Author's Note: This story could be considered a sequel to "Man to Man", occurring at the same time, or it could stand alone by itself. Up to you. :)

Emma Swan couldn't sleep. She should be exhausted. Rescuing Henry from Neverland was the biggest and most challenging adventure she'd faced so far, but they had done it and were currently on their way back home, to Storybrooke. So why wasn't she fast asleep? Cherishing the opportunity to finally get a proper rest now that she knew Henry was safe?

Tossing and turning, Emma sighed slightly. Her mother's voice from the bed below her filled the quiet room. "Emma, are you awake?" Snow whispered. Finally settling on her back, Emma looked at the ceiling above her. "I don't know why, but yes." she sighed.

"I know the feeling." Snow replied. Clearing her throat, she continued. "So are you ever going to tell Hook how you feel about him?" she asked nonchalantly, as if she had just discussed this with her earlier that day.

Emma's eyes widened. "What?!" she whispered. Getting up from the bed and climbing down to Snow's level, she asked "What are you talking about?". Snow settled onto her side and rested her head on her hand. "Cmon Emma, I see the way you are with him. So does your father. You can try to hide it, but we see it."

Shaking her head, Emma spoke. "I don't have feelings for Hook." she said. Glaring at her, Snow spoke. "It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself of that more than me." Emma was silent. Sitting up, Snow reached for Emma's hand and brought her to sit next to her. "Those walls of yours Emma. They may keep out pain. But they can also keep out love."

Emma swallowed, silent. Snow pressed on. "You can't keep your walls up so high all the time. I'll admit, my first impression of Hook was that he was nothing more than a pirate out for revenge. But….after this adventure we've just been on, I've seen a difference. And I know a lot of that has to do with you. Are you really just going to keep your feelings bottled up for the rest of your life?"

Emma stood suddenly, her back to her mother.. She swallowed, willing her eyes not to well up as they were threatening to. "Emma." her mother said, her tone asking her to let her in. After a moment, finally, Emma sighed heavily and turned to face her mother, her eyes shining slightly. "I…..I don't want to feel this way. I hate feeling this way. I hate that I care about him. I hate how things between us have…shifted since we got here. I don't know what to do." she finished as her mother brought her into her arms and stroked the back of her hair.

"Oh, Emma." Snow said. "Love is the most amazing feeling in this entire world. Fairytale or not. You have to take a chance. I know you've been hurt in the past, but I'm sure he has to. He's probably just as scared as you are. But I know what I see between the two of you. You'd be crazy not to at least allow yourself to explore it."

Gently pulling back from her mother's embrace, Emma sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Stupid pirate." she mumbled, closing her eyes. "I mean, how could this even work? If he feels the same, I mean. I have Henry to think about."

Snow tilted her head. "First of all, I know he feels the same. You should have seen his face when that giant plant thing grabbed you. And second, the man risked his life to save Henry. To help us, to help you. And from what I've seen so far, Henry has nothing against him. I don't think you have to worry about that. You're trying to come up with reasons why it wouldn't work, Emma. Think of the one reason why it would.

Emma bit her lip, thinking. Finally, she closed her eyes and sighed.

"Stupid pirate." she mumbled.

End.