AN: First off, I would like to thank everyone for the reviews and favorites; I haven't even got into the good parts, so I wasn't expecting that. And I'm updating today, using the holiday as an excuse not to work on my documentary. Second, I realized as I was about to write this that I never read over the last chapter before posting it so, I'm really sorry for the numerous mistakes throughout. I went back and changed the grammatical errors and added some things to improve clarity and make it flow better. I also included Ruby's part, because I apparently forgot all about her. Rereading it may help, but if you don't want to, the biggest difference is that Ruby is now in the hospital room with everyone.

Taken aback with surprise, Hook hesitated for a moment.

"Answer me," Snow demanded.

Hook smirked, "Ah, so that's where Emma learned it. Not, going to lie though, love. Emma wore it better. I don't truly believe you hate me, plus she did it from behind- I can't begin to explain what that does to a man."

"This is your last chance to speak, Hook. What do you want," Snow growled, while pressing the blade closer to the pirate's neck.

"Bloody hell, what's with the women in your family?"

Snow twisted the blade, digging a pinhole into his jawline and causing a slow drip of blood.

"Look, I don't know if you understand the current situation, but I'm the one that saved her. But, I'll play nice- this time. I want only one thing, the same thing I told you when we met, to get my revenge on the monster that took everything from me- the monster that is feet away from your daughter. If I were you, I would be more worried about him than me, love."

"And why should I trust you? You have betrayed us before."

"Emma betrayed me," Hook yelled, "I was on your side, I did everything I was asked. The only thing I wanted in return was to come along. She locked me up. She left me there to die. She left me there for Cora to find me. She made me choose between death and helping Cora."

Snow hesitated, but did not loosen her grip on the pirate, "Then why save her? Why not let Cora kill her? You risked your life for her as soon as you got here."

"Look, I had no stakes in Cora's battle. I just had to help her get to Regina and she promised to give me the magic I need to get my revenge. She told me to hold Emma back from the battle, so I did, no questions asked."

"You're lying," Snow snarled, pressing the blade so hard, Hook had to raise his chin higher to avoid being cut again.

"I'm not in the best position to lie to you, am I?"

"You've lied to us before. You always have a backup plan. So why not go after Gold now?"

"I'm not looking for that kind of treasure- gold and gems are for boring pirates. I'm just after some hide."

"I mean Rumpelstiltskin. Why not go after Rumpelstiltskin now?"

"Well, by the looks of it, he has all of you as allies. It makes me wonder if I should trust any of you. And- if you haven't noticed, love, Emma imprisoned Cora, so I don't have the magic, now do I?"

"We're not his allies. And then why did you save Emma? How you tell it, there's nothing in it for you."

"I like a fair fight, Emma came to the battle empty-handed. Against magic, that's not a fair fight. And the lad- he had nothing to do with the fight. Even pirates have a code."

"I'm not buying it, Hook. Just because you wouldn't kill them, doesn't mean you would save them, not when everything you want is at stake. You have one more chance to make me believe you."

Hook hesitated. He couldn't explain it to Snow, because he couldn't quite explain it to himself. At first he went after Emma because it was his duty to capture her, but he didn't know what made him jump in front of her.

"I-I don't know. Emma's boyo means as much to her as my revenge means to me. I can see it. A man unwilling to fight for what he wants deserves what he gets, but Emma will fight to the bloody end. I respect that. She deserves what she fights for. It wasn't my plan to save her, it just happened."

"And the kiss?"

"If I'm going to die, it might as well be with a treasure."

Just then, Ruby popped out, "Hey, Emma's awake," and noticing the scene before her, she added, "Whoa, is everything okay?"

Not moving the dagger nor her eyes, Snow answered, "Yeah, I'll be in momentarily. Do me a favor and go back inside?"

"Okay," Ruby replied shooting Hook a look that expressed confusion, lust, pity, and amusement before heading back inside.

When Snow heard the door shut, she moved the dagger away from his neck and slapped him across the face before sneering, "My daughter is not pirate's booty; do you hear?"

Hook couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Snow shot him a look warning him not to comment and pointed towards the room, "Lucky for you, Emma is the sheriff here and not I. You get to answer to her."

Hook looked at her and then to Rumplestiltskin, "I can't go in there."

Snow looked up and realized what he meant, "There is very little chance that he'll hurt you if you're with us. Mind your manners and he should mind his-"

"Now, now, Miss Blanchard," Gold came out, followed by Regina "No reason at all to worry, I am choosing to leave civilly- for now. Regina and I are going to check on Cora's- situation."

Snow nodded and pushed the pirate back into the room. Emma looked up, disappointed when it was he who entered. "What's he doing here," she sat up defensively.

Right away she realized that she had moved too quickly, as a dizzy spell hit her.

"Emma," David rushed to her side with a glass of water.

"Thanks. What's he doing here," she repeated.

"Emma, he saved your life, yours and Henry's. And then he helped you save all of us with true love's kiss, trapping Cora in a giant magic bubble," Ruby almost sang with a wide smile across her face.

The entire room seemed to focus on Ruby. Some were shocked, some disgusted, and some rather pleased by the matter-of-fact statement.

"True love? Please-"

"Emma's right," Snow agreed with Emma's reaction, "I think there is something more going on here."

"And my daughter wouldn't be foolish enough to fall for a pirate. Especially one that does deals with Cora," David said angrily, though not angry with Ruby.

"But he saved us. All of us," Henry interrupted.

"And it's not like he looks like an ogre," Ruby raised her eyebrows at Emma.

"He acts like one, though," Emma replied.

"Come, now. Play nice, love," Hook smirked at Emma and then addressed the room, "And it's not her fault she fell in love with me, no woman can resist my charm."

"I think I did a pretty swell job resisting your– charm, did you call it?- when I tied you up for the ogres, when I locked you up on the beanstalk, when I knocked you out cold- should I continue?"

On the last one, Hooks eyebrows raised in amusement, "So you're still in denial, then? Tell me when you're ready then, love. I'll let you take a ride on my ship."

David took a lunge at Hook, when Snow held him off, took the pirate by the collar, and explained, "I told him that since you're sheriff, you decide his fate."

"I say we throw him in a jail cell and be done with him."

"Come on, lass. You can't do that. I've done no wrong."

"Aided and abetted a criminal," David answered.

"The way I see it, Emma and I were just enjoying some alone time, she ran away because I was too much for her," Hook winked at Emma before continuing, "We shared a few passionate kisses and I saved all of your lives. I deserve an award if you ask me."

"Ruby," Emma asked, "Can you take Henry and Hook outside, so I can talk to Mary-Margaret and David?"

"Can we trade the lad for some ties, sheriff? I think this one here is into that sort of thing," Hook said winking at Ruby.

Ruby tried to control the smile that was making its way across her face, "Sure thing, Emma."

Once they left, Emma turned to her parents, "What are we going to do?"

"Oh Emma, I was so scared. Your heart stopped beating" Snow hugged her daughter, "Are you okay? How do you feel?"

"I'm fine, what was that about in the hall?"

"Oh, I was just getting some information out of him, and warning him."

"About what?"

"It doesn't matter. So what are we going to do with him?"

"Drown him. It's poetic justice," David offered.

"I wish it were that simple. Unfortunately, I don't think that is in my job description. I can't just throw him in jail, either. He was right when he said he didn't do anything wrong, plus if Cora got out of this- 'Magic Bubble'- that Ruby was talking about, she'd have an easy time getting to him. We need him somewhere that we can keep an eye on him," Emma replied.

"What about Granny's," Snow offered, "I'm sure Red can keep an eye on him."

"That's not a bad idea. The only problem is, I don't like the idea of him wandering around town. There is so much he can get into, especially with the town still in dismay. And I feel bad making Ruby babysit the pirate."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind," Snow nodded toward the window leading to the hallway, where Ruby was giggling at the pirate like a schoolgirl.

Emma raised her eyebrows, disappointed, "I guess we got that part covered then. What about keeping him there?"

"House arrest. Handcuff him to the bed. I'm sure he'll like that," David said.

"That doesn't sound half bad. How long do you think we can have him on house arrest for?"

"He's a pirate. It's only a matter of time until he does something to extend his stay."

"It's settled then. Bring Ruby in so I can make sure it's all right. I feel fine enough to do it now. Can you stay out there with the boys?"

"Are you sure, honey," Snow asked, "Maybe you should sleep. We can do it."

"And miss the look on his face? No way!"

"Okay."

When Ruby walked in she looked from Emma to David and asked David if he could give her and Emma a moment alone. Hesitantly, David obliged.

"Oh my Gods! Emma! You need to get with him like now."

"Who? Hook? Give me one good reason that I would want to do that."

"I can give you three just off the top of my head. One, do you see how sexy he is? Two, his smile and the way he talks are mesmerizing. And three, if you don't soon, I'm not sure I can hold out."

"What!?"

"I'm sorry. I know he's your true love, but-"

"He's not my true love. You can have him. I just expected better from you."

"Emma-"

"Actually, you should like this. If it is okay with you and Granny, we decided that the best thing to do with him is to keep him on house arrest- handcuffed to his bed at Granny's and you guys can keep an eye on him."

"Why don't you just handcuff him to your bed instead?"

"Because then I'd have a smart-ass pirate handcuffed to my bed."

"And all the other girls would be jealous."

Emma rolled her eyes at her.

"Come on, Emma, you had to have had at least one pirate fantasy. Everyone has."

"Yes, Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Oh come on, Killian is so much sexier, but fine, just don't complain when I steal your true love."

"Killian?"

"That's his name," she said in the teenage 'duh' voice and Emma raised her eyebrows.

"Well, then you guys head over to Granny's and I'll grab my cuffs and be right over."

"Oh, your dad has them."

"Well, then let's go."

"Uh, Emma- You might want to put real clothes on first."

Looking down and noticing the hospital gown, Emma had to agree with her friend on that point, "Okay, give me a sec."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

As they were headed out of the hospital, Emma had David secretly hand over her handcuffs, 'Ha, the bastard won't even see it coming.'

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Emma, love. What do you have in store for me? I feel like I'm being led to my execution with this parade of your family behind us."

"It is a pity we stopped hanging pirates," she smirked at him, "You get to stay at our local inn, and Ruby, here, is going to be your babysitter."

"Oh, but can't you stay too," he asked placing his hand around her waist, "I promise I won't play favorites. Your parents and boy have to go though, that's too kinky for me."

"Get your hand off me," she shoved it away, "Oh, look, we're here."

They walked in and Granny signed the pirate in, shaking her head in a disapproving manner the entire time, "Serving pirates. What is this, a brothel?"

"Ooh, do you have one of those here? I'd much rather stay there- friendlier sort of people. They say anything you like and they don't make you work for it," Hook smiled, playing with a lock of Emma's hair.

Emma swatted his hand away and elbowed him in the gut, "Sorry about this Granny; it's just until we find somewhere to send him."

Granny sighed and told the pirate, "Ruby and Emma can show you to your room."

They headed up the stairs and showed him his room and how to work the things in it, like indoor plumbing and light switches, when Emma turned to Ruby and asked, "Hey, Ruby, can you give us a minute?"

Ruby smiled, walking out, and shutting the door. Emma turned to Hook, putting her hand on his chest and pushing him onto the bed, "You were right. I want you. I hated seeing you flirt with Ruby."

She crawled on top, straddling him, and whispered in his ear, "But my parents can't know. Shh, it'll be our little secret."

Emma pushed his chest down onto the bed, sliding her hand up from his chest to his neck and further until she finally held his head in her hand and placed a soft kiss on his bottom lip. He let out a little moan, "Bloody, damn well time."

She smiled and kissed him again, this time deep and greedily, slipping one cuff around his wrist while he was distracted. 'Now just to get the other one around the post.'

Emma slid her tongue into his mouth, swiping it gently over his, and drawing another moan out of him. She rolled them over until his arm was near the head of the bed and reached for the other cuff, but before she could grab it, he had flipped them over and cuffed her to him.

"You pirate! You bastard! You dirty, pirate bastard!"

"Me? You're the one that was trying to play me, love. Seduce me just so you can arrest me? Only a pirate or a wench could come with that, and you were awful at the seducing, so you must be fit to be a pirate."

"I am not bad at seducing," she punched him.

"Don't tell me mum or dad? What is that? The twelve year old virgin?"

"It doesn't matter, because I have the key and I can still handcuff you here," Emma felt for the key in her jacket pocket, but couldn't find it.

"You mean this, love," Hook dangled the key in her face, "I took it off you while you were thinking about that threesome. It must be the dirty pirate bastard in me."

"Give it back," she grabbed for it, but missed.

"Nope," he put it in his mouth.

"Don't you dare," she warned.

"Or what," he asked.

"I'll kill you!"

"I'd like to see you try," he smiled, swallowing the key.

"What the hell did you do that for? Now we are stuck together until you digest the key, if all the rum in there doesn't destroy it first."

"Well, you weren't bad at the whole kissing part, why don't you try to save it with your tongue?"

AN: I'm not going to lie, this didn't even sort of go where I thought it was going to. I had up through Snow's interrogation planned and thought I would go with the flow from there, and I ended up here somehow. I hope you liked it!