Summary: Emma visits Killian on his ship one starry night. (Takes place between Post-Neverland and before Pan's curse).

A/N: Based off a prompt (link on profile to where). Also, I posted four chapters up today in honor of the New Year! It's a present guys so enjoy!

Prompt - 'What could I possibly love more than laying with you under the stars?'

Emma didn't know what made her come to the docks that night, but she was feeling restless. They had already rescued Henry and defeated Pan. She should be happy, relieved really, that Henry was safe. That David would be alright once Gold got him that antidote. That everything was alright for the moment. But she wasn't.

And it definitely is not because of what else happened in Neverland.

Something about a certain blue-eyed, pirate.

So when I win your heart, Emma. And I will win it. It will not be because of any trickery. It will be because you want me...

Emma groaned in frustration as she walked, her boots clunking against the wooden dock, as she made her way to where she kept mentally yelling at herself not to go.

"God what am I doing?" She mumbled to herself, shaking her head as she stared up at the ship.

She shouldn't be here. Not when she was also worrying about how different Henry was acting now. Not while that damn shadow of Pan's was right there trapped on that sail by Regina's magic. And certainly not when she could see Hook and have to confront him.

But she walked up onto the deck of the ship. It was calm there, docked, as it swayed slightly from the water. Hook was nowhere to be found and Emma let out a shaky breath. Good. It's not that she didn't want to see him. No. That was not it. No matter how hard she tried, deep down she couldn't ignore she did miss having him around her. Having grown accustomed, almost needed it to reassure her she had someone on her side, fighting with her, ever since their journey in Neverland.

Emma takes another sigh and looks up. Her breath catches as she stares up. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts, she missed how many stars were out tonight in the sky. It reminded her of the stars she saw in Neverland. Of the stars that formed from the map Neal made from that coconut when they were going through his stuff in the place he spent time in Neverland.

"Wow." Emma spoke softly to herself again.

Hook still didn't come out, probably not hearing her aboard his ship. Emma took the chance to just sit down right there and look at the stars. It was not the best place, with it being cool out tonight, and that shadow literally only a couple feet above her, but she stayed. Not letting her thoughts wander to anything but watching how beautiful the stars looked tonight. Enjoying at least one moment. Something she could handle, even if it was looking at stars.

Killian was unable to sleep so he thought getting some air might help. He didn't expect to see a beautiful lass laying on the deck of his ship. Her golden hair fanned out around her like she was an angel with wings.

Killian swallowed harshly, still tasting the rum he just downed to try to help him sleep. Emma was on his ship.

He wasn't sure why she was here. Did she need something from him? And why was she lying down? Was she hurt?

A million thoughts raced through his mind as he decided to walk over and ask her what she was going here. But part of him wanted to just keep watching her. It was hard, but this was all he could do. Hook thought about it and wanted to give the family a chance - Emma, Henry and Neal. Give them a chance to be together. That was why he would not fight with him over Emma. He wouldn't give up on her, but he would wait for her to make a choice.

But the more he walked, the more he felt his resolve fading. He was already standing a few feet from her when she noticed him.

Emma shot straight up, looking embarrassed she was caught, "Hook...I..."

"Emma what are you doing here?" Killian tried to give a grin to show he wasn't as tense over seeing her, but it came out more as a grimace.

"I-I wanted to watch," She looked up and pointed to the sky, "The stars."

Killian looked at her, seeing how visibly nervous she was.

"The stars?"

"Yeah they are beautiful tonight."

"Aye they are," Killian's eyes almost stayed trained on Emma, before he looked up at the night sky.

"Sorry I didn't mean to bother you. I'll go." Emma started to stand up and Killian panicked.

"No it's alright love. You can stay."

Emma gave a small smile and went to sit back down. She pulled her red leather coat closer against her body. If she knew it would be this chilly, she would've put on a heavier coat. But this walk was a spur of the moment.

Killian takes a seat next to her, "Mind if I join you?"

Emma waves her hand next to the vacant spot, "Your ship Captain. Go right ahead."

Killian didn't know why he was doing this. He said he would give Emma space, and yet, he felt his heart swell at being next to her. Not giving anything a second thought now that he was near her. He wanted to enjoy this moment, not matter how brief.

Emma let out a slight shiver, that did not go unnoticed by the pirate, "Cold there, love?"

"Fine." She said, trying to keep her teeth from chattering.

Before she could see, Killian removed his leather coat and held it out to her, indicating she could take it if she wanted. Emma thought about it, before another bit of air went through her, and she grabbed it. She slipped her arms through the sleeves and held it tight to her body. Ignoring the impulse to sniff the jacket deeply. But even though she didn't, she could smell the leather, rum and the sea on it.

"Thanks."

Killian just nodded his head, keeping his eyes on the stars, and changing the subject, "Very bright stars tonight. Can see all the constellations."

"How can you tell?" Emma asked, honestly curious. Back in Neverland, Killian said he told Neal how to make a map using the stars in the sky and he was a pirate, so he likely knew a thing or two. Emma also wasn't that great at astronomy, so she didn't know how to do it.

Killian turned to her, finally a full smile shown on his face, "Just got to find the stars that join and make pictures, lass."

For the next few minutes, or hours, Emma didn't know and really didn't care. She got lost in Killian explaining the stars to her. Nothing else mattered at the moment. It felt good to just enjoy something and not worry.

"Why exactly are you out here Swan?" Killian pulled out his flask Emma had seen so many times in Neverland.

"Just enjoying the night. Is that a problem?"

Killian took a sip. He held it out to her, which she took, "No, nothing wrong with that. I find myself sometimes coming out here to look at the stars. Just to watch and think."

Emma gave him a sad smile, "I may have came out here for more than the beautiful scenery."

"Me too. I came for some air, but when I got out here, the beautiful scenery of you was too much to pass up."

Emma bit her lower lip, trying to bite back the damn smile forcing its way to her lips. She shouldn't be here laughing and smiling with him. If she kept it up, she was afraid she might actually let her self open up to him.

Killian was just as nervous, feeling he might've been too brazen in his comment. He couldn't resist letting out his feelings for Emma. He tried to make them sound like flirting, but he could feel the emotions seeping into his words. It was hard for him to stand aside like this. But he had too. If Emma could be happy with Neal, no matter how it would no doubt break him, Killian would let her. He would put Emma's happiness above all else.

"Hook listen I-" Emma was about to speak, not sure what she was going to say. To admit what to the man, she didn't remember anymore, not after the sight of a shooting star caught her eyes, "Look in the sky."

Killian looked up at Emma's pointing finger. He saw a star shooting across the sky at such a quick speed, he barely caught it.

"A shooting star. Wow. I don't think I've seen one in years."

"Yes. It is not that much of a surprise with the stars in the sky tonight."

"Quick make a wish."

Killian looked over at Emma, who had her eyes closed. Her hair was waving in the wind, blowing behind her like some cape, to fit the hero she was. She looked strong and calm at that moment. It sent Killian's heart thumping even louder against his chest at the woman by his side.

Emma opened her eyes slowly, giving him a small smile.

"What did you wish for love?"

She felt the small feeling creep into the pit of her stomach. She was afraid to say her wish aloud.

I wish I could admit what I wanted, whether it's with you or not. Just to get that happy ending, she thought.

Emma covered up her feelings with a soft chuckle. If Killian noticed, he didn't say anything, "Can't tell you pirate. Otherwise won't come true."

Killian smiled, "Aye, of course."

Emma straightened up her posture, and turned to look him seriously in the eyes,"But even though you can't tell me. I hope your wish comes true Killian."

Killian's words caught in his throat at that. She had called him by his actual name. He couldn't hide the smile that took over his lips and how he felt a slight wetness in his eyes. He wanted to say something about it, but he didn't want to scare her off. Her walls were parting for him at this moment and he didn't want to risk it. Then he thought about he didn't make a wish at the shooting star. He didn't mind, because no wish would've compared to Emma and him laying together underneath the stars.

"I hope yours does too love."

Emma was glad he didn't notice her call him by his name. She didn't know why. She wanted to try it at least once. His real name left a sensation on her tongue, that was strange, usually when you said something for the first time. It was as if she was trying it out to see if she liked it. She did like it.

They spent a little longer sitting there on the Jolly Roger's deck, before they would eventually have to bid each other goodbye. Before Emma would go back home and worry about Henry, her father, about another impending threat because the savior didn't get time off or moments. Before Killian would go back to holding back, waiting for Emma to choose. Just a little more time together underneath the stars.