Not to get your hopes up but my muse has been seriously fired up lately. I've somehow managed to write just as much for my book as I have fanfiction. Shockingly this chapter has relatively little smut (compared to my usual stuff anyway), but it's nice and flangsty which I think you'll enjoy. And if you are disappointed, don't worry, it's a set up for a fun little arc with lots of smutty possibilities.

This fic is also available on Tumblr and Ao3. My new blog name is magdalenachristiano

Chapter 7:

Some Business Out-of-State

Emma Swan tapped her foot anxiously on the floorboard of the town car. The city silently bled by as she traveled to JFK. There were butterflies in her stomach and it made her want to cry. Partly because she was sickened by herself and partly because the feeling felt so good she could burst.

She hadn't seen Killian in two weeks. Getting the sponsorship deal together in such a short amount of time had taken everything she had. There was no time for playful office visits or late night house calls. Every second of every day had been leading up to this moment when she finally got to see him again.

The car pulled up to the tarmac where the Jonescorp jet was waiting. As the driver opened her door her heart skipped a beat.

Standing by the stairs was Killian Jones dressed in navy blue suit that matched his eyes. His shirt was undone to reveal a peak of black chest hair. Emma blushed at the sparkle in his eye as she approached and self consciously straightened her dress. "Mr. Jones." she nodded.

"Swan." he breathed, smiling goofily.

Everything in her told her to run, but she held fast. He held out a single red rose. The smile on her face when she took it was downright painful. She brought it to her nose and breathed it in as his arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close. She giggled childishly. "How long is the flight?" she asked.

Killian sighed, "Not long enough." and kissed her.

She sighed into his lips. Her heart ached with happiness. Inside the plane was warmly lit with a lovely view of the sunset through the windows. Killian seemed reluctant to separate their bodies as he nuzzled his nose against hers. "You've been avoiding me."

"No," Emma said, biting her lip to cover the beaming smile that was just begging to break free, "I've been busy putting together this deal."

"A woman who's too busy for me? No such thing."

"Well, my modeling career hasn't taken off yet so I have to keep my day job for now."

"For now." he whispered before kissing her again, this time deeply and with passion.

Emma wrapped her arms around him and breathed him in. Thankfully it was enough to make her forget his little comment as soon as he said it, but for a split second she felt a pang of sheer terror at the subtle insinuation.

"Mr. Jones," the flight attendant said, "we'll be taking off soon."

"Excellent, Tink. You can bring out the champagne." he said, pulling Emma over to the couch. "Have a seat, love." When they were both settled with bubbling glasses in their hands he raised his flute and said, "First, a toast."

Emma raised her drink as well.

"To new leaves and gold medals."

The clink of their glasses was pleasant to the ear. "And what new leaf will you be turning over, Mr. Jones?"

"An honest one, I'm afraid."

"How boring." she said, feigning disappointment.

"That's good. Go ahead and pretend talking about your past isn't going to be the most terrifying experience of your life."

Emma's expression melted as understanding washed over her, then turned to a stubborn pout. "No, no, no! You are going to spend the next thirteen hours doing terrible, terrible things to me!"

He smirked, "You'd like that, wouldn't you? No, I'm afraid I have trapped you inside this flying box for a much more nefarious purpose." He waggled his eyebrows joyfully, "You and I are gonna get to know each other."

Emma seethed for a moment, then caught a look at Killian. She had thought about nothing but him for the past two weeks. She'd promised herself she would open up, but it wasn't going to be easy. With an angry huff she set her glass down hard on the table. "I'm gonna need something stronger than champagne."

Killian's eyes glinted mischievously as he pulled a decanter of rum from a compartment in the table. He poured them both a glass.

"Well," she said, taking a sip, "surely you must have a plan."

"You mean, do I know you're not going to go down willingly? Yes, I suspected as much. Which is why we're going to play a little game. It's very simple. I ask you a question and you can either answer it or take a drink."

Emma looked at him warily. "So I don't have to answer any questions?"

"I did consider the fact that you would be willing to get alcohol poisoning rather than open up which means I will have to cut you off at some point, but until then the only question you have to worry about is..." he lounged back, looking at her with a devilish grin, "Can you hold your rum?"

Emma took the glass of rum off the table and leaned back in a challenging pose, "Ladies first?"

"Of course!"

"What's the drunkest you've ever been?"

Killian sighed, looking thoughtful. Finally he answered, "My brother's funeral."

Emma's face fell, "You had a brother?"

"Aye. He was all that I had in this world."

"What happened to him?"

"I believe it's my turn, love." he tsked. "When was the last time you dated someone?"

Without a moment's hesitation Emma took a sip from her drink.

Killian huffed, "So that's how it's going to be, eh?"

She sent him a willful look. "My turn."

KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE

"So you just left her there?!" Emma cried in shocked amusement.

"Oi, I'm not proud of it!" Killian leaned in close, the scent of rum heavy on his breath, "I was a real twat in college, I admit. But, in my defense, the other girl was technically a princess! It is my duty as a countryman to be of service to the noble class."

"Yeah, I'm sure it was a real chore." She felt electricity dance beneath her skin where

his hand was gripping her thigh.

Killian leered at her greedily as he slurred, "Alright, now. I have a confession to make. I pride myself on being able to deduce a woman's mental state while under the influence of alcohol and I believe you to be no longer capable of giving consent."

She smiled, her stomach filled with the cruel fluttering of wings, "What are you going to do to me, daddy?"

"Uh uh," he sang, pointing at her accusingly, "no trying to distract me. I think you're ready for the big question."

Emma steadied herself. She had know this was coming all night.

"Have you ever been in love?"

She raised her glass to her lips. The world was spinning. She had lost the ability to stand and could barely form words as it was. With a resigned sigh Emma placed the tumbler of rum on the table. "I have."

A strange look came over Killian's face. "What was his name?"

"That's two questions."

He growled grumpily, "Well, go on then."

"What happened to your parents?"

He eyed her warily, his drink hovering at his lips, "You know what happened to my parents. Everyone knows."

"I know what the tabloids say. I'd like to hear it from you."

He shrugged, "They got into bed with the Irish mafia. Went bad. They sent some thug named Gold to kill them in their own home."

Emma frowned, "I'm very sorry."

"Yes, well. It seems my loneliness has finally caught up with me."

"I'm serious, Killian. That must have been hard for you."

"Aye, it was. But... perhaps I might still have a chance at having a family."

Emma grew flushed. She wasn't ready for that. "I believe it's you're turn."

After a moment he smirked, "Tell me about this man who broke your heart."

"That's not a question. It's a command."

"You're damn right it is."

She couldn't help but laugh. Taking a deep breath she said, "I met him when I was very young. And... I loved him very much. I thought I would be with him forever. But..." she sniffed, "he betrayed me. Almost ruined my life. When I found out I was pregnant... a part of me was happy. That's how much I loved him. I was happy just to have a piece of him. But, he didn't want a family with me. I haven't seen him since I told him."

The look on Killian's face was heartbreaking. It was pure sympathy. She couldn't stand it. "Please stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like I'm a sad puppy. I'm not sad."

"No, but you do come when ordered." he winked.

She rolled her eyes. "Does that joke ever get old?"

"Do you think you would ever want a family?"

"Hey! Wait your turn!"

Killian lurched forward and caught her lips in a heated kiss. She pulled away, "I... don't think we should be talking about that yet."

He brushed his nose with hers, "Why not?"

"Mr. Jones?"

The both turned to look at Tink.

"We'll be landing soon. It's 8pm in Stockholm, 45 degrees fahrenheit, and there is 3 feet of snow on the ground."

"Thank you, darling."

They landed without incident. When they landed Emma was surprised to find that no car was waiting for them.

"Let's take a walk through the airport."

"Why?"

"You might want to put these on." he said, pulling a pair of black Ray Bans from his suit pocket.

Confused, she said, "But it's night time."

The moment they stepped out of the gate she understood. Paparazzi lined the hall leading into the main corridor. Her steps faltered. She had never seen anything like it. Cameras flashed in a shuttering assault of clicks and buzzes. Killian held her close as they broke through the wall. Several photographers followed them, snapping pictures as they walked. They all called his name, throwing out question after question until finally one stuck.

"Killian! You're company is being audited for the fifth time in 8 years. Do you have confidence in your tax returns?"

"Full confidence. I have the best and most revered tax attorney's in the business."

"Killian! Is your driverless program dead?"

Emma said quickly, "Mr. Jones will hold a press conference regarding the driverless program in May."

"Killian! Is Jefferson going to break the world record?"

"He'd bloody well better, the money I'm paying him."

Emma pinched Killian's arm and put in, "Jonescorp is proud to be supporting an athlete as talented and professional as Mr. Hat. We're sure he'll exceed expectations this week."

"What's your name?" they are cried en masse.

Killian answered, "This is Emma Swan, she's my director of marketing."

"Are you two here on business or pleasure?"

The brisk Swedish air hit Emma like a wall as the exited the airport. They were almost to the car when Killian wrapped his arm around her waist said smartly, "You know it's always a bit of both with me."

Emma gasped as he guided her into the car. The driver shut the door and he immediately found her lips. She giggled. How could he be so hungry after the night they had had?

"What has gotten into you?" she asked when he had her on her back.

Killian laughed giddily into her neck before kissing her ravenously, "I... just..." he couldn't stop kissing her long enough to get the words out, "I like that they saw us together."

"But what if we get into trouble?"

"I don't care. I don't care about anything anymore. Just you."

"Killian..."

"Don't pull away." he begged, "Just enjoy it, Swan. Enjoy belonging to someone."

Emma balked, horrified, "You don't own me!"

"Of course I do! Just as you own me." He smiled, "People aren't meant to carry the weight of their own souls. We're meant to give it to someone who will bare the burden for us and keep our heart safe."

She rolled her eyes despite the smile on her face, "You're cheesy now. I don't like it."

Killian chuckled, brushing his lips against hers, "You want your scoundrel back, do you? I can arrange that." He groped her up and down as they kissed all the way to the castle.

Emma felt bad for not paying attention to the architecture, but the moment they were inside her eyes were closed. Their suite was lavishly decorated in decadent pinks and blues. Beyond that all she knew was the golden chandelier hanging over the bed. He fucked her deep. The pace was just fast enough to make her fall apart, but slow enough that his lips never once left hers.

Killian!" she moaned as their bodies moved together in a frenzied dance.

"Emma," he said desperately between kisses, "do you know you're all I think about? I can't eat, I can't sleep-"

"I don't want to go without you again!"

"You'll never have to." he promised as she flew over the edge.

That night he fell asleep with his head resting soundly on her chest. She buried her nose in his black hair and breathed in the spicy scent. It was truly the most amazing feeling, knowing he would be there in the morning. But then she thought of his comments. He wanted a family. And he had no regard for her career. Could she give it up for him? Well, if he's busy being the CEO she couldn't be director of marketing AND take care of the baby-

Emma physically flinched. Had she just had that thought?! Inwardly she slapped herself. The time and money she had put into her career was too much to throw it all away now. And what kind of woman would she be if she gave it all up for a man?

All she knew was that she needed him, and that scared the hell out of her, because she wasn't sure the longevity of her oh-so resilient pride could stand up to the feeling in her stomach that told her spending all day, everyday, taking care of this fellow orphan would be just as fulfilling as any marketing campaign.

But she knew better than to count her pride out just yet.

Thanks for reading! Hopefully I'll work on an update to Bless Me, Captain next but I am loving this story right now so my muse might say otherwise. Please leave a comment. They keep me motivated.