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A Helping Hand	By : Hookedonapirate Category: M through R > Once Upon A Time Views: 8245 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters from it, nor do I make money off of this fiction.

Chapter List
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Killian uttered a groan into the fluffy pillow that his face was burrowed in as he woke up to the overwhelming smell of pancakes the next morning. He was laying on his stomach, one arm stretched over his face, the other one tucked under the pillow. His head was pounding, he felt like someone drilled a hole through his skull, his throat was dry and he had a feeling of nausea lingering in his stomach. Slowly dragging his arm away from his face, he opened his eyes to a dim room, the curtains shielding any sunlight trying to burst through.
It took him a moment to be able to move and roll over, his eyes adjusting to the room. He lifted his head slowly, taking in his surroundings. Nothing looked familiar to him, granted the guest room in his brother's apartment was not that familiar either but at least it reminded him of Liam. This room most certainly did not. His eyes widened in horror at the revelation.
This was definitely not his brother’s guestroom.
“Where the bloody hell am I?”
There was pale pink furniture, a vanity and bookshelf with small novels and there was a furry lamp on the nightstand by his prosthetic hand, which answered his next question. His eyes scanned the comforter to find out that it was also pink, along with the decorated frilly pillows.
Oh please, this cannot be happening.
To gather further evidence of solving the little mystery as to how he had ended up in some lass’s bed, he sharply lifted the covers and peered underneath, seeing that, yep, he was bare-ass naked.
“Bloody hell.”
Killian sank his head into the pillow, running his hand over his face. He couldn’t believe that his first night in the States after his breakup, he ended up sleeping with some random stranger.
Fuck.
How the hell did he let this happen? He went to the bar with those intentions in his dispirited condition, but he didn’t recall picking up anyone. Everything afterwards was a blur. He had no recollection of last night beyond that.
He really needed to leave. Killian was in no shape to be involved in anything resembling a relationship and he was not the type of person to 'hit and run'. But obviously, this woman had other plans, judging by the breakfast she was making. The door was closed but he could hear dishes clanking around on the other side. And as he spotted his clothes across the room, he doubted that a woman expecting nothing more than a one-night stand would go through the trouble of picking up his clothes and folding them neatly, setting them in the chair. She certainly wouldn’t be making him breakfast.
Killian sat up slowly, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed and placed them on the floor, hoping this would stop the room from spinning around him. He put his face in his hand and groaned. He hadn't felt this hungover in years.
He eventually stood up and grabbed the knitted blanket he had been sleeping on, securing it around his waist. He went to the window and pulled back the curtain with his stump.
Damn, he was on the third floor, judging by the number of balconies beneath the neighbor's balcony. He also noticed that the surroundings looked familiar. This was his brother's apartment.
Double fuck.
The lass he just slept with lives in the same building and floor he was staying in. Killian had a feeling this was not going end well. He lowered the curtain and turned around just as he heard a light knock on the door.
Shit. What was a lad to do in this situation? He swallowed thickly as the door opened. He started to panic, trying to come up with a way to get out of this predicament. He started moving towards the chair that held his clothes.
“Killian, you awake?” She stepped through before he could answer and he stopped abruptly, face to face with emerald green eyes and long golden locks.
He ran his hand through his hair, his eyes traveling down her body. She was wearing a pink bathrobe with thin fabric, exposing a pair of milky long legs.
Damn, he hit the jackpot. She was bloody gorgeous. This was either a relief or really dangerous, he couldn't decide which one.
He was stunned by how beautiful she was as she came over to him, bearing a glass of water. Her hair was damp, as though she just gotten out of the shower, and she was wearing a light amount of makeup as a cheerful smirk fell upon her lips.
“Morning, sunshine. Sleep well?” she asked in a teasing tone.
How in the bloody hell did he forget his night with a woman like this? He must have been really wasted.
He replied, holding his forehead in his hand, feeling it pounding underneath his touch and he couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at his lips. “Aye. Although, I have one splitting headache and the room appears to be spinning.”
“I can imagine,” she said with a giggle, and he decided it was the most delightful sound he had ever heard in his entire life, even with the headache. “Here, I got you something that might help with that, along with some fresh water,” she said as she offered him the water and some aspirin.
“Thank you, love.” Killian graciously accepted the aspirin and water, deciding this was not so bad. He swallowed the pills and as he washed it down with the water, he knew that the right thing to do was to tell her he wasn't ready for a relationship or a woman in his life, but how? He didn't really want to see the disappointment on her face, especially since she turned out to be nice and sweet and beautiful on top of that.
He lowered the glass and closed his eyes briefly, the coolness of the liquid feeling quite soothing on his cracked lips and dry throat. Gods, if only he could remember what exactly he did to this woman with his mouth as he slashed his lips with his tongue. He tried to shake the thought from his mind and he started to reply, but struggled to find the words. It was difficult when she was staring at him with those intense green eyes, and he desperately wanted to just grab and kiss her senseless creating new memories of having her in bed. But he knew that would just end very badly. Even more so than it was already going to.
Somehow, he managed to restrain himself. “Listen, love… I don't remember much of last night and you're…” he lifted his hand, gesturing at her body “...drop dead gorgeous… and I'm sure last night was incredible... but my girlfriend just dumped me and my head’s a mess right now, so, I” she eyed him in confusion as he willed himself to continue, “...I think that we should just be friends,” he finished, and at the same time, he reasoned with himself that they already did god knows what, so he was going to soak up every drop of this experience before he left. Besides, he may not have been ready for a relationship, but he was still a gentleman. He stepped into her space and casually leaned in to kiss her cheek. She smelled like strawberries as his lips brushed across her skin and he could feel her breath hitch.
“Wow, what are you doing?” She backed up, holding her hands up to block him.
“Sorry, I just figured since we had sex-”
“Oh no no no no,” She laughed in amusement, “we did not have sex.”
Killian's face fell in disappointment, but at the same time, he was relieved. If he were to be with someone like her, he didn't want to feel guilty afterwards and he sure as hell wanted to remember it. “We didn't?”
She arched a brow. “You really don't remember anything about last night, do you?”
He shook his head. “Not a thing.”
“Well, let’s see… you got drunk and stumbled into my apartment instead of your brother's when I went downstairs to do laundry.”
He scratched his head. “I did?”
“Mmhmm,” she nodded. “His unit is across the hall and you mixed up the numbers.”
“So then how did I end up in your bed naked?”
“You got naked all by yourself. That's how I found you in my bathtub.”
He looked at her, completely appalled with himself and took a moment to process that. “So, I broke into your apartment and just got naked in your tub?”
“Yep. And there was no way I was going to try and get you dressed and across the hall so I gave you my bed to sleep in.”
“Bloody, hell,” he breathed, still in shock that he did that. “I'm so sorry love. I was really upset last night. My girlfriend dumped me and I fled here from England to get away…”
“It's okay, really. I slept in my roommate’s bed. Although, I couldn't really get much sleep, so I went to the store for pancake mix and blueberries because you asked for blueberry pancakes before you fell asleep and your brother was surpirinsly out of both… oh and I got more laundry detergent and washed your clothes too.” She turned around and walked to the chair, scooping up his clothes.
“You did all of that for me?”
She nodded. “You're Liam's brother and he's my roommate's boyfriend and a good friend of mine. Plus, judging by the condition you were in last night, you looked like you could use some friendly gestures.” Ah, this was Emma. He remembered Liam had told him about his neighbor, but his brother failed to mention how gorgeous she was.
“How much did I drink?” he asked curiously.
“Not sure. You were already plastered when I found you.” She came back to him and started to hand him his clothes before realizing he already had his hand full, holding the water. “Oh sorry…” she murmured, eyes blown wide with apology. “Your... hand is on the night stand.”
“It’s okay, I've learned to use one hand quite well,” Killian replied as he accepted the clothes, having her tuck them in his other arm.
“Yeah, I've noticed,” she said with a small smirk, and he didn't fail to notice the hint of blush in her cheeks.
“What do you mean?” he asked, confused. She looked as though she regretted the words that came out of her mouth.
“Oh nothing, you just seem well adjusted to having one hand. I made some coffee along the blueberry pancakes,” she said, quickly changing the subject.
“Thanks... it's Emma, right?”
She nodded.
“Thank you, Emma, although I think I want to shower first.”
“Good idea. You can use mine if you want. You've already been pretty acquainted with it,” she said with a light laugh.
“Very funny, lass.” She started to leave the room as he called after her. “Emma?”
She turned around and eyed him questionably.
“Why are you being so nice to me? I mean... I broke into your apartment and instead of calling the cops on me you let me sleep you in your bed, not to mention took care of me and made me breakfast…?”
Emma shrugged. “Well, I guess it's because... for someone who lived on the streets for a while as an orphan, it's the small acts of kindness that count. And my best friends who took me in off the streets and got me a job, rubbed off on me a bit. They’re the nicest people you'd ever meet. Besides, like I said before, you’re Liam's brother, and he's a good friend of mine,” she spoke adamantly as though that meant something to her. “And now he owes me big time, but I'm sure I could find a way to collect the debt.”
“He's not the one who he was naked in your tub. It was me, lass.”
“True, but you're brother never even told me you were coming until it was too late. And you were just dumped by your girlfriend, so you shouldn't be accountable for your actions. When I found out my ex-boyfriend cheated on me, I broke into his apartment and threw all of his stuff out his bedroom window... and he lives on the tenth floor. I also smashed his headlights in with a baseball bat, but I don't consider that my fault.”
“Wow, love, you're quite ruthless,” he teased playfully. “Now I know never to piss you off.”
Her features grew more serious as she gave a soft shrug. “Yeah, well, he was an ass. Believe me, he had it coming.”
“Sorry, love,” he said sincerely. “He would have to be an ass to do something like that to a woman like you.”
Emma gave him a small smile. “Thanks,” she murmured quietly. “I should probably let you take a shower.”
“You sure you don't mind me using yours?”
“No, only because I made you breakfast and you smell like vomit, so if you're staying here for breakfast I insist you take a shower,” she replied, a playful ring in her tone.
“Alright, I'll only be a few minutes.”
“I'll keep the pancakes warm for you.”
~*~
Emma gave him a towel before she walked towards the kitchen, grabbing her phone from the counter as Killian headed to the bathroom. She had been conflicted all morning, trying to decide if she should tell him about his little self-indulgence in her tub or not. She wanted to just forget that it happened, but that was definitely not going to happen. Not to mention the fact that even though she put on a damn good show for him, she could tell that he was on to her; she was not good at lying. Never had been.
She looked around the kitchen doorframe to make sure the bathroom light was on, which it was, indicating that he was still in there. She could also hear the shower being turned on as she tried to decide who to call to help her with this predicament. She could call her best friends, but Mary Margaret was never one for keeping secrets and David would just tell Mary Margaret. She could always call Elsa but she would just tell Liam-. Emma’s thumb hovered over his number. Liam would know what to do. She needed a man’s perspective anyway, and he was always one for making rational decisions. He was always the designated driver, the guy who was always dependable and always knew the right thing to do. Not to mention, she had a bone to pick with him, and he was Killian's brother after all.
Emma pushed the send button and listened to it ring, continuing to keep an eye on the bathroom door.
“Em, what's up?” he greeted cheerfully.
She sighed in frustration. She was still mad at him for the lack of notice about Killian's visit. “I will tell you what's up,” she replied spitefully into the phone. “Your brother, that's what's up. You didn't tell me he was visiting.”
“What do you mean? I tried to call you last night and left you a voice message.”
“Yeah at the last minute!” she blurted out, a bit louder than she had intended.
“Yeah about that, I'm sorry lass. Honestly it slipped my mind that he was coming yesterday. We’re not exactly on the best of terms right now.”
“Well, that's all fine and dandy, but a decent heads up would have been nice. You forget that I have a key to your apartment.”
“Oh bloody hell, what did you catch him doing? I told him not to walk around my apartment in the nude.”
“Well, apparently he listened then. He chose my apartment instead.”
“He was walking around your apartment naked?”
“Not exactly.”
“How did he even get in?”
“I was doing laundry and left door unlocked for ten minutes.”
“So what exactly was he doing then?”
Emma bit her lip as she eyed the bathroom door once again before whispering into the phone. “He was…. he was in my tub masterbating.” She could feel the weight of the unsettling silence through the phone. Oh god, she shouldn't have mentioned it. Liam and his brother already had their issues, she didn't really need to add on to them.
“He did what?” he finally asked, disbelief instilled in his words.
“He doesn't remember anything about last night though. He was pretty drunk.”
“Bloody hell,” he sighed heavily into the phone.
“Look, I shouldn't have told you but I'm not sure what to do. Should I mention it to him?”
“Absolutely not,” he replied firmly. “If he doesn't remember then there's no need to remind him. Something like that, especially involving a beautiful lass who lives across the hall, will scar him for life. And he's already in a bad place, there's no need to twist the knife further.”
Emma rolled her eyes “Flattery is not going to make me forget what happened. You owe me.”
“It's the truth,” he countered with a light chuckle. “But seriously, you're right. I do owe you, and I truly am sorry for my brother. I should have known I couldn't leave him alone. And whatever you do, don't tell him, promise me?”
“Yes,” she sighed.
“Yes what?”
“Yes, I promise I won't tell him.”
“Okay, good to know we’re on the same page. I have to go now, we’re going out to breakfast before we go to the mall to pick out curtains for Anna's new house,” he said unenthusiastically.
“Don't sound too excited,” she said playfully.
“Trust me, I'm not.”
“Okay have fun. And tell Elsa to call me later.”
“It'll be a hoot,” he muttered sarcastically. “And I will tell her.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Oh and Emma…?”
“Yeah.”
“Please, make sure my brother doesn't do anything else stupid.”
“Oh what, I'm his babysitter now?” She asked, irritated that suddenly she was in charge of Liam's brother after everything she already went through with Killian, and it hasn't even been twelve hours since she met him.
“Exactly. Thanks Em. Love you.”
Emma let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah right. I love you too,” she replied in a mocking tone.
After they hung up, Emma set her phone on the counter as she heard the bathroom shower turn off. She switched the griddle off from the warm setting and transferred the pancakes to a plate when she heard a knock on the door. She arched a brow, wondering who it could be at this time in the morning. Probably Mary Margaret and David wanting to go out for breakfast or something, but usually they called ahead of time.
She went over to the door and opened it warily, disappointment falling over her features when she saw who it was.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she asked, her voice laced with annoyance. It was the last person she ever wanted to see. Her ex-boyfriend.
“You never returned any of my calls. I was worried about you.” Emma scoffed at Neal as he stood at her doorway with a gutted look embedded in his features.
“Maybe you should have taken that as a hint. I don't want to talk to you,” she expressed with loud, enunciated words. “Now please leave.” She tried to slam the door in his face but he stuck his foot in crack to keep it from closing all the way.
“Come on Em, don't be like that.” He pushed the door open, forcing her back as he let himself in. “Please, can we talk? I wanted to apologize. I was an idiot for letting you get away,” he admitted apologetically as he tried to approach her, but she stepped back.
“I have nothing to say to you. Now leave before I call the cops,” she said sharply, pointing towards the door. His eyes and voice grew soft as he reached out to her again, this time gently grabbing her hands.
“Please, I am truly sorry and I want to make it up to you if you'll give me a chance.”
Emma closed her eyes to keep herself from staring into his. She still loved him, but he hurt her. She had to stay strong. “I can't Neal. You betrayed me,” she whispered.
“I know, and you have no idea how much I regret it.” Neal wrapped his arms around her and leaned in, trying to kiss her. She almost submitted to him, smelling his cologne, remembering how good it felt to be in his arms before he cheated on her, but she willed herself to resist him. Emma pushed him away and went past him, attempting to reach for the doorknob.
“You need to leave now,” she told him firmly, but before she could open the door, he grabbed her and spun her around, pressing her back into it.
“I just can't. I can't stay away,” he murmured, kissing her neck and pressing his body firmly against hers. “God, I missed you so much.”
She shoved her hands against him but he didn't budge. “Neal, please stop, I'm not interested in getting back with you,” she pleaded, but he only became more forceful.
“Come on, you know you still want me. You can't deny it.”
“Neal stop! Get off of me!” He continued to kiss her as she attempted to push him away.
“Excuse me, but I believe the lady told you to stop.” Emma felt Neal being pulled off of her, revealing Killian in a towel as he shoved her ex-boyfriend into the wall, holding him there with one hand as she expelled a sigh of relief.
Neal eyed him in shock, looking between him and Emma.
“Who the fuck is this guy?” he spat out angrily as he shrugged Killian off of him. “This is why you won't take me back?” He scanned Killian in disgust.
“It's not what it-” Emma started to reply, but then she paused, assessing the situation and seeing an opportunity here. Emma was wearing a bathrobe over her tank top and shorts and Killian was only wearing a towel, just getting out of the shower. She knew exactly how this looked. And she was going to use it to her advantage. She approached Killian and put her arm securely around his back, not failing to notice how his breath hitched under her touch. “I mean yes, Killian and I are seeing each other.” Maybe this would make Neal leave her alone. If only Killian went along with it. “You broke my heart but I had to move on somehow.” She could sense his confusion at first, but he quickly caught on.
“Aye, sorry mate, but you lost your chance.” Killian smiled at her, curling his arm around her shoulder as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. She responded by nuzzling her nose with his, a blushing smile crossing her lips as her other arm went around his impressively toned stomach. She couldn't resist running her hand across his abs feeling them ripple underneath her fingertips. She was normally not very good at lying, but this she had no problem with. It felt comfortable and natural. “So, keep your bloody hands off my girlfriend,” he demanded in a threatening tone as he turned to look at Neal again.
Neal scoffed. “I don't believe this. You’re choosing this one-handed freak instead of me?”
She could see Killian's jaw clench out of the corner of her eye as she released him and stepped into Neal's space, scolding him. She lifted her hand and smacked his face, leaving him holding his cheek in disbelief. “Don't you ever talk about him like that again, you asshole! Now please get the hell out of my apartment before I kick your ass out!” she demanded in a tone that told him he did not want to argue with her.
Neal let out a harsh sigh, dropping his hand and revealing the red mark where she slapped him. “Fine! But don't come crawling back to me when you realize that one hand is not enough.”
Emma wanted to throw something at him as he headed for the door, yanking it open. “Believe me, he can do more with one hand than you could ever do with two!” She walked up to the door with determined steps, and just as he turned around to retaliate, she slammed the door in his offended face, turning the lock with a loud click. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry,” she said apologetically as she turned around to face Killian. She was expecting the worse, for him to just walk away to get his clothes and leave, but instead he held a proud smile across his lips.
“No worries lass. You were right. The guy is an arse, but I like how you stood up to him.”
“Yeah, well, hopefully now he'll leave me alone. Thanks for helping me and going along with you being my boyfriend and all.”
“It's not a problem, he shouldn't have put his hands on you like that, and I'm just glad I could help you get rid of him. I do owe you for taking care of me last night and for defending me, not to mention, making me pancakes.”
“Yeah, you're right. I guess this makes us even.”
“Not quite, I'd say I still have to catch up,” he chuckled. You have no idea, she thought but refrained from saying it out loud.
“Well, how about for now, you get dressed so you can eat said pancakes?” she suggested, her voice and demeanor much more calm.
~*~
Killian flashed her a smirk before he turned and headed to the bedroom where his clothes were. He was still stunned that she was so nice to him. How in the world did she find a loser like Neal? He was touched that she had defended him so adamantly and he could tell it was not just for show.
He knew that Emma was a thoughtful person, but there was still something eating away at him. It was as though there were another reason she was being so nice to him, but he couldn't figure it out.
He got dressed and attached his prosthetic hand before joining Emma at the breakfast table. She had made him blueberry pancakes and coffee, the wonderful smells filling the room as he sat down. He took a sip of the coffee, enjoying the soothing hot liquid on his tongue, instantly feeling much better than before. He swallowed and set the mug down before he poured syrup over the delicious-looking pancakes, picking up his fork to dig into them. Emma and Killian soon became engaged in casual conversation as they ate.
“Thank you for this, Emma. I can't even remember the last time I had blueberry pancakes.”
“You said last night that your mom used to make them?” she asked curiously before taking a bite of her pancakes.
“Aye, before she passed,” he murmured, surprised that he had told her that.
“Oh, I'm so sorry,” she said softly, staring at him with apologetic eyes.
“It's okay, it was long ago, when I was ten. She died of cancer. My father abandoned my brother and I after that so Liam's the one who raised me.”
“And now things aren't so great between you two?”
“Afraid not. He never approved of my decisions, so we kind of grew apart.” Killian took a bite of pancake, trying to think of anything else to talk about with this beautiful stranger. He was still embarrassed about last night, but she didn't seemed to be phased by it, which was quite comforting and also very suspicious. “Lass, I want to apologize again for last night. I'm glad that my brother lives across the hall from such a nice person.”
“It's okay.” He looked at Emma, noticing that she was biting her lip and internally at war with herself.
He eyed her curiously. “You alright?”
She nodded quickly. “Yeah, I'm fine.” He wasn't buying it.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” she replied before taking a sip of her coffee.
“What did you mean before when you made that comment about me being used to having one hand?”
Emma choked on her coffee and quickly set it down, trying to recover as she wiped her mouth with her hand.
“Why do I get the feeling you're keeping something from me? What all did I do last night?”
“Killian… you're right… I haven't told you everything, but just trust me. You don't want to know,” Emma insisted as she stood up and gathered the dirty plates.
Killian stood up as well and gently grabbed her arm, urging her to look at him. “Emma, please. I want to know if I did something inappropriate or disrespectful towards you.”
“It was nothing. Believe me, it's just better for you not to know,” she replied wholeheartedly before turning around to head towards the kitchen.
He followed after her, unable to accept her answer. “But I want to know, lass. Please. It's been bugging me all morning. I have to know. What exactly did I do?” She turned around, sighing in defeat before transferring the dishes to the sink.
“You really want to know?”
“Aye. Please,” he muttered softly.
“Okay. But don't say I didn't warn you.” She let out another heavy sigh before continuing. “When I found you in my bathtub, you were…” Emma looked down at her hands, unable to face him as she toyed with her fingers, fumbling for the words.
“I was what, love?”
She kept her head down as she replied quietly. “You were… masturbating.”
Killian stepped in closer, not hearing her clearly. “Come again?”
She lifted her head and spoke more loudly. “You were masturbating.”
His body froze as he looked at her in complete and utter horror. “I was what?”
“You were masturbating, okay? That's how I found you.” After a moment of dead silence, Killian turned around and placed his hands on his hips, too embarrassed to look her in the eye.
“Bloody hell.” How the fuck could he do something that stupid and not remember it? And in front of this gorgeous bombshell?
“Killian, please, this is why I didn't want to tell you.”
He scoffed, looking towards the ceiling and wishing he were anywhere else but here. He felt her hand on his arm but he pulled it away and headed for the front door. “I have to go.” He couldn't even bear to look at her as he opened it and walked out into the hall, shutting the door behind him.
~*~
Emma cursed herself in regret as she went after him, but when she reached the hallway he was disappearing down the stairs, and she was still wearing her bathrobe. Why couldn't she have listened to Liam? Why did she have to go and tell him? Now, if they found his body in a ditch because he tried to drown his heartache and embarrassment in too much alcohol, it was going to be all her of fault, and Liam would never forgive her. God, she was such an idiot.
She huffed in frustration as she went back inside, slamming the door behind her. She headed to her bedroom, deciding that she was going to have to find him and make things right somehow, even though she wasn't the one who did anything wrong here. She made him blueberry pancakes for crying out loud. She mumbled to herself as she pulled some clothes out of her closet and got dressed.
There were really only two words to describe this situation, which were as the Jones brothers would say, “bloody hell.”
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A Helping Hand