Blame it on the Rum

By RosexKnight

Henry has broken his leg, something that brought Emma and Hook's night to a screeching halt. Now they must find out who the thief who dares steal from Regina is. If Emma has anything to say about it, that is.

Chapter Three

"Mom, really. I'm fine." Henry said, though at this point he wasn't sure which one he was talking to.

The boy had quite a crowd gathered around his hospital bed. Regina, Emma, Hook, David, Elsa, even Robin Hood was there at his side. His leg was elevated above him, wrapped in a bright blue cast. It would no doubt be covered in signatures by the end of the week.

"Honestly it's just a broken bone." Regina muttered, her tone that of a worried mother. "With a wave of my hand Rumple or I could have it fixed in no time."

"But then no one will be able to sign my cast. And I won't get a cool wheelchair." It was obvious he didn't share in his family, despair. However, his smile fades as he paused, "Guess this means fishing tomorrow is out though."

"Nonsense!" Hook said, giving Henry a wink and tapping his hook. "Fish bite the lines of the incapacitated more. Trust me."

"Maybe I should stay with you tonight." Emma said for the third time, her brain too jumbled to focus on one thing.

"I'm fine!" Henry insisted, picking up on the looks the pirate was giving his mother. They held nothing but concern and support. He wasn't sure how he felt about it, but he got the feeling this had interrupted something important.

"How did this happen anyway?"

Elsa immediately went uneasy. "He slipped on my ice. We were trying to catch a thief. I'm sorry! If I knew-"

A chill ran through the air, and David placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. Elsa muttered an apology as Regina stepped forward.

"Elsa was helping me try and find a way to thaw Marian..." Robin shifted awkwardly behind Regina, "I'd made apple tarts for us. Henry was in the kitchen when someone snuck in and stole the tarts. When Elsa tried to use her ice to slip him up, Henry slipped instead."

"Tarts?" Emma said, "That's all?"

Hook shook his head, "What kind of rubbish thief steals tarts?"

"The Nave of Hearts!" Henry chimed, a bright smile on his face. The group looked at him in bewilderment. "You know. The nave of hearts, he stole those tarts? Like the rhyme?"

"So what someone else from Wonderland?" Emma asked, "I'm never going to get used to this."

"I thought the portal to Wonderland was closed when we destroyed Jefferson's hat." David said, trying to follow. "How could the Nave of Hearts get here?"

"No idea. But I might know where he's going." Robin Hood said, "He and I share a history. I'll start looking for him."

"I'll go with you." David said, "Mary Margret was putting Neal down when I left. I have a few hours before he starts wailing."

"I'll go get Henry's things from home." Regina said, giving Emma a sharp look when she began to protest. "My house is closer. Besides he needs rest. Not you and Captain Guyliner making eyes at each other all night. Besides..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Robin and then to Emma, who simply nodded, not needing Regina to say anything more. Emma knew how vital distractions could be.

"I'll go thaw that ice..." Elsa said simply, "I'm sure it'll be easier to navigate without slippery floors."

Emma suddenly felt incredibly left out. She was usually the one calling the shots. Organizing. Now everyone was bidding her a good night before she could get two words out.

"Guess that leaves the three of us for now, kid." She said as the room cleared, sitting on the end of his bed.

"Two." Hook said, holding up his hand when Emma gave him a look. "Relax, love. You two look thirsty. I'm simply going to fetch some beverages. Be back in a shake."

For a moment all that could be heard were footsteps, and Emma gave an exasperated sigh as they faded. What was wrong with her tonight? Why couldn't she focus on anything? Too many things were happening at once. It felt suffocating.

"You okay?" Henry asked.

"Yeah kid." Emma lied, giving him a pat on his outreached hand. "Just unfocused I guess. Distracted. Blame it on the rum I had earlier."

"You like him." The familiar knowingness dropped from Henry's tone as his mother gave him a look if disbelief. He'd caught her off guard. Good. "I know you do. You don't spend time with any guy this late unless it's a sheriff thing."

A tight frown formed on her lips. "Sometimes you're too smart for your own good you know that?"

"Well? What's going on? Were you two on a date?"

"Not exactly. Look, Henry..." She searched for the words. In New York it had been so easy. Welsh this is my son. Period. Well, except for the flying monkey thing. But with Hook... "Are you okay with this? With him?"

"You mean am I okay with my mom dating Captain Hook? Possibly becoming an item?"

"Yeah." She was surprised how easily the words came to her.

"Is he gonna be my new dad?" The joking grin was evident, but it was still Emma shot him a look that told him he was going way too fast. "In kidding, mom! I want you to be happy."

"That's not what I asked."

"That's my answer."

God there was some Rumpelstiltskin in him after all. "Alright. Fine. But if you ever get a weird feeling..."

"I'll let you know." He paused, "They want you to be happy too ya know. That's why they didn't let you in on the thief thing."

The blonde blinked, looking at her child in genuine surprise before smiling. Warmth welled inside her. Henry being right was a double-edged sword, but at least it was good sometimes. "I hate it when you're right. Though now I'm not sure what to do with myself for the rest of the night."

"I was thinking a walk on the beach to clear that head of yours." Hook entered the room with two cups of hot cocoa. "Sorry. The hospital didn't have cinnamon."

Emma blinked. "How did you know we like cinnamon?"

"I pay attention to more than just your eyes, love." He said as Henry sipped eagerly at his cup. Emma rolled her eyes. "So, how about it?"

"I suppose it couldn't hurt. After all I did give you all night."

"Aye. That you did."

"Ew." Henry said in his best obnoxious kid voice as he gave Emma a grin. "Mom was right. You two do make eyes."

"One day you won't mind it so much." Hook said, giving the boy a wink.

Regina returned shortly, and as much as Emma hated it Henry had to get Hook to practically drag her out of the hospital. "Your lad…he does like me doesn't he?"

"What?"

"Henry. I can't tell if my charm is working on him."

Emma rolled her eyes, but didn't stop Hook as he laced their hands together and they walked to the bug, "It's gonna take more than charm to win him over…But I think he does."

Hook nodded, and Emma could see the gears turning in his mind. It dawned on her as she cranked up the car that he was worried. Worried that Henry wouldn't like him. Wouldn't want him dating his mother. The thought of this pirate possibly being in it for the long haul made something in her stomach quiver and her heartbeat falter. It scared her, but only because of how much she herself didn't mind the idea.

"Are you alright, love?" Hook asked as they parked at the docks. "Have I done something to upset you?"

Emma exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She looked over to him and shook her head. "No. It's not you."

"Do you want to go back to the hospital?"

"No. Henry's in good hands. And Regina needs the distraction from her…thing." It was hard to face. "I just feel off. There's a thief on the loose and everyone jumped on tracking him down before even giving me a chance to comment."

"Perhaps they wanted to give you a break."

"From what?"

"From carrying the weight of the world in your shoulders." Emma shot him a look, but his gaze held nothing but concern. She sighed, getting out of the car and headed towards the beach. He followed, persistent and unrelenting. "Love I know that you're The Savior but you can't carry everything alone."

"I've been doing fine."

"You were drinking tonight."

"I needed it."

"Because it's too much to bear on your own." He caught her wrist with his hook, pulling her to him the same way he'd done on the Beanstalk, the first time they'd met. The first time he'd gotten to read her, and she him. "You need to learn to share that burden."

"What with my family? The ones who I'm supposed to protect? What with you?"

"If you'll let me."

Emma tried to fight it. She really did. But the way he was looking at her. Had been looking at her all night. The pressure she was under. The way he'd remembered Henry and her liked cinnamon. The way he'd dropped everything because her son was in trouble. It was all too much, and she caved. Grabbing the collar of his jacket she pulled him into a kiss, her lips crashing into his as she tried to convey all the emotions she couldn't put into words. He complied, catching her lips, wrapping her arms around her, supporting her weight as he pulled her to him. Her lips moved against him, and the good behavior he was trying to stay on slowly melted away. His lips became bolder, running his tongue over her lips, nobbling softly. Their lips danced against each other as they drank each other in, no words at all needed for the feelings they shared, the pull they had felt towards each other. Emma was ruined, and now she knew it.

There was a shift of sand near them, and the blonde pulled away quickly. Hook groaned in protest, leaning to her to find her lips again.

"Wait." She said as his lips brushed against her cheek. "Someone's out there."

Another shift. Then another. Footsteps. She strained her eyes, finding the outline of a figure in the sand, walking along with what looked to be a bottle in his hand.

"Love?"

"I think that's our thief."