After All

Chapter 6

Emma was hiding behind a pair of rocks in the Dark Hollow. The shadows had been haunting her for hours, without hurting her though.
She tried to use her magic several times against them without succeeding.

She was giving up. In any moment they would rip out her shadow, leaving her cold and lifeless body in the worst place it could ever exist.

But I have no one left anyway. She began to think, leaning her back on the rock. If I die... At least I'll reunite with my parents.

Even though she was giving up, she was afraid of death.
Hope was shading when a voice in the distance called for her.

"Emma!"

The princess was frightened. She couldn't recognize the voice and didn't trust anyone anymore. Maybe Pan was playing with her mind.

"Emma!" The voice yelled worried once more.
Showing barely her head, her eyes caught sight of a man not so far from her hiding place. Emma smiled -which surprised her- as soon as she recognized him.

"Hook!"

Her voice filled the hollow as Killian smiled relieved to see she was safe.

"Emma!" He ran towards her, but a group of shadows interposed between her and him. He used a small lantern to hurt them, nonetheless they outnumbered the pirate tremendously.

They're gonna kill him. Emma thought concerned.

Violently, the shadows pulled Killian to the floor and began to take out his shadow. His screams were echoing through the rocky walls.
With anger conquering her soul, Emma stood up facing the shadows. She was scared and worried about the shadows going for her. But she was also worried about Hook's life being in risk. Emma lifted up both of her hands and released her light magic. All of the monsters were burnt by it without having time to escape. After killing the last shadow, Emma fell to the ground close to Killian.

The only audible sounds inside The Dark Hollow were Emma and Killian's heavy breaths.

"H-How did y-you do that?" Killian stuttered "You have magic"

"Yes... I- I have"

"That's..."

"Terrible? Monstrously?"

"Amazingly badass" he said grinning "I'll try not to piss you off. I don't want you to destroy my face" he admitted in a funny tone, making her smile.

Killian stood up and helped Emma to do it too. They stayed for a moment with their hands interlaced until Emma let go, blushing a little.

"We should... get out of here before more shadows decide to appear" she began to leave with Killian following her.

Once back in the jungle they began to walk side by side. Emma was processing the part where seeing Hook in danger made her fight against the shadows. How could that be possible? Where did all that courage and strength came from? Blue always told her magic came from instinct, when you feel the necessity to protect the ones you care about.

I don't care about Hook. She tried to lie to herself. But deep inside she knew the truth. She felt something for him, she just had to figure out what was.

"You look thoughtful" Killian stated "What's the matter, love?"

"I was just... I don't understand why Pan left me there. What use did it have?"

"I don't bloody know. Probably just wanting to see us suffering"

"Enough we have with stepping on this island, there's no need for more"
Emma stopped walking, so did Killian, noticing she wasn't going on.

"What?"

"You have a way to get us out of Neverland, don't you?"

"Of course I do. I have another bean in the Jolly Roger"

"You stole it I suppose" they continued walking.

"I bought it- both of the beans actually- to a mercenary. I had to trade something valuable though"

"What?"

"Some jewelry: necklaces, rings and earrings "

"You let go of jewels? Didn't know that side of yours"

He smiled.

"I guess we learned new things about each other today"

"I guess we did"

The sky looked the same way as it did at their arrival. The whole place looked exactly the same, plants and more vegetation around. However, Killian knew the way and was sure they wouldn't linger over arriving to the shore.

"I still have one question about you, but it's kind of personal" he asked breaking the small silence.

"I'll answer it as long as you do it so with one of my questions"

"Personal as well?"

"Quite"

"Fine. Here's my question: Have you ever been in love?" He asked after handing her a canteen filled with rum.

Emma glanced at Killian seriously.

"Why you want to know that?" She took a sip and returned it to him.

"Curiosity. You seem to be one of those girls who have had plenty of boyfriends"

"It might surprise you but... I've never had"

"Let me guess, you had so many candidates you couldn't just pick one"

"I've had some, but nothing real. I couldn't see anyone as my lifelong partner"

"So you don't believe in true love?" He said lifting up his left eyebrow.

"I said I was just replying to one of your questions"

"Oh c'mon!"

"My question for you, Captain" she continued, avoiding his plead "is: how did you get that hook?"

"Well... It's a long story to be honest. Let's just say I... Teared apart a man's family by taking her wife with me. Years later he came to me, claiming vengeance. And I lost my left hand"

"You mean he cut it off?" Emma asked grimacing.

"Aye"

She let some seconds pass before talking again.

"This wife... Was Milah, wasn't she?"

Killian nodded.

"She was my first love. We sailed around almost every realm and had many adventures"

"What happened to her?"

"I already answered three of your questions" he said flatly, walking forward.

She knew the topic was hard for him to speak about. It had been painful and probably traumatic. Nonetheless, she wanted to know more about him.

****

Killian and Emma are slowly opening to each other. Interesting and romantic, don't you think? Hahaha :D well, more Captain Swan to come!!! Thanks to every single reader and don't forget to follow me on twitter (same username: fabulouswan) if you want to talk or ask me about the fic or just fangirl over Captain Swan hehe Love ya! :3