#gfss

She was stunning that night, slipping through the crowd as she took photos, right in front of him, teasing him like a bloody siren. Her choice of attire did not help to calm his agitation, rather the opposite. She wore a tiny black top and black leather leggings, which, along with the heels she was also wearing, made her legs look slender. Her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, enhanced her features, making her even more desirable. A bloody siren.

He couldn’t take his gaze away from her. His eyes watched all her movements through the room and she seemed fully aware of his scrutiny, or maybe he imagined things, but the truth was that her suggestive movements were driving him crazy, especially when thinking that a little later they would have to share the stage.

His lips curled into a smile at the thought of their next performance together, his mind bringing to his memory the moment he unveiled the mystery and informed her of the song they would sing on Saturday.

He hoped he had made the right decision. After this kind of impromptu and then failed date the night before, Killian was going to meet Emma early in The Kraken to begin rehearsals for their upcoming performance. As he waited, his mind relived, again and again, some of the moments experienced the night before.

Emma had come to the restaurant with the same bloody dress of two months ago when they met by chance in that bar. Killian suspected that she was aware of the effect her attire had on him, yet he did his best to hold her gaze and keep his eyes from straying a little lower. ‘Bloody hell’. The sole image of her impressive neckline was enough to make his blood run hot in his veins.

Something different was happening between them. It was such a subtle change that Killian still couldn’t identify its meaning, but from that day on he confessed his feelings due in part to Belle's betrayal, it was as his attraction to Emma had multiplied. He felt freer now that he didn’t have to hide in front of his brother's eyes. The hope that his feelings might have reciprocated became more and more intense, as Emma was closer than ever, more affectionate, more tempting. Maybe it was only a matter of time. Or maybe it was just his imagination and Emma still saw him as just a friend.

The temptation to choose a romantic song as an instrument to express his feelings had been strong. After the experience with ‘Because The Night’, the idea of following the pattern his brother had started was quite attractive. He had even created a list of possible candidate songs. But this time he couldn’t use his brother as an excuse as to the choice of the song. This time the weight of the choice fell entirely upon him. Maybe he was exposing himself too much. Maybe she got the message and that pushed her away, raising her walls again.

No, he couldn’t take the risk, not now that her walls were so low that the line between friendship and something else was so faint. He would choose a fresh, positive theme that would at least allow them to have fun on stage.

Killian grabbed his guitar and began to play the first notes while clearing his voice and trying to adjust the tone to the song. Just then the front door of the room opened, Emma appearing there in all her splendor.

Emma Swan was not a morning person. Killian was aware of it shortly after meeting her for the first time, a day when they had to take inventory in The Kraken at a time when ‘it should be forbidden to get out of bed’. —Her words—  Her complaints and sulky expression softened only when she had ingested a sufficient dose of caffeine. This time it was not going to be any different, of course. Her features were still marked by sleep, her eyes slightly swollen and her lips pursed in an adorable pout.

She grunted something like "morning," and dropped into one of the bar stools, burying her head in her folded arms on the counter. Killian couldn’t help but smile as he set the guitar on the stage and moved behind the bar. He pulled out the cup of coffee-to-go he had previously bought and offered it to her in silence as he gave her a gentle squeeze on her arm to get her attention.

Emma raised her head enough for her eyes to detect the cup. "I'm still blaming you, coffee is not enough." She pointed him with an accusatory finger, but grabbed the cup and brought it to her lips, her throat emitting the most delicious sounds as a sign of appreciation for the hot liquid.

A few minutes later, Emma seemed to have recovered enough. A small wrinkle still remained on her forehead but she straightened her back and at last, she focused her gaze on him.

"I need a reminder. At what point did this one-time thing become something else?" Her tone still had a harsh hue, but though her words were meant to be a reproach, her voice seemed to hide some amusement with the whole situation.

"Since we use it as a business strategy, maybe? Or because you and I had a good time up there?" He offered, pointing toward the stage. Then he leaned over the counter, invading her personal space. "Or perhaps because it's the perfect excuse to spend time with some devilishly handsome guy?"

Emma rolled her eyes, a slight blush staining her cheeks. "We already spend all our time together, I do not need any excuse." The fact that she had not denied the devilishly handsome thing didn’t go unnoticed by him, pulling up the corner of his lips into a wide smirk.

"Shall we start the rehearsals now that the caffeine has taken effect?"

Emma let out a puff of air through a loud sigh. "Okay, if it has to be... Can you just tell me which song we are going to sing?"

Killian cleared his throat as he gave her a mischievous look. Then, he just hummed.

“Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time

I feel aliiiiive”

"Seriously?"

“And the world I'll turn it inside out - yeah

And floating around in ecstasy”

"You're serious, aren’t you? You want me to sing ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’? Why?" Her expression showed some surprise as if she were expecting a different song style. Her voice had a slight tinge of disappointment, though the cause wouldn’t have to be that she wanted a romantic song, right?

Killian stepped out from behind the bar and approached her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as he pulled her to her feet. "Because it is funny."

"It's funny." She parroted his words as she tilted her head slightly, seeking his gaze, her eyebrow raised in question. "There's something else, right?"

"Well, I've prepared a musical base that can fit well with our voices. Besides, there's another surprise, I'm going to play the piano at the beginning."

"Really?" Her eyes widened in surprise as her lips curled into a pleased smile. "That's a good reason."

They walked together toward the stage. He went up first and offered her his hand. "Shall we begin then?"

“Killian! you start in five minutes.”

Liam's voice coming from the other side of the bar brought him back to reality. He looked in his direction and nodded. His brother was serving at the other end while chatting animatedly with Elsa. She had recovered from her illness and had come to see Emma perform.

Emma's friend spent a lot of time with them lately, even she had come up with a plan for the next day that included the four of them. Killian paused for a moment to observe them. The two of them were totally focused on each other as they chatted as if they were sharing something confidential. Killian wondered if maybe something was coming up between them. He also reminded himself that he would have to ask Emma about it.

He shook his head. He would have time for that later. Now he had to focus on his performance. He went into the back room to pick up his guitar and tune the chords before starting. When he came out, he headed toward the stage. The pre-performance adrenaline run through his veins, his muscles tensed in anticipation.

Emma was already waiting for him in her usual spot, on one side of the stage, a wide smile of encouragement drawn on her face. If things were different he could kiss her senseless before climbing the stage. For now, though, he could only settle for a tight embrace. Their bodies united for a few seconds while he buried his face in the crook of her neck and inhaled her intoxicant scent. He had become accustomed to these hugs as a prelude to his performance. It was as if the contact with her body gave him the necessary energy to give the best of himself up the stage.

Before pulling away, she gave him a soft kiss on his cheek as she lightly squeezed his arm. He, in turn, took two deep breaths and smiled back as he nodded. He was prepared. Emma held up the camera as she told him. "Don’t think I’m taking my eyes off you for a second."

"I would despair if you did, love. I'll see you in a while up there." He winked at her before walking to the center of the stage where Liam was already announcing the performance.

As the public began to clap and cheer, Liam stepped aside as he patted his shoulder. Killian turned, looking for the sound engineer, and nodded subtly. His heart pounded against his rib cage as the music began to sound, wrapping the entire room. He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them, his gaze sought Emma. There she was, in the middle of the crowd, right in front of the stage, camera in hand. She smiled at him as she nodded. That was all he needed. His fingers slid over the strings of the guitar, generating the first chords as his vocal cords began to vibrate. And the magic appeared in the form of a melody.

For the next minutes, he devoted himself to the music. He let it flow through his body, as the public accompanied him enthusiastically, chanting the songs and cheering him with applause and whistles. Despite being focused on music, he kept track of Emma's movements. She, in turn, kept taking pictures of the crowd, but above all, of him. He couldn’t wait to have her by his side. Although he would never recognize it, Liam's idea of Emma singing with him had been brilliant, on all levels.

He continued to sing a couple more songs, moving around the stage and encouraging the audience to sing along with him. Tonight there was something in the atmosphere that made him feel more exhilarated than on previous occasions. He let himself go and enjoyed the most of the moment. After one last song in which he gave everything of himself, the moment to share the stage finally came.

The last musical notes still echoed in the room when he grabbed the microphone with both hands and set out to introduce Emma.

"Thank you all, you are the best!" He shrieked, his breathing trying to normalize after the previous effort. "We still have one last performance as a colophon for this special night. I ask for the loudest of the applause to welcome a great and talented person, a good co-worker, and the best friend that anyone can have. I present to you all, Emma Swan!"

She was ravishing tonight, he thought as he watched her step onto the stage. He was going to have a very hard time concentrating while Emma looked at him this way, so intense and suggestive. Her lips curved into a smile he wanted to erase with his own lips on hers. But he was a professional first, so before the music sounded, he gave her a brief hug as he handed the microphone to her. He could feel she was nervous, this was new to her, after all. In an attempt to reassure her and before he took his place on the piano, he whispered in her ear, "remember the rehearsals, love, let yourself go, everything will turn out well." He squeezed her arm slightly, Emma nodding with a small smile. Then he walked back to the piano, trying to pull himself together.

Once more, he closed his eyes for a second, put his hands on the keys and after two deep breaths, began to sing.

Their performance was everything he had imagined and more. Killian was especially inspired with the piano that night even though he hadn’t played the instrument for some time. That night, though, his fingers slid over the keys as if they had a life of their own. His voice sounded totally tuned, filling with Emma's to perfection.

Perhaps her presence was what inspired him to give the best of himself. She was a goddess on stage. Maybe it was his partial vision because of his feelings for her, but the truth was that she was a natural there. Once the initial nerves were over, she got into the performance, encouraging the crowd to sing with them. She jumped, and gestured towards him, as in the part of ‘give me a call’ in which she simulated she was holding a phone while holding his gaze. He was surprised that he could be so attuned to such distraction in front of him.

When the performance ended, his heart was beating frantically against his chest, his body was sweating but he was all plentiful, the discharge of adrenaline had had its effect. That was why he couldn’t resist the temptation and pulled Emma towards him, wrapping her in a tight embrace she responded to with the same enthusiasm, to his satisfaction. After a few seconds, they separated a little, but they held their arms around each other's waists. The public was still roaring and cheering around them, so they thanked them with a bow as they waved their hands.

Before leaving the stage, though, Emma had something prepared. She grabbed the microphone again, addressing the audience. Her voice was still slightly breathless after her performance.

"Thank you very much to everyone for joining us tonight, and we hope to see you again next week in a new session of 'Saturdays in concert.' Remember, you can visit our website and leave your comments there. And you can also say what song you would like us to sing together next time.Thank you!" Emma applauded the audience, getting well deserved new cheers. Killian was impressed with this brilliant woman. She not only was able to shine on top of a stage but had the ability to seize the opportunity to boost their business. His admiration for her grew at times.

The ovation of the crowd accompanied them on their way to the bar, where Liam and Elsa were waiting for them. His heart swelled in his chest as he saw the proud smile his brother was wearing. Liam's approval represented the world to him, after all he had done for him in recent years.

"Very well done guys." Elsa greeted them with an amused smile. "You two make a great team up there."

"You don’t have to thank me for having this great idea," Liam added, waving his hand in front of them.

Emma snorted at his side at Liam's words and he was about to reply, but then he realized that Elsa had looked away as her lips curled into a thinly concealed smile. He followed her gaze, checking that what Elsa was watching was his hand and Emma's, which remained entwined since they left the stage.

That didn’t seem to matter to her since she made no attempt to free her hand, so he ventured, giving her a slight squeeze, while his thumb brushed her palm. Far from pushing her away, she turned her gaze to him, her lips drawing a small smile, matching his own. He then looked at his brother, who was giving him a penetrating look that contained a special glow. He could also notice that Liam nodded almost imperceptibly. It was as if he were telling him, without needing to express it aloud, that he was following the right path on his journey to win Emma's heart.

Two hours later all the customers had already left The Kraken with the exception of Elsa, who had even helped them clean up after closing. They were now sitting at the bar sharing shots to celebrate another successful night. It was nice to share these moments of camaraderie with the most important people in his life. The addition of Elsa to the small group was an incentive, as it had been like a burst of fresh air, giving them the opportunity to carry on new experiences.

And that was what they were talking about in that moment, about the new idea Elsa had offered them as a plan to hang out together. The idea of going ice-skating to an outdoor artificial ice rink that worked during the winter hadn’t seemed too attractive at first. Killian had barely skated previously and felt a bit clumsy in that aspect. But little by little, he began to see the advantages of the plan. Since both he and Emma seemed to have the same level of clumsiness, perhaps they would have to hold each other to avoid falling to the ground. Yes, it was definitely not a bad idea. Not at all.

"I'm not sure I like that plan." Emma, sat next to him, didn’t seem so convinced. "I mean, it's freezing outside, and I don't want to fall on the ice, just thinking about it makes me shiver." She groaned as she crossed her arms and rubbed them with her both hands as if she wanted to warm herself up. Her lips pursed in a pout that meant to show annoyance but which Killian found adorable.

"Oh, come on, Emma, we'll have a good time, you just get soaked up. Exercise will make you warm up soon." Elsa encouraged her.

"Well, guys, I don't know about you, but I'm starving. What do you say if we close and go to the restaurant next door? You're coming with us, aren't you, Elsa?" Killian raised an eyebrow at hearing his brother refer to Elsa directly. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but all this looked promising.

That's how they ended up at a twenty-four-hour open restaurant eating pizza at two in the morning. They chose a booth away from the entrance, Elsa and Liam sitting together, while Emma was at his side, in front of them. Sleep seemed to have abandoned them all despite the hour, no one was in a hurry to go to bed. Instead, they chatted nonchalantly about any subject that went through their heads, making the half-empty premises fill with their voices and laughter.

At some point, Killian put his arm around Emma's shoulders as she placed her hand on his thigh, close to his knee. It was an innocent gesture, just a display of affection between two close friends. He was aware, though, that the image they gave to the rest of the people was quite different. Anyone who saw them that way could think of them as a couple. But as long as he could maintain that confidence and closeness with Emma, he couldn’t care less what people might think about it.

What he had with Emma now was so precious that he was not going to risk losing it by acting hastily. He had the impression that Emma could feel for him more than a simple friendship, especially if he compared it to her relationship with Liam, the other person closest to her. However, her fear of ending with her heart broken again kept her paralyzed.

But he was a patient man. And these new opportunities offered by both her brother and Elsa were bringing them closer. For that reason, the plan to go skating was so attractive. It was the perfect excuse to maintain the physical contact between them, something to which he found more and more difficult to resist himself.

Perhaps if he added an incentive to the experience, it would improve even more. The corners of his lips rose slightly as an idea settled on his head. "What do you think, guys, if we make a bet?"

The three of them looked at him, with the same expression of strangeness on their faces. Once he got their attention, he continued. "The first to fall to the ground tomorrow will have to pay a round of drinks to the others."

Elsa smirked. "I like that idea. I know that no matter what happens, I'm going to get free drinks tomorrow."

Liam, though, didn’t seem so convinced. "We are not especially skilled in this matter. I don’t get the point, it is very likely that the first thing that happens as soon as any of us step on the ice is that we fall."

"You know I like a challenge, brother. What do you say, Swan? Are you aiming to get this idiot to buy us some drinks?" As he spoke, he held his arm even more tightly around her shoulders, drawing her closer to him.

"Yeah, we're going to beat you, Liam."

"Hey, that's not fair. This is supposed to be an individual competition and you two have already allied against me." Liam grumbled, frowning as he pointed to both of them.

"Don’t complain, you have an expert to help you stand up. You're going to help my clumsy brother, aren't you, Elsa?" Killian cocked his head slightly, his teasing words disguised in an innocent tone.

Elsa's cheeks flushed furiously, raising Killian's suspicions that something between them could come up. He was glad if that happened. Liam had been so focused on taking care of him in the first place and then running the business and trying to keep it afloat that he had barely had time for himself. Elsa was perfect for him, sweet and calm but with great determination. Maybe they just needed a little push…

Liam's sigh brought him back to reality. He seemed to have resigned himself because then he held up his beer. "Okay, do we have a deal?"

Everyone toasted as a way to close the deal. The friendly talk still went on for a while. Killian hoped the next day's plan would bring them at least as good a time as they had experienced today.

It was a cold, Sunday morning. Killian adjusted the beanie he wore to protect himself from the cold and rubbed his hands together in an attempt to warm himself. He could feel his fingers almost frozen despite the protection of his gloves. The idea of ice-skating was no longer so appealing to him, especially as the cold filtered through his bones as he waited for the lasses. They were late.

"There they are, at last." His brother gave him a nudge to catch his attention as he pointed to them.

Bloody hell. Emma was impressive on that Sunday morning. She wore a beanie, her golden hair falling in curls and framing her features. Her cheeks had a rosy hue, her bright eyes and her gleaming smile were enough to warm both his body and his heart.

The two brothers greeted the two friends with kisses on their cheeks. After a brief chat, they all approached the skating rink and slipped on their skates. The moment his feet came into contact with the ground, he had to cling to the railing to avoid falling. Bloody hell, this was going to be more complicated than it seemed at first. How on earth would he stand on only two blades on that slippery rink?

Killian looked around, both Liam and Emma had the same problem to keep their balance. Emma's expression even showed a little panic. Fortunately, Elsa soon came to their rescue. Since she was the expert on the subject, she stood before them, prepared to give them a little lesson. Elsa taught them the basic notions, showing infinite patience to their endless questions and reassuring all their fears. Killian listened attentively, feeling somehow like one of the children Elsa taught to skate. He was willing to absorb everything she could offer him if that would help him stay up long enough not to be the first to fall.

"Okay guys, so far the theory. Now let's start practicing slowly. You two look at our movements," Elsa said to the two brothers. Though her words held their usual soft tone, she imprinted a touch of firmness in her voice. "Emma, come with me."

"What? Why me?" Emma cringed a bit at his side, her panicked expression became more evident.

"Come on, don’t be afraid. I won’t let you down." Her soft, reassuring voice seemed to have an effect on Emma. When Elsa held out her hand to her, she seemed hesitant at first, but then grabbed her friend's hand firmly.

That's my girl, he thought with pride. The two women moved in front of them, Emma emulating Elsa's movements as she tried to keep her balance. The addition of Emma to this kind of masterclass was an incentive, no doubt, since he could observe her carefully without being embarrassed by it. Once Elsa made sure that the three of them had assimilated the basics it was time to move to the next level. She offered Emma her hand again. "Now let's skate a bit through the skating rink. Slowly, just so you can gain confidence, okay?"

Emma nodded hesitantly but gripped Elsa's hand firmly. Both began to move away with slow movements at first, Elsa holding Emma's hand as she did her best to move without falling.

Slowly, Emma was gaining confidence in her movement, printing a little more speed as she slid down the rink. Killian couldn’t take his eyes off her, following her every move. He felt bewitched by her rosy cheeks both from the exercise as from the cold of the surroundings, by her hair dancing in the wind as she moved. And by her smile, hesitant at first, but that was widening as her confidence increased. She was a goddess and she seemed to perform a show just for him. At least it was what he deduced when from time to time she was looking at him, her gaze so intense that it could take his breath away.

"Close your mouth little brother." His brother's voice filled with amusement brought him out of his reverie.

He finally turned his gaze from Emma and fixed it on Liam's as he mumbled. "I don’t know about you, but I'm trying to learn not to be the first to fall. The bet is still up, older brother." His lips curled into a smirk as his eyebrow rose defiantly.

Liam snorted at his side but didn’t reply to him. They both continued to stare at the ladies in silence. In a few minutes, the two lasses skated in their direction, both of them clearly excited as they approached.

Maybe it was the speed or maybe Emma still didn’t control the skates at all. The case was that she rushed directly at him with so much momentum that Killian had to hold her with one hand and cling to the railing with the other to avoid both ended on the ground.

"Easy, Swan. You don’t want us to lose the bloody bet before we start playing."

"Whoa, it's been incredible." Emma made no attempt to move away from him, to Killian's satisfaction. It was a delightful to see her with that level of emotion, she almost vibrated in his arms.

"Okay, next level." After catching her breath, Elsa continued. "Since Emma is no longer a beginner, I'm going to take Liam now, while you, Killian, let her guide you. Remember, guys, it's important to keep our balance point, don't hold your weight on the other, use your joined hands as support to keep your balance. And don't be afraid, let yourself go and have fun!”

Killian had to admit that he had some respect for the ice. He had always preferred water in its liquid state and found it much less dangerous to sail in a rough sea than to slip on the damn slippery ice. But he liked a challenge. He had set a clear goal, that he and Emma would stand for longer than Liam. And, if to beat his brother he had to skate, so be it.

"What do you say, love? Do we show these two what we can do together?" As he spoke, he offered her his hand and she took it with determination and a smile drawn on her face.

"Sure, let's go."

Emma grabbed his hand and they began to move, moving away from the safety offered by the railing. It was much more difficult than he imagined, he had to make great efforts to avoid falling to the ground. Still, having Emma by his side was an incentive as she managed to convey the confidence he needed to keep moving.

They began to move faster, the grip on the ice felt firmer, and Emma's support helped keep his balance. Once overcoming his initial fears, Killian found himself enjoying the experience more than he imagined at first.

The initial cold he felt was gone. The mixture of exercise and seeing Emma with that carefree, happy expression as she gripped his hand while occasionally smirking confidently, was enough to warm him.

Killian reached for his brother and found him a few steps ahead of them as he tried, and almost failed, to keep his balance. Despite Elsa's help, Liam didn’t seem to be having a particularly good time. He moved up and down his free hand, unable to control his body on the skates. Killian's lips curled into a smirk. It was only a matter of time before Liam fell to the ice.

After a few minutes, the self-confidence he felt was such that he dared to let go of Emma for a few seconds. She wanted to take a picture —how not?—, so she let go of his hand while looking for her phone and skated away a few steps to get a better angle. After taking a couple of photos, she came up to him again, with somewhat hesitant movements as Killian reached out and pulled her to him. He held her in his arms as they regained their balance. When they had already gained stability, Emma held up her phone to take a couple of selfies of the two of them together, immortalizing in this way the great moment they were experiencing.

"It's my turn now, Swan. Hold on there for a moment." Killian felt the need to keep a picture of Emma for the memory. He skated slowly, moving away from her, took his phone out of his pocket and took a few photos, capturing the image of Emma all excited, vibrant and joyful.

Just as he began to approach her again, something happened that froze his heart and paralyzed him completely. Killian watched in horror as a damn reckless guy swooped over Emma at full speed, causing her to fall to the floor, her head and shoulder slamming into the icy surface.

"Emma!" A gasp escaped his throat as he staggered, suddenly feeling the damn skates as an obstacle to reaching her. When he finally got to where Emma lay on the ground, Killian knelt, his gaze traveling frantically over her face to determine her condition. "Emma, love, are you alright?" He didn’t bother to hide the worry in his voice. It was at that moment that he discovered she was bleeding through an open wound just above her left eyebrow.

Emma looked confused, but fortunately, she hadn’t lost consciousness. She tried to sit up, but at that moment a wince of pain crossed her face as she reached for her left arm. "Shit, my shoulder hurts like hell."

"You think you can get up, love? You're going to get frozen on that bloody ice." Killian realized that it was hard for Emma to fix her gaze, so his worry grew, his heart caught in his throat as he struggled against the laces of her skates, his trembling fingers refusing to cooperate.

Liam and Elsa arrived at that moment, Elsa knelt at his side, with concern marked on her face. "What happened?" Without waiting for an answer, she continued. "We have to get her out of here, her clothes are soaking in the ice. Liam, can you help us?"

When Killian looked up at his brother, his gaze met the damn asshole that had caused all that. He was a little away talking to a group of people, totally oblivious to what he himself had caused, laughing and having a good time. The sight of the unconcerned dude in contrast to Emma's pitiful situation was too much for him.

A sudden rage seized him, clouding his reason. "I'm going to kill that asshole." He mumbled as he sat up abruptly, arms on both sides of his body, his hands curled into fists and his jaw clenched. He felt an urgent need to discharge all his fury and worry in the form of a punch in the face of that guy with the aim of erasing his stupid grin.

Just as he was moving toward the guy, something slowed him. His brother seemed to see his intentions, because he reached him in an instant, his firm grip on his arm preventing his advance and causing him to turn. "Hey, Killian, look at me."

Killian forced himself to take two deep breaths, trying to calm his inner agitation. Reluctant at first, he finally looked at his brother. When Liam seemed sure of getting his attention, he began to speak in a slow voice. "Believe me, brother, I'm the first one who wants to go for the guy who's harmed Emma, but we have a priority. She needs you now."

Emma's mention was all he needed to come to reason again. He took a deep breath once more, trying to slow his racing heart, letting his fury fade away. Killian nodded then and knelt, taking his place beside Emma.

He searched her gaze for any hint of her condition. She looked back at him, but her eyes had lost all of their previous vivacity. "Emma, let's get you up, do you think you can walk?" She nodded in silence, the corner of her lip raised slightly in an attempt of a tiny smile.

Killian's heart broke when he saw her in that state. A few minutes earlier she was full of life and now she was barely able to stay conscious. It was as if the fall had drained all her energy. Although his inner rage still persisted, he tried to put all his efforts into ensuring her well-being.

They managed to get her off the rink and reached a nearby bench. Emma had started to shiver, so he didn’t hesitate and took off his coat to put it over her shoulders while rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm her up.

Elsa was trying to plug the wound over her eyebrow, but this one was still bleeding and from the grimace on her face it looked like her shoulder was still aching. They had to take her to the hospital.

He searched her gaze again. "Emma, love, we're going to take you to ER, so they can check your shoulder and head, okay?"

She nodded again and finally spoke, her voice coming out in barely a murmur through a small smile. "It seems that I lost the challenge and it’s my turn to buy you all a round of drinks."

A wave of affection swept over him, and an almost irrepressible desire to take her in his arms. He felt unable to hide his feelings and at that moment he could not care less.

Elsa and Emma were taking too long. Liam and he had been waiting for what seemed like hours in the waiting room of the hospital. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn’t even realize he was wiggling his leg up and down until Liam laid his hand on his knee.

"Calm down, Killian, they will come out at any moment."

He tried, he really did, but as time passed without news of Emma, he was getting more and more nervous. The fury that seemed to have diluted before, was now coming back with more force. He wasn’t only angry with the asshole who had hurt Emma, but also with himself. I should not have let go of her hand. That thought kept repeating itself over and over in his head, making him feel more and more guilty about what had happened. And if that were not enough, another even more frustrating thought threatened to drain the little composure he still had. It should be me who was accompanying her inside.

But Elsa was her emergency contact and also her roommate so it was right if she was the one beside her at the moment. After all, he was just a friend, he repeated to himself bitterly.

Bloody hell… He stood up, unable to stand still any longer and began pacing up and down. He felt like a caged animal, while impotence crawled over him, finding himself unable to do anything to help Emma.

To make matters worse, his ghosts of the past, those who were buried in the most hidden corner of his memories, threatened to emerge to the surface, bringing back to his mind the reminder of one of his most heartbreaking experiences.

"It's going to be okay, Killian. It's just been a heavy hit." Killian had been so focused on his own miseries that he hadn’t realized that his brother had also risen, getting in his way.

Liam searched his gaze as he laid his hand on his shoulder, giving him an affectionate squeeze. "I know what you're thinking, brother." Liam addressed him in a slow voice, as he always did when he tried to calm him down. "Emma will be fine."

That was all Killian needed. His brother had always acted as a lifeline to which he could cling to the hard times. And this time it was not going to be less. The confidence that denoted both his words and his eyes were enough to make him calm down. He felt his muscles relax instantly at the touch of his brother as he nodded, his lips drawing the ghost of a smile.

"I know it's frustrating, you feel helpless and you want to be in there with her. But Emma is in good hands, Killian."

"I know ... but she's always so strong, and yet after the fall, she seemed so fragile..." He trailed off, hating the vulnerability his voice displayed, but he couldn’t help feeling a strong instinct for protection towards Emma.

Liam was about to reply when something caught their attention on the other side of the hall. They both turned in the direction of the sound, and, finally, Killian let out the breath he had been holding as the two lasses appeared.

Elsa was holding a weak Emma. Her face was pale, a large dressing covered the wound over her eyebrow and her left arm was in a sling. Killian clenched his jaw, the previous rage threatening to appear again at the thought of the guy who had brought them to this situation.

The moment Emma noticed him, though, she seemed to gather all her strength, since she threw herself into his arms suddenly, clinging to his body as she buried her face against his chest. After his initial shock at the unexpectedness of her movement, he held her in his arms, holding her tightly as his hand gently caressed her back up and down.

Killian searched for Elsa's gaze, encouraging her to explain with a nod.

"She's got a little concussion, nothing serious, apparently, but the doctor has recommended that someone take care of her for the next twenty-four hours. I'll have to wake her up every two or three hours to make sure everything's okay."

“And what about her shoulder?” Liam asked.

"She got a bad bruise, but fortunately there is no rupture or dislocation, she will only have to wear the sling a couple of days. The doctor has administered her some pain relievers."

"I'm fine." Emma mumbled against his shirt. She turned her head a little looking for Liam. "But I'm afraid today you'll have to work without me at the bar." Emma was dragging her words, a sign that the painkillers were working.

He couldn’t help it and held her even more tightly in his arms, careful not to damage her shoulder any further. She didn’t seem to mind him, on the contrary, as she curled up against him. Killian was aware that Elsa would be in charge of taking care of Emma during the night. After all, they lived together and he had other obligations. Still, that didn’t stop him from feeling powerless and frustrated because he couldn’t do anything else for her. Perhaps for that reason, their embrace persisted a little longer, both reluctant to abandon each other's arms.

"Well, I don’t know about you, but I'm already tired of this hospital. Shall we go so that this lass can rest?" As he spoke, Liam gave him an apologetic look.

They walked silently down the hospital corridors, Killian holding Emma by her waist. When they reached the area where their cars were parked it was also time to say goodbye.

Emma seemed reluctant to leave the shelter in his arms. After a few seconds of hesitation, though, she pulled away a little as she gave him a shy smile, matching her gaze.

"I'll call you in a little while, okay? Take the time to rest, Swan." She nodded. Though her smile still lingered, she looked exhausted. Both the hit and the drugs were taking their toll. In a rush of tenderness, he cupped her face with both hands and laid a soft kiss on her forehead, before gently pushing her and helping her into Elsa's vehicle as Liam kept the door open.

Killian helped her to fasten her seatbelt and when he looked at her again, her eyes were closed. With a sigh of resignation, he closed the door gently and turned to Elsa.

"If you notice that she gets worse or needs anything, just call me and I'll be there." Killian paused for a moment. Maybe he was exposing himself too much. After all, Elsa didn’t know his true feelings towards Emma, but after the last events It was difficult to control his emotions. "And thanks for taking care of her, truly."

"Sure, it's the least I can do. And don’t worry, she'll be fine." Her quiet voice and reassuring words had their effect on Killian. He returned her a smile of gratitude. "By the way, I'm afraid of the moment when I have to wake her up in the middle of the night. We all know how bad she feels when she has to wake up early."

"Well, if she yells, growls, or lets out curses, you'll know she's on the right track in her recovery." Liam joked, getting a little giggle out of them and thus releasing some of the tension that reigned over them after Emma's accident.

After the brief distended moment, Killian continued. "I'll replace you tomorrow morning, so you can continue with your routine activities."

Before stepping into the car, Elsa glanced at Liam with a strange expression on her face, perhaps apologetic? He could not identify it. His brother, in response, nodded almost imperceptibly, but that didn’t go unnoticed by him. Killian narrowed his eyes, watching the two of them more closely, what was going on here? He would have time to appreciate it later, during the endless hours at The Kraken without Emma's company.

Elsa got finally into her car after one last look at them. In a few seconds, the vehicle drove away until it was out of sight, leaving Killian alone with a tight heart filled with helplessness and a still lingering worry. He sighed heavily as he ran his hand over his face. It was going to be a very long night without Emma at his side.

Liam

Liam brought the cup of coffee to his lips, lost in thought as he waited for Elsa. They would meet for breakfast in a cafe and take the opportunity to talk about their failed plan. Once again. Killian had left home early after having slept, or at least tried, just a couple of hours after returning from the bar.

A few minutes later the cafe door opened and Elsa appeared. She looked around until she met his gaze, sending him a small smile. There was no doubt that the night had been hard for her as she had to watch over Emma's sleep. Her tired expression and swollen eyes were a good sign of it. Yet, the lack of sleep and enduring Emma's moodiness hadn’t succeeded in diminishing the serenity her features always conveyed.

Liam welcomed her with a soft kiss on her cheek, a habitual act lately, as their relationship became closer by having to work as allies with a common cause. She dropped into the seat in front of him, making a signal to the waitress. Elsa's love of coffee was something she shared with her roommate. Emma couldn’t function properly if she didn’t get her adequate dose of caffeine, and neither did Elsa.

"You look exhausted. It's been a long night, I guess."

"Yeah," she sighed. "Emma can sometimes be too stubborn and she hasn’t taken it well to have to wake up in the middle of the night on several occasions."

Liam gave her a knowing smile. Of course, he knew Emma's stubborn side and her badass attitude, in contrast to the soft side she'd only occasionally revealed, especially when Killian was involved.

"Well, that's a good sign, isn’t it?" The image of a fragile Emma in his brother’s arms was something that had affected them all. "That means she's back to herself.”

"Indeed." Elsa giggled. "You should have seen the way she received your brother this morning. She was sulking like that —I don't need a nanny—." Elsa mimicked Emma's sullen voice.

"That's my girl." Liam answered, unable to avoid a hint of pride in his voice. Both the strength and bravery that characterized Emma were admirable. "Let me guess, my brother sure did return some comment to the height, right?"

"Oh, of course. He put on that characteristic gesture of his, you know, his eyebrow naughty arched and that wide smirk while he answered something like that, — well, love, technically I'm not your nanny, but your nurse.—” This time Elsa imitated both Killian's voice and his expression, causing Liam to break into laughter at such a good performance. "Emma didn’t take it well, of course, and she threw one of those glares at him. Fortunately, it didn't go beyond that and when I went back to the living room to say goodbye before leaving, I found them like this."

Elsa grabbed her phone, searching for something, then showed it to him. It was a picture of Killian and Emma, the two of them deep asleep on the couch curled up in each other's arms.

His lips curled into a wide smile of satisfaction. "It looks like our plan wasn’t so failed, after all, was it?"

"Yeah, did you see how they clung to each other in the hospital? It was as if  they had forgotten to hide their feelings. It´s a shame they are both so terrified that they don’t dare to take the next step.”

They spent the next few minutes talking about Emma and Killian, about their obvious approach, about how it became increasingly difficult for them to hide their feelings.

They talked about the Saturday concert in which the chemistry between them was explosive or at the good time they had on Sunday while they skated until the accident happened.

While talking about skating, an image jumped into Liam's mind, Elsa's showing all her skill on skates. He had been greatly impressed not only by her skill and the elegance of her movements but also by her great patience as she taught them and her tenacity to avoid letting him fall.

"You were magnificent yesterday, by the way. You're very talented, Elsa." They had already dedicated a lot of time to the couple of lovers, there was never a bad time for a real conversation between them. And a compliment was the first thing he found to carry it out. "You looked like a professional on the ice rink."

Elsa's cheeks dyed a soft pink hue as she turned her gaze to the mug in front of her. "Well, in fact, I was a professional skater for a while."

Liam's eyes widened in surprise. He had no knowledge of that information and suddenly found himself wanting to know more about Elsa's past. "It's not that I have anything against teaching children to skate, but is there any reason why you stopped competing?"

Elsa didn’t answer at once. Her thoughtful expression seemed to suggest that she was remembering old memories. When she spoke, her eyes had a special glow.

"Our aunt Ingrid died when Anna was too young to fend for herself. She was sixteen and I was nineteen, so leaving her alone for long periods of time while I was competing didn’t seem plausible to me at the time. We had lost too much in our lives, I couldn’t leave her alone."

A wave of tenderness came over him as he listened to her confession. He felt totally identified with her story since he himself had experienced something similar with his brother.

"That's commendable of you, Elsa."

"Well, you did something like that for your brother, so I guess you'll know how it feels."

Yes, of course he knew. He knew what it meant to take care of his brother when he himself was still too young. He knew what it meant to give up his dream of starting a military career at the naval school. But there was something he was clear about. He would do the same thing over and over if he got the almost full life that both Killian and himself were enjoying now. A business of his own, good friends, a stable life and his loyal brother always by his side, having overcome all obstacles that life had put before them.

His admiration for Elsa grew at times when he remembered that she hadn’t only taken care of Anna but, from the moment she met Emma, she had also decided to take care of her somehow. Although Emma and Anna had gone to the same university, the two blondes had connected much more, creating a very strong bond between them.

They talked for a few more minutes sharing experiences from their hardest years. The level of understanding between them was high having passed both by similar situations. Liam found himself very comfortable talking to Elsa. It was as if he had discovered someone with whom he could share all his fears and all his worries. He knew in advance that she wasn’t going to judge him because she herself would also be reflected in him.

Time passed without realizing it, they were so caught up in the conversation. Their respective coffees lay abandoned on the table, turned into a cold and brown undrinkable liquid.

Suddenly, Elsa's phone, placed on the table, began to vibrate, thus breaking their conversation. It was then that she realized the time it was. "Oh, God, I'm late!" An expression of disappointment crossed her face. "I still have to go and make some arrangements before lessons start." Elsa seemed to hesitate for a moment but then continued. "Are we moving forward with our plan?"

"Sure, but no risky sports this time, thank you very much." He joked, getting from her an adorable smile. "We're not going to give up, I have the feeling that Killian is almost there. He nearly lost his temper with everything that happened yesterday, I'm sure he just needs a little more push."

"Emma, however, is more closed to the idea, you know, but I know she finds it increasingly difficult to hide her feelings."

An idea had begun to form in his mind and he had a suspicion that things would be better this time. What could fail? "How about a quiet movie evening in my apartment? You could invite Anna and Kristoff to cover us up.”

Elsa seemed to like the idea, since, after assessing it for a few seconds, she arched a brow playfully. "Uhm, a movie night, it sounds good, and since Killian likes a challenge, how about we organize some kind of competition?"

"Something like guessing movies?"

"Yes, I know, it's a silly game and we're supposed to be responsible adults, but it would be fun, and of course, they would go on the same team."

"You're brilliant, Elsa, did you know that?"

She smiled sheepishly, staring at him through her eyelashes, in a gesture that Liam was beginning to find perhaps too attractive for her own good. She held out her hand. "So we have a new plan?"

Liam took her hand, feeling her touch warm and firm. He also felt a spark of electricity running through his body with something he didn’t dare identify.

A few minutes later Elsa had left the cafe, he was still sitting there, her warm touch still lingering on his skin. He shook his head as he let out a sigh and tried to gather his feelings. Even if he tried, it was impossible to ignore the fact that he had begun to feel something he hadn’t experienced for a long, long time. He didn’t know whether to feel hopeful or terrified. Maybe a mix of both feelings was the best choice right now. But he had one thing clear. He was more than willing to continue sharing these moments with Elsa.

“Fuck!” Emma cried again.

Mary Margaret was growing concerned. It sounded like Emma was having some trouble with something. Not that Emma didn’t have a tendency for profanity, but she hardly thought an invitation warranted such a response. Emma cried out again, and now she getting very concerned for her friend.

“Emma?” She called, testing the doorknob to see if it was locked. It wasn’t. “Emma, is everything alright? I’m coming in.”

With that, she opened the door and walked in, fully expecting to find Emma in some dire state and in need of immediate help. What she found instead a very naked Emma, straddling a very naked Killian, who appeared to be handcuffed to the headboard.

“Oh, my goodness!” She exclaimed, which caused Emma to turn and when she saw her friend standing quickly climbed off Killian, throwing the bedclothes over him and grabbing the nearest thing she could find, which appeared to be Killian’s t-shirt.

“Mary Margaret! What the hell are you doing here? Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?” Emma cried.

“I’m sorry,” Mary Margaret covered her eyes with her hand and quickly began backing out of the room. “I heard you cry out and I thought you were in trouble. I had no idea that… I’ll just… I’ll just go now.”

She quickly left the bedroom, grabbed her purse on the way out of the apartment and ran straight across the hall to Killian and Belle’s apartment, banging on the door. She had to tell someone what she’d just seen or she would never believe it. Even having seen it with her own eyes. Not that it was something she wanted to see, but…

The door opened, and a surprised Belle was standing there. “Mary Margaret, hi” she greeted. “What are you doing here?”

“Can I come in, please?” She asked. “You will never believe what I just walked in on at Emma’s apartment.”

Belle stepped back and opened the door to let her inside. “I have a feeling I probably do, but please come in.”

Mary Margaret stepped inside the apartment and was surprised to see Ruby was here too. “Ruby! Oh, good you’re here too. I’m not sure what I just walked in on, but you probably shouldn’t go back to your apartment for a while.”

“Yeah, I know,” Ruby replied, rolling her eyes. “I’ve been hiding over here for at least an hour. They were going at when I got home and I couldn’t take it any more.”

“Wait,” Mary Margaret looked at her friend, her brows furrowed, “you knew Emma and Killian were sleeping together?”

“We’ve known for a while,” Belle answered, joining the other women in the living room. “But they swore us to secrecy so we couldn’t tell you.”

“But, when… how?” Mary Margaret was at loss for words, but she wouldn’t have been able to finish her thought anyway because there was another knock on the door. Belle went to answer and this time it was, now mostly dressed, Emma and Killian. Emma rushed over to her.

“Mary Margaret, I’m so sorry. Please don’t be mad,” Emma begged her friend.

“Why would I be mad?” Mary Margaret asked as she smiled at Emma. “I mean, I wish you’d told me, but I’m so happy for you.” She opened her arms and as Emma stepped into her she gave her a big hug.

“Well only didn’t tell you because we know how bad you are at keeping secrets,” Emma replied.

“I can too keep secrets!” Mary Margaret exclaimed. But it obvious no one agreed with her, as they were all looking at her skeptically. “What? I can.”

“Mary Margaret, love,” Killian said, taking one of her hands, “we adore you. But you can’t keep a secret to save your life.”

“Yeah, remember that time Thomas wanted to propose to Ashley and you let it slip to her that he was taking her to Disney World to propose in front of the castle?” Ruby reminded her.

“And there was that time Aurora just found out she was pregnant and she had it all planned out to tell Phillip, but you accidently let it slip at Thanksgiving dinner,” Belle chimed in.

“Well, I can’t help it,” Mary Margaret replied, feeling sheepish. “Both of those things were very big news and I didn’t know Ashley, or Philip, were in the room when I said it.”

“It’s okay,” Emma assured her. “It’s not that we didn’t want to tell you.”

“It’s just that I didn’t want to end up in the brig when he finds out,” Killian smiled at her.

Mary Margaret brushed him off. “Oh, that’s ridiculous,” she said. “He may be sheriff, but he isn’t going to lock up his best friend for dating his sister.”

“Wanna bet?” Emma asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Alright,” Mary Margaret sighed. “I promise I won’t tell David, but keeping this a secret when we’re all in one house for Christmas is going to be hard.”

“What do you mean?” Belle asked. “Why would we all be in one house?”

“Because David and I wanted to invite everyone to come stay with us,” Mary Margaret told them, passing out the invitations she’d brought with her. “We thought it would be nice to spend our first Christmas in our new house with everyone.”

“Are you sure?” Ruby asked. “I mean, you guys are still newlyweds, don’t you want to… I don’t know, be alone?”

“We’re alone all the time,” Mary Margaret assured her friend. “Please, we’d love to have you all.”

“Alright,” Emma agreed. “But only if you swear you won’t say anything to David about us.”

“I promise,” Mary Margaret swore.

Christmas passed with the usual festive activities, and Mary Margaret had out done herself with dinner and dessert. (Minus the apple pie of course, because of Mary Margaret had some issue with apples that stemmed from an incident with her Stepmother she refused to speak of.) But from the moment they had walked into the house, keeping their relationship undercover hadn’t been easy. It seemed that everyone was determined to put them in a situation where they were together, and Emma was sure that any second David was going to catch on to what was happening. Belle was doing better than anyone, but Ruby kept making dirty jokes when she thought it was just the two of them listening, and Mary Margaret was clearly itching to spill the beans, but thus far all her attempts had been thwarted by the others. The most obvious was her offering Killian and Emma the bedrooms with the Jack and Jill bathroom, in case they ‘decided they wanted to share.’

Yes, things were definitely going smoothly. That was, until they almost didn’t.

Emma and the girls were heading out for a night of gossip and fruity drinks before she, Belle and Ruby headed back to the city the following day. Which was going to leave Killian and David to fend for themselves for the evening.

“Are you sure you guys will be okay?” Mary Margaret asked as she picked up her purse from the coffee table.

“We’ll be fine, sweetheart,” David assured her, placing a kiss on the top of her head. “You girls have a good time, and if you need a ride home just call.”

“Thanks, dear,” she smile at her husband and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Come on girls.”

“Stay out of trouble, Swan,” Killian told Emma as she began to follow the girls out of the room.

“Where would the fun in that be?” Emma teased, giving him a wink. “Don’t let David drive you too crazy.”

“I’ll give him some run,” Killian grinned at her. “It’ll loosen his tight arse up a bit.” And then, without even thinking, because by now it had practically become a habit, Killian leaned in to give Emma a quick good-bye kiss, only realizing as he pulled back what had just happened. They both froze in place, and Emma could feel everyone’s eyes on them. Oh, shit.

“Did you just kiss Emma?” David asked, a look of utter confusion on his face.

“Umm...yes,” Killian replied unsteadily. “It uh, was just a…”

“Oh, they were standing under mistletoe,” Belle jumped in, pointing at the ceiling above them, which by some magical power there was actually a strand of the flower hanging over their heads. Mary Margaret had thought it would be cute to hang it above nearly every door frame in the house. “And now I’m standing under it, so I guess it’s mine turn.” She smiled and reached up to give Killian a quick peck on the lips. “See?”

“Hey,” Ruby said,sauntering over to Killian. “If we’re sharing kisses, I want in.” She leaned in and gave him a kiss as well.

“Right,” David replied, and Emma wasn’t sure he entirely believed that’s what had happened, but he also couldn’t argue against it either. She mouthed a quick ‘thank you’ to her friends for their quick thinking.

“Would you like a peck too, Dave?” Killian teased. “I mean, as long as I’m standing here.”

David made a face. “No thanks,  I’m good. You girls have fun.”

Before anything else awkward could happen, the girls made a hasty exit, shutting the front door behind them.

“Thanks for that Belle,” Emma said as they headed down the front path to Mary Margaret’s car. “How did you think of the mistletoe that fast?”

“Luckily, you did happen to be standing right underneath it,” Belle smiled at her friend. “Just please don’t make me kiss Killian again. He’s a nice guy, but it’s kind of weird.”

“I owe you one,” Emma promised her.

“I don’t know,” Ruby piped in. “I think Emma’s a lucky girl. Even from one little peck I could tell he’s a good kisser, I might have to find an excuse to get some more of that.”

“Oh, Ruby,” Mary Margaret sighed. “What would Dorothy say if she knew you were kissing one of your best friends? You do remember Dorothy, your girlfriend?”

“Of course I do,” Ruby replied, looking slightly offended at the implication that she would have possibly forgotten such a thing. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t take advantage of an opportunity when one presents itself.”

“Right,” Emma replied, rolling her eyes. “Well, it was a one time thing, and Killian is mine. So, you’ll just have to find something else to keep you entertained till we get back to New York.”

Reaching the car, they climbed in and headed to the small and quaint downtown that was Storybrooke to engage in as much fun as the tiny town would allow them.

A few weeks later, everyone was back at home and things had mostly returned to normal. Killian and Emma were splitting their time between each other’s apartments and somehow, it seemed that Mary Margaret had kept David blissfully unaware of what was going on between. Killian had spoken with David on the phone several times since the holiday and he hadn’t let on at all that knew what was happening. David was coming to the city for a visit though, as he was attending a Law Enforcement convention or something, and he was going to stay with Killian and Belle for a few days, which meant that he and Emma would have to keep the platonic act up again for a while.

This, of course, meant that they were making the most of their time together and had spent the morning engaging in some pleasurable activities. With Dave not expected to arrive until early in the evening, Belle had gone out to the grocery store to get something to cook the boys for dinner, and Emma was in the shower while Killian was working on straightening the apartment for his friends arrival. Unexpectedly, there was a knock on the door, and when Killian answered it he got quite a surprise.

“Dave!” He exclaimed. “What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you for a few more hours?”

“I got in earlier than I thought I would,” Dave smiled, seemingly unaware that his friend wasn’t entirely happy to see him. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Uh, yeah,” Killian replied, reaching up to scratch behind his ear. He only hoped that Emma stayed in the bathroom long enough he could get Dave out of the apartment before he found her there. “Come on in. Put your stuff down and we can go grab an early lunch or something.”

“Actually, I kind of had a late breakfast,” Dave replied as he stepped into the apartment. “But, we can go out if you want. I’ll just put this in the spare bedroom, yeah?” He asked, gesturing to his bag.

“Aye, mate,” Killian nodded and smiled. This was good. Everything would be fine. They’d head out and be gone before Emma was finished. He’d just send her a text to tell her what happened and she could move her stuff out of his apartment before they got back.

Dave returned to the living room a short time later. “I was going to freshen up a bit, but I guess Belle’s in the shower?” He asked.

However, at just that moment the front door opened and in walked Belle, arms full of grocery bags. “Oh, hi, David,” she greeted. “We weren’t expecting you till later.”

Killian did his best to hide his grimace. Damnit, Belle had the worst timing. Or maybe David did. But either way, this was not going to end well. He could feel it.

“Yeah,” David replied, clearly looking a bit confused. “The trip down didn’t take me as long as I thought it would.” He turned to Killian. “So, if Belle’s now in the shower, then...Killian Jones, did you have girl over last night?” He grinned, ready to tease his best friend about not coming cleaning about his apparent overnight guest who hadn’t left yet.

“Well, not exactly, mate,” Killian replied, scratching the back of his ear again, his cheeks flushing. “You see-”

Before he could attempt to explain what was going on, Emma stepped out the bathroom wrapped only in a towel, her hair piled in a sloppy bun on top of her head. “Hey, Killian do you know where-”

“Emma!” David exclaimed, cutting her off. Killian could feel the heat in his cheeks rise as he realized they’d been found out. Emma seemed to have completely frozen in place, just standing in the door frame, clutching her towel. David seemed equally as frozen in shock and there was a long beat before he turned to Killian. “Are you sleeping with my sister?”

Killian winced a little. This was not going to go well. “Aye, but you see-” He began, trying to explain.

“My best friend and my sister!” David shouted, placing his hands on his hips in what Emma referred to as David’s Sheriff mode.

“David,” Emma jumped in, crossing the room to stand next to Killian while still clinging to her towel. “We can explain. It’s not-”

“My best friend and my sister!” He repeated again, clearly not having the explanations they were trying to give him. “How long has this been going on? And who else knows?”

Emma, Killian and Belle all shared an awkward glance, unsure if they really ought to answer that question. But apparently their look said it all because David turned on Belle. “You knew?” He asked her, and she just nodded. “Do Ruby and Mary Margaret know?”

“Yes,” Emma answered sheepishly. “We were going to tell you it’s just-”

“Just what?” David asked. “You thought it was okay that the two of you started dating and didn’t tell me! My best friend and my sister!”

“Mate, look it just kind of happened,” Killian said, attempting to calm his friend down again. “We didn’t tell you right away because we knew that you’d get upset. I understand how protective you are of Emma, but-”

“You’re damn right I’m protective,” David jumped in. “I’m her brother and I saw what happened when Neal broke her heart. I don’t want her getting hurt again.”

Emma sighed. “I appreciate that,” she said. “But Killian isn’t Neal, you know that as well as I do. Besides, I’m a lot older now and I think I can handle myself.”

Killian placed a calming hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You needn’t worry, mate,” he told him, looking him in the eye. “I don’t intend to hurt Emma, I love her and-” He paused, feeling his heart race as he realized that he’d just said that outloud. To her brother, and he hadn’t said it Emma yet. Blood hell, that’s not how he wanted to tell her.

“You love me?” Asked Emma, her voiced filled with awe.

Killian turned to face her, giving a guilty smile, and scratching behind his ear. “Aye, love,” he answered. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment we met, but this isn’t how I’d planned to tell you. I-”

He didn’t get to finish though, because Emma practically leaped at him, throwing her arms around him, and planting her lips firmly against his for a good long minute before she pulled back, looking at him with a grin on her face. “I love you, too.”

“Well, mate,” Killian said, turning to David with a grin, “I suppose you can’t be too upset with us now, eh?”

David was quiet a moment before his face lit up with the biggest grin Killian had ever seen from the man, and the suddenly he and Emma found themselves being embraced in a bear hug. “My Best Friend and my Sister!” David claimed. “You guys, this makes me so happy.”

“Well, this is nice,” Belle jumped in after a moment of awkwardness. “But, maybe we should let Emma get dressed and then we can all go out and celebrate.”

David let go of them and took a step back. “Oh, right,” he blushed. “Sorry. But Belle’s right, we should celebrate.”

“Sounds good to me,” Emma replied, placing a kiss on Killian’s cheek. “I’ll be quick.”

Once Emma was dressed the four of them headed to one of their favorite lunch spots in the city. Killian couldn’t have been happier that David finding out how gone over so well. And that Emma had opened her heart to him was even more amazing, as he knew how much she’d been hurt in the past. But now he has his best friend and his love by his side, and everything was just as it should be.

He cranes his head upward to glimpse the clock on her nightstand.  “Nearly eight,” he grunts.

Emma manages a deep yawn. “‘Kay.”  She hums reluctantly.  “We should probably get up soon if we want brunch ready by the time people start showing up.”

He buries his nose in her hair and breathes deep.  “Aye. Pancakes or french toast?”

She snorts.  “Like I’ll ever be able to eat french toast in front of my dad again.”**  

Killian laughs and nuzzles the back of her neck playfully.  “Very well.  Pancakes it is then.”

The sun is shining radiantly through the kitchen window when they make it downstairs, the whole world outside their home seeming to glow a little between the morning light and the reflective blanket of white snow on the ground.  Emma decides to set the hearth crackling merrily for ambiance and turn her Christmas music on while Killian gets the coffee going.  Working side by side, they succeed in prepping a large breakfast casserole and have started in on their second cup of coffee apiece by the time Henry comes thundering down the stairs in his sleep clothes, his face bright.

“Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, Kid,” Emma calls, shooting him a broad smile over her shoulder.

Killian salutes with his coffee mug.  “Merry Christmas, Henry.”

The boy comes to investigate the food situation.  “When do we eat?”

Emma chuckles and slides the casserole into the oven.  “Really? Your first Christmas, and you’re still more interested in food than presents?”

Henry shrugs, reaching into a cabinet for a glass.  “Stomach wants what the stomach wants, Mom,” he sighs cheerfully.

“Uh-huh.”  She shakes her head, her mouth curled into a grin as she rolls her eyes and sets an egg timer ticking softly.  “Well, grab a banana and tell your stomach we eat when everyone gets here in thirty.”  She holds the timer up for emphasis before setting it down on the counter.

Henry pours himself some juice and chuckles, setting the carton down just in time to catch the banana Killian tosses him against his chest.  “Fine.  Presents then,” he agrees.

They gather around the tree, taking Emma’s lead as she settles herself cross-legged on the floor. The exchange and opening of presents doesn’t take too long given the small size of their family, but, having never really experienced mass gift-giving like this before, Killian soaks up every moment with as much, if not more enthusiasm than Henry.  His face goes slack with delight when he sees the cordless sander Henry got him to help refinish and replace boards aboard the Jolly, but it’s the boy’s look of gratification at having made him happy that really makes Killian’s heart swell.

When he unwraps Emma’s gift, shaking the colorful paper loose from the tip of his hook, Killian cocks his head and studies the pictures on the side of the heavy, glossy cardboard box with a blank smile.  “What is it?”

Emma grins and rotates the box so the front faces him.  “It’s a portable telescope,” she explains, tapping a finger on the image of a happy-looking father and his daughter using what is presumably the device in question to look at the night sky.  “We can use it to do some real stargazing out on the Jolly next summer.”

An enormous smile spreads across Killian’s face, and he curls his fingers around her chin and pulls her in for a quick kiss.  “I’d like nothing better, Swan.”

Henry gets a couple of video games he’s been coveting and some of his favorite movies in DVD disc sets. He holds up the one small package that remains and gives it an experimental shake.  “What’s this?”  He makes short work of the wrapping and pulls the gleaming silver object out of its decorative wood case, its chain dangling to one side.

“It’s a bosun’s whistle,” Killian says.  “You run the Jolly’s decks for me now, lad, and I know we don’t have much of a crew at present, but it’s traditional for every bosun to have a command whistle such as this.”

“Yes, Sir.”  Henry blinks in awe and runs his thumb several times across the words that are cleanly engraved in the metal:

Henry D. Mills

The Jolly Roger

He beams proudly.  “Thanks.”

Emma opens her gift last, one large box from both himself and Henry, and nervousness begins to swirl in the pit of Killian’s stomach like a tempest as she digs into it and pulls items forth one by one.  There’s her favorite scented bubble bath and lotion, more pairs of wooly socks, a new beanie, a gift certificate for the Three Bears Spa, and Henry’s homemade babysitting IOUs.  She responds to each of these with predictable pleasure, but it’s when she spies the piece of paper at the bottom of the box and a curious wrinkle appears on her brow that Killian’s breath stalls in his chest.

“What’s this?” she asks, reaching in and pulling out the drawing.  It’s a detailed sketch of a swan curving her neck around to rest her head upon the large feathers of a downward outstretched wing.  A scroll in her beak reads “Emma.”

Killian clears his throat. “Um, if you like it, love, it’s going to be my new tattoo,” he explains shyly, scratching behind his ear.  He gestures with his hook at the length of his right arm from just above his existing ink up to his shoulder.

She looks up at him, staring like a stunned doe, her eyebrows peaking in the middle of her forehead. “You… you want to get a new tattoo?”

“If you don’t object,” he says, nodding and smiling softly.  “It’s just… So much of my life has changed.  I have you and Henry and the baby and all of this now,” he explains, waving his hand at their home, “And this,” he taps his current tattoo with his hook, “this is part of my past, but it doesn’t reflect the man I am anymore.” He meets her shining gaze.  “Or what gives me strength.”

His heart leaps at the way Emma’s eyes well up, relief and joy surging within him when she flings herself into his arms.  Killian chuckles richly as they sway, stroking her hair while she sniffles into his shoulder. “Is that a yes then?” he asks.

She pulls back, arms still encircling his neck, and nods, flushed and tear-stained and slightly rumpled and unspeakably gorgeous.

“This is pretty cool,” Henry comments, examining the paper.  “Hey Mom, can I get a tattoo?”

Emma looks at her son, a smirk peeking through her watery smile.  “I’m not the only mom you have to ask, you know,” she points out.

Henry’s face falls.

“Tell you what, lad,” Killian offers, grinning and smoothing his hand down Emma’s back as she wriggles around to sit side-by-side with him, “When you and your True Love have lost and found each other half a dozen times like everyone else in your family, perhaps your mothers will be more understanding.”

Henry rolls his eyes and huffs wryly.  “Right.”

Emma’s parents arrive with Neal shortly thereafter, Regina on their heels.  Per what has become their usual arrangement, David takes over the kitchen as head pancake chef, and Killian, Emma, and then Henry each take the opportunity to run upstairs for a succession of quick showers before everyone sits down to brunch.  Cutlery clinks against plates, dishes are passed back and forth, and the conversation meanders between pleasant murmurs and bubbly laughter.

Everyone is admiring Henry’s new whistle when David’s and Emma’s phones suddenly ring simultaneously at a little after eleven.  Six pairs of eyes swap knowing, wary looks while father and daughter check their screens.

“Leroy,” Emma breathes, glancing at David.

“Granny.”

They jump up and retreat to opposite corners of the kitchen like boxers on a break while Killian and the others try to listen in on both conversations.

“Leroy, slow down,” Emma urges, holding her phone an inch away from her ear and wincing, fingers bracing her temple with exasperation, the dwarf’s indistinguishable but panicked bellows audible to everyone in the room through the tiny phone speaker.

In the other corner, David frowns, turning away from them, phone over one ear and his free hand covering the other.  “Did you just say the dogs are all barking?”

Regina lifts an eyebrow and sighs heavily, wiping her mouth with her napkin.  “Well, the peace was nice while it lasted,” she comments glibly.

Snow nods, finishing her drink.

David hangs up first and turns back toward them, resting his hands on the back of his chair, his features perturbed.  “Granny says something seems to be bothering all the dogs in town.  She can hear them barking everywhere.”

“Leroy and the other dwarves swear the ground is shaking down near the harbor,” Emma adds grimly, smoothing a hand over her belly.  

“You guys go,” Snow tells them, looking around.  “I’ll clean up here and catch up with you after I take Neal down to the fairies.”  She smiles as David leans down and deposits a quick kiss on her lips and the car keys in her hand.

Everyone is in motion then. Killian hands Emma her coat and hat before reaching for his own, David zips up, and Henry winds his scarf hastily around his neck.  Regina tugs on her leather gloves and is the first to head out the door, followed by David and Henry.  Killian and Emma bring up the rear, his brace at the small of her back and his hand snatching up his sheathed sword and sword belt from the umbrella stand by the door.

They emerge into the cold December day, their steps echoing softly over the porch floorboards.

“Sorry to interrupt Christmas, Kid,” Emma says apologetically.

Henry glances over his shoulder, the corner of his mouth tugging upward.  “It’s okay ,” he puffs cheerfully, pausing and turning toward her. “Christmas is a time for family traditions, and this is kinda ours.”

Emma's face lights with pleasant surprise at his words, and she shares an amused look with Killian, who smirks devilishly as he finishes securing his belt.  

“He’s right, Swan,” he says. “What’s Christmas in Storybrooke without a little adventure?”

“Hey,” Regina yells at them from where she stands down below in the yard with David.  “You three coming?”

“Steady on,” he huffed, eyes following the green acrylic as Emma slid it subtly towards herself. “No need to injure a man over a pullover, love. I’m sure you can find one equally as hideous elsewhere.”

Ignoring the unexpected jolt of attraction she felt at the soft cadence of his accent, Emma tangled her fingers in the sleeve of the sweater, staking her claim unequivocally, and raised her eyes defiantly to his. Dark hair framed a pair of stupidly blue eyes, one eyebrow quirked up in question as he stared back. There was the briefest moment when Emma was sure he had heard the tiny catch in her breath as she took in the soft curl of his lip and the dark scruff that covered his jaw - a tiny second of regret that she had come across him here in broad daylight and not in a dive bar late one night where the options for proceeding were far more varied.

But Emma Swan was Emma Swan - and meet-cutes were decidedly NOT a thing she did.

“Yeah, well, possession is nine-tenths, buddy,” she snapped, reeling in the sweater and stuffing it under her arm. “So looks like you’ll be the one looking elsewhere.” She paused, all but daring him to respond. “And I’m not your love.”

Before he could utter another word, she turned on her heels and made for the register, all but throwing five dollars at the unsuspecting cashier in her haste to escape.

~~~**~~~

The near radioactive gleam of Christmas lights left no doubt as to where the evening’s festivities would be taking place. Emma hesitated as she reached to press the doorbell, unsure she wanted to hear which Christmas standard was set to be butchered by the chimes this year. Sighing, she pressed the button.

Good King Wenceslas, it seemed.

She supposed she should be grateful that David answered the door promptly, despite his loud snort of amusement as he greeted her.

“Classy, Em, even for you,” he said as he ushered her inside, taking her coat and hanging it behind the door. “I especially like the way not one of those patterns match.”

She smiled knowingly at David, picking an imaginary fleck of the checkerboard section of her top. “As you should know by now, David,” she replied, “It’s not about matching. It’s about the…” Emma faltered, distracted momentarily by a sudden memory of just how she had come to own this particular item.

“The all-encompassing consumer machine that is holiday festivities?” her brother finished with a grin.

Saved by her own cover story, she thought. “Exactly.”

Following David into the living room, Emma looked around at the assembled crowd. After several years, the actual ugly sweater part of this annual gathering had lost some momentum - in no small part, she suspected to her own loud rants on the futility of the subject - but there were still one or two guests in various degrees of festive finery. Before she could make a frank assessment of just how superior her own sweater was to all the others in attendance, she was enveloped in her sister-in-law’s arms.

“Emma!” Snow cried as she hugged her as tightly as her heavily pregnant belly would allow. She leaned back, taking in Emma’s outfit and giggling, straightening the white collar. “You’ve done it again,” she chuckled, “I think this is the best one yet. And not a natural fibre to be seen I imagine?”

Emma shook her head, unable to keep the hint of pride out of her eyes.

Snow narrowed her eyes at Emma. “For all your anti statements, I sometimes think you secretly love these hideous things,” she said suspiciously. Emma stood her ground, her face neutral as her sister-in-law studied her closely for several minutes. It was a close won battle of wills, but eventually Snow turned away, though with no less suspicion in her eyes.

Somehow her innate hostess sense always won the day - a fact on which Emma relied quite regularly.

“You need a drink,” she said, looking back at Emma over her shoulder as she weaved through the guests, acknowledging this one and that with a look or a soft touch on the arm or shoulder. Emma followed silently, smiling at the odd familiar face, but with none of the social grace of her sister-in-law. As they reached the kitchen, Snow called to her husband. “David! Have you got a drink for Emma?

“Sure thing, honey,” he replied, his smile soft as he met his wife’s eyes. “Let me just get this beer for Killian.” It would be nauseating, Emma thought, if they weren’t so damned perfect about it, but it was times like these her adopted status came sharply into focus. David’s capacity to love and be loved was in stark contrast to her own “love ‘em and leave ‘em” approach to life.

But she was not allowed to ponder her inadequacies for long.

“Oh yes,  Emma,” Snow gushed, her violet eyes twinkling ominously. “We have to introduce you to Killian.”

“You really don’t…” Emma started, but to no avail. Snow had already grasped her by the elbow and maneuvered her towards the end of the counter, with barely a chance to take the beer David thrust at her. Whoever Killian was, he was slouched at the end of the island bench, his back to Emma and Snow as they approached, his form-fitting black jeans enough of a distraction to keep Emma from disappearing into the crowd when Snow wasn’t looking.

He was clearly another of the Christmas sweater set, the bright green of his top unmistakeable for clothing of any other kind despite the way it pulled tight across the breadth of his shoulders - not that Emma noticed - a fact that was confirmed as Snow called his name and the buck-toothed reindeer head that adorned the front came into view.

Emma’s immediate thought was that she finally had some competition...until her eyes scanned up to meet his and her thinking went suddenly somewhere very different.

“Emma Swan, meet Storybrooke Elementary’s newest staff member, Killian Jones,” Snow chirped, clearly so certain some kind of rainbow magic true love flash was about to wash over them she failed to notice the colour drain from Emma’s face.

Or the smirk on Killian’s.

“Ah, but Emma and I have already had the pleasure,” he said smoothly, his eyes never leaving Emma’s face. “And I must say, love, your tactics may have been underhanded, but the whole effect -” he waved a hand at her sweater - “it’s nothing short of spectacular.”

No amount of sheer will could force down the red flush that Emma could feel creeping up her neck as she tried to look anywhere but at her two current companions. She wasn’t sure which was worse - Killian’s amused smile or the curious yet decidedly smug grin on Snow’s face.  

“Well I’m not sure what we’re talking about,” Snow chuckled, “but it sounds like you two have some catching up to do, so I’ll leave you to it. Bye.” She was gone with a twinkle of her fingers and an air of smug self-satisfaction, leaving Emma to stand gaping at the newcomer.

If he had been attractive in the harsh fluorescent lighting of the thrift store, he was quite something else among the twinkly lights and Christmas decorations of Snow and David’s apartment, despite the huge cartoonish reindeer taking up residence on his chest. Flecks of ginger in his beard caught the soft light and his blue eyes sparkled mischievously, giving Emma little doubt he was completely aware of the effect he was having on her.

“Still not your love,” she managed to respond, the harsh edge to her voice a futile attempt to deny the very real urge to launch herself at him; an urge lessened not at all by the way his tongue swept his top lip as he watched her.

And then, unexpectedly, he changed the subject; the heat in his gaze melting into something very different. Something relaxed and open and somehow far more frightening than blown pupils and quickened breaths.

“Well, Swan,” he said, with an easy smile that Emma couldn’t help but return, despite her unease at this sudden change in the temperature of their encounter. “It’s fortuitous you won our battle, it appears. I’d failed to notice that fetching collar and I have some doubt as to whether I could have carried that look off.”

This was new; this casual charm that made Emma feel comfortable and confused all at once. Heat and raw animal attraction she understood, she knew how to scratch that itch and move on. But this? This felt like more than a prelude to a quick fuck against a wall somewhere and that was terrifying in so many ways.

Sarcasm and snark had always proved effective in the past - why should now be any different?

“And you decided a big ugly reindeer would be what? Super masculine?” she said sharply.

Killian chuckled, clearly nonplussed by her abrasive responses. It was a rich, warm sound that made Emma want little more than to hear it again. “I don’t know, Swan. I thought he was rather dashing myself.“

She arched an eyebrow at the word choice and he laughed again. “Sorry?” he said in a tone that suggested he was anything but.

Taking a long swig of her beer, Emma looked across at a Snow and David, both in an animated conversation with a small group of friends. She envied them their natural ability to do that - to melt seamlessly into a group of people and feel at home. Unlike her, always looking for the other person’s angle and making sure she was gone before they inevitably screwed her over.

The fact she was still standing next to a ridiculously attractive man, having a normal conversation with no sign of impending hook up, was some kind of Christmas miracle in itself.

“Swan?” Jolted back to reality by his hand on her arm, Emma realised Killian had been speaking to her.

“Sorry, what?” she said, kicking herself for the stab of disappointment as he withdrew his fingers.

“Just pondering what type of person adds that collar to a pullover that is already such a visual delight.”

She breathed a sigh of relief - they were still in comfortable territory; frivolous, possibly flirty banter about knitwear was doable, especially if she managed to avoid the way his smile lit up his eyes as he looked at her. As long as they were nothing more than two ships passing in the night, there was nothing wrong with enjoying the company of a ridiculously handsome man at least for a little while.

“Well, it certainly wasn’t me who added it,” she said, fingering the white fabric at her neck. “But when is a Peter Pan collar ever wrong?”

Emma wasn’t sure what reaction she expected to her challenge - but it was definitely not the flash of pain that she saw in his eyes. It passed in mere seconds, almost too fast to be sure it was real.

“Ah, well, if that is its name, all the more reason it was meant for you rather than myself,” Killian said softly.

Emma scrunched her nose in confusion and he raised the arm that had been hidden from her view, leaning on the countertop. Instead of the long, slender fingers with their heavy silver rings that had rested on her arm only minutes before, this arm ended instead in a silver hook prosthetic.

“Funnily enough, Swan, I have something of an aversion to references to that particular tale these days. A little close to home, you might say.” He chuckled darkly, none of the light and warmth that had drawn her in before evident in the sound. He took a long drag from the neck of his beer, and with nothing she could think of to say, Emma followed suit.

The noises of the party were suddenly very loud in Emma's head, her mind swimming as they stood side by side in silence. Wishing desperately once again for the social skills of her sister-in-law, or even her slightly less tactful brother, the words flew from her mouth before she had considered their potential result.

“Wanna talk about it?”

He laughed drily once again. “Not even a little bit, Swan. And I suspect you have no desire to do so either.”

The squawk of protest died on her lips, the expression on Killian’s face making it clear he had all but seen inside her very thoughts. “Don’t think I didn’t see that moment of panic in your eyes, love. You’re something of an open book.”

“Am I?” Emma asked, unable to keep the genuine curiosity from her voice. Or to curb the tingling sense that he wasn’t being quite truthful when he said he didn’t want to talk.  

“Quite,” Killian replied. “Forced introductions to random strangers, for instance, are not your chosen way to spend an evening.”

It was Emma’s turn to laugh. “Are they anyone’s?”

“Typically I’d agree with you, Swan, but I must say tonight I am seeing the appeal.” The catch in her breath was involuntary. If his words weren’t enough to bring her to a halt, the sincerity of his tone certainly was. This was dangerous territory now - too perceptive, too honest, too many feelings she was one hundred percent not going to act on.

There was only one thing for it.

“I think I need another drink. You?” she asked. Denial - denial and alcohol - both viable solutions and potential exit strategies.

She hadn’t counted on Killian Jones.

“I have that covered, love,” he said, reaching under his sweater and extracting a small, silver flask. A practised flick of the thumb had the stopper out and he offered it to her. “After you.”

She sniffed at the neck of the flask before taking a delicate swig. “Is that rum?” she asked, the liquid warming her throat as she passed the flask back to him.

“Aye.”

Emma snorted as Killian took a significantly longer draught. With one eyebrow quirked in question, he looked curiously at her as she held back the urge to chuckle. “Yeah, great job on avoiding the Peter Pan references. Next you’ll tell me you have a ship stashed away somewhere.”

He looked sheepish, passing back the flask and scratching nervously at a spot behind his ear as Emma took another quick sip.

“You do, don’t you?” she said incredulously.

He said nothing, only nodded and drank again from the flask before looping the stopper back into the neck and securing it with the curve of his hook.

“You are not even trying. You may as well get the perm and a twirly moustache and be done with it. In fact, I think I’ll call you Captain from now on…” She trailed off, wondering just how potent that rum had been to loosen her tongue so significantly. Struck suddenly by the insensitivity of her patter, she looked at him cautiously, her teeth worrying her lip between them.

He was grinning.

“Sorry, Killian, I…” she began, but he cut her off.

“No apologies necessary, Swan,” he said quickly. “And I believe you intended to call me Captain?”

Emma laughed, throwing him a mock salute as she leaned back against the counter. They stood in silence for a few minutes - a comfortable silence that was somehow becoming less frightening and more reassuring the longer she spent in his presence.

And that should have been scary enough to send her out the door and into the night.

But instead she stood alongside him, so close their acrylic-clad arms were almost touching, the spark of something that might have been static electricity, and yet might not have been, between them and just let the first thing she thought of break the silence.

As did he.

“I’ve always wanted to go on…”

“Perhaps you’d like to…”

They both stopped, laughed, and gestured for the other to go first...until Emma heard her name called across the room.

David appeared out of nowhere, his phone at his ear as he stepped up to them. Concern on his face, he finished hit the end call button and spoke to Emma. “Fight broke out at the Rabbit Hole,” he said. “Sorry to ask this, but I hope that sweater of yours is up to some police work? Wrangling Will Scarlett might be more than a one man job.”

There was a tinge of regret in her expression as she turned to Killian. “Duty calls, I’m afraid,” she said. “Scarlett had better not damage this sweater, or there will be no Merry Christmas for him.”

Killian grinned. “Feel free to leave it with me, love. I’ll take good care of it.”

Narrowing her eyes at him, Emma smoothed her hands across her sweater protectively. “Nice attempt at plundering, pirate, but I’ll take my chances. See you round, Captain.”

There was laughter in his voice as he answered. “I’d imagine so Swan. You’ll be hard to miss if you dress like that on a regular basis.”

The ground floor of their house is illuminated by the flicker of the fire that still burns in the hearth and by the almost overwhelming glow of the legion of white Christmas lights Killian and Henry have succeeded in draping on every square inch of the handsome tree near the front window.

“Guys, I’m serious.  If you put any more lights on that thing, astronauts will be able to see it from space.”

“Sorry, love, who will be able to see it from where?”

“…Zeus.  Zeus will be able to see it from Olympus.”

“I’m fairly certain Zeus can see everything anyway, Swan.”

The stair creaks beneath her feet, and when she reaches the bottom and turns the corner, she sees Killian still sitting on the sofa where she left him, but his head and shoulders are craned around to look at her.  

“Couldn’t sleep?” he asks, looking concerned.

She gives a little smile. “I was going to ask you the same thing,” she murmurs, coming around the side of the sofa to settle herself next to him. She perches her feet on the edge of the coffee table.  “I had to go the bathroom.”

“Ah.”  He nods knowingly, a tiny grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. His smile widens further as Emma sighs blissfully and wiggles her toes a little, enjoying the way the warmth of the fire licks at them.  “Are your feet cold, love?”

“Better now,” she says, shifting down in her seat and moving to lean up against him.

“Hold that thought,” he tells her, gently pulling away and heaving himself off the sofa.  Emma’s eyebrows pinch upward as he hurries up the stairs. A minute later he returns with a pair of her favorite gray woolen socks in his hand.

Her expression turns dopey as he sits on the edge of the sofa cushion and drops one sock on his lap, reaching forward with the other.  Part of her wants to sit up and insist she can put on her own socks (she’s not exactly big yet), but she remains rooted in place, fascinated and touched as she watches him work.  He loops the cuff of the sock around her big toe and gently pulls so that the cuff opens up wide enough to allow him to finesse it over the rest of her toes and onto her foot.  He hums tunelessly as he works, and she grins.  She’s seen him put his own socks on like this countless times, but seeing him do it for her, knowing how content he is to pamper her in little ways like this, makes her heart feel fit to burst.  He tugs here and there at the tight knit until the sock is in place and then proceeds to help her with its mate.  “There we are,” he declares with satisfaction, sitting back and throwing his left arm around her shoulders.

Killian Jones, the fearsome Captain Hook, vanquisher of sea monsters and Underworld denizens and cold toes.  “Thank you.”  She chuckles and burrows deep into his side, resting her head on his shoulder.

He turns his head, inhaling the scent of her hair, and plants a kiss on her head.  “Of course.”

Emma’s eyes are half-lidded and dreamy as she stares into the dancing flames.  “So why are you still awake?  Staying up for Santa?” she teases.

She can hear the smile in his voice.  “Do you suppose I should?  He’s set to invade our home, after all,” Killian muses.  “Perhaps I should fetch my cutlass.  Inspire him to use the front door like a normal person.”

Laughter bubbles up in her chest at the idea of coming downstairs in the morning to find Killian has captured Santa Claus.  The mental image of her husband grimly standing guard with his sword while the man in the red suit sits properly bound and gagged in an armchair is almost too much.  “Pretty sure that gets you on the naughty list,” she comments when she catches her breath.

Killian waggles his eyebrows.  “So does what we did to get you pregnant, Swan,” he murmurs into her ear.  “I don’t recall you complaining.”

She can feel him smile against her as she flushes to the roots of her hair, a myriad of vivid memories flooding back and setting her skin tingling.  She swats his arm half-heartedly but doesn’t try to hide her exhilarated smile.  He rumbles low in his chest, and she turns her head to indulge him in a slow, sultry kiss. “Well, it was pretty fun,” she mutters against his mouth, her teeth dragging across his lower lip, her lashes dusky against her cheeks.

He pulls back and arches an eyebrow.  “‘Pretty fun’?” he repeats with mock indignance.  “May I remind you that you seriously started considering using silencing magic after that time we—”

She gives a throaty giggle and cuts him off by yanking his shirt collar forward until his lips are pressed against hers.  Her tongue grazes his in invitation, and Killian answers without hesitation, plunging forth and kissing her hot and deep in the way they both know disorients her and makes her toes curl inside her socks.  His lips slant over hers aggressively, and he steals her breath, reaching up to cup her face with his hand and drag his thumb across her cheek, hunger and defiance and unending devotion in the way he kisses.  A tiny mewl escapes her, and shivers run down her spine when he responds with a gratified hum, clearly pleased at having successfully reminded her of all the ways he has to make her want.  

“Fine,” she acquiesces breathlessly when they surface for air.  “Um…  Miraculous? Phenomenal?”

Killian grunts.  “That’s more like it.”

Emma laughs quietly at the smug grin on his face and snuggles up against him once again.  Her eyes fall to her stomach suddenly, and she smirks.  “Oops. We might have woken someone up.”

“Oh?”  His face lights eagerly.  “You can feel her?”

Emma bites her lip at her little slip-up.  Their baby started kicking only a few days ago, but she’d been hoping to reveal it to him Christmas morning as an extra gift.  One look at his excited expression now, though, and all thoughts of waiting any longer are easily forgotten.  She nods almost shyly and reaches for his hand, settling it on her belly and watching his face expectantly.  They wait for a long moment, all but holding their breath, until the baby abruptly kicks again.

An awed smile blooms on Killian’s face, and he glances up at her with wonder.  “There.  That’s… that’s her?”

Emma folds her lips, blinking rapidly and nodding.

He looks back down at her belly and chuckles low when the baby issues another kick.  “Hello, my love,” he croons, his voice sounding thick. “Did your mum and I wake you?”  

They lapse into contented quiet while Killian continues to feel the baby move, slowly gliding his hand back and forth over Emma’s midsection in a loving caress.  It makes her want to cry sometimes when he’s like this – so exquisitely, almost impossibly gentle – the man who was so angry for so long, who was one of the most feared pirates to ride the waves, who nearly destroyed all the Dark Ones forever, and who withstood torture at the hands of a god and still thumbed his nose at him.  The fact that he can be so bold and unbreakable one moment and so soft and affectionate and heart-breakingly grateful the next – the range of this man, the depth of him, just takes her breath away.

“I was thinking about you, you know.”  His quiet confession breaks the silence.  “Just now before you and your mum came down.  Did you know?  It’s Christmas.”  A delicate smile curves his lips, and he glances up at the narrow mantle from which hang three full-sized stockings labeled “Killian”, “Emma”, and “Henry” and a much smaller knitted stocking shaped like a baby bootie, courtesy of Granny. “It’s my first Christmas,” he continues thoughtfully, “which is fitting, because your mum and Henry tell me part of celebrating Christmas is spending time with your family, and this…” he intertwines his fingers with Emma’s, grinning softly at the now-familiar click of his ring against hers, “this is the first winter in a very, very long time that I can really say that I have one.”

Emma sniffles, and he catches her eye and gives her a watery smile.

“I’ve also read that that this holiday celebrates the birth of a child,” he says, his voice turning even heavier with emotion, “a baby that, I gather, gave a lot of the world hope, and that…”  he pauses, “that seems fitting too.”

A giant tear rolls down Emma’s face, and she’s a hair’s width from blubbering as she takes in the redness lining his eyes and the tender, emotional look his face.  He knows she’s full of hormones right now, and yet here he is, saying these perfect words to their unborn child on Christmas Eve, and if she didn’t love him with every fiber of her being she’d punch him so hard right now for making her cry.  Jerk.

Killian stops talking, as though he knows she’s barely keeping it together (or perhaps because he is too).  He drags his ringed thumb back and forth along the side of her pinky absently, falling back into unspoken thoughts, his gaze fixed on their hands while the firelight frolics with the shadows around them.  

They both smile when they feel another kick, and Emma nuzzles his neck with her forehead.  “We love you, you know,” she whispers to him.

He takes a ragged breath. “Aye, I know.”

Emma squeezes his hand. “Come to bed?”

He turns his head and places another kiss in her hair.  “As you wish.”

He climbs to his feet slowly, adjusting his grip on her hand to help her up, and they remain linked as she leads him out of the living room and back up the stairs, extinguishing the fire with the flick of her wrist.

She settles herself back between the bedsheets, leaving the socks on, while he quickly readies himself for sleep.  Minutes later, he switches off the lights and slides beneath the thick blanket, scooting over the mattress toward her, his stump gliding across her hip to rest on the swell of her stomach and his chest pressing to her shoulder blades.  Emma sighs happily as he touches his lips to the back of her neck.

“Good night, my loves,” he mutters into her skin.

Emma smiles in the dark, her hand finding his stump and squeezing it affectionately. “Merry Christmas, Killian.”