Chapter Text
Emma left Henry with Snow, packing a bag. “I have to go out” she said to her mother.
“Now? Where?!”
“There’s something I need to do. I won’t be long. Don’t let him out of your sight.” she said glancing at Henry.
Snow nodded. “I won’t.”
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Hook was asleep when Emma strode back into his hospital room. She shook him roughly and he woke, startled and cursing.
“What the hell, Swan?” he coughed in pain “What have I done now?”
“Nothing,” she said, “And that’s the way it’s going to stay. I have to go away for a while, and while I’m gone, you’re going to stay out of everyone’s way, got it?”
“You’re leaving town?” he asked, sharply.
“Yes,” she said ‘but that’s not the poi...”
“How?” he cut in, “I thought anyone who crossed the line lost their memory?”
“Yes, but I came here from the outside so it doesn’t apply to me.” It dawned on both of them at the same time that it might not apply to him either. “Look,” she said. “Be my guest. I don’t care where you go, as long as you don’t cause any trouble here. If you want to risk losing all your memories, knock yourself out.”
For a moment he looked like that wouldn’t be such a bad idea, but then frowned at her, “For a lass who was in such a hurry to get back to her son, why the sudden haste to leave?”
“Because I don’t have a choice! I owe Gold a favour, and he’s called it in. If I don’t go …” her voice trailed off. In truth, she didn’t know what would happen, but she could tell by the look on Hook’s face, he did. “Plus every minute he stays, he says, is a minute closer to killing you.”
He laughed, grimacing at the pain it caused, it wasn’t news to either of them that Gold wanted to kill him. “And here was me thinking you don’t care.” he looked up at her slyly.
“I don’t.” she said flatly, “But, here’s the thing. If anything happens to Belle while we’re gone, he said he’s going to kill my whole family.”
Hook said nothing, but his expression told her he knew it wasn’t an empty threat.
She leaned over him, her eyes stony. “So you’re going to stay the hell away from Belle while I’m gone, or I’ll kill you myself, savvy?”
He stared up at her, his expression unreadable. He knew all too well how it felt to have someone taken from you by Rumplestiltskin. He hoped the favour she owed him wasn’t too great.
“Aye,” he said finally, “I’ll stay away from Belle.”
To her surprise he didn't ask for a favour in return. She searched his face to make sure he wasn’t lying. “Thank you.” she said, and stood up and left the room.