Blame it on the Rum

By RosexKnight

One night Hook finds Emma drinking, and instead of a date, the two get one night to be each other's.

Chapter One

"Alright. What are you trying to forget, Swan?"

Emma only gave a glance to the pirate at her right before bringing her attention back to the glass at her lips. Suddenly the Sheriff was suddenly glad it was a quiet night at Granny's.

"What makes you think I'm trying to forget something?" She retorted simply, trying to feel out whether or not she had the patience for Captain Hook tonight.

His metal hook tinked against her glass, now only half-full from when she'd started that night. Henry had gone home with Regina, Mary Margret and David had baby Neal to put in bed. Now the only patrons were a few of the dwarves, laughing in the corner, herself, and the Captain.

Captain Hook. Dwarves. She'd never get used to it.

"You don't drink, love. Not this at least. Hook continued, words dripping in his rugged accent. "And if it's two things I know it's you, and drinks."

The blonde rolled her eyes, sipping at her sweet beverage, letting the alcohol warm her body little by little. But Hook continued, unaffected by her dismissals.

"A lady like you, love, is more akin to wine and champagne and classy drinks. But you and I both know what's in that glass is no classy beverage."

Her eyes drifted to the glass before her. She wasn't sure yet if she had the patience for him, but she didn't want to slap him yet. So at least there was that. She gave him a sideways glance, and a hint of worry was on his usually confident eyes. And with all going on, who could blame him?

"That still doesn't mean I'm trying to forget something." She said, pushing out her thoughts of worry to sound more confident, her tone taking the usual cheekiness it had when he was around.

Hook chuckled. "Maybe so, but classy ladies don't drink unclassy drinks without good reason."

"You think you got it all figured out."

"I know my rum." He said with a shrug. Leaning closer to her, he took her hand in his. "What's troubling you love?"

"I just needed a drink." She said, annoyance creeping into her voice. "With everything going on with Regina and Elsa and this Snow Queen I'm under a lot of pressure."

"I don't blame you, love." Hook said, running his thumb over her hand as she took another drink. "I just wanted to be sure that was all you needed the drink for."

A silence stretched between them. And the sheriff kept her eyes fixed on the drink, as if it would reveal to her all the answers. The silence stretched around them, Hook's words hanging in the air like mist. He continued to rub his thumb over her hand as his other fingers held it tight, and Emma realized he was trying to compromise. To give her the space she'd asked for but also comfort her and protect her as he so desperately wanted. His words weren't just concern they were a question that Emma could hear in his voice clear as a bell.

Are you ready to give me a chance? Are we okay? Will you just bloody let me take care of you?

"One night." Emma blurted.

Hook's thumb stopped. Blinking, his expression turned to one of bewilderment. He wasn't even sure he'd heard her correctly. "Pardon?"

"O-one night." She repeated, taking nervous resolve in her statement. She wanted to blame this on the alcohol, but she knew it wasn't all that. Deep down, it really wasn't space she wanted.

"One night?" Hook echoed, trying to make sense out of all this.

Emma paused, finishing off her drink as she tried to collect her thoughts. "You're right. You're a survivor." She started, practically squirming in her seat as she entertained their fingers. A small gesture, but one that set both their hearts aflutter. "And…I don't know exactly where things are right now because of everything going on but I think you knew before me that I didn't need space. So," she looked to him, trying to hide the nervousness bubbling up on her chest, "Just for tonight, I'll be yours. We'll be a thing. As if…courting me or whatever you call it went well. Then, if I like tonight, maybe we can go on a date."

The captain hesitated, stopping himself from scooping her from her bar stool and whisking her away then and there. Dashing as he was, Emma was not the type of lady so easily won. Yet if she trusted him and wanted this…maybe he was in better shape than he thought.

"You want to act as if I've already courted you…before I court you?"

"It's not perfect in my head either. I blame the rum."

"You think you need this?"

She hesitated, "You know I do."

In an instant, Captain Hook was on his feet, gently tugging her arm. "Come on then, love. I'll show you how a gentleman shows a lady a good time."

"Oh so now you're a gentleman?" Emma quipped, hopping off the stool she was perched on to follow him.

"Bad form, love." He said teasingly, the smile on his lips now a genuine one. "I'm always a gentleman."

Emma couldn't help but laugh as she followed him, hands still entangled. Of course, she had no idea where they were going or what he had planned. She tried not to dwell on it. The warmth in her was more than the alcohol now.

At this point, she just hoped she wasn't biting off more than she could chew.