DISCLAIMER: "Once Upon A Time" is copyrighted to ABC and Disney-ABC Domestic Television. I retain rights to the plot, but not the characters. This story is meant for enjoyment purposes only. No infringement is intended. Any dialogue from the show is not mine but belongs to the wonderful writer's of Once Upon A Time.

AUTHOR: Katrina

TIMELINE: Set after "Quiet Minds" and does its own thing from there. Minor spoilers.

PAIRING: Captain Hook/Emma Swan, Captain Swan - some Outlaw Queen and Snowing

SYNOPSIS: "What the hell did you do that for? You could've been killed," Emma Swan accused loudly as she stalked up to the one-handed pirate who had just blocked and eventually killed a rather nasty looking flying monkey that had been almost on top of her. "I thought it was obvious, Swan. I was saving your life."

GENRE: A little bit of everything – hurt/comfort, romance, fluff, drama, humour, angst…

RATING: T apart from chapter 20 which is rated M.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first story for this particular fandom! It is predominantly an ABC challenge I've set myself and the chapters will comprise of oneshots, vignettes, drabbles and ficlets for each letter of the alphabet. I hope/intend that in the end the story will read as one whole arc but it won't necessarily pick up from the place the previous chapter ended. There will be different POV's though mainly it will be either Hook or Emma and the story will revolve around their relationship. This story diverges from canon but I will dip back into it from time to time and add my own spin of things.

Anyway, I hope you'll give it a chance and enjoy your read :)

GLIMPSES OF LOVE AND AFFECTION

HOPE: (noun) A feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen.

"What the hell did you do that for? You could've been killed," Emma Swan accused loudly as she stalked up to the one-handed pirate who had just blocked and eventually killed a rather nasty looking flying monkey that had been almost on top of her.

"I thought it was obvious, Swan. I was saving your life," Killian Jones, or Captain Hook as he was better known, replied through gritted teeth. He slowly straightened up and wiped at his bloodied mouth before facing the angry Saviour.

"At what could've been the expense of your own?" she retorted incredulously. The tiny flicker of hope he had that she actually cared was promptly dashed when she added harshly, "Don't do it again, Hook. I don't need your death on my conscience too."

The reminder of Baelfire's untimely demise a mere three days before sufficiently quelled his urge to automatically rebuff her comments and he merely pressed his bruised lips together as she spun around and walked quickly away from him.

He glanced around at David Nolan and Robin Hood who had borne witness to their altercation and received commiserating looks from both men.

"I'll go make sure she's all right," said David quietly. He turned away then paused and looked back over his shoulder with grateful smile before adding, "Thanks, Hook."

The pirate gave him a brief nod of acknowledgement then looked down. He didn't want or need thanks for saving the Prince's daughter. His actions were inherent of his feelings for her; it was as natural as breathing to protect her whether she wanted him to or, what was more usually the case, not.

"Let's get back before more of those abominations appear, shall we?" Robin suggested lightly, breaking the silence that had descended upon the remaining two men. He walked past the pirate and gave him a companionable slap on the back only to stop and turn in concern as Hook emitted a hiss of pain.

"What's wrong?" the thief queried with a frown. "Are you hurt?"

The pirate drew in an unsteady breath and nodded before carefully pulling his coat back with his hand. He turned his body slightly and the thief saw a bloody wound just above the lumbar region on his right side.

"Dear God, did that thing bite you?" Robin asked worriedly.

His grip tightened around his crossbow as he awaited the answer. He knew only too well that it wouldn't be long before the pirate changed form if that were the case. He'd lost a close friend to the Witch's monstrosities and he'd hate to be the one who had to inform the Saviour that the pirate had suffered the same fate. He highly doubted that she'd take the news well.

"No. Damn simian grabbed my hook when we struggled and got in a lucky blow," the captain admitted with a grimace, "Stings like the bloody Devil."

Relief flooded through the thief and he lowered his crossbow before quickly walking back to his companion. He bent and inspected the puncture wound then, after a couple of decidedly firm prods, for which Hook could have happily thumped him, he straightened up and smiled slightly.

"It appears to have stopped bleeding so lucky for you it's not deep. Once it's cleaned up it will be fine," he declared casually before adding in a slightly regrettable tone, "Your waistcoat on the other hand is a different matter entirely. The leather's done for, my friend."

Hook's eyes widened and he immediately looked down. Ignoring the painful protest of his body, he twisted around and tried to see the damage for himself. Unfortunately, due to the location of the wound, all he could glimpse was a piece of black material sticking out. He'd have to take his clothing off when he got back to town and ascertain the damage for himself. He let out a small huff of annoyance and looked over at Robin with a scowl.

"Thanks, mate," he replied sourly as he let his coat drop back into place and stalked off, brushing past the archer as he headed back to where Emma had parked her car.

Robin shook his head and followed after the pirate with a wry smile.

Considering the way the day was going, Hook wouldn't have been at all surprised if he had found both the Saviour and her contraption gone. Thankfully, he was proved wrong when he came upon the road a couple of minutes later. However, even from a distance in the waning light of the evening he could tell from her agitated pacing that Emma was still as furious as hell.

"Look," he began, hand and hook held up in supplication as he approached, but the blonde quickly cut him off.

"Just get in," she ordered tersely, pointing at her car as he drew near.

Hook raised an eyebrow at her tone, the insistent throb of his injured side doing nothing to help his own irritable mood. She'd been snapping at him since Baelfire's death and while he understood her pain, he simply wasn't prepared to continue to be her emotional punch bag…not for the rest of this day at least.

"I'll go back with David if it's all the same to you, Swan," he announced coolly.

A flash of surprise closely followed by one of hurt crossed her face for a moment and Hook suddenly found himself stepping forward to try to apologise before he'd even realised what he was doing.

"Emma…"

"Don't," she warned icily, her expression growing as cold as her tone.

Hook immediately stopped and wondered if he'd imagined her upset simply to convince himself that he mattered to her in some way. He watched her turn away then get into her car and start the engine. Realising she was leaving alone, he glanced over at Robin and nodded towards the vehicle with a pleading gaze. Quickly understanding the gesture, the outlaw pulled open the passenger door just as she began to pull off.

"Might I join you?" he enquired courteously.

She must have said yes because moments later Robin looked over and gave the pirate an almost imperceptible nod then got in.

Hook stared after the vehicle as it sped away then, when he could see it no longer, he slowly walked over to David's truck and got in without a word. He could sense the Prince staring at him but he refused to acknowledge it. He just wanted to get back to his room and try and ease the awful pain he felt, both physically and emotionally.

"She just needs some time," David commented quietly, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"Aye, we all do, mate," Hook countered flatly.

The Prince studied the other man for a moment then sighed but said no more. He knew the pirate blamed himself in part for Neal's death but ultimately; there was nothing that could've been done to save him. He started the truck and drove Hook back to town, only breaking the silence between them when they reached the outskirts.

"You want me to drop you at Granny's to get something to eat?" he queried.

"No, it's been a long week and as there is no meeting this evening I think I shall retire early," Hook replied.

"Are you sure?" David asked incredulously. At the pirate's nod he quelled the urge to press further and simply added, "So, are you still staying at the bed and breakfast?"

"Yes. I prefer to be to hand while there's a wicked witch running around," Hook answered flippantly, the white lie dropping easily from his lips.

He wasn't ready to reveal that he didn't have the Jolly Roger anymore. Not that anyone had bothered to ask. Why would they? He was nothing more than a pirate to them. Only interested in one adventure after another apparently. Emma's words that day in the woods still smarted whenever he thought of them but it had been too good of an opportunity to miss so he'd grabbed onto her misapprehension with both hands…metaphorically speaking, of course.

He was jarred out of his musings when David came to a halt outside of the bed and breakfast and alighted out of the vehicle before the Prince could kill the engine.

"Thanks," he acknowledged with a forced smile before shutting the door behind him.

Not waiting to hear if the Prince responded, Hook turned then walked quickly up the steps and entered the inn. He made his way to the solace of his room and locked the door behind him then divested himself of his long leather coat and sword. After carefully setting them down on a nearby chair, he let out a pained sigh and headed into the small en suite.

Standing in front of the mirror, he leaned in closer and ran a finger over his lip. There was a small, still bloody cut near one corner but it certainly wasn't as swollen as it felt for which he was grateful. He straightened up and took a step back then turned to the side to get a better view of his other injury.

It was as bad as he feared. His tunic was indeed, 'done for', as Robin had told him. Muttering a rather colourful curse, he turned away and slowly unbuckled his belt then unfastened his leather garment. Moving to the doorway, he took it off then placed it on top of his coat before stepping back into the small bathroom where he then attempted to off pull his shirt. The material tugged painfully on his laceration where the blood had dried making it feel as though the black cloth was glued to his tender skin. Not caring whether he would start the bleeding again or not, he was about to just yank the shirt away from the wound when there came a loud knocking on his door.

He stilled then looked up and frowned. He wasn't expecting company and if there was trouble someone usually called him on the device they called a telephone in the corner of his room. A wonderful invention that was but one of many things he'd encountered during his stays that proved calling this world 'the land without magic' was quite the misnomer.

The rapping came again and he took a few steps towards the door, only pausing to pick up his sword where it lay on the chair. He always found it best to be prepared, even though he highly doubted that the Wicked Witch would announce herself to him by doing something as mundane as knocking.

"Who is it?" he called out, readying his blade.

"It's me, Emma, let me in," came back the Saviour's muffled, but quite obviously irritated, voice.

Hook froze in shock. Never in a million years had it entered his head that it would be the woman he loved standing outside his door. The thought that it could be a trick passed fleetingly through his mind but when she spoke again he trusted his instincts and put his sword back down.

"Are you going to open this damn door, Hook, or am I going to have to break it down?" he heard her demand as the handle rattled furiously.

Fearing something terrible must have happened for her to come to him, Hook hurried over and turned the key in the lock. He pulled open the door and felt his stomach drop when he saw her furious countenance.

"What's wrong?" he immediately asked in concern. "Is it the Witch? What has she done?"

Emma shot him a glare then shook her head and stalked past him into the room. He closed the door and turned to find her staring back at him expectantly with arms folded.

"Well?" she queried sharply, her gaze quickly darting down his body and back up to his face again. "Let's see it."

Hook stared at her blankly for a few seconds at a loss to understand what she was talking about until it suddenly dawned on him that she was most likely referring to his injury. A spark of annoyance flared when he realised that Robin had probably been the one to tell her. That blabbermouth. He'd have to speak with the archer tomorrow. Right now he had to deal with the Saviour who looked as though she could cheerfully throttle him.

"Bit forward aren't you, Swan?" Hook replied with a quirk of his eyebrow. "Coming into my bed chamber alone and demanding to see…it."

Her eyes narrowed at the obvious innuendo of his words but his goading was as automatic as his hand that was already reaching for his shirt to do as she'd asked. He grimaced slightly as he gave the cloth a swift tug then lifted the material up and turned his body to the side with a resigned sigh.

Emma glanced down at the skin he'd exposed and audibly drew in a breath before looking back up at him with censure in her gaze.

"I don't want you to ever pull a stunt like that again, you understand?" she told him coldly.

"You mean save your life?" Hook retorted impassively as he let go of his shirt. He shook his head and added, "You can ask anything else of me, Swan, but not that."

"Why not?" she demanded taking a step towards him. "Don't you think I've already lost enough people I cared about in my life?"

"Don't you think I have as well?" he countered, his own ire rising. He also took a step towards her and then another right up into her personal space before adding roughly, "I'll not lose you too, Emma, and I think you know well enough why."

Silence followed his outburst as Emma stared at him in shock, searching his face for the truth of his words.

It was as close to a confession of his feelings aloud as he'd ever dared come and it had surprised him almost as much as hearing her suggest that she cared about him. Not wishing to compound his error of revealing so much of himself to her, he stood quietly and waited to see how she'd react. If she were true to form whenever her feelings were involved, she'd be heading out of the door any moment now.

The silence stretched on between them then she suddenly blinked and looked down. Hook steeled himself for her leaving but for the first time since he'd known her, she didn't walk away. Instead, she looked up at him again, a faint blush colouring her cheeks as she nodded over to the bed.

"Sit down, I'll clean you up," she offered quietly.

"No, you don't have to…" he automatically began to protest even though his heart begged him to remain silent.

"Yes. I do," she cut in firmly as she turned away and started pulling gauze and antiseptic wipes from her pockets, "You won't be able reach the wound properly."

He watched her place the medical items on a small table nearby and felt a pang of disappointment. She may not have run but considering her words, it was clear that it was only because she felt she had no option other than to help him.

The small flicker of hope that had ignited within him when she'd stood her ground faded quickly. Sometimes the protective walls around her heart appeared insurmountable, even to someone such as he who was dedicated to scaling those great heights no matter what. Letting out a sigh of resignation, he sat down on the edge of the bed nearest to her and waited patiently for her to begin.

Emma turned then dropped down onto one knee by the side of him. She gestured for him to lift up his shirt again and he obliged immediately only to grit his teeth against the pain as she began dabbing an antiseptic wipe over his wound with a less than gentle touch.

"You're lucky this wasn't a lot deeper," she muttered accusingly as she cleaned away the dried blood.

"Aye," he gasped, his body jerking as the cleansing fluid burned like fire into the raw flesh of his open wound.

Emma glanced up at him but although she didn't say anything, the pirate noted that her touch became distinctly gentler. She finished cleaning his injury then applied a couple of butterfly stitches before covering it with some gauze.

"Thank you," he said gratefully as she stood up and dumped the soiled wipes onto the table.

"I'm not finished," she told him, reaching for some more wipes.

He looked up at her quizzically, his eyes widening slightly as he felt her hand cup him gently under the chin and tilt his head back. Caught unawares by her actions, he didn't even register the sting of the antiseptic when Emma leaned in and began to carefully clean his injured lip.

The familiar flowery scent of her soap wafted over him, swirling around his head and assailing his senses causing his breath to catch. He hadn't prepared himself for this and she was so close. So close. His gaze dropped to her lips, so tantalising, so perfect. The fingers on his hand curled in on themselves, fisting into the bed cover as he fought the near irresistible urge to reach up and clasp the back of her head then pull her to him for a searing kiss just like the one they'd shared in Neverland.

Just a 'one time thing' she'd called it and so far she'd been right but he still hoped that one day…

"There, all done," Emma said softly, but she didn't move away.

He dragged his blue eyes from her mouth and looked up to see her staring back at him intently. Everything around them seemed to blur as their gazes locked and Hooks' breath came out in a rush when she seemed to sway towards him slightly. He felt his heart begin to pound in his chest in anticipation of her kiss, but then she stilled. Confusion suddenly clouded her eyes quickly followed by fear and he could only watch helplessly as, moments later, she backed away almost knocking into the small table in her haste to be gone from him.

Hook briefly closed his eyes then took a deep breath and slowly stood up. She was already opening the door by the time he'd turned around but instead of leaving without a word as he'd expected, Emma paused for a moment then looked back at him.

"You…want to go and get something to eat?" she asked a little uncertainly.

Although taken aback by her sudden offer, Hook wasn't about to let an invitation like that go by.

"I'd like that very much," he replied with a smile.

Emma watched him grab his coat and put it on then headed out into the corridor with him close behind.

"So is this what you call a 'date'?" Hook queried brightly as he followed her out into the cool evening air.

"No," she answered sharply, looking at him with wide eyes before clarifying, "We're friends, this is just a friendly dinner, that's all."

Hook merely grinned at her response feeling happier than he had in a long while. For the second time that evening she hadn't run away from him and on this occasion it had been her choice. It was a huge step forward whether she was ready to acknowledge it yet or not.

"Just thought I'd ask, Swan," he told her lightly as he fell into step beside her, "A man can hope, can't he?"

She looked over at him and after a few moments a soft smile lightened her features and she nodded causing his heart to flip.

"Yes," she told him meaningfully, "you can."

END CHAPTER 1