A/N: Hi everyone! Some of you may recognize this story, and I'm now giving y'all a version that's a little bit different - it's a little less awkward and a little more in line with the show. I hope you guys enjoy!
Emma Swan sighed as she plopped down on a bar stool. She dropped her head on the bar top.
"Long day, love?"
Her head snapped up. She crossed her arms and furrowed her eyebrows. She then let out a sigh.
"I don't even have the energy to correct you this time, Jones."
The bartender only chuckled. With a tilt of his head, he then told her, "You know you can call me Killian, right?"
Emma hummed. "So, you've said - and I've told you why I'm not. At least not here."
"Something about me working for you and David and needing to remain professional."
He then leaned back against the liquor shelf. "But I have to say, Swan, we're like family here, so it's a bit ridiculous."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm not sure that helps your case, Jones."
She then nodded further down the bar. "You have a couple of customers. Go check on them."
"Whatever you say, boss," Killian offered with a wink. He then reached behind him and grabbed a bottle before he shuffled off.
Emma shook her head - her arms still crossed over her chest. She then let out a breath as her green eyes roamed the various bottles.
When Killian returned, he offered a grin. "Shall I fix you a drink, Swan?"
She eyed him as she raised an eyebrow. With a sigh, she then rested her arms on the bar top.
"It has been a long day. I could use a glass of rum."
"As you wish."
He then turned to the shelf and grabbed a bottle of Captain Morgan, as well as a couple of glasses.
Emma cocked an eyebrow. "Who's the other glass for?"
Killian poured the drinks. "My shift ends in a couple of minutes, so I thought I'd have a drink as well."
She only hummed as he slid the glass in front of her. He left the bottle on the counter.
He shot her a wink. "Remember to pace yourself, darling." He wiped down the bar top before he walked over to the time clock.
Emma rolled her eyes before she sipped on her rum. The liquid cooled her throat on the way down.
She then placed the glass back on the counter and ran her finger around the rim.
"Maybe tomorrow we won't be short-staffed with three different parties going on."
She continued to sip on her drink as she hummed along to the music.
Killian then sidled back over and reached for his glass. He took a hearty sip before he turned to Emma.
"You know, love, I'd be happy to lend an ear should you need to talk."
She tilted her head and peered at him. She then offered, "I did actually want to thank you."
He furrowed his eyebrows. "For what?"
"For helping out tonight. You pulled double duty as waiter and bartender."
With a wave of his hand, he assured her, "It truly wasn't a problem. I was glad to help."
"Even still, David and I appreciate it."
Killian hummed and offered her a smile. He took a sip of his rum before he gestured with his glass.
"You know, Swan, you and David went beyond normal duty as well. Even owners as hands-on as you two would rarely pick up an apron."
"We just wanted to make sure we had a good night."
"You more than succeeded."
He then took a sip of his rum as Emma did the same. They sat in companionable silence.
Killian's blue eyes roamed the restaurant before they settled back on the blonde beside him.
He then pondered, "So, tell me, what will you do to relax when you arrive home?"
Emma raised an eyebrow. She then took a deep breath and told him, "Probably sleep for about 12 hours."
He chuckled. "You may need the rest, but not so much the beauty sleep."
"Why am I not surprised you'd say something like that?"
"Because it's part of my charm."
"If you say so." She couldn't help the chuckle that escaped.
Killian smiled at her. "I quite like off-duty Emma Swan."
A small smile made its way across her face. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it, Jones."
He grinned. "I wouldn't dream of it, Swan."
Another chuckle escaped - one Emma tried to hide with a swig of rum. She then crossed her arms back over her chest.
"And do I get to meet off-duty Killian?"
"What makes you so sure there is one?"
She hummed. "I guess I just wondered if you were like this all the time."
"Come now, love, you'd be rather disappointed if I weren't."
"I wouldn't go that far. Or even at all really."
He shot her another grin. "I think the lady protests far too much."
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She then tilted back her glass and downed the rest of her rum.
She placed the glass back on the bar top as she eyed the bottle of rum. She drummed her fingers against the counter.
She then shook her head. "That's enough for today."
She reached for her glass to place it behind the counter as Killian did the same. Their fingers brushed against one another.
Their gazes locked - hearts beating just a little bit faster.
Killian surged forward and planted his lips on hers. She shoved him away before her hand flew across his face.
"What the hell are you doing?"
He winced and cradled his cheek. "Bloody hell, Swan. A simple "no" would have sufficed."
He then took a deep breath. "Forgive me, but I had to try. I just thought…"
Emma shot him a glare before she slid off the stool and marched away from him. He sighed and buried his face in his hands.
He then slid off his stool and chased after her.
"Emma! Just let me explain…"
She stopped in her tracks and wheeled around to face him.
"Explain? You want to explain? There is no explanation you could possibly offer."
She stormed off - again - when Killian moved to stand in front of her.
"Just listen - we talked and laughed and had a bit of fun. I assumed you felt as I did."
"So that just makes it okay?"
"Of course, it doesn't. But it is within reason, Swan."
She recoiled. "So, it's my fault now?"
Killian considered her words before he spoke, "That wasn't what…you know what, I know I'm a bloody idiot. I wasn't trying to make you angry. I just thought you perhaps deserved to know the why."
"It would have been nice if you kept your mouth to yourself."
"You do realize it was just a kiss?"
"One I did not want or ask for, Jones!"
Killian could tell she fumed - within reason. This was hardly the first time he had been in hot water when it came to a woman - and so, he reverted to charm and humor.
He offered her a teasing grin. "I realize I should have refrained. But you can hardly blame me, love - you are quite breathtaking."
The stone-cold glare she gave him indicated that she was not amused.
"You think you're God's gift to women with your looks and charm. But I don't find it funny. David may technically run the bar portion of this place - but he would have no objection to me firing you."
Killian's eyes widened as he took a step back. "I didn't mean any harm, love. I was only trying to lighten the mood."
Emma spewed: "I'm sure you never mean any harm."
As she stalked away from him, he grabbed her arm and spun her around.
"I'm this close to slapping you again," Emma began as she brought her thumb and index finger close together, "And I will if you try to stop me from leaving."
Killian released her arm before he offered, "At least give me a chance to make it up to you, Swan."
"That's Miss Swan to you - and there is no way you can make it up to me."
He let out a sigh. "At least let me prove you wrong."
Emma scoffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "This ought to be good."
"Let me take you out for coffee. You can get to know me a little better and see that I'm not such a bad guy."
"A date? Are you insane?"
"It wouldn't be a date. It's as I said before - a way to make it up to you."
"And why should I trust you?"
Killian ran his fingers through his dark hair. "If we go out for coffee and your opinion of me doesn't change, I swear on my brother's grave that I will never talk to you - or even look at you - ever again."
Emma peered at him. She had this sort of "superpower". She could tell when someone was lying, and he wasn't. She heard the sincerity in his voice and saw that he truly felt awful about what he had done. He really did want to make it up to her.
And so, she - reluctantly - agreed.
"Fine. Meet me at The Cove on Saturday morning at nine. Don't you dare be late."
"As you wish," he replied with what Emma swore was a genuine smile. She simply nodded before she made her way to the front door of Emma and David's Place.
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When Emma arrived at the coffee shop on Saturday morning, Killian leaned against the wall closest to the door.
"Hello, love," he greeted with a warm smile.
"I'm not your…never mind. Let's just go," Emma snapped with crossed arms.
He tilted his head. "Hey, love, why don't you try enjoying yourself. I can be pleasant company - or have you already forgotten?"
She rolled her eyes. "I never agreed to enjoy going out for coffee. I agreed to come."
"As I recall, part of my offer included getting to know me a little better. It would be bad form not to do so."
Emma rolled her eyes once again. "You're impossible."
"So, I've been told," Killian told her with a grin as he held open the door for her.
When they settled at a corner table, Killian teased, "You know, Swan, most people order coffee at a coffee shop."
"Yeah, well, I'm not most people," Emma quipped before she took a sip of her hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.
He sipped on his mocha cappuccino. "I gathered that rather quickly."
The blonde placed her mug on the table and quirked an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
With a tilt of his head, Killian drank more of his coffee before he sat it down. He began, "Well, Swan, I can see how stubborn you are."
Emma scoffed. "Nice work, Einstein. You don't even have to know me that well to see that."
He took a deep breath before he continued, "I also see how closed off you are to anyone besides David and his wife, Mary Margaret. It's hard for you to trust people and let them in - love has been all too rare in your life."
Red flags went off in Emma's head. Besides the fact that he was a great bartender - and that he was English - she knew little of Killian. He had been David's hire, not hers. Other than the occasional times they saw each other and brief conversations here and there, she hadn't spent much time with him. How did he read her so well?
She shook her head and shrugged it off: "You're a stalker, too?"
Killian rolled his eyes. He pointed out, "On the contrary, love. You're something of an open book."
"Am I?"
"Come on, love. You can't deny that I was spot on earlier."
Emma took a deep breath as she glanced away from him. "You probably just asked David about me."
Killian sighed and ran his fingers through his black hair. Getting to know each other clearly did not involve anything personal.
He took a deep breath of his own before he offered, "Let's start out with something safer, shall we? Tell me your favorite movie."
Emma raised her eyebrows. She expected him to push her more. That thought didn't linger as she answered him: "My favorite movie is The Princess Bride."
Killian grinned as he teased, "That explains your interest in the nautical themed coffee shop."
She rolled her eyes. She then asked, "And you? What's your favorite movie?"
"I think movies would be a more accurate word since I can't seem to decide which one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies is my favorite."
"And you're teasing me about the decorations in here?"
Killian then saw her chuckle, despite how she covered her mouth to hide it.
He grinned as he teased, "Careful, love, if someone hears that laugh of yours, they may think you actually enjoy my company."
He earned another eye roll. She then leaned on her elbows as she asked, "So, Killian, what do you do for fun besides kiss your boss's partner?"
"I didn't…" Killian tried to defend. He then sighed and shook his head.
He then told her, "There isn't much to know, love. When I'm not tending bar - which I love by the way - I enjoy reading and watching a bit of TV. I also play the guitar."
"You're a musician? You know, I can't say I'm too surprised."
"I do quite enjoy it."
She hummed before she teased, "I bet that's how you met your girlfriend. She probably swooned when she watched you play."
His expression turned somber as he looked down into his mug. "That's where you'd be wrong, Swan."
Emma blinked a few times. At that moment, she knew there was more to him than the carefree, flirty facade. The reason he knew love had been rare in her life was because he had lost it himself.
Turns out they had something in common after all.
The facade soon returned. "But you are right. Women do swoon when I play."
He then took a sip of his coffee and added, "Although, I'd imagine you wouldn't fall into that category, Swan."
She grinned. "You got that right."
He let out a chuckle. He then asked, "And you? What do you do for fun besides yell at me?"
Emma raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms back over her chest. "You deserved it."
With a sigh, he relented, "Okay, fine, I did. Will you just answer the question?"
A smile made its way across her face. She then began, "Well, I like to…"
A voice called her name - a voice she never wanted to hear again.
She rose to her feet when he arrived at their table. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"What the hell do you want, Neal?"
He looked back and forth between her and Killian. "Is he the reason you haven't returned my calls?"
Emma glared at him as she seethed, "Killian has nothing to do with this. I haven't called you back because I don't want to talk to you."
Neal pleaded, "Come on, Em, I've apologized and explained." His hands reached for her.
She shoved them away and took a step back. She desperately tried to keep her voice even.
"Yeah, you said something about finding your father, which I get. But he still would have been there when you got out, Neal. I spent a year in prison for a crime you committed. Do you seriously think we just can pick up where we left off?"
"It's been ten years, Emma."
"Ten years that I've had to deal with trust issues you caused! It's because of you that I'm afraid to get close to anyone - it took years for me to actually believe that David and Mary Margaret wouldn't give up on me and leave like everyone else! It's because of you that I'm afraid to fall in love again for fear that he'll break my heart! Do you really think I want to give it to you again?"
"I still love you, Emma. Just give me a chance. Please."
"No. Just leave."
"But…"
"You know what? If you won't leave, then I will," Emma interrupted. She grabbed her wallet and threw some money on the table. When she grabbed her phone, her eyes locked with Killian's.
She didn't know which scared her more: Neal wanting a second chance or Killian giving her a look of genuine concern.
She then stormed out of the coffee shop - a few lingering looks left in her wake. Neal followed her - and stalked off in the opposite direction.
Killian processed what just happened. His gut told him to run after her - despite the reaction he would probably get.
They hardly knew each other - and yet, he sensed a connection with her. And he knew she felt it too.
When that thought crossed his mind, he slapped his own money on the table and ran out of the coffee shop.
After a half-an-hour search of downtown Boston, he found her at the docks.
When he sat beside her on the bench, she scooted away from him. "Leave, Killian. I don't want to talk to you."
"I want to help you, Emma."
With her arms crossed over her chest, she quipped, "Oh, I know what you want, Killian."
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"If that's all I wanted from you, I never would have admitted I was wrong about the kiss. I wouldn't be here right now - most men would consider you as having too much baggage.
"But you know what? I'm as broken as you are.
"My mother died from cancer when I was two, and my father brought my older brother and I to the States.
"When I was 10, my fugitive father abandoned us in the middle of the night. My brother was 14 and fought to keep us together in the system.
"When I became of age, both of us joined the navy - only to have him killed a couple of years later. Since he died as a result of the navy's incompetence, I took my leave and never looked back. The only job I found was bartending, but I was bloody awful.
"Luckily, one of my co-workers decided to offer her help. Her name was Milah - and we fell in love. We had been dating for three years and had been living together for one when I planned to propose. But I never got the chance - she died from a heart attack the doctors couldn't explain.
"After her death, I threw myself into becoming the best bartender I could be. I thought if I perfected my craft, it would be a way to honor Milah. That was six years ago, and David hired me two years later. And here we are, Swan."
Emma stared out over the water, her mind replaying what he had told her. When she turned to look at him, she saw the truth in his eyes - and she recognized the look of someone who felt lost. He truly was just as broken as she was. An orphan who thought they would never find happiness - and when they did, it had been ripped away from them.
She ran her fingers through her blonde hair. She then took a deep breath and let it out.
"My parents left me on the side of the road as a baby. The police found me, and the state placed me in the system.
"A couple wanted to adopt me at three, but they sent me back when they found out they were going to have their own kid. Ever since, I bounced around different foster homes - which I always ran away from because I hated them.
"When I aged out of it, I met this guy, Neal. He was a thief - and you already know how that ended."
Killian nodded as he thought over her words. He then questioned, "How did you come to own the restaurant with David?"
She took another deep breath. "After I got out of jail, I knew I needed a more legal way to support myself. Once I got my GED, I started waitressing - a year or so after that, I knew I wanted my own restaurant. I then enrolled in college.
"When I started business school a couple of years later, I met David, and his fiancée, Mary Margaret, who wanted to teach. As you also know, it wasn't easy for me to open up to them. But I did, and they became my family.
"Shortly before we graduated, David and I realized that we wanted a restaurant with the same vibe - a laid-back place where everyone could hang out and get good food. He wanted his to have a bar, so I suggested we open a bar and grill together. And as they say, the rest is history."
Killian smiled at her. "Well, love, it seems we have quite a bit in common."
She eyed him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Yeah, well, I'm still mad at you."
His smile faded, and his eyes turned downcast. "That is entirely fair, Emma."
A grin then spread across her features. "I think it may take a real date for me to forgive you."
Killian's blue eyes lit up as he looked back up at her. His expression matched hers.
"Shouldn't I be the one asking you out?"
She scooted closer to him and leaned on her elbows. "Get on with it, then."
A bright, genuine smile lit up his face. "Will you, Emma Swan, go on a date with me?" She returned his smile. "I would love to, Killian."
She then took a breath. "I have to get home - the restaurant's expenses won't budget themselves."
A wave of nervousness washed over him. He then scratched behind his ear. "Uh - may I walk you, love?"
"Sure."
Both of them then stood and walked toward her apartment.
When they arrived, Emma unlocked her door and opened it. She stood in the doorway and turned to face Killian.
She ignored the part of her that wanted to run. "Despite the interruption, I enjoyed our not-date. I really enjoy spending time with you."
He smiled at her. "As do I, love. I'm looking forward to our date."
"You better do well if you want my forgiveness."
"I know you're joking, but I really do intend on making it special for you."
Emma blinked a few times and ran her fingers through her hair. Killian continued to surprise her - she was actually happy to be proven wrong.
"Well, in that case, I'm really looking forward to it."
A genuine smile blossomed across his features as he nodded. He then offered, "Maybe this time, you won't slap me when I kiss you."
His face paled. He scratched behind his ear as Emma said, "I wouldn't count on it, Jones."
He sighed before his eyes met hers. When he saw her grin, he teased, "That would be a bloody shame, Swan." He moved a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
Emma shook her head at him. "Goodbye, Killian." "Goodbye, Emma."
She turned to head inside when his voice stopped her.
"Um, love, if I tell you something, will you promise not to be offended?"
She raised an eyebrow as she considered his words. She then took a deep breath and answered slowly: "Um…okay. I…won't."
Killian took a deep breath of his own. "If you kiss even half as good as you hit, I'll be left utterly breathless."
She glanced downward as she smiled. A blush rose to her cheeks - Emma Swan did not blush.
As she met his eyes, he caught her off-guard with the sincerity in the blue.
She then smiled as she told him, "Thank you, Killian."
Emma wasn't quite sure what possessed her in the moment - but she leaned forward and pressed a kiss against his cheek.
She then rushed inside and closed the door before she caught his wide eyes and slack jaw.
As she leaned against the door, she thought about how maybe - just maybe - the first impression can just as easily be the wrong impression.