Halfway through Fairy Tales and Literature I get a text from Neal that he's ready to meet, it only took him almost a week to finally send me a message. He wants to meet around noon, which works out I guess because I don't have to be back on campus until after two for the fencing club.

Mr. Gold is in class today and thankfully Killian doesn't say much. He sits at his desk grading papers or whatever busy work Mr. Gold has assigned him. I can't help but think about what Tink had said last night. She'd said that if he wasn't a TA he wouldn't be here. How bad of a student could he have been? Was he failing? Was he doing drugs and got caught? So many thoughts rage through my head.

Killian's eyes find mine, I duck down my head as if i wasn't staring at all. Of course I'd be so wrapped up in my own thoughts to the point where he'd catch me staring. Mr. Gold reminds of us an exam coming up on Friday as everyone gathers their things.

"Hey."

I turn to Ruby.

"I'll uh - meet you in the gym, I've got to head off campus for a few," I tell her.

"Everything okay?" she asks standing.

I stand with her and we start walking down the steps.

"Yeah, I'm meeting with Neal," I say.

She grabs a hold of my arm and stops me in my tracks.

"You know you don't have to, right? You owe him nothing," she says.

I bite down hard on my lip and nod. I know that he's the one who screwed everything up, he's the one who abandoned me when I needed him most. Giving birth by myself as a teen was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. At that point I had just been reunited with my birth parents and we weren't exactly on the best terms, so I was truly alone. The feeling of having no one there to hold your hand when you need it most hurts. I can feel my eyes sting, but in this moment I need to do all I can to keep my tears at bay.

"Do you need me to call you, as if you were on a date and needed an excuse to leave?" she asks.

I've been her partner in crime before during several dates of hers. She'd send a code text and I'd call a few minutes later to get her out of her date. I know she'd do it for me in a heartbeat.

"I'll be okay," I tell her.

"Okay, but you can text me the code anytime," she says.

"I know, thanks," I say.

Ruby turns and starts for the door. I attempt to leave without looking up, but I can feel his eyes on me and it's making me uncomfortable. I look over, he's watching every step I take with a look of concern on his face. I ignore him and step out of the room without acknowledging him.

The bell chimes on the door as I open it and step into Granny's. I look around and notice him over in the back booth. Neal hasn't changed with his messy hair, dark eyes, and scruffy face. He stands when he sees me. I have to take a deep breath before making my way over to him.

"Emma," he says in his usual gruff voice.

"Hi Neal, can we make this quick? I need to be back at school soon."

"I actually ordered you a grilled cheese," he says with a smile.

I slide into the booth and put my bags down. He sits across from me and I shake my head.

"Neal, what is this all about?" I ask trying to cut to the chase.

A waitress comes over and hands us our food, Neal his usual burger and my grilled cheese. I give the girl a faint smile and then put my attention back on Neal.

"I want to see him," he says.

"Excuse me?" I say mouth full of cheese.

I quickly wipe my face and stare at him. Neal has never met Henry, my - our son. I've never allowed it. After leaving me he continued on his streak of bad habits and I refuse to expose Henry to those types of things.

"I want to see my son," he says.

"Why now? Where were you five years ago when he was born?" I question.

"I'm a different person now Emma, I swear to you I'm different," he says.

I'm suddenly too nauseous to eat and I set my sandwich down.

"I can't just let you see him, he's not in my care and you know that," I remind him.

"I know, but maybe when you take him to see my father and Belle I could..."

I hold a hand up to stop him from rambling. I'm not trying to hurt Neal, but I also don't think it's a good idea.

"I don't think it's a good idea yet," I say. "You will have to wait. I have to talk to Regina and Robin. Look, I'm back here so that maybe one day he can be with me again, and then maybe you can see him."

Neal hits the table with his fist and I jump. He always did have a temper.

"NO! Damn it, NO!" he shouts causing some customers to turn.

My eyes widen and I actually fear him a little in this moment. His cheeks redden with anger and shame as he looks at me.

"I'm sorry," I start sliding out of the booth when he grabs me.

"Ow!" I yelp.

People are staring as his grip tightens.

"Please Emma I'll do anything," he says.

"First," I say looking down at him.

He's still seated in the booth while I stand.

"If you are going to act like this you don't deserve to see your son. Not now, not ever! Learn to control your temper and learn how to be an adult and then maybe I will give you a chance," I say pulling my arm from his grip.

I hold my arm close to my body and cover it with my other. It throbs lightly from how hard he held onto me. I reach into the booth for my things and start for the door.

"Emma!" he shouts.

I walk out completely ignoring his voice. I try my hardest not to slam the door since it's not my own. My bug is parked across the street and I run to it nearly being hit by an oncoming car. They honk their horn at me and I throw them the finger. I get to my car and I slam that door because I can, and when I do I sink into my seat and sob. I look up and see him stepping outside, quickly I stick the keys in the ignition and peel out of my spot to get away.

It takes me a few minutes after pulling into the University parking lot to not look like I've been ugly crying in my car. I walk to the other side of campus and into the gym. It smells of pine and sweat, reminding me of the awful years I'd spent in and out of high schools. Ruby is standing in the corner talking to a group of people, she notices me right away. Excusing herself Ruby finds her way over and embraces me in a hug like she just automatically knew I needed it.

"You sure you're up for this?" she asks.

I nod.

"Nothing I can't handle," I say confidently.

I've been through so much, from bouncing around to different foster homes and getting myself into trouble, and getting pregnant to being responsible and setting goals and working through the bad things. I know I can handle this small bump in the road with Neal, I've always dealt with things and even though I have more on my plate than in the past, I know I can handle it.

"Can I have everyone over here please."

Ruby and I head towards the bleachers on the eastern wall of the gym. A woman with sun kissed skin who looks not much older than us stands right in front of them. Everyone starts walking up the bleachers to find a spot, as I settle into a place at the top, the gym doors fly open and in walks Killian. Killian doesn't walk alone he has a group behind him, they look like a bunch of trouble makers. The one who stands beside Killian looks like a leader of some sort, he struts in with straightened shoulders to make himself look taller, while Killian towers over him by several inches.

"Thank you for joining us boys," the woman says not amused.

"It's our pleasure," the guy walking with Killian says.

The group snickers and push some students out of the way to make a spot right in front. I watch as Killian joins in their laughter. The woman clears her throat and whistles over the chatter that has ensued from these boys entering the gym.

"You can all just call me Mulan," she says.

Her voice is deep and she's trying her hardest to stand tall and ignore the chatty boys in Killian's group.

"For those who don't know me I'm a graduate student in my last year, so after this year we will be taking a vote on our newest team leader. I've been with this team for many years, since I was a young freshman just out of High School..."

"Get on with it lady," one of the boys in the group states.

The guy to Killians left chuckles. I can't see his face as he's covered his head with the hood of his sweatshirt.

"You are more than welcome to leave," she says.

"That's not likely," he tells her.

"Felix I don't have time for your crap, either be here and really be here or you can just leave."

I'm assuming from their interaction that they have known each other for some time. Mulan is not a woman to mess around with and after her comment they all shut their mouths and allow her to finish talking. Once she is done giving us our instructions we head off to the locker rooms to get dressed. Heading into the girls locker room Mulan hands us these ugly looking clothes to put on.

"Who were those guys?" I ask opening up a locker to put my things in.

"That's Peter's crew - the lost boys," she says.

"The lost boys?"

I snicker, but Ruby's face is serious.

"They aren't a group you want to mess with," she says.

"Is Killian in that group?" I ask her.

"Killian is Peter's right hand man," I hear another voice say.

I turn around and a blonde girl stands there looking at me with big blue eyes.

"Best to stay away," she tells me.

"No, I'm not interested in Killian or anything, I just - he's the TA for one of my classes..."

"And he's pretty smitten with you," Ruby adds.

"Who says that?" I laugh. "Smitten? I've never heard you use that word a day in your life," I laugh.

"Killian is "smitten" with anything that has boobs and legs," the girl says rolling her eyes. "No offense," she says.

"None taken," I say. "I'm not interested anyway," I say.

Walking out into the gym with these ridiculous clothes on is making me second guess joining this club. I blame Ruby mostly. As we exit the locker room I notice people have already started fighting. I watch them as I pass by their feet moving quickly back and forth. Some of them grunt as they fight, others are quiet. We walk over to a blue mat and sit down on the side to wait for further instructions.

"Hello there luv, didn't expect you to take up fencing."

I jump at the closeness and the gentle touch on my shoulder. In the corner of my eye I can see the outline of his body standing just behind me.

"Surprised?" I question.

He removes his hand from my shoulder and sits down next to me. Ruby leans forward eyeing him.

"Ruby," he says sighing.

She gives him an annoyed smirk and then goes back to paying attention to Mulan who has started talking about what to expect.

"So what's a lass like you doing in a place like this?" he asks.

I snicker and then face Killian, I raise my brows trying to figure out why he's talking to me.

"A lass like me was dragged by her good friend."

"Aye, that figures, I didn't peg you for a sword fighting gal anyway," he says.

"Well, who knows maybe I'll kick your ass," I say.

He chuckles low under his breath and some dark force inside of me allows me to smile back at him.

"Those are fighting words Swan, and I'll gladly take you up on that offer," he says.

It's like instinct now that any time he says something ridiculous or just anything at all, my eyes just automatically roll.

"Mr. Jones, you and your friend want to give it a go?"

I look up and realize that Mulan is talking about me, I'm his "friend". I want to stand up and protest because in all honesty I didn't pay any attention to anything she just said. I have no clue what I am doing or how to even hold the damn sword, or whatever they call it. Killian pulls himself up to a standing position and hoovers over me. His shadow lingers and I look up and squint as the bright lights from above shine in my face.

"C'mon Swan, here's our chance," he says.

Killian extends a hand down to me and I stare at it for a few moments. Maybe I should have paid more attention, maybe I shouldn't let Killian Jones distract me. He's already become a huge distraction in class, I mean I'm pretty sure I block out half of what Mr. Gold says, because I am trying my hardest to ignore the fact that he's sitting down there.

"What's the matter luv, scared I'll win?" he teases.

Ignoring his hand I push up all on my own and stand wiping off the white monstrosity they gave us to wear. I brush my hands together and stare up at him.

"Nope, not at all."

I place a flat hand against his broad chest, underneath I can feel his heart racing and heat radiating off him like a fire is burning under there.

"Just worried for you when you loose," I say.

I look up at him and into those blue eyes, for a minute I get lost there, and he does as well. I can feel his chest rising and falling under my hand it quickens with each breath.

"Wouldn't count on it, Swan," he says.

Mulan snaps us out of whatever magical forces are holding us here. I hear some snickers from the students that are sitting near us. Mulan hands us both one of the swords and a funny looking helmet for our heads.

"Am I even holding this sword right?" I ask.

Killian grins.

"Foil," he says.

"Excuse me?"

"The weapon you're holding luv, it's called a foil," he says, the evil grin returning to his annoying face.

Mulan comes over and positions my hands all while giving me pointers. Stand like this, hold it like that, upper body only excluding arms and neck. Yeah this should be easy enough, I mean I've seen them do it in movies, how hard can it... Oh shit he's already started. At first I'm completely stumbling around like an idiot, I've never held a sword - foil, whatever they call it before, but clearly Killian has.

I fall down like a stumbling idiot, my legs are just not fast enough for this. What was I thinking signing up for this crap? Ruby better make this up to me, I did not expect to land on my ass today. He reaches down again, and I continue to ignore his help. I look over at the two next to us battling like they are really at war with each other. I study their movements and watch them carefully.

We go back to standing there eyeing each other down. We take a few jabs at each other and finally I get through. I'm thinking maybe he let me get that one. We go at it again and even though he gets me I'm starting to learn to keep myself balanced. Back and forth, back and forth, and I get him again. This isn't so bad after all, it's actually a huge stress relief and I find myself smiling under the mask.

An hour later I'm out of those awful clothes and back into my regular ones. Ruby is staying on campus for a meeting and I have to get back home to start on an assignment. I'm halfway out the gym doors with my jacket hanging off my shoulder when I hear someone call my name. Well - not someone, but Killian.

"Not to shabby Swan," he says walking in stride next to me.

"Not so bad yourself Jones."

He laughs and I continue walking faster to get away. He reaches out and grabs my wrist where Neal hurt me, I wince and pull away. Concern fills his eyes as he stares down at the small bruise forming right where Neal's hand was.

"Swan I..."

"I gotta go," I say before he can say anything else.

I pull my jacket fully on and hoist my bag over my shoulder. Picking up the pace I start to jog out of the gym and away from Killian. He calls my name once more before giving up and letting me go. I get to the car and breathe a sigh of relief hoping he ignores what he saw.