'It's as though nothing happened at all' Emma found herself repeating that same line, over and over to each and every person that asked for the past week they had been in Storybrooke. The whole town knew she and Mary-Margaret had disappeared through the hat and most of them knew of Cora's attack, so why did they continue questioning her.
She was entirely thankful Cora hadn't made it through, not only for the sake of her family and for Storybrooke, but for Regina too. Regina had been controlling her magic and using it for good. She was almost impressed at how well she was doing. If Cora had made it through the portal, Emma feared she would corrupt her with her own selfish and evil ways, like before according to Mr Gold.
Hook on the other hand was an entirely different story. All he wanted was to enact revenge on Rumpelstiltskin, like most of the town. She was almost sorry he got left behind, but then again she didn't take too kindly to people who tried to kill her so she didn't feel all that bad. Besides, being Sherriff she would have to stop Hook from harming Mr Gold, that's assuming he would be stupid enough to near Gold with his newly regenerated magic, which was just delightful to have around.
Emma was packing early at home. Having rekindled the relationship after the curse broke, Emma found it only fitting that she move out and let them be together. Henry was now formally Emma's kid and living with her. She finally had her son, Regina also had weekend calls though, well it was supposed to be weekends but she usually turned up whenever she felt like it.
"Mom, I'm going to the park to meet Ava and Nicholas." Henry insisted. Before giving Emma the chance to reply he was already by the door.
"Alright, Kid." Emma yelled through the door, Smiling as Henry took off. "Mar- Sorry, Snow," she corrected herself every time she spoke the wrong name. It was so confusing, half the town wanted to stick by their Storybrooke names and the other wanted the original ones, like Snow. But David wanted to stay as David, yet Snow kept calling him Charming which he didn't seem to mind. Mom and Dad weren't quite in the books yet, it may take a while to call them that.
Before Emma could continue, Snow smiled and passed her a cup of coco "Don't worry, It'll take some getting used to."
Emma took the warm cup and sat down at the table, with Snow following. "I think you're right." She laughed softly, trying to make the situation a little lighter. "Anyway, Henry will be fine out there right?" she asked cautiously
"There aren't many dangers out there anymore, Emma." Her mother calmed "I know what you're thinking. You've got to stop worrying about Cora and Hook. We left them with no way through. We are safe. I promise." Snow spoke slowly, making sure her words were sinking in. She wanted nothing more then her daughter to feel safe after everything that had happened to her over the years.
Trying to look convinced, Emma smiled and took a sip of coco "I know. But sometimes it's safer to be on edge then to not be expecting anything at all."
"Not this time." Snow reassured, placing her hands over Emma's. "Because now I have you back, I will never let anything take you away." After a moment of silence passed she repeated "You are safe, I promise."
Emma nodded in understanding before standing and lifting a box. "Thank you." She said meaningfully "Now come on, let's finish this packing."
Henry made a quick detour to the corner shop before going to the park. He was meeting a few friends there so he thought it be best to purchase some candy beforehand, he paid for the refreshments and pushed them into a small pocket and ran out of the shop. His passage to the park was blocked as Henry mistakenly ran flat into a tall dark figure wearing unusual clothes, unusual for Storybrooke anyway. "Sorry." Henry murmured, pushing himself away from the man.
The man looked down at the small child and replied "No harm done, Lad." He smirked "Though it may be a good idea to avoid obstacles or you'll find yourself walking into walls."
Henry chuckled at the man's advice, like it wasn't obvious already. His friends were waving him over from the park but He was interested by the man who seemed out-of-place for Storybrooke. Before he could reply Ava and Nicholas were impatiently waving him over and Nicholas called his name.
"Henry?" he repeated the child's calling "Swan, perhaps?" he mused.
Henry began to become sceptical of him from there. Everyone is Storybrooke knew he was Regina's kid. "Uhm, no. I have my other Mom's name. Mills." Henry realised how the man momentarily radiated a sense of smugness and enjoyment. "Who are you?"
"Killian Jones." He replied, that smirk of his becoming bigger and brighter "I have a complicated relationship with both your mothers, actually. Best not to tell them you met me." The statement was pretty much a line of arrogance, knowing the boy would full well tell them about him.
"What do you mean?" Henry asked looking relatively puzzled "I've never heard the name 'Killian Jones' before."
Killian dodged the question regarding Emma and Regina. The specifics of their stories were not his preferred topic of interest. "Well I've been, let's say, renamed colourfully over the years."
"What were you renamed?" Henry asked curiously, feeling somewhat on-guard.
"Thanks to Rumpelstiltskin and…" he held up the silver hook attached to his left arm that Henry seemed to have missed, clearly wasn't as sharp as either of his mothers "…I'm usually referred to as 'Hook'"
"Hook? As is Captain Hook?" Henry asked enthusiastically.
"So you've heard of me too, then?" Hook smirked "Then again, I'm sure everyone in this land has, with all those complicated stories. Mine isn't one I enjoyed much." He grimaced at the last sentence.
Henry shrugged before smiling warmly "Well I think you look a lot cooler then the Captain Hook from the stories."
"Thanks kid." Hook grinned and ruffled Henry's hair "You better go. Your friends are still desperately trying to get your attention. Until the next time." He smirked and sauntered away.
"Tea break." Emma announced and got up from the floor to find the kitchen.
Snow looked up from the box she was packing dumbfounded "Emma, we just had a tea break five minutes ago." She continued to lecture "and between then and now, all you have done is seal one box and pack half of another."
"Yeah, well packing is busy work, Snow." She sighed. Emma pulled the fridge door open to get the milk "Oh, you have got to be kidding me." She groaned, pulling out the empty carton simultaneously.
Snow looked up from the box to see what Emma was talking about "Sorry, I was meant to get more earlier." She said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it." Emma smiled "I'll get it. It gives me a valid excuse to check up on Henry."
"Emma-" Snow began but was cut of.
"-I'm kidding. But I am going to get the milk." She insisted "I'll be straight back."
Emma walked out of the shop with the milk and noticed Henry playing with his friends in the park across the street.
"Mom." Henry waved over to her. That gave her the perfect opportunity to go over and check up on him.
"Hey, Kid." Emma greeted "How's your day been?" she asked.
"Nothing unusual." He mused, unsure whether to tell Emma of his meeting with Hook. His mind was made up however when Ava tugged his jacket.
"Tell her." Ava urged, with Nicholas behind nodding.
Scepticism washed over Emma when she asked "Tell me what? What happened?"
Henry was reluctant before telling her. But with nudges from Ava and Nicholas he knew if he didn't tell her then they would. "I met a man on the way over here."
"Okay, well don't tiptoe around it Henry, who was it?" she asked, unable to render to small steps of the story.
"He said his name was Killian Jones." He answered "Oh, wait. He also said people call him Hook, because…he's captain hook."
Emma stood completely still for a few moments in blacked-out, deep thought. She returned her attention to Henry and asked seriously "Was anyone else around?"
"No just him." Henry answered.
"Okay. Ava, Nicholas, you two go home now." She said protectively. The kids nodded and ran to their house, Emma made sure they were safely inside before turning back to Henry. "Henry, where did Hook go?"
Henry turned his head to the direction of the woods "He went in there." he said regretfully to Emma.
"Course he did. Here," she passed the milk she was still holding to Henry and turned him in the direction of their house "Go stay with Snow, tell her and David Hook is here, Cora might be too."
"Wait, Killian was the man that helped and then betrayed you in the Enchanted Forest?" Henry asked astounded.
"Yeah. I knew I couldn't trust him then, and I certainly can't now." Emma bit out.
"He didn't hurt me though when he could've." Henry argued.
"Henry he's-"
"I know, dangerous. He didn't seem like it though. Except for the hook." Henry defended, cutting her off.
"Regardless, I need to find him incase Cora is here. Now go do what I said. I'm going to find Hook."
Not having a single clue where on earth Killian would be, it made it so much harder for Emma to find him. Being so close to the woods she didn't bother taking her car so it was just running, so long as she had her gun she was semi-fine.
She stopped silent when she heard a noise through the trees, feeling slight relief she could rest for a moment to listen. The sounds stopped almost like they were waiting for her to listen. She was hoping that wasn't true. Once she was about to start running again a familiar figure stepped out from behind a large tree.
"Looks like you found me, love." Killian spoke darkly. When Emma didn't reply, he added "Speechless in my presence, darling. Do I make that much of an impression or are you just really glad I made it through."
Emma wanted to wipe that constant smirk of his right of his face. Not that she would admit it but he was really getting to her, no one had ever pissed her off as much as he had in a matter of days. "Shut it, Hook. Why were you taking to my son?" she demanded to know.
"Regina's son too apparently." Killian added to her annoyance
"She's his step mother." Emma added bitterly.
Killian raised his eyebrows knowingly "Just like she's Snow White's step mother. You have one messed up family there, Swan."
"Yeah, I suppose so, speaking of Regina's family. Where the hell is Cora?" her voice was as tough as her expression.
Killian approached Emma intimidatingly, backing her into the tall tree behind her, "I left her when we arrived here. I'm here to do my business as she is here to do hers. We have gone our separate ways."
Having Killian that close to her was agitating so she pushed him back roughly. "Where is she?" When he didn't answer she snapped "Fine. I'm arresting you." Killian found the need to laugh maliciously at her so she reached into her holster to pull out her gun. When her hand hit just air she momentarily panicked. Not wanting to find out he had bested her, she delayed meeting his gaze, but the now silent Killian was unsettling. She tore her gaze from the holster to meet her own gun pointed at her. "How did you-"
"I had you pinned up against the tree, love. Your gun was right there." His smirk radiating intensely "You should be more careful around pirates. I did mean what I said though, Emma. You would make one hell of a pirate."
"Yeah." Emma drawled out sarcastically "I can totally see that happening. Captain Hook and Captain Swan."
"My name is Killian Jones. I'd remember that, Love, but then it might come easier with a gun pointed at your head." Killian sneered.
"You don't scare me, Hook!" she smirked, making sure the 'hook' was emphasised "Infact, even with a gun you're harmless. You're just as pathetic as the Captain Hook from the Peter Pan stories."
"That child, Peter, was the one who was pathetic and your land's stories are wrong, love. I won in the end." Killian snarled.
Emma watched Killian darken his character once again. Man, he was unpredictable. "So, you have my gun. Are you planning on giving it back or shooting me, because those are pretty much the only two options?"
"Neither." He smirked "Being the law makes you a threat to my revenge on Rumpelstiltskin. So you're going to enjoy my ship for a while until I'm done with him."
"Yeah, I'm telling you right now that that is not going to happen." Emma choked, finding his seriousness amusing "I'll solve this situation and protect the town's citizens, no matter who they are. Anyway why your ship, why not just shoot?"
"As much as I would love to have my revenge on you for leaving me up on that beanstalk, you at least had the decency to have me alive and then set free. So I'll do the same to you," He took a few more steps closer to Emma so their faces were inches apart "You will be captured, secured but safe on my ship. I'm sure the town will survive without you for a few days."
"Really, you mean with you battling Gold and Cora corrupting Regina." Emma raged "Yeah, I'm sure everything is going to be completely fine."
Killian exasperatedly sighed and rolled his eyes at Emma, which she scoffed at, "Come on, Emma. We're going now. To my ship."
"To your ship, great, lead the way." She hit his shoulder annoyed and frustrated.
To Killian's surprise she really didn't seem that scared of him. Which was unusual, everyone was scared of him. "I'm not an idiot, darling." He criticised, pushing her ahead of him "After you, I insist." He sarcastically bit out.
Emma was walking ahead of Killian, whilst he threateningly stood behind her with her own gun pulled on her. She had to think of a quick plan, but nothing was coming to mind. Her brain was empty.
The street was quiet, not many people were around. Either Snow or David spread the word about Killian or people had noticed the man with the Hook, the gun and the Sherriff. It didn't matter, she was alone and had to think of a plan fairly quickly or she was screwed. The Sherriff station wasn't too far up the road. If she could get Killian closer to her then she could wrestle the gun from him and get him into the station and into a cell. The wrestling bit was easy, she was up for a fight with the arrogant pirate but getting him close to her was going to be tough. She didn't have to worry about him killing her, or she didn't think so anyway, but she wouldn't put it past him to knock her unconscious and carry her to the ship. Then all hope of her escaping and locking him up would be gone.
"So, what is your plan exactly?" Emma called behind her.
"To get rid of you for a while and bring down Rumpelstiltskin." He answered shortly.
Emma rolled her eyes at the short snippy answer. "I figured. But how do you propose to kill someone as powerful as him? And then how do you get home because Cora is going to destroy Storybrooke so you can't stay here."
"If you're hoping I'm going to let you go so you can go and stop Cora and save your precious Storybrooke, it's not going to happen." Killian argued.
"Everything you've worked up to id just pathetic." Emma murmured hardly audible, but Killian still managed to hear her speak.
"What was that, Love?" he called over.
"Nothing, Hook." She yelled back patronizingly. Just as she hoped, Killian made his way toward Emma, Until he was standing beside her.
"What was that, Love?" he repeated impatiently.
She stopped dead in the middle of the street, a few feet from the sheriff's station "Nothing, Hook." She drawled out slowly.
Killian grabbed both her shoulders, pulling her to face him "Swan?"
"Hook?" she replicated. Emma dug her nails into his shirt, managing to swing him round and slam him into a wall, pinning him up against it. "You will not get the better of me." She hissed and pulled the gun from his hand, throwing it into the street so neither of them could reach it.
"You know sometimes there is an awful lot of Regina in you." Killian laughed malevolently that made Emma slam him hard against the brick wall.
"Funny. I see an awful lot of Rumpelstiltskin in you." Emma reached Killian's level of malevolence, thinking she had the upper hand, but Killian took more offence to her comment then she did his. Within seconds he had her pinned in his place against the wall.
"It seems you shouldn't gloat, sweetheart." Killian smirked. Using his hook to tilt her head up to face him so he could relish in her defeated expression "You can't best me, Emma. I'll always have the upper hand."
Emma beamed, leaving Killian more and more confused until with out warning her head-butted him hard enough to knock him out. Killian dropped to the ground with a thud and Emma scratched her throbbing head.
A woman Emma didn't recognise came running over to her from the other side of the street.
"Are you okay?" she asked, eyeing Emma who was obviously in pain.
"Yeah fine, thanks." Emma smiled "I'm Emma."
"I'm Belle." She replied. "Who's that, passed out?" she asked Emma about the man lying face down on the ground.
"No one important, he's my prisoner." Emma answered as she took a final glare down at the motionless Killian "Could you possibly help me get him in the station?"
"Of course" Belle replied. Her and Emma carried Killian into the station and locked him in the cell. Luckily he was still very out of it, which was lucky because Belle had an itching feeling she knew him and it wasn't for good reasons.
"So you're Belle?" Emma asked "You're the one that Mr Gold has taken a certain shine to." Emma observed brightly.
Belle matched Emma's brightened expression "Rumpelstiltskin, yeah." she sounded pleased.
"Well maybe you can make him better." Emma offered and Belle returned with a smile that could only be described as –I'll do anything- "Could you do me a favour?"
"Of course, what is it?" Belle beamed, loving to be helpful and of-use.
"Could you go to Snow and David's and bring them over here?" She asked quietly.
"Of course, I'll be right back." Belle smiled and left.
Emma approached Killian's cell, laying both elbows on the bars. "I will not let you destroy Gold or Storybrooke and you certainly won't be destroying me." Emma spoke to Killian despite the fact he was still unconscious.
Emma's phone began ringing and she almost jumped out of her skin from shock. She lifted one of the rested elbows from the bars and reached for her phone but by the time she retrieved it the call had stopped. Missed call: Mom, It read. She may not have been ready to say but she put it in her phone and that was a start.
Someone grabbed her arm that was rested on the bars and Emma found herself being pulled close to face a livid Killian Jones. Her face was as close as she could get so her chin rested on them, "Look whose awake." She mocked.
"I've awake for a bit actually, love. I just thought you should know that I will destroy Rumpelstiltskin and I will destroy you too, I will go any way possible to do it. Storybrooke, I'll leave to Cora." Killian's threats were enough to scare her this time, the way he spoke, she never heard him speak like that before.
"You-"
"Hook! Let her go now!" Snow yelled, simultaneously she pointed a bow and arrow at his head.
Killian never drew his attention from Emma at any second, but he let go of her arm and slowly backed back into the cell.
"Belle said you need us." David confirmed as he walked over to Emma to give her an assuring hug. Even though she didn't really need one, she hugged him back.
"Where is belle, anyway?" Emma asked "And Henry?"
"On their way. Belle is taking him to the store to get sweets or something." Snow laughed softly "She's really lovely. I have no idea what's she doing with Rumpelstiltskin"
"Love works in different ways for different people. Look at him for example," Emma criticised, pointed at Killian who was sulking in his cell and observing his captors. "He stole Rumpelstiltskin's wife. That seemed to work out." she accused sarcastically. Once she said it she wished she hadn't. Killian's whole character darkened with every second. She could swear he was going to say or do something, probably violent but a small voice halted him.
"Mom." Henry ran into the station and hugged Emma. "Belle said you had a dangerous prisoner." He said looking round Emma at the man in the cell. "Oh. It's Killian." Henry sighed, walking over to the cell. "Hello." He greeted the pirate once again.
"Hello again, Lad." Killian greeted Henry.
Emma watched in amazement as Killian seemed to have warmed to Henry, He didn't like anybody but Henry seemed to be the key to brightening him up. Reality snapped back and she grabbed Henry, pulling him away from Killian's cell. "Henry, stay away from him. He's dangerous."
"No he isn't mom." Henry insisted.
Killian found the family scene interesting. However Henry was a smart kid, and all in all not that annoying unlike the rest of the people he'd seen in the past week. Maybe Henry was the key to getting his revenge on Emma, and if not Henry could easily persuade Emma to help him. "You know Henry, you're pretty smart, but your mothers right. Pirates have dangerous lives."
"That's not what I meant and you know it," Emma interjected before Henry could reply. "We're leaving, let's go. Hook, you're staying in the cell tonight"
"I'm not even surprised" Killian sighed bitterly, it's not like this was the worst situation he had ever been in.
Emma rushed them out of the building. With everyone waiting outside, Emma grabbed the keys from drawer. When she turned to leave, she saw Henry standing outside the cell talking to Killian. She walked over to Henry and Killian "Henry go wait outside with the others. I need to speak to Hook." Henry left and Emma was alone with Killian.
"Do you have a problem, love?" Killian asked, not paying much attention.
"You're damn right I do." Emma snapped "Leave Henry alone. I don't know why you are even associating with him but it stops, right now."
Killian gave her a look of pity, chosen wisely to really irritate her. "Good luck, Sweetheart."
"With what?" Emma scoffed, but Killian just lay back on the bed and ignored her. "Fine, Good night, Hook."
"It will be." He smirked and ended with before Emma slammed the door, leaving him locked in the station.
Authors Note: Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed, If you did let me know via reviews, I love reading them. This story was actually inspired by the fic 'Magic is the only way' I wrote. This is sort of what happened beforehand, but you don't actually need to read that to read this.