Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT

Chapter 2: There Is A Call

"Oi Killian! Why are you so late? Ruby got back an hour ago."

Killian glanced up from a particularly tricky knot.

Liam stood over him, arms folded across his chest. He wasn't going to let Killian get away with not responding to his question, it seemed.

"I was rescuing an animal." Killian smiled to himself, noting that technically he didn't lie.

Liam grunted in response. "Fine. Next time though, you get back here faster. Remember you're a sailor, not a hunter."

Killian nodded, and rose to his feet, dropping the net he had been working on.

"Where is Ruby anyway? She wanted to know what the animal was."

Liam had taken his place on the floor, and had picked up the net he had abandoned.

"In the town hall, giving her report to Glass and Mills."

Killian nodded.

"I'll be back in a bit, brother." He called over his shoulder. A rag was thrown at him in response.

"Dinner's at seven."

Killian grinned and closed the door behind him.


He met Ruby just as she was leaving the town hall. The imposing building was the most impressive one in the town, featuring carved statues and elegant pillars. Leroy and his team had worked overtime, making sure that the building was up to Mayor Mills' standards.

Ruby did not look happy. She had a look or resignation etched upon her face, and Killian could tell that she was not having a great day.

"Trainees didn't cut it?" he asked.

Ruby sighed.

"Yeah. Ashley prefers the kitchens, and Jefferson is oddly excited about the prospect of working for Geppetto's brother."

Killian raised an eyebrow.

"Mr. Spade? The milliner? Isn't he...rather eccentric?"

Ruby snorted.

"That's putting it mildly. I bet it's all those fumes."

Killian grinned at her.

"Well, look at the bright side. The next two they give you might actually be able to aim."

Ruby laughed, and playfully punched him in the shoulder.

"What was that animal anyway?" she asked.

Killian swallowed.

"A goat that gotten caught in some bramble. I don't know whose, so I just let it loose. Figured it would make its way back to its owner."

Ruby nodded, buying his lie. "Makes sense. I've heard goats scream like humans before. It's unnerving."

Just then, the clock began to strike. It was seven.

Killian gulped. He'd better hurry home or Liam would have his head.

He said his goodbyes and rushed home, just in time to help Liam set the table and ladle out a stew.

After dinner, he slipped out back to the storage shed with half a loaf of bread and a small dish of stew.

The shed was a small structure, built by their father to hold loose tarpaulin and sails, but after his demise, Liam and Killian had moved everything that had been in their parents' room there. Liam had claimed the stuff was just collecting dust in a room that could be used for something else, but Killian knew that he couldn't stand looking at anything that reminded him of their parents. Their parents' room stood empty.

Killian pushed the door forward slightly. Even though his father had been a minimalist, the storage room was overcrowded. Maps and trinkets clamoured for space on narrow shelves, a trunk that contained his mother's dresses and father's suits gathered dust in a corner. Their bed, that had just been enough to fit two, took up a third of the room.

The girl was on the bed, her ankle propped up on a pillow. Killian had bandaged it as best he could. He had been right, it was a sprain. A bad sprain, but a sprain nonetheless. She had not looked pleased when he had informed her of his diagnosis, and how long she'd have to rest here. She sat up as he approached. He gestured with the food in his hands.

"I've brought you something to eat."

She smiled gratefully.

"Thanks."

He sat on the edge of the mattress and carefully handed her the food. She ate ravenously, wolfing down alternating bites of bread and stew, and was finished in no time at all. She handed the empty bowl back to him silently.

He took it, rising to his feet and running his free hand through his hair.

"Lass, could you at least tell me your name?" he asked pleadingly.

She tilted her head at him, staring at him intensely. Finally she shrugged.

"It seems only fair. You can call me Swan."

Killian smiled. Her golden hair was still bright, despite the low light in the room, and he stared for a second, mesmerized.

"Swan. It suits you."

She shot him a small smile, that he might have missed had he not being paying attention. It made him happier than he should have been.

"Well, Swan, g'night. I'll see you in the morrow."

He turned at headed towards the door, expertly avoiding the knick-knacks that lay scattered around. He was almost at the door when he heard her.

"What's your name?"

He turned around sharply.

She was looking at him again, except her stare was kinder this time.

"Killian Jones, at your service." he replied, and embellished his reply with a mock bow.

Swan grinned at him.

"Well, thank you, Killian Jones."

He smiled at her once more, and then slipped out the door, making sure to lock it behind him.


Emma lay back down in her makeshift bed, the darkness fuelling her thoughts. A week. A week and then she could complete her mission. What luck that she had been brought right into Storybrooke! Sure, the injured leg was a setback, but it was better than lurking around in the forest, biding her time. Tomorrow she'd question the man who brought her here. He'd know where the witch doctor was. Her thoughts drifted back to her rescuer. Killian Jones. He was unlike the men in her village. His tanned skin, his dark hair and his bright cerulean eyes. He was strong too - he'd carried her so easily, as if she was as light as a bird. She felt a twinge of sadness that the thought that she would have to betray him, but her village came first. She was their only hope.

She shifted carefully, trying to avoid moving her injured leg too much, and slipped into a dreamless sleep.