How Deep Is Your Love

Chapter Ten

When the sun began to rise the next morning, Killian struggled to climb down from the tree he had climbed hours before to rest above ground where he hoped the Snow Queen's magical beast wouldn't be able to get to him while he tried to sleep, though it barely came for him despite how exhausted he was from running so hard to stay ahead of her monster and the cold that still surrounded him, not to mention that he had grown weary of all the trouble each of the heroes have all been through as of late, more so than he let on to Emma.

That was why Emma asking him out was such a surprise to him and why he looked forward to the night that just passed him by because of the villainess who had begun this test of endurance as she had called it and had God knows what else she had in mind for him, that is if he even survived her first challenge. Finally, Hook continued through the woods in search for the town, keeping his eyes and ears out for any sign of the snow leopard in hope that the creature stalking him wouldn't suddenly jump out at him from out of nowhere.

While he did so, Hook also struggled with trying to keep his mind clear, not just because he needed to concentrate on keeping himself awake and moving, but because he was trying to avoid thinking about what Emma and her parents, as well as her son were all thinking about him now that he had stood the Savior up. He knew that Emma would be hurt that he had now done as the rest of the men she had loved had done to her, and that David especially would be angry at him after all his efforts to try to prove to the Prince he was worthy enough for his daughter.

"I think it's time you and I have a little talk about your intentions with my daughter," Killian couldn't help, but remember the father of the woman he loved saying to him cynically as he had during their very brief conversation a few days ago before chaos interrupted them like it always did.

"That's a little old-fashioned, even by my standards," Hook replied with frustration while he watched as Emma moved closer to the ice wall in front of them for a closer look, then turned his face and body to his friend. "And I still pay with doubloons."

David kept looking around them keeping his flashlight ahead of him, not quite looking at Hook as he responded, "Oh remember, I know your reputation. Emma is not some conquest."

The Pirate Captain kept his eyes on David, who finally looked over at him as well and nodded after Killian started off firmly until his voice softened while he answered, "I wouldn't risk my life for someone I see as loot. Whatever we become, it's up to her as much as me."

"It appears you may have been right after all, David," Killian whispered to himself when he quickly forced the memory away. "My intentions were obviously not as honorable as I believed them to be."

"So… crisis averted," he suddenly heard himself saying with a laugh when another memory swiftly entered his mind while he continued walking onward, being unable to block it as he saw Emma standing within the woods ahead of him while she made a snowball and cast it away.

Emma turned to him once he approached her and chortled at his comment, then she asked in frustration, "Now you want to go home and see what's on Netflix?"

Hook smiled at her as he looked at her with confusion, then he chuckled and replied, "I don't know what that is, but sure."

"Killian, someone created that... Snowman," she responded nervously, looking between him and their surroundings. "This isn't over."

"It never is," he curtly stated, then looked deeper into her eyes and moved closer to her seductively. "All the more reason to enjoy the quiet moments, and right now... We have a quiet moment."

Emma smiled, but backed away from him as she whispered, "I know. I just got to do something."

Hook waved her off in frustration and answered, "Right. Of course. Go ahead. Don't tell me you're not avoiding me anymore because I'm actually quite perceptive, and this... This is avoiding me."

"No… I know," the Savior replied sadly as she looked up into his eyes as he turned back to her. "I am. I just feel... Right now, I just feel too guilty."

He looked at her skeptically as he asked, "Over Regina?"

She quickly continued, "She lost someone she really cares for because of me."

"No, there's more to this than just Regina, isn't there?" Killian retorted upon reading the look on her face.

"Be patient," Emma responded quietly after she leaned in to kiss him and then walked away from him.

Hook watched after her until Emma disappeared and then turned to leave the woods as well while he said to himself with frustration, "I have all the time in the world. Unless... Another monster appears and kills me."

Killian was suddenly pulled from his thoughts as Ingrid appeared behind him, causing him to stand still and then turn around when she called out, "You survived the night. I have to admit I didn't know if you would or not."

"What did I… tell you, love?" he spoke up saying smugly even though he was even colder than he was when he first woke up from his uneasy sleep. "I'm a hell of a survivor. I've lived… for centuries while fighting against villains such as Pan, the bloody Wicked Witch, and especially Rum… Rumpelstiltskin. You, Your Majesty… if that's what you even are, pale in comparison."

"Then perhaps I haven't proved to you just how villainous I can really be," the Snow Queen answered cruelly as she swiftly raised her hands to force the pirate backwards against a tree behind him with a large gust of icy wind, causing him to cry out in pain.

While he struggled to sit up and get back to his feet again, keeping his eyes on her as he did so, the woman slowly moved closer to him, then continued angrily, "I could easily kill you right here and now, Captain. However, doing so would defeat my purpose in choosing you to help me win Emma over. It's your task to survive my snow leopard, not me."

Hook glared at her as he replied, "Then let your beast attack me already and get this bloody test of yours be over with. I'm more than ready."

"Not yet you aren't," Ingrid responded. "By the way, I thought you might like to know that Emma was terribly disappointed when you failed to show up for your date. But try not to worry, I made sure that she received your message. She didn't take it well, and neither did the Savior's father for that matter, but that's what happens to a man who pretends to be a hero."

"What have you done?" Killian asked sternly while he leaned against the tree behind him for support.

She smiled and answered, "I made it so that all your good work has been undone. They all believe you failed to show last night because you got yourself drunk upon realizing that you made a mistake to give your long life as a pirate up. They already see you as the selfish man you truly are and Emma will come to hate you by the time I'm through. You should have seen her last night. She was devastated and you're responsible."

Ingrid then disappeared within the snow that suddenly surrounded her as Hook bowed his head sadly and whispered to himself once more, "Some bloody hero I turned out to be."