On the Jolly Roger on the way to Neverland

"Your Highness" Hook greeted drawly, never letting his focus waver from the open sea. His tone clearly implied he wasn't too happy to see her.

"Hook" She replied back just as coldly.

"What do I owe this great pleasure?" He asked when she didn't leave after a few moments. She clearly wanted something, it wasn't as if she considered him good company. Then again, considering the other options on the ship, he perhaps wasn't the worse choice. They all had their own lists of who'd they rather (or not) spend time with the most.

Hook's number one was currently at the near opposite end of the ship.

Unbeknownst to Hook, Regina figured out rather quickly where his train of sight was aimed. A mischievous idea popped into her mind. "I'm growing very tiresome of this life at sea. The sooner we get to Neverland the better."

"Aye, can't agree with you more."

"I mean, it's awful on this ship. No entertainment at all. And it's not even just that, the ship itself is awful. I mean, greatest vessel to ever sail the seas? When I was Queen I had been of far more superior paddle boats then this-"

And then the biggest talking down to Regina might have possibly ever gotten in her life began. And that was saying a lot when you had Cora growing up as a mother. Hook was practically ranting and raving about like a lunatic about his beloved Jolly Roger she had spurned him on so.

The taste of blood suddenly rushed over her tongue.

Emma nearly spat, nearly, before she noticed she had bitten a small cut on her bottom lip. Huh, when did that happen? She licked at it absently as her eyes once again looked over to where they had been glued on for over the past five minutes. Hook. Regina. Hook and Regina.

He was talking to her about something, who the hell knew what, and looked as concentrated as hell as he did it. But there was no trace of anger on his face, so they obviously weren't arguing, yet his infamous smirk wasn't in place so he couldn't have been being his usual innuendo jackass self. Hook looked…passionate. Genuine. Whatever he was talking about so ardently must be a subject he took very seriously. And he was talking to Regina, of all people, about it.

An invisible pain swiped at Emma's heart.

"Beautiful morning isn't it Miss Swan?"

She was briefly broken away from the little show (Hook was smiling at this point and Regina was actually giving back one of her own) to be greeted with the sight of Mr. Gold limping over. He came to stand next to her and bowed down his head. "This may be…awkward. But I hoped to speak to you about something."

"Oh?" She said, half curious and half indifferent. Hook was leaning, freaking leaning, towards Regina. Invading personal space was Hook's forte and yet, as he did it to the Mayor who made no attempt to move back, Emma felt like she was being betrayed. A stupid, stupid thought, of course, because Hook didn't belong to her. Not even in a long shot. And yet…

"It's about Baelfire…Neal."

Now that got her attention. She turned to him, the surprise evident on her face.

"It's just…" Mr. Gold showed a rare show of anxiety as he looked down uncomfortably at his feet. "I know my son and I weren't on the greatest terms before he….well, he probably told you as to why that was. But…but I just hope you know or at least I can convince you, my desire to help find Henry is genuine."

And in that small moment of vulnerability, Emma didn't see Mr. Gold, the man who owned all of Storybrooke. Nor did she see Rumplestilskin, the feared Dark One. In front of her was a man who made a terrible mistake, paid the ultimate price for it, and was now doing the only thing he could to try and make things right. In front of her was a broken human, just like her. She had only seen this man once, back in New York when the truth had come out in Neal's apartment. She had been so concerned about herself and Henry though that she hadn't truly processed it. But now, now she had all the time in the world.

And now that she did, she saw the truth shimmering in his eyes.

"I know" Emma said, a small smile on her lips.

"And I also hope," Gold continued, finding her acceptance of his statement as a good sign, "When everything is said and done that I can have a place in the boy's life. If even a small one. Henry is…is all I have left of Bae."

With those soft spoken, pain stricken words, the wound Neal's death had left in Emma's heart was reopened. She had been so focused on Henry that it had been easy to push her mourning to the side. But now it was back, in full force, and unwanted tears were beginning to prick at her eyes.

No, no more crying. She had done enough crying to last centuries when it came to Neal. She had to be strong, if not for her then Henry. And while the conversation was a great gesture, a great (dare she say it) bonding moment, Emma was desperate to get away. "We're family, you'll always have a place in Henry's life. No matter what." She couldn't stop the hesitant step back she took away from him.

Gold and didn't look offended at all but simply nodded in understanding. He had accomplished what he had set out to do after all. "Thank you Miss Swan." Then they both kind of separated, brushing aside the intense emotion that had been brought up to the surface but never forgetting it. It was a rare moment for the two of them, as they really had no reason before to have any kind of relationship. There was defiantly a change in the air.

As Emma mulled over this, her feet had unconsciously taken over to the helm. To Hook and Regina more specifically. Crap.

"'Ello lass." Hook greeted with a smile, completing dropping whatever conversation he was just having with the Queen. Why was that?

"…Hey" She said rather timidly. Oh God she was such an idiot. What was she going to say? Why had she come over her to being with? Her nerves had just been taken for a joy ride and her body had thought going to talk to the Evil Queen and Captain Hook would help?

"You and Gold looked like you were in a pretty intense conversation." Regina commented with faux disinterest.

Of course the damned woman would comment on it. "Just discussing Henry."

Regina's eyes narrowed at that. "About what exactly?" Of course she'd want to know, she was his mother too after all. Emma sighed and wished she had never walked over here. Stupid feet. But now even Hook looked a little interest if not suspicious. This was his Crocodile after all. "Nothing really, just after everything that happened with Neal, how he wants to be a part of his life once we find him." And Emma said no more in fear of spurring on the emotions Gold awoke in her only a few minutes before.

Because there was no way in hell she was going to break down in front of Regina and Hook.

"Of course he does." Regina scoffed, clearly not believing a word of it. She, as her mother and father had told her, had a long and complicated past with Rumplestilskin. One that wasn't bunch of rainbows and daises either. But Emma was so sick of the issues they all had in their life before Storybrooke. That was the past and this is now. They were all doing some changing and it was time for some shows of faith.

But Emma didn't want to get into it with Regina at the moment. Her body was too exhausted and her mind in no right place to keep up with any type of argument. Honestly, she felt like just going to bed. However, he stupid brain once again had other plans for her.

"Speaking of intense conversations, what were you two talking about?"

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid. God she needed to get out of here like five minutes ago.

Regina's coy smile tugged at her lips. "The Captain here was just telling me about his ship. I made the mistake of underestimating it but ah," Her perfectly slender and gloved hand rose up and fell onto the wheel, only mere inches from Hook's. "He's convinced me otherwise."

The way she said it, the small distance between their hands, and the way Emma knew they both had with the opposite gender had Emma's blood burning. Literally imploding within her veins making her got and pissed off all over.

"Isn't that right Captain?" Regina inquired, looking at him and even going as far to tilt her damn head.

Hook, at first, looked confused as hell as to what was unfolding right before him. He was even more baffled that Regina was practically gravitating to him (invading his personal space for once) with a dare he say it seductive smile firmly in place.

He was about to make a comment that would send her off with her tail in between her legs (because he was so not interested) but then he glanced over to Emma.

The blonde was seething, looking more infuriated then he's ever seen her in his life. And that was saying a lot considering the situations they've been in. Hook wondered why that was until, just like that, everything clicked into place. And when it did, Hook was smirking and giddy.

"Why yes love" He answered, giving her a dashing smile. He leant towards her, inappropriately so, and was now mere inches from her face. So close that their breaths of air were mingling together. "If you fancy a tour I'd be more then obliging to guide you. There are so many places that one can simply just get lost."

The implication was more than clear.

Emma wanted to punch something. Badly. How dare they flirt with each other like this right in front of her.

Regina laughed and fucking batted her eye lashes. Seriously, what the hell?

"There's nothing I would love more."

And that was the last straw. Emma let out a frustrated breath of air and spun on her heel. She didn't even bother with a goodbye as she stomped (literally stomped) away from the helm and down below deck. She wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone anymore and her pillow was there perfect target for her pent up anger.

Because she wasn't jealous. Nope, not at all. Hook and Regina could do whatever the hell they wanted with each other. Good for fucking them. But they didn't have to do it right in front of her face, it was called fucking manners for Pete's sake.

At least, this was what Emma kept telling herself even if some small voice in her mind kept whispering evilly, Liar.

"Well that wasn't nice."

Regina and Hook, both looking a little happy that their performance had worked (but for much different reasons), hadn't noticed there had been another onlooker. They both turned to see Snow White looking properly pissed with narrowed eyes and her arms crossed over her chest.

"Don't know what you're talking about." Regina said coolly.

"Oh I think you do." Snow snapped and marched right over to them. "You know we're all here looking for Henry, trying to make it work between us considering the pasts we have, so there was really no need for that."

Regina rolled her eyes. She was trying to be nonchalant but at the mention of Henry's her whole body bristled. "Little Miss Righteous as usual."

"Malady-" Hook began, intent to try and calm her down a little. He didn't think what had just happened warranted this kind of anger. Besides, he had only done it to try and confirm his own suspicions. That Emma, despite her constant refusals of him, actually did feel something. And his happiness that she did (because why else would she be so jealous?) had made him more elated then he'd felt in a while. Not that he'd ever admit it out loud but still. Snow was being a serious buzz kill.

"Don't malady me pirate" Snow snapped, turning her glare to him. "I don't appreciate you playing with my daughter's feelings considering all the hell she's been through recently."

Now that shut him up. Hook felt damn right guilty now. He had forgotten about Neal's death, even forgot about Henry's kidnapping for a moment, just at the chance to see if Emma could feel for him in a way no human being had in centuries. His head hung down shamefully when he found there was no proper thing to say for his actions. Not to Snow anyway.

Regina took a step away from them, intent on leaving. "Oh calm down. I'm sure she'll get over it."

"Emma isn't close to a lot of people so when she even considers the idea it doesn't help when her feelings are toyed with. I'd hope you know better Regina after what you did to Emma and Graham."

The Queen's ice turned cold at the name. "How dare you speak to me about him." She hissed.

Snow didn't look a bit phased. Hook guessed that awful all these years, Snow would be use to being the target of her stepmother's anger. It was something not a lot of people could handle.

"You took him away from her and I'll be damned if I see you try and screw with Emma again in that way. Now," Snow's face softened, the past anger and annoyance gone within seconds. Still, her eyes held their firm and resolute gaze. "I suggest we all get some rest. We're here for Henry remember, nothing else."

Regina wanted to say more. So much more. But yet again at her son's name she reached for the calm composure only Henry could bring out of her. She breathed in slowly, calming her racing heart and murderous thoughts, and gave a curt nod. She left without another word, not trusting what would come out if she did.

"Who's Graham?" Hook inquired, forgetting for a moment Snow was just as pissed at him as she was at the Queen.

Snow sighed and was suddenly very exhausted. Now that Regina was gone she could relax a little. But just a little. After all, Captain Hook was still standing a few feet from her. "Someone who we lost a while ago. He was very special to us all and he and Emma…" She stopped, biting her bottom lip before she could finish the sentence. "I don't think I should be the one talking about this."

He and Emma what? What were they to each other? And why didn't Snow want to tell? Hook was suddenly desperate to know the answer. This man whose face he didn't even know was suddenly consuming his thoughts. How close had he and Swan actually been? Enough to be intimate? Had they loved each other?

The questions kept coming and coming and Hook could do nothing to stop them.

"Isn't a good feeling is it?" Snow inquired casually, eyeing him like she was the wisest person in the world. "Being jealous that is."

Hook didn't answer her. He glared and pointedly turned away from her. He was done talking to people for the day, apparently it got him into nothing but trouble. And now all these unwanted thoughts.

Just as Snow's foot hovered over the stairs of the helm, she called over her shoulder, "Oh and for the record, I am in no way on your side. Emma's my daughter and I love her but I think she's a little mad for even considering…" Again, she grew silent on the verge of revealing something that wasn't her place to. "Well, just wanted you to know that."

And then she left, again leaving Hook in extreme want of answers.

Considering? What exactly was Emma considering about him?

But there was no one around now, only the stars above in the dark and silent sky.

Authors Note: Well this chapter seriously got away from me. It had, originally, been meant to be much more funnier but then things escalated rather quickly. I mean, I threw Graham in there. Serious feels attack.

This chapter was born from the question Colin answered about hanging around with Regina while he waited for Emma. (waiting, he's waiting for her, serious fan girl squeals). But now that Snow has put things in perspective, I don't think he'll be going with that plan of action in the future.

Anyway, I hope no one thinks I'm painting Regina to be the big bad guy of this fic. Not at all, if anything, I'm putting her in the trickester role who just likes to mess with everyone. In a funny way. But hey, sometimes things will get serious and i am trying to keep to their canons and after all, don't do the crime if you can't pay the time.

As always, reviews are more then welcome.