If you're a Neal-SwanFire fan you're going to hate me. Read at your own risk. As for this being the last chapter...I lied. Looks like I have one more chapter to go and this time I mean it.

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Disclaimer: I wish I owned something but I don't.

Chapter 5 of Hallow's Eve: Not Gonna Fight You

"I didn't know you were such a matchmaker, Henry."

Henry glanced over at Grace as they made their way over to the cart where Granny was serving coffee and hot chocolate and gave her a wide smile. Like him, she was dressed as one of her favorite characters, that character being Red and Henry thought that Ruby would appreciate the gesture. He knew Hook had the day previous when Mary-Margaret had invited the pirate along with them on their little shopping adventure. At the sight of Henry clad in leather and giving his best smirk, Hook had given him a wide smile before tousling the boy's hair declaring that he looked every bit that of a rogue pirate.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Grace rolled her eyes at him and crossed her arms with an amused expression on her face as they stepped into the back of the line.

"Please, I wasn't born yesterday. I know when you're on one of those operations of yours and the look on your face tells all."
"I didn't know I was so transparent."
"You're not, I just know you. So spill. Why are you setting your mom up with Hook?"

He grinned at her pushiness, knowing that curiosity was her motivator. Over the past week at school she had listened intently as he talked about his time with Hook, laughing at the appropriate parts and asking questions that she herself wanted the answer to. Ever since his arrival, the Captain had piqued the curiosity of just about every kid at the school and it was hard for Henry to not swell with pride that he was the one who actually knew the pirate.

In answer to her question he just shrugged his shoulders but he had his reasons for encouraging Hook to pursue his mom, the first one being that Hook didn't need encouragement.

"I just have a feeling that no matter what, he'll always be chasing my mom and it doesn't matter what she does or how she treats him, he'll be there. I think she hasn't had too many people fight for her so as long as he's willing, I don't know why I should deny them the chance."
"I suppose that's a good reason if I've ever heard one," Grace smiled and she took his hand in hers, turning her attention back to their place in line. "Everyone needs someone like that."

Smiling, he squeezed her hand and pulled them forward, his mind wandering from his mom and her potential suitor to the friend standing at his side. Maybe after a hot chocolate and trick-or-treating he should take her out on the dance floor and maybe, just maybe if he had any luck Hook could show him how to dance with a girl.

Emma smiled to herself as she realized she was starting to get the hang of this dancing thing. She had to admit Hook had been a patient teacher, always explaining what it was he was doing and smiling his encouragement at her. In spite of her stumbling every once in awhile and stepping on his foot from time to time, she had to admit she was having fun and if the broad grin on his face was of any indication, he was too.

"See, Swan, you're a natural."
"Ha! I don't think your feet would agree."
"They're not entitled to opinion," he quipped as he spun her out then back in, her back to him with his hook settled on her waist and her hand still gripped in his leading hand.
"So how did you learn to dance? I'm having a hard time seeing you and the crew members holding a ball on the Jolly Roger."
"Well, I wasn't always a pirate, lass," he whispered in her ear as he swayed her back and forth, winking at David and Mary-Margaret as they waltzed by.
"So then, what were you?"
"That may be a conversation for another night. Preferably with a bit of rum present."
"Are you asking me out on a date?"

Hook raised a brow at her question and spun her around so she was facing him, his eyes roaming over her face as he tried to read her. Her expression was open and the smile on her face somewhat lopsided, something keen to admiration showing in her eyes. Hell, if he'd known all it would take to win some points with the woman was a dance lesson, he would have danced with her a long time ago.

"I suppose if that's what you want to call it," he grinned at her as the music died down giving him cause to step back. They both clapped at the close of the song and a new one came on, this one just a bit slower than the ones they had been dancing to previous.

Emma looked around her as couples slowly came together and saw David draw Mary-Margaret close, her head leaning to rest on his shoulder. She felt awkward as Hook continued to stare at her as if trying to feel out whether or not it was safe to take her in his arms again and she was about to back away when she felt his hand take hers.

"C'mon, love. You have to learn the easiest dance of all."
"No, it's okay. I'll just manage to somehow maim you."

He chuckled under his breath and pulled her close, his near proximity making her heart flutter in her chest. She could feel the heat radiating from his body as her body came flush to his and she snuck a glance up at his face to see his blue eyes surveying her. It was unnerving the way he could look at her like that and against her will, she felt her shoulders tense up.

"So what are your parents dressed as anyway?" he asked as if sensing she needed a distraction and she glanced at her parents, her lips quirking up in a slight smile as she thought Hook would appreciate the meaning behind their costumes.
"The birds and the bees."
"The birds and the bees?"
"It's the nickname we use to describe, well, you know…intimacies."

She watched a shit eating grin make his eyes twinkle as he looked back at her parents again, mirth beginning to make its full presence in his eyes.

"And your dad was always punching me for spurting innuendos and yet they're over there dressed as manifestations of it."

Emma had to laugh at that revelation while he shook his head.

They continued to sway in their small circle as the music gently played and in spite of her misgivings, Emma began to relax in his arms and moved her hands from where they were splayed across his chest and gently clasped them behind his neck. The smile on his face relaxed into a more serious expression and she leaned forward meaning to lay her head on his shoulder when a force ripped them apart.

Emma blinked completely dazed at first and then furious when her eyes fixed on Neal who was standing between her and Hook looking between the two of them as if they were completely crazy.

"What the hell are you doing with her?"

The blue flash of Hook's eyes focused on the infuriated man and he lifted his hand and hook, a wary expression coming across his face.

"We're dancing, mate, nothing more than that."
"My ass. You better stay the hell away from her and you better stay the hell away from my son. We don't need you. You already ripped my family apart once, I don't need you doing it again."
"Neal, knock it off," Emma bit out, anger slowly building up in her chest.

He turned and looked at her, his mouth set in a firm line as he began to walk toward her. Emma uncrossed her arms and let them hang loosely at her side, unsure of what he was going to do.

He grabbed her arm before looking over his shoulder at Hook who had stepped forward, his features beginning to contort into concern.

"We'll be leaving now," he hissed at her which only pissed her off more.

She freed her arm from his grasp not entirely sure what the hell was going on with him because he wasn't being himself but she as far as she was concerned she wasn't going anywhere with him. Not when he was like this. Sure, things weren't the best between him and Hook, rather rocky in fact, but that didn't mean he should be treating her like he was.

"Neal, knock it off," she repeated, this time her voice dropping into a growl as Hook came forward, more than likely to rescue her.
"Mate, just let her go," he said softly as Neal observed Emma with a question in his eyes.

Turning around he leveled Hook with a lofty look and lifted his chin rather defiantly, fire lighting in his eyes.

"And if I don't? What are you going to do? Fight me?"
"Nah, mate, I don't want a fight. I respect Emma way too much for that."
"Funny, don't you have some sort of motto you like to throw around…a man unwilling to fight for what he wants deserves what he gets or something like that?"

The expression on Hook's face froze as Neal dropped to a stance in front of him, his hands raised into fists.

"C'mon pirate. Let's fight."
"Bae…Neal, I really don't want to fight you."
"Well, that's too bad. I guess then you'll just get what you deserve."

Before Emma could say or do anything, Neal threw a punch at Hook who dodged it and took a couple steps back, raising his hand and hook once again while his eyes knit together in concern.

"Neal, I'm not going to fight you."

Several people around them stopped dancing and looked between the two men, worry showing on their faces. Emma saw David and Mary-Margaret freeze in each other's embrace as they became aware of something going on as more couples stopped to watch.

Nothing else was said as Neal advanced on Hook once again. He threw a punch at the pirate again but this time followed with a jab that made contact with his ribs.

"Neal! Stop it!" Emma screamed and she moved forward as Hook's face winced in pain. Neal threw another punch, this time his fist connecting with his nose. She stopped and watched in horror as crimson flowed freely down from Hook's nose into his mouth as a new expression crossed over his face. It wasn't so much one of concern anymore as much as it was aggravation, and Emma crossed her arms across her chest. Sure, she was Sheriff but this was too personal for her to pull rank so as the thunder played across Hook's face she decided she'd let Neal take whatever he had coming to him.

David broke through the crowd then and assessed the situation before glancing toward Emma who raised her hand and shook her head. He raised a brow at her but she shook her head again and he settled his weight on one foot, the look on his face showing his distaste for the situation but he listened anyway.

"Neal, really. I don't want to fight you, mate."
"Don't be such a coward," Neal grit out as he took another swing at Hook.

Hook instinctively grabbed at his arm and turned him around, raising it high enough behind his back so a shot of pain ran through his shoulder if the look crossing across Neal's face was of any indication. His hook grabbed at his other hand and restrained it behind his back and Emma had to admire the fact that he hadn't reserved to beating the shit out of Neal and instead had one the route of restraining him.

"I really don't want to fight, do you bloody well understand?"

Neal didn't answer and Hook pressed harder, the pain intensifying. Finally Neal relented and it was then that David stepped forward, grabbing Neal by the arm and escorting him away from everyone's probing eyes.

"Jealous much," Mary-Margaret muttered under her breath at Emma's side and Emma looked at her surprised. She hadn't noticed the pixie haired woman make her way toward her let alone stand by her. Her mother looked at her then and nodded her head at Hook who was pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket to dab at his bloody nose.

"Are you going to help him?"

It only took a second for Emma to comprehend what she said before she stepped toward Hook, grateful that Henry was grabbing those hot chocolates with Grace. The last thing he needed to see was his dad losing it.

"Hey, you okay?"

The white handkerchief was already blooming red but Hook shot her a grin which only made Emma wince. Blood was staining his teeth and before she knew what she was doing, she grabbed his hand and started pulling him through the crowd of onlookers in the direction of the loft.

"C'mon let's get you cleaned up. There's blood everywhere and it's kind of grossing me out."
"Don't worry yourself so much, love. I've been dealt worse."
"Oh, I know but if we're going to finish that dance you need to wipe the blood from your face."

That shut him up immediately and he followed a bit more willingly.

They walked in silence as a thousand different thoughts and questions pummeled through Emma's mind, the first one being why he didn't give it to Neal. He had more than enough reason to what with Neal baiting at him and throwing the first punches. She was honestly amazed that he'd even managed to get two in. She'd fought beside Hook before and he had 300 plus years of experience on him.

She slid him a sidelong glance that he didn't seem to notice, more than likely lost in his own thoughts. She took the keys from her pants pocket a block away from her destination resolving that when she was done tending to him she was going to ask questions and he was going to give answers… whether he liked it or not.