There were many ways he pictured this scenario. All of them included plenty of yelling and outrage, a bit of banter here and there, and of course, the inevitable sparring. Obviously, he didn't expect their reunion to be a tearful, heartfelt one (quite the opposite, actually), given the circumstances on which they separated, but he most certainly did not expect this.

Her lying there in front of him, all blood and sweat and dirt and grime. Unconscious and unaware. Completely tied up.

When he heard their frantic voices and the sounds of battle earlier, he shoved the glowing compass into his pocket and ran to them immediately. Fear overcame him - who knew what Cora had set up around the boundaries of the White Kingdom for intruders - and when he saw her lying there in the circle of guards, ready to bloody sacrifice herself, all he saw was red.

By some miracle, he managed to ward off the remaining guards, dragging the three unconscious bodies to the nearest shelter he could find. The weaponless werewolf had been knocked out shortly after Swan as well, so the task of bringing them to safety was not easy. Luckily he succeeded, and so here he was, sitting in a dark cave by firelight, watching a still-unconscious Emma lie on the ground.

He took a moment to revel in his relief that the Bounty Hunter was still alive, leaning back to take a better look at her. She was still wearing that lovely white blouse that fit nicely around her bodice, including her signature brown fur-collared cloak that concealed her so well. Her usually tied hair was now let down in long wavy locks that spilled around her shoulders in a messy way that was oddly attractive to him; her sleeping face so uncharacteristically peaceful and innocent, in spite of the fresh scars that littered her cheek. It was a slightly wild look on her - and would be even more so with those fiery jade eyes once she wakes - but he could only think of her as a beautiful sight for sore eyes. And the gods only knew how much he needed this sight.

He startled when Emma suddenly stirred, groaning a little as she moved her head from one side to another, stretching herself. Instinctively, he placed a hand by his hip where his cutlass lay, anticipating the other storm that he knew well will come his way. It's only a matter of time now, he thought as he watched her slowly wake. Tense with apprehension, he waited as Emma's eyes fluttered open, eyes furrowed in confusion as she examined her surroundings, looking from left to right then finally, to him -

"Hook."

It was more of a growl than anything but he was grateful - he expected a much worse reaction. "Ah ah, before you start yelling at me," he said, holding up a finger to stop her. "I highly suggest you keep quiet. You don't want to let the whole Kingdom know where we are."

She widened her eyes in concern at his words. "The guards -"

"They're gone. I fended them off."

She raised her eyebrows. "By yourself?"

"Well don't look so surprised, Swan. You don't gain the infamous title of fearsome Captain Hook through mere dawdling," he scowled. "Are you sure you haven't heard of me before?"

Ignoring his question, she continued to look around the cave. "Graham and Ruby-"

"-are on the other side of that stone wall over there," he nodded towards his left. "Wouldn't want the huntsman and his lady wolf to interrupt our reunion now, don't we?"

His wink seemed to have knocked some of her spark back into her, as the signature livid expression was back on her face. She made a movement as if to lunge towards him, but was stopped abruptly when she realized she couldn't move her hands properly.

"What the hell is this?" She looked down at her tied wrists and ankles, then glared at him. "Get me out of these ropes, Hook."

"I would, but I'm rather fond of my other hand," he said, looking at said hand thoughtfully. "You threatened to kill me the next time you see me, so forgive me if I decide to take precautions for my own safety."

Emma didn't know whether to feel flattered that the pirate would consider her as a threat or whether she should be immensely furious.

She settled for the latter.

"Well don't look so ungrateful, Swan," Hook said, clearly amused. "I can be nice, too. I left all your weapons on your bodice, including that handy bag of yours, so it's not like I've stripped you bare."

She gave him her best sarcastic smile. "You would've liked that, wouldn't you?"

"If you weren't unconscious and unwilling, then perhaps. I'm still a gentleman." He leaned towards her, making sure she saw every single movement as he licked his lips slowly, eyes slowly trailing all over her body. "...But I do have a vivid imagination."

Emma scoffed and looked away, ignoring whatever effect he was now pulling on her. "You're a real piece of work, aren't you?"

"Most would say... striking."

She glared at him. "The only 'striking' that's going to happen around here is my sword in your body."

"Is that a threat or a promise?"

She opened her mouth for another snappy retort until she noticed the mischievous blue glint in his eyes, a slow realization dawning on her. This-this was too... familiar. For here they were again, falling easily into their banter - as if they never separated in the first damn place. Hook must have noticed it too as his smirk slowly faded, a soft yet intense look in his eyes taking over.

"So easy, isn't it Swan?" he murmured softly. "Us. This. Like breathing."

Emma tore her eyes away, her lips drawn into a tight line - she refused to acknowledge whatever feeling was now stirring within her chest.

"How the hell did you even find me?"

To her relief, Hook backed away, his eyes back into guardedness. "Life lesson number one, love: do not underestimate Captain Hook," he replied. "I found the Bounty Hunter before. I've done it once and I can do it again."

He tilted his head slightly, looking at her pensively. "Didn't think I'd forget you that easily, did you? You wound me, Swan. I thought you knew me better than that."

"But yes," he continued. "Quite hard to be called forgetful when you're a pirate holding a 300-year-old grudge. Besides, love," He leaned in closer, his voice lowering into a harsh, husky whisper as he traced his lips absentmindedly with his fingers.

"You've given me quite the memory to hold on to."

Involuntarily, Emma glanced at his lips and snapped her gaze away, cursing inwardly. "It was just a distraction, Hook. So I can chain you up and leave you," she said as coldly as she could.

Hook scoffed. "You're the bloody notorious Bounty Hunter, love. You could have done anything - anything - to 'distract' me, yet you chose a kiss."

"It was just a kiss."

"Was it, Emma? Was it?" He looked back at her, his hard gaze now clear with the anger and betrayal inside of him. "Because if it was just a kiss, then what if-" His eyes flickered down to her mouth as he leaned closer. "-what if I kiss you again?"

A long silence filled between them as he remained in that position, lips hovering centimeters from hers. Alarm bells rang throughout Emma's mind, telling her to move away or snap at him, but something in the way he looked at her tugged at her chest, rendering her completely frozen. But then suddenly, Hook moved in closer, his warm breath mingling with hers, and the briefest, subtlest touch brushed over her lips, sending shockwaves throughout Emma's body, and for a moment she almost allowed herself to shiver at the chaste, almost kiss.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he backed away, letting out a sigh. Emma silently thanked the heavens - she really didn't want to know what would have happened if he went all the way, and the fact that she knew that Hook was right - that she would've returned the gesture if he had - made her curse inwardly.

Frustrated, she let out a breath. "What do you want from me, Hook?"

He shrugged. "I missed your conversation, Swan."

"Get me out of these ropes and then we'll have something to talk about."

"Like I said, darling, rather fond." He wiggled his intact hand towards her to emphasize.

The lividness in her eyes only became more dangerous. "Untie me," she growled lowly. "Or I will."

Hook didn't reply, however, and just continued to watch her pensively, an unreadable expression in his eyes as he did.

"You have five seconds, Hook," Emma warned, moving her wrists to the side as she positioned herself. "One..."

Hook raised an eyebrow. "But you're much more pleasant like this-"

"Two..."

"-not to mention a sight for sore eyes since your bloody dagger isn't on my face blocking the view."

"Three..."

He frowned. "Are you really going to go through with this?"

"Tick tock, Captain Hook," Emma said, looking all the unimpressed. "Four…"

Hook let out a long sigh, running a frustrated hand through his hair before dropping it to his waist.

"...Five."

Emma freed her hands just in time, wriggling them pointedly at Hook before reaching into her sleeve where her dagger lay.

"Time's up."

On the other side of the stone wall sat a groggy huntsman and a disgruntled werewolf, fortunately tied together, now slowly gaining consciousness.

"Where... Where are we...?" Graham groaned, squinting his eyes as he tried to get a better look at his surroundings. Behind him, he could feel a warm body move against him in a struggle.

Ruby let out a frustrated sigh, having woken up the same time as him. "Crap, we're tied up," she muttered, frowning at the ropes around her ankles.

"Do you hear that?"

Although she couldn't see Graham, she followed his gaze, seeing the stream of light coming from the wall blocking their view; also hearing the voices and clanging of metal that were beyond it.

She furrowed her eyebrows in concentration. "It... sounds like swords and..." Ruby widened her eyes when she heard the bounty hunter's familiar frustrated yell. "Emma? But who is she fighting with?"

Graham and Ruby stayed quiet for a while, ears straining to listen for a clue on whoever Emma was fighting against.

"...Excellent show of form, Swan!"

They both frowned at the same time, having recognized the amused voice and the hearty laughter that soon followed it.

"Hook," Graham growled. He moved his head slightly to the side to whisper to Ruby. "Quick, can you transform?"

She knitted her eyebrows and focused her energy on transforming, but to her utmost shock, nothing happened.

Ruby tried again, then again and again, but the effort was futile - Hook must have done something to her. But she couldn't feel the scar on her eye that usually prevented a werewolf from transforming, so how on earth did Hook…?

And that was when she noticed it - the black cuffs wrapped around her wrists, ones that she knew drained magic from those who had it.

"The pirate was too clever," she scowled, glaring daggers at the stone wall.

Graham's face mirrored hers. "How about my pockets, then?" he suggested, moving his leg to the side so she may reach in.

Wrists still tied, Ruby rummaged through his trousers' pockets and after having found only emptiness, she shook her head. "Nothing."

"Witty bastard, isn't he?" Graham said with a deep frown. He peered around the dark cave, trying to look for a way to escape from the ropes, until he finally spotted it. "There! That rock. Here, you move this way and I'll do that..."

They both wriggled their way towards the sharp rock, feeling more and more anxious as Hook and Emma's battle cries grew louder. Jaw clenched, Graham glanced at the stream of light spilling from behind the stone wall, praying that they won't be too late. Don't worry, Emma. We'll have your back soon...

Swan was right - there really was a reason people called her notorious Bounty Hunter. She was ruthless, whipping her dagger at his face without even skipping a heartbeat as soon as she cut herself free from the ropes. There was not a single hesitation in her movements, proving that she was indeed serious when she said she'd "cut him off" the next time she saw him, but in all honesty, Hook expected no less from her. In fact, she actually exceeded his expectations, if that were even possible. And he was right - the fire in those jade eyes set off an entirely new kind of wild look on her as she slashed and kicked and swung, and despite the fact Emma was definitely fighting to kill, Hook couldn't help but feel an ounce of pride for such a worthy opponent.

"Your spiked bracelet came in handy after all, Hook," Emma said conversationally, though her green eyes were ablaze with vindictive energy. "Huh, I should probably thank you for that."

Dodging another one of her attacks, Hook glanced at Emma's right hand, where the bracelet he had given her gleamed from her wrist.

"You've got a unique way of expressing gratitude," he observed.

She gave him a sarcastic smile. "I have my manners."

"Oh really? If I recall," he scraped his cutlass against hers, sliding it upwards so he may lean in to smirk at her. "Gratitude was in a different kind of order when those baboons stabbed me."

For a moment, her eyebrows knitted in confusion, until he saw the realization dawn on her. He could see the hint of panic and anger slowly rise into her irises, and he knew that she was remembering it, too: how the baboons almost killed him when he saved her; how she barely kissed him as a 'thank you', having bonded and connected deeply with him on a whole new level for the first time…

"Just a kiss, my bloody arse."

He slid the cutlass all the way then pushed himself back, knowing all too well the furious reaction he had elicited from her. He readied himself as Emma's eyes widened in outrage, charging towards him with her sword ready to strike.

"What-" she aimed for his stomach. "-do you-" then a swing at his head, "-want-" then one more towards his chest,"-from me-"

She ducked down and attempted to jab the cutlass into his body, causing him to spin to the side so that he was now right behind her, his back against hers.

"Forgiveness," he growled back. Without turning, he linked his arms through hers, trapping her so that they remained glued back-to-back. "Just listen to me, Swan-"

"I don't need to listen to you!" Emma yelled. "I heard everything I needed to know!"

With all her strength, Emma kicked the back of his leg, causing him to groan and loosen his hold on her. Twisting, she freed herself from him, spinning around as she flung her sword through the air, aiming for him. She was as quick as lightning, much too quick, but the 300 years spent living was not in vain for Captain Hook - he managed block her strikes with his hook and cutlass, jumping and rolling to the side when she charged after him; meeting her halfway when Emma clashed her weapon against his.

"We can't keep fighting like this forever, Swan!"

"That's right," she breathed heavily. "Because I'm going to end this once and for all."

She lifted her sword and he mimicked the movement, causing them to clash metal once again. "Is that how you want it, then?" Hook asked through gritted teeth. "Fine. No more playing nice. You want swordplay? I'll give it to you - but with a deal first. If you win, I'll leave. I'll bugger off and you'll never have to see me again."

Emma gripped her sword tightly. "And if you win?"

"And when I win," he corrected her. "You'll have to listen to what I say. And whether or not you choose to be agreeable, I'm tagging along your adventure for the Black Fairy. Whether you like it or not."

To his surprise, Emma let out a dark, humorless laugh, and while the sound of her laughter usually brought mirth to him, Hook couldn't imagine a sadder sound.

"Always the pirate making risky bets," she finally said, narrowing her eyes once again. "Deal."

"Still going at it?"

Ruby stopped moving against Graham and strained her ears, subsequently hearing the distant clanking of metal and grunts. "...Yep," she replied, then went back to working on cutting their ropes against the sharp rock behind them.

"Almost done?" Graham asked, a fruitless question as he could still feel her moving against him. He felt her shake her head and silence ensued once again.

"I'm sorry, Ruby."

Ruby raised her eyebrows questioningly at Graham's sigh. "For what?"

"For... earlier," he replied sheepishly. "That wasn't how I intended for you to find out how I..." He dragged out another long sigh, unsure why on earth he was even saying this, of all times. "How I feel for...you."

To his utmost horror, Ruby started laughing, causing him to blush furiously. "No worries, Graham. I guess it was kind of obvious, anyway," she said cheerfully. "Though embarrassing, still obvious. We were smitten from the start!" She chuckled some more as she continued scraping their ropes against the sharp rock, and Graham felt his tension slowly disappear at the sound.

"Emma's a real piece of work, isn't she?" Ruby suddenly asked after her giggling died away.

"Aye," he agreed. "Bloody stubborn too, if you ask me."

"You think they realize it yet?"

"Who?"

"Hook and Emma. How they feel for each other."

They remained silent for a moment, listening to the distant arguing voices from the other side of the wall.

"They're both bloody pains in the arses," Graham finally decided. "It'll take cold steel to break their irritating walls apart."

Another pause followed as they sat still, the only sounds being their breathing and another frustrated outburst from Emma.

"Who do you think will break first?"

Confused, Graham turned his head slightly to face Ruby, who was looking at the wall thoughtfully. "The fight or their walls?"

"Both."

"Hmm..." Graham thought for a moment. "I say Emma will win this fight and Hook will admit his feelings first."

"My money's on Hook - for both," Ruby said, a sly grin spreading across her face.

He raised an eyebrow, his grin matching hers. "Is that a bet, Miss Red? Because if it is, I'll gladly take you up on this deal."

She didn't reply right away but instead slowly turned to look at him, her eyes never leaving his as she reached over and cut what was left of their ropes. Graham watched as she smiled softly, slipping the black cuffs and ropes from her wrists and then his, but despite the soothing feeling of being freed from the burns of the rope, it was nothing compared to what his chest was feeling at what was to happen next. Ruby gradually leaned towards him, her eyelids fluttering closed as she slowly nodded in agreement to his question, and then before he could even process what on earth she was doing, he felt her murmur her reply; the warm press of soft lips against his own.

"...Sealed with a kiss."

The Bounty Hunter fought many, that was for sure, and during times of battle it was only necessary that she either remained cool and composed or ablaze with energy. Just the right demeanor to set her enemies straight and keep her on top of the game. Tough. Unflinching. Untouchable. Unmovable.

'Do not lose your cool, Emma,' Graham would constantly tell her.

She had a great track record with swordplay - save for the ridiculous ambushes she'd been experiencing lately - so if she were to lose her cool, she would find a way to get back on track. Because her enemies were usually easy to read and predict, and therefore facile to eventually defeat.

But this was Captain Killian 'Hook' Jones. And he was not an ordinary opponent. He was charming and slick and clever, proving that his talents did not limit to searing blue-eyed gazes and eloquent speech and rugged good looks, but that his talents stretched to swordplay as well. Yes, Hook was no ordinary opponent. He was a pirate, a scoundrel, a distraction, a dangerous man with a hook of steel strong enough to break her walls; to break her hear-

'Do not lose your cool, Emma.'

She gritted her teeth. That's it - anger was easy. It fueled her and sent her blood rushing through her veins and to her head, ridding herself of any unwelcome thoughts that lingered at the back of her mind. So when she saw Hook after many days of separation, the routine of flying up the walls and resorting to the tough, angry exterior was enough to deal with the mess that resulted in her mind and in her chest. But the more she spoke with him, the more it seemed that the fury and frustration wasn't enough to stomp out what she was really feeling inside: the gnawing, the throbbing, the twisting and turning in her stomach that could have only resulted from betrayal -

'I said, do not lose your cool, Emma.'

She steadied herself. Ignored the growing ache. Focused back on the sparring. When the hell did he get so quick? she wondered in disbelief, watching his sword swooshed in and around her own as they fenced together. And how the hell is he so good? But then she briefly recalled how he danced around her attacks earlier, only moving his sword to block or taunt her with his irritating 'Excellent form, Swan' before switching his mood to 'No more playing nice' -

Bastard. He'd been throwing off his game on purpose this whole time.

"What is the Bounty Hunter's weakness?" Hook wondered aloud when she blocked him thrice in a row.

Leather, she thought involuntarily, and although she cursed herself, it wasn't enough to stop. Rum.

"What's Captain Hook's?" she shot back, if only to regain composure.

Hook paused for a fraction of a second, his eyes locked onto hers, and he responded, "You."

He said it with such seriousness; with such honesty that Emma gritted her teeth, trying to drive away the effect of the look he was now giving her. If there was an ache, it throbbed stronger now than before, and so to rid herself of the feeling, she dug her boot hard into the ground, positioning herself for one good strike at the pirate captain.

But to her utmost horror, she underestimated how deep she dug her boot into the ground. She momentarily lost balance as she moved swiftly towards him, something that Hook took to his advantage. He ducked her swinging arm and pushed her off her feet, sending her body slamming hard onto the ground.

Breathing heavily, Emma attempted to crawl back up but Hook wasn't having any of that. Not missing a beat, he grabbed her foot and dragged her towards him, and in response Emma kicked as hard as she could at his arm. But this only resulted in Hook tripping over her, consequently sending his body slamming on hers, and before she could decide what to do next, Hook was suddenly straddling her.

"Normally, I'd revel in this kind of compromising position, but seeing as you're not in the mood..."

She glared at him. "Does that tongue of yours ever run out of innuendos?"

"I'm not sure. Want a taste to check?"

With one last glare, she bucked her hips upwards in an attempt to push him off but - worse idea ever. The pirate was straddling her in a very compromising position indeed, as his own hips aligned with hers, and god, why did she have to do that - she could definitely feel the colour rising to her cheeks.

Her sudden movement seemed to have an effect on Hook as well, as he stiffened and looked down to where their bodies joined, then back to her. He raised an eyebrow. "Excited with these turn of events, Swan?"

A mixture of fury and embarrassment, Emma used her free hand to grope at her side, until she finally clutched at a rock. She swung the stone towards his head in an attempt to knock him out but Hook was too quick - he ducked and threw his sword away, pinning Emma by the wrists to the ground on either side of her head with one hand.

"Infamous Captain Hook," he stated with a triumphant smirk.

She deadpanned. "Too bad I haven't heard of him before."

She wriggled against him, struggling to escape, but he only held on to her wrists tighter. To Hook's exasperation, this only made her more adamant to move, so he tightened his hold, causing her to grunt in pain.

"Will you hear me out now, Swan?" he said irritatedly when she finally stopped moving.

She glared at him. "What more is there to say? You were planning to hand me over to Cora - done."

"-were planning-" he began to emphasize.

"Still planning to do so." She cut him off. "How do I know you've actually changed? 300 years of vengeance and the one chance to actually kill the Dark One - don't tell me you'd actually throw that all away."

"If I wanted to hand you over to Cora, love, you'd be in her hands right now and not having this conversation with me," he pointed out. "And who said that was my one chance? You're my best chance, remember? We can get the Dark One - together. I've seen your skill, your wit-"

"What makes you think I'd help you?" Emma paused at the pointed look on his face, and shook her head, recalling how she technically did say she'd help him when they first met. "Okay, even if I did, what if we can't get it? And you realize that you can't get the Dagger without handing me over? You'll slip up and hand me over, Jones! I know you-"

She stopped abruptly, closing her mouth shut. A charged silence filled the little space between them as they looked at each other, tight-lipped and tense, realizing the meaning behind her words. I know you. We understand each other. One in the same.

"This isn't what this is all about, Emma, isn't it?" Hook said quietly. "You saw the truth in my eyes - you knew I wasn't lying. You know now that I'm still not lying. So what is it? What is this all about?"

Another pause filled between then, until Emma finally took a deep breath and looked away.

"...I trusted you."

Her eyes remained trained on the cave wall, refusing to meet his. There was no turning back now - she finally said it aloud. The ache in her chest tightened at the admittance, and it didn't help that she could feel Hook crumble in understanding; his knowing gaze burning holes through her. And when he touched her cheek gently, turning her to face him, she didn't resist. She was resigned. Her body couldn't even if her mind told her to.

"I'm not going anywhere, Swan. I've pledged my loyalty to you for quite some time now. You have my word, so trust me. Again."

He said it quietly, a sad, longing look in his eyes so unlike the mischievous, guarded pirate she was used to. But just when she thought it, the boyish glint was back in his eyes, a slow smirk spreading across his lips.

"And that deal you made with Lilith- with Tamara? Bloody suicide mission, Swan. I'm not letting you carry this out on your own."

He winked at her and glanced below him with a mischievous smirk, bringing to her attention their 'compromising position'. She rolled her eyes despite herself - of course the pirate would be enjoying this. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she looked up at him, and finally, finally - she let go and smiled.

Hook's face changed immediately at the sudden change of her own expression, and the mischief in his eyes vanished, replaced by something softer, darker, stronger. The intensity of it scared her, but still she remained unmoving when he caressed her cheek gently, slowly leaning down, his eyes closing the same time as hers -

A loud yelp interrupted them, causing them to abruptly stop and whip their heads towards the source of the sound. To their surprise, Graham and Ruby had appeared from behind the wall and were now gaping at the sight of them, eyes wide in shock at their very, very compromising position.

"Well, guess Emma didn't need help after all!" Ruby squeaked, tugging Graham by the elbow, whose jaw dropped to the floor at the sight of Emma and Hook's intimate position. He spluttered as his eyes darted from Hook's straddling position to Emma's lying one, seemingly at a loss for words.

"I guess it's a tie, Graham - we both won the bet," Ruby whispered as she forced him to turn, glancing back at them.

Furiously blushing, Emma violently shoved Hook off of her, causing him to let out a strained yelp as he crashed ungracefully to the floor.

"Okay, no - this is not what it seems like-"

"Lady Red. Humbert," Hook acknowledged with a small bow as he managed to stand up, glaring at Emma at the corner of his eye as he brushed dirt off of him. But the sight of her red cheeks quickly removed the glare in his eyes, only to be replaced by a slow, triumphant smirk.

Hook's voice and smug face seemed to have snapped Graham out of his spluttering trance as he narrowed his eyes at the pirate. Without a word, he strode towards Hook and swung a good fist across his face.

"What in the bloody hell was that for?!" Hook roared.

"For Emma," Graham declared.

A low growl left Hook's throat as he rubbed his cheek, glaring at the huntsman. "Valiant bloke, isn't he?"

Graham lifted his chin defiantly. "Exactly, so even attempt to hurt Emma again and next time I won't think twice about slitting your throat, you- you..." He spat on the floor. "Pirate."

Hook scoffed. "Protective and creative, too. 'You pirate'-ooh, frightening." He took a step towards Graham, eyes never leaving his. "Tell the armada to retreat, Swan, I'm getting shivers."

Graham glared at him."You think you're so cool and confident, aren't you? Swaggering about while you take advantage of innocent people without even an ounce of remorse-"

"You don't know the half of it, huntsman-"

"I don't need to know the whole story to know that you're just a lying, betraying bastard-"

"Keep barking at me, Graham, perhaps you'll turn into a mutt, too -"

Indeed, Hook's last words were the breaking point as Graham lunged towards him, fist flying in the air. But before any further sparring could occur, Emma jumped in between them hurriedly, stopping them.

"Stop it- I said stop it!" She glared at the both of them before looking around carefully. "Do you guys hear that?"

All of them stood still in their spot, listening to the sudden sound that echoed in the cave; tensing when the voice became louder and louder and louder.

"Anger, anger, in the air; I wonder whose voices are over there!"

Hook's entire body stiffened at the sound of the familiar singing voice. He would recognize that taunting sound from anywhere, as it haunted him in his nightmares and fueled his hatred every waking and sleeping moment. Ice blood rushed through his veins as his hands clenched tightly into fists. There was only one person who had that aura; who elicited that reaction from him...

A giggle was heard to their right and they whipped their heads towards it simultaneously, and by the shape of the shadow, Hook's suspicion was confirmed.

"Hello, dearies."

A/N: WAHHH so much fun writing this chapter! Hook & Emma banter is back, plus got some of that protective!Graham & jealous!Hook glimpses... But the fun isn't over yet, though. Hehehe :)

Next chapter - Rumple time, dearies. He's such a fun character to write as well. & an interesting... thing happens hinting heavily to CS as well. Let's see if you can catch it.