Summary: An Au if Killian came back to Storybrooke after Manhattan sooner then cannon and Emma confronts Hook about her suspicions of Tamera instead of Mary Margret..

Some time before Season three.

This holiday both fascinated him and confused him all at once. A festive holiday about love and devotion for people they loved. Killian did not have anyone to love however he had been curious about the Swan woman for a while.

His heart pounding at the thought of her..its almost as if he was falling in love with her. But, that was crazy he loved Milah he spent three hundred years in Neverland to find a way to kill the crocodile and now, he just feels empty.

The dream shade poison did not kill Rumple like he had hoped but, it did give him an insight on how he would feel if he succeeded and did not like it one bit. He realized that he had found a new reason to live, a stubborn sheriff with bright green eyes.

Ever since Baelfire came back into Swan's life he has been pushing her into giving him a second chance. Trying to repair what had been lost. Killian may not know the lass all that well but she did not appear to be the forgiving type. Especially since what ever he did left a big empty space in her heart. One he was determined to fill.

He was walking around Storybrooke trying to get a feel of the place, and its inhabitants now that Cora was gone he did not have to keep his hands near his sword in fear of his heart bring ripped out of his chest and he could finally take in the sight of Storybrooke.

He made his way into Granny's diner and sat down at his usual spot at the bar where he would go to watch Emma from time to time. He did not know if she noticed his glances but he knew that her parents did. More specially Charming.

" You okay"? He asked as he sat next to Killian. He ordered a glass of water and then turned towards Killian with a bit of reluctance and embarrassment he rubbed the back of his head and said, "I'm sorry for punching you in the nose, I have a habit of letting my emotions get to me from time to time".

"Its fine Dave I punched you first, I'm just glad its over. I was so fixated on my revenge that I was willing to do what ever it takes to destroy the crocodile but now I see that it was a means to an end".

Charming nodded he had seen the Pirate around and had known he helped Cora but, he does not want to judge the pirate's character based off a few mistakes. Snow wanted him to welcome him to storybrooke.

" Dave can I ask you something". Killian said with embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his head hesitantly, he was not sure David would want to help him but he could try.

Charming looked at Hook and said, "Yeah what is it"?

"Who does Emma like"?

David laughed and said," Unfortunately, I just met her myself. There is still so much about Emma I do not know. Snow seems pretty set on Neal but I have been rooting for you for a while. "

" I want Emma to know she is not a prize to be won I want to show her that she is a majestic swan that deserves to be loved". But, I did not want to proceed in pursuing your daughter without knowing my intentions first".

Killian said that with such devotion and emotion David could not help but look at Killian with shock he did not know what to think about this man all he could think to say was "Wow". as he was amazed at Hook's love for his daughter.

Killian smirked glad that he rendered the prince speechless and then his smirk fell thinking about this holiday about love... it made it hard for him to cope.

" I think Ruby or Mary Margret would be more useful in deciding what to get Emma. If you plan to ask my daughter out I will allow it but, know this if you break her heart in anyway I will kill you".

David said with such venom and over protective drive towards Emma that Killian raised an eyebrow at the prince wondering if he would truly kill him or not. But, luckily for him he had dealt with far worse threats then death but, David did not need to know that.

" Well I will see you later Hook I got to get back to the station, let me know if you need anything". David said as he walked out of the diner back towards the station.

Killian hoped they never set foot on Neverland. Relieving his brother's passing would be too painful.

Suddenly the diner bell rang and Killian turned towards the door to see who it was. Killian's heart speeding up thousand miles per minute at the sight of Emma. She was not alone her son Henry was with her carting his beloved storybook in his arms looking up at her with a smile.

Suddenly Emma walked up to him with her hands on her hips and said, " I see you got out of the chains I put you in in New York".

Killian smirked and said, " Never understate a pirate love, surviving is what I do best, besides Tamara had found me in the apartment and let me free".

Emma looked over her shoulder to see if her father was still sitting near Hook but she sighed with relief when she could not find him. She sat down next to Hook and then sighed, " About Tamera something does not feel right about her, I tried to tell Neal but he thinks I'm being a jealous ex August risked his life trying to warn us I want to make sure my gut is right".

Killian swallowed and then said, " Why are you confining in me Love? You are intelligent and clever I'm sure you can figure it out, I believe you can do it, you just need to make sure the pieces of the puzzle are in place".

Emma blushed at the intelligent and clever part. She was not used to people complimenting her so easily, she had seen her parents do it, but with Killian it was different. He said with such conviction it was like being comforted by a boyfriend.

What? No! Stop Emma you can't think that why about him! You just came here to see if people other then Henry will believe your story. She scolded in her head. Even though a part of her can't help the butterflies in her stomach when she looks at him.

" Because you are the only one in this town that will probably be able to believe me...My gut has only ever failed me once. And I want to make sure that Tamera is someone I can trust around the people I care about".

Killian nodded thoughtfully and said, " If I were you I would look around her room look for any treasure or clues that might give a hint of her trickery. But, don't ever doubt yourself until you are certain your gut is wrong".

Emma reached out for the coco that She ordered and Killian reached for his drink and somehow her coco ended up near his drink and their fingers brushed together when he attempted to hand it to her.

Emma looked into his eyes her breathing hitched as she saw those oceanic eyes of his that she almost dropped the cup luckily he was there to catch it. Hook set it down near the booth where Henry was sitting and then turned back to Emma.

" Be careful there Swan that could have been quite the spill". He said he raised a eyebrow suggestively as he scratched the back of his head. Emma has watched his behavior closely since he entered Storybrooke enough to know he is as nervous about the situation as she was.

Emma laughed a bit at his teasing and then said, " So I heard that you have given up on your revenge on Gold..Why"? She asked with curiosity and wonder. What is it about this pirate that she keeps going back to..he was the most interesting man she ever met and she has learned about a lot of interesting things since the curse broke.

Killian sighed and said, " Because it was a means to an end I got a glimpse of what would happen if I got my revenge and I was not happy with the results. Besides, I think I have come to accept that three hundred years of revenge is too much its time to let go Mliah would have wanted me to".

Emma smiled and then took his good hand with her own and said, "I'm proud of you Hook you have really changed I knew there was a good man in there somewhere on that beanstalk".

Hook raised an eyebrow and then smirked " Really love if that were true you would have never tied me up there by myself if you thought that way". He then stepped closer and then said, "I wish I could say I did not take pleasure in seeing a girl come out on top".

Emma rolled her eyes as Captain Innuendo came back with vengeance making it hard for her to remain in different to his advances. But, no matter how much she tried to hide it. A part of her was attracted to this pirate whether she liked it or not he was hot.

Emma blushed with embarrassment pushing a few stray hairs out of her face and then said, "Shut up I was desperate to get back to my son, and we were talking about our pasts and the memories that I kept thinking about left me in a very vulnerable state. I could not stand the thought of being hurt again".

Suddenly before he could stop himself the words just slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it, " I would never hurt you Emma, you don't deserve that. You deserve much better then that Swan".

Hook released his hand from her grasp before the resisting the urge to kiss her and hold her in his arms. " You should go to your boy I want to check on The Jolly Rodger you are welcome to come by any time".

Emma smiled and then said, " I would like that". she said as she looked at him as she tugged her hair behind her ear again. Before sitting down at the booth. Without realizing it she had a love struck look on her face as he walked out of the diner.

Henry who was reading the storybook again, looked up from the book and noticed the look on his mom's face. Henry may not have seen them talking but he had heard his mother and Captain Hook talking and he could not remember a time where he had ever seen Emma this happy Henry hoped they got together soon.

Emma snapped out of her thoughts of Hook then said, "Say Kid want to go looking aloud Tamera's room for clues"?

The end...