Epilogue

A couple of months later

Emma Swan sat fidgeting in Mr. Hopper's leather armchair, her fingers tapping anxiously against the smooth fabric of armrest. She moved her eyes to observe the calm man that sat before her. He poured himself a glass of Bourbon and offered a glass to Emma. She declined politely.

"Come on, Miss Swan. We must toast to celebrate!" Mr. Hopper insisted, his eyes bright and full of gratitude

"Thank you, Mr. Hopper," Emma responded "But I'm fine. Just the first month's check is enough."

It was merely an hour ago since Emma had walked into Archie Hopper's office; ready to take the job she was offered only a few short months ago.

"If you don't mind me asking, what changed your mind?" the man asked. Emma shot him a smile.

"It's a long story," she stated plainly.

Mr. Hopper shrugged and finished off his drink. Emma pulled at her crisp new leather jacket, making sure her gun was still in its place. Her side ached dully, a distant reminder of that day in the storage garage. She had barley made it out. She was lucky.

The moment she and Killian went missing, David and the team were on the phone with Graham, working to track down Emma and Killian's location. In the end, it turned out that an anonymous caller tipped off Graham and gave the location of Gold's secondary hide out. It had turned out to be Neal and Belle. In the end, Emma was just glad that Killian, and more importantly her family, was safe. Emma's doctor insisted she was very lucky. Emma had spent weeks in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to her abdomen. Henry and Mary-Margret insisted on babying her until Emma recovered. It was during those few weeks that she decided she needed a steady job, and a steady income. No more bouncing around.

"At least stay for dinner," Mr. Hopper insisted.

"I'm sorry Archie, but I have to get going. There's actually somewhere I need to be." Emma smiled at the man, who nodded in understanding and cleanly ripped out a check from his checkbook before handed it to Emma. Emma gratefully accepted the check before turning to make her way to the door. She took the stairs two at a time, before bolting out of the building and hopping into her bug.

She drove for no more than 30 minutes before finally made it to her destination, a private airstrip off of LAX. She opened the door and stepped out of the car. A sharp rush of wind caught her face and the loud sound of a jet roared in her ears. Even from that distance, she could see David and Leroy in a heated debate. Emma made her way over to them.

"Gentlemen," she greeted, hands in her jacket pockets.

"Emma!" David cried happily "you finally made it!"

"Told you she would come to say goodbye. Just couldn't stay away," Leroy laughed. Emma rolled her eyes and shot him a look.

"Where's the man of the hour?" she asked. Suddenly, she heard the cheerful laughter of her son ring out of the stunningly white jet.

"There he is," David grinned, gesturing to the plane.

"Mom! You have to see the inside of this thing! It's insane!" Henry yelled.

"Hey no running in the plane!" Regina's voice cried out. The two emerged from the aircraft. Henry ran over, jumping to give Emma a tight hug.

"Easy kid," she laughed, squeezing him tight "did you enjoy your time with David and Killian?'

"He sure did," David responded, playfully punching his arm. Henry nodded vigorously.

"He's all yours, Emma," David laughed.

"Thanks for watching him before you left," she said to David "Henry, why don't you wait in the car. Here are the keys."

Henry grabbed the car keys and ran off just as Regina waltzed over. She shot Emma a tight smile.

"Ms. Swan. Long time no see," she greeted curtly.

"Is that such a bad thing?" Emma joked. Regina chuckled.

"You did take a bullet for my number one client," Regina admitted, "so I guess it is a bit of a shame you didn't stick around to help our."

"Swan?" a voice called over the roaring jets. Emma looked up to see Killian standing at the top of the grey steps leading to the plane.

"Hey," Emma called, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"Let's give them some privacy," David announced, gesturing for everyone to leave Emma and Killian alone. Killian took the stairs two at a time before jogging toward Emma. He had that stupidly attractive yet infuriating smirk planted across his face.

"How was Amsterdam?" Emma asked. Killian sighed and looked past her. He shrugged.

"Would have been better with you there, love," he moved his eyes to gaze at her warmly. "How's Neal?"

"The police gave him a pass. Graham said that Gold coerced him into doing his bidding. He's actually supposed to hang out with Henry next week…" Emma explained.

"And how do you feel about that?" Killian shot her a worried gaze.

"Henry has a right to know his father," Emma declared. Killian nodded with understanding. He inched closer to her.

"I missed you, Swan," he began softly "touring the world isn't the same without you and your witty remarks." Emma flushed and rolled her eyes.

"I'm just glad your career is finally picking up," Emma replied.

"All thanks to you love," Killian declared fondly. He moved to run a hand through her golden locks. "You must know you inspired my latest single."

Emma blushed and looked down. Killian huffed a laugh. He grabbed her face in his hands, thumbs gently brushing against her cheekbones. He swooped in to kiss her gently on the lips.

"Come with me to Australia," he breathed against her lips.

"I can't…I can't leave my job…and Henry…" Emma replied weakly. Killian sighed, his bright blues eyes boring into hers.

"The tour will be over soon…you'll be here when I come back?" he asked.

"Of course," Emma replied soundly. Killian ducked in and kissed her once more.

"Jones, get your ass on this plane right now or so help me…" Regina's voice hollered. Killian growled.

"Bloody hell…coming!" he yelled. He moved away from Emma, his hand still locked with her's as he walked towards the jet.

"Goodbye Swan," he smiled, winking halfheartedly.

"Goodbye Jones," Emma called back. Killian turned and ran onto the jet. David and Leroy followed suit, waving goodbye.

Emma breathed heavily. Only 3 more weeks, she thought as she watched the plane begin to move. The jets mused her hair violently. Emma began to walk backward, giving the plane some room.

It wasn't until she had her back turned, her eyes set on her yellow bug that she heard a voice cry out over the rushing jets.

"Swan wait!" Emma whirled around. She could hear Regina yelling, "stopping a plane in the middle of take off! Seriously! Jones, no…Jones!"

Emma, stunned, watched Killian ran out of the plane. He sprinted towards Emma, the wind ruffling his black Neverlanders t-shirt and his messy black hair. He grabbed Emma's waist and pulled her in for a fierce kiss.

"Killian!" she laughed against his lips, shock ridden over her features.

"I love you," he breathed into the kiss "I forgot to say it."

Emma snorted in disbelief. "I love you too."

Killian lifted Emma up into a hug before letting her go to running back onto the plane. Emma shook her head in mock disapproval, her chest bubbling with laughter. She watched as Killian waved goodbye to her before disappearing into the aircraft.

"Mom! Let's go!" Henry called from the car.

"Coming kid," Emma yelled, a smile tugging effortlessly at her lips as she watched the plane disappear into the bright blue skyline

Fin

A/N: Can you hear I Will Always Love You from The Bodyguard playing in the background? I sure can. That's it ladies and gentleman. It was a wild ride. Thank you all for your support and your patience. Hope you all enjoyed.

Best,

Tina