His hand was warm, sliding slowly up to cup her breast. Emma arched her back, pressing herself into his palm with a slight moan. His lips were nuzzling the side of her neck, moving languidly from her shoulder up to just below her ear, where his tongue came into play, teasing a swirling circle back down the column of her throat. She moved against him, and her breathing sped up.
"That's it, love..." his words sent a shiver down her back, and his fingers teased and pulled at her nipple, making her moan again.
"Shhhh..." He whispered, before his lips returned to pull and lightly suck at her neck once more. His hand left her breast, his fingers teasing a path down her body, sliding along her hip and across her belly until they stroked and pressed and slid into the juncture of her thighs.
"Killian..." she took in a sharp breath. "Killian?"
Emma froze, her head whipping around look over her shoulder at him. "Hook!" She hissed. "What the hell?"
"So I'm 'Hook' again, am I?" he asked, nuzzling her neck some more.
"I was sleeping!" She whispered furiously.
"That you were," he agreed, still nuzzling. "But you were also moaning my name, and rubbing yourself back into me. Can I help it if I mistook it for an invitation?"
"There are people all around us," she whispered again. "I thought we agreed this was off-limits."
He kissed along her ear, small, plucking kisses, and his breath was warm on her neck as he whispered back.
"I'll stop any time you want me to," he promised softly, still kissing and nuzzling.
Emma shivered again at feel of his breath in her ear, but before she could frame a coherent response, his fingers started moving - ever so slightly - feathering and teasing and making her back arch again.
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked, and his tone made it clear that he was reasonably sure this was a moot point. He was right. Emma's hand slid down to cover his, but she didn't remove it. Instead, she stroked the back of his hand, her fingers rubbing his as he continued to trail his tongue and lips along her collarbone and around to her shoulder and back.
"Part your legs, love," his low voice sent an instant tremor through her, and she did as he asked, feeling the brush of his fingers as he pulled her top leg back and over his own, rolling her onto her back. He remained on his side, shielding her from the view of anyone else who might be lying in view.
"Why did you have to sleep in so many bloody clothes," he complained under his breath. He made short work of her button and zipper, and before she could rethink any of this, his hand was exactly where she wanted it, doing all sorts of delicious things. His mouth came down on hers just as he increased the rhythm and pressure of his fingers, shifting his weight as she bucked up into him. He swallowed her cries as she came apart, her hands gripping his upper arms as she shuddered from the force of it.
He kissed her lightly, all across her face, gentling her with slow, sure sweeps of his fingers as she floated back to earth in the aftermath.
"Wow," she whispered, trying to catch her breath. "You weren't kidding about the blanket skills."
He smiled triumphantly down at her, his teeth gleaming in the dim light of the waning firelight nearby. He leaned in, putting his lips near her ear and sending another shiver through her.
"Just imagine what I could do with an entire bed," he promised.
"That's just it," she whispered back. "I don't have to imagine. What do you think I was dreaming about?"
"That's really not fair, you know," he murmured. "You get all of the good memories, and I get all the rest."
Emma's face softened, and she reached up, pushing a lock of hair off his forehead. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right, love," he said, kissing her again softly. "We'll make more."
He settled himself on his side, and pulled her back into him again. Emma turned to address him over her shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
"Going back to sleep - and I would suggest you do the same. We've a few more hours yet until the dawn."
Her hand slid back, finding his leg and rubbing. "You want to end it there? she whispered.
"Hardly," he replied quietly. "But I can't very well carry this to a natural conclusion out here, now, can I?"
Emma rolled over in his arms, settling her head against his chest. "I could take care of you," she offered.
He sucked in his breath, then let it out slowly. "That's all right, love. I'll wait. I want a proper bed and an entire night for you." He kissed the top of her head. "Now get some rest. I have a feeling we've a long day ahead of us."
She nodded, settling herself into him as he set his chin atop her head. Eventually, her breathing deepened and she drifted off to sleep. Hook remained awake, stroking her hair and back, and wondering if this was how it could really be.
Because he was starting to think it could really be.
###
"So we're on the outskirts of Aurora and Phillip's kingdom," Emma said, tearing off a chunk of bread from the small loaf Robin handed her for breakfast.
"That's right," Mulan said. "Regina's castle is due east. Two days to walk, one if we had horses."
"Do we have horses?" Emma asked.
"We can obtain them easily enough," Robin said. "Phillip's stables are fully stocked, and under the circumstances, I'm sure he and Aurora would have no issue with our borrowing a few."
Emma looked over at Hook. "Can you ride?"
He raised a brow, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Emma gave him a pointed look. "A horse, Hook. Can you ride a horse?"
"'Course I can, love. I was raised in this realm, remember?"
"Good. I'll ride with you. I have no idea what to do with a horse."
He leaned in, lowering his voice. "It's what you can do on a horse that keeps the journey interesting."
She decided to ignore that. "Regina, we're going to need to get into that castle. If I'm remembering right, she used Blood Magic to protect it, so you're going to have to get in and break that spell. Once we have her on the run, it'll be harder for her to collect her prizes." Emma looked over at Gold.
"Can you help us identify who her next target will be?"
"Perhaps," he said. "I need to return to my castle, to collect a few...things that might be useful in a confrontation with our vicious, green friend."
"She's green?" Regina asked. "Literally, green?"
"Oh, it's quite the spectacle, I assure you," Gold smiled. "And that brand of poisonous envy was ever her downfall. Perhaps we can use that to our advantage. Do be sure to twist that knife when you encounter her, Regina."
"With pleasure." Regina smiled a cat-like smile.
"I can accompany The Dark One to his castle," Robin said, "And rendezvous back with all of you after you've deposed the witch."
"That won't be necessary," Gold said quietly. "I can travel much faster without you."
"And I can accompany Regina," Mulan said. "She'll need a strong blade at her side."
"No, let Robin go," Emma said, a bit too hastily. Regina gave her a strange look, and Robin looked confused. She decided to clarify. "We need Mulan with us. If Zelena sends her flying monkeys, Mulan's blade has the power to deflect magic. We can use that. Regina can handle any magic Zelena throws her way while Robin searches for that baby and its nurse."
"My Merry Men will stay with all of you, as well," Robin offered. "Once we've secured the castle, they can help form a watch to keep it safe."
"Flying Monkeys," Hook said, raising his brows. "Sounds delightful."
"Yeah, well...you didn't almost marry one," Emma remarked wryly.
"Come again?" Regina looked at her askance.
"Zelena sent one of them disguised as a man to keep tabs on me during that year in New York."
"And you were going to marry him?" Hook's voice was incredulous.
"I didn't know he was a monkey," she defended. "And why are we even having this conversation? We need to get going."
"Miss Swan is correct," Gold interjected. "If Zelena has the baby, we must be reasonably assured that she's either got the other items or is close to obtaining them. There's no time to waste."
"I'll send my men for the horses," Robin said. He turned to Regina. "My lady, I apologize, but you'll have to ride astride. A coach would only slow us down."
"I was riding before I was walking," Regina replied. "I had a prize stallion named Rocinante. He was amazing."
"Will I get a horse, too, Papa?" A small boy ran up to Robin's side, and he reached down, swinging his son up into his arms.
"Not yet, Roland. I'm going to leave you at Aurora's castle with Little John while we're gone. I want you safe."
"But I want to go along," he pouted. "Please?"
"Then who would protect Aurora's castle?" Regina asked. "Surely you can see how very badly she needs a brave warrior to watch over her home until she can return?"
"She's right," Robin said, nodding in agreement. "That's exactly why I chose two of my strongest Merry Men."
Roland's brow furrowed. "All right. But next time, I want to come along."
"You'll have plenty of time for adventures, Roland. I promise." Robin ruffled his hair. "Now run along with Little John - help him pick out the very best horses."
Roland gave his father a quick hug, racing off after the Merry Men.
"He's adorable," Regina said, smiling. "How old?"
"He's just four. Hard to believe some days." He looked over at her. "His mother died not long after his birth. He's taken to the outlaw life rather well, I think."
"Yes, he has."
"And where is your child?" Robin asked. "You've definitely got a mother's way about you."
"Henry is back at home in Storybrooke, hopefully getting spoiled rotten by his father and grandmother."
"Henry? Neal's son?" Robin looked confused, his eyes moving to Emma. "But I thought - "
"It's complicated," Regina explained. "But Henry is loved."
"Yes," Robin said quietly. "I can see that."
Gold stepped forward. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm taking my leave." He gave Regina a look. "Call me when the castle is yours again."
She nodded, and he vanished in a plume of smoke.
Emma shook out her bedroll, holding it against her body as she rolled it up. Hook reached down, grabbing his to do the same.
"You ready for this?" she asked him.
"After what we just went through on that island, you're asking me that?" he quirked an eyebrow. "I've told you before, Swan...we make a good team."
She stopped rolling, and her eyes held his a moment. "Yeah, we do."
###
Gold appeared in the middle of his dining hall. He turned slowly in a circle, taking in all the leftover destruction from Regina's curse - the dust, the broken glass and overturned furniture. His eyes landed on the panel built into the far wall, and he picked his way through the rubble to get to it. Once he passed his hand over it, it moved aside easily, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the shelves of bottles and bowls and boxes intact.
He opened an intricately carved chest, pulling out a small bottle of glowing liquid from the compartment inside. He held the bottle up to the light, turning it to and fro, satisfied that it appeared to be as it should.
"Now then, Miss Swan," he said thoughtfully. "You've no further need of memories that belong in another reality."
He slipped the bottle into his vest pocket, and slid the panel closed.