Robin tended to the customers at the counter as Killian surveyed the tables.

"Alright, love, I say we split the tables. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a plan."

They then dispersed among the tables - when Mary Margaret walked through the door carrying a box. She waved at Emma.

The blonde turned to Killian. "You wanna take those orders, and then I'll fix them while I talk to her?"

Killian narrowed his eyes. "I don't know, Swan. I'll have to think about it."

"Think about what?" Mary Margaret chimed in as she joined them. She then shook her head.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was interrupting, wasn't I?"

Killian smiled. "Not at all, love." He then shot Emma a wink.

"But you do owe me, Swan."

As he walked away, a blush rose to her cheeks.

Mary Margaret tilted her head. She then gestured toward the counter.

"Come on, let's sit."

"Technically, it'll just be you sitting, but yeah."

Mary Margaret smiled and shook her head before she sat down. She placed the box on the bar top.

"There are a few extra cookies in here that Leo and the team didn't eat. I thought you and Killian could share them."

"Considering that everything from that bakery is delicious, that's a definite yes."

The blonde then tilted her head. "What about Ava? She wouldn't want any?"

Mary Margaret shook her head before she explained, "She prefers brownies over cookies. She'll eat them, but they're not her favorite."

"Oh, that's right. I always thought that was kind of weird for a kid."

She then shook her head. "So, uh, is that all you wanted to talk about?"

"Oh, no. I have a favor to ask - well, you and Killian actually."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Well, David's birthday is in a few weeks. We're going to do the family version of course - but I wanted to have a party here, too."

"I'm sure it won't be a problem - and it'll be great - but that's more of a Robin question."

"And so I will ask - but I wanted my two favorite bartenders to come up with a drink menu."

"I mean, yeah, we'd be up for it - but I'm pretty sure David would just be happy with beer on tap."

"I'm sure he would be - but I think he should also have a specialty drink made for him."

Emma couldn't help but smile. "I'm sure we can come up with something."

Mary Margaret returned her smile before Killian jogged back over. He passed Emma his notebook.

"We have quite a number of different cocktails to make."

"So, I see. I'll start on the pina coladas."

"And I'll start on the cosmos."

He then jogged behind the counter and grabbed an array of bottles and other ingredients.

He paused. "Do you want anything, Mary Margaret?"

"I haven't quite decided yet. So, you two just focus on this order."

They both nodded before they went to work. Their shoulders brushed together as they prepared the drinks.

Emma closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She jumped when Killian's hand covered hers.

"Careful there, Swan - you nearly dropped a perfectly good bottle of rum."

"Oh! Uh, thanks."

She then tilted her head. "What was I doing again?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Making pina coladas?" He then passed her the half-full cocktail shaker.

She only nodded before she finished the drinks and poured them in the waiting glasses.

"Okay, these are ready. What next?"

Killian poured drinks as well before he told her, "A daiquiri, a martini, and a couple of whiskeys on the rocks."

She nodded once again before she grabbed a couple tumblers and filled them with ice. She grabbed the bottle of Jack Daniels and poured.

"Whiskeys are ready. I'll make the…"

Her eyes widened as Killian placed all of the drinks on the tray.

"How the hell did you make those so fast?"

"Multitasking, my darling. You should try it sometime."

He shot her a wink before he propped the tray on his shoulder and headed toward the tables.

Emma sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Well, I probably could have been more helpful."

Mary Margaret only hummed as the blonde cleaned off the counter. The brunette then cleared her throat.

"That could be because you were so flustered."

"I was not flustered."

"Emma."

She sighed. "It's just…Killian. He's just…so…" She then shook her head. "It's nothing."

"Nothing with you always means something or you wouldn't be talking about it."

"You probably already know."

Mary Margaret couldn't help but smile. She then took a breath.

"You just seem to be a little more flustered than usual. What is it?"

Emma placed her hands on the counter. She then ran her fingers back through her hair.

"It's been six months - to the day - since I realized I was falling for Killian."

"You counted the days? Oh, Emma."

The blonde buried her face in her hands. "I know. I'm pathetic."

"I wouldn't go that far. You're just…in love - and love can make you do crazy things."

"Shh! Not so loud. Do you want him to hear you?"

"That might be for the best. Because if he knows, maybe you two can…"

"Can what? Be together? But what if he doesn't feel the same way? I can't take that chance."

"And what if he does feel the same way?"

"He doesn't. It's just like that night - he was just being a good friend."

Mary Margaret tilted her head. "Would you care to share?"

Emma took a deep breath.

"Me and Killian had closed the bar for the night, and we were about to head home. We thought we could beat the storm before it got really bad - that is until the thunder and lightning started and knocked out the power."

She then glanced down and fiddled with her hands. She dragged her fingers back through her hair.

"I've never been great in blackouts. It just reminds me of all those nights in foster homes - and being reminded that I was alone."

Mary Margaret reached over and squeezed her arm before she continued, "And being arrested in the middle of the night for something I didn't do was just icing on the cake."

Emma then shook her head. "But…that was a long time ago. It doesn't hurt the same way it used to - but it didn't heal easily."

"And no one would expect it to. But I think it's safe to say you've made peace with your past and with Neal."

A small smile enveloped Emma's features. She then spoke, "Yeah, I have. And no one gets that better than Killian - you know how well he reads me, and he could tell something was wrong. We were best friends, and I trusted him - and so, I told him everything."

Her smile grew. "And he was…amazing, not that I expected anything less. He just…listened - and was there for me. I can count on one hand the people who have made me feel safe…and…and…"

A blush rose to her cheeks - and she ducked her head to hide it. Mary Margaret smiled as she supplied, "Loved."

Emma took a deep breath before she finished, "And then when he shared about losing his brother - the one who raised him - as well as his first love, I just knew. I already knew that we could understand each other, and that we were kindred spirits, but I realized it was more. That I wanted more - that I was in love with my best friend."

Her gaze found him across the bar. He laughed with a few customers - and she rubbed her arms to curb the goosebumps.

She was done for.

Mary Margaret then reached over and squeezed her hand.

"Emma, I know you don't want to hear this - but you need to tell him how you feel. If for no other reason than to get closure."

"I already told you I can't."

"And yet - you admitted you want more. Why not take the chance?"

Emma stared at her friend long and hard. She was pulled from her thoughts when Killian walked back over.

He shot her a smile. "Well, Swan, I do hope you and Mary Margaret enjoyed catching up - because you do owe me."

"I know - and you're right. I'll clean the table and all the glasses when they're done."

He leaned over the bar. "Actually, I had another idea." He then nodded toward the jukebox.

"Killian, what are you…"

She trailed off with wide eyes as a familiar ballad played throughout the bar. She crossed her arms over her chest and rubbed her hands up and down them.

"You want us to dance? To…a love song?"

"We did sing it on the way over here - and it does happen to be one of my favorites. I think it'd be a pity to waste it."

He then smiled at her - and she swore her knees nearly gave out. And yet, she smiled back at him.

"Well, when you put it like that."

She then rounded the counter and placed her hand in his, entwining their fingers.

Her face grew redder with every step.

Killian's smile only grew as he offered, "Shall we?" He then led her across the bar and onto the dance floor.

He then tilted his head. "I feel we've abandoned Mary Margaret."

Emma glanced over at her - and then smiled. "Well, she's talking to David, so she must not be doing too badly."

Killian cocked an eyebrow. "How the bloody hell do you even know she's talking to him? You can't very well hear her phone from here."

She chuckled. "Maybe not - but she always has the same puppy love look when it's him."

"Well then, I suppose we are free to share our dance."

Before Emma could respond, he slipped both arms around her waist. He then raised an eyebrow.

"Swan, it does take two people to dance."

"Oh, right. Uh…sorry." She took a deep breath - a blush spreading across her cheeks.

She then curled her hands around his shoulders. Another deep breath escaped.

Killian tilted his head. "Are you alright, love? You seem rather tense."

She blinked a few times. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just…uh, been a while since I've danced. Not sure I really remember how."

A smile brightened his features. "Lucky for you, your partner knows what he's doing."

He squeezed her waist before he spun them around the dance floor. They swayed along as the music played throughout the bar.

"Baby, you're all that I want when you're lyin' here in my arms. I'm findin' it hard to believe we're in heaven. And love is all that I need - and I found it there in your heart. Isn't too hard to see we're in heaven."

Emma peered up at him. She smiled as he sang along - she found herself doing the same.

He then rested his forehead against hers. "Your voice is rather enchanting, love. As are you."

Her cheeks reddened as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"That's just the rum talking, Jones."

"Is it?"

He curled his arms further around her. She nearly stiffened - until she melted into his embrace. And when he started to sing again, it was as if he wrote the lyrics just for her.

"Yeah nothin' could change what you mean to me. Oh, there's lots I could say - but just hold me now 'cause our love will light the way."

Emma closed her eyes as she rested her head on his shoulder, her arms wrapping around his neck. He pulled her closer as he rested his hands on the small of her back.

He then rubbed circles along the fabric of her shirt as his singing faded into humming. As he felt her steady heartbeat next to his, he found himself wholly focused on the woman in his arms.

A contented sigh escaped her lips as she curled even further into him. She ran her fingers through his hair before she rested her hands at the nape of his neck.

Their movements slowed as they held each other close. The rest of the background faded into the night as they became the only two people in the room.

The song came to an end. They reluctantly pulled away - but their gazes locked. The blue and the green swirled with this…connection between them.

He leaned in - she blinked before she drew closer to him.

Until she pulled away.

Her eyes widened as she stammered, "I…I…can't…" She then ran toward the door.