Jail Cell AU – When they see one another at the docks, Hook and Emma fight and David is forced to make them cool down in the holding cell.

"David…"

"Emma I'm sorry, but I can't show favoritism, and you guys practically tore the dock apart."

"But –"

"Sorry Emma, you just have to cool off for a few hours and then I'll come and get you."

During the father-daughter exchange, Killian remained quiet, resolutely tinkering with his hook. Their encounter had come to blows, although both parties were no worse for the wear. He hadn't meant to let her crawl under his skin. But just seeing her on the docks had his blood boiling. He couldn't decide if he wanted to kiss her or wring her neck. He was startled out his thoughts when the station door closed and Emma shook the bars in front of her.

"Lass I doubt that you shaking the bars will release us any faster."

"I know that you jerk, I just. This is not what I had planned for my night."

"And what exactly did you have planned hmm? Asides from accosting handsome captains."

Emma sighed, how he managed to draw a reaction from her at all times was starting to grate on her every last nerve. However, she knew if she didn't say something soon he would just keep prodding her until she gave in.

"If you must know, I was going to go home to my son and enjoy a relaxing night, for once."

"Swan-"

But Emma wasn't done, for some reason she couldn't explain she felt the need to get rid of all her frustrations, before she smacked him or kissed him. Oh no she was not going to let that happened.

"No, no, I am sick of my days being ruined by EVERYTHING! Everytime I think we might just have a normal day something happens. Don't get me started on the fact the friggen' Cora is now here, God knows where. And you! You infuriating pirate! You keep making me feel things that I don't want. I don't want them."

"You have feelings, do elaborate love."

This night was getting interesting. He didn't bank on her having any feelings other than contempt for him, but the way she was flustering he knew there was more she wasn't sharing.

"No, uh-uh. I'm done talking. When David gets back we just need to be able to leave without yelling at each other and we can be on our way."

"I don't think so darling, I want to know what kind of feelings you have for me? Hmm?"

"Damnit Killian, I don't want these feelings what makes you think that I'm gonna tell you about them."

"I'm sorry, what?"

They both stilled, realization dawning on Emma that she didn't call him Hook, or Jones. She'd been mentally calling him Killian since the beanstalk.

"Nothing, I don't want to talk anymore."

With that she laid back on the cot and closed her eyes, willing her heartbeat to settle down. She tried thinking of anything else, her parents, Henry, but for some reason her mind kept drifting to the pirate in the cell with her. Just as she was about to open her eyes, she felt the cot shift beside her. She kept her eyes closed as Killian sat down by her legs and leaned back over them to rest his back against the wall.

Assuming she was asleep Killian began to hum softly as he allowed his eyes to drift closed.

"You don't have to sleep in that uncomfortable position, I can scoot over."

He was startled by the softness of her voice, normally edged with contempt or sarcasm when she spoke with him. Without speaking, he shifted his body to lay next to her, he didn't want to break this unspoken truce. Both tried and failed to maneuver a more comfortable position to accommodate the both of them on the cot.

"Oh for the love of—Emma, would you just…" Killian gestured and when Emma didn't respond right away, her pulled her into a hug and laid the both of them back onto the cot. Killian now had his back to the wall with Emma's back against his front.

"You know this is not at all where I imagined my night going."

"Hm?"

"I never thought I'd be spooning with Captain Hook."

"Spooning?"

"It's when you cuddle back to front."

"Your world has some interesting terms here. Now, love – seeing that we are in quite the intimate position, want to tell me about those feelings?"

He felt her stiffen in his arms but she didn't pull away, whether out of fear that she would fall on the floor, or she had gotten comfortable, he wasn't sure.

"You confuse me. I don't know what I'm feeling when I'm around you. I can't decide if I wanna smack you or kiss you."

"May I suggest the latter, I'm sure we'd both thoroughly enjoy that encounter."

She laughed softly and nodded her head.

"I'm sure, but you still confuse me, I don't know what side you're on. I'm still trying to figure out if you're a villain in a hero's body or the other way around."

Killian fell silent. He began to rub small circles with his thumb over her wrist.

"Well love, I don't know if I'll ever be a proper hero, but just know I'm on your side. I'll always be on your side."

He held her a little tighter as he felt her relax further into his hold.

"I'll always choose you Emma. I'll always fight for you—instead of fighting with you."

She laughed again and allowed herself to drift into a light sleep.

… A few hours later…

That was how David found them when he returned to the station. He couldn't decide how he felt until he got closer to the cell and he saw the soft smile upon his daughter's face. He smiled in turn as he got a photo with his phone, Snow owed him 20 bucks.