A/N: Thanks all for continuing to follow this story! I appreciate the follows, favorites, and reviews! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy lol. This chapter you get a little more of Emma and Hook's backstory. I've hinted at this before, but I've changed Hook's backstory a bit (a little of that is being revealed in this chapter). Hope you continue to like this story! Enjoy!
After being cooped up in the cabin, Emma made her way topside once more. Hook walked around the deck, inspecting his men's work, occasionally calling out orders. She sat on the top of the stairs watching him. Like how his brow furrowed when he was inspecting knots, or the way he would squint as he looked above at the mast. After some time of her gazing at him, he seemed to take notice. Glancing at her often, he seemed to be in his element. Trying to impress her with how well he captained his ship. He needn't bothered, she thought to herself.
Emma made her way back to the helm, where Mr. Jameson stood. Watching the ship and it's crew cautiously, she stood next to the older man for a few minutes. He nodded his head towards her to acknowledge her presence. Emma fidgeted uncomfortably before standing closer to him.
"I wanted to thank you." Emma spoke quietly, glancing around quickly to be sure they weren't overheard, "For not revealing everything you know about me to the captain."
Mr. Jameson smiled at her, "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about Miss Swan." He added a wink for dramatic effect.
Emma grinned back, and cast a look back at the deck. Hook was making his way back below. Meeting her eyes and flashing a grin as he walked down the stairs. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you two both fancy each other." Mr. Jameson said seriously.
"Hardly, we've spent most of the time fighting." Emma said with a dismissive laugh. "Even if I was interested, and I'm not, I can't be involved with anyone."
He sighed and shook his head, "You're allowed to be happy too, Miss Swan. Even when you have the world on your shoulders. Having someone to share the burden with can make a difference."
"I'm not interested in having someone share my burden. I can do this alone." Emma replied firmly, trying to convince herself more than Mr. Jameson.
"You don't have to go it alone, Miss Swan."
"I don't want to get anyone else hurt because of me." Emma whispered.
"So… Someone was hurt before?" Mr. Jameson asked gently.
Emma flinched. She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself protectively, "Not just hurt… They had their heart ripped out and crushed. Trying to protect me." Even now, Emma could still see it happening as if it were the first time. It replayed in her head over and over again.
Mr. Jameson looked at her sadly, "I remember your travel companion. I'm sorry for your loss. She was a kind woman." Emma had forgotten that he had met her while she was escaping the Enchanted Forest. Of course he would have known who it was. He paused, it seemed as though he was considering something. "May I ask you a question?"
Emma was cautious, "I suppose you may."
Mr. Jameson seemed to consider his words for a moment, "Do you think she wanted you to continue on alone?"
"I'm not sure. We never talked about it." Emma replied, but she couldn't quite meet his eyes.
"I apologize if I'm overstepping Miss Swan, but I had many conversations with her on our voyage together. She worried about you something fierce. Not about your destiny, she had complete faith in you. She was afraid of what would happen if you ended up alone. You'd already lost your home, your family. She didn't want you to be alone in the world. She hoped that, if you were lost to her, you'd find people you could trust. People who would not only protect you, but fight with you. Friends like your mother had."
His words cut through her, because she knew Mr. Jameson was right, "She would be disappointed in me then. Everything I've done, I've done alone." Emma's voice had cracked from emotion. She rubbed her cheeks hard with her hands, as if doing this would keep the tears at bay.
"She would be proud of you. Of how well you've done on your own. However, I do believe she wouldn't want you to close yourself off from happiness. Even if that happiness is slightly unconventional for someone of your... rank."
Emma knew he was turning the conversation back to herself and Hook again. The princess and the pirate. "It has nothing to do with rank. I just don't need a man to be happy, and I especially don't need him." Emma replied confidently.
Mr. Jameson laughed at that. "You can deny it all you want, but I've seen that look on your face before. It was the same look you used to have for that deckhand who'd come to the docks every few weeks." He teased playfully. Emma's face fell again, and the old man looked guilty, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up any painful memories."
Emma shook her head, "No, it's alright." After a moment, she added, "I tried to find him, after I was in hiding. He was lost at sea." Mr. Jameson seemed to avoid her gaze for a moment. He didn't say anything, just put his hand on her shoulder, and gave it a small squeeze. "I haven't really had time for feelings and relationships. I've made acquaintances, but no permanent attachments. I haven't stayed in one place long enough to do so."
He shrugged in response, "The beauty of living on a ship is that you can go anywhere, but have the familiarity with your crew. It's like a family. We might not be seven dwarfs in the forest, but we'd happily accept you into our family… The captain mentioned he offered you a permanent place on the ship."
"Yes, he did."
"Are you considering accepting his offer?"
Emma paused, her face serious, "I don't know if I should."
"We all know you two had your differences today, but Hook has his reasons. He isn't exactly used to having to explain himself, being the captain and all." Mr. Jameson said defensively.
"I am aware. He clarified what he had meant earlier." Emma said flatly, not looking at him.
"I suppose that means you're considering forgiving him soon?" Emma looked at him with an eyebrow raised, "He'd never admit it, but I can tell he values your opinion of him."
"I don't know why he would." She replied evenly.
Mr. Jameson laughed, "Even the simplest member of the crew can tell he's smitten with you." More quietly he added, "He acts like a fool in front of you most of the time. Half the crew is baffled by it. Hook has never been one to be easily effected by women."
Emma had blushed at this information. She thought hadn't thought that she had been an exception. "Then I definitely can't stay." Emma said firmly.
"Are you afraid you might grow attached to him as well, if you stayed?" He asked kindly.
Emma stared at him for a moment, considering what to say. He hadn't been wrong in his observations of her. They had also been friends once. Mr. Jameson knew who she really was, and kept it a secret. Even from Captain Hook. Maybe this was her opportunity to talk to someone and get an honest opinion.
Glancing around the deck once more, she swayed slightly debating how she felt. Emma admitted, "There's a part of me that might have some regard for the Captain. I might not be completely immune to his charms, but I have a destiny. It weighs on me every day. I have to defeat the Evil Queen, and if I were to care about someone, that would only make me weak. If she found out I was still alive, she could use someone I care about to hurt me. I can't risk that. I won't risk someone's life just so I could maybe be happy."
Mr. Jameson smiled, "Love isn't weakness, Emma. It's strength. You're parents knew that."
"And where are they now?" She asked bitterly, "They've lost our kingdom. My grandfather, King George, has reclaimed it with the help of the Evil Queen. No one knows where they are or if they are even still alive."
"Oh, they're alive." Mr. Jameson said confidently.
"What? Have you seen them?" Emma asked anxiously. She hadn't heard word of her parents in years.
"The Evil Queen tries to keep the stories quiet, but they are still alive. Giving her and King George as much hell as possible in the Enchanted Forest. Still helping their people." He looked at her seriously, "King George may sit on the throne, but your parents are still the true rulers of the land. Your people remain loyal."
This time Emma allowed two tears to escape her. Her parents were alive. They were still fighting. They still had hope. "Thank you for telling me."
"You should tell the Captain the truth, Miss Swan. He wants to help you."
Emma considered this for a moment, "Why would he want to help me? He's a pirate, he doesn't have any allegiance to me or my kingdom."
Mr. Jameson smiled kindly, "While I can't give you all the details, I happen to know that you remind him of someone he cared for a long time ago. He wasn't able to help her when she needed it. He lost her, and it changed him. Meeting you seems to have reminded him of who he used to be. Hook might not have been able to save the girl, but I think he hopes that he can at least protect you."
She was surprised by this information. Emma hadn't really put much thought into Captain Hook's past. True, he had given her some pieces of information, but he hadn't opened up to her either. Hook was just as guarded as she was. "Perhaps I'll consider telling him."
"Does that mean you might consider staying?" Mr. Jameson asked.
Emma hesitated, "Yes." Then added in a lighter tone, "But it would get rather boring not being able to do anything to help."
"A clever girl like you? I am sure you'd find some way to keep yourself entertained. Plus, I heard young Will saying you were going to tell a story later. It better be a good one, because most of the crew will probably be listening." He said with a laugh.
Emma spent the rest of the afternoon discussing lighter topics with the gentleman. She listened as Mr. Jameson told stories of the crew members hijinks and adventures. Once or twice the men joined in with the storytelling, embellishing the Mr. Jameson's tales for effect. It helped her to learn some of the crew members names, and familiarize herself with them.
For the most part, they were a joyous bunch. Constantly making jokes at each other's expenses. They seemed to enjoy the distraction of having a new person to listen to their old jokes, and tales that had been told a hundred times over. A few times she caught Hook watching her from across the ship.
Thinking of Mr. Jameson's mention of another girl, Emma found herself slightly annoyed. Did he really want to help her, or was he chasing after the ghost of someone else. It bothered her, more than she would care to admit. She didn't want to remind him of someone else. Pushing it from her mind, she avoided looking at him, and focused solely on Mr. Jameson's tales.
It was starting to grow dark when William appeared at her side and told her it was time for dinner. Emma had been so entertained that she hadn't even noticed how late it was getting. She waved to the men as she walked away. Preparing herself for another quiet evening with Captain Hook. Feeling more confident than she had the day before, she was ready for his flirting and charm. At least, that's what she told herself.
Hook was waiting for Emma to join him in his cabin, as their second dinner together sat on the table. After watching her this afternoon, Hook found Emma to be enchanting. Not that he hadn't thought that before, but he hadn't anticipated her to take to his crew so quickly. He thought she might take longer to warm up to them. Hook knew a large part of her opening up so quickly was due to Mr. Jameson going out of his way to make her feel more comfortable. At least she had a familiar face aboard the ship. Hook imagined that it would have been more difficult to earn her trust without him.
Despite how hard she clearly tried to hide it, it wasn't long before Hook had gathered that she had once been a highborn. A young lady who probably spent time in court. The way she carried herself and spoke on occasion was enough to clue him in. Not to mention the fact that she displayed delicate table manners the first time the had sat down for dinner together.
He wondered how bad her situation must have been for her parents to send her away for her own protection. It wasn't that he was unfamiliar with the Evil Queen. He had his own reasons to hate her. Yet, he couldn't imagine any parent sending their highborn daughter out into the world, completely alone.
Hook assumed they must have trained her to defend herself. He had seen part of her arsenal when he had freed her from the brig. That was the main reason Hook offered to let her prove herself during Will's training lessons. He wouldn't go up against her himself, but he'd at least task a decent swordsman to oppose her. It would be the best way to gauge her skill.
As he made his way to pour himself a drink, it occurred to him how much time he had spent thinking about her all day. Taking in her behaviors and actions, most of the time, unbeknownst to her. While she looked delicate and demure, Emma was tough, strong, and fiercely independent. She may walk and talk like a lady, but she would laugh honestly at the crudest of jokes made by the crew. Hook thought of the way she smiled, and how she would constantly tuck her hair behind her ears. If he wasn't careful, he might just find himself falling in love with her.
Emma chose that moment to walk through the door with William, both of them giggling at whatever they had been talking about. He smiled at them both. "Good evening, Captain." Emma said lightly. "I'll see you later William. I haven't forgotten my promise to you." She said playfully with a wink. It made Hook only admire her more.
William grinned and hurried out of the room. He hadn't seen the boy so happy in a long time. Not that William wandered around looking mopey, but around Emma he practically bounced with each step in excitement. Hook thought for a moment that maybe she reminded the boy of his own mother. With how kind and easily affectionate she was towards William, it was easy to see why.
Hook remembered himself, and offered Emma a drink, which she accepted. Opting for a bottle of wine, instead of the rum, he poured her a glass. They sat down across from each other, and made idle conversation before settling into their food. After a few glasses in, Emma seemed to be more apt to talking to him. Asking him questions about himself and his travels. He shared his best stories, and watched her laugh at all the right moments.
He couldn't remember the last time he had honestly enjoyed himself like this. Hook wondered if Emma felt the same. If she was as happy as he was in that moment. Hook wanted to believe that by letting down some of his own walls, Emma might do the same. However, she seemed content with learning more about him this evening. It gave him the chance to try and redeem himself slightly with her. Maybe even earn her trust.
It was the first time they had had a real conversation he realized. One where he wasn't trying to antagonize her, or prod information out of her. His own walls started to creep back up on him. He felt as though he was revealing too much about himself too soon.
Hook knew he wasn't much of a hero. You don't get to be a pirate and call yourself that. Yet, he found himself wanting to be a better man around her. With other women, he had always behaved like a scoundrel. A part of him felt ashamed for it, looking at Emma now. If he had known he'd meet her someday, perhaps he would have made different choices. Or maybe he had to make those choices in order to find her.
Emma hadn't seem to notice his slight change in behavior. She had been so interested in his last tale that he showed her a particular treasure he saved as a souvenir. Watching her as she admired the small token, has he had lost himself in thought. Putting the token down, Emma looked at him tentatively. Hook felt like the earth had shifted somehow under her gaze. It was as if an overwhelming tension washed over him. He was suddenly very aware of her presence, and how close she stood next to him. He watched the way she played with her hair, and bit her lip.
"I have a confession to make." Emma said shyly. Or was she being coy? Hook couldn't quite tell. He suddenly felt slightly nervous, trying to ignore how much he wanted to lean in closer to her.
"Most women do." Hook attempted to respond smoothly, raising his eyebrow curiously.
Emma took a step closer to him. He froze where he stood, afraid that if he moved, the moment might disappear, "I wanted to know how you got the hook. You hear so many stories." She touched his hook lightly with her fingertips.
The spell was broken. It briefly occurred to him that she might be flirting with him, but she had brought up a topic he did not want to discuss with her. Not yet at least. "I'm afraid that's a story for another time." Emma looked disappointed, so he added, "It's not exactly a happy tale, and I've been enjoying myself so far this evening." He stared into her green eyes, and hoped that somehow he hadn't ruined the evening by avoiding her question.
"Fair enough," Emma nodded with an encouraging smile. For a moment they stared at each other. Her hand was still on his hook, but she was holding it now. As if it wasn't his hook, but his hand, and she was trying to comfort him. He considered closing what little distance was left between them, leaning in close enough to feel her lips on his, but he thought better of it.
Clearing his throat, Hook said, "Perhaps you'd like to go up to the deck for some fresh air. I'm sure William is bursting at the seams for you to tell him a story."
Emma looked slightly disappointed, but she nodded, and allowed him to lead the way out of the cabin.
Emma wasn't sure what came over her down in the cabin. Standing back on the deck, she let the night air wake her up from the stupor she had been in. He had drawn her in, when they were alone in his quarters. She had felt comfortable, and allowed herself to even enjoy his stories. Thinking back on the moment when she asked him about his Hook, she blushed. Emma had flirted with him, unintentionally. Or maybe subconsciously? Perhaps she had too much wine, and Mr. Jameson's words earlier had affected her more than she thought. She wasn't quite sure.
As she joined the crew, she realized that this must be a normal habit for them. Joining together either below in the galley, or up here on the deck. They were all trading flasks and mugs, sharing stories. Once Emma and Hook had joined, they became even more boisterous and animated in their tales. A few of the men acting out the scenes they described. Emma laughed along with the crew, accepting the drinks past to her.
She attempted not to look at Hook too often. When she did, he was almost always looking back at her. Emma would glance away quickly as if she hadn't been looking. After a while he spoke, which she felt gave her reason to look at him, "Mr. Jameson, you've been telling Miss Swan tales of the crew all day. You've known her since she was a girl, apparently. Why don't you share a story about her?"
A few of the men who had fallen victim to Mr. Jameson's tales this afternoon hooted in response. "Well, I assume that's only fair." Emma replied amicably, but she was blushing. She was willing to be a good sport. As much as he revealed about himself down in the cabin, she guessed he'd want to know more about her as well. Emma felt slightly pleased at that thought.
"Oh, I don't know about that, Captain. I don't want to embarrass the girl. Besides, the stories I have might not be one's she wants told." Mr. Jameson glanced at her nervously.
Emma had a feeling the stories he had in mind weren't one's where her title as a princess were involved, but rather, the boy she had once been in love with. Knowing this, she smiled at Mr. Jameson, "It's okay, really. I don't mind. Even if it's about him."
"Him?" Hook asked, intrigued. Emma thought she might have seen a flash of jealousy.
"Well," Mr. Jameson looked at her once more, before continuing, "It was well known that young Miss Swan fancied a young man that would come to port from time to time."
This seemed to catch every man's attention, several of them making cooing noises. Emma blushed and laughed, it had been so long ago now. It didn't hurt as much as she thought it would, hearing Mr. Jameson talk about him.
"The young man worked as a deckhand on a merchant ship. It would come to our town every few weeks. Each time it did, Miss Swan would suddenly have a reason to visit the docks. Nobody remembered when it started, she just started popping up every few weeks. Visiting the various merchants, pretending to be in need of something. There were a few times where I thought she might have built up the courage to say something to him, but he'd walk right past her. It was as if he was oblivious to her completely."
At this point in his story, a few of the men laughed. As if it was impossible to them that any man had been oblivious to her. "This went on for a few years, mind you. Sometimes when she'd come to the docks, and she'd have a gaggle of girls with her. Whenever his ship would dock, they would be somewhere around the vicinity. She'd try to get his attention by laughing loudly with her friends. Flipping her long hair over her shoulder. Miss Swan had even tried flirting with her admirer's right in front of him, but still the young deckhand took no notice of her."
"I guess she finally decided she had had enough of waiting for him to try and speak to her. It was one of the first days of summer, and she and her friends were wearing flower crowns in their hair. The boy had been sitting on a few crates, not too far from where Miss Swan and her friends stood. He had his nose in a book, and seemed to be trying to ignore their giggling. Miss Swan stood tall with her shoulders back, head raised, and walked over to him. For a few minutes she attempted to talk to the boy. I couldn't hear what was said, but it was my impression that he was less than receptive to engaging her in a conversation."
Emma glanced at Hook, but his back was now turned, looking out at the water. She wondered if it bothered him to hear stories of her enamored by someone else. She chased away the thought with another sip of rum from the flask past to her by Mr. Smee.
"Next thing I know, the two seemed to be in a heated argument. Miss Swan looked like she she was about to hit him. Quicker than anyone I've ever seen, she grabbed the book out of his hands, shoved him off the crate. The boy fell right into the ocean." Mr. Jameson mimicked the sound of him landing in the sea. This had the whole crew roaring with laughter.
A few of the men asked her what he said to elicit such a response from her. Shrugging her shoulders, Emma answered nonchalantly, "He said he wasn't interesting in having a conversation with me, and that he found my giggling to be annoying."
This brought on a whole new wave of raucous laughter, but she didn't mind. Instead, Emma joined them. William was soon tugging on her sleeve, asking her to tell a story. She had thought long and hard about what story to tell. She felt it was fitting for her first story to be one that her mother had once told her, about her friend Ariel. A mermaid that fell in love with a sailor. It seemed appropriate, and the men seemed to enjoy it, but the captain still stood with his back turned.
Hook had been lost in thought ever since Mr. Jameson started telling the story of young Miss Swan. He hadn't anticipated that he would know it already. How had he not realized it sooner?
The last time they had seen each other, she had only been sixteen. Emma had grown up since then, but he could still make out the young girl he once knew in her features. The girl he thought he had lost forever.
Not lost, but dead, He reminded himself.
Hook was angry. Mostly at himself, but partially at Mr. Jameson for not telling him. Maybe he had made Emma a promise not to reveal her secret. He didn't really care at the moment. Hook was reeling from this reveal.
The rest of the world, including himself, had believed she was dead. Yet somehow she was still alive, and on his ship with him. It was a crushing realization that Emma had been right in front of him, told him her name, and he hadn't made the connection. It had crossed his mind for a moment. He had noted their similarities, but thought it was a coincidence. A fleeting dream that he had dismissed quickly.
It infuriated him that somehow Mr. Jameson knew immediately who she was. Hook had seen the moment pass between them. They had even discussed it. Even now, after telling the story, Mr. Jameson left out the fact that she was in fact the Princess of the Enchanted Forest. That it wasn't just young boys from town that followed her, but knights and guards as well. They had all tried flirting with her. While she might have entertained their attentions occasionally, she never had any real interest in her suitors. She had only ever had an interest in him, for reasons he had never really quite understood.
Hook wondered if Emma thought he was dead as well. There were only a few men not currently on this ship that knew he had become Captain Hook. Had she looked for him, at some point? Only to hear the rumors of his death?
It had never occurred to him that Emma might try to find him. After the Queen announced that she had crushed the heart of Princess Emma, she displayed her body in a glass coffin, just like the one she had used for Snow. Hook had seen her inside the coffin himself. With Emma dead, he thought there was no reason to continue living as Killian Jones. He took up the mantel of Captain Hook, and never looked back.
There was no doubt in his mind that the Evil Queen was convinced that she had killed Emma. She wouldn't have stopped searching for her otherwise. Yet, if Emma wasn't the girl in the coffin, who was?
Hook wanted to ask her. He wanted to make her tell him the truth. Turning away from the ocean, he looked back at Emma, and immediately decided better of it. She was relaxed and happy, in the middle of her own story about a mermaid and her human prince. Hook had been half listening to her voice while his internal struggle waged on. William was enthralled, sitting in front of her. The men were entranced by her tale, and he could see why. Emma seemed to light up while telling the story. A few times their eyes met, and she would blush, but her words did not falter.
If he told her he knew who she was, it would change everything. He reminded himself that Emma didn't know if she wanted to go back. That she's not the person she used to be either. He decided to do nothing with his knowledge, at least for now. It was for selfish reasons, and he knew it, but so much had changed with him as well. He couldn't be the same person that she had once known.
Hook decided in that moment, he would earn her love as himself now. A dashing rapscallion pirate captain. He would find a moment to tell her the truth, or maybe it would happen organically. Without him having to tell her the truth. He would prefer it if that were the case. Hook didn't want to tell her who he used to be.
Eventually Emma's tale was finished, and the men applauded her. A rare occurrence. Maybe someone would get a few hoots, but most of their stories were so old to each other, things had grown rather boring.
Mr. Smee decided to share his own tale, passing Emma his flask, which she accepted. Mr. Jameson had appeared by his side. "You seemed a little distracted after my story, Captain." His voice was even, but he stared down at the floor.
"Why didn't you tell me the minute you knew? How did you even know it was her?" Hook's voice was pained.
"There have been whispers that she was still alive," Mr. Jameson looked up at him sheepishly, "I didn't want to tell you. Not until I could find some kind of proof. I didn't expect we'd find her in a brig. I wasn't sure if you two had figured it out yet, but then Emma thanked me for not saying anything about her identity, and I realized neither of you knew. I thought a story to jog your memory might help."
"Well, I suppose it worked for one of us." Hook said bitterly.
"You have to tell her the truth, Killian." Hook shot him a glare. "You've been lost to each other for ten years, do you really want to waste any more time?" Mr. Jameson added kindly.
"I'm not ready to tell her." Hook said quietly.
"She tried to find you. She believes you were lost at sea."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. I assumed it wasn't my place to tell her you were alive, and the captain of this ship." Mr. Jameson gave him a sad, disappointed look.
"If I tell her who I am, then I have to explain how I became Captain Hook. I'll have to tell her everything about Liam. Everything that happened since I thought I lost her. I'm not ready to relive all of that."
"Don't wait too long to tell her the truth, Captain. You're only making your life more difficult by keeping the truth from her." Mr. Jameson said wisely, and left Hook in peace.
After a few more stories from the rest of the crew, Emma wished them all goodnight, and headed back towards the cabin. He gave her enough time to get changed before joining her.
She was in her nightdress again, brushing out her hair. Emma had noticed his entrance into the cabin, but hadn't paid much attention to him.
"That was a good story you told tonight, love." Hook said to her after a while. He noticed his voice sounded softer than usual. Emma always had that effect on him. My Emma, he thought. At least she had been once.
She smiled at him, "Thank you." Finishing what she had been doing, Emma put down the brush, and climbed into his bed. Turning away from him to allow him some privacy.
Pulling off his boots, he started to change for bed. How many times had he imagined what it would be like to fall asleep laying next to her. He'd already had the pleasure, and didn't get to fully enjoy it the night before. He remember her shoving him out of the bed, and wondered why it hadn't dawned on him then that she was the same girl. All of these little pieces of her personality seem to give her away. He wondered if it was the same with him. If she had noticed the similarities to the boy he was, and the man he is now.
Hook remembered when she first saw him, she had whispered something. Had it been his name? Emma had said he reminded her of someone. Had she recognized him as well, and dismissed the thought so quickly? Of course she had. If it wasn't already for the fact that he was supposed to be dead, the fact that he allowed her to believe the tales of his immortality would have been enough. How could he have possibly met her as a young boy if he was 200 years old?
Emma didn't know yet that Captain Hook was but a mere title. Passed on from pirate to pirate. Some more ruthless and cruel than the next. He'd like to believe that the stories of his tenure as Captain Hook were more of his escapades and his adventures, rather than ruthless and bloody.
"I promise to be on my best behavior tonight." Hook said as he finally took his place next to her. "Especially now that I know you're prone to pushing people."
"Only the ones who deserve it." She replied with a yawn.
He listened to her breathing change has she fell asleep. At one point he felt her shiver, and he moved closer to her. Sharing some of his warmth with her. A part of him hoped she would decide to stay. That maybe one night she would let him hold her as she fell asleep, rather than subconsciously finding each other while they slept. More than anything, he wanted her to stay so he could protect her. He didn't want her to be alone anymore.
Eyeing her cautiously to see if she was asleep, Hook remembered that had promised he would be on his best behavior. While he didn't think that laying on his side, and pulling her closer to him to keep her warm, would count as breaking that promise. It might be possible that she wouldn't feel that way. Ultimately he decided that if Emma woke up and objected, he would claim he must have moved in his sleep. She certainly had when he had woken up that morning to find her wrapped around him.
Truthfully, he just wanted to be as close to her as possible. To be able to hold her to him. It wasn't long before he found sleep as well.