New York Christmas Serenade (pt. 2 of 4)

CS Genre: Canon Divergence (missing year between 3a and 3b)

Killian felt an unaccustomed stab of nervousness flow through him as he walked the steps leading toward Swan's abode. He knew very little of what was transpiring in Storybrooke, only that the kingdom had once again been transported to the Land Without Magic via a curse and they needed the savior.

Much was riding on Killian's success in restoring Emma's memories, and he felt the weight of the responsibility placed upon his shoulders. While he'd have traded away the Jolly and done all in his power to find Swan simply for her own sake, the fact that her parents were counting on him spurred him on even more. It had been centuries since he'd truly belonged anywhere and he had no intention of mucking this up.

Truthfully it was a minor miracle she'd invited him to spend the evening with her and the lad at all, but from what he'd gathered as he'd wandered the streets of this strange place called "New York" Christmas was a time for miracles.

Taking a deep breath, Killian raised his artificial hand and wrapped on her apartment door promptly at 7:00 pm. He tapped his fingers against his leg as he waited, and then suddenly the door was opened and she stood there and literally took his breath away. She wore a soft green sweater that brought out her eyes, jeans and brown boots, her hair was pulled back into a soft pony tail.

"You're stunning, love," he said in wonder—almost reverence. His heart rate picked up as he saw her color prettily at the compliment. If he didn't know better, he'd swear Emma Swan was flustered by his presence in her home.

"Thanks," she said, "you look pretty good yourself."

Killian looked down at his black jeans, his blue button down shirt and his leather jacket, glad he'd thought to find attire more suitable to his environs.

"Aye, well.." he said giving her a flirtatious grin, "I have been called dashingly handsome, love."

She rolled her eyes but laughed softly, breathily. Killian leaned toward her, drawn to her, wishing nothing more than to repeat their mind-blowing kiss on Neverland. For a moment, Emma leaned forward, lifted her head. Was she actually going to allow him to kiss her?

"Hey guys, are you coming in soon?" came Henry's voice from the kitchen, "I'm starving."

And with that the spell was over. Emma took a healthy step back, held onto the door and waved him in. "Yeah, um…" she said, "come in. Dinner's ready."

Killian obliged, shedding his jacket and placing it on the rack beside the door. He looked around in interest, admiring the large, open feel of the apartment, impressed with the large, well decorated pine tree in the corner near the windows, enjoying the delectable aroma's wafting in from the kitchen.

"It smells tasty, love," Killian said, taking the seat Henry indicated at the head of the table. "Did you prepare our meal yourself."

Henry laughed. "Mom doesn't cook; especially on Christmas! Of any day of the year we ought to at least have edible food on Christmas Eve and Christmas day."

"Excuse me?" Emma said feigning great offense. "You better watch yourself, Kid. Santa's still watching. Don't want to get on the naughty list."

Henry grinned. "Hey, I'm only telling the truth. I'd say being honest ought to keep me on the nice list. But seriously, Killian, we had our dinner catered from this little Italian place down the street. They have the best spaghetti and meatballs you've ever eaten!"

Killian smiled at the playful ribbing between mother and son. Though he knew his Swan would wish to have her memories and know the truth, he was grateful to the Queen for giving her and the lad such pleasant memories and such a close relationship in their false life.

"I've no doubt but that you're right, Henry," Killian said, taking the bowl of long, thin pasta Swan passed him. He placed a healthy serving on his place, and then topped it with the red sauce placed before him on the table. "As it happens, this is the first time I've ever consumed this particular dish."

Both Swan and her lad stopped what they were doing and shot him astonished looks. "You've never eaten spaghetti and meatballs before?" Henry asked.

"Not even once."

"Well are you in for a Christmas treat!" Henry assured him as he began to eat with typical preteen gusto.

And as Killian ate his meal of spaghetti and meatballs, salad and garlic bread, he had to admit the lad was correct—although whether it was the deliciousness of the food or the pleasantness of the company he enjoyed most was a matter for some debate. As the evening continued, Swan lost the last hint of her nervous awkwardness and began talking and laughing with him—far more open than she'd ever before been in his presence.

After dinner, Killian followed the lad into the living room to choose a movie for the evening, after which came a ritual that left Henry nearly writing in excitement.

"We open most of our gifts on Christmas morning," Emma told Killian as Henry rushed toward the tree, carefully picking up each of the brightly wrapped packages which bore his name, shaking them, looking them over, weighing them in his hands, "but a few years ago, the kid talked me into starting a Swan family tradition of him getting one of his presents on Christmas Eve. Choose carefully kid."

And suddenly, with the mention of gifts for the occasion of Christmas, Killian came up with a plan. What if he was able to jog the lad's memories? With Henry on his side, perhaps the two of them could find a way to remind Emma who she truly was.

Killian grinned as Henry opened his chosen gift. The lad's enthusiasm and exuberance were contagious.

"The video game I wanted!" Henry said as soon as the bright, colorful paper was ripped away. "Thanks mom! This is great!"

Emma ruffled his hair. "No problem kid," she said. "And just you wait. You may be an expert at the other games, but I'm determined I'm going to beat you at this one!"

"Sounds like a challenge to me, lad," Killian said teasingly, reaching over to playfully squeeze Swan's shoulder from her perch beside him on the couch. "Are you going to let it go unanswered?"

"No way!" Henry said. "You'll see, mom! You may be good catching real bad guys, but I've got the video bad guys quaking in their boots! Can I play it now? Please?"

Before Emma could answer, Killian put a up his artificial hand. "Just a moment, lad," he said. "If you please, I have my own gifts to bestow."

"Killian," Emma said, looking over at him, "you didn't need to…"

"Nonsense, love," he answered. "You were so kind as to allow me to share your holiday. The least I can do is offer a few small tokens of my gratitude."

"Seriously, we don't expect…" Emma began again, but this time she was interrupted by her son.

"Did you bring me something?" he asked Killian stepping up to him.

"Indeed I did, lad," Killian said, reaching for his satchel. "If I don't miss my guess, you have the heart of a true believer. The truest believer, even. I thought perhaps you might find joy in perusing the stories of other heroes and believers."

With a flourish, Killian pulled Henry's old storybook from his bag and presented it to the boy. It was this book that had ignited Henry's belief the first time. Was it possible the item would do the trick for a second time?

Henry accepted the offering, muttering a quick "Thank you," before peering in confusion at the tome.

"A storybook?" Henry asked, brow furrowed.

"Aye," Killian said, "a storybook, but I hope you'll find it so very much more. Go on lad, open it."

Killian watched eagerly as Henry opened the book to the story of his grandparents. He hadn't long to wait. Henry couldn't have read more than a paragraph before his eyes got wide as saucers and he quickly looked up at Killian.

"Hook!" he said slowly. "I…I remember!"

Waves of relief covered Killian like a blanket. He may still have quite the uphill task in front of him, but for the first time since finding his beloved Swan in her apartment home, Killian knew without a doubt that he would succeed.

Notes: Happy actual Friday today! So, Killian had a successful Christmas Eve evening with Emma and Henry. He's succeeded in the first leg of his "operation". Henry now remembers. Hopefully the two of them together can find a way to bring back Emma's memories.

-Up next: Emma wakes up on Christmas morning—and ends up spending a very pleasant full day with both her son and the pirate she doesn't yet remember she had feelings for.