so sorry for such a late update. wow. this has come to be a cliche with me, hasnt it?
But I'd been busy with work and college, yada, yada, yada... Oh, well. New Chapter!
"Are you sure she's missing, mate?" Killian asked, asked as he and Eric hurried towards the sheriff's station where they'd agreed to meet Emma and David. "Maybe she went out somewhere and lost track of time," he suggested, trying to calm the good prince down.
"Yes, I'm sure," the man in question replied, running his hand through his hair. "She would've told me if she was going anywhere, or at least if she was going to be late."
"Don't worry. Ariel will be fine. She can take care of herself," Killian smiled reassuringly.
Eric hesitated, his eyes clearly showing how worried he was for his wife. He sighed, stopping and turning to face the pirate. "It's not just her I'm worried about," he admitted.
"Oh? Who else is missing?" he asked, his stance straighter now, more alert.
"No one else. Well, not technically. She-um," the prince sighed again, his hair in disarray from being run through too many times. "She's with child, Killian."
To say that he was shocked would have been a grave understatement. His jaw slacked in open disbelief, for the lass had mentioned nothing of the sort. And Gods knew she could hardly shut up. "Tha-that's such wonderful news, mate!" he exclaimed, stumbling over his words. "I guess congratulations are in order then," he grinned, slapping the man on the back.
"Ah, yes. Thank you. But that is also the reason I am so worried. Ariel, she can take care of herself, to be certain. But I don't want anything to harm our child. I-I couldn't handle it. And Ariel, Gods, she's too innocent to be able to deal with it-"
"Eric, mate. You need to calm yourself. For all we know, she could be fine and is in no trouble at all. Let us not jump to conclusions," Killian said, hand on the other man's shoulder. "Ariel is stronger than she looks; you should know that better than anyone. She- and the child- will be alright. You have my word," he avowed. Eric nodded in gratitude, a tight smile stretched across his face.
They reached the station in no time, rushing inside with no preamble, to find Emma and David already inside. Emma looked up first, her smile brightening as her eyes met Killian's. His smile reflected her joy, before it flattered as Eric began telling Emma and David of Ariel's disappearance.
"Are you sure she just forgot to tell you where she was going?" Emma asked, repeating his earlier sentiments.
"Yes, I'm sure," Eric snapped, regretting his tone immediately. "I'm sorry. But, yes. She wouldn't just disappear for long hours like this. I know her, and something just feels...wrong right now," he added, slumping down on a nearby chair, his hands buried in his hair. "We need to find her before-"
"Hey," Emma stopped him, kneeling down next to him. "We will find her, okay?" she smiled as he looked up at her. "You have my word, she'll be back with you safe and sound in no time," she assured, chancing a quick look at Killian.
Eric nodded wordlessly, his eyes clearly showing how distraught he was. Killian squeezed his shoulder in reassurance, offering him the quiet reassurance he needed.
"Alright," David started, all business. "Do you have any idea who might have kidnapped her? Anyone who'd hold a grudge against you both?" he asked delicately.
Eric's eyebrows furrowed in concentration and frustration. He shook his head, "No. No one. Other than Blackbeard, I guess. But you took care of him, did you not?" he asked, his eyes shifting towards Killian, who nodded stiffly, his posture suddenly rigid. Emma shot him a curious glance, but focused back on Eric.
"I-I can't think of anyone, I'm sorry."
"Well you did travel on the seas, mate. Maybe you came across a pirate who's holding a grudge?" Killian wondered out loud.
"It is possible. But they weren't nearly as many as you would think." He rubbed a hand down his face. "Gods, I feel useless. I-I have no idea where to start!" he exclaimed, frustration rolling off him in waves.
"It's alright, Eric," David calmed the other prince down. "We will go search the woods and Emma and Killian, you both look around the dock."
The other two nodded, leaving the station. Emma kept quiet as she noted how rigid the man next to her was, his walk fast and brisk. After a while, she couldn't take the silence.
"What's wrong?" she asked, keeping up with Killian.
"What do you mean, love? We are looking for a missing mermaid, what more should be wrong?" he asked, his tone biting.
"Hey," she stopped him with a hand on his arm. "I know you care for her, that she's come to mean something important to you. We will find her." She slid her hand up into his hair, "But there's more to your frustration, isn't there?" she asked, reading him like the open book he claimed her to be.
He sighed heavily, leaning his forehead against hers. "I-I don't want you to hate me, Swan," he admitted.
She pulled back slight, an affronted look on her face. "Killian Jones, you should know by now that I could in no way hate you. How could you even think like that?" she asked, her expression a mixture of confusion and hurt. "Tell me what's bothering you," she coaxed him.
"I-I didn't help Ariel reunite with Eric as you believed of me. She found him despite my lack of cooperation. I-Killing Blackbeard, I killed the only lead she had to finding Eric, who was stuck on a remote island, thanks to the pirate. I was driven by my anger and heart break then; I was selfish. I...am not the man you thought me to be, I'm no hero, Swan," he mumbled the last part, his eyes closed and head bowed in disappointment. "When Eric reminded me of Blackbeard's demise, all I could think of was my betrayal."
Emma's eyes softened as she regarded her pirate's defeated demeanour, as if he truly believed what he said. Didn't he know that he wasn't a villain anymore? That he was better now? Her sweet, idiot man. She sighed, cupping his face in her hand, lifting it up so he was looking at her. "You are a hero, okay? You came back for me, Killian. You found me in New York, fought for me. Gave up your revenge to help save Henry. You-you are kind and sweet and patient. You've made me love again, made me open up. You saved me. And I love you. So much. So, don't ever think that I would think any less of you because of your past. I told you once that I was tired of living in the past, and I didn't live up to my word then. But I vow to you now, that I will.
"I'd choose you a hundred times over, no matter what you did in the past, or you would do in the future. This, right here," she pressed her hand above his heart. "is true, I know that even if you don't. And I believe you are a good man, Killian. I will until you do the same, and even after that."
He searched her eyes for the lie he knew wouldn't be there. He wordlessly hugged her close, breathing in her scent, vanilla, spice and Emma, calming himself down. She rubbed her hand down his back soothingly, pressing her lips to his forehead. She was usually not one for such intimacies, but it came easily with Killian, especially at times like these when touch conveyed more than words.
"You okay?" she mumbled into his shoulder, earning a nod in return. "Good," she replied, pulling back. "Let's go find Ariel now."
-/-
Ariel blinked, her head pounding and her vision foggy, as she came to. It took her a moment to notice her surroundings, but once she did, the fear set in. She couldn't see beyond a foot in front of her, it was so dark. And it smelt musty, like the place hadn't been cleaned in a very long time. She coughed, the room entirely too suffocating. She tried to get up, but quickly realised that her legs were tied together, making it impossible for her to move in the slightest.
She tamped down her growing fear, knowing it wouldn't help in the slightest. She tried to loosen her bonds, but whoever tied her up made sure they were thorough enough, her hands tied behind her just as tightly.
She tried to make out where she was, but it was too dark and she was still feeling a bit woozy. Her heart raced as she thought of her child; if anything had happened to it...No! She couldn't think like that. She couldn't afford to. Eric would find her; he'd find her and come rescue her. But in the mean time, she had to do...something. She couldn't sit still, she had to distract herself before her mind drifted to where she didn't want it to.
Despite her tendency to look at the bright side of things, she couldn't help the few tears that escaped. She was terrified-of her captor, for her child, for herself- and couldn't stop the sobs that escaped. But she had to be strong, if she had even a chance of escaping from whatever new form of hell this was.
"Help!" she screamed, hoping somebody heard her. "Somebody, please! Help me!"
That's when she heard the door to the room slam open, a shadowy figure taking residence at the doorframe, the light from outside too bright for her eyes to make out the person's features. But it was clear from their posture and demeanour it was man.
He stepped inside, the door slamming shut behind him, making Ariel's screams for help more desperate. She saw a glimpse of silver, before she felt cool metal press against her throat and none too gently either, making her cries get stuck in her throat.
"Quiet, wench," his gruff voice hissed, breath foul. "Before I slit your throat."
She gulped hard, her eyes locking on electric blue ones, chilling her to her bones. They were so familiar, she was shocked into silence. But they were so cold and dead, when only today she'd seen the same eyes full of light and warmth. No, it couldn't be him.
"Ki-Killian?" she stuttered, her eyes wide. She felt the blade dig deeper, a fine line of blood beading at her throat, before the pressure was released all too suddenly.
"Speak that name in my presence again, and you wouldn't be so lucky the next time, wench," the man gruffed.
She wanted to snap back, but this was no ordinary man she was dealing with. She had to be careful, she had more than just herself to think of. She offered a silent prayer for the safety of her unborn child, all the while glaring at the man as best she could in the darkness.
His teeth were unnaturally pale as they shone through his sinister grin, as he added, "You got the wrong Jones, darling." His grin, if possible, grew wider, making her cringe.
She just hoped to God that they'd find her soon, as she watched the man leave the room again, the sound of locks bolting sounding eerily final to her ears. But his retreating comment made her curious. What did he mean, when he said she got the wrong Jones. Was he related to Killian? But that was impossible, the pirate was over 300 years old. Her headache increased tenfold, as she pondered this new mystery.
-/-
"Argh!" Killian exclaimed in frustration, kicking a nearby trash can. Emma had tried to calm him down, but he was too riled up to comfort.
"Killian-" she began nonetheless, hating feeling useless. "We will find her."
"Where?" he exploded, turning so quickly, he almost gave himself whiplash. "We've searched the docks, and the area surrounding them thoroughly. Dave and Eric have scoured the forest to the best of their abilities. There is no sign of Ariel anywhere. Eric is a wreck and she is Gods know where, alone and probably in danger. On top of all this, she's with child! Emma, I-she-" he cut himself off, punching the wall hard.
"Kill-Stop!" Emma protested, pulling him back by his arm. "Listen here," she cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to meet her eyes. "I know you are worried. That she-she's come to be like family to you. We will find her, babe. I promise. We could ask Gold or-or Regina for a locator spell. Something. We will do everything in our power, and then some, and find Ariel. Okay? We won't give up. If she's important to you, she's equally important to me. We're a team, remember?" she smiled.
He nodded, too riled up to answer her properly, his jaw clenched tight. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he could see was Eric's disheartened expression when he and Emma had returned with no leads. He felt Emma tug on his injured hands, hissing as the pain finally settled in.
Frowning, she examined his hand, tsk tsking loudly. "Come on. Let's get this cleaned up." He grudgingly followed her the short distance to the Inn. His movements were slower, so he almost ran into Emma when they reached his door, for she was stood frozen in front of it. He couldn't see her face, but if he had he'd have seen the ashen complexion it had adopted, for embedded on his door with a large dagger, was a note.
She heard Killian draw in a sharp breath when he noticed what was written on the note.
I have the girl. Find me, and I may yet spare her. - B. Jones.
A/N: Told you there would be a big reveal, so tada! unfortunately, I have a bunch of tests coming up. AGAIN. So, I cant promise an update any sooner. But reviews are welcome!
If there are any queries/speculation about the latest Jones family member, PM me!
