Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT.

Summary: Emma had never met someone as infuriating as the captain of the Jolly Roger in her 28 years of being a talented thief. When he requires her help to find a dagger to "skin" the Dark One as he likes to say, what she's really agreeing to is late night fights, breaking her walls, falling in love, oh, and winning the war with her parents she knew nothing about. Emma Swan doesn't know what she should be mad about. How about that coin purse he tried to steal that started this whole thing….

Warnings: This is AU. There is no Curse. Hook returns to the Enchanted Forest from Neverland when Emma is 28. Emma is still an orphan. Reasons being that I prefer her to have that lost boy/lost girl connection with Hook. Henry does exist and will be explained for as the story progresses.

A/N: Wowzers you guys are still pretty awesome the follows and favs make me happy and the reviews make me giddy ^_^ Happy Thursday which means new chapter yay! A few things I'd like to point out early on: I made Hook's ship a touch bigger in my imagination and descriptions… because the Jolly Roger is sooooo small on the show that I haven't a clue where they put the whole crew let alone the captain's quarters. Also … if you've got enchanted would you could be a bit bigger, just saying. Anyway, questions time!

So is belle really gone (or did regina take her?) I see hook spots some marks on a map.. maybe robin knows some info... or is also lying and looking for this... and why whyyyy did you leave us there!

For Belle, you'll have to see! I love Rumbelle a lot (beauty and the beast fan since 1993) and the story Regina told Rumple still stands. There was something else on that table that I found to be more important, the maps were a distraction that I find had worked. And I got few reviews about my cliffhanger teehee… I left it there because it was too perfect muwahaha! Please forgive me, it just means I want you to come back for more ^_^

And on with the story! Remember to review after reading please! oxox

He watched her pull herself as far away as possible from him. There was a tinge of pink on her cheeks and her eyes narrowed.

"Release me now, pirate."

"What if I don't want to? I don't think we ever finished our conversations on the docks, Miss Swan."

Her pretty mouth parted, "How—"

"I have my ways," he took a step closer to her and leaned his head down so their foreheads were almost touching. "Many ways… would you like to find out about them?"

She pulled her left arm back in an awkward angle as if to punch him, it was her weaker side. He grabbed her wrist before she could swing and pulled her flush to his body with her arm over his shoulder. "Now, that's not how you treat a guest is it, darling?" He leaned forward, causing her to bend her back as she wanted no part of her body touching his. Shame…

As she breathed heavily in her frustration, her chest expanding to meet his, and he strangely felt inclined to bring her closer to him, for what pirate in his right mind would not want the breasts of a woman brushing against his body?

Hook heard the whistle of an oncoming weapon, and moved his head just in time for the arrow not to nick him. It thrummed against the door, the feathers teasing his face. He smirked and looked over his shoulder at the prince of thieves who nocked another arrow on his bow.

"That was a warning shot. You will release her." Robin glared at Hook and pulled the string farther back.

Hook clicked his tongue and turned his attention back to Miss Emma Swan. His hand, still holding her wrist, migrated to her face where he gently rubbed his jeweled knuckles down her cheek. She didn't turn away, her cheeks didn't turn any redder, she continued to glare him and throw aside his charms as she did at the docks. He ran his tongue across the edge of his teeth.

"As you wish, Robin of Locksley," he yanked the hook out of the door, and as soon as his arm lowered enough she took a full swing at him. He dodged her fist, laughing and shoving her away from him. Swan stumbled but regained her posture rather quickly. Her fists were clenched at her side, her nose scrunched up in a rather adorable way in anger.

Hook loud laugh lowered to a dark chuckle. He turned and bowed with his arms stretched away from him to Robin. The thief lowered his bow slightly. "I thank you for your kindness, Robin. I'll show myself out."

When he spun on his heels, Swan was still glaring at him. He walked until they stood side-by-side and he winked at her. "While I forgive you for the, ehm, unpleasantness of our initial meeting, I don't forgive you for not putting up a fair fight."

Swan scoffed and leaned towards him, angling her face up to his. "The 'unpleasantness' was your own damn fault. If you want to steal from a woman, steal from one who doesn't dress like a man. You might have a better chance with your ridiculous taste in clothing and horrendous charm."

"You hurt me, Swan," His smirk widened and bowed his head at her before sauntering off back to his ship.

"What the hell was he doing here, Robin!" Emma placed her hands on her hips as the thief watched the doors carefully.

"The pirate from the docks, I take it?" He didn't look at her, just continued to be wary of the trail the captain took his leave with.

"Yeah, I should've encouraged Henry to hit him harder so he wouldn't walk his ass over here… And what was with that damn hook anyway?"

Robin placed his bow and arrow on the desk and circled around the desk to the drawers. He glanced around the table first and then pulled a key from his sleeves and locked them all.

Emma almost pouted. She had finally decided that it was best for Henry that he be taken to the castle the King and Queen lived in. She was planning to steal the letter from the Queen. She didn't expect anyone in the library… let alone that damned pirate. Robin answered her but she didn't catch it.

"…He's not someone to dance with Emma."

She scoffed. "No one said anything about dancing."

"I didn't mean that literally. He's a pirate. A bloody old one. One whose swordsmanship is practically legendary."

"I'm not scared."

"You should be," Robin glared at her, and she crossed her arms, suddenly feeling like a fatherly scolding was coming along. "Emma, you learn fast, I know, but he's a very unpredictable man. Learning his habits and understanding timings for when to block and parry will be wasted and you'll more than likely end up with his sword in your lungs."

"How do you even know all this? I've never met that man before."

Robin's jaw clenched and he shook his head in disbelief. "He's an old legend. Really old legend."

Emma's eyes narrowed and she uncrossed her arms. "What the hell are you talking about Robin?"

He nodded his head at the door, "He's an old tale Emma. Quite frankly he shouldn't even be alive but he is. Time should've taken him hundreds of years ago. He mentioned that he traveled to another realm that allowed him to never grow old."

She sighed through her nose and rolled her eyes, walking towards the window. "Well, what did he want?"

"A dagger," Robin said, "a dagger to get his revenge."

Emma grimaced. Revenge was such a nasty word that never sat well with Emma. As mad as she was with Neal for abandoning her, she felt it best to just forget about him rather than plunge into darkness to make him pay back for all the pain he caused her. Revenge was with this maddening war was still going on. "Revenge gives you nothing…"

"True, Emma, very true. But for men like him, whatever his reason may be, it's not easy to shake off." There was a sound of shuffling papers and Emma turned to face him. "Was there something you wanted, Emma?"

Well, she certainly wasn't going to tell him that she planned to steal that letter and run off with her son. She thought about it enough. With no other possible option, she would love to have Henry be fostered by royals. But she was going. She wasn't about to just leave her son with some strangers she knew nothing about other than the stories of their sense of righteousness and justice that they lived by. They were going to leave at night when she read all the details and found a proper time to do so. She had planned to respond, in Robin's handwriting, and move out quickly. Robin had a great memory of where his belongings were placed. If something went missing it wouldn't take long for him to find out what it was.

Henry wouldn't mind leaving, she was sure. Just another adventure that his mother was finally taking him on.

Would she feel bad for breaking into Robin's belongings, stealing the letters, and leave without a word? Yeah, probably, but it was all for Henry.

"Yeah, there was… but I forgot after that whole… thing…" she gestured to the door where the new hole from the hook practically glared at her.

"I understand. Well, when you remember you know where to find me." He nodded his head to her. He shot her a quick smile, but still kept his eyes on the table.

"Thanks for understanding…" she muttered and left, closing the door behind her.

With no torch, only the moon and stars, Hook found his way to the deserted docks rather quickly. The lantern was lit in the crow's nest, and a few of the portholes were also lit with light, the shadows moving and blending with one another his crew probably playing games or drinking in merriment this late at night. They were all still celebrating their freedom from that cursed realm.

He walked aboard his ship where he found several of his men playing cards and drinking on the barrels that were yet to be stored away. Some were already consumed by the ale and rum and were fast asleep on the floors. Hook almost wanted to laugh, but what he really wanted to do, was return to the privacy of his quarters. His crew paused in their activities to jump to their feet and greet their captain. Hook raised his hand.

"No need, as you were," his eyes darted around for the red cap. It was the only speck of color on his ship and with no sign of it Hook assumed that Smee had already retired for the night.

He approached the door to Smee's personal cabin and knocked with the curve of his hook. There was a shuffle, the sound of a lock turning, and Smee's face peered from the opening.

"Cap'n?"

"Mr. Smee. Is there something you fear in the Enchanted Forest that you feel the need to lock your doors?" Smee looked at him with a bashful expression.

"Sorry, Cap'n. Habits from Neverland are hard to break…"

"Indeed. My quarters, if you will." Hook turned and ascended the stairs to his quarters. They entered his room with Smee fixing his nightshirt. His first mate quickly scurried through the room, finding matches to light Hook's candles. When the room was lit, Hook glanced at his bed where the red satin blankets still cloaked the cot. As he passed it, he ran his fingers over them. Instantly, he was plagued with thoughts of his love, his Milah. How many nights they spent together in that bed, how many secrets those sheets had heard, how many vows and promises the pillows nestled, they all rushed back to him so quickly he only heard echoes similar to the crashing sound of waves on a beach. Upon returning to the realm, he changed the sheets. Why, he wasn't too sure. These were the sheets that Milah loved to sleep in, and they haunted him with memories every time he looked at them. Hook withdrew his hand. He inhaled deeply and counted in his head.

Not now, Milah…I need to think…

"Did you find anything, Cap'n?"

Hook hummed as he started to shrug out of his coat. Smee quickly rushed to his side and slipped it from his shoulders and arms. "The dagger is not there."

"Any clues as to where it might be?" Smee helped him remove his vest as well and looked up at Hook with interest.

"Robin of Locksley made it quite clear that he would not help us in our hunt for the dagger." Hook took the coat from Smee before he placed it on the coat rack and slipped his fingers into the pockets.

"So, now what?"

Hook arched his eyebrows to Smee in a comical way before pulling a few letters with the royal seal of King David and Queen Snow from his pockets. He licked his lips in anticipation and Smee's eyes bulged from their sockets. "Where on the blazing sun did you get those?"

Hook approached his desk, scattering the letters upon it. He only acquired four, and knew that Robin was no fool. He would notice the missing letters eventually. "It appears our dear Robin has sided himself with the King and Queen. To plunder Regina's forces I'm sure but some letters, so carelessly left open on the desk, seemed a bit too personal to be in discussion of war. Let's not forget the handwriting. Now these letters," he pushed aside the slightly bulkier ones, written with a heavier hand, "Are from King David, clearly about the war. These," small, delicate handwriting, "From the Queen."

"What difference does it matter?"

"When I glanced the letters they mentioned a boy. Swan's boy. An opportunity to foster him."

"Royals fostering the son of a thief?" Smee's face scrunched in confusion.

Hook smiled and peeled open one of the letters, smoothing it over his desk. "My thoughts exactly, Mr. Smee. Curiosity struck and I decided to fetch the letters for my own. Although Robin seems to have sided with the King and Queen for quite some time, it does seem rather odd to foster the son of a thief who would learn the best tricks in the book if he stayed with his own kind. And keep in mind, this boy isn't Robin's son."

"But doesn't that divert us away from the dagger?" Smee placed his hands on the desk, squinting at the small handwriting.

"Not quite," Hook reassured him. "Rumplestiltskin is at the mercy of the King and Queen. Either they know about the dagger, and can surrender its location, or they can surrender the location of Rumplstiltskin's cell." He opened the other letter from the Queen, his brow furrowing. Within the first few lines, he was chewing harder on the curiosity that first plagued him.

"And how exactly do you plan on having them give that information to you? They are under that spell by the Blue Fairy. They won't be able to say a word!" Smee took off his cap to scratch his head.

"They want the boy, Mr. Smee," Hook, however, didn't sound so sure of the claim himself as he read the personal letter. He sat in his high backed chair, absorbing what he could. They repeatedly spoke of Swan. Of Emma. "Or perhaps…"

The room grew quiet, except for Smee's breathing. Hook held his breath as he took his time reading one letter in full instead of glancing over both of them to find similar subjects. Swan was the similar subject though. His hand rubbed his scruff and mouth as the wheels and cogs turned in his head. Interesting….

"Cap'n?" Hook remembered he wasn't alone and nodded his head to the door.

Without another word, Smee quickly left the captain to his musing. His legs swung themselves onto his desk and he re-read the letter. Just to be sure.

"Dear Robin,

Your standing in the war continues to give us hope. While everyone is believing the end is near, growing comfortable is not a good idea. Especially with Regina. David tells me that your Merry Men have lost sight of Regina's suppliers and supply wagons. Don't worry, we'll figure something out.

How is she? How is Emma? I worry about her so much. I know that I shouldn't be writing about her so freely like this but, I just miss her. Hearing her worries from you breaks my heart as once again there is very little I can do about it. But then I thought about it. Her son, Henry, I believe I can set her worries aside. I might not have been able to do much for her since she was born, but I feel that this is finally my chance.

But in fear that Regina may catch wind of this, I can't take Emma as well. Regina believes Emma to be dead, and with that, the power to stop her. I've brought the attention to the Blue Fairy that Rumplestiltskin mentioned that Emma would be our Savior on her 28th birthday for the curse that never happened. I know it's past that date… Winter is well on its way. Perhaps Emma will be the one to stop this mad war. I'll be sending the Blue Fairy to you, so she can help the Emma understand her destiny, believe that David and I gave her up to give her, her best chance, and train her powers to fight against Regina. This war needs to end, and there is no bringing Regina to terms. We've tried for years.

I've enclosed another letter. More proper and formal, for Emma to read. I understand that she still has no idea who I really am to her. But she wants to give Henry his best chance and I understand that more than anyone. But please be sure she does not follow. Send me her answer, and I'll send a carriage for him.

I love her, Robin. We both do. Not a day goes by that we don't think of her. And with that I can't endanger my daughter. My grandson is safer in public light than she is."

Hook leaned farther back in his chair, his knuckles holding his temple as he stared at the letter propped in his lap. The letter was signed with tears and a shaky hand. His tongue ran over his teeth. He just ate a healthy plate, and it was very delicious information. The King and Queen had a daughter… who clearly had no idea who or what she really was. He chuckled and glanced for the other letter, the formal one. Once spotted, and quickly read, not a single loop of the handwriting would lead anyone to believe that Snow White and her Charming the parents of a thief.

He could use this to his advantage. Holding both Emma and Henry hostage would perhaps convince them to remove the Blue Fairy's spell. Perhaps, he might not need the dagger to remove Rumplestiltskin from the realm. Though it would be far more satisfying to kill the demon with his own maker, his own blade. He still had a full bottle of dreamshade from Neverland. A slow, suffering death to the demon always appeased him as well, and Pan had assured him that the poison would work even on Rumplestiltskin's magic. It was a plant that was foreign to this realm, there was no antidote. Hook had the crocodile cornered no matter with route he took.

"Seems I have a lost girl in my hands," he whispered, he grasped the personal letter by a corner and held it up to the lit candelabra. The words were firmly etched into his memory as he watched the parchment blacken, curl, and burn away. "Don't worry, your majesties. I'll return her to you, for the dagger or the skin that I'll hang above my bed." He laughed darkly as the flames ate away the letter.

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