"Today you were far away

and I didn't ask you why

What could I say

I was far away

You just walked away

and I just watched you

What could I say"

– 'About Today', The National


With a steaming cup of coffee in hand Emma wandered down Main Street and for the first time in what seemed like years allowed herself to breathe. Henry was back by her side and all those who had set out on the Jolly Roger had returned to Storybrook, seemingly unscathed but irrevocably changed. Whatever animosity they once held had melted away and an unusual kinship had been forged. It was unlikely that Hook and Gold would actually call each other friend but their thoughts no longer strayed to murder whenever the other one was present. In fact, it seemed as if a grudging respect had been established. And it had all been for Henry.

At the thought of her son Emma grinned, laughter bubbling in her chest as an incredible sense of relief washed over her. Stopping for a moment Emma glanced to her right, the usually empty music store had managed to secure one patron. A man sat hunched over the small upright piano sitting in the window. Frowning Emma stepped closer; there was something markedly familiar about him.

Hook.

Emma shook her head roughly; he was Killian, not Hook, to her now. They had done and seen too much together, he had saved Henry and rescued her from the pit of despair she had fallen into. Killian had proven his value; he had shown that he was worth trusting, he had presented Emma with her world when she thought it was lost and for that she couldn't thank him enough.

Eyeing up the shop's entrance Emma made a snap decision, marching towards the store she quickly moved to open the door. As her hand wrapped around the door handle Emma winced, waiting for the inevitable chime to announce her presence. Thankfully the bell was nowhere to be seen and the blonde entered the shop without the man at the piano glancing up.

The melody that filled the shop was simple yet the sound Killian was coaxing out of the piano was unlike anything Emma had heard before. The notes were fluttering through the air, hauntingly beautiful and spoke of a longing Killian could never quite express. Finally his fingers stilled over the keyboard and the pirate exhaled heavily as his shoulders dropped even further forward.

"Are you going to stand there all day?"

Emma frowned, embarrassed to have been caught out. Trying to hide her discomfort the blonde coughed, "I didn't know you played."

"I used to," Killian frowned. "Before…"

Emma nodded, her cheeks suddenly flushing. "Who were you playing?"

"No one," Killian shrugged.

"You composed it yourself?" Emma questioned softly, inching towards the seated pirate.

"You could say that," Hook shrugged, his gaze drifting over towards Emma, his blue eyes awash with emotions.

Emma frowned; breaking eye contact with Killian she attempted to find the words that had so far eluded her. "I don't know if I told you… But I am so grateful for what you did. I… Thank you."

"Emma, there is no absolutely no need to thank me." Killian's hand suddenly lifted from the piano to grab Emma's, his stare unflinchingly earnest. Pulling the blonde towards the piano Killian managed to bring Emma down to eye level as she let herself fall onto the other side of the piano stool. "I owed it to myself to try and be the better person. I owed to Milah and Baelfire to help Henry. And I want to deserve your respect Emma – helping you find Henry got me one step closer to that."

"Why do you want it so bad?" Emma whispered. As the words tumbled from her mouth Emma's free hand drifted upwards, her fingertips almost grazing the side of the pirate's face as if they were irresistibly pulled towards him.

Killian let loose a shaky breath, "Ever since you left me at the top of that beanstalk…"

"Seriously?" Emma questioned incredulously before biting her lip and stifling her outbreak.

"I don't know if it was your intention but I found myself wanting to prove to you I was worthy of your trust."

"Treat 'em mean..." Emma muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Hook questioned, the all too familiar smirk tugging at his mouth.

"Nothing," Emma mumbled, unwilling to look at the man next to her.

"I do believe you are blushing Swan," Killian grinned, his eyes suddenly alight with mischief. "What have I done to evoke such a reaction?"

"Nothing," Emma rejoined quickly. "Don't presume you have some sort of effect on me Jones, it's just hot in here is all."

"Oh come now Swan, not even a teensy tiny bit?" Killian teased. Emma's hand was still in his and he wasted no time in taking full advantage of the situation, his thumb tracing circles across her smooth skin.

"Absolutely nothing." Emma deadpanned, her eyes locked with the pirates.

Killian smiled, leaning in he made a great pretense of studying Emma's feature. "You're lying," the pirate breathed. His warm breath tickling Emma's neck as Killian's blue eyes raked across her skin.

Emma's gaze drifted lazily down to the pirate, she'd be damned if he was going to win.

"Try me." Emma bit the inside of her cheek, those words were an open invitation to the pirate and she was already regretting saying them.

Killian offered the blonde a wide smile, "I do hope you meant that."

Emma gave a non-committal shrug, the pirate's grin widened further.

Carefully releasing his grip of Emma's hand Killian gently picked up one of the stray strands of hair from around the sheriff's face. Slowly curling the lock around his index finger Jones' leant in, his cheek just skimming the side of Emma's face as he almost leisurely tucked the errant lock behind her ear.

The pirate was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath followed by a shaky exhalation. Smiling Hook turned his head ever so slightly, his upturned lips brushing against Emma's soft cheek. Emma remained motionless, only her unsteady breathing betraying her thoughts.

Quite suddenly Killian's arm snaked around Emma's back before he pulled her flush against him, their lips mere centimeters apart the pirate smiled. His blue eyes full of warmth and good humour, a laugh escaping his lungs as he heard a small gasp leave Emma's mouth.

"Now, one thing you must remember Swan, never bet against a pirate."

Rather unceremoniously Killian rose from his seat, living Emma slumped against the piano. Grabbing Emma's left hand Killian grazed her knuckles with his lips, "And for now, I bid you adieu."


A/N: I dont know what it is about these two but they're stopping me from writing anything else!

Please drop a review - would love to know what you think.