New Normal Chapter 2: Gentlemen and Pirates, an once upon a time fanfic

"Mom," she heard Henry whine as he held her shoulder and shook her softly. "Wake up!"

She cracked an eye open to find Henry sitting on the coffee table (the same spot he was at) as he continued to shake her. She nodded her head sleepily as she began to sit up, stretching her arms meanwhile.

"Just-" Yawn. "-got here?" she mumbled while looking around the room to check the time. Judging from the light coming through the windows, it was past noon. "Jesus, what time is it?" she asked as she stood up and ran her fingers through her tangled morning hair.

Henry laughed at her attempts of unknotting her messy head of hair. "It's one," he replied. "Grandpa and grandma thought you should sleep in, you know, given yesterday," he avoided the words as if they were tabooed.

That had completely woken her up. No drop of caffeine was needed when she was reminded of yesterday. Oh god, the farmhouse; Killian; Zelena; Killian again; then not Killian Killian; Zelena again; and finally Killian.

She had totally forgotten of all the chaos that broke down the day before, and it felt good. For those few short minutes, she felt carefree and normal. It reminded her of how she felt back in New York.

(Lying there listening to imagination of Killian's heartbeat as she slept felt good too- great even, though she was always too stubborn to admit it. At the back of her mind, she thought, maybe those were the moments her father had asked her to cherish what seemed like years ago, as unreal as they were.)

"Shit, shit, shit," she paced aimlessly around the rented room as her brain started to lineup the things she'd have to do for the day to come. "Crap, how am I going to keep him away from all the magic talk, and what if he finds something curious-" Emma shuddered at the thought of him walking into Gold's pawn shop to find him creating some potion or something magical that'll have him asking, "- or what if he just leaves-" she nervously rambled on, running her hand through her hair multiple times before Henry stood up and shook her by her shoulders.

"Mom," he said, getting her to shut up and look at him. "Firstly, grandpa already spread word on Hook's condition," he began slowly, allowing Emma to breathe slightly better, "And if you're not with him, I'll be with him. And if I'm not with him, we'll get someone to do it for us – I promise you that," he smiled up at her and she relaxed. "You can breathe now," he grinned cheekily at his mother.

"Thank you, kid," she leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "I'll go have a shower first, then what do you say to lunch before sorting through the rest of the day?" she suggested and Henry nodded happily.

She was two feet away from the bathroom when he spoke up again. "Mom?" he asked quietly, making her turn around before humming in response. "You know he'd never leave you right?" She was just about to protest when he cut her off. "He may not think he remembers you, but Killian is still down there, somewhere – and he'd never leave you."

"I-," she began but realized she had nothing to say. A part of her wanted so badly to trust in Henry's words and trust in Killian, but the other part – the much more stubborn part, couldn't help but scoff at the words. She had been left far too many times by far too many people that she had come to love. She walked over to her son and started again. "Whatever Killian might've felt for me," she chose her words carefully, "this is not him. We can't hold him accountable for what Killian would have done, do you understand?"

He nodded his head understandingly. No matter what she said to convince him - or her, more rather - he stood strongly by what he thought. It would take time for her to get there, but he had faith she would. For now, he didn't push her, simply smiling at her, concluding the conversation.

She leaned down and hugged him tightly, whispering a soft 'I love you,' to him.

"How about you go off to the diner and see if he's there? Talk about something that may trigger his memories – just try to be subtle, alright kid?" she proposed. "I'll be out in a minute," she mentioned as she walked towards the bathroom.

She heard the front door shut exactly three seconds after she closed the bathroom door. She knew that Henry didn't buy what she had to say, but she had to try convince him and her that she believed her words. Desperately, she wanted to trust her what her son had told her, but her high walls had deflected them away, convincing herself that even the thought of anyone ever staying with her was ridiculous.

She striped off her clothes and turned on the water, finding a good balance between hot and cold. As she stepped under the shower, she thought, maybe right now, she could just forget everything. Maybe this bathroom would be her safe place. At least for now, she'd just forget.

When Henry stepped into the diner, he searched the restaurant for a familiar face. His eyes caught Ruby's, who was standing behind the bar counter, and she smiled widely at him. He waved enthusiastically to her and she nodded her head towards a booth, silently asking him to go there. He looked towards the area she was gesturing to and found a recognizable head of dark hair.

He slid in opposite of Killian, a huge smile on his face. He was reading the menu, and if he was surprised at the odd show of friendliness, he didn't show it. Instead, he smiled back almost as widely as Henry did.

"Hello, Killian," Henry greeted.

"Hello, lad," he replied sounding amused with the formality the boy showed him. "What's good here?"

He rose to his feet and leaned over the table, peeking at the menu Killian was holding. He tilted the menu down for him to have a better view and Henry looked at it thoughtfully. "Granny makes amazing pancakes, but maybe you should try the eggs Benedict," Henry recommended as he pointed at the image in the menu.

"I trust you, boy," he joked, before calling Ruby over to take his order.

Ruby rushed over, pulling out the small notepad meanwhile. "What would you boys like?"

"The usual," Henry answered confidently, and Ruby winked at him as she jotted his order down.

She turned to Killian. "And for you, Ca-Killian, right?" she caught herself and gave a restrained smile. He looked at her skeptically, but nodded his head nevertheless. Both Ruby and Henry let out a quiet breath at the close call.

"Eggs Benedict for me, lass," he smiled and she noted it down.

"And drinks?"

"Two hot chocolates," Henry chimed in, adding, "Both with cinnamon."

She grinned at him before walking back to the kitchen.

"Cinnamon?" Killian asked after a moment, raising his eyebrow in question.

Henry nodded simply. "You'll like it – trust me. My mom loves it," he mentioned.

Killian hummed in reply, seemingly happy with the boy's answer. "So, where is your lovely mother?" he asked casually.

"She'll be out soon. Anyway," Henry changed the subject swiftly, "you mentioned how you used to work with boats back in Portland, right?" Henry asked and Killian nodded in reply. "Well, I was wondering if you could teach me how to sail a boat with one of the ones here," he asked shyly.

Killian smiled wildly. "I'd love to, lad – but only if your mother allows it," he conditioned.

"What do I have to allow?" Emma chimed in as she appeared at the head of the table.

He turned to Emma with a large grin on his face. "'Ello, lass," he flashed his white teeth. "Your son was just asking if I could teach him how to sail a boat."

Henry looked up at Emma nervously. "Did you?" she asked as she slid in next to him.

"I did," he admitted quietly. "So," he began, "can I, mom?"

Emma knew this was part of his elaborate plan to keep Killian under watch, but she had to play the 'Mom' role not to arise suspicion.

"Only if Killian's-"

"It would really be my pleasure, Swan," he cut in giving her a lopsided grin whilst staring at her intensely with his eyes of light blue.

The moment was cut short when Ruby appeared, placing their meals on the table. After putting the two mugs of hot chocolate in front of Killian and Henry, she turned to Emma.

"Hot chocolate with cinnamon," she said simply, not waiting to be asked. Ruby smiled, giving her a curt nod before leaving the table once more.

"Is that a yes?" Henry asked as he took a sip of his hot chocolate.

"It's a yes," she pretended to give in with an exasperated sigh. Henry looked at her with a smile, his face completely lit up. When she turned back to Killian, she found him mirroring her son, a large grin on his face as well. "I have to get to the station. Be sure to behave," she warned Henry as she slid back out from the booth. She reached for her purse to hand to Henry, but Killian stopped her.

"Please, lass – it's on me."

Thinking it best not to argue on it, she smiled at him sincerely. She leaned into Henry and kissed him on the top of his head. "I'll see you later, kid. Have fun."

She looked at Killian, giving him a short nod before walking towards the door and exiting, the soft jingle of the door opening as she left.

Henry watched Killian as his eyes followed Emma's movements, remaining on the door moments after she'd left the diner. Pulling himself out of his trance, he shook his head softly, a small smile appearing on his lips.

"You like her, don't you!" Henry accused with a smirk.

"I- I've talked to her four times, lad. It's a bit much for me to like her already, don't you think?" he stuttered as he tried to defend himself.

Henry simply shrugged, but the smirk remained. He ignored the young boy's antics as he began to eat his food.

Once they'd finished their lunch, Killian called Ruby for the bill. When she came, she arrived with the receipt as well as a to-go cup. "Emma forgot this," she mentioned, placing in between the two boys.

"I can run to the station to pass it to her?" Henry offered, as Killian paid for the lunch.

"Or I could do it," Killian countered immediately, making both Ruby and Henry unable to control their smiles at his schoolboy crush behavior.

"You could. I'll stay here, then we can go to the docks."

"Fine idea, lad," and then he was off, grabbing the hot chocolate and making his way to the station.

Ruby laughed as she crossed her arms, both of them watching the figure outside of the diner presumably ask for directions to the station. "Emma's got quite the affect on this version of Captain Hook too, huh?"

"Oh, you have no idea."

"First day back on the job, and you're late?" she heard David's voice say as she entered the station.

She shrugged off her leather jacket, draping it over her chair before falling into it.

"First day after my brother is born and you're working?" she countered, and he chuckled as he walked towards her before kissing her on the top of her head, just like she'd done to Henry. She smiled up at him while he walked back to his desk and leaned against it.

"There were a few things that needed sorting."

"About that," she swiveled the chair to face him, "thanks for handling the-" she paused for a while, looking for an appropriate word to describe what was happening, "-situation," she decided on.

David shrugged it off, picking up a stack of papers and flipping through them.

"Have you decided on a name for my brother, or do I have to keep calling him 'my brother'?" she asked.

"Your mother's has a name, but I don't know about it yet," he mentioned.

"What's the name?"

He hesitated for a moment, "Neal," he answered softly.

Emma's heart sunk. She didn't know what to make of it. Of course she would always love Neal, but she didn't know what to feel about her brother being named after the person who'd abandoned her all those years ago. What he did may have happened over a decade ago, but the pain was still fresh. Of course he died a heroic death, and deserved to be named after, she just wasn't sure about her own brother being named after him.

"Oh?" she said simply, trying not to let her emotions show.

"If you're not okay with it-"

"No, no – I'm fine. Really," she tried convincing her father, but she knew he hadn't bought it.

"But that's only your mother. I may have another name."

"Hm?" Emma hummed.

"Liam."

"Liam?" she repeated. The name sounded familiar but she couldn't place it.

"Yeah," David said cautiously. "After Hook's brother."

"Oh."

She felt so, so stupid that even her own father knew of Killian's brother and she didn't. Just shows how much you cared for him, huh? A part of her mind taunted.

He had always wanted to know more about her, constantly pressuring her into opening up to him, and she didn't even know the name of his brother. She didn't even know exactly what happened to his brother.

"That- he would like that," she forced a smile.

"I mean, I know he and all of us haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but he does deserve credit for everything he's done for us. If it weren't for him, God knows where the rest of us would be," he shrugged nonchalantly.

It was clear who's side each of her parents were on. Her mother was still adamantly on Team Neal, whereas her father seemed to be leaning towards Team Killian. As much as she knew he wouldn't admit it, Killian was the closest person David could call a friend. Between curses, rebuilding a kingdom and fighting an evil witch, the townspeople didn't have much time to make friends.

Just as she was thinking of something to reply, the sound of the station door opening was heard.

"Lass?" Killian.

"In here," she called out as she stood up from the chair, straightening out her clothes. A moment later, his head popped out, a huge grin on his face along with it.

"You, uh-" he walked towards her desk gently placing the cup on it, "forgot your hot chocolate," he finished, scratching that spot by the back of his ear – a thing she's come to find endearing.

"Oh – thanks," she said and he smiled gingerly at her.

As he stood on the opposite side of her desk, she noticed how he was still wearing his pirate garb – probably not having anything else to wear – and how he left arm was bare. He wore no hook, or no fake hand. He stood there awkwardly for a moment, before they heard the sound of David clearing his throat.

She smiled internally at his 'protective Dad-ness'.

"Right, this is David – my deputy and my good friend," she covered up, thinking it'd be very odd for Killian if she had said father. "His wife just gave birth."

He approached David, holding out his right hand. "Congratulations. I'm Killian," he introduced as he shook his hand firmly.

"David," he gave a nod.

Killian turned back towards Emma and scratched that spot again.

"Uh- lass?" he asked, as he took three cautious steps towards Emma.

Though her attention was towards him, she caught how her father had tried busying himself with something in the background as if to give them their privacy.

"I wanted to know if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight- or any night," he quickly added. "Only if you want to."

She caught the subtle blush that began forming on his cheeks and she couldn't help think how adorable he was.

"I-" she glanced at her father who was quietly watching them while he pretended to look through paperwork, "I can't tonight." His face fell (just like it had time and time again when she rejected him time and time again). "Raincheck?" she added quickly, and the smile reappeared.

"Alright," his grin broadened. "I'll see you around?" he asked unsurely.

"Yeah."

He smiled at her one last time before walking out the door.

God damn it, she cursed. She was supposed to be figuring out how to beat this curse, and instead, she had promised to go out on a date with his cursed self.

"That was quick," David's comment pulled her out of her thoughts.

"What?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion as she turned back to him.

"That was quick," he repeated. "This version of him has known you less than a day, and he's already stuttering around you," a teasing smile appeared on his lips.

"I- It's not like that-" she defended herself.

"Mhm," he hummed amusingly as he went back to looking through paperwork.

At a quarter past two, she left the station for Regina's house. If there was anyone who could and maybe would help her, it was her. As she pulled into the driveway, Regina opened the front door as if she were psychic (was she psychic?).

She was standing by the door with her arms folded, and an expectant look on her face.

"What can I do for you, Emma?" she asked – her tone as civil as she could manage, while Emma made her way to the porch.

"It's about Hook."

Letting out a sigh, Regina stepped aside, "Come in."

Apparently, according to Henry's other mother, whom had interrogated a locked up Zelena (who had her pendant taken away from her and was stuck in one of the many rooms of Regina's house), Killian's memories were altered, just like Emma's were when Pan's curse had separated them. The witch had created a whole new reality for him, making it as legitimate as can be. Zelena had evidently created a new backstory for him, managing to cover all her tracks.

No promises were made, but Regina had said she would try and come up with a memory potion for Killian. She also did mention how it may take weeks, or worse case scenario – months.

God damn it.

She didn't know if she could manage skirting him around talk of magic or any magic in that case (God knows how long till the next villain showed up) for months without arising suspicion. Even worse, she didn't even know if he would stay for months.

She felt bad even thinking it, but she felt the only way he'd want to stay was if she gave him a reason to. It was bad enough she'd strung Hook along, now she was thinking of stringing this version of Killian Jones along too.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

She looked up from the hands she was hiding her face in to find just the person she was thinking of.

He looked genuinely concerned, his eyebrow raised as he pushed a mug of hot chocolate (with cinnamon) towards her.

"Uh- thanks," she said awkwardly.

She looked around the diner to see it empty – the only other people besides herself and Killian were Ruby and another waitress she did not recognize. She must've lost track of time. When she came into the diner after her visit to Regina's, the room was full, and the sun was still dimly shining.

"You alright?"

"Yeah – just a little stressed," she answered. She knew if she said it was 'nothing' when it clearly wasn't, he'd push her and she didn't want to accidentally blurt something out.

He nodded his head understandingly.

"Your boy's a quick learner," he mentioned suddenly after a moment of silence.

She hummed in response as she took a sip of the hot chocolate, staring at him over the cup.

"A natural, he was," she saw him smile fondly. When she didn't reply, he made a notion to get up. "Well, yeah. Goodnight-"

"Wait!" she stopped him mid-sentence. He was halfway out of the booth when she interrupted. He looked at her curiously before sitting back down. "I- I don't know much about you," she said, shocking both him and her.

Where the hell did that come from, she internally kicked herself.

"What do you want to know?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

Tell me about your brother.

What happened to Milah?

Why did you become a pirate?

Why me?

There were so many things she wanted to know of the (in)famous Captain Hook (the last one more than the others). She settled on, "What did you mean by there was no one waiting for you back in Portland?"

Shit. That got deep really fast. She saw how his features became more sullen and she knew this was a sensitive matter to this Killian.

"It means just that, lass," he answered briefly. "My," he paused, he ran his hand through his dark hair as if to stall, "mother, she died when I was a lad. Four or five I think – I don't recall," Effects of the curse, Emma thought to herself as she continued to listen, "My father," he sighed, "he tried being a good dad, it just was never in him. He left when I was twelve."

She wanted to say something. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Or I know how you feel. But she figured he wouldn't appreciate the pity party. She wouldn't.

"He wasn't a total wanker, though," he added. "He did leave me with someone. He dropped me off at my aunt's house one day, saying he had some business out of town, and never came back," he smiled as he shook his head. She looked at him skeptically and when he noticed, he brushed her off. "It's funny now, when I think of it."

"I'm sorry," she finally said, feeling the need to reach out and touch him. But she didn't. Instead, she clutched the cup tighter in her hands, afraid that if she didn't, her hands would clutch onto his.

She knew these wounds from the past weren't real, but they were to him. Whether real or not, they hurt him.

"That's all right, lass, I barely remember the actual occurrence now," he smiled weakly at her before looking down at his hand. "My aunt wasn't married and didn't have any children. She loved me like her own, she did," his rueful smile turning into a warm one, "But she died shortly after I finished school. She gave me everything she had in her will. I tried furthering my studies, but I didn't feel like I'd have enough money for college tuition, so I worked. Been on my own ever since," he shrugged, finally looking back up at her.

Quite the story, she thought. Of course, Zelena just had to give him the most depressing past. Couldn't he just have something good?

You mean something like you? an accented voice sounded in her head.

Not only was she dreaming of him, now he was practically in her head. She shook her head slightly as if to shake him out of there. If the Killian that was sitting opposite her noticed, he didn't say anything about it.

"Sorry for my sob story, Swan," he apologized. "Didn't mean to dampen the mood."

"No – I'm glad you shared," she smiled sincerely at him, and he smiled back, the sparkle coming back to his before dull eyes.

"Hey, guys?" Ruby called as she was wiping the counter clean. Both heads turned at the same time, effectively pulling them out of the 'moment' they were sharing. "I'm closing up."

"Right," Emma said, gulping down the rest of her drink. "Thanks again for this," she raised the now empty cup.

"My pleasure, lass," he winked and she'd be lying if she said that didn't make her stomach flip.

Both of them slid out of their respective seats simultaneously. Emma turned to Ruby, about to say goodnight when she caught her lying back on the counter, propping her elbows on the surface with a wolfish grin on her face. She raised her eyebrows suggestively, making Emma roll her eyes. "Night, you two," she called out, getting Killian to turn towards her now.

"Till tomorrow, lass," he called back before continuing his walk towards his room.

Emma followed behind him, though slowing her pace down in the hopes that he'd reach his room, shut the door and be done with it. She didn't want another awkward goodnight like the night before.

As luck would have it, he didn't. He waited for her at the foot of the stairs, and she gave him her most natural forced smile when she reached him. They walked up the stairs in a not uncomfortable silence. She caught him glancing at her a couple times on the short journey up, but chose to ignore it. His shoulder would sometimes brush against hers, though their skin never once came into contact with each other. She ignored this too.

When they reached his room, she stopped, whereas he continued walking.

"Where're you going?" she asked, and he looked back at her with a shrug a smile.

"Walking you to your room," he answered simply.

"My room is 20 feet away from yours," she replied incredulously.

He shrugged again. "You can never be too safe, lass. God knows who could be lurking in these hallways."

She shook her head at his antics, but couldn't help a soft laugh that escaped her lips. He was such a dork. This was probably the type of thing Killian would do too, except she probably wouldn't allow it, shutting him down once again. It had to be different with this Killian, she told herself. The other Killian was already in too deep that he was relentless with his pursuits of her. This Killian – he could leave whenever he wanted, and she couldn't – and wouldn't – risk it.

She caught up with him, the smile still on her lips as she muttered, "You're ridiculous."

"I prefer a gentleman," he smiled broadly at her.

His words hit her and her smile faltered slightly, but she didn't show it.

'I'm always a gentleman' he had said to her way back when he tied that scarf around her wound. The distant memory hurt her, but she wouldn't allow it to get to her.

"Right, this is me," she halted and he mirrored her. She pulled out her key from her jean pocket, and fitting it into the keyhole.

It looked like he was going to reach out for her but he restrained himself, balling his right hand into a fist. "Goodnight, Swan," he nodded.

"Night, Jones," she replied. Before anything could happen, she pulled the handle and opened the door, stepping into the room before turning back towards him. She gave him a small smile of which he didn't have the time to return when she closed the door immediately behind her.

She fell back onto the door, her eyes involuntarily shutting as she let out a deep breath she felt like she had held during their whole conversation.

"Bloody hell, lass – let me in," she jumped at the voice.

Not again, she sighed when he was standing in front of her.

"Go away," she muttered weakly and unconvincingly.

He strode closer towards her – always, always invading her personal space. He leaned in and planted his good arm flat on the door next to her head. He was so close to her, she could practically smell him – a mixture of rum, sea and leather (though the smell of rum seemed to be fading). If she tilted her chin up the slightest bit, their lips would brush against each other's.

They wouldn't, the rational part of her brain reminded her he wasn't really there.

"Please, go away," she breathed, her eyes closing again, hoping that when she reopened them, he'd be gone.

She felt him lean in closer and closer, his lips just a fraction away from hers. She could feel them move against hers already, but then – nothing.

"As you wish," she heard him whisper.

When she dared to open her eyes, he was gone.

She was left breathless by a conjured up image. Pathetic, she scolded herself. She banged her head against the door lightly, soft thuds followed in their wake.

"Mom?" she saw the silhouetted figure of her son by the bedroom door. His hair was sticking up messily, giving her the briefest flashback of Neal. "Mom, are you alright?"

She moved towards him, placing her arm around his shoulders, squeezing his arm.

"I'm alright," she lied, ushering him to his bed. If it weren't for his sleepy state, he'd see right through it. She pulled the blanket over him when he crawled back into the bed, kissing his forehead and whispering a soft, "I love you, kid."

He mumbled groggily back, "You too, mom."

As she lay in her bed, she stared at the dark figure of Henry, feeling eternally blessed at how lucky she was that she got a do-over when it came to him. If she were to ever lose him- she stopped there, not letting those thoughts consume her. Thankfully, she didn't have to know what it would be like to lose him – thanks to Hook.