A/N: I actually did have a chance to add another chapter today! Hooray! Thank you guys for continuing to read this story, and especially for favoriting and commenting. I really appreciate it. Hope you enjoy the new chapter, especially the little surprise I have for you all at the end ;)

Hook had noticed Emma return to the deck with her journal, but he was being questioned by Mr. Smee about what items they'd try to unload from their cargo once they made port. They were in a bit of a heated disagreement currently, Hook was insisting to hold on to a certain item they had in the hold. Mr. Smee, however, was trying to persuade him that it was unnecessary for them to keep something like that on a ship. In a vain attempt to convince him to sell the item as originally planned.

"We are holding on to it for now." Hook told Mr. Smee firmly. "I'm not saying we are going to hold on to it forever, but I have plans for it." Hook stole a glance at Emma, who was currently involved in drawing, and not paying their conversation any attention.

Mr. Smee looked at her as well, then back to his Captain, finally understanding. "So you want to keep it for her." His first mate stated. Hook avoided his eye, "Do you know if she can even play?"

"I'll show it to her tonight after dinner. If she's interested in it, it stays on the ship. If not, you're free to sell it." Mr. Smee considered his proposal and accepted. Leaving Hook alone with his own thoughts once more.

He glanced over at Emma every so often. She was still hard at work once more with a nub of graphite in between her fingers. Hook wondered if that was part of the supplies she needed when they returned to shore. Once or twice he caught her eye, and she smiled at him before returning to drawing.

"What are you drawing this time?" He called to her.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Emma replied, teasing him.

"Indeed I would." Hook responded, but Emma just smiled coyly and returned to her journal. Slightly frustrated, he felt trapped by the helm at this moment. Unable to just walk away, and see what she was doing himself. Giving up on any prospect of her showing him her work, he allowed his mind to wander. Hooks thoughts were solely focused on her. Not all of them were particularly pure, either.

Some time later, Emma seemed to finish with what she was drawing. Putting her supplies away, he caught her eyeing him. As if she was in a debate with herself. Not wanting to say anything that would tip the scale out of his favor, he remained silent. It seems she had made a decision as she approached him cautiously.

Swaying nervously next to him, she clutched the journal to her chest as if it was her lifeline. "You wanted to see some of my drawings?" She asked tentatively. Hook tried not to look too eager as he nodded. Biting her lip she opened to a specific page, and she held out her journal to him. Attempting to keep the written pages covered by folding them over.

Hook looked down at her drawing and was amazed. He felt like he was looking at a black and white version his deck. "This is incredible, Swan. All the details." He lightly touched the page with his hook.

"I've never actually shown anyone my drawings before." She admitted, awkwardly holding the book, and she attempted to push a piece of her long blonde hair behind her ear. Glancing at him hesitantly, she held the journal close to her, flipping through pages before showing him another piece she had done. This one was in color, a vision of a forest. Light streaming through the trees. "I drew this back in Sherwood Forest. I spent all afternoon sitting under this tree drawing before I started to add the colors."
Emma continued to tell him about the time she spent there. Explaining how she had used different items from the forest to create the paint. He noticed how wistful her voice became as she described to him how peaceful it had been. Being free, away from everything. Hook imagined her there among the trees. Emma must have in her element, being the daughter of Snow White. Sherwood Forest probably made her reminiscent of her own home. He smiled as he listened to her stories, and she shared other drawings and tales with him.

"Thank you." He said after a lull in their conversation. "For sharing this with me. I enjoy learning more about your beginnings, Miss Swan."

Emma blushed slightly, and held her journal close to her once more, "You have been kind enough to share some of your adventures with me. I wanted to do the same." Her voice was casual, but he knew better. She had opened a part of herself up to him.

"You're an amazing artist, your work is very realistic." Emma had smiled at his praise. Hook could tell she was pleased by his compliments. She excused herself to return her supplies and journal, and he watched her as she retreated.

Emma hadn't shown him what sketch she had been working on this afternoon. He had his suspicions that she had drawn him. Hook was curious of how she portrayed him in her journal. If that was what she had been doing this afternoon. He gave the helm back to Mr. Jameson, who had just returned from finishing dinner.

The older man smiled at him, "It seems you and Miss Swan have been getting along rather well."

"It would seem so." Hook replied, stretching out his arms.

"Will she be leaving the ship once we make port tomorrow?"

"I think she intends to stay, if only for a little while." He admitted, not adding that he wanted Emma to stay with him always.

Mr. Jameson was watching him intently. Hook could tell what was coming next, "Have you talked to her yet. Told her who you really are?" Hook made no answer, and Mr. Jameson sighed impatiently, "You should tell her. You'd both be happier for it, but I won't say anything more on the subject."

"She told me she doesn't want to go home." Hook admitted, "That she isn't the same person anymore."

"I don't quite understand what that has to do with you telling her who you are." Mr. Jameson seemed genuinely confused.

"I'm not the same person either. I want her to care for the person I am now, not the person I used to be. What if she's disappointed, that this was the man I've become?" Hook confessed.

"What if she admires you more for it? That you found yourself in a dark place, and wanted to come out of it." Mr. Jameson countered, and Hook considered it his words. If only for a moment, before dismissing them completely.

"For now, I just want a fresh start with her." He replied honestly. Leaving the man, signalling the end of the conversation.

When Hook returned to his quarters, he found Emma sitting at the table, staring at her journal. "Everything alright, love? You look troubled."

She looked slightly guilty, but smiled up at him regardless, "It's nothing. I just ran out of ink, and I hadn't finished writing." Her voice trailed off.

Hook chuckled, "And you wanted to finish before you lost your train of thought?"

"Something like that." Emma admitted.

He opened a drawer and pulled out his own inkwell, passing it carefully to her. "You can borrow mine to finish up."

Emma glanced at him nervously, "Thank you, but I'll finish up later, if that's alright?"

"Afraid I might take a peek at what you're writing?" Hook teased, pretending to try and peer at her writing.

She rolled her eyes at him, pulling her journal closer to her. "More like I know I won't be able to concentrate on writing with you staring at me."

He grinned, raising an eyebrow at her, "You find my attention distracting?"

Emma hadn't expected this response from him, and tried to recover. "I just meant it's difficult to write what I'm thinking when someone else is in the room."
"You don't seem to have a problem when you're on deck." Hook persisted.

She flustered, "Well, that's different."

"How so?" He inquired.

"Because… No one is paying attention to what I'm doing on deck. Plus, what I'm writing is personal." Emma was flushed scarlet. Whatever she was writing in her journal, it was clear that it was of a sensitive nature.

"I suppose I can wander off for a few more minutes to allow you to finish up." He said, scratching his chin with his hook.

"You don't have to do that. Your dinner will get cold." Emma protested.

"Well then, I'll promise not to stare at you, if you will finish up with your writing." Hook offered.

"Deal." Emma replied.

Smiling, Hook busied himself with pouring two glasses of rum, and setting them on the table. Emma had retreated back into her journal, heaving it into her lap, where she could discreetly write her thoughts. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her glance at him occasionally. Once or twice, he stole a glance at her. Emma's brows were furrowed in concentration as she stared at the page.

"You said you wouldn't watch." She grumbled not looking up at him.

"I couldn't help stealing a glance. You're quite adorable when you're trying to concentrate." He flashed a smile at her, and she replied with another eyeroll, and returned to her musings.

She had written at least two more pages before finally finishing, and putting her journal aside. Sighing as she shook her hand, probably in an attempt to regain feeling in her fingers.

"Thank you for letting me borrow your ink, Captain." Emma passed the well back to him, and started to massage her writing hand.

Hesitating for a moment, he moved his chair next to her. Sitting down beside her, he held out his hand, "Here, let me."

Emma looked at him suspiciously before giving him her hand. Gently, he started rubbing his thumb in small circles across her palm. Her hands were warm, and much softer than his weathered calloused palms.

Feeling her relax, he asked quietly, "I noticed when you were drawing earlier that you don't have much graphite left. Was that part of the supplies you required?" Hook's eyes focused on her hand in his.

"Yes." Emma breathed. He glanced up at her, wondering if she was affected by his touch. Emma avoided his gaze. Instead she cleared her throat, and continued in her normal tone, "I haven't been able to get new supplies in a while. Sometimes I make my own. However, being on a ship can be slightly difficult. There's not much for me to use."

Hook nodded, and they slipped into a comfortable silence. "How is your hand feeling?" He asked as he continued to rub small circles, now on the top of her hand.

"Much better, thank you." Emma answered, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Good." He stopped rubbing circles, but still held her hand. Feeling particularly brave, Hook lifted her hand to his lips, and left a feather light kiss before letting her go. He stood up and moved his chair back to it's usual spot.

Emma, surprised by his gesture, seemed dazed momentarily. Recovering, she moved her chair closer to the table, taking a large sip from her forgotten glass of rum. Silently, they both started focusing on dinner. Occasionally they attempted to make idle conversation over their meal, but his lips felt like they burned from touching her skin. He wanted nothing more than to plant a real kiss on her lips. To taste her, feel her warmth against him.

His cabin felt very small to him in this moment. It was growing steadily more difficult for him to ignore his urges with her. He needed a distraction. Hook was reminded of his conversation with Mr. Smee earlier. "Once you're finished, there's something I'd like to show you. I think it might interest you."

Emma looked up at him curiously, "Something that might interest me?"

"Aye, we picked up an item from the merchant ship we found you on. Originally, we had planned to trade it. It's slightly impractical for a ship." He admitted, nervously scratching himself behind the ear with his hook. "However, if you admire it, we could find someplace to keep it for you."

Her interest seemed piqued, and they both finished their meal quickly. "Ready when you are." Emma said with a smile, setting her fork on her empty plate.

Hurriedly taking his last few bites, and swallowing it down with a swig of rum. Hook replied, "Excellent."

Emma was surprised by his sudden change in behavior. Rising from the table, he hurried to her side, and took her hand. "Follow me." He said, blue eyes shining, and a huge grin on his face.

She followed him out of the cabin, allowing him to lead her. Laughing at his clear excitement, and surprised by his almost childlike glee, they made their way quickly through the ship. Hook had led her down to the ship's hold. Originally, when he gave her the tour of the ship, he had dismissed showing her this area. Saying she needn't be bothered with what was down here. Emma's curiosity grew further, wondering what he had hidden.

Hook let go of her hand, in order to unlock the door. "Pass me a lantern, will you?" He asked, fiddling with the keys. Emma nodded, lighting the lantern closest to her, and holding it so he could clearly see the lock. Swinging the door open, he turned to take the lantern from her, accepting it with his hook. Taking her hand in his once more, he led her inside. She glanced around the room, which seemed to mostly consist of crates. Emma held onto his arm with her free hand, as she followed behind him closely, not wanting to knock something over accidentally.

He paused for a moment, hanging the lantern. Hook looked over a particularly large crate, and muttered to himself, "I think this is the one." Smiling at her, he let go of her hand and moved towards it.

Removing his sword he pried the crate open. The front panel came off with a loud thud, revealing a small standing piano. Emma stared at it opened mouthed. It had been years since she had been able to play. She stepped closer to the instrument, allowing her fingers to ghost across the keys. "It's beautiful." Emma admitted.

"They started making these recently. It's supposed to be more convenient than a grand piano. It's meant to sit up against the wall, so it saves space in the home." Hook was watching her carefully, "I thought we might be able to make space in our cabin for it, if you wanted to keep it."

Emma was amazed by the offer, staring at him open mouthed. Finally regaining her voice, she asked incredulously, "You probably could have traded this for a small fortune. Why let me keep it?"

Hook merely shrugged, his eyes apparently taking a sudden interest on a spot on the floor. He sighed and said, "I thought it might make you happy."

"I have nothing to give you for it." She said guiltily, still unable to stop touching the instrument. Playing a few notes gently.

"It's not exactly like I paid for it, love." He admitted with a laugh. Emma noticed his nervous tick of scratching behind his ear with his hook. The great Captain Hook was bashful, she thought.

"Thank you." Emma said finally. Before she could talk herself out of doing it, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Emma could have sworn in the lantern light she had seen him blush. They both quickly turned away from each other.

"Aye, well. You're welcome, Swan. I'll have the men figure out a way to move this into our cabin tomorrow." Emma noticed how he referred to his cabin as theirs for a second time, but didn't acknowledge it. She was preoccupied with her own thoughts as he returned the panel of the crate to it's place.

Emma imagined for a moment what it would feel like to kiss Hook. Not just a peck on the cheek, as she had just done. But a real, deep, passionate kiss. And what all those kinds of kisses could lead to. It wasn't the first time the thought had crossed her mind. Emma worried that if she ever crossed that line, she would never recover if she lost him.

"Should we go back to the deck?" Emma asked as Hook finished the task. He nodded, taking the lantern with his hook, and offering her his hand. She accepted it after a moment's hesitation, and allowed him to lead the way.

Hook was quiet for the rest of the evening, taking long drinks from his flask. Trying to distract himself from his nerves. He felt foolish for being this on edge after a kiss on the cheek. The smallest form of affection from her was enough to drive him mad. Emma was currently sharing another story about a young princess who was put under a sleeping curse by Maleficent. He half-listened to what she was saying, mostly happy for an excuse to gaze at her.

"If I didn't know any better, Captain, I'd say you were in love." Mr. Jameson said quietly, offering him a flagon of ale.

Hook accepted the ale graciously and quietly replied, "I never stopped loving her."

Mr. Jameson paused at his admission, and Hook blushed at his own words. Knowing that he should probably cut back on the drinks soon, if he didn't want to start confessing his feelings to her. Still, he now had a fresh flagon in his hand, he thought as he took a deep drink. Mr. Jameson sighed, and ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair, "Then why are you keeping secrets from her?"

"I thought you said you wouldn't bring this up again." Hook moaned.

"I feel like I'm lying to her, Captain." He leaned in and quietly reminded, "She is the future Queen."

Hook turned to look at Emma again. It wasn't that he had forgotten that she was a princess, or that she could someday be Queen. These were facts that he knew, and chose to ignore because he wanted her to be his. Hook wanted to be selfish and keep her with him always. Forget responsibilities or duty, just ride off into the sunset on his ship. That was his fantasy, but the reality was that he was a pirate. Emma had once told him her parents wanted her to marry for love. Somehow he doubted they would allow their daughter to marry him.

"I'll tell her once we're on land." Hook said. That way she had an out, if she wanted it. If she didn't want him.

That night when he joined her in bed, he returned to laying on his back. Giving her back the space he had selfishly taken the night before. Hook stared at the ceiling, filled with guilt and disappointment in himself. Emma sighed, she leaned up to relight the lantern next to his bed, and rolled over to face him. "What's wrong?" She asked impatiently.

Hook stole a glance at her from the corner of his eye, "It's nothing, go to sleep." He said dismissively.

"No, it's something. You've been acting strange all night. Ever since-" Emma paused nervously, then continued, "Once we came back up on deck, you got all moody and avoided me for most of the night."

"I wasn't avoiding you." Hook said seriously.

"You're lying." She said flatly.

"I am not." He replied defensively.

"I can always tell when people are lying. Always. It's a special gift of mine." Emma replied deadpan. "You're not telling me something, and now you're upset."

"What makes you think I'm upset?" Hook questioned.

Emma bit her lip, softly she said, "I saw you and Mr. Jameson talking while I was telling the story. You had seemed happy before, but then after your talk with him, it was like your mood completely changed." He shifted uncomfortably, and didn't respond. More quietly she added, "When you came to bed, you stayed on your side instead of…" Emma's voice trailed off. Hook turned his head to look at her, but she seemed determined to stare at his shoulder, instead of meeting his eye.

Neither one of them spoke, he wanted to tell her the truth, but he was terrified that she would hate him. Eventually she turned back around, "Never mind, forget I said anything." Her voice was dejected. Leaning back up, she snuffed out the lantern, and settled back into bed.

Hook waited for his eyes to adjust to the dark. He could just make out her figure. Deciding he'd rather spend the night close to her, he turned on his side and pulled her back against his chest. She let out a small gasp at his sudden movement, but he didn't care. He breathed her in, and moved his hand over hers. Hook was pleasantly surprised when she entwined her fingers with his.

"There are a lot of things I haven't told you, Swan." Hook said softly.

"There are a lot of things I haven't told you either, Captain." Emma responded, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

Nuzzling into her shoulder, he have her a brief kiss on the neck. "I'm not ready to tell you everything, but there are some things you should know." Hook whispered.

"Like what exactly?" Emma asked kindly, pulling him closer to her.

Hook hesitated for a moment, starting with something simple he said, "I'm not actually 200 years old, for the record."

She chuckled, "You don't say." He could practically feel her eyes rolling at him.

"Captain Hook is more of a colorful moniker. It's a title that kind of gets passed down." He explained.

Emma was silent, but thankfully still holding his hand. Hook wondered if he should continue when she finally asked, "How long have you been Captain Hook?"

"Almost a decade, I think... There are a lot of things I regret." Hook admitted quietly. "Earlier, Mr. Jameson was teasing me about something."

"What was he teasing you about?"

Hook sighed, "You, actually. That I care for you. But I am not worthy of you. I'm nothing more than a pirate. You deserve a better man than I."

She was silent, but he could feel her heart racing. Hook thought he might have said too much. Letting go of her hand, he started to pull away, but she grabbed his arm. He froze, waiting for her to say something. "You're a good man, Hook."

"I'm not nearly good enough."

"Let me be the judge of that." Emma replied back. Pulling his arm back around her, he laid back down on his side next to her. She hadn't admitted that she had feelings for him, but she hadn't pushed him away either. "Whatever you did, you're not that person anymore." Emma's voice was sincere, "It's not going to change anything."

"That's quite a lot of faith you're putting on me, Swan." He sighed and added, "I'm not sure I've done anything to deserve it."

"You don't know everything about me, either, you know." Emma reminded him, turning around to face him. "There are things that I haven't been honest with you about either. But… I want to trust you, Hook. I want to share things with you, when I feel like I'm ready. So I want you to know that I won't push you to tell me everything. When you're ready to open up to me, I will be here for you. I promise you, whatever it is, it's not going to send me away. I'm going to choose to see the best in you."

Her words hung in the air between them, and weighed heavily on his heart. Hook closed his eyes as he felt her hand cup his face, feeling her thumb graze across his cheek. Emma leaned in and gently placed a kiss on his lips. She held the kiss for a minute, before pulling away. Hook looked at her in shock and awe. Running her hand through his hair, she whispered, "Goodnight, Captain."

Emma rolled back into her usual sleeping position, and Hook followed suit. Wrapping his arm around her, and still feeling happy when she held his hand. After his initial disbelief had worn off, he wanted to kick himself for not kissing her back. He thought about how her lips had been soft against his. Hook hoped that he'd be able to repeat the experience soon, so he could permanently engrave the memory of her lips against his in his mind.