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Chapter 7 Published

"Earth to lover-boy," Graham taunted, Killian smacked his arm, "Ow, I didn't touch her," Graham whined. "That's not funny," Killian snapped. "Ok you're right, that wasn't funny, come on mate, wake up, stop being so damn professional, and ask her out," Graham said.

"I am absolutely not asking her out, I am her boss, that's not even remotely appropriate," Killian said. "Ok so, you're aware your employees fraternize with each other?" Graham asked. "Of course," Killian shrugged. "And there's no issue with it, as long as it doesn't interfere with their work," Graham said.

"Right? So? You're point? It's wrong, for the boss to do it. You know I have a code," Killian said. "Says you, just because you don't want to mess up like last time," Graham stares at him. "Don't even," Killian rolled his eyes and sat down at his desk. 

"Yeah, Mila and you didn't work out, so what, doesn't mean it would be the same with you and Regina, and Mila was above you in that scenario," Graham said. "You're annoying me now," Killian scoffed. 

"Because you know I'm right, not to mention, Mila was over 7 years ago," Graham said. "So?" Killian shrugged again. "Killian, you looked at her phone, after knowing her a week, and went after an ex boyfriend of hers," Graham widened his eyes at him. "So? The bastard hit her," Killian said.

"Right, and it made you insane, and you wanted to make sure he didn't hurt her again, bro that's at the LEAST a crush," Graham said. "You and your bloody theories, go to work, it's fifteen minutes until the meeting," Killian said. "Right, don't want to miss praising your little girlfriend," Graham said.

Killian glared at him, "Get out," he snapped. 

Killian's POV- As my annoying best friend who bloody knows me better than even myself left, I couldn't help but stare at Regina through the glass. She was laughing with Ruby and Tiana in conversation. Bloody hell she was so beautiful, and I felt a sting in my heart just thinking about that bastard striking her. 

It was 9:45, and Killian signaled everyone to come in for the meeting, by opening his office door. He always stood at the doorway as people entered, making some chit chat with his long time workers. 

Regina came in behind Tiana, and smiled at him, he couldn't help but grin back at her. Graham flashed him a teasing smile from the other side of the room. He frowned at him as Regina walked towards her seat. 

"Ok, good morning, hope everyone had a good weekend," he looked right at Regina. Shaking back to the group, "So, we have most of the articles put together, Miss Mills, who will publish under the name Regina, gave me quite the in depth article for the relationship section," he praised. 

Regina blushed a bit as everyone smiled at her in a praising expression. Killian smiled at her as she cutely look up at him. "I'm going to keep you on that section for the next one as well," he said to Regina. She nodded at him, accepting. 

"Make it a little more personal, this next topic, think about it, ten days everyone until I want the next articles from all of you," He said authoritatively. 

Regina's POV- Oh god, more personal? Is he trying to get me to talk about my ex? I sure hope not, but then again, the magazine does both light and serious issues, so maybe he wants me to write about it? I felt my leg start to uncontrollably bounce under the table, nervously. The meeting ended and we all got up and headed for the door. Killian stood with his hand in his pockets as people shuffled out. 

Regina got to him, and kept her eyes a bit downward, as did Killian, "Uhh, doesn't have to you know, be first person or anything," Killian said. She looked up at him, and his eyes were just sparkling and soft at her. "Oh...ok," She nodded shyly. 

She couldn't help but glance again at his hand, his knuckles still red, she couldn't help but think if he got into some fight. 

Regina returned to her desk, and a group was around, and they were just gossiping. "So he just punched someone?" Ruby asked. "I guess," Tiana shrugged. "What are we talking about?" Regina asks. 

"Killian apparently punched some guy, at the Blue Tavern on Friday night," Tiana said. Regina furrowed her brow and opened her mouth, in surprise. "What? Why?" Regina asked. "We don't know," Elliot shook his head. 

Regina sat down, and shook her head to herself in disbelief. It wouldn't be possible, could it? He could have seen her phone, she thought, maybe in the cab. 

Regina's POV- No way, this is not possible, he couldn't have possibly gone after him. He wouldn't even know who he was without investigating there and figuring it out. Why would he even do that for me? He barely knew me. 

Regina did find it strange that she hadn't heard from her ex after Friday night, but she couldn't get herself to believe that a man she just met, her boss at that, would go after him and actually punch him, for her? 

Regina felt her breathing hitch in her throat as she began outlining her next article. He assigned her relationship section again, and wanted something more personal. Regina couldn't stop thinking about if Killian had gone after her ex. 

If Killian had gone after him, he was pretty amazing, and she found it extremely sexy that he was that protective. She didn't want to go demand to know from her new intimidating boss, but at the same time, didn't she have a right to know? 

Regina argued with herself the entire day, and as people started to leave for the day, she beefed up the courage to go ask Killian. 

She headed to his office, and took a deep breath, poking her head inside. "Umm, Mr. Jones, Sir?" She asked in a soft voice. "Yes, Miss Mills, come in," he said and leaned back in his chair. He furrowed his brows and folded his hands, "What can I do for you?" He asked.

"Uhh, this may sound really weird, or crazy or, I don't know." She rambled. "Ok?" He asked. 

"Did you happen to go to the Blue Tavern on Friday? Word around the office is, you hit someone," She said anxiously. He sighed, and shook his head, "Remind me to kill Graham," he muttered. 

She stared at him as he got up, "Listen," he walked around and sat on his desk in front of her, "I'm a pretty passionate guy, and one thing I can't stand is a man hurting a woman," He said. 

She looked up at him as he spoke, "When we were in the cab, I saw the message from him telling you to come back to where he was, and I went there after dropping you off," Killian said. 

"You hit him? How did you know who he was?" Regina asked. "Well, I just made chit chat with a guy at the bar, who seemed to be looking for someone, it didn't take much," He shrugged. 

Regina gaped at him, "Why did you do that for me?" Regina asked. "Like I said, I don't like women being hurt," he said. "Oh, that's it?" Regina asked. 

He stared down at her, and sighed, "Umm, I mean, just, didn't want him bothering you or hurting you again, ruining your job, life, whatever," he mumbled. 

Regina got up and looked at him, "Thank you," she breathed. He softly smiled, "Yeah, you're welcome," he said softly. 

They stared there for a moment at each other, with soft smiles on their faces, "Hey, we doing racquetball?" Graham poked his head in. They snapped out of their moment, "Yes, and I get to kill you," Killian said. 

"Goodnight," Regina said softly, leaving, and looking at Killian once more with a sweet smile. 

"Well, seems my gossip came in handy to open the door," Graham smiled. "I'm going to kill you," Killian said. "Yeah well, you'll thank me later," Graham said. "When?" Killian asked. "When you realize that girl wanted to hug you, or kiss you, or more," Graham said.

"What are you talking about? She was looking at me in thanks, and probably surprised," Killian got his jacket, "No, she looked at you like her knight and shining armor," Graham said. 

A/N-- Ok so I fed you well on my four day weekend.. so I have to get back to work tomorrow, so may not have many updates until Friday....