Author's note: As always, thanks for all the amazing reviews loved reading everyone's reaction to the last ch.

Chapter 32: It's Not That Simple

Emma immediately dashed over to Hook, who was struggling to sit up. "Bloody hell." He muttered, looking around, dazed, taking in the wreckage of the ship. "What the hell happened?"

There was a large bruise blooming on his head, and a glazed look in his eye, but he was very much alive. Suddenly, the world seemed to be drenched in color again. Tears of joy began to stream down her cheeks as she took in the scene before her.

"Hook!" Emma cried. "Y-you're alive? But how?" And then the answer dawned on her: she'd kissed him.

Regina rolled her eyes (further confirmation of Emma's theory), and there was a trace of disgust on her face, but she smiled nonetheless. "Of course. True love's kiss. How could I have forgotten that?" She said sarcastically, turning away to give them privacy.

"You saved me." Hook said breathlessly.

Emma sat back, suddenly feeling awkward. "Yeah. I guess I did."

"Thank you." Hook reached up to cup her cheek in his hand. He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. For a second, she allowed him to, just enjoying his touch and reveling in the fact that he was alive.

But then she found herself pulling away. "I-I'm sorry. I can't."

"Why not?" His voice was infused with question, and he looked so adorably confused that she just wanted to kiss him until her lips fell off. But something inside was stopping her, holding her back. She just knew that all she wanted was to be as far away from him as she could.

What happened? Just mere seconds ago she had been devastated at the thought of him being dead. And now that he was alive, she couldn't even stand to be near him.

"I-I just can't." Emma stammered, pushing herself up. "I gotta go."

"Two grilled cheeses and a side order of fries." Emma recited; this was her and Henry's go to meal every time they had lunch at Granny's.

"Plus two hot chocolates with cinnamon." Henry added perkily. "Please."

"Of course." Ruby laughed. "How could I forget?" She slipped the notepad into her pocket. "Coming right up."

They sat back in their usual booth, falling into a comfortable yet slightly awkward silence. Ever since they'd returned from Manhattan, things had been tense between them. Clearly, Henry had not fully forgiven his mother for lying to him about Neal. As much as it pained Emma, she'd gone out of her way to avoid Henry, deciding to give him space. But the events of the past several days had put everything into perspective, and she'd insisted that they go out for their usual Saturday lunch at Granny's.

Both wracked their brains for something to talk about; usually both mother and son could chatter on for hours about seemingly nothing, barely remembering to eat.

"Here you go." Ruby set two steaming plates of food in front of them. "Enjoy."

Henry dug in right away, while Emma just picked at her food. Suddenly, she had no appetite. She wished she hadn't ordered a grilled cheese, for she the last time she'd had this was the picnic. This sandwich was perfectly made, whereas Hook's had resembled more of a misshapen lump, the memories came flooding back nonetheless.

"Mom?" Henry said.

"Hmm?" Emma's head snapped up.

"Have you talked to Hook yet?" The slightly impatient note in his voice made Emma realize that this wasn't the first time he'd been trying to get his mother's attention.

Emma blinked, taken aback. Speak of the devil. "Um. No. Not yet. Why?"

Henry ignored her question. "You should talk to him. He told me that you've been ignoring him."

"What?" Emma barked. "I haven't been ignoring him." She said slightly flustered. "How would you know that, anyway?"

"Because." Henry popped a fry in his mouth. "I've been talking. He said you've been ignoring all his calls." He said simply.

"No I haven't!" Emma snapped, but the flush of her cheeks said otherwise. As if on cue, her cell vibrated loudly on the table, and without glancing at the display she hit ignore, as she'd been doing for the past three days. She grabbed her phone and stuffed it in her pocket. "You shouldn't talk to him, Henry."

"Why not?" Henry asked. "He's really nice. Has tons of great stories."

"B-because..." She faltered. At risk of sounding like a cliché, the only response at the tip of her tongue was "because I said so".

"See? You don't have a reason!" He said, reaching triumphantly for a fry.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Henry. I'm serious. You shouldn't be talking to him."

"Because he was working for Cora? I told you, Mom. He's one of the good guys. He saved me." Henry said petulantly. "And besides, he loves you."

"It's not that simple." Emma stammered. "I don't want you talking to him anymore."

Just then, the door jingled and a rush of cold air blew throughout the dinner. Emma continued to pick at her food. Ugh. Her appetite was completely gone. Maybe she should just pack this up for later.

"Hey!" Henry called at someone over her shoulder. Thinking it was Grace or one of his other friends, Emma didn't look up. That is, until she could hear the loud, clomping footsteps approaching. Her nose filled with the familiar cloying scent, a sweet mixture of the sea and something that was so organically him.

Hook. Speak of the devil. Again.

Emma looked over her shoulder and immediately regretted it. The second her eyes made contact with his ice blue ones, her heart seized painfully.

"Maybe we should invite him over to sit with us." Henry suggested. Emma could swear there was a devilish grin in his eye.

"Henry no!" Emma hissed, but it was too late.

"Hook!" Henry called loudly. "Over here! Come sit with us."

No. Emma thought as the pirate approached. He hovered for a moment over the empty space on the seat next to Emma, but she left her purse and coat there, deliberately ignoring him as she kept her face down.

Finally, Hook took the hint and slid in beside Henry. "Why thank you, lad."

"Here." Henry offered Hook the uneaten half of his sandwich. "I'm not that hungry."

"Ah, so this is a grilled cheese." Hook commented. "Now I understand your perplexing reaction, love." He said in a blatant attempt to catch Emma's eye.

She remained silent, impassive, focusing on the table in front of her. She could feel Hook's stare on her, burning a hole through her head.

"Emma?" Hook asked, concern apparent in his voice. "Love? Are you alright?" He reached across the table for her hand, which was curled into a tight fist.

Emma immediately recoiled. "Yeah." She forced a smile. "I'm fine." Grabbing her purse and coat, she stood up. "I gotta go. Station needs me." She held up her phone as though she'd received an urgent call. Which of course she hadn't.

"Ah, so I see your phone is working." Hook commented.

Emma ignored him. "I'll see you at home, Henry." She strode curtly out of the diner, ignoring the hurt expression on his face.

Author's note: YEP, he's alive! But what's wrong with Emma?