Probably the eldest CS shipper; ISFJ, OUAT, Captain Swan, Colin addict (just look at his hotness!), Nature pics, Disney, Timeless, and cute animals (can't help myself). Not spoiler free!
A Doggone Good Plan - Chapter 6 (Finding Treasure)
A CS Multi-chapter Modern AU
Because of potential incoming weather and the possibility of losing internet service, you get the final chapter a day early. There will be a short epilogue that I plan to post Saturday. Wishing @whimsicallyenchantedrose a very happy birthday once again. I hope you, and all who have read this story, enjoyed it.
Another big thank you to @kmomof4 for all her help, encouragement, ideas and beta skills.
STORY SUMMARY: Desperate to save her beloved dogs when her ex-boyfriend makes threats against them, Emma Swan takes Killian Jones up on his offer to foster them.
RATING: M (for language, verbal abuse and gun violence)
WORDS: 3134 of 18,750 total
Catch up with the story on Tumblr - Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4 Ch. 5
Can also be read on Ao3
Chapter begins under the cut
*********
The next morning, Killian awoke to Emma’s voice and the smell of coffee wafting up from downstairs. He sat up, yawned and stretched, trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain. When he’d finally gotten to sleep, he slept fitfully and was far from well rested this morning.
From what he could hear of Emma’s conversation, he assumed Mary Margaret had called as promised. He got to his feet and stumbled across the room to the stairs, then slowly descended. Emma was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter. She looked up and saw him, pulled the phone away from her ear and whispered, “I hope I didn’t wake you up.”
Shaking his head in answer, he headed to the coffee maker, located a mug in one of the cupboards, and filled it. Before taking his first sip, he inhaled the strong scent, anticipating the caffeine boost it was going to provide.
“Tell David we said hi,” Emma said, before ending her phone conversation. Turning in her seat to face Killian, she told him, “I already took Oscar and Sophie out.”
“Okay,” he replied.
“Do you want some breakfast?” she asked, hopping off the stool. “Mary Margaret said to help ourselves to anything we want.” She opened a cupboard, then the refrigerator. “Looks like she has cereal, instant oatmeal, eggs, and bread for toast. What would you like?”
“Coffee is fine. I’m not really hungry.” Setting his mug on the counter, he left the kitchen to go to the bathroom.
When he returned, Emma was standing in the middle of the living room with a concerned look on her face. “Are you feeling okay?” she questioned. “You’re really quiet this morning and you usually eat a big breakfast.”
He shrugged as he started to walk past her. “I didn’t sleep very well. Too keyed up after the events of yesterday, I suppose.”
“Hey, Killian,” she said, reaching out to grab his wrist. “What’s wrong? You are acting strange.”
“Nothing. I’m fine,” he said with a forced smile.
She studied him. “You know I’m pretty good at being able to tell when someone is lying to me.”
He considered his options. He could continue to insist nothing was wrong, which she clearly wasn’t buying, or he could tell her the truth and see how she reacted to finding out he was in love with her.
“Killian?” she persisted.
He sighed, resigning himself to the consequences of revealing his feelings to her. “Alright,” he said, reaching for her other hand to lead her to the couch. “Come here and sit down.”
When both of them were seated, they positioned themselves to face each other. He took a deep breath and began. “Yesterday, I thought you were going to die.” He paused and looked down at his clasped hands before looking up and meeting her gaze. “And that does something to a man. It changed the way I think about…about us. Actually, it didn’t change how I feel about you, it just made me aware that I…that I care for you a great deal. As more than a friend.”
He paused again, searching her face to gauge her reaction. Her mouth opened slightly and her eyes widened, but she didn’t say anything, so he went on. “I know you probably don’t feel the same and I don’t want to make things awkward between us, but…”
“I can’t feel the same,” she interrupted. “You saw what happened when I let myself fall in love.”
“Emma…”
“And it’s not just Neal. All my life, people that I love - people who are supposed to love me - have let me down.”
“Hey, I don’t intend to let you down,” Killian assured her, moving slightly closer to her on the sofa.
“You say that, but you’re going back to England eventually, and when you do, you’ll be another person who leaves me.”
“That won’t happen for several months, Swan. We can figure something out by then.”
“No, Killian,” she said firmly. “I can’t risk being hurt again on the off chance that we can ‘figure something out’.”
He considered her words for a moment and it occurred to him that she hadn’t told him she didn’t have deeper feelings for him. In fact, she’d said that people she loved always let her down. Dare he hope that his feelings for her were reciprocated?
“May I ask you something?” he inquired softly.
“I guess?” she answered skeptically.
“You said you can’t let yourself have deeper feelings for me. Does that mean that you could - or that you do - think of me as more than a friend? I could live here permanently, you know.”
She blinked rapidly. “We both know that’s not a possibility, so why even ask?”
“I could put in for a transfer…”
“What about your life back in England? Your brother and his family? All of your friends, your apartment? You can’t just leave all of that.”
“For you I would, Emma,” he said, reaching to take her hand, but she jerked it away before he could.
Leaping to her feet, she turned her back on him. “Don’t say that, Killian!”
“Why not?” he questioned, also getting to his feet.
She whirled around to face him. “Because I’m not worth it! I’m not worth anyone giving up their whole life!”
“I beg to differ, Swan,” he said quietly, hoping his tone would help calm her. “I think you are very worth it.”
Tears sprang to her eyes and she swiped at them angrily. “You’re wrong!” she shouted. Then before he could answer, she turned and ran out the door, slamming it shut behind her.
Killian stood staring at it for several moments, stunned by her vehement response. He heard a whine and looked down to see both dogs looking up at him, seemingly puzzled about what just happened. “Well kids, I certainly made a mess of things, didn’t I?” Sophie looked back and forth between Killian and the door. “Do you think I should go after her?” he asked. The shaggy dog gave a short, sharp bark, which he took to be a yes.
Dashing upstairs, he quickly changed out of his pajamas, glancing out the window a couple of times to try to catch sight of Emma, without any luck. When he was dressed, he ran back downstairs, out the door, down the steps, and out of the building.
As he began to jog down the sidewalk, he searched his memory for conversations they’d had about their favorite places to go. He recalled her saying she found the harbor to be peaceful and decided to try there first.
*********
Emma’s lungs were burning by the time she reached the bay. When she fled the apartment building, she didn’t have a destination in mind - she just knew she had to get away. She wasn’t surprised that her legs automatically carried her to the harbor, since that’s where she liked to go when she needed to clear her mind.
Sinking down onto the concrete wall, she tried to concentrate on regulating her breathing, hoping to keep from thinking about the conversation with Killian, but it was fruitless. Why did he have to tell her he had deeper feelings for her? Things were perfect when they were only friends, nothing more.
But who was she kidding? She couldn’t deny that her own feelings for him had gone beyond friendship, too. She’d been attempting to squash them down for weeks, knowing that all she had to do was suppress them until he went back to England. Then he would go on with his life and forget about her.
That was the plan, but now his declaration had her rethinking everything. She’d told him she wasn’t worthy of his affections, yet she secretly longed to know what it would be like to be loved by Killian Jones, and to love him in return.
Still the question remained - was it worth the risk?
*********
When Killian got close to the harbor, he slowed down, scanning the area. He blew out a breath of relief when he saw Emma sitting on the seawall, staring out at the water.
He approached her hesitantly, unsure of what to say. Finally, he decided to just sit down and allow her to begin the conversation, if she was so inclined. He wasn’t sure she even realized he was there until she asked, “How did you know where to find me?”
“I remembered you telling me that you come here to look at the horizon because you find it calming.”
They sat quietly for what seemed to Killian like hours, but in reality was only a few minutes. When she spoke at last, he had to strain to hear her over the squawks of the seagulls and the waves lapping at the shore.
“The answer to your question is yes.”
His mind raced through their conversation, trying to figure out to which question she was referring. “You…are you saying your feelings for me could go deeper than friendship?” he asked hopefully.
Keeping her eyes on the water, she replied simply, “Yes.” Then, turning to look at him with tears shining in her eyes, she added, “They already have. I’m so stupid.”
“Because you think I’m going to leave you,” he said. It was a statement, not a question.
“Aren’t you?” she whispered brokenly.
He longed to pull her into his arms and never let her go, but he knew she needed to see the sincerity in his eyes when he answered. “I’d really like to pursue a relationship with you, Emma. If that means asking to remain here with the company permanently, that’s what I’ll do, because you see, I’m in this for the long haul. You’re something special, Love. Much like the thrifting treasures you find, others may not see your value and worth, but I do.”
She was looking at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I know you’ve been hurt and abandoned by far too many people, but I promise I won’t be one of those people. Please give me a chance, Emma. Give us a chance.”
“What about your family and your life back in England?”
“There are these things called airplanes, Swan,” he smirked. “We can schedule visits a couple of times a year, and they can come here to visit, too.”
“We?” she questioned.
“Aye, both of us, Love,” he affirmed.
“Your brother and his wife will probably hate me for taking you away from them.”
“Liam and Elsa want me to be happy. They’ve been after me for years to find my special someone. They’ll be thrilled to find out I have.” She chewed on her bottom lip, clearly considering all he just told her. He reached up to cup her cheek, gently urging her to look at him. “I’m not asking you to make a commitment, Emma,” he assured her. “But I know if I don’t explore the feelings I have for you, I’ll regret it, and I think you will, too.”
Her eyes darted back and forth between his several times, before dropping down to his lips. Then she subtly leaned toward him, and his heart pounded in anticipation. He met her halfway to share a sweet and tender kiss, and he knew in that instant that he never wanted to kiss any other woman.
When she pulled back and looked at him, he could still see hesitance in her expression. Unable to stop himself from voicing his feelings, he whispered, “I love you, Emma.”
A slight smile graced her lips. “You do?”
He grinned and nodded, never breaking eye contact with her. “I was reasonably sure I did, but that kiss just sealed the deal.”
“It was a good kiss,” she said playfully. “But it might take a few more for me to know for sure if I love you, too.”
He could tell there was some truth behind the teasing, but decided not to dwell on it. Instead, he quipped back, “Well, it may be a bit of a hardship, but it’s a cross I’m willing to bear.”
She giggled before leaning in to kiss him again…and again…and again.
*********
Mary Margaret and David were at the loft by the time Emma and Killian got back. When they walked in holding hands, Emma thought Mary Margaret’s smile was going to split her face in two.
“I was worried when the two of you were gone and the dogs were still here,” she said. “But it looks as though you’re both okay.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” Emma replied. “I…we…” she amended, glancing over at Killian, “were discussing some things and I…I…”
“We were at the harbor,” Killian jumped in. “It’s one of our favorite places.”
Emma threw him a grateful smile for not revealing that she ran out on him.
“How are you this morning, mate?” Killian asked David.
“I’m doing alright,” he said, his voice a bit melancholy. “I don’t really know what to do with myself since I can’t go to work, so Mary Margaret suggested we all have breakfast together.”
“Have you eaten already?” Mary Margaret asked. When Emma and Killian assured her they hadn’t, she said, “Oh, good. We picked up pastries and David is going to make omelets.”
“I hope you got a bear claw for Emma,” Killian remarked.
“Of course we did,” Mary Margaret said. “I know how Emma is when she doesn’t get her bear claw.”
“Aye, so do I,” Killian agreed with an overly serious look on his face. “I made the mistake of doing that one time. It was quite the frightening experience.”
“Hey!” Emma protested, elbowing him sharply.
“Swan! You wounded me!” he exclaimed, rubbing at his side, but the happiness in his eyes told her he didn’t feel the pain at all.
*********
That afternoon, Emma, Killian, Sophie, and Oscar returned to the house they all shared. David assured them that all evidence of yesterday’s events had been cleared away, but they were still apprehensive about entering the place where both of them nearly died. On the car ride back home, Emma shared the concern that she was afraid every time she walked into the kitchen, she would relive the horror of seeing Neal’s lifeless body in the middle of the floor.
Killian reached over the console to take her hand. “That’s completely understandable, Love. Trauma as disturbing as what we went through tends to linger. Dave told me that he has to go to mandatory therapy before he is reinstated and gave me the name of his therapist, in case we want to see him.”
“You would go with me?”
“If you like, but it might also benefit both of us to go individually. As I mentioned, thinking you were going to die affected me, and I think it might be a good idea for you to talk to him about all you went through with Cassidy, even before yesterday.”
“What’s the name of the therapist?” she asked.
“Dr. Archie Hopper. Dave said he works with the police quite a bit and they’re always impressed with the work he does.”
She was thoughtful for several moments. “It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea,” she finally conceded.
He squeezed her hand, pleased that she was willing to seek help.
As soon as they pulled up in front of the house, Killian exited the car and hurried around it to open Emma’s door. They untangled the dogs’ leashes and let them meander around the front yard for a few minutes to do their business.
“Ready, Love?” he asked at last, knowing the longer they put it off, the more apprehensive she would become.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
“Hey,” he said, stepping in front of her and tipping her chin up with his fingers. “I’ll be right here with you. If it’s too overwhelming, we’ll take Mary Margaret up on her offer to stay at her place for as long as we need.”
“Yeah, okay,” Emma agreed.
He gave her a reassuring smile, then leaned in to press a sweet, lingering kiss to her lips. After unlocking the door, he took her hand and led the way inside. They passed through the living room and kept walking toward the kitchen. Before entering, he turned and gave her a questioning look. She nodded firmly, a determined expression on her face.
Killian was relieved to see that the cleaner David called had done a very thorough job. There wasn’t a trace of blood to be seen, all of the pieces of furniture were back in their rightful places, and a slight scent of ammonia hung in the air.
He glanced over at Emma, who was surveying the floor with her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. “Swan?” he asked quietly. “Are you okay? What are you thinking?”
She didn’t answer immediately - just kept sweeping her eyes over the place where she last saw her former lover. When she finally looked at him, her eyes were filled with sadness and she asked again, “How did it all go so wrong? He said he loved me, but then he shattered my heart and tried to kill me. What if something is wrong with me that drives people away or…”
“Emma, please stop,” Killian implored. “There is nothing wrong with you.”
“Then why have so many people in my life given up on me?” she cried. “Why am I always tossed away like a bag of garbage?”
He drew her into his arms, pressing her trembling body against his. “I know it seems unfair that some people have more than their share of pain and rejection, while others are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but are never satisfied. I used to think that same thing when I was a lad, after my mother passed away and my father deserted us. What I’ve come to realize is that having difficulties makes us appreciate what we have. Cassidy didn’t appreciate you, so all he wanted was more.” He pulled away just enough to make eye contact with her. “But I’ll tell you one thing - I am blessed to have you in my life and not a day will go by that I won’t be grateful for you. You’ll never have to worry about being tossed away by me, because it will never happen. You can trust me on that.”
He knew she was searching his eyes for any hint of a lie and he let her, knowing she wouldn’t find one. Then with a sigh, she settled against his chest once again, her body relaxing. “I do trust you, Killian. Maybe my luck is changing and I’ve finally found my person.”
He tightened his arms around her and kissed the crown of her head. “Aye, Love. You have.”
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Summary: “If it’s aid of a magical sort ye seek, then you’ll be wanting to find the witch in the woods.”
A/N: Holy crap! What's this? Another finished fic?? Those Killian sacrifices are really paying off! Seriously, though, I am so sorry this took so long for me to wrap up. I hope y'all will find this a conclusion satisfactory as reward for your patience. Your support and comments have meant the world to me. Without them this may never have gotten finished!
Now to keep the momentum going, should I work on my Serial Killer with a Twist AU or my Bachelor/Bachelorette Weekend in Vegas AU next? Reply, comment, or send me an Ask with your vote!
All my love to @kmomof4 as usual for giving this a once over!
Rated T (for now?) / Also available on ao3 / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me! / Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five
Part Six
Skull Rock was shrouded in fog, the dense mist adding a refracting filter over the torchlight flickering from the cavern’s opening. The weight of the air, heavy with a humidity usually only found within the Dark Jungle made Hook feel as though he were being dragged underwater rather than flown through the night sky. Glancing to his left, he could make out Emma cradled in the arms of The Shadow, a look of determination mixed with trepidation affixed on her features which shimmered under the moonlight.
While The Shadow took care to soften its landing with Swan in its embrace, the shadows transporting him were not so delicate. Hook’s knees buckled from the hard landing and his feet were swept out from beneath him as his spectre guards began pulling him along towards the cave’s entrance.
The Shadow had told them that Pan expected Hook to arrive weakened, so Swan (with some difficulty) had conjured a glamour spell to make him look as though he’d been beaten within an inch of his life. Now he and the other shadows were playing their part in case Pan already had eyes on them. With his head down, lolling in all directions from the way he was being unceremoniously dragged up the stairs, he hoped neither Pan nor the Dark One would suspect the trickery, or come to realize he was no longer in possession of his own shadow.
Who was currently on a very important mission; one crucial to their success and survival.
The stairs opened up to a spacious room at the center of the cave. Large holes within the exterior - the eyes of the skull shaped grotto - looked out over the coastline. An ocean breeze filled the chamber; the fresh brine both calming and invigorating to Hook’s senses, fortifying him for what was to come.
The shadows continued to lug him across the floor. Hook kept his head down and his body limp until he was roughly deposited against the stones in front of two sets of feet. A deep groan echoed out from his chest and he rolled over onto one side, clutching his ribs on the other.
“Be careful!” Emma pleaded beside him, struggling against The Shadow’s hold. “Haven’t you hurt him enough?”
Tilting his head back, Hook looked up into the faces of his two worst enemies, a scowl pulling at his split lip and a murderous rage glinting from his swollen and blackened eyes. The Dark One crouched down, his reptilian visage hovering within Hook’s view and a wide, gloating grin spread across his lips.
“Always a pleasure to see you like this, Captain,” he sneered. “So glad you could join us.”
“Indeed,” Pan agreed. “Lovely of you both to accept my invitation.”
“As though you left us any choice,” Emma replied back in a tone of pure venom. “Where is Henry? Where is my son?”
“All in good time,” Pan answered. “The lad is being well looked after by my Lost Boys. No need to fret.”
Knowing the Lost Boys as he did, Hook knew she had every reason to fret. Fortunately, a blur of black silhouettes wooshed across the cavern’s openings like billows of smoke, racing towards Pan’s encampment to retrieve the lad before any further harm could come to him.
“Why are we here?” Hook panted out in a pained cadence, forcing himself up to his knees in an effort to continue to sell his injuries. “What game are you playing now?”
“It’s quite simple, really,” Pan began in that irritating voice of feigned innocence. “We each wanted you here for different reasons. I…” he continued, stepping forward and indicating to himself with his eyes trained on Swan. “require your magic. And my son…”
The Dark One grabbed a fistfull of Hook’s hair and hauled him to his feet by his scalp. His pained cry almost drowned out Rumplstiltskin’s dementedly maniacal laugh as he brought him in close and confessed in the pirate’s face, “Why… I want you dead, of course!”
“Well, go on then,” Hook challenged, defiantly. “What are you waiting for?”
“No! Stop!” Emma cried out, wrenching her arm out of The Shadow’s grasp and sending a pulse of magic straight at Rumplestiltskin's chest.
The force of the blast caused him to release Hook and stagger backwards. Much to Hook’s displeasure, Swan braced herself in front of him, shielding him, and ready to match the Dark One curse for curse.
“Now, now,” Pan tutted, throwing his progeny a hard look. “As I said, all in good time. Remember our deal? I’m first.”
“What do you mean, you’re first?” Emma demanded with her hands still raised. Magic may work differently than she was used to, but they had both agreed - along with The Shadow - that she ought to risk using it if necessary.
“The reasons we brought you here,” Pan informed her. “I get to have mine fulfilled first.”
“You mean Swan’s magic?” Hook limped forward to stand next to Emma and followed up the inquiry with another. “What bloody use is her magic to you and why would she ever agree to relinquish it?”
“To save her son, of course,” Pan answered, his words delivered as though that fact ought to have been obvious.
Hook shared a wary yet hopeful glance with Emma, then turned his attention back to the demon brat who was now arrogantly lounging against a craggy outcropping with his arms and ankles crossed.
“Go on.”
“It’s simple really,” Pan began. “I need an infusion of powerful magic to retain my youth and keep the reaper at bay.” His eyes narrowed in on Swan, the unnatural hunger and covetousness in his eyes sparking Hook’s anger and possessiveness. “A seer once told me I could gain the power I needed from the heart of a boy descended of my line, one full of unshakeable belief, but--”
“You’ll never get my son’s heart! I’ll die before I let you--”
“Yes, yes,” Pan waved off Emma’s outcry and threats with an air of boredom, then carried on as though they were discussing nothing more serious than the weather. “Well, it turns out the heart must be given willingly, and your little brat has been less than cooperative. Therefore…”
Sauntering forward, Pan came to stand in front of Swan, and Hook moved to place himself between them. His efforts were thwarted by a rough shove from the Dark One which landed him on his backside.
“I’ll make you a deal.” Pan circled Emma, who remained stiff-backed with a glower of determination scowling from her features. “While I could keep the boy here in an effort to wear him down and comply, I’m afraid time is not on my side… even here. So…”
“So you want my magic in exchange, hoping it will be enough to keep you alive until another option presents itself,” Emma finished for him, doing her best to keep the fear and torment out of her voice, but Hook could still detect it and his heart ached all the more for her.
“You managed to go nearly a decade without using it, if I’m not mistaken,” Pan rationalized callously. “Surely, you won’t miss it that much. A small price to pay for the life of your son, wouldn’t you say?”
Glancing back at Hook, Emma raised her brows; the hope that he might signal to her that their plan could be put into motion clearly pouring from her eyes. With a subtle shift of his head, Hook tried to convey they’d have to stall a bit longer. The crestfallen look she gave him let him know the message was received. With a decisive swallow, she straightened her shoulders and turned back to Pan.
“I’ll give you my magic with one additional condition.”
“Oh?” Pan replied, eagerly. “Do tell.”
Gesturing back at Hook, she demanded, “Hook’s life is also spared and he leaves with Henry and me.”
Pan drew in a hissing breath of supposed remorse, but Hook knew the boy did not possess the capacity for such an emotion. “I’m afraid I can’t make that deal.” A sinister grin lifted the corners of Pan’s mouth and he stepped back to gesture at the demon beside him. “You’ll have to take up the pirate’s fate with him.”
Another maniacal giggle twittered from the Dark One’s throat, setting Killian’s teeth on edge. “Care to make another deal, Dearie?”
“Don’t do it, Swan,” Hook pleaded, finally getting to his feet. “You know this demon can’t be trusted.”
Ignoring Hook’s protest, Emma asked, “What do you want? What will it take to spare his life?”
“Let’s see,” he drawled ominously. “How about… the life of your son.”
“Never!”
Emma stretched out her hands, ready to blast curses at both their adversaries, willing to risk her own safety should the corrupted nature of the island cause her magic to backfire. Grabbing her wrist, Hook stalled her actions and out of the corner of his eye he saw a glint of metal sparkle from the cavern's eyes.
His shadow had returned. Victorious.
“You can’t really expect Swan to trade her own son for me,” Hook grit out through clenched teeth. “And you,” he said to Pan, “blinded by the capriciousness of a prophecy, you have failed to see the answer to your problem even when it is literally standing before you.”
An intrigued perplexity pulled at Pan’s features as he cocked his head to one side. “What do you mean by that, Captain?”
Hook shifted his weight and tucked his thumb into his belt. “I’ve spent a long time trying to find a way to exact my revenge on Rumplestiltskin, and in the course of that pursuit, I learned something.”
“You’ve piqued my interest, pirate, but my patience will not last.”
“There is another prophecy,” Hook told him. “One about a boy--one who will be more than he appears and who will lead the Dark One to his son. This boy shall be his undoing.” Shifting his attention to Rumplestiltskin, Hook clarified, “That’s why you want Henry dead. You believe him to be the boy.”
“Are you suggesting he is not?” the Dark One challenged. “You think you can save his skin by attempting to cast doubt?”
Shrugging, Hook replied, “I’m merely offering another perspective.” Taking a few purposeful steps to his left, the pirate positioned himself closer to the opening where his shadow remained hidden. “It seems to me it wasn’t Swan’s lad who led the Dark One to his son, but another boy altogether.” Flicking his eyes onto Pan, Hook stated, “One that is much more than he seems.”
Pan’s eyes widened in comprehension and Rumplestiltskin’s face grew pale beneath his scaly pallor.
“I see you both finally understand,” Hook said with a malevolent smirk. “Pan is the boy who shall be your undoing.”
“Impossible,” Rumplestiltskin scoffed. “We all know there’s only one way to kill me, and good luck finding the necessary--”
“Ah, yes. That.” The hard crack of the t reverberated off the rocky walls. Reaching his hand towards the sky, Hook gloatingly said, “You should know by now… pirates make their own luck.”
Hook’s shadow came soaring into the chamber and deposited the Dark One’s dagger into its master’s hand.
“NO!” Rumplestiltskin bellowed, lunging for the dagger only to be held back by his nemesis’ shadow.
Emma rushed forward and took the opportunity to snap her enchanted cuff onto the Dark One’s wrist, rendering him incapable of using his magic against them. The entire scene was silently witnessed by Pan, whose expression grew more and more delighted and more and more menacing.
“Well, now.” Pan slowly clapped his hands together in appreciation and approached Hook. “Isn’t this an interesting turn of events?”
“Indeed,” Hook replied, gripping the dagger tightly in his hand. “Looks like the only ones who will be making a deal are you and I.”
“I’m listening.”
“You free the boy, allow Swan to keep her magic, and guarantee us safe passage off the island. In exchange, the dagger is yours.”
“And with it you expect me to murder my own son?” Pan asked, feigning shock and outrage.
“We both know you’d gladly sacrifice your entire bloodline for the chance at the power and immortality he possesses,” Hook shot back, holding out the dagger. “Do we have a deal?”
Pan’s greedy eyes dropped down to the curved blade then flicked back up to the pirate’s. “You would willingly give me such power? Knowing the horrors I am likely to inflict?”
“So long as you leave Emma, her lad, and me be to live our lives in peace, I don’t much care.”
“Well then,” Pan purred, extending out his hand. “I’d say you’ve got yourself a deal, Captain.”
Rumplestiltskin began to protest, begging and pleading for Pan to reconsider as Hook handed over the dagger. Without hesitation and absolutely zero remorse, the demon boy plunged the dagger straight into the Dark One’s chest.
“What have I always told you, Rumple?” The boy whispered with a vicious gleam in his eyes. “Pan. Always. Wins.”
Death rattles gurgled up the Dark One’s throat and Hook pulled Emma in close, turning her into his chest to save her from having to witness the gruesome sight. He would not deny the pleasure it gave him to see his old enemy in the throes of dying, even if it meant giving his other adversary nearly unlimited power.
Rumplestiltskin dropped to the cobbled floor, his hand wrapped around the dagger protruding from his chest, as he struggled to draw breath. Pan turned, triumphant; his stance wide and his hands smugly braced against his hips. A savage smile split his face and a feral glint gleamed from his eyes, sending a shudder down Hook’s spine.
A final rasp hissed from the former Dark One’s lips and his hand went limp, failing to the ground. Pan’s features began to glitter under the torchlight of the cavern and a swirl of black tendrils crept up his legs.
“See that my part of the deal is met, then come collect me at the Dark Vault,” he said to his Shadow, whom he believed was still loyal to him. The spectre nodded, and Pan vanished in a billow of pitch.
Hook and Emma stood in weary silence for several erratic beats of their hearts before turning to embrace one another. They’d done it! They’d beat Pan at his own game!
“I should not wait too long before going after him,” The Shadow commented, breaking the two apart and forcing them to focus on the next part of their plan.
“How long will you be g--”
Emma’s question was cut off by the exuberant sounds making their way from the cave’s openings.
“Mom!”
“Henry!”
Swan sprinted towards her boy, who was being gently set down by the shadows that had gone to retrieve him. Dropping to her knees, she pulled the lad into her arms and he reciprocated, wrapping his tightly around her neck.
Hook repositioned himself to try and hide the body of Rumplestiltskin from the boy’s view. However, the action caught Henry’s attention and his eyes widened in terror.
“Y-You’re Captain Hook! The Lost Boys told me about you!”
“It’s okay, Henry.” Swan stood and took her son’s hand, leading him over to the pirate. “He helped me get here. He helped me save you from Pan and--”
“Pan!” Fearfully, the boy searched the room, his head swiveling to and fro. “He wants my heart! He said he’d hurt you if I didn’t give it to him, but I knew you’d…” Impossibly, the lad’s eyes grew even wider when they landed on the poorly concealed body behind Hook’s feet. “Is that the Dark One? What happened to him? Is he… is he dead?”
Turning her son around so his back was now to the gruesome scene, Emma continued her assurances that the boy was safe and had nothing further to fear. Flicking her eyes up to Hook, a pleading glimmered from their jade depths and the pirate answered with a nod of understanding. Swan recounted the entire tale of what she had gone through, beginning at the point of his abduction and following through to the most recent events, all while Hook worked to move Rumplestiltskin’s body to a dark corner of the cavern.
Once sufficiently out of sight, he grasped the dagger and freed it from his enemy’s chest with a firm tug, then with his hook, he pried off the magic binding cuff from the corpse’s wrist. A sick churning overwhelmed his gut as he read the name now etched upon the blade and was reminded of the new horror they had unleashed upon the realms.
Lifting his head, he faced The Shadow hovering beside him. “Are you certain this will work?”
“It has to.”
Hook was not at all comforted by that reply as he handed over the dagger and cuff, but they had few options at this point.
“Once you’ve taken control of him with those,” Hook began, nodding at the implements, “will you bring him back here or keep him imprisoned in another realm?”
“Here,” The shadow replied without giving it a moment’s thought. “The island won’t like it, but he must be kept where he can be monitored, and I have a duty to mend what he destroyed.”
“I do not envy you that task.” Hook may not have the same magical intuition as actual purveyors of the mystic arts, but he had seen the changes and corruptions of the island firsthand since that initial tragic visit with his brother and all the years he’d spent trapped in the demon boy’s service.
“Captain?”
Young Henry’s voice echoed across the cavern and Hook was quick to follow it back to its source, lest the boy seek him out and catch another harrowing glimpse of the body.
“Aye, lad?” He slowed his steps as he drew closer and tucked his hook behind his back, not wishing to frighten the boy with his namesake.
“I… I wanted to say thank you,” Henry said, staring up at him with the same warm, brown eyes another boy had looked upon him with long ago. “My mom said she’d never have been able to rescue me without you. I owe you my life.”
Sticking his small hand out, Henry stood rod straight as he awaited the pirate’s acceptance. A touched, soft smile lifted the corners of Hook’s lips and he took the lad’s hand.
“No thanks required, my boy. It is I who owe you and your mother. If not for her, I’d still be indentured to Pan and just as much a captive on the island as you were.”
Twisting his head to one side, Henry’s eyes narrowed in contemplation. “You are not at all what I expected for a pirate,” he said. “I always thought pirates were the bad guys.”
Something unpleasant tightened in Hook's chest. “I hope that recent experiences have proven that, at least on this island, I am not the bad guy.”
“And neither is he,” Emma informed her son, indicating the umbral spectre still hovering in the dark corner. “You can come forward. He knows you were powerless to deny Pan’s bidding as well.”
The Shadow presented himself and gave an apologetic bow towards the boy. Hook noted that he too was concealing potentially distressing items behind his back. Although, the effort wasn’t quite as successful given his gossamer nature.
“So, what now?” the lad asked, turning his face up towards his mother. “You said we can’t go home because the village turned against you.”
“We’ll just have to find a new home,” she told him, wrapping a comforting arm around his shoulders. “The important thing is, we’ll be together and no one will ever separate us again.”
“I actually have a proposition for you in that regard,” The Shadow began, hesitantly. “What would you say to staying and making a home here for a while?”
Emma balked, her lips parting in surprise and her brows arching up her forehead. “Here? In Neverland?”
Hook was also taken aback. Surely the entity must know of their eagerness to leave this accursed place.
“I realize it is not an ideal environment, but with your help Neverland can be restored to what she once was.”
A look of uncertainty crossed her features and her mouth opened to voice, what Hook could only presume would be, a resounding refusal.
“Please,” The Shadow pleaded, stalling Swan’s words. “Truth be told… I am not certain I can heal all of her wounds without you.”
“Why me?” she asked, and Hook could see the heartache she felt for the island shimmer within her eyes even as she fought to keep her resolve. “There are plenty of others, more suited to the work than I, whom you could enlist.”
“But none of them possess white magic as powerful as yours.” His head tilted down towards Henry and he added, “Nor do they have the heart of the truest believer beating within their chest.” He cast his eyes out towards the shoreline, the moonlight glittering upon the waves and mused, “I do not think any of this has been a coincidence. I believe you have always been meant to save this place.”
“I’m no saviour,” Emma refuted. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin to--”
“Yes. You are,” Hook reminded her. “You saved me. You saved your son. You saved all the shadows who were doomed to be trapped here forever.” When her stubbornness refused to release the dubious expression from her face, Hook took her hand and pulled her in close. “How many people have you helped over the years? Even while you were in hiding and without your magic, I know you could not have sat idly by while others suffered from that which you could help ease.”
“How could you possibly--”
“Because I know you, Swan,” he murmured with a flirty smirk. “You are something of an open book… to me.”
She swallowed hard then inhaled deeply. “What about Henry? There are still so many dangers here and I--”
“I’ll be fine!” the boy protested. “The Shadow and the Captain are right, Mom. If we can help make Neverland better, then shouldn’t we stay and at least try?”
Sensing they nearly had her swayed, Hook offered, “The two of you can stay with me on my ship. I swear no harm will come to the boy whilst he is in my charge.”
Henry’s eyes lit up. “Can we really?”
“No,” Emma replied, emphatically, gripping Hook’s hand tightly. “You can’t possibly mean to stay. Not when you are finally free to leave.”
Running the pad of his thumb over her knuckles, he confessed, “My reasons for wanting to leave this place no longer exist.”
“What possible reason could you have for wanting to stay, though?”
An amused and slightly exasperated huff puffed from his chest. “Don’t you know, Emma?” he whispered. “It’s you.”
Before that wall of hers could begin to fortify itself, he gave her hand one last gentle squeeze then stepped back, tucking his thumb into his belt as he cocked his hip to one side. “Besides, you were right. There are still many dangers lingering, and you’ll need someone to help you navigate past them.” Throwing The Shadow a look over his shoulder, he added, “You’ll need all the help you can get keeping Pan secure and the Lost Boys in line.” Turning back to Swan, he shot her a challenging grin and a raised brow. “So what say you, love? Fancy throwing your lot in with a pirate?”
A smile tugged at her lips, her eyes cutting between her son’s hopeful pleading and the pirate’s taunting expression.
“Fine,” she dramatically exhaled. “We’ll do it your way, pirate.” She took a few sauntering steps forward and poked her finger in his waistcoat. “But don’t think I’m taking my eyes off you for a second.”
Hook brought up his hand and pressed hers against his chest beneath it. “I would despair if you did.”
~/~
Some measure of time later…
“Don’t run too far ahead!” Emma called out to her son who was hurriedly making his way to the Pixie Wood. “The cottage will still be there!”
Beside her a deep chuckle rumbled through Killian’s chest. When she glanced his way it was to find him already gazing down at her. Lifting their joined hands, he brushed a soft kiss to the back of hers, sending a quiver of a wonder down her spine.
“You can’t blame the lad for being excited,” he murmured softly against her knuckles, skimming the tip of his nose along her wrist before letting their hands fall back between them. “It’s been an age since he had his own room.”
Emma mused affectionately to herself. She supposed he had a point. The Jolly Roger had become rather crowded as of late, what with many of the Lost Boys choosing to relocate there in order to learn a sea-faring trade from one of the greatest sailors in all the realms. Realms they planned to return to one day as soon as their captain deemed them ready to join another’s crew.
The more troublesome of the group, the ones dangerously loyal to Pan, who would have stopped at nothing to free him from where The Shadow had imprisoned him deep within Echo Cave, had been shipped off early on. Literally. The army of shadows had rounded them up in a matter of days, and Killian had wasted no time in taking them to a place called Pleasure Island. He hadn’t said much about the place, but Emma had been quite certain she did not want the details.
Once the Lost Boys and Pan’s imprisonment had been dealt with, she and The Shadow began the arduous task of setting things within the island’s enchantments to rights. Their first victory had been the returning of the dawn. Emma would never forget that morning, dozing in her pirate’s arms as they lazed in his bunk after a night of ‘enjoyable activities’ (as he called it) only to be roused by faint rays of sunlight prisming in through the Captain’s Quarter’s windows.
Nor would she forget the experience of being kidnapped by said pirate the very next day, taken to a secluded lagoon, and introduced to the provocative practice of skinny dipping. The image of his naked, glistening body being bathed in beams of light as he sunned himself on the grotto’s large rocks would be forever seared into her memory… and happily so.
The days had not lasted a full course at first, but with each salve of sorcery, each balm of spellwork, and every incantation towards a cure, the island began to heal more and more. Yet, with each achievement there was one restoration of the island’s power that remained beyond their conjuring.
Pixie dust.
Try as they might to get the trees where the pixie flowers grew to produce their blooms, Neverland was still without its most powerful resource. That was until Tinkerbell (a former fairy who had been banished to the island) had been able to persuade the Blue Fairy to help in their cause. A sackful of fairy dust had arrived by special delivery from another fairy named Nova, and with it, instructions on how the fairy dust might help encourage things along within the Pixie Wood.
And encourage things it did! Within a matter of days blooms began to appear on the highest branches of the trees, but the Blue Fairy had also warned how fragile and delicate the early stages of pixie flower growth was. The blooms would require constant monitoring and infusions of magic in order to survive into maturity and produce pixie dust.
Tinkerbell had offered to become the Wood’s guardian and look after the flowers, but Blue had other ideas, gifting the fairy back her wings and her wand and inviting her to join the ranks of her sisters once more. Emma would not hear of her missing out on this second chance and with Killian’s agreement, they urged her to go with their blessing.
Emma would see to the Wood.
As much as she had enjoyed spending time on the sea, she could not deny having missed the firm foundation of nature and the solace of the forest. Fortunately, her pirate was well aware of her longings and had agreed to relocate with her without a moment’s hesitation. It had taken more time than she’d expected to construct the modest cottage - her magic still functioned abnormally on the island from time to time - but now that it was complete, she, Killian, and Henry would live out the remainder of their time in Neverland within the comfort of its walls; although, Killian would return to the Jolly Roger each day to continue the necessary lessons with his prepubescent crew.
“Now the cottage is finished and the pixie flowers are growing, might we ought to discuss what happens afterward?” Killian posed as they continued to make their way through the woods.
“Afterward?”
“Aye,” he replied with a hesitancy in his tone that had Emma pausing their steps. “After you’ve successfully brought pixie dust back and finish bringing the island back to its former glory.”
“You mean… what happens when it’s time for us to leave.”
Killian did not respond, choosing instead to give her the time and space she needed to consider what he was truly asking. She really was an open book to him.
Inhaling deeply, Emma worried her lip and cast a glance towards the cottage door which had just been flung open by her exuberant son. “I suppose we’ll have to find a place that accepts pirates and witches.” Flicking her eyes back up to the man before her, she pondered, “If such a place exists.”
Wrapping his arms around her waist, a broad smile stretched across his handsome face and he crooned down at her, “I am certain there are a number of places that will welcome your gift. And as for piracy…” His expression became solemn and serious, his eyes swimming with a resolve that left her nearly breathless. “I think I have had my fill of such endeavors.”
“What?”
“I will keep my ship, of course,” he hurriedly clarified. “Perhaps we could find a quaint fishing or merchant village with a harbor suitable enough for her?”
“Are you… are you sure?” Emma could not quite believe he’d be willing to give up his life on the sea. “I would never ask you to make such a sacrifice for my sake.”
“You’re not,” he assured her, reaching up to cup her face. “And it is no sacrifice. Not when I compare it to a life spent at your side.” His thumb caressed her cheek as he bent over to brush his lips over hers. “That is, of course…” he murmured nervously with his forehead pressed against hers, “if you’ll have me?”
A shuddering breath fell from her mouth, followed by a jubilant elation of mirth. With joyous tears stinging the corners of her eyes, she swept her hand through his riotous hair and lightly held the back of his head, toying with hairline at the nape of his neck.
“Yes!” she whispered excitedly. “A thousand times, yes!”
A startled cry made its way up her throat when he tightly wrapped her in his arms then lifted her off the ground, swinging her around as an overjoyed burst of laughter rumbled through his chest. Setting her back on her feet, his lips crashed against hers and they lost themselves for several blissful moments, until Henry’s impatient shouts forced them to come up for air.
Taking Emma’s hand, Killian pierced her with a look that held heated promises for later before leading them towards the cottage. A charge of desire zipped through her, and she silently hoped that the day’s excitement would be enough to cause Henry to sleep very, very soundly that night.
“Shall we tell the lad now, or wait?”
Emma contemplated Killian’s question before deciding, “Let’s give it a day or two. Give him time to settle into the cottage before we set his sights on the next chapter.”
“As you wish.”
Arriving at the door of their new, albeit temporary, home, Emma tugged on Killian’s arm to stop him before entering. Perplexed by the action, he raised his brow and cocked his head at her.
“What is it, love?”
“I just want you to know,” she began lovingly, “No matter where our life may lead us or how we spend our days… you’ll always be the pirate captain who gave me my greatest adventure.”
Killian smiled and swept her up into his arms, carrying her over the threshold. “And you, my love,” he replied with his mouth poised to kiss her as soon as he said his piece. “Shall always be the witch in the woods who saved me.”
The End
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STORY SUMMARY: Desperate to save her beloved dogs when her ex-boyfriend makes threats against them, Emma Swan takes Killian Jones up on his offer to foster them.
RATING: M (for language, verbal abuse and gun violence)
WORDS: 4213 of 18,700 (6 chapters and a short epilogue)
Catch up with the story on Tumblr - Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4
Can also be read on Ao3
Chapter begins under the cut
*********
“Killian!” Emma screamed, covering her face with her hands.
“I’m right here, Love.” Relief flooded through her at the sound of his voice. She opened her eyes to see him crawling toward her, avoiding Neal’s crumpled body on the floor. He pulled her into his arms, while several police officers rushed past them.
“Are you two okay?”
Emma looked up to see Mary Margaret’s boyfriend David Nolan looking at her with concern. “What happened?” she croaked.
“Officer Nolan just saved your life,” another officer reported.
“You shot Neal?” she asked.
“Only because he was threatening to shoot both of you,” David explained.
“Is he…dead?”
David threw a questioning look at one of the men squatting beside Neal. The officer nodded. “Looks like we’re gonna need the coroner.”
Emma buried her face in Killian’s neck, trying to block out the sight of the steadily increasing pool of blood spreading out underneath her ex. Killian’s arms tightened around her as she gave into her sobs.
*********
Killian held Emma’s shaking body, his own rush of adrenaline slowly ebbing away. He felt like he hadn’t taken a single breath since he looked through the window to see Cassidy slap Emma.
After several minutes, her sobs began to subside and he heard her whimper something against his throat. “What’s that, Love?”
“My babies. They must be so scared.”
He hadn’t thought about the dogs, but was honestly glad to have an excuse to get her out of the house. The atmosphere was completely chaotic with noise from police radios, officers collecting evidence and taking photos, and sirens outside signaling the arrival of more first responders. Slowly he got to his feet, not releasing his hold on her. “Let’s go check on them,” he murmured. Keeping her tucked tightly against him, he steered her past Neal’s body and out the back door.
Once they were outside, Killian reluctantly let Emma go. As he watched her snuggling with Sophie and Oscar, it hit him that he could have lost her if the police hadn’t arrived in time. Just the thought of it made his heart ache. In that moment he realized that his feelings for her had gone beyond friendship. Far beyond friendship.
Before he could ponder this further, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw David, who had an apologetic look on his face.
“I’m afraid the two of you are going to have to go down to the station to give statements.”
Killian glanced at Emma, then back to David. “I figured as much.”
“I expect you won’t want to stay in this house tonight,” David continued. “I took the liberty of calling Mary Margaret to see if Emma can stay with her. You’re welcome to crash at my place, if you like.” The two men had gotten to know each other when they both ate at the restaurant while Emma and Mary Margaret worked together.
Killian turned his eyes back to Emma, who was sitting on the ground with her head in her hands. “I appreciate the offer, mate, but I…I don’t want to leave her. Would you be alright with me staying at Mary Margaret’s as well? I’d be willing to sleep on the floor. I just…I think Emma needs me…and I need to be with her, too.”
David nodded. “I understand.”
“What about Sophie and Oscar?” Killian asked. “We can’t leave them here by themselves.”
“Mary Margaret said Emma can bring them along. Her landlord normally doesn’t permit pets, but since it’s probably only for one night, it’ll be fine.”
“Sounds like a good plan, then. Are you able to stay out here with Emma while I go throw some things in an overnight bag?”
“Of course,” David answered, then sighed and ran a hand through his hair before adding, “I can’t do much to help inside anyway. I’ll be put on administrative leave for a while, since I’m the one who killed Cassidy.”
Killian turned to face him fully. “I can’t bring myself to say I’m sorry, Dave. If you hadn’t shot him, we…Emma and I might…”
David quickly put a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t even want to think about it. I did what I had to do and I have no regrets.” The two men shook hands, their eyes meeting with an understanding that only two people who had shared such a traumatic experience could convey.
Killian walked over to Emma, touched her on the shoulder, and winced when she jumped. “Sorry, Love,” he apologized. “I wanted to let you know that David made arrangements for us to stay at Mary Margaret’s tonight.” When she started to open her mouth, he hurried on. “All of us - Oscar and Sophie included. I’m going to gather some things to take along. Is there anything in particular you’ll need, besides the essentials?”
She thought over his question. “Could you grab my pillow and blanket? Having those might make the dogs, and me, more comfortable.”
“I can do that. Anything else?”
She shook her head. “Not that I can think of at the moment.”
Squatting down beside her, he took one of her hands. “Before we go to the loft, we’ll have to go to the police station to give our account of the events. Do you feel up to it?”
She looked at him and his heart broke at the pain he saw in her eyes. “I loved him,” she whispered hoarsely. “How did things go so horribly wrong?”
“Everything that happened is a consequence of Neal’s poor choices,” he replied quietly. “I wish it hadn’t come to this, but everything that happened is on him.”
“If I would have just…”
“No. Don’t do that to yourself, Swan.” Ducking his head down to make eye contact with her, he added, “You did nothing to warrant the actions he took, and there’s no way you could have predicted this turn of events, aye?”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I am,” he quipped, hoping to lighten the mood a bit. To his satisfaction, the corners of her mouth turned up a bit. He stood up, hesitated a second, then bent down and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “Dave is going to stay out here with you. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
She started to rise to her feet. “I need to get Sophie and Oscar’s beds and food.”
“I’ll get them,” he hurried to assure her. “Just stay out here, Love.”
Looking up at him with tears in her eyes, she said, “Are you trying to keep me from seeing his…him?”
“You already lived through a nightmare today, Emma,” he replied. “You don’t need to experience more trauma by going back into that chaos.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
“Be back in a few minutes,” he said, then went into the house. He skirted around the edge of the kitchen, intentionally averting his eyes from where Neal’s body still lay in the middle of the floor.
After stuffing pajamas, underwear, and a change of clothes from his and Emma’s rooms into a duffle bag, he added their toiletries from the bathroom, and tucked the dogs’ beds under his arm. On his return trip through the kitchen, he collected the bag of dog food, their bowls and leashes, being careful to stay out of the investigators’ way.
Emerging into the backyard again, he saw David and Emma sharing a hug. They appeared to be comforting each other and Killian was sure the events of the day were just as hard on David as they were on himself and Emma. No police officer would choose to shoot and kill someone unless it was absolutely necessary.
Killian approached them quietly, not wishing to interfere in their private moment. They ended their hug and Emma wiped at her eyes, saying, “I’ll never be able to thank you enough, David.”
“Aye,” Killian agreed. “We owe you many thanks, mate.”
David looked at each of them in turn, then gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. After clearing his throat, he said, “Mary Margaret is on her way over to pick up the dogs, then you can go to the police station.”
“How long will we have to be there?” Emma asked.
“However long it takes for you both to give your statements,” David answered, just as his phone dinged with an incoming text. He pulled it from his pocket and checked it. “Mary Margaret is parked around the corner. They have the street blocked off, so she can’t get any closer.”
Killian handed the leashes to Emma. “Why don’t you clip these on while I go put our things in the car. I’ll be right back.”
He jogged around the side of the house and tossed everything in the trunk of his car. A police officer stopped him to ask if they should lock the door when they were finished collecting evidence. After answering in the affirmative, Killian returned to the backyard where Emma was leading the dogs around the yard, giving them an opportunity to do their business.
David was sitting on the steps, staring off into space. Killian sat down beside him and asked, “When the detectives finish their investigation, will they clean up the kitchen?”
David turned his attention to his friend. “The police won’t, but there are a couple of people who clean up crime scenes for us. I’ll give one of them a call, if you want.”
“That would be great. I know Emma will want to bring the dogs back home tomorrow, and I’d really like all the mess to be gone.”
The two men watched her lead the dogs back to where they sat. Killian stood up and took Oscar’s leash from her. “Ready to go, Love?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she sighed resignedly.
David joined them and the three of them left the backyard, following the sidewalk around the corner to where Mary Margaret was pacing beside her car. When she caught sight of the trio, she rushed over to David, embracing him in a tight hug.
Killian and Emma hung back, allowing the couple to have a moment. They could hear Mary Margaret murmuring words of comfort and reassurance to her boyfriend. As soon as they pulled away from each other, Mary Margaret turned toward Emma, gathering her in her arms as well. “That must have been horrible for you,” Killian heard her say.
“I never dreamed he could be so violent,” Emma answered, her words muffled against her friend’s shoulder. “It was like he lost his mind.”
Mary Margaret ended the hug and held Emma at arm’s length, a look of compassion on her face. “I almost hate to say it, but at least he won’t be able to hurt you again.”
“No, he won’t,” Emma agreed. “But I never wanted him dead.”
“It was either him or one of us,” Killian said. “And fortunately, thanks to Dave, it wasn’t us. Your boyfriend is a hero, Mary Margaret.”
“Yes, he is,” she said, turning a beaming smile at David, which he attempted to return.
They loaded the dogs into Mary Margaret’s car, watched her drive away, then headed back to the house so they could go to the police station.
*********
By the time Emma finished giving her statement, she was thoroughly drained. Not only did she have to recount the events of that afternoon, she also had to answer questions about her relationship with Neal. When she finally emerged into the lobby of the station, Killian was waiting for her. He swiftly rose from his seat to meet her.
“Alright there, Swan?” he asked.
“Yeah, I just…” Her voice faltered and he pulled her into his arms. She went willingly, craving the comfort he was offering.
After several moments, she heard him whisper, “Let’s go to Mary Margaret’s, see the kids, and get some sleep, aye?”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
She expected him to release her, but he kept one arm wrapped tightly around her shoulders as they left the station and walked to his car. He opened the passenger door and she gratefully sank into the leather seat, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes.
Killian slid into the driver’s seat, started the car, and shifted it into gear. When they didn’t begin moving right away, Emma rolled her head toward him and opened her eyes. He was looking at her with obvious concern. She gave him a weak smile, reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. He flipped it over, threaded his fingers through hers, then directed his eyes back to the road. As he pulled away from the curb, she closed her eyes again.
They didn’t speak during the drive to Mary Margaret’s apartment. Emma appreciated the fact that Killian seemed to sense her need for silence after a day of chaos and didn’t try to fill it with unnecessary chatter.
When they arrived, Emma fumbled to unbuckle her seat belt, feeling like her hands were leaden and clumsy. Before she could reach for the door handle, Killian was opening it for her and offering his hand to help her out.
“What about our stuff?” she asked, as they started up the sidewalk.
“I’ll come back out and get it in a bit. Let’s get you inside and settled first.”
She leaned into him and once again, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, adjusting his stride to match hers. They went inside the building and trudged up the flight of stairs. Killian was just getting ready to knock on the door, when it swung open and both dogs ran out, happily bounding around them.
“I saw you pull up out front,” Mary Margaret explained. “When I mentioned that Mommy and Daddy were here, they got all excited.”
Emma glanced at Killian to see him smiling about being referred to as ‘Daddy’. He ushered her inside, guiding her to the couch. After she was seated, he grabbed the leashes from where they were draped over the back of a kitchen stool. “I’ll take the kids outside and get our bag from the car,” he said, kneeling down to clip the leashes on their collars.
She watched him go, then turned her attention to her friend, who had taken a seat beside her on the couch.
“He’s a good guy,” Mary Margaret said.
“Yeah, he really is.”
Mary Margaret reached over and patted her hand. “I put some clean sheets on the bed in the spare room. Would you like to take a shower before you go to bed? Or maybe a nice, warm bath?”
Emma considered the offer for a moment before answering, “A soak in the tub would be nice. I don’t know if I have the energy to stand up long enough to take a shower.”
Mary Margaret nodded in understanding. “First though, you and Killian need to eat something. I made some chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. I thought comfort food might be the ticket after such a trying day.”
“That sounds amazing,” Emma sighed. “Thank you.”
“Come sit at the counter and I’ll fix a plate for you.” Mary Margaret patted her hand one more time, then stood and went into the kitchen to begin dishing up the food. Just as she was setting a full plate in front of Emma, Killian and the dogs came back in.
“We were just about to eat, Killian,” Mary Margaret said. “Have a seat.”
“Have the kids had their dinner?” he asked, dropping the duffle bag beside the sofa.
Mary Margaret shook her head. “No, they haven’t. I wasn’t sure how much to give them.”
“Let me feed them and wash my hands first.” He picked up their food bowls, while Mary Margaret turned back to her own task.
The three friends ate in relative silence, except for an occasional compliment of the meal or admonishment to the dogs when they begged for food. Emma expected to have little appetite, but found that she was famished once she began to eat. Now all she needed to finally put this day behind her was a hot bath and a good night’s sleep.
*********
After dinner, Emma went to start running the bath water. Killian removed his items from the duffle and dropped it outside the bathroom before helping Mary Margaret clean up the kitchen.
“It’s been quite the day,” she commented.
“Aye, that it has,” Killian agreed with a heavy sigh.
“David said you were the one who called 9-1-1. I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn’t.” Killian didn’t answer, trying not to imagine that scenario. Suddenly, Mary Margaret turned to face him. “How are you handling all of this? I’ve been concerned about David and Emma, but I haven’t asked about you.”
He put down the dish towel and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m fine, now that I know Emma is safe. When Cassidy pointed that gun at her…” He stopped speaking, a lump forming in his throat.
“You went in the house to save her,” she praised.
“It was the right thing to do,” he said, trying to brush off her admiration. Mary Margaret laid a soft hand on his arm. “I had to protect her, Mary Margaret,” he choked out. “If anything happened to her, it…it would kill me.”
She studied his face. “You care for her more than just as a friend, don’t you?”
“I…I didn’t realize how much she meant to me until I looked through that window and saw him hit her. I wanted to throttle him so badly for daring to treat her like that. Just the thought of her being hurt…it…I guess it made me aware of my feelings for her.”
“You’re in love with her.”
His eyes met hers, then his head dipped in a nod. “Aye.”
A huge smile stretched across her face, her eyes sparkling. “When are you going to tell her?”
He blew out a breath, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck. “With everything going on, hearing that I’m in love with her is not what she needs right now.”
“Or maybe it’s exactly what she needs right now.”
Before he could answer, he heard the tune from Disney’s Snow White, Someday My Prince Will Come. “That’s David’s ringtone,” Mary Margaret said, picking up her phone from the counter.
“I’ll take the kids outside so you can have some privacy,” Killian said, struggling to keep the bemused smirk off his face as he collected the leashes.
She nodded her thanks as she answered the call.
As Killian followed the dogs down the sidewalk, he thought about what Mary Margaret had said. Was it the right time to tell Emma he loved her? What if she didn’t feel the same? That would definitely make things awkward. But if she did reciprocate his feelings, they could pursue a romantic relationship, one in which he could show her how a lady should be treated.
His mind was still swirling with these thoughts as he led the dogs back inside. Mary Margaret was on her way down the steps. “David just got done giving his statement and he needs me,” she explained. “I left a key to the apartment on the table. Will you and Emma be alright?”
“I’m sure we will.”
She halted on the step above the landing where he stood. “I don’t know how much you know about Emma’s background, but she’s been abandoned many times by people who were supposed to love her. First, her birth parents soon after she was born, then numerous foster parents and prospective adoptive parents. And there were more men she dated before Neal who let her down. She has walls a mile high around her heart, Killian. It may take you a while to dismantle them.”
“Well,” he said, a small smile on his face, “I do love a challenge.”
“Have you thought about what will happen when your job here is finished and you go back to England?”
“Aye,” he sighed. “That’s another obstacle to consider.”
“Think about it, but don’t give up on her,” Mary Margaret urged him. “Emma is worth it. Love is worth it.” She leaned forward and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “I have to go. I’ll call Emma in the morning.”
“Tell Dave he’s in our prayers.”
“I will, and the two of you are in ours,” Mary Margaret said, before going out the door.
Killian watched her go, then continued up the stairs with Oscar and Sophie. Emma was still in the bathroom, so he finished drying the dishes and found where they belonged in the cupboards. Then he took the dogs’ beds upstairs to Emma’s room and called his closest co-worker to explain why he wouldn’t be at work the next day. When she finally emerged ten minutes later, he was sitting in the living room, checking emails on his phone.
“Sorry I took so long,” she apologized. “A hot bath felt really good, but now I’m all pruney.” She held up her hands to show him her water-wrinkled fingers.
“There’s no reason to apologize, Swan. I hope it was relaxing for you.”
“It was, but I’m sure you want to take a shower.”
“There’s still plenty of time for that,” he assured her. “Mary Margaret went to David’s for the night. She left a key on the table and said she would call you in the morning. I took the kids out, so they should be good for the night.”
“Okay, thanks,” she said, putting her hand over her mouth to stifle a yawn. “I think I’m going to bed.”
“Sounds good, Love. I put the dog beds upstairs so they can be close to you.”
He was trying to decide if he should give her a hug, but she made the decision for him by moving into his arms. He wrapped her up firmly, kissing the crown of her head.
“I will never be able to thank you and David enough for saving my life today,” she whispered.
“No thanks are necessary, Emma,” he murmured. “I’m just glad we were there in time.”
She clung to him for a few more moments before finally pulling away. Looking up at him, she said, “Goodnight, Killian.”
He couldn’t keep himself from caressing her cheek as he gazed into her jade eyes. “Goodnight. Sleep well.”
He watched her drag herself up the stairs, exhaustion evident in every step. When she reached the landing, she called Sophie and Oscar, who bounded up the steps. The room she slept in was an open loft, so Killian was able to see when she turned off the bedside lamp. Once she did, he headed off to the shower.
*********
Killian had just drifted off to sleep on the sofa when he felt a cold nose pressed against his cheek. Annoyed and half asleep, he batted at the offending dog, but when he heard an insistent whine, his eyes popped open and he sat up quickly.
“What’s wrong, Oscar?” he asked. The dog ran toward the stairs, looking back to see if Killian was following him, which he did with his heart pounding. He hadn’t seen the dog act so agitated before.
He took the stairs two at a time and turned the corner into the bedroom. Sophie was lying on the bed beside Emma, who was tossing restlessly. The whimpers coming from her broke Killian’s heart and as he got closer, he saw her face was wet with tears.
He was unsure what action to take, afraid that if he tried to wake her up, it would frighten her. Instead, he lay down on the bed and gently pulled her into his arms. “Shh, Swan,” he crooned. “It’s alright. You’re safe, Love.”
He continued to murmur comforting words and stroke his hands up and down her back, until he felt her rigid body begin to relax. He thought she was asleep, but then realized she was sobbing into his chest, causing tears to gather in his own eyes.
After several minutes, he heard her say in a voice thick with emotion, “I’m sorry. It seems like all I’ve done today is cry.”
“I would be worried about you if you didn’t cry after what you’ve been through today, Love.”
She didn’t respond, but he felt her wrap her arms around his waist and snuggle more deeply into his chest. He was content simply holding her and dropping occasional kisses to the crown of her head.
“Killian?”
He jolted, unaware he had started to fall asleep. “Hmm?” he hummed.
“Can I…will you do me a favor?” she asked hesitantly.
“Anything,” he affirmed.
“Stay with me tonight? I mean here, in my bed,” she clarified. “I just…I don’t want to be alone.”
“Of course I’ll stay with you, if that’s what you want. Truth be told, I’ll feel better being here with you, in case you have another nightmare.”
“Thank you,” she yawned. “You’re such a good friend.”
Her words hit him like a bucket of ice water. Long after she went back to sleep in his arms, he lay awake, her words echoing in his mind. Would she ever think of him as anything more than a friend?
A Doggone Good Plan - Chapter 4 (A False Sense of Security)
A CS Multi-chapter Modern AU
For those of you who like cliffhangers, this chapter is for you!
STORY SUMMARY: Desperate to save her beloved dogs when her ex-boyfriend makes threats against them, Emma Swan takes Killian Jones up on his offer to foster them.
RATING: M (for language, verbal abuse and gun violence)
WORDS: 2400 of 18,700 (6 chapters and a short epilogue)
Catch up with the story on Tumblr: Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3
Can also be ready on Ao3
Chapter begins under the cut
*********
Two weekends later, Killian helped Emma move into his rental house. Although she had told him she didn’t have many possessions, he was still surprised how little she actually did have. She shared the story about her upbringing in the foster system in one of their previous conversations, and how it taught her early on the futility of sentimentality over possessions.
She did have one large, bulky box that he struggled to carry. As he set it down in her bedroom, she blushed furiously, explaining, “These are my thrifting treasures. Neal always complained about me buying a bunch of junk. I hope it doesn’t bother you.”
“What do you mean by thrifting?” he asked, genuinely interested.
“I go to thrift shops and look for interesting things that I can repurpose.” Opening the flaps on the box, she reached in and pulled out a white plastic picture frame and a blue vase. “Like these, for example. I plan to break this vase into pieces, then glue the pieces on the frame to make it look like a mosaic.”
“Clever,” he commented. “Then what will you do with it?”
She shrugged. “Probably give it away as a gift. I just enjoy hunting for hidden treasures to see what I can do with them. Some of the stuff I’ve made is in that box over there,” she said, pointing to another box in the corner.
“May I?” he asked, moving over to the box.
“Go ahead.”
He opened the box and peered into it for several moments, before pulling out a pair of women’s cowboy boots that had colorful ribbons laced up the back. “Do you wear these?”
“No, they’re not even my size,” she answered, giving a nervous little laugh. “One of them was torn and I thought it would look cool to fix it with ribbons, so I cut both of them all the way down the back. I thought they turned out pretty good.”
“Have you considered selling them?”
“Actually, I have thought about offering them on Facebook Marketplace or even opening my own little online shop, but I don’t know if anyone would buy this stuff.”
He turned his attention back to the box. “I’m sure they would. These things are very creative and unique. People like having things that are one-of-a-kind.”
“When I mentioned my idea of setting up a shop, Neal told me it was a stupid idea because no one was going to pay for someone else’s trash.”
“Don’t let his asinine opinion squash your dream,” Killian said with a frown. “As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” He held up a pair of wooden spoons on which she’d painted some wildflowers. “These are beautiful, Swan.”
When he turned around, she was looking at him oddly.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“No one has encouraged me to pursue my interests before,” she explained. “Of course, I haven’t really shared how I like to go thrifting with very many people. I figured they would think it was weird.”
He folded the flaps back down on the box. “If you like doing it, why does it matter?”
“I guess it doesn’t,” she conceded. “Especially if I could make a little extra cash. Maybe I’ll look into how to set up a shop.”
“Good,” he smiled, before leaving the room to carry in another box.
*********
It took a few days for the two of them to get used to living in the same house. Their work schedules were different, so they often only saw each other in passing. When they did spend time together, Killian was accommodating and went out of his way to help her feel comfortable because he could tell she wasn’t yet. She was meticulous about picking up after herself and putting things away immediately after using them. She never left towels on the floor, dishes in the sink, or shoes beside the door.
One day, he decided to ask her about it, hoping that she wouldn’t take it as criticism. “Swan, have you always been so painstakingly neat and tidy? I consider myself rather orderly, but you make me feel like a slob.”
“I just don’t want to mess up your house,” she admitted, sheepishly.
“You’re paying your share of the rent, so technically, this is our house. I want you to feel at home here - a place for you to relax and unwind, not drive yourself crazy trying to keep it spotless and uncluttered.”
She looked chagrined, but didn’t say anything.
“As soon as you get home after a long shift of taking care of customers, you’re picking up the dogs’ toys, unloading the dishwasher, doing laundry, or vacuuming. Forgive me, but when we used to Facetime after you got off work, you were usually lounging on the sofa with your feet up. I hope you know you can do the same here.”
“Okay, I’ll try,” she said.
It wasn’t long after the conversation that he could see her take his words to heart. She was beginning to relax and consider the house her home. She was also overjoyed about being with her dogs every day.
They were soon spending as much time as possible together, getting to know each other’s likes and dislikes, sharing stories of their childhood and teen years, having discussions about everything under the sun, and making each other laugh until their sides hurt. Both of them looked forward to the evenings when their schedules aligned and they could cook dinner together, then relax while watching a movie or TV series with Sophie and Oscar wedged between them on the sofa. It was a perfect living situation for all four of them.
*********
Emma’s favorite days of the week were the ones when she and Killian took Oscar and Sophie to the dog park. Besides being able to let her sweet pooches run and explore to their hearts’ content, she enjoyed their conversations on the way there and back. Killian was extremely astute at noticing and commenting on things other people simply would have overlooked. He drew her attention to buds on trees, tiny flowers just bursting into bloom, and improvements people had made on the houses along the route. They stopped to study the busy inhabitants of anthills, identify various birds, and pull branches of lilacs down to inhale their sweet scent. Emma supposed it was part of his job as a digital designer to be so detail oriented, but she never before knew anyone who seemed to notice absolutely everything like he did.
On one particular day as she was appreciating his many observations, she herself failed to notice the familiar car that slowly followed them all the way back to their house.
*********
Neal had been doggedly trying to locate Emma for over two months. In that time, his irritation had grown into full-blown rage. It didn’t help that his gambling buddies constantly ribbed him about how Emma had left him, then ‘beaten the odds’ and outwitted him. He was sick and tired of being the butt of their jokes, and was more determined than ever to find her and make her pay for humiliating him.
He assumed she quit her job at the restaurant because her yellow bug was never in the parking lot. He wasn’t having any luck hanging around her friend’s apartments either. He wondered if she moved out of town, knowing if she did, he was virtually guaranteed to never find her.
Then one day as he was cruising past the restaurant to check the parking lot again, he struck gold. He saw her coming up the sidewalk toward him, walking her two mutts. Turning his head so she wouldn’t see his face if she happened to look his way, he passed her then turned the car around in the middle of the street and began following her. If she was walking, she had to live nearby.
As he watched, he realized she wasn’t walking the dogs alone. A dark-haired guy was beside her, talking animatedly. Emma looked like she was hanging on his every word, throwing her head back in laughter every once in a while. Neal’s blood boiled as he continued tailing them.
Finally, they turned up the sidewalk to a small house and went inside together. That bitch! Neal thought. That absolute fucking whore! She was already living with some guy only weeks after leaving him!
Seething with white-hot rage, Neal floored the accelerator, completely ignoring the speed limit. A few blocks away, he jerked the steering wheel and brought the car to a stop, halfway up on the curb. He pulled out his phone and with shaking fingers, found the contact he wanted. Then he punched the screen with unnecessary force.
When the call connected, he growled, “Hey, Pete, it’s Neal. Remember when you offered to let me use your gun for target practice? I want to take you up on it.”
*********
The next afternoon, Emma was in the backyard with the dogs. On the days she worked the early shift, she would wait for Killian to get home, then after playing with Sophie and Oscar for a few minutes, they would prepare supper together, before taking them to the dog park.
Several minutes before Killian’s expected arrival, she heard someone banging on the front door. She headed toward the back entrance, puzzled because normally he would go through the house, drop his lunch bag and keys on the table, then join them in the backyard. If he couldn’t get in, he would still be able to go around the outside of the house and through the gate.
As she pulled the front door open, she was ready to tease him about forgetting his key, but stopped when she saw who was standing there.
“N-Neal?” she squeaked, her breath stolen from seeing her ex in front of her.
“Surprised to see me?” he asked, his face a mask of anger. He pushed past her into the house, shoving her aside roughly. “You really thought you were gonna hide from me forever, Emma? How fucking stupid are you?”
“You c-can’t come in here,” she stammered, still trying to overcome her shock.
He turned and got in her face. “Why? Is your fucking boyfriend here?” he yelled.
The splatter of spittle in her face made her wince in disgust. “Boyfriend?” she asked, confused.
“The mother fucker you live with! I saw the two of you come in this house together yesterday. Where is he?” he roared. Then he began to stalk through the house, opening doors and slamming them shut when he found the rooms empty.
“Neal, stop!” Emma shouted, her surprise giving way to anger. “Get out of here! You don’t have any right -”
He whirled around and slapped her, then stuck a finger in her face. “Don’t tell me what I have a right to do, you stupid bitch! You made me a laughing stock among my friends! Now you’re going to pay.” Reaching behind himself, he pulled a gun from his waistband and waved it in front of her face. Emma’s eyes grew huge and her throat went dry. “First, I’m going to make you watch me kill those fucking mutts of yours, then you’re coming with me. You’re gonna tell my buddies how you cheated on me and I threw you out. You’re gonna make it clear that you begged to stay with me, but I wouldn’t let you. Got it?”
When she didn’t answer right away, he started stomping through the kitchen, continuing to rave about killing the dogs. Despite her terror about him having a gun, Emma ran after him, desperate to save her pets. She caught up to him and grabbed his left arm, yanking on it hard to get him to stop. “NO!” she screamed. “Leave them alone, Neal! You can’t shoot them!”
He came to a halt, turned and looked at her, his eyes filled with a hate she couldn’t even comprehend. Then he slowly raised his right arm, pointing the gun at her chest. “Maybe you’re right, Ems,” he said, his voice low and menacing. It sent a chill through her that even his screaming hadn’t. “Maybe I should shoot you instead.”
*********
Killian was going up the sidewalk to the house when he heard Emma shout Neal’s name. He ducked down and looked in through the front window, his heart slamming against his ribcage as he witnessed the scene inside.
Still squatting to avoid being seen, he ran around the side of the house, dialing 9-1-1 as he went.
“9-1-1, what is your emergency?” the dispatcher asked.
“My name is Killian Jones and I live at 815 Rogers Way. I just got home from work and my roommate is inside the house with her ex-boyfriend, whom she’s been hiding from. I can hear them yelling from outside.” He reached the back of the house and looked in through the kitchen window. “Bloody hell,” he whispered. “He has a gun!”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Jones,” the dispatcher assured him. “There are police officers in the area and they are on their way.”
Killian hung up, peeked in the window again, and saw Neal pointing the gun at Emma. He knew he couldn’t wait any longer, so he slipped in through the back door, catching Emma’s attention. He gestured for her to drop to the floor, desperately hoping Neal wouldn’t discharge the gun at her sudden movement.
She followed his directions as Killian tackled Neal to the ground from behind, the gun flying out of his hand and skittering across the kitchen floor. The two men wrestled, while Emma got to her feet. Instead of heading toward the open door, she moved back into the kitchen.
“Emma!” Killian shouted, avoiding a wild swing of Neal’s fist. “Get out of here!”
She bent down to pick up the gun, but Neal managed to kick at her, knocking her feet out from under her. As she hit the floor, Killian redoubled his efforts to subdue the other man, but fueled by fury, Cassidy was able to wrest himself away. Before Killian could react, Neal snatched up the gun, cocked it, and spun around, aiming the weapon first at Emma, then at Killian. “Now you get to watch your boyfriend die before I kill you, Emma!” he bellowed.
His words were followed by the sound of a gunshot reverberating through the room.
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A Doggone Good Plan - Chapter 3 (Taking Care of the Kids)
A CS Multi-chapter Modern AU
STORY SUMMARY: Desperate to save her beloved dogs when her ex-boyfriend makes threats against them, Emma Swan takes Killian Jones up on his offer to foster them.
RATING: M (for language, verbal abuse and gun violence)
WORDS: 2857 of 18,700
Catch up with story on Tumblr - Ch. 1 Ch. 2
Can also be ready on Ao3
Chapter begins under the cut
*********
During the next week, Emma caught sight of Neal lurking in the parking lot or following her as she drove three more times. Each time, she drove to Mary Margaret’s loft apartment instead of going to her own place. She Facetimed Killian twice a day to check on her dogs and every conversation lasted a little longer. He always had humorous stories to tell about Oscar’s clumsiness and the odd places Sophie found to sleep. Emma ached to see her dogs in person, but was still afraid that if Neal found out where they were, he would make good on his threat.
Mary Margaret’s boyfriend David suggested getting a restraining order against Neal, but Emma didn’t think it was necessary since she wasn’t intimidated by him except where the dogs were concerned.
After a week went by without any more sightings of Neal, Emma was beginning to think that August was right - he seemed to have lost interest. On Saturday morning, she called Killian. As soon as he answered, she said, “I hope I’m not calling too early.”
“Not at all, Swan. The kids and I just got back in from their first outing in the backyard.”
He had taken to calling the dogs ‘kids’, which Emma found completely adorable. “I was wondering if I could come see them today.”
“Absolutely! But if I may - perhaps I should come to your place and pick you up, since your yellow contraption is so easily recognizable.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” she agreed. “Chances of Neal driving by are pretty low, especially since he’s rarely out of bed on Saturdays before noon, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“What time do you want me to be there?”
“Would twenty minutes from now be too soon?”
“That works for me,” he replied. “Have you eaten breakfast yet?”
“I’m finishing my first cup of coffee. I don’t need to eat. I’m just really anxious to see my babies.”
“I’ll tell you what - while you spend time with them, I’ll fix breakfast for all of us. They love my scrambled eggs.”
She laughed happily. “Sounds good. I’ll text you my address.”
*********
Killian’s car hadn’t even come to a complete stop at the curb before Emma was opening the door to climb in.
“Eager are you, Swan?” he chuckled.
“I can hardly wait to be with my babies!” she exclaimed as she fastened her seat belt.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long,” he said, checking his mirrors before pulling out onto the street.
“Me, too. At least I got to see them on Facetime, but it’s not the same. I miss them licking my face and dancing around my feet, demanding my attention.”
“They do like to lick and dance,” he commented.
She glanced over at him, trying to gauge if he looked annoyed. “They haven’t been a pain, have they?”
He turned to give her a quick, reassuring smile. “Not at all. I’m thoroughly enjoying my time with them. They’re the perfect houseguests.”
They drove for a few minutes until Emma broke the silence “I’m not having any luck finding a place I can afford that allows pets,” she said dejectedly. “I saw one place advertised and of course it’s just down the block from Neal. All of my friends are putting out inquiries for me, but there doesn’t seem to be anything available.”
Killian drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I asked my landlord if he has any other houses to rent. Apparently all of them are inhabited long term.”
Emma sighed. “I wish I could have made Neal move out of the condo, but he lived there first. I even called the lady who rented the apartment where I lived before moving in with Neal. She and her four cats have no intention of moving.”
“Well,” Killian said, drawing out the word, “if you can’t find anything, the dogs are welcome to continue staying with me. Then when I go back to England, perhaps you could rent the same house.”
“I have a pretty tight budget. How much do you pay for rent?” He stated the price and Emma gasped. “Are you kidding? That’s only sixty dollars more than what I pay for my tiny apartment every month!”
“Would you be able to afford it?”
She did some quick figuring. “That would be seven hundred twenty dollars more a year, which is doable. Plus, I would be able to walk to work, which would save gas money and wear and tear on my car. That might be a possible solution, if nothing else becomes available first and your landlord approves.”
“He would probably appreciate having someone lined up to move in when I leave. He’s an older gentleman named Marco and he’s a very nice guy,” Killian said as he turned onto his street.
“I’ll keep looking, but at least I have a backup plan. That makes me feel a little better,” Emma said. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Emma.” He parked in front of his house, quickly cutting the engine and exiting the car. He didn’t want to make Emma wait any longer to see her beloved dogs. After opening the front door, he pushed it open and stood aside, allowing her to enter first.
“Oscar! Sophie!” she called. Immediately, the two dogs came running, barking happily and jumping up on her. She dropped to the floor, attempting to hug both dogs at the same time, while they licked her face, their entire bodies wiggling with joy.
Killian watched the happy scene with a huge smile on his face. He’d become very fond of the dogs in the two weeks he’d had them, and if he was being entirely honest, with their lovely owner, as well. Their Facetime calls were always the highlight of his day. Lately, they spent more time sharing information about themselves during their calls, than giving Emma an opportunity to see her babies.
Once the dogs began to settle down, he went into the kitchen to cook breakfast and start the coffee maker. He got eggs, cheese and diced ham out of the refrigerator, then set to work making scrambled eggs.
As he worked, he could hear her telling Sophie and Oscar over and over how much she missed them and wished she never had to leave them again. Suddenly, an idea popped into his mind that just might solve the problem. He was pretty sure she wouldn’t agree to it, but decided he would propose it anyway while they ate breakfast.
Ten minutes later, he announced that the food was ready. Emma came into the kitchen, a bright smile on her face and her babies right on her heels. She crossed to the sink to wash her hands. As she dried them on a dish towel, she watched Killian spooning some eggs into the dogs’ bowls. “I thought you might be kidding about them liking your eggs.”
“We have them a couple of times a week, don’t we, kids?” he said, setting the bowls on the floor and chuckling at how fast they began gobbling up the food.
Emma sat down while Killian poured two mugs of coffee and carried them over to the table. Then he went to the refrigerator and brought back a bottle of creamer, setting it down in front of her. She looked at it, then up at him. “I thought you said you take your coffee black,” she said quizzically.
“I do, but you said you like white chocolate mocha creamer.”
Her mouth dropped open and she gaped at him. “So you went out and bought some?”
He shrugged. “I thought I would keep some on hand for when you come over to be with your pups.”
“That’s very sweet, Killian.”
“What can I say? I’m a sweet guy,” he quipped, seating himself across from her.
She splashed some creamer into her mug and stirred it as she watched him take a bite of toast. “Who taught you how to cook?”
He swallowed. “My mum. She was usually at work until early evening, so she taught my brother Liam and me to cook. We would make dinner for ourselves and she ate when she got home.”
During one of their phone conversations, he told Emma about how his father left them when he was young and his mother had to work two jobs to make ends meet. He went on to tell her how his mother died of anemia, leaving his older brother to finish raising him to adulthood.
“Does Liam still like to cook?”
“He never liked to cook. He did it because he had to. Fortunately, his wife Elsa is an excellent cook and bans Liam from the kitchen.”
Emma laughed, then took a bite of her eggs.
“Well?” he asked.
“Very good!” she proclaimed.
He grinned and they went back to eating. Once their plates were clean, they stayed at the table, leisurely sipping their coffee. Killian was lost in thought, trying to decide how to tell Emma about his idea.
“Earth to Killian,” he heard, and snapped his head up to see her smirking at him.
“Sorry, Swan,” he apologized, reaching up to scratch nervously over his ear. “I, um…I think I may have a solution to your problem of not having a place where your dogs can live with you.”
She set her cup down and turned her full attention to him. “I’m listening.”
“This house has three bedrooms,” he informed her. “I use one as my office and another as my own bedroom. That leaves a spare room. You would be welcome to it, if you would be open to moving in here.”
She stared at him incredulously. “You…you want me to move in with you?”
“Just hear me out, aye?” At her hesitant nod, he continued. “I’m aware that we don’t know each other that well, but I hope you’ve figured out that I’m a gentleman. I’m always a gentleman. I’m making this suggestion purely as a way for you to be with your dogs. I have no ulterior motives…except perhaps to have some company. I haven’t made many friends since I’ve been here and it’s a bit lonely. That’s one reason why I offered to take your dogs in the first place.”
She appeared to be at a loss for words, so he went on. “I would respect your privacy, of course. My bedroom has its own small bathroom, so we wouldn’t have to share that space.” When she still didn’t respond, he sighed. “I know I caught you off-guard, but I hope you’ll at least give it some thought.”
“I just…I really…can’t believe people like you exist,” she finally said haltingly. “First you save a total stranger’s dogs, and now you’re offering me a place to stay so I can be with them? Who does things like that?”
“It truly isn’t a big deal, Swan,” he assured her. “Like I said, I have my own reasons for making both offers. But if the thought of moving in here makes you uncomfortable, please don’t feel pressured to do so. I’m simply throwing that option out to you.”
“My lease runs month-to-month and I just paid for next month, so that gives me some time to consider it. It also allows more time to make sure Neal is going to leave me alone.”
Killian nodded his understanding. “Aye, that’s true. No matter what you decide, you know you are welcome to see the kids anytime.” He stood up and opened a drawer. After rummaging through it for several moments, he withdrew a key and turned to hold it out to her. “Here’s my spare key. Feel free to use it when I’m not home.”
She didn’t immediately take it. “Are you sure?” she questioned.
“Of course,” he assured her. “I know your hours don’t always coincide with mine and I wouldn’t want you to miss seeing your babies because I’m at work. Plus, I’m sure the days get a bit long for them and they would appreciate getting outside more often.”
She finally held out her hand and he dropped the key into it. “Thank you, Killian. Again.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, smiling warmly. “Now, how would you like to take Oscar and Sophie to the dog park? I haven’t taken them there yet, because I didn’t want to risk Neal seeing them.”
“They would love that!” she said, getting quickly to her feet. “I’ll help you clean up the kitchen first.”
“I’ll take care of it when we get back,” he said, moving to get the leashes from the hook beside the door. “They haven’t been outside for a while.”
On the way to the park, Killian noticed Emma looking around and over her shoulder often. He hated that she was still fearful of her ex. It mystified him that someone who lived with her and proclaimed to love her would treat her so horribly, especially when he was the one who cheated and ruined the relationship. Killian hoped she was correct in believing that Neal had lost interest in finding Sophie and Oscar.
He was happy to see her relax once they reached the fenced-in play yard. They unhooked the leashes, letting the dogs run and explore. Sophie lumbered around the area, thoroughly sniffing every corner of it, while Oscar dashed here and there, his face and body language showing a joy Killian hadn’t seen before. He pulled a tennis ball out of his pocket and threw it in Oscar’s direction, laughing as the dog fell all over himself trying to catch it.
“I didn’t know he liked to play ball,” Emma commented. “Our yard wasn’t big enough to allow them to run very far, and like I said, I’ve only had him for a few months.”
“I ran across a tube of tennis balls the other day in the back of the coat closet. I took one out in the backyard and tossed it, just to see what they would do. Sophie couldn’t care less, but Oscar loved it.”
The next time the dog retrieved the ball, Killian gave it to Emma so she could throw it. They played until Oscar’s tongue was nearly dragging on the ground. Emma checked the time on her phone, the happiness on her face fading a bit as she announced that she should probably get home. “My shift starts at two and I need to go home to get ready,” she said with a sigh.
They clipped the leashes on the dogs and walked to his place, where she hugged her dogs and told them goodbye, promising to see them again soon. The ride back to her apartment was quiet. When the car came to a stop, she turned to meet his eyes. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, Killian.”
“I’m aware. Take time to weigh your options, Swan. Don’t rush into anything you’re not comfortable with, aye?”
She gave him a genuine smile. “I won’t. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She got out of the car, closed the door and waved at him. He watched her walk into the building, then put the car in gear and drove away. He enjoyed every minute he spent with Emma and truly hoped she would take him up on his offer of moving into the house.
*********
Over the next two weeks, Emma visited her dogs frequently - sometimes when Killian was home, a few times when he was at work. During that time, she got more comfortable being in his house and began to seriously consider moving in. She wasn’t having any luck finding another place to live, and the more she was around Killian, the more she realized that he really was a gentleman. He was also becoming a good friend.
A few days before her next rent check was due, she called him. After catching up on each other’s day as usual, she asked, “So, um, is your offer to move into your house still on the table?”
“Of course, Swan,” he responded reassuringly. “You are more than welcome to live here.”
“Well,” she said slowly. “I think I’ll take you up on it.”
“I’m very happy to hear that,” he said, and she could hear the sincerity in his voice.
“I need to let my landlord know I’ll be moving by the end of the week, then I’ll have to be out by the beginning of the month.”
“I can help you move, if you like.”
“I would really appreciate that. When I moved out of Neal’s, I had to do it all on my own. And let me tell you, my bug may be special to me, but it will definitely never be mistaken for a moving van.”
He laughed. “I don’t imagine it holds very much.”
“Not at all, and I really don’t have that much stuff.”
They worked out the details of when she would move in then chatted for a while longer. After ending the call, Emma waited for her brain to tell her she made a mistake, and was a bit surprised to realize that she was at peace with her decision.
Thank you to all who read the first chapter. I hoped you liked it and have come back for more. For those of you who don't want to start a multi-chapter story until it's finished posting, the story is completely written and edited and will be updated twice a week. There will be four more chapters and an epilogue.
STORY SUMMARY: Desperate to save her beloved dogs when her ex-boyfriend makes threats against them, Emma Swan takes Killian Jones up on his offer to foster them.
RATING: M (for language, verbal abuse and gun violence)
WORDS: 2660 of 18,700
Catch up with story on Tumblr - Ch. 1
Can also be read on Ao3
Chapter begins under the cut
*********
“You’re sure he’s not going to be home?” Killian asked, as they sat in his car outside the condo she used to share with Neal.
“Yeah, his car is gone. He leaves for work at nine. Of course, that’s when he’s supposed to be there, but he’s always late,” she said, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
“How does he keep his job, then?”
“Oh, he works for his dear old dad at a pawn shop, and I use the word ‘works’ very loosely. I think he spends most of the day placing bets on sporting events.”
“Sounds like a real loser,” Killian commented, then shot a look at Emma. “Sorry, lass. I didn’t mean to…”
She held up a hand to stop him. “No worries. I’ve come to the same conclusion. Unfortunately, it took me way too long to figure it out.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Killian asked, “How long are we going to wait?”
She pointed at a condo three doors down from Neal’s. “His buddy Walsh lives there. If he sees me, he’ll let Neal know for sure,” she informed him. “That’s why I asked if we could use your car, so he wouldn’t recognize my bug.”
“Does this Walsh bloke leave for work at a certain time?”
“No, he works second shift, but he always goes for a run at ten.” She looked over at Killian. “I’m sorry you had to take off work to do this, but I was afraid if we waited any longer…”
“I don’t mind at all, Swan,” he assured her. “I haven’t taken a day off since I moved here, so I was due for one. I can think of no better reason than helping you rescue your dogs.”
The door to Walsh’s condo opened and the man stepped outside, dressed in a neon green T-shirt and black shorts. Emma slouched down in the car seat, watching over the top of the dashboard as he stretched. Finally, he turned and jogged off in the opposite direction.
Once he was out of sight, Emma flung open the car door and jumped out. Killian followed, running behind her as she sprinted to the front door. Pulling out her key with shaking fingers, she glanced in both directions, then fitted the key in the lock, opened the door, and slipped inside.
Killian entered and closed the door behind him, then turned to see the joyous reunion between Emma and her dogs. They were jumping on her as she knelt, smothering her with wet dog kisses as their tails wagged so hard, their whole bodies were wiggling.
“Where are their bowls and food?” he asked, following through on the plan the two of them concocted over the phone the evening before.
“In the kitchen.” She pointed him in the right direction, then got to her feet to grab their leashes from the hook by the front door.
He soon returned with a partial bag of food, several bags of treats, and their food and water bowls. Emma was busy tossing scattered toys into a toy basket sitting in the corner of the room.
“I’ll take these out to the car and come back to get their beds and toys,” Killian said, quickly moving toward the door. When he returned, Emma had all the toys gathered and was carrying two dog beds out of the bedroom.
“Neal always hated that I let the dogs sleep in our bedroom. He said it affected our sex life. Apparently that’s what drove him to sleep with someone else.”
Killian looked up at her from where he was bent over picking up the basket of toys. “The bloody wanker cheated on you?” he asked, disgust evident in his voice.
“Yeah. That’s the main reason why we broke up.”
“Have you considered hiring a hit man?” At her startled look, he added, “I’m just kidding, lass…for the most part, at least.”
Emma laughed lightly as she hooked a leash onto Oscar’s collar. “Not that he doesn’t deserve it, but I’d rather not spend the rest of my life in jail because of him.” Straightening up, she looked around the room. “I think that’s everything. We better get going.”
He collected the beds from the floor. “I’ll follow you out and secure the door.”
“Wait! I need to take them out back and let them do their business or they might do it in your car.”
“Is there time?”
“Yeah,” she called over her shoulder, already on her way through the kitchen. “We have at least another ten minutes before Walsh comes home.” She returned in less than a minute. “Okay, we’re good now.”
They left the condo, bundling the dogs and the last of the supplies into the car, then climbing in themselves. Killian started the car and smoothly pulled away from the curb, leisurely driving down the street so as not to draw undue attention.
Emma blew out a sigh of relief. “I wonder what Neal will do when he comes home and finds out they’re gone. He’s gonna be furious because he lost his bargaining chips.”
“Do you think he’ll turn his anger on you? From the way you’ve described him…”
“Well, I blocked him on my phone and all of my social media accounts, so he shouldn’t have any way to contact me. He also has no idea where my apartment is located. When I had my mail forwarded, I rented a PO box. The only thing I’m worried about is him coming to the restaurant.”
“Do you think he will?”
“Probably, but if he comes in and makes a scene, my manager will call the police. She did it before when Ella’s stepmother came in and started screaming at her for stealing her jewelry. It turned out her own daughter did it.”
“Perhaps I should be there during your shift tonight.”
Emma shook her head vehemently. “No, I don’t want him to know anything about you. I’ll warn August that he might show up. He’ll have my back.”
Killian glanced in his rearview mirror. “Your dogs are very well behaved.”
She turned to look at them, reaching back to pat each one on the head. “They love car rides, don’t you, my babies?”
“It’s very clear how much they love you, Swan. Thank you for trusting me to take care of them.”
“I was still mulling over your offer before I talked to Neal last night, but when he said he was going to have them euthanized, I knew I had to take you up on it. As hateful as he was towards me on the phone, I’m pretty sure he would have followed through with it.”
Killian’s jaw ticked in anger. “If he ever threatens you or makes you feel unsafe in any way, please tell me. If August has your back at the restaurant, I’ll have your back outside of it. We’ll do all we can to protect you from that prat.”
“I don’t even know how it got to this point,” Emma sighed. “Two months ago, I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else but Neal. Now, I need protection from him.”
“I’m sorry, Emma.”
“You don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault he turned into Mr. Hyde.”
“Aye, but I’m still sorry that your future plans have been dashed.”
“Yeah, me too.”
The rest of the ride to Killian’s house was quiet, except for the sounds of the dogs panting and occasionally whining in the back seat. When they arrived, he carried the supplies into the house, while she took the dogs through the gate to the backyard to start acclimating them to their new environment.
Soon, Killian joined them, smiling as he watched Oscar and Sophie sniffing and exploring the yard. “They seem comfortable already,” he observed.
Emma nodded in agreement. “Sophie adjusted pretty quickly when I moved in with Neal, and like I said, Oscar is very easy-going.” They watched as Oscar chose a spot and began to poop.
“Oh, crap,” she said. “Literally. I forgot to grab the pooper scooper out of the laundry room.”
“No problem,” Killian said, pulling out his phone. “I’ll order some waste bags from Amazon. They should be here tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can order them myself.”
“I don’t mind. They’re not expensive.”
“Look, we need to get something straight. I don’t expect you to buy things for my dogs. You’re already providing a temporary place for them to live. You don’t need to be spending money on them on top of it.”
“The bags are four dollars, Swan. That’s not going to break my bank account. I promise.”
She put her hands on her hips, pursing her lips. “Killian…”
“The next time I’m at the restaurant, you can buy me a drink to pay me back.”
“I get drinks for free.”
“Even better,” he grinned.
She rolled her eyes. “Are you always this stubborn?”
“No. Sometimes I’m even worse.” If possible, his grin grew a little bigger.
“Well, thank you, but please don’t buy anything else. I already owe you big time.”
“You don’t owe me anything. When I was a kid, my brother and I had a dog. It’s one of my favorite childhood memories. I always wanted to adopt another one once I had my own place, but everywhere I’ve lived hasn’t permitted pets. So, you see, you’re actually doing me a favor by allowing your dogs to stay here.”
Emma glanced at her smart watch. “I have to be at work in less than two hours. I should go home, get a shower and eat some lunch. Do you think you’ll be okay with them?”
“Aye, we’ll be fine. I’ll take them inside and let them get acquainted with the place.”
“Well, I guess I’ll see you two later then,” she said, kneeling down to gather her dogs and give them a hug. “My shift is over at eight. Would it be okay if I stop in to see them afterwards?”
“Of course. Just make sure your ex doesn’t follow you here.”
She stood and brushed off the knees of her jeans. “I didn’t even think of that. I’ll be cautious.” After scratching Sophie behind the ears and rubbing Oscar’s throat, explaining those were their favorite places to be petted, she turned and walked toward the gate. “I’ll call you before I leave for work to see how they’re doing. Thanks again, Killian.”
“You’re welcome, Emma.”
*********
Emma was twenty minutes into her dinner break when Neal came storming into the restaurant and over to the bar where she was sitting. “What the fuck, Ems?” he hollered. “How dare you break into MY place! And why aren’t you answering your phone? I’ve called you a million times and it keeps going straight to voicemail!”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw August move around the bar to stand beside her. She had told him what she and Killian did as soon as she got to work that afternoon and he assured her he would protect her if Neal showed up.
She took a deep breath then spoke in what she hoped sounded like a steady voice. “First of all, I didn’t break in because I still have a key. Besides, I paid more than my share of the rent the entire time I lived with you, so technically, it’s more my place than yours. To answer your second question, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m working and haven’t had time to look at my phone.” She lifted her chin and met his furious gaze. “And besides, I blocked your number.”
Neal’s face reddened with rage and his hands balled into fists. “You did what?”
August stepped in front of her, stating firmly, “Leave her alone, Cassidy.”
“Stay out of it, Booth! This is none of your business!”
“Maybe not, but Emma is my friend and I’m not going to stand here and listen to you scream at her.”
Neal stepped forward until he was nose-to-nose with August. “This BITCH,” he spat, “broke into my house while I was at work…”
“Didn’t you hear her? She didn’t break in. And she went in to rescue her own dogs,” August said calmly.
“Did she give them to you?” Neal questioned loudly, his face showing even more anger at being cut off.
August shook his head. “No. I’m allergic to dogs.”
“Then where the fuck are they?”
The bartender shrugged unconcernedly. “I don’t know.” It wasn’t a lie, since he didn’t know where Killian lived.
Neal stepped to his left to focus on Emma again. “Don’t think this is over, Ems! When I find those mutts…”
“Why do you want to find them?” she interrupted. “Obviously you hate them or you wouldn’t have threatened to have them killed. They’re not your problem anymore, so just let it go.”
“You’ll pay for this, Emma,” Neal growled. “Nobody makes a fool out of me!”
As he turned to stalk away, Emma couldn’t stop herself from saying, “Nobody has to, Neal. You do a good enough job of that all by yourself.”
He whirled around and had his finger in her face before August could move to stop him. “I will find those fucking dogs and when I do, I’ll chop them into bite-sized pieces and sell them to a Chinese restaurant!”
Emma’s face was ashen as she watched him stomp out the door. Turning to August, she whispered, “Do you think he’ll be able to find them?”
“Not if you’re careful for the next couple of weeks” he assured her. “Knowing Neal, he’ll lose interest in finding them after that.”
“That’s true. He has the attention span of a gnat. Hopefully he’ll move on and be out of my life soon.”
*********
Emma called Killian as soon as her shift was over. “How are they?” she blurted.
“Hello to you, too, Swan,” he chuckled.
“Sorry. I just…”
“No worries. The dogs are absolutely fine. Sophie slept most of the day and Oscar has been exploring the house. I think he decided his favorite spot is my bedroom, so I put his bed in there.”
“Well, I’ll warn you - he snores.”
Killian laughed again. “I probably do, too. Will you be coming by to see them?”
She sighed. “I can’t. Neal came into the restaurant tonight and his car hasn’t left the parking lot. He’s obviously planning on following me when I leave and he’s not even being sneaky about it.”
“Are you going to be alright?” he asked, concern very evident in his voice.
“Yeah. I’m going to spend the night at my friend Mary Margaret’s. She’s one of the other waitresses and her boyfriend is a police officer.”
“How did Neal act toward you when he came in?”
“He was awful. August was there for me, though.”
“I’m so sorry, Emma.”
“Thanks, but you don’t need to apologize. He’s a jerk and I’m the idiot who got involved with him.”
“Any man who treats a lovely lass like you the way he has is the idiot, Swan.”
Emma was glad he couldn’t see the blush she knew was filling her cheeks. “Well, in any case, I don’t know when I’ll be able to come by your house. I have a feeling Neal is going to be relentless for a few days. He’s furious about me taking the dogs and blocking his number.”
“Once you get to your friend’s place, why don’t you Facetime me so you can at least see them?”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not. I’m sure you’ll sleep better seeing for yourself that they are truly settled in here.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you in a little while, then. Thanks, Killian.”
“You really don’t have to keep thanking me.”
“I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you’re doing. You’re a hero in my eyes.”
“I’m happy to help any way I can. I’ll be awaiting your call. Be careful, Emma.”
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iamseanmaguire: Great fun to spend the weekend with me old Palaronnie @colinodonoghue1 at the @calgaryexpo Thanks to all the lovely people that came to visit us and all the incredible staff who do such a great job of putting on such a big event.
Here we are at the end of the story, and if the title of the chapter doesn't give it away, there WILL be a happy ending (or beginning!) As promised, there will be a smut scene, which is separated by XXXXX, so you can easily skip it if that isn't your thing. Once again, a very late or very early happy birthday to @snowbellewells. I truly hope you have enjoyed this story and that it was worth the wait.
STORY SUMMARY: When Emma Swan’s dogs find an unconscious man in her woods, she takes him to her cabin to treat him for hypothermia. Little does she know how much a snowstorm, the loss of power, and Killian Jones are going to change her life.
RATING: M (for smut - see note above if you wish to skip that scene)
WORDS: 7070 of over 30,600 total
Catch up on Tumblr - Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4 Ch. 5
Also posted to Ao3
Final chapter found under the cut
Emma was sitting on the sofa, listlessly flipping through channels on the television, her dogs lying at her feet. It had been nearly a month since Killian left, but she still felt the loneliness like a pit in her stomach. With every passing day, she felt the hope of seeing him again slipping away.
Suddenly, Cinnamon raised his head and perked up his ears, letting out a low whine. As he got to his feet, Cocoa followed suit, whining and yipping.
“What’s gotten into the two of you?” Emma asked. Neither dog paid her any mind, their nails clattering against the hardwood floor as they ran out of the room and through the kitchen. They were pawing at the outside door by the time she caught up with them.
She was just reaching to unlock the deadbolt when she had a thought. What if something dangerous was waiting outside? Bears and wolves were sometimes seen around the area, though not often. But she had seen her dogs when they encountered something that posed a threat to her and they never behaved the way they were now. Their barks were insistent, but not malicious and their tails were wagging happily.
Better safe than sorry, Emma thought as she picked up the ax she kept next to the door. Holding it firmly in her right hand, she slowly turned the deadbolt, then the doorknob. Opening the door a crack, she peered outside, seeing nothing but the white expanse of snow. Looking down, she saw a large box sitting in front of the door with footprints leading away from it and around the corner of the cabin. No vehicle was in sight. She hadn’t heard a delivery truck, but perhaps the sound of the television drowned it out.
She swung the door open, continuing to swivel her head back and forth. Cinnamon and Cocoa bounded out, quickly disappearing around the same corner as the footprints. Emma picked up the fairly heavy box, examining the outside for a clue of what could be inside and finding nothing.
Curiosity got the best of her. She put down the ax and took the package inside, not even bothering to make sure the door was completely closed. She set the box on the kitchen table and grabbed a steak knife from the counter to cut through the tape. Once she folded down the flaps, she saw another dark brown box inside, designed to look like a traveling trunk. It had several ‘stickers’ and when Emma’s eyes landed on a red one reading ‘Gryffindor’, she knew exactly what was inside. She quickly turned the outer box on its side, tipping out the inner one. Lifting the lid of the ‘trunk’, she gasped at the sight of a set of brand new, beautiful, leather bound Harry Potter books.
Her eyes filled with tears as her fingers brushed across the spines of all seven books of the original series. Only one person could have sent these to her. But surely he wouldn’t have gone to all that trouble…
She hardly had time to mull it over before the dogs came running back into the cabin, yapping and spinning in circles. Emma glanced up, her mouth falling open in surprise when she saw who was standing in the doorway.
“Killian?” she questioned, her voice coming out as a squeak.
“Did you miss me?” he asked, his familiar grin making the corners of his eyes crinkle.
Overcoming her shock, she sprinted across the room, grabbed the collar of his coat and pulled him to her, slamming their lips together. After letting out a surprised ‘oomph’, he returned the kiss, his arms wrapping around her to pull her as close as possible.
Emma kissed him until she felt the need to breathe, then pulled back to look at him. “Wha- how, oh how are you here?”
He started to answer, but as she peppered more kisses across his jaw and cheeks, he broke into laughter instead.
She giggled too, pulling back to look into his face. “You know what? I don’t care how you’re here, I’m just glad you came back.”
He kicked the door shut and pushed the hood of his parka down. “I would have been here sooner, but I had to get everything moved up to Talkeetna.”
“Did you take the job Will found for you?”
Killian scratched behind his ear. “Not yet. I’m still weighing my options. I’m not in a hurry to jump into anything right away.”
“Have you found a place to live?”
“Will and I are staying in a hotel for now.”
Emma snuggled herself into his chest. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
Wrapping her more tightly in his arms, he kissed the crown of her head. “There wasn’t a day that went by I didn't think of you, Swan.”
She leaned back to look at him again. “I was beginning to think I would never see you again.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to come back. It’s been crazy trying to get everything packed up and moved, especially without having the use of my plane.”
She bit her lip, dropping her eyes. “Actually, I have a confession to make.”
“What’s that?”
“When you didn’t come back, I started to think that maybe…maybe you didn’t really care about me - that what we shared was just because you were snowed in here.”
After pulling his gloves off and tossing them on the table, he took her face in his hands. “Oh, Sweetheart,” he said tenderly. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I could hardly wait to get back here, because now that I’ve found you, I don’t want to let you go. I don’t want to live without you.”
Tears instantly sprang to her eyes. “Do you really mean that?” she whispered.
He dipped his head in a reassuring nod. “With all my heart, Love. Because my heart is yours.” Grasping her chin between his thumb and fingers, he added, “I’ve fallen in love with you, Emma Swan.” Dipping his head again, he lightly touched his lips against hers twice, then captured them in a slow and loving kiss.
Emma reciprocated, her tears spilling over until she could taste the salt of them. Killian ended the kiss, gazing into her glassy eyes as his fingertips gently wiped the tears off of her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“They’re happy tears,” she explained.
“Good.” Keeping her encircled in his arms, he swayed them back and forth. “Do you like the gift?” he asked, nodding toward the books on the table.
“They’re beautiful,” she breathed.
“You’re beautiful, Emma,” he said with a soft smile. “And I’m very happy you love them.”
She studied his face for a few seconds before quietly admitting, “I do love them, Killian, but I…I love you more.”
His answering smile was radiant. “You do?” Then his smile dimmed a bit as he studied her face. “You’re not just saying that because I…”
“No,” she interrupted quickly. “I…I’ve missed you every second of every day. I’ve had almost a month without any contact with you to sort out my feelings, since I was too stupid to get your number before you left.”
“Aye, with the rushed way I had to leave, I forgot to get yours, too. I’ve been kicking myself ever since.”
“Anyway,” she continued, “I relived every moment we spent together - how much fun we had, how you made me laugh and feel happier than I can ever remember. After you left, I craved your touch. The way you would hold my hand, hug me, brush my hair away from my face - it made me feel…cherished, I guess? I’ve never felt that way before. And the more I thought about it, the more my head and my heart kept telling me that what I was feeling for you was love.”
They engaged in another heartstopping kiss, pausing only when the dogs began nudging their legs. Emma giggled against Killian’s lips. “They missed you, too.”
He reached down to ruffle each dog’s ears. “I was afraid they were going to give me away when I heard them scratching at the door. I wanted you to be surprised by the books before you saw me.”
“Apparently, they sensed you were out there. When they got as excited as they did, I wondered if there was some kind of wild animal outside.”
He laughed. “No wild animal. Just someone who’s wild about you.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Ugh! That is really corny!”
“Sorry?” he apologized, ducking his head and looking at her through his dark lashes.
“You’re forgiven,” she said, then confirmed it with a kiss. “Can you stay for a while or do you have to leave?”
“I was hoping to impose on your hospitality again. I found someone to work on my plane, but I’m not sure how long it’s going to take. It could take weeks or even months.”
“I’m good with it being months,” she giggled.
“I don’t know if your local sheriff would allow me to stay that long,” he said snidely.
“He was pretty insistent on getting you out of here in a hurry.”
He reached up to scratch behind his ear. “I think he was jealous.”
Her brow furrowed in confusion. “Why would he be jealous?”
“In the car on the way to the police station, he told me the two of you had once been ‘an item’, and he was planning to ask you out again.”
Her jaw dropped. “Seriously? I went on one date with him. He asked me out a few times after that, but I kept turning him down. He’s a nice enough guy, I guess, but I’m not attracted to him and I didn’t want to lead him on.”
“I kind of got the feeling he was embellishing. I was sure you would have told me if you were dating someone.”
“Absolutely. Anyway, enough about Graham. To answer your question, you can stay here as long as necessary.” Stroking her fingers through his hair above his ear, she added quietly, “If you want, you can even stay after your plane is fixed.”
“Thank you, Love.” He looked at her a few moments, then got a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Do we still have to sleep on the floor?” he asked teasingly.
“You didn’t like my sleeping accommodations?” Emma replied, pretending to pout. “I thought you said you were comfortable.”
Tightening his arms around her, he nuzzled behind her ear. “I could be comfortable anywhere, as long as I’m holding you.”
She shivered at the low timbre of his voice in her ear. “Killian?”
“Hmm?”
“You know that thing we didn’t do because we didn’t want things to move too fast?”
He drew back to look into her eyes. “Aye.”
“Do you still think it would be too fast?” she asked, then tugged the corner of her lip between her teeth.
Framing her face with his hands, he gave her a soft smile. “Your heart’s desire, Swan. I promise that’s all I want you to have.” Unbidden tears filled her eyes, which Killian noticed immediately, asking with concern, “Are you alright, Love?”
“Yeah, I…” She blinked, trying to keep the tears at bay. “It’s just…Neal never gave me any control in our relationship. He made it very clear my opinion didn’t matter. Now, here you are, giving me complete control and it…I can hardly believe you trust me enough to do that.”
“Of course I trust you,” he said firmly. “He was a complete idiot, Emma, and if I could wipe him from your memory, I would do it in a heartbeat. What I can do is show you what a relationship built on love and respect is like, and I will do that every day.”
“So, you really are planning to stick around?”
“For as long as you’ll have me,” he said, then kissed her.
She licked her lips. “What if I say I want you here forever?” she asked, her voice nervously quavering the slightest bit.
“Truly?”
“You said you love me, right?”
“I do.”
“I love you, too, and I’ve thought about it for a month. I’m used to being alone and I’ve been fine with that for the last seven years. But after you left, I wasn’t only alone, I was lonely. You showed me what it was like to be with someone who really cared, who listened when I spoke and made me feel important.”
“That’s because you are.”
She gave him an appreciative smile. “Anyway, I know it’s crazy to ask you to move in with me after knowing each other for such a short time, so take some time to think about it and…”
“I don’t have to think about it, Emma, because I have been thinking about it for a month, as well. I was happier being here with you than I’ve been for as long as I can remember.”
“Except for the hypothermia.”
“Aye, that’s true. I could have done without that,” he chuckled.
“So…are you saying that you’ll move in?”
“Aye, Love. I would be very happy to live here with you and your boys,” he said fondly, glancing at the dogs who were sitting at their feet, looking up at them expectantly.
Emma beamed at him, then pulled him down to kiss him firmly. “How soon?” she asked against his lips.
“As soon as I can find a job and get my things moved here.”
“Don’t worry about the job. I have more than enough money saved for both of us. We really don’t need that much, anyway.”
He took a step back, one eyebrow raising high on his forehead. “Why Swan - are you saying you want me to be a kept man?”
She let out a bark of laughter. “You can still get a job. I just don’t want you to put off moving here because you don’t have one, yet.”
“In that case, I can move in as soon as you’re ready for me.”
“Today, then?”
It was his turn to laugh. “Eager, are you?”
Her fingers toyed with the collar of his parka. “A month without you was about twenty nine days too many.”
“Only twenty nine? What about the other one or two days?”
“I enjoyed that time without your snoring,” she smirked.
“That’s bad form, Swan,” he said, attempting to look insulted.
Her face turned serious. “Is Will going to be upset with you about moving here and leaving him behind?”
“I don’t think he’ll mind. He might even follow me here. Somehow in the few minutes it took for him to pick me up at the sheriff’s station, he got very friendly with the receptionist, Belle French. They’ve been texting and calling each other frequently. I think he’s smitten with her.”
“I like Belle. She’s always very nice to me.”
“So, let’s see,” he said, putting his hands on her hips to tug her closer, “we talked about Sheriff Humbert, Will and Belle. Is there anyone else we need to discuss before we turn our attention to ourselves?”
She squinted her eyes, pretending to contemplate his question, then focused back on him. “Nope, can’t think of anyone.”
“Good,” he said, shrugging out of his coat and tossing it over the back of the nearest chair.
Taking his hand, she led him straight through the living room to the hallway and stopped outside her bedroom door. Turning to face him, she asked, “You are okay with this, aren’t you?”
He studied her face. “I need to know that this is really what you want.”
She dropped her eyes, unwilling to look at him as she admitted, “Sex has never been very enjoyable for me.”
Gently lifting her chin with his fingers, he said sincerely, “Perhaps you simply haven’t been with the man who’s right for you. Let me show you how much you can enjoy it when you’re with someone who truly loves you.”
“I’d like that,” she whispered, then turned to walk into her room.
Both dogs trotted past the couple and jumped up on the bed.
“We have company,” Killian chuckled.
Emma rolled her eyes. “It’s not bedtime, boys. Go lie down in the living room.”
Cocoa obeyed immediately, but Cinnamon continued to lie on the bed, looking up at them with big, expressive eyes. “You heard me, Cinnamon. Go to the living room.”
The dog huffed at her, before jumping down and slowly walking out the door, tail drooping. Emma closed it behind him, shaking her head. “That one has an attitude.”
“He just wants to be with his owner,” Killian said. “I can’t say I blame him.” He held out his hand, gesturing her forward.
She moved into his arms easily, immediately fusing their lips together. As they kissed, she slid her hands underneath his shirt and up his back, making him shiver.
“My hands aren’t that cold,” she commented.
“It wasn’t because they’re cold; it’s because you’re touching my bare skin.”
She drew back, feeling chagrinned. “You don’t like it?” she asked, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
“On the contrary - I like it very, very much. I shivered out of anticipation of you touching more of my body.” He studied her for several long moments. She felt like he was seeing all of her insecurities, and ducked her head, feeling her cheeks flame with embarrassment. “Emma,” he said softly, “I know how badly you’ve been hurt. We’ll take things at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Aye?”
“I feel so stupid,” she muttered.
“Hey,” he said firmly, causing her to snap her eyes up to look at him. “You are many things, but one thing you are not, is stupid. Why do you feel that way?”
“Never mind,” she said, dropping her eyes again.
“If our relationship is going to move forward, we need to be open and honest with each other, Love.”
“I hate to keep dragging up my past, especially when we came in here to…be intimate.”
“Come here,” he said, leading her over to the bed. “Sit down.”
She sank down on the mattress, keeping her eyes on the floor. He sat beside her, taking her hand in his, but not saying anything. She realized he was giving her time and she loved him a little bit more for the patience he was showing.
Finally, she sighed and began speaking haltingly. “I was young when I met Neal - not even eighteen. I was innocent and had never…been with anyone. I heard other girls at the group home talking about having sex and it sounded so exciting. The first time Neal and I…did it, we were in the back seat of his car. It was uncomfortable and…it hurt. A lot. I tried not to cry, but I couldn’t help it. He told me to grow up and stop being so dramatic. I should have known by the way he reacted that he was a selfish bastard, but I…I was afraid of losing him and being alone again.” Killian’s hand tightened around hers and she glanced up, giving him a weak smile. “I could never please him in bed, no matter how hard I tried. He cheated on me numerous times and he always blamed it on my inability to keep him satisfied.”
She looked at him again and saw that his eyes were stormy and his jaw was ticking with anger, yet he still kept quiet, allowing her to continue. Taking a deep breath, she did. “I only slept with two guys since then and it was a disaster both times. I was so anxious that I couldn’t relax and enjoy it. One guy was pretty understanding, but the other one got a little upset with me. I never heard from either of them again.” She paused, picking at a loose thread on her sweatpants. “Anyway, I guess I’m afraid that if I disappoint you too, it’s gonna ruin everything.”
“Emma, look at me,” he implored, his voice gentle but insistent. She blinked a few times, then did as he asked. “I’m not going into this with any expectations. It doesn’t have to be some magical experience. We don’t even have to have sex - we can just get to know each other’s bodies a little more, then cuddle together like we loved doing when I was here last time. There’s more to intimacy than the actual act of making love.”
“I don’t want to keep putting you off, just because of my stupid insecurities.”
“Please stop using that word, Love. Nothing about you or how you feel is stupid. And you’re not putting me off. I’ll wait as long as necessary, because you are worth it.”
A small smile turned up the corners of her lips. “You’re too good to be true, Killian Jones.”
“I’m just a man who loves you.” He thought for a moment. “How would you feel about me giving you a massage to help you relax?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never had one.”
“Then I think it’s about time you had your first. Lie down on your stomach.”
She did so without hesitation, turning her head to the side to look at him.
He climbed on the bed, pulled her arms up, and arranged them so she could fold her hands under her head. “Close your eyes and breathe nice and slow, Swan.”
She felt a little silly at first, but as his hands kneaded the tight muscles of her shoulders, she sank into the mattress. She heard him begin to hum and recognized the song as ‘Peaceful, Easy Feeling’, an Eagles tune they both had said was one of their favorites.
“Do you mind taking off your sweatshirt?” he asked. She quickly complied, tossing it carelessly on the floor. He resumed the massage with only the thin material of her T-shirt between his hands and her skin.
Emma was soon so relaxed, her body felt boneless. Within minutes, she was on the verge of dozing off.
*********
Killian was happy to see Emma responding so quickly to the massage. He offered it on a whim, trying to think of something that would take her mind away from the unpleasant memories she shared with him.
He wasn’t usually one to wish ill will on another person, but he sincerely hoped that idiot Neal was leading a miserable life, or maybe he would suffer a slow, torturous death. Killian almost wished he could be the one to mete it out.
He was amazed that Emma was able to get out of the brutal relationship. Many women in similar situations remained with their abuser. The more she told Killian about what she went through, the more he admired her courage, resilience, strength, and intelligence.
Continuing to knead his palms and fingertips into her tense muscles, he heard her moan with pleasure. His cock twitched at the sound and he needed to adjust his position over her back to keep his groin away from her. He longed to make love to her, but after what she had been through, he was determined to let it be her choice.
As his hands massaged her sides just above her hips, her T-shirt rode up a little, allowing his fingers to brush across bare skin. “Mmm,” she hummed, reaching down with one hand to tug the shirt up higher. “That feels good.”
Killian bunched up the material until it was below her bra strap, then skimmed his hands over the silky expanse of her back. Feeling her relax even more, he took his time working every inch of skin he could reach. To his surprise, she stretched her arms behind her back to unhook her bra, then pulled her shirt over her head and lifted up enough to slide both garments off. He moved his hands to her shoulders, spending several minutes kneading them, eliciting more moans and sighs from her.
He was so focused on what he was doing, he didn’t immediately notice that her eyes were open. When he did, he saw that the one visible to him was shiny with unshed tears. “Are you alright, Love?” he asked with concern. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”
“No, I just…you’re so gentle and patient with me.”
He brushed his thumb across her cheek. “That’s because I love you.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
She considered him for a moment, then turned slightly, causing him to shift over to the side of her. When he was no longer straddling her, she rolled over, exposing her bare breasts. His eyes widened taking in the sight, then darted up to look into her eyes. “Emma?”
“Touch me, Killian.”
“You’re sure?”
“Mmhmm.” Taking his hand, she placed it on her left breast.
He needed no further encouragement. Swinging his leg over her again, he used both hands to stroke and squeeze the soft mounds. His thumbs rubbed over her nipples, hardening them to stiff peaks. He leaned down to lick and suck at first one and then the other, feeling her body beginning to writhe beneath him.
He moved up her throat, leaving open mouthed kisses along the way, while his hands moved down to her hips. As he pulled her ear lobe between his lips, he simultaneously unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans.
Her breaths were coming out in short gasps. When he looked at her face, her eyes were closed tightly and her bottom lip was pulled between her teeth. His hands quickly moved to frame her face, thumbs tracing her cheekbones. “Emma, Love. Look at me,” he encouraged.
Her lashes fluttered open, jade eyes looking up at him in confusion. “Is something wrong?” she whispered.
“Do you like what I’m doing?”
“Very much.”
“Then don’t be afraid to tell me. I want to know what you do and do not like.”
“I just…I’ve never been very vocal during sex.”
“The more you talk to me, the better I can make you feel.”
“I want to make you feel good, too.”
“And I have no doubt you will, but right now, I want to focus on you.”
“But…”
“Shh,” he said, placing his index finger over her lips. “Just relax and let me do this for you.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
He resumed kissing behind her ear, while his hands moved south once again. “Do you still want me to touch you?” he murmured.
“Yes, please,” she breathed.
He pushed her jeans over her hips, then slid his fingers inside her panties. When his middle finger brushed against her clit, she shivered, but didn’t say anything. He inched closer to her center, and felt her legs begin to quiver.
“Killian?”
“Hmm?”
“I can’t…I want to…”
He could tell she was struggling to express herself, despite his reassurances. He wanted so badly to continue exploring her body, but he had to give her a little more time to tell him what she wanted.
“Can we…take the rest of our clothes off?” she asked at last. “I want to be able to move and…to touch you.”
“Of course, Love,” he said, pushing himself up off the bed. While she quickly disposed of her jeans and underwear, he shed all of his clothing down to his boxers. When he looked up to see her watching him, he teased the waistband of his remaining garment. She licked her lips in anticipation. “Do you want to take them off of me again, Swan?” he smirked. “You can do it with your eyes open this time.”
“You think you’re so funny, Jones.”
“I’m hilarious,” he quipped, happy to see that their little exchange seemed to dispel the remaining awkwardness between them. He stripped off his boxers and climbed back on the bed, kneeling beside her. Nudging her thighs apart, he stroked two fingers through her folds, pleased to feel how wet she was already.
“Mmm, that feels really good,” she mumbled, pulling her feet up and letting her legs fall open.
He took advantage of the easier access, spreading her folds open with the fingers of one hand, while he rimmed her opening with his other index finger. Keeping an eye on her face to gauge her reaction, he pushed his finger inside her heat.
She raised her hips off the bed slightly, closing her eyes and biting her lip. After stroking her a few times, he added a second digit, moving his other arm to rest it across her pelvis. He slowly pumped in and out of her, feeling her get wetter with every pass.
“I…that…more, Killian,” she gasped.
He obliged, adding a third finger. He could tell she was close, so he sought that spot inside her that would have her seeing stars. Just as he found it, he leaned down and tongued at her clit, then sucked it into his mouth.
She came with a strangled cry, her hips thrusting up at him. He continued stroking her through the orgasm, the throb he felt around his fingers making his cock hard. Then her hands were in his hair, urging him to move up her body.
“Holy shit! That was…intense,” she breathed.
“Aye, it was,” he smiled, nuzzling along her collarbone, then up her throat. The deep kiss they shared quickly turned greedy and frantic. He noticed her wriggling beneath him, seeking the friction of his chest hair against her peaked nipples.
He flipped them over, rolling her on top of him without breaking contact with her lips. Suddenly, a disconcerting thought hit him and he broke the kiss. “Emma,” he panted. “I…I’m not prepared.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“I don’t have any condoms.”
“No problem. I have an IUD.”
“Is it…is it still effective?”
“It’s not my original one. I had it replaced a couple of years ago.”
“In that case…” He pulled her to him again, kissing her while he adjusted his position to be directly beneath her, his cock nestled in the cleft of her ass.
She moaned long and low in her throat. Her hands ran down his sides to grab his buttocks, firmly squeezing him.
“Gods, Emma,” he groaned.
She released him. “I’m sor-”
“Don’t say that. What you’re doing is perfect,” he whispered hotly into her ear.
They continued stroking and exploring, working each other up until Killian’s entire body felt flushed and feverish.
“Emma, please tell me you’re ready,” he pleaded, sliding his fingers through the slickness between her thighs.
“I am,” she affirmed breathlessly.
“Then ride me, Love.”
“You want me on top?”
“Aye, Love. You take control.”
She leaned down to kiss him, then raised herself up above him, taking him in hand to line him up. Slowly, she sank down around him. When he was fully engulfed in her heat, he closed his eyes in complete ecstasy. He had never experienced such a profound feeling of pleasure and he couldn’t begin to put it into words.
His fingers dug into her hips, urging her to move. She understood, planting her forearms on his chest and beginning to slide up and down his shaft. The pace she set was slow at first, but as they progressed, he started thrusting up into her and she met him thrust for thrust.
As the pleasureable tension built, Killian hoarsely uttered words of praise and encouragement. Emma responded, calling out what felt good, as well. Placing her hands on the bed on either side of him, she slammed down on him again and again, until she climaxed with a shout. Her knees gripped his hips tightly as she shook with the intensity of her orgasm. He soon joined her in bliss and they both rode out the aftershocks, before she collapsed on top of him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Once he came to his senses a bit, Killian groped for the edge of the comforter and pulled it over the top of them. “You are bloody brilliant,” he murmured, pressing kisses into her hair.
She lifted her head, resting her chin on his sternum to peer into his face. “Really?”
He could still see lingering doubt in her eyes. Cocking an eyebrow at her, he asked, “Do I really need to tell you how amazing that felt?”
“I know it felt that way for me. You were wrong about something, though.”
“What’s that?”
“It was a magical experience.”
He smiled and reached up to brush some sweaty strands of hair off of her forehead. “I agree, and it confirmed something I already knew.”
“What?”
“That you’re the one I’ve been waiting for my entire life. I love you, Emma.”
A wide smile blossomed across her face. “I love you, too.” She leaned up to kiss him, then lay her head back down on his chest with a contented sigh.
As their breathing and heart rates returned to normal, Killian stroked his hand up and down her back absentmindedly. He had been taken by surprise by the invitation to move in with her. Now, he wanted to do it as soon as possible. He dreaded the thought of leaving her again, even if he would be able to contact her now. Having her in his arms was intoxicating and he never wanted to let her go.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked softly.
“How much I love holding you and how I wish I never had to leave.”
She popped her head up to look at him again. “You don’t have to, do you?”
“I need to pack up my stuff and bring it here.”
“Can Will do that for you?”
He considered for a moment. “I suppose he could. The majority of it is boxed up in storage, and he has his own plane so he would be able to fly everything down here. I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow.”
“Good, because I don’t want you to leave, either.”
He must have dozed off, because the next thing he knew, he was awakened by Emma shifting off of him. “Swan? Where are you going?”
“I need to get dressed and take the dogs out. Go back to sleep.”
He sat up, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll come with you.”
“You don’t need to do that. I’m fine. I can do it alone.”
“But you aren’t anymore.”
“Aren’t what?”
He took her hand, kissing the back of it. “Alone.”
She tilted her head, and he could see the love shining in her eyes, even in the dim light. “Saving you is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
“It worked out well for me, too.”
She leaned in to kiss him, which quickly became heated. “Are you sure the dogs need to go out?” he mumbled against her lips.
“If they can make it through the night, they can make it a few more minutes.”
“A few more minutes?” he said, trying to sound appalled. “Swan, you wound me. They may have to wait a couple of hours, because I’m going to take my time with you.”
She giggled. “In that case, I better let them out really quick.”
He watched her pull on her pants and grab a sweatshirt. Crawling over the bed, he reached out and tweaked one of her bare nipples, making her squeak in surprise. “Seems such a shame to cover up these lovely breasts,” he remarked in a sultry tone.
“Killian,” she admonished playfully, “if you don’t stop that, I’ll never leave this bedroom.”
“I see no problem with that.”
“Cinnamon and Cocoa will, and so will my living room rug when they do their business all over it.”
“Ugh, fine,” he pouted. “Put the dogs’ needs before mine.”
She tugged on her sweatshirt and threw a beaming smile over her shoulder. “I promise I’ll be right back.”
While she was gone, he straightened the covers and picked up a pillow they knocked to the floor during their pleasurable activities. Then he laid down, pulled the covers up to his waist, and folded his arms behind his head, waiting for Emma to return.
Soon the bedroom door opened and she slipped in. He saw her eyes rove up his bare chest, then she licked her lips. He patted the bed beside him and she wasted no time shedding her clothes and joining him under the covers, moving into his welcoming arms and sighing contentedly.
Killian was as good as his word and took his time, knowing that he had all the time in the world with the woman he loved.
*********
Two months later, Emma and Killian were in town for the farmers market, arms linked as they slowly strolled among the stalls.
“Isn’t that Will over there?” she asked, pointing down the street toward the police station.
Killian craned his neck to see. “Aye. He must be meeting Belle for lunch.”
“Those two are so cute together.”
“I think we’re pretty cute together, too.”
“Oh, I think we’re much cuter,” Emma laughed.
He laughed along, very happy to see how lighthearted and carefree she was these days. “Do you mind if I go talk to him for a few minutes? I need to tell him what the mechanic said this morning.”
The two friends were setting up a cargo transportation company together, using both of their airplanes. All the paperwork was being processed, they were lining up clients, and hangars were rented at the airstrip. As soon as the repairs to Killian’s plane were completed, they would be able to launch their business.
“I don’t mind. Just don’t take too long, okay?”
“I won’t,” he promised, setting down the large canvas bag filled with their purchases and kissing her briefly, before heading down the street.
She watched him leave, unabashedly ogling his backside, then picked up the bag and continued perusing the offerings on other tables. She was filling a small plastic bag with homebaked dog biscuits when she heard someone say her name. Turning around, she saw Graham Humbert.
“Hi, Sheriff,” she greeted, a bit warily. “How are you?”
“Fine, thanks. I, um, I’ve heard Mr. Jones is back in town.”
“Yes, he is,” she hedged, wondering what he was going to say next.
“Has he been in contact with you?”
She figured she might as well tell him the truth. He was sure to find out anyway. “Actually, we’re living together.”
His brows rose. “How did that come about?”
“He came back to see about getting his plane repaired and I asked him to move in.”
The sheriff folded his arms over his chest. “Are you sure that’s wise, Emma?”
“Look, Graham, not that it’s any of your business, but Killian and I fell in love while we were snowed in together. He’s been back for a couple of months already and we couldn’t be happier.”
He opened his mouth to answer, but looked over her shoulder and paused. She turned to follow his line of vision and saw Killian walking back. He was distracted by something on his phone, so he was unaware of who was talking to Emma, until he was a few steps away. When he finally looked up, the smile on his face faded. He stopped beside Emma, giving her a brief, meaningful look that clearly asked if everything was alright. She nodded and slipped her arm around his waist.
“Sheriff Humbert,” Killian said curtly, extending his hand.
“Mr. Jones,” Graham said, shaking the offered hand. “I hear you’re going to be staying in the area for a while.”
“For good, actually. I’m living at Emma’s cabin.”
“Our cabin,” she corrected, smiling up at him.
“Aye, Love,” he agreed fondly. Turning his attention back to the sheriff, he said, “I’m putting down roots here. Emma and I are in a committed relationship, and my friend, Will Scarlet, and I are opening a business together.”
“Is that so?” Humbert asked, then proceeded to ask a few questions about their plans for the new business. Killian answered all of them patiently, while Emma listened proudly, her shining eyes never leaving his face.
When the questioning ended, she remarked, “Won’t it be great to have another way to transport supplies?” Killian met her eyes and the two of them shared a smile.
“It does seem to be a good idea.” Graham said. “I, uh…I hope it turns out to be a success.”
“Thanks, mate,” Killian replied. When his phone began to ring, he checked the screen. “Sorry, it’s my mechanic. I need to take this.” He squeezed Emma’s hand, before stepping away to answer the call.
She looked back at Graham, who was watching her intently. He cleared his throat, then said, “He seems to make you happy, Emma.”
“He makes me very happy,” she beamed.
“I guess he’s the better man for you.”
“You’re a good man, Graham. One day you’re going to meet the right woman.”
He gave her a shy smile. “Well, there is that new waitress at the diner.”
“Oh, Ruby? We met her this morning when we were there for breakfast. She seems very nice and quite…interesting.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Aye, she’s a firecracker. I’m thinking about asking her out.”
“That sounds like a great idea.”
Killian came back and announced, “Good news! The part Billy ordered is in stock and should arrive on Monday.”
Emma threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. “That’s fantastic! It could move up your launch date by a week or two, right?”
“Hopefully, if there are no issues with the paperwork.”
“Congratulations,” Graham said. Glancing around at the shoppers milling about, he added, “I better continue my patrol. The town is always busier when the farmers market is open. It was nice seeing the two of you and I, um, I wish you every happiness.”
“Thank you,” the couple said in unison, then watched him walk away.
Emma paid the merchant for her purchase. Holding up the bag to show Killian, she said, “The boys are going to be very happy. These are their favorite treats.”
“Those dogs are spoiled rotten,” he said playfully.
“All dogs should be spoiled.”
“I completely agree,” Killian nodded. “Is there anything else you want to get while we’re here, Love?”
Emma glanced up and down the row of stalls, offering everything from scented candles, to hothouse vegetables, to choice cuts of meat. “No, I think we have everything.”
He picked up the large bag at her feet and wrapped his other arm around her. “Are you ready to go, then?”
“Yeah,” she replied, snuggling into his side. “Let’s go home.”
*********
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The title of this chapter is self-explanatory, too. Oh, well - all good things must come to an end, right? What's a CS fanfic without a little angst? But hang in there because there's still one more chapter to go, and as @eddisfargo pointed out in a comment on the previous chapter, the explanation for the M rating has been there from the very beginning;)
STORY SUMMARY: When Emma Swan’s dogs find an unconscious man in her woods, she takes him to her cabin to treat him for hypothermia. Little does she know how much a snowstorm, the loss of power, and Killian Jones are going to change her life.
RATING: M (for smut in the final chapter, which can be skipped if that's not your thing)
WORDS: 4650 of over 30,600 total
Catch up on Tumblr - Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4
Also posted on Ao3
New chapter found under the cut
The next morning, Killian awoke first, slowly processing where he was and with whom. His body was still in close proximity to Emma’s, but they had shifted a little during the night. She lay on her side with her back against his front, and he had his arm loosely draped over her hip. He could feel one of the dogs behind him, curled into the space created by his bent knees.
Smiling sleepily, he rotated his head to the left and heard his neck crack. Their makeshift bed may not be the most comfortable place he ever slept, but he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. He and Emma were growing closer, and he could hardly wait to see how much more progress they would make today. He hoped she continued to let her walls down, so he could prove to her that not all men were untrustworthy.
Feeling more content than he had been in a very long time, he let his mind wander. Will said he had a job secured for Killian and a temporary place to live in Talkeetna, but now that he met Emma, he wanted to pursue a relationship with her. That would be difficult to do if they were living hours apart from each other. Perhaps he should inquire about jobs and places for rent in this area. She did say there was a small town several miles away.
As he thought about the possibilities, he grew drowsy and began to doze off, subconsciously tightening his hold on her. Soon he was sound asleep once again.
*********
Emma groaned when a wet nose brushed against her cheek. “Five more minutes, Cinnamon,” she mumbled. “Lie back down.” The dog flopped down beside her, heaving a deep sigh as he did.
Feeling very cozy, she just wanted to go back to sleep, even though she knew she needed to get up and let her boys outside. It took her a moment to realize why she was so comfortable. She was being held in Killian’s strong arms, his breath warm against her neck.
She waited all day yesterday for the feeling of panic to set in, but it hadn’t. She wasn’t a fool though - she knew once the roads were clear enough for her to drive him to town, he would be gone and probably out of her life forever. She wasn’t optimistic enough to think that he would want to pursue a relationship with her, even though he vowed to keep in touch. In her experiences, promises were made to be broken.
Still, she enjoyed the time she spent with him and looked forward to more reading, playing games…and kissing. She really liked the kissing.
She felt him stir behind her and almost giggled at his morning arousal nudging her backside. She was sure he was still asleep, unaware of what he was doing. Otherwise, being the gentleman that he was, he would move away from her. She could move away herself, of course, but she found she really didn’t want to do that. It had been a very long time since she was with a man and, even though she wasn’t going to act on it, the thought of having sex with Killian was quite a pleasant one.
She shifted forward a couple of inches, attempting to keep him from being embarrassed when he woke up. Sensing her movement, Cinnamon once again got to his feet and began pacing the floor. Emma sighed, slowly pushing the blankets off. It wasn’t fair to make her dogs wait to go out just because she was too content to get up.
“Swan?” she heard in Killian’s gravelly morning voice.
“Go back to sleep. I’m just going to let the dogs out.”
She looked over her shoulder to see him pushing himself to a sitting position. His hair was an adorable mess and the scruff on his face was even now pronounced this morning. She figured it would be a full beard in another couple of days. A thought flashed through her mind wondering what it would be like to kiss a bearded man.
“I was awake a while ago,” he yawned. “I didn’t realize I fell asleep again.”
“The fire lasted through the night,” she commented, as she passed by the fireplace on the way to the kitchen.
“I got up during the night and threw a couple more logs on.”
“I didn’t even realize you did that.”
He got to his feet, subtly adjusting himself through the sleep pants. “Judging by how loudly you were snoring, you were in a deep sleep.”
She turned in the doorway to glare at him. “I do not snore.”
“Beg to differ,” he smirked. “But I don’t mind. I think it’s adorable.”
With a little huff, she continued across the kitchen to grab her coat from the hook, both dogs dancing around her in anticipation. “I don’t snore, do I, boys?” she grumbled. Based on the sound of Killian laughing from the living room, she hadn’t said it quietly enough.
Despite trying to sound displeased about his teasing, Emma was secretly happy that they resumed their easy banter without a trace of awkwardness this morning.
*********
The next five days passed in much the same fashion. They cooked, ate, read, played cards, worked on jigsaw puzzles, and took care of the dogs. They went outside to shovel snow away from the cabin and carry in more firewood. One day, Killian helped Emma wash clothes in a large washtub filled with water heated over the stove, then hang them on drying racks in front of the fireplace.
They continued to sleep together on the floor at night…and they kissed. A lot.
Piling up pillows, blankets and quilts on the floor to make a cozy nest in front of the fireplace was one of their favorite things to do. That’s where they were after lunch on the day that marked one week since she found him.
“This is nice,” Emma sighed, allowing herself to melt into Killian’s embrace, as she held the book they were reading.
“Aye, it really is,” he agreed. “Who could have imagined we would meet the way we did?”
“Let alone get to know each other and realize we have a mutual attraction.”
“All within the span of a few days.”
“I don’t even mind that the power is still out and our phones are dead.”
“Nor do I. I have everything I need right here.”
Their tranquility was broken when there was a loud knock on the door. Both dogs leapt up, barking as they raced through the kitchen.
“Who on earth could that be?” Emma wondered, tossing back the blankets.
“Perhaps the people working on the power lines?” Killian suggested, getting to his feet and offering a hand to help her up. He didn’t mention the other possibilities that came into his mind. Adverse conditions sometimes brought out unsavory individuals who sought to take advantage of vulnerable people in need of rescue.
They walked into the kitchen together. She went to open the door, while he stood behind her, arms crossed. It was her cabin, so she would be the one to answer the knock, but he was prepared to come to her aid if necessary.
She cautiously opened the door far enough to look out. “Sheriff Humbert?” she said. “What are you doing here?”
Killian relaxed a little. Obviously, Emma knew the person and apparently he was a member of the law enforcement.
“Hello, Miss Swan,” a smooth voice with an Irish accent responded. “One of our sky patrols spotted a small airplane in a field not far from here, but the pilot wasn’t anywhere to be found. There’s a record of a mayday being called in the day the storm hit. You wouldn’t happen to have seen anyone, would you?”
“As a matter of fact…” Emma began.
Killian stepped into the other man’s view. “I’m the pilot of that plane.”
The sheriff, a ruggedly handsome man who looked to be the same age as Killian, looked over at him sharply. Killian got the distinct feeling he was being closely scrutinized. Then the man looked back at Emma. “How long has he been here?” he asked, stepping inside the door and wrapping his hand around her arm. “Are you okay? Has he posed any threat to you?”
Emma and Killian spoke at the same time. “No, he…”
“I would never…”
Sheriff Humbert talked over both of them. “Are you Killian Jones?”
Killian was taken aback. “How did you know that?”
“Your friend William Scarlet called to inquire about you. When you didn’t arrive at Talkeetna, he began calling airports, hospitals, and police stations along your flight route.”
“I didn’t have any phone service to contact him,” Killian explained.
“No wonder you didn’t call for help,” the sheriff commented, looking at Emma. “I didn’t think about your phone service being out, along with the power.”
“I didn’t call for help because I didn’t need help,” Emma replied, with a little heat in her voice. “When my dogs found Killian, he was suffering from hypothermia and had passed out. He’s been nothing but a gentleman ever since he regained consciousness.”
Killian gave her an appreciative look, which apparently did not go unnoticed by Sheriff Humbert. After darting his eyes back and forth between Emma and Killian, he said, “I need to get you to the station, let your friend know you’re okay, and inform him of your whereabouts. If you have any belongings, please get them so we can head out.”
“Oh, okay,” Killian said. “But can Emma and I just…”
“There’s no time,” the sheriff interrupted. “I have many other households to check on, now that the roads are passable.”
“If they’re passable, I can take Killian to the station,” Emma offered.
The sheriff shook his head. “That’s not a good idea, Emma. His friend is very worried about him, so time is of the essence. I told him I would let him know immediately if I found him.”
“But…” Emma began.
“Please get your things, Mr. Jones,” Sheriff Humbert commanded.
Killian had an uneasy feeling that the reason the man was so insistent on taking him to the station himself was because he seemed to have more than a passing interest in Emma. Still, Killiian couldn’t outright disobey the sheriff. He cast a helpless look at Emma, before turning and walking into the living room to put on his boots and gather his few belongings.
“You could at least give us a chance to say goodbye,” Emma said, as soon as Killian was out of the room.
The sheriff crossed his arms over his chest. “What exactly was he doing here, Emma?
She blinked. “I already told you. Cocoa and Cinnamon found him unconscious in my woods, so I brought him…”
“You appear to be more than strangers.”
“We just spent nearly a week snowed in together. We’re past the ‘strangers’ stage.”
“Is there something going on between the two of you?”
Emma mimicked his stance by crossing her own arms. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
Before he could respond, Killian came back into the room, immediately sensing the tension between the two people. “Is everything alright, Swan?” he asked.
“It’s fine,” Sheriff Humbert answered for her. “We really have to be going. Do you have a coat?”
“Of course,” Killian said, crossing in front of the sheriff to collect his parka from the hook beside the door. As he pulled it on, he turned to give Emma a sad smile.
“Killian, I…”
Sheriff Humbert pulled the door open. “After you, Mr. Jones,” he said, sweeping his arm in front of himself.
Killian started toward the door, but detoured to give Emma’s hand a quick squeeze. “Thank you for everything, Emma. Take care of yourself.”
“You, too,” she replied, tears shining in her eyes.
Killian walked out the door, turning to give her one last lingering glance. The other man followed, closing the door behind himself with finality.
Killian waded through the snow, his anger at the sheriff building. The least the rude man could have done was allow him and Emma two minutes of privacy. Killian reached the police SUV, opened the passenger door and slumped into the seat, slamming the door shut harder than necessary.
Sheriff Humbert slid into the seat beside him, started the engine, and pulled away from the cabin. They drove without speaking, the roads still snow covered until they reached the main highway, which was much clearer.
Finally, the sheriff broke the silence. “Emma Swan is a wonderful woman.” When he didn’t get a response, he went on. “We were an item for a while. Maybe it’s time to ask her out again.”
Killian stared out the windshield, jaw ticking in anger. He didn’t believe the man. If Emma was involved with someone, she would have mentioned it. Plus, she seemed very formal with the sheriff. If they were dating, surely she would have called him by name.
No one spoke for the rest of the trip into town. When they reached the small police station, Killian wasted no time exiting the vehice, waiting impatiently for the sheriff to do the same. Killian followed him inside, where Sheriff Humbert gestured for him to sit in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs, then disappeared into a small office, closing the door behind himself.
The woman sitting at the reception desk gave Killian a friendly smile, which he attempted to return. It wasn’t her fault the man she worked with was a jerk.
For the next ten minutes, Killian sat there and seethed. Obviously, time really wasn’t of the essence, as the sheriff had insisted. Clearly, his objective was to get Killian away from Emma.
Finally, unable to take it anymore, Killian pushed himself out of the chair, marched across the floor, and knocked on the door so hard, it rattled the glass, causing the receptionist to let out a startled squeak. When he didn’t get any response immediately, he pounded again. The door flew open in the middle of the second barrage, revealing Sheriff Humbert, his face red with anger.
“What do you want?” he demanded.
“What do I want?” Killian exploded. “You’re the one who was so insistent I get here to call my friend that you couldn’t even spare time for me to bid a proper goodbye to Emma! Yet, you leave me sitting out here for ages without offering to let me use the phone!”
Humbert slowly put his hands on his hips, deliberately pushing his jacket aside to display the badge on his belt and his gun holster. “For your information, I was trying to find his phone number.”
Killian knew it was a lie. “Did it ever occur to you,” he asked through gritted teeth, “that I might already have my best friend’s number?”
“I thought you said your phone was dead, Mr. Jones.”
The arrogance in his voice grated on Killian’s last nerve. “Some people are capable of memorizing phone numbers, Sheriff, and I happen to be one of them. Now, let me use a fucking phone!”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Humbert stated, “I don’t think I like your tone.”
Killian wondered how much time he would have to spend in jail for punching a police officer. “I don’t really care what you like,” he growled. “You’re supposed to be a public servant, so do your fucking job and alllow me to call my friend. The sooner you do, the sooner I can get out of here.”
The sheriff seemed to consider that prospect, before turning to grab a phone off of his desk. Holding it out to Killian, he said gruffly, “Tell him another storm is expected in two days, so he needs to get here to pick you up ASAP.”
Killian snatched the phone out of his hand, pausing to give him another scathing look, before tapping Will’s number in.
Soon, his friend’s voice came through. “Hello?”
“Hey, Will.”
“That you, Kil? Where the hell have you been? I’ve been going crazy trying to find you!”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” He briefly explained what happened, ending with telling Will the location of the town and passing along the sheriff’s warning.
“I’ll figure out the closest airport to you and fly out as soon as I can get clearance. Sound good?”
“Sounds great,” Killian said, casting a glance at the sheriff, who was leaning against the door frame, arms still crossed. “I’m ready to get out of this police station.”
After saying their farewells, Killian kept the phone, eyeing the sheriff. “Could you, um, would you mind giving me Emma’s number? I didn’t get a chance to ask her for it before I left.”
“I’m sorry,” Humbert said, not sounding sorry at all. “That’s personal information and we’re not permitted to give it out.”
“Fine,” Killian spat, tossing the phone back to Humbert, not even offering him a word of gratitude.
“Is your friend on his way?”
“You heard the conversation. Figure it out,” Killian muttered, sliding down into the same seat he’d occupied earlier. “I thought you had a lot of other people to check on.”
“I do, but with you here…”
“I’m not a prisoner, am I?” Waving his hand toward the woman at the desk, he added, “Plus, I won’t be here by myself.”
Humbert turned to address the woman. “Are you alright with that, Belle?”
Her eyes flicked between the two men, obviously aware of the static of animosity in the air. “Why exactly is he here?” she asked the sheriff.
“He’s the pilot of the plane we spotted close to Emma Swan’s property. He’s waiting for his friend to pick him up.”
“Oh, I see. Of course I’m fine with him staying here. You should probably go check on Mrs. Lucas. She called again while you were out.”
The sheriff nodded, gave Killian one more stern look, then pulled the keys from his pocket and walked out the door.
“You’ll have to excuse him,” the receptionist said. “He’s been busy almost non-stop since the storm hit. People can be very demanding when they’re snowed in and without power, you know.” She stood up and walked toward him, holding out her hand. “I’m Belle French, by the way.”
“Kiliian Jones,” he replied, giving her hand a firm shake.
“Did your plane go down in the storm?”
“I was trying to fly to Talkeetna the day before it hit, but I had to make an emergency landing because of the fog that rolled in prior to the storm. My landing gear was damaged, so I couldn’t take off again before the storm arrived.”
“Have you been in your plane all this time?” she asked, eyes wide with concern.
“No, I attempted to hike for help, but wasn’t adequately prepared for the weather.” He related the story of how Emma and her dogs found him and treated him for hypothermia.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Belle said. “Emma is very resourceful.”
“You know her?”
“This is a very small town. Everyone knows everyone here, even if they live on the outskirts. She comes to the farmers market regularly.”
“She did mention that to me when she was talking about the bread she made.”
“No one knows anything about her background. She just bought the land and cabin and showed up here one day.”
“I believe she likes her privacy.”
Belle nodded. “Well, at least she had you there for a while, so she didn’t have to be alone during the storm and power outage.”
“Aye, we did enjoy each other’s company.”
“Being snowed in together sounds like the plot for a romcom,” she laughed.
Killian could feel the heat moving up his neck into his face. “I suppose it does,” he agreed, nervously rubbing his finger behind his ear.
She cocked her head and raised a brow, studying him for several uncomfortable moments, before saying, “I should get back to work. I have a lot of paperwork to complete.”
“I don’t want to keep you from your job. I’ll just wait over here.” A sudden thought hit him. “Do you have a way for me to charge my phone?”
“Oh, of course! Follow me.”
She led him to a break room and showed him the various charging cords available. “You can stay in here to wait, if you like,” she said, gesturing to the small sofa against one wall. “It would be more comfortable than sitting in the chairs in the lobby. There are snacks in the cupboards and drinks in the fridge.”
“Thank you, Ms. French.”
“Please call me Belle,” she smiled, then left the room.
Killian pulled his phone from his pocket and plugged it into the iPhone charger, cursing himself again for not getting Emma’s number. He had ample opportunity - an entire week. He got so caught up in spending time with her that it didn’t cross his mind. He forgot about the outside world, so it took him by surprise when it came knocking in the unwelcome form of Sheriff Humbert.
He supposed he could ask Belle for Emma’s number, but he knew she heard the sheriff tell him he couldn’t give out personal information and didn’t want to put her in the awkward situation of defying her boss.
Flopping down on the sofa, he blew out a frustrated sigh and leaned his head back against the wall. Sitting there with nothing to do, he brought his fingers to his lips, rubbing them absentmindedly as he remembered how they tingled when they were pressed against Emma Swan’s. With those thoughts running through his head, he soon fell asleep.
*********
Back at the cabin, Emma went through her daily routine mechanically, noticing that the cabin she always found so cozy, suddenly felt a little empty. Her dogs’ demeanor matched her mood; Cinnamon paced between the living room and kitchen, whining periodically, while Cocoa lay in his bed by the fire, looking forlorn.
Killian’s departure happened so abruptly that she didn’t think about getting in her SUV to drive to the police station until several hours had passed. By that time, she wasn’t even sure Killian would still be there. She also couldn’t quiet the voices in her head saying that he would probably leave town and forget all about her. No matter how hard she tried to reassure herself he wouldn’t do that, her past history reared its ugly head, reminding her that she was meant to be alone.
She felt helpless, knowing there was no way of contacting him. When the power came back on three hours later, it didn’t feel like a relief, but rather like the severing of a final tie to him. Nearly every minute they spent together had been in semi-darkness, illuminated only by the warm, soft glow of candles and firelight. Now, the lights seemed harsh and sterile, the constant hum of electricity too loud, after the quiet moments they’d spent talking and kissing.
Suddenly feeling exhausted, she locked the door, shut off the lights, and went to bed, not even changing out of her sweats and into her pajamas. Her dogs sought to be a comfort by pressing close to her as she curled up in a fetal position, her tears falling freely onto her pillow. When she finally cried herself out, she fell into a restless sleep, dreading the thought of waking up all alone again the next morning.
*********
“Well, if you ain’t a sight for sore eyes,” Will said, startling Killian awake. “I don’t know whether to hug you, or cuff your ears for worrying me.”
Killian yawned, stretched, and stood up, grinning at his friend. “I’m sorry I worried you, mate. I truly would have contacted you if there was any way at all.”
“I know and I forgive you. Are you ready to go?”
“Aye, but I have a favor to ask,” Killian said, unplugging his phone, then grabbing his parka from the chair where he’d tossed it.
“What’s that?”
“Can you take me back to Emma’s cabin? She’s the lass who saved me. I didn’t get a chance to give her a proper goodbye.”
Will rubbed the back of his neck. “I wish I could, but I’m under strict orders from the people at the airpstrip to get back there and take off within the hour. They’re keeping close tabs on the next storm and they want to get me back in the air well ahead of it. They even let me borrow a car from one of the maintenance guys so I wouldn’t have to wait on an Uber. Sorry, mate.”
Killian sighed in defeat. “It’s alright, I understand.”
As they walked through the lobby of the police station, Killian noticed the door of the sheriff’s office was closed and was glad he wouldn’t have to have another encounter with the man.
Belle looked up from her computer, giving the men a bright smile. “It was very nice to meet both of you. I hope you have a safe trip back.”
“It was nice meeting you, too,” Will said, grinning broadly. “Maybe our paths will cross again, someday.”
Killian looked back and forth between the two, noticing the slightly besotted look on Will’s face.
“Thank you for everything, Belle,” Killian said. “Hopefully this next storm isn’t as bad as the last.”
“I hope not. They just got the power restored to everyone.” Knowing Emma’s electricity was back on gave Killian a modicum of relief.
The two men bid Belle goodbye and left the station. Once they were in the car, Killian said, “You and Belle seemed pretty friendly, for having just met.”
Will shrugged as the tips of his ears reddened. “We chatted for a bit. She seems like a lovely lass.”
“I thought you were in a hurry, yet you found time to flirt?”
“I wasn’t flirting. She started talking to me when I walked in. What was I supposed to do - be rude and walk away?”
“Hmm.”
“Besides, who are you to talk, mate? Some people might consider it a little extreme to crash your plane in order to meet a woman,” Will teased.
“Wh-what’s that supposed to mean?” Killian stammered, knowing that his red face would give him away.
“Oh, come on. We’ve been friends long enough for me to recognize the admiration in your voice when you talked about your savior. And I don’t think it’s all because she saved your life. You have feelings for her, don’t you?”
Killian squirmed in his seat, knowing without even looking that Will had a smug grin on his face. If he confirmed his friend’s suspicions, he would take a good ribbing about it, but he really wanted to tell someone how he felt about Emma.
“I wish you could have met her, Will. She’s the most amazing lass I’ve ever known - strong, independent, intelligent, and very, very beautiful. I was with her for almost a week, but it wasn’t long enough.”
“So, you keep in touch with her until you have a chance to come back and get your plane. It’s not that complicated.”
“The problem is, I didn’t get her phone number and she doesn’t have mine.”
“You spent all that time with her and it didn’t occur to you to get her number?”
“I know. I was stupid,” Killian said with a heavy sigh.
“Well, if there really was something between you two, she’ll wait for you, won’t she?”
“The problem is, she was hurt badly by a man who claimed to love her. I hope she doesn’t think I abandoned her.”
“She’ll know you didn’t, when you show up again. Don’t lose hope, Kil. What was it Liam used to say? A man unwilling to fight for what he wants…”
“Deserves what he gets,” Killian finished. “Aye, you’re right. I’ll do whatever it takes to get back to her as soon as possible.”
*********
All of us who know @snowbellewells are well aware of her love for Graham Humbert, but he's not very lovable in this chapter, is he? lol!
Just in case the title didn't give it away, for those of you hoping to see Emma & Killian beginning to grow closer in their relationship, this chapter is for you. Hope you enjoy it!
STORY SUMMARY: When Emma Swan’s dogs find an unconscious man in her woods, she takes him to her cabin to treat him for hypothermia. Little does she know how much a snowstorm, the loss of power, and Killian Jones are going to change her life.
RATING: M (for smut in the final chapter, which can be skipped if that's not your thing"
WORDS: 4300 of a little over 30,600 total (yes, the word count went up)
Catch up on Tumblr - Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3
Also posted on Ao3
New chapter found under the cut
Killian drifted back to wakefulness from an extremely restful sleep. He had no way of knowing what time it was, but he could tell he slept a long time. As he started to become more aware of his surroundings, he realized he was in much the same position as the morning before - with Emma Swan’s body pressed against him. She was obviously still asleep, based on her slow, even breathing. He was sure if she was awake, she would have scrambled away from him. Despite the many pleasant hours they spent with each other yesterday, she had good reason to be wary of becoming close to any man - both physically and emotionally.
He should probably scoot away from her, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. His initial attraction to her deepened as they talked, ate, read, and navigated the effects of the snowstorm and power outage together. It was obvious she had walls of protection built around her heart, so he knew he had to tread carefully. Still, he was hopeful that as they spent several more days being snowed in together, she would trust him enough to begin letting those walls down. In the meantime, he would enjoy these quiet moments of close proximity.
Hearing her sigh in her sleep, he looked over to see her wrinkle her nose adorably. He wondered what she was dreaming about as he continued to watch her, hoping she wouldn’t suddenly open her eyes and catch him. She truly was a beautiful woman in every aspect. The way her ex-boyfriend mistreated her mystified and angered him. He wished he could prove to her that she deserved all the good things life had to offer, including a man who would treat her like a treasure. Despite having known her for less than two days, he was already longing to be that man.
He was broken out of his reverie when Cinnamon got to his feet, stretched and shook, making the tags on his collar jingle. Killian quickly rolled onto his back, putting some space between himself and Emma, who groaned and began rubbing her eyes. She blinked them open and looked over at him, yawning widely. “G’morning,” she mumbled, her voice raspy with sleep.
Killian decided that barely awake, disheveled Emma was his new favorite. “Good morning, Swan,” he returned. “At least, I think it’s morning.”
She sat up, hands fluttering to her hair to start unsnarling the tangles. “It’s always hard to tell at this time of the year, but Cinnamon needs to be let out and won’t let us sleep late. He’s a morning dog. Now this one,” she said, reaching over to rub between Cocoa’s ears, “would let me sleep until noon.”
Throwing the blanket off, Killian stood up and stretched, then walked over to the fireplace to stir the embers and add more wood. He turned to see Emma watching him, wrapped tightly in a blanket. “Cold, Love?” he asked.
“It got a little chilly in here last night, don’t you think?”
“Aye, a bit. I should have gotten up in the middle of the night to add a couple of logs to the fire.”
Her brows furrowed. “That isn’t your responsibility. You’re my guest.”
“An uninvited one.”
She shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’s been kind of nice having some company for a while.”
He smiled warmly. “I’ve enjoyed it, as well.”
“How does breakfast and hot coffee sound?” she asked, getting to her feet.
“The coffee maker won’t work, will it?”
“No, but I’ve got an old percolator I can use on the stove.”
“Always prepared, eh Swan?”
She tossed him a smile before walking into the kitchen, the blanket still draped over her shoulders. “I told you the power being out isn’t unusual. The first time it went out after I moved here, I wasn’t prepared at all. Fortunately, it only lasted a couple of hours. I did a lot of research about what I needed to have; the next time it happened, I had just about everything ready.”
They let the dogs out, then prepared breakfast together, the conversation coming as easily to them as it had yesterday. After eating, they played cards and read some more, not bothering to change out of their sleepwear. When there was finally enough daylight outside, Emma went into her bedroom to change and bundle up so she could go out and clear a path for the dogs.
While she was gone, Killian got out everything needed to make hot cocoa, his mind filled with thoughts of their morning together. They were very comfortable with each other and the more he got to know her, the more attractive she was to him. He wondered how he was going to make it through several more days without letting it slip that he was developing feelings for her.
*********
When Emma returned to the kitchen, she saw that Killian was starting to prepare hot chocolate. Grabbing her Carhartt coat off the hook, she pulled it on, saying, “Looks like you have things under control in here. I’m heading outside.”
He looked at her across the shadowy room. “Be careful, Love.”
She swallowed thickly, the term giving her pause. It was probably just the way British people spoke, she reasoned. “I will. Come on, boys.”
Cinnamon looked back and forth between the two humans, while Cocoa ran to the door. Emma opened it, allowing the darker furred dog to run out. Emma had to encourage Cinnamon to leave his new friend to go out and relieve himself, before she grabbed the shovel beside the door, pulled her scarf up over her nose and mouth, and went outside.
The snow was wet and heavy to move, leaving her winded after just a few minutes of shoveling. Still, she pushed herself to keep going, until she finally had a path from the house to the south side of the shed, because that side was usually free of drifts. This provided an open area for the dogs to romp and do their business.
When she was finished, she and the dogs made their way back to the cabin. As soon as they entered and she pulled her scarf down, the welcome smell of hot chocolate tickled her nose. In the flickering candlelight, she saw two mugs sitting on the counter, while Killian stood at the stove, stirring the beverage. He turned and gave her a smile, causing her already pounding heart to nearly skip a beat.
“I think it’s ready,” he said. “Were you able to clear a path?”
“Uh, yeah,” she mumbled, as she shed her outerwear and hung everything on the hooks by the door. By the time she was done, Killian had poured the cocoa into the mugs.
“Shall we take it into the living room?” he asked.
“Sure,” she replied, heading in that direction. “I need to warm up in front of the fire anyway.”
They settled into what had become their usual seats. “This is quite the cozy place you have here, Swan.”
“I love it here. It has everything I need.”
“You never get lonely?”
“Not really. I’ve gotten used to being by myself. I do talk to my dogs a lot, but they don’t seem to mind.”
He chuckled, reaching over to scratch Cinnamon behind the ears. “I’m sure they don’t. It’s too bad they can’t talk to you, though.”
“They do in their own way - just not using human language. They’re also very good at sensing my moods and responding to them. They’re really the perfect companions.”
Lapsing into silence again, Emma kept secretly stealing glances at Killian. He was staring at the flames in the fireplace, while the fingers of his hand not holding the cocoa mug moved rhymically on his thigh, as if he was plucking the strings of a guitar.
“I’m sorry I can’t turn on any music,” she apologized. He looked over at her, a puzzled look on his face. She pointed to his fingers, which were still moving.
He dropped his hand down to rest on the sofa. “Force of habit, I guess. I’ve played guitar so long, I do it subconsciously.”
“You don’t have to stop. I didn’t mean to make you self-conscious about it.” She took a sip of her hot chocolate before asking, “What kind of music do you like to play?”
“Mostly rock. Eighties rock, specifically.”
“That’s the best music there is,” she commented.
For the next fifteen minutes, they discussed their favorite bands and songs, playfully arguing about whose choices were better. By that time, their mugs were empty and Emma realized it was well past lunchtime.
“You’re probably starving,” she said, standing up and stretching.
“Not at all,” he replied, also getting to his feet. “I don’t usually eat as much for breakfast as we did today.”
“How does grilled ham and cheese with tomato soup sound?”
“I’m not a fan of tomato soup, but more of your chicken noodle soup sounds good, if that’s okay.”
“Of course it is. There’s still plenty in the fridge. I think I’ll just have that, too.”
As they prepared the food and ate, Emma couldn’t help but think about how enjoyable it was to be with Killian. He didn’t seem to have ulterior motives for being kind to her, he was extremely easy to talk to, and made her laugh. She was beginning to selfishly hope the roads would stay impassable for several more days in order to give her more time with him.
After eating, they began reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets together, pausing only to let the dogs out and make some popcorn the old-fashioned way, in a beat-up metal pan on the stove. When the popping slowed down, Killian raised the lid to see if it was finished and was nearly hit in the face with an exploding kernel. Emma couldn’t control her giggles.
“It wouldn’t have been funny if it shot my eye out, Swan,” he admonished, a small grin belying his attempt at giving her a stern look. “Those things can be dangerous.”
“Yes, Jones,” she giggled. “I’m sure popcorn kernels should be registered as lethal weapons.”
He lifted his chin, one eyebrow cocked high on his forehead as his blue eyes bore into her, and Emma thought she might melt into a puddle. The man was entirely too sexy for his own good…and hers.
She gave herself a mental shake and tried to act composed. “Better get this off the burner before all we have to eat are bits of charcoal,” she said, as she reached for the handle of the pan.
“Emma, be careful!” he warned, grabbing her wrist. “That handle is metal. You’ll burn yourself!”
She felt like she was burning with embarrassment for her near mistake, as she watched him pick up an oven mitt to move the pan off the stove.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
He simply nodded, concentrating on pouring the fluffy white popped corn into the two plastic bowls she’d set on the counter. She grabbed the salt shaker and shook a generous amount over the hot treat, while he swirled the bowls around in an attempt to coat the corn evenly.
“Want a soda?” she asked.
“What? No hot chocolate tonight?”
“I do drink something other than cocoa, you know,” she said teasingly, heading toward the refrigerator. “Is Diet Coke okay?”
“Perfect. I have been trying to watch my figure,” he grinned.
I’ve been watching your figure, too, she thought. Rolling her eyes at herself, she got two cans of soda out of the fridge and followed him into the living room.
After munching on the popcorn for a few minutes, they began tossing pieces to the dogs to see which one could catch the most. Then they made a game of tossing it at each other, attempting to catch them in their mouths.
“You are quite talented, Lass,” Killian praised, when Emma caught three in a row.
“Watch the mocking,” she responded. “I’m actually getting the hang of this.”
“I’m not mocking you, Swan. What I’m trying to say is that you appear to be a natural.”
“Well, at least I’m talented at something.”
He set his bowl down on the coffee table and looked at her intently. “Don’t sell yourself short. You have many talents.”
“Oh, sure,” she scoffed.
Scooting over to the end of the couch within reach of where she sat in the recliner, he captured one of her hands in his own. “I realize I’ve only known you for a couple of days, but you’ve already impressed me with your abilities.”
She swallowed as he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand, the sensation of it sending pleasant chills up her arm. “What do you mean?”
“Well, let’s see - you successfully treated me for hypothermia, you’re a wonderful baker and cook…”
“Because I can make chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese?”
“Sh, sh, shush. I’m listing your talents.”
She gave him a shy smile. “Okay.”
“You train your dogs, chop wood and hunt, and are completely self-sufficient - even when there’s no power. You put yourself through college and secured a high-level security job, which means you’re tech savvy, and you’re an avid reader. Oh, and you also make an excellent cup of hot chocolate.”
Emma was dumbfounded. These were all things she simply did day to day and didn’t consider them to be talents or special abilities. Now, hearing him tick them off, one after the other, suddenly made her aware that all her life, people had been treating her like she was nothing. But she wasn’t nothing. She was never nothing.
Her eyes blurred with tears. She looked down at where their hands were still joined, trying to get herself under control before he saw how emotional she had become.
“Emma? Are you okay?” he asked softly.
“Y-yeah, I just, I…I should probably let the dogs out,” she replied, her shaky voice betraying her attempt at bravado.
She rose from her seat, but he didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he stood up, too. With the fingers of his other hand, he raised her chin to look into her eyes. “Has no one ever told you that you’re bloody brilliant?” After she shook her head slightly, he added, “Don’t ever doubt that you’re amazing, Love. Intelligent, beautiful, and the toughest lass I’ve ever met.”
Feeling a tear slide down her cheek, she reached up to swipe it away, closing her eyes to keep more from falling.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“It’s okay,” she sighed. When she opened her eyes, he had moved closer and was within a hairsbreadth of her. “Killian, I…”
“I know. You need to let the dogs out.”
She let out a tiny giggle. “That’s not what I was gonna say.”
“Then what were you going to say?”
“That I…I would really like to kiss you right now.”
His eyes widened, but he didn’t move away. “I would like that very much,” he whispered.
She leaned in, lightly pressing their lips together. His were warm and inviting, and she found that kissing him for just a few seconds wasn’t nearly long enough. This was highly enjoyable - a far cry from the first time her lips touched his, when they were cold and unresponsive, as she was attempting to save his life.
*********
Killian couldn’t deny that he was hoping to kiss Emma, but he was sure she was wary of men in general, after what she went through with her abusive ex-boyfriend. There was also the fact that they couldn’t possibly avoid each other in this small cabin if they decided sharing a kiss was a mistake.
So when she said she wanted to kiss him, he was more than happy to comply. From the moment their lips touched, he was certain it wasn’t a mistake. The gentle pressure of her lips on his sent his pulse racing. When she tilted her head to deepen the kiss, he pulled her into his arms.
Time stood still as he lost himself in pure bliss. He’d had many first kisses, but none as electrifying as this one. It almost made him believe there was such a thing as soul mates, and his was Emma Swan.
She made a small sound in her throat that sent a jolt through him, causing him to break contact. The whimper she let out in response was possibly the most adorable thing he’d ever heard.
“That was…” he began, a little surprised that he was capable of speaking at all.
“The best kiss I’ve ever had,” she said breathlessly.
He tenderly brushed some strands of blonde hair behind her ear. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“Really?”
“Aye.”
“I was afraid I would regret kissing you,” she admitted.
“You don’t, do you?”
“Not at all. Do you?”
“Absolutely not.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, looking up at him through her lashes. “Killian, I know we’ll probably be alone here together for several more days, but just because we kissed doesn’t mean that I’m ready to…that we…”
“Emma,” he interrupted, “I’m not presuming that we will take that next step, and I would never force you to do anything you don’t want to do. I like the direction this is going, but I don’t want to push things too fast. I promise I’ll continue to be a perfect gentleman.” He brushed his thumbs across her reddened cheeks, then kissed the tip of her nose.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “I just didn’t want you to think I was leading you on.”
“No worries, Love. Let’s continue to enjoy each other’s company just like we have been…”
“But with kissing now, right?” she smirked.
Killian laughed. “Oh, definitely with kissing.”
She snuggled against his chest, and he sighed happily. After a few content moments, he heard her muffled voice. “Killian?”
“Hmm?”
“I really do need to let the dogs out.”
He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll take care of the fire while you do that. Meet me back here as soon as you can,” he said, reluctantly releasing her.
Once they finished their tasks, they sat on the sofa together, instead of sitting in separate seats as usual. Killian could tell by Emma’s stiff posture that she wasn’t sure how she should respond to his nearness. Attempting to put her at ease, he slipped his arm around her shoulders and reclined, taking her with him to lean into his side. He was pleased to feel her relax almost immediately.
Reaching over, he picked up the tattered book from where they left it, at the end of the sofa. “Do you want to continue reading?”
“Sure. We were just getting to the part where they think Harry killed Mrs. Norris.” Emma’s eyes widened and she clapped her hands over her mouth. “I keep forgetting you haven’t read these books,” she mumbled between her fingers.
Killian laughed. “I really don’t mind spoilers, Swan. Besides, you’re very cute when you accidentally give something away.”
She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help smiling at his comment.
They settled in to read, alternating with each chapter. Killian found his mind wandering while Emma read, caught up in watching her facial expressions change with the events and characters of the story, as he sifted his fingers through her golden hair. He could hardly believe that three days ago, he didn’t even know this woman, and now he was holding her in his arms, rapidly falling in love with her.
*********
When it was Killian’s turn to read, Emma closed her eyes and snuggled deeper into his side. As his voice rumbled in her ear, she could feel goosebumps rising on her arms which had nothing to do with the slight chill in the air.
She kept waiting for her head and heart to tell her to keep him at arm’s length; to protect herself from getting hurt again, but so far, both were quiet. Even in the early days with Neal, she had an uneasy feeling about his intentions, but chose to ignore it. There was simply nothing about Killian that set off warning bells. He was genuinely warm, appreciative, kind, humorous, and caring. She also trusted the reactions of her dogs, and they were completely at ease having Killian in the cabin. She remembered hearing that you could tell a man’s character by how he treated animals, and Killian was very sweet and affectionate to Cinnamon and Cocoa.
He was in the middle of reading chapter fifteen when Emma got so drowsy, she could hardly stay awake. “Swan,” she heard, through the haze of sleepiness. “How can you fall asleep when I’m reading about a gigantic spider?”
“Sorry,” she yawned. “Spiders don’t scare me.”
“Does anything scare you?”
Being very tired, she didn’t think before speaking. “Only being alone for the rest of my life.”
“Oh, Sweetheart,” he murmured, putting the book down and encouraging her to climb into his lap. She went willingly, letting him cradle her against his chest. “That won’t happen, if I have anything to say about it.”
Emma couldn’t remember anyone holding her like this - not even when she was a child. The strong, independent side of her wanted to rebel at showing such vulnerability, but the side that longed to be cared for and protected won out.
“When the roads are clear enough for you to leave,” she began quietly, as her fingers plucked at his flannel shirt, “will you keep in touch with me?”
His fingers lifted her chin so she would look into his eyes. “I definitely intend to keep in touch, Love. I hope I’ve made it clear that I have feelings for you that run deeper than friendship. Just because I’ll eventually have to leave, doesn’t mean I’ll walk away and never contact you again. I promise I will find a way to come back.”
“Good.” She leaned up to kiss him, then tucked her head back under his chin. The silence in the room was broken only by the crackling of the fire and soft snores from the dogs. Pressed against Killian’s solid chest with his arms wrapped firmly around her, Emma felt herself drifting between wakefulness and sleep.
“Perhaps we should get ready for bed, Love,” he whispered.
“I’m pretty content right here.”
“Aye, but the dogs need to go out, and the fire needs to be tended so it will last through the night.”
She sighed. “I know, but I really don’t want to move.”
His chuckle rumbled under her cheek. “Once we get everything done, we can burrow under the blankets and cuddle the rest of the night.”
“Well, when you put it like that,” she said, sitting up and turning to put her feet on the floor, “I guess I can move.” She stretched her arms above her head, then giggled as she felt his lips on the back of her neck. “That tickles.”
“Hmm, you have a tickly spot. I’ll have to keep that in mind,” he teased.
“Don’t you dare,” she said, lightly elbowing him in the ribs.
They went about getting ready for bed which, even though they had only done it once before, was already a familiar routine. In less than fifteen minutes, they were arranging the blankets and pillows on the floor. When that was done, Emma sat down, grabbing Killian’s hand to pull him down beside her. He laid back, holding his arms open in invitation. She wasted no time snuggling against him, and he pulled the blankets up to cover them both.
She sighed in contentment. “I’m actually glad the power went out. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have had an excuse to sleep out here on the floor together. I felt a little guilty about how much I liked sleeping beside you the last couple of nights.”
“There’s no reason to feel guilty, Love,” he said, rubbing his hand up and down her back before adding, “I have to admit something.”
She tilted her head back to look at him. “What’s that?”
“When I woke up this morning, we were tucked against each other again, but this time it wasn’t because you were trying to share your body heat.”
“You said you had to admit something, like it was a bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with that. I think we probably gravitate toward each other in our sleep.”
“Aye, but I didn’t move away, because I quite enjoyed the feeling of practically having you in my arms.”
“Well, it is a nice feeling,” she smiled.
“Mmm, it certainly is.”
She yawned widely. “I don’t know why I’m so tired. I hardly did anything today, except sit around.”
“You shoveled the path for the dogs. That was strenuous work.”
“I’m used to doing much more than that. Plus, I usually do some sort of workout every day.”
“Ah, that would explain why you’re in such great shape,” he said, squeezing her bicep. “Perhaps I should join you in a workout tomorrow. I’ve been slacking in my exercise routine lately.”
She reached down and pinched his side. “Feels pretty good to me.”
“Careful, Swan. Don’t bruise me.”
“You crashed your plane and nearly froze to death, and you’re afraid I’m going to bruise you with a little pinch?”
He grinned down at her. “You’re a strong lass. You could leave a significant mark.”
She giggled and nestled closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the crown of her head as he did. “Time to go to sleep, Love,” he murmured.
“Mmhmm,” she agreed. She briefly wondered if they would feel awkward with each other in the morning, but for now, she was going to enjoy being in Killian Jones’ arms. With that thought in mind, she closed her eyes and quickly fell into a peaceful sleep.
*********
Thank you for reading. There are two chapters left!
