David nodded and led Killian into his office. After they were both seated, Killian took a deep breath and began.
"I know you don't approve of me seeing your daughter. Especially now that she's the Dark One and we are all supposed to be putting her at a distance. But, David, please try and understand that I love your daughter. Can you imagine what it would be like to be in this same situation with Mary Margaret?"
"That's different, Hook." The man crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat.
"I don't think it is, mate. Much as you don't care to see it, Emma and I have something special. I love your daughter, and the thought of staying away from her is too much to bear. I want to help her and I have to have faith that I can." He looked down, uncomfortable with sharing his feelings so openly with another person.
"You really love her?" Came the soft reply.
"Aye."
"Tell me everything. Maybe I can help." The prince pulled a legal pad out of a drawer and grabbed a pen off his desk.
Killian explained every incident (save for the most private one) in great detail.
"So, what does she want with you and Henry?" He'd scribbled down a few notes during Killian's speech and glanced down at them.
"Well, she said she wants Henry back because he's her son and he belongs with her. Also, she doesn't think Regina is the best role model now that she's the Savior."
"Fair enough. I can see where she would think that in her current state of mind." David said, surprising the hell out of Killian.
"You're taking this pretty well." He said cautiously, fully expecting the Prince to explode.
David sighed and dropped the pen onto the pad before leaning back. "Killian, do you know why we didn't want you near our daughter? Before the Dark One change." The pirate shook his head. "It's because, in the Enchanted Forest, you have a bit of a reputation. Not just you. All pirates. What we want for our daughter is more than just fun. We want her to have love and happiness in her life."
"Well, before the change, she did love me as well." His voice was pained, thin.
"For the first time, I have faith in you, Hook." David grinned. "Now, first thing's first. I'm not crazy about Henry going over there tonight, but I think it could be more detrimental if he doesn't. So, it's up to you to keep him safe. Anything goes wrong, you get him out."
Killian nodded. "I won't let anything happen to the lad."
"I know you won't. Soon as you find out what her plan is, come to me." David checked his watch and stood. "Henry just got out of school. You might as well go meet him now. Good luck." He stuck out his hand and the other man shook it. "It's going to be fine. Oh, and thanks for telling me all of this."
Killian and Henry strolled up the path to Emma's new house. She sat on the porch steps, the definition of composure. Her black dress clung to her like a second skin, but in a very tasteful way. Her heels matched the dress and her ash blonde hair was up in an elegant chignon.
"Henry!" She said, leaping to her feet and rushing to the boy. He accepted a hug and pulled back after a few moments. "Killian." She nodded a greeting.
"Swan."
She wrapped an arm around Henry's shoulders and led him into the house with Killian following behind them like a puppy. As they entered the house, the aromas of meatloaf and bread filled their noses. The dining room table had obviously just been set, the bowls and platters steaming.
"Hungry?" She asked, an innocent smile crossing her face.
"Looks great, Mom." Henry said, his voice steady.
They sat and had what was almost a normal meal. They chatted about Henry's school and the Jolly. The boy's face fell when he heard that the hurricane had almost destroyed some of the sails.
"But, you know, I got lucky." Killian said, taking a sip of the wine Emma had poured. "Your mother showed up at the last moment and protected my dear ship."
"You did?" Henry asked, eyes wide.
"I did. That ship is too important to all of us to have it hurt." She shot Killian a look that he didn't quite understand, so he decided to table it for the time being.
They finished their meal and Emma cleared the table with a wave of her hand. "So, I asked you two to come tonight so that we could have a real discussion about the future." Neither of the men spoke, so she continued. "I know everyone has been told to keep me at arm's length. But, you are the two most important people in the world to me, and I think the three of us would make an excellent team."
"Team?" Asked Killian.
"Yes, team. A force to be reckoned with. The Dark One, the Author, and the most famous pirate in all the realms? Unstoppable."
"So…" Henry began. "You're trying to turn us into the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants?" He frowned.
"Not evil. Dark." Her voice was cold, but she kept the same small smile in place.
"I don't know how I feel about that." The boy said.
Emma's expression turned stormy in an instant and Killian jumped in. "Emma, darling, just wait. We obviously need some time to think it over. That's all. It's a big decision. Henry's been raised to be good his whole life, and I've spent the past three years trying to do the same. So, of course we can't just make the decision in the blink of an eye." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Look, it's late. Let me get the lad home and we will decide very soon. Come visit me at the Jolly tomorrow and we can talk."
She sighed dramatically. "Fine. But you'd better have an answer for me tomorrow." She walked over to Henry and pulled him into a hug. "I love you, Henry. See you soon."
The boy was quiet all the way to Regina's, and he went inside without saying anything. Shrugging, the Pirate jogged down Main Street, desperate to get to the loft. The lights were off, but that did little to deter him. As he climbed the stairs, he saw a dark figure leaning against the Charmings' door.
"Hello, Killian." Emma said, stepping out of the shadows. "You might want to rethink what you're about to do. You really, REALLY don't want to make me angry."
A/N: So, I'm in the middle of my first overnight shift in a really creepy building. It's reminiscent of the Shining. I sit in a small cubby in a large stone lobby, right across from a gilded mirror. Soft classical piano music drifts from the hidden speakers 24/7. I am quite ready to scream. Anyway, anyone want to put up a review to help me get through the night? I could use it! Next update at 5am!