Author's note: Thanks for all the amazing reviews and especially to those of you who just started reading and reviewed a lot of the chapters. You have no idea how happy it makes me when I check my email and see an alert for new reviews. And follows/favs too. Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it!

Chapter 18: Definition of a Surprise

"Where are we going?" Emma asked. She reached up to tug at the blindfold, but a hand slapped hers away.

"The definition of a surprise, my love," Hook whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her face. "Is that you find out later."

"Well I hate surprises."

"I guarantee you'll like this." He drawled slowly.

"Doubtful." Emma shot back. Her foot hit something solid, and she cursed loudly.

"Careful." His hook encircled her waist and led her sideways.

"Is this going to be dangerous?" She asked warily.

Hook chuckled in her ear. "Always with the questions, aren't you? Don't worry. We'll be perfectly safe."

"Coming from a pirate, that doesn't mean much."

"I take offense at that, milady."

She sniffed the air. "I smell grass. Are we at the park?"

"Maybe." He answered. "You'll have to see." He said gleefully.

"You'll have to tell me if I punch you in the face."

"I'd love to see you try, seeing as you're blindfolded and all. More likely that I knock you out long before you do the same to me."

"Wanna bet? I beat you before." Emma countered.

"Only because I let you." Taking her arm, he led her up a flight of stairs and down a dirt path.

"You did not!" She argued.

"Oh, I did. Otherwise you wouldn't have made it back quite so easily."

"Why would you do that?" Emma asked, curious.

"Maybe I wanted you to get back to your son."

"How nice of you." She said sarcastically, but Hook could tell she was touched.

"I told you. I'm always nice."

"Well, now I want a rematch."

He laughed. "Oh, my fiery lass. You'll just lose again."

"I wouldn't be so sure." She rolled her eyes, but of course he couldn't see it.

"On the contrary, I am rather sure. You see, I've been fighting battles for centuries. But you haven't."

"Whatever." She snapped.

"You see? I'm right." He grinned.

"Uh huh." She said dryly. They walked for a bit more, Hook leading her over various obstacles. He could tell that she was growing restless.

"Are we there yet?"

"Nearly."

"Leave it to you to pick the place that's farthest away." She observed. "Where the hell are we, anyway?"

"Not telling."

She groaned and continued walking. Suddenly, without warning, they came to a stop.

"We're here." Hook announced.

"It's about time." Emma grumbled, pulling off the blindfold. And then gasped loudly as she took in the scene before her.

Hook had set out a picnic in what appeared to be a secluded part of the forest. A huge red and white blanket sat on the forest floor, a brown wicker picnic basket just on top. Picnics were her favorite. Few knew that.

"Oh my God. Hook…" She stammered, clearly at an uncharacteristic loss of words. "How did you…"

"Know?" He shrugged. "Everybody loves a picnic, lass."

She was touched. Beyond shocked. Nobody had ever done something so nice for her before. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do this?"

"Because." Hook responded simply. "You needed cheering up."

A warm feeling began to spread inside. Everything looked amazing; he'd even set out a bunch of flowers. There had been so much thought put into this. He looked so earnest, and in that moment, so sweet, that she stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks." She whispered.

"That's your idea of a thank you?" He quipped. "Could do a little better."

Emma rolled her eyes. "That's all you're getting, buddy." Pushing away the mental images of him shoplifting a grocery store, she followed him towards the spread and sat down.

"How are things with your lad?" Hook asked, handing her a Tupperware container of fruit.

Her face darkened. "He's still mad, if that's what you're asking."

"Swan." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "He'll get over it. I promise."

"Yeah, well I doubt it." Emma replied. "Kid's been spending every moment with his dad. And her."

"You do know that she's nowhere as wonderful as you are?"

"Mmm sure. She's obviously got something going for her, since he's with her." She said bitterly.

"You know, I've spent many a night with different types of women back in the Enchanted Forest. But believe me when I say that even I would run from a woman like her. She's not my type."

"Oh yeah? And what is?" She raised an eyebrow.

"You." He looked steadily into her eyes, his way of conveying that he was dead serious.

Emma blushed and dropped her gaze down to the picnic basket. "Let's see what else you got in here." Rooting through it, she pulled out a misshapen lump. "What the…"

"Ah, this." Hook took it out of her hands. "I do believe that you people call this grilled cheese?"

"Really?" She stared. "Are you sure?"

Judging by its odd appearance, he had obviously tried to make it himself. Which was very, very sweet. Nobody had ever cooked for her before. (Mary Margaret didn't count). She was about to ask how he knew she liked it, but thought better of it. He would just spew out some line about how insightful he was or something.

Still, she had to bite back laughter as she unwrapped the sandwich. "Not bad."

"Told you. I'm skilled in more ways than one."

They chewed in a comfortable silence for a while.

"Has Rumplestilskin found out about Henry?" Hook asked suddenly.

"Not sure." She answered. "Why?"

"Oh, no reason." But his voice was higher than normal.

Emma frowned. What a strange question. But she let it go after seeing the canteen that she'd originally thought had been filled with rum, but was actually filled to the brim with hot chocolate with cinnamon. He was probably just curious.

Right?

Soon enough, Emma found herself stretched out on the blanket, her head in Hook's lap as he absentmindly toyed with her hair. It was surprisingly comfortable. Even more shocking, she was ok with it and had no intention of moving anytime soon.

She was relaxed for the first time in years. It was a feeling that she'd come to associate with him. With Hook. Warm, relaxed, and above all, safe. Like she could do anything.

For the first time, she truly realized that he'd meant what he'd said. He really, truly loved her. No one would go to all this trouble unless they really meant it. Really felt it deep inside. No one had ever stuck by her side like that before. Put up with her admittedly long list of vices and annoying habits. No one had ever looked at her the way he did. Yes, Hook most certainly loved her.

But the question was…did she? Or rather, was she ready?

"I love you." Emma suddenly blurted. Her eyes widened as she just realized what she'd said.

Looks like her subconscious thought she was.

There was a silence. A long, awful, drawn out silence. Her heart started to pound loudly and her cheeks grew hot as he continued to stay mum. She wanted to get up and run, but she felt frozen, glued to his lap. Suddenly, the soft material of his jeans felt like sandpaper against her cheek.

What happened? Why wasn't he saying anything? Did he not feel the same way anymore? Dammit. Of course he didn't. After how she'd treated him. No one loved her without some string attached. Some condition.

Why oh why did this always have to happen? Was she destined to be alone and miserable forever?

"Well, don't respond or anything." She said sarcastically.

"I-sorry." He stammered, sounding uncharacteristically flustered. "I was just shocked. Did you really mean what you said?"

"Yes." In a fluid movement, she stood up. And gazed straight into his eyes. "I love you, Killian Jones." Her voice shook slightly as she fought against the age old instinct to run. Flee. Get as far from him as possible.

"It's about bloody time." He murmured. With a tenderness she didn't even know was possible from him, his lips were on suddenly hers. It was slow and gentle and made a shiver of delight run through her body, making her feel things she hadn't felt in years. Breaking down her walls.

Damn, he was good.

Slowly, she felt herself begin to respond. A warm hand was pressed to the nape of her neck, bringing him even closer. His tongue ran itself along her bottom lip, and she just stopped thinking.

Author's note: Awwww she finally said I love you. Soooo I just finished writing the rest of this story, and all I'm sayin is that y'all are gonna love it. At least I hope so :)