Author's Note: Thanks again to all of you who have given this story a try. I really appreciate all of your comments and the interest you've shown! I know I'm rusty, so thanks for your patience.

Chapter 9: Reputation

Emma took the second night watch, waking Hook as soon as the sun cast enough light to pierce the thick green umbrella of plant life overhead. He could feel the difference in her as soon as he opened his eyes and saw her gazing down at him. "Even heroes get days off, don't they?" he asked while he slipped his fingers under her shirt.

"On occasion," she answered with a grin, removing his fingers before she stood, "but not today."

Standing up, he stood in front of her with only an inch separating them and asked, "Anything I can do to persuade you that a respite is in order?"

Placing her palm against his chest, she tapped him with her finger before she answered, flirtatiously, "There are probably tons of things you could do to persuade me. I would love to spend the day here with you…but…"

"I understand, Swan," he said as he picked up his coat, slipping his hook through the leather sleeve carefully before he put it the rest of the way on. "Can't blame a man for trying."

"It's just…Henry and this girl who's trapped and," she started to explain regretfully.

"I knew you were a mother and a saviour before I started courting you," he said with a grin. "This is exactly what I'd expect from you. Come on, let's carry on."

They started down the path and Emma giggled, "Courting me? Really?"

"Aye. Isn't that what I'm doing?"

"I don't know. It just sounds …weird to use that particular word."

"You're the only woman I've ever really courted. Which is particularly impressive given my age and the number of ladies who've pleaded for my attention."

"You don't really expect me to believe that I'm your first?" she snickered.

"Knowing women and courting them are two very different concepts."

"What about Milah? I know you loved her."

Hook's head bowed slightly in remembrance before he answered, "Indeed I did. But…that wasn't really much of a courting situation. She really wanted to run away from her life. She didn't exactly hide that. I provided that possibility in the form of a nearly irresistible man, but I didn't have to win her favor. She'd always regretted leaving Baelfire, but I didn't have a family's approval to seek. I was exactly what she'd been looking for. Some of the very same things that I suspect Milah liked about me, you and your family do not."

"What is it that you think I don't like about you?"

"I'm not really the hero type. Your father has certainly made it clear that he doesn't find me a worthy man for his only daughter."

"Give him time. I think he trusts you."

Hook shot her a disbelieving look out of the corner of his eye and said, "Just because he's willing to allow me to fight by his side doesn't mean he thinks I'm a good match for his daughter."

Emma turned and stepped in front of Hook, stopping him in his tracks. "But it's not his decision. I'm a grown woman, I've been making my own decisions for pretty much my entire life."

"But, should you wish to continue with this…things would be more difficult should your family not approve. Winter solstice celebration might be rather awkward."

She smiled and shook her head, "Sometimes I forget that we're literally from completely different worlds."

"You don't celebrate the winter solstice?" he scoffed with disappointment.

"We have Christmas. There's food, gifts, family. For most of my life it was a very lonely holiday. I hated it growing up."

"What about the lad? How do you think he'll take to sharing his mother's time with me?"

"Henry likes you. He loves Regina, and you know her reputation. He doesn't let labels define people. And even if he still did see you in that light… he really wants me to be happy."

Hook took two swaggering steps closer, and, with that look of smug flirtation that she was getting so used to seeing, he said, "Are you implying that, perhaps, I might be able to bring you happiness?"

She fought the grin that was emerging on her face, attempting to remain at least a little coy about the whole situation. "I don't know," she answered, reducing the inch of space between them by half. "What I do know…is that I really want to see you try."

"I'll begin immediately," he mumbled before his mouth covered hers.

In seconds, they weren't just kissing, they were making out, hands grasping at clothing, tongues flicking, lips nipping as the depths of their mutual desire became evident as soon as they made contact. The slightest spark between them seemed to ignite a bonfire. She was only vaguely cognizant of the way he lifted her and she wrapped her legs high around his waist as soon as her feet were off the ground. They weren't thinking, they were acting on impulse and drive. She was pinned between his body and a tree with bark that scratched her through her shirt but didn't bother her in the least. Those peripheral sensations couldn't distract her from the things she felt with and for this man.

Her hands were everywhere, performing necessary actions to get enough of their bodies exposed as quickly as possible to ease the desperation that was building. She had to touch him, there was no other option. Even with that limited contact, both of them were ready. After all, she'd been thinking about this while she had watched him sleep. She'd been fantasizing about this since the first time it had happened…even longer. As her hand slid into his clothes, he was already hard, and her fingers encircled him, giving him a few rough pumps with her fist before she decided that she simply wouldn't wait any longer.

There was a moment's hesitation when she felt her bare ass bump against the tree, and she realized that it wasn't Hook who was roughly ridding her of her jeans…she was the one clawing her way out of them. As soon as one foot was free, she lifted her legs back around his waist and locked her feet, tightening her hold around him and bringing him closer while her jeans still dangled from her other leg.

She could feel him shake with anticipation as his hand moved between them and he guided himself into her hot core. His hand and hook hold her up, and she watched as he bit his lip while he summoned his control. He patiently pulled out of her almost entirely, pushing sensually back into her body as he watched the expression on her face as she became used to him. She loved his lust for her, the feeling of being desired so entirely by someone who was grasping for control as he was coming unhinged.

His eyes closed, sweat dotting his forehead as he let the sensations of her body fill his senses. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers sliding up the back of his head and tugging at his hair to get his attention. "Just fuck me," she rasped, her lips brushing his ear. "Please."

He roughly kissed her for one second before he tightened his grip and plunged back into her again. She held tightly onto his shoulders. The encounter was primal, two people frantically screwing like they weren't made to do anything else. His body pressed against her just right because of their position, and the desire between them was an intoxicating aphrodisiac, so it was only a few minutes before they were crying out in release together.

His nose was pressed against her neck as he leaned against her and the tree. Her breath hadn't even returned to normal when she panted, "What the hell was that?"

He lifted his head, automatically turning to look for danger in response to her question.

"No," she clarified with a smile, "I meant this. What just happened?"

"Do I really have to explain it to you?" he teased, rocking his hips forward again and watching her react to the zing of an orgasmic aftershock while his body pressed between her legs.

She sighed out with satisfaction and softly answered, "I think we should be able to control ourselves for a few hours."

"I may have been the one to kiss you first this time, but I'm pretty sure you were the only who escalated it to something more intimate," he said as he raised an eyebrow.

She scowled to try to deny it, but she couldn't fight the playfulness in her eyes or the flush that spread across her cheeks.

"That's what I thought," he replied. He set her down on the ground and added, "Don't beat yourself up, love. As I'm sure I've mentioned, I'm terribly hard to resist."

"Let's just agree to have no more distractions until we stop for the night or we'll never get home. Alright?"

The pair continued their journey together, slashing through thick jungle and fighting the fatigue that threatened. The late afternoon air was so humid and hot that a haze seemed to spread up from the ground as the moisture evaporated into steam around them. Emma had sort of expected to have to rebuff repeated advances from Hook so they could stay on task, and she was surprised and a little disappointed that he seemed perfectly able to stay focused on their mission.

He certainly didn't ignore her. She could see his admiring glances and noticed his consistently considerate behavior. In the past she would have tried to prove that she didn't need his consideration or assistance, but it was obvious that his actions weren't condescending, he was just being the gentleman, and the little shows of respect did a lot to demonstrate how he felt about her. The problem was that she could barely keep her hands off of him. With each polite gesture or admiring glance he'd offer, the urge to forget their agreement and spend the day naked in each other's arms rose with greater urgency. And this type of control had usually come so easily for her. She was supposed to be the one who was good at maintaining boundaries and keeping a distance.

She wasn't even sure what was going on. They'd always had tension and desire, but she'd easily retained some separation in the past. Maybe it was the primitiveness of their surroundings, or the excitement of having found him again after she'd lost him, or maybe it was finally knowing that they shared the same types of feelings about each other, but she'd never felt a need for a man like this. His cocky swagger and self-assured grin made her wonder if he was all too aware of the thoughts in her head.

Just as the heat and sticky air almost became too much, the skies opened and emptied the saturated clouds down onto them in rapid, fat drops that sliced through the vegetation and slapped on the adventurers and ground alike. Hook had streaks that ran like dark tears down his face as the rain mixed with the pigment around his eyes. This was one of the few times he regretted having such heavy, cumbersome clothing. Emma's clothes were soaked through, drenched within seconds after the storm had begun, and each strand of her hair that had come loose from her pony tail was becoming plastered to her face.

There was little choice but to continue since there weren't any places that provided adequate cover and seemed safe enough to stop. Their shoulders and arms were aching from cutting their way through the overgrowth, and just as it seemed like she couldn't possibly hold the sword any longer, her blade hit something hard. As they peered through the rain and greenery, they found a thick stone obstruction. Following it to the edge, they realized they'd come to a fence that surrounded a rudimentary stone and wood building.

They hadn't seen any other evidence of human inhabitants until that point. The orb dashed in front of them and went straight through a small open space in the heavy wooden door. Hook and Emma cautiously followed, always mindful of the possibility of a trap or some unfriendly circumstance ahead. Emma knocked politely. A man with eyes so dark they were nearly black opened the door. He was solidly built, with large worn hands and leathery skin that told the tale of a man who had worked hard under brutal conditions. Even though there was a certain weariness about him, his voice was not unfriendly when he asked with a heavy accent that sounded a lot like Odalee's, "What can I do for ya?"

Emma pointed at the orb that had settled in one small child's open hand, "We seem to have lost something."

The man stepped back and gestured for them to enter. Once they were inside, they saw a family eating a modest meal at an even more modest table at the far side of the room. "Pardon the intrusion," Hook said, "but we're traveling through here and stumbled upon your home."

The entire family examined the intruders until one of the children looked at Hook and whispered, "Mama…look."

Realizing what had caught the child's attention, Hook pointed vaguely at his prosthetic and said, "There's no need to worry. I assure you, we mean you no harm. I'm—"

"Please," the patriarch of the family said, standing to free up his chair before he shooed his son from his seat too. "Take a seat, sir. May we offer you some food or wine?"

Hook looked baffled, whispering to Emma, "Perhaps I've threatened them before."

The lady of the house stood, grabbing two earthen bowls and ladling a thick soup into each of them. She also seemed kind but long overworked and tired. "We're honored to have you here. Please come in and allow us to extend some hospitality," she insisted.

Hook and Emma took seats, not wanting to seem rude and hoping to find out some answers about exactly where they were. "Thank you," Emma said, watching as the three children all stared wide-eyed at Hook's hook. They didn't look frightened or even confused. They looked amazed.

"Don't stare," the mother warned, "you're making our guests feel uncomfortable."

Hook answered, "I'm Killian Jones. We've been sent here on a quest, but we're a bit lost."

The mother and father of the family exchanged a look before the woman asked Emma, "If you don't mind me asking, miss…I didn't catch your name."

"I'm Emma," she answered. "Killian and I are traveling together." One of the children dropped a spoon as the whole family gaped at the visitors. Noticing the family's obviously strange behavior, Emma asked, "Have we met before?"

"No," the woman of the house said, handing Hook and Emma chunks of bread to eat with their soup.

The smallest child, a toddler, went right up to Hook and handed him the orb. "Thank you," Hook said as he tucked it back in his satchel.

The child touched the hook with the tip of her fingers. "It's shiny," the tiny voice said as she smiled up at him.

"Edeline," the father reprimanded before he pulled her away and offered his apologies.

If Hook had a reputation here, it didn't seem to be the reputation of a cutthroat pirate. The children weren't even afraid of his prosthetic, one that would be frightening to most small children. "May I see it, Captain, Sir?" the oldest boy asked.

"Who told you I'm a captain?" Hook asked.

"Children, time for bed," the mother ordered.

The older of the two daughters complained. "It's not even dark yet."

The mother directed the children into the next room and Hook and Emma could clearly hear the older daughter say, "They're finally here…in our house…and you're gonna make us go to bed?"

"Am I missing something, mate?" Hook asked the family patriarch.

"Julien," the man said, introducing himself. "That was my wife, Vala."

"Were you expecting us?" Emma asked.

"We don't often expect visitors, milady," Vala said as she returned without her children.

"Just call me Emma," Emma answered. She persistently asked, "Is there anything you need to tell us?"

"Nothing comes to mind. But please, make yourselves at home," the hostess said.

Realizing they weren't going to get any direct answers, Hook and Emma took a few minutes to eat and make small talk. When Julien addressed Emma as 'milady' again with a deep sense of reverence, she became certain something was going on.

Emma said, "I think you have me confused with someone else. We aren't from around here. Is there anything you can tell us about this place?"

"We're simple folk," Julien answered. "There are some people in the next town who can answer your questions. It's less than an hour's walk from here."

"Surely you know where you live?" Hook persisted.

The couple looked at each other but said nothing. Deciding there was nothing more to learn, Emma placed her hands on her lap and stared confidently at her hosts, "I get the impression that there's something you aren't telling us? If you do know me…you know that I can tell when people are lying."

Vala smiled innocently, "I'm not sure what you mean. Can I get you anything else? Another drink? Some more to eat?"

Emma shook head and answered, "Thank you so much. We should probably be going."

"You're welcome stay for the night. It's hardly a castle, but it's warm and it's dry," Julien offered.

Emma and Hook said their goodbyes to the couple before they left to continue their journey. The rain had stopped, but it was now dark and cold as they left the warmth of the small home behind them. Turning back one last time, Emma and Hook saw the family they'd just left watching them with hopeful smiles. Vala and Julien stood in the door, waving fondly, and the children peered out the windows from the back of the house.

As soon as she was sure they were out of earshot, Emma said, "That was weird. Did you think that was weird?"

"Aye," Hook answered solemnly, retrieving the orb from his satchel and watching as it led the way.

"It was like…"

"They'd heard of us," he finished.

"Even more than that though," she continued. "It was like they were relieved to see us."

Hook hypothesized, "Perhaps they have a copy of the book your boy has. Maybe they recognized you from there and they're hoping you'll do something to fix their current situation."

"But you were the one they recognized first," Emma mentioned. "Like they knew who you were as soon as they saw your hook. The picture of Prince Charles didn't have a hook in our story, and they certainly didn't seem to think you were a villain from any other stories. Trust me, if we were back in Boston and we introduced a couple of kids to Captain Hook…they'd be terrified. These kids looked up to you, admired you. We need to get to the next town and see if anyone there knows us. Once we figure out how they know us and exactly who they think we are, it might give us a better idea of what we're up against."