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Chapter 12: Key to His Heart

Thankfully, the apartment was empty that morning, as Emma pulled the door open and slid inside. She didn't know why, but the idea of seeing other people seemed very unappealing at the moment. The apartment, always flooded with light, caused her to immediately squint, so she stomped over towards the curtains and yanked them shut, nearly tearing them off. Much better.

Next stop, the coffee machine. Emma yanked open the cupboard and cursed loudly when she discovered that they were out of coffee beans. Ugh. Was the world determined to make her suffer? Slamming the cupboard shut, she reached for the next best thing: a tall glass of water and a couple of Advil.

She was so busy sulking that she didn't notice the quiet click as the front door opened. "Mom?"

Emma turned around. "Henry? What are you doing back so early? Aren't you supposed to be at Regina's?"

He frowned. "No. I was supposed to come back today. Actually, you were supposed to pick me up this morning, but when you didn't show up, Regina drove me back."

Emma groaned, pressing the backs of her hands against her eyes. "Right. God. I'm sorry. I got a little…sidetracked with something at work." Suddenly, she was grateful that he hadn't been here last night, or he would've picked up on the fact that she hadn't come home.

"A-are you ok?" He asked, taking in her frazzled appearance. "You seem a little…" He stopped, unsure of what to say next.

"I'm fine." She answered. "Just a little tired."

"Are you sure?" Concern was written all over his face.

Suddenly, Emma was sick. Sick of everyone all up in her business. "I'm fine, ok?" She snapped, causing her son to jump at her sharp tone. "God! Just leave me alone!" She said, and then immediately regretted it.

He backed up. "Ok."

"Ugh. Henry. I'm sorry." Emma sighed. "Just having an off day. I'm gonna go take a shower."

But before she could escape to the privacy of her room, there was a sharp rap on the door. Mentally groaning, she strode across the room and pulled it open. "What?!" She practically snarled.

"It's lovely to see you too." Came the cheerful voice of Gold.

She just stared at him, suspicious. He had an unreadable smirk on his face. What did he want? "Anything I can help you with?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." He answered. "As I recall, you owe me a favor."

"Yeah. So?"

"So, I'm cashing that in now."

"Ok. What do you want?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"I need your help to find my son." Gold replied. "So pack your bags and I'll be back at noon." And with that, he limped away.

Emma gaped after him. Noon? That was in like, half an hour! Talk about bad timing.

Hook paced around his apartment, unable to sit still. That's what he'd been doing ever since she'd left. Just pacing. The moment after she'd slammed the door, he'd sat frozen, unsure of what to do. Chase after her? Or let her go?

Should he have apologized? But what for? He didn't even know why she was so angry. Well ok, he did. But she'd initiated it last night, and all he'd given her what she'd wanted. Yes, it was a tad awkward, but she didn't have to react the way she did.

This just confirmed his theory that something had happened in her past, something that caused her to retreat into a deep shell. He could see it in her eyes the first time they'd met, and the stiff way she held herself when that dark haired woman (her mother, he'd learned later) spoke to her. The way she was always so cautious around him. Cautious around everyone, actually. Though she played it off with a thick layer of sarcasm, he could see right through her façade.

He should go after her to, at the very least, make sure she was ok. He knew how strong his rum was and how long the effect lasted. And explain. Explain again that nothing had happened. After all, she held the very key to his survival.

And, if he was being completely honest, the key to his heart.

Thanks to hours of spying, Hook knew exactly where her apartment was. He figured she'd be there, since there might be people at the station, making it one of the last places she'd be. Just like him, she was most comfortable when alone.

Hook walked quickly down the street, head down, keeping to the shadows, making sure his hook was tucked inside a coat Emma had insisted he buy, due to its long sleeves. Luckily, it was a miserable, rainy day, and the streets were mostly empty.

The whole time he walked, he debated over what to say. Should he even try and explain? He had a strong feeling that she wouldn't be in the mood to listen to what he had to say. He didn't even know why he was so nervous. His heart was pounding and his palms were sweating. He hadn't been this pathetic since, well, since ever. Even as a kid he'd been fairly smooth with girls.

What if her family was there? What would happen when he just showed up? Her father might not recognize him, but her mother sure would. He'd be arrested for sure. He was fairly certain that Cora would come to his rescue after a while, but that would alert everyone to the fact that he was here with Cora, since who else would help him escape. And then that would be the start of a horrible bloodbath.

Funny. Several weeks ago, he wouldn't have cared, as long as it got him to what he wanted. But now? Emma had totally made him soft.

Maybe he should just turn around. Hook was about to do just that when he heard her voice coming from just around the corner. Curious, he flattened himself against the wall of her apartment building, poking his head out.

He saw her and a boy who had to be her son, packing bags into an unfamiliar black car. Where were they going? Was she that mad at him that she'd leave town? That was pretty unlikely. But then again, he had a feeling that she was a runner.

And then he saw him.Or rather, it.His crocodile, who strode around the corner, leaning heavily on a cane. It took all of Hook's self-restraint not to jump out and tackle the creature to the ground, strangling the life out of him. He knew that he had to bide his time and wait for Cora's assistance. Rumplestilskin may be physically weaker in this land, but he was still the Dark One. Especially since he still had that same hungry gleam in his eye.

No. By the looks of it, Emma and her son were heading off on a long journey for quite a while. And with the Crocodile, the most awful, bloodthirsty creature in all the lands. They were in grave danger. And blissfully unaware, as Henry chattered excitedly about something called an airplane.

He had to go after them.

Author's note: Well, this should be interesting. Review? Please? All you silent readers, tell me what you think of the story.