I touch my cheek and feel the hardened scar on my face. It's been two weeks since the incident and things have been awkward between Killian and I. I've seen him every day in class and we acknowledge one another, but haven't talked much. The things he said that night have been replaying in my head. When he took my hand in that room that night, and then when he'd brushed the hair from my face and asked himself, "What are you doing to me Emma?" What was I doing exactly? I kind of hope I never know, because if I ever did find out I may just fall for whatever kind of trickery is happening.

I jump at the sound of someone knocking on my bedroom door.

"Come in," I say.

Ruby comes waltzing in with a huge smile on her face. I raise a brow at her and she keeps that smile big and wide. She slaps a black piece of paper on my desk. I look up at her face and the excitement is enough for me to want to check out what she's looking at.

"A Ball?" I question. "Like this place can't get anymore weird," I say.

Ruby laughs.

"Oh c'mon it'll be fun!" she says.

"A masquerade Valentines Ball," I say reading the gold cursive writing.

"Oh c'mon we can go dress shopping together, there's a cute little shop..."

"I don't really do dances," I laugh.

"Emma!"

She grabs a hold of both my shoulders and shakes them.

"Go with me! Be my date," she says.

I shake my head and smile.

"As long as it doesn't end up like the party we went to," I say.

"Oh so you don't want to drink too much and puke all over Killian again?"

A few days after the party I told her everything. She said Killian was fast asleep on the couch by the time she'd come home that night so she didn't get a chance to question him. I hit her shoulder and nod, "Okay, I'll go."

Ruby squeals like a child who just found out she won tickets to see her favorite band. She hugs me and grabs the invitation off my desk.

"You won't regret it," she calls as she skips out of the room.

"Oh, I'm already beginning to," I laugh.

I walk the grounds of campus after my creative writing class, and I can tell where Ruby got the flyer for the ball from. The posters are all over campus and people have not stopped talking about it. Apparently it's a big deal around here and it's the schools biggest event of the year.

We are still deep in winter, but today is in the mid forties and the last of the afternoon sun is warm, so I'm taking my time walking through campus. I'm supposed to meet Mr. Gold in a little while, he wants to talk about Henry most likely. I know he wants to see his Grandson, but right now I need to tell him that it's not gonna happen. Regina is still pissed at me and has not picked up any of my calls. I'm supposed to see Henry again in the next few weeks and we were supposed to set up a time. I know she's pissed and probably going to try even harder to keep him, but I won't let it go without a fight.

I pass a tree that someone is leaning against their backs are turned. I'm so lost in thought, meeting Mr. Gold is bringing back the pain of thinking about Henry, that I don't notice them reach out. They grab my arm pulling me back. I stumble, but catch myself.

"What do you want?"

I ask when my eyes meet his. It's Peter and he does not look happy. His hand is still tightly wrapped around my wrist and I can feel it start to throb. Panic rises in my chest reminding me of how Neal held on tight too.

"What did daddy dearest say about me?" he asks.

"How'd you know?"

"I've got my sources Swan," he says.

A quiet growl leaves my lips. I tug at my arm, but he pulls me closer into him.

"Heard you are stirring up some trouble with one of my initiates," he hisses close to my ear.

"I'm not starting anything, he stole my locket," I say. "I'm not the type of person to just let that go," I tell him.

"Well maybe you should be," he whispers.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Oh, Ms. Swan you really don't know me at all, do you?" he asks.

"No, and I don't want to, so if you'll kindly let go," I say tugging.

Me tugging my hand back makes him tug the other way harder. I wince, but try not to show that he's actually hurting me. I need this guy to know that he doesn't scare me, and that I'm capable of defending myself if necessary.

"Mess with one of my initiates again and you will get to know me VERY well Ms. Swan," he says.

I should be shaking in my boots frightened, but I'm angry. I refuse to let this guy think he has power over me. He's still gripping me hard and thankfully I'm in a good position and I go right for it. My knee lifts and hits directly into him. He finally let's go, we've got a crowd around us, a few stragglers who were walking by, they've stopped to watch. Some of them in awe that I'm actually defending myself against a lost boy, others are whispering and cheering me silently from their spot.

When he regains his balance he stares me down, his cheeks rosy red with anger or embarrassment I can't tell. He steps towards me and I hear gasps from all around, he puts his hands out and shoves me hard. I stumble and land on the ground. I keep my eyes focused right on his letting him know that he doesn't intimidate me. He stares down at me and scoffs.

"See you around Emma," he growls.

My name on his lips makes me feel sick. I stand as he walks away wanting to say more, but remembering what everyone has said. I'm not really sure what I've gotten myself into, I know it's not good and I know I probably shouldn't have reacted like that, but I had no choice. Maybe I really was better off in Boston.

I reach Mr. Gold's room and knock on the door. He calls for me to come in and I step inside the empty classroom. Gold sits at his desk writing in a notebook, he doesn't bother to look up as I enter.

"Take a seat Ms. Swan," he says.

I take a step up and sit in the front center of the room in one of the desks. I wait for him to finish. When he finally closes the book he stands and walks around his desk, then perches himself on top of it.

"Have you spoken to Regina?"

"No, but she's not really happy with me right now," I say.

"What did you do this time?"

"Excuse me? I didn't do anything, I was late for my time with Henry and she took it as I was being irresponsible," I say.

"And were you?"

"Was I?" I ask. "What? Being irresponsible?" I question.

He crosses his arms at his chest and stares me down. I look around the room and laugh.

"Really? So you think I came all the way back from Boston because I wanted to screw this up? It was one night I went out to have some fun with my friends, is that such a bad thing?" I ask.

"No dearie, not at all," he sighs.

"I would really like to see him Ms. Swan."

"Believe me I know, if it were up to me I'd allow it," I say.

"Regina is..."

He looks at me for the word and I want to straight out say it, but I'm not sure if I should. He sighs. Gold grew up in this town as well as Regina, and they've known each other for a long time. The two never actually got along, so having him see his grandson might take some convincing. While I was away apparently she refused to allow him to see Henry then too.

"I'll work on her," I say.

"Okay, that's all I ask," he says.

Another knock at the door, Gold looks annoyed.

"What?"

An old security guard with white hair peeks his head in.

"We have an issue with one of your uh," he stops and looks at me. "TA's," he finishes.

Killian, is the first person that comes to mind, as Gold tells security to let him inside. A few seconds later Killian is walking in in cuffs and a cut above his right brow. The guard is guiding him in with his hands on his arms holding him steady. He doesn't notice me until I stand to leave the room. His face goes from angry to something I can't quite read, ashamed? I swallow hard, grab my things and leave the room. The door shuts behind me and something tells me this has something to do with my run in with Peter.

I wait down the hallway for him to come from the room. I don't even know why I'm waiting here. The security guard left about twenty minutes after they went in, but Gold and Killian remain locked in that room. I can hear muffled yelling, but I don't feel like I should get closer. I only want to find out one thing, was this because of me? And did Pan do that to him?

I slide down the wall, as the hour ticks by they still haven't emerged. I pull my knees up and rest my chin on top of them. I didn't mean to cause any trouble or intend to get him kicked out. Maybe that's why I'm waiting here, I feel partially to blame I guess. The door finally swings open and it makes a loud thud as it hits the wall. Killian's face is bright red and his hands are clenched in fists at his side. When he sees me it's like his blood boils hotter.

"Go home Emma," he says.

I quickly get to my feet and walk after him.

"Killian was this because..."

"It has nothing to do with you," he lies.

"I know when someone is lying, I've got a knack for it," I say. "Tell me the truth!"

I'm yelling at this point, he's walking a few feet ahead and I'm trying to keep up. My words are breathy as I pick up the pace.

"Killian I'm sorry," I start to say, but decide I'm taking it back. "Actually you know what? I'm not sorry," I yell.

He spins around and I can't tell if his eyes are red from being angry or if there had been tears there.

"I'm not sorry because I was defending myself! I'm not some damsel that needs to be rescued. Did you fight with him because he went after me?"

He's quiet, and his cheek twitches several times. I take a few steps closer and stare up.

"Killian!" I yell hitting him in the chest.

There aren't many students in the hallways right now, it's been quiet for the past hour, and it's finally dark outside which means most classes have ended. There are only a few night classes on campus. I'm thankful for the quiet, I'd rather people not be staring at me again.

"Damn it Killian answer me, did you fight him because of what he did to me?"

He sniffs and wipes near his mouth with the back of his hand. Not looking at me, but directly behind me.

"Killian," I yell.

"YES! OKAY! I did," he yells back, the veins in his forehead popping. "So it was okay for me to beat Will, but when someone basically assaults you it's not okay?"

I cross my arms at my chest.

"I never asked you to go after him either," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Okay Swan, so next time you get into trouble with Peter or anyone else I'll back off. If that's really what you want then I'll do it."

He's not yelling, but his voice is raised slightly.

"I don't care what you do Killian."

I place a hand on the strap of my messenger bag and without another word I walk around him. He doesn't bother to come after me, but I hear him grunt as he kicks the garbage pail we'd been standing near. I cringe at the sound, but don't bother to turn around to check on him.

By the time I get home both Tink and Ruby are sitting on the couch watching TV. Ruby shoots up out of her seat before I can even make it across the room. She wraps her arms around me, but my arms stayed relaxed at my side.

"I'm fine," I say.

She pulls back and looks at me.

"How did you even know?" I ask.

Tink holds up her phone and wiggles it in her hands.

"Word gets around fast when you try to attack a member of..."

"I didn't attack anyone, he went after me," I say. "I was defending myself!" I yell at her.

"Hey Emma, look at me," Ruby says trying to distract me from Tink.

"I just, I just want to go to bed," I say biting my lip to fight back tears.

Ruby nods and steps aside. I shoot a look at Tink and she just ignores it. I close the door to my room wanting to be alone. As I set my things down my phone goes off.

Regina: We need to talk. Call me.

I let out a frustrated scream not caring that Ruby and Tink can hear me. I want to throw my phone across the room, but I know doing that will not make me feel better. I shove it back in my bag and throw myself onto the bed, and lose myself in the comfort of my bed.