Surprise! Didn't think I was coming back for this one did you? Wow, sorry for the RIDICULOUSLY long wait guys but I honestly didn't know where I was going with this one until a few days ago. Without any further delay, ladies and gentlemen - chapter five! Enjoy!

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"I swear to god," Emma said as Killian took her by the hand and began leading her to her living room, "If you start towards my room I will beat you into unconsciousness with Henry's wiffle ball bat," she warned him, "I'm not even going to ask you what the bloody hell a wiffle ball bat is," Hook replied with a measure of amusement, "and simply trust the experience would be most unpleasant." Hook stood her in front of her love seat and gently pushed her shoulders to sit her down in it. He then limped to the couch across from her to sit down himself. She gave him a funny look, admittedly she had not seen him putting so much distance between them as part of his little 'game.'

"Ok, I'm curious," she said, leaning forward and putting her elbows on her knees.

"Surprised I hope?" he asked, demonstrating by giving her mock look of shock.

"Well, I was half expecting you to suggest drunk twister or something." He frowned at her curiously.

"Twister?"

"You'd love it, involves alcohol and getting tangled up with other people." She actually watched him swallow, like he was tempted to pull at an imaginary collar that was suddenly too tight. Emma laughed, very nearly snorted actually, god she was so buzzed right now.

"Don't blush Hook, it'll ruin your rep."

"I believe I'll be getting you to explain that particular amusement at a later date," he said, a tipsy grin spreading over his face. Why did they both have to be tipsy again? Ah hell it didn't matter, Emma had decided she was going to take a break from caring – a decision greased a little by the wine she suspected.

"Ok, so we're sitting very far away from each other – now what?" she asked, still giggling a little.

"I shall divine things about you, if I am correct then you must move closer to me." That impish glint in his eye was back, so very playful and mischievous. Emma mockingly raised one of her brows in her best imitation of him.

"And if you're wrong?" she asked. He made a gracious yet lazy gesture towards the door, the wine taking its toll on him as well.

"Then you move closer to the door, if you get there I will usher myself through it and be gone that much sooner." He held up one finger, "however if you get all the way to me, I win a freely given kiss." He opened his hand as he looked at her, a non verbal inquiry as to whether or not she found these terms agreeable. Emma seemed to measure the distance between them with her eyes before giving a slight, amused shake of her head.

"You don't agree?"

"Oh I agree," she said, "I just don't think you can do it before you run out of time," she sighed, trying very hard not to smirk and failing badly. Hook very much enjoyed this relaxed, wickedly playful woman in front of him, he didn't think he'd ever seen her so... comfortable in his presence before. Emma was being continually surprised by him as well, it was like he wanted to show her that he was chasing her not just because he thought she was beautiful, but because he liked who she was.

"Then I thank the gods you set no rules, perhaps I will be able to 'cheat the clock' as they say." Emma made a big show of lifting her arm to look at her wrist.

"Well according to my watch-"

"You're not wearing a watch, Swan."

"-you only have ten minutes," she said loudly, ignoring his astute observation, "best get to cheating." Hook leaned forward, one hand on his knee so he could rest his chin on his knuckles as his ice blue eyes fluttered over her, drinking everything in, like he were reading some fine print hidden in an exquisite painting. Emma was surprised by how avidly he poured his concentration into just looking at her, she felt a little... vulnerable under that stare.

"You," he said at last, voice serious enough to make her a just little anxious, "are a blond." Emma just stared at him for a moment; then she bust out laughing as she got to her feet.

"That was so cheap I could have bought it in a bargain bin at CVS."

"Should have made a rule," he shrugged, crooking his finger at her with a wink. It should not be humanly possible to wield the amount sex appeal he did. She still, however had the sober will power to outwardly ignore it as she shook her head.

"Nuh-uh," she said, "I'll stand for that one but that does not buy you a step cabin boy."

"Come now Emma, first name basis for tonight," he chastised. He took a sweeping look around him, apparently noting all he saw.

"I'll think about it," she replied as she watched him.

"You've lived a wanders life," he said after a moment, "you constantly moved about the map, never spending much time in one place." Emma blinked, surprised by the deeper insight in this answer. He patiently waited to see if she would come closer to him or the door. Emma looked around, trying to spot the things that had led him to his conclusion.

"Takes one to know one love," he said when her eyes landed on him again. Slowly Emma took a step forward and he grinned wider, pleased.

"Haven't won anything yet Sherlock," she reminded him.

"You should have to take another step for grossly misremembering my name." Her pop-culture wit was wasted on Hook as usual, but she refused to give up because she was funny damn it!

"Coming from the pirate who constantly resorts to pet names?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"Endearments darling, they're suppose to be endearing," he countered, giving her a pouty look. Ok, how in the blue hell did he make pouting flirtatious?

"Well, they might start endearing my hand to your face," she shrugged.

"Have to come a little closer for that. You tend towards a hostile disposition when flustered." Emma grit her teeth and resisted the urge to threaten more physical violence which would only prove his point as she took another step towards him.

"You find me attractive," he said slyly.

"Even if I did cabin boy, I would not swell your head by admitting it."

"Ah, ah," he said waving his finger "If you really wish to give a sporting chance there can be no evasiveness or lies," Hook said, watching her ever so carefully.

"And my name is Killian, say it with me love." Emma ignored that but he was thrilled when after a moment of glaring at him she took a step forward, (though she made it such a small step it barely counted as moving) he found himself grinning from ear to ear.

"Come now, half a step at least."

"No rules saying I have too. You make the top three by the way," she shrugged, clearly trying to wind him up and downplay her admission. That there were even two others jabbed at the jealous part of him, but he forced himself to push it down.

"Top of the top three?" he asked undeterred, wearing that crooked smirk and one brow raised high. To his extreme displeasure she took a step back.

"Tsk, tsk, that wasn't an insight." Emma said smugly, evading the question.

"No rules saying I can't ask questions."

"No rules saying you can," she answered smugly. There was saucy and then there was playing with fire, Emma was juggling both. As a pirate he didn't share much, not even room on a list. He vowed that when he won this little game he would kiss her with such passion it would sear away even the memory or thought of anyone else. Emma was grateful for the excuse to step back, the space between them was closing alarmingly fast, fast enough she still wasn't sure if she wanted him to win or not. Hook decided now was the time to use a much older observation about her that he'd tucked away in his mind for safe keeping.

"Very well – you like being a mother." Emma found her next breath suddenly coming to her a little shakier at how personal that nature of his insight was, did he really know her so well? Was he actually trying to get to know her during all these shenanigans between them? Without really deciding too Emma tested the waters of that question.

"I'll take two steps forward if you tell me why." He pursed his lips slightly, saying nothing for a time.

"Because he loves you, gives you roots, home and family; he gives you a reason not to wander." Silence; Emma didn't move for a long time. Then, without a word, Emma took two generous steps towards Hook, leaving her knee's virtually touching his. He craned is neck to look up at her, leaning his back into the couch.

"Next assumption," she prompted when neither spoke or moved.

"I don't assume Swan, and I don't think you can get much closer." Emma had already admitted she liked this game, and not just the one they were playing. She enjoyed the entire dynamic that had grown between them. He was always surprising her and making her laugh and driving her around the goddamn bend, it was never boring.

She remembered the night he'd told her love was suppose to be fun, he practically made the words interchangeable when he was with her. It was something she'd had too little of in her life, and he'd asked her if she was enjoying it. The sincere question was in his eyes again, right now – are you having fun? And if the answer had been no, she knew without a doubt he'd leave.

But the answer wasn't no.

"Care to test the theory?" she asked. She swore she saw his pulse speed up when she asked, his eyes suddenly alight with something that bordered on hilarious, devastating and cute.

"You'll never have more fun with any other man than you will with me," he said. Emma came closer – by sitting in his lap. His arm looped around her waist to pull her close, leaving them staring into each others eyes from mere centimeters away. He smelled the strawberry red of the wine on her breath and she on his, lips almost touching but not quite...

That's about when the door opened.

"Mom!" Henry yelled, stomping into the apartment distractedly, huffing as if he'd run up the stairs. Every bloody time! Hook thought as Emma's eyes nearly bugged out of her head and she immediately tried to extract herself from his lap.

"I forgot my-" Henry froze as he watched Emma flail from Hook's lap and crashed onto the floor, then as she desperately scrambled to right herself. Hook tried to get up and help her to her feet, only to join her with something between a cry and a grunt when he put too much pressure on his bad foot and fell over her. Henry was still just staring at the two of them when they both finally managed to get to their feet.

"Nope, nothing in your eye Hook! Nothing at all!" Emma said in an overly loud voice, clearly flustered as hell as she straightened her shirt.

"Ah... yes, good," Hook said, the desire to tease her almost irresistible "I was... worried." He looked on the verge of smirking, the way he said the last word making it sound like he was saying something else entirely; completely irresistible. The quick look she gave him said a lot, actually it mostly just said 'I will kill you and no one will find the body.'

"Henry, kid!" Emma said, sounding as if she'd run up just as many stairs as Henry did and had only now just noticed him. As soon as she said it she realized how idiotic it sounded since everyone was well aware of how aware they all were and she now wanted to punch herself in the face.

"Why were you sitting on captain Hook?" Henry asked, looking both confused and disturbed, "There is literally the whole couch and an extra chair."

"Henry what are you doing here?" Emma asked, hoping to god her face wasn't as red as it felt.

"I forgot my toothbrush... Sorry, still lost, why were you sitting on Hook?" he asked again, looking suspiciously at Killian.

"Like I just said just now, I was checking if there was something in his eye," Emma repeated lamely. She heard Killian chuckle under his breath and pressed her foot over his good one, threatening to stomp on it if he dared laugh. He quieted down pretty damn quick.

"Uh-huh..." God, even her 11 year old thought she was a full of shit. Henry looked between them a few times before asking, "do pirates have very bad eyes?"

"Constant need of checking," Hook replied seriously.

"You should see an eye doctor," Henry recommended.

"Then I'd have to stop seeing your mother."

"Right then! Lets get that toothbrush!" Emma said brightly, quickly motioning Henry to follow her, "Come on, don't want to keep your friend waiting!"

Henry seemed to decide Emma had a point and bound past Hook down the hall after her. Hook watched Emma get the lad what he came for, watched her double check with him to be sure he hadn't forgotten anything else; despite the unwelcome interruption he found it enjoyable to watch how she was with Henry. When she was sure he indeed had all he required Emma led him back to the door, sweeping past Hook to the door with Henry in tow. Killian smirked at the lad and gave him a friendly two finger salute.
Henry however, did not seem as amiable towards him; the young lad pointed to his eyes and then at Hook.

"Hope you could make that out with your bad eyesight," Henry said just loud enough for Hook to hear as he passed. Hook did his absolute best not to laugh, seemed her son had inherited her protective nature - the boy was most definitely a Charming. Henry hugged Emma before leaving out the door, his quick footsteps echoing down the hall as he ran along. Hook laughed as Emma bumped her head against the closed door with a dull 'thud.'

"Dear sweet baby Jesus that was close," Emma sighed into the wood. Hook came to be next to her, back pressed against the wall by the door as he looked at her.

"I'm starting to think every member of your family's soul aim is to interrupt us."

"Maybe it's a sign, we are both kinda drunk and it's getting late," Emma sighed, which was stupid because no, it wasn't that late and her buzz had actually mostly dissipated at this point. Her statement still made Hook frown.

"The only signs I take are from the skies I sail under, or the lass I'm with." Emma turned her head so her cheek was still pressed to the door and gave him a sincere lopsided smile.

"Sorry Captain, we're at the door – and your time's up," she said stepping back and pulling the door open. She watched as a moment of surprise flowed across his face, then he looked at her like she'd managed to trick him somehow and he wasn't sure if he admired her for it or was miffed by it.

"You're not the only one who doesn't play fair," she shrugged.

"Clearly," he said, "I'll remember that for the next round." So close...

"Perhaps our next interlude will go completely uninterrupted," he smiled, stepping out into the hall.

"Killian." He smiled a little as she said his name, turning on his heel to look back and wish her some flirtatious goodbye. But he couldn't, his voice caught in his throat as he found her face mere inches from his own.

"Don't forget your winnings," she whispered. She only meant for it to be a light kiss, something quick but, well, nice – but that wasn't how it ended up being. She started to kiss him, and quite suddenly she just... forgot how to stop. His hand slid against he cheek and somehow that light touch parted her mouth and she felt the nip of teeth on her lower lip. Killian let his eyes close as every breath came to him faster and faster until he felt dizzy; you'd think he'd never bloody kissed a woman before.

To be fair, he'd never kissed one like her. They broke form the kiss and both were left standing there, gasping for air as they stared at one another. Emma's heart raced in her chest as she held onto the door frame tightly to hide the fact her knees were weak. Like, actually weak, which is fucking ridiculous – that doesn't happen in real life.

She thinks to herself after kissing Captain Hook, god, my fucking life sometimes.

"That was..." Hook begins, voice deliciously breathy.

"I... need to go to bed," Emma said, hoping she sounds a bit more composed than she feels, feeling stupid because no, she doesn't have to go to bed.

"Of course," he clears his throat, still looking dazed, "until the next time," he says, turning a bit slowly to walk away as she closed the door. Emma immediately let her back hit the door as she allowed herself to try to catch her breath. Damn...

She leaned there in the silence for a bit, frowning at how quiet it was now that he'd gone. Why did she always send him away when she didn't actually want him to go? Emma pressed the heel of her hand against her eyelids and shook her head.

"You just do," she said to the empty room. Now it was just the clock ticking loudly in the kitchen, the whirl of the fan in her-
Emma jumped at the loud interruption to her thoughts in the form of someone knocking on the door. Emma threw it open before consciously deciding to do so. There stood Hook, amazing blue eyes just a little wide, just a hint unsure.

"No rules on how long it has to be till next time, yes?"

"Oh thank God." Emma said it without really giving her mouth permission to say it, words just sort of tumbling out. He smiled, that big mischievous, handsome, shit eating sun of a smile.

"Killian, you had it a moment ago Emma."

"Shut up and kiss me." He leaned in to oblige her, lips pressing to hers and melting away the world as her hands wrapped into his leather jacket. She pulled him inside the apartment and his bad foot kicked the door shut behind them.

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Thank you for reading everybody, much luvs! It's been fun!