The Pirate: Chapter 4 "A Moment of Transparency"
Back on the island, Hook led Mary Margaret and Regina along the beach, stepping authoritatively to the campsite. He didn't want to admit it to himself quite yet but when Emma returned, he was determined for her to have something worthwhile here for her. The resolve in his demeanor was apparent, he had a fire in his eyes and Regina was quick to pick up on it. After Emma had acted so strangely on the ship and then Hook giving Emma his necklace, it was clear something was happening. She didn't care much about what it was between Hook and Emma. At least it was making Hook more useful in finding Henry.
"Captain, just how familiar are you with this island? Do you even know where we are?"
Hook knelt in the sand, picked up one of the charred chunks of wood and then looked toward the tree line. "I've mapped out this entire island. This particular location we called 'Peg-leg Point.' I have a few hundred years worth of experience exploring Neverland: once we start on the trail it should be short work finding where it leads."
Seeing the dedication Hook seemed to have for finding Henry gave Mary Margaret a sense of reassurance as she clutched her bow. Ever since her talk with Emma she had tried to think about Hook with a more open-mind, at least for her daughter's sake.
"Emma said she found Henry's scarf from here straight to the tree line. Maybe we should start looking there for more clues?" Mary Margaret suggested.
Regina stepped confidently toward the tree line holding Henry's scarf in one hand. "We won't need anymore clues; we have all we need." Regina slowly waved the scarf in her hand and as she did footprints began to appear leading through the foliage deep into the heart of the island.
Hook and Mary Margaret walked side by side, following behind Regina as she walked ahead of them just out of earshot. The foliage quickly grew dense, creating an artificial aura of night. As they walked, Mary Margaret shot quick glances over to Hook, trying to figure out a subtle way to bring up a conversation about Emma. He noticed her glances and knew what they must be about, but decided to do his best to put off this conversation as long as he could.
After several more minutes of pretending Mary Margaret wasn't trying to get his attention, he finally blurted out, "Is there something you wish to speak with me about?"
There was an awkward pause while Mary Margaret figured the best way to go about what she wanted to do. "Hook, I'm worried about Emma."
He knew what Mary Margaret was trying to get at, but he decided it was best to redirect the conversation. "Don't worry. Between her father and the protection I've left her with, she'll be fine."
Mary Margaret tilted her head and looked at Hook inquisitively. "What kind of protection did you leave her?"
Hook smiled as he responded, "Surely by now you know I'm very deliberate about my actions. I had to face the dangers of Neverland for many years, including its mermaids. That necklace I gave her—it was enchanted with pixie dust to make the wearer immune to the mermaid's song. So not to worry; with Emma's natural abilities she should be able to protect both herself and your husband."
A look of comfort appeared on Mary Margaret's face; she shook her head slightly and refocused her thoughts on what she had originally intended to ask Hook. "There is one other thing, though. Obviously there is something between you two, and with your past being what it is and what I know about you, I think I have the right to be concerned."
Mary Margaret's prying was understandable to Hook, she is her mother after all, but he acted dismissively. He did this, not because he felt it was unimportant to speak with Emma's mother, but simply to lighten the mood.
"Emma's quite capable of handling herself, I'm sure you know this. She's a tough lass."
"I know, but I'm still her mother. I realize that she's a grown woman, but I missed twenty-eight years worth of chances to protect her. There's no way I'm going to not do it now."
Hook's eyes wandered around, as if he were looking for the right answer in the path they walked on, or in the leaves in the trees, until finally with a deep breath he decided to be as candid with Mary Margaret as he could stand to be.
"For three-hundred years, revenge had been the most important thing in my life. I've thirsted for vengeance, and it rotted my heart. When I finally thought I had achieved what I sought for several lifetimes, I was left only with a feeling of discontent. I had opened my heart to nothing else before I met your daughter, and what she's shown me is that my heart has not rotted out completely. That there still exists a capacity within it to care about something beyond vengeance and my own well-being."
In Killian Jones' moment of transparency, he had lowered the armor that was Captain Hook. Mary Margaret could see for a moment that beyond the charm and beyond the bravado, there existed this very damaged but fervent man. Though she still would keep her reservations about Hook, the weight of his words resonated with her. She felt for this moment that, just like David would always find her, Hook would always find Emma.