlessness."

He smiled. "Well, love, I suppose it rather runs in the family." When he raised his rum to his lips, he caught sight of his best friend running the tip of her finger around the rim of her glass.

He furrowed his eyebrows and touched her arm. "Everything alright?"

She shrugged. "I was just thinking that L.J. isn't the only one in Greece."

At the head tilt she received, she clarified, "I still have a few friends from when I lived in New York, and one of them thought I should know that Neal is spending his honeymoon there."

Confusion marred Killian's features. "Why in the bloody hell would they tell you that?"

Emma shrugged once again. "I don't know really - but I guess she just wanted to make sure I was still okay after all this time."

"Considering the bastard left you in a jail cell, I say you've done rather well."

Emma side-eyed him. "Killian." He shook his head and ran his fingers through his dark locks.

"I'm mostly joking, Swan. I know you've long forgiven him and made peace."

She hummed and offered a nod. She then pushed her hair off her shoulder.

With a wave of her hand, she said, "He has moved on and is happy with her - and I have you buying my drinks."

Killian choked on his rum. He coughed and took some deep breaths before a chuckle escaped.

"I'm not quite sure that's the same thing, Swan. I mean, you and I, darling, we're best friends - but nothing more."

Emma only hummed as she sipped her drink. She then pointed out, "Yeah, and that's much better because I have someone to make me laugh without worrying if I forgot an anniversary."

He smiled and shook his head. He then gestured with his glass.

"Curious you'd say that since you've never forgotten my birthday."

She nudged his shoulder with hers. "Well, it's like you said - we're best friends."

Killian then laughed, earning a raised eyebrow in response. Emma then tilted her head.

"What are you laughing at?"

He ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, love, when we first met, we didn't get along quite so well as we do now."

With a shake of her head, Emma pointed out, "Because you were a flirt who read me way too well."

Killian grinned as he rested his chin on his fist. "And you, darling, were entirely too stubborn for your own good."

He sipped on his rum. He then gestured with his glass. "Actually, that bit hasn't changed."

She rolled her eyes. "And you, Casanova, are still a flirt."

A smile made its way onto his face as he carded his fingers through her hair. "And you, love, flirt back with me."

Her face reddened as she ducked her head. As she locked eyes back with him, a mischievous glint appeared in those green eyes.

"What can I say? Those blue eyes and the British accent look pretty good on you."

His smile grew from ear to ear. "And you are the first woman to really capture my attention since Milah."

Emma giggled. She then smiled and shook her head before she took a deep breath.

"Have you, uh, heard anything about her lately? Did she stay with her husband?"

Killian took a deep breath before he sipped his drink. "Aye, she did."

He then ran his fingers through his dark hair. "I don't blame her for wanting to fix things with her husband - and she always felt bloody awful about leaving her son, Beckett, but I do wish…"

He sighed and took a swig of rum. Emma squeezed his shoulder.

"You just wish she would have figured that out before you fell in love with her."

He hummed. He then turned to her with a smile.

"But, as you said, she's happy, and so am I."

She gave him a smile before she put her glass to her lips - only for Killian to grab it from her hand.

She furrowed her eyebrows before she swatted his arm. "Hey, what are you doing?"

He placed her glass in front of her. "We have to toast, darling."

Emma rolled her eyes. "That's ridiculous - you sound like Mary Margaret."

With a shake of his head, Killian pointed out, "That isn't a very gracious thing to say about your sister-in-law."

"You called Liam a stubborn ass just yesterday."

"Because he is a stubborn ass while Mary Margaret would give you the shirt off her back."

"And an entire wardrobe while she's at it."

Emma sipped on her drink while Killian shook his head.

"Swan, why do you say that like it's a bad thing?"

She sighed. "It's not - and I love her. You know I do. She's just a bit much sometimes."

Killian hummed and offered a nod. He then gestured with his drink.

"Although, love, I think David is the one who's a bit much. I don't know how you bloody work with him every day."

Emma shrugged. "I got used to it after a while - even though he's still really overprotective."

Killian couldn't help but grin. "At least the only man in his line of fire is me, and I've rather grown on him."

She chuckled. She then rested her chin in her hand.

"He just had to see past the bravado and the impulsiveness and the leather jacket to see that you cared about me."

He leaned back in his chair. "Are we still talking about your brother, love?"

She ducked her head once more and swirled the rum in her glass. She looked back up and trained her eyes on his face.

"Maybe a little of both? I just don't think either of us thought we'd be, you know, friends."

Killian couldn't help but grin. "You mean after you two had me arrested multiple times?"

"Because you started a fight with Leroy. And you crashed your boat into the dock. And-and…"

She furrowed her eyebrows and gestured with her glass. "There was something else, but I forgot what it was."

"I'm surprised you don't remember," Killian began as he downed the last of his rum, "I'd had too much to drink, and a little birdie told me you were working the night shift down at the station. I thought perhaps waking up in a jail cell would help curb the habit."

Emma tilted her head. "And you thought you'd charm me in the process. Which didn't work - but I did let you sleep it off for your own good and so you wouldn't cause trouble."

She then smiled and shook her head. "And you wonder why David didn't trust you - and why Liam refused to let you out of his sight."

He rubbed the back of his head. "I'll admit I spiraled after losing Milah - but I knew I couldn't stay in that dark place."

She reached over and squeezed his arm. "You just needed to remember that you're a survivor."

He smiled at her. "As are you, my love." She offered a smile in return.

She then took a swig of rum before she placed it on the table. Killian then swiped it and drank the last few sips.

Emma smacked him in the chest. "What the hell did you do that for?"

He shrugged. "I was thirsty, love."

"And you couldn't have called over Ruby or Dorothy?"

He waved his hand toward them. "They're clearly engaged in conversation - whether it be business or personal. It'd be bad form to interrupt."

"It's also bad form to steal your friend's drink - especially when there are other bartenders in here."

Killian raised his hands in defeat. "You are right, Swan. I apologize - I suppose I let my impulsiveness get the better of me."

Emma crossed her arms over her chest. She then sighed and relented, "Fine. You're forgiven - but you'll have to make it up to me."

He cocked an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"

She leaned back in her chair and dipped her head backwards. "The dartboard is free. How about a little game of darts with an added wager?"

He grinned. "Well, Swan, I can't very well refuse that, now, can I?"

She smiled before she hopped down. "I'll set up the game while you get more drinks."

She spun on the heel of her boots when she stopped. She planted her hands on her hips.

"And if you drink any more of my rum, you're not crashing on my couch."

Killian slid off the stool and dropped into a bow. "As you wish."

As he sauntered off, she rolled her eyes. But she couldn't help the giggle that escaped soon after.