Chapter One: There's distance and there's silence

Neal turned the postcard over and over in hand as he focused the glass of whiskey in front of him. He reached for his tumbler, downing the last of his whiskey without a shudder, almost choking from the lump in his throat. What was thinking agreeing to meet her in some dark dingy late night bar? However he owed it to her, after the way he had left her to do the time for him and she had practically chased him half way across New York this morning.

Emma appeared at the corner of the bar. She was still wearing the long back coat and orange scarf from this morning. Her long blonde curls flowed down her back. The same blue-green eyes he had dreamt about for years shone brightly. He could scarcely breathe as their eyes locked across the room. She was still as beautiful as the first time he had met her. She slowly made her way through the crowded bar and joined him at the table.

From there the rest of the night was a blur. They both had knocked back drink after drink, slamming the glasses down on the counter. Everything happened so fast, one minute they were in the bar the next was a mad dash across town to get to his apartment.

Neal could feel his heartbeat pounding against his chest. He was surprised she couldn't hear it. His fingers nervous fumbled with the buttons on her top.

"Need any help?" Emma whispered against his ear. Neal had been struggling to undo her blouse for over a minute.

Neal huskily laughed, "Maybe."

Emma smiled before simply pulling her top over her head, revealing her red lace bra. Neal raised his eyebrow in surprise. There was something different about her. She was no longer the bashful girl who had lost her virginity to him on the back seat of their car 11 years ago. He started to wonder if maybe she had somehow planned how the evening would end.

His eyes gazed over her silky soft pale skin. Neal gently ran his fingertips along the curve of her back. He could see goosebumps appear under his touch.

His fingers slowly made their way up her spine until they reached the back of her bra.

"I don't need any help with this." He cheekily whispered. He hand slip beneath the strap and unhooked her bra letting it fall to the floor.

Emma reached down and took his other hand and placed it on her breast. Neal could see her shiver beneath his touch. This was the permission he had waited for. He gently pushed her back against the door.

His warm breath fell over her hardened nipples before he firmly cupped his hands beneath her breasts.

He lowered his head and teasingly placed his mouth onto her chest. Emma's back arched as a small moan escaped her lips. Unconsciously her hand moved to the back of his head pulling him closer to her breast.

He suckled her softly at first then increased the pressure when he heard her moans.

Emma wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled his head back up to her. Her lips found his. Their past kisses had always been soft and gentle. However this kiss was rough and full of passion. Emma found herself moaning into his mouth and his thumb continued teasing her nipple. The sound of her moan sent a rush of heat through Neal. He felt slightly smug that he remembered just how to torment his former lover.

Her lips moved to his neck gently biting his warm rough skin. Neal let a small groan escape his lips. She had never been so coarse in the past.

Her fingers crept under his shirt pulling it up over his head before moving to undo his belt buckle.

Neal's hands moved their way to the back of her skirt and lowered the zipper letting it fall to the floor. He now desperately wanted to remove the last of their clothes that was separating their bare skin from each other.

Next he removed her black tights, pulling them slowly down her legs before throwing them across the room.

He gave her that annoying mischievous grin when he noticed she her underwear matched the discarded bra.

Emma moved her hands over his bare firm chest. Neal closed his eyes as he enjoyed the feeling of her soft touch on his skin. His eyes shot open in surprise when he felt her tongue flick his nipple before she playfully nipped it.

Neal grabbed her head pulling her in for another hot rough kiss. His fingers tangled in her hair. Their warm bodies pressed against each other. He could feel her hips grinding into him.

Wrapping his strong arms around her tightly he gently swept Emma up in his arms carrying her over to his bed. He softly laid her down onto the mattress.

He could feel her fingers digging into his shoulders as she pulled him down onto the bed. Neal leant down and kissed her again. They both became utterly lost in the hot passionate kiss. They rolled all over the bed and each other.

Neal buried his face in her neck while her fingers ran through his messy hair. Neal's lips began their onslaught on her neck before slowly descending down her body. Emma's heart began to race in anticipation of what was to come.

Neal's hand moved to her underwear and gradually pulled it down her legs, removing the last piece of clothing between them. He smirked again when he hear a tortured moan escape her lips.

He watched her body shudder under his gaze. He teasingly placed a kiss on the inside of her thigh before snaking his way back up her body.

Neal was now covering her with his solid weight. Emma moved her legs so he could settle between them. There was no time to think, only time to feel each other.

He tried to focus on the rhythm of their rocking hips. He had dreamt about this over and over since he left her. He closed his eyes as the memories of her straddling his lap in the passenger seat of the yellow bug came into his head. He could still see her hips rise and fell over him and the way the street lamps shone on her skin.

He cannot help but groan when he felt her tightening around him. He could tell she was getting close. Neal gently rolled them over so that she was on top. He took hold of hips and guided her back down onto him. He watched amazed as she moved fast and hard above him desperately seeking release.

Neal allowed himself to get lost in the heat of her movement. He watched as her eyes squeezed shut as she cried out. Her climax soared through her triggering his own. He clutched onto her tightly as a loud groan escaped his lips.

Emma's satisfied soaked body collapsed on top of him. Her head rested on his firm chest.

There was no sound except their heavy breathing. They stayed that way until their breathing slowed. Neal reached over and pulled a blanket over them. No words were spoken. They laid in silence until exhaustion overcame them.

The morning light shone through the window. Neal's eyes slowly began to open. His head was pounding from the amount of alcohol he had knocked back last night. He was just about to close his eyes again when he was hit with the flashbacks of the evening. "Emma," He breathed.

He jolted up from the empty bed. His eyes searched the room for her. Emma's clothes were still scattered around the room. Neal felt a sense of relief that she had not escaped the apartment while he had been asleep.

He jumped a little when he heard Emma's muffled voice coming from the bathroom. She must have been on her phone, He thought to himself.

He climbed out of the bed and made his way over to the closed-door. Neal knew he should not eavesdrop but he had to know who she was talking too.

"I shouldn't be much long I promise." Her voice was soft and warm almost maternal.

"I know … I know… ok I'll see you soon…. I love you too Henry."

Neal's breath caught in his throat. I love you too Henry… Henry…Even after all these years he felt betrayed that she could love another man. She had become a stranger to him. The Emma he knew would never just jump into bed with him if she was with someone else. Was this revenge? To make him feel like he had a chance to put things right than dash his hopes.

Hearing the conversation end Neal quickly made his way back over to the bed.

Emma slowly opened the bathroom door. She was wearing one of Neal's t-shirts and had her phone in her hand.

A small awkward smile crept onto lips as she looked over at him.

"Who's Henry?" He asked. He hadn't meant to just blurt it out. But he was not going to let Emma make a fool out of him.

Emma's smiled dropped and she looked at him shocked. She could sense the jealously in his voice. If it wasn't such a serious matter she would have laughed.

Emma was silent for a moment, she wasn't sure whether to be honest with him or not.

She took a deep breath, "My son." She whispered.

"Son?" Neal asked in shock.

The only answer Emma gave was a nod.

"How…When… I mean how old is he…" Neal stuttered he was in complete shock. He had not expected that.

"He's eleven," Emma quietly answered as she quickly began picking up her clothes.

"Eleven?" He asked confused. How could Emma have an eleven year old son? It did not make sense.

Emma did not answer his question and hurriedly began putting her clothes back on.

All of sudden everything began to fall into place in Neal's head. He felt paralyzed. Emma could see Neal's eyes widen as the realisation hit him.

She made her way to the door in attempt to escape before he had chance to stop her.

"Am I the father?" Neal asked. He already knew the answer but he needed to hear her say it

Emma could feel the tears in her eyes. "Yes," her voice was barely a whisper. Before Neal could say anything else she made her way out of the apartment closing the door behind her.