Chapter 1
Being sheriff was a lot more interesting before the curse broke. Everything (mostly) was black and white. Now the only crime that was being committed was Regina plotting to kill Emma's entire family – which now included Rumplestiltskin and Neal of all people. But how, exactly, are you going to lock the Evil Queen up for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder? No jail cell would hold her.
So Emma sat at her desk, going through old files for entertainment, with her fourth cup of coffee in her hand.
Only 9 o'clock? She groaned inwardly. Mary Margaret and David wouldn't be ready for lunch at Granny's until noon and that bagel she had an hour earlier was wearing off quickly.
"Maybe there's a pack of crackers in here…"
"Did you miss me beautiful?" Emma had to brace herself on the desk so she didn't fall out of the chair. Hook. Emma turned around, expecting to see him standing in the doorway, smirking, with that devilish glint in his eye. What she saw was far different. Hook was leaning against the door frame, barely able to stand. He was bloodied and bruised. And the look on his face wasn't flirtatious. He looked broken.
"Hook!" Emma gasped, jumping up to catch him before he fell over. "Did you get hit by another car?" Hook let out a sound that was a combination of a laugh and a groan.
"No, lass. There are far more painful things than being hit by a car." Why was he looking at her like she had done this to him?
Hook tried to take a step forward but ended up tripping into Emma's arms. "Hook, we have to get you to the hospital."
"No!" Emma jumped at his exclamation. Why was he yelling at her? "No hospitals. You need to answer some questions." His words were almost a growl. Shit. He was angry at her. What had happened to him? And how had she caused it?
Emma tried to compose herself. "At least let me take you to my house where you can lay down." Hook looked at Emma with something between contempt and compassion. It was a weird combination that gave her weird feelings.
"Alright, Swan. Have it your way." Hook pulled away from her and made a step towards the door. Emma caught him just before he hit the ground.
"I think you're going to have to let me help you to the car." Emma put her arm around Hook's waist and he threw his over her shoulder for support. There was definitely something wrong. "No flirting this time?" She said it before she even knew what she was doing.
Hook just looked at her. He smiled but it didn't meet his eyes. "No, Swan."
