At the Beginning With You

Chapter One

Emma and Killian walked down to the dock hand in hand where the Jolly Roger was prepped and ready for them to sail off on their first adventure as husband and wife. Charming, Snow, and Henry all walked down behind them, then as Hook stepped onboard, Emma turned back to her family to say her goodbyes while they swept her into a big hug. The embrace shouldn't have surprised her anymore, as it happened so often, but for some reason, a hug like this from them always did. And for some reason, it always made her feel a little uneasy because it made her worry that something bad was about to happen.

"Emma, are you okay?" her mother asked worryingly upon seeing the nervousness in her eyes. "What's wrong? You're finally about to go off on your honeymoon with the man you love. What can possibly be bothering you right now?"

"If I recall, Emma isn't the only one who's felt uneasy by something on her honeymoon," David answered mockingly as he quickly looked over at his own wife.

She slapped him as they both laughed, while Emma responded nervously, "I don't know what's wrong exactly. It's just… What if something happens here while we're gone? What if more trouble comes to Storybrooke and you guys need the Savior to defeat it? I could be condemning you all to another curse or something else terrible."

Mary Margaret smiled as she gently put her hand over her daughter's cheek and replied, "You can't let your fear stop you from being happy, Emma. It's been six months since you were married."

"Yes, and in those six months, we've run into all kinds of trouble," the blonde answered with frustration. "Dragons, demons, trolls… Trouble keeps finding us."

"Maybe so, but we've always prevailed because good will always find a way to defeat evil," David continued. "You reminded us of that when you broke the curse on us the first time. We can take care of ourselves for the next few weeks. Go and have the honeymoon you both deserve. Maybe you'll even begin the first step into making us another grandchild."

Emma stepped back as she responded, "Whoa there, take it easy. We just got married and I think I'd like to enjoy our time together for a little while first before anything like that happens."

Hook stepped down from his ship, having overheard the last half of their conversation, as he replied, "I couldn't agree with Swan more. Are you ready to go, love?"

"Yeah, I think so," she answered as she walked over to stand within his arms while they looked back at the family they were now both a part of. "If anything happens, if trouble comes and you need us to come back, find a way to send us word; a bird or a spell of some kind, and we'll come home as soon as we can."

"We will, if you promise us that you'll do the same," Henry responded quickly as he reached out to hug his mom and then shook Hook's hand before they left. "If you run into trouble yourself I mean. Be careful out there, but more importantly, have fun."

The Savior smiled as she replied, "Thanks, kid. We will. I love you, all of you."

Mary Margaret nodded and then stated, "We love you two as well."

Once underway upon the open sea…

"You seem a bit uncertain about our decision to leave, Swan," Hook spoke up as he walked up from behind the woman he loved once he made sure the Jolly Roger was well in control before leaving the wheel. "Are you sure this is really what you want?"

"We've been married for six months and yet you're still calling me by my old name," Emma answered, seeming to ignore his concern.

He nodded, then responded, "Aye. Swan suits you better than Jones ever could, or Hook. I thought that I made that clear before we were married. As happy as I am that you would happily take on my name, I don't believe Emma Jones is right for such a beautiful lady, especially the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. You didn't answer my question. Shall I turn back?"

She shook her head as she leaned in close to kiss him, then replied, "I promise you, Killian, there's no place that I would rather be at than right here, sailing across the ocean with you on our own adventure. I'm just worried is all, worried that Storybrooke will fall under attack while we're gone. Nevertheless, we're going. I'm sure I'm just being paranoid, like always. I suppose that's the cost of me being the Savior. Do you think that will ever go away?"

"What, do you mean your title as Savior, or your paranoia?" Hook asked smugly.

"You know exactly what I mean," Emma said with a small laugh. "Do you think that I can ever let go of all of my fears so that I can be completely happy."

Killian held her as they looked out over the ocean while he answered, "If it is one thing that I've learned after all of my years of experiences with fear, it's that though at times fear can be crippling, it can also make you stronger. And it's done that for you. It's a part of who you are."

She looked back at him as she asked again, "And you? Do you believe it's done so for you?"

"Of course, love," the pirate responded nervously, momentarily looking down at the burn mark upon his arm mostly covered up by the sleeve of his jacket, until Emma pulled his head back up by his chin to get him to look into her eyes, knowing what it was he was thinking just then.

"Hey, the important thing is, you survived," Emma replied as she put her hands on both sides of his face. "You are stronger than you think you are. And in time, you will return to your full strength and realize this yourself. Your sessions with Archie are helping you, aren't they?"

He answered, "Yes of course. I have helped you all in many battles since my return, have I not? I don't allow my fears to control me when it matters most. I won't allow anything to happen to you again. So, where to? We have the open sea at our exposal and the fastest and grandest pirate ship to help get us there. Where is it that you wish to see?"

After thinking for a moment, Emma looked up at her husband again as she responded, "I would love to see where you're from, your own land."

"I'm afraid that would take a portal, love," Killian replied, then walked back over to stand at the wheel. "I come from another realm and I haven't been there for far too long, not since becoming a pirate after losing my brother, Liam. The truth is, I am not even certain I could find my way back. Storybrooke is my home now, so long as I'm with you. However, if you wish to see a new world, I might know of a way that could help us get there, or more importantly, someone."

"Well then, what are we waiting for?" his wife stated. "Let's go find this person. Just so long as we don't travel to a kingdom that's at all like Neverland where a vicious little boy is ruling it. I'm ready for anything, especially with you at my side."