Captain Swan - Falling for the Bad Boy

Chapter 1

A/N: So I thought about writing this a while ago because I was asking myself what would've happened if this started as a captain swan story as well as ended as one. And then @stinkyorange prompted me to write it (thank you!), so I thought I'd give it a whirl to see where it goes. I'm not sure how long it will be, but I have some ideas about where it will go. The first chapter is basically the same as the first chapter of Through the Rising Tide, except Emma doesn't run out of the bar or run into Liam. So let's see what happens if she and Liam never get together in this universe. You do not have to read ttrt to read this.

"Late again?" Liam chides when Ruby waltzes into work as if everything is completely normal. As if she's not an hour late for her shift.

For the third time that week.

She gives him an apologetic smile, but Killian knows she's not actually sorry.

He's just wondering who she was with this time.

"Won't happen again, boss."

"Damn right it won't. This is your third warning. Next time, there will be a write-up," he admonishes.

Frustration creases her forehead. "Geez, would you just chill? My car broke down."

Liam crosses his arms, narrowing his eyes at her. "So, you mean to tell me your car has broken down three times this week?" he asks, holding up three fingers. "And on either of these occasions, you couldn't pick up the phone and give me a heads up? Did your phone break, too?"

She flashes him a look as though the answer to his question is obvious. "I told you my car's a piece of junk. And I tried to call, but no one answered."

Killian fights off a laugh, knowing for a fact Ruby is bluffing. At least about calling tonight, since the phone hadn't rung in the past hour. But he could easily check to see if she'd called on the other two days on the bar phone's caller i.d. to find out for sure if he really wanted to.

"So get a new car. Don't you make enough from your tips and the hourly wage I pay you?"

"I make enough from my tips," she replies with a sarcastic smirk, "but I have more important things to buy."

Liam rolls his eyes. "Like what? More six-inch heels, low-cut tops and short skirts?"

Ruby lets out an exasperated sigh. "How do you think I get good tips—by dressing like a Catholic schoolgirl?" She twists her lips and presses the back of her long, red-painted fingernail to her chin, pondering her own words for a second. "On second thought, that actually might bring in even more tips. Besides, you should be paying for my work clothes. Maybe then I could afford a new car."

Liam scoffs. "You want me to pay for your outfits?" He shakes his head. "I don't think so."

Ruby's eyes widen, as though she's shocked he declined her request. "Why not? Can't you claim them as a work expense?"

He nods. "Alright, fine. But if I'm paying for your work attire, then I'm choosing what you wear. Sound good to you?" he asks, knowing damn well she'll never go for it.

Unsurprisingly, she shakes her head. "Absolutely not. I ain't wearing no damn polo shirt and black slacks. I like my low-cut tops and short skirts, thank you very much."

Liam sighs and cups his forehead in his hand to indicate she's giving him a headache as he turns around and walks toward his office. "Just get to work, Ruby."

She wraps her apron around her waist and mimics his words in a mocking tone, "Just get to work, Ruby."

"I heard that!" Liam hollers.