Captain Killian Jones sat alone in the forest clearing. One hand grasping his unopened flask, the other grasping his chin. Emma was taking too long and worry was rising in his chest. He had disagreed with her plan to consult the Dark One. After all he knew, far better than she, what that crocodile was capable of. He disliked letting her do it alone even more but given his history with the imp it couldn't be helped. He put his flask away and stood as he decided he had waited long enough. A snapping of twigs and rustling in the underbrush caused him to turn. His eyes bulged and he took in a quick breath of air at the sight of Emma. She was wearing a rich fur lined cape and a striking red ball gown peeked out from underneath it. Her hair was caught up elegantly and topped with a spray of white pearls. Killian took in the sight with appreciation.

"I see you found yourself a fairy godmother." he drawled his grin firmly in place "That man does love his wardrobe changes."

Emma lifted her arms and glanced down at her new and uncomfortable clothes. "Ya. He also gave me a carriage so lets get going."

Killian's eyebrow lifted. "Am I to assume that we are attending a ball?"

"Yes. I will tell you the plan on the way." she said impatiently.

"One moment there Swan. Did the Dark One, in addition to giving you the clothing of a Princess" Emma winced at the word "also give you the knowledge of one?"

Emma looked confused. "No. Why would I need that? We just need to crash the party so we can talk to David."

"Yes but in order to crash the festivities you will need to act the part. How is your curtsey?

"My what?"

"Your curtsey. You know." and Killian crossed his ankles and sank towards the ground his hands lifting an imaginary skirt. A ghost of a smile crossed Emma's face, a rare sighting indeed, but Killian didn't comment on it.

"Like this?" She asked before attempting her own curtsey.

He stopped himself from laughing but he couldn't help the grin that bloomed across his face at her attempt.

"What?" Emma stopped her movements a look of frustration on her face.

"Nothing, love." hastily Killian tried to school his features into something more serious. Emma rolled her eyes clearly annoyed. Annoyed, frustrated, angry, those seemed to be her default emotions these days.

"If I am doing it wrong then you need to tell me. Don't just sit there laughing at me." she said. Killian walked over to her.

"Fair enough. I just assumed that the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming wouldn't need to take etiquette lessons."

"I didn't grow up in the Enchanted Forest. Ball gowns and engagement dances weren't really a regular occurrences growing up." Emma spat back. Killian paused, regarding her with keen eyes. He wanted to ask her what were regular occurrences in her childhood. He knew that she had grown up an orphan, he had seen that easily. He knew she had a hard time trusting but he didn't know any of the details. He wanted desperately for Emma to feel comfortable enough to open up to him but all his pushing had always resulted in her drawing further away.

"Luckily for you Swan I did grow up here."

Emma snorts. "And what would a pirate know about royal balls?" she asked. Killian's smile dropped. Her retort, like so many of her words, cut him. No matter how hard he tried it seemed she would never see past the caricature she had drawn of him. Yet he wasn't about to stop trying to make her see who he really was.

"I wasn't born a pirate lass. Believe it or not I was once an idealistic Lieutenant in His Royal Majesties Navy." as he spoke he drew closer to her, his eyes holding contact as he offered up this piece of himself, this piece of his past. "And in addition to teaching me good form and navigation they also taught me comportment for any and all social situations." Emma's eyebrow quirked but she didn't make a scathing comment and Killian took that as a sign that perhaps she could see beyond her prejudice. He bowed gracefully and offered her his hand. "Let's work on dancing first." he said his eyes tracing a slow line over the curves of her body.

With furrowed brow she approximated another curtsey and reached out her hand tentatively. Killian shook his head.

"No. Like this." he lifted his hook and adjusted the angle of her arm. "We will work on your curtsey later."

"What's wrong with my…"

"Eh!" he interrupted "Trust me, it needs work. Now the first step involves pressing the palms together." Emma sighed, seemingly resigned to her dancing lesson fate.

They worked tirelessly for the better part of an hour. The forest clearing became their ballroom as Killian patiently walked her through each dance step. He tried to ignore the way his skin burned in the places it made contact with hers. He tried not to think too much about her sudden intake of breath when his hand first encircled her waist. He poured his focus into correcting her form and teaching her the steps. They had no music and so he hummed the songs to help them keep time. He wanted to believe that the way her mouth quirked at the first sound of his voice was a sign of pleasure but these days he was never sure of anything with Emma. It was as if he had sailed into stormy seas, all navigational beacons obliterated and nothing but a heaving, bucking, deck beneath his feet. A lesser sailor would have given up but he loved a challenge.

"There now. I think you can convince almost anyone that you belong." Killian said with pride as they completed the dance with a twirl. He meant it as a compliment for all her hard work but Emma's face, which had softened throughout the lesson suddenly hardened and she dropped his hand.

"I don't belong here. I'm only here to fix the timeline. Then I am going back to my world." she said flatly. Killian sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He could almost feel the deck pitching beneath his feet.

"Aye lass. So you keep saying." he turned away from her and resisted the urge to reach for his flask. "We best be going then." Wordlessly he began walking. He heard her following and as they reached the road she pulled up next to him. A glimmering white carriage, complete with coachman awaited them. Killian opened the door and held his hook out to help Emma in. She looked down at it briefly before grasping it and stepping in. The carriage took off and Emma began to explain the plan Rumplestilskin had laid out. Hook listened closely asking only a few questions before expressing his approval of the plan.

"I will need to find suitable attire." he said fingering his leather and wishing that the crocodile could have given him a magic wardrobe change.

"And we gotta do something about that hook." Emma pointed out. "I am fairly certain wearing that to a ball will make you stick out."

"Aye. That it will." he replied his hand stroking the smooth metal in contemplation. They lapsed into silence. Hook fixed his eyes out the window watching the forest give way to the occasional village.

"Thank you." Emma said the words so softly that Killian wasn't sure he heard them at first.

"What?" he asked.

"Thank you for teaching me. You are a pretty good teacher. Much nicer than when Regina taught me magic." Emma offered a grin and Killian smiled back tentatively his gut not trusting the suddenly calm waters.

Moments later she broke the silence again. "How long were you in the navy?" the question sounded casual but Killian couldn't help the surge of hope in his heart. Hope that Emma wasn't asking the question out of idle curiosity but because she wanted to get to know him the way he desperately wanted to know her.

"I first went to sea as a lad. I was about Henry's age and my brother, Liam, managed to convince his Captain that I would make an excellent cabin boy."

"And did you?"

"I took to the sea like a fish to water." Killian said with a grin as his mind filled with memories of salt air and a sturdy deck rocking beneath his feet. "It helped that Captain Nemo was a kind and patient man. Willing to teach me about the profession instead of confining me to the usual menial jobs. By the end of our voyage I knew I was born to be a sailor." As he talked Killian fixed his eyes out the window and so he didn't catch the look of admiration on Emma's face.

"You belonged on the ocean." she said with a wistful sigh. Killian felt sure she was wishing for a similar place to belong.

"Aye. I still do." Killian paused briefly considering that without the Jolly Roger he might never set sail again. He shook his head and continued his story."With the Captain's help both Liam and I received commissions. Then the war started and with it came the opportunity to gain great honor and treasure from captured enemy vessels."

"The ogre war?" Emma asked trying to piece together what little Enchanted Forest history she knew. Killian laughed lightly taking his eyes off the road to glance at her.

"Ogres aren't much for sailing darling." At that Emma grinned, her mind conjuring the image of a large, blind ogre trying to board the Jolly Roger. "No this was a different war." he said.

"What was the war about?"

Kilian shrugged. "What all wars are about-money, power, land. Whatever the royals deem worthy of sending people to fight and die for." his voice took on a harsh edge as his mind turned to Liam and the other sailors he saw die for their bloodthirsty and immoral King. He lapsed into angry contemplation.

"You don't have much use for royalty." she said after a brief silence.

"I don't have much use for cowards and most monarchs are cowards. They hide behind their guards and their palace gates while sending brave and honorable men to die."

"Is that…I mean did you become a pirate because of the war?" Killian paused and turned to Emma. The strange look of fascination in her eyes caught him by surprise. She was beginning to see something new in him and his heart stuttered at the thought. Never before had she shown such interest in his life, in his past. He wanted to give her the answer she sought, to explain why he had become a pirate but he knew he couldn't-not yet. The complete circumstances of Liam's death and his subsequent turn to piracy was not a story he told. He kept those memories carefully guarded. It had taken him years to confide in Milah and they had shared a bed and a ship. Despite the love that burned inside him for Emma Swan he could not trust her with this piece of himself. It was more than he was willing to give when there was a strong possibility that she would only throw it in his face later. Suddenly he understood the fear Emma must of felt when he prodded her for personal information. A small smile spread across his face as he realized his answer.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Perhaps I would." she said, without a hint of a smile. Killian could only blink in response. They held each other's gaze, each searching for an answer to an unasked question. A bump in the road caused the carriage to jerk and the moment was broken.

Killian returned to staring out the window. He forced his mind to focus on the plan, to focus on the task before them. He ignored the hammering of his heart and the conflict of his emotions. Hours passed and the forest slowly transformed into a city, a glistening gold castle presiding over it. The streets were abuzz with life and the marriage celebrations were clearly just beginning. A breeze danced through the window and Killian caught the taste of salt air. The carriage slowed as it got caught in the traffic surrounding the harbor. Killian's eyes examined the ships moored there, assessing their seaworthiness. His eyes stopped on a tall and glittering mast. He gasped in recognition.

"No. She can't be." he murmured. .

"Who? Who is it?" she asked her eyes trying to follow his through the crowd. But he didn't respond because his mind was trying to sort through the consequences of the Jolly Roger being in harbor. He searched his memory trying to recall this particular city on this particular day. But his thoughts are disrupted by Emma's voice.

"Hook!" she said breathlessly.

"Yes love."

"No." she shook her head and pointed across the crowd. "That Hook."

Killian followed her direction and saw himself, striding down the gangplank of the Jolly Roger. A swagger in his step and a dark gleam in his eye. They were dressed identically except he wore a red vest that added a menacing air to him. He lifted his arm to gesture to Smee and his hook gleamed in the sunlight. Suddenly Killian got an idea.

"Well this is fortuitous." he said as a smile creeped over his face. Emma was much less calm.

"How so? If he is here that means people will know you. How are we going to sneak into the castle now?"

"By having the former me lend us a hand."


They waited, watching Captain Hook conduct his business at the harbor. Emma couldn't help but be fascinated by the scene. He was a man in his element. Yelling and directing his crew as they unloaded the ship. Dealing with merchants as they bought his cargo. His face would flash from flirty charm to murderously dangerous and back in the course of a conversation. It was a revelation to see him, every inch the Captain in full command of his domain. There was a scuffle on the dock. Someone had drawn a sword on Hook. Instantaneously five of his men drew their weapons and moved between the man and their Captain. The aggressor wisely put his sword away.

Next to her Killian chuckled at the scene, a sad gleam in his eye. Emma realized how little she knew about Captain Killian "Hook" Jones and the life he had led on the Jolly Roger. She had only known him outside of his pirate life, a lone warrior fighting for his cause. But clearly he was a leader of men, men that jumped at his command and would fight and die for him.

Eventually the activity at the harbor died down and soon Captain Hook, his arm slung over the shoulders of Smee, walked off to a tavern.

"Now?" Emma asked.

Killian shook his head and waited a few more minutes.

"Now." He said. "Moving to climb out of the carriage. "Follow my lead Swan."

Once out of the carriage he placed his hand on her back and maneuvered her towards the dock. The warmth of his hand burned through her dress and she was reminded of their dancing lesson. She cast him a look from the corner of her eye but only saw a grim determination on his face. As they approached the Jolly Roger Hook's entire demeanor changed. His stiff walk became more of a lope. His hand moved from her back to grasp her firmly around the waist and pulled her flush against his body. Heat danced through Emma and she wasn't sure if it was the excitement of infiltrating the Jolly Roger or the nearness of the pirate.

"Captain! Back already?" The watchman called as they ascended the gangplank.

"Aye I found a much better way to pass the evening." Emma colored at his innuendo and chanced another glance at his face. She was shocked by the transformation. He had a playful, lecherous, smile on his lips and his eyes kept darting to her breasts. She understood then what con they were playing and attempted to maintain her part. She laid her head on his shoulder and snaked her hand across his stomach and up to his exposed chest. She felt him tremble in response to her touch and she knew the danger of this game had nothing to do with the watchman discovering their ruse.

They had reached the top of the gangplank but the watchman blocked their way.

"Sorry Captain. I need the password." Killian paused and Emma, afraid that they were about to be caught, reacted with what felt like the most logical solution. She pulled on his necklace forcing his head downwards as she reached up to meet his lips. His response was eager and devastating. Emma felt the hunger they had awoken in Neverland immediately take hold. It was a hunger she had kept at bay and denied ever since she had pushed him away and declared the event a "one time thing". But as their lips grappled she felt how deeply she had been lying to herself. She wanted this, she wanted him.

He pulled away. She let out an involuntary whimper and immediately hated herself for that second of weakness. Killian half turned to the watchman

"An eager lass isn't she?" he said with a suggestive lift of his eyebrows. The watchman chuckled in response. They moved to step on the deck but the man didn't budge.

"Password." he repeated not forgetting his duty.

"Oh Aye. Baelfire." Hook said darting a glance at Emma. She quickly covered her surprise as the watchman moved out of the way. They boarded the ship and made their way to the Captain's cabin. Hook stopped halfway there and turned back to the watchman as if an idea had just struck him but Emma suspected this was part of his plan.

"Oh Sparrow."

"Yes Captain?" The man turned and Hook threw him a gold coin.

"Fetch some food and rum from the tavern. We will need some sustenance. Just leave it outside the door we will get to it when we are no longer busy" at the word he turned back to Emma and pierced her with his hungry eyes. His finger brushing at her lips. The watchman hesitated.

"But Captain the watch…" Hook turned back to the man, his face a dark, angry mask.

"I gave you an order!"

"Aye-Aye Captain." the man looked petrified as he rushed to obey. Without looking back Killian pulled Emma the rest of the way to the cabin. He didn't release her until the door was closed. He leaned against the solid wood and his face collapsed his eyebrows drawn and his mouth a straight line. All the bravado and smiles disappeared and he was Killian once more. She stepped back as the change registered and she tried not to think how this sad face had become his default.

"Password?" she asked.

He nodded. "This is a land of magic Swan. Just because someone looks like the Captain it doesn't mean he is the Captain." They paused looking at each other silently. She wanted to make a joke to lighten the mood or at least acknowledge the kiss they had shared but Killian spoke first.

"Right then. I will get the clothes. You search for the hand. It should be in the desk." he gestured vaguely across the room before pushing himself away from the door with his foot and disappearing into the semi-darkness.

Emma pushed her emotions aside and moved to the desk. She opened drawers surveying their contents quickly before moving on to the next one. When she opened the top drawer her breath caught and she froze. There sat a large parchment, its edges worn with time containing a sketch of a beautiful woman. She had dark hair and large soulful eyes that reminded Emma of Neal.

"Milah" she whispered under her breath. She felt that somehow she was trespassing on something private, a piece of Killian's heart that he wouldn't want her to see. She closed the drawer and opened another and found the hand sitting at the top. She grabbed it and closed the drawer. She knew she should find Killian but instead she opened the top drawer once more and looked at the picture of Milah.

"What are you doing?" his angry voice reverberated around the cabin and she startled, slamming the drawer shut. Her guilty eyes came up to meet his angry ones.

"I'm…I'm sorry. I just. She was very beautiful." she said. He crossed the cabin in two long steps, a thunderclap of anger. He grabbed her and pulled her roughly away from the desk. Emma crashed into him, his hand wrapped around her bicep. Involuntarily her hand landed on his exposed chest and she couldn't stop her rapid breathing as she looked into his dark, pain filled eyes. His expression changed and suddenly his lips are on hers.

The kiss was nothing like their previous kisses. He was demanding and angry; pillaging her mouth with his tongue. His hook found her waist and dug so hard she was certain he drew blood. She let out a little gasp of pain but he only grunted angrily in response. He pushed her harshly into the desk and his hand slid along her thigh, gathering up her skirt. She pushed his hand away. Everything was moving too fast and Emma felt indignation and anger growing in her chest. She pushed at his shoulders and he pulled away momentarily.

He growled before lowering his head to suck on her collarbone his hand continuing its quest to get under her skirt. Anger filled her body and she shoved at his chest, the soft velvet of his vest rubbing against her palms. He staggered back and anger blackened his face.

"No. Stop." she said through gasps.

"Stop? Why should we stop when you so clearly want me?" his anger disappeared and was replaced by a knowing smirk. His hand ran up her arm to grasp her neck, his thumb rubbed her earlobe and he pulled her back to his lips. She didn't know if it was the dark of the cabin, the craziness of their circumstances, or how many new things she had learned about him that day but she suddenly wanted to be honest with him.

"I do want you. I do Killian." she said almost in a whisper as his lips reached for hers. He stopped and pulled away a strange, suspicious look on his face.

"Who told you my name is Killian?" he asked. Emma's brow crinkled in confusion.

"You did. When we met." his hand dropped and was quickly replaced by his hook hovering threateningly at her throat.

"No. I didn't darling." His face turned into a dark mask. It was only then that Emma realized her mistake. It wasn't her Killian at all, it was Captain Hook.

"What did you do to Sparrow?"

"Nothing!" Emma said trying to keep the panic from her voice.

"Who are you and why are you here?" he demanded.

"She's with me." an identical voice drawled from the shadows. Captain Hook turned around and before the shock could fully register on his face Killian, her Killian, knocked him unconscious. He barely glanced at his past self before rushing to Emma's side.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked concern etching his features. Emma's hand flew to her mouth and she had a feeling it might be bruised.

"I am fine." she lied. Her mind is still reeling from the encounter and mentally she cursed herself for not realizing sooner that she wasn't talking to the man she knew. Killian grabbed the hand off the desk and stuffed it into an already full leather satchel.

"Come on. We better go."

They rushed out of the cabin and across the deck. All pretense tossed aside in favor of speed. Emma was halfway down the gangplank when she realized Killian wasn't with her. She turned back, fearing the worst. Instead she saw him, standing on the deck of his ship his hand lovingly caressing the weather battered wood. She paused and waited, allowing him this moment with his ship. She didn't have to wait long and soon he joined her.

"Now lets get to that ball and fix this timeline." he said.


I have no idea what will happen in the finale but I just had so many thoughts and feeling about it that this came out. This might have another chapter if I find enough time this week so follow if you are interested in reading what comes next.

Reviews always make my day!