The municipal building seemed relatively quiet compared to the last time Killian walked the bright, white, halls. Then the townspeople were gathered in small groups, discussing Marian's sudden collapse. Now only a few people passed by and without Emma at his side, none of them seemed inclined to acknowledge his existence. Killian turned the corner and entered the Mayor's office with a quick rap on the doorframe. He pulled up short when he realized Snow White was with someone. Snow glanced up at his knock and a brief, tight, smile crossed her face.

"Hook! Just a moment." she turned back to the elderly gentleman that Killian recognized as a semi-regular at Granny's. "I'll talk with Em-the Sheriff. I am sure there will be no issue getting your vending license updated. I think a ballon stand would be a lovely addition to Storybrooke."

"Thanks. Snow…er…Madam Mayor." the short man beamed but continued to twist his hat in his hand as he bowed and began to walk out. Killian stepped aside to allow him room to pass.

"It's my pleasure Carl. Say 'hi' to Ellie for me." The man cast her a last smile and nodded before walking out. Snow watched him leave with a soft grin on her face. Then she shook her head and turned to Killian.

"Well what can I help you with?" she asked expectantly. Killian cleared his throat.

"Uh. Emma said you had some records to aid in the search."

A flash of understanding crossed her face. "Oh yes. Yes of course. They are…" She turned in a circle her head bouncing around. "Over here." she walked to the long conference table and gestured to a box. "I just threw everything into this box." She moved to lift it but Killian was quick to step in.

"Allow me milady." He crossed to her in a few steps and lifted the box into his hand and hook.

"Oh. Thank you." Her forehead crinkled and her smile reminded Killian forcefully of her daughter. "I'm not sure any of it will be helpful."

"Well Emma is determined to find something." Killian spoke with fondness and couldn't keep the small smile off his face.

"That's my daughter." Snow shook her head affectionately. They stood in silence. Killian feeling the awkwardness settle around them. He shifted the box and wondered if he should leave. Snow seemed oblivious to his discomfort, her eyes narrowed in some silent internal conversation. He rarely interacted with Emma's mother and never felt quite sure of himself in her presence. From the beginning she had seemed immune to his charms, a singular occurrence for Killian, and he had long ago stopped peppering her with smiles, winks and innuendos. Without his standbys to fallback on he was unsure how to proceed. He shifted his feet.

"Henry said you were going sailing." her voice shattered the silence.

"Aye. It seems the lad enjoyed our last excursion." Killian wasn't able to express the warm glow that had overcome him when Henry had asked to go sailing again.

"Yes. He is quite excited. But, just between you and me, I think he wants the chance to give you the talk." Snow shot him a knowing look which disconcerted Killian because he didn't know what she meant.

"The talk?" He lifted his eyebrows.

"You know the 'don't hurt my Mom' talk." Snow's eyes danced in merriment but Killian couldn't bring himself to feel relaxed. She walked back to her desk and Killian followed.

"Ah yes. Well the lad has every right to be protective." Killian felt his ear itching and he wished he wasn't holding the box so he could scratch at it.

"He does." Snow nodded in agreement, the merriment falling from her face in a flash. The speed that her moods changed was disconcerting. He felt she wanted to say more. David had already expressed his trepidation at his relationship with Emma. Killian was sure that her mother had similar misgivings.

"Are you uh…do you wish to give me the same warning?" Killian ducked his head and waited for the lecture. But Snow's response was almost immediate.

"Actually no."

"Really?" Killian looked up in shock.

"You sound surprised?" The Princess's delicate eyebrows arched over her wide eyes.

"I. Well" Killian took a deep breath and placed the box on the desk. His hand shot up to itch his ear. . "I am a bit baffled. I was under the impression that you harbored less than warm feelings towards me." He attempted a smile.

There was a pause as Snow contemplated him. "I won't lie. When we saw you two kissing in front of Granny's. I was worried."

Killian felt heat creep up his neck. He wasn't aware that Emma's parents had witnessed that particular event. Snow ignored his embarrassment and continued. "There is no denying that we got off to a rocky start. I mean what with you working with Cora and the nasty business with Rumplestilskin and Belle. Plus your constant flirting and innuendos. I mean Captain Hook was the last person in the world I wanted dating my daughter."

Killian raised his hand, embarrassment and shame flooding through him. He couldn't deny her words. They echoed the voice in his own head and the voice of the crocodile. He was a violent, selfish, pirate.

"I get the picture your majesty." Killian affected a smile but he could tell by the look of pity on Snow's face that she saw right through him.

"No. Sorry. I am saying it all wrong. What I am trying to tell you is that while I wouldn't let Captain Hook date my daughter I have no problem with Killian Jones." she smiled at him with reassurance but Killian didn't feel reassured. He furrowed his eyebrows in frustration.

"I am Captain Hook." He raised his left hand for emphasis.

"No. You really aren't. "

Killian shook his head on the verge of arguing but Snow White cut him off.

"Have you ever read the storybook?"

"What?" Killian was baffled at the turn in conversation.

"Henry's storybook. Have you read it?"

"Uh. No."

Snow nodded and sat down at her desk. She pulled open a drawer and drew out the oversized book. With a concentrated look she flipped through the pages. Muttering a soft "ah-hah", she turned the book towards Killian. He looked down. He was surprised to find a portrait of himself and Emma at the ball in the Enchanted Forest. Emma had mentioned that she was in the book but Killian hadn't realized that he was also there, right beside her. He took a moment to admire her smile and to dwell on the bright, happy, memory of their first dance.

"There is a story to go along with that picture." Snow broke into his thoughts. "I found this passage particularly interesting." Snow pulled the book back towards her and after a moment began to read aloud. "When Killian Jones saw his True Love being treated so callously by Captain Hook he felt a towering rage. For he knew that the fearful pirate Captain was a man consumed by revenge with no room in his heart for the love Emma Swan deserved. Killian Jones delivered a crushing blow; knocking the Captain out cold. Proving that while Captain Hook wore the face of Killian Jones; the two men were as different as night and day."

Snow paused and looked at Killian. He had no ready response. He felt exposed by the words she had read. His very heart laid out in a few lines. How had the book known how he had felt that night in the cabin? Who could possibly have understood him so completely?

"There is more but I think you get the idea."

"Who wrote that bloody book?" His voice came out angrier than he intended.

Snow only shook her head. "We don't know. I only know that the stories it tells are true. What's more it seems to see into the heart of the people in the stories."

Killian nods slowly. It had not escaped his notice that the book called Emma his True Love. He was sure it hadn't escaped Snow's notice either.

"I am still a pirate."

"And in many ways I am still a bandit. My past changed me but it doesn't define me. The book never once calls you Captain Hook because you aren't that pirate anymore. The man I met in the Enchanted Forest is not the man before me now." the sincerity in her voice caused Killian to look up. His eyes locking with hers. He was surprised to notice that they were green, like her daughters but somehow deeper and warmer in shade. He barely knew Snow White but in that moment he understood why a whole kingdom was willing to rise up against the Evil Queen and fight for her. She believed in people and she helped others believe in themselves. It was a quality shared by Emma and Henry, this ability to make people strive to be better. And Killian wanted to be better, wanted to put his past aside. For the first time since he entered his wretched deal with the Crocodile he felt that he could.

The moment was broken by the soft cry of the little prince. Snow rushed over to him and Killian decided it was time to take his leave.

"Thank you your majesty." He said as he turned to leave. He was almost gone before a thought occurred to him. He turned back. "Uh. Who else has read that story?"

A sly smile crossed the Mayor's face. "Emma hasn't read it. But I have and Henry of course. Maybe Regina. Elsa will probably read it after I give her the book tonight." Killian groaned in response. He hated the idea of so many being able to read his deepest emotions. He wondered briefly if he could steal the book, or at least the pages of his story.

"Oh and Killian. On the off chance that you do hurt my daughter, I will put an arrow through your eye." Snow kept her voice sweet but Killian knew she was deadly serious. Killian couldn't help the grin that flashed across his face. He executed a slight bow.

"I would despair if you didn't."

Author Notes: Right I know you come here for Snowing fluff but this scene just came out. The episode already had a lot of Snowing and we NEVER see Killian and Snow interact so it still kind of fits the series. Did you notice the "Up" reference? I snuck that in there because there is an elderly couple that are extras that look just like Ellie and Carl. Usually they are in Granny's but I have seen them in the background on the street. Let me know if this worked for you or if you would rather I stick to adorable Snowing fluff!