My speculation on what might have happened behind the 'big black screen' which blocked the filming of the CS finale scene at Granny's. Rated K+ (lots of feels!) Warning: Potential speculative spoiler...


Feeling at Peace

The crowd at Granny's nearly swelled out the door both in size and noise, revelry and relief thick in the air. Not only had they defeated the Wicked Witch, they were also celebrating. Two of their own – the most unlikely reformed villains – had found their happy endings at last. Emma felt the frown marring her face as she sat in the midst of the celebration. Where an overwhelming peace should be settling in her heart, there was only more doubt and confusion. Her eyes strayed to the leather-clad pirate seated at the bar and the ache in her chest grew.

He'd stood by her side through the end, even willingly sacrificing his own life to save her baby sister. The hours waiting at the hospital while Hook lingered between life and death had honestly been some of the worst moments of her life; on par with the time she'd nearly lost Henry. And like Henry, it had taken a powerful magic to bring him back: True Love's Kiss. She wasn't surprised that it worked on Hook; subconsciously she knew she'd fallen in love with him even before he came to save her in New York. But she'd never been quick to trust in her own feelings. And with the Walsh fiasco still flying over their heads, – literally – keeping her heart guarded seemed the most prudent choice.

What should have been an amazing moment of perfect clarity and recognition of their own happy ending had just been another massive disappointment. Oh, it wasn't his fault; with a wink in his eye and a smirk on his lips he'd made it perfectly clear he was ready for whatever future she wanted. But she'd run, just as always. And yet there he sat, by her side as always.

"You should talk to him," Henry said resolutely, working his way through an ice cream sundae. At her confused look, he gestured with the spoon toward the counter. "Hook. You should tell him how you feel."

"He knows," Emma spoke softly, saying with her eyes that Henry of all people knew the implications of a true love's kiss.

Henry grinned. "Yeah, but he doesn't really know, does he?"

She paused, considering the wisdom of her eleven-year-old son. Had she ever really had that discussion with Hook? She'd taken his feelings at face value for ages; he wore his love for her on his sleeve, especially since New York. He knew why she kept her distance. Right?

A particularly loud cheer resounded from Leroy and his band of dwarves, drawing Emma's focus to the counter once more. Hook downed the last of his beer before setting the mug on the counter and standing. He held her gaze for a long moment, saying so much with the shade of hurt veiling his normally brilliant blue eyes. Then, he turned toward the door, pushing out into the night.

Emma's heart clenched. This couldn't be the end. Not tonight, not ever. "Excuse me," she muttered to Henry before rushing to follow Hook's departure. The early spring evening still held the traces of winter, shocking her with its icy fingers. She clutched her red leather jacket tightly around her as she called out to him, ignoring the slight desperation in her tone. "Hook! Where are you going?"

He turned slowly on his heel and swept his eyes over her entire body, taking in the protective way she held her armor of choice around her chest. "It's getting late…I'm tired," he replied, voice low and a tad weary.

He's lying, Emma thought to herself. Carefully, she took a step forward, closing the distance between them incrementally. "You left without saying goodbye," she whispered. The words seemed simple enough, yet her heart was pounding as frantically as a bird's wings against her rib cage.

"I didn't think you'd notice, love." He met her gaze in silent challenge. The hurt was laced with accusation. She'd done that; she'd placed that doubt and rejection in his mind.

She moved toward him once more, nearly encroaching on his personal space in the same manner he was known for. Her mind strained with what to say. How did she explain to him the fears rioting in her soul while also selfishly asking him not to let her go? She swallowed thickly. "I'm afraid."

He blinked slowly, head tilting ever-so-slightly. "Of what exactly?" When she didn't respond, he closed the space between them, so close that she could smell the faintness of ale on his breath when he spoke. "The Wicked Witch is destroyed by your hand. Your family is safe. What more is there to fear?" His sapphire eyes leveled on her, understanding shifting in their depths. He knew. He knew what caused her to run from him…from them time and time again.

"Love." Emma expected the admission to hang heavy in the air, dragging her down and exposing all her insecurities, but it didn't. Instead, the word seemed to float from her soul leaving a delicate hope in its wake. Her fingers closed around Hook's right hand and she brought it to rest over her heart. "You once told me it would take no trickery to win my heart. And you were right." She felt safe in confessing this; true love's kiss was not false advertising. "But Hook, my heart's never been particularly good at protecting me."

His expression softened. Compassion, hope...love, welled in his eyes. "That's my job, now," he observed. "If you'll let me?"

Emma looked into those startling eyes, making herself see for the first time all he was offering. He loved her – she knew that – but more, he wanted her. He was a lost boy and she was a lost girl and somehow, they'd found home in each other. He was always at her side; even when she pushed him away he was never more than a few steps behind her. He'd proven his devotion a thousand times but never lost his patience. She was worth it to him, she realized. He wouldn't leave her, perhaps couldn't leave her. Just as she knew she would never stop loving him and wanting him close, even when she demanded distance. And suddenly all the doubt and fear vanished as easily as their warm breath in the cold night. Her happy ending was staring her in the face – had been for sometime – if only she would reach out and claim him.

The words tripped over her tongue before she even thought about stopping them. "Marry me."

Hook shifted his face back a few inches, physically stunned by her words. She didn't let him answer. "I…I love you…Killian. I've known it for awhile. And it scared me. This is so much more than I've ever had, and I was terrified to lose it," she finally confessed.

He regained those few inches, moving his hand to stroke over her cheek before tangling in her long blonde locks. "And now?" He whispered, his breath warm and soft against her skin.

"Now I never want you to say goodbye to me again." Emma dropped to her knees, joining in his smile as she saw the joy lighting his eyes. "I never want to go a day without you. I want you, all of you, for the rest of my life. If you'll have me?"

Hook tugged on her hand, bringing her to stand fully against him and wrapped his arms around her slim frame. "Oh love, one lifetime will never be enough." The scruff of his beard rubbed against her cheek as he turned to kiss her, but she held her face back.

"So, is that a yes?" Emma smiled shyly.

"Bloody hell, Swan, I'm willing to have it tattooed!" He moved in closer again, stopping just before his lips made contact to whisper, "Yes, love. I will gladly make my home with you…forever." His mouth claimed hers in a kiss so deep she felt it all the way through her soul. Laughing, he circled his arms at her waist and lifted her, spinning them around in a physical outpouring of their own celebration. Emma beamed down at him, finally feeling at peace.


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