A/N: This is my second Captain Swan fic, the first one titled "The Most Powerful Thing in the World" which is a one-shot deal. So feel free to check it out if you haven't read it yet. The idea for this fic randomly came to me. This will be a multi-chapter story, and there may be some spoilers based on behind-the-scenes for the second half of the 3rd season (but not so much! It's basically my interpretation of what I think may or may not happen with an additional twist). I'll do my best to update asap, but that all depends on your responses. So please don't forget to leave a review!

"Once in a Dream"

Chapter 1

The trees stood utterly still as the warm afternoon sunlight glimmered and danced merrily on her face. She could hear the delightful sounds of laughter and feet shuffling through fallen leaves and branches as she inhaled the alluring fresh air mingled with burning wood and damped earth.

She stood for a moment, allowing the warmth to wash over her. Her eyes wandered aimlessly, from the clear blue skies to a nearby lake until they finally fell upon Henry and a dark haired little girl by his side. She smiled and watched as they ran happily among the trees and grassy meadow with the joy seen clearly through their youthful eyes.

Momentarily, another figure joined them. This time it was a taller man dressed in all black leather who suddenly appeared behind the bushes and effortlessly lifted the little girl from off the ground with one hand. She saw a playful smirk beginning to form on Henry's face as he drew up a wooden sword and playfully pointed the toy weapon at the man. The little girl let out a fit of giggles as the man carried her up on his shoulder, ready to make a run for it.

Her smile softened as she felt her heart grew warmer at the sight of them. She heard the man laugh for the first time and nearly lost her breath once his familiar face stepped into view. He looked over his shoulder and locked eyes with her, smiling as his soft gaze gave her a sense of hope. She didn't understand any of it—why she and Henry were here or who the man and the little girl were. But seeing them made her feel like she was…at home.

The light was suddenly fading, creating new shadows and dark patches around her. She turned her head and felt the scene change. Soon his smile disappeared, replaced with sadness and lost. She could feel discomfort lurking in the pit of her stomach as she watched Henry frantically move closer to the man and held on to him as though life depended on it.

She stepped forward to join them, only to collide into what appeared to be a glass barrier that stood between her and the others. Her eyes grew larger in horror as thick purple mist began to lurk behind them in the distance. She placed both hands against the glass barrier, trying to break free and warn them of the poison that appeared to swallow their surroundings and leave nothing behind. But the purple mist was nearing and coming from all directions. There was no escape as she watched the three of them disappear among the thick purple cloud.

"No!"

Emma shot up in bed, her heart thundering in her chest. Her heavy breaths began to slowly subside as she ran an unsteady hand through her blonde hair away from her damped forehead. The back of her neck was also damped, but instantly cooled, sending chills down her spine. She looked around her bedroom and felt a rush of relief. It was one of those dreams again, and it was becoming more frighteningly real ever since it all began. She then remembered the man who came into her home the other day; the man dressed in all black just like her dream. And ever since his unexpected arrival, all the dreams and blurred images that rushed through her head became a constant distraction that seem to be telling her something she could not understand.

Refusing to start her morning dwelling on what she convinced herself were silly dreams, she pushed the thought aside and reluctantly got out of bed to wash up before making her way to the kitchen. To her surprise, Henry was already up, sitting in the dining table eating a bowl of cereal while watching an animated Peter Pan film on a small flat screen placed on one of the kitchen counters.

"Morning, Kid." She greeted sleepily as she poured herself a cup of coffee that soon awakened her senses after a sip.

"Morning, Mom." Henry peeled his eyes off from the TV screen for a brief moment to acknowledge her presence. "Mom, the police station just called. Something about a man you have locked up asking for you."

She sighed. "Yea? What did he want?"

"They want you to come in and fill out some paperwork." He replied absently as his eyes returned to the movie. "They also have questions."

She groaned despondently at the thought, her eyes now filled with utter annoyance as she recalled the moment when the man impulsively kissed her. And when he didn't stop leaving her alone, she had the cops arrest him. This is not how she wanted to start her morning…again.

After a quick breakfast and shower, Emma got dressed and walked Henry to the nearest bus station for school. As soon as she watched him off, she got into her yellow bug and headed towards the police station.

It was a cold morning in Boston as the crisp breeze rustled gently through the city. Traffic was surprisingly light, flowing smoothly during the rush hour. Within ten minutes she was already at the police station, parked just across the street. She entered the main office, signing the necessary paperwork and posted bail for the man. She had no idea why she did it, but there was something about him; something that could give her more insight of the dreams.

She tugged on her red coat with hands tucked into her pockets to protect herself against the fierce cold. She waited outside the stair steps of the building, admiring the city as she watched people and cars pass her by. Thoughts about the dreams began to invade her mind as she quickly became lost in them and unaware of her surroundings.

"Emma?" She turned at the sound of the familiar voice behind her. Her thoughts were miles away and it took her a moment longer than expected to realize that the man in his black leather attire was speaking to her. Emma slightly opened her mouth to reply, but no words would surface as his gaze remain fixated on her. "I never thought I'd see you again." He spoke quietly as the same look of relief fell upon his features. He then instinctively stepped forward, causing her to step away and put her guard up.

"Look," she began calmly as she placed her hand up to create space between them. "I don't know who you are or why you're here. But you're up to something." Emma spoke sternly as her eyes narrowed to show the man she was serious. "And I want to know why."

Silence lingered between them as he downcast his eyes. So many thoughts came rushing through his head. It has been a long, grueling journey and all he could ever think about is how much he missed her. "I uh…don't know where to begin."

"You can start by telling me who you are."

"The name is Killian Jones," he replied, meeting her intent gaze once more as it made her knees weakened. "But our people know me as Captain Hook."

She quirked a brow at him. "Captain Hook?" She uttered in disbelief. "As in the pirate, Captain Hook?"

"Please, I know this sounds crazy, but you have to remember who I am…and who you really are. The lives of those in the Enchanted Forest, including your parents', are in grave danger."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

He rubbed the back of his head with the frustration clear in his expression. He took a step forward, and this time, Emma did not move a muscle as the rush of blood suddenly warmed her cheeks. "I think a part of you remembers me, love. Otherwise, you would not be here right now." She swallowed nervously, unable to shake the strange feeling she suddenly felt for him. He searched her eyes carefully. "So I'll ask again, do you know who I am?"

Emma held her breath. "No. But I do recognize you…in my dreams." A small smile formed in his lips as the uncertainty that played across his features was now replaced with renewed hope. A part of him believed that the kiss may have triggered them afterall. "I get these weird dreams…these images of people in my head. I see you, my son Henry…and this little girl." She shook her head, confused now more than ever. "It's been happening for months now, and ever since you appeared on my doorstep, the images become more clear, and feel more real like I'm there. I don't know what any of it means."

"Wait, you said something about a little girl?"

"Yea," she nodded, "with dark hair and blue eyes I think. Do you know who she is?"

She could hear his breath slightly hitched as though the confession took him by surprise. She furrowed her eyebrows in bewilderment and watched as his gaze lit up. "Yes. She's my daughter…" he whispered breathlessly as he looked at Emma and saw his expression change. "She's our daughter."