Merry Christmas! Here's an update because all my attempts at gift giving this year have failed terribly and this is the only thing that won't get lost or explode or anything. So enjoy.

Warnings: Violence, Sex, Torture, Mentions of Rape & Prostitution, Language, Heavy Alcohol Use, Brief Self Harm, Human Trafficking, etc.

Beta: Withgirl

"I must say, you've made good work of his pretty face." Regina ignored her reflection's comments as she paced in front of Daniel. "I say we kill him. He could hurt her…our Emma."

"She's not yours." The pirate snapped. Daniel frowned, flinching at the pain of moving his facial muscles. She'd been punching him constantly for the past few minutes and he was hoping sometime soon his face would be numb to at least get rid of the pain. Anything else was unavoidable.

Especially, the woman's tendency to look to her reflection in even a puddle of water…like she heard things. He tilted his head at her.

She? The blonde. Had to be her she was talking about.

"Alright fine. Your Emma."

"Who are you talking to, Regina?" He asked, noticing the woman tense up as she stared into the mirror.

"Mind your own." She muttered.

"Who is she? The woman?"

"Hold your tongue." Regina closed her eyes, her back facing him. She promised Emma not to kill him but it was hard to resist. Those urges haven't happened in while. She turned around to him with narrowed eyes. Daniel glanced to her fist at her side, broken knuckles, reddened, dripping with his blood.

"Princess. That's what you call her, isn't it? Your princess. She's something-" He stopped as her fist pounded into the side of his face. Her cold hand grasped the neck of his shirt and a fist was raised, ready to strike. "What do you have to lose by telling me? I'll be dead. Your secret will follow me to the grave. I'm no threat."

"You're a liar. You betrayed me. Over and over."

"She's the one, isn't she? Your true love?"

Regina recoiled and struck him again. Daniel dropped his head with groan, feeling a sharp, stinging sensation in his nose. From the tilted of her head, he knew it had to be broken now. "There's no such thing."

"Just because you don't believe in it doesn't mean it's not real. If it's her, your curse can be broken. But she'd be in danger, Regina."

"What are you talking about?" She questioned, wrapping her fingers around his throat and cutting off his air supply. "What do you know?"

"Why do you think I snuck aboard your ship? I needed to talk to you. You can't be seen with her, they'll know."

"Who?"

"The British Navy. The entire military. They're out to get you. If they can kill you it will cripple the pirate nation. That's what they think. They have plans. Weapons."

"What does it have to with Emma?"

"If they find out about her, they'll take her so you'll come after her or wait until she changed you and then kill you both."

"She's not the one." Regina insisted tightening her grasp.

"I think she is. No one else could convince you not to hurt someone or kill them but she did. And you didn't retaliate against her for stopping you. Even if she isn't, she is important to you. If not from the way she looks at you, it's the way you look at her."

Regina searched his eyes, wanting to find any reason not to trust him. To kill him. He let out a choked breath under her hand. She promised Emma. Taking a deep breath, she let him go and pulled him to his feet. She growled in his ear causing a shiver to travel thought his body. "Get out of my sight."

Emma glanced over her shoulders, as she roamed the quiet deck. Regina had been hovering over her ever since she saw the cut on her arm. It was sweet of her but sometimes it was a bit much for her to be behind her all the time. Two days now.

Finally, she was alone.

"Hey." A voice hissed at her. She frowned at the figure silhouetted by the dark of night, hunched down next to a set of barrels stacked on top of each other. Cautiously, Emma walked closer. She was surprised to find the prisoner, Daniel, tied up, on his knees. His face - illuminated better by the dim torches burning - was bloody and bruised and Emma thought to scold Regina but she'd promise not to kill him. "Emma?"

She frowned down at him taking a step back. He shook his head and sighed. "You're Regina's Princess, right?" Emma felt her cheeks turn pink at the title. Was that really her mantle now? Princess? She had to admit, it was a surprise from the pirate lord but she actually liked the attention from her.

"You can let me go." Daniel said. Emma looked around in concern as if at the mere suggestion would bring Regina to her. She shook her head frantically at him, taking another step back. "You can. She won't hurt you. You can get away with anything with her. She may not have feelings as we do but she does care about you."

'I can't. She won't like it.' Emma mouthed to him.

"Of course she won't but you are capable of being her equivalent on this ship if she lets you do what you want. You're special." Her brow creased. She'd heard that a lot. "Her curse. You can break it."

'I can't.'

"She can be convinced. You've accepted the monster in her, haven't you?" Emma glanced around herself again and, reluctantly, nodded.

'It's not her fault.'

"She'll fight you and you have to be able to fight back. She's a stubborn woman. You can't do it otherwise but you must be careful. If anyone figures out about your power, you will be in great danger." Daniel looked to his left and then his right. "You have to let me go, now. My presence here will only bring trouble to the crew."

As much of a risk this seemed to be, Emma didn't feel much resistance from her conscience. Although, letting the man go wasn't the wrong thing to do, going behind Regina wasn't necessarily the right thing to do either. But she didn't fear that her life would be in any danger. Regina, despite her violent nature, would punish herself if the thought even occurred to her to cause the blonde any harm.

Decidedly, she pulled the dagger from her belt. The dark-haired man looked up at her hopefully and she knelt down in front of him. She cut the rope from his wrists and ankles. He nodded his thanks as they both stood up. He took the pistol from her waist and started off towards where they kept the liners.

"I can't handle it from here. Thank you." Emma nodded with a slight frown on her face. "Emma, I couldn't do it but I think you can. You can save her."

To everyone's surprise, their captain did not retaliate once she found out what Emma had done. Daniel had been right which was starting to not surprise her as much. The pirate was letting her do things some of her crew might have gotten killed for doing.

That wasn't to say the woman wasn't furious for having him escape her after promising death for his actions – past and present. After a stare-down with the blonde, who had nothing but patience, Regina huffed and walked away. Not an hour later she was back hovering around Emma from a distance.

The more days that passed them by on the seas, the more comfortable Emma became around the crew. She didn't mind being alone with them if Regina wasn't around and they seemed to respect her much more than normal but she supposed if she was the captain's 'princess' they wouldn't dare treat her any other way.

Despite her growing familiarity with the ship and its passengers, she was growing restless by the day. For a while her focus was solely on gaining her strength back and recovering the dignity she felt was beaten out of her and snatched away while she was on that ship but now there wasn't much she was focused on. Of course, her body hadn't fully taken to her new routine of eating two or three meals a day and she still felt like bones but she couldn't speed that up. Although something else had been lingering on her mind.

Swords.

So far her previous adventure with a sword had been from mere improvisation. She was tempted to request Jones teach her but it'd have to be done in secret. Regina wouldn't approve at all.

Once the evening fell on their last night at sea, she went in search of the first mate only to feel Regina quietly seek her out. She hovered in silence following a few feet behind her as if they were somewhere where she could be snatched. Unless, it wasn't out of a somewhat adoring concern and was rather about what she would do that was untrustworthy after the Daniel situation.

Emma took a few more steps before she swiftly turned around, tunic flailing at the hem, catching the pirate off guard. Regina looked at her in surprise before letting a mask of indifference drowned the reaction.

"Are you alright?" Regina questioned. Emma raised an eyebrow at her before nodding. "Good. That's…that's very good." For only a moment did Emma think that the woman was becoming flustered but any hints of that quickly vanished.

Regina turned around as if she was going to leave and Emma turned back in search of Jones. The floorboards creaked and with deflated shoulders and a look of exasperation, the blonde turned once again the find the captain still refusing to leave her be.

'What do you want?' Emma mouthed and the brunette frowned, reading very clearly what she'd asked.

"I'm not exactly sure why…I've been compelled to follow you…as if I sense trouble."

'I'm fine.'

"I'm aware…yes." She nodded to herself, not sure what should happen next. Before she could think of anything, Emma came up to her and grabbed for her sword slowly. The moment her hand wrapped around the handle, Regina's fingers firmly wrapped around her wrist from reflex. The brunette snatched her hand back. "I didn't mean that."

Emma nodded and pulled the sword from its place on the pirate's hip and pushed it into her hands. Regina looked up to her with a frown. 'Teach me.'

The woman's instinct was to say no and still resist her urge to lock Emma away in her quarters, where she'd be safe from the rest of the world. She wondered often where those feelings came from but she decided not to deny them anymore. They continued to happen regardless of her response to them.

"Are you sure?" She questioned. An affirmative nod was given and she sighed. "Find Jones, then. I won't teach you…at least not now. You need skill before I teach you anything. I could seriously harm you." She placed her sword into Emma's hands and finally left the young blonde.

Emma hesitated in asking Killian about lessons. The way Regina cared for her and what Daniel had told her was starting to invade her head. She couldn't help but think maybe he was right. There was no doubt in her mind that Regina had been much more ruthless and cruel before she came along. Her violent actions were genuine but it seemed she was always trying more than she even needed to.

She had admitted to herself that she was attracted to the pirate but she didn't know about being her savior. Regina had saved her. She wasn't capable of returning the favor except for that once back on Demonreach.

Breaking the curse on a notorious pirate lord was both exciting and stressful. It was a lot of pressure for her still weakened shoulders but if her love could save this woman from her suffering, she'd try.

Emma held on to the sword until she decidedly retired to bed, knowing come morning she'd been introduced to the place Regina called home. She eased her way into the captain's quarters finding the brunette actually sleeping for once. No rum on her lips or blood on her hands. Just sleeping.

Carefully, she slipped into the bed next to her on the far end and pulled the sheets up to her shoulders. She missed this bed. It was more comfortable than anything else on this ship. She also missed being in the room with the woman. The one time they'd played chess was actually very enjoyable despite the pirate's obvious awkwardness with her.

She fell asleep to that memory.

She got up before Regina and wanted to get the day started before the woman woke up and before the crew started the day. She would appreciate a quiet session. Land would be only hours away.

Killian gave Emma a look of disbelief. The whole princess thing had spread plenty across the ship and no one was going to say or do the wrong in fear of having to face Regina. She wanted him to teach her to sword fight and he was just stunned.

"I don't know about that, love. Regina would kill me." He said shaking his head. She held out the sword that was usually on Regina's hip and his eyes dropped down to it. A sigh escaped his lips and he gave her a short nod before turning his back to her and drawing his sword. "Alright, princess. Let's see what you're made of."

There swords clashed well into mid morning. She was better than he expected her to be but she still needed work. Although it would take more time considering her fatigue plagued her quicker than it would most of the younger portion of the crew.

Killian could see through the sweat dripping from her forehead and the dull spots forming on the sharp edge of the sword. She was strong and very determined. He couldn't help but think about what she was capable of doing when she was at her best. Sword play…curse breaking.

"I think we've done plenty for today-"

"Land Ho!" Someone shouted from the crow's nest.

Horns sounded loudly and both Emma and Killian moved toward the side on the ship to see what was rushing forward. "Well, welcome home, love." He said to her and she grinned, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.

"Look at you." Ruby frowned at the sight of her friend as she walked up the pathway. She held her arms out to the pirate, glancing at the two following behind her, and thought to question them later. Regina reluctantly accepted the hug, letting the leggy brunette pull her into an embrace but didn't return the gesture. "What did I say about taking care of yourself?"

"I'm fine, Lucas."

"The hell you are." She grumbled. She knew the pirate didn't like to be fussed over but it was part of her job. The woman looked near skin and bones and slightly pale but it could've been worse. "When was the last time you ate? You were gone a long time, Regina."

"I ate fine. I was busy."

"You pirates are always busy. You're just the only one who doesn't take the time to eat. Most of the others are probably too fat to move around very much and you're just skin. You could drop dead at any moment the way you look." Regina grimaced at her. "And don't say a word about being lucky to die. You look terrible."

"Just a…rough sail."

"Get in here, Captain." Regina obeyed out of exhaustion. "I'll have some food fetched for you…and your friends." Ruby frowned at Killian and shook her head as he passed by, strolling in like he lived there. Then her eyes turned to Emma and she moved to step in her way for some interrogating.

Emma stopped in her tracks in front of the woman but Killian took Ruby's arm and pulled her over to him. The blonde didn't make a move to go inside, keeping to the doorway.

"You'll learn not to mess with her, love." Killian said.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Regina saved her from an abandoned ship. She was a slave…personal slave for the captain of the ship." He explained lowly, knowing Emma was far too close to be talking about her but Ruby gave Emma a look to make it very apparent they were talking about her.

The brunette woman could easily tell she'd endured the worst of hardships. She looked healthier than she imagined she did when she was found but the malnourishment was still evident in how Regina's clothes seemed to be a bit baggy on her. It spoke volumes considering that Regina was already slim. It was concerning someone was even slightly thinner than that but there was some muscular undertones in her arms.

"Poor thing…" Ruby sighed to herself before she turned to Emma who was still looking a bit concerned about not being let inside. Her eyes seemed to search for Regina over her shoulder and Ruby stepped aside gesturing for her to come in. "Make yourself at home…?"

"Emma." Killian answered and the blonde softly smiled in return.

"Emma. I'll show have someone show you where your room is."

Ruby watched her nod before she took in the house. The brunette looked back to Killian. "She doesn't talk?"

"No. And you'll do well not to get in her way or Regina will unleash hell upon you."

"I've known Regina long enough-"

"That doesn't matter. You're her friend but Emma there…she's her princess."

"Princess? What the hell does that…" He gave her a look. "Oh…princess. Interesting." Her eyes scanned over Emma's form. Princess. "And you've seen this?"

"Repeatedly."

"I see." She took note of that just as Bailey stepped into the room. The man was easy to startle and nearly died if something caught him off guard: like unannounced guests.

"We have guests?" He questioned Ruby while looking at Emma curiously.

"Yes, Bailey. Maybe lunch should be started, yes?"

"Yes, ma'am." He glanced over to Emma once more and then to Killian with a frown before he scurried to make sure that food was prepared for the guests and the recently returned captain.

As soon as he disappeared, Ruby decided it was definitely time to have them cleaned up. "Charlotte!"

"Yes?" The other blonde answered from the steps.

"Regina, Killian, and Emma here are…unkempt and slightly stained with the sea stench. Get them clean."

Charlotte grinned and clapped her hands. Two girls with timid and soft steps appeared behind her. Killian raised an eyebrow. He liked what he saw and smiled suggestively at them. They giggled in return, blush staining their cheeks, but stopped at the sharp eyebrow given to them by Ruby.

"We have two dirty pirates here. Get them decent."

The pair of them moved down the stairs to pick who they would take and pulled them towards the second floor, not the least bit shy about getting to tend to either of them. Emma was reluctant at first until she looked to Killian who gave her a reassuring look.

"I quite like returning from rough sailing to this." Killian said smugly.

Ruby rolled her eyes after him and left to go find Regina. They had a lot to talk about apparently. Especially this princess business.

When Ruby finally discovered her she was in the library anxiously shoving around the maps in their slots on the wall. She watched her for a moment before announcing her presence with a knock to the door. Regina whipped her head around to her but continued looking through the maps.

"To say I'm still only just worried about you would be an awful untruth." Ruby admitted. "What happened, Regina?"

"I killed Yuri." She answered knowing exactly what she was really talking about.

"I'm not surprised. I've seen your list. It's full of notable, repulsive men." Regina didn't respond and messily opened another book full of loose pages onto the floor. Charlotte was definitely going to enjoy cleaning that up as she complained to the pirate about her coming home only to make a mess of the clean house she'd kept while she was gone. "Regina, you know I'm not asking about Yuri. What happened?"

"Nothing of note." Regina replied distractedly. She picked up a book and held it out by it's cover and it opened up, spilling out stray papers onto the floor. The book fell to the floor and Ruby frowned at her.

"Nothing of note? Your princess? That's nothing of note?"

Regina slowly pushed something back into its place on the shelf and turned around to the younger woman. "What did you say?"

"Killian told me a few things about Emma. You want to tell me what's going on?"

She picked up a map and unrolled before giving it a short look and tossed it to the floor. "She's…it's nothing. I just feel the need to protect her. I don't know why."

"What else?" Ruby prodded. "There's something else. She's your princess for a reason."

"The princess thing was a jest."

"Well it stuck. So…?"

"She's doing something to me. It's been easier to resist my urges with her." She admitted quietly opening and tossing another map. "I've rarely had them since she's been onboard."

"Your curse?"

Regina scoffed and closed her eyes with a head shake. "No. Have you seen her? She shouldn't be anywhere near me. If she's smart she'll be long gone by morning."

"She never would've followed you home if she didn't want to be around you."

"That doesn't matter." She argued as Ruby grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from the shelves she seemed intent on destroying. She resisted for a moment and then let herself be turned away.

"If you didn't want her here, you would've made sure she didn't follow you but you let her. You can't admit it but she's special to you. If she wants to help you, let her do it. Okay?" Regina didn't respond to her and the younger brunette shook her to get her attention back. "Okay?"

"Alright." The woman relented easier than she expected her to. She'd have to talk to Emma about this. Regina snatched her hands away and briskly moved out of the room but Ruby stayed on her heels.

"I've got a job for you. Belle French, she's gone missing and her father has offered to pay whatever your price to have her returned."

"I'm guessing no one knows where she is and no one remembers the last place she was…"

"I've gathered as much information I could get my hands on."

"I will look over it after my bath." Ruby nodded, stopping at the doorway of her rooms. She shed her clothes quickly, revealing bruised, but ever golden flesh, and slipped into the steaming bath where Charlotte was waiting. The blonde woman rolled up her sleeves and pushed Regina into the water to get her hair wet.

Ruby stepped inside the room, immediately noticing the older woman's eyes were trained on something outside her chamber. The younger brunette looked over her shoulder to see Emma staring back at her, wrapped in a towel, her hair dripping down her back and shoulders.

Well, she was a nice-looking woman, Ruby thought to herself.

The girl tending to her ushered her away to her room and Emma managed a shy wave to Regina before she was moving along again. Ruby watched her go and then looked down to the floor in thought. She might just be the one to make Regina's life not so miserable anymore. Her green eyes shot a piercing gaze at Regina and she saw the fading small grin on her face.

"Princess." She murmured to herself before leaving Regina to her bath.