Chapter 14 - Magical Forces

The storm hit with a ferocity Emma had never before seen. Orange lightening bolts alternated with lime green ones. Magic cackled through the air making the hair on the back of her neck stand erect. Hail of a strange purple hue pelted down on them. Even though it was technically morning the skies remained a dark blue almost black. Strange clouds constantly shifted eerily some almost seemed to have faces. The worst were the winds that screamed like banshees as if announcing their imminent demise.

The thunder cracked loud and ominously. It was hard trying to keep ones balance on the slippery deck.

Emma and Regina hung on to the mast to keep it in a locked position until instructed otherwise by Hook. Emma looked around to ensure that everyone was still on deck and safe. She noted with relief they were. Her eyes lingered on Hook. He was turning that heavy wheel around like a madman despite what must be by now extreme exhaustion. He was doing this for Henry. She still couldn't believe he was doing this.

She was so focused on Hook she failed to notice that the mast was winning the struggle she and Regina had with it. It suddenly swung out of place knocking her off her feet and over the rail.

She managed to grab onto the rope at the rail but the wind had got knocked out of her. She tried to haul herself back up as she cried out but the wind and thunder were too loud. Suddenly a hand grabbed her wrist. All she could make out were the rings, she knew by them it was Hook. He started pulling her up. She got her arms over the railing when the ship gave a sudden lurch. She hung on for dear life but Hook, caught off balance went over. She screamed. Charming hauled her up the rest of the way and left her gasping on the deck. Regina was by Charming's side and Emma could see her using magic as a ball of green light came from her hands over the rail and down into the waters. Emma scrambled to her feet. Charming threw down a rope and then secured the other end to the bottom of the mast. He then jumped over the side. Snow screamed. Rumpel took over the helm of the ship and held it as steady as he could.

Regina's green light now surrounded both Hook and Charming keeping the mermaids away. Emma saw with horror the flash of multi-coloured scaled creatures trying to get close to Hook and her father.

Charming got to Hook and tied the rope around them. Then with one arm around the pirate and with the other he hung onto the rope. Regina whirled her hands and the rope started hauling the two men up the side of the ship and over the rail.

Snow ran to Charming, Emma to Hook.

Charming was soaking wet but was able to get to his feet. "Thank you, Regina, you were amazing." He gasped.

Her dark eyes smiled warmly and she went back to the mast. Hook was coughing hard and still lying on the deck.

Charming kissed Snow on the head. "Snow, we need to get back to our duties or this ship will go down. I'll take over the steering from Gold."

Emma looked up. "Can you do without me for a few minutes, I'm putting Hook to bed."

Charming froze and Snow's eyes widened with alarm. Emma hastily added. "He needs to sleep."

Her parents both nodded, looking relieved. "Come back as quickly as you can."

Hook gasped between coughs. "I'm fine, I can sleep later."

He grabbed the railing to pull himself to his feet but yelped in pain and fell to the deck again.

Emma shook her head. She grabbed his arm and helped him to his feet. His eyes were closed; his face a mask of agony. They slowly made it downstairs. "Thank you for saving me." He didn't respond. She frowned and got him to sit on the bed.

"Where are you hurt?"

He was breathing hard and when he looked at her his eyes were wide with panic. He held out his hand, which she realized was hanging at an odd angle.

She whispered. "Oh no!'

He sounded terrified. "My wrist is broken. I can't sail the ship with just a hook!"

She sat on the bed beside him. "It's going to be okay. The storm is starting to let up and once it does we can get Rumpelstiltskin to fix it, there must be some spell."

"NO! I don't want his magic. That magic killed Milah!" He almost leapt off the bed but she put her hand on his arm pulling him back down.

She realized that the moment of shared grief she had witnessed hadn't really changed anything for Hook. Milah was still dead.

She moved her hand from his arm to his shoulder. "Okay, then how about Regina, she helped get the two of you back on deck. Once the storm is over…."

He interrupted. "Emma, we will just head into the eye of it. It won't be over anytime soon, I know my ship. I have to be the one steering it."

Apprehension grew inside of her. She remembered when Cora tried to take her heart. She had magic but it had just happened. She had no idea how to use it or even summon it. She looked at Hook's broken wrist; saw the desperation in his eyes. What if she ended up hurting him even worse? The thought made her tremble.

"Emma?' He lifted his hand as if to comfort her, then winced and dropped it back into his lap.

Even though she was trembling, a determined look entered her eyes. He hissed and bit his lip hard when she lifted his injured hand and cradled it in both her hands. She swallowed hard, then looked at him and softly asked, "Will you trust me?"

He nodded. He knew she wouldn't purposely hurt him.

Emma stared at the wrist and tried to focus all her energy into her hands. She envisioned the wrist snapping back into place, the bones mending together, the wrist being whole again. Nothing happened. Frustrated she took a deep breath again focusing on the wrist but this time also on the man it belonged too. The feelings she kept trying to suppress when it came to him started to surface as a warm golden glow started enveloping his wrist.

When pain started to radiate up his arm, Hook closed his eyes trying desperately to think of something else to distract himself from it. When his hand, wrist and arm suddenly felt like they were growing hot, he opened his eyes and gasped. Emma's hands were glowing and a golden light encased his injured wrist.

Her concentration was all consuming, he was fascinated watching her until suddenly a pain so sharp and sudden shot through his wrist and hand causing him to cry out. He pulled his hand back and cradled it close to his body. He felt heat course through his body, then suddenly a cold so icy he shuddered. He closed his eyes again fighting back nausea. He heard Emma say his name as her hand stroked the hair on his forehead.

The pain passed as quickly as it had come. He opened his eyes and looked at her.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." She whispered. Her eyes wide with regret.

He sighed in relief. "Emma, look!" he flexed his fingers then held out his hand. The break was gone. He smiled in wonder. "You are amazing."

Her eyes widened even further. "It worked, I can't believe it worked."

He turned towards her, his hand cupping the back of her head and pulled her close kissing her. Startled she froze for a second then melted against him, her arms wrapping around his neck deepening the kiss. But then he suddenly pulled back, looking guilty. He said quietly. "We have to go on deck.'

Dazed by his kisses, she took a deep breath then shook her head. "No. I'm going on deck you are getting some sleep."

He got up quickly but then swayed.

"See! You are far too exhausted!" Annoyed Emma got up and grabbed his arm again. "You are going to sleep during the eye of the storm. When it starts to get bad again I will wake you – I promise."

He stood there stubbornly.

She decided to try another tactic and smiled. "Don't make me use my magic I will tie you to the bed."

He smirked and purred, "Not unless you intend it to be in a good way."

She shook her head. "Will you rest please?"

He saw the concern in her eyes and it touched him deep in a place that hadn't been alive in a long time. No-one had cared about him like that since Milah – the thought made his heart ache. Since he actually felt a little dizzy he nodded but insisted on changing into a set of dry clothes instead of pyjamas. That way when she came to get him after the storm started again, he would be ready to head out on deck. With a heavy sigh he lay down on the bed. "You have me flat on my back – happy now, Swan?"

She rolled her eyes. "Ecstatic."

He raised one brow and winked. "Aye, one these days Swan, I'll make sure you will be."

A/N: Wishing a week of wonderful things to all my reviewers - your reviews, thoughts and encouragement are greatly appreciated.