This takes place shortly after Lost Girl
-/-
Emma couldn't sleep. Pan's words kept replaying in her head. And as for you Emma, when we're finished you won't just feel like an orphan. You'll be one.
Emma glanced over to where her parents were huddled close together, arms wrapped around each other. A little part of her wished that she had someone who could be there for her in that way. She had always imagined it would be Neal, but now he was dead. It didn't matter. Emma couldn't afford to let anyone in. She'd been let down too many times before.
Emma was so lost inside her own head as she wandered towards the fire that she didn't notice someone was already there. In fact, she was so caught up in her own lonely thoughts that she tripped over a root. Before she could even try to steady herself, she felt a warm hand on her forearm. "Easy there, love," he said.
Emma straightened up and turned to face him. "Thanks," she said softly, without meeting Hook's eyes.
"We can't have you injuring yourself," said Hook, "we have some long and dangerous days ahead of us."
"I can't imagine things getting any worse," said Emma, sighing as she sat down and leaned against a tree near the fire.
"They will," said Hook, sitting down beside her. "But I have faced many of the dangers here, and I know how Pan's twisted mind works. You're not alone, Swan."
The word alone brought her back to what Pan said. She drew her knees into her chest and rested her forehead against her knees, not even caring that Hook was there to see her vulnerability.
She felt a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong, Swan," Hook asked.
"Nothing. I don't want to talk about it," she answered back, praying that Hook wouldn't press her on this.
"Emma, you can tell me," he said, his voice gentle and softer than she had ever heard it before.
Emma looked up at him and shook her head.
His hand moved to her cheek. Emma flinched but did not move away from the contact. His hand was surprisingly soft against her skin. It was a strange comfort. After a few moments of silence she said, "Pan cornered me while I was picking berries. He said by the time he's through with me that I won't just feel like an orphan. I'll be one."
Hook's expression darkened for a moment at the thought of Pan threatening Emma. At length he pulled out his flask and handed it to her. Emma eyed it and said, "You still have some left?"
Hook smiled. "Drink up, Swan. You'll need it."
Emma drained the flask and handed it back to him, appreciating the gesture.
"You won't be an orphan," said Hook.
"I won't?" asked Emma. "Pan seemed serious."
"Pan is a master manipulator. He knows how to find a person's weakness and exploit it. You can't let him get to you. You have to remember that you have Snow and Charming and," he stopped speaking as if he'd lost confidence.
Emma glanced at him. If there was one thing she knew about the man beside her it was the fact that he was always sure of himself. "And?"
"Me," he answered. "I will make sure that we save Henry. I will make sure that nothing happens to your parents. You won't be an orphan, Emma. You have a family and don't let that demon convince you otherwise."
Emma was caught off guard by his words. She had never seen him like this, and though she didn't know it, a little piece of the wall she had built around her heart began to crumble. She put her hand on his. "Thank you," she said, truly meaning it.
Hook looked at her for a long moment, as if he were waiting to tell her something. But then he only said, "You should get some sleep, Swan. I'll watch over you… and the others."
Emma nodded, squeezed his hand lightly and wandered back towards the shelter that her parents had built.