Author's notes: Okay, I never meant for this to become a multi-chapter, but apparently Graham and Emma want their story told. I can't promise quick updates, but I'm hoping to explore this idea of Emma making a different decision that first night Graham kissed her and how it makes the story play out. Yes, Graham's memories will come back to him, but in a slightly different way than in the episode, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter".

And I typically despise authors who beg for feedback, but I honestly need some sort of ideas of where to take this fic, because I'm afraid I desperately need some hand holding.

God, her life sucked. She still wanted to bleach her brain to remove the knowledge of Graham sleeping with Regina and seeing him sneak out of her second story window. Graham didn't seem to want to let her forget it either, seeing as she was currently arguing with him regarding his relationship with Regina. He knew how much she hated her, so why he was even bothering trying to explain himself was beyond her comprehension.

"Because I…I didn't want you to look at me the way you are now," he pleaded with her, trying to make her understand.

Emma was just tired of all this. Really, what was the point? "Why do you care how I look at you?"

"Because," he said desperately, gazing at her intently.

"What?" she asked, not sure what he was trying to say to her.

Suddenly Graham moved towards her and grabbed her face in his hands, kissing her hard on the lips. She closed her eyes, about to respond to his kiss when he pushed away from her. Defensively, she yelled, "What the hell was that?"

He gave her a desperate and questioning look. "Did you see that?"

"How much have you been drinking? That was way over the line," she demanded, getting pissed at his actions towards her. She had tasted the whiskey on his lips. Why did this have to happen to her now, after she had caught him with Regina and he was clearly drunk?

"I'm sorry, I just—" he tried to apologize.

"What? You what?" she spat.

He moved closer, regret clearly written on his face. "I need to feel something."

Emma looked him in the eye, trying to make it clear what she was about to say. "Listen to me, Graham. You are drunk and full of regret. I get it. But whatever it is you are looking to feel, I can tell you one thing, you're not getting it with me."

The split second before she left him, she could see the desolation on his face. She started to walk away, but stopped short in the middle of the street. Turning around, she could still see him standing there, looking upset and confused.

What was she thinking? He was clearly drunk and could she really leave him like this all alone? Regardless of what happened with him and Regina, he was still a friend and her boss, and to leave the man drunk in the middle of town was irresponsible of her.

Walking back towards him, she saw a hopeful expression dawn on his face. "Graham, how are you getting home?"

"I—I drove the cruiser," he stumbled, looking confused.

Closing her eyes in resignation, she sighed. She couldn't leave him alone, no matter how much she wanted to. "Come on. Let's get you home."

"You're not mad at me anymore?" he asked, sounding relieved she hadn't left.

"Graham, I don't think you want to hear what I'm feeling right now," she warned, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the parked police cruiser.

He allowed her to pull him along, and said nothing when she stopped beside passenger. She held out her hand in front of his face, gesturing for him to give her the keys. Silently, he dug into his pants pocket and dropped them into her open palm.

"Get in," she commanded, and walked over the driver's side. Opening the door, she got behind the wheel, sticking the keys in the ignition. She looked over to see that Graham was still standing outside the car, just staring at her. "Get in the fucking car, Graham."

He opened the door and sat down. He closed the passenger door, and looked at Emma with a sad expression. "You hate me, don't you?"

Emma closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Starting the car, she stared ahead, and replied, "I don't hate you."

"Then why won't you look at me?" he implored.

She turned to look at him. His eyes were shining with tears, and she could see how upset he was about her rejection. "Graham—"

"Emma, she means nothing to me," he claimed vehemently. "I swear."

This was not the place for a conversation like this. "How about we talk about this someplace else?"

"Okay," he replied with relief.

"Let's get you home," she suggested, turning and began to drive. A few minutes later they had arrived at Graham's apartment. She sat behind the wheel of the cruiser, not sure what to do next. Did she really want to talk to Graham about his relationship with Regina, or should she just brush him off now that she had him safe at his apartment? Her internal debate was interrupted by Graham touching her shoulder softly.

"Emma—" he murmured.

She closed her eyes at the feel of his touch. Deep down she knew she wanted more from Graham. She was attracted to him the moment she saw him at Regina's that first night she had brought Henry back from Boston, and that attraction had only grown as she had gotten to know him. If she was honest with herself, what upset her most was the fact that Regina had Graham, and she didn't.

Emma quickly got out of the cruiser, walking over to the passenger door and waited for Graham to exit. He looked up at her from the window, and slowly opened the door and got out. Standing in front of her once more, he again tried to reason with her. "Emma, please believe me. Regina means nothing to me. I feel nothing when I'm with her."

Emma stared at him in disbelief. "If you feel nothing, then why the hell are you sleeping with her then? I'd say you'd have to feel something if you are able to have sex with her." She turned from him and started to walk away. He grabbed her around the shoulders and whirled her around, pulling her into another bruising kiss. This time he did not pull away after a few seconds.

Emma stood still for a few moments, unable to respond to his kiss. Was she really going to allow this to happen? As attracted as she was to him, did she really want to get involved with a man who slept with the only person she could easily label as her enemy?

Graham pulled back from her slightly, leaning his forehead on hers. "Emma, for so long, I've felt nothing. I've been only drifting through my life." He leaned in to softly kiss her again. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to respond to his kiss. He broke the kiss, and slid his lips along her jaw. Pulling her closer to him, he whispered into her ear, "Until you came into my life. Emma, I'm finally feeling something in my life, and it's all because of you. I finally feel like myself when I'm with you."

Emma could feel her defenses crumbling at his words. She pulled away to look him in the eyes, and saw the deep emotions within them. Widening her eyes, she gasped at the feelings she saw. He truly did feel something for her, but was she ready to allow him into her heart?

"Emma, please," he begged, bringing his hands up to cup her face.

Her walls crumbled. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. She could feel the tension drain from his body as he responded to her kiss enthusiastically, his mouth opening to grant her tongue access. Emma moaned, and pulled away from him. "Maybe we should take this someplace else?" she suggested, looking up into Graham's face with a smile.

"Okay," he breathed, and grabbed her hand to lead her into his apartment. They stopped every few feet for a kiss, making the trip take much longer than normal, but neither seemed to care at the moment. Graham pulled back from Emma once they were standing in front of his door. "Emma, we don't have to do this."

Emma smiled at him. "Let's go in," she suggested, gesturing to his door. "And talk."

He nodded, and stuck his hands in his pockets to grab his keys. He turned when he heard a set of keys jingle from behind him. "Looking for something?" Emma teased, holding up the set of keys to the cruiser.

"Yes, actually, I was," he retorted, grabbing the keys and opening the door. He ushered her into his apartment. It was most definitely a bachelor's apartment, as it was sparsely decorated with only the bare minimum of furniture. Leading her towards his kitchen, he asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

"How about we have some coffee?" she suggested, remembering his drunken state from earlier. If they were going to have a serious conversation about their relationship, she wanted to make sure Graham was as sober as possible.

Nodding, Graham went about the task of making coffee for them. Emma leaned against the counter, watching him move around the kitchen. When the coffee was ready, Graham suggested they move the conversation into his living room. Sitting down on the couch with their coffees facing each other, Graham started. "Emma, I want you to know I don't expect anything from you."

"I know," Emma said softly, looking at him. "I'm not sure I'm ready for that anyway."

Emma could see a brief flash of disappointment on his face at her words. If she was honest, Emma would like nothing better than to jump into a physical relationship with Graham, but something inside her gut was telling her to do so would be a huge mistake. Not to mention he still needed to deal with Regina.

"Graham, what are you going to do about Regina? You say you feel nothing for her, but you've still had some sort of relationship with her, and it's not like she's going to be happy if you get involved with me," she began cautiously.

Graham sat back on the sofa, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. "Regina will be difficult," he admitted.

"Understatement of the century," Emma noted, turning to look at him. "Graham, if we do start anything between us, she needs to be dealt with."

"Emma, I want nothing more than to be with you," he said earnestly, turning his head to look at her. "I'll try to talk to Regina tomorrow to tell her it's over."

"Are you sure?" she asked him, needing to be certain this was what he truly wanted. She had been hurt before by love, and taking a chance on Graham would not be easy for her.

"Absolutely," he declared, leaning in to kiss her again. "You are who I want. The only one I've ever wanted."

Emma smiled against his lips and returned his kiss. Being in Graham's arms felt like home in a strange way. When she had returned Henry to Storybrooke, she had never guessed she would not only find a son but a possible lover as well. She pulled away from him and settled into his arms.

She felt him tighten his arms around her, and heard him whisper into her hair, "Stay, Emma."

Closing her eyes, she could only nod her consent. Tomorrow she would deal with the fallout of choosing to pursue a relationship with Graham. But tonight, she would just enjoy the security of his arms.