Author's note: Well, the ending to last night's ep was just so sad. Really looking forward to Zelena's death!

Chapter 33: You Broke Me

Emma Swan was not one for housework. Normally one to happily let dishes fester in the sink for days, even weeks at a time, living at Mary Margaret's had been a bit of a shock to her system, where she'd forced to give up her less than tidy habits.

So she was surprised to find herself scrubbing angrily at the dishes as though they'd offended her in some way. It made for a good distraction, she supposed. But from what, she had no idea.

Since Cora had died three days ago, she'd avoided him as if her life depended on it. Completely ignored his multiple calls and texts, crossed to the other side of the street when she saw him coming, and kept to herself, reducing her outings to the station or home. After he'd saved Henry and destroyed Cora, Hook's status had changed in town. He wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms, but there were people who were friendly and accepting of the pirate.

Including her son, apparently.

Emma had no idea why she was feeling the way she was, unable to speak or look at him or even think about him. Well, ok, she did. They'd grown close, closer than she'd been with anyone in her life before. Closer than Neal, Mary Margaret (back before the curse was broken), and Henry. And his betrayal had hurt more than she let herself admit. But now that she'd found out that he'd done the right thing in the end, part of her couldn't just let that go. Couldn't go back to the way things were.

Which is why she was so damn conflicted. Hook had proven himself selfless and noble in the end, sacrificing his life for hers, Henry's, and hell the whole town's lives. There was no doubt that he loved her. He'd just made a horrible mistake, one that he clearly paid dearly for.

But…ugh! Emma bit her lip with frustration as she scrubbed furiously at a plate that would be clean even to Mary Margaret's high standards. Why couldn't she just let go of whatever this was? Why couldn't she push past her stubbornness? It would be so much easier! She could finally be happy.

Because he'd hurt her, that's why. She'd let him in, let him break down her walls, told him things that she'd never admitted to anyone. She'd let her guard down around him. And she'd paid for it, only to find out that it had all been a ploy. And she could never be happy around someone who reminded her of all that heartache.

Why was her life so difficult?

Just then, there was a sharp rap on the door. Thinking that it was probably Henry, who had a knack for forgetting his keys, she quickly dried her hands and marched over to the door. Maybe she'd offer to take him out for a movie or something to make up for the way she'd walked out on their lunch. No matter how tense things were between her and Hook, that was no excuse for ditching him.

"Hey kid, did you forget your keys…" Her words immediately died on her tongue as the door swung open to reveal Hook. "Oh."

"Not too pleased to see me, I take it." Hook said.

"What do you want?"

"To talk." Hook responded. He gestured inside. "May I?"

Her first instinct was to tell him to get out, but then she realized that she couldn't avoid him forever. Maybe it would be better to get this over with. Resigned, Emma stepped backwards in response, and Hook entered the apartment, shutting the door with his hand.

Facing the pirate, Emma placed her hands on her hips. "I don't want to talk to you." She stated bluntly.

"Oh, I can see that, darling." Hook began, smiling mischievously. "I can think of plenty other things, more enjoyable activities, I'd rather do." He stepped towards her as he talked, raising a suggestive eyebrow.

"Don't touch me." Emma protested. "And enough with the pet names."

Hurt flashed across his face momentarily. "You've been avoiding me."

Denial would just be useless; Emma could already hear their inevitable back and forth as they argued. "Maybe. I'm sorry you feel that way." Suddenly, this didn't feel like such a good idea. She could already feel a hard pit forming in her stomach. "Look, I have a lot of stuff to do today."

"Why?" Hook blurted.

"Why what?" She asked, knowing full well what he'd meant. "Why do I have a lot to do? I'd love to know too."

"Why have you been avoiding me?" He asked. "And don't deny it. You know what you've been doing." Before she could protest, he reached out and grabbed her hand. "What you said at the ship…I know you meant it."

Emma pulled her hand back and looked away, sighing deeply. "Look. It's not that simple. There are some things you say when you think someone's dying. Things you don't necessarily mean."

Hook blinked, clearly taken aback. "But...I thought…"

"You thought wrong." Emma said coldly.

"So you didn't mean what you said?"

"That's not what I meant either." She rubbed the bridge of her nose. God. She could feel a headache coming on.

"Then what did you mean, Swan?"

"I don't think you wanna hear it." Emma turned to face the dishes, her back to him. She couldn't stand to look at him any longer, sure that if she stared into his eyes one more time she'd surely burst into tears.

"Try me." He said persistently. "I'm sure I can handle it."

"What, like you handled watching yourself on TV?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. "Because that went so well."

"Exactly." He responded, and Emma could swear that he winked as he spoke.

She said nothing, staying mum as she reached for the dish towel and a wet, sparkling glass that she was sure she'd washed at least three times. She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to keep herself composed.

"Emma." Hook said urgently. "Talk to me. Or I swear I will stand here until you do. I have no qualms about doing so."

Suddenly, she was furious beyond belief. He couldn't just let things go, could he? Whipping around to face him, she was only mildly surprised to hear the tinkle as the glass she'd been drying hit the ground. He wanted her to talk? Well then, she'd give him what he came for.

"Fine!" Emma shouted. "You want me to talk?" She stalked towards him, barely feeling the pain as left foot came down upon the pile of broken glass, a particularly sharp piece slicing through tender skin. "You broke me. You broke my heart. And I hate you because I still love you. And I hate myself even more for it. Happy now?!"

She was acutely aware of the fact that her fists were clenched at her sides and tears were beginning to burn, and that in the time she'd been speaking, Mary Margaret and David had come up behind her. She hadn't even known they were home.

"What's going on here?" David said suspiciously, taking in the shell shocked pirate and his angry daughter.

"We heard shouting…" Mary Margaret added.

No one said anything. Emma glared at the floor as Hook looked from Emma to her parents and back again, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, clearly at an uncharacteristic loss for words.

"Oh my God." Mary Margaret gasped, noticing the blood beginning to seep onto the wood floor. "Emma, you're bleeding."

Emma barely flinched as she looked down.

Hook took a step forwards, concern written all over his face. "Are you alright, love?" He began, but David stepped in front of him, effectively blocking him from reaching Emma.

"I think you've done quite enough, Hook. It's time for you to leave." David said firmly, taking a protesting Hook by the arm, manhandling him towards the door as Mary Margaret placed a protective arm around Emma.

Hook struggled, but David was clearly stronger. Emma said nothing as she watched her father push him outside. Normally she would've made some sarcastic comment about overprotective parents, arguing that she could handle things herself. But right now? She was utterly devoid of words, unable to believe what she'd just admitted.

"I will never stop fighting for you, Emma Swan." Hook called frantically as he was shoved outside, trying to catch one last glimpse of her. "I will do whatever it takes to win your heart again."

Emma leaned against her mother as her green eyes met his blue ones, finally letting the tears fall.

Author's Note: Wow that was incredibly sad. Will Hook win her back?

Oh, also I got that "you broke me" bit from an episode of The Carrie Diaries, btw. Which of course I don't own.