Chapter 9

'Thunder rumbling, castles crumbling, I'm wide awake…'

He left, and the warmth in the room went with him; leaving behind an empty void that almost consumed her whole. Emma had never felt lonelier in her life. The closed blinds on the door blocked her view. She couldn't see him disappear into the night, like a storybook cliché swallowed by the dark. Her mind swam with confusion. She should be relieved! Hook was out of her hair forever, but instead of happiness, something inside her withered at the thought.

What had she done?

Emma stood in the middle of Granny's, nothing but the sound of the storm, and her own steady breathing for company. The surrealism made her wondered if Hook had been there at all. One half of her was convinced she was dreaming, back home in her bed, but the other half knew better. The other half knew she was wide awake, and the stupid, infuriating, gorgeous, brilliant, understanding SOB named Hook was gone for good.

And it's your fault.

The universe had come full circle. She was back where she belonged, just her and her accusatory thoughts. "I didn't have a choice." Emma said aloud.

You always have a choice, and you always choose to be alone.

She bristled. Always choose to be alone? That wasn't a choice; it was a fact of her existence! Since birth, her destiny was to be by her lonesome. She hadn't asked for it, and she didn't want it either, but being alone was a part of her past, present, and inevitably her future. "That isn't my fault."

Oh, no? Your non-existent parents, absent guardian, and traitorous boyfriend aren't the ones who gave up Henry and let Killian walk out the door. You did, it's your fault.

This stopped her. She had spent years blaming everyone else for her misery, and it never once occurred to her that she had the power to change it. Emma was guilty of doing what she despised the most. She had, in short, sold her son to a stranger, and deserted the one man willing to trust her implicitly.

Emma Swan was effectively ruining her own life, and there was no excuse for it. "I can't be the person I was before." She said. "I can't love like that, not again."

No one is asking you too, but it doesn't mean you should deny yourself a second chance. Give love your best shot, and you might be surprised. It doesn't have to suck, just look at your parents.

"They keep losing each other."

But they never give up.

Give up? Is that what she was doing? Emma prided herself on determination. She survived for twenty-eight years on iron will-power, meeting every challenge with the heel of a well placed boot, but no matter how tough she was, when it came to love, she was a straight up coward.

Love is strength. It takes courage to open up and care about someone else; to accept the good with the bad, and keep fighting.

Emma knew this was the true. Loving Neal had given her a precious son, loving her son had broken a curse, and loving her mother had defeated Cora on the bank of Lake Nostos. What better proof of strength was there?

Hook was correct; no one was meant to be alone, not even her. Deep down she knew it was true, hence her prodding conscience! It was the reason she had let him take her keys, and the reason she had consented to talk –being with him felt right. She had been searching for this pirate all along, and she hadn't even known she was looking. Now, thanks to him, Emma was prepared to face the truth.

She had abandoned him on the beanstalk because he roused a curiosity in her; the same curiosity, which kept her in the car with Neal so many years ago. From the first moment their eyes met, as he lay on his back in the dirt, feigning scared, a part of her she had long since buried suddenly awoke. Going to retrieve the compass with him, only served to ignite these feelings further. He proved to be courteous and kind, brave and a little bit cheeky. There was mystery too, and a sadness similar to her own. Emma wanted to get to know him, and for him to know her, which was terrifying. How could any man be trusted with her heart? Neal had certainly squandered the privilege.

But Hook hadn't lied. He may have told a fib or two (a one-handed blacksmith, really?), yet when the chips were down he was honest. Emma never doubted he would be anything less, although, outwardly, she bluffed a good game. Hoping by sheer denial, she could rebuff the feelings he stirred within her. She forced herself to believe he was a ruthless, egotistical, villain (and in many ways he was). Only because she was too afraid of herself –petrified of repeating the past, of loving too deeply, and falling too hard. Snapping the manacle shut about his wrist was purely self-defense.

For eleven years, Emma had unwittingly trapped herself inside a dungeon. Fashioning a stone fortress, like a castle, about her heart for safety, she had succeeded in blocking the only magic this world had to offer, but no more. She wasn't the kid any longer; she was a confident and capable woman. She could handle this. The hairline cracks in her foundation were about to bust wide open, and she was ready, ready to surrender.

I have to find him.

Emma was unaware her feet were moving until she was out the door. Cold raindrops hit her bare shoulders as she hurried down the diner steps; the soles of her boots slapped the water-glossed sidewalk. Stepping off the curb and into a puddle, she trotted out onto Main Street. Pausing on the double yellow line, beneath the swaying traffic light, Emma looked left. Through the rain, she could see blurred silhouettes of buildings and parked vehicles, but no Hook. Her wet hair clung to her face and neck like limp spaghetti. She pushed it back in frustration with both hands; her fingernails digging her scalp. She was numb to everything—the chilly air, her soaked tank top—save for an overwhelming sense of desperation filling her chest. Her lips parted in a strangled sob, and she looked right, her gaze straining to search everywhere at once.

Then she saw him; a tall, dark, figure, partially veiled by the ire of the storm, walking away down the middle of the road. Her heart flipped up into her throat with all the grace of a slippery fish.

"Hook!" She said. Taking a tentative step forward, she waited for him to acknowledge.

But he kept on walking, shoulders hunched; a black smudge in the pouring rain. Her blood pounded in her ears. He had heard her; they were close enough for her voice to carry. Why didn't he answer?! All of a sudden, Emma was scared. And it wasn't fear of trust, or the past. It was the fear of losing the one man that was worth everything to her. She didn't even care what tomorrow would bring. He could be gone in the morning, and it wouldn't change the fact that she needed him. She loved him with a pure and simple love, like a fairytale, innocent yet filled with fierce possibility. And she wouldn't lose him, not like this.

Emma ran.

"Killian!" She screamed his name, and this time, he turned. Thunder rumbled. The storm gathered one last burst of energy, and a crack of lightning split the sky, striking the metal rod above the clock tower. The flash illuminated his face; his brilliant blue eyes veritable fire, his skin pale white. Water streamed from his hair down into his collar; dripping off his nose and chin.

He was so beautiful.

Emma didn't wait for permission. With a small whimper, she threw herself into his arms, locking hers about his neck in a hug to end all hugs. He caught her, lifting her off the ground as she clung to him; holding her close as if his life depended on this very thing. His hand was broad and solid as it grasped her waist. She pressed her cheek to his, reveling in the feel of him surrounding her, strong and safe.

"I'm so sorry." Emma whispered in his ear. Her fingers balled into fists and her nails bit her palms as she clutched him. "Please, don't let me go."

Hook set her back on the pavement so she could look him in the eyes. He kept an arm about her, and moved his hand to her face, tugging gently at the fringes of her wet hair. "Never, I will always choose you."

A surge of affection swept through Emma. That was all she wanted to hear. "I love you, Killian Jones." She said. A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye, mingling with the rain. "I love you."

Her body was wide awake with the tumult of emotions he—and those three little words—released inside her. She could tell they had the same effect on him. The intensity of his gaze changed –he was through with hugs and sweet gestures. In one swift movement, he hefted her up again. The curve of his hook supported her from beneath as her legs wrapped comfortably around him. Emma looked down curiously, rivulets of water passing from her to him. She could feel their ardent excitement entwining, and it was enough to send her over the edge. Taking his face in both palms, she kissed him with every ounce of passion she could muster.

Hook's hand reclaimed her hair. His fingers tangled in her damp tresses, and he held her head, keeping her steady as he responded, indulging her with equal fervor. Emma tasted the remnants of blood on his lips, blood she had drawn with a punch, and realized, they both had a lot to learn about each other. But at least this was a start. They were selfish, headstrong, and damaged, but together they were whole –two kindred spirits. She craved him as one half-a-heart to another. They needed each other like rain on dry ground, and thanks to his creativity she could see it at last. For the first time in her life, Emma was willing to give herself a chance. The castle wall she had hid behind for far too long was crumbling to dust. She wouldn't be alone any longer.

"Come home with me, Killian." She said, pulling away from the kiss. The warmth of his lips still tingled on hers.

He grinned, his eyes dancing with mischief and hope, "Always."

The rain was falling softly now, the storm abating. Emma rested her forehead to his and smiled. The pirate had finally taken the princess, and she would never let him go.

The End

Hey, guys! I'm so sorry this took forever to update, but thanks for sticking with me :) Your tremendous support has been wonderful, and I'd like to wish you all a (early) Merry Captain Swan Christmas!