AN: please continue enjoying this jaunt into the head of Killian Jones from Season 3B and on. Words in strongbold/strong are lines from the show and words in emitalics/em are thoughts/dreams. Enjoy :)
Are We Devils or Black Sheep or Really Bad Eggs?
Chapter 12
The quest for the Jewel of Sheeba was successful. His crew, even now, were taking turns guarding it and admiring it and celebrating. He should be happy. It was a very valuable piece, he hadn't hurt anyone to get it, and he could find a dozen or so buyers now that he was (slightly) more trusted by royalty.
I am not unhappy. Progress, I guess. Killian thought. And I am proud, the men acquitted themselves famously. I should be celebrating with them instead of sulking here.
Truthfully, it was hard to sulk overmuch. The day was beautiful, the hold was full, and if this was the rest of his life, Killian could manage to survive it. But Emma had shown him that life was not just about surviving, you had to live it to make it worthwhile. He knew now that he would never be fully happy, he had accepted that. Killian had learned a thing or two from Snow White: love is part of happiness, and happiness starts with hope. He didn't have much hope, and if he was being honest, he didn't truly deserve happiness.
You are being too hard on yourself. His conscience said.
As my conscience, you cannot deny that I have done some truly terrible things in my life. Killian thought, then wondered aloud "I'm talking to meself. When did that become normal?"
His introspective reverie was shattered by the arrival of a bird on the wheel of the ship.
"What is this?" Killian asked, taking the note and small vial off the bird's foot. It appeared to be a piece of fabric with a hastily scrawled message.
"New curse is coming. Everyone in danger. Go to New York and bring Emma home. Storybrooke needs the savior. The memory potion is for her. Keep out of the curse." Killian read, and couldn't help the smile spreading across his face.
Emma. I'm coming.
Ditching his crew had been easy. He paid them well for the jewel heist and sent them off to celebrate. He knew the direction the bird came from, and reason stated that the curse would be coming from the Enchanted Forest. He pointed the Jolly Roger in the opposite direction and sailed off. Barely a day into his journey, he spied the tell-tale curling smoke of a curse. He sped the Jolly along as fast as she could go. He threw anything overboard that had any weight. It was almost a year ago to the day that he'd watched Emma's yellow driving machine roll away while the curse clouds rolled in.
You will not get me this time. Killian thought and continued to do his best to increase his speed.
Finally, the curse grew so close that he feared for a moment he would be swept up in it. But just as it came dangerously close to the still-moving ship, the clouds stopped, and curled back in on themselves.
Now to find a bean.
There were a few places outside the curse's reach. One of them had to have something to get him to the Land Without Magic. There had been rumors of an old magic woman near the Seven Isles that had all sorts of magical odds and ends. With the jewel of Sheeba, Killian reckoned he could easily get a bean from her and be in New York in two days. He had the compass tucked away safely in his cabin, all he needed were the beans.
The old woman lived on an island called Midsea. Not a terribly creative nor accurate name, it had a small port and was used as a stopping point for travelers on long journeys. Killian docked the Jolly Roger and set off to find the old magic woman.
"Madam Dee?" He asked, walking into a small shop. "They say you can get magical items?"
"I can indeed." Dee nodded, she was a slight little woman, probably in her late 80s, but she had a spring in her step and a fire in her eyes that told Killian not to tangle with this woman. "What do you seek?"
"A magic bean." Killian said.
"Those are rare and valuable indeed." Dee cocked her head to the side. "If you wanted to return to the Land without Magic, why didn't you just go with the curse?"
"I didn't know that's where they were going and I need my memories to save the savior." Killian responded, then looked curious. Why had he told her all of that?"
"You tell me that because I can read people, and many people can sense that, so they tell me everything." Dee shrugged. "Do you want the bean?"
"Yes." He nodded. "I'm willing to pay handsomely."
"I do not have any." Dee said and Killian felt his heart drop to his stomach.
"I do not have any but I can send you to one who does. For a price."
"Name it."
Madame Dee smiled. "That jewel in your possession will do."
"I was saving that to trade for the bean. I have other jewels." Killian bartered.
"I will not tell you where to go for less than the Jewel of Sheeba." Madam Dee crossed her arms. "They told you about me, yes? When you inquired at the docks?"
"They did." He nodded. "Please, Madam. I'm desperate."
"Oh, I know. You have to get back to the woman you love. To save her from her false memories and reunite her with her family that has only just been cursed." She said. "Do you know what Madame Dee stands for, Killian Jones?"
"I heard tale that you were Destiny." Killian said softly. "But that you don't ever tell anyone their destiny."
"You are correct, young man. To know one's destiny is to change it. That is not the way of things. And before you go on about you making your own fate, I agree. I can read your destiny - the path you are most likely to take and it's outcomes but I cannot and will not interfere. You must choose the path, just as you had to choose what sort of man you wanted to be."
"Then…you'll help me?" Killian asked.
"Of course. For the jewel." She nodded and he reluctantly handed it over. "Thank you. Now, if you step out this door and head into the pub, you'll find an old…friend who has a bean. You'll know his price."
"Thank you, Madame Dee." He smiled and turned to go.
"Killian Jones, wait." Madame Dee said, stopping him. "Just remember that happiness always starts with hope. Don't give up on it."
Strangely uplifted by her last comment, Killian took his leave and made his way into the pub. What he saw there stopped him in his tracks and made his blood boil.
Blackbeard.
"Ah! Hook. Or do we call you Captain Pillow now that you've gone soft?" Blackbeard said drolly. He didn't look much like the fearless captain that Hook had thrown off his ship nearly two months ago. He must have had a rough time since.
Captain Pillow? Killian thought. Surely you could come up with something better than that! Perhaps he truly has fallen on hard times. "Aye. Hook will do." He glared, in no mood for games. "Since you apparently won't die, lets do some business."
Blackbeard, who was clearly drunk (which explained the pillow comment), sat back in his seat. "What sort of business could we have with each other?"
"I need a magic bean." Killian explained. "And I hear you've got one."
That seemed to sober Blackbeard up, and he called for some tea to help chase the remaining for of alcohol away. "And why would I want to do business with you?"
"Because I can pay." Hook shrugged, swirling his rum around in his glass while Blackbeard sipped his tea. This had to be, by far, the strangest meeting the two men had ever had. If only he knew about coffee…it brings you to your senses much faster than tea.
"I doubt it." Blackbeard shrugged. "You aren't a hero and you aren't a pirate. A man in-between can get nothing done."
"We know what we are but not who we may be*" Killian shrugged. "I know who I am. And I know you have a bean. Now, are we going to sit here and trade barbs or are we going to do business?"
"Let me make this quick, because I don't want to be around you." Blackbeard said. "I want the Jolly Roger. I'll take nothing less."
To his credit, Killian didn't visibly react. But the words of Madame Dee came back to him She said I'd know his price. Deep down, I knew this had to be it.
Yes, and wonderful though she is, a few planks and a sail do not compare to Emma. His conscience reminded him.
I know. Killian thought. I've made my choice. It's an easy one.
I choose Emma.
"Deal." Killian said, only hesitating a fraction of a moment. He had the satisfaction of seeing Blackbeard's shock before the other man schooled his face to hide his reaction.
"Shall we, then?"
"I give you the Jolly, you give me the bean. I just have to get a few…personal items off her. Meet me at the docks in an hour." Killian nodded.
*Hamlet, Act 4 Scene 5
