"So what are we going to do about Hook?" Emma asked, trying to keep the pace with Neal.
"I don't know, He found his way to New York, he shouldn't have a hard time finding his way out of a basement. Why, You have an issue leaving him behind?" Neal looked at her quickly then away.
"No, I've done it before."
What does that mean? Neal wondered. Had Hook and Emma…? No. He wouldn't think about it. As they approached the car, Neal sped up, barely hearing what Emma was saying behind him. Neal grabbed the keys from on top of the tire where She had left them.
"Please tell me we aren't going to hot wire that thing." Emma's voice rang in his ear, a cold reminder of his past. "wh-" He stopped himself. "No. It belongs to a friend." He rubbed his neck. "Listen Emma, we need to-"
"NEAL!" A familiar voice cried. "Neal I am so glad I caught you!"
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Hook rolled over onto his side, holding his head in his hand. His brain felt full of cotton and there was a sharp, throbbing pain at the base of his neck.
What had happened? The crocodile…yes…He had killed the crocodile! He laughed shakily, but it hurt so he stopped. And Emma…Yes, she'd been there. He remembered, hazily, pushing her to the ground. And where was he? It was dark, and it smelled funny, he tried to pull his arm away from the wall and realized he was chained to something…He got angry but then started to grin.
Cheeky little Swan.
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.
.
Engaged? Emma closed her eyes for a split second to take it in. He's engaged, so what? It's not like I expected him to still be in the same place he was 11 years ago. Surely he had moved on, but still, Emma felt as if she had been struck by some great force. "Cool." She whispered then coughed. "Look, I'd love to stay and chat but your dad's kind of…" Emma trailed off.
"Your dad?" Tamara said. "What's going on sweety?"
Neal gulped and grabbed Tamara by the shoulders. "Look, everything's going to be okay. I'll be back in a few days and I'll explain everything then, promise." He kissed her forehead and Emma had to look away.
"Get in the car, Emma." Neal's coarse voice called. Emma numbly made her way to the silver car and hopped in to the passenger seat.