I own nothing except my delusions.

Emma looked at Killian curiously as they made their way to the galley the next morning.

"What's going to happen now?" she asked him.

He sighed. "We're going to have to make port. Repairs need to be made, more supplies are needed. That attack from the Crocodile yesterday caused us to use up most of our medical supplies."

"How soon before we can make port?" Emma asked.

"Within the week," Killian replied as he led her into the galley. He nodded to McCullen, who looked up as they entered. "With any luck, we can get the repairs done quickly, and be on our way."

Emma looked up at McCullen when he placed the food on the tables. She noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

"McCullen, how're you doing?" she asked.

"Fine, Princess, he answered somewhat tiredly. "It was a long night, last night."

"It's going to be a long day, too," Killian added. He looked back at Emma. "Some of the crew are able to sail, now that they're patched up. But some will be out for a while."

As McCullen went to get his own food, Emma glanced over to Killian in his usual spot beside her. Her tone was worried. "How are you feeling?"

He shook his head. "I'm fine, love. I just needed a little rest was all. That, and thanks to you taking care of my injuries, I'm fine."

Emma nodded, content with his answer.

"Thankfully, it's only a few of the men are out of commission," he told her. "Murphy will be out for a while. Turns out he sprained his ankle, so he can't move around on deck for a while."

"That's gonna to be rough on him," she replied. He nodded, right as McCullen sat down and Curry came in, slumping down on the bench and burying his head in his arms.

"Please tell me we're going to make port soon." Curry said, his voice coming out muffled.

"Within the week," Killian informed him.

It looked like Curry nodded.

They waited as the crew came in, all clearly exhausted from the previous day. When they had finished their morning meal, Killian stood up, offering Emma assistance. It striked her as unusual, considering even though it was now more habit than precaution, they didn't leave until everyone else had.

"There's something I needed to do before I went above deck," he told her when she gave him a curious look.

He led her back to his cabin. He moved to one of the trunks, rifling through it and pulling out a cutlass with its sheath. He walked back, offering it to her.

Emma took it, weighing it in her hands. She examined the blade, noticing the fine craftsmanship.

"What's this for?" she asked him, looking up to meet his eyes.

He scratched behind his ear. "I thought you should have a blade of your own, besides that dagger you carry around."

She smiled at him. "Thanks."

"I thought it would serve you well," he continued. "That sword had helped me through many fights."

Emma nodded, touched at the gesture. "Seriously, thank you, Killian."

He grinned at her. "Now, what's say we go up on deck now?"

She smirked, fastening the belt around her waist. She looped her arm through his. "Let's go."

Together they went up to the deck, where only a few of the pirates had come up to return to duty. They went up to the helm, Killian making sure they were on coarse.

"You know, Swan," he said as he checked the direction, "Since you've decided to stay with us for the foreseeable future, maybe you should be able to call orders over the crew. It makes sense, after all. You have been with us for a while now, and they do respect you."

Emma watched him, amazed. Killian was actually giving her authority over the crew. Her voice belied her surprise. "Are you actually giving me authority over the crew?"

He met her eyes. His tone was serious. "Aye."

She was speechless as she studied him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly.

He nodded, giving her a small smile before turning back to the helm.

As predicted, they arrived at the nearest port, Port Kidd, within the week. The crew, mostly recovered, disembarked the ship, eager to spend some time on land while repairs to the ship were made. Killian, who asked Emma is she wanted to accompany him, quickly payed off the harbor master and arranged repairs. After, since they would have some time while the ship was being repaired, decided to search for some clothing for Emma to replace the ill-fitting shirt, vest, and pants she had been wearing besides her dress. They had quickly decided to get some dinner after, before retiring back to the ship for the night.

Killian stood leaning against a wall waiting nearby as Emma approached him, dressed in her new clothing. He looked up as she came closer, noticing how much more comfortable she looked. She held all of the old cloths in a satchel at her side, having traded the outfit for more for fitting pants of a black leather, a white blouse, and a red textured leather vest, held closed by a thick belt, her cutlass hanging from it. He couldn't deny how attractive she looked.

"What?" Emma asked when she reached him noticing his stare.

"It's nothing, Swan," he replied, gesturing to her ensemble. "It's just that you look so much better in those than what you've been running around in."

Her cheeks tinged pink as she replied to him. "Thanks."

"So shall we go find ourselves some supper?" he asked her as he pushed himself off the wall.

Nodding, Emma went next to Killian, intent on finding a suitable tavern. Wandering through the small port town, they found a small tavern near the dock that Killian found suitable.

"This one will due," he said as he pushed open the door. He glanced over at her. "This port is a popular spot for pirates. Let's just say I wanted a place that wouldn't be crawling with them."

Emma raised her brow. "Do I need to be worried?"

Killian scanned the tavern, finding it safe. "Just a precaution, love."

He led them to a table in the back corner of the tavern, where one of the barmaids quickly came over to them. After she left, leaving them their food and ale, Killian picked back up their conversation. "I've come across other pirates who are more ill mannered. I don't want to have to worry about them trying something with you around me. As I said, just a precaution."

Emma's expression was skeptical. "You don't need to worry about me. I can handle myself. Besides, I've been with the most ruthless pirate of them all, and I'm still alive."

He sighed. "Emma," he said softly, "you've no idea the atrocities I've committed. I know you've heard some old rumors, but... you don't know everything."

She studied him, taking in his dark expression. She wanted to know what he meant, what he had done, but she knew it was neither the place or time to ask him. She nodded, letting him know she understood, but would ask him about it later. He looked back at her, understanding.

"So how long will the repairs take?" Emma asked him, going for a lighter subject.

"We'll be able to make our departure in a days time,"Killian answered. "Thankfully, it's only the rigging that needs to be repaired. We're to set sail the day after tomorrow. Eager to be back out to sea already?"

A soft smile crossed Emma face. "Honestly, I kind of am."

Killian cocked his brow, smirking.

"It's just... I feel like I'm actually free out there," Emma explained. "I don't have to worry about anything. It's like I'm leaving all of my problems behind, and that I can actually be free."

His smirk turned into an sympathetic smile. "It calms you. It makes you feel as though your fate is your own to decide."

"Yes," she responded.

"Pirate, love," was all he replied. Emma understood what he'd meant. He knew exactly of the freedom she spoke of.

Killian kept an eye on the entrance throughout their meal, cautious that anyone unfavorable come in. Emma watched him, noticing the looks he was receiving from the tavern wenches, all of who Killian didn't even seem to see. For some reason, it have her a sense of satisfaction that he paid them no mind. Upon finishing their meal, he turned back to Emma.

"What do you say about up going back to the ship and playing some dice?" he asked her.

She smiled. "I think that sounds like a good idea."

Together they rose, and quickly laying the gold on their table, left to go back to the ship.

Emma made her way through the small port town the next day, Killian and Curry in tow, content to just wander.

"Has Smith restocked all of the needed supplies to the ship?" Hook asked Curry as they made their way down a quiet street.

"He has," Curry replied. "That incident really caused him to use up most of his stores, but thankfully this port has everything needed to restock."

"Good," Killian said. "We'll be able to set sail tomorrow morning with the tide, so see to it the men are on board before then."

"Aye, Captain," Curry responded with a quick nod. With a quick nod to Emma, he went of in search to the crew to inform them of their orders.

Holding onto his arm, Emma curiously glanced up at Killian. "Just out of curiousity, shouldn't Smee be the one to deliver those orders to the men?"

"Technically, yes," he responded, his tone tired. "Smee does outrank Curry, but Curry does many of his duties. Which is why I pay him more."

"How did Smee become your first mate?" She asked him.

"I honestly don't really know," he replied. "He had originally made a deal with the Crocodile to steal a magic bean from me back when Milah was still alive. He wanted immortality. Well, we caught him and imprisoned him. After Milah's death, he proved useful in getting hard to find objects. He swore loyalty to the crew, and he somehow made his way up to first mate."

Emma nodded. As the sun began to set, Killian suggested they find dinner, and went back to the small tavern they had dined at the previous night. They settled into the same table, Killian watching the door as they ate. There were more people than the previous night, but it did not raise alarm.

Emma told him of her learning archery from her mother, laughing with him as she recounted some of her mishaps when she was young, when he quieted, instantly going on alert.

"Hook, what's wrong?" she asked quietly.

He kept his eyes on the entrance. "Two pirates just walked in."

Emma quickly glanced behind her, seeing the two men glancing around the tavern, their eyes repeatedly roving over to where she and Killian sat. She looked back over to Killian.

"What do we do?"

He quickly contemplated. "We sit tight for a while longer, and watch."

Emma nodded nervously, picking at the remainder of her food. She fought the urge to keep looking behind her, to see if the two pirates were still watching them. Judging from Killian's dark expression, they were.

Finally, much to her relief, Killian put down some gold coins on the table. He helped her up, keeping her close to his side as they exited the tavern.

They walked at a steady pace towards the ship, only getting a couple of streets away before Killian broke their uneasy silence. His voice was low. "We're being followed."

Emma moved her hand to her weapon, preparing herself for an oncoming attack.

"I have a feeling we're about to put those lessons of yours to use," Killian murmured, not quiet able to hid his smirk.

Emma couldn't help snort. Her veins buzzed with adrenaline, ready to fight. Her previous nerves had vanished, anticipation for a fight replacing them. Glancing over, she say that Killian was in a similar state, tensing for an attack.

The footsteps behind them became more pronounced, their pursuers gaining on them. The tell-tale sound of a blade being unsheathed acted as their signal, spurning them to turn, drawing each of their blades.

"Gentlemen," Killian greeted darkly, pointing his cutlass at one of the men as Emma eyed the other. "Care to share with me why you were following me and the lady?"

"Just doin' a bit of scoutin' for the Cap'n," the man in front of Killian sneered.

Killian studied him as Emma narrowed her eyes at the men. Emma knew they were telling the truth, but couldn't believe they were stupid enough to try and attack them.

"Who's your captain?" she asked them sharply.

The man in front of Killian turned his eyes to her. "I don' answer to a common whore-"

He was cut off by the point of Killian's sword pressing into his throat. His blue eyes flashed with anger, his voice deadly. "She is not a whore, and you will answer her." He turned his wrist, causing the blade to press further into his neck.

The man in front of Emma, who had been silent for the entire confrontation, spoke up. "Blackbeard."

"What does he want?" Emma pressed.

"Didn't say," the man replied, reluctant to answer. "He just ordered us to scout the area for you."

Emma still couldn't detect a lie from the men. She and Killian quickly shared a look, him silently asking her if she thought they were lying, and her just as silently replying she didn't detect any.

The man before Killian decided to risk attacking, which prompted the other man to follow his lead. Killian quickly countered his attacker, while Emma blocked hers. Emma noticed Killian engaging his opponent, easily overpowering him. Emma found herself able to fight with ease, the cutlass in her hand quickly becoming familiar to her. Seeing an opening, Emma quickly struck him in the temple with the pommel, rendering her attacker unconscious. She looked back over to Killian, seeing he had already dispatched of his opponent. She quickly glanced him over, relieved in finding him free from injuries. He quickly removed some blood from his cutlass before sliding it back into it's scabbard.

"Did you-?" she began to ask when he shook his head.

"I didn't kill him, just some injury to his arm. He won't be able to use a sword for a while, but he'll live," he told her as she noticed him checking her over for injury like she had before giving her a wide grin. "I don't mean to upset you, Emma, but I think we make quite the team."

She smirked back at him, leaving the men behind them on their way back to the Jolly Roger.

It wasn't until they were back on the ships deck, making their way to his cabin, that Emma finally began asking her questions. "Any idea why Blackbeard would send scouts after you?"

Killian shook his head. "I don't. I'm taking it you've heard of him?"

"Yeah, I have. It's easier to believe he exists cause he's not ancient," Emma teased.

"Well, I have retained my youthfull glow," he responded, teasing her back, before his voice grew serious again. "What have you heard of him?"

Emma thought back to the stories she's heard. "That no one really knows where he came from, and that he has a vicious reputation."

Killian nodded. "Aye. We've become rivals of sorts. I suspect he wants the ship, but this is the first time he's had me tailed before."

"Will we still be leaving in the morning?" she asked him.

"Yes," he replied. "We're to stick to the the plan."

Emma sat in her chair, worrying her lip as Killian poured them some drinks. "Do you think he'll try going after you again?"

Killian sighed. "Honestly, yes. But I doubt he'll try having his crew go after he again like that."

"I hope not," Emma replied.

She had a feeling that Blackbeard would go after him again soon. She looked up at Killian, knowing he was thinking the same thing.

Review?

Teaser: Shaking his head, he looked up, looking straight into her green eyes. "No. You should probably know some of my own history. Know what you're getting yourself into."