Thank you everyone who favorited, followed, and/or reviewed my first chapter! Less than 24 hours on my first story and I already feel loved.

As a reward,and because I'm mourning the lack of a new episode tonight, here's Chapter 2 from Hook's POV... Review and let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I obviously don't own OUaT.

It picks up immediately after Emma's "We need to talk."

Four words every man dreaded hearing. Especially when naked.

"If it's one of those conversations, I'm a tad under-dressed." He couldn't read her in the dark, though his eyes were adjusted enough to make out her features. He needed more light. "Hold on." He spun on his heel and walked back to the bed. He contemplated lighting the lantern before he put his pants on, just so he could see her reaction. Remembering her tears and how long it had taken her to even notice his lack of clothing, he decided not to tease her. Not tonight, anyway.

Hook pulled on his pants, lacing them loosely in an effort to hide his reaction to her. Not that she'd seemed to mind it a minute ago, far from it. He'd thought Emma an open book once—and she was—as long as it had nothing to do with him. When it came to aspects of their relationship, he was a sailor lost at sea, trying not to do the bloody wrong thing and drown.

He lit the lantern next to his bed and its soft glow filtered through the room. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the light, seeking her out in the shadows by the door.

She hadn't moved. "I'm not going to bite, love." He patted the bed next to him, trying not to think of all the things he'd imagined doing to her on it since the day he'd climbed the damn beanstalk with her. "Come tell me what I've done wrong this time." He raised his eyebrow at her, trying to draw a smile out.

Emma took a tentative step forward, her tongue tracing her lips in a distracted fashion. It was unintentional—somehow he knew that—but his body reacted as though it was meant for him.

Then again, maybe it was, as her eyes refused to meet his, stuck a foot lower and focused on his bare chest. She took a few more steps and stopped, still ten feet away.

The woman was going to drive him mad.

He loved every damn minute.

"Typically when a woman asks to talk, there is actual talking." He grinned at her, again raising his eyebrows in question.

This time a hint of smile traced her face—a quick blip before vanishing—and it twisted something inside of him. "Thank you. For everything."

He couldn't hide his surprise. "Everything, love?"

She cocked her head the side, thinking. "Not fighting over a lighter."

He grimaced. "Fair point."

She walked a few steps closer, tear-stained cheeks visible to him now. Hook's stomach clenched, wanting to erase whatever caused her pain. "You've done so much for me, for my family, while in Neverland. I like to think we're friends now and that's why I have no business asking you for a favor."

Wariness lined his face. "A favor, love?" Her words reminded him too much of Rumplestiltskin—a favor always came at a price.

"I'm going to explain something and I need you to hear me out, okay?" Her eyes were avoiding his again, their stare back on his chest.

Hook had no idea where this was going, her every move sending mixed signals. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Since the night at Skull Rock I've had these nightmares, only they aren't just nightmares. I see them every time I close my eyes. I see Henry holding his heart and giving it to Pan. I see him lifeless on the ground. Over and over again." Her voice wavered as she spoke, showing him the vulnerability she hid from the world.

"You did save him, Emma. It just took longer." Hook stood, wanting to hold her again, only to have her back away.

She thrust her arm between them, demanding space. "I failed him, Hook. I was there and it didn't matter."

"No, love, you succeeded. Is he not safe on my ship?" It killed him to stand apart from her when she was like this but he'd seen her with her family—she shied from physical contact from everyone but her boy—and knew it wasn't just him.

"He is. But the images didn't stop when we saved him. Then I came here and—"she paused, biting her lower lip as she glanced at his. "—and now I see you. Me. Us. I close my eyes and see us."

Hope swirled within him, even as he tried to decipher the meaning of her words. "And what exactly are we doing in these…images?"

Color painted her cheeks, telling him what he needed to know, even as she ignored his question. "I'm not ready, Hook. I can't choose to see where this thing—whatever it is between us—goes. Not yet." She swallowed, finally meeting his eyes. "I know you have….feelings for me, or are starting to. I don't want to hurt you but—"she paused, the plea in her eyes tearing into him, "I need you to make me forget the nightmare. I think you're the only one who can."

Hook's heart had nearly been ripped from his body three times in his life—literally. The crocodile. Cora. The crocodile again. They had each reached into his chest, squeezing it, stopping just short of tearing it free.

Somehow Emma's words had the power to replicate that same sensation.

He was damned if he agreed. He was damned if he didn't.

Agreeing would likely destroy him—the price if somehow he failed in winning her heart—but he couldn't deny her this.

He'd give her the world if she'd just let down her walls long enough to accept it.

Hook cocked his eyebrow at her yet again, lowering his voice and giving her a predatory grin. "Tell me, Emma, what exactly do you have in mind?"

TBC...

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