A/N: Please note that this story takes place in Storybrooke, three days (and onwards) after Emma and Snow return from the enchanted forest. This story is AR. enjoy and leave a review :-)

'You're nothing but a dirty pirate' Emma hissed, and gasped as she felt the sudden chill of his steel hook sliding over the bare skin of her back, raising goosebumps. Even in the dark she could sense Hook's smug smile.

'Say it again' he whispered, his lips brushing her ear

'Dirty. Pirate.' The words were staggered as her breath caught in her chest. The warmth of his hand, gentle, delicate and not at all what she expected, was a complete contrast to his left, for lack of a better word, appendage.

'Oh, love' his body was pressed tightly against her now, and her panicked breathing had become almost primal moans. She wanted him so badly, and now, here he was, dragging it out. 'Love, how many times' he kissed her lips ever so softly, so lightly it was if it hadn't happened 'how many times must I remind you I am a gentleman?'

In the darkness, the warmth of his hand, the cold of his hook and the pressure of his body moved away. She could no longer smell the scent of his salty, warm skin. She no longer felt his eyes burning into her own, and she felt terribly like she was falling... falling into light.

The incessant beeping of her alarm dragged Emma from her dream, the same dream she'd been having for weeks.

She was frustrated, not wanting to dream like that.
Every time she saw Hook wandering the streets suspiciously, she felt the heat rising in her body. and she guessed- by Hook's constant stream of innuendo's and his ever present and irritating smug smile- that he could guess at her thoughts.

'So irritating' she mumbled as she rolled out of bed, slamming her hand down on the snooze button.

'Morning mom!' Henry called as he rushed past her door and into the kitchen.
Emma smiled to herself and got dressed. Every day she had with Henry since she broke the curse was a blessing. the pain of being separated from him so often was still fresh. Emma could smell the faint waft of cooking butter as she brushed her hair and did her makeup, just right. Snow must be here. It was oddly comforting that her mother, who she barely knew- but also knew everything about- wanted to be near her so much that she appeared most mornings to cook her and Henry breakfast.

'Morning mom!' Emma called down the hall, before she grabbed her jacket and followed the scent of fresh pancakes down the hall.

'It's me' David smiled, as Henry's mouth was full. 'Snow had to go to school early, so I thought I'd take over for the day, and we can go to work together'

'Dad...' Emma hesitated but Henry cut her off before she could say anything further- He really had been trying to be her father, it was just so hard for them both. Snow and Emma had mutual, womanly understanding, but David still looked at Emma like he was his baby, and he was struggling to come to terms with the fact that she never would be.

'Pancakes Em...mom! I didn't know Gramps could cook!' Henry laughed as David swatted at him with a spatula playfully

'How come you call your Grandmother, Mary Margaret, but I'm Gramps?' he was slightly irritated, but his voice showed his endearment and love for the boy.

'Because she's my teacher, and that would be just weird' Henry shook his head, as though David was crazy.

'Okay, Kid. Drink you juice and then you're outta here' Emma brushed his hair away from his eyes and kissed his forehead, wondering how much longer she had with her son, before she became embarrassing to him. Maybe that was the way Snow and David wondered about her. Maybe that was why David was doing his best doting dad routine lately. Maybe Emma had been alone too long and she was overreacting now that she had so many people caring for her. She put all this back into its hidden corner of her mind, near to where her dream of Hook lurked, it's presence causing her to flush as she sat down to eat.

'Bye Mom' Henry grinned when he put his empty glass back on the counter. 'see you after school'

'See ya kid' she smiled, ruffling his hair affectionately

'Have a good day Henry' David called as his backpack disappeared out the door 'I still don't understand how I'm the only old one' he grumbled

'David, you know... I understand why you're doing this. But I'm a grown woman- I can fend for myself. And the kid' she tried to smile at her father, still struck by the gentle manner in his face. A Prince! The daughter of a Prince. It was all any little girl dreamed of.

He shook his head slowly, smiling at her, and he radiated happiness 'Emma, I held you for 20 minutes after you were born. In those 20 minutes I've never felt any more joy, more pure love, for anything except Snow. You are still my little girl, and I love you' his big hand enclosed hers 'I fought to protect you then, and I always will. I felt like I had lost you all over again when you fell through that portal' his voice broke and he trailed off, his eyes shining with tears.

Emma felt a surge of guilt, and got up to hug him 'Dad, I'm sorry. It's just hard to adjust so quickly. I've never...' she thought of Neal and hesitated for a split second 'never had anyone that wanted to protect me. It's always been me on my own'

'Well, you have a family now, as dysfunctional as it is' David squeezed her and released her again 'we better get to work Sheriff'

With his arm around her shoulder, he led her to his truck and Emma felt content in her new family, happy to have a father, a mother and her son. But there was a piece missing and Hook was ever lurking in her mind. She shook herself into sense and focused on the day to come.