Who are You?

"Do you remember when I asked you who you were?" Captain Hook asked out of the blue as he and Emma tied down some ropes on the Jolly Roger. Regina had fixed it once they'd finally recovered Henry and right now everyone else was below deck asking him questions about his experiences with Pan. Emma had planned on doing the same once she'd helped Hook set up the ship to leave Neverland, but his question caught her off guard.

"Ye-es," she said warily. A smile tugged at the corner of Hook's mouth as he took in her reaction.

"And you refused to tell me?"

Emma had no idea where this was going. "Ye-es?"

A full grin crossed Hook's face. "I think I've figured it out."

The blonde woman raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Really?"

The pirate's face softened. "I think I've always known," he said, his grin turning a shade shy.

"Uh…huh," she answered, her expression turning from doubtful to unsure.

Hook slowly reached for her hands, giving her time to step away from him. When she didn't, only eyeing him more nervously, he grasped one hand with his and brought it up to his lips before laying a brief kiss on the knuckles. Emma couldn't help but stare and swallow hard at the contact of soft, warm lips. He kept his focus on her hand as he lowered it and rubbed his thumb over her skin. When he brought his attention back up to her eyes, she couldn't take her eyes away.

"I think I already do," he told her softly.

Emma bit her lip. "I…you…" she was at a complete loss for words.

"You're beautiful," he said, stepping closer to her. "Amazing, brilliant…" he trailed off. "A loving mother. A fierce warrior. Loyal to those you care about. Strong in the face of adversity. A survivor…a savior…And the woman who made this dead man's chest feel alive again."

He took her hand and placed it over his chest where his heart was pounding, keeping his own firmly over it so she could feel it. It reminded Emma of when he'd placed that bracelet on her wrist to get up the beanstalk…and when he'd grabbed her hand as she had checked his ribs while he lay on the pavement after Greg had hit him…and she was also reminded of the last time she'd placed her hands on a man's chest like this…

"Are you sure Cora or Regina didn't steal it?" she asked weakly.

"No," he said gently, "You did."

Slowly, he lowered his face to hers, again giving her time to step away. When she didn't, only breathing more unevenly, he pressed his lips to her lightly, allowing his eyes to close. Hers fluttered closed as well, and the two of them stayed like that for a while, sipping at each other's lips. Hook was the one who finally pulled away.

"Go see your son, Emma," he whispered to her as he stepped away.