Emma groaned as her forehead met the cool wood of the table, her eyes darting away from the infuriating man at the end of the bar. The lilt of his accent (English, maybe? She never quite figured it out) rising above the cheers of the local New York men as they crammed into the joint to watch another night of football – Giants versus Saints. Sundays were always her biggest night of the week during football season and she intentionally made sure that her employees knew that – to keep up with the crowd and not be distracted. Killian Jones, however, was another story.

Flashing the drunk brunette in front of him a brilliant white smile, Emma watched him slide another beer to the girl, secretly mouthing "on the house" as his right eye quickly shut and opened in a sexy wink that kept bringing them back.

Emma's blood boiled as she watched him hopelessly flirt with the girl, who was way beyond tipsy at this point, her arms waving wildly spilling half of her beer on the customers seated next to her. Killian laughed, deep and throaty, before pulling the rag off of his shoulder to wipe the bar down.

He knew the rules: no free drinks to anyone under any circumstances. And as much as she wanted to avoid him (being the boss definitely had it's cons), Emma knew that she had to approach him. Inhaling through her nose and out through her mouth – her go to in times of trouble and anxiety – she stood up from the end of the bar, adjusted her dress (a sexy red that complimented her wavy blonde hair. Hey, you've gotta attract men into your bar somehow), and sauntered over to the dashing, yet so infuriating, man.

"Swan," Killian beamed, as he turned his attention to his beautiful boss, throwing the bar rag back over his shoulder as his other arm leaned against the cool countertop of the bar. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Cut the crap, Killian," she hissed, seething with anger, his brilliant smile turning into his normal smirk, raising an eyebrow at the fuming blonde. "I know you just gave that woman a free drink."

Killian took a step forward, invading Emma's personal space, as he towered over her. He could see her breath hitch in her throat at his close proximity. Emma hated him, and he knew it too. Killian just loved to see how far he could take it with her, constantly pushing her, knowing that one day she was bound to erupt.

And to be completely honest, he didn't care for her either. But Killian was a man with needs, who just so happened to be a hopeless flirt, and whenever a beautiful woman such as Emma approached him, Killian couldn't help but seep with innuendos.

"Oh. Jealous, love?" he shot back, winking quickly at his boss.

"You wish, Jones," she fired back, pushing against his chest to put some distance between them. Even through the physical contact, Emma managed to keep a straight face. The radiating sexual tension between the two was almost always unbearable. But then Killian would open his mouth and Emma would recall when she loathed the man so much.

"Just get back to work. And don't think I'm taking my eyes off of you for a second," she challenged, turning on one heel to walk away before he lightly grabbed her forearm, tugging her back so that her back collided with his warm, solid chest.

Leaning over her shoulder, his lips treaded dangerously close to her ear, breathing rhythmically against the red tinge of her cheeks. "I would despair if you did."

Catching her breath, Emma huffed angrily, rolled her eyes and stormed off away from the bar. From behind her she heard his casual laugh, as if he knew he had won the round. But this time, she chose to ignore it. He wasn't worth it.

Making her way towards her office, Emma eyed the rowdy crowd, the tipsy men shaking their fists in the air and shouting violently as Manning through an interception on the flat screen TV mounted on the wall. The mass would soon settle down, as the fourth quarter was drawing to a close, Giants loosing once again. It's a wonder she even had a crowd, as pitiful as their team was doing this season.

But when she scanned the throng again, she suddenly realized that there were probably more woman in the crowd than men tonight. And their eyes were certainly not focused on the game. Right. Killian.

Every time she asked herself why she even hired that infuriating man in the first place, Emma is remained of David, her close friend and co-owner of the bar. A few months ago the business had started going under after their main bartender quit to move to Texas with his girlfriend. David and Emma interviewed hundreds of candidates and no one fit the bill. Too old. Too violent. Too strange. Not enough experience.

And then came Killian Jones. Emma swears that David fell in love with the man the second he strut through their door, his messy dark hair side swept, bright blue eyes piercing the room. It looked as if he had stepped straight out of a magazine. And the part that Emma hated most is that he knew it.

He was perfect for the position, or at least, that's what David had argued. With the business in the slumps, Killian was just the key to bringing girls in by the boatload. And it was even better that Killian didn't mind them exploiting his sexiness. With his cocky attitude and smug smirk, Emma always tried her best to avoid him: managing on different nights and forcing David to run the bar whenever Killian was scheduled.

Emma shook her head, trying to throw out all thoughts of him for the night. The hours were drawing to a close and she was more than ready to go home. One more hour, she told herself internally.

The blonde was abruptly pulled out of her thoughts, however, when she saw her best friend/roommate (and best waitress) Ruby approaching her. Emma couldn't help but giggle at her roommate's ridiculous outfit, the low neckline white top cropped short exposing her flat belly, her red skirt barely covering her most private of parts.

The scandalous uniforms were Killian's idea. Just another way to draw in the crowd, love, he had suggested, adding in his signature wink. As much as she had hated the idea, it really drew in the men. Between Killian's good looks and the wild waitress outfits, the place had never looked better. Add in Sunday night football and you've got the best bar on this side of New York.

"Emma!" Ruby squealed at the blonde, playfully bumping her hip into Emma's to catch her attention. "Great night, huh?"

"The best I've seen in a while, Ruby," Emma smiled, all thoughts of Killian vanishing from her mind. "If we keep this up, David and I will finally be out of the debt we got ourselves into when we bought this bar back in college."

Emma gave a quiet laugh as she crossed her arms over her chest, leaning against the back wall, scanning the best crowd she's ever seen in her bar. Emma continued, a smile appearing on her face as she watch Mary-Margaret running from table to table, refilling cups as the drunk men sloshed their everywhere. "And with David and Mary-Margaret now expecting a baby in eight months, he's definitely going to need all the extra money he can get."

"Oh by the way," Ruby exclaimed excitedly, the mention of Mary-Margaret reminding her of her purpose of approaching Emma in the first place. "Mary-Margaret and I are having a girls night tonight. Pizza and chick flicks. Want to join?"

Emma sighed in defeat. "I'd love to but unfortunately I have plans later."

Ruby raised an eyebrow, her hands going to her hips and a knowing smirk appeared on her face. "You have a cyber date with Mr. Pirate again don't you."

Emma's jaw dropped in mock shock. "No, of course not!" she stuttered, flustered, but quickly adding, "I don't even know what you're talking about."

Giving her best friend a light punch on the arm, Ruby shot back, "Oh come on, Emma. You've been avoiding girl's night for weeks now. Opting instead to spend the night with your laptop, talking to Mr. Dreamboat."

"Ruby, keep your voice down," Emma hissed as she pulled on her best friends arm, ushering her into her office. "People will hear you."

"Well I don't blame you for wanting to keep it a secret, Ems. You know, having a cyber relationship instead of a real one," Ruby mocked, playfully rolling her eyes at Emma as she plopped down in the nearby armchair, Emma icily eying her, after which Ruby quickly added, "I'm on my fifteen minute break. So talk."

For the past month, Emma had been sneaking off and keeping her private life very hidden as she had met him - the man of her dreams. They met in an online chat group for local New Yorkers and had talked every night since, the majority of the time into the wee hours of the morning. The pair had talked of everything and nothing in particular, both avoiding giving out personal information in hopes of moving too fast. But more than anything, Emma was scared to meet him. Scared that he was real but also scared that he wouldn't be. She was in too deep, her hopes now too high. And with both of them living in New York, there was always a chance that they had a previous encounter, even in a city of millions.

"There's nothing to talk about, Ruby," Emma sighed, sitting down in her swivel chair, her sore feet going to prop on top of her desk as the rest of her body deflated from exhaustion. "We just casually talk once in a while. That's it. Nothing more."

"Mmhm," Ruby hummed, slowly getting up from her chair and heading towards the door to continue working as the night drew to a close. "Well whenever you do want to talk about him, you know where to find me."

Emma sighed, her forehead finding the cool wood of the desk as she pounded her fist on the table. Within the hour, the bar quickly cleared out, the Giants loosing their game, the angry men wondering out into the streets to probably cause some kind of riot. Once her employees had left, thank god she was able to avoiding running into Killian again, she flicked the lights off and locked the door, hailing a taxi to take her back to her apartment.

Unlocking the door, she flicked the lights on of her quiet apartment, reaching down to slip her heels off, rubbing her sore feet in the process. Carrying the strappy sandals in her hands, Emma walked towards her bedroom, thankful for the quiet night ahead. Emma loved her roommate so much, but sometimes she was glad to have a peaceful night at home alone. Especially when she was thinking about him.

As she entered her bedroom, Emma's eyes darted to her bright computer screen, the box blinking and flashing with excitement. She felt the butterflies begin to swirl inside her stomach in anticipation, much like every time she thought of him. When she reached the screen, her eyes danced across the words, a huge smile instantly appearing on her face.

pirate300: So how is my Princess doing tonight?

Excitement burst from within, her eyes darting to the little green dot next to his screen name, letting her know that he was online and waiting for her to respond. And, just like always, she didn't care how tired she was at the time; Emma would never keep him waiting.

princess28: Super tired from work. How about you, pirate? ;)

Rubbing her hands together in anticipation, Emma watched the screen, anxiously waiting for his reply, to see if he had already abandoned her (because it's been no telling how long he had already been sitting there waiting for her).

pirate300 is typing

Her heart soared and gut twisted in knots. She had no idea how she could feel this deeply for someone that she's never even met.

pirate300: Same here, darling. Had to deal with my annoying boss again though.

princess28: Hey now, I'm a boss too remember? ;) Wouldn't want to think that my employees hate me as much as you dislike your boss. But don't worry about her though.

pirate300: The only thing that got me through the night was knowing that you'd be here at the end of the day.

Emma blushed. She couldn't help but feel like a giddy schoolgirl when she talked to him.

princess28: You're too kind, pirate. Unfortunately, it's getting late and I've got a full day of work tomorrow. I should probably get some sleep :'(

pirate300: As do I, m'lady. Tomorrow night again? ;)

princess28: Always.

pirate300: Goodnight, love. Sweet dreams.

Leaning back in her desk chair, Emma sighed, squeezing her eyes shut, her smile growing larger across her face. One day she would have to face the facts: either meet this man of her dreams and risk the best thing that's ever happened to her or let him go. But for tonight, she ignored this impending decision and basked in the happiness that he brought her.

Elsewhere, a few miles down the road, a messy haired "pirate" shut his laptop closed, grinning as he thought of his beautiful cyber princess. The one that he yearned so much to meet. One day he would convince her.

Yes, Killian Jones thought to himself. One day.