A/N: This is a whole new story my brain decided to come up with! I was in a different set of mood than I usually am and here is the result of that lol a little warning, some strong language will be used in this story. I am going a totally different direction like I haven't done before. You have been warned. Feedback and follows, along with faves are greatly appreciated. :)

Chapter 1:

Emma

Life is a mysterious thing. For some, it may seem like they were born with this extraordinary luck that others with not so much it can come to envy.

For Emma Swan, life was never an easy thing. She was grateful for the very few good moments in it. She was grateful for her parents, David and Mary Margaret Nolan. She had been adopted by them when she was just a baby. She was grateful for them.

And, when she ended up pregnant with her now 9 year old son. They were behind her one hundred percent.

She never once thought about giving him up when she came to discover her pregnancy. She couldn't allow an innocent child who had no fault in her misfortune to suffer the same abandonment she had.

As a matter of fact, her son Henry was her motor in life that taught her that no matter how bad a situation became. One simply needed to keep moving forward.

Henry. She would give it all for her son. She would give it all just so he could have a chance at a normal life without having to worry about all those doctors and daily hospital visits. All those expenses on one medication after another was a nightmare in itself. Expenses that even with the help, her parents would give her and the little help her best friend Ruby would as well provide. Even if Emma protested against her help, she had no choice but to cave in.

Henry was born with ASD. A heart disease known as Atrial Septal Defect. Surprisingly common in babies, (such as Henry's case). Most babies developing symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling of the feet or stomach area, irregular heartbeat as well as a small murmur that could only be heard by a doctor.

When Henry presented early symptoms, and was diagnosed with the disease, they were in high hopes that the hole would close off on it's own, as it does in most cases. But, it grew to a medium sized hole. The only solution that was left for the boy was a required surgery to close it up. A surgery that Emma could not possibly cover. Not even with her parents and best friend's help. Not when there were expenses to be made, and necessities to spend on. Yes, Emma would give her all.

And, she did… her heart included.

Emma looked over at Henry's doctor as he smiled, placing his stethoscope around his neck. She bit down on her nails as her eyes never left the man as he checked up on her son. A little bad habit the blonde would do when she grew nervous about something.

"So? What's the news?" she asked the doctor as he looked over at Henry.

"Henry, why don't you wait outside for us, hm? I need to talk to your mother alone for a short moment." he smiled down at the boy as Henry hopped off the examination table, soon leaving the room.

"It's bad, isn't it?" Emma asked, her eyes already filled with sadness.

Her stomach sank as she saw the smile the man had on him disappear in an instant. "Well…" the man spoke in all seriousness. "It's nothing to get alarmed about."

"If that's true, then why are you no longer smiling, doc?" she crossed her arms over her chest. "You can sugar coat things around Henry, but don't treat me as if I were another child."

The man nodded, "I apologize, Ms. Swan." he sighed, "His heart is fine. The irregular beating hasn't changed one bit since the last time I checked it, the soft murmur continues to be there- but that's normal given his condition."

"But?" Emma's voice was getting ready to break.

The doctor paused for a brief moment as he spoke soon after, "After looking at his x-rays, I noticed that the hole in his heart has reached its limit."

Tears fell from the blonde's green eyes, "It didn't close on it's own like you said it would?"

"I'm sorry. The possibility of that happening was highly unlikely, but don't get discouraged." he held up his hands, preventing the blonde for protesting any further, "It is something that has a solution."

"Surgery?" asked Emma, already knowing the man's answer.

He nodded.

"How much?" she asked. It wasn't an option she looked forward to taking as any heart surgery was a delicate matter. But, she knew she had no choice and she always wanted the best for her son.

"It's… pricey."

"What's the price, doc?" Emma's brows furrowed, growing aggravated at the man's attempt to want to sugar coat the situation once again.

"40,000 dollars."

Her body wanted to collapse onto the very same examination table at the sound of the price range. She was sure the color from her cheeks had drained. Just as she was sure that she would be in great need of blood pressure medication as she was sure it had possibly dropped on her where she stood. How on earth was she going to come up with 40,000 dollars? She hardly could come up with enough to cover his medication which was expensive enough as it was. With her son's regular visits to who was supposed to be the best cardiologist New York had to offer, her insurance was constantly going through the roof. And, she absolutely hated accepting help from her parents, especially when they only made enough to look after each other.

"Ms. Swan?" the man's voice shook the blonde away from her thoughts. "I know it seems like a lot, but I can promise you that after this surgery is over and done with, your son will be able to live a normal life."

A normal life.

That's all she ever wanted for him. That's what she wished her every night of her life, what she prayed for before going to bed. It all revolved around Henry. So, why didn't he sound too convincing to her? After all… doctors were made to suck you dry. In all her years of life, she hasn't yet met one that was actually passionate about his or her job.

"Ms. Swan?" the man called out again, causing Emma to rapidly blink this time as she then spoke.

"I hear you." she drew in a breath as she continued, "Thank you for your time, doc." she reached over for the man's hand as she shook it.

"Let's schedule a pre-op appointment. I'll go over with you all that will be needed for after your boy's surgery." he smiled.

Emma nodded, forcing a smile, she didn't want to seem too affected by the news. Let alone to a complete stranger that she was sure didn't give two shits about a boy's health. "We'll be in touch. Thank you."

She walked out of the room, not giving the man to say another word.

"What happened? What'd the doctor say?" David asked as he walked out of the doctor's office, down a hallway that led towards the elevator that would take them to the first floor of the building.

"According to him, Henry will need the surgery that will close the hole in his heart." she spoke freely as Henry was nowhere in sight. Not when Mary Margaret took him down to wait in the car with her as the boy was growing bored while waiting for his mother to step out of the room.

"Is that absolutely necessary?" David asked as Emma silently nodded. He did the next best thing he could think of on the spot. He pulled her in for a tight hug as his arms wrapped tightly around her slim form. His heart breaking as he felt his daughter's body shake as soft sobs were heard being cried out. "Everything's going to be alright, Emma."

"How?" Emma replied, her voice breaking as she looked at her adoptive father, "How could it possibly get any better from here? Henry's just a kid! He shouldn't be going through this- no kid should." she sighed as she leaned against the elevator wall, "It should have been me."

"Don't say that." David's tone was firm, as the blonde's eyes locked onto his, "We've been in tough situations before. Tougher than this one. The important thing is you are not alone in this. Things will get better. When you least expect it."

David always had a way with words. She was thankful to have a father like him.

"You really think so?" she asked, feeling a little of hope return back to its rightful place.

A smirk appeared on his lips, his blue eyes shining before her as he nodded. She loved looking into her father's eyes. They actually gave her hope that things could get better every time they had that hint of glow in them.

"I do. I really do." his hand resting on her shoulder as his thumb caressed it in soothing motions.

This time it was Emma's turn to hug her father in the world's tightest hug. Her last fallen tear soaking up on his jacket. "Thanks, dad." she whispered as David placed a kiss to the top of her head.

Dad. That was a title David Nolan never grew tired or bored listening to every time it came out of his daughter's mouth. She would take to calling her parents by their first names from time to time, but every time she said those two titles that held all the meaning in the world, those two titles that made their hearts beat fast with so much emotion… they were eternally grateful. And, they knew the blonde meant them every time she used them.

"We love you, princess."

Emma's face scrunched up at the nickname, breaking the hug with her father as she looked over at the smirking man before her as he couldn't help to release a light laugh. She hated that nickname and David knew that, which made it even more special for him to keep calling her, because no matter how old Emma would get on him. Even as she would soon be reaching her 27 years of age- she was still his little princess.

"How about we take Henry for the greasiest, most cheesiest pizza New York has to offer?"

Emma's eyes lit up, just as Henry's would at the sound of that slice of pizza that her taste buds could already mentally taste within her mouth. It didn't matter how old she turned- pizza would always be her kryptonite.

The pizza joint was calm and quiet. It was a small business that welcomed anyone, anytime, and the pizza was always on point. Marco's pizzeria was the spot- Emma's and Henry's favorite to be exact. Even if the owner and chef of the place had a face on him as if had just killed someone who owed him money and had his body thrown in a river where he would now sleep with the fishes, deep down (very deep down) he had a heart of gold. Very rarely you would catch him smile. Emma could almost swear that if you stared long enough, you would catch a glimpse of it.

If you were lucky.

It also helped that Emma worked part time for the man, delivering pizza's on her bike whenever she was free. Told you. Heart of gold.

A pinball machine sounded as David and Henry both played on it, while Emma looked over at her boy with a smile so bright it made her own mother teared up at the sight of it. She missed seeing her daughter smile the way she was as she looked lovingly at Henry.

The blonde looked down at her hand as she felt another warm hand gently cup hers. It was Mary Margaret's. Her eyes met her mother's brown ones as she soon looked up their way.

"It's always nice to see you truly smile." said Mary Margaret, her voice as soft as a bird's early morning chirping.

Emma smiled shyly, her dimples on each cheek visible and clear as day, "How do you truly smile?" she asked.

Mary Margaret's smile was next in line in making an appearance before her daughter, "You can only truly smile over two main reasons. One being the love a mother has for her son or daughter." she held up her index finger, smirking as she already knew the blonde's upcoming question.

"What's the second?" asked Emma without fail. This exact words were a repetitive game between mother and daughter. It was their thing. Just like Emma secretly allowed David to still call her princess in private. She secretly loved that nickname.

"The second being… you've possibly fallen in love."

Emma chuckled as she looked back at Henry, who was lost along with David in their pinball game. Both sharing a well given high five as Henry beat his last score.

"I called Ruby." Emma's voice was as soft as her mother's as she turned to look back towards her direction, "She may have a job lined up for me, over at the nightclub that recently opened in Midtown Manhattan."

Mary Margaret's eyes grew with worry, her brows furrowing over at her daughter, "Midtown Manhattan? That's far, isn't it?"

"30 minutes by car." Emma shrugged.

"Which you don't have, remember? You sold it as soon as Henry started experiencing symptoms."

Emma rolled her eyes at the painful reminder, "An hour by bike then. It's still not bad."

The pixie haired brunette shook her head in protest, "I don't feel safe you traveling that far from home on a bike. I worry just with you coming over here to Marco's and that's closer to our home. Besides a nightclub-"

"Pays good money." Emma jumped in, giving her mother's hand a light squeeze as she provided her with another smile, only this time this smile had some sadness to it, "Ruby hasn't been working there that long and she receives great tips, plus her paycheck. She recently was able to buy herself a car- and, she offered to drive me. So, I won't be alone. Technically."

"I don't know, Emma." Mary Margaret shook her head.

"Mom. We need the money. At least until I can come close to 40,000 dollars. And, it will be at night, while Henry is sleeping so, no problem there."

Mary Margaret sighed, knowing all too well that once Emma set her mind to something she achieved it. "Your father is not going to like this one bit." Emma smiled at her mother's words, knowing well what was coming next, "I want you to talk to him. I know it may feel like we are treating you like a child, but we just really worry. If David says yes, then it's fine with me." she held up her finger in warning, "Just until you raise enough money for Henry's surgery."

Emma raised her right hand, smiling over at her already worried mother, "You have my word. After raising enough money, I'm gone."

After eating the most greasiest, most cheesiest pizza that New York had to offer, Henry pushed the door to their house open as David had barely turned the key inside the lock. Happy shrieks coming from the boy as he ran inside the house, happy to have beaten his old score at the pinball machine.

"Henry!" Emma stopped her son from running anymore as she held him by his shoulders, looking him dead in the eye, "What have I told you about running? You can't excite yourself so much, kid."

Henry's face fell as well as his shoulders, "I'm sorry."

"Whoa…" heads turned to look right at Ruby, who stood by the door, "Remind me not to beat my old score at pinball."

Henry moved from his mother's grip as he walked over to hug the slender looking brunette.

"Hey, kid. How's the ticker doing?" the brunette asked, smiling down at the grinning boy as she ruffled his hair. She knew about his surgery, she just played along with Henry so he wouldn't worry or ask too many questions that would probably be too much for him to take in.

"Doc says it's good. I still have to take my medicine and vitamins though." Henry replied, his face scrunching up in disgust. He soon left the room as David now walked in.

"Ruby." he nodded.

"Mr. N." she nodded, smiling soon after, "Thank you for allowing Emma to come work with me some nights. I'd get bored without her. That place could use another strong woman around, with all the drunk men and groping- aaaand, my God, look at the time." she glanced down at her watch as she noticed David's face growing angry at the thought of anyone disrespecting Emma, "We gotta go, Em. We'll be late."

Emma walked over to David as Ruby walked out the front door, placing a quick kiss to the man's cheek, "Thank you."

"Be safe." David replied.

"Always." said Emma as she shut the door behind her, leaving David sighing with worry. Which the man soon relaxed as he felt two familiar arms wrap around him from behind.

"She'll be fine, David. We raised her well. Emma is a strong one, we knew that since we first laid eyes on her." Mary Margaret's voice sounded from behind as David smiled, shifting in the smaller woman's arms as he looked into his wife's eyes.

It was around 6pm as Emma walked her way through the two giant glass doors. The place had a few clients, but wasn't yet full. Green eyes scanned the entire building as it was rather wide and spacious. The blonde knew this side of New York was one of the nicest, but she didn't expect this. The bar area was extended from one to the other. It was longer than any other bar Emma had ever seen. Individual tables covering the rest of the area as a few girls dressed up rather nicely in their long black dress pants, white buttoned up shirts and black silk vests served those that were already here, making their way flawlessly around the place with their trays well balanced one handed.

Even their dress code is elegant, thought the blonde, noticing how quick they needed to move. She could do this. There is no way this job could possibly difficult.

"Nice, huh?" Ruby nudged the blonde's arm, interrupting her thoughts.

Emma chuckled as she leaned over towards Ruby, whispering in her ear as the music that was playing was a little too loud for her liking, "And, here I was expecting to see back rooms where one could get a private treating to other things other than drinking."

Ruby's brow raised, "Oh, there is." she motioned towards the back as the blonde's eyes followed the brunette's finger, seeing how a man was now walking into a room that instead of a curtain it had an actual door. They really cared about their privacy here. The man stopped by the door as he allowed one of the waitresses to walk in first as the door soon closed behind them.

Emma's eyes grew wide as she soon turned around on the balls of her feet as she began to quickly walk out. No way could she do this.

"Hey, Em!" Ruby shouted, grabbing a hold of her best friend's arm as she prevented her from leaving, "Where are you going?"

"This was a mistake. I can't do this, Ruby. I can't." Emma grew nervous.

Ruby grabbed a hold of the blonde's shoulders, "Relax. There's nothing to be afraid of. I wouldn't bring you to a place where sex was your only option." she chuckled, "David would kill me." she continued as she felt the blonde's body relax, "Now, I won't lie to you. Clients will try to get a little frisky from time to time, especially if they'd had a little too much to drink. Those are the worst, but knowing you, I know you can handle a couple of prying hands. And, those rooms- that's just if you chose to go. Just because you'll work here, doesn't mean you'll have to."

"Have you ever…?"

Ruby scoffed, slapping the blonde's arm playfully, "Please! I sleep with whom I want, not with who simply wants me. Besides, hardly any women come here. You're lucky if you can even land one for the night. Women are so much easier than men. So much more respectful and gentle."

"I'll take your word for it." Emma chuckled, her eyes once again studying her surroundings, drinking in every single detail to what would be her temporary job. If she was hired that is.

"There's Gold." Ruby nodded over to an older man as he supported himself with his cane, "Come on, I'll introduce you to him." she walked away with Emma in tow as she had linked her arm around her friend's.

The blonde soon found herself being interviewed in Robert Gold's office. And, Jesus did she feel as if she were in a scene from Scarface as the man's office was close to resembling Tony Montana's office style with all the TV cameras that were positioned right behind him. The man had eyes and ears all over this place, of that she was sure.

"I must say, you are far more beautiful than your friend described you to be." Gold smiled over at the blonde as she sat opposite his desk.

Emma smiled nervously at him, her eyes mainly focused on how the man would twirl his cane around with ease.

"Tell me, Ms. Swan. Do you have any experience working in places such as mine?"

Emma's eyes moved towards Gold's dark stare, her eyes locking in place as she straightened in her seat, "Not as nice as this one, no. To be frank, the last job I had in a bar didn't last as long as I wished."

"Oh? Let me guess… too handsy?" he smirked. Sending chills down the blonde's spine.

Emma nodded, quickly correcting the situation, "But, please. Don't let that discourage you from hiring me. I can assure you, I am a fast learner and can move twice as fast as any girl working for you already."

"Including your friend?" Gold chuckled, to which Emma felt free to finally smile over.

"Especially Ruby."

It surprised her, but Gold actually let out a light laugh as he stood up from his chair, making his way around his desk as he sat on top of it, as he now faced the blonde far more closer than Emma would have liked or felt at all comfortable with. She felt a cold object softly tap her chin as Gold used the end of his cain to lift her head up. For what she wasn't sure, nor did she think she wanted to know. The guy gave her the creeps enough as it was already.

Gold looked into the blonde's eyes, remaining silent for a moment until he spoke, "You are far too attractive, Ms. Swan. I assure you, that after a few rounds- things here won't be so different than what you may have experienced at your old job. There are certain services that clients will be interested in and will be wanting you to fulfill."

Emma grew nervous, her voice a stutter as she spoke, "R-Ruby assured me I wouldn't have to do anything I didn't want to do. Sir."

"And, right she is." the blonde released a breath she had been holding in, as Gold stood up, walking back to his seat opposite Emma. He smirked as he settled back in his chair, "However, I feel it is my duty to inform you that if you ever do so chose to give the wild side to this establishment a try… the rewards are… more than satisfactory."

Emma's body went stiff, but immediately turned on her professional charm on the man, "I can't say I will ever decide to try such a thing, Mr. Gold. From the looks of this place, you have more than plenty who are very willing to fulfill the client's wild side, as you call it. It doesn't need one more."

Gold couldn't help but chuckle at the blonde's naive way of thinking, "What's one more? Really." he pointed her way with his cane, "Give it time, Ms. Swan. In time, you'll see… everything reaches its price."

"Not my self respect, sir. And, I have a lot of it." Emma stood before Gold, "Thank you for your time. Excuse me."

Gold didn't move from his chair as the blonde stopped at the sound of his voice as it sounded across his office, "Can you start tonight?"

Emma turned to face Gold, a surprise look displaying in her eyes as she was sure she had blown that interview with declining the man's last suggestion. She wanted to smile at the realization that she was now getting hired. She hated being away from Henry, but truth is Ruby vouched for her and this job, and she couldn't fail. She would not. She was already here, and she needed to pull through with flying colors. Not for herself, but for her son, for that surgery that he so desperately needed to have in due time.

Emma walked out with a confident smile from Gold's office as she saw Ruby run right for her, already dressed in her uniform for the night.

"So, did you get the job?" asked the brunette, holding on to her tray with one hand.

Emma nodded, "I did. I start right now."

"Congrats, Em! I knew you could do it!" Ruby shrieked, hugging her best friend with one arm, her tray never faulting as it remained perfectly balanced on her hand. "Let's get you into your new uniform."

It didn't take long before Emma was changed into a pair of dress pants, dress shirt and a vest of her own. The size fitting her perfectly as it complimented her body very well as she walked out from the bathroom. Her night didn't go without a few, first day mistakes of course, but it was nothing that was going to stop her from giving her all tonight. Someway, somehow she managed to impress Gold when she had already been told by Ruby that the man could be real hard ass when it came down to hiring new help. Therefore, tonight she needed to keep giving her all. 110 percent, rather than a simple 100. She was quick to learn her way around the place and learned her way around her tray just as quickly.

Needless to say, she was a hit that night. A beautiful blonde, green eyed, 27 year old waitress? Who wouldn't be charmed by her, really?

Emma Swan was the night's eye catching attraction. Who caught every eye of every single man inside that club that night. Including one in particular as he sat inside one of the more private booted areas. His suit was all black, as the first few buttons to shirt were undone, exposing his chest. His blue eyes following every movement of the new popular waitress of the night.

"Now, see that?" he motioned towards the blonde, his index finger stretched out as he held his rum glass in his hand, "That there is a woman made just for me. Just what the doctor ordered, eh?" he smirked over at his companion who sat silently next to him without speaking one word in reply. His eyes looked down at his half full glass as he gulped down the rest of his rum in one quick motion. His hand raised up in the air as he called no other than Ruby over to their booth.

Ruby rushed over to Emma as she was swamped with tables tonight. Needless to say they were kicking her ass, she couldn't possibly cover one more.

"Hey, Em. I know Gold assigned you to serve the front row tonight, but do you think you could possibly cover a back booth for me? Just for tonight." she pleaded, giving her best puppy dog eyed look.

Killian's smirk grew as tonight his most wished for wish was quickly coming true. Emma walked her way towards his booth as she smiled over at the man.

"What's your poison?" she asked him, standing before him, waiting patiently for his order.

This made him chuckle, "My poison? Well, if we're being honest here, love. My one and only weakness is women. Especially gorgeous, blonde haired ones such as yourself with a great pair of legs. What time do they open?"

Emma's lip curled up as she felt disgusted by the man's direct, inappropriate comment. Mentally counting down from ten as she kept her smile, reaching over for the man's empty glass, "Let me guess. Rum?" her eyes fell upon Killian's hand as he was quick to grab a hold of her own.

"Wild guess. You keep this up and you'll be pulling on my heart strings in no time. Among other things, I hope."

Emma wanted to barf in her mouth. She had met some creeps in her lifetime before, but never one so low as this one before her now. She honestly didn't know what angered her more, this scumbags disrespectful choice of words around women, or that his buddy was simply sitting quietly, hiding within the darkness of the booth like a coward. Proof that there weren't any gentlemen left in this world.

"I'll be right back with your drink. Sir." her jaw clenched tight as she pulled the glass back to her, quickly moving her way towards the bar as the bartender served her a new fresh glass of rum. Emma smirked as her eyes landed on the glass, instantly coming up with a not so good idea.

As she walked back towards the private booth, she held the glass on top of her tray, a smile on her face as she swiftly moved the tray downward towards him. Only she maneuvered it in a way that caused it to slip. Purposely, of course as the glass was quick to tip off to the side as it fell right on a pair of what looked to be expensive pants. Emma gasped as she then realized, had she moved her hand slightly more towards the left, the drink might've actually fallen on him and not on the lap of his drinking buddy.

"Shit." Emma whispered, shaking her head as if trying to shake her dumbfounded look away. She was thanking every single angel up in heaven right now that the music was blasting around them. If not, she was sure that every single head in that room would be staring at her as if she had grown two heads.

Way to go on your first day, Swan, she cursed to herself. Had this creep not pissed her off enough, she wouldn't of come up with this stupid idea of accidently spilling the drink and having it land on the wrong person. She blamed him!

She moved quickly as she pulled out a cloth from her back pocket, bending down as she wiped at the other man's pants as quickly as she possibly could. All while Killian just sat nearby, unable to control his laughter.

"I am so, so sorry. I beg you to understand, it's my first day-" Emma's words were cut short as her eyes fell upon dark, brown ones. Almost black pair of eyes as the man she had spilled the drink on stood up as the colorful lights revealed that this stranger that kept to himself in the shadows all night long wasn't who she thought he was. In fact, he wasn't a man at all, but a woman.

A very beautiful, attractive, well put together woman, with brunette hair so bright and silk like, and dark eyes so piercing that made the blonde's body go numb right where she stood. Her 110 percent she had given that night going all the way down to a shameless 0 in a matter of seconds.