To whom it belongs

Captain Swan Short

Chapter 2

Within seconds she heard him behind her. She sighed, frustrated. Why couldn't he just leave her alone?

"Swan," he started, "I do believe you should not be walking alone out here given the circumstances."

She spun around on her heels to face him, frustration turning to anger.

"Listen Hook, I don't need you to protect me," she spat, "Stop following me around like a lovesick puppy, it's pathetic."

He stopped dead in his tracks. She could see the hurt on his face behind the glow of her flashlight. She instantly regretted her harsh words. She didn't mean to say it but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was only helping her because of his feelings for her.

"Swan," he said in a hushed voice, "I was not aware that that was how I appeared to you and the others. I would not want anyone to think of me other than what I am…a pirate."

His disgust with the word 'pirate' was clear. Since the moment he met Emma, he had been trying to be a better man, someone that she could see herself sharing her life with. It was true that he had been spending most of his time around the Saviour, but it wasn't always by choice. Their paths have kept crossing, as if the gods were confirming what Killian already knew: that they were True Love.

"Listen, Hook," Emma started gently, moving closer as she spoke, "I didn't mean it."

"No, love," he said cutting her off, "I believe you did mean it. No worries, I will get over it. Do not let my emotions get in your way. You need to save the town and more importantly, your son. I understand where you are coming from, yet you still seem to think I don't. I would trust you with my life, yet you don't trust me enough to give me a chance, to let me help you. You can't fight every battle alone, love.

I told you back in Neverland that I would win your heart, but you have to want me. I will never force you to do anything. When you realize that all these adventures, and your life in New York, are just distractions from your feelings from your life here, and dare I say it from me, then you will also learn that you can trust me. I will not hurt you. I am no monkey, and no Baelfire. You will always be first, you and Henry."

He paused to take a step nearer to her, her eyes never leaving his.

"Emma I've yet to meet someone as strong and determined as you. You are strong willed and bloody stubborn and hell, I'd be lying if I said you didn't once get on my nerves every now and then. You may as damn well be the most infuriating person I have met, but I do know one thing is certain."

At this point he was mere inches away from her. She felt his breath on her lips, the heat from his open chest. Once again he had read her like the open book he insisted she was. He was right, about New York, about her past. He was always right about everything and he often knew her when she herself did not. She felt herself believing his words and promises. She knew he would never lie to her but she had to hear him say it- have him prove it. She couldn't take the chance that she was wrong about him.

"And what are you so certain of?" she pushed him to continue, her voice barely a whisper.

"That I would die without you near. That I nearly did die during that year without you! And all this," his eyes stared into hers with an immense sincerity, "all of this was just confirming what I have already known since our little dalliance. Emma, I lo-"

She didn't want to hear his words anymore. His voice was too loud even though he was whispering. Actions speak louder than words and right now Emma wanted to feel his assurances. She grabbed him by the lapel and pulled him in. They kissed, but only gently. Emma wanted to remember the way he felt on her lips. This time, he wasn't surprised. Neither of them was unsure of what they were doing. It was as if everything since the moment they returned to Storybrooke had been leading to this. They both wanted it and it felt so good and so right. A catharsis of stress, pain and loss. Their worries were miles away.

They breathed each other in, feeling complete in each other's embrace. Emma felt her walls breaking down, but not enough to make her go any further. One touch was all she needed to know that his intentions were true and this was enough to make her stop. Hook too felt the difference in this kiss. When they had pulled apart it was like he was seeing the world for the first time. Everything around him was heightened. Since the showdown between Zelena and Regina he had felt incomplete and uneasy. Everything was wrong, but as of this moment it was all well again. Now there was another thing that he was certain of: that they had shared a real True Love's kiss. It was the only explanation for the change he had just undergone. If only Emma could understand.

Watching her walk away he called out to her, "I'll let you be alone now just as you wish, but I do hope that that was not a one-time thing."

She could hear the smirk through his voice as he repeated her words. She couldn't help but smile too, allowing herself to secretly hope so as well.