"Emma," Snow's soft voice came from behind, "we don't have much time left."
"I agree with her for once," Regina replied. "Look, we just got our son back and I'm not about to lose him again. Let's get the hell out of here before Pan or the Lost Boys follow us back to Storybrooke"
"If we wait any longer we risk them following us through the Portal. Hook's a grown man, he can take care of himse-"
"STOP," Emma shouted back as she spun around to face them. That was the last straw. "Yes, I realize that we need to get out of here as soon as possible and yes, I realize that with every extra second we wait we're risking a lot but Hook has risked a lot too."
"Emma-," Regina started but Emma was quick to cut her off.
"He didn't have to come back with that stupid bean but he did. He didn't have to let us use his stupid ship but he did. He didn't have to tell us that Neal was still alive and he didn't have to save David's life but he did-" she said the last one with her eyes locked on Snows.
"Emma-" Snow began but Emma ignored her.
"He didn't have to help us find Echo cave but he did, and he also didn't have to share his stupid secret but he did. And he did it all to help us,-" her hands shook with anger.
"Emma…" Regina tried again.
"He didn't have to help us find our son but he did. So if waiting a few extra minutes for him to get to the ship is all the thanks we can give, then we owe him at least that." Emma felt hot tears streaming down her face now.
"Emma…" Snow repeated louder this time but Emma continued to ignore her.
"For all we know, he could be dying after sacrificing his life so that we could get back to this stupid ship and now you guys just want to leave without him!?" Emma shouted.
"EMMA" Regina shouted.
"You of all people should know what it's like to lose someone you love."
In the blink of an eye a quick hand came down across her face, making her freeze with shock.
"For the love of god Emma," Regina exasperated as she shook her hand, "turn around!"
For once Emma did as she was told, cheek still in hand, she turned to see the pirate limping up to his ship.
Emma wasted no time running to him.
She could see that he was bloody and dirty but she ran straight into his arms, forgetting about everyone who was watching.
"Happy to see me, love?" he chuckled in her ear and her skin tickled all over.
"I thought you were gone," she said. Something inside her began to shake, something she promised herself would never again happen.
"I'm not going anywhere, Emma" he whispered. Emma couldn't tell if her cheek burned from Regina's slap or from his loving breath against her skin. "You waited for me…"
Of course I did, Emma thought as she felt her walls collapse.
"Does that surprise you?" They were so close that she could feel the corner of his mouth turn up as she said it.
When they finally pulled out of the hug he kept one arm around her shoulder, allowing her to carry some of his weight, and they walked up to the ship together.
"Did you hear everything?" she wondered aloud.
"Enough to know that we're going to have to have a little chat," he replied.
Emma immediately stiffened and her heart stood still.
"I take great offence to anyone calling my ship stupid. Even you swan."
