I don't own OUAT

The sound of glass bottles clinking together was soft, but it echoed against the walls of Regina Mills's vault. Every little noise sent prickling shudders down Killian's spine. He was not meant to be here, and if he was discovered by either mother or daughter of the Mills family, he was certain to die. That could not happen. Not until he got what he was after.

Cora was a surprisingly loose-lipped woman once she decided a person was not a threat to her. Perhaps because any fool who so much as thought to defy her ended up dead, the secrets they knew taken to their graves. The only reason he was not dead yet was because of the distractions he gave her. He had a great skill at keeping even the most suspicious woman's worries at bay when he was with them. Even so, it would not be enough to save him if she were to discover his betrayal. He knew the secret to her downfall, and he intended to implement it at just the right time. As she had delivered him in Storybrooke, her use to him had diminished, and she would soon see that he too disposed of those who were useless.

He found it. A small vial with dark brown liquid in it. It had a label, written in Cora's familiar, flowing script: To control a body. It was exactly what he needed. He needed Cora Mills's power, there was no doubting that. But so long as he controlled her, he could have everything he ever wanted risk-free. This would work. The instructions were simple; both persons must drink it. He was uncertain as to how the potion would know that it was he, and not she, who was meant to be in control, but he had faith. Cora had made the potion, after all, and she never made anything improperly. Not if she intended on using it.

"Cora?" He knelt before her in just such a way that, had it not been for the slight rolling of his eyes, would have sent a look of pure adoration and respect. As it was, however, he looked, to any bystander, exactly as he was: a slave who was unhappy with his position. The sparkle in his eyes showed the tiniest spark of mischief that would alert the careful observer of a secret plan that the man had. A dangerous one that he was anticipating endlessly. On any normal occasion, Cora would be this observer, and he the next corpse found in a conveniently ambiguous location.

Luckily for him, Cora was distracted, as she often was when around both him and her daughter. She didn't like when her two worlds(family and bedroom) collided, though by adding Regina into their plan to eliminate Rumplestiltskin, she had ensured the two joining; lines that had once been so separate blurring beyond repair. With the safety net of Cora's concentration being so focused upon her shielding of her daughter, Hook had to take this opportunity. Times of weakness were very rare for her, and he was determined to take advantage of this one whilst it lasted.

"Yes, Hook?" She eyed her daughter subtly, keeping her tone even. He grinned, eyes twinkling. She wouldn't notice anything, especially not if he were to let some of his carefully-measured restraint slip. Both women were beautiful; it would not be a hard thing to do, allowing some of his lust to slip out into their view. On the other hand, there were more subtle ways to do this. If only he responded, it could be explained away. She needed to have the reaction here…

If she figured out his plan, it would hurt, but it would get the job done. He could endure a moment's pain for the sakes of her minute's distraction. Her moment of weakness. He did not need much, but a slight slip would instantly give her daughter a seed of concern, curiosity, and worry. This would be enough to keep her distracted as long as necessary. If she believed his only indiscretion to be his lust, she would not expect worse from him. Her punishment would no doubt be most painfully issued that night, but he intended to have complete control over her by that time.

"Shall I make you and your lovely daughter something to drink?" He winked at Regina, smirking at the tiniest look of indignation that crossed both women's faces. Cora's had a blatant look of jealousy that, though she quickly removed it, was hardly something that could be ignored. Regina noticed it clearly, a look of confusion crossing her features. Though Cora's look had returned to its neutral position, there was a fire in her eyes that sent chills down his spine. This punishment would not be as swift as he wished for it to be.

"Tea." She spoke the words through gritted teeth before turning to her daughter. "Regina?" Regina murmured a short agreement to the tea, still trying to figure out what was happening with her mother and the hook-handed tool that knelt before them. "Why don't you go get that for us, Hook?" There was a hidden malice in the phrase, but she would save him the shame of public punishment, instead waiting for a time when they were away from Regina. Or perhaps just when he was away from her, as, the instant he left the room, he felt her punishment begin.

He dropped to his knees as soon as the door had closed behind him, clenching his jaw shut so as not to disturb the pair. The punishment got worse if he screamed. She had the ability to have her magic mimic the effects of most anything. In this case, Cora had a whip setting to work on his back and some sort of blade slicing his chest. He knew, however, that this was only the minor portion of his punishment. It would be worse later. She saved the worst for when she could personally hurt him. Though he was not completely certain, he thought that she got a lot of pleasure from tormenting him; she seemed at her happiest when she was spilling his blood. Nonetheless, it would be worse if he did not do as she asked. Pulling himself off of the ground, he dragged himself down to the kitchen to fix her tea, trying not to wince at the repeated blows he received.

He pulled down two cups from the cupboard, pouring hot tea into them carefully. The first cup he filled to the top with the steaming hot tea. The other was only filled half-way, and he made sure to set it far from the other. Pulling a small vial from his pocket, he took a swig, drinking half of it before pouring the rest into the half-full tea cup. He stirred it in, grateful that the potion's coloring was so similar to that of the tea. Balancing the delicate cups in his one hand, a single saucer separating the two cups, he stepped carefully back up the stairs to the room where Cora and her daughter would be speaking.

Tracing his steps from the way down, he tried not to get sick at the sight of his blood in trails across the floor. She would no-doubt make him clean it later. The blows seemed to be stopping, and he was grateful that he wore dark clothing that would not show the blood that undoubtedly stained his shirt. He would just have to check the damage later on. Banging his hook against the door, he pushed it open with his foot. The women were silent as he entered. He passed each woman their respective drinks, making certain that the bottom one (the one he had put the potion in) was given to Cora.

"Will that be all, your Majesties?" Cora nodded, dismissing him.

"Yes. Why don't you get yourself cleaned up now?" He smirked at the cruel irony. He would have to look at his own wounds as Cora reached her own end. Sweeping into a deep bow, he left the room, his face widening into a grin as he caught her sipping her drink. The deed was done.