So… Killian's hit his head while aboard the Jolly Roger. Emma's healed him, but there are still some problems afoot… What's a bit of memory loss between friends, eh? Now, on we go!

Chapter Two

"Hook?"

"Ah," he chuckled bitterly, "there it is. No need for you to pretend such worry, Swan. I've no other information for you to try to coax from me by your sweet affect. I already told you Cora has her own agenda. She does not confide in me."

"Cora's dead," she said, before she could think better of it. She was just too stunned.

"What? How?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous, although he was trying to tone it down. She'd clearly thrown him for a loop. Hook, right after he'd been hit by the car and hospitalized, would have thought of Cora as nearly invincible.

Emma raised her hands in an attempt at a soothing gesture. "Ok, I need you to stay calm. I'm going to tell you what's going on and I… I have a feeling you're not going to like it."

"Do tell, love." He sat up more and his hand moved to his ribs to brace himself for the pain that should have accompanied the movement. His tongue flicked out, checking where she supposed his lip had been split, but she couldn't really remember. "Someone healed me."

He looked at her, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Never one to take things lying down, he climbed out of the bed and stood to face her, angrily popping the wires loose from the sensors attached to his chest. He quickly realized, however, that his hospital gown was a tad more revealing than he was comfortable with and grasped it to hold it closed in the back.

Emma tried not to smile at his suddenly pink ears and decided to take pity on him. With a flick of her wrist, he was once again dressed in his normal attire, hook included. He looked down at himself, aghast, then back up at her, seemingly unsure which to address first.

"What the bloody hell am I wearing?" he snapped. "Where are my clothes?"

"Those are your clothes. You haven't worn your… pirate getup," she wasn't sure what else to call it, "in a while."

He appeared nonplussed by her description, but he pressed on. "More importantly, how the bloody hell did you do that? Why did we spend hours climbing that beanstalk if you have magic? You had to wear Cora's bracelet to climb it. Are you a liar," he demanded angrily, "or a witch? Or a lying witch?"

"Light magic," she said, trying to keep the hurt and rising annoyance from her tone. She'd forgotten how frustrating Hook could be back when he still wore his pirate persona like armor. "Didn't get a handle on it until… well… after you can remember."

Hook clenched his teeth. "Best tell me what's going on, lass, before I become… perturbed."

"Killian-"

"Stop speaking to me as if you know me!" he roared.

"I do know you!" she said at nearly the same volume. "I know about Milah and how you lost Liam, and about Neverland and what happened with Baelfire."

His expression turned thunderous. "How in blazes do you know all that?"

"K- Hook, Cora died years ago. You were on your ship and you fell. You hit your head. It… it wasn't good. You've lost some time."

"You expect me to believe such rubbish? What have you done? Have I been placed under some sort of curse?"

"K-" She stopped herself again. Most of the others still called him Hook, but he hadn't been Hook to her in so long. She used her magic to produce the necklace and the ring he'd given her, holding it out in her hand.

At the sight of the ring, his mouth fell open in astonishment, then immediately closed as fury flooded his expression. He reflexively reached for where his sword should have been and growled when he remembered he was unarmed. "How did you get that?" he demanded. Back then, she knew he would have fought to the death to keep Liam's ring.

"You gave it to me."

Again his mouth fell open, completely poleaxed. "I… what?"

"You said it had kept you alive all this time and you wanted it to help me." She closed her hand and willed the ring to her jewelry box at home for safekeeping. She didn't want this current version of Hook getting any ideas about something so precious to her.

For a moment, only a moment, he looked sad and broken, more like her Killian, which was sad in and of itself. He visibly packed it all away and his entire demeanor changed. A roguish grin appeared on his face and he sauntered closer. "We're that close, are we?"

He stopped in front of her, purposely invading her space, trying to unsettle her with his height and his animal attraction. He'd used sex as a weapon then, and he'd been an expert at getting a reaction from her. Back then, Emma would have run or she'd have gotten defensive, angry, and annoyed at his intimidation tactics. But this was Killian and Emma wasn't afraid of him now, or rather her feelings for him. She loved him. She grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pulled him into a kiss.

She could feel his shock. The kiss was familiar and yet it wasn't. She knew his lips, the feel, the shape and how well he knew to use them. Yet this wasn't Killian. There was lust, but no depth of emotion behind the kiss.

Emma released him and he appeared stunned. He was trying to hide it, but Emma knew him too well.

"Why, Swan," he said, all bluster and swagger to cloak his surprise, "I didn't know you cared."

"More than that. I love you," she said steadily, "and you love me."

Almost immediately he stumbled back from her. He looked down at his arm, staring at the spot where his tattoo was hidden beneath his jacket. He brought it up, pressed his arm and the tattoo with Milah's name to his chest. He was holding it close, horrified at even the possibility of betraying his love, the one he was still desperate to avenge.

"I'm telling you the truth," she said evenly, despite how desperate she was feeling. "After all we've been through-"

"Enough!" he said harshly. He brought his hand to his head as if it hurt. "Enough," he said again more quietly. After several moments, he raised his eyes, a fresh determination plain to see. "Is the Crocodile dead as well? Have I at least completed that task?"

"No, he's…" She hesitated. She hated to admit how they had been manipulated yet again. "He's actually stronger. He has the power of all the former dark ones combined. He's… There's no way."

His expression turned absolutely murderous. "We'll see about that."

Emma wanted to roll her eyes. "Before you do anything to get yourself killed, let's see what we can do to get your memory back. We'll…" She looked at the wall clock and sighed. "It's too late now. We can see Regina in the morning." Emma was hoping she might know a quick remedy to restore memories.

"You want to ask the Evil Queen for assistance." He looked at her like she'd gone crazy. "Not that I haven't had dealings with Her Majesty from time to time, but I've never found her to be the generous sort." He cocked his head to the side. "Nor would I have thought you of all people would turn to her."

"She's not the same person you remember."

"What? She's turned over a new leaf? She's all gentleness and kindness?"

Emma grimaced. "I wouldn't go that far, but she's good now."

"Good?" he asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Good-ish. She's trying."

"Regina. The Evil Queen is good," he said incredulously.

"Ish." Emma shook her head. "At the moment it's even more complicated, but, yes, she's come a long way."

"And what of me?"

"You're a hero." She stated it confidently, without hesitation, and Killian went stock still, searching her for signs of deception.

"A hero." It wasn't a question. He said the word as if he was trying it on for size and from his expression, he couldn't quite make it fit.

Emma smiled sadly. It never had been easy to get Killian to accept the better parts of his nature. Even when he did something right, he only thought of it as a beginning to atone for his past. "You decided it was time for a different path," Emma said, "and you've stuck to it." She huffed out a light laugh. "You're stubborn that way."

Again he remained very still, studying her until she wanted to squirm under his gaze. She refused to look away from him, however. She needed him to believe her.

"Ah, love," he said quietly, "you almost make a man believe it's possible."

"It's more than possible. It's true."

Killian looked at her for several more seconds, then finally, he sighed. "Be that as it may…" He raised his hand again to his head and closed his eyes. "Lass, if we're to wait for the morrow to seek assistance, I believe I shall retire to my ship."

Emma had to bite her tongue to keep from demanding he go home with her, but she doubted pushing him too far would be helpful.

"Maybe you should stay here," she suggested. "The doctor wants to-"

He cut her off. "Am I your prisoner?"

"No."

"Then I won't be staying here. I find myself badly in want of a drink. Many, many drinks," he added under his breath.

Emma hesitated, considering forcing him to stay, but Whale had said he was physically fine. "Ok," she finally said. With a flick of her wrist, they were transported to the dock beside the Jolly Roger.

Killian swayed badly and Emma hurried to steady him. "Easy," she said, freshly worried something else was wrong or that Whale had missed something.

"Just how gravely was I injured?" he almost wheezed, his eyes clamped shut. "Feels like…"

"Like?"

"Like I should probably lie down." He pushed away from her and Emma had to remember, this Hook was still a pirate captain who hated to show such weakness in front of her.

He slowly made his way up to the ship and, as usually happened, Emma saw some of the tension in him ebb as he stepped on deck. He sighed and actually patted a side rail as he passed. He murmured something under his breath. She could hear the fond tone, but not the words.

"Talking to your ship now?" she asked.

In addition to lighting a pair of lamps, Emma discreetly cast a quick spell to muffle the noise so they wouldn't wake Belle who she'd just remembered would be sleeping below deck. She was going to have to figure something out and fast or Killian was going to be less than pleased to find his bunk already occupied. Then again, it might be worth it to see his face when he found a perky pregnant woman welcoming him home to a redecorated cabin.

He huffed derisively. "Just telling her I don't hold it against her that I was hurt. She's never let me down when it mattered." He shot her a sidelong glance. "She never shackled me at the top of a beanstalk, not to mention leaving me to find my own way to this realm," he spat. "Cora almost killed me for working with you, I'll have you know."

Emma took a step back at the vitriol in his tone. When she backed up, the board beneath her foot came loose. She toppled to one side and landed hard on her hip.

Hook barked out a low chuckle. "It would appear my ship doesn't care for you much either, darling."

"I'm not the one she tried to kill earlier today," Emma shot back.

She turned, trying to get up, but her pants leg was caught awkwardly on the loose board. She heard a definite snort from Hook's direction. She raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it bad form to ignore a damsel in distress?"

"Ah, but I've learned this particular damsel is closer to a poor beast left to fend for herself too long. When cornered, she's likely to bite anyone who offers assistance." Nevertheless, he moved forward, pulled the cloth that was caught free, then held out a hand to help her rise.

Emma groaned as she stood. Her hip protested and she knew she'd be bruised come morning. She rubbed at it gingerly. "Your ship might not like me, but I'm definitely holding it against her captain."

"Your discomfort is a burden I'm willing to bear."

He was leering at her and Emma realized she was leaning forward as she rubbed at her hip. The neckline of her loose fitting shirt hung low and she was giving him an eyeful of cleavage.

Still, as soon as the words left his mouth his expression changed and he frowned. "I…" He closed his eyes. "I've said that before…" He cocked his head, his expression pained. "Or something like it…"

Emma forgot all about her bruised hip as hope began to flutter in her chest. She straightened up and set a hand on his arm. "Yes. We were in the Enchanted Forest," she said. "We were sent back in time and-"

His eyes snapped open and she watched as he struggled to sort through his memories. "We went to a ball. There was a dress… a red dress…" For just a moment he looked at her as if he knew her, like he was himself. "Emma?"

"I'm here," she answered, silently urging him to remember.

"What happened?" His face was screwed up, pain clearly written across his features. "The bloody Dwarfs were mucking about and then…" Killian shook his head, as if trying to clear it, but it only seemed to make him dizzy.

Emma nudged him to the side so that he could lean against the ship's railing. He reached for it, but it wasn't enough support and he suddenly fell to his knees, clutching at his head. He toppled to one side, groaning in pain.

"Killian!" Emma dropped down beside him and helped ease him onto his back. His hand fell to the deck, his rings clacking loudly against the wood. "Killian, can you hear me?" He didn't answer, only stared up at the stars overhead.

Emma pressed a hand flat against his chest, already gathering her magic. "I'm taking you back to the hospital."

"Swan?"

The tone was so different from the way he'd been since he'd woken up that she paused.

"You okay?"

"What happened? Were we attacked again?"

"Attacked?"

"The Lost Boys can be bloody relentless when Pan sets them on you." He groaned and struggled to sit up. "Is everyone all right?"

"Everyone's fine," she answered weakly, at a loss with this new development. Apparently, one bout of memory loss wasn't enough. She was going to get whiplash trying to deal with a completely different set of issues. Hook had been different in Neverland, not so angry, already beginning to give up on his quest for revenge, more focused on helping her and her family than killing Gold.

"Bloody hell," he said, a hint of panic in his tone. "Why are we back in Storybrooke? How did we get here? Why are we here? Pan still has your boy, Swan. What the bloody hell happened?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." She placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "It's fine. Henry's fine."

He seemed to deflate, and let out a shaky breath. "I…" He looked around the ship. "I don't remember…"

"I know. You hit your head. You're having some memory problems."

He looked up at her, and raised an eyebrow. "And you're here to see to my welfare, are you?"

Emma choked on a laugh that was perilously close to hysterical. "I'm trying, but you're not exactly helping."

That eyebrow of his working overtime, he added a definite smirk. "Vexing you, am I, love?"

"You're scaring me to death," she answered honestly. "You… I can't…" She couldn't take much more of this. She'd nearly lost him too many times. He'd died too many times, and her heart… She felt her hand start to shake and she clenched her fingers tightly.

"Swan," he said gently. "Emma." He began to reach out to her, but stopped himself, no doubt unsure of her response.

"It's fine," she managed, mentally pulling herself up by her bootstraps. There was no other choice.

Killian, as always, seemed to know what she needed and let it be for the moment. "What of your parents and… Neal?" He hesitated over the name and now that Emma knew him so well, she could see so much more. The jealousy was there, of course, but also the genuine hesitance to stand in the way of a family becoming whole again. He really had been a gentleman, even then.

Sometimes she was amazed he'd survived as long as he had as a pirate with his belief in good form. Pirates like Blackbeard had no such limits. Yet, she knew Killian had been a villain, and a vicious one by his own account. She knew Killian's violent past still haunted him, and that he'd had to overcome those tendencies. She'd seen them reemerge in living color when he'd been a Dark One.

Emma must have been silent too long. Killian's expression shuttered and he pushed away from her, stumbling as he stood without her help. "You should go. Your family will be waiting for you."

Emma too stood to face him. "Killian…"

Once again, the use of his given name surprised him. He stood up straight and turned to look at her in shock.

"Killian, we've been back from Neverland for a long time. We're all fine. Except Neal. Neal's… not around anymore. It's just you and me." She didn't really feel the need to drop the Neal's-dead bomb unnecessarily.

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, still wary.

"Yup." Her lips began to curl up at the edges. "You and me. Sunday driving, not arriving."

He sauntered closer, all swagger and blatant lust. "I'm going to assume you're quoting something."

"Just a song."

"Feeling the need to sing for me, love?" He pinched his lower lip between his fingers, purposely drawing her eyes to his mouth. "A sailor loves a good ditty."

Emma shook her head. It was fun seeing Hook again in all of his brash, flirty glory. "I don't sing. Not even for you."

"Am I to believe that you and I… that we," he gestured back and forth between them, "have an understanding?"

Emma couldn't stop the wide smile from appearing. Killian and his oh-so-polite phrasing of things… "Yeah, you could say that," she said on a laugh.

Killian simply stared at her, awed. "What?" she asked.

He raised his hand as if to touch her, but once again thought better of it, instead tucking his thumb into his belt. "Your smile, love," he said, still studying her face, his blustering pirate persona evaporating as quickly as it had appeared. "Such a beautiful sight and I have the strangest feeling that smile is for me."

Emma pressed her palm to his cheek, smiling again when he unconsciously tilted his head into her hand. "It's for you, or more like it's because of you. If I told you what we've been through, you wouldn't believe it."

She gave in to the temptation and wrapped her arms around him. For several seconds, he remained tense, his back and shoulders like stone beneath her hands, then slowly, all his muscles relaxed, his arms finally, finally, encircled her and he melted against her.

He let out a breath he'd apparently been holding. "Swan… I cannot tell you how much I long to remember."

"That makes two of us."

The ship rose and fell on a sudden swell and they both instinctively reached out for the nearest bit of rope to steady themselves. As soon as he touched it, a shudder went through his body along with a ripple of magic so subtle Emma wouldn't have known if she couldn't feel it.

Killian looked up at her, realized how close they were and that he still had his left arm wrapped around her and promptly blushed to his roots.

"Forgive me, milady," he said quickly. "Sometimes the waves catch even a seasoned sailor by surprise."

He released her and hurriedly backed away. The movement drew his attention downward. "This isn't my unifo-"

He stopped and his eyes widened in horror as he looked at his hook. His eyes snapped up to her for… help? An explanation? She wasn't sure. He backed up more as if to distance himself, but the truth of his situation followed him. He began frantically pulling at the leather and buckles, but Emma knew he could already feel the loss of his hand.

She snapped out of her paralysis and hurried forward to stop him. She grasped his remaining hand in hers and held tight. "Killian, look at me."

He was flushed, not from embarrassment this time. He was frantic, wild-eyed and breathing too hard. "What the bloody hell happened to my hand?" he roared. "Where's the Capt- Where's Liam? What-"

Emma's heart sank. Apparently, she was about to be introduced to Lieutenant Jones of the Royal Navy.

More soon…