Disclaimer: Reluctantly I have to admit that I don't own these characters. They are property of others far luckier than myself.

Anyone notice how Emma brightens when Killian is around on the show. Those two are so cute together. Adam and Eddy, we need more scenes like that, pretty please.

"There's a new ship that has come into port," David told Emma when she arrived at the station the next morning, "Thought we might poke around a bit. The harbormaster said they were in Portsmouth around the time of Killian's attack. Maybe we'll get a new lead."

"Absolutely," Emma nodded, "Did our guests from last night behave?" The two sailors from a few weeks earlier were continuing on with their feud with greater frequency. They'd been in lock up nearly every other day.

"They were both in one piece this morning when I arrived," David confirmed, "I told them we wouldn't pursue charges unless they caused more trouble."

"Guess we should keep the cots ready," Emma sighed, "Feuds like theirs aren't likely solved after a few nights in jail."

"First things first," David grabbed his gun from the drawer and placed it in his shoulder holster.

Emma followed his lead and grabbed her own gun, placing it into the small of her back.

"Your mother wanted me to thank you for watching Neal last night," David stated while they made their way to the squad car.

"It was no trouble," Emma assured him, "Always happy to help. He's my brother."

"She got something for you and Captain Jones, sort of payment for your time," David handed her a gift certificate for Tony's.

"You didn't have to do that," Emma accepted the gift David was handing her.

"We wanted to," David replied, "You and Killian deserve your own night out at a nice restaurant, and with Killian's funds likely all tied up in his new ship…"

"We're not in the poor house, David," Emma snickered.

"It's a gift, Emma," David stated.

"We'll put it to good use," Emma pocketed the certificate.

They poked around the docks, greeting the sailors that were new to town and giving them the lay of the land and the standard warning to stay out of trouble. No new leads turned up. No one stood out as having any potential issues with the one handed sailor.

"We'll keep trying," David told Emma when they made their way back to the squad car.

"I'll meet you in a few minutes. Killian's ship is right there. I'm just going to stop in and see what he's up to."

"You can tell me that you're checking up on him," David laughed.

"I'm not checking up on him," Emma scoffed, "I'm just curious what he's up to."

"I'll keep poking around," David replied when Emma made her way down the docks to Killian's ship.

Killian was working hard on the deck, sanding down the rails in preparation to apply a coat of varnish. She was mesmerized by the way the muscles in his back flexed and relaxed with his motions. He'd worked up quite the sweat and had long ago shed his shirt.

Emma felt her heart flutter at the sight. She watched him work for a few minutes before she cleared her throat to make her presence known. "You're slipping, Captain. I was able to come aboard your ship without you being aware."

"What makes you think I wasn't aware?" he turned and gave her a devilish grin, "I'm always aware of when you're close." He wiped his hand and face with a rag while stepping towards her.

"You're all sweaty," Emma realized his intentions of hugging her immediately, "Don't you dare."

"Come, Love," he advanced towards her, "Will you deny the man you love a bit of affection?"

"When he's dripping with sweat, you're darn right," her hand went to his chest when he came within reach to keep him at a distance. She removed it quickly. She wasn't prepared for the thrill that went through her body at touching his skin. She tried not to let Killian see her reaction.

"That's not very sporting of you, Swan," his devilish grin stayed in place, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"David and I were down at the docks," Emma replied, "The Sparrow Hawk just docked. They'd been in Portsmouth at the same time as you. We thought maybe some of the sailors had some information on your attack."

"And," Killian prompted her.

"Turns out we were wrong," Emma sighed.

"Or they aren't talking because you and your father are law enforcement," Killian offered, "There is a high level of distrust amongst sailors and those that enforce laws."

"You trust me," Emma pointed out.

"Despite your work in law enforcement," he chuckled, "Perhaps you should enlist an insider to poke around."

"I'm not putting you in the line of fire. If you encounter your attacker, things could turn out worse for you," Emma replied.

"There are other sailors in Storybrooke," Killian pointed out, "One with a particular allegiance to me."

"Smee," Emma concluded, "Haven't seen him around lately. Any idea where I can find him?"

"Any place where they serve adult beverages," Killian replied.

"That's actually a good idea," Emma stated.

"Does that earn me a hug?" he inquired.

"After you've showered, absolutely," Emma laughed.

"How about a peck on the lips," Killian tapped at his lips with his hook, "To give me a second wind. As you said, this ship is going to need a lot of work to be worthy of her namesake."

"As long as you keep your hand and hook and all other sweaty body parts to yourself," she warned him while she stepped closer.

Killian did as requested, kissing her with as much passion as he could muster. It was Emma that couldn't keep her hands to herself, first finding their way to his hair before working their way down the muscles of his back.

"I'd better get back to the car before David comes looking," Emma reluctantly stepped back slightly.

"You smell like sailor, Love," Killian nudged her nose with his.

"And it was so worth it," Emma's lips pressed against his for a second time, this time encouraging his arms around her. "I'd better go."

"You have to leave the ship first," Killian continued to nip at her lips.

"I'm going," Emma tried to sound convincing, yet she didn't move.

Killian chuckled against her lips while his grip on her waist tightened. Her arms went around his neck almost of their own accord.

"I really have to go," Emma finally freed herself minutes later, "I'm sure the citizens wouldn't appreciate knowing that I'm making out with my boyfriend on city time."

"It will be our secret," Killian assured her. Being the gentleman, he walked with her to the gangplank and then helped her off the ship.

"How does dinner at Tony's sound this evening?" Emma inquired.

"Are you asking me out, Swan?" he teased her, "Isn't that my job?"

"I still won't pillage and plunder with you on whatever number of date this is," she gave a coy grin.

Killian laughed and gave her one final kiss, "I'll pick you up at six."

"I'll be ready," Emma vowed.

"Thank you for joining me," David greeted his daughter sarcastically. He'd been waiting in the car for twenty minutes longer than he'd anticipated.

"No problem," Emma blushed.

"Your lips are a little swollen. Did you run into a lamppost on your way back to the car?" he couldn't resist teasing her.

Emma refused to dignify his comment with a response.

"So what do you think?" Emma came down the stairs of her parents' loft dressed for her evening out with Killian. Her mother was the first to make note of her appearance. She'd pulled a dress out of her closet that she'd purchased around the time of her first date with Killian, but had never had a chance to wear it.

"You look wonderful," Mary Margaret gushed as Emma twirled around to give her the full effect of the ruby red dress, "Killian is a lucky man."

"I'm nervous," Emma wrung her hands together to rid herself of her nervous energy, "That's ridiculous, right? We've been dating for months."

"But you don't go out on many official dates," Mary Margaret replied, "And things are a bit different now."

Emma nodded as her father came into the room with Neal in his arms. He stopped dead in his tracks as he took in his daughter's appearance. "We should lock your sister in her room, shouldn't we, Neal?"

"Don't you dare," Mary Margaret scowled at her husband.

"You look beautiful, Emma," David told her sincerely.

Emma gave him a radiant smile in response.

"Hook's a lucky man."

"Killian," Emma corrected him.

There was a knock on the loft door. Mary Margaret ran over anxious to open it. "Evening, Captain."

"Good evening, Mary Margaret," Killian nodded and stepped into the loft at her urging while holding out a handful of daisy to her, "For you."

"That's so sweet," Mary Margaret took the flowers while a blush crimsoned her cheeks.

"Hello, Love," Killian greeted Emma with a look of complete awe.

"No flowers for me?" Emma gave him a playful pout.

"All I have is this," Killian stepped in and laid a tantalizing kiss on her lips despite David's rather obnoxious clearing of his throat to voice his displeasure.

"I'd rather have flowers," Emma snickered as she wiped at his lips to remove her lipstick.

"We'll stop along the way," Killian replied when Emma grabbed her wrap and clutch.

"Don't wait up," Emma told her parents as she kissed her brother's cheek, "Keep them busy, Little Bro."

Neal laughed in response as the pair left.

"I still don't like this," David told his wife.

"I don't think you have any say," Mary Margaret told her husband, "Killian makes her happy. Isn't that what you want for our daughter?"

"That's not what I'm referring to," David replied, "I don't like her dating, period."

Mary Margaret laughed at how ridiculous her husband was being while she went to put her flowers in water.

At the restaurant, Killian insisted on a table that was out of the flow of traffic. He didn't want their meal interrupted like it had the last time they'd dined at this particular restaurant.

"Did you get the rails sanded and varnished as you'd hoped?" Emma asked as she entwined her fingers with his hand and hook after their order had been taken.

"Almost," Killian replied, "I was distracted for a bit, but I'll finish tomorrow. The Swan is really starting to come together. I was thinking of taking her out for a spin this weekend, if you'd care to join me."

"Absolutely," Emma nodded, "Would you mind if we took Henry along? He's been asking me daily about taking another voyage."

"Not at all," Killian assured her while he brought her hands to his lips and kissed each one, "I'm glad the boy enjoys the seas."

"I think he enjoys the company," Emma replied. "He looks up to you."

"The lad is a bit shorter than me," Killian agreed.

"That's not what I mean," Emma shook her head, "It's like how you looked up to your brother, in admiration."

"Aw," Killian replied.

"What do you two talk about when you spend time together?" Emma asked.

"Life's mysteries," Killian responded.

"He misses his father," Emma frowned, "And he really didn't get to say a proper goodbye."

"It wouldn't be any easier if he had," Killian stated, "Do you miss Neal?"

"Yeah," Emma nodded, "But not in that romantic way. I wish he was here for Henry, and I would have liked to have my friend back."

"I wish he was here too," Killian agreed. "Last time we spoke, it felt like he was saying goodbye, like he knew he was living on borrowed him. I would have liked to reconnect without the rivalry that we fell into."

"That was my fault," Emma frowned, "I should have been more decisive when we got back to Storybrooke."

"You were conflicted," Killian stated, "I didn't exactly make it easy."

"Who says I wanted you to," she replied, "I've never regretted what took place in Neverland. You showed your true colors. You showed that you could care about more than just your ship and your vendetta. I would go to battle with you again in a heartbeat…I have in fact."

"I can't help wondering what would have happened if Neal found you in New York and not me," Killian replied.

"I probably would have kicked him harder than I first kicked you," Emma winced at the memory, "I did apologize for that, didn't I?"

"Water under the bridge," Killian assured her, "Kissing you was rather bold of me."

"A bit," Emma agreed, "It certainly got my attention."

Killian chuckled in reply.

"When I forced myself into exile because of the Snow Queen's manipulation of my powers, I think what hurt most was the thought that I couldn't regain control of my powers and that I would be endangering you and my family," Emma swallowed hard. "When that pole came down and almost hit you…"

"I have never been scared of you or your powers," Killian forced her eyes to connect with his, "I was afraid that you'd use it as yet another excuse to push me away."

"And I did."

"More water under the bridge," he assured her.

"Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for believing in me when I couldn't believe in myself."

"You've done the same for me," he caressed her cheek softly.

Emma slid along the booth until she was sitting directly next to him, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"You're home for me, Killian," Emma stated, "You and Henry and my parents and Baby Neal…I found a home because I have all of you."

Killian nuzzled into her neck in response.

"I guess maybe that's why I overreacted when you went to the docks after I asked you not to," Emma stated.

"You're home for me too, Swan," he whispered in her ear.

Their food arrived, and they ate mostly in silence. They traded smiles back and forth, but neither felt the need to add words to their meal. They'd said all they needed to that night.

Instead of walking Emma back to the loft, they went to his ship.

"Are you going to stay the night?" Killian stepped aboard the Swan and helped Emma find her footing.

"That was my plan," Emma's arms wrapped around his shoulders, "Unless you'd prefer I don't. Then I'm going to ask you to be the gentleman and walk me home."

"Stay the night," Killian's arms went around her waist.

"Since you asked nicely," her lips pressed against his.

Killian moaned happily as he walked her slowly backwards towards his cabin without breaking their bond.

"I love you," Emma broke the kiss to take a breath, "You know that right?"

"Aye," his head bobbed while her hands peeled away his leather jacket until it hit the floor. He looked at her with questioning eyes.

Emma blushed with embarrassment, "I have a confession. I know you don't remember that night in the Enchanted Forest when I brought you back to your ship and made out with the other you."

"I remember plenty," he winced in reply.

"You remember what you saw," Emma stated, "You don't remember how you felt."

"Emma, if that's the Hook you want, you should have had…" Killian stated.

"That's not the Hook you are," Emma cut him off, "I know that, and I love the Hook I have right now."

"Then what are you trying to tell me?" he inquired.

"That night when I was kissing him, I wanted it to be you because as much as I enjoyed kissing him…"

"I don't believe I want to hear the rest," Killian halted any further explanation.

"Yes, you do," Emma replied, "The Hook that I have right now is exactly the man I want and need."

"And this fantasy?" he inquired.

"Was to recreate the moment with the right Hook and without the unconsciousness that followed," she grinned.

"Consider your wish granted."

TBC…

Yep, still would like those reviews (pretty please with sugar on top).