AN: I'm continuing my journey into the head of Killian Jones during the missing year/season 3B. Words in bold are lines from the show, words in italics indicate thoughts (or dreams), and, as always, I own nothing. Enjoy!

Are We Devils or Black Sheep or Really Bad Eggs?

Chapter 10

Moving along, it didn't take much time to reach the dock where the Jolly Roger sat. Hook's heart soared to see his beloved ship again.

"Up close, she's even more beautiful than I remember. Don't worry, my dear. You'll soon be back in my loving arms." Hook said.

Ariel regarded him curiously. "You do realize you're talking to a boat?"

"You have your love. I have mine." Hook replied. It's the only love I have left. All that remains of Milah and Liam is on that ship. And if I can't have Emma, I will bloody well have the Jolly and my memories.

Hook decided on a course of action and took it. After all, he stood to gain quite a bit and if he lost? Well, then he lost. "Stand at attention, mates! Now boarding the ship... the rightful captain of the Jolly Roger. Now, if the coward who tried stealing her from me would kindly show his face, I'll give him the punishment he deserves."

Hook was pretty sure Emma would make fun of him for hours over that little speech, but he was Captain Hook and he had a reputation to protect.

It was refreshing to fight with someone verbally and with the sword after so many months of facing no one more challenging than a few cowardly knights and drunk pirates. Blackbeard was good. Very good. On both counts. But he didn't know the Jolly like Hook did. No, there wasn't a soul alive that knew the ship as well as he did. And good thing too, because Blackbeard was moving toward just the right spot…and then Hook had him. He had the blasted pirate at his mercy.

"Finish it!" Blackbeard bellowed, and Hook admired the man's courage.

He couldn't resist replying, "Fancy a shave, do we? Well, I'll be happy to oblige."

"Wait!"

Blasted mermaid! What now?

Ariel continued. "Eric's not on board. You have to get him to tell you where he is."

Is that all? With pleasure. Hook pressed the sword a bit. "You heard the lady. Where is he?"

Blackbeard actually laughed. "So, that's what this was... a rescue mission for some wench? Ha! They were right about you, Hook. You have gone soft."

Hook ignored the man and continued. "I can either make this painful... or quite painful. Now answer!"

That threat would have worked on any man short of Blackbeard…and maybe David, who was certainly brave. And stubborn. If it had been an ordinary pirate, or an upstart member of some crew, or some soldier in a king's army, he would have his answers without a thought. But Hook hadn't lied when he told Ariel earlier that you don't become a Pirate captain by being merciful. You got there by being brave, calculating, devious, and a mercenary.

Blackbeard was calculating now. "I have him stashed safe and sound on a deserted island. Only I know where. I was planning to ransom him when the time was right."

Hook didn't like the way this was going when Ariel's offer to pay was essentially ignored. So when he heard Blackbeard's price, it wasn't a total surprise.

"The satisfaction of proving Captain Hook is no longer a pirate." Blackbeard said.

Hook's verbal response was suitably dubious, but his head was spinning.

He's right. You're not the same man anymore, no matter how hard you try. The still, small voice was back.

I am a pirate. That hasn't changed.

No. You told Pan that Emma was starting to see you as more than a pirate. And she was. You are more than this, Killian Jones.

Blackbeard began to lay out his terms. "By giving you a choice. Surrender the Jolly Roger to me, and I'll tell you where I'm holding her prince. Or refuse, and he dies along with me."

Never! Killian thought. I can't. She's all I've got.

But you did tell Ariel you would help her. It's bad form to go back on your word. You beat Blackbeard once, you can do it again. And she'll help you.

No she won't. Because it's not happening.

You're better than this.

No, I'm not. Now, for the last time, go away! Killian was getting tired of this voice in his head that kept trying to keep him on the straight path. There's no Emma so there's no point in being a hero. Give it up.

"Smee." Fortunately, his crew knew what to do. In no time, Smee had the little mermaid under control, and Blackbeard was making his way down the plank.

"You can't do this. We had an agreement. You promised me that you would help find Eric. Please. I know that you are a good man, and I know that man Is still in there somewhere. It's not too late to do the right thing. Isn't true love more important than a few planks of wood and a sail?" Ariel was sounding too much like his conscience for his liking.

And what could she know about my love? Love has brought me nothing but pain. "She might just be a few planks and a sail, but she's mine. She's all I need." Hook said. You hear that, conscience? I don't need anything else but the Jolly! "Love brings nothing but wasted years and endless torment. I'm doing you a favor."

Adding a little slice to draw in the predators, Hook forced Blackbeard off the ship and demanded loyalty from the crew, which he readily received. Pirates are mostly loyal to living Captains, and have no compunctions of changing loyalties when their old one dies.

Now to get the mermaid off my ship. "You may release her, Mr. Smee."

Ariel was glaring daggers at him, and the disappointment in her eyes made him feel terrible - he hadn't felt this guilty since stealing the bean. "I was wrong about you, Captain." The venom in her voice was evident. "You're selfish, and you're heartless. And that is what will bring you wasted years and endless torment. I feel sorry for you. You'll never be happy."

Again, Ariel sounded too much like his bloody conscience. And then she was climbing on to the plank. "Where do you think you're going?" Hook asked, confused. He was reeling from the realization that he was…unhappy with his own misconduct, which was putting a damper on his joy at having his ship back.

"Eric's still out there, and whatever it takes, I will find him." Ariel replied and jumped in.

It reminded Hook of the saying he had lived by for so long: A man (or, apparently, mermaid) unwilling to fight for what they want, deserves what they get.

And what do you deserve, mate?

Hook touched the etching near the wheel gently. I deserve what I get. I really am nothing but a pirate. Shaking off his melancholy, he grinned at his new crew.

"Celebrate tonight, mates. Tomorrow, we set sail!" He shouted, and the pirates cheered.