Disclaimer: Once belongs to ABC, because if it belonged to me, the whole Lacey-Gold thing would never have happened, and Belle and Gold would lead normal, happy lives.

Emma walked through the empty streets of Storybrooke, thinking of August's cryptic warning and the warm meal waiting for her back at the apartment. Mostly about the food, though. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't hear the person walking behind her until he grabbed her and she was pulled into a nearby alley.

Instinct kicked in, and she attempted to lash out against her attacker, but he blocked her hits and pinned her body to the wall.

"Is this the way you're going to greet me every time we meet, lass? Because I could think of many more pleasurable things we could be doing in this position."

The brogue and the innuendo tipped Emma off to who it was behind her, even before she saw his face.

"Hook," she said, somewhat surprised to see him after their last meeting in New York. "What are you doing here?"

Hook smiled, and Emma tried to ignore how that single action caused butterflies to appear in her stomach.

"So I could enjoy the pleasure of your company!" Hook's voice was light as he flirted, and Emma didn't want to sick around if all he was going to do was try and sleep with her. She shoved him away and started walking to the mouth of the alley.

"Emma, wait!"

Hook grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Emma was about to curse at him as a prelude to punching him, but she was shocked into silence by the look on his face. Gone was the teasing glint in his eyes and the half-smile. Instead, his eyes were cold and serious, like the time he had delivered his little speech at Rumpelstiltskin's cell.

But shock wasn't enough to overcome her annoyance, so she pulled away again and said, "Hook, I don't have time for your games. I'm tired and hungry and –"

"The fate of your little town rests on what I have to say," Hook interrupted, his voice low and angry, his eyes flashing. "So if you care at all about the people in this town, then you'll stop being so stubborn and listen to me."

"What do you mean?" Emma demanded, feeling fear rise up in her. "What's going to happen to Storybrooke?"

Hook sighed and stepped away. He ran a hand through his hair, messing up the dark locks even further. "That dark-haired woman, the one you sent to release me after you had stolen my ship? She plans on stealing all the magic from Storybrooke and keeping it all for herself."

"Tamara?" Emma asked, her brow furrowing. "Why would she do that? And why do you know about what she is or isn't planning, anyways?"

Hook shrugged. "I don't know why she's doing it. Probably the only reason anyone steals magic – for the power. As for how I know about it – well, she kidnaped me from that little room you had locked me in, and tied me up in the back of one of those horseless carriages. I overheard her telling the plan to her lover, the man who had hit me with that metal contraption of his."

"Greg?" Emma's head was spinning. Tamara must have been the "she" that August had been warning them about, and she'd always had a gut feeling about Greg that he would be trouble. In fact, it made complete sense that the two of them had teamed up together, when she thought about it.

But only one thing didn't make sense. She narrowed her eyes accusingly at Hook and asked, "Why tell me all this? It's not like you gain anything if I stop them. In fact, with magic gone, you'd probably have a better shot at trying to kill Mr. Gold again."

"Because, love, they expected me to do their dirty work for them. I am a pirate Captain, not some bloody lackey! Besides, I know when to follow the wind, and right now, it's gusting towards you and your family."

"Well, thanks for the warning," Emma told him. "At least now we can start making plans to stop them."

Hook gave a half-bow, and then took a few steps away from her. "By the way," Hook remarked. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone that I told you this. Tamara and Greg don't exactly know that I've escaped yet, and I don't want to be too close when they find out I'm gone."

Emma nodded in agreement, and Hook started to walk in the direction of the docks when he quickly turned around and grabbed Emma by the shoulders. She barely had any time to protest before his lips captured hers in a searing kiss that made butterflies erupt in her stomach and her knees buckle. She barely had any time to respond to the kiss before he pulled away, leaving her shocked and breathless.

"Just in case," he explained with a wink. Then he strode out of the alley and melted into the shadows, and Emma was left behind with the ghost of the kiss still lingering on her lips.

Thanks for reading everybody. Reviews make me happy, and with AP tests coming up, I need all the happiness I can get!