Chapter 37
Disclaimers: I don't own Once Upon a Time. Also, this is a sequel to the original "Thicker than Water" written by La Lisboa.
I'd like to thank Lisboa for betaing and letting me use her story as a starting point, especially with writing Hook/Killian accurately.
Henry boarded the Greyhound bus excitedly. They were finally going on their family vacation! "Do you know the last time I was on a Greyhound bus, I was going to Boston to meet you?" he asked his mother as they all sat down.
Mom thought about that for a moment. "Yeah. I guess you're right. Things sure have changed since then, haven't they?"
Henry thought about all the changes that happened in the last three years. Emma had become his Mom, instead of just his birth mom. The Curse had been broken, so now he had grandparents as well. Some outsiders decided to blow up Storybrooke, so he had to leave the only home he'd ever known. Even worse than that, his Moms had to stay behind to slow down the device while everyone else escaped. As a result, his adoptive Mom died. Then, since Emma didn't have legal custody of him, he was shipped off to a foster home, full of people who didn't care about him. But now he was staying with his family for good. That's what Henry should focus on. That's what they were celebrating today. "Yeah, they've changed. But a lot of the changes are for the better," he told his mother. He smiled at her and at his grandparents, hoping they got his meaning.
"We think so, too," his grandparents agreed, smiling at Henry as well.
"Yeah. Me too," Mom added.
"So, Henry, how did you get to Boston, anyway? I don't remember you telling us before." Grandma commented.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good story to past the time," Grandpa agreed.
Mom nodded. "And it's one of the few stories we could tell in mixed company," she added, referring to all of the other passengers on the bus. Yeah. They couldn't talk about their fairytale past on this bus. But a kid meeting his birth mom wouldn't be so weird.
"Okay," Henry agreed. "So I found this website, ' that was supposed to find birth moms for adopted kids. But it cost $250. And there was no way I could ask my other Mom for that kind of money. And she'd never let me find my birth mom, anyway. So I…" Henry paused for a minute. He'd forgotten about this part. How would Grandma feel about him stealing her credit card?
"I took your credit card after school one day," he explained finally, looking at Grandma. "Without –
asking – first," he added in a rush.
But Grandma just laughed. "Figures," she replied.
"It runs in the family, Henry," Grandpa added, smiling at Grandma with loving eyes.
Henry smiled, too. "Yeah, I suppose so," he agreed. "So I used the credit card to find out that Emma was in Boston," he continued. "And I thought that was great, because it was possible to get there in a day, if I did it right. The next day I made Regina think I got on the school bus, but actually I took off at the last minute. I ran home and changed my clothes and picked up my bicycle and my fairytale book. And I rode as fast as I could to the next Greyhound terminal. I made it just in time. So I bought a ticket to Boston with Grandma's credit card. I spent most of the trip reading the stories in there."
They all nodded, looking at him with admiration. Seriously, all he did was find his Mom. It was a contribution to Operation Cobra, sure, and Henry was proud of that. But it's not like he killed a dragon or reclaimed a kingdom from an evil queen. And he certainly didn't go out of his way to help people even though no one had ever loved him as a child like Emma did. His family were the heroes, not him.
"Well?" Grandpa prompted. "What happened when you got to Boston?"
Henry shrugged. "I used the credit card to hire a taxi to the apartment that I knew was Emma's. Then I knocked on her door and said, 'Are you Emma Swan? I'm your son.'"
" – Are you Emma Swan? I'm your son," Mom said at the exact same time. "I'll never forget that moment, Kid."
"Those memories are impossible to forget," Grandma and Grandpa agreed nodding as they looked over at Emma and Henry. They were probably remembering the moments when Henry and Emma had introduced themselves as their daughter and grandson, respectively.
"Then you manipulated me into coming back to Storybrooke with you," Mom continued.
"Yeah," Henry agreed, uncertainly. He supposed he did manipulate her. At the time he thought it was necessary for Operation Cobra, but now…a child shouldn't manipulate his mother, should he? "I'm sorry about that."
But Mom just shrugged. "No big deal, Henry. I have to admit, I probably wouldn't come back with you if you had done it differently. And I'm really, really glad I did." She looked at him and at Grandma and Grandpa as she said it.
Henry smiled. "Okay."
The bus trip was pretty long, so Henry eventually took out his game boy while Mom looked out the window and Grandma and Grandpa talked among themselves.
OOOOOOOOOO
A little over two hours later, they finally arrived in Old Orchard Beach. They quickly brought their things to the motel and changed into their bathing suits, since everyone agreed a trip to the beach was the first thing they wanted to do.
Grandpa had an…interesting reaction to Mom's bathing suit. "Emma, what are you wearing?" He shook his head as he looked at the bikini. "You can't go out in that! Why don't you put this on?" He tossed a shirt and a pair of shorts at her.
Mom sighed and looked at Grandpa. "Look, I get that I'm still you're little girl in your eyes, but the reality is I'm thirty years – old, and you can't tell me what to wear," she told him firmly.
Grandpa looked her in the eyes, determined. "That just isn't appropriate, Emma."
Mom shook her head. "It's perfectly appropriate to wear in this world, David. What happened to the man who would support what I want?"
Henry didn't really know what Mom was referring to, but apparently Grandpa did, because he no longer looked so determined. "But Emma…" he sighed.
Grandma came into the room dressed in a sparkling one – piece bathing suit that Grandpa seemed to like. She put her arm on his. "Look David, I can't say I'm completely comfortable with Emma's bathing suit. But the truth is, it covers more than some of the suits they had available. And Emma is an adult, as hard as it is for us to admit sometimes."
Grandpa pouted for a minute. "How about this? You wear that," he pointed to the shirt and shorts he'd pulled out of Mom's bag before.
Mom looked at Grandpa angrily. "David! Didn't we just get through this? I can wear what I want!" she exclaimed.
But Grandpa held up his hand. "Let me finish," he told her calmly. Surprisingly, Mom did calm down. "Okay, so you wear that to the beach, and then you can take it off. And it will be there to put back on…just in case."
Mom sighed and nodded. "Alright." So she put on the blue shirt and the tan shorts, and they all left the motel. They quickly stopped at a deli and picked up sandwiches for lunch.
As soon as they arrived at the beach, Mom took off the extra clothes and began rubbing suntan lotion on herself.
Grandpa shook his head at her for a couple of minutes. Then Grandma came up behind him and dragged him down to the water, laughing. They both shrieked as the water touched their skin. Henry wasn't surprised. Having grown up on the coast of Maine, he knew how cold the ocean water was. Still, Grandpa and Grandma looked to be having fun. And Mom was relaxing on a beach towel, probably trying to get a tan. So Henry began looking for shells. After all, it was something you could only do on a beach.
OOOOOOOO
An hour later, Henry found several interesting sea shells. Flat shells, snail shells, and other curved shells. Green shells, brown shells, orange shells, and blue shells. There were even white shells that were spotted with pink. He put them all in the bag next to their beach towel. "Are you hungry, Henry?" Mom asked as she noticed him poking around in the bag.
Henry shrugged. "I was just putting some sea shells I found in the bag.
Mom nodded, looking in the bag herself. "Looks like you picked some good ones. I still think you should eat your sandwich now, though, Henry." She pulled out the ham – and – cheese sandwich he'd picked out.
Henry picked it up. "Okay, but are you going to eat yours, too?" He held up Mom's ham – and – cheese sandwich.
Mom shrugged. "Sure," she replied, picking hers up and taking a bite.
After a few minutes of eating, Grandma and Grandpa came back, wet and laughing. "That was fun, Charming. Too bad we don't have an ocean where we live anymore."
Grandpa smiled at Grandma. "Yeah, although that water was a lot colder than it was in the Enchanted Forest."
Grandma picked up her sandwich. "A little bite in the water adds to the fun."
Grandpa chuckled. "For you, maybe."
After they'd finished their lunches, Henry looked at the rest of his family. "Do you think we could build a sandcastle, now?" He'd really been looking forward to that.
"Of course," they all agreed at the same time.
"Can we make it look like your old one? I mean the one you guys lived in?" Henry asked his grandparents, excitedly. That would be so cool.
Grandpa and Grandma shrugged. "From what we remember, anyway," Grandma added.
"It had two big towers over here," Grandpa began as he shaped the sand.
"And walls surrounding it?" Henry asked as he began building a wall.
"Of course," Grandma replied.
"And some little towers on the other side, Emma if you want to work on those," Grandpa added as he and Grandma shaped the big towers."
"Sure," Mom replied.
"And the drawbridge was right there," Grandma pointed at a spot in the center of Henry's wall. "Or was it here?" She pointed to another spot. "Here, maybe?"
"I think it was there," Grandpa pointed at the first spot Grandma had guessed.
Mom tried to help him shape an arch for the drawbridge, although it ended up kind of lopsided. Still, when they were finished, it looked pretty good. "So this is what the castle would have looked like?" he asked Grandpa and Grandma. "Only bigger, of course."
They both nodded, staring at it.
Mom looked at it too, probably trying to imagine what it would be like to grow up there.
Henry looked at it too, imagining what it would be like, living there if they'd gone back to the Enchanted Forest, after all. Which room would have been his? Would Grandpa and Grandma let him run all over the castle?
They were all lost in thought for a few minutes when a strange – looking ship sailed into the harbor. Henry had the nagging feeling he'd seen it before, but he couldn't figure out where. Mom seemed to recognize it a little more, though. She kept muttering. "I can't believe it. I really thought he'd like to try something other than piracy! Why should I have put me faith in…"
Henry thought about asking if Mom wanted to leave. After all, the ship seemed to be upsetting her. But…Henry still wanted to figure out why it looked familiar to him. So he continued to study it. Mom seemed to think it was a pirate ship…
Just as the ship finally docked, Henry figured it out. That was the Jolly Roger! The ship they used to sail from New York back to Storybrooke after Grandpa Rumple got poisoned. Which meant…that was the guy who tried to kill Grandpa Rumple! Captain Hook!
Captain Hook climbed off his ship with a smug look on his face. Henry wished he could wipe that look right off his face. "Hello, Swan," Captain Hook greeted Mom as he swaggered over. "Fancy a ride on my ship?"
Mom put her hands on her hips. "What makes you think I'd want to?" she replied. "I told you I could help you leave piracy…" Wait, what was Mom talking about? "And now here you are, as proud as ever to be the same pirate you always were. I don't know why I bothered! Goodbye! Get back on your ship!"
Yeah, you tell him, Mom, Henry thought to himself. "You tried to kill Grandpa Rumple!" he screamed at the pirate.
Grandpa walked up to the man, blocking his way to Henry and Mom, looking pretty intimidating. "I think you should leave," he told him firmly. "My family doesn't seem to want you here."
Captain Hook's smile faded. "Let's clear some things up, love." He walked over to Mom, apparently so he could look right at her. Grandma came up on the other side and grabbed Mom's hand, obviously trying to give her some support against this creep. "I'm still sailing my ship, Swan, but I'm not a pirate anymore. I got a job at a tavern in town, selling drinks. I just use the ship as place to sleep and something to do during the day. I haven't stolen anything since you gave me the green card."
Mom's mouth dropped open at that. Henry was pretty surprised at that himself. Mom gave Captain Hook a green card? How? And why? And what did the guy mean, he wasn't a pirate anymore? He tried to kill Grandpa Rumple! Speaking of that, Captain Hook turned to Henry. "And, yes, Henry, I did try to kill your grandfather. Some may say I succeeded when Storybrooke was destroyed, since the blast killed him. And I regret it. I found out revenge…it isn't worth it. So I'm trying to reform. So, I'll still leave if you want me to, but I'd rather take you for a ride. Nice outfit, by the way," he added, noticing Mom's bikini.
Mom sighed and pulled out the clothes Grandpa had made her pack. It seemed she was pretty glad Grandpa had brought the extra clothes, after all. "Okay," she agreed to Captain Hook. "But only if the rest of my family comes, too. This is supposed to be a family vacation."
Grandpa sighed as he looked from Mom to Captain Hook, but he looked enormously relieved that she'd put the extra clothes on and offered the rest of the family to come on the ship as well.
Henry wasn't too happy to be boarding a ship with a man that had once tried to kill one of his grandfathers. It felt disloyal. Still, the man claimed he was trying to reform. Besides, the rest of his family was going, and he didn't want to be left out. And sailing on a ship off the coast of Maine for the fun of it…Henry had to admit, he'd never done that before. It could be a great adventure.
"Henry, mate would you like to be the look – out?" Captain Hook asked, handing him a spyglass. "It's an important job, and you'll be able to see everything before everything else."
Henry looked at Captain Hook suspiciously. What was this guy's game? Was he trying to bribe him into forgiving him? Or was he trying to use him to get to his Mom? Hook seemed to be looking at Mom…strangely even after she put normal clothes on. Still, being look out – out did sound like fun. Important. Besides, maybe Henry should give him the benefit of the doubt. Hook claimed he was trying to reform, after all. Like Regina. He remembered how important it was to him that his other mom change her ways. And she did, in the end. Which meant others could, too. He picked up the spyglass slowly. "Okay," he replied finally. He still gave Captain Hook a Look, though. Don't pull anything on me, the look said.
"Make sure you tell me everything you see, okay? Go stand right there, at the front of the ship." Henry nodded. The others wandered around the ship, admiring it.
Then Captain Hook began steering the ship out to the ocean. "All set, Henry?"
"Sure," Henry replied. He didn't see anything except waves. There was nothing in their way. It looked…cool, Henry had to admit.
"Swan, care to join me?" Captain Hook asked his mom. He sounded weird again. He was using the same voice he'd used when he'd originally seen Mom, not the clean, honest voice he used when he apologized for his mistakes. The man was definitely up to something.
Grandpa obviously noticed it as well. "What are trying to do with my daughter?" he asked, sounding pretty intimidating again.
Mom paused for a minute. Then she replied. "I like the view from here, thank you."
Captain Hook seemed pretty happy about that, for some reason. "I'm glad to hear that," he told her.
What did he mean by that? Henry wondered. Didn't he just want Mom to stand next to him? Trying to figure this guy out was harder than Henry had expected, with his back turned. Was that Hook's plan? Was that why he wanted Henry to be look – out? "Mom, why don't you be look – out with me?" Henry asked his mother.
"Okay," his mother agreed, standing next to him. There. Now Captain Hook wouldn't be able to play any games with his mom.
OOOOOOOOO
They sailed all afternoon, and Henry had to admit, it was wonderful. A much better adventure than if they'd just stayed on the beach. The wind in his face on the ocean felt great on such a nice day. And Henry felt important, being look – out and protecting his mother from the man's games at the same time.
Just before dinner, they finally docked the ship. "I have a proposition for you," Captain Hook said to Grandpa. "I've heard you were good with a sword in your day."
Grandpa nodded. "Yes, that's right." He stood a little bit taller as he said that, sounding proud. Henry was glad. Grandpa should be proud of his sword – fighting skills.
"Well, I have a couple of swords below deck. Fancy a go? For fun of course?" Captain Hook grinned smugly again. Henry couldn't wait for Grandpa to beat him and wipe that grin right off his face.
"Okay," Grandpa agreed, sounding smug as well.
Captain Hook retrieved the swords and the two men faced off. And they fought. And fought. And fought. Every time it looked like Grandpa had Hook right where they wanted him, Hook surprised them. Of course, from the look on Hook's face, Grandpa surprised Hook just as much.
And they fought on. As much fun as it was to watch, Henry was becoming hungry. "Can we eat soon, Mom?" Henry asked.
Mom sighed. "How about we call it a draw? Henry's getting hungry, and so am I."
Grandpa and Hook sighed. "Alright," Grandpa grumbled.
Hook looked at the ground. "I've never lost a fight before in my life, but I suppose a draw isn't really losing…"
"No," Mom agreed, sounding impressed. "It isn't." Henry had to admit he was pretty impressed himself, despite the fact he was still suspicious of Captain Hook. He was just as good as sword – fighting as Grandpa!
"Then let's get dinner," Grandma said a few minutes later. She and Grandpa had apparently been exchanging kisses after fight was over.
"Sure," everyone else agreed.
"How about you come back later tonight, Swan?" Captain Hook suggested. "I can show you where I work. It's my night off from bar tendering, so I could spend all my time focused on you." Henry didn't like the sound of that. There was no way he could protect his mother from the man's games.
"How about we come, too?" Grandpa asked firmly, referring to himself and Grandma. Henry nodded. That sounded better.
"Sure," Captain Hook replied.
XXXXXXXXX
Emma had no idea how sexy sword – fighting could be until she watched Hook do it. The way his arms moved, the way his legs spun around as he faced her father, and the determination on his face was all extremely exciting and attractive. In fact, if Henry hadn't insisted he was hungry, Emma would have been happy to watch Hook and David fight for even longer. This was also one of the only times in recent memory where Emma didn't blame her mother for kissing her father like that when they finished.
Of course, Emma had no intention of kissing Hook, no matter how attractive he was. After all, they were only here for the weekend. There was no point in starting something they couldn't finish. Emma had decided not to do one – night stands anymore. But she could enjoy his company (and his good looks) while they were here.
Emma was really looking forward to going to the "tavern" (or club as she realized it actually was) with Killian tonight. She was very proud that he'd found an honest job, after all and she loved that he was eager to show her where he worked. Besides, it had been a long time since she'd been to a club. She couldn't stop grinning all the way through dinner, actually.
David had a different opinion about where they were going tonight, though. "Is this really a good idea?" he asked as they walked from the restaurant back to the motel. "Going to a tavern, I mean? I know already agreed, but…from my experience those places aren't a good place for proper women." He looked at Emma and Mary Margaret as he said this.
Mary Margaret shrugged. "It something that Emma seems pretty excited about, David. I think we'll be okay as long as we're all together."
"But…" David protested.
Emma turned and faced him directly. "First of all, I realize I'm your daughter, but I don't think I'm a 'proper woman.' I'm a police officer, I used to be a bounty hunter, and before that, I was a thief. I'll be fine in the club, thank you very much."
David shook his head. "No…Emma that's not what I meant. I'm proud of you for doing those things; you know that." Emma sighed in relief. She had thought she was over those insecurities, but apparently certain words would always trigger that worry that her parents didn't like her or what she did with her life. "And your mother wasn't a 'proper woman' in the Enchanted Forest by that definition, either." He paused and smiled at Mary Margaret. Emma nodded. Sometimes she forgot about her mother's bandit past.
"Back in our world, the women who frequented taverns…were…harlots, for lack of a better word, Emma," Mary Margaret explained. "That's what he meant when he said it wasn't a place for 'proper women.' I'm assuming that isn't the case here?"
"Oh," Emma replied, finally understanding. "No, plenty of normal women go to clubs to for a date or to relax with friends."
"Okay, I guess we can go then," David sighed, like he still wanted a reason not to go. Emma wondered if that was because of Hook. She'd have to reassure him there was nothing between her and the former pirate. How could there be? They were leaving tomorrow night!
Henry looked at all three adults for a minute. Then he asked, "What's a harlot?"
OOOOOOOOOOO
After, trying to explain what harlot was to Henry for several minutes, they arrived at the motel and told Henry to get into his bed. "It's late, Henry. I know we're on vacation, but still, you need to sleep," Emma told him.
"But Mom!" Henry protested.
Emma shook her head and pointed to the room they'd given him for the weekend. "But nothing," she told him firmly.
Henry grumbled again but disappeared into the room.
Should she change her clothes? Emma wondered. She was wearing the shorts and shirt that David had picked out for her earlier. The shorts were white and the shirt was a pale blue. They were nice enough…but maybe she should wear something a little different before she saw Hook again? After all, he'd already seen this outfit today…Then Emma shook her head firmly. No. She may be looking forward to seeing him again, but this wasn't a date! She didn't need to dress to please him!
OOOOOOOOOO
Emma, David and Mary Margaret all met Hook at the door of the club. "These guys are my friends," he told the bartender. "Treat them well, please." Emma was surprised that he'd called her parents "friends," as well. Certainly Emma and Hook were probably "friends," but Hook and her parents? Of course, her parents didn't remember what had happened with him in Storybrooke last year, but he certainly did. Still, it was probably easier than explaining that Emma's parents were…what? To Hook.
"Sure thing, Killian," the bartender replied, cheerfully. It seemed he had friends here, at least. Emma was happy to see he was doing well. "What'll it be?" he asked Emma.
"Is the rum and coke good here?"
"Of course," the bartender replied, pouring her the drink.
"What about you two?" he asked David and Mary Margaret.
David shrugged. "Do you have Meade?" he asked. Emma assumed that was something they sold in a tavern in the Enchanted Forest.
The bartender gave him a strange look.
"How about two white wines?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Coming up," he replied.
"So what do you think of my new work place?" Hook asked.
Emma looked around. It looked like a pretty nice club. Plenty of chairs, which meant a lot of people came here. A spot for dancing, too. Even space for a live band. "I think it's a good place for you," she replied, nodding. He looks pretty good here, too, Emma admitted. She was proud he'd given up piracy for working, but she had to admit, the pirate dress looked good on him. The leather jacket, the earring, and even the hook made him look pretty sexy, especially with the club's lighting.
Hook smiled as he noticed she'd been looking at her. "You checking me out, Swan?" he asked, leaning into her.
And he had an enormous ego! "Of course not!" she replied, picking up her drink and pushing him away from her.
David had been sitting at one of the tables drinking with Mary Margaret. But as soon as he saw Emma push Hook away, he marched right up to him. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked, squaring his shoulders and feet, like he always did when he was trying to intimate someone. "Don't do anything to Emma, do you hear me? I'm trying to give you the benefit of doubt, even though Henry had some pretty negative things to say about you, because you've been nothing but nice to us. But if you bother Emma again…"
" – you'll have both of us to deal with," Mary Margaret finished, appearing beside David, looking just as intimating.
Hook nodded. "I bloody understand, alright," he snapped, obviously offended.
Emma sipped her rum and coke for another few minutes, looking at Hook out of the corner of her eye. What was she going to do about with him tonight?
Suddenly, a blonde with shoulder – length hair and a green mini skirt ran up to Hook. "Hi, Killian! Good to see you again! I'm glad you're not bar tending tonight!" Who was that girl? Emma wondered. How well did she know Hook? What did he think of her? Did he think she was pretty? Maybe Emma should have changed her clothes, after all. Suddenly her white shorts seemed so ordinary.
Hook smiled at the woman. (Emma didn't like that he was smiling at her. At all.) "Hi, Kristen," said to her. He glanced over at Emma, probably to see if Emma was watching them. Emma immediately turned away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.
"The band isn't here yet," Kristen said to Hook. "Could you play the guitar again for me?"
Emma almost spit out her drink at that comment. First of all, since when did Captain Hook play guitar? How much didn't she know about that man? Second of all, he'd apparently played for this "Kristen" before. They were even closer than she'd thought.
Hook thought about that for a minute, then replied, "Course I can. There's one free over there." He went over to the music section and picked up the guitar, surprisingly well for someone with one hand and a hook. He didn't use the microphone, so Emma had to sit a little closer to hear him. His music was beautiful, even though she didn't recognize the song.
"Thoughts?" he asked when he finished.
"I loved it! Do another one!" Kristen replied eagerly.
Hook shook his head. "The real band will be coming in soon. Actually, there they are," he added, pointing to a group of people starting to sit down. Some brought their own instruments, while others used what was already there. "And I wasn't talking to you." He looked directly at Emma. "What did you think, Swan?"
Busted. He knew she'd been watching. But between the alcohol in her system, listening to his beautiful music, and the warm feeling in her chest that Hook was more interested in what Emma thought than what Kristen thought, it didn't bother her that much. "I loved it," she told him, smiling. "Where did you learn to play like that?"
Hook shrugged. "Here and there."
Kristen looked between Emma and him for a second before asking, "Killian, who is this?"
Hook smiled. "This is Emma. She's my guest tonight."
Kristen huffed and ran off.
"The band will start playing soon," Hook told her as he came closer again. "Would you like to dance with me, or can I get you another drink?"
"Another drink. Definitely another drink," Emma replied. If she was going to dance with him, she'd have to have a little more liquor first. "Rum and coke," she told him as he made his way to the bar tender.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
Another hour and another drink later, Emma was finally dancing with Hook. He didn't know all the dances in this world, but he seemed to keep up with her pretty well. Obviously working here for the past two months had served him well. Certainly better than her parents. Emma saw them trying to fast – dance like everyone else, but they didn't seem to be getting the footwork right. It was kind of funny. With all the ease they had with complicated ballroom dances, they couldn't seem to get the modern ones. Maybe she'd teach them a little, just like they'd taught her.
But Emma's eyes were mostly on Hook. Or was it Killian, now? That's what everyone here called him after all. "So, you go by Killian, here?" she asked, trying to sound causal.
He grinned. "Well, it is the name you gave me on the green card, after all."
Emma nodded. It was. "Well, Captain Hook doesn't really work for a name if you're trying to get legitimate IDs."
He nodded. "Not really. But the one you got for me has done well. So thank you, Swan. I mean it." He looked uncharacteristically serious as he looked at her.
Emma shrugged. "Do you want me to call you Killian, too?"
He shrugged. "You can call me whatever you want, Swan. As long as you're calling me, it's fine." Emma rolled her eyes, but kept smiling. He was almost endearing. He leaned in closer and told her softly. "Of course, Captain Hook was the name of a villain, and since I'm trying not to be a villain anymore…maybe Killian is better."
Emma nodded. She was glad he had decided not to be a villain. Really glad. "Killian it is then," she told him softly, looking deep into his eyes. She supposed it looked a little weird, considering they weren't slow dancing, but she didn't care right now. The moment was too perfect. Emma had been trying to stop herself from kissing him all day, but she couldn't do it anymore. She pressed her lips to his. His mustache rubbed against her upper lip. Emma liked the feeling. She reached up and rubbed his scruff with her hand. It felt wonderful. Killian put his hands in her hair as they kissed.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
OOOOOOOO
David didn't understand what happened at the club. First Emma had pushed the captain away, and David and Snow had let the man know that meant he had to leave Emma alone or else. Then, about an hour and half later, he saw Emma kissing the man. How did things change that quickly? Whose idea was it to kiss, Emma's or the captain's? He had been extremely tempted to beat the man up, and the alcohol he'd drank tonight didn't help. But Snow told him they should wait until there wasn't so many people around, at least.
But finally, they left the club, and David punched the captain square in the jaw. "I told you to stay away from Emma!"
"She kissed me, mate," the captain protested, as he tried to wipe the blood from his face.
Emma nodded. "I think Killian was a good host and a good kisser, David," she commented.
David nodded. So they were on first – name basis now, were they?
"I need to get back to my ship,"…Killian commented. "Wash up a bit," he pointed to his bloody jaw. "And then lay down for a while. You should do the same."
David sighed. "That's probably best."
The three of them walked back to their motel in silence, although Snow was holding his hand. "Do you think Emma is angry at me?" he asked Snow as they went into their room. "She…seemed to be getting along well with that Killian guy, and she didn't say anything at all after he left."
Snow smiled and rubbed his arms. "She might be a little angry, but she'll get over it, Charming. You're still her father."
David thought back to the day Emma had planned for them to spend the day dancing for father's day. "Yeah, I guess I am. I just…I thought this trip would be relaxing and a chance for us to bond more as a family. But ever since this captain guy…Killian, whatever, showed up, my emotions have been all over the place. First, Henry seemed to imply he was a problem in Storybrooke, and he certainly didn't trust the guy. And the way he dressed…it looked like he was up to no good. But he's talking to Emma like she's an old friend or something and he invites us to go sailing with him! I actually had fun sailing today, and I have a lot of respect for someone who's as good with a sword as I am. And then Emma's pushing him away at the club. And then she kisses him! Now she's angry at me for punching him." He shook his head. "How am I supposed to deal with all of that, Snow?"
Snow pushed him gently onto the bed. "Take a deep breath. Relax. We don't have worry about this right now. We probably don't even have to worry about him much longer. We'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon, remember?"
David nodded, sighing in relief. "You're right."
Snow smiled smugly. "Good. And since we've all agreed to try to conceive another baby, I have a surprise for you."
With that, she took off the pants and shirt she'd worn all day to reveal a…David wasn't sure what it was called but it was definitely sexy. It was green; the same color as her beautiful eyes. It had little flowers on the front. Bu it was also completely see – through, so he was able to see her stomach, her breasts,…and everything. Somehow, the garment seemed to actually enhance Snow's already breathe – taking beauty. David didn't think that was possible, but apparently it was. He reached out and squeezed one of her breasts, like he was in a trance.
Snow smiled. "So you like?" she asked laughing. She obviously already knew the answer.
David snapped out of his trance after another minute and brushed her stomach with his hand. "What do you think?" he laughed as well.
"I think you should take off your clothes, too. You're far too overdressed for this party, Charming."
So David undressed. And they had their "party." Hopefully they made a baby as well.
I know some people seem to think Kilian/Hook is an alcoholic. And I can certainly understand why that might be the case. But a bartending job isn't a good job for an alcoholic, and it was one of the only jobs I could see Kilian getting with his limited knowledge of the modern world. Especially considering Emma wasn't around to help him. (Well, she got him the stuff he needed to earn an honest living, but she didn't recommend him or anything.) So in this story, he isn't, okay? He just likes to drink sometimes.
We have now reached the part of the story where Kilian/Hook will be a regular character. If you are a Captain Swan fan, I hope you enjoy it. Also, I recommend you read the next chapter of "the Voices," even if you normally don't do so. Because I intend to write the chapter from Kristen's POV (the woman Emma was jealous of).
If, on the other hand, you are not a Captain Swan fan, I understand if you want to stop reading, as it won't be as easy to skip over the scenes with him in it anymore. But I have no intention of making this story exclusively Captain Swan. There will be plenty of scenes with the other characters, which will involve all the relationships. And I certainly have no intention of putting Snowing "in the background" in favor of Captain Swan. (Some of you who read my reviews of other stories and ANs of one – shots may know how much that upsets me.)
Also, if you want to read something that isn't Captain Swan, you can check out my new one – shot "The Consequences of a Snowing Separation."
Okay, if you're still reading after all that, I'd like to thank you for the reviews. Please give me some for this chapter.
Here's some responses.
Fangirl: There will be more about Rustin, physical affection, and Ruby's past in the next chapter. Yeah, Fredrick is definitely old – fashioned, and Abigail is trying to help him. I thought Henry's desire to keep Regina's name was sweet, and very in character. (And I'm glad it meant something special to you, specifically.) But I can see it bothering Emma, a little. And I'm glad you liked the way Henry assured Emma she was still important. (One of my big problems with the show is that they don't address what a big deal it is for someone with Emma's past to be a good person. I thought that was the perfect place to mention that.)
As far as Snow's desire to have a baby, I think Snowing has every right to have another baby. I'm glad they had Neal on the show. (Although I still wish he had more screen time.) Honestly, I still see them having another child after him. But I also think that Emma's easy acceptance of the pregnancy and her brother was out – of – character. So Emma will have trouble accepting it here.
Misccam: Yeah, it's wonderful that they don't have to worry about Henry's custody anymore, isn't it? Family moments are always nice, too. And Emma is upset about her parent's desire to have another baby. But she's also decided to "not deal with her feelings" right now. So we won't hear anything about it for a while. Of course, that doesn't mean Emma's feelings will go away, does it?