Snow cracked open her eyes to the daylight shining in through the window over hers and David's bed.

It only took her a few seconds to remember the events of last night.

She felt a chill sweep down her spine; she hadn't been there for that terrifying event, but the fear from David and the ice-cold touch of Emma's skin was enough to haunt her for years to come.

Looking over at her husband, Snow noted that he was still asleep, a troubled expression on his face. Frowning at it, Snow sighed, but left him to sleep, knowing he needed it after last night.

Snow carefully got off the bed so as not to wake David.

The apartment was quiet except for the hum of the heater running by the couch. The clock read just seven o'clock, and it seemed no one was awake just yet. Though, it did make sense that she was the first one up, the only one in the house that hadn't been involved in what happened last night.

Snow walked past the quiet crib, whispering to the sleeping baby boy that she'll check on him in a few minutes.

She had another baby she needed to check on, first.

Before she went to the staircase, Snow glanced over at the couch, a little worry in her chest for the pirate they'd taken in last night.

But she froze in her tracks.

He was still there, asleep on the couch.

But he wasn't alone.

An involuntary smile crept onto her lips.

Very slowly, avoiding all the creaks in the floor, Snow walked toward the sitting area.

Because there on the couch, Emma was fast asleep in Killian's arms.

His arms were wrapped around her waist, and she was pulled snugly to his chest. Emma's hair fanned over his chest, and her face was tucked into his neck. Killian's eyes were shut, his nose hidden in Emma's hair. They couldn't get any closer together if they tried.

Snow watched them for a moment.

She couldn't help thinking it was nothing short of adorable.

The once-ruthless Captain Hook was cuddling with her daughter.

They held each other in a way that was so tender that it immediately reminded Snow of how she felt whenever David held her.

She felt frozen there, warmed by the sight of them.

Though, Snow wasn't exactly sure that David would see this little scene quite the same way, so Snow slowly walked up to the couch.

She rested the back of her hand over Emma's cheek, smiling when Emma felt warm to the touch.

With a slight hesitation, but her motherly instinct driving her, she also did the same to Hook's, relaxing when he was just as warm as Emma.

She let out a breath in relief.

Neither of them woke at her touch.

Snow knelt, touching Emma's shoulder. Trying not to wake Killian too, Snow whispered close to Emma's ear, "Emma? Emma, can you wake up for me?"

After a moment, Emma stirred a little.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she lifted her head from where she'd rested it against Killian's shoulder. She blinked a few times, realizing where she was, then looking at her mother.

A very noticeable red hue splashed over her cheeks. "I—um," she stammered, turning even more red. "I checked on him last night and he was still cold. I just wanted to make sure he'd… warm up," she whispered, obviously embarrassed.

That explains it.

But Snow could hear the fear in Emma's voice, and thinking that Killian's recovery had been slower than she and David realized made Snow's own concern grow.

But they were both fine now. And thank goodness for that.

"It's okay," said Snow, trying to hide a smile at Emma's rosy cheeks. "I just thought I'd wake you two… before your father gets up," she added a little quieter, and Emma seemed to understand her meaning.

"Oh," she mumbled. A little more color in her face, she said, "Right. Thanks."

"I'll get you some hot cocoa," said Snow with a grin, and Emma's eyes lit up.

Snow walked to the kitchen, getting out a mug and the necessary ingredients for their shared favorite beverage, and she snuck a look over to the couch, watching Emma look at Killian, as if wondering how she could wake him up without him knowing just how comfortable they'd gotten over the course of the night. But she sighed with defeat, shook him gently, and said, "Killian?"

The pirate's eyes opened.

Snow busied herself with making Emma's drink, but she didn't miss the look of contentment on his face when he realized where he was, and whom he was with.

"Good morning, love," he said, voice still rough with sleep.

And even from across the room, Snow could see the blush on Emma's cheeks deepen at the silly little smile on Killian's face.

The aroma of chocolate filled the air as Snow made Emma's drink, and she stole glances at the couch, watching as Killian seemed to understand just how far out of her comfort zone Emma had gone to warm him up, as now in the light of day, Emma's walls had attempted to reconstruct. Something that always hurt Snow to see.

Emma and Hook—seeming quite reluctant on both their parts, whether or not Emma would admit it—untangled themselves from each other to sit up. They still shared the couch, sitting side-by-side, blankets still drawn across both their shoulders at Snow's insistence, no matter how much they both attempted to say it felt unnecessary at this point. Watching them give each other a look as they did as they were told gave Snow the impression of stubborn children, and it made her smile.

Snow walked back over to them, and handed Emma a mug of hot chocolate—with cinnamon, of course.

Emma's eyes lit up, and she took it eagerly. "Oh, that's the stuff," she said with a grin.

Snow looked at Killian. She was startled to see the look in his eye as he watched Emma. There was some sort of sadness clouding the blue, as if he'd lost something.

Gently, Snow asked, "Can I get you something, Killian?"

Killian pulled his gaze away from Emma. He registered her question, and to Snow's surprise, he actually looked uncomfortable with the hospitality. "No, I'm… I don't…" he attempted, scratching behind one ear in what looked like a nervous tick.

Snow smiled knowingly. "Well, we were told to keep you hydrated."

He sighed, relenting. "Aye, if that's the case…"

"He'll have what I'm having," said Emma, taking another sip of her hot chocolate.

Killian gave her an amused look. "Will I, now? What exactly is that?"

"Try it."

She offered Killian the cup and he tentatively took a sip. His eyes screwed shut, in an expression that someone would make after consuming something too tart. "That's…"

"Amazing?"

He gave Emma a wry smile, trying to school his expression into something acceptable. "Aye. Rather… sweet, however."

"David thinks so, too, " said Snow with a little laugh. "Emma gets her sweet tooth from me." said Snow. "How about some tea?"

Killian smiled; Snow had a feeling that was a beverage he was familiar with. "Thank you, milady." he said politely, that strange hesitance in his voice again. So different from the man they had met in the Enchanted Forest. Snow smiled to herself, still in awe at the turn of events, wondering what the past-version of her would think knowing the man she nearly despised at one point would end up sitting on her couch, in love with her daughter. A very reciprocated love.

"I thought I told you," said Snow gently. "Call me Snow."

She watched surprise spark in his eyes, followed by something she could only describe as touched. He dipped his head a little, and Snow wondered how Killian's self-conscious expression was a mirror image of Emma's. "Aye… Snow," said Killian, a little uncomfortably. "Thank you for all that you've done for me," he added, even quieter.

Smiling, Snow said, "I think I'm the one who should be saying that to you."

It would be amusing, seeing Captain Hook, of all people, blush, but it only hurt Snow to realize that he didn't know what to do with a compliment because he didn't think he deserved them.

It was something Snow decided they'll have to change his mind about.

She set off to make his tea—and what looked like a refill of hot chocolate she'll be needing for Emma—and she couldn't help feeling that something about Killian sharing breakfast with them in the morning just felt right.

David and Elsa had woken to the aroma of tea and chocolate.

Just a few moments ago, David had used Bo Peep's crook to find Anna, a promise he hadn't forgotten. It only revealed a heartbeat, but it was enough to finally make Elsa smile. She'd thanked him for his hospitality, apologized several more times to Emma and Hook directly, and left not long ago. She'd claimed she couldn't sit still knowing Anna was out there somewhere, so she was planning to go searching the town for a while. But at his request, Elsa promised to meet them later.

David sipped his morning coffee, watching his two girls and Hook, still overwhelmed with relief that Emma and Hook were both all right.

However, he couldn't help replaying his words to Hook before the chaos, and it made his smile fade.

So when Snow helped a still slightly-unsteady Emma to her feet to help her get changed upstairs—because, according to Emma, she was not a wear-pajamas-all-day kind of person—Hook was temporarily left alone.

David sighed.

By the time he got to the couch, Hook was on his feet, hand to his ribs, face pulled in a tight grimace.

"Where are you going?" asked David.

The man did not seem like he should be on his feet. He was even more unsteady than Emma.

Hook smiled a sort of self-deprecating, quick smile that didn't reach his eyes.

And it didn't escape David's notice that Hook wasn't looking him in the eye.

"I appreciate all you've done for me," said Hook sincerely. "I don't want to overstay my—"

"Sit down."

Hook looked up in surprise.

David sighed, sitting down in the armchair that Snow just vacated.

After some hesitance, Hook slowly sat back down, hand to his ribs, cringe in his face, and David couldn't tell if the pirate just gave up his attempt to try walking.

A slight, tense silence spread.

Then, David let out a breath. "I need to apologize to you."

Hook's brow shot up, and he finally met David's eyes. "For what?" he said confusedly.

"For what?" repeated David, raising his own brows. But Hook's expression was still puzzled. He really didn't know. "For what I… said to you," said David slowly, painfully. "Before everything… happened. About Emma."

Understanding seemed to dawn in Hook's eyes. The same hurt from last night. "You don't have to—" began Hook, but David cut him off.

"Yeah, I do." He let out a breath. "Hook, if it wasn't for you, for everything you did last night, Emma would have died." The blunt way he said it made both of them flinch a little. "You were selfless and heroic and… and I've never been as wrong about someone as I have been about you."

Hook scratched behind his ear. He didn't seem to know what to do with the words.

"Do you remember what you told me, when Regina's trigger nearly killed the whole town?" said David, making Hook look up.

"Before or after you struck me?" asked Hook wryly, more amused than anything.

"After," said David, with his own little grin. It faded, though, when he said, "I asked you why you decided to give up your revenge."

Hook stilled, sensing the serious turn of the conversation.

"You told me," said David, "that you decided that there was one thing you cared about more than your revenge. Your life."

Hook tensed.

"You nearly died for her last night," said David quietly. "You would have if we didn't get to you right when we did." Hook was quiet. That was news to him, but he didn't look surprised to hear it. "And," David went on, "you've protected her time and time again. All of us, actually," he said, remembering clearly how Hook had saved his own life in Neverland.

David smiled.

"Thank you, Killian."

Hook's eyes shot to his.

Never, not once, has David used his first name unless he had to, back when Henry lost his memories.

Hook, for a moment, looked speechless.

He cleared his throat after a moment, seeming to find his voice. He smiled a little. "Honestly," said Hook, "you don't need to apologize. I like that Emma has a father who is so willing to protect her."

David smiled. "And I like that she has you to protect her, too."

Hook returned the grin.

David stood. "You're staying here until I'm certain you're not going to collapse. Deal?"

Hook tried to hide the grin at David's obvious acceptance of him.

"Aye," he said quietly, "I think I can manage that." Dipping his head a little, he said, "Thank you."

Not moments later, Snow and Emma were descending the stairs.

Both women looked between the two men, like they knew something happened while they were gone.

David smiled at the almost warning-look on his wife's face.

Emma sat back on the couch next to Hook, and David walked back into the kitchen.

His daughter was in quite good hands.

Or, hand and hook, as it was.

Killian watched David walk away as Emma returned.

His head was still reeling, a warm feeling in his chest at the fact that he managed to not only save Emma last night and survive, but he also managed to gain the approval of both of her parents.

Something he had begun to think would never be possible.

However, with or without her parents' approval, Killian wasn't exactly sure where he and Emma stood, in terms of a relationship.

He remembered waking up last night with wondrous clarity. The closeness of her, the feel of Emma in his arms, watching her fall asleep in his embrace.

And his fear from last night—that all of Emma's openness was what she'd called their kiss in Neverland, a one-time thing—has unfortunately proved to be true.

He woke up to her this morning, but it wasn't the same as waking up to her last night.

Last night, she didn't think twice about saying what she felt.

But this morning, she was so hesitant, so unsure.

And it ached somewhere deep inside him to feel so close to her, yet still so far away.

But he would be patient, just as he promised to her within his own thoughts last night.

He'd spend another two hundred years in bloody Neverland waiting for her if it came to such a thing.

She was simply worth it.

Emma sat down on the couch beside him, looking between him and David, who was now in the kitchen talking to Snow, both distracted with something about the baby.

"Did he ream you out or something?" asked Emma with a lifted brow.

He smiled. "Something like that."

Emma smiled too. She looked at him for a moment, then took a breath, and said heavily, "Okay."

Killian waited, but she didn't elaborate.

He cocked his head. "Did I miss the question?"

Emma grinned. "Aye," she said, in an attempt for his accent, and his own words from last night, before everything happened. "Okay," she repeated. She took a breath. "I want to go on a date."

Killian's brows shot up.

Keeping his hope at bay, he asked, "New monster on the loose, then?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "No monsters. No ice walls. Maybe like… I dunno. A restaurant, or something." She smiled, a little shyness in her eyes. "I was thinking a… quiet moment."

Killian smiled too, searching her eyes, wondering if it was too good to be true.

Emma took his hand, seeming to notice him keeping his hope at bay. "No more avoiding you." she said, like it was a promise.

His brow raised. "No?" he asked, lips tilting.

"No," she said firmly. "I…" She sighed, and he could tell she was uneasy with her openness. Taking a breath, she said, "You know I told you I used to run away," said Emma. "That it was just what I… did."

He nodded, and she went on, "After what happened with Graham and Neal and even Walsh…" Sadness clouded her eyes, and Killian brushed his thumb over hers, knowing all too well how it felt to lose love. "I just got scared of losing you, too." she whispered. Her eyes met his. "I thought if I didn't let myself…" She shut her eyes. "I thought if I kept my distance from you that maybe I could just… ignore what I felt. And never run the risk of…" She hesitated. Sighed. "But after last night…" Tears gathered in her eyes but didn't fall, every ounce of her panic shining through the cracks of her armor. "I think it's too late for that." She smiled a little, something so genuinely her it stole Killian's breath. The words sounded so delicate. "And…" A little shyness touched her smile as she met his eyes. "You're worth it."

Killian held her gaze, stunned.

Emma's walls were still there, but somehow, last night had knocked some of them down.

For good.

It was the first time she's spoken so freely about her feelings for him, barring last night.

Somehow, the wall that nearly froze them to death last night managed to melt some of her own.

"No more running," whispered Emma, like a promise to the both of them.

She'd thought she'd lost him last night.

"You don't know you've got a home until you just miss it."

He smiled.

Killian pulled her gently to him, kissing her soft, tender. He rested his forehead against hers.

He could feel it in her.

She had stopped running from him.

She was here.

She was ready.

He felt relief course through him, like he was able to stop chasing after her all the same.

She was safe.

She was okay.

And she was his.

Finally.

"Let it go,

I can't hold it back anymore

The fears that once controlled me

Can't get to me at all

Here I stand

In the light of day

I'm free."

a/n: Merry Christmas Joni, happy holidays to everyone else who celebrates, and to all a good night. :)