DISCLAIMER: "Once Upon A Time" is copyrighted to ABC and Disney-ABC Domestic Television. I retain rights to the plot, but not the characters. This story is meant for enjoyment purposes only. No infringement is intended.

AUTHOR: Katrina

TIMELINE: AU. Sequel to 'Glimpses of Love and Affection'. It's not a necessity to read GOLAA first but please note that I will make some references to events in that story.

PAIRING: Captain Hook/Emma Swan, Captain Swan.

SYNOPSIS: The past catches up with Killian Jones as one of Hook's previous adversaries returns to wreak vengeance.

GENRE: Romance/Angst/Adventure

NO QUARTER

Prologue

Captain James Leven stared through his spyglass making a slow sweep of the horizon searching for anything remiss.

The short, rotund man had been a sailor for many years and had a gut instinct when it came to danger. Right now his stomach was twisted up in so many knots he doubted it'd ever fully untangle itself.

The wind ruffled his greying hair as he dropped the telescope then let out a sigh and tried to calm his unsettled nerves. It wouldn't do for his crew to see him so unnerved.

He made his way back to the helm of his ship and stood next to his Lieutenant giving him a brief nod of acknowledgement. The vessel was cutting a fine swathe through the choppy ocean almost as if the water was still and he was pleased at least that they were making good time.

Queen Snow White and her husband certainly knew what they were doing when they'd appointed Captain Killian Jones to oversee their fleet. He'd had his doubts if he were honest, being that the man was one of the most feared pirate's to have sailed their realm but he'd been proved wrong and happily so. The former pirate certainly knew his way around a vessel and the ship Leven was currently on, 'Devotion', was the fastest and most well balanced he'd ever had the privilege to sail.

They were returning from the first trade mission to a far realm that Captain Jones had negotiated some five weeks earlier and were two days out from their return to the Enchanted Forest. All had gone well and they had secured a decent sum of gold and linen in exchange for the wheat and other non-perishables they had delivered.

He glanced off to the horizon again, his gut churning unpleasantly and put the telescope to his eye once more. Mid way through another sweep he suddenly stiffened when he saw a tiny speck in the distance.

"Mr. Lang, up to the crow's nest. Keep an eye portside," he barked out to one of his men.

"Aye, aye, Captain," the young man replied then began to climb.

They sailed on with Leven checking on the progress of the other vessel every few minutes until it became obvious that they were gaining very swiftly. He ordered all sails to be unfurled and 'Devotion' sped up, putting some distance between the two ships again.

It wasn't for long though as Lang shouted down that the other vessel was gaining.

"Looks to be a schooner, Captain, ten cannon from what I can make out," he reported.

Leven grimaced at that news. No wonder they were catching them, the ship was much bigger and had more sail. It probably wouldn't have the same manoeuvrability as the 'Devotion' at close quarters but that was something he didn't want to have to test out.

"Can you see their colours yet?" he called back.

"Aye," Lang affirmed after a moment then looked down at the Captain with a smile of relief. "She's one of King Midas' ships."

Leven started to smile, thankful that his instinct had been wrong after all even though his gut still swirled unhappily. Maybe he had eaten something tainted and that was the cause of his discomfort. He turned his head and saw that the vessel had drawn even closer. The name, 'The Fancy' was written clearly on its side and something about it scratched at a little memory deep in the recess of his mind. It seemed familiar. They levelled off and he fully expected them to continue on by with a wave of acknowledgement but instead she began to slow.

Too late he realised their intent as the gun ports suddenly opened and the tips of the cannon were pushed through aimed directly at 'Devotion'.

"Pirates, Captain!" Lang suddenly yelled fearfully as he pointed towards the other ship.

Leven immediately looked up, eyes widening as he saw a black flag being hoisted. Dead in the centre was a bright red skeleton and his blood ran cold. He knew exactly who it was and what it meant to him and his crew.

Edward Low.

A notorious, bloodthirsty pirate who many had thought to be dead. The merciless torture of his victims was well known and very few ever lived to tell their tales.

A loud boom suddenly echoed in the air as a heavy shot flew straight through the mizzenmast bringing it crashing down onto the deck along with the crow's nest and Lang. His death was swift as was the panic that suddenly erupted aboard ship. Being a trade vessel they were ill equipped for such an attack.

The Captain began issuing curt orders trying to regain control of his men but deep down he knew it was futile. They were outgunned and the aft was already on fire as the ship began to list from a direct hit to its hull.

Lines were cast from the schooner, hooks grappling over the side of the rails then pulled tight to draw the floundering ship closer. Pirates swarmed on board as the acrid aroma of burning wood and charred flesh filled his nostrils. Drawing his sword, he tried to ignore the agonised screams of his men that sliced through the air and entered the fray as the savage buccaneers cut down anyone in their way. All too soon they were completely overrun and Leven yelled out for his crew to stop and down their weapons.

His men did as they were told and a small part of him still hoped that he and his crew might yet get out of the situation alive. The pirates grabbed the survivors and forced them to the centre of the deck. Sweat glistened on Leven's brow and trickled down his neck. The heat from the fire combined with the sun proving too much after his exertion causing him to sway a little just as one of the pirate's moved forward from the rest of the group towards him.

He wasn't a tall man but he exuded confidence as he swaggered across the deck. Of somewhere around middle age, he was dressed quite finely; his breeches, waistcoat and long jacket all the same shade of dark grey. White shirt, black cravat and boots completed his ensemble and upon his head sat a black tricorn hat with no frivolous adornment such as a feather or brocade.

"Get the gold, mates," he told his own men with a soft accent that belied his swarthy looks.

The pirates rushed to obey and it wasn't long before they'd taken everything and stowed it upon the schooner. Leven straightened up as the pirate captain came to a halt in front of him and looked him over with disdain clear in his dark brown eyes as he ran his hand over his neatly trimmed beard.

"Ye put up a good fight but it was for naught," Low said with a sneer.

Leven fought the urge to recoil from his captor's stinking breath and raised his head defiantly. Apparently the pirate captain's attention to his appearance didn't stretch to his teeth that were blackened and rotten.

"You have your spoils, now let me and my men go," Leven demanded brusquely.

The pirate's lips pulled up into a vicious smile that didn't reach anywhere near his eyes and shook his head.

"Too late for that," Low replied before abruptly turning away and facing his men. Heading for the rail, he jumped up and held onto some rigging before shouting out his command, "Blast them out of the water lads. No quarter given."

His men cheered his order then climbed aboard the schooner and cut through the ropes that joined the ships. The 'Devotion' listed heavily to one side as boom after boom rang out, the ship splintering as it took hit after hit.

Leven yelled for his remaining men to jump overboard but it was too little too late and the 'Devotion' rapidly sunk to the depths, taking everyone with it.

Captain Low watched the demise of the ship and its crew with a grim satisfaction. If that didn't get the attention of his old adversary Hook or whatever name the one handed turncoat chose to go by now, then nothing would.

He had a score to settle with that traitor and it was going to be paid…in full.

END PROLOGUE