Emma had taken her grandmother's advice and accepted a date with Hook. He was a gentleman the entire night. Regina was out with Robin when she saw the two. "Is that Emma and Hook?" she asked her husband.

"I believe so."

"Oh no," Regina said.

"What's wrong?"

"Hook is a one-handed womanizer. He's even tried to get me into bed. I can't let him hurt her."

"Emma's a big girl. She's strong and can take care of herself. If Hook hurts her then she'll hurt him more."

Regina and Robin walked away. The mayor could see Emma falling in love with Hook and it scared her. For some reason, Hook had never put it together that Regina was also Emma's mother. "My mom invited us to have dinner with her tonight," Emma told Hook one day.

"Your dad won't be there?"

"My step-dad will be."

"Step-dad?"

"Yeah, Robin," Emma said.

Hook thought for a moment, "wait a minute. I thought Snow was your mother."

"She is, but I was adopted too. Regina is my adoptive mother and spent the first five years of my life with me."

"The Evil Queen is your mother?"

"Former Evil Queen," Emma responded.

"I'll bet she invited us to dinner, but I'm probably the dinner."

"Hook, you're overreacting."

"I'll go, but if she kills me then that's on you."

Emma rolled her eyes and walked away. That night, the two went to Regina's. Emma used her key and greeted Cora and Robin. "Where's mom?"

"Kitchen," Robin said, "I tried to help, but she hit me with a spoon."

"See," Hook pointed out, "and she's in love with him."

"Mother doesn't let just anyone help her cook. She'll let me though."

Emma went to the kitchen and greeted her mother, "where's Hook?"

"Hiding with Robin and grandma."

"Why?"

"He thinks he's dinner."

Regina rolled her eyes, "look, I've had trouble with the idea of this relationship..."

"You and my dad."

"I'm willing to give him a chance. By the way, Robin has no problem with Hook."

"My mom doesn't either."

Emma helped Regina finish and set the table. Everyone sat down and Regina started the conversation, "so, Hook, have you told my daughter about the time you tried to get me into bed."

"He did without knowing you're my mother," Emma answered.

"Really? Well, what else did he tell you?"

"Mom, I know about his past and he knows about mine."

"Hook, I want to trust you, but it will take time. I know the scoundrel you are, were, and I need to see how you treat my daughter."

"I'm honestly just glad that I wasn't dinner."

"The thought had crossed my mind," Regina joked.

Hook took a big gulp of his water and everyone laughed. Everyone was oblivious to the fact that Rumple's heart was succumbing to the darkness and that the only way to save him was for the darkness to find a new host. A few days later, the darkness was released from Rumple and made its way through Storybrooke looking for a new dark one.

The darkness surrounded Regina, "mom!" Emma yelled.

She walked up to the dark swirl, "Emma, no!"

"I can't let this happen to you. You've come too far and who knows what this will do to the baby."

Snow, David, Eva, and Hook were shocked. Regina and Robin hadn't announced the pregnancy yet. Only Emma knew. "I'll be fine."

Emma walked up to Killian and kissed him, "I love you."

"Emma, no!" Snow and David yelled.

"You saved me from the darkness once. I'm sure you'll find a way to do it again."

Emma threw her arm into the dark cyclone. Regina was released and Robin quickly grabbed her. Everyone watched as the darkness took Emma away from them and left behind a dagger with her name on it. "Emma!" Regina screamed and fell to her knees as she cried.

Robin tried to console Regina, but she was hysterical. David helped him get the woman to her feet. The prince even hugged her, "don't worry," David whispered, "we'll get her back."

"Regina, you need to focus on taking care of yourself and the baby," Snow said, "we'll make sure that Emma is freed from the darkness."

Dark Swan had been turned away by her parents, grandmother, son, boyfriend, and even Regina. They wanted her to know that they didn't approve of her succumbing to the darkness. That they didn't want anything to do with it or her. However, behind closed doors, they were working on a way to save Emma. Snow, David, Henry, and Hook had gone over to Regina's to talk to her, Robin, and Cora. Regina had to take a break from the conversation and left the room. Hook had decided to go check on her. He found Regina sitting on her staircase, crying. "Do you wanna talk about it?" he asked.

Regina looked up in surprise, "what are you doing out here?"

"Emma once asked me to watch out for you if something ever happened to her, and Snow if something happened to Emma and David." He walked over and sat next to Regina on the stair. "I miss her too and I haven't known her as long as everyone else."

"You're in love with her. That's why you miss her so much."

"Right before she sacrificed herself was the first time she told me that she loves me."

"I've already missed out on so much with Emma. Now I'm afraid I'll never get her back."

"I won't let her stay like this. I want the old Emma back and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen." Hook took out a dagger to show Regina.

Regina gasped, "that has your name on it."

"I know," he said, "it's a part of my plan to save Emma. Trust me to do the right thing."

"If you save here, you will have my undying gratitude and respect."

"I'd rather keep things interesting."

Regina smiled, "we should probably go back to the meeting."

Hook stood and took Regina's arm. She grabbed onto the railing and his hook to stand. "You okay?"

"I'm only four months pregnant," she breathed out.

"I'm sure what happened to your brain doesn't help. Let me know if you ever need anything."

"Thank you," Regina smiled at his sincerity. Hook helped her down the stairs and back to the room.

A month later, Emma put her plan into motion. She was met by Hook, Snow, Regina, David, Cora, Henry, and Robin. Excaliber had chosen Hook instead of Emma. The only way to free Emma from the darkness was for her to kill Hook. "I can't do it," Emma cried.

"You have to," Hook said.

"No, I won't do it."

"Emma, you have a family who needs you."

"I need you."

"You have to do this and you know it."

Hook handed Emma the sword. She reluctantly took it and kissed him, "I love you."

"I love you too."

Emma plunged the heart into Hook's stomach and sobbed. She caught him as he fell and held him in her arms. In that moment, everyone realized just how much Hook and Emma loved each other. They were both willing to die for the other and Hook really did.