"Just who are you Swan?" He asked, looking at her with those intense eyes. Emma looked at the rum in her hands, trying to avoid the stare.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She asked, almost jokily. Hook bridged some of the gap between them.

"Perhaps I would." He breathed. Emma focused her gaze on the rum in her hands. "I can fill some of the story in myself." He added. This made Emma look up at him.

"What's that meant to mean?" She asked. Hook chuckled at her defensiveness. He resisted the urge to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Don't you remember what I told you on that beanstalk? You're an open book, Swan. I don't find it hard to read you." He said, smiling at her. Emma was staring past his eyes, to something deeper. He wasn't lying. She crossed her arms defensively across her chest, still finding it hard to allow herself to have feelings for anyone, no matter how strong the desire.

"And just what can you read just now, Captain?" She asked, trying to sound sarcastic, but her real curiosity shone through. Hook tried not to smile at that, this was serious. He could see the hurt she was supressing. Hurt he suspected only really Snow saw other than himself.

"I can read that you're scared." He answered quietly. Emma rolled her eyes.

"My son's missing, of course I'm scared, that's cheating…"

"I didn't mean about the boy." Hook interjected. "That much is obvious, love. I meant about allowing yourself to love your parents." Emma stared at him, unable to come up with a comeback. "I know what it's like to feel abandoned by those we're supposed to forever be able to rely on. I understand your pain." Emma looked up at him, her eyes watery with tears. Hook wanted to stop and take her into his arms, but it was important she was told this; he cared about her enough to tell her. "My father never came back for me, give them a chance Swan." He smiled at her, but she couldn't smile back.

"How?" She whimpered, she sounded so lost. He placed his hand slowly just under her left shoulder.

"By letting the right people in here." He answered her. Emma shifted uncomfortably before making her decision. Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around Hook's waist. Hook wasn't expecting that, though he managed to wrap his arm around her back.

"Thanks…" She muttered into his chest. "It's nice to have someone who actually understands here." Hook rubbed her back gently.

"I'm here, lass. You need to talk, I'm here." Emma pulled out of the hug and gave hook a watery smile.

"You know, you're obviously a better man than your father." She said nervously.

"What makes you say that?" He asked. Emma shrugged.

"Lots of things." She replied. Snow called her from the tent, Emma smiled and began to walk away leaving Hook wondering all the more, the time about what those things might be.

Well, hope you enjoyed :)