#csromcom2018

Title: Before Dawn

Author: thejacketandthehook (aka everystareverywhere)

Summary:  Emma Swan and Killian Jones only had one thing in common: Emma’s best friend and Killian’s brother were dating. But Emma and Killian could not get along. That was, until the day they had to work together through a tragedy that no one saw coming.

Rating: General (but that will change to Mature in later chapters)

Word Count: 6529

Disclaimers: I own absolutely nothing.

Author’s Notes:  So, I’ve been in the mist of writing this particular story for almost two years. And I’m hoping that if I have support, I’ll be more motivated to finish it. So my story is based off of the movie “Life As We Know It” starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. And below is the first chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter One

You can also read it here: A03

@searchingwardrobes

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The funeral was exhausting, to say the least.

Being Liam's only surviving relative, Killian had a lot of the work to do. That didn't mean that Emma didn't pinch in where she could, but she was focusing more on Henry. That didn't stop her from ordering the catering ("Why do we need to feed people, Emma, it makes no sense. Can't they just say they're sorry and leave us alone?"), to making sure that Killian and Henry had proper attire, to even checking over that both Liam and Elsa's plots were ready for them. That's not even including the gravestones, which Killian and Emma agreed should say their names, their lifespan, and  "Beloved mother, father, and friends" under their names.

But what Killian hated the most was the entertaining. It made no sense to him, something he kept commenting to Emma, who he was sure stopped listening to him. He just wanted to drink his rum and sit in misery for five minutes without all these people walking around Liam's house, commenting on how sorry they were. Oh, and Henry? How was the poor lad doing?

So here’s the next installment, I think we’re down to just about two more, unless something changes. Hope you enjoy!!

While the little misunderstanding has complicated Emma’s life and made her feel all kinds of guilty, she can’t quite want things back the way they were either...

And I apologize now, I know this has no cut line, but I just can’t get it to work for me on mobile. I’ll try to do a morning reboot form my desktop with the cut!

Part Five

By: @snowbellewells (TutorGirlml on ff.net)

The morning after taking Emma to dinner at his folks’ and their near-silent drive back into the city, dawned chilly but bright; though Killian Jones woke to it groggy and angry with himself in the rented hotel room he’d booked in order to be in the city - nearer to the hospital for his brother and the various appointments he needed to attend while in Boston. He knew he had pushed Liam’s fiancé out of her comfort zone - despite his initial good intentions - and he had been beating himself up for the overstep ever since realization hit, mere moments too late.

Stumbling over the nondescript carpet, hand rubbing blearily over his face and his unshaven chin as he made his way to get his morning’s first cup of coffee, Killian kicked himself once more, berating his impatient prying. ‘So what if she has secrets?’ he scolded himself again. ‘Everyone does. You certainly have a few yourself. Just because she wouldn’t tell you her whole life story after knowing you less than 24 hours does not mean she’s hiding things from Liam - or that she has anything serious to hide at all.’

Cursing himself for a fool, and then literally cursing in pain as he clumsily managed both to burn his finger with the tiny complimentary coffee maker and spill the precious brew in the suite bathroom, Killian knew what the issue really came down to. He was disappointed, saddened, struck once again by his own bad luck - the sheer indisputable fact that he didn’t deserve good things, the things he wished for most. Of course Liam would meet the ray of sunshine that was Emma Swan first; he was everything that Killian wasn’t. Ever since they had been in prep school with his citizenship awards and class offices, Liam had been successful, admirable, well-liked...perfect, for all intents and purposes. Though he would never lord it over his five years younger brother, reaching adulthood had not done much at all to bring Killian out of Liam’s impressive shadow. He was successful in his work, even generating surplus for charitable giving, had made a good name for himself in the business world, drawing new customers even as he retained his ethics and honor, had a large, well-situated apartment and nice car, dressed well, and still retained his decent heart and character. What woman wouldn’t choose Liam Jones as a fine man to marry?

Killian sighed, running a frustrated hand through his sleep-disheveled hair and this time managing to pour his coffee into a nondescript white hotel mug - oddly missing his own chipped mug with the jaunty silver anchor on it that Nick had gifted him last Christmas. Not that he was a bad guy or a poor catch, but he certainly looked less promising on paper. He didn’t bring in the paycheck Liam did, nor did he carry the type of prestige his brother had earned. He was more of a jack-of-all trades who had turned his passionate interest in boats and sailing into a modest living at best. Though he well knew he would make a devoted, loving mate for the right woman, she would need to share his love of the sea and adventure, his family, and his simple, uncluttered lifestyle. He didn’t require the material trappings Liam could offer a woman, and if his brother had won Emma Swan’s heart, then Killian knew that he couldn’t truly compete.

And yet...something about her spoke to him, whispered that they could understand each other in a way most would not. He had been to her apartment - and though it had been clean and comfortable, it was nothing fancy. He might have even deemed it sparse, if it weren’t for the unique, cozy touches he had noted scattered throughout her living space: a hand-knit woolen blanket with her name woven in purple draped over the couch, not only a purring pet cat, but adorable personalized dishes for the clearly spoiled creature in pride of place on the very table across from the spot Emma clearly occupied at meals herself. Though he couldn’t pretend to known her whole life story, he sensed a woman with simpler tastes similar to his own - more interested in people and connection, items of sentimental value more than material worth; a kindred spirit more interested in experience than routine complacency.

Hanging his head, Killian sipped his caffeine Black, berating himself for wanting his brother’s fiancé – however briefly – before he shoved the thoughts far into the recesses of his mind, for thinking recklessly that he could make her happier, that he could read Emma Swan like an open book. Wincing at the sharp, strong flavor of the unsweetened beverage, still rather warm and burning his tongue a bit, Killian couldn’t help feeling as though he had earned the slight pain to the roof and sides of his mouth for his disloyal and traitorous thoughts, for his ever-cursed and unlucky timing and desires making him feel as though he had finally met the woman who could complete him and make him smile as he had ever seen his mother do for his father his whole life long.

Finishing the cereal and sausage link he had gotten from room service for breakfast, Killian tried to shake lingering romantic thoughts about Emma Swan from his tired brain. He had things to do, calls to make back to work to see that things were covered with his business and shop while he was here awaiting any changes or news on Liam’s medical progress, and errands to run before he was to have lunch with his father. It would do him no good to dwell on the fact that Liam had been incredibly devoted to his college sweetheart - a brilliant lass named Belle French, a PhD candidate currently abroad studying and lecturing upon ancient texts in Brittany - until a painful falling out they’d had a scant five months before over their future and settling down. Though Killian hadn’t heard as much from his older brother, he had always felt that Liam and Belle would find their way back to each other. Perhaps that was why this seemingly sudden engagement to Emma Swan, whom none of the family had even met until two days ago, didn’t quite add up. Of course, Killian also knew that could very well be his own foolish and impulsive heart influencing his thinking.

At any rate, as he gathered his keys and coat and made his way out of his hotel room, locking it behind him, he needed to focus on the rare chance to spend some quality time with his dad, to talk seriously without interruption. Though David Jones had not outwardly fought or dismissed Killian’s decision a few years back, to start up his own business rather than continuing serious apprenticeship to take on the family farm someday, Killian knew there had to have been a part of his father who found it difficult for a second of his three sons to turn away from the livelihood he had worked hard to build, to provide for them all and hopefully hand down into their care. Just as with Liam - though surely his elder brother’s success must have helped to soothe the blow - Killian knew his choice must have hurt his father, which he had never wanted. It was why he had hesitated as long as he had before striking out on his own.

It couldn’t be fought however. Eventually, he’d had to be honest with himself, and with his dad. There was simply something about boats and the sea which called to him. Though it had not been easy the day he’d brought those concerns to his father; it had been a dry mouthed, hands sweating sort of moment in truth. Yet, Killian suspected, that the way the soil, working the earth and being outdoors in the open air amidst his sheep fed his father’s spirit, helped David Jones to understand his middle son’s yearning better than Killian could have hoped. Beyond that, very thankfully, Nick seemed to adore the family farm - even now as he was almost through trade school for animal husbandry and agribusiness management. Nothing seemed to thrill the youngest Jones brother more than being home on the farm during breaks and vacations, and he loved his father’s flock more than anyone but David himself ever had or would.

Reaching the ground floor, Killian passed through the hotel’s open lobby and made his way to the parking garage across the street where he had left his truck the previous night. It was time - for the moment at least - to leave his scattered thoughts and the fleeting warmth in his chest caused by his memories of the way light had glanced off the gold in Emma’s hair and the bright, unguarded sound of her laugh. He needed to see to his business and worry about his family, not nurse pipe dreams with no hope of coming true…

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By that evening at the end of her shift, Emma felt no less conflicted over the secrets she was keeping, the things she had refrained from telling Liam’s family - and Killian in particular - and the convenient misunderstanding she had allowed to let stand; giving her the chance to experience what it felt like to have a whole, vibrant family for the first time, but also taking advantage of the Jones’ kindness shamefully. Equal warring parts of her had run back and forth in her brain all day as she took tokens and watched the trains fly back in and out of their station almost constantly. And despite the guilt she was suffering and the frustration with herself she felt for not correcting Nurse Ariel’s mistake immediately, before she’d known what she would be giving up, Emma found that as she clocked out for the night, there was still just one place her feet would carry her.

Stopping by her favorite street vendor for a quick bite to eat for supper, Emma was at the hospital and making her way up to Liam’s floor before she had even made up her mind to follow her gut. She waved to Ariel, who was on the phone at the nurses’ station and gave her a rather sheepish smile but still waved back enthusiastically, and then let herself into Liam’s room.

Upon entering, Emma felt her shoulders relax and a sense of relief coming over her, almost affirming that this was where she had needed to be. Perhaps it was the dim lighting in the room, the calm quiet where so much of her day had been full of bustling crowds and hectic noise, or maybe it was even that this man who had intrigued her for so long from afar - fiance or not - needed her in some way.

It was a double room, but as he had been two days ago, Liam was the only occupant presently. Even if unaware, he was very much alone, and Emma couldn’t stand that. She’d been all by herself for too much of her life; she wouldn’t leave another person in that painful solitude if she could make it otherwise. Settling in for the evening, she pulled the nearby chair right up beside his bed, sat down, and reached out to take his hand in hers.

Twining their fingers together, Emma gently squeezed Liam’s digits, whispering as she pulled his arm carefully over to press it against her chest while she began to speak. Bowing her head slightly, she whispered near him into the quiet room. “Liam? It’s your fiancé… Emma…” Though she had begun her statement with an almost sheepish laugh, as if he might wake up and appreciate the humor of the wacky situation with her, her words were cut off by the lump that rose in her throat which she had to swallow hard to speak around.

“Oh, who am I kidding?” she sighed, her eyes stinging with unwanted emotion as she looked down at the handsome man, peaceful and still as if merely sleeping. Where before she had always found herself wanting to wind her fingers through those stubbornly curling, close-cropped tufts of sandy hair, Emma suddenly pictured dark tendrils falling over his brother’s strong brow instead. This man - while he had intrigued her and drawn her in with his kind smiles and friendly greetings each week - she didn’t really know him; never had known him, truth be told. She merely wanted to brush an almost sisterly touch of fingertips across his cheek, hold his hand, and see him wake up - for the sake of his family who loved him dearly, for his own sake, as he didn’t deserve to be struck down so senselessly, and for hers, so she could explain what had happened and hope that - just maybe - he wouldn’t hate her and the rest of the Jones family wouldn’t either.

Finally giving into the urge, Emma laid her cool palm over his slightly warm forehead, wishing to bring him some comfort and to let him know he wasn’t alone before settling into her seat more comfortably, propping her chin on the fist of her free hand while the other still held his large one, rubbing gentle circles over the space between thumb and forefinger. “We both know I’m a complete stranger to you. I don’t know why I’m still pretending when you’re the only one here. You may think I’m the worst sort of person when you wake up, but it truly was a big misunderstanding. I didn’t know how to stop it at first, and then things just got out of hand. Your family…” she paused again, pressing her mouth into a thin line as she tried to bring the welling regret and longing under wraps, “they’re pretty wonderful really. You know that, right? I mean, they just took me in, and they’re so warm and funny. Even though my adoptive mom was great, she’s been gone a long time. It’s just been, well me and my cat,” a strangled little laugh escaped and she wiped a hand across her eyes, sniffling, “for years now. Like I was in the beginning…” She trailed off, shaking her head as the man she was speaking to remained motionless and unresponsive. “Sheesh, just listen to me,” she finally finished off, blowing out a breath and straightening slightly. “This must sound crazy!”

Turning to reach for her jacket and preparing to go, Emma touched Liam’s arm one last time, a parting squeeze of farewell. “Ever been so alone you’d spend the night confusing a man in a coma?” she asked self-deprecatingly. Then, she stood and leaned back down to press a light peck of a kiss to his hairline whispering, “Wake up soon, Liam.”

Then she was gone, slipping out of the room and soon the hospital without ever noticing Killian, who had arrived not long after her to check in on his brother. He had frozen in the doorway behind her, stunned into silence by the admission he’d overheard before he could announce his presence, and had just barely remembered to retreat down the hall far enough to escape detection when Emma had gathered her things to leave. Emerging after a moment, he stood dumbfounded in his brother’s doorway, conflicting emotions all swarming behind his eyes. “Bloody hell,” he murmured, running a hand over his face, “Now what are we supposed to do?”

I’m taking a chance on tumblr by posting this first chapter in its entirety here since it’s only a little over a thousand words. This is an AU of the 1987 version, not the more recent Disney Channel version, because I’m an 80s kid and my sister and I rented that movie like a hundred times from the video store! While making the above banner, I remembered how much I loved Elisabeth Shue’s dress in that opening dance sequence. Ah, memories . . .

Summary: Killian Jones can’t believe the prettiest girl at Boston College is actually a senior in high school. Or that she showed up at a frat party with three kids in tow. Let’s just say it’s going to be one crazy night . . .

Rating: T (brief mentions of a Playboy magazine, and uses of the “f” word which is very unlike me, but there are some movie quotes that just can’t be messed with . . . And all of that begs the question, “What was my mother thinking let us watch this at 10 and 7?!”)

Words: 1,000+

Can also be read on Ao3

Chapter One (I listened to a lot of 80s music while writing this . . . )

Killian really didn’t want to be here tonight. It may have been four months, but he still didn’t feel ready to move on after Milah broke his heart. But Liam said that turning into a hermit only continued to allow the woman power over him. And didn’t Killian hate being controlled? By anyone? That certainly got his attention.

Of course, Will and Jefferson thought it was the prospect of getting laid that lured him out of the dorms. Copious amounts of alcohol, sorority girls, and the chill of Boston winter all added up to a great roll in the hay with some willing lass. Little did his friends know how unappealing that sounded in his current angst-ridden state. Milah had been his everything. How could he settle now?

So here he was, in the corner of the frat house living room, nursing a bottle of rum and being – as Liam put it – anti-social. The band was playing some upbeat number by Huey Lewis and the News, the kind of cheesy pop music that made his classic rock ears bleed.

But then they transitioned into Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” – not a normal choice for this current top 40 college band – and it was as if the crowd parted and an ethereal light shone on the blonde across the room. He was pretty sure his jaw dropped like a total git. Luckily, her eyes were scanning the room, oblivious to his presence. Her hair fell in soft, wavy curls instead of the corkscrew perms all the other girls had. She was fresh-faced too, which he liked. Even Milah wore too much makeup in his opinion. Most women did. It was 1987, after all. But this girl was a classic beauty.

He rose from his seat and made his way towards her, feeling as if he were moving in slow motion. She still hadn’t turned her gaze in his direction. And then, from out of nowhere, Will and Jefferson had her surrounded. Will opened a glossy magazine and held the centerfold up to the blonde’s face, an eager, almost salacious grin upon his lips. The blonde wrinkled her button nose in disgust. It was only then Killian noticed the three children with her: two boys and a girl. She clapped her hands over the eyes of the little girl and the younger boy. The older one blushed bright crimson, his eyes widening in shock. The blonde snapped something in the boy’s direction, and he quickly averted his eyes.

Killian’s irritation reached a boiling point as he swiftly intercepted his friends, crumpling the Playboy magazine and shoving it in Will’s chest.

“What the bloody hell are you doing?” Killian hissed at his friend. Then he turned, flashing an apologetic smile at the young woman. Now that he was closer, he could see that freckles dusted that adorable nose and her eyes were a light green. They flashed fire right now, which only made her more appealing. “I apologize for my friends. They are a bit . . . uncivilized.”

The blonde was having none of it. “That’s an understatement. They just scarred these kids for life!”

“I know, and I truly want to make it up to you. What’s your name, lass?”

Emma threw another scowl over his shoulder towards Will. “It’s not Shalene.”

Will opened the magazine to the centerfold again, careful to keep it angled away from the kids. “You mean you’re not Miss October? But . . . “ he glanced from the centerfold to the young woman before him, and back again, “the resemblance . . . “

Killian tapped his forehead, “Think for a second, mate. What would a Playboy centerfold be doing at a frat party on a Friday night with a bunch of kids?”

Jefferson wrinkled his brow. “Well, bringing kids to a frat party threw me anyway, so . . .”

Killian peeked at the centerfold. The woman in the photograph was a green-eyed blonde, with the same elegant neck and creamy fair skin. She even had a dimple in her chin. But there was something lacking, some spark that Killian couldn’t have named if he tried. He shook his head, flashing what he hoped was a charming grin in the young woman’s direction.

“She doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

The blonde rolled her eyes, not exactly the reaction he’d been hoping for. “Yeah, and I’m sure you’ve used that line half a dozen times tonight. Is this some kind of scheme you three pull to pick up women? Cause let me clue you in, it’s tacky.”

Killian laughed, he couldn’t help it. Oh, she was feisty. “These two don’t have the brains for that kind of subterfuge.”

“Hey!” Jefferson barked.

“Come on, mate,” Will grumbled, “I told you it wasn’t her . . .”

His two friends sheepishly apologized, then quickly made their way to the bar for another beer. Killian shook his head at their retreating forms.

“They really aren’t bad guys,” he explained, “they just don’t always think before acting.” He extended his hand. “Killian Jones.”

The blonde arched her brow for a moment, then tentatively took his hand. “Emma Swan.”

Killian’s face filled up with a genuine smile. “Lovely name. And it suits you.” He exulted at the pink hue that warmed her appled cheeks. “I haven’t seen you around campus before. You must be a freshman.”

A sparkle lit her eyes as she shook her head.

“If you were a sophomore, how could I have missed you? Surely you’re not a junior.”

For the first time, a smile lit her face. “Actually, I’m a senior.”

His eyes widened. “A senior!”

She laughed, and the sound was enchanting. “In high school.”

He blinked and shook his head. “I can’t believe it,” he told her softly.

She looked indignant. “Hey!”

He shook his head. “No, I mean, I can’t believe the most beautiful girl at Boston College is a senior in high school.”

She pressed her lips together, as if forcing herself not to smile as a deeper blush stained her cheeks. She glanced away from his gaze. Then the moment was broken by the little blonde girl at her side. A sister perhaps?

“Emma,” she said, hopping up and down, “I really gotta go!”

“Oh my goodness, Robin, I’m sorry!” Emma gasped. Then she turned to Killian. “Where’s the bathroom? That’s the whole reason we came in here.”

Killian gestured for them to follow him across the living room and into the hallway on the other side. He pointed at the line reaching all the way to the far end of it. Emma groaned and little Robin hopped from one foot to the other in clear distress.

“I can’t hold it that long, Emma!” the child whined.

“No worries, lass,” Killian assured her, taking her hand and guiding the child towards the front of the line. He looked over his shoulder at Emma. “Just stay back, Swan. You’ll ruin my angle.” Then he winked as Emma rolled her eyes again.

He sauntered up to the front of the line, then turned to face the redhead standing in front of the bathroom door. He leaned casually against the wall behind him, still gripping Robin’s small hand. “Good evening, Ariel.”

“Killian!” she beamed. “I didn’t know you were here!” She noticed the little girl at his side, and her face softened. “Oh, and who is this?”

“My . . . cousin’s kid. I babysit sometimes.” Killian smoothly lied.

“Ohh!” Ariel gushed. “That is so sweet!”

Robin was a quick study. She smiled brightly, showing off an adorable gap in her teeth. Ariel bent down to her level.

“Tell me about your hat.”

Robin reached up and patted the helmet with the wings on each side. “It’s Thor’s helmet.” Then she lifted the foam hammer she held in one hand. “And Mjolnir, see? It’s Thor’s hammer. Thor’s my favorite super hero, ever!”

Ariel grinned up at Killian, “She is so cute!”

Robin bounced up and down again, panic flashing across her face. “I really gotta go, Killian!”

The bathroom door opened as Ariel rose. The redhead gestured towards it. “Oh, sweetie, you go right on in!”

“Thanks, beautiful,” Killian told his friend with a wink as Robin dashed inside the bathroom. Then he sauntered back towards Emma who stood with the boys farther down the hallway. He arched his brows at her with a satisfied smirk. “See? Piece of cake.”

Emma shook her head and narrowed her eyes, but she couldn’t suppress the tiny half smile that lifted the corner of her mouth. Killian would take it as a victory. Robin finished in the bathroom, giving him a high five and an exaggerated, childish wink that made him laugh again. He liked this kid. From the living room, the band started playing “The Lady in Red.” Killian’s throat felt tight as his gaze landed on Emma’s blonde curls resting against the red leather jacket she wore.

“Dance with me?” he asked hoarsely.

Emma’s eyes widened in surprise. “I . . . couldn’t . . . the kids. We shouldn’t even be here.”

“I’ll watch Roland and Robin,” the older boy piped up. If Killian wasn’t mistaken, the lad had a slightly mischievous gleam in his eyes. He might just be his ally to get to know Emma better.

“Henry,” Emma sighed, “you’re only ten, and this is a frat party . . .”

“And you got stuck babysitting us when Neal stood you up,” Henry argued.

Emma blushed a bright red this time, her eyes cutting to Killian in obvious humiliation. What git would stand up an angel like her?”

“He didn’t stand me up, Henry, I told you his little brother got sick. Contagious he said.”

“Yeah right,” Henry grumbled under his breath. Then he grabbed his siblings and steered them towards an empty couch in the corner. “See, we’ll sit right here.”

“The lad has a point,” Killian told her, putting on his best pout. The one Liam said always got him his way. He reached out and brushed a blonde curl off her shoulder. “Just one dance?”

Emma glanced from the kids, to him, and back again. Then she sighed. “Okay. Just one dance.”

Killian tried to remain confident and casual as he took her slender hand. Going out tonight might not have been a mistake after all.

Reposted for @searchingwardrobes neat little event is my take on the movie The Lake House

Captain Swan is my favorite Rom Con

THE BEACH HOUSE

When fate is involved, can Emma and Killian change their destiny so their love transcends time and space to give them their happy ending?

This is an Alternate Universe Multi-chapter

Can also be found on AO3 and on Fan Fiction

Hello, So I’ve been adviced to submit my fic to this tag too. @searchingwardrobes

It is based loosely on a movie named Wolf, so here I am.

Only posting with the links to AO3 and FFN.

Chapter One of my Captain Swan Twister AU (assuming everyone doesn’t hate me for the prologue)

Rating: T

Trigger warning: major character deaths

You can read the prologue here Prologue Ao3

18 years later

It was a gorgeous spring day; at least most would think so. But Emma Swan, with a master’s degree in atmospheric sciences and meteorology, could see trouble brewing. It was subtle; the lack of a breeze on an otherwise pleasant day, the greenish-gray tinge of sky off in the distance, and the rumble of thunder so many miles away, only people attuned to it would notice.

But Emma wasn’t concerned with the weather. She was concerned with the man chasing it. Graham parked his Dodge pickup along the side of the rural Oklahoma road. He glanced over at her with a tentative smile, and she reached over to squeeze his hand reassuringly. She looked out the windshield at the beat up, brown 73 Ford sitting in front of her. Seeing it again flooded her with memories she wasn’t expecting. To push them back, she reminded herself of the past month and how many phone calls Killian had ignored. Resolute and sufficiently pissed, she opened the door of Graham’s cab and jumped to the ground. She clenched her fists as she marched across the sparse grass.

A cylindrical machine sat in the back of the truck, a machine Emma knew well, down to the circuit boards and wiring. Killian’s dark head popped up from behind it. He glanced her way, his blue eyes simultaneously widening and darkening. He then purposefully looked away.

“Hey, Rubes,” he yelled, “come check out the antenna. It seems secure, but last time we didn’t get decent connection.”

Emma put her hands on her hips and scowled up at him. “Don’t ignore me, Killian Jones!”

He took a step towards the open tailgate, his jaw clenching, but before he could say anything, a squeal pierced the air.

“Emma!” Ruby shrieked, and the next thing Emma knew, she was practically being tackled by the brunette. “I can’t believe you’re here! It’s been, what? Three years? You’ve got to go see Granny. We’ve missed you!”

Emma felt a twinge of guilt even though Ruby was smiling brightly without a hint of anger in her voice. “I know.” She glanced behind her at Killian. “I’m hoping things can be different now.” She stepped around Ruby to come closer to the truck. “If this stubborn asshole will actually have a conversation with me.”

Killian’s eyes sparked with anger, and Emma wondered if this whole thing was a mistake. She glanced behind her, catching Graham’s eye as Killian jumped down from the truck. He walked across the grass towards them, and she raised her hand surreptitiously. Killian would never hurt her, she knew this. But Graham didn’t, and Killian’s emotions could be volatile. The last thing she wanted was an altercation between the two of them.

“Being pissed about me ignoring you is a bit hypocritical, don’t you think?” Killian spat, getting into her personal space like he always did.

Emma glanced away, gnawing at the inside of her cheek. The comment was justified, she knew that. Especially since he didn’t have all the facts.

“I . . . had my reasons.”

“So why are you back?” He demanded, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I . . . uh, think I’ll check on that antenna,” Ruby muttered, scrambling into the bed of the truck.

Graham came up then, placing an encouraging hand to the small of Emma’s back. She was pretty sure Killian would interpret it as a possessive gesture. She glanced up, her heart sinking as she saw Killian’s gaze swing between her and Graham.

She took a deep breath, “Killian, this is Graham. We’re . . . getting married.”

Killian blinked, his head recoiling slightly at her words. Then his chest rose and fell rapidly as he hissed through clenched teeth, “So that’s why you’re here? To rub this in my face?”

“No,” Emma said, trying to rein in her own emotions. They had always fed off each other, joy, sadness, anger, but today she had to stay calm. “But there are . . . complications that I need to discuss with you. If you had answered your damn phone, or returned my calls, I wouldn’t have had to –“

“Seriously?” Killian cut her off with a sharp laugh. “What complications? We were never married, Swan, or have you forgotten the day you turned down my proposal?” He tilted his head as he gave Graham a vicious stare. “Let me warn you, she runs.”

The words cut Emma deep. Damn him, he knew just what buttons to push.

“I’m just here as emotional support for Emma,” Graham explained, taking a step away from her side. Emma knew it was his way of diffusing the situation and in no way meant he wasn’t one hundred percent behind her. His calm in the midst of chaos was what made him such a wonderful detective with the Atlanta PD, and Emma had to admit, that contrast with Killian’s mercurial personality had been a large part of the man’s appeal.

“Hey, Killian,” another voice called. This one came from the camper parked perpendicular to the road next to Killian’s old truck. The red head poking her head out of its screen door gasped when she saw Emma. She screamed louder than Ruby had as she raced to embrace Emma.

“Ariel,” Emma laughed, “you’re still chasing storms with this motely crew?”

Ariel shook her head, laughing as well. She gave Killian a playful shrug. “With you gone, someone’s got to keep this guy’s head on straight.” She and Killian immediately blushed, glancing away from one another, and Emma wondered briefly what that was all about.

“Ariel is the data analyzer for the team,” Emma explained to Graham. He smiled and reached out to shake her hand. Ariel glanced at Emma with a question in her eyes. “And Ariel, this is Graham, my, um, fiancé.”

“Oh,” Ariel said, her voice hesitant, and there was that awkward glance shared with Killian again. She shuffled her feet and brushed her hair off her shoulder after releasing Graham’s hand. “Um, so Killian, there’s a storm brewing over in Rush Springs. Looks like a good one.”

“Shit,” Killian swore, jumping back up into the bed of the truck, “Ruby, please tell me you’ve got that antenna working.”

“She’s all ready to go, boss,” Ruby assured him, slapping the top of the giant tin can.

“Dorothy II?” Graham noted. “I mean, I get it, but . . . I thought you hated that book?”

Killian finished tinkering with the controls on Dorothy II, then grinned down at her and Graham. “We both do, but nothing from Peter Pan really fits storm chasing.”

Emma couldn’t help sharing a tiny half smile with him. She remembered so many nights of him reading to her under the covers with a flashlight, both of them imagining what it would be like, as a lost boy and a lost girl, to live on a magical island. Half the time Granny would catch him in her room, and drag him out by the elbow, muttering about how they were much too old at 12 and 10 to be sharing a bed. Heat flooded Emma’s cheeks as her mind tripped forward to when Granny caught him in her room again four years later. Emma shook her head, cursing herself. It made sense at fourteen to be mortified caught making out with your boyfriend. She was a grown woman now who shouldn’t be feeling this heat deep in her core over long buried memories. She was young then, her feelings for Killian so pure and uncomplicated. So much had changed since then.

Killian jumped over the side of the truck and jumped into the cab. Emma dashed over, grabbing the edge of the open window with both hands.

“This isn’t over, Killian. We need to talk.”

“You had three years to talk, Emma. How many of my calls did you ignore when you left?” he glanced down at the diamond ring on her left hand. “And here all this time I thought you were just afraid to commit.”

He turned away from her, turning the key in the ignition. It made that clicking sound Emma remembered it making on a regular basis before finally starting. But this time, Killian tried it multiple times, to know avail.

“Come on!” Killian growled in frustration, smacking the steering wheel with the palm of his hand.

“Uh boss, we gotta get moving,” the plump, bearded man in the driver’s seat of the camper called out through his open window. When he saw Emma, his eyes brightened. “Emma! It’s great to see you! We’ve all –“

“Smee!” Killian barked as he jumped from the truck, slamming the door, “We don’t really have time to shoot the breeze, mate.”

“R-right, boss,” Smee apologized, fiddling with the red knit cap perched on his head. Emma smiled at the nervous man. Some things never changed.

Killian jumped up in the bed of the truck and started sliding Dorothy II closer to the tailgate. “You want to talk, Swan?” he said to her. “Let me use that shiny truck over there to transport Dot, and we’ll talk.”

Emma crossed her arms over her chest as she stared at up at him. She let out a deep sigh, then scrambled up with him. Graham rushed over to the truck, his face starting to go pale.

“You can’t be serious!” he exclaimed.

“It’ll be fine, Graham, really,” she grunted as they slid the aluminum machine to the edge of the tailgate. It was much lighter than Dorothy I, and was actually more cumbersome than heavy, but they didn’t want to risk damaging it before it could be transported to the sight of the storm.

“Fine?” Graham argued. “You’re talking about chasing a tornado, Emma! In my truck!”

She helped Killian lower Dorothy II from the truck then they slowly made their way to the back of Graham’s. Once they had shut the tailgate, Emma turned to her fiancé, grasping both his hands in hers. “Can you trust me, please? The crew has to take every opportunity to get Dot airborne.”

“This is tornado alley . . . “ Graham said, trailing off.

“If you’re scared, mate, you can stay behind in the camper.” Killian’s cocky grin was definitely a challenge.

Graham rose to it, literally puffing out his chest. “Fine,” he muttered, “just tell me what to do.”

Emma snatched the keys out of his hands. “Someone with experience needs to drive, babe.”

As the three of them piled into the truck, Emma’s fiancé sandwiched between her and her ex, Graham muttered, “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

Frankly, Emma couldn’t either.

I posted that I was out of town for 8 days and hardly wrote a word. However, my muse was still alive and kicking. Therefore, I now have an actual plan for what I'll be writing for Captain Swan is My Favorite Rom Com 2018. So I thought I'd give you all a little preview. Will all this actually get written? Who knows. But this is my grandiose plan at least.

1. Fugitive AU: This is the only one I've actually written anything for. It's five chapters so far. Emma is the federal Marshall and Killian is the fugitive who swears he didn't kill his wife Milah. In my version, these two characters have far more interaction (wink wink)

2. Adventures in Babysitting AU: I wanted to do this one last year, actually. And I mean the 1987 Elisabeth Shue version not the 'tween Disney channel version. And no, Killian won't be driving that wrecker. He'll be the college hottie who can't believe Emma's a senior in high school. And he'll play a much larger role than the character in the movie.

3. Hope Floats AU: I'm not sure yet how I'll translate this one, but it has to be done because . . . Neal the Jerk.

4. Twister AU: You can blame @yayimallamaagain and @kmomof4 for this one. How many fics would never have been written if not for Krystal . . .

5. Girls Just Want to Have Fun AU: I could just see Charming as the over protective dad in this. And Ruby as the wild friend. And Killian as the guy from the wrong side of the tracks. And Regina as the conniving rich girl. Besides, @hollyethecurious had to go and use the quote "It's the safest thing you'll ever have between your legs" in one of her stories. So thanks a lot, Hollye!

6. Bring It On AU: This came to me after chatting about dance movies with @snowbellewells because I started reminiscing about my dance and cheer days. Killian makes a perfect Cliff, but I wasn't sure at first how Emma could fit in that universe. She doesn't work at all as Torrance, but Missy? I could totally see Emma frustrated when her new school doesn't have a gymnastics team and then tries out for the squad when someone (Ruby?) dares her to. Naturally, she wouldn't be Killian's sister though. Mary Margaret would be a perfect Torrance, the hopeful captain, and of course David would be on the squad too. Ooh, and Anna! And of course, Neal is perfect as the cheating scumbag boyfriend who never believes in Emma. I got so into plotting all this, I got distracted and started a Snowing cheerleading AU one shot. It's almost done . . .

7. The Wedding Singer - I haven't decided yet if it should be Emma or Killian left at the altar. Thoughts? I mean, Neal makes such a great scumbag boyfriend, I kind of want to leave the roles the way they are in the movie . . .

Well, I better quit wasting time on tumblr and get to work . . .

Title: Before Dawn 

Author: thejacketandthehook (aka everystareverywhere) 

Summary:  Emma Swan and Killian Jones only had one thing in common: Emma's best friend and Killian's brother were dating. But Emma and Killian could not get along. That was, until the day they had to work together through a tragedy that no one saw coming.

Rating: General (but that will change to Mature in later chapters) 

Word Count: 6529

Disclaimers: I own absolutely nothing. 

Author’s Notes:  So, I’ve been in the mist of writing this particular story for almost two years. And I’m hoping that if I have support, I’ll be more motivated to finish it. So my story is based off of the movie "Life As We Know It" starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. And below is the first chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter One

You can also read it here: A03

@searchingwardrobes

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Two Months Later

Emma smiled as her boyfriend, Walsh, leaned across the table, gently taking her hand in his.

"You are an amazing woman, Emma Swan," Walsh smiled. She and Walsh had been going out for the last four months, and though Emma really didn't believe in love at first sight, or any kind of nonsense like that, she was smitten with him. He was just that kind of guy; charming to a fault, but also kind and considerate. He loved spending quiet time with Emma, but also loved being around Liam and Elsa (he's never met Killian; Emma felt he didn't need that kind of torture). With his shaggy brown hair and warm brown eyes, he was exactly what Emma needed and wanted. Elsa saw that the first time Emma brought him to her house from BBQ. Walsh and Liam got along wonderfully, and even Henry seemed to like him -  though to be fair, Henry likes everyone, but still. It was nice that Walsh could fit into her little life. It meant a lot.