THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID
"For the last time, I do NOT have feelings for you, Neal!" Emma Swan shouted and gestured wildly at the man facing her as they stood on the gray dreary beach. He shrugged.
"That's not what my dad and your mom say," Neal replied.
"Your father could barely figure out that Belle was falling in love with him according to Henry's book," Emma scoffed.
"But he knew your parents had true love."
Emma gawked at him. "Are you freaking KIDDING me?!" Are you insinuating—"
"No!" Neal rose his hands defensively, "What I'm saying is that he…he has an edge when it comes to figuring stuff like that out. I'm not saying we have…had true love…but—"
"So now you're going to take your father's words as truth? Just like when he promised to go with you to another world without magic?"
The man shifted uncomfortably. "Well…no…"
"Exactly," Emma stated, crossing her arms and glaring at him.
"But what about your mom?" Neal challenged.
"My mother is sweet, but she doesn't know me well enough to start guessing at my feelings without my input."
"Ouch," he winced.
"That came out wrong," Emma muttered, "What I mean was…she…I…we…ARGH!" She threw her hands in the air, exasperated that she couldn't put her thoughts into words.
"Emma—"
"No!" Emma exclaimed. "It's not happening, Neal. This conversation is over."
"But—"
"No."
Neal's shoulders slumped. "Fine. It's over. For NOW," he emphasized the last word by pointing at her, "But not for good."
After delivering that line, Neal turned and started walking inland. Emma practically growled, sick of everyone's opinions about what she felt. She knew how she felt. If only someone LISTENED to her…not even her son…
"Trouble in paradise, love?" asked an accented voice from behind her. Emma froze. It couldn't be. There was no way he could have gotten back so quickly!
Turning carefully and holding her breath, she prayed she wouldn't see who she thought she would. When she'd turned fully, her stomach dropped.
"Hook!?" she exclaimed incredulously.
"Hello, Emma," the pirate replied, a glint in his eye.
"How are you even here?" she wondered aloud.
Hook grinned and lifted his hand and hook a bit, "A dull story, really. The real question is how did you get here?" He shook his finger as if considering the situation,"Ah yes, you stole my ship."
"That…was necessary," she answered evasively.
"Is that so?" he murmured. Silence reigned for a few tense minutes. Then Hook nodded in the direction that Neal had gone.
"Trouble in paradise?" he repeated. Emma stiffened.
"What paradise?" she asked, daring him to say it.
Hook seemed to consider her thoughtfully, his face a stoic mask, "Rumpelstiltskin's son. He was the man you were referring to on the beanstalk, wasn't he?"
"How did you know he's—"
"Well, I may have been unconscious for a time after you pelted me in the head, but I do recall overhearing some reference to the fact that he calls the Dark One Papa. That was a bit of a giveaway."
Emma didn't know now to react to this knowledge. At least it didn't seem he knew about Henry…yet.
"Yes, he was the one," she answered,"But that was a long time ago."
"Ah, but you still carry a torch for him anyway?"
"NO!" Emma shouted, "I do NOT have those feelings for him anymore. Do I care about him? Yes, as the father of my son. But I am not in love with him!"
Hook tilted his head. "I believe you."
Emma blinked. Really? No proclamations that she was confused? Or hiding from herself? This practical stranger believed her?
"Why?" she asked warily.
A mischievous smile lit up the pirate's face. "Because you wouldn't have grabbed me on the beanstalk otherwise."