Chapter 7/Epilogue
They returned to the Jolly Roger where Hook barked out the commands to get under way. Emma was once again ushered down to the captain's quarters. Hook slung the heavy bag of gold onto the table and smiled broadly.
"Figured out how you're going to spend your half of the treasure Swan?"
Emma slid into the chair at the table and poked at the bag with her finger. "Not exactly…" she trailed off. "I'd thought maybe buy my own tavern, but now I'm not sure where."
She glanced at the map hanging from his wall. Tracing her finger along the lines, she chewed her lip thoughtfully, "Mr. Gold is in Tortuga," her hand slid back toward where they had journeyed from. "And his errand boy that got me into this mess is in Blackmoore."
She turned toward Killian. "I'd like to avoid running into either of those men, so I guess I'll have to find someplace new. Any recommendations Captain?"
Killian grabbed a couple of glasses with one hand and pulled open the cupboard with his hook. Placing the tumblers on the table between them he pulled out a bottle. He looked thoughtful for a moment before pouring in generous amounts of rum into both.
"To celebrate." he explained when she raised an eyebrow at him.
"You sure you're not just trying to get me drunk again?" Emma questioned him pertly.
He grinned mischievously and turned to the door when someone knocked.
"Captain, some refreshments…" the cook held out a tray of meat, fruit and cheese. Killian grabbed the food, nodded to his crewman and turned back to Emma. He slid the tray towards her while settling into his chair. His eyes drifted up to the map she'd been gazing at. He spun his rings distractedly.
"Actually, I was thinking Emma, we make quite the team."
Emma sampled a small wedge of cheese wrapped in a strip of salted beef. She cocked her head to the side, curious where he was going with the compliment.
He fidgeted in his chair.
"As a matter of fact, I was wondering if you would consider joining the crew of the Jolly Roger?" The normally confident captain softly almost bashfully posed the question to her.
Emma gaped at him. He raised his glass and took a long pull of rum. She sat back in the chair staring across the small table at him. She glanced back up at the map, and back across to Killian. She had not expected such an offer. The thought had never crossed her mind, but if she was honest with herself, it was an intriguing idea.
"Someone's going to have to replace Furneaux." Killian continued. "And I find you have exhibited far more trustworthiness in our short time together than he ever did."
Killian paused his restless ring spinning and snagged a slice of apple.
"So a pirates life for me?" Emma asked.
"Well… if you'd like some convincing I'm sure I could provide ample reasons to stay aboard." he popped the apple slice into his mouth and chewed it thoughtfully. "Shall I list them?"
He leaned back in his chair, stretched his legs out and crossed his boots at the ankle.
"Dashing rescue from cannibalistic savages." He ticked off on a finger.
"Where you proceeded to rob me." Emma shot back.
"Medical attention, hot bath, clean clothes and food." Killian ticked off the rest of his list with his hook, and then shrugged his shoulders at the lack of remaining appendages to count on. "Plus," he grinned shooting her a heated look, "I know how you kiss."
Emma felt the wave of warmth flushing over her face as she recalled their interrupted dalliance.
"I'm not certain I can allow a lass like you to abscond with half the gold from our caper and not explore more enjoyable activities."
Emma shifted in her chair, mulling over his proposition. She'd been on her own for so long, the thought of joining a crew and trusting her fate to this captain was daunting. On the other hand, Killian Jones was easy on the eyes and a hell of a kisser in his own right. She reached out and took a slow sip of her drink, watching him over the rim of her glass.
He swirled his drink waiting for a response or hint of what Emma might be thinking. Normally an open book, he wasn't sure which way she was leaning.
She pushed away from the table, the scraping of the chair across the floor seemed deafening in the small cabin. Emma paced nervously across to look out the window at the waves streaming out behind the ship. Killian's eyes followed her every movement. Maybe he'd misjudged her circumstances. He'd hoped that she'd reveled in the excitement and rush of outfoxing Mr. Gold. He'd been counting on her solitary lifestyle to weigh in his favor. Would she take the chance to become a part of his crew?
Emma paced back towards the table again. She trailed her fingers along the bruise around her neck.
"Don't worry lass, I've got a plan to deal with your attacker that will set an example for the other crewmates," he said. "I suspect your safety will not be an issue."
She paused in front of his chair, staring down at his tousled hair and blue eyes. He cocked his head to the side and smirked up at her. She raised her own eyebrow at him, challenge flashing in her eyes. She knew the best way to wipe that smug look off his face. She snaked her hand out quickly and grabbed his shirt, tugging him up to her and pressing her lips against his. He inhaled sharply in surprise, barely managing to avoid spilling his drink. He put the glass down and recovered smoothly entwining his fingers in her hair, kissing her softly in return.
Emma's other hand slid around to the nape of his neck. He slid his thumb along her jaw and stroked it gently while looping his hook around to press against her lower back.
He tried to come up for air, but she refused to release his lip from hers, tugging on it and pressing her hand tighter against the back of his neck. She angled her head to the side, giving her better access to deepen their kiss.
He walked them backwards towards his bed, careful not to trip over each others legs. She untucked his shirt from his belt and skimmed her hands along his waist and ribs. Killian jerked back involuntarily.
"Ticklish Captain?" she teased, running a finger along the top of his pants.
"No!" he blustered, attempting to return the favor by trailing his fingers along her ribs while tossing her gently onto the mattress. He leaned in closer, tilting his forehead down to rest against hers and capturing her eyes in an intense stare.
"Does this mean you'll join the crew?" he murmured.
"I guess that's up to you. Think you can convince me?" Emma purred playfully into his ear.
"Well love, let me see if I can persuade you to accept my offer…"
Emma smiled and stretched as she surfaced out of the depth of a very satisfying night's sleep. Killian's side of the bed was disappointingly empty.
Emma awoke with a start. The boat was still. The familiar rocking that had lulled her to sleep had ceased. A quick look around revealed that she was alone in the cabin. She burrowed into the pillow and inhaled the scent of Killian that lingered. She couldn't wipe the grin off her face remembering the enthusiastic 'convincing' that had taken place. She had agreed to join the rest of the crew on the Jolly Roger. The thrill of adventure alongside the captain was too tempting to turn down.
She wrapped herself in a sheet from the bed and peered out the windows that lined the back of the ship. She could make out a dory with three men heading back toward the Jolly Roger from an island not far off the stern. Curious as to what was going on and where they were, she hurriedly dressed, pulled on a pair of boots and ran outside for a better look as the small boat was pulling along side. Hook took hold of a rope ladder that had been lowered down and began climbing up the side of the ship. Two others pulled in the oars and secured the small boat.
Emma rubbed her eyes as Killian pulled himself up over the side and swung his legs onto the deck.
"Recognize that island?" he asked.
She squinted and focused on the shoreline. A stand of trees created an impenetrable wall just yards off the beach. It was the same stand of trees she had emerged from with Hook just days earlier.
"What are we doing here?" she asked. "I thought you said this was the last island we wanted to go near."
He pulled his spyglass from inside his heavy, black coat and handed it to Swan.
"There," he said pointing. "Just by those rocks."
Emma put the glass to her eye and scanned the beach until she caught sight of the rocky breakwater. There, a tall man with dark, pulled-back hair wearing an unusually ornate, blue coat seemed to be shouting and shaking his fist in the direction of the ship. They were far enough away so they couldn't hear his voice, yet the spyglass revealed Furneaux's unmistakable form. Emma turned to look at Hook who raised an eyebrow. She looked back through the spyglass to see Furneaux on the beach.
He seemed to be running from something.
A/N Thanks for sticking with me through this fic. It's my first multi-chapter one so a great learning experience. On to more stories...maybe I'll return to this world/characters with more adventures. If you've got any ideas on what you'd like to see or where you'd like them to go, feel free to let me know!
