Hot chocolate could cure any problem. She told, or thought she had told, Henry that his entire life, after every fight, every crush he had that went sour, after every bad test in school. When he started having bad dreams of monsters chasing him in the woods, probably a residual memory of Storybrooke coming back to him, Emma made whip cream and covered the hot chocolate with the decadent treat, dusting cinnamon over it as a final touch.

Now, the best cup of hot cocoa north of the Maine border could not soothe Emma or knock her out of her distress. The large mug sat in front of her, whip cream and cinnamon melting into the steaming cup that remained untouched. She sighed and twirled the remaining froth with her finger, scooping some up and licking it off, not actually tasting the sugar on her tongue.

Granny's was still abuzz with many fairy tale characters milling about, sharing stories of the year that never was and their new trials and tribulations in their new realm. Admittedly, there was a tense atmosphere underlying the otherwise calm evening, after Regina had stormed out and Robin reunited with Marian.

Emma looked up and saw Henry talking to his grandparents, give David a hug, stroke the soft cheek of his uncle, and then hurry out the door without so much as looking at her. She wasn't worried when he ran out into the night, turning to the left and jogging away. Storybrooke was safe now, and Emma had a fair hunch where he was headed.

Stomach suddenly upset, Emma pushed away the cocoa and put her chin in her hand, focusing on the outdated pattern of the booth in front of her in an effort to distract herself from thinking about the situation she landed in the with the Evil Queen.

Suddenly, a figure occupied the booth opposite her, startling Emma out of her reverie.

"This isn't on you, lass." Killian insisted earnestly without preamble. Emma, however, forced a smile and inquired what he meant.

"I'm fine." She added with a forced smile, not looking into his eyes.

Killian sighed and shifted forward, so their knees were brushing under the table. "Come on, lass. There's no point in fibbing. What you did was the noble thing to do."

"But it wasn't the right thing." Emma countered hotly. "I disobeyed the one rule we were supposed to follow, Killian. Don't change anything. Don't interfere. And now look at the consequences."

Killian heaved a sigh, searching Emma's face for a moment before slowly forming his next sentence. "You're the savior, Swan. The product of true love." He looked directly into her eyes for a second, and the space between them became charged with electricity and heat. "It's in your nature to be compassionate and help others. Especially when they cannot help themselves. You saved a life. There was no way you could have foreseen the repercussions."

Emma bit her lip and looked down, accepting his words begrudgingly. She wouldn't have left Marian in the cell, even if she knew her identity. Years in the foster system, watching fellow orphans being adopted and always being the one waving goodbye, she knew what being left behind without hope was like.

Emma glanced back up at Killian, her eyes lingering on his lips. The lips she had just kissed, repeatedly kissed, only an hour ago. She could still taste him, could still feel the heat underneath her skin making her joints heavy, and could even reimagine the feeling of his fingers languidly stroking her hair. After they went back inside they stayed close together, sharing brief but comfortable touches occasionally when they knew no one was looking. Killian didn't rush to tell David and Mary Margaret of their new situation, both out of fear and because he was not quite certain where exactly he and Emma were after their kiss. Frankly, Killian believed Emma was just as clueless as he, and just as scared.

Emma leaned forward, making their brushing knees come into contact and then slip past each other, the sides of their legs now flush against each other. She wasn't used to this intimacy. When they were in Neverland, Emma could not deny the physical attraction she felt towards him, clad in leather and casting beckoning looks her way while crooking a suggestive eyebrow. Now, though, her heart had caught up, and their touching made Emma's heart beat faster, made her throat go dry.

She didn't know what they were going to become. Obviously, she knew what he felt; that they were True Love, destined to be together. And their excursions through time and the different realms logically supported his belief. Emma could not, she decided, deny any longer that she felt strongly towards the pirate. But even after visiting the Enchanted Forest and witnessing her parents fall for each other, the savior could not fully jump behind True Love and all the connotations with the label.

Before she could stop herself, she asked him. "What are we, now?"

For a second, Killian stared at her, and then chuckled under his breath. "What do you mean, love?" He asked, his eyes filled with a fondness that had always been there, but was now more obvious to Emma after their kisses.

"Well," she shifted in her seat uncomfortably, "We, you know, and,"

He held up a finger to stop her stuttering, and then dropped it onto the table, his hand covering her own. Slowly, his fingers stroked her knuckles, back and forth and then in a circular pattern over each one. They both stared at the action for a second, both in disbelief that it was actually happening.

"Sorry, ah," he managed, his fingers now rigid.

Emma shot out her other hand and covered his before he could retract. "It's fine." She smiled at him and withdrew her free hand. He shot an uncertain grin back before allowing his fingers to continue their automatic ministrations.

"You know how I have felt about you since before Neverland, Swan." He said honestly, still looking at his hand covering hers.

Emma nodded. She looked up at him and gave him a tender smile. "I hate to admit it, and it took me a while to realize it, but I felt the same." And, because she could not help herself, she teased, "Although, I think I did a better job hiding it than you did."

Killian laughed out loud at that. "Aye, lass, that you did."

For a moment, they just stared at each other, eyes conveying their adoration and a little bit of fear because of the unanswered question hanging in the space between them. The moment was broken, however, by a small cough.

Emma was the first to react, breaking away from his enrapturing gaze with a start. She looked up and instantly flushed from embarrassment. "Mary Mar-Mom!" She exclaimed uncomfortably.

Mary Margaret, still clutching onto Neal, looked between them before answering. "Emma?" Her voice raised into the questioning tone she often only used when scorning someone (usually David). Killian sighed, his hook coming behind his head to scratch at the nape of his neck, but his in tact hand never leaving Emma's. "Your Majesty." He bowed his head slightly, flitting his eyes towards Emma and then back up to the mother and baby.

Mary Margaret looked between them again, and asked as her eyes landed on their joined hands, "Is there something going on? Are you okay?" She shifted Neal in her arms as he began to squirm, small gurgles escaping his puckered mouth.

Emma felt small beads of sweat turn her hands clammy. They were going to have to inform her parents something happened eventually, but Emma never expected the moment to be upon them so soon. Hell, she didn't even know what was happening between them, since they moments ago tactfully avoided putting a label on this new development.

"I'm fine, mom." Emma consoled, shooting a tentative smile. "Hook-Killian- we..." She trailed off, her bravery collapsing as sentences tried to form in her brain, all either inadequate or incoherent.

"We were just discussing the new lodging arrangement Henry has been going on about." Killian interjected smoothly, casting his signature grin. "Emma was worried she would be too far from you and her baby brother, and I was consoling her that Prince Charming and Snow White would be more than capable of being a five minutes walk from their daughter."

Emma gaped at him, struck by the smooth lie that seemed to placate Mary Margaret. The new mother wiped a tear out of her eye and placed a hand on Emma's shoulder, Neal effectively cradled in one arm. "Oh, Emma. You really don't have to worry about me and David. We'll be totally fine. Plus, there's not much room in the loft for everyone now. And Hook is right, it's only a short walk." She bent down and kissed the crown of Emma's head. The young blonde closed her eyes and sighed, conflicted. When Mary Margaret withdrew, Emma struck a small smile.

Neal's gurgles soon turned into a soft wail and then into a loud cry. Mary Margaret bounced him a few times, and then sighed. "I should probably get him home. It'll be easier for him to sleep in his cradle than here with all these people." She cast a final nod to Killian and departed.

The minute Mary Margaret was out of earshot Emma breathed a sigh of relief she had not realized she had been holding.

Then, to Killian's dismay, she kicked his shin forcefully with her boot. "What the hell was that, Killian, really?" She demanded, hissing under breath.

Killian groaned and withdrew his hand to massage his aching leg. "Bloody hell, Swan. I'm already missing one appendage, do try and avoid damaging my others." He looked up at her unamused expression before sighing. "Look, lass, you were clearly unwilling to tell your mother the truth, so I helped out." He gestured towards the door, where Mary Margaret just made her leave.

"Truth? Killian it's not easy to admit to your mother that you were just making out with a pirate."

She avoided the hurt that cast a shadow over his eyes by looking down.

"Aye, I'm sure it's not." He said eventually, his voice soft. "But like I told you, love, I'm in this for the long haul. If that means playing by your rules, then I will."

A large lump formed in Emma's throat at his sincere confession. "Thank you." She managed, her eyes momentarily blurred.

Just as Killian was about to speak again, a large gust of chilly November air blasted into the cozy diner, signaling the entrance of David. The Prince had a fixed, determined expression plastered across his face as he walked over to the pair, shoulders set back.

Without speaking, he drew a chair from a nearby table to the edge of the booth and sat down, looking between the two of them. "Mary Margaret told me you were upset, Emma. Something about the new apartment." He let his gaze rest on his daughter and smiled gently. "We're really going to be okay." Emma opened her mouth to speak, but David cut her off with a raised hand. "But, that's not why I'm here. I didn't tell your mother this, Emma, because I felt she still needs time to recover after giving birth to your brother."

Killian shifted uncomfortably, imagining David calmly announcing his plans to make pirate stew for Sunday dinner. And they had just become mates.

David looked between them again with a small smile before speaking. "Now that my memories have shuffled after your excursion, I remember a certain conversation I had with Prince Charles." He shot a pointed look at Killian, who squirmed uncomfortably.

"You sure you want to share that story, mate?" Killian practically begged, looking at Emma as he asked the question. Emma caught his look and then looked suspiciously at her father.

"Share what story?" She asked.

"Well, when you were stuck in that cell pretending to be Princess Leia, I had a heart to heart with Charles. He consoled me that true love still existed, when I was so certain that my fate with Princess Abigail was set in stone." David sighed and then continued. "And he said something about his true love's parents not approving of him."

Emma blanched, her mouth wide open as she began to realize where the conversation was headed.

Killian shot her a look that silenced her, though she did so grudgingly.

David looked directly at Killian as he spoke. "Hook, I will admit Mary Margaret and I haven't been open to you. We judged you for your past, rather than for whom you have become. And you have done so much to protect our daughter." He looked at Emma and smiled at her, who sent a tentative smile back. "Like I said in the Enchanted Forest. I would be crazy not to give you my approval."

"Whoa-David- we don't..." Emma began, instantly becoming defensive. Killian shook his head slightly.

"There's no point in hiding the truth from everyone, love." He muttered. Emma nodded and shifted so she was fully facing her father.

"Look." She said in her matter of fact voice. "We aren't exactly sure what's going on between us. Everyone knows I'm crap at this sort of thing. Feelings. Fairy tale, true love stuff. And you know I love you guys and how much I've started to believe in you as my parents. So your approval means a lot. But I'm not sure what this is yet. I'm not going to jump gung-ho into everything after tonight." Killian looked down at her words, biting his lower lip.

David smiled at his daughter. "You're stubborn. Just like your mother. And you may not believe, but even across realms, across time, you and Hook have always found each other." And with that, he tapped his knuckles on the linoleum table, and departed.

Killian looked up at Emma again, his blue eyes still conveying hurt. "I'm not sure what to say, Swan." He admitted, voice low.

Emma titled her head to the side and worried her bottom lip before speaking. "Killian..."

He shook his head and stood up. "Shall I walk you to your lodgings?" His hand held itself out to her, and she took it as she stood. It dropped back to his side when they exited the diner and stayed down as they crossed the road to Mary Margaret's loft. He held the door of the building open for her, their eyes meeting briefly and flicked down as she walked past him, both unwilling to make eye contact.

They climbed the stairs in silence, the creaking of the old wood beneath their feet accentuating the tense climate between the two. Before, the space between them crackled with excitement and attraction, and now it felt suffocating and sour.

When they reached her door, Emma hesitated before immediately going in. "Killian-"

"Swan-" They both said at the same time. Emma laughed and gestured for him to speak first.

"Swan. Try something new. It's called love."

She let out a mirthless laugh. "That sounds oddly familiar to me."

Killian drew closer to her, his breath ghosting over her face almost undetectably. "You've begun to open your broken heart to trust, lass. Try love now. I'll give you more time, space, anything. But our kiss changed things. So I have to tell you, Swan, I'm in this for the long haul."

Emma looked up at him, eyes wide in astonishment that he wasn't yelling at her, wasn't chastising her for regressing and rebuilding some of her walls.

"Me too." She whispered, her voice choked by emotion.

And then his lips were upon hers, gentle just as they were outside the diner. Killian poured his emotions into the kiss, bringing her flush against him, stroking her hair with his good hand. Emma reciprocated, threading one hand through his thick dark hair at the nape of his neck and fisting a lapel in the other. They were desperate for each other, but did not rush the kiss. There would be time for that later.

When they broke apart, Emma rested her forehead against his own and nuzzled her nose with his. "Things will be different now." She stated.

"Aye." He answered gently, his voice still wobbly from the kiss.

"I should say good night." She said again in the same matter of fact tone.

"Aye."

"I don't want to." Emma admitted quietly, backing her head away to look at Killian.

The expression of adoration and love on his face was almost heartbreaking. He drew her back in for a final kiss before breaking apart gently and turning to head back down the stairs. Before he began his descent, he looked back at her, his suggestive grin back across his face, and winked mischievously.

"Someday you won't have to."

,...

Emma avoided her parents when she opened the door, creeping slowly across the loft to her room before she could be interrogated. All the lights were off, save the dimmed light above the kitchen sink. Apparently, they had both gone to bed, probably catching as much blissful hours of uninterrupted rest as possible before Neal woke them up in the early morning hours. Guiltily, Emma was relieved. After her talk with David, she knew that she didn't have to be secretive about her new developments with Killian, but there was still part of her that felt she couldn't comfortably admit that they were together just yet. She wanted to sort it out for herself before any one else could start putting labels on them.

Gingerly, she opened her door, squeezing past the frame before it could creak. Without changing out of her clothes still dusty from falling back through the time portal, she threw herself onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

...

Killian was walking aimlessly outside before returning to his own lodgings at Granny's Bed and Breakfast. Truthfully, he enjoyed the quiet night, though the Maine air was becoming too chilly to be comfortable without a coat. He was able to think through all his thoughts without interruption.

Before Cora enlisted him, he was never much of a contemplative person. As a pirate, especially after Milah died, he charged forward and never thought of consequences. Granted, he never had any consequences to suffer, because he never lived by any code or law. At night, after his swashbuckling was over, he drank rum until his own hand and hook seemed blurry. In such a drunken state, he couldn't think about anything other than lying with a women he got equally as inebriated and holding down the contents of his stomach.

Now that his head was clear of alcohol and his pirating days over, Killian found that he had many things to actually think about. During the year that never was, he thought about getting back to Storybrooke's realm, about the regrets he had over his misdeeds and mistakes with Neal, then Baelfire. Mostly, he thought about Emma. About getting back to her, reminding her that her family was waiting for her to save them again. About how he needed her just as much as they did.

He turned the corner and found himself walking along the edge of the square, just past Gold's shop. Killian's blue eyes looked inside the dingy windows, remembering back to discovering Prince Eric's cloak.

"Hook!" a young voice called out, snapping Killian out of his reflections.

Henry was running towards him, grey and red scarf caught in a trail behind him. Killian turned fully and faced the boy, a happy smile on his face. Truthfully, the past pirate adored the young lad. In many ways, Henry reminded Killian of what a young, undamaged Baelfire would have been like. But it was Henry's own heart that drew everyone in Storybrooke to him.

"What are you running about for, lad?" Killian asked jovially, raising his hook in greeting.

Henry caught up to his unlikely role-model and rearranged his coat and scarf. "I was just with mom-Regina." he corrected automatically. "She's...really upset." Killian looked down and sighed, trying without luck to think of how to proceed.

"Aye, I can imagine." He responded unhelpfully.

"Is-is my mom okay?" Henry inquired, peering his head to look up at Hook even though his head was cast downward. "Emma." He clarified.

Killian tossed around the idea of lying to the boy to protect him. Although he was by no means a father, Killian knew that it probably would not be beneficial to hear that one's mother was distressed. Mothers were rocks in their sons lives, and Killian had seen the impact of not having Milah by Bae's side during the boy's adolescence. But, Henry deserved to know what the situation was, especially considering it concerned both his mothers, and not just Emma. Plus, Killian was trying to grow close to Henry, as he wanted to become a part of the whole Charming family, and not just a part of Emma's life.

"Your mother is... feeling guilty she broke the laws of time travel. And for upsetting Regina."

Henry nodded, frowning.

"But-" Killian said, "She was right to save Maid Marian. Your mother is the Savior, lad. It's in her job description to protect people. Even if your mother knew who it was, she's not the type of person to let an innocent die."

At his words, Henry perked up, blue eyes shining. "She is the Savior, isn't she? I just wish Regina could have found her happy ending sooner."

A harsh wind blew past them, making both shiver violently. Killian drew his leather jacket around him tighter and Henry violently stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Weren't you to spend the night at the Queen's house?" Killian asked.

Henry nodded slightly. "Yeah, but I think it would be best if she were alone. She didn't really... want to talk." He trailed off, eyes looking beyond the pirate in front of him. Killian nodded in understanding. After losing Emma to Pan's curse, he was not exactly willing to converse with any member of his crew.

He raised his good hand and clapped Henry on the back, turning him in the direction of Mary Margaret's loft. "Come, I'll walk you home. Storybrooke may be through with it's latest threat but there may be a new storm coming."

...

to be continued

(reviews are always appreciated :) thanks for reading!)