It was a quiet night in Storybrooke. The Snow Queen defeated, the Dark One banished and no new threat on the horizon. The small loft that was so often bursting with people only had three occupants at the moment. Killian Jones, Snow White, and baby Neal. The other members of the family were out picking up dinner for the evening. Quiet reigned; filling the cozy apartment in an unfamiliar way. Killian had not meant to arrive before Emma. He shifted nervously in the seat Snow had offered, wondering if he should make conversation and worrying just what that conversation might entail.

Snow was oblivious to the pirate's discomfort as she cooed and smiled at her baby boy. For her it was a peaceful, quiet moment free of worry; a chance to relax and appreciate the direction her life had taken. Killian was grateful for her absorption in the baby and mused that if he were lucky she would remain occupied until Emma, David, and Henry arrived.

Killian Jones was not so lucky.

Eventually Snow looked up from Neal and fixed him with a quizzical look. Killian managed a half smile in response, inwardly dreading whatever conversation topic the Princess might choose. There had been few opportunities for conversation in the course of their acquaintance and when they had talked it was either about some impending danger or Emma. Killian was not keen to bring up Emma. He didn't know exactly how Snow felt about him and Emma and he wasn't sure he wanted to find out.

Snow's train of thought was quite different from Killian's. She was thinking of her childhood and the stories that her father used to tell her before bedtime. "You know I used to read stories about you when I was a kid."

Killian cleared his throat in surprise. "I was not aware that the Peter Pan story was told in the Enchanted Forest. I thought it unique to this land."

Snow smiled and shook her head. "It is. I had never heard of Peter Pan before we went to Neverland."

"Are you speaking of my notorious reputation? Because I assure you milady that many of those tales are fabrications. Occupational hazard I'm afraid." Killian attempted to sound nonchalant but he was well aware that his reputation as Captain Hook was fearsome and definitely not the type of man worthy to court her daughter.

Snow's smile grew broader. "No. I hadn't heard tales about Captain Hook until after I became a bandit." Killian's brow corrugated in confusion causing Snow to chuckle. "However I had heard many stories of Captain Jones."

Killian didn't know how to respond to this. He had not been Captain Jones in centuries. What stories could the Princess have heard from so long ago? Snow answered his unasked question. "My father, King Leopold, was a particular fan of your story. When I was just a child he would tell me about how the great kingdom of Albion was destroyed by a single man."

Killian gulped uncomfortably as memories, long buried, came rising to the surface. "I hardly think I was responsible for destroying the kingdom."

Snow rolled her eyes affectionately. "Not you! King Pendragon." Killian grimaced at the name of the man responsible for Liam's death. "My father said that Pendragon's greed and disregard for the lives of his people was what destroyed his kingdom."

"Aye. Your father was correct. The King was without honor and many a good man lost their life in service to his corruption." Killian felt his anger rise, still so fresh after all these years.

Snow was surprised by the venom in his tone. She had never felt an emotional connection to the deeds of the evil King. The story of King Pendragon had always been just an exciting adventure tale for her but Killian had lived the events, had lost people to the King. Snow realized that this must be how Emma felt when discussing events from the Enchanted Forest.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

Killian waved her apology away. "It happened a long time ago."

"Yes but that doesn't mean it stops hurting."

This time Killian glanced up and met her eyes. He saw compassion and understanding in thier green depths and he was reminded that Emma wasn't the only orphan in her family. He nodded his thanks.

After a brief moment, where baby Neal stirred slightly in his sleep and Killian felt the weight of memory begin to lift, Snow spoke again. "What I was trying to say is that my father particularly admired you for your naval strategy and the way you stood up against your King. He told me of the Battle of Dover how you defied the odds off the white cliffs and defeated their Admiral."

Killian chuckled. "They called that the Battle of Dover?"

"Yes. They named all your engagements in the history books. My favorite was always the night attack on the capital. How you sailed up the river with five ships, won the battle, and sailed out with ten ships."

"It was eight actually. The other two had to be scuttled before we reached the sea. That's all in your history books?"

"Well they were in the books my father collected. He was fascinated with that time period. King Pendragon, the Ogre Wars, the rise of a Dark One with no master. He used to say that it would have been the most fascinating time to be alive."

"It was an exciting time. However I have found that to be true of many times and places."

"I guess you would know." It was weird for Snow to think just how long the man sitting before her had lived. Even stranger the way he seemed to shrug off his long life as if it weren't an extraordinary thing.

"I have to ask. Why tell me all this now?" Killian tipped his head as he awaited her answer.

"Honestly I only recently made the connection. I was talking to Emma about your age and I started doing the math. Then it occurred to me that the famous Captain Jones was also the infamous Captain Hook."

"These days I prefer Killian." he deadpanned, earning another genuine smile. "Have you shared this realization with anyone else?"

Snow eyed him contemplatively. "No. And I am guessing you prefer that I didn't?"

Killian scratched behind his ear, unsure of his own answer. He was flattered that Snow was familiar with the exploits of his younger years but he had spent a lot of time trying to distance himself from the cunning and cruel pirate that he used to be. Even though it was clear that Snow did not think the actions of Captain Jones were reprehensible he wasn't sure he wanted to dredge up those days; especially when everything with Emma was going so well.

"Perhaps someday but not yet."

Snow nodded in understanding. "Okay. It will be our secret."

Killian groaned at her use of the word.

Snow cast him a disapproving look. "A secret I will absolutely be able to keep! I promise."

Killian gave her a short nod as he heard the voices of the rest of the family returning. He didn't have much faith in Snow's ability to keep his secret but he hoped it wasn't a secret she would have to keep for long.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Author's Note: I'm not really sure what this is. I just want these two to interact and I have this head canon about how after Liam died Killian fought his King and eventually won. Once that was done he stayed a pirate until he met Milah. Yes I think of his home kingdom as some version of England.
Gonna put all my Snow/Hook one-shots here (cause I know there will be more). So if their friendship interests you go ahead and follow.