Hook helped Emma board the Jolly Roger before running around the decks with the excitement of a young child. Emma laughed to herself at his enthusiasm. She was surprised at how adept he was in controlling his ship with only one hand, but then reminded herself that he had centuries of practice. He climbed the main mast rope and then swung down to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Show off," she said, giving him a kiss. "You seem rather excited."
"I haven't sailed in days, I have you on my boat - alone. There's barely anyone in this world," he said, dipping his head to kiss her neck. "Maybe we can just stay in this world for a few days. Fall deeper in love. Maybe..." he wiggled his eyebrows instead of finishing his sentence. It was pretty obvious what he meant.
"That's very tempting," Emma said. "But I just know Henry is in danger. Cora seemed pretty eager to get to him."
"Too right, lass. I'll help you protect him, I promise," Hook said, kissing her forehead.
"I know. And you have really proven yourself to make good on your promises," Emma said. As she moved away to watch the sea go by, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Well then, while I'm being trusted," he said, moving into her so he was whispering in her ear. "I promise from this moment on, I will always be on your side, Swan."
"Even if it means giving up on your revenge?" Hook let out a sigh, but kissed her on the cheek.
"Yes, as long as you are patient with me on that one. I have been seeking revenge for almost 300 years. It's kind of a hard habit to break," he said. Emma turned in his arm a little and looked into his eyes.
"I promise to not put walls up to keep you out ever again. I promise to trust you, and to be by your side too," Emma said.
"Just one more thing," he said. "Do you promise to call me Killian?"
"I promise, Killian." Hook took her hand and dropped the bean that was around his neck into her hand, guiding her fingers to close around it.
"This is a symbol," he said with a proud look in his eye. "Something once dried up and dead, now magical, full of possibility, and the beginning of our journey together. Would you do the honors, love?" Emma kissed him and tossed it over her shoulder. The water began to swirl into a tide pool and Hook bounded up toward the wheel. He motioned for Emma to join him as he steered toward it. "Hold on, lass, there are bumpy seas ahead."
"We can handle it, Captain," Emma said, joining him at the helm and holding onto him tight. The Jolly Roger bucked as the water swirled beneath them. Emma held Killian tight around his waist and buried her face in his jacket as they began entering the swirling vortex of the portal. Hook was a master at the wheel, not letting the fear of drowning enter his mind for a second. He braved into the portal and they were surrounded by a thick mist of water splashing their face before a bright flash of light engulfed the entire ship. Emma held her breath and suddenly felt the ship's rocking begin to steady. Killian reached around behind him to pull Emma into his chest and rubbed her back.
"It's okay, we're through," he said calmly. He looked down at her and smiled before looking back up and steering the ship with his hook. Emma was amazed at how happy he looked, almost as if he were a completely different person than the one who left her in Rumplestiltskin's cell. She leaned her head on his shoulder and watched the ship bob up and down in the water.
"You are one amazing captain," she said. "The sea suits you."
"Aye, this is my joy," he said, craning his neck to kiss her. "As are you." A tear formed in Emma's eyes as she kissed him. She never thought she'd ever find true love, and it was here now, with a pirate. Her life has always felt surreal, and the thought of loving a pirate was truly something out of a fairy tale. But as Killian kissed her, she'd never felt more calm or more safe than she ever had in her life. This was true love.
The main street of Storybrooke was silent except for the screams of pain coming from the center of the town. David held his sword up in defense with all the strength he had left in him. Snow was behind him, clutching Henry in her arms. Henry buried his face in his Grandmother's jacket, not wanting to see Regina or Cora hurt his Grandfather anymore. Cora and Regina continued to throw fireball after fireball at David, who deflected them, but was wearing thin. The two were relentless in their fight to take Henry back, and David had not stopped protecting them for a second. Gold, more worried about Cora than protecting the Charmings, was currently pinned against a brick wall, struggling to try to conjure his way out.
"It's no use, Charming," Cora said. "I'm losing my patience. Give my grandson to Regina."
"He's not your grandson!" David yelled back. "We will never hand him over to you."
"Same old song," Cora said mockingly. "Enough of this." Cora disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke and reappeared next to Snow, ripping Henry from her arms.
"No!" Snow said, attacking Cora. Regina tried to pull Henry away from Cora and Snow's struggle, but was met with David wrestling her away. Everyone paused as a cutlass flew through the air and was driven into the side of Gold's shop. Killian and Emma were running down main street, and Henry ran towards his mother and buried himself in her arms. Emma held on tightly to her son, wishing so hard that she wouldn't wake up to find herself back in the jail cell of the alternate universe. Killian pulled his sword from the siding and stood in front of Emma and Henry, ready to defend.
"Hello, Hook," Cora said with a sly grin. "Don't you look protective?"
"Leave Henry alone," Killian said. "Or I will finish what we started the day we met."
"Oh, we both you you can't do that," Cora said, gesturing towards her heart. Although Killian knew what she meant, he would find away to kill her if she hurt Emma or Henry. He raised his sword and aimed it toward her.
"Try me," he said. Cora simply waved her hand and Killian went flying backward, getting pinned into the wall next to Mr. Gold.
"Well done, Captain," Gold mocked.
"You're one to talk, Crocodile, we're both pinned to the wall," Killian snapped back as he struggled to get free. Regina and Cora approached Henry and Emma, who were clinging to each other.
"Give me back my son," Regina said angrily. "You can't take him from me." As she reached for Henry, Emma willed with everything that was in her for Henry to be safe. Cora and Regina were shot back by a white light, and as they hit the side of the building, both disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Gold and Killian fell to the ground as the spell wore off, and Killian ran to put his arms around Emma and Henry. David helped Mary Margaret off the ground, and Gold found his cane to help himself up.
"I didn't seem to go a good job in protecting you," Killian said to Emma, brushing her hair out of her face. "But it seems that you can handle yourself." Emma laughed as she pulled him closer to her and Henry. Henry looked up at Killian in confusion.
"Mom, who is this?" It was then Henry noticed Killian's hand. "WHOA! Captain Hook?! That's so cool!" Killian puffed with pride at the boy's amazement.
"Henry, this is Killian Jones- Captain Hook," Emma said, introducing her son. Henry lunged for Killian and gave him a huge hug.
"Thank you for bringing my Mom to me," Henry said. In a single act, Killian was instantly taken with the boy. He was Emma's son, and Killian knew they would be quickly bonded.
"Good form, mate," Killian said, patting him on the back with his hook. David and Snow approached the three of them and Emma quickly hugged her parents.
"We were so worried," Snow said, holding her daughter tight. "Hello, Hook." Snow said through her tears and not letting go of Emma.
"Always a pleasure, m'lady," Hook said with a small bow. The sound of the cane hitting the pavement made Hook shoot his gaze toward Gold. He stood still in the middle of the street, waiting for Hook to make a move. Hook stared at him, like a lion ready to pounce on his prey. Emma slowly took his hand and gave it a squeeze, silently reminding him of his promise.
"It seems as if you've had a life changing adventure, Hook," Gold said, observing his and Emma's touch. Killian tightened his jaw, trying to resist the urge to kill with everything in his body. "Another day for revenge, perhaps?" Gold smiled in triumph as he turned to go back to his pawn shop, knowing he'd be safe from Hook as long as Emma was around. Gold was relieved of it too- he also had a love to lose, and he didn't want to jeopardize Belle's life. Killian let out a sigh to relax himself once Gold was out of sight. Emma put her hand on his cheek and turned his head to face her.
"I'm so proud of you," Emma said, smiling at Killian.
"What just happened?" David said, pointing toward Hook and where Gold just was.
"It's a long story," Emma said as everyone collected themselves. "But first, let's get some cocoa and some real food." Henry raced on ahead to Granny's diner, while Emma took Killian's hand, followed by Charming and Snow holding hands behind them.