Chapter 14

Together, Emma and Killian decided to park a block away from the group home hosting Marvel, for while there wasn't an official no-contact order against Killian, they figured it would be easier for Emma to make her case for guardianship without any potential hesitation that the pirate's presence may cause. Emma would claim to be a relative from another branch of the family tree, carrying magically-forged documents with convincing details provided by Killian. But just as they approached a likely parking spot, Killian spotted a familiar spray of auburn rounding the corner.

"There, Swan; pull over." He gestured urgently and Emma calmly steered her car to the curb, having also spotted the two figures walking down the sidewalk toward them. Killian rolled down his window as they came to a halt. "Ahoy there! If it isn't my jolly Marvel, out for a stroll. Favorable winds today?"

With a joyful squeal, Marvel hurled herself at the car, nearly climbing through the window in her eagerness to be reunited. "Captain! My captain is here! You found me, my love!"

Killian chuckled at her grasping hands, tolerating their pathways along his face, neck, and scalp as she assured herself of his existence. "Of course I did. Did you truly doubt me?"

Emma had shut off the engine and was now climbing from the car. She nodded to Marvel's companion, who was standing a cautious but respectful distance behind. Killian fumbled his seatbelt off to the sounds of Marvel's denial.

"Never! I would never doubt you, my dear. Only, I feared for you. I wasn't allowed to seek you out, and I thought something dreadful must have happened!"

"No, merely a temporary inconvenience." Killian reached for the door handle, adding, "Now, if you would allow a bit of space so I can get the door open, perhaps then you could have the pleasure of assisting your old captain to his feet, such as they are. What do you say?"

Marvel jumped to comply, completely oblivious to the nameless woman she almost crashed into in her haste. Emma, having skirted the Bug, stood nearby, but seemed content to allow the human ship the task of getting Killian out of his seat.

"Heave ho," he smirked after painfully getting into position. Marvel bypassed the door and wrapped her hands around his, then pulled. Once assured of his delicate balance upright, Marvel wasted no time wrapping him in an enthusiastic embrace.

After a moment, Killian gently pushed her aside, pivoting to include Emma in their interaction. He took her hand in his.

"Emma, love. I'd like you to meet Marvel."

A fascinated, almost awestruck smile on her face, Emma moved closer and held out her free hand.

"Nice you meet you, Marvel. I'm Emma."

Marvel giggled. "You're his little Swan. You appear to have grown since you last came aboard."

Slightly bemused, Emma laughed anyway. "Oh yeah?"

Suddenly realizing she was supposed to do something with the hand being offered, Marvel disentangled herself from Killian's torso and cupped Emma's fingers in her own.

"Are you sure it isn't you who's done the shrinking?" Killian teased lightly, mindful of the stranger still watching them.

Marvel continued to clutch Emma's hand as she exclaimed,

"Ah! You're quite right, love; how could I have forgotten?" She bent to kiss Emma's hand, then straightened with a confused expression. "No, I've gotten it wrong, haven't I?"

"It's fine," Emma assured her patiently, extricating her limb and placing it lovingly on her husband's chest. Killian smiled softly down at her before turning his attention back to his ship.

"Won't you introduce us to your friend?" He tilted his head in the direction of Marvel's escort. Marvel shrugged.

"Oh, that's just Ann. She's not real."

"Not real?" repeated Killian, amused.

"Oh no. She doesn't believe in magic. She wants to convince me that this is the only realm." She lowered her voice to a serious whisper. "I don't think she's even been sailing before."

"That's a terrible shame," Killian agreed, just as quietly. "She doesn't know what she's missing." He gave her a wink and then looked past to the observer. "Ann, is it?"

Nodding, the older woman stepped closer, winding her way past Marvel until the four of them made a ring. "Hi. Yes, Ann Denny. Miss Marvel and I were just on a walk, weren't we, sweetie?"

"I'm finished walking now," announced Marvel firmly as she linked elbows with Killian. The pirate flashed a polite smile to Ann.

"Apologies for the interruption." Not knowing exactly what this woman had been told, Killian decided to play it safe. "Liam. My wife, Emma. We were informed of our cousin's plight, and came to rescue her."

Marvel questioned him with her gaze, but had the wisdom to remain silent and let her captain take the lead. Ann looked from one to the other before fixing a clinical smile on her face.

"I'm glad to hear that. She does seem happy to see you. But, of course, there are proper procedures for doing this, for the protection of the residents."

"Naturally," Killian agreed calmly. Emma pulled the rolled-up papers from where they were tucked into her back pocket.

"We brought some paperwork," she assured Ann. "Guardianship and stuff."

"Very good. That should speed things up. Come with me. We'll have to try and catch the director before she leaves for lunch."

Putting on his best air of guilelessness, Killian leaned back against the car. "As much as I'd love to accompany you, afraid I'd only be a hindrance." He gestured at his leg with a disarming smile. "I think I'll remain here, if it's all the same to you."

Ann studied Emma. "As long as your name is on the guardianship documents, that shouldn't be a problem."

"Yup." Emma made as if to unroll the pages. Ann waved her off.

"Come on, then."

Emma stepped to Ann's side, but Marvel lifted her chin stubbornly.

"I will tarry here with my captain."

"Now, Miss Marvel, you can come back in a little while," replied Ann sternly. "We need to make sure everything is set for you to go home. Besides, don't you want to say goodbye to your new friends in the purple house?"

"I haven't any friends," retorted Marvel, half petulant and half wistful. "No one wants to befriend a ship."

"Go with Emma, love," Killian urged. "She'll watch out for you, and then you can both come back here, where I'll be waiting. All right?"

Reluctantly, Marvel tugged her arm out of his. "Yes, Captain."

Killian gave her an encouraging nod, and she quietly turned to follow Ann and Emma up the street. After they had rounded the corner, Killian winced his way back into his seat, hoping against hope that everything would go smoothly and they could soon be on their way home.

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AN: To my fellow whumpers: the next few chapters contain a mixture of fluff and angst, but I promise there is plentiful whump to come! Hopefully the residual pain and annoyance of Killian's not-magically-healed wound will help tide you over until then :)