Author's Note: Thank you for your marvelous patience. I would like to give you Chapter 10. I want to try making the chapters a bit longer for my readers and I want to make sure that they are perfect! Please Review, critique, offer criticism or ideas. I'd love to hear! Enjoy.
She leaned back against the railing carefully as she watched him. Holding the youngest boy in his right arm and showing the young blonde how to steer with the hook on his left, his smile became more radiant than ever before. She looked upon the smiling faces of the two boys as they experienced the feeling of bonding with a sort of father figure; she listened to the man's cheerful laugh as the young boy in his arms whispered silly things in his ear.
The oldest boy stood beside Regina and watched as well. He looked up at her and asked, "How long have you been in Neverland?"
Regina looked down at the boy and smiled kindly. The two had never really had the chance to talk just the two of them since they had met. She had wanted to, but with all that was happening, with the questions that the younger ones had asked her, she wasn't sure if getting too attached to these boys was the best idea. "I'm not entirely sure, dear. I suppose one month or so."
The boy nodded. "I could have guessed. You don't really seem like a pirate, you know. Not like the Captain."
"That's because I'm not." She shook her head.
The boy looked at her and tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Then why are you here?"
The woman sighed. Her story was too complicated, especially for an eleven-year-old boy. She answered vaguely, "I just wanted a little adventure in my life."
Before he could ask her to elaborate, Blake felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked over to the Captain standing next to him and smiled. The man said, "Why don't you help the other two at helm, my boy." Blake nodded at the man's signal. He wished to speak to Regina privately. As the boy stepped away, Hook took his place beside the woman.
He could see it in her eyes, the way that she looked at the children with doubt. With the wind blowing her hair all around, the pirate gently moved his hand to tuck a few strands behind her ear. Regina brought her left hand to his right, which now rested on her cheek. She closed her eyes at the feeling of his caress and then slowly brought his hand down off of her face. She looked down and sighed as she held his hand in hers. With her thumb, she gently brushed over the rough skin of his knuckles.
As her eyes gazed down, his remained solely on her. When she sighed, he could just feel the anxiousness in her breath. "What's on your mind, love?"
Without looking up, she painted a little smirk on her face and replied, "It's nothing."
"Regina," the pirate said as he lifted her chin with the cold hook on his left arm, "I can see it in your eyes. It's something. Just tell me."
She stared into his eyes and continued to rub his knuckles with her thumb. With a quiet, sorrowful voice, she replied, "Killian, I can't be a mother. I… don't want to be a mother!"
Hook shook his head confused, "Regina. Regina, calm down. Where did all of this come from? I never said-"
Regina interrupted him, "The boys. They asked me if I was their new mother." She shook her head in distress and stared back down at his calloused hands, "I didn't know what to say. I tried to explain that I couldn't be a mother. I mean you've seen the things I've done. You've seen who I am. I'm not a mother. I'm just not."
"Regina," Hook let go of her hand. He placed his to her cheek to try to calm her. "It's alright. Just calm yourself." He looked into her eyes with a reassuring smile. "You are not the Evil Queen anymore, love. And I have seen the way you treat those boys. You've grown to love them in a mere two weeks. What makes you think that you can't be their mother?"
Tears began to well in her eyes. "Because I just can't. I'm afraid."
"Of what?" Hook seemed confused of her vague answers.
"Of hurting them." Hook shook his head, leaned forward and kissed the woman's forehead. She placed her hands to his chest as their foreheads touched. With her eyes closed, she let herself just feel his breath and his comforting touch, "Everything that I have tried to love gets ripped from me sooner or later. Daniel, my freedom, my life," She paused for a moment and whispered, "you."
"Regina, I am right here. I will never leave you." Hook whispered. "Remember what I promised you. I will keep my word; I always keep my word. I will never leave you to be alone."
Regina pushed away suddenly. With fearful yet angry eyes, she replied, "You don't know that! Just look at what Rumpelstiltskin did to you only a week ago. You could have been killed!"
"But I wasn't."
"But you could have!" Regina gripped tightly at the collar of the pirate's shirt. "I don't want something to happen to you or those boys because of me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself." She shook her head, letting a tear fall down her cheek.
"Regina, don't push me or those boys away just because you are scared. That's just what the crocodile wants you to think. Look at me," He lifted her chin once more, "I gave you my word to protect you and to protect those children, and I am not going to go back on that. But you must promise me that you will not push us away. We can make it through all of this. I promise." Hook wiped the tears from her face and leaned in to kiss her.
The touch of their lips was followed by two little voices, "Eww!" They both said loudly and in unison.
As the couple parted, they both laughed at the two naïve children. Resting his cheek to her head, Hook looked over to the boys standing there and then stared out on the horizon. He looked over to an island, which seemed to be inhabited with a town of some sort; it was still a bit far to recognize fully. "Killian, what are you looking at?" Regina asked trying to spot it on the horizon.
"See right there?" Hook pointed out to the woman and the young boys. "That is Pirates' Cove." He peaked over to the oldest boy and smirked. "I'm going to introduce you to a few old friends of mine." He winked to Blake who smiled at him and giggled lightly. "Come along, my boy." He addressed Blake. "I believe it's your turn to learn your hand at the helm. I do need a new first mate after all." He patted the boy's back with his hand.
As Hook stepped away from her, Regina brought her eyes to look over at the two smiling boys staring at her. She walked up to them without speaking a word, knelt down in front of them with a gentle smile on her face, and pulled them both into her embrace. Even a four and seven-year-old could tell that that was her way of telling them something. Young Tucker and Willy wrapped their arms around her neck and hugged her tightly.
Letting go of Regina, Willy noticed a tear on her cheek. Taking his little hand and wiping the tear, he asked her, "Why are you sad?"
Regina shook her head and smiled. "I'm not, dear."
"But you were crying." Tucker chimed in.
"I was crying because I was scared, but I'm alright now. I promise." She placed her hand to cup the little boy's cheek.
"Yes. Because we will help you not be scared!" The naïve little boy said loudly and confidently, which made the woman laugh.
She wouldn't push them away, but she was still doubtful. Of course she trusted Killian, but that didn't mean that she was not right. Rumpelstiltskin would be back and she didn't want to risk their lives for her sake. She needed to find a way to protect them from the powerful man's next attack. Perhaps something or someone from this Pirates' Cove could assist her.
0-0-0
Hesitant to step on the rickety docks as she held the youngest boy in her arms, Regina looked up at the Captain, "Are you sure its a good idea to bring the boys back on land with the Lost Ones searching for them?"
The man held out his hand and helped the woman onto the docks. "The Lost Ones wouldn't even attempt to set foot here, love. They may have the audacity to intimidate one particular crew, but they would never survive a minute in Pirates' Cove and they know it. This is probably the safest place in Neverland for these boys. For all of us." Hook then picked Willy up with his good arm and stepped closely to Regina who held the youngest boy in one arm and kept her other around Blake's shoulders. Hook looked to Regina. "Now you stay as close to me as possible. Try not to make eye contact or any expression that might insult a pirate."
Regina's eyes widened. "I thought you said this place was safe."
"So long as you stick to me, it is." Hook began to lead her through the dirty and grimy streets of the dark island. All roads were made of dirt, filthy men sat or lied in the mud on every corner begging for either money or rum. One man spotted Regina and gave her a disgusting, toothless smile. The dirt on his face and his mangled hair made him seem even lower than that of a peasant.
Regina held Tucker tighter and whispered, "Sweetheart, close your eyes and hold on to me." She pulled Blake closer to her side as they passed them. Looking to Hook holding the third boy in his arm, she asked, "Who are all of these men?"
"They are what used to be good-standing pirates, love. Men who let their greed for treasures and such control them. They gave away all they had for what scraps they could get, and now they are here with nothing left. They are forced to live in the mud and beg for all eternity. It's what we call Oblitus Avarus, the forgotten greedy."
Heading into the back of a grotesque alleyway, Regina shivered at the wretched smell. This place was far beyond vial. Hook led her and the boys to a backdoor entrance to some sort of inn.
"Really, Killian? You're going to bring these children into a bar?" Regina asked with astonishment.
Hook smirked, "It's an inn that just happens to have a bar, love. What else do you expect me to do? We need to eat and a place to sleep for the night. And after everything that has happened with the Lost Ones and Rumpelstiltskin in no more than a week, I don't believe my ship is the safest place at the moment."
The man raised his brow and waited for a response from the woman. She remained silent and nodded her head. She supposed that Killian was the expert of Neverland, so she should trust him and what he was doing. The man knocked on the backdoor with his hook three times in a strange pattern; it was like a code. A small compartment of the door slid open to reveal a set of dark, dreary eyes. "No!" The old, scratchy voice said with excitement. "No, it can't be!" The man started to become even more excited. The compartment shut instantly followed by the entire door opening to reveal a short man with gray hair and a large beer belly sticking out of his pants. The rather jolly man grinned and gave a chuckle. "I don't believe it! Killian Jones!" The man leaned in to the Captain for a short embrace and continued, "How long has it been?"
"Far too long, mate!" The Captain replied with a smile.
"Well, come in. Come in! The men will be dying to see you again!"
Hook looked over to Regina, whose eyes seemed confused. She knew very little of the Captain's past. Granted, he knew very little of hers as well. It had only been two weeks after all and not much of that time could be spent talking to one another while they struggled to survive the likes of mermaids, natives, the Lost Ones and Rumpelstiltskin.
She gave a calming smile, kept two of the boys close to her and followed the pirate into an old room. Men sat everywhere drinking and conversing. It seemed much more elegant of a place than she would have expected. Of course there was a bar, but it was something simple, there was a fireplace with rather comfortable looking chairs and a table in front of it, evenly set tables for the men and even leather bind booths in the corners of the room. Even the men were not what she was expecting. Yes, good amounts were drunk, but they were rather happily drunk. They were all dressed properly and cleanly. The captains could be clearly distinguished from the crewmates.
While leading the group, the old stout man continued to converse with the Captain. "The group hasn't changed a bit, you know. They're all the same since the last time you were here. What was that? Thirty or so years ago, mate?"
"I can't recall."
"Well, that means it's been far too long, Cap'n!" The man laughed as they approached the table with four other men sitting and drinking. The old man introduced the first one on the left as Captain Edward Miggs of the Satan's Coral, a thin man, young with light hair who wore several badges of honor on his vest. It seemed that he had managed to gain his high status quickly in Pirates' Cove, from what Regina noticed about him. He was rather big headed in the way he presented himself. To his left was an older bald man who they just called Curly. He seemed to be a first mate or just crewman of one of the others, but he also seemed widely respected even by the Captains. He was stout man, similar to the innkeeper standing beside Hook. Beside Curly, sat another old man with dark hair and a thick beard. He was a Spanish Captain called Juan Diaz the Black. He captained the ship Serpiente de Neptuno, or Neptune's Serpent. The last man to the right was young. He actually looked similar to Killian with the deep blue eyes and dark hair. The chiseled features were closely matched and the man had similar stubbled hairs on his chin.
"This," Killian gestured to the last man, "is my brother. Captain Elijah Jones of the Hangman's Noose. He's almost as honorable a pirate as I am." The man smiled as his brother stood up to embrace him.
The man laughed, "Which would mean I have no honor, brother." He joked, patting Hook's back cheerfully. He stared at his brother's face and gave a few good pats to his cheek, "You've aged, Killian. You look terrible."
"I admire your attempt at a compliment, Eli." Hook laughed as the man sat back down.
"Come along, milady." The innkeeper gestured to Regina. "Please let me show you and your sons to you your rooms. You must need to rest." Regina's eyes simply widened a bit at the assumption that the boys were their sons. Before she could protest or speak a word, the old man had a hand to her back and was leading her and the three boys upstairs to a set of rooms.
Hook smiled as he watched her and the boys climb the stairs. He nodded to her, assuring her that it was alright and that he would be up there with her shortly. As they disappeared, he pulled a chair and sat beside his brother.
"Well, well, little brother." Eli said with a raised brow and a smirk. "Who would have thought thirty years would change you so much?"
"What are you talking about?" Hook asked confused.
Edward sipped his pint casually and smirked, "We just never expected you to be the type to settle, Killian. Weren't you ranting about travelling the seven seas and the realms before you left? How you sailed alone and fended only for yourself?" The man banged the empty glass to the table and gestured the barkeep for another.
"And now look at you." Eli continued with a smile as he leaned back in his chair. "A beautiful woman and three boys of your own. Never expected that from you, Kil."
"I must say she's a fine lass, my boy." Old Curly said holding up his flask. "A bit fidgety, but certainly a beaut!"
"You can't exactly blame her, mate. She's only been in Neverland for a month. Had a run in with a mermaid within the third or fourth day. And not much has gone smoothly since."
"Well, my boy. Glad you made it here safely, especially with three boys to worry about. How'd you manage to get them passed the Lost Ones and the Peter Pan?" Curly asked.
"We found ways. And I should mention, the boys are not ours." Hook laughed.
"I'm glad you said that, Cap'n, because I was tempted to let you know that those two younger ones look nothing like you." Diaz said with a deep laugh and a heavy accent.
Hook laughed and replied, "Yes, that would be quite a shock to us all." Hook received a pint from the barkeep as he refilled the rounds. Taking a long drink, Hook continued, "They are a few escaped lost boys just looking to be safe from that damned Pan."
"And you took them with you?" Hook's brother said with shock. "Kil, that's a death sentence in Neverland."
"Then I shall figure out a way to get us out of Neverland sooner or later. What else was I supposed to do?"
"Oh god. You've become attached to them." Edward replied drearily. "You and your need to sympathize."
"Enough, Miggs." Curly shut him up. "Perhaps you should try to sympathize for others a little more. Your egotistical behavior won't get you anywhere good either." Curly turned to Hook and asked, "How do you suppose to get that woman, three boys and yourself out of Neverland without attracting Pan's attention, boy? It's not smart."
"But it's my only option, mate. I gave Regina my word. I promised to protect her and those children if it was the last thing I did. You know that I do not go back on my word."
"A true pirate never does, Cap'n." Diaz smirked and drank.
Eli glared at his brother. They had never really grown up together. Eli remained with their mother when Killian had chosen to leave with his father. Eli had his doubts about the man; he feared the man's greed, but Killian had been too young and naïve of his father to realize the truth. He always believed his father to be a great man, even after he abandoned him at a young age. It took a long time for Killian to realize it.
The brothers had reunited at Pirates' Cove long ago. It was revealed that Eli had joined a crew to search for his younger brother after their mother died. Even when not seeing one another, the men had a connection. They knew one another better than most people even when separated for so long.
Eli could see it in the way Killian had mentioned her name. The way he looked; it was that unconditional love that Killian had also had as a child for their father. It was undying; something that the man swore he would never reveal again after he gave up his search for his father and again after Milah's death. "Brother, you are falling for this woman."
"What?" Hook looked over puzzled at his brother's random remark.
"I can see it. You never give your word unless you truly mean it, unless you want to show someone that they can trust you." With a thoughtful expression he continued. "You love her."
"Clearly." Curly responded placing his empty flask to the table. "That's obvious."
"Good for you, mate." Diaz lifted his glass in the air before drinking.
"Much appreciated, gentlemen, but I am afraid that I must leave this wonderful conversation in which you are all badgering me about my life and choices. I have three young boys and a beautiful woman awaiting me." The man stood and formally addressed his fellow mates before making his way up the stairs.
0-0-0
The sound of the door squeaking open compelled the woman to look up from where she sat. He stepped inside quietly and shut the door behind him with a smile. A sight appeared before him making his smile grow wider. There she sat with a book in her right hand. She was dressed in a beautiful white nightgown, so pure. Her hair was pulled back into a loose braid. Hook imagined that this was who the beautiful Queen had been once before, before all of the pain and hate that overcame her life.
Her other hand carefully stroked the dark brown hair of the little boy whose head rested in her lap. His eyes remained shut as he slept soundly with his left hand placed sweetly on the woman's thigh. The other side of the bed was inhabited by the two older boys. Blake, though he always tried to put on his tough air, revealed his innocent love for the younger boy with his arms wrapped around the little blonde. The two boys slept, resting their heads on the soft pillow.
Hook looked into Regina's eyes and stared at her smile as she brushed back Tucker's dark hair. As he walked closer to her, she whispered, "I didn't want to wake them."
The pirate leaned over and kissed the woman tenderly before going to pick the little boy off of her lap. Draping him over his shoulder, he listened to the boy give a small moan before drifting back to sleep. Hook handed Tucker to Regina before waking the other two to wake them and lead them to their room.
The second room was simple, similarly set up as the first, but with four smaller beds rather than one large one. Hook helped Willy and Blake climb into their beds, tucked them in and wished them a good night. As he did so, Regina set the youngest into a bed beside the window. She gently placed his head onto the pillow and listened to him hum slightly as she pulled the covers over him.
As she brushed back his hair one more time, the little boy whispered sleepily, "I love you, Mommy."
In that instant, Regina couldn't control her emotion. She let out a small sigh as she smiled. She had never realized how much she could truly love someone until that moment, until that little boy called her mommy. Controlling tears, Regina leaned forward and kissed the boy's forehead. She whispered, "I love you too, sweetheart," before getting up and following Hook back to their room.
0-0-0
After pulling back the covers, she felt a warm hand touch her shoulder and slide slowly down her arm. His cheek pressed against her temple as the arm with the Hook wrapped around her waist carefully. She closed her eyes and let the heat take over her body. She tilted her head to the side allowing him to press his lips to her neck. She could feel the beating of his heart through her back as he pressed his chest closer to her.
Regina turned around quickly. She pulled the collar of his shirt and forced a powerful kiss to his lips. She tugged him closer and led him to the bed without letting the passionate kiss go. The couple climbed underneath the cool sheets together remaining as close as possible. Regina let her head rest on the pillow as the Captain kissed her once more.
As they parted, noses an inch away, Hook whispered to his lover, "I think I may be falling in love with you, your Majesty." He smiled.
Before he could kiss her again, he was stopped by a hand to his chest. Regina smirked and asked deeply but with a playful tone, "You think, Captain?"
He forcefully leaned closer. "I know," he whispered, his eyes practically piercing into her soul.
Regina teasingly lifted her head to him to touch their lips slightly, but pushed him away before it became a full kiss. She whispered with a devious smile, "Then prove it to me."
Hook felt the woman's hand move to the back of his head and pull him down. Their lips crashed, their eyes closed, and they both sighed deeply. He could feel the somewhat demanding presence of the old Queen in the way that she moved with him. But it still wasn't too forceful; it was simply passionate. It was his signal. She loved him back.
I hope you enjoyed. And don't worry, this story won't get dreary or too fluffy. I'm planning a few fun game changers for chapter 11 ;)