I own nothing except my delusions.

The crew had gathered round as the Jolly Roger rocked from the waves, waiting for Smee to be brought up on deck. A small island was located nearby, which was to be converted into Smee's prison. Emma stood back by the quarterdeck, waiting by Killian's side.

Murphy and Lewis brought up a struggling Smee, bringing him to the longboat where Curry sat waiting, a small amount of food and water already placed in the boat. Placing Smee in, Murphy climbed in after, so that Smee sat between the two men.

Killian stepped forward, producing a pistol from his coat, along with some powder and one shot. He handed them to Curry, who quickly tucked the items away.

He then looked at Smee. "You will receive your provisions when you go ashore on the island. Curry will give them to you."

"What about Johnny Corkscrew?" Smee asked, panicked. "I need my cutlass."

Killian regarded him for a moment. "I can't see why you would need it, but I'll relent on this one." He turned to one of the men, Ward. "Bring Smee's cutlass."

Ward quickly went to retrieve the sword, bringing it to Killian, who in turn handed it off to

Curry.

Giving a curt nod, Murphy and Curry stood, carefully pulling the rigging of the longboat as Lewis and Byrne lowered it into the water below.

Emma walked over to Killian, resting her hand on his arm. Killian covered her hand with his as they watched Murphy row the small boat to the island.

Soon enough, Curry and Murphy climbed back on board, the longboat raised back to its resting place.

"Weigh anchor!" Killian ordered as soon as the men were settled on the deck.

The men scattered, all moving to set sail away from the small island. Killian moved up to the helm, Emma beside him.

As the ship began to propel forward, they checked the map, making sure their course was set.

"We should be arriving at port in a little less than two weeks," Killian said in a emotionless voice as he shifted the wheel starboard.

Emma nodded. She watched him, studying him. "Are you okay?"

He sighed. "Yeah. I just didn't think that I would ever actually maroon someone ever again."

She moved so that she leaned up against the helm. "I know. But really, Killian. You're not that man anymore. Smee broke the code, and, well..."

He turned, looking at her. "I know, Swan, but does that excuse this? I want him to pay for what he did, especially for what almost happened. But does this excuse what I've just done?"

Emma stayed quiet for a moment as she looked back at the island, fading in the distance. "This area is often traveled." She looked back at him. "I think there could be a good chance that he could be picked up, maybe by a merchant ship."

He nodded. "Maybe."

"You did what you felt you had to do," she told him gently.

"Aye," he responded.

Nau was a busy port, with many people bustling around the docks. The ships were mostly small unassuming merchant ships from various kingdoms. No one looked twice at the pirate ship moored at the docks.

The crew eagerly left for their shore leave when they arrived mid-morning, wanting to make up for the last time they were at port. Emma went with Killian to order the repairs before they went to search for a tavern.

"So will we still be staying on the ship while they're doing the repairs?" Emma asked him as they wandered down one of the streets.

"I had actually planned for us to stay at one of the inns, which is why I brought this," Killian told her, indicating the rutsack containing some of their cloths over his shoulder. "I figured we wouldn't have to worry about as many disturbances that way. Unless you'd rather stay on the ship?"

She shook her head, chuckling. "No, an inn is fine. I've actually almost forgotten what it's like to sleep on land."

He smirked. "Well, now you'll get to experiance it again for a couple nights."

She rolled her eyes, grinning. She looked at him curiously. "Will we be sharing a room?"

He looked down, meeting her curious gaze. "Do you wish to?"

She swallowed, wanting to be completely honest with him. "Yes. I'm used to sleeping with you, and I honestly really like having you there with me."

He smiled tenderly at her. "I must confess I feel the same way."

He led her into a tavern, quickly doing his usual search of it, finding Curry, McCullen, and Murphy sitting at one of the tables. Smirking, he walked with her to the table.

The men greeted them as they approached. McCullen slid over on his bench, allowing them to sit down.

"Everything in order, Captain?" Curry asked.

"Aye," Killian answered as they got their food.

"So this is you guys causing havoc on the poor, unsuspecting town?" Emma asked jokingly to the men around her.

McCullen chuckled. "We know how to be discreet, and not to draw any attention." He glanced at Murphy. "Well, some of us."

The gunner made an indignant noise. "That was one time, and it was over a hundred years ago. I've learned since then."

Emma laughed, nearly choking on her drink. "Do I even want to know?"

Killian shook his head. "Trust me, love. On this one, you don't."

Emma decided it was better not to ask.

"We were actually contemplating a game of Liar's Dice before you joined us," Curry told them.

Emma raised a brow. "I thought you weren't allowed to gamble."

"We're not," Curry responded. "Sometimes we play just for the hell of it. Would you care to join us?"

Emma say Killian flash her a devilish smirk, giving a subtle wink. Emma grinned back, knowing what he was saying to her. Let's have a little fun.

"Sure, why not?" she replied to Curry as McCullen began to pull the dice and cups.

"I actually think I'll sit this one out," Killian told them, hiding his conspirital grin.

Curry shrugged.

"Do you know how to play?" McCullen asked her as he set a cup with the dice in front of her.

"A little," Emma told them innocently. "Killian taught me once a while ago. I've played a couple times. I'm okay at it."

She had to fight down her chuckle. Since Killian had taught her the game, they had played it many times, particularly when she was injured and couldn't leave the cabin. They had always played merely for amusement, Killian always losing graciously when Emma called him out, which was often. He always remarked that she was a natural at the game.

"Don't worry, lass," Murphy told her helpfully. "We'll help you out if you need it."

Emma threw him an appreciative grin.

Slamming their cups down, they began the game.

"Five twos," Murphy started.

"Six twos," Curry said.

"Four threes," Emma continued.

"Five threes," McCullen stated.

"Five fours," Murphy called.

"Liar," Emma said, calling his bluff.

Murphy raised his brow at her. "You sure you want to call that, lass?"

She held eye contact with him. Her voice was confident. "Pretty sure."

Murphy laughed as they lifted their cups. "Well, you win then, Emma."

She smiled, knowing messing with them would be easy.

Killian chuckled beside her. "Good job, Swan."

They continued playing for a while, Emma winning every single game. She kept having to hide her grin at watching their expressions, all growing more confused at how she kept winning so easily. She had to elbow Killian in the ribs to keep him from laughing.

Eventually McCullen chose to sit out to watch, both amused and confused that Emma kept winning.

Soon enough, Murphy gave a suspicious look when Emma called one of his bluffs again.

"Okay, I have to ask," he said, looking at her. "How is it that you've won every single game, calling all of our bluffs?"

Emma shared a quick glance with Killian, seeing humor dancing in his eyes. She looked back at Murphy.

"I have a little super power, and it let's me know whenever someone is lying," she told him conspiratorially. "Killian learned about it after he taught me to play. Plus it helps that I've actually been playing this game with him for a while now."

Murphy looked dumbstruck, his voice in awe. "You hustled us."

Killian laughed. "And this is one of the reasons I don't allow gambling, mate."

Murphy looked between the bosun and cook. "She hustled us."

The men chuckled as Emma laughed.

"I was wondering how you kept winning so easily," McCullen told her, laughing.

"It's just something I've always been able to do," she admitted.

Curry laughed, shaking his head. "Well, that's certainly something that has to be useful."

"It is," Emma agreed.

"So what are you guys going to do tonight, go back to the ship?" McCullen asked her and Killian.

"We had actually planned to rent a room," Killian said. He looked over at Emma. "We should probably go find somewhere for the night, Swan."

Emma nodded her head in agreement. "We should." She looked at the men. "I'm taking it you're all doing the same?"

Curry nodded. "Aye. We usually do whenever we're on land for any good length of time. We'll be finding some place later."

"Well, I guess we'll be seeing you all later then," she said as she rose with Killian, who offered her assistance up.

"Night Emma, Captain," he replied to the both of them as McCullen and Murphy nodded.

"Good night, gentlemen," Killian responded, nodding.

Emma looped her arm through his as they exited the tavern and began walking down the crowded street.

"That was fun," she said as they searched for an inn.

Killian chuckled. "Aye. I had a feeling they would react like that. Especially Murphy."

Emma laughed. "Yeah. I don't think he's going to trust me much anymore."

"He will," he reassured her. He saw a place up ahead. "There. I think this place will do nicely."

She nodded when she saw where he was leading them. The place was of a decent size, so it was easy to see who came and went from it, but not cramped. Upon entering, it was well kept, with a few of the patrons sitting around in the dinning portion.

Killian looked at her, giving her an out if she wanted it. "Are you sure you wish to share a room?"

Emma met his blue gaze, giving him a soft smile. "Yeah, I'm sure."

He gave her a small smile before moving to inquire on a room for them.

The inn keeper gave Killian a suspicious look before handing over a key, telling them where their room was.

Their room was slightly smaller than the cabin they shared, but the bed was larger than the bed in the cabin. Emma eyed it, wondering how it would feel to sleep in a larger bed again after her time on the ship.

Killian placed the rutsack on the table by the bed before he turned to her. "I wanted to acquire a room early. They become harder to find as the night grows later."

She nodded. "It's still pretty early. What are we gonna do for now?"

He looked at her curiously. "What would you say to exploring the town?"

"I think that sounds good," she responded.

They returned to the inn for supper after the sun set, sitting at one of the tables in the back as they ate, just enjoying each others company.

"So how likely is it that we'll see some of the crew come in?" Emma asked.

Killian shrugged. "Not too likely. The only one I think we will see is McCullen. Possibly Curry. Most of the men prefer to stay at... other places."

Emma looked down at her food, poking at her potatoes as she tried to keep her blush down.

"Anyway, McCullen never goes to those places when he leaves the ship," Killian said as he scratched behind his ear. "He's chosen to remain faithful to his wife, though she's been gone for centuries now."

"I don't think anyone could blame him for wanting that," she responded.

He nodded. "Aye."

He looked around the room, seeing how it was clearing out. "It's getting late. We should probably go up."

She nodded. "Yeah. I'm starting to get pretty tired, anyway."

They rose, leaving some gold on the table, and climbed the steps to the second story to their room. Emma perched herself on the edge of the mattress, taking off her boots as Killian shed his coat and vest.

"Don't you get uncomfortable sleeping in those dresses?" he asked her, genuinely curious.

"Sometimes," she answered. "These dresses are a lot more comfortable than the ones I used to wear. Plus I don't need the same corsets for these that the other ones needed."

He nodded, shrugging as he twisted his hook out of his brace. "If you say so."

She raised an eyebrow. "Is this some scheme to get me out of my dress?"

"No, just curiousity," he responded honestly. "I just would imaging they can get uncomfortable."

She nodded, satisfied with his answer, until-

"Unless, love, you're implying you want to get out of that dress," he said, his voice dripping in innuendo.

Emma rolled her eyes as she settled in under the blankets turning her back to him. "Good night, Killian."

He chuckled as he doused the candles, setting in beside her.

Emma found that though he was near, he wasn't close enough. The instantly missed the bunk they shared, the bed they were in too large and uncomfortable for her. She wanted to move closer to him. She turned her head, seeing him facing her.

"This bed is too big," she said quietly to him.

"It is," Killian agreed.

He reached out, pulling her to him so that her back was pressed against his front. Emma relaxed at the familiar feeling of his body against hers, his warmth comforting her. She moved his arm so that her head rested on it, forgoing her pillow as he wrapped his other arm around her, his hand resting on her stomach. She rested her hand over his.

"This is better," she said contently.

"It's only for a couple nights," he told her. "Soon we'll be back in our cabin in our own bed."

She twisted her neck, to look at him, smiling. It was the first time he'd really referred to the cabin as theirs out loud. "That sounds good."

Killian returned her smile before gently kissing her. His voice was tender when he drew away. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she said back before she rested her head back on his arm, sleep taking over them.

Teaser: "And to whom do I owe the pleasure?" Killian asked lightly, testing him.

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