City Lights ("Lights" series Book 1)

Chapter Thirty One- A Crocodile's Decision

"You can end this here and now.." Belle said as he turned to her and looked back to Killian who was awaiting an answer.

Hesitating for what felt like a lifetime, he eventually let out his hand and shook to agree. The entire group let out a breath before Rumple moved towards Emma.

"Do you know where he is? The last place he was?"

"He sent a birthday card to Henry last year-the wrong date, but doesn't matter...it said California...but the one before that said Canada...he could be anywhere..."

"Would you...Would you think it awful if I wanted to meet his son? My grandson?"

"I think that can be arranged." He smiled at her before moving away from the crowd and towards his apartment with Belle at his side.

"Why did you kill her?" Belle asked as she kept her distance.

"Why aren't you scared?"

"For some reason the only thing I can be is confused."

"It's a long tale-"

"I have nothing but time."

"Then let us go to the office and talk...it should be empty." And it was then, he explained the entire ordeal on why he killed Milah and why his son was believed to be killed.

"Why are you not afraid?"

"I suppose I would have done the same..."

"You?"

"Yes...what-Why would you say it like that?"

"You seem so fragile...so delicate-"

"I can be vicious if I want..."

"I don't think I could believe that..."

She glared at him before suddenly pushing him against his desk and kissing him.

"That was "vicious"?"

"For you..."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you can't stand human emotion-intimacy is like fire to you-you are so afraid to get burned. I can't keep this job because I know I'll put myself in a position where I'll just get hurt..."

"Do you quit?" She turned as she was walking towards the door and she nodded.

"Please..." He moved towards her, pushing her slowly against the closest wall and kissing her. "You have to understand, I don't fear fire, I feed off of it...I'm dangerous-"

"You can keep telling yourself that...but I can't believe it...I see in your eyes you want what Killian and Emma have...what Robin and Regina do...even if it's not with me. But I can't pretend anymore...there's something here Rumple...and if you want that...it's here...if not-" He kissed her before she could continue.

"I can't promise to be perfect. I can't promise to say the right thing, go the right place...not do what I usually would-"

"I'll help you. I know you have it in you..."

He rested his forehead against hers before gently kissing her. How a first kiss should be; full of passion and admiration.