The most beautiful thing she'd seen in Neverland, hands down, was the sight of Hook, anchored by her father, pulling Henry to safety from over the edge of a steep cliff. She saw the panic on David's face, the determination and pain on Hook's, and then — as she dodged a blade headed right for her head — the dirty, exhausted, scared, beautiful face of her son as he was pulled back over the edge.

He and Hook collapsed next to each other while David rolled to his feet to help her fight off the last of the Lost Ones who were determined to take Henry to their leader. She winced as she swung her sword around, wishing for the graceful skill of her father but doing the best she could. She promised herself for the hundredth time that she would ask David for lessons when they made it back to Storybrooke.

Again a sword flashed near her face, and she smiled grimly as a fireball from Gold or Regina crashed into her attacker, finishing him off.

That would be another handy skill to learn, if she got the chance.

She'd barely managed to take a breath before Henry barreled into her, arms around her, crying. "Mom!"

"Hey kid," she said, bending down into the hug. She suddenly realized that she was crying, too. "We got you."

After an all-too-short embrace, she handed him over to Regina and turned to look at Hook. He stood there, panting from the effort of saving Henry, and watched her son with a big smile on his face. She felt her heart actually stutter in her chest.

Before she could second-guess herself, she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. He stiffened for a moment, then relaxed into her hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," she whispered. "Hook, thank you so much."

She felt like she could thank him a thousand times, and it would never convey how she felt at the moment. His knowledge of Neverland had been invaluable. Gold had known some things, but only a pirate would know how to sneak up on the Lost Ones. Only a brave man would throw himself into a fight only for the sake of someone else. Only a good man would risk his safety to rescue her little boy.

She halfway expected some smart-ass comment from Hook, but he simply dipped his head toward her neck, pulling her tighter.

She had no idea how long they stood that way before she eased back slightly, hands moving to his cheeks. She realized she wanted to kiss him almost as much as she wanted oxygen, and she pushed herself up on her toes.

"Swan," he said hoarsely, "I think … I'm going to pass out."

"What?" She pulled back, hands dropping to his shoulders to steady him. "Are you hurt?"

He reached his hand around to his left side, and then she saw the blood.

"One of those bastards got me," he said weakly.

"Dad!" Emma yelled. "Mom! Help me!"

David was there in an instant, just in time to break Hook's fall.

It was an easy enough matter for Regina to heal his wound, and Henry seemed happy to see her using her magic to do something good for once.

As soon as he was back on his feet, Hook insisted that they make their way back to the ship, and nobody else disagreed. He led the way back, and Emma followed close behind, one arm looped around Henry. The boy was talking a mile a minute about his experience, but all she managed to understand was that Tamara and Greg had dumped him off with the Lost Ones and disappeared. She was a little disappointed not to have the chance to introduce Tamara to the pointy end of her sword, but her relief at having Henry back outweighed anything else.

They made it back more quickly than they'd come, because this time they weren't trying to take anyone by surprise. Regina had cloaked the Jolly Roger to keep it safe from prying eyes, and as soon as they boarded, Hook set sail.

Henry, tucked into her side, let loose a huge yawn, and Emma laughed. "Kiddo, I think it's past your bedtime."

"First, can I just … is it okay if I say something to Captain Hook?" he asked her quietly.

"Sure." She was surprised when he grabbed her hand and pulled her over with him.

"Mr. … Captain?" Henry sounded unsure.

Hook smiled down at him. "It's just Hook, my boy. Or Killian, if you'd prefer."

"I just wanted to thank you for saving me."

"Oh." Hook cleared his throat and looked a little embarrassed. "It was a team effort, lad. But … you're quite welcome."

Emma bit back a grin as Henry suddenly launched himself at Hook in one of his patented attack hugs. She remembered clearly the first time he'd hugged her that way, how her surprise had faded into affection for the kid. She watched the exact same emotions flit across the pirate's face and tried to ignore the fluttering in her belly at the sight.

"I was afraid to fall, but you said you wouldn't let go. And you didn't," Henry mumbled, sounding close to tears.

Hook looked a little stunned at the emotional display but ruffled her son's hair gently. "I always keep my promises, Henry," he said, but he was looking at her as he spoke.

They shared a smile, then Hook cleared his throat. "Now, to bed with you, as your Mom asked," he said. "You want to be sure to be awake later to meet the fairies."

"The fairies?" Henry's face lit up.

"Hook and Mr. Gold think they might be willing to help us get home," Emma explained. "But it'll be hours until we get there."

Henry made a show of complaining, but the kid was practically sleepwalking as she led him away.

Tucking him in was a family affair; everyone had to have a moment to wish him goodnight and give him another hug, but finally the room he was sharing with Emma emptied. She sat on the floor next to his bunk and watched him nod off.

Just when she thought he was asleep, heard him mumbling. "If you married Captain Hook, would I be a pirate?"

Fortunately, she was spared having to answer the question, followed a moment later by a snore.

tbc

Note: Woohoo, we're nearing the end! Just one more near-miss to go before smoochies commence! Thanks so much for all the reviews, faves and follows. You guys are the best. :)