AN: Sorry for taking so long. I've been really busy. I want to finish this story, even though it's taking awhile, so as long as people still want to read it, I will keep writing. This chapter is a bit plot-heavy, but there are a lot of things going on at once. I am also going to take some plot points from the show, but most of it is going to be my own. I hope you enjoy!

"What the bloody hell is a cheese burglar? Odd name for something you eat, innit?" Hook asked as he played with a strange glass jar filled with a thick, red liquid.

"Cheese buur-geer. It's sort of a staple food in this – realm? Now shut up and drink your soda!"

"This soda really sweet. What did you call it? Coke? And why do you get this-" Hook paused to smell Emma's drink before she took it back.

"Oh, no you don't," she scolded him.

"Is that vodka? Why, sheriff, you're on duty."

"It's a screwdriver, a respectable lunchtime drink. And I need it to deal with you."

"Well, I need something stronger to deal with you."

"Didn't I tell you to shut up," she rolled her eyes and smiled.

Just then, Granny brought the cheeseburgers and a plate of fries for them to share. "Emma," Granny lowered her voice, "You need to be careful. People are already saying stuff around town about you and this – disgrace. I'm trying to snuff it out as much as I can, but this flirting isn't helping and, well – you saw what happened to your mother when the town stated gossiping."

"We're not flirting- I was just explaining our cuisine to him."

"And making me life miserable while she was at it," Hook quipped.

"Eat," Emma scolded him.

"Just be careful."

"You have nothing to worry about, Granny."

"This is delicious," Hook interrupted the women while shoving the rest of the burger in his mouth.

When both women looked back at him with amused and knowing grins, Hook's eyes grew wide and he stopped chewing, "Swan- you- you didn't have her poison me, did you?"

Laughing, Emma teased, "No. Unfortunately, I already told you guys that no one is dying. So just trust me."

Granny patted Emma on the shoulder before heading back to the kitchen.

"Yes," Hook replied, "That's sound advice considering the last couple times I did."

"We made a truce, remember?" Emma nudged him as she took a bite of her burger.

"Right…" he trailed off as he picked at the fries and offered up some jokes as Emma ate."

OoOoOoOoOo

"I just need to look through and sort this paperwork. Can you just sit here and be a good boy until I'm done?"

"Well that doesn't sound like fun, now does it?"

"Hook, please. I just really need to get this done. I let you give your men back their hearts, I got you food – which you loved, by the way, and I'm trying really hard to be nice. So please, please, just give me an hour."

"Are you done?"

"Excuse me?"

"Emma, I was joking. I'll behave- for a price."

"Oh no," Emma groaned as she hit her head against her arm that rested on her desk, "What do you want?"

"Listen, I just want a simple deal. Offer me protection from Cora and Rumplestilskin and I will help you with whatever you need to take down Cora, finish this paperwork this paperwork, and anything else until then and after that, I'll be out of your hair forever."

"How am I supposed to protect you? I don't even know how to protect myself or my family."

"You have magic-"

"I don't have magic. It's just sort of there sometimes. I have no control and I've been around your people enough to know that all magic comes with a price and I can't afford to pay that price."

"They're your people too! And, Emma- your magic- it's different. It's not dark like other magic. The Dark One even said it. I've never seen anything so – unintentionally powerful-"

"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE IT!"

"Or are you just afraid? Have you even tried?"

"Of course I'm afraid. Have you seen what it has done to these people? And what happens once we figure out what to do with Cora?"

"I told you. I'll be gone. You won't have to see me again."

"I know you well enough to know you're not going to let this thing with Gold go."

"By then it won't be your problem."

"But, here's the thing- I'm the sheriff. Unless you plan on killing me too, it will always be my problem. Plus, he has magic. He's going to kill you."

"My death will be irrelevant to you. I'll be out of your way, one less problem to deal with. And Cora said Rumplestiltskin is powerless outside of the town. I just have to wait for him to leave. And then you're not responsible for that either."

"If he leaves town, he loses his memory. He's not leaving town any time soon."

"Do you know why he's here Swan? Do you know why all of this even started? He convinced Regina to do all of this- the curse and everything so he could come here and find his son. Cora said the son is not here in Storybrooke- give him time; he'll leave. He'll figure out a way and I'll be ready. When you spend 300 years working towards something, you don't let a small obstacle like that stop you."

"If your plan is to leave town to protect yourself, why don't you just leave now? Then you don't need to do anything to help me nor would you need my protection. You won't have any – obstacles."

"I don't know what your problem is, Swan. I thought you'd be happy that I'm willing to help you and then get out of your way. Plus, Cora is almost as big of a threat to me right now as Rumple is- I betrayed her."

"I'm not letting anyone die. I told you that. But- I'm willing to negotiate your deal."

"What do you mean?"

"Same basic principle. You help me and I protect you as much as I can. But you don't kill Gold."

"And what's in it for me?"

"Revenge is lonely and 300 years is a long time to be alone. And no matter how much we tell ourselves that we are better off alone, we are not. I spent 28 years alone, thinking it was the only way to survive. But now I actually have a reason to fight. Just- stay here. Make a deal with Gold- a truce. Get a job. Make friends. Find something to fight for beyond revenge."

"I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO FIGHT FOR! I told you, you don't give up 300 years of fighting. Gold won't make a truce. And these people know who I am. They won't forgive me any sooner than they'll forgive the Queen."

"They forgave me for-" Emma paused, as she almost got sick from what she was about to say, "for abandoning Henry. And- it seems like Henry already forgave you and that kid is pretty convincing."

"Swan, it's been 300 years. How am I supposed to give that all up?"

"Find a new hobby?" Emma tried to throw in a joke, but it went unnoticed by Hook.

"What if people don't forgive me? You heard that woman at the diner- people are already talking about how awful I am."

"You have to give them a chance to give you a chance."

"That is a lot to leave to up to Chance, darling."

"Try something new. It's called trust."

"I'll start praying to Fortuna, then." A smirk flickered across Hook's face, causing Emma to smile. "So, what do I do with these papers?"

OoOoOoOoOo

"Emma? Are you in here?"

"David? Yeah, we're in here trying to get some of this paperwork done."

"Yeah. Sorry about that. I didn't know how you had all these files set up."

"It's okay. There was a lot going on. Did you find out anything about the handcuffs?"

"Nothing to unlock them. I can use an axe or circular saw to break them apart."

"No! Emma- if anything goes wrong, I could lose my other hand," Hook said with a hint of fear in his voice, before controlling it and smiling tauntingly at David. He looked over at Emma and winked, adding, "Although, that does mean that you get to wait on me hand- hook and foot? Then I really can't wait for bathing time."

Instinctually stopping her father from punching her… friend? Business partner?... Hook, Emma stood up with her hand against David's shoulder.

"David- not worth it. Hook, shut up! So what do we do about the cuffs?"

"Wait for him to digest it?"

"I guess so."

"Looks like I'll be picking up some prune juice on the way home. Oh, and Mary-Margaret wants to know if there is anything particular you want for dinner."

"I think we should let Hook experience pizza, plus Henry will love you forever for it."

David smiled, "Sounds good. Oh and I taught the pirates how to use cell phones. They or the dwarves will contact you if Cora's situation changes. I'm going to stop by again on my way home. I think you should too. You know, see if you can figure out how to fortify the cage or something."

"It's on my To-Do List, but David, I honestly don't know what to do. We need to set up a meeting with Regina. Maybe we can figure it out together."

I really don't like the idea of you working with her."

"It's better than against her. Plus," Emma joked, "I have Hook by my side. I can always use him as a shield if she goes crazy."

Chuckling, David hugged his daughter and said, "Dinner is at 6:00. Be home in time."

OoOoOoOo

"Done!"

"Thank the Gods. Swan, you have the dullest job I've ever seen. I think we are a week late for dinner."

"Hush. It's only 4:30. We have more than enough time to stop by Cora and maybe bring the men some food before going home for dinner."

Hook sighed before turning to Emma with his best set of Disney Eyes and asking, "Swan, your uptight father just checked on Cora, so I'm sure it's fine. Can't we just grab a pint and uh- get to know each other?"

He winked at her, which she responded to by pushing his shoulder and rolling her eyes, "I, unlike you, have responsibilities that go beyond myself."

"Right, which is why I'm happier. I'm free."

"Are you really happier?" Emma challenged him as she tried to read behind his mask of jokes, innuendos, and his drive for revenge.

Hook looked down, trying to change the subject and avoid eye contact, "This is all just a lot to take in."

Emma laughed, "I know. And it's not like I did much better in- what do you even call it? Fairy Tale World?"

Hook chuckled at the name she had given his home, "That's like me calling this place 'Odd Metal Contraptions World'. To us, it's home. The region you're from is the Enchanted Forest."

Emma laughed before taking a deep breath and pursing her lips.

"What are you up to? It looks like you're scheming, Swan."

She looked up at him and smiled, "I'll tell you what, it you help me get the guys food and deal with Cora and we still have time, I'll get a glass with you at Granny's."

Hook looked skeptical, "Why are you being so nice?"

"Well, I just realized, if anyone is to start liking you, you need at least one friend on your side. And since no one else is likely, it's my duty to be your friend. Otherwise, I'd be breaking our deal."

"I never agreed to the deal."

"Really? Well, then you just did a lot of work for free."

OoOoOoOo

"Do you really trust these pirates guarding her? How do you know they wont turn on you and help her?" Granny asked Emma as she was filling the order.

Hook noticed Emma flinch. He could almost see the nightmare she had last night flash before her eyes. "I have control of me men. I have their loyalty. They'll do as I command."

"And you trust that he won't turn on you, Emma? He's a pirate and I have seen his loyalty waiver between whomever promises him the best deal at the moment."

"I do trust him. That's what-" Emma hesitated, "friends do."

"Emma, this isn't safe. I thought you said I have nothing to worry about. What would your father say?"

"David can say what he wants, but at the end of the day, he has to admit that Hook has been nothing but helpful- well, maybe annoying, but helpful."

"Hey-"

"Look, just give him the same chance you're giving Regina."

"I don't trust her either. The only thing stopping me from getting out my crossbow is that your mother asked me to give her a chance."

"Well now I'm asking you to give him a chance."

"Emma-" Granny started before hesitating. But then she smiled and instead said, "Here you go hun, 20 cheeseburgers and six sodas."

"Thanks Granny." Emma hung the bag of burgers on Hook's hook and took the soda carrier herself, before having Granny hand the last two sodas to their bound hands. "Well, this is going to be a fun journey."

Hook leaned in and whispered, "I told you they won't give me a chance."

"Just give them time. And playing nice with my mom wont hurt either."

"I thought I was playing nice."

OoOoOoOo

"Regina, what are you doing here?"

"If she get's out, she'll go after Henry," Regina motioned towards her mother, "I can't let her do that and I don't know what else to do."

"Ms. Swan," Cora opened her eyes, coming out of her meditation, "You know I'm going to get free. I can see the fear in your eyes. Let me go now and minimum harm will come to you."

"Even if I believed you, I would never take that deal."

"But your pirate will as soon as he gets free from you."

Emma flinched at Cora's words.

"Swan, don't listen to her, she's trying to drive a wedge between our trust to make it easier to get to us."

Emma shook her head, "Let's just ignore her and give the boys their food."

After they distributed the food, Emma and Hook headed back, hand in hand, towards Granny's for that well-deserved round of drinks.

"Emma, wait," Regina called. Emma turned around. "I really appreciate you letting me see Henry today. Can- could he stay with me for the night? I really miss him."

Emma hesitated and felt a bit guilty as she responded, "Look, I don't think that's a good idea right now. Maybe once this all blows over-"

"I'm doing everything you and your family asks-"

"I KNOW. I know. But you have to understand how vulnerable your mother makes you. But- hey, why don't you come over for dinner tonight? It's at 6:00. I-It's just pizza, but- it's with Henry. And hopefully we can find a better way to – to do this soon."

"Dinner sounds great," Regina smiled, holding back tears. As Emma and Hook headed off again, Regina called out, "Thanks."

AN: I hope you liked it. Sorry again for it taking so long. R&R!