Thank you all so much for the positive feedback and your reviews have been heard! I'll continue the series (may the fluff commence) with the holiday themes of course...the only chapter that won't be themed is this one which is an account of David/Charming giving Hook the talk and Hook and Emma's first date, special requests made by Soulphur and Starlight000. :)

If you have any ideas for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patty's, Easter, 4th of July and so on and so forth let me know! And yes, I'll be including our heroic villains in this series so you'll be seeing Regina and Rumpel really soon and of course, Neal.

I hope you enjoy!

Epilogue to Hallows

A scraping noise sounded in David's ears as he walked up the Jolly Roger's gangplank and onto her deck, eyeing what was possibly considered Hook's greatest treasure and felt a bit of excitement hit him in the chest as nostalgia took over. Memories of his time on the ship, sailing it, manning it, and hoisting the sails brought a smile to his face and distracted him from what he had come to do for a moment as he allowed his gaze to roam around the ship. He noticed the many tools that were spread across the deck in no orderly system and realized that Hook had probably been tending to his ship the last several weeks in order to return her to her former glory. The floor planks gleaming beneath his feet confirmed his suspicions.

"Well, that explains what he's been doing with himself," David muttered under his breath as he shook himself from the memories and started walking toward the helm where the noise was coming from, sure that he would find the Captain there.

"So what did you do next?"

David's steps faltered on the stairs at the sound of Henry's voice and he straightened his back to peer over the helm's ledge through the railing. Hook's black form was kneeling down at the far back of the ship and Henry was crouched beside him, sandpapering the railing together in unison.

"Well, Henry, I did what anyone would do in that instance," Hook began and David could sense a story coming up. Something crass most likely and probably not the kind of story a kid of Henry's age should be listening to. "I told my bloody crewman that if he didn't get off the ship and kiss the bloody woman I was going to make him walk the plank. No one comes across true love and walks away from something like that. It's not honorable."

David's jaw slacked as Hook's words reached his ears. Love stories?

"So pirates can fall in love."
"It happens. It's rare but when a pirate falls in love, it's for life. We don't find our greatest treasure only to release it later," Hook answered before leaning toward Henry in a way that made the two seem as if they were conspiring. "I hope you do well to remember that Henry when you meet a girl who changes your world for the better. No matter what, don't let her go. You fight for her."

"Soooo," Henry drawled as David reached the top of the stairs unbeknownst to his grandson but Hook's blue eyes immediately drew toward him. "Is that why you fight for my mom? Because she changed you and you love her?"

There was a small bout of silence as Henry waited for Hook's answer and David crossed his arms as he waited as well. Hook dipped his head in a small nod before giving the boy a small smile.

"Aye, lad it is."

Henry seemed satisfied with the answer and turned back to sanding while Hook swiveled his body around to face David.

"'Ello, mate."
"Hook," David acknowledged, his voice causing Henry to turn around in his seat on the deck.
"Hey, Gramps!"
"Hey, Henry," David smiled, "What are you doing here? I thought you were hanging out with Pinocchio."
"I was but he caught a cold last night and I was leaving Gepetto's when Hook came in for supplies and I offered to help and then he said 'why not' so I called Emma and yes, she said 'sure'."

David bent down to pat the boy's shoulder and gave him a fond grin, quickly surveying the work they'd spent who knew how long doing.

"Hey, Henry do you mind if I talk with Hook…alone?"

Henry's gaze darted to Hook who had stood to his feet and then back to his gramps, understanding flickering across his features.

"Sure."

He set down the sandpaper on the deck and wiped his hands on his pants before standing to his feet. He slid Hook a look that seemed to say "so long, sucker" before fixing his eyes on David who was staring at the pirate as if he was measuring him up.

"Hey, Gramps," he said in a hushed voice even though he was sure Hook could hear him perfectly well. "Take it easy on him. He means everything he says."

David just gave him a nod and Henry slowly walked away, glancing back at Hook until he reached the top of the stairs.

Hook watched Henry and gave him a reassuring smile, not looking at David until he saw the boy make his way across the gangplank and onto the dock. He finally let his eyes collide with the prince's and gave him a smirk, reaching into his coat pocket to pull out his flask.

"I was wondering when you were going to make your appearance. Drink, mate?"
"I told you I wasn't going to forget," David quipped as he glanced at the flask Hook held out between them. It was a tempting offer considering it had been the type of challenging day where it seemed everything that could go wrong did go wrong. "Hell, why not."

He took the flask as Hook took a half step back and rubbed his stubble, giving David a thoughtful glance as the deputy took a rather long drink.

"Long day?"
"You have no idea."
"Well, I promise I won't infuriate you too much then."

David narrowed a look at him, not trusting the playful smirk that flickered over his face.

"So, what are your intentions with my daughter? And let's be honest please."
"Well, it's definitely not to woo and bed her if that's what you're thinking, mate. I respect her more than that."
"So you're thinking long-term?"
"Long-term, yes."
"Like marriage."

The way he said it was so matter-of-fact that it took Hook by surprised. He reached for his flask just then and David handed it over, watching the pirate as he took a deep swig noting to himself that when it came to the idea of marriage, Hook was prone to tip the bottle. Hook wiped his mouth as he looked out over the ship and beyond to the water inlet. David let him ponder his answer, not wanting to pressure him because when it came down to it he just wanted to make sure that whatever was on Hook's mind was going to ensure Emma's happy ending.

After several seconds of silence Hook glanced back at David, a calm expression settling over his features, his eyes sparked with the same gleam that David saw in Mary-Margaret's eyes when she looked at him and the same gleam he saw when he looked at himself in the mirror. It was love and not just any kind of love; it was the kind of love legends were made of. True love.

"Eventually yes."
"So you're thinking long-term with the probability of marriage."
"Ooh, you're a sharp one, mate," Hook smirked and David just shook his head as he stuck his hand back out for the flask.
"Don't push your luck, Hook."
"Ah, about that," the pirate began as he let David take the bottle from him once again. "You may as well start calling me Killian. It is my name."
"I'm not calling you Killian, Hook."
"Alright then, Charming."

The look on Hook's face as he emphasized Snow's pet name for David was comical to say the least and if the circumstance had been different or reversed, David might have laughed.

"Fine…Killian."
"I appreciate it. Now before I prepare my date with Emma is there anything else you'd like to say?"
"Date with Emma? You have a date with Emma? Tonight?"
"Straight right, mate," Hook grinned and pulled a pocket watch out from his front coat pocket. "In about an hour actually."

David ran a hand through his hair, thinking of the two of them alone. It was bad enough he had walked in on their kiss last night but that morning when he'd woken up it had been all he could think about and when he closed his eyes, it showed up like a picture screen in his mind. And that was before he and Snow had interrupted. Who knows what would have happened or how far it would have gone if they hadn't come in.

"Where?"
"Here?"
"What will you be doing?"
"I was thinking dinner and some star gazing," Hook answered with a lifted brow before he let out a long sigh, recognizing the look on David's face. "David, I promise you I'll have her back home at a decent hour. She isn't the type of woman who would let me have my way with her the first night out anyway."
"Your way with her? And what way would that be exactly?"

Bloody idioms.

"I didn't mean it like that, it's just a phrase."
"It's not just a phrase when it's coming from a man whose seeing my daughter."
"Point taken, mate, so let me rephrase: Emma isn't the type of woman who would let someone feel her up on the first date and just so you know, I have no intention of doing so."
"And just so you know, it's really hard to believe that after what I saw last night."

The second Hook's lips twitched at the memory, David wanted to smack the grin off his face. Hook must have sensed it as well because he instantly drew sober and focused back on the man in front of him.

"Listen, I promise my intentions are pure and noble and all I want is to honor and respect her. As I've told Emma before, love has been all too rare in her life and I would like to be the one to change that…if she lets me."

David couldn't deny the honesty in his voice. Or the open, earnest look on his face.

"Okay, fine," he finally said taking another swig of liquid courage, "You have my approval to see my daughter on two conditions."

A full-on smile spread across Hook's face. He didn't necessarily need permission to see Emma but knowing that he'd been approved by a prince to date his daughter was probably going to be a peak moment in Hook's life.

"Okay then, list these conditions."
"You have to come to a family dinner at our place every Saturday night."
"Now that's not too bad. I hear your wife is an amazing cook. What's the next?"

David pushed the flask back at him and as Hook reached to take it, he clamped his hand around the pirate's wrist, squeezing it with a surprising amount of pressure as his eyes slanted in the same kind of fierceness that Emma's often times did.

"If you so much as hurt a hair on my daughter or break her heart, I will run you through again and again until you're bleeding out all over your ship and then I'll set your ship on fire and watch as it burns with you on deck and sinks to the bottom of the ocean without feeling one ounce of remorse or regret. Understand?"

Hook didn't have the heart to point out that his ship was made of enchanted wood from the Enchanted Forest and therefore couldn't be torched or burned but he knew that now was not the time to make corrections so he just smiled and nodded his understanding.

"Perfect, now if you don't mind me I have a dinner to get to," David said as he extended his hand toward Hook, shaking his head when Hook started to hand him the flask. "Just shake my hand."

Hook slipped his hand into his and it wasn't so much a shake as much as it was two men awkwardly holding hands and giving each other a firm squeeze.

David turned on his heel and made his way off the ship while Hook stood there in relief, thanking the gods that he hadn't said anything stupid enough for his life to end that day.

Emma burst into the loft, cursing at the time. A call had come in to the office right when she'd been leaving over half an hour ago and she'd waited for David to get it but he never did. Once glance back around the office revealed he wasn't anywhere to be seen so she'd taken it.

"Hey Emma," Mary-Margaret called in that cheery tone of hers as Emma stormed the kitchen with a quick wave toward her direction. The pixie haired woman raised a brow as Emma disappeared into her room and slammed the door behind her, knowing that the day at the office had been somewhat rough but she hadn't imagined it would have been that bad.

"Is there a fire somewhere?" she called as she grabbed her rolling pin and began to roll out a pie crust for their dessert.
"No! I'm just getting ready for my date!"

That was right. Emma had a date with Hook that night.

Henry came down the stairs, his eyes darting over to Emma's door before resting on his grandmother.

"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, your mom's just running a bit late."

Excitement sparked in Henry's eyes and he sauntered over toward the bar to take a seat.

"That's right. She's got a date with Hook."
"The one and only."

Emma's door opened and Mary-Margaret was surprised at how quickly she was able to dress. Then again, her daughter only had one style and that was sweaters or t-shirts, jeans, and boots with her signature leather jacket.

"Do I look okay?"
"You could wear nothing and Hook would be happy," Mary-Margaret slipped before she put any real thought into her words, earning her a scowl from Emma and a surprised look from Henry. "That's not what I meant," she stammered, her cheeks blushing. "You look great, sweetie, you really do."

And Emma did. She had curled her hair at lunch and despite the bit of dampness outside, her hair still held the style. She wore a white, off the shoulder top with stonewashed blue jeans and a new pair of brown boots that Mary-Margaret hadn't seen before. On top of all else it was her face, despite the nervous tension drawing it tight, that caught her mother's attention. She was excited, happy, and there was a spark in her eye that Mary-Margaret had never seen before. It was faint but she knew with time if Hook was all he said he was, it would flicker into a flame.

"You look fine, Mom."

She seemed to relax at Henry's approval before glancing around the loft's sitting area.

"Where's David? I thought he'd be home."
"Oh. He went to interrogate Hook."
"What?"

Mary-Margaret scraped the crust she had flattened off the counter and carefully moved it to a pie dish, fully aware of Emma's mouth hanging open and her eyes narrowing in irritation. She glanced back up at her daughter as she wiped her hands on her apron before crossing her arms over her chest.

"Sorry, not interrogate. He went to talk with Hook."
"What? He was serious about that?"
"Emma," Mary-Margaret exhaled, trying to find the right words, "I know we missed the part of your life where our parenting would have mattered most but we love you. He just wants to make sure that Hook is investing in your life; that you're going to get your happy ending and not another sob story. It eats him up every single time he hears about you know who."

Emma didn't need to ask who she was referring to what with Mary-Margaret glancing at Henry. She appreciated that they never spoke ill of Neal in front of him; despite his asshat ways the night before she still wanted Henry to have a relationship with his dad.

"Just let him do this for you. Hook's a man; he can take it."

Emma bit her lip in thought and finally nodded her consent, feeling a bit apprehensive but still. As if their speaking of him had somehow summoned him, the door opened and David stepped into the loft, instantly coming up behind Snow and wrapping his arms around her while placing a quick kiss on the top of her head. His eyes wandered to Emma and he gave her a smile.

"You look nice," he said approvingly and all agitation she had felt toward him before vanished. Mary-Margaret was right. He was caring for her and even though it was inconvenient at times and done somewhat awkwardly, it was kind of nice to have her dad look out for her well being.

"Thanks, I've got a date."
"I just heard. He's waiting for you."
"So, did he pass the test?"

David's eyes twinkled as he untangled his arms from around his wife and stepped toward his daughter, settling his hands on her shoulders and giving her a slight squeeze.

"Yes, for now…but keep in mind that no matter which Casanova or Don Juan comes calling on you, he's never going to be good enough." She let him pull her into a rare hug and squeezed him back before he let her go and glanced at the clock. "You better get going. Want me to drop you off?"

"Thanks but I'm alright. I have the bug," Emma smiled as she stepped around him toward Henry who had been watching the whole exchange with a calm expression on his face. "See ya, kid. Keep these two out of trouble."

"Always," he grinned back, shooting David a look that was far more mischievous than Emma would have preferred. Those two were always doing something knightly that usually ended with some glass or porcelain shattering into a million pieces on the floor.

"See ya, Mom," she finally smiled at Mary-Margaret, emitting a look of shock from the woman.

Snow finally smiled brightly and Emma could tell she was truly touched that she had called her mom.

"See ya, sweetie, have fun! And don't forget your jacket."

Emma smiled as she grabbed her coat by the door and secured a scarf around her neck much to Mary-Margaret's satisfaction. Her stomach was fluttering with butterflies and her heart was racing a million miles a minute. Part of her was tempted to just call it and stay home and watch movies, but she knew that if she did that, she would always regret it.

So she packed up her pride and courage and opened the door, giving the others one last wave before descending down the stairs to her car, her mind already wandering to the Jolly Roger where her Captain was waiting.

Hook sensed Emma's presence before he actually saw her and he felt a flash of joy burst through his chest at the fact that she had actually come. He'd almost expected her to regret the kiss from the night before and cancel their plans with the threat that if he ever came near her again she would shoot him.

He turned to see her standing at the top of the stairs, smiling as her eyes grew warm at the sight of him standing in the middle of lit lanterns and candles. He had laid a blanket out, the only table on board being the one in his quarters. It had been a moment's tempting thought to take her down there but he didn't want it to look like what he had told David he wasn't about, wooing and bedding her. That and it was an amazingly warm night compared to the last several evenings they had experienced so he figured they may as well hold a small picnic on deck and do some star gazing.

"'Ello, love," he said warmly as he shook the flame of a match out, very much enjoying the look of wonder crossing over her face.
"Hey," she returned as she allowed her eyes to drift to his. "Is all of this for me?"
"Aye, that it is," he smiled. "Mind if we pull from the dock? I figured we could steer out a ways...we've more privacy that way if you're comfortable."

Emma nodded as she stepped toward him, straightening the lapels on his coat as she came closer. Bloody hell, she smelled good, too. Before he could conjure a word or a thought she gently stepped away from him toward the wheel, flashing a grin at him from over her shoulder.

"Well, Captain grab the gangplank and let's get this date going."

He smiled at her bossy, teasing tone and gave her a mock salute.

"Aye, aye there lass."

He started for the stairs and with a second's though changed his route unexpectedly. She watched him with a question in her eye as he came toward her, intent falling with his every step. She opened her mouth to say something but before any words came out he covered her mouth with his own in a slow and thorough kiss. She relaxed at his touch and he felt a grin spread across her lips as she returned the kiss, encouraging him to keep going.

He finally pulled back and leaned his forehead against hers, his blue eyes gazing at her affectionately.

"I've been waiting to do that all day," he finally said, his voice soft and his breath brushing against her skin.

"Me, too."

He smiled at her admission and felt confidence bloom in his chest. If there was ever any doubt it'd just been blown to smithereens. He stepped away once again and headed down on deck to grab the gangplank, growing more curious as to what the evening would bring.

Emma laughed as Killian finished yet another story that had occurred somewhere on the high seas, this one resulting in half of his crew resigning because they claimed he was crazy and dangerous.

"I admit, yes I am a little dangerous and can be a bit crazy but without those two wondrous traits they would have been sinking to the bottom of the ocean…and I can't guarantee they would have been alive for that experience."

"Ha, I'm sure a pirate ship is the perfect place for dangerous and crazy. It suits you well," she said as her laughter died down, happy that she'd agreed to this evening.

They were lying on their backs across the blanket, the lanterns and candles still flickering softly around them and their empty take-out boxes discarded at their feet. She was the most comfortable she'd been in awhile, snuggled under the blanket he'd fetched from his quarters and pressed to his side listening to his stories and sometimes his misadventures and even telling some of her own. He had been most interested to learn about her past job as a bondsman, laughing at the same part where she'd managed to best each of her victims. Possibly because it reminded him of their times back in the Enchanted Forest.

"Emma."
"Killian?"

She glanced over at him and found he was watching her with a soft smile on his lips. Those kissable lips. She swallowed, trying to focus her mind on something else like his eyes but damn him. It was highly unfair of him to look so good at all times of every day.

"We never had that dance."
"What dance?"
"Remember how you said we could finish that dance when you were done wiping the blood from my face. Well, love, it never happened."
"Oh…well, that's because…"
"Believe me I'm not complaining," he smiled as she dropped the sentence off not having to go any further, "But I do want to make good on that promise."
"There's no music right now."
"We can make our own," he said in a matter of fact way but it was the lift of his brow and the smirk on his face that made her roll her eyes and punch his shoulder. It was good to know he could still throw those innuendos around.

"Hey now. Do you want David to climb onboard and teach you a little 101 on how to fight for your life?"

He sat up and in one swift movement was on his feet, his good hand extended toward her.

"C'mon, Emma. Dance with me."
"Seriously?"
"Does it look like I'm joking?"

With a sigh she rolled the blanket off of her and pushed herself off of the floor with her hands. Hook handed her the jacket she had discarded earlier and as soon as it was zipped up and her hair had been freed from the confines of the collar, he spun her into his arms.

She felt awkward at first, just spinning and swaying in the silence but after awhile she forgot about how quiet it was and focused more on her dance partner. His hand was rough and calloused but she loved how small her hand felt in his and there was no denying the thrill she felt at the cool kiss of his hook against the small of her back. His signature smell of leather, rum, the ocean and exotic spices seemed to put her under his spell but it was his eyes that made her wonder what had taken her so long to allow her this intimacy with him.

No one in her entire life had ever looked at her the way that Hook was looking at her right now; as if she was the most lovely thing he'd ever seen and for once, instead of pushing him away, she allowed herself to let her guard slip and embrace it.

"So, love, do I pass the first date test?"

She raised a brow at him and allowed a teasing smile to eventually steal across her face as he gently swayed her back and forth.

"Well, I suppose so although some things could use some work."
"What? Really?" his grin faltered a bit as he stared at her in confusion and then set his jaw in determination. "Like what? Tell me and I'll make it happen."
"Well, for starters you can stop being such a gentleman and make out with me already."
"Make out? What is this making out you speak of?"
"I'm sure you can figure it out," she whispered, smiling at the concerned look that came over his face as she stood on her tiptoes. She pressed her lips to his, bringing on the kiss slow and steady, much like one lights a fire with a single flame before it bursts into an inferno. His lips responded to hers and she smiled as he pulled her closer to him, his hand and hook slowly sliding down her side before resting on her hips.

They drank each other in, deepening the kiss with a passion that very much resembled their previous kiss from the night before. Emma felt that familiar burst of electricity ripple through her as she raised one of her hands from his lapel toward the back of his neck, playing with the hair that rested there. He gave a low growl then and removed his lips from hers and she wondered what in the world he was doing until she felt his lips gently kissing their way down her neck, leaving a small fire wherever they connected.

"Emma, love," he mumbled into her neck, his hot breath against her skin causing her knees to buckle under her. He raised his face and the ocean blue of his eyes clashed into her green, his arms crossing behind her as he hoisted her up. "You're going to be my own undoing."

She wrapped her legs around him as his lips crashed into hers once again and she felt dizzy as he moved, walking back toward the blanket they had been lying across just moments before. Somehow, he managed to sit down rather skillfully with her in his lap and as their current position flashed through her mind he deepened the kiss.

They explored each other in that kiss and she was starting to remove her jacket when he broke his lips from hers and put his hand over what it was she was doing, putting her actions to a halt.

"Emma, love, I really don't want us to go there…not yet."

She knew it wasn't rejection but she stared at him with a puzzled expression, feeling as if someone had just struck her in the face. He cupped his hand around against her cheek and leaned forward to kiss her lips more softly, closing his eyes as if he was slowly drinking her in.

"I don't want it to be rushed, I don't want us to race toward the finish line," he murmured against her, as if sensing her confusion. "I want us to enjoy every moment that works us up to that point. I want us to have that special connection because I want it to be perfect for you. I want to give you everything you deserve but to get there, it takes time."

His words washed over her and somewhere inside of her they struck a chord. He was right, of course, and even though she was annoyed at the moment and really just wanted to smack him for being so noble and full of honor, she would be thankful in the long run. He wanted this to be more than a physical attraction, a relationship built on nothing more than lust and want. He wanted something substantial that would last and she felt relieved with that fact despite her recent disappointment.

"Thank you," she whispered and he smiled at her before leaning forward and leaving a chaste kiss on her forehead.

She slid off of his lap to his side and leaned against his shoulder, feeling strangely satisfied as his arm wrapped around her. She didn't know what the future held, she didn't know if he was at all involved in what would be her happy ending or who she'd be spending it with but she knew that she would forever treasure this moment in her heart.

"No problem, love. It's bloody hard but I promise it will be worth it," he mumbled into her hair, acknowledging her prior thank you.
"Just shut up and cuddle me," she smiled and he squeezed her closer, completely content for the first time in a long time.
"Gladly."

Like it, love it, hate it? Let me know.

Also heads up, I'll be renaming the series so it advertises that this isn't just a Halloween fic. If you have any ideas for a good title that you would like to share, let me know :)