How Deep Is Your Love

Chapter One

As Emma walked out of Granny's Diner in somewhat of a hurry later that night after their first confrontation against the Snow Queen, she quickly glanced to her right and found Hook having a drink from his flask while he was sitting alone at the same table from when they had returned from the past where they had kissed again since their one passionate kiss they had shared back in Neverland. Only this time, the kisses they shared were because they wanted to kiss, as Emma finally realized she cared for Killian more than she could ever admit before.

Killian had risked everything to go after her when she fell through Zelena's time portal to protect her and in doing so, he helped her see that Storybrooke was her home after all, despite her effort to fight against who she was while she continued to push him away. Then he admitted he had traded his ship, his only home for the last three hundred years and the one thing that meant more to him than anything else in the world until he met Emma Swan, in order to get back to her when he suddenly appeared in New York.

His confession had been a shock as she realized that no one has ever done anything so selfless and amazing for her. Yet earlier this afternoon, Killian risked his life needlessly while looking for danger in attempt to try to protect Emma again, this time from the Snow Queen and nearly got himself killed in the process.

While she kept on walking past him, it was clear Emma was still angry with him, but Hook made a gesture for her to join him as he called out to her saying, "Swan! Don't make a man drink alone."

Still annoyed, Emma replied coldly, "Not in the mood for a drink or a man."

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you today," he answered as she walked out into the middle of the street while he swiftly chased after her, then finally used his hook to grab hold of the crook of her elbow to turn her around so that she was facing him. "All right, I know you feel like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders. But at some point, even though we're quite different, you've got to trust me."

"That's what you think this is about?" she asked while she stared at him in surprise. "That I don't trust you?"

Hook looked back at her feeling slightly confused as he asked, "Is that not what it's about?"

The blonde woman responded firmly, "Of course I trust you."

"Then why do you keep pulling away from me?" he asked again in frustration upon raising his voice in anger.

"Because everyone I've ever been with is dead," Emma cried out with fear, his eyes softening upon hearing her confession as she continued to admit how she felt as though she was desperate to get the hard truth she had been hiding from him all this time out into the open. "Neal and Graham. Even Walsh. I lost everyone. I... I can't lose you, too."

Tears came to her eyes as Killian kept his gaze on her, his expression being one of comfort while he replied brazenly, "Well, love, you don't have to worry about me. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's surviving."

Emma's own face softened while he continued to look into her eyes for a few moments and she into his before Killian suddenly pulled Emma firmly against him and began to kiss her passionately. This time, just like when they had kissed days ago, her instinct to push him away never came as she continued to kiss him back, not wanting this moment between them to end.

Meanwhile, from within a large ice cave deep within the woods surrounding the small town of Storybrooke, the Snow Queen stood in front of a priceless ancient mirror while her eyes became cold as she watched Emma and the dark and handsome man with only one hand and a hook in place of the other, whom she had tried to kill earlier that afternoon, kiss after the Savior had admitted her fear of losing him.

Ingrid had been living in Storybrooke for a few years now and of course has seen them around together, but the pirate always appeared to be chasing the blonde woman around. She knew that they were friends, but the Snow Queen didn't realize Emma reciprocated Hook's feelings that he obviously felt for her until now. It made her angry as she knew it was going to be harder for her to fulfill her plans for the Savior, and Elsa too, so long as he was around to remind Emma of her true strength.

When she could no longer continue to watch the love between them, Ingrid left the comforts of her cave and strolled out into woods under the cloak of night for a walk in order to think of her next course of action. However, it wasn't long before she was disturbed when she came upon Gold, the owner of the pawnshop where she first learned about the town she arrived in upon leaving her own world without revealing her true identity to the small man she knew to be the Dark One.

They talked of the question as to whether or not the Savior remembered who the Snow Queen was and then Rumpelstiltskin offered his services so that she would be able to succeed in her plans. However, Ingrid immediately dismissed him until she mentioned that she just might come to him in the future, then he recommended that she find shelter, not knowing she had already done so.

When Gold believed their conversation had ended, he started to walk away until the woman called out to him as she stated, "Wait! Perhaps you could answer me one question that wouldn't require me to make any kind of deal."

"It certainly never hurts to ask," Mr. Gold answered coolly as he smiled. "But of course it depends on the question, dearie. What would you like to know?"

"What is it that you know about the pirate in love with Emma?" Ingrid continued, causing him to face her again in interest.

Rumple sneered and then responded, "I probably know more about him than anyone else in this entire town. And I certainly should, seeing as Hook's been my greatest enemy for centuries. Why do you ask?"

The Snow Queen cautiously moved closer to the other villain standing before her as she replied, "Earlier this afternoon I was attempting to teach a lesson to Elsa until I was interrupted when Emma and her father appeared to rescue Captain Hook. And then tonight, I watched as they kissed after she admitted she was afraid to lose him. Just how deep is their love?"

"The pirate is quite clear as to how he feels about Miss. Swan," he answered snidely. "I do find it quite nauseating myself. He acts as though he's a lovesick puppy dog. As for the Savior, she's taken quite a bit longer to make her feelings for him known, although ever since he has arrived here in Storybrooke and has begun to change his ways, it's been clear to me that she does indeed have feelings for him as well. However, I believe her walls she has put up around her heart has made it difficult for her to accept her feelings for him."

"Perhaps, but it appears he's found a way to begin in knocking them down," Ingrid responded coldly. "I can't have that happen. In order for me to fulfill my plans for Emma, I need to first convince her that all those she loves will only hurt her in the end, especially him. I need him out of the way. Tell me what you know. And I may be able to find a way to rid us both of this enemy."