Father Knows Best

CS. Sometimes you just need your dad. David's POV during different moments in episodes 3x10 and 3x11, including a few made up ones.

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A/N: Most of the dialogue in the last part of this is from episode 3x10. However the interpretations and character readings are my own. I've tried to keep them in character as much as possible. Apologies for the Hook angst, but he's just decided to give Emma's family their best chance so I thought he'd be a bit morose.

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"Emma didn't listen to us…"

The disappointment is evident in Mary Margaret's voice. He looks over his shoulder, following her gaze and sees Neil sitting by himself in a booth not too far from theirs. Clearly he'd hoped she'd be here as well.

He can't help it, but a small part of him is happy that Emma didn't show up. He'd never tell her – or Snow – but he doesn't like the idea of her and any man. It feels silly, but he'd always known from the moment he'd held her that he'd never find any man good enough for her. It certainly doesn't help that there are currently two competing for her affections.

Something within him snaps at the thought and he quickly turns back to his wife, a sense of urgency in his eyes.

"I've got this." He announces reaching for his jacket. He doesn't need to look into her eyes to know she's a little surprised. He'd made a promise a long – or not so long – time ago that he'd always leave any of their daughter's boy troubles to her. But circumstances change and he won't let himself stay out of it.

But Snow doesn't protest. Instead she smiles up at him with – if he's not mistaken – a glint of pride in her eyes. So far her words haven't been getting through to Emma and he knows that she's run out of things to say. He thinks she's probably hoping he'll have better luck.

At the same time he can't help but feel a little nervous. After all, his daughter has outdone greater men… And who's to say he might hold any sway over her at all?

Nevertheless he tucks those feelings away and goes in search of her.

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As he approaches his truck it hits him that he has no idea where to begin to look for her. This is the first time he's going in search of her. It's always been the other way around. He runs through a list of places in his head.

She can't be with Henry because he's with Regina… She wasn't with him and Snow – and certainly not with Neal…. Belle was with Rumplestiltskin and there's no reason why Emma would want to interrupt them. He can't think of anyone she'd want to go visit. When it comes to Storybrooke she has fewer friends than he does. The only friend he's made so far – with no help from Snow – is Hook.

Hook.

Would he know where Emma is?

David doesn't even need to finish the thought. After all, the pirate did follow his daughter around Neverland like lost a puppy. Not to mention saving his life so Emma wouldn't have to lose her father just when she'd finally gotten him back. There's no reason he wouldn't be shadowing her around here in Storybrooke as well.

All he has to do is track down Hook – find the pirate, find the princess.

David smiles to himself at the thought of Emma as a princess. He can still remember the tiny tiara he and Snow had had made for Emma before she'd been born. He wonders if it's in Gold's shop. At the thought he feels a sharp pang – the dull ache that accompanies his thoughts of the life that could have been. Instead, he focuses his attentions on tracking down the honourable pirate.

The only place he can think of to find Hook is aboard 'The Jolly Roger'. So that's where he heads.

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It turns out he doesn't need to really head to the harbour in search of the galleon. He spies Hook long before that.

The pirate captain's long black coat billows in the wind as he stands in the children's playground by the beach, surrounded by toys.

As David gets out of his truck he notices the man run his hook along the chains holding up one of the swings, a dark expression over his face. David doesn't want to interrupt, but the least he can do for the man who saved his life is talk to him. So he walks over to him.

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"Everything okay Hook?" He calls out, entering the playground through the small gate.

Hook turns at the sound of his voice, eyebrow quirked up in surprise. "How you doing mate? Gold save your life yet?"

It's funny how a few weeks ago David would have easily put down Hook's concern for his health under his efforts to win Emma over. Hell, he'd even used the pirate's feelings for his daughter as an incentive to get him to agree to things. But now, after everything they've been through – saving him from Dreamshade, helping rescue his grandson and returning them home to Storybrooke – he realises he genuinely considers Hook a friend.

"Actually he did… And I'm feeling fine. Thank you." He looks him square in the eyes as he says this. Snow always says there's good in everyone and that it just needs encouragement. Hook has already proved just how good he can be and David doesn't want his friend to lose that part of himself.

"No problem… Glad you're okay."

David watches as Hook shakes his head and looks away. Clearly he's a man uncomfortable with praise – or being called a hero. He'd reacted the same way when David had tried to credit him with saving his life after their search for the sextant. Of course then he'd also made it clear that he was doing it for Emma.

David waits for the obligatory comment stressing this fact. None comes. He turns to Hook in surprise. "Aren't you going to tell me that 'it was all for Emma'?" David asks jokingly, a twinkle in his eye.

Hook's response is a sad smile. "Didn't think it was polite to keep talking about her that way in front of her father."

"Didn't stop you before." David points out. He can't help himself but now he's a little concerned. Hook wasn't acting like himself. Though, he'd never acted how David expected him to so maybe this was par for the course.

Hook looks him in the eyes, everything in his manner radiating seriousness. "Yeah, but if I'm going to win her heart, I've got to do this right. In case you haven't heard, I'm in this for the long haul."

He turns back to the chain he'd been toying with.

David smiles at the conviction in the pirate's voice. He's heard it a thousand times before in Mary Margaret's. And as he does so it strikes him that he doesn't bristle at the thought of his daughter ending up with Hook – the way he did back in Neverland. But that was before he'd realised just how honourable the man in front of him is. Now he just bristles at the thought of her ending up any man.

"Good to know… Thanks for the warning." He says teasingly, hoping to coax a smile from the surprisingly morose captain.

Hook turns back to him, eyes dark, suggesting he's nowhere close to joking. There's a twinge of pain there, but it disappears, hidden quickly. It's no surprise. He'd been a pirate captain for more than three hundred years.

"So… You were in the army, 'Jones'." David says, taking a seat on the adjacent swing.

Hook stops playing with the chain and takes a seat himself – though a little more warily. "Aye, I was. I was my Captain's right hand man." He turns his gaze to his lap where he runs his hand over his hook.

"Your brother… He was your captain," David says, filling in the blanks.

Hook nods, still not looking up. All he offers is a quiet "Liam…"

David perseveres nevertheless. "What about you? I'm sure you weren't always called 'Hook'."

That gets a small smile out of him, though he still doesn't look at David.

"It was Killian… Killian Jones."

"Well Killian Jones, thank you for saving my life."

Hook looks at him now, surprised. He hasn't been called that in ages. David simply grins at him and sticks out his hand. Confused, Hook shakes it. "Thanks… David."

The handshake is firm – the kind used to seal deals and lock up promises. It's a remnant of Hook's days in the navy.

David kind of likes the way the pirate says his name. It's silly, but as a boy he'd often dreamed of becoming a sailor and going to explore far away kingdoms. Even then he'd known that looking after sheep couldn't be his life forever. Of course now that boy is long gone and he's had his taste of sailing and he can honestly say he's had enough of the sea for a long, long while. What he has developed a taste for, is fatherhood.

Reminded of his quest, he stands up, getting off the swing. "I'm looking for Emma. You wouldn't happen to know where she is do you?"

Hook looks up at him, his eyes dark and stormy again. "You'll find her further up, at the beach. You can't miss her."

He looks away, slower this time, turning his attention back to his hook. David nods and starts to walk away, but stops a few seconds later.

"Killian," He says, turning around. The pirate's head perks up at hearing his name. David recognises the faint glint of recognition in his eyes and sees that it quickly fades into disappointment. David sympathises. The loss of a brother is not something that ever fades away – even if you'd never met him. "We should get a drink sometime… Though maybe not rum."

Hook's eyebrows are raised in surprise, but the smile is back on his lips. "Sounds like a plan."

David nods, smiling. It's a promise he intends to keep. He's never really gone out for drinks with friends, even though he'd had memories of doing so when he'd been under the curse.

Now that he's cheered Hook up, he can finally go in search of his daughter. So he walks down to the beach.

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Once again, Hook is right about Emma.

David finds her sitting on the beach, staring out at the ocean. Perhaps it's not a coincidence, David thinks as he slowly walks towards her. Perhaps Emma was right when she'd said that she and Hook had an understanding.

However he quickly shoves away thoughts of the possible implications of his daughter's romantic life and focuses on getting to the bottom of why she's at the beach instead of meeting Neal back at Granny's. Though as he nears her he can't help but wonder what she daydreamed about as a child. Did she take after him and dream of sailing the seven seas and going exploring? Or had she wanted to become a champion rider, like Snow had told him she'd wanted as a little girl?

Judging by the fact that her conflict led her to seek out the ocean David hopes she might take after him in that regard. Emma's always reminded him of Snow. It wasn't until Neverland that he began to recognises pieces of what might be himself in her. Though he'd never admit to anyone, he's grateful for his time on that island, because almost losing his grandson brought him closer to his daughter.

But now that he's standing a few feet away from her, David finds himself getting nervous. What do you say to your formerly-infant-currently-adult daughter when she doesn't show up to a lunch date with the man who abandoned her when she was seventeen and pregnant?

This reminds him, he needs to have a talk with Neal. But for now, there isn't enough parenting advice in the world. So he takes a page out of Snow's book, and simply goes to talk to her.

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"Isn't Granny's that way?"

David stands, hands in his pockets. Emma turns to look up at him, a look of annoyance on her face. "Did Neil send you?"

He almost smiles at her tone, the petulance in it hinting at the kind of teenager she might have been. However he keeps his face neutral, hoping that his presence isn't what's bothering her. "No, he has no idea I'm here."

Her face thaws a little at his admission, but worry still lines it so he continues. "But when I saw him sitting at a table alone, I wanted to make sure you were okay."

He pauses. "Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

She answers quickly, looking up at him briefly before turning her gaze back down to her hands. He doesn't need his Sheriff's badge to tell that something's bothering her.

"Emma-" He begins as he takes a seat next to her.

Honestly he's not sure what he's going to say to her. Snow's the one that's always done the reassuring. One minute in and David's already beginning to feel out of his depth. The last thing he wants to do is say something to upset her – or worse, send her into the arms of Neal or even Hook. Emma must have guessed what was on his mind because she immediately responds. "It's not Neil. It's Henry. He doesn't seem like himself. He barely recognized his storybook last night."

David tries not to breathe a sigh of relief too noticeably. If there's one thing he and Emma can talk about, it's definitely parenting – as they both seem to be learning how to be good at it. So he goes with the reassuring tone he uses to soothe Snow when she gets anxious about what their absence in Emma's life may have done to her. "He went through a lot in Neverland."

"I know! AND he asked to spend the night at Regina's."

There it is. Looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Though in this case it's him. He'd never tell Snow or Emma this, but he worries that Emma will only go to Snow when she's upset about something rather than him. After all, she only seems to come to him when they have to deal with Regina or strategize against Rumple or Cora. So he slowly nods, gently trying to reassure her.

"Well, you know… she did help us save him. And she did raise him until you came into his life-"

"I know she did."

He can hear Teenage Emma again. But he can also hear the part of her that's Henry's mother. That's the part he addresses. "Look, he probably wants to stay with you tonight. I wouldn't worry about it… We're all recovering."

"I know, I just can't shake the feeling that something bad is still going to happen and I need to do everything I can to stop it."

That's when he knows they've approached the real root of the matter. "Emma you can't think like that."

He means it. More than anything he wants his daughter to find her happy ending. Just like he did his.

"Why not? Bad things do keep happening."

This time he hears the little girl he couldn't protect from all the bad things. And just like that, he knows what to say.

"So do good things. But if you think like that you miss out. There's more to life than just looking for the next fight. You know, you gotta look for the moments."

"Moments?"

Her scepticism doesn't throw him off. Instead he presses on, an almost fatherly tone entering his voice. "YES. Life is made up of moments – good ones, bad ones, but they're all worth living."

"Well, I seem to be a magnet for the bad ones."

The resignation in her voice breaks his heart. But he doesn't feel guilty as he continues. "And all the more reasons to look for the good ones in between the bad ones."

"And you think that having lunch with Neil will be a good moment?"

He can tell that there's something about this that's bothering her. So he tries to lighten her mood.

"I don't know… Does he eat with his mouth open?"

Her silent chuckle as she turns away and shakes her head at him tells him he may have just cracked his first dad joke. He never thought he'd be so pleased.

Emma's voice is small as she responds. "I'm not sure I'm ready."

He wants to tell her that he's not sure he's ready either. But he'd told her mother that he'd talk to her and he doesn't want to lie to Snow. So despite himself he asks her. "What's the harm in finding out?"

She looks hesitant. He gets to his feet, knowing her mother must be worrying about them. Besides, Neal's probably no longer there. David had heard him promise to leave Emma alone if she didn't show up. Hopefully Neal is a man of his word on this matter and is long gone by now. At least Hook had given him some warning. Not that he'd ever been subtle about his intentions with Emma.

"Come on… I'll give you a lift to Granny's." He holds out his arm to her. He's pleased when she takes it. He's been winning dad points all day.

"You sure there isn't any other reason you're pushing me towards Neal?"

Back to this. David sighs inwardly.

But there's something different this time – something in her voice. It sounds hopeful. As if she wants him to say something. He can't help but wonder if she's asking for permission. After all, they both know where Snow stands on this matter. And he's only recently discovered how he feels about Hook – let alone having thoughts about Hook and Emma.

"Like what?" He asks, voice measured, trying not to mention the pirate or the man waiting back at the diner.

"You know… keeping me away from Hook."

As she says it, he realises that not only is a small part of her is asking for his blessing, she cares what he thinks. She wants his approval. She wants to know that it would be okay for her to choose Hook. What was the reason she'd given Snow when explaining why she'd kissed him? Oh right. She'd said she'd felt good. Could his princess really be falling for the pirate?

Even as the thought hits him he realises that he has no real objections if it's what makes her happy. Besides, of the two options in front of him, he really does prefer the pirate. Huh. When did that happen? He comes to a stop as the thought hits him. Noticing they've stopped, he covers with a joke instead.

"You think I'm interested in Hook?" Despite the confusion in her face he continues, committing to the bit. "Emma, I'm a married man."

Her exasperated sigh lets him know she gets it. Her tug as she pulls him away makes him all the more prouder. Perhaps this parenting thing isn't as hard.

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A/N: Thanks for reading Part 1! I'm currently working on Part 2 and another fic. Hope you guys like it. Let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns! Thanks!