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: Happy Thursday! I'm very much surprised and thankful for all the responses last chapter received! Kept my creativity overflowing! I'm a few chapters ahead in my writing and I must say, you guys are in for a real treat!

AND THAT LAST EPISODE MAN!

Hahaha! Ok, back on with the story! Enjoy and remember I love reviews! Constructive Criticism most appreciated.

Henry was running around the courtyard, dodging the grasps of the Merry Men who joined Little John's quest of bringing justice upon Henry. The boy had successfully trapped the larger man in one of his own devices and it embarrassed John who was at the mercy of their friends for a short amount of time. To avoid the clutches of Little John, who jumped in front of Henry's original escape, Henry shimmied up a nearby tree, quick as a squirrel, and treaded with light feet along the stone wall that mingled with the branches of his tree.

"You'll never catch me, John!" she listened to him laugh in delight and her heart dropped, fluttering along the way. Henry loved his little family.

Emma tucked more clothes into his rucksack and bit her lip. This was best for him—and it wasn't like they would never be welcomed back to Robin's nest. Robin would feel hurt that she left without telling him but he always understood. They understood each other the minute Robin noticed that she was a struggling thief with a baby on the way.

She pulled open her chest at the foot of her bad, making sure she didn't leave anything that was worth value to her. She spotted something white and gulped. She reached and moved old clothing aside to reveal a tattered blanket that had her name stitched into it. She smoothed it out and buried her face in it. It was an old thing. It had seen better days, it was once white, with bright purple ribbons, but she could never bring herself to leave it behind. Odette told her she was found tucked inside of it, and she would cry every time Odette would remove it to wash her. She folded it gingerly and packed it into her bag.

That was it really… Emma never got attached to anything else in her life. Because of her lifestyle, she wasn't really allowed it.

Hook's ship, from what she gathered, stayed docked a while longer than the merchants it originally sailed in with. It had been two days since she sealed their fate in the tavern. When she returned home that night, she realized that he never gave her a time that they were leaving. So, she visited the taverns again, hoping to spot the pirate or anyone else of his crew.

It wasn't until a well-groomed man introduced himself that she received her information.

"Lady Emma Swan?"

She cringed at the formality and observed the man—pirate? —before her. He was sharp and clean, wearing a simple blue vest over his white shirt. His hair was brushed back into a tight ponytail and a red cloth was tied snug around his throat. His hands were behind his back as he bowed to her. Emma was very confused.

"You… work with that guy?" he sent her a laughing smile and took the spare seat across from her.

"Aye, I do. Traveled under the same sail with the boy since his beginning. I go by the name of Jameson." He held out his hand, Emma eyed it cautiously before planting hers in his. He kissed it like the gentleman he appeared to be, very much unlike his captain.

"No offense, but I didn't think men like you would run around with men like him. What were you thinking?" His eyes sparkled with laughter and Emma started to feel at ease.

"The captain tends to keep a few good men around. For his sake." He winked at her and folded his hands on the table in front of her. He was proving to her that he was in no way a threat to her. "Miss Swan, I apologize on my captain's behalf. He wanted to prepare the ship and crew for your arrival. In his excitement, he had forgotten to give you a time of when we shall be leaving port."

"Excitement? I'm just a thief trying to give a better life to her son." Emma raised an eyebrow.

Jameson gave her a very sincere smile. "Aye, but it's not you that the captain is losing his head over. He is getting closer to his revenge he had been preparing for, for over three hundred years."

Holy…

Emma leaned forward and slammed her palms on the table in shock. "Three hundred years! Are you fucking kidding me!?"

Jameson guffawed and waved at her shock. "The captain sent me to tell you that we will be leaving the docks early morning of the third day from today. It's best you arrive at dawn."

Emma crossed her arms and shook her head, still in disbelief. Three hundred… what the hell requires you to prepare for something for that long? "Uhm… What are you to Hook? Your rank, I mean…"

A proud smile brought out his dimples. "I am his second mate."

"Why not his first? I'm sure he'd make friends a lot easier with a man like you…" aside from her trust issues, she generally liked the pirate before her. To be honest, calling him a pirate felt a bit wrong. Officer sounded liked it suited much more.

"It would be… too painful for him." There was an odd flash in his eyes, but Emma dismissed it. She didn't need to know Hook's backstory. It wasn't important for what they needed of each other.

"But he sent you because of the man you are?"

The man's laugh reached his eyes again. "That, and half the crew is still rather bitter about your event with them. Hence, the captain having to prepare them for your arrival." Emma snorted and smiled despite herself. "I applaud you on that Miss Swan."

She cringed again. "Emma is fine, really."

"Have you granted that permission to the captain?"

Emma rolled her eyes, "Hell no, but I don't think that matters to him."

The smile remained on his face but he shook his head. "Then I cannot, Miss Swan. As you can see, I am a man who follows a code."

After parting ways with Jameson, Emma spent the walk up to the castle coming up with a plan to get Henry to come along. If she looked at it his way, it was just the adventure he wanted. The only difference was that it was without the Merry Men Henry considered family. Not to mention these were the pirates he took up against—he had her temper when it came to protecting his mother. Who knows what would happen…

She finally decided to tell him a little white lie: Robin needed her to visit a few refuges in a tight timeframe that required a ship, and he allowed her to take Henry. However, the more she repeated the story in her head, the more and more it sounded like a big, fat lie.

Emma tried her hardest not to lie to Henry, especially after the last time. Henry got to the age where he wondered who his father was and why he was never with them. Emma lied and told him that his father was a man who sacrificed himself in the war. She wanted him to believe his father to be a hero to avoid the pain he would feel if he knew the truth. The lie didn't last long. Henry overheard from the friends: his father was a coward who abandoned his mother in her time of need.

He was furious with her, and didn't speak to her for almost a week. Emma was shattered, and promised him and herself that she wouldn't lie to him ever again.

But this was for Henry. She knew she sounded like a broken wheel but she was a mother. From what she gathered, it was acceptable for them sound as such. And Henry would understand when they were away from all of this and she had actually read the details of the Queen's letter… Which, she realized with a roll of her eyes, she had still yet to see for herself.

If that damned pirated kept dangling things she needed in her face he was going to end up short a few pearly white teeth.

After packing the last of her necessary items—her daggers, lock picks, and whetstone—Emma heard an echo of boots down the corridor. She quickly tossed the rucksacks under the bed, hiding them from sight with the bed skirts, and hurried silently to the railing to seem less suspicious. There, she watched Henry fend off the older thieves with his wooden sword.

She heard a knock on her door and didn't respond. There was another knock, and after a few seconds, the door opened with Robin calling her name.

"Out here, Robin," she called over her shoulder. She crossed her arms and leaned against the railing, a forlorn smile slipping on her face as old Friar Tuck picked Henry up and placed him on his shoulders.

Robin approached her side, a chuckle slipping past him as he watched the scene. "Sometimes when I watch Henry, a part of me wishes I could go back in time to when Roland was young." Emma looked at her leader who was mimicking her mannerisms. "These years of his life are blessings."

Emma hummed and turned her attention back to her son. Moments passed in silence. It was comfortable, but still unnerved Emma. Robin didn't go searching for her and then remain silent for no reason.

"What do you need, Robin?"

Robin hummed himself and tapped a finger on his face. He made curious expression and before tilting his head in her direction to stare her dead in the eye. Shit… he knew…

"Emma," he began and straightened his back, planting his palms on the bars for support. "I heard rather curious story from the townspeople the other day. You've been mingling with those pirates you bested not too long ago."

Emma breathed harshly through her nose and looked at anything else but Robin.

"Their captain one day, and then his more 'gentlemanly' crew member the next. Might I ask what was so intriguing about you that they felt the need to seek you out?"

She bit her upper lip. "They really want that dagger."

"Yes," Robin's dropped from being playful to somber. "But then I remembered, I've been missing a few letters since the dear captain paid us a visit. Their fingers are just as sticky as ours, if not more." Emma grimaced, and decided it was best to keep her mouth shut.

Robin, however, waited for her response in such a serious and playful manner, alternating his expressions every few seconds, that she could feel herself starting to crumble. She inhaled as calmly as she could and kept her tongue between her teeth.

"Emma—"

"Robin, please don't stop me," she turned away from the courtyard and wandered back into her bedroom, looking for something familiar and stable to keep her from giving in. It was unfortunate that she packed her personal belongings.

Robin followed her but kept his distance. "What did he promise you, Emma?"

She shook her head and turned to face him, that stern fatherly look he always reserved for her and Roland locked into place. Emma crossed her arms. Robin did deserve to know... After everything this man did for her…

"A safe passage to the King and Queen's palace," she said.

Robin pursed his lips and then rubbed them and his beard rather roughly. "Emma—"

"He made a valid point! The Evil Queen no longer has a powerful naval fleet. Chances of her coming across me and Henry at sea are slim to none." Emma pushed a hand through her blonde tresses. "I'm not leaving Henry alone with some strangers… Not like how I was."

Robin deflated a little bit. He shook his head and inhaled rather deeply. They stayed silent for a few minutes, during which time Emma just wanted to curl up in bed and sleep until she actually felt like waking up.

He cleared his throat. "Do you feel you can trust him?"

"Hell no. But I can defend myself and Henry if he tries anything."

She expected more than the defeated smile Robin gave her. She expected a stronger fight, one that would involve yelling. It was what she was mentally preparing for. Instead, he started for the doors, much to her confusion.

"You're your own person, Emma. I can't stop you. Plus not matter what I say, you won't hear it out. Please, take some of my maps of the realm. They're updated on territories and cities. Should the pirate go back on his words, as I'm sure he will, at least you'll be prepared to break for it."

Emma looked at her feet. It was a lot easier than she thought, but she couldn't fight down the sense of dread and guilt that ate through her veins. And when he passed by her, putting a hand upon her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze, the skin underneath it turned to ice.

"Honestly, Emma, I do hope that being with Henry and in the palace will bring you your happy ending." He gave her one last pat.

"Thieves don't get happy endings…" she whispered.

Look at her. All she was good at was stealing and surviving. She was abandoned in a forest, never had a stable place to call home (Even with Robin. If she had brought down her walls a little more, then maybe the castle would've felt like home but it didn't). She fell in love once and was abandoned again by the very man who said he loved her.

"Honorary thieves do. Some paths are harder Emma. It's sad to see that yours is, but you're pulling through. And when you reach what the fates have destined for you, we will all look up at you with pride."

Emma spun on her heels and observed Robin watching her as he closed the doors. "Good luck, milady. You will always have a home with us." The doors shut.

"Mom… why are we up so early?" Henry was yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eye as they trekked through the sleeping village.

"Ship leaves early." She reached a hand in her rucksack and felt the parchment of Robin's maps. She couldn't sleep a wink last night after her conversation with Robin. She stayed up, repacking and making sure that everything was in order. She said her good-byes in private to Mulan and Robin's inner circle of Merry Men. They were saddened to see her and Henry go but accepted her choice less of a fight than Robin.

When they reached the docks, the sun was just peaking over the horizon. The lights danced across the waters as the sun squeezed what light it could through the funnel the mountains created. The sailors that docked last night were already preparing their ships, clamoring loud against the quiet air of the village.

"Which one is ours?" Henry asked.

Emma opened her mouth and then shut it closed when she realized she didn't know what the hell the pirate's ship looked like. "Uhm… not sure."

Henry released a grumpy laugh. "So… What now?"

"Excellent timing, Miss Swan." Emma jumped at the voice. Even with all the noise, she wasn't prepared for anyone to speak to her. When she saw Jameson leaning against a few barrels, she realized she wasn't prepared for anyone to wait for her either. Jameson gave her an apologetic grin and bowed to them.

"Mom, whose that?" instinctively, Henry grabbed her hand.

"The last person we need to worry about kid." She returned Jameson's smile with a smaller one.

"Still one to worry about, nonetheless," Jameson beckoned them to the ship on their left, "Don't let the cleanliness of my clothes fool you. Shall we?"

"Whoa…"Henry whispered.

The ship was magnificent in size and had shown its years of survival through the dull, chipped paint, and the scratches and the dents along the hull. The masts stood tall and didn't sway as she had seen others do. She wasn't knowledgeable of the sizes of ships but she could tell that this one was still a bit smaller than usual. And if she knew anything about being small herself, it was designed to be a nimble and fast ship.

Jameson stepped in front, leading them up the gangplank. The clamor from this ship was quieter. On the others she could hear sailors singing or talking as they worked. All she heard on this ship were barrels being moved, boxes being dropped, ropes being pulled through pulleys, and a few stern orders being shouted. When she and Henry stepped onto the main deck, they were greeted with silence. Men turned or looked over their shoulders at them. A few shook their heads while others spat on the ground. Emma was tempted to toss a knife in the ground to show where she stood as a threat but wasn't sure if the gesture was followed by pirates.

"Mom… why do they all look like pirates?"

A lilted accent breezed over all of them. "Because that's what we are, lad." The sound of the boots of their captain bounced off the floor as he approached the railing on the quarterdeck. There was that insufferable smirk on his face and Emma had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger, my boy."

"You…" Henry started. "You're that pirate who tried stealing from my mom."

There were a few laughs from the crew as Hook crossed his arms. "Aye."

Henry's eyes grew wide and he shook his head. "Mom, what's going on? I thought—"

"I'll explain later, Henry," she whispered to him a rush.

Her son pursed his lips and glared at the captain who found the expression to be amusing.

"Might want to wipe that look off your face, lad. Should I see it tossed in my direction often, I might not take it so kindly." Hook raised a brow at them, challenging them and Emma knew it to be a mistake almost immediately.

"Until I hear an apology to my mom, you'll get whatever look I send you, pirate." Henry crossed his arms, looking as defiant as he could. He nodded at Hook. "How are you holding up? You look like you could use that stick I crippled you with."

"Henry!" Emma dropped her rucksacks and shoved her son behind her to shut him up and to get him out of harm's way.

Several pirates started to pull their swords from their scabbards at Henry's words, some made a step or two towards them. But they never got far once there was a single clear shout. Emma looked around curiously. Both Hook and Jameson had their hand raised.

Henry grabbed the back of her shirt in fists around her waist. He was trembling, in fear or anger, Emma wasn't sure.

She looked at Hook. Though the smirk was still there, his eyes had darkened. He grabbed a rigging and helped himself down the stairs.

"Well, boy, don't you take after your mother? It's rare that I get a pair of spitfires on my ship." Hook stopped in front of her, nodding his head for her to move aside. She sent him a glare of her own, and he smiled, his tongue pausing as his sharper teeth. "Mind if I speak directly to your son, Swan?"

"Damn straight, I do," Emma hissed under her breath and reached back to keep her son closer to her. She didn't like the look in the captain's eyes. He looked like a mad man who wouldn't mind killing a boy with the flick of his wrist. And with that hook of his…she didn't know if she could stomach what may have happened to the boys in Neverland.

A dark laugh escaped the teeth filled grin that grew wider with each second. "Let me tell you two how it works on my ship: I make the demands, you follow them." He gave her a look that dared her to contest his authority. She wasn't stupid. She saw how deep the loyalty ran in these pirates for their captains.

She felt Henry release her shirt and stepped out from behind her to face the captain. "And if I don't?"

Hook responded before she could blink. Henry was lifted off the floor and away from her side. Her son grunted as he hung on to the arm of his captor. Hook's namesake was pierced through Henry's shirt and looked very close to piercing the skin under his chin.

Emma reached for her short sword, but Jameson grabbed her arm, pulling her beside him. "No, Miss Swan."

"That's my—"

"I know," he whispered in her hair, "but you must understand. He is the captain. You two are his guests. Your son cannot treat him as he did without repercussions."

Hook brought Henry very close to his face. "Listen, boy, offering my services to you and your mother is my apology to her. We've made our amends. Now, there is something I need you to understand: I've only just returned from Neverland. I have no problem maiming or killing nasty little boys." He gave Henry a twisted grin and Emma's blood ran cold.

Emma thrust her elbow back, earning release and a grunt from Jameson. She pulled a dagger from her belt, and lunged forward. Emma grabbed a fist full of Hook's black hair, yanking his head back and holding the dagger to his throat. She heard alarm from the crew but ignored them entirely. No one stopped her. All she could see was red—she was livid at the captain's actions and threats. Hook's eyes slowly turned to her, she could see his own rage. From the edges of her eye she saw him reach for his sword. If he wanted to dance then damnit they would dance until the world stopped spinning.

"I understand that you're captain, but don't you ever threaten my son. If there is a problem with him, you send him and your concerns to me. I am his mother and I will take your other hand if you hurt him in anyway. Understand?" she pressed the blade closer to his throat as her voice quivered slightly in the middle from the fear of losing her son.

God, what did she really agree to? His eyes grew darker with each passing second. It was all a mistake… Taking the bait, accepting his offer, showing up, all of it! A part of her wanted to jump right off the ship and go with her original plan to travel on land to the King and Queen's palace. But there was another part that welcomed the challenge.

Hook slowly lowered his left arm, until Henry's feet touched the ground. Her son ripped himself free of the hook and took several paces back, his face pale but just as defiant as before.

They stood that way for a moment. Hot, angered breaths mingled, eyes full of rage and promises of excruciating pain. Her fingers twitched in his hair to tighten their grip, and that was her mistake.

He pulled his sword free in a wide arc, causing her to release him and block his oncoming attack. She quickly pulled out her short sword and parried his hook that was swinging towards her right. When the blows met, she grunted through the pain that blossomed in her shoulder. Shit. Their blades and his hook locked with a long 'clang'. He brought their arms down. She struggled from the pain and his strength so her foot slid back to help brace herself.

Hook leaned forward when the juncture of their weapons was at her chest. The smirk was finally wiped from his face, but she didn't like the wild, sinister look he gave her any more than that. His blue eyes now seemed to turn gray like a powerful storm and his tongue darted out to wet just the inner edges of his lips.

"Good form, Swan," he hissed, shoving her back.

Emma quickly regained her posture and held her blades at the ready. But the captain had straightened his body and placed his sword on his shoulder. He made his way to the helm where his crew parted like butter under a knife, watching her with narrowed eyes.

"Jameson."

"Aye, captain."

"Show them their cabins. They've tried all the kindness I had reserved for the day." When he finally reached the stairs, he sheathed his sword. The crew slowly and cautiously went back to work.

Jameson approached her, her rucksacks in hand and Henry in tow. "I'm sorry," she muttered as she sheathed her own weapons.

The pirate shook his head. "No need to apologize to me, Miss Swan. You're a passionate mother. As the captain said, good form."

He gestured them to follow.

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