Author's note: Last ch before Thanksgiving, so for those of you who celebrate it, Happy early Thanksgiving!

Chapter 14: Don't Wanna Be Alone

"Swan? What's wrong?" Hook asked with gentleness that he wasn't even sure he possessed. He didn't know what he was expecting, maybe a look of relief or something, but he'd been truly astounded when an ugly sneer crept across her face.

"Not you! How did you even get here?" Emma gaped at him. "Are you stalking me?"

"I saw you get in the car with the crocodile. I came to make sure you were safe."

"I'm fine!" She snapped.

"No, you're not." He replied.

"God!" Emma practically screamed, earning alarmed stares from people passing by. "Would you just leave me alone? I said I'm fine, alright? She snarled, pushing him away with both hands. "You can quit the act. I know you really don't care. Nobody does." She added as an afterthought.

"But I do." He said softly.

"Why?"

Why? Even he wondered why. But he then realized why he did care. He loved her. He really truly loved her. He hadn't wanted to admit it, but she'd captured his heart. But could he tell her? Should he? He thought about it for a while, trying to find the courage to tell her. His thoughts were broken by Emma, yet again screaming.

"Hook! Why?" She repeated.

He moved closer to her, resting his arm gently on hers. "Because," He took a deep breath. "Because you have my heart. Because…I love you Emma Swan." he finally blurted out.

Silence. There was just dead silence as Emma gaped at him, her mouth open so wide he could see her molars.

Finally, she broke the silence, a noise of disbelief coming out. "I'm sorry. You what? You don't even know me."

"Ah, but I do, darling." Hook replied. "I know you better than anyone."

Emma shook her head. "No. No. No. You don't. That's impossible. You can't."

"And why not?"

"Because." She said stubbornly. "Because…" She trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words. "I don't know!" She stomped her feet in frustration.

"Quite the eloquent response. You know, Swan." Hook started. "You may think you're quite inept at hiding your true feelings behind those walls and that irritating yet quite adorable smirk of yours, but I can see through them, darling. I know you. I know everything about you."

"Uh-uh. You're lying. You have to be." It sounded as if she was trying to convince herself. "No." Emma repeated.

"I would never lie." He stepped closer, cupping her cheek in his hand. "Not to you, love."

Emma stared at him, horrified. "Don't touch me." She hissed, backing up.

"Why are you so afraid to accept love?"

She remained silent, impassive.

"I know that you've been hurt before." Hook said. "I can tell by that look in your eyes. But believe me, Swan, I will never hurt you."

"You're wrong." Her eyes shone with unshed tears. "You will. Just like everyone else in this damned world. I've dealt with way too many of you people. My parents, Neal, and now Henry…Everyone ends up leaving me. Everyone hates me." Her voice broke, and it seemed as though she was no longer talking about him.

"Everyone was foolish then. But not me. I will never leave you. I love you." He reiterated.

"You say that now, but I know the truth."

"You can trust me." He insisted.

"Can I? I'm not that naïve little foster girl anymore. I know better." She retorted. "Just do me a favor and fuck off, alright?"

He was suddenly unable to give up. With his hook, he forced her eyes to meet his. "I know that you felt something the other night. You may have been drunk, but I know you. I know that after all that time we spent together, there's a part of you, deep inside, that feels something. Look at me. Look at me and tell me that you feel nothing for me. Tell me that there's not one part of you that wants this." He repeated. "And then I'll leave you alone."

She looked up, struggling to keep her face placid. "I feel nothing. I don't even like you. Everything was a mistake. I should've just sent you to jail, where you belong."

"Fine." Hook's voice hardened, a lump of dread filling his throat. He didn't need this. He was about to walk away, but at the last minute he turned around, and saw the tears flow, saw her crumple into herself, body wracked with sobs.

And his heart broke.

I'm really gonna regret this. He thought as he found himself turning around, heading back towards her. In a surprising show of strength, he reached out and hoisted her off her feet. "Pirate or not, I cannot leave a lady out here like this."

"Why?" Emma looked up, her teary eyes meeting his serious ones. "Why are you doing this?"

"You may not love me, but I do." Using his thumbs, he reached out to wipe away her tears. "With all my heart. And though you may not like it, I will not just abandon you."

"Everyone else did. I've been alone all my life." She whispered, sighing heavily. "I don't wanna be alone anymore."

"You don't have to be." And before she could protest, he planted his lips straight onto hers.

Author's note: Awwwwwwwww. Hope you enjoyed this ch!