This is my first properly shippy story, so I hope it's ok! Don't forget to review :)
The Jolly Roger was currently anchored in the middle of the ocean in Neverland. Hook had anchored it so everyone could get some sleep. Despite that however he still found himself awake in the middle of the night, he was becoming restless in his bunk so he decided to go up onto deck to get some fresh air, look up at the stars and have some time to himself which was to be treasured what with the ship being so crowded currently. Sure the Jolly Roger had held more passengers before, but not this many strong personalities, the number of arguments was climbing with each day that passed. None of the people on board had ever spent this much time with each other in such an enclosed space. That's why Hook liked the night, everyone was quiet. He climbed the last steps up to the deck and was surprised to see Regina looking out to sea at the far end of the boat. Hook could only see her silhouette but he could tell it was her almost immediately. He stepped carefully towards her. Regina whipped around startled.
"It's ok dear, only me." Hook whispered gently. Seeing Regina relax he continued. "What are you doing up so late?"
"I couldn't sleep." Regina replied bluntly. She turned back to face the sea, holding on to the side of the ship. Hook joined her, standing next to her.
"Neither could I." Hook looked sideways at the former queen, stunned by her beauty, the way the moonlight caressed her face made her look more beautiful than usual. "We will find him, your majesty."
"How can you possibly know that?" Regina turned to face Hook, a delicate tear falling down her cheek. Hook had to desperately fight the urge not to wipe away the tear with his thumb. He doubted Regina would appreciate the gesture; instead he reached out his hand to hold hers which was still resting on the side of the ship.
"Because I've never known a more determined and terrifying group of people." The of the corners of his mouth rose to make a slight smile, Regina's lips formed a tiny smile too, but Hook could tell she still wasn't convinced. But what more could he say. He was sure they were going to find Henry, having seen all of the group in action there wasn't a lot they couldn't accomplish now that they were all working together. Hook realised his hand was still resting on Regina's and removed it gently.
"Henry is out there somewhere all alone and there's nothing I can do to comfort him. He doesn't even know we're looking for him." More tears were spilling down her cheeks now.
"Of course he knows." Was all Hook could think to say. Regina nodded but continued to cry silently and stare into the sea. Hook didn't have the best comforting skills. He had tried many times already on this voyage to try and talk to Regina, not about Henry, but about what he did to her before they left Storybrooke. He still felt guilty. He hadn't had any idea what Greg and Tamara had wanted Regina for, but had he known, he would never have let her go with them. "Regina, I'm sorry."
Regina looked up from the water and into Hook's eyes. "Sorry for what?" Her voice had a little shake in it.
"For what they did to you." He indicated out towards the ocean. Regina understood who Hook was referring to. She smiled slightly.
"It's not your fault Captain. You didn't flick the switch."
"I didn't stop them." Hook couldn't let himself get away with this. "I left you there to die."
Regina looked at the man in front of her with concern. He had years of guilt bearing down on him. She knew how that felt. Regina reached out a placed her hand on Hook's arm and gently squeezed it. "I left you in the mines to die, with my dear friend, don't you remember?" Hook opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He just looked into Regina's deep dark eyes, puzzled by her forgiveness of his actions. Regina smiled softly; Hook brought his hand up to Regina's face and stroked it with his thumb. Regina's eyes went wide at first in shock and then she relaxed leaning her head into his hand. Hook stepped closer to Regina, their bodies almost touching. Hook's gaze lingered on Regina's lips before he brought his down to meet them.
Regina was taken aback by the soft pirate's lips being pressed against hers, but she didn't draw back, instead she brought her hand up and slid it around Hook's neck and deepened the kiss. Hook moved his hand into Regina's hair and placed his arm and hook on the small of her back, pulling her body into his own. Regina didn't resist his movements; she instead brought her other arm around the captain's neck. When they pulled apart, breathless, Regina looked down, her eyes still closed and a smile spreading over her face. Her stomach had flipped when the captain had kissed her; she hadn't experienced that feeling in so long. Hook too could hardly remember the last time he had felt a connection that strong with someone. Regina looked up still smiling into Hook's eyes, he smiled back.
Hook placed another soft kiss on Regina's lips, he couldn't help himself, she looked even more beautiful when she smiled. Regina felt her chest fill with warmth. She had no idea the captain could be this gentle. Nor had she realised that he looked at her in this way, or that she herself had looked at Hook in a romantic light. He was attractive, of course and had she needed to in the past Regina wouldn't have objected to using his body to manipulate him into doing what she needed. But this was different, she didn't need Hook for anything, she hadn't seen this coming at all, which pleased Regina greatly. She was so used to being in control that having something pleasant happen as a surprise was thrilling. Hook suddenly realised how different Regina looked in this moment, she wasn't so guarded or cold, he could still see some of her walls, it would take a long time to knock all of those down, thought the pirate to himself.
Regina felt a wave of tiredness wash over her. She had been so worried about Henry she hadn't quite realised how tired she was. Hook noticed a slightly glazed expression come over Regina; he stepped back, releasing her from their embrace. Regina snapped back into focus.
"I think it's time I got some sleep." she said softly, a slightly apologetic expression on her face. Hook nodded, seeing for the first time how truly worn out she looked.
"Certainly my queen," He turned and offered her his arm. She linked her arm through his as he led her below deck and into the room where the rest of their shipmates were already sound asleep. Regina wasn't quite sure how they slept so soundly, but then, she realised swiftly, they didn't have anything to feel guilty about. It was her fault Greg had wanted revenge on the town in the first place, that must have been why they had taken Henry, to hurt her. Once they reached Regina's bunk, Hook slid his arm out from Regina's and continued into the next room where his bed lay. Captain's privileges he had stated cheekily when the rest of the group had grumbled about him having the only decent place to sleep. As Regina clamoured into her bunk, trying to get herself comfortable and warm with the tiny blanket she had to cover herself, she couldn't take her mind off of the Captain. For the past few nights all she could think about was Henry, how alone he must be and how she could do nothing to help him. But now all her thoughts were consumed with Hook and his soft lips. She drifted off to sleep at the memory of being held in his arms. She finally had some comfort in her life.
Hook on the other hand wasn't able to sleep for the rest of the night; Regina's presence in his mind was too strong to be tamed. The true beauty in Regina's smile was what kept appearing in his head. Hook hadn't thought it possible to feel this way about anyone anymore. It had been so long since he had actually had deep feelings for a woman. This was more than mere lust, Hook knew what that felt like well enough. It couldn't be love though could it? Not yet surely. In reality he and Regina barely knew each other. Over the next few hours Hook was in constant battle with himself about whether what he felt for Regina was in fact love or not. He decided, upon hearing the rest of his shipmates stir, that he would leave that question undecided and put it to the back of his mind. He also wished he had come to that conclusion three hours previously.
