Night had fallen as they sailed on and the moonlight had cast a beautiful silver glow on the deck, the small lanterns placed around the ship providing pockets of warm light in contrast. Emma watched on with a smile as the crew cheered on the latest round of the sword fight, which was particularly entertaining as they both mockingly danced their way around each other in a slapstick manner. It had taken some convincing from Killian to join them (she had secretly planned to spend the trip below deck reclusively, but she couldn't deny his joyous request) but now she was actually enjoying herself.

'How are you enjoying life aboard the Jolly Roger so far, my lady?' The man beside her asked, tipping his goblet of rum to touch it with hers. He was an older man, much older than the rest of the crew with his grey hair and wrinkled skin, but there was wisdom in his eyes that showed his maturity much more than his appearance. His voice was scratchy and rough, but it was somehow soothing.

'Oh, it's been wonderful, thank you. I've never been on a ship before, so to sail on the Jolly Roger no less is quite an adventure.' Although she was only meant to be a bar-wench, she felt the need to be extra polite and well mannered, even amongst men who drank rum until they passed out and swore like, well sailors.

'That's good to hear, lass.' The old man smiled before taking a drink. 'You're a special one, aren't you?' He lowered his voice as he questioned her, and she suddenly felt nervous that he knew something was off.

'What do you mean?' She replied innocently.

'The Captain used to have many women onboard, usually when we docked for supplies he would bring one, two, sometimes three women back with him. None of them would stay with us; o'course, he'd send them back to the taverns he found them in after the night. Then Milah came along and he was besotted with her, that is until the Dark One killed her. The Captain hasn't been the same since. He brings women back but they ain't like his Milah, until you, lass. He ain't ever invited a woman to join us since her. He looks at you differently, even to her. He loved her o'course, but there's something different in his eyes when he looks at you. You must be special if Captain Hook is looking at you like you're the one.'

She nearly spat out the rum in her mouth at his words, but recovered quickly as she forced the liquid down her throat with a large gulp. 'Oh, I'm humbled by your words, but I don't think that's true. I'm sure he feels lonely after losing Liam and Milah-'

'If he told you about Liam I stand by my assessment. I am the only remaining crew member from back when this ship was named the Jewel of the Realm and Liam was the captain. The rest of the crew don't even know Hook had a brother. He has only told one person and that was Milah. Captain Hook is not one to share stories easily, my lady.' She took a large mouthful of rum, needing more alcohol in her system.

'Yes, but maybe Killian Jones is.' She said with a small smile, her eyes focused on the small flame of a lantern nearby.

'Ah, so you do know the real him. Perhaps you and I are the only people alive to have seen Killian Jones. Think about that next time you see him, and you'll understand what I mean when I say you're special.' He clinked their goblets together again before getting up and making his way to the crew's quarters.

She looked up at the helm, watching Killian as he surveyed his crew with a grin. His eyes landed on her and his grin turned into a genuine smile, and even with the distance between them she could see how happy he was. She hated the phrase of having butterflies in your stomach, but it seemed to be the best way to describe how she felt.

She set her goblet down on the barrel beside her and quietly made her way up the stairs to the helm, looking back when a roar of laughter erupted from the crew at a particularly amusing move by one of the swordsmen in the fight. 'Everything alright, Swan?' Killian asked softly from behind her.

'Yeah, I was just heading down to your cabin; I'm a little tired after everything that's happened.' She couldn't look him in the eye; not after hearing the old man talk about how he looked at her like she was 'the one'.

'You can have the bed.' Killian said quietly, repeating his nervous gesture of scratching his ear. 'Then where will you sleep?' She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest awkwardly. 'Don't worry about me, Swan.' He said with a self deprecating smile.

She knew he was just as stubborn as she was and he wouldn't let her sleep anywhere but his bed, so she caved. 'Okay, well, thank you.' Emma said, feeling her blush warm her cheeks as she moved to towards his cabin. She was grateful for the cool breeze of the night that hit her just before she shut the latch as she descended into his room. She lit a few of the candles on the shelves before climbing in, every bone and muscle crying out as she finally rested on a soft surface.

She pulled the sheets up around her, smiling at the familiar scent. She still had so much to worry about and she didn't even know if their plan would work, but she allowed herself some peace, if only for the night, to relax and enjoy being onboard a real pirate ship. Even though the older (or perhaps younger) Hook lived in the little cabin she found herself in, everything reminded her of Killian, the man she was starting to see underneath the pirate captain. The thought comforted her and she quickly drifted off to sleep, feeling safe, warm and maybe even just a little bit of happiness.