Emma was going through some paperwork on her desk that she had been trying to avoid. She liked being sheriff, but desk work was definitely not her strong suit. She looked at her ringing cell phone and was not surprised to see that it was Killian. She took in a deep breath and picked it up.

"Hey, Killian."

"Swan. Good morning. I was surprised I didn't see you before you went to work."

Emma paced the room with her hand on her hip. "Yeah, well, I got off to a late start and just...figured you could manage without me."

"Late night playing those strange video games with the lad?"

Emma hesitated before deciding to answer honestly, remembering Regina's suggestion to just be herself. "Uh, no, actually, Henry had the day wrong, he meant tonight, not last night."

"Well, why didn't you come back over here and spend the evening with me?"

Emma squeezed her eyes shut, finally admitting to herself that Hook's constant nagging and neediness were starting to become suffocating and annoying. "Cuz-well, I didn't know Henry had said the wrong day until I showed up at the mansion. I ended up staying and hanging out with Regina."

Emma sensed Hook's jealousy as there was a short pause. "I see. Well, will I see you after work then? I might need some help getting myself into the bath."

Emma was surprised at her repulsion to this comment and scoffed into the phone. "Killian, you're perfectly capable of doing it on you're own, we both know that. It's time you started to get back to doing things for yourself."

"Alright, alright, no need to get snippy," Hook snarked. "I thought you liked spending so much time with me, taking care of me. I know I do."

Emma was glad Hook couldn't see the look on her face. She had to pause a moment before she said something she would regret. "I just think it will help you recover more quickly if you start pushing yourself a bit." She sighed out, her shoulders dropping a bit. "Look, I'll stop by to check in on you after work, but then I'm gonna go home to just chill out a bit. I'm really tired today."

"Yes, up late chatting up the queen, I understand. Very well, I'll see you later then."

Emma pursed her lips, happy that he hadn't put up a fight. "Ok. Bye." She closed the phone and let her arms drop heavily to her sides. She let out a deep sigh, whining as she did so. Reluctantly she turned back to the paperwork and continued.

XXXXXXXX

Emma knocked and opened the door to Killian's room. She had used her magic to restore the Jolly Roger, but still felt a pang of regret every time she stepped on board. "Hey," she said as she walked in the room, bag of groceries in her hand.

"Swan, finally. I've been missing you all day," he stood up and put out his arms, expecting Emma to fall into his embrace. Instead, she walked by him and put the groceries on the counter. He noticed that she was yet to make eye contact.

Emma robotically began unloading the groceries and putting them away. "I'm sorry, it's been a busy day, tons of paperwork to catch up on."
Killian walked up behind her and gently took her wrist, spinning her around. Emma was forced to look up at him with a surprised look. He put his arms around her, pulling her into an affectionate embrace.

Emma paused before returning the hug and sighing softly. She squeezed her eyes shut momentarily before pulling out of the embrace and returning to her work. "So I picked you up some stuff to hold you over for a while."

There was silence for a few moments as Hook hung his head and pinched his brow. "Emma," he said. When she didn't turn around he said it again, louder.

Emma knew that Hook could tell something was up. She took a deep breath and turned around, struggling to look into his eyes.

Hook bit his bottom lip and looked at her mournfully. "It's true, isn't it?"

Emma crossed her arms and shifted her weight. "What's true?"

"The dark one said that you don't love me. That you just said that because you felt obligated to."

Emma finally allowed her eyes to go up to meet Hook's. Her heart broke when she saw the hurt in his eyes. But she just couldn't keep this up any more. She struggled to find the words to say and ran her fingers through her hair.

Hook shook his head, irritated that she had no response. "That just great, Swan. So what if this whole dagger business had never happened, huh?" He scowled down at her. "You what? Would have stayed with me, married me even, making me think we were happy when really underneath you were miserable?"

Emma fidgeted uncomfortably as tears pricked at her eyes. As uncomfortable as this was, it needed to happen. "I don't know. Maybe. I'm sorry, Killlian. I don't know what to say."

Hook scoffed. "Don't know what to say? Bloody hell, Emma! This isn't just about you, you know. I got dragged into this little identity crisis of yours as well." He watched as Emma's head dropped to her chest. "Do you think that's what I wanted? You, even if you didn't want me back? For you to pretend to be my happy ending? You think it really would have worked out with us in the long run with you feeling this way?"

Emma wiped the few tears falling from her eyes and sniffled. "You're right. I shouldn't have tried to force something that I knew wasn't right."

Hook scoffed again, shaking his head with his tongue sticking out the side of this mouth. "I'm sorry it was so awful for you."

Emma let her head roll to the side. "Killian, come on," she whined. She reached out to grip his arm in comfort but he stepped back out of her reach. She swallowed hard. "I'm sorry. I hope some day you can forgive me. Maybe even understand where I was coming from."

Hook just looked at her before pressing his lips together. "I think you should go." He watched as Emma pushed by him and opened the door. He squeezed his eye shut as he realized how harsh he had sounded. "Emma," he called. Emma stopped just outside the doorway and turned to face him. "Do me a favor. Don't do this anymore. Not to yourself or anyone else. If you see something you want, go get it. Stop chasing after things you think other people want for you. It's no good for anyone."

Emma half smiled at Hook's words, then nodded before closing the door behind him. As Emma walked off the Jolly Roger, she thought about what Hook had told her. He was right. By putting up this front all she had done was hurt not only herself but him as well. She resolved right there to finally let herself do right by Emma. No matter what that meant. With a deep cleansing breath, Emma hopped in the bug and headed towards the mansion.