"Emma Swan, you little slut! What has gotten into you?" Ruby screeched as Emma pulled the door to her home open.

"Is it too much?" Emma asked with just a touch of hysteria coloring her voice. She hurried back to her bedroom to give herself the once over… again. Running her hands down the newly purchased, skin tight, black mini dress, she followed each and every curve that was on full display.

"Girl, I would do you if I didn't already have a girlfriend."

"Not helping, Ruby!"

"Emma, you look fucking hot, there is not a man on earth that could turn you down in that."

"That's what I'm hoping for," she mumbled under her breath. Tonight was the night. She'd danced around the longing and heat between her and Killian Jones for long enough. She'd been pining for this man for longer than she could remember, half the time they spent together felt like they were a couple anyway. She already knew her stupid brother, David, had warned Killian Jones to stay away from her, but there was nothing stopping her from putting the moves on Killian Jones. She just hoped Ruby was right, that no man would be able to resist her, including the one who'd been threatened with death if he so much as laid one finger on her. Emma was undeniably hoping for far more than one finger. A shiver jolted through her and she was brought back to the present.

"Someone's got it baaaad," Ruby teased. "You gonna make your move tonight?"

"That's the plan," Emma said as she grabbed her knee length black leather jacket and tied it closed. She pulled her flowing, golden tresses from the jacket and tossed them over her shoulders.

"Well then let's get this party started!" With that, Ruby grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her back to the front of the house and out the door.

The Rabbit Hole was their favorite local pub, and the only place to celebrate the hot shot detectives who'd made the biggest bust this city had ever seen. Of course it was the hot shot team of Detectives Nolan and Jones to bring down the infamous Robert "The Deal Maker" Gold and his outfit of miscreants. Earlier this morning, both men had received the Medal of Valor, for extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism, performed in the line of duty at extreme life-threatening, personal risk, their Captain had said.

Emma remembered that day three weeks ago, when she'd received the call from her sister-in-law. The baby had been wailing in the background as Mary Margaret had tried to tell Emma, through choked sobs that David was in the hospital. No doubt the little guy had been so upset because his mama was having a justified meltdown.

When Emma had arrived, Killian was in the waiting room, a little bloodied, bruised, and banged up, but he'd insisted on waiting for her before letting the doctors examine him. He'd wanted to let her know that David was in surgery, but he'd be okay, and Mary Margaret had just left to drop her two year old off at Belle's so he didn't have to wait in the ER. It wasn't until Killian's body had slumped against hers that Emma realized he wasn't doing as well as he'd pretended. She'd found out later, Killian had been hit by Gold's car as the fiend had tried to make a run for it.

Emma doesn't like to think about the panic she'd felt as he was hauled behind the swinging doors of the ER. She doesn't like to remember the tears that had fallen when the thought that she'd never gotten to tell him how she felt for him, crossed her mind. She especially doesn't like to think about how he'd been out of the hospital for three weeks now, and she'd still been too chicken shit to even ask him out on a date, let alone tell him that she's crazy about him.

Once Killian's internal bleeding had stopped and he was cleared to go home, she'd helped him convalesce through a dislocated shoulder and severely bruised ribs. He'd gotten remarkably lucky considering he was hit by a car. Hours of flirting and bantering, movies on his couch, meals together, and she hadn't scraped together the courage to tell him how she felt. She'd picked him up and attended the medal pinning with him today, and still she couldn't find any words to tell him how she felt. When he'd come down off the stage, walked toward her and scooped her up into a bear hug, all she'd come up with was how proud she was of him. Even though it was true, there was so much more she wanted to say. And she'd known long before any of this had happened, she'd just never considered moving past her fear of rejection or risking their friendship for a chance at something more until she'd felt like she might lose him.

That thought made her feel pretty shitty. But that's when she'd decided a few things. Emma Swan was shit with words. Actions speak louder than words. Tonight was the night. And she needed a new dress.

Taking a deep breath as the car pulled into the parking lot, to center her thoughts, fortify her determination, and get her collective shit together, Emma stepped out of Ruby's car with something akin to hope.

Upon entering the noisy bar, she searched for the woman who'd be lending her an assist tonight. Regina and her husband Robin, a retired police officer, now owned this bar. They were close personal friends with Emma's brother's family, as David's former partner, and by extension, with the whole group. Regina would be the one taking care of their party tonight. Emma needed to square some drinking details away with the woman and then she'd be mission ready. After talking to Regina, she glanced around the crowded bar, searching for the man of the hour. Whatever confidence or hope had been building, promptly deflated as she located Killian, only to find him sitting at the bar with some handsy redhead whispering in his ear.

"Emma!" She heard Mary Margaret's voice call out from across the bar, but she couldn't turn, she was transfixed, watching as the woman ran a finger along Killian's jawline. It gave her just an ounce of pleasure when he removed her hand from his vicinity and placed it on the bar. The mystery woman was undeterred though as she placed her hand on his chest next.

Mary Margaret called her name again, louder this time, and Emma noticed it caught Killian's attention as he began to scan the bar. When his eyes met hers, they immediately lit up and he mouthed the word help, with desperation in his every feature. Emma's confidence restored, she sashayed toward him with renewed determination.

Goddamn, she thought as she appreciated how Killian's royal blue button down shirt and black slacks were tailored to his body. She bit down on her lip when she noted that he definitely had his customary one too many buttons undone and was displaying that magically delicious thatch of chest hair she'd imagined running her hands through just a couple times. Sauntering right in between the two, she settled in the spot of his perpetually manspread legs and placed her palms on his thighs, leaving her back to the other woman.

"Hey Sexy, where've you been all my life?" she asked in the sexiest tone she could muster while also trying not to crack up as she laid it on thick for the woman trying to steal her man. What?

"Right here, waiting for you, love," Killian answered, wrapping an arm around her waist. The man didn't miss a beat.

Emma couldn't be bothered to feel bad as she rubbed her palms over his muscular thighs which currently rested on her hips. She had a mission tonight, and this floozy behind her had been throwing herself at Killian.

"I'm so lucky someone didn't come and scoop you up before I got here."

Emma almost melted when he came right back with, "No one else is you."

She knew this man, had known him for several years. She knew when he was playing a long con, when he was bullshitting, when he was joking, when he was serious, and when he was sincere. Her heartbeat stuttered as his earnest expression dared her to believe him. Just at that moment, the drinks Killian had ordered arrived. "Come on," she said, grabbing the three beer bottles in one hand and taking his hand in her other.

"Let me order a couple more, now that the rest of you are here."

Emma leaned in to whisper in his ear, "And leave you at the mercy of Hands, I don't think so." If she wasn't mistaken, Killian actually shivered, and she wondered how bad it had gotten before she'd arrived. When she stepped back though, she noticed a bright flush along Killian's cheeks, and she wondered if she wasn't causing that shiver and blush. "I'll order when the server comes around."

Emma was positively rippling with anticipation of what Killian would think of her dress as they walked over to the private room Mary Margaret had reserved for tonight. The bar had several private rooms off each corner of the bar, they were a little less noisy, and perfect for celebratory drinks. This one had a large round booth and table in it, so Emma slid in next to her brother, pulling Killian in behind her. Strategically speaking, she was hoping David couldn't stare daggers at Killian from this angle, like he always did when Emma and Killian were hanging out and getting too close for his comfort. She didn't need her stupid brother ruining her plans.

"Here love, you can have this beer," Killian offered as they sat down.

"That's okay, I can wait for the server." Emma was not in the mood to get drunk, at least not drunk for real. "Are Will and Belle still coming tonight?" Emma asked as she untied her jacket and leaned forward to take it off while still seated in the confines of the booth.

Killian audibly choked on the swig of beer he'd been taking when he caught a glimpse of all the skin Emma was now showing. One false move and there could be a nip slip, really.

"Hey, Jones, you okay there buddy? Emma, quick, give him mouth to mouth, he's choking," she harassed.

Emma shot her a look before slapping Killian on the back a couple times. "My ribs," he croaked once he'd finished hacking and coughing.

Emma preened as she noticed he still hadn't taken his eyes off her. "You gonna be okay?" she asked, turning fully toward Killian as she soothingly rubbed her hand along his rib cage.

"Love your new dress, Ems," Ruby exclaimed, adding fuel to multiple fires.

"New dress? Are you sure you got the whole thing?" David fumed. "Looks more like a tank top to me. And yes, to answer your question from before, Will and Belle are coming, their Lyft was running late."

Emma looked over her shoulder to scowl at her brother, and he scowled right back. "I happen to like this dress, David," she said, saying his name as pettily as any sister could, "what about you Killian. Do you like my new dress?"

Killian's hand immediately shot up to scratch behind his ear, but before he could even speak a word, David leaned forward, peered around Emma and stared those oh so familiar daggers at Killian.

"Oh stop it, David," Mary Margaret chided her husband.

"Oi mates, hope you didn't start the party without me," Will shouted as he and Belle entered the room. He and Belle scooted into the booth next to Ruby and Mulan, and Emma was thankful they'd arrived before David could start ranting about not wanting his sister to date a cop.

Emma, Mary Margaret, Belle, and Ruby had all been promised a play by play of the Gold bust now that the case was finalized, Gold had been sentenced, and everyone was healed. Will and Mulan hadn't been injured, but they'd been part of the task force, and instrumental in the take down. Emma tried not to concentrate too hard on the fact that she was the only female here who wasn't technically a significant other. Besides, maybe that would change after tonight.

A round of shots was ordered to start the evening and Regina brought them to the table, handing a shot of rum to each guest. They toasted to the takedown of the felon who had run rampant like a virus, for far too long. The story was intense to be sure, and a second round of shots was ordered to toast the health and safety of David, Killian, Mulan, and Will.

When the live band started, they headed for the dance floor and Emma was thankful to have a bit of privacy, albeit in the middle of a crowded dance floor, with Killian. "You cut quite the figure in that dress," he whispered into her ear.

The band was covering a latin number and Emma melted as Killian pulled her in close. His left hand was on the small of her back and the other held her free hand. Her free hand rested on his chest, right at the juncture of his too unbuttoned shirt.

"I don't know exactly how to do this… dance," Emma mumbled as Killian began to move his feet. They were connected at their hips as they swayed with the beat.

"It's called a mambo; there's only one rule, pick a partner who knows what he's doing."

She'd danced with him before and it never ceased to amaze her how well the man could move his body. If he was this fluid and skilled while dancing, what could he do in bed?

"I can see your mind working, Swan. What are you thinking about?"

Emma tried to stop the blush, but she'd definitely been caught ogling him. "Wouldn't you like to know."

"Perhaps I would," he admitted while sweeping a lock of her hair behind her ear. "You are blushing," he added as he trailed the finger down her cheek.

"I was just thinking, if you're this good on the-" Emma's breath was knocked from her as David and Mary Margaret careened into them.

"Hey guys," David shouted over the music, "time for shots."

Emma just barely stopped herself from yelling at her brother to stop being a cockblock. Instead, she settled for stomping on his foot as she led Killian off the dancefloor. They all lined up at the bar and Regina doled out more shots.

"I'm ready to go home," Emma slurred into Killian's shoulder several hours later. "Take me home?"

"Aye, love."

"I thought Ruby was your ride," David interrupted.

"No can do, Davey," Ruby mumbled. "Me and my baby are staying at the hotel across the street so we don't have to drive and we don't have to come back for the car tomorrow.

"We will take you home," David proclaimed, as if someone had died and made him king.

"That's ridiculous, we're already taking Belle and Will home," Mary Margaret told her husband. "Killian hasn't been drinking for the last two hours, he can take Emma home."

"Bu-" David started.

"I know we have five seats, but we don't need to squish five adults into them, when Killian can give Emma a ride."

Emma snickered at the way Mary Margaret effortlessly handled David.

"That's what I'm worried about," David muttered.

After the group said their goodbyes, Emma let Killian lead her to his truck. She pretended to need much more help getting in than she really did. Under the guise of being drunk, Emma found she was much braver. If he turned her down, she could always pretend she was so drunk she didn't remember, and if he was a gentleman, which he was, he'd never mention it.

Reaching across the space between them, Emma brushed the hair away from his forehead. "I was so worried about you when you were in the hospital," she whispered, making sure to slur a word here and there.

"I'm sorry I worried you, lass, but you needn't worry about me."

"I do worry about you, Killian. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Well, in your inebriated state, I'm sure it's hard to imagine, but I am sure you'd manage."

"What a horrible thing to say! I would not be okay if I lost you, I would never be okay."

Killian clasped his hand over hers, which had been idly stroking his cheek. "Shhh, love, there's no need to discuss this topic anyway. If there is one thing I am good at, it's surviving."

Killian pulled into her driveway and hastily exited to help her down from the truck. She definitely put more weight on him than was strictly necessary and sloppily handed him the keys to unlock her door.

"Someone is going to be feeling like shite in the morning," Killian laughed.

Emma played it up, and allowed Killian to get Tylenol and water for her as she stripped out of her dress and hopped into her bed.

"Call me if you need anything, yeah?" he checked as he set her hangover supplies on her nightstand.

Emma caught his hand as he went to put it in his pocket. "Stay with me?"

"I shouldn't."

"Please," Emma asked sweetly, looking up at him with all the hope she felt inside written clearly on her face.

Killian exhaled a long sigh as only a man who knows he's lost can. Circling around the bed, he started to climb in behind her.

"You're not going to sleep in jeans, are you?"

"I don't exactly have sleepwear at my disposal, Swan. And you're sleeping in your dress."

Emma laughed at that, that's what he thinks. "Take off your jeans, boxer briefs are just like shorts." She grinned triumphantly as she heard the metal of his belt and the rustling of pants being dropped.

Once he was settled in her bed, she turned over and snuggled against him. The groan he emitted when she did so shot a bolt of heat straight to her core. She knew he was just as affected as she was, and that was hot.

"Emma, please, you're making it very hard fo-"

"That's kinda the point," she giggled, pressing her body against his and snaking her free hand into the opening of his shirt to rake it through his chest hair.

"Fuck me," he muttered.

"Yeah?"

"Poor choice of words," he corrected as he scooted away from her advances. "We can't do this."

Emma immediately felt the sting of his words in her chest, like someone was gripping her heart, or worse, like someone had taken it and she was hollow. A flurry of emotions ran through her as she tried to assure herself she still had her failsafe of "being drunk". She searched for words. "Why? Because of my stupid brother?" she demanded, her voice a little more watery than angry.

"This has nothing to do with your brother, Swan."

"Then… why?" Emma sat up in bed and pulled the blankets tightly around her body, as if they'd protect her from whatever hurtful reason he had for not wanting her.

"Because you're drunk and-"

"Well-" Emma interrupted.

"No, wait, let me finish. Before I lose my nerve."

Emma frowned at him, but complied by sitting quietly.

"You've been drinking all night love, and I would never forgive myself if I took advantage of you in this state and then you regretted it in the morning, if you regretted me. I… I'm crazy about you Emma, I have been for a long time. I don't want a drunken one night stand with you, hell, I don't want any kind of one night stand with you. I want… more."

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" she asked softly.

"Short answer? I'm a coward."

"What if I want to know the extended version?" she asked as she patted the seat next to her and offered him part of the blankets so he could join her.

Killian got back into the bed and sat up against the headboard as Emma was. "I guess I've hid behind your brother's warning to stay away from you. I mean, he's not wrong, it can be a hard life being with a cop. Look what happened with Gold. I also worried about jeopardizing our friendship, especially if you didn't feel the same way about me."

"Why now?"

Killian chuckled before answering her. "You being drunk gives me the courage to say how I feel, because you might not even remember this in the morning."

Emma dropped all pretense of being inebriated and leaned forward so she was looking straight into the depths of the eyes she dreamed about almost nightly. "Let's get something straight, okay? I could never regret you, Killian Jones." Placing a hand softly on his cheek, she smiled at the awestruck look on his face. "And also, I haven't had a drink all night. I paid Regina to fill my shots with apple juice. I just needed the cover of liquid courage to try and seduce you because I am shit with words. And I figured if you didn't feel the same, I could always pretend that I didn't remember the next day."

Killian's warm laughter startled her a bit, but then she was laughing with him. "I usually have a flair with words, Swan, you just do something to me that brings me to my basest form. I'm a goner for you, and I wish I'd have told you sooner."

"Well, get used to me not being great with words. I'm sort of caveman-like. I mean, I'm not gonna point and grunt, but I definitely use action over words. But if I can paraphrase a great wordsmith, 'I'm crazy about you, Killian, I have been for a long time'."

The smile that lit up Killian's face, dimples and all, was worth the hell she was going to go through with David.

"In the spirit of full disclosure, I never got a chance to answer you at the bar. I love your new dress, may I see it again," he asked, gently tugging at the blankets she'd wrapped around herself for protection a few moments ago.

"Hmmm, sorry, not right now..." Killian immediately dropped his hand from the blanket and began to tell her it's okay, when she peeled away the blanket, and continued, "because I'm not wearing it anymore."

"Fuck me," he murmured before biting down on his lip hungrily.

"Still the plan."

"Stand up, love, let me see you."

Emma complied, standing up and bearing herself to him. She was clad in nothing more than lacy, black panties and a matching bra. Watching as he perused every inch of her body, from the swell of her breasts, to her lean torso and soft belly, then down to the apex of her thighs, she could see his length swelling under his boxer briefs, and every part of her wanted him. Crooking her finger, she beckoned him to her, and it was his turn to comply.

Once Killian stood before her, Emma unbuttoned the remainder of his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders, to the floor. Then she did something that shocked her a little bit, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him close and just held him; he immediately reciprocated, both arms encircling her and bringing her close. The feelings they'd just spoken floated around them and flowed between them.

Threading her fingers into his hair, she guided his mouth to hers and kissed him, softly and exploratorily at first. But as lips gave way to caressing tongues, and roaming hands, heat built and Emma found herself panting and breathless.

Killian unclasped her bra and pulled it away and she was never more grateful for that barrier to be gone, as his chest hair delicately tightened her nipples and sent sparks shooting to her core. She wanted more and made it known by grabbing his ass with both hands and hauling him firmly to her. Killian glided his hands down her back and over her firm ass while sucking a nipple into his mouth. She moaned his name at the sensation of his wet mouth laving at her breasts, and his fingers and palms caressing the smooth expanse of her ass. Emma wanted that last barrier gone, she reached between them to remove first her panties and then finally his boxer briefs.

She was not disappointed when she finally got a look at what her Detective was packing. Emma licked her lips as his cock stood at full attention, straining with the need to be touched.

"See something you like, darling?"

There was that hint of cockiness that she loved so much. "Yeah," she breathed as she dropped to her knees. Wrapping her hand around the base of his cock, Emma stroked up and down a few times, relishing in the hiss that left Killian's mouth. When his head dropped back, she pounced, taking him deep and swallowing once, before pulling back and then setting a slow rhythmic pace.

Killian lifted her from her knees and attacked her mouth with kisses, between trying to speak, "You don't have to do that."

Emma pulled her head back to stare at this man in front of her. What guy turns down head? "I know I don't have to, I was enjoying myself," she said, then she pushed into his frame, guiding him backwards until he could sit at the edge of the bed. She dropped to her knees again, and smirked before descending on him once more, but before she could even set a rhythm, he was halting her ministrations again.

"Okay, that's twice. What's up, Jones? Do you not enjoy getting head? Do I suck at it, and not in the good way?" Emma sat back on her calves, folding her arms around herself.

"On the contrary, you are magnificent at sucking my cock, Emma."

She grinned mischievously at the compliment, a swarm of relief flooding her mind. "Then what gives?"

"I haven't..." Killian trailed off, and an actual blush colored his cheeks as he tried to find the words he was looking for.

Emma put her hands on his knees and gently squeezed. "What is it? You can tell me."

"I haven't been with anyone in a while, I've kind of been saving myself for this brilliant lass I know. Plus, I've been hard since you took your jacket off at the bar and I don't wish to finish before you," he admitted. He rubbed nervously behind his ear as he waited for her reaction.

Emma was a little speechless. At no point in her life had she ever been with a man who was so dedicated to her gratification, he would deny his own. She'd definitely never been halted in the middle of a blow job so that her needs could be met. She stood up, taking Killian with her and then turned them around so that she could lie down on the bed. Holding her hand out to him, she pulled him down next to her and then scooted so that they were laying face to face. "Make me come, Killian."

Needing no further guidance, Killian captured her lips in a fiery kiss while situating her on her back. Their tongues slid together effortlessly until he broke the kiss to blaze a trail down her body. She would definitely have marks, but he was careful to leave them where only they would see. As he paid special attention to her breasts again, delighting way too much in the noises she made, Emma finally caved, begging for more.

Scooting down between her legs, Killian took stock of the pretty picture splayed out for him. "Absolutely gorgeous," he murmured. Ever so gently, he ran the tip of his finger along her glistening folds, parting them as his finger ran further down, exposing her clit to the cool air.

"Please Killian, touch me."

"As you wish."

Emma keened in half relief and half need as his tongue finally made contact with her clit. She thrust her hips, needing nothing short of penetration, and again, she was obviously hoping for more than just one finger. She wasn't disappointed when Killian filled her with two digits as he worked her clit with his tongue.

Emma fisted a handful of Killian's dark hair as he brought her a pleasure like none she'd experienced before. It was hot as hell to have him watching her with those devilish blue eyes gazing up from between her thighs as she fucked his fingers.

Emma had never been much of a talker in bed, but she found it easy with Killian to ask for more, to ask for it harder, and because of that, he had her falling over the edge of oblivion quickly.

"Get up here, now," she panted, once her mind came back from the haze of post orgasmic delight.

"Gods, you taste divine," he praised as he moved over her body, settling between her legs so they were face to face.

"You are really good at that, better than I could ever have imagined."

"Oh, Emma," he began as he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth and bit down gently before letting it go, "do elaborate on 'imagined'," he smirked before grinding his hips down so his thick length slid through her folds and over her clit.

A breathy moan rushed past her lips as he teased her. "Yeah? You want to hear all about how I get myself off while thinking of you?"

"Aye, lass, tell me."

"Mmmmm, sometimes it's quick and dirty, fucking my fingers, wishing they were yours. Other times I imagine you bend me over your desk at the precinct and take me roughly. But the best is edging while wondering if you're lying in bed thinking about me, stroking your hard cock. I always finally make myself come, pleading your name as I picture you making yourself come all over your chest, calling out my name."

"Christ, Emma, I'm going to come all over your chest if you tell me any more."

In a flash of motion, Emma flipped them so she was on top, staring down at Killian. "We can't have that." Leaning down, she kissed him roughly, demanding his tongue, while situating his cock so she could sink down on it. "Oh… fuck you feel so good," she gasped as his full length hit a depth she'd never felt without toys. Her hands found purchase on his chest as she adjusted to his size.

She let Killian set the pace after he grasped both her hips and guided her along. He was mesmerized by the way his cock slid in and out of her wet heat. "You feel so good wrapped around me," he praised.

Killian pulled her down for a kiss again, and flipped them so he was on top. Emma whined as he withdrew from her completely and sat back on his haunches. "I've just realized I don't have a condom," he said defeatedly.

"That's okay, I'm on the pill and I'm clean. You clean?"

"Aye, lass. On my honor."

"Then put every inch of that cock back inside me," she demanded as she pulled him back into the cradle of her thighs.

Emma laughed lightly as Killian groaned loudly while pushing back into her. "Just so you know, love, this feels so much better than any time I've ever taken myself in hand while thinking of you. And I always come with your name on my lips."

Her answering smile turned into a low moan as Killian pulled out and then thrust back home. He changed the tempo, long deep passes, quick pounding thrusts, grinding his hips into her sometimes, and pumping shallowly others. She made sure to let him know what felt good and what felt better, and especially what was, "Oh fuck, yes, right there!"

Despite never having been together before, the combination of Emma knowing what she liked, being comfortable enough to ask for it, and Killian listening to her and taking care of her, had them riding the same wave, feeling, exploring, loving.

In the end, Killian had both her legs pulled up high around his waist, arms under her shoulders, and his face buried in the crook of her neck as he methodically drove into her, determined to make her come again.

Emma had her legs wrapped tightly around his torso, her arms around his neck, and her head thrown back into the pillow. They were a hot sweaty mess, and she was sure she'd never been wound this tight, she'd never been this turned on,maybe there was something to sex with feelings. His hot breath against her neck caused a tightness in her nipples and a tingling in her clit. Killian's thrusts were punishing, hitting her deep, and she was so close and she knew he was close and she really wanted to come again.

"Touch yourself, Emma, I want to feel you come all over my cock."

An errant bit of relief flooded her as she realized Killian was not intimidated in asking for what he wanted either and he wasn't too macho to ask her to help get them there. Now was not the time for reflection though, and so she pushed those delightful thoughts to an area for later. Reaching down between them, Emma gathered the arousal that coated her thighs and started rubbing her fingers over her clit. "Almost, Killian, almo- Oh, Ooooh," Emma cried.

It was almost ridiculous how in sync they were, each gracing the edge of ecstasy before plummeting off one after the other, calling the other's name like a benediction. She'd been right, his moves on the dance floor had definitely foreshadowed his performance in bed. And just like the attentive gentleman he was day-to-day, he was the same in bed, making sure to guide her through every aftershock, and hold her as she came down from on high.

"Bloody Hell, why did we wait so long to do this?" Killian panted against her neck, before rolling off of her. "Come here," he said, pulling Emma against his side.

Instead of nestling into him, Emma stood up and stretched deliciously. "So, I guess, I'll umm... see you around?" A mixture of shock, disappointment, and embarrassment crossed his face before he quickly jumped out of bed. The look was priceless, she really did feel heartless, but she couldn't resist teasing him a little.

"Right, love," he mumbled as he turned from her and grabbed his slacks off the floor.

Emma tiptoed behind him and circled her arms around his waist, his whole body was taught. "I'm fucking with you, Jones," she said gently, pressing her cheek to his back. "Join me for a shower?" As his body relaxed, she placed a few kisses between his shoulder blades causing him to shiver.

He turned in her arms and took her mouth in a hungry kiss. "You are a devilish little minx, aren't you?"

"I couldn't resist," she mumbled into his mouth. "Come on, let's go get clean… and dirty."

"Do you promise to tell me more dirty little fantasies?"

A blush ran up her body as she remembered telling Killian her favorite fantasy about him.

"Don't get shy now. For someone who says they're shite with words, you were certainly very chatty in bed.

"Oh my gosh, Killian." She rolled her eyes and smacked his chest as mortification coursed through her. She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the shower, but found herself being swung back into his chest.

Killian wrapped his arms around her middle and pressed his front to her back in a sensual embrace. "Don't you dare ever feel ashamed to tell me exactly what you want, love. If you want it harder," he thrust his hips against her ass to elaborate, "if you want it deeper," he growled, sucking at the lobe of her ear, "if you want my mouth between your thighs…"

Emma moaned as Killian continued rutting his hips against her ass and caressing her with his strong hands. She hung on his every word.

"If you want to watch me stroke my cock," he said huskily, "just say the words."

"Fuck, Killian. I want you to fuck me again," she responded breathily. Taking his hand and pulling him toward the shower again, she met no resistance this time.

Reaching into the shower she turned the water on full blast and then turned around and jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist to kiss him while they waited for it to warm up.

He took her again, against the wall of her shower, then they made out until the water began to cool, before they both fell into bed, sated and exhausted.

Emma hummed happily as she stood at the stove making pancakes. Killian was still sound asleep in her bed, the hint of a smile playing at his lips, and a hard case of morning wood if the slight tent of the sheets was anything to judge by. As much as she'd wanted to wake him up with salacious activities, she'd also wanted to let him sleep in. So she'd silently slipped into her black silk robe and headed to the kitchen to make coffee and breakfast. Her mind kept jumping to different parts of their evening together, and how much she hoped for a repeat performance.

An unadulterated smile broke out across her face when Killian's husky voice broke through her morning musings. "Something smells delicious."

The way he nuzzled into her made her weak in the knees as she protested the compliment. "It's just from a box."

"Mmm," he hummed against her ear, "I'm not talking about the pancakes."

Emma spun in his arms and leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him. Her mind was spinning, it was a little shocking to her that she wasn't panicking at all about how much they'd discussed last night and how deep their feelings ran for each other. She realized she wasn't afraid because what they had was worth taking the risk for. Breaking the kiss, she peered into his beautiful blue eyes. Eyes full of emotions that she knew mirrored her own. And the absolutely boyish grin gracing his face made her heart soar.

"What?" he asked as she continued gazing at him.

"Nothing, I'm just... happy."

"Aye, love, me too."

Emma leaned in to kiss him again, this time parting her mouth and begging entrance to his as she stroked the seam of his lips with her tongue. "To hell with the pancakes," she muttered when he opened to her, tongues tangling together. Carding her fingers through his hair, only their breathing and wet kisses filled the air as she pushed him back toward the table until he was sitting with her nestled between his legs.

Untying her robe, Killian caressed his hands up and down the lush skin of her torso before greedily pulling her against him, showing her how ready she had him, not that it was hard to tell through his boxer briefs.

"I smell pancakes. I thought we were eating on the way to the zoo?" a masculine voice said, cutting through the moment.

"David!" Emma gasped.

"Your brother has a key, good to know," Killian muttered. Emma dropped her head into Killian's shoulder, willing this to be a dream. That was quickly shattered when she heard Mary Margaret's voice.

"Are we interrupting something," Mary Margaret asked, eyes wide as saucers and a smirk begging to be let out.

"EmEm! Killy!" little Leo cooed.

David's hands had immediately found his hips, as they quite often did before interrogating a suspect. Although the look on his face looked more like he was preparing to beat a perp. "What the… I mean… What's go- Why the hell is he- Goddammit!" he roared, throwing his hands up in the air, and the toddler snuggled in Mary Margaret's arms immediately started crying at his father's outburst. "I thought I said she was off limits?"

"Hey!" Mary Margaret and Emma both yelled. As Emma stepped away from Killian to give her brother a piece of her mind, Killian quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Neither missed the huff of exasperation from David, but both ignored it. Killian quickly folded Emma's robe over and tied it closed before giving her an attempted wink.

She smiled that happy smile at him before returning a scowl to her brother. "I am not a possession, David. You're not my father, you're not my husband, and you're not my keeper! You don't get to tell me who I can and cannot be with." She was outright yelling as she finished.

"I'm not," he boomed. "I'm telling Killian he can't be with you. I don't want you with a cop, Emma!"

"Why is being with a cop good enough for your wife, the one you share a love so pure with and would lay down your life for, but being with a cop isn't okay for me?"

"It's not like that, Emma," David argued.

"Oh yeah? Then what's it like? I'm dying to understand," she retorted.

"I'm just trying to protect you."

"From what?" When David made no move to answer, she shouted her question louder at him. "From what!?"

"Daddy, EmEm, no fight," Leo cried.

"Emma," Killian called softly and she turned to look at his calming blue eyes. He was quite the site, clad only in his skivvies, both hands strategically placed over his package. "Let's get dressed. You both could use a minute to calm down."

"That's a great idea," Mary Margaret piped in. "Take five, we'll finish making breakfast. You still have that leftover ham from the other night?"

Emma nodded at her sister-in-law, then she and Killian headed toward her bedroom.

"Where are you going, Jones," David seethed.

"Where the fuck do you think his clothes are, David," Emma cursed.

Once in the bedroom, Killian pulled Emma into his arms. "Hey, we are going to make him understand, okay. There's no reason to fight with him. Let's make him understand. Hear him out, whatever his reasons, and then show him why he's wrong."

"No, Killian. He's being an absolute dick. He has no right to tell me what to do. And I hate whatever his reasons are. I don't care."

Killian placed a hand on each of her cheeks and looked into her eyes, before planting a soft kiss to her lips. "Yes you do, love. And we can figure this out."

Admittedly, some of her anger faded as Killian talked of understanding and explaining and communication. She walked to her dresser and pulled out one of his old t-shirts she'd borrowed at a party at his place.

"You still have this?" he chuckled.

"It smelled like you for a long time after I borrowed it, I like sleeping in it."

"That party was over a year ago," he mused.

"I told you, I've wanted…," she paused, trying to find a better word for how she'd felt for so long. "I've really liked you for a long time, Killian."

He slipped the t-shirt over his head before descending on her and kissing her fully. "Maybe almost for as long as I've fancied you."

She just giggled at that, hugging him for fortification before taking his hand and heading back out into the battle zone.

"Wait, I still don't have pants."

Emma led him to the guest room."David and Mary Margaret keep extra clothes here for when they don't decide early enough who is going to be designated driver."

"I don't think Mary Margaret's pants will fit me, darling."

"Shut up you goofball," she laughed as she threw him a pair of David's sweatpants.

"Let's sit down and eat, and discuss this like adults," Mary Margaret, always the mother, ordered everyone when Emma and Killian emerged.

She'd finished cooking the pancakes, whipped up a batch of scrambled eggs, and was just finishing frying up the leftover ham. David was pouring a round of coffee for everyone and holding Leo who was happily babbling now that he had a pancake in his hand and no one was yelling.

After strapping the baby into the portable high chair they kept at Emma's place, everyone sat down at the table and dug into breakfast.

"Can you just tell me what you think you're protecting me from?" Emma asked. "I mean you trust Killian with your life, literally. Why don't you trust him with my heart?"

David's stoic expression lightened at that. "Does he have your heart, Emma?"

Killian glanced toward Emma and smiled knowingly. They didn't need to call it love right this instant, but they were definitely invested in each other.

"Answer the question, dear," Mary Margaret prodded. "Otherwise they don't have the truth, because trusting Killian has nothing to do with it, and you know it."

"Fine," David sighed. "You dealt with abandonment by your own parents, by every subsequent foster parent, by the only friend you made as a child, who turned out to be a fraud, and then with Neal's betrayal, which almost broke you. I don't want you to ever experience that abandonment again." David's voice broke as he finished explaining. Tears rimmed his eyes as he contemplated even trying to understand what she'd been through. And he would be damned before it happened again, especially by someone who he'd introduced into her life.

"What?" Emma asked incredulously. "That has everything to do with trusting Killian," she argued. "Why do you assume he'd abandon me."

Leo quieted as the tension between siblings started to grow again and Mary Margaret looked around the table, jaw clenched and a warning in her eyes to every adult at the table to not upset her baby again.

Killian placed his hand over Emma's white knuckles where her fist lay balled up on the table. "I don't think he means I would intentionally leave you, Swan."

Emma looked between her brother and Killian, a confused furrow cocking her brows.

David chuckled, "See, he gets it."

"Explain, David. Make her understand where you're coming from," his wife urged him.

Wait, Emma thought, it was supposed to be the other way around. She was supposed to be making him understand why she and Killian were a good, no great, thing. Before she could speak though, David started up again.

"Emma, you really think no one sees how much you two are into each other? You really think for almost two years, no one has watched the way you pine for each other, flirt off the charts, tease each other like kids on a playground? You're like an old married couple half the time, we'd have to be blind not to see it. Killian is a good man, I understand he'd never purposefully hurt you, he'd have to deal with me if he did. But you have to understand that officers die in the line of duty all the time. Being with one means you accept that risk. I couldn't bear the thought of you losing one more person you loved, especially if it was someone I brought into your life."

A tear or two trailed down Emma's cheeks as she listened to her brother. As she really heard what he was saying. For the first time, she understood where he was coming from. It finally made sense why he didn't want her being with a cop. And it relieved her mind that it had nothing to do with Killian personally, especially because she wasn't giving him up.

"EmEm, you sad?" Leo asked.

A small laugh turned cry-hiccup escaped Emma's mouth. "No baby, I'm happy," she smiled.

Leo clapped his hands, his innocent celebration of an adult human being happy, bringing a smile to everyone's face.

Emma unfurled her balled up fist under Killian's comforting hand and interlaced their fingers, giving him a strong smile. "David, while I am thankful that you explained your reason for not wanting me with Killian and I even understand where you're coming from, I could walk outside tomorrow and get hit by a bus. There are no guarantees in this life."

David nodded his head as he glanced between her face and her and Killian's intertwined fingers.

"He has my heart, David, would you deny us that?"

David sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest as he often did when contemplating something. After a full minute, at least, he exhaled a breath bespeaking acceptance, albeit reluctantly. "I'm beginning to see that. And I could never deny you happiness, Emma."

Emma beamed at her brother, understanding that while his actions may have been off kilter the reasoning behind them was fueled by brotherly love.

Mary Margaret leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek before flashing Emma and Killian a smile. "Glad we got this settled," she giggled.

"So, just what are your intentions toward my sister, Jones?"

Emma scoffed loudly, rolling her eyes at David's attempt at big brother intimidation tactics. But when she heard Killian's answer, she was kinda thankful to her brother.

"Well Dave, whatever happens between me and Emma is as much up to her as it is me. But I'm in this for the long haul if she'll have me."

"Good answer, partner," David laughed as he threw his hand out across the table in an offer to shake Killian's. "Two rules," he added as he squeezed Killian's hand tighter, "you are never allowed to kiss and tell around me, and if you hurt her, I'll kill you."

Killian let David have his moment of brotherly protection, because he understood how important it was to cherish Emma. He was the one who'd fancied her for almost two years after all.

"All right, enough of that," Mary Margaret sighed as she wiped Leo's hands and face. "Let's get everything cleaned up, and then we are headed to the zoo as planned. Emma you are free to bail, you and Killian probably have a lot of catching up to do for the last year and a half."

Emma waggled her eyebrows at her sister-in-law and Killian had the good sense to not dispense with his usual abundance of innuendos, while David just cast the evil eye at his wife.

"What," Mary Margaret asked, holding her hands up in mock innocence and confusion, "what'd I say?"

"Ga-dammen!" Leo shouted and every head whipped around to look at the little boy as he tugged helplessly at the lap belt of the high chair. "Up, up," he pleaded.

"Way to go, dear, looks like he'll have your charming vocabulary," Mary Margaret scolded her husband.

Not having any kids of their own had Emma and Killian struggling not to bellow out loud at the little guys antics.

"No, no, Leo," David told his son as he unbuckled the lap belt and picked him up. "That's a… that's a daddy word."

"David! What kind of lesson is that?"

Emma and Killian just looked at each other and started cracking up. "So what do you say? Stay in or join these crazy kids at the zoo?" Emma asked Killian.

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I am doing," Emma deadpanned. "I'm asking you out on a date with me, my brother, his wife and kid, and the monkeys too."

"Sounds delightful as long as you'll be there," Killian answered as he pulled her into his embrace and pecked her lips.

"Hey, let's just take it slow," David interrupted, "I'm not quite there yet."

"Oh relax, she's 28, not 16, they've obviously already done the deed, how are you going to get squirmy over a hug?"

"Not helping!" David pleaded with his wife, rubbing his temples in a soothing motion.

"He's such a baby," Mary Margaret cracked up. "How about you guys meet us there? No rush," she added conspiratorially.

"For fuck's sake, do you want to lay out a trail of rose petals to the bed for them?"

"He's too easy," she continued laughing.

"Fuhfuh sake!" Leo shouted.

Mary Margaret's laughter cut off immediately as she stared daggers at her husband. "Watch your mouth, he's a parrot these days!"

"Gonna be a fun day," Emma said, once the Nolans had departed. She was most definitely trying to convince herself more than anyone else.

"It'll be brilliant, love. You and me, that is the only requisite for my enjoyment."

"I bet you say that to all the other girls."

"There are no other girls. Only you, milady."

"Good," Emma whispered before pulling him in for a kiss.

"Mmm, let's practice mating like the animals, Swan."

Emma laughed so hard her stomach hurt. "I have no doubt David is now timing the drive to the zoo and adding it to the time he thinks it should take us to be ready."

"I can be quick," Killian purred as he thrust his hardening length against her stomach.

"Or we could take our time and really freak him out?"

"Your heart's desire, Swan, I promise, that's all I want you to have."

Emma stared into the intense gaze of Killian's eyes, the blue shining with truth and sincerity. "The long haul, Killian, that's what my heart desires. You and me."