I'm sitting in the University library when my phone vibrates on the table. I look down and see Neal's name scrolled across the screen. I sigh and hit the reject button and go back to my English homework. A few seconds later it rings again, I'm about ready to throw it across the room. I look down at Neal's name pops up again. I give it one more go and reject it. I tap the pencil on the side of my notebook making a bit of a racket, but I don't really care. Someone across the table tells me to "Shh" like we're children again. When the phone doesn't ring after a minute I go back to writing out my essay. Vibrations shake the table again.

"Damn it!" I yell out loud.

The girl who had shushed me looks up with a stink eye. I give her a gesture that clearly says, you wanna go at it? She backs down and looks back down at the book she's so engrossed in. The phone vibrates again and this time I've given up. I grab my things and exit through the side entrance.

"What?" I yell into the phone.

"Jesus Emma why can't you just answer the damn phone," he says.

"Because I don't have to, there's nothing I want or need to say to you," I tell him. "Now what could you possibly want?" I ask.

"I wanted to sit down and talk," he says.

"Are you being serious right now?" I ask.

"Emma please just hear me out," he pleads.

"Give me a good reason why I should?"

"Because we have a son together and maybe we should co-parent..."

"Co-parenting?" I laugh. "We don't even have our son because you decided to ditch me, and there was no way I was doing that on my own," I say.

"I know it was a shit thing to do," he says.

"You're just realizing this now?"

"No, Emma – I just – I just want to talk."

"Can't we do it over the phone?"

"No, I want to talk to you in person so I can read you better," he says.

I laugh.

"I don't want you "reading" me," I say.

"Just please," he sounds desperate.

"Fine, text me with a time and place."

"Thanks Emma," he says.

"Sure."

I hang up the phone before he has a chance to say another word and pocket it. I head to the parking lot. Ruby left already for her shift at Granny's Dinner – it's a small diner in town that her grandma owns and it's the place to go in StoryBrooke. I head out to the parking lot. I reach my small yellow bug and toss my bags into the passenger side before swooping around to the drivers side. I slide into the car, place the keys in and turn. The car roars to life only to sputter out a second later. I try again with no luck.

Popping the hood I step back out and lift and lock it. I honestly am not sure what I'm looking for, but I do know how to check my oil so I start with that. Grabbing a towel from the trunk I walk back around and start checking it. The oil looks good, so I put the stick back and stare into the car like it will all just magically be fixed. The frustration from the call with Neal and now dealing with me car is stirring up all of these emotions. I can feel my chest tighten and my eyes sting. I can't cry, not here not now anyone could see me...

"You lose something in there Miss Swan?"

I don't even have to turn around to know who the voice belongs to. I can hear a hint of humor in his tone and it takes everything in me not to turn around and punch him. I'm not usually a very violent person, but he's making my blood boil. I try to ignore him thinking maybe he'll just go away. A few stray tears fall and I attempt to wipe them away, only I don't get the chance because he touches my shoulder and spins me to face him. It's the most gentle touch – almost as if it wasn't him who did it. I lift my sleeve to catch my tears but he catches one for me with the tip of his thumb. I softly gasp then step back into the car, grunting when my back hits something sharp.

"What seems to be the problem?"

His tone changes from I'm an asshole to caring like a switch turned on.

"I – I'm not sure," I stutter.

He walks around to the drivers side of my car and sits inside the car. He turns the key like I had and when he gets nothing from the car he gets back out.

"Was she low on gas?" he asks.

"You think I'd let my gas run out?"

I can tell by the look on his face he wants to say something snarky, but he holds back. I watch as he pulls out the oil stick.

"Checked that already," I say crossing my arms.

He turns to me and this time the cocky grin is back. I roll my eyes and shift on my feet. He grabs the hood and pulls it down then looks at me.

"I can have her fixed, I've got a guy..."

"I'm sure you do, but I can take care of HER myself," I say.

"Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot Swan."

I snicker, but he ignores it.

"But I was hoping I could make it up to you – I did run over your glasses after all. I can have my guy pick it up and bring it to StoryBrooke Repair. I'll pay for it..."

"No. That's where I draw the line no one is paying for it, I've been on my own for years I can handle a car repair," I say.

"Okay, jeez," he says stepping back his hands raising.

"Let me at least drive you to where you need to go," he offers.

I stop thinking and just stare at him – at his scruffy face and the small black earring that dangles from his right ear, to the soft blue eyes that make him look cute and innocent. He stands there taking all of me in too, a little too much of me. I clear my throat and speak up.

"Okay," I manage to get out.

"What's that Swan? I can't quite hear you luv."

He leans forward cupping a hand to his ear, and we're back to jackass mode.

"I said okay MR. JONES."

He chuckles.

"It's Killian actually," he tells me.

"Okay then Killian lead the way," I say.

I grab my things and lock my car up. We walk across the parking lot in silence, I try to keep a safe distance. We get to his car and he opens up the passenger door for me.

"Welcome to the Jolly Roger," he says.

I snort and giggle, and then laugh like I haven't laughed in years. Mr. Jones – Killian stands there lips pressed together holding the door waiting for me to catch my breath. I zip my lips and look at him trying not to laugh again.

"That's some name," I say biting my lip.

"That's nothing you should hear..."

I hold a hand up and pucker my lips at him.

"I don't want to know what you were about to say," I tell him.

He chuckles.

"Your right that was quite inappropriate," he says wiggling his brows.

I stand there for a few seconds and stare him down again.

"You getting in or what Swan?"

"You can call me Emma."

He shakes his head as I put my bag in and then slide in beside it.

"I prefer Swan," he says.

"Okay then Jones," I tease.

He chuckles and shuts the door. I watch as he walks around to the drivers slide and slides in.

"So where to Ms. Swan?"

He looks over at me.

"You should know where I live after running over my glasses," I tell him crossing my arms after hooking in my seat belt.

"You're not gonna let that go are you?"

"Nope," I say emphasizing the "p" in nope.

He sighs then turns on the car, his engine hums lightly until he revs it a couple of times like a teenager trying to be cool. The car is quiet as we drive the short distance from the University to my apartment. He easily remembered where he'd seen me that morning as he pulls right out front of the house.

"Gonna need your keys luv," he says.

I still have them in my hand and hesitate to hand them over. Normally I wouldn't give a stranger the keys to my one and only mode of transportation, but in all honestly I don't have time to worry about it since I have to be at the police station for my shift soon. I got lucky when I returned home as my father is the Sheriff of StoryBrooke and needed someone to answer phones at the station. I was thankful for his offer and took it so that I could have an income and show Regina that I was responsible enough to one day have my child back.

"Ms. Swan?"

"Right. Be gentle with her. How will I know when it's done?" I ask.

"I'll drive it over," he says and studies my face.

"What's the matter luv, afraid I'll hurt the old gal?" he asks.

"Something like that," I say.

He looks at me – like really looks and for a minute I don't see the sarcastic jerk I met on the first day of school.

"I promise I'll be gentle," he says in a voice that sends shivers down my spine.

Did I really just think that? Oh my god Emma you're going soft on this guy. Nope, won't happen. I pull my wall back and hand him the keys.

My fingers brush his calloused hands, I look away embarrassed and feel my cheeks redden. I can't let him see so I open the door quickly and slam it. I walk around the front and start up the walkway to the house.

"Hey Swan!" he calls from the car.

I turn around.

"You're welcome," he says.

"Thank you," I practically whisper.

"What's that Swan I can't hear you?" he questions.

"Thank you Mr – Killian," I yell back crossing my arms.

He grins like the Cheshire cat as his window rolls back up. I spin back around as he revs his engine again then peels away from the curb. I start up the steps and see Tink standing there with a smug look on her face.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing," she says with a grin.

I walk around her and head up into the apartment. I have to stand my ground, I can't let some guy take away the wall I've built around me. I'm here to get my degree, get a job, and get my son back. I will not be distracted by Killian Jones or anyone else, I've come too far and have worked too hard to ruin it all now.