A/N: Hello again everyone! This chapter comes after a little time away but I am excited for it nonetheless. I'm delving a little deeper into a 'pirate's life' for Emma and having her face some of the pushback of it. Basically not everyone is as kind and honorable as Killian, and not every day will be sunny skies, but in the end being hopeful and being brave always win out. There will be some angst, but I promise it rights itself and has nothing to do with Emma and Killian's relationship. I'm also including those hinted at sword lessons and future plans to ease the little bit of tension. Hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading!

One morning after a pretty serious storm a few months into her time at sea, Emma ascended from below decks expecting the world to still be gray. Instead the sea was deceptively calm, as if the whole thing had just been a bad dream as opposed to their harrowing reality.

The world was dark, loud, and unsettled last night but one would never know given the current blueness of the sky, the calm lap of waves against the sides of the Jolly Roger, or the subtle wind that filled its sails. Sea birds from the slightly distant coastline cried overhead, but even they had the kindness to be gentle as if they too had been disturbed from their usual routine by the storm. In short, the day seemed a slice of perfection in the wake of a terrible evening.

It had been a nasty night, filled with harsher rocking than Emma was used to and a fair bit of worry on her part for Killian and the men. She was relegated to below decks during the unrest, and though part of her wanted to stay and help, she knew she had nothing to offer. Emma was a novice still to ships, unsure of what was required in the eye of a storm, so she retreated praying that it would all be alright in the end.

By the time Killian returned to her arms in the early morning hours Emma knew that the worst was behind them, but she also admitted to herself that she'd allowed a bit of naivety to creep into her world. She didn't expect the bad parts of living on the sea, but a life on the ocean couldn't just be light and happy all the time. There would always be challenges and trials, but the surest comfort was that Emma had Killian and that no matter what happened they always came back to each other.

When it was finally time to rise and greet the day, Emma could see that her husband was wary to do so. He held her closer and longer than he would most mornings, and though she'd reminded him with words and actions that she loved him and that they were together and safe, she saw the worry lines that etched at his face still.

"If anything ever happened to you, Emma, I would be lost forever. You are the whole world to me."

Killian didn't say the other thought she could see in those piercing blue eyes of his explicitly, but Emma could feel his bit of anxiety about their being out here on the seas at all. His already apparent willingness to return to Storybrooke for a life outside of piracy was firming up, but he didn't push it and Emma knew he wouldn't. As long as she was happy and willing to live this way, he'd always indulge her, and the last thing she wanted was to run scared even if the tumultuous waters of last night had shaken some of her abundant curiosity.

In the hopes of distracting Killian, Emma went about her normal daily routines, helping the men where she could especially down in the galley to make something a bit more appetizing than the norm. Over the course of the morning she watched as Killian returned to himself. Between the sunshine and her continued stolen touches and soft kisses, he was calming and it was good to see because his calm transferred then to her bolstering Emma's belief that this was worth it and that adventure shouldn't be abandoned in the face of first trials.

By the early afternoon, things had recovered so well that Emma managed to pull from her husband a chance for both of them to enjoy themselves. She'd fondly referred to it as 'pirate practice' but in essence, these were hours when she and Killian as well as some of his chosen deck hands helped Emma better understand this life and how to protect herself. This afternoon specifically, she was going to get the chance to continue her favorite part of all of it – sword fighting.

Tiana had been right back in Port Royal when she said that there would never be a chance of learning such a skill in a dress, and Emma was abundantly grateful to her friend for the clothes and her own bit of persuasive appeal. Emma truly believed that part of the reason it had been so easy to get Killian to agree to all of this was because Tiana represented its possibility. Certainly there weren't very many female pirates, but the ones that fought on could hold their own just as Emma planned to.

Now she stood staring into Killian's eyes where he watched from a few paces away with his wooden sword drawn. Emma had to fight hard to bite back her smile. She could see etched on his face a mix of entertainment and still a little trepidation. He never wanted to hurt her, but at the same time Emma knew she was proving her own claims right. She was a quick learner and after only a few mornings spent in this way, she was starting to hold her own more than anyone had expected.

There was only one problem – as fast as she was improving, she was still prone to a substantial amount of distraction when given the chance to study her husband in this way for this long. He looked so handsome dressed in his typical leather, but with sword drawn and his slightly ticked up smile, Emma found herself falling into his presence and losing a little of her sword-wielding composure.

"Remember your foot placement, Mistress."

Emma heeded the warning of one of the deckhands and righted herself finding that when she did, her balance returned. She chastised herself silently to pay better attention, knowing that when she succeeded, she didn't only get the skill to keep should it ever be needed, but also tended to tempt her husband into stealing away a moment with her below decks.

"What did we learn last time, love?" Killian asked the question as he lunged towards her and she blocked his swing easily, moving herself defensively away.

"My surest way to win is to let my opponent tire themselves out." Killian smirked wider at that.

"Aye. Your speed and your ability to move are your surest weapon, love. That and that brilliant mind of yours."

Emma allowed herself to appear distracted so that Killian would come in for an attempted hit, but she dodged and went on offense, nearly landing a hit on him.

"I stand corrected. Your best gift might be that propensity for acting." Emma smiled, letting herself fall into the almost dancelike movements of the fight, until finally, some time later and amidst the fanfare of the crew, Killian found his in as he did each time.

Emma never expected to win, in all honesty it would be absurd for her to think she could defeat a man who'd trained in the military and then earned a reputation as the best fighter on the seas, but she held her own for quite a while, and that was something to be proud of. Besides, her consolation was that she ended the training happily situated in Killian's arms, her hands on his chest. Her fingers curled to hold onto the lapel of his jacket and she watched the sweet enjoyment of his victory melt into something more sensually aware.

"A battle well fought, my love." Emma felt her breathing shallow as her blood began to hum just underneath her skin. They were out here in the open, but the thoughts running through her mind were anything but proper, a pirate's wife or not.

"You won again." Killian grinned, kissing her surely but holding back enough not to cause too much of a scene in front of his men.

"I've an idea of how to make us both the victors."

His promise and the slight motion he made towards the steps below had Emma's whole body pleading for more but before they could pursue it, that inclination was doused with a sharp cry from the crow's nest.

"Incoming hostile!"

Emma pulled back blinking from Killian only to see that his features had hardened instantly. This was something she didn't know how to respond to. In all the weeks they'd been out here on the ocean there was never a moment when those words had been called but she could take their meaning – someone was coming and when they did there would likely be a fight.

"Where do you want me?"

Killian's look of slight surprise came from her willingness to follow his lead. Emma knew she was often stubborn, but right now she had no desire to add more stress to his situation. If he wanted her to hide she would because there was no doubt that he knew best.

"Unlike with the storm love, heading below decks doesn't necessarily mean increased safety. An attack from afar can cause serious damage to the ship, and the deck itself is often the safest place. But I…"

"But you have a ship to lead into a potential battle and you can't be there to watch me. I know Killian. I'll be okay."

He looked miserable as he nodded and then called immediately over to one of the largest men on the ship and best fighters from Emma's understanding to be her guard. She was to stay near the wheel and to the best of her ability she should not draw attention to herself. Killian acknowledged the impossibility of that and complimented her so offhandedly, that if Emma hadn't felt genuine concern for the situation she would have laughed aloud. But as it was tensions were on the rise and soon enough their aggressor was there, just before them.

"Is there a chance they don't know this is the Jolly Roger?" Emma asked, knowing it was doubtful even as she asked the man who went by Sampson for his input.

"No, milady. The Jolly's a distinctive ship and Captain Jones is too well known to not be identified." Emma swallowed harshly as she nodded, and Sampson went on. "The Captain is well known because he never loses. That record will hold today too."

"You sound very confident in him," Emma said absently to distract herself from the scene before them.

"He's given me every reason to be. Besides, there's nothing that motivates a man to be more than he was more than love."

Emma tried to smile at that but the action died on her lips as she took in the crew on the other ship. They looked haggard, tired, and lost in a way. None of them appeared like they had the pride or heart of Killian's crew. It was upsetting, to think of them as pirates without a cause.

"They're either the worst group of mercenaries I've ever seen or indentured to whatever imbecile is running the ship." Emma bit back a gasp at that. She hated to think that a possibility, but of course she knew it was. Pirates often lived completely outside of the law, but Emma valued those who sought freedom, not holding people down as if they were property.

The imbecile in question finally made an appearance and Emma could see that he was a round, robust man, dressed in finery. It was alarming how different he appeared than the others, but what struck Emma most was the wicked gleam in his eyes. He looked sinister in a way Emma had never seen before even while he made himself look important and refined.

"You must be this Captain Jones I've heard so much about, then. I must say sir you don't seem the imposing figure I was told of." Emma heard her husband's cold laugh in reply.

"And you must be daft to think you could approach my ship without consequence." The man had the good sense to look a little alarmed, but shook it off.

"Come now, Captain. Is that any way to greet a man who would make you rich? My name is Radcliffe."

Sampson grumbled from beside Emma and quickly filled her in on the man's reputation. He was at one time a liaison for a European King but had lost all honor and started again in the new world, seeking to make a fortune without a drop of decency along the way. He was rich for sure, but he was a scoundrel too.

"I can tell from that look that you've heard of me too, sir. Good for I find introductions so excessively common. I shall cut to the chase. I'm here with a trade proposal that I promise will not prove unworthy to your efforts."

"Not interested."

"You haven't even heard my terms, Jones. What would your wife say?" Emma wanted to respond but knew she'd made her promise to Killian.

"Like I said, there's no inducement you can offer that will suffice." The man then turned his gaze from Killian to look right at Emma.

"She is a pretty thing isn't she? Even dressed in those ridiculous clothes as she is." Emma's eyes narrowed at the man but she didn't look away. Perhaps he should have scared her, but the fear wouldn't come. Her chin instead stayed defiantly upward as her eyes never waivered.

"I will say this one time and one time only. Get the hell off my ship or I will remove you and you won't enjoy my methods."

"No I don't think you will, Captain. Not when I tell you that I've made a trip of my own, to a little town I think you've heard of. It goes by the name of Storybrooke."

Emma's blood ran cold at the mention of home. This man, this monster, had been to Storybrooke and knew its name. This was nothing short of a threat but still Emma remained right where she was. She feared if she didn't stay firmly planted on the ground she would try and fight this man herself.

"Then I'm sure you found out that Storybrooke is under my protection." Radcliffe sneered.

"I heard that was the case. Still it was easy enough to settle in, to see the quaint solitude of that little hamlet."

Radcliffe went on to list some specifics, but Emma noticed more and more when he spoke that he had details wrong. Things that were obvious were slightly distorted in his telling until finally Emma knew it was all a lie. Whoever said more details made one more convincing, didn't know Emma's love for the place she'd grown up.

"He's lying."

Killian glanced up to Emma for the first time and looked at her with sincerity. She nodded, silently hoping Killian would understand that she was certain. He had never been there, and she truly believed that her family and friends were still safe. This was a charade the man had lost from thinking too highly of himself. Emma could see the cracks beginning to form as Radcliffe reacted to her words.

"I am not lying. Any of my men will attest!"

"I doubt that seeing as my actions will free them of you forever. You hardly seem the kind of man who inspires loyalty." Emma noticed that Killian didn't call Radcliffe a captain. The title was sacred to her husband and she was glad he hadn't bestowed it on this man.

Emma looked to the ship and saw that no one made a motion of defense, but in the sea there was one figure that stood out simply because he was so small. He was nothing more than a boy, of eight or nine she would wager. He was dressed in rags for the most part, clothes falling apart at the seems, but his eyes were on hers and behind the clouded fear she saw something she couldn't ignore – a silent plea for help.

Killian as always noticed Emma's attentions and in the blink of an eye he'd unarmed Radcliffe in a show of skill that made he jaw drop and instructed his men to take hold of him. Then Killian made his way onto the offending ship. He sought out the counsel of one of the men and then dismissed him, moving towards where the little boy was as the older men parted for him. Emma couldn't hear the words Killian said to him for the distance was too great, but the boy nodded a few times before looking back over to Emma. She offered him a smile, and though he didn't return it, Emma saw something a lot like hope in the boy's face where before there had been nothing.

"Don't say anything, boy!" Emma watched the child flinch in the face of Radcliffe's yell, but Killian didn't respond with the same anger. Instead he spoke softly before turning back.

Emma watched as her husband then led the young lad back on to the Jolly and then nodded to the boy that he should go to Emma. He walked with shaky steps, and Emma could see now that his smallness didn't come from age, but perhaps situation. He might be a bit older than he appeared but he clearly hadn't been treated well by any means.

She extended her hand when he was close and watched as the boy looked upon it with a bit of fascination and yet continued doubt.

"My name is Emma, and I know that you can't know it yet, but I promise that you're safe now."

The boy's eyes were shining with tears, but he didn't let them fall instead taking her hand. Emma could see that his was covered with dirt and she wished that she could get him cleaned up and fed right now, but they were still in the middle of all the chaos. Killian was about to handle Radcliffe and though Emma knew that she couldn't retreat because the child couldn't truly trust her yet, she also wanted to distract this young boy from the ugliness that was about to transpire.

"Can you tell me your name?" The boy's voice came out a little warbled from the fear but Emma was so proud of him for finding it despite everything.

"Oliver, ma'am." Emma smiled.

"That's a fine name. And how old are you, Oliver?"

The conversation continued on so that Emma learned that he was ten even if he looked smaller, and that he'd been an orphan for as long as he could remember. He'd been sold into Radcliffe's employ for only a few weeks, but before that he'd been at an orphanage. He couldn't tell her where, and Emma was almost glad for that. She'd seen the way the rage shifted for Killian when he'd seen that a child had been forced to work for Radcliffe. She didn't trust that he wouldn't extend some sort of justice towards the people who had sold him into this life.

As Emma was discovering all of this, Killian was passing down his sentence. The rest of the men in Radcliffe's keep were free to sail themselves back to the nearest port but their pirating days were over. They had not been servants, as Sampson hoped, just dispassionate sailors. Killian didn't care what they did, but if he saw this ship again manned by this crew he would not be so benevolent. Radcliffe on the other hand, well he was being prepped for a watery grave for threatening Emma and harming the boy. Emma was about to witness someone walking the plank and she could feel herself shaking from it even if she knew it had to be done. Then Oliver pulled at the sleeve of her shirt.

"What is it, darling?" Emma saw Oliver's surprise at the affectionate term, then she heard the harsh grumble of his stomach and though she was close to tears for his suffering, she also breathed out a sigh of relief. "We have food if you'd like some, down below."

Oliver nodded and quickly Emma and him retreated, with Sampson following close behind to watch over them no doubt. Though Emma heard the thud in the water a few minutes later, she was happy to see that Oliver hadn't. He was more wrapped up in his food than in the particulars of his liberation.

In mere minutes he'd finished the bowl of food and though Emma was slightly worried he would make himself sick, she couldn't turn him down when he set his blue eyes upon her and asked for more in a meek voice.

He didn't speak much other than that, but Emma knew that children responded best to activity. She did her best to find amusement for them, eventually settling on the book that Killian had given her back in Storybrooke – the one filled with fairytales. Some of them might be a bit too much for Oliver, but others had the most important ingredient to making him feel safe: hope.

Sometime later, Killian found them and led her and Oliver to the quarters he and the men had sorted out for the young boy. The room was right by him and Emma and though it was small, it was met with a lot of favorability.

"I've never had my own bed, before."

Emma's heart broke for him when Oliver said it, but at least now she had Killian's hand in hers to keep her stronger. They spent the rest of the evening getting him situated, but when they retired for the night, Emma couldn't keep the tears away anymore. Killian meanwhile held her close, comforting her as best he could and reminding her that he loved her. When he apologized though, Emma had to pull back to assure him that he'd done nothing wrong.

"You were a hero today, Killian. No matter what anyone says, I know that you did the right thing." Killian's hand came to cup Emma's cheek, his thumb wiping away the last of her tears.

"No, Swan. You were the hero. You saved that boy from a dreadful life, one I might not even have noticed if not for you."

Emma finally agreed that they could both be heroes, but she also reminded him that the battle was far from over. They had a long way to go to give Oliver his best chance when one had been denied him so long, but Emma was certain that with a little patience and the love they shared such a miracle was possible.

…

Days after the incident with Radcliffe and his men, Killian still was no less in awe of his wife and her courage. Never once in the entire ordeal had she flinched, and though he knew Emma was strong, he could never have blamed her for reacting. It was an ugly part of humanity to witness and to someone unused to such hardness Killian knew response was only natural. But Emma shied away from a more adverse reaction than tears that first night and instead poured herself into the light as he should have suspected.

Much of that goodness was of course being sponsored by the ship's newest traveler. Oliver was a bright boy, kind too, but he started very shy and clearly had dealt with a very difficult life so far. Orphaned as he was and then treated so cruelly… well Killian hardly knew how a child came back from such a way of life, but every day the boy grew more self assured and less withdrawn. All of that was because of Emma.

Now Killian was watching his benevolent wife pouring over a book with Oliver. She'd been told that he had no idea how to read or write, and when she'd offered to show him, it proved an amazing anchor for the boy. For the first time Killian saw something more than relief or fear in his eyes. There was excitement and the kind of light that a lad his age should have in spades as he held the pencil before him tracing out on a piece of parchment Emma procured from Killian's desk.

"Give him a month, Captain. The boy will be good as new." Killian turned to see Smee beside him looking assured.

"And as for the fact that we've never had a child on the Jolly before…?"

"Well we'd never had a Captain's wife either, but Mrs. Jones' addition has only improved things. I dare saw he will too."

Killian looked back over to where Emma was praising Oliver eagerly and the smile that he sent her way. When Oliver gave her a hug, he also saw that Emma was shocked and then overwhelmed. Her eyes found Killian's and he could see the tears in them. They mirrored the tightness in his own chest. In a matter of days, this boy had endeared himself to both of them so resolutely. All Killian wanted was to see Oliver succeed and heal, and Emma was practically willing it to happen before his eyes.

"Killian, look what I can do!" Killian smiled even before he saw because Oliver was comfortable enough to say his name aloud. It had taken time for him to call him anything other than a mumbled word that sounded like 'Cap'n.' But when Oliver turned the sheet around proudly, Killian could see the scrawled script of the boy's own name.

"Well done, lad. Very well, done."

He patted Oliver's shoulder and told him he should make the rounds to show the others. Oliver was happy to do so, and Killian looked off to watch him approaching Smee first. When Killian looked to Emma, she was now standing, tears still in her eyes. He immediately took her into his arms trying to comfort her.

"Are you alright, love?" Emma nodded.

"Just proud. I thought maybe it would be like with my students, but this feels different. Stronger."

"Like he was supposed to find us, or we were supposed to find him." Emma's eyes widened as she nodded again.

"Exactly." Killian kissed her lips lightly, watching as they curled up into a smile.

"I've learned by now to trust fate wherever she leads, Emma. Fate brought me to you and now she's brought us to him. There's a reason for such moments, love. I truly believe that."

Emma's green eyes held so much unspoken sentiment, but Killian felt that he could read it well. His love was something of an open book to him, and right now she was wading through continued sadness for Oliver, happiness that they'd found him, and love for both Killian and the young lad. He wondered at her capacity to feel, and marveled again at Emma's strength to take on the burdens and trials of everyone else as her own.

Killian could see though that Emma was primarily relieved that he understood where she was coming from. As unusual a circumstance as this was, it made perfect sense to Killian. Emma herself was an orphan, and Killian had been as well. Both of them had been given lifelines though, Killian with his brother and Emma with Granny and Ruby, but Oliver had no such ties until them. It was to Killian then the most natural thing in the world that they should take him in, not just to foster his safety, but to show him what love was like and what having people to belong to meant in this world.

Instead of saying all of that aloud though, Emma opted for his three favorite words, said sweetly and sounding through the winds up here with sincerity.

"I love you."

"And I love you, Emma. Forever."

He kissed her surely one last time before the rest of their day was swept up in attentions to Oliver, but later that night, after the little lad had been put to bed with a story about magic and the good that sometimes came with it, Killian and Emma moved back to their rooms to settle in another night.

Killian couldn't help but think that this night was different than the ones before. Because they'd spoken to each other about the nature of Oliver's importance to them both, Killian felt like he'd put his child to sleep instead of a boy in his care. It had him thoughtful and musing on how he'd gotten his wish – the family he wanted was starting to emerge before his very eyes.

Killian didn't anticipate though that as soon as they closed the door to their bedroom Emma would lock it and be on him in seconds. Not that he disapproved, not in the least. It was just such a dramatic shift from the calm, gentleness she'd only just displayed.

"Emma, love, talk to me," he finally implored when he broke away from a demanding kiss as she began to strip away his shirt with haste.

"Talking later, this now."

Killian chuckled but allowed her to continue to pull away his clothes. He meanwhile paid the same attention to what she'd worn until the two of them were bared to each other. When Emma was still again, staring at him with hunger in her eyes, Killian nearly groaned aloud but instead implored her to lead the way.

Emma took his insistence seriously, maneuvering them to the bed and into a state of mutual bliss far faster than he would himself orchestrate. She might be seeking immediate release but Killian would give anything to spend his time making love to her, tracing every curve and reminding her with touches and kisses how much she meant to him and how remarkable he found her. Eventually he caved to those baser instincts, and took back the tempo and the pacing from his lovely Swan.

"I thought you said -,"

Killian kissed her passionately before pulling back and promising he'd make it up to her over and over again. She hardly tried to argue when his mouth moved down to her breast, lowering to suck a nipple into his mouth. Her hiss of response was a barely restrained attempt to keep quiet and he rewarded her control by taking her other breast in hand, massaging the flesh and plucking at the nipple the way he knew she loved.

As Emma squirmed beneath him, trying to get him moving faster, Killian changed tactics, moving his hand to slide down between her legs so his fingers traced against her waiting sex. He immediately filled her with two fingers pulling a slightly louder gasp from Emma. Killian knew her hold on her volume was wavering and so his mouth returned to hers, consuming the cry of pleasure before it could escape into the room.

Thanks to the already riled up state Emma had been in, it took little time and particularly placed strokes to her clit until Emma was pushed into her first release. Killian pulled back to see her succumb to it when he was sure she wouldn't yell his name witnessing the glow on her skin and the hazy look in her eyes as she hummed out her pleasure. The sound rocked trough him, making his already prevalent arousal all the more obvious. Still there was more to tell her, more to show her to illustrate that he was intent on giving her everything this world had to offer.

While Emma was still recovering, Killian kissed his way down her body but paused when he was but an inch away from her sex. The moment of anticipation alone caused Emma to clench in a desirous attempt for closeness and he was riveted, completely in need of immediately pleasing her. He sucked her clit into his mouth and reveled in the way she tried to keep herself contained with another low hum.

When Emma's hands came to pull at his hair, urging him further he complied with a steady increase in taking her with his mouth until finally she was breaking again, one hand coming up to muffle her mouth as she did. By that point, he was finished, completely gone and unable to hold back and all he could think was she was his and that they were finding a family and could make more.

He whispered to her along every bit of skin on the way back to her mouth that he loved her and that he always would, watching as it caused her need to creep back up again until she was bucking against him, just as eager to have him fill her as he was to do it.

Killian set a languid pace after thrusting inside her all at once, but when his own ability to keep quiet was begin to unravel at the seams, he sped things up, making sure Emma was with him all the while. By the time she was clenching around him again and shattering into another climax he was there too, losing himself fully into the woman who had given him the whole world and who gave him more and more every day.

It wasn't until a while later, when their breathing had evened and Killian actually believed his wife asleep that he heard her soft whisper mumbled against his chest.

"You are my magic." Killian kissed the crown of her head promising her that she was his as well before they both succumbed to sleep.

Post-Note: So there we have it. I have always intended for these two orphans to find an orphan of their own on this adventure, and I thought it was interesting to bring in Oliver for a couple of reasons. One – pays homage to a great novel and an underrated Disney movie. Also this was a way for me to cathartically work out a very upsetting part of Killian's life in cannon. I mean sold into servitude as a kid on a ship? That's some terrible life. In this story though, that darkness is righted and all three of them will be made better for fate's bringing them together. Anyway, thank you all so much for reading and I really do hope that you enjoyed!