Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

The Search Party

Emma tapped her fingers rapidly against the countertop in the kitchen of her parents' loft. There was something wrong. Her gut was telling her that she was lying. Tamara was hiding something and Emma was the only one who seemed to notice.

Her mother thought she was still in love with Neal and was trying to break them up. (Screw that, the bastard lost his chance years ago).

Her father was praying that was wrong (he'd already threatened to punch Neal), but was agreeing with her mother.

Henry was hopeful that she was right because then she and Neal had a chance. That kid was a hopeless romantic. (She was still trying to figure out how to have that conversation with her kid once she proved Tamara was up to no good and Neal inevitably broke up with her).

And Regina was of course missing when she needed her most. (Selfish Evil Queen).

Standing suddenly, Emma decided that she was going to search Tamara's room without Henry, on her own and try to find what the woman was up to. Once she knew what she was dealing with, she could make a real plan. One that Neal, her mother and her father may actually believe.

OUAT

Emma paused outside the doorway of Tamara's room. The door was ajar. It might have been a long time since she'd seen Neal, but he was a former thief. He knew how people worked. He wouldn't leave the door ajar and he would have trained Tamara to do the same. Drawing her gun, Emma nudged the door open with her foot, "Freeze!" She ordered.

A book landed with a thud to the floor and a leather clad figure turned around slowly. "Well, afternoon, love." And that damn tongue flicked out over his teeth.

Emma stared at Hook with a blank look, "What are you doing here, Hook?" She snapped.

"Can I unfreeze before you question me, love? Or would you prefer to chain me to the bedpost first? I know you're into that sort of thing." He winked at her, his eyebrows shooting up. She had the sudden urge to smack him upside the head as hard as she could before kissing him. (The worst part was how he knew he was a devilishly handsome scoundrel).

Emma sighed and dropped her gun, sliding it back into her holster, "What are you doing here, Hook?" She repeated.

Clearing his throat, Hook picked up the book and set it on the nightstand, "I was looking around." At her arched brow he chuckled, "I'm a pirate, of course I broke in."

"Why were you looking around here?" She asked specifically, motioning around the room.

"Well isn't it obviously, Swan?" He asked archly, "Bae's betrothed is hiding something."

Emma's posture relaxed considerably, "You think Tamara is into something bad too?" She questioned.

"Well, of course, love." Hook stepped forward, "Would you care to join me? I take it you were about to use your considerable knowledge as a former thief to break in here as well."

Emma frowned, "The door was open. Careless." She taunted, ignoring his jab at her former life. Sighing, she pushed past him, "Let's split the room in half." She ordered.

"Such a bossy lass." Hook taunted as he moved to the opposite side of the room, "Tell me, Swan, are you always so bossy, or would you let the man take over in the bedroom?"

Biting her lip to hide her smile and chuckle, she schooled her face and spun around, "Who said anything about a 'man'?" She asked with an arched brow.

Spinning to face her, Hook didn't even bother to hide his look of shock, "Bloody hell, woman. It's bad form to tease a man." Emma let out a little chuckle before dropping to her hands and knees to tap on the floorboards.

Instead of continuing to bait him, Emma asked, "So what made you suspect Tamara?"

Hook shrugged, "Not quite sure, there's just something not right."

"Your spidey senses were tingling?" Emma joked.

With a furrowed brow, Hook replied, "I really don't know what that means, love. I assume you are referring to the bloody terrifying creatures that crawl."

Emma snorted rather loudly, "Captain Hook is afraid of spiders. Who knew?" She paused, "And sorry, it was a pop culture reference. Let me rephrase, it was a gut feeling, then?"

"Something of the sort. As a captain it's my job to know when people are potentially dangerous. Wouldn't want a mutiny on my hands, now, would I?"

"I suppose not." Emma agreed. "Hm, this board is different than the rest." She ran her fingers along it, trying to figure out how to pry it open."

"Please, allow me, milady." Hook moved to her side with a dramatic flourish before leaning down and ripping the floorboard up with his hook.

Emma stared at the broken board, "Granny is going to shoot you with her crossbow." Emma deadpanned.

"But look what we found." Killian pointed to the contents under the floorboard.

Leaning down, Emma picked out a stone and a black notebook. "We need to find Regina."

"Aye love, something tells me that the glowing object in your hand is not a good thing." Hook commented.

Studying him for a few moments, Emma finally whispered, "No one believed me, Hook. They all thought I was trying to find a way to get back together with Neal." Emma chose to ignore the slight flinch on his face at her admission, "Thank you, for being here. Even if I didn't ask you to be and thank you for helping."

"Of course, love." Hook nodded stiffly.

"Would you help me with something else, then?" Emma asked softly. At his raised brow, she murmured, "Help me find Regina? I have a feeling that she's in trouble now."

"As you wish, love." Hook motioned for her to exit ahead of him.

OUAT

XOXO

MAS