Rachel blinked.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, turning to him.

"That's why you're being so bristly," Hook said, looking at her. "You don't really have experience with men. It's nothing to be ashamed of, love, it just explains a few things."

"Where are you getting these ideas from?" Rachel said, trying desperately not to let him know that he was, in fact, completely correct.

"Your behavior," Hook said with a grin. "I'm generally a fair judge of character. You don't know how to act around men, that's why you're being so blustery. Really, love, it's not that hard, I'll be nice. I don't bite."

"I- I have no idea what you mean," Rachel said, turning back to the filing cabinet to hide the fact that her face was flushing a bit.

"Uh huh. I'm sure you don't." Hook grinned. "Rachel--you prefer Rachel, right? That's what it says on your desk--answer me one question: Are you afraid, nervous, or just not sure?"

"Wait--how is this even relevant?" Rachel asked, turning around. "I'm working. And you were arrested."

"Technically I'm simply being detained, there was no actual arrest involved," Hook felt the need to point out. "Besides, you haven't yet actually told me to stop talking."

"Because I'm more than half convinced you can't," Rachel retorted. She turned away from him with a small huff, even though she felt her face turning red again.

Hook laughed. "Tell you what, love," he said. "Tell me to stop talking to you and mean it, really mean it, not just because you're now flustered, and I'll stop. But until then..." He grinned. "Well, I'm curious."

"Be curious all you want," Rachel said. "I'm not telling you anything."

"What's your favorite thing to eat?" Hook asked, just to be strange and see if he could startle her into giving him an answer.

Rachel blinked.

"How does that even matter?" she asked in return.

"It doesn't. It's really of no consequence. I'm just trying to be nice and give you some practice, be friendly. Don't people talk about things like that?" Hook did his best to look innocent.

"Is that why you keep trying to distract me?" Rachel asked. "Because I do actually need to get things done."

"From where I'm sitting you're doing a lovely job multitasking," Hook pointed out. "Carrying on a conversation with me as well as wrangling those papers into submission."

"I wouldn't have to multitask if you didn't keep trying to distract me," Rachel retorted. "And stop trying to flirt with me."

"I'm not," Hook said, looking at her. "Complimenting does not always necessarily mean flirting, love. There is a difference."

"Not from where I'm standing," Rachel muttered as she put away all of the papers on her desk.

"You don't have the experience to tell the difference," Hook said wisely. "Flirting comes with intention. Complimenting is more about making a lady feel good. Although sometimes complimenting does help with flirting, but the two are not always the same." He flashed her a grin. "I do think I would know the difference, don't you, love?"

"I don't know, would you?" Rachel asked, glancing at him.

"Yes. But I will admit to having more experience. You'll learn, don't fret." Hook smirked.

Emma emerged from her office, glancing between the two. "I was about to head home. He bugging you?"

"Nothing I can't handle," Rachel replied, grabbing her things. "I should go too, Tina's cooking tonight and I hate missing it."

Emma nodded, grabbing her jacket.

"What, nothing for me?" Hook asked with a little pout.

"I'll bring you breakfast," Emma said with a little snort. "Stop complaining and go back to sleep."

Hook stayed where he was, watching the two quietly.

Rachel put on her jacket and followed Emma out the door quietly.