Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time
AN: I hope everyone enjoys this next chapter of Treacherous! As always, thank you so much to my wonderful beta, GranddaughterOfCaskettAndTivia! ~ XOXO MAF
Chapter Eight
Boston
Emma passed the letter over to Ruby. "He had to leave." Victor had left them at home just a little while ago. They'd put Henry to bed and then Ruby had wanted to know exactly what had Emma even more stoic than usual.
Ruby accepted the letter, her eyes quickly skimming over the words. "How did you get the letter?" She'd tried to pull information out of Victor, but he had only told her to speak to Emma.
Clearing her throat, Emma replied, "Victor, he dropped it off." She explained Victor's earlier silence. "And now Killian is gone. It had to do with the fight at the docks. I suppose he received orders shortly after and now he's gone." She glanced over at the fire in the hearth. "Like everyone else."
Folding the note, Ruby set it aside, her palm hitting the wooden table with a thud that startled Emma. "It's not like he abandoned you, Emma. He still has a job to do. Remember? Part of His Majesty's bloody Navy and all that. He can't decline orders just because he's really on our side now," she reminded Emma. "If he's called down South, then he has to go. And I'm sure he will write. He has yet to give up on you."
Standing, Emma paced their small living room. "I just," she paused, "how can I really trust him? What do I know about him?" She continued her pacing until Ruby could no longer take it.
Pushing her chair out, Ruby crossed the small room to Emma, "Emma," she placed her hands on her friend's shoulders, effectively stopping her pacing, "trust him. It's something new to you, but you've done it before. You trusted Granny and me. You've trusted Regina and Robin and David and Mary Margaret and Lancelot and Victor. You trust us. Trust Killian, too."
Picking up Killian's short note, Emma moved to the fire. "I can't." She tossed it in, watching the flames lick at the parchment until it was nothing but ashes.
OUAT
Charles Town
Killian glanced over the battle plans. Currently there were troops on land who were planning a siege of Charles Town. From what he'd gathered the Loyalists were taking over the area outside of the city rapidly. It wouldn't be long before Charles Town fell to the British. He was glancing over the plans for an attack from the sea. His stomach churned at the thought. This was the first conflict he was involved in since he'd left the Loyalists and he was not looking forward to it. It was hard to fight against men he now considered friends and respected. At the same time, though, it was hard to thwart the plans of men he captained and respected and had known for quite some time.
"Captain?" Killian looked up at his First Mate, Smee. "We're approaching the coast line. According to reports there are two Colonial ships at port."
"Thank you, Mr. Smee. I'll be up top shortly to give my orders."
"Aye, aye, Captain." The short round man gave his captain an odd look before nodding and scurrying out of the quarters.
Turning, Killian glanced out the port side window where the waves were splashing against the glass as the ship clipped through the water, and he felt the weight in his stomach churn ever so slightly. He wished briefly that Emma was with him. It was odd, but after such a short period of time her presence brought him peace. She would know what to tell him. He only hoped that when he was able to return to Boston she would understand, that she hadn't shut him out of her life yet. She was a challenge, but then again, he'd always loved a challenge. And he would win Emma Swan's heart. He'd made that promise and he would certainly follow through.
With a resigned sigh, he picked up his coat and shrugged into it, buttoning his vest and adjusting his cravat he moved towards the door of his cabin. He had orders to give, and a battle to prepare for.
OUAT
Boston
"Worrying won't solve anything." Regina sipped her tea. "Use a napkin," she ordered Roland, who was seated at the table with them on the back porch of her home eating. Turning back to Emma, she sighed, "As I was saying, worrying won't solve anything." Regina had heard word that Captain Killian Jones' ship had been called from port. After speaking with Dr. Whale, she was aware that Emma had not taken the news well, which was why she'd requested Emma call on her for afternoon tea.
"I'm not worrying," Emma replied sharply.
Rolling her eyes, Regina set her tea cup back on its saucer. "You're as petulant as Roland can be at times." She eyed her son who was happily munching on his meat, a small smile curving at her lips despite her best effort to keep it off her face at the sight of the messy faced little boy.
"Did you just insinuate that I'm a child?" Emma straightened, her eyebrows drawing together.
"Yes, indeed I did," Regina confirmed. "Now, Lancelot has traveled down to Charles Town as well. Captain Jones is not alone. And word has very quietly spread amongst the highest ranking officers as to Captain Jones' true loyalties." She picked up the teapot and poured more in her cup. "So, I suggest you continue working and report back to Victor, Marco, or Dr. Hopper everything you and Ruby hear."
Emma's eyes narrowed. "Your highness," Emma spat out the term, "I am aware of what my job is." Her tone was biting. "That does not stop me from being concerned about Killian and his true loyalties."
"Captain Jones is capable of handling his ship and his men and -" Regina stopped speaking suddenly, "his loyalties?" She nearly screeched, startling a servant who was about. "You must be outside of your mind."
Emma's brows rose. "And why is that?"
"Isn't it entirely obvious, Miss Swan?" Regina asked.
"I'm afraid not, so please spell it out for me," Emma requested.
Setting her tea cup back down, Regina let out a sigh. "His loyalties lie with you."
OUAT
Charles Town
"Watch our port side!" Killian called out. Two Colonist ships had come out of nowhere. They seemed to descend from the clouds. Killian knew that there was a risk they would be boarded, they were outnumbered by far and though the Jewel was fast, it could only do so much against the firepower they were facing.
OUAT
"There's a scrimmage." Captain August Booth paced his camp.
"Where?" Lancelot asked.
"Just outside of Fort Sumter. Two of our ships heard rumor of a Red ship coming into port. I've received word they attacked." Lancelot gave Booth a look.
"And we care about a Loyalist ship being ransacked because?" Lancelot asked.
August looked around. "It's not just any ship." He paused. "I received word from troops in Virginia that one of their ships was captained by a traitor."
"Captain Killian Jones." Lancelot nodded. "Are you suggesting his ship is down here?"
"That's what I've heard," August confirmed. "I'm awaiting word. Unfortunately we're scattered since Charles Town fell and news is not traveling quite as quickly as before."
Lancelot and August fell quiet as some men emerged from a tent and moved about camp trying to inventory what little they had in the way of supplies. Once they were alone again, Lancelot asked, "I'm going to make my way to the port to see what word there is of Captain Jones' ship. Once I know more, I'll send word back."
"I don't have to tell you to be careful, do I?" August asked.
Picking up his helmet, Lancelot chuckled. "Not in the least. This is recon, only, I won't engage." He paused. "You have my word."
"It's much appreciated." August glanced out into the woods. "I would hate for Prince David or Prince Robin to have my head." He considered his words. "Or worse, Princess Regina."
"Now there is a frightening thought," Lancelot agreed.
OUAT
Lancelot reached port a few short hours later. He was just in time to see the Jewel of the Realm pull into port. The port of Charles Town was littered with Loyalists moving about in chaos. Slipping into an alleyway, he watched as the men of the Jewel flew off the ship in an unseemly fashion. There was no order and no captain to be found.
"What the bloody hell happened?" He murmured. Moments later a man on a board was brought off the ship and the sailors stood in silence. Order returned and Lancelot felt his stomach plummet.
Killian had been injured.
OUAT
XOXO
MAF
