I own nothing except my delusions.
Emma awoke to hear Hook knocking on her door. She quickly sat up, the cat beside her looking up at her indignantly as she pushed him aside to move towards the door.
She opened it, revealing Hook standing in the narrow hallway.
"Good morning, Swan," he greeted. "I thought I could accompany you down to the galley."
Emma nodded to him. "Good Morning. Thank you, I would like that."
She turned to shoo the cat out of the room so he wouldn't be locked in there the entire day when the cat meowed in protest, drawing Hooks attention.
"There's where that bloody cat's been," Hook said, annoyed. "The crew said they hadn't seen Lir for over a week."
Emma looked up at Hook, an amused smile of her face. "He's actually been keeping me company since I got here."
Hook just shook his head. "He's supposed to be keeping the ship free of vermin."
Emma exited the room, the cat, Lir, slinking out behind her. Emma shut the door behind them, chuckling at Hook's annoyance at the cat.
"So, Swan, shall we make our way?" Hook asked her, offering her his arm like he had the previous night.
Emma nodded to him, securing her arm through his. The silence that engulfed them was not uncomfortable as they made their way to the galley. Hook pushed open the door for her, allowing them inside.
McCullen looked up from his work as they entered. "Good morning, Captain. Princess."
Emma smiled at him. "Good morning, McCullen."
Hook led them to their spots from the previous morning, where they both settled in as McCullen gave them their food. McCullen soon slipped into his spot with his food, joining them.
"We're to change coarse, and set sail south to that land you approved," Hook imformed Emma.
She nodded, quickly swallowing her food. "Okay."
McCullen looked at them curiously, about to ask what they were talking about when Curry entered the galley.
"Ah, McCullen," Curry said. "Just the man I wanted to see."
McCullen shook his head as Curry sat next to him. "You can wait a bit."
Curry laughed, content to wait. McCullen looked back up between Emma and Hook. "Captain, what do you mean by we are altering our coarse?"
Hook looked over to the cook. "We are releasing Swan. She is no longer a prisoner, and she has given me a location she would like to disembark at."
McCullen just nodded to him, knowing this would happen soon. Curry looked slightly unhappy, having grown attached to the princess.
Emma noticed their reactions, deciding not to say anything. She was curious why they were sorry to see her go. But admitably, she knew that despite knowing the men for only a short time, she would miss them.
They continued to eat, save Curry who patiently waited for his food. McCullen finished his food and gave Curry his just as the crew began to file in. Most of the men, Emma noticed, didn't look at her curiously like they had the day before, save a few. Emma released a relieved breath, glad they weren't focusing on her.
Hook noticed her reaction. "Glad not to be under their scrutiny?"
Emma smirked. "Yeah. Nice to see the novelty wearing off."
Hook opened his mouth, about to respond, when he turned to glare at Foley, who was passing too close for Hook's liking. Seeing the captain's glare, he moved away quickly.
Hook turned back to Emma, shaking his head. "Sorry about that, love."
Emma merely nodded to him, the good mood between them vanishing. Emma began picking at the remainder of her food, her appetite gone.
"Are you done?" Hook asked her.
"Yeah. I'm not feeling very hungry," Emma responded.
Hook slid her bowl towards him, intent on finishing the food. Emma raised her brow at him.
"We don't let any food go to waste," Hook explained. "You'll want to finish the lemon though. Don't want our princess getting scurvy now, do we?"
Emma smirked at him, grabbing the lemon water before her.
Hook remained by her side after he finished, along with Curry, intent on waiting with her as the galley cleared.
After the men left, Hook stood to make his leave. "Swan," he nodded.
Emma nodded back up at him before he left, leaving her with Curry and McCullen.
"Well, I'll be seeing you later, Princess," Curry said as he rose to depart behind Hook.
Emma was struck by an idea. She had not been outside is some time, and Curry was one of her guards. She decided to push her luck. "Curry?"
He turned around, looking at her curiously. Emma pressed on, biting her lip nervously. "I was actually wondering if I might go out on deck today? I haven't been outside at all since I got here, and I could use some air."
Curry glanced over to McCullen. "Mind if I steal her for the day?"
McCullen nodded at him. "Of course." He looked over to Emma, smiling. "Enjoy yourself, Princess."
Emma grinned at him, quickly getting up to follow Curry out. Curry led her through the ship, needing to check some things before going above. Emma watched curiously. With as many times she'd traveled by ship, she hadn't actually seen all the workings that went into it. Finally, Curry led her to the hatch, leading her up to the deck.
Cool, salty air immediately hit Emma as she emerged. She instantly felt her body relax, taking in the sun and air. She stood by the hatch as Curry closed it, feeling the cool breeze around her. She was not aware of the smile on her face until Curry laughed.
"Judging by your expression," he chuckled, "I'm assuming you really needed to get out, huh?"
Emma couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, I really did."
"Come on," he gestured. "I need to look over some maintenance for the artillery."
He led her to the cannons, where a group of men stood by cleaning them. One of the men looked up, approaching Curry. The man was tall, with thick muscles cording around his arms. With his lighter complexion, dark eyes, and dark curling hair, he reminded her of Roland, Regina's step son, save the long scar that ran from his right temple to his jaw, which was covered in a short, dark beard.
"Curry," he greeted in a deep voice.
"Murphy," Curry responded. He turned to Emma. "Princess, this is Benjamin Murphy, our gunner."
"Princess," Murphy greeted, slightly bowing his head to her. Emma nodded back to him.
He turned back to the cannons, easily chatting with Curry, who stood leaning against the gunwhale. Emma watched them, relaxing in the open air.
She eventually looked over to the men, watching as they talked. Murphy noticed her watching them.
"See something you like, Princess?" he asked flirtatiously.
Emma laughed. "No, just curious. How long have you guys been on the Jolly Roger?"
Curry looked over at her. "We've actually been with Captain Jones since he turned to piracy. Most of the crew has."
Emma raised her brows. Most of the crew then had been pirates for three hundred years.
The men laughed at her expression, knowing what her thoughts were.
"I think we look pretty good for our age, personally," Murphy said, winking at Emma.
Curry looked pensive. "I never told you why I chose piracy, did I, Princess?"
Emma shook her head, curious. "No, you didn't."
"I was an orphan," Curry stated simply. "My parents died when I was very young, so I barely remember them. I was on my own for most of my life. I got in some trouble, stealing to survive. It was a rough life, but I survived." He smirked. "When I got older, I decided to straighten myself out, and joined the navy. When Captain Jones announced we were to become pirates, it was a simple choice. This crew is the only family I've ever known, and I sure as hell wasn't about to leave them."
Curry finished with a fond smile on his face, while Emma felt a lump in her throat. She could only imagine what Curry went through, and understood why he stayed with the crew.
"Well, I guess it's my turn," Murphy said while he kneeled by one of the cannons. "My mother died in childbirth. My father was a sailor, so I learned everything from him. I went on many voyages with him. He was employed by the king of the land where we lived. I was young. One of the kingdoms we were at war with attacked us, but we survived. My father offered the survivors of the enemy ship quarter. Well, the king didn't like that, and my father was tried and hanged for treason, all because he didn't kill those that surrendered."
Emma felt the air leave her lungs. She couldn't imagine either of her parents trying someone for showing mercy.
"I was left alone. I decided to leave that kingdom, start somewhere new. I left on a ship traveling to a neighboring kingdom, and tried to make a life there. When I was old enough, I joined the navy like my father had."
Emma nodded, immediately knowing where his tale was going.
"Well, as you can imagine, I was angry to discover that I was serving another corrupt king. I no longer wanted any association to any crown. No offense," he said, looking at Emma.
She just waved him off, letting him know she wasn't offended by his words.
"So when Captain Jones proposed piracy, I agreed," Murphy finished.
Emma nodded to him. "I can't say I blame either of you," she told the men sadly. "I can't hold any of that against you."
Curry and Murphy smiled at her, going back to their work. Emma shifted over to lean against the gunwhale a few feet away from Curry. She stood there, thinking. When she was captured, she thought these pirates were nothing more than bloodthirsty men who lived for carnage and stole what they could. Now, Emma's views were drastically changing. Curry, McCullen, and Murphy had nothing left, and they found something with the crew. She knew from the way they spoke of it, that they had found a home.
Emma let her eyes wander. She looked up at the helm, noticing Hook had taken his place up there. Emma watched him in wonder, thinking about how he was in his element. He stood over the crew, barking out orders to some of the men, who obviously greatly respected him. Emma couldn't look away, completely entranced by him.
She didn't know how long she watched him, when suddenly Curry's voice rang out, making her tear her eyes away from Hook. "Looks like someone sees something she likes."
Emma's cheeks tinged pink. She was instantly embarrassed they noticed, and angry she couldn't control her reaction. She decided not to say anything to him, lest it fueled the fire.
Curry smirked at her, raising his hands in defense. "Sorry."
Emma just shook her head at him, turning away from him, but careful not to look at Hook again.
Murphy and the men finished their task just as the sky began to take on an orange tinge. Curry gently laid a hand on Emma's arm, leading her up to the helm.
"Captain, the men have finished their task," Curry said by way of greeting.
Hook nodded at him before he turned to Emma. "Wanted to get out I take it?"
"Yeah," Emma told him. "I missed being out in the sea air."
Hook smiled at her. "Aye, I understand that."
He quickly out to the horizon, studying the sunset. He quickly turned to one of the men standing nearby. "Lewis, man the helm, stay on coarse."
He nodded toward Curry, dismissing him, and moved to stand beside Emma.
"Swan," he said, offering her his arm, which Emma immediately took. He walked her back to his cabin, reaching it just as McCullen exited, nodding to the pair. Hook opened the door, for her, letting her inside, then like the previous night, pulled her chair for her.
Emma smiled as she settled down, Hook immediately sitting in his seat across from her.
"So I take it you had enjoyed your time outside?" Hook asked while they ate.
"Yes," Emma answered. "I actually really love being out at sea."
Hook smirked. "I know all about that, love. Pirate."
Emma chuckled. "I guess you would."
They lapsed into an easy silence after that, quietly eating.
Emma looked up at him. "I actually got to talk to Murphy today."
Hook nodded. "He's a good man. Good in combat. He's been responsible for many victories in battle."
Emma nodded at him. She didn't doubt that Murphy was a feirce fighter. "I just spent some time talking to him and Curry today. And I went with Curry as he preformed some of his duties."
"I take it you haven't seen how a ship works before despite being on ships before?" Hook asked her.
"I haven't," she admitted. "I would usually keep busy in my own cabin, or stay up on deck."
"Well, at least now you get to witness it," Hook replied. "Honestly, Smee should be doing much of what Curry does. Curry is the bosun, where as Smee is my first mate. Though I will confess sometimes I wonder why." Hook trailed off.
Emma smirked, but stayed quiet. They finished their meal, and also like the previous night, Hook offered his arm to escort Emma back to her quarters.
"Goodnight, Hook," Emma said when he opened her door for her.
"Good night, Swan," Hook replied. "Sleep well."
Emma entered her cabin and closed the door, moving over to the small bed and stretching out on the mattress. Exhausted from the day, she quickly fell into a deep slumber.
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