Sorry this chapter is a day later than I expected. Life got in the way a bit. The next chapter should be up by the end of the weekend. It's written and I'm editing it this afternoon. Thank you so much for reading, especially to Tala Danaro, Mougann, Gusenitsa, and Angels-Heart1 for reviewing!

-KM-

Chapter 4

"My heart?" She looked away, shaking her head. "Don't know why you'd want it. It's pretty damaged."

"As I told you before, Princess. If it can be broken, that means it still works." He pressed a kiss to her temple and settled back into the mattress. "But that's for another day." His arm snaked back around her waist, pulling her back close against his chest. "For now, sleep."

Emma awoke in a cocoon of comforting warmth, starting slightly as she heard Hook say "Good morning, Princess, or rather, good afternoon."

"Afternoon?" Emma looked up, concerned. "What time is it?"

Hook shrugged. "About a quarter past twelve, I'd guess."

"I'm so sorry. You should've woken me." Emma looked down, embarrassed.

"Why would I have done that, love?" He asked in amusement. "You needed to rest.

"But surely you have things to do?" Emma questioned.

"Really, Princess, there aren't many better things for a man to do than to hold a beautiful woman in his arms." Killian smirked. "I was quite content, I assure you."

She blushed, then looked around frantically. "David and Mary Margaret will be worried."

"Were worried." He corrected, handing her phone to her. "After Snow White's third message this morning, I managed to figure out the operation of this infernal device and replied to her that you stayed at a friend's home due to the storm and would be home later. She seemed satisfied. At least, your phone stopped its incessant chirping."

"Thanks." She sat up, reluctant to leave the warmth of his arms, yet feeling the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her again. "I really should get back though. David and Leroy are planning on my help with the search again today."

He nodded and rose from the bed, grateful that he'd decided to sleep in his clothes. "I don't know about you, Princess, but I am ravenous. Granny's for lunch?"

"I really should get back and meet up with David." She began.

"You'll be no good to them if you faint from lack of nourishment." He pointed out. "It's afternoon, love, and you've yet to eat anything."

"Well, we do have to return Ruby's picnic basket." She conceded. "Just give me a minute to change."

He nodded, heading for the cabin door. "And Emma?" He turned at the doorway, looking back at her climbing slowly out of bed. She looked up questioningly. "Keep the shirt. It looks far better on you, Princess." He left before she could answer him. After stopping by Granny's and making sure Emma consumed at least half a sandwich, he escorted her back to her office, leaving her with a smile and a promise to see her later. He returned to his ship, concerning himself with inspecting the Jolly Roger after last night's storm and finally found his way to his cabin. He smiled when he saw that there was no trace of his shirt.

Hook knocked on the door to the home Emma shared with Mary Margaret and David, his heart pounding in his throat. This conversation was going to be difficult at best, and lethal at worst, but after brooding about it for most of the afternoon, he accepted it as something that needed to be done.

Mary Margaret opened the door, her eyes widening in surprise. "Captain?"

"Killian, please." He decided getting straight to business was best. "Is the prince at home?"

She nodded. "He and Emma just got back a few minutes ago."

"May I ask a moment of your time? I have something of great importance to ask of you both."

She nodded, stepping back to let him in. "Should I call Emma as well?"

He let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "She will certainly hear about this conversation eventually. She may as well be present for it. I'm quite certain she'll want to at least give me a black eye for it and would be angered at missing the chance."

Mary Margaret's eyes narrowed. "What's this about, Hook? Have you done something to hurt Emma?"

He shook his head. "Gods, no. It's just-" He thought for a moment. "Emma is your daughter, but she is not of our world. I'm quite certain she will find some of our traditions to be...offensive."

Mary Margaret looked at him in confusion. "Perhaps you'd better come in and explain." She turned to the back of the house. "David! Emma! We have a guest."

She led Hook into the living room where David was sitting on the sofa watching television. He rose to greet Hook as Emma came out from the back of the house. David offered Hook a handshake in greeting while Emma stopped with surprise in the doorway. "Hook? What are you doing here?"

He sighed, shaking his head with a smile. "Still not my name, Princess."

David motioned that they should sit, and Hook and Emma took seats across from David and Mary Margaret. Hook looked down at the floor. "I may as well be blunt. David, Mary Margaret – I'm not sure if I should address you as your highnesses... we're so far from the Enchanted Forest."

Mary Margaret reassured him "David and Mary Margaret are fine."

He looked up at them. "I would like to as your permission to court your daughter."

"What?!" Emma and David answered in one voice.

"Hook!" Emma turned on him. "You can't just go asking my parents these things! That's just so..." She fumed, at a loss for words.

"Traditional." Mary Margaret supplied. Emma sagged against the arm of the couch, too overwhelmed to argue further.

David leaned forward, met Hook's gaze and asked simply "Why?"

"Because I love her." Hook said bluntly. He looked over at Emma's sharp intake of breath. "Really, love, you can't be surprised at hearing that. I've hardly made a secret of it."

She shook her head. "I know... but that doesn't explain..." She gestured helplessly to the situation. "This!"

Hook looked at David and Mary Margaret. "I will not risk bringing down the fates on Emma because I could not be bothered with the rules of tradition. So, I ask again... may I court your daughter?"

David laughed and shook his head in amazement. "Of all the words I least expected to hear from Captain Hook, those would be on the top of the list." He looked over at Mary Margaret, who nodded slowly. "I feel I speak for both of us when I say that you may."

"Hey!" Emma said angrily. "Don't I get a say in this?"

David chuckled. "That is, you may, if you can convince Emma."

Mary Margaret rose from the couch, tugging David by the hand. "We'll let you two talk." She hurried David out of the room.

Emma rose to her feet, yelling "Killian Jones, what the hell was that?!"

"Finally, my name!" He said with a smile.

So, should she accept? should she give him the black eye he was expecting? both? Let me know what you think! I can't wait to hear from you! I really appreciate all my readers, but most especially, those that take the time to review. Your reviews are a big part of what keeps me writing. 3 -KM-