The Truth of the Matter

First Meeting

I walked into the bar with grace, my short, red, form-fitting dress and high black boots catching many eyes. I tried not to roll my eyes at them. They're so predictable. I was early for my "date", but then again, I always am. I want to check my surroundings, as always, just in case my "date" decides to run. It's what happens most of the time and I'm never fond of it; chasing them in the heels I wear.

Oh, I haven't introduced myself have I? I'm sorry, I tend to get a little sidetracked. My name is Emma Swan. I am twenty-eight years old and I live in New York. Well, I do right now anyway. I am a bail bondsperson, and no, I don't want to talk about how many times I've had to correct that, so please, get it in your head now. Bail bondsperson, not bail bondsman or bail bondswoman. I have another job, well, had I guess would be more appropriate. I helped out at a cafe before I had to move here for my next case.

This guy was a real pain in the ass. He had skipped bail, like they all do, and left his wife and children, and had another child on the way from one of his many affairs. He's also been on the watch list. He's been known for assaulting some of his "romantically involved" ladies. I look around, most men have at least one woman with them, but there are a few loners. I caught the eye of one man who was sitting with a group of men, some with, some without women. They looked like they were having fun. He smiled at me and boy did I feel something.

"Get out of your head, you have a job to do," I chastise myself. I order myself a glass of wine while I wait. I look over my shoulder again and he's still staring at me. It's starting to unnerve me a little. I turn back to my drink just wanting to get this night over with. It was my birthday after all. Did I forget to mention that too? Great. I really need to focus. Another ten minutes pass and I finally see him walk in the door.

He looks nice, not really my type, but nice anyway. I smile at him and he steps cautiously towards me.

"Emma?"

"Steve?"

"Good. I was hoping it was you. You never—"

"-know with pictures on the Internet," I finish for him.

He laughs and leads me over to a table. I notice the man's eyes are still on me, but it's what his eyes express that floors me. I turn back to my "date" and engage in conversation. He orders us some wine and we continue to chat as we wait for food.

"You are amazing Emma."

"Thank you. You know, can I play a game?"

"What kind of game?"

"I want to guess some things about you."

"Oohh, sounds intriguing. Sure. Have at it."

"Alright." I throw on my best seductive smile. "You are handsome, intelligent, and, now stop me if I get this wrong. You got embezzled from your employer and skipped bail."

He stares at me blankly for a moment.

"Who the hell are you?"

"The woman that put up the rest of the bail money."

He flips the table over and bolts, me right on his heels. I see the group of guys jump up from their table, as if to help and I roll my eyes. I'm fine on my own. I cut in front of the guy and he slides to a stop, but not fast enough. He barrels into me, knocking us both to the floor. He pins me down, but I have a few tricks up my sleeves. I flip him over and pull his hands behind his back and cuff him. The group of guys stand around me in awe. They had been about to jump in, but I handled it first. I brush the hair out of my face and find myself face to face with the man with piercing blue eyes.

"You alright lass?" he asks.

That accent. That could be problematic.

"I'm fine," I manage to say.

He holds out his hand, but I ignore it and push myself to my feet and then reach down and drag Steve off the floor. He looks at me curiously, although I can tell me not accepting his help did hurt him a little. I feel bad, but I have a thing with men in general. Not that I'm going to tell anyone that is.

"Emma?" I hear a familiar voice ask.

I turn towards the sound. "David?"

I run into his arms, nearly knocking him off his feet. He holds me close. The blue-eyed man quickly grabs hold of the man I'd caught and they all stare at us with confusion.

"What are you doing here?" he asks me when we break apart.

"Working, duh," I say sarcastically.

He rolls his eyes in response. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Well, I thought I'd get one more in before I start my actual job in the morning."

"Which is?"

"NYPD."

"You're the new recruit?!" he asks incredulously.

I smile shyly. "Guess so."

"Well, welcome to the force. Let me introduce you to the guys. Jeff, Robin, Graham, and Killian."

"Pleasure," I say.

"I can't believe what you just did," Jeff says. "That was awesome!"

I blush a bit at that.

"It was brilliant, love," Killian says gently.

The blush gets deeper.

"Seriously though Emma," David starts, breaking Killian and I's eye contact, "what brought you to New York, and more importantly, the NYPD?"

"Does it matter?" I ask sharply. I hadn't meant for that to come out like that, but he started treading on dangerous territory. It's what I do. I lash out. "Sorry," I mutter.

"It's alright Emma. You don't have to tell me, but I know someone who would like to see you."

"Hmmm?"

"Mary Margaret."

"How is she doing?"

"She's great. We have a five-year-old. His name is Leo. And we're expecting again."

"Congratulations. I'll have to come by sometime. Don't tell her I'm here though. I want it to be a surprise."

"Alright. Let's see about getting this man here to the station."

"I've got him David. Don't worry. He's easy compared to others I've dealt with." The look in my eye tells him not to argue with me about it.

He sighs. She's just as feisty as he remembered. Even more so actually. She's well-guarded, that's for sure.

"Goodnight Emma. I'll see you at eight."

"Night," I say as I push Steve towards the door. I can feel their stares following me until I leave.

"Who is that David?" Killian asks.

"Someone from long ago."

Killian goes home thinking about Emma Swan. He wants to know her.