Okay, so this chapter is being dedicated to my lovely friend Erin (callmeasinnercallmeasaint6 on tumblr) because without her you guys wouldn't have a story haha. Also, she's the one who gets all my random bts shit at 3 am when I have writers block.
Any way, here's chapter 4. Enjoy :)
The next morning brought clear skies, the sound of the sea birds rousing Killian from his slumber. He sat up with a groan, the cold wooden floor creaking beneath him. Hearing the rustle of fabric from the corner, he looked to see Emma sitting up in the bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. He noticed her shift had slipped down over her shoulder, showing a peek of creamy skin that looked soft to the touch. He wondered what it would be like to kiss her there, the red marks his beard would leave on her neck…
He snapped out of his daze as he felt his leather pants tighten painfully. He cleared his throat, standing so he could put on his shirt. "Good morning love," he said gruffly, deftly doing up the bottom three buttons of his linen shirt before pulling his vest over his shoulders.
"Good morning Captain," she said airily, pulling her pants over her shift before donning the new cotton shirt he had given her, forgoing the dreaded corset.
"Killian will do, thank you," he teased her, stepping closer to her. She rolled her eyes at him, buttoning her own shirt before pulling on the vest and buttoning that as well.
"Did you need something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at his sudden proximity.
"Nope, I'm just admiring the view," he said with a wink, leaning against the bookshelf behind him. Emma rolled her eyes at him again. "Keep that up love and your eyes are going to roll right out of your head,"
"I think I'll survive," she said haughtily, crossing her arms over her chest.
Killian chuckled. "Are we back to being hostile now?"
Emma sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm not exactly a morning person," she blushed, feeling silly. "I'm also not used to waking up… moving,"
Killian nodded in understanding. "Waking up on a ship takes some getting used to,"
"I'll take the floor tonight. Your back must be aching from it," she said, stepping closer to him. Unexpectedly, she reached out and buttoned his vest for him, her hands resting on his chest once she was done. He brought his right hand to cover her left one.
"Better me than you darling," he said softly, examining her face. She was pale, much paler than when he had brought her onboard only 2 nights ago. There were faint purple circles under her eyes, and his brow furrowed in worry.
"Perhaps we can share the bed then," she said after a moment, so quiet that he almost missed it.
"Love, really –"
"You told me why you're a pirate, about your sister. You trusted me, and if I'm going to be stuck with you for a while, I'm going to have to trust you too. I've thought about what you said last night, about being partners in this story. And I think you're right. We're going to have to work together to defeat our foes, and to do that there has to be trust. So I'm going to trust you to keep your hand to yourself, so that we are both rested properly," she said, looking at their hands as he absentmindedly rubbed the back of hers with his thumb.
"Aye love, you're right. We have to trust each other. If you insist, far be it from me to deny you," he paused, looking at her pale face again. "Did you sleep much last night?"
She shrugged, looking away. "Enough," she replied sharply.
Hook sighed, moving to the stairs. He didn't want to push her. "Come. Let us go above deck. You could the sunlight," he smirked, holding the cabin open for her. She huffed, and he knew she rolled her eyes at him, even if he couldn't see it.
"Ship approaching Captain! Flying the black flags!" Killian heard from the crow's nest. He picked his telescope, seeing that in fact, another pirate ship was coming their way.
"What does that mean?" Emma asked, suddenly behind him. She had been quiet all morning, staying close to the helm, watching the water as they sailed towards their destination.
"It means pirates love, and not all are as kind as myself," he said grimly. "Do you know how to use a sword?"
Emma just looked at him. "Of course, my father has been teaching me to fight since I was ten, but I don't exactly have my sword on me,"
Killian nodded. "Smee! Prepare the men for the other ship to board. We do not attack first! We have to make it to Tortuga before sundown!" he called to his first mate. "Take the helm Emma, just keep it straight. I'll be right back," he said, running below deck before she could protest. He really did come right back though, carrying with him a small cutlass.
"Where did you get that?" she asked taking it and feeling the weight of it in her hand.
"It was mine when I was just a lad. I hope it suits you," he said as they lowered an anchor, the other ship laying a plank across as three men walked across, clearly in pirate garb. However, followed close behind them was a young woman, younger than even Emma, dressed in brown leather pants, a white linen shirt, and a long navy coat that had been cut in the front to allow freedom for her to walk. She had short, dark brown curls - the shortest hair Emma had ever seen on a woman – that just brushed her shoulders and was pulled from her face with a tarnished silver comb. Her face wore a hardened expression, though it was made of soft, feminine lines, and her eyes were the same striking, beautiful blue as Killian's.
"Tarryn," Killian said with a groan, stalking over to her. "What the hell are you doing?! You told me you were staying in Tortuga for another week!" he yelled at her, and she sat there staring at him unfazed.
"Plans change Killian," Her eyes roamed about the deck, ignoring the fact that her brother was standing in front of her fuming. "Is that her?" she said, her sight landing on Emma. Tarryn pushed past Killian to look the princess over, and Emma felt self-conscious under her gaze. "Hello Princess. I'm Captain Jones of the Queen's Revenge," she said, her head tipped in greeting.
"Please, call me Emma," Emma said, studying the strange young woman in front of her, not sure what else to say.
Her face softened into a small smile. "Well then Emma, call me Tarryn," she said, turning back to Killian. "Can we speak in your quarters?" she asked.
Killian nodded. "I do not wish to stay anchored in the middle of the ocean though,"
Tarryn nodded. "Sail out to open water then. I'll have my ship follow," she nodded to her men. "Go back across and tell Mr. Randall to follow the Jolly Roger, and not to stray from her course until I return," the men nodded and went on their way. She smiled at Killian. "After you Captain,"
Killian gestured for Emma to go first, and she quickly made her way below deck, the sound of two sets of heavy boots following behind her.
"So Tarryn, where would you like to start? Why you didn't stay in Tortuga like we agreed to when I left, or why the bloody hell you have Blackbeard's ship?" Killian said calmly, though his voice was laced with venom as he drank his rum straight from the flask.
Tarryn sighed, running her fingers through her curls before taking off her jacket. "They're one and the same really," she looked to Emma, who was standing against the wall watching them. "Sit down dear, you're going to need a drink too,"
Emma obliged, taking the flask from Killian's hand while Tarryn continued. "I was planning on staying in port until you returned, but word had travelled around the kingdom very quickly about the princess's escape," she sighed looking to Emma. "Your parents are fine by the way, at least as far as the villagers know. Those blasted women left as soon as you did. I guess you pose a greater threat to them than anyone else.
"Anyway, everyone knows that you are on this ship. Too many people saw Killian here drag you through the tavern at Port Royal the night of your birthday," she turned to Killian and pointed an accusing finger at him. "You are a right moron for bringing her through there you know. Everyone recognized her, half the kingdom thinks you kidnapped her,"
Killian scoffed. "Let them think it then. I'm already a scoundrel, it can't exactly hurt my reputation,"
"That's not the point. Ursula and the queens of darkness know where you both are and since they all want to see you dead or one reason or another, that's not exactly information you want them to have," Tarryn shook her head. "The sea bitch knew you'd return to me in Tortuga, so she enlisted the help of Blackbeard to ambush me on my ship. Luckily he still underestimates me,"
"What exactly does that mean?"
"He kept me from my ship, so I just stole his,"
"You know," Emma cut in suddenly. "You hold yourself like you were raised in high society. If I didn't know any better, and if it wasn't for your hair, I'd think you a lady of the court. But when you speak, it's clear you are definitely a pirate,"
Tarryn smirked. "The inn where I was raised was in the maritime kingdom. As I'm sure you're aware, it's a small nation, so for balls and such the lords and ladies stayed there. I would watch them, copy their movements, unknowingly at first, and then I spent my time practicing. I always knew my brothers would enter the navy, so I supposed they would set me up with a naval officer when the time came for me to marry. I wanted to be able to act the part well," she sighed. "It became second nature to me. It's why they call me Lady Tarryn – I may look and act like a lady, but I am a pirate through and through,"
"Why did you cut your hair short?" Emma blurted, more out of curiosity than anything.
Tarryn raised her brow in a very Killian-esque expression. "Long hair is impractical. When I managed to join the ranks of a ship as an actual crew member, it got in the way. I tried tying it in a braid, but one day during a storm the braid got caught in the rigging," Tarryn cringed at the memory, and Emma involuntarily reached for her own hair, pinned back from her face with the few pins she had managed to salvage from her elaborate ball hairstyle. "I took my cutlass and chopped it off quickly. Our next stop was Port Atlantia, you know, in the maritime kingdom. All the woman wear their hair short there now. It dries much faster and gives more desirable curls for the woman lucky enough to be born with them," she said, as if reciting from a story book. "They fixed the style, though it wasn't really necessary. The first mate insisted, thinking I was more upset about my loss of hair than I really was. It was his faulty rigging it got stuck on though, so he blamed himself,"
"Tarryn here is probably the best at rigging out of any sailor I've met. I don't have much ability for it now, but even with two hands I couldn't out tie her," Killian said fondly.
"Yes, but you've always been a near perfect navigator. No matter how many people try to show me I can't read star charts to save my life. I'm just lucky I remember the shapes in these skies in case I ever find myself lost on my own, and even then I'd probably lose my way more times than I could find it,"
"How the hell can you be the captain of a ship and not be able to navigate?"
Tarryn smirked. "Well that's what I have a first mate for isn't it?"
Killian chuckled. "Aye, I suppose that's true,"
"So what now? There's a pirate after you," Emma said, jutting her chin in Tarryn's direction. "And there's a bunch of crazy ladies with magic after us," she waved her hand between her and Killian.
"Aye. We certainly can't keep running forever," Killian said, taking another sip of his rum.
"Well she's the savior. If the rumors are true, you have magic. So we aren't completely defenseless," Tarryn said, shrugging.
Emma shook her head. "I don't really know how to use it. I've only had a few lessons, and nothing has ever really come of them,"
"Well then you're going to have to practice. We can continue sailing, dock only in friendly ports, while you learn to harness your magic. If any danger comes to you, Killian and I can protect you,"
"I can protect myself. I don't need you to babysit me," Emma said, an icy tone creeping into her voice. Tarryn bristled.
"I'm sorry, but last time I checked it was Killian and I who had experienced fighting on the seas. I've only been a pirate for three years yet when you say my name the taverns clear. If you say Princess Emma they'd probably all gather round to get a better look,"
"Tarryn –" Killian warned
"No, Killian, I am doing this as a favor to you. You're my brother, but I don't need to be involved in whatever mess you've made with the royals. And she needs to be grateful," Tarryn snapped, glaring daggers at him.
"I will not be grateful for some ill-conceived notion of my inability!" Emma yelled, standing up. "You may be a pirate, but that doesn't give you a right to make assumptions about my fighting skills!"
"Damn right I'm a pirate! And you're just a sheltered little princess, so excuse me for assuming that I know more than you but since I didn't grow up surrounded by palace walls I'm pretty sure my world view is more accurate than yours!"
"I am not just a princess! You don't know anything about me, so why don't you take your assumptions and –"
"ENOUGH!" Killian roared, banging his fist on the desk. "Tarryn, get your bloody arse up on deck. Now," Killian said, his voice dangerously quiet.
"I'm sorry, are you seriously giving me orders after her little tantrum?" Tarryn said incredulously.
"That was not a tantrum, that was an argument because you are being a bitch," Tarryn's eyes widened a bit before narrowing in anger. Killian cut her off before she could speak. "I am still Captain of this ship, and you are a guest so show some respect and get. Up. On. Deck. Now," Killian punctuated each word as his words became angrier. After staring at him for a moment, her chest heaving with fury, Tarryn turned and stomped up to the main deck. Killian flopped back into his seat, rubbing his forehead.
"I'm sorry Emma. I didn't think she would be –"
"It's fine Killian,"
"No, it's not. She's wrong. In the short time I've spent with you, I know you're more than just a princess. Tarryn is just… she's still young, filled with fire. And she's seen so much, too much I think sometimes. But that does not give an excuse for her holier than thou attitude,"
"You don't think like she does, do you?"
"No love. I have only known you for three days, and yet I know that you are more than just a pretty face. Tarryn thinks all rulers are tyrants. I have been around a little bit longer, and I have seen that there are honorable kings," he stood, standing close to her. "And gallant princesses,"
Emma smiled up at him, suddenly feeling his close proximity. His blue eyes sparkled, and she felt an irresistible urge over take her. Without warning, she grabbed him by the lapels of his heavy leather jacket and crashed her lips to his, savoring the taste of spice and rum that lingered on his lips. She pressed further, her tongue darting out to caress his bottom lip, and he granted her entrance, their tongues intertwining as she gripped his jacket tighter and he tangled his fingers in her hair. Killian broke away first, leaning his forehead against hers as he caressed her cheek.
"Stay here love. I will speak to Tarryn," he whispered breathlessly. Emma nodded, her fingers skimming down his arm as he walked away from her and up to the higher deck.
So, I received a review recently about the fact that I had written Killian a made up sibling, but left out Emma's real brother. And I'd like to address that fact. First, I would like to state that I have thought about this universe EXTENSIVELY. There are scenes missing from the first chapter that have played out in my mind, I have reference sheets I made of timelines, Tarryn's story, how Hook lost his hand, ports and kingdoms, prophecies... so when I tell you that me leaving out Emma's siblings in the first chapter has been a mistake, trust me.
In chapter one, Emma says "Perhaps mum will allow us a quiet meal,". Us is meant to refer to the whole family. Canonically, Charming always wanted a lot of children, however in my universe there were things (ie King George and Regina) that kept them from having more children until Emma was older. She has 3 younger siblings - Ruth, and then Lance and Mary. They were off with their minders while Snow prepared for the ball (much like how Snow was with Joanna while her mother prepared for her ball) and if you'd like more detail please message me. If you want to know why Emma hasn't mentioned them - well, she's been guarding 's hardly mentioned her parents, and she's only been gone for three days. I'm sure they'll make an appearance later, but they haven't exactly been important to the plot thus far.
Sorry for the long author's note. Hope that cleared up any questions though! As always, reviews are immensely appreciated.
