It's On Like Donkey Kong
Emma didn't stop until she reached her room. Hopefully the safety that her mother could provide would help. She almost ran to the deck of the ship but decided that she didn't want David to ask why her face was most likely as red as a tomato. She also knew that if she went on deck, he would most assuredly follow her.
Snow was dressing to get ready to leave when her daughter rushed through the door like hell itself was after her. "Emma?" she asked in a soft voice. Snow watched her daughter pace in front of her bed like a tiger trapped in a cage.
Snow decided to stand and pull her face out of her hands. "Emma, are you alright?"
"Now, that; that is a great question." Emma replied as she sharply sat on the bed and looked up at her mom. "No, I definitely am not alright."
Snow sat beside her and waited. In her years getting to know Emma, she has learned that the best way to get her to open up is to let her come to her. However, this Emma was not the Emma that she was used to dealing with. That Emma would never look this vulnerable. She would forever remain closed off to the world around her, only letting a tiny bit of her light show.
Her daughter was changing in front of her eyes; she said she wanted to learn to trust again. The Emma that she pulled into her arms was shaking like a leaf and breathing in short breaths against her neck.
"You are going to have to help me out a little, Emma. I may be a lot of things but I am not a mind reader."
"I was in Hook's cabin ..." Emma started as she trailed off, her eyes lost in memories.
Ah so it was the pirate. From the shade of red on her face, she should have known from the beginning. "Did he hurt you, Emma?"
"No?! He didn't hurt me. I won't let him hurt me." Emma replied as she looked away from her.
And there it was. The same old hurts the same old pains. She had tried to coax her past out of her previously and was met with walls. It pained her to see that she was still relying on her walls to protect her instead of those that love her.
"Well, that's unfortunate." Snow started with humor on her voice. "I would have loved to have seen him fight your father. Trust me it would have been a fight to behold."
Emma laughed at her mother for a few minutes before erupting in giggles that shook her so hard, she fell on the bed. Visions of her father, the prince, fighting the villainous Captain Hook with his gaudy red clothes and a suction cup hook for a hand and those eyes, her giggles stopped as she could see the same eyes that she ran away from in his cabin.
She laid down on her cot and put her hand over her eyes. Snow watched as she began to sigh. "He makes me weak."
"Love will only make you stronger, you should know that"
In the last 2 years Emma has fought a dragon, learned that Snow White and Prince Charming were her parents, began to love her lost son and most recently, almost kissed Captain Hook. However, sitting in a smoky version of her room in the cabin of the Jolly Rodger with a complete stranger was not what she expected.
(Page Break)
Emma turned slowly towards the voice before letting out a drawn out breath. The woman that was sitting on the cot across from her was wearing a soft ivory dress that seemed to be made of feathers. Her black hair fell upon her shoulders in thick waves. Her eyes held a fierce sadness in them as she regarded Emma.
"Um, hello?" Emma said, feeling that she should know this woman but her name wasn't coming to her at the present time.
The woman nodded her head slightly before looking at the closed door to the cabin, "In all the years that I was on this ship, I have never been in this room." She said as she stood to walk closer to Emma. A hand stretched to brush her face softly. "I can see where my grandson gets his eyes. As well as his spirit."
Emma looked around the room and back as the woman in front of her, "Umm ... Thank you?"
"There was another that wanted to speak with you but it would seem that I got to you first. My name is Milah."
"Milah? As in Hook's Milah?" The look that passed Milah's face seemed to agree with Emma's statement. "Well, since you are dead. I can only imagine that you need to tell me something. That or I have finally lost my mind."
"You will be faced with many trials once you have landed onto Neverland's shores, Emma Swan. Remember who you are at all times." Milah cryptically said while walking away from her to sit.
"Really? Why don't you just tell me what I need to know? If you know anything about me you will know that just coming to my dreams and telling me cryptic hints aren't going to float well with me."
"My you do have a lot of fire in your soul; I can see why he likes you so much." Milah said, laughing at her softly. "Very well Emma Swan if it is truth that you want. Then it is truth that you shall receive."
In a move too swift for her to prepare for, Milah was sitting beside her, placing her hands over her eyes. Images flashed before her eyes, too quick for her to dwell on them. Some caused her heart to beat incredibly fast, some caused her already red checks to heat up and others filled her with a sadness that she felt would never end. It was all too much for her and she started to shiver violently. After what seemed like a millennium, the images began to trickle to a stop. She took a deep breath as Milah was removed her hands, a lone tear could be seen falling from Emma's eyes.
Emma looked up at Milah and could see a look of understanding, laced slightly with happiness. She placed her hands in her head as she heard Milah rise again to sit on the cot in front of her.
"Well shit." Emma groaned after a few minutes of silence.
"Indeed. Some of the events you have seen can be changed while some are set in stone. You must prepare for what will come your way." Milah said to her, she regarded her for a few minutes before she smiled softly at her, "I place the safety of my grandchildren in your hands."
A bright light filled the cabin before Emma was violently ripped from her dreams and was staring into the confused eyes of Gold. He stood slowly from her and looked down at her with a slight look of worry. He backed slowly to the door before turning and leaving the room. "Regina and I will be waiting for your arrival on the deck."
Emma looked at him with a confused look, "Both of you?"
Gold sighed and looked up at her with tired eyes, "Contrary to popular belief Dearie. I am not your enemy. Not in the least."
Emma knew he was truly telling her the truth and as she watched his shadow leave the outline of the door, she put her head in her hands trying to make any sense of what just happened to her. After a few minutes, she stood up and began to leave the room.
She might not understand much about magic but she had a feeling that shit was about to hit the fan.
(Page break)
"What about the word, control, do you not understand Miss Swan?" Regina sighed as she calmly circled her while she was recovering from the recent blow that she received. "The most important ability that you must learn before stepping off this ship will be shielding yourself."
Emma was about to retort when a sharp burst of magic struck her sharply in her back, knocking her back to her knees. She turned to warily look at Gold.
"You must be prepared from all sides." Gold supplied, "Do not expect to be given any lenience on this land." He did not give her time before she feebly attempt to shield herself once more. The white light could be seen wrapping her partially, but not before he burst through her defenses easily.
"Now, I know you can do better than that dearie." Gold grinned before he sent her another attack. This time pushing her back into the crates that littered the deck. She could feel bruises starting to form on her arms and legs with every attack the he sent her.
They had been at it for hours. She had learned to shield herself fairly easily; however, shielding herself in the heat of an attack was too slow. She looked to the side to see Snow and David watching the scene unfold. Although they didn't agree with the treatment of their only child, they knew it must be done.
She spared a glance towards the helm and wasn't shocked in the least to see Hook watching them intently. His eyes trained on Gold and Regina. She was so caught up with her thoughts that she didn't feel the sheer rage behind her.
Regina stood behind her as she prepared to fire another attack at the woman in front of her. She felt her anger threaten to bubble to the surface. Nothing had gone to plan once this woman came to town. She stole her son, she stole her amusement, and she broke the curse that she paid the ultimate price for. As the rage continued to flow she didn't realize that her hands were glowing a fire red or that she was attacking with intent to kill until the spell was released.
Gold barely had to time react before he brought up his shield to protect his student. However, his eyes widened when he saw pieces of shattered crates and rope hurl across the deck. Regina sat, stunned before moving slowly to the crumpled form of Emma Swan. She began to approach her but stopped suddenly when she felt the sharp tip of a sword on her throat.
"Touch her and die." A cruel voice stated with a sense of finality. She looked up to see Hook standing in front of Emma with a look of pure murder on his face. Snow and David rushed to Emma's side as Gold limped slowly.
Killian couldn't describe the happiness that flowed through his heart when he heard a pained groan behind him. He kept his eyes and sword trained on the woman in front of him, threatening her to harm the woman behind him again.
"I would really like to take a break now." Emma groaned, as she looked into Snow's worried eyes. She was helped to a sitting position with David's hands behind her.
"You are lucky to be alive. That attack should have killed you." Gold said with sharp eyes trained on Regina.
David and Hook began to approach a silent Regina with fire in their eyes. "Don't." Emma started, "She needs to do that. I need someone I don't trust to attack me."
Emma stood slowly and came to stand beside Regina's kneeling form. She outstretched her hand to the woman who was staring at her with unsure eyes. Silently, she took her hand. "But believe me when I tell you that once I learn how to fight back ... It's on."
(Page Break)
Snow helped Emma off the deck and was there when she almost collapsed and fell down the stairs. She lifted her arm over her shoulders and pulled her the rest of the way to their cabin. The two of them collapsed into the cabin and she helped Emma lay on the cot while she left the room.
As Emma laid on the bed she could hear her mother open and close the door to her cabin. Every trip that she took, Emma could hear the steady sound of rushing water. She turned her head to see a light metal tub, that actually looked like the one that she saw her wash clothes in earlier.
The tub was nestled in a corner with a curtain that was haphazardly hanging from the ceiling. Her body hurt everywhere. She lifted her arms .. well her left arm .. and saw various cuts and deep bruises along her arm and hand. With a little trouble, she lifted her right arm and cried out a little. Thankfully not broken she saw the same bruises. She didn't even want to look at the rest of her body if this was just what her arms looked like.
Snow continued to fill the tub, casting a worried glance with every trip. On her last trip, she saw Regina standing at the door to their cabin, hesitating.
Regina truly didn't mean to harm Emma, but she knew for a long while that her magic was uncontrollable in times of rage and high emotions. She looked down at the small bottle that she held in her hand.
"What are you doing here?" Snow asked, in a firm voice.
"Have her put this in the water; it will ease the pain. I will come in once you finish and heat the water."
"What is it?" Snow asked, taking it from the woman in front of her.
"Lavender oil." Regina supplied. When she saw Snow hesitate she sighed and gave her a tired look. "I am not going to poison her. We have a deal and she is the best option that I have for Henry."
Snow nodded and turned to go into the room. She checked on Emma who was sleeping softly before standing over the tub and emptying the vial into the water. Surprise filled her face when she smelled the knowing scent of the purple blossoms. She turned and let Regina in. She silently stood by the bed in case she decided to go back on her word.
Regina hovered her hand over the tub of water until she could see the signs of steam rising from the tub. She didn't even glace at the other occupants in the room before striding towards the door. She shut the door and began to ascend the stairs to the deck when she came to a full stop. She had Gold staring her down from the Left side of the deck while Hook and David scowled from the help of the ship.
She shook her head and decided to go to her cabin.
(Page Break)
"Emma?" Snow softly called to her, rising her from the light sleep she was in. "We are going to need to get you changed and into the tub."
Emma groaned as she sat up slowly. Her mother helped her unbutton the shirt and corset she was wearing. When Snow began to reach for the bottom of the light blue shirt she was wearing she stopped her with a hard touch.
"Leave it." Emma said, "I will need the most help with these pants and shoes, please"
Snow looked confused for a moment but began to help with the buckles on her boots and the laces in her pants. She gasped softly at the angry bruises and scrapes that marred her daughter's fair skin. She helped her to the side of the tub and put a chair beside the tub.
"I will check on you in a few minutes. Take your time and relax." Snow said with a sad smile as she left the room, quietly shutting the door.
Emma let out a deep breath when she heard the door close and her mother walk towards the deck. She stepped in the tub and hissed when the scented water stung every cut on her body. As she lowered into the tub, she finally removed the top from her arms and back. The moon was up in the sky and let a small stream of moonlight through the tiny porthole that the tub was under. As she began to clean the dried blood and dust from her body she truly relaxed for the first time in years.
(Page Break)
Hook watched the couple at the helm with wistful eyes. It had taken hours for his heart and his rage to calm and now he was left with morbid curiosity. The memories of last night would flash to the front of his brain and he would wonder. He looked up and saw that Snow had washed her daughter's clothes and they were hanging to dry on the ropes of the ship.
He stood to go to his room; he would leave something in her room without her mother or herself noticing. He would leave her one of his lighter shirts and some pants to wear tonight while she sleeps. Hook was standing in front of the cabin before he stopped.
"The child must come to be or all will be lost …."
Hook shook his head as he quietly opened the door to the cabin. He could hear the water splashing lightly and grinned as a smirk slowly formed on his face. He laid the clothes on the cot and began to approach the tub silently. He could see her slightly curled hair, sticking to her damp neck.
He was about to release a racy comment when she sat up and leaned forward to splash the water on her bruised arms. All thought ceased in his mind when he saw her bare back for the first time. His right hand clinched the curtain so tight that he thought he would rip it from the nails attaching it to the ceiling.
Anger. Pure Anger.
"What the hell?!"
AUTHORS NOTE: I STILL DON'T OWN OUAT OR POTC.
Yes I know the Chapter title is awesome :) It just seemed fitting. Guess who got more reviews and followers with last chapter?! This girl! All you naughty shippers :) I am a little bewildered with Chapter 9 and I don't want to post something bleh. Please be patient with me! I love hearing from all you awesome readers!
On another note! I feel I am in need of a Beta I have all the plans in my head and they are all fluttery! Shoot me a PM if you would be interested :)
