Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time
Chapter Ten
The Enchanted Forest
Emma and Hook stood in line to wait to be presented to Regina, George and King Midas. "She doesn't know you, right?" Emma whispered.
"Regina and I have never had the pleasure." Killian assured her, adjusting the fake hand on his wrist. "This is quite bizarre." He admitted.
"You have one back home, you rarely wear it though." She glanced up at him and bit her lip, "I prefer the hook." She winked at him before stepping forward.
"You are a wanton thing." He brought his mouth down to her ear, "I do hope to learn more about what brings you pleasure before our journey here ends."
Emma felt her stomach tighten at his words. No matter what, it seemed, she was unable to resist him. She dropped into a curtsey in front of the three monarchs. "And who do we have here?" King Midas asked.
Hook spoke for her, "Prince Charles and Princess Leia." He introduced the two of them. Emma bit back the laughter of hearing herself be called Princess Leia in real life. Absurd. Just like the rest of her life.
"We are honored to have the two of you here with us." George bowed at them, "Please, meet my son, Prince James."
When David stepped in front of them, with no flash of recognition in his eyes, Emma found herself gripping tightly onto Hook's arm, "Prince James, it's an honor." Hook bowed. "I'm Prince Charles, this is Princess Leia."
"Thank you for coming. Kathryn has stepped out for a brief moment, you'll have to meet her when she returns." James nodded.
"We would be delighted." Hook responded before guiding Emma away, "You alright, love?" He asked, pulling her against him and twirling her out onto the dance floor.
"I don't know the dance." Emma objected before she found herself falling into the steps with Hook.
"It's all about your partner." Hook whispered in her ear, "If he knows what he's doing, you'll be fine." Emma shivered at his words, "Now, love, are you okay?"
Emma shrugged, "I hate it." She paused, "I hate that he doesn't know me. That he doesn't see me and just naturally pull me into that hug where he cradles my head like I'm a baby, even if I am thirty." She let him twirl her and grinned, "Hey I'm getting the hang of this." At his smirk she scowled, "No mocking. This is my first ever ball and I'm not doing half bad."
"You're doing quite well, love. A natural born princess if I've ever seen one." Hook pulled her close to him again, "Our next step is to locate the tower. Now it will be well guarded, but I assure you I can fend them off."
Emma bit her lip before finally divulging, "My gun made it through the portal."
Hook frowned, "Your what?"
"It's a modern day weapon." Emma explained "And it can take care of guards. I'm also fairly adept with a sword."
"I would expect nothing less from you, Swan." He spun her again.
"So how do we find the tower?" She asked.
"First we need to get out of here, what do you say we go for a walk along the terrace?" He asked.
"Is that allowed?"
"I believe so." He stepped back and bowed to her, "Milady?"
Emma bit her lip and glanced down at his arm, before lacing hers through it, "Of course." Impulsively she reached up and pressed her lips to his with a small sigh before tucking herself back in her proper place.
"Where did they say they were from again?" Regina asked George as she watched the two strangers exit to the terrace.
"They didn't." George stated flatly.
OUAT
Storybrooke, Maine
"We're looking for a way to find you." Killian told Belle. "We're at the ball and searching for the tower."
"A tower you should've never been in." Gold muttered darkly.
"Now, Rumple, the past is the past. We're both here now and we've moved on just fine." Belle placated him, "Clearly this plan doesn't work though, because I wind up locked away here during the curse as well." She pointed out.
"That's true." Killian agreed with a frown. "This is so frustrating not knowing what's happening until it happens."
OUAT
The Enchanted Forest
"Hook," Emma murmured, "that must be the tower." She motioned up, "How do you think we get to it?" She asked.
He frowned and looked around. "How well do you think you can move in that dress?" He asked.
Emma shrugged, "Not well, I'm sure, but I'll manage." She paused, "Why?"
"Are you willing to climb to that balcony there?" He pointed to one off the terrace, "The window is open, we could find the tower from there." He suggested.
Emma looked around at the quiet terrace, "Let's do it now while no one's watching." She grasped his hand and let him lead her over to the railing.
"I'll go first, love, and help you over." He murmured, untwisting the hand and exchanging it for his hook that the Dark One had left in his coat pocket. Emma watched behind her as he climbed over the balcony they were standing on and onto the one in the room next door. "Love?" He questioned, holding out his hand.
Emma nodded and grasped it, hiking up her very extensive red skirts, she carefully climbed over the balcony and into the next room. "Shit." She muttered, her heel slipping on the stone.
"I've got you love." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her over the balcony, the two stumbling backwards.
Emma looked up at him, "Thank you. The cheeky bastard couldn't at least leave my boots." She muttered.
"We should get inside." He pulled her through the open doors into a dark bedroom. Looking around he said, "We need to get you out of that dress." He glanced at it, "Not only is it entirely too big for our purposes, but the red does make you a moving target."
Glancing around the room Emma took a breath, "Um, Hook?"
"Yes love?"
"This is Regina's room. We need to get out of here before someone finds us." Emma dashed to the door.
"Just one second, love." He dashed through another room and was gone for a few moments before returning with a bundle of clothes. "Let's find somewhere we're less likely to get caught." He murmured, opening the door and glancing down the hallway.
They dashed down the hall to an alcove that was mostly hidden, "Change here." He shoved the clothes at her.
Emma stared at him, "How do I get out of this dress?" She asked, reaching behind her and feeling her way, "Buttons. Great." She rolled her eyes, "Hook, can you just rip it?"
Hook grinned at her, "You really are a wanton princess." He winked at her, "It would be my pleasure, Swan." Using his hook, he gently pushed her hair off her back before ripping through the dress.
Emma shoved it down and groaned at the corset. "I honestly never thought I'd miss a bra." Emma mumbled as she threw the chemise over her head. "Can you help with the corset?" She asked. She breathed a sigh of relief before pulling the leather pants on and tugging the shirt over her head. Grabbing the matching corset.
"Let me help." Hook latched onto the laces and managed to lace it up much more quickly than she ever could have.
"Well how in the hell?" She muttered watching his hand and hook move. "I can't wait to be back in normal clothes." She grunted and looked at the leather jacket, "This weighs like a million pounds. It's not happening." She pulled the boots he'd grabbed on and nodded, "Let's go."
"You look every bit the pirate." He smiled at her, "You would look wonderful at the helm of the Roger."
"We can discuss this later, Hook, let's go find Belle." She paused, "Killian?" He glanced at her, "If something happens, if we get separated, promise me you'll drink the potion. Promise me. It's the only way to preserve our future. At least give me that." She whispered.
He nodded, "I promise love."
Emma nodded and pressed a quick kiss to his lips, "We should go now."
"Right you are, lass." He glanced out into the hall, "Let's move."
OUAT
Storybrooke, Maine
Killian paced around the loft and Regina groaned, "You're making me nauseous, pirate." She muttered.
"Would you please put a sock in it, your majesty." He snapped.
Regina let out a long sigh and put her head in her hands. Robin rubbed her back soothingly, "It's okay, darling." He whispered.
"No it's not," Regina shook her head, "because I'm currently gathering my most trusted guard to find them. They haven't come back to the ball."
"Because we pilfered your clothes and are currently searching for the tower. Swan looks better in the leather than you do." Killian snapped.
"I may not be allowed to really hurt you, pirate, but that doesn't mean I can't smack you hard." She spit out.
"This arguing isn't helping." David reminded them.
OUAT
The Enchanted Forest
"Swan," Hook tugged her arm, "this way." She nodded and followed him up the steps.
"Hook!" She pushed him back and kicked the guard, latching onto his sword and knocking him down the steps.
"Nice going love." He winked at her. "Duck." Using his hook, he disposed of the next guard.
Five guards later, Emma and Killian stood in front of a dungeon door. Using his hook, he knocked the lock out of place and threw the door opened. "Belle." Emma whispered.
"Who are you?" Belle asked quickly.
Emma grinned and dropped in front of her, "We're here to save you." She rested a hand on the young woman's leg, "Rumple sent us."
"Rumple sent you to save me?" She asked.
Emma nodded, "Hook, are we still all clear?" She asked.
Hook looked down the stairwell, "Yes." He frowned at a noise that was out of place, "Actually," he paused.
"Actually what?"
"Love, hide." He shoved her underneath the bed and a moment later Regina appeared.
"Well, this is quite interesting." Regina's voice echoed behind him. "I never imagined anyone could get up here." She analyzed him, "A hook instead of a hand." She shook her head, "You must be the feared Captain Hook, aren't you Prince Charles."
Emma watched from underneath the bunk, biting her lip in fear. "Aye, I am Captain Killian Jones." He bowed with a flourish. "I need this pet in order to kill the Dark One." He explained easily.
"And the woman you were with, Princess Leia?" Regina asked with an arched brow.
"I believe I left her quite sated in your chambers, your majesty." He winked at her, "If you'd like, I could leave you quite sated as well."
Regina rolled her eyes, "Well then, the question becomes what to do with you." She circled him and Emma held her breath, trying to figure out how to save him.
XOXO
MAS