This is Home
Category: Drama
Pairing: Captain Swan
Summary: Set after Regina learns of Maid Marian's return. Emma wants to confront her, scared that the news will push her back over to the dark side. Hook is determined to stand by her side, no matter what... and Charming isn't pleased with the relationship developing between his daughter and the untrustworthy pirate.
Warnings: Contains spoilers for episode 3x22 There's No Place Like Home.
Disclaimer: I own nadda :P
Authors Notes: First OUAT story, here we go! :)
Goosebumps prickled along Emma's skin but they had nothing to do with the cool night's breeze whipping around her. A tight knot of dread formed in her stomach as she stood staring out into the dark, the lights and noise from the diner blurring behind her. The pain in Regina's eyes burned in her memory, the devastating anguish that had quickly been smothered by hatred...
Oh god, what had she done.
How could she have been so stupid, not recognising the name? Maid Marian was no longer an insignificant moment in the past. She was no longer just a women pleading to see her family. She was here in the now, a consequence and there would be ramifications. Regina's steely gaze had promised as much.
Emma drew her arms together fighting the chill that crawled through her body. How long had she been standing in the street cowering... minutes, hours? Regina's icy warning resonated in her head, the cold promise keeping her feet rooted firmly to the ground.
"You did this." Her eyes had blazed with anger, the evil she'd tried so hard to fight pooling under the surface of dark orbs. "When the time comes, remember that."
Any further plea of forgiveness had died on Emma's lips as she'd watched the former queen stalk away. She didn't know if it was a threat or if the words were conjured up in the heat of the moment but either way she was frozen in place, guilt keeping her from finding out.
The jarring of wood skewered her thoughts and she tensed as the bell above the door gave a happy jingle. She wasn't ready to face anyone yet. For once Regina hadn't created a spectacle but it wouldn't take them long to figure out what she'd done and the thought of her family offering comfort left a vile taste in the back of her mouth.
"Swan?"
A sigh caught in her throat as Hook's voice sounded behind her. Was that relief she felt?
Nothing could replace the bond she was forming with her parents. Each day that passed made their relationship stronger, she was opening up to their love but despite sharing the same blood, life and circumstances had imprinted her with a different view of the world. She wanted to be more like them, to see light and opportunity in every negative but that wasn't her, not yet.
Maybe not ever.
She'd grown up an orphan, jaded just like Hook and it eased her nerves to deal with the Captain's bunt dose of reality. It was familiar and reassuring because unlike her parents they both knew happy endings weren't a given. They'd each found love and they both understood the pain of losing it. They related in a way that she and her parents never would. But right now she wasn't sure she could talk to anyone, even him.
She needed time to think, to fully comprehend the situation she'd created but the silent plea didn't make it passed her lips as his boots shuffled closer.
"You'll catch your death out here, love." His voice was rough as he settled a hand against her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before turning her around. Her mouth was drawn in a tight line and not even the cover of darkness could disguise the pallor washing her skin. Without a second thought he dropped his arm and shrugged free from his leather jacket, raising it and using his hook to swing it over her shoulders. Emma Swan was not a fragile women. She was strong, independent and entirely capable and and when her brow rose to question the move the corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly. "You think a pirate can't show a bit of chivalry every now and again?"
"Hook..." She sighed, not sure how to respond as she turned her back towards him. Hopefully he would get the message. She wasn't in the mood for banter, she needed to figure out a way to fix things with Regina or in the very least keep the women from inflicting another curse on the town. The Queen's heart had grown lighter, she was using good magic. If Regina reverted to the dark side again then that was it, there would be no coming back from it.
"You didn't know." He ignored her subtle warning to leave, crossing his hook over his forearm as he leaned into her, "you saved Marian's life. That boy has his mother back thanks to you."
"No-" she spun on her heel causing him to take a step back. Good. She didn't need his pity and she certainly didn't need to be left feeling patronised. "Don't try to paint this as right. You warned me something like this could happen and I didn't listen... Regina's pain, that's on me."
"Aye and what if you had known?" He interjected, his accent hanging thickly between them, "would you have let her die? That women's only fault was trying to protect your mother." The silence beat between them stretching out until he challenged her stubbornness, "don't forget the Queen was the one who ordered her death. She caused this love, not you."
"It doesn't matter." Emma swallowed roughly, tearing her gaze away from him as she choked down a sharp breath, "all Regina can see right now is that Mary Margaret took away her one true love and I just destroyed the closest thing she had to a second chance."
The silence found it's way back again, looming between them and Emma slipped out of his jacket offering it with a forced smile, "I have to make this right. I have to find her before it's too late."
Hook reached out but instead of grasping the soft black leather his fingers curled around her arm. "Swan, listen to me-"
"Please," she shook her head, tugging herself free, "just go back inside. Stay with Henry, make sure he's safe."
For a brief moment he contemplated the request. The boys welfare was just as important as making sure Storybrooke's saviour was protected but deep down he knew Henry wasn't in any danger. Whatever vengeance Regina might be harbouring it was only only directed toward one person. The women about to walk into the lions den.
"I promised myself I would stop chasing after you-" he stepped forward, curling his hook against his chest as he closed the distance between them, "I don't intend to break that promise."
A tight knot formed in her throat and she swallowed it determined not to show how his bluntness affected her. He didn't need to ask permission to leave, she had already given it and she inhaled sharply as she thrust the leather jacket back in his face. "Good. I can handle this on my own."
He shook his head, ripping the jacket from her grasp and throwing it on the ground. "Listen to me, Swan-" he held her gaze, eyes growing serious, "I'm not chasing after you love, because this time we're doing it together."
Shock zapped the strength from her stance and she shifted awkwardly, her brows knitting together in confusion. She didn't deserve this sudden unwavering loyalty from him. He'd tried to warn her, had said time and time again that her actions could have consequences but she chosen not to listen. This was her doing and she would find a way to make it up to Regina.
On her own.
"Henry needs-"
"Charming and Snow will take him home. No harm will come to him by Regina's hand, you know that Emma..."
The use of her name soften her reaction. Despite everything going through her mind she knew the words were true. Every step Regina had taken towards the light had been inspired by Henry. She loved him and there was no way she'd take her anger out on her son. But that didn't explain Hook and his damn stubbornness. "Why?"
It was a simple question but his heart thudded in his chest as he tried to reject the truth- because he'd go to the end of the world for her.
Because he'd always been willing to risk his life for two things, revenge and love. She was under his skin and he'd lost love once, he wasn't going to let it happen again. "That's something we need to figure out, together I should hope."
"Killian..."
Her face heated as his hand reached out to brush her cheek. Trust wasn't something she gave easily, not even to honourable people like her parents but her heart filled as he pulled them closer together. He was a pirate, a seasoned liar and a scoundrel... but he had given up the one thing he loved most -his ship- to save her family, to save her from another curse.
Everything he'd done had been completely selfless and the act had opened her heart.
She met his lips, allowing her instincts to guide her as she palmed his warm chest. No matter what her head warned, she did trust him and it was only a pang of guilt that made her stop. How could she enjoy this when she'd just robbed another women of the same true happiness.
Stepping back she forced a light smile as she reached down to pick up his jacket. "Let's go."
"Aye." He touched his lips briefly, memorising the taste of her before shrugging into the leather. Then with an outstretched arm he motioned down to where her car sat waiting. "After you my lady."
Making a snap decision she locked their fingers together offering him a real smile this time. He returned it with a raised eyebrow and she turned before he had time to comment, trying to ignore the flush rising on her cheeks. Whatever was developing between them it was real and she had no doubt there were interesting times ahead.
She only hoped they didn't end with Regina turning one of them into a frog.
