#csss18

She was the first of her class to be allowed to patrol alone. Although it was only the graveyard shift, Emma didn’t mind at all. She felt as though it gave her time to really become comfortable with the town, to learn some of the ins and outs. Not that there was much to learn. But she still appreciated the adjustment period that Sheriff Graham gave her.

The streets were dead, as they typically were in Storybrooke, even more so on a Monday night. Although this was a cute town, not a lot of people passed through unless they were heading to Boston, and wanted a detour.

Most people were already home for the night, and anyone who was out was harmless. Emma pulled up to the intersection, the only one in town with an actual light. It had taken her a few months to get used to the idea of living in such a small town, but it had eventually grown on her. And now, Storybrooke felt like home.

Then it happened.

In a blink of an eye, Emma watched as the semi truck barely missed her, ran the red light, and then collided with another car. The semi spun out of control, only stopping once it ran into the town’s Christmas tree. The vehicle, however, flipped twice before it finally came to a halt.

Without a second thought, Emma jumped into action, calling for backup and an ambulance, as she sprinted out of her car. She went first to the semi truck, the driver was moaning in pain, but conscious enough for Emma to go and check on the vehicle.

As Emma approached the other vehicle if you could still call it that, she was terrified of what she would find inside. She knew accidents happened, and this was a part of the job, but she just knew this one was going to be bad. The Chevy Malibu had probably been new, but right then it looked like a crushed soda can.

As she approached the car she saw two people inside, a male driver and a female passenger. The passenger’s side was crashed, from where the semi had crashed into. The woman appeared to be in her late thirties, brown hair. She looked beautiful. However, there were cuts all over her body. Without even having to check for a pulse, Emma knew that she was already gone. She could only hope that the woman hadn’t suffered unnecessarily. Emma took a breath, silently praying that this stranger had found some peace.

She quickly ran around to the driver’s side, where she got her first look at him. His black hair was a mess from the wreck, and he had a few cuts, but nothing like the injuries his passenger had sustained. Emma was able to rip the door open, and attempted to check his pulse. It was faint, but he was still alive. For now.

With a quick sigh of relief, Emma tried to assess the damage done to him. As she decided to look for anything, but as she gently dropped her fingers from his neck, she heard him grumble in pain.

“Sir, my name is Em - Officer Swan. I am going to help you. Sir, jut....” He responded only with a groan, but Emma would take what she could get for the moment.

It was then when she spotted his left hand. It had been completely torn to shreds as if he was trying to protect the female passenger, while the car was rolling. Emma realized a sigh of relieved when she heard the sounds of sirens in the distance, thankful that this man would soon be getting the help he so desperately needed.

“Sir, do you hear that? They’re coming to help. Sir? Sir!” He wasn’t responding anymore, and Emma knew what she needed to do. She reclined the chair as far back as she could, and moved him up so she could begin performing CPR.

“Come back to me. Come on, dammit,” she screamed in between breaths and compressions. Emma had to save him. She knew it was a part of her job, but there was something more. Something told her that she couldn’t let him go.

She continued administering CPR until the EMTs arrived to take over.

“Help him, please. Watch his left hand, it’s...you’ll see.” One of the EMTs ran over to the other side, but Emma stopped him before he could open the door, “She’s...she’s gone. The driver, he’s still alive, but he needs a lot of help.” They nodded in appreciation of the information, and Emma slowly backed away from the scene.

Sheriff Graham walked over to her, instantly bringing her into his arms. Graham was only a few years older than Emma, but he acted like her big brother. Emma must’ve been in shock, as she still couldn’t move her arms to go around him. “You did good, Emma. I hope you know that. Go home, and get some rest.” Emma was about to argue that she needed to finish her shift, but Graham added, “that’s an order officer. You need to rest. Get in the cruiser, Blanchard will drive you home.”

Emma looked over to see her fellow rookie officer, Mary Margaret Blanchard, waiting for her. She slowly made her way over to where the other woman was expecting, and Mary Margaret didn’t hesitate to wrap Emma up in her arms before she escorted Emma to the cruiser.

Mary Margaret drove them both in silence. They understood this was a part of the job, but this was Emma’s first accident, and she had a feeling she’d never forget her first. As her fellow rookie put the car into park Emma realized they were not at her complex, but before she could speak, Mary Margaret interrupted her.

“Emma, I know we haven’t known each other very long, and I have a feeling you usually keep to yourself. But I just - well I just figured tonight maybe you wouldn’t want to be alone.” They sat there in more silence, as Emma tried to process why this woman was so kind to her, even though they barely knew each other. “Listen, if I was wrong to do this tell me, and I will drive you back to your place, but I wanted to-”

“No, thank you. This is, uh...I’d like to stay here.”

Mary Margaret just nodded, as she attempted to keep her enthusiasm at a minimum, knowing this was not the best reason for a sleepover. As they walked into her apartment, Emma was still on autopilot and she remained that way as she attempted to get ready for bed.

Before Emma went upstairs to the guest bedroom, Mary Margaret stopped her. “Hey, you know I’m here for you, right? As much or as little as you want, I have your back.”

Emma was overwhelmed by the woman’s kind words and finally pulled Mary Margaret in for a hug, as she let out the tears she had so desperately tried to hold back. After a few moments, she finally managed to pull herself together. Giving Mary Margaret one last squeeze, before both women headed for their own beds for the night.

Emma knew she did everything right. Or she thinks she did everything she could to help everyone involved. She knew that needed to move on from the accident, and not let it hold her back from being the officer she had always wanted to be.

What Emma failed to realize that night, amidst all the chaos, was that her soulmate mark had disappeared.

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November 2018

As Emma drove the cruiser down the street, she took a deep breath in, taking pause over how far she’d come in her life. After working with SPD for the last five and a half years, Emma had moved up the ranks. In fact, as of last year, she was now the new sheriff of Storybrooke.

No one had really seen it coming, but Graham had decided to step down after he had started his own family. Although Storybrooke wasn't a criminal hotspot, he felt that it was the best decision for his family. Graham had asked Emma if she wanted the job, and at first, she had laughed him off. But when she realized that he was serious, Emma had run unopposed for the position. It was the fastest election in the town’s history.

However, as proud as Emma was of her career success, the real progress was that she now had friends. Friends who had somehow sneaked their way into her life, and she was so thankful for that. Mary Margaret had also worked her way up the ranks, side by side with Emma, and their friendship had grown along the way.

As Emma thought back on how much had changed, she noticed the kid. She had always tried her hardest to give back to others in the community, that’s given so much to her. Emma had made it her mission to make sure anyone who needed some assistance in town, got it. But she took a particular interest in helping the kids of Storybrooke, making sure they always had a warm meal and a place to stay.

Emma recognized this particular kid right away. Grace. Emma knew things weren’t always great at home, for her, and sometimes Grace would roam the streets to find something to eat. She reminded Emma a lot of herself, refusing help at first, and not always trusting of others. However, after a few run-ins Grace had opened up to Emma about her situation, and Emma couldn’t help but take the young girl under her wing.

The two of them made their way to Shelter by the Seashore, a fantastic shelter that always tried its best for the community. Due to Storybrooke’s somewhat limited size, the place’s resources were rather limited as well. Sometimes if the shelter were lucky, some of the more prominent organizations in Boston would send some of their leftovers down to them.

As the two made their way over to the front door, Emma was a little shocked to find a notice tacked to the window while Grace pushed her way inside.

Attention Storybrooke residents,

It is with great sadness we announce that Shelter by the Seashore will be closing its doors after 15 years, after Thanksgiving. It has been with great joy that we have served you, our community. We are forever thankful for the memories we have shared together.

Thank you for everything!

All the love,

Shelter by the Seashore

“Yeah, I know, Emma. It caught me off guard at first, too.” Emma turned her head at the sound of the voice. Ashley was the owner of the shelter and had become a good friend to Emma over the past five years. “But, it’s for a good reason. Someone bought the shelter, they’re going to do this big renovation. It’s going to be better than ever before. We’re even going to have different classes for people to take for free, like how to open a bank account, and help with searching for jobs.”

“Oh wow, that’s amazing, Ashley. But what about you? I thought this place was your life.” Emma moved over to the counter Ashley was sat behind.

“I’m not gonna lie, at first it was heartbreaking. But now? I know the shelter is going to be in better hands. Oh, and the new owner is letting me stay on as manager, so I still get to do the work I love.”

Emma reached her hand out to Ashley’s shoulder and decided to get back out to her cruiser. She had this feeling in her gut, telling her that this new shelter was going to be important, not just for the community, but to her as well.

Emma shook off the feeling as quickly as it had come. She wasn’t some grand romantic, or anything even close to that. With her soulmate mark disappearing a few years ago back, she had completely given up on the idea of finding love.

She thought she had met soulmate one. She had been sure that Neal was it for her. After a life of bouncing around the system, and living on and off the streets, Emma thought she had found someone to make a home with. Neal, however, had different plans.

Before she could carry on with her pity party, Emma decided to snap out it of, and finish her patrol.

She was almost able to ignore the strange sensation on her left wrist.

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December 2018

With all the craziness - as much as Storybrooke could have - over the last few weeks Emma missed the grand opening of the new shelter. When she first saw the name, Neverland Shelter, in the newspaper she couldn’t help but laugh. Emma hoped that this shelter would bring some hope and magic to the area.

Emma drove past the new shelter every day, she meant to stop in by now to introduce herself, but she never had a free moment from work. Speaking of, work seemed to have taken a whole new level of busy. Nothing too crazy, but little squabbles over how late Christmas lights could be on for, a few porch pirates, but nothing SPD couldn’t handle.

As Emma walked into the department for her evening shift Mary Margaret was already there waiting for her with her drink of poison, hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon on top. Emma took a moment to reflect on their friendship, how far they’d come in the years since that car accident.

She instantly became a confidant, her person, and someone she was genuinely thankful for. Emma was never a girly girl who had a lot of girlfriends, never had any friends really. And yet, her and Mary Margaret just clicked. Although Mary Margaret loved to tease Emma about finding true love and pushing her to put herself out there, there was an understanding and respect between the two women’s perspective on the whole soulmate thing.

Mary Margaret was your stereotypical fairytale princess, Emma swore she was like the real-life version of Snow White. When Emma found out her marker resembled an apple, Emma about lost her mind, saying she only proved her point further. Mary Margaret ever the optimist kept her eyes out for her Prince Charming. It, of course, wasn’t until a horrible case of a missing child brought SPD and the neighboring town of Lancaster together.

The case was on the brink of driving the LPD insane, they asked Emma and the rest of the department for assistance. Their sheriff, August, reminded Emma a lot of herself and they instantly bonded. However, their bond was more brother/sister than romantic, and Emma was always thankful for their relationship. August didn’t come alone, he brought Deputy David Nolan.

One look and Emma could tell, Mary Margaret and David were smitten They had one of those slow-motion movie moments, even massive love critic Emma knew this was something special.

The Charmings, as Emma dubbed them, took only one week before they showed their soulmate marks revealing they both had an apple on their biceps. One year later they had their fairytale wedding, it was honestly perfect. Now three years later, they even more disgusting in love. As much as Emma loved to make fun of them, she admired their passion and dedication to one another. It wasn’t just because they were soulmates, they legitimately loved each other.

Mary Margaret only asked Emma once about her mark, as closed off as Emma was to love her losing her mark just reified her commitment issues. She explained to Mary Margaret how one day it was here and the next thing Emma knew her mark disappeared from her wrist. Emma wondered if she would ever find someone to spend her life with since she lost her mark Emma believed she lost her soulmate.

“Hey, you okay? You left me for a minute.” Emma was finally pulled out of her own thoughts, eventually grabbing the hot chocolate for her.

“Yeah, sorry about that. You know just thinking about stuff.” Mary Margaret gave her a questioning look but decided not to press Emma on the matter.

“Anyways, I was wondering what your plans were for Christmas? David and I are going to host our annual party, and we wanted to make sure you were still free?”

Emma couldn’t help but to laugh, “Well since I’ve gone to the last four Christmas parties I guess I could make an appearance.”

“Oh good,” Mary Margaret squealed, “and I know we promised no setups, but Davids old friend is going to be there, and I was just hoping you would just help make him feel welcomed. He used to live here a few years ago apparently, but moved back to England for whatever reason.”

Emma gave her friend a wary eye, but figured to give into the Christmas spirit and perhaps being nice to him wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

“Fine, I’ll be nice to him - whoever he may be - as my good deed for the world. Deal?”

“Thank you, Emma. Seriously, we really appreciate it.” Mary Margaret walked over and embraced Emma to help show her thanks.

“Alright, lady time to get to work, I want to make sure all of this is done before Christmas.” Mary Margaret gave a fake salute and went to work herself.

Emma relished in the thought of actually being helpful to their friend, in helping someone adjust to life in Storybrooke, and giving someone perhaps the very same thing Emma once needed - a home.

Before Emma could get too comfortable, a call came in. Someone spotted another teenager on the street, the caller couldn’t get to them in time, but wanted to make sure Emma was aware someone should help take the kid to the shelter. Emma loved these types of calls if she was honest with herself. She loved that everyone looked out everyone else, even if they didn’t know them personally.

When Emma walked outside she decided to leave the cruiser at the station, it was still early enough in her shift that the sun was shining and would be for another hour or so. Luckily, Emma’s hunt for the teen didn’t last too long.

Emma found Kate with ease on Main Street, and even better Kate was more than happy to go to the new shelter with Emma. The two walked in comfortable silence across town to Neverland. Emma was excited to see the renovations and to hopefully meet the owner to finally introduce herself.

When the two women walked to the front door Emma could instantly feel the difference, it was absolutely fantastic. However, Emma’s joy was quickly short lived upon entering the new shelter.

Emma walked up to the counter to find a short blonde hair woman, the name tag said Tink. Either she was really dedicated to the whole Peter Pan thing, or that was an unfortunate coincidence.

“Hey there, I’m Sheriff Swan, I was wondering if you all had room for one more tonight?” Emma turned her attention towards Kate who was sitting in the waiting area which looked more like a living room with the couches and TV.

Sadly, a frown overtook the blonde’s face, “I’m really sorry to say we’re out of beds for the night. We ordered more, but they haven’t come yet, I’m sorry ladies. If you’d like Sheriff Swan, I can give you the number to -”

“Oi, wait for a second, Tink! There’s always room in Neverland!” Emma turned around to see the man with the beautiful British accent was also by far the most handsome man alive, and immediately captured by his baby blue eyes. It seemed she the only one affected, he instantly froze in his place when he saw her too.

“Mr. Jones,” Tink said ruining whatever moment they were having, “we just gave the last bed away for the night.”

“Ah, but you see lady Tink, we did not give all the beds away,” he paused for dramatic effect Emma assumed, “there’s still my bed!”

Emma was in awe of this man, not only was he handsome, but he seemed to have a good heart as well. It was incredible to see someone like this in the community, perhaps he really did bring the magic Emma wished for.

“Are you sure, Mr. Jones? There’s another shelter I can take her to out of town, I don’t want to put you out for the night.”

Mr. Jones finally made his way over to Emma, who seemed to be stuck in place unable to move a muscle. “Aye, love, and please it’s Killian. I have a spare cot in my office, I’ve slept here the last few weeks to make sure everything is in tip-top shape for the opening. Plus I have an apartment with an actual bed I should make use of eventually. Besides, it’d be bad form not to help the sheriff out.”

Emma let out a giggle, which made her seem like a school girl around her first crush. She didn’t even know the man’s first name, and she was already acting like a ten-year-old. “Well then, Mr. Jones seems like we have a deal.”

“Aye, we have an accord. Oh, and remember it’s Killian, love.” Emma reached out her hand to shake his, he immediately reached out to meet her and then she felt it.

This spark.

It was unlike anything Emma had ever felt before, so of course, she quickly removed her hand from his in an attempt to get a hold of herself.

“Well, uh Killian thanks for the extra bed tonight I appreciate it. If you all ever need anything here’s my card or just dial 911 that works too. Well, have a good night!” Emma tried to escape with an ounce of her dignity still intact, but Killian - or fate - had other plans.

Killian quickly reached his left out without even thinking, and seamlessly grabbed Emma back from leaving. What he did not realize was that he used his prosthetic hand instead of his right hand, he then took his turn in quickly removing his hand from Emma.

“Sorry about that, I didn’t think I just -”

“Please, Killian, it’s more than fine,” Emma wanted to reassure him that his prosthetic was nothing to hide or that it was off-putting by any means.

“Right, well good. I know you have to get back to the station it’s...well, uh, you just seem so familiar. Have, have we ever met before?”

Of course, without thinking, Emma said, “I doubt I’d forget a face like yours.” Emma immediately turned bright red while Killian scratched behind his right ear.

“What I meant to say, uh, what I meant was I have an excellent memory, helps with the job, and you have very distinct features that I would not forget if you were in a lineup. Not that you would be in a lineup, you seem like a very stand up guy, I mean look at this shelter! It’s never looked better, and you look fantastic - I mean the shelter looks fantastic. I’m, I am just going to go back to the precinct now so if you need anything please call, but it was nice meeting you, Killian.” Emma finally took a breathe, realizing she hadn’t stopped to breath during that rambling rant.

Killian seemed to enjoy her rambling, he laughed as she came to the end of the speech. In Emma’s attempt to keep any dignity she reached out her hand to give him a farewell shake; however, Killian takes her hand and brings it up to his lips for a soft kiss on the knuckles.

Emma let out a breathy gasp and walked back outside without another word. As she walked away, Emma could still feel it, that spark. She swore it was all inside her head, but she couldn’t shake this feeling. Perhaps it wasn’t just the shelter that brought some magic to Storybrooke, maybe it was a tall, dark, handsome British good-doer.

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For the next week, Emma and Killian could not help but to continuously run into each other. Although Emma made frequent stops at the shelter to see her friends who still worked there and to get the grand tour, but they also ran into each other all over town.

No matter where Emma went, Killian was never far behind her or vise versa. One morning Emma decided to get one last outside run in for the year, and although she was not the fastest woman in the world she enjoyed getting her heart racing.

Not even ten minutes into her run she found Killian, who looked like he was about to begin a run of his own. Emma debated going over to him, not sure where they stood as professionals or if he would consider them friends. Emma was still not over how incredibly handsome he was and somehow made a fool of herself every chance she got.

While the debate continued on in Emma’s head, Killian spotted Emma and decided to work his way over to her. The two ran together, silently challenging and pushing one another throughout their run.

The two parted ways, Killian jokingly mentioned how tomorrow he was going to be at Granny’s around noon if she just so happened to be hungry around that time. At first, Emma felt the panic set in, but quickly it diminished on her own. There was no harm in getting lunch together, she merely nodded and headed back to her apartment.

Emma was enjoying the rest of her day off when Mary Margaret texted her saying how they should do a girl’s night. Although Emma was hesitant she knew it was harmless, Ruby was busy, so Emma knew she was safe from any real danger.

Like always, Emma waited until the last minute to get ready, it was her thing. She took one look at herself in the mirror for any final touches. For waiting until last minute Emma was actually pleased with herself, her bright red dress hugging her curves perfectly and her hair fell naturally.

Mary Margaret seldom invited Emma to go out, only because this was not Mary Margaret’s scene at all. However, the girls did enjoy the occasional night out, but that usually included wine nights at someone’s house.

The Hole was unusually packed, but when Emma walked inside, she spotted two seats at the bar for them. She rushed over to make sure the seats were not swiped last second. Emma sat there as she waited for Mary Margaret to show up. Mary Margaret was never late, that was Emma’s thing. Emma checked her phone and found a new text from Mary Margaret; the said that she didn’t feel well and wouldn’t be making it out tonight.

Emma slid off her barstool and grabbed her stuff when she heard a familiar voice, “Hello, love, fancy running into you here.” When she looked up, she was met by her favorite pair of blue eyes, Killian.

“Well, hello stranger. Don’t you have a shelter to be taking care of?” Emma was surprised at the teasing tone that came out, but she couldn’t help it. She had a few drinks in her, she felt good, and this was harmless, right?

“Ah right, well sometimes I enjoy the occasional glass of rum or two, and a beautiful maiden's company is always an extra bonus.” He added a wink for good measure and that smirk that made Emma’s stomach flip. “What do you say, love? Fancy another round?”

Without a word, Emma slid back on her stool while her hand grazed upon his leg. She saw his Adam's apple bob at the touch, made Emma happy that she was not the only one affected.

As the night continued and one drink turned into five both and both their inhibitions lowered, the flirty eyes, and the accidental touches lasted a second too long. At one point without a thought, Emma leaned into Killian's embrace, and he held her for a moment. Emma felt his warmth come over her, she felt safe in his embrace and wanted it to last forever. Then she realized what she just thought and instantly sobered up.

Killian felt Emma tense up and decided it was time to go home. The two of them of slid off their stools, and as they walked outside Killian kept his arm around Emma. “Alright, thank you for a fun evening Killian, but I, uh, I think I should head home.”

Killian pulled away to look down at her, “Aye, I agree love. Let me walk you home?”

“Oh, no I’m fine I can walk home, Killian.” He kept his eyes on her, he could tell her walls had crept back up, and she was spooked.

“I know, but it wouldn’t be good form to let you walk home alone love. Please allow me to do the honors?” His made sure to make his tone was light, an attempt to help ease any of Emma’s worries.

“Oh so now you’re a gentleman?” Emma teased right back at him.

“I’m always a gentleman.” Killian walked towards Emma’s apartment, and Emma caught up to him so they could walk arm in arm.

When they arrived at Emma’s apartment, the two of them stood at the door neither one of them knowing what to do next.

“I know, uh, this wasn’t the original plan for the night, but I had a really nice time tonight, Killian.”

Killian met Emma’s eyes and a wide smile took over his face, “Aye, I had a wonderful time tonight too, Emma.” She was caught off guard when he actually said her name.

“Well, I should get inside early morning. Thank you, Killian, for being a gentleman and walking me home, I appreciate it.” Before Killian could say anything, Emma reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek and ran inside before anything else could happen.

Killian stood frozen on her stoop, unable to process what happened. Killian moved his hand to his cheek, he still could feel her soft lips on his stubble. He never thought he’d feel this warmth again, for the first time in five years he felt alive again. He walked home a smile plastered on his face.

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Throughout the week which led to Christmas Emma and Killian spent every moment together - well as much as they could with the shelter and is the sheriff of a small town. When they weren’t together, they would text or call one another.

As nervous as Emma was she knew that she couldn’t ignore her feelings for Killian. He was attractive, but it was more than that for her. She felt this connection to him, she felt safe, and she was tired of being alone. She decided that after Christmas she would finally admit her true feelings for Killian, because who didn’t love a late Christmas gift of sharing your feelings?

Killian, on the other hand, was ready to share his feelings with Emma. After everything that’s happened during his life, especially what happened five years ago. He was prepared to move on, he was ready to do so with Emma. Even though Killian lost his mark and would probably never find his soulmate, he still wanted to find some form of love.

Killian decided to be honest and direct with Emma, so he called her and asked her to come over. Of course, he did not thoroughly think that through and tried to quickly clean his apartment. He was usually a tidy man, but he wanted to make sure everything was perfect for her. He made sure to organize the magazines he pretended to read to make himself look good. Picked up any clothes or jackets there were not hung up.

Then he finally looked at his outfit and decided to freshen up for their impromptu hang-out-not-date-but-he-wished-it-was-a-date date. He went with a dark blue henley that brought out his eyes and some jeans that he knew for a fact made his arse look good. As he made the final touches in his bed hair, Killian heard his bell ring.

He rushed to the door and took a deep breath before he opened the door, and there she stood once again taking his breath away.

“Hi, Killian, thanks for asking me to come over.”

As Emma stood there Killian took her in, still amazed she would give a lad like him a second glance. She was more than just beautiful, she was fierce, funny, and she had this sparkle in her eye when she smiled that Killian found so remarkable. Killian then realized he had been staring for too long and finally moved over so Emma could finally come into his apartment.

“Here love can I get you a drink?” He said as he helped removed her jacket.

“Ah gentleman thing was real, that’s refreshing. And I’ll take water thank you.”

Killian moved to be right behind her, “why’s that, love? Afraid you’d find me even more irresistible after a few libations?”

Emma started to laugh, but when she turned around to face him, she could only feel the tension between them. The two stood there in silence taking the other in until the spell was broken by Killian’s bell.

“Right, that would be the pizza I ordered for us. Although I do love to cook my own meals, I seem to remember a certain lass the other night who said she would kill for a slice of pizza. Now, I wouldn’t want my favorite sheriff to be locked up now, would ruin my plans I have with her.”

“Oh and would plan would that be Mr. Jones?” Emma teased him, perhaps to her it was harmless, but Killian figured it was time to stop hiding.

“Ah, well you see my darling, Emma, I have every intention of knowing you better. Although I would come and visit you if you just so happened to murder for said slice of pizza, I would be irrevocably sad to see you behind bars.”

Killian could tell Emma was taken back by his confession, joking or not, she could read between the lines of what Killian said. Right, when Killian thought he’d gone too far, Emma reached out to him and said, “I would be sad too if I couldn’t see my favorite shelter owner either.” She then walked by him, which then left him frozen. Right when Killian thought he finally had her, she was already two steps ahead of him. One of the things he loved about her.

Oh shit.

Well, Killian was not actually that surprised by that admission, but figured it was best not to tell Emma quite yet about his feelings.

The two settled in and ate their pizza, the conversation flowed naturally. Even if there were silent pauses, it was never uncomfortable, in fact, both relished in the ability to be with another person and feel so at ease.

As the night continued on both unconsciously moved towards the other so that there was only a merely inch between the two of them. Emma eventually closed the space between them so that she was leaning into him, Killian held her and without thinking opened his mouth.

“How can someone as phenomenal as you not have found their soulmate by now?” That’s when he felt her tense in his arms once more. “Emma, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked that I’m sorry I-”

“I lost my mark...that’s why, uh, I haven’t found my soulmate.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to pry like this, Swan.” Killian couldn’t imagine knowing you had someone and then it just disappearing.

“You can ask Killian, I can tell you want to.” Emma broke him out of his train of thought.

“Do you know what happened to them?” He held her a bit tighter scared himself of what her answer could be.

“No, I never knew them. I just had it one day, and then I looked down, and it was gone. I never met anyone with my mark, and honestly, it’s probably for the best. After everything else, I just don’t think I could’ve survived meeting the one person who’s supposed to be there for me and then losing them like that. You know?”

Emma stayed still as she laid in Killian’s arms. Killian had to pull away for just a moment to make sure the angel in his arms was real. When she finally looked up at him, she could see the tears welled up. He held her tighter, he tried to reassure her that he isn’t going anywhere.

“Emma, I promise I would never hurt you.”

“You say that Killian, but you have to understand I have a lifetime of proof that people do leave. My parents left me on the side of a road, they didn’t even bother taking me to a hospital. I bounced around in the system a lot. Then I met Neal and he...he fucked me up.”

Killian didn’t interrupt and stop her from opening up to him. He merely nodded for her to continue if she wished.

“I was 16 and decided that it was time for me to be on my own, I was going to age out anyways. Figured just to get it over with, you know? Then, I met Neal, and I thought I found my home. He was older, and I knew he was trouble, but he was fun.

Few months went by, we did what we had to do to survive, I’m not proud of it. But then, we decided to go on the straight and narrow, to find our forever home. We had everything ready to go, but then Neal’s face was plastered all over town. He had robbed this watch shop a few months before we met, and now the cops were after him. He still had the watches in some locker, too. Neal threatened to cancel the trip and leave me, and it almost broke me. I thought I found my person, so stupid naive me offered to get the watches for him. Got them, no problem, thought I was in the clear. Until the cops, he called on me caught me. I was still a minor, so I did a few months in juvie and decided to be a cop to help others on the streets.”

Emma held back her tears during her story, but the moment she looked up at Killian the floodgates opened. This was the first time she had told the story in full, it took her nearly three years to tell Mary Margaret the truth.

Killian rubbed her back, he tried to let Emma catch her breath on her own time. Finally after a moment of silence that overtook the two of them. As Emma leaned back into Killian.

“Thank you for sharing, Emma. Truly thank you for letting me see a bit more of the beautiful lass that’s completely bewitched me. But I did already knew that one part love, we orphans all have the same look.” Emma looked at him confused for a moment, “I too am an orphan, I lost my family when I was young. My mum died of cancer, I barely knew her. My father, if you could call him that, left after things got too hard. He left my brother, Liam, in charge of me. A wee lad himself, only 15, in charge of his own brother? Liam tried his best, and he was my best mate.

When I turned 17 he left for the Royal Navy, I joined him a year later. Finally, we were supposed to go on this mission together, but I...I was sleeping off a bender, and I missed the car to the ship. When I finally realized I was late, our commanding officer was already on the other side of my door. Their ship barely made it to open waters before an engine fire blew up the damn thing.

I drowned myself in liquor, like you I am not proud of some of the things I did in my past, but I did them, can’t take them back. But I’m here, now and -” Killian got emotional as he thought of everything he’d been through during his life.

“Oh Killian, I am so sorry. I didn’t -”

“Shh shh, it’s okay, love. I didn’t tell you for you to feel sorry, I told you, so you know that you’re not alone.” As he stared at her, Emma felt that spark again and knew there was something special between the two of them. But in an attempt to lighten the mood after everything Emma decided to change the subject.

“Killian, do you mind me asking why did you open the shelter?”

Killian pulled Emma back, so she was able to rest her head against his chest once more.

“Well, I never thought about opening a shelter until I met Milah. She was the most wonderful woman I knew, she had this spirit about her that just encaptured you. I fell in love with her, we weren’t soulmates, but we didn’t care. She had a rough childhood, like me, and she said if she ever had the money she would open a shelter to help others.

One night in December a few years ago we were out, we finally had the money for a shelter. We were actually here in Storybrooke celebrating with some friends. Anyways, we decided to call it an early night and get ready for the hard part of running the shelter now.

I was the DD for the night, and we were driving home like we’d done a million times and then this truck...it came out of nowhere. Milah died on impact, I, however, gained this souvenir,” he raised his prosthetic hand, “the driver had a stroke so I couldn’t even hate the man. I don’t remember much about the accident, but I do remember this angel.”

Emma let out a gasp, she finally knew why Killian looked so familiar. He looked so different now, he looked alive. Killian seemed to have missed Emma’s revelation, he continued to share how this angel kept him alive long enough for help to arrive.

“Everyone thought I was barking mad, said it was a police officer that saved me. Regardless, she’s my angel, my savior.” Killian looked away from his hand to see Emma who looked off into the distance as she tried to explain how she was the one that saved him.

“Swan? Emma, are you alright?” Emma moved away from Killian, which only added to his concern.

Emma refused to make eye contact when she finally spoke she slowly looked up at him. “Was the accident on December 23, 2013, at Main Street?”

“Aye, it was. How did you - oh Emma, you’re my savior aren’t you?” Emma only nodded in response. “Emma Swan, I have been searching for you for nearly five years now to thank you. Thank you for saving my life, my sweet Emma.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “And of course it’s no one other than the woman who has starred my dreams for nearly the last month.”

With that admission, Emma’s head snapped to meet his eyes. Both of them holding back tears of their own. However, as much as Killian knew Emma felt this too, but of them had shared a lot tonight. Both of them had experienced a massive emotional rollercoaster and Killian could not in good conscience take advantage of Emma while they were in this state.

“Killian, listen I-”

“Shhh, it’s okay, Emma. You don’t have to say anything back to me, love. I just want you to know that no matter what I am not going anywhere, not without you.”

With that, Emma slowly leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Be patient,” she merely said.

Killian gave her a boyish smile in return and said, “Aye love, I have all the time in the world.”

Emma decided it was time for her to drive home, as much as she didn’t want to leave Killian. He walked her town to her bug where he gave her one last goodbye kiss.

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December 24, 2018

As the weekend came to a close Emma and Killian had barely spoken, both so busy with work. Emma missed him, more than she thought possible. She was at the Charming’s Christmas party wondering what Killian was up to, where he was and who he was with.

A new spark ignited in her, jealousy. Emma Swan was not a jealous person, but apparently, when it came to Killian Jones, she had become a bit jealous of anyone else who had the pleasure of being in his company. She’d already debated texting him inviting him over, but she didn’t want to bother him. It’s not that Emma wanted to play games, but she didn’t want to push any chances she had.

Emma was in the kitchen when Mary Margaret and David came in, with cups in hand - well cup in David’s hand. Then Emma figured it out.

“Holy shit! M’s are you…?”

Before Mary Margaret even confirmed it, she ran into Emma’s arms. The three of them enjoyed their moment in the midst of the party. “This is why I bailed the other night, I’m sorry! I don’t know why they call it morning sickness when you get sick at all hours of the night. Regardless, you are going to be Aunt Emma in a few short months. How’s that sound?”

Emma closed the space between them once more, “Sounds perfect. Congratulations to the Charming family!”

“Oi, who are in the bloody hell are the Charming’s?”

Emma looked up and found Killian, decked out in the ugliest Christmas sweater she had ever seen. He seemed to be just as surprised to see Emma there with the Nolan’s.

“Swan? What are you doing here?” He made his way over to the trio, and they broke apart from their hug.

“I was just about to ask the same of you, Jones. Crashing parties now?”

“Uh, so Emma seems as though you don’t need any introductions since you and Killian already seem to know each other. Which don’t think I won’t question you about later. But Killian is our friend we told you about that just moved back here.”

“Oh, the one I was supposed to welcome?”

“One in the same missy.” Emma could feel her blush as it crept up her neck to her face. “Right, well David and I are going to say hi to a few other people. You two play nice or whatever.” David reluctantly went, wanting to investigate the relationship Emma and Killian already have.

The two are stuck like glue throughout the rest of the night. Throughout the night both slowly become more comfortable with little displays of affection with touches that last longer than they should for just friends. Both enjoy the night in each other’s company, both let down the walls that have held them back in the past.

At one point Emma excuses herself to use the restroom; however, both seem to miss the comfort of sitting next to one another immediately, so Killian walked over to the kitchen while he waits for her to return.

That’s when they question him. He was surprised they waited this long.

“Killian, why the hell didn’t you tell us that you knew Emma?”

“Listen, she came into the shelter one night with Grace, and we just started talking. It’s nothing I swear, love.”

Neither of them seemed to believe his line, he wouldn’t of if he were them. “Bullshit, Killian I’ve never seen you like this.”

Killian scratched behind his ear, the three of them begin to chat about how their friendship and their recent developments. What the trio failed to realize was Emma had returned from the bathroom and decided to listen in on the conversation. She didn’t mean to, but she didn’t want to interrupt and then she just couldn’t stop.

“Killian, I am so happy for the two of you. Seriously, both of you have this glow about you tonight, it’s incredible. Have you guys talked about your marks at all?”

Emma was surprised Mary Margaret brought this up, she knew Emma lost her mark all those years ago.

“No, I lost my mark because of the accident. When they cut off my hand my hand, they also cut off my mark in the process. I thought, I thought maybe the mark would return after time. I thought...with all this time I’d been spending with Emma it would appear again. I’ve never felt like this before, it’s incredible.”

Emma felt her smile creep back on her face. She felt it too, whatever it was, it was incredible to hear Killian say he felt the same way.

“Oh Killian, you know marks don’t come back. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. I’m so sorry you lost yours. What even was your mark?”

He looked down at his left wrist, where his mark used to be. “It looked a wee bit like a compass. I know some people thought it was a blob, but I always thought it was a compass leading me to my soulmate.”

Emma swore for a moment time stood still and she was hot. Too hot. She had to get out of the apartment right away. She came into the kitchen with the rest of them, she refused to make eye contact with Killian.

“Hey, sorry but I’m not feeling well I’m gonna go home. Thank you for an amazing party.” Emma tried to make her escape, but Killian was concerned about her.

“Love, let me drive you-”

“No! I mean, no thank you, I just want to get home. Good night, Killian.” She stormed out the apartment and left behind a very confused Killian.

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The week between Christmas and New Years was always this awkward time, but now it was indeed the worst. Emma spent the last few days avoiding Killian. She couldn’t believe that Killian was her soulmate. She could believe it, but she didn’t want to.

Emma always thought she lost her soulmate, that they left before they even knew her. Turned out her soulmate was the man she had slowly fallen in love with. Which scared the hell out of her.

She felt terrible, but she couldn’t give him this power. Emma just couldn’t take that final leap, and she hated herself for it. She also hated ignoring his messages and calls, but Emma knew if she heard his voice she would give in. Then she debated if giving in was such a horrible option, which for some reason the little voice in the back of her head kept saying yes.

Emma still took people to Neverland when she found them, she just would drive them to the shelter. She never dared to take a step in there. She couldn’t face him, Emma couldn’t face the hurt she brought to him either. Emma could tell in his messages that she wasn’t the only one suffering from her childish behavior.

Emma decided to take the New Year’s Eve shift, not much in the partying mood. The only people she’d want to spend the night with were surely spending their time with the one person Emma could not be around at the moment.

These nights were usually easy enough, Storybrooke didn’t have much of a nightlife. While Emma drove around, she spotted someone who seemed to have fallen in an alley.

She walked over to the person, they were mumbling to themselves. Emma figured it was someone who was inebriated and needed to sleep it off. As she approached them, Emma announced her presence, which apparently was the wrong thing to do.

They quickly became aggravated with Emma’s help and tried to resist. Emma didn’t recognize the boy, he was taller than her with curly sandy blonde hair and a hell of a lot stronger than he looked. Emma was able to finally pin him down and reached for her cuffs. She was thankful she decided to bring them out with her, she had almost left them in the car.

That’s when the guy flipped her over. Emma’s head was the first thing to hit the pavement, knocking her out almost instantly.

The only thing Emma saw was the kid fleeing instantly. Right before the darkness took her, she heard someone. A voice, she recognized it immediately.

“Swan! SWAN! Stay with me, Emma!”

That’s when Emma passed out.

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Emma woke up with a pounding headache. When she finally opened her eyes, she realized she was in a hospital. Then she saw Killian sitting there in the chair pulled right up to her bed. She can’t believe what an ass she’d been the last few days, as she looked at him she knew there was no one else she wanted by her side.

“Killian,” she croaked out, “Killian, hey sleepy wake up now.” Killian slowly came to, and for a moment it seemed as though he also did not recognize his surroundings.

“Emma, love oh god. Are you alright?”

“Yeah, my head hurts, but I’m fine. Far better than what I deserve after what I put you through.”

Killian moved from out his chair so that he was now sitting on the bed with Emma, he took her hand as well. “You stubborn woman, ha, I am so happy you’re alright love. But why? Why did you run, Emma? I thought things were going well.”

Emma then realized he must’ve not come to the same conclusion that she had, she wasn’t sure if that made things better or worse. “It’s just, I may have overheard the conversation you had with the Charmings, and I ran because-”

“Emma, did I say something too far? I keep replaying that night over and over again, and I can’t think of anything. Please tell me, love?”

“Killian, you mentioned something about your mark to them, and I, phew god this is harder than I thought. You know I lost my mark? I lost my mark after December 23, 2013, I lost my blob of a mark that if you tilted your head looked like a compass. I ran because we’re…”

“We’re soulmates,” he said it with every ounce of hope he had left in him. Then a realization hit him which caused his features to fall. “You didn’t want me to be your soulmate though.”

“OH! God yes Killian, I wanted it to be you so badly. But I ran, that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life. It’s the one thing I’m good at. And then I realized too late that I didn’t want to run, not from you and not anymore. But I was a fool, and I hurt you, and I couldn’t face you after that. I couldn’t...I couldn’t see the pain I caused you.” Emma began to cry which caused Killian to get in the bed and he held Emma until she calmed down.

“Emma Swan, look at me love, I love you. I loved you before I knew were soulmates, and mark or no stupid mark changes how I feel about you.”

“You love me?” Emma’s voice broke as she heard his confession, unable to believe he loved her back.

“Aye,” he nodded, and with that Emma closed the distance between them. The kiss was passionate and full of love; however, it did not last long because Emma’s heartbeat picked up too much which caused a concerned nurse to come sprinting in. The nurse left after giving them a harsh pair of judgy eyes.

The two of them were back in their own world until they heard the nurses counting down to the new year.

“This feels all like a fairytale, Killian.”

“Aye, love it does. So does that mean you finally have it? Your own happy ending?

Five...four...three…two...one

“No, it’s a happy beginning.”

She sighed, dropping onto the chair. She had a long day ahead of her, made of fake old cases that had never happened. Oh, but it was fun: somehow, Regina had managed to give almost everyone in town a record of sorts for the silliest things. Of course, not having actually happened, Emma had just decided to destroy those files: nobody deserved a record for a crime they didn’t commit. Oh, she couldn’t help but snort at the irony.

Not having much to do at the station, though, meant she had a little too much time to think about what she could do for Killian – there were just too many solitaire games one could play.

Emma wasn’t worried about her family’s gifts, she had already bought them all. Her husband’s, though, was a problem. Before her father had decided to gift Killian the Firebird, also known as the Chevelle, after he’d successfully gotten his driving license – David had taken the test again, under Emma’s insistence since, after a snarky comment about Killian not faring well with modern technology, she’d pointed out that his driving license was a result of the curse – Emma had thought about buying him a car.

Sighing, Emma pulled out her phone, the lockscreen catching her attention as it usually did, never failing to pull a smile from her lips. It was a photo of Henry and Killian asleep on the couch, two empty mugs of hot chocolate on the coffee table and Star Wars playing in the background. Emma couldn’t resist and had snapped that photo, one of the most precious treasure she had of her two True Loves.

A thought suddenly hit her. Maybe… Yes, if she could find the right spell…

With a wave of her hand, the materials appeared on her desk, a bright smile on her face as Emma cracked her fingers and started to make her own kind of magic.

He wondered if it looked too presumptuous. It probably was. Bloody hell, Killian thought, sighing. Henry had assured him it wasn’t, at all, and that Emma would love it. The lad was too kind, though he had to admit, Henry’s reaction to the sketches had made his heart swell in his chest. Sure, Killian knew he was skilled, yet his art had always been something he ever made for himself. The only one to really appreciate his works had been Liam, but he wasn’t here anymore to calm him down.

Killian closed his eyes, the image of his brother smiling warmly at him clear behind his eyelids. He missed him, he always would. As much as Killian had found a family in Emma, Henry and the Charmings, he couldn’t help but miss his. After all, he still was a person who had lost everyone he loved; centuries had passed, but the pain was still there, an indelible scar left on his heart and soul.

Opening his eyes, he went back to work, knowing he just had to add the final touches. Emma’s present had been in the works for quite some time, more precisely when he’d found himself flipping through the storybook, his attention landing on the illustration of him and Emma dancing at King Mida’s ball.

Henry had helped him, writing more about that evening, more a description of the evening than their feelings, something of which Killian was extremely grateful. There were always things he didn’t want people to know, namely how he felt. After losing so many people he loved, Killian had spent centuries hiding his feelings, protecting himself. Though people often saw him as a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, he wasn’t. Yes, he had courted Emma practically since the beginning, but nobody knew how difficult it had been for him, how difficult it still was, because no matter how much he showed he was a good pirate, many still shied away from him. It was… draining.

Sure, he now had a family who finally didn’t treat him as if he was just a one-handed pirate with a drinking problem anymore, yet, Killian couldn’t help but miss the two people in his life that had always believed in him, someone in his corner when he was unfairly judged for his past deeds, someone who would always make him see straight.

Unfortunately, though, those two people were dead, and as much as he loved his little brother, Liam had a life aboard the Nautilus, they didn’t need each other anymore. A grimace found its way to Killian’s mouth at the thought that he’d once been the one to walk away from the child that needed him and had grown hating him.

Killian shook his head, gripping the brush tighter between his fingers, the lanterns there reflecting their lights onto his rings. His heart skipped a beat as his eyes fell on his wedding ring. Marrying wasn’t a strange concept to him; to be fair, many seafaring men had married, and though it’d been long since naïve fantasies belonging to a young naval officer had crossed his mind, Killian would be lying if he said he never once thought about marrying a lass. Those fantasies had perished along with Liam.

Or so he thought. Probably, it just took him Emma to show him he still was good enough for her to commit the rest of her life to him.

His visits to Doctor Hopper’s office helped, one doesn’t simply live for centuries, losing everyone he loves, just to brush it away with a simple wave of his hand. Killian had tried that approach before and it backfired. Now, instead, he was accepting he couldn’t just change the past, no matter how the time travel portal he’d crossed twice would prove him wrong, but he was also accepting he was worthy of love. Decades of self-loathing and loneliness damaged a soul despite the efforts of masquerading the scars.

Focusing on the canvas in front of him, he started to attentively spread a delicate brush stroke of ochre for a darkest shade of yellow. He had almost created a halo around Emma, which wasn’t exactly intentional, but it perfectly held what Emma meant to him: light.

The light scratching of the bristles onto the canvas filled the brig – because yes, he had to paint in the brig since Emma visited the Jolly as much as he did, the ship always a dear place in their lives, and that was the only place she never visited.

Suddenly, as he hummed an old shanty under his breath, the air inside the brig became chiller, as if a cannonball had ripped a hole through the hull and a snowstorm was raging outside. Killian frowned, putting down the brush in the glass he kept separated from the mug of warm coffee, thankful for the fact that he’d never mistaken the two, both him and Henry worrying what would happen to him if he drank water mixed with the paints. Right now, the man’s primary concern was finding out what the source of such drop in the temperatures was.

Standing from the stool he was perched onto, Killian walked slowly out of the brig, closing carefully the door behind himself, cutlass drawn and ready to strike. He strained his ears in search of some unnatural noise, met only with his soft footsteps and the sloshing sound the waves made against the Jolly.

He considered the possibility of calling out for Elsa, the Queen the only one he knew could manipulate the weather like that, but didn’t; his instinct was telling him that was no mere sorceress, the hairs of his arms raising beneath his winter clothes, and not just because of the icy temperature.

As he neared the Captain’s quarters, the cold seemed to worsen. There was something, or someone, in his cabin, someone who certainly didn’t belong to his family.

Pushing the door open with his hook, Killian peered inside. Hadn’t it been attached to his skull, his jaw would’ve hit the floor.

It was as if a snowstorm had raged inside his cabin, the cold white flakes covering every surface, and where it couldn’t reach, the ice had taken care of it, climbing up the walls and the ceiling. Hell, it covered even the lanterns, fire still burning behind it but unable of melting the substance.

In the middle of the room, sat a young girl.

She couldn’t be more than ten, long, dirty, blond locks framing her young and pale face, the undernourishment state she was in hollowing out her cheeks and making her deep blue eyes even bigger. Though she was wearing merely what could be considered a rag due to the ruined state her dress was in, and that she was barefoot in the snow, the girl wasn’t shivering.

Even if it was just a little girl, Killian didn’t lower his sword, knowing all too well what evil a child could bring.

«Who are you?» he inquired, tightening the grip on the hilt of the weapon as he momentarily felt his fingers go numb.

The girl didn’t answer him, her hands coming up in front of her holding a box of matches. Killian couldn’t help but notice of her frail hands were covered in chilblains. He guessed that, though covered by the snow, her feet were too.

Without a word, she pulled out a match, twirling it between her skinny fingers.

Killian knew a fire would of course destroy his beloved ship, yet he’d not been around for centuries for nothing: he knew the girl didn’t want to set the Jolly on fire.

Before he could do anything, the girl spoke.

«You are a lonely man, Killian Jones.» The icy temperature and the snow surrounding him hadn’t managed to make him freeze, her words did.

Instinctively, his mind shouted a loud no. He wasn’t lonely, he had a family, he wasn’t alone, he wasn’t lost. Not anymore.

«Your soul still longs for the people you lost.»

«It was nothing but a fleeting thought!» he roared through clenched teeth. Aye, he wanted his family back, but he’d lived long enough to understand he couldn’t: no magic, no wish could ever bring back his loved ones. Killian knew that, everyone knew that, but it didn’t mean they didn’t long to see them again, even just once. Knowing he had to stall, at least until he knew who he was dealing with. «Who are you?»

The girl smiled faintly. «Nobody’s used my name in decades, centuries, even,» she murmured, still twirling the match with ability. «My Nana, I remember her, she used to call me Christine.»

Slowly, Killian lowered his sword, knowing all too well he still was in danger. «Why are you here, lass? What’s the meaning of all this?» He waved at the snow with his hook, his eyes never looking away from the child.

«It’s my curse,» Christine replied with a light shrug. She blew onto the match, lighting it up. The small flame grew and grew, becoming as big as a fist, and Killian could see something inside, as if it was a sorceress’ crystal ball. He titled his head, wary yet a bit curious, both about the flame and the girl’s curse.

«Why don’t you put that away and tell me about your curse? Perhaps I can help you; I’ve seen many a curse be broken, lass, there must be a way to break yours.»

Her sad smile turned into a snarl, her eyes became as hard as ice. «With True Love’s kiss, perhaps, Captain? No one in this land without magic truly loves me, nor in any other land for that matter,» she explained bitterly, gritting her teeth.

Killian knew the little lass was way older than she looked, her demeanour one belonging to someone who had seen many atrocities not to be scarred by them.

The fire was slowly consuming the match, grazing the child’s fingers without burning them. Her eyes shifted, looking enchanted at the dancing flame; the match now a thin black line, making it look as if she was holding the flame herself.

Silently, Christine let the match fall onto the snow, the flame extinguishing with a hiss. Before Killian could move, she had already lit another one.

«Once upon a time, I only had my Nana,» she started with a longing sigh, this second flame somehow bigger than the previous one, in which he could see the face of an old woman staring back at him. «She was too old to work her magic with the wool, no one commissioned her anything anymore, but we needed food to live. I started selling matches, with winter fast approaching people would need them, I thought. Then Nana got sick, and needed medicine, so I asked for help, but nobody wanted to help her, nobody cared enough about us.» A lone tear ran down her pale cheek, falling onto the snow where it turned into ice instead of melting it. Inside the flame, her story unfolded, showing her trying to sell the matches and her grandmother bedridden.

Killian could understand her pain; despite having been years since that fateful night, he remembered all too well what it meant to watch over someone who was too ill to even stay sat up in bed. His eyes stung with unshed tears, the memory of his dying mother assaulting him, her lifeless red hair he’d tied in a loose but perfect braid, her bright blue eyes hidden behind her pale eyelids as she struggled to breathe.

«That’s exactly how I felt, Captain.» Christine’s voice startled him, a new match between thumb and forefinger showing him the burial, the only one to mourn the old woman the lass herself.

It was just a glimpse, a flicker that lasted not even an instant, but Killian could swear he’d seen the scene shift to accommodate two children, one a bit taller than the other, and an adult behind them. A whiff of oranges filled his nostrils, his mother’s favourite fruit.

He shook his head, clearing his mind. There was no way that was them, just a mere illusion orchestrated to lure him and make him surrender to pain.

«One night, after I’d lost the little home I used to live in with my Nana, I dared trying to sell a matchbox to a witch,» the girl continued, and as the words left her now almost-blue lips, sounds and perfumes seemed to fill the cabin.

At first, Killian almost felt sick, it was as if a rotten carcass had been hidden somewhere, the flavour of freshly baked goods, specifically gingerbread, couldn’t mask it. He could hear children singing in the streets, someone fighting or chatting, church bells ringing… His head was spinning so much dark spots clouded his vision.

A scream pierced the air, but the girl in front of him had not opened her mouth. «I didn’t realize it was a curse, I just kept trying to sell the matches until the snow-covered streets were empty and the shops closed and I was all alone in the dark. Not even the taverns wanted me, nobody took pity of me.» A gust of wind ruffled his hair, sending shivers down his spine as if a drop of cold water or snow had found its way inside the collar of his shirt. «It was so cold I thought maybe a small flame could warm me up, even just a little. But then the flame showed me my Nana. It didn’t last long, so I lit up another match, and then another and another until I ran out of matches. But at least I got to see my Nana again.»

Killian felt his heart broke at the story. No child should suffer like that, especially not as pure as he bet Christine had been before her curse.

«I thought I’d died,» she whispered with feeble voice, a new match burning before her, showing a girl lying on the fresh snow, more falling all around her, just like it started to fall inside the cabin.

Killian didn’t even notice he’d started to not feel his fingers anymore, as if what Christine was telling him was distracting him from her dark power, from her curse. The cutlass slipped from his numb fingers, falling in the snow without making a sound, its fall deafened by the sounds still filling the cabin, sounds that weren’t there.

«You don’t have to do this,» he forced himself to say, his lips numb, too. If he could see his own reflection, Killian would see his face as pale as a ghost’s and his lips blue. His wasn’t a beg, he was trying to convince her to not let the darkness win, even if it was whispering in her ear to take another life. He knew all too well how much devious the darkness could be, how it could twist one’s mind and bend one’s will. Another thing he knew, though, was that it didn’t come out of nowhere, that it still anchored itself onto sensations its vessel felt, just like it’d happened to him. For Christine, though, it was worse, because she had not cared if she died alone, she’d only cared about reuniting with her grandmother, and that had been ripped away from her, forcing her on a path on which she lost herself.

The second to last match fell on the snow. «But I have to, Captain. You called me, you wanted to see your family again, and I’m here to bring you to them. It’s not painful, I assure you, it’s actually quite peaceful: I didn’t feel a thing.»

One thing that made him shiver even more than the growing cold was her nonchalance when she talked about death. How many lives had she taken? How much darkness had filled her tiny heart against her will?

«I don’t want to go,» Killian said with a half-smile, trying a different approach, «you don’t need to take my life because I want to live, lass. Aye, I’d love to see my mother and brother again, but I know I won’t, hopefully for a very long time.»

Christine shook her head, shaking the snow off her hair. «You don’t understand: the curse is irreversible. I... I’ve never encountered someone like you, Killian Jones. They are always willing to go.»

At that, Killian couldn’t help the grin that lifted the corners of his lips. «What can I say, love, I’m a survivor.»

Her eyes grew sad. «I’m sorry,» Christine whispered, «I only thought it would make you happy.»

No matter how twisted her reasoning was, Killian did understand what she meant, because yes, when he thought all was lost, he too had wondered why he was still alive. It wasn’t until Emma that he discovered the meaning of life once again, and now he would not let go. But aye, he understood many would.

«Don’t worry, love,» Killian tried to comfort her. Absurd, wasn’t it, the victim trying to console its killer? A thought crossed his mind as he felt his knees about to give out under him. «What happens next? Where… do I go?»

Killian had experienced death before and, honestly, he still thought he would end up in the Underworld again, mostly because his unfinished business would always be Emma, because he would wait to move on until they were together. Not that he wanted to leave her, not so soon, but he had an idea. After all, the lass had been cursed, so what if she didn’t kill the desperate souls that called to her, but cursed them? It was a long shot, for sure, but he had to try. Captain Hook always survives, Killian thought with a weak smirk, his skin so numb he struggled to just move his lips.

His question made Christine stop, the last match still unlit in her hand. «You die,» she replied, furrowing her white-blonde eyebrows.

If possible, his grin widened. «I don’t’ think so, lass,» he whispered, his voice thin and his breath coming out in white puffs. Suddenly, his knees gave out and he hit the snow with a soft thud. This must be how Emma felt like when she was behind the ice wall with Elsa, Killian mused, suddenly tired. The scent of spices in the air, of oranges and someone was humming a melody he remembered all too well, but the voice wasn’t quite right.

For the first time, Christine stepped towards him. «What do you mean?» she asked hesitantly, as if she wanted to believe she’d not been the cause of many people’s death, but too scared to actually do so. Killian understood how she felt, the regret paining her, making her feel like she wasn’t worth saving.

Honestly, Killian didn’t want to talk, mostly because of the increasing clattering of his teeth, worried he might lose his tongue as he tried to explain his theory. Sure, he didn’t have any rational reason to believe his idea was true, but he’d dealt with magic long enough to doubt and said doubt would save his life.

«You were cursed, were you not?» Killian asked, seeing confusion marring her young face. «What if you have not killed them but put them under a sleeping curse?» He kept getting more and more tired, slowly rubbing his left arm with his numb hand to try and warm himself up, rationally knowing it wasn’t possible since it was magic slowly slowing his heartbeat.

Christine’s eyes were wide open, as if she understood what he meant but unable of actually grasping the concept. He couldn’t blame her, his reasoning was quite a pipe dream, but he had to have faith in Emma.

Unable of staying kneeled down in the snow anymore, Killian slowly laid down on the floor, his numb cheek touching the cold snow, feeling it burning the skin. «Bring me to my wife, she- she’ll know what to do,» he breathed, closing his eyes and falling into a frozen limbo.

Her fingers were working fast, she could even close her eyes and let them move and she would end up having a perfect dreamcatcher anyway. Creating a dreamcatcher wasn’t a pleasant memory: it brought back flashes of her time in Camelot and what happened after, the pain she’d endured and put others through.

This new dreamcatcher, though, was meant to have a new, happier meaning, just like Killian had shown her a chain around her neck could hold the promise of a future together instead one that represented a broken heart and sky-high walls.

She only hoped Killian wouldn’t be mad at her.

Pressing her lips into a thin line, Emma tried not to think about what she had done to Killian, instead preparing a speech in her head in which she explained what the dreamcatcher would do.

At first, she didn’t notice the temperature in the room getting colder, not until a freaking snowflake landed on her hand. With wide eyes, Emma looked up, actually expecting a portal in the middle of the station from which Elsa would appear. What she decidedly did not expect, was a child appearing in a swirl of snow along with the insanely pale body of her husband at her feet.

«Killian!» Emma exclaimed, standing up and rushing to him, her chair falling backwards in her haste as she fell to her knees next to Killian. He was so cold beneath her fingertips, his long black eyelashes covered in fresh snow. A memory flashed through her mind, reminding her of how cold she was when trapped with Elsa behind the giant ice wall.

No, not again, Emma cried in her mind, touching his face with trembling fingers. Killian was so still, so unresponsive and she couldn’t lose him again. She could not. She wouldn’t.

«What did you do?» Emma seethed, looking up at the girl, barely a child, probably a few years younger than Henry, but a child nonetheless. It didn’t diminish her fury, her anguish, her pain, because she knew how much death a demon disguised as a child could bring.

«He told me to bring him to his wife,» the girl said, not looking at her once, her ice blue irises never moving from Killian’s face. «The Captain… he thought I didn’t kill the souls I’ve taken, but put them under a sleeping curse.» Christine shut her mouth once again, before adding, in a low whisper: «please, let him be right.»

Emma’s gazes shifted back onto Killian and she’d never seen him so pale, not since that fateful day in the middlemist field when she’d filled him with darkness. «If you’re wrong,» she promised him, fighting the lump in her throat, «I’m going to bring you back and then kill you again, alright?»

With those chocked words, Emma bent her head and pressed her tears-stained lips onto Killian’s cold and blue ones.

It was both different and identical to when she’d kissed Henry and broke the first curse, much more pressure because she now believed it was a curse and if she couldn’t save him…

A pulse rippled through the air, part of her brain remembering that day at Zelena’s house when she’d sacrificed her magic to revive him, and said part wondered if that hadn’t actually been a True Love’s kiss already. She couldn’t bring herself to think about it much because Killian gasped, gulping in a mouthful of air and opening his eyes, searching for hers.

The corners of Killian’s lips curled up in a smile. «I would despair if you didn’t,» he breathed, and Emma couldn’t stop the tears anymore as she kissed him, not noticing how much he was shivering, showering him with kisses everywhere.

«You are so going to sleep on the couch tonight,» Emma threatened him in a dead serious tone, both of them knowing she wouldn’t let him leave her side. Slowly, she helped him up, noticing how much he was trembling, immediately poofing heavy blankets and leading him towards the couch.

«Wait,» Killian protested, one of the blankets wrapped around his shoulders, and turned towards the child. Due to the relief she was feeling, Emma had completely forgotten about her.

Christine was looking at her hands, now completely healed, the snow around her feet melted. She couldn’t speak, opening and closing her mouth as if she couldn’t believe her eyes. «You did it,» she breathed, fat tears sliding down her cheeks.

Killian was smiling, which surprised Emma, because the girl was the one who’d put him under the curse. «Nay, lass, you did it, you trusted me, even when you spent years not trusting anyone.»

The little girl launched herself at Killian, circling his neck tightly with her skinny arms, and Emma’s heart fluttered in her chest, much like it did every time she saw him with Henry, acting like a father. He already was a wonderful father to Henry, that was for sure, but she wondered how he would be with a smaller child. Wonderful, he’d be wonderful, her mind supplied.

That one, though, was a discussion they had to have privately. Now, instead…

«Wait, wait, wait, can somebody please explain me why did I just rescue my husband from a sleeping curse?»

And with that, while sitting on the station’s couch wrapped in thick blankets and with a mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon warming all their hands – well, Emma was just being supportive, alright? – the duo began telling Emma about their little adventure together.

Emma was totally, completely, utterly glad she’d not needed to go to Arendelle.

Although both she and Killian had developed a soft spot for Christine during her stay at their home, they’d soon discovered a side effect of her curse. Apparently, although she didn’t feel the need of taking souls anymore, she still had powers, powers that reminded them all of Elsa’s. Her powers weren’t a problem, not at all, not when Emma was still mastering her own and it wasn’t like Christine was plotting the town’s demise.

For two weeks, though, they lived together, Emma teaching the young girl how to control her powers, definitely not trusting Regina enough to deal with a kid – who knows what she could’ve done to teach Christine how to control her magic when she’d basically pushed Emma down a cliff to teach her.

They were alright, and Emma would lie if she didn’t feel as if they were a family, playing games together and Christine and Henry went along so well though she was so shy with him at first, finally won over by his Author powers when he started to have her read his new stories before anyone else.

Alas, it didn’t last forever. When Elsa, Anna and Kristoff came visiting a few days before Christmas, Elsa immediately sensed Christine’s powers. Saying that the lass was enraptured by Elsa’s magic would be a euphemism, but pretty much everyone was, but the moment a little snowman named Olaf came into view, there was no going back.

Neither Killian or Emma didn’t pretend it didn’t hurt, because bloody hell it hurt, but they also knew it was for the best. Had it been up to them, they would’ve never let Christine go, but they also needed to respect their wishes. In fact, it had been the girl to ask Elsa if she could teach her; after all, Emma’s knowledge in magic was pretty limited and she knew just tiny bits about ice magic.

Elsa, being the good friend she was, had not overstepped Emma and Killian’s authority, asking if she could teach Christine how to master her powers. That had then led to a serious discussion with Christine, in which she told them she felt at home with them, but that she’d done too many bad things in her life that she felt as if she had to earn her happy ending. Of course they’d protested, but the young girl had lived probably as much as Killian, and was as stubborn as they were, giving them no other choice but letting her go with the promise of visiting as much as they could, promising her she was still part of their family.

Biting back a sigh, Emma placed two mugs of hot chocolate spiked with rum on the coffee table, joining Killian on the couch, his stare lost somewhere between himself and the wall. She sat on her bent knee, burying her hand into his silky black hair, her nail slightly scratching his scalp.

Killian closed his eyes, trying to relax under her ministrations yet his shoulders were stiff still. In the short time they’d spent together he’d become very attached to Christine, especially because their pasts were alike enough to form a strong bond.

«We’ll see her again,» she tried to comfort him, placing a kiss onto his shirt-clad shoulder.

He nodded his head, taking her hands in his and kissing her knuckles. «It just doesn’t diminish the emptiness,» Killian confessed against her skin, his stubble scratching it slightly.

«I know.» Resting her forehead against his cheek, his words made a lightbulb go off in Emma’s mind. It was still Christmas Eve, and she knew presents would be opened tomorrow – not that she’d opened many presents or had a family to which create new traditions until now – but this situation called for her present.

With a kiss on his cheek, Emma stood and rushed upstairs in their room, lifting the cloaking spell over the already-wrapped present. As she entered the living room once again, she noticed Killian hadn’t moved an inch. Yep, now it’s perfect, she thought, settling back next to him.

Her arrival caught his attention, making him turn towards her and lift an eyebrow. «I believed gifts were to be exchanged tomorrow.» The confusion in his tone was cute, making Emma smile, but she felt a note of anxiety: he too had not had a good Christmas in centuries, probably, and the fear of not doing something right haunted him.

Emma nodded. «Yes, but some exchange them on the Eve. But this isn’t it, I thought this would be the perfect time to give you my gift.» With a small smile, she offered him the box wrapped in blue paper, anchors – of course – decorating it.

Carefully balancing it on his knees, Killian unfolded the paper, a frown setting on his face as he moved his fingers, never once ripping the paper. Emma bit back a snort at that, smiling at the dorkiness of her husband.

She’d put the gifts in a box, all three visible the moment Killian lifted the lid. He stiffened at the sight of the bright red dreamcatcher, as predicted. «It’s not for what it’s been used before,» Emma reassured him, squeezing his arm. «Well, it still is needed to access your memories but… do you trust me?»

Killian turned towards her, a glint of anguish in his eyes. «Of course I trust you,» he told her, his voice strong and unwavering.

Smiling softly, Emma leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. «Close your eyes,» she ordered gently, taking the dreamcatcher with her left hand and placing her right on the photobook still in the box. «Now, I want you to think about your mother and brother, not a specific memory, just about them, let me do the rest.»

A smile bloomed on Killian’s face. «Ah, you want to be in charge?» he tried to joke, clearly uncomfortable when it came to memories and dreamcatchers, and understandably so.

Emma laughed lightly. «All you need, Jones, is a partner who knows what she’s doing. Now shush, let me work my magic.»

Both the dreamcatcher and the photobook started to glow, and soon images filled the dreamcatcher, memories Killian probably didn’t even remember clearly, memories of strawberry hair and homemade orange marmalade, of loving blue-green eyes and warm smiles, of bed-time stories and a lullaby sung to lull the young lads to sleep. More memories came, memories of two dark-haired children playing outside a little cosy cottage as a young redhaired woman watched over them, of the two brothers swordfighting with wooden sticks, of them playing on the beach, catching fishes or picking up shells or bringing starfishes back to the sea.

The memories turned sad, and Emma quickly moved past those, picking up when she saw two silhouettes walking among the remains of a shipwreck, the brothers now grown up and ready to continue their lives as heroes. Once again, happy memories turned sad, there was no more happiness to be found, not like the one she’d just experienced by reliving Killian’s memories, not until their meeting. That, however, wasn’t part of the gift.

Emma didn’t realize she’d started to cry until Killian wiped her tears away with his thumb, smiling at her with watery eyes. Mirroring his smile, Emma tapped her fingers onto the photobook, “Jones Family” written in cursive blue letters, anchors, buttercups, swans, ships and other things that represented them – she, Killian and Henry, too – doodled all over the cover. «Apparently, I could be the next Leonardo Da Vinci thanks to my magic.»

Killian chuckled, his fingers moving to open the album. His breath caught in his throat.

The first photo portrayed the beautiful woman she’d seen in Killian’s memories. She was utterly beautiful, strawberry curls and freckles all over her creamy skin, gentle eyes Emma could see on Killian’s face and had seen on Liam’s. Somehow, Alice Jones seemed regal, as if she was of royal blood, which was just a sensation, but there was something telling Emma she wasn’t too far from the truth.

«She’s beautiful,» Emma murmured.

«Aye, she was,» Killian confirmed, tracing with trembling fingers the photo. «She always smelled of oranges, and her voice was beautiful.» He turned the page, and more photos followed, photos of Alice with both Liam and Killian, of her as she prepared pies and read to them. «Sometimes she told us stories she’d read when we didn’t have the books, or she would make up stories.»

Emma smiled. «She sounds like the perfect mother.»

Killian hummed. «Perfect doesn’t quite cover it, my mum was everything for me and Liam, she loved us and tried to stay with us for as long as she could.» He breathed in a shaky breath. «I never thought I could see her again, not so perfectly, not when she left us when I was so young.» He looked her in the eyes. «Thank you, Emma, thank you so much for these, I can’t possibly express how much they mean to me.»

«Well,» she began, casting a glance at the item still in the box next to the photobook, «there’s one last gift for you.»

Frowning, Killian picked up the flask, Celtic knots decorating it. «Am I correct to assume there isn’t rum inside?»

«Yep. I actually had to ask an old acquaintance of ours for this. Merida is a just Queen, she bows her head to no one, and to be fair I feared she wouldn’t give it to me, but I think I’m growing on her.»

Killian chuckled fondly, pressing a kiss to Emma’s temple. He knew Emma had put the redhead Queen through a lot, but she regretted it and had made amends, hoping Merida would forgive her. Looking back down to the flask in his hand, he frowned, realization hitting him hard and taking his breath away as he understood the meaning behind Emma’s words. «Is this the ale of Seonaidh?» he asked in a murmur, not daring to hope.

The corners of Emma’s mouth curled up in a smile. «Oh yes, and, apparently, the curse did something good, so to speak, and while I couldn’t find Liam’s grave, though perhaps the sea might be our answer for that one, I did find one Alice Jones. She was barely twentyfive, according to the tombstone, but I gather she was young when you lost her.»

Dumbfounded, Killian could just stare at her, his mouth hanging open as his mind tried to process her words, unable of understanding how lucky he was to have someone so bloody brilliant like Emma in his life.

The more she stared at his expression, the more Emma felt about the burst. At last, she did, erupting in a giggle and bending forward to kiss him. He kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her as close to his body as his gifts allowed him. «You’re bloody brilliant, amazing,» he declared against her lips. «I love you.»

Her heart fluttered in her chest and her cheeks tinged red; it didn’t matter how many times he told her he loved her, it always made her feel as light as a feather and as if she could do everything. Love is strength indeed. «I love you too,» Emma said, resting her forehead against his.

After one last, sweet kiss, Emma stood, a playful smile on her face. «Now come, Captain,» she told him in her best commanding voice as she held out her hand out for him to take, «I cannot wait to finally meet my mother-in-law.»

A smile pulled at Killian’s lips. «As you wish.»

She hates him, she really does. He is her worst nightmare come true, she can’t describe it any other way. He is arrogant, selfish, sexy, attractive; well okay the last two aren’t relative to her current situation, but they are true. And worst of all, he is her  neighbor and the only chance to help salvage the christmas party.

But first, let’s go back to how her hatred came to be...

5 months ago

The first thing she notices when she wakes up is the loud music coming from outside. Actually, she notices it before she even wakes up, since it’s the reason why she has woken up. Ugh… she can’t even conjure up such complicated sentences before she’s had her coffee, especially today, because she’d only slept for 4 hours. Yesterday was Ruby’s birthday and they had imbibed enough in order to need a gallon of coffee before she can feel human again. That’s why she needs the noise to stop, like yesterday, even if yesterday she wasn’t drank—there she goes again with the complicated sentences.

She makes up her mind to investigate the source of the noise —it’s in her work title after all. Well kind of; detective and investigator aren’t the same thing. She puts on her robe over her pajamas, wears her slippers and walks out the front door. The scene that greets her is a tall, handsome and very sweaty man carrying a box out of a moving truck. The sexy man hasn’t seen her yet, and it’s a good thing because her lack of caffeine makes her drool (yeah, we will go with the lack of caffeine as the cause). After a moment, she hears another voice coming from inside the neighbor’s house.

“Killian, where do you want the couch?”

The sweaty man answers while disappearing into the house, “In front of the tv would be preferable,” and oh no, he has a british accent as well, like he wasn’t sexy enough.

Emma comes to her senses, and after she clears her throat (not that it’s dry from watching him lift the box, not at all) she calls out, “Excuse me, could you turn down the music, and the noise while you are at it?” And yes she knows it wasn’t the most polite thing to say to her new neighbor, but she really needs coffee to function.

The man puts the box he’s holding down and turns to her. That’s when she sees that his black hair is paired with a set of the most beautiful blue eyes she has ever seen. Not to mention a small amount of chest hair peeking out of his sweaty t-shirt (but she does mentioned it because it's worth being mentioned).

“My apologies, love, we didn’t mean to disturb your morning. We will try to keep the noise down,” he replies with a smile. Then he extends his hand while moving closer. “Killian Jones, your new neighbor,” he points to the man who is emerging from the house, “and this is my brother Liam.

“ Just keep it down,” she repeats, and is ready to go back inside.

“And who might you be? We should know each other, especially considering how close we will be,” he says with a wink.

Oh great! Her new sexy neighbor is a flirt, well of course he is, looking like that. “Emma Swan, and we really should not get to know each other,” she responds and finally goes into her house and slams the door shut, hoping she can now get on with her morning in peace. But as she gets out of the shower, she notices that the music hasn’t been turned down at all, only the opposite. It is louder!

Oh that means war, Killian Jones.

And that’s how it goes from there. She asks him to do one thing and he does the opposite instead. For example, she had asked him not to block her driveway with his car, since he also has one where he can park his car, but no, he keeps doing that so she has to call him each time she wants to leave or enter her driveway. Which is ridiculous, especially with her work hours being all over the place. Also, she’d asked him to keep his dog chained in his yard and then the cutest dog ever is basically camping in her yard. The worst of all was when he started leaving his trash bags near her door! The man is doing everything he can to get on her last nerve! With big success as well.

Emma isn’t being very friendly to be honest. She is stealing his newspaper regularly and leaves it used in his mailbox. Also, said mailbox isn’t very upright anymore, but that one was an accident; she had miscalculated the distance to her driveway by some meters...

So how can she depend on him to help her save her party? He really is her last hope.  

Emma gets a call from her sister in law in the morning, asking her in a cheerful, very Mary Margaret way if she needs to bring anything to the party, since Emma insisted on hosting it this year. She just knows she can do it, she could  for once be the organised one.

Emma has her own house and all this space, well okay maybe not a lot, but there is space. Also, her brother and sister in law always host the party, and Emma had wanted to do something for them, especially with how close Mary Margaret is to giving birth. Emma wanted to take this stress out of her hands. That's how she ended up hosting this year’s family party. Which includes more than family, really.

Mary Margaret  always invites her step-sister, Regina, and her family, which unfortunately for Emma, means Robin, her son, Henry, the cutest six year old, Roland, and Regina's sister, Zelena. Zelena is always so judgmental and critical, and Emma really doesn't want to fail this year.

Which she already has, considering it's the day of the party and she doesn't have anything planned. She is panicking, big time. It's wasn't her fault that her last case had her deep in the zone this past week. She only came home to sleep, so how could she possibly remember to plan a party?

She knows her sister in law, would be so happy to help her and wouldn't even mention it. But Emma doesn't want to let them down. Especially when they were there for her since David's mother adopted her at 16. Plus, she said she would do it and she damn well plans to. She is determined in that way. Some would call her stubborn, but thankfully those people aren't here now, but if they were, they would help her with the party, so that wouldn't be a very bad thing.

So that's why Emma decides to swallow her pride and knock on her neighbor's door hours before the party.

She is waiting, but she doesn't hear to any sound, which is especially weird for her loud neighbor. Oh no, maybe he isn't home. He could have gone to his brother's home for the holidays or his girlfriend’s, even though Emma is sure he doesn't have one. But what if he does? He could be there helping her instead of Emma, but she is certain his perfect girlfriend wouldn't wait until the last minute to plan a party. And now Emma is angry because of his imaginary girlfriend. Maybe she is even from Canada. Emma is really overthinking this.

In that moment, the front door opens to reveal a very sleepy and half dressed Killian Jones. His hair is a mess and his eyes half asleep. He looks so... perfect. She means because he is there, of course. Nothing more. Of course.

“Thank God, you are home,” she says with relief in her voice.

“Swan? What are you doing here? Why are you happy to see me?” He sounds so confused, which makes him even more adorable. Did she think he’s adorable? Well he is, but why did she think that?

I need your help, and I need it now.”

“I can certainly give it to you now, love” he flirts. “

“Come on Jones. I am serious, I have a very important situation and you are honestly the only one who can help me.”

“Of course, Emma. Tell me what do you need.”

“Come with me.” She looks at his form, his pajama pants hanging low at his hips, clears her throat and talks again. “Dress first and come with me.”

“Oh so this need of yours wants me clothed? That’s a shame,” he replies with a smirk, opens the door wider so she can come in and turns to go to his bedroom, probably, to dress.

Meanwhile, Emma is waiting in his living room looking around with a smile on her face — a fact she will definitely deny if asked about it. For the first time since she woke up, the day is finally looking up.

Killian can’t believe he woke up to his beautiful, fierce neighbor knocking at his door, and it wasn’t to tell him to move his damm car from her driveway. She really hates it when he does that, he thinks with a big smile on his face while he’s getting dressed to see what he can help her with. He is willing to do just about anything for her. Which is why he insists on blocking her car, so he can be sure she has returned home safely from work. He is already half in love with her, even if they only mess with each other’s minds half of the time. Okay, all the time. He just loves working her up.

He is very curious how he can help her. He was also so confused when she’d said he was her only hope. Okay, she didn’t tell him that, but he likes to be a bit more dramatic. He understood from the look on her face that she was very stressed out, so he flirted hoping to relax her a bit. He likes to think he can at least do that for her.

While they are walking next door, she asks him if he is working, and he answers that the Christmas break had begun last week. He is a history professor, so he gets two weeks off.

When they enter Emma's home, she shows him her living room and announces, “We need to make this Christmas-party-ready in 5 hours!”

“Come again, love?”

“I am hosting a party and I don't even have a tree.”

Killian looks around the room and noticed the lack of festive decorations and also the mess. “Tell me love, did a tornado hit the neighborhood that only affected your home?”

“Haha, you are hilarious, Jones. Now, will you help me?”

She looks so distraught right now in her pajamas and her hair in a messy ponytail, her green eyes pleading with him. Which makes him to want to  take her in his arms and kiss her, so she can relax. But what he can do is assure her he will help her. He only has to make a phone call, he thinks.

“Yes, love of course. So... do you have any decorations for this party of yours?” he asks tentatively.  

Emma is biting her lip, looking so nervous, and answers with a shake of her head.

“Alright then. We need to go to the store, luckily we have a bit of time. First, we should make a list with all the things we need,” he declares eagerly.

They start writing down all the necessary things, from decorations and gifts, to drinks and food. Based on their limited time, they decide to go easy on the food, they will have chips and dip, and essentially everything that will need maximum 15 minutes to prepare.

The trip took longer than they thought, being Christmas Eve and the stores were full with last minute shoppers. They return from their shopping spree with only two hours and 30 minutes left.

She immediately starts to place the decorations while Killian cleans the living room. After that, Emma goes to get ready while he prepares the food and drinks in the kitchen.

Only 15 minutes before the guests are due to arrive, Emma comes out of her bedroom dressed in a red dress and her hair in a high ponytail.

Killian has to blink twice when he first sees her. She looks magnificent, so very beautiful.

“Emma you look…”

“Christmas-party-ready?” she asked with a small smile, they way she says it sounds so hopeful and carefree, very different from this morning.

He chuckles “Aye, you are. But also very beautiful,” he can’t help but add.

“Thank you, Killian.” She speaks in the most sincere way he’s ever heard, “I mean for everything you did today. You didn't have to, especially since you hate me, but you were amazing, I couldn't have done it without you.”

“Of course, love. But just to make things clear, I definitely don't hate you, and you are amazing yourself,” he replies and takes a step near her.

She blushes and looks away for a moment. “I didn't even ask, did you had any plans for today? If not, you are definitely welcome to stay at the party. You did basically organize it after all.”

“Actually, he mutters and scratches behind his ear, I was invited to my brother's house for the holidays.”

Emm knows his brother is a 2 hours drive away, so he wouldn't make it in time even  if he leaves now.

“Oh, you should have told me so.” She feels awful she kept him away from his family.

“And leave a woman in distress alone? I would never do that to you, Swan,” he declares sincerely while touching her chin bringing her eyes to his.

“So you left your family for me on Christmas?”

“Aye,” he simply replies.

During their discussion they had grown very close and now they are only centimeters away. Emma leans closer to kiss him just as the doorbell rings.

She takes a step back and looks into his eyes. She sees something she would never expect from him — desire. He does hate her after all, right? She is doubting that more and more.

“So, will you stay at my party? I have some really good food choices.”

He laughs and agrees, “I will just go to my place to change in to something more appropriate and be right back.” He is looking down at the clothes he'd thrown on this morning.

“I will be here,” she says as the doorbell rings again.

The party was a huge success. Even if her brother looked at Killian once he came back with a pensive look, since he couldn’t understand why Killian was present at the family party. She doesn't have time to explain how they don't hate each other, but what could she say, “I totally forgot about the party, and Killian helped me save it at the last minute?” Yeah, no she wasn't going to do that.

But Mary Margaret has so happy about everything and Zelena only made one or two passive aggressive comments about her home. That is definitely what Emma considers a success.

A few hours later, after they had drinks and opened up the presents, she receives an emerald teardrop necklace which matches her eyes from Killian. This is so strange since he wasn't invited to the party in the first place. But hey, she isn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth, or at the silver necklace to be more precise. Killian helps her wear it and his hand lingers for a moment longer on her neck, this sends a shiver on the body and it has nothing to do with the weather.

Everyone stays for a little while after the clock strikes midnight because tomorrow it will be a very busy day, especially for those who have kids.

Killian stays until later to help clean up. He says it is only fair since he helped in the beginning.

“So,” he says awkwardly, while holding a garbage bag filled with all the trash from the presents, “I guess I should be leaving as well.”

“Yeah, you could do that,” Emma begins while taking a step closer to him, “Or you could not do that.”

Killian sets the trash bag on the floor and moves in front of her.

“What do you propose I do then?” he asks while placing his hands on her hips.

“Well you could kiss me,” Emma replies, dropping all pretenses that this isn't what she has been thinking about all night.

Killian closes the distance between them, and they both move closer so that their lips touch. They both go into that kiss with everything they have and stay connected until the need to breathe becomes a necessity.

Emma touches her forehead to his and whispers, “Merry Christmas, Killian.”

He smiles and answers  “Merry Christmas, Emma,” before he starts kissing her again.

The trash bag stay on the floor, along with their clothes until the next morning.

That was the first party they hosted together, the first of many actually. It becomes their new tradition to host it yearly, but they usually plan for it a few days prior.

The following year, Emma isn't so annoyed with her neighbor. Mrs Lynn is a very nice lady. Emma's roommate/boyfriend, on the other hand, has his moments.