Chapter Text
When Hook returned the ship with his crew he was surprised to find Emma awake and talking to Smee, sat atop the rum barrels on his ship. She looked beautiful with her hair blowing around in the sea breeze, and her skin pale in the moonlight. His crew filtered onto the ship ahead of him, all lost in their bellowing at their soon to come fortune. Although they were careful not to mention what the price of the fortune was, what with Emma sitting on the deck and all.
Hook had waited until his crew were on board before he himself climbed aboard with his gaze transfixed on Emma, as she laughed away with Smee. It wasn’t until he was a few feet away from her that he noticed she was wearing his spare jacket from his quarters. A sudden grin pulled at the corners of his lips as he took in the sight of the coat on this beautiful woman. It was way too big for her of course, but she looked so ravishing in it and Hook could not tear his eyes away from her. He was soon pulled out of his trance though, when she turned her head and caught his eye. Quickly gazing away, he cleared his throat and itched the back of his ear in embarrassment, hoping she hadn’t noticed him staring at her like a lovelorn fool.
“Um… Smee… get over here.” Hook called over commandingly, trying to make it look as if he was after Smee, instead of gazing at Emma.
“Aye, Cap’n!” Smee called immediately, standing on order. He rushed to stand in front of Hook, leaving the girl looking around in wonder.
“Why is the girl on deck?”
“She uh…woke up, Cap’n. I told her she should be below deck, but she was adamant that she stay on deck.”
“I told you to keep her below! Are you capable of nothing?!” Hook hollered, hitting Smee around the back of the head in disapproval.
Smee held the spot that was now stinging on the back of his head, lowering his head in shame. “Sorry, Cap’n. I will take her below deck now.”
“No!” Hook said almost too quickly. “I’ll do it myself. I’m um… more proficient at it evidently.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you, Cap’n?” Smee gulped.
“Scrub the decks! My ship looks filthy.” Hook ordered him in a stern tone, dismissively.
“Aye aye Cap’n.”
Smee scurried off to carry out his chores for his Captain, alongside his other mates aboard the ship. Meanwhile Hook made his way over to where the girl was sitting on the barrels, now looking a little bored as her talking companion was now scrubbing the decks. As soon as she saw Hook approach she scowled at him and leant her head on her elbow, atop the rum barrel.
“Miss Swan, I hope the quarters were to your satisfaction.” Hook asked politely, coming to sit opposite Emma.
“Great, thanks.” Emma replied in a meagre tone.
“I am glad. I see you have accustomed yourself to one of my jackets…”
Emma looked down at the jacket, having forgotten that she had it on and the man who owned it was now in front of her. Her cheeks suddenly burnt red and she averted her gaze from Hook to avoid more embarrassment. “I uh… couldn’t find anything to keep me warm.” She said in a whisper.
“That’s okay, lass. It looks better on you than it does me anyway.” Hook assured her, flashing her a grin.
“Thank you.”
“You should probably go below deck, it is very cold up here and there is a storm on the horizon. It should be with us upon the 12th hour.” Hook stood and held out his hand to Emma, who took it hesitantly and followed him below deck.
It was definitely a lot warmer in the Captain’s quarters and Emma suddenly realised how cold she had actually been up on the deck. However she had really enjoyed talking to that man “Smee”, he seemed a delightful fellow. Emma most certainly hadn’t liked the way the Captain had spoken to him.
“You could be a bit nicer you know.” She suddenly blurted, turning to face Hook, who raised his brow at her in confusion.
“I have given you warmth and food. I saved you from a witch who was mistreating you! How could I be a bit nicer?” He asked in an annoyed tone at her audacity. He stepped closer to her and she immediately stepped back with a worried look on her face. It made his facial expressions soften a little as he realised how intimidating he must look to her right now. She’s a young girl aboard a strange ship full of men, who are planning to sell her out for gold coins – not that she knows that of course. It must be so scary and unknown for her on the ship.
“I-I- didn’t mean towards me. I meant towards that man, Smee. He is a lovely guy if you bothered to get to know him and the way you speak to him is unacceptable. You could say please and thank you once in a while.” Emma explained, suddenly feeling the adrenaline pump through her veins. She would stand her ground and show that she isn’t just a lost girl with no clue as to the world.
“Pirate, love!” Hook pointed to his face in amusement. “I’m the Captain. They are my mates. They follow my orders or they are impaled on my sword. It is as simple as that. I took Smee in when he had nothing, trust me he has a much better life here with me telling him what to do. Don’t concern yourself with his affairs.”
“It still doesn’t hurt to have manners.” Emma huffed, crossing her arms over her chest in annoyance.
“He’ll live.”
“And what do you plan on doing with me? Am I to become a mate and be ordered around by you, with no free will of my own? If that is the case then I might as well be right back in that carriage in the ownership of the witch. I won’t serve you as a slave, so if you are to impale me on your sword for defying your orders, then you may as well do it now. I won’t serve as your slave/mate.” Emma stood in front of Hook again as she spoke, showing no fear or remorse in her facial expressions. She would not become a slave to someone else ever again, she wanted her freedom or death. There are no other options she is willing to accept.
Hook suddenly chuckled at her and it made her grow more angry. How could he have the audacity to laugh at her right now? She just gave him an ultimatum and he is freaking laughing! “WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?!” She shouted, pushing him backwards slightly which caused him to chuckle.
“You have fire, love! I’ve never seen a woman as incredible as you in all my years. Who are you really?” Hook asked in intrigue, studying her face carefully as he stepped closer to look at her in better light.
“I’m no one. I told you, I am… was… a prisoner. That is all and I won’t be that ever again. So either kill me or release me.” Emma clenched her jaw angrily as she spoke, annoyed at his nonchalant manner.
“No… you are more than that… I just can’t put my finger on it. And for the record I have no intention of making you as slave, love. So stop having a tantrum and get into bed. You need to sleep before we head into the storm, tomorrow will be a long day and I am taking you somewhere.” He held her shoulder and lightly led her towards the bed, where he raised a brow for her to get in. She followed his orders and climbed into the bed, watching as he snuffed out the lights in the room and headed back up to the deck.
She ran his words through her head over and over again, wondering how he could be such a smug, pompous, ass. He was intriguing to her too though. His manner and etiquette showed her that he was really old fashioned and had experienced a lot in his lifetime. He must have lived another life before he became a pirate, and she wanted to know what kind of man he must have been then. Was he a painter or a soldier? The thoughts of him ran through her head as she drifted off to sleep with the sound of the sea lapping against the boat, and the hushed voices of the men above, in her ear.
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Hook was sitting astern the helm of the ship watching the storm as it drew closer to his ship, threatening to cause them a bumpy ride. His mates were at work on the deck of the ship, making sure the rigging was ready for the storm to hit. It would be a long and treacherous night, but Hook always thought best during storms at night time, they were calming to him.
“Cap’n? Have you decided on a plan for the girl?” Smee interrupted Hook, causing him to glare at him.
“Smee, why are you up here aggravating me, when you should be working with the other mates? My plans are none of your concern. Get back to work!” Hook growled, flashing Smee a warning look.
Smee backed away immediately and offered a quick apology to the Captain. Just then the words of the girl flashed through Hook’s mind like a broken record. “You could be a bit nicer.”
“Shut up!” He muttered under his breath.
“I didn’t say anything Cap’n.” Smee said in confusion, holding his hands up.
“Not you! Um… you can all call it a night. Tell the others.” Hook said through gritted teeth, wondering why he was so inclined by the girl’s words, to let his mates be treated a little kinder. He’s spent years breaking them in and gaining the respect of many, he has a right to be tough on them. He never even blinked before when he was running men through for stealing the Captain’s rum, or for slacking on duties. So why was he now so affected by the words of a mere girl – well she’s probably more a woman-. Maybe he should think of her as such.
“T-Thank you… Cap’n.” Smee stuttered in astonishment.
“Just for tonight!” Hook growled, trying to maintain his authority. Smee hurried away and told the other who all scurried below deck to their quarters, in the warmer temperature.
With nothing and no-one around but the open sea, Hook had a chance to think about what he is to do with the beautiful woman he has below deck. She intrigued him and he wanted to learn more about her, but he also wanted treasure. If he defied the witch and set the girl free then he and his crew would all be slain for sure, and being a survivor for so long, he would not die at the hands of a witch over a lass.
“She’s just a woman!” Killian growled quietly to himself, thumping his fist against the side of his ship.
But she isn’t just a woman. He’d encountered many a woman in all of his years and none were quite like this one. She is strikingly beautiful for one. Her beauty is beyond comparison, nothing can compare to it, not even the sun rising on the horizon on a beautiful day. Her mannerisms are more royal like than a mere young woman who is a slave and prisoner, and she speaks well. Who is she?
Just at that moment when Hook was driving himself crazy with the constant thoughts coming through his head, it clicked. The witch wants the girl back so that she can kill her, most likely, and the girl’s death would exert revenge on the King and Queen of Misthaven. Emma acts very royal and the royals lost a child when she was kidnapped at a young age. They never found the girl and the royals have never stopped grieving and looking for their lost child. There is a huge reward for the safe return of the royal Princess and a knighthood.
“That’s it!” Hook exclaimed, jumping up in excitement. “She is the royal princess. She must be! She’s of the right age and definitely looks like royalty, underneath all of the rags and dirt that is.
Running to his chest at the side of the Jolly, Hook sifted through all of the wanted and missing posters he had ripped off of trees on his travels. He’d often tried to find the people for the rewards but it never gave him many riches, so he had given it up to steal treasure instead. His hand laid on the one he was looking for and he laughed in excitement. The picture was a little faded but it sure looked like her, of course she is a lot older now, but it’s the same eyes and face. “She’s the princess of Misthaven, on my ship!!” He guffawed to himself. “I am going to be so rich!!”
Shoving the chest back to its spot on the ship, Hook ran down below deck to tell his mates the god news. They could be set for life on the reward money the royals are offering.
“But sire, what about the witch. She’ll kill us all if we don’t give her the girl.” Smee said in a panicked tone.
“I’ll figure that out when the time comes! Stop being so negative, Smee! This is the riches I have dreamed of.” Hook exclaimed in a hushed tone, trying not to let the woman next door hear their plans. “50,000 doubloons, mates! We make a plan at dawn!”
“Aye aye Captain!” The crew cheered, clinking their flasks together.