Am I someone you would ever want to kiss again?
The silence dragged on. I had closed my eyes as I asked, knowing that I would not be able to keep the pleading out of them. As much as I wanted the answer to be yes, or even better, a kiss as an answer, I wanted the truth. I dropped my head to look at my hand and hook, willing them still as my nerves stood on edge. I always had been a man ruled by his emotions. At times I had seen that as a strength, but now it was a failing if it kept me blinded.
"I can't." She finally replied. Her voice breaking. "The life you offer, is one that I don't want. I can't love you back."
"I understand." I stood up to leave the room. She stood to stop me and I let her; taking in one more selfish moment from her.
"I will wish on every falling star, that you find your happiness." I couldn't help myself, as I spoke, my hand reached up to caress her cheek.
"Besides, lass" I faked lightheartedness. "A broken heart is a good thing, remember why?"
"Because it means that your heart works." She replied with a slight smile.
Turning serious again I held her head close to mine "Should you or any of your family ever need help, you can always call upon me and I will come." I sealed this promise with a kiss to her forehead, and then left the room hurriedly before I lost my resolve.
I grabbed my bag from my room along with the key to the room Granny had given me intending to drop the key off at the counter. I had no place here anymore.
"Killian…err…Captain Hook." Henry called out to me as I passed through the diner on my way out, having settled my accounts with Granny.
"Hello Henry." I greeted him with more cheer than I felt. "How does it feel being a nephew?"
"Great." He laughed. "Mom, move over so he can join us."
"Nay lad, I have to be going. Besides, I wouldn't want to intrude on your family time."
"Going where?" Inquired Regina.
"To the sea, like any other good, old sea dog would do when let go of his leash." I replied, attempting to once again keep my tone light and free of the turmoil I was feeling.
But I must have said something wrong, as Regina immediately stood up, taking me by the hook a few feet away from the others and then quite poignantly asked, "What is happening? Did something happen with my sister?"
"First of all, as far as I know, Zelena is safe in her cell. I have not seen her and all her minions have returned to be the persons they were before the transformation took a hold of them. Second, neither Gold nor Belle have anything to fear from me. I am not seeking revenge."
"Then what?"
"I've been released."
"Stop being cryptic. Released by what?"
"Not by what, by whom?" Realization came upon her as her eyes darted where Emma's room would be.
"What did she do?"
"Told me the truth."
"Foolish girl" she muttered.
"Perhaps, but I can't continue being a fool as well." I told her. "I'm a man, not a royal hunting dog to be kept in a cage for when they want some sport. Now that everyone is safe, I am not needed here."
"Where will you go? What will you do?" She asked.
"I tried going back to the pirating back in the Enchanted Forest, it didn't take. I'll have to find a new purpose, but I have some thoughts." I acknowledged, already too weighted done with my own misery to conceal anything, especially someone with the power to stop me if she perceived me as a threat.
"Like what?" She pushed back, but without her customary snark.
"I was thinking, I'd repay some old debts. Specifically, Ariel and her Prince Eric. They found each other, in spite of me, not because of me. And now that I know they are marooned on a remote island together, I was thinking that I might help them." I revealed my plan. "I've regretted my actions with Ariel for too long. And as easily as Zelena was able to use that regret to fool me into giving her to tools to curse me, I see now that I need to make amends."
"They really changed you too, didn't they?" She looked at me with eyes both amazed and understanding.
"Aye, that they did. You can't be around that much love as the Charmings without having it influence you. I see that it has done you good." I gestured over to where Robin was still sitting with Roland and Henry. He had them entranced and laughing at some story he was telling with his arms as much as his words.
"Well, we are still finding our way around each other, but it's a clear path now."
"Point for cryptic-ness." I jested. "It was good being here." I admitted as I said my last good-byes and walked out the door.